the evening hindred them and the darkness of the night after ten hours separated this cruel fight Ten with the title of Generals were killed in both the Armies Wallestain was rather threatned than hurt with the shot of a Musket which favourably passed betwixt the seat and the buttock though at the blow not without a mark of excessive fear he let the bridle fall out of his hand and his Horse ran away with him The Imperialists by night retired towards Leipzich leaving their Cannon in the field because in the confusion of the Battel the Draught-horses were run away But in the Triumph of the Swedes the General was wanting which filling the Army that infinitely loved him with sorrow and lamentation some deplored the flower of his age others the vigour of his mind and all together the quality of a great Prince and no less Souldier He was found amongst the dead bodies mangled with wounds bruised with the trampling of Horses stript totally that not so much as his shirt remained as a Trophy of so many Conquests and so great an Empire A King certainly saving the errour of his Religion endowed with those qualities which have rendred the Conquerours of the World famous Possessing in an equal degree courage and prudence and if in conquering he seemed fierce and violent he was as wise and circumspect in preserving His vertues being solid and all of a piece it could not be discerned to which in his knowledge of the Military or Civil Affairs the prize was to be given Yet all his life having been in a continual exercise of Arms it seemed that he himself gave it the preference And indeed Fortune in these so far favoured him that having fought many Battels and always conquered in this very instant of death he dyed victorious after death and a long course of prosperity hath crowned in such sort his Sepulchre that his very ashes may be called Triumphant This was the issue of the Battel of Lutzen both Parties judged fatal the one having lost the field and the other their King but if these got the Victory the others saved themselves Wallestain staying but a few moments at Leipzich retires afterwards into Bohemia and the Swedes conducting the Body to Weissenfelt solemnized his Funeral with Revenge and Arms. Leipzich was rendred to Saxony to Weimar Chemnits to Kniphausen Pleiffenberg and Zuiccan to Horn and to the Rhingrave after the defeat of the Imperial Cavalry in Alsace Rheinfelt Colmar Haghenau and other places Frederick Prince Palatine under the countenance of this the Swedes Fortune regains Frankendale but taking the death of Gustavus to heart An. Dom. 1633 dyes himself within a while after Baudissen having taken Andernach troubled the Elector of Colen and the Dukedom of Berg. In this year also were in mourning through unhappy Fate almost all the Royal Families of Europe for in Spain whilst King Philip kept his Court in Catalogna dyes Charles his Brother in the flower of his Age a Prince of a haughty mind and impatient of being idle to such a degree that being designed to temper with more quiet imployments the heat of his nature to the Government of Portugal while the Infante Cardinal his other Brother was going to that of Flanders he raging with anger within a while dyes either from the weariness of his condition or by disorders having in a manner dissolved his mind in idleness and wasted his natural strength in pleasures Fame nevertheless accused the Conde Duke as if fearing the opposition of his hot spirit against his Authority he should have procured his death by poyson But it is not becoming without more certain proofs to give credit to so hainous a wickedness In Germany Leopold Archduke of Inspruch weary of the blows of Fortune prejudicial to his House and Country dyes leaving little Sons under the Tutelage of Claudia de Medici his Wife In Poland King Sigismond departs this life and in the Diet of the Kingdom was substituted Vladislaus his Eldest Son The Republick to congratulate his coming to the Crown made choice of Giovanni Pisari Cavalier for Ambassadour Extraordinary who afterwards appointed elsewhere leaves Giorgio Giorgio Cavalier to perform it and it was answered in the Name of the King by the Duke of Ossolinschi after he had been to present obedience to the Pope ANNO M.DC.XXXIII By the death of Gustavus all the World believed notwithstanding the posthumous Victory and the advantages of Arms that as great and weighty bodies when they fall are split into small pieces so Fortune would be shaken and such a breach made into that Power that the Armies should disband Princes disunite Conquests be lost and after a short flash there would remain of this great Thunder-stroke no more but the memory and the ashes But quite contrary for after having setled in Swede the Succession of the Crown in Christina the only Daughter of the King deceased and placed the Tutelage of her that was not above seven years old in the hands of the principal Ministers the Chiefs of the Army calling a Council in Germany resolved to continue the War so much the more earnestly by how much they hoped that Honour and Booty will in future accrue to their advantage To Axel Oxenstern great Chancellor a man of a notable Talent they yielded the direction of the ordinary Counsels and to Weimar they committed the chief management of the Armies not without distasting the Elector of Saxony who by reason of his dignity thought it due to him So the War under divers Chiefs and with several Armies was presently spread into many Provinces to the so much ruine of places and people that if it ordinarily be nourished with cruelty and blood at present it seemed that the alone desolating of Germany was the aim of the Armies Amongst infinite successes which changing felicity and fortune hapned in several places it shall suffice to make choice of the most signal that serve most for the reflection of Princes and the alteration of States Whilst the Swedish Chiefs were dividing designs and charges Fridtland not only goes far from Leipzich but out of the Countries of the Elector of Saxony though with the fright of his Arms he might easily have perswaded him to an agreement and leaving but a few Troops in Bohemia goes into Silesia under pretext to oppose the Saxons who indeed made less disturbance there than elsewhere The Austrians joyful for the death of the King Gustavus stormed nevertheless against their own General accusing him that neglecting so great a conjuncture to end the War with advantage he had not made use of the arts proper to a Conquerour nor his wonted ones of a great Captain Wherefore the confidence Ferdinand had in him did henceforward degenerate into suspicion that he was pleased with War and the Command whereupon to satiate his ambition or rather to found his intention a great sum of money in the name of the Spaniards was offered him that by his reputation and conduct an
with his King 402 Benedette da Leggi Proveditor in Istria outlawed by the Count Petazzo 54 55 Benefices Ecclesiastical prohibited to the Sons of the Dukes 180 Bergen Opzoom besieged described and relieved 192 193 Bernard Duke of Wiemar after the King of Swedes death assumes the Command of the Army 375 378. takes Ratisbon 385. beaten at Nortlinghen 393. closes with the French 413. defeats the Imperialists in Alsace and takes many places there 433. and Brisach 442. dyes 471 Bethelem Gabor makes War in Hungary 137. makes a Truce ibid. breaks it 157. makes peace again 177. seeks assistance from the Venetians but obtains it not 203 Bohemians rebel 125. what were the occasions 127. the effects ibid. form a Government 129. offer the Crown to several Princes 136 confer it on the Palatine ibid. have recourse to the Turks ibid. other Princes interest themselves 138. are beaten at Prague 156 Boisleduke besieged by Orange 307. is taken 308 Bormio important for the situation recovered by the Grisons and left 160 Breda besieged and taken by Spinola 222. recovered by Orange 430 Brem a Fort built by Savoy 409. taken by Leganes 437 Borgia Cardinal protests against the Pope 369 C. CArdinal Pasman demands assistance of the Pope 369 Charles Duke of Lorrain leans to the Austrians and receives Orleans in his Country 361. humbles himself to the King of France 362. reunites with the Austrians 380. is attacqued by the French 381. gives over his Country to his Brother ib. is forced to put Nancy into the Kings hands ibid. makes new Treaties with the King and breaks them 496 Carlo Duke of Nevers goes into Casal 13. his designs against the Turks without effect 30 protected by the King of France 272. succeeds into the Dutchy of Mantua 271. sends Ambassadours to the Emperour without effect 274. defends himself against the Emperors Commissary and hath recourse to the Venetians 284. raises Troops in France with his own money 286. sends his Son to the Emperour and to pacifie him attempts other means 288. complains of the Treaty of Susa but presses the execution of it 302. tempted to a Composure by the Austrians 312. consents to a cessation of Arms without effect 318. environed with domestick Treacheries 326. incouraged by the French and Venetians 334 retires into Porto renders himself and goes to Melara and there supplied by the Republick 336. is restored to his Country 353. the Pope denies him a Dispensation to marry with his Daughter-in-law 370. enters into a League with France 402. dyos 435 Carlo Duke of Rhetel comes to Mantua marries the Princess secures the Succession 271 goes to Vienna brings back severe answers 288. dyes 354 Charles the Second Duke of Mantua 354 Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy his designs to enlarge his State the occasion offered by the death of his Son-in-law the Duke of Mantua 6. holds a Council about the enterprise on Monferrat and resolves it 10. surprises several places 11. with a general disturbance and the dislike of the Venetians 12. justifies himself to the Spaniards ibid. confides in the Governour of Milan 15. displeased with the Venetians ibid. sends his eldest Son into Spain 16. attacques Nizza della Paglia 23 but is hindred by the Spaniards 24. they press him to restore and he endeavours to avoid it 26. but yields to it with reserves 27 is constrained to disarm 29. complains of the conditions imposed upon him by Spain his courage 31. avoids seeing the French Ambassadour ibid. arms against Spain 33. sends an Ambassadour to Venice 34 39. opposes the Spaniards with their opinion of it 38. not satisfied with the offers of France for the peace 40. exhorts the Venetians to joyn in a League with him 41. seeks assistance elsewhere in vain 42 46. signs a Treaty of Peace without effect 43. clears himself of the Imperial Ban 45. justifies his intentions and accuses those of Spain 46. denies to consent to the conditions that Crown would impose upon him ibid. defends Bistagno and Asti 47. with great courage 48. demands the Republick caution for the peace 49. signs it 50. offers himself to the Republick 57. disarms with caution ib. seeks to know Toledo's intentions discovers Treachery and Arms 65. demands assistance from the Princes and Venetians of whom he obtains it 70. consents to a suspension of Arms 78. discovers the designs of Nemours 79. breaks out into a War with Spain invading the Milanese 80. gives battel 81. constant in his Vnion with the Venetians 83. strengthens himself 84. makes progress into Monferrat 99. his magnanimity when betrayed 100. attempts to relieve Vercelli 103. vexed at the loss of it falls into the Milanese 104 offers himself to the Venetians 112. with whom he unites 119. renders what had been taken to the Spaniards 120. adheres to France 124. assists the Bohemians 131. refuses that Crown 136. his ends on the emergencies of the Valteline 162. does not make the Levies promised the Republick 172. undertakes the surprising Geneva 172. stirs up France against the Spaniards 210. and against Genoua 211. is angry not to be seconded by the Venetians 214. tempted by the Spaniards 215. marches towards the Genouese 228. displeased with Desdiguieres 231 232 forced to retire 233. succours Verrua 235 is succoured by the French 236. angry at Richelieu for the peace of Monzon flatters the English and malecontents of the Kingdom 250. suspends Hostility against Genouse 252 applies himself to the affairs of Mantua and joyns with the Spaniards 269. despises the offers of France 270 273. complains of the Marriage of his Niece with Rhetel 273. possesses part of Monferrat 282. is stirred up against Genoua ibid. denies passage to the French 286. endeavours to sow jealousie betwixt France and the Republick 292. refuses conditions offered by that Crown 299. is succoured by the Governour of Milan ibid. indeavours to stop that Kings march 300. and make peace with him on any conditions 301 avoids executing the Treaty of Susa 303. leans to the Emperour 311. endeavours again to stop the French 319. disgusts increase betwixt him and Richelieu 323. flies from Rivoli 324. discharges the Ambassadour of Venice ibid. flings himself into the arms of the Austrians 325. and is succoured by them 325 angry with Spinola 339. dyes and judgment upon his life 340 Carlo Emanuel the Second Duke of Savoy dyes judgment of his death 434 Charles Lodowick Palatine goes towards Alface arrested Prisoner and set at liberty 471 Charles Prince of Wales goes into Spain to demand the Infanta in Marriage 195. not granted by the Spaniards marries a Sister of the King of France 207. succeeds into the Crown of England to his Father endeavours the restitution of the Palatine and to relieve Breda 220. is disgusted with France 221 255. is displeased with the Austrians 240 sends a Fleet against Spain ibid. his ingaging with other Princes against France 251 endeavours the relief of Rochel in vain 289 jealous of the designs of France upon Flanders 399 100.
like waves of the Sea always fluctuating either by the motion of the winds or the remainder of past storms rise up one after another So the Arms taken up for the Affairs of the Valteline were scarce laid down but there appeared new jealousies by reason of the succession of Mantua and a War brake forth both sad and memorable for the quality of the motives and the variety of successes Many Princes took part in it and upon it followed plagues and universal calamities which in the flood of mischiefs and blood have in a manner changed the face of Europe ruining the powerful and raising up Princes little less than unknown The House of Gonzagha which reigned in Mantua was now considered without issue Male and without hopes of having any as it were a dead Carcass of Fortune neither could Ferdinand and Vincenzo leave after them other than the young Princess Mary their Niece who as a Woman excluded from the Investiture of the Dutchy of Mantua had some reason though doubtful to pretend to that of Monferrat In her Marriage therefore seeming lodged the pledge of Peace or the seeds of great contention many believed it expedient to marry her to Charles Duke of Rhetel Son of Charles Duke of Nevers the nearest and lawful Heir This branch transplanted into a foreign soil sprang nevertheless from the same root coming from Lodowick Gonzagha Son of Frederick the first Duke of Mantua who not contented with his lot that by reason of his age his other Brothers should be preferred before him in the succession to his Fathers Estates sought in France and by Marriage met with a better Fortune whence his Heirs enjoyed with plentiful Revenues three large Dukedoms of Nevers of Rhetel and of Maine But for that this House was in a manner naturalized in France the Spaniards who as soon as Mary was born had endeavoured to get her into their power expresly to divert the danger of such a Succession abhorred him above all to the end not to introduce the French into the heart of Italy and into two Countries which have the Milanese in the middle They therefore promoted the pretensions of Ferrant Prince of Guastalla a branch also of the House of Gonzagha but who derived his Pedigree further off coming from the second Son of Francesco Marquess of Mantua Father of Frederick the first Duke But as much as they favoured him in the Imperial Court with benefits and every where else with declarations so much was France the more earnest to strengthen the Rights of Nevers Whereupon at the time Monsieur de Chasteauneuf went from Venice as he passed by Mantua he had insinuated the Marriage of Mary with Rhetel and the Venetians concurring in the same opinion put the Duke in mind of establishing the Succession in his life time and with it the Peace of Italy But Ferdinand apprehending troubles or hoping for a longer life or considering his Brother Vincenzo who by secret love ingaged in the Marriage of Isabella di Buzzolo and now satiated with those passions and by reason of her sterility sought to be separated from her deferred so long that death in the end of the year past seized him Vincenzo was his Successor who by sending to Venice as Ambassadour Extraordinary the Marquess Paulo Emilio Gonzagha gave knowledge of it to the Senate confiding to them his thoughts to break his Marriage and espouse the Niece But though he were young enough in years yet the constitution of his body being spent and decaying and the right of the Sacrament justly prevailing with the Pope before the politick reasons the Venetians sollicited him to prevent so remote and uncertain hopes by the Marriage of his Niece to Rhetel He delaying to resolve let the danger approach nearer every one now concluding that that Line of the Dukes would in a short time fail without Issue who wholly given over to lusts and luxury were looked at as punished with sterility by God for their fraudulent Marriages Adulteries and Lewdness with which they had stained their name and defiled their lives Amongst all none watched on this business with a more attentive eye than Carlo Emanuel Duke of Savoy who by the death of Vincenzo thought to revive his pretended Rights on Monferrat and to colour it with the Marriage of Mary to his Son Maurice In order to this he protested to the Duke of Mantua against the disposing of their common Niece without his consent and joyned practices with the Court of Spain and the Governour of Milan to obtain it by force if Treaties should not suffice Nor had he any difficulty to possess Olivares who usually calculated designs and successes by his own opinion and hopes with the behovefulness of excluding Nevers and keeping the French far off from Italy and withal of the opportunity to take Casale and a good part of Monferrat he for his part shewing himself contented only with Trin and a portion of the open Country Though in truth reason did not consent yet the conjuncture sharpned the perswasions of the Duke and invited the Spaniards to the undertaking for France being engaged before Rochel the English in War the Protestants every where beaten and the Hollanders by reason of the affairs of Germany distracted by great apprehensions they could not well discern who could be capable to disturb them They well knew that Italy would be in a commotion but with what Forces As for the Pope although he loved not their greatness they were not deceived in believing that he would proceed with great wariness and far from engaging in Arms. The Venetians not wont to declare themselves so easily would be apt rather by complaints and endeavours to stir up others than move War alone The Grand Duke under the Government of a Mother of the Austrian blood did not as yet discern his own interest and to the rest of the Princes together with Forces hearts were wanting On the contrary the Power of Spain saw it self at the height of prosperity with store of Treasure and puissant Armies and by its Councils and Money directing with an absolute Arbitrement the Interests and Forces of the Emperour disposed with no less Authority as well of Germany as of Spain and its other vast Kingdoms Certainly it was not advantagious for Carlo to greaten the Spaniards upon his own Borders but being accustomed to aim only at the enlargement of his Territories he proposed to make use of them to make some conquest and turn himself afterwards to the friendship of the French to preserve it and by engaging the two Crowns in discord and Wars sell his adherence at a dearer rate as necessary however unfaithful to one and the other Nevers had no support besides the protection of France but the justice of his cause which he saw much considered by all and in particular by the Pope and the Venetians but right prevailing little without force he attempted by all sorts of humiliation and promises of submission and dependence to
taken what else would it be but to wound Italy again in the scar scarce healed to make it incurable and more painful The King charged himself with Casal nay with the universal care of Italy promising on any danger of that Country any attempts of its Enemies any notice from the Confederates to descend again the Alps with puissant Forces He that was the Author of the Peace would be the Guardian of it intreated the Republick to cooperate with him in so generous intentions and if she had been his Companion in the War she would have the satisfaction besides with him to maintain the Peace The Venetians after so long disturbances infinitely desirous of quiet were in a doubt lest upon new emergencies and the news of introducing Garrison the Spaniards taking Jealousie might disturb the Peace They were besides perswaded that the Duke drawing some relief from his Estate in France might supply his present necessity with which they hoped at last that the Councils of Spain being moderated by events Italy was to enjoy a long and secure tranquillity For this cause they excuse themselves from lending the Duke new assistance nevertheless promising if other disturbances should arise to concur with the vigilance and readiness usual in their ancient Customs together with the Crown for the relief of him and the common Liberty of Italy But the Dukes necessities not at all yielding to these considerations nor the Kings instances slackning but the Mareshal Thoiras being sent Ambassadour Extraordinary to give weight to the business by the quality of a person so famous he repeats with great urgency that the Republick having even in his utmost calamity assisted Carlo with a careful liberality would also compleat the kindness by giving him means to enjoy his present better Fortune The Senate resolved for that time only to disband upon the Borders certain Foot that the Duke taking them into pay might be accommodated with them but in conclusion Feria not disbanding and it being discovered that by the means of the Commander Collredo he perswaded the Duke rejecting the French and Venetian Garrisons to admit into Mantua those of Spain with offers of vast recompences and there happening in Goito just at the time it was to be restored to the State the death of the Eldest Prince without leaving other Issue than a Son in Swadling-clouts and one Daughter the Venetians determined to prevent every troublesom accident to send to the Duke under the Command of Francesco Martinengo a thousand Foot and two Companies of Horse with Ammunition and all that was else needful Jealousies afterwards increasing more and more they brought in four hundred other Souldiers Monsieur de Tavanes assisting by the Duke to give him the better appearance and reputation by the protection of that Crown Nor were the suspicions ill grounded for Feria having not succeeded to bring the Duke by Treaty to his ends attempted more secret contrivances and had sent to Mantua the Infanta Margaret under pretext to console the Widdowhood of the young Princess her Daughter but in effect to sow Discord suggest Marriages form Parties that by dividing the House and the Government a way miht be opened to some disorder Moreover the Duke of Main being dead in Casal in the so tender age of the little Prince new jealousies designs and hopes were perceived to arise for the Succession But Feria by more compelling apprehensions was forced to lead his thoughts elsewhere for when he thought the French gone out of Italy he discovered a Garrison in Pignarol and the Colours of that Crown displayed All followed in order to the fore-related Treaties for pledge whereof was the Cardinal of Savoy gone to Paris under the shew of fulfilling them But the French making shew of a suspicion that the Governour had no intention sincerely to observe the agreement complained that he did not disarm and that he kept some Germans of Schomberg in his pay notwithstanding that it was alledged by the Spaniards that that Regiment in particular belonged to the Crown under whose Colours it had long before born Arms and that in the process of the past Negotiations having made mention of it to the Popes Ministers they had obtained of the French in express terms that that was not understood to be comprehended amongst those Troops which were to go out of Italy But they who sought for excuses and pretexts shewing themselves not at all satisfied feigned to demand for the keeping of a secure passage open for their return into Italy a place of the Duke Vittorio And he dissembling what had been agreed in a mocquery to Feria communicates to him the request and at the same time though it obliged him to deny it demands of him assistance but in such a number and within a time so short that he could not be able to give it him The Governour defending himself partly with great complaints and partly with various and ambiguous answers the Duke taking pretext from the delays and denial publishes that he had consented to yield to pressing instances and deliver Pignarol for six months to the French But a little while after a new Treaty was divulged in which it appeared that that Town with the Vallies adjacent was sold to the Crown in perpetuity and that the price of it was that money which amounted to five hundred thousand Crowns which Vittorio for the satisfying of Mantua being to deposite in Lyons the King now charging himself with that debt took it upon himself Whether the French Garrison really at the executing of the Treaty did go out of Pignarol and afterwards went in again after that the Savoyards for the freeing of the Hostages gave assurance that the place was delivered or whether a part did not remain in the Cellars or in subterranean places hidden was then much and doubtfully talked of but time hath at last discovered that the French not trusting the quitting of the place entirely one part only went out and another remained secretly within and the Count de la Rocca the Spanish Ambassador at Turin who would have gone thither to see the effectual delivery was diverted by Mazarine by the fear of the Plague making him believe that it raged much and mortally in that place This action moved on a sudden the minds of all Europe and chiefly in Italy many at so great a novelty standing amazed others in suspence others contented according to affections and interests because those who for want of power had till now kept in their hatred against Spain breathed again desires and hopes of alterations and changes On the other side he that in the present state of things found himself at quiet equally fearing a yoke and assistance presaged new and more lasting calamities if it should remain in the power of the unquiet and head-long Genius of the French Nation unseasonably to disturb Italy but others that desired to see it in an equal state of liberty and security highly rejoycing that that Crown also was come
indisposed with pain in an arm which almost withered by blood-letting and by scars had for a long time tormented him The French thought the enterprise would succeed well and not last long supposing that there would be found a want of Victuals in the place But the Marquess Flores d' Avila the Governour gave them out with such exactness and concealed them expresly to strengthen that opinion that for that cause the place would quickly be taken that so the French being deceived in their hopes might spare blood and force and by prolonging the Siege time might be given for its relief Holding out therefore some months affairs in Flanders proceeded happily for the Spaniards for that Melo not able for the distance to send succours into Spain endeavoured to give them aid by diversion finding his Army twenty five thousand strong and with all things else well provided So that he easily recovered Lens and la Bassee was rendred to him Dividing his Army he afterwards threatned to invade France in two several parts and to oppose them the French Army being separated into two bodies he on a sudden rejoyns his own and falls upon the Count de Guische in his Quarters which near Chastelet he negligently kept The Count saved himself by flight leaving the Camp with that which was in it in prey to the Enemy From that side which is much exposed Melo might have gone even to Paris and some counselled him to it to promote in the Kings far absence confusions and tumults in that vast City Others were of opinion that he should carry the Army to the Rhine and repair those disadvantages which after the defeat of Lamboy the Catholicks sustained by the Weimarians Melo having express commands from the Conde Duke not to ingage the Army in ought that might divert the Forces from those vast designs he framed to himself destroys the benefit of the Victory Olivares built upon the intelligence held with Monsieur le Grand who changing into hatred the benefit of his raising studied revenge against the Cardinal because he had hindred him of the honour of being admitted into the secret Council of the Title of Duke and Peer and of the Marriage with the Princess Maria of Nevers He had observed in his confidences with the King that Richelieu was become troublesom to him and by consequence was rather tolerated than loved nay he affirms that Lewis had secretly given him leave to make use of the means that might ruine the Cardinal But wanting experience and transported with ambition he fails in chusing of the way Finding himself to want a party for the private favour of the King was not sufficient to defend him against the publick Authority which the Cardinal had the management of he seeks to make other friends and before he went with the King from Paris he contracts friendship Monsieur de Thou being the instrument with the Duke of Bouillon and both strengthned themselves afterwards with Orleans to have the applause and name of a Prince of the Blood Orleans besides the impatience of a private life was irritated against the Cardinal both for old businesses and for a new suspicion that upon the Kings death he had thoughts to assume the Regency to himself It was therefore resolved to be rid of him by all means and Bouillon offering Sedan for a place of Retreat it came to be considered that men money and credit to support themselves and withal to undertake was wanting To obtain the means for it they send into Spain Monsieur de Frontailles who in the greatest secrecy concluded a Treaty in which under the pretext of promoting the general Peace and the Service of King Lewis himself who was declared to be oppressed by the Cardinal it was agreed That when Orleans should be come to Sedan the Catholick King should deliver to him twelve thousand Foot and five thousand Horse with four hundred thousand Crowns to make new Levies and necessary provisions of Ammunition and Cannon Over this Army was to command the Duke himself assisted with two Mareshals of the Field which should be Bouillon and St. Mars that of Flanders was by a good concert to second their undertaking To the Duke with the assistance of a Spanish Minister should be permitted to grant Peace or Neutrality with those Provinces of the Kingdom that would demand it excluding nevertheless the general Peace betwixt the Crowns which was not to be made but by common consent and with restitution to the Spaniards of all that was taken Lastly that Orleans should be obliged to declare against the Swedes and against all those which were Enemies to the Austrians The Contractors by this Treaty aimed much further than at the ruine alone of the Cardinal for the Spaniards aspired at the discord and division of the Kingdom Orleans gaped after the Soveraignty or at least to have a share in the Regency And the others either thought to revenge themselves of the Favourite or to procure themselves advantages But because the malecontents did believe that the person alone of the Cardinal was to oppose their designs they resolved to kill him and that St. Mars should execute it not only as having the greatest courage but because he passed through the Guards with less observations and greater confidence And he in the Journey might have performed it at Briara near Lyons for that he found him there not well guarded but abstained from it either desiring that in so great a change of things Orleans should be in Court or at least judging with designs perhaps more vast that the Cardinal being so soon taken away further attempts would remain languishing and discredited which had their principal support from the hatred conceived against him The Cardinal having gotten notice of their designs the King being arrived at Perpignan staid as hath been said at Narbonne believing he might remain a far off with greater safety and besides the vivacity of mind and the artifice of wit in cases of the greatest extremity not abandoning him he caused his deplorable condition of life to be published by his Attendants and the Chirurgions themselves to the end that from such hope the Conspirators might abstain from blemishing themselves with the blood of him of whom nature was within a while to be the more just Murtherer The King falls grievously sick in the Camp of a Dysentery and in the contingency of his life arose in the Court and also in the Army great divisions some adhering to Meilleray who supported the party of the Cardinal others to Monsieur le Grand who declared himself for Orleans Lewis's health in a short space recovered quiets that stir yet giving means to le Grand to the end to entertain the King in his aversion against the Minister to draw arguments from what had happened of Richelieu's excess of power and thoughts of the Regency The Cardinal perceiving that he had no more support in the Kings favour and seeing rather under the shadow of his
re-united themselves and the Chiefs receiving the advice of the Kings death with express order not to hazard in that conjuncture a Battel kept it secret not to take away courage from their own nor increase confidence in the Enemy since they found themselves so far advanced that they could not retire either with safety or honour The Army then was put into order and Gassion with the right wing made choice of a place of such advantage that he could conveniently attacque the Spaniards in flank Melo with a redoubled errour not caring to stay any longer for Bech for whom he had the evening before neglected the advantage to defeat one part of the Enemy readily accepts the engagement and in the beginning had the success to rout and pursue all the left-wing with the gaining of eight Cannons taking Monsieur de la Ferté Seneterre Prisoner and the wounding of Monsieur del Hospitall This notwithstanding Anguien with an undaunted courage played still the part of a Commander and suggesting to himself if not from experience at least from his birth the memorials and provocations of glory restores the broken Troops to courage and order and leads again those that were most entire to the Fight Gassion with the natural fury of the French shocks the left-wing of the Spaniards in such a manner that the Cavalry could not withstand him The Duke of Albequerque was General of it arrived to that degree by the favour of Melo and he just unmindful of the publick danger and his own honour was the first that betook himself to flight whereupon the rest easily followed him Gassion then charges in the rear of the right wing which being victorious pursuing advantage had scarce been put to a little stop by Monsieur de Scirot who seasonably with a body of reserve was moving to encounter it But feeling on a sudden blows from behind them turned aside and at last gave way totally The Foot which consisted of the best of the Italian and Spanish Troops made resistance with the proof of great courage as long as they were able The Marquess de Fontaine their General having by the Gout the use of his Feet taken from him died upon a Chair at the head of the Battailons with a great number of Souldiers whose bodies were seen lying in ranks so unmoveably had they kept their station Many flinging away their Arms endeavoured to escape by flight and amongst those Melo after having given greater proof of courage than experience flinging away his Truncheon of command saved himself not softly Five other Squadrons closing themselves together withstood a long time the charge of Gassion resolving not to part with their lives but at the price of a great deal of blood But they abandoned and environed by the French who at last intended to bring Cannon to overcome them were forced to yield The Prisoners were six thousand which with the Cannon Baggage and a great number of Colours remained in the power of the French who found of theirs not above two thousand wanting Anguien warmed with the battel and fierce for the Victory casts himself into the Enemy Country not only recompensing with burning the mischief done in the Tirasche as hoping in that consternation of minds for some great revolt But the Flemmings observing France also by the death of the King tottering kept themselves quiet He applies therefore to more profitable Conquests besieging Thionville which through the importance of the situation in Lutzemburg having been formerly attempted after a bloody Siege was now rendred and a while after Sirch ran the same Fortune The Queen in this interim after the Husbands death comes with her two Sons from St. Germans to Paris amidst long files of the people in Arms and entring with the new King into the Parliament Orleans and Condé assisting expresses rather with tears than words shewing the Sons as pledges of her affection and the Kingdoms felicity that nothing remained to her but Widowhood and tears She referred to the Kings disposition of the manner of the Regency to which Orleans and Condé declared to have given their consent only not to defile with reluctancy and disgusts the quiet of the Kings last breath To many of the Parliament it self it seemed incapable of admission no less than new Being therefore abolished with unanimous Votes the Regency remained decreed to the Mother of the King alone with an absolute power Yet it is true that to have the two above-mentioned Princes consent to it it was before concerted that the Queen should confirm them in the charges conferred by the King and that the same Ministers should be continued in the Council As the first act of her authority to the end to avoid any intestine over-turnings the Queen recals the exiled and sets the Bastille open and to gain applause she bestows charges and gifts upon those she knew she could not wish better publishing that her desire was during her Regency to make appear all the virtue but none of the defects of the past Government To the Princes Confederates and Friends she stedfastly affirms that she would persevere in the alliances and affections of her Husband deceased As to Ministers of the Counsel it quickly appeared that she desired to bring into it persons more in her own confidence They were but few and had out-lived the persecutions of Richelieu neglected rather than preserved by reason of the opinion of their mean abilities Wherefore the others beginning to fear a fall the Chancellor to uphold himself employs as much money as he could and as much art as he knew for the gaining of those who being most conversant with the Queen should remonstrate on all occasions to her his ability in employments and the facility with which he suffered himself without reserve to be bowed to the supreme will of the Government a quality not to be despised in a new Regency Bottillier having the Keys of the Treasury as his Son managed the Pen of the secrets of State having with such eminent charges and immense riches provoked the hatred of the people and the envy of the Court judged it would be available for the preservation of the rest to renounce the superintendency which was by the Queen divided betwixt the President Bailleul her Chancellor and Monsieur d' Avo both in the reputation of sincere and dis-interessed virtue Nevertheless a while after Chavigni also under the title of sale was forced to yield up the Secretaryship of State to the Count de Brienne a person of exemplary integrity and of the Queens oldest Servants To the charge of chief Minister as difficult to be disposed of as to be undertaken because confidence and capacity were in an equal degree requisite she destines the Bishop of Bovés kept from Court by Richelieu as long as he lived But he being at first in the opinion of probity and sufficiency was no sooner arrived at Court but that in the darkness of so many affairs and interests he found a
Treaty of Monzon 245. of Simeon Contarini to defer the resolution in favour of the Duke of Mantua 276. of Dominico Molino to the contrary 278. of Battista Nani upon the authority of the Council of Ten 295. of Pietro Foscarini to drive the Germans out of the Posts about Mantua 327. of John Nani in the contrary opinion 329. another of his to the Pope 457. of Julio Mazarine to perswade the Duke of Savoy to yield Pignarol to France 351. of Bellievre Ambassadour of France to perswade the Senate to a League with his King 402. of the Spanish Ambassadour de la Rocca to disswade it 425. of Monsieur de Hussé who demands assistance for the Duke of Savoy 465. of the Spanish Ambassadour la Rocca against it 465. of Giovanni Pesari that the Republick would take the Duke of Parma into their protection 506. of Vincenzo Gussoni on the contrary 508 Ornano Governour of the Kings Brother promotes disturbances in France 248. his imprisonment and death 249 Osmond succeeds in the Turkish Empire 117. deposed and killed 194 Ostia taken by the Venetians 331 Ottaviano Bono Ambassadour to the King of France 60. recalled by the Republick 110 P. PEace of Asti and its conditions 50 Peace betwixt the Republick and the Archduke treated at the Emperours Court 65. transferred into Spain 87. and thither also the Treaty of that betwixt Spain and Savoy 87. an Imperial Ambassadour arrives there 105. further Negotiation suspended 106. is transferred into France ibid. is concluded at Paris as extended in Madrid 109. the conditions of it ibid. approved by the Republick though not content with their Ministers 111. the execution for Piedmont concerted ibid. interrupted by Toledo ibid. the ratifications exchanged and Commissioners appointed 115. and executed betwixt Ferdinand and the Republick ibid. Peace for the Valteline treated at Paris without effect 238. is concluded at Monzon 243. its conditions ibid. various judgments 244. the aim of the Contractors ibid. the opinions the Confederates had of France ibid. the Republick approves it 246 Peace betwixt France and England 297 Peace of Susa not executed 301 Peace betwixt the Emperour and King of Denmark 305 Peace of Ratisbone for the affairs of Italy 342. complaints of many Princes ibid. executed in Piedmont 344. disapproved by France 345. is moderated by a new Treaty at Chierasco 351. the Governour of Milan complaining 353. is executed ibid. Peace betwixt England and Spain 345 Peace of Prague betwixt the Emperour and the Protestants 411 Peace general meets with great difficulties yet the Pope sends a Legate and the Republick Ambassadours to negotiate it 425 431. some Pass-ports are granted 432 460. a Treaty betwixt France and Swede concerning the management of the peace 444. greater difficulties still arise 474 484 499. a beginning given to the Meeting 558 Peace betwixt Spain and the Prince of Parma Peace betwixt the Princes of Savoy and their Sister-in-law and France 414 Peace of the Pope with the Princes of the League and with the Duke of Parma managed by the French Ministers 549. disturbed by the propositions of the Barberins to the Spaniards ibid. Cardinal Bichi imployed and Plenipotentiary are named 566. the opinions of the Confederates 569. Propositions of Cardinal Bichi at Venice 570. interruptions feared by the Popes sickness ibid. recovers 571. is concluded the Articles comprehended in two Capitulations ibid. are published and executed 572 Palatinate possessed by Bavarians and Spaniards 174. succoured by Mansfelt 178 Paulo V. Pope endeavours the peace of Italy 13. the peace betwixt the Republick and the Archduke 53. betwixt Spain and Savoy 66. sollicited by the Spanish Ministers against the Republick 72. fears lest the peace break for the cause of the Valteline 163. dyes 164 Perpignan its situation blocked by the French 532. besieged by the King in person 533. is rendred 538 Plague in Italy 319. destroys the Armies 326. Mantua unpeopled 329. lays waste the State of the Republick and the City of Venice 337. ceases 350. is manufactured in Milan 350 Piacenza straightned by the Spaniards 426 Pietro Contarini Ambassadour in England hires Ships for the Republick 117 Pietro Barbarigo after many imployments made Captain General 222 Pietro di Toledo inveighs against the peace of Asti 83. comes Governour to Milan and reinforces the Army 59. demands of the Republick to withdraw their Army from Gradisca and gives jealousie to their Borders 64. endeavours to break the Treaty of Asti 65. with various Propositions to Carlo against whom nevertheless he hatches treachery ibid. draws near with his Army to Piedmont corrupts the Duke of Nemours 79. endeavours to separate Carlo from the friendship of the Venetians 83. not caring what Monferrat suffered besieges Vercelli 99. takes it 103. invades the Confines of the Republick 111. afterwards publishes the peace 112. makes difficulty to execute it in Piedmont 120. hatches a conspiracy in Crema 122. renders Vercelli 123 Pietro Foscarini counsels to force the Germans from their Posts near to Mantua 327. Ambassadour at Constantinople 469 Pietro Girone Duke of Ossuna and Viceroy of Naples renders the Republick jealous by Sea 72. arrests their Ships 93. incourages the Uscocchi ibid. his various designs 94. sends Ships into the Adriatick ibid. publishes a design against the Turks and demands the Gallies of the Princes of Italy 95. but intends rather to stir up the Turks against the Republick 95 96. sends Gallies into the Adriatick 97. takes Merchant-ships belonging to the Republick ibid. invade the Adriatick anew 113. does not restore the Booty ibid. his disturbing thoughts 116. arms more and more and treats with the Turk 117. to make the Republick jealous 118. withdraws his Ships ibid. hinders the restitution of Goods taken ibid. advises of new attempts against the Republick 119. partaker of the conspiracy in Venice 123. continues to trouble the Republick by sending out Ships to rob 146. desirous to maintain himself in his Government 226. the King jealous of him appoints a Successor 147. goes into Spain and dyes in prison 148. his Ships taken by the Venetians ibid. Pietro Gritti Ambassadour in Spain insinuates the peace 86. concludes it 109 Pietro Hein Admiral of Holland takes the Spanish Fleet. Petillano besieged by the Pontificians raises the siege and are beaten 564 Polesene important to the Venetians 565 Pompeo Justiniano taken into the Venetian pay 44. commands the Army in Friuli 55. abandons Lucinis 56. offers to besiege Gradisca 61. dyes 76 Portugal rebels 488 Prague taken by the Catholicks 156 Prefectureship of Rome given by the Pope to his Nephew to the distaste of the Princes 364. whose Ambassadors abstain from the Churches ibid. encounter of the Venetian Ambassadour with the Prefect 364. the matter composed 366 Princes moved by several affections and interests especially those of Italy 267 Princes of the Vnion in Germany approve the Republick resentments against the Archduke 60. they disunite for fear of the Spaniards 177 Princes of Italy invited by the Republick to a League are
Treaty transported to Rome 181. and at Madrid a depositing is spoken of ibid. Feria concludes apart with the Grison 182. the Spaniards offer the deposition to the Pope 199. who accepts it 220. with dislike of the Confederates 220 204. yet consented to by the Ambassadour Sillery 205. the French change afterwards the form of the Negotiation 206. demand of the Pope the redelivery of the Forts 209. take arms ibid. which are moved 333. with advantage to the Confederates 334. to the resentment of the Pope and the Austrians 218. the Arms of the Confederates advance into the two Counties 222. are stopped at Riva 224. those situations described ibid. and several factions 225. the Confederates endeavour an accord betwixt the Valteline and the three Leagues 240. conditions of the peace of Monzon 243. are executed in the Valteline 252. new designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. enter there again with their arms 400. with various success 409. are at last driven out of it 428 Venetian Ships defend the French in the Port of Alexandretta 296 Venice its original undertakings and increase from the first to the tenth page Venetians exhort the Duke of Savoy to peace 12. assist him of Mantua 13. recall their Ambassadour in Turin 15. arm 16. molested by the Uscocchi 18. besiege Segna 23. increase their strength 27. endeavour peace 35. give audience to Piscina Ambassadour of Savoy ibid. resent the injuries of the Uscocchi 36 37. send Renieri Zeno to Milan and Turin about peace 39. strengthen themselves more and more 44. Warrant for the Treaty of Asti 49. moderate their assistance to the Duke of Mantua ibid. their reason of resentment against the Uscocchi 53. suspend Hostility 54. invade the Territory of the Archduke 55. justifie themselves for it 59. draw off from the siege of Gradisca 64. reject the Popes propositions ibid. after many consults resolve to assist the Duke of Savoy 70. endeavour to adjust him with Mantua 85. molested by Ossuna arm at Sea 93. refuse the assistance of the Turks 96. complain of the actings of Ossuna 98. invite the Princes of Italy to an Vnion ibid. inlarge their assistances to Savoy ibid. revoke their powers for peace from Madrid 104. invaded by Toledo 111. arm more and more by Sea 117. deny passage by Sea for the assistance of Ferdinand 119. a new League with Savoy ibid. dissemble the conspiracy though discovered 121. deny assistance to the Bohemians 131. interest not themselves in their Treaties at Constantinople 151. by many Princes sought to for assistance ibid. deny the Transilvanian 157. troubled at the revolt of the Valteline sollicitous for a remedy 159. in particular of the French 162. of the Pope 165 of the King of England 167. agree with the Duke of Savoy for new Levies 172. assist the Hollanders 179. hire Mansfelt into their service 182. dissent from the enterprise on Genoua 212 228. endeavour to divert the King of France 214. strengthen themselves 215. flattered by the Austrians separate not from the French 226. refuse the offers of the Turks assistance 227. counsel the invasion of the Milanese ib. but refuse to do it alone 228 234. increase their Troops in the Valteline 237. endeavour peace betwixt England and France 252 266. approve the Treaty of Monzon 253. deny succours to Dourlach and the King of Denmark 258. their thought concerning the succession of Mantua 271. lured by the Imperial Ministers 274. carry into Spain offices for peace 280. consult about the interests of Mantua 276. resolve together with France to assist Nevers 280. incourage him 284. consent to joyn with France 285 292 298 give money to the Duke of Mantua 286. 302. send an Ambassadour into France 300. resolve to invade the Milanese 301. are withheld by the Treaty of Susa 302. tempted by the Austrians 309. resolve to maintain Mantua 309 312. with great forces 312. sollicite the King of France 315. distasted with the Pope 319. deliberate about driving the Germans out of their Quarters 331. threatned by the Germans in several places 333 337. not frighted at the disaster of Valezza 333 337. jealous of the Sea-coast 337. denying passage to the Spanish Fleet they with their own Gallies conduct the Queen of Hungary to Trieste 338. participate of the concerts of France with the King of Swede 341. send Ambassadours to Ratisbone 442. refuse to sign the Treaty of Peace without the French 346. sollicited by them put a Garrion into Mantua 354. will not interest themselves in the designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. deny assistance to the King of Swede 360. displeased with the Pope for several causes 364 365 385 414. refuse to assist the Emperour 369. at also to have any hand in the concerts about Sabioneda 370. and to correspond with the Duke of Savoy after having taken the Title of King of Cyprus 384. and to unite with the King of France 386. resolute in neutrality betwixt the two Crowns 400. 402. endeavour Peace 413. deny passage to the French and Germans 419. after the death of the Duke of Mantua imploy offices for that House 435. reform their Militia and discharge the Treasury of debts 436. interpose betwixt France and the Princess of Mantua 489. stand and pause after the Victory at Vallona against the Barbary Pirates 419. they arm and demand assistance of the Christian Princes 452. send an Ambassadour to the Pope 457. remain still neutral in the affairs of Piedmont betwixt the two Crowns 400. incline to compose with the Turk 466. and approve the Treaty 467. sollicite the Pope to mediate for the Peace of Italy 473. resolve to interpose with offices betwixt the Pope and Duke of Parma 509 511. excluded out of the Treaty 511. grow jealous 512. also for a report of the designs of the Barberins upon Mirandola 516. relieve Parma with money 518. and Modena with Troops ibid. and refuse to concur to invade the Ecclesiastick State 520 incommodate with their Gallies the Commerce of Ferrara 530. excuse not to assist the Emperour 531. and to conferate with France ibid. whose correspondence with Rome they endeavour to restore 541. jealous of the Borders of the Polesene send Troops thither 542. command the possessing of the Banks 545. send their Army to the other side of the River ibid. imploy also their strength by Sea 547. do more than perform the conditions of the League protest to Spain in case of Vnion with the Pope 549. give Troops to the Duke of Parma 558. succour the Great Duke 564. make new agreements for the War and raise Troops with great difficulty 568 Vercelli blocked by the Spaniards and relieved by the Duke of Savoy 82. besieged by Toledo 99. the Duke attempts in vain to bring in powder 100. assaulted ibid. the Duke endeavours to relieve it 103. is rendred ibid. restored to the Duke 123. besieged again by the Spaniards 437. the French succeed not in bringing in relief 438. renders 439 Verrua besieged by the Duke of Feria
Negotiation and some through the conjuncture of time although they awakened jealous thoughts in some yet they seemed not of importance to disturb the Peace under which some not remembring that one ring is not a Chain yet a Chain is formed of many rings thought themselves secure and others happy But by the death of Henry the Fourth France falling into a long minority the Spanish Ministers judged the conjuncture fit to reap their advantages with Counsel and with Arms. And to say truth the occasion in Italy seemed favourable because the French as hath been said being excluded and now fallen under the government of a Child and of a Woman and Ministers divided in their private Interests the Country was believed so low in courage and strength that if at any time strangers in the attempt to subdue it had gotten great company both People and the Princes themselves would now place their safety and greatest glory in yielding their obedience Some by a pecuniary Interest were already dependent upon Spain others by blood and others by pretensions The Popes taken up in the care of Holy things or distracted in the concerns of their own Family side always with the strongest so that the safety and protection of Italy was now committed to the Venetians alone Nevertheless it was judged that they also would prefer Peace before all things either from the experience of the hazards and events of former Wars or because Monarchies being subject to various changes and accidents it was believed that time might produce such successes from which they thought their Republick as standing upon a more sure foundation exempt and free But in this general Quiet and Peace of Europe there wanting rather pretexts than minds to disturb Italy it was abundantly supplied by the death of Francis Gonzague Duke of Mantua hapned in the flower of his Age about the last of October 1612. He left for posterity to his House Mary yet at Nurse to the Estate two Brothers Ferdinand a Cardinal and Vincenzo and to Italy a sad series of Calamities and Troubles By his Marriage with Margarite Daughter of Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy it was generally believed that the Peace of Italy would have been established composing thereby the pretensions of those two Houses upon Monferrat They had their ancient Original from the very root of the succession to that State from the Paleologhi and the Gonzagui and after many litigious proceedings Charles the Fifth Emperour as Soveraign of the Fief did rather foment than extinguish them by a certain sentence whereby the possession was adjudged to Mantua leaving undecided to Savoy the right of certain donations of Lands and of the Dowry of Blanche Wife to Charles the First Duke of Savoy which though it exceeded not 80 Thousand Crowns yet with the interest of a long time came near to a Million In the Marriage aforesaid it was studiously endeavoured to ballance all Interests besides the Dowry in Money and Jewels the Father ceding in favour of the Daughter and her Posterity the Revenues of Monferrat and there was a line to be drawn which was to distinguish the confines much intangled with Piedmont upon some lands whereof those of the house of Gonzaghi having a right they renounce it and made a mutual exchange of several places for common convenience and advantage But the affections of Princes being not to be bound by those Bonds which among private men pass for Sacred designs ceased not nor were pretensions extinguished For the Line they could never find a point where to begin it but that of the life of Duke Francis being cut they fell back into discord and the confusion of their former Interests Margarhite called the Infanta according to the custom of Spain in regard of her Mother Daughter of the Catholick King Philip the Second who in her young days was left a Widow in the house of Mantua retained very lively affections for that of her Father whose maxims and sence were so deep imprinted in her that she played that part which was most pleasing to the Savoyards Carlo Emanuel was then Duke of Savoy who it may be said had with much virtue adorned and as much ambition embroiled two Ages He was born in the 61. year of the last and with him at a birth Generosity Courage and the desire of Dominion In the 19. year of his Age he succeeded his Father in the Estate important for its scituation plentiful by its Fertility and for its extent considerable but not proportionable to his mind Being invironed with two so great powers as are France and Spain he could not but know how difficult it would be to make conquests and as impossible to keep them Nevertheless the divisions of France having opened a way to the surprisal of the Marquisat of Salusses and other great attempts he espoused together with the Daughter of Philip the Second a partiality to that Crown and the Maxims thereof But the assistance of his Father-in-Law who had no mind to make him greater towards the Confines of the Milanese not being such as hope and desire had suggested to him he at last concluding a Treaty with Henry the Fourth more to the advantage of the Spaniards than himself adheres to France and enters with Henry as a sharer in these designs which that great King upon firm foundations had laid against the Austrian Monarchy His treacherous and sudden death discharges him leaving Carlo in the grief of his lost hopes and in fear of the revenge of Spain which nevertheless having pacified by sundry means and the Hostage of one of his Sons since he had not been able to make his profit with the great Ones he now purposes to disturb his Neighbours of more moderate power The death of his Son-in-Law gives him the occasion and on the first notice of it he dispatches as his Ambassadour to Mantua the Count Francisco Marteningo and afterwards the Marquess of Lucerna to console his Daughter She then publishes her self with child to suspend a while the succession of Ferdinand the Cardinal and leave the Government fluctuant and uncertain Soon after the Prince Vittorio Amadeo her elder Brother arrives and at the same time the Count Guido di San Giorgio a Subject by birth of Monferrat but by discontent with his own Prince becomes a near Confident of Carlos was by frequent goings and comings driving on a secret Treaty at Milan The Mine at last was sprung for Vittorio perswades his Sister with her little Daughter to return home to her Father or at least to retire to a neutral place as might be Milan and if in consideration of the Child not yet born her going out of those Countries were not approved he insinuated that there was Monferrat where she might remain with more decency That it was not fit that a young Princess should remain amidst the said memorials of her past contentments and under the eye of the Cardinal her Kinsman as young in years as jealous of the
of a Half-moon The rains which making the high-ways deep in mire retarded for some days the Besiegers in bringing their Cannon and the attacque hindred also succours to the Besieged so that for want of Ammunition they were forced to render The City agreed for a sum of money not to be plundered and that the Garrison should not be French the Germans marched out with Arms and Baggage The Town of St. Germano where an intelligence failed the Duke was presently invested at large and at the same time that of Montiglio was assaulted by St. Giorgio The Town taken kept but by 400 Monferrines the Castle after a breach made is also rendred for the custody of which there arose a dispute betwixt the French and Savoyards with the death of more than an hundred of each side In this disagreement the Capitulation was also broken for entring in confusion into the Castle they cut in pieces the Garrison Dediguieres after such successes in which he assisted with his help and counsel returned to his own Government whilst in France the Court to disapprove his partiality to the Savoyards had suspended several of his entertainments and profits Toledo not regarding the slaughter and losses of Monferrat and resolving not to repair anothers damage by an unseasonable consuming his own Forces and prejudice his own advantages stays to re-inforce and rest his Army till the end of May and then coming into the field closely besieges Vercelli So soon as he moved that way St. Giorgio had happily put into it 1000 Musquetiers and 200 Horse so that the Garrison consisted of 4000 men and the Duke incamped in the Town of Gabiano had his aim to take in Pontestura so to cut off the Spaniards from that important pass but finding a defence in better order than was supposed he forbore to ingage in it to be in greater readiness to succour the place already battered and so much the rather because having discovered several treacheries it was necessary both with his mind and person to be active in several places In St. Ja particularly some French Officers had concerted to put fire to the powder make the Prince Vittorio who was there their Prisoner and give him up to the Spaniards who were to come in upon it to second the design But they that were found guilty by a Council of War of the Nation to whose sentence the Duke submitted them suffered punishment by the hand of the Hangman A certain Provencal also was put in Prison for having attempted to corrupt another to poyson Carlo He notwithstanding amidst all these accidents shewed great constancy and professed to revenge himself for these treacheries upon the Governour of Milan with Arms beseeming a Prince Toledo having inclosed Vercelli with a large circumvallation disposes Batteries in four places to which the besieged with much boldness oppose theirs Garzia Gomez General of the Spaniards Artillery being killed and Alphonso Davalos so hurt by them that he dyed soon after They attempted afterwards with Sallies to drive the Germans from a Post upon the brink of the Sesia but all they did was to demolish there a Fort which was quickly repaired again A great circuit of Out-works was the defence of the place and some Trenches also kept the attacque far off as much as was possible But the besiegers directed particularly their offence towards the Bastion of St. Andrea and under which the defendants in the doubt they had to lose it had made a Mine that it might rather serve the Enemy for a sepulchre than a place to lodge upon It having not been possible to bring all things in abundance into the place after sixteen days siege only Ammunition was wanting insomuch that they were forced to charge their Cannon and Muskets with Tin and stones in the place of Iron and Lead Carlo to supply it in the best manner he could at least with powder sends the Signor Fleuri with 200 Horse and as many Sacks But being met by a Party of the Spaniards the powder which they carried behind them taking fire from the discharge of Harquebuses thirty only got in and the rest for the most part being a miserable spectable were burnt And now forty great Pieces battered the Walls with great violence but two Half-moons were bravely defended they within cutting to pieces in one Sally three hundred Germans and a hundred and fifty Horse That which covered the Bastion of St. Andrea was possessed by the besiegers and regained by the besieged At last upon springing a Mine the Spaniards made an effort to carry the place by a general assault As they had equal motives so the valour was not unequal both in them that gave it and them that received it for if the one were driven on with the rewards of glory and the pillage the other were exhorted by the safety of themselves their Country and their families Fire and Sword with the shedding of blood had pertinaciously their effect for a long time but the Spaniards were forced to retire and in that instant 100 Cuirassiers sallying into the ditch with their Swords in their hands made a great slaughter Fifteen hundred men and amongst them some of note perished on the Spanish side of the besieged the dead exceeded not a hundred The Duke was in Livorno with 12000 Foot and 1500 Horse to whom joyned 3000 Bearnese and he expected a Renfort from France for by the death of d'Ancre the inchantment upon the Government being discharged the Maxims and Councils were also changed It hath been already hinted what power that Stranger had in the Kingdom The Armies depended upon his will he issued forth the money and disposed of all Charges so that he had the chief Ministers depending upon him and the Queen her self had placed the stress of her Authority in the maintaining of him He notwithstanding pretended to subsist of himself holding places and governments upon the Frontiers and a Militia of Strangers which acknowledged nothing but his name and authority But the people in general hated him the great ones abhorred him and those that were friends to the Crown detested his maxims Howsoever having the Councils of Spain interessed in his safety he thought in the favour of that Monarchy to enjoy a strong support Some there were that doubted not but that his thoughts were to make himself be feared and that he might when he believed himself no longer secure in France sell to the Spaniards himself the places and the Kingdom at a high rate That at least was instilled into King Lewis who in the flourishing age of eighteen years was amused by his Mother and the Favourite in childish toys far from the knowledge of any business whatsoever He therefore melancholy by nature and loving solitude looked with delight upon that Authority which he had not yet enjoyed and feeding himself with suspicions nourished a bitter hatred against d'Ancre Divers persons of great birth of his own age and that had been bred up with him began to
Mantua to compose betwixt themselves excluding the Mediation of the Spanish Ministers the differences so long in question upon terms that for the pretended Dowry of Bianca Ferdinand should disburse to Carlo three hundred thousand Crowns a third whereof within the space of four years Contant and the rest with the Dowry of Margaret Moveables and Jewels should be satisfied in so much Land in Monserrat near to Piedmont to be set out by the Duke of Mantua valuing the Rent at two per Cent. For a greater confirmation of the agreement there was a promise of reciprocal Marriages of Mary Princess of Mantua with Filibert Son of Carlo and of one of the Infanta's of Savoy with him that should be Heir of the Dominions of the States of the House of Gonzagha This notwithstanding was not to be executed but within the space of eight years neither was there other difference in the Dowries of two hundred thousand Crowns for each but that Carlo was to pay in ready money and to receive in Lands When therefore the Prince Vincenzo of Mantua should succeed as he hoped in dissolving under pretence of sterility a certain Bond and as he pretended invalid Marriage formerly contracted out of an amorous passion with the Widow Isabella Princess of Bozzolo the Infanta was to be his but that not following or Ferdinand having no Child Male the other was yet to be accomplished with Filibert In order to this agreement Carlo and Mary yield the pretensions on Monserrat to Ferdinand to his Brother and to their Children and this was to take place though by death or other disturbance the foresaid Marriages should not succeed In sum the consent of the Emperour as Soveraign of the States was to be asked and out of respect communication given to both the Crowns Such were the conditions concluded on and subscribed by which the ancient dissentions of both Houses were hoped to have been quieted but to the delusion of humane wisdom that which was believed an Antidote was soon converted into the venemous seed of greater evils Amongst various accidents the first was the death of Filibert for although Carlo sending his Secretary Pater to Mantua offered to substitute Maurice his other Son to the Marriage nevertheless the business fatally succeeded not Heaven disposing new Thunder-claps for Italy and the House of Gonzagha The minds then of the Confederates being by such Negotiations forced for the present from several cares applying themselves in earnest to the Valteline and to Arms caused the delivery of the Forts to be demanded of the Pope that according to the League they might be demolished and the Valley restored to the Grisons or else that the Spaniards should within three months execute the Treaty of Madrid but the Pope himself opposing the first Proposition and not being able to bring the Spaniards to the other it was replied unto him That the Confederates found themselves necessitated for their own safety not giving place to other expedients to apply to more effectual remedies King Lewis had sent into Helvetia the Marquess de Coevre committing to him the charge of the Treaty and direction of the War He and Girolamo Cavazza Resident for the Republick in Zurich notwithstanding the opposition of the Popes and Spanish Ministers by effectual offices and to take away all pretexts perswaded the Catholick Cantons to perform the caution required in the Treaty of Madrid and the Protestants to take Arms and permit Levies of men provisions of Victuals and other necessaries They warily afterwards took upon them under-hand to animate the Grisons incourage the oppressed raise up the commons recal the banished and fugitives out of the Country to the end they might joyn with the Arms of the Confederates to shake off their yoke and drive away the Enemy Feria stirred with great apprehensions upon the arrival of Coevre at Soluturno orders Recruits and to keep the people of Rhetia quiet threatens them with grievous mischiefs Leopold also protesting no less chastisements notwithstanding that he had stipulated another agreement with them in which upon the disbursement of some thousands of Florins he promised to take the Garrisons out of Majanfelt and Coira The Princes of the League being now resolved to take Arms agreed to make the War under the name of the Switzers and Grisons levying three thousand men of each of the two Nations reinforcing them afterwards with twelve hundred Foot and four hundred Horse of the French and with another body of the Venetian Troops of which the gross and those of Carlo were to keep upon the Borders of the Milanese so long as the Royal Troops should lie incamped in the Province of Brescia but the Confederates continued to proceed towards the same end with designs and means differing for France abhorring an open breach with Spain pretended not to manage the War but by Auxiliary Forces and without ingaging his own Troops so far off with little charge and less noise at the cost of the other Confederates especially the Venetians arrive at his purpose The Venetians not aspiring the affairs of the Grisons being restored so to ought but to confirm the Peace desired that the enterprise might have carried reputation and vigour with it so to have obtained the one and the other with equal honour and dispatch And Carlo concurred rather in name than with his Forces busying his thoughts in nothing but to bring the Crowns to an open breach in Italy for being situated in the middle as in a manner Guardian and Arbiter of the War or Peace whatever the event should happen to be he hoped to make his profit and serve himself of the Arms of others principally of the French for his own advantage He represented to the King and to the Senate how prejudicial it would be to ingage and as it were bury Armies in a Country as Rhetia was barren and straight how burdensom to maintain Troops idle upon their own Frontiers He remonstrated to what charge the Confederates exposed themselves and amidst what difficulties they would be straightned if they aspired no higher than relieving the Valteline and defending themselves Was it possibly to be believed that the Spaniards would sit down with one blow or that they would be frighted with the name of this Alliance Their intention was nothing so and being not inferiour in art and force knew how to make use of them according to the change of times never neglecting occasions or losing advantages When could they have greater hopes to atchieve great designs since the Princes of Italy loosned from so many vexatious respects have at last had the courage to take hands with Strangers and in conjunction with them make plain the way to their relief The Duke laid great weight upon this Union and the reflections were not of less moment for if when the World adored Spain in the height of its prosperity and greatness he with his own Forces and the gold of the Republick had been able to resist what might they
affections the thoughts of Carlo were commended and his propositions embraced if for no other yet at least to give exercise and vent to the minds now inflamed amidst these Preludiums to War But to the end all the League might concur therein the Proposals were carried to the Venetians with a differing success for although the French and Savoyards had made themselves believe that mindful of ancient emulations they would easily have assented yet those animosities as good as cancelled by time and the long Peace being in the Senate put in ballance with the motives of equity and common interest Giovanna Basadonna in opposition to some who did consent to it spake to this purpose Ought we then to revenge the provocations and jealousies of the Austrians upon a State that is innocent Oh how pernicious shall the example be to all if the opportunity of a situation and the Wealth of a State shall be a sufficient argument to raise a War It is true that the Genouese are bound up to Spain but the fear and necessity into which we have a mind to precipitate them is not the means to loosen them from those Chains If they lend their Ports at present and consent passage they will then think it necessary to accept Garrison If private men contribute money we shall constrain the publick to receive the Law Doth the League on the one side pretend with applause to drive the Spaniards out of the Valteline exclude the Austrians out of Rhetia redeem the Grisons and restore them to their liberty and dominion and on the other shall it with injustice attempt to oppress Genoua to extinguish a Republick and change perhaps the name but not the subjection of Italy But what do I say to Conquests We shall see that instead of moderating the Command of the Spaniards too too burdensom to that afficted Country it will without dispute increase with a new and greater dependancy under the specious title of defence Who knows but that the Genouese may one day mind again their fortune and that Italy coming to change its aspect may not restore lustre to their Government But let us not lose the hope for ever if to the bonds of gold by which some are bound at present we shall joyn those of Iron into which the danger drives them with misery to all The proposed Conquest is not so easie as by the French and Savoyards we hear described The Territory of Genoua is made strong by situation and defended by Nature The City by its greatness and population is able to maintain it self the Sea being open will furnish succours the Milanese being near will contribute assistance And what will become of Carlo if he should find himself environed on all sides by the Spaniards and Genouese and perhaps left as a prey to dangers by the French from their natural inconstancy It is no short nor easie work to over-turn a Government radicated by time nourished by good Laws and strengthened by the thoughts or at least the imagination of a peaceable liberty The people will resist the change of Government and falling under the Domination of a Prince they hate The Citizens will be obstinate in defending themselves and although the imployments of the Spaniards in Rhetia or elsewhere should interrupt or retard the succours a State that is rich hath when put to it Garrison and Relief within it self With what hopes will our Republick participate in this design Will it peradventure aspire to so difficult and remote Conquests or will it only for anothers profit bear a part in the charges and in the dangers The perpetuity of our Government is maintained by immutable Maxims and Institutions The free and honourable quiet of not provoking nor being easily provoked hath always been the vital Element of our Dominion We have always joyned our Arms to the better side and never offended any but those that went about to injure us Who sees not but Carlo in the greatness of his mind hath the presumption to force the nature of things decaying and forgetting the years he reckons will be sooner abandoned by them than his high thoughts will forsake him Who knows not the succours of the French to be uncertain the Genius of the Nation easily to embrace designs and then with the same inconstancy abandon them and with short interims seek always in Peace War and in War Peace Experience in the present affairs shews it the League for so long a time not considered transgressing so often in the Treaty forgetting as it were the Princes united with them and now the final concerts scarce setled the Armies ready to march either diverting them with difficult designs or confounding them with new Proposals The diversion is with much wisdom concluded to be out of Italy to the end to keep Armies far off because Strangers have never come near this Country but to bring all sorts of calamity into it and to carry away the spoils It is not our interest certainly to draw the body of the Austrian Forces into the very center of Italy within the sight of our Confines But if the desire of glory or the itch of War incite to just and great enterprises let the Milanese be the Lists let it carry our Ensigns against that State which is that that troubles us provokes and torments us The Conquest there may may be great and common and if it be impossible to take Genoua so long as that State subsists why is not the first blow given at the root Italy will find its liberty there the Princes their quiet the Confederates profit and glory and who doubts but the common yoke once shaken off the Genouese also will withdraw themselves from it for ever The Senate fully concurred in this opinion declaring that they would have no hand in the business of Zuccarello as a thing out of the design of the League far from common interest and contrary to the good of Italy But to impress upon France the reasons of this their dissent and withal divert the mind of the King they appoint Girolamo Priuli Cavalier Ambassadour Extraordinary to him who notwithstanding was obliged to stop at Turin by reason of the death of Lorenzo Parula Ambassadour in Ordinary with that Duke and because the Constable Desdiguieres being come down into Piedmont with a great many men and a greater noise the Court of Carlo became the seat of so weighty a business There met then in Susa the Duke with his Sons and the Constable with the Mareshal de Crequi his Son-in-law and the President Buglion both with Characters of Ambassadours Extraordinary from the Crown for the present occurrences and Priuli chanced to be there He contested highly that their Arms might be imployed in any other place except the Genouese and if they would resolve upon an open War gave consent that they might be managed against the Milanese But the French persisted in the Council to make a War without breaking Peace with Spain and Carlo frustrate of
their houses and goods from their Enemies But Tilli to oppose the Hollanders which had sent considerable Forces into the Territory of Bremen yielded the enterprise upon Denmark to Wallestein who quickly taking the places of greatest importance made himself Master before the end of Winter not only of Holstein but of the Countries of Sleswich Jutland and Ditmars notwithstanding the strength of the situations and the inconvenience of the Ice and Climate Dourlach withdrawn into a little Island near to the Continent was by the Count de Slich who had first defeated certain Companies and gained eighteen pieces of Ordnance so closely besieged that having no Barks to save his Troops was himself hardly able to get away alone in a small Boat leaving the Souldiers to shift for themselves who took Service under the Imperial Colours The King having a Navy of sixty Ships guarded the Islands and scoured the Coasts and although eight of them fell into the hands of the Imperialists he was nevertheless Master at Sea The Austrians by entring with a naval Army into the Baltick projected a great design to pierce into the bowels of the Kingdom of Denmark and at the same time to bridle Swede subject the free Cities and to seize upon the Trade and Commerce of the North to the exclusion of all else and in particular the Hollanders who besides great riches draw from thence Corn to feed their people and Wood for the Fabrick of their great Ships All those that were concerned were much alarmed and the Anseatick Towns were more especially disturbed at it who taking courage from the extremity of the danger did not only deny Ferdinand their own Ships but diverted the providing them elsewhere The Spaniards notwithstanding talked of sending a Squadron of their Ships to joyn with some gotten of the City of Dantzich with the will and consent of the King of Poland who enamoured with such a pleasing thought in hope that the King of Swede would be obliged to retire for the defence of his own Country breaks the Treaty of Peace which he had almost concluded with him But the Ships of Dantzick not being sufficient for the necessity and those of Spain not appearing the design was rather published than performed In this interim another Stratagem no whit less was put in practice by force of Arms Ferdinand promoting under the pretext of Reliligion the Grandeur of his House and Sons Setling upon his Eldest the Hereditary Crowns and the Succession of the Patrimonial Lands he provided Leopold William the Second with Ecclesiastical Benefices of a large Dominion for the Archduke Leopold of Insbruck being married with Claudia de Medici Widow of Ferdinand Duke of Vrbin had resigned to his Nephew though very young the Bishopricks of Strasburg and of Possa with other rich Benefices of the Church and now having overcome the reluctancy of the Chanoines by frights or promises the Emperour had got him chosen Bishop of Halverstat a Principality rich in Revenue and important for its situation in the Centre of many Towns of the Protestants and which enjoyed by them and particularly by the House of Saxony for a long time had for Coadjutor at that time one of the Sons of the King of Denmark The Abby also of Hirschsfelt which is a Principality of the Empire usurped long ago by the Landgraves of Hessen was conferred upon him by the Pope and he was to recover it with Arms. The same was thought on for Magdeburg and Bremen by which was formed for largeness dignity and riches a vast State in the heart of Germany which extended the Power and Authority of the Austrians and which at last passing from hand to hand would be perpetuated in their House The Princes of the Empire were sufficiently jealous of it and in particular the Elector of Bavaria who by secret Envoyes sollicited the Kings of France and England to reflect upon the oppression of the liberty of Germany Nevertheless he could not separate himself from Ferdinand because the Interest of the Palatinate did closely unite him of which by the reconciliation with Frederick the Austrians might upon all occasions be able to deprive him And just at this time was held an Assembly in Colmar wherein by the interposing of the Dukes of Lorrain and Wirtemberg some terms of adjustment were debated Frederick being contented not to have the Country and Vote restored but to his Sons after the death of Maximilian but not assenting that the Catholick Religion introduced by Bavaria should be continued there the Negotiation was broken off That which made more noise though it came to nothing was a Conference of the Electors who moved at the universal oppression of the Empire by the excess of Contributions the licentiousness of the Souldiery and the arbitrary Power of the Generals met at Milhausen in Thuringia some in Person and some by their Deputies to confer of the means to preserve Peace and to remedy the present evils The Count of Stralendorff assisted there for the Emperour whither the King of Denmark and Frederick being willing to send their Ministers they were not admitted In the diversity of Interests which some had and the fear that all were in of the Forces of Ferdinand several things were projected but no one concluded Saxony who could not consent to deprive himself of so great riches opposed those that would have the Church-lands restored And he that desired to bridle the Authority of Ferdinand was disswaded by the apprehension of his powerful Armies whereupon he perceiving the thoughts of some and particularly of Bavaria to restrain by a Decree of the Diet that absolute Power which he assumed in the Affairs of the Empire sending numerous Troops into Swevia and Francony curbs the Catholick League and the Elector himself in such sort that there was not any that had the boldness to express or maintain his own sense Thus the Power of the Emperour runs on uncontrouled all things succeeding to him with such prosperity that Fortune seemed espoused to his desires But she playing the Adulteress at last made her self quickly to be known then chiefly to lye in wait to deceive when she is most kind for in the bosom of so great felicity from the jealousies and suspicions of others was begotten the worm which corrupted it with unhappy and calamitous accidents At the above-mentioned Diet of the Electors was there for the Crown of France Monsieur de Marscheville who visiting many Princes of Germany and penetrating into the secretest of their troubled minds and disgusts had exhorted some to patience till better times stirring up others to oppose themselves against the vast designs of the Austrians by Treaties if not by Arms and beginning a Negotiation with the Elector of Trier to bring him under the protection of France had in many sowed seeds of various hopes and thoughts for Richelieu foreseeing to what height the power of the Austrians would mount if no resistance were opposed endeavoured to dispose things so that being
pacifie the Austrians but all in vain because interest lying thwart and looking at him born in France and brought up there with Goods Countries and Governments they could never be perswaded that he would sincerely separate himself from that Crown King Lewis declared himself that he would maintain him in his Right with all his Forces and with his own Person if it were necessary to go into Italy but finding himself ingaged with the Huguenots and the English such a report served only for an appearance and the King well knowing it made tryal of the way of a Treaty having sent Monsieur de Saint Simon to the Duke of Mantua to the end he might dispose him to strengthen the Rights of Nevers by the Marriage formerly proposed The Ambassadour found the Duke still deluded with the hopes he should live long so that he obtained nothing else but the gaining of the Marquess Striggio upon whose counsels Vincenzo mostly relyed to promote the cause and advantages of Nevers when the occasion should be presented He returns then into France but the designs of the Savoyards discovering themselves to advance in proportion as the dissolution of the Marriage was scrupled at Rome and the indispositions of the Duke increased in Mantua he was sent back to Carlo Emanuel to offer him Revenues and Lands in Monferrat in exchange of his pretensions and withal to demonstrate to him How much it was better for him rather to preserve Peace in Italy than give nourishment to the Potency of Spain against which he having in other times made his breast a defence he ought not to obscure the Glory of it by new Maxims foreign to his own advantage and his ancient practices But the Duke so much the more high and lofty as he was smoothed and sought to not thinking the advantages proposed equal to his hopes pretended a great Party of the Monferrat not only on the score of his old Rights but as a kind of revenge that Ferdinand had not performed the agreement some few years before concluded and turning the state of affairs and times to his own advantage considered that Spain remaining resolute to hinder that a Prince protected by or rather subject to France should have Soveraignty in Italy it was best for him to make use of his own connivence and force for the possessing of Monferrat rather than leave it in prey to the more powerful Whilst he had his thoughts bent upon this in Turin greater inducements fell out in Mantua where the Duke by the craziness he had contracted fallen very sick gave occasion for many treacheries and designs Caesar Son of the Prince of Guastalla was then in Milan to promote the interest of his Family or rather to have his Name made use of by the Spaniards who laying hold of any pretext armed powerfully and ordered many contrivances and preparations to prevent the attempts which Nevers might make and sending four thousand Foot and one thousand Horse to the Confines of Mantua under the Count de Guerrara waited only till the Duke should expire to enter and take possession of it But Vincenzo An. Dom. 1628 by the perswasions of Striggio had in great secrecy called to him Rhetel that he might marry the Princess and be in the City at the time of his death the better to secure to himself the Succession and Principality and he with a seasonable diligence being arrived there unlooked for dissipated a great storm before it brake forth for many of the chief persons being averse to the very name of the French abhorred to have Nivers their Soveraign and entertained Treaties and Intelligences to raise as soon as the Duke should be dead and before some commotion in favour of Guastalla and of Spain for which purpose Francesco Rota Serjeant Major had been corrupted and many Arms were gathered together in the house of Frederick Gonzagha But so soon as Rhetel was arrived the Duke immediately made him Lieutenant General and the better to corroborate his Right by a solemn Testament declares him Heir To perfect the Marriage nothing was wanting but the Dispensation of the Pope by reason of the Kindred St. Simon was come to Mantua to sollicite it and the Count of Serbellone was dispatched from Milan by his endeavours and protestations to hinder it and from the Duke of Savoy the Bishop of Mondovi but they came too late For the dispence from Rome seasonably arriving at the instant that the night after Christmas-day the Duke dyed the Marriage was consummated that very hour the Corps of Vincenzo being yet warm who it was given out had by his last words ordained it The day following the Bridegroom together with mourning assumes the Title of Prince of Mantua and having in his power the Garrison and the Citadel called Porto requires from the people the Oath of Fidelity in the Name of his Father Guastalla publishes a Patent of the Emperours Commissary secretly afterwards obtained by the favour of the Spanish Ministers in which Ferdinand enjoyns to him to take possession in the Emperours Name of the Country of Mantua till the right should be declared without innovating any thing requiring Cordua that now governed Milan to maintain the Decree by force if need required He had thoughts of going himself to Mantua but seeing the passage stopt by the anticipations of Rhetel he sends the Count Mandelli to Casale to cooperate in practices which Cordua had set on foot there and to alienate the minds of that people from acknowledging the new Prince But all in vain because the name of Nevers by the endeavours chiefly of Trajano Viscardi great Chancellor was by those of Casale and the Monferrins with universal applause cryed up ANNO M.DC.XXVIII The Interests of Princes being now discovered and the secrets unveiled Reason or Justice were no longer debated in the Cause of Mantua but calculations made of force opportunity and advantage so that it was like a fluctuant Sea from which proceeded and whither tended the affections of Princes as they were more or less inclined to the one or other Party At Venice they were all agreed to maintain the liberty of Italy and their own safety which was understood to be in danger by the oppression of a neighbour State but they were as much differing about the means some with offices alone desiring to divert the dangers others by open declarations not declining to oppose the designs of the Austrians There wanted not inclinations to enter into Alliance with France but others calling to mind the late proceedings of that Crown in the Affairs of the Valteline and esteeming the assistance of Strangers little less disadvantagious to this Country than the injuries of War preferred a League with the Pope and other Princes of Italy with whom forming a middle Party they believed it easie to protect the Justice of Nevers by Negotiation and defend themselves on all occasions against violence This opinion was represented by the Senate to Vrban who no whit perplexed was
few shot making a breach in the Wall not supported by a Rampart the Governour taking fright renders it against the will of the Souldiers of the Greek Nation who were of the opinion to maintain it and therefore so soon as he came into Mantua he was publickly punished with infamy whereupon a great entrance remaining shut for the relieving of Mantua the Venetians endeavoured to keep open at least that of Castel Giufré whence Erizzo let in three Companies of Relief and committed the Guard and Command of the Post to Colonel Lunge a French man And the Imperialists knowing now the importance of it had their aim upon it but by reason of the time of the year and not to divide their Troops into too many parts sparing force for the present betook themselves to Art causing Giovanni Giacomo Pancirolo the Popes Nuntio to tempt the Duke with wonted flatteries to deliver it to Colalto that from redoubled testimonies of obedience to the Emperours Colours being satisfied he might at last incline to some Accord or at least to a suspension of Arms. The Duke rendred more wary from what had happened at St. Giorgio rejecting so pernicious Propositions placed his safety now more in Defence than Treaty He molested the Enemy with frequent Sallies keeping him busied and distracted in several parts and one night particularly surprized la Vergiliana where the Germans that were not killed or Prisoners were drowned in the water by the breaking of a Bridge by which they thought to make a running escape Assents nevertheless at the endeavours of the Nuntio that there should be a suspension of Arms for a month but to no purpose because Colalto pretended to have liberty in that interim to fortifie himself in his Posts that no Victuals should be carried into Mantua but from Countries far off and that Carlo should sign Duke of Nevers refusing the Expedient which something to facilitate the business he offered to sign by the name of Carlo or of Carlo the Duke without expressing of what Hostility then continuing the Venetian General considering of a new supply sends under Count Bartolomo Soardo Bergamasco other five hundred Souldiers with Powder and Match that were for the most part Greeks that were come out of Goito the Nation desiring it that by the proof of hazard the Surrender might be confirmed not to have happened by their default They all got safe in convoyed near to Goito by a Body of Horse which halted there to beat back whatsoever coming forth should disturb their way With this Relief the besieged taking new courage multiplied more and more their Sallies and in one from the Cereso gave the Enemy a notable blow The Germans now began to find that there was no hope either to famish the place or take it but the thoughts of retiring vexed them not less whilst the Dukes Sallies and the difficulty of the miry ways made it impossible to bring off the Cannon in safety Applying themselves therefore to Artifice they caused Mazarine to propose to the Duke a short suspension of Arms. He first rejects it in respect to the French Army upon the way for his Relief resolving not to make a step without the Kings knowledge At last overcome by Mazarine with the urgency and power of his words he consents to abstain ten days from Sallies It was enough for the Germans to free themselves and withdraw the Cannon leaving nevertheless for haste in their Quarters certain Morter-pieces with some Ammunition The Venetians would have wished that Army might rather have consumed it self in the sufferings and factions about Mantua than opportunity been given them to retire into more commodious Quarters and were of opinion that such Treaties served rather to retard than hasten the French Succours nor did the Duke of Savoy fail to make use of it sending immediately to hinder Richelieu the advice into France that a suspension of Arms being setled there was great hopes of an adjustment But the Cardinal knowing the deceit and what was aimed at continues his March The Germans though at a distance from Mantua kept it nevertheless blocked with several Posts placing the principal Quarters in several Fiefs of the Empire which are thereabouts as Nuvolara Corregio and others and taking it by force where Quarter was denied as happened in the County of Mirandola with a great blow to that little Country The Duke of Modena freed himself by disbursing money and receiving Colalto yet indisposed in Reggio with his Guards In Castiglione and in Solferino by incouragement of the Venetians who in case of Force promised their assistance they were kept out by the Mothers of those Princes yet under Tutelage and in Solferino under the name of their own Fathers the Princess Donna Marcella Malaspina of Verona brought some Souldiers of the Republick The Duke to enlarge himself and to open Commerce with the Camp at Valezzo recovers Curtartone and Montanara and presenting the Cannon before Marmirolo forced the Germans to leave it though those of Goito attempted to bring succours into it but were beat back by two thousand Foot and a thousand Horse of the Venetians which under Prince Luigi d' Esté countenanced the design In this manner ends this calamitous year for with the entrance of the Germans into Italy was introduced all sort of miseries and especially the plague which notwithstanding the cold season spread it self not only in their Quarters but in the Mantuan the Milanese and the Valteline with so much increase and mortality that the wrath of God clearly seemed with the most cruel chastisements set to punish the luxuries and dissoluteness of Italy About the end of this year dies in Venice Giovanni Cornaro Duke laden with age and troubles no less for publick than private concerns disgust being raised betwixt the Pope and the Republick by occasion of the Cardinal his Son Bishop of Vincenza who promoted by Vrban to the Bishoprick of Padua of a much more plentiful Revenue was by the Laws of the Republick elsewhere mentioned therein opposed For which cause the Senate denied him possession of the Temporalities the Pope insisting that it should not be disposed of to any body else The Cardinal himself supplicates him but Vrban excused himself with having hastily proposed it in the Consistory Cornaro would have had the new Church renounced but they being no less willing at Rome to admit of such an Expedient the dispute lasted till after the Dukes death Giovanni Tiepolo Patriarch of Venice dying the Senate the Jus Patronatûs being in the Republick nominates the Cardinal to that Dignity which was also approved by the Pope who afterwards assigns the Bishoprick of Padua to Marc Anthonio Cornaro Primicerio of St. Mark and the Cardinals own Brother Yet this was not the sole difference which they had with the Court of Rome for the Venetian Gallies to preserve the Dominion of the Sea had arrested some Ships of Ragusa which trafficking at Ancona passed by the Adriatick without paying the recognition
thirteen nimble Gallies and lands her at Trieste with such treatment and magnificence that in the straightness of the Ships was seen abundantly contained all that which every Element furnishes for the use of Luxury and the honour of Greatness For which the Republick in the Name of the Emperour and Catholick King received thanks Spinola had pressed the Siege of Casal now brought to straights for Provisions beginning to fail and the Garrison diminished being reduced to only two thousand Foot and three hundred Horse no hope remained but in the Succours of the French excepted by the Inhabitants who although weary of so long vexations retained nevertheless a constant fidelity towards their Prince Ferdinand Duke de Maine incouraged the defence with his presence but the command the fatigue and the vigilancy rested upon Monsieur de Thoiras with great equality of Valour and Renown of two so great Captains for if Spinola had a confidence that at his name alone as to a fatal Conquerour of strong places Casal should yield the glory gotten at the Isle of Rhé did no less stir up the other to confirm it with most vigorous proofs Spinola towards the Citadel had strengthened his approaches which in the circumference of the Camp were four divided to the Spanish German Neapolitan and Lombard Nations and beyond the Po caused to drive away the French with the slaughter of many out of a Fort upon a certain Island which defended the Mills Thoiras not amazed at any thing bringing into the Citadel for its better defence some French Companies tormented the besiegers with frequent Sallies and in one particularly upon the Lombards killing the Count Soragna with many Souldiers drives him out of certain Redoubts flinging down the Works The Enterprise not advancing with the speed supposed the Duke of Savoy was highly offended with Spinola because neglecting to succour him with all his Forces in his great dangers in hopes to profit by his calamities he had ingaged himself before Casal Wherefore the dispatching the Abbot de Scaglia to Madrid to accuse him and complain was a motive to perswade him to send him more powerful assistance by which the Siege slackning gave time to the French to send new Forces into Italy under the Mareshal de la Force and Schomberg and the Duke of Momorancy He with his Troops which exceeded not three thousand men passing towards Pignarol to joyn with the others was near Avigliana attacqued by the Prince Vittorio with five thousand Foot and one thousand Horse in a narrow passage where the gross being passed beyond it the Duke was left with only six hundred Foot and two hundred Horse But the resistance of the French and the Valour of the Duke was such that he not only passed but routed the Savoyards taking Prisoner Pagano Doria who commanded the Spanish Cavalry The Prince saving himself with few Schomberg arrives thereupon to besiege Avigliana which was rendred after a Siege but of eight days Colalto having refused to send succours to the Castle On the other side la Force had reduced into his power Saluzzo making the Garrison Prisoners Villa Franca and Poncalieri yielded to the Conquerour and the best of the Austrian Forces being intrenched at the Bridge of Carignano to hinder the passage over the Po received a great blow for being assaulted by the French and losing a Half-moon they abandoned the Post with great loss and no less confusion Nevertheless the French pressed not forward destroyed amidst the advantages of War by a most cruel plague Piedmont now really served for a miserable spectacle being made the Stage of all sort of Cruelty destroyed by the Enemies through hatred and by Friends in derision Amidst so many and so grievous accidents the Duke Carlo Emanuel burdened with sixty and nine years but much more pierced to the heart by infinite afflictions and the mocqueries of Fortune towards the end of July being surprized by an Apoplexy dies in Savigliano Death surely took him in the greatest straight of his affairs and he just at that time had his thoughts busied in more violent designs But cancelled the memory of them in the fire burning a little before he expired many Papers which contained as was divulged to the prejudice of the Milanese Intelligences and Agreements with Wallestain who was to come for the Emperour into Italy so much the more easily believed by how much the Duke was against the Spaniards for their scanty and longsom succours the more implacably provoked and Wallestain above measure disgusted with the Emperour because resolving to take from him the absolute Command of the Armies he had a mind to send him into Italy as into a specious Banishment but amidst so great chastisements God spared Italy from so great slaughter Carlo Emanuel was without question a great Prince brought up in the experience of the one and the other Fortune magnanimous persevering and valiant in War vertues which might be said defiled by ambition lust and prodigality if his very defects dressed up by his lively Art had not passed almost for things approved and commended He directed his actions immoveably to his own interest alone and measuring by the same steps profit and glory discovered himself highly inconstant in his friendships more than liberal of his own greedy of what was anothers always poor never wanting with the money of his friends he out-stood so many Wars together with the Wealth of his Subjects oppressed with most grievous Impositions Nevertheless exercising Command in his Country and Authority in his House and among Strangers keeping up his honour he was by all reverenced and esteemed In Wars seeking advantages or in Peace sowing the seeds of other Wars his designs wanting success rather than industry as the Architect of so many confusions he dyed buried amidst his own ruines With his death the face of affairs was changed for Vittorio though of a profound yet of a more composed ambition assuming the Government inclined to Peace and not having with Richelieu causes of so great diffidence but rather as the Kings Kinsman shewing himself prone towards France would not close with the Spaniards nor totally separate from them Declaring himself therefore to adhere to that side which would most facilitate Peace he exhorted the Popes Ministers to urge new Propositions whereupon Mazarine had the luck in September to conclude a Truce which though blamed by reason of the conditions by every one was nevertheless by necessity observed by all It was to last till the end of October following within which time delivering to the Spaniards the City and Castle of Casal they were to furnish Victuals for the Citadel and afterwards to have it if within the prescribed time no succours should arrive Some imputed in this Treaty to the French that by rendring the Town they yielded a point of so much honour and left means to the Enemy to hinder the succours Others accused the Spaniards that hunger having reduced all to extremity they would be contented only
Citizens rather than by her own strength or the assistances of Strangers With these better times began the Principality of Francesco Erizzo assumed to be Duke after the death of Nicholo Contarini with great applause for having through the course of many years assisted the Country with counsel and joyntly defended it by Arms. And because he held the Generalship of the Terra firma there was put into that Charge as his Successor Luigi Giorgio at that time Proveditor in the Army But States being like the Sea where it fluctuates though there be no storm there arose at this time several diversities in opinion and unkindnesses with the Pope which though they molested not Italy with Arms distracted nevertheless mens minds with troublesom business Vrban after the death of Francesco Maria della Rovere the last Duke of Vrbin had united to the Church that most noble Fief And because during the life of the Duke who was now grown very old he kept a Prelate in that Country which assisted in all affairs he had after his death so little trouble to possess himself of it that Taddeo Barberino Prince of Palestrina entring into it with Souldiers to take quietly possession of it it looked as if the old Dominion was rather continued than another new one introduced The Pope under the pretext of the Commotions of Italy was already in Arms expecting this accident to the end that if in so great a confusion of affairs any body should go about to disturb him he might be able to maintain his right with a puissant Force But the Princes rather offered him to strives their assistance and exhorted him to invest his Nephews with it some believing to oblige him others by dismembring that State desiring that the Church should not so much increase its temporal Dominion The Pope having regard to the severe Bulls of his Predecessors and apprehending to leave to his House a Patrimony of unquietness and trouble rather than a peaceable Dominion made shew to think his Kinsmen more worthy of the Principality by refusing it than by retaining it He only confers as the Spoils of so noble a Conquest upon his Nephew Taddeo the Government of Rome a long time enjoyed by the Family of Rovere This dignity retains a certain ancient and venerable memory of the Praetor Praetorii in the times of the Caesars of so much esteem and authority though at present there remained nothing of it but the dress and the name From hence brake forth a great distaste with the Princes because the Prefect or Governour pretending precedency of Ambassadours who in the most solemn Functions assisting at the Popes Chair of State representing the members of all Christendom united to their head did all dissent from it The Barberins attempted to gain the Emperour because from his example other great Princes would certainly depend and they omitted not any means offering him great succours and powerful assistances But in vain for the Emperour resolving not to depart from what was fit and complaining that Merchandize for private respects was made of his necessity pulled upon him by maintaining of a cause in which Religion had the chief part orders his Ambassadour to abstain from the Churches and the other Ministers of the Crown followed him considering the Pope in his own house and in the cause of his Kindred Uncle and Party no less than a Prince From this common distaste of the Princes rose afterwards a particular one of the Venetians for Giovanni Pesari Cavalier Ambassadour of the Republick meeting casually in a street with the Prefect who stopping his Coach and the other not observing it by reason of the obscurity it being now late though he civilly caused an excuse to be made for it yet the Prefect taking offence at it meets him another time on purpose having corrupted the Ambassadours Coach-man who feigning that his Hat was fallen off staid the Horses and run his way Pesary was no sooner got home to his house but the Coach-mans flight was backed by some armed men to rescue him from the punishment he deserved The Court of Rome always talking and always greedy of occasions for it measuring things by appearances and shadows judges such Formalities to be of no less account than bloody Battels and important Conquests use to be esteemed elsewhere An. Dom. 1632 It being on this occasion in some disorder and the other Ambassadors taking it for their common interest offer themselves to the Venetian to do him right The Senate knowing that by the support of the Uncle the party of the Barberins would be too strong in Rome order Pesary that for a publick resentment he should immediately leave the City without taking leave of the Pope or his Nephews and at Venice they suspend giving audience to the Nuntio With this another disgust was interwoven upon occasion that Vrban at a time which was judged very unseasonable while Christendom was in a flame and Italy destroyed betwixt War and Plague had in the year past by his Bull decreed to the Cardinals the Ecclesiastical Electors and the great Master of Malta the Title of Eminence forbidding them to receive any other except from Kings The Republick notwithstanding continued to write in the stile accustomed but some of the Cardinals taking occasion from the affliction which they saw it would be to the Pope and his Kindred refused the Letters to the great resentment of the Senate There were added sharp contests betwixt those of Loreo subjects to the Venetians and those of Arriano which belong to those of Ferrara where the Cardinal Palotta the Legate disturbing the undoubted Confines of the Venetians by imprisonings and other mischiefs shewed an intention to attempt greater novelties by erecting new high-ways making the Po useless and changing the course of the Waters Nor were the Venetians wanting by equal mischiefs to repair themselves but Luca Pesaro Captain of the Gulph entring into the Sacca di Goro with certain Gallies and armed Barques stopped the Ships which with Victuals and Merchandise contrary to the Decrees of the Republick passed by Sea towards Ferrara He destroyed also in the River the works newly made to divert its course whereupon spirits imbittering it looked as if things would have proceeded further because Troops increasing on both sides the Ecclesiasticks on their Confines raised a Fort called delle Bocchette and the Venetians opposed another calling it della Donzella ANNO MDCXXXII To the end this first heat of Arms might not proceed to greater ingagements the French Ministers interposed proposing a suspension of offences and that the Souldiers should be withdrawn from those Borders where just at that time the Agreement was ready to be concluded it hapned that in an occasion some of those of the Popes were killed and thirty three taken Prisoners with hurt on the Venetians side But the Pope and the Republick giving their promise to King Lewis not to offend one another by Arms and to remove the souldiery there remained a larger field
removes to Aken in hope to form a third party but seeing no body come to him was forced not without some discredit to put himself under the protection of the States The Spaniards hereupon appeared to be much distracted and full of cares fearing lest the Nobility should be of the same mind and the disposition of the people wavering whereupon to entertain them with an appearing satisfaction they assemble at Brussels the States of the Provinces a thing which as prejudicious and of danger had been disused for a very long time Nor did it now prove of advantage because some admitted to the liberty of delivering their opinions and to make demands thought to moderate at least if not shake off the Dominion of Spain and they sent Deputies to the Hague to treat of an Agreement but the States insisted that before entring into the business they should drive the Spaniards out of the Country which not being in their power being oppressed with Armies and bridled by Citadels served nevertheless to disunite them and make the Spaniards so jealous that not being willing to use the people longer to such discourses Command came from Madrid that the Assembly should be dissolved Whereupon many knowing that they were rendred suspect for having truly declared their Judgments left the Country with better success than those who trusting too far were though after some years severely punished The Hollanders taking advantage of these discords invited by the Swedes by a solemn Ambassage and induced by France with a considerable sum of money after having taken Venlo and Ruremond attacqued Maestricht a place of great strength The Marquess of Santa Croce General of the Spanish Army knowing himself not able alone to relieve it with Presents and Intreaties invites Papenhaim who thereupon abandoning the Elector of Colen who suffered much from the Swedes comes with the Imperial Troops to joyn with him and with incredible boldness attacques the Hollaners Camp But Santa Croce remaining an immoveable Spectator of the success the Germans found the Lines so strong and well raised and provided with so many Cannon that with much loss they were forced to retire The place then after a Siege of almost three months finding it self having lost all the Out-works straightned by the approaches with open Breaches and the Ramparts blown up with Mines capitulates with honourable conditions the Surrender the Garrison reduced to fifteen hundred men marching out in sight of the Spanish and German Armies Upon this conquest being an action of great reputation they got the Towns of Orsoy and Limburg with other places thereabouts which extended the contributions very far Nor had at this time the Count of Soissons with a considerable Army given a little Jealousie on the side of France so that the Spaniards found themselves obliged to oppose to him a body not inferiour under Carlo Colonna Thus the Crowns being not yet broken out into War exercised openly the hatred of their Ministers who imployed their wits with equal cunning but different fortune for as to the Cardinal the felicity of success did frequently out-run his desires and go beyond his designs whereas on the other side the Conde Duke could not conceive a thought but it was enough to render the effect abortive and unhappy But the death of King Gustavus looked as if it might make a change in affairs every where He with the progress he made in Bavaria had designed to fall into Austria in hope that in that which is called the Vpper the Peasants ill affected to the present State would have risen and the minds as well as the forces would have been raised of the Protestants who concealing themselves or making an open profession together made no small Party in that Country He therefore had first made a course into Suevia and all rendring at his appearance Vlm Meminghen and other places fell easily into his power In the mean time Wallestain in Moravia quietly compleats his Army and left Gallas with a small body in Bohemia to attend upon Saxony But understanding that some of the Protestants assembled in Torgan had resolved to join with that Elector he moves with his whole Army and coming to Prague recovers the City without much dispute From thence he had a mind to give Saxony a Blow numbring the losses of Bavaria amongst his contentments Nevertheless called back by the clamours of the Duke Maximilian and his entreaties rather than the Emperours commands he leaves Gallas with a new re-inforcement to oppose Arnheim General of the Saxons and with a slow march takes his way towards Bavaria leaving in his passage through the Vpper Palatinate so many marks of military license and his own hatred against the Duke that it looked as if he went rather to ruine him than carry him relief Afterwards near Nuremberg a City as is known amongst the free ones to be one of the greatest but also the most tenacious amongst those of the Protestants he intrenches himself The King could not suffer the ruine of it without loosing that credit which he had with that party whereupon he made haste to draw near to it and encamping about it was in place of a Garrison to the City which supplied necessaries and conveniencies to the Army This our Age and perhaps scarce any past had not seen assembled together so powerful Forces reckoned in both Armies about eighty thousand Souldiers besides followers and useless people which amounted to an incredible sum Victuals neverthetheless were plenty and discipline flourished by the vigilance and skill of the Chiefs who had art and valour not unsutable to their strength Each pretended to overcome his Enemy either by tempting him with inconveniencies or provoking him with boldness But Wallestein placed his hopes more in prolonging the War than precipitating his Councils and the King placing all in reputation and fortune desired to come to an engagement After having offered Battel to no purpose he assaults the Enemies quarters and at the first fury the Bavarians who were quartered thereabout giving way he hoped to have mastered the Trenches and in effect broke into them but finding greater resistance from the high and difficult situation it gave time to Fridtland to come to the relief and to repulse him Three thousand of the Swedes were killed upon the place and it being the first encounter wherein whether it was fancy or fortune that deceived Gustavus it is not to be said how afflicted he was at it and how much that title of Invincible which common opinion had attributed to him remained prejudiced Inflamed by a generous impatience for so long and unsuccessful stay leaving in the City a numerous Garrison he marching towards Francony sending Banier into Bavaria to keep the Duke from the Imperialists and dispute with him the re-conquests of his Countries because whilst the Armies had been employed about Nuremberg the Elector Maximilian with the assistance of the people had recovered most of what he had lost and making advantage of others dangers
to be suspected by the Governour as if by the direction of his Letters the Gallies of the Republick in maintenance of the right of the Sea should have intercepted certain Ships of the Raguseans which were sailing for that Port vexed with various persecutions was constrained to go to Venice to inform the Senate with it but was no sooner gone but the Governour caused his house to be searched together with his Houshold-stuff and Writings and among them were those of his Ministry Whilst the Republick complained of it and the French Ministers interposed and got no satisfaction the Governour publishes against the Consul a most severe Proclamation laying to his charge that he had unladen in the suspected time of the plague Merchandise out of a Bark which came from Venice but there appeared in the Sentence more of pretext than of his fault because he justified himself to have done it by permission of the Magistrates This increased the resentment of the Republick and gave occasion to the French to renew with more earnest their Mediation by which it was agreed that recalling the Proclamation Oberti should be admitted the Senate shewing themselves when that was done not averse from recalling him and appointing some other for the place But as this agreement was ready to be executed Michael dying his Brother was substituted who going to Ancona to take possession of the place was by the Governour first put in Prison and then again released with severe threatnings and obligations to return no more thither The French complained highly of it because they had given their word to the Republick that the Election should be of such a person as the Republick should best like of but the Senate judging it little secure and less honourable to continue the Treaty suspended more speech of it interdicting Audience nevertheless to the Nuntio Vitelli and forbidding their Ambassadour Contarini to see the Pope The Negotiation also was interrupted which the Duke of Crequi come in the Name of King Lewis to Venice managed with Baptista Nani and Girolamo Soranzo Cavalier and Procurator deputed by the Senate to adjust the differences about Confines betwixt Loreo and Arriano ANNO MDCXXXIV The Republick was strongly pressed by the said Duke that in concert with the Crown of France a new War might be moved in Italy but although his instances were a while after earnestly seconded by Monsieur de Salodie sent by the King with the same projects of Union and War the Senate nevertheless resolving not to depart from the Neutrality they had fixed in answers to the invitations by exhorting to Peace which being the greatest blessing from Heaven ought rather to be promoted than disturbed by the prosperity the Crown enjoyed Not only the French but the Spaniards also used with the other Princes such earnest endeavours requiring positive declarations without admitting neutrality that some grew justly jealous that the Crowns sought no less pretexts for a War than to make parties for it At which the Grand Duke more moved than the rest sends the Archbishop of Pisa to the Court of Rome to propose a League betwixt the Italian Princes of common defence to ballance the power of Strangers and oppose the exorbitancy of it But at this time as always affections contending with interests many governing themselves by separate Councils and believing an union with Strangers more compatible than with domesticks the proposition vanished in its beginning through the difficulty to introduce it The Genouese at this time embittered by reason of past accidents against the Spanish Ministers and more exasperated at present by the decision made by the King and the Infanta of their controversies with the Duke of Savoy gave ear to the insinuations of Monsieur de Novailles who in his passage to Rome offered them the Forces and assistance of the Crown of France so that after having for so many years been serviceable to the sole advantages of the Spaniards they would bring themselves to a fitting neutrality whereupon that Republick making use of the conjuncture enters into a correspondence with France and with many Decrees revived the lustre of its liberty and vigour of its Government The Spaniards received this novelty not without a sharp resentment but being more and more intent upon the contingencies of the Empire dissemble all making it their business only to take away all jealousies from the Italians both by reason of the Infanta's stay and the warlike preparations without notwithstanding to neglect the advantages which the conjuncture afforded for they took hold of the occasion to perswade Prince Thomas to depart on a sudden out of Piedmont and go to the command of the Army in Flanders sending for Hostages his Wife and Children into Spain Some believed that Thomas and Maurice the Cardinal who having renounced to the protection of France in Rome had assumed that of the Emperour held an understanding with the Duke their Brother thereby to divide betwixt them by artifice the affections and good will of both the parties But in truth the two Princes from the weak constitution of the Duke foreseeing his death to be near considered afar of the succession of the Country and those designs which afterwards in their time brake forth and seeing their Sister-in-Law by the bonds of interest and blood tyed to France cast themselves betimes into the arms and protection of the Austrians Whereat the Duke being exceedingly moved sequestred their revenues and suspends their assignments The French for all that putting no entire confidence in him shorten the Bridle increasing in Pignarol and Monferrat Troops and Garrisons The Infanta at last after having concluded a League with the Catholick Cantons of Helvetia for the life of the King and the Prince his Successor obliging them to assist in the defence of the Franche County moves in the Month of June through the Valtelline and Tirol towards Germany accompanied by the Marquess of Leganes with six thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse It hath been formerly said what were the aims of Wallestein to amuse himself in Provinces remote whilst the more important were in danger but now upon the loss of Ratisbone Austria was threatned also and the Duke of Bavaria highly protested that if he were not succoured he would agree with the Swedes upon any conditions and would open them the passage into the bowels of the Emperours patrimonial Lands Whereupon Ferdinand with most effectual orders summons him again to come speedily to the assistance of his necessity and to his commands added importunities and entreaties that he would employ his Army against those of his Enemies which were the most dangerous and powerful He with the height of malice considering that the Spanish Forces were come into the Empire and knowing the aims of that Crown tending to thrust him down moving the Army as if he would answer the summons quarters it in Bohemia and distributing several Regiments of his friends into Austria it looked as if he would keep Vienna
thousand Foot and not many above a thousand Horse comes close to the Trenches and without giving time to the Spaniards to take a considerate view of them assaults them forcing them in a very narrow passage By which entring in the evening they were forced night coming upon them to halt within the Enemies Camp The Spaniards surprised could not or had not the skill to oppose them but rather considering that the day following it would be impossible to avoid a Battel silently under the favour of the night retire leaving Leucate free the Camp empty and forty piece of Cannon with infinite Provisions in the power of the French From so many fortunate successes some flattered themselves that the Cardinal having thus provided for his glory would more easily incline to Peace It appeared nevertheless that he became no less amorous of new Conquests than Olivares was irritated at this his adversity And for this cause although in both Courts a truce was proposed by the Ministers of the Pope and the Venetians and that the General of the Minims carried secretly from Paris to Madrid projects betwixt the two favourites yet nothing was concluded because in the Truce the French would have their Confederates comprehended and keep what they had gotten and both the one and the other was denied by the Spaniards not to treat with the Hollanders as equals nor accustom their Enemies to a peaceable enjoyment for so many years of the places possessed Hereupon arose quickly new difficulties the French denying as hath been said elsewhere to acknowledge Ferdinand the Third for King of the Romans and successor into the Imperial Crown of his Father who in the month of February of this year being the fifty ninth of his age yields to the frail condition of Mortality This Prince had experienced such various accidents of things prosperous and unfortunate as may be equally observed both for a testimony of divine Providence and an example of humane vicissitudes From slender beginnings and a very narrow condition he rose to great hopes and afterwards to greater power amidst the oppositions and treacheries of Strangers and of Subjects but they being brought under and the other conquered for the overcoming also of jealousie and envy he wanted nothing but the moderation of counsels He had a tryal therefore of the reflux of Fortune with such blows as made him see his Greatness panting under the Forces of a King almost unknown and despised But the death of Gustavus ascribed to a blow from Heaven the Victory at Nortlinghen no less seasonable than great and the Peace of Prague which contented the chief of the Protestants confirmed to the Son all the Dignity of the Father It was looked at as a great miracle nay rather a singular protection from Heaven that the Election of a King of the Romans should succeed so opportunely and that after so great agitations and so many calamities the Patrimony untouched together with an hundred and ten thousand men in Arms should remain to the Successor It cannot be denied but that to Ferdinand the Second may be assigned a most deserved station amidst the best deserving Princes who have received Splendour and Renown from the Catholick Religion for that with fervent zeal he propagated it in the Hereditary Provinces nay rather may be said to have restored it by Example by Laws and by Arms. He was singular in piety constant in vertue and inflexible in all Fortunes Some laid to his charge a too much yielding to the opinions of others with a too violent heat in execution an undistinguished liberality in giving and a too patient tolerance of so many excesses with which his Souldiery and Generals afflicted Germany and Italy But his vertues were his own his faults were ascribed to Fortune and the Times And now Ferdinand the Third taken into the Empire in the nine and twentieth year of his Age the Venetians to congratulate him sent Renieri Zeno Cavalier and Procurator and Angelo Contarini Cavalier by whom they sollicited the concession of Pass-ports to facilitate the agreement of a Meeting for Peace and the King of Poland also cooperating therein with his endeavours those for Swede and Holland were consented to by the new Emperour but upon condition that they should not be delivered to the parties till after France should have dispatched his own for his Ministers with Titles and Quality of Emperour But the Meeting being still more and more prolonged military successes were in this year reciprocally ballanced in Germany for the Swedes having pursued the Saxons taken Erfordt in Thuringia and advanced into Francony were by them joyned with Gallas forced back to the Frontiers of Pomerania There Banier re-inforced with Wranghel makes head a new obliging the others through want of Provisions and Pay to retire back After this Hermestain kept by the French being rendred to Werdt was deposited into the hands of the Elector of Collen till the cause of him of Triers to whom that place belonged should be decided Werdt after this draws near to Hanau and Weimar hastes with speed to its succours wherein he was not able to succeed though he beat the Duke Carlo of Lorrain who had attempted to hinder him in his way The Duke therefore turns his march into the Franche Conté attempting to possess Besanzon an Imperial City but in vain and thereupon goes into Alsace leaving Hanau to be taken by Werdt He after the place gained follows him joyned with the Duke of Savelli and other Chiefs and seeing Weimar ingaged under Rhinfeldt attacques him obliging him with the loss of his Cannon to rise In this Encounter Rohan who was with Duke Bernard received such a hurt that he a while after dyed leaving the Arms he was wont to wear to the Republick of Venice as a gift of affection and Monument of that Renown which inrolled him in the number of the most famous Captains of the World The Imperialists not contenting themselves with this success by pursuing the Victory lost it whilst at Laufenburg whither Weimar was gone they attacqued him and he made appear of what importance is the Courage of an excellent Captain for inferior in Reputation and Forces he encounters them and fights them with so great resolution that he defeats them putting almost all to the Sword possessing Cannon and Baggage taking the Colours and numbring amongst the Prisoners of Quality Werdt himself and Enchefurt Rheinfeld under which Weimar returned was the reward of the Victory and after that Neoburg and Friburg followed That nevertheless happened in the year following but for the present in Italy the War being transported out of the Country of Parma into the Monferrat Leganes feigned to himself great progress finding himself strong eighteen thousand Foot and five thousand Horse with all sorts of other provisions But his hopes were not seconded by the event In the Langhe Martino d'Aragona took in Ponzone to open the way of succours by Sea and the Communication with Final Gilles de Haes
intending to surprise Nizza della Paglia arrived there so late in the day that he was easily discovered And not thinking it honourable to retreat fortifies himself in a Convent obliging Leganes who by the weakness of the place hoped for a short conquest of it to repair thither with the whole Army Nor was he deceived for after four days the Governour renders it there going forth four hundred Monferrins two hundred forty French and some Horse Savoyards Thence passing into the Territory of Asti orders Philippo di Silva to take in Algiano which easily succeded With the Duke of Mantua who complained of the Invasion of Monferrat and with the Venetians who did not willingly hear of his prejudice the Governour of Milan justified himself alledging that he was not bound to use respect where he found Garrisons of that Nation which with molestations and jealousies afflicted the Frontiers of the Milanese But the progress of the Spanish Arms quickly terminated in this period for Crequi returned out of France where he had been to justifie his past conduct joyning with six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse Savoyards attempted la Rocca d'Arasso a little before taken by the Spaniards but Leganes coming near with all the Army he was constrained to retire This Campagnia afterwards ended with certain Incursions and some Encounters betwixt Brem and Vercelli which were of no small moment where Villa beat Arragona with the death of some Officers on the Spaniards side and among them Spadino the known Promoter of the first Siege of Casal and the same Chiefs not far from Monbaldone putting it to a new tryal Aragona went away with the worst who hardly saving himself by flight abandoned six Cannons and his Baggage After these the accidents of Nature promoted new and unthought of successes for Italy greatly afflicted by the death of two of its Princes opened the bosom to new strokes The Duke Vittorio in Vercelli upon the seventh of October in the one and fiftieth year of his Age ended his days with various judgments upon the nature of his sickness there wanting not some who imputed it to poyson given by Crequi either for private hatred or the publick distrusts of the Crown and they drew their argument from an invitation where were with the Duke the Count de Verrua his most confident Minister and the Marquess Villa the most faithful General of his Army of which falling sick together with the Duke the first dyed and the other hardly by the strength of his complexion overcame the accidents Others believed that the powder of Diamonds given him some time before had corroded his inward parts But besides that the French are abhorring such Arts it ought not to seem strange that the Duke macerated with many cares and tedious indispositions in the decline of his age should run the common Fate so that in such cases of doubt and concealment it is more beseeming to give credit to Nature than authorize falshood Let it be as it will he left with three Daughters two Sons both very young and to them War for an Inheritance and for a Patrimony the hatred of one of the Crowns and the distrust of the other without support of any sincere friendship Francesco Giacinto the eldest having scarce tasted the benefit of life but not of command was after a few months snatched away by death leaving the Title to Carlo Emanuel his Brother Vittorio dead the Tutelage and Regency were assumed by the Dutchess Christina alledging the Will of her Husband expressed in his Testament which committed it to her alone The Princes Maurice the Cardinal and Tomaso pretended to have a share in it and pressed it so much the more as believing the life of the little Duke doubtful by reason of his tender age and weak constitution and because by the Laws of the Country Women being excluded they were incouraged to conceive great hopes that the Succession might devolve to them For which cause the Cardinal who resided at Rome leaves the Court notwithstanding that the Pope doubtful of what happened endeavoured to stop him with offers of imployments and advantages He come to the Borders of Piedmont and finding an Order there from the Dutchess that he should retire further off with a promise if he did of satisfaction and an Appennage things being not yet in a condition to use force retired into the Genouese King Lewis freed from those suspicions in which the deep and wise Conduct of the Duke Vittorio held him was glad to see his Sister Regent who since she could not adhere to her Brothers-in-law nor put trust in them remained constrained to shelter her self under his protection On the other side the Spaniards by reason of this dependence and conjunction of Blood endeavoured to have her excluded or at least that she might govern with an Authority so limited and restrained that she might not be able to bring prejudice to their interests Expecting therefore accidents from time Leganes was not solicitous to make advantage in that Conjuncture with Arms save only that he took in the Castle of Pomar in Monferrat which he abandoned so soon as he saw Crequi joyned again with Villa These two Chiefs were joyned notwithstanding their disgusts grown even to publick distrust from the time that Crequi taking occasion from the death of the Duke had attempted to cast a Garrison of French into Vercelli and Villa had prevented him by bringing in a strong Renfort of Savoyards The other accident which gave no less apprehension to Italy was the death of Carlo Duke of Mantua upon the 21. of September in the sixty and one year of his age He whilst he lived privately had had several thoughts and designs of a great Prince but having attained the Principality with great hazard governed himself amidst great troubles with the spirit and manners of a private man The Succession fell to Carlo Nephew of the Duke deceased and Son of the Prince Carlo Duke of Rhetel yet in Minority and therefore recommended by Testament and by a Codicil of the Grandfather to the protection of the French and the Venetians and to the Regency of the Mother a Princess of a most prudent understanding who altering nothing of the present state of things requires the Oath in the name of the Son and sends to Venice the Senator Paraleoni to obtain the continuance of the assistance and the direction of the Senate The Republick doubling to the end to preserve that State their diligence passed immediately effectual offices with the Emperour to divert all thoughts of novelty and in Spain used remonstrances to the end the Infanta Maria should have no thoughts of returning to Mantua to sow unseasonable suspicions Nor was it difficult to obtain it for although the Spaniards were not pleased at the assistance of Monsieur de la Tour a French Commander in Mantua yet fancying to themselves greater advantages on the side of Piedmont An. Dom. 1638 they thought it best as yet not to
their Arms were silently entred into Italy and were Neighbours to the Confines of many Princes so that those of the Austrian party justly apprehended and that not without some resentment to be over powred by that Crown Nevertheless the provocations of the Duke of Parma and the recent scorns of the Barberins prevailing besides that with the death of the Cardinal Richelieu happened about the end of the year many of his designs were thought extinguished they shewed themselves as resolute not to suffer their injuries as the Barberins were constant in provoking them to it The Dukes then of Modena and Parma having spoken together communicated to the Venetians their thought to take up some Quarters in the Ecclesiastick State to ease their own Country during Winter desiring that at least by connivence they would give way to them to make use of the Souldiers of the Republick which were in the Modonese The Senate and the Grand Duke not approving that the one should be exposed to greater dangers and the other be separated from common counsels exhorted them to suspend moving in so cold a Winter-season in which delay took not away any vigor from their power but rather added strength to their counsels The Dukes were satisfied with it chiefly because at the instant of their setting forward Modena had discovered that by the imprisonment and death of some an intelligence was vanished which he had in Ferrara whither having sent certain of his Subjects under other names to inrool themselves in a Company they having the Guard at a Port were to deliver it to the Duke Besides he of Parma whose aim was to possess Cento a place which from the Territories of Ferrara and Bologna might draw important Contributions was diverted by Cardinal Anthonio come into those parts with supreme Authority of Legate and by his providing and fortifying that place Whilst these things were in agitation the Venetians had sent into the Sacca di Goro to maintain the Jurisdiction of the Sea certain armed Parks which finding there some Vessels laden with Corn and Oyl had as is usual sent them to Venice from which Ferrara and the Army finding some inconvenience of Victuals certain Redoubts were raised by the Pontificians betwixt Magnavacca and Volane with eight pieces of Cannon on them to protect Ships under their countenance but being found of no advantage they within a while demolished them And now through the dispositions of minds and preparation of Forces all really tended to War whereupon the Prince Luigi and Pandolfini being returned to Venice Meetings were again renewed with the Deputies Nani and Gussoni The Barberins endeavoured to render them suspect to France and Spain suggesting that the Princes of Italy were not so much united for the affairs of Castro as to form a third Party that might ballance their Arms and ingage it self as occasion should be offered as if their intention were to give Law to both the Crowns and continually insinuated to the Spaniards projects of a League upon which and to have a pretext to introduce a Minister the Regent Casanate was sent by the Viceroy of Naples to Rome But he no sooner arrives there but the Cardinal Barberino being now out of fear he found him far from his own propositions and rather involved in a like Treaty with France though his more veritable intentions were to amuse both the Crowns without concluding with either The Spaniards to flatter him gave him hopes that by Vrbans closing in a League with them the Authority of the Catholick King would induce Modena and the Grand Duke to facilitate the adjustment of Castro and the Count della Rocca gone already from Venice was going to Florence to Modena and to Parma to exhort those Princes to Peace with offer of his Mediation and with propositions to Edward that if he would adhere to the Spanish party he would procure him the restitution of Castro by recompensing the Prefect with other Lordships in the Kingdom of Naples All this fell quickly to nothing for the projects of the Barberins to the Spaniards varied from the first intention and those of the Spaniards to the Princes had no foundation In the mean time foreign affairs were carried on with important accidents things in Germany being reduced to great extremity by several blows of consequence given to the Imperial Armies one near the Rhine where by Count Guebrian General of the Weimarians Lamboy was totally defeated another in Silesia Franc Albert a Duke of Saxe Lawemburg being beaten and taken Prisoner to whom though a Lutheran the Emperour had given the body of an Army in hopes that many Souldiers of that belief would willingly serve under his Command and those would flock to him of the contrary party in which he had been a Commander for many years In consequence of which disaster Olmitz the Metropolis of Moravia and other places were given up to the Swedes Yet it would not have been difficult to have repaired all if the Archduke who with the greatest body of the Army besieged Leipzich a City fatal to great Battels had not by Torstenson who came to attempt its relief been utterly defeated whereupon the Patrimonial Provinces remaining without defence and the way free for the Enemy even to Vienna so great was the consternation of mens minds in that City that nothing else preserved it but the spreading of the Swedes in prosecution of their advantage The Emperour therefore commanding his Ambassadour to return to Rome desired succours of the Pope and Rabbata at Venice demanded of the Senate with unwonted and great earnest three thousand Foot to defend the Passes of the Danube and the City of Vienna that the Army of the Swedes being by that means stopped it might not come nearer with the wonted insolency of Conquerors to Italy and the Confines of the Republick Vrban denies assistance under the pretext of the jealousies wherein he was and the Venetians answered in a sense little differing shewing how Italy was disturbed and overturned by the Barberins Monsieur de Lionne being also come to Venice declared the Fortune and the Power of the Austrians every where laid low exalted the intention of King Lewis who not ambitious but of glory to himself and liberty to others had conquered Tortona by Arms and in Generosity given it up to Prince Thomaso He invited to an Union with France and to the Conquest of the Milanese of which he offered to the Republick such a portion as it self would chuse But the Senate persisted fixed not to interest it self betwixt the Crowns otherwise than in what concerned the Mediation of Peace Besides the proceedings in Italy which are before mentioned the accidents are worthy relating concerning the Crown of France whose Arms being every where victorious without the Kingdom it was nevertheless intestinely disturbed with furious commotions Richelieu heaping up for himself and those that depended on him vast riches rendred the universal poverty of the Kingdom so much the more intolerable to the
people and by vainly boasting his Authority and preferring his own Glory before that of the King made himself burdensom and maligned Lewis was naturally suspicious but timid whence Princes having no Guards that can preserve them from disquiet he was perpetually tortured in his mind sometimes with jealousie at the excessive power of the Minister and at others with the grief at the necessity to suffer him The Cardinal to spy out his intentions kept him environed with his Confidents which reported to him his words and the tendencies of them The King inclined to amuse himself very often privately at home as it were to vent his affections with some of his Familiars whereupon the Cardinal easily insinuated into his favour Monsieur de Saint Mars of the House of d'Effiat and promoted him in the flower of his years to the Charge of Grand Escuyer which in that Court they call Monsieur le Grand with so great a suite of propitious Fortune that in a short time the Kings affection rose to such a height as to obscure the chief Minister and render the confident young man aspiring to high things The enterprise on Perpignan being resolved the Cardinal perswades the King to go thither carrying along with him the Queen and his Brother and leaving the little Children kept in the Bois de Vincennes the Governour whereof was Monsieur de Chavigni Together with the people all the Court murmured that the Cardinal arguing from the Kings weak health his death to be near by carrying him together with the Queen and Orleans to the Army that depended upon him and was commanded by la Meilleray his Nephew and by leaving the Sons deposited in the power of his Confident aimed in all events to dispose of the Regency nay of the Royal Family and the Kingdom But the Queen opposing her tears to the Cardinals counsels obtained to remain at St. Germans with her little Sons The King recommending the Government of Paris to the Prince of Conde and the defence of the Frontiers of Flanders with an indifferent Army to the Counts of Harcourt and de Guische departs the Mareshal la Meilleray always chosen by the Cardinal for the imployments of greatest moment being advanced before Perpignan but a little distant from the Sea and from the Pirenees is the chief City of Rossiglion considerable for the exact Fortifications both of Town and Citadel and at present provided with a numerous Garrison To take it therefore by force being thought no easie matter it was resolved to block it and by hindring it of Victuals to overcome it with Famine The Spaniards with four thousand Musquetiers conducted from Colivre a great Convoy into it whereupon it was found necessary to shut that door of the Sea by possessing that place defended by the Marquess di Mortara with three thousand men The preparations and the motion of the King of France had given great apprehensions throughout all Spain But amidst so many disturbances the Conde Duke publishes in the Court a certain Henrico for his natural Son till now not only concealed but in such sort cast off that taking a desperate Voyage into the Indies he had passed several years there in sordid and base courses But now Olivares to vent a certain Genius of Ambition and Power introduces him with great expence and equipage into the Kings Service the Constable of Castile being perswaded to give him his Daughter to Wife to the scandal of the other Grandees who in Spain are not wont to prefer the Idol of Favour before the Nobleness of Blood Afterwards desiring to cover his own extravagancy by having the King emulate his example seduces him to declare Don John of Austria for his Son then but thirteen years of age born of a mean Woman and obscurely brought up and confer upon him the Title of Generalissimo against Portugal with the assistance of a certain Council All this was attended with the scorn and murmuring of many that in the greatest pressures of the Monarchy distraction was seen in mens minds and the Treasures consumed in actions and expences both unprofitable and unworthy to the abandoning of the Kingdoms and contempt of the lawful Heir which was yet kept under the care and might well be said captivity of Olivares's own Wife The clamours and wishes of all sollicited the King to go out of Madrid and draw near to the Frontiers whilst he of France was heard to be arrived at Narbon to the end that if the one came in person for conquest the other would at least shew himself a far off for defence Olivares doubtful lest the King going forth should either get light how affairs stood or that others should inform him of the infelicity of his governing sometimes with artifice hiding the dangers and then exaggerating the inconveniencies and above all the expence which the Kings moving necessarily required endeavoured to stop him The King nevertheless his will at this time over-mastering that of the Favourites resolves to go to Saragozza but with such a slow pace that going out of Madrid not with a military Equipage but rather for divertisement with delightful Entertainments and Players sometimes staying to delight himself with them sometimes going out of the way and always making very little Journies arrives late and yet the motion of the Army was much later Colivre not being able to expect so much delays the Conde Duke orders that at any rate it should be relieved and the Fleet being not yet ready that it should be attempted by a select body of Horse by Land The execution proved more difficult than the command for there was a necessity to cross over Catalogna with the Rivers and Mountains between without Victuals with the Enemy in the Flank and Reer of them However the Conde Duke far from the danger and accustomed in things of difficulty to arrogate to himself whatever had a prosperous issue and where it fell out otherwise to lay the blame of it on Fortune or the Instruments pressed that it should be hazarded though with never so great appearance of loss So that making choice of three thousand men on Horseback the most part reformed Officers under the Marquess de Pouar the passage was attempted but Monsieur de la Mothe Odancourt following them and the Peasants withholding Victuals and interrupting the ways the Spaniards quickly found themselves without bread and without Forrage in the Mountains so beset that there being no means of coming to fight nor to escape they in a body render themselves with Colours Arms and Horses Prisoners Thus the best of the Spanish Forces being blasted without blood those of Colivre yet continued the defence till la Meilleray piercing into the Wall with a Mine blew up the Aqueduct whereupon for want of water they capitulated together with the Castle of St. Elmo lying close by and upon a height And now the Siege was laid before Perpignan honoured with the presence of King Lewis whilst the Cardinal at Narbonne was
the Duke had not made sufficient provision of Victuals nor had wherewithal to carry it after the Army cross the Mountain The intention of Mathei being discovered to keep the Confederates in motion and the imployment of their own defence he on a sudden goes out of the Modonese with the loss but of one Company of Horse which was defeated by the Duke Valanzé moved then with all the Army towards Finale and Bondeno threatning to attacque some of those Forts and because the Duke of Parma who had not done ought but force the Quarters of four hundred Horse at St. Pietro was reduced to a very weak number of Foot and not to above a thousand Horse the Venetians resolved to lend him some Troops to keep the Out-works of Bondeno Corraro who coasted upon the Enemies march was afterwards in the Quarter of Campo Santo assaulted by Valanzé with three thousand Foot and five hundred Horse but he withstood and repulsed him His Judgment was that the Duke remaining to guard his own Confines should send him the two thousand Foot of the Republick which he had with him that he might invade the Ferrarese with which he should not only have diverted the Enemy from molesting the Dukes Country but the Posts of Communication and the Banks of the River should have been kept defended a counsel which event afterwards shewed how advantagious it would have been But the desire prevailing in the Duke to enter into the Bolognese to draw the Cardinal Anthonio after him the March was resolved on having first strengthned Finale with five hundred Foot more which the Venetians sent beyond the Po that in the absence of the Army the Pontificians should not attempt to exploit any thing to break the Communication and shut out the Army Corraro then and the Duke having a mind to joyn Cardinal Anthonio that understood all their designs caused to the end to hinder them Nonantola to be attacqued by four thousand men The place lyes beyond the Banaro without any defence of Fortifications and was then kept by the Venetians with two Companies under the Colonel St. Martin who resolved whatever happened to defend the attacque and the Battery of two great Guns to give time to the Duke who was then at Modena to come with his own and two thousand Foot of the Venetians to its succours He coming to the Bridge of the Navicello found it possessed by four Companies of Horse but driving them away comes through to Nonantola and obliges the Enemy to a Retreat This being quickly done he forthwith returns when in his way the Cardinal appeared to oppose him and although the March had wearied the Souldiers the Duke nevertheless resolves to fight him He scarce began to move but the Pontificians betook themselves to flight in which being pursued with the death of some and amongst those of Francesco Gonzagha Serjeant Major General of the Army the Cardinal whose Horse was killed under him hardly escaped from being of the number of the Prisoners which amounted to two hundred The Confederates resolved demolishing Nonantola not to ingage a Garrison in so weak a place to march to Spilimberto whence they entred into the Territory of Bologna plundering to the very Gates of the Town to the damage and terrour of the Country Piumazzo abandoned by the Inhabitants at the appearance of two hundred Foot and five hundred Horse was possessed The Baron de Deghenselt who commanded the Horse of the Republick had Bazano delivered to him and judging it not easie to be kept left it But the Pontificians having brought three hundred men into it moved the Confederates to repossess it as was easily done the Garrison rendring on conditions which were not observed because contrary to the tenour of them some certain powder was found amongst the Baggage whereupon being stript by the way they were all made Prisoners In Tuscany Savelli in this interim had recovered Passignano cutting the Garrison of two hundred men in pieces keeping the Commander Prisoner and afterwards attempted the City of la Pieve with a Petard but without success The Confederates had taken Paciano and the Grand Dukes Army consisting of eight thousand Foot fourteen hundred Horse and thirty pieces of Artillery being incamped in the Plain of Castiglione del Lago gave so much terrour to Perugia that the Prefect who was there thought himself not secure and was doubtful of some commotion of the Inhabitants whereupon Savelli drawing the Army under the Walls of it durst not inlarge his quarters The progress would certainly have been very considerable also in the Bolognese as the Confederates designs were not small if Cardinal Antonio had not with a new sprightly party overthrown their counsels He seeing that on that side the strength of the Army consisted in the Forces of the Republick and to oblige it to call back their Troops for its own defence caused thirteen Boats by night to be put into the Po and hastily imbarquing four hundred men upon them sends them a little below Lagoscuro to take Post upon the Banks on this side of the River Captain Tritonio who with a Company of Horse was going the round opposed them but being overpowered by the number was forced to let them land The Pontificians marched immediately to the same Post of Lagoscuro ill fortified and worse provided with men and although Count Giovanni Battista Porto and the Cavalier Mark Antonio Strozza valorously defended it for six hours yet Valanzé being in this interim passed to this side with three thousand Foot fifteen hundred Horse and some Cannon they were at last overcome and made Prisoners At the first reports of the Enemies passage the General Pesari sends Mark Antonio Brancaccio with five hundred Foot to relieve the Post attacqued but being come to Chiaviche and there understanding it was taken stopt till the General himself who was also marching should arrive Pesari had not with him above eighteen hundred Foot and betwixt three and four hundred Horse the many Garrisons and frequent expeditions to the other side of the Po having lessened his Forces Having understood that with the liberty and safety of the Pass the Enemy was every day more and more strengthened he resolved to halt there to expect reinforcement recalling from Finale the last five hundred Foot he had sent thither two Companies of Horse from Mantua and dispatching orders and advice to all places to defend the Country and increase the Forces He conferred there with the Duke of Parma desiring him to join with him but Edward having but a very few men advised that he should expect the Army out of the Modenese All this passing with great retardment the interim served the Pontificians to plant a good Fort there just over against the other which on the other side of the Po was also called by the name of Lagoscuro In the Polesene and in Rovigo by reason of this passage the fright was truly great but the Pontificians not willing to be shut up amidst those
of France passes into that Kingdom to her Marriage 58. is Partaker of the designs against Richelieu 249. obtains of the King to remain at Paris with her Sons 532. her Regency limited by her Husband 551. she gets it at large from the Parliament 555. is about introducing new Ministers ib. Antonio Antelmi Resident with the Switzers swears to the League 131. sent to Mirandola to adjust those Princesses 416 Antonio Barbaro General in Istria falls sick 78. returns to that Command 89. Proveditor General for the Sea 150. General of the Terra firma 217 Antonio Barberino Cardinal Legate for the Peace of Italy 300. returns to Rome successless 325. accepts the protection of France 382 commands the Army against the Prince of Parma 523 525. provokes the Venetians with jealousie 542. opposes the Duke of Parma and Confederates 544. invades the Modonese 547 558 559. by the surprise of Lago Scuro defeats the designs of the Confederates 560 counsels Peace ibid. Antonio Baron de Rabbata Ambassadour from the Emperour to Venice 425 Antonio Capello called Terzo Captain of the Galliasses defends the French Ships in the Part of Alesandrette 296. Proveditor of the Fleet pursues the Pirates of Barbery 447. besieges them in the Port of Vallona ibid. carries away their Gallies 448. chosen a Counsellor 449 Antonio Donato punished for Peculat 140 Antonio Foscarini put to death and afterwards found innocent 180 Antonio Giorgio betrayed and killed by the Uscocchi 52 Antonio Lando General in Friuli besieges Gradisca 88 89. thinks of going up to Carso 89 does it 91. is attacqued in his Quarter 107 being sick retires from the Camp 107 Antonio Pisani brings the Gallies of Candia safe to the Fleet 146. made Proveditor of the Sea chases some Pirates chastises others 215 convoys the Queen of Hungary from Ancona to Trieste 338. Captain of the Galliasses 452 Antonio Priuli General at Land 16. Generalissimo 72. deputed for the execution of the Peace with King Ferdinand 115. dyes 202 Antonio Trivisano killed in a Tumult of the Souldiers 73 Armando de Richelieu named by the King for a Cardinals Cap 151. enters into favour and the chief Ministry 205. his Jars with the Duke of Buckingham 221. blamed for the Peace of Monzon 253. his excuses 253 his parts and arts 249 250. discovers the designs against France 262. makes division amongst the Huguenots 263. undertakes the Siege of Rochel 264. loses the favour of Queen-Mother and the Kings Brother 280. strengthens the Princes of Italy in the interests of Mantua 281. exalted by the taking Rochel perswades the King to go into Italy 291. having concluded the Treaty of Susa returns into France to overcome the Huguenots 304. hated by the Queen-Mother and the Kings Brother 310. is appointed to relieve Mantua 315. suffers himself not to be deluded by the Savoyards 319 forces them to declare themselves 323. his disgusts with the Dukes increase 323. attempts to take him Prisoner 324. gets Pignarol ibid. vexed with the faction at Court 326 345. endeavours to repair the discredit by the peace at Ratisbone 345. is pleased with the possession of Pignerol 356. created Duke and Peer of France and Patrician of Venice 262. the death of the Mareshal of Maivilliac imputed to him 370. revenges himself of the Spaniards 373. pinhes the Lorrainers 381. speaks with Oxenstern 412. troubled at the invasion of the Austrians orders the defence of the Kingdom 422. endeavours to make advantage of the misfortunes of the House of Savoy 463 counsels the King to make War in Spain 472 hated universally in the Kingdom 494. whence arises a great storm of the discontented Princes he defends himself and weathers it 497 becomes troublesom to the King himself 534 perswades the King to the enterprise of Perpignan and aspires to the Regency 531. St. Mars with Orleans and the Spaniards conspire against him 534. discovers the Kings kindness towards him cooled 536. defeats the conspiracy 536. dyes his Elogium 538 539 The Army of France by Sea prey of money belonging to the Genouese 232. infests the Coast of Spain 472. the English Fleet attempts in vain to take Cadiz and the Fleet there 255 Army Naval of Spain attempts in vain Susa 146. avoids an encounter with Turks ibid. give jealousie to the Venetians 170 312. pretends to convoy the espoused Queen of Hungary through the Adriatick 338. prepares for an enterprise on France 395. surprises the Islands of Ere 's 411. is beaten by the Hollanders 472 Army Naval of the Turks scoures the Sea and pillages the Coast of Puglia 96 146 150 Army Naval of the Venetians opposes the invasions of the Spaniards in the Adriatick 95. defends it self in the Port of Lessina ibid. reinforced with a new supply of armed Ships 96. go forth but slowly out of the Port of Curzola against the Spaniards 97. with which he fights 113. ranges the Sea and takes many Vessels 118 145. is re-inforced with the Gallies of Candia 245. thence chases the Pirates 446. takes their Gallies out of the Port of Vallona 448 Armies Naval of France and Spain meet to the loss of Spain 440 Arras besieged by the French not being relieved renders 480 Asti described 47. attacqued by the Spaniards and defended by the Duke of Savoy 48. is rendred to the Princes of Savoy 462 Avo Ambassadour of France stirs up the Republick to assist the Duke of Mantua 285 Austria superiour rebels 134. is punished by Bavaria 153. rises in commotion again and is subdued 256 Axel Oxenstern governs the Swedes affairs in the Empire 378. hath a Conference with Richelieu 412. sends Count Gualdo to Venice ibid. B. BAbylon besieged by the Turks 453. taken by assault 454 Baltasar Maradas with Spanish Souldiers comes to assist the Archduke in Friuli 72. attempts to surprise the Venetian Quarters 89. reassures the people of Istria ibid. assumes the chief Command of the Army 92. succours Gradisca and attempts the Quarters of the Venetians 107 108 Barbery Pirates called by the Turks to help keep the Sea 446. enter into the Adriatick ibid. retire to Vallona ibid. their Gallies taken by the Venetians 448. the Turks incensed 449 Battel of Prague 154. at over Ersheim where Dourlach beaten 186. at Hochst Alverstat defeated 187. at Burgsteinfort defeated again 203. at Leipzich the Imperialists defeated 359. at Lutzen the King of Swedes death 376. at Nordlingen the Swedes beaten and consequences of advantage for the Empire 393. at Sedan with the death of Soissons and defeat of the Kings Army 496 at Leipzich the Imperial Army beaten 531 at Rocroy the French victorious 553 Battista Nani maintains the Authority of the Council of Ten 295. Commissioner for the Borders of Loreo 366. deputed to treat with the French Ministers 386 414. deputed to treat the League with the Princes of Italy 519 Battista Nani Ambassadour gives the King of France thanks for his Mediation of Peace 573 Bellievre Ambassadour of France to the Princes of Italy 401. exhorts the Republick to unite
sort ingrafted as may be said that the cause became common and therefore the Narrative with equal exactness ought not to be omitted Carlo covering with a profound dissimulation the jealousie he had of Toledo sends at his arrival in Milan the Seignor de Parela not so much to complement him as to penetrate his intentions and insinuate to him the conveniencies in fulfilling the Treaty of Asti with restitutions and disarming If the Governour was new in his Office he shewed himself also a very Novice in the discourse of Treaties and Peace and so clearly expresses himself That he knew not to what a powerful King could be obliged That he was bound to no Law or Contract but his own moderation and clemency And if Carlo would make tryal of it and cast himself upon his favour and Royal arbitrement he should experience that the bounty of a great Prince is the only restraint of his power As to the disarming he declares That the Reputation of the King the State of Italy the Motions of the Venetians and the Concernments of Ferdinand did not permit it From such an answer was clearly understood the sum of Toledo's instructions to consist in breaking the Treaty of Asti to re-establish either by Arms or Treaty the pre-eminency of that Crown in Italy The Duke neverthess upon his perswasions is reduced to write into Spain and make some kind of excuse for the things past and press for the fulfilling of that Treaty but at the same time came Orders to the Governour of Milan to press the Duke to ask pardon to refer himself concerning the Capitulation to the Royal Favour and that Maurice the Cardinal his Son should go to the Court of Spain All this being a bitter Pill for Carlo to swallow Toledo sweetens it with an offer to give him assistance to recover Geneva and reclaim that City from disobedience to their Prince and their Apostasie from the Faith This did not at all satisfie the wary and wise disposition of the Duke and so much the less for having towards the end of the past year discovered some practices of the Government against his own person and came daily more and more to know that the eldest Prince his Son had been tempted by the Spaniards to solicite the Succession though he that retained towards his Father an affection equal to veneration resisted all their suggestions There was a Treaty in Zuccarello to deliver that place to the Spaniards which came to be discovered and the flight of the Colonel Allardi Provencal who passed from the Service of the Duke to that of the Governour of Milan confirmed it He gives out that the Savoyards held Intelligence in several places of the Milanese and particularly in Pavia But the Duke denied every thing bitterly complaining that Toledo should lay Plots to intrap him corrupted the Governors of his places received his Rebels and debauched his Souldiers Preparations for War were now strongly carried on and the Agent of France being gone to Milan to endeavour means to bring the Treaty to effect Toledo inveighing against the Duke sollicited France to force Carlo to lay down Arms promising that when by the restitutions he should have shewn the respect due Spain should leave nothing to be desired from its just Greatness declaring nevertheless that the present Arms tending to the relief of the Archduke and to bring the Venetians to a Peace were to be reputed out of this case and the obligation of laying them down But Carlo sustained that by the Treaty not only himself but all Italy ought to be freed from the Jealousie of his Arms and offered the restitutions whensoever Toledo should first disarm These then were the steps to a new War in Piedmont and Carlo informing the Princes especially those which were Protectors of the Treaty of Asti represented the opposition of the Governour and with his own suspicions the common dangers The Pope to prevent the impendent mischieves appoints for Nuntio Extraordinary Alessandro Lodovisio Archbishop of Bologna The King of England presses anew that the Republick and the Duke would enter into the Northern League but they thinking it not an adequate remedy for the diseases of Italy King James applies himself to the ways of procuring Peace For the same purpose arrives from France Monsieur de Bethune Ambassadour in Italy and under-hand proposes a Marriage betwixt Christina the Kings Sister and Vittorio Prince of Piedmont But Carlo receives it with a kind of distrust as if it aimed at disarming and amusing him France to say truth was not now in a condition to give the Duke that assistance of Arms which he earnestly required for d'Ancre governing all by private Counsellors grounding himself upon the Marriages contracted with Spain and the impressions he received from that Crown had perswaded the Queen to imprison the Prince of Conde upon which many withdrew from Court complaining that promises and treaties served but to insnare and make ridiculous the unwary So that the Duke of Savoy had little more hope of assistance left than of the Venetians who by the Jealousie they received from Toledo and for the Declarations of the King in favour of the Archduke were very much perplexed The Ambassadour Scaglia then coming into the Senate relates the series of the former Negotiations the endeavours of Carlo the answers of the Governour his actions the designs justly giving Jealousie to all but to the Republick and the Duke chiefly mischievous then adds It is known how much Carlo a generous and magnanimous Prince in his consent to the Peace hath considered the satisfaction of the Princes Mediators and particularly of this Republick on whose word and warrant and none other he was willing to let his Arms fall out of his hand And now I beseech you what is the state of Affairs Treaties the just Rules of Friendship are converted into the treacherous snares of interest Heretofore we fought armed but now under the fraudulent name of Peace we find our selves little better than without Arms environed by a most powerful King exposed to dangers It is uncertain how far the Spaniards will extend the greatness of their power and arbitrage If enlarging Dominion be their design no other mans state is more secure than that of Piedmont True it is that my Prince stands the first exposed and although he be strengthened with his own generosity and animated by the hopes of friends yet he hath recourse as to the inviolable Sanctuary of Faith to your assistances He supposes them because of the treaties the promises and your friendship I may say of your own interest but let that be left to be weighed in the scales alone of your greatest prudence 'T is certain that common and greater troubles are at hand Toledo either imposes disarming or threatens War Betwixt two great and little less than equal dangers the Duke must either lose himself in the one or hazard himself in the other Betwixt War and Servitude there is no middle security
But to lose generously the State is a courting of Fortune to stand the shock of death is to yield a little before-hand to the right of Nature but to make himself a Slave what will it be else but to subscribe to the perpetual reproaches of Fame and to the contempt of Posterity Hitherto the Duke hath made resistance he hath done himself right and repaid injuries Mendoza 's provocations have not gone scot-free and now Toledo would overcome him with treaties promises and threatnings But Carlo supported by your constant friendship will equally despise their flatteries and their frights It properly belongs to your greatness and wisdom to blunt the edge of that injury which is offered to the Word and Honour of Princes and to resist that pride which thinks it self of no authority if not feared Does Philip possibly forget the so many Kingdoms which he enjoys largely scattered in all the parts of the world Do not the States of Italy suffice which heretofore made several Princes great If Piedmont be not added to it Monarchy it seems they conclude will fall to the ground without glory discredited and neglected It is O Fathers too true that ambition hath placed the Centre and from thence it seems they draw the circumference The Conquest of Piedmont is but a step of ascent to the Monarchy of Europe the States the Treasures Liberty Dignity this very Capital City which is the representative of the felicity and beauty of Italy is destinated in their hopes to spoil to fire and to slavery Now at length they thrust themselves into your rights they assume the interests they divert resentments and just revenge and under the specious title of assisting the weaker they aim at nothing but establishing Authority and Power What more remains there in Italy free and beautiful when the glory of this Republick and the generosity of my Prince shall be laid low Let those dangers and the foreboding of them be far from us O Senators let us joyn here that we may not fear their threatnings nor experience the loss of our Arms and if we shall be necessitated to make use of them the labour will be gloriously crowned by our constancy Carlo is displeased to be a burden before he can be of service to you but he has heretofore offered you all he hath and now he makes a present of his very will to you Direct his Arms by your counsels who therein will be your faithful friend and an inseparable follower in this cause in which not glory only but common safety is in question Scaglia by this discourse aimed to incite mens minds to those two affections which in Republicks composed of many are powerful enough the one relating to private men the other to Princes that is scorn and suspicion But Carlo at Turin to the Ambassadour Anthonio Donato used with great art incitements yet more moving for discoursing things more narrowly with themselves and of the means of defence he represented his state wasted with the late Wars incapable to withstand the burden for the time to come leaving him to comprehend that the Common-wealth not stepping in with effectual assistance he should be forced by necessity to some kind of agreement though disadvantagious in which case the whole power of the Arms of Spain besides that of the Archdukes might fall upon them alone The Senate being obliged to deliberate upon so weighty a matter it was the opinion of some that so many other Princes equally Trustees for the Peace of Asti standing Spectators or at least interposing nothing but desires and endeavours the Republick alone ought neither to espouse so great a quarrel against so potent a King Saying That Wars were the Crisis and most dangerous sickness of States subject to chance to accidents and the uncertainty of the remedies themselves If the Republick found one War at present not a little burdensom why would they distract their thoughts and forces into two several parts Have they possibly so much assurance of the Dukes faith or so great proof of his constancy that it is firmly to be believed that one day either beaten or flattered he will not abandon us must the Army of Piedmont be maintained by the Treasure of the Republick But what Treasury will be able sufficiently to supply two such devouring Gulphs The beginning of a War was ready and easie the progress of it difficult and the issue uncertain In sum that Fortune makes sport with Princes and that of Princes those prevail who with the greatest powers are able to weary the adversity of Fortune That the Republick in times of greatest straight was wont to make use of the prudence of Councils before the noise of Arms whilst in affairs most difficult time is the fittest and most wary Counsellor which oftentimes gains that which Fortune cannot give To the most powerful what is the benefit of being Conquerours And of the conquered how many are the dangers and losses which they reckon Their Judgment therefore was not to pass beyond the offices of a good amity with Carlo and that in other Courts they should imploy their exhortations to Peace But Nicolo Contarini a Senator of a warm spirit abhorring such slow opinions spake in this manner Whilst we lose the occasion of the present Conjuncture and thereby declare our opinions that affairs for the future will go on prosperously without our mingling in them we our selves by our own Counsels greaten the Enemy We have so long neglected injuries that now being proceeded to violence we ought no longer to suffer them nor indeed can we God presents us an occasion for our constancy and withal gives us for a Companion in it a Prince generous in common Interest Can we possibly have a mind to expect the enjoyment of our liberty precariously at the will of the Governour of Milan He violates Faith and Treaties forces Savoy to obedience threatens our Dominions which to you is so much the more compulsive or more miserable by how much reason and justice trod under foot by the more powerful do not give their votes for the Princes Shall free Princes then take up just Arms but at the good pleasure of another and must they expect no Peace but upon servile Conditions Let the generosity of Italy once awaken and let us hear words worthy of Princes But I would to God it were permitted at present to resolve upon that which the Dignity the Decorum and Expediency requires and that necessity interposed not with Counsels more resolute and precise Fathers if we will not have the War in our bowels we must resolve to nourish and keep it afar off Well is that Treasure spent and most happy those cares if they can remove from us the miseries the calamities and the mischiefs which Armies bring with them From Carlo what hostage of gratitude and what pledge of faith can we have more sincere than the drawing the Enemy into his own Country And if we will have him yet more secure how