without his aid and protection as concerning any danger he need not trouble himselfe For all of vs saith he doe not onely promise to watch about and guard Thee but also to interpose our owne sides and bodies But for all this after Cesars death hee reioyced wonderfully and boasted that they who had slaine him had obtained that glory which could scarce bee contained within the heauens This therefore is the fourth and last Monarchy in which place we must note how this citie which was built by Shepheards from most slender beginnings by little and little increased to the height of potencie and grew to bee Empresse of the whole world Now hereafter I will briefly as farre as I may declare after what manner it fell off by degrees from this most high estate vnto ruine The end of the first Booke IOHN SLEID AN of the foure chiefe Monarchies OR The key of History The second Booke CEsar being slain Octauius Cesar begun his raigue Anno mundi 3925. and raigned An. 57. his sisters sonne Caius Octauius hauing drawn about the militarie bands to his partie persecuted the murtherers most bitterly And at first seemed to take armes in defence of the Commō-wealth against Marcus Antonius but afterward diuding the Empire with him and Marcus Ledipus ordained a i Gouernment by three Cicero put to death An. 3926. Triumuirat in which Marcus Cicero was by Marcus Antonius whom he had very vehemently opposed put to death being sixty three yeers of age which was eight yeeres after Quintus Hortensius his death who was so many yeers elder then hee as abouesaid Cicero directly ouershot himselfe in his owne policies for when Marcus Antonius molested the Common-wealth after Caius Cesars death he with exceeding great praises commended to the Senate Caius Octauius Cesars kinsman a yong Gentleman of twenty yeeres of age and begunne to vrge to haue him created Consull without any regard had to his age producing examples of ancient times how it might be done and refuting such obiections as might seeme dangerous professing to be bound to the Senate vpon his honour that he should alwaies couernue such a Common-wealths man as he then was and such an one as they ought chiefly to wish and desire him to be but afterwards forsaken by him hee fell into Marcus Antonius his hands Marcus Brutus reprehends him sharpely for such his flatterie Then as it is common certaine grudges arising in emulation of the Empire when as Marens Lepidus for conspiracie against Octauius was formerly remoued out of the Triumuirat and banished Octauius made warre against Antonius his other Collegue and after his victorie at k A town in Epirus Actium ouerthrew both him and Cleopatra beforementioned at Alexandria forcing them both to kill themselues and made Egypt a Romane Prouince Authors report that in Ptolomie Auletes raigne the yeerely reuenues of Egypt came to 12500. talents which summe the learned of our times reckon to 7500000. crownes but when it came in subiection to the Romans they iudged it to be farre more rich in regard of the traffique with India and Aethiopia Antonius thus ouerthrowne and cut off Octauius alone gouerned the Common-wealth forty foure yeeres and in 29. yeere of his Empire and of the world 3954. Christ born An. mundi 3954. as most account was our Sauiour IESVS CHRIST borne Herod sirnamed the Great hauing seuen yeeres before most sumptuously re-edified the demolished Temple of Ierusalem Marcus Antonius was married to Caius Octauius his sister but afterward being intangled with Cleopatra's loue forsooke his wife and married her which partly was cause of the warre Both of them were exceeding riotous and Authors relate almost incredible stories of their banquets delights and pleasures but such as I before set downe was the vp-shot and end of their liues This Marcus Antonius was that most famous Oratour before-mentioned Marcus Antonius his Nephew In Caius Octauius his raign the Romans had their first war in Germanie within their own territories Caius Iulius Cesar indeed ouerthrew the Germanes twice but it was in Gallia to wit Ariouistus in the Country of the Celts and afterwards at the meeting together of the Riuer Maze and the Rhyne After this victorie he built a bridge and past ouer the Rhyne but resting there a few daies brought backe his Armie into Gallia and broke downe the bridge Two yeers after he passed again ouer the Rhyne on his second bridge a little aboue that place where hee formerly had led ouer his Armie and then fully intended to haue gone against the l Now of Pomerania in Germanie Sueuians but being certified by his Scouts of all affaires and fearing much difficultie and scarcitie of prouision returnes into Gallia breakes downe some part of the bridge and in the other part built a Tower and a Castle and fortified it with Cittadels that hee might not altogether free his enemies from the feare of his returne And this was all that Cesar did against the Germans as he himself writes But Octauius by the two brothers Tiberius and Drusus made warre against the m Germanes bordering on the Alpes Rhaetians and n Vandals Vindelicians and with o People about Colen Vbian forces who were confederates with the Romanes Quintilius Varus being their Captaine Generall inuaded that part of Germanie now called Westphalia howbeit Arminius Chiefe-taine of the p Germanes neere the riuer Elbe Cheruscans almost vtterly ouerthrew him betwixt the Riuer q Ems. Amasia and r Necchar Horat. lib. 1 Ode 24. Lupia Horaee in a most elegant Ode comforts Virgil lamenting his death Drusus died in Germanie leauing behinde him two sonnes Germanicus a most worthy soldier and Claudius Horace in another most elegant Ode as wee said before Horat. lib. 4 Ode 4. extols him and deriues his pedegree from Caius Claudius Nero who when hee was the second time Consull together with Marcus Liuius Saelinator slew Asdrubal Annibals brother at the Riuer of Metanrum as he was bringing ouer a supply of forces ſ Octauius so stiled in honour as much as Soueraign at this day Augustus also subdued the t Of Biscay in Spaine Cantabrians u Of Aquitane in Gallia Aquitanians * Hungars Pannonians x Inhabiting Wendenland in some parts Dalmatians y Of Sclauonia also or Wendenlond Illyrians z Inhabiting neere Lombardie Salassians and inhabitants of the Alpes It is reported that he often intended to lay off the weightie charge of the Empire but againe considering with himselfe that it would be rashly committed to many mens authority changes his minde In the thirty third yeere of his raigne deceased Herod the Great whom hee and Marcus Antonius in the third yeere of their Triumuirate had made King of Iudaea and in the eight yeere after his death his sonne and successor Archelaus was banished to Vienna a Towne in Gallia It is written that Octauius maintained forty foure legions of soldiers in protection of the Prouinces
his age and raigned 30 yeers being 40. yeeres old at the beginning of his raigne His sonnes name was Cambyses Cambyses whom when hee went from home to the Scythian warre he set ouer his Kingdome He his Father being absent and in imploiments tooke Egypt In warre indeed hee was renowned but otherwise vitious and did not represent his Fathers vertues Among the rest of his filthie and sauage deeds he commanded his own brother to be slain trecherously Plato in his bookes which he writ of the Lawes reports how Cyrus was very much to blame for that he brought vp his sons effiminately amongst women who when they grew into riper yeeres being corrupted by flatterers for the most part abusing their cares did after their Fathers decease Darius the sonne of Histaspis indanger one anothers life Darius the sonne of Hystaspis succeeded Cambyces second King of the Persians who suruiued his Father but a short space And by reason that many of his subiects together with the rest the Babylonians did after Cyrus his death and so great an ouerthrow of his armie reuolt from the kingdome of Persia Hee tooke armes at the first steppe of his raigne and reunited them to his Empire hauing after a long siege taken Babylon also by helpe of a He mangled himselfe cutting off his cares nose and lippes faigning that Darius had so puâ—â—isht him for speaking in the Babylonians behalfe whe eupon they receiued him and by that policie hee got the Citie for Darias Zopyrus Within a while after he made warre against the Athenians who vpon a sodaine mustering vp their forces not expecting any aid from the Lacedemonians did at Marathon with about 10000. men Miltiades being their Leader ouercome his huge b It consisted of 600000. men armie Darius was aminded to renew the warre but death preuented him in his very first attempt whose sonne and successor Xerxes Xerxes in the tenth yeer after the battell at Marathon as Thucidides relates came with an c Some confine it to 1000000 but Justine extends it to 2000000 and Herodotus to more innumerable armie with intent to subdue all Greece Hereupon the chiefe managing of these warres was by common consent committed to the Lacedemonians because they bore greatest sway all ouer Greece but the Athenians followed Themistocles his counsaile quitting their Citie leauing their wiues and children in one place or other betooke themselues to their shippes and ioyning battell with the enemie at Salamina ouercame him That victorie was very commodious to all Greece in generall for Xerxes being also expelled their Country did by an infortunate and a dishonourable flight In a little Fishers boate returne home and the Grecians likewise after his departure But the Athenians hauing a Nauie of 400. saile or thereabouts coasting on further and pursuing their enemies tooke the towne of Sestos vpon Hellespont which the Persians held and there wintring afterwards returned home gathered together their dispersed wiues and children and repaired the walls of their Citie which the enemie burnt when hee tooke it and fortified the Port. This warre of the Persians or as Thucidides calls it of the Medes happened as Cicero writes almost at the very same time with the Volscian warre where the exild Romane Coriolanus was Generall Xerxes his warre An. Mund. 3488 and that was in the 266. yeere after the building of Rome Herodotus before Thucidides writ of this Persian warre Cicero calls him the Father of historie but reports that his writings are stuft with an infinite companie of fables The Lacedemonians were sore offended at this fortification of the Athenians but sith they could not tell how to amend themselues buried all in murmuring silence and both they as also the rest of the Grecians together with the Athenians ioyning forces tooke the I le of Cyprus and the Citie d Now called Constantinople Byzantium which the Persians held Among the rest of the Lacedemonian Captaines in this warre Pausanias was one who being condemned of treason after he was returned home and lay besieged in a certaine Sanctuarie was famished to death with hunger Themistocles also being in like manner accused fled Soone after this Greece was tossed vp and downe with sundry wars and dissentions partly forraigne and partly domesticall which Thucidides pithily relates But at length in the fiftieth yeere after Xerxes departure out of Greece as Cicero reports it after Thucidides that cruell warre sprung out when the whole Country of e Now called Morea Peloponnesus conspired against the Athenians Pericles Anaxagoras his scholler being their Leader in that warre who as Aristophanes reports lightned thundred and set all Greece on fire with his tongue For these in times past were the master-pieces of prowesse and eloquence On the other part Archidamus King of the Lacedemonians had supreame command Thucidides who writ of this warre was both equall to and emulous of Pericles Sophocles the tragicall Poet was as Cicero writes Pericles his collegue in the Generalship Now let vs returne to Xerxes He by reason of such his bad successe being growne into contempt was slain by his own subiects Artaxerxes Long-hand His sonne Artaxerxes Long-hand succeeded him To him fled the exiled Themistocles whom we spake of a little before and there f Poysoned himselfe because he would not goe with Artaxerxes to sight agaiâ—st his owne Country Darius Nothus ended his life was buried at Magnesia After Long-hand Darius Nothus raigned who married his owne sister In the beginning of this Kings raigne happened the aforesaid Peloponnesian warre And the Athenians though they had remora's enough besides yet in the fourth yeere of this warre as Thucidides recites in his third booke they sent a Nauie into Sicilie vnder pretence to aid the Leontinians against the Syracusans but their intent was to bring that Iland vnder their subiection that so they might more conueniently subdue Greece and afterwards when they were returned and fostered their owne factions Hermocrates of Syracusa was the first that moued the Sicilians to liue in peace laying aside all grudges for the Athenians had laid snares of bondage to intrappe the libertie of their whole country his perswasion tooke effect This was in the seuenth yeere of this warre Three yeeres after this the Athenians and Peloponnesians concluded a truce for fifty yeeres but it held not full seauen for euen then many outrages were broached and though the peace were not quite abolished and gappes of offences committed were euer anon stopt vp againe by truces yet in the 17 yeere they burst forth againe into open warre with full forces this second warre continued tenne yeeres Then the Athenians send ouer againe their Nauie most exquisitely furnished into Sicilie The chiefe Commanders whereof among the rest were Alcibiades and Nicias Nicias very earnestly declaiming certaine Orations to that purpose disswaded them from this voiage but Alcibiades perswaded the contrarie The Peloponnesians gaue aid to the Sicilians at
king of the Gothes wholly bent himselfe to the warre Athila neuerthelesse proceeds and in the Downes of Chaalons which part of France in regard of the plaines is Champaigne was this most dismall battell fought in which as it is recorded 180000. men were slaine And Athila losing the day determined to kill himselfe lest he should fall aliue into the hands of his enemies Howbeit king Theodoricus his sonne following Aetius the Lieutenants counsaile returned home with his forces to succeed his deceased Father whereby Athila getting time to recollect himselfe retires into Pannonia and leaying new forces marches full swoln with reuenge into Italiâ— where at length winning the Citie of Aquilleia first wearied out with a long-continuing siege sackt and burnt it Then forthwith he takes Concordia Padua Vicentia Verona Brescia Bergamo Millaine and Pauie and so pillaging vp and downe o Romandiola Flaminia incamped at the meeting of the Riuer of Mencius and Po where deliberating about his passage to Rome with his Armie Leo the first of that name Bishop of Rome comes to him and so farre preuailed that altering his intent he not onely surceased his expedition to Rome but also quite remouing out of Italie returned into Pannonia where within a while after he ended his daies This was that Leo many of whose Epistles to Theodosius the second and Martianus the Emperour are extant wherein he partly apologizes for his absence from the Councels by them conuocated and intreats them not to bee offended for sending thither of his Legates and partly also requests that they would designe some place in Italie rather then in Asia for the celebrating of Councels but he obtained nothing Whilest Athila thus raged vp and downe Italie the Citie of Venice was builded Venice begunne to be built An. 430. when many of the abler sort leauing the adioyning places betooke themselues to those sea-sands little Islelands and hillockes as into some harbour Thus meane and in a manner desperate and miserable was the beginning of this Citie which now as we see is growne to a wonderfull greatnesse They reckon 805. Dukes till this time the first whereof was p Some Authors call him Paulutius Anafestus and write of his beginning in Anno Dom. 697. and after their Citie built 282. Paulus Anazatus in the yeere of grace 706. being 252. yeeres after the beginning of the building of their Citie Afterwards when Valentinianus was slaine Gensericus King of the Vandals sailing ouer with a Nauie from Affrica into Italie marches with an exceeding great armie being aided by the Moores towards Rome and takes the Citie in a manner left quite desolate but at the earnest request of Leo the Bishop who also as aforesaid appeased Athila hee forbore fire and sword The Citie-sackt captiues were transported to Carthage in great troopes The enemies after this infest Campania with grieuous outrages rase Capua Nola Naples and other Cities those who suruiue the sword they condemne to the irons and growne rich with the wealth of Italie returne into Affrica Martianus Emperour of the East a Prince of a calme nature inioyed peace hee was wont to say That it was not sitting for a Prince to take armes as long as he might liue in peace In his raigne The fourth Councell at Chalcedon in Bythinia and by his command a very great Councell was assembled at Chalcedon wherein Eutyches who confounded the two natures in Christ was condemned There amongst the rest it was decreed that no Clerke as they call them should bee admitted to the Churches of two Cities Pluralitie of liuings as wee tearme it was not then heard of which now is growne so ordinarie as nothing is more common And almost within our memorie that custome crept in amongst other blemishes of the Church that the Pope may conferre two Bishoprickes vpon one man If now therefore he would restore the custome in this behalfe which was held in the next precedent age hee should doe his dutie but seeing that cannot be can we suppose it euer to be granted that matters shall be amended according to the holy Scriptures and decrees of the Apostles and primitiue times No they toile in vaine that ballance the deedes of the Popes with the rules of ancient Religion Martianus dying in the seuenth yeere of his Empire Leo 457. an 17. Leo succeeded him and Auitus when Gensericus after the taking of Rome was returned into Affrica succeeded Valentinianus at Rome and in the West next to him Majoranus then Seuerus and after him Anthemius after those followed others but nothing eminent who perished in their mutuall massacres and treacheries and raigned but a while insomuch that now the other part of the Roman Empire in the West stood in great danger Nothing memorable is recorded of Leo the Emperour but that he entred into amitie and league with the Gothes then wasting Illyricum and an Epistle or two of Leo the Bishop of Romes to him Zeno 474. an 17. m. 2. d. 7. are extant Zeno q Called Isauricus because he was borne in Isaurica in Cicilia Isauricus was his successor Among stthose also who ruled in Rome after Valentinianus his death Augustulus was one in whose raigne Odoacer with a maine armie of Herulians and Syrians out of Pannonia inuades Italie takes Orestes a Nobleman of Rome who was fled to Pauie with his forces puts him to death sackes and burnes the Citie and marching on takes in the whole Country as far as Rome Augustulus deiected in minde voluntarily resignes his Empire Odoacer enters the Citie and obtaining the kingdome of Italie gouerned without resistance fourteene yeeres But at length Theodorieus King of the East-Gothes sent by Zeno the Emperour marching from Constantinople ouerthrew the r Part of the Gothes Gepides and Bulgarians opposing him and so making his way through Mysia and Pannonia arriues in Italie and incampes himselfe not farre from Aquileta whither Odoacer afterwards repairing a sharpe battell insued Odoacer losing the day fled but recollecting his forces ioynes battell on fresh and is againe ouerthrown most part of his armie lost some whereof perished in battell others in Å¿ A Riuer running through Verona Athesis Hee flies amaine towards Rome where shut out he spoiles the Country about and comes to Rauenna there at length after three yeeres siege vpon the Cities yeelding she was taken and put to death Odoacer thus cut off Theodoricus became Lord of Italie marches to Rome where hee assembled two Councels of Bishops whom hee called together out of sundry Prouinces of Italie to sit vpon t Pope of Rome Symmachus his cause whom the greatest part refused as one vnworthy and falsly created This Theodoricus was an Arian as the Papall bookes haue it His sirname was u Because of his victory at Verona Veronensis and was descended from that Theodoricus abouementioned who was slaine in the battell against Athila King of the Hunnes Odoacer was a * Of Rugerland in Pomerania Rugian a people
marching on beyond the Riuer Tigris and ransaking Persia farre and wide entring at length into amity with Sirochus the a Cosroes King of Persia's son who hauing slaine his father set vpon the Kingdome recouered Africa and Aegypt and whatsoeuer else the Persians had taken and it was couenanted that the Riuer Tigris should deuide the Persian and Roman dominions At this time also the Saracens seruing in the warres vnder Heraclius being defrauded of their pay reuolt in huge troopes and pillaging vp and downe Syria Mahomet being their Chieftaine took Damascus forraged Aegypt subdued Arabia and gaue the Persians some ouerthrowes This Mahomet was by parentage obscure but subtle and aduenturous as also afterwards enriched by mariage and by reason of his prompt wit carying great sway he propounds a new kind of doctrine to reason indeed very delectable but for the most part ridiculous and foolish whereby hee might more and more oblige the mindes of men and more firmly possesse himselfe with soueraigntie And though this flame might at first haue easily beene quenched yet being neglected in short space grew to a maine height and so from that time the Maiestie and Empire of the Romans in the East decayed more and more Nations reuolting one after another In Heraclius his raigne the fourth Councell of Toledo was celebrated where because most part of the Priests throughout Spaine did not euery day but onely vpon that day which wee call Sunday vse that prayer which Christ himselfe taught vs amongst other matters a reformation therein was decreed as also that the Apocalyps of S. Iohn as they say should bee read in the Church from Easter to Whitsontide The Gothes then raigned in Hispain when as the Spaniards growne weary as it is common of forraign gouernment attempting an innovation this Councell vnder a seuere penalty prohibited the practizing of any conspiracy against their King or the Gothish Nation and that after the Kings decease the States and Clergie of the whole Nation Constantine the III. raigned 2. moneths and Heraclian two yeares should by common consent appoint the successor The same decree was also renued in some other of their assemblies The singing of the Hebrew Allelujah in the Church in time of Lent was likewise forbidden Constans the II. 642. an 27. m. 8. d. 10. for that it was a time of sorrow and not of reioycing To Heraclius Constans succeeded who was his grandchild by his sonne Constantine He had an infortunate sea-fight with the Saracens who getting the victory tooke Rhodes and without doubt had proceeded further had not the factions kindled amongst them procured a two yeares truce with the Romanes The Emperour hauing this time to pause marches with an Army into Italy thereby as he boasted to rescue it out of the Enemies hands and arriuing at Tarento besieged Luceria and other places of Apulia belonging to the Lombards but in his iourney towards Naples his rereguard was cut off by the Lombards Entring Rome peaceably at length hee disrobes the City of all its ornaments and there staying a few dayes strucke ouer into Sicily where afterwards he was murthered in a Bath and some dissension arising after his death about succession the Sarazens laying hold on this opportunity with a great Nauy inuaded Sicilie commit a horrible massacre of the Islanders take Syracuse and carry away with them all Constans his spoiles taken from Rome Constantine the IIII or Bearded 669. an 16. d. 7. To Constans Constantine the IIII. succeeded commonly called the Bearded He for certain yeeres encountring with the Sarazens at length vanquisht them insomuch as they sued for peace and for a thirty yeares Truce as also condescended to pay a yearely Tribute and the Romanes Enemies in the East herewith shaken implore a peace But the Bulgars transpassing their bounds wast Thrace with them a peace was at length concluded and both the b Now Bursia in Asia Mysia's yeelded vp to them but afterwards when they perceiued the Romanes negligence breaking the league flye out againe and extenuate the forces of the Empire This Emperour as it is recorded was the first that ordained that whom the Clergy and people of Rome together with the souldiers had created Bishop of that City hee should obtaine full power for till this time the dignity of Bishop of Rome depended vpon the confirmation either of the Emperour or of his Deputy for Italy There is a long Epistle extant of Pope Leo the II to Constantine wherein hee condemnes all manner of heretiques and highly extolls him for his loue to and protection of Religion as also for his liberality and munificence adding that the Church hauing gotten such a Defender most ioyfully triumphed The sixth Councel at Constantinople 680. The sixth Counsell at Constantinople was held in his raign which consisted of 150. Bishops Wherein about the end thereof mention is made but in obscure words of those Canons stiled the Apostles But Gratianus reckons vp the contrary opinions for he auerres that there be those that can affirme that they were compiled by heretiques reiected by the Primitiue Church and accounted among the Apocrypha's Yet it is written that Zepherinus B. of Rome in order the sixteenth approued them as also after him this Councell before mentioned which as they report was ended in Iustine the II. his time Constantine the IIII. his sonne In briefe all flotes vpon incertaine grounds neither doe they agree in the number of the Canons for some hold 50. others 60. others 84. in which number indeed they are extant Whereby it may easily be coniectured that more were added by degrees and afterwards though proceeding from many comprehended vnder one title It is written that then also the Archbishop of Rauenna subiected himselfe to the Bishop of Rome who before that but most especially after the translation thither of the Exarchy would yeeld nothing at all to him To Constantine Iustinian II 686. an 10. Iustinianus his son succeeded he by reason of his nonage and inexperience misgouerned the Common-wealth and breaking the league which his father had made with the Sarazens and Bulgars was brought to that pinch as he himselfe was constrained to sue for peace to both of them At length being thrust out for his crueltie anâ— banisht with his nose cut off Leontius succeeded Leontius 696 an 3. hauing beene prisoner two yeares vpon suspition of affecting the Empire In the time of those broiles the Sarazens inuade Africa but were within two yeares after chased out thence by force of armes The Roman souldiers forsaking the garrison in Africa sith the Emperour sleighted ouer all affaires with negligence and carelessenesse and fearing lest they should againe bee expelled by the Sarazens Tiberius Apsimarus 699. an 7. who were then exceeding strong create one Tiberius Emperour He marches with his forces to Constantinople where winning the City takes Leontius cuts off his nose cast him into prison and constitutes a new Exarch in Italy And whilst
then cruelty whereupon certaine conspiracies being practized against him he set a mulct amongst others vpon his vncle Nicephorus and put out his eyes And at length he himselfe by the meanes of his mother was serued with the same sauce within a while after dying of griefe and thereupon the sway of gouernment returned into her hands Irene the Empresse 797. an 4. Who afterwards in the fourth yeere of her Empire was deposed and sent into exile Nicephorus whom we before mentioned was her successor In the meane time whilest matters were thus tumultuously caryed at Constantinople the name of Charles King of the French grew famous For he hauing finished the warre in Aquitania at the request of Adrian Bishop of Rome marches into Italy and as his Father Pipin repressed Aistulphus King of the Lombards as abouesaid so he after a long siege tooke Desiderius Aistulphus his successor a heauy foe to Italy and Adrian the I. As also excluded his sonne Adalgisius out of the Kingdome and chased him quite out of Italy For the Emperours of Rome by reason of their farre remote absence I meane at Constantinople euer since Constantine the Great and being likewise hindered not onely with forraigne wars but also with ciuill domesticall dissensions in a manner neglected Italy or at leastwise could not conueniently protect it especially the Lombards raigning there Furthermore most of them also being at deadly dissention with the Bishops of Rome as we haue formerly specified out of their hatred towards them were not moued at this prosperous estate of the Lombards For this cause the Popes prouided forraigne defence and because no house was in those times of more renowne and puissance then that of the French Kings in regard of the greatnesse of their noble exploits to them they flie as to a harbour in time of trouble And after this manner Adrian dying Leo the third who succeeded him hauing many aduersaries at Rome Charles the Great 801. an 13. m. 1. d 4. sued to Charles Pipins son who at his fourth accession to the Citie was by the Pope and all the people proclaimed Emperour which happened at the same time when nought but factions swarmed at Constantinople insomuch as the very time it selfe and state of the Common-wealth seemed to administer the cause and occasion of this change Thus therefore the Empire of the West came to the Germanes for without all doubt Pipin and Charles were Germanes This was in the eight hundred and first yeere after Christs birth Now Nicephorus was ouercome and slaineby the Bulgars and his scull made a drinking bowle by Crumnus King of the Bulgars after Nicephorus the Emperours of the East were tossed with continuall warres for at first the Bulgars often incountred them then the Sarazens issuing out of Affrica tooke the I le of Candie as afterwards Sicilie and made hauocke in Asia farre and wide and last of all the Turks a people of Scythia The Emperours of Greece from Nicephorus to Constantine Palaeologus the last are reckoned to 50 some whereof were women but most of those were sloathfull And in ConstaÌ„tine Monomachus his raign the Turkes from a base originall by degrees getting ground more and more began to wast Asia and daily increasing their power at length made vp a Monarchie but no new or fifth one but sprouted out of that part of the Romane Empire lying in the East Ottoman first Monarch of the Turkes an 1300. Of which Monarchie Ottoman was the head about the yeere of Christ 1300. Afterwards Ma hom et of that name the second great Grandfather to Solyman who now swaies the Empire taking Constantinople putting Constantine Palaeologus the Emperour before mentioned together with his whole family to the sword vtterly extinguisht the nâ—me and succession of Emperours of our Religion in those parts And the Turkes to this day hold Asia Syria Egypt Mesopotamia Iudea the Rhodes all Greece Thracia Bulgaria Macedonia Illyricum both the Mysia's and of late almost the other part of Hungary and some part of Affrica In former times the Churches of Ierusalem Antioch Constantinople and Rome contended amongst themselues for primacie but especially the two last as wee formerly shewed but the Turke ended that controuersie and set such a confusion in those h Hierus Antioch Constantinople three places that there is not a tract remaining of a Church or Christian Congregation and the matter it selfe shewes of what colour the face and what the state is of that i Rome Church now remaining which now those * Aemulis riuals or eye-sores being remoued alone triumphs Therefore hauing shewne after what manner the other part of the Roman Empires body lying in the East vtterly decaied and fell into the hands of strangers it remaines that we should also briefly vnfold how that part in the west quite perished and found new Lords But here by the way let vs consider after what a wonderfull kinde of mockerie of fortune that maiesticall glory and sublimitie of the Empire was from those Romans and ancient families brought into the hands of strangers and some of them of base degrees some being Spaniards others originally of Pannonia Dacia Dardania Dalmatia Gallia Thrace Cappadocia But chiefly it is worth obseruance how doubtfull and miserable the estate of these Emperours was for their dignitie and safetie consisted not in the power of the Senate or people but of the Legions and souldiers so that it may stand for a great wonder that any would vndertake this charge so dangerous and obuious to iniuries For from Caius Caesar who was murthered in the face of the Senate till Charles the Great about thirty of them were slaine foure whereof killed themselues alwaies something was wanting in them which the souldiers desired who could abide the good no more then the wicked but vpon the least occasion raising a tumult cut off those whom sometimes they had drawne vp to that height of honour against their wills as for example it was Aelius Pertinax his case The Senate stood in feare of the Emperour but the Emperour himselfe was swaied by the will and in a manner the becke of the rascall souldiers And this presumption they tooke vpon them after Caius Caesars death especially those veterane bands which he had imploied in Gallia Hispaine and Affrica Hereupon Cicero deploring this Couragious they are indeed saith hee but in regard of the memory of those exploits which they atchieued for the liberty of the Romans and the dignitie of the Common-wealth too fierce and recall all our Councell to their violence The end of the second Booke IOHN SLEIDAN of the foure chiefe Monarchies OR The key of History The third Booke BEfore wee speake of Charles the Great to whoÌ„ I told you the Empire of the West was befallen some thing must be vnfolded concerning the Germanes from whom hee deriues his originall And first of all it is manifest beyond all doubt that the Germanes very oft passed ouer the
purpose Lotharius 840. an 15. m. 3. d. 10. Lewis dying was buried at Metz and Lotharius then vp in Armes against his brothers succeeded which warre at length quenched and a new diuision made Germanie fell to Lewis and part of France from the Riuer Maze to the Rhyne to Charles France from the Brittish Ocean and Pyrene Mountaines to Maze Lotharius besides that he was Emperour held Italy and the Prouince of Narbon To him his sonne Lewis the II. succeeded Lewis II. 855. an 19. m. 10. who repressed the Sarazens breaking into Italy In his raigne amongst others Adrian the II. was Pope created as their bookes haue it contrary to the Emperours assent by the Romane Nobility Citizens and Clergy as they call them For although the Emperours Deputies were in the City yet were they not called to the Election who taking it in ill and discontented part receiued their answer that it was not done in any contempt against the Emperour but in caution for future times lest that custome of expecting the Emperours Deputies at the Popes Creation should grow vp as necessary They report that with this answer they were not onely well pleased but also in reuereÌ„ce humbly saluted the Pope Now here we may see a certaine wonderfull varietie and inconstancy in their writings for if Lewis the I. granted them a free election as they boast and as it is mentioned a little about why did Lewis the II. his grand-child take this for an iniury offered him But howsoeuer the case stands the title of that decree which is in Gratians Centons is euidently false for it is attributed to Gregory the IIII. whereas hee departed his life twenty and two yeares before Adrian the II. was made Pope Did he write a history when hee was dead of those things which happened afterwards Nicholas the I. was the next before Adrian A very long Epistle of his to Michael Emperour of Greece concerning his power ouer all Churches is extant For Ignatius was remoued from his Bishopricke at Constantinople and Photius placed without the Bishop of Romes consent as also the Images were throwne downe He therefore with all the vehemency hee could exclaimes against this Many of his decrees also are extant full of Papall Maiestie Charles King of France as abouesaid notwithstanding his other elder brother Lewis the King of Germanies resistance marches in all hast into Italy and is consecrated by Iohn the eight Pope of Rome In his second expedition into Italy at the Popes request Charles the Bald 875. an 2. m. 2. for repression of the Sarazens who had againe inuaded Campania he dyed at c Poisoned by Zedechias a Iew. Mantua His son Lewis surnamed the Stammerer was his successour Lewis the Stammerer 877. an 2. m. 6. d. 5. Charles the Grosse 879. an 8. m. 7. but he raigned onely two yeares After him the gouernment of the Empire came to Charles the Grosse son of Lewis King of Germany who his two brothers being dead held all Germany Italy and France and chased out the Sarazens who infested Italy The Normans first comming into Normandy in France for a while also making war against the Normans a people of Lower Germanie then annoying Belgia at length granted them that part of France which to this day retaines their name Next after him Arnulphus his brothers sonne was Emperour Arnulphus 887. an 12. m. 1. d. 19. a worthy Prince He marching into Italy to set Pope Formosus at liberty from his aduersaries takes Rome and tooke reuenge vpon the Authors of that sedition In the time of his raigne the Hunnes being chased out of Scythia breake into Pannonia and marching into Germanie Lewis the III. Arnolphus his son being then Emperour got a notable victory not far from the Riuer Laech and then ouerran Bauaria Sueuia d In Germany betwixt Sueuia and Hassia Francia and Saxony with bloodshed robberies and fire Arnolplus Emperor a Councell of two and twenty Germane Bishops was held at Triburia sometimes a towne vpon the banke of the Riuer Maine where amongst many other one decree was That no man should sell a burying place for the dead and that no Layman as they call them should bee buried within the Church About this time a mighty vproare burst-forth throughout Italy For Berengarius and certaine other Nobles of Italy loaden with multiplicity of fauours from Charles the Bald conspired against France at what time Charles the Grosse raigned but their attempts there prouing frustrate they bend their minds for Italy which by long and mutuall conflict as it is common they harraze with mercilesse outrages At length the victorie falling to Berengarius hee got the Kingdome of Italie where after hee had taken Lewis the Emperour he put out his eyes as histories relate About this time also that no parcell of calamity might be wanting the Sarazens Africans and Hungars most outragiously ouerrunne Italy Thus whilst the state of most beautifull Religion vnder the Berengarians Hugo Rudolphus Lotharius Albertus and certaine others was so dolefull and miserable and Lewis the Emperor dying in the time of those broiles the Germanes but more especially the Saxons and Francons proclaime Otho Prince of the Saxons and Thuringes Emperour but hee strucken in yeares perswades them to take Conradus Duke of Franconia Conrade I. 911. an 7. m. 6. who being created Emperour ordered all affaires according to Othoes direction and soone after Othoes death when he himselfe was very dangerously sicke calling together his prime Nobility requested them to acknowledge Othoes son Henry then absent for Emperour This was that Henry vulgarly called Henry the e Because of his great delight in hawâ—ing Falconer Henry the Falconer 919. an 17. Thus wee see after what manner the Imperiall splendor and dignity fell from the French and Charles the Great his lineage to the house of Saxony These two Emperours Conradus and Henry were not consecrated as they call it by the Bishop of Rome and for that cause are left out by many moreouer it is written that this Henry neglected the Popes offered ceremony of consecration and that hee should say that hee was content with the acceptance and suffrages of good men Within a while after this Arnolphus the Euill Duke of Bauaria intended to bring about the sway of gouernment into his owne hands whereupon forces being mustered vp on both parts when both the Armies stood in battell ray at Ratisbon the Emperour calls him out to priuate parley putting him in mind how he was created Emperour by the most part of the people of Germany and dehorting him from ieoparding the liues of so many thousand men most whereof were innocent and ignorant of the cause of the warre changed his intention and so broke off the battell In like manner Burchardas Duke of Suenia rebelled but shaken with the Emperours puissance came to composition The Hungars againe spoile Saxony but after their chieftaine was taken make a nine yeares truce The
the iarres betwixt them Now this Emperour standing vpon his owne right and power a great tumult arose at Rome in so much as the Emperour raised vp in the night was constrained to aide his owne men who fell by the sword all the Citie ouer But these factious persons once supprest he takes Paschal the II. and dismist him not till he had giuen him satisfaction by entring into a league but after the Emperour was returned into Germanie the Pope flies off from the league Henry the V. excommunicated by Paschal the II. 1115. whereto he had sworn in most sacred words and excommunicates the Emperour which stirred vp many of the Germane Princes to rebellion and amongst the rest more especially the Archbishop of Mentz The Emperour marching downe into Italie sends his Ambassadours to the Pope about a peace But whilest the matter was in hand the Pope dies To him Gelasius the II. succeedes The Emperour for that he was not called to the election marches to Rome and sets vp another Gelasius thus deposed excommunicates both him as also the Pope by him constituted and the Emperour in regard the Popes Legates solicited the Germanes to reuolt was constrained to retire home But Gelasius dying in the interim the Romans choose Calixtus the II. Hee thrust him out of his place whom the Emperor in hatred to Gelasius had created and after much interession compounds with the Emperour To Henry the V. Lotharius Lotharus II. 1125. an 13. d. 18. of the house of Saxony of that name the II. succeeded Him Conradus Duke of Sueuia opposed storming that the sway of gouernment was falne againe into the Saxons hands who marching into Italy to settle himselfe in that Kingdome whilst Lotharius in the interim held Germany fast destitute of aide returned home and made his peace with the Emperour Innocent the II. was then Pope of Rome Him Anacletus resisted to whom because he was descended from noble parentage Innocent was forced to yeeld but imploring the Emperors ayde was restored The Emperour returnes into Germany where hauing seâ—led the affaires hee marches downe againe into Italy with a mighty Army subdues some Cities then in rebellion and amongst the rest Ancona and Spoleti chased Roger King of Sicilie out of Apulia and Campania and as fame speakes of him scarce any Emperor since Charles the Great archieued more worthy exploits throughout Italy It is written that then also the ciuill law which as we mentioned was collected by Iustinian the Emperors command hauing been borne downe by stormes of warre was brought to light againe Conradus D. of Suenia succeeded him Conradus III. 1139. an 12. m. 10. d. 15. at what time Henry sirnamed the Proud was Duke of Bauaria and by mariage with the Emperour Lotharius his daughter Duke of Saxony also who affecting the Empire and plotting much mischiefe against the Emperour was proscribed and his lands giuen to others But Duke Henry hauing recouered Saxony as hee was marching into Bavaria dyed leauing behind him his sonne in fauour of whom the Saxons rose vp in rebellion against the Emperour and not so onely but Welpho also brother to the deceased Duke Henry by force of Arms challenged Bauaria excluding Ludolphus vpoÌ„ whom the Emperour had conferred that Prouince A little aboue wee mentioned how the Emperour expelled Roger King of Sicilie but whilst Germanie was thus turmoiled King Roger laying hold on the opportunity inuades Sicilie and chases out the Emperours Deputie and then spurres on Welpho with large promises to proceed and hold the Emperour in play The King of Hungarie too tooke the same course who also stood in feare of the Emperour At length the Emperour marching out against the Sarazens lost his army and returnes home from whence intending to goe downe into Italy hauing all in readinesse dyed at Bamberg m Commonly called Barbarossa Frederick Barbarossa 1152. an 38. m. 3. d. 7 Frederick Aenobarb or Red-beard Duke of Sueiua of that name the first succeeded him a man of heroicke spirit He in the beginning of his raigne made a peace among the Princes of Germanie and ended the controuersie about Saxony and Bauaria afterwards with a maine Army marches downe into Italy sets a mulct vpon the Veronesses who had contemned him and for example sake hangs some of the chiefe vpon gallowes He commanded a Court of Guard to bee kept about him neare Placentia by all the Leige-Princes of the Empire besieges Millaine rases Asta and layes Deitona leuell with the ground Going to Rome is consecrated by Adrian the IIII. suppresses the rebellious Citizens subuerts Spoleti and made a great slaughter subdues the Lombards and hauing broken the snares laid for him by the Veronesses returnes into Germany inflict an ignominious mulct vpon the Prince Palatine who in his abscence had raised some commotions The beginning of the Kingdome of Bohemia about 1â—00 and after that he made the Duke of Bohemia King In the meane space the Millanois practised many insolent outrages against their neighbours and againe reared vp Deitona demollshed by the Emperour whereupon hee returning with a strong army sacks Millaine by the ayde of the Cremonesses Pauians and Nouarians The City thus taken the multitude at the Princes of Germanie their intercession to whom they had petitioned was spared All Lombardy was reduced into his subiection from hence hauing setled the City with Lawes hee remoues to other people thereabouts After his returne they rebell contemne the Lawes by him established and demolish the Forts by him raised whereupon againe marching thither he harrazes the whole Country and rases all places within their Dominions In the meane space mortall conspiracies were in hatching against him all Italy ouer in which Pope Adrian before-mentioned was one who as soone as hee had absolutely resolued to excommunicate him a Drinking of water wherein a flie were drowned dyed The Emperour marching into Italy the third time vtterly euerts Millaine puts the Author of the rebellion to death and compells the rest of the multitude to goe into exile then besieging the City of Rome lost a great part of his Army by contagious sicknes For that cause raising his siege and placing garisons throughout Hetruria setting ouer at Spoleti Ancona and Rauenna such as hee pleased should gouerne the Common-wealth he returnes into Germany Pope Adrian dying two contend for the Papacy Victor and Alexander the III. the Emperour being absent who indeed enclined more to Victor but Alexander first excommunicates his Competitour and afterwards the dissention increasing the b Afterwards wheÌ„ the Emperour came to him to Venice for his absolution the Pope trode vpon his necke and caused that place in the Psalmist to bee sung Thou shalt tread vpon the Aspe and Basilisk c. The Emperour exclaiming that he did not this honour to him but to S. Peter the Pope replied To me and to Peter too Emperour also The Millanois perceiuing this occasion breake into rebellion and in many places in Italy
was crowned by some of the Cardinals because Pope Clement the V. hauing left the Citie was remoued into France and kept his Court at Auinion When the Cardinals required the oath of him which they said was to bee giuen to the Pope hee refused it and would not haue any such kind of oath to be thereby bound to the Pope vpon notice hereof the Pope to inlarge his owne power expounded that generall forme of the oath at large and annexed it to the rest of his decrees now extant For he himselfe also preferred many lawes which retaine their name from him and are called the Clementines The knights of the Temple supprest about 1308. Now also those Knights called the Templars being very puissant were by the same violence put to death and made away in diuers places Philip the Faire King of France by the Popes permission seized vpon a great part of their Reuenues Soone after the name and memorie of them was condemned and by the French nationall Synod at Vienna their lands were giuen to those called the Knights of the Rhodes At this time also the Vniuersitie of Orleans was founded by King Philip and Pope Clements authoritie After the Emperour Henries t He was poisoned by a Monk with a cup of Wine in the Communion decease and buriall at Pisa being poisoned as it was strongly suspected there followed most bitter contentions about the election for Fredericke Archduke of Austria the Emperour Alberts sonne Lewis 1314 an 32. m. 11. d. 24. Fredericke of Austria opposeth him and is elected Emperour also and Lewis Duke of Bauaria were competitors for the Empire The Archbishop of Mentz crowned Lewis at Aix and the Archbishop of Cullen Fredericke at Bena and Pope Iohn the XXIII proclaimed them both Emperours but of the two was more inclined to Fredericke which proclamation increased the flame of discord Forces being mustered vpon both sides a sharpe battell was fought at Esling a towne in Sueuia but in a manner with equall fortune and soone after another in Bauaria with stronger forces Fredericke the other Emperour taken prisoner 1323. in which the Archduke Fredericke was taken prisoner losing a good part of his Armie afterwards he was see at libertie and returning home died within a few yeeres after Lewis the Emperour hauing thus compast the Empire marches downe into Italie in despight of the Pope constitutes Gouernors ouer al the Cities free-burroughes and is crowned at Millaine by the Archbishop there from whence hauing sent his Ambassadours to the Pope at Auinion againe and againe about his solemne inauguration and there failing he goes to Rome after he had setled the affaires of Millaine At Rome hee was entertained with exceeding great ioy and crowned by one or two of the Cardinals but the Pope ingeminating his excommunication he by the aduise of his Nobles creates another Pope and after this fashion continued these most deadly flames of hatred betwixt them not without most scandalous criminations cast forth on both sides The French Annall-writers report that Charles the Faire King Philips sonne was the first that granted Pope Iohn Tenths of Ecclesiasticall goods in France and shared the prey betwixt themselues but the Popes chiefe aime in procuring this was to furnish himselfe with money against the Emperour After the Emperour was returned into Germany the Pope dies and his successor Benedict the XII both excommunicated and depriued him of his dignitie Whereupon the Emperour conuening the Princes at Franckeford in a solemne speech complaines of the Popes iniuries explaines the reasons of his allegiance produces and declares the ancient lawes of the Empire withall shewing that the Bishop of Rome had nothing to doe with the Common-wealth of the Empire For he who is elected by the Princes consent is truely Emperour without any assent consent or consecration from the Pope all that being but a ceremonie which by little and little crept vp and now is growne too high to the great dishonour and indammagement of the Empire After this Pope Benedict dying Clement the VI. succeeded one farre more violent then any before him who in vehement manner propounded certaine ignominious conditions vpon refusall whereof hee grew a great deale more furious sharpely admonishing the Princes to choose another Emperour within a certaine time by him limited which if they would not dae hee would take care that the Church should not want a Patrone and Aduocate any longer Whilest the Common-wealth was thus tossed the Emperour Lewis departed this life and Charles King Iohn his sonne Henry the VII his Nephew was elected King of Bohemia A little before this began the occasion of that cruell war betwixt the French and English When Charles the Faire King of France dying without issue male which was in the yeere 1327. Edward king of England of that name the III. being sonne to Isabel King Charles his sister challenged the Kingdome as due to him but the Estates of France which are called the Peeres set the crowne vpon Philip of Valeis cozen germane to the deceased King Charles excluding not onely King Edward the sisters sonne but also King Charles his posthume daughter alledging that the inheritance of that kingdom did in no wise appertaine to daughters hereupon insued that bloody warre scarce yet quenched The beginning of the Emperour Charles the IIII. Charles the IIII. 1346. an 32. m. 7. d. 14. his raigne was troublesome and the Imperiall dignitie was offred to Edward the third King of England but hee as it was reported refused it being hindered by the French wars After the quenching of sundry combustions in Germany the Emperour Charles goes downe into Italie and by consent of Pope Innocent the VI. then being in France is crowned at Rome by some Cardinals vpon condition not to stay any longer either at Rome or in Italie Hee returnes to Millaine and granted the office of perpetuall Vice-Emperour for Lombardie to the house of the Viscounts who then bore great sway in Millaine in respect of which honour they gaue him an huge masse of money and not they onely but others also vpon whom hee had bestowed any thing which act much extenuated the Emperours authority in that Country After his returne out of Italie he summoned a Diet of the Princes and there preferred that decree of the Empire called the t Containing the lawes and rites to be obserued in the election of the Emp as also the dignitie and office of each Elector and other Princes and Nobles Golden bull lastly he assignes his sonne Wenceslaus his successor in the Empire which as it is wriâ—ten he procured with great difficultie though with large rewards and not long after died In his raigne Iohn King of France Philip of Valois his sonne together with his yongest sonne Philip afterwards Duke of Burgundie sirnamed the Stout or the Bold was in pitcht field neere Poictiers taken prisoner by the English who were then in possession of a good part of Aquitaine and the
Citie of Burdeaux Many of the prime Nobilitie were slaine in that battell The Annall-Writers record that the English were not aboue 7000. when the French made against them with many forces about 60000 strong This was in the yeere 1356. the XII of the Kalends of October The King was carried prisoner into England and died the feuenth yeere after Wencestaus being as historie speakes of him both by nature and course of life Wenceslaus 1379 an 2. m. 5. d. 28. very vicious quite neglected the Common-wealth Hee for a summe of money created Iohn Galeas of the house of the Viscounts a man both couetous and cruell Duke of Millaine and Lombardie In his raigne Iagello Duke of Lithuania or Luten was after King Lewis his death created King of Polonia by consent of the Nobles This King was great Grandfather to Sigismund the moderne King there and was the first that receiued Baptisme changing his name to Vladislaus Sigismund King of Hungarie was ouerthrowne in battell at Nieopolis by Baiazet Emperour of the Turkes the third of the kalends of October Charls the VI. K. of France sent a goodly troope of horse for aid into Hungarie vnder conduct of Iohn sonne of Philip the bold Duke of Burgundie which Iohn was taken in that battell and carried prisoner to the Turke where he stood at the next doore to death but yet escaped which as the French Writers relate happened thus There was a certaine Physiognomer one of that packe that professe to know the dispositions and natures of men by their body eyes countenance and face familiar with Baiazet who viewing the prisoner willed and perswaded the Emperour to dismisse him in safetie For hee should bee the man that after his returne home should kindle a most violent combustion which should set a good part either of Europe or of the Christian world on fire Vpon this perswasion the Turke dismisses him and the rest of the Nobilitie that were prisoners after they had paid 20000. crownes for their ransome After his returne into France hee began to quarrell with Lewis Duke of Orleans the Kings brother For he by reason of the Kings sicknesse which was in a manner desperate desired to gouerne the Common-wealth being nearest of kindred to the king But the Duke of Burgundie for that he was cousin-germane to the King and elder then the other challenged the gouernment his Father Philip being dead rather to belong to him This sore euery day more and more festering at length the Duke of Orleans was murthered in Paris in the night time as hee was going home from supper The murtherers were sent priuily by the Duke of Burgundie who was so farre from denying the fact that he maintained it This was in the yeere 1407. the ninth of the kalends of December The XII yeare following the Duke of Burgundy comming to a place appointed about a pacification in this cause was entrapped by treachery and murthered by certaine of the Duke of Orleans his friends that had sworne his death Charles the Dolphin the Kings sonne who was iudge in that controuersie being present at the fact This is the head-spring of the warre betwixt those two houses which hath so often broke forth euer since that time till within our memory Wenceslaus by reason of his negligence growne into contempt Robert 14â—0 an 9 m 8. d. 22. the Princes depriue him of the gouernment and elect Robert Duke of Bauaria Count Palatine He presently applied himselfe about reformation of Wenceslaus his misgouernment and would not ratifie the grant made by him to Iohn Galeas but contriued a new how to reduce Lombardy into the Imperiall dominions for which and other such like causes marching downe into Italy the said Galeas hindered and repelled him The State of Italy was in those times very troublesome cheifly by the Emperour Charles and Wenceslaus their default being too indulgent ouer that Nation For ouer and besides Galeas lately made Duke of Millaine The Venetians Florentines Genowaies made war vpon their neighbours and all right was swayed by the sword and violence Furthermore by reason of the Popes continuall absence nothing but factions and those dangerous ones swarmed at Rome Then also Galeas D. of Millaine made warre vpon the Florentines who to worke their owne reuenge solicite the Emperor by large proffers to march downe againe into Italy but when the Emperor was come to Padua Hee at request of the Venetians who likewise hated Galâ—â—a and withall perceiuing that their prouision was not answerable to their great promises retires into Germanie casting off all care of Italy whose estate afterwards grew more weake by its owne ciuill broyles To the Emperour Robert Sigismund 14â—â— an 26. m. 8. Sigismund the Emperour Wencestâ—us his brother King of Hungary succeeds At this time there were three Popes Iohn the XXXIII Gregory the XII and Benedict the XIII insomuch as by their factions almost all the Prouinces of Europe were at oddes For there was not one publike Councel at any time since Innocent the III. as their bookes testifie being 200. yeares and the state of the Clergie was most corrupt a kinde of bottomlesse sincke of vices and maladies hauing made an inundation which in a manner scorned to be stopped For Boniface the VIII was Pope in the interim who tooke vpon him both the Papall and Imperiall authority Then the next after him Clement the V. of Burdeaux at Philip the Faire the French Kings request forsaking Rome remoued his Court into France and after his death the Cardinalls falling into sharpe dissentions amongst themselues made a vacancie for some yeares but at length Iohn the XXII of Aquitaine was created Pope at Lyons The fifth Pope after him which was Gregory the XI when the Popes had kept their Court in France then for 71. yeares together returnes to Rome but after his death Vrbane the VI. a Neapolitan and Clement the VI. a Sauoysin contended for the Papacy The first whereof vpheld himselfe by the Italian partie and liued at Rome the other by the French and liued at Auinion After those two were dead the other there before mentioned were by seuerall factions chosen in their places the Papall Monster hauing then three heads At what time many worthy men both Italians and French deplored the State of the Church inueighing bitterly enough against the corruptions and vices of those times as farre as they could see in those dayes of darknesse Amongst the rest Petrarch was one who when the Popes and Cardinals lay at Auinion called that City the whore of Babylon Whereupon to determine that Controuersie a Councell was assembled at Constance in Germanie by order whereof those Three were deposed and Martin the V. elected At this Councell Iohn Hâ—â— and Hierome of Prague were burnt for heresie though they came thither vnder safe conduct from the Emperour Sigismund the Emperour is much commended for that He to benefit the Common-wealth went almost to all the Kings in Christendome to exhort them to