pro fulcienda sancta religione apud Gebennam fundavit Theodorick the Second was the last King of the Franks in Burgundy who having no Children by his Wife Brunchilde erected several Churches and Religious Houses in Geneva Soon after the death of Dagobert Pappolus the Second whom some call Paulus and the Centuriators of Magdebourg Papulus Genuensis was present at the Council of Chalons The Book called the Citizene tells us there was one remained at Geneva to reconcile the people of the Country of Vavx with them of New Castle in the year 726. who was succeeded by Robertus Aridanus Epoaldus Albo Huportunus Eucherius Gilabertus whom they of S. Martha call Gubertus Renembertus Leutherius and Galbertus who held that Seat sixteen years and whom some call Postbertus Towards the end of the eighth Century Charlemain came to Geneva where he called a Council of War about his passing into Italy against Didier King of the Lombards He confirmed the Liberties and Priviledges of Geneva both in Church and State and caused to be set up on the great Gate of S. Peter his own Statue of Marble and under it an Imperial Eagle with two heads the Eagle remains yet to be seen Some say it was Conradus the Second who caused it to be carved and set up when he had finished the Church The following Bishops were Valternus who held the Seat six and thirty years Apradus the First whom some call Artaldus or Cataldus Domitianus the Second Boso held the Bishoprick but seventeen Months after him Ansegisus half of whose Epitaph is yet to be seen in a Marble Stone taken out of the ruines of S. Victor's Church The Chronological Manuscripts of Geneva inform us he was the same who was Archbishop of Sens but they of S. Martha affirm the contrary saying he was buried in the Church of Sens where his Epitaph is yet to be seen They call the aforementioned Bishop of Geneva Anseguinus contrary to the Manuscripts and Marble Inscriptions which we shall produce at the end of the Book The Centuriatours of Magdebourg term Ansegisus only Archbishop of Sens saying that he was declared Primate of Gaule in the year 876. The Author call'd the Citizen tells us the Bishop of Geneva dyed in the year 840. but then there would be too great an Interregnum between him and his Successor Optandus who was not Consecrated before the year 881. His mistake lyes in taking Ansegisus who hath written a Summary of Charlemain and was but an Abbot for him resemblance of names oftentimes occasioning confusion in History The Allobroges having been for a long time under Emperours after the death of the Kings of Burgundy which were Transiurane Gundicaire and his Successors they fell again under the power of the new Kingdom of Burgundy of which Boson of Vienna was the first King who sometimes took upon him the Title of King of Burgundy otherwhiles that of Vienna after the same manner as his Successors Lewis Hugo Rodolphus I. Conradus and Rodolphus II. with whom ended this Kingdom in the year 1032. The Geneva Manuscripts in this particular are full of fabulous relations mentioning one Boson the Second who in fighting against the Genevoises was slain whereas there has been but one of that name This State of Burgundy sayes Monsieur Chorior in his History of Dauphiny after the death of Rodolphus the Second called the Sluggard fell into a confused Anarchy the Prelates making themselves Masters in the Cities of their Residency and Earls in their Jurisdictions The German Emperours not being able to hinder their Usurpations were forced to agree with them and gave them in trust what they saw was impossible to get out of their hands and from hence hath happened to apply this more particularly to Geneva the Original of those Differences and Feuds betwixt the Bishops and Earls of that City During the ninth and tenth Ages after Ansegisus the Bishops of Geneva were Optandus or Apradus II. consecrated by Pope John the VIII as we gather by the Letters of this Pope to the Genevoises after whom succeeded Bernardus Riculphus Fraudo Aldagundus or Aldagandus I. Aymo I. Girardus I. Hugo II. who joyned S. Victors Monastery at Geneva to the Church of Clugny by the consent of Rodolphus King of Burgundy and his Brother Burchard Archbishop of Lyons Conradus Aldagundus the Second Bernardus the Second and Frederick who was present at the Dedication of the Church called S. Stevens of Besançon by the Popes order who was Leo the Ninth Frederick was Bishop according to the account of them of S. Martha thirty seven years and according to the Annals of Geneva fifty years Borsadus who succeeded him exercised the Episcopal Government but five years This is the Epitome of the eleven first Ages since the coming of our Saviour and is in a manner all we can learn of them Now the reason of this is because the City hath been several times burnt as in the years 1291 1321 1334 1430. The following Ages will yield us more matter through the ambition of three Lords who would become Masters of Geneva Which three were the Bishop the Earl of Genevois and the Earl of Savoy who have several times brought it near to destruction But this their striving who should become Masters of it hath been a means to continue its Priviledges and Liberties as an Imperial City which the Magistracy claims time out of mind as well by the death of Oblius who left his Countreys free as also by the priviledge of a Roman Colony under the first Emperours and by a Confirmation from Charlemain For they tell us the Kings of Burgundy were Usurpers It belongs not to me to decide the contrary Pretensions of these three above mentioned Lords Guichenon and other Authors call the Earls of Genevois Earls of Geneva which is contrary to several ancient Titles of these Earls which name them Comites Gebennesii and not Gebennenses for it is well known that Gebennesium is Genevois which is separate from the Jurisdiction of Geneva But it is very likely some have taken upon them this Title as may be seen on an ancient Coin of an Earl who lived about the year 1370. who called himself Petrus Comes Gebennensis which the Bishops have resented ill especially John Lewis of Savoy The first Wars wherein Geneva was concerned happened since the twelfth Century upon occasion of Wido Bishop of Geneva's Grant to his Brother Ame. They were both Sons to an Earl of Genevois whose posterity for above five hundred years had possessed this Lordship The Bishops would have these Earls to be but only as Bayliffs in Genevois but Wido to strengthen his Family gave his Brother in this Investiture besides his Paternal Inheritance several Villages and Castles belonging to the Diocess of Geneva as Bonmont and Hautecombe and what Temporal Offices he had in the City making him his Rent-Gatherer or Bayliff Wido or Guido who
cleared of these seditious People but yet they made several disturbances in the City and towards the Bridge of Arve endeavouring with all their powers to be permitted to return by the sollicitation of the Bernoises which lasted for some time The number of strangers visibly increasing in the City several English came and settled themselves there and founded a Church of their own Nation as the Italians had done before them in 1551. and the Spaniards some time after but Queen Elizabeth having succeeded Queen Mary and bringing in again the Protestant Religion the English returned again into their own Country and thanked the City for their protection The first Minister of the Italian Church was Maximilian of Martinengue brother to the Earls of Martinengo an illustrious family in Italy he was a very learned man. The French Church at Francfort had some difference which Calvin went thither to pacifie The term of the Alliance with the City of Berne being expired Geneva endeavoured to renew it which was not effected without a great deal of trouble The other Cantons were busied in the Dyet of Baden it was at length concluded that it should last for ever Some Italians began to disturb the Churches peace by their opinions of the Trinity for to remedy which the Council enjoyned them to subscribe to the Churches general Confession but there were seven persons of them who absolutely refused it some of them leaving the Town upon it the others signed it but by constraint keeping still the same mind amongst whom was Valentin Gentil who gave not over dogmatising He was thereupon committed to Prison and disputed before the Lords against Calvin whom he charged with oppressing the Truth Gentil had run himself into Arianisme and his drift was to shew that the Divine Essence belonged properly to none but the Father It was the opinion of some Lawyers that his Heresie was of that nature as to deserve death but he thought to escape all punishment by a seeming repentance retracting his opinion by a writing made for that purpose which the Magistrates taking notice of inflicted on him no other punishment besides the burning his Writings and a command not to stir out of the City without their leave which he obeyed with much submission and seeming compliance after which he had leave granted him to go about the City but at length he withdrew with some of his followers into the neighbouring Countries at Grybald's where he taught the same Doctrine as before The Bayliff of Gex obliged him to a new recantation but he still returned to his old error whereupon he was at length executed at Berne in the Year 1566. Calvin wrote a Book against him wherein he excellently confuted this Heresie The number of the Youth encreasing who came from all parts to study at Geneva the old School was not large enough to hold them wherefore the Council thought fit to raise a new Colledge There were immediately settled in it seven Classes and three Professors of Greek Hebrew and Philosophy besides Divinity Lectures which Calvin read himself to whom was joyned Theodore Beza who Preached the following week after Calvin The Statutes of this Colledge were first published in S. Peters Church the Council being present together with the Ministers and Scholars which Statutes have been since Printed Duke Emanuel Philbert entring again upon one part of his estates of which his father had been almost wholly dispossessed required the Bernoises in a Dyet held at Neuf-Châtel to restore him those places they had taken from him which he obtained but in part some years after he endeavoured likewise at an Alliance with all the Cantons but there were none but the six Cantons who granted it him In the Year following the Genevoises made two persons severe examples of Justice after the manner of the ancient Romans a Citizen having been condemned to be whipt by the lesser Council for the crime of Adultery he made an appeal to the Council of two hundred from whom he hoped to obtain favour His Indictment being revised and the Council observing that he had been guilty of the same crime heretofore and had been reprehended for it condemned him to die to the great astonishment of the Offender who complained he was too severely dealt withal Some time after there was executed for the same fact a Banker who died very penitent blessing God that Justice was so strictly observed The young King Charles the ninth writ to them of Geneva by an express complaining that the source of all the divisions in his Kingdom sprung from the Ministers whom they had sent into France desiring them to recall them and to take a course that for the future they should come there no more To which they answered that indeed they had not hindred any persons from coming into their City to study there in order to the fitting themselves for the Ministry but they were so far from fomenting the troubles of France that on the contrary they had endeavoured to keep back them who would have went to Amboise as knowing well that Holy Scripture recommends to Subjects obedience to their Prince But the King not satisfied with this gave not over threatning them The Duke of Savoy likewise laid to their charge that they had privately assisted his Subjects of the Valleys of Angrogne and Luzerne although they protested to be no farther concerned in it than in praying to God to deliver them from the Soldiers cruelty The Protestants of France enjoying again the clams of peace whom the Catholicks call Huguenots the chief Cities of it sent to Geneva for Ministers who did not refuse them Theodore Beza and Peter Martyr Divinity Professors at Zurich were sent for by Letters from the King of Navarre dated the twelfth of August 1561. to be present at the Conference of Poissy On Saturday the twenty seventh of May 1564. died John Calvin aged fifty six years having by overmuch study brought upon himself several distempers He was buried the next morning in the common Church-yard of the large Palace according as he had desired in his Will without any Pomp or Epitaph his Corps was attended by almost the whole City Simon Goulard of Senlis who came to Geneva a while after was chose in his place Theodore Beza wrote a Discourse of his life and death which was published in the same year together with his Testament His death was followed two years after by another more Tragical James Paul Spiffame Bishop of Nevers having left his Bishoprick and forty thousand Livres a year had withdrawn himself to Geneva to live according to the Protestant Doctrine He had presented a Request to be admitted Citizen which he obtained having been received into the Council of two hundred and of sixty The Magistrates and Scholars esteemed him for his Learning A while after he was sent into France to serve there in quality
being a very pleasant Village having near seventy Houses in it The Baron of Conforgien was sent for to oppose the Marquiss of Treffort but it was two Months before he came about the time when there was a Truce made to last three Months betwixt the King of France and the Confederate Princes The Duke of Savoy likewise was comprehended and accepted of the proposal The Duke's Secretary Esdiguieres bringing a Copy along with him of this Truce to Geneva to know whether they would accept of it which was consented to by the Council of two hundred and published on the 16th of September Six days after arrived Deputies from the four Cantons making offer of their mediation between the Duke and the City for which they had thanks And answer was returned them That they could not leave the French-Kings interest who would be sure to resent it should they conclude a Peace The Truce was afterwards continued and lasted two Years without any publication and during this time the City Officers demolished the Fort of Arve it occasioning oftentimes the Enemy to invade them During this Truce the Genevoises kept a Governor under the Kings name in the Country of Gex who held his Court of Justice in Geneva after the same maner as the Stewards of Gaillard Chablais and of the Country beyond the Arve The Savoyards and Genevoises began to be conversant one with another and to exchange Prisoners There was a Genevois who had been taken thirty Years since and had all that time served in the Gallies never sending word what was become of him so that he was supposed to be dead his Wife seven Years after his detention was married again and had lived another seven Years with her second Husband At the end of thirty Years this her first Husband returned to Geneva and would have entred into his House His Wife took him at first for an Impostor whether that this long space of time had deprived her of all knowledge of him or that the grayness of his Hair and wrinkles in his Fore-head had made this alteration he having few charms left him to attract a Womans love The Husband might swear as long as he pleased that he was the Man yet for all this would she not believe him The business at length came to a trial at Law where he brought such proofs of his being her Husband that she openly acknowledged that it were impossible for any but him to have knowledge of so many minute particulars Having then at length owned him for her Husband they lived afterwards a great while together In the Year 1597. there was spread a report throughout Germany Holland and Italy that Beza had renounced his Religion before the Senate and had exhorted the Magistrates to reconcile themselves to the Church of Rome And that by a special order from the Pope the Bishop had absolved him before his death and that in effect the City had sent Deputies to Rome to yield obedience to the Pope which caused several People in Italy to resort to Rome to see these supposed Deputies And yet Beza died not till six Years after There was a more likely report of a Peace concluded betwixt the King and the confederate Princes it was not yet known whether Geneva should be comprehended for the Dukes Subjects committed acts of Hostility having driven away some Herds of Cattel belonging to the Genevoises whereupon they detained some Troopers who were Spaniards being in the Dukes service The Savoyards had apprehended Hosea André a Minister whom they had taken in Michaille and for a requital the Earl of Salenove was detained at Geneva Two days after Dom Philippin the Bastard of Savoy made his entrance into the City with a moderate Train where he was highly treated by the Citizens He on his part sparing no complements He departed the next Morning and promised to procure the releasement of Hosea André upon which the Earl of Salenove was released before-hand Yet the Minister was not set at liberty neither was there any likelihood of it had he not dexterously made his escape The Peace was at length concluded betwixt the King of France of Spain and the Duke of Savoy in which were likewise comprehended the Switzers and their Allies and so by consequence Geneva as the King of France openly declared it by word of Mouth as well as by Letters understanding thereby that the Duke should withdraw his Army The Duke who affirmed it was not comprehended having not been named as the other Cities were would not return answer by writing lest he should prejudice his pretensions causing only those Forces to withdraw who had marched over into Lombardy Monsieur Villeroy in the printed Copy of the Treaty of Peace had added to the 34th Article written with his own Hand for the instruction of the Sieur Botheon who was sent by the Duke to take the Copy of the Oath That under the generality of the Allies and confederate Lords were comprehended them of Geneva Chapeaurouge their Deputy to the French-King brought home Letters wherein that King promised to defray all charges of the War. The City to testifie how acceptable this news was to them caused their great Guns to be discharged and solemn Thanks to be returned to God in all their Churches Yet was this rejoycing allaied by the return of the Plague although the mortality was not great and by the troubles wherein they of Thonon were involved upon the account of Religion occasioned by a Capucin-Frier called Peter Cherubin who would constrain the Inhabitants of that place and them in the Countries thereabouts who were thought under obedience to the Duke to return likewise to their old Religion This Frier challenged the Ministers to dispute publickly with them which they would not agree to chusing rather to defend themselves by writing yet the Magistrates of Geneva made them consent to a verbal Conference and in the mean the Duke arriving at Thonon to forward the matter the greatest part of the People returned to their old Religion alledging they were forsaken upon which there were printed several Disputes and Libels which served only to exasperate Mens spirits Towards the end of May John Serres died at Geneva having withdrew there after he had wrote the History of France his Wife and he were buried both together in the same day The Duke of Savoy continued his claims on the City and got the Magistrates to consent to a Conference which was held at Hermance by Deputies from both Parties and lasted from the seventeenth of October to the eleventh of November His Highness's Deputies were the Sieur Jacob his Lieutenants on this side of the Mountains the President Rochette the President Berliet Baron of Bourget Lambert Baron of Terny and Marin Earl of Viry The Deputies of Geneva were the Councellors Maillet Daufin Lect and Roset together with Secretary John Sarrasin Them of Savoy made their demands and
to end his days for an example to others Declaring moreover his Goods confiscated to the City and charging the Lord Lieutenant to put the said Sentence into due and intire execution The Genevoises had in the Year following some apprehensions on the side of France and Savoy Cardinal Richlieu being supposed to have no great kindness for them It is thought likewise that he offered the Duke of Savoy to change with him the City of Geneva for that of Nice and that he would put him in possession thereof at the charge of France and it should cost him nothing but the Duke would not accept of the Proposal because he valued Nice at a greater rate having no other Sea-port in his Dominions The Duke of Rohan had an honorable Funeral made for him a while after in Geneva He had a stately Marble Tomb erected with a Statue placed on the top of it in the Chappel of S. Peter's Church His Body was Embalmed and wrapt in a Sheet of Lead where it was to be seen preserved intire at the time when Madam of Rohan was interred which was 23 Years after to wit on the third of January 1661. There was moreover Engraven on his Tomb stone a Latin Epitaph for a memorial of his Heroick actions The Flemmings Spaniards and Germans had felt the effects of his valorous Conduct Yet his last Victory obtained against the Emperor near Rhinfield cost him his life for he died awhile after of his wounds to wit on the fourth of April aged 55 years His Body according to his order was carried to Geneva for he was a great lover of that City He had taken up his abode there a considerable time some years before and it was he who made the Mele in Plein-Palais His Son Tancredus was placed by him three or four years after with an Epitaph which Madam of Rohan the Duke's Daughter caused to be effaced having obtained of the Parliament of Paris a Decree whereby he was declared illegitimate The Alliance between Zurich Berne and Geneva according to the seventeenth Article of that Treaty ought to be renewed from time to time Which was effected in the Year 1642 and was solemnly sworn to be observed in each of these Cities The Deputies from Switzerland were received by the Citizens in Arms a Company of which went out of the City to meet them all the great Guns were discharged at their coming and they were sumptuously entertained in the Arsenal where at every Health they drank there was fired a Gun. We must not here forget a remarkable accident which hapned two Years and a half after this which was That on Sunday the 19 th of January 1645. between seven and ten of the Clock in the Morning there arose such a great Wind that it drove back the Water in the Rhosne and Lake so that for the space of two hours several Persons passed over to the Chains upon the Land and others crossed over from Monnoye to the Isle this Wind was so violent that it carried away the House-tops blew down several Chimnies and plucked up Trees by the Roots 't is reported that it did two thousand Crowns damage as well in the Windows as Tiles of publick buildings Monsieur Calendrin hath mentioned it in a Latin Poem which is to be seen in the Works of Monsieur de Zuilichen Seeing we have mentioned the Rhosne and the Lake it will not be amiss to clear a difficulty stated by Authors which is Whether the Rhosne passeth cross the Lake without mingling its Waters with it and whether its course can be discerned amidst the calm Waters of the Lake Observe here what Marcellinus hath wrote of it in the 15 th Book of his Roman History Seeing saith he we are led by our discourse to these parts it will not be amiss to speak something of the Rhosne which is a most famous River It takes its rise from the Alps where several Fountains furnish its Springs and from thence swiftly descending from a rising ground it runs into the Lake and crossing it doth not mingle its Waters with it but passing over the calm Waters of this Lake makes way by its swiftness and by this means losing none of its depths pierceth through the thickest of its streams and dis-intangling it self slides to the borders of the Sequanoises c. Several of our Moderns have followed this ancient Author and others have reputed this his account fabulous But this is the truth which I have learned of several Persons who dwell near the Lake and who have often passed from one side of it to the other The Rhosne coming into the Lake with great swiftness runneth about half an hour or more without confounding her Waters with it distinguishing it self by its gray colour but near Vevay Laurane Rolle and Nyons that is to say almost all the length of the Lake the Rhosne cannot be distinguished by its colour nor motion every part being equally calm and of the like colour 'T is certain that for about two Leagues from Copel to Geneva the bottom of the Lake beginning to rise higher it beginneth therefore towards the middle to slide softly to discharge it self of the Waters of the Rhosne and other Rivulets which it hath received into its bosom The swiftness of the Rhosne before it enters into the Lake is the occasion of a rarity hapning in Winter in that place which is That only the bottom of the River freezes and the reason of this is obvious because the bottom of it being still is by that means sooner seized on by the cold whereas the surface of it is in continual agitation and renewed by a perpetual succession of Waters The Suburb of S. Gervais was fortified this Year by a Bulwark which they named S. John's near the Temple of S. Gervais on the side of which there was set up a Latin Inscription made by Monsieur James Godefroy better known under the name of Jacobus Gothofredus the Author of the Theodosian Codices and 't is specially to this learned Man we owe the Memoires of a great part of this History He had been Syndick five times and died aged 65 Years in 1652. His loss was lamented by his Country and by all Scholars Denys Godefroy his Father had likewise written a Commentary on the Body of the Justinian Laws John Deodati died a while before aged 73 Years he was of the Noble Family of the Luquesses and had been made Hebrew Professor in Geneva being but 19 Years old and afterwards Professor in Divinity He was sent to the Dort-Synod in 1619. by the Church of Geneva with Theodore Fronchin his Colleague Deodati was so esteemed in this Synod that he was chosen with five other Divines to draw up the Canons for he was a knowing Person and an expert Preacher he translated the History of the Council of Trent The Year 1651. was not otherwise remarkable than by a great
Geneva Francis of Savoy was Arch-bishop of Aux and Anger 's This woman was kind to this Prelate as she had been formerly to several others she had a Child by him which he was loth to own whom his Relations brought up in the Court of Savoy The Duke seeing this young man as he grew in years to become neither amiable in body nor mind only gave him some lean Benefices which he held till Charles of Serssel Bishop of Geneva died upon which he determined to procure that place for him that he might use him as a fit instrument to obtain the temporal jurisdiction of Geneva when he should have advanced him to that dignity as having neither courage nor conduct enough to oppose his design It is reported before his instalment he took an Oath to resign him the jurisdiction which he desired The Duke at the same time to give less suspicion to the Syndicks requested them to grant him leave to keep his Court in the Town that he might administer Justice to his Subjects whilst he should stay there giving them a declaration in which he attests this Concession to have proceeded meerly from good will and not from any obligation neither did he intend by it any invasion of their Liberties Pope Julius not penetrating into this intrigue gave the Bishoprick at the Dukes sollicitation to John of Savoy whom the City was obliged to accept to avoid the thunderings of the Vatican He made his entrance in as great pomp as the rest although with less welcom yet howsoever they dissembled it the best they could and made their excuse for opposing his reception The Bishop likewise disguising his designs answered them with a great deal of mildness for he would not spur his horse before he was well seated in the Saddle farther when he had taken the usual Oath to testify he had forgotten all he bestowed Offices and Pensions to those who had been his greatest opponents amongst others to Berthelier whom he made Bayliff of Peny even against his will and to the Abbot of Beaumont for a reimbursment of the charge of his Election on the day of his entrance he produced the Dukes and Confederate Cantons Patents for to bring the Fairs from Lyons to Geneva with the safe-conduct for traders who should come there which were published yet were they kept at Lyons so that this appeared plainly to be but an amusement on All Saints-day having read his first Episcopal Mass with great solemnity he bestowed largesses on the people where that of Pardons was not the least Towards the end of the year the Syndicks and Councellors being met in the Common-Hall where certain persons of Berne and Fribourg entred into the Council who had followed Monsieur de Villenefve President of Dijon and the most Christian Kings Embassador to the Switzers requiring he should be stopt at Geneva making protestation if they should let him escape of the resentment of the Confederate Cantons The Council knew not what to resolve touching this matter foreseeing that if they should detain the Ambassador they should incur the Kings displeasure and if they should let him go free they would disoblige the Switzers so that not knowing what course to take it was advised to have recourse to the Bishop upon this affair but he being absent it was concluded he should have guards set over him in the name of the City Bishop and Vidame and for greater security he should be lodged in the Bishoprick that the City gates should be kept shut and a sufficient guard set to hinder violence either from one side or other and in short that a Messenger should be sent to the Bishop to know his pleasure but before they could receive his answer Deputies arise at Geneva from Bern and Fribourg requiring that the President should be delivered to them On the other hand the King of France the Duke of Angoulesme and the Duke of Bourbon writ to the City to release him in this strait the Bishop was sent to who ordered this answer to be given the Deputies that the Bishop being a Churchman he could not surrender the President for should he be put to death he should be guilty of an irregularity and degraded from his Episcopal dignity and the City deprived of its Pastour and if the Syndicks should do it in their own names it would prejudice their Liberties and Priviledges which made them Judges in Criminal causes without appeal to any person and that in granting the Confederate Cantons request they would acknowledge them their superiours by which means they would be esteemed betrayers of the peoples Liberty adding withall they would do the King wrong who perhaps might one day give them cause to repent it so that the Confederates Deputies should be desired to forbear their request That yet if they could convict the President of that which they accused him they should soon have justice done them rather out of respect to the divine Law than any other consideration Which answer was delivered them by the Syndick Levrier but the Deputies replied that the business was a matter of that nature as could not be ended by ordinary course of Law instantly urging them again to deliver the President into their hands which if they would not their Superiors should highly resent it To which it was answered that they for their parts would not deliver him to them but if they would take him they would not resist them They were contented with this shift and went to the Bishoprick to take him by force they carried him bound hand and foot to Fribourg and from thence to Berne where he underwent the Rack and afterwards was released upon an agreement The year following died John Amé of Bonnivard Prior of S. Victor and secular Abbot of the Abbys of Pignerol and Payerne to whom succeeded by resignation his Nephew Francis Bonnivard He had ordered in his Will that five great Culverines should be broken in pieces after his death which he had caused to be made to serve him in his Wars against the Baron of Viry and that one half of the metal should make Bells for S. Victors Church the Syndicks desired his Executors to let them have these pieces of Artillery and they would give them the same quantity of metal to make Bells which they refused alledging the intention of the Testator was to have them employed in the service of God and his Church for an amends of the evil he had done having made them with the Churches Treasure but the Syndicks to take away this their scruple brought to them a Divine who proved that in doing what they requested they would do God and the Church greater service than in that manner the Testator had enjoyned because the Bells should be made howsoever and those pieces of Ordnance would serve to defend the Town which was the Churches Land whereupon they were granted them Pope Leo's Brother having espoused the Duke
Herald came with Letters from Fribourg to demand his body which was granted them Some days after they came again requiring justice to be done not only on those who had killéd him but who were likewise present and who did not hinder the Murther and amongst others on the Syndick Coquet He answered that he was present with his Syndicks-staff according to the duty of his Office and that he had endeavoured to the utmost of his power to suppress this tumult After this Deputies from Berne presented themselves before the Council to offer their mediation and proposed that every person might be at liberty either to go hear Mass or Sermons A month after an Oath was taken to observe this proposal for the future and the agreement made on the twenty eighth of March that they might not appear disunited at the Bishops coming who was shortly expected at Geneva who in effect arrived on the first of June the Syndicks having gone a league out of Town to meet him he immediately caused several Priests to be released who were imprisoned for some misdemeanors The General Council being held after a Mass of the Holy Ghost was celebrated and a general Procession at which the Bishop assisted with the Deputies from Fribourg a President of the Franche Comté spake in the Bishops behalf exhorting the people to be faithful to him entreating them to live in unity and not to entertain the new doctrine At the same time Verly's kindred had brought with them six score Soldiers to revenge his death and having passed over the Lake they came and encamped themselves at Gaillard from whence they sent to demand justice Their suit was delayed upon the account of a difference betwixt the Bishop and Syndicks about Jurisdiction in Cases of life and death which the Syndicks would not yield to the Bishop The Syndicks at the instance of the Attorny-General drew up an Indictment against nine Men and Woman the greatest part of which were found not guilty at night there was a Watch kept left the Bishop should take away the Prisoners and bring them to answer it at his Bar. But whilst these things were doing he left the Town about the midst of July to take part with the Duke of Savoy against the City although he was so strictly bound to the contrary by the Oath which he had taken not only at his Election to the Bishoprick but likewise in making himself free of the City The Council earnestly besought him to set the City in Order but whether he feared some Tumult upon the account of the Prisoners or that he had some other secret design he coloured over his departure with a pretence of going into Franche Comté where the Emperor held an Assembly of the Estates and he promised that he would shortly return Verly's relations returned home all but two who remained at Gaillard with about twenty Soldiers who sued for justice to be done on them who were guilty of the Murther They who returned met on mount Jura Thomas Baudichon together with some Merchants of Stratsbourg Peter Verly brother to the deceased set upon him calling him Traytor and had it not been for his company his life had been in danger his horse having been already killed under him The Syndicks declared one part of the Prisoners innocent which caused the Attorney-General to make an Appeal but he was immediately told we having no Superiour do therefore admit no Appeal but at the same time Peter Thoberet was found guilty of the Murther of Verly having stabbed him in the back as he went up the Stairs of a House and was sentenced to lose his head Towards the end of the Year Guy Furbity Dr. of the Sorbon was sent for from Montmelian to Preach during the Sundays in Advent at S. Peters Church who speaking against the doctrine of the Protestants was contradicted by Froment who was returned and by another named Alexander Camus the last of these upon this was banished the City but Froment was secured and yet these disorders ceased not The Bernoises sent a Herald with Letters to the Syndicks requiring first To be paid their dues according to the agreement made in the Assemblies held in Switzerland and in the second place They complained that their servants who had Preached Gods Word to them were driven away by them whereas they ought rather to have expelled Furbity and such as he who Preached erroneous and blasphemous doctrine and thus they expressed themselves The people before ever the Letters were read imagined there were Luther an Ministers come to Town whereupon there arose immediately a great disturbance the greatest part taking up Arms and sticking small branches of Trees in their Caps for distinction The Proctor General likewise caused the Clergy to Arm themselves The Council having debated the matter would have delivered Furbity against whom the Bernoises had complained into the grand Vicars Custody but he would not receive him He left not off Preaching and affirming continually that all those who received the new doctrine were people who lived ill and that they were worse than others The Syndicks wrote to Berne the Furbity was under an Arrest and yet they knew not wherein he had offended them but if they had heard him they would not have suffered him so greatly did they value their Lordships friendship Some days after this came an Herald from Fribourg who delivered Letters to the Council to this effect That the States of Fribourg undèrstanding that Farel and others were at Geneva to Preach the new Law as they termed it they therefore requested them not to suffer him otherwise they would break off with them The first day of the following Year the grand Vicar published through all Parishes that none should Preach either in publick or private without the Bishops or grand Vicars Licence and that they who had any French or Dutch Bibles should burn them upon pain of excommunication Four days after arrived other Deputies from Berne and Fribourg These last said they understood there had been a great Tumult occasioned by the Luther an Preachers and that if they intended to suffer them they would break off with them They were answered that they designed to live as heretofore according to what they had formerly determined The Deputies from Berne urged the payment of the charges of the former War and demanded satisfaction for what Furbity had said against them The Syndicks made answer they were sorry if Furbity had done them any wrong but that they had no power over any Ecclesiastical person The Deputies were not content with this answer threatning still to break off with them and in effect they would have returned them the Letters of Association which they flung on the Table The Council instantly besought them to take them again and to satisfie them Furbity was caused to answer for himself in the Town house the Syndicks having first declared that
Syndick of the guard who was to displace the Sentinel from that part where they were to scale made their undertaking so sure that on Saturday the eleventh of December which was the day before the execution of their intended enterprize several persons came into the City to buy Horses and had spoken Aenigmatically that they would come the next day to conclude the bargain It was confidently affirmed how true I cannot tell that Brunaulieu before he set forth on this enterprize had by a special dispensation received the extream Unction swearing he would live no longer if he could not effect his design and that the rest had confessed themselves and taken the Sacrament upon it The Jesuits and Capucins failed not to exhort both great and small to observe the Oath made at the Jubilee in Thonon for the extirpation of Hereticks In the mean time Albigny began to draw up his men towards six of the Clock in the Evening near Bonne La Roche and Bonneville It was on the 11. or 12. day of the Month according to the old stile and the longest night in the year He had his Company of guards the Regiment belonging to Baron de la val d' Isere four Troops of Horse and some Gentlemen of Savoy The Spaniards and Neapolitans quartered at Anecy and were to make up the Rear-guard and march up as soon as they had notice Out of the first Troops were chosen three hundred men armed at all points with Breast-plates and their Helmets on their heads their Pistols at their Girdles their Cutlaces in their hands and another party of them with half Pikes and Musquets As they marched along they stopped the Peasants in their way lest they should alarm the City yet were there some who escaped and came to the Gates thereof giving notice to the Sentinels to stand upon their guard the Enemy approachingâ— but their words were not regarded being taken for people who jested The Watch whose duty was to lie out of the City in order to discover any who should approach it had dispersed themselves and perceived not the Troops who advanced undiscovered along the Arve The Duke who doubted not of the success came post Incognito from beyond the Mountains and caused himself to be called Monsieur the Ambassador He came the same Night to the Bridge of Tremblieres which is a little Village about a League distant from Geneva that he might animate by his presence those who were fearful First of all a Hare starting up amongst them as they drew near to Champel where was the place of their Rendesvous struck some of them with terror About five or six hundred paces from the Ditch they spied several Stakes drove into the Ground on which workmen were wont to hang their Serges to dry them The Night being dark and neither Moon or Stars appearing there were them who took this for some Ambuscade laid by the City and were thus ranged in a row in expectation of their coming Yet they took courage and having left the main Body of their Army in Plein-Palais Brunaulieu and the resolutest of them who had undertaken to scale the City and who were come on Horseback light off and made towards the Counterscarp and went down into the Ditch of Corraterie No sooner were they there but a â—light of Wild-ducks arose and put them to a start they fearing lest these Birds like the Geese of the Capitol who saved Rome would wake the Sentinels and spoil their Enterprize At length taking courage they passed softly over the Ditch upon Hurdles which they had laid to keep themselves from sinking into the Mud and raised up three Ladders against the Walls near the Watch Tower towards Monnoye and to try if any body heard them they took up Stones and knocked with them against the Walls as they since related Brunaulieu had made the same trial heretofore and was not heard because that for a long time they had placed no Watch there But before we proceed we may take notice of the form of their Ladders they were coloured with black to make them undiscerned in the dark and made of several joynted pieces that they might be more easier carried by the Mules and shortned or lengthened as they had occasion The Feet of them were shod with sharp Iron Spikes that they might be easilier fastned and stand firmer in the ground The top of these Ladders which were to touch the Wall were furnished with a Pully and covered with a thick Cloth that they might slide the easier and with less noise They who would better comprehend the fashion of them may see part of them still kept in the Arsenal of Geneva Besides these Ladders they were furnished with great Steel Hammers one end of which had sharp edges to cut the Chains of the Draw-bridge the Locks and Bolts they had likewise great Pinchers to pluck out Nails and Hinges from the Gates and several Petards to burst them open And being thus furnished they began to climb Sonas who was one of the resolutest of the Company and was determined to revenge the death of his Father who was killed at Monthoux began by a bad omen to bleed at Nose before he ascended the Ladder and being gotten half way up received such a blow by the fall of a Stone from the Wall as almost took away his senses and was forced to come down Albigny whom it most concerned that this enterprize should take effect stood at the Ladders foot encouraging his Soldiers by setting before them the honour and booty which they might expect if they prevailed He animated likewise Sonas who began to climb again A Scotch Jesuit called Father Alexander besides the exhortation which he had made them in Plein Palais confessed them at the foot of the Ladder assuring them That if they should die in the Enterprize the Rounds of the Ladders would be as so many steps leading them directly to Heaven But the good Father could not foresee that it was on an other kind of Ladder provided for them that they were to get thither He had likewise given them little Bills wherein were written some passages of Holy Scripture and other pieces of Paper in the Form of Conjurations which would preserve them who carried them from any violent death It was about one of the Clock in the Morning when they began to mount and the 12th of December according to the old Style and the 22d of the said Month according to the new all things were quiet and still so that Sonas Attignac and six others who were first entred into the City through Tartasse which is a Gate within always left open walked about the Streets by couples to observe whether the People were fast asleep and whether this great silence was not some trick to intrap them But all was quiet And they behind climbed up in great numbers The Duke understanding that the most couragious amongst his Men were entred without
intentions as Henry the Fourth and then it would be too late to repent So that upon this different advice the Common-Council remitted the business to be determined by the Council of 200 and they to the General-Council These French â—Lords interpreting these delays to be a kind of mannerly denial departed home and there was no mention made of it afterwards In the first day of the following Year the Foundations of a Bulwark were laid near the Lake the better to defend and fortifie the Gate of Rive and it was finished in the Month of October following There was an Inscription Graven in Stone for an acknowledgment of a Present made the City of 12000 Crowns by the Landgrave of Hesse who had passed through it and of 6000 which the Prince Palatin had given them which was a great help towards carrying on the work The City acquired every day learned Men and lost them as fast Charles Perrot a knowing Divine and very Charitable to the Poor died about this time He was a Man of an exemplary Life but of a strange humor causing himself to be called always Peccator for which some blamed him saying That this smelt of the Monk. His hands were always lifted up towards Heaven a great contemner he was of the World and its Vanities and a great admirer of Antiquity His care for the Poor caused several abuses to be reformed in the Administration of the Revenues belonging to the Hospital which were consumed before in feastings He wrote a Book Intituled De extremis in Ecclesia vitandis which made some disturbance and was suppressed after his death In the War-time there were appointed extraordinary Prayers to be read on Wednesdays and Fridays but one Minister not being sufficient to perform all these Offices they reduced it to Fridays only There were likewise Proposals made touching the reducing the Sermons made on Week days to the number of them of S. Magdalens Church to save the allowance which must be made to a Minister But the Consistory would not hear of it chusing rather to give them another Collegue King Henry the Fourth granted in the same Year Letters of Naturalization to the Genevoises to free them from the Aubeine and other Taxes They were dated from Paris in the Month of June 1606. Signed Henry and on the fold by the King. Brulart The City was extreamly surprized by an information that notice of whatsoever passed in the Council was sent into Savoy At length it was discovered That one named Canal the Common-Serjeant of the City sent an account thereof to a Lady of Savoy under the feigned names of Chapmen and under pretence of a Law-suit which he had at Chambery he wrote daily no body being able to discover the mystery when his Letters should be intercepted But at length when he was apprehended not being able to give satisfactory answers to the questions proposed to him he was committed to Prison and an Indictment was drawn up against him for this crime and likewise for Sodomy whereof he stood convicted and for an execrable design of blowing up the Council by a Mine He was first broken alive upon the Wheel and afterwards burnt in a small fire he seemed to be very sorry for his crimes A more dangerous Enterprize was at the same time carried on against the City by Lewis of Comboursieur Sieur of Terrail He was a French-Gentleman of a very good Family and of a goodly personage he had been chosen heretofore by King Henry the Fourth to be a Cornet in the Dauphin's Company who was afterwards Lewis the 13th But being a stout Man he had a quarrel with a Gentleman whom he killed in his Majesties sight who was then at the Windows Which obliged him to fly quickly out of France lest he should carry his head to Greve He retired into Flanders towards the Arch-duke's where he was well received He undertook three Enterprizes to no effect two on Berg op-zom and the other on L'ecluse Afterwards there being a Truce made in those Countries he went on Pilgrimage to Lorette with a Bourdelois called la Bastide a great Ingeneer At their return passing through Turin they saluted the Duke of Savoy who discovered to them the desire he had by some Enterprize to make himself Master of Geneva They set before him the means and offered their service which he accepted with great expressions of kindness and thereupon presented du Terrail with 700 Ducatoons and with a Ring worth 300 Crowns of Gold and gave to Bastide 260 and Philippes injoyning them to go first to Geneva and observe the State of that City and what Guard they kept there La Bastide went to Geneva and took an exact notice and being returned towards his Highness gave him an account what alterations there had been made in the Fortifications of that City since the Enterprize of scaling the Walls of it Upon which the Duke amended his ancient Platform and they discoursed together on their design Du Terrail was for surprizing by a Petard or otherwise one of the Gates of Geneva La Bastide alledged it was impossible and too hazardous considering the great number of Fences which were before the Gates and the strict Watch kept at them That which was he proposed was opproved of both by the Duke and Terrail which was to surprize the Gate leading to the Lake where there were no appointed Guards and where with a good number of Soldiers making a descent they might seize on the Gate of Rive and by this means become Masters of the City without any difficulty It remained only to resolve upon the manner They passed over then both of them from Evian to the Lake side where they remained eight days informing themselves by the Boatmen who frequented Geneva of the dispositions of the Watch-men and the search made in Boats. They learned several defects but to be the more certain La Bastide passed over the Lake and went to Morges where he imbarked himself in Genevoise Bark and being brought into the City he observed the condition of the Port and the Gate of Rive and returned by Land. Being with the Duke they assured him of the success of their undertaking which was put off to the end of May. They were to take along with them from Savoy five large flat-bottom Boats and lade them with Wood which should be piled after such a sort that 200 Soldiers might lie in each Boat under these piles of Wood with which lading they might enter the Port without the least suspicion and easily kill the Searchers and seize on the Gate of Arve and likewise let in the Troops of Horse who were to lie ready near Geneva at an appointed hour and in the mean time they were to conceal themselves in the Vallies on the side of Evian which lies at a small distance from Geneva together with some select Soldiers who were to be put into these Boats who were not to
to Geneva ib. Duke Philbert dies 46 Duke and Dutchess of Savoy arrive at Geneva ibid. Dukes Arms battered down 83 Deputies sent to the Duke 61 Deputies present the Dukes Letter to the Council ib. Duke raises an Army 64 Dukes Answer to the Deputies 66 Duke enters with his Army into Geneva 67 Dukes Proclamation 68 Deputies Answer to the Duke ibid. Duke sends for Hugues and Malbuisson 69 Duke desires to be acknowledged Sovereign over Geneva 79 E EArl of Genevois treats with the City of Geneva 24 Earl of Genevois defeated ibid. Earl of Genevois dies 25 Earl of Savoy dies 26 Emperor Charles the fourth comes to Geneva 27 Earl of Savoy endeavors to insinuate himself into the City 28 Earl of Genevois charged with felony 29 Earls of Savoy made Dukes 30 Emperor declares Geneva an Imperial City 32 Eyria accused by René 42 Eignots or Huguenots whence derived 62 Emperor and King of France at variance 76 Eidgnots faction endeavoured to be weakned 79 Emperor enjoyns the Duke to desist from his pretensions of Soveraignty over Geneva 84 F FOr t of Penney built by Aymé of Grandson 22 Fire at Geneva 26 Another 33 Felix dies 35 Fairs removed from Geneva 37 Famine in Geneva 45 Francis Mallet his liberality 48 French Ambassador confined to Geneva 50 Fribourgers send an Herald to the Duke 66 Fribourgers send Forces to Geneva 68 Fribourgers demand satisfaction for Bertheliers death 73 Fraternity of the Spoon 85 Fraternity of the Spoon appear before Geneva 86 Fraternity of the Spoon hold a meeting at Nyons 87 They are enraged at Pont-Verre's death 88 They are favoured by the Bishop 91 Farel comes to Geneva 95 Froment ' s arrival at Geneva ibid. He Preaches at Molard ibid. Furbity opposed by Froment 99 Furbity complained against by the Bernoises ibid. Fribourgers threaten to break off with Geneva 100 Furbity enjoyned to recant 101 Farel Preaches publikely 102 Fribourgers break off with the Genevoises ibid. Furbities enlargement requested by the French King 103 A Fryer Preaches at Geneva in Lent ib. Farel Preaches at S. Magdalens 105 Farel Preaches before the Council ibid. French assist Geneva 106 Farel causes a Fast to be proclaimed 107 G GEnevoises formidable to the Romans 5 Genevoises protected by the Romans against the Switzers 6 Geneva burnt in Marc. Aurelius ' s time 8 Geneva rebuilt 9 Geneva first received the Christian Faith 11 Gay causes the Peasants to take up Arms against the Nobility 41 S. Gervais Walks finished 47 Grossi's Mule ham-stringed 53 Geneva excommunicated 58 Gout cured 83 Geneva Alarm'd 85 Geneva fortified by the Syndicks 93 H HElvetians invade the Gauls 7 Hubert Dauphin of Viennois assaults the City of Geneva 23 Humbert of Villers dies 29 A Herald sent to the City 64 I JUlius Caesars name yet retained in sundry Families in Geneva 7 John of Morellis chosen Bishop of Geneva 28 John of Bertrandis chosen Bishop of Geneva 29 John of Pierre seizes the Founder of the Bishops Palace 3◠John of Savoy obtains the Bishoprick of Geneva 49 John of Savoy dies of the French-Pox 74 L LEvrery sent for by the Duke 77 Levrery put to death 78 Liberty of Conscience permitted to both parties in Geneva 98 M MAlefactor dies under the torments which he suffered to make him confess 44 Mortel a famous Thief 45 Marcossay's lot to be King 74 Mammelusses Conspiracy 82 Meteor seen at Geneva 86 Mass abolished in Geneva 105 Money Coyned at Geneva 107 N NVns leave to Geneva 106 Names of Geneva 2 O OLivetan first translates the Bible into French. 96 P PRiviledges of the City of Geneva 28 Philippe chosen chief Syndick 81 Peace concluded between the Duke and City of Geneva 92 Protestant Religion began to be maintained at Geneva 95 Protestant Religion opposed by the Fribourgers 96 Pennet sentenced to be beheaded 101 Protestants and Papists equal in number in the City 102 Peter of Focigny chosen Bishop of Geneva 26 Penay Castle assaulted by the Genevoises 104 Priviledges of Geneva confirmed 29 Popular Tumults 52 Pecolat joques on the Bishop 53 Pecolat put upon the Rack 55 Pecolat cuts out his own Tongue 56 Peter of Beaume chosen Bishop 75 Preparations for the entertainment of the Dutchess 75 Pontverre enters Geneva 88 Q QVarrels about Religion 100 R REné endeavors to make his Brother Sovereign over Geneva 42 René declaimed against by a Preacher 43 René begins to be out of favour with his Brother ibid. S SItuation of Geneva 9 Shoomakers Prediction concerning John of Brognier 32 Switzers mutiny for lack of their Pay 38 Alliance made with the Switzers by John Lewis Bishop of Geneva ibid. Syndicks put by their Office. 73 Suburbs of S. Victor alarm'd 89 Saunier banished the City 95 T THoberet sentenced to lose his head 99 V VIdame Imprisoned 48 Vandel imprisoned 52 Victor imprisoned 67 Victor his advice to the Genevoises 87 Vandel wounded 97 Verly slain 98 Verly's Relations bring along with them sixscore Soldiers to revenge his death ib. Vandel led away Prisoner 103 Viret almost poysoned 104 W WIlliam of Constance dies 23 The TABLE of the THIRD BOOK AN Anabaptist disputes with Farel 113 Artichaud's Faction 115 Adultery severely punished 121 Amede lays ambushes about Geneva 137 Albigny draws up his men near Bonne 150 Alexander the Jesuit encourages the enterprizers 152 Aubigné comes and lives at Geneva 174 His death ibid. Anthony his Errors 174 Abominable practices and end 175 B BArk fitted out by the Genevoises 110 Banishment of the three Ministers repealed 116 Bonne taken by the Genevoises 128 Bernoises agree upon a Cessation of Arms 133 Baron of Conforgien arrives at Geneva 138 Beza Preaches a Thanskgiving Sermon for their deliverance from the attempt of the Savoyards 156 Buttet sets forth a Book called the Cavalier of Savoy 163 Blondel his villany ibid. Beza dies 165 Bastide and Terrail executed 169 Battel fought by the Duke of Nemours and the Duke of Savoy 171 Bernoises promise them of Geneva their assistance 109 They break off with the Duke of Savoy 110 Bernoises arrive at Geneva 111 Bolsec charges the Ministers with teaching false Doctrine 118 He writes Calvin's life 119 Baron of S. Lagier slain 129 Boege taken 131 Buringe besieged 141 Beza reported to have turned Papist 144 Bastard of Savoy comes to Geneva 145 Beza makes a speech to the King of France 147 Baron of Esclavonia retires to Geneva 173 Bonnivard set at liberty 111 C CAlvin comes to Geneva 112 He compiles a Catechism 113 Was together with others banished the City 114 He writes to Geneva 114 Sent for again to Geneva 116 His painfulness ibid. He disputes with Carolin ibid. He is accused for teaching false Doctrine 118 He answers Bolsec ibid. His death 122 Castalio his opinions 117 Colledge built in Geneva 121 Captain Guiche assaulted by the Peasants 136 Crusille sacked and burnt 140 Conforgien returns home 143 Culebro his Orders 162 Canal a Traytor to the City 166 Cromwel writes to the