had brought a Garrison into the Imperial City of Ratisbone Wallestein follows the Kings Army who directing his march towards Wittemberg thought by drawing the Imperialists after him to consume and weary them to overcome them afterwards more easily when he should meet with a fit place and an occasion seasonable to give Battel But Wallestein considering that for the approaching Winter he lost these better quarters the further he went from those convenient Provinces ceasing to follow goes into Misnia taking Leipzick and every other place of any moment He had a mind in Saxony to attacque Dresden the residence of the Elector not so much to divert him from making progress in Silesia as to chastise him by taking quarters in his Country Thence in the Spring he designed to go into Mechelburg to recover that Province causing Papenhaim to be his forerunner who in the mean time in the Lower Saxony attempted important Conquests The King perswaded by the prayers and dangers of the Elector or rather by his protests that if he abandoned him he would incline to Peace joining Bannier sets forwards to his succours whereupon Fridtland recalling Papenhaim thought to possess Naumburg to stop his way but prevented by the King resolves to protract time and sends back Papenhaim to relieve Colen by another body of the Swedes besieged Nor was the King much inclined to a Battel but seeing the Imperialists weakened follows them to Lutzen a small Town not far from Leipzick There Fridtlandt doubting to be constrained with great disadvantage to some encounter recals in all haste Papenhaim who willingly keeping himself in a command apart was ingaged in the Siege of Hall But the King hastned the Battel so much that Papenhaim hardly arrived in time with those of his Troops which were in the greatest readiness The sixteenth of November was the day on which with the blood of sixty thousand Souldiers that in both Armies boldly exposed their lives it seemed that the fortune and glory both of the King and of the Austrians was to be decided The Troops were the day before marshalled into their distinct orders the Imperialists composed of great Battalions of Foot with the Horse that defended the flanks the Swedes in two very long Lines mingled with Foot and Horse Each had great store of Cannon in the front nor could there on either side be seen better order or greater daring Nevertheless the Fight was deferred the King seeming irresolute and troubled but expressed himself that for reputation it was fit to fight doubting nevertheless that Heaven would punish him by letting many that worshipped him as a God see that he was indeed but Man Each kept their order all the night and Wallestein took a great advantage by lining with Musquetiers certain ditches just before his Enemy So that about these at the first peep of day was he hottest of the Fight and the Swedes prospered in the gaining of them though hindred by a thick mist discerned not in the Fight either their danger or advantages Six Cannons being taken they turned them against the Imperialists doing great slaughter with them They nevertheless getting into order again repulsed beyond the ditches the Enemy who left four of the Cannon nailed and carried away two The left Wing of the Imperialists where was the Polish and Croatian Horse used more to Incursions than set Battels being charged by the Kings left easily gave way and would have disordered other Squadrons if Papenhaim bringing them again to fight had not stopped the Enemy till struk with a Cannon bullet he dyed with that commendation of valour and courage which with the testimony of many scars appeared imprinted upon his face The King that thought it the honour and duty of a great Captain not to overcome only with the blood of others but having ordered his Troops and given directions for the Battel to hazard himself no less than a common Souldier was there killed also leaving it uncertain whether in truth he overcame or dyed first Some will have it that in the beginning of the Battel passing from division to division accompanied but with few he fell into a Company of the Enemies Horse by reason of the Mist not discovered and that while unknown with his Sword in his hand he defended himself and by a shot of a Carabine being flung out of the Saddle and by one foot in the Stirrup by the Horse dragged away he was afterwards by another shot slain Others that having in the left Wing beaten the Imperialists and now certain of the Victory he was hasting elsewhere but by a Company of Horse which advanced to charge was flung to the ground and as an ordinary man trampled upon and amongst others stript There wanted not some who reported and this is the most rational account of them who were in the Battel that the King whilst at the head of the Regiment of Colonel Verde of Finlanders seconded by two others of Swedes charged a great Body of eight hundred Cuirassiers commanded by Ottavio Piccolomini was shot with a Pistol in the Arm for his Cuirasse by reason of some old hurts incommoding him he wore no Arms in the Battel but not to discourage the Souldiers concealing the hurt and though willing to redouble the charge yet constrained by pain had resolved to retire with a few when at the instant he was with a Carabine shot in the Back by a Souldier who was killed in the same occasion Piccolomini returning then to the charge passed over him yet alive and left him under a heap of dead bodies ignobly covered It was never known who could boast of such a blow either because in Battels chance bears so great a sway that confounding the Fate of the King with that of the Souldiers they are not distinguished after death but by Glory or Oblivion or because in this Fortune had withal a mind to shew her self favourable that no mean person may vaunt himself to have killed so great a King and withal so noble a Souldier The Swedes continuing the fight ended the Victory before they knew of his death So that the Souldiers accustomed to fight under the eye of him from whom they expected reward and commendation believing he was fighting with them and would overcome disordered not their Ranks nor grew cool in their accustomed courage Bernard Duke of Weimar alone knowing the Kings Horse that ran loose and was bloody being aware of what was happened but inraged with the grief not to give time to the Souldiers to take notice of it charged with such a force that the Imperial Army was constrained to give way The Horse of both Wings were now fled Piccolomini alone remained the last with his Regiment and with proofs of wonderful valour after four Horses killed under him had five wounds upon him which Wallestain with a generous Present of twenty thousand Crowns cured and acknowledged And the Swedes would now have environed the Enemies Foot on all sides when the Mist which arose towards
This being arrived at Turin the Duke having always feared that the Spaniards would have him disarm the more easily to wound him joyning to difficulty delays denied to consent that those that had followed his party being Subjects of Ferdinand should remain excluded from pardon and that his own rights to Monferrat should be buried for ever in the wonted tediousness of the Imperial Court. With this he got so much time that the Spring opened the field for the action of Armies The events of the War had not hitherto been suitable to the power nor dignity of the Princes imployed only in plundering spoiling and burning The Spanish Chiefs in the mean time endeavoured to shew themselves in more becoming Atchievements The first occasion was given by the Inhabitants of Roccaurano who being weary of quartering some insolent French called in the Spaniards to help to drive them away The Marquess di Mortara Governour of Alexandria who was very much one of those who above all others kindled the fire marched in great haste with 5 or 6000 men in hope that getting into that Town through a place in the Walls which lay open to take also Cortemiglia and so to incompass Piedmont on that side he might have the opportunity to do it much mischief But the Duke who had a most vigilant eye to observe the first motions of the Spaniards sends presently St. Giorgio into Cortemiglia and himself going from Turin with 7000 men meets Mortara in Bistagno a place belonging to Monferrat situated upon a height commanding a High way which goes from the Sea into the Milanese He attacques him there and wanting his Cannon which by reason of the speedy march was stayed behind he thought with the Spade to make a breach But the Spaniards with Muskets and frequent Sallies killed some of the boldest in the Assault Inoiosa at his wits end to see the Dukes courage and the danger of the loss of those men which was the flower of the Spanish Souldiery hastes thither with a great Body neither did the Duke stir till he saw him camped and then with excellent order retires in his sight without being molested It was then generally reported that the Spaniards by not following the Duke inferiour in strength lost a signal Victory But they marched away to Asti a City lying on the Frontier of the Territory of the Alexandrino environed with several parcels of Monferrat with a Campagnia round about it inclosed with many little Hills of equal fertility and beauty At the foot of these the City stands upon a Plain which afterwards presently rises and terminates where an old Castle stands above it incapable of fortification or defence The Tanara a little way from it runs from the Southward and the Versa a small River on the other side The City being of a large circuit and the Walls old the Duke who was got thither first places the hope of the defence in keeping the Enemy far off intrenching himself both on the Hills and in the Plain The Governour to disturb Piedmont on all sides leaving about Sandoval 6000 Foot and 500 Horse and by consent of Ferdinand having placed Garrisons in St. Damiano and Vlpiano Towns of Monferrat the first on the side of Asti and the other just before Turin found himself 24000 strong in view of the Duke The other not more than 15000 Foot and 1500 Horse had intrenched them longst the Versa and at the first appearing of the Spaniards having sent a gross of Cavalry towards them they ingaged in a Skirmish so hot that the Governour found it necessary to imploy all his when at last the Savoyard giving way to their number Inoiosa had liberty to form his Camp He designs afterwards ascending the Hillocks to get behind the Duke and constrain him to abandon the Plain and to command the Town it self for although Carlo had fortified some Posts nevertheless the shortness of time had not permitted him to perfect them The Prince of Ascoli then taking the Land of Castiglione opens the way for that whole Army to march thither and the Savoyards abandoning the Campagnia and the passages of the Rivers betook themselves to their own defence making choice of two principal Posts the one committed to the French the other to the Switzers with some pieces of Cannon These two Nations making betwixt them 10000 Souldiers Against the first came the Spaniards in a well-designed order and Pietro Sermiento who led the Vantguard attacqued them with great courage The Cavalry of Savoy who flanqued the Posts in a Plain a little below attempted in full speed to stop them but were repulsed by other Troops that interposed The Spaniards advanced booldly without losing their order but where now and then the straitness of that way required it or the Vollies of Muskets made them to open But where the first were killed or wounded the second File taking their place they gained the height where they had not only liberty to put themselves again into order but plant two pieces of Cannon by which the French taking fright turned their backs Certain Troops of Horse who endeavoured to rally them and stop the Enemy the place being steep and narrow was the cause of greater confusion and disorder Giovanni Bravo which led the second Battaglion of the Spaniards seeing the first master of the field marches beyond it and gives upon the flanck of the second Post neither was the resistance greater there for the Switzers some flinging away their Arms others forgetting they had them with their flight gave no occasion of further dispute The Duke alone with equal skill both of a Prince and a common Souldier directing the fight mingling himself where he apprehended disorder and either staying where the danger was greatest or flying thither whither need required gave proof of great valour by animating the weary rallying the faint-hearted and reproaching the fugitives But he found it fit at last to yield to the cowardise of his own men and the number of his Enemy not to lose all his Cannon he caused two pieces to be flung off the Hill and to be recovered in the night Three others were brought into Alexandria in great triumph On the Savoyards side Francisco di Sylva Brother of the Duke of Pastrana was Prisoner and dyed a while after at Turin of the wounds he had received The common opinion now was that to prosecute this Victory and make Italy tremble nothing was wanting but Carlo at the Head of the Spanish Army or the Spanish Army under the Colours of Carlo But the Spaniards halting there gave time to the Enemy who weak and much in disorder was retired into the Town to recruit their courage and strength in such sort that the one did not overcome nor the other lose The Governour applies himself to fortifie a great Circumvallation taking in Hills and doubling Trenches and redoubts to defend himself as if he had been the weakest and in a condition ready to be overcome The Duke
imployment those of the Archduke raising one at Fara which was called St. Pietro and the Venetians another at Foggiano to cover the Territory of Montfalcon and was called Priuli To that which was beyond the Lisonzo Trautmanstorf opposes another a little upon the side called the Star and at Gradisca caused to be made a Ravelin which covered the old Port. This last Fort vexed the Venetians because it might hinder the design of laying a quarter upon the Carso at which they aimed so soon as their Army should be re-inforced whereupon command was given to Francisco Justiniano with some Companies of Corsi and to Baglione with others of the Albanese to attempt the taking of it by Scalade but were beaten off by those within and from the discovery of relief which came behind them perswaded to retire After this preparations go every where roundly on for greater attempts Where Friuli confines with Carinthia falls in one of the principal Roads which descends into Italy out of Germany and there lies Ponteba a great Town and of good trade it is divided by a Bridge the part on the other side is belonging to the Empire and that on this to the Venetians Trade by reason of common benefit went secretly on under the tacit faith and good correspondence of the neighbourhood and the rather because the Towns adjacent and Ponteba it self were of the Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Bamberg Those of the Archduke designed to make a sudden irruption into Friuli from that side hoping to ransack many places in their way to Gemona and perhaps get into the more open Country and Trautmanstorf from the other side marching in thither either make the Seat of the War upon the State of the Republick or at least with inconvience and confusion divide their defence and Army The Bishop being perswaded to give his consent there came down from the Hills into Ponteba 400 of his Souldiers to strengthen his Confines and second the design Guglielmo Smit with 400 more of Ferdinands follows and surprises the Venetian Ponteba with the Inhabitants buried in security and sleep Two Forts were presently raised one on this side the River kept by himself and the other on the other side which he put into the hands of those of Bamberg His intention was to go on further when he should be re-inforced with more Troops which he expected but found that the Pesants especially those of Venzone possessing the tops of the Mountains and fortifying the High-ways with some Works threatned to oppose with Arms and Stones whosoever should dare to attempt the passage No sooner was the News hereof come to the Venetian Camp but a sudden remedy was judged necessary for an unexpected evil And therefore the Proveditor Foscarini hastens thither with the Generals Martinengo Count Nicholo Gualdo Governour of Vdina and Marco Antonio Manzano commanding the Cavalry of the Country for that time At Dogna upon the Fella finding the Bridge broken they got it mended and the Germans making opposition such was the mettle of the Corsi and Albanese that flinging themselves into the water and passing from Rock to Rock they so disabled Smiths people that they were forced to retire in disorder The Venetians then pursuing the flight entred mingled with them into the Ponteba of this side and passing the Bridge the Bishops Souldiers giving way they take the Imperial also The Germans were almost all of them cut to pieces The Plunder and Booty was great neither did the resentment of this surprise stop here but invading the Confines of the Austrians they pillaged Malborghetto of the Manzano A little above Trevisa a place somewhat bigger and that making no resistance became the prey of the Souldiers Terrour spreading it self as a stone in the water which inforces one wave upon another the City of Villaco was upon rendring but the Venetians not willing to remove their Forces far from the center of the War nor ingage them amongst those craggy Mountains having fortified Ponteba retired At the same time Erizzo emulating his Colleague attempts Chiavoretto where lay intrenched in a convenient Post 800 Foot of the Archdukes and 150 Horse Livio Puppi a man of credit amongst those of the Country advancing before the rest with a good number of those who inhabiting the Mountains about Cividale are called Slaves attacques the Trenches seconded by Giovanni Martinengo with the Souldiers in pay The Enemy were easily disordered because the Horse instead of helping them in those narrow passages being not able to govern themselves trod them under foot and brought them into confusion whereupon every one provides for his safety by a Retreat The Albanese following the instinct of the Nation fell presently to pillage the place and the Quarter which and their disorder some of the Archdukes people perceiving came down to fall into their Rere and snatched away one Colours But being presently beaten back left that place in the power of the Venetians who fortified it Trautmanstorf hereupon fearing if the Venetians should pass the Lisonzo thereabouts to be taken napping abandoning the Quarter of Lucinis goes to incamp himself in the Plain near Goritia The Venetians having gotten the chief end of their intentions follow him a little way but without doing him any hurt and being aware of it too late invest Lucinis and attacque the Fort there It concerned Trautmanstorf to preserve it and therefore entertaining the Besiegers with frequent skirmishes he brought into it through by-paths 200 Souldiers with several provisions but all in vain because those within having no more water resolved silently to withdraw and leave it The Venetians entred into it appointing for Governour the Count Alberto Pompei and placed in the Town one of their principal Quarters The Fort also of Fara being viewed by Baglione who was there hurt with a Musket-shot was immediately attacqued and battered from a place of eminence which for want of powder Captain Sibit quickly rendred upon honourable conditions there marching out 230 Souldiers besides some hurt In the heat of these good successes Erizzo attempts Vipulzano where being about 100 Souldiers in a great house he batters it with three Cannons and demolishing part of the wall forces it to render to go out with their swords Tolmino which is a great Town on the other side the Lisonzo in the Mountains was attempted by the Count Gualdo with 500 of the Country Militia and some in pay but the Castle discharging some Guns the Peasants that knew not to distinguish where there was danger or safety hearing the noise disbanded obliging the Count to retire but with a few The Venetians now increased both in strength and courage thought of passing the Lisonzo and marching towards Goritia the Archdukes Army for want of pay being diminished by the abundance of Run-aways but the death of Pompeo Justiniano interrupts the design He was marching in the Country towards Lucinis to view the situations and the passage of the River when death seized him by a shot
defence of which the Savoyards not willing to ingage themselves burnt it and thereupon followed a notable Skirmish in the open field where were killed on the Spanish side together with 200 Souldiers the Son of the Prince of Ascoli and Lodovico Gambaloita Colonel of the Lombards an experienced and valiant Commander The Governour aiming to inclose the Duke sends towards Gattinara a body of his Army and with the rest takes his march towards Crescentino Carlo was first posted in Sigliano which is a place environed by moorish grounds and waters with one sole avenue and very opportune to succour Vercelli if the Governour should attacque it Seeing afterwards the Enemies motion towards Crescentino taking with him his Cavalry and 2000 Musquetiers behind them passes in sight of them and coming first he provides and preserves that place Threatning as he passed to fire Livorno a great Town of Monferrat he receives Hostages with promise of contribution Several Skirmishes happened in one of which Francisco Vives Son of the Ambassadour in Genoua commanding 100 Horse fell into the hands of the Savoyards The Spaniards frustrated in their first design vented their malice with burning the Villages of Piedmont and Carlo of Monferrat to be even with him either out of hatred to the Duke of Mantua or because willing to proceed with a certain respect towards the Milanese Alphonso d' Avalos was Governour of Monferrat born in Italy but by extraction and no less in affection Spanish who having several times provoked a rupture experiences now the equal burden of the Arms both of his friends and of his enemies He assembles a certain number of the Country-Militia but Carlo fearing lest the Spanish Garrisons should practise to get themselves into those places which should make themselves most troublesom to them caused the Prince Cardinal Mauritio to take as he did with little opposition and demolish Vulpiano Autumn was now come and with so much rain that the Rivers overflowed on all sides The chief bodies of the Armies were therefore constrained to halt for some days the Spaniards in Livorno and Bianze and in Crescentino the Savoyard The waters at last making place Toledo who aimed at Vercelli commands Madruccio with the Germans to lodge at St. Ja and he with the rest goes to St. Germano eight miles distant from Vercelli a place though not exquisitely fortified that had nevertheless a good Rampart and a Ravellin without The Signor di Cro was Governour with 500 Foot Savoyards and 300 of Piedmont but scarce had the Spaniards plantted five pieces of Cannon in Battery but he first overcome either by fear or infidelity renders himself saving the plundering to the Town and to the Souldiers their Arms. Carlo was on the way to relieve it when understanding the loss inraged with grief and anger he retired and inveighing bitterly against the baseness of the Governour caused him to be arrested and his head taken off venting his fury afterwards upon Monferrat Bianze which made resistance against his Vantguard experienced the utmost of rigour and many Towns and Villages yielded to the fire sword spoil and contributions Piedmont in the mean time was no less afflicted with sword and burning in that part especially situate betwixt the Sesia and the Dora though the Duke to restrain excursions had laid two Forts in places convenient for it But Toledo having his aim still upon Vercelli feigns his march towards Crescentino when the Duke still marching in his flank endeavours to prevent him Each Army aspired to anticipate his Enemy and be first in the Plain called Apertole where they might conveniently range themselves and either give or receive battel The Duke hastened to pass being the more earnest in it because Toledo made as if he would amuse and hinder him and therefore brings the best of his Forces into the Vantguard in hope to come to blows The Spaniards feigning to attacque him in Front charged with 10000 Foot and 2000 Horse his Rear which consisted of 4000 French and some few Horse and in the filing through a Wood was disordered so that he was now put to fight with his Enemy with the situation and with his own disorder and although the Count of St. Giorgio with 500 commanded Musquetiers arrived to their relief yet it was so late that it served only to put the Enemy to a stand for a while till night coming on the fight ended and the French retired to the gross of the Army Though the number of the dead on the Dukes side exceeded not 200 Foot and 50 Horse the Spaniards with reason ascribed to themselves the Victory because they remained masters of the field and of much baggage The Duke had the contentment to see the French blooded hoping that the ancient hatred and emulation betwixt these Nations being once awakened they would repair their losses and bring no small advantage to himself He retires to Crescentino and the Governour returns to Lucedio from whence he was come passes afterwards to Venavia to begirt Vercelli from far and orders the Germans to take in Salizzolo which lying on the way of Invrea excluded all succours from that side Nevertheless Carlo had brought them in before so that under the Marquess di Caluso who by flight had saved himself out of the Spaniards hands there was 5000 effectual Foot and 250 Horse strengthening the place in such sort that Toledo judged the enterprise for that year too late and unseasonable and contents himself to possess those Posts only which in the next Campagnia might best serve for his purpose To keep the Forces of the Savoyards separated into several parts Mortara the Governour of Alessandria taking the field with few less than 5000 Foot and Horse for the most part of the Militia of the Country takes in Canelli and afterwards Cortemiglia The Duke presently orders the Prince Cardinal to oppose him joyning 3000 Souldiers of the Country Militia to 1000 French Three hundred of the Monferrins lodging in St. Sebastiano upon the Po shut up the River and infested the parts thereabouts A thousand five hundred of the Savoyards attaque this Port and with little ado cutting to pieces the defenders raze it to the ground St. Giorgio attempted St. Damiano but was repulsed and Mortara at Cestiola had no better success Thus betwixt the parties passed several factions and ambuscadoes wherein Fortune gave little advantage to either But beyond the Mountains Nemours having got together about 7000 men gave not only jealousie to the Savoyards but some apprehensions also to the neighbouring Provinces of France whereupon Monsieur d' Allingcourt the Duke of Bellegarde and Dediguieres who governed the Lisonzo Burgundy and Dauphine having a Meeting in Lyons where also was Prince Thomaso whom the Duke his Father had sent with a good strength into Savoy and falling to reflect upon the intestine troubles of the Kingdom and the artifices of Strangers that might under this Army either be fomented or concealed they resolved to deny him passage
find it strange to serve a Prince and that grace and favour should depend upon the Minister They ceased not therefore either with secret signs imperfect sayings or covered discourses such notwithstanding as Lewis understood to go on censuring the present Government the condition of the King himself under the direction and tutelage of another Amongst all Monsieur de Luines got the ascendant a Gentleman of Avignon of no great birth expresly put about the King that he might take up his time in hunting and hawking and other lesser pleasures But he with these insnares him in such sort that he quickly made the whole Kingdom his Quarry Corrupting some of d'Ancres Domesticks he brings them to represent to the King his actions designs and the means to preserve himself in his greatness with so much horrour and detestation of Lewis as yet without experience that not thinking himself secure either as to his life or Kingdom he resolves without delay to rid himself of so formidable a Minister His death was betwixt a few resolved on the King is perswaded to it out of a desire to exercise his Office and make tryal of his Authority Luines hopes to inherit the favour and the spoil and Monsieur de Vitri a Captain of the Guards who undertook to kill him thought to oblige the young Prince to him by the first fruits of his command The Mareshal then incertain of his destiny proudly entring into the Royal Palace of the Louvre the four and twentieth day of April sees the door clapt to behind him and in the same instant Vitri making a shew to arrest him d'Ancre falls dead with the shots of three Pistols The business was no sooner divulged but the Queen-mother doubtful what should become of her self breaks forth into a flood of complaints Those that had been of the Confidence fearing the same chastisement dispersed in disorder But the people who are moved with every blast running amongst them upon a report that the King was betrayed and wounded took Arms but assured of the contrary by the chief Ministers who rode through the streets quieting the tumult turned their fear into gladness and detesting the life and name of the dead let the World see That the lustre of favour is glorious but a thing so tender and weakly that going out with every puff it stinks at last and is infectious The Corps ignobly buried was taken up again and mangled into little pieces was burnt the ashes carried through the streets to sell and bought by many at a great rate to vent the publick hatred and private revenge The King greatly rejoycing that the judgment of the people did justifie the violence of the fact sends away the Confidents of the dead amongst whom was the Bishop of Lusson who retired to Avignon The Marquess his Wife was publickly beheaded and the Queen-mother confined to Blois And now those great ones who upon Conde's imprisonment had been kept from Court returned The Prince nevertheless was not set at liberty because the King contented by his own occasion to know his Authority left the height of favour to Luines and he with wonted craft considering how to establish himself in that condition resolved with the price of the liberty of two such Prisoners to play the Merchant with both for his own conveniences France with this sudden change might be said to be restored to it self and gained to Italy because the King stood in much jealousie of the Spaniards by reason of their confidences which he had discovered with the Queen-mother and with d'Ancre The reconciled Princes were addicted enough to Savoy and the progress of the War in the Milanese gave that Crown justly to understand how much of its honour and interest till now neglected was treated there And therefore understanding the danger Vercelli was in Lewis expressed himself to the Ambassadour of Spain That if some sudden composure were not found out he should be constrained to make good his obligation and maintain Carlo in the Treaty of Asti In this interim he gives the Duke leave to raise what French he desired and sends to the Borders of Savoy 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse to go forward into Italy where there should be need The Archbishop of Lyons going in great diligence to Rome communicates to the Pope the intentions of the King in favour of the Duke and seeing a young Prince that inclined to War and gave from his Race future presages of his Government every one believed a flood of Armies in Italy was to follow and an open Rupture betwixt the Crowns And therefore the Pope did not only double his endeavours for Peace but an Union was spoken of by some of those Princes and particularly the Grand Duke who knew they had offended France by having superciliously adhered to the other Party The Spaniards apprehending at first Lewis's threatnings and to pacifie him readily shewing a desire to Peace afterwards being assured that that Kingdom would not remain so quiet but was within a while to expect a new Crisis which promoting with Arts Friends and Money and with the help of some of the chief Ministers who dis-inclined from having any thing to do with the affairs of Italy they proceeded in the siege and in their designs The truth was that the first heat of the French cooling again the most secret intention appeared to be as not to let Piedmont be lost yet so as not to break with Spain Thus with appearances proposals and endeavours to hinder it Vercelli was near being lost for all the Half-moons were now taken The Neapolitans with their approaches having cut their passage into the Ditch had a breach open in the Bulwark of St. Andrea and towards the River on the other side the Walloons had made another The Garrison from duty and sickness appeared to be greatly diminished and for want of powder had at last resolved to take that out of the Mine under the Bastion forementioned No experiment to get some in by stealth had succeeded The Duke thereupon applying himself to force draws near to the Enemies Camp by night placing longst the Sesia 9000 Foot with 1400 Horse and 10 small Pieces Three thousand Foot and 400 Horse were appointed for the relief and there stood in the Rear the French under the Marquess d'Vrfè Signor di Chigliè and the Baron di Rairan and the Italians commanded by the Serjeant Major of the Marquess of Caluso and the Signor of Parella When the Duke caused the Alarm to be given the Arrierguard aforesaid divided into several Parties and d'Vrfè having passed the Sesia met by a Body of Horse and forced to fight was defeated with the loss of 600 men But whilst the Spaniards hasted to that side 1000 men entred into Vercelli on the other with some powder though not so much as was proportionable to the want For all this Toledo slackens not his attacque but re-inforcing with twenty Cannons more his battery of the Fort St. Andrea caused another assault
believing that not only the Princes of the Empire but Strangers also emulous of the Austrians would assist him some from the motive of Religion others from interest of State He aims therefore to extend his Borders and that principally by putting his Sons into the Bishopricks which lying betwixt the Elb and Weser had for some time been possessed by the Protestants The designs being not yet ripe nor the succours ready which the King hoped for from France England and Holland Tilli not to give him time to strengthen himself comes so close up to him that not to give way he was forced unseasonably to break A Truce nevertheless for three months having at the instances of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg been concluded before certain Propositions of Peace were debated but not agreeing about the point of Religion and what should be the limits which the Peace of the Empire called Pax religiosa prescribed the Negotiation was broken off The Armies then coming to move the King calling to him Halverstat and Mansfelt together with the Princes of the Lower Saxony who chose rather to lose themselves amidst hopes and attempts than abandon themselves to despair and fear the Army was found to consist of sixty thousand men Vlrich Frederick Duke of Brunswick refusing to joyn with the others as partial to the Emperour was by the King deposed and putting Halverstadt into his place planted in that Country very convenient for it by reason of its situation the seat of the War But the Army which united seemed capable to overcome all obstacles and to march into the Empire being divided into several parts was quickly ruined every where The King sends Halverstadt into the Catholick Bishopricks of Osnabrug Heildesheim and Minden which were able to furnish victuals and money in abundance and Mansfelt towards the Elb to drive Wallestain out of the Country of Magdeburg who possessed it with his Quarters and afterwards to advance forwards into Silesia to incourage the male-contents and Gabor who offered once more to break the Peace in Hungary Himself takes his Quarters near the Weser to amuse Tilli more feared than all the rest But Halverstadt against whom Bavaria had sent the Count of Anhalt with the Army of the Catholick League was quickly recalled to joyn the King and oppose Tilli with more powerful Forces but he falling sick ends his days being scarce thirty years old leaving that fruit of Glory not yet ripe which by disturbing the Empire he had proposed to himself and also a great document how uncertain and short life proves for remote and too vast designs Mansfelt finding that Walestain held at Desseau a Bridge over the Elb with some Fortifications attempting it played upon them for some days with his Cannon but being maintained and defended by Aldringer with the succours the Count de Slich brought him Wallestain had time to come with the gross and taking away the Enemies sight with a blind of linen-cloth passes a part of his Army and charges with so good success the Troops of the Count that the Horse taking flight left the Foot for the most part cut to pieces with the loss of six Cannons and forty Colours But Mansfelt more ready in recruiting Troops than fortunate in preserving them appeared again quickly with fifteen thousand men the Administrator of Magdeburg having given him some re-inforcement and more covertly the Elector of Brandenburg who having married one of his Sisters to Gabor gave great jealousie to the Imperialists Joyning at last with John Earnest Duke of Weimar his numbers being increased by many that were banished out of Bohemia and Moravia by unusual ways and a very nimble march he enters into Silesia giving such heart to the male-contents for Religion that the Peasants of the Upper Austria though far off rising in great numbers besieged Lintz and great commotions appeared in the other Hereditary Provinces Ferdinand was in great perplexity at these risings in Arms besides the jealousies he had of Gabor and also of the Turks Wallestain sending presently into Silesia three thousand Horse under Colonel Beckman stays himself some days to secure himself of Magdeburg and of the Elector of Brandenburg who being frighted did not only give Contributions and Quarters but acknowledged Bavaria for Elector as Saxony at the perswasion of the Archbishop of Mentz had done before him Tilli his Victory a while after ruined at a blow and subdued all the Protestants He had with great good-luck though with shedding of blood taken in Minden and Gottinghen and afterwards besieged Northeim places near the Weser to rid those parts of the Danes and ingage them to an encounter The King to relieve the place comes near to it and obliges the Imperialists to rise but losing the advantage to fight them in the retreat and at a time when Tilli being sick was far off it happened that he not only had time to recover his health but with various and uncertain marches deluded the King and wearied him out At last in the Dutchy of Brunswick the Armies met at Luther a Village amidst certain Mountains which by its name gave forebodings of hopes to the Protestants but by the event proved unhappy to them Tilli offered them battel and the King with great resolution refused it not That at last came to pass which is seldom observed that Fortune changed during the fight and that Victory crowned them who in the beginning seemed abandoned as overcome At the first Charge it is not to be said what the force and fierceness of the Protestants was The Guards which consisted of four Regiments being at one side made to run they possessed the Cannon and by that example almost all the rest of the Catholicks gave way But as the more veteran Souldiers are not wont to take fright at the first stroke but in confusion and the greatest disorder to put themselves again in order many turning their faces of their own accord others rallied by their Officers were brought back to the fight and some meeting in their flight with impassable Bogs taking courage from necessity repulsed in such sort the Enemy somewhat disordered in the pursuit that they took from them all their advantage The dispute was very fierce fighting with an unwonted obstinacy for several hours man to man their Swords in their hands with such noise from their Arms and cryes that the Sky roared for a good way round about At last the Cavalry of the right Wing of the Protestants fell foul upon their own Foot with such disorder as gave the Victory to the Imperialists to the great slaughter of the conquered The King changed Horses thrice and as often re-conducted his Troops to the Charge kept them from running away animated the faint-hearted was in every place where either danger terrified or hopes gave courage acting with his voice and endeavours directive to his own visible to his Enemies and of example to all Nor did Tilli not perform the part of a great Captain with so
Empires to totter The Elector of Trier seeing him of Mentz driven out of his Country took occasion to publish the protection which France had secretly some years before consented to him when he offended with the Emperour for not having adjudged the Abby of St. Maximine which he pretended was annexed to that Crown and now opening the Gates to his Forces puts Hermestain into their hands Bavaria who forced to play fast and loose without separating himself from the Austrians but no less to hazard himself with them had likewise made a late Treaty with the French in which they promising him the conservation of the Electoral Vote in his Family both the King and Duke obliged themselves mutually to defend those Countries which they then possessed with a certain number of Horse and Foot By this alliance Richelieu obtained the separation of Bavaria as head of the Catholick League from giving assistance to Lorrain because that Duke after the Conspiracies with the English despairing of ever reconciling himself to that Minister had not only given himself to the protection of the Austrians but during the War of Italy had perswaded the Emperour to fortifie Moyenvich a place of consequence upon the Frontier of Mets and of the jurisdiction of that Bishoprick and afterward to deliver the place to him to the end that with it he might cover his own Country and withall upon occasion give passage for the invading of France He had afterwards received Orleans in his Country and now though the protection which he expected from the Emperour appeared weakned nevertheless provoking the King with offences and the Cardinal with disgusts drew unseasonable troubles into his bosom The said Duke of Orleans by the suggestion of the Queen Mother and of his Sister in Law no less than of his Favourites taking the plausible pretext of ill Government of a sudden retires from Court The King now comprehending that both by domestick and foreign encouragements his Brother went about to obtain the Kingdom in present rather than hope any longer for it follows him towards Orleans with so much speed that the Duke not willing to be taken by force nor to trust to any accord departs towards Burgundy where with the Duke of Bellegard Governour of that Province he had already contrived intelligences and agreements The King coming thither also and the Cardinal constrained him to pass into the Franche Conté and from thence to take refuge in Lorrain Lewis well to secure himself first in the Kingdom reforms the Court of the Queen his Wife discarding the persons suspected and forbidding the Ambassador of Spain to visit her in private Afterwards brings his Mother to Compiegne and of a sudden parting thence leaves her there kept under the care of the Mareshal d' Estré His will after was that she should be removed to Molins a Town not strong and in the heart of the Kingdom giving her as a token of honour the Government of the Bourbonois but the Queen interposing delays by the pretext of her weakness insinuated to the Governour of la Chapelle that giving her entrance she should resign again the place to him and in this confidence whilst the Cardinal privy to all to facilitate her flight dexterously causes the Guards to be slackened she secretly departs But coming to la Chapelle finds it in Arms against her there being entred into it the Marquess de Vardes Father of the Governour sent thither seasonably by the Cardinal himself whereupon entrance being denied her she was forced to pass into the Province of Henault and thence to be conveyed to Brussels where being received with great tenderness by the Infanta Isabella she spreads throughout the whole world the complaints of her condition that being driven out of that happy Kingdom where she had heretofore commanded she was now in her old age put to seek for entertainment and perhaps a Grave amongst strangers The Spaniards hoped from these domestick broils in France great advantages having the Mother of the King in their hand and the Brother in the house of a Prince their friend Nevertheless they could not with Forces proportionable to so great a design promote the disturbances of the Kingdom being engaged in Germany and beaten in Flanders by the Hollanders whilst by the Scheld they were attempting a surprise in Zealand They saw Orleans also not well provided with Forces nor with the intelligencies they expected for those who as it was said were to take Arms and kindle the War in the Kingdom being prevented by the vigilance and authority of the Cardinal had been able to effect nothing but provide for their safety by running away The Duke of Lorrain who had in his hand the pledge of the Successor of the Crown thought himself secure yet to bind him faster perswades him to marry Margaret his Sister a Princess of great virtue and rare beauty On the advice whereof Lewis was inflamed with extream anger and Richelieu taking hold of the occasion to revenge himself perswades him to cause the Mareshal de la Force to invest Moyenvich which the Imperialists being not able to relieve nor the Duke of Lorrain daring without their help to attempt it was within a few days rendred The French Army would then have proceeded farther if Carlo in person humbling himself to the King had not made this agreement To renounce all intelligence and junction prejudicial to France to cause the Rebels and enemies to the King to go out of his Country denying them entrance for the future and to join to the Kings Army four thousand Foot and two thousand Horse with which entring into Germany the third part of the Conquests should be the Dukes For warranty he delivers for three years the Town of Marsall to the French the King promising not to make Peace without comprehending him in it This Agreement concluded the last day of the year men truly judged that on the Dukes side it would be no longer lived than the necessity which dictated it at present The King to make it appear that the more Richelieu was attacqued by envy and hatred the more he embraced him in his favour created him Duke and Peer of France So that by those applauses with which over and above the rejoycings of those of his own party fame exalted him he vindicated himself from certain invectives which spread abroad in print by unknown Pens came to be published by the discontented and especially by those in the Low Countries In Venice also at the requisition of the Ambassador d' Avan he was by the great Council received into the Order of the Patricians with unanimous Votes THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE NINTH BOOK WE shall now describe some peaceable years of the Republick rendred more joyous from the memory of past calamities and the hideousness of dangers undergone out of which amidst Fire and Sword she was with safety and glory rescued after the assistance of Heaven by the constancy and counsels of the
to inform it how things had passed and to render to King Lewis and the Cardinal in sign of his constant adherance a clear testimony of submission and respect Vittorio to cancel past suspicions together with Crequi takes in the Milanese Candia and Sartirana weak Towns plants afterwards at Breme a Fort in a most convenient situation under the favour whereof not only the Frontiers but the very bowels of the Milanese might be greatly infested Thence gives way that the Marquess Villa getting the good will of the reliques of the Troops of Parma now in the Piacentino together with some French should take up their Winter-quarters there when they had first overcome the opposition of some other Spanish Troops in the Tortonese It seemed to many that the successes of the Campagnia had not been answerable to the designs and honour of the Confederates and less to their Forces and the expectation of the World But the conquest of the Valteline recompensing in a great measure the scanty progress in the Milanese kept still the Austrians in trouble for Germany whereupon the Emperour giving knowledge of it to the Venetians by his Letters sends Troops to drive out the French It seeming difficult to force those passages a report was raised That by the Mountain Tonale or by the State of the Republick they might secretly attempt passage Rohan craftily augments the suspicion offering to come with all his Forces to their assistance when the Confines should be violated But the fact gave quickly the lye to the report for Fernamont under the name of the Widow Regent of Insbruck having raised four thousand Foot and four hundred Horse goes down to Bormio and almost without opposition possesses the whole Country Thence strengthened with more men he designed to enter into the Valley so soon as he should see Serbellone ready on the other side to attempt the same The Spaniards retarding the execution of the concert the Germans retire into the Valley of Levin where they found some molestation by the French At last Serbellone being also in readiness Fernamont marches towards Tirano where being encountred by Rohan at the Bridge of Mazzo over the Adda he was beaten and many slain If the Bridge had been broken in time almost all the Germans had been cut to pieces The glory and advantage notwithstanding on the French side was great for that inferiour in number through the valour of the Duke the knowledge of the situations and some ambushes he prevailed upon the Enemy Whilst they were fighting on this side Serbellone comes to Sondrio with three thousand Foot four hundred Horse and certain pieces of Cannon Rohan without other refreshment but that which the satisfaction of the Victory brought turns that way sending some Souldiers by the Mountains which seasonably in the time of the Battel might fall upon the Spaniards in the Rear and in the Flanks But the Fame of the success with the Germans making more haste than his march perswades Serbellone to retire under the favour of the Fort Fuentes Then the French passing again the Valley went to Bormio and there the Marquess de Montosier couragiously assaulting the Town the Garrison seeking to escape by flight were defeated by the Guards placed on the passages But the Marquess wounded on the head with a stone and in the side with Musket-shot ended his life there with the reputation of a gallant person The Fort also of Santa Maria was found abandoned and the French demolished it intrenching every where the ways to make the entrance difficult to the Enemy Nevertheless the Germans somewhat come to themselves again remaining with their gross not above eight miles distant sent again to recover their credit ten Companies of Dragoons and three Regiments of Foot who taking Quarters thereabouts upon frequent occasions gave lusty Alarms to Rohan who was imployed in building a Fort at Tirano where formerly the Venetians and French had placed one whence the Germans comprehending how difficult it would prove to send into the Milanese the succours intended by the more direct way resolved to hasten away some Souldiers by the Bridge of Rapsvil and through the Country of the Catholick Cantons The gross which amounted to six thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse lodging in the Valley of Frael was designing to fall upon Rohan's Camp which was diminished with sickness and Run-aways but the Duke taking courage and counsel from necessity and danger though exceeding much inferiour in Forces faces at unawares the Germans upon certain Hillocks and Monsieur de Canisii threatning to assault them from an eminent situation in the Rear they took so great a fright that they retired in disorder under the favour of a Fort not far off Serbellone that knew nothing of what was happened on the other side advanced as far as Morbegno with seven thousand Foot seven Companies of Horse and five Cannons intrenching himself amidst certain inclosures of Walls which are frequent thereabout But it was not long ere Rohan leaving Monsieur de la Lande arrives unlooked for towards Bormio but with his men so weary with so much travelling to and fro that it was hazardous to expose them to a fight But not being willing to give the Enemy time to be informed of the weakness of his nor to his to examine the strength of the Enemy advances couragiously to attacque them At the beginning the French Horse were staggering nay began to run when the Duke reproaching some and giving courage to others puts himself at the head of them charging with such fury that the Troops of Serbellone after a short resistance quitted the field The number of the dead exceeded not six hundred nor were the Prisoners many because the greater part saved themselves betimes Amongst these was found the Count de Valenza with other Officers and amongst the dead the Count de San Secondo who commanded the Horse Of the hurt the chiefest was Serbellone The Spaniards being gone the Germans also thinking themselves not sufficiently safe in the Valley of Frael removed further off leaving Rohan the Glory and quiet possession of the Valteline for the rest of the Winter Nevertheless he wanted not enemies from within and they more troublesom for no succours coming out of France he found himself greatly weakned and underwent necessity and many wants so much the greater for that the Plague gotten out of Tirol into the Valteline the Venetians had forbidden Commerce so that the passage of Victuals if not hindred was at least rendred difficult by reason of the usual cautions War being kindled in so many parts the curiosity and expectation of the World did in a manner weary it self in observing the successes the reflection upon one emergency coming frequently to be interrupted by another more remarkable The Fleet of Spain now put to Sea recompensing with its strength the delays of the year past consisted of thirty five Gallies many great Ships and other lesser Vessels with seven thousand Souldiers commanded by the Duke of
pleasing and Courteous he introduced himself with a general applause into the place and withall exposes himself to the expectation of the world where so great a force of Fortune was to end ANNO MDCXLIII His first care was to assure the Confederates of the Crown that there should be no change of a constant continuance in their friendship and with the Princes of Italy he affects to beget a greater confidence as one that born under the same Climate and versed in the Affairs of that Country had a better inclination towards it and therefore shews himself sollicitous to procure a Peace betwixt the Pope and the Prince of Parma But at the instant that he intended to set upon the Mediation with earnest it hapned that the Ambassador Fontenay with Lionne were retired from the Court of Rome The cause seemed not great for Vrban having deposed from the Generalat of the Dominicans the Father Ridolfi upon a Schism raised in the Convocation of that Religion held in Genua the Spaniards thereupon saving Rodolfi his rights had chosen Rocca Mora and the French with the Italians Mazarini Brother to the Cardinal the Pope having made void that Convocation that they might proceed to a new Election the Ambassador of France pretended that that was against the promise made him to promote Mazarini and leaves the Court. The pretext seeming too slight though he aimed chiefly to gain the good graces of the new Favourite he added other disgusts and amongst them that the Portuguese Ambassadour was not admitted and the Mediation of the King had been slighted in the fraudulencies of the Treaties with the Duke of Parma But the Court at Paris ill resented that he had ingaged himself so far the Cardinal abhorring that under the cover of the Kings favour his private interests should so soon appear to the world He therefore orders the matter so that the Ambassadour with some appearance of satisfaction should return to Rome and the Venetians were in the Kings name desired to interpose notwithstanding their so slender confidence with the Pope in the present Affairs They nevertheless employed their offices but the business was quickly silenced for the charge of Master of the holy Palace being conferred on the Father Mazarini and he flattered with greater hopes easily let fall his pretensions to the Generalat The Ambassador now come to Court again employs himself with greater warmth than formerly in the agreement of Parma But all without effect because the Cardinal Barberino put more confidence in Tricks than Treaties and therefore sending the Abbot de Bagni to Florence proposed to the Grand Duke That to Edward should be given the absolution of the censures with the forms contained in the Ceremonial that to his eldest Son the investiture of his Dominions should be granted with the restitution of all that was possessed except Castro Montalto and so much Country round about as a Cannon-shot could reach These propositions handed by the Grand Duke to the Venetians were by common advice rejected they seeming not admittable by the Duke of Parma and little honourable to the League who declared themselves Protectors of that Interest For this cause the Treaties were confirmed more closely in Venice whither were come the Cavalier Giovanni Battista Gondi the Grand Dukes chief Secretary in the place of Pandolfini who was sick and the Duke of Modena to recommend to the Senate besides the publick his own private interests also He had a great desire that his pretensions with the Pope might be comprehended in the League but they importing many and weighty difficulties could not but too much disturb Italy besides that every one of the Confederates would thereupon have reason to produce their own that were of no less moment It was therefore resolved that they should not abandon their first ends of protecting the Duke of Parma procuring Peace and also shewing resentment of the contempt in the late Treaties But in the interim of these Negotiations Duke Edward put forward by the fury and fervour of his Genius sends under the Marquesses Sciabuf and Edward Scott about three thousand Foot cross the Appennines through the Lunigiana to be imbarked where the Magra falls into the Mediterranean upon certain Tartanes hastily got together in hope that landing upon the shore and easily taking the weak Rock of Montalto they might speed also in possessing themselves of Castro in the sudden astonishment of the surprise To second the design and divert the Enemies Forces he with fifteen hundred Horse intended as formerly to enter into the Bolognese The cold of the Winter and the difficulty to pass over the Snow retards so long the march of the Foot that advice of it came to Rome so that they had time to prepare for the defence and strengthen the place But the Dukes Souldiers came not there at all for being scarce imbarked and the Tartanes put from the shore so fierce a storm encounters them that being driven to Genoua and Porto Fino they were forced to cast Anchor and save themselves there Victuals wanting that were but scantily provided and money part of the men perished and the rest disbanding were received into pay by the Spanish Ambassadour who seasonably sent them to strengthen the Governour of Milan who besieged Tortona Upon this accident the Barberins published that it was evident that Fortune from Heaven had fought upon the Sea in favour of their cause Seeming afterwards to doubt that the Duke rather irritated than wearied by ill success designed to possess that part of the Ferrarese which beyond the Po confines with the Republick the Cardinal Anthonio talked of laying a great Fort at Lago Scuro to pass a Bridge over the River and draw a Chain cross it which was there ready upon the Banks with all preparations to fortifie himself on this side the Po and send men thither If the Venetians had in the beginning been troubled when by the Barberins certain Guards had been sent thither and a certain Fort traced that to avoid at that time jealousies proceedings were discontinued they were at present so much the more moved as they saw the design to shut up the River to others and facilitate passage for their own Army which passing to this side of the River might ravage as far as to the Adice possess or at least lay waste the Polesene and drown it at their pleasure They therefore gave it to be understood that they were not to suffer the novelty and violation of so ancient agreements and ordered Giovanni Pesari Cavalier and Procurator succeeded into the Generalat di Terra firma to Luigi Giorgio deceased that with powerful Forces he should go into the Polesene to save harmless their concerns and to hinder the building of the Bridge or destroy it if he found it built He marching immediately thither with six thousand five hundred Foot and a great number of Horse was the cause that the Cardinal Anthonio suspended putting it in effect Minds being in this manner irritated
the Duke had not made sufficient provision of Victuals nor had wherewithal to carry it after the Army cross the Mountain The intention of Mathei being discovered to keep the Confederates in motion and the imployment of their own defence he on a sudden goes out of the Modonese with the loss but of one Company of Horse which was defeated by the Duke Valanzé moved then with all the Army towards Finale and Bondeno threatning to attacque some of those Forts and because the Duke of Parma who had not done ought but force the Quarters of four hundred Horse at St. Pietro was reduced to a very weak number of Foot and not to above a thousand Horse the Venetians resolved to lend him some Troops to keep the Out-works of Bondeno Corraro who coasted upon the Enemies march was afterwards in the Quarter of Campo Santo assaulted by Valanzé with three thousand Foot and five hundred Horse but he withstood and repulsed him His Judgment was that the Duke remaining to guard his own Confines should send him the two thousand Foot of the Republick which he had with him that he might invade the Ferrarese with which he should not only have diverted the Enemy from molesting the Dukes Country but the Posts of Communication and the Banks of the River should have been kept defended a counsel which event afterwards shewed how advantagious it would have been But the desire prevailing in the Duke to enter into the Bolognese to draw the Cardinal Anthonio after him the March was resolved on having first strengthned Finale with five hundred Foot more which the Venetians sent beyond the Po that in the absence of the Army the Pontificians should not attempt to exploit any thing to break the Communication and shut out the Army Corraro then and the Duke having a mind to joyn Cardinal Anthonio that understood all their designs caused to the end to hinder them Nonantola to be attacqued by four thousand men The place lyes beyond the Banaro without any defence of Fortifications and was then kept by the Venetians with two Companies under the Colonel St. Martin who resolved whatever happened to defend the attacque and the Battery of two great Guns to give time to the Duke who was then at Modena to come with his own and two thousand Foot of the Venetians to its succours He coming to the Bridge of the Navicello found it possessed by four Companies of Horse but driving them away comes through to Nonantola and obliges the Enemy to a Retreat This being quickly done he forthwith returns when in his way the Cardinal appeared to oppose him and although the March had wearied the Souldiers the Duke nevertheless resolves to fight him He scarce began to move but the Pontificians betook themselves to flight in which being pursued with the death of some and amongst those of Francesco Gonzagha Serjeant Major General of the Army the Cardinal whose Horse was killed under him hardly escaped from being of the number of the Prisoners which amounted to two hundred The Confederates resolved demolishing Nonantola not to ingage a Garrison in so weak a place to march to Spilimberto whence they entred into the Territory of Bologna plundering to the very Gates of the Town to the damage and terrour of the Country Piumazzo abandoned by the Inhabitants at the appearance of two hundred Foot and five hundred Horse was possessed The Baron de Deghenselt who commanded the Horse of the Republick had Bazano delivered to him and judging it not easie to be kept left it But the Pontificians having brought three hundred men into it moved the Confederates to repossess it as was easily done the Garrison rendring on conditions which were not observed because contrary to the tenour of them some certain powder was found amongst the Baggage whereupon being stript by the way they were all made Prisoners In Tuscany Savelli in this interim had recovered Passignano cutting the Garrison of two hundred men in pieces keeping the Commander Prisoner and afterwards attempted the City of la Pieve with a Petard but without success The Confederates had taken Paciano and the Grand Dukes Army consisting of eight thousand Foot fourteen hundred Horse and thirty pieces of Artillery being incamped in the Plain of Castiglione del Lago gave so much terrour to Perugia that the Prefect who was there thought himself not secure and was doubtful of some commotion of the Inhabitants whereupon Savelli drawing the Army under the Walls of it durst not inlarge his quarters The progress would certainly have been very considerable also in the Bolognese as the Confederates designs were not small if Cardinal Antonio had not with a new sprightly party overthrown their counsels He seeing that on that side the strength of the Army consisted in the Forces of the Republick and to oblige it to call back their Troops for its own defence caused thirteen Boats by night to be put into the Po and hastily imbarquing four hundred men upon them sends them a little below Lagoscuro to take Post upon the Banks on this side of the River Captain Tritonio who with a Company of Horse was going the round opposed them but being overpowered by the number was forced to let them land The Pontificians marched immediately to the same Post of Lagoscuro ill fortified and worse provided with men and although Count Giovanni Battista Porto and the Cavalier Mark Antonio Strozza valorously defended it for six hours yet Valanzé being in this interim passed to this side with three thousand Foot fifteen hundred Horse and some Cannon they were at last overcome and made Prisoners At the first reports of the Enemies passage the General Pesari sends Mark Antonio Brancaccio with five hundred Foot to relieve the Post attacqued but being come to Chiaviche and there understanding it was taken stopt till the General himself who was also marching should arrive Pesari had not with him above eighteen hundred Foot and betwixt three and four hundred Horse the many Garrisons and frequent expeditions to the other side of the Po having lessened his Forces Having understood that with the liberty and safety of the Pass the Enemy was every day more and more strengthened he resolved to halt there to expect reinforcement recalling from Finale the last five hundred Foot he had sent thither two Companies of Horse from Mantua and dispatching orders and advice to all places to defend the Country and increase the Forces He conferred there with the Duke of Parma desiring him to join with him but Edward having but a very few men advised that he should expect the Army out of the Modenese All this passing with great retardment the interim served the Pontificians to plant a good Fort there just over against the other which on the other side of the Po was also called by the name of Lagoscuro In the Polesene and in Rovigo by reason of this passage the fright was truly great but the Pontificians not willing to be shut up amidst those
excused themselves as not having been able to deny to serve the Pope their Soveraign The successes in Tuscany fully compensated those less happy on the other side for although the Grand Duke a little indisposed was retired to Florence and that Monterchio was possessed by the Pontificians nevertheless the heat of the Armies not cooling the Enemy was beaten off from St. Casciano and Passignano was recovered by the Confederates La Magione a rich Abby belonging to Cardinal Anthonio was plundered and a certain Wall of great concernment broken down which holding up the waters in the Chiani to the prejudice of Tuscany diverted them from the Tevere where formerly having their course they were the cause of Inundations and great mischiefs to Rome Monte Cotognola was also forced the Garrison of some hundreds of Souldiers remaining Prisoners The four hundred Horse viz. three hundred of the Venetians under Girolamo Tadini and a hundred of the Duke of Modena after some delay by reason of what had happened at the Po arrived at last in Tuscany and some Souldiers of the French Levies began to dis-imbark at Ligorn wherewith the Army taking vigour gave no small apprehension to Perugia To divert it Vincenza della Marra Knight of Malta Neopolitan and Mareshal General of the Field Savelli by reason of indisposition being retired designing an Incursion into Tuscani and the surprise of the City of Pieve was upon his march thither with three thousand Foot eight hundred Horse and four pieces of Cannon But meeting with the Prince Matthias who crossed him in his way alted upon the Hill della Madonna di Mongiovino playing with his Cannon upon the Princes Vantguard but they being obliged to double their steps seized upon another Eminence from whence he so galled the Pontificians that they abandoning the first Post endeavoured to get up upon a higher point of the same Hill Being then closely pursued and Cornelio Malvasia Lieutenant General of the Cavalry running away with two hundred Horse the rest remained at the discretion of the Confederates Marra retiring with a few into a certain Castle without defence seeing himself beset renders himself Prisoner with four Colonels seventy Officers of several qualifications and about a thousand Souldiers leaving all their Colours and the Cannon with all other Provisions in the hands of the Conquerours Monterchio was hereupon recovered Castel Leone with Piegaio taken Montalere and the Mills of Perugia battered But a new Army was quickly set on Foot consisting of seven thousand Foot and seventeen Companies of Horse under the Command of the Commendator Nari and of Tobia Pallavicino to execute the design of the Barberins to assault the Grand Duke in several parts whilst the Venetians and the Duke of Modena reduced to their own defence they had their Forces less ingaged and the Grand Duke having not lent his ear to particular Treaties several times proposed to him to the end to separate him from the League they had hopes either to give him a blow with their Army or for fear to induce him to an accord and afterwards with all their force to fall upon the Venetians The attacques in Tuscany were to be made in three places at Petigliano with the new Army from the Perugino at Pistoia by the way of the Mountains with that of the Bolognese and lastly Monsieur de Codré Monpensier General of Romagna towards the City del Sole and that part of the Dominion which beyond the Appennine belongs to the Grand Duke which as exposed and weak was also ill guarded They contrived at the same time to send into the Country of Parma the Count de St. Secondo who pretended to possess himself of certain places belonging to the House of Farnese backed by the Colonel Garnier who without observation levied men upon the Lands of Buzzolo and in the Mantuan Three hundred Horse also wading the Panaro were by the Plains of the Modenese to be sent by the Cardinal Anthonio to those parts with great appearance that they might do great mischief and raise confusion in the Country The Duke of Modena having got notice of the design desired no better but that the said Horse should be suffered to pass the River that then from convenient places they might be surprised and cut to pieces In opposition to this he of Parma who with very weak Forces kept himself at Bondeno thought it better to imploy effectual offices at Milan and at Mantua to the end as it happened a stop might be put to the Levies of St. Secondo and Garnier But Valanzé marching against Tuscany with four thousand Foot and a thousand Horse by the way of Poretta came upon Pistoia so suddenly that the Great Duke had not time to thrust succours into it Nevertheless the Town though weak by the courage of the Inhabitants and some few Souldiers repulsed the Scalade which Valanzé attempted who frustrated of his chief design contented himself to do some spoil in the Country round about and with the gain of four Cannon which he found by the way If the possessing of Pistoia had succeeded the Pontificians intention was to advance towards Florence and with the terrour of Fire and Sword moving mens minds and crying liberty to have attempted to incense the people There was in truth great fear within the City that had not for a long time been accustomed to feel an Enemy so near but the news of the success quickly quieted their hearts and the Grand Duke to shew confidence put Arms into the peoples hands which the Medici during their Government had not till now hazarded to do The Prince Matthias hasted with four thousand men to the greater need but leaving the Senese exposed the Barberins attacqued it also from that side The Grand Duke demanded succours of the Confederates and the Venetians though with much apprehension they remained fixed in the preservation of the Polesene sent to the other side of the Po two thousand five hundred Foot more and three hundred Horse with Veniero and Valette to joyn with the others of their men to divert the Enemy Duke Edward shewed a desire to go to the assistance of the Grand Duke and without believing to obtain it demanded four thousand Foot and a thousand Horse of the Venetians who not much satisfied with his lying idle thought it better to imploy their own Officers exhorting him to trouble the Enemy in that interim in the Ferrarese But he not stirring the Duke of Modena joyns to five thousand men of the Venetians a thousand two hundred Foot of his own and eight hundred Horse sending them by the way of the Mountains into the Reer of Valanzé The Marquess Colombino Modenese pillaged Rocca Cornetta the Count Raimondo Montecuculi forced Vergato defended by two hundred Foot and six hundred Peasants Valette having defeated a Company of Horse plundered to the Gates of Castel Franco and as far as Bologna Bazano was retaken with the death of one hundred and fifty Foot and sixty Dragoons
that kept it but the Count of Montecuculi was there hurt Montevia Serravalle and other walled Castles where the people had put their Goods for safety were in like manner taken The Commander Panzetta with part of the Garrison of Modena surprised Crevalcuore a great place cutting to pieces the Garrison of about three hundred but the Souldiers for plunder having neglected the Guards Codre Monpensier enters into it taking Panzetta himself Prisoner and killing fifty men with a Captain of Horse whilst the rest saved themselves by flight By the motion of the Confederates with such success Codre was diverted from the thought of attempting the City del Sole and Valanzé perceiving the design to cut off his way with the loss of some men in the Mountain retired into the Bolognese The Great Duke now had the liberty to imploy all his Forces on the other side where Cardinal Barberino come into Aqua-pendente had sent Tobia Pallevicino towards Burgo St. Sepulcro with five thousand men The Governour of the place sallying forth with two Companies of Horse cut to pieces a Party of three hundred with their Commander whereupon the gross withdrew but not long after Cesare delli Oddi Commissary General of the Horse besieges Pitigliano Cardinal Rapaccioli assisting in the Army The attacque was for sixteen days withstood by the Colonel Grisoni who with eight hundred men commanded within it At last the Prince Matthias marching that way Strozzi Serjeant Major General de Battaille preventing them puts himself into the field with two thousand Foot and six hundred Horse assembled in haste and from Sorano advancing to Casone attacques a great Party of the Pontificians which were plundering in that Quarter He had the good fortune to beat and dissipate it with so great a fright to the rest that a Pannick fear entring into the Camp the Siege was raised with great confusion and a direct running away Strozzi pursuing this terrified Army dispersed a good part of it Cardinal Rapaccioli was not slow in saving himself Barberino who was upon his way from Rome to go animate the Army with his presence failed but little of being taken Prisoner Eight pieces of Ordnance four Petards with many Colours and all the Military provisions remained in prey to the Conquerours The Commander of the Castel Ottieri in Tuscany seized upon Montorio and the Pontificians who had newly gained Monterchio abandoned it totally dis-incumbring the Dominions of the Grand Duke The season proper for the action of Armies ending with this success of equal honour and advantage the Troops were distributed into Quarters and those of the Confederates being about la Fratta Tobia Pallavicine going inconsiderately out of the place was taken Prisoner On the other side the Count dal Maestro Serjeant Major General de Battallie fell into the hands of the Pontificians who in that Quarter recovered Val di Nestore during the Winter In Polesine the Autumnal Rains falling in extraordinary abundance had very seasonably hindred action there the Country being low and dirty The Enemy remained only incommodated by the Venetians by way of the Sea and by Delfino were defeated at la Garda one hundred and fifty Foot and as many Horse and by Anthonio Grimani alla Zocca four Companies of Dragoons burning the Country round about Veniero lodged with the Venetian Troops in the Modenese at Spilemberto and the Pontificians with three Cannons came in great numbers to attacque him Valetta not trusting himself in the quarter but weakly fortified goes forth with the Cavalry to meet them and being seconded by five hundred Foot obliged them to retire After that by the direction of a Company of Croats come from the service of the Barberins to that of the Republick he attacqued by night the quarter of Castel Franco where defeating two Companies some Horses were brought away The roughness of the Winter hindred at last every where even the smallest occasions giving way that with more quiet of mind applications might be made for a Treaty which amidst the management of Arms had not been intermitted For Alexandro Cardinal Bichi sent by the Crown of France to mediate being arrived in Italy perswades the Pope and the Princes Confederate to nominate Plenipotentiaries to meet and treat of Peace and thereto were appointed by Vrban the Cardinal Donghi by the Venetians Giovanni Nani Cavalier and Procurator by the Grand Duke il Gondi and by the Duke of Modena il Testi A difficulty presently rose about the place for Donghi demanding that to shew some respect to the Pope the meeting might be held in his Dominion the Confederates dissented from it to the end not to let it appear that other interest was there to be managed besides the private of the Barberine Family with whom saving the obedience to the holy See they professed to have the contest It was then proposed to call it in a neutral place and particularly in the Mantuano and when the Emperour named the Prince de Bozzolo and the Spaniards the Cardinal Albornos to meet there Bichi who desired that the merit might be ascribed only to France and to himself let fall the proposition But going into the Modenese proposes in writing to the Dukes of Parma and Modena and to the Proveditor Corraro That the absolution and the pardon for Edward should be asked by others that his Country should be restored the rights of the Montists remaining as before He over and above offers his endeavours with the mediation of the Crown the better to discover the truth of their intentions whether the Confederates pretended ought else To the Grand Duke besides these propositions he glances at a suspension of Arms. He then proposes to go to Rome to shew respect to the Pope and assure himself of the intentions of the Nephews not having found at Bologna in Donghi that extent of powers which was judged necessary In effect Vrban discovered to be not only inclined but desirous of Peace for burdened with his age and weary of the cares War carries with it though his Kinsman concealed from him the things that were most grievous and disguised the informations of matter of fact yet the clamours of the people for so many devastations came to his ears and he began to be sensible of losing his own out of a desire to retain that which was anothers He therefore consents to a Treaty with the restitution of Castro and prays the Cardinal to hasten the conclusion of it that he might enjoy peace in that little residue of life which he had yet to live In Barberino Bichi found wonted obstinacy for it being at that time when with the passage of the Po he thought to have put the Ferrarese out of danger and that he intended an invasion into Tuscany he sought all evasions so that to frustrate the propositions of Bichi he causes to be insinuated to the Emperour the depositing of Castro in his hand and the Austrians were greatly pleased with it that so their name and
of a Musquetton from the other side of the Lisonzo which stroke him in the reins and brought him within a few hours after into the Quarter where coming to extremity he expired with the piety and constancy becoming every Christian Souldier His life made famous in the Wars of Flanders where he got the name of Bras de fer because having lost his natural one he made use of one of Iron deserved peradventure to have met with death in a more honourable occasion But in War chance ballances the events not distinguishing for the most part in the last action baseness from valour The Senate so much the more careful to adorn the memory of the dead by how much the Common people were ready to blame his conduct when alive acknowledged the services he had done by giving yearly pensions to his Mother and his Sons and defraying his publick Funeral caused a Monument to be erected for him in the Church of St. Giovanni and St. Paul with an Equestrian Statue In place of the dead was substituted with the title of Governour General of the Armies Giovanni de Medici natural Son of Cosmo the First Grand Duke of Tuscany who in the Wars of France and Hungary had acquired great fame The Prince d'Este to avoid any emulation with Medici was sent into Lombardy whither also de Rossi was transferred to observe in those parts the jealous proceedings of the Spanish Army Before this new General was arrived in Friuli the Venetians attempted to execute the design of Pompeo Justiniano to raise a Fort upon an height covered with Chesnut-trees on the other side being a Rivulet which runs betwixt the Hills of Lucinis and from thence to batter the great Tower and the Bridge which towards Goritia lies over the Lisonzo but no sooner came any Souldiers to seize that situation but they of the Archdukes side apprehending the design flocked thither in great numbers and after long skirmishes obliged them to retire and planted a Fort there called St. Bosco The Venetians nevertheless a little more backwards raised another and with some great pieces destroyed the Bridge which was of great convenience to the Enemy but Trautmanstorf a little above laid another upon Rafts covered by a certain turning of the Chanel and fortified it with some Trenches and Cannons upon the River it self The Venetians thereupon withdraw their Battery become now of little profit and in the Hills more distant from Lucinis made another Fort called from the Family of the Proveditor Erizzo or from its figure the Star After this doubting lest the Enemy strengthened with many Companies under the Spanish pay and by Isolani with some Troops out of Croatia should possess the Plain of Mainizza betwixt Lucinis and Fara another Fort was laid there in form of a square and of a more considerable circuit to which the General Priuli gave his own name So that all that Campagnia became a circumference of Forts and a defence of Redoubts and Trenches dispersing and imploying all that Souldiery which united into a body might have been able to undertake some more generous adventure The season proper for the management of Arms being past in this manner Excursions were made on both sides with equal damage to certain Villages in the Mountains Henry Count d' Ampierre French by Nation was no sooner come into Ferdinands Camp with 500 Hungarian Foot and 400 Horse but attempts to get himself reputation by going out of Gradisca and falling into the Venetian Quarters at Romans where in a large circuit a few men were lodged And it happened that he brake in upon them but the Souldiers recovering their first disorder and putting themselves in defence in a great house which stood in the midst obliged them to retire To repay them in the same coin Camillo Trevisano passed at noon-day the Lisonzo which in that season was very shallow and forces a Quarter of Walloons who save themselves by flight he retiring in good order upon the confluence of the Enemy from all parts thither Trautmanstorf to resent it with equal boldness passes with all his Horse to this side with more happy success for having driven in certain Guards advanced he meets with Trevisano come out of Lucinis with few Companies of Capelletty on Horse-back Five Companies of Cuirassiers a little behind were to serve for their Retreat with some Corsi placed in ambuscade betwixt Ditches and Hedges But the heavy Horse of Trautmanstorf shocking the light ones of the Venetians obliged them in the charge to such disorder that in place of rallying behind the Squadrons of the Cuirassiers they forced in upon them and confused them in such sort that they drew them to run with them The Germans pursued to the Trenches of Lucinis by which and the Forts being repulsed thought fit to retire the Infantry remaining a prey to the Enemy who cutting off their way they were either cut to pieces or dispersed Francisco Justiniano and Giovanni Domenico Ornano Captain of the Corsi being Prisoners Foglia a French Captain was killed and on the Archdukes side Trautmanstorf Marradas and other chief Officers were slightly hurt Justiniano a while after was exchanged with Father Valerio a Jesuit and Ferdinans Confessor who contrary to the orders of the Republick passing through their Country in a disguised habit came to be a Prisoner From Dalmatia and Istria came at the same time advice of several successes for the General Zane dis-imbarking at Scrisa suddenly by night plants his Cannon with such a fright to the defenders which consisted of Germans Segnans and some Vscocchi whose principal nest it was that they sent out to treat of a surrender Giovanni Sarsich one of the very vilest of the Vscocchi Captain of the place considering that for him made criminal already of hainous offences there could be no place in the agreement attempts to make his escape but finding the passages stopped enters the Town again animating those of his party who despaired of pardon to defend themselves The others intimidated with the threatnings of the General that if they delayed till the first Volly of his Cannon he would give them no quarter rising up against Sarsich cut off his head sending it with the Keys of the Town to Zane who received them at discretion giving them all afterwards liberty and life except the Vscocchi who lost their heads by the hand of the Hangman The Cannon taken away Scrisa was utterly demolished and afterwards attempting to land at Buccari succours by reason of the importance of the place flocking from all parts the season permitted not longer stay for the Gallies there In Istria whilst the unwholesomness of the air consumed the Souldiers taking away also some of the Chiefs as it happened to Martinengo and the Cavalier Thomaso Cocapani to the General Loredano Anthonio Barbaro was appointed to succeed Trautmanstorf made a course thither to oblige the Venetians as afterwards happened to quit the Posts possessed about Zemino which is a
in such sort that Trautmanstorf had opportunity notwithstanding the battery of two small Pieces to pass the River with 600 Horse and fall into the Quarter of Piuma which being ill defended by the Venetians in a great rain which beat into their faces was abandoned The Troops now being assailed also by the Fort retired and Trautmanstorf having gotten his design leaves Piuma into which the Venetians re-enter Re-inforcements now arrive in both the Armies in the Austrians 500 from the Archduke Maximilian and 900 under the Spanish Pay besides those which Ferdinand himself in good number had raised and in the Venetian 1000 Hollanders under Colonel Vassenhoven and 3000 under Nassau Better men and better chosen than these Italy had not in a long time seen nor which carried with them more reputation and greater reflections for the Spaniards extremely vexed that two so great Common-wealths well understanding one another and which had fixed the center of their liberty in common interests had found the way to unite the Adriatick with the Ocean raged with great aggravations holding forth the zeal of Religion according to that custom that the most powerful do also love to appear the most pious and therewith beat the ears of the Pope incessantly inciting him to oppose himself against the entry into Italy of that sort of people who being of a differing Religion might easily infect it But Simeon Contarini Ambassador for the Republick in his grave and graceful way of speaking remonstrated to Paul That the piety of the Senate mindful of the signal actions of their Ancestors was an evident assurance of the constancy of their Religion which having always been promoted should also at present by good orders and most vigilant endeavours be protected That this Holland Militia was for no other service but to defend the liberty betrayed by those who were to regard it and â—ot to relieve it by such as ought to assist it Many Princes denied them Levies stopped the passages made difficulty to give help to the Republick though in the disadvantages done to them they acknowledged their own proper safety was disputed Were they therefore to perish at anothers will And to abandon that defence which being commanded by God justifieth a lawful use even of things more sacred Must then those friendships only be approved which please the Spaniards In their Armies all Nations and Sects by Troops were promiscuously confounded their Interest justifies all Religions because in alliance with them That they now went about to impose upon the Republick a Law scrupulous and severe whilst lawful in the necessity and intention to uphold their friends and themselves and that expresly to preserve Religion no less than liberty undefiled Paul who discerned that the apprehensions of Religion served for the use opinions and designs of all was easily appeased This re-inforcement came very seasonably to the Venetians and would have been much more considerable if so soon as Nassau came into the Camp there had not risen an implacable dispute with Medici because he pretending to command him and he not to submit but to the Captain General of the Republick although at last it was agreed that Medici receiving orders from di Lando should communicate them to Nassau yet their minds remaining discomposed there happened in the executions thereof many delays and difficulties which greatly served to confirm the conceit that Medici had a mind rather to protract the War without loss than to end it with advantage And so he truly appeared fixed in the preservation of those Posts wherein he had once set his foot but in prosecuting he was always carried away by violence and with delays and errours corrupted the resolutions of others and his own counsels Proceeding on this and that side of the Lisonzo in concert whilst Nassau disbarked his men at Monfalcone Lando passed upon a Bridge laid at Villesso secured by two Forts and Giust ' Anthonio Belegno with six Gallies battered Duino and pillaged the Coast of Trieste Leaving the Posts about Gradisca well provided and a strong Body to keep the Campagnia they had 6000 men upon the Carso who through several passages made their way to several Posts In the march there arose among the Switzers who though not obliged but to serve in Garrisons were notwithstanding by large promises perswaded to take the field a little tumult but was presently quieted their Officers coming in and reproaching them with perfidy if they would not and Cowardise if they durst not meet the Enemy in the face and joyn battel with them At the same time on that side which lies above Gradisca Francisco Strasoldo with about 800 Horse wades through the Lisonzo followed by Nicholo Contarini who to Foscarini was substituted Proveditor in the Camp and Giovanni Basadonna Lieutenant General of Vdine at the head of the Feudatarians In the Town of St. Michaele was made the place of Arms all other open places giving themselves up Nassau besieges the Fort Diana and ruining a part thereof with the Cannon obliged 100 Souldiers which were within to render themselves Prisoners The Imperial which was a Fort a little more towards the River but of a greater circuit and guarded by â—00 Foot capitulated also inrolling themselves under the Venetian Colours Baglione being come to the utmost hanging over of the Carso fortifies himself there and seeing the confusion of the Enemy much frighted with this Invasion advertises Medici that il Bosâ—o and il Parco di Rubia were abandoned the banks of the River Vipao not defended all the Campagnia of Goritia incumbred with flight and disorder the Souldiers as well as the Peasants seeking to save themselves whereupon his advice was that since fortune and opportunity fought for a Victory he should take possession of Fiume and il Parco But the other with a superfluity of caution fearing treachery where the Enemy was running away ordered to halt there that the Troops should be intrenched and St. Michaele fortified There arose afterwards new disputes with Nassau and all things passing with delays the Enemy at first overcome with fear took courage again and bringing Colonel Stauder into Rubia with 1000 Foot guarded that place and defended the Vipao It seemed then that that little River which where the Mountain terminates discharges it self into the Lisonzo was become an Ocean and the Fort Bosco a Wall of Brass so great was the resistance so impossible the fording From two places with Batteries upon the Mountains was this Fort beaten and with another from the other side of the River towards Mainizza But Gradisca was in this interim more strongly begirt for another Bridge being laid by the Venetians at Fara it closed all passage on the upper side also Nevertheless contrary to the course of the season which was in the month of June there falling incessant rains for forty days together not only the Souldiers suffered very much in their Posts but the Vipao overflowing and the Lisonzo much more both the Bridges were broken
the rest submitted to his will From thence he sends 14000 men into Silesia which threatning the Metropolis Vratislavia made themselves masters of Glosgaw This Province and Moravia had a little before been over-run by the Cossacks of Homonay and Frederick who held a Diet at Bruna had been forced to save himself from their swift Incursion with four persons only into Prague The Moravians sent four Ambassadours to meet with these Barbarians to offer them money that forsaking Ferdinands Party they adhere to their interest But the Cossacks with a cruel document killing two of them let the other go free that they might relate what was the duty of their fidelity and what punishment they ought to expect from their rebellion Those Provinces had an effectual tryal that the yoke of War is more heavy than that of obedience The upper Austria also confessed it with tears and blood because Buquoy having during the winter-season gently tempted it with allurements and Treaties rather than with Arms Lintz being re-inforced by Mansfelt with 2000 men the Province was then confirmed in the Rebellion But the Duke of Bavaria being entred into it with 20000 Foot and 4000 Horse filled it with such a terrour that the people having neither defence nor excuse knew not where to resist him nor how to appease him The States of the Country assembled in Lintz were willing to propound Conditions of Peace but the Duke despising them because they had let him come too near upon the 4. of August caused the Gates to be opened by force Where some of the guilty being punished the rest oppressed with a great Garrison and all chastised with the general sack and spoil of the Country obedience was re-established It was fit to follow fortune while she smiled with success and therefore it was resolved to enter into Bohemia to make an end of the War while it was but beginning The Duke then taking the one way and Buquoy the other marched in such a distance that the numbers did not hinder their progress and Victuals were supplied to all each taking in such places and Castles as lay in their way At Buduais they met to speak together thence uniting their Forces but not their minds which for sundry emulations were always in this Expedition at discord they moved towards Pisec and that taken in they advanced to Pilsen The Army of the Bohemians superiour in number but an equal in prowess and discipline coasted upon them and troubled their march The Chiefs were persons of no great reputation and Frederick in a Labyrinth of endless interests could not govern nor would be governed His endeavours to hinder the Catholicks from coming near to Pilsen succeeded not but Mansfelt supplied it with art because in that place as in his own Conquest he had fixed the seat of his Fortune By proposing a Treaty he hoped to gain time till the season should be more advanced to afford him succours Neither did the Duke and Buquoy despair of drawing him to their party because he feigned discontents which besides the custom of Mercenaries wont to abandon their party in the ambiguity of Fortune they might easily give credit too in him that served a foreign Prince and a distracted people But he after some days feigning also Orders from Anhalt which in regard of his honour obliged him to make resistance discovers the fraud whereupon the Catholicks not willing to waste their Forces in a long Siege nor entertain Fortune with lingring hopes leaving Pilsen went to Prague Frederick assaulted from so many parts and worsted in all was in disorder the people stood in a fright and the Army was wavering Near to Raconits the Armies met and that of the Protestants was driven from most of their Posts Buquoy being hurt which nevertheless hindred him not to go on in his march Anhalt perceiving whither the Enemy bent sent la Tour before to Prague with some Troops and himself leaving the Baggage behind by ways to rights hastens thither to prevent their possessing of the Wiisemberg or White Hill in which might much consist the defence of the City of a vast circuit open in several parts and in many commanded and that within shot A little after arrive there also the Duke and the Count so that both the Armies were now near to Prague The Bohemian in the superiority of Forces shewing a distrust of courage intrench upon the highest part of the Hill placing their Cannon in certain Redoubts and part of their Souldiers in the Park called the Star a place of pleasure for their Kings There was in the Austrian Army the Father Domenico of Giesu Maria a bare-footed Carmelite reputed for a man of singular piety who stirred up the Chiefs to fight promising a certain Victory But in the Council there was difference of opinions some considering the Enemies greater number and particularly of Horse and others the disadvantage of the situation in that the Souldiers before they could come to handy blows with the Enemy were to go a good way exposed to the Cannon and Musket-shot Some added the unevenness of the Hill which by several sloapings and in windings gave the Bohemians means to fortifie themselves and at every pass to make good their Retreat But hope of Victory and the greatness of the recompence over-ballancing dangers the Battel was resolved on Anhalt kept the Ports of Prague shut to take away from the Souldiers the hope of escaping thither In the Army he took for himself the right Wing and assigns to Hollach the left Frederick though so chief a part of the Judgment of Fortune stood in a place a little remote to observe the event Of the Catholicks the Imperialists had the right and the Bavarians the left hand Their Word was the Glorious Name of the Virgin under the protection of which represented in the chief Standard the Wing of the Bavarians moved over which next the Duke Giovanni Count of Tilly commanded To come to the Hill they were to file over a Bridge and then to pass a dirty Valley and in that disadvantage the young Anhalt would have charged them if the Count of Hollach had not staid him whereupon the Catholicks dis-engaged themselves and being defended from the Cannon with the rising of the Hill they advanced in better order Buquoy to avoid the Cannon-shot to which his men divided into three great Battallions with Horse on the Wings stood most exposed hastened his pace and came to the charge at the very same time that Tilly made his attaque The shouting of the Souldiers the noise of the Drums and the roaring of the Cannon deafned Heaven making the Hill a deadly Theatre of outrage and slaughter The two Armies consisted of more than sixty thousand men At the beginning advantage smiled on the Bohemians for young Anhalt with the assistance of the Count Slich repulsed the first Charge pursuing the Enemy with the gain of some Colours the death of Prainer and dead wounds of the Colonel Macau The
Empire with the perpetual Fief of Haghenau for himself and his descendants besides great sums of money and such places in the Spanish Army as to be subordinate to Spinola only But behold Frederick now appears in this Army having passed by reason of the length of the way through many dangers for weary any longer to be amused and deluded with dilatory hopes he parts from Holland and in a disguise with two persons passing by Sea to France from thence crosses Lorrain through the midst of the Enemies Troops and at one lodging meeting with some Souldiers and feigning himself to be of the same profession the better to conceal himself was constrained amidst the round of the Cups to imprecate his own person At Landau where Mansfelt had a Garrison he discovers himself thence at Germersheim finds the Count himself incamped who received him with great applause The Marquess Frederick of Dorlach came thither to him who had declared himself for that Party with an Army in great order and the Count then discharging the Deputies of the Infanta they possess the Bishoprick of Spire and recover Manheim and other places of the Palatinate giving some little blow to the Troops of Tilli who attempted to oppose them Halverstadt also advanced after he had gained the City of Paderborn where he sollicited for Divine vengeance exercising against the Catholicks all severity with savage cruelty extorting all their substance exposing Churches to plunder converting the Ornaments of Divine Worship and the Reliques of Saints into money to pay the Souldiers Upon these proceedings were the Spaniards and Bavarians with the Renfort also of the Imperial Troops obliged to joyn against the common Enemies betwixt Vimfen and Hailbrun upon the side of the Necâ—ar On the other side by most pernicious counsel the Protestants separate while Dorlach by private jarrings having made himself incompatible with Mansfelt divides from him but being scarce lodged in the Village of Over-Ersheim understands that Tilli marched towards him when putting himself in order in the Campagnia he environs himself with Waggons forming a large circuit with his Artillery in fit places marvellously well placed Tilli on the other side presenting battel had ordered his Army upon a long Line with bodies of reserve in the Reer and with some Cannon in the Front but receiving great hurt from those of the Enemy his Troops were near taking flight and abandoning the field when a Cannon-shot falling in the middle of Dorlachs Squadrons where among the Baggage was the Ammunition with a horrible blow sets the powder on fire The fire spread it self into all parts and Carts living Creatures and Souldiers flying in a moment into the Air fell down in ashes with less unhappiness than they who half burnt lay in a pitiful manner roaring and bewailing themselves It seemed surely a blow from Heaven which in an instant destroyed whole Squadrons and those that being further off remained untouched uncertain whether that terrible sound was a Thunder-bolt or at least a Mine being frighted ran presently away leaving that unhappy field covered with ashes and bones The Catholicks animated by so happy an accident overcoming without fighting failed not in the flight to pursue them with no less slaughter than that which the fire had caused The Marquess with a few more hardly saved his life but not his Country for that coming to be contested by his Nephews Ferdinand adjudges it to them and the Archduke puts into possession William the Elder who having been brought up in the Court of Flanders in the Catholick Religion banished immediately every other Belief Upon the advice of so great a blow Halverstadt makes haste and with twelve thousand Foot and more than eighty Companies of Horse arrives at Hochst a small place a little below Francfort upon the side of the Main with design having passed the River with speedy marches and avoiding fighting to joyn with Mansfelt and give new vigour to that Party But spending more time than he believed in the building of a Bridge he saw himself overtaken by Tilli who joyned to Cordua was thereby become stronger in number pursued him to constrain him to a battel He sending the Baggage with almost all the Cannon to the other side of the River hoped to amuse the Enemy with Skirmishes and to delude him at last by bringing himself and the nimblest of his Troops into safety but the Austrians having seized the passages pressed him in such sort that he could not avoid the shock They fought then under the Walls of Hochst for some hours Halverstadts people at first making great resistance though from twenty four Cannons fitly placed by the Catholicks they received great loss At last all order being confounded the Cavalry were the first that shewed their backs running to the Bridge where all being in confusion amidst the noise flight and throng they pressed in such sort that the Bridge yielding under the burden brake and many falling into the River what with their Baggage and what with their Arms were drowned All order and direction now wanting it was no more a battel but slaughter Men fell in heaps and so their Horses and every one seeking a way to escape without finding it no man resisted longer or delayed common danger Fortune shewing the way of safety to very few Halverstadt himself takes the River and little was wanting but that the Incendiary of Germany had been quenched After such a defeat being got to the other side of the Main he endeavours to rally what he could of the Cavalry for the Foot were almost all cut to pieces and so he joyns Mansfelt who not at all disheartned by such blows to the common Party carries him to the relief of Haguenau besieged by Leopold and where he had left his spoils and booty and placed the very hopes of a most assured refuge Nor did the attempt succeed ill for the Archduke by the supposed distance and weakness of his Enemies lodging with more security of mind than defence advice unlooked for being brought to him that they were come near sends a thousand Horse to discover which being met by Obentraut and beaten brought back such fright and terror into the Camp that it was raised as in a tumult with disorder and loss The place saved it was yet expedient for Mansfelt to try another Exploit for enlarging his Quarters and Provision of Victuals that Country being already eaten up whereupon he makes choice of Zaverne as fitter for his purpose than any other The Palatine was all this while in his Army serving only for a shew and a name But King James inveigled by wonted Arts perswades him to withdraw himself for that the meeting to find a composure of his affairs being brought back to Brussels the Austrians seemed not to know how to be assured of the Palatine so long as they saw him in the hands of Mansfelt and Halverstadt their so bitter Enemies And he also adheres so much the more willingly to that counsel