day-breake send Nicholao Pisani before with armed horse to discouer those suspitious wayes and chiefely the streights He presently returned galloping telling him that great numbers of enemies were at the going forth of the straights Sforza being greatly moued with his report spake to Mellato Marcello and the rest telling them That they were that day either to die in those streights or to passe forward to the enemies cost That he was certaine that the enemie before them had enclosed the going forth into the valley and that hee was moreouer in doubt that they had done the like behind them It behoued them therefore to goe forward and in the companie of Sforza and his good fortune to runne fiercely vpon the enemie That they should be well assured that there was nothing so difficult nor any power so great whichthe valour of braue men accompanied by fortune could not vanquish and ouercome And there upon he marched forward in battaile resoluing to fight with the enemie at what time certaine word was brought him that there was no danger at all and that Giacomo Morââ¦nico was beneath in the valley with a thousand Souldiers to keepe the enemies from seizing on the passages and that he might boldly march on without any feare of Ambush This newes made Sforza ioyfull who caused the ensignes Souldiers speedily to march Being come into the plaine the ensignes made a stand at Volarnea till such time as the whole Armie was embattailed that they might from thence march in a square battalion to the Citie In some Authors there is no mention of this feare nor of Sforza's speech to his Captaines At night the Venetian Armie encamped at Saint Ambrose Burrough some eight miles from Verona There they vnderstood of whatsoeuer had been done in the Citie for three daies space what attempts the enemie had made vpon the Castles and how that the Mantuan Prince being come to batter the olde Palace with his ordnance the Gouernour of the place sent him word that vnlesse he did giue ouer that manner of besieging hee would bââ¦de and lay his son Carolo on that part of the wall which he first battered that he might be beaten in pieces with the Canon whereupon the Prince being daunted with ãâã threatnings did presently withdraw the batterie Now the fourth day after they were come from the Mountaines they came to the Fort of ââ¦eliciana Some say that the enemies for a tiââ¦e fought at the Rampiers and trenches which they had made to keep backe the Venetians and that being driuen thence by the valour of Sforza's troups they did easily giue place And that then Sforza did with ease put a companie of fooââ¦-men into the Fort sending hââ¦s brother Alexandro Mellato and the other braue Captaines with all the cauallerie to the Bishops Gate where certaine Veroââ¦ois standing by chance were entreated to goe and open the Gaââ¦e for their friends and if they could not doe it by faire means to breake it open by force So soone as the enemies knew that it was taken and that Sforza's Souldiers were in the Citie they forthwith fled ouer the Riuer and the amazement of the horse-men neere to the new bridge was so great as the woodden bridge which stands betwixt that of stone and the Tower being broken with the great weight of Runawaies fiue Knights or nine according to some Authors fell into the water and by the weight of their armour together with their horses were all drowned only one man by the goodnesse of his horse escaped to the shoare Sforza vnderstanding that his Souldiers were in the Citie and that the enemie fled caused his foot-men to march forth of the Castle They did for a time fight vpon the bridges But fire-workes being throwne vpon that of wood and by the heââ¦pe of the inhabitants Sforza's troupes made themselues way into the middest of the Citie Thus writes Blondus But Pasius saith That the troupes came from the Castles in two bands and marched against the enemies so as beyond Saint Zââ¦nos Church which stands at the Hills foot the Cauallerie went on the left hand and the bodie of the Infantrie was sent from beyond the Fort of Feliciana and that of Saint Peter which is somewhat lower directly to the Citie and that about sunne-set there was a cruell fight with the enemie on both sides the new bridge after which the enemie fled and that in feare running by heapes ouer the bridge it brake vnder them The same Author affirmes that Giouanni Gonzaga was sore wounded in that fight whereof within a while after he died and yet for all that Blondus saith That he was slaine before the Fort of Feliciana with an harquebuze-shot before Sforza's arriuall But both of them agree that the woodden bridge was burnt by night and that the same being broken Picinino and Gonzaga who had stood all night in battaile before the Palace hauing notice of the violent incursions of Sforza's forces into the Citie did speedily retire into the Citadell Some others say That it was in the euening But whether they quitted the place then or about midnight all of them agree together that before day they speedily left Verona and went to Vigazio The enemies flight being diââ¦ulged Troillo and Ciarpelion being commanded to follow them gaue in vpon the taile of the Runawaies and slew many of them A great multitude of Mantuan peasants were taken in the Citie some of whom in hatred to Gonzaga were murthered by those whom they had rob'd Al the towns men that had kept themselues shut vp in their houses for feare of either partie expecting the doubtfull issue of the bickering perceiuing the chance of the dice to be sodainely turned the enemie in feare amaze did from their windowes raile vpon them furnished the Venetians that night with victualls light and counsell and so soone as it was day they came into the Market-place to congratulat Sforza Marcello for their victorie and with teares in their eies called them Fathers of their Countrie recommending to them all their publike and particular means and entreated them to beleiue that the enemie had not taken the Citie through the Citizens fault who were altogether innocent thereof saying that at the first newes that the Citie was taken they ranne with their Armes to haue repulsed the enemie but that they were enforced to giue place for feare of greater losse seeing the magistrates did the like And that now so soone as they saw the Venetians ensignes they had not only giuen them entrance but many of them had presently taken Armes and ioined with them to expell the enemies and had still aided the Venetians neere to the bridges The apparent loyaltie of the Veronois was much esteemed and after many embraces and salt teares shed they were willed to take courage and that none should sustaine either generall or particular losse but such as were guilty For if they could finde any one which they did
few of them but not very many by reason they were to late descried Now the breach being thought to be reasonable the Swisses who by nature are impatient requested the Generall of the army that they might march to the assault but it was put off till an other time the better to assure the businesse staying till Pedro of Nauarres mine had plaied which was made vnder a great Bastion to the end that the ruines thereof might helpe the souldiers in their going to the assault And in this sort the arriuall of new supplies at Pauia and their hope in the mine were the causes that the assault was delayed and the campe raised For Prospero Colonna perceiuing himselfe to be re-enforced with sixe thousand Lansequenets and others which Francis Sforza had brought did with his whole army come into the field that he might be neere to Pauia and he went and encamped at the Chartreux within three miles off the French and Venetians to hinder them from giuing an assault to the City for it had beene against reason to haue suffered it to be don so great a power as his being so nere the enemies Then was the Lord of Lautrec out of hope to take Pauia wherevpon he dislodged and retired his campe to Ladriana and from thence to Monce that he might be releeued with victuals as well from Laudesan and from the territory of Cremona as from the Venetians country receiuing in his discamping no other discommodity then a few light skirmishes The Imperials perceiuing the French army to march towards Monce thinking that they would haue gonne to Milan went and lodged at Bicoca three miles off from Milan on the high way to Laude which is a very spacious house belonging to a Gentleman enuironed with goodly gardens and enclosed with deepe ditches the fields round about beeing full of fountaines and streames brought by conduit-pipes according to the manner of Lombardy to water the meddowes being come to that place they did speedily raise all the dikes and flanked them with great plat-formes well stored with ordnance The Swisses being according to their manner impatient sent their captaines to the Lord of Lautrec to let him vnderstand that their fellowes were wearied with lying in campe and that of three things they craued one ready money leaue to depart or that he would speedily without any to more temporizing lead them to a battaile The Lord of Lautrec considering how dangerous a matter it would haue beene to haue gonne and assailed the enemies in their campe vsed meanes to moderate their fury and told them that if money were long in comming it was not thorow the Kings fault but in regard of the danger of the waies and yet neuerthelesse it would very shortly arriue therefore he entreated them as did all the other Lords of the army likewise that they would bee patient for a while longer seeing they did hope to vanquish the enemies without fight or at least wise to fight with them with greater aduantage But the captaines of the French army not being able to winne or retaine them neither by their authority entreaties promises nor reasons knowing that the chiefe strength of their army consisted of that nation of whom being abandoned they should remaine a prey to the enemies they concluded to fight rather then to flie seeing that vnlesse the Swisses were lead to the battaile they were determined to depart thence Now according to this resolution the Lord of Lautrec did by the Swisses consent send the Lord of Pontdormy to discouer the enemies campe who marched thither with foure hundred men at armes and sixe thousand Swisses who hauing discouered it they found small likelihood of beeing able to assaile it yet neuerthelesse that did not change their opinion wherevpon the Lord of Lautrec comming forth of Monce did with his army march towards that place hauing appointed the Swisses with the artillery to goe and assaile the front of their campe and the enemies artillery which was guarded by the Lansequenets That the Lord of Escut with three hundred Lances and a squadron of French and Italian foot should march on the left hand vpon the way that leadeth to Milan and should goe to the bridge by which they might enter into the enemies campe As for himselfe he would vse meanes to enter it with a squadron of horsemen hoping rather to preuaile by cunning then by open force for the better to deceiue them hee commanded that all his souldiers should weare red crosses on their cazakes which was the badge of the Imperiall army in stead of a white crosse which was the deuice of the French army Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin with the army of the Signory of Venice lead the rereward Now the Swisses being come nere to the enemies cample al-be-it that in regard of the depth of the trenches which were deeper theÌ they imagined they could not according to their first hope assaile the ordnance their courage neuerthelesse not diminishing they assailed the trench striuing with great boldnesse to get ouer it but in the meane time the ordnance and the enemies small shot wherewith the rampier was stuffed did greatly hurt them so as the greatest part of the captaines and chiefe souldiers died there For as soone as Prospero Colonna had notice of their comming he embattailed his troupes then he appointed euery man his place accounting the victory for his owne in regard of the strength of the place so as the Lord of Escut being gonne on the other side as hee was commanded directly to the bridge finding contrary to his expectation a strong guard there was enforced to retire so that the whole burthen of the battaile fell vpon the Swisses who as well in respect of the vantage of the place as for the defendants valor did labor in vaine and did receiue a very great ouerthrow so as being well rewarded for their rashnesse by the death of many of their fellowes they were enforced to retire The Lord of Lautrec with the other Lords of the army perceiuing all things in disorder would haue perswaded the Swisses to encampe vpon the same place offering them the next day to set the greatest part of the men at armes on foot to march in the forefront but it was impossible to cause them to condescend therevnto so as they would needs returne to Monce whether marching in good order with the French and the artillery they receiued no hurt in their retreat al be-it that the Marquis of Pescara and the other Imperiall captaines did importune Prospero to follow them but he would not doe it beleeuing as it was very likely that the French army made their retreat in good order the men at armes remayning on the tayle of the army to repulse the enemies if they should follow them The army being come to Monce the Lord of Lautrec vsed all meanes to detaine the Swisses and to that end did giue great presents to their captaines and among
warre saith That the Venetian Princes had till then vsed two sorts of seales namely lead in all their publicke acts of perpetuall remembrance and wax in all their missiues and other priuate writings And how at that time by Pope Alexanders authoritie they decreed euer after to vse lead The Ambassadours being come into the presence of Fredericke were at the first curteously entertained But so soon as they made mention of peace with Alexander he fell into a rage and said Get yee hence and tell your Prince and people That Fredericke the Roman Emperour demaundeth his enemie which is come to them for succour whom if they send not presently vnto him bound hand and foote with a sure guard he will proclaime them enemies to him and the whole Empire And that there is neither alliance nor law of Nations which shall be able to free them from his reuenge for such an iniurie To prosecute which hee is resolued to ouerturne all diuine and humane lawes That he will sodainey bring his forces by Sea and Land before their Citie and will contrarie to their hope plant his victorious Eagles in the market-place of Saint Marke The Ambassadours being sent sent backe in this manner did report at Venice the fierce menaces which the Emperour had vttered wherewith the Citie was in some sort troubled For there was likelyhood of more sharpe warres than euer in anie time before They decreed forthwith to arme a great number of Shippes and to make themselues euer masters of the Sea For that being well defended they did not greatly feare the enemies forces Whilest the Fleet was preparing and the whole Citie in expectation of this warre speedie newes was brought that Otho sonne to Fredericke did approach with threescore and fifteene Gallies Whereupon Ciani determining to meet him caused the Fleete then presently made readie to set saile Before they went aboard the Pope celebrated diuine seruice with prayers to God That it might please him to graunt the victorie to the Prince and his followers Afterwards turning towards Ciani he honored him with the golden sword and with other signes of Knighthood who sayling from the Port with thirtie Gallies made way with speed towards the enemies It is reported that they met on the frontiers of Histria neere to the Promontoriâ⦠of Salberico in the Countrie of the Piranni And that they fought there a long time where at last the enemie beeing broken and put to rout eight and fortie of his Gallies were taken and among others the Royall Gallie and two suncke in the fight The Venetians after they had gotten the masterie at Sea brought Otho prisoner to Venice At the report of this victorie the whole Citie was filled with meruailous ioie and amazement They did hardly beleeue that the battaile was so luckily obteined and that so small a number had fought so valiantly But vnderstanding that the Fleet was at hand and that Otho sonne to Fredericke with diuers other great personages were brought prisoners a great multitude of people ranne to see them The taking of so great a Prince made Ciani his return the more triumphant Vnto whom being come on shoare the Pope after he had congratulated his victorie presented a ring of gold Take quoth he Ciani this ring and by my aduice giue it to the Sea obliging it thereby vnto thee the which both thou and thy successors likewise shall for euer hereafter yearely doe on this same day to the end posteritie may know that ye haue in times passed by right of warre purchased the intire dominion ouer the Sea making it subiect vnto you as a woman is to her husband The Venetians suffered Otho vpon his word to goe vnto his father Frederick promising to returne if hee could not mediate a peace for Alexander and for them Departing vpon these promises and being come into his fathers presence he was entertained with so much the more ioy as the feare and doubt of his being aliue had beene great where after many reciprocall embracements entermingled with reares hee did briefly discourse of the battaile and referre it to haue beene done by the diuine prouidence saying hee had omitted nothing in that fight which did belong to a good Captaine and that there wanted nothing for the obtaining of victorie but a iust quarrell It behooued him then to beleeue that God was powerfull therein and not men seeing so mightie an Armie as theirs was not being slowe to fight had beene defeaââ¦ed by a few who were not halfe their number And howsoeuer they might well ouerthrowe and destroy humane forces yet it was impossible to surmount diuine Therefore hee did most humbly beseech his Maiestie no more to trouble Alezander for his place whose quarrell hee might perceiue by the successe to bee maintained not only by men but by God himselfe further alleadging That he had alreadie disââ¦uieted him with the forces of the Empire and sought to put him from his seate yet all in vaine That therfore he should do a deede pleasing to all men and worthie of a Christian if all hatred being forgotten it would please him to change his minde and after assurance taken from the Venetians for his safe comming he would be pleased to visit the Pope and openly to giue him satisfaction Which being once done they might euer after remaine good friends and consult together about the welfare of all Christendome the which hee did againe most earnestly intreat The discourse of Otho did mightily preuaile with his father who on a sodaine being changed from warre to peace began to incline toward a reconcilement with Alexander and the Venetians Whereupon so soone as hee had receiued safe-conduct from the Venetians he came to Venice Pietro Cyani the Princes sonne was sent with six Gallies to Rauenna to meet him Diuers small boates went as farre as Chioggia to doe the like But being arriued at Venice without staying in any place hee went to see the Pope who tarried for him at the gate of Saint Marks Church reuested in his Pontificalibus sitting in a chaire richly decked neare vnto whom when he approached he threw off his purple roabe and crept on his knees euen to his Holinesse feet the which hee humbly kissed The Pope raised him vp and embraced him Then both of them entering into the Church went vnto the high Altar whereon that most excellent table of gold whereof wee haue heretofore spoken enriched with most pretious gems was laid and the which is at this day to bee seene in the treasurie of Saint Marke The same was then seene and gazed vpon by the people who receiued a wonderfull contentment to see the two greatest Potentates of Christendome talking there louingly together Some say that the Pope for satisfaction of his wrongs susteined whilest the Emperour kneeled on the ground did set his foote vpon his necke speaking this verse of Dauid super aspidem Basiliscum ambulabis and that the
being debated without any resolution the Commissioners returned home without any peace So soone as they were gone they resolued to strengthen the Armie with fourteene Gallies two of which stragling by the way were by the enemie surprised who lay in wait to catch what he could Neuerthelesse he bought his peace at no meane rate The Duke being alreadie old and decaied not able for his age to attend the publike affaires by consent of all men deposed himselfe and soone after died His funeralls were great and were followed by multitudes of people to the Church of the Friers Minors where he was buried Giouanni Dandulo then absent was chosen in his place ¶ GIOVANNI DANDVLO the 48. Duke of Uenice SOme Authors affirme that vnder this Prince the peace was concluded with those of the Marches because perhaps this warre ended at the beginning of his gouernment They say besides that it was expresly mentioned in the Treatie that the decree of the impost should remaine firme without any contradiction About the same time the Sea did in such sort ouerflow the Citie as it was in a manner held for a prodigie Whereupon soone after ensued a great earthquake They began likewise at the same time to stampe diuers sorts of golden coine in the Citie A new warre was kindled against the Patriarch of Aquileia in regard of the Histrians whom he especially maintained against the Venetians Certaine people of that Prouince were reuolted whom the Venetian would reduce vnder his subiection and to that purpose had sent an Armie into the Prouince The Patriarch speedily came to their aide but considering with himselfe that his forces were not sufficient to hinder the Venetian he yeelded without any further trouble making shew for a while that he desired nothing so much as peace and thus in the meane space the Histrians were by little and little reduced vnder the Venetian gouernment But this Patriarch so soone as he had ioyned his forces with those of Count Gorician being strengthened with the new alliance of this Prince he returned againe to disquiet Histria These new commotions were followed with rebellions of diuers Cities The Venetians hauing notice hereof were constrained sodainely to arme themselues and to re-inforce their Armie It was commonly reported that the enemies Armie consisted of six and thirtie thousand men among whome were great troupes of horse The rumour of so great numbers caused the whole Citie to bee verie carefull for the preparation of this new warre They prouided therefore a great number of ships of speciall choice which were manned with the third part of all such as were able to beare Armes The Armie being gone from Venice and arriued in Histria did sodainely encampe before Thrieste For among others in this insurrection this Citie likewise did reuolt Now the Venetian resoluing to besiege it in few dayes built sundrie Fortes about it furnishing them with strong Garrisons to hinder the enemies inââ¦ursions Afterwards with other Engins they began to batter the Citie but hauing a strong Garrison within it it could by no meanes bee taken Whereupon because it was not for the Common-wealths profit to entertaine so great forces without action before the walls of Thryeste hauing small hope to take it and supposing the Forââ¦es builded at their arriuall to bee sufficiently furnished with Souldiers and victuals to continew the siege the residue of the Armie marched into other places But whither they went or how they were imploied the Authours whom we follow make no mention Not many dayes after the enemie came thither and at his arriuall assailed the Fortes which were not only well kept and defended but those likewise which were within them hauing made a sallie vpon the enemie skirmished fiercely neere to the Rampier where diuers on both sides were slaine and among others the Nephew of Count Gorician a valliant and braue young man The retreit being sounded truce was taken for a day In the meane time Gordiano a man of authoritie and who till then had held an honourable place in the Venetian Armie was suspected of treason The speech was that he had secretly practised with the enemie to yeeld the Forte vp into their hands Being apprehended and put to the torture he confessed his wicked intent whereupon the next morning by breake of day he was tied hand and foot and put into a warlike engin wherwith he was throwne into the enemies Campe who now perceiuing that hee could neither preuaile by force nor cunning being out of all hope to surprise the Fort hee returned without effecting any thing The enemie being gone the Venetian troupes returned soone after Now whether they had retired themselues of set purpose because they would not fight with the enemie whom they knew to be much stronger than themselues and that in the meane time the fleetrode at anchor in the maine or else in some hauen hard by vntill they had newes of the enemies retreate or rather whether after they had left strong Garrisons in the fortes to maintaine the siege the rest of the Armie not willing to spend the time in one only place went to besiege other townes not farre off and that at the first reporte of the enemies comming they returned to relieue their fellowes I cannot certainely determine But the Venetian being againe returned to assaile the Citie was beaten from the walls with great losse The Armie afterwards departing thence the siege was continued by those who lay in the fortes vntill such time as they vnderstood of the enemies returne Vpon the first tidings whereof they abandoned the same whether through feare or wearinesse to tarrie so long in a place I know not and retired themselues to their gallies This is all in a manner that was done for two yeares space in Histria But in Syria the Venetians which were in Acre madeââ¦ruce with the King of Babilon for two yeares who had at the same time ruined Tripolie a very famous Citie and had caused Tyre Sydon and Berithon to vndergoe the same fortune It is reported that hee made truce with the Venetians and the other Christians which were in Acre to the end that his ouermuch prosperitie might not stirre vp al Europe to take Armes against him Howbeit the same did not keepe them backe For Pope Nicholas by Letters and Ambassadors excited all the most famous Princes of Europe to succour the afflicted Christians in Syria And for his owne part hee made offer of fifteene hundred armed Horse And for their passage into Asia the Venetians offered him twentie Gallies together with victualls for the Marriners who were to be paid by his Holinesse for the expedition of which businesse the Bishop of Tripoli came to Venice The Venetians being moued at the Popes instant pursute added to these twentie Gallies which were promised fiue more armed at their owne cost because they would not seeme carelesse of the affaires of Christendome of the which
shew no signes of discouragement they presently resolued to send a new fleete into the Lake but after an other fashion than the former namely to send to Torbolles in six hundred cartes all the substance and matter wherewith to make them which they had in readines and there as in an hauen neere to the water to make eight gallies as manie gallions and foure brigantines All the workmen of the Venetians ships were sent thither speedily to make an end of the worke Stefano Contareni was chosen Generall of that Armie and in euerie gallie a Senator was appointed to command They did besides send certaine moneths pay for the souldiers to the campe All this was done in a maner during that Summer Autumne was alreadie come which being subiect to diseases had in a short space infected the third part of the armie with agews whereupon Sforza with his troups retired to Gibeta The enemie was incamped at Vigasio where his Armie was no lesse afflicted with sickenes for besides Agews the plague was crept into it The Senate taking great care to free the Bressans from danger wrote to Sforza and earnestly intreated him if it were possible before he sent his Armie to winter to relieue that loyall Citie with men and victualls And for the safetie and assurance of that which he should leaue behind him the Senate resolued to turne backe the Riuer of Adice into the olde channell so soone as it should be cleansed some foure miles beneath Legnaga For that being donâ⦠it was certaine that waters running in that maner ouer the Countrie would make the Paduan Vincenzan and Verona territories which lie on the farther side of the Riuer more assured against the enemies incursions and would besides be verie commodious for those that should saile to Verona Foure thousand pioners were imployed in this worke Contareni in the meane time for they could not bring masts for the shippes so farre being come to the Campe went to the mountaines of Trent with skilfull workemen to view those Forrests and to see if there were anie trees in it of that height fit to make masts All men were of opinion that hee might there furnish himselfe not onely with masts but all other matters necessarie for manie vessells whereupon hee caused sixe hundred Carpenters to come thither besides the great numbers which he had alreadie brought with him Picinino who had intelligence of those great preparations that he might in some sort frustrate the enemies designes did about the shutting in of the euening depart from the Citie of Riua whither he was secretly come marching along the lake through a secret and almost vnknowne way he attempted to set fire on a Galley which was newly made Troyllo by chance had the guard of that place who not onely withstood the enemie but comming valiantly to the fight made good his partie Picinino being in the middest of the throng beaten from ââ¦is horse and being remounted did hardly escape hauing lost three hundred men Sforza hauing notice therof fearing lest the enemie with greater forces would returne to end what he had begun commanded Mellato to go with his troups to guard those places who being come thither caused his souldiers to make a wall of stones without any morter exââ¦ending from the lake to the hilles of Riua of two hundred paces long and of twelue foot high and as many in breadth with a Fort on the top of the hill builded of the same matter heaped vp together in forme of a wall and with diuers small towers These places being guarded with small forces were able to assure the vessels which were then at Torbolles and as many as should be there afterwards against all the enemies attempts Now whilest they were preparing the nauall Armie aââ¦d that the turning aside of the riuer Adice was by a new aduise interrupted Sforza resolued to send victualles to Bressia by the mountaines Wherefore hauing at Torbolles and Penetra made great prouision of corne and hoping either by entreaties or money to winne the Lords of thââ¦se mountaines or if that failed to open himselfe a passage by force of Armes he came forth of Penetra with three thousand horse and a thousand foore of the choisest in the whole Armie and went and encamped within halfe a mile of Thyenna He did besides carrie with him certaine great peeces of Ordnance meaning with them to batter some townes if occasion should serue But whilest he remained neere to Thyenna Philips forces who had discouered the enemies designs being come to Riua did on a sodaine seize on the vale of Lodron and Picinino and Sanseuerino hauing left eight hundred foot and three hundred horse in the forrest of Thyenna to guard those passages they went backe againe with the residue of their troupes In the meane time Martiano and Gââ¦ouanni el Conte being sent by Sforza had ambusht themselues with all the cauallerie at the end of the lake which is in that valley and there lay in great silence expecting the enemies arriuall Now so soone as Picinino and the rest drew neere them the Venetians gaue a charge whereupon there began a cruell fight Martiano's troupes did not onely continue the fight all day long but a great part of the night for when day-light failed they fired the neighbour houses and by that light fought so long till Picinino being weatie and tyred began by little and little to retire Buâ⦠in the retreit the Venetians charged him with such furie as they did forthwith put him to rout hauing lost all his cauallerie and the greatest part of his Infanterie and himselfe getting vp to the top of the mountaine Ponall which looketh vpon the lake of La Garda and by the helpe of an Almaine whom he still kept neere him for such purposes with much difficultie escaped those fearefull precipices At length being come to the bankes of the lake he embarked himselfe in a poore boat and went to Riua Sanseuerino in great feare escaped through the mountains with twentie horse to Maderna Fourescore of the chiefe prisonâ⦠were by Barbaro his commandement brought to Bressia Picinino nothing danted with this ouerthrow taking Sanseuerino along with him presently marched to seize vpon the pace of Thyenna Sforza was already vpon the mountaines resoluing to passe forward although it were through the middest the enemies Thyenna is seated vpon an high hill there being on either side of it dangerous precipices in one of which on the right side of the towne standeth a Castle strong by art and nature the left side is verie barren and craggie The enemie with a companie of footmen seized on that place Carolo Gonzaga had embaââ¦ailed his cauallerie forth of the Citie gates The Venetians Generall stayed at the foot of the hil where the enemies footmen were encamped where he perceiued that the passages being on euerie side kept by the enemie he could not passe without fight Thus standing amazed not being resolued by what
Leua who was already come forth into the field with eight thousand foot-men that they two beeing ioyned together might goe and assaile the Cities belonging to the State of Venice against whom Brunswich had denounced warre and had with a vaine and rediculous proposition challenged Andre Gritti Duke of Venice to a single fight who was a man of fourescore yeeres of age The Venetians resoluing to defend themselues concluded to raise twelue thousand foot-men amongst whom were foure thousand Swisses vnto whom they speedily sent money into Swisserland and intreated the French King by his authority to fauour that leauy they had besides great numbers of light-horse from Greece and Dalmatia then they recalled the Duke of Vrbin from the Marches of Ancona and commanded him to visit all their townes and fortes of most importance to prouide them of strong garrisons and to take order for whatsoeuer hee should thinke necessary for their seruice safety and defense they appointed afterwards diuers Gentlemen to command their principall cities Ieronimo Diede was sent to Treuiso with an hundred and fifty footmen Pedro Sagreda with like number to Padua to Verona went Zachary Doria Philippo Correrio Alessandro Donato Ambrosio Contaren Iosepho Badoario Lorenzo Sanuto Augustino Canall and Almore Barbaro each of them with fiue and twenty souldiers with them to looke to the gates and other important places of the city In the meane time vpon these newes great warlike preparations were made in France to send into Italy of whom the Count of Saint Pol was made Generall who was of the house of Bourbon to the end to follow the Duke of Brunswich if hee should passe on into the Realme of Naples if not to make warre on the Dutchy of Milan together with the companies of the Venetians those of Francis Sforza But all these preparations did little auaile by reason of their late comming For the Duke of Brunswich beeing followed with his owne forces determined to assaile certaine cities belonging to the Venetians being the rather mooued therevnto because that at his arriuall Pescara Reuotella and certaine other townes vpon the Lake of La Garda had yeelded to him The Duke of Vrbin who had put himselfe into Verona hauing still an eye vpon Brunswich did preuent his deseignes and went sodainely to Bressia where hee strengthened the Garrison then from thence hee went to Bergamo into which hee caused great numbers of the people of those Vallies to enter who were very faithfull and trusty to the Venetians and with a wonderfull celerity hee caused the city to bee encompassed with great trenches making it thereby defensible then giuing very many trauerses and molestations to the enemies by cutting off victuals and many other commodities from them the Duke of Brunswich despayring of beeing able to execute any notable enterprize after that hee had according to their barbarous custome spoiled the country and burned sundry faire buildings to leaue some memory of himselfe behinde hee departed without any other great exploit forth of the Venetian State and came vpon that of Milan where he met with Antonio de Leua who vpon report of his comming had passed ouer the Riuer Adda to ioyne with him that they might afterwards execute some great enterprize and hauing repassed the Adda they went and encamped before Lauda forth of which the Duke of Milan was newly departed beeing aduertized of the enemies comming and was come to Bressia by the consent of the Senate hauing left a suffitient number of souldiers in Lauda with Iohn Paul Sforza his naturall brother to command there who being assailed by the enemies did valliantly receiue and repulse them By means whereof Brunswick finding himself without means to entertain such an army any long time and beeing frustrate of his hope to returne home laden with glory and spoile not determyning to go on any farther towards Naples as at the beginning hee had purposed hee tooke his iourney towards the Lake of Coma to returne into Germany hee was pursued at the heeles by the Count Gaiazzo and Mercurio Bue who comming forth of Bergamo gaue in vpon his rereward The report of the Lansequenets departure did greatly afflict the beseeged Neapolitans loosing thereby all hope of succours on whom it seemed that their whole safety did depend because that not long before they had with bad successe assailed the Gallies of Phillipine Doria supposing to open to themselues the passage by sea seeing that by land was wholly shut from them Lautrec hauing taken Pozzuolo and the places neere adioyning by which great aboundance of victualls came to Naples which was the cause that before the Venetians Gallies arriued they were desirous to tempt fortune and to free themselues of the stumbling block by sea by breaking Phillippine Doria who with the Gallies lay in the Gulph of Salerno They manned sixe Gallies foure Fusts and two Brigantines with a thousand Spanish Harquebuziers of the choisest and most valliant of the army with whom went along Don Hugo the Viceroy and almost all the chiefe captaines and men of authority To these vessels were added diuers fisher-boates to amaze the enemies a farre off by the shew of a greater number of vessels All these Lords beeing ioyfully embarked as if they had beene going to a triumph came to the Isle of Capri from thence leauing the Cape of Minerua on their left hand they came into the maine ââ¦ea and sent two Gallies before who were commanded that so soone as they should come neere the enemies to make shew of flight to the end to draw them forth to fight at sea hoping to take them with ease But the matter fell out otherwise for Phillipine Doria beeing aduertized the day before by trusty spies of the enemies determination had with great speed and secrecy drawne three hundred Harquebuziers from Lautrec then so soone as hee discouered the enemies fleet a farre off making towards it he was at the first somewhat doubtfull in regard of the great number of vessels that hee discouered but beeing soone freed of that scruple when he perceiued that there were but sixe vessels onely hee caused three gallies of his owne to keepe aloose as though they had ment to flie to the end that by returning with a very faire winde they might giue in vpon the enemies broad sides and himselfe with fiue Gallicâ⦠went forward to meet them who were commanded to discharge their ordnance vpon him to take away by the smoake both his sight and aime but Phillippin beeing quicker then they gaue fire to a very great Basilisk in his owne Galley which strooke the Admirall Galley wherein the Viceroy was who with diuers others were therewith slaine then hee discharged all his other shot which did hurt and kill diuers The enemies shot on the other side slue some but not very many then comming neere to one an other they beganne with Harguebuzes and other weapons a very fierce fight which lasted along while till
of Tyre it was the first that was besieged The maner of casting these Lots was thus The names of all the Cities which they would besiege were written in little scrowles of Paper and being laide together confusedly on a heape vpon the next Altar they were mingled by a yong boy then after the celebration of Diuince Seruice the same boy drew forth all those scrowles one after an other in the presence of the Princes and in this sort they concluded to begin the warre by the siege of Tyre This Citie was in time past an Island in the maine Sea seuen hundred paces distant from the firme land Alexander sonne to Philip being incamped before it caused that space or distance from the Sea to bee filled vp to ioyne it to the land It is very famous in respect of such excellent Cities as haue descended from thence namely Lepta Vtica and Carthage enuious of the Romane greatnesse with Gades scituate in the farthest parts of the earth This Island is in circuite nineteene thousand paces When Alexander besieged it it was taken by warlike engines the seuenth Moneth of the siege The excellencie and riches thereof consisteth in Purples and Scarlets in regard whereof forraine Kings and the Romanes likewise haue euer enfranchized the Inhabitants of that place The Citie it selfe is in circuit two and twentie Stadij It is thought that Agenor sonne to that ancient Belus was the founder thereof and that it was in times past called Sarra From whence it came as I thinke that we find in the Venetian Annals Surra for Tyre The Phoenicians among whom next to the Citie of Sydon Tyre hath euer held the chiefe place as well for greatnesse as antiquitie haue beene highly praised and esteemed by all ancient Authours for inuenting Arithmeticke and the Letters of the Alphabet and for being the first that gazed vpon the Starres in the night It was then concluded to besiege this Citie by Sea and Land where at the beginning of the siege it was agreed vpon betwixt Varimond and the Venetians That whatsoeuer Baldwin the first had in the last warres giuen to the Venetians in Syria should remaine firme to them Blondus saith that hee had seene the Coppie of the Priuiledge which did expresly containe That the Venetians should in all places of the Kingdome of Ierusalem and Principalitie of Antioch haue a particular place and streete apart and a place for them to pleade in before their Magistrate They obtained besides many other matters necessarie for the publike vse That the Venetian Merchants should be free in Syria from tolles and impositions And that if any Venetian should suffer shipwrack or dye in those places without making a will or heire all his wealth should be put into the hands of the Venetian Magistrate vnto whom the Treasurer generall of the kingdome should paye euerie yeare three hundred Crownes out of the Kings reuenues This is it which Bishop Varimond and those who did then manage the affaires of Syria did graunt to the Venetians and much more than this which Baldwin at his returne from prison did willingly ratifie In this treatie with Varimond it was expresly said That if the Cities of Tyre and Ascalon were taken the Venetians should partake the thirdes thereof This Citie had in times past beene besieged by Baldwin by the space of foure moneths who could not take it by reason it was so enuironed with the Sea This new siege likewise was much longer than was suspected But whilest it was besieged by Land and Sea those of the Land-Campe began to murmur against the Venetians saying That they alone were out of danger in their ships and that if the enemie whom they continnually expected should arriue who would assaile them by Land the Venetians in the meane time would put forth to Sea and get to some place of safetie and therefore they would either discampe or share equally the labour and danger betwixt them This slaunder being reported to Michaeli he was greatly troubled therewith and after he had continued a certaiue time pensiue ruminating to himselfe by what meanes he might roote out this suspition which his fellowes had vniustly conceiued he commaunded on a soddaine to plucke vp all the bords from the bottome of the vessells or as others say all the nailes and oares with other matters belonging to nauigation And causing them to be brought into the presence of Varimond and the rest of the Captaines hee vsed this speech vnto them The Princes Oration to Varimond and the rest I vnderstand quoth he companions in Armes that ye doe in some sort doubt of the faith and loyaltie of the Venetians that instead of holding vs for faithfull companions Ye repute vs cowards and traitours But our fidelitie is not of so small continuance that we will suffer yee long to suspect it for which we are resolued to hazard all dangers Take saith hee this certaine pledge of our fidelitie and in so saying he caused all the furniture of his vessels to be throwne downe before them Then he added Yee haue now as I take it O Varimond and the rest matter enough to repose trust in vs albeit that it is a common saying that before all things we should consider the nature and inclinations of people But to the end to take away from euerie one occasion of euill speaking it hath pleased vs to doe thus to let ye vnderstand that the Venetians haue the same ââ¦age like you It remaineth now that with a like affection wee goe forward with the Cities siege whiââ¦h being taken I hope that in short time we shall become masters of all Syria The fidelitie of the Prince and the Venetians was highly esteemed all men with a loud voice did greatly praise them and accounted them for faithfull companions and good Souldiers Thus being confirmed and continuing the siege with greater care than before they report an accident newly hapned in the Campe which the ignorant multitude may hold for a miracle Those which kept the guard experienced belike in such matters reported that they had descried a Doue executing the office of a Post comming from the Campe of Dachines King of Damascus who made great preparations to relieue the Tryians and at such time as it should flie ouer the Campe they tooke speciall care at the very instant to make a great noyse so as the Doue loosing her strength fell downe all amazed Being taken vp they knew by the letters which were tied to her feete That King Dachines did intreate the Tyrians to be of good cheare That within few dayes he would be neare them with great forces and by the death of their enemies free them from the siege The Princes were greatly moued at these newes For there was some likelihood that the Tyrians vpon this hope would haue more obstinately held out the siege and that which was most dangerous they feared to come to stroakes with so mightie an euemie
well to reward those whom he should bring to his succour For I know no better meanes that he had to deale with a Venetian than vpon reward The Historians make no other mention wherefore this reward was promised him at his arriuall The Authors of the rebellion were in an instant chaced thence and the townes recouered But in the meane space there arose some strife betwixt the commanders which gaue fit occasion to a mischieuous fellow called Seuastus who was desirous of innouation and watched for nothing more than how hee might disturbe the peace of the Prouince the which reuolted on a sodaine It is reported that because sufficient order was not taken for the prouision of victuailes in the Citie there was no bread to be sold on a market-day as was wont to be in the market-place This Seuastus who with others desired to disturbe the State would not let slippe such an occasion But hauing drawne together a great multitude of people they all ranne first to Sanutos lodging as to him who delt not with the Cities businesse but diuers thinke that Sanuto had concluded with them so to doe who because he would not seeme to partake in so wicked an enterprise nor to take armes to trouble the State but vpon necessitie was contented as hath beene said that they should first come to him and then afterward they came with great rumour to the Palace and the Citie was sodainely taken by a few Souldiours fore-appointed for the same purpose Tepulo perceiuing all this to tend to a rebellion retired himselfe in disguise to the house of Marco Tonisco his friend and imagining that the Towne being taken it might endanger his life if he should be found there he was secretly in the night let downe by a corde from the Citie walles in womans attire This sodaine flight caused him to take his iourney towards Themenum a verie strong Citie where thinking himselfe in safetie hee resolued to remaine after he had a little fortified the place a new because he would not seeme by too much despaire to abandon the Prouince Some saie Tepulo being driuen forth of the Citie Sanuto became Captaine of the Rebelles who forgetting his Countrey and the benefits that hee had receiued of the same did in hast with those of his faction runne vp and downe the Island causing it to reuolt from the Venetians And that after he had left Stephano Sanuto his kinsman to guard it and ioyned all the Greeke and Italian troupes together he did in short space reduce all the Cities and strong places in a manner of the Island vnder his commaund Some likewise saie That he came and besieged Temenum whither Tepulo had retired himselfe who with those that were come to his aide did brauely defend the Citie For diuers who remained loyall to the Venetians so ââ¦oone as they vnderstood that the Gouernour was at Temenum ranne thither to succour him The siege before Temenum being raised the Gouernour in few daies recouered Montfort and Lasitha Thus stood the affaires of Candie when as Dominico Quirino and Sebastiano Bethanio being sent as Prouidatori with great forces of horse and foote arriued in the Island The Gouernour who till then durst not rashly attempt ought against the enemie who was much stronger than himselfe after he vnderstood of the Prouidatoris arriuall who besides the forces they had brought into the Island were well furnished with weapons money and victuals being thrust forward with hope to effect some great matter departed from Temenum and came and lodged with his troopes at Panosobrita a verie fit place to execute an enterprise where hauing fortified his campe he did in hast build a fort Sanuto being aduertized of Tepulos departure and of the place where he was incamped did with his Armie forthwith march thither The Gouernour being somewhat daunted at the sodaine comming of his enemie had certaine notice by his spies what forces he had in his campe And being strengthened with new supplies which as I thinke were mingled among the Islanders he was not slacke to embattaile his troopes readie for the fight if the enemie were so pleased Sanuto on the contrarie imagining that which was true That by temporizing he was able to ouercome him made none account hereof For besides that his souldiers in regard of the commoditie of the places did greatly annoy the Tepulans he saw new forces daily to arriue at his owne campe from the Citie of Candace and from all other parts almost of the Island and on the contrarie that time would bring so many discommodities to the enemie as he would be at last enforced to die by famine or by some other violent death or else wholly to forsake the Island Tepulo soone discouered the purpose of his enemie and not being able to draw him to battaile he left a strong garrison in the fort newly builded raised ââ¦is campe and returned to Themenum From whence soone after departing in greaâ⦠silence he came to Candace and about midnight setting vp ladders against the Citie wals he gaue entrance to all his troopes without noise or slaughter The Citie being thus recouered Stephano Sanuto who commaunded there with diuers others were taken prisoners The enemie being troubled with these newes resolued to giue eare to a peace the which he obtained of Tepulo on these conditions That after he had retired all his Garrisons which he held in the Island for all the countrey in a manner from Milopotamus vnto the Promontorie of Spatha was possessed by his souldiers he should leaue Candie and get him home into his Islands with one Galley and a little ship for the passage of his troopes or with more if neede were not of his owne but of ââ¦ired ones for that purpose This agreement being made with the Gouernour and assurance giuen on either side Sanuto embarked his troopes and by his so daine departure gaue peace to the Candiots This is in a manner all which some Authors set downe of the second rebellion of the Island which may yet rather be termed a ciuill warre For it is not credible that Marco Sanuto did euer beare Armes with an intent to take the Island from the Venetians but onely to driue thence the gouernour who was his mortââ¦llenemie For vpon what ground or what assurance should he beare Armes against his countrymen and countrey And what should moue him to rise against a people till then inuincible seeing he knew for a certaine that if the Venetians were once his professed enemies they would not onely haue taken Candie from him but all the other Islands which he had formeââ¦ly wonne by right of warre Besides what simplicitie had it beene in him to intend the ruine of those with whom he resolued afterward to ioyne himselfe For he would neuer haue gone about to haue drawne Count Mailloc forth of the Island if he had in any sort desired to haue taken it from the
defend it in regard of their small number leauing their horses behinde them went to Sea and came to Candie The Greekes after they had driuen away the Venetians from diuers places who had newly inhabited the Island pursued the course of their victorie and ceased not till they had made all that which lieth towards the West from Thalis vnto the Promontorie of Spatha to reuolt from the Venetians the Townes and certaine Castles excepted This reuolt being reported at Venice put the Senate in meruailous care to begin the warre againe which was the more grieuous vnto them by how much they had thought the affaires of Candie to be safer than at any time before The Prince and Senate commaunded those who were in the Island to leuie forces from all partes and to procure horsemen out of Licia Caria and Ionia if they could get none elsewhere They sent likewise to the Pope the which they easily obtained to intreate him to grant plenarie Indulgences of all sinnes commitred till that time to all those who would take Armes against those perfidious Candiots This was done in Italie whilest the Islanders being vanquished by Nicholao Iustiniano at the foote of the hilles Lasithes with the losse of diuers of their troupes they were diuerted from their attempts For their meaning was to haue seized on the mountaines but I know not whether it were to saue and defend themselues or rather from thence to assaile their enemies by a sodaine and vnexpected comming vpon them Moreouer the Greekes all the winter made sundrie and different attempts against which the Prouidatori did with great diligence opportunely oppose themselues Giacomo Bragadino Paulo Loretano Pietro Mocenigo Lorenzo Dandulo and Andrea Zeno were sent into the Island as new Prouidatori They had commaundement likewise to leuie Souldiers as well horse as foote from all places Hauing receiued the old bands and added new supplies to them they were readie to march against the enemie when newes was brought them that after they had leuied great numbers of Souldiers and attempted in vaine to take the Citie of Maluicina they had scattered themselues ouer the Territorie of Cydon and had put all to fire and sword which they knew to belong to the Venetians and to bee newly inhabited This was done on the Sea-coast whilest in the middest of the Island fiue and twentie hundred of the enemies came and incamped themselues at one time neere to Agatia and Melissa Giacomo Bragadino speedily marched against them with foure hundred horse and fifteene hundred foote they fought there verie fiercely where those of the Island being broken and defeated diuers were slaine in the battaile but the number of the Prisoners exceeded who were all hanged some few which fled in great feare got into the next mountaines The Venetian departed and set fire on the Farme-houses and villages of the enemies spoiling euerie where round about Thus stood the state of the Island when on a sodaine the inhabitants of fifteene Villages reuolted who fearing to be defeated in open field retired with their wiues and children intto the mountaines of Lasithes where they were forthwith assisted by the cheefest of the Rebellion Diuers others did the like who for their more safetie betooke themselues to those mountaines The forces of the Greekes being thus augmented they were not satisfied with defending themselues but trusting to their great numbers they came cheerefully and spoiled the Countrie of those who had continued faithfull to the Venetians and entring into the bonnds of the Citie of Candace they filled al the places round about with feare and terrour Pietro Mocenigo perceiuing the whole Island almost to be infected with this furie and to tend to a generall reuolt and that he could by no meanes fight with the enemie who kept still in the mountaines brought backe his troupes to Candece intending to keep the Citie and to represse the enemies violent eruptions Then he certified the Prince and Senate of the state of the Island and requested them to send more forces if they desired to see the enemies trecherie daunted that his fellowes and himselfe had with much adoe gotten fiue hundered horse out of Asia that they wanted greater numbers both of horse and foot which of necessitie must be sent to them if they intended to reduce the Island vnder their obedience And therefore he besought them to take speedie order that supplies might be forth with sent from Italie Before Mocenigo his letters came to Venice Pantaleon Barba Giouanni Zeno Nicholao Treuisanâ⦠Andrea Zeno Nicholao Iustiniano departed from the Citie with certaine troupes of footmen who came into the Island as new Prouidatori They being ariued the old ones returned home Pietro Mocenigo excepted who remained still Gouernour Those that came last hauing receiued the olde troupes and assembled all the forces which were in the Island caused them to be imbarked in three Gallies and two shippes of burthen and sailed to Milopotamus From thence they forthwith marched towards the enemie against whom being shut vp in strong and inaccessible places Andrea Zeno one of the Prouidators being couragiously prouoked with a desire to fight and entring with his forces into a dangerous place was slaine by those who defended the passage from aboue Hee being dead they made a retreate and brought backe the troupes to Milopotamus In this manner the new Prouidatori began the warre with the enemie when a great number of footmen being come from Italie in three shippes of burthen did maruelously strengthen the Venetian Armie Whereupon the Prouidatori made diuers attempts vpon the enemie but of small moment for the Venetian could by no meanes drawe the enemie to fight But the spoiles and burning vp of houses heere and there in the Island was the cause of a great dearth Howbeit at last the scarcitie of victuals was much greater in the Candiots Campe than in that of the Venetian because the Venetian Gallies did from all partes bring them plenty of corne and all other kind of victuals Whereupon those in the mountaines enforced by famine hauing deliuered the Authours of the reuolt to Iustiniano who lay incamped not farre from thence they submitted themselues vnto the Venetians obedience Those that were guiltie were forthwith punished The reduction of these men did in such sorte daunt the courage of the Greeks as all that which lieth from mount Strombulo stretching Eastward euen to the middest of the Island did in short space yeeld to the Venetians whereupon the whole burthen of the warre fell on a sodaine on that part of the Island which lieth towards the West Diuers Venetians who had beene Authours of those reuolts to make themselues more acceptable to the Greekes renounced the Latine name and promised to obserue the Greeke ceremonies Iustiniano hoping to doe some exploit in regard of the enemies amazement tooke on a sodaine foure hundred Horse and foote of those who had continued faithfull
obserue euery mans valour The Souldiours being animated by this speech gaue a braue onset and fought so valiantly and with such feruencie as hauing broken and defeated the enemie they purchased that day a goodly and memorable victorie Diuers were slaine in the fight but more in the flight The Transiluanian was taken with all the chiefe men almost of his partie There were taken of the Italianâ⦠Bonifacio and Antonio de Lupes with diuers other Paduan Gentlemen King Lewis his ensignes with those of Carrario being throwne away in the fight were taken by the Venetians It is thought of a certaine that if the Venetian had narrowly pursued the enemie he might haue entred Padua with him and haue made a verie great spoile euerie where and gotten great booty The Paduans being daunted with this losse did accuse the Carrarians as Authors of the warre hating and detesting them Francisco Carrario in the meane time to hinder the Venetians did by promise of great pay draw from them to himselfe the greatest of their Caualleriâ⦠But they caused greater numbers than they had lost to come from Milan Pauia to their seruice Giacomo Mââ¦ro went to meet them as farre as Verona Marsilio Carrario brother to Francis was with him who after the losse of the battaile hauing offered himselfe to the people to mediate a peace could by no meanes cause his brother to condiscend thereunto whereupon he with diuers others did bend themselues against him But considering the great danger he incurred among his own people he fled to Venice His flight encreased the peoples hatred to Francisco and did so greatly animate the Citizens against him as he had as manie enemies in the Citie as abroad King Lewis hauing notice of the losse of his people and of the Transiluanians fortune sent to command Carrario to harken to a peace vpon any conditions and that he should not hope for any more aide from him The enemies obstinacie being ouercome hee sued for peace which he obtained on these conditions That the Prince and Senate should appoint fiue commissioners to bound the limits for which they were at strife as they should see cause That the Paduans should presently pay fortie thousand crownes to the Venetians and foureteene thousand crownes euerie yeare for the space of fifteene yeares That Francisco Carrario or his sonne should come into the presence of the Prince and Senate and humbly craue for pardon That Castelnouo should be razed with all the Forts thereabouts That the tower of Corania with seauen miles compasse round about should remaine to the Venetians That Marsilio should enioy the possession of his goods and that his reuenue should be brought him to Venice That all prisoners taken in the warres should be released That Carrario should forthwith dismisse all the forrain troupes that were come to his aide That he should yearely send to offer at Venice three hundred crownes on the high Altar of Saint Marke That they should restore to the Venetians all the inheritances with the profit receiued of them which had beene taken from them on the Territorie of Padua during the war That the Paduans should not build within three miles neere to the mouthes of any Riuers That he should not fortifie any place nor maintaine any Garrison On these conditions peace was concluded with the Carrarians which they receiued as more necessarie than profitable Nouello sonne to Françisco came to Venice to confirme and sweare to it who being brought into Saint Markes Church swore vpon the high Altar as well in his owne name as his Fathers that hee did accept of whatsoeuer had beene of late agreed on by his Father and the Carrarians that they would obserue this peace inuiolably and all the Articles therein contained Such was the end the verie same yeare as farre as we can learne of the warre against the Paduans About the same time the monasterie of the virgins was burnt with diuers buildings neere to the same which were all repaired at the Common-wealths cost After this Paduan warre the Common-wealth was three yeares at rest This quiet was disturbed by a sodaine comming downe of the Germans Leopold Duke of Austria hauing entred Italie with foure thousand horse without any warlike summons did tumultuously seize on the Treuisan where putting all to fier and sword he encamped before the Citie to the great terror of the inhabitants It was not knowne vpon what cause he made this warre The Venetians who at that time expected nothing lesse being prouoked by the daily aduertizemenrs they receiued requested those of Aest their neighbours to assist them from whom receiuing some small aid they sodainely marched against the enemie It is not likely that the Venetians would goe to field with this aid alone which was verie small but that at the report of this warre diuers companies of footmen were leuied in the Citie albeit the Authors whom we follow make no mention thereof The German vnderstanding that the enemie marched towards them raised his campe and retired to the Territorie of Belluna The Senate in the meane time being prouoked by this losse caused all the German Marchants which were in Venice to be imprisoned and their goods to be seized on They did besides send for one Giacomo Caballa one of the best experienced Captaines of his time in the art Militarie to be Generall of their Armie But whilst these things were done at Venice Pietro Hemo Gouernour of Treuiso sent fiue hundred horse and foot to spoile the Territories of Feltre and Belluna These being conducted by Marini Souranza to fetch bootie forth of the enemies Countrie after they had made great hauock and carried away with them a great prey retired into a place of safetie for feare of the enemies whom they vnderstood were marching towards them Giacomo hauing receiued the Generals place marched to Treuiso where he staied a while till the troupes were leuied from all places and till his Armie were compleat as he desired with which entring suriously into the enemies Countrie he came first and encamped at Longina where ioining fight with the Almaines hauing slaine diuers of them hee went on his way as farre as the Piles of the victorie There is on the hither side of the Forrest of Feltre a verie narrow bottome through the which the Riuer Piaua doth rather fall furiously than runne vpon the right side where it runneth with greatest force it doth in such sort shut in the Feltrian Mountaines as it leaueth a small space of ground On this side then of the Mountaine cut out euen to the Riuer bankes a very old wall encloseth all these streights which is called at this day The inclosure of the vanquisher The Venetian hauing likewise driuen the enemie from thence came euen to this Inclosure of the vanquisher the which hauing couragiously assailed hee forced and tooke It is reported that the skill and valour of Gerardo Caminensis did greatly appeare in this
ZENO his exploits against the enemie as well in the higher as lower Sea The Venetians besiege Chioggia on euerie side How valiantly they fought at Brondoli neere to the Hauen with the enemie THADEO IVSTINIANO looseth part of the Armie at Siponto The Genoueses being vanquished and almost daunted in a set battaile neere to Chioggia yeeld themselues The Prince hauing giuen the Souldiours the spoile doth recouer the Citie with all the prisoners CHioggia is seated in the middest of the marishes enuironed almost round about with channels and hath within it like to Venice brookes that are nauigable which ebbe and flow with the Sea-waues and without the Towne diuers streames which run through their fieldes and salt-pits whereon the inhabitants do go in little boates as in a beaten way By meanes whereof during the siege there were still men so long as the enemie possessed the Hauen who came those waies by night bringing letters from the Senate to Chioggia and from thence to Venice But these streames can beare no great vessells There is a waie which leadeth from the Hauen to the Citie by which the enemies might haue passed which was before then inclosed by the Venetians They had builded a Fort on the hither side of the Hauen with a good garrison as at Malamoc and had besides placed a ship in the middest of the marishes right ouer against this Fort well furnished with men and munition These lets kept back the enemie who so soone as they had forced the Hauen which is a mile distant from Chioggia did not forthwith assaile the Citie who being encamped neere to the Hauen great forces in few daies came to them For besides the Paduans and the mercenaire Souldiours which Carrario brought the troupes likewise of the Bishop of Aquileia with those of the other confederates came thither to them These perceiuing their bad successe in that place resolued to assaile at one time the Fort and the ship Hauing then put 12. Ganziarolles forth of the Hauen after they had a while rowed vp and down heere and there they came to the shoare of the little Chioggia where great numbers of men drew them by maine strength ouer little hillocks which hang downwards on the shoare into the inner channells They placed moreouer warlike engins on the shoare to batter the Fort at one time before behind and on euerie side Diuers Genoa vessells likewise being come somewhat neere did greatly molest the Venetian with the shot of their arrowes so that they which were within being in this manner tormented by their shot and distrusting their owne small number hauing set fier on the Fort and the ship because the enemie should haue no vse of them retired into the Citie The Paduans with those which were on the opposite shoares so soone as they perceiued the Venetians to leaue the place cried out that the Venetians were vanquished and vndone that their pride was daunted and that they together with their name would be buried in the waues But they not being any iot amazed placed three shipps of burthen well armed and furnished neere to Saint Dominicks Church to hinder the enemies approach And on the other side those which guarded the Citie sallying forth on a sodain on that side of the bridge which leadeth from the citie to the little Chioggia fell with great furie vpon the enemie The fight was for a while equall but the number of the enemies stil encreasing for they were reported to be foure and twentie thousand the Venetians did speedily retire into the Citie hauing lost the other part of the bridge There were three thousand fiue hundred Souldiors in the Citie besides the inhabitants who were commanded by Balba Gallucio the Bolognois Nicholao Gallicano Hircio Pisani and Nicholao Darseria all of the valiantest and famousest Captaines of those times Pietro Hemo was Gouernour and Nicholao Contareni with Giouanni Mocenigo were Prouidatori The Citie was afterward twise assaulted At the first time albeit the assault was verie cruell hauing continued from day-breake till night with great slaughter yet the Citie had no great harme But at the second the Genoueses being mingled among the Souldiours entred into the middest of the Citie It is said that to their force they added cunning for the enemie hauing brought neere to the bridge a small ship-full of vine-twigs and other drie matter that being set on fier the smoake did first choake those which fought aboue and the flame and heat afterwards did enforce the Venetian to leaue the place The enemie would not loose such an occasion but hauing once seized on that place they did presse the Venetian so neerely as giuing backe by little and little they entred pell mell with them committing great slaughter in the Citie The inhabitants and the rest did then begin to flie on euerie side Pietro Hemo being for saken by his people did with fiftie Souldiours for a time brauely sustaine the enemies assault on the bridge neere to the Palace But at the last all things falling out desperate by reason of the great multitude of the enemies he with his Souldiours did shut themselues vp in the Palace which soone after beeing yeelded fell into the enemies hands The Armie afterwards entring the Citie was vtterly spoiled The Genoueses ensignes with those of King Lewis and of Prince Carrario were set vp in the highest place of the Citie and those of the Venetians were throwne downe and trodden vnder foot All the noble women whose honours the victorious enemie would haue to be preserued were with their children retired into the Churches and three daies after being called from thence were sent home to their houses in all safetie Diuers escaped others were taken prisoners those which fell into the Genoueses hands were imprisoned in Chioggia but those which fell to the Paduans and the Forlani were carried elsewhere Chioggia hath on the south side a small Island of the bredth of fiue hundred paces stretching as farre as Brondoli This space of ground is almost wholly tilled with great labour by the inhabitants Therein there is a goodly vineyard to be seen and verie large gardens The inhabitants make great profit thereof notwithstanding that they giue themselues to salt making and to fishing They make great ditches about their inheritances their grounds being alwaies wet and moist There are likewise diuers houses in it here and there some of them builded with moorish matter and the rest with morter and bricke The Genoueses drew a great many prisoners forth of these places which being on all sides enuironed with water could not for want of shippes escape Diuers were found dead on the shore who had carelesly entred into the water Six thousand men were slaine at the taking of the Tower the most of whome were either Townes-men or Venetians In this sort we finde that Chioggia was taken by the Genoueses Nicolao Gallicano and Balba Gallucio being with money redeemed from the
their messengers to Zeno assuring them that the Genoueses liues and deaths were in his and the Venetians hands and that they were to entreate and beg their liues of them and to vse no more meanes to the Souldiers for both they and their Captaines were at the commaund of Carolo into whose presence they being come they could by no meanes change his determinat on Hauing then lost all hope falling to teares and entreaties they sent the chiefe of all their troupes to the Prince who weeping and falling at his feete entreated him for the loue of Almightie God and in pittie of their calamities to take commiseration of their present miserie confessing that they had till then like enemies executed diuers enterprises against the Venetians as well by Sea sa Land but that it was only for dominion and not for greedinesse of mens liues which might bee easily testified in regard that during the warres all prisoners on both sides had beene oftentimes redeemed or exchanged and sometimes likewise by conuention set at libertie Namely that lately at the taking of Chioggia not any one was iniuried by them that were found without Armes except some few who by the rashnesse and follie of some particular persons and not by the generall consent of all men had beene slaine And that besides they had neuer refused to giue anie man his life that had requested it That victualls beginning to growe scarce they dismissed their prisoners fearing least they should be famished in Prison They did not denie but that they had tried all meanes before they wouââ¦d yeelde which neuerthelesse they had not done so much for any hatred they did beare to them as because they would not bee counted Bisonians and cowards among their Countriemen And that now being vanquished rather by famine than by Armes they did not request to carrie away with them their owne gold siluer or moueables but onely their liues the which if it should bee denied to men vnarmed and who did humbly craue it would for euer bee accounted a deed both cruell and inhumane Yet whatsoeuer should befall the Genoueses in this warre they had next vnto God placed their hope in the meeknesse and mercy of the Venetians They besought them then to bethinke what regard they meant to haue to their prayers and teares and lastly to their greiuous calamitie For they could not belieue nor neuer would though they should endure the vttermost extremitie that they who had so many times felt the thwarts of aduerse fortune would forget the alteration of wordly affaires To this there was no gentle replie made but only that they might bee sure to bee soone imprisoned and that then the Senate would at leisure determine of their life or death That in the meane time it was both iust and reasonable that those should remaine in darke captiuitie who to obey their owne vnbridled passions had lost their libertie They were then commanded to depart and to take heed least that by their owne fault they lost not the offer made vnto them and that they should speedily dispatch what they had to doe Being returned to the Citie they brought newes of nothing but sad calamitie how the losse of their goods imprisonment and their liues were in danger But being grieuously afflicted by famine for there were some among them who of a long time had seene no bread they resolued to yeeld howsoeuer rather than to die with hunger Therefore setting vp an Ensigne on the highest Tower of the Citie the Genoueses fleete came forthwith from their vsuall place of aboade into the Cities view but the besieged did soone take it downe whereat those of the Gallies being moued sought by all meanes to encourage them but they within the Citie returning them no signall for an answere they were certainely perswaded that both they and themselues were wholly vndone whereupon being sad and disconsolate they retired to the Fossoni The Captaines in the meane time sent into the Citie to separate the mercenarie Souldiers from the Genoueses and to put the richest bootie into a certaine place Foure thousand prisoners fell to the Venetians three thousand of whom were Genoueses two hundred Paduans a few Forlani and the residue Dalmatians and Illirians with some Greekes who were all brought prisoners to Venice The Souldiers being disarmed were let goe The whole spoile being laid on a heape in Saint Maries Church was for the space of two daies sold to such as bid most the monie was distributed among the Souldiers and the Citie was by the Captaines yeelded to the Venetians In this manner did the Venetians recouer Chioggia ten months after it had beene taken by the Genoueses Prince Contareni Victor Pisani Carolo Zeno and the chiefe of the Armie entred it on the foure and twentieth of Iune and hauing in all places erected the Venetian Ensignes they brought home to the Common-wealth ninteene Genoa Gallies well armed with diuers ships and a meruailous great quantitie of salt The end of the sixth Booke of the second Decad. THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the second Decad. THe Venetians recouer Bebia with all the other Forts on the Lakes soone after the reduction of Chioggia The Thryestines reuolting take parte with the Genoueses Cap-Histra is taken by the enemies The Genoueses passing with their fleete before the Hauen of the Citie come into Histria The Venetians mightie Armie recouereth Cap-Histria The Genoueses take Arba. VICTOR PISANI dieth at Manfredonia CAROLO ZENO is made Generall of the nauall Armie Treuiso is a long time besieged by the Carrarians The Venetians attempt in vaine to relieue Treuiso with men and victualls The Venetians giue the Citie of Treuiso to LEOPOLD Duke of Austria CAROLO ZENO refuseth to fight with the enemie on the Frontiers of the lower Sea The great danger that the Genoueses prisoners were in vpon the newes that the Venetian prisoners were all staine at Genoa What great harme three Genoueses Gallies did to the Venetians LEOPOLD commeth into Italie with tenne thousand horse Peace with the Genoueses and their associates by meanes of the Duke of Sauoy The Venetian Dames relieue the Genoueses prisoners with cloathing and money for their iourney Diuers who aboue the rest had succoured the Common-wealth during the warre are made Senators CHioggia being recouered in this manner the Venetians because they would not stoppe the fortunate course of their victories did forthwith send to besiege the Fort of Bebia thereby to make free passage for their Merchants who traffique into Lombardie The Genoueses in the meane time dislodging from all places neare to Venice did neare to Corbolles set vpon diuers ships loden with corne who tarried in that place till such time as the Genoueses Fleet were remoued that they might with more safetie goe to Venice the which at the first they tooke and furnishing their Gallies with corne for their owne
had earnestly solicited William of Escalla who had beene created a Gentleman of Venice and dwelt at the same time there to recouer the Principallitie of Verona whom after the recouerie thereof he perfidiously poisoned notwithstanding that before he had sworne and protested all loue and friendship to him and releeued him with Armes and Councell After which hauing surprised Antonio and Brunora of Escalla his children he caused them to be murthered The race of Escalla being thus extinct Francisco caused his son Giacomo or according to some his brother to enter Verona the Ensignes of the Empire and his owne being displaied before him and created him Prince of the Citie Yet not being satisfied with so great a Principalitie he besieged Vincenza hauing first spoiled the Vincenzans Territorie The Vincenzans detesting the name of Carrario resolued to endure all extremitie rather than to submit themselues to their Tyrannie They speedily sent to Katherina widdow to deceased Galeas for Carrario already made hauock of their countrie to get that by force which he could not obtain by right and intreated her to assist them against the violence of the Carrarians giuing her to vnderstand their great danger vnlesse they were speedily relieued alleaging for instance That on the one side they had Padua for neighbour where the Tyrants made their retreate and Verona on the other which they had lately seized on hauing vilely murthered their hosts and that being enuironed and shut in on euerie side they were openly pursued as enemies because they would not open their gates to the Tyrants and that the Vincenzans knew not of whom or from whence to expect reliefe but from thence where the power of Galeas had beene in force and Authoritie Earnestly therefore they entreated her presently to send them aide or if she had not the meanes so to do yet to send them word in what manner shee would will or commaund the Vincenzans to prouide for their safetie This did the Commissioners deliuer vnto her But she being a woman and troubled with the death of her husband and busied elsewhere in greater affaires For Carolo sonne to Bernabo after Galeas death began to ãâã and diuers pettie Princes of Italie had seized on the Cities which belonged to her husbands Dukedome so as she had busines enough to keepe Milan for resolution in these difficulties assembled her Councell by whom it was concluded That in regard they being so streightly pressed could not continue in her obedience it was much better for Verona Vincenza Feltre Belluna Collogna and Bassan with their dependances to be giuen to the Venetians than to leaue them for a prey to those wicked Tyrants The Venetians albeit they had already refused the offer which the Vincenzans had made to them of their Citie not that they did it to gratifie Carrario or were vnwilling to helpe their poore afflicted friendes but only for that they were ashamed to possesse the goods of an other man without iust cause so soon as they perceiued the offer to be made contrarie to their expectation by the true Lord albeit they knew that great warre would follow with Nouello they would not loose so faire an occasion Therefore they courteously entertained the Vincenzans Commissioners the chief of whom was Giacomo Thyeni sent with the Cities keies willed them after they had receiued their oathes of fidelitie to be of good cheere not to doubt but that they would deale in such sort as if this Paduan who filled all places with tumult and menaces did not desist from molesting them they would shortly set him such taske-worke as he should no more trouble his neighbours nor any else Besides seeing that the Vincenzans had esteemed from the beginning nothing to be more profitable for their Citie than to be vnder the protection of the Venetians they would take order that so loiall a Citie should neuer repent her loue and affection towards them Heereupon they willed them then to depart and to carrie home with them the ensignes of Saint Marke whom they besought to be fauourable to them both and to erect them in the publicke places of their Citie assuring them that the Prince and Senate would take order for the rest In this manner were the Commissioners sent home Giacomo Suriano followed them soone after with a good troupe of Archers for the Cities guard They sent likewise to Carrario to signifie vnto him in the name of the Common-wealth that he should abstaine from further molesting the Vincenzans because they were become subiect to the Venetians But al this aduertisement notwithstanding so farre off was he from giuing ouer his enterprise as on the contrarie in contempt of them and against the law of Nations he caused the Ambassadours Nose and Eares to be cut off and willed him besides to tell the Venetians that it was too saucily done of them to prescribe lawes vnto those who were commanders in possession That they should doe well to containe themselues within their small inclosure of the Sea and leaue Cities to those who from their Ancestours had receiued the power to gouern The Senate being mooued by the Tyrants arrogant answere would before they proclaimed open warre contract alliance with Francisco Gonzaga In the mean time the Feltrians the Bellunois and Bassans following the Vincenzans example voluntarily submitted themselues to the Venetians Colognia gaue occasion of a great battaile The Paduan euerie where opposing himselfe against the Venetians attempts did greatly molest them The Senate on a sodaine caused great forces to be leuied and gaue the charge of them to Carolo Malatesie of Arimini who was sent from Flaminio for that purpose The Armie was reported to be of thirtie thousand as well horse as foot Howbeit Carolo staied longer than was expected yet being come to Venice he was entertained with great ioye and receiued the publicke Ensignes in St. Markes Church Then marching towards the enemie he came to Mestra which was the Rendes-uous of all the Venetian troupes and diuers great personages were in that Armie who receiued good pay of the Venetians The Generall at his arriuall made certaine attempts vpon the enemie but of no great moment and therefore not worthie of memorie But in the hottest of the warre he gaue ouer his place Those Authors whome we haue read giue no reason why he did so Whilest these things were done on the firme Land the nauall armie had no better successe on the Lakes Marco Grimani Generall of the Fleet which the Senate had sent forth against the Tyrant hauing remained for a time on the Lakes neere to the enemies and caused a great number of light boates to come thither did violently force certaine of the Garrisons but being assailed on a sodaine by the Paduan neere to the Church of Saint Hilarie he was defeated hauing lost the greatest part of his vessels which the enemies drew on shoare with hookes of Iron and himselfe being
taken prisoner was committed to the keeping of the Sacceans Malateste his dismission being knowne at Venice they beganne carefully to consider whom they should appoint for their Generall At the last among so many noble persons as were then in great number in the Armie Paulo Sabello a Roman Gentleman for his valour and great experience was alone thought worthie of that place By his conduct diuers places were in short space taken from the enemie and the Venetians beganne to haue better successe vnder this new General But the Tyrants arrogancie did no whit diminish whereby they knew of a certaine that he was to be dealt with in more places than one And therfore they leuied new forces and a new Campe as great as the former which should spoile and ouer-runne the territorie of Verona They made Francisco Gonzaga their associate in this warre Generall of that new Armie He comming sodainely on the Veronois did spoile all places and brought away with him a great bootie as well of prisoners as of Cattle he burnt the Farmes and Countrie houses he tooke certaine strong places and among the rest Hostilio and in a word he left the enemie in a manner nothing Carrario being then assailed in two seuerall places that great vsuall heat of his beganne by litle and litle to coole For he could not intend both places together nor were his forces sufficient being diuided into two to resist the enemies attempts His affaires therefore were of necessitie to goe backeward in both places or at the least in one of them In the meane time Prince Albert of Aeste being mooued with compassion of his friend and allie proclaimed warre on the Venetians who were readie enough to accept it He first sent aid to the confederates and after draue the Venetians foorth of the Pollesin Some Authors say that it was Nicholao sonne to Albert which made warr on the Venetians to whom Carrario had giuen his daughter Liliola to wife But whether it were he or the other according to the Venetian Annals who at the same time relieued the Carrarians the Venetians being displeased thereat did repeale Accio D'Aeste from Candie whither they had in time before confined him in fauour of Albert and hauing giuen him forces they caused him to warre on the territorie of Ferrara This Accio was before that time a deadly enemie to Albert and had without doubt driuen him from his estate if the Venetians the Florentines and those of Bolognia had not ouerthrown him in the height of his good fortune and confined him farre from Italie There was then some likelihood that so soone as this man should assaile the Ferrarois in his Countrie that he would either greatly molest him or enforce him to laie aside his Armes against the Venetians Therefore they armed certaine Gallies and gaue them to Giouanni Barba who at the mouth of Po sailed vp the Riuer where he did greatly affright those of Ferrara In the meane time diuers and sundrie skirmishes were made on the Riuer and else-where And the Citie of Ferrara being thus hardly pressed by water and land Albert to quench this great domisticke flame inclined to peace the which he obtained of the Venetians on these conditions That no more salt should be made at Comaccia and that hee should sweare besides to continue euer a friend to the Venetians These things were done neere to Ferrara but on the Paduan territorie they fought fiercely The Venetian had fortified his Campe at Nogara Then the Generall being gone from thence with part of his troupes came and encamped at Bassanelto Those Authors whom we follow expresse not on what occasion he did so The sonne of Francisco Carrario surnamed Tertius a valorous young man being sent by his father with a choise troupe of horse came and assailed the Campe. The Venetians at the first were so affrighted as the enemie came euen to the Generalls Tent and trode the Venetian Ensignes which where there erected vnder his feet before any man made resistance Sabello in this amazement with much adoe recalled his Souldiours and by earnest intreating now one and then another he restrained their shamefull flight sharpely reprehending their feare Then he commanded them to turne their faces towards the enemie and as he exhorted them hee marched foremost But so soone as the enemie perceiued the Venetians in armes and furiously bent to begin the fight fearing if he should ioyne with them he should be enforced to bring all his forces to the battaile turning his backe he retired on a gallop towards his Ensiignes who alreadie by their Captaines command had begunne the retreat The Venetians not being able to cause the enemie to stay suffered him to depart with certaine of their Ensignes which at his arriuall hee had taken from them Some say that they fought at Mansana and that the Venetians lost six hundred horse but they altogether conceale the losse of their Ensignes This victorious young man returning to the Citie as it were triumphing presented the people with a ioyfull shewe It is reported that afterwards diuers and sundrie exploits were executed and that diuers Townes were taken from the enemies as well of the Paduan as the Verona territorie Whilest these things were attempted Paulo Sabello dyed His bodie being brought to Venice was in great solemnitie accompanied by the whole Clergie the Prince and Senate to the Church of the Friers Minors His Image is to be seene on horse-backe before the high Altar Galeas Grumello of Mantua was by the Senates decree subrogated in his place Others say that Gonzaga brother to Prince Francisco succeeded him and not Grumello This man beganne his charge with as great care and diligence as could be desired in a great Captaine In the meane time Giacomo Suriano who lay in Vincenza because there was no doubt to be made of the Vincenzans loialtie affection towards the Venetians resolued by the permission of the Prince and Senate to goe with a companie of men at armes to the Venetians Campe on the territorie of Verona The enemie lying in ambush came forth and assailed this troupe of men at armes at Soaua and easily defeated them and being thus broken they tooke Suriano with diuers others prisoners The Veronois being wearied with so long and tedious a siege were alreadie determined to yeeld For they likewise did detest the Carrarians Giacomo Carrario commanded in the Citie who as we said in the beginning was giuen to the Veronois for their Lord and Prince Hee of himselfe perceiuing all things to be doubtfull and imagining that he should bee safer abroad than in the Citie being out of hope to keepe it attempted secretly to flie thence He came first to Hostilio and from thence crossing the Po he was taken on the Riuers bancks and brought to Venice But I know not what should mooue him to goe to Hostilio seeing it was at the same time vnder the power of
had beene disbanded and cast to retire themselues into the Townes of that Prouince which hee possessed was neuerthelesse by these two notable losses hapned in so short space greatly troubled and grew fearefull of his state But nothing moued him so much as the losse of Bressia Yet neuerthelesse when hee knew that the Castle and that part of the Citie next to it did yet hold out for him he had some hope to be able to recouer it and determined to send aide thither and to raise an Armie but being doubtfull with what troups he might first of all oppose himselfe against the enemies attempts the newes which hee heard how that King Alfonso had forsaken the Venetians and the other Confederates did not only giue him hope to atchieue some great enterprize but did wholly assure him thereof His first resolution then was to recouer Bressia And on a sodain he commanded Francisco Sforza whom he then called from Flaminia to Milan with a few Horse to conferre with him about the Tuscan warre speedily to march to the succour of his people who were besieged within the enclosure of Bressia Other Authors say that Sforzas Camp lay then in Lombardie and not in Flaminia where hauing notice of the losse of Bressia became with speede to meet Philip. But it is most certaine that all the Cauallerie which Philip had in Lombardie at that time did not exceede two thousand Horse with which and certaine other troupes leuied in hast he marched against the Venetians Others say that he had but foure hundred Horse The way was still open to the besieged so as of themselues before they receiued any supplies they came from aboue and gaue the Camp many hot alarmes It was thought at the first that the Venetians hauing receiued some losse were desirous to leaue Bressia and that they remained there till Sforza came thither with his cauallerie who was commaunded by Philip to molest by all meanes the rebellious Bressians and especially to keepe the Castle if hee could not driue the Venetians thence till such time as his forces were come from Tuscanie into Lumbardy But the Venetians Generall in the meane time hauing made a strong Rampier enuironed with a great ditch opposite to the enemies Fort dealt in such sort as albeit at Sforzas arriuall many sallies were made yet neuerthelesse they did not greatly terrifie them and they fought likewise at times neere to the walles with different euents But these skirmishes were light and such as were vsually made vpon the like occasions Carmagnolla considering the enemies attempts not to be so terrible as he had in the beginning imagined and that albeit Sforzas presence and couragious vigor did make the enemie more bold and audacious his furious sallies neuerthelesse began daily more and more to coole hauing left the guard of the Rampier trenches to Francisco Gonzaga a braue and couragious person he went and assailed the gates called the Piles Where he omitted nothing that was necessarie for such an assault and hauing approached with his engines of batterie he would not suffer the enemie day nor night to be at rest But his watches and continuall trauaile did renew in him a weaknesse and disease in the sinewes which had in former time seized on him at Treuiso by the fall of an horse whereupon he was enforced to goe to the bathes at Padua It is reported that in his absence all things were so carefully gouerned by Francisco Gonzaga as the Generals presence was no whit lamented For albeit in that meane time the enemies made more sallies on the Venetians than they were wont he was so farre from being discouraged thereby as on the contrarie he did brauely resist all their attempts and did besides place Corps-du-guard without the Citie to surprize those who were accustomed till then to carrie victuals to the besieged At this stay stood the affaires of Bressia whilst Philip by diuers messengers one after another did call home his troupes forth of Tuscanie and Flaminia The Senate by reason heereof were greatly troubled how to hinder if it were possible their passage into Lombardie For they feared if all Philips forces were assembed into one bodie that in sted of taking the Castle and Rampiers of Bressia the Venetians might be enforced to leaue the Citie land fall into the hazard of receiuing some notable and vnlooked-for ouerthrow In the meane time then that they were busied speedily to preuent so many of the enemies attempts because they were said to be alreadie on their way the Venetians hauing no towne on the Po nor neere to the Alpes where they might resist them they sent to Nicolao d'Aeste who commaunded great numbers of the associates troups of horse that breaking all the bridges and ferries on the Modenois where are the Appenine hilles and the riuer of Po that he should encampe neerer to the Marishes They sent likewise Victor Barbaro a Venetian Gentleman with sixe thousand choice souldiers as well horse as foote to hinder if it might be at Vignolles which is the midde way betwixt the Alpes and the Po the enemies passage They did moreouer by letters entreat Carmagnolla who continued still at the Bathes of Abbana to returne speedily to Bressia for feare least in his absence the Commonwealth might receiue some losse The which he did and being returned to the campe he did in such sort stay the enemies boldnesse as they durst not onely make any more sallies but they did suffer themselues to be braued and prouoked euen in their owne Fort. In the meane time Philips forces came and encamped on the Bolognian territorie neere to Vignolles there being a great deepe riuer betwixt them both These great marishes doe emptie themselues neere to Creuacore and doe make a riuer which runneth into the Po which is in no sort foordable The enemies hauing tried all possible meanes to passe it were enforced to their great griefe to remaine on the bankes therof thirtie daies At the last hauing made a bridge at Percicete they did on May day by day-breake passe the riuer neere to Scultenna The bridge was made in this manner The enemies tooke twentie great Tunnes of one length and bignesse binding them together verie streightly and being made fast to trees on both sides the riuer they laid vpon them great hurdles of Ozier twigs which they couered with small shrubs and grauell by which meanes they did easily passe ouer their cauallerie Hauing crossed the riuer the enemies by their sodaine cries did so greatly amaze the Venetians who were incamped in the neighbour Forrest as none durst present themselues on the riuers bankes Mirandola and Concorda two Cities neere thereunto and trees which were heere and there cut downe did afford a safe place of retreate to the Venetians Guido Fabrianico being sent with a squadron of horse to reenforce the troupes of Barbaro arriuing inconsiderately on the same side of the riuer which the enemie had passed and thinking that
other places by a voluntarie reddition And hauing crossed the Tyber and filled the whole countrey with feare and terrour he went and encamped on the Viterbian territorie The inhabitants of Viterbo did relieue him with victuals and did counsell him as it is reported to reconcile himself to the Pope and to take his partie against the Bracchians his enemies Picinino was at the same time encamped at Montefiascone This caused Sforza to make hast fearing least he should ioyne his forces with Bracchian who lay not farre from Rome For he had rather fight with one alone if he must needes come to battaile than to deale with the whole Bracchian faction which he had like to haue done Eugenius in the meane time being enforced by the Bracchians who were backt by the Colonessi forsooke his Pallace withdrew himselfe all trembling to the Castle Saint Angelo and from thence taking boate vpon the Tyber and passing through the enemies shot he went to Ostia and from thence to Florence The Pope being thus driuen from Rome victorious Bracchian thought on nothing more than on meanes how to defeate Sforza But Sforza hauing ioyned the troups of Micaeli Attendulo to his owne did raise a verie great and almost inuincible Armie Picinino and Stella came and encamped betwixt Viterbo and Rispampane Sforza likewise marched thither whereby it happened that in a short space all the forces of these two great factions were readie to fight with one another Sforza determined to giue battaile if the enemie would tarrie for him and had alreadie caused his foot forces to seize on the forrest of Vetrale so as there was some likelihood that the Bracchians would haue that day receiued a great ouerthrow if Vrbano de Dertonna sent from Philip had not arriued who running betwixt those two Armies did with teares in his eies entreate now the one and then the other earnestly requesting them in Philips name not to commit so great an error He besought them to remember that they had in former time borne armes together vnder one Prince that vnder Philip they begain their strength and greatnesse That those Armies though they were not friends in name neuerthelesse they were such in effect and by alliance That the victorie of one of the parties could not but procure all mischiefe to Philip He entreated them then to respect him who held them both as they well knew so deere and vnto whom they ought to ascribe whatsoeuer they had either of force or reputation in both their Armies The authoritie of so great a Prince although he was absent did mightily preuaile with both parties and Armes being laid downe they began to talke of agreement At last it was concluded betwixt them that Picinino should returne into Lombardie and that it should be lawfull for Sforza with his troups to go whither he pleased those townes neere to Rome excepted held by the Garrisons of Stella But Picinino who as it seemed was not well pleased with those conditions of peace marching within a while after against the Sabines where he had renewed the warre Sforza did likewise hast thither who hauing crossed the Tyber went to Ottricoli Bracchians Armie lay at Maillana not farre from thence where after certaine light skirmishes and sundrie posts being come from Philip Picinino craued that he might in safetie returne with his Armie into Lombardie The which hee freely obtained of Sforza who of a long time had beene euill disposed of his person Picinino had alreadie peaceably entered into Flaminia when neere to Imola he met with a great Armie composed of the forces of Eugenius the Venetians and Florentines who were leagued togither These men had assembled great troupes together with great Lords and Captains to force Bolognia which at the pursuite of the Caneduli had reuolted from the Pope And they had alreadie recouered certaine Cities of the Bologneses at such time as those of the Pope and the associates quitting their enterprize came to stop Picininos passage The charge of this resolution being committed to Tollentino who with all the leagues troups went and encamped at Imola Picinino likewise came and encamped vpon the same territorie Tollentino was accompanied by Paulo Vrsino Cato Mellito Guido Antonio Fauentino Thadeo d'Aeste and diuers other noblemen It happened in the meane time that Mellito did surprize two hundred horse of the enemies whereupon the others being spurred forward by iealousie and by a desire of bootie did sodainly and inconsiderately craue the battaile to the which comming disbanded and in disorder they were broken and put to rout and Tollentino with Aeste Vrsino and diuers others who till then had gotten much reputation were taken by the enemie Three thousand horse and a thousand foote were taken prisoners and such a great modestie and courtesie in warre was then vsed as the like had not beene seene for it is reported that foure men only were slaine in that encounter and about thirtie sleightly hurt The victorious enemie marched towards Bolognia And it is likely that the Pope and his associates would haue done their best to haue diuerted him from that designe for it is certaine that Philip who had sent for him from Tuscanie did openly fauour the Bologneses Picinino after that he had for a time at the request of the Caneduli in vaine besieged Castel-Franco went into Lombardie leauing his sonne Francisco with sixe hundred horse vpon the Bolognia territory It was afterwards thought that he left that cauallerie with his sonne because he should speedily aid Marsilio Carrario to seize on Padua This Carrario was sonne to that Francisco Carrario who thirtie yeares before being with his two children imprisoned at Venice was by the commandement of the Senate strangled in the prison with them Philip had sent for him from Hungarie and for a time had kept him secret in Lombardie in which space he did by faire and great promises winne certaine Paduans that they receiuing him into their Citie should seize on the gates and the Castle vnprouided at that time of Garrison promising them without all doubt to relieue them for he was presently ready to furnish them with whatsoeuer should be needfull for the preseruation of the citie with the inhabitants as souldiers money and victuals and that himselfe which was the chiefest would speedily come thither with a great Armie That those of Verona and Vincenza did secretly resolue to reuolt All which was afterwards knowne to be forged by him that he might with more ease induce the Paduans to doe what he would haue them Hauing by these promises and sundrie others drawne diuers debauched companions of the Citie to commit this hainous treason the fifteenth of March was the day appointed that Marsilio should enter into Padua who was alreadie come in disguised habite as an Almaine marchant going to Rome and comming vpon the Vincenzan territorie accompanied with a few that he might the next day enter into Padua he
Bressia The enemies in the meane time had placed a strong Garrison in Arques and in Tengues and had sent Ittalus of Friull for they had notice which way they meant to passe to lie in ambush with sixe hundred horse and foote to surprize the forragers by the way Mellato's souldiers had alreadie passed through the forrest of Tengues and supposing that they were out of all danger they were come downe into a deepe bottome when the enemie shewing himselfe on a sodaine and vnlooked for did greatly affright them There was by chance neere to that place a little hill whither the Venetian souldiers all trembling marched with their burthens but being inuironed in that place on euerie side and molested with sundrie assaults for many were slaine there the third day after both they and the corne fell into their enemies hands Mellato was at the same time at Torbolles where it was commonly reported that his designes only tended to relieue the afflicted Bressans Philip on the other side the better to take all hope of reliefe from them did in the moneth of Ianuarie march with sixe thousand men together with the Prince of Mantua into the vale of Sabia where hee remained till three forts which he there caused to be built were made defensible manned with strong Garrisons the one at Nosa the other at Cagri the third at Solecetta the which three Forts being well guarded there was no probabilitie at all that the Bressaââ¦s could hope for any reliefe Some say that Picinino builded these Forts neere to the Citie at that time when he raised his campe from before Bressia namely the one at S. Euphemias Church the other at the hill-top and the third at the fountaines Monpianes Ittalus his enterprize against the Venetians being executed he was desirous to march against Paris Lodron But his purpose being discouered Barbaro the Gouernour of Bressia who was verie circumspect did speedily send sixe hundred footmen to the reliefe of Paris the Venetians friend vnder the conduct of Gyrardo Dandula He being come neere to the Fort at Nosa assailed a troupe of Philips horse which hee easily defeated Then diuers of the Guelpt faction of Valtropia being ioyned with him he went to Paris with a thousand men Ittalus on the other side hauing raised two thousand peasants as wel of the Mantuan ar of the Gibelline faction of the Bressans territories marched with them against the enemie together with the footmen which hee had brought with him at the first crossing the riuer Sarca at the bridge which is vpon the confines of Romagnia He had alreadie begun to ascend the next mountaines when Paris being conducted through couert vallies went on a sodaine and assailed those footmen whom he had left to guard the bridge where in a moment he made a great slaughter of them Many were slaine there among whom were Ittalus his sonne Pietro Capocia with Polonus Colonell of the Bishop of Trents troupes Ittalus cut off his iourney and returned thither being either called back by the great noise or else sent for by an expresse messenger Paris perceiuing him comming downe like a tempest driuen from the mountaines did brauely receiue him at last wearied him with fighting There was a cruell battaile for the space of three howers but in the end Ittalus retired the next way into the mountaines Paris being victorious made himselfe master of the latter squadron and the enemie had beene wholly ouerthrowne had not the night with her darknesse beene fauourable to him The next morrow by day-breake Paris marched freely against the enemie and was alreadie come to the mountaines at such time as the enemie being prouoked by shame returned likewise to the fight This encounter continued with greater furie than the former wherein diuers of the enemies were slaine ere they betooke themselues to flight but at last they turned their backe Paris being victorious pursued them thus disordered A thousand of the enemies were taken and as many slaine Ittalus after this ouerthrow with much difficultie through by-waies and steepe mountaines retired himselfe to Riua d'Trente whither likewise within a while after came three hundred horse and a thousand foote which had escaped by diuers passages Piââ¦inino hauing intelligence of the route of his forces assembled those troups which wintered neere to Bressia and speedily marched through the vale of Sabia and ouer the tops of the mountains to Lodron which he streightly besieged so as after the fifteenth day of the siege he tooke it Then he went to besiege Romana for this towne did likewise belong to Paris but finding it strong both by art nature that there was a strong garrison in it by reason that it was winter he raised his camp on the first day of Februarie and sent his troupes to winter along the lake of Benac This in briefe was all that was done in the Alpes whilest Lauretano hauing a long time in vaine expected forces from the Citie went because he would not haue it said that he had done nothing and besieged the Citie of Sermone Gonzaga had before as hath beene said carefully fortified that place which could not be taken by so smal a company The Senators were suspected to haue refused to send supplies to Lauretano rather through enuie than for want of meanes which happened for that they gaue eare to sundry detractors who were desirous rather to see Lauretano's fame to decrease than to be augmented by any notable exploit But he falling sicke by the distemperature of the aire and waxing daily more and more weake was brought to Venice Stephano Contareni was sent in his steed Lauretano after he had a while beene sicke died and was buried according as he had appointed it by his last will and testament in S. Helens Church his feete being bare a stone vnder his head and without any funerall pompe Mellato after he had taken Penetra did not cease by letters to aduertize the Senate that a way lay open to chace the enemies from the lake of Benac whereby they might afterward with ease relieue Bressia This businesse was verie difficult and euerie man demanded how it would be done and how a nauall Armie might be sent into that lake seeing there was no forrest neere nor any riuer whereby to bring the vessels This consultation had for certaine daies troubled the Senate when a certaine Candiot called Sorbolla who as I suppose had viewed the places went to the Senate and told them that he wanted neither courage nor skill to transport the vessels from the Citie to the lake of Benac This being thought by all men impossible for him to draw great vessels by maine strength aboue two hundred miles off he was esteemed to be a foolish and idle fellow But being afterwards knowne to be a man of an excellent wit and still perseuering in his opinion that it might be done if they would furnish him with necessaries for the purpose the Senate
set downe but foure thousand horse and two thousand foote So soone as Sforza saw his Armie on the firme Land he desired nothing more than to ioine his forces with those of Mellato and with the rest wheresoeuer they were that did belong to the Venetians that he might presently march to fight with the enemie Mellato likewise hauing intelligence of Sforza's arriuall did not delay to come and meete him but the verie next day after his arriuall he came to him with twelue thousand horse and foot Some say that these two Captaines did ioine their forces together vpon the Colonois Territorie where a generall muster being made they found the Armie to consist of foureteene thousand horse and eight thousand foote But during all these warlike preparations the Bressians were no lesse tormented with plague and famine than with the continuall assaults of the enemies For two thousand men whom Italus had left not farre off from the Citie did in such sort disturb them by their ordinarie incursions as they within the Citie had no more rest than when they were besieged by Picinino and Gonzaga The Inhabitants being oppressed with so many miseries would without all doubt haue yeelded at last had not Barbaro by a wonderfull prouidence foreseen all these difficulties For it is recorded That there was nothing whatsoeuer could bee imagined whereby to giue hope to the Citizens and to containe them in their duties which readily hee did not execute so as it is scarce credible in what manner and how great summes of money he raised from sundrie places to paie the Garrison For from Venice none could come to them all the waies and passages being intercepted As also it was very admirable what meanes he vsed together with the aide of Pietro Auogadre for the bringing in of so great a quantitie of nuts roots chestnuts and other sorts of fruits as he drew from the inhabitants of the Mountaines therewith to slack the hunger of the Citizens And it is almost impossible to be belieued how often he deceiued the enemie feigning one thing and dissembling an other and with what patience he could temporize with that froward multitude in a time of so great scarcitie He refused not to conuerse and talke with al men and namely with those whose houses he knew to be infected with the Pestilence for that contagious sicknesse was so dispersed ouer that wretched Citie as there was no daie but it buried more than threescore persons his Gates were open at all houres and he did euer eat in publike yet during that miserable time there was neuer seene any bread of Wheat vpon his table but either of Rie or Barley Some say that he did at times bring forragers into the Citie in sted of victuallers with sacks full of Straw and other substance to put the inhabitants in hope of some new kinde of foode hee did moreouer priuily cause arrowes with small skrowles about them to be stuck in the steeples and high Towers of the Citie as if they had been shot thither by some friends of theirs which did aduertize them not to expect any fauor of the enemie for he had vowed if euer he did enter Bressia wholly to ruine it and to put all the inhabitants with their wiues and children to the edge of the sword By these artificiall dealings he did not only defend the Citie committed to his keeping but had gouerned matters in such sort as the Bressans termed him the Father of their Countrie At the last at Pietro Auogadre his returne vpon assurance of aid from the mountaines hauing on a sodaine assailed the Fortes the one at Santa Croâ⦠and the other at Mompiana he caused them to be razed downe to the ground The Bressans being incouraged by this successe for Italus was encamped at Castagnedola the better to free himselfe from the infected aire determined to besiege Sales supposing that it would come to passe that they besieging it by Land and the Venetians nauall Armie by water the Salodians would be inforced to yielde either by composition or force For this purpose Thadeo d'Aeste with three hundred horse of the remainder of those which had bin left with him for the guard of Bressia Pietro Aââ¦ogadre with three hundred Mountaniers and Theosaluio with six hundred souldiers met at Gauarda Italus hauing intelligence of the enemies designe marched to Feliciana whither those of Bressia went fiercely to assaile him But hee hauing speedily displayed his ensignes came foorth and beganne the fight vnder the towne-walls which continuing from day-breake til noone with equall valour on either side both parties being tired they beganne a soft retreit but as the Venetians retired the enemie came vpon them with such furie as hee disordered them and put them to rout Thadeo hauing lost many of his souldiers did without any stay gallop into Piedmont from whence returning soone after to Gauarda hee went with those forces which Barbaro had assembled foorth of the Bergamese for feare of greater losse to besiege and take the Fort which the enemies had built at Saint Euphemias On these termes stood the affaires of the Bressans when as Sforza being ioyned with Mellato as hath bin said marched against the enemies which besieged Verona who with their ordnance furiously battered it But they being assured of his comming presently sent away their Artillerie and baggage into the Mantuan Countrey raised their campe and went to Soaue which is a Towne lying on the Veronois territorie In that place they fortified themselues and drew a trench from the next marshes vnto the riuer Adice which they strengthened with diuers towers and rampires so as those Forts being wel defended there was no likelihood that Sforza could passe forward to relieue Verona Bressia and Bergamo Sforza in the meane time besieged Longina and took it the same day the spoile whereof he gaue to his souldiors as Pasius saith Blondus writeth that it endured diuers assaults and that it was brauely defended in which assault Pietro Brunora and Troillo two of Sforza's speciall friends were slaine the one with a dart and the other with an harquebuze-shot whereupon being inflamed with choler he caused all his forces to assaile it intending not onely to sacke the Towne but wholly to raze it For preuenting whereof the townesmen did voluntarily yield themselues and thereby auoided all further mischiefe The enemies forces lay not farre thence and yet during the assaults giuen vnder their noses they durst not once stirre This towne being recouered Sforza in a square batallion marched against the enemies and in their view ordered his squadrons offering them battell But they hauing answered that they would not fight before the new Moone hee perceiued their feare and marched away to recouer the townes vpon the Vincenzan territorie diuers of which hee tooke in a short space hauing promised them all fauour and impunitie Some say that then and not before the enemie incamped at Soaue
meanes to passe through the enemies he did from farre descrie a fresh band of men at Armes comming from Riua to Thyenna And supposing that the enemie had sent for the residue of his troupes which lay at Vigasio he did on a sodaine cause Troillo with all the cauallerie to march against Gonzaga and then turning himselfe towards his Infanterie of whom he had euer a braue band neere vnto him for his guard he shewed them the toppe of the mountaine which was couered with armed men and did earnestly exhort and entreat them That if they did desire to be accounted such as he had euer esteemed them if they would euer acknowledge those many benefits which they had receiued from him if in a word they were desirous as became loyall and valiant souldiers to execute some generous action in his presence that they should by that daies valour purchase immortall glorie and renoune and march couragiously against the enemies who being defeated and ouerthrowne they should not onely preserue a Citie most loyall to the Venetians but open themselues a way to obtaine a gallant victorie In this manner did he speake vnto them and then marched vp towards the hill at the head of the Armie with a pike in his hand And although the souldiers did with great difficultie march vp that craggie and steepie mountaine yet neuerthelesse being animated by their Generals speech and presence they mounted to the top thereof Then Sforza shewing them his friend Troillo valiantly fighting neere to the Citie he did entreat them to make hast and to take from the cauallerie the honor of that victorie Afterwards running to an high place from whence he might be seene and heard of his souldiers he began with a cheerefull voice to call out aloud sometimes to Troillo then to Nicolao Pisani and the rest willing them to breake the enemies Armie with a close battaillion telling them that himselfe with a troup of footmen had beaten the enemies from the top of the mountaine Then tnrning towards his Infanterie and running to encourage them he perceiued his souldiers a farre off to throw the enemies into those fearefull precipices and with a cheerefull voyce shaking his pike he said vnto them On on my valiant fââ¦llowes charge and pursue this fearefull enemie on euerie side that he may no more returne to the battaile and hauing done thus to the foot forces he returned to encourage the Cauallerie The Victorie in that place was somewhat difficult by reason of the arriuall of certaine companies of men at armes but when they vnderstood that the Garrison had beene throwne headlong downe the mountaine the enemies beganne to giue backe In this bickering Caesar Martinenga fighting valiantly in the middest of the battaile was taken prisoner Whereupon the enemies forsaking the place did openly betake themselues to flight Sforza's victorious souldiers pursued them vp and downe slew great numbers of them and tooke make prisoners Besides Caesar Carolo Gonzaga was taken with two hundred horse and three hundred foot Sforza at the beginnnig thought that Picinino had beene taken but not finding him after search made among the prisoners he promised fiue thousand crownes to any man that would vndertake to fetch him backe All this notwithstanding hee escaped to the Citie where he hid himselfe for one whole day fearing if the enemie should know that he were in Thyenna he would presently haue besieged the Citie and taken all meanes of escape from him Therefore about midnight disguising himselfe in ragged habite like to a poore lame souldier he was carried vpon mens shoulders forth of the Citie and through by-waies at length came to Riua whither a great part of the cauallerie had escaped The next day after the battaile Sforza besieged the Citie and during the siege certaine light skirmishes were made where Malateste Prince of Cesenna a couragious young man comming forth to fight with the enemie was taken prisoner Pasius of Arimini saith That the Venetian Generall after the victorie at Thyenna marched in order of battaile to Riua and that Malateste was taken in a salley there Alardo of Verona in his Oration made in praise of Sforza saith That Picinino the next day after that he escaped from the battaile came with his Army presented battaile to the Venetians Wherein his valour appeareth more notable by how much his forces seemed wholly to be ouerthrowne For therby all men knew that Sforza and the rest had to doe with an enemie who whether he were victor or vanquished could not be at quiet Yet neuerthelesse howsoeuer it happened it is most certaine that Sforza sent victuals to Bressia and would daily haue sent more had not the losse of Verona which happened at the same time called the Venetian forces elsewhere Philips Captaines had laid a plot to surprize the Castle of Verona which standeth on the West side For they had intelligence from an Almaine souldier who was as Blondus saith one of the dead paies there That small Guard was kept there in the night Pasius saith That a Mantuan gaue them this intelligence who being taken prisoner the Summer before had for a time dwelt with Giacomo Bolognese the Gouernour of the Castle whilest his ransome was prouiding and that during his imprisonment he went freely about the walles and had at his leisure viewed the munitions and all parts of the Castle They had as hath beene said a long time before determined to vndertake this enterprise but they had deferred it till the enemie should send his troupes to winter that they might the more safely fortifie themselues in Verona and before the Venetian souldiers could be drawn from their garrisons But perceiuing matters to be brought to that passe that they could not hinder Sforza from going to Bressia they resolued to put this enterprize in speedie execution there the better to draw him from that iourney To this end hauing secretly assembled their forces leauing Riua they came to Pescara before those whom they had sent for thither arriued and commanding them to follow after they speedily marched to Vigasio and tooke along with them all the souldiers that lay there in garrison Departing from thence on the eighteenth day of Nouember at the beginning of the night they came in great secrecie neere to Verona Afterward about midnight rearing their ladders against the walles the Author of the enterprize mounted first who was forthwith followed in great secrecie by all the rest who killing the guardes and breaking open the next gate the Captaines with all the troupes had enterance The cries and groanes of wounded men with the clattering of Armour did assure those who had the guard on the walles neere to the old Castle that the enemie was entered whereupon the Allarme was giuen At these fearefull cries and nocturnall rumours the whole Citie ranne to Armes and comming forth on euerie side they put themselues in order in the market-place The enemies were alreadie
withstood by Sigismund Prince of Arimini and Malateste his brother who being taken at Thyenna was exchanged for Carolo Gonzaga who receiuing a thousand Venetian footmen and as many from the Florentines together with Sforza's Cauallerie made hast to the aide of La Marca The enemie hauing left Guido Fauentino to continue the siege of Magellana came to passe the Appenine hills In the meane time the two bretheren Malatestes went to the enemies side Picinino tooke certain Townes in the Appenine Mounts which he forthwith pillaged Philip supposed by meanes of that voiage that Sforza would altogether quit Lombardie and runne to the rescue of his owne State and to that of his Neighbours Now whilest he soothed himselfe with this hope sodaine newes was brought him That by the Popes commandement Giouanni Cornetano was imprisoned by Antonio Ride of Padua Captaine of the Castle of S. Angelo These newes made him thinke that Picinino in despaire would returne into Lombardie But this could not restraine him For sending for the Malatesââ¦es Guido and Asturo Fauentini hee came more furiously than before from the top of the Appenines into Tuscanie hauing not without great labour caused the Snow to bee taken forth of the waies through which hee passed The Florentines during these troubles were not idle For they leuied forces from all parts Pope Eugenius who was an Associate in that warre commanded Bishop Lodouico That as Legate Apostolicall he should conduct all those troupes which had beene Cornetan's into Tuscanie The Florentines gaue entertainement to Paulo Vrsino and Michaeli Attendulo with a great Cauallerie and many foote companies they did likewise procure to haue Troyllo whom Sforza with a companie of men at armes had sent to La Marca to be sent to ioyne with them that with all these forces together they might be able not only to withstand the enemie but brauely to assaile him During the Florentines preparations Picinino although he had beene brauely repulsed and with great losse from Primolcoria by Nicholao Pisani who then was at Florence and had beene sent with a band of yong Souldiers to guard the streights of the mountaines yet he hauing soon after ouercome the difficultie of the mounts went and encamped at Politiana The newes that he had passed the Appenines did greatly terrifie the Florentines and most of all in regard of his great speede so as at first they knew not what to resolue on Watch by night was placed ouer the Citie with strong guard at the Gates But the arriuall of Borsia and Troyllo reuiued the appalled Spirits of the fearefull Citizens The enemie lying incamped before Politiana greatly afflicted these two renowned Common-weales and draue Sforza for a time into many doubts which was the cause that at the Spring-time he came not into the field so soone as men did expect him The Florentines likewise on the one side were very importunate with him to haue him come to them And the Venetians on the other side did detaine him and earnestly intreated him to tarrie still fearing if he should change his former course of warre that he would afterwards be enforced to begin againe as it were and to recouer a new victorie forth of the enemies hands which he had already in a manner with so great trauaile taken from them with all alleaging That the Florentines state might be easily defended and kept by the Popes forces and those of the other Confederates but that the Venetians affaires being exposed as it were in an open Theater in the middest of Lombardie could not by any meanes succeed well without him With these sundrie cogitations was Sforza greatly perplexed whilest all men beganne to condemne his long staying But in the meane time Picinino after the taking of Politiana marched against the Casentines ruinating all places that hee met with in his passage This mischiefe also was accompanied with an other almost as great as it For Borsia d'Aeste on whose arriuall in regard of the great Cauallerie he brought with him as on the sole refuge of the warre the Florentines had grounded their hope did on a sodaine take Philips partie All which accidents notwithstanding Picinino's affaires in Tuscanie became euer after lesse fortunate and successefull For being come to the Pace of Arezzo as if he had meant to make incursions on the Sienois or on the Territories of the Church he dwelt so long vpon his resolutions as he did wholly foreslow the course of his happie fortune For in the meane time the Popes forces entred the Towne and shortly after Vrsino Troyllo and the rest came thither likewise with the whole bodie of the Armie whereupon hauing intelligence of the leuie of so great Forces with all speede hee retired to the foote of the Mountaines The end of the fourth Booke of the third Decad. THE FIFTH BOOKE OF THE THIRD DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the fifth Booke of the third Decad. SFORZA determineth on the passage of the Riuer Mincia CONTARENI Generall of the Venetians Nauall Armie defeateth the enemie vpon the Lake of Benac and recouereth the Townes neare to the Lake The Venetian Armie hauing crossed the Mincia recouereth all the Townes on the Bressan Territorie SFORZA vanquisheth the enemie in battaile betwixt Soncina and the new Orges and bringing his forces to the bankes of the Riuer Adda putteth those of the Coââ¦ntrie of Gyradade in great feare LEON SFORZA'S brother is slaine with an Harqââ¦ebuze shot before Carauazza PICININO in a set battaile is vanquished at Anglare ãâã Tuscanie Winter approching SFORZA commeth to Venice Great Triumphs are made at Venice in fauour of GIACOMO FOSCARI the Princes Sonne which continued three daies PICININO returning from Lombar die in the middest of Winter takes dââ¦ers Townes on the Bressan Territorie The Venetians Armie and thâ⦠of PHILIP commeth at one time to Martinenga Peace is made with PHILIP according to SFORZA'S will and pleasure Hee marrieth BIANCA PHILIPS Daughter in Cremona and after the publishing of the Peace he commeth with his Wife to Venice where he is most magnificently entertained THe Spring-time was farre spent and Sommer was at hand when Sforza hauing intelligence of the successe of the affaires of Tuscanie for he was out of feare of any danger towards his owne state or that of his Associates with a mightie Armie matched against the enemie It is reported that the Souldiers neuer before had so large pay as at that time whereby they were all exceedingly well furnished with Armour Horses and all other furniture for the Warres And ãâã the speedie reliefâ⦠of Bressââ¦a with men and victuals hee resoââ¦ued to passe through the middest of the enemies for he was ãâã encouraged by that which Contareni had lately done vpon the Lake of La ãâã This man as hath beene said being declared Generall of the Nauall Armie which the Senate had with wonderfull speed made ready at ââ¦orbolles had already lanched certaine Gallies into the lake
the Oglio for corne was ripe and therefore there was no feare of any want of victuals in the Armie hee recouered Casal Maior and diuers other townes in that countrey Caraââ¦zza except which he besieged But because there was a strong Garrison in ãâã and that ãâã likewise knew that in regard of the riuer Addda which runneth ãâã the walles they might both by day and night bring all manner of vââ¦ctuals thither he ââ¦aised his campe and went first to recouer Bregnam then Triuill and Reinolâ⦠townes in the Gyradade In regard of these approaches those of the Dutchie of Milane ãâã greatly affrighted The poore countrey men bringing their cattell and goods into the good townes Philip hauing from all parts assembed forces builded certaine Forts vpon the riuer Adda placing strong Garrisons in them After the battaile of Ogâ⦠hee did continually send messengers to Picinino to call him from Tuscanie where hee remained The Venetians not being ignorant how many places of importance which were still possessed by the enemie he lefâ⦠behinde him and receiuing certaine intelligence that Philip had called home Picinino into Lombardie fearing an alteration of fortune that if by chance he should be enforced to retire he should noâ⦠easily do it vpon an vrgent necessitie Notwithstanding that oftentimes he made shew as if he were desirous to crosse the riuer Adda neuerthelesse he abstained Afterwards returning to besiege Carauazza Leon his brother being shot into the bodie with an Harquebaze died within a while after whereat being enflamed with choller with greater courage than before he oppugned the besieged vsing all meanaces and other fearefull meanes to make them yeeld which soone after had happened Some say That Leon Sforza's brother died of his hurts after Carauazza was taken Picinino in the meane time hauing notice of the ouerthrow of Oglio and being pressed by Philips importunate letters to returne with speed in to Lombardie supposing that after his departure from Tuscanie his associates together with the townes which had yeelded to him would be afterwards defeated and taken by the enemie resolued to giue a battaile to the end that if he wanne it the forces of the Florentines and the Pope being broken his associates with the rest might more easily be wonne to perââ¦ist in their affection Now all hope of taking Perugia being lost the which he had promised to himselfe to get by means of some within it and hauing besieged Tiphââ¦rnu in vaine he passed on to the burrough of S. Sepââ¦lcher and from thence marched in battaile to Anglare where Bishop Lodouico Paulo Vrsino and others were encamped This towne standeth at the foote of the Appenine hilles in a verie high place and beneath it is a bottome In this place because the ascent is not sleepie the Florentines troupes with those of the Pope were encamped although some of them lay in the bottome as farre as the riuer ouer which is a little bridge At Picinino's arriuall the first encounter was neere to the bridge It is reported that some had assured him that he should that day defeate the enemie as being vnprouided and not expecting his comming especially vpon that day which was the nine and twentith of Iune a day religiously obserued in regard of the Feast of the holy Apostles Thus bââ¦ing confident and full of hope he left the burrough hauing brought with him some thousand of the townesmen to make them spectators of his assured victorie But finding the enemie at his comming readie ranged in battaile he was inforced to change his manner of fight and to order his Armie after an other fashion Neere to the bridge as hath beene said and the riuer side was the first encounter where Picinino's sonne giuing a furious charge the Tuseane was beaten backe and the bridge wonne but at the foote of the rising hee made a stand Nicholao Pisani a braue Captaine was surprized neere to the riuer and Attendulo fighting valiantly was almost taken by the enemies Now in that little space of the bottome which lieth betwixt the riuer and the mountaine they fought without any aduantage Picinino did all he could to beat the enemies from their place but all his attemptes wââ¦re vaine Whereupon perceiuing that the enemies Armie stood fast hee commaunded Asââ¦uro Fauentino and the other valiant Captaines to march with the Cauallerie in a close Battallion against the enemie The Popes troupes comming fiercely from aboue vpon these men did assaile them with such valour as in great disorder they draue them as farre as the riuer Asââ¦uro and many more of note being taken in that place the enemies on a sodaine in verie great feare did repasse the bridge and dislodged Picinino afterwards supposed That by reenforcing the troupes he might easily march thence in battaile but it fell out otherwise For being readie to depart the Florentines horse with those of the Pope did not eease to pursue him euen as he mounted on horsebacke and with their whole forces did so charge him as they gaue him no time to reenforce his Armie but disordering his troupes they enforced him to flie and slew greate numbers of his souldiers The slaughteâ⦠was great but the number of the prisoners exceeded For besides Asââ¦ura who was as hath beene said taken in the middle of the fight eight and twentie Captaines and eighteene hundred horse with all the Inhabitants of the burrough were carried away prisoners Picinino thus vanquished escaped to the burrough where vnderstanding whome hee had lost he cried out aloud That Philips sââ¦ate was ouerthrowne vnlesse the enemie sent backe the flower of all Italie which ââ¦ee had then taken Lagisianâ⦠writes That with verie griefe he would twice haue slaine himselfe and had vndoubtedly done it if his sonne Francisco had not stayed with him day and night to comfort and perswade him Whilest these things were done in Tuscanie Sforza after hee had taken Carauazza and left Auogadre of Bressia at the siege of the Castle deparred thence and at that time as some say recouered Casall Maior and diuers townes vpon the Cremonese The Castle of Cauazza being yeelded hee tooke Azola and Caneda from Gonzaga They lay a while before the Castle of Macharia those within it refusing to yeelde till such time as they perceiued part of their walles to be beaten downe with the Cannon Those of Lona hauing seene Sforzas ensignes did forthwith put themselues vnder his protection the like did those of Monteclaro Cauriana and Riuoltelles At the last the campe drew neere to Pescara This Citie as hath beene elsewhere said is seated at the mouth of the Riuer Mincia It hath a goodly Castle neare to the Riuer with a bridge and diuers Turrets Sforza being encamped before it Nicholao D'Aeste came thither vnlookt for He resoluing to motion a peace came to the Camp to talke with Sforza and Miripietro the Prouidatour And after a long discourse of the inconstancie of fortune which he said
Philip should inuade the frontires of the Cremonese Against whome there was some likeliehood that the Venetians would oppose themselues and presently take armes to defend that which belonged to Sforza who comming afterwards to fight should as a man enforced turne to his father-in-lawes side and fighting for Philip in Lombardie should strait presse the Venetians In this manner as they had plotted it not long after warre was renewed in Lombardie but with farre better fortune to the Venetians than the enemies expected But before we proceede to that which was done in Lombardie we will briefly set downe what was the end of the warre in La Marca The Venetians vpon report of Sforza's losses had sent Thadeo d'Aeste Guido Rangone and Tiberto Brandolino to his aide and the Florentines had sent Simonetto who being all ioyned together had foure thousand men in their Campe at Marignane But Picinino lay vpon the hill Laura to keepe them from ioyning with Sforza which although for a time he endured yet at last he assembled all his troupes and marched against the enemie who being in battell vanquished left his campe to be possessed by the Victor This happened in the space almost of three yeares But in the fourth yeare of the warre of La Marca Picinino and Alfonso hauing renewed the warre about Spring time Picinino was vanquished by Ciarpelion vpon the mount Millo and Alphonso not beeing satisfied with raising a land-Armie at Eugenius instance did besides arme eight gallies to molest Sforza by sea The Venetians as some say vpon report of Alphonso's nauall Armie did likewise arme certaine vessells of theirs which were appoynted for the guard of Rauenna In this sort was Sforza streightly prest by sea and land when Philip sent Francisco Landriano to call home Picinino vnder color to conferre with him concerning the affaires of the warre Francisco his son in the meane time being left with the troupes in La Marca and vanquished in the mount Volmia by Sforza hauing lost his Campe and the greatest part of his forces was taken prisoner in the companie of Cardinall Firmiano the Popes Legate in the Armie with diuers other great Lords Manie at that time thought that it was Philips pleasure to haue it so to the end that Picinino's Armie being defeated Sforza his sonne-in-law might bee freed from that warre whereby wee may perceiue that the common reports then currant were most true That Sforza was before then reconciled to his father-in-law and that hee had secretly made a league with him to the vtter subuersion and ruine of the Venetian estate But Picinino vpon the news of this rout was not able to conceale his griefe but lamented and exclaimed taxing Philip oftentimes That he had left him nothing but his life and that he should doe well to depriue him of that and in this manner falling sicke with extreame sorrow the greatest and best aduised Captaine of his time did in a short space decease at Milan Sforza at Philips intreatie set Francisco at libertie and soone after peace insued with the Pope although Sforza possessed diuers Townes of La Marca and Pope Eugenius some others At the same time Alexander Sforza's brother did cause Ciarpelion to bee hanged who was a man very famous for his skill in martiall discipline onely because he had an intent to goe to Philips partie About fiue yeares after the Pope renewed the warre and sent the Patriarke of Aquileia to La Marca who in a short space reduced all the Prouince Firmia excepted vnder the Popes obedience And it was not long after but that Firmia likewise with the Castle was recouered by his Holinesse Armie Sforza being retired to Pisaura with his wife did there spend the remainder of the Winter At the spring time beeing solicited by some of his friends hee came through the Dutchy of Spoleta an hauing crossed the Tiber the better to disturb the quiet of the Citie of Rome he encamped vpon the Viterbian Territorie From whence in hast departing and returning into Flaminia by the Lake of Trasimene he staied at Metaura In the meane time his brother Alaxander with the Tower of Pisaura reuolted from him Being on euery side enuironed with enemies he came within a mile of Vrbin and after that no great exploits were done on either side vntill his arriuall in Lombardie Philip on the other side in the Countrie of La Marca caused Italus of Friull and Giacomo Guiuano to be beheaded vpon suspition that they had intelligence with the Florentines Soone after hauing notice of Ciarpelions death as if that had giuen him new occasion to hate Sforza he commanded Francisco sonne to Picinino whom hee had sent for into Lombardie to scoure and wast the Cremonese Territorie Whereupon Francisco making a furious roade into the Countrie after sundrie spoiles and depredations he besieged the Citie of Cremona which gaue occasion to the Venetians to haue recourse vnto Armes But because they would not seeme to doe any thing rashly they sent Lodouico Foscari to Philip who according to the custome of their Ancestours should denounce war vnlesse he would desist from inuading that which did belong to Sforza Answere was made him that Philip had no time nor leisure to heare any Ambassade and that Milan was no safe place for him That he should doe well presently to get him forth of the Citie vnlesse he meant to be outraged The Venetians being moued at this indignitie commanded Michaeli Attendulo General of their Armie to march speedily against the enemie who by this time had seized on the greatest part of the Cremonese He making hast according as he was commanded with six thousand horse and as many foot hauing crossed the Oglio went and encamped vpon the Cremonese at Casall-major but on a sodain dislodging thence hee marched against the enemie who with his Armie was in the Countrie of Gyradade very neere to Casal There ioining battaile after a cruell fight which continued from daie-breake til noone the Venetians draue the enemies from their Campe and in their disorder tooke foure thousand horse from them This victorie was not obtained without losse For diuers of their brauest men were slaine in fight a great number of whom perished in the water Diuers of the enemies were likewise taken And it was thought that Picinino would haue made one of the number if when he first saw the alteration of fortune he had not gotten into a little boate and escaped forth of the battaile Others say that hee went ouer the Po at a Bridge After this famous victorie the Venetian Generall did in a short space recouer whatsoeuer the enemie had taken on the Cremonese and being strengthened with the troupes of Lodouico Gonzaga hee went and encamped on the Gyradade In this place likewise did the Venetians affaires so prosper as Attendulo in a short space left Philip nothing on the hither side of Adda but Crema and Lodes From thence his Armie crossed
against the Venetian nauall armie almost to the verie place where the execution was made so soone as after the rout he vnderstood that Sforza being come into the Gyradade had besieged Carauazza he likewise approached with his troupes neare vnto that place to make it famous by the Venetians ouerthrow Neuer before in any other warre of Lombardie had there beene seene so great Cauallerie nor so many notable men assembled in one place For the Venetian armie besides Attendulo who was their Generall had in it Lodouico Gonzaga Bartolomeo Coyone who not long before was come to the Venetians party Gentil Leonesio Carolo Montone Tiberto Brandolin Giouan la Conte a Roman Gentleman Guido Rangone Alberto Bodiense Caesar Martinenga Nicolao Guerrieri and with them twelue thousand horse and great numbers of footmen In Sforza's Camp were Alissandro Borsia and Conrade his brother Roberto Sanseuerine Francisco and Giacomo Picinini Gulielmo of Montferrat Carolo Gonzaga Lodouico Vermio Giouan Tollentino Cristofero Tourello and Bartolomeo Quartiero and with them sixteene thousand horse They often fought in that place by skirmishes which sometime continued from morning till night not comming to battell with all the forces Frederico Contareni and Hermolao Donato were at the same time come to the campe with commandement to enioyne the Venetian Captains to relieue Carauazza Frederico at the same time being bitten with a dog died Hermolao and Gerardo Dandulo who before was Prouidator in the Armie continuing the same request Attendulo and diuers other Captaines although they were assured that vnlesse the inhabitants were relieued they could not long hold out were not for all that of opinion in Councell to giue battaile but others insisting on the contrarie they did at last conclude that it was better to hazard the last fortune of warre than by a lingering encamping to suffer the inhabitants being tired with the siege to yeeld This determination held good for certaine daies For they could not resolue principally by what way the Venetians might passe through the enemies Tiberto Brandolin offered to giue the first charge by the new way because that the same side by reason of the marshes was not well guarded by Sforza For he being disguised like a meane souldier had beene ouer all the enemies campe and had at leisure well viewed it Tiberto Guido Rangone and Alberto Bodiense were commanded to go vpon a holiday when no man would thinke on their comming to giue in behind vpon the enemies camp Sforza was gone to heare diuine Seruice in our Ladies Church of Carauazza which is not farre from the towne whither certaine horsemen one another comming to him told him that the enemies were in the trenches who comming with great furie to assaile the campe had alreadie forced the Rampiers where vndoubtedly all would be lost without speedie remedie Some say that returning from Seruice as he was sitting downe to meat this word was brought him and others say that riding about noone towards the new way he was in hast aduertized how that the enemie assailed the campe But whensoeuer or wheresoeuer it was that he vnderstood of the enemies comming it is certaine that without any trouble or amazement he gaue order for all matters The Venetian troupes in the meane time made good the way which lay betwixt the two Armies Carolo Gonzaga Alexandro and Sforza's other Captaines being at the Venetians first approach beaten backe into the Rampiers could hardly sustaine the enemies charge Some say that Carolo Gonzaga being wounded did not onely leaue the fight but the campe and that being affrighted he went to Milan where he assured them that the Venetians had defeated Sforza Such at the beginning was the enemies feare But being afterwards encouraged by Sforza's presence who with the body of the Armie ran to that place where the fight beganne the fight was not only made equall but they did beate the enemies forth of the Rampiers Then giuing a fiercer charge the Venetians who had fought in the forefront being tired by the enemies who were stronger than they both in force and courage Alberto and Guido Rangone who were much troubled to renew the battaile and to keepe the souldiers in their rankes being enuironed with a troupe of enemies were beaten downe dead and then the Captaines being slaine the souldiers began openly to flie wherein besides the difficulties of the places the enemies pursuits did much hinder them For those of Mozainga so soone as they saw the Venetians had the worst stopt the runna waies so as they were enforced to yeeld or to fall headlong into the neighbour marshes On the other side the two brethren Picinini which were at Triuia on the one side of the Armie did giue in with two thousand horse in another place vpon the Venetians camp Coyoni who was left to guard it did for a time make it good but perceiuing his friends to flie and the lower end of the campe to be taken from the enemies did on foote escape into the neighbour forrest Attendulo and the rest so soone as they knew the formost ranke broken whether they did it vpon malice or else because they knew that all was past remedie betooke themselues to flight Eight thousand men both horse and foote were taken together with the Prouidators Dandulo the Prouidator being aduised by Attendulo to saue himselfe by flight answered That he had rather die neere the publike ensignes than escaping by a shamefull flight purchase a perpetuall disgrace The Victorious enemies were masters of the Venetians campe which was stored with meruailous abundance of all things wherein were two thousand waggons Attendulo retired to Bressia whither the enemie pursuing his victorie within a while after brought his campe The Venetians notwithstanding this great losse were not discouraged but hauing speedily appointed two new Prouidators Lodouico Lauretano and Pascalis Mariptetro they did leuie the greatest forces they could Phe Prouidators being sent to ressia with thirtie thousand crownes could not enter into the Citie which was enuironed by the enemie For Sforza being come thither with his Armie had by the commandement of the Milaneses diuided it to Lodouico Verinio Carolo Gonzaga and other noble persons The Prouidators were day and night at Verona busied in making new leuies They did in a verie short space by meanes of great pay assemble many troupes of horse and foote Diuers great Lords likewise did by their expresse letters and messengers promise to enter into their pay and to be quickly with them if the Senate thought it fit with great numbers of horse Victorious Sforza in the meane time rcouered Casal-Maior Riuoltelles and diuers other townes from the Venetians Carauazza the next day after the ouerthrow yeelded But whilest he lay before Bressia Picinino went with the residue of the Malan troupes and encamped before Lodes On these termes stood the affaires of Lombardie when those of Milan had notwithout cause some suspition of Sforza as fearing that he did secretly
deserts or at leastwise banished them from the citie The peace which hee had receiued from Foscari as by tradition which had beene well obserued in all times and places was by him deliuered entire to his successor To this felicitie and other fortunate euents which happened in his time the Art of Printing may be added which in those daies was inuented in Italie The inuention thereof is attributed to a Germane But this diuine art being by succession of times dispersed ouer all Italie the chiefe workemen in that misterie did openly contend for the garland of singularitie In which art we finde Nicolao Iansonio of Venice to haue exceeded all the rest Maripietro hauing gouerned foure yeares and a halfe departed this life and his bodie lieth honourably buried in the Church of the Twyns ¶ CHRISTOPHERO MORO the 67. Duke of Uenice CHristophero Moro succeeded him The second yeere of his gouernment the warre began against Ottoman We must briefly set downe the cause thereof The tyrant hauing done much hurt to the Christians of Grecia and other Prouinces of Europe determined to take Morea This Prouince is almost like an Island and is as they terme it one of the three rockes of Europe ioyning to the streight of Corinth For the Ionian Sea on the one side and the Aegean on the other doe in a manner make an entire Island of it It is in forme like to a leafe of a Plane tree by reason of the Seas which enuiron it towards the North the Ionian the Sicillian towards the West the Greeke on the South the Aegean on the East and that of Mirtona towards the Solstitiall It is in circuit according to Isidore three hundred and threescore thousand paces Towards the streight on the North side lieth the Sea of Corinth at this day called Patras Iust opposite to that is the Saronic Sea where in times past the ancient Hauen of Cencrea was and in the other that of Leches This whole countrey in former times was called Iappigia afterwards Pelasgis and for a long time Peloponessus which name by diuers is yet giuen vnto it It is commonly at this day called Morea Ottoman hauing mightily enlarged the confines of his Empire was desirous to take this Prouince as a member of the Greek Empire from the brethren Thomas and Demetrius In regard of the situation therof they might haue defended it a long time if they had beene assured to haue beene relieued by the Christians in time or if the brethren with a mutuall consent would haue vndertaken it But both those meanes were wanting For Demetrius went to the Turkes side which was the first and chiefest cause of the ruine of that state He gaue his daughter in marriage to Ottoman and gaue him entrance into one of the goodliest Prouinces of Grecia Thomas made some resistance neere to the streight but in vaine And hauing lost all flying from the rage of that cruell enemie he went to Rome whither he brought with him S. Andrewes head in regard whereof Pope Pius being accompanied with all the Cleargie went to meet him as farre as the Miluian bridge and appointed a marble Chappell to be built in that place where he had first saluted the Apostles head and another larger than that in S. Peters Church where the head was afterwards laid vp with great solemnitie The Dominion of the Greeks being extinct in Morea the Venetians still kept those townes there which they had a long time enioyed But the violent and perfidious inclination of the enemie would not long let them rest For after that he had taken Argers by treacherie he entangled the Venetians in a warre more necessarie than profitable The Senate being thereby enforced did presently take armes against him Victor Capello was then Admiral of the Sea who being entreated by the chiefe of the Isle of Lesbos at that time when Ottoman tooke it from the Cateloses of Genoa to come defend the Island would not do it as also when the Theodorans sent to him who dwelt in a part of the Island that he would aide them and receiue them vpon their homage when the Isle of Mitilene was taken he refused it notwithstanding that he had a mightie nauall Armie fearing least by any inconsiderate attempt he might precipitate the Repulicke into a manifest danger of warre although he might iustly haue taken Armes seeing Ottoman had contrarie to the ancient accord which the Venetians had made with Amurath his father and afterwards with himselfe crossed the streight of Gallipolis with his Armie This is the report of such as were there present For there is no Venetian Anââ¦all nor any other Historian whatsoeuer which makes mention therof Cepio exepted who in an eloquent stile hath written the notable actions of Pietro Mocenigo Neuerthelesse it is certaine that so soone as the warre was proclaimed against Mahomet it began in Morea where the wrong had beene first offered And whilest they expected greater forces from Italie certaine foot companies vnder the command of Pietro Palmiero together with two hundred light horse which the Greeks call Stradiots entering fiercely into the enemies countrey did by a sodaine incursion surprize a small towne betwixt Arcadia and Modon the Garrison whereof being put to the sword they brought away a great bootie Within a while after Bertoldo d'Aeste Betin of Calcina Cicco Brandolino Giouanni Attellano Roberto Thyente Giouanni Massano Leon Illirico and diuers other great persons with gallant forces arriued at Modon From thence the whole Armie went speedily to Naples where making no long stay Aeste who was Generall of the Armie went to besiege Argers This towne among all others of Greece was verie famous as well for the originall thereof as for the residence and Court of kings It was easily taken and as soone giuen to the souldiers who spoiled it The Turks in the citie who were no great number were retired into the Castle Two daies after the Christians arriuall in that place fiue hundred Turkish horse came and assailed the Christians neere to the Citie in the skirmish slew an hundred of our souldiers and among others Martin of Dalmatia who held an honourable ranke in the Venetian Armie Those of the Castle yeelded within a while after The Priest who had deliuered the towne to the Turkes being taken in that place was put to death Bertoldo hauing left three hundred Candiot Archers in the Castle brought backe the troupes to Naples VVithin a while after the Venetian Generall departed from Naples with fifteene thousand men He went first and encamped at Basilia the which being taken at his first arriuall he marched the morrow after to the streight through the territorie of Corinth and fortified his campe neere to the Saronich Sea Lodouico Lauretano was there with a mightie nauall Armie They had before placed a Garrison on the the other side of the streight opposite to that place Sixe Gallies rode at Anker not farre off Now because that the
Sea and Land troupes were come thither for that purpose they presently with great courage began an admirable peece of worke which in 15 daies was finished They fortified with a wal double treÌch the whole length of the streight which from the Aegean Sea to the Ionian containeth 4000. paces though the circuit of the walls makes it appeare greater It is reported that in the same place they did set 30000. men on worke but the great number of men did not so much preuaile for the speedie ending of the worke as the aptnesse of the matter wherewith it was made which was readie at hand The stones of old buildings were scattered heer there which had bin in times before cut foure-square for the same purpose With that the wall was easily builded with Rampiers trenches on both sides This Streight was by the Greeks in Xerxes time enclosed with wals It is certain that many great Princes in diuers ages haue attempted to cut through that streight to make it Nauigable King Demetrius first then Caesar the Dictator next him Calligula and lastly Domitius Nero whose enterprizes neuerthelesse were in vaine Foure thousand Turkes that were encamped neere to the walls of Corinth did within three daies after their comming thither attempt to diuert the Venetians from their enterprize but being repulsed and enforced to retire to their Campe the night following before that the streight was enclosed with walls they dislodged without any rumor at all and went their waie through the places which were yet left open leauing no Garrison in the whole Island The Venetians being freed from their encombrances did at the same time as they were busied in the worke execute some slight attempts Benedetto Coyoni was sent to Misistrate Some Cosmographers say That the same Towne is that which was in olde times called Sparta All the places round about it were taken at the first the Castle excepted with tââ¦e enemie held at the assault whereof Coyoni the chiefe of the enterprize was slaine Iohn surnamed the Great with a troupe of Souldiers hauing assalted the Citie of Londaria did presently take it but not the Castle The Fortification of the streight beeing finished and manned with a strong Garrison Bertoldo went with the rest of the troupes to besiege Corinth This Citie is seated in a place as difficult as commodious whereupon Philip King of Macedon was wont to call it one of the keies of Greece It stands almost in the middest of the streight neere to the Mountaine in times past called Ephiro threescore stadij distant from the one and other shore From the heighth of the Castle which is called Acrocorynth it looketh vpon two Seas the Ionian on the one side and the Aegean on the other The Venetian assailed it in three sundrie places Bertoldo encamped toward the West Giouanni Attellano on the East side and Lazaro Pontoliano towards the North neere to the Walls with certaine foote companies They gaue two assaults to the Citie but the first was in some sort most fortunate because that Attellano tooke a very strong place from the enemie which did afterwards keepe them more streightly shut vp But whilest they prepared for the second assault and that Bertoldo was very busie in ordering matters and approaching the ordnance neere the Walls hee was grieuously hurt in the head with a stone which was throwne from the towne of which hurt within a while after he died The Generalls misfortune did not diuert the Souldiers from the determined assault but they gaue in furiously vpon the enemies Rampiers though all the defences wherewith the Souldiers couered themselues the more safely to approch the Walls were broken neuerthelesse with great valour they made good the place which they had once taken But the night following those of the Citie making a sodaine salley as many as remained neere to the Walls were throwne downe head-long from the Castle rocks where they all died And because great numbers of Turkes were reported to be neere at hand they raised the ââ¦iege and retired into the streight Bertino of Calcina who after Bertoldo his death was made Generall of the Armie and the other Captaines hauing in that place assured intelligence of the enemies number who were said to be fourescore thousand horse distrusting their owne small number for besides the Sea troupes which kept the vessells they were far inferiour in number to the enemie hauing left the streight without a Garrison they speedily retired to Naples whither they were scarce come but word was brought them that the enemies were arriued For after that they had recouered and burnt Argers and made a great massacre of the poore Countrie people they did the next morning by daie-breake without any rumour shew themselues before the Walls of Naples But before their approch those within the Castle had discouered them from farre Their arriuall beeing diuulged ouer the Citie certaine mercenarie Souldiers would needs make a rash salley vpon them who being enuironed with thirââ¦ie horse most of them were in a moment slaine before the Citie gates the rest escaped into the Rampiers The Turkes seized on a small Rising beneath the Towne but great numbers of them were there slaine as well by the Archers which continually shot as by the ordnance which scoured amongst them wherewith they were not onely tormented but in a manner wholly ouerthrowne The Venetians would not loose so faire an occasion but diuers troupes did with great cries enuiron the Rising and gaue great terror to the enemies Others ranne fiercely vpon the troupes of horse which stood close together before the Cities Rampiers and slew great numbers of them Diuers that were there present report That fiue thousand Turks were slain at that time others lessen the number They skirmished likewise vpon the Dike of the Citie and along the rampiers from whence the Barbarian was repulsed with great losse The enemie being discouraged with these two losses so soone as he perceiued that he lost but his labour to lie any longer before Naples did on a sodaine make incursions vpon the Territorie of Modon where at his first arriuall hee tooke Molines and certaine other small Townes by force This storme spred it selfe likewise vpon the Territorie of Coron where the Greekes were wonderfully molested The Turkes beeing desirous to depart from Morea they did for three daies space besiege the Towne of Zonchia Giouanni Crasso of Coma lay in Garrison there and did brauely defend it whereupon the enemies dislodged and went to their wintering places After their departure the Venetian Captaines would needes haue their reuenge and went with three thousand men to scoure Arcadia from whence they carried awaie a great bootie They did besides make an attempt to force the Towne which at this day beareth the name of the Prouince but not beeing able to doe it they sacked the suburbes and went their way This happened in Morea during the summer and haruest
beiââ¦g come to certaine Farmes within a mile of the cittie the souldiers being desirous of bootie did without any commaundement fall to pillaging those country houses Whilest these were busied in spoyling and expected nothing lesse than the enemies arriuall three hundred Turkish horse did with great cries inuiron and assaile them who were all slaine there hauing no meanes of defence or escape Barbadico riding vpon a Mule and comming by chance to that place where the enemies made great slaughter was beaten downe among a number of thicke bushes and there trodden to death vnder the horses feete His body beeing afterwards knowne by his Coate-armour and Signet was carried to the Castle of Patras and impaled vpon the highest tower thereof and of so great a number one thousand onely escaped Ragio being taken by the enemies was impaled aliue Capel for all this was not discouraged supposing it to haue happened rather by the carelesnesse of his owne souldiers than by the enemies valour and prowesse Therefore eight dayes after he sent the brauest men of his troupes together with the Ensignes to assaile the Cittie Vincimanica the Sicillian who commaunded the nauall Armie as Vice-admirall with Dominicke the Blacke and other valiant men that followed the Ensignes went and displayed them before the cittie The enemies did not refuse the fight but making a furious salley came couragiously vpon the Christians There was a cruell fight for some houres space at the last fortune inclining to neither side the Venetian resolued to send threescore horse of the remainder of those which were Ragios downe the hill which was on the one side to charge the enemie in flanke and thereby to make him retire and abandon his standing but they were not gone farre ere they discouered the Turkes comming forward for the same purpose at the sight of whom Ragios horse betooke themselues to flight and fell in among the troupes of the Islanders There a great slaughter of men and horses was presently made The Turkes in the meane time arriued who did cut the disordered squadrons in peeces And this losse would haue proued farre greater than the former had not a great dust risen vp into the aire like to a black clould which tooke away the sight both of Turkes and Christians A thousand Christians lay dead vpon the place and the rest with the ensignes escaped to the vesels Capello being daunted with these two ouerthrowes went to Xant from thence to Modon and within a while after to Nigrepont where he remained sixe whole moneths without any memorable exploit After the ouerthrow at Patras he was neuer seene to smile though Giouanni Diede the States Secretarie with diuers others of his familiar friends told him that it hapened not through his default At the last being wasted with griefe and melancholie eight monethes after the battaile of Patras he died at Nigrepont Giacomo Venieri after his death commanded the Armie vntill that Giacomo Lauretano sent by the Senate to succeed the late Capello arriued in the Prouince This man for the space of sixteene monethes that he was Generall of the Armie did brauely defend all the Islands and Sea-coasts from the enemies assaults and incursions About the same time likewise or soone after or rather a little before Lauretans departure to the Armie although the Venetians were in some sort quiet in Italie the cause neuerthelesse is not knowne why Bartholomeo of Bergamo a great Captaine in his time did by his sodaine incursions into Romagnia in a manner trouble and entangle them in a new warre This man departed from Lombardie with great troupes of horse and foot at the pursuit of Angelo Accaiuola and Nicolao Soderino that were banished from Florence vpon hope that they gaue him of good successe in Tuscanie by meanes of a popular commotion this was the common rumour But others supposed that he departed in Armes from Lombardie at the soliciting of Pope Paul to the end that bringing his troupes through Romagnia and La Marca he might on a sodaine in his name make warre on king Ferdinand who refused to pay vsuall tribute to the Church of Rome But whatsoeuer the cause was it is certaine that al his attempts which seemed at the first to be fearefull to all Italie did soone deceiue euerie mans expectation For so soone as he came into Romagnia Galeas Maria Duke of Milan a braue and couragious young Prince made head against him Then did the forces of king Ferdinand and the Florentines withstand him wherewith this great Captaine being troubled did in some sort begin to decline A battaile was presently giuen at Molinella a towne on the confines of Bolognia which was fought in the absence of Galeas vnder the conduct of Fredericke of Vrbin Those that were at the battaile affirme that in memory of man there was neuer a more furious or mortall in Italy The Senate fearing if his forces should be broken for till then he had euer beene in the Venetians pay and therefore it was thought that the Venetians did fauour him the aduerse Princes and Commonwealths being armed would cast the whole burthen of the warre vpon them sent him some supplies of horse and foote with expresse charge to make peace and safely to bring backe the Armie into Lombardy Ieronimo Barbadico a man of excellent wisedome and aduise and who not long before was made Procurator of S. Marke was in the Armie yet this new dignitie nor the entreaties of his friends were of power to keepe him at home nor to stay him from assisting the Republike in so great a danger But his authoritie and wisedome being grealy feared of the enemies it fell out that before peace was concluded he was by their meanes for so it was thought poisoned There is no other mention made of Lauretans exploits at Sea besides that which hath alreadie beene said Nicolao Canalis succeeded him He departing from Venice with two Gallies arriued at Nigrepont from whence setting sa le with twentie Gallies hee spoiled certaine farme houses and villages in Thessalie and then returned to Nigrepont and from thence went to Modon and afterwards to Coron He resolued to seize vpon the cittie of Lagostitia on the Sea of Patras which the Turkes had forsaken and speedily to fortifie it the which hee easily performed without any resistance Ieronimo Nouello for Malateste had left Morea had well fortified it and there the whole Armie remained consisting of six thousand men at such time as two thousand Turkes made an attempt to recouer it but they being beaten from the rampires with great losse did within a while after dislodge Canalis hauing left Giacomo Venieri with six Gallies for the guard of the citie returned with the rest of the fleete to Nigrepont and hauing there re-enforced the fleet with fresh supplies he sailed to Lemnos and thence to Imbres where he determined to assault Oenos and comming by day-breake to assaile the citie he commaunded his souldiers
well aduised was carefull of all matters and so soone as hee saw the walls to be beaten downe he did repaire them with a countermure The siege which beganne in the end of Maie had continued many daies when Lauretano sent a boy through the enemies campe to let the Venetian Generalls vnderstand That though himselfe and fellowes were bold and resolute to endure a long siege yet because the euents of warre are still vncertaine they requested them to thinke vpon some meanes to relieue the Citty Triadin and Mocenigo did their best to effect that which Lauretano craued by the meanes of Leonardo Bolda and Iohn Cernouich who hauing leuied foot companies and prepared a strong fleet vpon the Lake for the enemie had Garrisons in all places comming to stroakes with the enemies returned without performance And by reason that the Countrey was couered with enemies and the Riuer bankes by which they were to passe to Scutari were manned with Turkes they had neede of greater forces and especially of horse if they intended maugre the enemies to come to the cittie whereupon the Generalls hoping that the situation of the place would defend the cittie together with the Prouidators valour and the townesmens constancie they gaue ouer all further attempts for that time Triadin in the meane time with Bembo the Prouidator by reason of the fennish aire fell sicke and not they alone but the whole fleete in a maner languished They went to Catharra to recouer their health Mocenigo although hee were crazie resolued with Maripietro the Prouidator to tarrie till the end of the siege The Turke on the other side the cittie walls being beaten downe attempted sometimes by menaces and afterwards by intreaties to induce Lauretano to yeelde But his answere not sorting to the Turkes expectation he caused certaine engines to be brought neere to the walls with which his souldiers being protected might with more safetie approach the rampires Afterwards hee commaunded his Ianissaries who were armed with swords and targets to second them Moreouer he caused great numbers of Archers to gall those that were on the wals His battaillions being thus ordered he did by day-breake march to the assault Those of Scutarie likewise prepared for defence They had great store of wildfier which at the assault they abundantly bestowed vpon the enemies They had besides laide store of great stones vpon the Rampiers and did much hurt with their Murtherers The Turks with great cries according to their manner enuironed the Citie and attempted to enter at the breach The besieged without any feare at all did brauely repulse them with shot and wild-fier which they could not escape and the huge stones being throwne downe vpon them made a great slaughter But the Turks like brute beasts marching vpon the dead bodies did fearelessely assaile the Rampiers Those of Scutarie on the contrarie did beat them thence with pikes and shot Lauretano in the meane time went vp and downe incouraging his soldiors furnishing them with necessaries and planting fresh men in their steeds that were hurt and wearied Soliman on the other side was not idle but with an yron mace did driue his slow souldiors forward to the assault At the last the Turks being tyred and mastered by the defendants valour retyred Those of Scutarie being accompanied with the soldiors of the garrison made a furious salley vpon them in their retreat and slew them on heaps vpon the dead bodies of their fellowes and then being loden with the enemies spoiles and militarie enseigns they returned triumphant to the Citie Cepio who hath curiously written the occurrents of this warrâ⦠saith That three thousand Turks were slaine at this assault and the number of those that were hurt did far exceed it the greatest part of whom died soone after Those of Scutarie say That at the assaults and other incounters during the siege sixteene thousand Turks were slaine and perished All things succeeding prosperously at Scutarie Mocenigo thought good to prouide for his owne health For it was reported that Lodouico Bembo died at Catharra and that Triadan drew towards his end And fearing that the like might befall himselfe he went to Ragusa to take physicke Ragusa is a Cittie in Dalmatia builded in times past by the Epidaures in a more happie seat hauing their owne Countrie by the Goaths formerly ruined It is a free Cittie and adorned with good lawes and customes Whilest Mocenigo remained at Raguza Soliman still held Scutarie straitly besieged and was fully resolued not to haue risen from before it till he should constraine them to yeeld either by force or famine had not the warlike preparations of Mathias king of Hungarie enforced his dislodgement The Venetians from the first time of their warre with Ottoman had made a league with that martiall king and had promised to giue him a yearely pension Francisco Venieri was sent thither Ambassadour at the beginning to procure him to make warre with the Turks Giouanni Hemo followed him During the time of his ambassage he fought fortunately twice with Ali Bey vpon the frontiers of Hungaria Francisco died Francisco Iustiniano succeeded Hemo. At the last the Senate hauing intelligence of the siege of Scutarie sent Sebastian Badoario to the king with a great summe of gold At his arriuall he obtained such interest in the King not so much for his gold he brought with him as for his good carriage and discretion as procuring him presently to take Armes he did in such sort afright Ottoman as he presently wrote to the Eunuch to raise his siege from before Scutarie and to returne home Badoario by the Senats appointment tarried with the king and continued with him more than two yeares During which time the Hungarian performed many notable exploits vpon the Turks For besides sixe battails wherein he ouerthrew them he tooke Subassa a verie strong towne from Ottoman together with a thousand of his Ianisaries Besides at that time when warre was denounced to Stephen the Vaiuode and that the Turks had besieged Zuzan a verie famous Cittie so soone as he vnderstood that the Hungarian was comming thither he left his ordnance and bagage behind him and basely fled from them whereby it came to passe that the Commonwealth being supported by the protection of so great a Prince did for a time receiue no losse by the enemie In regard whereof certaine Princes and Commonwealths of Italie did at the Venetians pursute send an hundred thousand Crownes to him into Hungarie by the Bishop of Arieta and Antonio Vitturi who succeeded Badoario Soliman being called home by Ottoman did foorthwith mount his Artillerie and raised his Campe hauing besieged the Cittie almost three moneths and marched into Macedonia This report is more credible than that which saith That he discamped for feare of the great preparations which were made against him in Italie Those of Scutarie of whom two thousand died in the siege were reduced to such scarcitie of water as the
siege of Scutari Croia in Albania was besieged by the Turke Eight thousand of them besieged it at the Spring time and continued there all that yeere and more this city is seated on an high mountaine which the inhabitants call Croiana and there are deeper Precipices round about it wherby for a time all the enemies attempts were in vaine and longer would haue beene vnprofitable had not famine afflicted them The first Summer of the siege was already spent and a great part of the Autumne when two thousand Venetians came into the Island to relieue the afflicted Croians Among these were fiue hundred light-horse commaunded by Nicolas Ducan the Albanese a man famous among his Countrymen The Captaines of the Italian Cauallery were Antonioatio Docia and Lodouico Tifernato Leon of Dalmatia and Carlino commaunded the chiefe troups of foote These men on the sixt of December marched in a square battallion against the Turkes who were encamped in a plaine which the Inhabitants call Tyranna foure miles from Croya Being come to strokes the enemie presuming on the swiftnesse of his horse made an attempt to disorder the Venetian Armie The Venetian footemen on the contrary fighting at times vpon occasion forth of their ranckes after that they had repulsed the enemie with losse retired into the close battallion of their horsemen fearing to be cut off from their troupes The fight had continued from the sixt houre of the day till Euening when on a sodaine the Turkes turned their backes and betooke themselues as vanquished to open flight The victorious Venetians pursued them to their very campe the which being taken and full of riches the Venetian fell to pillage verie few pursuing the victory Those of the city presently sallied forth and tooke two forts which the enimies had built not far from the city which they presently razed But the ioy for this victorie continued not long For whilest that Contareni the Prouidator and the other Captaines were consulting whether it were best to remaine that night in the enemies campe or to returne backe to their quarter the enemies returned with great cries vpon the Venetians presently enuironed those of the formost rankes Then a cruell fight began The Albanese cauallerie so soone as it perceiued the foot troups to be enclosed fled The Italian cauallerie did the like The Turks by reason it was Moonlight chaced slew them vp and down the plain and followed the execution as far as the riuer Lamissa The enemie that day and the night following made a great slaughter but the trechery of the Albaneses did them more hurt who to the number of eight thousand horse stood all day long in order of battaile and stirred not as spectators of the fight And when they perceiued the Venetians to haue the worst they likewise fell vpon them in the wood and along the riuers side in as vile manner as the Turkes Mare then a thousand Venetians were slaine in that flight among them Francisco Contareni the Prouidator with diuerse Captaines The bickering was no lesse bloudie to the enemies for so long as the Venetians battallion stood firme and vnbroken they slew great numbers of them The newes of this losse was grieuous to the Citie but that which they within a while after receiued in Italie did much more afflict them The Venetians after the first incursions of the Turkes into Italie had stopt vp with strong Rampiââ¦es and Causies all places that were footdable betwixt the bridge Gorician and the marshes of Aquileia the riuer Lizonza excepted and builded a Fort vpon the ancient banke of the riuer not farre from the new channell They had imployed thousands of Pioners in this worke who were commanded by Citadino Fratrinas a famous Ingenere And they did not onely make Rampiers but likewise neere to the marshes where the woods were verie thicke they cut downe diuers great trees binding them so fast together as they could not be separated and there left them and on the champaine they laid earthen turfes of seuen foot broad all along and in them they did set branches of willow and other small trees apt to take root then vpon them they laid other rankes of turfes so as thereby the fortification was drawne forth to the verie end towards those places by which the enemies were wont to passe this fortification being made with small towers and battlements did a farre off shew like a towne And where the riuer might easily be forded they built two Fortes enuironed with strong Rampiers and deepe Trenches the one named Gradisââ¦an and the other Foglian by the names of the two townes that are on either side of them This last after the ouerthrow giuen vpon the Riuer bankes was abandoned as a desert place but the other is till this day kept by a strong Garrison and for the most part is enclosed with walles and by meanes of Francisco Trono sent thither to that end is reduced into the forme of a strong towne This worke was in length more than an hundred furlongs But these fortifications are almost ruined and especially where the matter was but sand which the continuall raines haue easily washed away There was besides a little mount in forme of a Castle neere to the bridge ouer the riuer hard by Goricia at first certaine foote companies were sent thither to guard it Then they built two Castles within a mile of each other fortified with strong Rampiers and in it three thousand horse with certaine foot companies but the infanterie was not proportionable to the horse By these meanes the foordsand passages which before lay open to the enemie were now stopt vp by Rampiers which could not be forced which being strongly garrisoned kept out the enemie that way from entring into Italie so as the Commonwealth thereby was freed from all danger and feare But by how much their securitie seemed great by so much more was the Prouince afflicted with a terrible ouerthrow For at such time as they least doubted of the enemies arriuall they perceiued them on a sodaine to lie encamped with great forces vpon the farther side of the riuer Lizonza Those which were in the Armie doe not consent about their number for some affirme them to be tenne thousand others make the number greater and other-somelesse There was a great clamour in the two Forts when they first descried them and presently the alarme was giuen and had not night preuented them the fight would haue begun on both sides The Venetian troupes that were in the two Forts kept watch all night long the horsemen were commanded to let their horse stand bridled and themselues to be readie armed Ieronimo Nouello was their Captaine a man from his youth bred vp in the warres and had beene employed with great command There were likewise diuers noble persons as Giouanni Antonio Gaudolisca with his sonne Anastasio of Romagnia Hercole Maluecia Giacomo Picinino sonne to that great Captaine Picinino Giacomo Badoario
Philippo Nefalone Georgio Galesia Giouanni Clericato of Vincenza with diuers others that held an honourable ranke in the Armie They consulted together that night whether it were best to fight with the enemie or onely to defend their owne Forts For it was likely that those Forts being defended the enemie durst not go farre forward for feare least all meanes of returne should be taken from him yet at last they made a more valiant than a discreet resolution which was to oppose themselues against the enemies which way soeuer they should passe They diuided their Cauallerie into three troupes and ouer euerie troupe appointed a Captaine But the Turke in the meane time intending to vse policie as well as force comming to the opposite shoare did about sun-set rome vp and downe with his horse men and at last without any difficultie seized on the Fort neere to the bridge some of the souldiers retired to the bridge resoluing to breake both the ends and to defend themselues in the middest but being on a sodaine ouerwhelmed with great showers of darts and arrowes they were beaten into the riuer This place was foure miles from the campe so that they had no newes of the taking of the Fort till it was late in the night and then they hardly beleeued it Marbeg for so was the Turkish Generall named hauing taken the bridge did send vp and downe to discouer some fit place for an ambuscado and finding one not farre from thence he commanded a thousand choice horse to passe ouer the riuer about midnight at a Ford and to lie in ambush till a signal were giuen them to breake out then to fall on a sodaine vpon the enemies So soone as it was day the Turke caused a troupe of horse to crosse the riuer and commanded them to goe as farre as the enemies campe and to gallop euen to their gates to draw them forth to fight and then to retire by little and little to the place of ambuscado But by the way they encountred Ieronimo and the rest of the Cauallerie which followed him in order of battaile At first they fought valiantly on both sides but the Turkes at last did of set purpose giue backe the Christians pursuing them Ieronimo his sonne a couragious young man made a fiercer pursuit than any of the rest and was seconded by a troupe of young gallants who were as forward as himselfe The politicke old man was displeased with their rashnesse saying that he was certaine that the Turkes would not so easily flie but vpon some speciall aduantage And because they were almost come betwixt two streightes which were much to be suspected Nouello sounded the retreat Then the Turks returning to charge renewed a fierce fight Ieronimo sent for the first squadron to come to his reskew For from the other side of the riuer a companie of men at Armes were alreadie comming to the aide of their fellowes In the meane time a great squadron of Turks had gotten vp on the neerest banks of the riuer where the fight being renewed the Turks were repulsed as far as Graman a little streame running a thwart the vallies Pergotanes But whilest the Venetians were wholly busied in the victorie the signal being giuen to the Ambuscado from the top of the mount Licinicia which was on their left hand the Turkish troupes brake forth and with fearefull cries fell vpon the Venetians who were so terrified wââ¦th the enemies sodaine eruption as one would not haue taken them for those Venetians that euen now fought so valiantly Neuerthelesse perceiuing that the hope of their liues consisted onely in their Armes they were inforced somewhat to giue backe that they might fight more at large But vpon a sodaine the Turkes gaue them so furious a charge as being beaten backe into a streight place they could not haue roome In the meane time the cruell enemy assailed them in front and in flanke and made an horrible slaughter of them so that the first band was in a moment cut in peeces by the enemies great numbers and were all slaine sauing a few men of note who yeelded to the enemie The Captaines of the second squadron perceiuing their fellowes to be inclosed by the enemies gaue backe by little and little towards the Plaine but in such amazement as those in the rereward supposed it rather a flight than retreite Within a while they all beganne in disorder and without Ensignes or Captaines to flie as vanquished into the thickets of the neighbour-forrests the Turkes still pursuing them Some leauing their horse and armour behind them escaped into the Mountaines In this battell died Iââ¦ronimo Generall of the Cauallerie his sonne Giacomo Badoario Anastasio of Romagnia and many other noble persons most of the rest were taken The Turkes likewise bought this victorie at a deere rate Marbeg their Generall was grieuously wounded and great numbers of souldiers slaine who being heaped vp all together were by his commaundement burnt The news of this ouerthrow did much terrifie the whole Country for the people thought themselues scarce safe euen in their walled cities The next day about noone a great smoake was seene in the aire in many places neere to Vdina whereby they knew that the enemie was not farre off and in an instant all the farme houses betwixt the Riuers Lizonza and Taillement were seene to burne It was a lamentable sight to behold so goodly a Countrey filled with cloudes of smoake but most of all when the night following the whole territorie neere adioyning was on fire The Turkes spoiled and wasted all places the same night and by day-breake vniting themselues returned merrily home to their campe beyond the riuer Lizonza loden with bootie and store of prisoners The next day they marched with their Ensignes into the field a dayes iourney from the Riuer making shew to depart but with greater furie than before they came and incamped on the banckes of Taillement and crossing the Riuer they set fire on all places carrying away more prisoners and doing more hurt to the poore inhabitants than at the former time And vpon report that the Venetian forces were comming against them by land and Sea Marbeg raised his campe and left Italie This ouerthrow at Lizonza terrified all men and affrighted the famous Cittie of Verona At Venice the fire of the Countrie houses which burnt by night being seene from the highest Turrets of the Citty did much amaze the inhabitants Many said That it was a great dishonor to the Seigniory to see ââ¦he pleasantest countrey of the Venetian Territorie burnt and wasted before their faces by a barbarous enemie This caused them presently to dispatch certaine armed vessells along the Sea-coast and certaine troupes of horse and foote through the firme land But they arriued in Friull when the ennemie was gone The two Fortes were for a time without Garrison and some were of opinion to haue them razed The Senate sent certaine Gentlemen thither to view the state
went to garrison in the Sienois territories But the Venetians perceiuing some likelihood that the enemies would the next Spring inuade the Florentines with greater furie and hauing intelligence that Ottoman by letters and great promises from some Christian Princes was solicited to doe the like to them they were moued by this common danger and therefore first laboured about the end of Winter as hath been alreadie said to free themselues from that warre The Spring following they sent Carolo Montone into Tuscanie with a braue Caualerie who falling sicke presently after his arriuall died at Cortona He had fiue and thirtie Cornets of horse and with them he crossed the lake Pergia making furious incursions vpon the frontiers of the Perusins where he took certaine Townes of small importance Those of Perugia who at the arriuall of the Venetian were thought to haue an intent to raise some insurrection in the Citie in regard of the ancient controuersies betwixt themselues being aduertised of his death durst not rise against the Pope notwithstanding that his sonne Bernardino el Conte reuiued his fathers practises By this time halfe summer was spent when as Robert with equal number of horse fought with Mattheo Campana Gouernour of Rome and Nephew to Pope Sixtus on mount Sperella in a small village where for two houres space was a fierce fight But the enemies first squadron being broken which came forth of the trenches the rest terrified with the rout of their fellowes betooke themââ¦elues to flight and left a notable victorie to Robert who became Master of their horse and baggage After this expedition he retired in safetie fearing least Alphonso vpon newes of this defeat should with greater forces come and assaile him Certaine lakes runne from Arezzo betwixt the Sienois and Perusin territories falling into the riuer Pales and afterwards emptie themselues altogether into Tyber the Tuscanes call them Chane Two bridges crosse these waters the one at Clusina which the enemies made good and the other did Malateste fortifie these riuers ranne betwixt the two Armies Whilest the Aragonian was comming to the bridge of Clusina Robert and his souldiers made a safe returne and from their quarter wasted the Sienois territories And if the Duke came to rescue the Sienois Malateste made incursions into the Perusins countrey And in these idle and vnprofitable iournies was the greatest part of Summer spent without any other memorable action In the end about mid-haruest Fredericke of Vrbin and Alphonso had intelligence that the Florentine troups at Podia Imperiale were much diminished by meanes of a controuersie betwixt the souldiers of Aeste and Gongaza For Hercules d'Aeste not long before in a mutinie betweene the Regiments was like to haue beene slaine whereupon he left the Armie and returned home the ãâã went to Milan from whence Roberto Sanseuerino was at the same time expulsed because that he with his complicies had attempted somewhat against the state And that this mutinie might grow to no further inconuenience Gonzaga came from Tuscanie into Lombardie to appease it The enemies then full of hope marched against the Armie that wanted a Generall By day-breake they sent a troupe of Archers vp the hill who afterwards went downe brauely vpon the enemies Andrea Burgensis whose quarter was in the mid-way vpon the hill being put to rout the light horse seconding their foot encouraged their owne men and terrified the enemies whereupon the Tuscan troupes thus disordered and put to flight the Dukes of Calabria and Vrbin did with ease ascend the mountaine and by gaining the Florentines campe recompenced the losse of the Perusins Then drawing neere to Colla after a long and a tedious siege they tooke it The Florentines terrified with this losse sued for peace for the obtaining whereof Lorenzo de Medicis the noblest Citizen who was both enuied and esteemed by the Pope and king went to Naples to free his countrey from so dangerous a warre whereupon peace soone ensuing the Venetians sent Ieronimo Marcello to call backe their forces into Lombardie which were then commanded in Tuscanie by Antonio Donato The end of the tenth Booke of the third Decad. THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE FOVRTH DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the first Booke of the fourth Decad. A Comparison betwixt the Romanes and Venetians The Isle of Rhodes is in vaine besieged by the Turkes They take Otranto in Italy and the Venetians the Isle Coritia The originall of the Ferrarese warre A Councell is called concerning warre against HERCVLES D'AESTE Great preparation for the warre resolued The description of Lombardie and the Riuer Po. The waies through the marshes neere to the enemie are fortified Ficarolles is besieged The nauall Armie saileth on the Po. The Venetians take Hadria and the towns neere adioyning The enemies are defeated at Policella Ficarolles is taken in the night by Scalado Many die in the Armie by contagion of the ayre The whole Island of Rouiga is reduced vnder the Venetians command ALPHONSO of Arragon wasteth all places neere to Rome ROBERTO of Arimini is sent to aide the Pope and by defeating the Arragonois getteth a gallant victorie vpon the Veliternian territorie ROBERT of Arimini dieth within a few daies after his victorie FREDERICKE of Vrbin likewise dies not long after at Ferrara VICTOR SOVRANZA vanquisheth SIGISMOND D'AESTE and HVGO SANSEVERINO at Argento SANSEVERINO hauing crossed the Po at the obscure lake encampeth in the view of Ferrara and doth afterwards make an inexpugnable Fââ¦rt vpon the Riuer bankes wherein he placed a strong Garrison THis Historie which in diuers things resembleth that of the Romans deserues in this place some comparison betwixt them concerning their actions by sea and land sauing in this That the Romanes ouerthrew themselues by one onely warââ¦e which the Venetians haue not done For such as at first the Hernici Equi and Volsââ¦ians were to the Romanes such haue the Dalmatians Liburnians Histrians beene to the Venetians The French was a dangerous enemy to them and left them nothing but the Capitoll the same nation molested the Venetians and tooke all from them but Rialto The Cimbrians Teutonians and Ambrons were terrible to the Romanes and to all Italy the like were the Gothes Hunnes and Lombards to the Venetians and their neighbours Carthage was an enemie to the Latine name the like was Genoa to the Venetians But Carthage shewed her greatest furie against the Romanes when she was confederate with king Philip and the Siracusans against them Genoa was neuer more terrible to the Venetians than at that time when in the warre of Chioggia she was backt by Lewis king of Hungarie and the Paduans Pyrrhus was an enemie to the Romans but more milde than the Carthagenians Pipus was so to the Venetians but much more tractable than the Genouese The Romans had tedious warre wââ¦th Mithridates the Venetians with Philippo Visconte Antiochus was great but Ottoman greater The Romanes maintained the confederate warre the most
that Riuer whereof wee euen now discoursed But to returne to the other part it runs on the left hand without any diminution at all as farre as the Confines of Hadria and diuiding it selfe againe into two mouthes entreth by two seuerall waies into the Sea That which is next to Volana is called Abba and the other Goria The Inhabitants of the Countrie call the other bigger Channell which runnes on the left hand into the Sea the Fornaces This in briefe is all wee can say of the originall of the Po of her course and entrances into the Sea Some thinke that it was called Paua because that round about her spring there grow many trees called in the French tongue Pines Plinie saith that the Ligurians called it Bondimaca by the name of the Village and for proofe of his saying alleageth the Towne of Bondicomaca neare to the Riuer The Adice likewise which diuided in sundrie sorts makes diuers Pollesins comming downe from the Mountaines of Trant runnes a thwart through the Citie of Verona from thence being parted in two at Castagnare beneath Legnaga that part which enuironeth the Village falls into the Tartar issuing from her Lakes and ioyned together are not long ere with a greater course they meet with the other part of the Adice at Malopra and so all these Riuers meeting in one doe behinde enclose the Pollesin of Rouiga At last falling into the Lakes they loose the name of Riuers But the Adice being diuided into two aboue the Tower Marchiana That part which runnes directly towards Sendouare and Rouiga before it comes to Cap-darger gently reenters into her owne streames and thus mingled runnes through the Lakes and Marshes vnto a place called the new Tower where againe separating it selfe into two parts falleth by two mouthes into the Sea that on the right hand being called Fossiones and the other Brandules The Adice being there diuided as hath beene said makes two Polesins the one beyond Rouiga called the old and the other on the hether side termed the new Now these diuisions of Lakes and Riuers made the Venetians iourney much more difficult for in some places they were too deepe to bee foorded and in others too shallow to be passed by Boat First Sanseuerino and the Prouidator Lauretano were of opinion to cause diuers small Boates to bee brought through the Lakes of the Riuer Tartar to Boaria not farre from Legnaga and in them to transport three companies of Foote vnder the command of Andrea de Parma and Thomaso Himulano first to Crocelta and from thence to the Mellaritan Confines By this meanes the Venetian Souldiers came on the last of Aprill before day into the Enemies Countrie Some of the Garrison of Mellaria with Francisco Sica comming from Hostilio with troupes of Horse sought to repell them at their first arriuall but after some light skirmish they were glad to retire The next night Antonio Marciano a very famous Captaine beganne with three hundred Peasants to cut a way for the Armie through the Lakes neare to Casalon They wrought there all that night and the labourers stood in water and mud vp to the girdles but so soone as it was day and the worke not finished Sanseuerino and Lauretano comming thither and considering the danger which those troupes were exposed vnto that were already in the enemies Countrie they presently sent for all the Countrie people there abouts of euery sexe and age to helpe to finish the worke more then one thousand persons laboured there who the next day after finished it and by three of the clocke after noone of the same day the troupes came to the bankes of the Riuer Tartar so soon as their fellowes which guarded the opposite shore saw them they presently made a Bridge ouer the Riuer ouer which euery man passed at his pleasure into the enemies Countrie This way foure and twentie furlongs in length cut through the Lakes was by reason of the great quantitie of Fagots wherewith it was made called Fascinada A Fort was builded on the hither side the Tartar neare to the Bridge and strongly fortified that men might freely passe vp and downe The same day the forces marched into the Mellarians Territories some that were there agree not about their number saying that they were 20000. Others mention not so many But Sanseuerino marching to besiege Mellaria on the Po did at the first assault winne the enemies Rampier neare to the Castle whereuppon those within it presently yeelded Mellaria being taken the enemie shewed himselfe about Sunne-set on the other side of the Riuer this gaue a sodaine alarme to the Venetian who in armes presently ranne to the Riuer bankes but perceiuing their small number their feare ceased They had intelligence afterwards that it was Frederick of Vrbin who came to crosse the Po at Hostilia from thence to march to Milan King Ferdinand and Hercules confederates had made him Generall of their Armie and sent for him to come away speedily to Ferrata to oppose himselfe to the Venetians first attempts The Venetian returned to the Camp and two daies after leauing Mellaria went and encamped at the Village Brigantino which they had taken not long before Then Sanseuerino had intelligence that the enemie had abandoned Trecenta and some other lesser Townes of no great moment Hee thought it fit there to make a bridge by which supplies and victualls might be brought to them from Verona Though this was not so neare a way as that of Croselta or Fascinada yet was it more sure than any of them whereupon he left a strong Garrison to guard the bridge Within a while after the camp marched from Brigantino towards Castelnouo where filling a great trench which the enemie had drawne from the Po to the lakes to stop the Venetians approch the Armie came neare the Citie wheresor three daies space the Ordnance playing vpon the walls in the end after some assaults the Citie yeelded In the meane time they made incursions into the enemies Countrie and euery day brought great store of Cattaile and prisoners to the Camp The report of these incursions being bruted in the neighbour Villages prouoked many to come to the Venetians campe vpon hope of bootie so as in a short space the Armie consisted of 30000. able Men. From Castelnouo they went to Ficarolles where an other great trench being likewise made by the enemie did for a time restraine the course of their victorie but this impediment taken away they planted the Cannon against the walls when speedie newes was brought from Mellaria that Frederick of Vrbin with great forces lay at Hostilia The Venetian Generall fearing if the enemie should at his backe shut vp all passages he should not be able when he would to returne did presently raise his camp and returned to Castelnouo There he vnderstood by spies that the forces which were at Hostilia were not sufficient to make any attempt on this side the Po Then Sanseuerino sent
word to Count Marcian presently to breake downe the cawsies and bankes of the Riuer betwixt Mellaria and Hostilia for that once done they needed no more to feare the enemies incursions and himselfe returned againe to Ficarolles But in his absence the townesmen had fortified the trench planted their Ordnance on the opposite shore broken downe the camps Rampiers and burnt the Souldiers Cabins Vrbin comming thither afterwards from Hostilia had strengthened the Towne with a stronger Garrison and from thence retired to Stellata on the opposite shore and there remained to releeue his people when neede were with supplies armor and victualls all his troupes came thither to him Robert in the meane time being somewhat tyred did againe fill the trench and encamped on either side thereof But whilest these things were done there Christofero Muletto a valiant Captaine who commanded the small vessells for Damiano Moro Generall of the fleete vpon the Po had passed on beyond the enemie besieged and took Hadria a very ancient Citie The souldiers of the garrison and townsmen did at first brauely defend it The situation of the place did greatly auaile them which is for the most part enuironed with water not nauigable but by certaine Channels through which very hardly vessells come neere the Cittie Dominico Hericeo a couragious souldier was slaine at the first assault The Venetians incensed by his death did with greater furie assault the Citie and without feare of danger mounted the rampires and neuer gaue ouer till the souldiers and mariners entred it Then the inhabitants casting downe their Armes cried for mercie The Conquerors at their first entrance slew diuers and the houses in many places were burnt and spoiled and Hadria had that day beene wholy ruined had not the Venetian presently commaunded the souldiers to abstaine from spoile and murther We haue elsewhere spoken of the situation and antiquitie of this ciââ¦tie Hadria taken the whole Countrey round about was wasted Comachia likewise at the same time yeelded to the Venetians These Citties with others neere adioyning some by force and others voluntarily beeing taken by them and Moro sailing with the fleete vp the Riuer all men fled on both sides the Po for the Inhabitants of the Countrey terrified with the losse of Hadria ranne with their wiues and children to Ferrara and other Townes of safetie Hercules had fortified a place vpon the Po called Pilosella by which the fleete was to passe and had there builded three Castles of wood one in the middest of the Riuer and the other on both sides which hee furnished with ordnaunce and other necessaries and strong garrisons Sigismond d'Este Hercules brother and Giouan Bentiuole of Bolognia lay there with six hundred horse and as many foot Moro had great numbers of vessells to wit gallââ¦ots small boates Ganzarioles with many other of sundry sorts to the number of two hundred well armed and readie to fight Himselfe in his owne Gallie sailed against the enemie the like did the forces by land The Venetian beganne the fight with such animositie as putting the Cauallerie and the rest which were on each shoare to flight after along and dangerous bickering hee tooke the Fortes vpon the water The victory was verie bloudy But the ioy to haue vanquished made them forget their present losse They sent the Castle which was builded in the middest of the water vpon a great vessel to Venice the others were burnt Moro victorious caused his souldiers and mariners to spoile and waste all places neere to the Riuer they being as well prouoked by reuenge as desire of bootie pillaged all villages and countrie houses vpon the Riuer and then burnt them and so satisfied carried away with them great numbers of prisoners and cattell and thus loaden with bootie arriued at the campe before Ficarolles These men by theyr speed comming thither before the fleet and being taken for enemies did put the Campe in alarme but when they were knowne to be friends they did cheerefully embrace one another and continued the siege both by land and water then they made so fierce a battery as they ouerthrew the Citties walles and rampires Fredericke of Vrbin who was on the opposite shore beholding the danger of his friends was not idle but annoyed the Venetians with his ordnance from the farther side and supplied the besieged with armour victuall and whatsoeuer else he knew to be necessarie for a siege But nothing did so much hurt to the Venetian as certaine peeces called Bases then not vsuall For neither armour rampire or fortification could withstand their fury and yron bullets which carried away with them whatsoeuer they met with And because that contrarie to the discipline of those times they played aswell by night as day Sanseuerino sent him word by a Trumpet that if hee did not cease his new kinde of warre hee would turne his Cannons from the walles of Ficarolles vpon his Campe whereupon they agreed together that when Sanseuerino should assault the Citie or batter the walls with his ordnance the enemie might vse those peeces Moreouer Sanseuerino resoluing wholy to shut vp the Riuer from the enemie commanded certaine vessells of the fleet to bee drawne by Land vp the Riuer beyond the enemies camp Vrbin sent for nine Galeots from Hostilia of those fiue and twentie which he had brought with him from Milan to ouer-runne those vessells Fiue of them being come to an Island neare to the Venetians fleet foure hundred of the Souldiers landed there to refresh themselues by reason of the great heat and lay downe here and therein the shade vpon the grasse The Venetians aduertised of their landing and vnwilling to omit so faire an occasion landing on the farther side of the Island to the number of 150. did sodainly assaââ¦le the enemie halfe asleepe who being amazed with such an vnlookt for assault in sted of defending them selues fled towards the vessells most of them were slaine or taken threescore and ten being taken aliue were brought to Sanseuerino who vnderstanding that they were Milaneses and Artificers not comming thither of their owne accord to fight but sent by their Princes commandement did vse them gently and furnishing them with clothes and money gaue them leaue to depart It was not long ere the enemie had his reuenge with greater losse to the Venetians The Po diuides it selfe into two branches as hath been said fiue hundred paces beneath Ficarolles The Venetian Captaines determined to build a Fort at the point of the Island where this separation begins that the right side thereof on the way from Stellata to Ferrara might be shut vp from the enemie Antonio Marciano was the first that propounded it wherefore the charge thereof was committed to him He being accompanied by Bartilmeo Falceria Tomaso of Immola and two Companies of foot did on a sodaine seize on the place and then with great numbers of peasants brought thither with him to that end began the worke The soldiors and
to the Citie These hauing begunne to fortifie the Riuer banckes to defend themselues from the enemies incursions that they might afterwards without any let batter the towne walls Sigismundo d'Este on a sodaine with Nicolao Corregio Hugo Sanseuerino and other noble men comming foorth of Argento with three thousand men assailed them and gaue their first charge vpon Andrea Burgensis quarter where at first the Venetians had the worst but so soone as the alarme was giuen in the camp euery man armed ranne fiercely to the fight Sigismond opposed to the Venetians front foure waggons on each of which lay foure falconets There the battaile was very doubtfull till three hundred Venetian light horse wheeling about to giue in vpon the enemies backe did so terrifie Hercules souldiers as Sigismond and the other Captaines betooke themselues to flight then the Gallie called Valeresa comming with great rumor vp the water vpon their backes the enemies changed their fight to flight Sigismond mounting a swift horse escaped himselfe alone to Argento Many were drowned in the Riuer more were slaine in the battell but the number of prisoners was greatest of all Souranza that day obtained a great and notable victorie For besides Hugo Sanseuerine he tooke three score and tenne other Captaines whom he sent prisoners to Venice Roberto Sanseuerino being likewise desirous to execute some memorable enterprize resolued to passe ouer into the Ferrarese Territory and for effecting it hee commaunded a bridge to be made on galliots and committed the worke to Bassan of Verona which being soone finished he left Barbadico at Ficarolles and himselfe with Heme and Sanuto the Prouidators went a mile beneath the enemies Fort where hee beganne to passe ouer his troupes and so soone as one boate had passed it cast anker and so the rest serued for a bridge By this time eighteene hundred horse and foote were already gone ouer into the enemies Countrey when they perceiued that there wanted vessells to finish the bridge which happened by their errour who had not taken the iust breadth of the Riuer by the meanes whereof a troupe of valiant souldiers remayned on the other shoare destitute of their fellowes aide whereat Sanseuerine was moued in great choller protesting that if they did not before day prouide boats to finish the bridge his brauest troupes through the carelesnesse indiscretion of some would vndoubtedly be cut in peeces before his face But by the Prouidators diligence it was preuented and the bridge beeing wholy finished the rest of the Armie crossed the riuer ere the enemie had anie notice thereof Hercules souldiers hauing discouered them and not trusting to their Fort threw their ordnance into the Riuer and setting fire on their fortification retired speedily to Ferrara By their example others that held certaine fortified places vpon the Riuer did for feare abandon them whereupon the Venetian in an instant became Master of the Riuer one Fort excepted standing at the head of the Polesine which the enemies had fortified So soone as the Venetians perceiued that neither the riuer nor any forts could resist their furie they wasted the whole territorie burning farmes and country houses downe to the ground There is a Parke within a mile of Ferrara Borsia was the first that inclosed it with walls but Hercules inlarging it did much beautifie it with lakes ponds groues and other places fit for chace The Venetian first encamped neere to the walls which are close to the riuer and in the meane time made a new bridge ouer the Po stronger than the former They first placed a ranke of shippes of burthen one close to another from one side to the other fastened to their ankors by strong yron chains which could not bee cut in sunder then they laid euen planckes vpon them so cunningly ioyned together as it resembled a well-framed bridge of stone This beeing done they builded shoppes vpon it on both sides wherein all sortes of wares were sold which hindered Passengers from looking on the water They made moreouer draw-bridges at both ends which when they were drawne vp those shoppes seemed an Island in the middest of the Riuer And to keep the enemie from firing it by night some two hundred paces before it they hung vp aboue water great wodden plankes fastned to ankors with yron hookes to keepe out the fire works which might be throwne vpon it till they were either quenched or burnt out The bridge finished Sanseuerine brake downe the Parke walles and through it marched with his armie in battell within a mile of Ferrara where he remained for a time in the Cities view but when he saw that the enemie did not sallie he brought backe his troupes to the Campe then he beganne to repaire the Fort vpon the riuer which the enemie had abandoned hee did first enlarge it then enuironed it with trenches of twenty foote deepe with strong bastions Towers and Rauelins This worke vndoubtedly was in a manner impregnable and would perpetually haue terrified the Citie of Ferrara had it not by peace beene razed The Venetian hauing in this manner assured his Campe galloped with his Cauallerie to the very gates of Ferrara filling all places with feare The Citizens viewing the bridge so neere them and the Fort much neerer beganne to lament their owne and Common-wealths estate saying That Hercules Principalitie was ouerthrowne themselues in great daunger and that the stroakes of warre had pierced their very heart that they were out of hope euer to haue peace with the Venetians who had displayed their victorious Ensignes at their gates That the Marshes Lakes and Riuers had not beene of force to restraine the course of their Victorie of whom they were to receiue verie vniust conditions of peace or submit themselues to their mercie The Venetian in the meane time omitted nothing that might further his Victorie he did shut vp the riuers and lakes placing corps du guard and garrisons in all passages In a word he held those of Ferrara at such a bay as Conquerours are wont to do the vanquished when they are desirous speedily to end the Warre The end of the first Booke of the fourth Decad. THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE FOVRTH DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the second Booke of the fourth Decad. THe Pope maketh a new league and abandoneth the Venetians The Duke of Calabria comes to Ferrara All Princes and Commonwealths of Italy band themselues against the Venetians The Senate sends for the Duke of Lorraine into Italy and giues him large pay SANSEVERINO with great forces crosseth the Adda by a bridge and encampeth at Frezzia LODOVICO SFORZA doth easily ouerthrow the ROSSIANS ALPHONSO taketh diuers townes from the Venetians on the Bressian and Verona territories then crossing the Mincia he scoures the countrey as farre as the Riuer Adice and not long after takes Azzola The Venetian Infanterie vpon HERCVLES arriuall at Stellata leapes into the Riuer ALPHONSO leauing Azzola with an
would in few houres arriue there whereupon ââ¦ee commaunded all the bells to be rung acclamations of ioy to be made by the souldiers on the walles as though supplies were already arriued The enemie terrified with this sodaine clamour hauing lost 500. men in this assault put to Sea Shortly after the Venetian fleete arriued and wintered there Alphonso was as hath beene said encamped at Calcina and it was probable that from thence hee would goe and besiege Lonata Morosini the Prouidator departed from the Campe at Rezza and went thither to fortifie the Cittie whither hee sent for Country people who with the inhabitants and souldiers of the Garrison made a trench and raââ¦pires Giacomo Media was likewise there who not long before had beene sent thither with three hundred men to guard the Citie These together with the light horse of the Towne did by their frequent incursions forestall all things from the enemies forragers so long as they remained there Moreouer the Venetian had diuerted the ordinary current of the Riuer Seriola that if the enemy came to encampe there hee might want water Neuerthelesse hee attempted to take Vidaciolla which Sanseuerino hauing strongly fortifyed and the enemie twice assaulting it could not be taken Then Alphonso being loath to loose any longer time determined to march directly to Verona Some say that the Prince of Mantua from thence returned home discontented with Alphonso for refusing to besiege Lonata and Piscara which two townes heespecially desired to take from the Venetians The Senate had beene aduertized of the enemies desseigne and therefore sent diuers boats and a strong Garrison to Piscara to guard the Towne and Lake of La Garda they had beside commaunded the Gallie which lay at Lalissa to bee armed and brought into the Lake The charge thereof was committed to Andrea Marcello who had commaund of those vessells till Pietro Diede was sent thither by the Senate The enemie lying still at Calcina Thomaso of Imola who commaunded the foot forces vpon the Po crossing the Riuer before day gaue a sodaine assault to the suburbs of Stellata and to the rampires next the Castle the Sailers were mingled with the Souldiers The suburbs were easily taken and burnt The ordnance and other engines being taken from the enemies rampires were carried to the vessels this being done they gaue a fierce assault to the Fort The Souldiers and Mariners vrged with such furie as in a moment they became masters of part thereof Then they which were in the highest places craued parley first of Immola then of Andrea Zancane who commaunded the vessells and of set purpose prolonged their parley expecting some speedie aid from Ferrara wherein they were not deceiued So soone as newes came to the Citie that the enemie had taken the bastions and part of the Fort at Stellata and that without speedie helpe they within it would be enforced to yeeld Hercules on a sodaine taking the light horse with him and commaunding the rest of his forces to follow in order of battell shewed himselfe vnlooked for to the Venetians whom hee charged the Sailers running to the vessells left the souldiers to the slaughter who for a while made head but vpon the arriuall of the rest of the troups they threw themselues into the water trusting to their skill in swimming hoping thereby to get into the vessells but most of them being carried away by the violent swiftnes of the torrent perished those that escaped drowning were taken prisoners among whom was Immola who being but slightly wounded and dying the night following was supposed to haue beene poysoned Those that lay at the obscure Lake made incursions as farre as Ferrara where among other places they spoiled the rich and beautifull Monasterie of the Chartreux burning part thereof Giouan Heâ⦠Prouidator in that Campe hauing intelligence that the Fort of Stellata was taken and making himselfe readie to march to the reliefe of his soldiers and in ioy of that good news curuetting his horse not well managed it threw him of which fall hee died not long after Giacomo surnamed Media came to the Camp as Prouidator in his sted who by reason of the infectious aire falling sicke was carried backe to Venice where not long after hee died Lastly they sent Francisco Troni thither a discreet and braue yong man who had no better successe than his fellowes Whilstthe is was done on the Po Alphonso departing from Calcina tooke Carpinetta thence marching to Calauria hee crossed the Mincia with part of his forces beneath Valegia where hauing well viewed the whole Countrie hee repassed the Riuer and came to Godia where againe crossing the Mincia at a bridge by the Mantuans confines came into the Veronois Vallegia stands vpon an high hill and vnderneath it runnes the Mincia the walles fortifyed with towers extend themselues as farre as the Marshes of Tartar In this space stands Villafranca in the middest of a Plaine strong rather by Art than Nature The Arragonois breaking down the walls in that place approached with his armie neere to the Citie and battering the Castle tooke it the third day after his arriuall From thence scattering his forces throughout the Veronois he filled all places with terrour euen to the Cittie walles Hee likewise sent some of his Captaines to view the strong townes of the Countrey and without difficulty became Master of Vigatia the Isle of Escalla and Sanguineta Then comming to the Riuer Adice and being discouered by the Inhabitants of the farther shoare they terrified fled which terrour ranne as farre as Padua and Vincenza the Country people flying to the citties and strong townes In this alarme the Magistrates of both places assembled forces to oppose the enemies passage ouer the Adice Alphonso stayed not long at Villafranca ere Sanseuerino comming vp the Lake of Benac encamped neere Valegia where Marc Antonio Morosini met him with part of the forces which were at Lonata at his arriuall Augustino Barbadico his Colleague fell sicke and was carried to Venice Alphonso perceiuing the Venetian to be encamped before him and not able to draw him to the fight nor yet safely to assaile him on a sodaine rose and marched into the Bressan where he besieged Azzola Some thought that the enemie did not without cause remoue and giue ouer his other dessigns for that siege but that he had correspondence with some of the Garrison and Citizens for surrender of the towne It is certaine that the towne being afterwards deliuered backe to the Venetians by agreement some by decree of Senate who feeling themselues guiltie had remoued their habitation were absolutely banished whereby wee may perceiue that it was not a publike but priuate surrender But howsoeuer the City reputed impregnable yeelded at the first assault the Castle following their example Sanseuerino after Alphonsoes departure recouered all the Townes which hee had taken vpon the Veronois and leauing Antonio Souranza for the
neighbour townes daunted with the disaster of the Gallipolitans voluntarily yeelded Marcellos death reported at Venice did somewhat sower the sweetnesse of the victorie The Citie neuerthelesse reioyced because that by the taking of Gallipolis a means was offered them at their pleasures to anoy king Ferdinand their enemie whose pride was no whit daunted notwithstanding that he saw the Venetians make incursions into the verie bowels of his Kingdome yet that turbulent spirit of his when it perceiued his countrey entangled in a difficult and tedious warre inclined to peace His sonne Alphonso who lay on the Cremonese hauing intelligence by spies that the Venetians comming from their Garrisons were with a mightie Armie encamped at Varioles did with his troupes which were farre inferiour to the Venetians march to Quintiana where fortifying himselfe his Armie by supplies from the confederates did daily encrease Sanseuerino in the meane time because he would not be idle thought it fit that Nicolao Pisauro the Prouidator and his sonne Francisco should with certaine troupes of horse make incursions into the enemies countrey These hauing at a bridge crossed the Oglio did on a sodaine surprize Calce and other townes of small importance some of which they fortified and razed the rest The enemie being not farre off lay still and would not remoue so as all that haruest there was no other memorable exploit done In the end after that Alphonso had assembled all the confederate forces consisting of sixe score companies of men at Armes with an infanterie to their Cauallerie he marched against the new Orges Sanseuerino though he were inferiour to him in number of horse yet being his superiour in foot forces went to the old Orges supposing that the enemie would come thither Nicolao Treuisano Gouernour of Bressia accompanied Sanseuerino with a gallant troupe to the new Orges Alphonso in the meane time being come to Metella enforced the townsmen to yeeld together with some other places of meane importance From thence he went and seized on Varioles and Scosariolles and then continued at Baignolles But the Venetian who still followed him seeking for a fit occasion to giue him battaile went from Maclodia to Torbolles and from thence not long after encamped at S. Zenes betwixt Bressia and the enemies campe There peace was motioned with more likelihood of good successe than before at Cesenna and as it had a better beginning so was the end more prosperous For the Captaines which seldome happens who were wont to abhorre the name of peace became Authors and Vmpires thereof Sanseuerino on the one side and Lodouico Sforza on the other after sundrie messages from both parts vndertooke this treatie so much desired not onely in Lombardie where warre was hote but ouer all Italy During this treatie of peace or not long before the Venetians receiued a great ouerthrow neere to Ferrara Certaine foot-companies of the Garrison of the obscure lake had made incursions to the verie gates of Ferrara seeking to draw forth the enemie into some Ambuscado but the Ferrarois still contained themselues within their walles till the Venetians retired towards their campe for then they sent certaine troupes of horse against them who skirmished with them as farre as the Parke corner which confrontes Cassagio where the Venetians in disorder were put to rout diuers were there slaine and many wounded but the number of prisoners was verie great who according to the manner of the Italian warre being stript were dismissed Troni Prouidator at that time of the obscure lake falling sicke and being carried to Venice died there Peace as hath beene said being motioned by the Captaines did then take effect on these conditions That the Venetians should reenter Asola Romania and all other townes lost during that warre of Lombardie That they should withdraw all their Garrisons on this side beyond the Po raze all the Forts built vpon the riuer banks and should surrender to Hercules whatsoeuer they had taken from him the Pollesin of Rouigo excepted which themselues retained and should enioy the same liberties old and new as they were wont to haue in Ferrara and places neere adioyning That Sanseuerino should still continue in the Venetians pay and yet should be Generall to all the Princes and States of Italy Such was the end of the confederate warre of all Italy against the Venetians the greatnesse of whose preparations may be imagined by this That in two yeares space or little more whilest this warre lasted they spent three millions and 600000. Ducates The Venetians of a long time had not so willingly entertained peace In all Townes and Castles ouer their dominions bonefires were made in signe of ioy Besides triumphes turnaments and fight at barriers were proclaimed which should continue certaine daies The rewards propounded to the combatants were two peeces the one of cloth of gold and the other of siluer Great multitudes of people came from all parts to behold those shewes Hercules de Oeste and Iulio Count of Camerin were present at them whom the Prince and Senate went to meete Leon sonne to Lodouico Sforza and Galeas Sanseuerino came from Milan to Venice Old Sanseuerino chose rather to be a dealer in the triumphes than a spectator The Rossians of Parma and the Prince of Mirandula came thither likewise with many other great Lords some to fight others to looke on The market-place of S. Marke as farre as S. Geminians Church was to this end sumptuously adorned The combatants preparations were magnificent Three of Sanseuerines sonnes who sundrie times made shewes a-part caused fiue and twentie braue coursers to be richly trapt with gold and purple The Rossians of Parmas shewes were in a manner like this But that of Count Camerins nephew sonne to his brother was accounted more sumptuous than all the rest More than an hundred thousand persons beheld these triumphs Prince Mocenigo accompanied with the Senate and Citie Magistrates had a place prepared for them These turnaments lasted certaine daies In the end the honour of the triumph was adiudged to Sanseuerines sonnes as they that had best deserued it Fracasso and Antonio Maria diuided the cloth of gold betwixt themselues and Galeas alone had that of siluer Count Camerins nephew who in all mens iudgements had done brauely refused three hundred crownes which the State would haue giuen him Some thought he did it in disdaine because others were preferred before him Mariotto a younger brother of the Rossians of Parma doing more at barriers than his yeares promised was rewarded with a horse richly barded Many others were rcompenced according to their merit many were likewise knighted Iulio Count of Camerin was made Generall of the Venetian troupes seeing Sanseuerino commanded those of all Italy The end of the second Booke of the fourth Decad. THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE FOVRTH DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the third Booke of the fourth Decad. THE Dukes Pallace burnt during the warre is sumptuously
assured of the enemies returne and strengthened with new supplies from Rauenna La Marca and Vmbria resolued boldly to passe on and besiege Trent to let the Almaines know that the Venetians could and durst inuade them likewise in their owne Countrey He imparted his desseigne to the Prouidators whereupon Luca Pisani an ancient man whom the Senate had sent in Pietro Diede his place who was gone home to Verona answered That hee did not thinke that this enterprize could any way profit the State because first it was not a thing likely to be true that the enemies who of late were so many and so gallantly armed were so farre gone into Germany but at their pleasures they may returne and reunite themselues yea and confront vs ere long so readie is that nation to take Armes and by that meanes wee shall be in danger of loosing this place so commodious for barring strangers forth of Italy Secondly if our men haue beene now strong enough to driue the enemies hence wee will not say that they went away of themselues or vnconstrained but that they haue beene enforced so to doe But admit it were so wee are too weake to inuade them and to enter into their Countrey there to maintaine a siege if neede were For wee must perswade our selues that all Germany with forces infinite would vnite themselues and come into the field rather then endure such disgrace Lastly if we should enter their Countrey and he there broken and put to rout what place of retreate haue we hauing the Alpes on one side and our enemies on the other Besides we are to feare the passages which are so narrow as in time of peace they are hardly passable And therefore it is better for the State to protract the warre rather then on hope of vncertaine victorie to tempt Fortune Againe the Citie being much tyred with the Ferraresewarre ought to make more account of peace without glorie than of warre though honourable and of an assured good euent This is mine opinion which peraduenture in regard of an error common to those of many yceres feare I will intreat you if you so please to declare your aduise that wee may follow that which is most expedient Ieronimo Marcello replied in this manner I would not doubt but that it were daungerous to enter into the enemies Countrey and to besiege Trent if that were true which my Colleague hath alleadged Because that the Prouince or Citie which we should take might animate all Germanie against vs. Yet according to his owne opinion the matter is farre otherwise for the enemie is not gone away of his owne accord but desperately enforced as well through want of victuals as pay Now he that cannot entertaine an Armie alreadie leuied with victuals and money which are the true sinewes of warre hardly for want of these two will he raise a new For it is much easier to preserue things alreadie made than to renew those which are ouerthrowne and wasted It is not credible that all Germanie to assist Sigismund would take Armes against the Venetians who haue euer beene their good friends and Confederates For Sigismund vnknowne to all other Germaine Princes without beeing prouoked hath insolently begunne warre The Emperour Frederick his brother approues not what he hath done he would neither aid him with money men or ought else but seemeth to be highly displeased with this warre Who will then suppose that he which is forsaken of his owne friends and countrimen should euer be relieued by strangers And if any man shall say that all the Princes of Germanie will not stirre in Sigismunds behalfe but in their owne fearing that the taking of Trent would open the Venetians a passage into their Countrey and this alone might excite them to vnite their forces to expulse vs This obiection is easily answered for the Venetian Signorie hath many townes and Castles through which they may easily passe into Germanie Feltre is not farre off nor Belluna likewise and least of all Ciuidalla in Friull Besides these townes it hath many strong Castles towards the East as Buerna and Lodron on the Bressan and the Fort of the lake Isea together with the Topine valley in the Bergamasco with all that Countrey which extends it selfe from the lake of Coma to the Grisons And yet the Germaine Princes haue neuer attempted to driue the Venetians thence for feare of the passage And though wee should take Trent they would not stirre but rather confesse and freely say that Sigismund deserued it for vniustly prouoking the Venetian Signorie their friend and Confederate As for the streight and narrow wayes we are to passe from hence to Trent it is nothing Yet we must open them and foote by foot seise vpon whatsoeuer we shall find by the way doth belong to the Almaines and leaue nothing at our backes which may proue our enemie And whereas my fellow hath alleadged that the State wanting money by reason of the Ferrarese troubles is wearie of warre I say we neede not care for that For if we take Trent all the expence of this warre shall be well recompenced with profit and vsurie and our wrongs iustly reuenged to the honour of our Commonwealth which shall extend her bounds further The which our ancestors haue so highly esteemed as they haue neuer cared for any expence so that they might augment their State A faire accasion is now offered to take Trent aswell because our valliant soldiers will enter it the Citie being not well fortified as also for that the townesmen fearing the sacke thereof will yeeld vpon the first summons and therefore our forces are sufficient to hazard the matter without expecting any further aide If the enterprize prosper my Lord Pisani will be the first that shall commend the Authour thereof If the Citie shall resist and we cannot take it yet hauing first wasted the Countrey burnt their Country houses and villages and filled all places with feare and amazement we shall bring backe our victorious Armie into these parts And thus being reuenged we may more easily treate of accord than if we now retire without any further exploit Wee must thinke that opportunitie doth not euery day offer it selfe and therefore we are to take it when it is opportunely offered and not let it slip least the remembrance of not accepting it together with repentance torment those who haue so lost it Marcello's speech ended Pisani freely alowed his opinion The Prouidators thoght it fit that the Generall should execute that which he had propounded who spedily caused all things to be made readie But because that betwixt Rouero and Trent vpon the Riuer towards the left hand there stands a Castle called Pietro seated on a little hill commanding the high way the Generall determined to take it from thence to bring victuals to the Campe and because according to Marcello's aduice he would not leaue any enemie place behind him This thus resolued because that on Rouero's side
they could not march to this Castle by reason of the difficult hanging of the mountaine hee caused his Armie to crosse the Riuer at a bridge which he made at his arriuall then he marched vp against the streame of the Riuer and within an houre and an halfes march came to Caillan a small towne within a mile of Castle Pietro where on small boates making another bridge he repassed the Riuer and encamped in a plaine sixe hundred paces from it betwixt the mountaine and the riuer and from thence sent his light horse to make dscouerie who were to aduertize him if they should chance to descrie any of the enemies ensignes These light horse for getting the Generals commandement rode vp and downe wasting and spoiling the countrey onely intending to get bootie Those of Trent in the meane time aduertized of the making of the bridge fearing their owne danger as much as their neighbours their Armie being far off and their Citie badly fortified and vnprouided of all necessaries intreated George Lord of Pietro Plana a Castle be yond Trent to make speedie head against the Venetian Armie with such forces as he had and the greatest numbers of Boores he coulde leuie and with them to amuze the enemie till Sigismond should come to their rescue He presently did what they entreated and from Besina and other places neere adioyning had in an instant aboue one thousand men readie to march Then with many drummes and trumpets he began to come downe from the hilles The light horse who romed vp and downe descrying them and being not able to view their exact number by reason of the hill top which shadowed them and perceiuing their file to be verie long in regard of the streight waies supposed them to be farre moe then they were and seeing them to approach with such great rumours turned their backes and fled and meeting with their fellowes which followed them caused them likewise to runne away towards the Campe the horse and foote being pell-mell together The Almaines being more encouraged by the Venetians flight than their owne valour were presently at their heeles and so terrified their enemies campe as euerie man fled and retired to the Generals troupes who hauing notice of his souldiers flight was comming to backe them where he brauely resisting the enemie and reprehending the basenesse of his owne troupes fought verie valiantly for a time Many on both sides were slaine And noble Sanseuerino perceiuing the enemies squadron to presse in vpon him acted wonders with his sword till at last being beaten to the verie brinke of the Riuer still aduancing one of his owne ensignes and being oppressed with multitudes wrapped himselfe in his colours and so mortally wounded fell into the water where he died The rest of the Armie terrified by their Generals death fled euerie man toward the bridge Andrea de Burgo Colonell of the infanterie perceiuing this disorder and that no man had any care to resist the enemies supposing that if the bridge were broken the runnawaies would stand to it and be enforced to fight ranne presently to cut the ropes which held the boates But it fell out otherwise than he imagined For feare doth commonly entertaine no counsell euen so those who fled hoping to escape by crossing the riuer when they saw the bridge broken did headlong with their horse and Armes throw themselues into the riuer where they all perished by the violence of the streame Few or none escaped to the other side so that of the Venetians accounting as well those that were drowned as they whom the Almaines slew aboue a thousand men lay dead on the place Onely Guido Maria de Rossis with his troupe of horse fighting valiantly manifested the worth of carriage and magnanimitie in warre who being inuironed by the victorious enemie made way through the middest of them and came off brauely Other Captaines and Souldiers that could not crosse the riuer some by vnknowne waies got vp to the tops of the mountaines and others but verie few entred into boates and escaped to Rouero among whom was De Rossis and his companie There died great numbers of the Almaines who with a bloudie victory returned home The Venetians spent some time in renewing their Armie which was almost disbanded The Almaines in the meane time did not stirre but were glad to doe the like hauing receiued no lesse losse than their enemies Neuerthelesse there happened at the same time diuers skirmishes and incounters with taking of townes vpon the Feltrine and Vincenzan territories and along the lake of La Garda with such troupes as each side could raise putting all to fire and sword The Venetians among others tooke a Castle neere to the lake called Arques which by the Senates decree was burnt and ruined because it had beene the principall motiue of the warre and had caused the strife concerning their bounds as also because that the Lords of that Castle were capitall enemies to the Venetians In the meanetime Andrea de Burgo accused before the Councell of Ten for that he had treacherously and of malice broken the bridge at Caillan was committed to prison but vpon report of Marco Beazana Chanceller of the Senate who had bene in that incounter he was inlarged and restored to his place Pope Innocent being displeased with this warre at that time dispatcht the Bishop of Ozima to Sigismond to intreat him in his name to giue an end to to that warre and to tell him that the Turk being so neere a neighbour it did not befit two such potent Christian nations to contend with one another that if it should please him to make his Holinesse vmpier of his controuersie with the Venetians he would doe him all right The Bishop made some stay with Sigsmond till articles of peace were drawne which he carried with him to Venice who imparting them to the Senate they were reiected In this manner without effecting his legation he returned to Rome The Pope made the same motion of peace to the Venetians by Nicolao Franco Bishop of Treuiso his Nuncio who earnestly entreated the Senate to embrace it assuring them that his Holinesse would imploy his credit and authoritie to effect it But all was in vaine till Sigismond tired with the heauie burthen and expence of warre being no longer able to entertaine his Armie did himselfe sue to the Venetians for peace whereupon after sundrie messages from both sides peace was concluded in Nouember on these conditions That the townes taken on either part should be restored to the true owners That the Venetian marchants taken at the Faire of Bolzana should be set at libertie and their losses recompenced Other matters not heere mentioned were referred to the Pope Such was the end of the Rethicke warre The Senate recompenced the Captaines and Souldiers according to their merits Iulius Caesar Varran was casseerd because he had behaued himselfe negligently in his place The two sonnes of noble
whether they should encampe at Fornouo a small Village at the foot of the hill and it was concluded because the place was very straight and peraduenture likewise to giue the enemy meanes to descend into the plaine that they would lodge in the Abbey of Guiaruola three miles from Fornouo wherby the French Vantgard came thither sooner then the rest of the army which conducted the ordnance vneasie to bee brought ouer that steepy Appenine hill The Marshall de Gie being come thus foreward sent a trumpet to the Confederate Army in his Kings name to craue passage who without offence to any man and taking victualls at a reasonable price was desirous to passe on and returne into France The Confederates consulting vpon an answer for the Marshalls trumpet the Captaines opinions were different in the end they concluded to send to Milan where the Duke and Confederate Ambassadors lay to know their pleasures But the matter being delayed the Captaines sent back the Trumpet without any certain resolution determining to assaile and charge the French as they passed The King at last ioyning with his Vantgard did with his whole army the next day following lodge at Fornouo The French who till then had marched with great boldnesse and assurance making no account of the Italians armes so soone as at their going downe the hill they discouered the enemies army with infinite numbers of tents and pauilions and considering their resolution to fight began a little to abate their former heate and would haue beene well pleased so that thâ⦠Italians would haue suffered them to passe The King enforced to imbrace new Councell commanded the Lord of Argenton to send atrumpet to the Venetian Prouidators to let them vnderstand that he desired to conferre with them for the publique good They accepted the parley in some fit place betwixt both Armies but the King altring his purpose would not attend the issue of this parley The two armies were quartered within three miles of one another along the Turo which is rather a torrent then a riuer which running betwixt two little hills doth in a manner enuiron them On one of those hills was the Confederate army lodged on the right hand towards the riuer bankes they had fortefied themselues with Dikes and Rampiers well flanked with ordnance and the French were of necessity to go that way to Ast nothing but the riuer beeing betwixt the enemies and them All that night was very tedious to the French both in regard of the Stradiots continuall alarmes as for a suddaine shower of raine entermingled with fearefull thunder and lightening Which they interpreted as a presage of some sinister fortune In the morning by day breake the French army began to crosse the riuer the ordnance going first followed by the Vantgard wherin were three hundred and fifty Lances Iohn Iames Triuulcio with his company of an hundred Lances and 3000. Suisses to whom the King added three hundred archers and some crosbowes on horse-back of his guards whom he caused to march on foot for hee supposed that the enemy would turne his cheese forces vppon it The battaile followed the vantgard in middest whereof was the Kings person armed at all points mounted on a gallant courser and the Lord Tremouille neere him with his authority and Councell to gouerne that part of the army Next followed the rereward conducted by the Earle of Foix and behind it the baggage So soone as the two armies began to mooue the light horse on both sides skirmished the ordnance flew from both parts and the Italians prepared for the battaile extended their Squadrons on the riuer bankes The French marched on notwithstanding so as their Vantgard was already led to the right side of the enemies Campe when the Marquis of Mantua crossed the riuer at the back of the French rereward with a Squadron of 600. men at armes a great troope of Stradiots and other light horse and 5000. foot hauing commanded Antonio of Montfeltre to be ready with his troopes when he should be sent for to refresh the first battaillon and the light Cauallery to giue in in flanke vpon the enemies so soone as the fight should bee begun and the rest of the Stradiots to crosse the Riuer and to fall vpon the French baggage which was left alone The Count Gaiazza on the other part crossed the Turo with 400. men at armes to releeue him when need should be and for the guard of the Campe two companies of men at armes and a thousand foot were left behind But the King perceiuing that contrary to his expectation the whole burthen lighted on the rere-ward turned his back to the Vantgard and drew neere to the Rere with the battaile and came with such speed one squadr on before another as himselfe was at the front among those that fought brauest And though the Marquis assault was braue and furious the French did as brauely answer him throwing themselues pell mell among the Squadrons It is certaine that at first the Italians valour was very excellent beeing encouraged by the Marquis vvho attended by a gallant troope of braue yong Gentlemen omitted nothing belonging to a valliant Captaine The French did likewise valiantly repulse this first charge yet being pressed by multitudes began to stagger the King himselfe being in danger who though hee had not many of his owne soldiers about him did valiantly defend himselfe the goodnesse and firecenesse of his horse dooing him better seruice then the ayde of his people and then hee made a vow to Saint Denis and Saint Martin that if hee might safely passe into Piedmont he would at his returne into France with great gifts goe and visit their Churches the one beeing neere Paris and the other in the Citty of Tours These vowes made hee began to fight with greater courage then before till his soldiers that were next him beeing incited by his danger did all of them with their owne liues runne to saue the Kings and repulse the Italians whither the battaile that stayed behinde arriuing in time and giuing in furiously vpon the enemies flanques stayed their furie in this charge Rodolfo Gonzaga Vnckle to the Marquis of Mantua a very famous Captaine hurt in the face with a sword as he lifted vp his Beuer and falling from his horsse was miserably trode to death by the horse and could not bee saued The battaile thus changing by sundry accidents and no aduantage on eyther side appearing made all men more and more to wonder vnto whom the victory would incline The French were enflamed by the presence and danger of their King and because they were in a place where they could hope for no safety but in victory The Italians on the other side were incited by a couetous desire of rich booty so that Fortunes power beeing as all men know very great in humaine actions especially in affaires of warre where the least error doth often times transport the victory to
those that were almost vanquished did at that time very cleerly demonstrate it For the Stradiots sent to assaile the French bagage began to spoile and to driue away the Mules and other wagons beyond the Riuer Their fellowes appointed to charge the French in flanke perceiuing that others returned loden with spoile incited by the selfe same desire of gaine fell vpon the bagage and by their example others both horse and foote left their files and went from the battaile to doe the like By this meanes the Italians wanting their lookt for fresh supplyes and the number of those that fought still decreasing nothing did so much incourage them as the valor of the Marquis who fighting valiantly did still abide the enemies furie incouraging his owne soldiers who much weakned by the departure of their fellowes that went to spoile and their enemies on euery side pressing in vpon them and no longer able to resist were enforced to flye and to attempt to repasse the riuer which beeing swelled by the former nights raine and by a great shower of hayle which fell during the fight they could hardly doe The French followed them very fiercely euen to the Riuer killing all those that fled taking no prisoners at all Whilest they fought so valiantly on that side of the Army the French Vantgard gainst which Count Gajazza brought part of his Cauallery presented it selfe in battaile with such furie as the Italians daunted because they were not seconded did of themselues fall into disorder and fled to the body of their Army which was on the farther side of the riuer wherevpon the Marshall de Gié would not pursue them any farther some afterwards reputing it to wisedome and discretion others to cowardize The Marquis of Mantua passed the Riuer in the best and closest order he could where he found his troopes so disordered as euery man with his booty thought on nothing but meanes how to escape but his presence and authority stayed that confusion The King with his troopes comming to his Vantgard which had not stird demanded his Captaines aduise whether hee should sodainly crosse the Riuer and assaile the enemies in their Campe but their opinions beeing various and also the troopes which had fought wearied they resolued to take vp their lodging and for that night they lodged on the hill in the village called Medezana a mile from the place where they fought Such was the end of the battaile betwixt the French and the Italians neere the Riuer Tarro where of the French side dyed scarce two hundred but of Italians more then three hundred men at armes and as many others as amounted to three thousand men in regard of which number of dead so disproportionable the victorie was attributed to the French though the Venetians challenge to themselues the glory of the day because that their campe and baggage remained whole and entire whereas the French on the contrary lost much of theirs and among others some of the Kings rich stuffe Wherevpon by publick Decree ouer all the territories vnder their obedience and especially at Venice bonefiers and other signes of ioy were made The day following the King remained in the same village and by means of the Lord of Argenton who parlied with the enemies truce was granted till night The next morning before day the King with his Army dislodged sounding neither dââ¦um nor trumpet the better to conceale his departure and all that day he was not pursued by the Confederate Army by reason that the Taro was exceedingly swelled and could not that day be foorded Sanseuerine whose selfe and soldiers had not fought in that battaile made an offer to the Marquis and Prouidators that if they would giue him a troope of light horse to cut off the taile of the Kings army hee by his incursions would amuze the French so long till their Army might ouer-take them His demand granted hee departed from the Campe with two thousand fiue hundred horse and by reason of the swelling of the Riuer tooke a longer way so as that day hee did not ouer-take the Kings troopes but so soone as hee drew neere them hee serued rather for a guide to conduct them to Ast then a disturber of their iourney so as it seemed that his request to the Marquis and Prouidators was onely to accompany and safe conduct the King His intent was afterwards knowne to bee such by Lodouicos commandement who when Bernardo Contaren would haue giuen in vpon the Kings reregard could not bee suffered so to doe So soone as the waters were downe the Marquis pursued the Kings Army which hee not beeing able to ouer-take sent sixe hundred horse after it to cut off the taile and to keepe it in continuall alarum who returned to him loden with booty The French at last comming neere to Alexandria tooke the higher way towards the mounts where the Riuer Tanare is most shallow and in eight dayes march without losse of men or other encombrances came before the wals of Ast where after the King was entred hee caused his Armie to bee lodged in the field The Campe of the league which had followed him into the Tortonois beeing no more able to annoy him ioyned with Lodouicos Sforzas forces before Nouara The Kings retreat beeing knowne at Venice the Senate commanded generall Precessions and publick prayers to bee made to giue God thankes for that by his retreat the Citty was freed from the danger which threatned it The end of the fourth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the fifth Booke of the fourth Decad. THe Venetians at Genoa arme by Sea against the French and take Rapalla in the Realme of Naples Lodouico and the Confederates besiege Nouara Peace concluded betwixt King Charles and the Confederates the King returnes into France The Neapolitans reuolt from the French bring Ferdinand into Naples A Generall rebellion ouer the whole kingdome against the French The Pisans giue themselues to the Venetians The Venetians ayde Ferdinand hee giuing them three Citties in Puglia The Venetians resoluing to defend Pisa against the Florentines send ayde thether King Charles determineth to returne into Italy and makes great preparation for it The Duke of Montpensier besieged in Attella is through want of victuals enforced to Capitulate and quit the Realme of Naples The death of Duke Montpensier and other great Captaines King Ferdinands death The pursutes of Lodouico and the other Confederates to haue Pisa restored to the Florentines The death of Charles the eight French King Lewis Duke of Orleans French King Coruin sonne to the King of Hungarie made a Gentleman of Venice Caesar Borgia sonne to Pope Alexander quitts his Cardinalls Hatte and is made by King Lewis Duke of Valentinois Lodouico procureth the Turkish fleete to inuade the Venetians League betwixt Lewis the French King and the Venetians The French King sends an Army into Italy vnder the command of Iohn Iames Triuulce And lastly the taking of Caruagio by the
satisfying his Kings demands Charles raised a new army determining to send it by Sea to the releefe of Caietta vnder the Conduct of the Duke of Orleans who crauing to be excused from that iourney the army was dissolued and the determination to releeue those in the Kingdome of Naples vanished into ayre Lodouico hauing intelligence of what-soeuer was done in France and now no more fearing the French was aduertised by letters from his frends of the Pisans request made to the Venetians whervppon hee intreated the Senate to receiue him as an associate in the defense and protection of Pisa because that the Florentines were leagued with King Charles and him-selfe had taken their Ambassador in his owne Dominions which was going into France This businesse sundry times debated in the Senate it was at last concluded by the generall consent of the Ambassadors that Pisa should bee defended at the common charge of the Pope Venetians and Duke of Milan and that two thousand foot should bee leuyed at Genoa by the Venetians to bee sent to Pisa. Herevpon the Florentines raised 6000. foot and with the ordnance sent them to Pisa before the enemies forces were assembled hoping to take the cittie But comming neere to the gates those within the towne made a salley and after a furious charge vpon the enemy defeated and put them to route and tooke their ordnance Not long after Paulo Vitelli the Romane a valiant and braue Captaine forsooke the Pisans and went to Florence where beeing honorably entertained and made Generall of their Army hee marched with 10000. foote against the Pisans and at his arriuall lodged in the Citties suburbes from whence the townesmen did beate and repulse him but the Florentines winning them againe were enforced to quit them and to giue ouer the siege to defend their owne confines against Pietro de Medicis who was said to be comming with great forces against the citty of Florence accompanied by this kinsmen the Vrsini The Venetians in the meane time leuied fiue hundred foote at Genoa whom they sent to Pisa the like did Lodouico The Florentines hauing vsed all their cunning to take the Cittadell of Pisa as well by meanes of the King as money the gouernour thereof prouoked by his owne inclination to the French that were in Pisa or by secret Commissions from the Lord of Ligni whose Lieutenant hee was or else beeing enamored on a young maiden of Pisa for it is not likely that money alone would haue preuailed with him seeing hee might haue receiued a greater summe of the Florentines was very loath to yeeld vp the Castle but in the end beeing enforced by the Kings frequent commandements and threatnings hee surrendred it to the Pisans hauing first receiued twenty thousand Ducats of them whereof twelue thousand fell to his owne share and eight thousand for the soldiors that were in it The Pisans running in heapes to the Cittadell razed it downe to the ground But because they found themselues too weake to resist the Florentines they sent to craue ayde at one time of the Pope Emperor Venetians Duke of Milan Geneuois Seinoiâ⦠and Lukeses but they were most earnest with the Venetians and Duke of Milan on whom they relyed more then on any other because hee had prouoked them to rebell and had speedily releeued them But the Duke though hee extreamly desired it did neuerthelesse doubt whither hee should accept it or no fearing least the other confederates should take it ill by whose councell the treaty of the State of Pisa had bin begun as a matter common to them all and standing in need of them hee durst not openly declare himselfe vntill the King were wholy forth of Italy But the Pisans then grew cold hoping to bee releeued by the Venetians who without sparing for any cost did bountifully supply them with all things wherevpon they betooke themselues to their protection and were receiued by the Senate after long contââ¦station among the Senators The Venetians at the same time had taken Astor Lord of Faenza into their pay and accepted the protection of his state which was very fit for to bridle the Florentines Bologneses and all the rest of Romagnia To these particular aides of the Venetians other supplies from the Confederates were ioyned for the Pope Venetians and Duke of Milan sent certaine companies of men at armes paid in common to the ayde of Ferdinand In the meane time Antonio Grimani beeing enforced by his indisposition of body to retire from Corfou to Venice Melchior Treuisan was in his steed sent as Generall to the fleet who going to Corfou with certaine Galleys did presently saile into Puglia and from thence into Calabria where hee vnited himselfe with the rest of the Venetian vessels and with them enforced diuerse townes to yeeld to Ferdinand Whilest the whole kingdome of Naples was filled with warre and troubles King Charles hauing vnderstood the losse of the two Castles in Naples through want of supplies began a new to bend his thoughts on the affaires of Italy and to determine to goe thither againe in person This desire dayly increasing in him wherevnto diuers great Lords both French and strangers prouoked him Therefore his councell concluded that Triuuââ¦cio who not long before was come forth of Italy to his Court should returne in post to Ast as Lieutenant to the King and with him eight hundred Launces two thousand Swisses and two thousand French foot that the Duke of Orleance should ere long follow him with greater forces and the King last of all with all prouisions moreouer that thirty ships in the hauens of Prouence where thirty Gallies Gallions were to be armed should saile through the Ocean with supplies of men victualls munition and money into the Realme of Naples and that in the meane time whilest the fleet was making ready certaine vessels well manned and victualled should bee sent thither The rumor of these preparations in France diuulged in Italy did much trouble the Confederates especially Lodouico Sforza who was the first to be exposed to the enemies fury but most of all when hee vnderstood that the King had dismissed his Agents with sharpe and bitter speeches He sent Ambassadors to the Emperor to draw him into Italy and others to Venice to request the Venetians to contribute towards this expence to preuent this common danger and to send certaine troupes to Alexandria to make head against the French The Venetians freely offered to send forces to Alexandria but they were not so willing to giue their consent for the Emperors passage who was no great friend to their State yet fearing least Lodouico whom they knew to bee fearefull and timorous should fully reconcile himselfe to the French King they agreed to send Ambassadors to the Emperor to the same end And standing in doubt of the Florentines they sent word to Giouan Bentiuole to make warre vpon them with such forces as the Confederates should furnish him on
when he vnderstood that the league betwixt the King and Venetians was resolued hee not knowing the particularities thereof Hee was then ready to send Francesco of Sanseuerine with great forces to aide the Florentines but hee detained them vpon intelligence that Triuulcio leauied souldiers neere Ast. Hee likewise thought that if the accord betwixt the Venetians and Florentines should take effect they would peraduenture moderate their indignation conceiued against him and forsake the French King Herein hee imployed Hercules D'Aeste Duke of Ferrara his father in law and by forcible reasons enforced the Florentines in some sort to condescend to the Venetians desire sending them word that if they did not agree he should be constrained for feare of the French King to call home those forces he had sent to aide them Hercules the better to effect it came in person to Venice whither Lodouico sent his Agents and from the Florentins Giouââ¦n Baptista Rââ¦dolfi and Paââ¦ic Antonio Soderini two of the wisest and chiefest Citizens came thither all which after long disputation concerning the meanes to be obserued in that accord made an absolute compromise for eighâ⦠daies in the person of Hercules Duke of Ferrara who hauing well considered the matter did on the sixth of Aprill prouounce his sentence But the Venetians not satisfied therewith in regard of the small consideration had of their expences in warre nor yet the Pisans who obtained nothing but a seruile kind of liberty contrary to the intention of most of the Venetian nobility nor the Florentines who thought themselues ouer burthened for that they were to repay part of their expenses who had vniustly molested them it tooke none effect notwithstanding that the Venetians and Florentines had signed and ratified it because that the Pisans determined to endure all extremity rather then to returne vnder the Florentines command being there vnto secretly incited by the Geneaois Lukeses and by Pandolfo Petrucci And so soone as they vnderstood the tenure of the sentence being wonderfully incensed against the Venetians they tooke the gard of the Cities fortes and gates from their souldiers and would not longer suffer them to lodge in the City The Florentines despayring by this accord to obtaine Pisa resolued to win it by force King Lewis in the meane time commanded his forces to march into Italy his army consisted of 1600. Launces 5000. Swisses 4000. Gascons and 4000. out of the other parts of France whereof Giouan Iacomo Triuulcio was made Generall This army comming before the fort of Arazza seated on the riuer Tanaââ¦e took it in a short space notwithstanding that there were fiue hundred footmen in it from thence it went to Anon a little towne betwixt Ast and Alexandria vpon the same Riuer which beeing battered in foure seuerall places was in two daies taken by force notwithstanding that the Duke of Milan some few monthes before had well fortified it and placed seuen hundred men in Garrison there The King came after as farre as Lyons intending to passe the mounts from whence he sent an Ambassador to Venice for to accompany the Venetian army whether soeuer it marched to which so soone as it was ready Melchââ¦or Treuââ¦san and Marc Antonio Morosini were sent as Prouidators And the Senate presented this French Ambassador with a gallant horse ritchly caparisond a pauillon for the field and two pounds of gold The Venetians hauing intelligence of Triuulcio his good successe caused their army to march consisting of seuen thousand horse and as many foot which vnder the command of Aluiana hauing crossed the Oglio and entred the enemy country did in a short space take diuers townes and castles and comming before Carauagia the chiefe City of the country tooke it by force with other townes neere the Riuer Adda The end of the fifth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the sixth Booke of the fourth Decade LOdouico is troubled with the newes of the league betwixt the French King and Venetians against him Alexandria is taken by the French The Milaneses reuolt and Triuulcio entreth Milan for the King The Venetians take Cremona King Lewis comes to Milan The Venetians fleet against Bajazeth It sustaines great hurt by fire The Turke takes Lepanto Lodouico is receiued into Milan by the disloyalty of the Inhabitants Lodouico going forth of Nouara is taken by the French and sent prisoner into France The Venetians great warre with Bajazeth The Venetians through want of winde at sea lose the battaile The Turke takes Modon Coron and the fort of Iunca are yeelded to the Turke on composition Naples in Morea beseeged by the Turke is brauely defended The Isle of Samothrace yeeldeth to the Venetians They take the City of Cephalonia Confederacy betwixt Ladislaus King of Hungary and the Venetians against the Turke Peace betwixt the Venetians and Turke The Portugals traffick to Calicut for spices The castles of Moua and Faenza are re-deliuered to the Venetians The Pope complaines against the Venetians in regard of the Cities of Romagnia And lastly are set downe the Venetians Ambassadors inuectiue to the Emperour Maximillian and French King against the Pope The sixth Booke of the fourth Decade of the History of Uenice THese newes did greatly afflict Lodouico Sforza putting him in feare of his State who lost as it often happeneth in sodaine Aduersities both courage and councell flying to bootlesse and vnprofitable remedies He sent an Ambassador to Venice to vse some meanes to pacifie the Senate This Ambassador comming first to Ferrara Duke Hercules sent one of his Gentlemen before to the Senate with Lodouicos letters intreating them to suffer his Ambassador to come thither The contents of his letters were that himselfe and his brother Ascanio sent an Ambassador to them on great and important affaires requesting them to giue him audience The Senate hauing read both their letters commanded the Ferrarois presently to leaue the City and gaue Lodouicos letters to the French Ambassador At the same time Frederick King of Naples did by his Ambassador acquaint the Senate with his desire to send fiue hundred horse to Lodouicos aide The Senate told the Ambassador that hee should make his King this answer That the Cauallery he intended to send to the Duke of Milan would doe him small good he hauing need of farre greater forces and that if he should send him any they would take it as a wrong done to themselues adding that there was no man liuing who had receiued more fauors and benefits of them then hee which he had requited with ingratefull iniuries That the time was now come when God was his enemy whom hee had so often offended by his disloyalty and periury and that therefore his King should doe much better to leaue him to him selfe In the end Lodouico frustrate of all hope made meanes to the people of Milan who extreamely hated him for his great exactions and hauing assembled them he did acquit and release part of his imposts to them and
taken their enseignes and Artillery During these warlike exploits the deseignes of the Princes were sundry and vncertaine especially those of the Emperor who being by nature variable and inconstant and solicited by the Kings of Arragon an enemy to the French name and iealous of the French Kings greatnesse determined to listen to peace notwithstanding that he had concluded before with the French King by meanes of the Bishoppe of Gurcia to make warre withall his might on the Venetians at the spring and to this end wrot at one time to the Pope and the French King that he was resolued to send the Bishop of Gurcia to Mantua to treate of an vniuersall peace requesting them to send their Ambassadors thether likewise with full and ample power hee wrot nothing to the Venetians knowing that they would doe what-so-euer pleased the Pope whose authority they were enforced to follow This aduice pleased the Pope vpon hope to reconcile the Venetians to him and to disunite them from the French King whereat he cheefely aimed But the King was not contented with such an vnhoped for determination as well for feare of the determination of matters concluded with him as also for the doubt he had that the Pope thorow faire promises to aide him in the conquest of the Dutchy of Milan and to giue a Cardialls Hat to the Bishoppe of Gurcia might separare him from his party He was well assured that it was the practises of the King of Arragon and knââ¦w very well that his Ambassador with the Emperor had labored and did openly labour for the agreement betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians and did vse diuers other practizes to contradict his deseignes and among others did hotly oppose him-selfe against the conuocation of a generall councell vnder collour of curtesie and caused the King his Maister to bee earnest with him to make peace with the Pope making in a manner a silent protestation to take Armes in the Popes behalfe if hee did not agree with him The French King dissembling all these dealings because hee would giue the Emperour no cause of discontent resolued to send the Bishoppe of Paris to Mantâ⦠and in the meane time aduertised Iohn Iames Triââ¦lce that his pleasure was to haue him to command the army but that he should not assaile the Churches state till the Bishop of Gurcia were arriued Triuulcio vpon this command turned his forces against the Venetians and came to Stellata then passing on farther he surprized certaine Venetian cauallery and sent Gaston of Foix son to a sister of the kings being yet very yong with a hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and fiue hundred foot to scoure euen to the enemies barriers who did put those that kept them to flight and made them to retire to a strong place beyond the channel In the meane space the Bishop of Gurcia came to Mantua but later then hee was expected where within a while after the Bishop of Paris arriued The Pope entreated the Bishop of Gurcia to come and visit him hoping by his presence and authority and by faire promises to winne him The Bishop after diuers difficulties propounded and wel debated on being solicited by the king of Arragons Ambassadors consented therevnto on condition that the Bishop of Paris should stay at Parma and expect what would fall out by his iourney The Bishop of Gurcia arriuing at Bolognia whether the Pope was of purpose come to receiue him there was so great honour done vnto him as a King could not be entertained with greater magnificence the Venetians Ambassador neere to the Pope went to the city gates to meet him vsing signes of very great submission but the Bishop turning from him with merueilous pride and disdaine shewed great discontent because that ââ¦epresenting the enemies of the Emperour his master he had beene so bould as to come before him That being done he went with great pompe to the Consistory where the Pope accompanied by all the Cardinals staied for him And hauing breefly declared the causes of his comming into Italy he returned to his lodging The next day with great arrogancy he conferred of diuers matters with the Pope and especially that if the Venetians did mean to haue peace with the Emperor it behooued them in any case to restore whatsoeuer they deteined which did belong to the Empire Yet neuerthelesse they beganne after to treat of agreement betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians where at the first diuers difficulties were made on both sides at the last after long disputation each party cutting off some peeces of the hard conditions propounded by them it was thought that by the mediation of the King of Arragons Ambassadors they would come to an agreement But so soone as they beganne to speake of reconciling the Pope to the French King betwixt whom appeared none other contention but concerning the Duke of Ferrara and that the Bishop of Gurcia went to the Pope to make an end thereof because without that the Emperour would conclude nothing the Pope did sodainely interrupt him requesting him to hold on with the Venetians and not to talke of the affaires of Ferrara being in a manner desirous to incite the Emperor against the French whereupon the Bishop of Gurcia tooke his leaue and without effecting any thing returned from whence he came Triuulcio perceiuing the departure of the Bishop of Gurcia and by that meanes all hope of peace being lost came into the field and beseeged Concordia which he tooke the same day and then marched towards Bomport a village seated on the Riuer Panare that he might be nere the enemies to the end that by cutting off their victuals he might enforce them to dislodge or to fight forth of their campe Entring into the country of Modena he vnderstood that Iohn Paul Manfron was with three hundred light horse of the Venetians at Massa nere to Finall he sent Gaston de Foix thither with three hundred foot and fiue hundred horse who found Iohn Paul Manfron at a bridge in order of battaile to stoppe his passage but being forsaken by his owne souldiers hee was taken prisoner by the French with some others Triuulcio found meanes to passe the Channell to assaile the enemies who durst not tarry his comming The Channell being passed he foorded Panare without impediment in a very broad place and where the water is not deepe and marched towards Plumacia three miles off from the enemies army which was the cause that Castel-franco yeelded to him He was there in great doubt what to doe for on the one side he would willingly haue assailed Bolognia if he had beene certaine that the people would haue taken armes in the Bentiuoles behalfe on the other side he feared if he should come thither vpon hope only of a popular commotion to be enforced forth-with to depart thence as the Lord of Chaumont had done to his great disgrace At the last he determined
fearing least the people through scare might be wonne did speedily send to demand aide of Gaston of Foix who the selfe same day sent thither a thousand foot and the morrow after a hundred foure score Launces and then resolued to goe thither in person with the whole army not-with-standing that in councell all the captaines contradicted it Therefore hee came forth of Finall late in the euening and the next morning he marched towards Bolognia with the whole army in battaile notwithstanding the snowes and sharpe windes and entred it by Saint Felix gate hauing in his company thirteene hundred Lances six thousand Lansequenets eight thousand foot both French and Italians The enemies had no knowledge of his comming till a day after that a Stadiot of the number of those who were come forth among others to skirmish was taken who being questioned what was done in Bolognia answered That he could not say much because he came thither but the day before with the French army whereat the enemies wondering did more exactly examine him in what manner and what numbers had entred and finding him constant in his answeres they beleeued him and resolued to raise their campe in regard it was dangerous to tarry there as wel in respect of the cold season which did greatly afflict the souldiers as also for the neighbour-hood of the City so great an army being within it Wherfore the next night following which was the nineteenth day of the seege after they had with great dilligence and stilnesse retired their ordnance they dislodged early in the morning It was thought of a certaine that if the French army had salââ¦ied forth the next morning after their arriuall as Gaston of Foix had propounded it they had surprized the confederats campe who in no sort doubted that he was come thither as hath beene said but ââ¦ues of Alegre councelled to let the companies rest one day who were weary with their iourney and the bad way thinking that the enemy had knowne of their comming as it was to be presumed entring at broad day light and by the high-way of Rome The end of the ninth Booke of the fourth Decad. The Contents of the tenth Booke of the fourth Decade THe City of Bressia taken by the Venetians is rescued by Gaston of Foix by meanes of the Castle which held out still for the French Bergamo by the example of Bressia expelleth the French The defeate of Iohn Paul Baillon and Meleager of Furli by Gaston of Foix. The imprisonment of Andrew Gritti and Antonio Iustiniano Truce betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians by meanes of the Pope Rauenna beseeged by Gaston of Foix. The Battaile of Rauenna wherein the French were victors The death of Gaston of Foix slaine by the Spaniards after the battaile was wonne In what perplexity the Pope was after the French mens victory The Swisses come downe into the territory of Verona with their great hate to King Lewis and vpon what occasion The Champaine Country of Milan is forsaken for to keepe the Cities from the Swisses Milan with all the Cities almost of the Dutchy is redeliuered to the confederates The City of Genoa reuolteth from the King League and confederacie betwixt the Pope and the Emperour Maximillian Sforza is restored to the Dutchy of Milan The death of Pope Iulius the Second A league concluded betwixt King Lewis and the Venetians The Election of Pope Leo the Tenth of the family of Medicis King Lewis his great preparations for the warre of Italy The Venetians take Cremona The whole Dutchy of Milan in trouble and tumult in the behalfe of the French The French make re-entry into all the state of Milan two townes excepted The Swisses resolution to make warre on King Lewis They come downe to Nouara The Swisses comming forth of Nouara in the night obtaine the victory against the French The French are driuen forth of the whole Dutchy of Milan And lastly the taking and dismantling of Legnaga by the Venetians The tenth Booke of the fourth Decad of the History of Venice THe army being dislodged from before Bolognia Gaston of Foix hauing left there three hundred Launces and foure thousand foot for the garde thereof came with great speed to the reliefe of the Castle of Bressia for the Venetians tooke the City the same day that hee entred into Bolognia For Count Lodouico Auogare a Bressian Gentleman being wearied with the arrogancy and indiscretion of the French hauing written to the councell of the Tenne That if they would send their army to Bressia he would finde meanes to raise some tumult there during which hee would by night open a gate for them by which their forces might easily enter and seize vpon the city This matter was for certaine daies debated in the councell of Tenne and then by them referred to the great councell to the end it might be maturely determined whether Count Lodowickes offer ought to be entertained or refused After diuers and sundry opinions it was concluded to accept it the matter being commanded to be kept secret then they acquainted the Prouidator Gritti therewith enioyning him to march speedily with his troupes towards Bressia and to march at the very houre and to the gate which Count Lodowick should send him instructions for Gritti vpon this commandment crossed the Riuer Adice at Albera then that of Mincia at the mill of La Volta and comming to Monteclaro with three hundred men at armes thirteene hundred light-horse and three thousand foote he encamped that night at Castagnetta fiue miles from Bressia from whence he on a sodaine sent his light-horse to scoure euen to the gates But the enterprise being discouered by a wife of one of the complices who aduertized the Gouerthereof of whom she was enamored and by that meanes the towne being carefully guarded Gritti thought it not fit to passe on any farther wherevpon Count Lodowicke not being staied by the French came with his sonne forth of the City Andre Gritti being returned neere to Montagnane from whence he first came left a sufficient gard for the bridge which hee had made ouer the Riuer Adicé to the end to assure the passage if he should happen to returne againe as it afterwards fell out For within a while after being recalled he crossed the Riuer with two Cannons and foure falconets and returned to his quarter at Castagnetta Count Lodowick on the other side being accompanied with very great numbers of the people of the valeys of Eutropia Sabina whoÌ he had caused to rise was come within a mile of Bressia And al-be-it they within the City did not yet make shew of fauouring the enterprise yet neuerthelesse Gritti perceiuing that he had greater forces then at the former time he resolued to haue it by force And beeing come with all those peasants he assailed it in three seuerall places two of which had good successe namely at the Gate of Piles where Auogare fought at the
gate of La Garzulo where the souldiers entred at the iron grate by which the riuer of the same name entreth into the city notwithstanding all the attempts and resistance of the French who perceiuing the enemies to bee entred and that the Bressans did rise in their behalfe they retired to the Castle with the Lord of Luda their Gouernour loosing their horse and baggage Bressia being taken all the townes along the Lake of La Garde did driue away the French and yeelded to the Venetians Bergamo did the like soone after the two castles excepted the one of which standeth in the middest of the city and the other halfe a mile off It was thought that if at Venice where the ioy was incredible they had forth with prouided that which Andre Gritti did sodainely write for namely to send souldiers and artillery which he had need of to win the castle of Bressia they had made greater progression or at least the victory would haue beene more assured But during these exploits Gaston of Foix being aduertized of what had passed at Bressia did speedily march thither who hauing passed the Po at Stellata did so one crosse the riuer Mincia at the bridge of Molino then he came and lodged at Nogera on the Veronois and the day following at Pontpesara and at Treuilla where hauing intelligence that Iohn Paul Baillon was come with three hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and twelue hundred foote to lodge at the Island of Escalla hee ranne speedily thither with three hundred Launces and seuen hundred Archers the residue of the army who could not march so speedily comming after and finding him to bee gone they followed him hastily and ouertooke him as he was at the point of the passing a foord of the riuer Adicé Iohn Paul Baillon hauing descried him a farre off thinking it to be nothing else but part of the forces of Verona did embattaile his souldiers and tarried for him Both fides ioyning fought valiantly for more then an houres space but the Venetians fortune beganne to decline by the arriuall of the residue of the army which came in file and notwithstanding that they disordered them they neuerthelesse rallied themselues diuers times vntill being no longer able to resist the greatnumbers they betooke themselues to flight wherevpon Iohn Paul passed the riuer safely but diuers of his people were drowned The morrow after Gaston of Foix did likewise put Meleager of Furli to rout whom he incountred as he conducted certaine Venetian light horse then hee came and encamped in the suburbes of Bressia and without any delay at all hee sent to assaile the Monastery of Saint Fridiana which stood halfe way off from the hill vnder which he was lodged and hauing assaulted it hee draue thence those which garded it and turned with his army to the other side of the towne that hee might be the nearer to the castle The next morning by day breake hauing chosen out of the whole army foure hundred men at armes well armed and six thousand foot and going vp on that side nere to the Gate of Pises he entred without any resistance into the first wall of the castle where after he had for a while caused his souldiers to test and refresh themselues he did incourage them with faire speeches and promises of an inestimable booty That being said he marched foreward But at the comming forth of the Castle he found certaine footmen who with the Artillery thought to haue staied him but their attempt was in vaine for hauing put them to flight he came downe furiously vpon the voide place where captaine Burlettes palace stood where the Venetian forces being close ioyned together did attend him with great boldnesse and there ioyning they fought furiously on either side for a long time the one fighting for their owne safety and the others for glory and for desire of the spoile and sack of so rich a City The Venetians at the last hauing brauely defended themselues were driuen from the place For the French being victors did by force driue their enemies before them in all places not going to pillage vntill they were wholy become Masters of the city following the command of Gaston of Foix who had so enioyned them before their comming downe Of the French side there died many foot and some number of men at armes but more then eight thousand of the enemies were slaine and great numbers of them taken prisoners amongst whom were Andre Gritti and Antonio Iustiniano with many others Count Lodowicke Auogare and a sonne of his being taken among the rest were beheaded in the publike place of execution Gaston of Foix preserued the honour of the Nuns but their goods were pillaged and those who had retired into their Couents and other Churches were the captaines booties In this manner fel the City of Bressia into extreame misery which in dignity and nobility did not giue place to any other of Lombardy and which did for wealth surpasse all the rest excepted Milan It was sackt seuen whole daies together The newes of this reprisal being come to Venice did greatly trouble the whole City who thought they should be no more able to enterprise any thing condemning chiefly the small speed that was made to send necessary forces and munition to the Prouidator Gritti the which was cause of that losse The Senate forthwith consulted about the repairing of their army sent to leauy two thousand foot in Candy and a great number of Stradiots in Albania Two hundred pound weight of gold was sent to the viceroy of Naples as had beene promised The foot which were not at Bressia and the horse-men which escaped together with those who were stript and disarmed came to Vincenza Instinian and Gritti were sent prisoners to Milan The Pope vnderstanding that the French had recouered Bressia councelled and perswaded euen with threats that they should accord with the Emperour And certaine commissioners beeing assembled for that purpose perceiuing the great difficulties which were made in the treaty of peace it was propounded to make truce for a while in the meane time during which they might with more ease deliberate on the Articles of peace and other reasonable conditions According to this aduice truce was concluded at Rome in the Popes presence betwixt the commissioners on condition that the Senate should at two paiments giue foure hundred pound of gold to Maximillian to the which were one hundred pound more added to cause the Emperor to ratifie this agreement the whole amounting to fiue hundred pounds of gold Gaston of Foix after the recouery of Bressia hauing giuen order for his affaires for Bergamo which had rebelled and all the other townes neere adioyning had recalled the French and refreshed his army which was wearied with so great and long trauaill determined to goe and incounter with the confederates army according to the commandement which hee had receiued from the King
which did expresly import that with the greatest speed hee could hee should march against them whom hââ¦e heard to bee verie weake and therefore he promised himselfe the victory and being victorious he should beseege Rome and the Pope without any respect to the end to free himself of so many dangers which did threaten him and for the diminution of his enuy encrease of his owne iustifications he would haue that enterprise to be made in the name of the councel of Pisa which should depute a Legate to goe to the army Gaston of Foix departed from Bressia and came to Finall there for to gather together all the companies which were in Italy those excepted who remained for the gard of the Cities and from thence he went to Saint Georges on the Bolognois where there came to him three thousand Gascons a thousand Pioners and a thousand Picards which were newly sent him being al choice soldiers These being arriued he found that he had with him fiue thousand Lanfequenets fiue thousand Gascons and eight thousand as well Italians as French with one thousand sixe hundred launces The Duke of Ferrara was to ioyne with him with a hundred men at armes two hundred light horse and a great quantity of excellent munition because the Generall had left his at Finall in regard of the bad waies The Cardinall of Saint Seuerine being deputed Legate by the councell came likewise to the army Gaston of Foix marching in this equipage did burne with desire to meete the enemy and to fight with him as well to satisfie the King as for his owne valour and prowesse his meaning neuerthelesse was not to assaile him rashly but only to trie if by approching nere to him he would cheerefully come to the battaile in any place where the quallity of the sytuation might make them equall The enemies had an other intent who thought it not safe for them to fight in an equall place at least wise before the six thousand Swisses whom they expected were arriued as also for that the King of Arragon had commanded them to abstaine as much as they could from fight for diuers considerations by him alleaged The two armies did often change places marching continually nere together in good order the artillery going before and their faces turned towards the enemies as if euery houre they were to beginne the fight Gaston receiued a new commandment from the King to hasten the battaile Wherevnto his King was incited so soone as he vnderstood the truce made betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians But Gaston perceiuing that hee did winne nothing by coasting the enemies in this manner in regard of the commodiousnesse of the Cities of Romagnia whether they still retired determined to beseege Rauenna wherein Marke Antony Colonna lay for the Pope with fifteene hundred foot and fiue hundred horse thinking that the enemies would not suffer such a city to be lost before their faces and by that meanes occasion might be offered to fight with them in an equall place He came and lodged betwixt Contignola and Granaââ¦olla then at Rassi hauing driuen them thence who kept it and from thence the day following he came and encamped nere to the walles of Rauenna betwixt the two Riuers namely Ronca and Moââ¦tona betwixt which the towne is seated He possessed the space which is betwixt the one and other riuer The next day he caused his ordnance to be planted and by all meanes hasted the battery that he might come to the assault before the enemies whom he knew were remooued should arriue as well for to get the towne as in regard of his great want of victuals by reason of the Venetian vessels which lay at Fiquerolles and at the mouth of the Channel which falleth into the Po which stopped those that came both from Lombardy and Ferrara This was the reason why he resolued to giue the assault the same day al-be-it he knew that there was no reasonable breach made and that he could not enter but by ladders those likewise which were sent thither being out of hope to force the Citty and perceiuing themselues to be greatly hindred by a Culueryne hauing fought for the space of three houres retired with the losse of three hundred foote and of certaine men ãâã armes and as many in a manner were hurt But the retreat was no soonâ⦠made but they descried the confederates armie coââ¦ming to the releeââ¦e of the Towne the which marched along the riuers side So soone as the French had discouered them they arose in armes and placed themselues vnder their enseignes hauing in great hast with drawne their ordinance from before their walles the which they turned towards the enemies who imagining onely by the shew of their army that Ramenna was suffiââ¦iently releeued thinking that the French durst not assaile it they being so neere they encamped within three miles of Rauenna at a place called Moulinachia which they forth-with fortified with as deepe a trench as the shortnesse of the time would permit them The French were long in councell to know what was to bee done either to assaill the Citty or the enemies In the end after diuers and sundry opinions they resolued to goe and assaile the enemy so soone as it was day Which Gaston of Foix gladly approuing hee caused the same night a bridge to bee cast ouer the Ronca and to liââ¦ell the causeis on all sides to make the waies easie There by day breake being Easter day hee prepared to march against the enemies and hauing encouraged his soldiors with a more eloquâ⦠then Martiall oration hee enforced the enemies by the shot of his ordnance to come forth of their trenches and to ioyne fight with him where the conââ¦ederates were so delt with for the space of six ãâã ââ¦hat the fight lasted as not being able to make any more resistance they turned their backes and among others the Viceroy and Caranagio were the formost carrying away with them a squadron in a manner whole and vnbroken so as the French remained masters of the field But because the Spanish Infantery made a soft retreate and in god order Gaston of Foix was desirous to breake them and going furiously to assaill them with a squadron of horse hee was on a sodaine enuironed by the enemies and being beaten from his horse was slaine by the push of a piââ¦e thrust into his flanke The Lord of Lauââ¦rec lay by him in a manner dead being wounded in twenty places but being brought to Ferrara he was there healed The Generalls death caused the Spaniards to escape without any empediment the residew of their army being dispersed and put to flight and their bagage enseignes and artillery taken The prisoners were the Popet Legat Fabricio Coloâ⦠Pedro of Nauaââ¦e the Marquis of Palu Bitoââ¦o and ãâã with many other Barrons and great Lords The brute was that there died on both sides eighteene thousand men one third part French and the two thirds of
Now the Rendezuous for all the Kings troupes was at Suza from thence to march with ease into Italy vnder the conduct of the Lord of La Tremouille albeit the warre was managed by Iohn Iames Trivulce a man of great repute for his excellent skill in martiall discipline The report was that there were twenty thousand soldiours in the Kings Army The Venetians had for their parts eight thousand foot-men twelue hundred men at armes and fiue hundred light horse with greate store of munition and ordnance Dominico Contaren and Andre Loredan were prouidators of the army and Bartilmeo Aluiana Generall in the Count Pettillans sted who was deceased Hee beeing come to the Army which lay on the bankes of Adice sent to the Senate to know if hee should passe on farther whilst the enemies were vnprouided of all aide and succour and their townes without garrisons The Senate beeing assembled therevpon after ââ¦undry opinions decreed that their Armie should not passe the Po nor Adda referring the rest to the pleasure and discretion of their General according as he should think it fit For the Senate had as yet receiued no certaine newes whether the French Armie had passed the Alpes wherevpon they thought it not discretion to abandon their state to the enemies mercy or to send their Army into any place from whence if matters should fall out vnfortunately they should not bee able to withdraw it But Aluiana beeing full of courage and desirous to exploite some gallant enterprise if occasion should fitly serue resolued without delay tâ⦠passe ouer and first of all tooke his way directly towards Verona hoping for to winne it Pandolfo Malateste commanded for the Emperour in one of the Fortes of the Citty Hee with certaine of the Townsmen had practised to giue him entrance But the next day fiue hundred Lansquenets entred Verona by the Riuer Adicé and the matter beeing discouered Aluiana perceiuing that the Citty could not bee easily forced and that it would aske much time to besiege it did on a sodaine march towards Cremona and by the way made him-selfe maister of Valegia and of the Forte of Piscara two strong and commodious places for the Venetians in respect of their situation Vpon report of Aluiana his comming a great tumult was raised in Cremona those which were of the contrary faction forsooke the towne and the others without contradiction did receiue Aluiana into the citty who being entred he did sodainly disarme Caesar Fieramosca who lay there in garrison with three hundred horse and fiue hundred foot of the Duke of Milans Hee needed not to spend any time for the recouery of the castle by reason it was euer held for the French King Wherevpon hee forth with erected the French Kings banner saying That hee did receiue the Citty for and in the name of the French King for whom Theodore Triuulce his Ambassador was there present in the Venetian Armie Hee went afterwards to Pisquetona Sonzino Lodi and other places neere adioyning hauing already by the change of Cremona erected the French Kings Banners But on the Verona and Vincentine territories the Venetians affaires were differently managed For so soone as Aluiana was departed with his Armie Rocandolphe Captaine of the Lansquenets and Frederick Gonsaluo of Bossola comming forth of Verona with sixe hundred horse and two thousand foote went to Saint Boniface where Aluiana had left vnder the command of Sigismond Cauallo and Iohn Fortino three hundred light horse and six hundred foote who beeing scattered heere and there vpon newes of the enemies comming fled to Colognia and were so neerely pursued by the Lansquenets who entered the towne by force as they were all taken prisoners and the towne beeing sacked and burnt they returned to Verona laden with spoile The enemies for this exploit waxing more prowd and insolent foure thousand foote and fiue hundred horse sallied forth of Verona for to assaile Vincenza whereof Iohn Paull Manfron the Citties Gouernour hauing intelligence hee caused great numbers of peasants on a sodaine to enter into the Citty and did so carefully prouide for the rest as the enemies hope beeing frustrate hauing spoyled the countrey round about they were enforced to returne to Verona But during these exploites on the Veronois and Vincentine territories the whole Dutchie of Milan was in vprore and Armes There was no Towne Village not Castle but did rise and take armes vpon the comming of the Venetian Armie vpon the report that was spredde that the French had passed the Alpes for albeit that the people of Milan wearied with the French gouernment had desired the returne of the Sforzas their antient Lords yet neuerââ¦helesse hauing not by their returne obtained the liberty and freedome which they hoped for but on the contrary all discommodities and charges they changed their mindes and desired the returne of the French Many likewise enemies to the quiet of other poore banished men or mooued by the diuersity of factions did fauour the French In regarde whereof the Earle of Manââ¦oc sonne to Iohn Iames Triuulce riding vp and downe the Champaine countrey of the Dutchy of Milan to stirre them vp to commotions found it no hard matter to make them to reuolt and to take armes Maximillian Sforza beeing daunted thereat not knowing whereon to resolue perceiuing all things to tend to his ruine thought it most expedient for his safety and escape and for the tryall of his latest fortune to retire with certaine horse to Nouara where he vnderstood some Suisses were arriued resoluing there to tarry for the rest who in great numbers were comming down for the defence of his state Those of Milan seeing them-selues to bee without garrison and without a Captaine that their well fortified Castle held for the French and that the Venetians Army did approach some of them beeing stirred vp with hope oâ⦠better fortune others with feare and distrust thought it fit to yeeld to the French and to that end to send an Ambassador to the Venetian Generall who hauing made a bridge ouer the Adda threatned that hee would shortly bee with them The French on the other side with whom Andrè Gritti was in quality of Ambassador for the Signory entred Italy tooke diuerse townes and castles some by assault and others by a voluntary redition so as the state of Milan beeing enuaded by two mighty armies French and Venetian was in short space reduced vnder the French gouernment Two Citties onely held out for Maximillian Nouara and Coma. The Venetians for these so fortunate attempts did promise to them-selues a glorious end of this warre for their armie had gotten such reputation by the the taking of Cremona as Ranze de Cera going with a troope of Soldiers to recouer Bressia it was yeelded vnto him vpon the first summons by reason that the Spanish Soldiers who lay there in garrison beeing frighted at his comming retired into the Castle There was but one onely
thing which could cut off the hope which all men had conceiued of the victory and that was the comming downe of the Suisses For the common report was that the Suisses had with such affection entertained the protection and safegard of Duke Maximilians state as it was certainly thought that they would omit nothing which might further the conseruation thereof This Nation was at the same time very famous for their exact obseruation of martiall discipline and they could by no meanes swallow the contempt and disgrace wherein King Lewis held them at such time as hee sent to renew the league with them as hath beene said hauing more esteemed a little ouer-plus of money then their friendship as also because the desire of gaine did prouoke them therevnto hauing seene their fellowes to returne home from other warres victors and loden with wealth Now these Suisses hauing assembled their generall Councell did all with one consent resolue to make warre on the French and they proceeded therein with such earnestnesse as the most of them contrary to their custome enrolled themselues for very small pay diuerse also without any pay at all and in a short time after they leuyed a great Army both of horse and foote which beganne to come downe into the Dutchie of Milan one company after an other The newes of their comming downe did at the first amaze the French in regard of the recent remembrance of matters brauely executed by them But when they considered that they brought no cauallery with them nor victualls artillery nor ought else fit for such an enterprise they thought it best not to enforce such enemies who came rather to steale then to fight being so vnprouided of all warlike necessaries as they assured themselues that their Army would shortly dissolue it selfe as it had done at other times and would returne home againe by reason of the want of all things The French therefore contemning them in this manner hauing left a strong garrison in Alexandria came and encamped before Nouara Their intent was to trye if they could winne those Suisses by money rather then by force and to practise with them for money to deliuer Maxmillian Sforza into their hands as the same nation had done by his Father Lodouico Sforza in the same place And if this should not fall out they thought it no hard matter to take that Towne the winning whereof as they thought would bee the ending of the warre But the wise and well experienced Captaines did deride these designes and vaine imaginations and did blame the French who insteed of assailing the Spanish Armie and breaking it which they might easily haue done did busie themselues in besieging Nouara and employing all their forces there which was directly against Gritti his aduise who did many times put the French Captaines in minde of the fault which they committed in not first of all assailing the Spaniniards who seemed to bee the enemies chiefe prop. In regarde whereof the Senate thinking it fitte to bee done had commanded their Generall to make a bridge ouer Adda causing it to bee giuen forth that hee would presently with the whole Army passe ouer and ioyne with the French to the end that the Spaniards beeing mooued by this report might not alone abstaine from ayding the Suisses but thinking how to escape might bee enforced to returne to Naples But the French trifling the time vainely before Nouara brake all these sound determinations and found them-selues to bee entangled with many difficulties because the rumor dayly encreased that of a certaine great ayde was comming to the besieged the which did make their enterprise more difficult And as their discamping from thence would greatly blemish their reputation and encrease the enemies boldnesse euen so their long stay there was dangerous and vnprofitable And therefore diuerse Captaines were of opinion to retire from those boggy places and to goe into the Champaigne countrey where their cauallery wherein their chiefe hope consisted might bee employed and shew their valour councelling to goe and meete the enemies promising vnto them-selues to obtaine the victory with ease they comming so vnfurnished of all warlike preparations But the authority and opinion of Triuulcio did most preuaile who thought it not fit to hazard the whole on the vncertaine euent of a battaile but by altering their forme of warre to retire two miles off from the Citty neere to the Riuer Mora to the end that being safely encamped they might cut off the enemies victuals and enforce them thereby to yeeld The Campe being gone thus farre from the citty certaine troopes of Suisses entred it without any empediment where they were receiued with great ioy and not loosing one minute of time Captaine Motir one of the chiefe of the bands called them all into the market place of Nouara where after he had encouraged them with most vehement speeches hee resolued with them by a generall consent to depart about midnight and on a sodaine by the fauour of the night to goe and assaile the French Campe wherevpon hee commanded them to goe to rest and to refresh their bodies and to bee ready when the drumme should call them This nation did neuer make a more bold and braue attempt being a few against many without horse and Artillery against an Armie excellently well prouided of all necessaries About midnight then they sallied with great fury forth of Nouara on the sixt day of Iune in the yeare 1513. They were about tenâ⦠thousand men who were disposed and ordered in such manner as seauen thousand were appointed to assaile the ordnance about which the Lansquenets were lodged and the residue should march with their long pikes against the men at armes The French being come into that place hauing continued the remainder of the day and a part of the night in armes betooke themselues heere and there to sleep according to the report of the spies at Nouara not doubting that any such accident would so soone befall them hauing in no sort fortified their Campe. The tumult and confusion was very great vpon the Sentinels report of the enemies comming The Artillery began to play with great fury vpon those who came to assayle it and did greatly hurt them Triuulcio was lodged in the middest of the battaile because Trimouille sought in the right wing and Robert de la Marche on the left each of them exhorting the Souldiers to doe well The men at Armes did readily put them-selues in battaile and the Lansquenets who were followed by the other footmen did on a sodaine place themselues in order The Suisses notwithstanding that many of their fellowes fell downe dead round about them did neuerthelesse with marueilous boldnesse marche forward vpon the ordnance not ââ¦esteeming present death nor were danted at the death of those that fel downe at their feete vntill that comming vnto the Artillerie the Lansquenets and they did charge one another with incredible fury fighting with great
they were not aboue eight thousand foot and a thousand horse of all sortes so as a smal quantity of the towne beeing enuironed by the enemies the Stradiots sallied forth at other places and did freely scoure the whole contrey intercepting whatsoeuer was brought to the Camp the like did certaiââ¦e armed boates which the Venetians had placed for that purpose on the Riuer Adicé so as victuals beginning to faile them they wee euery day to seeke new They had worthy Captaines in their Campe but their skill and experience was to no purpose in that businesse in regard of the authority and obstinacy of the Bishop of Gurcia That which did most trouble them was the bringing of their ordnance neere to the walls and how to bring the souldiers afterward to the assault the which they could not doe without a broad and large trench to auoid the shot of the ordnance which incessantly plaid from the towne and they wanted Pioners to continue it These difficulties being propounded by the Viceroy in the enemies councell with the sicknesse where-with the soldiers were afflicted by reason of the bad aire the campe being seated in a low place and subiect to the ouer flowing of waters all men were of opinion that it would be lesse disgrace to correct the determination vnwisely made by discamping then by perseuering in that error to be cause of some great losse that might happen the which would bee followed with greater disgrace The Viceroy acquainting the Bishoppe of Gurcia with this determination hee made answer in the presence of diuers Captaines that martiall discipline being none of his vocation he was not a shamed to confesse That hee had no vnderstanding in martiall matters and if he had councelled to besiege Padua it was by the Viceroys aduise who by letters and expresse messages had councelled the Emperour that it might be so and giuen him great hope to be able to take it and therefore he gaue consent difficulties still continuing to raise the seege the which was done on the sixteenth day of August after they had encamped twenty dayes before the walls of Padua The enemy marched directly to Vincenza the which beeing found for the most part empty of inhabitants and abandoned by the Venetian Magistrates was foorth with seized by them and made a prey to the enemies where they commited cruell and foule actions not spoyling alone cittizens houses but Churches and sacred places not for hatred they did beare to that wretched citty but because their army was altogether maintained by theft and robbery The Bishop of Gurcia and the Viceroy remained certaine dayes at vincenza with bad intertainment as well in regard of the continuall molestation of the stradiots who scoured the contrey day and night as scarcity and want of victuals in the Citty This enforced them to dislodge The Bishop of Gurcia with his Almans went towards Verona and the Viceroy encamped at Albera on the Adicé where he tarried certaine dayes as well to giue meanes to the veronois to gather in their haruest vintage and to sow their grounds as for to make a bridge ouer the riuer hauing an intent to bring his troopes to winter on the Bressan and Bergamasc territories But Aluiana perceiuing that the viceroy made no hast to depart thence was of opinion to sally forth of Padua and Treuiso with their forces and to assaile the enemies who without any suspition thereof being disperced heere and there about pillage gaue occasion of an assured victory shewing that that Army being defeated the warre was for a time ended The Senate iudging otherwise of the matter said that it was not necessary to hazard on the vncertaine euent of a battaile that army wherein consisted the chiefe hope of the preseruation of their State thinking it likewise no discretion to vnfurnish in so dangerous a time the Citties of Padua and Treuiso of their garrisons Neuer-the lesse concealing their intents they caused it to bee giuen out That their Army should shortly come forth into the field to the end that the enemies beeing troubled with this newes should abstaine from making any more incursions and dislodge foorth of their confines But the Viceroy making no great account of these rumors in regarde hee saw no likelyhood thereof propounded to him-selfe greater designes and changing his former determination to place his armie in garrison on the Bressail and Bergamase Countrey hauing no other meanes to feede his Armie but by boot-haling hee sent for the Almaines and went to Montagnane and Este and to the village of Bouolente from whence bringing away great store of Cattle the Souldiers burned diuerse goodly houses neere adioyning Then being prouoked by the desire of spoyle and emboldened because the Venetian troopes were distributed for the garde of Padua and Treuiso they determined to draw neere to Venice contrary to the opinion of Prospero Colonna and hauing crossed the Riuer Baquillon and spoiled Pieua di Sac which is a great Burrow they went to Mestre and Marguera seated on the salt waters where the Viceroy commanded his Artillery to stay and seeing the Citty of Venice before him hee caused tenne peeces of great ordnance to bee discharged vpon it the bullets whereof fell on the Monastery of Saint Secundus and at the same time his souldiers rob'd and spoyled the whole countrey making warre most vniustly on the very walles for beeing not satisfied with their booty they cruelly burnt Mestre Marguera and Lissafusina together with other townes and villages Now the Viceroy beginning to perceiue his error and therefore beeing desirous to make hast to gette from thence could not keepe back his soldiers from pillaging neither by his authority nor by shewing them the danger they were in if they stayed any longer there in regard of the ouer-much liberty which they had taken to spoile Aluiana being with his army shut vp in Padua was extreamly greeued to see his reputation so soiled and that before his face the enemies passing along neere to so strong a Citty should so vnluckily giue spoile to so great a Contrey Therfore he aduertised the Senate that his intent was to sally foorth of the Cittty with his forces and to come and meet with the enemies to stop their passage at their returne saying that being laden with spoile as they were they could not choose but march in disorder and by that meanes they might easily be broaken and defeated That certainly their Republicke was fallen into a wretched condition farre vnworthy their antient glory the which they could not shake off but by some valiant and generous exploite But the Senate enclining to the contrary thought that the same did not proceed from a base and abiect mind but rather from a generous constancy carefully to prouide for al inconueniences that might happen and that it was no great wisdome to hazard all on the euent of a battaile which for the most part is doubtfull and vncertaine therefore their opinion was that
the first shot of ordnance which the beseeged made vpon the armed boates which did disorder them and slew some the sailers and soldiers were so danted as on a sodaine they retired as far off as they could from the shot of the Cannon whereas at the beginning they craued to be led to the assault so as afterward they durst in no sort stirre vntill that foure armed gallcies arriued to their aid The towne-walls next to the Hauen were in some sort lower then other places where the small towers likewise had beene beaten downe by the Canon the Venetians made account to enter there with ease and to make the matter lesse difficult to assaile it on a sodaine in sondry places as well on the land side as on the Hauens to the end that the beseeged beeing busied in so many places might be the weaker in all According then to this resolution they went to the assault but on a sodaine there fell such a shower ofrayne as those on the land side were enforced to retire not only from the walls but a great way from the towne the whole plaine being couered with water by reason of the Marshes neere adioyning by meanes where-of the beseeged being assured on that side turned all their forces towards the Hauen from whence with ease they draue the assaylants who already beganne to mount the walles At the same time as this happened the soldiers whom Scipio had sent to garde the passages of the mountaines to stoppe all ayd from the beseeged sent intelligence to the Campe that Frangipan approached with great nombers of soldiers requesting to haue supplies sent vnto them otherwise they should bee enforced to abandon those places beeing to weake to resist them Sauorgnane who was in the army being out of hope to take the towne vpon these news turned his forces towards the Mounts but he had not marched a mile ere he met with those that sent for more aide who being afrighted at the great numbers of those who were said to be comming to releeue the towne had not the courage to attend them and Sauorgnane vniting them with his forces went to the horsemens quarter who were lodged on a little rising hill not farre from the campe and did earnestly entreate them hauing acquainted them how their affaires stood to approch neare to Maran to ioyne them-selues with the residew of the army and to keepe backe the aid that was comming to the towne they were not ashamed to refuse it where-vpon those of the Campe being affrighted at the report of the enemies great numbers did in a manner all disband vnder collour that they had not their pay Frangipan in the meane time beeing come with his succors did without any difficulty enter the towne finding no where any resistance where he tooke without delay part of the Almaines who lay there in garrison and ioyning them with his soldiers they made a good troope with which hee went on a sodaine and assayled the remnant of the Venetians campe who little expected it so as with ease hee did put them to rout who thinking on nothing but how to escape forsooke their campe and their ordnance whereby the greatest part of them were either taken or cut in peeces Francisco Tron Captaine of a Gally did winne that day great reputation who remembring the Venetian glory did neuer forsake the place which hee had seased on with a few soldiers vntill he saw the most part of them slayne or greeuously hurt Frangipan following the course of his victory went on a sodaine to Strasoda and Montfalcone townes of the Friul which hee finding vnfurnished of garisons did easily take and committed most lamentable spoyle During this vnfortunate successe of the Venetians warre and the small hope they had that the French King would that yeare send an army into Italy a greeuous fire hapned in Venice in the night in the beginning of the yeare 1514. on the bridge of the Rialto which being driuen forward by the North-windes did so runne on as no dilligence or humaine labour could for a long time quench it it burned the most inhabited and welthiest part of the Citty The Pope at the same time being desirous to attone the Emperor and the Venetians did in his owne person cause a new compromise to bee made with ample vnlimited power whervpon by a breefe he commanded both parties to surcease their armes which was not very wel obserued by the Spaniards and Almans because the Spaniards in the meane time did spoyle the whole country neere to Este and the Viceroy sent to take Vincenza because hee would be found to bee possessed thereof at such time as the sentence should bee giuen Frangipan on the otherside hauing done great harme in the Friull as hath beene said began to scoure the whole country the like did the Almans vnder the command of the Captaines Rissan and Calepine who seperating them-selues Calapine came afterwards to Feltre which he tooke by assault where staying three daies hee was expulsed by Iohn Brandolino who marching to the recouery thereof by the commandment of Ieromino Pisare the prouidator with strong troopes gathered together from Valmarino and with his light cauallery enforced the enemies who were daunted at his sodaine arriuall to abandon the Cââ¦tty and to seeke meanes to escape by flight Calepine with the greatest part of his soldiers retired to Bassan where not standing on his grade he was assailed a new by Francio Duoda Gouernor of the country for the Venetians hauing called to his aide Bernardino Antignole with his light horse and Calepine being surprized in that place was taken prisoner and three hundred of his foot were slaine But ãâã with eight hundred foot and three hundred horse hauing taken the way of Goritia met with Frangipan as he returned and hauing vnited their forces together and by that meanes beeing to the number of fiue thousand foot and a thousand horse they resolued to assaile Vdina The Senate hauing intelligence thereof sent Malateste Sogliane and Iohn ãâã thither the one to coÌmand the army and the other to be Prouidator with sixe hundred horse and two thousand foot Ieronimo Sauorgnane was there already with two thousand men of the country where after long consultation whether it were best to tarry there for the enemy or by crossing the Riuer Liuensa to goe vnto some safer place at the last it was concluded vpon the aduice of the inhabitants concerning the commodities and discommodities of that place to quit and abandon it and to retire else where beyond the Riuer the which was speedily done for feare least the enemies preuenting them their passage might be stopt Sauorgnane retired to Osof a place of his owne to keepe and defend it from the enemies Vdina being thus abandoned did yeeld at the enemies first summons their liues and goods being saued on condition to pay a thousand crownes to the army to auoide the sack of
their City The like did Ciuidââ¦le Port Gruera and some others But the enemy finding no victuals in that Prouince wheââ¦ewith to feed the army after they had wasted and spoiled it were desirous to march towards Treuiso to ioyne with the Spanish Infantery which lay on the Paduan and Vincentyne territories to the end that being vnited they might execute some notable enterprise But one only matter delayed their deseigne which was not to leaue the fort of Osof behind them the which was able to stop their victuals and aide comming forth of Germany Therefore they resolued to assaile it before they went on any farther and that which induced Frangipan to doe so was the hope hee had to take it as he had done the castle of Chiuse strong by sytuation the which the souldiers that kept it had yeelded vpon the only sight of the enemies without feare of reproach so as Osof being taken there was nothing that could stop their victuals or reliefe from Germany or hinder them from conquering the whole country of Friul But Sauorgnane trusting to the sytuation of the place and to the valour and courage of his soldiers al-be-it he had but an hundred foot and foure score crosbowes on horse-backe with some few peasants did hope to keepe and defend it in despight of all the enemies attempts The Almains then comming to encampe before Osof seated on the top of a steepe mountaine did batter it with their ordnance and gaue diuers assaults to it in vaine which made them resolue to winne it by a long seege hauing intelligence that they within it wanted water but God prouided for them for at the sametime there fell great store of raine wherewith they were aboundantly releeued In regard whereof the enemies renued the assault but all in vaine so as despayring to take it either by assault or by long seege they raised their campe Whilest these things were done in the Friull the Venetians affaires although they were not very peaceable in Lombardy did neuerthelesse suââ¦ceed more prosperously where Rance de Cera commanding Crema for the Venetians did performe sundry notable exploits notwithstanding that the Spaniards and Sforzas forces were encamped before the towne These things did greatly displease the Pope who as a deputed arbitrator sought to bring them to accord but he could find no meanes of agreement which might content both parties by reason that by the frequent alteration of matters hopes changing according to the successe thereof it happened that when the Emperour had giuen his consent to quit Vincenza reseruing Verona for himselfe the Venetians refused it vnlesse they might be repossessed of Verona and then when the Venetians being deiected were satisfied onely with Vincenza the Emperour would haue both or none The Pope being wearied with these difficulties al-be-it he doubted that his declaration would not be accepted was desirous neuerthelesse to shew that it was not his fault to pronounce his sentence after this manner That the Emperour should commit Vincenza into his hands in deposito and all that which the Spaniards and himselfe did possesse on the Paduan and Treuisan territories That the Venetians should doe the like by Crema That as for other matters each partie should hold those possessions they enioyed till the declaration which he pretended to make within a yeere of the conditions of the peace but that in the meane time armes should bee laied downe on both sides That each of them within a month should ratifie that sentence and that the Venetians in ratifying it should pay vnto the Emperor fiue and twenty thousand Ducats and within three months after other fiue and twenty thousand And if each of them did not ratifie it the sentence should be of no validity After this maner he gaue iudgement because he would not discontent any of the parties but this sentence came to nothing by reason that the Venetians would not ratifie it for their desire was to haue had the conditions of peace pronounced at the same time Therefore they returned to armes and determined to recouer the Friull wherevpon they sent Aluiana thither for that purpose with two hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and seuen hundred foot who marching on the high way of Portonone where part of the Almains lay his light horse which scoured before met with captaine Rissan the Almain without the towne of whom wee haue heretofore spoken with two hundred men at armes and three hundred light horse and comming to handy-stroakes with them they had beene repulsed had not Aluiana arriued with the rest of his forces wherevpon beganne a furious fight the issue whereof was at the beginning doubtfull vntill that captaine Rissan being hurt in the face was taken by Malateste Sogliane for then his forces being broken escaped into Portonone and despayring of being able to hold it did speedily forsake it and betooke themselues to flight wherby the City was wholy spoiled and diuers people of the country were slaine Aluiana at his departure thence tooke the way of Osof which Frangipan had againe beseeged with the other part of the Almaines who hauing intelligence of Aluianas approach did soone dislodge hauing raced the fortes which he had built there abouts taking his iourney towards Germany but the Venetian light horse charging him on the taile he lost his baggage and artillery By meanes whereof the whole country in a manner returning to the Venetians obedience Aluiana hauing attempted in vaine to take Goritia returned forthwith to Padua with his forces Frangipan said that the same disorder was no fault of his but that being ill disposed of his person by reason of a blow on the head with a stone which hee had receiued at Osof he could not prouide for that which was necessary for the safe retreate of his army But being afterwards healed and running vp downe the neighbour mountaines to stirre vp new troubles and to leauy new forces he fell into an Ambuscado laied for him by Iohn Vitturi where he was taken and brought to Venice A man indeed very haughty and cruell and a great enemy to the Venetians and who by his ordinary incursions had for a long time greatly molested the country of Friull In regard of this fortunate successe wherein Sauorgnanes aide did greatly preuaile his fame and reputation was much encreased wherevpon the Senate for his deserts created him Earle of Belgrado and Osof for himselfe and his heires to the end that the memory of his valour might be knowne to posterity with foure hundred Ducats of yeerely reuenue forth of the publike treasury Now to returne to Aluiana the number of the Almains being encreased by his departure they tooke againe Cremona Montfalcon enforced the Venetians to remoue their seege from before Maââ¦an for the Venetians hauing intelligence that supplies arriued dislodged thence and retired in great hast Such alterations often happened in the country of Fââ¦iull in regard of the
Almains neighbour hood who after they had robbed and spoiled so soone as they had any notice of the comming on of the Venetians forces with whom diuers of the country ioyned they forth with retired home and then returned as occasion was offered The Venetians in the meane time perceiuing that all hope of agreement was taken from them and that the waââ¦re was to be continued beganne to thinke on meanes how to get money their treasure being wholy exhausted All the magistrates were assembled to this end to consult in what manner they might raise money for the expences of the warre Diuers meanes were propounded in the Senate and debated with sundry opinions At the last they resolued to make a generall taxation whereof the highest should not amount to aboue three hundred crownes and to this end three persons were chosen to make this rate according to the abillity and authority of euery man prouided that it did not exceed as hath beene said the summe of three hundred crownes for one house By meanes whereof in short space great summes of money were raised to pay the army For the goods of those men that refused to pay what they were rated at were iudged to be confiscate to the publike treasury The end of the first Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the second Booke of the fifth Decade THe Venetians beseege Maran and forth-with raise their campe The defeate and taking of Vitturi the Prouidator Bergamo is taken by Rance de Cera and soone recouered by the Spaniards The Venetians take Frangipan The Venetians recouer Vincenza The victory of Selim against Ismael Soliman entreth Hungary The Croisado published in Hungary against the Turkes Pope Leo his meanes to ioyne the Venetians with the Emperour and the Spaniards and to disunite them from France The Venetians send Ambassadors to the French King and to the King of England The death of King Lewis the twelfth Francis the first Duke of Angoulesme succeedeth him The new King confirmeth the league with the Venetians The Venetians send Ambassadors to the Pope to draw him to their side What the Pope did against the Venetians A league contracted betwixt the Emperour the King of Arragon the Duke of Milan and the Swisses against the French King The viceroy of Naples his enterprize on Vincenza and the aide which Aluiana brought thither The Swisses great gard at the foot of the Alpes against the French The French passe into Piedmont by the hill of Argentire Prospero Colonna is taken by the French Agreement betwixt the King and the Swisses contracted and broken all in one day The battaile betwixt the King and them at Marignan The Swisses soft retreate towards Milan The Second Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice ALVIAN A being returned from Friul as hath beene said the Venetians were of opinion by the soliciting of Sauorgnano to renue their enterprize vpon Maran the whole charge thereof was committed vnto him He according to his commission hauing leauied two thousand men of the country and foure hundred of the best souldiers from Vdina went with his forces and encamped before Maran Iohn Vitturi Generall of the light horse and Iohn Paul Mââ¦nfron captaine of the men at armes did by the Senates appointment meete him there with their Cauallery to the end that the enterprise might be executed with more assurance and reputation Sauorgnane at his arriuall seized on a strong place not farre from the walles of the City and there encamped causing great trenches to bee made to the end the souldiers beeing the better defended might in more safety march to the walles And because the sytuation of the place was not commodious for them by reason the ground was very low and boggy he by his industry and dilligence ouercame the discommodity of the place by making plat formes and bulwarkes of sundry substances for two purposes the one for that they should serue for a safe retreate to his souldiers if so be the enemy should make any sodaine sally and the other that his souldiers comming to the assault should be as high mounted as the enemies on their walles All things being in a readinesse for the assault and some souldiers being already marched thither certaine captaines who at the first were not of opinion to giue an assault made a stand by reason of some encomberance of water which they found some-what high which caused them for that time to deferre that which had beene determined In the meane time letters came from the Senate to Sauorgnane and to the chiefe of the army which imported that the Senates meaning was to haue them vse meanes to take that towne rather by a long seege then by assault because the Senators feared as the experience of what had formerly happened in the selfe same enterpriââ¦e had made them wiââ¦e that beeing deceiued through the hope of the Authors of the seege the enemies comming on a sodaine to passe thorow then campe the army might receiue some notable losse As also for that to assaile that towne so often in vaine did greatly diminish their reputation Herevpon they resolued according to the Senates direction to encampe only before it and not to assaile it setting vp diuers tents and lodging places to shut in the towne more straightly and to keepe all victuals from being brought vnto it But whilest they spent the time thus vnproffitably they gaue the enemy leisure to assemble his troupes and to re-enforce themselues for the relieââ¦e of the beseeged Those of the campe hauing notice that the ãâã had for this purpose gathered together great numbers of horse and foot and that diuers peasants of the neighbour villages were gonne to Gradisca to come speedily to assaile them they resolued presently to raise their seege and to retire to Vdina and Ciuitella The enemies so soone as the Venetians had raised their campe did supply Maran with victuals and souldiers by meanes whereof those within it being growne stronger and more audacious scoured the country round about The Senate being much discontented with these incuââ¦sions and fearing if it were not speedily remedied some greater harme might ensue thereby commanded the Knight La Volpe Generall of the light horsemen to goe with two hundred horse into Friul to restraine the enemies courses Petro Marcello was commanded to doe the like who had beene sent Prouidator to the campe But before they could arriue there the poore country men had endured much misery Vitturi the Prouidator retiring with a hundred Albanese horse-men to a place of weake defence was assailed by the enemies where after he had valiantly defended himselfe being hurt and his souldiers forsaking him he was taken prisoner all his souldiers were either taken or cut in peeces At the same time Rance de Cera who lay in Crema dispayring almost of being able to keepe the towne in regard of the great want of victuals in it and of the terrible plague as also for that the
army to Biagrassa whilest hee stayed there the Duke of Sauoy with the other commissioners whome the King had left at Verceill had made peace with the Swisses in the Kings name But this peace was almost in one day concluded and broken by the arriuall of new Swisses who being proud for their forepassed victories hoping to carry home with them as great wealth as they saw their fellowes laden with they would not heare tell of peace refusing to yeeld vp the valleis mentioned in the agreement so as by this breach of peace matters returned to their former difficulties and to much greater in regard of the Swisses new forces as also of those of the Viceroy and Lorenzo de Medicis who approched Milan Aluiana in the meane time sent word to the French King that he would so amuse the Spanish army as it should haue no meanes to hurt him and therefore so soone as hee vnderstood that the Viceroy was gone from Verona he left the Pollesin of Rouigo and hauing crossed the Adice he speedily came along the riuer Po with nine hundred men at armes foureteene hundred light horse and nine thousand foot with greate store of artillery neere to the walls of Cremona The King according to Aluianas letters came to Marignan to giue him more easie meanes to ioyne with the royall army and to stop the companies of the Church and Spaniards from doing the like with the enemies For it did greately import the king to haue the enemies force diuided in sundry places The King being come to Marignan stayed there and wrot to the Venetian Senate giuing them notice of his arriuall in Italy and of the fortunate successe of his affaires till then together with the hope hee had that his deseignes would prosper in regard that both their affaires were managed by one selfe-same Vnion and concord But in these interims Rance de Cera who had well demeaned him-selfe against the enemies being mooued with iealozy against Aluiana for that hee would not bee enforced to obey him as Generall if the armies should come to ioyne together craued leaue of the Venetians to depart who being not able to make them friends did freely graunt it Hee was a braue Captaine and could not abide any superior and Aluiana could not endure an equall by meanes whereof they could not agree together wherevpon hauing taken his leaue hee put him selfe into the Popes pay with two hundred men at armes and two hundred light horse Marke Antonio Colonna in the meane time who remayned for the gard of Verona made a sodaine sally with three thousand foot-men and about seauen hundred horse of all sorts and went and scoured the Vincentine Territory spoyling and wasting what-so-euer he met with Albeit this did trouble the Venetians yet could it not diuert them from their former determination which was that Aluiana should ioyne with the French army knowing well that if the French Kings affaires did prosper this could not doe amisse Foure armies were at one time in one country very neere to one another The French army was of forty thousand men among whome were fiue hundred men at armes chosen out of the French Nobillity excellently well armed and mounted who after they had seazed on Nouara and Paula were come to Marignan not farre from them lay the Venetian army of twelue thousand foot and three thousand horse which stayed at Lodi both armies being well stored with artillery Against these two were two other armies of the enemies who for the same reasons were enforced to remaine deuided one from another That of the Pope and the Florentines ioyned with the Spaniards was more esteemed for the old soldiers then for the great number and it was lodged neere to the Citty of Placentia on the banke of the riuer Po. The other was of Swisses which was said to bee forty thousand men who at the pursute and perswasion of the Cardinall of Syon kept the Citty of Milan which was well furnished with all necessaries This Cardinall returning from Placentia whither he was fled wondering that his country-men practized with the French king relying on great numbers of soldiers newly come which did fauor his party he came among them who were al in a manner diuided some of them not enduring to heare tell of war and others not of peace And causing them al to come together on a day he beganne with a very vehement and affectionate speech to incite them without any more delay to go forth the same day and assaill the French King and not to set so much before their eyes the number the enemies horse and artillery as to let it make them to forget the valour of the Swisses and the victories obtained by them against the French That it was not the artillery which gaue the victory but onely the prowesse and valour of the soldier And that besides the giuing of the victory which he assured them of they should consider the great wealth they were to get as well by the spoyle of the French army as by that of the whole state of Milan And therefore hee willed them to aduance their pikes with their vsuall courage and sound their drums and without delaying one houre of time to goe and vse their armes effectually and to glut them-selues with the bloud of those who by their pride would molest the whole world and by their basenesse doe euer become a prey to all men The Swisses beeing incited by these or such like speeches did furiously on a sodaine put on their armes and going forth of the Citty did put themselues in order of battaile and albeit it was neere night they marched towards the French Army with such courage as if they had already obtayned the victory notwithstanding that diuerse of their Captaines thought it great rashnesse and a very dangerous matter to assaile the enemy in his camp who was resolued for battaile But the Cardinall of Sion fearing least delay might produce somthing contrary to his deseignes and that as the desire of fight had easily enflamed their courages it might as easily be quenched by the remonstrance of their Captaines of the contrary part he gaue forth a false rumor among them that the French gathered togeather their baggage and prepared for their departure and that their vantgard was already forth of their Camp to goe and ioyne with the Venetian army to retire afterwards to beseege Milan wherevpon he exhorted them to make hast to surprize the enemy in disorder who little doubted thereof This exhortation was seconded by diuers Captaines of his faction who did greatly praise his councell and incited them to battaile going vp and downe the rankes making the like remonstrances wherewith the soldiers being encouraged marched on with a speedy pace towards the enemies Now the French being aduertized of the Suisses comming towards them albeit they were at the first greatly amazed as it happeneth in matters not foreseene nor premeditated they did
receiued letters from the Senate full of congratulations and entreaties that he would carry himselfe in that place so as he had euer doone in all imployments he did likewise receiue the army at the hands of George Eme the Prouidator where he beganne to beare himselfe with great wisdome and discretion and according to the Senates desire he beseeged Bressia albeit it seemed very hard vnto him to take it without the French army by reason that the Citty was strong and that there were within it two thousand foot as wel Lancequenets as Spaniards as also because winter aproached and the weather was much disposed to raine as the euent did not deceaue his iudgement For as they battered it with the Artillery which was planted vppon the very brinke of the dike those within made a sally with fifteene hundred as wel Spaniards as Laucequenets who giuing in vpon the guard of the Artilery which were a hundred men at armes and six hundred foot they easily put them to rout albeit that Iohn Paul Manfron did in some sort stay their fury with thirty men at armes They slew about two hundred foot burnt the pouders and drew tenne peices of ordinance into Bressia so as the Venetians were like that day to haue receiued a far greater losse had not Triuulce come speedily thither with certaine foot companies and Cauallery who enforced the enemies to retire and recouered from them certaine peeces of ordnance which they were carrying away beside This disorder caused Triuulce to with-draw his armie and to lodge it more at large euen as farre at Coccai ten miles distant from Bressia expecting the comming of the French at whose arriuall so soone as Triuulce had made new prouisions of artillery and munition hee returned againe and encamped before it The French supplyes beeing conducted by the Bastard of Sauoy which consisted of fiue thousand Lansquenets eight hundred men at armes and certaine peeces of ordnance with all manner of prouision in aboundance beeing ioyned with the Venetians the Citty was by a generall consent beseeged hoping with those forces and by the Soldiers diligence casily to finish their enterprise Yet neuerthelesse it fell out otherwise then they thought for the Lanquenets refused to march against the citties of the Emperors obedience where-vpon beeing dismissed the Venetians craued Pedro of Nauar of the King who came thither in their sted with fiue thousand Gascons and French These being encamped on the one side of the towne and Triuulce on the other with the Venetian soldiers the battery beganne in diuers places the cheefe command of all matters remayning in a manner to Triuulce by reason that the bastard of Sauoy being sicke was gone from the army After a long battery no assault was giuen because those within had made diuers rampiers and very carefully prouided for all things necessary for defence so as Pedro of Nauarre had recourse to his ordinary remedies whereof hee had not as yet made vse in that seege by reason it was very painefull and laborious and for that he likewise feared least by meanes of the continuall rayne that had fallen of a long time his deseigne might not fall out as hee desired He beganne then to mine and sap the walls but those within the towne suspecting the matter because those of the Campe had giuen ouer their battery hauing dilligently searched all ouer the Citty if they could heare any noice of the miners at last it was discouered wherevpon they made a counter-mine which being filled with powder and fired they ouerthrew all that Pedro of Nauarre had done and slew his people that wrought in it so as in a moment all that was lost which had beene set forward in many daies The Venetians neuer-the-lesse did not dispaire of taking the Citty but by streightly shutting them vp to stop alsuccors from comming to them they hoped to win it hauing had intelligence of the great want of all necessaries where-with the beseeged were aflicted which at last would enforce them to yeeld especially the Almaines who are impatient of long suffering as also for that they had not receiued any pay of a long time from the Emperor by meanes whereof they refused all military obseruation and prepared them-selues to mutiny and rebellion This being reported to Triuulce he supposed that a faire occasion was offered to conquer the citty where-vpon hee resolued not to stirre from thenoe notwithstanding the sharpnesse of the winter the deepe snowes and the long time that hee had layne before it knowing how much it concerned his reputation if that which hee had begunne should not succede fortunately Hee beganne then straightly to shutte it vp on euery side to the end that no victualls might enter it nor no soldier of the towne might come forth and for this purpose hee still entertayned them with light skirmishes And because those of Verona did in the meane space scoure the Bressan Territory and molest the Venetian Army hee placed strong Garrisons in Pescara and Valegia to stoppe their incursions and to shutte them more streightly vppe At the same time that Bressia was beseeged there was some motion of peace the Pope seeking to accord the Emperor and the Venetians hoping afterwards to bee better able to conclude peace with the French But the Venetians being so often beaten with hope of those matters without giuing any trust to the Popes words did not assure their State on many but onely on the friendship and alliance with the French and to the end that their intent might bee knowne to all men they refused all conditions propounded to them whereof they were desirous to aduertize the French Ambassador resident at Venice and that in like case their Ambassadors which were at the court should acquaint his Maiesty with the whole businesse that hee might see how they accounted onely of his friendshippe as the King did the like by theirâ⦠The which hee made shew of to the Emperors Ambassadors who came to him to talke of agreement from their Maister whome hauing dismissed without any resolution he did speedily aduerââ¦ize the Venetians thereof As concerning the Pope the King had sundry thoughts For al be-it his Holinesse had forsaken him at such time as hee thought him one of his greatest friends he neuerthelesse did greatly desire his friendship the which he had not left but by constraint Therefore the Pope hauing sent his Nuntio to the King vnknowne to the other confederates he was curteously entertained by him the King manifesting his hearty desire to enter into his Holinesse fauour Yet neuerthelesse resoluing not to buy that at a deere rate which was offered the Nuntio could obtaine nothing of his Maiesty till the Pope had quitted and yeelded vnto him Parma and Placentia which he held The Pope could hardly be induced to quit those two Cities At last fearing that by delaying the matter some mischiefe might arise he satisfied the Kings desire referring
who were particularly vnder the command of Triuulce were seuen thousand foot and about fiue and twenty hundred horse as well men at armes as light horse-men and there staied with the Duke of Bourbon after the Kings departure foure thousand Gascon and Italian foot-men and seuen hundred men at armes Now all these forces being vnited together with the Swisses who were already said to be arriued at Iuree to the number of sixe thousand seemed to be sufficient to defend the State of Milan and to make all the Emperours attempts vaine and vnprofitable al-be-it the report was that his army consisted of fiue and twenty thousand which were no great good souldiers especially the Almaine foot who had beene leauied forth of his countries in hast and his Cauallery was well worse so as his best forces were Swisses whom the Emperour did well not to trust ouer much as well in regard of the Nature of that Nation which is variable and inconstant as for the small loue they beare to the house of Austria so as the Emperours forces being such the common opinion was to march against them as they approched neuerthelesse they resolued on the contrary and the whole army departing from the Bressan Territory came vpon that of Cremona whither the Duke of Bourbon a while before was come with all his Cauallery and foot intending there to stay for the Swisses who were not yet arriued and likewise to stop the enemies from passing on any farther The Emperour being come by Trent to Verona went and encamped before Asola which was garded by an hundred men at armes and foure hundred Venetian foot-men where hauing spent diuers daies to no purpose he was enforced to depart thence and crossed the Riuer Oglio at Orcinouo wherevpon the French and Venetians determined to raise their campe and hauing left three hundred Launces and three thousand foot-men in Cremona they retired on the farther side of the Riuer Adicé resoluing to stop his passage But the French and Venetians were scarce gonne from thence but the whole country which lieth betwixt the Riuers Oglio Po and Adda were at the Emperours deuotion Cremona and Crema excepted the one garded by French and the other by Venetians After that the Emperour had crossed Oglio he drew nere to the riuer Adda to passe it at Pisquetona and finding the passage there to be very difficult he came to Riuolta the French lying at Cassiana on the other side of the Riuer who by reason that the Swisses were not yet arriued and that the Adda might be foorded in many places they marched away the next day to Milan whereby the Lord of Lautrec purchaced small honour who had published and written to the King that he would with ease stop the Emperors passage ouer that Riuer Maximillian being mooued at this retreat crossed the Adda then he pursued his iourney and being come within sixe miles nere to Milan he sent an Herald to summon those of the City threatning the Milanois that if within three daies they did not chace thence the French army he would handle them in worse manner then Frederike Barbarossa his predecessor had done saying that he was come into Italy to receiue according to the custome of his Ancestors one of the markes of the Empire in the City of Milan and to driue thence and forth of all the confines of that State the French as vniust and vnlawfull possessors thereof They answered the Herald according to the pleasure of the French That the State of Milan being in times past a member of the Empire was by the consent of Emperors cut off from it for a summe of money giuen vnto them in regard whereof Emperors could no more lay any claime to it the which was lawfully possessed by Francis the French King as well for that it was his owne inheritance as being likewise wonne by right of armes and therefore that the Milanois would keepe that City for their lawfull Lord vnto whom they had sworne homage and fealty Notwithstanding this braue answere the whole City was filled with great amazement and their determinations were different Some were of opinion to abandon the City despayring of being able to resist the enemies others on the contrary reiecting that councell as too base would not depart but perswaded to tarry still and defend the City and the better to doe it they resolued to retaine all the foot-men in Milan with eight hundred Launces and to distribute the residue for the gard of the neighbour townes Neuerthelesse the first councell had beene followed had not André Gritti and Andrè Treuisan the Prouidators disswaded it who by meanes of their authority procured them not to make so much haste so that as they were ready to depart certaine newes arriued that the day following Albert Peter would be at Milan with ten thousand Swisses and Grisons These newes did encourage the Citizens and souldiers The Emperour in the meane time came and encamped at Lambre two miles from Milan whether he was no sooner come but the Swisses arriued at the City This comming gaue spirit to the French but greater terror to the Emperor For seeing the City to be strengthened with such a garrison he doubted not but that the seege would be long and painefull whereunto he himselfe had no meanes to tarry there long for want of money victuals and all other necessaries for a seege as also for that he did greatly suspect the fidelity of that Nation by reason of matters past and for that the French might easily winne them for some great summe of money the which himselfe could not doe in regard of his pouerty calling to minde beside what had befalne Lodouico Sforza at Nouara there hauing beene Swisses in his army and in that of the French his enemies he feared least they should play him the selfe same tricke as they had don to Sforza because he could not pay them The Emperour beeing troubled with these and other such like cogitations feare hauing mightily possessed him determined to leaue his army and to returne into Germany hauing caused it to be giuen forth that his departure was only to prouide money to pay his souldiers and that he would soone returne againe And in this resolution he went on his way with two hundred horse onely Now the souldiers of the campe perceiuing themselues to be forsaken of their captaine beganne to take a new party as their particular profit vrged them The Swisses went to Lodi which had yeelded to the Emperour when hee crossed the Adda where hauing wasted the country round about they spoiled the towne and had continued their rauaging had not the other Swisses that lay in Milan protested against them that if they did not abstaine from so doing that they with the French and Venetians would come and assaile them Vpon these threatnings they ceassed from spoyling and hauing remained peaceably there for certaine daies they returned home into their country some
excepted who with Marke Setio their captaine went to gard Verona the like did Marke Antonio Colonna with his cauallery and Spanish and Almaine foot Soone after the Emperours departure the Marquis of Brandenbourg came to the campe with certaine summes of money who although he vsed all meanes to stay the souldiers who were already disbanded all things being in confusion and the money likewise not being sufficient for the payment of the whole army hee lost but his labour Amidest these troubles the small loue and affection betwixt the Pope and the French King began to shew it selfe the which till then lay hidden The King complained for that the Pope being mooued with a bad intent had made so long delay to send that aide to the campe which he was tied to by their agreement That he had secretly stirred vp the Swisses against him and had in diuers other matters manifested his small affection towards him The Pope on the other side alleadged diuers causes which had mooued him to suspect the Kings friendship The Venetians did all they might at sundry times to accord these Princes and to take away al suspition from them knowing very well how important a matter it was for the Pope the French King and their Republike to be vnited together Whilest this agreement was handled by Ambassadors all the enemies deseignes turned into smoake For besides the Swisses who were gonne home into their country as hath beene said three thousand Spanish and Almain foot came to the French and Venetian campes who hauing crossed the Riuer Adda had for certaine daies mightily molested the enemies by diuers and sundry accidents the French now hauing the worse and anon the enemies The Duke of Burbon being at the same time departed forth of Italy the Lord Lautrec remained Gouernor for the King in the Dutchy of Milan who marched speedily with all the French and Venetian forces on the Bressan territory where with the ordnance he began to batter Bressia in foure seuerall places to the end the beseeged might not be able to make resistance in so many places at once who held out so long as they had any hope of aide which they expected out of the country of Tirol it being promised them but it came to nothing by reason that the Venetians did shut vp the castle of Anse and other passages so as the townesmen being not willing to endure an assault because of the great breach that was made couenanted to leaue the city and castle their gods and liues being saued if they were not releeued within three daies on condition that the souldiers might goe any whether sauing to Verona Icaro the Cities captaine came forth of the towne and the Lord Lautrec with the Venetian Prouidators entred it at the same time where they were ioyfully receiued by all the inhabitants who by their cries and salutations did manifest their great content for that the City was reduced vnder the power of the common-wealth Lautrec at his entry tooke possession of the towne and afterwards redeliuered it to the Venetian Prouidators who soone erected the Republikes standard In this manner did this famous City after many thwarts and accidents of fortune returne to the obedience of her lawfull Lords The newes of the reddition of Bressia being brought to Venice did greatly reioyce the whole City all men hoping that this happy successe would be followed with more fortunate euents which would giue end to the warres The Senate did particularly thanke the French King for that by meanes of his aide they had preuailed They likewise wrote to the Lord of Lautrec infinitely commending his speed and loyalty exhorting him not to let slip the occasion which offered it selfe of other most fortunate exploits as was that of Verona if without delay the army might be brought before it by the taking of which City the warre with wonderfull speed would be ended Lautrec being mooued by these words resolued sodainely to discampe and with Triuulcio to march towards Verona But being come to Pescara he had intelligence that those fiue Cantons of Swisses with whom the King was not in league made preparations to come and assaile the Dutchy of Milan Hee then told the Prouidators that in regard of his Kings seruice he could not be absent so farre from the State of Milan This businesse beeing debated in councell all men were of opinion to remaine in the same place where they were and there to expect more certaine newes of those stirres the report whereof was yet vncertaine But the rumor of the Swisses comming still encreasing Lautrec was desirous to bring backe his army into the Dutchy of Milan notwithstanding that all the other captaines were of a contrary opinion shewing how the sytuation of the place was very strong and most commodious where they might resolue on whatsoeuer should bee needfull and prouide for all things necessary to stoppe the enemies passage of whose comming they were yet vncertaine Hee on the contrary remayning firme in his resolution to discampe propounded that he would goe and encampe on the Bressan territory neere to Asola alleadging for his reasons that Verona being well manned with souldiers as well Swisses as Almaines who had retired thither after the rout of the Emperours army that it would bee labour lost to beseege it so as to attempt a difficult enterprize without great hope to effect it would hinder their other affaires and confound all order of warre Besides hee made vse of other excuses namely how that the Venetians had conferred with the King of Polands Ambassador who spake to them of peace and that the money promised to pay the Almaines was not yet sent to the campe Gritti the Prouidator opposing himselfe to what Lautrec had spoken said That he knew of a certaine that there was great scarcity of all things in Verona and chiefly of corne whereby the souldiers that were come thither did more hurt then good to the city that they ought not to giue them time to make prouision least that afterwards the enterprize would prooue more difficult That hee had intelligence by the souldiers that were come to their campe that the townesmen and souldiers were at dissension among themselues that all things were in confusion by meanes whereof the affaires of warre was managed more slowly and with great suspition so as if the army were but before it the people beeing partly prouoked by their owne interest and partly likewise by their loue which they did beare to the Venetians might raise some tumult and giue them meanes for to enter the City As for the Ambassassador of Poland that the Senate had not treated with him of peace without the knowledge of the French King whom they did so honour and reuerence as they had refused sundry and honest conditions of agreement because that they would not disunite themselues from him As for the payment of the Almaines the money was ready long before and should
that the Pope complayning of the Emperours captaines entred into summe suspition of them as if they had drawne forth the seege of Parma at length vntill that necessity had enforced them to discampe perceiuing that his great desire to obtaine that City made him freely to contribute to all the charges and expences of the warres The Emperour on the other side hauing discouered the Popes suspition feared that if he should obtaine that which he pretended to haue by the treaty of agreement betwixt them he would then giue ouer the remainder of the enterprize as easily as he had forsaken the French Kings alliance excusing himselfe either vpon the cost or danger of the warres wherevpon for the better assurance of his deseignes he resolued if it were possible to draw the Venetians to his party and ioyne them to the league and to that end he determined to send Alpââ¦so Saus to Venice to remaine there as Ambassador for the Impâ⦠Maiesty and whom he caused with great cunning and vehemency to ãâã againe to the Senate that to ioyne with him and the Pope was the true meanes to obtaine peace no lesse by him desired then by themselues and for a testimony of his speech hee aleadged That although the Emperour might obtaine the Dutchy of Milan by iust title yet neuerthelesse he would inuest Francis Sforza Duke of Baâ⦠therein thereby to reduce the affaires of Italy to a quiet and peace able State At the last Prospero Colonna beganne to march first bending towards the Riuer Adda to passe iâ⦠and afterwards to march directly to Milan which was the whole ayme of the warre Lautrec beeing aduertized hereof did soone dislodge from the Cremona territory where hee had for a certaine time remained and marched towards Cassan to stoppe the enemies passage of the Riuer who neuerthelesse by their speedy comming thither before the French did crosse it betwixt Riua and Cassan and then went on their way towards Milan Lautrec being preuented of his hope did in great hast follow the ãâã being desirous if occasion serued to offer them battaile But Prospero Colonna not meaning to hazard any thing proceeded in such manner as hee looke away all meanes of comming to a battaile which Lautrec perceiuing did at last retire with his army which did dayly decrease especially the Swisses who went their ãâã without leaue vnder collour that they wanted their pay and came to Milan leauing the Venetian Prouidator with the artillery at Lodi because that their Generall Triuulcio hauing followed Lautrec had entred with him into Milan Now Lautrec beeing come to Milan perceiuing his owne army to be diminished and that of the enemies to be mightily encreased he caused the Bastions and rampiers to bee razed which the Duke of Bourbon had before then caused to bee made resoluing not to stirre from thence and there to expect aide from France Prospero hauing crossed the Adda and hauing intelligence that Lautrec was retired to Milan fortifying it in all hast determined to follow him and came and lodged in an Abbey with in foure miles off Milan called Cherauall where being vncertaine what he were best to doe in regard of the great numbers of men that were within the City a husbandman was brought before him that had beene taken comming from Milan who told him in the presence of all the captaines that hee was sent by some of the Imperiall faction that were within the City to Ieronimo Moron to let them know that if they would march directly to Milan they were certaine that hee might enter it but if they should delay the matter and giue the French men leisure to fortifie themselues it would not then bee in their power to expell them Vpon this aduertisement it was concluded by the chiefe captaines that the Marquis of Pescara with the Spanish bands whom he then commanded should march directly to the Roman gate to be there at sunne set Theodore Triuulcio Generall of the Venetian army had the gard of that gate and the suburb where the Marquis of Pescara being come taking twelue hundred men for that seruice hee gaue directly in vpon a bastion that was new begunne and not yet defensible wherevpon those of the gard were so amazed as without fight they were put to rout forsaking their gard and fortifications Theodore Triuuâ⦠Commander of those troupes being sicke in his bead did on a sodaine arise and marched against the enemies with such few souldiers as hee could gather together to susteine that attempt thinking that they would follow him but Night not blushing and beeing vnaccompanied he was beaten downe and taken prisoner with Iulio of Saint Seuerin the Marquis of Vigeua Mercurio Buono captaine of the Venetian light horse Lodouico Marin Secretary to the common-wealth with diuers others Lautrec hauing notice that the Venetian army being surprized had abandoned the suburbes without any fight came with the residue of the army before the place of the castle But perceiuing that there was no meanes to keepe the City the said suburbe being lost determined to retire and tooke the direct way towards Coma with all his men at armes to be nere the Swisses expecting the succor that was to come from France hauing before his departure left captaine Masearon a Gascon to command the castle with fifty men at armes and six hundred French foot The enemies being masters of the city made an inestimable spoile there without any exception of persons for the sacke lasted tenne whole daies no commandement being of force to cause the souldiers to giue ouer The Venetian horsmen departed from Laude and were comming towards Milan but hauing intelligence by the way of the Cities losse Lautrecs retreat they escaped to Bergamo Lautrec being come to Coma the foure thousand Swisses that remained in the French campe did the morrow after retire home towards their country their captaines not being able to hold them backe Lautrec departing afterwards from Coma with the residue of his troupes went to Lec where hauing crossed the Riuer hee placed all his men at armes in garrison in the Venetian country but so soone as he was gonne from Coma the enemies came thither who hauing battered it ten or twelue daies tooke it by composition Vpon report of these conquests of the enemies Lauda Pauia Parma and Placentia yeelded vnto them without any difficulty Cremona within a while after did the like but Lautrec comming thither on a sodaine with his forces did forthwith recouer it by meanes of the castle which held out yet for the French In this sort did the French lose without being defeated or fighting any one Battaile that goodly and ritch State which they had purchased at so high a price and with so much effusion of blood Prospero Colonna in the meane time to make vse of his good fortune pursued Lautrec seeking wholly to defeat him who as hath beene said departing from
Emperour on the other side hastened the prouisions of the sea-army which was reported to be of forty ships and sixe thousand foot that were paied who met at the port of Cartagena to goe to the reliefe of the city of Genoa he solicited his brother the Archduke to leauy the greatest forces hee could in his owne country and to send them into Italy and had besides giuen charge to the Prince of Orange to goe thorow the Duke of Sauoys country with greater numbers of Lansequenets into the Dutchy of Milan The confederates resoluing to stop the passage of these new supplies made great prouisions both by sea and land Diuers vessels were arriued for the most Christian King in Brettaine and at Marseilles with diuers others else-where which had beene taken neere to Genoa to resist the passage of the Spanish army they laboured to induce the Duke of Sauoy not to suffer the Imperials to passe thorow his territories But that which they most feared was the Almaines who were reported to be leauied by George Frondsperg an old captaine and much affected to the house of Austria who assembled great numbers of souldiers inciting them to enrole themselues in hope of booty so that hauing receiued the garrison which was at Cremona he had in all with him more then ten thousand foot The confederates to stop these Lansequenets passage did first of all gaine the captaine of the castle of Mus by fiue thousand Ducats which were giuen him the one halfe by the Pope and the other by the Venetians as well to set at liberty the Ambassadors of the Signory whom hee had surprized in their iourney towards France as also to draw him to their party wherevpon beside they gaue him the command of foure hundred foot well paied with a good pension for the guard of the Lake of Coma. The Venetians did likewise send for the same purpose Nicolao Sangotino their Secretary to the Marquis of Mantua to entreat him if the Almaines should passe the mounts that he would not suffer them to passe thorow his State But being aduertized that these Almaines had made prouision of artillery and munition at Trent thinking that they would passe thorow the Veronois they made a leauy of other foure thousand foot and commanded certaine companies of men at armes and light horse to come from the campe Then they appointed Augustine de Mulla for Prouidator Generall beyond the Riuer Mence prouiding all matters to repulse them Now these Almaines tooke their way by the vale of Sabia very neere to Pioltella By these meanes the Venetian captaines that were on the Veronois did speedily send Camillo Vrsin to Sales with the light-horse and certaine companies of the ablest footmen the rest that stayed behinde were commanded to follow them by crossing the Lake which they being not able to doe soone enough by reason of a tempest that arose was the cause that Vrsin came to late to meet with the enemies who were already passed onwards on their way yet neuerthelesse hââ¦uing seized on the Pace of Corona which is a very narrow place and strong by sytuation he enforced the Almaines who were already on their iourney going thither to take an other way thorow the tops of the mountaines which was very difficult and dangerous by which at the last they came to La Garda and from thence to Chastillon then within a while after they entred the Marquis of Mantua his State leauing the way of Milan contrary to the opinion of the confederates taking that of Placentia or Pauia They resolued to follow them and still to hold them in allarmes the Marquis of Saluces on the one side with great numbers of Swisses and Grisons and the Duke of Vrbin on the other marching towards Soncina skirmishing continually with the enemies rereward to the great commendation of the captaines and especially of Iohn de Medicis who notwithstanding that all the Popes captains were departed did neuerthelesse continue in the Kings pay and retained a company of men at armes in his name who by his great courage and valor was a merueilous terror to the enemies and a great comfort to the confederates George Frondsperg hauing passed the Po without any let and being irresolute what way to take did hold the confederates in doubt and especially the Pope who fearing least the enemies might turne towards Bolognia and from thence into Tuscany did earnestly entreate the Venetians to command their army to passe speedily ouer the Po for to assure the Churches territories and those of the Florentines but their owne State being not free from the same scare The Senate in some sort to satisfie him and yet not meaning to much to disfurnish themselues commanded Lodouico Pisani who was in the Marquis of Salusses army to gather together certaine foote-forces to send them speedily for the guard of the Churches State and Guicciardin making the same request Baboni di Nalââ¦i was sent thither with a thousand foote they did beside send word to their Generall that when he should perceiue the daungers of the confederates to encrease and those of the Venetians to lessen not to make any difficulty to releeue them either with the whole body of the army or with part thereof as himselfe should iudge to be most necessary At the last it was concluded for the present that the Marquis of Salusses alone should passe the Po with his owne troupes and three hundred light-horse of the Venetians with certaine peeces of ordnance taken from forth their campe to amuze the enemies But the Almaines hauing crossed the Riuer Nura and that of Trebbia afterwards without any let of their confederates were come and encamped at Fiorenzolles hoping quickly to ioyne with the forces of Milan and the Imperiall captaines not being able to cause the other Almaines to march because they wanted their pay they presently dislodged only with the Italian infantery and certaine companies of light horse The Senate in the meane time being wholly desirous to satisfie the Pope commanded the Prouidator to draw a gallaÌt troupe of the best soldiers forth of the army and to send them ouer the Po to ioyne with the Marquis of Salusses whereupon the Prouidator Vitturi did sodainely depart with fiue thousand foot certaine companies of light-horse the Duke of Vrbin being at the same time to the Venetians great griefe gon to Mantua about certain particular affaires of his owne This marching of the enemies towards Florence caused the coÌfederats to feare least the Florentines being troubled with the danger that threatned them should come to an agreement with the Imperials to the great hinderance and preiudice of the league Vpon this doubt the Venetians did speedly send Marco Foscare their Ambassadour to Florence to exhort them in the name of the Republike not to separate themselues by reason of that accident from them setting before them the great want of all necessaries that was in the Almaines campe the weaknesse and
the other side sought to enter into the Churches territories to defend those of the Colonnesi and to enforce the Pope to disioyne himselfe from the league and to giue him a certaine summe of money for the payment of his army wherevpon he set foreward and came with twelue thousand men before Frossolona where he encamped which is a towne very weake and seated in the Champaine countââ¦y the houses of particular persons seruing in stead of walles within which neuerthelesse the captaines of the Church had left a strong Garrison to keepe him from any sure footing in that country At his first comming he beganne to batter the towne not giuing any assault to it afterwards But the arriuall of Rance de Cera and Alessandrâ⦠Vitelli with the Churches forces which were much encreased by the Popes dilligence who had augmented his campe with great numbers of foot-men paied and commanded for the reliefe of that place was the cause that after certaine skirmishes on either side the viceroy raised his campe two houres before day and set fire to certaine munitions which were left leauing there behind him some bullets for great ordnance and retired to Cesenna and from thence to Cepparane This fortunate successe encouraged the Pope and at the entreaty of the confederates Ambassadors whom he could not otherwise satisfie he resolued to execute the enterprize of the Kingdome of Naples notwithstanding that it was in the middest of winter being the month of Ianuary in the yeere 1527. The Venetians for this purpose commanded Augustine de Mulla their Prouidator in the nauall army to bring it to Ciuitauecchia and ioyning there with the Popes gallies to saile together towards Naples But the French army tarrying to long that of the Venetians sailed towards Terracina to take in three thousand foot conducted by Horatio Baillon who was freed by the Pope from his imprisonment wherein Pope Leo had confined him At the same time the Earle of Vaudemont came from France to make one in the enterprize of Naples which they resolued to enuade by sea and land who determining to imbarke himselfe in the Venetian gallies they re-enforced their army with two thousand foot Rance de Cera in an other place against the Popes will entred into Abruzzo with sixe thousand men where by the meanes of the Earle of Montorias children he did hope with ease to take Aquila the which he forthwith did by reason that Ascanio Colonna fled from thence so soone as he had intelligence of their arriuall Doria likewise sailed before with his gallies and went and assailed Pozzola a place very important for the confederates in regard of the commodiousnesse of the hauen of Baja but being at his first arriuall repulsed by the artillery he dislodged from thence without assailing it afterwards other gallies of the league arriuing they resolued to assaile the sea Burrow of Stabia where Diomede Caraffa lay with fiue hundred footmen the which was taken by assault on the third day towards the side of the hill and the day after the castle yeelded The tenth day the souldiers tooke the Greeke tower and Surrenta by force diuers other places on the coast did within a while after yeeld on composition They had before then taken certaine ships laden with corne which were going to Naples where victuals were very scarce Now the army of the league finding no resistance at sea it came so neere to the Peere of Naples as the castle and the gallies plaied vpon it with their shot It was then consulted on whether it were necessary to beseege the city some saying that by the taking thereof the warre would be ended they hauing taken from the enemies all meanes to come by money for the entertainement of their army as also because their greatest hope of being able to keepe that State consisted in the conseruation of that city the which being lost they would forth-with leaue the Kingdome and retire to some other place Diuers reasons might incite them to that seege First of all the small numbers of souldiers which were in the city and yet that small number not well disposed to put themselues forward to dangers for the maintenance of the insolent Dominion of the Spaniards Secondly the Nobility stood badly affected to the Spaniards who for feare of loosing their goods durst not shew their discontent and last of all the Viceroys absence who was farre from thence and the small expectation which the Spaniards had of any speedy releefe from their fellowes Others who weare of a contrary opinion thought it best to ââ¦arry for Rance de Cera the better to shut in that city with greater forces on which they knew the whole end and successe of the warre depended to the end to proceed therein more considerately and with greater hope the delaying of a small time could not but prooue very commodious to them because they certainely knew that there was want of bread in the city and if succors did enter into it the scarcity would thereby be the more augmented and would be cause of the people 's disordered rising which would open a more easie passage to their victory and that therefore it behoued them in wayting for such an occasion to saile towards Salerno to seize on that city and others neere adioyning whereby Naples it selfe would at last be brought vnder their obedience But these reasons being not much approued nor thought worthy to be equaled with the profit which was to bee hoped for by the then taking of that City they resolued to send an Herald to summon those within it to yeeld the city to the consederates with the promises and threatnings determined in the councell Don Hugo of Moncada who commanded there and held the people in awe determining to defend himselfe so soone as he had notice that the army of the league was within foure miles of the City tooke two thousand fiue hundred foote as well of the Garrison as of the people and three hundred horse and with them marched forth of the City to shew that he wanted no courage to frustrate the enemies deseignes Those of the league ââ¦ad already landed diuers souldiers vnder the command of the Earle of Vaââ¦demont and Horatio Baillone who marching towards the City to make discouery met with Don Hugo his troupes and skirmishing together they did put them to flight in such disorder as they left certaine field-peeces behind them which Moncada hauing made a stand with his Spaniards recouered and by reason thereof hauing delaied his retreat he was so amazed as he had not the leisure at his entry to plucke vp the draw-bridge and to shut the gate the which standing open was on a sodaine seized by Baillone who followed him at the heeles hauing no great numbers of souldiers with him and considering that if hee should enter he could not keepe them from the spoile which would cause them all to be cut in peeces he retired to the gallies which
safety for which the Senate did highly commend him he had with him about fiue thousand foot-men foure hundred men at armes and seuen hundred light horse with great store of carriage But come to Cassan which is a place nere to the Riuer Adda he did then fortifie himselfe with strong Rampiers leauing but one way open which was fenced and garded withall necessaries supposing that place to be most commodious to be able with ease to releeue if neede were Pauia and Lauda to offend the enemies and to defend the State of the Signory and besides to fauour if occasion were offered the enterprize of Genoa by sea Wherevpon thinking himselfe to be very safe in that place he would not follow the opinion of Iano Marââ¦a Fregosa who councelled him to retire with his army to Bressia for feare of any inconuenience being not equall in forces to Antonio de Leua He being emboldned by this victory and more desirous to breake the Confederate forces had followed the Duke of Vrbin as farre as Vaury two miles from Cassan which caused some doubt in the Venetians least hee would haue passed the Adda to haue made wast of the Bressan Bergamasque and Creman territories But the Duke reposed great trust in his light Cauallery the which surpassed that of the enemies both in number and valour who by scouring all the neighbour Countries round about did not onelie cut off all the victualls from the Imperialls campe but had so affrighted them as none of them durst any more come forth of the trenches therefore the Duke remayning firme in his resolution to continue in that place would not raise his Campe as well in regard of his reputation as for the victualls that were brought to him from the country neere adioyning which would other-wise haue releeued the enemies and if hee should haue retyred to the Citty hee would haue spent those which were appoynted for their friends Now the two armies being so neere one to an other they did continually goe forth to skirmish on both sides where the Imperialls were still beaten Antonio de Leua supposing to haue some satisfaction for his losses by some other meanes sent Caesar of Naples on the farther side of the riuer Adda to scoure the Territories of Bressia and Crema whereof the Duke of Vrbin being aduertised leauing the Count Gajazzo for the gard of the Campe he tooke with him a good troope of soldiers and went and ambusht him-selfe neere to the place where he knew the enemies would passe the riuer from whence part of them being gone ouer hee came forth vnlookt for with great fury vpon those who stayed behind vpon the riuer shoare ready to passe ouer hauing first of all sent his light Cauallery to intercept their way if so bee that they would haue fled towards their campe But Caesar of Naples beeing troubled with this vnlookt for accident did speedily cause the bridge to bee broken fearing least the Duke for his part would haue come ouer and fought with him wherevpon all those that stayed behind to the number of fifteene hundred were either cut in peeces or taken prisoners by the Duke and among others it fell out that a braue Spanish Captaine was taken by a woman of big stature who in mans attire receiued pay of the Count Gajazzo and the Count hauing for mirths sake called before him on a time the Captaine that was prisoner shewing him Margueriton for so the soldiors called her told him that the same was the soldier that had taken him prisoner the Spaniard looking vpon her answered that he did comfort him-selfe in his mishap for that he had beene taken by so braue a man as hee seemed to bee but when hee told him that it was a woman shame and disdaine did so seaze vpon him as within few daies after he dyed with greefe Afterwards the two armies kept them selues in their quarters for the space of many daies but the Duke of Vrbin calling the Captaines sundrie times to councell and propounding diuers things vnto them did suffitiently manifest his desire to assaile the enemies and to cause them to dislodge At the last he resolued to goe forth with all his forces and to vse meanes by cunning to come to stroakes with Antonio de Leua vpon some aduantage hee caused all the ordinance of the Campe to bee brought into one place and then hee began to march with all the troupes both foote and horse and with three peeces of ordnance meaning to leaue them behind him by retiring so soone as hee had begunne the skirmish fayning flight both for feare and vpon necessity whereby the enemies comming forward to get those three peeces should bee put to rout by the ordnance of the Campe and being so disordred he would againe returne vpon them with greater violence But this designe fell not out according to his expectation because that the Count Gajazzo comming forth sooner then he should with a part of his Infantery and beginning the skirmish too far of from the Campe being not able with those hee had brought with him long to sustaine the enemies fury was enforced not-with-standing that hee fought valliantly to retyre in some disorder Wherevpon the Duke perceuing him to bee in danger did on a sodaine make hast to his reskew and gaue in with such fury athwart the Imperiall Infantery which neerely pursued the Count Gajazzo as hee caused them to make a stand and to turne their backes still pursuing and beating them euen into their Campe. Antonio de Leua lost in this action more then fifteene hundred foote part of them being slaine and the rest taken prisoners where-vpon hee durst no more after that suffer his soldiers to sallie forth of the Campe nor attempt any enterprize continuing in great feare and doubt what hee were best to doe being afflicted with sundry cares and difficulties For on the one side hee could tarry no longer there for want of victualls and then hee perceiued that his aboad there could in no sort profit him on the other side to dislodge and to returne to Milan he thought it would greatly blemish his reputation and that of the whole army as if he should confesse that hee retired for feare being chaced by a number of e-enemies farre lesse then him-selfe That it was to no purpose to enter into the Venetians state but very dangerous all their townes beeing mand with strong Garrisons well fortified and on the other side the people of Milan were beyond measure discontented and in manner desperate by reason of the extortion and wrongs which they had sustayned by the soldiers were ready to make an insurrection and to alter the state calling without controulement for their Duke who lay then with his troopes in Cremona for he doubted not but that the Venetians being desirous to see him installed in his State would hazard all their forces when hope of obtayning that which they so much desired should bee offered
in confusion among them they did by ropes draw the Turkes vp into the Castle This cruell and Barbarous act did so highly displease Barbarossa as insted of recompencing those villains he did by death chastice their infamous wickednesse Then hauing encreased his forces hee sailed into Candy to get more booty there or else to view the strong places of the Island The Senate vpon the report which was currant at Constantinople how that the army should saile into Candy had carefully prouided what-so-euer was necessary for the gard of the Island against so mighty an enemy by sending thither mony soldiers munition victuals and Giouani Moro to command there during the warre in quallity of Prouidator Generall a man very well experienced and of great valour and discretion The conseruation of that Island was thought to be of very great importance as well for the Nobillity thereof being descended from a Venetian Colony as for her richesse as an ancient seate of Kings as also for the frutfulnesse thereof and other great commodities which those receiued from it that traded into the Leuant This Prouidator was cheefely enioyned to exhort the Gentlemen and Knights for so are the feudataries of the Republicke termed who enioy the benefits thereof to the defence of the Island and to assure them that the Senate would neuer forsake them Now Moro being come into Candy did assembly the Generall councell of all the Nobility of the Collony in the Citty of Candace to dispose them by some honest exhortation constantly to attend the enemies comming If yee consider said he the quiet of your state where at this present yee doe peaceably enioy so many goodly inheritances so sweet an aire such aboundance and commodity of all things as grow here or else are brought hither from the countries neere adioyning I doe assure my selfe that this remembrance will be of greater force with you then the efficacy of all my words can bee able to perswade you to doe all you can and to be sparing neither in expences trauaill nor life itselfe to keepe either your selues or children from changing your present condition and to fall from the toppe of so great happinesse into a Gulphe of misery and calamities as it is like to happen if this Island falling into the Turkes power I tremble with feare onely to thinke thereof and to tell you of it yee should be enforced to goe and dwell else-where to forsake your country so great wealth and so many commodities as yee here possesse or else tarrying here still be subiect to the Tyranny of a faithlesse and Barbarous nation An other thing besides your wealth doth oblige yee to defend this Island one of the cheefe and most important members of our Common-wealth which is the loue and duty which you owe to our common country from which I hope the distance of place is not able to diuide you beeing true members thereof and not cut off from it hauing a share in the honours fauours and in all other her fortunes Now your particular interest being for these respects inseparably conioyned to ours it behoueth mee to labour to let you see the importance of the businesse in question and to stirre yee vp to prouide those remedies which may defend yee from such a danger I will then onely entreate you not for any feare what so-euer to lose that courrage and good resolution which I discerne in you all least being disfurnished of valour and strength yee happen to vndoe your selues I will not deny but that the enemies power is very great and that wee ought not to contemne it but I dare well assure you that it is not such as may cause yee to despaire of beeing able to resist it but on the contrary wee are to hope that their comming will purchace vs honor and reputation by valliantrepulsing them from the whole Island We are certainly to beleeue that although there bee great numbers of soldiers in the enemies Army yet neuer-the-lesse they haue no store of ordnance or other necessary matters sufficient to batter and force townes whereby wee are assuredly to thinke that if they doe come to this Island their intention is rather to spoile and get booties if by our negligence wee will suffer them so to doe then to tarry here and make warre And though they should come hither to that end what-like-lihood is there that they will busie them-selues in a long and difficult enterprize perceiuing so many mighty fleetes of the Christian Confederat Princes at sea which may on a sudaine assaile and fight with either their fleete or some of their townes for they are no lesse carefull for the preseruation of their owne then they are to offend and conquer other mens I know and am expressely commanded from the Senate to acquaint you with it how highly aboue all other things it esteemeth the preseruation of this State and your safety for which they are ready to expose all their forces witnes the prouisions which of it owne proper motion it hath speedily sent vnto you You then whome these dangers doe more neerely concerne and for whom wee are here assembled are so much the more obliged not to omit any thing wherein you may manifest your loyalty dilligence and loue towards both the one and other country Let euery man then dispose him selfe to succour the common cause with his wealth authority and person I doe assure my selfe that in so doing we shall not onely auoyde the greatest danger but shall free the whole country to your great glory and praise from the enemies spoiles and incursions The Prouidator had skarce made an end of his exhortation when all of them arose applauding his speech and promising with great offers to employ all their power care and dilligence in the defence of the Island Hee did afterwards make the same remonstrance to the people of Candy exhorting them to their owne defence wherevpon all of them beganne with great speed to prouide things necessary to arme certaine Gallies and to assemble the country people vnto whom hauing giuen Armes they placed part of them in Candall to encrease the garrison of Italian foote men and the rest were sent to the gard of sundry passages and places of importance to stoppe the enemies progression The Gentlemen of the Island and the feudataries of the Common-wealth did proceed therein with such earnestnesse and courrage as the family alone of Calergians which is one of the cheefe and ritchest of the country did raise more then fiue and twenty thousand armed men Barbarossa pursuing his iourny came neere to the Island on the North side betwixt Standia and the Citty of Candace and without casting ankor ranne along the Island as farre as Rettima where making but a short stay because that the Citties ordnance did greatly hurt him he sailed to La Suda hauing there found better abiding then in any other place by reason of the Hauen which is great and safe whose entrance
speed and goe to execute that which is commanded them and let others vnto whome some publike charge shall be commited freely accept thereof He that is moued therevnto by his duty encreaseth his owne glory and he that maketh none account thereof let obedience moue him if nothing else can prouoke you yet at least wise let necessity and the present dangers make yee difcreet dilligent and ready in all things The Princes authority and the force of his reasons did confirme diuers who would haue freed them-selues from taking any publicke charge vpon them The Turkes in the meane time the more that they vnder-stood the great preparations which were made to preuent them in Dalmatia the more they made hast to come and assaile it And for their better weakening of the Venetians defences they resolued at one time to assaile all the Principall townes to the end that the one might not helpe the other And hauing assembled great forces at Cluin a towne vnder their obedience they entred with foure thousand horse and as many foote vpon the Territory of Zara and beseeged Nadin the Venetians cheefe Castle seated vpon those confines Sebastiano Sagreda being Gouernor thereof who had an hundred and fifty Italian foote-men with him vnto whome the onely sight of the enemies gaue such feare and terror as they basely yeelded on condition to haue their liues saued without making any proofe of their valour or vse of the places situation and retired to Zara whether they brought more feare then comfort by exalting the enemies forces to couer their owne shame The like befell the Castle of Laurana which was commanded by Vittore Sorance with like number of soldiers as in Nadin who hauing for one whole day sustayned the battery fled away and was taken by the enemies but Zemoâ⦠being abandoned by the Iââ¦alian footmen was garded and defended by certaine Sclauonians whome some Venetian gentlemen of the family of the Venieri vnto whom it did belong had placed there The Turkes hauing put Garrisons in Nadin and Laurana went vp and downe scouring the country euen to the gates of Zara so as none durst come abroad although the enemies campe lay farre off The Cities of Antiuare Dulcina and Sebenic were in the same trouble The Sangiach of Scutari went with great forces of foot and horse to Antiuare and did encampe betwixt the sea shore and the walles and had sent part of his forces to beseege Dulcina But Bondulmiero captaine of the Gulphe hauing notice thereof did speedily releeue the Antiuarians the like did the Generall Capello within a while after by sending them souldiers and munition so as the Basha despayring of any speedy or happy successe in his enterprize determined to raise his seege from before Antiuare causing those who at the same time lay before Dulcina to doe the like As for Sebenic part of the forces that were assembled at Cluin went thither at the first and after the taking of Nadin and Laurana many soldiers did goe thither who neuer came neere the city because their number was not comparable to a true army but went scattering vp and downe and spoiled the country The Sibenssans hauing intelligence of the enemies comming resoluing brauely to defend and keepe the towne for the Venetians did assemble themselues together in the market-place where they all swore a sollemne oth that they would not yeeld to the enemy but endure all extremity rather then falsifie their faith But the Turkes being not able to execute their deseignes vpon the other townes so easily as they supposed would not likewise medle with this hauing before bent their thoughts vpon Hungary wherevpon so soone as they had reduced all their forces together and made vp the body of an army leauing three thousand men for the gard of the frontiers they marched towards Bossina from thence to passe into Hungary The Turkes departure forth of the confines of Dalmatia did greatly ease the Venetians and freed that poore people from much calamity But as the alteration of affaires doe easily alter mens deseignes the gouernors and captaines of that Prouince who did badly digest the wrongs which they had susteined by the enemies and most of all because an infamous imputation was laied vpon them for the losse of certaine townes and for suffering them without resistance to scoure and spoile the country made a proposition being desirous to make vse of the occasion which did offer it selfe by reason that the enemies campe was farre off to attempt the recouery of those townes which the Turkes did possesse wherewith acquainting the Councell of Tenne they did affirme that the forces which were in Dalmatia were sufficient for the execution of that enterprize As also because that if the castles nere to Zara were not recouered the city would be still in feare hauing such mighty enemies to their neere neighbours who not stirring forth of their Garrisons did hold it in a manner beseeged These propositions were enterteined in the Senate with great attention where the desire to be reuenged on the enemies caused the more credit to be giuen vnto them next the Duke of Vrbins perswations vnto whom the whole matter was imparted did augment their hope who did not only commend that proposition as a matter of great importance but affirmed that by adding fiue thousand Lansquenets to those Italians that were in Dalmatia and certaine numbers of Italian horse to the Greekes and Stradiots it would be an easie matter with those forces to enter into Bossina and seize vpon some good towne which might open them away to greater conquests That it was better and more profitable to make war in their enemies country then in their owne and that there were but three thousand horse in garrison at Bossina This aduise carried with it a goodly shew and a certaine valour attended by profit wherevpon they concluded speedily to raise the Lansequenets and to this end Constantino Caââ¦zza Secretary to the Councell of the Preguais was sent into Bauaria who by meanes of Duke Lewis a great friend to the Common-wealth did in a short time performe that he was enioyned so as those souldiers hauing receiued their first payment marched forthwith into Friull Camillo Vrsino hauing in the meane time assembled forth of the garrisons of Dalmatia foure thousand foot and fiue hundred horse and taken with him some peeces of ordnance went and beseeged Obrouazza The taking of that towne was of importance it being a place of retreate for the Turkes where they were wont to assemble themselues to enuade the Venetians confines The castle was neither strong nor well manned whereby the enterprize was thought to be as easie as profitable The castle then hauing beene battered two daies one after an other the third day the souldiers went to the assault where after some small resistance they entred by the ruines of the wall Vrsino being Master of the place perceiuing that he could not fortifie it but
rather to winne them by faire meanes then by force In the meane time they dispatched foure score Gallies and diuers flat bottomed vessels to Tripoli and to the Riuer of Caramania there to raise other horse and foot forââ¦es which arriuing in Cyprus made vp the number as most authors write of fifty thousand foot fiue and twenty hundred horse three thousand Pioners with great numbers of horse of carriage and thirty peeces of great ordnance with an hundred and fifty Falconets There were no suffitient Garrisons in the whole Island able to resist these forces for the ordinary Garrison was but two thousand Italian foot men and some thousand others sent from the firme land with Martinengos two thousand souldiers many whereof died by incommodious transportation so that the greatest hope of beeing able to defend the townes and castles consisted in the new supplies which those of the country had promised to leauy There was no other cauallery in the whole Kingdome but fiue hundred Stradiors which were kept there in pay by the Common-wealth Things beeing thus and suffitient forces wanting to repulse ââ¦o mighty an enemy for the cauallery was to weake for to hinder his landing and the infantery not suffitient to defend for any long time the two chiefe fortes which they held Nicotia and Faââ¦agosta and for to guard the mountaines and other passages of the Island hee beeing landed therefore they resolued espetially to defend those two cities Astor Baillone who by Martinengos death was Generall of all the forces in the Island in the absence of the Prouidator for Lorenzo Bembo died not long before and other Venetian Magistrates called a councell where the chiefe offices and commaââ¦d in that warre were distributed to sundry Cypriot Gentlemen of honourable ranke as well for their wealth as nobillity but smally experienced in martiall matters The Count Roccas was made Lieutenant to Baillone Giacomo de Nores Count of Tripoli Master of the ordnance Gioââ¦an Singlitââ¦co captaine of the Cypriot cauallery Giouan Sosomene captaine of the Pioners Scipio Caraffa and Pietro Paulo Singlitico captaines of the foot who were appointed to guard the strong places of the mountaines and others were appointed to other places They did likewise conclude in that councell to attempt to hinder the enemies landing and to that end the chiefest of them went into the field with the greatest forces they could assemble but considering their enterprize to be to dangerous and vnseasonable the enemy hauing already landed part of his forces they returned home to their Garrisons so that the Turkes landed without any difficulty which made them at first to suspect that they did it for some pollicy to draw them afterwards into an ambuscado wherevpon at their first arriuall they were very wary but running afterwards vp and downe the country and finding no opposition beeing thereby emboldened their army did not onely aduance forward but went about in disbanded troupes without Ensignes to robbe and spoile at their pleasure The Turkish captaines beeing vnwilling to loose time resolued to assaile one of the two chiefest fortes of the Island Piali was of opinion to beseege Famagosta first hoping quickly to take it and that it being taken Nicotia would of necessity yeeld which had many vnproffitable eaters within the circuit of her walles which being seated farre from sea in the middest of a champaine country possessed by great numbers of enemies could not bee releeued nor without new prouision long hold out the seege that Famagosta was no great fort but weake and so defectiue as it would neuer endure one onely battery and that they within it were not many or so bould and valliant as to sustaine any assault Mustapha mainteined the contrary saying that the reputation of so great an army as theirs ought not to be blemished by attempting any meane enterprize thereby to encrease the enemies courage and diminish their owne That the Geneuois for foure score and tenne yeeres had held Famagosta at the same time as the Kings of the family of Lusignan commanded the Island whereby might be gathered that the taking of that city would bee of no great importance for the winning of the whole Kingdome That the Nobillity and very many of the people were retired into Nicotia that all the wealth and munition of the whole Island was there so as that onely exploit beeing well performed would end all the rest and their first attempt giue end to all their deseignes These reasons forcible in themselues and strengthened by the reputation of the author caused them to resolue first to beseege Nicotia whither the whole campe marched the two and twentith of Iuly hauing first sent fiue hundred horse towards Famagosta to cut off all correspondence and intelligence betwixt those two cities the Turkes pursuing their iourney approached neere to the walles of Nicotia Great feare seized on the inhabitants when they perceiued the enemy at their Gates like men who wanting discreet fore-sight to prouide for dangers a farre off did extreamely feare them beeing neere at hand hauing alwaies beene incredulous that the Turkish fleet would come into the Island though the Venetian Baily at Constantinople and the Senate had giuen them many aduertizments thereof that they might prouide for their affaires in time Nicolo Dandulo was at the same time Gouernor of the city a man to weake to vndergo that burthen which not desert but opinion had laied on him yet to whom long experience had rather giuen abillity to execute then nature to direct The sodainnesse of the danger had encreased his feare and his feare the danger for at the arriuall of the enemies army the trenches were vnfinished and the souldiers disordered and the city vnvictualled Now whilest those in Nicosia beeing incompassed with many miseries were busied in furnishing the city with necessaries and inconsulting by what meanes to srustrate the enemies deseignes they were so tedious in their resolutions in regard they had no eminent Commander able to decide the controuersies which arose from diuersity of opinion that the Turkes had time to pitch their tents to plant their ordnance and likewise for to fortifie their campe which stretched it selfe from Saint Marines as farre as Aglangia possessing the whole space opposite vnto foure Bââ¦lwarkes and on the other side of the towne which was not enuironed by the campe both the Bashas did daily send an hundred foote and as many horse that none might issue forth or enter into the Citty This Citty is seated in the middest of the champaine in an wholesome temperate aire it hath great store of water and the soile is very fruitfull In former times it was nine miles in compasse about but the Venetians beeing desirous to fortifie it reduced it to three it is proportioned like a starre with eleuen points in euery of which is a bulwarke made onely of earth which were not yet finished when the Turkish army arriued and the rules of fortification were so well obserued as the
the Venetian Common-wealth in their Princes name swore on the Euangelists Then the Pope commanded that the next day after diuine seruice was sollemnly celebrated and the Procession ended in Saint Peters Church it should bee published not withstanding that the Venetian Ambassadors were of opinion to deferre the publication thereof till the Emperor were acquainted therewith that his intention mightbeeknowne The particuler Articles of the league were these Betwixt Pope Pius Quintus prom sing for the Sea Apostolick and his successors with the consent of the whole Colledge of Cardinalls Philip the Catholick King and the Duke and Senate of Venice aleague and perpetuall confederacie hath beene made to abate and ouer-throw the Turkes power who of late haue with a mighty Armie enuaded the Realme of Cyprus a countrey very commodious for the conquest of the Holy land That the Confederates forces shall consist of two hundred light Galleys one hundred ships of warre fifty thousand footmen Italians Spaniards and Almaines foure thousand fiue hundred horse with Artillery and Munition proportionable to such forces all which shall bee imployed as well for defence of the Confederates states as to assaile the enemies and particularly for the enterprises of Argier Tunis and Tripoli That all these forces shall bee vnited in the moneth of May next ensuing or at the beginning of Aprill at Ottranto to passe into the Leuant against the enemies as time and the councell of Captaines shall thinke fit That these forces neuerthelesse may bee changed by increasing or diminishing the prouisions for warre as necessity and the quality of the enterprise shall require wherevpon a yeerely meeting shall bee at Rome in Autumne there to consult what is best to bee done And if it shall there bee concluded not to attempt any thing that yeare in common yet it might bee lawfull for euery of the confederates to execute their particular enterprises and especially for the King of Spaine to enterprise those of Argier Tunis and Tripoli in which so that there bee no mighty Turkish Army abroad the Venetians shall bee bound to ayde the King with fifty Galleys for that purpose That the King likewise shall bee bound to ayde the Venetians whensoeuer they will enterprize any thing in their Gulph against the common enemy on this condition neuerthelesse if he which shall craue this aide haue far greater forces ready That all the Confederates shall bee reciprocally obliged to defend the States of any one of them whom the Turkes shall enuade and in particular the Citties and other places belonging to the Church That for the expence of warre the Catholick King shall pay the one halfe and the other moyery beeing deuided into three parts the Venetians shall pay two and the Pope the third they shall bee bound to giue the Pope twelue Galleys ready rig'd and munitioned which his Holynesse shall man for the seruice of the league That generally each of the Confederates shall bee bound to contribute for the common necessity whatsoeuer hee shall aboundantly haue and others want and afterwards shall haue it allowed in their accounts That the store-houses for Corne shall bee euery where open for the common good and that graine may bee taken forth of commodious places so that hee from whom it is taken haue first made his owne prouision That at Councels and consultations the Commanders of the three Confederate Princes shall bee present and what the most of them resolue on shall bee concluded Neuerthelesse the execution of matters determined shall remaine to the Generall of the Army who was presently named to wit Don Iohn de Austria and in his absence Marc-Antonio Colonna with the same authority though at the same time hee retaine the title and ranke of the Churches Generall A place was reserued for Maximilian of Austria the elect Emperor the most Christian King and the King of Portugall to enter into this confederacie when they should thinke it fitte and to all other Christian Princes likewise that had a desire to enter into it There was no particular mention made of places which should bee conquered for that was referred to bee disposed off in the same manner as in the league of the yeare 1537. wherein was expresly mentioned If any strife should arise betwixt the Confederates the Pope as Vmpier and Iudge should decide it without any breaking off or preiudice to the confederacie or stoppe to the execution of matters by it established These Articles as hath beene said beeing sworne to and signed by the Ambassadors were within foure moneths after as the same Princes had decreed read and ratified a new But because the Confederates were not tyed to obserue all that is aboue mentioned till the yeare following it was agreed vpon in another writing a part wherein the aboue mentioned matters were not particularly specified that the same yeare in the moneth of May foure score Galleys and twenty ships of warre should meete at Ottranto to ioyne with the Venetian fleete not comprehending in that number those of the Pope Duke of Sauoy and Knights of Malra During these treaties of peace and league the Venetians with a generall consent made speedy prouisions for warre they had not forgotten the affaires of Cyprus and especially the conseruation of Famagosta on which depended the hope of all fortunate successe Marc. Antonio Quirini beeing chosen for this purpose departed from Candy with foure ships to carry supplies thither for whose conuoy twelue galleys were appointed Hee beeing come neere to Famagosta caused his ships to saile some-what before in the enemies view which were in Constantia himselfe keeping toward the land So soone as the enemies descryed these shippes they sent foorth seauen Galleys to inuest them which beeing perceiued by Quirini hee suddainly aduanced with his Galleys to get betwixt them and home But the Turkes hauing discouered the Venetians galleis and altering their purpose from offending others to saue themselues did speedily make to the shoare from whence they came so that they had time by help of those of the campe who in great troops came to their aid to escape to land forsaking their galleis some of them were sunke by Quirinis ordnance who perceiuing some signes of a future tempest gaue speedy commandement that the ships should bee ââ¦owed into the Hauen that he might safely land his supplies consisting of sixteene hundred foot with great store of munition victuals which did much incourage those of the city who infinitely commended his care and dilligence and whilest hee remayned there hee tooke a ship of the enemies and some other smaller vessels laden with munitions and victuals which were going to the Turkish army and hauing intelligence that the Turkes had builded certaine fortes at the Rocke of Gambella he sailed thither with his Gallies and on a sodaine razed them These things beeing fortunately performed Quirini supposing his longer stay there to bee to small purpose did on the sixteenth day of February 1571. arriue
gaue it ouer but being desirous before their departure to leaue some token of their barbarous cruelty behind them they burnt many Country houses and diuers Churches ruining the Villages and Vineyards neere to the Citty and the third day after they departed from the Island The Venetians did with great greese endure all these miseries and calamities still trusting to the aid of the league and yet they receiued not thereby the profit and commodity which they had hoped for for which to their great losse they had altered their former deseignes and in a manner engaged their forces because that a decree beeing made that the Gallies of Candy should saile towards Messina there to ioyne with those Confederates they were doubtfull of the successe of Famagosta hauing receiued no newes whether it had been releeued or not and for that on the other side their Generall by waiting for Don Iohns arriuall was an idle Spectator of all those wronges and outrages which the enemies had done vnto them and yet durst not set fore-word to take reuenge Therefore they resolued to shew vnto the Pope how that by his meanes they had entred into that warre and had refused all meanes of Agreement therein to obey the authority of the Sea Apostolick and not to seeme likewise to distrust other Christian Princes that they for their partes had notwithstanding all expences and dangers prouided what soeuer was necessary for the vnion and they did not see that the Confederates effects were correspondent to their diligence and industry so as that league which had beene made for the honour and glory of Christendome did more dishonour them and in particular did great harme to their Common-wealth by reason of the losse of Famagosta which vndoubtedly would shortly ensue except it were speedily releeued These complaints beeing propounded to the Pope who found them very iust and reasonable he speedily dispatcht a Post to Don Iohn writing by him to his Nephew the Cardinall Alexandrine who was in Spayne earnestly to ãâã that businesse according to his former instructions The Legat Alexandrine was honorably entertained by the Catholick King who in smooth termes accquainted them with his ernest desire therein to satisfie the Pope hauing determined for that purpose that Don Iohn with the Spanish Gallies should goe and spend the winter in Sicily thereby to bee readier to execute that which should bee concluded at Rome And although hee had often by letters in former time exhorted the Emperor to enter into that vnion hee would expressly neuer the lesse send Don Pedro Fassardo to him to entreat him from him to condiscend therevnto Hee beeing come to the Emperors Court found him very doubtfull for hee receiued many messages and letters from the Bascha of Buda who exhorted him to obserue the peace promising him faire and Kingly neighborhood and freindship on the other side hee had Intelligence of the Turkes warlike preparations who remaining till then at Scopia held all men in suspence to what place hee determined to bend his course in the end hee resolued to send the accustomed tribute to Constantinople beeing assured that it could in no sort hinder the league nor keepe him-selfe from entring into it when time should serue whereas on the contrary by delaying it any longer he might receiue some great losse because that Selim doubting his loue and good meaning might assaile him on a sodaine These things did greatly trouble the Venetians who knew very wel that peace with the Turkes in the warlike and mighty Northerne Prouinces would greatlie preiudice the league and precipitate the state of the Common-wealth into greater daunger in regard whereof the Pope and the Catholike Kings Agents propounded to the Emperor that they would giue him out of the Confederate forces twenty thousand foote and foure thousand horse to enuade the enemies on that side and that the other thirty thousand which remayned according to the treaty of the league would suffize for the execution of their Sea actions The Emperors Ambassador resident at Rome had oftentimes assured them that the Emperor wanted no good will to warre on the Turke but meanes and therefore if the Confederate Princes would promise him aide he would without all doubt enter into the league and that all Germany being at last prouoked by necessity and shame would ioyne in that warre and by their example Poland and Muscouy would doe the like Neuer-the-lesse all these offers were vaine and to no purpose because that the Emperor making many excuses continued his former resolution to send the tribute to Constantinople In the meane time the Gallies of the Pope Venetians Florentines and Malteses met at Messina where with great earnestnesse they waited for the arriuall of Don Iohn who departing from Cathalognia with seauen and twenty Gallies and fiue thousand Spanish foote-men did at last arriue on the last day of Iuly at Genoa where making short stay leauing Doria with twelue Gallies to make prouisions for the fleete him-selfe went to Naples where hee was entertayned with great magnificence and receiued the standard of Generall for the league which the Pope sent him and within a while after leauing thirty Gallies to conuoy the shippes hee went with the residew of the fleet to Messina where he knew that the Generalls of the Pope and Venetians expected him Hee was accompanied by many great Lords of Spaine namely by Don Bernardin de Requesens great commendador of Castill Don Aluares de Bassan Marquis of Santa Cruz Don ââ¦uan de Cardona Earle of Piega Antonio Doria Carlo d'Analos Duke of Sessa Ferranti Loffra and the Marquis of Treuic who for Nobillity and the Kings fauour were very famous These were of Don Iohns Councell for warre Now so soone as Don Iohn arriued at Genoa hee dispatcht Micaele de Moncada the Kings counceller to Venice to acquaint them with his comming and to gratifie the Senate for the good opinion it had conceiued of him and to promise that he would in such sort manage all matters as they should not bee deceiued in him being very desirous speedily to execute some notable enterprize vpon the enemies These newes pleasing to all men did awaken their former hope The Turke then departing with his whole fleet as hath beene said from Corfoù returned to Butintro where remayning for a time to receaue some intelligence of the Christian fleete and a new commission from Constantinople hee went after-wards to Preueze where the Bascha receiued certayne newes of the taking of Famagosta and a particular commission to goe and seeke the Christian fleete to fight with it The Turkes after the taking of Nicosia had deferd the seege of Famagosta by reason of winter and other discommodities vnfitting for a seege but so soone as it drew neere towards the spring they speedily prouided all necessaries for it as ordnance munition and other war-like engins which were sent to them from Syria and Caramania fifty thousand Turkes came thither like-wise
many of whome tooke no pay but onely serued in hope of booty the Bascha hauing craftely giuen forth that the spoyle of Famagosta would be farre ritcher then that of Nicosia The enemies army being thus prouided and strengthned did about the middest of Aprill approch the city hauing brought fifteene peeces of battery from Nicosia and making great trenches one part of the army encamped in the gardens and the other at Percipola Then on the fiue and twentieth of the said moneth they made platformes whereon to plant the ordnance with deepe and broad trenches for the Harguebusiers so close together as it was impossible to anoy them hauing ordinarily but espetially in the night forty thousand pioners at worke The enemies intent being discouered they of the towne began to rampier vp all places which they thought the enemy would batter there was euer a strong gard on the way couered with the counter-scarpe for the better defence thereof and they raised new flanquers they did afterwards on that side of the wall which was battered make a trench twelue foote in depth and breadth with small loope-holes for the Harquebusiers from thence to defend the counterscarpe Marke-Antonio Bragadino was Gouernor of the Citty who together with Astor Baillone did carefully prouide what-so-euer was necessary without any confusion at all being a man that well knew what did belong to his place Antonio Bragadino lay in the Castell raising new flanquers to defend that side of the Arsenall The Knight Goita was Maister of the ordnance who being slaine in a skirmish the Gouernor gaue his company to Nestor Martinenga More-ouer three Captaines were appointed to take charge of the fire-workes each of them hauing twenty soldiers vnder his command chosen out of all the companies to bestow those fiers when neede should bee all the ordnance was brought to those places where they expected the battery Besides they made diuers sallies to molest those abroad and to hinder their workes At the last they cleered the citty of all vnprofitable eaters which were in number eight thousand persons who retired into the villages the Turks doing them no harme The rest of the people being numbred amounted to the summe of seauen thousand seruiceable men namely three thousand fiue hundred Italian foot and the rest Greekes Bragadini dayly perceiuing the dangers to encrease by reason of the enemies approaches exhorted and encouraged his soldiors telling them that the time was now come to manifest their singular vallour and generous courrage by brauely defending that Citty so farre remote from other parts of Christendome against the power of the Ottaman Empire in so iust a quarrell as theirs was and to cast away all feare hoping onely that God who is the giuer of victories would giue them good and fortunate successe This speech caused euery man to encourage his fellow cheerely to entertaine labour and danger Three hundred of the beseeged with sword and target accompanied with as many Italian Harquebusiers made a salley who at first did put the enemies to flight but at last were so rougly charged as in their retreate they lost thirty of their men where-vpon it was concluded to make noe more sallies The enemies beeing by little and little come to the toppe of the counterscarpe and hauing ended their fortes which were tenne in number beganne the battery with three score and foure cannons among the which were foure Baliliscos of an exceeding bignesse did beat the Gate ãâã euen to the Arsenall They beganne to batter it in fiue seuerall places at once the one at the Tower of the Arsenall on which fiue Canon from the fort of the Rock continually plaid the other against the curtaine without the Arsenall which was battered by eleuen peices the third was out of another Fort with eleuen Cannons vppon the Tower of Andrazzi and two Caualiers aboue it the fourth plaid vpon S. Napes great Tower with the foure Basilisks and the last was against the Gate Lemissa battered from six fortes with three and thirty Cannons where the Generall Mustapha was in person At first they began rather to batter the fortifications of the Citties Ordnance then to ruine the walls by reason that it did much anoy them wherevppon the beseeged so soone as the enemy had begunne the Battery quartered themselues vnder the wall where they continued till the end Bragadin kept the tower Andrazzi Baillone that of St. Nape and Tepulo that of Campo-santo that they might be present at euery action to reward the valliant and rebuke cowards The charge of the Ordnance was committed to Lodouico Martinenga and six other Captaines were appointed vnder him to command the Canoniers and to furnish them with what they wanted Captaine Francesco Bogone commanded the Tower of the great Caualier of the Arsenall Pietro el Conte lay at the Courtaine of the Caualier Del Volti and at the Tower of Campo-santo Nestor Martinenga had charge of the Caualier of Campo santo of that of Andrazzi and of the Curtaine as farre at Saint Napes tower together with that Curtaine which lieth neere the Gate Lemissa Horatiâ⦠Valatri had the guard of the Rauelin Curtaine towards the Bulwark Robert Maluezzi coÌmanded the Caualier of Lemissa which was more anoied then al the rest Besides so soone as the battery beganne Bragadint commanded wine cheese and poudered flesh to be carryed to the Italian and Greeke soldiers and Gunners vpon the walls so as the soldiers spent but two Venetian souls a day in bread and were payed euery thirty dayes The beseeged did for tenne daies space make so furious a counter-battery as they made fifteene of the enemies peices of Ordinance vnseruiceable and flew thirty thousand of their men so that they were not safe in their forts but the beseeged foreseeing the want of pouder were enforcedto limit how many shotte a day euery peece should make namely thirty which must bee made in the Captaines presence for feare of shooting in vaine The Famagostans beeing thus carefull a Fregate arriued from Candy on the 29. day of May which encouraged and told them that they should speedily be releeued The enemies in the meane time hauing by force and great slaughter of their men wonne the Counterscarpe did beginne to digge downe the earth neere to the wall of the Counterscarpe which the beseeged did day and night carry in the enemies perceiuing it made certaine loope holes from which to beat them in flanck to hinder their workes which tooke effect wherein they afterwards threw so much earth as it filled vp the Dike then hauing perced through the Counterscarpe they made a passage through the Dike euen to the wall which they fortified with wooll sacks and fagots so as they could not be anoyed but from aboue and that sildome The enemies being come so neere the walls began in sundry places to vndermine wherevppon the beseeged make countermines the charge where of was committed to the Knight Maggio they
Candy hoping that by his wisdome and discretion Don Iohn being put in minde of his former honor might bee speedily induced to depart Souranza departed from Corfou with twenty fiue Galleys hauing foule weather all the way at last arriuing at Messina hee was honorably entertained by Marc-Antonio Colonna excusing himselfe and imputing it to the tempest that he had not met him farther at sea they both went to Don Iohns Pallace and at the gates were receiued by the Count of Piega his chiefe Steward and principall Gentlemen of his houshold conducting them into the Princes presence who with all honorable curtesie welcomed him seeming highly contented with his comming Soranza began to acquaint him with the cause of his arriuall together with the state of matters and incredible desire of all men to see him at Corfou he informed him of the great number of Galleys soldiers abondance of victuals and munitions where with two and twenty ships were loden that they onely wanted the conuention of the fleets which they all desired in so important an action in regard whereof hee was sent to acquaint him with the stare of the Venetians nauy and to waite vpon him to Corfou That the Venetian Captains who had a long time bin in readinesse would attempt nothing without his presence notwithstanding that they had beene often inuited therevnto by report of the enemies weaknesse and by their wrongs and spoiles committed in the Islands vnder their dominion That the Senate and euery particular man desired to haue the glory and honor of all enterprises bestowed vpon him for which cause especially they had hitherto kept their whole fleet in harbor being wel assured that his arriuall at Corfou would be no longer deferred that his own present comming to Messina was rather to honor then hasten his departure saying that nothing would be more dangerous to the league then continuation of delay Marc-Antonie Colonna did in the Popes name second Soranza telling him how much his Holinesse desired the prosperity of the league and conuention of the fleetes Don Iohn seemed not to distaste this motion excusing his delay by sundry impediments hapned promising euer after to vse all possible speed and to take order for the present rigging of an hundred Galleys which should bee man'd with forty thousand footemen of seuerall nations But the effects were not answerable to his words for at that time there were but three score Galleys in the hauen of Messina and of those which the Duke of Sessa was to bring from Spain there was no newes at all Besides the old soldiers refused to go any farther vnlesse they might receiue certaine moneths pay which was due vnto them for their former seruice Yet they dayly fed the Venetian Prouidator with sundry hopes and faire promises and the better to beguile him they imbarked three thousand Italian foot in thirty Galleis vnder the conduct of the General of Naples giuing it forth that they were to goe before to Corfou there to expect the remainder of the fleete In these delayes did they waste time and halfe Iune was spent without any exploit vpon the enemy or any certaine hope or resolution what to do his Holinesse so licitations being therein of no more force then that of the Venetians for the Pope hauing often by letters and lately by his expresse messenger the Bishop of Odiscalca hastned Don Iohn he went about to satisfie him with good words faire promises so far as the nauy was blest by his Holinesse Nuncio processions and prayers appointed to be made and a day prefixt taken for their departure In the end D. Iohn knowing no more how to excuse his delay beeing on euery side solicited to depart the Marquis of Santa Cruz arriuing with the Galleys of Naples and Don Iuan de Cardona with those of Sicill his owne Admirall Galley beeing likewise ready was constrained to discouer the truth of the mattetr which was that hee had receiued expresse commandement from Spaine not ââ¦o carry the fleete into the Leuant by reason of the Kings doubt of the Frenââ¦h which had restrayned his commission and forces in a place from whence hee might easily depart if need should be to defend the territories of the Spanish King Souranza vnderstanding the true cause of D. Iohns delay and perceiuing his own earnest soliciting to be in vaine thought it fit before his departure at leastwise to trye if for the honour of the league he would lend him part of his nauy which being ioyned to the Venetians at Corfou might preserue the glory and reputation which it had formerly wonne yet because he would not bee seene in it himselfe he caused Collonna to demand it wherevppon the Councell beeing often assembled they at last resolued to lend him 22. Gallies and 5000. foot but because many of them were to be drawn from the Garrisons of Calabria their departure was yet longer delayed Gââ¦lles Andrada Knight of Malta had command of the Gallies as Generall to the King and Vincento Tuttauila Count of Sarna commanââ¦ded the soldiers With these Gallies and those of the Church 13. in number eleuen of the Duke of Florence and two of Michaele Bonello brother to Cardinall Alexandrine the Prouidator Souranza returned to Corfou and by the way Marc-Antonio Collonna displayed the enseigne of the league and held the place of Generall The Intention of the Spaniards published it was euery where reported that the whole force of the league would not for that yeare make any expedition into the Leuant and yet the Spanish Ambassador at Rome had intelligence that notwithstanding the affaires of Flanders a iourney might be made into the east and therfore that his Kings Gallies should direct their course to Affrike and likewise to releeue Sicily Muleassen King of Tunis his pursute with D. Iohn to excite him to this enterprize was caufe that al men beleeued this report and yet mens discourses were different for though the warre of Flanders was not new the accidents were so which enforced the Catholick King to haue a care of the preseruation of those Contries where the enemies forces and disorders were very much augmented For Count Nassau hauing at the beginning of the yeare taken Mons in Henault and not long after the Citty of Valenciennes his whole forces consisting of forraine soldiers and for the most part French this bred great distrust and iealouzie betwixt the two mighty Kings of France and Spayne so as the Duke of Alua then Gouernour of the Low-Contries did speedily aduertize his maister thereof the like did he to the Pope and Venetians amplifiing the matter more then needed wherewith Cardinall Granuell and the Spannish Ambassador that were at Rome wrote speedily to D Iohn willing him not to depart from Messina all Spaine beeing in alarme which did likewise put some iealous distrust in the French least the Spaniards with their nauy should inuade Prouence wherevppon they beganne to fortifie Marseilles and other important
ordred all their squadrons and after some small stay our vant-gard set forward and comming neere to the enemies discharged their ordnance vpon them to draw them to fight but the Turkes hauing noe such intent and finding no aduantage retired vnder the protection of the Castle of Modon After the enemies retreat ther arose great ãâã and difficulties among the Captaines concerning their proceeding thinking it a dangerous and impossible matter to enter into the Channell of Modon to fight with the enemies fleet the entrance whereof narrow of it selfe was flanqued with great store of ordnance where vpon the Generall knowing that the enemy could not be enforced to fight determined to retire to Sapienza and to enter the Hauen the two wings being gone afore Vluzzali perceiuing the Confederates retreate came forth with fifty Galleis to assaile our Vantgard which lag'd behind but so soone as Don Iohn espied him giuing signall to the fight hee ãâã his prowes towards the enemies Vluzzali who came not forth to fight perceauing our battailes ranged on a sodaine returned from whence hee came doing it very aduiââ¦edly as well because night approached as by reason of a great fogge that arose which enforced our men to keepe aloofe to sea ward the shores on both sides belonging to the enemy The next morrow the sea being calme the Confederate fleet went to the Gulph of Coron to take in water at the mouth of the riuer Pamisus some foure miles from Coron and to conuoy those that went for water it being in the enemies country they landed certaine foote-men conducted by Francisco Andriana campe Maister to intercept whome and for the gard of Coron Vluzzali had sent thither a thousand fiue hundred Ianizars and two hundred horse with whom they often ãâã among whome the valor and prowesse of Charles of Lorraine Duke of Mayenne did shew it selfe who at that time accompanied with diuers French Gentlemen was in the army as a Voluntary Our men hauing warred returned to the Gallies and before their departure bestowed certaine cannon shot vpon the forte of Coron and sailing neere to the Isle of Cuprare passed along in the enemies view diuided into three battaillons one after another because the place was very narrow and came againe to the South-East side of Sapienza comming to an ankoâ⦠right ouer against Modon But all men perceiuing that to tarry long in that place hoping to draw the enemies forth to fight was but lost time and very dangerous the Venetian Generall made a proposition to land tenne thousand foote to seaze on the hill at the point of the Channell from whence it was most likely to annoy the enemy for that the place was weakely garded which would not be defended by Vluzzali who would not vnman his Gallies for feare of greater danger the enemy being so neere him The Spaniards reiected this proposition saying that they ought not to weaken the fleet by vnshipping such multitudes espetially the enimy bing so neere wherevpon Foscareâ⦠perceiuing all his propositions to be crost and considering that ere long the fleet would be dissolued without any notable exploit resolued that in a matter of so great consequence where hope of good successe was greater then the danger to hazard the entring of the Channell of Modon and thereto assail the enemies this being by him like-wise propounded hee offered to expose himselfe formost to the danger and to leade the way to others though at first all men allowed this and some straue to haue the honor of the first charge yet it tooke none effect so as the fleet without doing ought at al departed thence and went into the ãâã and spatious Hauen of Nauarin free from the danger of the Castle shot seated on an high place farre from thence our men lying there the enemies fleet was as it were beseeged beneath Modon so as it could not returne to Constantinople but indured much scarcity and was in danger of shipwrack and that which was worse it could not come forth but our men might at their pleasure fight with it The Turkes in the meane time sent diuers Harquebusiers that knew the wayes who comming vp by the mountaines neere to Nauarin attempted to anoy and hinder our men from taking in water Heerevppon wee landed fiue thousand foot vnder the command of Paul Iordano Vrsino who repulsing the enemies secured the Contrey whereby matters were brought to such a passe as there was no doubt made but that the Victory would ere long fall to the Confederates This was rumord ouer Christendome and al men reioyced thereat not as a thing hoped for but already effected In the end the enterprize vppon Nauarin was propounded but considering afterwards that if it should succeed prosperously it would not greatly profit the common cause they turned to that of Modon on whose conquest depended their cheefe hope because that the enemies fleet beeing driuen from thence could not auoid fight therefore they determined to assaile the Towne Castle of Modon assaulting it at one time by land and sea and to the end that the soldiers which lay in the shippes might bee imployed in that enterprize Giouan Moceniga was presently sent vnto Zant to fetch them to the fleet In the meane time Ioseffo Bonello the Florentine made an engin by ioyning foure Gallies together on which were planted tenne Cannons fortified with Parapets wherewith to approach and batter the Castle of Modon and at the same time to secure the passage of the other Gallies which beeing by this engin defended from the enemies ordnance might enter the Channell and come to the assault But so soone as it was finished they perceiued many defaults in it which made it vnseruiceable for first they could not guide it on the water next thewaight of the burthen and ordnance was likely to sinke it neither could they make it ankorable by reason of the Seas great depth but the greatest difficulty was to bring it to the place appointed whether it was to bee towed by the Gal lies which beeing not able to make way were exposed to the mercy of the enemies ordnance planted at the mouth of the Channell which would easily haue sunke them so that dispairing of the seruiceablenesse thereof and hauing intelligence that the Beglarbey of Grecia was comming thither with a thousand horse to frustrate their deseigne they gaue ouer the worke That which most tormented the Venetians and frustrated their hope was a rumor spred through the fleet that the Spaniards victuals would not long hold out who said that in regard thereof it behooued them to prouide for their departure and beeing desirous to leaue some token of victory behind them which might encourage the inhabitants of Morea and put them in hope of better successe they determined to beseege Nauarin so often before propounded and still reiected in regard of the small reward of the conquest The Castle of Nauarin in old time called Pila is seated on a mountaine toppe
which extending towards the South-east makes the Hauen like to a semicircle and is stronger by situation then art This the Turkes carefully garded for the commodiousnesse of the hauen lying in the very hart of Morea There are two wayes leading to the Castle that on the left hand is not farre from the Sea the other behind it towards the firme land lies by a lake not farre from thence and is very narrow and hidden The Prince of Parma had charge of this enterprize who landing two thousand Spanish and Italian foot and tenne peeces of battery took the open and plaine way to cut off supplies from the enemies but he either neglected or knew not the other narrow secret way Iuan di ãâã and Morettâ⦠the Calabrois went afterwards to make good the passage but they were on a suddaine assailed by great number of enemies and with great difficulty came off By this meanes aboue two thousand Turkes came to releeue the Castle who beeing maisters of that narrow passage did at their pleasures not onely put in what supplies they thought good but had leisure to seaze on certaine high places commanding the wayes from whence with their small shotte they still annoyed our men busied in planting the Ordnance lying open also at the same time to the Castles shot so that in three dayes they could hardly plant two Canons and the danger more and more increased the soldiers wanting rampiers to defend themselues and the enemies numbers still augmented with whom to their owne great disaduantage they were daily enforced to skirmish This did greatly trouble the confederate Generals who knew that to quit the enterprise would blemish their reputation and to continue the siege would not much auaile them but their greatest difficulty was want of bread which Don Iohn and his faction dayly amplifying said That of necessity they were to depart And yet it seemed strange and incredible to most men that the Spanish Nauy comming lately from Sicily with so many ships which is the Magazin or Granary of Italy should in so short time want bread or if it were true that scarcity might easily haue beene supplied by sending to Tarento for certaine vessels laden with Bisket which the Spaniards themselues reported they had left there The Venetian Generall that he might cut of all occasion of the Spaniards departure offered Don Iohn part of his owne Store earnestly entreating him to accept his offer telling him that the rest of his Nauie might bee easily supplyed by those vessels before mentioned It is not certainly knowne why the Spaniard refused this curtesie who stopped their eares against all reasonable perswasions which might delay their departure which they onely intending discamped from before Nauarin leauing a safe and open way for Vluzzali to conduct his fleete to Constantinople and the Honor to bee accounted a skillfull and valiant Captaine Yet Don Iohn did what he could to cause Generall Foscarin and the Venetians to consent and be well pleased with his departure assuring him of his earnest desire to purchase honor and reputation whereof Fortune had bereft him by taking from him the meanes to fight with the enemy yet if by the way he did chance to meet with those ships of supplies he would then willingly embrace any occasion whatsoeuer to doe some notable seruice to the league ere hee returned with his fleet into the West and that though he now wanted opportunity hee hoped the next yeare to recompence that which necessity had enforced him to loose The Venetian Generall perceiuing his resolution consented therevnto because hee would not giue an occasion to the enemies to thinke that the league was broken as also for that hee knew himselfe alone too weake to attempt any great matter Yet when our men thought least of it they were more likely then euer to giue the enemy battaile for at the very instant when the confederats were vpon departure they had intelligence that a Spanish ship come from Corfou was in fight with certaine Turkish Galleys not farre from Sapienza wherevpon all things beeing put in order the fleete speedily left the Hauen of Nauarin to rescue the shippe and to fight with the enemies Ere our men could get out of the Hauen Vluzzali with three score of his Gallyes came forth of the channell of Modon to rescue those that were in fight and to secure others which hee had sent to scoure the seas So soone as Don Iohn saw Vluzzali hee commanded the Prouidator Souranza to meete him with a certaine number of Galleys to hinder his comming on any farther the Marquis of Santa Cruz and the Prouidator Canalis with their Squadrons to charge the enemies with fiue and twenty Galleys who discrying our fleete left the ship and betooke themselues to flight When Vluzzali saw the Prouidator comming towards him he made a stand but at last turning his prowes without any farther delay he retired vnder the Castle of Modon being still pursued by our Gallies who beeing come neere to the towne bestowed diuers Cannon bullets on it The Gallies which fought with the shippe beeing light and able to make way escaped with ease one excepted commanded by the Sanzach of Mitelene nephew to the famous Barbarossa who fighting longer then any of the rest and his slaues in hope of liberty rowing slowly was taken by the Marquis of Sancta Crux but night approaching they gaue ouer farther pursute Then D. Iohn sounded the retreat and commanded eùery one to returne into the hauen of Nauarin beeing vnwilling to leaue the engin behind that the enemies might not terme his departure a flight then the greater vessells beeing forth of the Hauen and a faire southeast wind blowing he willed them presently to saile to Zant and himselfe the next morning directed his course thither with the whole fleet being so desirous to returne home as going a neerer way through the Channell of Giscarda contrary to the aduise of the skilfullest Marriners who councelled him to goe to Cephalonia he escaped a great danger neere to the Gulph of Larta and there lost one of the Popes Gallies which was broken to peeces vpon the Rocks of Paxu Vluzzali after the Confederates departure freed from all hinderances in his iourney did without any order put to Sea and came vnto the Cape of Malââ¦a where by reason of a contrary northerne wind he was enforced to continue certaine dayes but in the end hauing a faire Gale he sailed to Constantinople with an hundred Gallies where he was with all honour entertained the Turkes openly term ing themselues Conquerors for that they had defended Morea and their other territories dared as they said the Christians oftentimes to battaile lastly driuen them forth of their dominions secured the Sea and made it nauigable The Confederates in the meane time arriued at Corfou the twentith day of October who though their fleet were augmented with thirteene Gallies and certaine shipps loden with wheat brought by the
to the Venetians and departing with them from Candace he marched against the Siuerits where hauing beaten downe the enemies Fortes and defences which they had incompassed with a high Wall made without morter the euent was fortunate They fought with the like good successe at the same time at Milopotamus and in other places The Lithernians being prouoked by these attempts did deliuer Alexis Calergo with his brother and his children to Cressio Molino who after Zeno his death at Milopotamus came into the Island Hee caused them to bee safely conducted to Candace with Zannachio Molino a kinsman of his owne who was thought to be one of the Authors of the rebellion where they were all executed The wife likewise of Georgio Calergo and his children falling at the same time into the Venetians hands had the like end Iustiniano and Nicholao Treuisano desirous to pursue the enemie who was halfe broken ioyned their forces together neere to Anopolis where were diuers enemies both Greeks and Latines The place was strong by nature and the situation thereof inaccessible There was but one way to come to it and but one onely meanes to batter the enemie Namely for the Venetians to seize on the Hill which commandeth the Towne The which being soone done by the Prouidatori in few dayes they became masters of the place Giouanni and Georgio Calergo with diuers Venetians of the number of the Rebels were there taken and brought to Candace It is reported that Georgio being found with his brother Giouanni hid in a Caue did attempt by the shot of an arrow to kill him who came foremost to surprise him but that his bow brake It is great folly to anger him in whose hands a man is sure to fal It was likewise a merrie answere which a simple Souldier mou'd to one of the chiefe of the Rebellion who was taken prisoner and being sore hurt was caried to Candace to be put to death who craued that hee might haue some Chyrurgion to looke to his wounds the Souldier who was next him told him that his wounds needed neither Chyrurgion nor plaister iesting openly at the poore prisoner who was shortly to loose his head The enemies being euery where put to flight Candie became quiet whither came Giouanni Dandulo Paulo Loretano Pietro Morosini Giouanni Fuscareno and Thadeo Iustiniano being sent by the Senate to enquire of the state of the Island and to settle the affaires thereof These men hauing disanulled certaine Lawes established new and hauing razed certaine Fortes they builded others They commaunded likewise the inhabitants of Anopolis to leaue the Towne and to dwel some where else leauing the Towne desolate and forsaken forbidding on paine of life that none should dare to goe thither to inhabite Like prohibitions were made not to build or till the earth on the mountaines of Lasithes And after they had put some of the Rebels to death who were here and there scattered in the Island and banished the residue for euer they restored the Island to her ancient quiet Such was the issue of the rash reuolts of the Candiots Prince Cornari being oppressed with age hauing gouerned two yeares and eight moneths died and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes ¶ ANDREA CONTARENI the 60. Duke of Uenice ANdrea Contareni succeeded him who hy some apprehension of future matter did for a time refuse this dignitie and had of purpose retired himselfe to a house of his owne in the territorie of Padua resoluing not to returne to the Citie vntill they had chosen a new Duke But by no meanes yeelding to come to the Citie neither by the Senates letters nor yet by those of his familiar friends certaine of his kinsmen were commaunded to goe and tell him That if hee continued in his wilfulnesse the Senate determined to confiscate his goods and to banish him for euer from the Common-wealth It is reported that then the feare of his owne particular losse made him obey and returne to Venice If he did this feeling himselfe not to be fit for such a charge it was as all men may perceiue a verie profitable example to the end that no man should presumptuously thrust himselfe into the gouernment of a Common-wealth the profit whereof he ought chiefely to respect whosoeuer he be that is called to such a dignitie For it ought not to be accepted so much for a mans owne particular gaine as for the common good They therefore which aucupate publique honours ought to examine themselues what they are and what their sufficiencie is and if they feele themselues vnfit for such place let them know that it shal be as profitable for themselues as for the Common-wealth to make an honest excuse But Contareni was not guiltie of such a fault who wanted neither wisedome nor skill to gouerne But if he did it as I perceiue to auoide the labour and trauaile which accompanies such dignities he did not well and I know not whether hee erred more in so doing than if hee had rashly thrust himselfe into the Throne For that would haue beene accounted a follie and this malice It is certaine that in his time the Common-wealth was much afflicted by forraine warre and that there was great dearth in the Citie So soone as he had accepted the charge the Thryestines reuolted The Venetians kept an Armed Gallie in Histria for the guard of the Toll The Thryestines who along time before had hatched alterations fell on a sodaine vpon the Venetians who were there by chance and picking quarrells with them slew the Committie of the Gallie and hauing hurt some others they would haue murthered the residue if the Gallie had not presently put to Sea But not satisfied with this brauado they came on an holiday into the Market-place and threw downe the Venetian ensignes which were set vp there as the custome was tearing and treading them vnder feete with reprochfull speeches The Senate perceiuing whereunto the Thryestines dealings tended and knowing that they ought no longer to temporize did speedily send an Armie thither which besieged those mutinous people both by Sea and Land The Land-Armie was committed to Dominico Michaeli and that by Sea to Cressio Molino It was then the middest of winter And because it was to be feared that if the Venetians should procrastinate the enemies might fortifie themselues with some forraine aide all that which was necessarie for the warre was forth with in a readinesse The Citie being at their first arriuall assailed the Thryestines with the helpe of the Forlani did brauely defend it and making a sodaine sallie they did greatly trouble the Venetians neare to the walles with an vnexpected fight Afterwardes likewise they fought diuers times with different successe but the Venetians perceiuing that it behooued them to haue greater forces supplies were sent thither and new Prouidatori Paulo Loretano succeeded Dominico Michaeli and Thaddaeo Iustiniano Cressio Molino who brought
of Orges in the Bressan Countrie did valiantly resist Philips forces But thar which neither strength nor any attempt could execute was done through the trecherie of Pietro of Luca. Hee being sent by Mellato with three hundred horse for the guarde of the Towne within a short space after it was besieged did deliuer both the Towne and her inhabitans into the hands of Picinino But whilest the enemie was busied at this siege Mellato did attempt to passe towards Verona Barbaro and the other Officers of the Citie being desirous to haue it so to the end that the Citie being discharged of such a multitude might bee lesse afflicted with the dearth of victualls as also because they thought it most profitable for the Common-wealth to haue some troupes neare to Verona that might make head against the enemie if he should chance to march thither Mellato hereupon tooke that way which seemed most commodious And because that of the champain country had proued successesse he resolued to iourny through the high Mountaines and Forrests that were in a manner in-accessible Giacomo Antonio Marcello a verie valiant person and Giouanni Villano Captaine of a companie of light horse being sent before for discouerers did diligently view the whole countrie Now it being resolued that Thadeo d'Aeste with six hundred horse and a thousand foote should tarry behind for the guard of the Cittie the residew were commanded euerie man to be readie with their Armes and baggage to depart about the second watch of the night The troupes being come forth of the Citie at midnight marched through the vale of Sabia to the mountaines Diuers Bressans some being persuaded but most of them prouoked by their owne proper motion did folow the Venetian Ensignes among whome were Pietro Auogadre Leonardo Martinenga with Antonio his brother Those of the valley of Sabia being amazed to see these troupes tooke armes being assured of the hatred which the Bishop of Trent their Lord did beare towards the Venetians but not daring to assaile them openly they brake downe the strait passages through which the Venetians were to passe and if they met with anie straglers they did either villainously murther them or else throw them downe headlong into those deepe vallies The Venetian Captaine dissembled all these wrongs and intreated the souldiers to make haste and not to abandon their ensignes And hauing with great labour and trauell passed the first dayes iourny about the second watch of the night on the top of the mountaine of the last valley hee made a stand and commaunded the wearie souldiours to eate and take their rest Then by day-breake the companies being dislodged Paris Lodron who was before reconciled to the Venetians hauing driuen the enemies before him came and shewed himselfe to them and embraced Mellato who hauing followed him with all his forces ouer those difficult mountaines of Italie without anie feare of the Mountaniers did late in the euening encampe in an assured place Al men thought it fit in that place to rest the tired souldiers and horses who were wearied with a continuall march of two whole daies and nights But Mellato would by no meanes suffer it saying that it behoued him to make haste before that the Bishop of Trent were aduertised of their passage through his territories yet neuerthelesse for all his haste the enemie had notice therof who hauing the same night sent Polonians and Maclouians to cause the Mountaniers to take armes the armie had like to haue bin inclosed in those streights and if it had not made great haste as hath bin said it would there haue receiued a great ouerthrow howbeit it did not passe those streights but in great feare There was in the middest of the mountaines a ragged vneasie way on the one side whereof rockes and great ruines of stone-quarries did ouer-hang and on the other appeared verie deepe vallies full of torrents of so great a distance to look vpon as whatsoeuer was throwne downe into the botome of what bignesse soeuer it were would yet appeare lesse by the one halfe The cruell Inhabitants of those mountaines meeting with certaine straglers from the troups threw them headlong into those deep bottoms The enemie had seized on those streights and the Venetians had alreadie perceiued his intent which was to rowle downe huge stones vpon the Armie which would haue greatly endangered them Griefe and despaire had in a manner seized on all the troupes not so much in regard of the difficultie of the waies as for feare of their liues Which the Generall perceiuing he commaunded Cauacalbon Rangon and Guido three valiant yong men to goe secretly with three hundred footmen armed with swords and short pikes to assaile the enemies in the crooked passages of the mountaines These men hauing brauely executed his commandement and driuen the enemies from the mountaine tops the armie passed on in safetie These iij. hundred men leauing their heauie armor in that place from whence they had driuen the enemies did the remainder of that night march before the armie to discouer the waies and forrest Then being come in the morning to Thegna the Inhabitants of the place at the first did not stirre but afterwards falling vpon the rereward they tooke from the Venetians a great part of their baggage and two hundred horse At the last the armie being come downe into the plaine neare to Arques the scouts brought word that the Riuer Sarca which runneth from the mountaines of Trent into the lake of Garda was so risen by reason of the former nights raine as it could in no sort be foorded The next day the troupes which were to passe ouer staying vpon the Riuer bankes descried the armed enemies on the other shoare who were brought thither by Lodouico Vermio whom Picinino had speedily sent by the Lake Some say that Vermio and Francisco sonne to Vinciguerra went to beate backe the Venetians in the forest of Penetra Whether it were there or neare to the Riuer for those places are not farre asunder that the enemie shewed himselfe it is certaine that the Venetians being greatly amazed perceiuing the enemies before behind and on euerie side and the Lake on the right hand which did inclose them sent Leonardo Martinenga to Vinciguer Lord of Arques whose neare kinseman he was to vse meanes if it were possible by faire promises to draw him to their partie but if hee should refuse the Venetians friendship yet to intreate him to oblige the Venetians so farre to him as not to enterprise aught against them and to withdraw his forces forth of the forest of Penetra Whereunto he was so farre off from giuing consent as on the contrarie he did forthwith against the law of Nations take Martinenga prisoner and binding him hand and foote sent him to Mantua where he died Martinenga's misfortune did much more amaze Mellato and the rest and there was likelihood that so many braue men would bee cast away being
enclosed by the lake mountaines and riuers or else that their Armes being laid downe they would fall into the enemies hands and if they did thinke to attempt to open their way by armes yet they would in that enterprise loose their liues had not Pilosus a Centurion who being come into the forest of Penetra with a thousand men or according to some with foure hundred to open the passage for his fellowes opportunely arriued It is reported That this man deceiued the enemie by a new stratageme For the enemie possessing the forrest through which they were of necessitie to passe and the narrow passages where tenne resolute men would with ease haue kept backe thousands being guarded day and night he being not able to driue the enemie thence by force did it by cunning There was a wood neare to the toppe of the mountaine where the enemies lay wherein he placed in the night time twentie tall souldiers and commaunded them carefully to marke whether the number of those that kept on the toppe did waxe lesse and if they should quit the place speedily to seize on it And himselfe as though he had despaired of being able to passe caused diuerse Torches and other Lights to be fastned to Lances ends and with them fained to goe further off This did not onely make them belieue that the Venetians were gone away but did confirme them in that opinion in regard it did not auaile them to tarrie there Whereupon those of the guard leauing their place those twentie souldiers that were left in the next wood did forthwith seize on the hill top whither the Centurion came speedily with the residew of his troupes who with great noyse shewing himselfe afterward to the enemie did in such sort affright him as he quitted the forrest and the riuers shoare to the Venetian And in this manner so manie braue and valiant men were preserued by the labour and industrie of one alone man By this meanes the troupes past along in safetie Blondus affirmeth that the Venetians lost aboue eight hundred Horse in that iourney Mââ¦ntanus and Pasius of Arimini doe not mention so great losse During these exploits in the Mountaines Lauretano being come vp the Riuer Po against the streame resolued to tarrie for the troupes that were appointed for the Nauie at the separation of the Riuer a little beneath the walls of Ficarolles For of eight thousand men appointed for the Vessells he had taken in but three thousand But whilest the Venetians delaied time and matters went slowly forward at Venice the Prince of Mantua at Hostillia stopped the passage of the Po with a strong Rampier and caused great piles to be driuen into the Riuer whereupon in euery foure rankes he builded Forts encompassing them afterwards with three great yron chaines and placed vpon each side of the Riuer great store of warlike engines which were planted in such manner as no vessell whatsoeuer could come neare but in a moment was sure to receiue twentie or thirtie shot He did likewise with the same care and diligence cause Sermena to bee fortified with a strong Garrison which lieth on the Po in the mid-way betwixt Ficarolles and Hostillia All this was done vpon the Po. Philip after the taking of the new Orges was very sorrie when he heard that Mellato with his troups had escaped through the mountaines And although Haruest was ended and that it was time to send his troupes to Winter yet neuer the lesse he sent for Picinino and the other Captaines of his Armie entreating them to goe and besiege Bressia telling them by word of mouth how desirous he was to haue that Citie besieged and that the greatest pleasure they could doe him was to haue that Towne taken by the valorous conduct of his Captaines the which besides the great wealth would purchase him a very notable victorie He willed them then to goe their way saying that he hoped that the same Citie vnprouided of a Garrison molested with famine and pestilence would in a short space either by force or faire meanes be reduced vnder his obedience After he had thus entreated and exhorted Picinino and his other Captaines hee dismissed them Picinino within a while after and without delay went and besieged Bressia with twentie thousand men and brought great numbers of peeces of batterie neare to the walls among which there were fifteene brought from Milan of such bignesse as the least of them did carrie a bullet of three hundred pound waight The batterie was great and furious against the tower of Mombellane and other places of the Citie whereof ensued such ruine of the walls as the Inhabitants being daunted at the very first beganne openly to talke of yeelding In this siege the Officers of the Citie were for a time more carefull and diligent than were the enemies attempts fearefull or dangerous And therefore it was concluded among them that Christofero Donato the Cities Magistrate should remaine in his owne house and curteously entertaine as well those that should come to visit him as such as he should expresly send for and should with great promises exhort them to continue loiall to the Venetians That Barbaro in like manner who was Gouernour and Generall of the Garrison being a valiant and braue Gentleman should still be neare to the walls and gates of the Citie should place the corps-de-guard and by his speech giue hope to the Souldiers and Townesmen The which he did so cunningly by feigned letters and messengers and did so comfort them all as there was none among them notwithstanding death and wounds but had rather to obay the Venetians than to fall into the enemies hands In this resolution they fought thrise with the enemie with good successe sometimes from the walls and otherwhiles by sallies And as much as the Bombards for so we will terme these engines of batterie had beaten downe by day so much did the Inhabitants repaire by night with strong Rampiers In these reparations the Women did no lesse employ them selues than the Men among whom diuided into Hundreds and Tens Braida Auogadre as Valiant as Noble did a notable seruice to the Common-wealth But two insupportable mischiefs daily encreasing plague and famine the Magistrates permitted those who were lesse fit for the Cities defence to goe whither they would Hereupon diuers left the Citie and especially those of the Gybelline faction The Towne was so desolate as of seauen thousand which were numbred at the beginning of the siege for the Cities defence there remained but three thousand with the Magistrates and the Garrison This small number did encrease the enemies boldnesse so as they beganne more than before nearely to presse the besieged by new mounts and mines and by all other warlike engines And on the other part the besieged did in all places very valiantly resist the enemies not eschewing any paine or danger An assault being giuen to the Tower Mombellane and the wall being
men being lately dead they ioyntly bent all their malice vpon Virginio sonne to Neapulco sole heire to Vrsinis principalitie But he being young and powerfull after the Precedent of his Ancestors did together with Ieronimo Visconte follow the Popes partie by whose councell he was wholly directed In hatred to him rather than the Pope the Colonesi and Sauelli did vpon Alphonsos arriuall practize innouation as well in the Citie as abroad whereupon two Cardinals of both those families men of great authoritie were by the Popes commandement as guiltie of treason imprisoned for a time in Castle Angelo Their kinsmen incensed thereat did by their factions trouble all Rome aided Alphonso with victuals and the more to annoy the Citie gaue him free entrance into their Townes and Castles And although the Pope at that time was strong many noble Gentlemen seruing him his Armie neuerthelesse stirred not forth of the walles of Rome fearing if they should leaue the Citie those of the contrarie partie would make some commotion Alphonso laying hold on this occasion tooke diuers townes from the Pope spoiling and wasting the whole countrey neere to Rome The Pope wrote to the Venetians to send Roberto Malateste to raise the siege Though the Senate at that time was busied in the Ferrarese warre it neuerthelesse commanded Victor Souranza to wast the Sea coasts of Apulia and Calabria with a mightie fleete They wrote to Francisco Diede their Ambassador with the Pope at their charge to raise forces in Rome And willed Robert of Arimini to march speedily thither with the greatest power he could to raise the siege They sent Pietro Diede to be his Prouidator to raise forces from all parts this they did because they would not onely aide his Holinesse with a Generall but with souldiers Robert being commanded to goe to Rome departed from Flaminia with many troupes of horse but hauing intelligence by the way that Nicolao Vitelli aided by the Florentines had taken the towne of Typherna he went thither where ruining certaine places belonging to the Typhernians the danger of Rome calling him thither by great iournies he arriued there At his comming the state of the warre was changed and they marched against the enemie Alphonso hauing intelligence of the Venetians approach encamped on the Veliternian territorie in a place called the Dead field So soone as the Venetian Generall discouered him he encouraged his souldiers and full of hope marched against him being more confident through the number of his men whereby he enforced the Arragonois to fight on all parts at once Alphonso was likewise strong both in horse and foote but chiefly in horse he had besides foure hundred Turkes which he had brought from Ottranto with these forces he brauely receiued Malatestes charge The fight was hot for sixe houres The Venetian Generall did greatly annoy him The Arragonois on the contrarie presuming on the valour of his men resolued eyther to die or conquer many fell on both sides in all places the battaile was bloudie especially where the Turkes fought At last the Pope and Venetians multitude with the Generals encouragement preuailing the enemie by little and little retired Alphonso sought to reenforce them but perceiuing he could not withdrew himselfe to a place of safetie accompanied with some few horse other braue Commanders preferring any hazard before flight were taken in greater number than euer before in any battaile The conquerour within a while after entred Rome with his prisoners representing the Romanes the forme of their ancient triumphes and hauing by this victorie purchased immortall glorie he died not long after Some say that he was poisoned but it is most likely that he died of asurfet taken by his great trauell in the heat of the battaile He was honourably buried in Rome where this Epitaph was written on his monument Veni vidi vici Laureaâ⦠Pontifici retuli Mors secundis rebus inuidit In English thus I came saw ouercame brought victorie to the Pope which death tooke from me Some write that on one day two the greatest Captainââ¦s of Italy died he of whom we now spake and Fredericke of Vrbin that was carried away sicke to Ferrara from the campe at Stellata But whilest these things were done neere to Rome Pietro Maria de Rossis following the Venetians partie in Lombardie ceased not to annoy Sforza's troupes on the Parmesan confines But the Venetians intention was not so much to hurt the Milanois as by entangling him in a domesticke warre to keepe him from aiding Hercules Sforza's forces sodainely marched towards Parma where Rossis being sharpely assailed was not onely enforced to retire into his owne territories but lost Nucetta and the Castle Candida But Pietro Rossis a braue and valiant Gentleman falling sicke died within a while after Guidone whom he had made his heire went with his bretheren to besiege a certaine Towne but being abandoned by the Venetian succours who could not follow them by reason of the Po though for a time they did brauely withstand all Sforzas attempts and sometime defeated his forces yet beeing tired with so long a warre they were enforced to retire Autumne was already more than halfe spent when Sanseuerin hauing recouerd his health returned to his desolate camp where nothing was to be seene but weake and sicke souldiers Luca Pisani whom the Senate had sent from Verona after Lauretanoes death commaunded the Armie as Prouidator till Giouan Heme called from the confines of Bressia arriued at Ficarolles He being come Pisani who was alreadie infected with the bad aire returned to Venice The new Prouidator repayred the walles of Ficarolles when Frederico Cornari and Francisco Sanuto came to the Campe as Prouidators At their arriuall the Armie made some abode there together with the fleete not daring to enterprize any memorable matters for though their numbers were great yet most of them were so weake as they could hardly walke vp and downe But towards the end of Haruest the aire being purified they beganne by litle and litle to recouer their healths Then Sanseuerine loath to loose any longer time sent Fraccasso his sonne with many troupes of horse to assault the Fort which Hercules had made vpon the Riuer banckes at the obscure Lake for it did greatly annoy the Venetian vessells going to and fro He planted his ordnance on the opposite shoare from whence in short space by continuall shooting hee had so beaten downe the Rampires as hee was in good hope before long to driue them thence But whilest Fracasso was there busied Victor Souranza Generall by water comming vp the Riuer Po as farre as the Argentine territorie with one and twentie gallies foureteene foists and other lesser vessells determined to assault the Towne of Ianiola seated at the mouth of Vaterna For if it were not taken it was certayne that the fleete could not goe vp farther but with greater daunger To this end Souranza landed foure hundred horse and sixe hundred foote at a place opposite
authority and reputation who had a long time delt for the Commonwealth in Princes Courts the Senate thinking it necessary first to solicit that Prince who already beganne to grow could in the businesse to the end that by his example other Princes might be drawne into that vnion for Christendome Being come to the Emperors Court he found that he did alleadge sundry difficulties and that he was ready to send the tribute to Constantinople which he vsed to pay to the Turke for the Realme of Hungary the which he vsed meanes to hinder or at least to delay it till the finall resolution Yet neuerthelesse the Emperor seemed to bee glad of his comming either for his owne excuse or else because he desired to haue an expresse Ambassador to come from the Signory about that matter to the end he might be present at the Imperiall Dyet which he determined within a while after to hold at Spire and hee supposed that his presence would be the occasion of propounding and concluding so great and important a matter As for the Spanish Court there was no speech of the league that King hauing sent backe the treaty thereof to Rome to D. Estuniga his Ambassadour and to the Cardinals ãâã and Pacheco but the Popes Nuncio and the Venetian Ambassador made earnest request that the King would command Doria that so soone as he should bring those Gallies which he had appointed him into those seas to goe presently and ioyne with the Venetians fleet concerning which proposition those of the Kings Councell made sundry difficulties some times alleadging that it was against reason that the Admirall of the Kings Gallies should obey the Venetians Admirall then they made shew to suspect that the Venetians went about to make vse both of the apparence and name of those forces to treat with more aduantage with the Turkes and therefore they concluded that the treaty of the league ought first to take place as most necessary Now at Rome whither the treaty of the league had beene sent backe as hath beene said the Pope perceiuing that to particularize the conditions thereof would breed a very hurtfull delay he propounded that seeing the King of Spaine and the Venetians were agreed to make that vnion that without any more delay they should publish the league being made in the same manner as in the yeere 37. and that in the meane time their forces should ioyne together to inuite other Princes to declare themselues and thereby to affright the enemies During these practizes the Generall Zanne departed from Venice about the beginning of Aprill and went to Zara which was the Rendezuous of all the fleet and for all the prouisions for warre that so soone as things were ready they might from thence saile into the Leuant But the fleet to their great hurt stayed there longer then was expected tarrying for certaine Gallies and for armes for the souldiers and other warlike engins ordained in great number for the souldiers did endure there sundry discommodities and many of them grew sicke by meanes whereof the Gallies were badly furnished with souldiers and marriners yet neuerthelesse so soone as the Senate heard newes from Rome that the King had commanded Doria to ioyne with the Venetian nauall army it wrote to the Generall that leauing foure Gallies for the guard of the Gulphe vnder the command of one of the captaines that had at any time beene an Admirall he should speedily saile with the residue of the army to Corfou and there to expect newes from the Gallies of Spaine that he might afterwards ioyne with them at Messina and the two fleets beeing so vnited should shape such a course as God should direct them According to this commandement Zanne departed from Zara the twelfth day of Iuly and sailed to Liesna where he found sixe great Gallies and certaine ships which he ioyned to his fleet and from thence he went directly to Corfou At the same time twelue Gallies were in the Popes name armed at Ancona to be sent to the Venetian fleet at Corfou For after sundry propositions made in open consistory concerning the aide which the Church might affoord the Venetians in that warre it was concluded that twelue Gallies should bee armed by the sea Apostolike but rigged by the Venetians The Pope committed them to Marc Antonio Colonna duke of Palliano with title of General to the Church in that warre against the Infidels The Venetians seemed to approoue the Popes choise and wrote to him about it Colonna sent letters to Venice wherein hee gratified their loue and good will towards him which he promised in all points to answer to the honour and seruice of the Commonwealth The Turkes on the other side so soone as the Venetian fleete was gonne from Zara beganne to spoile and waste Dalmatia with great troupes of horse and foot where they tooke some castles Now the Venetian Generall being come to Corfou with three score and tenne light Gallies for the great Gallies and Ships staied by the way he beganne to consult what was best to bee done in the councell by the Senates appointment besides the Generall who had two voices both the Prouidators of the army and Sforza Palauicin were present all men were desirous that the fleete should without delay passe forward but many things hindered this deseigne first because they had no certaine newes of the Gallies of Candy which were in number twenty vnder the command of Marco Quirin Admirall of the Gulphe and next because they had no certaine intelligence of the deseignes of the Turkish fleet for it would haue beene a very rash attempt with halfe the forces to haue hazarded the whole fortune of that wââ¦rre on the incertaine euent of one fight seeing that by a little temporizing they might more commodiously assure the estate of that action And lastly because the sicknesse which first beganne at Zara by reason of the miseries which the souldiers and maââ¦riners had there endured was so mightily encreased as great numbers daily died whereby many Gallies were empty of men this was the chiefe cause of the delay and the captaines tooke great care how to make new leauies of men to furnish the fleet To this end commandement was sent to the Gouernors of Zant and Cephalonia to raise the speediest and greatest supplies that they possibly could In the meane time because the souldiers should not grow idle the Generall resolued to send them to beseege the castle of Marguerits a place of it selfe nothing famous but very necessary for the obtayning of other conquests in which action it was thought fit to employ them till such time as the Gallies of the Pope and the Catholike King should arriue The charge of this enterprise was giuen to Sforza Palauicin Generall of the Venetian troupes who departing from Corfoù with eight and forty Gallies commanded by the Prouidator Celsi with fiue thousand foote and foure great peeces of ordnance arriued by day breake
in the Hauen of Nista opposite to it where he speedily landed his souldiours and willed them to march on a sodaine to assaile the enemies thereby hoping with ease to surprize them and to seize vpon the place and to this purpose he sent certaine Harquebuziers before and himselfe followed after with the residue of his forces but hauing marched a great while through narrow and difficult waies they did from farre descry the caââ¦tle which they went to surprize being seated on the top of an hill in a plaââ¦e of very difficult accesse ãâã hauing well considered al matters and finding things to be otherwise then they had beene reported thought it against reason to hazard those troupes which were destined to greater atchiuements and therefore on a sodaine hee turned backe againe although the Prouidator was of a contrary opinion and countermanding the Harguebuziers that he had sent before he marched backe to the Hauen of Nista and returned to Corfou At the same time Marco Quirini came with his Gallies from Candy to Corfou hauing by the way taken the fort of Brazza de Menia which the Turkes held He was presently commanded to go with twenty Gallies and scoure the Islands of the Archipelago wherevpon he sailed to the Isle of Andros one of the renowned Cicââ¦ades Within a while after the Generall Zanne receiued commandement from the Senate to saile with his forces farther vp into the Leuant and by assayling some of the enemies townes to diuert them from the inuasion of Cyprus Wherevpon he left Corfou and went to Modon where Quirin with his Gallies met him and within two daies after he arriued in the Isle of Candy anchorââ¦d in the Gulph Anfialea which at this day marriners call the Hauen of Suda The Generall being there desirous to make speedy prouision of whatsoeuer the fleet needed found great difficulties in it chiefly in recouering suffitient numbers of men to supply the places of them that were dead wherevpon he sailed with forty Gallies to Candace the chiefe city of the Island the sooner by his presence to hasten the necessary prouisions leauing both the Prouidators and Palauicin in the hauen of Suda with foure score Gallies enioyning them to leauy men from all parts Now after that the fleet was sufficiently furnished with souldiers marriners and other necessaries they vnproffitably spent the time and the best season of the yeere expecting the Popes and Spanish Gallies the which according to the Venetians directions being ioyned together were to meet them in Candy At the last toward the latter end of August Marââ¦-Antonio Colonna the Churches Generall and Gioââ¦an Andrea Doria the Catholike Kings being arriued the Venetian ãâã was merueilous ioyfull of their comming The Generall and fleet went forth of the Hauen of Suda to welcome them where according to the manner they saluted with volies of shot then all of them entring together into the hauen made no long aboad there but after some propositions made the whole fleet retired to Siââ¦hy there more maturely to consult what were best to be done to free the Isle of Cyprus from inuasion Whilest the Christian fleet had spent much time in preparing and vniting it selfe togither the Turkes with greater celerity had assembled all their forces and being mighty at sea had without any difficulty prosperously pursued their enterprize the which was more speedily performed because that Selim who said that hee would in person goe to the army changed his determination and resolued to remaine at Constantinople by the aduise of Mahomet and Mustapha to whose authority and councell all the other Bashas condescended Selim then tarrying at Constantinople made Mustapha his Lieutenant Generall in that warre committing the whole enterprize by land to him and all marine actions to Piali Admirall of the Gallies Piali within a while after departing from Constantinople with fifty fiue Gallies and certaine other vessels Mustapha set saile with like number vnto whome for an extraordinary fauour the great Lord had giuen the Imperiall Galley to transport him which is of extraordinary greatnesse and most sumptuously decked in which the great Turke embarketh himselfe when he goes forth on any enterprize They anchored first at Negrepoââ¦t then at Rhodes where hauing intelligence that the Venetian fleet lay at Zara and could not depart from thence by reason of ficknesse and other impediments and that they had no newes at all of the Spanish fleet the Turkes being out of feare that the fleetes would ioyne together and supposing that they durst not come on any farther determined to saile directly to Cyprus But as ãâã Turkish fleet passed along from Negrepont to Rhodes Piali made an attempt to take the fort of Tina which is an Island in the farthest part of the Archipelago belonging to the Venetians and comming vnlooked for in a morning to that Island thinking to surprize it it was discouered at sea by Ieronimo Paruta a Venetian Gentleman Gouernor of the Island a valiant and discreet person who of a long time hauing feated their arriuall hee made prouisions of all necessaries for defense Hee perceiuing the enemies for to bend their course thitherward shot off a warning peece to aduertize those of the Island that were abroad in the country that they should quickly retire into the castle which beeing done in time they prepared themselues to withstand the Barbarians assaults which were very cruell not onely once but twice and thrice in euery of which they were brauely repulsed with great losse of their men and were enforced to discampe after that they had with incredible fury wasted the whole Island burned the Country houses ruined Churches and slaughtered all the cattaile that were in that Island From Tina Piali went to Rhodes where all their fleet lay which amounted to more then two hundred armed vessels accounting an hundred and fifty Gallies together with Fusts and Galeoââ¦s but in the great fleete were certaine Mahonnes which are like to great Gallies not altogither so bigge as a Gallion sixe ships and great numbers of other vessels commonly called Caramuscolini and some fifty Palandaries to transport horse This fleet bending it direct course toward Cyprus was discried neere to Baffo on the first day of Iuly in the yeere 1570. which scoured all the coast from Limissa as farre as the Promontory commonly called the Cape of the Cat then landing part of their forces they burned and spoiled the sea coasts taking many prisoners the next day pursuing their iourney they went to Salines where finding no resistance they vnship't their ordnance and the rest of the souldiers who presently fortified their campe with deepe trenches and strong Rampiers from whence they afterwards wasted and spoiled the country neere adioyning Then marching to Leucata nine miles from Salines they did easily make themselues Masters of the country and people vnto whom Mustaphaa gaue great guifts and goodly promises to draw on others and especially those of the mountaines seeking