suffer turbulent weather or be pleased with fair To us who are accustomed by prudence and constancy to weary out adversity it self it belongs to remain stedfast with dexterity to oppose the present to divert dangers wait for better Conjunctures and above all not to assure our selves of our new Enemies nor despair of our ancient friendships By such conceptions those reasons being rooted up out of mens minds which before had been imbued with the contrary the Peace was approved by the Venetians both by necessity and prudence At the same time nevertheless they perswaded the Duke Carlo to remain firm in the Maxims of the common Interest and they always fortified themselves with greater Forces till that amidst the confusions and obscurity of objects the bent of Affairs might be better discerned The French understood the reasonable sense of their Confederates and withal feared to lose by this example the imagination and hopes of new friendships They dispatched therefore in extraordinary Ambassage to Venice Monsieur de Chasteauneuf and to Turin Monsieur de Buglion to the end that excusing things past by the necessity of domestick interests they should give assurance that Italy should not be abandoned to the will of the Spaniards should promise assistance in case of invasion or attacque to both the Confederates and to heal the present wounds should propose to the Republick to procure for them of the Grisons the liberty of the passages and entertain the Duke with the hopes of Kingly Titles and other vain advantages But the Venetians listned with little credit to such projects for France having with the conclusion of the Articles lost the Authority and Keys which he formerly had in Rhetia it was no more in his power to shut or open the Passes to his friends And therefore France had nothing else to alledge in excuse but the domestick disturbances which threatned to subvert that Kingdom The Nation nevertheless in general were inraged at the indignity of the Treaty and those that designed the ruine of Richelieu failed not to publish the reproofs accusing him that betraying friends he had sold the glory and advantages of the Crown to Strangers and that with the worse consequences because it yielding to the Spaniards in the largeness of Territories and the sagacity of Negotiation there was no way to even the scales but by friendships But now said they who will any more relye upon France if the observance of Treaties shall not depend upon the integrity of the Princes or the eternal Maxims of the State but upon the venal arbitrage and fickle interests of some Favourite Minister Was it not enough then to have offended the King of England ruined Mansfelt cast off the Protestants of the Empire lost Breda and with it in a manner Holland if Italy were not abandoned the Valteline and Rhetia oppressed and the best and ancient Friends of France were not discontented Is it to be thought that the friendship of Spain is to be preferred before a base and unworthy Peace a friendship always full of jealousie and trouble and now so much the more to be lamented as it by the Treaty makes such breaches into reputation and interest as by no length of time can be repaired by Arms Let the Cardinal then rejoyce in his secret Negotiations so long as there shall remain no more famous Monuments of his Authority and Name than to have razed the two strongest Pillars of the Kingdom Faith and Friendship But the Cardinal deaf to reproaches and the gainsayings of all maintained the Treaty and sollicited the execution of it It is necessary to know what were the more internal motives of the Kingdom to so important an emergency and what were the successes that followed France to say truth was at the point of being in a combustion for division was no more restrained to Religion and its Partisans but had invaded the Court it self the Cardinal having the chiefest part in it There is no Nation that more hates and suffers Favourites than the French In civil dissensions they serve some for a pretext and others for a shelter War and Peace depend upon their will the Factions are either destroyed or promoted Kings make use of them sometimes for a shadow and oftentimes also for a help The Cardinal Richelieu above all others hath taught the rule to govern himself in such manner that making his own and the Royal Interest one and incorporating the Favour with the Authority of the Soveraign the one though there was a difference could not be distinguished from the other nor could that be offended but the other was wounded The sterility which seemed to be in the Marriage of King Lewis helped forward this boisterous storm and there was thereby confounded together as is usual in the Court of France jealousies interests passions and loves also It was expedient therefore to marry Gaston then Duke of Anjou and afterwards of Orleans the only Brother of the King and by his Marriage the hopes of the Succession and the fortune of the Kingdom being espoused the minds and eyes of the Court and Nation were turned towards him He as young in years and inconstant by nature suffered his affections to be governed by the Mareshal d'Ornano who Governour of his Childhood and now Director of his Youth by complying with him in the luxurious desires of that lascivious Age had so much power with him that sometimes setting him against the Favourites sometimes making merchandize of his inclinations to his own advantage with various Fortune passing through a Prison rose afterwards to be Mareshal of France with considerable power and no less riches Amongst the Propositions of Marriage the most secret counsel excluded that with strangers that the Duke might not provoke unnecessarily mens minds to bold attempts and unseasonable hopes to get and possess the Crown by the trust and reliance upon Foreign Forces The Queen-mother promoted that alone with the Heir of the House of Monpensier which to the splendour of the Blood Royal added a considerable portion of Goods Jurisdictions and also of Soveraignty with the Principality of Dombes The Faction of the Guises abbetted her in it because the Mother of this young Princess by a second Marriage was passed into that Family and the Cardinal de Richelieu concurred in it thinking to retribute to the Queen the gratitude of that favour which he acknowledged from her Authority and Protection Others desired to give him the Daughter of Conde and Ornano who was said beyond measure enamoured on the beauty of the Princess her Mother promoted it and moved the will and inclinations of the Duke to it But the Web was woven with yet greater Intrigues for many with the discord of the Royal Family desired to introduce an alteration in Affairs for as much as the favour of the King and the authority of the Government falling upon Richelieu alone others were unsatisfied at it and aspired to their own advantages by jostling out the chief Minister and changing
for many Years disturb it she notwithstanding observed a constant neutrality The whole Country setling afterward into a most Happy Peace kept not without jealousy by the Foreigners themselves the Venetians made it their business to preserve that present tranquillity sometime diverting the storm at the first appearance and sometimes according to the occasion opposing themselves with Declarations and Treaties The War which hapned betwixt France and Spain in the beginning of this present Age did not penetrate into Italy Some stirs occasioned by the Interest of the Grisons were quieted The differences risen with Pope Paul the Fifth were terminated with increase of reputation and advantage for the Republick and that thunder of War which was threatned by Henry the Fourth vanished with his death All things thus contributing to the Peace of Italy Wisemen nevertheless were not free from fear lest many disgusts lurking secretly in the hearts and several designs in the minds of Princes there would be a new Rupture so soon as any occasion or pretext for it did appear And in that thought they were not long deceived for in the brightest Serenity of this Peace the blow hapned at unawares with so much slaughter and so many mischiefs that defiling Italy it hath put Europe into confusion This shall be the subject and first part of this work of mine because as the Interests of the Republick refer principally to those two great powers of Austria and the Turks with whom it borders so the Narrative shall be divided And I will describe in this the most notable events which have troubled Italy and in which the Republick hath assisted with their Counsels Arms and Treasures And for the other part shall be reserved the Memorials of its long and generous defence against the Ottoman Empire And because Italy being the heart of Europe cannot suffer a shaking but the rest must be moved and have a feeling of it you shall read herein connexed the Affairs and Actions of the chief Princes of the World the Conduct and Maxims of their chief Ministers with the Revolutions of States and so many other accidents as make the Age no less Unhappy than Famous and the Relation equally important For the better knowledge of the things to follow it is needful to look a little back Princes though Mortal are the Genii of the World The effects of their Counsels out-live their Lives and are like the Stars whose influences remain long though they disappear from our sight When Arragon in the Person of Ferdinand the Catholick was joined to Castile and all the Kingdoms within the compass of Spain were in a manner united together comprehending also the Islands of the Mediterranean and both the Sicilies there was laid the Foundation of a vast Monarchy Fortune to second the design with vast Riches about this time discovered a new World The Provinces of Flanders fell afterwards in changing only the Line of Blood but without the least alteration in the series of their Maxims and Interests In Charles the Fifth the Crowns of the Empire and Spain and their great power were conjoined together He neither wanted Wisedom nor Fortune to establish an Universal Hereditary Monarchy but as all ages are for the most part barren of Princes of consideration so his seemed as fruitful having Francis the first King of France and Solyman Emperour of Turky to oppose him The first his Peer in courage the other equal if not Superiour in Power Charles therefore thought it best to leave the hopes and means to his Successors Italy by reason of its scituation Nobleness Strength Riches and a certain fatality which destines her to bear Rule hath always been the first Object of great Conquerours and Charles failed not to increase his Dominion thus joining the Milanese to Spain and putting a foot into Tuscany But he quickly found that every foot of ground cost a Battel That the Princes were impatient of the yoke and Strangers were ready to assist He therefore thinking the Counsel most safe to encompass her without that so at last she might fall insensibly into his hand attempted to cajole Germany and leave the Empire to his Son The design failing him and he from a religious consideration a satiety of Fortune or from domestick Interests betaking himself to a private life and the repentance of having been so great leaves to Philip the Second the hereditary Kingdoms of Spain with their vast appurtenances The Peace of Italy passed as in a mystery and by tradition from Father to Son who no less wise than great applied his Ax to the root of that which might most disturb the design of his Monarchy He employs therefore all his power against England and France but having consumed Armies and Treasure in vain while he was distracted by the revolt in Holland and although he had added Portugal to Castile and with it the increase of a vast power yet at the end of a few years he found sufficiently his Credit Money and Strength weakned He then makes trial of peaceable means giving to the Provinces of Flanders remaining in their obedience to the end to re-unite the rest a Prince of their own He left France to the destiny of its domestick revolts and Italy charmed with the deliciousness of Peace and the opinion of their present felicity Philip the third succeeded him a young Prince of singular Piety but wholly unacquainted with Government and contenting himself with the Royal dignity left the power to his Council Favourites and Ministers These judged it necessary to go on in the same Maxims of Peace because in France they found Henry the Fourth a formidable and vigilant King who having gloriously made his passage through the jaws of an adverse fortune suffered not himself to be gulled by prosperity but would be ready to disturb and prevent whatever designs they should have against him Truce was therefore concluded with the United Provinces of the Low-Countries and to divert the scourge of the French Arms from Italy procuring the Duke of Savoy to make Peace upon disadvantageous terms they thought it a great conquest that they had shut out the French beyond the Alps. And now fixing their thoughts on those advantages which time and occasion uses to offer to those in Power silently extending themselves by little and little they got their limits inlarged and their Kingdoms and Territories better united and last of all under the title of Honour and Protection holding dependent and in a manner subject divers Princes of Italy who being not able to resist and believing themselves abandoned by the French yielded to what they thought their advantage or rather to necessity And so besides the places in Mount Argentaro in Tuscany and Porto Longone in Elba the Forte Fuentes built in the entrance of the Valtelline and Garrisons put into Final Monaco Piombino Correggio and other little Fiefs of the Empire the Net was spread and the design made publick These things going thus on one by one some by
much the more applause as to have got the day after he was little less than overcome so that Chance which in Battels usurps so great a share could not in this by the Victory upbraid the one with its favours or by the loss blemish the praise of the other At the price of such a days work not only the remainder of the conquered who straitned in Luther rendred at discretion but Northeim and all the Countries of Luneburg and Brunswick with many other Cities and places yielded consequences prosperous to Ferdinand spreading themselves into every part of the Empire Nor could it fall out at a time more unseasonable for the King of Denmark for that England and France ready to break betwixt themselves denied him the assistance he hoped for The States of Holland only who apprehended Tilli his old design of getting into Frizland by the way of Embden sent him some succours of men being able to do it with so much the greater convenience as that in this year besides the taking of Oldensel which was of no great moment they had stood either attentive on the Affairs of the Empire or only imployed themselves to hinder the cutting off a Chanel which the Spaniards attempted in vain to unite the Maze with the Rhine The King himself within a while took new vigour from six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse sent him by the Administrator of Hall and from Recruits of his own Subjects whereupon marching out of the Country of Holstein whither he was retired for refuge he was able to take Hoye though himself hurt there with a Musket-shot and his Son by a double stroke much more dangerously Taking his Quarters afterwards in the Bishoprick of Bremen Tilli also divided his throughout the Lower Saxony for a bridle and punishment of those refractory Provinces But the defeat at Luther had given its counter-blow in every other part To reduce the Upper Austria whose stirring carried great danger with it Ferdinand had invited Bavaria to signalize himself by the recovery of that Province once more to God and the Austrians But he wont above all men in all Negotiations to joyn together two things so contrary as are Religion and Interest offers to do it at his own charge provided nevertheless for his re-imbursement that the Country as a fresh pledge might remain in his hand Ferdinand doubtful if another Country should be offered him of recovering this and recompensing him was contented that he should only lend him some Souldiers with which joyning some Horse under the Command of Papenhaim the Peasants were forced to remove from Lintz and having their Quarters afterwards beaten up at Entz were at last wholly subdued with much blood and a mighty slaughter In Silesia Mansfelt had lost the opportunity of going forward by a Truce interposed by Gabor that he might joyn with him so that the Imperialists had him shut in betwixt two Rivers but when they thought to keep him so inclosed he gets loose from them by stealth and advances into the Mountains of Hungary where at last Gabors Brother joyns him with three thousand Horse and a little after a great Body of Turks with which he might have had the better of the Enemy by reason of the number of his Forces and the inclination of the people if the fame of the Victory of Luther had not been to Wallestain in place of a great supply For Gabor applying himself to new projects of Peace separates from Mansfelt and by his example the Turks retire so that the Count environed in the Mountains by the Imperialists without victuals without money and with Troops almost disbanded and consumed leaving order to the small reliques of his Army that they should endeavour to joyn with the Transilvanian slips away almost alone and by a desperate counsel getting into the Turkish Dominions proposes new Unions and Treaties to the Ottoman Ministers and takes his way towards Dalmatia so to get to Venice and from thence pass to those Princes which had formerly assisted him But being come to Vracoviz an obscure place in Bosnia near to the Confines of the Venetians wearied with cares and wants he dies ordering his Corps to be buried in the Territories belonging to the Republick And so Ernest Count of Mansfelt having sought for a glorious death amongst so many famous occasions was ignobly surprized by it there where he least expected to the end it might be said that Fortune had defrauded him both in his birth and death A man otherwise that without envy may be called Famous and be celebrated without blame for great An. Dom. 1627 in an Age wherein some are chosen from Heaven for Ministers of Divine Justice and publick Calamities He had the courage to provoke alone and by his own private Authority and Conduct the formidable power of the Austrians He was alone overcome in Battel but by his felicity of getting up again no less renowned than the Conquerours Superiour in Negotiations to the greatest Wits Bold in encountring dangers and highly subtil in winding himself out of them a Lover of disorders and novelties enduring hunger watchings and excess eloquent wise and vigilant prodigal of his own covetous of anothers lived amidst great hopes and designs and dyed without Lordships and without Treasure The Marquess of Dourlach thought by his example to be able to attempt Alsatia having raised some Troops in Basil by encouragement of the Protestant Switzers and some little money with which France and England secretly furnished him but not with an equal success for the greatness of the Austrians so firmly rooted with so many Victories being no more to be moved with little shocks the Marquess no sooner began to put himself in order but an Army of Ferdinands arriving in those parts ruined the design intimidated the Switzers and obliged those of Basil to discharge him He therefore passes into Denmark but had first sent to Venice the Colonel Niccolas Boet to communicate his intentions to the Republick and desired assistance at a time that the King of Denmark also by Joachim Cratz and the effectual interposition of the Ambassadours of England and Holland demanded money for the maintaining of five or six Regiments The Senate having fully deduced the obligation which the Republick had to the common Cause by what had been done in the course of many years in Italy shewed their sense in the importunity without engaging themselves further ANNO M.DC.XXVII Ferdinand now feared by many and respected by all kept under the Empire with an armed hand keeping his Armies dispersed in the Countries of the Electors and Princes that where any held up his head they were ready to suppress and chastise them Nor seemed the design longer concealed to reduce Christian Religion and the Authority of the Austrians to an Union in Germany The discourse now was to make the Empire successive Walestain in particular not dissembling his thoughts so to moderate the power of the Electors that like Grandees of Spain according to
and of the ingaging the Army in that Country whilst he lost Alsace and Banier increased to little less than thirty thousand fighting men was wandring towards Bohemia to gain quarters there The Spaniards counselled the Emperour to go himself into the Field and command the Army being in great disorder through the discords and emulations of the Chiefs and in requital of the succours which they received from him in Flanders besides the payment of six thousand Hungarians they furnished him with a great sum of money But Ferdinand abhorring the charge and the danger which the assuming of the command of the Army carried with it allots it to the Archduke Leopold Guilielmo his Brother but to make an effort capable to drive the Swedes out of Germany he had recourse to the Pope demanding of him a powerful assistance Vrban excuses himself because the differences of the Venetians with the Turks being not yet appeased he professed that for that cause abandoned by every body else he was ingaged to imploy his mind and all his Forces The hopes then of Ferdinand depending upon Spain alone and the recovery of Alsace highly concerning him he sends Hannibal Gonzagha Ambassadour Extraordinary to Madrid by whom a Treaty was concluded to raise at common Charge an Army for that purpose to be commanded by Melo This Levy went not forward to designs of War the hopes of a Treaty intervening for Duke Bernard of Weimar dying at Neoburg in the thirty sixth year of his Age snatcht away by a short sickness in the greatest progress of Glory the Austrians believed with money and advantages to gain Erlach and other principal Commanders that had the Command of Brisach and the places of consequence But Richelieu with his wonted Ascendant of Wit and Fortune concludes a more speedy and happy Treaty with them for captivating with a vast sum of money the mind of those to whom the Duke in his Testament had committed the care of the Army he agreed with them That they should accept the Duke of Longueville for their General and be obliged to make War for the advantages and interests of France who was to pay the Army and Garrison of Brisach which under the Government of Erlach should be composed of Germans and French It happened that Charles Lodowick Palatine who was then at London no sooner heard the News of Weimars death but posting incognito through France endeavours to get to that Army in hope not only by conformity of Religion Manners and Tongue but by money and promises from the King of England to induce it to accept him for their Chief by which means he afterwards proposed to himself either by Force or Treaty for the exchange of Alsace to recover the Palatinate Richelieu who by many Spies had his eyes every where being advertised of such an intention caused him at Molins in the Borbonnois to be arrested and did not release him though the King of England not without complaints pressed it till the Treaty with the Weimarians was finished Thus in a moment fell into the power of France a Town a Province an Army not without great reflections of the Swedes and greater of the Germans who would have wished that Crown an Assistant and Neighbour but not so much advanced into the Empire Neither were other prosperities in the Provinces of Flanders wanting to the same for though in the beginning of the Campagnia Piccolomini had beaten Monsieur de Fichieres who besieged Thionville and with many Arts brought him with many others into that Town Prisoner yet on the other side Monsieur de la Meillerey passing through the County of St. Paul incamps with ten thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse before Hesdin a place of great accounts and having sprung two Mines and given three assaults took it being rendred on conditions The King who to countenance the action abode with the Cardinal at Abbeville entring into Hesdin by the breach and adding reward to Merit created him Mareshal of France The Infanta having taken Post at Bourbourg had attempted in vain to succour it for Orange seconding the design somtimes threatning to attacque Guelder and then attempting to dis-imbark at the Sas of Gant he had been obliged to divide his Forces The chief counsel of Richelieu consisted in incommodating the Spaniards upon their own Frontiers demonstrating to King Lodowick That the Enemy being invaded at home would discover his weakness and that Monarchy want strength to supply in so many parts foreign accidents that many Provinces would quickly appear mutinous all groaning under the Government of insolent Ministers with few Fortresses and they without trusty Garrisons with Souldiers for the most part mercenary and Strangers especially when they should be aware that they were under a Government burdensom in Peace and in War unhappy An imagination which came to pass perhaps beyond the belief of the Author himself through such casualties and sad emergencies that the World had occasion to believe that though for the most part humane counsels depend upon events Fortune did adjust events to the counsels of Richelieu He laid the foundations of it in this year by sending the Prince of Conde towards the Pirenei who took Salces the first place that lies nearest to the Mediterranean Sea on the Confines of Spain though after some months it was recovered by Philip Spinola He had conceived greater hopes of the Naval Army which commanded by the Archbishop of Bourdeaux in number about sixty Vessels plyed to and again upon the Coast in the Ocean but the effects proved not suitable for it effected nothing but the landing at Laredo taking and burning certain Ships and plundering some weak maritime places On the other side Spain received a notable blow for after Bourdeaux was retired into the Ports of France 67 Ships amongst which some were of a vast burden spread their Sails towards Flanders having upon them many Souldiers a great quantity of money and other provisions to carry a powerful relief into the Low Countries The way to pass into those Provinces by Land being on all sides stopt and to provide them money the exchange devouring a great part it had been resolved in Madrid to make an effort by Sea in concert with the King of England who jealous of the Greatness and of the Designs of France desiring to see them succoured and provided permitted retreat and security for the Spanish Ships into his Ports But this Fleet no sooner appeared in the Chanel but Martin Tromp Admiral of Holland with thirteen small but nimble and well appointed Ships comes up with it provoking it with incredible boldness to fight Sixteen others a while after joyned themselves to him and by the nearness of the Ports of Zeland and Holland receiving daily Renfort was quickly increased to such a face of a strong Fleet that Anthonio Oquendo General of the Spanish though superiour in number and in the bulk of Ships thought good to retreat into the Downs in England hoping that the Hollanders
will cause floods of stranger Nations to come down into Italy whither the Spaniards can have no passage but with slow voyages by Sea and most tedious marches by Land If France will not be with us it will not be against us And when War is once declared it cannot be but that the French at least privately will run to our Colours To a duplicated vigorous Invasion how will the Milanese be able to resist lull'd asleep in a long Peace and under the shadow of an imaginary reputation with weak places an unwarlike people and so remote from succours I invite the Republick to the spoils not to dangers I will be the first that shall invade I will take some place or other and then if the Republick will go before and give the Princes of Italy an example we shall not be alone Those that cover themselves most under the wings of that Monarchy will be the first to pluck the feathers out of them The Indies Spain and Flanders are not places we ought to be afraid of but the States of Italy are the fetters of our slavery Let us free our selves from them at last for in the Milanese as in the Center the Register of all the Monarchy being kept disorder that the rest will lye dismembred and remote nor shall we any more fear to have the Spaniards our enemies when we shall not have them so near Neighbours Such generous conceptions were heard but not approved by the Senate so long as there appeared any hopes of Peace and believing withal that Carlo in the love of a great War and general Conflagration to enlarge amidst fire and destruction the greatness of his States and the lustre of his Name did refuse to prefer his own and common quiet before the vast ambition of his nature The Duke failed not to do the like with others using the same instigations to the King of England the States of Holland and the Princes of the Union in the Empire and with the same success For the first as ready as he was to interpose good offices was as backward to consent to the War The Hollanders professed to follow the Kings example and Germany did not yet owne its Authority and Power The Governour of Milan to second the maritime undertaking yielding to the reproofs and accusations of those that envied them rather than following his own inclination in Autumn moved the Army though afflicted with several sicknesses and in their march incommodated by excessive rains which overflowed all the Country Having passed the Tanaro in view of the Duke who endeavoured to hinder him he found himself perplexed because the Siege of Asti considering the season and the Dukes strength who was there in person was not advisable To quarter at large served the Enemy for pastime who being vigilant and bold would harass it with continual surprises He resolves therefore to retire in all haste into the Country about Alessandria against the opinion of Giovanni Vives Spanish Ambassadour in Genoua the fierce incendiary of this War and of other principal Ministers who would have rather disposed of the Armies lodging into the Territory of Asti while the Troops of Santa Croce should have taken their Quarters about Ceva and Mondovi to torment and oppress Piedmont Carlo on the other side commodiously enjoys his Lodgings upon the intermixtures of the Fiefs of the Empire to the great relief and sparing of his own Countries In the Spring the Armies were re-inforced and great provisions made but the Duke with a new blow of a Treaty being sollicited by the Mediators signs a paper for Peace in which he consents to disarm retaining only wonted and necessary Garrisons It was promised him that within fifteen or twenty days after the Governour should also disband his Army and give his word to the Pope and King of France not to offend him and in case of default the Princes called the Defenders of the Faith of Inoiosa and Vindicators of the Duke should do it with Arms. The Prisoners and places taken were to be reciprocally rendred and Ferdinand was to restore to Carlo the Dowry and Jewels of Margaret other things in controversie betwixt these two houses were to be decided within six months after or to be determined by Law if any difficulty arose The Dowry of Blanche was to be restored within two years and the Rebels to be pardoned It was much doubted whether to this project which secured few things and left many undecided Carlo for the desire of quiet and apprehension of the Enemies Forces or to gain applause and to interest the Mediators in his cause would give his consent But if that were his intention the design deceived him not for the Treaty being carried by the Nuntio and Rambogliet to Inoiosa with an assured hope that he would approve it because the Ambassador of Spain at Paris had also notified the Proposition to the Court they found that by a late Commission from Madrid all power concerning Peace was taken from him It is not to be believed how much they were offended at it but not being able to obtain more they demanded at least a suspension of Arms for forty days The Governour denies that also An. Dom. 1615 knowing nevertheless that the season of it self did it But the Prince Thomaso who was Carlo's youngest Son marching out of Vercelli with twenty Companies of Foot and 700 Horse surprises Candia a great Town in the Milanese and giving it to fire and spoil brought away a great booty For which the Governour and the Mediators equally complaining the Duke endeavours to excuse what had happened by his Sons being far off and not knowing of the Treaty but the Spaniards compensated themselves with the taking of Monbaldona and Denice Towns in the Mountains of Piedmont ANNO MDCXV King Philip being not to be perswaded to treat with Carlo de pari all endeavour was in vain to get the Treaty approved at Madrid notwithstanding the Pope with his own hand wrote earnestly to him about it Neither were the French much pleased with it because Rambogliet more desirous of the glory to conclude it than applying himself to the means of having it well executed had not well provided for the Interests of Ferdinand Divers Princes of Italy in the vanity of their obsequiousness had offered to the Governour of Milan their Militia and he seasonably accepting the offer either to take from Carlo the hope of assistance or to boast his predominancy intimates to all they should either according to the band of Capitulations or in testimony of their affection perform it By the investiture of Siena he required 4000 of the Grand Duke of Modena Parma and Vrbin each a Regiment of Foot of Genoua as much and a certain number of Luca. Cosmo sends 2000 Foot on condition they should not go out of the Confines of the Milanese and disburses besides pay for 400 Horse From the Dukes of Parma and Vrbin was sent a third Modena alone his excuse was
neither being secure by reason of Orders from those of Coira not to let him remain there he was obliged to return into the Bergamasâ—o And so the Souldiers which had been levied disbanded without much difficulty and over and above every Pass was stopped to some Souldiers of the Republick An Dom. 1618 which by connivence filed towards their own State and it was proposed that a Tribunal should be erected to punish those of the Commonalty who had hearkned to the Proposition of Union with the Republick The League of the Grisons to give them their due opposed that but some of the chief prevailed and turning Justice into a Revenue hoped to make their profit by it This was the foundation of that open discord which did in a manner totally subvert the liberty of Rhetia which being equally in confusion and poverty easily prostituted it self to be the laughing-stock of strangers and to be changed according to the private interest of the Inhabitants ANNO MDCXVIII The year terminating so tempestuous 1618. in consequence begins with little appearance of quiet In Germany the truth was that the inclinations of Matthias without question tended to Peace whence although the Austrians to give all the honour to Spain desired only that the Treaty of Madrid should be approved with the exclusion of that Writing stipulated in Paris nevertheless the Venetians dissenting from it both from decency and the Warranty of the Treaty the ratifications were solemnly exchanged in Vienna Giorgio Justiniano Ambassadour for the Republick with Matthias was admitted to Audience with Ferdinand to whom in an honourable discharge of his function omitting past diffidences he represented the intentions of the Republick towards his Royal person and Family inferring from the present accord and the mutual readiness to execute it presaging of a lasting peace and felicity of their Subjects who from the affections of their Princes receive the most benign or the most severe influences The Emperour together with the King had both a mind to nominate Commissioners for executing the accord Pope Paul and Cosimo the Grand Duke but that served chiefly for State and rather to have Mediators Confidents to both Parties if any difficulty should come to arise Whereupon it being necessary that the Deputies should meet upon the place from the Austrians were sent the Barons Carlo d'Harach and Giacomo Elding and from the Republick Girolamo Justiniano and Anthonio Priuli Cavalier both Procurators of St. Marco The Island of Veglia was chosen for the place of meeting both for the conveniency of the place and because the Venetians even in that loved to keep up a seemliness bringing them home into their own Country In the mean time the Austrians being sensible of an Incursion upon the Frontiers of Croatia sent thither a part of the Militia which was in Friuli abandoning the Post of Rubia and the Republick re-inforced with some of their Souldiery their Army by Sea appointing Barbarigo Captain General over it in whose place passed out of Istria into Friuli Barbaro in quality of Vice-Proveditor General of the Armies Into Segna being brought the Company of Germans of Captain Suech for a Garrison Zemino was immediately delivered by Luigi Giorgio Proveditor General of the Venetian Cavalry to the Commander Rudolfo di Colloredo All passed with somewhat greater length than was accorded and it was caused by various accidents and the quality of the business rather than by the will of the Parties besides because it behoved reciprocally to substitute new Commissioners Elding of the Austrians being dead and of the Venetians in place of Giovanni Bembo Duke deceased Nicholo Donato having possessed the place less than a month Priuli was assumed into the Principality He resolved to depart secretly from Veglia and being met near to Venice by twelve Ambassadours not of the oldest but of the most illustrious with great solemnity assumes the Government of the Republick There succeeded as Commissioner Nicholo Contarini and to Elding Marquardo Baron d'Ech but being recalled a while after the Plenipotence rested in Harach alone The Commerce was re-established and there being 133 names of the Vscocchi agreed upon they were banished with their families and threatnings of most severe punishments if they should dare to return The Barks were burnt and in them also was burnt the Name of the Vscocchi with which the Republick was rid of an unquietness which had vexed them for many years The greatest part of them were transported to Carlistot and other Frontiers of the Turks further from the Sea some of the boldest were received under the protection of Ossuna and amongst them Andrea Ferletich conveying away a Bark made in his passage some pilfering upon the Island of Arbe at which the Venetian Commissioners highly moved protested to suspend the restitution of the places they possessed if against the offence visible severities were not made appear whereupon Harach desirous to make a speedy end of the business because the Insurrections in Bohemia required to haste the Troops thither not being able to get Ferletich into his hands arrests by way of Hostage the Wives of three of his Followers and banished them all with a sentence of death if they ever returned With this and the restitution of the Cannon of the Gally of Veniero the Venetians delivering in exchange those carried away from Scrisa the Austrians having punctually performed the agreement the Republick presently delivered the places they held though on the one side the stirs of Bohemia which greatly straightned the Empire and Ferdinand suggested a conjuncture to attempt advantages and the proceedings of the Ministers of Spain pricked them sharply forward to new resentments and revenge For Ossuna was so far from shewing any inclinations to Peace that rather denying the restitutions promised and continuing secret contrivances and publick designs if he covered the one with silence he published the other with ostentation and talked of nothing else in his Government keeping no other rule but his own will and Capricio the conduct he used was in all things most extravagant To be subject to Reason and Law he held an unbecoming servitude violated the Priviledge of the Church trod under foot the Nobility carried himself insolent tnwards all and oppressing the Kingdom insulted without distinction over all the Princes of Italy Howsoever his extravagances serving for a kind of excuse and cover he seemed at the bottom not only supported by the most secret counsels of Spain but there was a talk of prolonging his Government for three years more The Pope foresaw that this troublesom Spirit would over-turn again the Peace of Italy insists therefore with most effectual offices that he would be quiet restore the Prizes and not disturb the Gulph But the Vice-King all other excuses failing offered to execute every thing when the Republick should discharge the Hollanders He nevertheless at the very same time was providing himself with Ships in England and Holland whereupon the Republick rather than suffer Laws to be imposed upon
them from his provocations found themselves constrained to provide by all means for their own defence The Spanish Ministers failed not to oppose themselves to it and therefore in England their Ambassadour imployed all means and art to perswade the King to deny them leave to hire Ships and to divert Commanders from agreeing with them and in Holland no endeavours prevailing they gave out threatnings that so powerful a Squadron of their Men of War should meet them in the Straight that they must expose themselves to a Battel whosoever would attempt the passage All which notwithstanding Pietro Contarini Ambassadour for the Republick with King James obtained his consent for as many as he pleased and Christophoro Suriano Resident in Holland provided twelve fitted in all points which equally slighting the boasting reports and the hazards of a Battel set sail for the Adriatick and their courage not degenerating from their design six Gallions of Spain with ten or twelve lesser Vessels facing them in the Straight passed happily forcing the Ships which offered to oppose them to retire with some loss to their own Coast The Venetian Fleet being augmented with so notable a Renfort Ossuna from the design of force turns his mind to negotiate with the Turk on the one side stirring up those of Ragusa to make great complaints of the damage they had suffered and insinuating on the other by the means of Caesar Gallo a Truce betwixt Spain and the Port. But the Ottomans hearkened not at all to it involved in a War with Persia and not at quiet in their own Country for after three months Mustapha as simple and unfit was by the Muffti the Caimecan and the Chislar Aga that had promoted him being deposed and Osman eldest Son of Achmet deceased assumed into the Government in so tender an age that if the other had served only for a short Spectacle of Fortune this as an image of weakness was forced to depend upon the Authority of the Ministers The complaints therefore of the Ragusians had scarce any access and by two several Chiaus sent from the Port to Venice to communicate the assumption of two Emperours and by the extraordinary Embassie of the Republick committed to Francesco Contarini Cavalier and Procurator to congratulate with Osman the ancient amity remained confirmed Nevertheless Ossuna boasting expresses in publick that he would attempt against the Turks raised Souldiers joyned Squadrons and pressed the Princes of Italy to joyn their Gallies unto his But every one understanding his intentions to trouble the Adriatick denied him except the Pope who sent them but with express prohibition to the Commander not to enter into the Gulph At Taranto he stops another Ship with Merchandize which was going to Venice and although for that and other things the Spanish Ministers in Madrid affirmed to have sent express Orders both to abstain and to render he nevertheless equally despised the Commands of the King and the respect to the Common-wealth He kept his Ships at Brindisi published that he would invade Dalmatia caused an armed Ship to make a course to Trieste and made the World believe that he designed the pillaging of Lazzaretto of Spalato where in an open place the Merchandizes which come of the Turkish Country are aired from the suspicion of the plague and that not so much to satiate himself with spoils as to enjoy the benefit of the disorder in which he hoped to involve the Venetians if to the Goods lost upon the Sea the Subjects of the Port should joyn their complaints and losses of such as were ravished out of the custody and it may be said the very bosom of the Republick The Senate weary of such a vexation orders its Captain General that was ready with forty two Gallies six Galleonasses and six and thirty Ships being superiour in strength to scour the Sea free it from armed Ships and take as many as he could meet He presently comes before Brindisi and for a whole day invites the Spaniards to come out but knowing themselves too much over-matched retired to the innermost part of the Port where being covered by the Town the Cittadel and a Fort they could not be forced He then sets his course longst the shores of the Kingdom of Naples and at last Ossuna some of his more secret design as shall be said hereafter being vanished recals his Ships from the Gulph keeping them in Naples although he had order to send them towards Spain But the Venetians took a great Ship of Ragusa which laden with Salt was going from Barletta to Trieste and burnt another of the same Nation which run her self aground under the Town of St. Catoldo Out of Fortore they took another lading Corn for Naples All this being followed with the interruption of Trade and the grievous complaints of the Neapolitans who represented in Spain that from that populous City was taken even their very nourishment it induced the Ministers at Madrid to recal the business of the restitutions out of the hands of Ossuna and refer it to the Cardinal Borgia that with Girolamo Soranzo Ambassadour for the Republick at Rome it might more easily be made an end of But they having not been able to do the least thing but the Duke got some kind of notice of it he interrupts the proceeding anew giving to the Cardinals Auditor who was come to Naples for that purpose such an imperfect Inventary of the Goods found in the Ships that the Ambassadour would not receive it But Santa Croce being arrived with the Gallies the Viceroy put into consultation what enterprise they should undertake and proposed to enter again into the Adriatick to deliver as he said the Ports of that Kingdom from a Siege But Santa Croce dissenting who inclined rather to some enterprise in Africk Ossuna designs to do it himself by sending by Sea to Trieste a great succour of men to King Ferdinand who by reason of the occurrences of Bohemia had great need of them This coming to the knowledge of the Republick they command Justiniano their Ambassadour in Germany that he should roundly declare to that King himself that they would not suffer the Jurisdiction of the Gulph to be violated nor let Ships and armed men pass under the eye of the Capital City whereupon the King who had need of the assistance yet desired not that the Peace with the Venetians should be interrupted represented seriously to Ossuna the sending of it some other way more safe though more long Nevertheless the Republick with a great Fleet resolved to guard themselves even from the same and thoughts of the Duke and observing in the Governour of Milan a mind equally averse to Peace upon the arrival of Piscina at Venice they command Renieri Zeno who after Anthonio Donato resided Ambassadour at Turin to stipulate new adjustments with Carlo The Venetians had heretofore in former occasions contributed to the Duke more than two Millions in ready money now they promised him ninety thousand Ducats a month
which in occasions more needful and better shall bring us assistance But if by unprofitable profusions we shall exhaust our Treasury we shall have an equal want of defence and friends and be put to beg of others rather than receive relief from our selves As for my self I look at those friendships most profitable which upon equal conditions have their rise from common conveniencies but in the case in question how unequal does the fortune and state of things appear with the Catholick King we may have Peace nay we shall have it whensoever moderation shall come to be in his Councils But in Holland where the obstinacy of a false belief and the desire of true liberty are contended for there can be no place for quiet So that we shall be constrained to subscribe to a perpetual grievance Nor ought we here to believe we shall enjoy aids reciprocal because there being not place for a Treaty which can preserve from suspicions or by jealousies oblige to assistance the Spaniards will be so wise as to make War in Flanders in earnest and in Italy in shew revenging himself of us by a double blow the one by the imployment of the money we shall be obliged to give Holland and the other by the consumption of all our Forces in a long defence of Land and Sea Who knows not that in the Maxims of Spain War is covered over with art and time and on the other side those of the Republick consist in the preserving and defending her self without provoking and offending others always in their counsels and resolutions uniting prudence justice and time This opinion meeting not with the Genius and approbation of all Sebastian Veniero one of the Counsellors moving the Senate to anger no less than jealousie at the proceedings of the Spaniards discoursed in the contrary sense Nature hath prescribed to living Creatures one Element but Heaven and Earth are too little for ambition It will be a rare felicity to see Princes contented with their own State in an Age in which good Conscience is no more the reward but Interest is the price of Reigning and of Victory It is not therefore false that if private men have placed the praise of moderation in being contented with their own Princes hold the glory of their greatness setled in the usurping what is anothers This Age of ours makes it good in that the Monarchy of Spain standing possessed by Fortune Counsel and Arms of such vast Countries being nowithstanding hunger-starved and not to be satiated with almost two worlds assaults or attempts all that which carries any likeness or splendour of Liberty and Empire And amongst its Arcana discord hath not the last place which darkly insinuated and nourished every where either by the provocation of Religion or under the title of Interest or the visard of Ambition and Prerogative disuniting the minds of Nations and the intercourse of Princes like a hidden Mine razeth the foundations of those Dominions which it cannot attain to by force It fears nothing more than the discovery of its machinations or the concord of its enemies Hence so many Arts practised on the minds of the Grisons to divert them from our alliance Hence so many complaints for our League with the Cantons of Helvetia Hence so many invectives for our Levy of Hollanders and hence so much noise for our union with Carlo But we ought to know that where our Enemies are most upon their guard where they contend most fiercely there is seated the pawn of common safety That it behoves the weakest to unite themselves against the most powerful is a rule and direction of Nature and to have set that at nought hath defloured the beauty and almost ravished the liberty of Italy The occasion now presents to us the ready means to strengthen quiet to our selves and provide security for our friends by imbracing the invitation of Holland Experience puts us so much in mind how fatal their Truce hath been to Italy which during the trouble of those Provinces was happy and quiet But War serving great Princes but for exercise the flame being quenched there is kindled again on this side the Mountains Our Envyers now seeking occasion and advantage for themselves more than quiet greater flames lye hidden under the warm ashes of a teacherous Peace It belongs therefore to us to carry the tinder some whither else For if we resist an open Enemy with force there is no better guard from a secret one than by the advantage of a distraction Let us not doubt but that War will suddenly break forth again in the Low Countries but too unequal to say truth are the Forces of the Vnited Provinces to grapple with those of so puissant Kingdoms It is best then to re-inforce them with a powerful assistance to the end that with equal prejudice to our affairs those States yield not to the flattering invitations of the Spanish Ministers by prolonging the Truce or fall not into great dangers and at last relapse under the yoke by a weak management of Arms. Nor let faint hopes comfort us that they are to receive sufficient assistances from the neighbouring Potentates because we are not now to learn with what winds and they moved for the most part by the breath of Spain France is driven and we see England that having nothing great but the name hath a King always in fear to be constrained to a War and his Ministers to continue Peace in Holland fixed in the same reasons which induced them to procure it To him then that knows and experimenteth that he hath the greater need it belongs also to set his hand to the remedy otherwise whilst one preserving himself by another and every one sheltering himself under the interests of others more than his own we shall play the game of our Adversaries who fighting with one at a time are sure at last to conquer all How can our Common-wealth pretend to be assisted if at her ease she will look on upon others wants Do we possibly trust in the Peace two years since concluded with Spain but what fruit have we hitherto enjoyed by it but the Invasions practised by Toledo the Restitutions denied by Ossuna the Treasons framed by la Queva Provinces invaded Towns little less than surprised the Confines more and more threatned the Sea roved Commerce disturbed and for the highest degree of hatred in others and dangers to our selves the Turks sollicited to oppress us We may suppose the intentions of King Philip to be good but certainly the actions of his Ministers cannot be worse and nothing else hitherto hath diverted the discomposing of the Treaty and kindling again the flames of War but the patience of them that have received and endured injuries Of a Peace so full of treachery what more safe caution can we for the future procure for our selves than to have Companions whether it be in Peace or in War Otherwise without friends we shall always find our selves amidst troublesom
and Baldirone makes himself master of the Valley of Partentz Poschiavo and many other Towns and places of the Agnedina and of the Ten Directorships Rhetia by these redoubled invasions was full of confusion and slaughter nevertheless a Pittach was held in Coira which if it proved always tumultuous was at present void of all order and form every one pretending to give counsel to other and no man knowing what was fit to resolve There was a great contest about sending new Ambassadors to Milan many approved it and the Ten Directorships opposed it when Leopolds Army coming to Coira resolves the doubt and the meeting for the people in a fright went out to meet them and renders them the Town saving their Priviledges Government and Liberty of Conscience Certain it was that the Arch Duke desired to have it and pressed the Bishop to renounce the Church to him to which are annexed many temporal jurisdictions and the dominion of one part of the Town it self In the mean time to hinder the Switzers from succouring Rhetia he causes a good Fort to be laid towards Regatz slighting the jealousies of the Cantons and their displeasure whilst not being able to resolve any thing but by an unanimous consent they were obliged first to call a Diet for it And because Feria apprehended some motion from the Venetians to keep the chief strength of their Forces in Lombardy he sends a great number of men to their Borders But there appeared a kind of breathing to Affairs from whence it was least expected for Mansfelt who sought War every where and his profit from every accident being scarcely dis-intangled from the losses of Bohemia with a speedy march comes into Alsatia with so great a diversion and such success that he not only obliges Leopold to hasten thither with all his Forces but Feria to send thither having the convenience of the passes and of the new Conquests four thousand Foot and five hundred Horse lessening the Garrisons and the jealousies towards the Venetians and in particular taking some Companies out of Soncino the which in respect to the Pass of the Steccato went round about the Territory of Crema THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1621 THE FIFTH BOOK CErtainly the Valteline and Rhetia were not taken to be of little consequence as not to deserve the care of the Princes both as to the seizing and defending of them such being their situation that being possessed by Strangers a snare might be said to be closed upon the relief and liberty of Italy The Venetians therefore to whom it more nearly belonged became more earnest upon all occasions in their offices and invitations with the French But that Kingdom involved in new intestine discords still languished from its first distemper and the remonstrances or threats of the King were little feared by the Austrians For Luines having formed a great design to take from the Hugenots the places which former Kings under the title of security had for a time accorded to them took pretext from a certain Assembly which they held in Rochel that since the successes in Bern they complotted with over-much licence things prejudicial to the Kings service and declaring it suspect and unlawful followed the Edicts with an Army That Party was weakened enough already through dis-union for the Court had gained some of the chief ones who preferred their Interest before Religion and amongst those Dediguieres so that there remained no more Chiefs of Authority amongst them but Rohan Soubize Chastiglione and la Force of several inclinations and divers ends amongst themselves Many of the people desired peaceable rather than turbulent counsels others adhered to the Chiefs or followed the obstinate zeal for their false belief The Court designed to suppress them all and the sooner to end the War began it with great force and with several Armies dispersed in several Provinces With one the Duke of Espernon curbs Rochel and with another the Duke of Maine in his Government of Guyenne either confirms the Towns in obedience or forces the disobedient Conde longst the Loire takes Sancere and the King with the most considerable part of his Forces besieges S. Jean d' Angeli The Hugenots were not wanting to themselves some serving in person others contributing money notwithstanding all help from without failed them Germany being too much imbroiled England not minding Foreign affairs and Holland ready to come to blows with the Spanish Army had more need of French succours than were inclined to assist the Rebels of that Crown They were therefore in many places obliged to submit and St. Jean d' Angeli though defended by Soubize to the utmost was forced at its surrender to accept of any conditions and to have the Walls razed Such a resistance of such a place was of marvellous use to the Hugenots to blunt the first fury of the Kings Army which having rather done honour to some obscure places than overcome them sate down at last before Montauban a good deal weakened and not so fierce This was a very memorable Siege because the place wanted neither Fortifications Commanders Provisions and Garrison nor the Aggressors Force Discipline and Courage All Arts and Force of War were there practised there were to be seen diversions attempted ambushes laid succours brought in and sometimes repulsed thundering batteries assaults with more rashness than bravery undertaken and repulsed with the shedding of noble blood in such sort that the Ditches of Montauban were the burying place of the most worthy and valiant Souldiers But at last some being weary others disbanded most dead the Army was much weakened and the season so far advanced that the King was forced to raise the Siege and withdrawing to Winter-quarters in Guiena expect the taking in of some small places where Luines by favour assumed into the honourable Charge of Constable surprised with a dangerous sickness ends his days worthy in this of great praise that he at least rough-hewed the great design of uniting all France unto it self which was afterwards more happily perfected by others These Ingagements of France contributed much to advantage the Spaniards designs who with various Arts laboured to continue them longer intangled in the same whereupon making shew of friendship and zeal of Religion they offer succours to subdue the Huguenots and particularly a Fleet to conquer Rochel And indeed not only the Valteline but in all parts else the Arms of the House of Austria went prosperously on scarce finding opposition for in Bohemia there remaining but Tabor and Pilsen which held for Frederick the first was by Tilli who corrupted the Commanders won with gold and the other by Marradas after a very long Siege Silesia was quickly brought under by the Elector of Saxe and Hungary Gabor having in vain sought succours from the Turks and the Venetians was forced to receive a Peace and Laws Bethlem having laid down the Title of King and restored the Crown with the recompence of seven Counties in Hungary
it self and two large Dukedoms in Silesia There remained both the Palatinates higher and lower the Patrimony of Frederick in whose name Mansfelt yet making War was as hath been said entred into Alsatia doing the Bishoprick of Spira and other places on the Rhine intolerable mischiefs and in Alsatia it self taking Haghenau and with a strait but vain Siege attempted Zabern In favour also of Frederick some other Generals of Armies discovered themselves who in imitation of Mansfelt had the boldness with secret assistance from other Princes to struggle with the Power and Fortune of Ferdinand One was John George Marquess of Jagendorf of the House of Brandenburg who by reason of the Reformation of Religion which the Imperialists in the subdued Provinces executed with so much severity that it seemed to many a slaughter rather than a remedy or chastisement assembled many of the male-contents and some Souldiers to infest Moravia and Silesia Another was Christian Duke of Branswich and Administrator of Halberstat who taking into his service some Troops of the King of Denmarks for that purpose disbanded and having formed a considerable Army harassed Westphalia and the Catholicks of those parts Frederick weary of the vexations of a Crown so troublesom and now desperate being retired into Holland gave way that under the protection of the King of England his Interest should be managed in the Imperial Court and that the Palatinate should defend it self But the offices of James were discredited by the weakness wherewith he accompanied his force whereupon under pretext that the business of the Peace and pardon of Frederick was to be deferred to a general Diet as was desired not only by England but by Denmark and the Lower Saxony the Army of the Austrians marched Upon Spinola's coming near the Rhine with an Army well ordered and provided the Princes Protestants of the Union being frighted condescended to a Treaty in Mentz by which their Union being dissolved which consisted more in name than in a true concord of minds they resolved to stand neutral and Spinola on the other side promises so to respect them In the Palatinate there being now and that but with a very few Troops only Colonel Veer an English man and Obentrauta German it would have been easie for Spinola to have possessed it if out of fear to have too much irritated the King of England and a desire he had to attempt some Exploit upon the Hollanders he had not consented to a Truce for some months A Truce highly disapproved by the Spanish Ministers but which being of little continuance advantaged them in the pretexts of their attempts because the Commanders of the Troops in the Palatinate encouraged with the succours which Mansfelt and Halverstat gave out they would bring them having by a pernicious Council broken it awakened the Spaniards separated into Quarters to assemble themselves and besiege Franckental after having taken Stein which was done by Gonzalo di Cordua Spinola being elsewhere imployed The King of England nevertheless ceased not by means of his Ambassadour Digby at the Imperial Court to sollicite the renewing the suspension of Arms. But Ferdinand impressed already with the thought of depriving Frederick of his Electorship and Country remits the Treaty to Brussels to gain time and in that interim the Duke of Bavaria in a manner provoked by Mansfelt who with several Treaties for several months had deluded him enters the Vpper Palatinate and possesses it without opposition the Country being destitute of Fortresses or Forces And the Duke not to be wanting to the occasion and his own advantages to pursue Mansfelt sends Tilli to the Rhine and orders him to seize all that part of the Lower Palatinate which lies betwixt the Rhine and the Neccar A blow which Maximilian believed doubly pleasing to the Catholicks not only because it deprived the Hereticks of that very strong Hold but because it prevented the Spaniards whom the Germans did not willingly see advanced into the Empire by such Conquests The King of England was inraged to see his Son-in-law oppressed and himself deluded but not having forces proportionable to his anger and his Authority serving no longer for a sufficient cover for his weakness had called a Parliament according to custom to consider of Contributions and Provisions But grievous complaints were presently started some desiring that the Treaty of Marriage betwixt the Prince and the Infanta of Spain might be broken and that a Wife might be given him of a Religion comformable to their own others pressing a Reformation in the Government with pretensions which were injurious to the Soveraignty and opposite to the nature of it so that he dissolves it without coming to a resolution The Palatinate then remained at the discretion of the Enemy-forces nor was to expect other succours but from Mansfelt who according to his custom with sly marches and unexpected arrives there so unlooked for that Cordua taking fright raises the Siege retiring or rather running away by night leaving in his Quarters sick Souldiers Materials and Cannon Thus ends this year famous for War kindled in so many parts and to the end no corner of Europe might remain free from the flame in the Low-Countries also the Truce being expired it fiercely breaks out again Heretofore in the interval of greater Wars that of Flanders served the Spanish Monarchy for a standing Army and to keep Military Discipline in exercise But exercise it self becoming violent and to excess consumed the most vital spirits of the Crown the Souldiers of Spain the gold of the Indies the vigour of Italy being not able to supply them And therefore a Truce for twelve years was willingly interposed and might easily again have been prolonged if in Spain at the expiration thereof the counsels of those had been continued who first setled it But the Conde Duke new in Government keeping the young King remote from affairs took the measure of his power from his own opinion and pride An. Dom. 1622 Hence the Treaties which for some months had run on being by this means broken his thought was to break out into War vainly believing to make the glory of the Monarchy appear if amusing France in the divisions of Religion and dandling England with Treaties of a Marriage he should slight all others and at the same time molest Italy overwhelm Holland and triumph over Germany Spinola then having consented to a Truce in the Palatinate as hath been said marches to the Frontiers of the United Provinces threatning many places At last encamps his Army near to Prince Maurice of Orange who was at Emerich to observe his motions and having by a Stratagem induced him to draw a thousand men out of Juliers making a shew to attacque another place turns to that first invested by Count Henry Vanden Berg with six thousand Foot a thousand Horse and six pieces of Cannon and afterwards by Spinola himself with the gross environed with Forts and deep Trenches That Town the Metropolis of the Dukedom
not promise themselves at present from the powerful assistances of the Kingdom of France whilst England Holland the Kingdoms of the North and the Protestants conspired in the same designs He shewed how Europe was divided and that the Party which bore Arms against the House of Austria was much stronger than that which was subjected to their power for he designed that on the one side Mansfelt should make a diversion in Burgundy Hungary on the other should be invaded by the Transilvanian the War should be continued in the Provinces of Flanders the King of Denmark with the Princes of the Lower Saxony should make War in the Empire and the Seas and Coasts of Spain be infested by the English Fleet. Whence he concluded that they were to remain always in fear or at once make themselves to be feared the opportunity was now offered by a great War to free themselves from greater dangers and seizing speedily the Passes of the Valteline and excluding succours invade powerfully the Monarchy of Spain in the Milanese which is its Center for the Conquests whereof he generously offered his Forces his Countries and his own person preferring Glory and Liberty before idleness and the greatest dangers The Venetians haply might not have been averse from such counsels although they knew the attempt laborious and difficult from the disgusts which now for a long time had rendred the neighbourhood of the Spanish Armies so troublesom and grievous if the French had been sincerely willing to imploy their utmost power but they keeping to their aim not to break openly with Spain gave it sufficiently to be understood that by engaging their friends more than themselves they desired to have them Dependants rather than Confederates The Duke then who was wont to have several designs in a readiness to the end that amidst many attempts Fortune might favour some one knowing France as much impatient of quiet as irresolute to the War projected with subtil reaches of interest and advantage that the Crown would at least undertake the Conquest of Genoua He had observed from a long time with a covetous eye that City grown rich by their long Peace the Country open the Citizens at discord and his avarice was fomented by Claudio Marini a Genouese but Ledger Ambassadour with him for the Crown of France who ill satisfied with his own Country fought amidst the ruines of it either to exalt his name or bury the ungrateful Fortune of his native Country He offered Intelligences and served as an instrument to corrupt several in particular has own Kindred whereupon by the heat of his inclinations the Duke earnestly pressed King Lewis that if he would not spread his Colours against the Milanese he would at least lend them him to imploy them against the Genouese This he looked at to be a meet diversion in favour of Rhetia which was sought elsewhere in vain whilst by this Conquest Milan being disarmed of its Forces and the Monarchy of money the Mines would hardly supply nor the Indies satisfie contingencies and other vast expences if the Genouese with equal care and covetousness did not provide Treasures for the Gulph of Wars They squeez out the wealth of others to pour it forth into Spain who with the money of all makes War to all What was there to be expected from that Government where private interest setting publick liberty to sale that of others is prejudiced Their Ports were open to the Spanish Fleets their Gallies augmented the Kings Squadrons Passage was free Quarters secure their friendship was by obligation their wills obedient the chief ones were ready and private men no less either to serve in person in their Armies or maintain them with their Riches The Genouese then was to be invaded not only as the door but as part of the Domination of the Spaniards in Italy by the taking whereof the Milanese is encompassed Succours are cut off Correspondence Commerce Navigation and Aids are all broken That that River was a Line which to force it had no greater difficulty but to attempt it a short march would bring the Army under the Walls of the City great in circuit strong by situation but by the barrenness of the Country may be said besieged The Mountains themselves serve for a Circumvallation of Intrenchment the Vallies and Passages were shut up in a manner by themselves The Fleet of France might with ease keep out succours In Common-wealths with the Metropolis all is conquered because the seat of liberty and Empire being overthrown the Union is lost of which the Government is formed There wanted not even within the Walls friendships and correspondencies with those Citizens who have more than once attempted to sell their liberty with their Country Let France call to mind the Dominion it once had over that State awaken its Rights extend its Frontiers into the Land and Sea replant the Flower-de-luces in Italy and greatning it self with so glorious a Conquest satiate his Armies with the spoils of the richest Emporium of Europe All this was suggested by the Duke and to him by ambition and interest although he endeavoured to hide it with the cause of Zuccarello elsewhere mentioned to be a little and ignoble Fief of the Empire in the Mountains but esteemed by the Genouese important because it lies in their bowels by that fatality which Italy hath always been subject to that things in themselves but small being esteemed great by their Princes have frequently opened the way to Strangers to usurp the greatest part of it It was anciently the possession of the Family of Carretta and the Genouese had formerly attempted to get a right to it They in particular bought of Scipio one of the Marquesses a certain annual Rent with a condition of preference in case the Fief it self should one day come to be sold But it happened that the same Scipio to prevent an Imperial Sentence which he feared in punishment for a murder he had committed sold it to the Savoyards The Emperour nevertheless not enduring a fraud so manifest calls the business to himself and commits the care of it to the Genouese who aspired to it At last being sold in these late times by Confiscation it was not doubted but the gold and favour of the Genouese contributed much to it and perhaps the consideration of not enlarging the Duke in that Quarter whence he might have been able to infest them and greaten himself All this was published by the Duke with a great train of protests and reasons to which he added other disgusts seeing himself hated by the Government of Genoua and the people and his name and reputation on all occasions vilified Nevertheless the common opinion seemed to be that he rather sought an occasion for War rather than he had cause for it But in France although the Crown besides an universal inclination of the more powerful to oppress the weak had no other cause of enmity with the Genouese but the discrepancy of interests and
might be denied to those of the Austrians To find out some composure betwixt those of the Valteline and the Grisons which might serve to maintain the defence with minds united or facilitate the Peace Coevre and Giorgio assembled their Deputies in Sondrio but without fruit the one not resolving to lose their Soveraignty and the profits and the other fancying to themselves that pardon was more to be suspected than revenge Seeds of greater calamities sprung now up in all parts for as much as that in Germany also the Victories of Ferdinand served rather to exasperate than terminate the War whilst his prosperity rendred his power as much burdensom to his Neighbours as hazardous to the Empire For this purpose a Meeting was held at the Hague to which coming the Ministers of France England Denmark Sweden Gabor and of other Princes of the North they made the World believe that they aimed not so much at the moderation of the greatness of the Austrians as totally to suppress it Nevertheless according to the destiny attending such an Assembly every one amidst the common interest driving his own peculiar designs it was discovered that the French did not intend to charge themselves with ought else but to give the Hollanders the Subsidy stipulated that they would refuse the Truce offered by the Spaniards with other large Conditions The Kings of Sweden and Denmark desired to make a War and demanded great sums of money to maintain it and the Transilvanian not regarding the Conditions lately made with the Emperour offered to break anew provided he might have a vigorous assistance In such sort that every one demanding considerable assistances and none being willing to give them to another the Meeting separates like one of those great Engines which split when they are ready for motion taking pretext that some especially the Transilvanian had not sufficient powers whereupon the Meeting was put off to the year following to the end that by a better concert the League might then be finished No body had shewed himself more earnest in this business than the King of England as both younger and more provoked whereupon dispatching his Favourite Buckingham and the Earl of Holland for his Ambassadours to the Hague impatient of longer delay he concludes with the United Provinces a Treaty of offence and defence for fifteen years by means whereof he pretended to restore the Palatine Frederick into his Patrimony concerting a diversion by Sea on the Coast of Spain and to send an Army by Land at a common charge But of this for want of money which could not be raised without the odious calling of a Parliament the design vanished and of the other Fortune frustrated the effect although the Fleet consisted of more than ninety Ships a Squadron of Holland being therein comprehended so well furnished with Souldiers and all other necessaries that if in the inconstancy of the waves reason or force might have commanded any attempt whatsoever seemed likely to succeed But carrying Fredericks Colours for a shew sailing longst the Coast of Spain and casting Anchor in the Baye of Cadiz in design to take that Port and to pillage the rich Fleet which was expected from America they land at Puntal to cut off succours from the Town and shut up certain Gallies and Gallions in the Port which would have easily succeeded if they had not spent a great deal of time to no purpose in fortifying themselves Spain that was wont rather to provoke her Enemies afar off than to see them before her face and in her bosom was in disorder and the King would have gone in person to oppose them if Olivares had not diverted him considering the remedy too late and unbecoming the grandeur and gravity of that Nation Ferdinand Giron who commanded in that Quarter with a stupendious stoutness transported in a few Gallies from the Terra firma and in sight of the Enemy Ammunition and Souldiers with which the Garrison was strengthened they so molested the English with Sallies that judging the gaining of it would be long and difficult they re-imbarked applying themselves to what they could light on at Sea Many Barks were dispatched from the Coast of Spain to meet the Fleet to the end that changing their course and keeping aloof from the Cape of St. Vincent where the English waited for them they might put in at the Corogne One of them falling seasonably into their hands saved the rest for taking it for granted that the Fleet would make for this Port they sailed thither whilst in the mean time having had no advice it arrived happily at Cadiz And now the English Weather-beaten and sickness increasing returned into their own Country not without mutual dissatisfaction with the Hollander the one imputing to the other the ill success of the Expedition But greater were the jars and jealousies which after the Conference in Holland increased more and more betwixt England and France for the one attributed to the other the loss of Breda by denying passage to Mansfelt and upbraided him with the ruine of the Palatine and the other interests in Germany whilst designing in his own Kingdom the destruction of the Huguenots he desired the lessening of the Protestants every where Nor did France want complaints reciprocal for the many reprisals happened at Sea the retreat of Soubize to London the assistances promised before the Peace to the Rochellois and the caution given to that Peace as though England intended to make a Party with its Subjects besides the unhandsom intreatment of the Queen and her Family contrary to the Conditions of Marriage The Austrians hoping for great advantages from such disagreements the common friends to both interposed themselves to put a stop to them or remove them and particularly the Venetians who charged Marco Anthonio Corraro and Angelo Contarini Cavalieri Ambassadours Extraordinary An. Dom. 1626 to congratulate King Charles his Succession with express and most effectual offices for that purpose which nevertheless had no effect the minds of the Favourites being much more exasperated than the interest of the Crowns discordant ANNO M.DC.XXVI In the beginning of this year Torquato Conti with the Popes Army being entred into the Milanese put mens minds greatly to a stand betwixt the report which he published to invade the Valley joyntly with Papenhaim and the slowness of his march as if he desired retardments and expected accidents which might divert him from doing of it The Venetians with a body of their Army coasted upon him longst the Borders resolving according to his motion to advance into the Valteline and defend it But before any undertaking and ingagement of Arms arrives the news that as to the Affairs of the Valteline France and Spain had betwixt themselves concluded a Peace a report so surprizing that it is not to be said how much it universally struck mens minds in regard that though the name of Peace was very pleasing yet the secret management of it and the almost shame with which
the Government Conde made wary by past experiences taking himself off from his pretensions in favour of his Daughter which in the concurrence of so many interests he saw served but for a state or pretext the male-contents betook themselves to Engines more powerful making to oppose the Queen-mother the Queen Regent through impressions of jealousie believe that the Marriage with Monpensier succeeding to be fruitful she should be neglected and in case of Widowhood be necessitated with shame and scorn to subject her self to one of her own Vassals They let it fall to her that breaking the Treaty of Marriage with Monpensier she should promote that with her own Sister the Infanta of Spain to conjoyn France to that Crown with a double obligation and establish for her self in all events stronger defence and more pleasing supports To introduce such thoughts into the Queens mind the abhorrency which she had of the Cardinal Richelieu prevailed much which was fomented by the Dutchess of Chevereufe her Confident who with many artifices had the power of her will and besides augmented her party for the Grand Prior of Vendosm being her Gallant was by her perswaded to owne it and to bring the Duke his Brother into it Brothers both though base born of King Lewis With such supports they went on to greater designs deliberating to offer to the Huguenots Gaston for their Head suborning Governours of Provinces and places not without whispering that Gaston himself after having killed the Cardinal with his own hand and retiring himself from Court with the applause of a great party should not only have constrained the King to pardon him but disposed as he thought fit of the Marriage of the Government and of the Crown Nothing passed without Richelieu's knowledge for Monsieur de Chalais Master of the Wardrobe to the King a great Confident of Chevereuses discovering of her the secrets of the business reported them to the King with so terrible a prospect as if the Conspiracy being against his own Person the design was to shut him up in a Convent exalt his Brother to the Throne and make him marry the Queen so that Lewis suspicious by nature and distrustful to extremity might have been perswaded to believe things yet more absurd Nature had afforded to few the Magick I may call it of the tongue so powerful as to Richelieu for with a quick and nervous eloquence inriched with ready replies and strengthened oftentimes at his pleasure with tears oaths and passions moving affections he overcame mens minds and governed above all the will of King Lewis who full of fear referred himself to his wisdom and conduct to the end that he might conjure down so many false appearances The beginning was made by the imprisonment of Ornano done at Fontainbleau whither the Court was removed expresly to avoid those uproars and confusions which are but too easily raised at Paris The King there talking to him of the Marriage of his Brother with Monpensier and he shewing himself not inclined to it he was presently after arrested by the Guards to the astonishment of all the rest of his party that so much the more as it was quickly followed by his death ascribed by some to the indispositions of his old age and by others attributed to poyson The Cardinal ordered it so that at the time of the arrest he was far off to the end it might be believed though he directed every thing that the King had done it upon his own will nay he desired leave to retire himself and withdraw his life from the hatred and snares of so potent enemies but the King and his Mother were so far from consenting to it that though he with express instances covetously desired the contrary they permitted him to arm himself against those that envied him with Guards which serving at first for a defence became quickly an apprehension and jealousie to the power it self of the Soveraign By the imprisonment and death of Ornano the design of the Factionaries seemed in a good measure broken but was not totally destroyed those of most power being far off they of Vendosm particularly who having the Government of Britany by their great dependencies gave great jealousies The Court set forward that way but moved slowly to give time for the Cardinals Arts who deluding the Grand Prior with his own very desires and designs and giving him hopes of the Admiralship of the Sea which he with great longing pretended perswades him to come to Blois where the King was and to bring his Brother with him but were no sooner arrived but they saw themselves made Prisoners The Court then with so much the more haste goes to Nantes preventing the uproar of the Province Others upon this would not at all trust themselves The Count of Soissons who aspired to the Marriage of Monpensier and to obtain it was entred into the party of the male-contents left the Kingdom and made a Voyage into Italy Chevereuse commanded to remain at a house in the Country making an escape gets into Lorrain and with a spirit above the custom of the Sex greedy of novelties passes afterwards to other Courts carrying every where in her mind the fire of War against France and that of the loves of great Princes in her rare beauty Chalais alone remained unwarily taken in the net which he had laid for others for either trusting in the good turn he had done more than mindful of the offence committed thinking his service not well recompensed conceived too vast hopes or that repenting to have said too much he would discover no more was by sentence of Judges as guilty of the Conspiracy it self beheaded in Nantes Where at last the Marriage with Monpensier was performed for the Kings Brother having no body near him that might suggest the contrary married her and immediately intangled in loves and the first pleasures of Marriage was careless of the ruine of all his Confidents These were then the confusions of Court amidst which the Treaty of Monzone being concluded if they took not wholly away the blame they at least served to make some sort of excuse but the Duke of Savoy not admitting of any despising the flatteries of Bouillon was so greatly offended that swearing an implacable hatred and the most open resentments against the Cardinal by the means of Alexander the Abbot of Scaglia his most sharp-sighted Minister he closes with the male-contents of the Kingdom offers them all incouragement and forces and particularly to Gaston assistance and retreat if as he effectuall perswaded him he would revenge himself of the Cardinal But at Court the seeds of discord being extinguished he turns his practices to the Huguenots and to England sending Scaglia to London to the end that promoting a fierce War against France he might either gain upon that Kingdom those Conquests which he complained he had been elsewhere traversed in by those Ministers or at least molest and punish him that had dared to abandon
and set at naught a Prince in friendship with him The rupture indeed betwixt France and England advanced apace the disagreements betwixt the King and Queen in London continuing notwithstanding that the Mareshal of Bassompiere gone thither Ambassadour Extraordinary setled certain Articles concerning the Queens Family which in matters of Religion served for a pretext to distasts but not reconciling the interests and passions of the two Favourites Richelieu disavowed him and Buckingham as studiously crossed him At the instigation of the Duke of Savoy who by his own anger sharpned that of others the Domesticks of the Queen were sent back to Paris There followed hereupon many reciprocal reprisals at Sea and King Charles taking the Huguenots and Rochel into his protection complained of the inobservancy of Treaties and of the inconvenience the Fort Lewis was to that Town Upon these pretexts Buckingham taking the quality of Ambassadour had a mind to pass into France to procure redress but the true motive of his Journey being ascribed to loves contracted in that Court Richelieu perswades the King to refuse him entrance into the Kingdom The rage hereupon of the other was inflamed to extremity and swearing that since he was forbidden to enter in a peaceable manner into France he would make his passage with an Army he applies himself to an open breach The Kings intentions being carried by Monsieur Montaigue to the Huguenots and the Duke of Savoy it was resolved betwixt them that the King as Protector of the last Peace with the Huguenots should to repair the pretended infractions send thirty thousand men against France divided into three Armies whereof the first was to take in the Islands next to Xaintonge to strengthen Rochel the second to land in the Garonne near Bourdeaux and the third keeping Normandy and Britany in apprehension distract the Forces and shutting up the entrances into the Rivers hinder the Commerce The Duke of Savoy was at the same time to invade Provence and Dauphiné promising also to send five hundred Horse to Rohan who offered to raise the greatest part of Languedoc with the Huguenots and with four thousand Foot and a good number of Horse to joyn with the English in Guyenne And to the end the Kingdom might be invaded on all parts Carlo Duke of Lorrain moved thereto by Chevereuse and Scaglia who went to attend him for that purpose was to enter into it from his side with powerful Forces The Venetians and the States of Holland were also invited by the English and by Savoy the one by the interests of Religion and the other in revenge of the Treaty of Monzone and for fear of the Union betwixt France and Spain but both these Republicks apprehending more than from the Treaty of Monzone the evils from the discord betwixt England and France who coming to a War left every where a field open to the advantages and arbitrement of the Austrians endevoured by an effectual mediation to reconcile them In this interim the Treaty was executing in the Valteline though the Grisons greatly stirred with prejudice appealed sending an express Embassy into France Nor was it to any purpose that Monsieur de Chasteauneuf to appease them came from Venice to Coira and from thence into Helvetia for the three Leagues and amongst the Switzers the Protestant Cantons would never give their consent Nevertheless not regarding their complaints it was agreed to render the Forts and withdraw the Armies The Venetians by reason of the nearness were troubled that the Forts should be demolished and the Pope refusing to charge himself with such a trouble and expence Fargis at the Court of Spain had consented to new prejudices capitulating that they should by the Pope be delivered to those of the Valteline or the Spaniards themselves to demolish them But that being disapproved by France and the Republick it was at last agreed in Rome between Monsieur Bethune and the Count d'Ognate Ambassadors of the Crowns That those old Forts out of which the Ensigns of the Church had gone forth should be restored to Torquato Conti who should enter into them with three thousand men that he afterwards should go out of them when the Spanish Ministers should deliver him a Writing that they were satisfied of the former deposition That at the same time the Confederates should withdraw their Forces out of the new Forts and they to be all at a time demolished by the Peasants so soon as Pope Urbans Colours should enter into the first Some retardments deferred the delivery until the beginning of the year to come for Coevre had a mind before he retired that the Pension of those of the Valteline to the Grisons should be adjusted But Gonsales de Cordua who upon the removal of Feria as little inclined to execute the Peace commanded in the Milanese denying that he had power concerning this it was in France adjudged by the King with the consent of the Ambassadour of Spain at twenty five thousand Crowns a year Carlo also pressed by Bouillon had made a suspension of Arms with the Genouese rather to revenge himself of France than out of complacency to it for being entred into the design to invade with great hopes that Kingdom he did not unwillingly dis-engage himself on that side In this manner was Italy set at quiet but knew it self big with new storms and more fierce tempests The Venetians accommodating themselves to the time and reforming their Militia kept a strong body of the most veteran and tryed ones In this year amongst the domestick Affairs Frederico Cornaro Bishop of Bergamo being promoted to the Cardinalat in that order in which amongst the other Crowns the Popes are wont to honour the Republick there arose a doubt whether he being Son of the Doge the Law had place which forbid them to receive Ecclesiastical Benefices and it was declared by the Senate that a dignity of that quality was not comprehended under the common name of Benefices On the contrary to Carlo Quirini Bishop elect of Sebenico was denied the possession because the Council of Ten having received knowledge that he had gotten it by means not lawful for Citizens of the Republick and by the favour of the Ministers of other Princes banished him with the severest penalties and the Church was given by the Pope to another During the Truce howsoever short caused by the Arms and evils of Italy a new War arises in Germany or rather the old was increased by the practices of Christian the Fourth King of Denmark contrived with the Protestants That Kingdom is not great in Territory nor puissant in Forces but considerable for its situation by Land and by Sea and by reason of the support which through its nearness it gave to the Princes of the Lower Saxony who as hath been said had chosen him for General of the Circle and he together with the charge assuming high thoughts hoped to manage the War to his own advantage by the forces and money of others
believing that not only the Princes of the Empire but Strangers also emulous of the Austrians would assist him some from the motive of Religion others from interest of State He aims therefore to extend his Borders and that principally by putting his Sons into the Bishopricks which lying betwixt the Elb and Weser had for some time been possessed by the Protestants The designs being not yet ripe nor the succours ready which the King hoped for from France England and Holland Tilli not to give him time to strengthen himself comes so close up to him that not to give way he was forced unseasonably to break A Truce nevertheless for three months having at the instances of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg been concluded before certain Propositions of Peace were debated but not agreeing about the point of Religion and what should be the limits which the Peace of the Empire called Pax religiosa prescribed the Negotiation was broken off The Armies then coming to move the King calling to him Halverstat and Mansfelt together with the Princes of the Lower Saxony who chose rather to lose themselves amidst hopes and attempts than abandon themselves to despair and fear the Army was found to consist of sixty thousand men Vlrich Frederick Duke of Brunswick refusing to joyn with the others as partial to the Emperour was by the King deposed and putting Halverstadt into his place planted in that Country very convenient for it by reason of its situation the seat of the War But the Army which united seemed capable to overcome all obstacles and to march into the Empire being divided into several parts was quickly ruined every where The King sends Halverstadt into the Catholick Bishopricks of Osnabrug Heildesheim and Minden which were able to furnish victuals and money in abundance and Mansfelt towards the Elb to drive Wallestain out of the Country of Magdeburg who possessed it with his Quarters and afterwards to advance forwards into Silesia to incourage the male-contents and Gabor who offered once more to break the Peace in Hungary Himself takes his Quarters near the Weser to amuse Tilli more feared than all the rest But Halverstadt against whom Bavaria had sent the Count of Anhalt with the Army of the Catholick League was quickly recalled to joyn the King and oppose Tilli with more powerful Forces but he falling sick ends his days being scarce thirty years old leaving that fruit of Glory not yet ripe which by disturbing the Empire he had proposed to himself and also a great document how uncertain and short life proves for remote and too vast designs Mansfelt finding that Walestain held at Desseau a Bridge over the Elb with some Fortifications attempting it played upon them for some days with his Cannon but being maintained and defended by Aldringer with the succours the Count de Slich brought him Wallestain had time to come with the gross and taking away the Enemies sight with a blind of linen-cloth passes a part of his Army and charges with so good success the Troops of the Count that the Horse taking flight left the Foot for the most part cut to pieces with the loss of six Cannons and forty Colours But Mansfelt more ready in recruiting Troops than fortunate in preserving them appeared again quickly with fifteen thousand men the Administrator of Magdeburg having given him some re-inforcement and more covertly the Elector of Brandenburg who having married one of his Sisters to Gabor gave great jealousie to the Imperialists Joyning at last with John Earnest Duke of Weimar his numbers being increased by many that were banished out of Bohemia and Moravia by unusual ways and a very nimble march he enters into Silesia giving such heart to the male-contents for Religion that the Peasants of the Upper Austria though far off rising in great numbers besieged Lintz and great commotions appeared in the other Hereditary Provinces Ferdinand was in great perplexity at these risings in Arms besides the jealousies he had of Gabor and also of the Turks Wallestain sending presently into Silesia three thousand Horse under Colonel Beckman stays himself some days to secure himself of Magdeburg and of the Elector of Brandenburg who being frighted did not only give Contributions and Quarters but acknowledged Bavaria for Elector as Saxony at the perswasion of the Archbishop of Mentz had done before him Tilli his Victory a while after ruined at a blow and subdued all the Protestants He had with great good-luck though with shedding of blood taken in Minden and Gottinghen and afterwards besieged Northeim places near the Weser to rid those parts of the Danes and ingage them to an encounter The King to relieve the place comes near to it and obliges the Imperialists to rise but losing the advantage to fight them in the retreat and at a time when Tilli being sick was far off it happened that he not only had time to recover his health but with various and uncertain marches deluded the King and wearied him out At last in the Dutchy of Brunswick the Armies met at Luther a Village amidst certain Mountains which by its name gave forebodings of hopes to the Protestants but by the event proved unhappy to them Tilli offered them battel and the King with great resolution refused it not That at last came to pass which is seldom observed that Fortune changed during the fight and that Victory crowned them who in the beginning seemed abandoned as overcome At the first Charge it is not to be said what the force and fierceness of the Protestants was The Guards which consisted of four Regiments being at one side made to run they possessed the Cannon and by that example almost all the rest of the Catholicks gave way But as the more veteran Souldiers are not wont to take fright at the first stroke but in confusion and the greatest disorder to put themselves again in order many turning their faces of their own accord others rallied by their Officers were brought back to the fight and some meeting in their flight with impassable Bogs taking courage from necessity repulsed in such sort the Enemy somewhat disordered in the pursuit that they took from them all their advantage The dispute was very fierce fighting with an unwonted obstinacy for several hours man to man their Swords in their hands with such noise from their Arms and cryes that the Sky roared for a good way round about At last the Cavalry of the right Wing of the Protestants fell foul upon their own Foot with such disorder as gave the Victory to the Imperialists to the great slaughter of the conquered The King changed Horses thrice and as often re-conducted his Troops to the Charge kept them from running away animated the faint-hearted was in every place where either danger terrified or hopes gave courage acting with his voice and endeavours directive to his own visible to his Enemies and of example to all Nor did Tilli not perform the part of a great Captain with so
his own expression they might serve for ornament but not to give jealousie He and Tilli disposed with an absolute Authority of all Undertakings Garrisons Quarters and Contributions but with a hand so severe and heavy that oppressing the Countries of the Protestants and not much respecting those of the Catholicks they drained them every where by an unheard of licence of the Souldiery of their money and blood The people groaned and the Princes stormed no less having been accustomed to determine with a certain sort of liberty the most important affairs in their Diet and not to have Contributions imposed on them but by common consent and an equal distribution In this sad and servile prospect of things scarce any was found that durst shew his dislike Only the King of Denmark though overcome did his best to resist and to represent the necessities to others and by the quality of the person to give weight to the business sends Christian William of Brandenburg administrator of Magdemburg and of Halverstadt to several Courts imploring assistance In France the designs and Arms of the Crown being turned another way he obtained nothing In Holland he had better fortune those Provinces being in a manner without War in regard the Spaniards continued to apply themselves only to the Affairs of the Empire out of a firm belief that the Protestants there once subdued the Hollanders would not be afterwards but an Appendix to the Victory And for this cause also Spinola finding himself without imployment was gone to Madrid his Reputation and Glory after the taking of Breda seeming among the Spaniards to be turned into jealousie and envy The Hollanders then sending to the King of Denmark a body of men with them were garrisoned some places on the Weser offering two thousand more to keep the Sound which is the Streight defended by two Citadels where betwixt the Island of Zeland and the Province of Schonen Ships pass into the Baltick Sea The King taking all things in good part only refused this out of a doubt lest the Hollanders once entred into that place so commodious and important would afterward not easily be got out of it Christian went also to Venice and found the Senate scarce out of the troubles of the Valteline involved anew in suspicions and attentive upon the dangers which by the succession of Mantua seemed imminent so that he obtained nothing but the discharge of the old Count of la Tour from the Service of the Republick who went thence to the Service of Denmark Bethlehem Gabor was also tempted by the Prince himself but he after Mansfelts departure and the disbanding of his Troops upon it having made a new Treaty of Peace with Ferdinand could not break it though he wanted not will for it because he had not the help and the consent of the Turks who terrified with the prosperity of Ferdinand and intricated with disadvantage in the War of Persia thought it best to preserve the Peace and to confirm it to send an Ambassadour to Vienna And now the King of Denmark taking the Duke of Mechelburg into his protection and putting himself anew into the field with ten thousand Horse and twenty four thousand Foot besieged Blechede upon the Elb. But Tilli who had for his fore-runner the fame of so many happy successes scorning an Encounter with the Marquess of Dourlach who endeavoured to amuse him arriving for its relief at the time that the place being taken the Castle more from the valour of the Commander than the force of the Garrison yet held out obliges him to retire in so much confusion and disorder that he left behind him his Cannon and much of his military Provisions The King thinking himself not secure in Butzenberg whither he retired because the Croats by beating Parties and intercepting Victuals molested him retires with his weakned Army deeper into the Dutchy of Mechelburg From thence he sollicites the Anseatick Towns so called from a certain Company anciently erected for Trade and in particular the chiefest which are Hambourg and Lubeck to joyn themselves to the common Interest whilst the Arms of the Austrians facing them by Sea and guarding it with armed Ships they lost their Liberty and Commerce But the evil being so far advanced with fear of worse hindred the remedy of the present danger whereupon the Cities not only denied the King assistance but being intimidated and admonished by the Imperial Generals to furnish their Armies with Victuals and give them passage to grant them Ships and discharge out of Hambourg the Ministers of England and Holland they obeyed in all save in the contributing of Ships Tilli takes in Lawemburg which gives name to a Dutchy and Wallestain coming out of Silesia after having recovered with little opposition all that which Mansfelt formerly held there entred into the Territories of Brandenburg with Forces so powerful that he obliges anew the Elector to receive the Law to contribute Victuals and Money to recall his Subjects from the Kings Service and to admit Imperial Garrisons in Francford on the Oder and other places nay in Berlin the City of his Residence The same yoke did the Lower Saxony receive from Tilli his Garrisons being brought into Wolfembutie and other places of the greatest strength There remained no more but to pursue the King who leaving Dourlach in Mechelburg was retired into his own Kingdom Wallestain who from henceforward shall be called the Duke of Fridlandt for Ferdinand acknowledged his notable services with the recompence of that Title coming into Mechelburg puts the Marquess to retreat and expulsing those most ancient Dukes possesses it exacting from Wismar and Rostoch Cities Imperial vast sums for the maintainance of the Army The States of Denmark despairing now to resist so much prosperity and so full a tide of the Catholick Arms pressed the King to conclude a Peace though upon hard terms and he by means of the Duke of Holstein demanded it but the two Generals imposed upon him conditions so grievous as differred not at all from servitude They pretended that laying down the Title of General of the Lower Saxony he should disband his Army restore all he had taken in the Empire should leave the Bishopricks into which he had thrust his Sons should deliver up Gluchstadt upon the Elb should pay the charges and losses renounce all Treaties against the Empire or the House of Austria make no Innovations in the Sundt and in sum give caution for the observance of all things agreed The King not assenting to such conditions saw Holstein invaded by two puissant Armies Where that Peninsula is narrowest Tilli enters with one on the left side and Wallestein with the other on the right To the first Benneburg and to the latter Steimberg were rendred without much difficulty the King not defending himself but by retiring deeper into the Country and burning the Country he abandoned the Peasants over and above cutting the Dikes and leaving themselves in prey to the waters to save
consequence convenient for the Navigation of the River and for passage by Land and driving the Siege to a conclusion forces it to render having frustrated all diligence of the Austrians to relieve it This was the most renowned action which happened in Germany for in consequence of it Oxenstern being passed into Sweden to dispose and sollicite the Senate for succours landed in Pomerania with new supplies for the Army with which Banier being rendred more vigorous and bold possesses many places which Gallas retiring abandoned Charles Lodowick Son of the deceased Palatine who was elect King of Bohemia with the assistance of the King of England and the favour of the Swedes who assigned to him for his place of Arms Minden and Osnabrug had raised in Westphalia ten thousand men with which joyning with Melander General for the Hessens he designed to attempt the recovery of the Palatinate or the Conquest of some other Country which might be equal to it but being met so soon as he began to march by the Count of Hatsfelt General of that Circle and for the Catholick Electors was in such sort defeated that his Troops could never re-unite and Osnabrug rendred it self to the Conquerours who with very little blood obtained a very notable Victory Amongst the Prisoners remained in the hands of the Imperialists Robert Brother to Charles Lodowick who conducted to Lintz obtained of the Emperour to be exchanged with John Casimir Brother of Vladislaus King of Poland fallen into the hands of the French as he was passing by Sea out of Italy into Spain But France would not yield their consent for pretending for cause of the arrest that the Prince went to bear Arms in favour of the Spaniards and remembring the mischiefs heretofore done by the Polach Cavalry under the Emperours Colours Richelieu thought it a very seasonable occasion treating with that Kingdom to make a friendship and drawing profit from the accident hinder the Austrians of those conveniencies which they were wont to enjoy in Poland especially Levies And therefore were of little avail for the liberty of the Prince the offices of the Venetians who being expresly desired by the King Vladislaus through the means of the Baron Biboni his Envoyé Extraordinary to interpose themselves had for that purpose made choice of Angelo Contarini Cavalier for Ambassadour Extraordinary to King Lodowick But getting knowledge of the inclination of the King and of the Minister the Mission was suspended whereupon Vladislaus was obliged to dispatch thither an Embassie express by which he obtained the liberty of his Brother with a solemn promise that he would never more bear Arms against France that the King and the Kingdom should not pretend disgust by this arrest that by Poland Levies should not in future be permitted to the Enemies of France nor Alliances made with them to its prejudice The business of the Peace languished this year as formerly notwithstanding the pressing of the Mediators to obtain the Pass ports because besides the Fate of great businesses to find the beginning always full of trouble delays and difficulties were on all sides affected to gain time for designs and the hopes of their Arms. But in the month of March was concluded in Hamburg betwixt Monsieur d' Avo for France and John Salvius for the Swedes a Treaty with promise Not to send their Plenipotentiaries to any Meeting without Pass-ports first had for their Ministers and for those of their Confederates in the form required that in the Treaty they should proceed pari passu in the Interest of both the Crowns concluding or breaking conjoyntly that in case of a long Truce each should remain in the possession of what they held and a Peace coming to be concluded the one Crown should break for the others sake if the conditions to any of them were not by the contrary party punctually observed The accident which was most taken notice of and rendred this year memorable was the Birth in France of a Dolphin upon the 5. of September who after many years of fruitless Wedlock given from Heaven to King Lewis's piety infinitely rejoyced that Kingdom and seemed to serve as an Augure of future felicity for the Arms managed hitherto with equality and a ballance brought Fortune afterwards to incline to the favour of France THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE ELEVENTH BOOK AMurath the Fourth ruled at this time the Ottoman Empire in the prime of his age and the height of ambition nourished by warlike spirits and a capacity no less for Arms than Counsel He had his mind fixed on the glory of his Ancestors ruminating on their Chronicles and studying incessantly the Annals and famous Actions especially of Soliman The strength of his body the arrogance of his mind the desire of Empire and the greediness of wealth equal to that of blood rendred him venerable to the Barbarians amongst whom Terrour possesses the place of Virtue He cast in his mind vast designs against Christendom and if at all times the concord of Christian Princes uses to be the Guardian of the Barbarians faith Amurath conceived he might violate it without danger now that he saw it torn into pieces and weakned with unquenchable hatreds But for the present leaving them involved in their discords he applied himself to shut the door by which the Persians might advance deep into several Provinces of the Ottoman Empire They had possessed more by intelligence than force Babylon famous for its name though it be but a heap of the reliques and a shadow of its ancient stateliness whilst the Turks during the former years made an unsuccessful War with the Polacks Amurath had once before attempted it with a formidable Army but after some inconsiderable Conquest unworthy of his presence and of so great preparations the season the want of victuals and many other difficulties fighting against him he returned to Constantinople rather irritated than disswaded by the infelicity of the enterprise In this year he returns with such a disposition of things as shewed the power of a mighty Prince and the wisdom of an excellent Captain for to an Army which was said to exceed three hundred thousand men not only Arms Cannon and Ammunition abounded but Victuals and every other kind of provisions and things that might be needful with such order and method that the multitude was not disordered in their march nor did the length of the way or the extent of the vast desarts waste the multitude So great preparations at Land weakned the arming at Sea whereupon to the end that that might not remain unguarded and exposed he had enjoined the Pirates of Barbary to come with their Gallies into the Archipelago to join with the Ottoman Squadrons They were encreased to such a degree that they were now at last able to command the Sea rather than commit spoil in it For in the Mediterranean the Christian Fleets by the War betwixt the Crowns by factions and by other accidents being weakned gave liberty