lost almost all the Towns she had in the firm Land of Lombardy as far as Padoua The great Turk offer'd the Republic aid in this exigent but she modestly refus'd any Besides other places she receav'd a most fearfull overthrow hard by Abdua being thus oppress'd with the spirituall Armes of Rome and most of the temporall Armes of Europe rather then break she complemented with the Emperour and bow'd to the Pope by delivering him those places aforesayed in Flaminia Among others the Cardinall of York in England did do her good Offices to the Pope as her Annales make mention The French having taken Milan and other places grew insolent in Italy therefore there was a new confederacy made 'twixt the Pope the King of Spain and the Venetians at Ravenna the French became Victors in a great battail but a little after the Swisse coming in as Confederates against them they were totally routed and driven over the Hills again The Venetians recover'd Crema and the Spaniard having taken Bressia and delaying to render it to Venice there was a new occasion offer'd for the Republic to make a League with France again against the Spaniard and Francis the first by their help regain'd Milan The Republic was never so driven to her shifts as she was in the time of this Duke in divers traverses of warr and confederacies against her which she dissolv'd by pure policy more then any power She was afterwards much persecuted by Pope and Emperour in so much that Maximilian sent to Selim the new great Turk an Ambassador to invite him to a warr against the Venetians and to invade their Sea Coasts while he assaulted them by Land Pope Leo sent Petro Bembo upon a solemn Embassie to the Republic that they shold break with the French and League with the Emperour and Spaniards against them whereunto the Senat made this grave answer That his Holinesse Ambassador was greatly pleasing to the Senat as well in respect of himself whose vertue and particular affection towards their Countrey was sufficiently known to all men as likewise in regard of the Prince who sent him seeing the Republic had ever born all reverence and honour to the Soveraign Bishops of Rome but they more particularly inclin'd to Pope Leo that the Senat had ever most highly esteem'd his good and wholesom Counsell but the mischiefe was that by how much they above all others had desir'd his friendship and alliance in that incertainty of all things by so much more were they continually kept from it and albeit their love was never disjoyn'd from him yet their forces were ever divided as then they did humbly thank his Holinesse and confess'd themselfs much bound unto him in that he had bin ever ready by divers good offices to embrace and favour their cause even so likewise they were extremely griev'd that they could not follow his Counsell it being their ancient custom not to leave an old friend for a new specially being not provok'd thereunto by any wrong their ancient Fathers thinking that alone to be profitable which was most honest therefore they could not without great blemish of their reputation break or abandon the alliance which they had already contracted with the French And if the Pope wold call to mind the ancient benefits of the French Kings not only to the Venetian Common-wealth but likewise to the Church and consider the wealth and power of that Kingdome he wold not only excuse but commend the Venetian Councel and be desirous himself to follow it because that being back'd by the French Forces with those of the Venetian ther was likelihood that he shold be abler to lay surer foundations as well for the state of the Church as for the greatnesse and advancement of his own house Hereupon the Republic sent Ambassadors both to Lewis of France and Henry of England to congratulat their alliance for old Lewis had married young Henries Sister and to streighten this League betwixt them against the Emperour The Republic likewise employed two Ambassadors to confirm the peace with the great Turk Selim who had newly subdued the Mammalukes and Soldan that had bin Lords of the Gran Cayro and Egypt above three hundred years Anno 1516. The French King sent to borrow one hundred thousand Crowns of the Venetians towards the end of this Dukes Government which was done accordingly Lewis King of Hungary sent two Ambassadors unto them who procured both men and money against the Turk Prince Lorâ—…dano having sate at the stern of the Republic twenty years in most tempestuous times payed nature her last debt and made way for ANTONIO GRIMANI who about the beginning of his Government was sollicited that the Republic of Venice might be Godmother to a daughter of France The face of affairs in Christendom being much chang'd at the coming in of Charles the fifth the Emperor the Venetians wav'd their league with France who was ready to invade Italy for the Dutchy of Milan and enter'd into an alliance with the Emperor cashiering Trivaltio who was too much affected to the French and making the Duke of Vrbin their generall and this was done principally by Pope Adrian the fourth his intercession who was a low Dutchman having bin a Brewers son in Vtrecht and Schoolmaster to Charles the fifth in this Dukes time the Isle of Rhodes was taken by the Turk to the great detriment of Christendom and dishonor to her Princes 1522. ANDREA GRITTI succeeded GRIMANI about the beginning of whose principality the Venetians depart from the French and for important reasons of State enter into league with the Pope and Emperor the French King makes himself again master of Milan and of divers other places in Italy The Venetians upon emergent reasons of State leave the Emperor and renew their confederacy with the French but during this League the French King was taken prisoner at Pavia and carried into Spain and after foure years captivity dismissed Rome is beleaguer'd by the Spaniards the walls seal'd by the Duke of Bourbon who in the action breath'd his last and Pope Clement besieg'd in the Castle of S. Angelo the King of England Hen. VIII was one of the principall instruments both of the French King and Popes enlargement The French rush again 'ore the hills to Italy take Pavia and destroy it The Venetians seize Monopolis in the Kingdome of Naples Doria Admirall for the French o'recoms the Imperiall Fleet but he turn'd afterwards to the Emperour The Vicount of Tureen coms upon a splendid Embassie to Venice in the Popes behalf to entreat them that they wold satisfie the Pope by rendition of Ravenna and Cervia the Senat alledg'd their just Titles to them having receiv'd the one from Obizzo Polente Lord therof more than four hundred years pass'd and that Cervia was fallen to the Republic by the Testament of Dominico Malateste for which she was to pay yearly som godly Legacies which they continued for performance of the Testators will they representd further
how that if they had bin desirous to possesse Towns belonging to other men they wold not have refus'd the offer of those of Furli and of other Cities of Romania who sought much to be under their obedience nor wold they have defended or maintain'd with such extraordinary cost and danger the City of Bologna with others belonging to his Holiness nor have kept them from him and that those Cities had bin taken at such time as the Pope had quitted the League and that they might justly now detain them for the same occasion moreover they had spent a great masse of Tresure in that warr which those Cities were not able to recompence they desired that the King wold take it into serious consideration how much it might import him if those so commodious Cities shold be quitted by his friends and confederats to be given to the Pope who stood so coldly affected to the Crown of France nay even into the hands of the Imperialls seeing that it was apparent how the Pope either by his own proper motion or through fear did wholly depend upon the Emperour that he was besides to consider of their interest and the wrong which wold be offer'd their confederats viZ. the Florentines and the Duke of Ferrara whoquestionlesse wold be greatly distasted hereat and wold cool that heat which pusheth them on to the affairs of the League and moreover how that these Towns did serve for a bridle to contain the Pope within his bounds seeing that without them he wold already have shewed himself an open friend to the Emperor A little after the Republic lends the King of France the Duke of Milan a considerable sum of money Chastillon coms Ambassador to Venice and Brundusium in Apulia is taken by her Admirall Herup on a Treaty of peace was appointed by all parties to be at Cambray and the Republic employ'd Lodovico Falieri to the King of England to entreat him That since he had ever shew'd himself a royall friend to the Republic his Majesty wold be pleas'd as at all other times to take into his protection and to procure that in those affairs which were handled at Cambray nothing might be concluded to the hurt and prejudice of the Republic nor to the liberty of Italy whereof many years before he had to his immortall praise taken upon him the defence while preparations were made on all fides to disturb her if not destroy her About the fag end of this Dukes government Solyman makes warre upon the Hungary and takes â—…uda he warr'd also with the Venetians but against them he had not so good successe for they took Scardona from him and 〈◊〉 in Dalmatia upon this a solemne League was struck 'twixt the Pope the Emporor and the Republic against the common enemy In this Dukes time the Republic sent to the Pope that she might have the nomination of her own Bishops for which he had made divers proposalls formerly but could get no definitive answer herupon ther was a seizure made of the temporalities of divers Bishopricks which the Pope had collated wherat his Holiness was much incens'd The Senat considering the importance and difficulty of the business did deliberat theron in open Councell where opinions were very different but for the present it was decreed that in favour of the Pope the temporalities of those who had bin promoted by his Holiness shold be surrendred them in the Cities under their jurisdiction yet nevertheless they did not give over their demands saying that what they had then done was for the extraordinary respect and reverence they bare to Pope Clement hoping that herafter they wold grant them more than they crav'd The Pope nevertheless who at first made shew that he demanded nothing els but that stood after upon greater difficulties Solyman having made peace with the Persian intended to assail Christendome on all sides by Sea and Land hereupon he entertain'd Barbarossa the famous pyrat and sent word to the Venetians that they shold usâ—… him no more as a Pyrat but one of his own Port. To bear up against Solyman the Senat thought fit to levy the Tenths upon the Clergy but they could not obtain it of the Pope who made answer that he had a purpose to levy two Tenths upon the goods of all the Italian Clergy to employ them for the relief of the Cantons of the Catholic Swissi against the other apostat Cantons who threatned them with war A little after Venice made her self Mistresse of a Town in Dalmatia call'd Obrovatza a place of considerable strength and advantage PIETRO LANDI succeeded Gritti who had continued Prince nere upon sixteen years Guy Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin the old Duke being dead was chosen Generall of the Republic by Land he was allow'd ten Captains pay and four thousand Ducats yearly Salary besides The Senat at that time decreed that four hundred Artificers of the City shold be inroll'd with whom four times a year the Gallies appointed for that purpose shold be mann'd that they might all of them row together which they commonly call'd Regater and pensions were appointed them who had serv'd so thrice This decree pass'd to the end they might be assur'd to have men alwaies fit and ready to mann any nomber of Gallies Ther happen'd a mighty dearth of corn through all Italy in this Dukes time which lighted more heavy upon Venice then any place among other causes which necessitated her to make peace with the Turk but the Marquis of Guasto Governor of Milan and the Lord of Annebalt Marshall of France and her Generall in Piemont came to Venice to divert her they had extraordinary magnificent entertainment both for the quality of their own persons and of the great Princes that sent them The Marquis of Guasto coming to the Senat told them that he was sent by his Imperiall Majesty to acquaint them as his trusty and inward friends with the enterview that he intended to have with the French King and in Flanders with King Ferdinand his Brother and the Queen his Sister who govern'd ther for him assuring them that in the same Assembly of Princes affairs wold be handled concerning the universall good of Christendom and the particulrr advantage of that Republic which the Emperour did as much desire as well as of his own Estates and that now they were ready to assail the Turks with very great Forces The Emperor therefore was desirous to know the Senats will and intentions therein what provision they wold judge to be necessary and what they wold have him to do for his part towards the better managing of this great design Marshall Annebalt spake to the same effect protesting his Kings good will to the common peace of Christendome amd particularly of the Common-wealth of Venice Answer was made by the Senat to the Marquis and the Marshall that their arrival was very pleasing and acceptable as well in respect of the Princes whom they represented as for their own persons for which
their charge is that the Sea be kept secure for Marchants and Navigators that they suppresse Pyrats and scowre the Gulph of Corsaries Ther is another Officer or Admirall calld Classis Legatus and he hath comand ore the whole Fleet and over the Prefects or Captains of evry Gallie Ther is seldom any Generall of a Fleet but in time of warr and then he hath absolut comand ore the whole Fleet and a kind of Dictatorian power in all the maritime Provinces yet hath he no implicit Commission but before he attempt any thing considerable he must receave directions and commands from the Senat. Of other Extern Magistrats which use to be created upon extraordinary occasions THese are calld Syndiques who are created evry five yeers and use to be employd abroad both in the Continent and maritime Provinces which are subject to the Republic They take knowledg and make Scrutinies into the cariage and actions of all Pretors or Podesta's and other Magistrats who are employed abroad upon the Service of the Signorie If they find any to have exceeded their Commissions and perpetrated any thing against the Lawes they give information accordingly which is unquestionable and taken for certain truth Ther is an Officer who in time of exigence is appointed Proveditor generall of Candy and he is chosen by the suffrages of the Senat He during the time comands the whole Iland in a supreme way of authority and hath a kind of Dictatorian power for the time If he comes to any Town or Castle they presently bring him the Keys He administers the Law himself if he please and disposeth of all public levies of moneys he superintends all kind of Magistrats and Officers both by Land and Sea and is subject to no controulment but what comes from the Senat. Ther is another great Officer calld Proveditor Generall of the Continent and he allso useth to be created upon extraordinary ocasions He comands all the firm Land in the highest way of authority He hath a transcendent power over all Prefects or Captains and all other Magistrats and Officers that are under the Empire of the Republic yet ther is nothing of moment can occurr or be putt in execution but he must receave directions and comand from the Senat. Ther are other Officers calld the Proconsulls of Syria and Egypt who are created by the suffrage of the Senat and they are trienniall Magistrats They have their residence either in Aleppo in Syria or in the Gran Cayro in Egypt where they live in a decent and splendid equipage All differences twixt any Marchants that acknowledg obedience to the Signorie of Venice are brought before them and they have power to determine the controversie These Proconsulls do allso good offices to all other Christians whether Italians or any other Nation that resort thither either for curiosity or comerce and they are respected as if they were in qualitie of Ambassadors or Soverain Agents The Republic of Venice employeth divers Ambassadors abroad and no State more and they are either Ordinary or Extraordinary The Commission of the Ordinary Ambassadors continueth for three yeers These are employed to the Pope the Emperour the Kings of France Spain and England to the Duke of Savoy the States of Holland and they have commonly allwayes one residing in all these Courts in a magnificent maner They have allso an Ambassador in Constantinople attending the motions of the great Turk calld the Bailio residing there perpetually and the Republic allowes him a greater Salarie than to any other nor indeed hath he any sett Salarie but whatsoever he spends is allowd him upon his own accounts without examination all these are elected by the suffrage of the Senat. The Republic employs allso abroad Ambassadors Extraordinary very often who have a greater latitud of power and are soly for matter of State or som particular negotiation The ordinary scope of their Legations is either to congratulate or condole with Soverain Princes when occasion is offerd All these Ambassadors have Secretaries whom the Senat takes notice of and the Republic allowes them a Salarie and they are persons of good extraction and breeding this is don because they may afterwards be in a capacity for their knowledg and experience to be Ministers of State themselfs But touching Ambassadors Extraordinary ther are never any employd unlesse they have bin Ambassadors formerly And touching this kind of employment the Republic hath certain degrees or Scalary ascents and rules of removall which are never transgressd These kind of political and public Ministers are strictly examind by a Junta expressly for the same end at their return touching their comportment in the Legation They are to discover what Presents they receavd from the Prince or State to whom they were sent and it is of dangerous consequence for them to conceale any thing These are the Magistrats and Officers wheron the Republic of Venice hath stood firm as upon so many pillars so many centuries Now ther are few or none who are greater Patriotts than the Venetian Gentlemen their prime study is the public good and glory of their Countrey and civil prudence is their principall trade wherunto they arrive in a high mesure Yet as it may be easily observd though these Gentlemen are extraordinary wise when they are conjunct take them single they are but as other Men. Of the Dominions and Territories that belong to Venice wherof She hath absolut and Soverain Command THis Mayden Cittie hath large fardingalls and long sleeves which reach farr by Land and they stretch by Sea farther than many Kingdoms Upon the Continent of Italie She doth Signorize over three entire Provinces The Mark of Treviso as they calld it Friuli and Istria She hath allso a good part of Lombardie viz. the Territories of Brescia of Bergamo and Verona then She hath Crema Eastward She confines partly upon the Arch-Dukes of Austria partly upon the Adriatic Sea Northward She confines allso upon the Austrian territories upon Trent and Swisserland Westward She hath the Duchy of Milan for her neighbour the same Duchy is her contiguous neighbour Southward allso together with the Duchy of Mantoua and the Ecclesiastic Dominions The Mark of Treviso is a very plentifull and generous Countrey full of opulent Townes and splendid Citties the Natives are esteemed very dextrous and apt to make Statesmen of being a peeple much given to contemplation and gaining of knowledg they are allso active when necessity requires in the management of armes the Country abounds with corn wine and all sorts of fruit and they have many pleasant spacious fields ther are hott and wholsom fountaines there divers sorts of mineralls many noble rivers and lakes the air is temperat healthy and delightfull in fine She is endowed by benign Nature with so many gifts that She may well take place among the Noblest Regions of Italie The Countrey of Friuli in old times forum Iulii is terminated Eastward by the River Formio Northward by the Julian Alps and
lost then above sixty Gallies yet she appear'd again shortly after and about the streight of Gallipoli she lost again sixteen Gallies and the Genoway a little after took Canea in Candy but a peace was at last mediated ' twizt Venice and Genoa Upon these ill successes abroad ther were some treasons detected in Venice but quickly suppress'd Padoa also stir'd but to little purpose The next yeer notwithstanding all the late losses the Republic sends a considerable Fleet against Paleologus the Greek Emperour whereof Iustiniano was Generall because he refus'd to pay the Republic a great sum of money which he ow'd her this Fleet sailing into the Pontik Sea quickly brought Paleologus to reason to repay the mony This victroy did much heighten the spirits of Venice which had somwhat languish'd for her great losses in the Ligustic war with Genoa she also made her self Mistress of Ferrara a little after which being a City fewdetary to the Church of Rome the Pope excomunicated Venice interdicting her from the use of the Sacraments which drew a great deal of odium upon her so that she thought it high time to restore Ferrara to the Popes Legat yet she wold pause a little further upon 't About this time the famous conspiracy of Baâ—…amonti Tepulo was suppress'd who was kill'd by a Venetian woman out of a zeal to her Countrey who had an honorable Pension ever after during life MARINI GEORGO was now created the fiftieth Duke of Venice in his time Zara revolted the sixth time from the Republic but was reduc'd GIOVANNI SOVRANZA succeeded GEORGIO who had govern'd but ten moneths the City which had bin a good while anathematiz'd sent Francisco Dandulo to the Pope this Nobleman being admitted to the presence of Clement who perfectly hated Venice because of Ferrara by a wonderfull example of piety to his Countrey and love to Religion continued a long time on the ground before the Popes Table with an iron chain about his head like a dog untill the Excommunication was taken off which was don upon those acts of penitence Hereupon a little after Venice had a notable successe against Genoa in the Pontik Sea where above thirty bottomes were sunk and taken by JUSTINIANO the Generall FRANCISCO DANDULO who had bin Ambassador with the Pope and by that penance formerly spoken of had got the Excommunication taken off was elected the next Duke the Polani and the Valesians who had bin a long time subject to the Patriark of Aquileia did voluntarily yeeld themselfs under the protection of Venice About this time the Republic did divers exploits upon the Coasts of Syria against the Turks for securing of Navigation upon those Coasts she likewise did many feats in Lombardy her Army took Padoua and Bergamo Brescia also fell under her protection BARTILMEO GRADONICO was chosen next and a little after ther arose one night a most furious Tempest which caus'd such an inundation three foot deep above the streets of the City In this Dukes time ther came Ambassadors from England craving aid against Philip the French King whom the Genoways who were mortall enemies to Venice did favour but nothing could be obtain'd and this was the first time that ther was any acquaintance 'twixt England and Venice which was in the yeer 1332 ther was another revolt in Candie suppress'd ANDREA DANDULO came next to the principality a man of extraordinary parts of learning as well as valour for he compil'd the Venetian story in two styles The Republic sent a Fleet against the Turk which took Smyrna again There was an Ambassadour sent by the Senat to the King of Babylon concerning the Venetians free Trade into Egypt which though stood upon by the Pope in regard they were Infidells was setled Zara had rebell'd now the seventh time but was reduced and Lewis King of Hungarie repuls'd There happen'd a fearfull earthquake in Venice about this time which overturn'd divers steeples and palaces This Earthquake usher'd in a fearfull contagion which brought the City to a pitifull desolation for the time the said earthquake lasting fifteen dayes by intermissions This terible earthquake gives me occasion to desire leave of the Reader to step a little aside out of the great Road of this History and make a short excursion to give a touch of the causes of these dreadfull effects of nature of these tremblings and shiverings of the earth or rather Aguish shaking fits wherunto we find her body is as subject as the body of men or lions who are observed to have their monthly paroxismes The Babylonian Philosophers think the cause of these impetuous motions hapneth by the force of som Planet meeting with the Sun in the region of the earth others hold it to be a vapour a long time engendring in som concavities of the earth and restrain'd from salâ—…ying forth into the air others affirme that 't is a wind peâ—…'d up in the entrails of the earth Pliny sayeth that the earth never quaketh but when the Sea is very calm and the air so still and clear as the birds can hardly bear themselves up and that the winds are then shut up in the bowells of the earth their improper station He addeth further that an earthquake is nothing else but as thunder in the air or an overture and crevice in the earth or as lightning breaking forth violently and making irruptions from the midst of the clouds the wind inclos'd therin and strugling to comforth by force The Stoicks speak of divers sorts of Earthquakes that cause the gapings of the earth the swellings of the water and boiling of the same a horrid confus'd sound commonly precedeth and accompanieth this quaking somtimes like to the roaring of a Bull somtimes to the lamentable cry of som humane creature or like the clattring of armor according to the quality of the matter which is inclos'd or according to the form of the cave and hole or Spelunca through which it passeth which resounds in vaulty and hollow places It waxeth hot in sharp and dry places and causeth defluxions in those that are moâ—…st and humid Now amongst all Earthquakes the agitation of the waters is most dangerous for lightning is not so hurtfull nor the shaking of buildings or when the earth is puff'd up or falleth down by an interchangeable motion because the one keeps back the other The safest buildings are those upon vaults the corners of walls and on bridges leaning one against another beside brick buildings are lesse dangerous in such accidents your skilfull Navigators can foretell these earthquakes at such time as they perceive the waves to swell on a sudden without a wind and likewise those on land may likewise foretell them when they behold birds in a maze to stay their flight or when waters in wells are troubled more than ordinary having a bad unsavoury smell all these are presages of such hideous motions Pherecydes the Syrian drawing water out of a well foretold an Earthquake
that he revok'd his Commandement The Senats Letter being deliver'd to the Pope by Nani the Venetian Ambassador in ordinary to prepare the way for Duodo the Extraordinary he sayed being a little transported that Monitory Breve's must not be answer'd by Letter and that the Answers of the Senat were frivolous He added that lately he had heard of another Law touching goods Ecclesiastic holden as Emphyteutike which was fit to be revok'd with the other and although he had not till then made any mention of it yet he had more to say against it then any other therfore it behov'd them to obey him because the cause was Gods Et portae Inferi non praevalebunt contra eam and if they wold not revoke the sayed Lawes they were Tyrants and degenerating from their Ancestors c. A little after he sent another Breve to be deliver'd the Duke for the release of the Canon and the Abbot under pain of Excommunication latae sententiae which he commanded shold be deliver'd into the hands of his Nuntio c. The Senat consulted the Doctors again about this Breve whereupon after some Eventilations of the matters this Answer was sent That the Breve of his Holines was read with much reverence and no lesse regret as perceaving therby that matters tended to encrease discord that his Holines went about to destroy the Laws of their Republic which so many Ages had bin kept entire to deliver up the Canon and Abbot was nothing els but to demand that they shold despoile themselfs of their just power to chastise crimes and wickednes which power they had enjoy'd with the approbation of his Predecessors from the Originall of the Republic that God the Founder of all States had bestow'd this power upon them from the beginning and that they did derive it from their Progenitors c. Duodo the Extraordinary Ambassador made no great hast to Rome wherat the Pope receav'd offence being arriv'd ther at last he was not suffer'd to passe his first Audience with complement as the custom is but the Pope wish'd him to fall to the businesse presently so he deliver'd with much gravity and pressing elocution the reasons that mov'd the Republic not to revoke those Laws and to detain the persons of the sayed Churchmen The Pope answer'd with som heat that the exemption of the Clergy was Iure Divino he sayed that he wold not meddle with things temporall but their three aforssayed Laws were Usurpations As the Pope had formerly acquainted most Princes with these traverses 'twixt him and Venice in a complaining way so the Senat sent unto the Republics Ambassadors abroad that they shold truly inform those Princes in whose Courts they resided of the truth of things In Venice ther were at that time Ambassadors from the Emperour France and Spain to whom the businesse was communicated by some of the Senators The Imperiall Ambassador sayed That his Master desired peace and that in such matters he wold not foment the will of the Pope The Count of Santa Cruz who was for Spain approv'd of the reasons already alledg'd in Rome for the Republic Mons du Fresne the French Ambassador answer'd That he knew not what to make of those pontificall Laws whereby Princes are restrain'd to govern their Subjects c. Pope Paul was still eager in the businesse telling the Venetian Ambassador that ther were none in the Senat that understood rightly the case which made them have recourse to Doctors but that he had written to such persons as were able to set their Doctors at School concluding that he wold proceed with his spirituall Arms in this matter but touching other things he wold still account of the Venetians as of his children Herupon a Consistory was call'd and most of the Cardinalls ran bias with the Pope except the Cardinalls of Verona and Vicenza who were more moderat examples against Hen. II. King of England the King of Castile and against the Kings Charles II. IV. were produc'd who underwent the spirituall Censures in like cases so he resolv'd upon an Interdiction yet he wold give the Senat twenty four daies of longer time to consider herof wherunto the Cardinalls gave their suffrages but a Libell was cast up and down the streets of Venice that the Consistory herin was brought to assentari not assentiri A little while after the Interdict was affix'd in the accustomed places of the City of Rome and scatter'd ev'ry wher som in Latin som in Italian wherin after recapitulation of those Decrees in Venice and the imprisonment of the foresayed Church-men The Pope declar'd that after the example of ten of his Predecessors with the Councell and consent of the Cardinalls after mature deliberation though the former sayed Decrees of the Senat were of themselfs void and of no validity neverthelesse he now declar'd them to be such therfore he did excommunicat declare and pronounce for excommunicated as if they had bin particularly nam'd the Duke and Senat of Venice which then were and which shold be herafter together with all their favourers promoters and Councellors if within the term of twenty four daies to be counted from the day of the Publication the Duke and Senat did not recall abrogat and disanull the Decrees aforesayed without any exception or excuse and if they caus'd not openly and in all places the sayed abrogation to be publish'd as also actually to render into the hands of his Nuntio the imprison'd Canon and Abbot That from this Excommunication they could not be absolv'd but by the Pope except it were upon the point of death in which case if any one receav'd absolution and shold afterwards recover health he shold fall again within this Excommunication if he did not as far as in him lay obey this his commandment that untill they had obey'd he forbad any one to be buried in holy place and if after the sayed twenty four daies the Duke and Senat shold continue in their obstinacy he put all their State under the Interdict in such sort that none shold celebrat Masse or Divine Service he depriv'd the Duke and Senat likewise of all their goods which they held of the Church of Rome or of other Churches as also of all their Priviledges and indults obtain'd by it and specially of that Priviledge inabling them to proceed against Clerks in certain cases reserving to himself and his Successors a power to aggravat and re-aggravat this Censure against them and their adherents c. The public Ministers of State who were than resident at Rome made instances to the Pope to retard a while this Interdict the Marquis of Chastillon who was for the Emperor D' Alincourt who was for the French King The Count of Verriie who was for Savoy but his Holines was inflexible saying he wold bring the offendors to obey wherupon the Savoy Ambassador replied that the word obey was too harsh to be us'd towards a Soveraign Prince yet after the publication of the sayed Interdict the
Interdict the only Ecclesiastics that went out of the Republic were the Iesuits and Capuchines wherof the first was banish'd the other dismiss'd the rest did still officiat alledging that the difference 'twixt the See of Rome and the Signory was not touching any point of the Catholic Faith But at Rome her self it was expected that the sayed Interdict wold produce three effects 1. That the Religious wold al depart 2. That the Cities and peeple seeing themselfs depriv'd of Church Offices wold raise a sedition and so force the Senat to give the Pope satisfaction 3. That the Nobility upon this occasion might be disordered terrified and divided among themselfs but none of all these three effects hapned for the Senat was greatly united in their resolutions the City of Venice and common peeple kept themselfs in wonderfull obedience and this so generall a calm did not only proceed from the voluntary conformablenes of the peeple but also from the providence of the Senat and diligence of the Magistrat who provided for all accidents Besides this great affair was conducted with so much prudence and dexterity that no bloud of any man was shed for contempt or mutiny which made the world to stand at a gaze that so great a Body and Government shold be kept npright without any violence execution or the least shock given notwithstanding ther were many under practises us'd afterwards The Jesuits in ev'ry place wher they had taken footing did put all irons in the fire and fell a beating them to brand the Republic of Venice insomuch that her Ambassadors receav'd affronts in som places as in Poland and Prague but it was by privat persons for which they had satisfaction from the Emperour and the King of Poland for the Signory was not so carelesse but she sent a punctuall account of all these traverses 'twixt the Pope and Her Genoa and Savoy was also displeas'd with Her because both they had bin succumbent to the Popes Censures before and submitted Among other Princes Iustiniano the Venetian Ambassador residing then in London had command to acquaint the King of England with his Contrasto 'twixt the Pope and the Senat. King Iames after he had very attentively heard the relation of the Ambassador shew'd how well he accepted that esteem and highly commended the Laws of the Republic adding that he long'd to see the whole Church of God reform'd to which end he much desir'd a free Councell to determine so many controversies which have no other cause but the usurpations of the Roman Bishops in which desire he thought the King of France and other Princes wold joyn with him that perhaps God meant to produce this happines out of these troubles of the Signory that he had sent word therof to Pope Clement then when he was mov'd by him the first time he came to the Crown of England to unite himself to the Roman Church but he wold not hear any thing of a Councell that this union was much to be desired but clearly ther was no other means to effect it then by a Generall Councell he added moreover that that ruine of the Church proceeded from this that the Popes esteem'd themselfs as Gods and were so corrupted by flattery that 't was no marvail they could give no ear to any reason and if they proceeded oftentimes with such precipitation The separated States of Holland writ letters full of of affection unto the Republie upon this occasion offring Her a supply of Arms Ships and Victualls if the case requir'd with any other good office of friendship All Christian Princes were sensible of this rupture 'twixt the Pope and the Republic specially the Roman Catholikes in whose Courts the Venetian Ambassadors did refrain for a while to go with the rest into their Chappell 's after the accustomed manner The Duke of Savoy did appear more against the Republic then any other not treating her Ambassador as formerly though he took hold of another occasion because She had written to his children by the title of Excellency not of Highnesse The Republic apprehending som fears that such a confederacy might be procur'd against Her by Pope Paul the eight as was by Iulius the second who carried fire in his hands She was very willing that matters might be reconcil'd by the mediation of other Princes wherin Mons. du Fresne stir'd more vigorously then any other by order from Henry the IV. of France his Master the Duke of Mantoua also offer'd to com to Venice in disguize to know their intentions and then passe to Rome of purpose to treat with the Pope for an attonement The Senat took this as a very high respect and sayed that the Republic who us'd to be accounted the Right Hand of Rome wold do nothing unworthy of her self and it was just that he who had first offended shold repair the offence therfore it was fitting that the Pope shold revoke his Censures and so open the way to a Treaty for no wound can heal till the inflammation be taken away While this difference lasted 'twixt Rome and Venice a certain writing was affix'd at Vicenza and other places wherin the Republic was exhorted to shake off the Popes Yoke calling him Antichrist c. The Senat was much mov'd herat therfore they caus'd a rigorous Baâ—… to be publish'd wherin they promis'd a large reward to him or them that shold discover the Author of that infamous paper giving charge that a diligent search shold be made after the Authors but none being found 't was thought to be an artifice of the Jesuits to induce the Venetian therby to com the sooner to an accord with the Pope The King of Spain in these doubtfull traverses of things writ a Letter full of terms of reverence and complement unto the Pope that if need were he wold joyn his temporall Arms to maintain the spirituall Arms of the Church to which purpose he had written both to his Viceroy of Naples and Governor of Milan upon the receit of this Letter ther were Bonfires made at Rome and the flames of the fire flew upon the wings of fame all Christendome over which gave the Republic such an alarm that She began by Land and Sea to arm apace She was offer'd assistance if need were from som of the Greek Christians that were subjects to the Turk as also from the reformed Churches of France but she wav'd both but it was thought that this Letter of the Spanish King wherin he promis'd warlike succours to the Pope was not a thing really meant but only to terrifie the Republic and bring her the sooner to an agreement which appear'd in regard he had sent expresse commands to Don Innigo de Cardenas his Ambassador residing in Venice to propound som Overtures of Treaty wherupon he propos'd to the Duke and the Senat That his Catholic Majesty affecting the conservation of peace desir'd that the disgusts 'twixt his Holines and the Republic might cease to which end he had commanded all
it's utilitie She hath a rule allso that malè positum saepiùs mutatur in pejus This makes her decrees irrevocable As one of her Ambassadors answer'd Henry the fourth of France when he interceded for the abrogation of a Decree of Hers Serenissime Rex Senatus Venetus diu deliberat antequam decernat sed quod seriò decrevit revocat nunquam Most gracious King the Venetian Senat doth deliberat a long time before it decrees any thing but when it is once seriously decreed 'tis never revoked Whereunto he added further gli Decreti di Venetia non sono comme ligridi di Parigi The Decrees of Venice are not like the cryes of Paris meaning the French edicts proclam'd to day and repeal'd to morrow To this maturity of deliberation may be added the gravity of her Senators and the exact reverence the younger sort bear not only to the persons but opinions of their Elders It is not there as in other places where young men make lawes for old men to observe they abhorre that inversion of the Law of Nature but gray heads sway and green heads obey so provident they are of the future when they consult of a busines to day they think what may befall 100 yeers after Nor is ther any admitted to their superior Councells till he be somwhat stricken in yeers untill he hath pass'd employments of public trust within her own Territories or Embassies abroad Touching this second service they have certain degrees which they observe in the removall of their Ambassadors for commonly one passeth from the Cantons of Swisserland to be Ambassador in Holland thence he is transmitted to England thence to France so to Spain and thence either to the Emperour or to be â—…ailio of Constantinople where he lives in great height and is not accountable for his expences as all other Ambassadors are nor ever after employed in any Legation But though She be so constant to her self at home in Her primitive constitutions and intrinsique goverment yet in her correspondency leagues and confederacies abroad She often varies and casts her cours of policy into new moulds as the Fortune of other Princes or States do rise or decline her principall aym being to keep not only the State of Italy but allso Spain and France which are the two poles whereon Europe may be sayed to move in Aequilibrio To keep them in a counterpoize 2. Another cause of the longaevity of this Republic may be allegd to be that She hath allwayes bin more inclind to peace than war and chosen rather to be a Spectatrix or Umpresse than a Gamestresse Her chief motto being Pax tibi Marce Insomuch that no Christian Prince or State except the Popedom hath labourd more by costly Legations to reconcile the quarrells of Europe and quench the fyre that issued out of them to the disturbance of the public peace as allso for preventing the advantages which the Common Enemy the Turk one of her next neighbours might take therby which hath bin the cause that for the sagacity of her men and maturenes of her Counsells She hath bin oftentimes desird to be Mediatrix of differences 'twixt the greatest Potentates which She hath don with that addresse and diligence as is admirable so that Thuanus gives her this character to be Civilis prudentiae officina the shop of civill prudence 3. A third reason for the continuance of this Republic in such a prosperous condition may be sayed to be the rare temper of her peeple who with exact obedience and promptitud execut what is enjoynd them by their Superiours so that it may be sayed of Venice what a grave Historian speaks of Sparta when he pass'd his judgment of Her Sparta diu stetit non quod Rex benè imperabat sed quia populus benè parebat Sparta lasted so long not as much that the Prince did command well as that the peeple did obey well Nor is the Venetian of so volatil an humor and so greedy of change as other Italians he is not so fickle as the Florentine Milaneze or they of Naples who as the History relates hath had eight and twenty revolutions with this last in lesse then 300. yeers in which time the Napolitan Courser threw off his Rider five times 4. Add herunto that the Venetians are mighty good Patriotts and love their Country in an intense degree every Gallie that goes in cours thinks she hath Venice her self aboard of her as if the print of that old Roman rule were stil fresh in their hearts Dulce decorum pro patria mori And as in this particular so in many qualities besides the soul of Rome seems to have transmigrated into Venice as shall be shewn herafter They are equally studious and eager to conserve the glory and greatnes of the Republic for which they have bin ever ready to part with their bloud and fortunes There are many examples how the women have bin ready to part with their braceletts earings and necklaces in time of extremity nay they have offered their very hair to make ropes for their gallies c. But though they continue still such great Zelotts to their own Country and goverment thereof they are not so to the Church of late years as it is observ'd and were it not for those confusions that ensued therby in other Countreys and the hatred they shold heap upon themselfs from their neighbours som think the Republic by this time would have drawn her neck from the Roman yoak which made Cardinall Ossat say that Venice hath now no more devotion to Rome than needs 5. A fiâ—…t reason that Venice hath continued a mayd so many Centuries of yeers is her advantagious site and position being seated in an arm or Estuary of the Adriatic Sea upon an Assembly of small Ilands to the nomber of above threescore consociated and leagud together by 800. and odd bridges so that sitting thus securely on Thetis lapp She need not fear any invasion by land or any approaches to her from sea without knowing Pilotts She hath as it were cutt the Ocean into so many aqueducts through her streets as we read Cyrus causd the River Pindes to be draind into 360. channels which he did out of a revenge because she had drownd one of his horses but Venice clean contrary doth this out of affection to Neptun that therby She might embosom her self the more easily between his armes This rare situation of the City of Venice induc'd divers to be of opinion That som superior power to man That som heavenly Intelligence had a hand in founding and tracing Her out 6. Sixtly This rare perpetuity of the Republic of Venice may be ascrib'd allso to her Tresure and Arsenal wherof the one is grown to be a proverb for riches the other for strength being stord with such huge Magazins of both The first could never be yet exhausted or estimated The other can in case of necessity put so many Gallies to the sea as ther be daies
proportionable rate of equality yet to the satisfaction of all the Venetians thinking they had the more honor though the Spaniards the greatest luggage and the reason might be that the Spaniard contributed more money though the Venetian more Gallies Venieri highly extoll'd the magnanimity of the General propo singunto him the rescue of Greece an exploit which shold immortalize him more then the conquest of Tunis did his Father whose Genius wold not envy sayed he to see it self exceeded by him which was not equall'd by his Predecessors This much inflam'd the hot aspiring mind of the youthfull Conquerour insomuch that they proceeded to consultation how this Trophy might be perfected whose hardest work to wit the foundation was already so happily layed therfore making Aprill the time and Corfu the rendevous of their next years convention the Navies were dissolv'd Don Iohn returning to Messina Venieri expecting that Don Iohn wold by his example have poursu'd the point of this victory was much heightned in his spirits but somwhat discontented and the Spaniard expos'd himself to som reproaches abroad hereby so that Don Iohns departure was interpreted no lesse then a kind of running away For in the opinion of all the world had this opportunity bin well improv'd ther might have bin made far greater use of it For though that high spirited Turk to expresse the inequality of the taking of Cyprus with the defeat of this Fleet said That Selym had cut off an Arm of the Christians and they had but shav'd his Beard Intimating therby that Timber wold grow again but not Kingdoms that Ships might be built but not Ilands yet was it manifest that the chief strength of that Samson lay at the same time in that tuff of hair and if he had bin re-essail'd e're it had grown out again the razor which took off his beard might have cut his throat Here it will not be improper to add an Answer of an old Chious who being com Ambassador to England in King Iames's time and being ask'd among other things by the King whether he had bin at the battail of Lepanto Yes sayed he and at the taking of Cyprus also Colonna departed also with Don Iohn and return'd to Rome where his fame had arriv'd long before him This successe rais'd the spirits of that ancient City in a shape of rriumph to see her aged glory give such a fresh lustre in this glasse of victory to entertain her new Champion the whole City seem'd to be turn'd inside outward the rich Tapistries now beautifying the wals without the streets were strew'd with flowers as at a marrage It is reported that a little before this battail the Pope Pius Quintus had perform'd many rigid and austere Penances in his own person and having bin a whole night contending with God in prayer in his own privat Oratory he came at last suddenly out with a cheerfull countenance and in a kind of ravishment or extasie saying alegramente la Vittoria é nostra be of good cheer the Victory is ours and as the Manuscript hath it this was the very morning before the battail began No lesse were the triumphs at the Court of Spain when tydings were brought to Philip the second of this Signall and glorious Victory yet when the very first and long expected news therof was brought and related unto him he never chang'd countenance or gave as much as a smile or least outward shew of alteration he was a man of such a rare constancy of temper only he sayed after a long speculative pause Mucho ha aventurado mi hermano Don Iuan my brother Don Iohn hath ventur'd very far but it was the first time that ever he was heard to call him Brother which stile he continued ever after The Republic hoping that the rest of the Christian confederat Princes wold be constant in the League rigg'd up their Gallies again and made great preparations against the following Spring but Pius Quintus deceasing who gave the greatest vigour to the League matters began to languish yet ther was a conjunction of som forces the Sommer after against Vluzzali a great Pyrat and Admirall to the Turk and there were considerable Fleets on both sides the Turk had two hundred Sails the Christians not so many and about the Mona they twice fac'd one another but encountred not so all dissolv'd without performance of any thing though Venieri made fair Propositions unto them for som attempts both by Land and Sea and to be the first in the Van himself but the Spaniard was too cold and cautious besides Don Iohn of Austria himselfe had promis'd to come in person but did not Hereupon it was high time for the Republic to hearken to a peace with her potent Neighbour specially ther having bin divers Overtures made by the Gran Visier to that purpose among other inducements which might move her thereunto was that the Spaniard was not able as formerly to continue the League in reâ—…ard he had so much new work cut him out in Flanders by the revolt of som of the seventeen Provinces Moreover the Senat had notice that an Ambassadour was come from Constantinople to the Emperours Court to desire safe passage for the Turkish Army to passe through some of his Territories to invade Friuli besides the Bishop of Aâ—…x who was Ambassador at the Port for the King of France advis'd her in his Masters name to a peace for which purpose he came himself expressely to Venice afterward so after much difficulty and divers proposalls on both sides a peace was at last solemnly concluded the two main Articles whereof were that all the Venetian Merchants goods shold be restor'd unto them which were taken by Turks in so many years and that the Signory shold pay a hundred thousand Crowns for three years The world pass'd sundry censures of this peace specially in regard the Venetians had done it without the consent of the other Confederats Paul the third then Pope storm'd at it but the King of Spain seem'd to dissemble his discontent saying That he doubted not but that the motives which shold induce so wise a Senat were of great importance hoping that as he had freely employed his forces for the generall incolumity of Christendome and particularly of the Venetian so they likewise wold if occasion requir'd be ready to do the like for him The world wondred at this calmnesse in the Spaniard and the reason which peeple alledg'd then was the revolutions in the Low Countreys and that he was like to fall out with France with whom he was loth the Venetian shold ligue together against him Notwithstanding this solemn peace with Selim yet the Republic understanding that Amurath who had newly succeeded in the Ottoman Empire upon the death of Selym did arm apace to be reveng'd upon Spain in regard that Don Iohn of Austria had lately sack'd Tunis in Barbary this made the Republic apprehend som fears that the Turk wold fall foul up on some of
sayed Ambassadors gave a solemn visit to the Venetian Ambassadors and communicated unto them what they had don with the Pope in the transaction of affairs The publication of this Interdict being flown to Venice it was order'd by the Senat that ev'ry one shold have recours to his prayers it was resolv'd upon to recall the Ambassador Extraordinary from Rome to testifie the resentment they had of the wrong but to leave the Leger Ambassador ther still to prevent an absolut rupture It was also determin'd to write to Gregorio Iustiniano then Ambassador in England that he shold inform the King herof Sir Henry Wootton Ambassador at that time in Venice complain'd that the Senat had communicated these things to other Forren Ministers before him but for the pretensions of the Pope he sayed he could not understand that Roman Theology c. Ther was public command given to all Prelats and Ecclesiasticall persons that they shold not publish or cause and suffer to be publish'd or affix'd in any place whatsoever any Bulls Monitories Breves or other writings which shold be sent unto them from Rome furthermore Proclamation was made under pain of incurring the displeasure of the Prince that whosoever had any copy of a certain Breve divulg'd at Rome touching the Republic he shold bring it to the Magistrats at Venice or to Governers of Castles and other Officers of the State Hereupon all peeple did so cheerfully obey this command that 't was a marvailous thing to see how many had bin imprinted and scatter'd neither was any one of them affix'd in any place by reason of the generall diligence of the peeple Duodo the Ambassador Extraordinary at Rome having receav'd order for his revocation went to take his leave of Pope Paul telling him that since his Holines wold not take into consideration the reasons by him represented and having no more to say or act he was recall'd the Pope answer'd with more mildnesse than ordinary That touching the difference he had don nothing but what his conscience and duty oblig'd him to do that the case was cleer and decided that in the whole order of his proceedings he had follow'd the example of his Predecessors that his weapons in this quarrell were spirituall the use wherof accorded well with that fatherly love which he had ever born to the Signory requiring only such obedience as the greatest Princes render him The Popes Nuntio at Venice after thâ—…s Interdict was observ'd to frequent the Colledg of the Iesuits wher were Possevino and Bernardin Castorio men eminently known the first had don great things in Moscovia the other had bin provinciall of the Jesuits when they were expell'd out of Lions with divers others of note The sayed Nuntio came som daies after to the Senat wher first shewing a resentment of what had pass'd he sayed that they ought not to proceed towards his Holines with such a repugnance that the Pope was mov'd by pure zeal and that yet if they yeelded a little all things might be accommoded to which effect he desir'd that his Serenity wold think upon a temperament that for his part he was not most ready to present and favour it The Duke answer'd that none of sound understanding could approve that a Republic so pious and Catholic shold be vex'd in such a fashion and that the actions of the Pope could not be justified that he had publish'd a Monitory which ev'ry one held injust without scruple that he fell upon so weighty a resolution without weighing before hand how the world is govern'd that his Holines could not have don an act more perillous to cast the Apostolic See upon the censure and hatred of all peeple and into a manifest danger that if the Republic shold think upon a separation it wold be follow'd with an irreparable losse but though the Republic wold not depart from her piety yet wold she defend her self that for his particular meaning the Nuntio he did well to perswade peace but he shold turn his speech to the Pope who troubled it Eight daies after the Nuntio had Audience again wherin speaking much of the Popes prudence he shew'd a displeasure that he saw no appearance of a temperament concluding That the Senat shold take heed lest while they desir'd to support a particular Law they might draw on themselfs universall ruine wherunto the Duke answer'd That he ought not to speak of prudence in the Pope who had us'd so much precipitation and that he shold do well to set before his eyes the imminent danger which may follow herupon and tell him that these Councells came from a man old in affairs of State as well as years The Pope hearing of the Proclamation against his Monitory how the pulse of the Venetians did beat who shew'd themselfs so obedient to the Senat and so forward to uphold their liberty he thought his Nuntio could not stay in Venice any longer with his honor therfore he sent him Letters of revocation and dismis'd from Rome Nani the Republiques Ambassador charging him expresly not to leave behind him any of his company yet he desir'd to see him before he went provided if he came unto him in quality of a privat man Nani made answer that he could not tell how to separat from his person the title of Ambassador so he left Rome being well accompanied out of Town with Roman Barons and gentlemen but with few Prelats The next morning the Pope sent after him a Colonell to accompany him throughout the State of the Church who o'retook him at Gorligno In Venice the Duke had caus'd a Manifesto to be publish'd and affix'd at ev'ry door That wheras he had receav'd advice of a publication made at Rome of a certain Breve fulminated against the Senat and Signory he being oblig'd to have a care of the public tranquillity and of the Authority of a Soveraign Prince did protest before God and all the world that he had not omitted any means possible to make the Pope capable of the most clear and strong reasons that were produc'd in behalf of the Republic but having found his ears shut and seen the Breve publish'd against reason and justice against the Doctrines of Holy Scriptures of the Fathers and Canons in prejudice of the secular Authority given by God and of the liberty of the State with the trouble of the repose of his Subjects and to the great scandall of all the world he did pronounce that Breve not only injust but meerly void and null and so unlawfull that he need not repute it needfull to have recours to such remedies as in other occasions the Republic and many Soveraign Princes have us'd against such Popes as out-pass'd their power exhorting and injoying that the Prelats continu in their accustomed courâ—… in celebration of Divine Service the Republic being resolv'd to persever in the Holy Catholic Faith and in the reverence of the Roman Church as they have done from the beginning Upon this
into the horoscope of his Nativity and taken much pains to measure out his life and foretell his destiny he told him positively that he shold die in carcere Nobili in a Noble prison meaning the Dogeship or Dukedom of Venice which is barricadoed with so many restrictions specially That the Duke may not go out of the City of Venice without the knowledge and consent of the Senat c. that it may truly be call'd no other then a Noble Prison or golden Cage which made one say when the Senators were once so busie in their mysterious ballotations for creating a new Duke Here 's a great deal of stir for setting up a Head of Wood alluding to the small latitude of power the Duke hath ANTONIO PRIULI came to wear the Ducal Cap and the Coronet of Venice next after Nicolao Donato in his time ther was a League struck betwixt the Republic and the States of Holland to which purpose ther were splendid Embassies sent by both Parties but a little after this Duke breath'd his last FRANCISCO CONTARENO then succeeded at the beginning of whose Government the Republic made another League with the French King and the Duke of Savoy both these Leagues were made by the Republic of purpose to spite the Spaniard who had not long before set upon her skirts the Duke of Ossuna being Viceroy of Naples who wold pick a quarrell of purpose with Her about the extent of her Dominion in the Adriatic Gulph which war put S. Mark to spend much of his Tresure for the time A little after ther happen'd a keen war about the Valtoline wherin the Republic was interested and stir'd nimbly in it and good reason she had to do so against the House of Austria Whilest the wars lasted 'twixt the Republic and the Duke of Ossuna she hiâ—…'d som men of War from England and Holland the two thousand English which were under the command of Sir Harry Payton complain'd about the conditions of their pay which were not so good as those the Hollander had Herupon a mutiny happen'd and som of the English died by Martiall Law but Mr. Herbert one of the chiefest of them was pardon'd in regard he was allied to William then Erl of Pembroke who interceded strongly for him and had a great stroke with the Venetian Ambassador at that time resident in England GIOVANNI COâ—…RELIO was the next in succession to Priuli About these times ther was a notable and most rigid though mistaken piece of Justice upon the person of A. Foscarim â—… Noble Venetian and Senator of the wide Sleeve which is of the best rank who had bin formerly employed Ambassador in England and other places for the Republic Two pernicious malevolent fellows who it seems owed him a revenge for som crosse office he had done them did traduce and accuse this gentleman upon oath that he had had privat intelligence and litterall correspondence with the Spanish Ambassador Now the Republic of Venice hath bin alwaies observ'd above all other States to be so cautioâ—…s of home conspiracies by a kind of exces of circumspection that upon the least proof the party suspected is dispatch'd to the other world and never suffer'd to err twice in this kind the sayed mischievous fellow being pertinacious in his accusation this infortunat gentleman was condemn'd and being drag'd to the place was executed like a common Malefactor betwixt the two Columns in S. Marks place and sent on an Embassie to the other world though never to return The year had hardly com about that the sayed Accusers were apprehended and imprison'd condemn'd and executed for som flagitious crimes but as they were bidding a farewell to the world they confess'd that they had wrongfully and most injustly accus'd the sayed Noble gentleman therupon his body was taken up and re-inter'd with extraordinary solemnity and reparations made to his Heir in a high measure besides ther was a Manifesto publish'd by the Senat for the vindication of his honor and fidelity to the Republic Ther was a casuall ill-favour'd clash happen'd 'twixt England and Venice about these times which was thus England having a declar'd war then both against Spain and France Sir Kenelme Digby had got Letters of Mart or rather a Commission Royall from the King against the French he steer'd his cours into the Mediterranean and arriv'd at Algier upon the Coasts of Barbary wher being a Cavalier of that lustre and known to be a servant to his Majesty of great Britain he was magnificently receav'd so that he did many good offices for the English Captiffs that were ther thence he sail'd into the Ar hipelago and taking som prizes in the way he turn'd the Ships to men of War so that he came to have a Fleet of six Vessels strong After many encounters he made at last towards the Bay of Scanderon he came first before Cape Congare ten Leagues distant from Alexandretta or Scanderon whâ—…ch is counted the key of Aleppo by Sea and wher he lay at Hull all night On the morrow he sent a boat to descry the road and to bring back intelligence accordingly word was brought that ther were before Scanderon two Venetian Galeasses with two other Galeons two English Ships and som French Vessells one of which had com in but the day before being very rich and having not as yet unladen any thing Sir Kenelme spent all the night following surveyng the preparations for fight and firing in his severall Ships for that he expected a furious assault the next day from the Venetian Generall who had declar'd himself protector of that Road and was reported to have given out he wold sink all the English men of War he shold meet either in the Venetian or Gran Signor's Seas Sir Kenelme understanding this was not much daunted but made towards the Road having prepar'd all things and fitted his Ships for defence if need requir'd The Venetian Generall having weigh'd Anchor hois'd up his Sails and directed his cours towards the English Fleet and being com within half a League Sir Kenelme sent a Satty to inform the Venetians of his quality and that he sail'd by vertu of his Majesty of great Britains Royall Commission giving them assurance of all respect and friendship and that the French were the only object of his attempts for which he had sufficient warrant He sent Letters also to the two English Vessells that were in the Bay for their satisfaction that his businesse was not to disturb their Negotiations But before this Satty could go aboard to deliver the Venetian Generall this message the Admirall Galeasse of the Venetians discharg'd seven or eight shots the first wherof lighting short was receav'd as a salute and was answer'd with another piece from the English but som of the rest hitting Sir Kenelmes Ship and seeing that â—…hey aim'd at his Flag he gave them three or four broad sides in a very short space which did much hurt both to the Venetian and the French
Calabria entertaines Turks in his War Page 83 An Ambassador com from the King of Tremisen to Venice Page 85 The Arsenal of Venice burnt Page 95 The Ambassador of Venice speech to the Turk about Cyprus Page 96 Her Answer to the Turks Ambassdor Page 97 The Armes of Venice defac'd in the Vatican Page 171 An Abbot executed in Venice in his habit Page 17 An Ambassador sent from Rome to Venice with notable instructions Page 190 Apologies for the sensuality and revengefullnes of the Venetian Page 199 A Catalog of som of the most renowned men of Venice Page 200 The advantages which Venice hath of old Rome Page ibid B Of Brescia Page 25 Of Bergamo Page 25 The Bergamastro speaks the worst Italian Dialect Page 25 The manner of the Ballotations by which the Duke of Venice is chosen Page 34 Of the Bucentoro Page 36 A bold motto in St Marks Tresury Page 37 A bold Candiâ—…t rob'd the Tresury of St. Mark Page 38 The books of the vulgar are Images Page 54 A Battail twixt Pepin and the Venetians Page 55 The Bishop of Aquilia taken prisoner by the Venetian Page 60 Badoairio Duke of Venice depos'd himself and turnd Monk Page 61 The Bishop of Gradus speech to the Venetian for supplies of the holy Land Page 66 Baldwin Earl of Flanders with other Princes going to the Holy Land com to Venice wher they receave extraordinary entertainment Page 71 Bologna beaten by Venice Page 72 Brescia under the protection of Venice Page 75 Buda taken by the Turk Page 90 Barbarossa the great Pyrat Page 92 C. Civill bodies subject to decay as well as naturall Page 1 The Churchmen of Venice enjoy above two millions yeerly rent Page 2 The clash twixt Venice and Genoa partly the cause of the lâ—…sse of the Holy Land Page 3 Change of custom dangerous Page 3 Cardinall Ossatts speech touching Venice Page 5. Cyrus his revenge of the River Pindes because she had drownd his horse Page 5 A counterprize of rewards and punishmenâ—…s observ'd in Venice Page 6 Cadetts among the Gentry restrained from marrying in Venice with the reason therof Page 7 The Counsells of Venice are mysteries till put in execution Page 7 Of Crema Page 25 How a Courtisan cousned a Gentleman Page 39 The circuit of Rome Page 44 A cheap frend that 's got by a complement Page 44 Candiano chosen Duke of Venice who was cut in peeces by the fury of the peeple Page 62 A cloak of cloth of gold to be given yeerly by Venice to the Emperour remitted Page 62 Centrenico Duke of Venice depos'd and turn'd to a Monastery Page 65 Corfù first reduc'd to Venice Page 67 Cyain Duke of Venice overthrowes Otho the Emperours Son Page 68 A comparison of Venice and Genoa with Rome and Carthage Page 74 Ceremonies usd by Verona Vicenza and Padoua when they rendred themselfs to Venice Page 79 A Candiot robbs the tresury of St. Mark Page 80 Constantinople taken by the Turks their respect to the Venetian above others Page 80 The ceremonies usd at the Duke of Venice his Buriall Page 84 Cornaris subtill speech to the Queen of Cypus for a resignation Page 84 Charles the 8. rusheth into Italy Page 86 A contract twixt the Pope and Venice about the nomination of her Bishops Page 90 Cardinall Charles Caraffi strangled at Rome Page 94 The Spaniard a great cause of losing of Cyprus Page 111 Carmas notable speech to Don John of Austria Page 106 Captain Tortona a Spaniard hang'd by Venieri Page 107 A contract twixt Don John and Venieri the Venetian Generall Page 107 Capello the Venetian Generall defeates the Barbary fleet at Vallona Page 170 A clash twixt Venice and Urban the 8. Page 170 D. Death for any Venetian Senator to receave pension from a forren Prince Page 6 The Dukes of Venice old before they be chosen Page 6 Of the Dukes of Milan and Toscauy Page 9 Duke of Venice a head of wood Page 10 Of the Deceuivâ—…rat or Councell of ten in Venice Page 13 Dominico Mongario Duke of Venice he had his eyes put out Page 59 The Duke of Venice stil'd Protospater of the Greek Empire Page 61 Dominico Contareno Duke of Venice he conquers Zara Page 65 Dalmatia and Croatia added to the titles of Venice Page 65 Dukes of Venice have a privilege to seal with lead given them by the Pope Page 68 A description of St. Marks Church Page 70 Duke Cyani makes St. Marks Church his heir Page 71 Doria the Admiral of Genoa puts Venice to the worse in the I le of Sapientia Page 77 The Ducall Palace bnrnt in Venice Page 84 Ubaldo Duke of Urbin Generall of the Venetians Page 91 Trevisano Duke of Venice died at Masse Page 93 A description of the Christian fleet before the Battail of Lepanto Page 19 Don John of Astrias speech at the battail of Lepanto Page 115 Don John of Austria rescued by Venieri the Venetian Generall Page 127 The division of the spoiles after the battail of Lepanto at large Page 130 The Duke of Parma with an Army before Rome Page 194 A dangerous prophecy of Holland Page 180 The defects of Venice Page 198 E The Enemies which Venice hath had from time to time Page 2 Ecclesiasticks incapable to sit in the Venetian and to inherit stable possessions and the reson therof Page 2 Ecclesiasticks dare not tamper with matters of state in Venice Page 7 The extent and power of the principalities of Italy Page 8 The etymology of Venice Page 33 Experience the great looking-glasse of wisdom Page 34 The election of the Duke of Venice Page 34 The eastern emperour assisted by the Venetians Page 60 Emanuel the Greek Emperour perfidious to the Venetians Page 68 Ensignes given by the Pope to the Venetians Page 70 Of Earthquakes and of their causes a Phylosophicall discours Page 75 Eugenius the Pope a Venetian Page 79 The Emperour Frederik with Leonora his Wife com to Venice Page 8 The Emperour invites the Turk to war with the Venetian Page 88 F. Forren Princes usually entertaind by Venice Page 7 Falerio Duke of Venice put to death because he married a stranger c. Page 12 Of Frivili Page 13 The first Prince of Venice Page 58 Freedom from taxes granted to Venice throughout all the Greek Empire Page 62 Freedoms granted by Otho the Emperour to the Venetians Page 62 Flabenico Duke of Venice Page 65 Freedom given to the Venetian through all Syria Page 67 Emperour Frederiques fast answer to the Venetians Page 68 Th'Emperour Frederiques submission to the Pope at Venice Page 69 The first War twixt Venice and Genoa Page 71 The first excommunication against Venice without Ferrara Page 74 The first Ambassador from England to Venice 1332. Page 75 G. Of the Gulps of Venice Page 9 The Government of Venice hath a grain of Monarchy a dram of Democracy and an ounce of Optimacy Page 10 The great Councell of Venice Page 16 Gentlemen of Venice great
Patrons Page 23 The Governors of the two Castles in Corfù never to meet upon pain of death Page 29 Rare glasses made in Venice Page 38 Glassmakers much esteem'd for their Art Page 39 Giovani Mauritio Duke of Venice Page 59 Giovani Partitiatio put off the Dukedom and confind to a Monastery Page 60 The Greeks taught first the use of Bells by the Venetian Page 61 Giovani Partitiatio Duke of Venice who voluntarily deposd himself Page 61 The Gnoway defeated by the Venetian at Trapani Page 72 Genoa vayld to Venice as Carthage to Rome at last Page 74 Genoa shrewdly beaten in the pontick Sea by Venice Page 75 Gallipole in Calabria taken by the Venetian Page 84 Genoa held Famagosta in Cypria above ninty yeers Page 98 H. The habit of the Duke of Venice Page 11 The habit of the Duke with the Iewells he wears upon festivall dayes valued at above 100000 cr Page 11 The heir of Venice answerable for his Fathers faults Page 12 A horse a monster in Venice Page 54 The high Epithetts which are given Venice above the rest of the Townes of Italy Page 55 Horteo Hypato Duke of Venice Page 58 Heraclea utterly demolishd Page 59 The Hunns overcom by the Venetians Page 61 Henry the Emperour comes to Venice Page 65 Part of Hierusalem given to Venice Page 67 Honor don by the Pope to the Venetian Page 68 Hermolao Barbaro punished for receaving dignities from the Pope Page 85 Henry the 8. of England the great instrument of the French King and the Popes release Page 89 Henry the 3. of France comes to Venice Page 132 How the King of Polands borther intercâ—…ded for the readmission of the Jesuits to Venice Page 198 How Venice Rome with the rest of the Princes of Italy carry themselfs in point of politicall interest Page 175 Holland and Venice of a diffring humor Page 180 I. Impossible for the Duke of Venice to becom Tyrant Page 6 Inhibition that Courtesands mingle not with honest Women in the Venetian Churches Page 8 Italy the â—…y of Europe Page 8 The Iudges of Venice Page 17 Of Istria Page 24 Of the I le of Corfou Page 29 Of the I le of Cephalonia Page 30 Of the I le of Zant Page 30 Of the I le of Candis Page 31 The incredible riches of St. Marks treasure Page 37 Iustinianos speech to Maximilian the Emperor in behalf of Venice not found in her Archies Page 73 Justiniano Duke of Venice Page 60 Justinopoli comes under the Venetian Page 61 The I le of Candie under the Venetian An inundation Page 71 Juluis the second incites all the Princes of Christendom against Venice Page 87 The Inquisition refus'd by Venice Page 94 The Iesuits expell'd from Venice with the causes therof recited at large Page 163 The Iesuits tenets Page 163 King James his Declaration touching the quarrell twixt the Pope and Venice Page 161 L. Long age argues strength of body in Epist. Lawes the ligaments of a State Page Ibid. The Lawes of Rhodes and Oleron the Prince for Sea affaires in Epist. The Lombards Kingdom extinguish'd in Italy Page 59 The lamentable end of one of the Dukes of Venice Page 60 Lotharius the Emperour endowes Venice with many immunities Page 60 Lesina and Spalato reduc'd to Venice Page 62 Pope Leo comes to Venice and endowes with many priviledges Page 65 Lesbos Same 's and Andros taken by the Venetian Page 67 Lemnos yeelded to Venice Page 80 The Legat of the Popes answer to the Venetian Generall Page 81 The league of Cambray like to destroy Venice Page 87 Lodovico Falieri employed Ambassador to Henry the 8. of England from Venice Page 90 A league against the Turk in Pius Quintus time the substance of it Page 101 New Lawes in Venice Page 134 Luca excomunicated Page 171 Lep anto battail at large Page 118 M. The maner and majesty how the Duke of Venice sitts Page 14 St. Marks Proctors the high dignity of their place Page 20 The Magistrats of Venice in generall Page 16 Of the marke of Treviso Page 24 St. Marks place Page 37 The Magistrats of old Rome and Venice parallell'd Page 45 Mariello Tegaliano Duke of Venice Page 58 Maaritio of Heraclea D. of Venice Page 59 St. Marks body transported to Venice from Alexandris Page 60 The Moors defeat the Venetian under Saba their Generall Page 60 The Moors ransack Rome Page 60 St. Marks Church burnt Page 62 Meniro Duke of Venice turnes Monkâ—… Page 62 Matilda restor'd to her Duchy of Ferrara by the help of Venice Page 65 Michaeli Duke of Venice goes with 200 Vessells to Joppa and frees her from the siege Page 66 The Marquis of Monferrat restord to his territories by the Venetian Page 79 Mocenigos speech to the Popes Generall Page 81 The maner of Mariages and Christnings in Venice Page 187 N. Nothing discovers the wisdom of a peeple more than the form of their government Page 9 Nothing so difficult as the Art of government Page 10 The neatnes of Venice Page 35 A notable speech against the Tribunitiall power Page 57 The Narentines debell'd by the Venetians Page 62 The Normans give a great overthrow to the Greeks and Venetians at Darazzo Page 65 A mighty defeat given to the Venetians by the Genowayes neer Corfù Page 72 A notable speech of Philip the second touching his Fathers resignations Page 93 A notable speech of a Turk before the battail of Lepanto Page 116 A notable speech of another Turk Page 116 A notable speech of the Turkish Generall Page 124 A notable answer of the Turkish Ambassador to King James Page 131 Nova Palma built in Friuli Page 135 A notable invective against Urban the eighth and his Nephews Page 172 The Navall strength of Venice reviewd Page 197 O. Of the three Republiques of Italy how they differ Page 9 Of the severall denominations of Kingdoms and Commonwealths Page 9 The Office of the Duke of Venice Page 12 Cardinall Ossatts opinion of Venice Page 183 Of the Colledg of Sages in Venice Page 14 The Officers of Venice Page 15 Of the great Chancelor Page 15 Originall of the Venetian Page 33 D. of Ossuna no frend to the Venetian Page 38 An old prophecy touching Venice Page 40 Old Rome and Venice Parallell'd Page 44 Of one who would have preferr'd a Spurrier to Q. Eliz. Page 54 Obeserio Duke of Venice Page 59 Otho the Emperour comes to Venice Page 62 Otho Urseolo Duke of Venice he marries the King of Hungarie's Daughter banish'd afterwards Page 65 Otho the Emperours son taken prisoner by the Venetians freed upon his Parole Page 69 Otho's wise speech and advice to the Emperour Frederic his Father Page 69 P. Peace alwayes preferr'd before war by Venice Page 4 The privat Arsenal of Venice Page 6 The Presse and Pulpit strictly regulated in Venice Page 7 The Pope a great temporall Prince Page 8 The Pope fittest to be umpire of differences in Italy with the reasons alledg'd Page 8 Paulutio