house of Bavaria which State and Dignity being forfeited by the Prince Elector Palatines Rebellion were for some years before confer'd by the Emperor upon this Duke of Bavaria the occasion which moved this Prince to this resolution was commonly attributed to jealousie of the peace made at this time at Madrid between the Kings of Spain and England for knowing that the King of Spain was displeased at the conâ—…erring of the Electoral State and Dignity upon him and that the authority and power of the house of Bavaria should be so encreased and that he had opposed the Emperour in conferring it upon him and knowing that the King of England whose Sister was Wife to the Palatine labour'd hard that the Palatine or his Son might be restored to their former condition he thought he had just occasion to doubt that the Peace made between the two Kings who were for several respects desirous to deprive him of it might tacitely contain some Agreement between them to his pâ—…ejudice And on the other side having soon after that Peace was concluded sent the Abbot Scaglia into England in appearance to treat of Truce and Peace in the Kings Name with the Hollanders but in effect to treat oâ—… a League against him as he complain'd and as the King of France had heard therefore both Bavaria and the King of France easily joyn'd in this Convention for their own safeties sake and that they might make plots not inferiour to those that were plotted against him And that they might the better alienate the Bavarian from the Emperour the Kings of France and of Sweden promised him the Imperial Crown whereof when the Emperour should be beaten no Germane Prince seemed to be more capable then he as being the most powerful of all the Catholick Princes and who had most care of the Catholick Religion and for that he as one of the Electors had a Vote in chusing the Emperour and his Brother who was Elector and Arch-bishop of Collen another Vote with whom the Arch-bishop and Elector of Triers would joyn who was the first that had joyned in League with the King of France and had received a French Garrison into that State particularly into the Fort of Hermenestein a strong Fort and of great consequence being scituated where the Mose falls into the Rheyne The Votes of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg who were declared Enemies to the House of Austria and who depended upon the Swedish King would likewise have concurr'd in the same Election when the Bavarian should be by that King promoted to the Empire as he â—…ad promised The Duke being therefore â—…ed with these hopes and apprehending that the Austrians would deprive him of the Palatinate and Electoral Dignity and that they would restoreâ—…it to the Palatine totteâ—…'d in his intelligence with the Emperour and met with a new accident which gave him more and better reason to alienate himself from the Emperour The Emperour being reduc'd to great streights by the Swedish Forces by the rising of so many people and by his being deserted by so many Germane Princes had as hath been elsewhere said for the last remedy of the imminent danger the Empire was then in which also threatned him sent for Wallestine Duke of Fritland and had once more made him general of all his Forces for he was the only man on whom it was thought the welfare of the Empire might saâ—…eliest depend There had been such high distastes between this Wallestine and Bavaria as the Bavarian in the Diet of Ratisbone had been the chief cause of his being laid aside and doubtlesly had the Bavarian openly declared against the Emperour and had adhered to the contrary Parties the Affairs of the Empire would have been but badly sustained But were it either that he received such assurances from the Emperour as took from him all distrust or that his hopes of attaining the Empire seemed but small especially since both the Kings who offered and promised it unto him were known to be ambitious of it themselves or that he was at last wisely aware that the two Kings did desire to separate him from the House of Austria only that they might weaken it and so the more easily suppress it whereupon his ruine would assuredly succeed he medled not with any novelty but stood firm and constant in defence of the Catholick Religion and of the Imperial Majesty To this was added that the chief ends of the two Kings and of all the German Pâ—…nces was to restore the Palatine to his former state and dignity whereof they were much more troubled then was the King of Spain to seâ—… Bavaria master He therefore had no reason to trust them in what was directly contrary to the end of the common Arms and to the universal desire and consent of whole Germany which for the common concernment could not see the Palatine devesâ—…ed of his Dominion and Bavaria indued theâ—…ewith and as it might be supposed that the two Kings out of these respects did promise that unto him which they could not possibly effect so it might also be comprehended that the same Bavaria seemed to make league and union with the two Kings so to keep the Austrians from depriving him of the State and Dignity which they had confer'd upon him so uncertain and fallacious are the unions and confedeâ—…acies of Princes In this wavering condition were the Affairs of Germany whereof the King of France seemed to be become no lesse Arbitrator then of those of Italy for the Swede differ'd much from him in point of Authority and profes'd to depend much thereupon notwithstanding all the victories he had gotten and all the happy course of his prosperity and the King of France his being deeply ingaged in the affairs of Germany took him much off from the Wars of Italy whereat though the Governour of Millain and the Spanish Agents were much troubled fearing his Forces which they saw were received into the Towns of Italy yet did not his Forces do any thing after the assignment of Pinarollo all things passing quietly on unless it were the preparations and several levies of men the Spaniards being obliged to keep greater Garrisons upon occasion of Pinarollo Cassalle and Mantua The new Duke of Mantua though peacefully possess'd of his States was not at all happy in injoying them for not to mention the troubles which he past thorough the monies spent and the dangers which he ran in arriving at the succession thereof his Dominions were so lessened so dismembred so consumed and wasted both in men and monies as his need of assistance from other Princes to maintain them was greater then the authority or Grandure that he got by them and having ingaged his Lands in France in defending and maintaining his Dominions in Italy he lost the advantage of both his chiefest Towns being possess'd by others he had little more then the bare name of Principality left him Nor was he in a more free and absolute condition of Prince
And at the same time keeping on the Treaty of the new League and his Sons Marriage in Paris he hoped that each of these Crowns would grow to such jealousie by reason of this double Negotiation as that the one not to lose him and the other to gain him they might both of them vie who should give fairer conditions for this Marriage when it should be hotly negotiated at the same time in both these Courts Chusing theâ—…efore for Agents in these his so great designs Count Verrua a Counsellor who was in great favour with him and Monsieur Iacob he sent them both at the same time the former into Spain the latter into France where both of them negotiated their Commissions The Duke of Lerma greedily imbracing this occasion in the Court of Spain that by assisting to make this Maâ—…ch he might aggrandize his own Family so the Treaty of Marriage between Prince Victorio and the Kings Daughter seemed to proceed on fairly For though the King would not Treat of his eldest Daughter whom he had destined to a much greater Marriage yet not being averse to part with his youngest Daughter this Match though not totally agâ—…eed upon yet was it likely to be speedily concluded And Don Phileberto the Dukes second Son was destined to be made Admiral at Sea and the Dukes third Son the Cardinal was to be furnished with the châ—…ef Church-livings which should be vacant in that Kingdom to a large proportion In pursuit of which Negotiation there were two Gallies already provided by the Duke in Italy to bring the Prince Victorio into Spain together with two of his Sisters that they might be brought up there with the Queen yet many were not fully of an opinion that this would really succeed As if the Duke had juggled in this Marriage with Spain or that he had done it out of cunning to accelerate the Negotiations in France which were carried on with hopes of prosperous success by Iacob For the King having drawn England and the States of Holland into the new League and giving out that he would â—…ut the Princes of Brandenburge and Newburg into full possession of the Dukedoms pretended unto by them had already prepared a powerful Army with which and with the Forces of the Colleagues it was thought that he really intended war against Flanders and those parts of the Low-Countries which were under the King of Spain And at the same time he put a Fleet in order at Marselles with intention to assault Genoa and Millain and offered the Duke of Savoy an Army of 20000 Foot and 3000 Horse to be paid by him the King to the end that the Duke might enter into the 〈◊〉 of Millain with 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse of his own which State he propounded to the Duke of Savoy as a surplus of Portion in respect of the future Marriage These practises were they either true or but reported did no good to the Treaties of Spain which seemed to be as good as already concluded for the King of Spain growing incens'd thereat did not incline any more to the Marriage of his Daughter and the Duke of Lerma who had cordially listened to Verrua's proposals finding that he was not well looked upon by the Court where the practises held between him and Verrua were known to shew himself averse to the Dukes interests and intelligence who was grown odious to the Court for the same respects did all he could to clear himself thereof And the whole Court out of the same reasons being at the same time scandalized with the Duke of Savoy he thinking that he could promise himself no good from that Crown and despairing to make any progress in that Court quite foregoing any thought of further pursuing his Affairs there and betaking himself to the Kingdom of France he indeavoured to joyn in League and to make Alliance with that King Hence it was that we may return to where we gave over that the Duke of Savoy to the end that he might have greater adherences in Italy as also that he might interest other Princes in his ends and designs married forthwith two of his Daughters wherein King Henry had a hand the eldest to Don Francisco then Prince of Mantua and the other to Alphonso Prince of Modena which was not done without much jealousie that the Dukes their Fathers did privately partake in the same ends and designs And at this very time another Marriage coming strangely to light which was very privately treated of in Rome for the Prince of 〈◊〉 the Popes Nephew with a natural Daughter of King Henry it made people very jealous of the Popes Intention This suspicion reached also to many of the Lords of Rome which by many Aâ—…guments drawn from their indeavours and inclinations seemed to follow King Henries party King Henry was then in greater Fortune Authority and Grandezza then peradventure any of the preceding Kings of France had for a long time been he was admired by all Christendom wherefore part of Italy being full of expectation other part full of fear of these so great preparations Italy was partly inclined unto and did tremble at the name and reputation of the French Forces But to the end that the Differences touching Montferrat might not disturb so great hopes as were promised by this Conjunction the Duke of Savoy thought it not good to look too narrowly into them then though they fell into consideration in the conclusion of the Marriage with the Prince of Mantua and therefore he thought it bettâ—… to hasten the conclusion of that Marriage leaving those differences undecided On the contrary the King of Spain finding whether the confederacy or Affinity of the Italian Princes did at that time tend and indeavouring to disturb it I â—…oured though in vain that the same Marriages might be crost but King Henries so unexpected death having either dissipated the ends or allayed the jealousies of that so great Unon and the Duke being afterwards pacified and joined with the King of Spain and the Kingdom of France foregoing the Match with the Duke as having after the Kings death entertained new Negotiations of a double Marriage with Spain whereby Lewis the new King of France was to marry the King of Spains eldest Daughter and King Lewis his Sister she who in her Fathers time was intended for Prince Victorio was also to marry the Prince of Spain to the conclusion of which Marriages there was no leâ—…t at that time but the tender years of those that were to be married Therefore the King and Court of Spain confiding much more in this new Conjunction then they had formerly distrusted the Union of the Italian Princes and their Intelligence with the French did at the same time indeavour that the Marriage might be concluded between the Cardinal and the Dowager Dutchess a thing which made very much for the preservation of peace in Italy and for the new Union which was agreed on with the King of France On the contrary
some amends and have repaired the reputation of the Kings Forces wherein they suffered very much if following the enemy they had vigourously re-entred Piedmont at their heels so the keeping with the whole Army for above two moneths about the Fort which was erecting did necessarily detract from their honour and so much the more for that mighty things being looked for from them no mean successes would have satisfied expectation On the other side the Duke making less account of the discomforture given to his men then of the enemies going out of Piedmont thought the least harm that befell the enemy a great comfort to his own affairs And therefore thinking that at the very beginning of the War he had made the world see that the Spanish Forces were not invincible he hoped that the Italians being awakened thereby as by a warlike trumpet would the sooner joyn with him both in Forces and in intelligence against strangers Therefore not being upon this occasion wanting to himself but making his cause the common cause he was well pleased that divers writings and composures should be thrown abroad in Italy but especially in his own Dominions wherein stiling him the head and author of the recovery of their ancient Liberty the Italian Potentates were exhorted to throw off the forreign yoke by which they had been so long oppress'd And still continuing with more fervency the indeavours long before begun in France and Germany with the Princes who did emulate the Spanish Grandezza with the King of England and with the States of Holland he strove to make them joyn with him that so they might unanimously oppose that power which did overshadow a great part of Europe But believing particularly that the Venetians the great harm which would insue unto them by his suppresion being considered would not give him over in so great a danger he therefore having composed the differences which had been between them and him touching the War of Montferrat by the intercession of the Embassadours of France and England then resident in Venice he resolved to send Iacomo Pissina with title of Embassadour to Venice to exhort them upon this occasion to imbrace his cause with their Forces and the defence of the common safety and liberty who being brought into the Colledge may be supposed to have spoken to this effect It is most certain Serene Prince and wise fathers that diffidence hath always been the ruine and undoing of friendship as on the contrary affiance and trust hath always been held the streightest bond to keep Princes perpetually colleagued in friendship to one and the same end The distrust that the Duke my Master joyning with the Spaniards conspired against the common saâ—…ety when upon just occasion he took up arms against Montferrat made you readily imbrace the Duke of Mantua's cause which was then held to be the common cause Out of this Reason the Duke my Master as best knowing his own intentions which he by open manifestoes published to the world thought this Commonwealth more inclined to favour his adversary then him And that therefore constriuing his intentions to be otherwise then they have been since known to be by reciprocal diffidence the ancient friendship so long preserved between him and this Commonweâ—…lth hath on the sudden been turned to enmity Now since all men may assertain themselves by what hath hapned at Novara and Vercelli that the Dukes intention never was nor can ever in the future be different from the common end of the Princes of Italy and particularly from that of this most glorious Commonwealth which is manfully to make good and constantly to maintain the common safety dignity and liberty against the common enemies he therefore hath reason to hope that past distastes being turn'd to as much confidence the former good correspondency will be redoubled and that in so just and honest a cause in so useful and necessary a War he may presume to be favoured by the Venetian Forces For if you did resolve to patronize the Duke of Mantua against a Prince so streightly joyn'd in interest and good will with this Commonwealth only out of fear that he might assault Montferrat with an intention to annex it to the Spaniards how much more ought you now prepare to defend the Duke of Savoy whilst he is assaulted by the ambitious Spaniard for the preservation of the publick dignity by those Forces wheâ—…eby under a colour of preserving peace in Italy and which they are the first that do disturb they indeavour to possess themselves of Piedmont so lawfully injoyed by him and by his predecessors the Spaniards as all men may see would be believed to be the Arbitrators the Patrons of Italy the Supream Moderator of her Potentates they therefore think it reasonable that all Italian Princes as if they we eâ—…so many of their Subjects should obey every the least beck of that King nay of any of his Ministers And terming the slavery of Italy peace the obedience thereof security and on the contrary the freedom thereof contumacy and its generosity turbulency of spirit they by these artifices strive to make themselves gracious and others odious to the people And now having begun to exercise this their superiority to the no less general prejudice then to the universal loss of reputation upon the weakest they will arrogate the like over the greatest They of late commanded the Duke of Modena and the Lucchesi to lay down arms and were immediately obeyed without any reply They now indeavour the like with the Duke of Savoy whom after having secured Montferrat from all Hostility they command to lay down Arms and to disband his Souldiers and because he keeps 2000 Souldiers more then usual in his Dominions they threaten him Was there ever known so unjust and so imperious a command with what reason does that King and that Nation who as all men know are but as of yesterday in Italy give Laws to the Dukes of Savoy who held the Scepter of Piedmont 400 years before he was master of one foot of Land in Italy will there none then dare to shew their faces and gainsay such insolent commands shall the generosity of the Italian name be so totally extinct as that all Italy shall obey those whom they have formerly commanded who sees not that by these beginnings they aim at the reducing of the power and liberty of the Princes of Italy into a Precarious power into a Precarious liberty depending upon every nod of theirs but why talk I of a Precarious power of a Precarious liberty these beginnings tend manifestly to the reducing of the Duke of Savoy into miserable slavery and to the subjugating of Piedmont nor ceasing here to the making themselves absolute Lords of Italy the Monarchy whereof having long fancied unto themselves in Idea they now begin to try how it may succeed by the suppression of the Duke my Master and by counterfeiting with the other Italian Potentates And cloaking this their ambitious and
to be totally abandoned by the Commonwealth And there wanted not those who argued by the success that they did not only foment the Duke by private advice and promises but assisted him underhand with supplies The Duke obtained not a much differing resolution from the Court of France where he expected better things from the neighbouring dangers from the vivacity of that Nation and from the Kings minority for the Queen being assured by the King of Spain that he would forbear all hostility in Italy whensoever the Duke would consent to what was demanded she was therewith satisfied and endeavour'd to make the Duke yield to the Kings pleasure in regard of the interest of her Nephew the Duke of Mantua in whose behalf this new War was begun Not listening therefore to any of the Dukes desires or complaints she under severe penalties prohibited all her Subjects to take pay of him and yet she also for the honour of her Kingdom and to give satisfaction to the Princes and Chief Lords of her Count sen Charles a' Anghienes Marquess of Rambolliette to Piedmont Embassadour to exhort the Duke to peace with express commission that if he should forbear to lay down Armes fearing that he might be oppressed afterwards by the Spanish Forces he should give him all such assurances as he himself could desire and offer him the protection of that Crown and the Forces of the whole Kingdom Such was the publick resolution of that Court which was then governed by the Queen who was much inclined to preserve friendship with the Crown of Spain for the Interest of her own authority and greatness and for the quiet and safety also of her Sons affairs which would be less subject to troubles and perturbation by keeping peace and good correspondency with his neighbours That Court continued in the same mind for some years though the King being come to the age of 14 and according to the orders of the Kingdom out of gardianship took upon him the administration of affairs and consequently the Queens regency ceased For depending wholly upon his Mothers authority and advice the change of Government was for a while insensible the name of Governour being only altered The new Kings first action was to ratifie the Marriages contracted with Spain and seeming to be desirous to keep fair correspondency therewith the Duke of Savoy had small hopes of and good from France And though he seemed abandoned of all help from thence the Marshall de Dignieres Governour of Dolphenye sent good store of men continually unto him underhand it not being known whether the Queen did wink thereat or no who hearing that many did murmure that the Duke in so urgent a necessity and danger should be abandoned to the great diminution of the Kings authority and of the Kingdoms interest did underhand give way that the Kings resolution should be countervened And therefore besides those that were sent by de Dignieres many others falling down from the Alps a good number of that Nation were in a short time found to be in Piedmont By which the Duke being comforted aâ—… also by the promises of other Princes and being incouraged by the good beginning of the War as it is usually seen that enterprizes which at first appear fearful grow by degrees less dreadful he began to confide more in himself and looking for greater successes he was content to be intreated to do that which he bad much reason to desire So as the words nor perswasions of the French Embassadour prevailed but a little with him nor yet those of Monsieur Giulio Savelli who was likewise sent extraordinary Embassadour upon the same occasion to Piedmont by the Pope For the Duke persisting in not composing the affairs of Mantua without having some part of Montferrat given him and denying to lay down arms unless the Governour should do so likewise he refused also to refer the differences to be decided by the Emperour being jealous of him but he consented to refer it to the King of France and to the King of England to which he knew neither the King of Spain nor Duke of Mantua would agree It seemed therefore very hard to reconcile them and the less for that the Duke of Savoy growing bold by the Spanish Armies going out of Piedmont and by their lasie entertaining themselves about the building of the new Fort not caring much to pursue the War he thought he was the more secured from any new assaults Wherefore sending daily Troops of horse out of Vercelles which foording over the very River of the Sesia in sight of the enemies Army which the Governour in the Dukes absence durst not pass thorow with a numerous and gallant Army they dared to insult over the Souldiers which were busied about the Fort without either fear or respect though but by a snatch and away And the Governour being wholly intent about building the Fort did not only not care to suppress their insolence but would not follow the advice of many of the Commanders who thinking it bootless and dishonourable to busie the whole Army about building a Fort which stood in the Kings own ground advised to send part thereof in the interim to prejudice Piedmont where the Duke being imploy'd about the guarding and defending of Vercelles it was probable they might make some good progress But the Dukes affairs which seemed to be secure from any hostile act or at least were not troubled with any ran unexpectedly great hazard at home For the French and Swissers which were under the Dukes pay mutinying upon a small occasion put the City of Vercelles in defence whereof they were then imployed in great danger and confusion nor was the danger of a greater sedition small nor the Dukes labour less in appeasing it but being at last quieted the French as who were suspected of novelty and alteration were distributed into several quarters about the City The Dukes resistance being this mean while known in Spain and what had hapned in Italy contrary to that Courts expectation the King and Council were not a little incensed they thought the Kings honour and authority to be highly offended therefore minding resentment more then the appeasing of rumours they thought it necessary to alter their first orders and to take a more severe course in making the Duke acknowledge the Kings Grandezza which by his entring into the State of Millain in hostile manner he seemed to value but a little They therefore commanded the Governour and their other Officers in Italy that they should proceed no longer against the Duke with such respect as formerly but with all bitterness and severity To which end they gave out orders and made extraordinary provisions The Embassador Vives was returned from the Camp to Genoa who having sent some scouts to Nizza di Provensa and to Villa Franca brought back word that the Castle of Nice though otherwise very strong had only a Garrison of 150 Souldiers in it and but little Ammunition That the City
between the Duke and the French Embassadour who bound himself in his Kings name which King took upon himself the whole business and obliged himself to see whatsoever on his side or by the Spanish Agents abundantly executed For what remained there was no mention of any submission to be made by the Duke only in the preamble amongst the Reasons which moved him to peace he alledged the desire he had to witness to the world the obsequence and particular devotion which he had always profess'd to bear unto the King These Articles were subscrâ—…bed by the Embassadours of France England and Venice expresly obâ—…iging their Princes to defend the Duke if all that was promis'd were not made good to him as long as he should observe what he â—…ad promised When these Capitulations were ingross'd or drawn up The Duke who he ring that the Germane and Holland succours were at hand thought that he should now get absolute victory over the enemy who weâ—…e reduced to great extremity and were not able to keep longer in their quarters by reason of the excessive heats refused to under-writ the Articles But the French Embassador forced by express command from the King did at last let him know that â—…e came to intimate war unto â—…im and the Duke shunning his sight he made the Kings Order and the necessity of putting it in exeâ—…ution known to Prince Victorio and commanded the French Souldâ—…ers and Commanders under pain of grievous punishment in the Kings name that they should immediately forego the Dukes service and return to France whither he would follow them the next day which certainly he would have done if the Nuntio had not opportunely interposed his Authority who going several times between him and the Duke and earnestly intreating them not to let the almost concluded peace be disturbed obtained that the Embassadour should tarry and give leave to the Duke to bethink himself better and to reflect upon the danger and necessity of his affairs which would grow to a bad condition if the French who were the chief sinews of his Army should mutiny as they seemed to be already inclined to do or foregoing his pay should be inforced suddenly and in so ill a crisis of time to abandon him Wherefore â—…aging at the Embassadour he not without much indignation was at last brought to subscribe the Articles of peace but upon condition that the Instrument should be kept in the Nuntio's hands to be by him assigned over to the Embassadour when he should receive another from him wherein the Governour of Millan should sufficiently bind himself in his Kings name to observe what the French Embassadours had promised on the Kings behalf the Duke being desirous that it should be rather covenanted with him on the King of Spains behalf for that he knew he for his reputation sake abhorr'd to do it He was also satisfied herein though contrary to the capitulations of Madrid and to the intentions of the two Kings yielded unto by the Embassadour of France and by the other Embassadours who were desirous that Peace might be concluded the most that might be to his advantage and honour and therefore the Embassadour of France having written to the Governour who was now reduced to a state rather of giving then of receiving conditions of peace and having obtained sufficient assurance from him under his hand the business was at last totally agreed Whilst these things were a concluding or were rather held to be totally concluded the Duke not being yet satisfied with venting nor with resenting himself went out of the City by night with a great number of his valiantest Souldiers and Captaâ—…ns and assaulted the enemies Trenches He hoped to find them unprovided by reason of their great sufferings and negligent out of their hopes of the near conclusion of peace which made him desire to make great slaughter and notably to resent his conceived injuries but he failed in his design for the Governour having notice thereof re-inforced the Trenches with Garrisons and gave the chief care thereof to Gamboloita and Bravo who managed the business so well as they forced the Duke to retreat with the like prejudice which he had plotted against the Enemies The Duke lost in that affault by night above 200 of his best and valiantest Souldiers besides many Commanders and persons of note and had the Governour as some of his men thought sent a good body of men out of the Trenches who might have fallen upon the Assailants on the Flank not any of the Dukes men might have escaped scot-free and the Duke himself who was affirmed by many to be there preâ—…ent would have run â—…anger of his person Wherefore the Governour was for this action also much blamed ill spoken of and detested by the whole Camp The next morning which was Iune the 23d and the 34 day after the Batâ—…l upon the Hills peace was proclaimed and was the very self-same day put in execution for as much as was then requisite wherein the Governour was fain to pass by two things also which though small in themselves yet of no small consideration in point of honour the one that the Dukes Souldiers who went to throw down the abandoned Trenches should kill 200 of the Enemies Souldiers who were found sick there the Spanish Army being in a manner present who were not all of them gone from their quarters the other that the Governour deferring his removal for that day in respect of the scarcity of Carriages as also of the multitude of sick persons and of many other impediments the French Embassadour not admitting of any excuse nor giving way to any one hours delay forced him to dislodge immediately protesting and that resolutely that otherwise he would make the Souldiers return who were gone out of the City and that revoking the command to the contrary he would permit the French to tarry and continue in the Dukes service Thus meerly through their fault who govern'd the Kings Forces not only the enterprise of Asti but those others that proceeded had but bad success and not conformable to the greatness of preparation to the threats and imagined resentments Thus the Governour rather inforc'd then willingly and rather as conquered then conquerour went out of Piedmont sufficiently diminished both in Forces and Reputation who was entred thereinto but forty days before with a flourishing and gallant Army and glorious and triumphant for the Victory he had obtained The End of the third Book THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY BOOK IV. The Contents THe King being but badly satisfied with the peace of Asti makes Don Pietro di Toledo Governour of Millain Between whom and the Duke new differences arise touching the execution of the Articles of peace The Venetians by reason of the Slavonians who molest their Navigation in the Gulf make war in Friuli against the Arch-Duke and in Istria against the Emperour and possessing themselves of many Towns in Friuli come before Gradisca from whence they depart not
formerly kept secret grew now to be manifest The King of England and many other Protestant Princes of Cermany who seemed to â—…avour him confirm'd him in his belief that being upheld by so many and so potent Princes he might withstand the violence which was thrâ—…atned him and this opinion was increased in many men by the coming of Embassadours at this time to Turin from the King of England and from some German Princes but that which did out do all other appearings and seemings Marshal Deguieres's coming into Piedmont made all men wonder he having been long held to be one of the best Commanders in France and one who took the Dukes affairs very much to heart and more an enemy to Spain then any other French-man this man though he came in a peaceful posture and unarmed as it were to be a superintendent over the French Embassadour's Negotiations and privately to inform himself whether things were in that dangerous condition as the Duke related them to be yet the good correspondency which was held between him and the Duke and his continual assisting him his being nominated in the Capitulations of Asti to see all things perform'd and much more the great desire which he and the other French-men seemed to have of maintaining and backing the Duke upon this occasion so to lessen the Authority of the Spaniard in Italy made it appear manifestly that if the Governour should persist resolute in not disarming he would call the French Souldiery into Piedmont who were said to be ready at his beck upon the Confines of Italy and prepared for Piedmont His coming therefore did not only much countenance the Duke but all the Embassadours future Negotiation and the Duke being very vigilant and ready witted and accustomed to consort the disposition of his genius with outward demonstrations made much use of this present occasion in bâ—…asting of his own Forces and of the assistance which was promised him and which he hoped for wherefore receiving the Marshal with excessive and unusual honour and with singular magnificence and keeping close at very private Counsel with him â—…e seemed to repose much confidence in him not pretermitting any term of honour and liberality to make to himself propitious particularly such who being intimate with the Marshal might further most his ends and his desires but these so many demonstrations did more prejudice then further the conclusion of the agreement for the Spanish Ministers of State being very much troubled at the King of France and King of England's interposing themselves in the affairs of Italy did very much dislike nor could they tollerate the Capitulation agreed upon in France wherein the King swore unto the Prince of Conde and the other confederates that he would cause the Articles of Asti to be performed and the Embassadours and Marshals coming to see them executed and the new preparations which were said to be made in France for Italy being hereunto added they thought that the French did arrogate that authority to them in Italy by rigour and threats which the occasion and conjuncture of times and much easiness of the preceding Governour of Millain had procured unto their King and that the Venetians and other Princes did by declaring themselves to adhere unto the Duke pretend to have an eye unto their Crowns authority so as if the power and dignity thereof were therein too much concerned they thought themselves the more bound to resist what so great a union of wills did threaten for that the danger was greater that if they should give way it might be esteemed they did it out of fear of the French Forces A respect which if it penetrated deep into any one it must needs make a deeper impression in the Governour as in him who being come into Italy wholly inflamed with exalted thoughts who had put himself in a posture of restoring his Kings authority to its former condition would have been too much failing to himself and to the opinion which he had generally won if he had gone less in any thing then what he had at first so openly profest and it would have been basely done by him it seeing his affairs grow worse and worse he had not indeavoured by all possible means to sustain them and if he had not been the more sollicitous in providing for war by how much his enemies bravadoes were the greater Therefore to boot with the moneys which he had already disburst for raising of men that it might be seen he durst sheâ—… his face and to make them jealous who did almost already openly threaâ—…en him he sent some Forces to the Venetians Confines and to the Confines of Piedmont and as if he would assault the Staâ—…e of Venice for the effects of their League with the Duke appeaâ—…ed daily more and more he gave order for a Bridge to be made over the Adda Whereat though the Commonwealth were much troubled yet having a great scarcity of men at that time the Senators not being able to do more were forc'd to commit the defence of that part of the State to the people of the Country Whilst the Governour was thus busied in making preparations every where the Embassadour after having staid some days at Turin came to Millain the substance of whose Embassie was That the King had by reason of the accidents which hindred the laying down of Arms used many indeavours to the Duke and given him his word to secure him from the extraordinary Militia of the State of Millain but that the Duke not being therewithal satisfied the King out of his great desire to publick peace and by the obligation which was upon him by the Articles of Astiâ—… did desire him that he would prosecute the disarming which was begun by his Predecessors to the end that the restitutions of the Towns might be come to and the execution of other things appointed by the peace To this proposal which was given in in writing the Governour replied in a long discourse given also in in writing wherein by a methodical Narration of all things that had occur'd from the beginning of the war of Montferrat to the peace made at Asti he inferr'd That the King had done all things for the protection and security of that State to which he was much sollicited by the Queen of France That the King was not bound by the Treaty of peace to dismiss no not so much as one man and that the Duke had only at the beginning given satisfaction in this point but that he had afterwards openly countervened it by the many novelties attempted against Montferrat by his new Levies of men and by his League lately concluded with the Venetians against the House of Austria So as the King was in all acceptations free from the Articles of peace That the Duke refused the security offered him by the words of two so great Kings not out of any doubt or distrust but in favour to the Venetians and that therefore the King of France was no
said in the affairs touching the Valtoline for doubting lest by this Marriage a streight League might be concluded between the Crowns of Spain and England the Kingdom of France being placed between them grew apprehensive of it And the intestine wars continuing in France against the Hereticks who were much favoured by the King and Kingdom of England it behoved the Fench to be very circumspect in falling foul with the Crown of Spain when it should be so closely annex'd to the English as it was likely to be by that Marriage But new accidents did this mean while happen which did much better the French affairs The Pope who was grown very inward with the Spaniards died about the end of Iune in the year 1623. who was succeeded by Maffeo Cardinal Barbarino a Florentine by Nation who caused himself to be called Urbane â—…one of a most pleasing wit as well for his great Erudition in the more weighty Sciences as in humane Learning He was also well vers'd in the affairs of the world and in State affairs for having been accustomed to the most important imployments of the Court of Rome he had also been Nuntio both ordinary and extraordinary with the King of Francâ—… and whilst he was in that imployment was made Cardinal by Pope Paul the fifth wherefore he was thought to be inclined to the French and that he could not wish well to Spain and yet he did so win upon the Spanish Faction by his wisdom dexterity wit and canâ—…id comâ—…oitment as the Votes of the Spanish Cardinals and particularly Borgia's Vote who was the head of them weat to the making him Pope He was created according to the new form prescribed by his Predecessors who to the end that the Cardinals might give their Votes with the more freedom did by a particular Bull ordain so secret a way for the giving of Suffrages as it could not be discovered by any which form though as new and not formerly used it kept the Conclave a little longer yet it being then the Dog-days and the Cardinals being much incommodated by their being kept so close many of them fell sick and some died wherefore forced by fear and danger they joined in the election of Pope Urbane who was indowed with all those parts and ornaments required in a great Prince and in a powerful Pope Having taken the Popedom upon him great signes of constant resolution appeared in him of a good affection to Christendome and that he was not apt to siding For to the great neutrality which he seemed to profess in publick affairs and in such as appertained to the Papal dignity he added great severity in his private affairs by refusing great offers which were immediately made him by the French Agents for the aggrandizing of his House but on the other side being very gratious to the Cardinals of Savoy and to the French and Venetian Cardinals with whom he held close consultations he caused much distrust in the Spanish Cardinals and Agents who therefore quickly shewed little satisfaction in his choice and were displeased with themselves for the favour they had done him And truly the success of affairs under his Popedom shew'd they did not much erre in their judgment nor in the diffidence which they conceived of him for Pope Urbane whether moved thereunto by his own Genius and inclination to the French or out of a desire to restore the Pontifical dignity to its former vigour and render it less exposed to the dependancy of anothers will or that he nourished more generous and more exalted thoughts of the Liberty of Italy he soon discovered himself no great favourer of the Spaniards and very much a friend to those who being desirous of the like liberty of Italy strove to oppose the Spanish greatness This jealousie was augmented by the knowledge of an important accident which happned in Avignon in the Moneth of October this very year The Kings of France England and Denmark the Venetians Duke of Savoy and Hollanders many of the German Princes and as some will have it Bethlem Gaber the Transilvanian Prince sent their Embassadours very secretly to that City where coming unknown and in the habit of Merchants they made a League between them against the Emperour and the King of Spain for the liberty of Italy for the restitution of the Valtoline and of the Palatinate The principal Articles whereof were That the Hollanders to boot with the war which they made in their own Country against the Spaniards should send Fleets into America and possess themselves of Brazil That the King of England should assist the Hollanaers with a certain number of men in their Domestick wars and should send a powerful Fleet to Spain to assault those Rivers and to intercept the Navy which useth to come thither from America That the King of Denmark together with the Protestant Princes of Germany should raise a powerful Army and wage war with the Emperour in Flanders for the Restitution of the Palatinate And that Bethlem Gaber should molest the Emperours Dominions towards Hungary to the end that being assaulted on two sides he might be the less able to make resistance That the King of France should hinder the commercâ—… between Spain and Italy with a powerful Fleet to be kept at Marselles and should pass into Piedmout with an Army of 25000 Foot and 4000 Horse and that joining with the Duke of Savoy who was to raise another Army of 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse he should assault the State of Millain for the maintaining of which Army the Venetians should disburse 100000 Duckats a Moneth to the Duke of Savoy And that at the same time the King of France should fall into the Valtoline with another Army out of the Grisons Country and when he should have possess'd himself of it he should fall down from thence into the State of Millain and joining with the Venetians who for those enterprises were to join a certain number of men to the French Army he should assault the same State of Millain with the Common forces and that they should assault the affairs of the Kingdom of Naples with a Fleet of Ships towards the Adriatick Sea This League being made two months after the Pope Election in a City belonging to the Church made the Spaniards suspect that it never would have been appointed without tacite intelligence held between the Pope and the French who were thought the authors of it because besides the restitution of the Valtoline and the Palatinate the restoring of the Apostolick See to all that did anciently belong unto her was agreed upon wherein it seemed the Kingdom of Naples might be understood and place was also left in the same League for the Pope and great Duke of Tuscany who was also promised to have all the Havens of Tuscany restored unto him but the French openly denying any such Conspiracy and no wise man being to believe that a Pope hardly waâ—…m in his Chair should enter into so weighty
Chamber in defence of the Valtoline which did appertain little or nothing to the Church but spare them for the eminent danger of the State of Urbine which speeches being accompanied with some other favourable Demonstrations to the French did trouble the Spaniards and made them very circumspect in the business of Urbino lest the Pope to make a greater conjunction with the King of France might probably precipitate the business of the Valtoline and yet being naturally very considerate he had two Consultations about the business of the Valtoline of the most conspicuous Theologists of the Court and most exemplary for holiness of life who having discus'd the business were of opinion that the Pope ought not to permit Catholicks to return under the yoke of Hereticks out of the evident danger of their souls which belonging to the Flock of our Saviour Christ it became him according to the Gospel to defend them like a good Shepherd from the Wolves though with the hazard of his own life Thus did the Affairs of the Valtoline alter out of several respects in that Court just like the ebbing and flowing of the Sea and the Pope not being resolved what to do in it that he might hold them both in hand temporized and delai'd his resolution but the French who whilst Gregory lived were quiet when they had a Pope who was their friend began to rouse up and to pretend that the Valtoline the Forts being demolished was to return under the Grisons command nor did they admit of any exception unless that for what concern'd the safety of the Catholick Religion the Pope should be the determiner this they said was dictated by the first Capitulations at Madrid and thus Reason and the King of France his Obligation to Protect the Grifons did require they persisted the more in these pretentions for that they saw their affairs were much altered for in the Spanish Court instead of alliance enmity with the English was increased the Spanish Army in Flanders and all the Forces of those States were busied before Breda a very strong Town of the Hollanders both for Situation Fortification and for its being triple fenced by water the taking of it was held impossible the Siege very long and of uncertain success the Hollanders having raised a strong Army to relieve it The Affairs of that Court had had but bad success in the Indies and in America for Ormuz a very strong Town situated in the mouth of Persia a principal place for Merchandize and of great annual revenue and of greater concernment for the command of the East-Indies was taken by those Barbarians they being assisted by English shipping the Baja de todes santos or All Saints Bay the chiefest staple Town of Brasile being perhaps in pursuance of the League of Avignon assaulted by a Holland Fleet was taken and sack'd which having had booty thâ—…re to the value of above two Millions of Ducates fortified themselves there intending further progress these were two mighty blows to the Crown of Spain which did oblige that King to send a powerful Army as he did to recover them and to boot that the event of these Affairs was uncertain they required great store of shipping multitudes of men and money nor were the wars of Germany yet wholly at an end for many Rebels of the Empire and whose Forces seemed rather to increase then to lessen did molest it in several places for the King of Denmark in conformity to the League at Avignon came into the Field very strong and had made himself head of the Protestant Princes who took up Arms against the Emperour to restore the Palatine to his Patrimonial State and who made great progress in the lower Germany On the contrary the Affairs of France which till now had been full of troubles and civil wars seemed to be brought into a safe Harbour and by several accidents to be in a better condition the King of England having broken the match with Spain had concluded a Marriage between his Son the Prince of Wales and a Sister to the King of France who was yet unmarried and joyning in League with him promised great things against the interest of Spain both by Sea and Land answerable to the League of Avignon and the tumults of France were either totally composed or it was in the Kings power to end them which accidents concurring at the same time were able to incite any Prince to novelties though never so much an enemy thereunto much more the King of France and French Nation who were so far interessed and ingaged in the business of the Valtoline and therefore though after many Consultations had in Rome between the Embassadours of Spain and France of themselves and afterwards with the Pope the Pope put forth at last some Articles touching the security in point of Religion amongst those of the Valtoline whereunto the Embassadour did agree and made others between themselves in their Kings name whereby the Valtoline when the Forts should be demolished was to return to be under the Grisons but with some Articles Conditions and upon pain of Escheat in case of swarving from the agreement and particularly with leave for the King of Spain to pass men thorow it yet the King of France accepting only those that were propounded by the Pope did absolutely refuse those that were agreed upon by the Embassadour and being highly offended with the Commandator Sillery who was his Embassadour he sent Monsieur di Bittune to succeed him and sent for Sillery back to France and did not only deprive him of his favour but removed his Brother who was Lord Chancellor and the Chancellors Son who was Secretary of State together with other of their dependants from their imployments being apprehensive as was said that they held some secret intelligence with the Court of Spain and being incensed against the King of Spain desired the Pope that he would either cause the Forts to be demolished or else restore them to the King of Spain to the end that he might make way to their demolishment without offence to the Apostolick See but the Articles of depositure withstood the demolishing and the restitution was gainsaid for fear of raising new wars between the two Kings so as look with how much more circumspection it became the Pope to proceed in his resolves so much more did the fervency of the French increase who not brooking any delay and seeing things in a way for war furthered the execution of the League and the preparations for all things requisite for what was resolved on But the Marriage which was just at this time in hand between Prince Phileberto of Savoy and Princess Maria Daughter to Francis late Duke of Mantua did either totally hinder or at least retard for the present the effects of so great a combination by which Treaty the Duke of Savoy who if he were not the head was a principal member of this League was diverted from the common Counsels The Spaniards had
Arsenal of Venice built certain Boats and Brigantines and putting them armed into the water he made himself master of the little Lake and of the Channel by which Boats came with Victuals and Ammunition to those of Riva remedies were found for both these inconveniences for Count Iovanni sent men to Riva who taking from the French the Fortifications which they had possess'd themselves off made the way open and rendred that pass free for Provisions and Succour and the Duke of Feria having also sent for experienced Ship-wrights and Mariners from Genoa he also put other Barques and Brigantines into the River which beâ—…ng well armed and man'd and some pieces of Artillery being placed in fitting palces upon the side of the Lake kept the way open as well by Water as by Land for Victuals and other Provisions and forthwith freed la Riva from being besieged but Coure's men being this mean while much recruited by more men and moneys sent by the Venetians who desired to see that Enterprise ended to the end that when the French should fall upon the State of Millain they might also assault it on their side and new Regiments of Souldiers being come unto him from the Swissers and Grisons Feria being very careful to defend that pass sent 2000 of those Dutch thither who came fiâ—…st to the State of Millain which hapned very opportunely for Coure being thus recruited would needs go to assault la Riva and do his utmost to take it and he found the Defendants also recruited who marching into the Field encountered the Enemy in a little Plain beyond Nova and fought them the Combate was very fierce and stoutly fought on all sides and the French being often times recruited the Fight continued till night upon the coming on whereof the French were forced to retreat with the loss of many of their men and could not only not come neer Riva but forsaking Campo withdrew into their Quarters about Vico and Vercei which were lower and farther distant from Riva These happy successes afforded the Duke of Feria breath he thought himself so safe from assaults on that side as he might have more leasure to think upon the affairs of Genoa in the freeing whereof the Victory in all parts did depend but the delay of the Dutch was a great hinderance to it which did proceed not only from the endeavours to the contrary of the Confederates and of the French but also from the avarice of the Cantons who were to permit them to pass who being Creditors to the Crown of Spain for pay denied them passage till they were paid their Arraers and the Governour being in great want of money much time was required to get the moneys wherewith to satisfie them before the coming of the Gallies from Spain to Genoa nor would they grant them free passage when they were satisfied as they had granted to the French but with many limitations which caused much delay and the Governour being much sollicited by the Genoeses whom he could not please before the arrival of the Dutch he made use of appearance instead of effects for making all things ready for marching he went from Millain to Pavia giving out that he would go to relieve Genoa and here according to what was published he was very diligent in making all requisite provisions for that succour and for the people who came daily from Genoa a shew which was very seasonable and which was thought did much detain the Enemies proceeding who seeing him ready to march could not without apparent danger to themselves keep their Quarters much less could they advance to their Enterprise to the home and neighbouring provisions which secured the Genoeses forreign and further distant accidents were added which though far enough off yet made much for their main business Don Frederico di Tolledo who was gone with a powerful Fleet to recover Brafile return'd at this time victorious into Spain and Marquess Spinola after nine moneths Siege took Breda in the defence and preservation whereof not only the Hollanders did labour with all their Forces but the Kings of France England Swethland and Denmark so as the Fleet which was return'd from Brasile was a strong defence to the Mediterranean against the English and the Flemish Fleets if entring the Mediterranean they should make for Genoa so also the Flanders Army being freed from besieging Breda might commodiously and without any impediment go whither it listed and keep France in j alousie which was then rent and disturbed with home discords and when the affairs of Genoa wherein that Crown was so concern'd should require it it was sufficient by molesting that Kingdom on that side to divert France from offending the Genoeses and the King of Spain being quite of these two impediments might imploy greaâ—…er Forces in defence of the State of Genoa to boot with these two Forreign accidents whereby the conditions of the affairs of Genoa were bettered three others which hapned neerer hand did much impair the affairs of the Confederates Army the one was that the Victuals and Provisions in the English Fleet were corrupted then when it was ready to put to Sea for Italy so as it was foced to tarry some moneths to take in new Provisions another that the Hereticks in France began again to tumultuate and the King being necessitated to quench the fire which was kindled in his own house could not furnish fuel to mantain combustion abroad the third that the Duke of Guise who was to put with his Fleet from Marcelles notwithstanding the 150000 Ducates taken from the Genoeses and other moneys which the Duke of Savoy furnished him with upon this account proceeded slowly in his preparations and could not put to Sea according to appointment therefore the Duke of Savoy and the Constable failing in the chief ground-works of their Enterprise and seeing the Enemies preparations to increase both in Genoa and in the State of Millain they were forced to think more upon their own safeties then upon the ruine of others The inward discords of their own Army was also a great break-neck to their affairs which keeping about Gavio Ottaggio and the neighbouring parts uncertain and not resolved what to do began to want Victuals the Country being barren and those spent which were in the Army at its first appearing and at the taking of Ottaggio for they could not hope for any from the State of Millain now that it was provided of Souldiers and very little came from Piedmont by reason of the length of the Journey the difficulty of the Guides and Conducts and by the hindrances they met with by the Montserrians who being irritated and angred at the ill usage they received from the Army as it passed through their Country declared themselves fierce Enemies hindring their Conducts killing the Conductors and all such Souldiers who to get rid of the sufferings of the Camp retired either into France or Piedmont The trocb'es were no less which they received from the Pozzeveraschy
introduce a Vote absolutely depending upon the King of France into the Electoral colledge A thing which though it was sufficiently contrary to reason and to the preeminence of the German Empire and repugnant to the Votes of the German Nation yet would it not have been ill looked upon by the Protestant Princes in those times and to such as were ill affected to the Austrian Name And the Emperour fearing these plots which he saw were a framing by this Electory he ordered the Infanta that he should secure his person In order whereunto the Infanta put 2000 Souldiers in some barks cover'd with cloth like to Merchants vessels which pass upon those Rivers and sent them down the Mosell towards Tryers which is seated upon the bank thereof whither being come by night and telling the Sentinels that they were boats come from Lucemberg they fastned two Petards to two Gates by one of which they entred and by the other 200 Horse which were sent by land to that purpose by the Infanta who coming to the Gate at the same time that it was beaten down by the Petard the Horse and Foot entred the Town at unawares cut the French Garrison in pieces who were overcome with fear and the darkness of the night and easily made themselves Masters of the City and of the Elector who being speedily carried to Lucemburg and from thence to Namures and so to Brussels was honourably treated there as an Archbishop and Elector but was diligently guarded as a Prisoner The King of France held himself highly offended by this action as if it had been done in a resentment of the new Protection whereinto that Prince had put himself he therefore made the Electors liberty be demanded of the Infanta by his Resident who was then in that Court to which the Infanta answered That what was done at Tryers was done by the Emperours express command and that therefore he was to address himself to Cesar. The King not being satisfied with this answer sent an Herauld to the Infanta who did intimate War against him and against the King of Spain expresly declaring and protesting That that intimation should serve as effectually for the King of Spain as if it had been given to his own Person in Madrid Many Discourses pass'd about under the Names of the Kings themselves and of others as they stood severally interessed or devoted to either of the Courts wherein each side sharpely defended their cause The most solid and most ascertained Reasons of this breach publish'd in print by the King of France in his own Name were That the Elector of Tryers being abandoned by the Emperour when the Empire beaten by the Swedish Forces was not well able to sustain it self not knowing whom to â—…ly unto for refuge had put himself into his protection to free himself from being suppress'd by them wherefore he deserved not to be made prisoner for doing so without citation or being condemned he therefore accused it as not only unjust but unworthy being committed against a Sacred Person an Archbishop and one of the seven Electors of the Empire and that since it redounded not only to the great offence of his Crown in respect of the protection whereunto the Elector had put himself but to the like of the Apostolick See and of the Electoral Colledg the Pope and Electors were to resent it as well as he To this was answered That that Elector had never put himself into the protection of the King of France but had only desired some assistance from him as from a Prince that was his friend against the Swedes so as even by the Electors own confession the title of protection was faulty which was the chief foundation of the complaint and of the injury pretended to be done to the King and if the Elector had desired or received help under the name of protection he ought not to have withdrawn him from the natural Sovereigâ—…y of the Emperour nor from the protection of the Dukes of Luxenberg he being a Prince of the Empire and under the protection of the ancient Dukes of Luxenberg it being a clear thing That a natural Subject cannot withdraw himself from the Jurisdiction of his Sovereign Prince nor prejudicate it by any action of his and that howsoever his protection against the King of Sweden did not extend against the Emperour or King of Spain the one being his Sovereign the other his ancient Protector no otherwise then fealty by a natural Subject of a Prince sworn to another Prince from whom he holds any Town or Castle in Fee shall never be of force to engage him against his natural Prince nor to withdraw him from his obedience That therefore the King of France ought not by title of new protection to intermeddle with what the Electors Sovereign Prince was pleased to order The ground-work of the breach seeming to be shaken by these Reasons the King of France pleaded other former injuries which he had at several times and upon several occasions received from the Crown of Spain and beginning from the reciprocal Marriages made between the two Kings it was said that the Spaniards had never ceased to make plots against the quiet and safety of France and in the first place That the King of Spain had waged war with the Duke of Savoy under the honourable pretence of protecting the House of Mantua against which the same King did afterwards conspire himself for no other reason but because the Duke would not joyn with him in making war with the King of France To this was added the revolutions of the Valtoline to the prejudice of the Grisons ancient Clients and Confederates of the Crown of France which were endeavoured for no other end and somented by the King of Spain but only that he might carry the war more commodiously through the Valtoline from Germany to Italy and from Italy to Germany and to make himself Master of the parts confining upon the Valtoline That the Court of Spain not being able to endure the good correspondency which was held between France and England had by means of Marquess Mirabello his Embassadour at Paris sowed dissentions and discords between them and fomented the Rebellion of the Hereticks of France to the end that the King being busied in suppressing them might not have leisure to defend Mantua and Montferrat which were then powerfully assaulted by the Spaniards and that when the King of France had by the success of his Forces and by the Peace of Susa freed Cassalle the first time the King of Spain had not only let slip that occasion of preserving Peace in Italy and of securing the liberty of the Client of France but had called in the Dutch against the City of Mantua whilest his Commanders endeavoured once more to take Cassalle by force whereby the King of France was forced to send his Arms back again into Italy to secure his Confederates and to keep the Spaniards within some bounds wherein faring as successfully as
amongst the offences which he pretends to have received that the Queen and the Duke of Orleans the one Sister the other Brother in Law to the King of Spain both of them being gone from France were received with safety to their persons in Flanders and that 2000 Horse were given to the Duke of Orleans for a conduct so the Emperour and King of Spain might with much more reason complain of the King of France for giving the like protections and fomentations to the Hollanders the German Princes and the Duke of Nevers who were in Arms against the Emperour that therefore it was no less an injury to the Emperour that the King of France should desire that the German Princes who had taken up Arms against him should be admitted into the peace which was in treaty between the Emperour their Sovereign and the King of France it being no better then to abet a Subject against his Prince to prescribe Laws between a Sovereign and his Vassal and to make the world know that the King of France was Arbitrator of Peace and War in Germany and Moderator of the Empire which were undoubtedly too high pretentions and which were never put for not practised by any that the case of the King of France his Mother and Brothers who were fled into the King of Spains Dominions and honourably received there was otherwise that these were personal Offices between a Father in Law and Son in Law and between Brother in Law in the like case nor did they extend further then to the person to whom they were done and if they would talk of the 2000 Horse given to the Duke of Orleans these and other assistances as the Fleet at Sea destined against Provence ought to be opposed to the King of France his fomenting so many both open and secret Hostilities against the Emperour and King of Spain since it was not reasonable that it should be lawful for the King of France to undermine the Austrian Grandezza and that the Austrians should act nothing against him that the dissentions between the Crowns of France and England and the wars made by the King of France against the Duke of Savoy because he would not abet the Spanish designs were not to be considered being things notoriously false and whereof there was no proof that the world knew the reasons of the differences between France and England and whence the distastes arose in the Royal Family of France and what were the occasions of the war made against the Duke of Savoy and how much the then Queen Regent of France and the Potentaâ—…es of Italy did press the King to force the Duke to lay down the Arms which he had taken up to suppress the Duke of Mantua These were the chief charges and defences made by each party and it being hard to say what was the just cause of this breach those who understood the Affairs of the world best were of Polybius his opinion an ancient Authour who discoursing upon the true occasions from whence the bitter Wars between the Romans and Carthaginians arose makes no account of this or that hostile act which happened between these Common-wealths or of any breach of peace between them but layes the true reason of the Wars which succeeded between them upon the meer Ambition that the one Common-wealth had to exceed the other The like say they was the occasion of the Wars between these two Crowns and Nations which contending for superiority great Emulation arose between them from whence those reciprocal hatreds which are grounded between them cannot be cancell'd by any Peace The roots of the like Ambition being hatch'd say they then in the Souls of both these Nations it was necessary that the fruits of hatred continual jealousies and reciprocal suspitions by which their minds are continually agitated should bud forth From hence grow cruel hatreds which branch out into secret treaties into plots and then into open Wars Building therefore upon these foundations they say ' t is true that the King of France had promis'd to forget all faults past in the Peace of Vervin and that he had promis'd to forego all Intelligence with the Enemies of the Crown of Spain But that finding afterwards that his Kingdom was bounded on the South by Spain on the North by Flanders which is under the Crown of Spain on the East by Germany in part obedient in part subject to the House of Austria and a little lower by Italy which is likewise partly subject partly adherent to the same Crown And thinking that being as it were imprisoned by the Austrian Forces he did enjoy the freedom which became so great a King but that every the least addition of this so great power indangered the suppression and suffocation of his Kingdom he held his honour and authority to be but small and that the eyes of all the world were fix'd only on the Austrian Sun These were sharp goads to unsettle a well fix'd Resolution he considered also what commotions and troubles the meere Dukes of Burgondy who commanded all Belgia had caused in France that those Territories would now be incorporated into the Crown of Spain and back'd by the Forces of Germany That therefore it became him to think not only upon his honour but upon his Kingdomes safety which being weakened by the late Wars and vex'd with intestine dissentions could not well secure it self from so great a neighbouring power that it was usual for Princes to keep others low for their own better preservation and to endeavour the pulling down of those that were more potent that principalities were maintained by these Arts. He therefore apply'd himself to get out of their streights and to favour the Hollanders lest if they should be beaten the King of Spain should grow too strong upon those Confines or at least that that wound being kept open he might be lesse able to advance further that therefore this Resolution was more necessary then voluntary arising from the interest of self-preservation which is by natural reason more warranted to bruit beasts and surely then to men and great Potentates then it is prohibited by the gain-sayings of Peace That such Peace wherein one of the parties is subject to the other does not deserve the name of Peace but is rather to be termed Slavery and not likely to last long as was clearly shewn by the Embassadours of Privernum who being asked in the Senate of Rome how long that Peace was like to last which they desired answered that if it were a good one for them it should be perpetuall if a bad one very short An answer which made those Senators know that no people nor person can keep long under the sharpness of an unjust condition and this made them mitigate the conditions of Peace which were granted to those of Privernum That notwithstanding the King of France had pieced up that rent by the Truce which was by his means made between the Crown of Spain and the
which they aspired to give Laws to all men and to suffocate thâ—… Liberty and Sovereignty of the Princes of Italy and though the double and clandestine dealing between the King and Duke were contrary to the peace of Ratisbone and to the Treaties of Cherasco yet winking at so great a gainsaying they allowed of the Kings justification and on the contrary the Declaration made by the Emperour touching the investment of the Duke of Mantua the day before was judged to be clandestine and yet he who shall justly consider the cause which moved the Emperour to make that Declaration will find that he was not to be blamed for it nor had any and much less the King of France reason to complain of the Articles which were granted before for the Articles of Ratisbone being reciprocal between the Emperour and the King it was clear that the one party observing them when the other did not it was lawful for the observer to withdraw from what he had on his side done but the original fault of the first moving against the Duke of Mantua conveighing sinister influences into all actions which did depend upon that moving did little justifie any action which might any ways prejudice the Dukes interest and the Italians minds being incumbered by fear that the former wars of the Valtoline and then those against Mantua and Montferrat aimed at the inslaving of Italy they allowed no place to any more subtile interpretations or considerations to define what was just and honest since justice and honesty seemed to have taken up the highest seat in the balance which did secure the Liberty of Italy and whatsoever co-operated to lessening the Spanish greatness being held good for the common liberty and safety was esteemed just and honest according to that saying salus populi suprema lex esto for this respect the Duke of Feria's suspition was not thought just who seeing the French brought into Mantua and Casalle and the Grisons parts gartison'd with French pretended that it was against the Article of Peace the events soon shewed that the pretence was not vain since it was seen that those places fell into the hands of the French so as their actions were applauded and the Spaniards suspitions blamed some of the Iâ—…alian Princes joyed to see that the French were became as it were Arbitrators of Italy and little less then masters of Mantua Montferrat and Piedmont and Concha if for no other cause at least for that they thought them by reason and opportunity to be of equal power and authority to the Spaniards and peradventure superiour to them by reason of the adheâ—…ence which those Princes would rather have with him then with the King Spain for they desired to keep the Spanish Forces curb'd by those of France the Spaniards being grown jealous and hateful to them this was the success of the ill advised ill govern'd and worse justifiable Spanish Forces this was the fruit they reaped of their so much stirring to no other end but that they could not tolerate that a Prince who depended upon France should have any possessions in Italy nor were the King of France his Forces less fortunate out of Italy for to boot with the Garrisons put into the Grisons Country whereby they depended no less upon his arbitrement then did the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua he did at the same time assault Lorrain with a powerful Army being offended with that Duke who had received and fomented the Duke of Orleans who as hath been said was fled from the Court and the Duke of Lorrain having no means to defend himself the Emperouâ—… and all Germany being sufficiently molested and a great part of Germany possess'd by the Swedes he was forced to humble himself to the King and to sue for peace which was not granted him without parting with some of his chiefest Towns and being thus received into protection he obliged himself not only to give free passage to the King through Lorrain whensoever he would go with an Army into Germany but to joyn with him in that war and assist him with a certain number of men whilst he went to defend the liberty of the German Princes the ancient Friends and Conâ—…ederates of his Crown wherefore when the King drew neer Germany with his Army the Ecclesiastick Electors and many other German Lords and Princes put themselves under the protection of the Crown of France pretending fear of the Swedish Forces but in effect to have a Protector of their greater liberty to which they aspired against the Austrian authority Much about the time that the Peace of Ratisbone was concluded a League as hath been said was made between the King of France and the King of Swedland in defence of all common Friends and of all the German Princes in their oppressed Liberties and to restore Germany and the Princes thereof to the same condition they were in before the war began in which League the King of France obliged himself to pay 400000 Crowns a year unto the Swede for maintenance of his Army which was as much as to set up a Standard in maintenance of the German Rebellion unto which all male-contents might have recourse nor did the design prove vain for after the famous Victory of the Swede and Duke of Saxony before Lypsick as hath been elsewhere said wherein the Emperours Army and that of the League was discomfited and almost all slain and wherein Tilly was also sorely wounded the Protestant Princes openly adhered unto the Swede and joyn'd with him against the Emperour and those who in respect of the Catholick Religion could not openly adhere unto an Heretick Prince who was manifestly bent to take â—…he Empire from the house of Austria and to overthrow the Catholick Religion and who were unsatisfied with the Austrian Dominion taking pretence from their fearing the Swede had recourse to the King of France by whom being taken into protection they covenanted neutrality between the Swede and the Emperour and to permit the King of France to pass armed through their Territories by means of which protection they were secured from the Swedish Forces and the Emperour who was by this means bereft of the adherence and help of almost all the German Princes and also openly assaulted by the Swede and his adherents and molested under-hand by the King of France was brought to so low a condition as not being well able to withstand so many enemies the affairs of the Empire were in a very sad condition to this was added that the Duke of Bavaria who was head of the Catholick League and the greatest maintainer of the Catholick Religion and who next to the Elector of Saxony was the greatest support of the Empire and of the house of Austria especially after Saxony his revolt was also though very secretly confederated with the King of France which King by Articles of Confederacy was bound to maintain the upper Palatinate and the Electoral Dignity for ever in this Duke and in the