that he knewe well enough the estate of that daunger but on the other side was to be considered the perill that might breede of the disunion of those kings that in a matter of so greate importance it was harde to ballance things perfectly and to finde a councell that were wholly cleare from those daungers That in all euentes the Svvizzers woulde defende the duchie of Millan And lastly he answered that it was necessarie in deliberations so vncertayne and difficulte to referre one part to tharbitrement of aduenture and fortune What soeuer was the cause eyther for the authoritie of the Pope or by the proper inclination of the parties there began immediatly a practise of accorde betwene the king of Englande and the Frenche king The mocions and forespeeches of it were begon by the Pope with the Bishop of Yorke and were with diligence caryed into England whither for that busines the king sent the generall of Normandy but vnder culler to treate for the deliuery of the Marquis of Rhothelin Assone as he was come there was proclaymed a surceassing of armes by lande onely betweene the two Realmes so long as the generall remayned in Englande The king of Englandes inclination to peace was encreased by the occasion of newe iniuries for where Caesar had promised not to ratifie without him the truce made by the king Catholike he sent notwithstanding to the same king thinstrumente of ratification and by a letter whiche he wrote to the Frenche king he ratified in the name of Caesar but reteyned thinstrument the better to vse his artificiall semblaunces and demonstrations Assone as the negociation was begonne betweene the two kinges the Pope desirous to purchase grace with them bothe sente by poste into Fraunce the Byshoppe of Tricaro to offer him all his authoritie and facultie and to that ende he arryued in Englande by the suffraunce of the sayde king At the firste opening of this practise for peace there fell out manye difficulties for that the kinge of Englande demaunded Boleine in Pikardye wyth a greate summe of money But at laste all the differences fell vppon the towne of Tornaye the kinge of Englande stryuing to reteyne it and the French obiecting some difficultie In so muche as the king of Englande dispatched in poste to the Frenche kinge the Bishop of Tricaro whom he charged without imparting in what nature of particularitie consisted the difficultie to declare to the king from him that in regarde of so greate a benefite he shoulde not stande vppon so many suttle difficulties but to consider that in a Prince reason shoulde beare more imperie then passion The Frenche kinge because he woulde neither do wrong to his Crowne nor yll content hys people the towne of Tornay beeing verie noble and loyall to the Crowne of Fraunce caused the matter to be debated in full Councell wherein was an assistaunce of the principalles of his Courte who aduised him with one voyce to embrace peace yea vnder the condition offred And yet in that tyme the kinge Catholike dyd what he coulde to breake it offering the king manye plottes and deuises but specially to minister to hym all his meanes and fauours to conquer the duchie of Millan But the aunswere beeing returned into Englande that the Frenche king stoode contented with the resolution of Tornaye the peace succeeded and was concluded in the beginning of August betweene the two kings duryng theyr lyues and for one yeare after their death In the capitulation it was expressed that Tornay should remayne to the kinge of Englande to whome the Frenche kinge shoulde paye sixe hundred thowsande crownes and that in suche sorte of distribution that the Frenche kinge shoulde make payment of an hundred thousande frankes euery yeare till the full payment was satisfied That they shoulde bee bounde to defende their estates mutually and reciprocally with tenne thousande footemen if the warre wente by lande and with six thousande onely if the warre were made by sea That the french king should be bounde to serue the king of Englande in all hys affayres with twelue hundred launces and the king of Englande likewise to minister to his seruices with ten thousande footemen Thexpences to be defrayed by either of them that should haue nede of the men Both the one and other of them named the Skottishe king tharchduke and the Empire But Caesar and the king Catholike were not named The Svvizzers had a nomination but it bare a condition that who soeuer woulde defende agaynst the French king the estate of Millan Genes or Ast should be excluded out of the nomination This peace which was made with a wonderful readines was confirmed by the mariage of the kings sister of Englande with the Frenche king vnder condition that he should acknowledge to haue receiued foure hundred thousand crownes for her dowry The contract or handfestings were made in Englande where the king Catholikes embassador was not in presence for the great hatred the king of Englande bare to the king his maister And euen vpon the conclusion and resolution of this peace came to the Courte of Fraunce thinstrument of ratification which Caesar had made together with his commission and the king Catholikes for conclusion of the mariage that was solicited betwene Ferd. d'Austriche and the seconde daughter of Fraunce not yet foure yeares of age But the practise of that mariage vanished presently by reason of the peace that was now established And the Frenche king to satisfie better the king of England gaue order that the Duke of Suffolke Capteine generall of the Launceknightes that were in his pay should departe the dominions of Fraunce in whom the honors recompences that the king made to him ouercame all occasions of discontentment the bountie and liberalitie of the one being no greater then the affabilitie and disposition of the other The Pope had also in this time made new aliances for that according to his dissimulations he wished on the one side that the frēch king should not recouer the duchie of Millan and on the other side he sought to enterteine the king and the other princes as much as he could with sundry meanes And therfore he had delt with the king by the Cardinall S. Seuerin who managed his affayres in the court of Rome that seing the times suffred not to knit betwene them a more great and more discouered aliance that at least there might be layed a beginning fundation whervpon might be raysed a hope to accomplish at an other time a more straite intelligence to those ends he sent him the particularities of articles But the french king notwithstanding he made demonstration to like well of the motion did not answer so directly spedily as was looked for he was xv dayes in resoluing either for thimpedimēt of other affayres or that he exspected some answere from an other place to th ende to proceede according to the trayne of affayres By which delaying the Pope entred into newe capitulations for a
sauetie and the other part for glorye ioyned to a desire to sacke a citie so full of riches The Capteines besides their office to commaund and dispose most often tooke the places of meane soldiours the vertue of Monsr de Foix being singuler aboue the residue At last the Venetian armie were driuen from the place after they had made a wonderfull defense In so much as the Conquerers who nowe deuided them selues into two bandes made their entrey the one by the citie and the other by the Citadel finding in euery quarter and corner a meruelous resistance by the soldiours and by the people In whom it seemed their aduersitie had nothing diminished their vertue But the french men being alwayes followed with victorie passed thorow all impediments and chassed all their ennemies that stoode affore them They gaue not their mindes to pillage vntill they sawe them selues absolute Maisters of the towne such was their direction of their Capteine whom they obeyed and obserued so iustly that what soeuer he were that did otherwayes he was forthwith slayne by his fellowes In these encownters there dyed of the french parte many footemen and a greate number of men at armes But of thennemies were left on the ground eyght thowsand dead carkasses part of the people and part of the Venetian soldiours which were fiue hundred men at armes eyght hundred light horsemen and eyght thowsand footemen amongest whom was Contaryn commaunder of the stradiots who was slaine vpon the greene with a bullet of a harquebuze All the residue were taken except two hundred stradiots who fled by a posterne neare the gate of S. Nazareth albeit with no better fortune for that falling vppon the french armie which remeyned without the towne they were almost all taken or killed They also immediatly after the execution entred the towne by the same gate and falling to pillage aswell as the residue they enioyed the trauells and daungers of others Andrevv Gritty Anth. Iustynian whom the Senat had sent into that citie as gouernour remeyned prisoners together with Ioh. P. Manfron his sonne the Knight de la Volpe Baltazar Scipion one of the sonnes of Anth. de Pio Count Lovvys Auogato and one of his sonnes and Domynik Busechio Capteine of the stradiots These being chieftaines of th armie were reserued as miserable examples of their owne calamitie they were by the wretchednes and fortune of prisoners disposed caried about as best pleased the appetit of the Victors sometymes brought to behold the dead bodyes of their companions and friends A spectacle lamentable to be compelled to see those men deade whom in life they so much honored and loued And sometymes appoynted to stande in the presence of thennemie taking speciall glorie in that which to them could not be but an increase of discomfort by strait commaundement of Monsr de Foix the honors of the women of religion were kept vndefiled but their goods together with such others as for protection were conueyed into their couents were made a praye to the Capteines Count Lovvys was executed in the market place Monsr de Foix being present and seemed to holde it a sacrifice best acceptable and pleasing to his eyes his two sonnes albeit they were for a tyme deferred suffered in the ende the same payne thauthoritie of the Victor raigning very iudicially ouer the liues of whome soeuer it pleased him In this sort by the vallour fortune of the french men of whom they of Bressia vaunted to be discended fell into this extremitie that citie for nobilitie digniue nothing inferior to any other citie of Lombardye but in riches and plentye farre aboue them all except Myllan And as the miseries that warre draweth with it are infinit so the whole citie for seuen daies together was exposed to the couetousnes to the lust and to the crueltie of soldiours thinges sacred aswell as prophane being percell of the pray And no lesse the liues then the goods of men committed to the discression of spoylers This victorie brought great reputacion to the name of Monsr de Foix Italy no lesse then the other regions of Christendō resounding much his glory that by his celeritie and vallour in the space of xv daies he had compelled the armies Ecclesiastike and spanish to discampe from before Bolognia ouerthrowne in the plaine fielde Ioh. P. Baillon with part of the Venetian regiments and reconquered Bressia with so great a slaughter of soldiours and other sortes of peoples it was confirmed by the iudgement of wise men that touching enterprise and matters of warre Italy had not felt the like of long time the aduersitie farre exceeding the memorie and example of all times past After the action of Bressia together with the other places that were lost of whom Bergamo drawne into rebellion by the ayde of very few of the towne had by cōmon consent reuoked the french men before Monsr de Foix made his entrye into Bressia And after Monsr de Foix had set downe a forme to th affayres of Bressia and had somwhat refreshed and reordered his armie made wearie with so great trauells and no lesse disordered partly by keeping and partly by distribucion of the spoyle he determined according to the kinges commaundement to go seeke the armie of the confederats which after his departure from before the walls of Bolognia was stayed vpon the landes of the Bolognois To this direction the king was constrayned by many vrgent accidents which droaue him into necessitie to take newe councells for the sauetie and benefit of his affayres for he discerned manifestly that he should haue warre with the king of England notwithstanding that king had in franke tearmes affore assured him the contrary And since kept him in suspence with tokens and wordes doubtfull The actions which were quite contrary to his promisses could be no more couered for that there came aduertisement from Rome howe he had at lust approued and ratified the league by writing Besides the french king was not ignorant that in England were made great preparacions of men and ships and in Spayne was rigged a great nauie to passe into England where was an vniuersall disposicion in all sortes of the people of that region to make warre vppon the Realme of Fraunce To this humor of the king people was much helping the arriual of a galeass from the Pope laden with Greeke wines with cheeses and other prouisions which distributed in his name to the king Barons and Prelats of the Realme were receiued of all with a wonderfull gladnes The common sort of people which oftentymes is no lesse caried by vaine and small thinges then by matters more graue and great ronne with generall admiracion to beholde the galeasse accounting it so much more to their pleasure and glorie by how much they had neuer seene in that I le any vessell bearing the Popes banners At last Bishop Morton who had long negociated betwene the Pope and the french king induced either by his conscience or
by desire to be Cardinall was appoynted in an assembly of all the states of that ylande where he shewed with equall fauor full testimonie what was the iustice of the Popes cause Vppon this both it was determined to send the Prelats to the councell of Latran in the name of the whole Realme And also thimportunities of the Popes Embassador concurring the king commaunded the french kings Embassador to depart out of the Realme he published this reason of his commaundement that it was not cōuenient to enterteine about the person of a king and in a kingdome so deuout to the Churche a man that represented a king so manifestly persecuting the sea Apostolike Now began to be discouered the secret resolucion wherein the king of England with his armie by sea should molest the shoares of Normandy and Britaine should send eyght thowsand footemen into Spaine to make warre vpon the Duchie of Guyenu together with the forces of the king of Aragon A suspicion which not a litle afflicted the french king both for that the memorie of the warres past had made the english name very terrible to those peoples and also he knewe the daunger woulde grow so much the greater by how much the spanish forces were ioyned with them He was fearefull also by the consideracion of his owne weakenes hauing sent into Italy all his companies of men at armes sauing two hundred launces which if he should call backe eyther in part or in all the Duchie of Myllan which he esteemed much should remeyne in manifest perill And if for his resupplie he should encrease the auncient band of eyght hundred launces he could reapose litle confidence and hope for lesse assurance amyd so great daungers in persons newly created and vnexperiēced he added to this the suspicion of thallienacion of Caesar which daily more and more encreased for notwithstanding Andrevv Burgos whom he had sent with so great exspectacion and being returned brought tydings that Caesar was disposed to abide in the confederacion yet he made offers of very harde condicions entermedling many cōplaints for he required of the king to assure him to recouer al that apperteyned to him by the capitulacions of Cambray alleaging that he could no more trust in simple promisses for that he hath alwayes knowen both from the beginning and since that it was a matter very greeuous to the king that he should conquer Padoa And that to consume and hold him in continuall trauels he had willingly wasted two hundred thowsand duckats euery yeare knowing that to him the spēding of l. thowsand was much more That he had refused the last yeare to deliuer to him the person of Tryuulce being a Capteine that had both the will and the experience to put a speedy ende to the warre he required that the kings second Daughter being but two yeares olde might be promised to his Nephew induing her for her dowrye with Burgonnye and that the Daughter might presently be deliuered to his handes Lastly that there should be left referred to him the quarrells of Ferrara of Bolognia and the controuersie of the councell forbidding the french armie to march towards Rome protesting that he was not to endure that the king should any way encrease his estate in Italy These condicions of them selues greeuous and almoste intollerable were yet made more heauy by the experience he had that notwithstāding he should accord to him so many thinges yet he could not be assured that he would not varye eyther according to occasions or according to his custome yea thiniquitie of the condicions offered serued almost as a certeine argument that being already alienated from the french king he sought thoccasion to put it to effect vnder some cooller seeing that aswell in words as in works he disclosed many signes of an ill will for both the Proctors which he had so many tymes promised to sende to the councell of Pysa were not come with Burgos and also the Prelats assembled at Auspurge had at last made aunswer by a publike decree that the councell of Pysa was schismatike and detestable but yet with this moderacion that they were ready to chaunge sentence if they might be resolued in the contrary by reasons more strong and auaileable And yet notwithstanding the king at a tyme when he stoode most neede to assemble his forces was constrayned to menteyne at the request of Caesar two hundred launces and three thowsand footemen in Verona a garde of a thowsand footemen in Leguague Moreouer the feare of the Svvyzzers vexed not a litle the kings mind for albeit he had obteyned to send to their parliaments the Bayliffe of Amyens to whom he had giuen very ample commissions and was nowe resolued by discreete councell if such may be called councells discreete as are taken when thoportunitie of helping is past to spare no liberalities nor offers of money to reduce them to his amitie yet what with the hatred of the Commons which in this respit was made greater and with thimportunate perswasions of the Cardinall of Syon preuailing aboue thauthoritie of those that from parliament to parliament had hindred all resolucions that were to be made against him it was discerned that they inclined to send 6. thowsand footemen to the pay of the confederats who made demaund of them to oppose against the firme squadrons of the launceknightes Besides all this the king found him selfe depriued of all hopes of peace and agreement notwithstanding during the heate of the warre there had bene great labor and solicitacion made by the Cardinall of Nantes and the Cardinall of Strigonia A mightie Prelate of the Realme of Hungria for the Pope had made this last and resolute aunswer that if they would be better heard then before they shoulde so bringe to passe that the diabolicall councel of Pysa might be reuersed see restored to the Church her cities of Bolognia and Ferrara Wherein expressing no lesse violence in effects then furie in wordes he had newly deposed from their dignities many of the french Prelats which were resorted to the councell together with Phillipp Dece one of the most excellent lawyers of that time both for that he had written and disputed in the iustice of their cause and did follow the Cardinalls to be at hand for direction when matters required aduise and interpretacion of law In all these difficulties daungers and aduersities which inuyroned the french king on all sides he had not one firme or certeine footing in any part of Italy The estates of Ferrara and Bolognia serued him as in times past more for vexacions and charges then for any other vse And touching the Florentyns to whom he made a new instance to ioyne with him in a warre against Romagnia he could not draw from them other then general aunswers No he rather held them suspected by reason of the Vicerois Embassador of Naples ordinarily remeining at Florence but much more for that they had sent thEmbassador to the king Catholike did
power of Princes temporall then were moste ennemies to the authoritie of the Popes of Rome A reason whiche hath moued manye Princes for their proper interestes to labour wyth studie and seueritie to keepe out of their realmes and principalities that contagion And of the contrarie albeit those errours haue beene many tymes at the poynt to confounde and fall both for the immoderate intemperancie of their heades and chieftayns and for the diuersitie contrarietie of opinions amongest their disciples yet there is no one thing that so much hath enterteined and continued the obstinacion of them as the licencious libertie whiche the people haue gotten in their maner of liuing together with the couetousnesse of great men who would not suffer the depriuation of those porcions of goods which they occupied of the Churches There happned nothing this yeare worthy of memorie sauing that Iohn Paule Baillon and Gentill one of the same famulie beeing at Perousa fell at quarrel betwene them selues for that Iohn Paule being not content that he had the greatest parte and authoritie in the gouernment sought to subiect the whole in whiche ambicion he chased Gentill out of Perousa for which violence the Pope being not a litle grieued cited him to appeare personally at Rome but fearing some daunger to his person he forbare to go thither but sent Malatesta his sonne with his iustifications and to protest his ready obedience to the Pope and all his commaundementes Neuerthelesse the Pope insisting still vpon his personal appearance after the passion of many douts and perplexities he was resolued at last to go to Rome being caried partly with confidence in his auncient merites and seruices done in all times to his house and partly ouerruled by the perswasions of Camilla Vrsin his sonne in lawe with other his friends who bothe extended their authoritie and applyed all other meanes they could to the Pope for his safety of whom they obteined promise vnder his fidelitie and expresse assurance though not set downe in writing but pronounced with the Popes mouth with greatarte vnder confidence whereof he willed them to encourage him to appeare which they accomplished vnder warrant of assurance from them that he might do it in safetie But when he was come to Rome he founde the Pope vnder coollur of his recreation according to his custome gone a fewe dayes before to the Castell S. Angelo whither Iohn Paule going the morning following to present himselfe to him he was before he came there made prisoner by the capteine of the Castell Afterwards he was rigorously examined by iudges assigned to whom in this miserie he confessed that he had committed manye grieuous faultes aswell for the conseruation of tyrannie as to continue his disordered pleasures and to obserue his other intereste particular for the which after he had bene prisoner more then two monethes he was beheaded according to the ordinance and sentence of the lawe it was beleeued that the Pope was induced to this punishment for that he discerned in the warre of Vrbin by many signes that Iohn Paule bare a minde estraunged from him that he had enterteined conspiracies with Franciscomaria and that he coulde not in all accidentes assure him selfe of him and consequently so long as he was at Perousa he coulde make no fundacion of that estate The children of Iohn Paule assoone as they heard of the restrayning of their father fledde from the malice of the Pope who to readresse the gouernment of Perousa according to his fancie gaue that Legacion to Siluio Cardinall of Cortono his seruaunte and of his auncient bringing vppe He restored Gentill into Perousa to whome he gaue the goodes whiche Iohn Pavvle had possessed and so resting vppon a foundacion and subiect verye weake he conuerted into him all greatenesse and reputacion In lyke sorte this yeare the Pope who attributed more to fortune or wante of discression then to any other operacion the losse and miscarying of the Bishoppe of Vintemillo began to enforce newe ambushes agaynst the Duke of Ferrara by the meane and working of Hubert Gambaro the Apostolike pronotory To him one Rodolphe Capteine of certeine bandes of launceknights which Alfonso held for his gard had promised to put into his hāds at his pleasure the entry of the gate of the castell Tialto whether the souldiours that were to be sent from Bolognia and Modona hauing meane to come without passing the riuer of Pavv but by the wodden bridge which is before that gate direction was giuen to Guido Rangon and the gouernor of Modena to assemble a certeine crewe of souldiours vnder some other cooller and to go make a surprise of that gate and to defend it vntill were ariued the others that were to come from Bolognia and Modena But the day to execute thenterprise was no sooner determined vppon then it was discouered that Rodolphe to whom by the Popes ordenance were giuen about two thowsand duckats by Hubert Gambaro had from the beginning communicated all the conspiracie to Alfonso who after he was well informed and assured of the Popes intencion his purposes stopped the further course and passage of things and reuealed to all men the deceit of Rodolphe In this yeare thEmprour passed by sea out of Spaine into Flaunders and making his course by the shoares of England he discended and tooke land there not by necessity as his father did but voluntarily to haue conference with the king of England with whom he found good agreement from Flaunders he went into Germany where he receiued in the moneth of October at Aix being a citie of fame and renowme for the auncient residencie and sepulcher of Charlamaine the first crowne which is as men say the selfe same crowne with the which Charlamaine was celebrated it was deliuered to him according to olde obseruacion by the authoritie of the Princes of Germany But that felicitie was troubled with new accidents hapning in Spaine which grew vpon this occasion The populars and vniuersall multitudes of that kingdom were not a litle agreeued with his promocion to thEmpire as knowing that to the great incommoditie and harme of them all he should for sundry occasions be constrayned to spend the most part of his tyme out of Spaine But the principall cause of that discontentment and stirre was the generall hatred they had conceiued against the couetousnes of such as gouerned him especially against Monsr de Cheures who expressing desires insatiable had raked together by many meanes A great masse of treasor By whose example the other Flemmings were caried by humors couetous and getting to sell for ready mony to straungers those offices Magistracies which were wont to be bestowed vppon Spanyards and made vendible all other graces priuileages fauors and expedicions of Court Insomuch as all mens mindes being inflamed against the name of the Flemmings the people of the vale of Olyt beganne to draw into rebellion at such tyme as thEmprour departed And immediatly after he was gonne out of
in chase amongest whom was a generall emulacion of hazarde and perill to kyll him that in so manyfest treason sought the lyfe of their maister but he founde more safetie in the swiftnesse of his horse then his followers founde remedie in their reuengefull desires And if fortune had aunswered the vallour and industrie of the man it might haue bene called one of the rarest most singular aduentures that euer was that one man without armor at noneday in a plaine way durst set vpon a great prince in the middest of his estate and enuironed with so great a strength of souldiors and men armed and yet to flee awaye in safetie The cause of this desperate resolucion of this gentleman was a malice that he had conceyued for the murder of Monseig Visconte who a fewe monthes affore had bene slayne in Millan by one Ierome Moron not without the Dukes will and priuitie as many supposed The Duke vpon his hurte withdrewe him selfe to Monce and for that he was ielouse that there were of the conspiracie within Millan the Bishoppe of Alexandria brother to Monseig that was slayne was apprehended by Moron and Prospero At the first rumor of the facte eyther to preuent the suspicion that might goe on him or to make his fauour the greater he put himselfe willingly into the handes of Prospero vppon his fayth and after he was sounded by examinacion they sent him prisoner to the Castell of Cremona some holding him guyltie and some speaking muche of his innocencie as the iudgementes of men were diuerse It happned almoste in the same seasons that Galeas Biraguo accompanied with thexiles of Millan and with the ayde of certayne French souldiors which were already in the countrey of Piemont was receiued into the towne of Valence by the capteine of the Castell who was a Sauoye man But Antho. de Leua lying within Ast with one part of the light horsmen and Spanish footemen being aduertised of thaccident went immediatly to incampe before it and taking the vauntage of the weaknes of the towne which thenemies had no time to reduce to fortification he planted his artilleries and tooke it the seconde daye and with the same successe battred the castell There died about foure hundred bodies aswel in the action of the towne as in th execution of the Castell besides many made prisoners amongest whom was Gale as principall leader of thenterprise According to the great preparations made in Fraunce for the warre the armie marched at laste and bandes of souldiors passed continually ouer the mountes After whome the person of the king prepared to passe whiche he had effectually accomplished had not the conspiracie of the Duke of Burbon which nowe beganne to come to lighte giuen impediment to his going he was of the blood royall and therfore his reputation more great generall for the dignitie of his office beeing great constable his authoritie was absolute ample by his large estates riches his credite was currant in Fraunce and by his naturall vallour he was mightie and stronge in the opinions of men But he had not bene of longe time in the grace and fauor of the king and in that abiection was not admitted to the secret affayres of the Realme nor respected according to the merit of his place and greatnes he was discontented with the oppression of the kinges mother who reuiuing certeine auncient rights made open clayme to the greatest part of his lands and dominions in the open parliament at Paris And for that he found in the king no disposicion to doe remedy to that griefe he suffred indignacion to enter into his hart in that discontentment admitted confederacion with thEmprour with the king of England solicited by Monsr de Beaurin of great confidēce with thEmprour his chief chamberlaine Betwene whom to assure things with a more faster and faithful knot it was agreed that thEmprour should giue him in mariage his sister Elenor the late widow of Emanuell king of the Portugalls Thexecucion of their councels was grounded vppon the french kings determinacion to goe in person to the warre In which resolucion to nourish him the more the king of England had giuen him conning hopes that he would not molest the realme of Fraunce for that yeare That the Duke of Burbon assoone as the king should be ouer the Mountes should enter Burgondy with an army of twelue thowsand footemen that were secretly leauied with the moneyes of thEmprour the king of England Wherein he doubted not well to acquite him self in that seruice both for the absence of the king for the vniuersall grace and opinion which he had through all the Realme of Fraunce And touching those thinges that should be conquered the Earledom of Prouence should remeine to him and in place of Earle he should put on the name title of king of Prouence chalenging that state to apperteine to him by the rights of the house of Aniovv And all the residue gotten by this warre to discend to the king of England The Duke of Burbon then abiding at Monlyns a principal towne of the Duchie of Burbon feyned him selfe to be sicke to haue the better excuse not to follow the king into Italy The king in his iorney to Lyons made Monlyns in his way where being already possessed of certeine light tokens of the Dukes conspiracie he gaue him an inkling that albeit many went about to bring him in distrust suspicion with him yet for his part he beleued lesse in the rumors informacions which might be full of incerteinty and errour then in his faith vallour whereof he had so good experience But the dissimulacion of the Duke exceded the roundnes plainnes of the king for keeping his intencions smothered he gaue thankes to God that had appointed him to liue vnder such a king affore whose equity grauity could not stand the false accusations imputacions of malicious men And in that cōpassion he promised the king to follow him wheresoeuer he would go so soone as he was deliuered of his malady which he said could not cōtinue long for that it drew with it no daūgerous accidēts But the king was no soner come to Lyons then he had aduertisement that many bands of laūceknights were mostred vpon the frōtiers of Burgondy which confirming the tokēs of suspicion that he had before together with certein letters surprised detecting more plainly the conspiracy he cōmitted to prison forthwith Monsr de S. Valier Monsr de Boisy brother to Monsr la Palisse the postmaster the Bishop of Autun all pertenors of the practise And thinking to make the action perfect by apprehēding the head he dispatched in great diligence to Monlyns the great maister with fiue hundred horse foure thowsand footemē to take the Duke of Burbon But his suspicion was swifter then their celerity for dowting no lesse the detectiō of things then fearing lest the passages would be stopped by his forecast he preuented
Realme of Fraunce was to appease and assure the minde of the king of England iudging truely that if they could reduce him to amitie and reconcilement the Crowne of Fraunce should remayne without quarrell or molestation Where if he on the one side and themprour on the other should ryse in one ioynt force hauing concurrant with them the person of the duke of Burbon and many other oportunities and occasions it could not be but all things woulde be full of difficulties and daungers Of this the Lady Regent began to discerne many tokens and apparances of good hope for notwithstanding the king of Englande immediatly after the first reapportes of the victory had not only expressed great tokens of gladnes reioysing but also published that he would in person passe into Fraunce and withall had sent Embassadors to themprour to solicite treate of the mouing of warre ioyntly together yet proceding in deede with more mildnes then was exspected of so furious showes tokens he dispatched a messanger to the Lady Regent to sende to him an expresse Embassador which accordingly was accomplished that with fulnes of authority commission such as brought with it also all sortes of submissions implorations which she thought apt to reduce to appeasement the mind of that king so highly displeased he reapposed himself altogether vpon the will and counsel of the cardinal of Yorke who seemed to restrayne the king his thoughtes to this principall end that bearing such a hand vpon the controuersies quarrels that ranne betwene other princes al the world might acknowledge to depend vpon him and his authoritie the resolution and exspectation of all affayres And for this cause he offred to themperour at the same time to discend into Fraunce with a puissant army both to giue perfection to the alliance concluded betwene them before and also to remoue all scruple and ielousie he offred presently to consigne vnto him his daughter who was not as yet in an age and disposition able for mariage But in these matters were very great difficulties partly depending vpon himself and partly deriuing from themprour who nowe shewed nothing of that readines to contract with him which he had vsed before for the king of England demaunded almost al the rewards of the victory as Normandy Guyen Gascoign with the title of king of Fraunce And that themprour notwithstanding thinequality of the conditions should passe likewise into Fraunce and cōmunicate equally in thexspences dangers Thinequality of these demaūds troubled not a litle themprour to whō they were by so much the more grieuous by howmuch he remēbred that in the yeres next before he had always deferred to make warre euē in the greatest dangers of the french king So that he perswaded himselfe that he should not be able to make any fundation vpon that confederation And standing in a state no lesse impouerished for mony tresor thē made weary with labors perils he hoped to draw more cōmodities from the french king by the meane of peace then by the violence of armes warre specially ioyning with the king of England Besides he made not that accompt which he was wont to do of the mariage of his daughter both for her minority in age also for the dowry for the which he should stande accōptable for so much as themprour had receyued by way of loane of the king of England he semed by many tokens in nature to nourish a wonderful desire to haue children and by the necessitie of his condicion he was caried with great couetousnes of money vppon which two reasons he tooke a great desire to marye the sister of the house of Portugall which was both in an age hable for mariage and with whome he hoped to receyue a plentifull porcion in gold and treasor besides the liberalities of his own peoples offered by waye of beneuolence in case the mariage went forwarde suche was their desire to haue a Queene of the same nation and language and of hope to procreate children for these causes the negociacion became euery daye more hard and desperat betweene both those Princes wherein was also concurrant the ordinary inclinacion of the Cardinall of Yorke towardes the Frenche king together with the open complaintes he made of thEmprour aswell for thinterests and respects of his king as for the small reputacion thEmprour beganne to holde of him He considered that affore the battell of Pauya thEmprour neuer sent letters vnto him which were not written with his owne hande and subscribed your sonne and Cosin Charles But after the battell he vsed the seruice of Secretories in all the letters he wrote to him infixing nothing of his owne hande but the subscripcion not with titles of so greate reuerence and submission but onely with this bare worde Charles In this alteracion of affection of the Cardinall the king of England tooke occasion to receiue with gracious wordes and demonstracions thEmbassador sent by the Ladye regent to whome he gaue comfort to hope well in thinges to come And a litle afterwards estraunging his minde wholly from th affayres which were in negociacion betwene him and thEmprour he made a confederacion with the Lady regent contracting in the name of her sonne wherein he would haue inserted this expresse condicion that for the kings raunsom and deliuerie should not be deliuered to thEmprour any thing that at that time should be vnder the power or possession of the crowne of Fraunce This was the first hope which fell vppon the Realme of Fraunce And this was the first consolation in so many aduersities which afterwards went on increasing by the disorders of thImperialls in Italy They were become so insolent for so great a victorie that perswading them selues that all men and all difficulties should yeeld and giue place to their will their glory made them lose thoccasion to accorde with the Venetians and gaynesaye thinges which they had promised to the Pope and lastly brought them to fill full of suspicions both the Duchie of Myllan and all the other regions of Italy And so going on to sowe seedes of new innouacions and troubles they reduced thEmprour to this necessitie to make a rashe deliberacion daungerous for his estate in Italy if his auncient felicitie and the harde fortune and destinie of the Pope had not beene of greater force Matters assuredly moste worthy of a knowledge perticular to th end that of accidents and things so memorable may be vnderstanded the foundacions and councells which being oftentymes hid are for the most part reuealed and published after a manner most farre from the truth But skarcely had the Pope capitulated with the Viceroy when were presented vnto him the great offers of Fraunce to stirre him vppe to the warre wherein albeit he wanted not the perswasions of many to induce him to the same effecte and lesse diminucion of the distrust which he had before of thImperialls yet he determined to take suche a coursse and proceeding in all thinges
agaynst the Pope Fol. 463. After the taking of Bolognia the French armie returneth to the Duchie of Millan The Councell that vvas to be holden at Pisa agaynst the Pope is transferred to Millan vvhere many stirres happen The Popes armie besiegeth Bolognia The French men take Bressia The battell is giuen at Rauenna The Pope publisheth the Councell at Rome Aftervvardes the affayres of the French begin to decline Fol. 531. The Duke of Ferrara is in great trouble The Medicis returne to Florence The king of Romanes makes alliance vvith the Pope Maxymylian Sforce is put in the possession of the Duchie of Myllan The French king maketh his preparacion to recouer Myllan Pope Iulio dyeth Leo the tenth is created Pope The French men are ouerthrovven neare to Nouaro and the Venetians neare to Vincensa Fol. 602. The king of England makes vvarre vppon the Fr. king The Venetians recouer Fryull The Pope as Arbitrator pronovvnceth peace betvveene them and the king of Romaines king Lovvys the xij dyeth Frauncis the first commeth to the crovvne and discendeth into Italy to reconquer Myllan Fol. 660. The D. of Vrbyn makes an enterprise to recouer his estate out of the handes of Pope Leo The Fr. king makes a league vvith the Pope The conspiracie of Cardinall Petruccio against the Pope is discouered Charles king of Spayne is chosen Emprour Martyn Luther vvriteth against the Pope The Pope putteth to death Iohn Pavvle Baillon Fol. 729. Pope Leo is the cause that the peace continueth not in Italy He ioyneth in league vvith th Emprour against the French king The French king loseth the Duchie of Myllan Pope Leo dyeth Adrian the sixt is created Pope Frauncis Sforce reentreth vppon the Duchie of Myllan Vvarre is made in Tuskane by Ranso de Cero Fol. 777. Pope Adrian comes to Rome The Venetians make league vvith th Emprour The french men beseege Myllan and are constrayned to diuert from it Cardinall Medicis is created Pope King Frauncis discendeth into Italy he taketh Myllan and beseegeth Pauya Themprour sendeth out an army to succour Pauya vvhere a battell is fought and the French king taken prisoner Fol. 838. The Pope is accorded vvith th Emprour Many practises are made for the kings deliuerie Ierom Moron conspireth against the Emprour The fr. king is deliuered out of prison returneth into Fraunce Fol. 9004. The Pope the french king Venetians and Duke of Myllan dravve into league against th Emprour The Duke of Burbon comes co Myllan The army of the league breakes vp from before Myllan The castell of Myllan is rendred to th Imperialls Many enterprises are dressed against the Pope The confederats sende their armies by sea to Genes Rome is surprised by the Colonnois The Pope makes peace vvith th Imperialls vvhich hurteth the deuises of Lombardye The D. of Ferrara is confederat vvith the Emprour Fol. 967. The Duke of Burbon yssueth of Myllan The Viceroy and the Colonnois make vvarre vpon the Pope in the states of the Church The Marquis of Salussa entreth Bolognia The Pope maketh vvarre in the kingdom of Naples The Duke of Burbon leadeth his armie to Rome taketh the tovvne and sacketh it and is slayne in the action The Pope being abandoned of all hope accordeth vvith the Imperialls Amutinie in Florence The king of England against th Emprour The confederats doe many enterprises Fol. 1034. Lavvtrech beseegeth Naples In the meane vvhile Anth. de Leua taketh Pauya and beseegeth Loda Andre Dore leaueth the pay of the French Lavvtrech dyeth The french breake vp from before Naples Monsr Saint Pol reconquereth Pauya Andre Dore taketh Genovvay The Genovvaies take Sauona and put themselues in libertie Saint Pol is taken by Anth. de Leua Th Emprour falleth to accord vvith the Pope Peace is made at Cambray betvvene the Emprour and French king The Emprour passeth into Italy vvhere the vvarre goeth against the Florentyns and peace is solicited vvith all others Fol. 1103. The Emprour taketh th Imperiall crovvne at Bolognia and from thence passeth into Germany The famulies of Medicis by the ayde of th Emprours army returne to Florence Ferdinand is chosen king of Romaines The Pope vvill not barken to a counsell The French king stirreth vp the Turke against th Emprour hath conference vvith the Pope at Marseilles Fol. 1163. The ende of the contents of the bookes THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIRST BOOKE LODOWYK SFORCE vncle and tutor to Iohn Galeas Duke of Myllan fearing least Ferdinand King of Naples would make warre vpon him breaketh of from the league that had bene renewed betwene the sayd Ferdinand Iohn Galeas and the common weale of Florence against the Venetians he procureth the French King Charles the viij to passe into Italy to conquer the kingdom of Naples Pope Alexander the vj. allieth himselfe with the King of Naples The French King hauing ordered th' affayres of the kingdom descendeth into Italy where he taketh many townes Diuerse emotion happen in the kingdom of Naples The Pope is in great perplexitie and trauell Pisa rebelleth against the Florentines The French King entreth into Florence and Rome and from thence passeth to Naples THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE historie and discoursse of Guicciardin HAVING in hand to write the affaires fortunes of Italie I iudged it cōuenient to drawe into discoursse those particularities that most nearest resemble our time and memorie yea euen since the selfe princes of that country calling in the armies of Fraunce gaue the first beginning to so great innouations A matter for the varietie greatnes and nature of suche thinges verie notable and well worthie of memorie and for the heauie accidents hatefull bluddie and horrible for that Italie for many yeres was trauelled with all those sortes of calamities with the which principalities countries and mortall men are wont to bee afflicted aswell by the iuste wroth and hand of God as through the impietie and wickednes of other nations The knowledge of these things so great and diuerse may minister many wholsome instructions aswell to all men generally as to euery one in particular considering that by the trial consent demonstration of so many examples all princes people and patrimonies may see as a sea driuen with diuerse windes to what inconstancie humane things are ordeined how harmefull are the ill measured counsells of princes many times preiudiciall to them selues but alwayes hurtefull to their people and subiects specially when they are vainelie caried awaye either with their singular errours or priuate couetousnes without hauing any impression or remembrance of the ordinary chaunges of fortune whereby turning to the domage and displeasure of others the power which is giuen them for the safetie protection pollicie of the whole they make them selues either by want of discression or too much ambition authours of innouations and new troubles But the better to make knowen the state and condition of Italie at that time together with the occasions of so many afflictions happening it is to be considered that
xxx yeres sacked cōfisked at sundry times many of the Barōs had heaped togither no smal treasor on the behalf of the king they considered that his capacitie was to green to susteine alone so heauy a burdē for the direction of warres estats the councel weake thexperiēce lesse assured of such as he beleued most in To these they added the want of mony wherof they estemed to neede a great quātity They wished that the deceits suttleties of thitaliās might be depely loked into assuring them selues that it could not be pleasing neither to others nor to Lodovvik Sforce him selfe A man confessed by all the Italians to be of litle faith that the kingdom of Naples should passe into the power of a king of Fraunce they iudged it harde to winne and lesse easie to keepe those thinges that should be wonne For that reason sayd they Levvys father to Charles a Prince in all his actions following more the truth then the apparance of thinges would neuer accept the hopes which were offered him of the matters of Italy and much lesse make reckoning of the rightes falne to him in the Realme of Naples No he saw in his iudgement that to send armies beyond the mounteynes was no other thing then to search enemies and daungers with the wast of infinite treasor and blood of the realme of Fraunce They held it necessary afore all thinges if this expedicion should proceede to reunite controuersies with the kinges borderers for that with Ferdinand king of Spayne was no want of occasions of quarrells and suspicions and with Maximilyan king of Romaines and Philip Archduke of Austrich his sonne not onely many hartburnings and ielousies but also displeasures and iniuries whose minds albeit could not be reconciled without condescending to some things hurtfull to the crowne of Fraunce yet neuertheles such reconcilements would be more by demonstracions then effects for say they if any ill accident happen to the kinges armie in Italy what accord can be so well assured which will hold them from inuading the realme of Fraunce seeing this is familiar with Princes to hold for suspected the greatnes and fortunes of their neighbours and are ouer nothing so watchfull as ouer oportunities and occasions And touching the king of England Henry the vij it was not to be dowted that the naturall hate of thenglish toward the french had not more force then the peace made with him two monthes before for that it is manifest that no one thing brought him more to the composicion then that the preparacions of the king of Romaines aūswered not the promises wherwith he had induced him to lay seege to Bollogne Of this nature were the reasōs alleaged by the great Lordes partly debated amongest them selues and partly disputed in the presence of the king The chiefest of those that iustified these arguments afore the king was one Iames Grauille Admiral of Fraunce whose greatnes albeit was somewhat diminished yet his authoritie suffered no alteracion for the auncient name and credit of his wisdom rouing liberally thorow all the realme of Fraunce But the kinges minde with a wonderful gredines was wholly inclined to the cōtrary aduise what with the greennes of his yeares aspiring nowe to xxij and by his vnstayed nature not yet experienced in th affayres of the world he was caried into a wonderfull ambicion to enlarge his imperie following an appetite of glorie founded rather vpon a light will and furie of youth then vpon maturitie of councel seeing that either by his proper nature or rather thexamples and admonishments of his parents he reapposed litle faith in his Lordes and Nobles of his realme And since he came forth of the tutorship and iurisdiction of Anne Duchesse of Burbon his sister he bare no more care to the councells of thadmirall nor to others that had bene great in the gouernment But gaue him selfe ouer to the directions of certeine men of base condicion trained vp almost alwaies in the seruice of his person of these such as had most fauour and place with him perswaded him greatly to embrace the enterprise being partly corrupted for the councells of Princes are often times mercenarie with the promises and presents of Lodovvykes Embassador by whom was not forgotten any diligence or art to draw the fauours of such as might doe most in this action They were partly pushed on by certeine hopes either to be raysed to estates in the kingdom of Naples or to obteyne of the Pope dignities and pensions in the Church The principall of all these was one Stephen de Vers borne in Languedock of base place but bredd vp of long time with the king in whose chamber he vsed to lye and by the kings creacion made Seneshall of Beucaire with this man did communicate one VVilliam Briconnet who of a marchaunt created first generall of Fraunce and after made Bishop of S. Malo had not onely the charge and administracion of the kings reuenue which the french cal superintendant of the finances but also hauing confederacie with Stephen had by his meanes a great entry into all th affayres of importance albeit he had no great insight in the pollicie and gouernment of matters of estate To the helpe of this enterprise were adioyned the perswasions of Autouell of S. Seuerin Prince of Salerne and of Vernaedin of the same familie Prince of Bysignan togither with many other Barons banished the Realme of Naples who being withdrawne many yeares before into Fraunce had continually solicited the king to that enterprise laying before his eyes the great calamitie or rather generall despaire of the whole kingdom and the factions and many followers which they promised them selues to haue in the same In this diuersitie of perswasions the deliberacion remained suspended for certein dayes others being not onely in dowt what to determine but also the kings will vauering and vncerteine for that some times inclining to his ambicion and glory and some times restrained with feares and daungers he would often be irresolute estsones turne to the contrary of that which he had afore determined But in the ende his first inclinacion togither with the cursed destinie of Italy being of more force thē any thing that could be sayd to the contrary the well gouerned and peasible councells of his Nobles were altogither reiected and communicating onely with the bishop of S. Malo and the Seneshall of Beucaire and partaking nothing with the assent priuitie of all others there was a conuencion made with Lodovvyks Embassador whose condicions albeit were holden secrete for many monthes yet this is the capitulacion and summe of them That king Charles either going in person into Italy or sending thether any armie for the conquest of Naples the Duke of Myllan was bound to giue him passage thorow his iurisdictions To send thether with his men fiue hundreth men at armes paied To suffer him to arme at Genes so many vessells as he will And to lend him before he departed
receiue in dowrie and respect of the mariage the principalitie of Squillaco valued at tenne thowsand duckats in yearly reuenue and that Ferdinand should giue to him an estate of an hundreth men at armes This confirmed thopinion of many that all that the Pope solicited in Fraunce bare no other meaning then by feare to draw them of Aragon to these conuencions this was one argument to approue their coniectures that Ferdinand laboured to make a confederacion with him for their common defence but the Pope obiected so many difficulties that there was no other thing obteyned of him then a very secret promise by writing to defend the kingdom of Naples so that Ferdinand would equally promise to protect the estate of the Church These thinges dispatched the companies of men at armes which the Venetians the Duke of Myllan had sent to the Pope for his succors retired with licence and fauour out of the Church dominions Ferdinand also began now with no lesse hope of happy successe to treate with Lodovvyk Sforce who with a wonderfull suttletie arte shewed him selfe some times ill contented with the inclinacion of the french king to the matters of Italy and some times excused and iustified him selfe vpon his necessitie for that by reason of his chiefe for Genes and the auncient confederacion with the house of Fraunce he was constrayned to tender the desires and requestes made to him as he sayd by the same king But some times he promised to Ferdinand in publike and some times to the Pope and P. de medicis apart and seuerally to do all he could to moderate the kinges desire assaying to lull them a sleepe in this hope to the ende they conspired or dressed nothing against him before th affayres of Fraunce were well proceeded and established wherein they were the more easie to beleue him by how much they iudged the resolucion to bring the french king into Italy so ill for his owne sewertie that in consideracion of his particular perill and the common inuest of Italy they supposed he would vtterly disclaime and shake it of All this sōmer past in this nature of doings Lodovvyk working vnder such disguised formes and maners that without giuing any suspicion to the french king neither Ferdinand the Pope nor the Florentyns dispaired of his promises nor yet altogither trusted him But in this meane while were layed in Fraunce with no small studie the foundacions of the warre and expedicion to come whereunto contrary to the councells of most of the greatest inclined more more thaffection of the king who to be more at libertie accorded the differēces he had with Ferdinand and Isabell king Queene of Spayne Princes in those times of great reapport and name for gouernment and wisedom both for that they had drawne their Realmes out of great troubles into a setled tranquillitie also had recouered to Christianitie with a warre of ten yeares continuance the kingdom of Granado vsurped by the Moares of Affrica for almost viij hundreth yeares it was expressed in this capitulacion solemnly iustified by publike oth of both partes in the church that in Ferdinand nor Isabell for Spayne was gouerned vnder their common name should be no action of ayde to the Aragons directly nor indirectly no contract of any new affinitiue or alliance nor that in no sort they should oppose against king Charles for the defence of the realme of Naples The king in counter chaunge and recompence of these beginning by a losse certein for a hope of gaine vncerteine restored without any repayment of money Parpignian with all the earldom of Rossellion pawned many yeares before to Levvys his father by Iohn king of Aragon and father to Ferdinand An exchaunge altogither against the will liking of the whole nation of Fraunce for that that earldom seated at the foote of the hills Pyrennei consequently according to thauncient diuision part of Gallia gaue alwayes necessary impediments to them of Aragon for entring into Fraunce on that side The king for the same occasion made peace with Maximylian king of Romaines and with his sonne Phillip Archduke of Austrich in whom was no want of occasion either of olde or newe hatreds against him but specially for that his father Levvys by the death of Charles Duke of Burgondie and Earle of Flaunders with many other contries conioyning did impatronize him selfe vpon the Duchie of Burgondie and Earldom of Artoys with many other places which the sayd Duke possessed whereof growing no small warres betwene king Levvys Marie the onely daughter of Duke Charles married after the death of her father to Maximilian there was made at last Marie being dead and Phillip the common sonne of Maximilian and her succeding to th inheritance of his mother an accord amongest them more by the wills of the people of Flaunders then readines of Maximylian The better to cōfirme this accord Margaret the sister of Phillip was married to Charles sonne of Levvys and notwithstanding she was very yong ledde into Fraunce where after she had remained many yeares Charles refused her and tooke to wife Anne to whom by the death of Francis her father leauing no yssue male the Duchie of Bryttaine was descended This was a double iniurie to Maximylian being at one time made frustrate the mariage of his daughter and his owne hauing by procuracion afore married the sayd Anne And yet for that he was not able of him selfe to susteyne the warre recontinued by occasion of this iniurie and that the people of Flaunders gouerning them selues by their proper councell and authoritie by reason of the minoritie of Phillip would not dwel in warre with the realme of Fraunce And seeing lastly that the kings of Spayne England had dissolued their armies which they had leuyed against the french he consented to the peace by the which king Charles restored to Phillip his sister Margaret deteyned in Fraunce till then togither with the townes of the Earldom of Artoys reseruing to him selfe the castells but vnder bond to render them at foure yeares ende at what time Phillip being risen to his maioritie might in good validitie confirme the accord past Those townes when the peace was made by king Levvys were acknowledged by common agreement as the proper right of the sayd Margaret The generall peace thus established with all the neighbours to the realme of Fraunce the resolucion of the warre against the kingdom of Naples was confirmed for the yeare following in which time were prepared all prouisions necessary continually solicited by Lodovvyk Sforce who the thoughts of men aduauncing from degree to degree occupied his witts now not onely how to assure the gouernment to him but lifting vp his mind to higher conceites he had an intencion to transferre to him selfe the Duchie of Myllan vnder thoccasion of the warre against thArragons wherein to giue some couler of iustice to so great an iniustice and with more firme foundacions to assure his affayres against all
not without pawne and sewertie It is also reasonable in him to demaund peace because lying nearest the daunger of your forces his feares are no lesse iust then his perills likely Besides leagues which haue many competitors of their propper nature haue not that stabilitie and concord but vpon occasions they come to disagree and fall of one from an other in which case euery litle hoale that they shal make yea euen the smallest cranell or creuish that shall appeare will make to vs the victorie no lesse easie then well assured So that seeing your affayres stand in these degrees and that God hath made it impossible to mortall Princes to rule the time my aduise is that your Maiestie striue not against the streame of the time but to frame your inclinacions to the peace not that it is of it selfe profitable or commendable but because it is an office in Princes wise and of stayed condicion in causes difficult and daungerous to allow for easie and commendable that that is necessary and conuenient or at least wise such as are least intangled with daungers and nothing at all derogat reputacion and honor The Duke of Orleans rebuked sharpely the speeches of the Prince of Orange either of them taking such libertie of passion that falling from wordes to reproches and iniuries the Duke gaue him the lye in the whole presence of the councell But thinclinacion of most part of the councell and consequently of the multitude of th armie was to embrase the peace bearing so much power in them all and no lesse in the person of the king a sweete desire to returne into Fraunce that they were not able to discerne the daunger of the kingdom of Naples and much lesse to see how slaunderous it was to suffer to be lost afore their eyes the citie of Nouaro and lastly to depart out of Italy with condicions so vnequall considering the incerteintie of thobseruacion which disposicion was so vehemently fauored by the Prince of Orange that many dowted lest to gratifie the king of Romaines to whom he was most affectioned he had no lesse regard to the profit of the Duke of Myllan thē to the commodities of the french king with whom truely his authoritie was great partly for the excellencie of his wit and partly for the credit of his vallour but most of all for that it is a custom and propertie with Princes to esteme most wise such as are most conformed to their inclinacions At last the peace was made which was no sooner sworne by the Duke of Myllan then the king reiecting all other thoughtes then such as made for his returne into Fraunce wēt forthwith to Thuryn his hast was the more importunat to depart from Verceill for that those bands of the Svvyzzers that were in the campe to assure their payes of three whole moneths according to the custom of Lovvys the xj as they alleaged began to speake of staying the king or the chiefteines of his Court for the sewertie of their pay notwithstanding they could not clayme so much by promise nor yet had serued so long time from which daunger albeit the person of the king was deliuered by his suddeine departure yet they hauing made prisoners the Baylif of Dyon and others that leauyed them he was in the ende constrayned to assure all their demaundes aswell with promises as with ostages from Thuryn the king desiring to make a perfect establishment of the peace sent to the Duke of Myllan the Mareshall of Gi◠the President of Ganuay and Argenton to induce him to speake with his Maiestie The Duke seemed to be of the same desire but it was not without some dowt of treason In so much that either for that suspicion or obiecting perhappes some expresse difficulties as not to giue occasion of ielowsie to the confederats or for that his ambicion woulde not suffer him to come in a behauior inferior to the french king he propownded to haue the meting vpon the middest of a riuer where a bridge being made either with barkes or other matter there shoulde be betwene them a barre of wodde A manner of commoning together vsed heretofore by the kinges of England and Fraunce and other great Princes of the West This the king refused as a thing vnworthy his greatnes and therefore without any enteruiewe he receiued his ostages and dispatched Peron de la Basche to Genes to receiue the two carrakes that were promised him and to rigge foure others at his owne charges for the succors of the castells of Naples which he knew had not receiued the reskewes sent from Nice for that they suffred so many impediments as they could not be profitable to the seruice of Naples In which respect his people 's there beseged had made composicion to render vp the castells if they were not succored within thirty dayes The king made his plot to arme the sayd vessells with three thowsand Svvyzzers to adioyne them to the sayd nauie parted from Nice nowe retyred to Lyuorne and to certeine other vessells exspected from Prouence All which without the great ships of the Genovvays had not bene sufficient for that succors the hauen of Naples being now full of a huge armie by sea both for the vessells of the prouisions of Ferdinand and also for twenty gallies and foure shippes sent thether by the Venetians The king after he had dispatched Monsr Argenton to Venice to solicit the Senat to enter into the peace and participat with thaccord tooke his way into Fraunce with all his Court that with such equall speede and desire to be there that there was nothing coulde stay him any fewe dayes in Italy no not till the Genovvays had deliuered him their ostages promised vppon the contract at Verceill which certeinly they had accomplished if his hastie departure had not preuented their true intencion and meaning Thus then vpon the ende of October 1495. his maiestie returned on thother side the mountes resembling rather a personage vanquished then a Prince victor notwithstanding the conquest and victories he had obteyned he left as his Liefetenant in Ast a citie which it should seeme he bought of the Duke of Orleans Iohn Iacques Triuulce with fiue hundreth frenche launces who not many dayes after of their propper authoritie followed the king by whome was left no other succors for the kingdom of Naples then the nauies preparing at Genes and Prouence and the assignacion of the aydes and moneyes promised by the Florentyns After the discourse of other things me thinkes it can not be out of purpose specially it being a destinie fatall that the calamities of Italy should take their beginning of the passage of the french men or at least were imputed to them to leaue to memorie and tradicion in what sort began the disease which the french call the euill of Naples and the Italians name the botche or more commonly the disease of Fraunce It hapned as an infection to the french men whilest they were at Naples
possessed by the Viccairs of Romagna and withall to giue him presently thirtie thousand duckattes vnder this cooller that he was constrained to interteine a greater force for the gard of his person as though to knit himselfe with the French king were to stirre vp many of the Potentates in Italie to seeke to hurt and oppresse him For th execution of these couenantes both the king began to make payment of the money and the Pope committed the action of the diuorce to the bishop of Setto his Nuncio and to tharchbishops of Parys and Roan And albeit in the trauerse of the cause the kinges wyfe impugned the iudgement yet in the ende holding for no lesse suspected the consciences of the Iudges then the might and greatnes of her aduersarie she tooke comfort in her innocencie and disclaimed her suite receiuing for thinterteinment of her person the Duchie of Berry with thirtie thousande Frankes of Reuenue And so the diuorce confirmed by sentence of the Iudges there rested nothing els exspected for the dispensing and and accomplishing of the new mariage but the comming of Caesar Vorgia lately of a Cardinall and Archbishop of Valence become a soldiour and Duke of Valentinoys the king hauing giuen him a companie of a hundred Launces and twentie thousand Frankes pension and for his title of dukedome he indued him with Valence a Citie of Danphyne with twentie thousand Frankes of Reuenue he embarqued at Ostia vppon the Gallyes which the king sent him and arryued about the end of the same yeare at the french Court where he entred with a pomp and pride incredible and brought with him the Cardinalles hatt for George Amboise Archbishop of Roan Who hauing alwayes affore participated in the daungers and fortunes of the king helde with him great authoritie grace and reputation This new Duke albeit he was receiued of the king with great honour and all other offices of court yet his manner of dealing was not well lyked in the beginning for that according to the direction and councell of his father he denied that he had brought with him the bull of dispensacion hoping that the desire to obteine it would make the king more easie to assist his plottes and purposes then would do the remembrance that he had receiued it vsing this reason that there is nothing endureth so small a tyme as the memorie of benefittes receiued the more great they bee the more commonly are they recompenced with ingratitude But the bishop of Setto reueiling the truth secretly to the king who making it sufficient to godwarde that the bull was dispatched and ratified consommated the mariage openly with his new wyfe without making more demaundes for the bull the same being the cause that the Duke could no longer keepe from him the bull Authentyke and iustefied And finding out after by suttle inquirie that the bishop of Setto had reuealed the matter he caused him soone after by secret meanes to dye of poyson the vnfortunate bishop not remembring that in matters of estate betweene princes he that discloseth his secret to another worketh to himself the occasion of his death The king being now in some stabilitie of minde by his new mariage began to be carefull to renue leagues amities with his neighbours making presentlie a firme peace with the king of Spaine who bearing now no more regarde to the thinges of Italie called home all his Embassadours remayning there except him that laye resident with the Pope and readiourned Consaluo into Spaine with all his regiment leauing to Federick all those peeces in Calabria which he had holden till that day he had a great deale more trouble to accorde with the king of Romains who was newly discended into Burgongny by occasion of some commocions stirring there being for that expediciō ayded with a round summe of money by the Duke of Myllan in whom preuayled muche this kinde of persuacion that eyther the warre which hee should make vppon the french king would turne him from thenterprise of Italy or at least if any agreement succeeded betweene them he should be comprehēded in it as the king of Romains had assuredly promised him But at last after much discourse of reasonings and meetings the king made a new peace with Tharchduke by the which were to bee rendered vnto him the places of the countrey of Artoys a thing which to th ende it might bring effect and profit to his sonne the king of Romains consented to make truce with him for many monethes without making mencion of the Duke of Myllan against whom he seemed at that tyme much discontented for that he had not alwayes satisfied his infinit demaunds of money Lastly the french king ratifiyng the peace made with the king of Englande by his predecessor reiected all solicitacions and suites made to him to receiue the Duke of Myllan to any composicion who for his part albeit he protested large offers offices vsed no lesse corrupcions to induce him yet all his industries and practises were vaine in the kings sight who to lay a more sure foūdaciō of the warre pretended sought how he might at one time tie to him in suertie of amitie the Venetians Florentyns and therefore he required with great importunities that ceassing to vexe the Pisans the Venetians would put Pisa into his hands whereunto the rather to draw the Florentyns to consent he offred secretly to restore it to thē within a short tyme This practise being founde full of many difficulties and concurring in it diuers endes and intrestes was for many monethes debated with delayes for that the Florentyns holding it necessarie that in that case they should make aliance with the french king and fearing by the remembrance of thinfidelitie of Charles the present busines should suffer no lesse breach of promyse in the king raigning coulde not agree amongst themselues nor consent in vnitie of opinion and councell wherein one reason of their disagreement was that their citie was vnquietly tossed betweene thambicion of some of the greatest Rulers and the vnbridled libertie of the gouernment popular and being reapposed by reason of the warre of Pisa vppon the Duke of Myllan the whole citie was falne into such generall diuision that it was harde to deliberat in peace and quiet vppon matters of importance some of the principall citizens desiring the victorie to the french king and others of the contrary bearing their whole affections to the Duke of Myllan The Venetians also notwithstanding all other difficulties had bene ouercome which might hinder the accorde had yet determined not to consent to put Pisa into a third hande hoping that for the regarde of the repayment of their charges and to leaue Pisa with lesse dishonor they should obteine better condicions in the negociacion that was holden at Ferrara which was vehemently solicited by Lodovvyk both for feare least the deputacion of Pisa falling to the french both those common weales would knit with the king and also hoping that the
agaynst those whom any of them should name and they named ioyntly in Italie the Pope and the French king apart named the Florentins That for strengthning of this peace there was ment to be made betweene the two kings a perpetuall confederation for the defence of their estates wherevnto the king should be bounde with a thousande launces and six thousande footemen and Ferdinand with three hundred launces two thousande Iennytairs and six thousande footemen After the peace was made and published wherin the king of Englande promised obseruation for both the parties the Barons of Aniovv who were in Fraunce hauing taken their leaue of the king went almost all with the Queene Iermana into Spayne the king vsing towards them at their departure a very small gratulation of their seruices past Isabell the widowe of Federike hauing her leaue went to Ferrara refusing to put her children into the power of the Catholike king In this towne of Ferrara Alphonso the sonne of Hercules beeing nowe succeeded to the Dukedome there hapned vpon the ende of the yere a straunge and tragicall accident suche one as had some similitude with the barbarous actions of thauncient Thebanes but for farre more lighte occasions if th unbridled furie of loue be lesse then the burning ambition and desire to reigne The Cardinall Hypolito d'Este louing feruently a young mayde his kinswoman who for her parte was no lesse amarous of Don Iulio naturall brother to the Cardinall and confessing her selfe to the Cardinall that that which aboue all other things made so vehement her affection to his brother was the sweete aspect and beautie of his eyes Loue is a Lorde of the worlde and aboue all naturall impressions hath a tyrannicall subiection ouer the creatures whom he possesseth for the Cardinall enuying the communitie of his brother turned his loue into ielous furie and setting espiall ouer Don Iulio when he should go out of the towne on hunting set vpon him in the fielde with a crewe of tormentors prepared to mischiefe whose violent handes the Cardinall in his owne presence suffred to thrust out the eyes of his brother for that they were the companions of his loue An action no lesse infamous to the Cardinall then intollerable to all humanitie and which afterwards trayned with it many occasions of seditious and Ciuil quarrels betweene the brethren Suche was the ende of the yere a thousande fiue hundred and fiue The ende of the sixt booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOKE MAny treaties are made Pope Iulio the seconde takes the gouernment of Bolognia The Genovvaies rebell agaynst the French king The king of Aragon meeteth vvith the French king and communicateth vvith him The dyet is holden at Constance The king of Romaines demaundes passage of the Venetians to go take the Crovvne at Rome he inuadeth their lands and aftervvards maketh truce vvith them THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THESE were thaccidents of the yere a thousande fiue hundred and fiue whiche albeit left apparant hopes that the tranquilitie of Italie would recontinue the warres for the quarrell of Naples being nowe quenched yet suche is the mutabilitie of worldly affaires there began to appeare in other places seedes of newe innouations and chalenges tending to many ciuill calamities for Philip which nowe tooke vpon him the title of king of Castillo and was no lesse discontented that suche a kingdome was gouerned by his father in lawe inclined to thincitation of many Barons and prepared him selfe to passe into Spayne agaynst his will pretending as the trueth was that the late Queene had no power eyther to dispose or to prescribe lawes or to bequeath the gouernment of the kingdome after her death The king of Romains also taking stomack by the greatnes of his sonne solicited to passe into Italie And lastly the Frenche king albeit the yere before he was muche discontented with the Pope for that he had disposed and inducted the benefices whiche were voyde by the death of Cardinall Askanius and others in the duchie of Millan without his participation And for that also in the creation of other Cardinals he had refused to call the bishop of Achx nephewe to the Cardinall of Amboyse and the bishop of Baieux nephewe to Monsr Trymouille being earnestly solicited by the king who in those regardes had caused to sequester the frutes of the benefices which the Cardinall S. P. ad Vincla others of the Popes amitie possessed in thestate of Millan yet the king on the other side holding both suspected and feared the greatnes of Caesar and his sonne iudged it necessarie not to nourish occasions of reuenge but to reenter into reconcilement with the Pope to whom after he had releaced all the sequestrations he sent in the beginning of this yere the bishop of Sisteron thapostolicall Nuncio to negociate with him many plotts and offers agaynst the Venetians to whom he knewe the Pope could not but continue to beare an yll will with a hatred redoubled for the desire he had to recouer the townes of Romania An humor which the Pope did so muche the more dissemble by how much vntill that day he had proceded in al things so tractable respectiue that euery one tooke occasion to maruell greatly that he who in his estate of Cardinall had bene alway full of immoderate and aspiring thoughtes and who in the time of Popes Sistus Innocent and Alexander had bene many times thinstrument to trouble Italie expressed now that he was become Pope an estate for the most part administred with ambition and troublesome imaginations to be more easie and abated in courage then did well beare th ambicious profession which he had alwayes made to the contrarie not making any showe or demonstration to remember olde iniuries or to seeme to be like to him selfe So dangerous is dissimulation in the persons of great men whose authoritie and place shadowing their dispositions defends all things from blame though they haue nothing vnworthy of reprehension for the intentions of the Pope were farre other wayes then agreed with the propertie of his actions for that hauing a determination to surmount the former opinion that was had of him and to do more then was expected turned all his wittes deuises and labours contrarie to the custome of his auncient magnanimitie to heape vp a wonderfull masse of treasure to th ende that to the will he had to kindle the warre might be ioyned also the meane and power to susteine it And finding in that time that he was furnished with sufficient treasures and money he beganne euen then to discouer his thoughtes aspiring to right great things suffring nothing to stay th execution of that whiche he had pretended with so great studie secrecie and hope Therefore the Bishop of Sisteron being receyued and hard with a gladnes agreable to the nature of his desire was dispatched and sent backe agayne with diligence to solicite betweene them a new reunion and amitie wherein the
better to dispose the minde of the king and the Cardinall d'Amboyse he promised by writte whiche the sayde Nuncio caried with him the dignitie of Cardinall to the Bishoppes of Achx and Bayeux forgetting nothing that he thought might further theffect of those ambitions which he had nourished with so great care and trauell of mynde And yet notwithstanding in so great a heate and vehemencie of forwardnesse he entred oftentimes into many doubtes and difficulties for that eyther for a certayne hate he had conceyued agaynst the Frenche king at suche time as he fledde into Fraunce eschewing thambushes of Pope Alexander or for that it much discontented him to be drawen as it were by compulsion by the power and importunitie of the French king to transferre to the Cardinal of Amboyse the legation of the kingdome of Fraunce or lastly for that he suspected least the said Cardinal whose behauiours tended directly to the Popedome not hauing patience to tarie for his death would not seeke to aspire to his place by wayes sinister and extraordinarie In regarde of which impressions more troublesome for the suttletie of the man then that there was reason he should feare so farre made him oftentimes wander in disposition determining not wholly to ioyne with the Frenche king and yet without his coniunction he knew it was impossible that at that tyme any thing of consequence should succeede with him For which reasons he sent on the other side to Pisa Baltasar Blasquo a Genovvay capteine of his galleis with commission to arme two lighte Galleis which Pope Alexander had caused to builde there but it was thought that it was to this ende to be more ready to deliuer Genes from the gouernment of the Frenche in case the king who yet remayned vexed with the reliques of his disease should happen to dye Thus matters hanging in suche an estate of suspence the first action of this yeare 1506. beganne by thembarking of king Philip to sayle out of Flaunders into Spayne with a great armie by sea And to reduce his going to a more facilitie and safetie for he feared least his father in lawe by the ayde of the Frenche woulde hinder his passage he practised the Spanishe subtelties and agreed with him to leaue vnto him the managing and pollicie of the moste parte of affayres and that they shoulde take in common the title of king of Spayne according to thexample in the Queenes tyme and lastely that the reuenues and tributes shoulde be deuided in an order certayne and indifferent By reason of which accorde his father in lawe notwithstanding he was not assured of thobseruation sent him into Flaunders many shippes to furnishe his voyage with the which hauing embarked his wyfe and Ferdinand his seconde sonne he tooke his course into Spayne with forwarde windes whiche within two dayes turning cleane contrarie after his nauie had runne a daungerous fortune and made a wearie resistaunce agaynst the furie of the sea his shippes were caste vpon sundrie coastes of Englande and Brittaine his owne person with two or three shippes beeing dryuen with manyfest perill vppon Englande into the hauen of Southhampton whereof Henry the seuenth then king of that Nation beeing aduertised sent to him with speede many Barons to doo him honour and desire him to come to his Court then at London A request whiche Philip coulde not denie the king of Englands demaunde beeing no lesse honorable then his owne estate full of necessitie and nakednesse He remayned in the Court of Englande vntill all his Nauie was reassembled and eftsoones rigged making in the meane whyle betweene them newe capitulations wherein albeit Philippe in all other things helde him selfe vsed as a king yet in this one thing he complayned that he was constrayned as a prysoner to consent to redelyuer into king Henries handes the duke of Suffolke whome he helde prisoner within the castell of Namur and whome the king of Englande desyred muche to haue in his power for that he quarreled the tytle of the Crowne pretending the righte of the kingdome to apperteine to him onely the king of Englande assured Philip by the fayth and worde of a king that he woulde not put him to death which he did as iustly perfourme as he had honorably promised keeping him in prison so long as he lyued and afterwardes was beheaded vnder the reigne and cōmaundement of his sonne King Philip sayled afterwardes with a more happie nauigation into Spayne where almost all the Barons flocked to him bringing in their countenaunces apparaunt signes of gratulation and gladnes of his comming and in their mindes assured resolution to aduaunce him In so muche as his father in lawe who was not strong ynough of him selfe to resist him and lesse confidence that in the Frenche promises was any suretie of foundation seeing him selfe almost abandoned of euery one and the articles of the firste accorde disallowed and finding withall a very harde and paynefull accesse to his sonne in lawe was constrayned to agree to new conditions such as were offred to him nothing respecting the former ▪ wherein notwithstanding they proceeded not rigorously for the good nature of Phillip but muche more for the perswasions of those which had shewed themselues great enemies to Ferdinand for that beeing in continuall doubt that by his wisdome and authoritie together with the facilitie of Philips disposition he would not get better fauour in the end winne gouernment with his sonne they solicited as much as they could his departing out of Castillo It was accorded that Ferdinand should giue ouer the gouernment which his wife had left to him by testamēt together with al that he could pretend in that right that he should spedely depart out of Castillo with promise to returne no more That Ferdinand shoulde possesse the kingdome of Naples as his owne notwithstanding there were that alleaged that it apperteined to Philip for that it was conquered with the armes and power of the kingdome of Castillo which was the same reason happly more iust by the which Ferdinand was wont to pretende the sayde realme to apperteine to him as being wonne by the treasures and forces of the state of Aragon The tributes of the yles of India were reserued to him during his life together with the three great mastershippes of S. Iames Alcantara and Calatraua It was also agreed that he should take euery yere xxv thousand duckets of the reuenues of the Realme of Castillo Assone as this contract was resolued and passed to publication Ferdinand whom hereafter we will call eyther the king Catholike or the king of Aragon went foorthwith into Aragon with intention to passe by sea to Naples with all the diligence he might not so muche for the desire he had to see that kingdome and to reestablish it as to remoue the great Capteine agaynst whom since the death of the Queene he had conceyued many suspitions eyther that he aspired to transferre to him selfe the kingdome or at
least that he had inclinations to giue it rather to Philip then to him So ielouse is the condition of imperie and dignitie that agaynst those for the most part is most possibilitie of suspition whose vertue hath best deserued in confidence and fidelitie But by so muche lesse had the king of Aragon occasion to reappose in him by howmuche more he had founde him alwayes intractable to leaue Naples from whence as he had often sommoned him in vayne to returne into Spayne whiche he excused and delayed alleaging many impediments so he feared that if he went not thither in person he should not easily remoue him from the gouernment notwithstanding since the last contract king Philip had charged him to transferre wholly hereafter all his obedience to the king of Aragon In this time the French king beginning to ryse somewhat into health was trauelled with many diuers and contrarie thoughts for both he was discontented with the Venetians disdayning them since the times of the warre of Naples for the desire he had to recouer that whiche was of thauncient appurtenances of the duchie of Millan and for an opinion that through diuerse accidentes their power and greatnes might sometimes hurt him which among other respects had induced him to make confederation with the king of Romaines and Philip his sonne And on the other part the discending of the king of Romains into Italie was nothing agreable to him knowing that he prepared to furnishe his iourney with very strong forces A matter which he feared more then afore for the power which he might put to king Philip successour to suche a greatnes specially beeing in doubt that whilest he was in Englande he did not contract with the king there certayne newe and straite allyaunces And for that also one of the principall occasions for the which he had entred confederation with them was ceassed and cut off by the peace made with the king Catholike by reason of the which he had dissolued left there all his thoughts and impressions touching the kingdome of Naples But whilest he stoode wauering in this varietie and incertentie of minde thembassadours of themperour Maximilian came to signifie to him their maisters deliberation to passe into Italie and to sommon him to giue order for the fiue hundred launces which he had promised to furnishe in his fauour and to performe the residue of his worde touching the restoring of the banished men from the state of Millan and to put him in remembrance lastly to aduaunce payment of the money which should be due to him within fewe monethes To these demaundes albeit the French king had no great will to condisscende yet he made semblant of the contrarie neuerthelesse onely for the regarde of suche as for that time required but wordes expressing howe muche he desired that tharticles of accorde should be executed offering for his parte in due season a readie accomplishment of all thinges he was bounde vnto onely he refused with many excuses to aduaunce the money On the other parte themperour reapposing also as little in the will of the French king as he did in his and desiring vehemently to passe to Rome chiefly to take the crowne imperiall and to choose afterwards his sonne king of Romains studied in the same time by what other meanes he might atchieue theffect of his expectations Therefore both he solicited the Svvyzzers to knit with him who after wany councels and disputes among them selues determined to obserue thalliance which yet remayned two yeres with the French king And also he demaunded passage of the Venetians through their lands who beeing loath for their own particular to graunt him passage with an armie so mightie the offers also of the French king inciting thē to ioyne with him to let his passage tooke courage to aunswere him in tearmes generall and the French king showing himselfe openly estraunged from the confederation made with him and with Phillip gaue in mariage the Lady Clauda his daughter to Frauncis Lorde of Angulesme to whom belonged the succession of the Crowne after his death without issue male he made as though he had bene drawen to that action by the importunities of his subiects hauing aforehande ordeined for that effect that all the courts of Parliament and principall townes of his kingdome should sende Embassadours to beseeche him as in a matter most profitable to the Realme since the hope to haue issue male diminished in him dayly more and more This he signified with speede to king Phillip by expresse Embassadours excusing him selfe that he had no power to resist so great a desire of his whole realme and communitie of his subiects Besides these he had sent bandes of men to the succours of the duke of Gueldres to turne Maximilian from passing into Italie who of him selfe had left and giuen ouer those cogitations for that vnderstanding that Launcelet king of Hungarie was very sicke he drewe neare the confines of that kingdome according to an auncient desire of his father to make him selfe king for the right which he pretended to it for Launcelet otherwise called Ladislao king of Hungaria and of Boeme sonne of Albert which was brother to themperour Federik dying many yeres before without sonnes the peoples of Hungaria who pretended that their king dying without heire masculine the succession of the next in bloud could haue no place had chosen for their king hauing regarde to the merites and vertues of his father Mathyas he who afterwardes to the great reputation and glorie of so little a kingdome vexed oftentimes the mightie empire of the Turkes He to auoyde in the beginning of his reigne warre with Federike agreed with him to take no wife to th end that after his death the kingdome might diuolue to Federike or to his children which albeit he did not obserue yet he died without issue and for all that Federike had not thaccomplishment of his desire for that Thungarians chose of newe for their king Launcelet king of Polonia by occasion whereof newe warres being eftsones raysed agaynst them by Federike and Maximilian they agreed at last the Barons of the kingdome taking a solemne othe that whensoeuer Launcelet should dye without issue they shoulde receiue Maximilian for their king In so much as he then aspiring to this succession after he was aduertised of thinfirmitie of Launcelet he drewe neare to the borders of Hungaria leauing behinde him for that time all his thoughts for Italie But whylest those things were debated betweene the Princes of beyonde the Mountes with so great diuersitie the Pope knowing that without the aydes of the French king he could not molest the Venetians and hauing lesse patience that the yeres of his Pontificacie should so passe away and consume without profite or honour prayed the French king to helpe him to recouer to the obedience of the Church the cities of Bolognia and Perousa which belonging of antiquitie to the Sea Apostolike were nowe tirannised the one by Iohn Paule Baillon
behalfe of Maximilian should be named and holden as comprehended and nominated the Pope the king Catholike the king of Englande the king of Hungria and all the Princes and subiects of the sacred Empire in what place soeuer together with all the confederates of Maximilian and the sayde kings and states of thempire which should be named within three monethes And for the Venetians were named the French king the king Catholike with all the confederates and friendes of the Venetians of the French king and king Catholike in Italie onely whom they should likewise name within three moneths Thus was the truce accorded the xx day of Aprill and with no lesse expedition ratified by the Emperour and the Venetians by which meanes ceassed the warre with great hope that the regions of Italie shoulde nowe returne to a perpetuall concorde and peace After armes were layde aside by the resolution and couenantes of this peace it seemed to the Frenche king that the Florentins would haue declared themselues rather for Caesar then for him if Themperours affaires had had a more happie beginning and knowing withall that that disposition proceeded of no other thing then of a desire they had to recouer Pisa in what sorte they coulde and of a discontentment that without respecting they had bene alwayes at his deuotion and in the seruices they had done him he had not onely not fauoured them neither with authoritie countenance nor armes but also had suffred that the Pisans were succored by the Genovvaies that were his subiects he determined in these regardes to deuise howe by some honest meane they might obteine that they desired wherein for that for the benefite of his former purposes he woulde do it to his proper profite and that he thought that feare would be a better meane then hope to drawe from them a greater summe he dispatched M. Riccio to make complaint first that they had sent men expresse to accord with Caesar his enemie that vnder cooler to giue the spoile to the Pisans they had assembled a mightie armie without hauing regarde to the conditions of the time and his suspitions and daungers that in so great a stirre and commotion which was prepared they were neuer willing to expresse simply their intentions wherin they gaue him iust occasion to doubt to what ende tended those preparations And lastly that hauing desired them to ayde him with their armies in so great perils they refused it agaynst all confidence and expectation All whiche notwithstanding aswell for the perpetuall amitie which he had alwayes borne to their commonweale as for the memorie of the good offices and obseruaunces they had done in tymes past for his seruice he was very ready to pardon them all these newe iniuries so farrefoorth as to cut off all occasions that might eftsones trouble the tranquillitie of Italie they would not hereafter molest the Pisans without his consent To these complaynts the Florentins answered that necessitie had induced them to sende men to Caesar not with any intention to couenant with him agaynst the king but if he passed into Italie to assure their estate which the king in the capitulation made with them woulde not be bounde to defende agaynst Caesar according to the testimonie of an expresse clause bearing these wordes Sauing the rights of th' empire That he could not reasonably complayne of the armie leauied agaynst the Pisans for that it beeing no greater then of custome it ministred no iuste occasion of newe suspitions and beeing assembled for no other effectes then as in other times to giue impedimentes to the haruest of the Pisans there was no reasonable cause of doubt if mens iudgementes were as indifferent as the matter was innocent That for suche a matter and for the succors which the Genovvaies other neighbours gaue then to the Pisans it was not possible for them to sende their souldiours to the king wherevnto albeit they were not bounde yet for the deuotion they had alwayes borne to him they woulde not haue stucke to haue done it yea though they had not bene required That they marueiled greatly at the kings desire that the Pisans should not be molested whome he had no reason to esteeme or value with the Florentins if he had any impression of their actions agaynst him in the rebellion of Genes And that he could not iustly forbidde them to molest the Pisans for that the confederation which they had made with him did so import and beare it Vppon these beginnings they consulted afterwardes to reduce Pisa vnder thobedience of the Florentins wherevnto it seemed this did suffice if order were giuen that neither the Genovvaies nor Lucquois should succor it in suche a necessitie of vittels and forces that the Pisans durst no more issue out of their towne adioyning withall for the losse of the haruest the yll disposition of those of the playne countrey being in greater number then the Citizens In so muche as it was beleeued that they coulde not holde out if they receiued not from Genovvay and Lucqua certayne quantities of money by meane of which such as gouerned kept within Pisa certayne forreine souldiours and distributing the residue to the young men aswel of the towne as of the plaine countrey they astonished with the armes of those such as desired to accorde with the Florentins keeping by that meane the towne in peace and free from mutinie To this practise begon by the French king was added thauthoritie of the king Catholike ielouse belike that without him such a matter could worke no effect and therefore assone as he vnderstoode that M. Riccio was gone to Florence he dispatched also an Embassador who going first to Pisa encoraged them in the name of his king to take comfort and holde out not for other respect then that remayning wilfull and obstinate to yeelde to the Florentins they might be solde for a greater price A litle after these enterspeeches by consent of both kings were caried into the Court of the Frenche king where without any regarde to the protection so oftentimes promised the king Catholike solicited with great importunitie the resolution of that busines both for that he knewe that Pisa beeing not defended would necessarily fall into the power of the Florentins and also he had at that time no disposition to entangle him selfe with newe affayres and chiefly agaynst the will of the Frenche king for notwithstanding he had immediatly vpon his returning into Spayne resumed the gouernment of Castillo yet he stoode not well confirmed in it both for the separate wills and inclinations of the Barons and also they had not iustified his consent in the name of his nephew But after the cause of the Pisans had bene long debated in the court of Fraunce diuersitie of affections hindring the successe At last for many difficulties which hapned but principally for that both the kings sought to appropriate to themselues the price of the sale of it the practise was dissolued without any forme of conclusion
of their situacion they commaunde the citie were to put Verona in manifest daunger These castells were kept by the launceknights But in the other parte which is separat from this by the riuer is the olde castell looking towards Pesgara and hath his situacion almost in the middest of the citie going thorow the riuer with a bridge Not three bow shootings of drawing towards Vincensa standes the Citadell and betwene them both the walls of the citie ioyne without in forme of halfe a circle but within is a wall going from the one to the other which is in the middest of two great ditches the space betwene both the wals being called the subburbes of S. Zene which with the garde of the Citadell was appoynted for the lodging of the french Whilest armes were there as it were in rest Maxymylian solicited continually to make truce with the Venetians the Pope also interposing very diligently by the working of Achilles de Grassi Bishop of Pesero and his Nuncio And to this ende his Embassadors went to thospitall which is aboue Escalo to negociat with Iohn Coruaro and Lovvys Monseuigno Deputies for the Venetians But as all matters of state haue their proper difficulties and impediments so in this action the demaundes of Caesar were so excessiue that this conference tooke no effect to the great discontentment of the Pope who wished that the Venetians were deliuered of all trouble and with whom he had wrought so much to th ende there should be no matter of question to rēder to the Duke of Ferrara the towne of Comacho which they had burned before withall they had promised him to vexe no more thestate of the Duke of Ferrara to whom he gaue great fauor support both to make hi◠beholding to him for that he had obteyned and was to obteine by his meane and also he had hope that for these respects he would depend more vpon him then of the french king Against whom being in continual study to lay foundacions of right great importance he had secretly dispatched a Messenger to the king of England and begon to worke the Svvyzzers at that time inclining to some quarell with the french king To this action and for this reason came to him the Bishop of Ston whom the Latins call Sedunensis enemy to the french kinge and vnder that cooller pretending to be Cardinall and for that respect was receiued of him with great ioy About the ende of this yeare were accorded the king of Romains kinge Catholike betwene whom was some difference touching the gouernment of the Realmes of Castillo This controuersie was long debated in the Court of Fraunce albeit it suffered many great perplexities difficulties yet in the end it was guided to perfection by the meane vndiscreete councel of the Cardinal of Amboise who not considering how much this vnion was hurtful to the affaires of his king was caried perhaps by this ambicion that if by his working there might be stabilitie agreement betwene them it would be a degree to lift him to the Popedom being in this a daūgerous councellor to respect more his proper interests then the safetie of his contrey Such then was the power of his diligence and authoritie that he induced Maxymylian to consent that the king Catholike in case he had no yssue males shoulde be gouernor ouer those Realmes vntil their litle sonne Charles were come to the age of maioritie to whom should be no power to take vpon him the title of king during the life of his mother bearing the prerogatiue and iurisdiction of Queene for that in Castillo the issue males exclude not the general issue That the king Catholike should pay to Caesar fifty thowsand duckats that he should ayde him according to the treaty of Cambray vntil he had recouered all that apperteined to him And lastly to pay to Charles euery yeare forty thowsand duckats By this conuention the king of Aragon was confirmed gouernor ouer the Realme of Castillo standing nowe in state to haue faith credit with Caesar since both the controuersies were determined they both had equal interests touching their Nephew he might now more boldly looke into the meanes by the which he might hinder the greatnes of the frēch king which he held alwaies suspected for the regard of the kingdom of Naples About this time also the Pope entred into suspicion that the pronotary Bentyuolo remeining at Cremona labored secretly to returne into Bolognia against which accident he caused to be reteined in the pallaice of Bolognia for certaine daies Iulian de medicis And attributing all things to the ill disposicion of the french king he made knowne the feare he had that he would passe into Italy to subdue it make Pope by violence the Cardinal of Amboise And yet at the same time he spake without any regard in derogacion of the honor of Caesar as of a person incapable of such a dignitie by his incapacity had brought the name of the Empire into great contempt About the ende of this yere died the Count Petillano general ouer the Venetian armies a man for his age and graue experience in actions of warre of great name worthines with the Venetians of that credit and trust that they neuer feared he would put their state in daunger by rashnes or want of councell The yeare after which was 1510. the same dowts suspicions continuing warrs began to stirre on all parts but coldly according to the season for the Venetian army lying encamped at S. Boniface vpon the contrey of Verona helde Verona as it were beseged from whence Charles Baillon Federyk de Bossole Sacromoro Viscounte comming to their succors were charged by the stradiots who ouerthrew them taking prisoners Charles Sacromoro Federyk foūd sauety in the reskew of the french which issued out of Verona for their succors An other time they brake an other bād of frēch horsemen amongest whom Monsr de Clesy was taken prisoner on the other side fortune can both smile laugh two hundred frēch launces yssuing out of Verona with three thowsand footemen forced by assalt a bastillion towards Soaue which was garded by a band of six hundred footemen in their returne they ouerthrew a great multitude of paisantes But whilest the warre was occupied with these cold proceedings the minds of Princes were in great paine and care but specially Caesar had his perplexities who douting howe he might cary the victorie of the warre against the Venetians posting ouer according to his custome his affaires from one diet to an other had caused to be published the dyet at Auspurge and being kindled against the Pope for that the Electors of thEmpire pushed on by his authoritie made instance to negociate in the dyet rather for peace with the Venetians then for prouisions for the warre he had caused to departe from Auspurge the Bishop of Pesero his Nuncio he considered also that the deliberacions
of dyets were vncertaine tedious and full of difficulties the ende of one breeding the beginning of an other he sawe withall that the french king excused him selfe daily of the demaundes and enterprises that were tendred to him some times alleaging the sharpnes of the season sometimes requiring assignacion certain of the exspēces which were to be made eftsones protesting that by the traity of Cambray he was not bownd to ayde him alone but ioyntly with the Pope king of Aragon with whom it was reasonable that the proceedings were mutuall and common as the confederacion and bond were ioynt generall for these reasons he entred into resolucion that there was no remedie more readye for his affaires then to induce the french king to embrase thenterprise to take Padoa Vincensa and Treuisa employing his owne forces and taking sufficient recompense This demaund was wel liked by many of the kings councel who considering that till the Venetians were wholly chassed out of the firme lande the Kinge should dwell in continual exspenses and daungers perswaded his Maiestie vpon those reasons to deliuer him selfe of them at one blow and in one action making but one exspensse The Kinges minde was not altogether estraunged from this councell being caried happly with the same reasons and therefore albeit he inclined to passe in person into Italy with a mighty armie which he called mighty and puissant as often as he had in the same more then a thowsand six hundred launces with his gentlemen pensioners yet harkening to other councels by the cōsideracion of other reasons he stood suspended in mind expressing a confusion more then he was wont for that the Cardinal Amboise A man of great authoritie and stomacke afflicted with a long greeuous maladie forbare to manage his affaires which were wont to be dispatched wholy by his direction The king besides that of his natural disposicion he loued not much matters of exspenses was reteined also by a desire he had to Verona for thaccomplishing wherof it seemed to him a good meane to haue the king of Romains intangled with continual warres for which regard he had newly lent to him eighteene thowsand duckats to pay the launceknightes that lay in garrison in the citie and was bound to make it vp a further summe of fifty thowsand with cōdicion that he should not onely hold the Citadell for his securitie and pawne but also the old castel should be set ouer to him together with the next gate of the towne the better to haue free entrey and yssue And lastly for want of restoring the money within one yeare the towne of Valeggo should remeine to him in perpetuall gouernment with power to fortefie aswell the towne as the Citadell at the charges of Caesar These consideracions drewe the Kinges minde into no small perplexities but muche more was he troubled with feare least the Popes intencions would wholly varie and alter if he should either leade or sende into Italy a newe armie for the Pope no lesse full of suspicion then also ill contented that he should impatronise vpon Verona besides that he still kept a will enterteyned to absolute the Venetians did also all that he could to ioyne him selfe with the Svvyzzers for confirmacion of which disposicion he had sent backe agayne into that contrey the Bishop of Syon with money to distribute amongest them and promisse to indue him selfe with the holy cappe he sought also with all his diligence by what meanes he might estraunge the Kinge of England from the amitie of the frenche Kinge whome albeit his father at the instant of death had aduised for his securitie and benefite to continue in assured league with him and for that respect was yearely payed to him fiftie thowsand duckats yet being caried ouer with hotte humors of youthe and the great habilitie of treasor that his father had left him it seemed he had no lesse in consideracion the councells of those who for the desire of newe thinges ioyned to an auncient hatred which the English doe ordinarily beare to the french nation made perswasions to him for the warre then the wisedome and discreete example of his father who refusing all contencions with the frenche had gouerned his kingdome in great obedience and tranquilletie notwithstanding he had aspyred to a state newe and full of troubles All these consideracions vexing not a litle the minde of the frenche Kinge who the better to deuise for the affayres of Italy was nowe gone to Lyon he feared least his marching into Italy which the Pope detested openly would stirre vp some new innouacions by his meanes besides he sawe that the Kinge of Aragon disswaded him from it but vnder demonstracions of a friende and an indifferent louer of the common tranquillitie In so much as amyd those multitudes of dowtes which trauelled him on all partes he sawe no more certeine nor present councell then with great labor and diligence to studie so to appease the minde of the Pope that at the least he might stande assured that he were not his enemie and against him Wherein it seemed that occasion fauored him greatly for that it was beleeued that by the death of the Cardinall Amboise who was extremely sicke he shoulde be eased of those suspicions from whence it was supposed his ill contentments did principally proceede And for that the King was aduertised by good intelligence that the Cardinall of Auchx Nephewe to the Cardinall Amboise with others that managed his affayres in the Court of Rome had with great rashnes both in deede and wordes labored more to quicken and kindle then to appease and mollefie the Popes minde he woulde no more vse their seruice in those actions but sent to Rome in poste the Lorde Albert Pie Count de Carpy A personage in whome was indifferent the greatnes of his minde and expedicion of his witte he caried very large commissions not onely to offer to the Pope the Kinges forces and authoritie to serue his turne in all accidents and vpon all occasions but also in inclining as much as he could to his wil and nature he was to communicat with him frankely and simply the state of all thinges that were practised together with the requests that Caesar made to him and finally to referre to his arbitracion and wil whether he should passe into Italy or not and whether he should minister to thEmprour speedely or slowly he had also in charge to disswade the absolucion of the Venetians but before he ariued it was resolued and promised by the Pope the Venetians after long dispute and abode of their Embassadors there consenting at last to the condicions whereupon the difficulties stoode not finding any other remedie for their sauetie then to beioyned with him The condicions for the which thabsolucion was to be giuen were opēly published in the cōsistorie the xxiiij of February in presence of the Venetian Embassadors who confirmed them by writing according to thauthentike direction from their common weale These
ambition by so muche lesse is limited the desire of oppression which in mindes corruptly inclined holdes nothing vnlawfull that may serue to thaction pretended nor any thing vnreasonable that agreeth with the humor of their passion in whom this is one natural custome to conuert all things to his owne propertie working The Pope omitting neither meane nor matter that might giue furtherance to his purpose made secret solicitation to Henry the eight then king of Englande to rayse warre agaynst the French king wherein enforcing the memorie of thauncient emulations of those two kingdomes he ioyned to the facilitie of thenterprise this occasion of the felicitie and successe that if he would begin to leauie armes agaynst Fraunce thaction would take imitation in many others to whom the puissance and greatnes of that crowne was either suspected or hated he forgat not to encourage him to embrace with that deuotion which in other times had bin proper to the kings of Englande the glorie that was offred him to be protector and preseruer of the sea Apostolike which without the ayde of his authoritie and reskewe stoode in manifest daunger by thambition of the French king In this practise the king of Aragon did communicate with the Pope but secretly and not really vsing perhaps this moderation of minde not to suffer his desires to be greater then his fortunes But that which was of greatest importance the Pope enterteined still with the Svvizzers the negociations which were begonne by the Bishop of Syon by whose authoritie being great with that nation and perpetuall importunitie labouring their assemblies and councels and preaching in their Churches he obteined at last that the Svvizzers receiuing euery yere a thousande Florins of Rhein for euery Canton shoulde be bounde to the protection of him and the estate of the Churche with permission to the Pope for his defence agaynst all men that would vex him to leauie certayne proportions of footmen The occasion that moste helped forwarde this matter and made his request more easie and plausible was the disagreement that began to kindle betweene them and the Frenche king For the Svvizzers being of nature proude and weening became more raysed and lifted vp in minde by the estimation that others had of them and chalenging to them selues peculiarly the glorie of the French victories were caried into this presuming that all the conquests and honorable actions which eyther the king raigning or his predecessor had obteined in Italie proceeded principally of their valour and the feare of their armes And therevpon insisting vppon merites as though the crowne of Fraunce ought much to them they demaunded the French king soliciting to make renouation of thalliance that nowe was determined that he would augment their pensions being then threescore thousand frankes by yere ouer and aboue the mercenarie contributions which were secretly dispearsed amongst priuat persons pensions which had ben begon vnder Lovvis the eleuenth and continued vnto the present time But for that they accompanied their demaundes with a presumptuous audacitie which the king construed to manifest insolencie and for that of paisantes and mountayne men suche was his phrase they sought imperiously to impose and taxe him being a king he began so to shake them of with wordes and countenaunces that they might discerne how muche he disdayned them more respecting hys dignitie royall then regarding the present vtilitie of things He was the more induced to this for that at the same season by the solicitation of George Sopressan the peoples of the valleys subiects of Sion who were gouerned in seuen communities which they call courtes being corrupted by publike promises and priuate pensions were not onely confederate with him but also bounde to giue passage to his people and refuse it to his enemies and withall to enter into his payes with such numbers of footmen as their forces were hable to beare In the same sort did enter confederacie with him the Lordes of the three leagues whom they call the Grisons and albeit one part of the men of the valley had not yet approued it the king was not without hope to induce them to ratification by the selfe same meanes In so muche as he began to perswade him selfe that the amitie of the Svvizzers was nowe no more necessarie to him hauing determination to supplye his warres with Almain footmen ouer and besides those proportions of souldiours whiche the valley men and Grisons should furnishe him of Besides he feared little their stirres or preparations and lesse exspectation that they were hable to assayle the duchie of Millan but by the straites of Ballinsona and other passages of great difficultie through the which if they should march in great trowpes and numbers he made his reckoning that they would be easily reduced into necessitie of vittels by a small armie And if they came but in small companies a slender strength woulde likewise suffice to make them retyre Wherein he made his coniectures at random and seemed to lymit the fortunes of them whose forces he yet knewe not flattering himselfe with his proper greatnes An humor preiudicially mouing in Princes in whom there ought to be no parcialitie of comparison when there is question of enterprise and action But because he stoode resolute not to graunt them augmentation of pensions he coulde not obteine in their councells a renouation of thalliance notwithstanding there were manye euen in the middest of them who did earnestly perswade it to whom in particular were retributed no small rewardes And for that cause they consented more easily to the confederation which was demaunded of them by the Pope By which newe confederation the Pope seeming to haue laied a great fundation for thaduauncing of his purposes and hauing a perpetuall nature to proceede in all thinges as supreme and soueraigne aboue all men and as though the whole world were in necessitie to receiue lawes of him he began to sowe seedes of newe controuersies with the Duke of Ferrara eyther pushed on by the cause that was in disputation betweene them or els by an auncient hatred for that hauing receiued of him so many honors benefites and gratifications he seemed neuerthelesse to depende more vpon the French king then vpon him A dealing whiche he construed preiudicially and farre contrarie to the recompence of his merites But whatsoeuer was the cause searching a beginning of the quarrell he commaunded imperiously Alfonso Duke of Ferrara to forbeare to continue the working of salt at Comacchio he alleaged that it was not reasonable that that which was not lawfull to him when the Venetians helde Ceruia should nowe haue suffraunce being possessed by the sea Apostolike to whom apperteined the absolute gouernment of Ferrara and Comacchio Besides it was a matter of great profite for that the working ceassing at Comacchio the saltpittes of Ceruia ministred traffike to all the townes thereaboutes But Duke Alphonso who reapposed more in the coniunction which he had with the French king and in his protection then he feared
the Popes forces gaue small obedience to this commaundement he complayned that he shoulde be constrayned not to reape the fruite which grewe to him in his proper house with small labour and to be driuen to buye of an other for the vsage of his peoples the ware whereof he had enough to replenishe forreine countreis alleaging withall that that ought not to be enforced for an example which the Venetians had made him consent vnto more by compulsion of armes then by condition of iustice Whiche reasons little auayled to content the Pope who eftsones sent to protest to him vnder great paynes and accursings to discontinue that worke suche were the thoughtes and actions of the Pope inclined altogether to rayse vp and support the Venetians But on the other side Caesar and the French king thirsted not a little after their embacement with desire to diminishe their authoritie and greatnes And beeing muche discontented with the demonstrations which the Pope expressed on their behalfe they drew into a more strayte alliance and intelligence one with an other concluding to inuade the Venetians that sommer with huge forces for the better aduauncing of which expedition the contracte bare that the Frenche king for his parte shoulde sende Monsr Chaumont with a strong armie wherevnto should be ioyned the Launceknightes that lay at Verona And Caesar for his parte should make entrie into the countrey of Friul with those leauyes of men and munitions which he hoped to obteine of thempire in the dyet of Auspurge and hauing accomplished that action he was to proceede to other enterprises according to the estate of occasions and tyme They solicited the Pope to ioyne with them according to the bonde of the league of Cambray holding it but iuste to sommon him to performe that which he had so willingly promised But he who was no lesse discontented with that motion then hauing a capacitie searching aboue the witte of other men made aunswere that he was no more bound to that confederation which hath had already his perfection seeing it had bene in the power of Caesar to haue first Treuisa and afterwards a satisfaction recompence in money Caesar likewise solicited to haue succours from the king Catholike both by vertue of the same capitulations of Cambray and also vnder couenantes and promises made particularly with him at suche time as he consented to him the gouernment of Castillo But this solicitation as it bare a forme of request to ayde him rather with money then with men so the king of Aragon whom it imported muche not to disfurnishe him selfe of the thing whereof he had moste neede aunswere that he would sende him foure hundred launces A strength of little profite for Caesar for that aswell in the Frenche armie as in his owne campe the seruice on horsebacke was plentifully furnished About this time the Citie of Verona liued in great afflictions vnder the souldiours that garded it who for that they were not payed drewe into secret conspiracie with certayne Venetian bandes by whom they thought to worke some trayterous stratageme for which purpose the Venetians issuing out of S. Boniface approched the Citie by night to skale the Castell of S. Peter and as they were entred S. Georges gate whylest they taried to fasten their ladders together for that being single they sufficed not to reach to the height of the wall eyther they were heard by the warders of the castell of S. Felix or in their feare they seemed to heare a brute of armed men And as in matter of enterprise imagination abuseth muche so whether they feared their owne shadowes or whether they doubted that to be in deede which was but a vision in their timerous fantasies they sodenly retyred leauing behinde them their ladders as testimonies of their feare and intention leauing to thenemie to doubt muche of their vallour that in so fayre an oportunitie forsooke the felicitie that their fortune had prepared The armie retyred forthwith to S. Boniface and at Verona the conspiracie comming to detection many were passed ouer to iustice and punishment though some found fauour more by clemencie then their proper innocencie In this season the Pope expressed certayne inclinations to be eftsones reunited with the french king not of goodwill but for feare for that Maximilian sommoned him with braue messages to lende him two hundred thousande duckets threatning that otherwise he would ioyne with the French king agaynst him An other reason of his feare was a brute that was spread that in the Dyet of Auspurge it was agreed to minister to him a strong succor and also the peace had bene newely established betweene the kings of Englande and Fraunce and published with great solemnitie By reason of these feares he began to trayte with great diligence with Albert de Carpy whom till that day he had interteined with wordes and hopes generall vsing in all his actions of negociation more art then true meaning and lesse fidelitie then fayre resemblaunce But besides the mutabilitie of his owne nature the variation of occasions made him not dwell long in that resolution both for that the Parliament of Auspurge without the forces and aydes of which there was no great reckoning to be made of the threates of Caesar not aunswering exspectation determined for him no other succours then a supply of three hundred thousande Florins of Rhein whereof his prodigalities had already made great wastes And also the king of England signified that he had setdowne an article in the peace expressing that it should be no peace as often as the French king should offend the state of the Churche In regard of these things the Pope reentred into new stomack and returning eftsones to his former thoughts he began to heape new cōplaintes agaynst the Duke of Ferrara who he sayd that since it was suffred to the subiects of the Church to sayle and traffike frankly through the gulfe of Venice had imposed newe tributes vppon the goods which were brought to Venice by the riuer of Pau A taxation which the Pope alleaged that the vassall coulde not leauie according to the interpretation of the lawes without licence of the Lorde paramount and withall it was a thing that brought great preiudice to the people of Bolognia who were his subjects for which consideration he made instance that they might be deposed threatning that otherwise he would bring warre vpon him Wherin to giue him a greater feare he caused to marche his bands of men of warre into the countrey of Bolognia and into Romagnia These things troubled not a little the mind of the French king beeing loath on the one side to fall at oddes with the Pope and on the other side he felt him selfe touched in honor and conscience to leaue abandoned the Duke of Ferrara to whose protection he had bound himselfe by receiuing thirtie thousande duckets No lesse was he moued with the regarde of his proper profite for that duke Alfonso depending wholy vpon him and fleeing so
he was not without hopes to procure the king of England to stirre But that which should most haue appeased him he made to serue most to stirre vp kindle his stomacke which was the knowledge he had that the frēch king hauing no disposicion to make warre against the church nourished a setled desire to haue peace In so much as it seemed that it would alwaies remeyne in his power to drawe him to peace yea though he had leauyed armes against him The reason of these matters making him rise dayly more insolent and redoubling openly his complayntes and threates agaynst the Frenche Kinge and Duke of Ferrara he refused in the feaste of the celebracion of S. Peter A day wherein accordinge to auncient custome are offered the tributes which are due to the seege Apostolyke to accept the tribute of the Duke of Ferrara saying that the euasion of Alexander the sixt who in marying his Daughter had from foure thowsande duckats reduced that offeringe to a hundred coulde not take example to the preiudice of that sea Besides he woulde not affore this tyme giue licence to the Cardinall of Achx and other frenche Cardinalls to returne into Fraunce and vnderstanding that daye that the Cardinall of Achx was gone to take the pleasure of the fieldes with certein greahowndes he entred into a vayne suspicion that he would secretly start away and therefore sent speedely after to take him and helde him prisoner in the castell S. Ange Thus disclosing openly his manifest contencion with the Frenche Kinge and for that cause seeing him selfe so much the more constrayned to laye great and assured foundacions he graunted to the King Catholike thinuestiture of the kingdome of Naples vnder condicion of the same tribute with the which the kings of Aragon had obteyned it notwithstanding he had refused affore to bestow it otherwaies then for forty thowsand duckats A rate affore time imposed vpon the french when he obteined it In this action the Pope respected not so much the bond which in other inuestitures of the same kingdom was wont to be made to him to enterteyne euery yeare for him as often as neede required 3. hundred men at armes for the defence of the Church as the desire he had to make him his friend ioyned to a hope that his aydes vpon occasion might doe much to leade him into open contencion with the french king Whereof were already discerned certeyne seedes and beginnings for that the king Catholike suspecting much the greatnes of the french and no lesse ielous of his ambicion for that not content with the limits of the league of Cambray he aspired to draw to his obedience the citie of Verona and besides all this being pushed on by the memorie of auncient quarrels desired greatly that there might be found some impediment in his affayres And therefore ceassed not to councell a peace betweene Caesar and the Venetians which was not a litle desired by the Pope And albeit he proceeded secretly in those actions yet he was not able altogether to couer his thoughtes In so much as his armie by sea beinge falne vpon Sicile which he sent to assayle the I le of Gerbes anyland aunciently called by the Lattins the great Sirta the king was entred into suspicion and the mindes of men that were well acquaynted with his suttletyes were occupied with many dowtes But as in worldely dealinges it often hapneth that the thinge that is feared least doth soonest chaunce and hurteth moste so troubles and perplexities beganne to rise to the Frenche Kinge from those partes which he dowted least and in a tyme wherein he had no exspectacion of any mouing of armes to be prepared agaynst him for the Pope betweene whose suttletye and secrecye was no difference working alwayes vnder hande solicited that at one tyme Genes might be assayled both by sea and lande That twelue thowsande Svvyzzers might discende vppon the Duchie of Myllan That the Venetians shoulde take the fielde to recouer their townes holden by Caesar And that his owne armie should enter vpon the contrey of Ferrara with intencion to passe afterwards into the Duchie of Myllan if things begā to succeede happely to the Svvyzzers he hoped that Genes being assailed vpon the suddein there would easily arise some mutacion or mutinie both for that there were many that bare no sownd affection to the french and also that the faction of Fregosa would minister ayde going thether vnder cooller to make Duke Octauian whose father and Vncle had possessed the same dignitie That the french men amased for the commocion of Genes and inuasion of the Svvyzzers woulde reuoke to the Duchie of Myllan all the bandes which they had with Caesar and the Duke of Ferrara which would be a cause that the Venetians should easily recouer Verona and afterwards set vpon the Duchie of Myllan lastly that his regiments shoulde doe the like after they had made an easie conquest of Ferrara beinge abandoned of the french making a iudgement vpon these computacions that the state of Myllan would haue no abilitie of defence against so many enemies and so suddeine a warre he began at one time the warre against Ferrara and against Genes And albeit the Duke of Ferrara against whom he proceeded the more to hasten thexecucion as against a notorious offender offered to giue him the saltes that were made at Comacho with obligacion that hereafter there shoulde be no more made yet nothinge can satisfie a mind possessed with malice after he had licensed his Embassadors he caused his armie to march against him which with the onely somonce of a trompet and no defence appearing obteined Cente Pieua Which borowes apperteining first to the bishoprike of Bolognia Pope Alexander in marying his Daughter had annexed them to the Duchie of Ferrara recompensing the bishoprike with other reuenues Against Genes were sent eleuen gallies of the Venetians guided by Grillo Conterin and one speciall gallie of the Popes carying Octauian Fregosa Ieronimo Dorea with many other of the banished men of that state And by land at the same time and for the same expedicion was dispatched M. Anth. Colonno with a hundred men at armes and seuen hundred footemen This Capteine hauing left the pay of the Florentyns and being interteyned by the Pope aboade vpon the territories of Lucqua vnder cooller to furnish his band giuing out a brute that he was afterwards to goe to Bolognia And albeit Monsr Chaumont entred into some suspicion of Genes by reason of his abiding yet not knowing that the armie by sea was to come and the Pope spreading a suttle and dissembling brute that the preparacions of the Svvyzzers and houering of M. Anth. were to execute some surprise vpon Ferrara Chaumont made no other prouision for Genes then a certeine smal crew of footemen whome he sent thether Marke Anth. marched with his companies vp to the vale of Visagna within a mile of the walls of Genes notwithstanding he was not receiued according to the Popes
neither was there any mutation at Genes as he did assuredly promise himselfe neither did the Venetians after they had in vayne assayed to take Verona hope for any aduauncement on that side neither did the Svvizzers accomplish any thing their action being rather in demonstration and showes then in matter and effect And touching Ferrara what by the ready succours whiche the French had sent â–ª and the oportunitie of the winter already come on there was no apparance of any daunger onely he had taken Modena which was no reeompence worthy of so great a mouing But suche is the nature of hope rather to prolong then to satisfie and guyding a minde vayne and glorious it norisheth him in infinite exspectations And touching this Pope disappoynted of so many hopes we may lay him in comparison with that which is written by the Poets of Anteus that beeing tamed by the forces of Hercules as often as he was throwen to the grounde so often did appeare in him a greater strength and courage Suche weening had the Pope amidde his aduersities for when he seemed most abased and oppressed it was then that he did most lift vp him selfe with a spirite more constant and resolute promising better of his fortune then euer And yet he had almost no other foundations then of him selfe and he would openly say that albeit he was made naked of valiant and loyall armes hauing no other assured friendes then the Venetians yet for that his enterprises moued not of any particular interest but of an onely franke desire to set Italie at libertie he doubted not with the ayde of God to manage them to an issue honorable happie and commendable He could not hope muche of the Venetians for that they were already drayned of money and oppressed with many difficulties and afflictions And touching the king Catholike he seemed rather to counsel him secretly then to ayde him openly vsing his ordinarie sutteltie to keepe enterteined on thother side Maximilian with the French king And albeit he made him many promises yet he helde them suspensed with many conditions and impedimentes And for the trauell he had vsed to seperat Caesar from the French king and to make him agreed with the Venetians it seemed euery day no lesse doubtfull then vnprofitable for that Caesar at suche time as the Pope had sent out an armie agaynst the duke of Ferrara had sent an Herald to charge him not to molest him And Constantin de Macedonio being gone in the Popes name to solicite an accorde betwene him and the Venetians he did not onely refuse to heare him but also giuing to know that he would more firmely knitte with the Frenche king he determined to sende into Fraunce the Bishop of Gurce to negociate with him of all their affayres Also the electors of thempire notwithstanding they bare great inclination to the name of the Pope and to the deuotion of the sea Apostolike would not heare speake of the expences in so much as being addicted onely to th affayres of Germanie they were not to do him any great seruice in those actions And lastly it seemed he could not hope muche more of the king of Englande notwithstanding he was young and desirous of innouations had made profession to affect the greatnes of the Church and heard his Embassadors not without some inclination of minde for that beeing so farre remoued from Italie aswell by lande as sea he was not hable of him selfe to embase the French king hauing withall ratified the peace with him and by a solemne embassage sent to that ende receiued the full confirmation Sure there is no man buylding vpon so weake fundations and encountring so many great impedimentes and aduersities who would not haue abated and restrayned his courage seing withall he had meane to obteine peace with the French king with such conditions as a conquerour could not in reason desire greater For the king consented to abandon the protection of the Duke of Ferrara though not directly in regarde of his honor yet indirectly to satisfie the Pope referring it to the arbitration of the lawe but vnder thauthoritie of suche iudges as would haue pronounced according to the Popes will And albeit he was certayne that he might obteine this forme of peace to his quiet and honor yet he added that ouer and besides these he woulde haue the king to leaue Genes in full libertie proceeding in these actions with suche an implacable obstinacie â–ª that not one of his dearest familiars durst once aduise him to the contrarie yea thembassador of Florence offering to sound him according to the kings commaundement purchased by his labour more displeasure then profite His resolution that way coulde suffer no counsell to the contrarie for a messanger whom the duke of Sauoy had sent to him about other affayres offring that his prince if it so lyked him would enterpose in the working of the peace he cryed out that he was sent to espie and not to negociate committing the messanger to prison and to be examined with tormentes his singuler courage carying him euery day into higher weenings made him also confirmed in the difficulties that appeared that not respecting the impediments nor daungers and determining to laye aside all his other thoughtes sauing suche as tended to the taking of Ferrara he resolued to go in person to Bolognia both to hasten things by his presence to giue more authoritie to his affayres and to encrease the courage of his captaines whose vallour seemed farre inferiour to his furie he assured himselfe that to take Ferrara his owne forces suffised ioyned with the Venetians who laboured to feede him in that perswasion for feare least in the ende loasing all hope of good successe he came not to accorde with the French king On the other side the French king being nowe made certayne by so many experiences of the affection and intention of the Pope and seeing howe necessarie it was to prouide agaynst other dangers that might happen to his estates determined to defende the duke of Ferrara and keeping established the amitie he had with the king of Romains he resolued to persecute by his consent the Pope with armes spirituall and in the meane while to enterteine and support things vntill the spring when he would passe into Italie with a puissant armie both by sea and lande to make warre eyther vpon the Venetians or against the Pope as the estate of affayres should require He perswaded the king of Romains that he would enter into action agaynst the Venetians not onely as he was wont to do but also to ayde him knowing well his auncient desire to occupie Rome together with the whole estate of the Churche as apperteineth of right to thempire and likewise to dispose all Italie except thestates of Millan Genes Florence and Ferrara By these allurementes he ranged him easily to his opinion but specially that by their authoritie ioyning with them the consent of the nations of Fraunce and Almain they might
tenne myles from Bolognia with intention to present them selues the day after affore the gates of the Citie wherin what by the comming of th armie and what by the reapport that the Bentiuoleis were in it all things were full of confusion and tumult and the Nobles no lesse then the Cōmons expressed an vniuersall disposition to change the one parte fearing and the other parte desyring the returne of the familie of Bentiuoley But greater confusions and feares occupied the myndes of the Prelates and Courtiers better acquaynted with the delightes of Rome then accustomed to the daungers of warre The Cardinalls full of tymerous passions ranne to the Pope complayning that he had put him selfe the sea Apostolike and them in so great perill their tymerous condition tooke away the reason that in cases of daunger is wont to rule wise men and the same feare that moued their confusion suppressed in them all respect and reuerence to the dignitie of the place and person but pushed on with those passions whiche they were not hable to moderate they besought him with great importunities eyther to make some sufficient prouision for their defence whiche in suche a shortnesse of tyme they helde impossible or at least to seeke to appease and reassure thinges by composition vnder suche conditions as the necessitie of their estate required wherevnto they supposed thenemie woulde incline or at least that he woulde make his departure out of Bolognia together with them and to consider that if his particuler daunger touched him not of what importance it woulde be for the sea Apostolike and for all Christian religion if there happned any inconuenience to his person His dearest fouourits and most acceptable ministers and seruantes did communicate in these complaintes and hauing all one feare they followed all one sute like men that neuer feling but securitie had least rule ouer their passions when they sawe perill and danger at hande But he onely amidde so great a tumult disorder of things no lesse vncertayne of the fidelitie of the people then yll contented with the slowe comming on of the Venetians made obstinate resistance agaynst all these aduersities neither amased with the perills that he sawe nor once moued with the perplexities of his Cardinals ioyning to these afflictions the maladie that had muche weakned his body they had all no habilitie to bende the greatnes of his minde At the beginning he had caused to come thither M. Anth. Colonno with one part of the souldiours that were within Modona and likewise had sent for Ierome d'Onato Embassador to the Venetians to whom he complayned with bitter exclamations that for the long delaying of the aydes which had bene so many times promised him his person and his estate were in manyfest daunger not onely with an ingratitude abhominable towardes him that had begonne the warre chiefly for their safetie and who with his great expences and daungers hauing brought the whole empire and the french king to be his enemies had bene the cause of the preseruation of their libertie till that daye but also with an incredible indiscression for the regarde of themselues seeing if he shoulde eyther be vanquished or constrayned to yeelde to any composition there coulde be no hope of their safetie and lesse exspectation of good degree for their common weale he lastly protested with wordes and action full of furie and resolution that he would fall to agreement with the frenche if the next day past ouer and no succours of their people which lay at Stellata entred into Bolognia hauing this difficultie to builde a bridge and to passe the ryuer vppon barkes and other vesselles He assembled the gouernment and Colleages of Bolognia with whome he occupied perswasions of great grauitie that remembring the myseries of their tyrannie paste and howe hurtfull and daungerous woulde be the returne of tyrantes after they were expulsed they would lifte vp themselues to the defence of the iurisdiction of the Church whiche they had founde so easie and tractable And to induce them to a more readines besides the fauors he had graunted them before he gaue thē exemption of the moytie of al the imposts exacted vpō the vittels that entred into Bolognia for the vse of man with promise to gratifie them hereafter in greater benefites he caused to publishe these fauours by proclamation the better to moue the people to take armes for the defence of thestate ecclesiastick But as his purpose was corrupt so his labour was without frute for that not one body stirred not one hande was holden vp nor any signe made in his fauor These cold affections of the people considered with other causes and showes brought him at last to looke into the daunger wherin he stood and pitying withal the importunities plaints of so many peoples ioyned to the perpetuall intercession and labor of thembassadors of Caesar the king Catholike and the king of England set on by the Cardinalls he consented to send to Monsr Chaumont to suffer Iohn Fran. Piqua Count of Mirandola to go to him in safety in the Popes name And not many houres after he dispatched to him one of his chāber to require him to send to him Albert de Carpy not knowing but that he was in the army And in the action of these things to th end that in al aduētures the most precious Reliques of the Pontificacie might be in safetie he sent Laur. Pucci his Datario with the Regno so they cal the principal Myter wōderfully garnished with precious stones to be kept in the famous Monastery of the Murato of Florence Chaumont by cōsideration of the requests that were made to him hoped that the Pope would incline to peace which he did so much the more desire by how much he knew it was agreable to thintention minde of the king and therfore not to trouble such a disposition the day following he retayned the armie in their lodgings suffring notwithstanding the Bentiuoleis with many horsmen of their friends followers to run euen to the walls of Bolognia hauing marching a good space after thē an hundred fifty french launces At whose cōming notwithstanding Hermes one of the brothers both youngest most resolute presented himselfe on that side of the gate yet there was no mutinie made within thexpectation of peace that was then in action preuayling more to contayne the people then any affection or obedience they bare to the Pope Chaumont gaue gracious audience to Fran. de Mirandola and returned him the same day to Bolognia to signifie to the Pope the conditions wherein he was content to accorde That the Pope should absolue Alfonso d'Este of all accursings and paynes together with all those whosoeuer which for any occasion were parties to the defending or offending of thestate ecclesiasticke that likewise he should acquite the Bentiuoleis of all paynes and censures and make them repossessed of the goods which manifestly apperteined to them referring to arbitration and iudgement suche as they
were possessed of afore their exile That it should be lawfull for them to dwell in what place they would so farreforth as they came not neare to Bolognia by lxxx myles That touching the Venetians there should be nothing done contrarie to that whiche had bene agreed vppon in the confederation of Cambray That betwene the Pope and Alfonso d'Este shoulde be a surceassing of armes at the least for six monethes euery one reteining all that he possessed in which respite of time their controuersies should be decided by iudges assigned by common accord reseruing to Caesar the order of the things of Modona which Citie should be incontinent deposed into his hands That Cotignole should be restored to the french king That the Cardinall of Achx should be deliuered That the Cardinalls that were absent should be pardoned And that the collacion of benefices through all the dominions of the frenche kinge should be disposed according to his nominacion With this aunswer Mirandola returned to the Pope not without hope that Monsr Chaumont would not continue so seuerly in all those condicions The Pope contrary to his custome heard the reapport with pacience together with the peticions of the Cardinalls who besought him with an incredible affection that he would haue regard to the estate of the tyme and their vniuersall calamities not refusing the composicion that was offered if he coulde obteine no better They tolde him that he stoode in condicion to accept and not to exspect more then was offered his owne fortune and the felicitie of his enemie striuing against him But on the other part he complayned of the too bitter condicions that were offered And mingling all his speeches with complaints against the Venetians he consumed all that daye without expressing what was his resolucion not shewing so much dout of the perill he was in as hauing regard to the sorrowes of the Cardinalls and others that stoode before him At the last he tooke hope for that Chappin Vitelly in the euening entred into Bolognia with six hundred light horsemen Venetians And an esquadron of Turkes payed by them he departed by night from Stellato and comming vpon the spurre all the way arriued at Bolognia in the euening being charged by the gouernor of Venice to omit no diligence to reskew the Popes daungers The morning following Chaumont encamped with his whole armie at the bridge of Rene which is three myles from Bolognia where the Secretories of thEmbassadors of the king of Romains the king of Aragon and the kinge of England went to him and soone after thEmbassadors them selues who together with Albert Pio which nowe was come from Carpy returned many times that day betweene the Pope and Monsr Chaumont But the disposicion of both the one and other party was greatly chaunged for Monsr Chaumont hauing now no hope by thexperience of the day before to be able to raise the people of Bolognia by meane of the Bentyuoleys and beginning withall to fall into necessitie of vittells which would continually increase vpon him had great distrust of the victorie And the Pope taking courage by thaffection of the people disclosed in the fauour of the Church reentred eftsoones into armes the same day And because they looked for at Bolognia before night two hundred other Venetian estradiots 2. hundred light horsemen vnder Fabricio Colonno and one parte of the spanish men at armes he did not onely discerne that he was deliuered of daunger but also returning to his accustomed glory he threatned to assaile thennemies assoone as the Spanish bandes were come which were not nowe farre of This confidence made him giue aunswer all that day that he bare no inclinacion to peace onles the french king would be bound to abandon wholly the defense and protection of Ferrara The daye after were propowned new condicions and during the negociacion the Embassadors made many goings and returnings to Monsr Chaumont but such and so many were the difficulties that their labor remeined vaine In so much as Chaumont distrusting to be able to profit much either by armes or by practising of peace together that it was hard for him to remeine there both for the want of vittells and distemperance of the tyme winter approching he returned the same day to Frankcastell and the day after to Rubiero making shew that what he did was done at the requests of thEmbassadors both to giue time to the Pope to consider of the offers that had bene made and leasure to him selfe to exspect the further will and direction of his kinge At that time many accused the resolucion of Monsr Chaumont to be vndiscreete and thexecucion negligent for that not hauing forces sufficient to take Bolognia In his armie there were but three thowsand footemen it was a councell ill debated to stirre and moue at the perswacions of men banished whose hopes beinge measured more by desire then with reasons become for the most parte fallible and vaine At the least if he desired to embrace this enterprise he oughtfirst to haue restored and repayred the weaknes of his forces But of the contrary they vrged that he had abused corrupted thopportunitie by his too much tarying for that since the commoditie he had to depart from Pesquiero he had vnprofitably lost three or foure dayes and in the meane while considering the weakenes of his armie he was in dout whether he should assaye any thinge of him selfe or exspect the bandes of the Duke of Ferrara and the Lorde Chastillion with the french launces And be it that that might be defended yet what excuse can be made that Frankcastell being taken he made not suddeine approches to the gates of Bolognia and not to giue leasure to a citie to take breath wherein not one succour was yet entred the people hanging in suspense and as it hapneth in suddein thinges all disposed into feares and confusion A singuler meane if there be any at all to make him obteine either the victorie or some honorable composicion But perhaps the authoritie of such as reprehend thinges that haue ill succeeded would be lesse if at the same tyme might be knowne what would haue hapned if they had proceeded otherwayes After the retyring of Chaumont the Pope bearing a minde inflamed against the french king began to make his complaints to all Princes Christian that the french king vsing vniustly and against truth the title and name of right Christian and despising the confederacion solemnly made at Cambray and lastly no lesse moued with ambicion to vsurpe all Italy then wickedly thirsting after the blood of the Popes of Rome had sent out his armie to beseege him with all the Colleage of Cardinalls and the whole estate of Prelats within Bolognia And in this disposicion of minde returning estsoones with a courage redoubled to the thoughtes and studies of the warre he refused to heare speake thEmbassadors who following the solicitacion begon by Chaumont offered him the meanes of peace if first Ferrara were not deliuered to him yea such
dayes after arryued there the Bishoppe of Paris the Frenche kinge who to be more neare the solicitations of peace and the better to furnishe his prouisions for the warre was nowe come to Lyon perswading him selfe that the Pope woulde also sende thither and ioyne frankly in the action But suche was his obstinacie agaynst the deuoute willes of all these great Princes that he made greate instance to haue the Bishop of Gurce to come to him not so much that he thought it aunswered thexspectation of his dignitie Pontificall as for that he hoped that in loading him with honours ceremonies and promises ioyned to the efficacie and authoritie of his presence he might raunge him and make him conformable to his wyll beeing nowe more estraunged then euer from peace and agreement wherein to make the labour more easie and the successe agreable to hys desyre he solicited Hierome Vich whiche was of Valence and Embassadour resident for the king Catholike to goe on hys behalfe to the Bishop of Gurce The Bishoppe of Gurce refused not to condiscende to the Popes wyll but he obiected that it were good he woulde firste take order for that that was to be done afterwardes assuring that the difficulties woulde bee more easilye dissolued and decyded if the negociation were firste managed at Mantua with intention to goe afterwardes to the Pope with matters well debated and almoste resolued He alleaged that this course he was bounde to take no lesse for the necessitie then for the facilitie of thinges For as it coulde not bee conuenient for him to leaue alone the Bishoppe of Paris whome the Frenche king had sent to Mantua at the instance of Caesar so there was no hope he shoulde debate in th affayres of his king and no lesse inconuenient to require him to goe with him to the Pope seeing that neyther it aunswered his commission nor the dignitie of his king to goe to the house of thennemie affore their controuersies were accorded or at least very neare to bee resolued Of the contrarie the two Embassadors of Aragon declared that the whole hope of peace making depended vppon the agreement and composing of the affayres of Ferrara for that they beeing determined and no more cause remayning to the Pope to sustayne the Venetians they shoulde bee constrayned to yeelde to peace with suche lawes and conditions as Caesar woulde That the Pope pretended that the sea Apostolike had great and strong rightes ouer the citie of Ferrara and did esteeme Alfonso to haue vsed towards him a great ingratitude and had done him many vnworthy iniuries That to abate and qualifie the rigor of his minde whiche was nowe full of displeasure it was more conuenient that the subiect or vassall shoulde implore the clemencie of his Lorde then to come and dispute of his iustice For which reasons they perswaded that it was not only comely and honest but also conuenient and necessarie to go to him in which iuste humilitie and submission they doubted not but he woulde diminishe a great parte of his rigour They thought it not profitable that that diligence that industrie that authoritie whiche was to be imployed to dispose the Pope to peace shoulde be consumed in perswasions tending to endes doubtfull Lastely they added with very sweete wordes that neither could matters haue their full disputation nor the quarrells sufficiently searched into vnlesse all the parties were together in full assistance And that within Mantua was onely but one parte for that Caesar the French king and the king Catholike were in suche vnitie of leagues parentages and amities that in this action they were to be reputed as brethren thinterestes of euery particular beeing common to them all What by these perswasions and other respectes more speciall and priuate the Bishoppe of Gurce suffered him selfe to bee wonne to goe thither with intention that the Bishoppe of Paris shoulde exspect at Parma what woulde be the successe of his voyage During these actions the Pope notwithstanding all solicitation made apperteining to the peace had not yet altered his thoughtes from the warre interteyning the one with showes dissembled and embrasing the other with desires burning and importunat He supposed to surprise of newe the bastillion of Geniuola recommending the charge of that enterprise to Iohn Vitelli But aswell for the small and slowe paymentes that were made the numbers of footemen were farre inferiour to thappoyntment as also that all the countrey thereaboutes stoode ouerflowed bothe by the plentie of raynes that fell and by the cutting of the rysinges of the ryuer of Pavv there was nothing aduaunced Besides Alfonso d'Este was the stronger by water who with an armie of Gallies and Brigantins so charged the Venetian fleete neare S. Albert that what with the furie of that encounter and with the feare of an other fleete of lesser vesselles which they discerned sayling from Comaccho they retyred to the porte of Rauenna with the losse of two fustes two barbottes and more then fourtie smaller vesselles This accident disappoynted the Popes hope to take the Bastyllion and therefore he returned those companies to the campe whiche lodged at Finalo very muche weakened of the strength of footemen for that the paye was so small About this tyme the Pope created eyght Cardinalles partely to allure to him the myndes of Princes and partly to arme him agaynst the threatnings of the Councell Suche as he created were prelates learned and experienced and as they bare in the Court of Rome a greate authoritie so they were personages of speciall election suche as he reapposed moste suretie in Of the number of this creation was the Archbyshoppe of Yorke Embassadour for the kinge of Englande and the Byshoppe of Syon the one beeing a man of importaunce to stirre vppe the Svvizzers and the other beeing gracious with hys king whom he hoped to kindle agaynst the Frenchmen And to drawe on the Bishop of Gurce as it were with an earnest penny certayne of the same dignitie and with that hope to make him the more tractable to his desyre he reserued to him selfe with the consent of the Consistorie a power to name an other suche a one as he had fashioned already in his mynde After he vnderstoode that the Bishop of Gurce had consented to come to him he determined to receyue him with great honour wherein to expresse more office then thestate of a Bishop of Gurce coulde chalenge and lesse respect then apperteined to so supreme a dignitie as a high Bishop of Rome he went from Rauenna to Bolognia to th ende to ioyne the magnificence of the place to the residue of the honours he pretended There he receiued him with pompes and ceremonies equall to the estate and dignitie of any king the glory of his demonstrations and showes giuing great detection of his dissembled minde The Bishop also for his parte expressed no lesse pompe and magnificence for that discending into Italie with the title of Caesars liefetenant he came accompanied with a very great
declaring as nothing all election that shoulde be made by symonie and giuing an entry and meane very easie to any Cardinall to impugne it This constitution he had pronounced from the tyme he was within Bolognia standing then discontented with certayne Cardinalls who laboured openly to purchase the promises of other Cardinalls to possesse the Papacie after his death He began nowe to growe better and better eyther by his strong and hable complexion or els for that by destinie he was reserued to be the author and principall occasion of more great and long calamities for it was not reasonable to attribute the recouerie of his helth to the vertue or remedie of medicines for that he obeyed neither rule nor order eating in the greatest perill of his maladie rawe apples and things contrarie to the prescription of Phisicke The Pope was no sooner deliuered from daunger of death then he returned eftsones to his olde deuises and cogitations continuing at one time to solicite a peace with the Frenche king and a confederation with the king of Aragon and the Senate of Venice agaynst the Frenchmen suche was his desire to chase out of Italie all dominion and imperie of the Frenche And albeit his will was more inclined to warre then to peace yet he seemed oftentimes drawen with varietie of fancies and for many reasons followed sometimes one opinion and sometimes an other not beeing hable to settle in minde and iudgement hauing his thoughts wandring and reaching to endes farre aboue his power The thing that carried his inclination to the warre besides his auncient hatred agaynst the Frenche and that he was not hable to obteine all the conditions of peace which he desired were the vehement and importunate perswasions of the king of Aragon who feared nowe more then euer least the French king beeing once at peace with the Pope would not execute vppon the realme of Naples vppon the first occasion Wherein to th ende his counsells might carrie a greater authoritie besides the armie at sea which was affore repassed out of Affrika into Italie vnder Peter Nauarre he had sent newly out of Spayne an other sea armie conteyning fiue hundred men at armes six hundred horsmen mounted vpon iennets and three thousand footmen Neuertheles this king proceeding vnderhand with his accustomed subtelties made show that he desired more then euer the warre agaynst the Moores from which his owne profire or particuler interest did not draw him but onely a holy deuotion which he had alwayes borne to the sea Apostolike onely he alleaged that beeing not hable of him selfe to interteine his souldiours it was necessarie that the Pope and thestate of Venice shoulde minister to him wherevnto to th ende they might condiscende more easily his bands that were all descended into the yle of Capri neare to Naples made showes as though they prepared to passe into Affrika But his immoderate demaundes muche amasing the Pope and his suttleties pleasing him nothing at all he entred into many suspicions well knowing that that king ceassed not to giue to the Frenche king hopes all contrarie he knewe the Venetians would not willingly be drawne from his will and purposes euen so he was not ignoraunt that for the greatnes of suche a warre wherein they were they were no longer hable to beare out the burden and charges as before And that time had brought the Senate nowe to seeke more to defende their owne then to take in hande a newe warre which could not be continued without intollerable exspences He hoped that the Svvizzers by a common inclination of those contreimen would declare them selues agaynst the Frenche king but hauing no certentie thereof he seemed to holde it vndiscrete to oppose him selfe to so great daungers for a hope so yll assured not beeing ignorant that as yet were not reiected and cut off their practises with the Frenche king and many of their chieftaines and principalls to whome reuerted not small profites by the Frenche amities labored all they might that in thassembly which was presently to be holden their alliance might be renewed with the kinge Touching the will and intention of Caesar notwithstanding he had many inclinations by the king Catholik of his owne nature a sworne enemie to the Frenche name yet his hope of him was lesse then his feare knowing the great offers that were made to him of new aswell against the Venetians as against him to the which the French king was hable to giue more high state and perfection then to any others that could be made to him he sawe that if Caesar shoulde ioyne with the Frenche king he had greatly to feare the counsell by reason of his authoritie And also his owne power ioyned in good fayth and meaning with the forces and treasures of the Crowne of Fraunce and with thopportunitie of thestates of them both the Pope coulde not in reason haue any hope of the victorie which he founde very harde to obteine agaynst the Frenche king alone But that whiche gaue him the greatest stomacke was a hope he had that the king of Englande would be wonne to rayse warre agaynst the Crowne of Fraunce both by the counsels and perswasions of the king Catholike his father in lawe and for thauthoritie of the sea Apostolike which was then great in the yle of Englande and in whose name he had with vehement petitions implored his succors against the french king as agaynst an vsurper oppressor of the Church to these inducements was ioyned also the naturall hatred aswell of that king as of the people of England to the french nation much helping in this action the forwardnes of the kings youth great abundance of treasor left to him by his father which was supposed to amount to a wōderful quantity These were proper instrumēts to kindle fire in the mind of this yong king hauing neuer experiēced in his kingdom but fortunes happy plausible he was also pushed forward by an honorable desire to renew the glory of his auncestors who intituling them selues kings of Fraunce and at sundry times vexing that kingdome with great warres had not onely holden for many yeres Guyenne and Normandy rich mighty prouinces of that crowne and taken in a battell neare to Poyeters the Frenche king with two of his sonnes and many of his Nobilitie but also had occupied together with the moste part of the kingdome the citie of Paris the capitall citie of the kingdome lastly their vallours and fortunes haue bin so terrible to the Frenchmen that if Henry the fift then king of Englande had not exchaunged this life in the flower of his age and glorious course of his victories it was beleeued he had made an absolute conquest of the whole realme of Fraunce and brought subiected to him selfe the Crowne and imperie of that nation The memorie of these honorable victories working with the youth and disposition of the king were not of little force to draw him to action notwithstanding his father vppon
his dying had expresly aduised him aboue all other things to enterteine peace with the Frenche nation as the onely meane for the kinges of Englande to raigne surely and hapeply It was not to bee doubted but the warre of thEnglishe agaynst the Frenche king beeing also assayled in other places was of right great consequence for that in that action the very intralls of the kingdome were charged the Frenchemen redoubting muche the name of thEnglishe by the memorie of victories and conquestes passed Notwithstanding all these the Pope for thincerteintie of the fayth of straungers and for the farre distaunce of those contreys so farre remoued coulde not establishe or reappose his counsayles vppon those fauours These were the hopes of the Pope and thus were they limited and layed out in condition and proportion On the other side the Frenche king to whom nothing was lesse pleasing then to be in warre agaynst the Churche was greatly desirous to haue peace by meane whereof as he was to shake of the yll will of the Pope so also he was to be deliuered of thimportunate demaunds and necessities of Caesar two respects which troubled him not a litle the one offending his conscience being to muche addicted and the other consuming his treasors whereof he had made many prodigalities he made no difficultie to breake the Councell of Pisa whiche he had introduced onely to make the Pope condiscende to peace by that feare so farrefoorth as there might be pardon and remission to the Cardinalls and others that had bene partakers eyther in councell or in action But on the contrarie the demaunde for the restoring of Bolognia kepte hym in suspence a Citie by reason of his situation most conuenient to molest him he feared the peace was not sincerely accepted by the Pope nor with a minde disposed to obserue it if occasions returned but only to deliuer himselfe presently from the daunger of the Councell and from the warre of whose successe he had no small ielousie And yet he hoped to confirme the mind of Caesar with the greatnes of his offers and therefore negociating of common occurrantes as with a confederate he perswaded him vehemently amonges other things not to consent that Bolognia a Citie of so great importaunce should eftsones retourne vnder the iurisdiction of the Pope And touching the kinges of Aragon and of Englande he did not together distruste them notwithstanding the manner of proceeding of the one was already manyfest and the brute of thintention of the other no lesse publike and generall And notwithstanding their Embassadors ioyntly had perswaded him first with words of modestie bearing a pretēce of office and amitie afterwards pressed him with importunities to cōmaund that both the cardinalls prelates of his kingdome should be at the councell of Latran and also to suffer and see that the Churche were eftsones repossessed of the Citie of Bolognia one of her members not in the least degree The reason of this confidence touching thEnglish was that they made show to haue desire to perseuer in the confederation which they had with him and many of his counsell giuing him surety of the same he beleued they would attempt nothing against him And for the king of Aragon his sleights suttel apparances were such that the king gaue a lesse faith to his doings then to his speeches wherin he alwayes assured him neuer to enter into action of armes against him with which opinion he suffred himselfe somewhat to be perswaded that that king would neuer ioyne in armes so manifestly with his enemies as he professed by his counsels secret deliberations he beguiled him self so much in these opinions that notwithstāding he had hope giuen by those that were of his faction in Svvizzerlande that he might yet reconcile that nation if he would consent to their demaunds for increasing their pensions yet he eftsones refused it with no lesse obstinacy then before alleaging that it were no equity to yeld him self to be taxed by thē And vsing sharp remedies where easie meanes had bin more necessary he made restraint that they should haue no releefe of vittels out of the duchie of Millan thinking that by their vniuersall scarceties redoubled by the sterrilitie of their contrey he should in th ende bring them to agree to the renouation of thalliance according to the auncient conditions By this time was come the first day of September which had bin afore set downe for the beginning of the councell of Pisa at which day the Proctors of the Cardinals being come to Pisa celebrated in their names the actes apperteining to thexpressing of the same At this the Pope did not a litle storme specially against the Florentins for that they had consented that the Councell of Deuills for so did he alwayes call it tooke beginning vpon their estates for which transgression he declared that the cities of Florence and Pisa stoode subiect to thinterdiction ecclesiastike by vertue of the Bull of the Councell which he had caused to be published wherein it was set downe in an expresse article that whosoeuer he were that fauored the diuelishe assembly at Pisa stoode excommunicated interdicted and subiect to all paynes seuerely ordayned by the lawes agaynst schismatikes and heretikes And threatning to inuade them with armes he elected the Cardinall of Medicis Legate of Perousa And not long after the cardinall Regina Legat of Bolognia beeing dead he bestowed him in his place to th end that he who enuied their estate being vpon their marches with so great authority his presence might make them fall amongst themselues into suspicion confusion a thing which he hoped might easily succede for thestate reputation wherein he stoode at that time in that citie for besides the affections of certaine particulars desiring the returne of the Medicis discordes and diuisions the auncient maladie of that citie raigned amongst the generall number of Citizens of greatest apparance These diuisions bred at that time by the greatnes and authoritie of the Magistrate whiche they call Confalonnier which some for ambition and enuie could not suffer and others stoode yll contented for that iudging him to intrude more into the deliberation of thinges then apperteined to his place they thought he left not to them that parte of authoritie which their estates and conditions deserued They complayned that in the gouernment of the Citie ordeyned and conteined in two extremities that is to say the publike magistrate the counsell popular was manifest error touching the true institution of cōmon weales for a senat duly ordeined by the which besides that it should be as a reasonable tēperature betwene the one other extremity the principalls best qualified citizens should obteine in the cōmon weale a degree more honorable But the Gonfalonnier did the contrary either by ambition or by vaine suspiciō being notwithstāding principally chosen for the redresse order of that The thing which they desired in this action notwithstanding it was reasonable and
yet not of that importaunce as to turne their mindes to diuisions for that without it they were both honorably raysed aduanced and withall there was no forme of disposing of the publike affaires without thē was the very originall and principall cause of the great calamities which fell afterwards vpon that citie The factions diuisions amōgst the citizens being grounded therevpon and thenemies of the Gonfalonnier suspecting him with the Cardinall of Volterre his brother to be at the deuotion of the French king and to reappose altogether in his amitie opposed as muche as they could agaynst the deliberations that were to be made in fauour of that king desiring that all might be transferred to the Pope By this also it came to passe that the name of the familie of Medicis beganne to be lesse hatefull in that Citie then before for that those chiefest and mightiest Citizens who earst denyed their returne were nowe no more concurrant to persecute them and muche lesse to hinder the communitie and conuersation of others with them The malice they bare to the Gonfalonnier wrought this alteration change of their affection and the more to abate his authoritie they stucke not to expresse by many tokens how little that familie was estraunged from their fauour and amitie not forbearing also to giue shadowe to others to desire their returne and greatnesse And of this it happned that not onely those that were their assured and perfect friendes in whom was no great power entred into hopes of innouation and newe thinges but also many of the Nobilitie and youth of the Citie pushed on eyther by their great prodigalities and exspences or by certayne particular disdaynes or at least by ambicious desires to surpasse others in dignities exspected a mutation of that estate by the meane of their returning that disposition hauing bin norished and encreased many yeares by the Cardinall Medicis with great sleight and subteltie for euer since the death of his brother Peter whose name was both feared and hated he had made no show to entermeddle in thaffaires of Florence nor to haue any desire to aspire to the auncient greatnesse of his familie And to omitte no office which might eyther make him merite the more or insinuate further he forgate not with great humanitie and fauours to welcome and receiue all the seuerall people of Florence that had recourse to Rome offring himselfe a ready instrument for the dispatche of their affayres wherein disposing his fauour no lesse to suche that had bene manyfest enemies agaynst his brother then to others whom he helde indifferent he vsed in his behauiour and speache to laye all the fault vpon his brother as though the faultes with the memorie and hate thereof were determined together with his death This forme and manner of behauior he continued many yeares which accompanied with the opinion that went of him in the Court of Rome to be by disposition liberall affable and gracious to all men brought hym in the ende to bee acceptable to many at Florence In whiche respect the Pope that desired not a little thalteration of that gouernment preferred him with great foresight to that legation The Florentins appealed from thinterdiction and to commit the lesse offence in thappellation they called it not the councell of Pisa but named it the sacred councell of the Churche vniuersall And as though by thappellation theffect of thinterdiction had bene suspended the priestes of the foure principall Churches were cōpelled by commaundement of the supreme Magistrate to make publike celebration of all diuine offices the same disclosing more and more the diuision of the Citizens and left in the discression of euery one either to obserue or contemne thinterdict for this reason thembassadors of the kings of Englande and Aragon made new instance to the french king offring him peace with the Pope so farreforth as he would see Bolognia rendred to the Church and that the Cardinalls might make a presence at the Councell of Latran when they offred that the Pope should receiue them all to pardon But the regard and consideration of Bolognia holding him from consenting to the peace he made answer that as he did not defend a citie in contumacie and rebellion against the Church vnder whose iurisdiction obedience it was gouerned in the same forme and estate of policie wherin it had bin ruled many yeres afore the pontificacy of Iulius to whom it belonged not to demaund a greater authoritie then had bin required practised by his predecessors so also touching the Councell of Pisa it had bin introduced in a most honorable and holy purpose to reforme the notorious intollerable disorders of the Church wherevnto would be easily reduced her auncient vertue brightnes and that without perill of schisme or diuision if the Pope would agree to assist that councell the reason being no lesse iust then the action conuenient for him managing the supreme place he added lastly that his vnquietnes together with his inflamed minde addicted to warres and troubles had chiefly induced him to binde himselfe to the protection of Bolognia whiche for his honor he would defende with no lesse care and studie then he would see to the protection of his towne of Paris The Pope then shakinge of all his cogitations and thoughts to the peace no lesse for his auncient hatreds and couetousnes then for feare of the councel his desire to Bolognia and finally suspecting that if he deferred any lōger to deliberat resolue he should be left abādoned of euery one the spanish souldiers beginning now to ēbarke at Carpy making as though they would passe into Affrika he determined to finish the cōfederation negociated with the king Catholike the senat of Venice which was solemnly published the fifth of October in the Church of S. Maria de populo the Pope and all the Cardinalls assisting This confederation bare that they shoulde principally preserue the vnitie of the Churche and the better to defende her from present schisme to reuerse and dissolue the assembly of Pisa To recouer the Citie of Bolognia apperteining immediately to the sea Apostolike together with all other peeces and places whiche directly or indirectly belonged to the Churche Ferrara beeing comprehended vnder that sence That agaynst all suche that shoulde oppose agaynst any of these thinges or labour to throwe any impedimentes these wordes signified the Frenche king they shoulde proceede to chase them out of Italie with a mightie armie wherein the Pope was to mayntaine foure hundred men at armes fiue hundred light horsemen and sixe thousand footmen The Senat of Venice should furnish eight hüdred men at armes a thousande light horsemen and eight thousand footmen And to the king of Aragon were allotted twelue hundred men at armes a thousande light horsemen and tenne thousand footemen for the interteinment of whome the Pope shoulde paye during the warre eight thousande duckettes euery moneth and the Venetians as much furnishing presently a paye for
two monethes within which time they were bound to march into Romagnia or to other place where the confederates should be That the king of Aragon should arme twelue gallies and the Venetians fourteene whiche at the same time should make warre vpon the Frenche king in Lombardie That Dom Raimond of Cardona then Viceroy in the realme of Naples shoulde be capteine generall of th armie That if in this warre there were conquered any townes in Lombardy which had bene the Venetians that in that case shoulde be obserued the declaration of the Pope who forthwith in a writing apart seueral pronoūced that they should be rendred to the Venetians There was reserued for Caesar liberty to enter into the confederation and likewise to the king of Englande bearing to the one an vncertayne hope to be hable in the ende to seperate him from the french king and for the other was left a tyme by the expresse consent of the Cardinall of Yorke who 〈…〉 alwayes assist and communicate in the treatise of the league As this confederation was fully resolued established Ierome Donato the Venetian embassador died who for his singuler wisdome and habilitie being very deare to the Pope had in this action other affaires during his legation done many great seruices to his contrey This confederation made by the Pope vnder cooller to deliuer Italy from the imperie of straungers drew the mindes of men to diuerse interpretations according to the diuersitie of their iudgements passions for many beguiled with the respect magnificence of the title set out with great merites prayses so diuine and high an enterprise sayde it was an action right worthye the maiestie of his place and that the greatnes of his minde could not haue chosen an enterprise more gracious nor lesse full of discression then of magnanimitie stirring vp by his industry one stranger against an other In such sort that the blood of forreiners more then of naturall Italians being spilt vpon the French men not only the liues of Italians were spared and reserued but also after one of the parties should be expulsed it would be easie with the naturall armies of the countrey to chase out the other beeing already weakened and out of breath Others on the other side in whō perhaps were setled more depe impressions considerations of the substance of things reapposing litle in the deluding showes of a title magnificall feared that the warres that were begon with intention to deliuer Italie from forreine powers would not grow more to hurt the vitall spirites of that body then other warres that had bene begon with a manyfest profession and resolute intention to subdue it They saide it was no lesse vayne then yll aduised to hope that the armies of Italie depriued of vertue of discipline of reputation of Capteines of authoritie and the willes of their Princes not conformed should be mightie ynough to driue out of Italie him that is already possessed of conquest and victorie in whom albeit all other remedies should fayle at least he could neuer fayle of the meane to be reunited with those that he had vanquished to the common ruine of all the states and regions of Italie They foresawe that there was more reason to feare that in these newe stirres were not occasion to make pillage of Italie by new nations then to hope that by the vnion of the Pope and the Venetians there should be any habilitie to vanquish the Frenchmen and the Spaniards They sayd that as it was to be wished that the disagreement and yll disgested counsells of their Princes had not opened the way to forrayne armies to enter into the mayne body of Italie so notwithstanding since by their infelicitie two of the moste worthy members of that body were occupied by the Frenche and Spanishe kings it was to be esteemed a farre lesse calamitie that they both continued there vntill eyther the goodnes of God whose rule goeth through all or the fauor of fortune who ordereth things in time would minister occasions better grounded and ayde them with oportunities more conuenient for that the one king waighing in ballance agaynst the other their mutuall iealousies would defende the libertie of such as were not yet falne into seruitude then that betwene them selues they should fall into armes by meane of which whilest the warre should last the partes that yet remayned sounde would be torne in peeces by pillages by fyrings by blood and by other miserable accidents which warre draweth with it And lastly which of them should remayne victor would assuredly afflict the whole body with a more hard heauy seruitude But the thoughts of the Pope in whom was an other opinion being become more violent and kindled by the new confederacion Assoone as the tearme limited in thadmonicion published before against those Cardinalls that were Authors of the councell was passed he called together the publike Consistorie with great solemnitie and sitting in habit pontificall in the hall named the hall of the kings he declared that the Cardinalls of S. Cross of S. Mallo of Cosense and of Bayeux were falne from the dignitie of Cardinalls and had incurred all those paynes whereunto are subiect heretikes and schismatikes he published also an admonicion of the same forme against the Cardinall S. Seuerin whom he had not molested till that day And proceeding in the same heate to the deuises for warre he solicited continually the comming of the Spanyards hauing an intencion affore all other thinges to bringe warre vpon the Florentyns both to draw to the deuocion of the confederats that cōmon weale restoring to the gouernment the famulie of Medicis and also to satisfie the infinit malice which he bare to Peter Soderin Gonfalonnier as though it was thorow his authoritie that the Florentyns would neuer be seperated from the french king giuing also a consent afterwards that the councell should be holden at Pysa Of this resolucion many signes relacions were brought to Florence where falling into preparacions to be able to susteine the warre it was propownded amongst other thinges that it could not be vnreasonable to resist with the reuenues goods of the Church the warre which the Church went about to make vniustly And therefore it were no offence to equitie or conscience to constraine the Churchmen to contribute some great quantitie of money but vnder these condicions that they should be bestowed in places of sewertie and the money not to be disburssed but in the action of warre which not hapning and the feare thereof ceassing euery porcion should be restored to the parties that lent it To this deuise many of the Citizens spake against some for feare to incurre the paynes imposed by the cannon lawes vpon the defilers of the libertie of the Church they were the least in number and most inferior in power and authoritie but the greater parte impugned this proposicion onely to obiect against the will and reasons of the Gonfalonnier of whose authoritie it
be exspected of their cōming no other thing then blood famine pestilence together with the perdicion both of bodies and soules of men by the originall and cause they gathered what would be the successe and effect and reasonably they could exspect no frute or confirmacion of vnity from such as began to sowe their labors with seedes of diuision Gaston de Foix who not many monethes affore the departing of Monsr Longueville had bene preferred both to the Duchie of Myllan and to the armie somewhat suppressed those murmures tending almost to a tumult and manifest sedicion he ioyned to his authoritie commaundements thretning and peynall constraining the Cleargie to celebrate seruice as they were wont and enioyned the Commons to speake more modestly hereafter In regard of these difficulties the beginnings of the councel were continued with very litle successe or issue The plots that had bene layd with so great deuise study brought forth euents quite contrary to thexspectacion of the authors thinges debated by long time deepe discourse of councel drew no resolucion according to the weening cōiectures of the parties where sownd meaning goeth not with the wisdom imaginacions of men there their workings are ful of frailty the whole body of their actions clothed with imperfections But the thing that most troubled the hopes of the Cardinals was that Caesar did not onely from day to day deferre to send eyther Prelats or Proctors notwithstanding the consent he had giuen that often tymes reassured by perpetuall promisses to the french king the Cardinal of S. Seuerin but also he alleaged for his excuse being happly induced councelled by others that it was not agreable to his dignitie to send to the councel of Pisa the Prelats of his proper estates territories if both the example and name of all Germany were not concurrant in thaction And for that cause he sayd he had called a conuocacion of the Prelats of Germany at Auspurge to deliberat of some ioynt vniuersall forme of proceeding to be vsed touching the councel assuring notwithstanding the french mē that vnder that meane he would so work as they should all be sent Moreouer he much troubled the kings mind with his varietie diuers maners of proceeding for besides his vncertein cold dealings in the affaires of the coūcel be inclined fully opēly to the mocion of peace with the Venetians which was solicited by the Pope the king of Aragon with many offers And on the other side cōplaining bitterly against the king Catholike both for that contrary to all shame he had so apparantly impugned the league of Cambray also in this new confederacion which he rather called traison he had named him but as accessary he suborned Galeas S. Seueryn to goe to Rome in person as enemie to the Pope but refurnished by the king for the greatest part of his armie and releeued with great quantities of treason And yet he made no declaracion of these thinges with such assurance as it could not be doubted what he would at last determine notwithstanding all his demaunds were satisfied to him In this sort the kinges mind was eftsoones trauelled with his accustomed suspicions that if he abandoned Caesar he left him at liberty to ioyne with his enemies And if he would still sticke to him and susteine him his alliance would be bought with too deare a price and yet doubtfull what frute would reuert of it well knowing by experience of thinges past that oftentymes his owne disorders did hurt him more then his forces did ayde him yea the king was not able to iudge in him selfe which would most hurt him in this action either the well doings good successe of Caesar or the contraries besides the king Catholike nourished him enterteyned him as much as he could in that doubt And to make him proceede more slowly in the prouisions of the warre he gaue him hope not to stirre in armes The king of England did the like and for the same causes who had made aunswer to the french Embassador that it was not true that he had consented to the league made at Rome but that he was fully determined to keepe thalliance which he had with the french king Besides at the same time the Bishop of Tyuoly proponed peace in the name of the Pope so farre forth as the king would no more fauor the councell and withdraw him selfe from the protection of Bolognia for the which he offered to giue assurāce that the Pope should dresse no more new enterprises against him The king seemed lesse displeased with the peace notwithstanding it bare hard condicions thē to put him selfe to the daungers exspenses of the warre which by computacion seemed infinit hauing to make resistance against his enemies and to refurnish the wants of Caesar Neuerthelesse disdaine drew him almost to be forced by the king of Aragon to make peace for feare of warre besides that it was a matter very hard to assure him that the Pope would obserue the couenants of peace after he had recouered Bolognia should be deliuered from the feare of the councell he doubted also that when he should be ready to consent to the condicions offered the Pope would draw backe as he was wont to doe at other tymes In which maner of proceeding besides that his dignitie should be offended and his reputacion diminished Caesar would hold him selfe iniuried for that leauing him in warre with the Venetians he sought of him selfe alone to conclude the peace Therefore he made precise aunswer to the Bishop of Tyuoly that he would not condiscend to subiect Bolognia to the Church in other forme then it had wont to be in auncient tymes And at the same time to establish a firme resolucion with Caesar who lay at Bruuech a towne neare to Trente he sent to him in great diligence with very large offers Andre de Burgo Caesars Embassador resident with him At this time certeine of his subiects of the contrey of Tyroll occupied Batisten a place of very great strength in the entrey of the vallye of Caldora The practises of the peace being wholly broken dissolued the first thoughts deuises of the king were that when Monsr Palissa leauing in Verona three thowsand footemen to appease Caesar not well contented with his departure should haue led the residue of the bands to the Duchie of Myllan there should be made new leauies of footemen And so all the armie being reassembled they should marche to assaile Romagnia hoping to occupye it either all or in parte before the Spanyard should approach And then either to march further according to occasions or at least to enterteyne and beare out the warre vpon the dominions of others vntill springe time when the king passing into Italy in person with all the forces of his kingdom hoped to make an vniuersall suppression of his enemies But as he stoode wauering in this deuise his resolucions not proceeding with
no more communicat with him of their affaires as they were wont But most of all for that hauing labored to prolonge the league which was finished within fewe moneths without that they demaunded eyther money or other great obligacions they temporised to th ende to be at libertie to take that part that seemed best for their sauetie conueniencie of their affaires The Pope also to augment this disposicion for feare withall lest his too great seueritie and rigour induced them to follow with their force the fortune of the french king both gaue them absolucion of paines censures the common weale not suing for it and also sent as Nuncio to Florence with very easie and gracious condicions Ioh. Gossadin a Bolognois one of the Clerkes of the chamber Apostolike laboring to take from them the suspicion that they had had of him So that the king seeing him selfe left alone against so many ennemies eyther already pronownced or very likely to be so And hauing but very hard meanes of resistance if so many aduersities should thunder vppon him in one time he addressed speedy commaundement to Monsr de Foix to march with as great diligence as he could against the army of the confederats against whom as he promised to him self the victory supposing thē to be the weakest so being possessed of the victorie he shoulde proceede to assayle Rome and the Pope without any respect in the good yssue and succeeding of which he had opinion that he shoulde stande acquited of all his greate daungers And to th ende that both the enuye of thenterprise might bee diminished and his iustificacions the more increased he gaue order that thenterprise shoulde be made in the name of the councell of Pysa by whom should be assigned a Deputie Legat to goe with the armie and vnder the sayd name to receiue the townes that should be conquered Thus Monsr de Foix departing from Bressia came to Finalo where he remeyned certeyne dayes partely to make prouision of vittells that came out of Lombardye and partely to reassemble and drawe into one strength all his bandes which the king had sent out of Italy except such as by necessitie remeyned for the garde of townes and partely for the great and suddeine raynes that fell which gaue impediment to his marching from thence he went to S. Georges which is vpon the territories of Bolognia and thether came to him a new supplie of three thowsand footemen Gascons A thowsand aduenturers and a thowsand Pickards all men of choysse and such as the french men made great reputacion and reckoning of his whole campe according to a iuste number conteyned fiue thowsand launceknightes fiue thowsand Gascons and eyght thowsand Italians and frenche with a thowsand six hundred launces comprehending the bande of two hundred gentlemen The Duke of Ferrara was also to ioyne to this armie with a hundred men at armes a great traine of good artilleries Monsr de Foix hauing left behind him all his great shot and municions for the deepe and fowle wayes to drawe them To this armie was also to come and was already on his way the Cardinall S. Seuerin appoynted Legat of Bolognia by the councel he was a braue and valiant Cardinall bearing more inclinacion to armes then to holy exercises and contemplacions of religion And lesse giuen to the vocacion of the church or ciuil or priuat profession then to publike action warlike imitacion Assoone as Monsr de Foix had set downe these directions for his affayres he marched forward to seeke thennemies his vallour carying him in a burning desire to fight with them no lesse for the continuall commaundements and incitacions of the king then by a resolute working and propertie of his owne minde naturally thirsting after glorie and in him so much the more vehement kindled by how much his former successe and victories caried him into a weening of further fortune and felicitie And yet he gaue not him selfe ouer so much to this humor of glory and desire as that his intencion was to set vppon them rashly but approching neare their campe either to see if he could willingly drawe them out to the battell in some place where the qualitie of the situacion might giue least impediment to his vertue or els to constrayne them to fight in cutting of their vittells and their other succours But farre other was thintencion of thennemies in whose armie after the regiment of the Duke of Vrbyn was gonne vnder cooller of some controuersie were a thowsand foure hundred men at armes a thowsand light horsemen seuen thowsand spanish footemen with three thowsand Italians newely leauyed They were of this opinion that being both inferior in nūbers the french horsemen better disposed then theirs it could not be for their sewertie to fight in a place of equalitye at the least affore the six thowsand Svvyzzers were come which being newly graunted by the Cantons there was practise at Venice whether the Cardinall of Syon with twelue Embassadors of that nation were gon for that purpose to leauy at the cōmon charges of the Pope and the Venetians There was added to this the wil of the king of Aragon who had giuen commaundement both by letters and Messengers expresse to absteine from battel as much as could be for he hoped specially in the thing which the french king feared most that if the battel were deferred vntil the king of England he began the warre in Fraunce the french king would be constrained to cal home either all or the greatest part of his companies by that meane he should put ende to the warre of Italy remeine possessed of the victorie without blood or daunger And for this reason he had forbidden the Viceroy to beseege Bolognia had it not bin for the great instance and complaints that the Pope made Thus the Viceroy of Naples together with the other capteines were at this point to encampe alwayes neare to the french armie both to let that the townes of Romagnia remeyned not to them in pray also to stoppe the way for going to Rome And withall they were resolued to keepe them alwayes in places of strength where eyther for their situacion or to be backt with some great towne the french men shoulde haue no opportunitie to charge them but to their great disaduauntage And therefore they were determined to make no account nor difficultie to retyre as often as neede shoulde bee iudging as men well vnderstanding the qualitie of warre that they were not bownd to thapparances and brutes that ranne but principally had to looke to obteine the victorie which was followed with glory with reputacion with praise of men According to which resolucion the same daye that th armie was lodged at the castell Guelffe at Medicina such as were incamped neare those places retyred to the wals of Ymola The day following the french men passed within a mile an half of Ymola thennemies keeping good order in
the meane of Iulio Vrsin receyuing of the Pope in recompence of his disloyaltie the Archbishoprike of Regge in Calabria Only Peter de Margana was ashamed to kepe the money he had receiued doing the same happly with a councell no lesse honorable then happy for that otherwayes he had iustly payed the merite and payne of his deceite beeing not long tyme after taken prisoner by the successor of the king raigning But nowe the Popes mynde beeing greately confirmed by reason of these thinges and hauing no more to feare eyther enemies forreine or domesticall the thirde daye of Maye in greate solemnitie he gaue beginning to the Councell in the Churche of Saint Iohn Latran beeing nowe assured that not onely the moste regions of Italie woulde come thither but also the Realmes of Spayne of Englande and of Hungary In this firste action he was in person in habite pontificall accompanied with the colledge of Cardinalls and great multitudes of Bishoppes where the Masse of the holy Ghost besides many other prayers being celebrated according to auncient custome and the fathers exhorted with a publike oration to inclined with all their hartes to the publike benefite dignitie of christian religion it was declared the better to lay fundatiōs for other matters that afterwards should be ordeined that the councel assembled was a true a lawfull holy councel that in the same remayned vndoubtedly all the authoritie and power of the vniuersall Churche Ceremonies assuredly both goodly and holy and hable to pearce euen into the heartes of men if it might haue bene beleued that the thoughtes and intentions of the authors had bene such as were their words In this sort did the Pope gouerne him selfe after the battell of Rauenna But the french king notwithstanding that after the death of Monsr de Foix which somewhat troubled the ioy of the victorie as one whom he loued dearely had commaunded Monsr de Palissa and the Legate to leade the armie vp to Rome assoone as they could yet he seemed to abate of that inclination and began to returne with all his deuises to the desire of peace fearing that at one tyme and from many places great stormes woulde thunder vpon him and trouble his affayres for notwithstanding Caesar diminished nothing of his promises that he would remayne firme with him assuring that the truce made with the Venetians in his name was concluded without his consent neither would he ratifie it yet besides the feare of thinconstancie of Caesar and doubt whether his promises were dissembled it seemed to the king that for the conditions which he demaunded he should haue a companion in time of warre chargefull to him and to the proceeding of the peace very preiudiciall and hurtfull fearing that by his interposing he should be constrained to consent to more vnworthy conditions Besides all these he had no more doubt that the Svvizzers would ioyne with them of the league And he was sure he should haue warre with the king of Englande who had already sent a Herald to signifie to him that he pretended to be ended all confederations and couenantes betwene them for that in them all was comprehended this exception that he should make no warre neither against the Church nor agaynst the king Catholike his father in lawe Therefore the king vnderstanding with a great pleasure that the Florentins were solicited to worke the peace he dispatched spedely to Florence the president of Grenoble with verye large commission to th ende matters might be debated more at hande and if neede were he might go vp to Rome And knowing afterwards by the subscription of the articles that the Popes inclination was more ready then he seemed he gaue him selfe ouer for his parte wholly to the peace And yet fearing least for the retyring of his armie the Pope would eftsones returne to his obstinacy he sent to Monsr Palissa lying then at Parma to marche agayne immediatly into Romagnia with part of his regimentes spreading a brute that it was to passe further It seemed to him a matter greuous to deliuer vp Bolognia not so much for the instance that Caesar made to the contrarie as for the feare he had that notwithstanding the peace the Pope woulde continue his euill minde towards him and therfore it could not but be an action preiudiciall to him to depriue him selfe of the towne of Bolognia which was as the fort and bulwark of the Duchie of Millan And besides the Cardinall Finalo and the Bishop of Tiuoly being come without expresse authoritie to conclude he interpreted that to an apparant signe that he had dissemblingly giuen his consent partly for the straytes and daungers wherewith he stoode enuironed Neuerthelesse at laste he determined to accept the sayde articles vnder certayne limitations and yet not such as by them the substance of things should be troubled or altered With which aunswere the Secretorie of the Bishop of Tiuoly went to Rome demaunding in the kings name that the Pope would sende authoritie to the Cardinall and the Bishoppe to conclude or els that he would call affore him the President of Grenoble who was at Florence to whom was recommended sufficient power to doe the like But the hopes of the Pope augmented daily and by consequent if he euer had had any inclinacion to the peace it was now diminished he being a man more disposed to obserue and followe tymes then to respect and imitate the qualitie of his calling About this time arriued the commission of the king of England by the which being dispatched since the moneth of Nouember he gaue power to the Cardinall of Yorke to enter into the league The reason why he was so long in comming was the longe course he had by sea hauing bene affore in Spayne Caesar also after very longe doubtes had newely ratified the league made with the Venetians beeing principally pushed on to that action for the hopes which the kinges Catholike and of England gaue to him of the Duchies of Myllan and of Burgondye In like sort the matter that much helped to confirme the Pope were the very great hopes which the king of Aragon put him in who hauing the first knowledge of the ouerthrow by letters from the french king written to the Queene expressing that Guaston de Foix her brother was dead with great glorie carying with him the reputacion of a famous victorie obteyned vpon his enemies And afterwards more perticularly by aduertisements of his owne people comming somewhat later for thimpediments of the sea And for that withall it seemed to him that greater perill would growe to the kingdom of Naples he had determined to sende into Italy the Great Capteine with a strength of new men A remedy which he was driuen to vse hauing almost no choyse of others for notwithstanding in outward show he semed to respect much the Great Capteine for his behauior in the kingdom of Naples yet he both suspected his greatnes and durst not trust him with authoritie The Pope then being
confirmed by these occasions at suche time as the Secretory of the Bishop of Tyuoly ariued with the articles that had bene debated putting him also in hope that the limitacions added by the king to moderat thinfamie that might grow to him by abandoning the protection of Bolognia should bee referred to his will he determined altogether not to accept them But making semblance of the contrary in regard of the subscripcion faith he had giuen to the Colleage of Cardinalls A manner which some times he vsed contrary to the opinion that went on him to be alwayes vpright and iust he caused the articles to be red in the Consistorie and asked aduise of the Cardinalls Wherevpon the Cardinall Arborenso a Spanyard and the Cardinal of Yorke an English man according to a secret packt affore the one speaking for the king of Aragon and the other in the name of the king of England perswaded him to perseuer in his constancie and not to leaue abandoned the cause of the Churche which he had embrased with so great honor They alleaged that all the necessities that had induced him to harken to these offers were remoued and ceassed And that nowe it was manifestly seene that God woulde not suffer his shippe to perish though for some purpose vnknowne to the wit of man he had suffered it to lye open subiect to sondry stormes They told him it was not reasonable that he made peace onely for him self much lesse to debate it without the participacion of the other confederats the action being common and deuided from all particularitie Lastly they exhorted him to consider well what preiudice it might bring to the sea Apostolike and to him to seperat him selfe from true and faithfull friendes to embrace the amitie of enemies reconciled By the operacion of these councells the Pope openly refused the peace And within a very short time after proceeding in his auncient furie he pronownced in the Consistorie an admonicion against the french king charging him to release the Cardinall of Medicis vpon the penalties ordeyned in the holy Cannons But he forbare to publish it for that the Colleage of Cardinalls beseeching him to deferre asmuch as he could rigorous remedies offred to worke by letters written in the name of them all by the which they would both comfort him and beseech him as a right Christian Prince to set him at libertie The Cardinall de Medicis was caried to Myllan where he was kept vnder reasonable and easie garde And albeit his fortune had brought him subiect to the power and disposing of others yet such was his vertue spirit that thauthoritie of the sea Apostolike shined in him together with a wonderfull reuerence of religion And about this time beganne to appeare a great contemning of the councell of Pysa the cause whereof was not onely abandoned of others with deuocion with diligence with faith but also euen of such as affore had followed it with armes and fauored it with affection with studie with resolucion for the Pope hauing sent to the Cardinall of Medicis full power both to absolue from all paines and cursings the souldiours that would promise to beare no more armes against the Churche and also to giue libertie of holy buriall for all the bodies that were slaine at the battell A fauor demaunded with great importunities The concurse of people was wonderfull and no lesse maruelous the deuocion of them that came to demaund and promise such matters yea the Ministers and officers of the king were not against it onely it was not without manifest indignacion of the Cardinalls who saw euen before their eyes and in the place where was the seate of the councell the souldiours and subiects of the king contrary to his honor against his profit vpon the landes of his iurisdiction and without respecting any thing thauthoritie of the councell ronne after and follow the Romaine Church acknowledging with great reuerence as Legat Apostolike the Cardinall Medicis being prisoner great is the force of a people and multitude beginning to vary and chaunge And so much more preiudiciall and perillous their reuolt by how much vpon their numbers and forces depende principally the estate and exspectacion of affayres Nowe because the truce was ratified by Caesar notwithstanding his agents that were within Verona menteyned that it was nothing the french king called home one part of the bandes that he had in garrison in that citie as seruing to small purpose And hauing reuoked also the band of two hundred gentlemen the Archers of his garde and two hundred other launces fearing the threats of the king of England he knewe by the suspicion he had of the Svvyzzers which was redoubled in him that he should neede greater forces in the Duchie of Myllan for which cause he had pressed the Florentyns to send him into Lombardye three hundred men at armes as they were bownd by the couenants of confederacion betwene them for the defence of his estates in Italy And for that that confederacion drew to end within two monethes he compelled them the memorie and reputacion of the victorie being yet fresh to confederat with him of new for fiue yeares Wherein he bownd him selfe to defend their estates with six hundred launces and the Florentyns for their partes promised to furnishe him with foure hundred men at armes for the defence of all that he possessed in Italy And yet to auoide all occasions to enter warre with the Pope they excepted in the generall obligacion of defence the towne of Cotignole as if the Church might pretend right to it But nowe were apparantly disclosed right great daungers to the affaires of the king for that the Svvyzzers at last were determined to send six thowsand footemen to the pay of the Pope who had demaunded them vnder cooller to employ them against Ferrara Those that in this action susteyned and fauored the kings side could obteyne no other thing but to protract and deferre the deliberacion till that tyme And against those men the Communalties of people made vniuersall exclamacion in their parliaments for the wonderfull hatred they bare to the name of the french king They affirmed that the king rested not contented with this kind of ingratitude to refuse to encrease a litle the pensions of those by whose blood and vallour he had won perpetuall reputacion accompanied with a great estate but also with wordes full of reproche he had despised and reiected them as Villaines as though all men in the beginning were not conceyued vnder one element were not cast in one molde and had not one maner of creacion vpon the earth and as though any mortall man were nowe either great renowmed or noble whose Auncestors in the beginning were not poore vnknowen basely discended That he had begon to wage footemen of the launceknightes to show the contempt he had of their nation for the seruice of his warres perswading him self that suffering priuacion of his pay they could not
could suffer no delay of action went out and sette vppon them at the village of Paterna where they were constrayned to retyre within the towne with the losse of more then three hundred men Conquest draweth with it ambicion insolencies and couetousnes And with men of warre triumphing in the victorie all things seeme to hold of equitie that they do in their rage and couetousnes for the Svvyzzers remeyning alone in the Duchie of Myllan and Pyemont deuised how to taxe and rate the whole contrey being now wholly assured of the french men And albeit the french king for the great affection he bare to the Duchie of Myllan was hardly brought to abandon altogether the affayres of Italy yet necessitie compelled him to harken to the councells of such as aduised him to deferre those deuises to an other tyme and dispose his witts for that sommer to defende the Realme of Fraunce The rather for that the king of England according to the contract made with the king Catholike had sent by sea an armye of six thowsand footemen to Fontarabio A towne of the kingdome of Spayne standing vppon the Occean sea the chiefe ende of this iorney was that ioyning to the companies of the sayd king Catholike they might in one mayne force assayle the Duchie of Guihen he beganne also with an other nauie to skower all alonge the coasts of Normandye and Brittaine to the great astonishment of the peoples of those prouinces Moreouer the french king had no hope to drawe agayne Caesar into amitie with him for that he vnderstoode by the Bishop of Marseilles his last Embassador resident in his Court that he bare a minde farre estraunged he aduertised him also that Caesar had not enterteyned him with so many hopes nor for other regarde debated with him vppon so many matters with so fayre apparance then to wynne occasion to oppresse him when he thought least of it or at least to gyue him as it were some violent and deadely blowe as he gloried that he had done at such tyme as he reuoked the launceknightes Thus Italy being for this yeare assured from the armies of the french king whose souldiours notwithstanding helde as yet Bressia Crema Leguague the castell and lanterne of Genes the castell of Myllan the castell of Cremona with certeine other fortresses of that estate There were discerned amongest the confederats many signes of difference and disagreement for the diuersitie of their wills and their endes for as the Venetians desired to recouer Bressia and Crema as due to them by the articles of capitulacion for that they had borne out the daungers troubles of the warre A matter which the Pope desired likewise for them So on the other side Caesar from whose will the king of Aragon at last could not be seperat thought to appropriate them to him selfe and also to depriue the Venetians of all that had bene iudged to them by the league of Cambray Besides Caesar and the king of Aragon practised but very secretly to make to diuolue the Duchie of Myllan to one of their Nephewes A working quite contrary to the Pope and the Svvyzzers who labored apparantly as much as they could that according to the vniuersall resolucion and consent from the beginning Maxymylian sonne to Lodovvyk Sforce might be restored to the place of his father after whose fall he had remeyned alwayes in Germanye The matter that moued the Pope was a feare he had least Italy shoulde fall into a miserable seruitude of the Almaines and Spanyards And that which induced the Svvyzzers was a desire for their owne profit that that estate shoulde not bee brought into the power of so mightie Princes but rather to stande subiected to one that could not menteyne him selfe without their ayde and succours Which election as it depended almost wholly vppon those in whose power was that estate and for the feare of their forces so the Pope the more to confirme them in that wil and in all necessities to haue in his hande the bridle with the which he might moderate thambicion of Caesar and the kinge Catholike did all that he could to winne their amitie And for that cause besides the great account he made publikely of the nation of Svvyzzers raysing to the starres the actions they had done for the sauetie of the sea Apostolike he gaue them yet for their greater honor the banners of the Church with this glorious title to bee the Champions and defenders of the Ecclesiastike libertie Besides these diuersities the Viceroy had readdressed the spanish companies which after the battell were retyred with him into the kingdom of Naples And beginning eftsoones to march and to passe with them into Lombardye the Pope and the Venetians refused to recontinue the payes of forty thowsand duckats by the moneth which had bene discontinued since the ouerthrowe Their reason was that seeing the frenche armie was chassed home they stoode no more subiect to suche bonde for that it was to ceasse by the articles of the confederacion when soeuer the frenche were expulsed out of Italy Whereunto was replyed on the behalfe of the King of Aragon that it could not bee sayde that the Frenche King was dryuen out of Italy so long as Bressia Crema with other many stronge places stoode at his deuocion Moreouer the Kinge of Aragon together with Caesar complayned in that the Pope did appropriat to him selfe the profitts of the victorie that was common to them both And vsurped that which manifestly apperteyned to an other making him selfe Lorde vnder cooller of certeine reasons subborned or at least so olde and withered that their force was gonne vppon Parma and Plaisance cities which the Lordes of Myllan had holden so long tyme as freeholders of thEmpire The diuersitie was also expressed for matters that concerned the Duke of Ferrara for as the Pope on the one side nourished his auncient couetousnes to vsurpe that Dukedom so on the other side the king of Aragon who desired to preserue protect him stoode yet discontented with the iniurie that was offered to haue staied him at Rome contrary to the law of faith safeconduit giuen for these reasons the Pope deferred to vexe Ferrara exspecting perhaps the yssue of affayres of farre greater importance whereof Caesar not thinking good that any resolucion were made without him dispatched into Italy the Bishop of Gurcy whom he had appoynted to that expedicion euer since after the battell of Rauenna there was negociacion of peace betweene the Pope and the French king he appoynted to sende him then for the feare he had least they compownded amongest them selues without respecting him and his affayres but the mutacion of thinges hapning afterwards he still continued his deuise to sende him In like sorte fell into consideracion the affayres of the Florentyns who beeing filled full of suspicion began now to feele the frutes of the newtralitie which vndiscrâ—etely they had vsed finding with all that it was not sufficient to beare themselues vpon the
neuer consented to the conuocacion of Pysa disauowing all such as had vsed his name Assoone as he had thus ratified the councell of Latran he departed from Rome to be present when Maxymylian Sforce being now come by commission of Caesar to Verona should take possession of the Duchie of Myllan the Cardinall of Syon disposed him selfe very hardly to exspect and attend his comming and also the Embassadors of the whole nation of Svvyzzers that were at Myllan for that they would that in the demonstracions and solemnitie of thactions that was to be vsed it might appeare that the Svvyzzers were the men that had chassed the french men out of that state and by their vallour and courage Maxymylian receiued it They would that the veritie and effect of that conquest might be transferred to them by such publike ceremonies as were to be vsed in the enstalling of him whom their vertue onely made Lord of the Duchie But such was the working of the Viceroy that more by practise then by his authoritie he obteyned so much that they taried for the comming of the Bishop of Gurcy who after he had ratified at Florence in the name of Caesar the confederacion made in Prato and receiued certeine summes of money of the Lucquoys whome he tooke into protection came at last to Cremona where Max. Sforce and the Viceroy attended him from thence they went al together to Myllan to make their entrie at the day appoynted into that citie with solemnities and honors accustomed to newe Princes In which action albeit it was long disputed betweene the Cardinall of Syon and the Viceroy which of them should giue him the keyes at the entry of the gate in signe of possession yet in the ende the Viceroy giuing place the Cardinall put into his handes the keyes of the towne in the vniuersall name of the Svvyzzers And that day being one of the last dayes of December he did all thinges both in showe and act that were necessary to make knowen that Maxymylian Sforce receiued the possession of them he was receiued with an incredible gladnes of all the people both for the desire they had to haue a Prince proper and perticular and also they hoped he would resemble his grandfather or his father of whome the memorie of one remeyned very fresh in the mindes of the people of that state and touching the other the despites they had receiued by the gouernment of straungers had turned their hatred into good will The working of tyme with thexperience of the yoke of straungers had made in that people a wonderfull conuersion and nature in those actions works not a litle bringing that people to reioyce at the returne of him whose father they abhorred with a iust and vniuersall hatred But these gratulacions and ioyes were yet vnperfect vntill the castell of Nouarro were recouered A matter not long deferred for that they within yeelded it vp their fortune being farre inferior to their faith The confederacion made at Rome had not altogether broken the hopes of agreement betweene Caesar and the Venetians for that the Pope had vppon the suddeine sent to Venice Iacques Staffilio his Nuncio with whom went accompanied three Embassadors of the Svvyzzers to perswade them to accord And on the other side the Senat the better to enterteine the goodwil of the Pope and not to giue cause to Caesar to inuade them with armes had sent to their Embassadors a newe direction to cleaue to the councell of Latran They had commaunded also the men of warre assoone as the confederacion was made to retyre vpon the territories of Padoa And for that cause the Viceroy not willing to trouble the hopes of the peace had turned his armie towards Myllan But all these thinges serued to no purpose for that the same difficulties did yet continue touching the restitucion of Vincensa and the payments of money which Caesar demaunded That was the cause that the Pope assayled not the Duke of Ferrara whom agreement going betweene Caesar and the Venetians he supposed he should be able to vanquish with the aydes of the Venetians together with the brute that the Spanyards were to come on if neede should be otherwayes he had resolued to deferre that expedicion till the springe tyme for that he accounted it a matter of hard action to take in a season of winter the towne of Ferrara the situacion being strong in respect of the riuer and greatly fortefied besides by the continuall industrie of Alfonso It may happly seeme to some if I intangle my historie with thaccidents of Fraunce in that yeare that I wander or chaunge my course which is not to speake of matters hapning out of the bondes of Italy But because the affayres of that nation haue some affinitie and relacion with the busines of these partes And that to the successe of the one the councells and yssues of the other were oftentymes conioyned I am constrayned not to passe them altogether vnder forgetfulnes and silence About the beginning of Maye an armie of six thowsand English footemen sailed in vessells of England and Spayne to Fontarabye A frontyer towne belonging to the crowne of Spayne vpon the coast of Fraunce and standing vpon the Occean sea The seruice and purpose of this armie according to the couenants made betweene the father in law and sonne in law was together with the forces of Spaine to set vpon the Duchie of Guyen which is a part of the prouince of Aquitaine according to the auncient names and diuisions of the same Against this warre the french king not yet assured on the coast of Picardy prepared a new pencionary band of eight hundred launces which he had erected waged many bands of footemen of the lower parts of Germany not subiected to thEmprour And knowing of what importance for the defence of the Duchie of Guyen was the Realme of Nauarre which was both appropriat and dowrie to Katherin de Foix and possessed ioyntly with Iohn the sonne of Albert who was her husband he called to the Court the father of the sayd Iohn and carefully considered how he might make him his friende and consociat Wherein serued to good purpose the death of Gaston de Foix by the instigacion of whome pretending the same kingdom not to fall vpon the femall and by consequent to apperteine to him as to the next heire male of the house of Foix the french king had pursued the sayd Iohn On the other side the king Catholike who had sette his eyes vppon that Realme required the king of Nauarre to stande Newter betweene the french king and him And to suffer to passe thorow his Realme his souldiours that were to enter Fraunce And for the assurance of these things he would put into his handes certeine places of strength vnder promise to render them assoone as the warre should ende It hath bene a perpetuall desire in the auncient kings of Spaine to impatronise them selues vpon the Realme of Nauarre In which respect the
king of Nauarre being also not ignorant whither those demaundes tended chused rather to offer him selfe to a perill that was vncerteine then to accept a losse certeine hoping he should not faile of the succors promised by the french king for whose affayres it came well to passe that the warre begon in the Realme of Nauarre And at the same tyme eyther to giue more leasure to such as were appoynted to come to his succours or to deliuer him selfe if he could from those demaundes he treated with the king of Aragon who according to his custom proceeded in those conferences with great cunning But the industrie and warines of the king of Aragon hurt not more the king of Nauarre then the negligence of the french king who taking courage by the slownes of thEnglish armie that for many dayes since they were arriued at Fontarabye had done nothing And trusting withall that the king of Nauarre was able with his owne forces to defende him selfe for a tyme deferred very long to send him succours By the commoditie of which delayes the king of Aragon who had cunningly nourished and enterteyned the hopes of the king of Nauarre conuerted thether with great expedicion the bandes which he had prepared to ioyne with thEnglish So that the king of Nauarre both vnprepared of him selfe and by his priuacion of hope dispayring to be able to make resistance gaue place to his fortune and fled into Bearu beyond the Pyreney hils By which accident the Realme of Nauarre was left abandoned except certeine stronge places which yet held out for the king who in his feare was fled And so without any exspenses or difficultie and more for feare and reputacion of thEnglish that were at hand then by his owne forces that were farre of the king of Aragon made him selfe Lorde of that kingdom And because he could not affirme that he possessed it lawefully with any other title he alleaged that he was rightfully and iudicially impatronised of it by thauthoritie of the sea Apostolike for the Pope not satisfied for the happy successe of Italy had a litle before published a Bull against the french king wherein naming him no more Christianissimo but illustrissimo he subiected aswell his person as whosoeuer were his adherents to all the paynes of heretykes and schismatykes giuing sufferance to euery one to occupy their substances estates and all that apperteyned vnto them And in the same seueritie and rigour ioyned to an indignacion that the Cardinalls and other Prelats who were fled to Myllan had bene receiued into the towne of Lyon he commaunded vnder greeuous penalties and taxacions that the fayre or mart accustomed to be kept at Lyon foure tymes euery yeare the traffike of Marchantes beeing no lesse plentifull then the resort of straungers infinit shoulde bee hereafter transferred to the citie of Geneua from whence king Lovvys the eleuenth had taken it for the benefitte of his kingdome And lastly he had brought the whole Realme of Fraunce vnder thinterdiction Ecclesiasticall In his malice he omitted nothing that might apperteyne to seueritie or rigour But after the king of Aragon had conquered the kingdom of Nauarre which albeit is but of litle circuit and of lesse reuenue yet for the situacion it is very conuenient for the kingdom of Spayne and greatly auaileable to the sewertie of it he determined in him selfe to passe no further esteeming it no lesse against his profit then inconuenient for his sauetie to make warre against the french king beyond the Mountes In this respect as also euen from the beginning that thEnglishmen arriued he had beene dilatorie in bringing forth his forces rather temporising with euasions and deuises then aduauncing according to the true meaning of his promisse And after the conquest of Nauarre as the English solicited him to ioyne his forces with them to th ende to marche together and incampe affore Bayon A citie neare to Fontarabye and almoste standing vppon the Occean sea so he protracted thexpedicion they required and proponed other enterprises in places remoued from the sea alleaging that Bayonne was so manned and fortefied that there was no hope or possibilitie to cary it These reasons were aunswered and auoided by thenglishmen who without the towne of Bayonne esteemed nothing of all the other conquest of the Duchie of Guyhenno And therefore after thenglish armie had vainely spent much time to vrge the king that was altogether vnwilling they contemned his suttleties and delayes embarked to returne into England without commission or licēce of their Prince By the retyring of which armie the french king remeyned assured on that side And fearing no more thinuasions of thEnglish by sea for that at last he was become so stronge by sea that he commaunded all that part of the Occean from the coastes of Spayne to the shoares of England he determined to make tryall if he could reconquer the Realme of Nauarre To which expedicion he was encouraged besides the departing of thEnglish fleete for that by reason of his aduersities in Italy all his bandes of souldiours that remeyned were returned into Fraunce At the tyme that the king of Aragon gaue hope to thEnglishmen to enter into the warre the better to bring vnder him the whole iurisdiction of the Realme of Nauarre he had sent certeine regiments of men to S. Ioh. Pie de Porto which is the last place of that kingdom standing at the foote of the Pireney hills on that side towards Fraunce And afterwards as the french forces began to encrease thereabouts he had sent thether with the maine armie Federyk Duke of Alba capteine general of the warre But the french armie at laste beeing become farre more mightye by the presence of the Daulphin Charles Duke of Burbon and Monsr Longeville the very flowers of the Realme of Fraunce The Duke of Alba lying encamped in a stronge place betweene the plaine and the Mountaine held it an action very necessary to that seruice to let the french men for entring into the Realme of Nauarre The french men not able to force him out of that place for the strength of his situacion determined that the king of Nauarre with seuen thowsand footemen of his contrey and Monsr Palissa with his companie of three hundred launces remouing from Sauueterra neare to S. Ioh. Pie de Porto where the whole armie lay should passe the Pireney hils by the way of the vale of willowes And drawing neare to Pampelune the Capitall towne of the kingdom their deuise was to occupy the way of the willowes by the which were brought to the spanish armie vittells whereof the sterrilitie of the contrey had made them suffer great want In Pampeluna the peoples taking corage by the nearenes of the french men beganne already to draw to mutinie not otherwaies rebelling then to releeue their king for whose restoring they thought it good deuocion to aduenture their liues This was theffect of this deuise After the king of Nauarre and Monsr Palissa had wonne
the way that is vppon the toppe of the Pireney hills they tooke by assalt the towne that standes at the foote of the hills wherein was Baldes Capteine of the garde to the king of Aragon with many bandes of footemen And if to wynne the way of the willowes they had vsed the celeritie that the consideracion of the seruice required famine onely had beene sufficient to vanquishe the spanishe armye enuyroned on all sides with ennemies with ill wayes with ill fortune and with wantes But the diligence of the Duke of Alba preuented thennemye and preserued him selfe for that leauing in S. Ioh. Pie de Porto a thowsande footemen with all thartillerie he passed to Pampelune by the waye of the willowes affore they came thether So that the King of Nauarre and Palissa beeing disapoynted of that hope to whom also the Daulphin had sent a newe strength of foure hundred launces and seuen thowsande launceknightes made their approches to Pampeluna with foure peeces of artillerie which they had drawne with great difficultie by reason of the steepenes of the mountaines They gaue the assalt but with a fortune farre inferior to their forwardnes for that being not able to cary by their vallour that they were denied by the present season being then December and by the want of vittells being falne into a contrey barreine they repassed the Mountes Pireney vpon the which they were constrayned to leaue thartillerie both for the difficultie of the passages and for thimpediments of the paisants of those hills And at the same tyme Monsr de Lavvtrech who was entred Biskay with three hundred launces and three thowsand footemen making waste and pillage of the whole contrey after he had in vaine assalted the towne of Saint Sebastian he repassed the mountes and returned to the armie which now brake vp both hope and feare ceassing on all partes and the whole Realme of Nauarre remeyning free and peasible to the king of Aragon About this time there was a detection of a conspiracie that Ferdinand sonne to the late Federyk king of Naples who called him selfe Duke of Calabria had secretly conspired with the french king and to steale to the french armie not farre from the towne of Logrognia where at that time was the king of Aragon who sent him to the castell of Sciatyua whither the kings of Aragon are wont to send prisoners personages of name merit either for their nobilitie or for their vertue for this conspiracie was quartered Philip Coppolo a Neapolytane who was the secret Messenger to the french king in these actions Such is the alteracion of the state of worldly thinges that he was executed in the seruice of him whose grandfather by the father side had cutte of the heade of Counte de Sarny his father The detection of this conspyracie was of some consequence for th affayres of Italy for as it had his beginning of a certeyne gray Freare which the Duke of Ferrara had secretly sent to Ferdinand so the Kinge Catholike hauing already an inclinacion to satisfie the Popes will tooke this matter so to harte that he commaunded the Viceroy and his Embassadors resident with the Pope to conuert when they thought good his armye agaynst Ferrara seeking to exacte no further taxacions of money then suche as shoulde bee necessary to enterteyne them These were the accidents of that yeare both in Italye in Fraunce and in Spayne their yssues beeing diuerse as their causes were seuerall Nowe followeth the yeare a thowsand fiue hundred and thirteene no lesse full of occurrants straunge sundry then the other In the beginning of this yeare armes ceassed on all partes for that neither the Venetians molested others nor any other moued against them onely the Viceroy marched with three thowsand footemen to incampe affore the rocke of Tressa which immediatly was giuen vnto him vnder condicion that the bodies that were within should departe with goods and life saued But euery one vniuersally was troubled with the consideracion of thinges to come They sawe that the french king deliuered from forreine armes and eftsoones reincouraged both for the great leauy of launceknightes he had made and for thencrease of his numbers of men at armes had nothing in so great desire as to recouer the Duchy of Myllan Which disposicion albeit was very violent in him and no lesse desire to hasten the warre whilest the castells of Myllan Cremona were yet kept by his soldiours yet looking into the great impediments offered by thopposing of so many ennemyes and beeing not yet assured that the king of England woulde not make stronge warre against him the next sommer he determined to enter into no action onlesse he seperated some one of the confederats from the common allyance or else to wynne to him the amitie of the Venetians of these thinges the yeare past gaue him many hopes that some one of them might happly succeede to him for at that tyme that the Bishop of Gurcy went from Rome to Myllan he heard graciously by the way one of the familiar friendes of the Cardinall S. Seuerin sent to him from the french Queene and afterwardes he had sent into Fraunce one of his men to make these ouertures that the king should be bownd to ayde Caesar against the Venetians That the mariage should goe forward betweene the second Daughter of the king and Charles Nephewe to Caesar That to the Daughter should be giuen in dowrie the Duchie of Myllan That the king besides should giue vppe to his Daughter and his future sonne in law the rights he pretended to the Realme of Naples And because simple wordes and promisses should not stand to Caesar as a sewertie he required that the Daughter might be immediatly put into his handes And that when the king should haue recouered the Duchie of Myllan Cremona and Guiaradada shoulde bee to Caesar The king hoped likewise that he might easily ioyne to him the Venetians who were not a litle angrie at that time that the Viceroy occupied Bressia but much more for the matters which afterwards were accorded at Rome betweene Caesar and the Pope Therefore from that time the king had caused to come secretly to his Court Andrevv Gritty who being taken within Bressia remeyned as yet prisoner in Fraunce he wrought so also that Ioh. Ia. Tryuulce in whom the Venetians reaposed much did send to Venice one of his Secretories vnder shadowe of other affayres There offered him withall a certeine hope to be able to compownd with the king of Aragon who according to his custom often times to debate in his affaires by the negociacion of men religious had sent secretly into Fraunce two gray Frears to th ende that expressing howe they were touched with a conscience and zeale to the common benefitte they might beginne to negociat with the Queene in some pointes either concerning the peace vniuersall or particular betwene the two kings Wherein neuerthelesse there was no great hope the king knowing well enough that he would still
from the Queene yet he styrred vp to make warre the king of Englande to whom he had transferred by publike decree of the councel of Latran the name of Christianissimo whereof there was already a Bul written and in it likewise was conteyned the priuation of the dignitie and name of the king of Fraunce giuing his kingdome to who coulde occupie it In these conceptions no lesse straunge for their varietie then great for the importance they drewe and perhaps in other thoughtes more secret and singuler for in a minde so fierce and terrible all sortes of imaginations howe great and vayne so euer they be are not incredible after the continuation of his sicknesse for many dayes he declined towardes death And feeling the ende of his mortalitie to hasten on and the same to preuent th execution of his high thoughts he caused to cal together the consistorie which albeit he could not assist in person by reason of his disease yet by the authoritie of it he caused to be confirmed the Bull which he had published before against suche as by symonie would climbe to the Popedome He declared that thelection of his successor apperteined to the colledge of Cardinalls and not to the councell And that the Cardinals schismatikes could haue no presence or communitie there to whom he protested there to pardon the iniuries they had done him and prayed to God to forgiue them the wrongs they had done to his Churche After this he besought the Colledge of Cardinalls that in his fauor and for his sake they woulde graunt to the Duke of Vrbin his Nephew the Citie of Pezera in patronage or vicarage alleaging the consideration that by meane of the duke it had bene recouered to the Church after the death of Iohn Sforce In no other matter he expressed no priuate or particular affection In so muche as Madame Felice his daughter ioyning with her the petitions of many others beseeching him with great importunitie to create Cardinall Guido de Montfalcon being her brother by the mothers side he aunswered roundly that he was not worthy of that degree He made not his affections conformable to their desires In that laste action of lyfe he showed no partialitie in worldly causes his present debilitie coulde diminishe nothing of his auncient resolution but expressed in all things the same constancie and seueritie together with that iudgement and force of minde whiche he had before his sicknesse In whiche firme estate disposition of spirite he receiued deuoutly the offices of the church and the xxj day of February he ended his course of these mortal and present paines He was a prince of incredible constancie and courage but so full of furie and vnruled conceptions that the reuerence that was borne to the Churche the discorde of princes and the condition of times did more to staye him from his ruine then eyther his moderation or his discression Worthy no doubt of great glory if eyther he had bene a Prince secular or if that care and intention which he had to rayse the Churche into temporall greatnesse by the meane of warre had bene employed to exalte it by the mediation of peace in matters spirituall Neuerthelesse he was lamented aboue all his predecessors and no lesse esteemed of those who hauing eyther loste the true consideration of things or at least ignorant howe to distinguishe and peaze them rightly iudged it an office more duely apperteining to Popes to increase the iurisdiction of the sea Apostolike by armes and blood of Christians then by good example of life and due curing and correction of corrupt maners to trauell for the sauing of those soules for whom they glory so much that Iesus Christ hath named them his Vicars in earth The Viceroy of Naples who was marched with his Spanishe armie towards Plaisanca constrayned that Citie to returne vnder the gouernment of the Dukes of Millan on whom it depended by auncient tenure They of Parma did the like hauing the same feare of the Spanishe souldiours beeing followed in all places with more terror then loue On the other side the Duke of Ferrara after he had in great spede recouered the townes of Romagnia drewe neare to Reggia but finding no stirre nor tumult within the towne he durst not abyde there for feare of the Spanishe armie which laye dispearsed betweene Plaisanca and Reggia Touching thestate of the Churche there appeared no other stirre nor mouing and the Citie of Rome nor the Colledge of Cardinalls felt none of those difficulties which they had felte in the death of the two laste Popes So that the obsequies and funeralls beeing ended according to thaccustomed maner xxiiij Cardinalls entred peasibly into the Conclaue hauing graunted afore that the Marquis of Mantuaes sonne whom Pope Iulio kept with him for ostage shoulde be made free and acquited of his fayth and promise with libertie to returne to his father The first matter that was debated in the Conclaue was with straite articles to moderate thauthoritie of the Pope to come which they sayde the laste Pope had vsed too immoderately And yet as amongest men some haue not the heart to oppose agaynst a prince and great Lorde and some desire to enter into his grace and lyking so within small time after they dissolued and cancelled of themselues the articles which they had made with so great aduise and to so good purpose The seuenth day they choosed Pope without any discorde of consent the Cardinal of Medicis who tooke vpon him the name of Leo the tenth He bare but xxxvij yeres of age which albeit was so muche the more marueilous and wonderfull by howmuche the election was contrarie to custome yet the yong Cardinalls were the principall causers of it by their industrie hauing long time affore secretly agreed amongest themselues to create the first Pope of their number The moste partes and nations of Christendome reioyced muche at this election euery one enterteining an assured exspectation of his vertues aswell by the present and greene memorie of the vallour of his late father as for an vniuersall reputation that went of his owne inclinations and liberalities To this estimation also was ioyned a generall opinion of his continencie and life not attaynted together with a gladsome hope that by thexample of his father he would be a furtherer of learning and beare fauor to wittes disposed to studie and knowledge To these hopes was muche helping the maner of thelection beeing made in his person sincerely and without symonie or suspicion of other corruption And it seemed that God began to approue and confirme his seate for that the fourth day after his election came into his power the Cardinalls of S. Crosse and S. Seuerin who assone as they heard of the death of Pope Iulio went by sea to Rome accompanied with thembassador of the French king In their passage they stroke into the hauen of Lyuorno where vnderstanding that the Cardinall of Medicis was chosen Pope they tooke lande the one hauing
for his proper interestes labored to exclude them out of the league wherein he sayde his Embassadors had behaued themselues vndiscretly who not consenting for that they knewe suche was his intention that he was named in the head of the confederation had suffred him to be expressed in that article wherein euery one named the confederates of which the Venetians were not Moreouer that in those negociations and practises the Venetians had not aunswered thopinion that men had of their wisedome and discression holding such an estimation and accompt of Vincensa that the feare to loase it hath kept them from deliuering them selues from the trauells of the warre That it was impossible to him to nourishe the armie he had in Italie without the payes and contributions that were promised and muche lesse reasonable to susteine the whole warre vpon the confines of his realmes A matter which he knewe all the residue did desire and procure That the Pope coulde no more dissemble his desire and intention to take from him the kingdome of Naples And yet notwithstanding neyther these present iniuries nor the consideration of other wrongs could euer moue him to haue a thought to abandon the Churche and the other estates of Italie so farre foorth as he might finde in them a reasonable correspondencie to contract and capitulate with him for their common defence A matter which he hoped they would be moued vnto the rather by thopportunitie and meane of this truce He caused to expresse in the instrument of the truce the names of Caesar and the king of Englande notwithstanding he had nothing cōmunicated with them therfore it was a thing very scornefull ridiculous that at the same time that the truce was solemnly published through all partes and regions of Spayne A Heralt arriued euen in the action from the king of Englande to signifie to him the strong preparations and furnitures of warre which he leauyed to inuade Fraunce soliciting that he would likewise enter into the warre agaynst the king on the coasts of Spayne according to the articles and promises reciprocally passed betweene them The truce made in this maner amazed much in Italie the mindes of suche as had any discontentment with the rule or iurisdiction of the French men euery one holding it almost for certaine that the French king woulde not be long ere he sent an army on this side the Mountes and also that by the obstinacie of Caesar touching the conditions of the peace the Venetians would ioyne with him agaynst whom it seemed a very hard matter to be hable to resist for that the Spanish army had nowe no more meane to be enterteined notwithstāding they had at times drawē some sums of money out of thestate of Millan which stoode greatly impouerished with continuall expenses Touching the new Pope men could not discerne what was his intention he seemed to wish secretly that the power of the French king should haue his ends limites within the Alpes and yet being newly ascended to the Popedom and no lesse confused then the others for the truce that was made by the king Catholike in a time when men had greatest exspectation that he woulde applye his thoughts to the warre he was in great doubt and variation of mind Besides he was angry for that demaunding with great instance the restitution of Parma Placentia to the church he found a readynes of hope promise but very slow dispositions to execute performe all the others desiring to preserue them to the duchy of Millan happly hoping that his desire to recouer them would induce him to the defence of that state The Svvizzers seemed to be a more certayne and a more mightie defence succour but because the summes of money which according to the couenantes were necessary to wage leauie them could not be aduaunced neither by Maximilian Sforce nor the residue there was great feare that in greatest necessitie that nation would not refuse to discende to the reskew of Millan On the other side the French king after he had finished the truce determined to sende an army into Italie the reasons affore recited giuing him great hope of the victorie To those reasons also he added the propertie of his owne iudgement vppon the people of Millan who vexed with so many taxes and imposts of the Svvizzers and no lesse troubled with the harboring payes made to the Spaniards he knew had an vniuersall desire to returne eftsones vnder his obedience he gathered by generall argument that hauing nowe compared the heauy yoke of others with the easie impery of the French the seueritie of the one woulde make the other lesse contemnible And particularly he vnderstoode by many gentlemen some relating to him selfe and some enterteyning intelligence with Triuulce whome the king had sent to Lyon the better to debate with them of Millan that he was not to deferre to sende an armie hauing their promise to take armes and be his assoone as his armie were passed the Mountes To these furtherances the king wanted no sort of continuall perswasions aswell of Triuulce as of others that were banished who according to such as be depriued of the liberty of their naturall contrey omitted no reasons which might make thenterprise seeme easy specially the Venetians beeing brought to ioyne with him in the action But the matter that enforced the king to make haste was the confidence he had to preuent with the ende of that expedition the beginning of a warre which the king of England ment to make vpon him which yet he could not begin till after certayne monethes both for that that kingdome hauing liued many yeres in peace was vpon the sodein disfurnished of armes and armor of artilleries almost of all other necessary hablementes of warre and also in great want of horses of seruice for that to the inhabitantes of those regions the seruice on foote is more familiar then to make warre on horsbacke and also the footemen lacking training experience the king of England was constrained for the better strength habilitie of his army to leauye a great number of Almain footemen Matters which could not be dispatched without great tract of time The french king in like sort made more hast to haue his army to march for that he feared the castles peces that held for him would be lost for want of vittels but specially the lanterne of Genes whiche not many dayes before had missed to releeue with vittells a shippe sent for that effect which from Arbinga being thither accompanied with three ships one galeon being entred the mayne sea with a good wind had by a strainable gale passed thorow the middest of the Genovvaies flete cōming neare the castell of the Lanterne she cast anker and throwing yet with good successe her cables to those of the castell she began to vnlade her vittels and munitions whiche she had brought But euen in the action and before the desolate soules of the Castels coulde
take the frute of the benefite which their fortune seemed to offer Andrea Doria he who afterwards was so notable in marine seruice thrust in with a great ship wherof he was owner betwene the castel of the Lantern the french ship and cutting a sunder the cable that was caste to them of the castell and the cables that helde the ankers he set vpon the ship with no lesse felicitie then peril albeit in the fight he was wounded in the face yet by his vallour he wanne and caryed away the shippe The king therefore beeing determined not to deferre the beginning of the warre in which respect and to be ready in al occasions he had already sent many launces into Burgondie Dauphine he thought good now to harken with diligence after the matter debated vpon so many monthes with the Venetians They had bene somewhat deferred and protracted aswell by the one as by the other party both for that sometimes the hope to haue peace with Caesar sometimes the great instance made by the Venetians for Cremona Guiaradada had holden the king in suspence And also in the senat the opinions of Councellors were diuerse for that many of great authoritie in that cōmon weale preferred thaccord with Caesar wherin they shewed that it would be more profitable to discharge them selues for the present of so huge expences with freedome from daungers thereby to be the more ready to embrase thoccasions that would offer then their common weale being so ouerweried and trauelled and the wealth of priuat men abated to entangle thēselues with new warres in companie of the Frenche king whose amitie howe faythfull and assured it was they were not without a late and greene experience Neuerthelesse the greater parte seeming that rarelye an occasion woulde ryse to make them recouer their auncient estate and that thagrement with Caesar he reteyning Verona would not deliuer them from troubles and daungers they reiected all thoughtes and deuises for Cremona and Guiaradada resolued to make confederation with the french king in whose Court it was concluded by Andrea Gritti representing already more the person and place of an Embassador then of a prisoner By this confederation after it was graunted that Bart. Aluiano Andrea Gritti should be set at liberty the Venetians were bound to aide the king with eight hūdred men at armes a thousand fiue hūdred light horsmen ten thousand footmen that against all such as would rise vp to let him for recouering of Ast of Genes the duchy of Millan The king for his part was bound to ioyne with thē vntill they had recouered all that they possessed in Lombardy the Marquisdome of Treuisana afore the league of Cambray Vpon the resolution of this contract Iohn Iacques Triuulce and Bart. Aluiano went to Suso the one to go from thence to Venice by the more sure way and the other to assemble there the army appoynted for the warre It conteined vpon the full muster xv hundred launces eight hundred light horsmen and xv thousande footemen where of eight thousande were Launceknights and the residue of the French nation This army was committed to the authoritie and guyding of Monsr Trimouille whom the king appoynted his liefetenaunt to thend the action might proceede with more reputation In this time the french king made great request to the Pope not to hinder him in recouering his duchy of Millan And the better to conteine the Pope he offred that he would not only not passe further after the victory but also would alwayes referre himselfe to him to make peace vnder what conditions it should please him best To which motions albeit the Pope gaue gracious willing eare and that to drawe better faith to his words he vsed to solicite with the king by the meane and labour of Iulian his brother yet many things made him suspected with the king first the memory of things done afore the time of his Papacie then since he was Pope how he had sent to him Cinthio his familiar fauorit with letters very frendly cōmissions but so generall as they well declared the litle inclination of minde he bare to him or his affaires also for that he had cōsented that Prosp Colōno should be elected captein generall ouer the duchy of Millan A matter which his predecessor had alwaies hindred for the hatred he bare to the famuly of Colonno ▪ he entred also into greater dout by a signification which the Pope addressed to the king of England to cōtinue still in the cōfederation made with Caesar with the king catholike him Lastly he wrote to the cōmunalties of the Svvizzers exhorting thē almost to the defēce of Italie wherin he could not dissimule that he would continue with thē the cōfederation made by his predecessor by the which they were boūd to the defence of thestate ecclesiastik receiuing of him a yerely pension of xx thousand duckets It was also a signe of his wil intētion that he had not receiued into grace the duke of Ferrara but by many excuses deferred to render to him Reggia vntil his brother the cardinal came to Rome who to auoide the persecutions of Pope Iulio was withdrawen into the countrey of Hungaria liued vpon his bishoprike of Agria But the matter that aboue all other things made the king enter into suspicion against the Pope was that he had in great secrecy counselled the state of Venice to come to accord with Caesar A matter cleane contrary to thintētion of the king who also had interpreted in ill part that the Pope declaring that he moued not for other respect thē to satisfie his soueraine duty had writtē vnto him in a kind exhorting not to take armes but rather to expres a dispositiō to finish the war with some honorable cōposition a matter which the king would not haue blamed if for the same desire to peace he had also declared to the king of England that he ought not to make war vpō the frēch king Sure this suspiciō of the king was not without cause for that the Pope desired that the French might be cut off from all seate habitation in Italy either for that he thought it more profitable for the cōmon surety or for the greatnes aduauncement of the church or at least that he kept stil fixed in his mind the remēbrāce of harmes receiued by the crown of Fraunce whervnto albeit his father other his predecessors had borne no litle affection in sundry accidents had reaped many honors profites yet it was an iniury freshe in memorie that his brethren he had bene expulsed Florence by the comming of king Charles and that the king raigning bearing fauour to the popular gouernment had eyther alwayes reiected them or if at any time he showed inclination to them it was to vse them as instrumentes to drawe the Florentins by that suspicion to couenantes of more aduauntage for himselfe without bearing respect or
care to them To this perhaps was muche helping a disdayne that he was ledde prisoner to Millan after the battell of Rauenna and by the kings commaundement shoulde haue bene caried in that calamitie into Fraunce But what so euer was the disposition of the Pope or howe so euer his coniecture was caried for these or other causes he proceeded aduisedly and dissembled as muche as he could his intention for that both he sawe he had not so strong fundations to resist as he wished and also he gaue eare dayly with great affection to the demaundes and complaintes made agaynst the king for the Svvizzers bearing an vniuersall inclination to stirre and ryse for the defence of the Duchie of Millan offred to enter into thaction with a farre greater number then before so farrefoorth as they were furnished in preste with a certayne summe of money which for the pouertie and weaknes of others could not be hoped for otherwise then of the Pope Touching the Viceroy his counsells were vncertayne and his speeches seuerall and suttle for that sometimes he offred the Pope to oppose agaynst the Frenchmen not sparing to enter openly into the cause by sending his bands of souldiors to ioyne with him and waging for three monethes a great number of footemen and the rather to accompany his doings with fayth credit he caused to be retyred his souldiors from the townes of Parma and Reggia and lay incamped with his army vpon the ryuer of Trebia leauing notwithstanding certayne bands of his souldiours for the garde of Torrona and Alexandria suche as had not stirred from thence Sometimes also he did assure that he had receiued commaundement from his king and that at the same time that he wrote to him of the truce to leade backe the armie to the kingdome of Naples But Ierome Vich Embassador resident with the Pope vsed other speeches and yet he agreed with him in this that his king promised so farreforth as the Pope would take vpon him the defence of Millan to beginne the warre in Fraunce without bearing respect to the truce that had bene made A libertie whiche he sayd he might lawfully take without making violation of his fayth promised Therefore it was beleeued of many that the king Catholike fearing that by the truce that had bene made not one woulde appeare to oppose agaynst the Frenche king had commaunded the Viceroy that if he sawe none woulde proceede roundly to the defence of the Duchie of Millan that he shoulde not seeke to prouoke the Frenche king by newe iniuries but shoulde retyre his armie to Naples for whiche cause also he shewed to the king a contentment to harken to the peace offring withall to bring in Caesar and the king of Englande And to make him the more tractable if he should recouer the Duchie of Millan he made almoste an assured promise that his armie should be no impediment to him So that the Viceroy who was determined to go his way reuoked the souldiors that were vnder the Marquis of Pesquiero in Alexādria and Torrona and at the same time as was sayd did communicate his resolution to Triuulce to thend his departing might be more acceptable to the French king Neuerthelesse he did not execute so speedily his deuise for that the Svvizzers very desyrous to defende the Duchie of Millan had sente thither by common consent fiue thousande footemen and giuen hope to supplye the seruice with a greater number But making demonstration of the contrary he sent Prosper Colonno to debate with the Svvizzers of the place where they should assemble against the frēch either that he had receiued aduertisement that the truce was discontenting to Caesar or els that he was enioyned by new cōmissions from his king to folow the will of the Pope who perseuered still in the same perplexities suffring a conflict betweene his small hope his proper inclination And yet notwithstanding the Svvizzers being come vpon the territories of Tortona where Prosper had signified to them that the Viceroy would come ioyne with them interposing many excuses he labored thē to come vpon the lands of Trebia to ioyne with him By which maner of solicitation they finding a diuersitie betwene his will and his words made this braue aunswere that the Viceroy made no such demaund to th end to go looke thenemies in the face but to turne their backs with greater surety They saide they cared not whether he feared to fight with the frenchmē or not neither did it import thē whether he went away or whether he taried stil whether he folowed or whether he fled for that their vallour onely did suffice to defende the duchie of Millan agaynst all enemies But now was all the contrey in a mutinie the Count Mussocke sonne to Iohn Iacques was got into Ast without any impediment after into Alexandria al those bāds of frenchmen which were parted frō Susa marching with great diligence The duke of Millan who was come somewhat to late to enter Alexandria ioyned himself to the Svvizzers neare Tortona and they being made to vnderstande by the Viceroy that he was determined to go his way retired to Nouarro Of all voluble things there is nothing more light then reaport in times of mutation nothing lesse assured then the minds of people popular or cōmons whom euery new occasion can cary and leade contrarie to all reason and confidence that feare and ficklenesse which they haue by nature beeing not hable to be assured by any order or discression for thinhabitantes of Millan at the first brute of the departing of the Viceroy sent Embassadors to their Duke at Nouarro to excuse them if hauing no habilitie nor meane of defence they compounded with the French men to th ende to auoyde the extreame calamitie He was tractable according to the condition of his present fortune and with a minde humbled with the consideration of his miseries that were towards he accepted willingly their excuse recommending to them with words of great affection and zeale to haue a charitable care ouer the safetie of the common countrey Vpon this occasion Sacromoro Viscounto to whom was appoynted the besieging of the Castell of Millan turned to the French and reuittled the Castell which he was sente to batter and beate The Viceroy brake vp from Trebia with all his armie whiche was twelue hundred men at armes and eyght thousande footemen to returne to the kingdome of Naples as though the affayres of Lombardie had bene desperate A reason onely wherein he soughte to saue his armie But receyuing the same day in the way betweene Plaisanca and Florenzola letters from Rome he caused immediatly the ensignes to marche backe agayne returning to the same lodging from whence he was departed The cause was that the Pope to whome almoste at the same tyme were rendred Plaisanca and Parma determining to proue if the Duchie of Millan might be defended by the force of the Svvizzers gaue very secretely to Ierome Moron
followed by Frauncis Sforce Duke of Bary to performe the like for his brother Maxymylian Sforce And albeit the Bishop of Gurcy represented in Italy the ful person of Caesar as he did at other times yet laying now aside his pomp and accustomed magnificence he entred more modestly into Rome and forbare by the way to weare the cappe of Cardinall which the Pope had sent to him at Foggibonso At his comming was compownded a compromisse by him and the Venetian Embassadors in the person of the Pope of all the controuersies that were betweene Caesar and their common weale But it was a compromisse more in name and apparance then in effect and substance for that neither of the parties for thimportance of the cause would be referred to an arbytrement suspected vntill they had seuerally and secretly receiued promisse of him that he would not giue vppe his arbytracion without their consent and priuitie The Pope by this authority of Compromitting declared in writing that there should be a surceassing of armes betweene the two parties which albeit was ioyfully accepted by them both was yet ill obserued by the Viceroy for that being come betweene Montagnana and Este besides that he had done no other thing since the victorie then made pillage and ouerronne the whole contry hauing withall sent part of his souldiours to Policena he committed in sondry places many insolencies and harmes sometymes he excused his doings in that they were vpon the landes of Caesar sometimes he alleaged that he exspected new intelligence from the Cardinall of Gurcy lastly the ende of the compromisse was no more happie then had bene the middest and the beginning by reason of difficulties that fell out in the negociacion of affaires for Caesar would out consent to thaccord but with condicion to reteine parte of the townes for the other to receiue a great proporcion of money and of the contrary the Venetians demaunded all the townes and offered a very small summe of money it was beleued also that the king Catholike did secretly disswade the accorde notwithstanding openly he made demonstration to desire it yea it was said that to make it more hard he had at the same time put Bressa into the hands of Caesar a place which the Viceroy neuer til that day would giue vp alleaging that he kept it to make him more inclined to the peace But the causes were coniectured diuersly either he had so farre offended the Venetians that he iudged he would no more enterteine with them a true and assured amitie or else he knew that his reputacion and greatnes in Italie depended vppon continuing and keeping on foote the armie which for want of money he was not able to feede and nourrish but by racking raunsoming the peoples that were his frendes and in making praye and pillage of the countreys that were enemies These difficulties together with the vntowardnesse of the parties made the Pope leaue the matter vnperfect when a litle after the Almains by the helpe of the exiles and banished men tooke Marano vpon the suddeine a seafaring towne in the countrey of Friull and so discended to the like action vpon Montfalcon and albeit the Venetians both for their honor profit desired to reconquer Marano being threescore miles from Venice in that disposition did assaile it both by sea and land yet their fortune being all one in all places they receiued losse vexacion on all sides only Ranso de Cero in that time susteyned the name and credit of their armes to his great praise and merit for albeit there was a great rage of plague and hunger in Crema where he lay in garrison and that the bands of Spanyards and Millanois being dispersed into the townes thereabout by reason of the season he was as it were besieged yet he gaue a suddeine charge vppon Calcinaia a towne of the countrey of Bergamo and stripped Caesar Fieramosquo with forty men at armes and two hundred light horsemen of the regiment of Prospero Colonno And not many dayes after he entred by night into Quinsano and tooke the Lieutenaunt of the Count S. Seuerin and spoyled fifty men at armes and within Treuy stripped ten men at armes of the company of Prospero About this time thinges were quiet enough in other places of Italie sauing that the Adorneis and the Fiesqueis with three thowsand men of the countrey accompanied perhappes with the secret fauor of the Duke of Millan drew neare the walls of Genes after they had taken Spetia and other places of the riuer of Leuant But their fortune being farre inferior to their valour they went away almost ouerthrowen hauing loste parte of the men they brought to thenterprise and certaine peeces of artillerie There appeared also in Tuskane certeine beginninges of new iniuries for the Florentins beganne to molest them of Lucquay trusting that thorow feare of the Pope they should redeeme peace in restoring to them Pietrasanta Mutrona They alleaged besides that it was not conuenient that they should enioy the benefitte of that confederacion which they had broken in minstring secret succours to the Pisans Against these suggestions they of Lucquay complained to the Pope and to the king Catholike in whose protection they were but seeing there grew no remedy to them they were at last contented to auoyde greater mischiefes to referre a compromisse to the person of the Pope Who hauing like authoritie for the Florentins pronounced that they of Lucquay who had affore rendered to the Duke of Ferrara Garsagnana shoulde leaue to the Florentins the places of Pietrasanta and Mutrona and that there should remayne betwene them a perpetuall peace confederation About the ende of this yere the Castles of Millan and Cremona who for the necessitie of vittells had agreed to yeelde if they were not succored in a certayne time were deliuered into the power of the Duke of Millan So that there remayned no more that the French king helde in Italie but the lanterne of Genes which in the end of the same yere the Genovvaies assayed to caste downe by mynes They approched to it vnder the benefite of a Caske or vessell of wood conteining thirtie fadomes in length and twentie in breadth within which was stowage for three hundred men and set rounde about with packes of wooll the better to defende the shotte At the first showe it caryed great arte and deepe inuention but being brought to tryall it serued to litle vse as most often is seene by those newe and straunge workes The ende of the eleuenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE TWELFTH BOOKE THe king of Englande makes vvarre vpon the French king The Venetians recouer Friull The Pope as arbitrator pronounceth peace betvvene them and the king of Romains King Lovvis the xij dyeth Frauncis the firste commeth to the Crovvne and discendeth into Italie to reconquer Millan THE TVVELFTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin THERE happned the same yere in the regions beyonde the Mountes most
dangerous warres wherof I wil make present discourse both for the same reasōs with the same shortnes that I haue touched thē in the narration of the yere before The beginning of these preparations and stirres grew vppon a resolution which the king of Englande made to inuade that sommer the Realme of Fraunce with a mayne army both by sea and lande And to make the victorie of this enterprise more easie he had agreed with Caesar to furnishe him of an hundred and twentie thousande duckets to make an entrie at the same tyme into Burgondy with an army of three thousande horsemen and eight thousande footmen parte Svvizzers and parte Almains He promised also to the Svvizzers a certayne proportion of money the rather to induce them to ioyne in the action with Caesar who was contented to put into their hands in pawne one parte of Burgondy vntill he had fully satisfied them of their payes Lastely also the king of Englande occupied this perswasion that his father in lawe the king Catholike cleauing to the confederation of Caesar and him which he had alwayes protested and assured would open the warre on his side at the same instante By reason whereof the reapporte of the truce made by thenglishe with the Frenche king and yet for all that the desire to make warre was nothing diminished was so yll brooked not onely by him but by all sortes of states and peoples in Englande that the Commons had done violent execution vpon the Spanishe Embassador if the kings authoritie had not resisted their furie To these things were added thoportunitie of thestate of tharchduke not so muche that he letted not his subiectes to take paye agaynst the Frenchemen as for that he promised to giue sufferaunce and passage of vittayles out of his countreys into thenglishe armie It behoued the French king to omit no sortes of prouisions agaynst so great preparations and daungerous threatning By sea he furnished a strong nauy to encounter thadmirall of Englande and by lande he leauyed men from all partes laboring specially to haue as great a strength of launceknightes as he coulde He had also affore made great instance to the Svvizzers that since they refused to ayde him in the warres of Italie at leaste that they woulde so farre fauour him as to delyuer him a proportion of footemen to helpe to defende the Crowne of Fraunce But they beeing wholly resolued to protect and assure the Duchie of Millan refused in any wyse to minister to him vnlesse he woulde eftsoones returne to the vnitie of the Churche and giue vp the Castell of Millan which was not yet rendred and also cancelling his rights interests to that estate he would promise no more to molest neither Millan not Genes Limitations no lesse vnprofitable to the French king then contrary to his honour and preiudiciall to the soueraigne dignitie of the crowne of Fraunce Likewise the French king the more to terrifie thenglish make them more intangled with their owne affayres had called into Fraunce the duke of Suffolke as Competitor and aspirant to the Crowne of Englande A deuise little helping the purposes of Fraunce and of great daunger to the race and progenie of the Duke for that in reuenge of their dealing the king of Englande by ordinarie course of the iustice of his Realme cutte off the head of his brother who tyll then had bene holden prisoner in Englande since the tyme that Phillip king of Castillo sayling into Spayne deliuered him into the handes of the king his father The French king also was not without hope to haue peace with the king Catholike for that when the king Catholike vnderstoode of the league made betwene the French and the Venetians he began to distrust muche of the defence of the duchie of Millan and sent into Fraunce one of his secretaries to practise newe offers And it was beleued that considering howmuch the greatnes of Caesar and the archduke might alter his gouernment of Castillo he could not in good pollicy stand well contented with thembasing of the realme of Fraunce Besides all these omitting no oportunities wherein occasion might be taken the french king forgat not in these actiōs to stirre vp Iames the king of Skottes his auncient confederate to th ende that he opening the warre vpon the frontiers of Englande he might with more facilitie make defence against so many mightie inuasions The Skottish king was moued to this warre by the consideration of his proper interests for that the aduersities of Fraunce could not but be daungerous to the crowne of Skotland in which regard ioyned to the respect of confederation he prepared him selfe to the action with all diligence demaunding of the Frenche king no other ayde then fiftie thousande frankes to leauye munitions and vittels Neuerthelesse the Frenche king was very slowe in gathering together his forces and prouisions bothe for that he had turned all his thoughtes to thenterprise of Millan and reaposed not a litle in the truce made with the king Catholike Lastly his accustomed negligence was no litle impediment to the expedition of his busines A vice most hurtfull to th affayres of Princes to whom is seldome seene to returne theffect or sruite of their exspectation when they stande to temporise vpon euery new occasion after the resolution is set downe and things referred to action And touching the king of England he cōsumed many monthes in measuring his proportions in leauying his prouisions in rating the state maner of his payes and in distinguishing the sortes of his souldiors and their fashions of armor weapons for that his subiectes hauing bene many yeeres without warres and no lesse chaunged the maner of warfaring both their bowes and their other vsual natures of armes being become vnprofitable he was constrayned to make great prouision of forreine armors artilleries and munitions and by the same necessitie to leauye as souldiors trayned many bands of launceknights horsmen the ancient custome of the English being to fight on foote for these impedimentes thenglish army passed not the seas soner then the moneth of Iuly And after they had for many dayes runne vp into the champayne countrey neare vnto Bolleine they went to incampe affore Torvvaine A towne standing vpon the marches of Pikardy in the region of those peoples whō the Latins call Morini The person of the king of Englande passed the sea a litle after who had in his maine army fiue thousand horses of seruice and more then forty thousand footmen An army not more notable by the multitudes of souldiors consideration of their vallor then most glorious by the presence maiestie of their king in whose person appeared at that instant being in an age disposed and actiue al those tokens of honor magnanimitie which rising afterwards to their ful ripenes perfection by degrees of time study and experience made him the most renowmed and mightie prince that lyued in his age in all this part or circuite of the
without hope the last extremitie of vittells they agreed to leaue the towne the horses and liues of the souldiours saued if they were not reskewed within two dayes And it is not to bee douted that their holding out by the space of fiftie dayes was not a thing that greatlie profited the realme of Fraunce who by the benefite of the long suffering of Torvvaine had respit to temporise and prepare against many other greater afflictions which otherwise so mightie an armie of enemies would haue brought vppon them euen to the shaking of the Crowne of Fraunce A litle before Maximilian Caesar was come in persone into the Englishe armie reuiewinge and layinge out those places wherein in his youth he had with so great glorie ouerthrowne the armie of the French king Lovvys the eleuenth Who whilest he remayned in the campe the affayres of the warre tooke their chiefest direction and gouernment from him The Frenche king was not onely trauelled with thEnglishe armies but also with greater daunger he had his vexacions by the Svvizzers for the commonalties of those regions desiring with an vniuersall minde that the king should disclaime from all titles and rights which he pretended to the Duchie of Millan wherin for that he did nothing their hatred redoubled towardes him they had entred against him many actions of hostilitie and sette on fire many houses of priuate persons of Lucerna whome they suspected to beare fauor to thaffaires of the Crowne of Fraunce And proceeding continuallie against all men noted of like suspicion they had brought all the chiefetaines and principalls of them to sweare to suffer all the pensions to go in common so falling into armes by publike order they entred almost by heapes into Burgondy their numbers being xx thowsand footmen a thowsand horsemen In which action they had certeine proporcions of artillerie from Caesar who either according to his inconstancy or for ielousie he had of them refused to go thither in person notwithstanding he had promised both to the king of England to theÌ„ Being drawne into this strength power of warre they went incamped affore Dyon the chiefe towne of Burgondy wherin was Monsr Trimouille with a thowsand lauÌ„ces six thowsand footmeÌ„ These natures of coÌ„mons popular peoples hauing some dout of their Capteines who began already to communicate with the french tooke vpon them the managing of thartilleries and fell to batter the towne of whose defense Trimouille douting much he had recourse to the last remedies made with theÌ„ a sodain accord without exspecting any commission from the king on whose behalfe he made this contract to renounce all the rights claimes he pretended to the Duchy of Millan to pay them six hundred thowsand crownes within a certeine tearme for thobseruation of which couenant he gaue him foure ostages persons very honorable and of great condicion And for the Svvyzzers they were bownd to no other promise then to returne to their houses A matter which tyed them not to rememe for afterwards friendes to the french king but left them at libertie to returne when they list to thinuasions of his kingdom Assoone as they were possessed of thostages they brake vp and dissolued their army immediatly alleaging for their excuse with the king of England for entring into this couenant without his consent that they receyued not in tyme conuenient the money he had promised them It was thought that this capitulacion was the cause of the sauing of the whole Realme of Fraunce for that the taking of Dyon had put into the hands of the Svvyzzers a free power to ronne vp without resistance eueÌ„ to the wals of Paris And it was not vnlikely that the king of England passing the riuer of Somme would not haue taken the field to ioyne with theÌ„ A matter which the french could not let for that neither the duke of Gueldres being theÌ„ come nor in the armie aboue six thowsand launceknights they were constrayned to keepe them selues inclosed within townes But the king was not a litle discontented with the resolucion complayning not a litle against Monsr Trymouille both for the summe of money he had promised and much more that he had bound him to the resignation of his titles interests as anaction of too great preiudice farre vnworthy his greatnes the glory of the crowne of Fraunce for which cause albeit the dauÌ„ger had bene great if the Svvyzzers in their wrath had eftsoones returned to assaile him yet reapposing much in the approch of the winter and in the difficultie that they could not reassemble so soone being with all resolute to ronne all fortunes rather then to depriue himselfe of his rightes in that Duchie which he loued dearely he determined not to ratifie thaggreement yea rather he beganne to propownd to them newe offers which much lesse that they did harken vnto seeing they did coÌ„stantly reiect them with these bluddy threats that if the ratification came not within a certeine tyme they would cut of the heades of thostages Torvvaine being taken whereunto thArchduke aspyred by pretence of his auncient right and the king of England chalenged it to be his by the iust prerogatiue of conquest and warre Caesar and he fell to this point for thauoiding of discord to cast downe the wals to the ground notwithstanding such violence was forbidden by the capitulacions made with them of Torvvaine immediatly after Caesar went from tharmy giuing this iudgement vpon thexperience trial he had seene that in matters of warre thenglish were more resolute then wel a duised lesse suttle politike then wel disciplined trained From Torvvain the king of England went to incamp before Tornay A towne very stronge and riche and of great deuocion of long tyme to the crowne of Fraunce but so inuironed with the contreyes of thArchduke that it was impossible to the french to reskewe it so long as they were not maisters of the fielde The french king was not a litle glad of this enterprise fearing least the ennemie caried with victorie and wealth would not transferre his forces into the body and partes of his Realme of more importance A feare which put him into no small perplexities for notwithstanding he had now areared a mighty armie wherein besides the fiue hundred launces which he had bestowed in garrison in S. Quâ—ntyn were two thowsand launces eight thowsand light horsemen Albanois ten thowsand lauÌ„ceknights a thowsand Svvyzzers eight thowsand footemen of his owne nation yet it was farre inferior to the power and multitudes of thenglish armie which by the continuall slocking of souldiours was as the reaport went resupplyed to the number of foure skore thowsande fighting men By the consideracion of which inequalitie of forces the french king who had no great hope to be able to defende Boleyne and those partes of the contrey that are beyonde the riuer of Somme which he feared thEnglish would oppresse looked how to defend Abeuille
and Amyens the other townes that are vppon the riuer of Somme his deuise was also to let them for passing the riuer and so to temporise either vntill the cold season came or els that the Skottish king in whom he hoped much were ready to aduaunce and draw them from that warre his armie marched all the meane while along the riuer of Somme to let thennemies from winning passage It was beleeued that the perswasions of Caesar were the cause of this enterprise of thEnglish for hope that if the towne of Tornay were taken it might either then or at some other tyme diuolue into the power of his Nephew to whome it was thought it did apperteyne perhappes it moued vpon a feare the armie had to be afflicted with want of vittels if they had bene in an other place or happly other places whereunto they might haue gonne had borne a more facilitie to be succored by thennemies But the towne of Tornay which was not manned but with bandes of straungers and forreyners and therefore of lesse exspectacion to bee succored was so battred with artilleries in many seuerall places that after it had made a small resistance it yelded vnder sauetie of goods and liues to aduaunce an hundred thowsand duckats towards the defrayment of the warre and to defend them from pillage The fortune of the frenchmen was no more gracious in other places for that the Skottish king comming to battell with the English armie vpon the riuer of Tvvede where the Lady Katthren then Queene of England was in person was ouerthrowen with a very great slaughter the kings person being then slaine with one of his owne sonnes who was Archbishop of S. Andrevv with many other Prelats and Nobles of that Realme and of the common soldiours more then twelue thowsand bodies After these victories about the ende of October the king of England leauing a stronge garrison within Tornay dismissed his horsemen and footemen of thAlmains and so disposed him selfe to returne into England reaping the great towne of Tornay as a frute of his warres and great exspenses for touching Torvvaine whose wals he had throwen downe to the earthe the naked seate and resemblance remeyned in the power of the french king One cause that made the king of England repasse the seas was that the season of the yeare taking away all oportunities to continue the warre in those cold regions he held it a matter vnprofitable to nourish an armie there with so great charges And an other was that he thought to take order for the institucion and gouernment of the young king of Skots who was in minoritie and the sonne of his owne sister the Duke of Albanie being gonne thether who was also of the blood of the same king By the returne of the king of England the feare of the french men beeing taken away their king dismissed all his armie except the regiments of launceknights he saw him selfe deliuered of the care of daungers present but not of feare to fall into them againe the next yeare with farre greater difficulties he gathered this iudgement by the behauiors of the king of England at his going away who vsed many high threatnings against the crowne of Fraunce promising that he would giue it a greater shake the next sommer Wherein he began already to make new preparacions to auoid the discommodities of his former delayes with more readines to open the warre assoone as the season of the yeare would suffer Besides the french king knewe that Caesar had the same intencion to annoy him and feared withall least the king Catholike who with sundrye suttleties had excused him selfe of the truce made least he should wholly alien them from him woulde not also take armes with them of this suspicion he had great tokens by the discourse of a letter intercepted wherein the king Catholike writing to his Embassador resident with Caesar and expressing an intention quite contrarie to his manyfest speeches which testified an earnest desire to make warre agaynst the infidels and to go in person to recouer Ierusalem he perswaded him to deuise diligently by what meanes the duchie of Millan mighte be brought to Ferdinand their common Nephew younger brother to tharchduke In this perswasion he occupied this maner of encouragement that that estate beeing raunged it would not be hard to reduce the residue of the regions of Italie to their deuotion and with the same facilitie ioyned with his succours Caesar might make himselfe Pope wherevnto he had alwayes aspired since the death of his wife and being once possessed of that soueraigntie he should resigne to the vse and profite of tharchduke the Crowne imperiall Neuerthelesse he concluded that matters of so highe nature and weight could not be ledde to perfection but with tyme and with occasions Besides all these the Frenche king doubted nothing of the will of the Svvizzers whose obstinacies he coulde in no wise moderate notwithstanding he made them offers aboue their merite And they were of newe incensed more then before by the euasion of the ostages deliuered by Monsr Trimouille who fearing the daunger of their lyues for want of obseruation in the king were secretly stolne away and fledde into Germanie So that it was not without cause that he feared leaste by thoccasion of so many other his aduersities they would ryse to assayle presently or at least the yere after the countrey of Burgondy or Dauphine These difficulties were partely thoccasion that made him fall to agreement with the Pope for causes spirituall of which agreement the principal article conteined thabsolute rooting out of the councell of Pisa which poynt was debated many monthes with very great difficulties specially for the regarde of things done eyther with the authoritie of the same councell or agaynst the maiestie of the Pope suche as it seemed very vnworthy for the sea Apostolike to approue and to cut them off there could not but happen right great confusion So that there was a delegation of three Cardmalls to deuise of some meanes by the which suche a disorder might be met withall This bred also one difficultie that it seemed not conuenient to graunt to the king thabsolution of penalties vnlesse he sued for it wherevnto the king woulde not consent least by imputation his person and Crowne of Fraunce were noted of schisme But at last the king was made wearye with these perplexities and no lesse ouerlabored with the importunities and willes of the people of his Realme desiring with vniuersall affection to be reunited to the Church of Rome but most of all he was stirred moued by the deuotion of the Queene to whō those controuersies were grieuous In which respectes he determined to yelde to the will of the Pope and not without some hope that vpon the reappaysement of these quarrels the Pope woulde some way ioyne to his ayde wherevnto with great arte he seemed to expresse to haue a good intention And yet a newe complaint was added to the auncient
iniuries for that the Pope by a speciall writ had commaunded the Scottish king to attempt no domage or greeuance to the crowne of Englande Neuerthelesse in the viij session of the councell of Latran which fell in the latter end of the yere the French Agents in the name of their king and protesting his commission disclaymed from the councell of Pisa and stucke to the councell of Latran They promised besides that six of those prelates that did assiste the councell of Pisa should go to Rome to do the lyke in the name of the whole French Churche and that others of the Cleargie should come to dispute vpon the pragmatike with intention to referre themselues to the declaration of the councell of which in the same session they obteined full absolution of all things committed agaynst the Church of Rome These were the accidents and actions done in Italie Fraunce and Englande in the yere a thousande fiue hundred and thirteene In the beginning of the yere following Anne the French queene passed from this life to a better hauing scarcely tasted the sweete fruite of the vnion with the church which she had so muche desired She was a verye vertuous and catholike Queene and for those partes her death was greatly sorowed of all the realme and of her naturall peoples of Brittaine When the realme of Fraunce was thus reduced to thobedience of the Churche and by that meane bothe the name and authoritie of the councell of Pisa vtterly remoued some of those that had feare of the greatnesse of the French king began to stirre and feare least his power were too much embased But specially the Pope who notwithstanding he continued in the same desire that the duchie of Millan shoulde not be recouered by him yet fearing least the king made amased with so great daungers and remembring eftsoones the matters of the yere paste would not giue him selfe sodenly to accorde with Caesar with whose wil was alwayes concurrant the minde of the king Catholike contract his daughter with one of the Nephewes of those two kings induing her for a dowry with the duchie of Millan He began to perswade with the Svvizzers that for too great hatred agaynst the French king they woulde not put him into necessitie to do a matter which should be no lesse preiudiciall to them then to him He tolde them they were not ignoraunt of the yll minde that Caesar and the king Catholike bare to them who if they obteined the duchie of Millan by vertue of accorde with the Frenche king it woulde be a matter no lesse to the daunger of their libertie and authoritie then hurtefull to the prerogatiue of the Churche and perill to the whole state of Italie That they ought to perseuer in their resolution not to suffer the French king to recouer the duchie of Millan yea they ought also to take heede least as it often hapneth in the doings of men to auoyde too muche one extremitie they fell not into an other extremitie more hurtefull and daungerous That to assure themselues more then neede was that that estate should not reuert to the French they were not the cause to make it fall into the handes of others with so muche the more perill ruine to all by howe muche lesse they should be founde hable to make resistance to a farre stronger power then the greatnesse of the Frenche king That the common weale of Svvizzers hauing made notable their name and reputation in the actions of warre with so many glorious and worthy victories was to make them selues no lesse famous and renowmed by the practises of peace That they were to foresee presently the daungers that were to come and to remedie them with wisedome and counsell without suffring things to slyde and fall into places from whence they can not be drawen out and readressed but by armes and vallour of the hande That according to the testimonie of dayly experience it happned often in warre that the vallour of men was smothered by the too great power of fortune That it was a better counsell for them to moderate in some part thaccord of Dion specially the king offring them greater paymentes and promise to make truce for three yeeres with the state of Millan so farrefoorth as they would not constrayne him to resigne his interestes which resignation beeing of greater consequence in apparance then in effect for when oportunitie shall returne to the king to reconquer it the action of resignement shall be no other impediment to him then he liste things for that difficultie ought not to be reduced to so great a daunger On the other side he aduysed the french king with many working reasons to make election of the lesser yll and rather to dispose him selfe to ratifie thaccorde of Dyon then to returne to the daunger of oppression by so many enemies in his realme the next sommer That it was thoffice of a wise Prince to auoyde the greater yll and to embrace for good and profitable thelection of the lesser That it was contrarie to the wise gouernment of a king to take himselfe out of one daunger and disorder to runne into an other of greater importance and greater infamie That it could be no honor to him to graunte the duchie of Millan with so manyfest a note of cowardise to his naturall enemies who had pursued him with so many deceites and suttleties That it was neither reste nor securitie to him by diminishing so much his owne reputation to enlarge the power of suche as conspired altogether to pull downe the Crowne of Fraunce That himselfe was a good witnesse that he could not be assured of any promise of any fayth or othe that they make A matter which he had well knowen by thexperience of other tymes to his great harmes That truely it was a harde matter to resigne hys rightes but thinfamie was so muche the lesse by howemuch a little billet or writing made not his enemies more mightie That since it had bene promised without his priuitie or consent it might be sayde that it was not his deuise from the beginning but in the execution he would be so muche the more excused being as it were constrayned for the promise made by his people to keepe somewhat his fayth Besides the world doth knowe from how great and desperate a state of daunger that accord at that time had deliuered the realme of Fraunce That he allowed well that by other meanes and offers he labored to induce the Svvizzers to his intention And that touching his parte as he desired for the suretie of his kingdome that in some sorte there were made an agreement betweene them and him so in that action he would omitte no good office of amitie and trauell to drawe the Svvizzers conformable to his will But if they woulde be obstinate he exhorted him in grauitie and fatherly deuotion to obey time and necessitie though not for other regardes yet not to take from him thexcuse to departe from thalliance he
had with his enemies The king knewe that those reasons were full of fidelitie and trueth and yet he coulde not disgest them without murmure for that the Pope had cunningly mingled threats with perswasions And albeit be confessed that his necessitie constrayned him to make some resolution that might diminishe the number of his enemies yet he was at a poynt rather to giue him selfe vp to all daungers then to resigne his rightes to the duchie of Millan Wherevnto besides his owne inclination he was incouraged by thimportunities and counsels of those of his Court to whom albeit it was grieuous to followe the warres any more in Italie yet respecting the dignitie of the Crowne of Fraunce it was farre more intollerable to see their king so infamously constrayned to disclayme his properties in the duchie There was discerned the same obstinacie in the Parliamentes and assemblies of the Svvizzers To whome notwithstanding the king made offer to paye presently foure hundred thousande crownes and eight hundred thousande at sundry tearmes and albeit the Cardinall of Sion with many other of their rulers inclined to accept those conditions waighing thestate of the daunger if the Frenche king should ioyne with Caesar and with the king Catholike yet the commons of that nation increased in their generall hatred to the name of Fraunce and made prowde by so many victories tooke to them selues a confidence to defende the duchie of Millan agaynst all princes knitte in one strength The authoritie of the Cardinall of Syon was muche diminished amongest them and their other chiefe rulers were suspected by reason of the pensions which they were wont to receiue from the Frenche Matters which made the Cantons with more obstinacie to stand vpon the ratification of the accorde of Dyon And besides giuing themselues ouer to rashnes and disobedience to counsell they debated to enter of newe into Burgondy an action which the Cardinall and other chieftaynes amongest them labored to hinder not onely with manyfest authoritie but indirectly and with many sleightes deferring from one day to another that resolution Therefore the French king standing neither offended with them nor assured of them forbare not to continue with the king Catholike the practise of the mariage in the whiche as before the principall difficultie was whether the Damosell should remayne in the power of her father in lawe tyll time had made her hable to the consummation of the mariage for that the father reteyning her it seemed to Caesar that he could in no sorte be assured of theffect The king was content to enterteine the difficulties that hapned in this action for that he saw there was some hope that the brute of this match which he diligently spread abroade might to his profite mollifie the mindes of others by reason of thinterests they had in it The king Catholike sent to him Quintaine his secretarie whom in that negociation he had sent to him the yere before and he going afterwards by his consent to Caesar returned eftsones to the Frenche king At whose returne to th ende the difficulties of the peace might be resolued with greater commoditie and respite the king and Quintaine in the name of the king Catholike prolonged yet for an other yeare the truce that had bene made the yeare before The prolongation was vnder the same conditions that were before sauing that they suffred a secret addition of this article that during the truce the French king shoulde not molest the state of Millan in which article Genes nor Ast had no comprehension This condition whiche the king concealed as muche as he coulde the king Catholike caused to proclayme it solemnly throwe all Spayne a thing which made the world vncertayne which was most true eyther the negatiue of the one or the affirmatiue of the other In the same couenaunt was reserued to Caesar and the king of Englande a respite of three monethes to enter into the agreement which albeit Quintaine did assure on bothe their behalfes yet touching the king of Englande there was no apparaunce and in that he beguyled him selfe muche But for Caesar the king of Aragon who alwayes stoode resolued not to haue warre on the parte of Spayne had perswaded him that there was no better meane to compasse the mariage that was solicited This prorogation of the truce aggrauated the Popes suspicion that betweene those three Princes were eyther made already or at a poynt to be made some conclusion of greater things to the harme of Italie And yet for all that not going from his firste deliberation that it would be a matter very hurtefull to the common libertie to suffer the duchie of Millan to diuolue into the power of Caesar and the king Catholike and of no lesse perill to haue it recouered by the French king he founde it a harde matter so to temper and proceede in things that the meanes which aided one of his intentiōs should not hurt the other since one of the daungers came of the embasing and the feare the other of the greatnes suretie of the French king Therfore to deliuer the king frō necessitie to agree with them he continued his perswasions to the Svvizzers to whome the truce that was made was suspected that they had reason to compounde with him And to th ende to make to the king in all euentes the discending into Italie more harde he tooke more paynes then euer he did to agree Caesar with the Senate of Venice who for their partes iudging that to make truce would be to assure the matters of Caesar in the townes that remeyned to him stoode resolued with a wonderfull constancie of mind eyther to make an absolute peace or to continue the warre not retyring from so honorable a resolucion for any accident or ill aduenture whatsoeuer for besides so many aduersities hapned in the warre and the dispaire that that yeare the french king would sende no armie into Italy they had against them this token both of the anger of heauen and ill disposicion of casuall accidents which are vainely surmised to depend vpon the power of fortune that in the beginning of the yeare a great fire kindled in Venice which beginning in the night at the bridge Rialto was caried by the violence of the North windes resisting all remedies of the diligence and trauell of men and consumed the moste rich and populous part of the citie But because the Pope showed such forwardnes to haue them accorded there was eftsoones made betweene them a new compromise in his owne person which bare full power without lymitacion and was not restrayned to any tyme and yet with a secret promisse vnder his hand to pronownce nothing but by the consent of both parties And after the arbytracion was giuen vp he enioyned by writ both the one and the other to surceasse from armes an order very slenderly obserued by the Spanyards and Almains for that those companies of the Spanyards which were in garrison at Pollesina and in Este made pillage of
they marched along the high way of Portonouo where lay part of the strength of thAlmains his light horsmen that scoured before encountred out of the towne with capteine Rissan an Almain accōpanied with two hundred men at armes and three hundred light horsmen by whom at the first encounter they were repulsed but Aluiano comming to the reskew with the residue of his companies the skirmish was eftsones recontinued with greater fury daunger no lesse doubtfull thissue till capteine Rissan being wounded in the face was taken prisoner by Malatesta Sogliano The chaunce of the fight threw the next calamitie vpon the souldiors of Rissan who seeking their sauety by disorder and fleing retyred in their calamitie to Portonouo But fearing they should fayle to defend the towne that were not hable to kepe the feelde in their feare they fledde from the place that earst they ranne vnto for succour abandoning the towne which immediatly was put to sacke and many bodies of the contrey men slaughtred After this Aluiano in whom no one vertue was more cōmendable then his celeritie tooke the way to Osofo which Frangipan had newly besieged with the other part of the Almains who hearing of the cōming of Aluiano leauied their siege notwithstanding they lost much of their baggage and artilleries by a charge which the light horsemen gaue vpon their tayle By the same of these encounters bringing alwayes with them their victories almoste the whole contrey of Italie became returned to thobedience of the Venetians and Aluiano attempting a vayne enterprise vpon Goritia retyred with his armie to Padoa hauing by his owne certificate to Rome subdued what by the sworde and prisoners two hundred men at armes two hundred light horsmen and two thousande footemen But by reason of his departing the number of thAlmains being encreased they tooke of newe Cromonio and Monfalcon and constrayned the Venetians to breake vp their siege from before Marano where not manye dayes before capteine Frangipan had bene taken by ambush led prisoner to Venice for the Venetians feeling supplies and succors to flocke brake vp from thence in disorder and as it were discomfited and a litle after their estradiots beeing put to flight Iohn Vetturio their assistant was taken with an hundred horsemen These chaunges and alterations hapned oftentimes in Friull by the neighborhoode of thAlmains who were not serued in that quarter with other souldiors then trayned disciplined and such as after they had ouerronne pilled those quarters and that they perceiued the comming of the Venetian regiments with whom many of the contrey ioyned they retired immediatly to their houses returning alwayes to the seruice as occasion serued The Venetians sent thither a new supply of cōpanies by reason wherof the Viceroy gaue order that Alarson one of his Spanish capteins which lay betwene Este Montagnano Cologno should go to Friull with two hūdred men at armes an hundred light horsmen fiue hundred footemen but vnderstanding on the way that a truce was made in the contry by reason of the haruest he brake off his purpose returned frō whēce he came Thus as the warres of Italie proceeded mildly and in an easie course so also the practises of peace and agreement were not discontinued for the Frenche king being not altogether depriued of hope that the Svvizzers woulde consent to receiue recompense of money in place of resignation of his interestes and rightes sent to solicite them in that poynt with great instance But the Communalties were so farre estraunged from the king and his affayres that after they had compelled with many threatninges the gouernour of Geneua when thostages fled to deliuer them as prisoner the president of Grenoble whom the king had sent to that Citie to negociate with them They examined him with many torments whether any of their nation receyued any increase of pensions or interteined secret intelligence with the French king wherein no humanitie nor iustification was sufficient to stoppe the course of their barbarous crueltie Besides the Frenche king was not without suspicion that the Pope who for the diuersitie of his plottes and intentions was constrayned to sayle with great warynes amongst so many rockes would secretly worke the Svvizzers not to couenaunt with the king without him Not that he doubted he would stirre them vp to make warre from which he disswaded them so muche as he coulde but to remayne firme in thaccorde of Dyon or else for feare that with this beginning they were not brought to be separate from him In these regardes the king threatned that he would make hast to come to accord with the residue for that he alone would not stande thrust out to the battery of the whole world he was also weary of thintollerable expences and insolencies of souldiors for that hauing called into Fraunce twentie thousande Launceknightes whom he could not haue altogether but when the king of Englande laye before Tornay he would not sende them backe agayne but reteyned them in Fraunce to haue them ready for employment in due time according to occasion and necessitie These were they that did infinite harmes in his countrey with whom his authoritie was litle respected that by force was not hable to represse their insolencies In these difficulties and in so great confusion of affayres the onely matter that began to open to the French king the waye to his surety and hope to repossesse his first power reputation was the incredible discontentment that the king of Englande receyued of the renouation of the truce which his father in lawe had made A matter contrary to his faith promise many times reitterated to make no couenant nor cōtract with the french king without his consent he complayned so much the more publikely of this by howmuch it was the thirde tyme that his father in lawe had dallyed with him and therefore he began more and more to estraunge his minde from the renewing of the warre agaynst the french The Pope was not negligent to take thoportunitie of the kings disposition and began to worke with the Cardinal of Yorke to perswade his king that contenting himselfe with the glorie he had gotten and remembring what correspondancie of fayth he had founde in Caesar in the king Catholike and the Svvizzers he would forbeare to trauell any more with armes the realme of Fraunce which the Cardinall tooke vpon him eyther for a feare he had that the Frenche king in case the king of Englande would inuade him would not make peace and parentage with Caesar and the king Catholike as he alwayes threatned or else he thoughte that peace ensuing betweene them it were good for him to aduaunce him selfe as an actor and winne some fauour with the Frenche king in an action whiche was not in his power to lette It is moste certayne that when the Pope was tolde that the Frenche king woulde take armes agaynst the duchie of Millan being once assured of the king of Englande he aunswered
yere with Caesar and the king Catholike which yet comprehended no other matter then the defence of their common estates for the king Catholike was entred afore not without cause into suspicion that be aspired to the realme of Naples for Iulian his brother and had already enterteyned in that action some practise with the Venetians This newe confederation was scarcely established and concluded when the French kings answere came By it he approued all that the Pope had propounded with this onely addition that since he was to bynde hym selfe to the protection of the Florentins of Iulio de Medicis hys brother and Lavvrence hys nephew whom the Pope had aduaunced to thadministration of th affayres of Florence that he woulde reciprocally be bounde to the defence of the Crowne of Fraunce But the Pope excused him selfe touching the action of capitulation with Caesar and the king Catholike that seeing how long he deferred to make aunswere to a demaunde so reasonable he coulde not but enter into some doubt And yet the confederation was but for a short time and conteined no matter preiudiciall to him nor to hinder the perfection of the practise begonne betwene them These iustifications were accepted by the king and so they passed the couenaunt not by instrument authentike to hold it more secret but by a priuate writing subsigned by both their handes The peace betwene the king of Englande and the French king was more sodayne and easie then was exspected being vnlikely that so great hatreds redoubled by new iniuries should with such facilitie be conuerted into amitie and aliance happly the peace was not liking to the Pope who aswell as others was perswaded that there might grow betwene them rather a truce then a peace or at least if it resolued to the nature of a peace it would eyther intangle the king with harder conditions or at least with obligation not to assayle the duchie of Millan for a certayne tyme But it brought incredible discontentment to Caesar and the king Catholike who as there is none euill in humaine actions which hath not ioyned with it some good so he assured notwithstanding that he receiued by it in his minde two contentmentes The one for that tharchduke his nephewe beeing out of hope to giue his sister for wife to the Frenche king and entring withall into distruste of the king of Englande would be nowe compelled to do nothing without his counsell and authoritie The other for that the Frenche king standing nowe in good possibilitie of children the succession of Monsr de Angonlesme was put in doubt to whome he bare no little hatred for that he norished a great desire to restore the king of Nauarre to his estate Onely the Svvizzers gaue it out that they reioysed all at that accorde notwithstanding they reteyned agaynst the French king the same hatred they did before The reason of their gladnes grew of an opinion they had that the french king being now at libertie would take occasion to recontinue the warre in the duchy of Millan by which meane they should eftsones begin to declare to all the world their vertue and their fayth And truely it was not to be doubted that the french king being now deliuered almost of al feare to haue warre beyond the Mountes would not be touched with his old desire to reconquer the duchy of Millan only it could not be discerned whether he would presently dispose him selfe to armes or deferre it tyll the yeare following for that the facilitie of thenterprise appeared to all men but there was none that discerned any signe of preparations In whiche vncertayntie the Pope notwithstanding that conquest was grieuous to him stirred him vp not to deserre nor corrupt the present occasions wherein he gaue him to vnderstande that all thinges were yll prepared to make resistance both for that the Spanishe armie was diminished and yll payed the peoples of Millan reduced to great pouertie straitnesse and also none was hable to aduaunce money to make the Svvizzers march These perswasions caryed so muche the greater force and authoritie by how much a litle before the peace with the king of Englande the Pope expressing a desire that the Frenche king should recouer Genes had giuen him a certayne hope to induce Octauian Fregoso to compound with him Assuredly the Pope in this action proceded not with sinceritie good meaning which disposition moued in him as was supposed for that seeing euery one yll furnished and no lesse doubting least the French king woulde make that expedition without his councell since he had his men at armes in readynes and many leauyes of Launceknightes at his deuotion thought by that meane to preuent and winne his frendship perhappes and in this he proceeded with greater suttletie he was enduced by the knowledge he had that the Emperour and the king Catholike were of opinion that it was not lawfull to the French king to inuade the Duchie of Millan An opinion which though they supposed to be true yet the Frenche king denied it a â—uowing that it was good in him he was not forbidden to take armes against the estate of Millan during the truce By reason whereof the Pope perswading him selfe that the king would not enter into thenterprise thought he would expresse to him a good disposicion of will which also should serue him for excuse if an other time he required succours of him And the matter succeded according to his opinion for the king being resolued either for that cause or for his present necessitie of money or lastly for the nearenes of the winter not to enter into armes affore the spring time and making show that he had confidence that euen in that time the Popes fauor woulde not faile him he wrote aunswere to him alleaging many excuses touching his deserring but conceiled the excuse of the truce which yet endured and perhappes was the principall Neuerthelesse he had desire to attempt the reconquering of Genes or at least to succour the lantern which the same yere by his direction had bene reuittelled many times with certaine proporcions of vittels by the aduenture of sundry smal vessels who making as though they woulde enter the porte of Genes dissembled with the warders and were profitable to them of the lantern But at last thextremitie of vittells growing aboue all remedie and no lesse diligence of the enemie to keepe them suppressed in that want their calamitie not able to temporise and exspect any longer after succours the garrison within was driuen to yeelde it vp to the Genovvais who in their spite rased it from the fundacions A matter not a litle displeasing to the king And albeit the losse of this fortresse tooke wholly from the king all cogitacions to vrge a present warre against the Genovvaies yet it diminished nothinge his disposicion to the action of Millan whereunto he turned all his preparacions to inuade the yeare following that state with maine armies he hoped that the Pope both for the
withdrew him from the thing whereunto his will did driue him so amyd so many variacions of mind he deferred as much as he could to declare his intencion giuing to euery one words and aunsweres generall But being continually importuned by the Frenche king at last he made him this aunswere that there was no person that knew better then him selfe how much he was inclined to his affaires being not ignoraunt with what affection he perswaded him to passe into Italy at a time when he might haue victorie without daunger or great effusion of blood That his perswasions for that thinges were not kept secret as he had oftentimes required him were now come to the knowledge of others to the common detriment of them both for that for his parte he saw him selfe in daunger to be assailed by others that the difficulties were become the greater for the enterprise of the king since others had giuen such order to their affaires that he could no more enter into the victorie but with manifest perill and lamentable slaughter of men That the power and glory of the Turkes being newly increased by so great a victorie successe it was neither conuenient to his condicion nor conformable to thoffice of a Pope either to giue fauor or counsel to Princes christened to make warre amongest them selues And that therefore he could not otherwise aduise him then to temporise surcease exspecting some other facilitie better occasion which when it hapned he shoulde finde in him the same disposition to his glory greatnes which he hath so well discerned certaine monethes passed An answere which albeit it did not in other sorte expresse his conception if it had come to the knowledge of the king it had not onely depriued him of all hope of the Popes fauor but also haue certified him that the Pope would haue ioyned and banded against him both with counsel with armes These were the accidents of the yeare 1514. But death who bringeth with him this law authority to cut of the vaine councells of men euen in their greatest hopes was the cause that the warre so forward in apparaunce burst not out to action with that speede that was exspected for whilest the French king gaue him selfe ouer to behold too much the excellent bewty of his new wife bearing then but eighteene yeres of age nothing considering the proporcion of his owne yeares nor his decayed complexion he fell into the rage of a feauer which drawing to it a suddeine flux ouercame in one instant the life that nature gaue ouer to preserue any longer he dyed the first day of the yeare 1515. a day of memorie for the death of so great a Prince he was a king iust much beloued of his peoples but touching his condicion neither asfore he was king nor after he had the crowne he neuer found constancy or stability in either fortune for rising from a small Duke of Orleance with great happines to the crowne and that by the death of Charles younger then he and two of his sonnes he conquered with a very great facility the Duchie of Millan and the kingdom of Naples and almost all the residue of the regions of Italy being gouerned for many yeares by his direction he recouered with a very great prosperity the state of Genes that was in rebellion vanquished with no lesse glory the armies of the Venetians being in person at both those victories But on the other side euen when he was in youth and best disposicion of body he was constrained by king Lovvys the eleuenth to mary his daughter that was both barren deformed and yet could neuer get the good will nor countenaunce of his father in law And aster his death such was the greatnes of the Lady of Burbon that he could neuer get the institucion of the newe king being then in minoritie being almost compelled to retyre him selfe into Brittaine where being taken in the battell of S. Aubyn he liued two yeares in the calamity of a prisoner To these afflictions may be added the siege and famin of Nouaro the many discomfits he had in the realme of Naples the losse of thestate of Millan Genes and all the townes which he had taken from the Venetians And lastely the grieuous warre he had in Fraunce agaynst very mightie enemies his eyes beholding into what lamentable perils his realme was brought Neuerthelesse afore he died it semed he had conquered al his aduersities fortune shewed good tokens of her reconcilement both for that he had defended his kingdome agaynst mighty enemies also established a perpetuall peace alliance with the king of Englande with whom by howmuche his amitie was great and assured by so muche it gaue him hope to be hable to reconquer the duchie of Millan After Lovvis the xij ascended to the Crowne Frauncis d'Angoulesme who was the next heire male of the blood royall of the same line of the Dukes of Orleance ▪ he was preferred to the successiō of the kingdom before the daughters of the dead king by the vertue disposition of the lawe Salike a lawe very auncient in the realme of Fraunce which excludeth from the royall dignitie all women so long as there is any issue male of the same line The world had such a hope in his vertues and suche an opinion of his magnanimitie such a conceite of his iudgement wit that euery one consessed that of very long time there was none raysed vp to the Crowne with a greator exspectation he was made the more agreable to the fancies of men by the consideration of his age bearing then but xxij yeres his excellent feiture proporcion of body his great liberality general humanity together with the rype knowledge he had in many things But specially he pleased greatly the nobilitie to whom he transferred many singuler great fauors He tooke vpon him together with the title of the french king the name of the duke of Millan A dignitie which he sayd apperteined to him not only by the auncient rights of the dukes of Orleance but also as cōprehended in the inuestiture that was made by Caesar in the treaty of Cambray Besides there liued in him the same desire to recouer it that dyed with his predecessor whervnto not only the working of his owne inclination but the perswasions of al the noble yong gentlemē of Fraunce did induce him no lesse by the memory of the glory of Gaston de Foix thē for the monumēt of so many victories as the kings raigning next afore had obteined in Italie And yet not to warne others afore the time not to prepare to resist him he dissembled his desires by thaduise of his graue counselors in the meane while sell to practise the amities of other princes frō whom were sent to congratulate with him many embassadors whō he receiued with countenaunce affable gracious but specially the embassadors of the king of England who desired
to continue with him thamity begon with his predecessor the iniuries he had receiued frō the king Catholik being yet fresh in memory There came at the same tyme an embassage frō the duke of Austrich wherof the lord of Nausan was chief in this embassage for the regard of th erle of Flaūders wherof the kings of Fraūce are soueraignes were discerned demonstrations of great submission in acknowledging of superiority Both the one the other of these embassages had a ready happy expedition for touching the king of England the confederation betwene him the late king was cōfirmed vnder the same conditions so long as either of thē should liue reseruing a respite of iij. yeres for the Skottish king to enter in it And for tharchduke many differences ceassed which many men supposed would haue giuē great impediments to the action of the peace But the archduke being now in full maiority newly taken vpon him the gouernment of his estates was drawne to the peace for many causes first for thinstance of the peoples of Flaunders who would in no wise haue warre with the realme of Fraunce Secondly for a desire he had to be assured of such impediments as might be opposed against him by the French in the succession of the realme of Spayne when the death of his grandfather should happen And lastly for that he thought it to great a daunger to dwell without any league of amitie in the middest of the powers of England and Fraunce being conioyned together And on the other side the king desired greatly to take awaye all occasions that might restrayne him to be gouerned by thauthoritie counsell of his grandfather eyther by the fathers or mothers side So that at last there was enacted betwene them in the towne of Paris a perpetuall peace confederation reseruing facultie to Caesar the king Catholike without whose authorities tharchduke contracted to take their place in this peace within three monethes In this capitulation was promised thaccomplishment of the mariage betwene the Archduke and Lady Renee daughter to king Lovvis solicited so many times before and that the king should endue the mariage of Lady Renee with six hundred thousande crownes and the duchy of Berry in perpetuitie aswell for her children as for her This dowry in respect of her insufficient age at that time should be assigned to her assone as she should come to the age of ix yeres vnder this condition notwithstāding that she should renounce al rights of inheritance either by the father or mother namely such as might apperteine to her of the duchy of Millan Britaine That the king should be bounde to ayde the archduke with men ships to go to the kingdome of Spayne after the death of the king Catholike At the request of the king the duke of Gueldres was also named and as some write besides the matters afore rehearsed it was agreed that in bothe their names ioyntly embassadors should be sent to the king of Aragon to require him to publish tharchduke prince of the realmes of Spayne such is the title of him to whom the succession apperteineth That he would render the kingdome of Nauarre absteine from the defence of the duchie of Millan Here it is not to be doubted that both these two Princes making this confederation looked not more to the present cōmoditie that appeared then to thobseruatiō of the same in time to come for what fundation could be layde vpon the mariage that was promised the Lady Renee bearing as yet scarcely foure yeres And how could it please the Frenche king that that damsell should be the wife of tharchduke who her eldest sister being the kings wife had her action prepared vpō the duchy of Britaine for that the Britons desiring once to haue a particular duke at such time as Anne their Duchesse maryed the seconde time agreed that the dukedome should apperteine to the youngest of the children and discendantes of her if the eldest were preferred to the Crowne of Fraunce In like sort the French king treated with the king Catholike to prolong the truce made with his predecessor but to leaue out this condition not to molest the duchie of Millan during the truce he hoped he should afterwards compounde easily with Caesar By which reason he kept in suspence the Venetians who offred to renewe the league made with his predecessor wishing that he were in his liberty to accord with Caesar agaynst them But the king Catholike notwithstanding he stoode still possessed of his desire not to haue warre in the frontiers of Spayne considering how great suspicion the prolongation of the truce might giue to the Svvizzers which mighte also be the cause that the Pope who till then had bene in doubt might turne to the french amity refused at last to prolong the truce but vnder the same conditions it had bene renued with the last king So that the Pope shut out of that hope and lesse exspecting to contract with Caesar agaynst the will and councelles of that king reconfirmed with the Senate of Venice the league in the same fourme it had bene made with his predecessor Nowe there remayned the Pope and the Svvizzers Touching the Svvizzers he required that they woulde admitte his Embassadors but they refused to giue them saffe conduit vsing the same rudenes they had done before And for the Pope vpon whose will depended wholly the Florentyns herequired no other thing of him then that he would kepe him out of all bond to th end that when by the trayne of affaires he should be councelled to resolue it might be in his power to make choice of the better perswading him that he should neuer finde in any either for his owne perticular or for the aduauncement of his house a greater amitie A more assured faith or more honorable condicions After the king had layd these foundacions for his affayres he beganne with great care to leauie prouisions of money and to encrease the bandes of his men at armes to the number of foure thowsand he published that he made those preparacions not of intencion to make warre for that yeare but onely to make head against the Svvyzzers who threatned him to inuade Burgondy or Dauphine if he would not accomplish the couenants made at Dyon in the name of the late king Many beleeued him in the semblāces he made the rather for thexample of the kings of Fraunce who haue alwaies forborne to intangle the first yeare of their raigne with newe warres But that coniecture caried not such impression in the mindes of Caesar and the king of Aragon to whome the kinges youth was suspected and the facilitie he had more then other kinges to commaund all the forces of the kingdom of Fraunce and the loue of his people opening a way and readines to all that he would desire Besides they were not ignorant of the great preparacions that king Lovvys had left the same making demonstracion that seeing he was assured
of the king of England he did not of new determine to make warre but rather did enterteyne and recontinue the plot that was layed before Therefore because they would not be taken vnprouided they fell to solicit a confederacion with the Pope and with the Svvyzzers But the Pope enterteyning both parties with wordes gracious and studying to nourish them all with diuers hopes deferred stil to make any certaine declaracion And touching the Svvyzzers their former hatreds did not onely still continue but by time were made greater by increase of occasions for that the causes that had taken their beginning of griefes publike bothe for the deniall of augmentacion of their pensions for the calling of launceknightes to the kinges paye and for the disdaynefull and iniurious wordes deliuered against their nation were redoubled and reincreased of priuate sorowes displeasures and ambicious desires The same rising both vppon an enuie which the Commons bare to many perticulars receiuing giftes and pensions of the king also for that those factions that most hotly obiected them selues against such as followed the french amities which commonly were called at that time Gallizzanti being by that meane aduaunced with the fauor of the Commons into reputacion and greatnes feared a diminucion of their authoritie if the common weale were of new reallied with the french In so much that the councell disputacion of affaires passing not in a coursse of publike zeale but with ambicion and dissentions ciuill these bearing more credit then the Gallizanti it was obteyned that they should refuse the vnreasonable offers of the french king In this disposicion of mindes and affayres thEmbassadors of Caesar king of Aragon Duke of Myllan assembled and met affore the Svvyzzers contracted with them in the name of their Princes a confederacion for the defence of Italy reseruing a respit for the Pope to enter vntil the Monday of the lent following In this capitulacion it was agreed that to compell the french king to disclaime all his rights interests in the Duchie of Myllan the Svvyzzers receiuing monethly of the other cōfederats xxx thowsand duckats should inuade either Burgondy or Dauphyne And the king Catholike with a mightie army should make strong warre vpon the realme of Fraunce either vpon the side of Parpignan or Fonterabye By these inuasions the confederats pretended that the french king cōpelled to apply to the defense of his own realme should haue no oportunitie to molest the Duchy of Millan though he had made a resolucion agreable to his will this deliberacion of the king was kept secret vntill the moneth of Iune but at last such was the greatnes and care of the seuerall preparacions that they could no longer dissemble so great and apparant stirres The prouisions of money were great vniuersally reached to all the parts in the realme he leauied many bandes of launceknightes he caused to be drawne towardes Lyon great stoare of artilleries And had lately sent into Guyhen to leauy tenne thowsande footemen from the marches of Nauarro vnder Peter of Nauarro who was newly entred into his pay This was the reason that he ioyned him selfe to the french seruice the king of Aragon was discontented with him and charged him most of all others with the ill successe of the battell of Rauenna he would not pay his ransom that was rated at twentie thowsand duckats which the late king had giuen to the Marquis of Rottelyn to recompense in some parte the hundred thowsand crownes which he had paid in England for his ransom but the new king electing him to his seruice defraied his ransom at his first comming to the crowne tooke him into his pay which yet the sayed Peter of Nauarro would not accept till for the safetie of his honor he had sent to the king of Aragon to excuse himselfe that being abandoned of him he gaue place to necessitie renouncing notwithstanding the estates which he had giuen him in the kingdome of Naples By this time it was manifest to all the worlde that those preparacions tended to make warre vpon the Duchie of Millan that the king determined to goe thether in person So that the kinge beganne in demaundes and speaches discloased to require the Pope to ioyne with him wherein he vsed besides many other instrumentes and perswasions by the meane of Iulian his brother who had newly taken for wife Philiberta sister to Charles Duke of Sauoye and aunt to the king by the mothers side his dowrie being assigned to him vpon the hundred thowsande crownes which the Pope gaue him This gaue the kinge some hope that the Pope respecting the alliance would be readily inclined to embrase his amity the rather for that he hauing before treated with the king Catholike to mary Iuliā with one of his parentes which was of the house of Cardoua it seemed he had preferred that alliance to the other more for his owne regard then for other reason he douted not also that Iulian would not willingly help forward for desire to get by that meane some estate by the which he might furnish thexpenses conuenient to so great a mariage with all the better to establish the perpetuall gouernment which the Pope had newly giuen him of the cities of Modona Reggia Parma and Plaisance which being not supported by the fauor of mightie Princes he had litle hope to be hable to keepe them after the death of his brother But the king began euen now to fall from his hope both for that the Pope had transferred to the king of Aragon for two yeres the moneys and collections called the Croissards of the realme of Spaine whereof it was thought he would draw by way of contribucion aboue a million of duckattes And also for that he heard with great inclinacion Alberto Carpy Ier. Vich Embassadors of Caesar and the king Catholike who did not only keepe almost alwayes about him but also it seemed the Pope did communicate with them all his councells Neuerthelesse the Pope interteined the king in suspence both giuing good wordes and showing sounde intencion to those that negociated for the king but alwayes without any resolucion as one that desired aboue all other thinges that the Duchie of Millan shoulde not bee possessed by forreyne Princes Therefore the king whom it imported to bee better assured of his intencion addressed to him newe Embassadours amongest whome was VVilliam Buda of Paris a man in science of humanitie eyther Greeke or Latin of most absolute and onely erudicion of all the learned men of our time Afterwardes he sent to him in the same legacion Antho. Maria Paluoisino A man verie acceptable to the Pope seeking to omitte no meane wherein might bee any oportunitie to aduaunce his purpose But all was labour loste for that before his comminge euen from the moneth of Iulie he had verie secretlie contracted with the others for the defense of the estate of Myllan Notwithstandinge seekinge to keepe couered that resolucion
defence or losse of the Duchie of Millan should be executed onely with the daunger and blood of the Svvizzers who not staying for any impediment or small quantitie of money in prest discended by such heapes and trowpes into the duchie of Millan that their armie there was aboue twentie thousande of whome ten thousande were drawne neare to the mountaynes It was a councell taken amongest them to keepe agaynst the French the strayte passages of those valleys which beeing at the foote of the Alpes that deuide Italie from Fraunce come to open them selues vpon the playnes of Lombardie This councel of the Svvizzers troubled greatly the minde of the king who afore had promised to himselfe an assured victorie by the greatnes of his forces not remēbring that the successe of warre respecteth other considerations then the multitudes of souldiors he had in his armie two thousande fiue hundred launces xxij thousande launceknightes ledde by the duke of Gueldres ten thousande footemen of Peter Nauarre eight thousande Frenchemen and three thousande laborers that were payed according to the rate of the other footemen The king considered with hys capteines that in regarde of the vallour of the Svvizzers it was impossible to driue them from those strayte and strong passages but with a farre greater number And yet considering the nature of those straites so great numbers could not be but hurtfull to the seruice and muche lesse in so litle tyme could they do any thing of consequence and least of all be hable to nourishe any long season so great an army in a contrey so barreine notwithstanding there was continuall traffike of vittels to the mountaynes Amid these difficulties some of the capteines that were of opinion rather to diuert and drawe them away then to set vpon them gaue counsell to sende out eight hundred launces through Prouince and Peter Nauarre by sea with his ten thousande contrey men which should all ioyne together at Sauonne Others were of aduise that to go so farre about were to loase too muche time that it would weaken th armie and increase too muche the reputation of thenemies who woulde not doubt to boast that they had not the corage to encounter with them So that it was resolued that not retyring so muche from that straite they should assay to passe by some other way that eyther was not kept by thenemies or at least not so strongly defended And that Emard de Prio with foure hundred launces and fiue thousande footemen should take the waye to Genes not in hope to drawe them downe from their mountaynes but to make warre vpon Alexandria and the other townes beyonde Pavv There be two wayes in the Alpes that leade ordinarily from Lyons into Italie the one is called Monsane a mountayne within the iurisdiction of the duke of Sauoy it is the shortest way the straightest way and most beaten way The other is called the mounte Geneure within the gouernment of Dauphine a way longer then the other and leades by crookings and turnings to Grenoble both the one and the other falleth into the way of Susa where the playne beginneth to enlarge But the French armies are alwaies wont to passe by the Mount Geneure notwithstanding it be a way somewhat longer because it hath a facilitie of passage more conuenient to draw thartillerie The Svvizzers that were carefull to keepe those two passages the other pathes thereaboutes were lodged at Susa the cause was that the passages which be lower drawing towards the sea were so streate and steepe that it seemed impossible to drawe any artillerie being verye harde to passe thither the horses of so great an armie On the other side Triuulco to whom the king had giuen that charge being followed with very many pyoners and hauing about him men paynefull and experienced to drawe artilleries whom he sent to searche the places that were there went sounding the passages if he could finde libertie of way without impediment of the Svvizzers By which occasion the armie that for the moste parte was dispersed betweene Grenoble and Brianson marched slowely exspecting what should be determined wherevnto there was a constraynt by a necessitie to abyde the prouisions of vittells About this time the king of Englande sent a gentleman to the French king who was nowe departed from Lyons to tell him on the behalfe of his king that he ought not to passe into Italie for feare to trouble the vniuersall peace of Christendome The cause of so great variation and chaunge of that king was that he was ielouse of the alliance betwene Fraunce and the Archduke fearing least the affayres of that Crowne would take a course too happy In which considerations he began afterwards to giue willing eare to thembassadors of the king Catholike who with continuall reasons put into his minde howe hurtefull the greatnes of the Frenche king would be to him in whom he coulde not hope for anye other affection then of an enemie aswell for the naturall hatred of that nation as for his late actions of warre and hostilitie done agaynst him But the thing that most moued him was the emulation and enuy of his glorie which he thought would be raysed to too high degrees if he wonne the victorie in the state of Millan he thought in himselfe that notwithstanding he found his kingdome in rest and very populous for the long peace it had lyued in together with a great masse of treasor which his father had gathered yet he neuer had the corage tyll within certayne yeres to inuade the realme of Fraunce alone and enuironed with so many enemies and broken with so many aduersities That nowe the Frenche king somewhat younger then he was at suche time as he came to the crowne albeit he founde his kingdome ouerwearyed and made poore with so many warres durst yet in the first monethes of his raigne go to an enterprise for the whiche so many princes were banded against him That touching him with all his huge preparations and so many occasions he had not brought into England any other profite then the citie of Tornay and that with expences intollerable and infinite But the Frenche king would returne with great glory into his kingdome bringing with him the conquest of so braue a duchie and would open the waye and happly take the occasion affore he retyred his armie out of Italie to inuade the realme of Naples These were the motions that easily renewed in his minde his auncient and naturall hatred But for that he was not at that time prepared to giue impediment to the Frenche king with armes wherein happly he sought some occasion and cooller he thought good to sende him this message The king nor his armie forbare not for all that to marche taking their waye from Lyon to Dauphine where met with the armie the Launceknightes otherwise called the blacke bandes guided by Robert de la Marche together with all the regimentes of lowe Almains so greatly esteemed for their vallour their
meane to execute against the parties so that dispatches went out according to the olde rates The king for his parte promised not to take into his protection any of the Cities of Tuskane And albeit afterwardes he required to haue libertie to protect the people of Lucqua who offered him fiue and twentie thowsande duckats saying he was bounde to that protection by thobligacion of his predecessor yet the Pope would giue no consent but promised for his parte that he woulde forbeare to molest them in any sorte Lastly they agreed by indifferent consent of them both to sende frear Giles Generall of the Augustins and an excellent preacher to Caesar in the Popes name to dispose him to render to the Venetians Bressa and Verona taking a recompense of money And so vppon the expedicion of these matters but not sette downe by wryting except tharticle for nominacion of benefices and payment of the Annats according to the true vallue the Pope in fauour of the king pronounced Cardinall Adrian de Boisy brother to the great Maister of Fraunce and of the greatest authoritie with the king and in the generall gouernment That the enteruiewe brake vppe the king departing from the Pope verie well contented and in great hope to haue him his perpetuall frende who for his parte expressed no lesse with all reasonable demonstracions but in his minde he nourished other impressions for that bothe it was a matter no lesse greeuous to him then affore that the Duchie of Myllan shoulde be possessed by the Frenche king and Parma and Plaisanca restored and also that the Duke of Ferrara should be eftsoones reinuested in Modena and Reggia And yet all these not long after turned to vanitie and smoake for that the Pope being gone from Bolognia to Florence remeining there about a moneth had receiued of the Duke promises of the money that should be payd assoone as he should enter into possession being there set down in writing by common consent thinstrumentes that were to passe betwene them the Pope neither denying nor accomplishing but interposing many delayes and excuses refused to giue perfection to things The king being returned to Myllan dismissed his armie except seuen hundred launces six thowsand launceknightes and foure thowsand frenchmen such as they caladuenturers whom he left for the gard of that estate And for his owne person he teturned into Fraunce with great speede about the first beginning of the yeare 1516. leauing behinde him as his Lieftenaunt Charles Duke of Burbon he thought he had left his affayres in Italie in good estate of sewertie both for the allyance newlie contracted with the Pope and also for that about that time he was newly compounded with the Svvyzzers who notwithstanding the perswasions of the king of England to haue them to reenter into armes against the frenche king renewed with him thalliance by the which they bound them selues to furnishe alwayes for his seruice and at his paye both in Italie and out of Italie for defense and offence and against all nations suche numbers of footemen as he would require and that vnder their vniuersall name and publike enfeignes onely they excepted to beare armes against the Pope the Empire and thEmperour And on the other side the king confirmed to them of newe their auncient pensions with promisse to paye them within a certaine time the six hundred thowsand duckats agreed vpon at Dyon with three hundred thowsande if they gaue vp to him the villages and vallies apperteyning to his Duchy of Myllan A matter which the fiue Cantons that possessed those places refusing to do as also to ratifie the accord the king began to pay to the other eight Cantons that parte and porcion of the money that apperteined to them who accepted it but vnder this expresse condicion that they should not be bound to take his pay against the fiue Cantons About the beginning of this yeare the Bishoppe Petruccio an auncient seruant to the Pope chassed out of Siena by the Popes aide and some helpe from the Florentins Borgueso sonne to Pandolffe Petruccio his cossing and impatronised him selfe vpon the place the authority and gouernment remeining by equity in the possession of his said cossing the Pope had two respects inducing him to this actiō the one for that that citie standing betwene the estate of the Church and the dominion of the Florentins was gouerned by a man wholly at his deuocion the other was much more particular and mouing for that he hoped with the fauor of some good occasion to make it fall into the gouernment of his brother or his nephew wherein he douted nothing of the Bishops consent hauing already framed him tractable to all his desires and ambicions The warre continued kindeled betwene Caesar and the Venetians who for their partes desired to recouer by the aide of the frenche king Bressa and Verona But for other places and regions of Italie things seemed to stand in a peasible estate onely there beganne to burst out mocions of new stirres that were pushed on by the king of Aragon who fearing least the greatnesse of the frenche king would bring some aduersities to the realme of Naples delt with Caesar and the king of Englande to recontinewe the warre A matter not onely of no great difficultie and hardnesse to drawe Caesar vnto being both desirous of innouacion and newe thinges and also was not able easily to kepe the townes which he had takē from the Venetians But also it was fullie concluded and agreed vnto by the king of England The remembraunce of the late infidelitie and breache of promise of his father in lawe being of lesse power in him then either his present emulacion or auncient hatred against the crowne of Fraunce besides he was enuious that the Skottish king being in minoritie should be gouerned by people of his appoyntment or any waye depending on him These matters had bene followed both with better councell and greater forces if during the negociacion the death of the king of Aragon had not hapned who after he had bene vexed with a long indisposicion died in an inferior village called Madrigalege as he went to Seuile with his Court he was a king excellent in councell and so furnished with al other properties of vertue that he bare no occasion matter of reprehension if he had bene constant to keepe his promisses for touching thimputacion of nigardnes or the reapport that went of him to be straite in exspenses it was proued vntrue by the testimonie and discouerie of his estate after his death leauing behinde him no amasse of treasor notwithstanding he had reigned xlij yeares But it hapneth oftentymes by the corrupt iudgement of men that in a king prodigalitie is more praysed though the raking and oppression of subiects be ioyned to it then a sparing straitnes wherin is nourished an orderly absteyning from taxing the goods of others To thexcellent vertues of this Prince was ioyned a most rare and perpetuall felicitie
comparing with his present estate the accideut happned to Lodovvike Sforce hauing Svvizzers in his armie and in the French armie his enemies began to feare least they would ioyne him to that lamentable example he sawe it was likely that they would sooner practise infidelitie and treason agaynst him for the difficultie he had to paye them then agaynst the French men to whom was wanting no money to paye their wages nor to corrupt their mindes wherein this was one matter that confirmed him in his doubt that Iames Stafflier generall of the Svvizzers had asked him his paye with great arrogancie Which neuerthelesse was deferred besides many other difficulties because the treasor that was sent to him out of Germanie was restrayned by the Spanish regimentes that were within Bressia to satisfie so muche of their payes as were due So that in the consideration of these obiections and doubtes together that the daunger was nothing inferior to the feare Caesar brake vp his campe and retyred towards the ryuer of Adda his negligence taking from him the glorie of the victory which fortune and oportunitie seemed to prepare for him for if he had made his approches to Millan but three dayes affore a time which he vaynely consumed affore Asola the French men that lyned in great doubt and incertentie of the comming of the Svvizzers had returned beyonde the Mountes Besides if he had not so soone discamped eyther the Frenche men not reapposing fully in the Svvizzers for the respectes of their contrey men that serued in Caesars campe had followed their first councell or else the Svvizzers taking their excuse vpon the commaundement of their superiors would haue abandoned the French men Caesar passed the ryuer of Adda and was not followed of the Svvizzers who remayned at Loda protesting that if their payes came not within foure dayes they would depart and leaue his seruice But Caesar making his aboade vpon the territories of Bergama gaue them continuall hopes to be satisfied for that he exspected a newe supply of money to be sent him out of Englande he threatned to drawe backe his forces agayne to Millan which estsones recontinued the doubts of the French men who nowe more then euer stoode incertayne of the fidelitie of the Svvizzers for that besides they had willingly forslowed their comming with protestation that they would neuer lift vp their weapons agaynst their contrey men in the other campe there was come to them a commaundement from the Cantons to forsake the paye of the French men In so much as there were two thousande of them that went away leauing behind them great feare least the others would follow their example notwithstanding the Cantons had assured the king that they had giuen secret commaundement to their footemen to the contrarie At laste Caesar after he had leauyed vpon the towne of Bergama an impost of xvj thousande duckets and was gone towardes Crema vnder hope of an intelligence returned estsones vpon the territories of Bergama without doing any thing and determined to withdrawe him selfe to Trenta He communicated with the Capteines of the army his deliberation assuring them that his principall intention was to giue order for money whiche he ment to leauie of men with the which and with the treasor of Englande that was vppon the way he would make a short returne desiring them to temporise exspect with him so good preparation And they hauing sacked Loda and forced the castell without artillerie retyred to Guiaradada for want of vittells after they had also made pillage of the towne of S. Ange. After the departing of Caesar there was some hope that the Svvizzers with whom was ioyned the whole army at Romano would estesones passe the ryuer of Adda the rather for that the Marquis of Brandebourg was come to the campe and the Cardinall of Syon to Bergama with thirtie thousande duckets which the king of Englande had sent for feare whereof the duke of Burbon whom almoste all the Svvizzers and the Venetian souldiors had forsaken was come vpon the shoares on the other side the ryuer to make resistaunce but the thoughtes of thenemies were sodenly chaunged for that the Svvizzers the money not suffising to satisfie their whole pay dispersed and returned into their contrey by the vallie of Voltolina And for the same cause a regiment of three thousande footemen parte Spanishe and parte Dutche came and rendred them selues to the campe of the French men and the Venetians who being passed the ryuer of Adda had not ceassed to trauell thenemies with sundrie incursions and to skirmishe with them with diuerse fortunes and accidentes sometimes the French men had the worse who in a hoat skirmishe made neare Bergama loste about two hundred men at armes and sometimes the aduersitie fell vpon the contrarie parte of whom in a like encounter fell into the fortune of a prisoner Caesar Fiermosquo The residue of th armie drewe neare to Bressia hauing receyued in prest a ducket for euery man but for the impedimentes that the light horsemen gaue them Mark Antho. Colonno entred into Verona with the Launceknightes and certayne bandes of Spanishe footemen and all the others seperated themselues This was the ende of the mouing and marching of Caesar wherein the Frenche king had no small suspicion of the Pope for that hauing summoned him according to the bonde of the league made betweene them that he should send to the defence of thestate of Millan fiue hundred men at armes or at least drawe them neare the confines and withall to wage three thousande Svvizzers according to his offer made to Antho. Maria Paluoisin whiche the king charged him withall The Pope made but colde aunswers touching the waging of Svvizzers and taking an occasion to excuse himselfe that his men were in yll appoyntment he promised to sende him bandes of the Florentins who with certeine of his souldiors marched very slowly towardes Bolognia and Reggia The king suspected more and more that he dyd communicate with the comming of Caesar both for that assone as he knewe he was entred into Italy he created Legate with him Barnerd Bibiena Cardinall of S. Maria in Portico who bare alwayes a setled emulation to the French and was accustomed to impugne the proceding of their affayres with the Pope And also for that he suffred Mark. Antho. Colonno with his regimentes to folowe Caesars armie But howe so euer the king was ielouse of the Popes priuitie in this action or by what humors he ranne in coniecture agaynst him for his consent to the emotion it is moste true that touching his proper interest the Pope was not a little aggreeued with the discending of Caesar with so great forces fearing that if he caryed the victorie he woulde aduenture to oppresse all Italie according to his auncient inclination Neuerthelesse what for thimpression of feare and that suche maner of proceeding was conformable to his nature he dissembled his thoughtes labouring to make himselfe as litle hatefull as he coulde to
foure dayes to the obedience of the Church But the Castell of Sinigalo made no delay to folow the course of the victorie as also the strong Castell of Pesero after it had bene two dayes executed with artilleries compounded to giue vp if within twentie dayes it were not reskewed so farfoorth as during this time of truce or exspectation of succours there were no casting of rampiers nor other sort of fortifications which condition being yll performed was the cause that Tranquillo receiuing no reskew within the tyme appoynted refused to deliuer it vp and beginning a fresh to recontinue the warre he made new sallies and actions vpon thenemy without which made his destinie the harder for that the batterie beginning to play with greater furie the souldiors within the Castell preferring their owne safetie affore the wyll of Tranquillo drewe into mutinie agaynst him and deliuered him vp into the hands of the capteines who condemned him to be hanged for his promise breaking Not many dayes after was rendred the castell of Maiuola a place very necessarie to besiege S. Leo for that it is but a myle distance and hath his situation directly opposite And they bestowed about S. Leo two thousande men to th end to keepe it besieged And albeit for the strong situation there was no hope to carie it but by the laste necessitie whiche is hunger yet it was surprised within three monethes by an inuention of a maister Capenter who clymbing by nighte by the benefite of a very long Ladder vp to a clyffe or dependant supposed to be most inaccessible of all that mountayne he tooke away his ladder and remayning there all the residue of the night he began at the firste appearing of the day to clyme higher with certayne fastning instrumentes of yron and got at laste with greate aduenture to the top of the mountayne and so discending agayne and with his yron instrumentes making easie certaine of the places that were of most difficultie he returned the night folowing to the campe by the helpe of the same ladder that caryed him vp he declared to the capteines that the mountayne was accessible and that in the enterprise the danger was greater in opinion then in aduenturing in so much as a night was appoynted when he was sent thither with the same ladder that he first vsed And as it was reasonable that he should be guyde of thaction that was the first author of thinuention so there were committed to him a hundred and fiftie footmen of choyse with whome staying vpon the sayde cliffe or dependant they began at the opening of the day for it was impossible to climbe higher by night to mount vp those very harde and straite places esteeming nothing of the perill when they considered what glorie was in the aduenture with this labour about thirtie of them ouercame the difficultie of the place and gotte vp to the toppe of the mountayne with a drumme and six ensignes and hiding them selues vpon the ground to exspect their companions that were a climing when the watch being then releued espyed them as they laye in ambushe vpon the earth The watche gaue the alarme when the souldiors being now disclosed not tarying for their felows gaue the signe to the army in the camp who according to good direction tooke knowledge of the successe of the climers and with great store of ladders offred a present assault to the mountayne in many places Their chiefest reason in this assault was to drawe away those that were within who after they had somewhat serued the places they were apponted vnto and discrying already vpon the playne of the mountaine six ensignes aduaunced they ranne to enclose themselues within the Castell that was hewed out of the mountayne hauing now more feare of their lyues then confidence in the inuincible strength of the place The residue by this time beeing clymed vp to the top of the mountaine they began to commaunde the whole place opening the way to others that as yet with great payne difficultie were labouring to winne the top of the hill But the resolution of the clymers beeing farre aboue the vallour of the defendantes in whom also the sodennesse of the fortune redoubled their feare the mountayne became a rewarde to the labours of those that had aduentured to clymbe it when the Castell also well prouided of all thinges to holde out sauing of vallour and fidelitie yelded the seconde day In so much as vpon the conquering of this estate which together with Pesera Siuigalo seperat members from the Duchie of Vrbin was not worth in reuenue aboue xxv thousande duckets The Pope pursuing the processe he had begon published sentence depriued Frauncis Maria and in the consistory inuested his nephew Lavvrence wherin for a more hable and sufficient cōfirmation of his doings he annexed to the Bull which he dispatched for that action the subscribing of the proper hands of all the Cardinalls sauing of Dominike Grimani Bishop of Vrbin and an auncient frend to the Duke who would not be concurrant in so manifest a wrong for that cause fearing the Popes indignatiō he departed afterwards from Rome whether he neuer returned so long as he liued The french king was discōtented with thoppression of the duke of Vrbin the rather for that he suffred priuation of his estate for being cōfederat with him But he stood much more displeased for many other things that the Pope did for Prospero Colonno abiding at Basseta a town of the Paluoisins at such time as he was returned frō Fraūce afterwards being come to Modona for feare of the frēchmen whither likewise was retired Ier. Morono who also stood in dout of thē for that contrary to their promises they had cōmanded him to go into Fraunce There was conspiracie whilest Prospero lay at Modona afterwards at Bolognia to surprise secretly some place of importance in the duchie of Millan by the working of some of the banished men In this practise was also concurrant Mucio Colonno to whom the Pope hauing priuity in these actions had graunted harbour for his bandes of souldiors vpon the territories of Modena Moreouer the Pope had perswaded the king Catholike for so was tharchduke called since the death of his grandfather by the mother side to make no newe conuentions with the Frenche king And on the behalfe of the Svvizzers Emius Bishop of Verulo and the Popes Nuncio to whom afterwards euen in his latest yeares was transferred the creation and dignitie of Cardinall stirred vp the fiue Cantons to folow the amitie of Caesar besides many other offices displeasing to the king So that concurring also at the same time a practise betweene Caesar who remayning betwene Trent and Ispurch terrified the French men more with demonstrations then with effects and the king of Englande and the Svvizzers to make a newe inuasion vppon the Duchie of Millan The Frenche king suspected that these matters were wrought with the will and priuitie of the Pope
those that were besieged that in the Citie so many monthes afflicted by thennemies that kepte it alwayes straytely enuironed the stoare of vittells beganne to diminishe and no hope to be resupplyed but in very small quantitie and that by stealth vsing the pathes of the mountaynes for the commoditie of that poore releefe But as the affaires of Verona stoode in these tearmes there came to the reskew of that Citie a regiment of nine thowsand launceknightes sent by Caesar who ariuing at Chiusa tooke it by composition and made them selues Lords of the castell of Coruaro which is a peece standing vpon the next hill to Adice drawing towards Trenta and cōmaunded many times by both the parties in the warre betwene Caesar the Venetians Monsr Lavvtrech either fearing in deede or dissembling to be amazed at the new supply of launceknights leauied his campe against the mindes of the Venetians and retyred his armie to Villefranche carying with him one parte of the Venetian regiments and the other parte vnder Iohn Pavvle Manfron withdrew to Boseto beyond the riuer of Adice by a bridge prepared for their passage Insomuch as the Venetians hauing nowe no further confidence to carie Verona sent all their great artilleries to Bressa And the launceknights without any impediment incamped at Tomba where the french army was lodged affore one part of them entring into the City the other parte remeyning without which returned after Verona was reuitteled There remeyned for the gard of Verona a strength of seuen or eight thowsand launceknights for that the most parte of the spanishe bandes that could holde no agreement with them were passed to the Venetian campe vnder Cronell Maldonato And in common iudgement that reskew or succours was of small momēt for that they brought not with them other stoare of money then xx thowsand Florins of the Rhein which the king of England had sent during the time of their tarying there they cōsumed so much vittells that it was almost equall to that quantitie which they had brought with them By reason of those bands that were retired to Villefranche from whence they committed manifest hauoke and spoyle vpon the partes of Verona and Mantua the Venetians were compelled least the frenchemen whome no commaundement that was made to them on the kings behalfe could make to stay should departe to their garrisons to take order that the Citie of Bressa should wholly furnish them of necessary vittells an exspence rising to aboue a thowsand crownes a day At last things beganne to incline manifestly to peace for that it was knowen that Caesar notwithstanding his former solicitacion to his sonne in law not to compound with the frenche king preferring the couetousnes of money affore the hate he bare naturally to the french also affore his auncient ambicion to make him selfe Lord of Italie had not only accepted and ratified the peace but also determined to render Verona according to the forme of those conuencions from this succeeded an other matter to the benefit of the frenche king that all the Cantons of Svvizzers seeing armes hostilitie deposed betwene Caesar the king were contented to compound with him as the Grisons had done before in which action Galeas Visconte did what he could who being banished and a rebell protested by the king wonne of him by this meane libertie to returne into his countrey restitucion to all his goods and recompense of many graces and honors The composicion was that the king should pay to the Svvizzers within three monethes an hundred fifty thowsand duckats and from thence forwarde an indument of perpetuall yearely pensions That the Svvizzers should be bounde to deliuer to his pay by publike decree so often as he should demaund a certaine number of footemen wherin notwithstanding the proceeding was diuerse for that the eight Cantons were bounde to furnishe that proporcion whensoeuer he should enter into any enterprise to offende the estates of an other and to the fiue Cantons the couenant bare no other obligacion then for the defence of his proper estates That it shoulde be in the power of the Svvizzers to render to the french king the castells of Lugan and Lugarno which bee passages of great strength and of no lesse importance for the sewertie of the Duchie of Myllan And in case they would make restitucion the king to paye to them three hundred thowsand duckats But they rased them to the ground immediatly vpon the making of the composicion This was the discourse of thinges in Italy in the yeare a thowsand fiue hundred and sixteene But in the beginning of the yeare following the Bishop of Trente who was come to Verona made offer to Monsr Lavvtrech to deliuer vp that citie to the french king within six moneths according to the contents of the capitulacion seeing he held it in the name of the king of Spaine But there remeyned this difficultie whether the tearme should begin from the day of the ratificacion of Caesar or from the time it was acknowledged that Verona was holden by the king catholike And vpon this albeit there passed a disputacion for certeine dayes yet for that the garrison of footemen that were within Verona drewe to mutinies vpon the demaund of money the Bishop of Trente was constrained to followe those affayres with a greater haste And therefore taking the beginning from the day that he had receiued commission from Caesar he agreed to deliuer vp Verona the fifteene daye of Ianuary At which daye he passed the assignement to Monsr de Lavvtrech who receiued it in the name of the french king the said Bishop receiuing of the Venetians the first fifty thowsand duckats together with the fifteene thowsand which by the capitulacion they were bound to pay to the garrison in Verona and also assured fidelitie and promisse of Monsr de Lavvtrech to see drawne to Trente the artilleries that were within Verona Monsr Lavvtrech at the same instant redeliuered the citie ouer in his kinges name to the Senat of Venice Andrevv Gritty standing then as Deputie and assigney to that state great was the gladnes of the nobilitie and whole communaltie of Venice for that after so long and daungerous a warre drawing with it so many calamities and exspenses they had reclaymed to the general body of their dominion so principal a member esteeming the reward of the warre farre aboue the burden and charges of the same although by the reapport of such as haue written of their doinges they consumed during all the warres they made since the league of Cambray fiue myllions of duckats whereof they leauyed fiue hundred thowsand of the sale of offices lastly the inhabitants of Verona reioysed no lesse then the residue together with all other cities and iurisdictions subiect to their common weale hoping now to be deliuered and dispensed withall from so many afflictions which so long a warre had throwen vpon them sometymes by the one armie and sometymes by the other The ende of the tvvelfth Booke
that it might be easily comprehended how farre he suspected the king in the action And to the french king him himselfe he alleaged only a ielousie of Monsr de Lavvtrech and forbare to execute his complaints any further The matter was diuersly taken by those Princes for to Caesar and his nephew it was no small gladnes to heare that the Pope interpreted that iniurie to the French king Besides the auncient hatred of Caesar ioyned to his naturall inconstancie had made him already estraunged from the French king and newly become confederate with the king of England He also had communed with his nephew neare Antvvarpe and disswaded him from hauing conference with the Frenche king whiche accordingly wasat last accomplished by the consent of both the one and the other king And in the king Catholike the confederation that he had with him did not suffice to deface his emulation ielousie and suspicion So that they made a readie offer to the Pope to ayde him giuing present commaundement to all their subiectes to departe from the warre that was made agaynst the Pope The kinge Catholike sente the Count Potenso to the Realme of Naples to th ende that vpon the view and mooster of his men at armes he shoulde leade to his succours foure hundred launces and for a more full testomonie of his will he deposed Franciscomaria as disobedient from the Duchie of Sora an estate lying vppon the confines of Terra Lauoro and had bene purchased by hys father but for other respectes were agreable the perplexities of the Pope to the French king as a Prince that had a mind estraunged from him therefore following his example from the beginning he determined to enterteine him with vaine hopes answering that his discōtentments brought no litle griefe to him he promised so to worke that Monsr Lavvtrech should minister to his affaires And yet he forbare not to say that the Pope him selfe had bene the causer of his proper afflictions for that the Spaniards would neuer haue taken that boldnesse if their numbers had not bene increased by such as vnder his licence were passed from Naples to Verona This was the kings intencion at the beginning But considering afterwards that the Pope being left abandoned of him and of his succours would run with a ready will into the amities of the king Catholike he determined to aide fauor him according to the estate of the time to draw some frute of his necessity Insomuch as the Pope sending eftsoones to demaund succours of him he tooke order to refurnish him from Millan with three hundred launces requiring withall to haue a newe league to passe betwene thē since that that was contracted affore at Bolognia was of no more consideracion hauing suffred many violacions by the Pope in sundrie maners he added many complaints to the offers which he made him somtimes he sayd he suffred wrong in matters wherein the Pope charged him to other Princes somtimes he held himselfe iniuried for that he had excōmunicated George Sopressan soliciting for him with the Svvizzers an actiō wherin the despite of his iniury was so much the greater by how much in the doing of it he expressed a desire to gratifie the Cardinall of Syon Moreouer the Lady Regent mother to the king of no small authority with him reprehended without respect the impiety of the Pope for that not satisfied to haue chased a Prince out of his proper estates and dominions he had also subiected him to the censures of the Church and with a mind full of inhumanity had denied to the old Duchesse the property of her dowrie due vpon those Patrimonies and also had withdrawne from the young Duchesse his wife all sortes of reliefe meanes to preserue nourish her these words finding passage euen to the eares and hearing of the Pope brought matter to redouble the suspicion Neuerthelesse the Pope who in those difficulties desired the kinges succours not so much for theffect and meaning as for the name and reputacion of them being not able to dissemble his suspicion made stay for many dayes of the iij. hundred launces that went from Millan vpon the territories of Modona Bolognia afterwards Lavvrence bestowed them within Rimini as hauing lesse meane to annoy him by lying there for that that city bare a farre distance from thenemies The Pope could not be drawne from his ielosies and suspicions notwithstanding at the same time was set downe in Rome a conclusion of cōfederacion betwene him the french king albeit before it was ratified the king obiected many new difficulties for the which the matter remeined many dayes in suspence yet at last the Pope yeelding to many thinges the king past the ratificacion By the articles of ratificacion the Pope and the king were reciprocally bounde to the defense of their estates with an equall proporcion of men and souldiours and a charge of twelue thowsand duckats for euery moneth The same bonde was betwene the Frenche king and the Florentins with whome was conioyned the authority of Lavvrence de Medicis and in that article was comprehended the Duchie of Vrbin but with a lesser number of men and pay of six thowsande duckats monthly The king was bounde to ayde the Pope whensoeuer he had any action vpon the subiectes and vassalls of the Church The Pope confirmed to the king the nominacion of the benefices and the tenth according to his promises made at Bolognia vnder this condicion that the moneys shoulde bee put into the handes of a third man to be employed agaynst the Turkes This was the cooller of graūting the tenth but there was secretly hope giuen to the king that after the collection of the whole quantitie the condicion shoulde bee chaunged by an other writ his maiestie to haue libertie to conuert them to what vse he would The Pope passed a seuerall promisse to the king vnder his signature neuer to demaunde of him any ayde or succours against the Duke of Ferrara and consented withall that the kinge might take him into his protection There was long dispute vppon the rendring of Reggia Modona and Rubiero which albeit the king demaunded with no small instance according to the Popes promisses at Bolognia and the Pope altogether not refused it yet he reserued the restitucion till an other tyme alleaging that it would bee an action farre vnworthy of him and almost a confession of his extreme necessitie and compulsion to redeliuer them at a tyme when he stoode oppressed with the warre The king stoode still vppon it to haue them rendred presently Insomuch that the Pope making manifest showes that he would vtterly estraunge him selfe from the king if he sought to constrayne him any further the kinge hauing for declared ennemies thenglish and no lesse suspicion of Caesar the Spanyards and the Svvyzzers accepted the Popes promisse vnder his hande that within seuen monethes next following he woulde put into the handes of the Duke of Ferrara Modona
and made weake by the minoritie of their king who was gouerned by Priestes and the Barons of the Realme Others were of opinion that he had addressed all his thoughtes to thinuasion of Italie taking his encouragement vpon the discord of the Potentates and naturall princes whom he knewe to be muche shaken with the long warres of those regions To this was ioyned the memorie of Mahomet his grandfather who with a power farre lesse then his and with a small Nauie sente vppon the coastes of the Realine of Naples had wonne by assault the Citie of Otronto and sauing he was preuented by death had bothe opened the waye and established the meane to persecute the regions of Italie with continuall vexacions So that the Pope together with the whole Courte of Rome beeing made astonished with so greate successe and no lesse prouident to eschewe so great a daunger making their firste recourse to the ayde and succour of God caused to bee celebrated through Rome moste deuoute inuocations whiche he dyd assiste in presence bare foote And afterwardes calling vppon the helpe of men he wroate letters to all Christian Princes bothe admonishing them of the perill and perswading them to laye asyde all ciuill discordes and contentions and attende speedily to the defence of religion and their common safetie whiche he affirmed woulde more and more take encrease of most grieuous daunger if with the vnitie of mindes and concordances of forces they sought not to transferre the warre into thempire of the Turkes and inuade thenemie in his owne countrey Vpon this aduise and admonition was taken the examinacion and opinion of men of warre and persons skilfull in the discouerie of countreys the disposing of prouinces and of the nature and vsage of the forces and weapons of that kingdome and therevpon a resolucion being set downe to make great leauyes of money by voluntarie contribucions of Princes and vniuersall impostes of all people of Christendome it was thought necessarie that Caesar accompanied with the horsemen of Hungaria and Pollonia Nations warlike and practised in continuall warres agaynst the Turke and also with the footmen of Germanie should sayle along Danubi into Bossina called aunciently Misia and from thence to Thracia and so to drawe neare Constantinople the seate of the Empire of the Ottomanes That the Frenche king with all the forces of his kingdome the Venetians and the other potentates of Italie accompanied with the infanterie of Svvizzerlande should passe from the port of Brindisi in Albania a passage very easie and short to inuade Grece a contrey full of Christian inhabitantes and for the intollerable yoke of the Turkes moste ready to rebell That the kings of Spayne of Englande and Portugall assembling their forces together in Cartagenia and the portes thereaboutes should take their course with two hundred shippes full of Spanishe footemen and other souldiors to the straite of Galipoli to make roades vp to Constantinople hauing first subdued the Castles and fortes standing vpon the mouth of the straite And the Pope to take the same course embarking at Antona with an hundred shippes armed With these preparacions seeming sufficient to couer the lande and ouerspread the sea it was thought that of a warte so full of deuocion and pyetie there coulde not be but hoped a happie ende specially adding the inuocation of God and so many seuerall inuasions made at one tyme agaynst the Turkes who make their principall fundacion of defence to fight in the playne fielde These matters were solicited with no small industrie and to stoppe all matter of imputacion agaynst thoffice of the Pope the mindes of Princes were throughly sounded and an vniuersal truce for fiue yeres betwene all the Princes of Christendome published in the consistory vpon payne of most grieuous censure to suche as should impugne it So that the negociacion cōtinuing for all things apperteining to so great an enterprise he assigned Embassadors to all Princes to the Emperour he sent the Cardinall S. Sisto to the Frenche king he dispatched the Cardinall of S. Maria in Portico the Cardinall Giles to the king of Spayne and the Cardinall Campeius to the king of Englande All Cardinalles of authoritie eyther for their experience in affayres or for opinion of their doctrine or for their familiaritie with the Pope All which things albeit they were begonne with greate hope and exspectacion And the vniuersall truce accepted of all men And all men with no litle ostentacion and brauerie of words made shewe of their readines with their forces to aduaunce so good a cause yet what with the consideracion of the perill esteemed vncerteine and farre of and extending more to one Prince then to an other And what by the difficulties long tract of time that appeared to introduce a zeale and vnion so vniuersall priuat interests and respects perticular seemed to preuayle more then the pietie of the expedicion Insomuch as the negoclacion stoode not onely naked of all hope and yssue but also it was followed very lightly and as it were by ceremonie this beeing one propertie in the nature of men that those things which in their beginnings appeare fearefull doe daily take such degrees of diminucion and vanishing that onles the first feares be reuiued by new accidents they leade men in processe of tyme to securitie which propertie of negligence both touching the affayres publike affection of priuate and perticular men was well confirmed by the death that succeeded not longe after to Selym who hauing by a longe maladie suspended the preparacions of the warre was in the ende consumed by the passions of his disease and so passed into the other life leauing so greate an Empire to Solyman his sonne young in yeares and iudged to beare a witte and minde not so disposed to the warres although afterwardes theffectes declared the contrarie At this tyme appeared betweene the Pope and the Frenche kinge A moste greate and strayght coniunction for the kinge gaue to wife to Lavvrence his Nephewe the Ladye Magdaleyne noblye descended of the bludde and house of Bolognia with a yearely reuenue of tenne thowsande crownes whereof parte was of the kinges gifte and the residue rising of her owne patrimonye Besides the kinge hauing borne to him a sonne the Pope requyred that in his Baptisme he woulde impose vppon him his name By which occasion Lavvrence making preparacions to goe to marye his newe wife for his more speede performed his iorney by poste into Fraunce where he was receiued with many amities and much honor of the king to whom he became very gracious of deare accompt the rather for that besides other general respects he made a dedication of him selfe wholly to the king with promise to follow in all accidents his fortune he brought also to the king a writ or warrant from the Pope by the which he graunted to him that till the moneyes collected of the tenthes and by other meanes of contribucion were expended vppon the holy warre against the Turkes he might
dispose it to his owne vses so farre forth as he would make promise to restore it whensoeuer occasion necessitie would call him to defray it to that end it was gathered for his warrant boare also to deliuer to Lavvrence of the same treasure fifty thousand crownes And whereas the king till that day had dissembled not to execute the Popes promise made to him vnder writing for the restoring of Modena and Reggia to the Duke of Ferrara notwithstanding the tearme of seuen moneths were past And knowing withall that he could not offer to the Pope a thing more greuous then to vrge him to that restitucion he redeliuered into the hands of Lavvrence the said writ of promise making a greater reckoning as it often hapneth amōgest mortall men of the stronger then of the weaker About the same time the Venetians by the operacion of the French king prolonged the truce they had with Caesar for fiue yeares with condicion to paye for euery one of the fiue yeares twentye thowsande crownes and to euery one of the exiles that had followed Caesar the fourth parte of their goods yearely beeing rated at the value of fiue thowsande crownes it was supposed that Caesar would haue bene induced to haue made peace with them if they would haue gratified him with a greater summe of money But this truce was not a litle agreeable to the french king for that the Venetians not standing fully assured had the greater reason to make deare accompt of his amitie and that to Caesar was giuen no power with the money he had of them to dresse any innouacion Insomuch as matters on all sides tending to peace and concord the differences betwene the French and English were also reconciled And for the more stabilitie of which agreement it was confirmed with a contract of parentage allyance wherein the king of England promised to giue his onely Daughter to whom hauing no sonnes there was hope of the discending and succession of the kingdom to the Dolphyn the eldest sonne of the crowne of Fraunce Adding for a porcion foure hundred thowsand duckats Both the one and the other boare yet so tender age that infinit accidents might happen before perfection of yeares woulde make them able to establish matrimony There was made betwene them a league defensiue wherein were comprehended Caesar and the king of Spayne in case they would ratifie it in a certeine tyme The king of England bownd him selfe to restore Tornay receiuing presently for defrayments exspended vppon that towne two hundred and lx thowsande duckats and three hundred thowsande to be defalked of the porcion and to paye three hundred thowsand more in the space of twelue yeares The French king also was bownd that if the peace and the parentage followed not to render vppe agayne into the handes of thEnglish the towne of Tornay Many Embassadors were sent from both the Realmes to negociat this league and to receiue the ratificacions and othes by whome in the Courts of both the kinges the actes of thaccorde were dispatched with greate solemnitie and ceremonie with a resolucion of an enteruiewe of bothe the kinges betweene Callice and Bolleyne immediatly after the restitucion of Tornay About the same tyme the Daughter of the French king appoynted to bee maryed to the king of Spayne beeing deade the former peace and capitulacion was eftsoones reconfirmed betweene them wherein was promised the mariage of the seconde Daughter of Fraunce Both the kinges celebrated this coniunction with moste greate demonstracions of perfect amitie for the king of Spayne hauing payed in at Lyons an hundred thowsand duckats ware publikely the order of Saint Michaell vppon the daye of the celebracion of the same and in recompense of that honour the Frenche kinge vppon the daye dedicated to Saint Andrevve was honorably attyred in the robes and couller of the golden fleese Thus the affayres of Italy standing in good estate of tranquillitie there remeyned onely discontented and in ill disposicion Iohn Ia. Triuulce whom neither his olde age reduced almost to the last time nor his vertue so oftentimes expressed in the seruice of the house of Fraunce could any way aide or comfort for as in him selfe were bred some occasions partly by his ambicion which was suspected and partly through his impaciencie which the condicion of olde age might reasonably excuse So he was crossed by the suttle humors of suche as did enuye him but chiefly and vehemently quarrelled withall in many thinges by Monsr Lavvtrech by whose instigacion the king was drawne into suspicion of him that not onely his owne person but also the whole famulie and house were too much agreeable to the Venetians Wherein they tooke the consideracion of their suspicion not onely for thinterest of the faction of the Guelffes and many other actions and tradicions of times past to kepe him enterteined in the grace of the Venetians but also for that Theoder Triuulce was become their gouernor and Rene a member of their family was newly receiued into the pay of that state By reason of which after Galeas Viscount by the death of Fr. Barnardin Viscount was become chiefe of the Gebelin faction the king indued him with thorder of S. Michaell and allowance of pensiō to thend to oppose him against Triuulce with a greater authority hauing withall the ready hand of Lavvtrech to push on his reputacion credit as often as occasions occurred to doe any thing to the disaduantage of Triuulce The passage of which things as they brought no litle diminucion to the authority of the old Triuulce so hauing no pacience to dissemble the wrongs which he knew he had not deserued he made his daily cōplaints was so much the more hated suspected Lavvtrech with his other aduersaries made this no litle occasion to reproch him and accuse him to the king that he had made him selfe a burgeis inrolled with the Svvizzers as though he woulde vse their meane to be supported against the king happly aspire to greater things so apt is enuy to subborne suggestions so ready to enforce them daungerously to the ruine of those against whom she contendeth and as Triuulce notwithstanding his old age which was now in thestate decrepit thinfirmities of a body broken which draweth after it dispensacion from trauel was gone into Fraunce to iustefie himselfe so Monsr Lavvtrech after his departure restrained vnder reasonable gard by the kings directiō at Vigeuena his wife grādchild borne of the Count of Musocque his only sonne deceased which degree of rigor or hard dealing was wel expressed vpon himself at his cōming into Fraunce for that muche lesse that he was receiued of the king with the same aspect countenance honor that he was wont seeing of the cōtrary he reproched to his face his amity correspondency with the Svvizzers assuring him that no other thing held him from punishing him as he had deserued then the consideracion of thuniuersall renowme that ran though not true
content others for the colleage wherein the aduersaries of Cardinall Medicis could do most had at the same instant couenanted with him to reteine the estate which he had recouered vntill the Popes comming into Italie and longer if it so pleased the Pope and that he should not molest the Florentins nor the Siennois nor enter into confederacy with any Prince nor any way communicate with him or administer to him Hitherunto the matters of Lombardy had bene in peasible estate the one parte hauing want of money and the other no lesse necessitie of men And therefore the souldiours of the Imperialls who were not payed refusing to stirre out of their lodgings there was dispatched into Alexandria onely Iohn Sassetella with his regiment and other souldiours and subiects of the Duchy of Millan This Capteine in the beginning of the warre chaunging a benefit certeine for hopes incerteine left the pay of the Venetians to take the wages of the Duke of Millan notwithstanding he was banished from his estate In which disposicion of minde and with a fortune more readie then a councell stayed he approched to Alexandria where the rashnes of the Guelffes defending the Citie more then the force of the french souldiours made easie to him the action which all men esteemed hard for that being issued out to skirmish with thenemies and not hable to susteine the encounter their dishabilitie gaue them occasion to enter pellmell into the Citie which by that accident more then through their vallour became a pray to the victors a reproch to the vanquished And not many dayes after with the same facilitie were chased out of Ast certeine bands of the frenche being there entred by the meane of certeine particulars of the Guelffes faction But of this short and suspected quietnes there were already discerned to draw on beginninges of verie great troubles for notwithstanding in the parliaments of the Svvizzers there were great contencions risen vpon the demaundes of the frenche king wherein as the Cantons of Zurich and Zuicz stoode obstinate against him and the Canton of Lucerna whollie with him and the residue deuided amongest them selues so also the publike affaires were troubled by the couetousnes of priuate persons some demaunding of the king pension and enterteinment present and some requiring their old payes and debts due in times past Yet they accorded to him at last those proporcions of footemen which he required for the recouerie of the Duchie of Millan which leauy making a number of more then tenne thousande bodies descended into Lombardy by the mounteines of S. Barnard S. Goddard and were conducted by the bastard of Sauoye great Maister of Fraunce by Galeas S. Seuerin maister of the horse About this time the king of England being estraunged from the amitie of the frenche had lent to Caesar a great quantitie of money the better to furnish him against so great an emocion And with that money thEmperour had sent Ierome Adorno to Trent to leauie sixe thousande launceknightes and to lead them to Millan together with the person of Frauncis Sforce his comming was then esteemed of great importance both to kepe conteined constant Millan the other places of that estate which greatly desired his presence and also by his authoritie fauors to make easie thexactions of money wherof there was extreame want At the same time they of Millan not knowing the prouisions that Caesar made had sent money to Trent to wage foure thowsande footemen and they being prepared by that time that Adorno came thither he left the other six thowsand to be made readie and with these foure thowsand drew towards Millan to descende to Coma by the vale of Voltolina And albeit the Grisons denyed to giue him passage yet his celeritie and vallour made his way passing with so great diligence vppon the territories of Bergama and from thence to Guiaradada that the Venetian gouernors who were within Bergama had no time to stoppe them And after he had led these first companies of launceknightes to Myllan he returned with the same diligence to Trent to guide thether Frauncis Sforce with the residue of that leauy In Myllan there was no care omitted to make all sortes of prouisions wherein this was chiefly obserued to forget no meanes that might augment the hatred of the people against the french to prepare them the better to defend them selues and to releue the common necessities with money To this action was much helping many counterset letters and false messages together with other cunning stratagemes proceeding from the diligence and art of Moron But the thing that most of all aduaunced so great an inclinacion was the preachings and sermons of Andrea Barbato a religious man of thorder of Saint Augustin who drawing to him a wonderfull concurse and affluence of people induced them with reasons and perswasions to take vpon them the defence of their liues and the redeming of their free contry from the yoke of straungers auncient enemies to that citie he willed them not to be lesse forward to execute then God was ready to raise them a meane to set them selues at libertie he told them the soueraigne care of mortall folkes was to care for their propper sauetie he reduced to their memories thexample of Parma a weake and small citie in comparison of Myllan and left not vnrecorded thactions of their Elders whose names had caried reputacion and glorye throughout all Italy he layed out by reasons and examples how farre mortall men were bownd to defende their contrey for the which if the Gentiles who exspected no other recompense then glorye offered their liues willingly to death then farre greater was the office and bond of Christians to whome dying in so iust and holy an enterprise was prepared for recompense not the glory of this world fraile and transitory but the fruicion of thimmortall kingdom infinite and euerlasting They had to consider what vniuersall ruine would be brought vppon that citie by the victorie of the french men whose yoke if it had seemed heauy and greeuous affore their burdens now could not be lesse then extreame intollerable And by how much their rigour raged vppon them without any cause affore by so muche had they to assure them selues of extreame oppression now vppon thoccasion of these offences That one execucion of the people of Myllan would not suffice to quench the thirst of their crueltie and hatred that all the goods of the citie could not satisfie their immoderat couetousnes yea nothing could content them but the vtter defacing of the name memorie of the inhabitants of Myllan and by a horrible example to surpasse the vnnaturall crueltie of Federyk Barberousse These speeches so redoubled the hatred of thin habitants and no lesse suppressed all feare of the victorie of the frenchmen that it seemed now more necessary to appease and reteyne them then to moue or prouoke them suchis the power of speeches aptly deliuered and duely respecting time place and all
the chiefe Magistrate of that Citie And as one furie draweth on an other and in an vprore is seldome seene any moderacion so they ranne with their armed weapons throughout the towne and made slaughter of diuerse other Citisens their aduersaries with suche an vniuersall terror and feare that not one durst oppose agaynst them Neuerthelesse assone as the first violence was somewhat ceassed the same feare that had amased others beganne to terrifie themselues by the remorse and greatnes of the offences they had done In which oportunitie certayne wise Citisens thrusting in to solicite and appease the murderers issued out of the Citie vnder certayne condicions and afterwardes were sharpely persecuted by thinhabitantes of Lucquay Thus were the matters of Lombardie and Tuskane brought to some appeasement but the College of Cardinalls taking no care of thestates of the Church partly for the Popes absence but more for the ambicion and disagreementes that were betwene them Sigismond the sonne of Pandolfo Malateste an auncient Lorde of Rimini tooke almost wholly into his handes the gouernment of that City hauing therin but a very small intelligence And albeit Cardinall Medicis at thinstance of the Colledge went to Bolognia as Legate of that Citie both to recouer Rimini and to reorder the other affayres of Romagnia whiche were muche troubled and altered to whom the Colledge had promised to sende to his succours the Marquis of Mantua capteine generall of the Churche yet nothing sorted to effect no lesse by the wantes and impedimentes of money then through the iealousie and emulacion of the Cardinalls his aduersaries who obiected themselues agaynst all counsells and actions that any waye might aduaunce his reputacion or greatnes The ende of the fourtenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIFTENTH BOOKE POpe Adrian comes to Rome The Venetians make league vvith themperour The Frenchmen besiege Millan and are constrayned aftervvardes to returne from it Cardinall Medicis is created Pope King Frauncis discendeth into Italie he taketh Millan and besiegeth Pauia Themperour Charles sendeth out an armie to the succours of Pauia vvhere a battell is fought and the French king taken prisoner THE FYFTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin ALBEIT the late victorie agaynst the Frenche men had somewhat reduced the matters of Lombardie into an estate peasible and setled yet it had nothing diminished the vniuersal suspicion that the king would eftsones recontinue the warre and in short time bring new inuasions vpon the Duchie of Millan for both his owne kingdome stoode quiet and acquited from ciuill troubles his Capteines and bandes of men of warre whom he had sent into Italie were returned in safetie the Svvizzers well disposed and prepared to take his paye as before and lastely the Senate of Venice stoode firme with him in the auncient league and confederacion Whiche argumentes ioyned to the remembrance and passion of his harmes receyued and no lesse concurring the violent inclinacion of his youth naturally caryed with moodes of reuenge were sufficient to arme his minde with bloody desires and to make him by his vallour to seeke to recompence the displeasures whiche the malice and enuie of his fortune had lately heaped vpon him By the consideracion of which daunger the Capteines of thimperialls were driuen to enterteine and paye th armie A compulsion very harde and grieuous for that they receiued no supplies of money neither from Caesar nor from the kingdome of Naples And touching thestate of Millan it was so narrowly raked and gleaned that of their proper treasor and habilitie they were not able to susteine so great a proporcion of exspences as were distributed to the feeding of so many souldiors And therefore for the releeuing of so great burdens they sent the greatest parte of their companies to be bestowed vppon the estates of the Churche notwithstanding the popular voyces and College of Cardinalls obiected many impedimentes and vayne exclamacions Also other prouinces of Italie were taxed for the conseruacion of the Duchie of Millan and that by the labour and solicitacion chiefly of Don Charles de Lauoy lately made Viceroy of Naples by the death of Don Reimond de Cardona and Don Iohn Manuell The rate of thimposition was that monthly for three monthes next folowing thestate of Millan should contribute a thousande duckets the Florentins fyfteene thousande the Genovvayes eight thousande Siena fiue thousande and Lucgua foure thousand And albeit many murmured agaynst this taxacion yet the feare of so great an armie made it to be both executed and suffred So mightie is necessitie that in cases of extremitie it makes tollerable those things which in all other condicions are ful of inconueniencie and difficultie Onely they of Millan iustified the taxacion to be necessarie for that the defence of all Italie depended vppon the continuacion of that armie Neither dyd it cease after the ende of three monthes for that the same necessitie continuing the imposicion was eftsones renewed though in a farre lesse rate and taxacion In this estate of affayres Italie stoode oppressed with continuall aduersities and no lesse terrified with the feare of greater euills that threatned the vniuersall regions thereof for the remedie whereof muche was attributed to the comming of the Pope as an apt and conuenient instrument by reason of his supreme authoritie to appease and reorder all disorders And albeit Caesar passing at the same time by sea into Spayne and in his way did cōmunicate with the king of Englande had besought him to tarye for him at Barcelona whither he would come in person to honor him as Pope yet ye forbare to abyde themperours comming eyther fearing least for the great distance of themperour who as yet was in thextreme consines of Spayne he should let slippe the commoditie of his good tyme which after his nauigacion began to be rough and daungerous or else he suspected least themperour would solicite him to deferre his voyage or lastly which was more credible he feared to aggrauate thopinion conceiued of him from the beginning that themperour dyd so muche gouerne him as to be hable to lette him to treate of the vniuersall peace betwene Christians An action wherein he was determined to employe all his studies and labours So that ouerruling by his wisdome all these suspicions he passed at last by sea to Rome where he made his entry the xxix of August with a great concourse of the commons and the whole Court of whom albeit his comming was desired with an vniuersall gladnes for that without the presence of the Popes Rome beareth more a resemblance of a sauage deserte then of a Citie yet that spectacle wrought sundrie impressions and diuersitie of thoughtes in the mindes of all men when they considered that they had a Pope for nation language a straunger and for th affayres of Italie and the Court altogether vnexperienced and also for that he was not of those regions and countreys who by long conuersacion were already made familiar with the customes of Italie The
enuie that stirred vp in men this consideracion was redoubled by the accident of the plague which beginning in Rome at his arriuall afflicted the Citie during the whole season of Autumne to the great calamitie and losse of the people A matter which in the fancies of men was construed to an euill prognostication of his Pontificacie The first councell that this Pope tooke was to aduaunce the recouering of Rimini and to put ende to the controuersies which the Duke of Ferrara had continued with two of his latest predecessors And for the better succeeding of that expedition he sent into Romagnia that regiment of fifteene hundred Spanishe footemen which he had brought with him for the more suretie of his passage by sea Whylest the Pope was in these actions and preparacions in Italie themperour cast in his mind howe muche it would import to the successe and sewertie of his affayres in Italy to seperat the Venetians from the French king To which deuise was much helping an opinion that he had that the hopes of the french matters being diminished the Senat would not be without manifest inclinacion to peace and that they would not for thinterests of others laye them selues downe to the daungers which such a warre might bring vpon their estates In this practise he communicated with the king of England who affore had lent him money secretly against the French king and began openly to take part against him They sent thether their Embassadors to require the Senate to confederat with thEmprour for the defense of Italy Ierom Adorna being for thEmprour Richard Pase for the king of Englād There was also exspectacion of an Embassador from Ferdinand Archduke of Austria Caesars brother who enterteyning many quarrells with the Venetians it was iudged necessary that he should interpose and communicat in all accords Besides the king of England sent a Herald to pronownce warre against the French king in case he would not come to a generall truce with thEmprour for three yeares in all partes of the world ▪ and therein should be comprehended the Church the Duke of Myllan and the Florentyns he complained also in this diffiance that the French king had forborne to pay him thanuitie of fiftie thowsand crownes which he was bound to aunswer yearly But the French king whose youth made him more apt to trust in fortune then to looke into things by counsell refused to make truce And touching the demaund of the fifty thowsand crownes he protested openly that it was not conuenient for him to pay money to him that ayded his enemies with money An aunswer which so aggrauated the disdaines hartburnings betwene them that thEmbassadors on both sides were reuoked This yeare departed out of Italy Don Iohn Manuell who had bene Caesars Embassador at Rome with very great authoritie And at his departure he deliuered to the Florentyns a scedule subsigned by his hande declaring that Caesar by a scedule published in September 1520. promised to Pope Leo to reconfirme and eftsoones to reaccord to the Florentyns the priuileges of estate of authority of the townes which they held within six moneths after the first dyot vppon his coronation at Aix This was a reitteracion of a former promisse made by him to accomplish the same within foure monethes after his election within which time he sayde he could not dispatch it for many iust causes So that vnder protestacion of that reasonable excuse Don Iohn promised it eftsoones in the name of Caesar who ratified the scedule in March 1523. and deliuered the expedicion of it in writing in a most ample forme As hath bene set downe before Caesar passed this yeare into Spaine where he proceeded seuerely against many that were noted the Authors of the sedicion and to others he remitted all punishments and pardoned their goods In which action to ioyne with iustice and clemencie examples of recompense and remuneracion he called to the Court in great honor Ferdinand Duke of Calabria who refusing to be Capteine of the commons that rebelled he rewarded his fidelitie with the mariage of Madame Germania sometimes wife to the king of Spaine she was riche but barreine to thend that house should determine in him who was the last of the descendants of olde Alfonso king of Aragon two of his younger brothers being dead before the one in Fraunce and the other in Italy But the ende of this yeare was made no lesse wretched and vnhappy then slaunderous to all Christian Princes for the losse of the I le of Rhodes which Solyman Ottoman tooke by violence notwithstanding it was defended by the Knightes of Rhodes called in other times more auncient the knightes of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem And abiding in that place since they were chased out of Ierusalem notwithstanding they laye betweene two so mightie princes as the Turke and the Soldan yet their vallour had preserued it of long tyme and to the right worthy glorie of their order they had remayned as an assured rampier of Christian religion in those seas And yet they were not without their imputacions and notes of infamie for that hauing a continuall custome for the better defending of those shoares to spoyle the vessells of the infidells they were thought sometymes to make pillage of Christian shipps The Turke sente into thilande a wonderfull greate armie which remayning there manye monethes with no lesse horrour to good men for their cruelties then terrour to all men for their huge numbers at laste he came thither in person And drawing to his desire of conquest and glorie the respect of profite and ryches which the victorie woulde yeelde he loste not one minute of tyme to vexe them wherein his industrie was nothing inferiour to his vallour for sometimes he caste monstrous mynes and trenches sometymes he raysed platfourmes of earth and wood whose height ouertopped the walles of the towne and sometymes he afflicted them with moste furious and bloudy assaultes In so muche that as these workes and engines were not perfourmed without a wonderfull boocherie and slaughter of his souldiours so also the defence of them was so daungerous to the lyues of them within that manye numbers were diminished manye bodyes maymed and made vnseruiceable and the residue made terrified by the calamities of their companions and friendes to whome they coulde giue no other propertie of compassion then to mourne with them their common miserie Their aduersitie was so muche the more intollerable by howe muche theyr trauelles were without fruite their wordes withoute comforte and their vallour disfauoured of fortune and lastely their stoare of gonne powder was consumed whiche is not the least necessitie for the desence of a place They sawe affore their eyes huge breaches made into their walles with thartilleries of thennemies They decerned seuerall mynes wrought into many partes of the towne and they founde by lamentable experience that the lesse good they did the more paynefully they laboured for that their fortune had reduced them to these
his authoritie was greate and his capacitie singular In his place was sente from Millan for Caesar Martin Caracciolo pronotorie to the sea Apostolike who many yeares after was created Cardinall by Pope Pavvle the thirde Manye monethes were spent in this negociation at Venice where the Frenche kinge became no small impediment to the resolucion by the importunate labour and diligence of hys Embassadours by whome he promised sometymes by letters and sometymes by messaungers especiall that he woulde discende speedilye into Italie with a right puissant armye These offers and promises bredde greate diuersitie of opinions amongest the Senators and continuall argumentes and disputacions for manye gaue counsayle not to abandon thalliance of the Frenche king and reapposed altogether vppon hys promise to sende presentlye an armye into Italie Whiche hope the Frenche king labouring to feede with a wonderfull diligence he had newely sent to Venice Ranso de Cere not onely to enterteine and confirme his promise but also to publishe the manyfest preparacion of thinges Others remembring howe in the hope of many things past the king had behaued himselfe negligently could not now exspect any confidence in his promise to passe into Italie wherein that opinion was confirmed in them by certaine aduertisementes from Iohn Baduere their Embassador in Fraunce who assured them that for that yere the French king woulde neyther passe in person nor sende anye armye into Italie An intelligence whiche he had from rhe Duke of Burbon who was already very secretly conioyned with Caesar and wished the Venetians to enterteine vnitie with him An other sort of the Senators wauering in minde stoode terrified no lesse by the yll successe of the king then by the good fortunes of Caesar wherevnto they ioyned this consideracion that in Italie the Duke of Millan the Genovvayes the Florentins together with all Tuskane followed the faction of Caesar and doubted also least the Pope woulde likewise concurre in that inclinacion And out of Italie were for him his brother the Archeduke confining vppon the Venetian estates and the king of Englande making continuall warre in Pickardie In whiche diuersitie of opinions running no lesse amongest the principalls of the Senate then the vniuersall multitude the deliberacion could not long suspende aswell for the forwardnes of things as for thimportunities of Caesars Embassadors by whose continuall solicitacion the councel of the Pregati was assembled to pronounce the resolucion In this Councell spake Andrevv Gritti in this sort a personage of very high authoritie in that common weale for the great offices he had administred and of especiall reputacion throughout all Italie and with forreine princes for the merite of his witte and dealing There is nothing more hurtefull in Counsellors then the passion of ielousie and suspicion which drawing with it diuersitie and seperacion of willes is so much the more preiudiciall by howe muche it stoppeth oftentimes the libertie and freedome of well counselling And for my parte albeit I am not ignoraunt that in giuing counsell at this present not to departe from the confederacion of the Frenche king some will interpret me to parcialitie as though in me bare more respect and authoritie the long custome and conuersacion I haue had with the French then the care and affection which in nature and equitie I ought to expresse to the benefite of the common weale Yet I will rather laye my selfe downe to the imputations of men then kepe suppressed that fidelitie of counselling which in good office apperteineth to euery good Citisen in whom can not be exspected anye good propertie eyther of a Citisen or a Senator that for anye occasion forbeareth to perswade to others that whiche in him selfe he decerneth to be good for the common weale And yet I doubte not that amongest men of discression and wisedome this interpretacion will finde no place bothe for the consideracion of my customes and actions in all tymes paste and also for that I neuer negociated with the Frenche king nor his counsell but as your Agent your Creature your Commissioner and your Deputie limited and regulated But touching the present matter I doubt not to accompanie my opinion and counsell with suche force of reasons and examples as shall be hable to make me iustified euen with such as holde me suspected We are assembled heare to dispute whether we oughte to make a new confederacion with themperour both contrarie to the fayth we haue giuen and agaynst the couenantes of the league which we haue with the house of Fraunce Whiche in my iudgement is no other thing then to go about so to assure and confirme the power of themprour already vniuersally redouted that being without further remedie to moderate and embase it it rise not continually encreasing to our right great and apparant preiudice We haue no cause wherein maye be taken any reason to iustifie that deliberacion if we looke into the fidelitie and equitie of the French king for that as he hath for the most part fulfilled thalliance that he hath made with vs and carefully restrained himselfe to the reasonable obseruacion of amitie league so though thesfects haue not followed so readily to renew the warre in Italie yet in regarde of his proper interestes therein concurring that hath not proceeded of other matter then of thimpedimentes growing vppon him in the kingdome of Fraunce whiche albeit maye for a tyme prolong or deferre hys counselles yet lette vs not looke that they wyll vtterly dissolue hys enterprise for that he liues possessed with so great a desire to recouer the duchie of Millan and hath his forces so mightie and readye that hauing once susteined the first bruntes of his enemies there will nothing lette him to renewe his armie and recontinue the warre in Italie Wherin I maye aptlye vse for example the experience and memorie of king Lovvis who hauing his countrey inuaded with armies farre more mightie then those that now vex him for that almost all the nations and regions rounde about him rose into conspiracie agaynst him yet did he so easily defende his estates by the greatnes of his forces by the municion and defence of his frontiers and places confining and with the fidelity readines of his peoples that when in all reasonable consideracion it was thought that necessitie would driue him to retyre himselfe for a time and restrayne his minde to rest and tranquillitie he raysed his thoughtes to the warres of Italie and in that vniuersall coniecture of his weaknes sent thither sodenly right huge mightie armies The king raigning dyd the like in the first yeare of his raigne and euen then entred into the renouacion of the warre when both by his new ascending to the crowne and also finding his treasors consumed by the infinite exspences of his predecessor euery man looked that he would put of the warre till another yeare Let vs not interprete sinisterly of his delayes and deferring and muche lesse let vs laye them for an excuse of our variacions seeing
then of our selues our owne feares will breede our common daungers our fraile suspicions will drawe on our propper calamities and as a destinie we shall be driuen into warre by our immoderat desires to peace which then is most holy and most to be embrased when it puts men out of suspicion when it encreaseth no daunger when it bringes a meane to sit downe in tranquillitie and to cut of great exspenses But when it appeareth in an other habit and forme begetteth effects contrary it abuseth then the name the property and the nature of peace and vnder a corrupt resemblance of peace it taketh iustly the title of a daungerous warre and vnder the show of a holsom medicine it expresseth thoperacion of a mortall poyson So that as in confederating with thEmprour we turne the French king from his enterprise of Italy leade thEmprour as it were by a lyne to occupy at his will the Duchie of Myllan and so to embase vs and our iurisdiction so it followeth that by that action with a right great infamie of our name and hazard of the faith of this common weale we buy the greatnes of a Prince who hath giuen no lesse tokens of his ambicion then proofe of his power and who ioyning with him his brother hath set downe this pretence that all that we possesse in the firme land apperteineth vnto them And on the other side we reiect and exclude out of Italy A king who vnder his equitie and greatnes assureth the libertie of vs all and is induced by a great necessitie and constraint to remeine straitly allied and conioyned with vs These reasons so euident and sensible auoyd all matter of imputacion that I am not pushed on more by affection then by truth nor more caried by any interest particular then with the loue I beare to the common weale The sauetie and preseruacion of which we neede not doubt if God giue so great grace and felicitie to your councells as he hath plentifully imparted amongest you the spirit of wisedom and forecast But against this speech did oppose one George Cornaro a gentleman of equall authority and of no lesse reputacion for grauitie and stayed condicion Rightielous were the office of Magistrates if in matters of councell it were lesse lawfull to confute then to obiect And no lesse doth it offend the estate and credit of their place where it is not thought as greate a fidelitie to aunswer as to propone Since such hath beene alwayes the law and libertie of councell giuing to assure the truth against all sinister insinuacions And albeit I am not ignorant that in nothing is more suspicion then to giue councell in matters of state yet for myne owne parte considering the equitie of this Senate affore whom I speake I doubt not but the reasons I shall giue will suffice to assure myne innocencie against all imputacions Assuredly the matter we haue in hand is great and full of difficulties both for the consideracion of the time nature of many accidents concurring And yet when I looke into thinfidelitie and ambicion of the Princes of this time and howe much they differ from the nature of common weales whose gouernment beeing not subiected to thappetit of one alone but disposed by the consents of many vse to proceede with more moderacion and regard and obserue with great ceremonie contrary to thexamples of Princes not to depart from any thing that beareth apparance of iustice honestie or reason I can not but conclude that it is most hurtfull for vs and our affayres to haue the Duchie of Millan possessed by a Prince more mightie then our selues seeing that necessarily suche a neighborhood will so holde vs suspected and afflicted that thoughe we enioye peace yet we shall alwayes liue in continuall thoughtes of warre notwithstanding all leagues of alliance or confederacion what so euer Of this auncient stories giue vs many examples which for good respectes I passe ouer for the present leauing you onely to the lamentable experience of king Lovvis the xij of whose doings I doubt not remayneth imprinted in the heartes of vs all a bitter remembraunce This Senate brought him into the Duchie of Millan and to that vnhappie resolucion many of vs heare gaue assistance we kepte with him iustly our fayth in all Capitulacions notwithstanding vnder great offers and goodly occasions we were aduised by the Spaniardes and Launceknightes to leaue his alliance as also his infidelitie gaue no small cause to drawe vs therevnto for that he solicited many practises agaynst vs But neyther the memorie of so many benefites receyued nor the merite of our fidelitie so iustely obserued nor the consideration of so many perpetuall offices exhibited could moderate in him his great desire to vex vs In so muche as in that ambicion and for that cause he made a willing reconcilement with his auncient and greatest enemies and lastly contracted agaynst vs that most perillous confederacie of Cambray If it be daungerous for the riche and poore to dwell neare together for that in the wealth of the rich are sowen the seedes of enuie to the poore and by the wantes of the poore are bred humors of couetousnes in the riche man to consume him farre greater harmes must growe by the neighborhood of great kings and princes whose ambicion caryed on the wings of authoritie runneth without limitte and is no more repulsed by the resistance of men then a swift running streame blowen by a violent winde to ouerflow his channell And therefore to escape those daungers that would alwayes hang ouer vs by so yll assured neighborhood of great Princes the necessitie of our affayres driues vs to addresse all our counsells to this ende that neyther the French king nor themperour haue anye footing in the Duchie of Millan but that it remayne to Frauncis Sforce or suche an other of his equalitie who were not borne vp with kingdomes or large dominions Vppon such a choyse dependes our suretie for the present and hereafter if the condicion of tymes do chaunge may depende a great encreasing and exaltacion of our estate We consult nowe whether we should continue amitie with the French king or confederate our selues with themperour By the one of these two deliberacions Frauncis Sforce is excluded absolutely from the Duchie of Millan and an entrie left open to the French king who is a prince farre mightie aboue vs the other tendeth to assure and confirme in the same Duchie Frauncis Sforce whom themperour offreth to comprehend as principall in our confederacion and hath made promise to the king of Englande to protect him So that though he would seeke to depriue him of that estate he should not offende vs onely and the other potentates of Italie to whom he should giue cause to turne eftsones to the Frenche but also in that action he is both to displease the king of Englande whom it behoueth him greatly to respect and also to prouoke agaynst him all thinhabitantes of the Duchie of
causes helping to their deferring But the matter that most encreased the suspence of their mindes was that the French king who with great industrie prepared him selfe to the warre had sent the Bishop of Bayeulx to desire them to deferre to resolue any thing till the next moneth by whome he assured them that before that terme he would marche with a greater armie then had bene seene in Italy in the age of man And as they stoode in this doubt and perplexitie of minde Anthony Gryman Duke of the same citie dyed and Andrevv Gritty was chosen into his place An election rather preiudiciall to the French affayres then otherwaies for assoone as he was raysed to that dignitie he referred wholly to the Senat the deliberacion councell of that matter and would neuer afterwards either in word or deede showe him selfe enclyned to either part But at last because the king continued to send fresh corriers to the Senate and was importunat in offers and promisses And for that there was speciall aduertisement that to assure thexpectacion of the warre Anne Montmoransy afterwards Constable of Fraunce and Federyk Bossolo were vppon their way to Venice ThEmbassadors of thEmprour and the king of England to whome this deferring was much suspected began to protest to the Senate that they would departe within three dayes and leaue all thinges in their imperfection By reason of which protestaciō imploying a maner of thretning also that the fidelity that was gathered in the french promises began to diminish finding nothing but vaine hopes but chiefly by the aduertisement of their Embassador resident in Fraunce they were cōstrained to determine to embrace the amity of thEmperour with whom they entred into contract vnder these condicions That betwene thEmperour Ferdinand Archduke of Austria and Frauncis Sforce Duke of Millan on the one partie and the Senate of Venice on thother partie should be a perpetuall peace confederacion That the Senate in times of neede shoulde sende for the defense of the Duchie of Millan six hundred men at armes sixe hundred light horsemen and six thowsande footemen That they should administer the like proporcion for the defense of the kingdom of Naples but in case it should be inuaded by the Christians for the Venetians refused to be bound generally because they would not stirre vp the Turke against them That thEmperour should be bound to defend against all men all that the Venetians possessed in Italie and that with the like number and proporcion of men That the Venetians should pay in eight yeares to thArchduke for appaisement of their auncient controuersies for thaccord made at VVormes two hundred thowsand duckats vpon the end of this agreement the Senate hauing dismissed Theoder Triuulce chose Frauncis Maria Duke of Vrbin for gouernor generall of their men of warre with the same condicions It was a common iudgement of most of the wisemen in Italie that the frenche king finding those aides to be turned against him which affore had bene of his side would put of the enterprise of Millan for that yere Neuerthelesse when they heard that the preparacions did not onely continue but that the armie began to marche such as stoode in feare of his victorie fell the better to resist him to make a newe confederacion wherein they perswaded the Pope to be chiefe and principall Here is to be remembred that where the Pope at his first descending into Italie stoode desirous to haue an vniuersall peace and looking with great compassion into the harmes which grewe vppon Christendom by the victories of the Turkes he sent to thEmperour to the french king and the king of England to depose for the time their armes so hurtfull for the common weale of Christendom and euery of them seuerally to sende Embassadors to Rome with fulnes of power to consult of the necessary remedies and releuing of the lamentable afflictions of the Christians This was performed by them all in apparance but beginning to treate more particularly of things it was presently discerned that those labors were vaine for the infinite difficulties that fell out when they came to the point of peacemaking so many impedimentes do follow the deliberacion of great causes and so hard it is to reconcile controuersies of estate which ordinarily draw with them their infinite suspicions and differences for a truse for a short time was nothing agreable to thEmperour neither did it in any sorte serue thexspectacion of his purposes And the frenche king refused to make it for a longer time so hurtfull was it for him to protract or temporise that had all his prouisions for the warre aduaunced In which separacion of minde betwene these two great Princes the Pope either for the auncient affection which eftsoones beganne to reuiue in him towards thEmperour or for that he discerned the thoughts of the french king to be estraunged from peace and concord discouered his inclinacion and began more then he was wont to harken to those that encoraged him not to suffer the french to possesse againe the Duchie of Millan This oportunitie was obserued by the Cardinall Medicis who hauing remeyned at Florence for feare of the persecutions of his enemies but chiefly of the Cardinall of Volterro who stoode very great and gracious with the Pope tooke to him a new corage and came to Rome where he was receiued of most of the Court with great honor and respect There ioyning him selfe with the Duke of Sesso thEmprours Embassador and with thEmbassadors of the king of England he fauored that cause and furthered it all that he could with the Pope It is seene often in the course and practise of worldly things that the falling of one man is the rising of an other by which propertie of reuolucion is apparantly proued that mortal men are subiect to the law of nature and fortune for in this aduauntage of variacion and chaunge the ill hap of Cardinall Volterro which almost alwayes troubled his wit his pollicie and all his drifts heaped vpon him a great domage and daunger And in that oportunitie was giuen to the Cardinall Medicis a notable meane to enter into greater grace and authoritie with the Pope who affore bare a constant inclination to the Cardinall Volterro for that both by his industrie and apt insinuacion of wordes he had brought him to beleeue that he desired nothing more then an vniuersall peace throughout all Christendom This was thaccident One Frauncis Imperiale being banished from Sicile went into Fraunce And being staied at Castelnoua neare Rome by the deuise of the Duke of Sesso there was found about him a packet of letters written by the Cardinall Volterro to his Nephew the Bishop of Xainctes By these letters he gaue councell to the French king to inuade the I le of Sicile with an armie by sea by which inuasion thEmprours forces should necessarily be turned to the defense of it and so the enterprise of Myllan would become more easie to the French The detection of this
man troubled not a litle the Pope who was so much the more aggreued against him by howe much his dissembled demonstracions had beguiled him And in that iust discontentment he was vehemently furthered by the incitacion of the Duke of Sesso and Cardinall Medicis by whose industries he was committed to the castell S. Ange and afterwards examined by Iudges delegate as guiltie in the crime of violacion of the Popes maiestie for that he had incensed the french king to inuade with hostilitie the Iland of Sicile A free hold of the sea Apostolike Wherein albeit they proceded with lenitie and fauor and after the actes of interogatories he had libertie of councell to pleade for him yet they proceeded not with the same moderacion against his goods since the same day he was apprehended the Pope sent to make seasure of all the moueables and riches that were in his house And as one conspiracie reuealeth an other so by thimprisonment of the sayd Imperialo there was discouered an other detection for the French king in Sicile for the which were executed by iustice the Count Camerato the maister of the ports and the Treasorer The veritie consideracion of these matters insinuated in the Pope a great displeasure against the French king in which ill disposed inclinacion he began to consult more and more with Cardinall Medicis And lastly the rumor of the discending of the french armies redoubling daily the Pope published manifestly his intencion to oppose against them for which cause he summoned the assembly of the Cardinalls to whom after his accustomed protestacions of the present feares and daungers of the great Turke he declared that as onely the French king was the cause why so great perills were not remoued from Christendom for that he refused with great obstinacy to consent to the peace that was negociated So seeing it apperteyned to him as the Viccaire of Iesus Christ and successor to Peter to be carefull ouer the preseruacion of Christian peace he was compelled by that zeale which he oweth to their vniuersall safetie to confederat him selfe with such Princes as did what they could to defend Italy from troubles for that of the quiet or trouble of that region depended the tranquillitie or vexacion of the whole Christian parte of the worlde According to this declaracion concurring with the industrie of the Viceroy of Naples beeing come to Rome for that purpose a league was concluded for the defence of Italie the thirde daye of August betweene the Pope themperour the king of Englande tharchduke of Austria the Duke of Millan the Genovvaies and the Cardinal Medicis and thestate of Florence ioyntly The publication bare also that it should continue all the time of the confederates lyues and a yere after the death of euery of them There was reseruacion of place and tyme for any other to come in so that the Pope themprour and the king of Englande thought good with this prouision that in matters of quarrell and controuersie they should vse iustice and not armes That they shoulde erect an armie to be opposed agaynst whom so euer would inuade any of the confederates to which armie the Pope shoulde sende two hundred men at armes themperour eight hundred the Florentins two hundred the Duke of Millan two hundred and two hundred light horsemen That the Pope the Emprour and the Duke of Millan should make all the prouisions of artilleries municions together with al exspences and charges apperteining That to leauy the bands of footmen necessary for tharmy to furnish al other exspences requisite for the warre the Pope should pay euery moneth xx thousand duckets the duke of Millan as much the Florētins the like summe That the Emperour should pay xxx thousand the Genovvaies Lucquois and Siennois together ten thousand and the Genovvaies notwithstanding to remaine bound to the army by sea and other defraimentes necessary for their defence To this contribucion they should be all bounde for three monethes and so muche tyme ouer the three monethes as should be set downe by the Pope themprour and the king of Englande That it should be in the power of the Pope and themprour to name the capteine generall of the whole warre who it was sayde should fall vppon the person of the Viceroy of Naples for whom the Cardinall Medicis whose authoritie was great with thimperialls labored what he coulde chiefly for the hatred he bare to Prosper Colonno The Marquis of Mantua was ioyned to this confederacion by an indirect meane for that the Pope and the Florentins interteyned him for their Capteine generall at their common pay But neither the league made by the Venetians with themperour nor the vnion of so many great Princes contracted with so ample contribucions and great prouisions could alter the resolucion of the French king who being come to Lyons prepared to passe in person with a strong army into Italie where the brute of his comming was no sooner spred then newe tumultes began to appeare for Lionell the brother of Albert Pio recouered by surprise the towne of Carpy being negligently garded by Iohn Coscia whom Prosper had created gouernor there which he might do of good authoritie for that thempror had giuen that towne to him after he had deposed Albert for his offence of rebellion to thempire But in the duchie of Millan there was like to haue chaunced a greater accident both more terrible for the property for the person of greater preiudice This is the discourse of it Frauncis Sforce riding frō Monce to Millan vpon a litle Mulet causing the horsemen that were for his gard to ride farre frō him to auoyd the trouble of the dust that in sommer time the traine of horses makes to rise in great abundance through all the playnes of Lombardie Boniface Visconto a yong gentleman better knowne by the noblenes of his house then for his wealth estates or other condicions offred him selfe onely to accompany the Duke being well mounted vpon a Turkishe horse and as they came riding together vpon a particion of a way Boniface being somewhat slipt behind obseruing the oportunitie of the place and the distance of the Dukes trayne spurred his horse and ranne in a mayne race with his dagger drawne to strike the Duke on the head But what with the feare of the Mulet shrinking with the noyse of his horse and the fiercenesse of his horse whom he could not stoppe together with the difference of the height of his horse from the Dukes mulet the blowe that he made at the Dukes head swarued and fell vppon his shoulders and afterwardes drawing his sworde to accomplishe the execution the same impedimentes made it vayne or at least the hurt was light beeing but a blowe slentwise By this tyme manye of the horsemen making in to the Dukes reskewe he fell to flying hoping to shake off by hys fortune the daunger that by his vallour he was falne into Many of the horsemen of the Dukes garde had him
reputacion and authoritie He was a father of soldiours a director of their councelles a framer of their disposicions an example of vertue and a guide to true glorie and fame He was not apte to embrace lightly all occasions that the disorders of thennemies might offer for this propertie was ioyned to his wit rather to doubt too much then beleue too hastely And so ielous was he ouer the safetie and suertie of his people that he would not easily giue any aduauntage to thennemy to oppresse him He would alwayes saye that in a Generall the glorie was greater to feare a mischiefe and foresee it then to runne with occasions which can not bee without their hazardes He was by nature easie slow in his actions and seeking alwayes to administer warres more with councelles then with the sword he left to others this propertie of example to defend estates by temporising and not without great necessitie to commit the euent of battelles to fortune For in our tyme the managing and gouernment of warres hath farre differed since that affore Charles the eight past into Italy The brunt of the warre being more borne out with horsemen armed at all partes then with footemen and no lesse inconuenient and troublesome the engines wherwith they were wont to take townes notwithstanding the armies came oftentymes to the shock of battell yet the slaughter was litle very rare the bloud that was spilt And townes also that were beseged defended themselues with suche facilitie not for that they had more knowledge in defense but through ignorance to take them that there was not so litle or weake a towne which was not able for many dayes to resist great armies of enemies At that tyme Princes did not intrude vppon thestates of others without very great difficulties But when King Charles made his first discending into Italy the regions of that nation were so replenished with terror astonishment what through the feare of new nations and the vallour of the footemen whose feight was in another manner but most of all through the furie of thartilleries by whose vnacquainted roaring noyse the ignorant people feared no lesse then if the frame of the world had falne that there was no hope for any Prince to be able to defende himselfe that were not strong enough to keepe the fielde For men that had no knowledge to defende townes yelded at the first approach of thenemies and if happly any towne stoode to her defence it was taken within fewe dayes suche was the surie of thartilleries and suche the ignorance of men that had yet no custome nor familiaritie with them By that meane the realme of Naples and the Duchie of Millan were no sooner inuaded then they were conquered In that sort the Venetians being vanquished in one battell only left abandoned immediatly all their iurisdiction in the firme land And in that sort the Frenche men hauing skarcely seene thenemyes left the Duchie of Myllan But since the witte of man comprehending better the furie of batteries began to oppose engine and industrie for their defence and fortefied townes with mountes trenches flankes rampiers and Bastillions which they made apte to bestow artilleries vppon And being planted in a place which men seeke to defend doe farre more hurt then that that is braked without So that at this daye it is verie harde to take a towne where is any resistance made And happlie those inuentions began in Italy in the dayes of our fathers when the towne of Ottranto was reconquered vppon the Turkes wherin when Alfonso Duke of Calabria entred afterwardes he founde that the Turkes had made many rampiers and fortifications suche as were vnknowen to the Italians but yet those sortes of fortificatiōs remeined rather as images in the myndes of men then that they were folowed Prospero either was the only man or the first man of all other that with greatest reputacion hath twise by those meanes defended the Duchie of Myllan And aswel in offending as in defending and cutting of thenemies from vittelles as also in prolonging the warre with suche cunning that pouertie disorders and other extremities consumed them he hath borne out the warre and vanquished without once aduenturing the battell without breaking of a Launce yea almost without drawing a sworde So that he standing in example to others that haue come after many warres continued for many moneths haue bene ouercome more with industrie with stratageame and with temporising then with the force or fortune of armes These thinges were done in Italy in the yeare 1523. And the yeare folowing were made beyond the mounts preparacions of right great exspectation and yet brought forth no effectes worthy of so mightie Princes For where the Emprour the King of Englande had cōtracted promised the Duke of Burbon to enter with a strong armie the one into Piccardy the other into Guyen The mouing of the King of Englād was to smal purpose thēterprise of the Duke of Burbon to inuade Burgōdy was turned into a moūteine of smoke For that wanting mony to paie his Laūceknights besides the diminuciō of their nombers by the practise of certein Capteins that stoale away to the Frēch king he dispaired to do any thing in Fraūce in that mind wēt to Millan There themprour hauing no mind that he shold passe into Spain perhaps because he wold not haue the mariage of his sister go forward which the Duke of Burbon desired sēt to hī Mōsr de Beaurain to persuade hī to staie there gaue him thauthority title of his lieftenāt general in Italy to induce him with better wil to abide there Neither did things happē more happily to Thēprour on the coast of Spaine for that albeit in a burning desire to the warres he was come to Pampeluna to passe in person into Fraunce and had already sent his armie beyond the Mountes Pireney where he had taken Saueterra which is not farre from S. Iohn de pied de Porc yet drawing with him many other imperfections he founde at last that his readines was farre greater then his power for that as for the want of money he was not hable to enterteine so great forces as were necessarie for so great an enterprise so for that want also he was not able to assemble his armie vntill the latter ende of the yere when the nature of the season doubled vpon him his difficulties and tooke from him the libertie of the wayes These impediments compelled him to dissolue his armie erected almost agaynst the counsell of all his capteines which made the Duke of Albe a prince of great authoritie say in the heate of the warre that themprour who in many things resembled king Ferdinand his grandfather by the mother side did in this deliberacion beare moste similitude and likenesse with his grandfather by the father side Nowe came on the yere a thousande fiue hundred twentie and foure when the difficulties of the Frenche men stirring vp themperours capteines to looke to
drawing thether with their forces The Viceroy was appointed to goe against the Marquis of Rothelin who was come ouer the Mounts with foure hundred launces Neuertheles assoone as he vnderstood of the fortune of the Admirall and that he was retyred he returned also into Fraunce holding it vaine for him to followe further thenterprise when the principall forces were dispersed Besides Monsr de Boysy and Iulio Saint Seuerin to whom was committed the gard of Alexandria made no resistance In like sort Federyk after he had demaunded respit of a fewe dayes to know if the Admirall were passed the Mountes compownded to yeeld vp Loda vppon the condicion that was accorded to them of Alexandria to leade into Fraunce the bands of Italian footemen who conteining a regiment of fiue thousande men did speciall seruice to the King afterwardes This was the end of the warre that was managed against the Duchie of Myllan vnder the gouernment of the Admiral of Fraunce By the which neither the kings power being much weakened nor the rootes of harmes remooued much lesse that so many calamities were cleane taken away seeing they were but deferred to an other season and Italy in the meane while remeining discharged of trobles present but not of suspicion of further aduersities to come And yet Themprour no lesse by the incitacion of the Duke of Burbon then by the hope that the authoritie and name of that man might serue him to speciall purpose Was of minde to transferre the warre into Fraunce to the which also the King of Englande showed a readines and disposicion In the beginning of this yeare Themprour had sent his Camp to Fontarabie a towne of verie smal circuit standing vppon the debatable lands that deuide Fraunce from Spaine And albeit the towne was very wel manned and furnished with artilleries and vittelles and leasure sufficient to them within to make it fortefied yet the fortifications being ill made through the ignorance of the Frenche men the towne laye open to the fury of thenemies who heaping vppon the defendants one necessitie after an other constrained them at last to giue it vp only with the safetie of their lyues He was not satisfied with the recouerie of this place but stretching his thoughtes further he made his ambicion no lesse then his fortune and in those conceites being raised to further enterprise he kept no reckoning of the comfortes and authoritie of the Pope who hauing sent in the beginning of the yeare to Themprour the Frenche King and to the King of Englande to solicit a peace or a truse he found their mindes very ill disposed to giue ouer the warre For the French king consenting to a truse for two yeares refused to make peace for the small hope he had to obteine thereby suche condicions as he desired And the Emprour reiecting the truse by the which was giuen good tyme to the Frenche King to reordeine his forces to folow a new warre desired to haue peace And touching the King of Englande any sort of composicion that was offred to be made by the Popes meanes was displeasing to him as in whom was alwayes a desire that the treatie of thaccorde might bee wholly referred to him To this he was induced by the ambicious counselles of the Cardinall of Yorke who seruing as a true example in our dayes of an immoderate pride notwithstanding he was of very base condicion and no lesse abiect for his parentes and discending yet he was risen to suche an estate of authoritie and grace with the King that in most of the actions of the realme the kings wil seemed nothing without thapprobacion of the Cardinall as of the contrary what so euer the Cardinall did deliberate was either absolute or at least had very great force But both the King and his Cardinall kept dissembled with the Emprour that thought by apparances showed a very forward inclination to moue warre against the realme of Fraunce which the King of Englande pretended lawfully to apperteyne to him He grounded his claime vppon these reasons King Edvvard the thirde after the death of the Frenche King Charles the fourth called the faire who dyed without issue male in the yeare of our saluacion 1328. and of whose sister the sayde King Edvvarde the third was borne Made instance to be declared King of Fraunce as next heire male to the French king deceassed Neuertheles he was put by by the generall Parliament of the realme wherein it was set downe that by vertue of the lawe Salyke an auncient lawe of that kingdome not only the persons of women were made vnable to the succession of the Crowne but also all suche as discended and came of the women line were excluded But he not satisfied with this order brought in to take away his right armed him selfe soone after and taking vpon him the title of the king of Fraunce he inuaded the realme with a mightie armie And as in that action he obteined many victories both agaynst Phillip de Valois published by vniuersall consent lawfull successor to Charles the fayre and also agaynst king Iohn his sonne who being ouerthrowne in battell was ledde prisoner into England So after long warres he forbare further to vex the realme and making peace with the sayde Iohn he reteined many prouinces and estates of the kingdome and renounced the title of king of Fraunce But after this composicion which was neither of long continuance nor of great effect the quarrell was eftsones renewed and sometimes followed with long warres and semetimes discontinued with tedious truces vntill at laste king Henry the fift entring confederacie with Phillip Duke of Burgondy who bare a minde estraunged from the Crowne of Fraunce for the murder done vpon Duke Iohn hys father preuayled so muche agaynst Charles the sixt somewhat simple of vnderstanding that he commaunded almost the whole kingdome together with the towne of Paris And finding in that Citie the French king accompanied with his wife and the Lady Katherine his daughter he tooke to wife the sayde Lady and brought the king to consent hauing no great vse of witte that after his death the kingdome shoulde apperteine to him and to his heires notwithstanding his sonne Charles did suruiue him By vertue of which title assone as he was dead his sonne king Henry the sixte was solemnly crowned at Paris and proclaymed king of Englande and Fraunce And albeit after the death of Charles the sixte his sonne Charles the seuenth by reason of great warres happning in Englande betweene the Lordes of the blood royall had chased thEnglishe out of all that they helde in Fraunce except the towne and territories of Callice yet the kinges of Englande dyd not leaue for all that to continue and vse the title of King of Fraunce These causes might happly moue king Henry the eyght to the warre the rather also for that he stoode more assured in his Realme then anye of his predecessours had done for that the kinges of the house of Yorke that was
the name of one faction hauing suppressed the kinges of the house of Lancaster whiche was the other faction and the partakers with the house of Lancaster seeing there was no more remayning of that house raysed to the kingdome Henrye of Richemont for his proximitie and nearenes with them Who after he had subdued hys aduersaries to th ende he might raigne with more suretie and with more authoritie tooke to wyfe one of the daughters of Edvvarde the laste king but one of the house of Yorke by whiche coniunction of houses all the rightes and claymes of bothe the one and the other houses were absolutelye and lawfully transferred into the person of king Henry the eyghte borne of that maryage These houses for the enseignes and cognizanses that they bare were called commonly the Redde rose and the VVhite rose But touching the mouing of the king of Englande to make warres in Fraunce he was not so muche caryed by hope to winne the Realme of Fraunce by armes for that he was not ignoraunt of the innumerable difficulties that woulde contende agaynst him as he was importunatelye pushed on by the ambicious desire of the Cardinall of Yorke who layde this plotte that the long and tedious trauells and infinite necessities of the warre woulde in the ende bring his king to be the onely arbitrator and appoynter of the peace And knowing that the negociacion of it shoulde depende muche of his authoritie he thought in one time both to make his name great through all the worlde and also to enterteine hymselfe in the good grace and lyking of the French king to whom he showed secretly to beare some good inclinacion And therefore the king of Englande sought not to binde him selfe to those condicions whervnto it was necessarie he should be bound if he had had a forwarde minde to so great a warre Thus Themperour was stirred vp to the warre by that occasion but much more by a hope that through the fauour authoritie and popular opinion whiche the Duke of Burbon caryed in that kingdome the commons of the realme would draw to commotion And therfore notwithstanding he was aduised by many of his firme and assured friends that both for his want of money which brings no small impedimentes to enterprises and for the doubt of his confederates whose fidelitie was vncertayne he would giue ouer to beginne a warre so harde and intricate and consent that the Pope mighte treate vpon the surceasing of armes yet he capitulated with the king of Englande and Duke of Burbon in this sorte That the Duke should enter the Realme of Fraunce with that parte of th armie that was in Italie And assone as he should be ouer the Mountes the king of Englande to paye an hundred thousande duckets for the defraymentes of the first monthe of the warre That it should be in the election of the sayd king eyther to continue this contribucion from monthe to monthe or else to passe into Fraunce with a strong armie to make warre from the firste daye of Iulie vntill the ende of December And in that case the countreys of Flaunders to furnishe him of three thousande horse a thousande footmen and sufficient artilleries and municions That if the victorie fell to them there should be rendred to the Duke of Burbon all those landes which the Frenche king had taken from him That Prouence should be transferred to him to the which he already pretended by the resignacion that was made after the death of Charles the eight by the Duke of Lorreine to Anne Duchesse of Burbon That he shoulde holde it by the title of king of Prouence That first he should make an othe to the king of Englande as to the king of Fraunce and do him homage whiche if he did not perfourme then this capitulacion to bee voyde That the Duke of Burbon shoulde not treate nor practise nothing with the Frenche kinge withoute the consent of them bothe That thEmperour at the same tyme shoulde make warre on that syde towardes Spayne Lastely that thEmbassadours of thEmperour and the king of Englande shoulde procure the Potentates of Italie to bee concurrant with their money in this enterprise to th ende to be for euer assured agaynst the warre of the Frenche A matter whiche neuer sorted to effect for that the Pope did not onely refuse to contribute but blamed expresly thenterprise prophesying that not onely it would haue an yll successe in Fraunce but also it would be the cause to returne the warre agayne vpon Italie and that with a greater puissance and perill then before The Duke of Burbon refused constantlye to acknowledge the king of Englande for kinge of Fraunce And albeit after the confederacion was made he gaue counsayle to marche with the armie towardes Lyon to th ende to drawe neare hys owne landes and Countreys yet it was resolutely determined that he shoulde passe into Prouence both for that Themperour shoulde with more facilitie sende him succours out of Spayne and also to bee more apte to take the seruice and oportunitie of the armie by sea which was in preparing at Genes by the commaundement and with the money of Themperour The Marquis of Pisquairo was declared capteine generall for Themperour in this warre for that he coulde not be brought to obey the Duke of Burbon The plotte and proceedinges of this expedicion were that the Duke of Burbon and with him the Marquis shoulde passe to Nice and yet with forces farre lesse then such as were appoynted for that where to the forces they had already with them which was fiue hundred men at armes eyght hundred light horsemen foure thowsande footemen Spanyardes three thowsande Italyans and fiue thowsande launceknightes there shoulde haue bene ioyned three hundred men at armes of the armie in Italy and fiue thowsande other launceknightes these laste companies fayled to come for want of money And the Viceroy kept reteyned the men at armes for the garde of the contrey hauing no meane to wage newe companies of footemen according to the resolucion sette downe in the firste councells to th ende to make heade agaynst Michaell Angeo Marquis of Salusse who beeing departed from his estate kept vppon the Mounteines with a thowsande footemen There was added to this that thEmprours armye at sea one of their principall hopes beeing guyded by Don Hugo de Mocado A man of muche malice and wickednes of life and a creature of the Duke Valentynois appeared farre inferior to the nauie of the Frenche king which beeing parted from Marseilles was stayed in the port of Villefrancho Neuerthelesse thEmperours armye entred into Prouence where were Monsr de la Palissa Capteyne Fayetto Ranso de Cere and Pederyk Bossolo All Capteynes of the French kinge and were nowe withdrawen into townes for that they were not stronge enoughe to make heade in the fielde One parte of the armye drewe alonge the sea side and tooke the tower that commaundeth the port of Tovvlon where were taken two Canons that were drawen to the armye
Besides the towne of Aix whiche for his authoritie and for that the parlyament is there resident is one of the chiefe townes of Prouence was rendred whose example drewe with it many other townes of the contreye The Duke of Burbon in whome was no lesse emulacion then vallour desiered that from Aix the armye might marche further leauing the sea side Wherein he perswaded that seeking to passe the ryuer of Rhosne there might bee loste no tyme to enter deeper into the bodye and intralls of Fraunce whilest the kinges prouisions were yet but weake and not confirmed for by reason the kinge was consumed of treasor and money the men at armes of Fraunce had suffered muche and were very ill payed and also not expecting that his ennemies would passe out of Lombardye into Fraunce his forces and companyes of men of warre were falne into that disorder that they coulde not bee readdressed with suche speede Besides the kinge hauing no confidence in the vallour of the footemen of his owne kingdome was constrayned before he coulde marche into the fielde to tarye for the comming of certeyne footebandes of the Svvyzzers and launceknightes during which exspectacion as the Duke of Burbon thought he shoulde be able to doe some matter of importance in passing ouer Rhosne so the Marquis of Pisquairo with the other Spanishe Capteines were of an other aduise They desiered that bothe for the oportunitie of the sea and to satisfie thintencion of thEmprour Marseilles might bee conquered A hauen moste conuenient to vexe the Realme of Fraunce with sea armyes and also no lesse apt to passe in sauetye out of Spayne into Italie These Capteynes what by thauthoritye of their multitude and thefficacye of their reasons so preuayled agaynste the will of the Duke of Burbon that they pytched their campe before Marseilles wherein was newely entred Ranse de Cere with those bandes of footemen which had beene ledde into Fraunce from Alexandria and Loda They laye fortye dayes before Marseilles without dooinge anye exployte of marke or memorie And albeit they executed the walles in many places with their artilleries and not preuayling with batteries labored to worke their entrie by myning yet they founde obiected many difficulties and their great labors resisted bothe by the fortune and fortification of the towne they had contending agaynst their industrie the strength of the wall bearing an auncient forme and building The vallour of the defendants moste resolute in the quarrell of their libertie The disposicion of the people bearing greate deuocion to the name of the Frenche king and very hatefull to the glorye of the Spanyardes And lastely the hope of succours aswell by sea as lande for that the Frenche kinge was comen to Auignon A citye of the Popes standing vppon the riuer of Rhosne where he assembled with greate diligence A mightie armie Moreouer want of money beganne to fall vppon thEmprours Capteines and their hopes no lesse diminished that the Frenche king beeing inuaded in other places woulde bee letted to conuert to one onely part all his forces and prouisions for that the king of England notwithstanding he had sent to the Duke of Burbon Maister Richard Pase did both refuse to paye the hundred thowsande duckats for the seconde moneth And also made slender showes to moue warre in Piccardye No hauing receiued into Englande Iohn Ioachin de Spetio whome the Frenche king had sent to him and also the Cardinall of Yorke making straunge aunswers to thEmprours Embassadors he gaue the Duke greate occasion bothe to doubt and distrust him And touching Spaine and thexspectacion there the powers and forces did not aunswer the willes of men nor the promisses that were made The reason was for that the Courtes of Castillo so are called the congregacions of the Deputies assembled in the name of the whole kingdom had refused to ayde thEmprour with foure hundred thowsand duckats A contribucion which they are wont to make both in the great neede of their king and vppon any action of importance by which occasion there could no money be sent to the armie that was in Prouence much lesse any leauie of men made against the french king in the frontyers of Spaine other then very weake and not worthy to beare reckoning So that the imperiall Capteines bothe dispairing to sacke Marseilles and also fearing to ronne into some greater daunger when the king shoulde approche brake vppe their campe the same daye that the king sette from Auignon with his whole armie hauing also marching with him a regiment of six thowsand Svvizzers The same reasons that moued th imperiall Capteines to leauie their seege from before Marseilles caried them also to turne their faces towards Italy And as in men there is nothing more violent then the passion of feare whose mocions are swifter then the winges of the winde so in thimperialls was seene no lesse diligence to hasten into Italie then to breake vp their seege showing one care to preuent the perill that might fall vppon them if either all or parte of the French kinges armie should encownter them in the contry of thennemie And on the other side the king saw a faire occasion offered to recouer his Duchie of Millan what by the puissance of the armie he had leauied by the fidelitie of his Capteines by the plentie of his prouicions by thintelligence he had of the weakenes of his ennemies and lastly by his hope that taking the nearest waye he shoulde bringe his armie into Italye affore those that went from Marseilles In which estate and aduauntage of thinges he determined to ioyne industrie to the present oportunitie and to followe the benefit that fortune presented to him he imparted this resolucion with all the Capteines of th armie to whome he declared that as he had vowed in him selfe an irreuocable promise to passe in person into Italie so whoseuer woulde rise vp to councell him the contrarie muche lesse that he would graunt him audience seeing he would not forbeare to holde him in ill opinion and affection That therefore euerie one shoulde goe to his charge and shewe the same will to execute thenterprise which they had done to consult and to conclude it That God who was a louer of iustice and thinsolencie and rashnesse of thennemies had at last layed open a meane to reconquer that that had bene violentlie rauished from him against lawe equitie and reason That they had to doubt no more of the victorie then for his parte he distrusted their vallours for that God doth alwayes accompanie an innocent cause with a happie successe To these wordes was correspondent both his constancie in deliberacion and his celeritie in execucion for that he commaunded immediatlie his armie to marche wherein were two thowsande launces and twentie thowsande footemen He tooke a contrarie waye because he woulde not meete with the Ladie Regent his mother who was come from Auignion to debate with him not to passe the mountes in person but to performe the warre in Italie by
towardes his countrey With him are layde vp the issues of warres in his sight is farre more acceptable the innocencie of your cause then the might of your aduersarie Lastly I wish you all to remeine thus resolute that suffring for a good end that which our present necessitie doeth constraine vs vnto that mightie God whose rule goeth thorow all will take to him selfe the reuenge of our proude enemies by a glorious victorie redeeme vs from those afflictions which we haue suffred so long in his sight After these wordes he dismissed the assembly and causing vittells to be put within the Castle he issued out of the towne The Duke not knowing any thing of that which Moron had done at Millan tooke his way to go thether But immediatly after he was come out of Pauya he met with Ferrand Castriot hauing the conduit of thartillerie who signifying to him that part of thenemies were passed Thesin and that they had ouerthrowen Capteine Succhar a Burgougnon with his light horsmen vppon the shoares of the Ryuer he returned to Pauya fearing to finde ambushes and impediments in the way And albeit the Duke and Moron had proceeded with sinceritie in these causes yet the Emprours Capteines who were with the armie at Binasquo being ielous least they had secretly contracted with the Frenche King sent to Myllan Capteine Alarcon with two hundred Launces either to folowe him or to lye still according to thaduertisementes that should bee giuen He was no sooner aryued there then the people who were alreadie compounded with certeine exiles that negociated in the kings name began to take hart and to publishe the name of Themprour and Frauncis Sforce But Captein Alarcon waighing with the litle hope that remeined of defence the nearenes of the French Vawwarde which was then at hande issued out of the gate called Rome gate and tooke the way to Loda whether was also marched the whole armie This was at the same tyme that thenemies began to enter by the gates of Thesin and Verceill who if they had not turned towards Millan but put vppon them the chase and pursuing of Themprours armie both being weary with marching and hauing lost many of their men at armes and horsses it was beleeued for certeine that they had put the armie to the shocke and defeated with facilitie the forces which affore they feared And moreouer if after they were approched to Myllan they had with the same diligence drawne towardes Loda either Themprours Capteines would not haue dared to staye there or at least passing with diligence the Ryuer of Adda they had with the same fortune and facilitie put to disorder the residue of thenemies But the king who happlie supposed it a matter of great importance to establish and assure at his deuocion Myllan a towne which had made the most principall resistance agaynst him or happlie being caryed with some other cause he did not only draw to the citie of Myllan wherein he would not enter nor suffer the armie to enter but staied to bestow in it sufficient garrison and to giue direction for beseeging the Castle wherein were seuen hundred Spanishe footemen He forbadde to the great praise of his modestie and clemencie that no displeasures should be done to thinhabitants seeking by that insinuacion to reduce a people whome he sawe vntractable by all other meanes after he had published his directions at Millan he turned his armie towards Pauia not holding it conuenient for the estate of his affayres to leaue behinde his backe a Citie wherein were so many souldiors The king had in his armie reckning those that remayned at Millan two thousande launces eight thousande launceknightes six thousand Svvizzers sixe thousand foreriders or aduenturers and foure thousand Italians The number of these last encreased muche afterwardes About this time the Marquis of Pisquaro was got within Loda with two thousand footemen And the Viceroy hauing reuitteled the townes of Alexandria Coma and Tressa was entred into Sonzin with him entred Frauncis Sforce and Charles Burbon who amidde so many difficulties and distresses drewe to them some courage by the going of the king to Pauia They thought to readdresse their companies if the defence of that Citie would giue them libertie and to that purpose they sent into Germanie to leauie sixe thousand footemen with the payes of whom and other expenses necessarie there was prouision made with the fiftie thousande duckets whiche themperour had sent to Genes to employe them in the warres of Prouence But the thing that gaue chiefe impediment to their counsells was the necessitie and wante of money which they suffred For neyther had they meane to drawe any out of the Duchie of Millan and lesse hope to obteine of the Emperour for his dishabilitie any other matter then a commission to offer to be solde at Naples the moste of the reuenues of the kingdome And touching their auncient confederates they exspected none at all or very little reliefe neyther of money nor men for that as the Pope and Florentins ioyntly being sued vnto for some contribucion of money gaue them nothing but generall wordes and hopes more hurting then curing their calamities So the Pope alone who after the Admirall was gone out of Italie stoode resolutely fixed not to intangle himselfe further in the warres betweene themperour and the French king would neuer renew the confederacion made with his predecessor nor contract newe leagues with any prince And whiche more is notwithstanding he declared himselfe inclined to themperour and the king of England yet he had made a secrete promise affore to the French king not to be any impediment to him in the recouery of his duchie of Millan Moreouer when the Venetians were required by the Viceroy to furnishe those bandes of souldiors which they were bounde vnto by the capitulacions of the league albeit they did not slatly refuse them yet their aunswers were but colde and conteyned small hope Their intencion was to accommodate their counsells according to the trayne and proceeding of things wherein they were caryed by one of these reasons eyther for that in many of them was renewed the memorie of their auncient alliance with the French king or else they iudged that he could not but remayne victorious in regarde of his vallour his fortune but specially the mightie forces he brought into Italie agaynst enemies of so slender preparacion and worse prouision or lastely for that themperours ambicion was more suspected to them then before for that he had not inuested Fraūcis Sforce in the Duchie of Millan A matter which the states of Italie did no lesse maruell at then grieuously complayne vpon In this maner of doing also they were muche caryed by the authoritie of the Pope to whose counsells and example they bare no small respect in those tymes The French king made his approach to Pauia on the lower side betwene the ryuer of Thesin and the waye that leadeth to Millan And after he had incamped his vauntgarde within the
any succours eyther secret or manifest in whiche couenant the Florentins did also communicate And also the king receiued into his protection the Pope and the Florentins comprehending especially thauthoritie which the famulie of Medicis had within Florence It was agreed that this accorde should not be published but at suche time as should seeme best to the Pope Neuerthelesse albeit it came not for the present to the knowledge of themprours Capteines yet they entred dayly more and more into ielousie of the Pope and therfore to be fully made assured of the certentie of his intention they dispatched to hym Martin Abbot of Nagero Commissary of the campe his commission was to propounde to the Pope at one time both hope and feare for of the one part they made him offer of very great â–ª things and of the other they gaue him to vnderstande that if themperour and the king came to the vttermost contencion themperour coulde not but holde for enemies and agaynst him suche as stoode in showe of newters and indifferent But the Pope answered that nothing could be lesse seeming to him his estate and place then to giue ouer newtralitie in a time when warres ranne betwene Christian Princes both for that the office of a pastour did so require it and also standing a newter he might with a greater authoritie interpose in the action of peace of the parts and couenants whereof he treated at the same time with thEmperour at whose Court since the taking of Millan was arriued thArchbishoppe of Capua to whom the Ladie Regent had giuen passeport to go from Lyon into Spayne â–ª Where after he had with the same reasons excused the Pope in that he would not renue the league a matter wherein thEmperour did instantly require him when he vnderstoode the king drewe towardes Italie he tolde him that in making peace or truse he ought to lay aside armes But that which wrought in thEmperour an inclinacion to accord was the difficulties wherein he saw his armie reduced the slender meanes he had to make leauies of money to releeue the affaires of Italie the full felicitie which followed the frenche king and the suspicion that he had least the king of England had secretly contracted with his ennemie he grounded that iealousie vpon this reason that not only he refused to sende to th armie that was in Lombardye the fiftie thowsand duckats for the which notwithstanding he had giuen order and prouided at Rome for the warre of Prouence But also he demaunded of thEmperour suffering so great necessitie both restitucion of the money he had lent him and also present payment of all such summes as he was bound vnto for thEmperour since his passing into Spaine hauing a great desire of coniunction with the king of England and the better to remoue al difficulties that might hold him in suspence bound him selfe to pay him that pension which he had yearely of the frenche king and to aunswere twentie thowsande duckats for the pensions which the frenche king payed to the Cardinall of Yorke and others together with thirtie thowsande duckats payable to Queene Blanche the widow of king Levvis of all which summes he had made no payment till that day Neuerthelesse thEmperour amidde so many aduersities made answere that it was not a matter agreeing with his dignitie to make any conuencion so long as the french king lay vexing with armes and hostilitie the Duchie of Millan This was his aunswere no lesse resolute then worthie suche a greatnes of minde being notwithstanding no lesse afflicted in thought and spirite then verie ill disposed of his person and bodie being falne into a feuer quartine either for the displeasure he had conceiued when the difficulties to take Marceilles began to appeare or for that his minde ill disposed to giue place to thennemie was not naturally made tractable by any difficulties or for that he had a firme confidence in the vertue of his armie if once they came to the battell or lastly for that he promised to him selfe that hereafter the fauors of fortune would follow him with as full a gale as they had done in times past The frenche king during these actions had determined to inuade the realme of Naples hoping that the importance of that kingdom would moue the Viceroy either to abandon Millan or at least surcesse armes vpon ill condicions a thing which the king began to desire for the difficulties he saw to obteyne Pauia and for that expedicion it was sette downe that Iohn Stuard Duke d'Albanie issued of the blood of the kings of Scotland should marche to the realme of Naples with two hundred launces six hundred light horsemen and foure thowsand footemen These to be drawne out of th armie the one halfe to be Italians foure hundred Svvizzers and the residue launceknightes And for the more glorie of thexpedicion and surety of the victory Ranso de Cere was appointed to ioyne with them and to descende at Lyuorna with those bandes of footemen that were leauied for the armie at sea which for the difficultie of necessary prouisions was yet within the baye of Villefranco he had also sent directions to the same Ranso and the Vrsins to wage foure thousande footemen in the countrey of Rome This deliberation the French king signified to the Pope by his Embassador Alberto Earle of Carpy by whom he required the Pope of suffrance to leauye bands of footemen at Rome and to consent to passage for his army through the Church dominion This demaund brought no litle griefe to the Pope to whom it could not but be intollerable that together with the Duchie of Millan the crowne of Naples should diuolue to the French king But looking into thestate of the tyme and lesse hardie to make open refusall of the kinges demaunde he aduised him only by waye of counsell not to embrace as yet that enterprise and not to driue him to that necessitie not to accorde to him that which for many iust regardes he could not consent vnto Wherein he occupied with him this wise discourse to proue the action to be agaynst his proper weale and profite That if in tymes past the desire to reconquer the Duchie of Millan had stirred vp so many enemies muche more would it moue in those dayes and in that estate of affayres when the world discerned that he aspired manifestly to the kingdome of Naples That there was great peril least suche an ambicion would drawe the Venetians to take armes for themprour and to passe the bondes of their confederacion That he had to consider that if hys affayres founde any difficultie in Lombardie the warre would procede with small reputation in the realme of Naples That if his warres and armies suffred declinacion in eyther of these two places it would be a materiall cause to bring foorth diminucion to both That lastely he should remember what offices he had commended in him in putting vpon him a minde requisite in a Pope and that therefore it was not
thē by our armes by our vallour by our weapons This aduise was embraced and as a sentence set downe folowed by the Viceroy who accordingly dispatched to Naples the duke of Tracetta with direction to make as great leauies of money as was possible and recōmend ouer the care defense of the kingdom to Askanio Colonno the other barons of the realme And albeit he had modestly giuen answere to thembassage presented to him frō the Pope yet he wrote to Rome letters full of seuerity bitternes such as gaue manyfest signification that he would not heare speake of thaccord By reason of this the Pope declaring howe he was pushed on by necessitie for that the Duke d'Albanie aduaunced dayly published not as a thing done before that he had contracted with the french king vnder a simple promise not to offend one another This he signified by writing to themprours agents alleging the causes that induced him but specially his necessities perils increasing And when the sayd writing was presented by Iohn Corsi embassador of Florence with wordes conuenient in suche a case themprour who afore could not be persuaded that the Pope would abandon him in so great a danger fell into no litle emotion trouble of mind he set before his eyes the sundry hopes he had giuen him confirmed by many good offices and oblations he conferred together the seuerall demonstrations of amity accompanied with no lesse tokens of constancy firmnes lastly making a iudgement betwene the former promises of the Pope his present effects he burst out into publike passion against him accusing with exclamation his frayltie light condition and in that heate of nature he answered thembassador that neither hatred nor ambition nor any interest particular had stirred him vp to begin warre with the french king but onely the perswasions the suggestions and the authoritie of Pope Leo who as he sayd was drawē vnto it by the Pope raigning being at that time cardinall of Medicis and perswaded him with great vehemency of reasons that it was a matter of great importance for the publike safety vniuersall benefite not to suffer the french king to possesse any thing in Italy That the same Cardinall was the author of the confederacion made for that cause before the death of Pope Adrian In which respects he pronounced with great griefe how much it troubled him to see the Pope who aboue all others was bound not to be seperate from him in those daungers wherin by his meanes he was entred had made a chaunge no lesse hurtfull to him then without all necessity That such reuolt and seperation for the time the place and the whole manner and propertie of it could be attributed to no other thing then to a certayne seruile feare and tymerous impression such as hath falne vpon him since they within Pauia haue holden out In this humor he forgot not to debate the meanes and fauors he had vsed to encreace his greatnes alwayes since the death of Pope Leo and specially his authoritie in two Conclaues together with his perpetuall desire to transferre vppon him the soueraigne election onely for this opinion that by his meane mighte be reestablished the common libertie of Italie And on the other side he made collection howe little the Pope might assure him selfe of the French king and howe farre he was eyther to feare or to hope of his victorie Lastelye he stoode vppon this conclusion that neyther for the Popes resolution whiche was agaynst all good office and exspectation nor for anye other accident or fortune of what condition soeuer he would not forget nor abandon him selfe Wherein he protested and therewithall wished that no man shoulde exspect that for wante of money he would chaunge or vary from his purpose seeing he had vowed to set vp as a laste reast all his Crownes and kingdomes and hys life withall desiring of God that his irreuocable deliberacion in the matter mighte not be preiudiciall to the health of his soule To these complayntes thembassadour of Florence replied That the Pope since he was raysed to the soueraigne dignitie was bounde to proceede no more as Cardinall of Medicis but to put on the personne of Pope of Rome whose office was to be carefull ouer the peace of Christendome for whiche reason he had often debated with him the necessitie of peace and quietnesse and for better negociation of it he had sent to him at two seuerall tymes the Archbishop of Capua by whome he protested that by the othe and ceremonie of his office he was bounde not to bee particular but indifferent That he had also admonished him thereof at suche tyme as the Admirall Bonniuet departed oute of Italie hauing no better season and oportunitie to treate of peace for him and more for his honour wherevnto neuerthelesse he made him no other aunswere then that he coulde conclude no peace without the consent of the kinge of Englande He desyred the Emperour to remember howe often the Pope had disswaded the passage and iourney into Prouence bothe for that it troubled altogether the hope of the peace and also herein he seemed a diuine prophete of thinges to come the necessitie wherein it woulde put the Frenche king to enter into armes mighte bee the occasion to stirre vp in Italie a more daungerous combustion That the Pope by the negociacion of the Bishoppe of Verona had declared to the French king then possessor of Millan and also to the Viceroye howe farre it concerned them to harken to peace but neyther of them bare anye inclination therevnto That since that tyme he had with manye reasons and verye greate efficacie refused to giue passage through thestate Ecclesiastike to the bandes of menne of warre that marched agaynste the Realme of Naples And yet neuerthelesse the kinge dyd not onely denie to heare his reasons but also made his forces to march along the countrey of Plaisanca withoute tarrying for hys aunswere That for that cause he had lastely sente Pavvle Vittorio to induce the Viceroye to a surceassing of armes vnder condicions conformable to the tyme and withall to certifie him by howe many reasons of necessitie he was to assure him selfe of the daunger imminent seeing withall that both the Venetians stoode in suspence and also the kinge of Englande woulde not be concurrante in the defence of the Duchie of Millan if at the same tyme both by Themperour and by him the warre were not moued beyonde the Mountes But seeing the Viceroye made no reckoning of anye offers or condicions he propounded and that the kinges men of warre and armed bandes aduaunced daylye he was constrayned to take fayth and suretie of the kinge without beeing bounde to anye other thing then not to offende hym The Emperour complayned of the hardnesse of the condicion offered to the Viceroy for that it restrayned and bounde hym to leaue that which he helde not expressing any mention that the Frenche king should do the lyke And lastely
hundred footemen yssued out of Alexandria with a very slender strength and set vpon them he found them very wearie with the longe way they had made and without garde for that they doubted no daunger by reason of which aduauntages he disordered and brake them easily and in their feare being fled within the castell they rendred them selues immediatly with seuenteene enseignes There hapned no better successe to thenterprise that was committed to the charge of Iohn Lovvys Paluoisin who after he was entred with foure hundred horse two thowsand footemen within Casalmaior where was no wall but ramparts which he had made And hauing afterwards wonne S. Iohn in Croce he began from that place to make incursions into the contrey laboring with all the meanes he could to cut of their vittells By reason of which violences Frauncis Sforce lying then within Cremona leauied with great celeritie foureteene hundred footemen and sent them to Casalmaior with certeine trowpes of horsemen of the band of Rodolffo Camerino and the horsemen of his gard vnder the leading of Alexander Bentyuole As they were drawn neare to that place Paluoysin reapposing confidence in the aduauntage of his numbers without tarying for certeine succours of Frauncis Rangon issued out the eyghteene of February and occupied skirmish with them But he payed a deare price of his rashnes and fell by equitie into the punishment of his hastie rashnes for that in laboring to susteine his trowpes that fought and beganne to draw to retraite he was striken from his horse and made prisoner all his souldiours broken and dispersed There was also added to th affayres of the French king this further difficultie of great consequence Iohn I◠Medicis of Myllan Capteine of the castell of Mus whether the Duke of Myllan had sent him for the murder he had done of the person of Monsr Viscounte hauing placed by night an ambushe on the side of the rocke of Chiauenna standing vppon a hil side at the head of the lake and somewhat distant from the houses of the borough tooke the Capteine prisoner as he walked without his castell led him presently before the gate of the rocke where threatning to kill him if he put not the rocke into his handes his wife in whose presence his life was threatned to death deliuered vp the rocke After this first fortune he caused to discouer an other ambushe with three hundred footemen with whom he tooke the towne making his entry by the castell Whereuppon it hapned that the Cantons of the Grisons taking suspicion vppon that accident reuoked a litle before the battell the regiment of sixe thowsand Grisons that were in the kings armie About this time ariued in th imperiall armie the knight Casalo whom the king of England sent thether with great promisses That king beginning to be ielous ouer the prosperitie of the French king and pushed on also with a certeine despite that in the Skottishe seas the Frenche had taken certayne vessells of thEnglishe threatned manifestly to make warre vpon Fraunce and in that humor desired the well aduauncing of th Imperiall armie In which forwardnes of disposicion he sent to his Embassador Pace remayning at Trente to go to Venice and protest in his name thobseruation of the League to the which his Maiestie hoped they would be so muche the more easily induced by howmuch themperour had sent to the Viceroy thinuestiture of Frauncis Sforce with authoritie to dispose of it by his discression and according to the necessitie and respect of his affayres The king of Englande also solicited the Pope by his Embassador to minister ayde to themperour in his affayres But the Pope excused him vpon the capitulacion made with the French king for his owne suretie and not offending themprour whervnto he added this complaint that since the army was returned from Prouence he was not able in the space of twenty dayes to vnderstande their purposes nor whether they pretended to defende or abandon thestate of Millan But now litle auayled the trayties and intelligences of Princes and of lesse seruice were the negociations and labors of Embassadors for that by the affronting and approching of the armies the whole estate of the warre together with the difficulties and daungers susteined for many monthes were reduced to the fortune and hazard of a very fewe howres for the armie imperiall passing further since the taking of S. Angeo marched and lodged the first daye of Februarie at Vistarino and the second day at Lardiragno and S. Alexis beyond the litle riuer of Lolono a lodging distant frō Pauia foure miles and from the French campe three miles The thirde of February they marched towardes the gate of S. Iustine the place of their incamping beeing stretched out betwene Prati Treleuero la Motto and a wood on the side of S. Lazarus places within two miles and an halfe of Pauia within halfe a mile of the Frenche Vauntgarde and not halfe a myle from the rampiers and trenches of their campe By reason they were so neare affronted one to the other they escaped not without their seuerall domages by the artilleries The Imperialls commaunded Belioyense with all the villages and countrey that laye vpon their backes except Saint Colombin where lay a garrison of French but so straytly besieged as no person could issue out They founde within Saint Angeo and Saint Belioyense great quantities of vittells and to haue more plenty and abundance they labored to commaund Thesin as they did Pavv by the cōmoditie of which they gaue impediment to the french vittells They helde S. Croce and albeit the french king at that time when ▪ he went to incampe at Mirabell had abandoned the Charterhouse yet they forbare to go thither least their market of vittels should be cut off The french men kept S. Lazarus but the furie of thartilleries of thenemies put them in feare to abide there There was betwene the two campes a litle brooke or ryuer of running water called Vernacula his head or spring was within the parke and from thence making his course in the middest betwene S. Lazarus and S. Peter in Verge hath his fal afterwards into the riuer of Thesin This brooke the imperials to thend they might come on with lesse difficulty labored to passe as a matter of great importance But they found a valiant defence made by the frenchmen hauing both the ayde of the channell which was very deepe and the commodity of the shores or bankes that were very high By which impedimente◠there was no possibilitie of passage without great difficultie euery one with that art and care that the peril required fortified their lodging quarter The kings lodging had in front in backe and in the lest flanke thicke huge ramparts enuironed with diches fortified with bastillions and on the right flanke was the wall of the parke of Pauia which was supposed to make the lodging verye strong The lodginges of thimperials caryed the same forme of fortification hauing also
of Lombardie Ferrara beeing a very strong towne then for his great store of munitions and artilleries and as the brute went for his right huge wealth of golde and siluer But neyther the hope to ouercome an enterprise so harde and daungerous which with wise men ought to cary no litle care and impression nor the consideration of perilles furthest off and remoued to the which tyme is wont to bring those remedies which the wit of man could not finde out nor anye other thing of what property or operation soeuer could not encline the Pope to open his eares to suche speeches and perswasions had not a feare to be inuaded presently induced him to laye him selfe downe rather to the daunger least certayne then to the perill that seemed moste assured and moste present And therefore the practises were so farre aduaunced betweene them and they staying vppon nothing but to set downe the capitulations by writing there was exspectation from howre to howre to contract and accorde In so muche as the Pope who perswaded himselfe of the conclusion dispatched in post to the king of Englande Ieronimo Ghinuccio a Siennois and Auditor of thapostolike chamber whose commission was to labor to dispose the king to oppose his forces agaynst suche a greatnes of themperour In the very instant of this expedicion aryued with good oportunitie the Archbishop of Capua his auncient fecretorie and counsellor and for many yeres of great authoritie with him he assone as he was aduertised of the victory of thimperials departed from Plaisance and went to the campe of Don Charles de Lauoy Viceroy of Naples and being resolued of his intention he tooke post horse to go to the Pope to whom he caryed an assured hope of accorde for at that tyme the Viceroy and the other Capteines were occupied with two thoughtes and perplexities the one to prouide money to content the armie which for want of paye they sawe began to decline into manyfest confusion the other to cary the person of the French king into such a place as the difficultie to garde him should not keepe them in continuall care and feare Which two things being established they iudged them to stande in degree and condition alwayes hable to execute and put to effect their purposes In which respect they desired accorde with the Pope pretending thereby to drawe from him a great quantitie of money wherevnto seeking to dispose him the rather by feare and also in releeuing thestate of Millan which was almoste wasted with the burden of souldiours they sent to lye vpon the countrey of Plaisanca foure hundred men at armes and eight thousand launceknightes not as enemies but alleaging sometimes the pouerty of the Duchie of Millan to be farre vnhable to nourishe so great an armie and sometimes threatning to make them marche vp to the territories of Rome to seeke out the Duke of Albanie if the regimentes of men of warre that had bene leauyed by the Vrsins were not retyred and dissolued But these industries and diligences were superfluous for that assoone as the Pope was assured to auoyde the daungers present he lefte there all his other thoughtes and disposed his minde wholly to thaccorde In which inclination concurring also the reasons and counsell of tharchbishop he sent after thauditor of the Chamber to countermaunde him backe agayne And to take awaye all occasions that might hinder thaccorde he wrought so that the Duke of Albanie dispersed his whole armie excepte those bandes of footemen and horsemen that were of beyonde the Mountes he lodged the Duke within Corneto after he had on thother side receyued promise of themperours commaunders to giue leaue also to their souldiours that laye vpon the passages of Rome and cause to staye Askanius Colonno with the other companies that came from the kingdome He also was an interposer with the Colonnois beginning to molest the lands of the Vrsins to desist and depose armes The Pope both desyred and did all he could to bring the Venetians comprehended within thaccorde whiche he solicited with the Viceroy but the onely difficultie that resisted was that they refused to paye so muche money as the Viceroy demaunded of them for he required of them so muche money as had bene spente in the warre to the which they ought to contribute and that hereafter they should make their contribution not with men but with money The like demaunde did he also make to all those that were comprehended in the confederation made with Adrian But it made well for the Pope that the Venctians shewed themselues harde straite because they put the Viceroy in suspicion that they layde for newe stirres and commotions And whylest these matters were negociated with a very assured hope of conclusion the Florentins by the Popes ordinance sent xxv thousande ducketts to the Marquis of Pisquairo for thenterteinment of tharmye hauing first receyued promise from Iohn Bart. de Gattinaro who negociated with the Pope for the Viceroy that that summe should be percell of the principall summe which was to be payd to him by vertue of the newe capitulacion And not many dayes afore the resolution and conclusion of the sayd capitulation the duke of Albanie who for his returning into Fraunce had taried for the nauy at sea which being now come also the gallies that were sent him he imbarked himselfe in them together with the gallies of the Pope which were sent to him by consent of the Viceroy and had neuertheles no saseconduit neither for the one nor for the other Ranse de Cere was imbarked with him together with thartillenes which he had had from Siena and Lucquay and foure hundred horse a thousand launceknightes with a very smal trowpe of Italians the residue of the regiments being retyred and gone away by trowpes The residue of the horses were partly solde and partly left there It was discerned clearly by the dealing and proceding of the Duke of Albanie that the purpose of his sending thither was eyther to diuert thimperialls from the Duchie of Millan for feare of the kingdome of Naples or else through that feare to induce them to accorde and aswell for that cause he had marched slowly as for that the forces which the king had giuen him were not sufficient for suche an enterprise But at laste leauing out the Venetians the confederation was concluded within Rome the first day of Aprill betweene the Pope and Florentins on the one part and themprour of thother for whom the Viceroy vndertooke being his lieftenant generall in Italie and for the Viceroy Iohn Bart. de Gattinaro nephew to themprours chief Chauncellor being in Rome with full and ample commission Theffect of the Capitulations most importing was this That betwene the Pope and themprour should be a perpetuall amitie and confederation by the which both the one and the other shoulde be bound to defende with a certayne proportion of men the Duchie of Millan being then possessed vnder the name of themperour by Frauncis Sforce who
absolute authoritie iurisdiction both of him selfe and his kingdom If you giue to the Pope and other Princes so manifest a certeintie that you are contented with the states which you haue and that you liue in a speciall care and watching ouer the vniuersall sauetie of Christendom Will not they remaine without suspicion yea hauing no more to feare you nor nothing to quarrell with you they will not onely loue you but they will honor in your person so great a bountie By this meane you shall drawe to you the harts of men which are not to be subdued by fiercenes you shall giue lawes to all nations for that they see you deuided from ambicion And by this meane shall you dispose more Christians with good will and authoritie then with forces and subiection By this meane being followed and ayded of all men you shal haue good oportunitie to turne your armes against the Lutherans Infidels with greater glory with more occasion of greater conquests Which I know not why they should not be also desired in Afrika in Greece or in Leuant seeing that as you haue had so great facilitie to amplifie your dominion amongst the Christians And the puissance of your maiestie so augmented that it is almost become terrible to them all So when they shall see your purposes extended further and your ambicion breake out of lymit all the world will conspire by necessitie against you whom they find armed with a mind so preiudiciall to their libertie In all times in all clymats and to all natures seruitude hath bene hatefull and libertie sweete and acceptable the Pope feareth your power the Venetians tremble vnder your puissant hande your forces haue put all Italy into astonishment and by the tokens that are discerned it is credible that the king of England enuyeth your felicitie you may for certaine monethes enterteyne the French men with fayre hopes and vaine practises but in the end either the king must be deliuered or they must be sent backe desperat if they reape dispaire they haue reason to conspyre against you with all the confederats they can procure And if you deliuer the king with condicions of litle profit to your maiestie what shal you winne to lose thoccasion to vse so great a magnanimitie which if you expresse not at this beginning when afterwards you would showe it it will haue neither prayse glory nor the like grace if you tye to his deliuerie couenants that bind him to your profit and commoditie he will not obserue them for that no sewertie that he shall giue you can so much import him but that it will import him much more not to haue his enemie to become so great as afterwardes he shall not be able to oppresse him And so shall we haue either a peace vnprofitable which ought to be farre from the deliberacion of your maiestie or els warres very daungerous whose ende is as vncerteine as the action is ielous Besides the chaunge of fortune is to be feared of him to whome she hath giuen so long a fruicion of felicitie And much more griefe and heauynes by the yll successe of things is to be doubted of him who hath had power to assure them Thus haue I satisfied the commaundement of your Maiestie though not with grauitie and witte that was exspected yet with affection and fidelitie according to a subiect beseeching God to inspire you with the election of that deliberation which may be most acceptable to his will and agreable to your glory and also be moste conducible to the benefite of the common weale of Christendome of the which both for your supreme dignitie and correspondencie of the diuine will of God there is necessarily transferred to your person the name of patron and protector This Oration was heard of thEmperour with great attention and yet he made no declaration by any signe or iesture whether he allowed or condemned it But giuing the signe to the residue to speake Federike duke of Alba a man of great authoritie with themperour roase vp and reasoned in this sort There be in the soule of man two principall powers necessarilie concurring to euery good action the vnderstanding and the will of both whiche wisdome is the full perfection The one we neede not doubt to be the free gifte of God and the other we may assure to be bredde in nature the one an inspiration to leade vs to the knowledge of things and the other a disposicion carying vs to the operation and action of the same and they both no other thing then the effect of that perfection which is referred to wisdome And as this wisdome discendeth by grace and is not giuen by nature so yet in thadministration of worldly things we see it bothe much holpen and well confirmed by learning and industrie In which respect right soueraigne Emperour I pray to be excused if my iudgement differ not from the common iudgement of others if by the facultie of my spirite I be not capable to perce so deepe as the vnderstanding of others can not reache vnto yea I hope to deserue more commendation if in my counsells I perswade you to followe the same waye which your fathers and elders haue alwayes taken for albeit counsells newe and without vse at the first sight may happly bring with them glorious showes and apparances yet no doubt in the ende they are founde to draw with them more daunger and deceite then suche as beeing measured by reason example and experience haue bene in all times approued by generall sentence of all men yea all thinges are put to aduenture that are done by rashnes and not by reason Your Maiestie hath receyued principally by the will and working of God and secondlye through the vallour of your Capteines and armie the greatest victorie that in many ages hath bene transferred to any Christian Prince But the chiefe frute to vanquishe consisteth in the well vsing of your victorie and who ordreth not his felicitie so incurreth a farre greater infamie then if he knewe not howe to vanquishe Greater is the fault of that man who suffreth himselfe to be deceyued by those things whiche he holdeth in his owne power then by suche as depende vpon the arbitration of fortune Since for the moste parte whom fortune doth bring to beleeue in her she maketh them more desirous of glory then apt to receyue it or hable to gouerne it Your Maiestie hath to take heede to enter into any deliberation which in the ende may bring shame to others and repentance to your selfe And by how much thimportance of this negociation is great by so muche doth it call your Maiestie to proceede with great aduise in your resolutions in which the faultes that are once committed can not be corrected If you once deliuer the French king you can no more reteine him but so long as he remayneth your prisoner it is alwayes in your power to giue him libertie In cases of captiuitie he that hastely enfreeth
you reteyne in your hande is sufficient to aduaunce it And also if things be well negociated the kings mother for her affection to her sonne and for the necessitie to recouer his libertie wil neuer cast of her hopes to redeeme him of you by accord Besides the Princes of Italy will neuer enter vnitie with the gouernment of Fraunce knowing that it remayneth alwayes in your hand setting the kinge at libertie not onely to seperate him but also to turne him against them A matter which as for the time it wil keepe them in astonishment suspense so in the end it must needes come to passe that they must be the first to receiue lawes of you And then it can not be but an action full of glorye to vse towards them clemencie and magnanimitie euen when matters shall be reduced to that estate and degree as they can not chuse but acknowledge you for superior Such was the manner of dealing of Alexander and Casar who were forward aad liberall to pardon iniuries and not slow and inconsiderat to readdresse their estate of them selues A midd those difficulties and daungers which they had already surmounted he that doth so deserueth praise for that he doth an acte which hath very fewe examples but that man can not but beare notes of imprudency and indiscression who doth that which hath no law of example nor rule of time By these reasons I am bold to induce your maiestie to draw of your victorie as great a profit as you can and alwayes vsing towardes the king those offices and oblacions that apperteine to him either to sende for him into Spaine or at least to haue him conueyed to Naples And for aunswere of his letter sent to your maiestie it were good to returne to him some speciall man to visite him with wordes full of grace and hope and with all to propownd vnto him condicions of his deliuerance such as vpon more particular consultacion may be worthie recompenses and rewardes of so greate a victorie In this sorte your fundacions being layed and your thoughtes extended to these endes the time and the operacions and accidentes thereof will make either more quicke or more slowe the deliuerie of the king and will also beget occasions of peace or warre with thItalians whom for the present you may enterteine with good hopes So shall you with art and industrie augument the fauor and reputacion of armes and auoyding to tempt euerie day a new fortune we shall be prepared and readie to accord either with this Prince or with that common weale either with all together or with one in particular as occasions accidents shall induce vs These be the wayes which wise Princes haue alwayes followed and particularly those who haue left to you the fundacions of such a greatnes They were neuer curious to reiect occasions that made to raise them higher nor slow to push on the fauor of fortune when they saw her wel disposed To you belongeth the interest of their example as of right apperteineth vnto you that which in any of them might seeme to be ambicion Your maiestie must remember that you are a Prince and that it is one office in your calling to followe the trace of Princes Muche lesse that any reason either diuine or humane perswadeth you to leaue thoccasion to releue and readdresse thauthority of the Empire vsurped and defaced seeing all lawes of God and nations binde you by straite obligacion to arme your corage and intencions to recouer it rightfully occasions are precious if they be executed in the ripenesse of time but being foreslowed they turne to the preiudice of those that hoped in them Your maiestie must be gealous ouer them knowing how easely they are lost and with what difficultie they are recouered you must not be curious to make your profit of them nor doubtfull to aduaunce them when you see they draw with them a correspondencie of time of place and all other circumstances helping to your enterprises You are not to make your fundacion vpon the bountie or wisedome of those that bee vanquished seeing all mortall men draw with them their corruptions and the whole worlde is full of infirmitie and error dignities and greatnes are the effectes and rewards of vallour and where is a resolute minde to execute there neuer wanteth a good fortune to establishe and confirme Lastly seeing the estate of Christendom can not be defended by any other meane then by your greatnes it is a iust office in your maiestie to lay to your hande though not for the interest of your owne authoritie and glorie yet for the seruice of God and zeale of the vniuersall benefit This oration was hard with a wonderful fauor inclinacion of the whole coūcell in whom for the authority of the man and for the spirit and efficacie of his reasons might be discerned an vniuersall impression of ambicion almost to the whole Empire of Christendom There was not one amongest them who without replie did not confirme his opinion which thEmperour also approued though more for colour not to seeme to swarue from the councell of his frends then in disclosing what was the propertie of his inclinacion Monsr Beauruin by office his great Chamberlaine and by fauour verie gracious with him was dispatched both to imparte with the Capteines of the armie thEmprours deliberacion and also to visit in his name the French king and to propownd to him the condicions by the which he might obteine his deliuerance he tooke his way by lande for that the kinges mother had made free and open all passages for Messengers and corryers to come and goe to thEmprours Court for the more easie and safe negociacion of her sonnes affayres And so together with the Duke of Burbon the Viceroy he went to Pisqueton where the king remeyned as yet There he offered him his libertie but with so vnequall heauy condicions that the very hearing of them was intollerable to the king for besides the resigning of all his titles and rights which he pretended in Italy thEmprour demaunded to haue rendred vnto him the Duchie of Burgonguie as apperteyning to him in propper And to giue to the Duke of Burbon Prouence with all the dependencies thereof And he required besides aswell for him selfe as for the king of England other condicions of very great moment It seemed the vertue of the king had ouercome the aduersities of his imprisonment for to thEmprours demaundes he aunswered constantly that he had rather offer vp his life in prison then to depriue his children of any part of the Realme of Fraunce And though he should consent to a composicion so preiudiciall yet it was not in his power to execute it for that the auncient tradicions and constitucions of Fraunce did not suffer alienacion of any member or appertenancie to the crowne without the consent of the parliaments others in whose hands rested the authoritie of the whole kingdom and who in like cases had bene alwayes
wont to preferre the vniuersall sauetie of the mayne body of the Realme affore the particular interest of the persons of their kings That if they would demaund condicions which were in his power to performe they should finde him most ready to ioyne with thEmprour and to fauor his greatnes But such was his desire of libertie that here he ceassed not to offer condicions diuers making no difficulty to graunt large parts of other mens estates without promising any thing of his owne This was in effect the summe of the things he accorded he offered to take to wife thEmprours sister a late widowe by the death of the king of Portugall he made confession that he would hold Burgonguie as in dowrye and that it should apperteyne to the children yssuing of that mariage That he would restore to the Duke of Burbon the Duchie that had beene confisked from him enlarging it with some other estate That in recompense of thEmprours sister who had bene promised to the Duke the king would giue him in mariage his sister a late widowe by the deceasse of Monsr d'Alenson That he would satisfie the king of England with money and pay to thEmprour a great treasor for his raunsom That he would resigne vnto him his interests and rights in the kingdom of Naples and Duchie of Myllan That he woulde send to accompany him both with a nauie by sea and an armie by lande at such tyme as he would goe to Rome to take the crowne Imperiall which was as much as if he had promised to giue him in pray the whole Monarchie of Italy Beaurayn returned with these capitulacions to thEmprour to whom went with him also Monsr Montmorancy a personage then very agreeable to the king and afterwards great maister of Fraunce and at last by the kings liberalitie indued with the dignitie of high Constable of Fraunce But now let vs say some what of the sorowes feares of Fraunce After they were possessed of the newes of the ouerthrow of th armie taking of the king there ranne thorow the whole kingdome an vniuersall astonishment and confusion for besides the incredible sorow which thaccident of the kinges imprisonment brought to that nation naturally very deuout and louing to their kinges there appeared on all sides infinite mournings and heauines aswell publike as priuate Priuate men lamented and made their sorrowes aparte for that aswell of the Courte as of the Nobilitie there were very sewe who had not loste in the battell their children their brethren or other their parentes and friends of marke They wepte and coulde not be comforted because they iudged their sorrowe could not be greater then the qualitie of their losse And in the publike and generally body of the realme might be discerned nothing but an vniuersall face of desolation and dispayre euery one crying out of so great a diminution of the authoritie glory of so flourishing a realme A perplexitie so muche the more grieuous intollerable to them by howmuch naturally they are hawty and presuming of themselues In this estate of aduersitie they set before their eyes all that feare and dispayre coulde imagine They doubted least so great a calamitie were not the beginning of a further and subuersion They sawe their king prisoner and with him eyther taken or slaine in the battel the chieftayns of the kingdome which in the imagination of their sorowes they helde a losse irreparable They behelde their capteins discomforted and their souldiors discouraged A calamitie which stopped in them all hope to be readdressed or reassured They saw the realme made naked of money treasor and enuironed with most mighty enemies an affliction which most of all caryed their thoughts into the last cogitations of desperate ruine for the king of England notwithstanding he had holden many parleys and treaties and showed in many things a variation of mind yet not many daies before the battel he had cut off al the negociations which he had enterteined with the king had published that he would discend into Fraunce if the things of Italie tooke any good successe So that the frenchmen feared least in so great an oportunity thēprour he would not leauy warre agaynst Fraunce eyther for that there was no other head or gouernor then a woman and the litle children of the king of whom the eldest had not yet runne eyght yeres accomplished or els because thenemies had with thē the duke of Burbon for his owne particular a puissant prince and for his authority in the realme of Fraunce very popular strong in opinion a mighty instrument to stirre vp most dangerous emotions Besides the Lady Regent aswell for the loue she bare to the king as for the daungers of the realme was not without her passions both proper and particular for being full of ambition and most greedy of the gouernment she feared that if the kinges deliuery drewe any long tract of tyme or that any new difficultie happned in Fraunce she should be constrayned to yelde vp thadministration of the Crowne to suche as should be delegate and assigned by the voyces of the kingdome Neuertheles amid so many astonishmentes confusions she drew her spirites to her by her example were recōforted the nobles that were of counsell with her who taking speedy order to manne the frontiers of the realme and with diligence to leauy a good prouision of money The Lady Regent in whose name all expeditions dispatches went out wrote to themprour letters full of humilitie and compassion wherein she forgot not by degrees vehement and inducing to solicit a negociatiō of accord by vertue wherof hauing a litle after deliuered Don Hugo de Moncado she sent him to themprour to offer him that her sonne should renounce disclaime frō all rightes of the kingdome of Naples and thestate of Millan with contentment to refer to the censure arbitration of the law the titles rights of Burgondy which if it apperteined to thēprour he should acknowledge it for the dowry of his sister That he should render to Monsr Burbon his estate together with his moueables goods which were of great vallour and also the frutes reuenues which had bin leauied by the cōmissioners deputed out of the regal chamber That he should giue to him his sister in mariage deliuer vp to him Pronence if iudgemēt of the interest right were made of his side And for the more facilitie and speedy passage of this negociatiō rather then for any desire she had to nourish her inclination to the warre she dispatched immediatly Embassadours into Italie to recōmend to the Pope the Venetians the safetie of her sonne To whom she offred that if for their proper securitie they would contract with her and rayse armes agaynst themperour she would for her particular aduaunce fiue hundred launces together with a great contribution of money But amidde these trauells and astonishmentes the principall desire aswell of her as of the whole
farre from stay and resolucion knowing withall that the frenchmen offred as a pray to thEmperour the regions of Italie that by necessitie he went temporising hauing not whereupon to fix his fundacion In this time thaccord betwene the Viceroy the Venetians was solicited continually wherin besides the Viceroy sought to bind of new the Venetians to the defense of the Duchy of Millan he demaunded great summes of money to satisfie their fault of inobseruaciō of the cōfederacion passed The Venetians had many reasons to incline thē to giue place to necessity but of the contrary they were caried with more reasonable perswasiōs to remeine in suspence amid which incerteinty of estate their coūcels were ful of variety irresolucion Neuertheles after many conferences meetings their astonishmēt being no lesse then their neighbours for so great a victory of thEmprour their estate only being abādoned reduced to priuacion on all sides they addressed new cōmissions to P. Pesero their Embassador residēt with the Viceroy to confirme the league in the same manner it had bene made affore paying ouer to thEmperour foure score thowsand duckats for satisfaction of penalties past But the Viceroy being made so much the more obstinate by howe muche they seemed fearefull aunswered them resolutely that he would not renue the confederacion onlesse they payed in the hūdred thowsand duckats which obstinacy drew with it this ill accident as oftentimes is seene to happen in matters deliberated with longnes of time and no readines of wil for so long a tract was taken in the disputing and debating of this litle summe that the Venetians had aduertisement how the king of England bare no more so ill a minde to the aduersities of Fraunce as was feared in the beginning and besides the Imperiall armie had both payed and dimissed many regimentes of Launceknights Matters which the Venetians interpreting to their aduauntage and better suretie from vexacion they determined to dwell as yet in suspence and to reserue in them selues as much as they could power election to take those deliberacions which by the traine euent of generall things they knew were best for thē The Viceroy and the other Capteines Imperiall were not a litle stirred vp by these variacions to transport the person of the french king into a place of suretie iudging that for the ill disposicion of others they could not without perill kepe him garded in the Duchie of Millan In which feare ioyned to their continuall desire so to doe they resolued to conueye him to Genes and from thence by sea to Naples where his lodging was prepared within the newcastell This determinacion brought no litle greefe to the king who from the beginning of his captiuitie had vehemently desired to be caried into Spaine perhappes he had opinion measuring happily an other man by his owne nature or else running with the common error of mortall men being easely beguiled in things they desire that if once he were brought to the presence of thEmperour he doubted not of some easie passage for his liberty either through thEmperours benignitie or by the condicions he ment to offer The Viceroy was of the same desire for the augmentacion of his owne glory but being reteined for feare of the french army by sea they dispatched by common consent Monsr Montmerancy to the Ladie Regent she graunted to him six light gallies of those that lay in the port of Marseilles vpon promise to haue them restored assoone as the king was arriued in Spaine With these gallies he returned to Portofino where the kinges person was alreadie ariued and ioyning them to sixteene gallies of thEmperour which was the nauy appointed at first to conduct him to Naples he reduced them all into one fleete and armed them all with footemen of the Spanish The Captaines Imperialls the Duke of Burbon were perswaded that the kinges person shoulde be ledde to Naples but of the contrarie setting saile the seuenth of Iune they tooke suche course that the eight daye they arriued with a happy voyage at Rosa a hauen of Catalognia Their comming brought no small ioy to the Emperour who till that day had vnderstande nothing of that resolucion And assoone as he was made assured of the kings being there he dispatched cōmaundements to all places where he should passe to receiue him with great honors only till it should be otherwise determined he gaue order to kepe him in the castel of Sciatiua neare to Valence a castel anciently vsed by the kings of Aragon for the garding of great personages wherein had bene kept prisoner for many yeares the Duke of Calabria But the deliberacion to keepe him in that place seeming farre too rigorous to the Viceroy and nothing agreeable to the promises he had made to the king in Italie he won so much of thEmperour that till he had taken an other councell the kinges person might remeine neare Valence in a place apt for hunting other delights of the field There he left him lodged with sufficient gard vnder the charge of Capteine Alarcon in whose custodie he had alwayes remayned since his vnfortunate day And from thence the Viceroy together with Montmerancie went to themperour to make reapport of thestate of Italie and the discourse of things which tyll that day had bene debated with the king with whom he perswaded themperour with many reasons to drawe to accorde for that he could not haue a faythfull amitie and coniunction with the Italians Themprour after he had heard the Viceroy and Montmerancy determined to conuey the king into Castillo to the castell of Madrill a place farre remoued from the sea and the confines of Fraunce where being honored with ceremonies reuerences agreable to so great a prince he should neuerthelesse be kept vnder carefull and straite garde with libertie to take the ayre abrode certayne times of the day mounted onely vpon a moyle Themperour coulde neuer be brought to admitte the king to his presence if first thaccorde were not eyther established or at least in an assured hope of resolution And to th ende there might be interposed in the negociation a personage honorable and almost equall with the king Montmerancie was sent in great diligence into Fraunce to bring the Duchesse of Alenson the kings sister and a widowe with fulnesse of authoritie to debate and contract And to th ende this negociacion of accorde were not hindred by newe difficulties there was made a little afterwardes a truce vntill the ende of December betweene themperour and such as administred the gouernment of Fraunce Moreouer themperour gaue order that one parte of those gallies which were come with the Viceroy should returne into Italie to bring the Duke of Burbon into Spayne without whose presence and priuitie he gaue out that he would make no conuention and yet the gallies what for want of money and other impedimentes were prepared but with slowe diligence Themperour showing him selfe vehementlye disposed to establishe an vniuersall
peace betweene the Princes of Christendome and also at one tyme to giue some reasonable forme to th affayres of Italie solicited instantly the Pope to hasten away the Cardinall Saluiatio or some others with sufficient authoritie He sent also to be excused to the king of Englande taking the reasons of his excuse vpon this that he could not resist the generall wyll and vniuersall inclination of his peoples and sent withall to the Pope Lopes Vtrado for a dispensation to marry the infant of Portugall his cousin german and by that meane conioyned to him in second degree He sent also by the same Lopes who departed vpon the ende of Iulie the inuestiture of the Duchie of Millan to Frauncis Sforce but vnder this condition to pay presently an hundred thousande Duckets with obligation to paye fiue hundred thousand more at diuerse tearmes and to take the trade of saltes of the Archduke his brother The same Lopes caryed also commission to dispose of his men of warre in this sorte that except the regimentes of Spanishe footemen who were to remayne in the Marquildome of Salusso all the others shoulde be dismissed That sixe hundred men at armes should returne to the realme of Naples and the residue remayne in the Duchie of Millan And lastly that the Marquis of Pisquairo should be capteyne generall of his armie The Emperour added to this commission that those moneys which he had sent to Genes to defray foure Carackes with the which he intended speedily to passe in person into Spayne should be conuerted to the necessities and vsage of th armie for that he was nowe determined not to departe out of Spayne The Commission bare also to sende in themperours name the Protonotarie Carracciolo to Venice to induce that Senate to a newe confederation or at least to insinuate his disposition and leaue them satisfied that all his actions tended to an vniuersall peace amongest Princes Christian But the going of the French king into Spayne brought no little perplexitie to the Pope and the Venetians who seeing themprours armie was muche diminished considered that into what part of Italie the kings person should be transported thimperialls could not but finde many impedimentes by the necessitie to haue him well garded so that by that meane eyther there might easily aryse some occasion to deliuer him or at least the difficultie to cary him into Spayne and the litle surety to kepe him in Italie would constrayne themperour to giue some good forme to the generall affayres But when by transporting his person into Spayne both his owne hopes were disappoynted and meane giuen to his enemies to leade him into sure prison they discerned that all treatises and negociations were wholly in the hands of themperour and that there could be established no fundation vpon the practises and offers of the French In so muche as the reputation of themperour rising into augmentation by dayly degrees all men began to exspect from his Court and from his hande lawes and rules to dispose all affayres In these discontentmentes were concurrant also but for diuers causes the displeasures of the Duke of Burbon and the Marquis of Pisquairo for that the Viceroy tooke vppon him without their priuitie to leade the French king into Spayne Suche is the emulation of men in the case of glorie or reputation which more then all other worldlye passions hath a naturall propertie to carye their mindes headlong into ambition of other mens merite The Duke of Burbon tooke the reason of his discontentment vpon this that beeing expulsed Fraunce for thalliance he had made with themperour he chalenged a more interest then any others to be called and to communicate in all the practises of accorde In regarde whereof he determined to passe also into Spayne and yet he was driuen to stande longer vpon his going then willingly he would for that he taryed for the returne of the gallies that caried the Viceroy The Marquis tooke displeasure with the Viceroy for the small estimation he made of him and was no lesse yll contented with themprour for that he was not thankfull as apperteined to his merites and many seruices done in the laste warres and lately in the battell of Pauia touching which victorie albeit he had deserued more prayse and glory then all the capteines of tharmy yet themperour contrary to the lawe of equitie and reason had transferred the whole reputation to the Viceroy with many highe honours and demonstrations This the Marquis could not disgest with suffrance but in the passion of his wrong as he thought he wrote letters to themprour full of detraction against the Viceroy tempered with complayntes to be so muche disfauoured of him as not to be thought worthy atleast to be made priuie to suche a resolution and that if in the warre and daungers thereof the deliberation of things had bene referred to his counsell and proper arbitration the French king had not onely not bene taken but also assone as the losse of the duchie of Millan had followed th imperiall army beeing dryuen to abandon the defence of Lombardie would necessarily haue retyred to Naples Lastely he charged the Viceroy to be gone to triumphe of a victorie wherein it was manifestly knowen to the whole armie he had no part at all yea for proofe that in the heate and moste furie of the battell he was both without courage and without counsell there were many that heard him crye many times VVe are loste and vanquished and that if he would denie this chalenge he offred to iustifie it vppon his body by the execution of armes according to the lawes and rules of warre The Marquis also was further incensed vpon this that sending immediatly after the victorie to take possession of Carpy thinking themprour would deliuer it to him he was not satisfied in that desire The reason was that themperour hauing graunted it two yeres before to Prospero Colonno assured that notwithstanding he neuer had thinuestiture yet in memorie of him that was dead he would to the profite of Vespasian his sonne leaue to his house the same recompence which in his lyfe time he had intended in recordation of his vallour and actions Whiche reason albeit was iuste and that suche examples of gratitude ought to be acceptable to the Marquis though not so muche for thexcellencie of them yet for the hope they brought that his great seruises should be brought into liberall consideration by themperour yet it was not embrased of him not for that it was not iust equall but because for the opinion he bare of him selfe he helde it conuenient that that peculiar humor appetite of his proceding of a couetousnes irreconcileable hatred which he bare to the name of Prospero should be preferred before all other interests how iust soeuer they were In this intemperācie of passion he cried out of themprour and the whole counsell sending his complayntes through all the Regions of Italie and that with such detestatiō of themprours ingratitude that by
great honor and fauors he debated vppon his commissions which principally conteyned the ratification of the Articles promised by the Viceroy and secondly a demaunde to transferre thinuestiture to the Duke of Millan for the common suretie of Italy But the Viceroy notwithstanding his promises disswaded the restitution of Reggia and Rubiera and by his counsell and through the hopes he had in him the Duke of Ferrara desiring to solicite his owne cause before themperour and hauing the Popes promise not to execute any enterprise vpon his estate for sixe monethes tooke his way to the frontyer of the realme of Fraunce with intention to passe further but being denied passage and safeconduit by the Lady Regent he returned backe agayne to Ferrara The Legate and themprour conferred together touching a dispensation to take to wife the king of Portugals sister A mariage which themprour was determined to contract notwithstāding he had promised the king of England by oth to take no other wife then his daughter But the Pope temporised this demaund stood long to accord to the dispēsation for that many perswaded him that the desire to obteyne such a grace would reduce the Emperour and make him the more easie to his desires touching the matters in negociation And at least wise in case he would make warre vpon him it were farre from pollicie and discression to giue him meane to heape together so great a masse of money as would growe to him by that mariage for that the king of Portugall offred him for a portion nyne hundred thousande ducketts Of whiche deducting so muche as was set downe to defraye the debtes contracted betweene them it was thought there would come to his handes at least a summe of fiue hundred thousand duckets Besides the subiectes of Spayne consented to rayse a contribution of foure hundred thousande vnder the title of a beneuolence or seruice which taking his beginning in tymes paste of the proper willes and motion of the people to releeue the necessities of their kinges was reduced by custome and working of tymes into a loane or rather an ordinary Subsedie yea they offred him moreouer to enriche him with a further summe of foure hundred thousande duckats if he went through with the mariage On the other side the Pope had no power to resiste thimportunities of the Duke of Sesso thEmperours Embassadour for that by the propertie of his inclination there appeared for the moste parte in hym a repugnancie betweene that he purposed and thinges whiche he executed for beeing by nature very farre of to accorde any grace that was demaunded of him he was not apt to vse difficulties nor easie to make deniall onely by the facilitie of his nature he suffred oftentymes hys will to be wonne and ouerruled by thimportunitie of suche as sued to hym and in that disposition seemed to accorde to thinges more through feare then by grace wherein he proceeded not neyther with that constancie of minde nor with that maiestie of title and place whiche was required of the greatnesse of his dignitie and was agreable to thimportance of th affayres that stoode vppon negociation And in that maner did he deale touching the dispensation required by themperour for as on the one side he was caryed by hys proper profite and on the other side ouerruled by his ordinarie facilitie and softnesse so according to hys custome he discharged vppon the backe of an other the thing whiche him selfe was not sufficient to susteine neyther with his body nor with his mynde he dispatched by a writte the dispensation in the same forme themperour demaunded it and sending it to the Cardinall Saluiatio he tyed to it this commission that if his affayres with thEmperour soarted to a resolution according to the hope he had giuen assoone as the sayde Cardinall should come to the Court he should deliuer the writ otherwise to retayne it to him selfe A commission wherein the minister or seruant as shall be sayde in his place showed himselfe no more firme nor more constant then the maister But whilest the Cardinall disputed the Popes Commissions with themperour and was alwayes enterteined with hope to haue thexpedition he desyred there fell oute in Lombardie verye diuerse effectes for the Duke of Millan beeing so well recouered of hys sicknesse that at the least he was holden out of daunger of soddayne death the Marquis of Pisquairo hauing receyued by Castaldo themperours Commission to prouide for those daungers as he thought good determined to enter vppon the Duchie of Millan vnder this cooller that the Duke by reason of the conspiracies and practises holden by Moron was falne from the rightes of inuestiture and the chiefe or soueraigne freeholde reuerted vpon the Emperour as supreme Lorde And to giue a beginning to this resolution the Marquis lying at Nouaro very sicke notwithstanding he had bestowed one parte of the armie within Pauia and lodged the Launceknightes neare Loda whiche two cities he had fortified yet vnder cooller to dispose the armie through all the state of Millan he reuoked to Nouaro when was least doubt of suche a matter the residue of the bands dispersed in Pyedmont and the Marquisdome of Salusse whiche state the Imperiall capteines had occupied almoste immediatly after the victorie He called also to Nouaro Moron in whose person rested almost the importance of all thinges And as it was certayne that Moron beeing made prisoner the Duke of Millan would be made depriued both of men and counsell So the Marquis by that meane thought to take awaye all impedimentes and resistance where if he shoulde suffer him to liue in libertie it could not be but that Moron with his spirite with his experience and with his reputation woulde entangle the estate of hys affayres and giue many impedimentes to his plotts and purposes Besides it was necessary for themperour to haue the person of Moron in his power and possession for that beeing the author and speciall instrument of all the conspiracies he thoughte to drawe from him by his proper confession all those treasons and intelligences whiche were charged vppon the Duke of Millan There is nothing more harde then to auoyde destinie nor no remedie auaylable agaynst the euills determined to fall vppon vs And as it is easie to suffer a mischiefe when we are sure of the remedie So for that aduersitie is of his owne nature quarrellous there is no yll that happneth whiche is not so muche the more grieuous and troublesome by howe muche it happneth on a sodayne shaking so muche the more vehemently the resolution and constancie of the mynde Moron mighte nowe discerne that the practise he had with so great secrecie enterteyned wyth the Marquis was a matter vayne and dissembled He knewe hym selfe to bee followed with an vniuersall hatred of all the Spanish souldiors amongest whom ranne already many rumors of his infidelitie Antho. de Leua gaue out publike threates that he woulde kill him It is not credible that he did not consider thimportance of
Protenotorie Caraccioll who hoped that for the tearmes wherin things stoode the Senate would speedily drawe to a conclusion to renew the former confederation with the same conditions and to paye to themprour fourescore thousande duckets in recompence that in tymes paste he had withdrawne his ayde leauing there wholly all demaundes to contribute hereafter with money But the accident of Millan reduced the Senate to no litle perplexitie for on the one side they stoode grieued to be the onely people in Italy that with so great daunger contended agaynst themprour seeing they were threatned by the Marquis of Pisquairo to transport the whole warre vpon their estate whereof they discerned already certayne preparations And on the other side they were not ignorant that in case thaccorde went throw themprour should with greater facilitie make himselfe absolute lorde of that Duchie which being ioyned to so many estates and so many other oportunities they sawe was the onely line to leade him to subdue them together with the residue of Italy A matter which was continually declared to them by the Bishop of Bayeux whom the Lady Regent had sent to solicite an vnion with thItalians agaynst themprour for which purpose in so great a doubt and in so daungerous apparances they made many assemblies but without any resolution for the diuersitie of opinions And albeit to accept thaccorde was a thing more conformable to their custome and maner of proceeding for that it so tooke them out of daungers present as they might hope in the tract of tymes and benefite of occasions which common weales may attend who in comparison of Princes are immortall yet it seemed to them a matter of too great importance to suffer themprour confirmed in thestate of Millan and to see the French remayne excluded from all hope of alliance in Italy Therefore after they had at laste resolued to be bounde to no thing they made this aunswere to the Protenotary Carraccioll That the forme of their actions paste gaue fayth to all the world and he himselfe being present at the conclusion of the confederation could well testifie with what great affection they had alwayes desired thamitie of themprour with whom as they contracted a consederation in a tyme when if they had harkned to the French it had bene as all the world knewe anoperacion of right great consequence so they had perseuered and would for euer continue in the same disposicion towards him Only the necessity of thinges kept them in suspence both for that they saw in Lombardie many chaunges and innouations of great importaunce and also for that they remembred that their confederacion with thEmperour together with so many mouings and stirres hapned that yeare in Italie drewe no other end or meaning then to transferre Frauncis Sforce to the Duchie of Millan as the principall fundacion of the libertie and suretie of Italie In which regard they besought his Maiestie that maintaining in that case him selfe and deducing affore all the world his bountie he would remoue and make cease so great an innouacion and establish the tranquillitie of Italie which as it was in his power to doe being nowe the starre that guided the whole firmament so for their partes he should find them alwayes disposed and prepared both with their authoritie and with their forces to follow so holy an inclinacion and honor him besides with all other sortes of office and humility whether he would extend them generally or applie them to his particular interests This aunswere albeit it conteined no hope of cōclusion yet it bred not for al that any ouerture or beginning of warre for that both the sickenesse of the Marquis of Pisquairo which aggrauated dayly in worse degrees the desire to impatronise him selfe first of the whole estate of Millan and to establish and assure that conquest together with thinclinacion of thEmperour extending to put end and resolucion to so many other affaires which he had in hande would not suffer him to giue beginning to an enterprise of so great consequence About this time the Duke of Burbon was arriued in Spaine and came to thEmperours Court the fifteene day of Nouember concerning whom it is not reasonable I omit here to touch by the way that albeit thEmperour receiued him with all honors and demonstracions of Court embrasing him with the title and grace of his brother in law yet all the Lordes and Nobles of the Court accustomed in all other things to follow thexample of their Prince abhorred him as a person infamous and called him traitor to his king suche was their hatred against him that one of them being required in thEmperours name to suffer his house to be made readie for the Duke of Burbon aunswered in the corage stowtnes of a Spaniard that as he would not deny thEmperour any thing he would demaunde of him so his Maiestie should well vnderstand that assoone as Burbon was gone out of his house he would burne it as a pallace infected with the infamie of Burbon and vnworthie afterwardes for the dwelling of men of honor The graces and honors which the thEmperour shewed to the Duke of Burbon augmented greatly the distrust of the frenchmen who somewhat by that meane but more for the returning of the Ladie Regent without effect began to haue cold hopes in thaccord notwithstanding it was continually negociated by men expresse remeining with thEmperour In respect whereof they labored as much as they could to aduance the league with the Pope wherein did concurre the perswasions and authority of the king of England and the redoubled and vehement instances of the Venetians together with this oportunitie not of the least consequence The death of the Marquis of Pisquairo who about that time which was the beginning of December made his last end happily by the iust sentence of God who would not suffer him to enioy the frute of that seede which he had sowen with so great malignity He was of the house of Abalos originally deriued from Catalignia and his predecessor came into Italie with king Alfonso of Aragon he who the first of that house made conquest of the kingdome of Naples He began to follow armes at the battell of Rauenna where being very younge he was taken prisoner And afterwards aspyring to a reputacion of a Capteine he followed all the warres which the Spanyards had in Italy Insomuch as though he had not past the age of xxxvj yeres yet for experience he was olde for inuencion suttle in councell graue in execucion resolute wise to forsee a daunger and quicke to auoid a mischiefe he bare great authoritie and credit with the infanterie of Spayne ouer whom as he had bene of long Capteine generall so both the victorie of Pauia and all other actions of merit executed by that army since certaine yeares were principally succeeded by his councel and by his vertue he was assuredly a Capteine of great vallour but one that with arte and dissimulacion knewe how to drawe fauor and grace
to his doings being besides prowd of minde of wit deceitfull of nature malicious of councell and action without sincerity and so singuler in his owne weening that oftentimes he hath bene heard saye that he was more worthye to haue Spayne for his contry then Italy His death as it kindled a great confusion in the whole armie with whome he stoode inno litle grace and reputacion so also by his death the contrary side tooke occasion to hope that easily they might be able to bringe all the souldiers to ruine and oppression since there was taken from them a Capteine of so great authoritie and vallour And by this occasion like as with the Pope were more vehement and importunate the instances of such as solicited the proceeding of the league so also the doubtes which deteyned him in suspence were nothing lesse and that with good right since on all partes he was touched with mocions of right waighty reasons such as might suffice to hold confused and suspenced any man of right good action and councell and much more a Pope Clement to whom it was familiar to proceede alwayes in his affayres with slownes and doubt There was no further exspectacion of thEmprour for any way or deuise to assure the regions of Italy And he was manifestly discerned to solicite vehemently the taking of the castell of Myllan In which action was layed a foundacion to conuert many other patrimonies into apparant praye or spoyle but specially the states of the Pope who being reduced to a generall weakenes had his being planted betweene Lombardye and the Realme of Naples And if it were in thEmprours power to oppresse the Pope there was no doubt that he would not execute it either for ambicion which is almost naturally inuested in Emprours against the Popes or for his own suertie which wise men preserre affore all other regards or lastly for reuenge being drawne both to disdaine and distrust for the conspiracies which he enterteyned with the Marquis of Pisquairo And if the necessitie to prouide for this daunger was great the foundacions and hopes to doe it seemed not light for that if the remedie were not to succeede by the meane of so mighty a league and vnion it was to be thought desperate for euer The Regent of Fraunce made promisse of fiue hundred launces and to contribute for euery moneth so long as the warre should endure forty thowsand duckats with the which it was intended to wage ten thowsand Svvyzzers The Pope and the Venetians in one ioynt ayde were to leauye xviij hundred men at armes twenty thowsand footemen and two thowsand light horsemen The French men and the Venetians promised to take the sea and with a great nauie to do inuasion vppon Genes or the Realme of Naples Lastly the Lady Regent of Fraunce was bound to begin the warre immediatly with a stronge armie vppon the frontyers of Spayne to th ende to stoppe thEmprour for sending of men and money to releeue the warre in Italy ThEmprours armie that remeyned in Lombardye was not great neither for the nūbers quality of souldiers being much diminished nor for the presence of Capteines of conduct and authoritie seeing both the Marquis was dead and the Duke of Burbon the Viceroy of Naples abode as yet in Spaine They were without meane to recouer money for their payes and had no plentie of vittells to serue them for foode The generall inhabitantes there were enemies to them for the quarrell and desire of their Duke and no lesse for thintollerable exactions imposed by the souldiours both in the Citie of Millan and elsewhere The castells of Millan and Cremona helde good as yet for the Duke And lastly the Venetians gaue hope that the Duke of Ferrara would also enter into this confederacion if the Pope would accord to him Reggia which by one meanes or other he had alwayes possessed These were the hopes of the confederates which reduced to good manner of proceeding caried their manifest reasons of happie issue These were the fundacions they layed against the ambicion and puisance of thEmperour shadowed neuerthelesse vnder the cloake and liuerie to assure their proper liberties But on thother side the difficulties which they discerned rested in the suttlety and vertue of thenemies who had this by custome and propertie of condicion to temporise a long time with litle money and endure many necessities with much patience They saw the townes which thennemies held were well fortified and no lesse facilitie to reduce them to better strength with rampars other sort of fortificacion for that they were townes whose situacion was in the plaine or champion By which oportunitie they were hable to enterteine them selues together vntill there came from Germanie a sufficient succor to drawe and driue the whole warre to the fortune of a battell Moreouer they sawe that touching the souldiours of the league they could not be but bodies raw vntrained in comparison of the others resolute and nourished in so many victories Besides they wanted the conduct and presence of a Capteine generall for that in the Marquis of Mantua then Capteine of the Church they reapposed not sufficient habilitie to manage and beare out suche a charge neither could they with any suretie committe them selues to the fidelitie of the Duke of Ferrara nor the Duke of Vrbin whom they had so much offended much lesse would they rest contented with the greatnes of the Pope whom they enuied with no litle murmure and grudge of mind Lastly they were not ignorant that naturally the armes and weapons of the Church had but dull edges and cutslowly and no lesse inferior was the vallour of the Venetians of whom if either of them aparte and seuerallie were weake and feeble what opinion or exspectacion of their forces being accompanied and conioyned This was also brought into consideracion that in the armies of leagues and confederats was seldome seene a concurrancie of prouisions at conuenient time and muche lesse a correspondencie of wills and mindes for that amongest suche a diuersitie of humors which draw with them diuersities of interestes and endes are easely kindled disorders disdaines and distrusts at the least there is seldom an vniuersall readines to followe resolutely the fauor of fortune when it is offered nor a ioynt disposicion to resist with constancie those stormes and aduersities with either the disfauour of the time or malicious instrument many stirre vp in an armie But the matter that in this councell or deliberacion drewe with it a great feare and difficultie was a suspicion conceiued of the frenchemen that whensoeuer thEmperour shoulde be constrained by the necessities of this warre to offer the deliuerie of their king that nation woulde not onely abandon the league but also ioyne in ayde with the Emperour gainst the confederates And albeit the kinge of Englande gaue for them his faith and worde of a Prince that they shoulde not accorde to suche a renunciacion and that there was deuise to giue assurance
seconde degree without naming the king of Portugalls daughter for offending the king of Englande or because there was betwene them a double bonde of affinitie there was no mention made but of the bonde that was most strong it was thought necessary to make an other which with expresse mention of the persons conteined al the impedimēts The Cōmandador Erraro departed from themprours Court with the dispatche of this confederation about a day or two after themperour was aduertised of thimprisoning of Moron and comming to the Popes court the sixt of December he was brought to his presence where after he had presented to him many offers with the like information of the good will of themprour he deliuered him the capitulations in which albeit the Articles touching the salte and matters of benefice within the realme of Naples were contrary to that whiche had bene solicited and resolued by the Viceroy yet for that his principall end was to be assured of suspicions he had allowed and accepted them if he had founde a sincere proceeding touching the Duchie of Millan But seeing in tharticle concerning Frauncis Sforce was conteined no mention of thimputation made agaynst him neyther promising to render thestate that was taken from him nor to pardon his faultes committed their arte and suttleties were easily discerned the rather for that themperiour in the conclusion made with the Legate and in the instructions giuen to his Agent seemed to take no knowledge of suche things for the confederation made to defende and preserue Frauncis Sforce in the Dukedome of Millan depriued not themperour of power to proceede agaynst him as agaynst his vassall and to declare the freeholde to be confisqued for the conspiracie supposed vppon him agaynst his Maiestie And Burbon subborned to be Duke in case of his death was also to succeede in case of his priuation for that by the lawes is considered the death naturall and the death ciuill by which they iudge that man to dye who is condemned for suche a cryme for this cause the Pope aunswered with verye graue speeches that as he had no particular matter of discorde with themperour so touching all differences and contentions that might happen betweene them he woulde for his parte choose no other arbitrator or iudge then his Maiestie Onely he helde it necessary to establishe so good an order for the publike affayres as Italy might remayne assured whiche coulde not be done vnlesse he restored to Frauncis Sforce the Duchie of Millan Lastely he layde affore him reasons prouing whye a Capitulation so generall was not sufficient concluding that it woulde bring no small griefe to hym to be driuen to that necessitie to enter into newe deliberations and counselles and to be made estraunged from themperour with whom he had alwayes bene moste firmely conioyned To these the Duke of Sesso replyed with reasons iustificatorie that as themperour had alwayes a sinceare and vprighte intention So he assured that his Maiestie was well contented that notwithstanding thaccidentes hapned and paste the Duchie of Millan should remayne to Frauncis Sforce Onely if tharticle especiall of that clause through mistaking were not set downe in sufficient and ample forme it was referred to the Pope to reforme it according to his will and discression promising for themprour to present to him within two monthes the ratification so farreforth also as he would giue his worde not to conclude during that tyme the League which was negociated with the gouernment of Fraunce and the Venetians It was clearely discerned that this offer had no other fundation then a desire to temporaise and winne a respite or tyme of two monethes to th ende to giue vnto themprour a better leasure to take good counsels and leauy conuenient remedies agaynst so strong a League Neuerthelesse after many contentions and disputations the discontentment of them bassadors concurring the Pope consented to that demaund aswell by desire and reason to enter as slowly as he could into exspences and troubles as also for this pollicie that so long as the french king continued in the condition of a prisoner all contracts confederations made with the Regent of Fraunce would be ielouse and daungerous for that themprour would alwayes reteine a power to dissolue and breake them as often as he list Also he iudged that by this respite or delay interposed themprour might with more facilitie obteine his purpose notwithstāding there was no great apparence of hope And if by that were wrought thaccorde betwene the two kings he made this depe consideration though many iudged agaynst it that it were better to passe in a time when themprour stoode in least necessitie for that by howe muche his affayres were aduaunced or stoode in good trayne by so muche more rude would be the conditions he would offer to the French king which being seuere and rigorous he supposed the king would not obserue them after he were possessed of his libertie There was also added to that treatise that during the sayde tyme there should be no newe enterprise embrased nor no action executed agaynst the Castell of Millan so farrefoorth as Frauncis Sforce woulde be bounde not to do any molestation vpon those that laye without which condition he would not accept The yere of the natiuity of the sonne of God a thowsand fiue hundred twenty fiue being run out in these actions more disposed to warre then to peace there followed successiuely the yeare 1526 which being replenished with great accidents brought a face of wonderfull troubles In the beginning of this yeare the commandator Erraro returned to themprour with letters subsigned and written with the Popes owne hande by the which he neither denied nor confessed the conspiracies practised against him but laying the fault vpon the Marquis of Pisquairo he labored to excuse Frauncis Sforce whome he alleaged if he had offended at all to be abused by the counsels of Ierome Moron beseching him with tearmes of great affection that for the benefit and quiet of all Christendom he would preferre his clemencie affore his iustice At this time thEmperour exspecting the aunswere of the Pope helde in suspense the negociacious and practises of all Princes albeit he had exercised great grace fauor and honor vpon the Duke of Burbon promising with speede to aduance the consummacion of the mariage betwene his sister him yet when Burbon vrged the accomplishing of his worde and promise he was aunswered with euasions and delaies such as made the matter doutful the Duke discontented Neuertheles to satisfie him with some reasonable or apparent excuse he was caried ouer with this that thEmperour would first giue perfection to his owne mariage with the infant of Portugall who was exspected from one day to an other but in true meaning that excuse drew this draught to leaue alwayes in the power will of the Emperour notwithstanding his promise to the Duke of Burbon to giue her to wife to the frenche king if the accord went on suche is the ordinarie
humor of some Princes to be caried rather with consideracions of profit then with care of honestie Nowe after thEmperours mariage was consummated at Seuille in Spayne the commaundator Erraro arriued at the Court with the breuiat of tharticle concerning Frauncis Sforce which article the Pope had deduced at large in his fauor So that thEmperour being also assured that the Legat Saluiatio had no commission to conclude any thing but according to that article and his whole councell thinking it necessary to stoppe and hinder the league that was in hande and no lesse daungerous to haue to doe at one time with so greate a number of ennemies He sawe him selfe reduced to these tearmes either to content the Pope and the Venetians by restoring Frauncis Sforce to the Duchie of Millan or else to compounde with the Frenche king Who for his parte after long arguing and disputacion for the countrey of Burgongnie and finding that without the price of it he coulde not hope for his deliuerie by thEmperour offered to render it with all thappurtenaunces and dependancies and to renownce all titles and rightes which he had to the kingdome of Naples and Duchie of Millan and to assure the obseruacion of his promise by the ostage of two of his sonnes The disputacions were greate vppon the election of the one or the other waye wherein the Viceroy insisted more vehementlie then euer both for that he had the conduct of the Frenche king into Spayne and had nourrished him with many braue hopes of his deliuerie vnder easie conditions His authoritie was great with thEmperour and his reputacion nothing inferiour both for that thEmperour reapposed muche in his fidelitie and trusted him because he knewe he loued him But there opposed against him Mercurio Gattinaro a man of base discending in the contrie of Piedmont and by his vertue raised to the place of high Chauncellor to thEmprour for his experiēce credit had managed of long time all the affaires of the Court of most importaunce One day thEmperour sitting really in councell to resolue absolutely the matters that had bene discoursed so many monethes these two were also present of whom the Chaunceller tooke occasion to reason in this forte I haue alwayes feared least our too great greedinesse concurring with the immoderate ends we aspire vnto would not be the cause that of so singular and honorable a victory we reaped in the ende neither glory nor profit But I coulde neuer be induced by anye argument or reason that by your victorie oh gracious Emperour eyther your estate or your reputacion shoulde fall into daunger A matter whiche nowe appeareth manifestly since there is question to conclude an accorde by the which all the regions of Italie shall be reduced to a condicion desperate which can not but bring infamy to your name the french king deliuered vp to his liberty but vnder so vnequall condicions that he will continue a greater enemy to you then before though not of will which happily he may restraine and temper yet by necessitie which is alwaies a mighty mocion to moue men to reuenge for my parte I coulde wish with as great show of affectiō as others that at one time by one meane your Maiesty might recouer Bourgongny also establish fundacions of your imperie in Italie But vaine is the wit that aspireth to hold the thing which the hand is not hable to gripe and in the property of worldly things there is nothing more full of errour then that ambicion which goeth on working in the humor of wening only lookes not backe to order and reason which are the assured lines that laye out the infallible successe of euery mortall action I haue alwaies seene that that Prince who sodainly hath embrased many thinges hath gone on with perill to effect nothing for that all those things are put to aduenture that are guided by will not by reason That fire that is mightily kindled hath much a do to be quenched but when vpon one fire riseth many flames whose propertie is to flie with the winde into many places it can not be that the burning wil not be great yea oftentimes extended to the consuming of him that first kindled it I see no reason to induce vs to thinke that the french king being deliuered wil obserue the articles of so great importance since he is not ignorant that in making you Lord of Burgangny he layeth open such a gappe to lead you into the bowells of Fraunce that it will be alwayes in your election to runne vp euen to the gates of Paris And he knoweth well enough that when he hath once put into your hande the power to vex Fraunce in so many places he hath left to him selfe no possibility to make resistance against you doth not he know all the world see that to consent that you goe to Rome with an armie is no other thing then to giue you a raine with whose bridle you may checke all Italie authoritie to dispose according to your liking of thestate spirituall and temporall of the Church and by that meane your puisance being redoubled you shall for alwayes after neuer want money nor forces to offend him And who doubteth that of this greatnes he maketh this conclusion that he shall be constrained to accept all suche lawes as it shall please you to impose vpon him Is it then reasonable to beleue that he will obserue an accorde by the which he is made your slaue and you his Lorde Where is feruitude hatefull if not in the minde whome nature hath borne to soueraintie And howe can it bee thought that he will liue vnder the yoke of subiection whose ambicion coulde not hitherunto be conteyned within the large limites of Fraunce But be it that in the king will be founde no want of conscience to obferue the condicions of the contract yet he may be ouercaried by a naturall compassion by the complaintes and lamentacions of his kingdome and by the perswasions of the king of Englande accompanied with thincitacion of all Italie It may bee that by the lawe of amitie that is betweene you two he will reappose confidence in you or at least looke into the power you are of But was there euer two Princes betwene whome haue bene greater causes of hatred and contencion There is not onely betweene you a reciprocall ielousie of greatnes A matter apt to stirre vppe one brother agaynst an other but also your common emulacion is pushed on by many auncient and great quarrells begonne in the tymes of your fathers and great grandfathers many long warres betweene those two houses many peaces and accordes not obserued many harmes done and many iniuries receyued There is no quarrell more mortall then that which taketh his nurriture in tract and prescripcion of tyme nor any hatred so daungerous as that which lyeth smothered like fire couered with hoate ymbers by whome the heate is preserued to a greater power of burning To the mind
that is iniuried there is nothinge so sweete as the passion of reuenge And by howe muche th offence is auncient and inueterat by so much more incurable is the humor of reuenge and more heauye the stroake where it lighteth We may beleeue that the kinges minde burneth with disdayne when he remembreth how many monethes he hath beene your prisoner with what seueritie he hath beene kept vnder straite and sure garde and neuer was fauored so much as to speake to you or see you Besides in this calamitie of imprisonment he hath passed so many perplexities and perills as had almost brought him to the ende of his mortall life causes not litle materiall to make him highly incensed besides the despite of his other iniuries sufficient to drawe on his desire to be reuenged And nowe he seeth we goe about to deliuer him not through magnanimitie or amitie but by necessitie and feare of so great a confederacion conspired against vs Do we thinke that parentage made by necessitie is more mighty then so many vehement incitacions Doe not we know how much Princes esteeme of such bonds And who can yeld a better restimonie then our selues of the estimacion and reckoning of parentages But it may happly seeme to some that we shall be greatly assured by the faith he will giue to returne againe into prison Oh weake foundacions and full of frailtie oh hopes vnperfect and drawing more perill then sewertie oh councell vndiscreete which hath no societie with wisedome and forecast The griefe I haue to see vs disposed to take a coursse so hurtfull and daungerous makes me burst out into this libertie of playne speeche This boarde is not ignorant what reckoning is made of faith and worde giuen when there is question of interests of estate neyther are we to learne of what force are the promisses of the French men who though they be open and playne in all other thinges yet in this regarde let vs thinke them Schoolemaisters moste perfect in deceyuing and abusing And for the king he hath naturally a readye tongue to promisse and aslowe hande to performe and by custom is so much the more harde and sparing in effects by howe much he is plentifull and prodigall in words and speeches Vppon which I gather this reasonable conclusion that neither the respect of good will betwene two Princes who haue for an auncient inheritance iniuries and offences nor the memorie of benefits which neuer was any nor the cōsideracion of faith promisses which in controuersie of matters of estate importeth nothing with the frenchmen wil haue any force to induce him to follow an accord which lifteth vp his enemy into heauen throweth his owne person his kingdom into manifest subiection where it may be obiected that for feare of these things the better to assure your maiesty you demaūd two of his childrē of whom one to be theldest whose loue wil cōtein him more thē the price of Burgongny I aūswer that the loue of those childrē wil rather cause the cōtrary specially whē the memory of thē shal moue in the cogitaciōs of his mind cōsideration that to obserue thaccord would be the beginning to make them your slaues it is doubtful that such a pawne will not be sufficient if he should be altogether desperat to recouer it in other sort for that as it is a thing that much importeth to put his Realme in daunger which being once lost is hard to be recouered So neuerthelesse he may haue many hopes to redeeme his children either with the fauor of tyme or by the benefit of accord or by thopportunitie of some other occasion and yet in respect of their base age thexspectacion wil not be greeuous to him Besides standing in tearmes to draw into vnitie against you almost all the Princes of Christendom who doubteth not but he will confederat with them who seeth not that he will seeke to moderat that accord by the waye of warre and armes And who knoweth not that in that case the gayne and profit which we shall reape by this victorie will bringe vppon vs a most stronge and daungerous warre stirred vp by the desperat hatred of the French king by the burning ielousie of the king of England and by the general necessitie of all the Potentats in Italy Against whom how shall we be able to defende our selues vnles God continue daily to worke the same miracles for vs which he hath so often done till this tyme or vnles fortune for our sakes chaunge her nature and reduce her inconstancie and lightnes to an example of constancie and firmenes contrary to all experience past how many monethes haue we concluded in our councells to doe all that we could to let thItalians for vniting with the house of Fraunce And now we throwe our selues rashly into a deliberacion which takes away all difficulties that till this hower haue kept them in suspence A matter which multiplieth our daungers encreaseth the forces of our enemies since it is not to be doubted that that league wil be more strong and mighty which shal haue for a head the French king standing in his freedome and in his kingdome then that which should be contracted with the house of Fraunce and the king remeine your prisoner There is no other thing which till this day hath deteyned the Pope from entring confederacion against you then the feare he had that you would alwayes separate the French from the residue in offering to them the libertie of their king but lesse will be their feare of such a matter when you shall haue the children who import not muche and dismisse the father vppon whose person resteth the ballancing of all things So that by this meane the medicine which we haue sought to applye to preuent our daunger will become without all comparison the chiefe poyson and instrument of our perill And in place to breake this vnion we shall be the meane to enforce it and make it more firme and puissant But me thinkes I see some ready to aske my aduise and whether I wil councell your Maiestie to drawe no profitte of so greate a victorie and to suffer you to dwell alwayes vppon these doubtes and perplexities to whome I aunswer and confirme eftsoones the similitude I haue spoken many tymes that it is a matter too hurtfull to receyue so much meate at one tyme as the stomacke can not beare And that it is necessary eyther by returning into amitie with Italy which demaundes nothing of vs but to be assured to gette of the Frenche king both Burgonguye and asmuch els as we can or els to make a composicion with him by the which Italy may remeyne at our discression but so easie touching his interests as he may haue cause to obserue the condicions of it In thelection of the one of these two wayes it apperteyneth to your maiestie in pollicie forecast to preferre that which in deed is moste stable and iust affore that which at the
vntill restitution were made of the lands and places aforesayd and the peace sworne and ratified together with all the articles by thestates generall of Fraunce and inregistred in all the Courtes of Parliament of the kingdome with forme and solemnities necessary for thaccomplishing whereof there was set downe a tearme of foure monethes at which time returning the ostages there should be put into themprours hands the Duke d'Angoulesme the kings thirde sonne to th ende to trayne him vp with themprour the better to enterteine and assure the peace That the French king should renounce and giue vp to themprour all his rightes to the Realme of Naples together with all such titles and preeminences as were to come to him by thinuestiture of the Churche That he shoulde do the lyke touching his interest in thestate of Millan of Genes of Ast and likewise of Arras Tourney of the I le and of Dovvay That he should render vp the towne and castell of Hedin as a member of the countie of Artois with all the munitions artilleries and mouables that were in it when it was laste taken That he should disclayme and yelde vp all soueraigntie in Flaunders and Artois and all other places or peces which themprour possessed and that on the other side themprour should resigne and giue vp to him all the right title and quarrell which he pretended to any place possessed by the French men and especially the townes and Casteldomes of Perone Mondidier Roye the Counties of Bolleyne Guynes and Ponthievv with other townes standing vpon the one other shore of the riuer of Somme That there shoulde be betweene them a league and confederation perpetuall for the defence of their estates with obligation to ayde one another when nede required with fiue hundred men at armes and ten thousande footmen That themprour should promise to giue in mariage to the king the Lady Eleoner his sister whom assone as the dispensation should be obteined from the Pope he shoulde contract or handfast with words obligatorie for the present and afterwards she should be ledde into Fraunce to consummat the mariage at the same time that according to the capitulations the ostages were to be deliuered That she should haue for her portion two hundred thousande crownes with Iewels according to her estate the one moytie of the money to be payed within sixteene monethes and the other halfe in one yere after That a mariage should be made betwene the Daulphine and the daughter of the king of Portugall daughter to the Lady Eleoner at suche tyme as their age woulde suffer That the Frenche king shoulde do all that he coulde to induce the auncient king of Nauarre to giue vp to themperour the rightes of that kingdome whiche in case he woulde not perfourme then the king not to ayde him with any succours That the Duke of Gueldres and the Counte of Zulff and the principall townes of those estates shoulde promise with sufficient securitie to giue themselues to the Emperour after his death That the kinge shoulde giue no succours to the Duke of VVittenberg nor likewise to Robert de la Marche That he shoulde furnishe and rigge for themperour both when he shoulde passe into Italy and two monthes after beeing so required twelue gallies foure shippes and foure gallions all well municioned and appoynted except men of warre and the sayde vesselles to be rendred three monthes after accompting from the daye of his embarking That in place of tharmy by lande which the king offred for Italy he should pay him two hundred thousande crownes in money the one halfe within sixtene monethes and the other halfe within a yere after And that at the time when thostages should be deliuered he should be bounde to giue billes of exchaunge for the paye of sixe thousand footmen for six monthes immediatly after themprours ariual in Italy That he should also furnish for his seruice fiue hundred launces payed with a band of artillerie That he should saue harmeles themprour of his promise made to the king of Englande by pensions which the Frenche king should paye to him the aâ—â—erages whereof amounted to fiue hundred thousande crownes or els to deliuer so much in ready money to themprour That they should both ioyne to besech the Pope to cal a generall councell with all speede to th ende to consult vpon an vniuersall peace amongest Christians to aduaunce an enterprise agaynst the infidels and heretikes and to graunt to all the Croisade for three yeres That within sixe weekes the king should restore the Duke of Burbon in moste ample forme into all his estates goodes mouable and vnmouable and frutes and reuenues receyued not to molest him for any thing past nor constrayne him to dwell or go to the Realme of Fraunce That it should be lawfull to the sayde Duke of Burbon to demaunde by the waye of lawe and iustice the Earledome of Prouence That in like sort all those that had followed him should reenter in safetie into their goods and states and namely the Bishop of Autun and Monsr de saint Valier That the prisoners taken in the warre should be deliuered on both partes within fifteene dayes That there should be restitution made to the Lady Margaret of Austrich of all that she possessed affore the warre That the Prince of Orange should be set at liberty with restauration to the principality of Orange and all that he possessed by the death of his father which had bene taken from him for following the faction of themprour That the like should be done to other Barons That there should be made restitutioÌ„ to the Marquis of Salusse of his estate That the king assone as he ariued in the first towne of his Realme should ratifie this capitulation be bound to procure the Daulphin to ratifie it wheÌ„ he should come to the age of fourtene yeres Many were named by common consent chiefly the Svvizzers Onely there was not one of the Potentates of Italy except the Pope whome they named as conseruator of the accorde and that more for manersake and ceremonie then in effect and true meaning Lastly it was expressed in the sayde capitulation that in case the king for any occasion would not accomplish these matters promised he should returne true prisoner This accorde for the partes it conteyned brought no small astonishment to all Christendom for when it was vnderstanded that the first execution therof consisted in the deliuery of the king all mens opinions was that being in his liberty he would not deliuer vp Burgongny as being a member of too great importance for the realme of Fraunce And except a few who had counselled themprour to it all his Court had the same iudgement and namely the Chauncellor who reprehended and detested the matter with so great vehemency that notwithstaÌ„ding he was coommaunded to signe the capitulation according to thoffice of chief Chauncellors yet he refused to do it alleaging that in such matters dangerous hurtfull as that was he ought
with the Frenche king was made no particular mention of him nor of the suretie of thestates of Italye stoode more and more confirmed in his former opinion that the ambicion and greatnes of themperour woulde in the ende be his seruitude and thraldome And therefore he determined not to accept thaccorde in the maner it was offred to him but to reserue him selfe free vntill he were assured what course the Frenche woulde take touching the obseruation of the peace In which resolution he stoode so much the more firme by howe muche besides thapparance and likelyhoodes of it he had heard by the relation of certayne speeches deliuered by the king affore hys libertie and spread abroade by some that were familiar in counsell with him that the king had a mynde altogether estraunged from performing the thinges he had promised to themperour And the better to confirme the king in that deliberation his owne suretie also depending vppon it he sent in poste into Fraunce Pavvle Vittorio a Florentin and capteine of his Gallies his charge was to be at the Court at the same tyme the king should aryue vsing that diligence not onely to know his intention assone as might be but also the king hauing a ready hope to be hable to drawe into league agaynst themprour the Pope and the Venetians he might take occasion the sooner to resolue himself It was enioyned also to the expedition of Pavvle to congratulate in the Popes name the kings deliuerie and to discourse with him at large what he had done to that ende and howe muche did induce themperours inclination to his libertie the practises of confederation that were enterteyned with the Lady Regent Lastely that he shoulde impart with the king the Popes vehement desire to haue an vniuersall peace in Christendome and that thEmperour and he woulde perfourme together thenterprise agaynst the Turke who was reapported to make mightie preparations to inuade that yeare the Realme of Hungarie These were his Commissions apparant and knowen but this was his direction most substantiall and secrete that aboue all things he should sounde throwly the kinges inclination whom if he founde resolute to obserue the resolution of Madrill then to passe no further least vaynely he should make his case more desperate with themperour then before but if he founde him to haue other thoughtes and to hang in doubt that he should labour to confirme him in that disposition and seruing hys turne of all occasions he should specially compell him to take that course giuing him knowledge of the Popes desire to ioyne with him for the common benefite He dispatched in like sort into Englande the pronotorie Gambaro to manage the like office with that king and to the same ende Besides he procured the Venetians to sende into Fraunce their secretory Andrevv Rosse with semblable commissions As Pavvle past by Florence vpon his voyage he fell sicke and dyed by reason of whiche accidēt the Pope sent to performe the legacion in his place Capui de Mantua taking it to an yll prediction that nowe the seconde tyme the Ministers which he had sente into Fraunce to aduaunce those practises were in the waye intercepted by death In the meane while making no omission of time nor oportunities he together with the Venetians did all that they could to keepe in courage the Duke of Millan and to enterteine him in hopes least the peace of Madrill ledde him not both with feare and rashnes to make some accorde with themprour By this time the french king was comen vpon the confiues of Fontaraby a towne apperteyning to themprour standing vppon the Occean sea and is a frontyer betwene Biskay and the Duchie of Guyen And on the other side the Lady Regent was aryued with the children of Fraunce at Bayonne not many leagues from Fontaraby The tormentes of the gowte tooke her by the waye which was the cause that she had lingred some tyme longer then the daye appoynted of permutation But at last the xviij daye of Marche the French king accompanied with the Viceroy and Capteine Alarcon with fifty horse was presented vpon the shoare of the ryuer that deuideth the realme of Fraunce from the kingdome of Spayne And on the other side vpon the shoare opposite appeared Monsr Lavvtrech with the kings children and like number of horse There was in the middest of the ryuer a great barke made fast with ankers in which was no person The king was rowed neare to this barke in a little boate wherein he was accompanied with the Viceroy Capteine Alarcon and eyght others all armed with shorte weapons And on the other side of the barke were likewise brought in a litle boate Monsr Lavvtrech with the ostages and eight others weaponed according to the others After this the Viceroy went into the barke with the person of the king and all his companie and also Monsr Lavvtrech with his eyght that accompanied him so that they were within the barke a like number of both partes Alarcon and his eyght being with the Viceroy and Lavvtrech the others with the person of the king And when they were all thus within the barke Lavvtrech fetched out of the boate into the barke the Daulphin who being giuen to the Viceroy and by him committed to capteine Alarcon was foorthwith bestowed in their boate and after him followed the little duke of Orleans who was no sooner entred the barke then the French king leaped out of the barke into his boate which he did with suche quicknes and celeritie that thexchaunge or permutation was thought to be done at one selfe instant Assoone as the king was on the other side of the shore his newe libertie making him fearefull of ambush he mounted vpon a Turkishe horse of a wonderfull swiftnes which was prepared for the purpose and running betwene feare and gladnes vppon the spurre he neuer stayed till he came to S. Iohn de Lus a towne of his obedience foure leagues from the place And being there readilie relieued with a freshe horse he ran with the same swiftnes to Bayonne where after he had past ouer the offices of Court done to him by his people he dispatched with greate diligence a gentleman to the king of England to whom he wrote with his owne hande letters of his deliuerie charging the messenger vnder verie louing commissions to tell the king of Englande that as he acknowledged theffect of his libertie to be wrought whollie by him and his operacions so in recompense he offred to remaine to him a perpetuall and assured frend and to be guided in all his affaires by his councell And afterwardes he sent an other solemne Embassage into Englande to ratifie the peace which his mother had made with him as one that reapposed a verie great fundacion in thamitie of that king The ende of the sixteenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE SEVENTENTH BOOKE The Pope the french king the Venetians and the Duke of Millan draw into league against thEmperour The Duke of Burbon comes
to Millan The armie of the league breakes vp from before Millan The castell of Millan is rendred to thimperialls Many enterprises are dressed against the Pope The confederats send their armies by sea to Genes Rome is surprised by the Colonnois the Pope makes truce with thimperialls which hurteth the deuises of Lombardie The Duke of Ferrara confederats with the Emperour THE SEVENTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin NOtwithstanding the pledge of the two children of Fraunce of whom the eldest being heire apparant to so great a succession was one was added to the oth and faith that passed betwene the Emperour and the frenche king for confirmacion of the accorde solemnly made at Madrill and notwithstanding for the full perfection of th assurance the king had contracted thEmperours sister in his owne person Yet by his deliuerie both straunge for the maner and seuere for the assurance and pawnes that were enforced all the Princes of Christendom drew into no small exspectacion what would be the issue of thinges And as during his captiuitie the eyes of men stoode fixed vpon thEmperour to behold vnder what raunsome he would restore him to libertie so being deliuered they began now to turne all their thoughtes and contemplacions vpon the king for that they discerned sundrie and great effects depending vpon his deliberacion either to obserue or not obserue the capitulacion of Madrill for as in obseruing the contract they saw a destinie of present seruitude to hang ouer the regions of Italy both for the authoritie and greatnes of thEmprour which went increasing and for the imbecillitie of the prouinces to whome was left neither fortune nor vertue to make head against so great a course of victory So in not performing the articles of thaccord they saw the Emprour would be driuen either to put vp in forgetfulnes the conspiracies and enterprises dressed against him by the Duke of Myllan and to restore to him that Duchie least the Pope and Venetians tooke occasion to conioyne with the French king by which meane he should stand in hazard to lose the great profits he hoped to reape by his victorie or els making his indignacion against the Duke of Myllan more mighty together with his desire to haue no impediment of the French in Italy he should be compelled to assure the accord made with the king conuerting into certeyne payments of money all his obligacions and promisses to restore Burgonie or lastly neither yelding to the one nor the other he would be driuen to suffer to be brought against him by so many enemies a warre very greeuous almost by his owne confession since to auoid it he was reduced to this straite to let the king goe with so great a daunger But the world stoode not long in doubt of the will and intencion of the French king for that assoone as he was got into Bayonne being required by a gentleman of the Viceroys to ratifie thaccord according to thobligacion of his word being come into a place free and assured he deferred it from one day to an other interposing reasons and excuses generall wherein to th ende to hold still the Emprour in hope he sent to aduertise him by a man especiall that he forbare for the present to accomplish the ratificacion not by omission or willing negligence but vpon this necessitie that before he proceeded really to such an act he was to labor to reappease and reduce the mindes of his subiects ill contented with the obligacions he had made tending to the diminucion of the crowne of Fraunce Neuerthelesse he would in his time resolue all difficulties and obserue with fidelitie all that he had promised to him both in substance and circumstance By this dealing no lesse doubtfull for the manner then daungerous in meaning might easily be comprehended what were his intencions the same being more manifestly detected at the arriuall of the Messengers sent to him not many dayes after by the Pope and Venetians In whome was no great neede of industrie or labor to sownd out the plaine coursse of his inclinacion for after he had receiued them with many demonstracions and offices of Court he enterteyned them seuerally and a part with sondry speeches of compassion such as tended to manifest complaints against the inhumanitie of thEmprour who he said did neuer administer to him during his captiuitie any one office apperteyning to the ranke of a Prince Nor at any time shewed him selfe touched with that affection and commiseracion which one Prince ought to expresse vpon the calamities of an other And much lesse would vse any coursse of common comfort either to relieue the heauines of his condicion with any propertie of apt consolacion or once to enter into consideracion that the same accident that had falne vppon him might also be as heauily heaped vppon his owne heade In this complaint he alleaged the example of Edvvard king of England called of some Edvvard Longe shanke To whome when was presented as prisoner Iohn king of the French men taken by the Prince of VVales his sonne in the battel of Poytiers he did not only receiue him with greate comfort compassion of his afflicted case but also all the tyme of his imprisonment within the Realme of England he let him go at libertie vnder a free gard he had daily famillier cōuersation with him he would oftentymes haue him to accompany him on hunting to communicate in the open ayre and solace of the field and was not curious to call him to eate with him at his table And by these humanities muche lesse that he loste his prisoner or raunged him to an accorde lesse fauorable but of the contrarie by the operation of those graces and good offices there grewe betwene them suche a familiaritie and confidence that the French king after he had continued many yeres in Fraunce made a voluntary voyage into Englande to honor and gratifie vnder that propertie of office the liberalitie and franknes of the king He alleaged that as there was onely remembraunce of two kings of Fraunce that had bene taken prisoners in battell king Iohn and him selfe So the diuersitie of thexamples was also worthy of singular memorie seeing vpon the one was exercised all facilitie and mildues of the victor and to the other were ministred all those rigours and seuerities which tyrantes in the height and pride of their fortune are wont to vse That muche lesse that he boare towardes others a disposition eyther more peasible or better qualified seing he gathered by the construction of his speeches vsed at Madrill that following the humor of his ambition he employed his thoughts most how to subdue vnder seruitude the imperie of the Church the potētacies of Italie all other Princes of Christendome In which regard he wished the Pope and Venetians to prouide for their proper safety wherein he offred him selfe with great affection to be concurrant with them in the quarrell of their common safetie and to establishe agaynst
themprour a straite alliance not that he intended to reconquer to himselfe the estate of Millan or otherwise to encrease his puissance but onely that by the meane of warre he might make recouerie of his children and reassure the libertie of Italy seeing the too great couetousnes of themprour had taken from him all cooller and reason of bondes to obserue tharticles of the capitulation A libertie which he insisted the rather for that at the first whylest he was in the Castell of Pisqueton and afterwardes in Madrill he had oftentimes protested to themperour for the iniquitie of his demaundes that if through necessitie he were driuen to compounde vnder conditions vnequall or suche as were not in his power to performe that muche lesse that he would obserue them but of the contrarie taking thaduauntage of the iniurie in constrayning him to make promises vnreasonable and vnpossible he would omit no occasion wherein oportunitie were offred to be reuenged And that he had not forborne to tell him that whiche of them selues they might knowe and which he beleeued was obserued in other Realmes that it was not in the power of a king of Fraunce to binde him selfe to the alienation of any thing depending vpon the Crowne without the consent of the estates generall of the Realme That the lawes of Christians did not beare that a Prince made prisoner by the accident of warre should be deteyned in perpetuall prison A punishment proper for malefactors but not rigorously executed agaynst such as had bene persecuted with the crueltie of fortune That no man doubted that all obligations made by constraynt in prison were of no vallue and that as suche capitulations were of no force so likewise the fayth which was but the accidentes and the confirmation of the same coulde not be bounde That the othes whiche he had made at Rheines where the kings of Fraunce are consecrated with so great ceremonie and with the sacred oyle were first by the which he was bounde according to the precedent and custome of all other kings of Fraunce not to make alienation of the patrimonie of the Crowne That for these reasons he was no lesse free then ready to moderate thinsolencie of themprour and ryse vp agaynst his ambicion Wherein the kinges mother made apparance the same desyre together with his sister who taking vpon her in vayne a long iourney to goe into Spayne complayned grieuously against the rigour of thEmperour and the seuerity of his Court and namely such as were most familiar with him in councell for end the king affirmed that if commissions and directions were once addressed from the Pope and Venetians it should not belong ere the league were accomplished which he said were best to be negociated in Fraunce to thend to draw in with more facility the king of England in whom they showed to haue a great hope This was the discourse of the speeches which the king held with them being in like sorte assured and confirmed by the vniuersall inclinacion of those that gouerned him but in secret his thoughts were farre others for albeit he had no disposicion to deliuer vp Burgongnie to thEmperour yet he bore a minde farre estraunged to moue warre against him onlesse he were compelled by great necessity Only he hoped that in laboring to be confederate with thItalians thEmperour to auoyde so great a gulphe of difficulties would be induced to conuert into obligacion of money the article of the restitucion of Burgonie In which case not one regard touching the matters of Italie should stay him from couenaunting with him for the desire he had to retyre and reuoke his children These Agents of the Pope and Venetians made speedie relacion of the hopes and good inclinacion which they founde in the frenche king and that at a time when were much increased in Italie both the necessitie and occasion to confederat against the Emperour This was the necessitie The Duke of Millan in the beginning of the seege partly by the fault of his officers and partly for the shortnes of time had bestowed within the castell a very small proporcion of vittells and yet the store he had prouided was more immoderatly exspended then men reduced to so hard tearmes are wont to do for which cause hauing notwithstanding the straitnes of the seege good meane to wryte out of the castell he gaue knowledge of his wants which if they were not remedied by the next moneth of Iune he shoulde be constrained to giue him selfe vp to the discression of the Emperour And albeit it was beleued that according to the custome of suche as are beseeged the Duke set downe a greater want and scarcetie of vittells then in deede there was yet there were many reasons to perswade that the store coulde not be sufficient for any long time And to suffer the castell to fall into the handes of thEmperour was a matter that made more hard the recouering of that state besides that it would increase not a litle the reputacion of thEmperour But it seemed not that thoccasion was the lesse increased seeing the people were reduced to the last dispaire for as the Emperour sent no money to the armie to the which many payes were due and lesse meane to leauie any in any other place So the Capteines to stoppe as well as they coulde all course of mutinie amongest the souldiours had bestowed all the regimentes of the men at armes and light horsemen in seuerall places of the countrey taxing euerie towne rate-like with bands numbers compelled the townes to compound for money with the Capteines and with the souldiours A taxacion executed with such excesse that it was assured by the credible informacion of many that had priuity with the affaires of that state that the Duchy of Millan paied euery day to thEmperours souldiours fiue thowsand duckats of which came to the priuat purse of Anthonie de Leua thirtie duckats dayly By thexample of the horsemen the bands of footemen that were dispersed in seueral lodgings within Millan other townes were insolent vpon the owners of the houses wherin the lay whom they cōstrained not only to make prouision of al things which they thought meete for their feding clothing but also many of them being lodged in one house enforced the seruice of the good man for the prouision of them all And such houses as had not meane to feede them were cōpelled to compownd with them for money at their owne rate And as it often fell out that one onely souldier had to him selfe a whole house with absolute commaūdement of all so he taxed to furnish him of money all the residue except him whōe he vsed in the prouision of his dyot This miserable condicion exercised with so great crueltie made desperat the whole inhabitants of that Duchie and namely the townesmen of the city of Myllan to whom had bene nether custom nor precedent before the entry of the Marquis of Pisquairo to be charged eyther with vittells or contribucion for the
lodging of souldiours Their custom in times of warre before ronning in a coursse of greater humanitie and facilitie made the yoke of this innouacion more heauy to them In which respect looking into their owne estate both to be mighty in numbers and armes and remembring the lawe and obligacion of their freedom and libertie they beganne to murmure as men not able any longer to endure so great insolencie and moste greeuous exactions And therefore to make some honest way to be deliuered or at least to reduce them to some comely moderacion the towne of Myllan sent Embassadors to thEmprour who brought from him no other expedicion then words generall and that without any remedie to their afflictions The towne of Myllan principally and ouer and besides all the other townes of the Duchy being charged according to his proporcion with a greater number of souldiers then the other townes was also taxed to prouide money for expenses publike such as were set downe by the Capteines for the conseruacion of thEmprours things the Ministers of which exaction proceded with no lesse rigour and seueritie then the others for remedy of which aggreuances since by solicitacion they could neither be easied nor pitied the people pushed on with the impressions of men in a desperate state determined to resist with their weapons in hande those fore exactions which the iniquitie of the warre had layed vppon them to eate them vp They gaue order that whosoeuer were oppressed by the cruelty of the exactors should call vpon his neighbours to come to his defence who together with the vniuersall multitude of all the residue should ronne at the commaundement of certeine chieftaines assigned in many partes of the citie to resist the furie of the Officers and represse the insolencie of the souldiours that should rise in their fauor After this order and direction was established amongest them the first experience sell vppon a Marchant of retayle who being vexed by the Collectors of the exactions stirred vp for his defence his neighbours who calling to the alarme a great part of the populars the whole towne was forthwith in a tumult which by the diligence of Antho de Leua and the good office of the Marquis of Guast and other of the principall gentlemen of Myllan was eftsoones reappeased But vnder this condicion and promisse that the Capteines had assured the people to rest contented with the publike reuenues and would not laye vppon them other imposicions nor bringe into the towne other bands of souldiers This was an accord but for a very short tyme since it endured no longer then till the day following for the people hauing aduertisement that new regiments of souldiers approached neare the towne they fell againe into armes but both in a greater tumult and better gouerned and with a greater assistance of the people then the day before yea what with the rage of the populars which in their furie is daungerous and what with their well ordering of the vprore being taught by thexample of the daye before The Capteines fearing not to be hable to resiste so great a furie were vpon the poynt to goe out of the towne with their bandes A matter which in deede the humor of their feare had drawne them to do if the people with a setled resolution had marched on to be reuenged of them and their souldiours But as in tumultes and popular vprores there is alwayes something of imperfection and that aswell by the propertie of the action which holdeth of disobedience and rebellion as by the ignorance of the leaders who for the most parte haue more passion then reason So first of all they wente without all order or skill to sacke the olde Court a place where laye the Capteine of Criminall iustice with certayne bandes of footemen making their beginning with that which should haue bene the laste acte of their execution A matter whiche gaue no litle life and aduauntage to th imperiall Capteines who in that oportunitie omitted not to fortefie their straytes and places of accesse and reuoking from the siege the most parte of the footmen that kept the Castel enuironed they assembled al into one strength to make head agaynst the people if they offred to inuade them By that occasion the besieged within the Castell made a sally out to set vpon the ramparts caste on that side within But when they saw the people made not on to their succours they retyred eftsoones into the Castell leauing vnperfect the enterprise which with due execution would haue done muche to haue established their libertie The people partly for want of experience in actions of warre and partely for the care of the pillage they had made at the olde Court did not onely omit to do that which apperteined but also began to breake and seperate them selues euery one beeing more mindefull to preserue the praye he had made then to followe further the victorie which their fortune offred to them By which occasion the Capteines of the army concurring the ayde of certayne gentlemen of the towne reappeased eftsones this tumult with promise to leade out of the towne and contrey of Millan all the souldiours except those bandes of launceknightes which helde the Castell besieged In this sort the Capteines and men of warre by their pollicie and industrie quenched a daungerous fyre which the furie of the people had kindled in their rashnes and rightly skorned their disorders and ignorance to manage armes and weapons errours which familiarly do followe a communaltie drawne into mutinie hauing no leaders of experience and vallour But by these appeasementes and accordes all intelligences were not broken and muche lesse layde downe the armes of the people but retayning still many tokens of a disposition to stirre vp a greater emotion it seemed that who so euer would take vpon him to trouble th affayres of themprour neede not want a fitte occasion considering principally both the small forces and other great difficulties which thimperialls had and also that in the laste warres the wonderfull vallour of the people of Millan and of other townes expressed in their fauor had bene a great fundation for the defence of that estate These were the tearmes and estate of the affayres of Italy when were brought out of Fraunce the reapports of the ready disposition and offers of the king together with his request for the sending of Commissions And at the same time thembassadours of the king of Englande resident with the Pope laboured to induce him by reasons and perswasions to deuise howe to moderate the greatnes of themperour and to encourage the Frenche king not to obserue the capitulation By reason of which inducementes accompanied with thauthoritie and inclinations of their princes not onely the Venetians who in all times and in farre lesser occasions had giuen counsell to take armes but also the Pope notwithstanding his harde disposition to enter into that trauell iudged nowe that by necessitie he was to reduce and gather together the summe of all
of Millan before the extremitie of famine compelled them to reappose more in the mercy of thennemies then in the remedie of their friends That necessitie was the cause of all the aduersities which followed for that otherwise the Pope proceeding more slowly vpon whose authority the Venetians depended much in this action had exspected if themprour being moued with thinobseruation of the French king would not propounde for a common surety those conditions which had bin set downe before specially when he should see him self constrayned to take armes And being not compelled to show to the french king so great a necessity he had easily obteyned of him aswell for him selfe as for the Venetians better conditions And it had bene without doubt that therby tharticles of the confederation had bin better set down particulated together with more assurāce of thobseruatiō that the warre had not begon but that the Svvizzers had stirred and all the prouisions necessary had bene ready and lastely the king of Englande might happly haue bene drawne into the confederation with whom for the distance of places there was no leasure to negociate But for that by the daunger of the Castell of Millan the Pope and the Venetians sawe that celeritie was of greate importance they dispatched with speede but secretely commissions to their seuerall Agentes to goe thorowe with the confederation wherein they were enioyned to followe almoste all those Articles which had bene debated before with the Ladye Regent of Fraunce the more to hasten thexpedition There were sent dayly aduertisementes of the necessitie of the Castell which made the Pope enter into consideration That where as it was necessarie for that the high waye from Rome to the Court of Fraunce was stopped to send his messenger corriers by a long circuit of way through Svvizzerlande and where he thought that in the action of capitulation might fall out some difficultie which necessarily might drawe some intermission and tract of time it might happen that they might stand so long vppon the conclusion of the confederation that if tyll then the Castell were deferred to be reskewed there were daunger least the succours would come to late for which consideration importing almoste the effect and substance of the whole he called to consulte of the present perill the Venetians by whose counsell together with thimportunate solicitation of the Agentes of the Duke of Millan resident at Rome and at Venice and concurring also the counsell of many others of his factiō they resolued to prepare a sufficient force to giue reskew to the Castell to th ende to be ready to employ them assone as the conclusion of the league were come out of Fraunce and in the meane while to giue hope to the people of Millan and to nourishe many practises whiche they enterteyned in the townes of that state They made then a resolute conclusion that the Venetians shoulde sende the Duke of Vrbin to their frontiers towards the ryuer of Adda accompanied with their men at armes and six thousande footmen Italians and the Pope to sende to Plaisanca the Count Guido Rangon with sixe thousande footemen And for that it was necessarie to so great a warre to haue many numbers of the Svvizzers of which nation the Duke of Vrbin counselled to leauye twelue thousande for the assured obteyning of the victorie who also aduised the Pope and the Venetians that not to disclose them selues so muche agaynst themperour so long as they were not assured that the league was made it were not good to sende out their Agentes to leauye the Svvizzers they gaue care to Iohn Ia. de Meditis of Millan who of a Capteine of the rocke of Mus had made him selfe lorde of the place partely by a knowledge he had of the situation and fortresse and partly by the occasion and fauour of the time running he tolde them that many monethes before he had practised to that effect with many of the Svvizzer Capteines and did offer vnder an imprest of sixe thousande duckets to make discende an armie of sixe thousande Svvizzers whiche should not be leauyed by the decree of the Cantons but particularly and then to procede to furnish their paye assone as they were discended into the duchy of Millan So that as it often hapneth in enterprises which of the one side are estemed easie and on the other side are pressed with the shortnes of time the offer of this man was accepted by the Pope and the Venetians being also approued by the Agentes of the Duke of Millan and by Ennia Bishop of Verula in whom the Pope reapposed wholly for matters of the Svvizzers for that he had long time followed the solicitation of those affayres in the name of the Church and in that action had lyen many moneths at Bressia by his direction was at that time with the Agent of the Venetians where he treated continually with many of that nation In like sorte they harkned at Venice to Octauian Fregosa Bishoppe of Loda who offring to make an easie leauie of many numbers of that nation had immediatly his expedition without communicating with the Pope for Svvizzerlande to wage sixe thousande in the same sorte and at the same rate of payes Of which deuises both yll vnderstanded and worse ordered was bred as shall be recited in his place a beginning to put to confusion the enterprise which was dressed with so great hope Whylest these preparations were in hande in Italy themprour beginning to enter into suspicion for the delayes that were interposed to the ratification dispatched into Fraunce the Viceroy of Naples and Capteine Alarcon to be fully informed of the kinges intention who was nowe gone from Bayonne to Congnac The Viceroy had stayed all that whyle in the towne of Victoria hauing with him the ostages and the Queene Eleoner to th ende to present them to the king assoone as he had accomplished the contentes of the capitulation And albeit the Viceroy was receyued with very greate honor both for that he was Embassador from themprour and also the king acknowledged in him and his working a great parte of his deliuerie yet he found the king wholly estraunged and farre of to leaue Burgongnie sometimes taking his excuse vpon the obstinacie of thestates of the Realm whose consent he coulde not obteine and sometimes alleaging that willingly he neuer passed a promise which for that it was very preiudiciall to the Crowne of Fraunce it was impossible for him to obserue Onely in respect of his great desire to enterteyne the league of amitie begonne with themprour and to giue perfection to the mariage promised he sayde he was contented obseruing all other couenantes betweene them to paye vnto him two millions of Crownes in place of the resignation of Burgongnie To which excuses he added that no other thing induced him to confirme with this moderation the accord made at Madrill then an inclination he had to continue in good intelligence and correspondencie with themprour the rather
for that he wanted not the working of offers and motions from the Pope the king of England and the Venetians to incense him to the warre Which answere comprehending his last resolution the Viceroy signified to themprour the message being accompanied with one of the kings secretories to confirme the same By this it hapned that notwithstāding the commissions from the Pope Venetians so much desired before were now come to the Court yet the king bearing a more inclination to haue agrement with the Emprour and in that regard had determined to exspect his answere vpon the new offer wherin the Viceroy had giuen him some hope began openly to defer the cōclusion of the cōfederation not altogether dissembling since it was impossible to hide it that he solicited a new accorde with themprour which being propounded by the Viceroy it was a matter which could no way do hurt to be vnderstanded Besides he assured thē notwithstanding he had other intentions that he would neuer make any conclusion which should not conteine the restoring of his children the release of the duchy of Millan vnfayned prouision for the suretie of all Italy An alteration of it selfe sufficient to consume the Pope if for his impressions of suspicion feare he had not iudged that the onely remedie for his affayres was to confederate him selfe with the French king But it is not to be douted with what discontentment and perturbation of minde the Emprour receiued the newes of the Viceroys aduertisementes confirmed by the relation of the secretory of the french king for as it brought no little griefe to him to fall frō the hope he had to recouer Burgongnie a matter which he vehemently desired aswell for thaugmentation of his glory as for thoportunitie of that prouince So his indignation seemed redoubled for that the french king by finding euasions to shift off his promises and fayth giuen made manifest declaration to all the world that he reiected despised to performe the thing he had promised But the thing that bred most torment in his mind was a certayne shame reprouing of himselfe for that both contrary to the counsell of all his Nobles and agaynst the vniuersall iudgement of all his Court and also contrary to the prediction or foreshowing of the countrey of Flaunders related to him by the Lady Margaret his Aunt and by all his Agentes and officers in Italye he dyd not measure with better reasons and more maturitie of counsell the importance and condition of affayres but lulled simplye in the humor of affection perswaded him selfe that the Frenche king would obserue thaccorde And as amidde these impressions and varietie of thoughtes he had diligently cast alwayes that concerned his dignitie and foreseene in what tearmes of daunger and difficulties his affayres woulde stande at all assayes he determined to alter no one ioate of that article or chapter whiche spake of the restoring of Burgongnie no he rather resolued to accorde with the Pope and to consent to the reintegration of Frauncis Sforce as though it had bene more agreable or comely for him to pardon a prince lesse then him selfe then by yeelding to the will of a king ambicious and puissant and enuious of his greatnes to make as it were a voluntary confession of feare wherin his passion caryed him into this resolution to haue rather a most dangerous warre with euery one then to remit the iniurie receyued of the French king for he feared least the Pope seeing his amitie contemned was not wholly estraunged in minde from him wherein his suspicion was augmented by the aduertisement he receyued that besides the Pope had sent into Fraunce a particular messanger to congratulate with the king he had also sent publikely an Embassadour But muche more dyd he susspect for that he had newely taken into his paye vnder cooller to assure agaynst the Mores the sea shoares of the Churche Andrea Dore with eyght gallies vnder the pay of thirtie thousand duckets for enterteinment and pensions for euery yere A matter which both for the qualitie of the man and for that neuer heretofore the Pope had any thought to make him selfe strong vppon the sea and also because Andrea Dore had bene many yeres in the pay of the French king made him enter into suspicion least that practise were subborned of intention to trouble thestate of Genes For these reasons he prepared him selfe to endure all accidentes and leauyed at the same tyme many prouisions of warre bothe to offende and defende He solicited the passing of the Duke of Burbon into Italye who made but slowe preparation to that expedition before he gaue order to that ende that the seuen gallies which laye at Monaco in Italye shoulde be brought about to Barcelonia to be ioyned with the residue and that there shoulde be sent to releeue the necessities of Italy an hundred thousande duckets for that without them the going of the Duke of Burbon woulde serue to nothing He dispatched to the Pope Don Hugo de Moncado with commission as he sayde to satisfie hym But his directions were to passe firste by the Courte of Fraunce to th ende that learning of the Viceroy if there were any hope that the kinge woulde obserue that eyther he should passe no further or if he did that he should chaunge his instructions commissions according to the state and necessitie of affayres But to euery good counsell that was giuen to the Pope was opposed the daunger of the Castell of Millan which being almost consumed with want of vittels he had great feare least it would be rēdred to thenemy he was also timerous that by some meane were not cōtracted a newe accorde betwene the Frenche king and themprour he was vncertayne of that which might be wrought by the comming of Don Hugo whose legation was made so muche the more suspicious by howe muche he was to passe firste by the Court of Fraunce And he was ielouse of the dissimulations and conninges that would be vsed when he should be passed into Italy In which regard the Pope together with the Venetians soliciting with great instance the conclusion of the confederation the king at laste began to harken with better inclination to the resolution of the League Wherevnto he was induced partely for that he did vnderstande by the comming of Don Hugo that themprour would alter nothing of tharticles of the capitulation and partely through feare that if he should deferre further the action of confederation the Pope would be caryed into newe counsells he iudged also that by this confederation his affayres should stande in better estate of reputation with themprour in whom feare might happly plye or moderate the rigour of his mind And lastely he wanted not thincitations of the king of Englande who more with perswasions and reasons then with effectes and sounde meaninges seemed to fauor that conclusion This league was cōcluded the tenth day of May in the yere a thousande fiue hundred and six at
Congnac betwene the kings Counsell deputies for the king on the one parte and the Agents of the Pope and Venetians on the other part That betwene the Pope the french king the Venetians and the Duke of Millan for whom the Pope and the Venetians assured the ratification should be a league and confederation perpetuall to th ende to repossesse Frauncis Sforce freely of the Duchie of Millan and restore to libertie the French kinges children That the League should be signified to the Emprour to whom was graunted power to enter into it within three monethes vpon condition to redeliuer the kings children receyuing a competent raunsome such as should be arbitrated by the king of England which condition also was extended to leaue wholly the duchy of Millan to Frauncis Sforce and the other potentates and estates of Italy as they were affore the laste warre began That for the deliuery of Frauncis Sforce nowe besieged within the Castell of Millan and for the recouery of that estate a present warre shoulde be made with eight hundred men at armes seuen hundred light horsemen and eight thousande footemen for the Popes parte and for the Venetians the warre to be furnished with eight hundred men at armes a thousande light horsemen and eight thousand footmen for the Duke of Millan foure hundred men at armes three hundred lighte horsemen and foure thousande footemen this proportion to be furnished assoone as he should be hable and in the meane tyme the Pope and Venetians to accomplish for him The French king to sende immediatly into Italy fiue hundred launces and so long as the warre should endure to paye to the Pope and to the Venetians fortie thousande crownes monthly whiche money was to be employed in the leauie of bandes of Svvizzers That the French king should immediately open the warre agaynst themprour beyonde the Mountes on what side he should thinke most conuenient and that with an army of two thousande launces and ten thousande footmen with sufficient numbers of artilleries That the French king should arme xij light gallies and the Venetians thirtene at their proper exspences That the Pope should ioyne to those gallies that proportion of Nauie with the which he had enterteyned into his paye Andrea Dore That the charges should runne in common touching necessary shippes for the sayde armie by sea with the which they should addresse their course to Genes That after themprours armie in Lombardie were eyther vanquished or weakned they should mightily inuade the kingdome of Naples aswell by lande as sea which being once conquered the possession and inuestiture should be transferred to which of the confederates it pleased the Pope And yet in an article seperate was set downe that the Pope could not dispose of it without the consent of the confederates only there was reseruation made of the tributes contributions which aunciently were vsed to be payed to the sea Apostolike together with one singular estate of forty thousande duckets of reuenue to gratifie whom it pleased the Pope That to thend the French king were certayne that by the victorie to be obteined in Italy and the conquest of Naples might be made easie the deliuery of his children that if the Emprour in that case would within foure monethes after the losse of that kingdome enter into the confederation vnder the conditions afforesayd the kingdome should be rendred to him but if he would not accept that power to reenter into the league then the french king should take and enioye the yerely and perpetuall rent of that realme That the french king should not at anye time nor for any cause molest Frauncis Sforce for the duchy of Millan but should be bound together with the others to defende him agaynst all men and to do what he could to introduce betwene him the Svvizzers a new confederation Onely the king should receiue of him yerely and perpetuall tribute such as should be set down by the arbitration of the Pope and Venetians and that not to be lesse then fiftie thousande duckets That Frauncis Sforce should take to wyse suche a Lady of the blood of Fraunce as it should please the king to prouide for him and should be bounde to enterteyne as apperteyned his brother Maximilian in place of the yearely pension which he receyued of the king That the king should reenter into the Earledome of Ast That if Genes were recouered the king to reteyne the same estate of superiority which he was wont to do in times past and that if anth Adorne who then was duke there would compounde with the league he should be receyued so farreforth as he woulde acknowledge the French king for superior in the same sorte and manner as Octauian Fregosa had done a fewe yeres before That all the confederates should demaunde of themprour the deliuerie of the children of Fraunce and if he refused to restore them that it should be denounced to him in the name of them all that the League would do all that they coulde to haue them agayne That assone as the warres of Italy were finished or at least the Realme of Naples taken and themperours armie so weakned as there was no feare of it all the confederates should be bounde to ayde the Frenche king agaynst themprour beyonde the Mountes with a thousande men at armes a thousande fiue hundred light horsemen and ten thousande footemen or else with money in place of men at the kinges choyse That not one of the confederates without the consent of the others might not contract with the Emperour to whom it should be permitted in case he would enter into the confederation to goe to Rome to take th imperiall Crowne with suche a trayne of men as shoulde not be feared the same to be rated by the Pope and Venetians That thoughe anye one of the confederates were taken awaye by death yet the league shoulde stande good and absolute That the kinge of Englande should be protector and defender of the league to whome was lefte power to enter into it And in case he woulde enter there shoulde bee giuen to hym in the Realme of Naples an estate of thirtie thousande duckets of reuenue and an other of tenne thousande to the Cardinall of Yorke and that to bee leauyed eyther in the same Realme or in some other parte of Italy The Pope woulde not suffer the Duke of Ferrara to be comprehended within the confederation notwithstanding the french king and the Venetians did greatly solicite it yea he procured that the confederation should beare though vnder generall words that the confederates shoulde be bound to ayde him to recouer those places for the whiche the sayde Duke was in contention with the Churche Touching the Florentins there was no doubt that they were not effectually comprehended in the confederation for that the Pope made his reckoning not onely to serue his turne with their men at armes and their forces but also to reduce them concurrant with him yea euen to make thē susteine the greatest
in two seuerall quarters not to assayle it or proue to force it but to holde it languishing tyll for want of vittelles it were dryuen to yeelde whiche he hoped would come to passe within three monethes He was with great vehemencie agaynst thopinion of those who counselled that after the campe was setled they should aduenture to take the towne wherein he inferred that the League beeing mightie in men and money and the Imperialles in necessitie of both all reasons and inducementes of warre promised the victorie of thenterprise He sayde there was not one argument for the whiche the contrarie ought to be feared but the desire to aduaunce the victorie for that thennemies consuming them selues with tyme and patience there was nothing to stoppe the good course and successe of things He was aunswered that the discourse he made was strong and credible if he stoode assured that there woulde not come out of Germanie a newe succour of footemen whiche if it were suche as to enhable thimperialls to take the fielde there was no doubte that the euent of the whole warre woulde not be exposed to the arbitrement of fortune But he replyed that euen in that case he made no lesse accompt of the victorie for that knowing the Duke of Vrbin to be of nature burning and actiue he made this iudgement of him that when so euer he esteemed him selfe to be equall in forces with the armie of the confederates he would aduaunce so faste as by his rashnesse woulde ryse occasion of some good accident to hasten the victorie But because for the difficulties whiche they vnderstoode fell out in leauying them they feared they woulde drawe a long tract of time in comming which might bring daunger it was determined by the counsell of the Duke of Vrbin and solicitation of the Duke of Millan to sende out Malatest a Baillon with an armie of three hundred men at armes three hundred light horsmen and fiue thousande footmen to take the towne of Cremona which they supposed might be easily forced for that it conteyned not but an hundred men at armes two hundred light horsemen a thousande launceknightes of choyse and three hundred Spaniards verye small store of artilleries lesse quantitie of munitions and a slender prouision of vittells the inhabitantes notwithstanding they were appalled in courage yet they were enemies to thimperialls and the Castell no lesse hatefull to the name of themprour And albeit the Castell was seperate from the Citie by a trenche yet by the reapport of Anniball Piccianard who was capteine it was easie to supplant the flankes and by that meane to cary it without daunger With these directions and counsells Malatesta went to Cremona for whose departure the army beeing diminished the Duke of Vrbin fell into no small feare least the regimentes that were within Millan should giue them in the night a Canuiseado in their lodgings so farre were things remoued from all hope of the victorie Neuertheles Iohn de Medicis prouoked many skirmishes and performed them wherein notwithstanding he made many good impressions of his vallour with no lesse declaration of the vertue of thItalian footemen whiche had not bene seene but sithence he had the charge of them yet those skirmishes did rather hurt then helpe the substance of the warre for that ordinarily they consumed some of the moste braue and best experienced souldiors Here is to be noted that for these aduersities and contrarie euentes of affayres the Pope was growne into a marueilous discourage and appalement of minde both for that he was not prouided of money to furnishe the long trayne of the warre which he nowe discerned and also not disposed to make leauyes of treasors by such meanes as thimportance of the affayres required and suche as other Popes affore him had wont to vse to releeue those wants But the thing that troubled him most was that he sawe not that the effects of the French king were correspondent to the obligations of the league and to the assurance and promise which euery one made of him for besides he was long before he would make payment of the xl thousand duckets for the first moneths pay and giue order for the leauying of the Svvizzers yet there was not discerned in him any preparation to begin the warre beyonde the Mountes No rather he found reasons to alleage that it was first necessary to signifie to themprour what had bene contracted in the articles of the confederation for that otherwise the king of England who had a particular league with themprour for their common defence might happly minister ayde vnto him where if signification were made that regarde and coniecture would cease and that then he woulde immediatly beginne the warre hoping the king of England would do the like who promised assone as signification were made to protest agaynst themprour and then to enter into the confederation made at Coignar Moreouer the French king proceded coldly to prepare his army by sea And the thing that discouered more his intention was that the fiue hundred launces whiche he was bound to sende into Italy were long in passing the Mountes Agaynst which albeit was alleaged that suche a tract and lingring proceeded eyther of the negligence of the French men which is natural to that nation or of the dishabilitie to recouer money which hapned by the losse of credite the laste yeares with the Marchantes of Lyon or for that the companies of men at armes were in very yll poynt for their losses receyued in the battell of Pauia and had not bene repayred with any money since so that they could not reorder and refurnish themselues but with the fauor of a good time Yet such as made a more neare obseruation of things began to doubt by the procedings of the frēch least to the king was more agreable the lingring of the warre then thexpedition of the victorie They supposed he feared according to the small fidelity confidence amongst princes in those times that thItalians recouering once the duchy of Millan and by that meane making small accompt of his interestes would eyther growe to accord without him with themprour or at least would be negligent so to vexe and trauell him as not to induce or compell him to restore his children But the matter that most kept the Pope in suspence was that the king of England being required to enter the confederation that was made by his perswasions setting on and expressing now no correspondency of reasons and promises which he had made before made a demaund more to protract and defer then for other occasion that the confederats would be boūd to satisfie him of the mony which the Emprour ought him and that the estate and reuenues promised to him in the kingdome of Naples might by assignation be payde out of the duchy of Millan Moreouer the Pope feared least the famuly of the Colonnois who with many cōmotions held him in continuall suspicion would not in the end rise to inuade him with the forces
of the realm of Naples So that making a collection and consideration of all these difficulties and daungers together he made vchement instance to the coÌ„federats that notwithstanding euery one in particular should solicite aduaunce such prouisions both by sea and lande as they were bound vnto by the articles of the league yet he perswaded them in generall to make a common inuasion vpon the kingdome of Naples with an army of a thousand light horsmen twelue thousand footmen a conuenient number of men at armes He tooke his reason of this deuise vpon thexperience of things done tyll that day iudged that afterwards there would succede no better issue if they vexed not themprour with warre in other places then in the duchy of Millan And for the better aduauncing of this expedition he dispatched to the french king Iohn Baptist a Sanga a Romaine and one of his secretories both to pul him on with a better inclination to the warre and to impart with him thestate of his wantes and pouertie of money together with the small meanes he had to goe on with so heauy a burden of exspences if he were not eased with some quantity of money from him That he was determined to harken presently to the warre of Naples notwithstanding the articles of the confederation bare not to do any action vpon that kingdome so long as the warre should endure in Lombardy That the Venetians notwithstanding to auoyde so great exspences had made difficulty in the beginning yet being caried with his importunities they had consented to be concurrant in the action and that without the french king but with so much lesse numbers of men as imported his part and contribution That the french king for that cause ouer besides the 500. launces to whoÌ„ he was minded to giue for generall and commaunder the Marquis of Salussa more for the fortune and felicity then for the vallout and vertue of the man as he sayde would also send an other proportion of 300. launces into Lombardy to thend to administer one part of them to the warres of Naples That he would solicit the coÌ„ming on of the army by sea that either to hold Genes short restrayned with it or else to conuert it against the kingdome of Naples Which army albeit the freÌ„ch meÌ„ led on with as slow aduauncementes as they vsed in the other prouisions yet it went on still in forwardnes The kings nauy conteined 4. gallions 16. light gallies the Venetians conteined 13. gallies and the Popes 11. Ouer all which Nauy reduced into one Admiralty Peter Nauarre was appointed Capteine general at the kings instaÌ„ce notwithstaÌ„ding the Pope could haue wished that dignity to haue bin transferred to Andrea Dore Besides all these instructions and commissions the Pope gaue a secret charge to Sanga to perswade the french king to vndertake the enterprise of Millan for himself to thend to intangle him with that occasion to imbarke him into the warre with all his forces Moreouer Sanga was enioyned to go out of Fraunce to the king of England to demaund succours of money â—eeing the king of that Realme desiring greatly in the beginning the warre against the Emprour so farre forth as the league were negociated in England according to his desire the Cardinals of Yorke would enter the league as was beloued But the hature of the time and necessitie of the castel of Myllan not suffring a long treaty or conference when he saw the league was made by others he thought he might hold the ballance and stand as a looker on and a iudge The Pope also solicited both at the perswasions of the Venetians and at the request of the French king who had sent to that end the Bishop of Bayeux to Ferrara to haue composed the controuersies that were betwene him that Duke But â—e handled that action more in apparance then in effect making vnto him many offers and amongest others to giue him Rauenna in counterchaunge of Modena and Reggia A couerture or culler which the Duke made no reckoning of not onely for that by taking a new hart for the retyring of the army from before the walls of Myllan he was more hardly then before drawne to like of the offers that were made and chiefly that of Rauenna but also for the great difference and inequalitie of the reuenues And that he tooke it to be a meane to driue him with time into contencion with the Venetians These were the practises preparacions and operacions of the confederats deferred broken of and chaunged according to the endes and according to the councels of the Princes that managed them But thEmprour whose deliberacions depended wholly of him selfe was neyther negligent nor irresolute so farre forthas his power and forces stretched for after the Frenche king at the instance of the confederats had denyed to the Viceroy leaue to passe into Italy which he demaunded with great affection The Viceroy refusing to take the kinges present which was supposed to be in value twenty thowsande crownes departed and tooke his waye into Spayne bearing with him a writing written with the kings hande wherein he protested a readines to obserue thaccord of Madrill so farre forth as he woulde conuert the restitucion of Burgongute into an exchaunge and payment of two myllions of crownes By whose relacion thEmprour seeing nowe no further hope of obseruacion in the king determined to sende by sea into Italy the Viceroy with the launceknights that werein Parpignan beeing almost three thowsande with the like number of Spanish footemen conteyning in all a number of six thowsande he gaue order also to sende a newe supplye of an hundred thowsande duckats to Myllan And albeit he solicited thexpedicion of the armye by sea yet it coulde not be ready with speede according to his exspectacion for that besides the tyme to mooster and assemble the Spanish souldiers there was necessitie to paye the launceknightes an hundred thowsande duckatts due vppon their wages past furthermore he addressed continuall directions into Germanye to sende to Myllan newe succours of footemen but bothe for that he gaue no order for their payes and also for the dishabilitie of his brother to leauye money that expedicion proceeded slowely And yet by the delayes and yll successe and yssue of the confederats no sorte of temporising nor slowenes coulde bee hurtefull for Malatesta Baillon beeing come before Cremona planted his artilleries by nyght of the seuenth of August before the gate of La Mussa iudging that place to bee weake for that it was yll flanked and worsse rampared And for that he thought at the same tyme to giue thasfault on the castell side he supposed it best to make his batterye in a place farre of to th ende to constrayne the defendants to deuide their strength into sundrye places Neuerthelesse after his artilleries had executed he founde the place strong and fortefied with campars and the wall which he battered so highe of earth that
to make a caualier at such time as they should be come to the ditch of thenemies trēch Moreouer he caused to cast a ditche without the castell towards the towne wall the better to haue way to the bastillion towards the wall that was ruinat he made an other trenche at Saint Lukes gate drawing euen vp to the wall And by the commoditie of these labors and workings he ceassed not with thartilleries planted within the castell to execute vppon the ramparts of thennemies which for the alteracion of the earth much vsed and loossened did easily dampe and moderate the shot of thartilleries On the other side the defendants within lost no tyme for distrusting to be longe able to keepe trenches and caualyers they made a ditche towards the houses of the towne and yet made many braue yssues and sallyes and with great courage charged vppon the workes of thennemies Insomuch as the night before the seuenth day they set vppon in three places those trenches which thennemies cast vppon the side of the castell where finding sleeping in their securitie the bands of footemen that were set to garde them they slue more then a hundred together with certeine Capteines and followed the charge euen vppe to the rauelyn before the castell Neuerthelesse notwithstanding their vallour which in those extremities laye not idle and notwithstanding their industry and perpetuall working at rampars and trenches yet they were more and more reduced into straight tearmes and their affayres declining by swift degrees to dominucion for the Duke hauing made way with his trenches euen to their ramparts which seperated the castel from the towne went on vexing them with certeine trowpes of shot other souldiers couered with their targets by whom they receiued great harmes as also by the artilleries from the towers of the castell By reason of these harmes thImperialls not to giue fauor to thennemies by any of their labors burned their rampar which they made at the Caualiere to thend it should not serue for a parapet to those that were without And about the neenetenth daye two trenches of theirs within their ditches being beaten open and flat they retired with the other trenches of which the Duke of Vrbin made small accompt both for that for the shortnes of time they could not be well fortefied And also by their retyring more at large and abroad there must be necessarily a greater gard to defend them But notwithstanding all these works were managed to a good end and yssue yet the procedings of the campe were but slow for the necessitie to reorder renew the regiment of the Venetian footemen who had bene long time without paye for which cause they were greatly diminished in numbers as alwayes in the affayres of the confederats one disorder hapned vpon an other And as thImperialls partly to apply to their aduauntage the disorders of the campe partly to follow the fauor of other occasions did make many sallies by night to proue prouoke the trenches So all their vallour and labor was in vaine for that their ennemies were nowe made wise by thexperience of the harmes they had receiued there before Insomuch as at last the Duke of Vrbin hauing now got a sufficient strength of footemen began the xxij day to make a violent battery vppon a tower which afforetymes had bene battred by Federyk where after he had executed certeine shot of cannon he found thennemies reduced to such termes of weakenes as they could not refuse to compownd In which opinion he sent out a trompet to summon them to render the towne with whome came forth a Capteine launceknight and a Spanish Capteine together with Guido Vaino The day following the capitulacion went betwene them and the Duke that if they were not succored by the ende of the moneth they should depart out of Cremona That it should be permitted to the launceknights to goe into Germany and the Spanyards to the Realme of Naples That in foure moneths they should not beare armes for the defence of the state of Myllan That they should leaue all their artilleries and municions And goe out with their enseignes folded vp and without sownd of dromme or trompet other then at such time as they leauied and brake vp A litle after this time there was sent to remeyne in the French Court as Legat Cardinall Saluiatio who was departed out of Spayne with the leaue of thEmprour And in this meane while the French king had aunswered to the requests that were made to him by the Pope Wherein he excused him selfe by his great want and necessitie of money that his doings and actions were not correspondent to his will and affection But if he might haue a permission to leauy throughout all his realme a tenth of the reuenues of benefices he would releeue him with twenty thowsand duckats monthly of that collection and would be also concurrant with him in the warres of Naples he refused to harken to the conquest of the Duchie of Myllan for him selfe from the which his mother and Monsr Lavvtrech did chiefly drawe him notwithstanding he had declared from the beginning a good inclinaciō that way he gaue him hope that he would goe on with the warre beyond the Mounts But he alleaged that it was necessary thintimacion proceeded which being done he offered to beginne the warre vppon Flaunders side and Parpignan And yet it was discerned that he had no disposicion to it his intencion therein being nothing different from the will of the king of England with whome thexpedicion sent by the Pope serued to no purpose for that the Cardinall of Yorke whose humor was to enterteine euerie one and be sued vnto of all men would giue no resolucion Only the king and the Cardinall made oftentimes this aunswere The affaires of Italie apperteine nothing to vs. At this time the confederats fearing least the Grisons who during the seege of the castell of Millan had reconquered and rased Chiauana woulde enter into the pay of the Duke of Burbon or at least woulde suffer the launceknightes whome he exspected for succours to passe thorowe their contrie The Pope and Venetians bounde them selues to take into their pay two thowsand footemen of the Grisons and to pay to Captaine Mus fiue thowsande fiue hundred duckats which they had promised to him more by force then by frendship This Capteine Mus was fled from the campe fearing the Duke of Millan who was then come to th armie and afterwards pretending that there was money owing to him for the payes of the Svvizzers he deteined prisoners two Embassadors of the Venetians who had bene sent into Fraunce The obligacions of the Pope Venetians stretched also to deliuer them of the new taxes imposed vpon such as traffiked in nauigacion vpon the lake of Coma. And touching the Grisons they bound themselues to stop the passage of the launceknightes and wrought so as Tegane their Capteine who had compounded with the Duke of Burbon to serue him with two
of Naples This truce was willinglie accepted both by the one other partie it was acceptable to the Pope for that he had not in the castel sufficient prouision of vittels And Don Hugo though cōtrarie to thinstāce of the Colonnois thought it now time to take vp both for that he had done enough for thEmperour and also he saw most of those souldiors that had entred Rome with him dispersed heare there being more loden with pray bootie then bearing aptnes to any further seruice But this truce brake all the deuises plots of Lombardie tooke away all the frute of the victorie of Cremona for notwithstanding almost at the same time the Marquis of Salusso was come to the armie with the frenche launces yet the Popes regimentes beginning to faile who for the most parte by reason of the truce retyred to Plaisanca the seuenth of October yet the deuise to send souldiors to Genes was no lesse dissolued and disordered then the resolution to enuiron Millan with two armies Wherein the matter that helped also to this alteration and trouble was the Duke of Vrbin who after he had made a composition with those in Cremona went to visite his wife at Mantua without tarying for the consignation notwithstanding he was credibly aduertised of the truce made at Rome And hauing accorded to the companies that were within Cremona a prolongation of time to departe there was so long tarying about Cremona before they dislodged that he came not to the army with those companies that were before Cremona before the middest of October A matter that broughte great preiudice to all the affayres both for that there was solicitation made to send men to Genes which Peter Nauarre and the Venetian treasorer of the army by sea demaunded with greater instance then euer for that all the Venetian regimentes being reassembled there were in the army so many forces as might suffice for that effect without that it was nedeful for that matter to remoue the campe And also for that the Marquis of Salussa had brought with him fiue hundred launces and foure thousand footmen besides a dayly exspectation of two thousand Grisons who were waged according to thaccord made with them And lastly the Pope albeit he made open demonstrations to obserue the truce yet his intention being otherwise he had left in tharmy fourethousande footmen with Iohn de Medicis vnder pretence that the French king should paye them An excuse not without apparant coollers for that Iohn de Medicis was alwayes in the kings paye and in his name reteined continually a company of men at armes At last thimperialls that were within Cremona went out of that Citie the possession wherof was consigned ouer to Frauncis Sforce The Launceknightes with their capteine Conradin tooke their waye to Trente But the horsemen and footemen of the Spaniardes hauing passed ouer Pavv to returne to the Realme of Naples and the Popes Lieftenant making difficultie to giue them sufficient passeportes and safeconduites for that it was contrarie to the Pope to suffer them to goe to the Realme of Naples they suddenly turned their waye and wente vp by the Mountayne of Parma ▪ and Plaisanca and after wyth greate diligence they repassed the ryuer of Pavv at Chiarella from whence they went in safetie to Lomelino and so to Millan And the Popes Lieftenant Guicciardin for thobseruancie of the truce did not onely goe from before the walles of Millan with the Popes regimentes but also Andrea Dore remoued himselfe from Genes with his gallies Out of which towne not many dayes before were issued sixe thousand footemen aswell bodies payed and waged as men voluntarie and followers with direction to set vppon the sixe hundred footemen who were vppon the lande with Phillip Fiesquo who with the fauour of the toppe of the Mountaynes neare to Portofino had so fortified him selfe with rampars and bastillions that he constrayned them to retyre with their great losse And yet not many dayes after Andrea Dore returned to Portofino with sixe gallies to continue together with the residue the siege of Genes by sea At the same tyme that these matters succeeded in Italye wyth diuerse euentes the Embassadours of the Pope the Frenche kinge and the Venetians signified to thEmprour the fourthe daye of September the League that was made together wythe the libertye that was lefte to hym to enter accordinge to the conditions sette downe in the Capitulations At whiche an Embassadour of Englande beeing presente he deliuered to thEmprour from his king a letter modestly perswading him to enter into the League The Emperour heard with great affabilitie the reasons and relations of thembassadors but he aunswered them that it agreed not with his dignitie to enter into a confederation made principally agaynst his estate and his honor Onely he had bene alwayes moste deuoute and disposed to haue an vniuersall peace according to which inclination still continuing he offred to accomplish it presently if they had sufficient warrant commissions for the same Neuertheles it was beleeued that his intention was farre otherwise and that he did but insinuat that offer for his greater iustification and to giue occasion to the king of England to deferre to enter into the league and also to make colde with that hope the preparations of the confederates and so vnder the treatie of peace to leade them into some iealousie distrust And yet notwithstanding this practise he solicited on the other side the prouisions for the army by sea which was supposed to be fortie shippes and sixe thousande men payde And the rather to make that army aduaunce beeing assembled at the notable porte of Carthage the Viceroy departed from the Court the xxiiij daye of September By which expedition and celeritie it seemed that themprour was more ready and carefull of his affayres then the French king who notwithstanding he was pressed with so great interests and considerations yet he forbare not to follow the humor of his negligence and passed foorth the most part of his time in the pleasures of hunting daūsing and making court to Ladies And then were his captiue children caryed vp to Valdolit when it was manifestly discerned that there was no more hope that thaccord would be obserued The cōming of this army by sea cōpelled the Pope to take armes who with the iealousie of those apparances coulde not but doubte of the fidelitie of the Viceroy and the Spaniards In which daunger he did not onely call to Rome Vitelly with his regimentes and the bandes of his Nephewes but also he called in for his safety an hundred men at armes of the Marquis of Mantua and an hundred lighte horsemen of Peter Maria Rosso and there was sent to him from the armie two thousand Svvizzers at his charges and three thousande footemen Italians Neuerthelesse he continued still and assured from one tyme to an other that he would go into Spayne to conferre with themprour from the which most of the Cardinalls
money of the king and vrging him to a greater readines in the warre he would not only not consent to the tenthes without condition of a moytie to himself which the king refused vnder this reason that it was cōtrary to the tradition vsage of Fraunce but also in his contradiction he could not be resolued to create Cardinal the Chauncellor Prat who both for the authority swaigh he bare in the kings councells and for that all expeditiōs of money passed through his handes might haue bene a necessarie instrument to helpe forward all his purposes Suche was his confusion that his counsells were no lesse dilatorie and slowe then th execution vncertayne and irresolute which passion as it tooke beginning of his astonishment for the tumult of the Colonnois so it went on encreasing by newe terrours whose operations ledde him into manyfest contradiction in matters concerning his owne safetie But the French king forgat not to be sorrowfull with Paule d'Arezzo and the other Nuncios for the accident of Rome and in that compassion he offred to the Pope all things for his defence and wishing he would reapose no more confidence in themprour he aduised him to perseuer no longer in the truce vppon which condition and not otherwise he promised still to satisfie the twentie thousande duckets which he was bound vnto for euery moneth To this the Pope was also aduised by the king of Englande who disswaded him from his voyage to Barcelona and to comfort his present distresse he sent him xxv thousand duckets The French king discounselled the Pope from his purpose to go visite the Princes of Christendome as being a matter which for the importance required a deeper consultation And at the first he refused to consent that Paule d'Arezze should go to themprour eyther for suspicion that the Pope would begin to enterteine with him some practise seperat or else that he helde it a matter more honorable to worke the peace by the meane of the kinge of Englande then to seeme vnder those wayes to begge it of themprour Neuerthelesse by a newe instance made by the Pope he gaue his consent to lette hym goe eyther for that he desyred the peace in deede or else because he beganne not well to brooke to haue it wrought by the king of Englande who bare suche a hande and gouernment in these actions that the French king coulde not but doubt least for his interestes particular he would drawe him to conditions harde and inconuenient Wherein he tooke the reason of his doubt vppon the disposition of the king of Englande or rather the Cardinall of Yorke vnder his name who caried with ambition and a glorious desire to be iudge of all set downe conditions very straunge and farre of and hauing also endes different from the purposes of others he feared by reason of those endes least he woulde suffer him to be abused by themprour and woulde not be grieued that the Duchie of Millan should fall vpon the person of the Duke of Burbon by the benefite of the peace so farreforth as he maryed themprours sister to th ende it remayned in his power to giue his daughter in mariage to the Frenche king So that what by these perswasions tendred to the Pope by the one and other king and what through his feare not to loase thamity of the confederates and so by the priuation of their aydes to remaine in pray to themprour and his officers and what by thimportunities and vehement inducements of his owne counsellors and what for the hatred and disdayne conceyued agaynst the Colonnois together with the burning desire to recouer by way of reuenge the honor he had lost he was induced to conuert against the townes lands of the Colonnois all those forces which he had called into Rome onely for the surety of his person And in this variation and ballansing of reasons and causes he iudged there was no law of equitie nor order to compell him to obserue thaccord which he had not made by will and free consent but vnder the abuse of their fraudes and forced by their armes contrary to the law of fayth he sent out immediatly Vitelly with his companies to vex the lands of the Colonnois making his account to burne and raze all their townes for that for the auncient affection of thinhabitantes it could not be a matter very preiudicial to them to take the townes only without doing other violence And in the humor of his anger he published a Bull against the Cardinall and others of that famuly by vertue wherof he proceded afterwards to depriue the Cardinall of the purple hat who seeking before to defend himselfe with the bull of symonie had made publike appellations at Naples and had appealed to the generall councell to come onely the Pope deferred to pronounce sentence against the residue of the house of the Colonnois who were not negligent to wage both horsmen footmen in the realme of Naples But the Popes bands being entred into their towns they burned Marina Montfortin whose Castel held good as yet for the Colonnois And in this rage of victory aduantage they rased Gallicana and Tagarola the Colonnois being careles of al other townes then to defend their places of strength chiefly the towne of Paliano which is a pece strong by situation of very hard accesse for great artilleries besides hath no accesse but by three wayes wherof one can not succor an other and hauing about it walls of good fortification thicknes the inhabitants were determined with great resolution to defend it Neuertheles it was beleued that if he had marched with diligence to assayle it notwithstanding many of thinhabitants of those towns that had bin taken were retyred thyther he had easily caried it for that there was not a souldior within it but whilest he stood temporising deferring to go thither folowing the inclination working of his nature which was full of irresolution feare when things were to be put in execution There entred into the towne by night a strength of 500. footemen aswell launceknights as Italians being sent from the realme of Naples a reliefe which as it made the taking of the towne so hard desperate that Vitelli who at the same time kept his companies about Grotta Ferrata not daring to attempt further enterprise vpon Paliano much lesse to execute any action against the peece called the Popes rock So after he had sent to batter with his artilleries the rock of Montfortin garded by the Colonnois he determined to gather together all his forces at Valmonton more to looke to the defence of the contrey if any stirre or emotion were made on Naples side then with hope to be able to do any thing of importance for the which he was blamed much of the Pope who at a tyme when his deuise was to inuade the kingof dome Naples and afterwards when he called into Rome the regimentes for his defence wished to be sent
the difficulties which the Duke of Burbon had to pay his souldiours wherein rested not the least impedimentes to the good fortune and felicitie of the warre The wretched people of Millan were wonderfully trauelled for prouision of money In which necessitie or rather tyrannie Ierome Moron beeing condemned to death compounded the night before he should suffer to paye twenty thousande duckets for the whiche it seemed they had passed him to sentence of death But after the releefe of his purse had auoyded the daunger of his life vnder the same good meane his person was deliuered out of prison suche was the course of his desteny working instrumentally by the dexteritie of his spirite and witte that of a prisoner to the Duke of Burbon he became his councellor and within short time he went on by the operation of hys witte tyll he became almoste his onely gouernor and director Neuerthelesse amid all these variations and vexations the treatises of truce or peace were great betwene the Pope and the Viceroy though in good meaning the plottes and purposes of the Viceroy tended rather to make warre wherein he was set on both by thincitation of the Colonnois who had breathed into him a new life since he came to Caietto and also because he vnderstoode that the Pope no lesse abated in courage then naked in money founde nothing so sweete as the desire of peace Wherein both publishing to all the world his pouerty and his feare and in his confusion refusing to create Cardinalls for money according to the counsell that was giuen him the demonstrations he made of his owne weaknes gaue courage and hope to who so euer would offende him for as the Pope not entring into the warre with that constancie of minde that apperteined had sent to themprour a letter the xxvj of Iune conteyning matter bitter and full of complayntes that he droue him by necessitie to intende to the warre So also fearing afterwardes least by the sharpe phrases of that letter he might further incense themprour whom he so much feared he sent after an other expedition compounded of an humor more temperate and reformed charging his Nuncio to reteyne the first which neuertheles was deliuered for that it came first to his handes the other was presented afterwardes but themprour vnder one expedition aunswered them both seuerally according to the argument and nature of matter they conteyned Moreouer the Pope had readely harkned to the generall of grayfreers who going into Spayne at suche time as the warre began was charged by him to deliuer to themprour embassages milde and full of amitie And beeing eftsones returned to Rome by commission of themprour he brought many reapportes and informations touching his good intention and howe he would be content to come into Italy with a trayne of fiue thousande men and from thence after he had taken the Crowne of thempire he would passe into Germany to set downe some forme to the matters of Luther without speaking any thing of the Councell That he was also well inclined to accorde with the Venetians vnder reasonable conditions That he would referre the cause of Frauncis Sforce to the arbitration of two Iudges assigned by the Pope and him and in case he were condemned he would bestow that estate vpon the Duke of Burbon That he would reuoke his army out of Italy so farreforth as the Pope Venetians would pay three hundred thousande crownes to satisfie the wages of the army which notwithstanding he would labour to make contented with a summe more moderate That he would restore to the French king his children receyuing in counterchaunge two millions of golde at two or more tearmes He showed also that it would be easie to accorde with the king of Englande bothe for that the summe that was in question was not great and also the king had made offer of it And the better to debate and worke these matters the generall of grayfreers offred a truce for viij or x. moneths protesting that he had warrantes and commissions from themprour verye large and absolute wherein all power of negociation and conclusion was giuen to him to the Viceroy and to Don Hugo In regarde of which authoritie and good inclination of themprour the Pope after he had giuen audience to Pignaloso and had receyued aduertisement that the Viceroy was gone out of the porte of S. Stephen sent the Generall to Caietta to treate vpon these matters with him Whereunto he was the rather induced for that bothe the Venetians woulde not refuse the truce if the French king would consent who for his part was not farre estraunged from it and his mother had sent to Rome Lavvrence Tuskane declaring an inclination to peace wherein shoulde be a generall comprehension of all men And also for that he thought no practise to be sure without the will and concurrencie of the Duke of Burbon he sent to him in that behalfe one of his owne Amners that was at Rome whom the Duke returned eftsones to the Pope to solicite the same matter And yet neither to loase thoportunitie of the time nor to abandon the prouisions for the warre he sent Cardinall Augustin Triuulco as Legate to the army which was then in the field And continuing also his preparations to inuade the Realme of Naples Peter Nauarre ariued the third of December at Ciuitavecchia with a Nauy of xxviij gallies of the Popes the French and the Venetians At which time also Ranso de Cere being sent for the french king for thexpedition intended vpon Naples was ariued at Sauonna with a fleete of sayles quartered On the other side Askanio Colonno with a strength of two thousande footemen and three hundred horsemen came to Valbon fifteene miles from Tiboli where are the landes of the Abbot of Farfa and Iohn Iordan with these forces the twelfth of December he tooke Cepperano finding no resistance for that it was not garded Vitelly with the Popes companies reduced himself betwene Tiboly Palestime and Velletre Afterwardes the Colonnois tooke Pontecorue which was not garded and in vayne gaue assault to Scarpa which is a litle and weake place depending vpon the Abbey of Farfa Caesar Filettin approached by night to Alagnia with fiftene hundred footemen of which fiue hundred making their entrie secretly by the fauour of a house ioyning to the walles and by the practise of certen of the townesmen that receiued them were repulsed and driuen out agayne by Lyon de Fano commaunder of the footemen that were there In this meane while the generall of grayfreers returned from the Viceroy to the Pope to whom he related the Viceroyes inclination to consent to the truce for certayne monethes to th ende that in the meane while the peace might take course Only he stoode vpon demaundes of money and for suretie he required the Castells of Ostia and Ciuitavecchia But of the contrary to him tharchbishop of Capua aryuing at Caietta after he was departed and who happly had bene sent thither with
an yll counsel of the Pope wrote to him that the Viceroy reiecting all motions to truce was contented to make peace with the Pope onely or with the Pope and Venetians ioyntly so farreforth as they would make payment of money to thend to mainteine the army for assurance of the peace and afterwards to debate in the matter of the truce with the others An alteration mouing eyther by the variation or chaunge of the Viceroy or happly by the perswasions of tharchbishop as many suspected At which time Paule d'Arezze being come to themprours Court with authoritie from the Pope the Venetians and Frauncis Sforce whither also went by the motiō of the king of England for the negociation of peace the Auditor of the Chamber the rather for that before were come thither full commissions from the french king He found themprour wholy chaunged both in minde will taking the reason of his alteration vpon an aduertisement he had receiued of the army of the launceknightes and of his Nauy in Italy In so much as enforcing the fauor of that good aduauntage he fled from all the conditions that were set downe before and vrged vehemently that the French king should obserue absolutely thaccord of Madrill to haue the cause of Frauncis Sforce heard by law before Iudges assigned by himselfe Thus did both the will and intention of themprour vary according to the successe of affayres like as also his commissions which he sent to his Agentes in Italy bare alwayes by reason of the distance of the place eyther an expresse or silent condition to gouerne themselues according to the variation of times and occasions Therfore the Viceroy after he had many dayes abused the Pope with vayne practises and would not so muche as consent to a surceance of armes for a few daies till the negociation might soart to some issue brake vp from Naples the xx of December to goe into thestates of the Church In which wilfulnesse he offred many new and very straunge conditions of accorde But to returne to the laste daye of the yeare wherein the Launceknightes as we haue sayde passed the ryuer of Nure The same day also the Duke of Ferrara by the meane of his Embassador capitulated with the Viceroy and Don Hugo who had commission from themprour Neuertheles the capitulation was made with a very small liking of that Embassador for that he was almoste constrayned to consent by the threates and rude words of the Viceroy Tharticles of the capitulation were these That the duke of Ferrara should be bounde aswell in his person as in his estates to serue themprour agaynst all his enemies That he should be capteine generall for themprour in Italy with a company of an hundred men at armes and two hundred light horsemen onely he should assemble and leauy them at his owne charges and receyue agayne allowance in his accountes That he should presently receyue the towne of Carpy and the Castell of Nouy which had apperteined to Albert Pio for the dowry of themprours bastard daughter promised to his sonne onely the reuenues should be aunswered in account of the souldiors a compensation to be made vntill the consummation of the mariage And that Vespatian Colonno and the Marquis of Guast should disclayme and renounce the rightes which they pretended to them That he should pay the summe of two hundred thousand duckets when he had recouered Modena but out of that should be deducted that which he had giuen to the Viceroy since the battell of Pauia That if he did not recouer Modena all the summes of money which he had before disbursed should be eftsones repayed to him That themprour should be bound to his protection not to make peace without comprehending him and not without obteining for him of the Pope absolution of the paynes and censures which he had incurred euer since he was declared confederate to themprour And lastly that he should vse all his meanes and authoritie to the Pope to absolue him of all those penalties and transgressions which he had runne into before Thus in the ende of the yere a thousande fiue hundred and sixe twentie all things prepared and tended to a manyfest and open warre The ende of the seuenteenth Booke THE ARGVMENT OF THE EIGHTENTH BOOKE THe Duke of Burbonissueth out of Millan The Viceroy and Colonnois make vvarre agaynst the Pope in thestate of the Churche The Marquis of Salussa entreth vvithin Bolognia The Pope maketh vvarre in the kingdome of Naples The Duke of Burbon leadeth his armie to Rome taketh the tovvne and sacketh it and is slayne in the action The Pope beeing abandoned of all hope accordeth vvith thimperialls Amutinie in Florence The king of Englande is declared agaynst themprour The confederates do many enterprises THE EIGHTEENTH BOOKE OF THE historie and discourse of Guicciardin NOW ensueth the yeare of our Lorde a thousande fiue hundred and seuen and twenty A yeare prepared to many harde euentes and accidentes suche as for their crueltie were full of feare and daunger and for their straungenes had no example or experience with the worldes and ages before For in the predictions of this yeare was expressed an vniuersall face of troubles and confusion of mutation of estates of captiuitie of princes of desolation of Cities of dearth of vittelles and of a generall visitation of the plague yea through all the regions and climates of Italy there was no apparance nor contemplation of other thing then of blood death famine and fleeing A condition lamentable euen to forreiners and straungers that dyd but heare of it but moste intollerable to those miserable wretches vpon whose neckes the lawe of destenie had drawne so grieuous a yoke To these calamities there was no other thing that stayed the action of beginning and execution but the difficulties whiche the Duke of Burbon founde to make the regimentes of Spanishe footemen to departe out of Millan for where he had determined that Anthony de Leua shoulde abide there for the defence of the whole Duchie and reteyne with him all those bands of Launceknightes which were there before for whose enterteinmentes and payes were consumed bothe all the moneyes exacted at tymes vppon the Millannois and also suche other summes as were leauyed by the billes of exchaunge which the Duke of Burbon brought from Spayne And where he had also appoynted to remayne with the sayd Leua for the seruice of the Duchie a strength of twelue hundred footemen Spaniardes together with some bandes of Italian footemen vnder the leading of Lodovvike Belliense and other commaunders So likewise by their example all the other bandes and regimentes of souldiors for that they had in pray the houses the wyues and daughters of thinhabitantes of Millan were not discontented to liue still in that estate of licentious libertie But for that both for the necessitie of the present seruice and regarde of their proper honor and lastely for the awe and authoritie of the Duke of Burbon they
the castell S. Angelo The Pope was al this while in no smal thought to make prouision of money wherin imploring the ayde of other princes he receiued of new from the king of England a supply of thirty thousand duckets which the lord Russell his Chamberlaine brought to him And with him came Monsr de Rabandanges with ten thousande crownes sent to him by the french king vpon the benefit of the tenthes which the Pope had accorded to him by necessitie compulsion vnder this promise notwithstāding that besides the payments of the forty thousand crownes which he gaue to the league and twenty thousand which he contributed to the Pope for euery moneth he should presently minister to him thirty thousand duckets within a moneth thirty thousand more The king of Englande gaue commission also to the Lorde Russell to signifie to the Viceroy and the Duke of Burbon a surseance of armes to th end to giue sufferance and tyme to treate a peace the practise and negociation whereof according to themprours will was holden in Englande And if the Viceroy would not condiscend to it then to denounce agaynst him warre It seemed by this readynes and many other apparances that the king of Englande vnder a desire to marry his daughter with the Frenche king was well inclined to the confederates and fauoured their cause And in that good inclination he promised that assoone as the mariage were established to enter into the league and beginne the warre in Flaunders It seemed also he was particularly disposed to do pleasure to the Pope But there could be no great exspectation of ready remedies from a prince who both measured not well the present conditions of Italy nor stoode firme and resolute in his purposes beeing styll labored and retyred by the hope which themprour gaue him to commit to him the working and arbitration of the peace notwithstanding theffectes were in nothing correspondant to the semblances and showes he made for when the Auditor of the Chamber was with him for that matter albeit themprour did what he could to perswade him in many sortes that such was his intention yet for that he exspected some euentes from Italy since the discending of the launceknightes and the aryuall of his Nauy at sea wherof he had receiued some aduertisement he forbare to giue him an aunswere assured and certayne taking his excuse vppon the warrantes and commissions of the confederates as though they were not sufficient But thaccorde whiche the Pope solicited continually with the Viceroy hurt him not a little with the Confederates both for that they stoode alwayes in feare least he woulde resolue and compound with him And also the French king and the Venetians made this iudgement that all the exspences and defraymentes whiche they should make to support him would be almost vnprofitable This iudgement and suspicion tooke encreasing by certayne degrees of vehement feares whiche were discerned in him together with the lamentable protestations he made dayly that he was no more hable to susteine the warre Wherein agaynst hys ordinarye meane and remedy in that case he opposed wilfully his naturall obstinacy would not make Cardinalls for money nor releeue himselfe in so great necessities amid so many daungers of the Church with those meanes which other Popes had wont to vse yea euen in thatchieuing of their vniust and ambicious enterprises In which regarde the French king and the Venetians to be the better prepared and ready in all accidents were eftsones particularly bound to make no accord with themprour the one without the other And the French king for that cause and for the great hope which the king of Englande gaue to rayse together with him in case the mariage went forwarde great emotions in the spring following became more negligent and lesse carefull of the daungers of Italy In this time the Viceroy who solicited an inuasion vpon the Churche states dispatched a regiment of two thousande Spanish footemen to assault a small Castell of Stephen Colonno where the vallour of the defendantes made that enterprise in vayne And because the Viceroy came on and aduaunced thecclesiastikes referred to an other time to execute the resolution taken to batter the Popes rocke the garrisons of which place had surprised the Castell Gandolffo but weakly manned and at that tyme holden by the Cardinall de Monte At last the Viceroy after he had assembled into one strength twelue thousande footemen all bodyes commaunded and trayned sauing the Spaniards and Launceknights that were come with him by sea encamped with his whole armie the xxix of Ianuary before Frusolone a towne weake and without walles sauing that the howses of some particulars serue as a wall and within the which the capteines of the Church had bestowed garrison because they would leaue him no footing nor entrie into Campagnia to the weaknes of this place was ioyned a great necessitie and want of vittells and yet the situation of the towne standing vpon a hill giueth alwayes to the inhabitantes good meane and oportunitie to saue them selues of one side for that it beareth a certaine benesite of reskew and backing A matter which gaue a great resolution to the garrison within to defende it besides that they were of the best choyse of Italians whiche at that time tooke paye Moreouer the height of the mountayne was no litle impediment to thenemies to do any action vpon their artilleries of which they had planted three demy Cannons and foure Coluerines Onely the greatest care of thenemies was to stoppe as muche as they could the entry of vittells into the towne On the other side the Pope who albeit was muche impouerished for money and was more apt to suffer indignitie to desire others to releeue him then to furnishe himselfe by meanes extraordinary encreased his campe as muche as he could with bandes of footemen payed and trayned And in that incertentie of minde and dealing he had newly taken into his paye Horacio Baillon without keeping memorie or obseruation of the iniuries which he had done before to his father and afterwardes to him whom he had of long holden prisoner within the Castell of S. Angelo as a troubler of the quiet of Perousa With these supplies of souldiours his armie went on alwayes drawing neare to Ferentin to make there his generall moosters and to giue hope of succours to those that were besieged The batterye of Frusolona was reduced to perfection the xxiiij day but because it was not suche as to giue hope to cary the place there was no assault performed Onely capteine Alarcon trauelling about the walles was hurt with the blowe of a harquebuse and likewise Maria Vrsin was wounded One of the principall grounds and hopes of the Viceroy was that he was not ignorant that the souldiors within suffred great scarcitie of vittells as also the armie that moostred at Ferentin was in the same extremitie for the souldiours of the Colonnois whiche laye within Palicina Montfortin and the Popes Rocke the
mariage Katherine de Medicis daughter to Lavvrence and neece to the Pope for the french king reapposing muche for him selfe in the negociation of England and being perswaded that the Viceroy for the disorder of Frusolono coulde execute nothing and also that the army imperiall both for their slownes to moue and march and for their wants necessities of money would not go at al into Tuskane would heare no further of the motion of the truce no though it should be generall and extended to comprehende all and that he should be acquited from all payments of money Wherin albeit his principall intention was not to giue time to themprour to reorder and readdresse his forces yet in regarde of his owne nakednes pouerty of money he sent to the Pope no other thing of the xx thousand duckets which he had promised monthly nor of the money collected of the tenth then ten thousand duckets Neither had he sent as yet the wages of those bands of footmen appoynted to the mayne army at sea running in the common accompts exspences of the Venetians and him And lastly for that he had desire that there should be no action or enterprise till some conclusion were made with the king of Englande he thought it but reasonable that the Pope should temporise and exspect till that time So that the enterprise of Naples begun with so great felicitie and hope went euery day diminishing and of lesse exspectation for as the army by sea which was neither made greater by vessels and shipping nor stronger with supplies of souldiors was not to execute any great action the rather for that they were to drawe out of their mayne forces garrisons of men to defende such places as they tooke So the army by land which for the yll disposition of the tyme was not as yet possessed of the vittels that were sent from Rome by sea did not onely not aduaunce but also diminishing dayly by new degrees of disorder and penury of vittells it retyred at laste to Piperna Besides those regiments of footemen which Ranso ledde and gouerned were so diminished for want of money that Ranso seeing he could not inclose the Viceroy according to the plotte he had layde returned backe to Rome yea lastly the straite negociation and labor of the accorde which the Pope interteined augmented greatly those disorders for as it abated the preparations of the consederates which of them selues came but slowely on So on the other side it pushed on the Popes inclination to the accorde wherein he was induced to reappose a greater hope in thintention of themprour for thintelligence he had by one of his letters surprised by which he charged the Viceroy to enterteine and embrace thaccorde with the Pope if thestate and condition of his affayres induced him not to take other counsell But the matter that moste stirred and moued him was that he sawe the Duke of Burbon marche and aduaunce continually with the armie Imperiall neyther did he discerne the resolutions of the Duke of Vrbin to be so constant nor the prouisions of the Venetians so full and forwarde as he could be assured of the matters of Tuskane the feare of which brought no small affliction to him for as thimperialls laye some of them on this side and some of them beyonde Plaisanca the Duke of Vrbin had chaunged his firste opinion which was to get before them into Bolognia with the Venetian armie and had resolued in his counsell that assoone as he should be aduertised that thenemies would remoue the armie ecclesiastike leauing good garrison within Parma and Modena should goe to Bolognia And for him selfe he woulde marche with the Venetian armie in the tayle of thenemies though twentye or thirtye miles from them for the more surety of his people According to which order when afterwards thenemies would take the way to Romagnia or Tuskane the whole campe should aduaunce continually the armie ecclesiastik marching alwayes before with the Marquis of Salusse leading the french launces the Svvizzers footemen and his owne and leauing alwayes garrisons in such places as thenemies should passe by after them and they afterwards to be reassembled and reuoked from hand to hand according as the enemie should aduaunce and passe This counsell the Duke iustified and folowed with many reasons such as the other capteins could neither comprehende nor approue First he alleaged that there was no surety to assemble and ioyne all together in the fielde to stop the passage of thimperialls for that it would be a matter eyther daungerous or vnprositable Touching the daunger he referred it to rest in the feight or battell for that if thimperialls were not superiour in numbers and multitudes at least they were aboue them in force and vallour an aduauntage which would make the victory easie to them And he proued it vnprofitable by this that if thimperialls would not feight at least it would be alwayes in their power to leaue behinde them the armie of the confederates and so keeping alwayes before them they shoulde be apte to accomplishe great exploytes Lastely he alleaged that as in thexperience and reason of things he helde this counsell better then all others So also he was constrayned by necessitie to embrace and followe it for that th imperiall armie beeing as was beleeued halfe shaken he could not put his people into suche speedy readynes as to be assured to marche in tyme and to gette before Besides seeing the Venetians had wholly reapposed them selues vppon him touching that deliberation he was to consider not to leaue their estate in daunger which if thennemies discerned to be vnfurnished they might taking newe counsell vppon newe occasions turne their course to passe ouer Pavv and so intrude vpon their landes to their harmes This reason might suffice to content the Senate of Venice for that naturally they haue for obiect to proceede aduisedly and surely in all their affayres But it did not satisfie the Pope for that vnder that counsell he sawe opened a waye to th imperiall armie to take their course euen vp to Rome or to Tuskane or to make their passage into what place they liste seeing there was no possibilitie of resistance by the armie that was to goe before bothe for that they were to distribute in places as they passed garrisons of souldiours and also their mayne strength was to suffer diminution by other meanes Neyther was it a matter certayne that in the Venetians tarying once behinde woulde bee as greate readinesse to followe with effectes as the Duke was liberall to promise in wordes considering his custome and manner of proceeding in all the course of the warre before Lastely he iudged that if the armies were reduced into one strength wherein the numbers of souldiours farre exceeded the Imperialls they mighte with more facilitie stoppe thennemie for passing further cutte off the traffike of their vittells obserue all occasions that offred and neuer be so farre remoued from them that in good season and oportunitie they might
mutined drew into manifest tumult and that to the great daunger of the life of the Duke of Burbon if he had not with present diligence escaped from his lodging which in their fury they inuaded sacked killing one of his gentlemen who stoode to defend the goods of his maister By reason of this accident the Marquis of Guast went foorthwith to Ferrara from whence he returned with some litle summe of money with the which the army was reappeased The seuenteenth day there fell from the regions aboue such abundance of snowe and raine that for certeine dayes it tooke away all libertie of marching as well for the impediment of the wayes made worse by the ill weather as for the swelling of the riuers which the snowes and landfluddes had made equal with the toppes of their bankes or shoares By which intemperaunce of the wether instrumentallie working in the destinie assigned Capteine George fell sicke of an appoplexie which so vexed him to the great perill of his life that at least thennemies hoped that he would become vnprofitable to followe the campe and vnder that occasion the Launceknightes would no more beare their incommodities and want of money But the effect was otherwise then thapparance declared By this time the Venetian armie was at S. Favvstin neare to Rubiero to whom the eighteenth of Marche came the person of the Duke of Vrbin who according to his custome promised to the Senate of Venice almost a certeintie of the victorie not so much through the vallour and puissance of the confederates as for the difficulties and straites whereunto were reduced thennemies But now the affaires of the Pope being reduced on all parts to these hard tearmes he ranne a carelesse course accompanied with faintnesse of courage both for that he was pinched with the want necessitie of money wherein his care was so much the greater by howe muche did redouble his extremities and also for thenterprise of Naples which tooke not successe according to his first deuises and lastlie for that his companies were retyred to Piperna being no longer hable to endure the want of vittells But the matter that most tooke away his resolucion and spirite was the temporising of the Frenche in whom was found no correspondencie betwene their promises and their effects a custome which they had duely obserued euen from the first day of the warre till the last end of the same for besides that the king was long in sending the fortie thowsande duckats for the first moneth of the warre and to dispatche the fiue hundred launces for the sea armie And besides that he woulde not according as he was bounde make warre beyonde the mountes which was one of the principall fundacions and meanes sette downe to aspire to the victorie Yet also he failed to obserue his promises with the Pope from day to day that besides the ordinarie contribucion he would minister to him monethly twentie thowsand duckats to make warre in the realme of Naples Also the truce being made by reason of the conspiring of Don Hugo and the Colonnois he councelled him not to keepe the articles of the truce and confirmed vnto him the same promise not onlie to ayde him in the warres against Naples but also in all actions for his proper defense And lastly he promised to send to him Ranso de Cere whom he fauored much for that he had expressed great vallour in the defense of Marseilles All which things albeit they had bene promised from the moneth of October yet it was so long ere they were executed that it was the fourth day of Ianuarie before Ranse came to Rome and yet he brought no money and also it was ten dayes after before the twenty thowsand duckats were sent Of which summe foure thowsand were reteined by Ranse as well for his expenses and defrayments as for his pension and ten thowsand were conuerted to furnish thenterprise of Abruzze so that to the Popes hands who vnder that promise had broken the truce almost three moneths before there neuer came of that summe more then six thowsand Moreouer the king had promised the Pope in regard of his consenting to a tenth to pay vnto him xxv thousand crownes within eight dayes and xxxv thowsand more within two monethes But he neuer receiued aboue nine thowsand which were brought him by Monsr Rabandanges The king also extended his promise further for that after Pavvle Aretze had taken his leaue of him the twelfth of Februarie he promised him a coplemēt of twenty thowsand duckats to th end to giue to the Pope a better stomake to make warre But the sayd twentie thowsande duckats which were sent after Monsr de Lange neuer passed further then Sauona The king was bound by the capitulacions of the confederacion to send twelue gallies of which sorte of vessells he sayd he had sent sixteene but the most parte of them so ill prepared and so slenderlie furnished of men to set on land that they stirred not from Sauona Where if at the first when ouerture was made of the warre against the kingdome of Naples they had immediatly ioyned with the gallies of the Pope and Venetians they would not but haue executed right great exployts And touching the armie by sea verie mightie in great vessells notwithstanding the king had made many promises to sende them out against Naples yet they neuer went farre from Prouence or Sauona Furthermore after he had condiscended to geue two payes to the souldiours of the Marquis of Salusse he agreed with the Venetians who had a lesse number of souldiours then he to whome they were bounde that their pay shoulde be taken vpon the contribucion of the fortie thowsand duckats He saw the comfortes and succours of the king of England were verie farre of and vncerteine The Venetians made but slowe paymentes to their companies and for that cause the bandes of the Marquis of Salusse and the Svvizzers who were within Bolognia serued almost for nothing The variacions and vncerteinties of the Duke of Vrbin astonished him not a litle since thereby he discerned that no impediment would be giuen to thImperials to passe into Tuskane By which meane waying together with the ill disposicion of the people of Florence thintelligence which the Citie of Sienna had with thImperialls he saw that not onelie the state of Florence woulde fall into manifest daunger but also the circuit and iurisdiction of the Churche All which reasons albeit they moued him greatlie and wrought no small impressions in him yet after many dristes and doubtes notwithstanding he discerned well enough howe infamous and daungerous it would be to separate him selfe from the confederates and to referre him to the discression of thennemies yet both for that he was not sufficientlie succored by the residue and much lesse would applie suche aide of him selfe as he might and also being ouerruled by passions of present feare and not hable to resist with resolucion and courage the difficulties and daungers occurring he
being corrupted with some secret summe of money within very few daies after deliuered vp those castells to the Florentyns In the meane while the people of Florence had reduced their citie to a popular gouernment and in that humor had created Gonfalonier and chiefe Magistrate of the pollicie for one yeare with facultie of confirmation for three yeares one Nicholas Cappony A Citizen of great authoritie and a louer of the publike libertie This man desiring wholly the concord and vnitie of the Citizens and no lesse zealous to reduce the gouernment to the most perfect forme of a common weale that was possible debated the action with reasons graue and resolued in a conuocacion of the great councell in whome rested absolute power to establishe lawes and create all Magistrates And sure if the Citizens had giuen faith to the perswasions of this man their new libertie had happly endured longer But as for the most parte the passion of spite and disdaine is stronger in him that recouereth libertie then in an other that defendeth it so the hatreds being great against the house of Medicis for many causes but especially for that they haue bene driuen to beare out for the most part with their owne money all the enterprises that they had begonne The people began to persecute immoderatly all those Citizens that were friendes to the Medicis together with such as boare affection to the name of the Pope They called into remembraunce how the citie had exspended not onely in the occupacion but also in the defence of the Duchie of Vrbyn more then fiue hundred thowsand duckats And as much in the warre which Pope Leo managed against the French king and in matters hapning after his death depending vppon the same warre Neither did they forget the three hundred thowsand duckats which were payed to the Capteines Imperialls and to the Viceroy before the creacion of Clement And lastly they reduced into reckoning the six hundred thowsand duckats disburssed aswell since that tyme as employed in this last warre agaynst the Emprour These reckonings beeing ioyned to the humor of their vniuersall hatreds so aggrauated their rage and furye that they defaced and reuersed through all the partes of the citie the armes and enseignes of the house of Medicis not forbearing in that course of insolencie to pull downe euen those skootchions which were affixed and emboasted to the publike pallaices builded by them selues They brake the images or portraictes of Leo and Clement set vp in so greate glorye in the temple of Annuciado so much celebrated through all the worlde yea the moste parte of them omitted nothing apperteyning to moue the Popes disdaine and to nourish the diuisions and discords of the citie wherein they had risen into greater degrees of disorder if the authoritie discression of the Gonfalonier had not bene interposed which yet was not sufficient to remedie many insolencies But by this tyme were comen to Rome with the Marquis of Guast and Don Hugo all those footebands of launceknights and Spanyards which were in the Realme of Naples So that it was sayd they had stronge within the towne of Rome eyght thowsande Spanish footemen twelue thowsand launceknights and foure thowsand Italians An armye sufficient to doe in Italy what they would aswell for the reputacion they had gotten as for the vniuersall astonishment of those regions together with the weake prouisions that were made to oppose against them Onely the armye tooke such libertie in their insolencies and disorders the Prince of Orenge being Capteine generall in title and name but not in authoritie and effect that they tooke litle care of thinterests of thEmprour beeing wholly caried with the humor of praye and spoyle and to raunsom prisoners and racke the purse of the Pope Matters whose sweetenes deteyned them still in Rome where running a race of tumult and mutinie the Viceroy and the Marquis of Guast feared least they woulde extend their furye vppon their persons to the daunger of their liues In which feare they fled leauing the souldiours to the hazard and stroake of the plague which beeing already begonne kindled amongest them greater bronds of infection to their vniuersall domage for these reasons thImperialls lost thoccasion of many enterprises but especially they omitted the oportunitie to conquer Bolognia A citie which albeit the Count Hugo de Pepoly went thether after the losse of Rome with an army of a thowsand footemen payed by the Venetians yet it stoode and perseuered in the obedience of the sea Apostolike though not without difficultie by reason of the tumult which Lavvrence Maluezzo made by the secret consent of Ramassotto and the fauor of the faction of the Bentyuoleis yea which was of no lesse importance then the residue their disorder and carelesnes gaue tyme to the French king to dispatch into Italy a moste mightye armye with great daunger to the Emperor to lose the Realme of Naples after he had triumphed gloriously in so great a victorye for matters going on long time before in Fraunce to a preparacion of a newe warre there was established the foure and twenty of Aprill A conclusion of the confederacion solycited many moneths betwene the French king and king of England Wherein one condicion was that the Daughter of the king of England shoulde be maryed to the french king or to the Duke of Orleans his second sonne the election of which shoulde be resolued at the tyme of the enteruiewe of the two kinges which was to bee performed at Whitsontyde betweene Callyce and Bolleyne An other article was that the kinge of Englande shoulde renownce the title of kinge of Fraunce receyuing in recompense a yearely pension of fiftye thowsande duckats The thirde article bare that the kinge of Englande shoulde enter the league made at Rome and to bee bownde by the next moneth of Iulye to moue warre beyonde the Mountes agaynste thEmprour with nyne thowsande footemen and the Frenche Kinge with eyghteene thowsande and a conuenient number of launces and artilleries That in the meane whyle bothe the one and the other of them shoulde sende Embassadors to thEmprour bothe to signifie the confederacion made by them to summon him to restore the kinges children and to enter into the peace with comely condicions Which in case he woulde not accept within one moneth their Embassadors shoulde denownce warre to him and beginne it Assoone as this accorde was passed the king of England entred the league who together with the Frenche king dispatched two gentlemen in post to present to thEmprour conuenient summonce Matters which were done by the Embassadors of the Frenche and Englishe with a farre greater readines then they were performed by the Popes commission for that his Nuncio Baltasar Castillion sparing to sharpen the mynde of thEmprour would not consent to denownce warre agaynst him But afterwardes the Court of Fraunce beeing possessed with the newes of the losse of Rome And the displeasure of the accident of the Pope beeing ballanced with the gladnes
of the deathe of the Duke of Burbon And lastly the Frenche kinge not holding it good pollicye to suffer the thinges of Italy so to declyne he contracted the fiftenth daye of Maye with the Venetians that they shoulde wage in common tenne thowsande Svvyzzers he to furnishe the first paye and the Venetians the seconde and so forwarde according to that rule That he shoulde sende into Italy tenne thowsande Frenche men vnder Peter Nauarre That in lyke sorte the Venetians ioyntly with the Duke of Myllan shoulde wage tenne thowsande footemen Italyans That he shoulde fende thether a newe supplye of fiue hundred launces and eyghteene peeces of artilleries And bicause the king of England notwithstanding tharticles of the contract shewed no greate readines to make warre beyonde the Mountes A dealing which was not very agreable to the French king They dispensed with that obligacion and in place of that they couenanted That the king of England to furnishe the warre of Italy shoulde defraye the paye of tenne thowsande footemen for six monethes full And at the speciall instance of the sayde kinge of England Monsr de Lavvtrech almoste agaynst his will was declared Capteine generall of the whole armye during whose preparacion to marche and passe with conuenient prouisions of money and other thinges necessarye there was nothinge done in Italy that was of any consequence for bothe thEmprours armye styrred not out of Rome notwithstanding that many perished dayly by the rage of the plague which at that tyme ranne also with greate mortalitye in Florence and through many partes of Italy And also the armye of the league into which at thinstance of the Marquis of Salusso and the Venetians the Florentyns were entred of newe with obligacion to defraye fiue thowsande footemen wherewith thEmprour felt him selfe greeuously offended for that hauing at their instance giuen to the Duke of Ferrara authoritie to compownd in his name was almost assoone aduertised of their contrary deliberacion This armye beeing greatly diminished in numbers for that the regiments of the Venetians of the Marquis and the Svvyzzers were yll payed was retyred towardes Viterba And looking altogether to temporise and enterteyne they labored to holde in the deuocion of the league Perousa Orbieta Spoleto with other places thereabowts And afterwardes hauing vnderstandinge in that place that one parte of thEmprours armye was yssued out of Rome somewhat to take breathe with the largenes and skoape of ayre fearing least the residue shoulde doe the lyke after the first payments were made they retyred to Orbietta and afterwardes neare to the borowe of Pyeua And in that inclinacion they had retyred vppon the landes of the Florentyns if they would haue giuen consent In this rage of the plague the castell of Saint Angeo was visited to the great daunger of the life of the Pope abowt whom dyed certeine speciall men that did seruice to his person who amyd so many afflictions and aduersities and no other hope remeyning to him then in the clemencie of thEmprour appoynted for Legat with the consent of the Capteines Cardinall Alexander of Farneso who notwithstanding being yssued out of the castell and Rome refused vnder that occasion to goe in the sayd legacion The Capteines desired to cary the person of the Pope with the thirteene Cardinals that were with him to Caietto but he labored against that resolucion with greate diligence peticions and arte At last Monsr de Lavvtrech after he had giuen order to thinges necessary departed from the Court the last of Iune with eyght hundred launces and honored with the title of Capteine generall of the whole league And the king of England in place to present tenne thowsand footemen was taxed to paye in money for euery moneth beginning the first of Iune the summe of xxx thowsand duckats Which money should be conuerted to the payment of tenne thowsand launceknights vnder Monsr Vavvdemont which was a regiment of very good exercise and practise for that they had many times broken the bands of the Lutherans The French king tooke also to his paye Andre Dore with eyght gallyes and xxxvj crownes for euery yeare But before Monsr Lavvtrech was past the Mounts the regiments of the Venetians and the Duke of Myllan ioyned together marched to Marignan whome Antho. de Leua yssuing out of Myllan with eyght hundred Spanyards and the like number of Italyans together with a very fewe horsemen constrayned them to retyre About which tyme Iohn Iames de Medicis Captaine of Mus who was in pay with the French king and exspected vppon the lake the comming of the Svvyzzers made him selfe Lord by suttle meanes vppon the castell of Monguzzo seated betwene Lecqua and Coma wherein dwelt Alexander Bentyuolo as in his owne house for the recouering of it Antho. de Leua sent thether Lodovvyk de Belioyense who hauing assalted it in vaine turned to Monceo But afterwards Antho. de Leua hauing espiall that the sayd Capteine Mus with two thowsand fiue hundred footemen was come to the village of Carato foureteene myles from Myllan returned to Myllan where leauing onely two hundred men notwithstanding the Venetians were almost ten thowsand and yssuing out by night with the rest of the armye he charged suddeinly vppon the rising of the Sunne the bands of Capteine Mus who at the alarme leauing their houses wherein they were lodged they retyred into a playne place enuyroned with hedges not farre from the village not thinking that all the bands were there And albeit they cast them selues into order yet by the disaduauntage of the place beeing lowe and strayted as a prison they fell all without any resistance into the calamitye of the sworde or prisoners except many who in the beginning sought their sauetye by fleeing taking their example of the Capteine In this meane while ThEmprour had aduertisement of the Popes captiuitie by letters which his high Chauncellor wrote to him from Monaco as he went into Italy whether he was sent by his authoritie And albeit by his speeches and outward forme of behauior he expressed how greeuous that accident was to him yet it was discerned by his secrete mocions and affections that he was not muche discontented with it which he well declared in publike demonstracions not forbearing to followe the feastes and torneyes begonne before for the byrthe of his Sonne But as the deliuerie of the Pope was vehemently desired by the king of England and Cardinall of Yorke and for their authoritie no lesse displeasing to the French kinge who in case he coulde otherwayes haue recouered his children woulde haue taken litle care and greefe for the calamities of the Pope and vniuersall domages of all Italy So in a cause so generally inducing to compassion bothe the one and the other king sent Embassadors to thEmprour to demaunde the deliuerance of the Pope as a matter apperteyning in common to all the Princes Christian and particularly due by the Emprour vnder whose faith he had beene reduced to that estate of miserye by his
Capteynes and by his armye Abowt this tyme the Cardinalls that were in Italy made a mocion that aswell they as the other Cardinalls beyonde the Mountes might assemble together at Auignion to take councell in so troublesom a tyme what coursse to holde for the stabilitie of the Church But because they woulde not all at one tyme raunge them selues vnder the power of so mightye Princes they refused to goe thether though with diuerse excuses By whose example also the Cardinall Saluiatio Legat in the Frenche Court beeing required by the Pope to goe to thEmprour to helpe his affayres at the comming of Don Hugo who according to the capitulacion was to go vp to thEmprour refused to accomplish that legacion as though it had beene a matter hurtfull to deliuer vppe to the power of thEmprour at one tyme so many Cardinalls Onely he sent by one of his seruaunts of credit thinstructions he had receyued from Rome to thAuditor of the chamber resident with thEmprour to th ende he might negociat with him who brought from him very gracious wordes but such as promised a diuerse and vncerteine resolucion And albeit thEmprour could haue desired that the Pope had beene ledde into Spayne yet for that it was a matter full of infamye and greatly tending to incense the king of England And withall for that all the Potentates and prouinces of Spayne and principally the Prelats and Lordes detested not a litle that an Emprour of Rome Protector and Aduocat of the Church should with so great indignitie to all Christendom holde in prison the man in whome was represented the person of Iesus Christ in earth In those regardes he made gracious aunswers to all thEmbassadors which occupied his presence there At whose instance also to goe thorowe with a peace he sayde he was content to referre the action of it to the king of England which was accepted by them And seeming to confirme this good inclinacion with corespondencye of effects he dispatched into Italy the thirde daye of August the generall of the Graye Frears and foure dayes after him Veri de Miglian enhabling both the one and other with commissions sufficient to the Viceroy for the deliuery of the Pope and restitucion of all such townes and castells as had bene taken from him he consented also for the better releeuing of the Pope that his Nuncio should send him a certeine summe of money exacted vppon the collection of his Realmes who in their Courts and parlyaments had refused to contribute money to thEmprour In this time about the ende of Iuly the Cardinall of Yorke passed the sea to Callyce with twelue hundred horse The French king who had great desire to receyue him with all showes of honor sent to meete him at his landing the Cardinal of Lorraine and went afterwardes in personne to Amyens where the Cardinall of Yorke made his entrey the daye after with very greate pompe Wherein one thinge that muche augmented his glorye and reputacion was the treasor he had brought with him amownting to three hundred thowsande crownes bothe to furnishe thexspenses occurringe and to imparte it with the Frenche Kinge by waye of loane if neede were They debated betwene them aswel of matters apperteyning to the peace as of occasions tending to nourish the warre Wherein albeit the ends and intencions of the French king were different from the purposes of the king of England for that to haue his children restored he cared not to leaue abandoned to manifest praye both the Pope and all the state of Italy yet what by the authoritie of the king of England and necessitie of his owne affayres he was driuen to promisse to make no accord with thEmprour without the deliuery of the Pope And therefore thEmprour hauing sent to the king of England the articles of the peace aunswer was made to him by both the kings that they woulde accept the peace vnder condicions of restitucion of the children of Fraunce receyuing for raunsom of them two millions of duckats within a certeine tyme and deliuerye of the Popes person with the state Ecclesiastike together with the conseruacion of all the gouernments and estates of Italy as they were at that present and lastly vnder condicion of an vniuersall and generall peace And bicause the mariage of the French king with the Emprours sister should still continue there was set downe a speciall couenant that thEmprour accepting these articles the Daughter of the king of England should be maryed to the Duke of Orleans But in case the peace succeeded not the king him selfe should take her to wife After these articles were sent they refused to giue safe conduit to a man whome the Emprour required to send into Fraunce aunswering that they had done enough to send him the articles of their resolucion Which being not accepted by thEmprour the peace and confederacion betweene the two kings was sworne and published solemnly the eyght day of August They determined to employ all their forces in the warre of Italy hauing for their principall obiect the deliuerye of the Pope And touching the manner to proceede in that warre they reapposed them selues vppon Monsr Lavvtrech to whome according to the confidence they had in him they gaue absolute power and before he tooke his leaue to depart with his expedicion they suffered him to obteyne of the French king all his demaundes for that the king ment in that warre to set vppe his last rest The Cardinall of Yorke would also that the knight Casalo shoulde goe to the campe on the behalfe of his king and that the thirty thowsande duckats which were his monthly contribucion should be deliuered to him to th ende to be assured if the nūber of Almaines were compleate Thus after the resolucions and directions of the warre were established the Cardinall of Yorke returned and at his departure he dispatched the pronotorye Gambaro to the Pope to induce him to make him his Viccaire generall in England in Fraunce and in Germanye so longe as he was in prison Whereunto though the French king seemed by demonstracions to consent yet secretly and in effect he did impugne so great an ambicion In this meane whyle there passed but very fewe actions and exploytes of warre in Italy thexspectacion of the comming of Lavvtrech being very great The reason was that as the Imperiall armye full of disorder and disobedience to their Capteynes and no lesse chargeable to their friendes and townes that were rendred made no greate mouing and gaue no feare at all to their enemyes so the footebandes of Spanyardes and Italyans fleeing from the infection of the plague laye dispearsed and wandring abowt the confynes of Rome And the Prince of Orenge with an hundred and fiftye horsemen was gonne vppe to Syenna aswell to eschewe the daunger of the plague as to keepe that citie in the deuocion of thEmperour And for the better conteyning the Citie in fidelitie and order he had sent thyther before certeyne bandes of footemen the rather for that
confederates a beginning of some contencion for as Monsr Lavvtrech layed his plot to leaue there in garrison fiue hundred footemen to th end that in all euentes his bandes and regimentes might haue a sure retraite there and also suche companies as shoulde come out of Fraunce might orderlie reassemble and refreshe them selues in that Citie So thEmbassador of the Duke of Millan who beganne to suspect least that beginning extended to vsurpe and occupie that state for his king opposed against it with protestacions and wordes full of efficacie Wherein thEmbassador of Venice concurring with him in that minde and the Englishe interposing in the action Monsr Lavvtrech at last agreed albeit with great indignacion to leaue it freely to the Duke of Millan A matter which happilie was of great preiudice for that enterprise for that according to thopinion of many he vsed a greater negligence in the conquest of Millan either through disdaine or else to reserue him selfe to doe it in a time when without the regard of others he might make his proffit of it But after the losse of Alexandria it was not doubted but Monsr Lavvtrech would conuert his forces either to Millan or to Pauia and therfore that Antho. de Leua who had there with him an hundred and fiftie men at armes and fiue thowsand and fiue thousand footemen Spanish and Lanceknightes distrusting to be able to defende Millan with so small forces and amid so many difficulties shoulde retyre his companies to Pauia neuertheles considering that Pauya gaue smalreliefe or store of vittels and lesse exspectation to mainteine the armie there with robberies extortions as hadde bene done rudely and iniuriously at Myllan he chaunged purpose and stayed at Myllan sending to the garde of Pauya Lodovvyke Belioyense and to the Myllanois who with money would buy libertie to depart he solde for corruption and gaine the thing that he could not lawfully giue But Monsr Lavvtrech notwithstanding he was much weakened in nombers of Svvizzers marched on and tooke Vigeuena and afterwardes making a bridge vpon the riuer of Thesin and by the ayde of the same past his armie ouer he drewe towards Benerolo which is a village within iiij miles of Myllan In this order of proceeding he made shew as though he would in campe before that Citie whereunto he was also counselled by the Venetians but in deede he was resolued to take that course which seemed most easie And because he vnderstoode when he was within eight miles of Myllan that Lodovvyke Belioyense had sent thyther the night before foure hundred footemen by which meane there remayned no more then eight hundred within Pauya He turned way and went the day folowing being the xxviij of September to the Monasterie of Charterhouse and from thence with great celeritie he went to incampe before Pauya To the succours or reskue of which Citie Anthonie de leua taking occasion vpon the alteration of Monsr Lavvtrech and chaunging his way dispatched thyther three ensignes of footemen who coulde not enter by which impediment together with the small nombers of men of warre that were there it seemed the Towne coulde make no great resistance And in that weakenes and feare notwithstanding they of the Towne besought Belioyense to make some composition to auoyde the sacke and destruction of the Citie yet herefused to graunt them that compassion But when he saw with what importunitie Lavvtrech continued his batterie by the space of foure dayes hauing reuersed so much of the wall that the small nomber of men that were within sufficed not to reenforce it The necessitie of the place ioyned to the complaintes of the townesmen compelled at last Belioyense to sende a trumpet to Lavvtrech who hauing no speedie accesse to him by reason that he was by chaunce gone to the Venetian campe The souldiers drawing neare the towne entred into it by the ruines of the wall which being a spectacle greeuous to Belioyense and no meane to remedie or resist it he set open the gates of the towne and issued out in his misfortune to yelde himselfe to the Frenchmen who sent him prisoner to Genes The Citie was sackt in which action the Frenchmen spent eight dayes in pillage and crueltie putting fire into diuers houses which intheir furie they consumed in reuenge of the battel which they lost within the parke Then they drewe to counsel whether they shoulde execute the enterprise of Myllan or addresse their forces to Rome The Florentines made instance to passe further for feare least Lavvtrech staying in Lombardie the imperiall armie issued not out of Rome to distresse them The Venetians and Duke of Myllan who was expresly come from Myllan impugned it alleaging what great opportunitie there was to take Myllan and the profite that would rise by it for the enterprise of Naples for that as Myllan being taken there remayned no hope to thimperials to haue succours out of Germanie so that gate being layde open it was to be alwayes feared that a great armie comming from that part woulde not eyther put Lavvtrech in daunger or at least diuert him from the enterprise of Naples But he aunswered that he must necessarily passe further by the commaundementes of his king and the king of Englande who had sent him into Italie chiefelie to deliuer the Pope To which resolucion it was beleued he might be induced by suspicion that if the Duchie of Millan were got the Venetians thinking them selues assured from all daunger of the greatnesse of thEmperour would not be negligent to ayde the king in the enterprise of the realme of Naples And happily he was no lesse induced by this that the king supposed it would be for the benefitte and proffit of his affaires not to suffer Frauncis Sforce to recouer whollie that state to th ende that reteyning the power to offer to the Emperour to leaue it he might the easelier obteyne the deliueraunce of his children by way of thaccorde which continuallie was negociated with thEmperour by thEmbassadors of Fraunce Englande and Venice But in the negociacion of the same appeared many difficulties for that thEmperour made instance that the cause of Frauncis Sforce should be referred to the sentence of the lawe and that during the triall thestate of Millan to be holden by him promising in all accidentes not to appropriat it to him selfe He required that the Venetians shoulde pay to thArchduke the residue of the two hundred thowsande duckats which were due to him by the capitulacions of VVormes which the Venetian Embassador refused not so farre foorth as thArchduke woulde accomplishe the sayd capitulacions and render such places as he was bound by the obligacions of the same he demaunded of the sayd Venetians to giue to their exiles according to couenaunt an hundred thowsande duckats or at least assignacion for fiue thowsande duckats of reuenue That they should pay that which they ought him for the cōfederacion made with him which he wished might be renued That they shoulde render Rauenna to the Church and
whollie to giue ouer all that they helde in the Duchie of Millan he required thirtie thowsande duckats of the Florentins in recompense of the defrayments and exspenses made and for domages receiued by reason of their inobseruancie He consented that the Frenche king shoulde pay for him to the king of England a dette of foure hundred and fiftie thowsande duckats and for the residue amounting to two millions he required ostages he required to be prouided for him the twelue gallies of the Frenche king for the conuey of his person into Italie onely he cut of all proporcions of horsemen and footemen Lastlie he demaunded that as soone as thaccorde were resolued all the Frenche regimentes should issue out of Italie an article which the Frenche king refused onlesse his children were first restored to him Yea when it was hoped that he would mitigate these demaundes for the losse of Alexandria and Pauia it was then he showed him selfe more firme and resolute following his custome which was not to yeelde to difficulties In so muche as when the Auditor of the Chamber came to him out of Englande the fifteenth of October to solicite the Popes deliuerie in the name of the king of Englande he aunswered that he had taken order for that by the Generall And that touching the accorde he woulde not eyther for loue or by force alter the condicions he had established before But assuredlie it was discerned manifestlie that thEmperour bare no great inclinacion to the peace for that many thinges gaue him corage against the puissance of his ennemies for he called into consideracion that in Italy he might make resistance through the vertue of his armie and for the facilitie to defende townes That he coulde alwayes with small difficultie make passe newe supplies of Launceknightes That the long tract of exspenses had drayned of money and treasor the Frenche king and the Venetians That according to the custome of leagues their prouisions were defectiue and diminished he had confidence to draw out of Spaine sufficient store of money seeing he bare out the warre with farre lesser exspenses then did the confederates being much impouerished by the pillage and robberie of souldiers and also for that he hoped by seperating the confederates to make them more weake or negligent Lastlye he promised much to himselfe of his great felicitie both approoued by thexperience of so many yeeres and had bene assured from his infancie by manye predictions But in this time Monsr Lavvtrech solicited that the armies by sea prepared to inuade either Cicilia or the Realme of Naples shoulde aduaunce and come on of which the fleete of the Venetians whose prouisions eyther by sea or lande aunswered nothing thobligations was at Corfon and sixteene gallies were to ioyne with Andre Dore who exspected in the ryuer of Genes Ransode Cero appoynted to the footemen of that enterprise After Lavvtreth sent backe agayne into Fraunce foure hundred launces and three thousande footemen and contracted with the Venetians whom he counselled to render Rauenna to the colleage of Cardinals and with the Duke of Millan that to defende that which hadde bene conquered they shoulde reteyne their bands with whom were Ianus Fregosa and Count Caiesse in a place well fortified at Landriano which is a village within two miles of Millan By reason of whose neighbourhead for that the companies that were within Millan coulde not goe abroade it was supposed an easyer gard woulde be made of Pauia Moncia Biagrassa Marignan Binasquo Vigeuena and Alexandria After he hadde established these thinges the eighteene of October he marched with fifteene hundred Svvizzers the like nomber of Launceknightes and sixe thowsande aswell Frenche as Gascons And with this strength he passed the ryuer of Pavv right ouer agaynst the Borowe of Saint Iohn with intention to abide there the comming of the Launceknightes of whom till then was arriued but a very slender nomber and also an other regiment of footemen of the same nation which the French king had sent to leuye of newe in place of the Svvizzers who were almost gone away But from this place he was driuen to sende backe agayne beyonde Pavv Peter Nauarre with the bands of footemen Gascons and Italians to the succours of Biagrassa before which towne garded by the Duke of Millan Antho. de Leua was gone to incampe the xxviij of October with foure thowsande footemen and seuen peeces of artilleries taking his reason of that enterprise vpon the wantes and ill prouisions of the towne which being yelded to him the second day by accorde he prepared to passe into Lomelino to the ende to reconquer Vigeuena and Nouaro But being aduertised by good espiall that Peter Nauare was come with a greater supplie of forces he returned backe againe to Millan By which retyring he made easie to Peter Nauare to get againe Biagressa in whiche Frauncis Sforce bestowed better prouisions It was nowe discerned that Monsr Lavvtrech deferred with great industrie and art to depart Wherein albeit he alleaged that the thing that reteyned him was the tarying of the Launceknightes of whom one band being at last arriued vnder the charge of Monsr Vaudemont he abode the comming of the others And albeit he cunningly accompanied that excuse with a complaint of the slender prouisions of the Venetians yet it was supposed that the onely cause that helde him in deferring and lingring was the money which he exspected out of Fraunce But the true and most stronge reason was that the French king hoping much in the peace the negotiacion whereof was stil continued with themperour he gaue direction to Lavvtrech to dissemble vnderslowe proceedings his aduauncing on whereupon also it came to passe that the kyng was not readie to satisfie his part of the pay of those Almains which were leauyed in place of the Svvizzers and much lesse the other bands that were before reserued to go with Monsr Vavvdemont With these necessities or rather excuses Monsr Lavvtrech soiourning at Plaisanca and his companies being bestowed betwene Plaisanca and Parma the difficultie which before was had of the duke of Ferrara was nowe taken awaye This Duke like as Monsr Lavvtrech assone as he was entred into Italy had solicited to enter into the league which was a matter desired of th one side by the Duke in respect of thalliance that was offred to him with the French king and on the other side the same reteining him both for a distrust he had of the vallour of the French and for a suspicion he had least the king for the recouery of his children would not at last accord with themprour So neuertheles fearing the threats of Lavvtrech he was reduced conformable to the will of the French demaunding only that the negociatiō of those affayres might be performed at Ferrara for that he would in his owne person manage a cause that imported him so muche So that thembassadours of the whole confederates went vp to Ferrara together with Cardinall Cibo in the name of those Cardinalls that were
assembled at Parma And the Duke beeing not a litle moued to see Lavvtrech aduaunce after he had laboured to insinuate his reasons and make them seeme good to Capteine George and Andrevv de Burgo these were within Ferrara and greatly honoured and entertoyned by him he lefte them satisfied of the necessitie that compelled him to compound And at last he accorded but with conditions well showing eyther his industrie knowledge howe to negociate that it was not in vayne that he sought to draw the action into his presence or else by the conditions were well declared the great desire the other partie had to draw him into the confederation Wherin he entred with obligation to pay monthly for the space of sixe moneths six or ten thousand crownes according to the arbitration of the french king who resolued afterwards vpon six thousand with bond to deliuer to Monsr Lavvtrech a company of an hundred men at armes payed On the other side the confederates bound themselues to the protection of him his estate To deliuer to him Cotignolo which a litle before the Venetians had taken from the Spaniards in exchange of the auncient and almost desolate citie of Adria which he demaunded with great importunity To render vnto him the pallaces which before time he had possessed in Venice in Florence To giue him suffrance to winne vpon Albert Pio the castell de Nouy standing vpon the confines of Mantua which he helde besieged at the same time That they would pay the frutes of the Archbishoprike of Millan to his sonne who was Archbishop there if the imperials gaue no impedimēt to him to receiue them The Cardinall Cibo in the name of those Cardinalls who promised the ratification of the College bound the Pope to renew thinuestiture of Ferrara To renounce the rights of Modena in regard of the purchase he had made of it with Maximilian To cancell the obligations for the saltes To consent to the protection which the confederates tooke of him and his To promise by Buls Apostolike to suffer aswell him as his successors to possesse all that they nowe enioyed and that the Pope should create his sonne Cardinall and bestow vpon him the Bishoprike of Modena vacant by the death of the Cardinall Rangon To this consederation was added that Renea the daughter of king Lovvis should be giuen in mariage to Hercules his eldest sonne to indue the mariage with the duchy of Chartres and other honorable conditions By the example of the duke of Ferrara concurring also the instance solicitation of Monsr Lavvtrech the Marquis of Mantua entred into the league notwithstanding he had put himselfe before into the pay of themprour But at this time the confederate armie was very weake and laye many dayes without doing any thing betweene Fuglino Montfalcon and Beuaguo And the duke of Vrbin who had aduertisement of the restrayning of his wife and children at Venice being departed from the army agaynst the commission of the Senate to iustifie his cause was tolde by the way that they were deliuered and that the Senate beeing well satisfied of his gouernment desyred him to passe further by reason of which aduertisement he returned to the army In whiche the Svvizzers and the footbands of the Marquis were not payed Neither did the Venetians eyther there or in Lombardy where they were bound to mainteine nine thousand footmen aduance the third part By which negligence accompanied with an vniuersall sparing of exspences the army was decliued to great debilitie in which weaknes they retired afterwards to the territory of Lody the confines therabout And the Spaniards vpon the end of Nouember were gone vp towards Corncto and Toscanello and the launceknights remained at Rome to whom the prince of Orenge was returned from Sienna where he had made but small abode for that he saw he could not be apt to reorder that gouernment as he thought he could haue done Assuredly it was not to be douted that if themprours army had aduaunced the duke of Vrbin and the Marquis of Salusse had not retired with their forces to the walls of Florence notwithstāding they had made many vauntes that to stoppe them from entring into Tuskane they would plant a campe eyther within Orbietto or Viterba or els vpon the territorie of Sienna towards Chiusa and Sertiano But Monsr Lavvtrech notwithstanding the bandes of launceknightes were ariued proceding for thexspectation of the issue of the peace so slowly as he was wont made his abode within Parma where albeit he had reduced into his power the castells of that citie and had leauyed vpon that towne and Plaisanca and their territories about fiftie thousande duckets yet it was beleued that he had an intention not onely to subdue to his deuotion and power Parma and Plaisanca but also to thend to draw Bolognia to depend vpon the authoritie of his king he had impression to conuert the iurisdiction of that citie into the famuly of the Pepolies But those deuises sorted to no effect by reason of the Popes deliuery To the which albeit it seemed at the first that themprour was not to condiscend readily for since the newes of his calamitie he had temporised one whole moneth before he would resolue yet both vnderstanding that Lavvtrech was passed into Italy and also not ignorant of the king of Englands readines to the warre he had dispatched into Italy the Generall of the grayfreers and Verio de Migliato with commission to the Viceroy to debate that action But the Generall finding the Viceroy dead before he ariued at Caietto he was then to transfer the negociatiō of those affayres to Don Hugo de Moncado to whom as themprours cōmission did also extend so the Viceroy had orderly substituted him in his place vntil themprour should send some new addresse for the gouernment of the realme And after the General had communicated with Don Hugo he went to Rome accōpanied with Migliato who was come out of Spayne with the like cōmissions This busines negociation conteined two principal articles the one that the Pope should satisfie the army to whom was owing a very great summe of mony And the other that the Pope being deliuered should not be adherent to his enemies To which two articles were tyed hard conditions of ostages townes for assurance Which difficulties as they drew a long tract and delay in the general matter so to make the issue easy the Pope failed not by secret meanes to solicit cōtinually Monsr Lavvtrech to aduāce assuring him that as his intentiō was to promise nothing to thimperials but by force so also in that case being once out of prison he would obserue nothing so soone as his person were once transferred into a place of suretie whiche he forgat not to bring to passe in giuing to them the least oportunities he could But in case he did accorde he besought him that the compassion of his aduersities and necessities might serue him for excuse But
him to Montfalcon where dismissing almoste all his bandes of footemen he was ledde by the same Levvis euen to Orbietto into whiche Citie he entred by nighte without the company of any one Cardinall An example worthy of consideration and perhaps neuer happned since the Churche was great that a Pope shoulde in that sorte fall from so great a puissance and reuerence his eyes to beholde the losse and sacke of Rome his person to bee turned ouer into captiuitie and his whole estate reduced to the disposing of an other and within fewe monethes after to be restored and reestablished in hys former greatnes So greate towardes princes Christian is thauthoritie of the Pope and the respect which mortall men do beare to him About this time which was immediatly after Monsr Lavvtrech was departed from Plaisanca Antho. de Leua sent out of Millan the bandes of Spanishe and Italian footemen both to feede and refresh themselues and also to recouer suche places of the contrey as were most weake to thend to open a way and commodity to bring a traffike of vitttelles to Myllan These bandes exchaunging the captiuitie of the towne wherein they were kept strayte for the libertie of the countrey which gaue them skope tooke that part of the countrey which is called Spetio He sent out also at the same time and to the same ends Phillip Toruiello with eleuen hundred footmen and certayne light horsemen to Nouaro in which citle was a garrison of foure hundren footemen of the duke of Millan Toruiello made his entrye by the Rocke which had bene alwayes holden in the name of the Emprour and finding a very slender defence he made himselfe maister of the towne where making pillage of some of the footemen and sending the residue to their houses he kept within Nouaro holding it for a retrayte to ouerrunne all the countrey thereabout But there were part of the Launceknightes got into Arond and an other part bestowed within Moraro To whom for that the Duke had sent a strength of other footmen for the defence of Lomelina and the countrey they became impedimentes to Toruiello that he had no libertie to make his incursions farre off In so much as that wynter running foorth in no other exploytes then in many skirmishes both partes made pillage aswell vpon their friendes as their enemies in that libertie of warre ranne ouer the whole countrey with an vniuersall ruine of all sortes of people In like sort at that time were ioyned and assembled at Liuorno the gallies of Andrea Dore and fourteene French gallies with sixteene gallies of the Venetians who after they had receyued in Ranso de Cere with three thousande footemen to put on lande they waighed anker the xiij of Nouember to departe out of the port of Liuorno And albeit it was determined before that they should make an inuasion vpon the I le of Sicile yet that resolution beeing innouated they were conuerted to the enterprise of Sardignia at the perswasion as was supposed of Andrea Dore who happly had in his minde other conceptions Monsr Lavvtreth consented easily to embrace this enterprise hoping that Sardignia beeing taken the conquest of Sicilie woulde be of lesse difficultie But what so euer the cause was the issue and effect was straunge and diuerse for that falling into the rage of a verye violent storme they were seperated and turned to their seuerall hazardes of the sea One of the Frenche gallies perished neare the shoares of Sardignia and foure of the Venetians beeing sore beaten with the fury of tempests returned to Liuorno the other gallies of the french were driuen into Corsa by the rage of the windes agaynst which the skill of the Pylotes had no force and afterwardes they reassembled with the foure Venetian gallies within Portovecchio the other eight of the Venetians were caried by violence of sea and storme into Liuorno So that after many perills by storme and weather that enterprise stoode dissolued Andrea Dore and Ranso de Cere remayning in great discorde together But Monsr Lavvtrech beeing within Reggia assone as he was aduertised of the Popes deliuerie he left the castell of Parma to the officers of the Church and went vp to Bolognia In which Citie he made his abode exspecting the comming of the last bandes of the Launceknightes who within fewe dayes afterwardes aryued vppon the countreys of Bolognia not in number of sixe thousande as was appoynted but only three thousand which was farre lesse then was looked for And neuertheles after they were aryued Lavvtrech soiourned twentie dayes within Bolognia attending the kings aduertisemēt for the last resolution touching the negociation of the peace He vsed in the meane whyle a great diligence wherin was also interposed the authoritie of the king of England to draw the Pope to make an open protestation to cleaue to the confederates But immediatly after he was aryued at Orbietta like as there went to congratulate with him the duke of Vrbin the Marquis of Salusso Federike Bossolo who dyed a litle after ar Lody and Levvis Pisano cōmissarie for the Venetians So he besought them with great instance to retire their cōpanies bands of men of warre from thestate ecclesiastik assuring them that the imperials had promised him to withdrawe their forces if they might discerne the armies of the confederats to do the like And in that cōpassion he wrote also a letter to Monsr Lavvtrech tending to thanke him both for that he had done to purchase his deliuerance and also for the counsell he gaue him to procure his libertie in any sorte what so euer He debated with him that his actions and industrie had bin of so great consequence to constrayne thimperialls to resolue vpon his deliuerie that he did no lesse acknowledge himselfe bound to the king and to him then if his person had bin taken out of that calamitie with the force of their armes The ayde and proceedings of which he would willingly haue taryed for had not his necessitie compelled him to abandon all temporising the rather for that the conditions that were proponed were alwayes chaunged from yll to worse the same testifying vnto him in cleare apparance that his fortune had lefte vnto him no other meane of deliuerye then by the benefite and operation of accorde which by how muche more it was deferred and put of by so muche more the authoritie and estate of the Church was to fall into manyfest reuersement But the chiefest matter that induced him to determine his aduersitie by accorde was a hope he had conceyued that beeing at libertie he should be made an apt instrument to solicite a common tranquillitie both with his king and the other princes of Christendome Such were at first his phrases and manner of speeches protested in simplicitie and roundnes as became the office of a Bishop but especially a Pope who had receyued at the hands of God so seueare and sharpe admonitions Neuertheles it was not long ere he returned to his
natural custome hauing not left for the calamitie of his imprisonment neither his suttleties wherin he could depely dissemble nor his couetousnes which he could not auoyde for when the Agents which Lavvtrech sent together with the Embassadour of the king of Englande were come before him to solicite him to consederate with the residue he began to giue them diuerse aunsweres Sometimes he dismissed them with hope that he would be reduced conformable to their desires and sometimes he would inferre excuses that hauing neyther men money nor authoritie as it coulde not helpe them muche to haue him to ioyne with them so the action could not but be preiudiciall to himselfe for that thimperialls would take occasion to vex him in many places And sometimes he showed a ready inclination to satisfie their demaundes so farrefoorth as Monsr Lavvtrech did aduaunce A matter which he desyred greatly to thend the Launceknightes were compelled to depart out of Rome who going on consuming the remaynders of that miserable citie and all the countrey confining would not be brought to giue ouer to hunt the praye whiche they founde so sweete but in their insolencies neyther respecting their Capteines with obedience nor for bearing ciuill tumult and mutinies amongest them selues they demaunded new payes But from the ende of the yere going before and much more in the beginning of the yere following the industrie and solicitations of the peace began to appeare vayne and by that reason the mindes of Princes and states beganne to be so muche more incensed and kindled by how much lesse they saw themselues excluded from the hope of peace For as all the difficulties were almost resolued seing themprour refused not to render to Frauncis Sforce the Duchie of Millan and to compounde with the Venetians the Florentins and the other confederates So this rested onely in question which of these two things should be put first in execution eyther the withdrawing of the French armie out of Italy or the restitution of the kinges children The king would not be bound to reuoke his armie out of Italy if first he recouered not his children offring to put ostages into the handes of the king of England to assure the obseruation of the penalties wherein he was bounde if vpon the refirming of his children he retyred not presently his armie But themprour made instance to the contrarie offring the same cawtions into the king of Englands hands Wherein the question and disputation running in whether of them it would bee more comely or honest to trust the other themprour sayde it was not reasonable to reapose confidence in him who had once deceyued him To the which the French Embassadours aunswered that by how muche more he pretended to be deceiued by their king by so much lesse could their king reapose confidence in him They alleaged also that themprours offer to consigne into the hands of the king of England the same assurances which their king offred was neyther equall nor indifferent for that both the case varyed in this that the thing which themprour promised to do was of farre greater consequence then thobligation of their king and therefore not reasonable to be assured vnder the same cawtions And also they added that the English Embassadours who had authoritie to binde their king to obserue what so euer the French king should promise had no commission to tye him to thobseruation of themprours promises And that their faculties authoritie being limited and restrayned to tearme and time they could neither exceed nor anticipate Vpon which disputation could soart no resolution for that themprour had not the same inclination to the peace which his Counsell had the rather for that he enterteined himselfe with this opinion that though by warre he should lose the kingdome of Naples yet he should be apt to recouer it by rendring the children of Fraunce yea the great Chauncellour who long time before was returned into Spayne was touched muche by imputation to haue troubled greatly the solicitations of the peace with cauillations and interpretations sophisticall At last thembassadours of Englande and Fraunce following their commissions in case they dispayred of thaccorde determined to demaund leaue of themprour to depart and immediatly afterwards to denounce warre agaynst him And with that conclusion being brought to his presence the xxj of Ianuary his Court being then at Burgos and beeing folowed with thembassadours of Venice of the Duke of Millan and Florence Thenglishe Embassadours demaunded of him the foure hundred and fiftie thousande duckets which their king had lent to him and sixe hundred thousande for the penaltie imposed vpon him in that he had refused his daughter together with fiue hundred thousande for the pensions of the French king and for other causes Whiche demaundes being proponed for greater iustification all thembassadours of the confederates asked leaue to depart away But he tolde them he woulde take aduise of his counsell before he would aunswere that demaunde beeing in deede necessarie affore they departed that his Embassadours were in places of suretie Thembassadours were no sooner departed his presence then the Heraldes of Englande and Fraunce entred to denounce warre agaynst him whiche he accepted with a greate showe of gladnes and brauerie And in that humor he gaue present direction that thembassadours of Fraunce Venice and Florence should be conueyed to a towne fifteene leagues from the Court where beeing garded with archiers and halberdiers they were forbidden eyther to communicate or to write anye thing what so euer Touching the duke of Myllans Embassadour he imposed vpon him a commaundement as vpon his subiect that he should not departe from his Court Onely on the behalfe of the Embassadour of Englande there was nothing innouated Thus all the negociations and hopes of peace being broken there remayned only inflamed and kindled the cogitatious and thoughts of the warre which as it declared it selfe in manyfest preparation through all the regions of Italy So to reduce to action and beginning the thing that as yet was but in apparance show Monsr Lavvtrech pushed on by the king but muche more by the king of Englande since the hope of peace began to diminishe was departed from Bolognia the nynth of Ianuary to marche to the kingdome of Naples by the way of Romagnia and la Marqua This way after long consultation was chosen by him contrary to thinstance of the Pope who desyred vnder thoccasion of his marching to restore into Sienna Fabio Petruccio and Montenono That election of the way was also agaynst the instance of the Florentins who to th end to haue that army more ready to succour them in case thimperialls marched to inuade Tuskane desired them to take the way of Tuskane But Monsr Lavvtrech chose rather to make his entry into the realme of Naples by the way of Tronto both for the commoditie of that way to leade the artilleries and also for the fertilitie of the countrey yeelding plenty of vittels and lastly because he would not
giue occasion to thenemies to make head at Sienna or in any other place hauing a speciall desire to make his entrye into the kingdome of Naples before he should encounter any impediment And assone as he was departed from Bolognia Iohn Sassatello rendred to the Pope the rocke of Ymola of which he had made himselfe lorde in the time of his imprisonment And drawing neare afterwards to Rimini Sigismond Malatesta sonne to Pandolffo contracted with him to giue vp that Citie to the Pope vpon condition that he should be bound to suffer his mother to enioy her dowry to giue to his sister who was not maryed sixe thousande duckets and to assigne for his father and for him two thousand duckets of reuenue That Sigismond should depard immediatly out of Rimini and his father to remayne there vntill the Pope had sent the ratification And that in the meane while the rocke should abide in the handes of Guido Rangon his cousin who being in the pay of the French king followed Monsr Lavvtrech to the warre But the Pope deferring to accomplishe these promises Sigismond repossessed and occupied agayne the rocke though not without a great complaynt of the Pope agaynst Guido Rangon as though he had secretly suffred him and not without suspicion that Lavvtrech and the Venetians had consented seeming they had desired to kepe him in continuall difficulties The suspicion of the Venetians grewe vpon the cause of Rauenna which the Pope assone as he was deliuered out of the Castell hauing sent to sommon and demaunde it of the Senate by the Archbishop of Siponto he was aunswered with words generall referring the matter to the arbitration of Iasper Contarin Embassadour elect resident with him for notwithstanding they had giuen assurance before that they reteyned it for the sea Apostolike yet they had no desire to restore it Wherein they were moued aswell by interests publike as priuate for the commoditie of that Citie to augment their iurisdiction in Romagnia fertill of it selfe in grayne and for the plentie of the countreys adioyning of great oportunitie to draw to Venice euery yere good quantities of corne Besides many of the citie of Venice had in that territorie great and goodly possessions And touching Monsr Lavvtrech the Pope doubted no lesse of him for that besides many instances which had bin made to him before Lavvtrech notwithstanding he had sent to him after he was come from Bolognia Monsr Vavvdemont capteine generall of the Launceknightes together with Monsr Longeuille whome the king sente to solicite him earnestlye to declare agaynst thEmperour could not obteine so muche of him the Pope not refusing expresly but vnder delayes and excuses And in that cunning he had offred to the french king to giue his consent but vnder this condition that the Venetians should render to him Rauenna A condition which he knew could not take effect both for that it behoued not the Venetians to be induced to it by the kings perswasions neither was it agreable to the time that the king should make them his enemies to satisfie the Pope Moreouer he gaue no inclination to thinstance which Lavvtrech made to him to ratifie the accorde made with the Duke of Ferrara alleaging that it was a matter farre vnworthye of him to approue in his life time conditions made in his name whylest he was dead and yet he alleaged that he woulde not refuse to contracte with him By reason whereof the duke of Ferrara taking that occasion made difficultie notwithstanding the king and the Venetians had receyued him into their protection to sende to Monsr Lavvtrech the hundred men at armes and the money which he had promised Wherin he stoode vpon this obseruation that doubting the issue of affayres he would not be so much for the French king as not to reserue place and meane to appease in all euentes the minde of themprour to whom he had excused himselfe by his necessitie Besides he enterteined cōtinually at Ferrara George Fronspergh and Andrevv de Burgo Neuerthelesse the armie for all this ceassed not to aduaunce which vnder the leading of Monsr de Lavvtrech aryued the tenth of February vpon the ryuer of Tronto which seperateth the estate ecclesiastike from the kingdome of Naples But in Fraunce after aduertisement was brought that themprour had reteined the kings Embassadour by his example the king caused themprours Agentes to be restrayned within the Castell of Paris and all Marchantes subiects to him to be stayed throughout all the regions of Fraunce The king of Englande did the like by themprours Embassadour resident with him whom he eftsones redeliuered after he was made to vnderstande that no restraynt was made vpon his And as the warre was nowe published in Fraunce in Englande and in Spayne so the French king stoode vppon this request that the first action might begin ioyntly in Flaunders in which resolution he sent certayne bands of souldiours to make incursions into that contrey Neuertheles the Flemings for all those prouocations made no emotion nor rising vnlesse to defende them selues for that the Lady Margaret of Austria laboring to auoyde all occasions to enter warre with the French king would not suffer her people to issue out of their boundes and confines But it was a matter grieuous to the king of Englande to haue warre with the people of Flaunders for that notwithstanding there were to be confined to him assone as they should be conquered certaine townes promised before by themprour for assurance of the mony he had lent him yet he helde it also a matter no lesse preiudiciall aswell for his particular reuenues as for the generall interest and benefite of his realme to breake the trade and entercourse of his Marchantes with those prouinces Neuerthelesse according to thobligations of the contract as he could not apparantly refuse it so yet he temporised deferred it asmuch as he could taking thaduauntage of the capitulacions by the which it was lawfull for him to linger fortie daies after sommonce made to th ende to giue time to the marchants to retire themselues This excuse of his and inclinacion being both well knowen approued by the french king he solicited him that in place to make warre in Flaunders he would with an armie by sea inuade the sea coastes of Spayne where he assured him he had right good intelligence By which alteracion of councells it hapned at last that as the king sending to the french king a bishop to perswade him to giue ouer thenterprise of beyonde the mountes and to encrease and make stronge the warre of Italy so by his perswasions and his authoritie there was an order established that for the space of eight monethes next ensuing there should be done no vexacions nor harmes by the french and english vppon the contreys of Flaunders nor any of the estates or subiects of themprour confyning vpon those prouinces Wherein for the more easie induction of the french king to condiscend to this order the king of England was bound
to pay thirtie thowsand duckats monthly for the warre of Italy in which was determined the contribucion promised before for six monethes But by how much were augmented and enforced the preparacions of the warre by so much and by the same degrees were kindled redoubled the hatreds of both the princes hauing especiall interest in this warre either of them tooke occasion to multiplie iniuries and enforce quarrells In which passions they contended no lesse with courage and malice then with force and armes For whereas thempror about two yeares before in the towne of Grenado when in like sorte the peace was solicited betwene the french king and him spake to the President of Grenoble the french embassador then certeine wordes inferring that he would willingly put end to all quarrells betwene the king and him by a singular combat of both their personnes to th ende to auoide so much bloode and affliction of Christians and personnes innocent And whereas also since that time he had cōfirmed the same wordes to the herald the last time he signified the warre to him with this addicion that the french king had delt with him villanously and cowardly in falsesying the faith he had giuen to him These speeches being now deliuered ouer to the king he thought he could not let them lie in silence without his ignominie and dishonor And therefore albeit the chalenge might better become the personnes of knightes then to be performed by princes of their estate and greatnes yet being no lesse guided with the enuie of the chalenge then desirous to purge and iustifie his honor he caused to assemble the xxvij of Marche in a great hall of his pallaice at Paris all his princes attending his person all thembassadors resident from the forreine and the whole presence of his court And in that aspect and stately view of nobles embassadors the king in his time discended into the hall with a great pompe and furnishment of sumptuous attire no lesse honorably accompanied with a traine of Barons where after he was with all ceremonies of state dignitie set in his seate royall he caused to be called before him themprours embassador who sued for his dispatch for that it was determined that being conueighed to Bayone he should be deliuered at the same time that the other confederat embassadors were set at libertie who for that purpose were conducted to Bayone When thembassador stoode in his presence the king spake to him excusing and alleadging that thempror had bene principally the cause of his restraining for that in an example new and against humanitie he had kept reteined his embassadors and the agents of his confederats But seing he was now to go to Bayone to th ende there might be an vniuersall deliuerie at one time he desired him to cary from him a letter to thempror and to deliuer a message from him of this tenor That whereas thempror had saied to his herald that he had falsefied his faith he had saied falsely and that hovv many times he had spoken it so many times had he lied and that for aunsvvere to th ende not to linger the tryall of their quarells he vvould assigne him the place vvhere they might together performe the combat But thembassador refusing either to cary the letter or to deliuer the message the king saied he would send to signifie no lesse to him by a herald he added also to the message that albeit he was not ignorant that themprour had spoken wordes against the honor of his brother the king of England yet he would make no mencion of that knowing that the saied king was well hable to deale in his owne defense And yet if thorow the indisposicion of his body he had any lawfull impedimēt he offred to present his person to hazard for him Not many daies after the king of England gaue the same deffiance and with the same solemnities and ceremonies The same somewhat offending the honor of the princes of Christendome who in their rage of malice could not forbeare to defile their mindes with such passions hauing ronning amongest them a warre of so great importance and so much preiudiciall to all the common wealth of Christendom But amyd these great heates and furies of warre and armes the order of our story draweth into discourse some reapport of the king of England touching the refusing of the Lady Katherine of Aragon The saied king had to wife the said Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinand and Elyzabeth kings of Spayne a queene worthy of such parents and for her vertues and good behauior vniuersally beloued reuerenced of the whole estate of the realme In the time of the father of that king she was maried to prince Arthure eldest sonne to the crowne but being almost no sooner maried then she was made a widow by the hasty death of her husband she was eftsoones by the consent of her father and father in law married to prince Henry the younger brother but with dispensacion of Pope Iulio in regard of thaffinitie that was neare and straite of which mariage was procreated a sonne who died immediatly and afterwardes there succeded no other generacion of children then a daughter The same giuing occasion to the court to murmure that for the vnlawfulnes of the mariage being not dispensable in the first degree the crowne was by miracle depriued of issue male This occasion was aptly taken and managed by the Cardinall of Yorke who knowing the kings desire to haue sonnes began to perswade him that refusing his first wife who iustly was not his wife he might dispose himselfe to marie an other Wherein much lesse that he was induced by conscience or of a simple desier to bring issue male to the king but he was caried in that action with a secret opinion that in drawing his king to embrase a second mariage he might happlie induce him to fix his affection vpon the Ladie Renea daughter to king Lovvys A matter which was desired by him with no small industrie and ambicion for that knowing he was generally hated of all the realme he sought to prepare remedies for his owne estate against all accidents that might happen both during the life and after the death of the king he tooke also one strong inducement to that practise vpon the greate malice he had conceiued against themperour for that neither in demonstracions nor with effects he did not further and satisfie his incredible pride neither did he doute for the great authoritie the king and he had with the Pope to dispose him to publish iudicially the diuorce The king opened readely his eares to this councell not that he was caried with those endes which the Cardinall of Yorke had fashioned But according to thopinion of many he tooke the chiefest reason of his inducement vppon the loue he bare to a Ladie of the Queenes traine whome he determined to make his wife In which course of loue and choosing the king was so secret and priuate that
his pretence was neyther knowen to the Cardinall nor communicated with others but when it beganne to burst out eyther into knowledge or into coniecture the Cardinall of Yorke that first insinnuated the mocion of diuorce had no meane to disswade him from it and lesse authoritie to leade him in an other counsell then suche as he had perswaded him before But the king seeking to establishe his conscience vppon good groundes searched out the opinions of Diuines Lawyers and men religious by whom he was aunswered that his first mariage was not sounde nor lawfull and vpon their learning iustefied it for such Therefore as soone as the Pope was deliuered out of prison he dispatched Embassadours to induce him to enter the league and to labour according to the ordenaunce giuen for the restitucion of Rauenna But the chiefest ende and industrie of these Embassadours consisted to obteyne facultie to proceede in the diuorce whiche he sought not by way of dispensacion but by declaracion that the mariage with Katherne was of noane effect The king beleued that the Pope for that his estate was weake in forces and his person voyde of reputacion and hauing no stay nor supporte vppon the puissance of other Princes And lastlie in recordacion of the greate fauours receiued of him for his deliuerie he woulde not be vneasie to consent to the thing whereunto he was deepelie bounde by so many obligacions To which the king adioyned the consideracion of the Cardinalls credit whom he knew for that he had alwayes fauoured his affaires and affore him the doings of Pope Leo he was verie gracious and mightie with the Pope And to cut of from the Pope all excuses of feare for any offence that might happen to him by thEmperour being sonne of the sister of Katherne and the better to allure him with suretie the king offered to wadge for his sauetie a garde of foure thowsande footemen An offer which the Pope harkened vnto and in that inclinacion though he considered the importaunce of the matter and the infamie that might redownde to him yet beeing at Orbietta and as yet in the condicion of a Newter betweene the Frenche king and thEmperour and of litle confidence with eyther of them And in that regarde esteeming muche to preserue the amitie of the king of Englande he had no stomacke to impugne the kinges demaunde And albeit he declared in showes and demonstracions a readie desire to be agreeable to the king yet holding thinges in suspense for the difficultie of the meanes that were proponed he kindled so much the more the hope and importunitie of the king and his Agents which wellspring or originall of many aduersities tooke augmentacion and increassing dayly Assoone as the Pope had geuen audience to Monsr Vavvdemont and Monsr Longeuille and aunswered them with wordes generall he dispatched to the king together with Longeuille the Bishoppe of Pistoya to signifie vnto him that beeing without money without force without authority and wretched by all other priuacions it could litle profit the confederates to haue him to declare That onely he might do a better office to sollicite a peace to which ende he had geuen him commission to goe to thEmprour to exhort him with wordes sharpe rigorous to embrase it A matter which the king would not consent vnto not for that he remained ill contented of the Popes newtrality but that he doubted the negociacion was extended to some further matter Neither did thEmprour complayne that the Pope in so great a dissension stoode indifferent But nowe at suche tyme as Monsr Lavvtrech marched and came on and direction geuen that the armies by sea shoulde doe the like there were founde many difficulties to geue impediment to thenterprise for the twelue gallies of the Venetians whiche before were reduced to Liuorna hauinge suffered many vexacions in thexployt of Sardignia both by the rage of the sea and for want of vittells departed the tenth of Februarie from Liuorna to goe to Corfu to readdresse and refurnishe their wantes Neuerthelesse the Venetians promised in their place to sende twelue other gallyes to ioyne with the Frenche armye by sea which was not without their difficulties for the perplexities they had passed and for the controuersies happened betwene Andre Dore and Ranso de Cere by reason of which accidentes albeit Ranso remayned sicke at Pysa yet it was sette downe that Andre Dore who with all the gallyes was come to the shoares of Liuorna shoulde with his fleete of gallyes sette his course for the Realme of Naples And Ranso with the other Frenche gallyes and the foure of Fryer Bernardyn together with the foure of the Venetians whiche were all assembled into one fleete shoulde prepare for thenterprise of Sicile But Andre Dore with his eyght gallyes accompanied with eyght other of the Frenche kinges crossed sayle and retyred to Genes taking this excuse that it was necessarie both for him and his gallyes to take some rest eyther for that suche was the true grounde and occasion or else the interestes of the affaires of Genes caried his minde with an inclinacion to newe thoughtes for where the Genovvaies had demaunded of the king to suffer them to gouerne freely of them selues and for that gifte of libertie did offer him two hundred thowsande duckats The king refusing to gratifie a demaund so farre from the common weale of his affayres it was beleeued that Andre Dore eyther the Author or at least the furtherer of these demaundes helde it not reasonable that the king should accomplishe the conquest of Sicilie if first he did not consent to the libertie of the Genovvaies There was also brought in question an other cause of controuersie which was of importance for the king hauing dismembred the Citie of Sauona from the Genovvaies it was doubted least most parte of thentercourse and trafficke of Marchaunts being transferred in short time to Sauona in fauour of the king and for the oportunitie and situacion of the place And that the king making there his staple and building vessells for his seruice the City of Genes would stand depriued of most part of her inhabitants and plenty of riches Andre Dore employed all the arte and industry he could to induce the king to restore Sauona to the auncient subiection of the Genovvaies But a farre better successe and felicitie followed the enterprise of Lavvtrech then the expedicions of the sea for that as soone as he was arriued at Askoly and had sent Peter Nauare with his footbands to Aquila Ieramo and Iulia Noua were rendred to him at the first brute of his comming The Marquis of Salusso by the same direction followed him with his regiments by the way of Lyonessa And last of all succeeded Horatio Baillon with an hundred and fiftye light horsemen and foure thowsand footemen Florentyns of the blacke bands The Venetians had also promised to send him without the person of the Duke of Vrbin foure hundred light horsemen and foure thowsand footemen of those bands which
office of seruice by the mutinie of the paysants which still redoubled into worse degrees they abandoned the defense of the place Insomuch as the whole campe entring where no resistance was made they turned their felicitie into blood slaying in their furie all the paysants men of the towne Onely the souldiers retyred into the castell together with the Prince who not long after yeelded simply as was sayde to discression notwithstanding they pretended that their liues were excepted The Prince was saued with a very fewe of his followers all the others were put to the sword conteyning three thowsand bodies the towne deliuered vp to sacking In the towne was foūd great store of vittells to the great commoditie and comforting of the French men who for their hard prouision suffred no small wants in Povvylla The xxiiij day the Spanyards departed from Ariano and incamped at Tripaldo which is xxv myles from Naples vppon the high waye and xl myles from Ofanto with whome ioyned the Viceroy the Prince of Salerno and Fabricio Maramo with a regiment of three thowsand footemen and twelue peeces of artilleries it was thought also that Captaine Alarson yssued out of Naples with two thowsand footemen to succour Dogania But Lavvtrech stayed vpon the territories of Ofanto to make great prouisions of money had all his cōpanies incamped betwene Ascalo Melffe And since the accident of Melffe were rendred to him Barletto Trany and all the townes thereabouts except Manfredonia wherein was a strength of a thowsand footemen In this successe and rendring of townes he sent out Peter Nauare with foure thowsand footemen to take the rock of Venosa which being garded valliantly defended by ij hundred fifty spanish footemen he tooke it at last to discression reteyning the Capteines prisoners he sent away the others without weapōs And there he had giuen order that the reuenue of the tribute of Povvilla should be receyued for him which for the troubles impediments which the warre brought aūswered not the value price that were wont to rise by it In this place the commissarie Pisano with the Venetian regimentes conteining about two thousande footemen came to Monsr Lavvtrech who in this sorte was busied to assure him selfe of vittells and prouisions A matter which was made more easie to him after he had got into his power Ascoly by the meane of the Venetian regimentes And at this tyme rising into courage by the happy euent of his affayres he vrged the Pope with hawty wordes to declare him selfe for the league Who notwithstanding they of Viterbo would not before receyue him for their gouernour of which Octauian Spirito was the cause yet beeing afterwardes raunged and made plyable through feare he had transported his Court to Viterba And Vespasian Colonno being dead at the same time who ordeyned by his testament that Isabell his onely daughter shoulde be maryed to Hipolito de Medicis the Pope vnder that cooller gatte possession of all those places which he helde in the territories of Rome notwithstanding Askanio pretended that they apperteyned to him by the ceassing of the line masculine of Prospero Colonno About this time Monopoly was rendred to the Venetians for whome and to whose vse according to the laste couenauntes made with the French king were gotten all those portes of the realme of Naples which they possessed before they were ouerthrowen by king Lovvis the xij in Guiaradada By reason of these prosperities of the French the Duke of Ferrara was induced to sende his sonne into Fraunce to accomplish and giue perfection to the mariage A matter which he had deferred before by great industrie refusing with the same pollicie to be Capteine of the League But themprour who sent no men out of Spayne to releeue the daungers of the kingdome of Naples had giuen ordenance that the Duke of Brunsvvich should passe out of Germanie into Italy with new supplies of Launceknights for the succour of that kingdome These supplies were prepared with so muche the more care and diligence by how muche they vnderstoode the necessitie to reskew it was great for the comming on of Monsr Lavvtrech But to th ende the aduauncing of those supplyes should not trouble the hope of the victorie it was agreed by the consent of the king of Englande the French king and the Venetians that the Lorde Frauncis of Saint Poll discended of the house of Burbon should passe into Italy with foure hundred launces fiue hundred light horsmen fiue thousande footemen Frenche two thousande Svvizzers and two thousande Launceknightes This armie was appoynted to followe them if they passed to Naples and otherwise to make warre vppon the Duchie of Millan adioyning to them the regimentes of the Venetians and the bandes of Frauncis Sforce For the defrayment of this armie was set downe a paye of threescore thousande duckets monthly of which the king of Englande was to contribute euery moneth thirtie thousand And the Venetians had resolued in the counsell of Pregati to wage ten thousande footemen In this time the inhabitants of Millan were reduced to an extreme and miserable subiection for the intollerable exactions imposed by Antho. de Leua who the better to prouide for the payes of his souldiours had drawne into his owne handes all the vittells of the Citye and hauing bestowed them in publike storehouses and Garniers he solde them in his owne name at what rate or prise he would the inhabitantes beeing driuen to buy them according to his lawe or else to dye for hunger And yet the money raysed vppon that extreme meane beeing not sufficient to pay the Launceknightes that were lodged in houses they were suffred to make dayly raunsomes of the maisters and owners of whome suche as woulde yeelde no money were kept in chaynes and yrons And because to auoyde so great cruelties and intollerable impostes many dyd flee continually out of the Citie notwithstanding the rigour of the commaundementes and diligence of the warders there was confiscation of goodes published agaynst suche as were absent who were so many in number that to auoyde the trouble to sette them downe in writing they caused them to be putte in print The Nobles and best sorte of Citizens suche as remayned there were seene in their garmentes poore and ragged and in their countenances astonished and desolate expressing by a lamentable compassion the calamities they endured And their pallaces and places of best frequentation were reduced to ruines and rubbege suche as were heauye testimonies of the crueltie of the Spaniardes And yet all thinges succeeded happely to hym that was the causer of all these miseries For where Capteine Mus laye incamped at Lecqua with sixe hundred footemen as a souldiour of the League and hauing taken awaye the barkes to th ende the Spaniardes that were within Coma could not reskew it by the waye of the lake Antho. de Leua with the bandes of footemen that were within Nouaro issued out of Millan and incamped fifteene
sauetie to retire within the castell of Cosensa and the other parte of his footebands not without the slaughter of many of them disparsed and went away The Corsegnans went wandring towardes the army in so much as not only the region of Calabria was left in daunger but also it was feared least the victors would aduaunce addresse their forces to Naples On the contrary the affaires of the frenchmen drewe good successe and issue in Abruzza by this accident as the bishop Colonno was approched within xij miles of Aquila to sturre vp Abruzzâ— to commotion he was ouerthrowen and slaine by the Abbot of Farfa with whom were put to the sworde iiij hundred bodies of soldiours and eight hundred taken prisoners In the confins of Caietta the Spaniardes went wandring and retiring being caried with feare for the ariuall of the prince of Melffe And the garrison of Manfredonia through the slender vallour and action of the Venetyan bandes committed many domages without perill or resistance Like as the Pope perseuered still in his resolucion to declare himselfe for neither partie So the french king espying the intelligences and practises which he enterteined began to hold him for suspected And to themprour he was nothing aggreable though for no other cause yet for that he had sent as Legat into England Cardinall Campeius to debate there the controuersie delegated to him and to the Cardinall of Yorke for where the king of England solicited vehemently to haue published the inualiditie of the first mariage The Pope hauing delt verie liberally in wordes and promises with his Agents and also being of litle fidelitie or credit with other princes laboured to kepe himselfe vnder his protection he made at last secretly a Bull decretall by the which he pronounced the mariage to be of no force and gaue the Bull to the Cardinall Campeius he charged him withall that in showing it to the king and the Cardinall of Yorke he should tell them that he had commission to publish it if in iudgement the knowledge and informacion of the cause succeded not wel wherein it seamed the Pope wrought vpon this ground That both they should be brought with more facilitie to consent to haue the cause iudicially debated and also indure with better temperance of minde the delaies and longenes of the iudgement Which he had inioined his Legat to holde of and prolonge to as long a tract of time as he could And as he should not deliuer the Bull vntil he had receiued new commission from him so neuerthelesse he should labour to perswade the king by all the meanes he could that his intention was to deliuer it vp to his handes in the ende of this embassage in the person of that man of the delegation of the cause themprours embassadors that were within Rome complained not a litle though with lesse authoritie for the ill termes of his affaires in the kingdom of Naples About Naples many were the difficulties happening vpon both the one other partie but such as in all discoursse of reason made more apparant on the french side the hope of the victorie though it was hindred by the vertue and obstinacie of the ennemies Within the towne of Naples the wantes of vittells grew daily to extremities especially of wine and flesh a calamitie without his comfort for that no prouision could enter the towne by sea for the impediments of the Venetian gallies being after so longe exspectation ariued nowe the x. of Iune in the goulffe of Naples to the nomber of xxij And albeit the horsmen of the towne made daily sallies out not towardes the face of the armie but to those quarters of the contrey where they thought to find vittells by whose industry some praies of flesh were alwaies brought in and the whole estate of the towne somwhat releued and refreshed yet these prouisions and comforts brought in by these aduentures were not such as being depriued of the commoditie of the sea they might suffice to nourishe and enterteine them longe Besides they began to grow short in money the stroake of the plage afflicted them much and they had much to doe to kepe enterteined the Launceknightes whome they coulde no longer abuse with vaine hopes and promises In which discontentment many of them went by troupes to the french armie notwithstanding the authoritie and grace which the prince of Orenge who by the death of Don Hugo commaunded in the place of Viceroy had with them was of some force to reteine them who the better to frame their mindes with authoritie discipline which he coulde not raunge by lenitie and easynes he made prisoner captaine Cattay a Gascon with many of his soldiours beinge of the remeindars of the regiments of the Duke of Boâ—rbon And afterwardes he did the like by suspicion to Fabricio Maramo whom notwithstanding he sette at libertie presently On the other side diseases encreased daily in the french campe the same beinge the cause that Lavvtrech to th ende not to haue so great a space or circuit to garde would not suffer to be perfected the last trenches which neuerthelesse coulde not easely be finished for the impediment of certeine waters Besides the campe suffred want of vittells and nourriture though more for the ill order and gouernment that was vsed then through any other occasion â–ª Neuerthelesse Monsr Lavvtrech obseruing his owne rule and councell hoped more in the necessities that were within Naples then he feared or douted his proper difficulties and perswading himselfe of thexpedicion of the victorie either for that cause or for their want of money he forbare to make any newe leauies of footemen a matter which the whole armie desired for the vniuersall diminucion which was made by death and diseases not onely of personnes meane and base but euen of such as satte in places of authoritie as the Popes Nuncio and Loys Pisano commissarie of the Venetians who died in the face of the towne the xv daie He hoped also to allure to the campe either all or the most parte of those bandes of Launceknightes that were within Naples a practise wherein the Marquis of Salâ—sfa first and afterwardes himselfe had reaposed of longe time greate confidence in vaine So that vpon these groundes together with certeine hopes that were giuen him to draw to the armie certeine light horsmen that were within Naples he forbare to make any newe leauies of light horsmen such as had bene most necessarie for the seruice of whom if he had waged but foure hundred he had stopped in good time the hurtfull incursions which the soldiours of the towne made so often to his disaduauntage And yet in those actions of praie and bootie he was not without his felicitie for that as the horsmen of Naples returned one daie with a riche spoile of cattell they were encountred by the blacke bandes who as they were th 〈…〉 inewes and strength of the armie â–ª so without them there had bene no seege planted before the
neighbourhood to the walls of Genes But this plotte was vaine in the effect for that the footemen for the tediousnes and longnes of the waie conteining xxij miles could not reach the place where they were to execute their enterprise before the night was wasted and being discouered by the clearnes and benefitte of the daie the alarme aroase which from hande to hande was brought at laste to Andre Dore who conueighing himselfe out of the backeside was receiued into a barke and by her swiftenes of sailes and oares he auoyded the daunger that was prepared against his life Onely the french men missing by misaduenture the personne of Andre Dore conuerted their rage vppon his pallaice which they sacked and afterwardes returned in sauetie Also Count Caiezzo hauing layed an ambushe betweene Myllan and Monceo ouerthrew fiue hundred Launceknightes and an hundred light horsemen who were sent out to skorte or saffe conduit the vittellours But being afterwardes sent to Bergama he so afflicted that citie with pillage and robbinge that the Senate of Venice who had established him capteine generall ouer their infanterie decassed him and depriued him with infamie of their paye whom in their compassion they could not endure in so greate a custome of insolencie and auarice About this time the Spaniards tooke the towne of Vigeuena And Belioyense who was escaped out of the handes of the french men being sent by Antho. de Leua with two thowsand footemen to surprise Pauya wherein was a garrison of fiue hundred footemen of the Duke of Myllan presented himselfe one night before the walls but being discouered he was compelled to retire without any effect There ariued in the contrey of Genovvay a supplie of two thowsand footemen Spaniardes whom the emprour sent out of Spaine either to defend Genes or else to be conuerted to Myllan according to the necessitie and occasion of affaires Belioyense wente out to meete this supplie and conduct them who as they made showe that they would take the waie either to Plaisanca or of Casa so Monsr saint Pol put himselfe in preparacion to stoppe their comming and sent to solicite the Venetyan bandes to make them selues strong at Loda to the ende that the bandes of Myllan should not come out to backe them he laboured also to perswade them to execute iointly the enterprise of Myllan being thereunto induced through the wante of vittells and other dispaires of those wretched inhabitantes But the Duke of Vrbyn was not of that opinion like as also the Venetyans proceeded coldly in the braue actions of that time wherein both for the rapporte of Andre Nauager their embassadour nowe returned out of Spaine and in regard of a certeine practise and intelligence which was interteined at Rome with themperours embassadour the opinions of the Senat were diuerse many inclining to haue an accord with themprour and yet it was at last resolued to continue the confederaciō with the french king at which time Torniello hauing passed the riuer of Thesin with two thowsand footemē tooke Basignan went towards Lomelina And thabbot of Farfa going with his cornets of horsemen to Crescentyn a place of the Duke of Sauoye was defeated by night taken prisoner but being afterwardes set at liberty by the working of the Marquis Montferat and the Marquis of Mus he ouerthrew certeine regiments of Antho. de Leua and tooke their artilleries There began to rise a dout that the Pope inclined to themperors side both for that the Cardinal Saint Crosse being ariued at Naples caused to be deliuered three Cardinalls who were there in ostage and also according to the rumor that ran he had cōmission from themperour to cause to be rendred Ostia and Ciuitavecchia And by his meane and working the Pope being also solicited Andre Dore restored to the Syennoys Portohercole But there were daily more and more arguments and testimonies that the Popes minde was caried with a disposicion to new thinges for that by his meane though secretly Braccio Baillon for the interest of the affaires of Perousa molested Malatesta notwithstanding he was in his paie And when he vnderstoode that the Duke of Ferrara was come to Modena he conspired to take him in his returning with an ambush of two hundred horsemen layed by Pavvle Luzasquo vpon the confins of Modena But for that the Duke stirred not out of Modena both the deuise was disclosed and the effect disappointed About this time the realme of Naples notwithstāding the ouerthrow of the Frēch was not entyrely deliuered of the calamities of the warre for as Symon Romain hauing assembled newe companies had taken Nauo Oriolo and Amigdalaro townes standing vpon the sea side at the pointe of thappenin So drawing to him into one strength Federik Caraffa whom the Duke of Grauino had sent with a thowsand footemen together with many others of the contrey he had an armie reasonably well compounded But after the victorie of thimperialls about Naples and being abandoned of the companies of the Duke of Grauyna he entred into the towne of Barletta by the Castell and putting it to facke and pillage he staied there At what time the Venetians helde Trany garded by Camylla and Monopoly defended by Iohn Conrardo both captaines of the familie of the Vrsins After this Ranso de Cero and the prince of Melffe came into the kingdom with a thowsand footemen who being reduced betwene Nocero Gualdo and afterwardes retiring from thence by the commandement of the Pope who would not offend the mindes of the victors embarked themselues at Sinigalo and went by sea to Barletto with intencion to renewe the warre in Povvilla a matter determined vpon by common consent of the confederates to the ende to constraine th imperiall armie to make their aboade in the kingdom of Naples vntill springe time at what time they drewe to counsell and conference to make new prouisions for their cōmon sauetie for which matter the french king sent to Ranso a releefe and succours of money like as also the Venetians concurring with the king in the same desier the rather to reteine more easely and kepe still by the helpe of others the townes which they had taken in Povvylla offred to furnish him of twelue gallies But when the king vrged them to arme and appointe those gallies reseruing to defraie the charge and exspenses vppon the foure skore thowsand duckats whereunto they were bounde by the contribucion promised to Monsr Lavvtrech they would not harken to it The king of England promised not to be behinde with his parte of the prouisions ordinarie And the Florentyns had contracted to pay the thirde parte of the companies which Ranso had leauied The imperialls shewed no greate readines or disposicion to quench so greate a preparacion of trouble beinge buysied on all partes to exact money to satisfie the soldiours of their duties and paies past wherein both to leauie those exactions with more facilitie and the better to assure the kingdom with examples of seueretie the prince of Orenge
euen in the market place of Naples where the plage raged most and in the publike view of the people caused to be beheaded Federike Caiâ—tan sonne to the Duke of Tracetto and Henry Pandon Duke of Bouiano a discendant of one of the daughters of olde Ferdinand king of Naples together with foure other Napolitains extending also the same rigour of punishment vpon other places of the kingdom with which maner of proceding no lesse pityfull in the persons theÌ„ dangerous for the example he reduced into feare and astonishment the mindes of all men not omitting to proceede against the absent such as had folowed the french faction with confisquacion of their goods which afterwardes he suffred to be compounded for with money did not forget any violence or extremity by the which he might draw greatest summes of money All which actions of murder and oppression were supposed to haue their deuise and resolucion by the witte of Ierom Moron to whom was giuen in recompense of his seruices the Duchie of Bouiano To these emotions and sturres was added the exploit of Iohn Iacques Franquo in Abruzza who entred for the french king into Matrina which is neare to Aquila by whose comming all the partes people of the contrey drew into commocion neither was the region of Aquila without suspicioÌ„ of rising where lay sicke with six hundred footemen Serro Colonno Moreouer the Venetians made prouision for the affaires of Povvylla who sending by sea certeine companies of light horsmen to furnish Barletto one part of the vessells which caried them perished in the lakes of Barletto and Trany where there Treasorer was drowned seeking to saue his life in a litle skiffe The companies of horsemen who had for their leader Iohn Conrardo Vrsin being sore beaten with the rage of the tempest fell into the handes of the imperialls Iohn Pavvle de Cero who made his shipwracke neare Guast remeined prisoner to the Marquis In the latter end of the yeare the region of Aquila became for the league by the meane of the Bishop there and good working of Count Montoiro with others of the exiles who being hardly vsed by the imperialls sought their remedie by reuolt In the beginning of the yeare 1529. began to appeare on all sides certeine signes good disposicions to peace which seamed to carie a generall desier to be solicited negociated in the Popes court for as there was good aduertisemeÌ„t that the Cardinall Saint Crosse such was the title of the Spanish generall was gon vp to Rome with warrant from themprour to conclude a peace so the french king whose desier to end the warres was nothing inferiour dispatched to the same end a commission to his embassadours in which action also the king of England tooke interest and in the same regard sent agents to Rome which matters of negociacioÌ„ hope of peace ioyned to the trauell wearynes of princes brought the confederats to proceede slowly in the prouisions of the warre for that in Lombardie their greatest thought care was whether the Spaniards being come to Genes could passe to Millan from wheÌ„ce the launceknights for want of pay were almost all retired and to conduit them thether Belioyense with a hundred horsemen was gonne vp as farre as Casa and from thence in habit disguised was passed into Genes from whence he led the saied footebands of Spaniards to Sauona with intencion to gather together fiue hundred more newly come out of Spaine and were disbarked at Villa franco But in the realme of Naples the imperialls could not but dowt that the rebellion of Aquila and Matricia together with the sturres and risinges that had bene made in Povvilla would breede bringforth some matter of farre greater importaunce and therefore to cut of and remedie the mischiefe affore the ill were come to his fulnes they determined to conuerte to thexpugnacion and suppression of those places the forces they had in that resolucion the Marquis of Guast with his regiment of Spanish footemen was sent out to recouer the townes of Povvilla and the prince of Orenge likewise with his Launceknights was dispatched to reconquer Aquila and Matricia who assoone as he made his approches to Aquila they that were within issued out and left the place abandoned The prince compounding for the citie and the whole contrey at a raunsom of an hundred thowsand duckats and tooke awaie by vertue of his conquest contract the oblacion of siluer which the french king Loys the tenth had consecrated to Saint Barnard from thence he sent soldiours to Matricia where lay in garrison Camyllo Pardo with foure huÌ„dred footemen who was gonne awaie not many daies before with promise to retorne againe But being not without his seuerall feares both for the wante of wine whereof was left no stoare the necessity of waters which were all câ—â—â—o from them and for the faction betwene the towne and the souldiours which was stronge and violent and lastely for some other reason which men in their timerusnesse wante not he did not onely not retourne againe but also he kept from them some of that releiffe of money which the Florentyns had sent to him for the defending and succouring of that place By reason of which disorders both their leader hauing left them and their wantes without comfort or hope of releuing the soldiours went in their araie vpon the walls and the townesmen rendred the place The consideracion of these good euents and issues brought a feare least the prince of Orenge would passe into Tuskane at the instance of the Pope who being deliuered of a most daungerous but short disease ceassed not to solicite and giue hopes to all men â–ª he promised the frenchmen to sticke to the league so farrefoorthe as Rauenna and Seruia were rendred to him And he offred to compound vnder reasonable condicions with the Florentyns and Duke of Ferrara who touching the payments of money made before to Monsr Lavvtrech affirmed that what he did in those paymentes was of his liberalitie and not by vertue of obligacion for that the Pope had forborne to ratifie On the other side now that he had recouered though at great charges the Castells of Ostia and Ciâ—ita vechia by vertue of a coÌ„mission which the Cardinal Saint Crosse had brought he enterteined with themperour intelligences more secrete and practises more certeine then before yea they debated rather vpon their affaires particular which began to be managed in a course more assured and secret then that there passed betwene them any action or solicitacion tending to the vniuersall peace Onely in Barletto thestate of affaires was this Barletto was holden for the frenche king within the which was Ranso de Cero and with him the prince of Melffe Federike Caraffa Symon Roman Camyllo Perdo Galeas de Farurso Iohn Conrard Vrsin and the prince of Stigliano The Venetyans had Trany Pulignany and Monopoly their forces in those places were two thowsand footemen and six hundred horsemen
alleaged the contract appeared not by writing notwithstanding the Pope mainteyned a further obligation So that he solicited to enter into the paye of the French and Florentins complayning bitterly of certaine intelligences and practises enterteyned against him by the Cardinall of Cortono and of a letter which he had surprised written by the Cardinall Medicis to Braccio Baillon But the Pope seeking indirectly to stoppe the effect of his deuice forbad by Edicts publike that none of his subiectes without his leaue shoulde take the payes of other Princes vpon paine of confiscation Neuerthelesse Malatesta forbare not for that to prosecute his deuise The Frenchmen bounde them to indue him with a charge of two hundred horsemen two thowsand crownes pension the order of Saint Michael and in time of warre with two thowsand footemen And the Florentines gaue him the title of Gouernor two thousand crownes pension a thousand footmen in time of warre fiftie horsemen for his sonne and fiftie for the sonne of Horatio with fiue hundred crownes for the paye of them both They tooke vpon them the protection of his estate and of Perousa and aswel the French King as they made him one ioynt allowance in time of peace of an hundred crownes the moneth to enterteyne ten Captaines And the Florentines a part made him a paie for two hundred footmen for the garde of Perousa and for his part he was onely bounde to this to goe to their seruice with a thousande footemen when their affaires required yea though he shoulde not haue the bandes promised from the Frenche King Of this dealing the Pope complayned highlye to the Frenche King as a matter done directlye to let him for disposing according to his will of a Citie whiche was vassall and subiect to the Churche the same making the King who bare no mynd to kindle the Pope to deferre the action of ratification and for the same cause the Pope hoping to be able to alter or retyre Malatesta perswaded him to continue out his yeare and at the same time he enterteyned secretly Braccio Baillon Sero Colonno and the exiles of Perousa who hauing assembled and mustered bands of souldiers lay incamped at Norcio But all these practises together with all offers and oblacions serued to no purpose for that Malatesta was resolutely fixed to continue no longer in the Popes paye and as the Florentins ministred ayde to him openly so he feared so much the lesse those stirres or emocions by howe much they ceassed foorthwith the Pope finding they were vnperfect and insufficient to leade on his hopes to their effectes Besides the Pope would not suffer the Duke of Ferrara to dwelin rest and he was so farre of from obseruing the couenants made with the Duke in the name of the Colledge of Cardinals that the byshoprike of Modena being newly fallen into vacacion by the death of Cardinall Gonzaguo an estate promised to the Dukes sonne by the sayde couenants he bestowed it by his authoritie vpon Ierom Moron seeking vnder colour of refusing the possession occasion to prouoke against him suche a personage and minister bearing great authoritie in the Emperours armie He enterteyned also a practise with Ierom Pio to occupie Reggia and that by the meane and operacion of Hubert de Gambaro gouernour of Bolognia But when the Duke was informed of the state of the practise and how farre it extended he passed Pio to such propertie of punishment as his offence deserued He layde plotts also to surprise Rauenna which likewise sorted to none effect And about this time inclining dayly by apparant degrees to the Emperours part and being also well aduaunced in the solicitation of things he sent vnto him the Byshop of Vasono his stewarde he called backe the cause of diuorce of the King of Englande which he had done long time before had not the regarde of the Bull which was already in Englande in the hands of his Legat Campeius reteyned him For as the good fortunes of the Emperour encreased in Italie so he sought not onely not to offende him further but also to reuoke the offence he had done him alreadie being in deede determined before he was sicke to reuoke the cause In which action he sent Frauncis Compagnio into Englande to the Cardinall Campeius dissembling to the King that he was sent for other matters including notwithstanding matter apparteyning to that cause where in deede he brought commission to Campcius to burne the Bull And albeit Campeius for a maladie the Pope was fallen into deferred for a time the execution of that commission yet when he knewe he was recured he perfourmed the thyng he was commaunded So that the Pope being thus deliuered of that feare reuoked the cause though not without great indignation of that King especiallie when he required the Bull of the Legate and vnderstoode by him the vnworthie accident of it These matters made both more seuere and more readie the ruine and fall of the Cardinall of Yorke whose authoritie the King supposed to be so great and gracious with the Pope that if his mariage with the Lady Anne had bene agreeable to him he might haue obteyned of the Pope what dispensation he had woulde By whiche occasion opening his eares to the enuie and mallice of his aduersaries he grewe kindled against him euen to the taking from him his goodes and treasure of a wonderful value and in his indignation leauing him a smal part of the reuenues of his benefices he restrayned him to his Byshoprike with a slender traine of seruants And so not long after eyther by a surprise of letters which he wrote to the French King or for some other propertie of malice of his enemies who gathering by the Kings speches that he was not without inclinacion towardes him and therefore feared least he woulde rise againe into his auncient authoritie he was conuented to appeare in counsell to speake for him selfe in matters to be obiected against him For whiche cause as he was brought towards the Court as prisoner he was suddenly taken with a fluxe engendred either of the humour of disdaine or of the passion of feare of which he dyed the seconde day after he was apprehended with the maladie an example in our dayes worthie of memorie touching the power whiche fortune and enuie hath in the Courts of Princes About this time fell out in Florence to the greate preiudice of the gouernment that then was a newe chalenge against Nicholas Cappony Gonfalonier it happened almost vpon the end of the second yeare of his magistracie and was incensed principallie by the enuie of some of the chiefe citisens who tooke occasion of the vaine suspicions and fond ignorancies of the commons Nicho. Cappony during all the time of his magistracie hath had these two principall obiectes the one to defend him selfe against the freshe enuie of those that had bene honored of the house of Medicis suffring the principals amongst them to communicat with the other Citisens in the honors and
but for the regarde of the iurisdiction direct which they had of any one without extending any further And that all protections taken in other forme should be interpreted voyde and derogate within one moneth That to make this amitie and coniunction more firme and stable they were to confirme it with the straite knots of parentage ThEmprour promising to giue for wife Margarit his bastard daughter with a dowrye of twenty thowsand duckats of yearely reuenue to Alexander Medicis sonne to Lavvrence late Duke of Vrbyn vppon whose person the Pope determined to conuert and bestowe the temporall greatnes of his house hauing at such tyme as he was in daunger of death created Cardinall Hipolito sonne of Iulian They contracted at the same tyme in articles seperat That the Pope shoulde accord to thEmprour and to his brother to resist the Turke the fourth part of the reuenues of benefices Ecclesiastike in the same manner that his Predecessor Adrian had done That the Pope should giue absolucion to all those who within Rome and other places had offended against the sea Apostolike and to all such as had ministred any proppertie of ayde councell or fauor or that any way participated or secretly approued or expresly allowed or directly had consented to the actions that had beene done That where the Emprour had not published the Croissade graunted by the Pope which was lesse ample then others that had bene beforetimes graunted That the Pope the first beeing reuoked shoulde passe an other of more full and ample forme according to the skoape of those that had bene graunted by the late Popes Iulio and Leo. Before this accorde was passed and after all the difficulties were resolued aduertisement came to thEmprour of the ouerthrowe of Monsr Saint Pol In regarde of which successe so honorable for the reputacion of his armies there and no lesse profitable for the generall estate of his affayres albeit it was doubted that to help his condicions he would haue chaunged some braunch or article of matters agreed vppon yet he confirmed them all both in substance and circumstance and with a singuler readines ratified them the same daye which was the xxix of Iune accomplishing with solemne othe before the high alter of the cathedrall Church of Barselona But the negociacions of peace betwene thEmprour and the French king were not pursued with lesse deuocion and diligence And the better to aduaunce them to some good successe yssue after the cōmissions on all sides were comen the towne of Cambray was indifferently appoynted for the assemblie and meeting A place fatal for so great conclusions and where were to conferre together the Lady Margaret of Austria and the Lady Regent mother to the French king The French king labored with all his meanes and diligence though he ment not in him selfe to performe it which also he confirmed by promisses to the confederat Embassadors of Italy hauing therein the consent priuitie of the king of England not to make any accord with thEmprour without the consent satisfaction of the confederats for he feared lest they entring into a ielousie suspicion of his will would not preuent him be the first that would compownd with the Emprour and by that meane to leaue him excluded out of the amitie of both sides In which respect he sought to perswade them not to hope in the peace but rather to keepe their thoughts disposed turned to the prouisiōs of the warre wherein to establish some good order forme of proceeding not ceassing to solicit continually he had sent into Italy the Bishop of Tarby with commission to goe to the states of Venice the Dukes of Millan Ferrara Florence both to solicit prouisions apperteyning to the warre and to promisse that if the Emperour passed into Italy he woulde also discend at the same tyme with a mightie armye so farre forthe as the other confederats woulde contribute for their parte touching the preparacions needefull Neuerthelesse the negociacions of accord continued more and more Insomuch as the seuenth day of Iuly both the Ladies made their entries into Cambray by seuerall gates with a great pompe And being lodged in two houses adioyning hauing an entrye the one within the other they spake together the same day and gaue order to their agents to treate of the articles Wherein because the kinge woulde be neare at hand to resolue all difficulties occurring he was gone vp to Compiequo to whome the Venetians hauing feare of the yssue of that coniunction had made many large and great offers And for the more absolute negociacion of this peace there were sent to Cambray as interposers in the action the Bishop of London and the Duke of Suffolke Embassadors for the king of England with whose consent and participacion that assembly was made The Pope sent thether the Archbishop of Capua There was also a presence of Embassadors from all the confederats To whome the French men made relacion of things farre otherwise then was the truth of that that was debated Wherein the king eyther reteyned so great an impietie or els had so simple and sole a thought of his interest perticular which consisted wholly in the recouerie of his children That where the Florentyns made greate instance to him that according to thexample of king Levvys his father in lawe and his predecessor in the yeare a thowsand fiue hundred and twelue he woulde consent that they might accorde with thEmprour for their sauetie he refused it vnder this promise that he would neuer make any accord without comprehending them in it Assuring them also that he was most ready to follow the warre and promised no lesse to all the others euen in the greatest heate of solicitacion for peace About the xxiij of Iuly came aduertisement of the capitulacions made betweene the Pope and thEmprour at what tyme albeit the present negociacion was well aduaunced yet it was so troubled and hindred for some difficulties touching certeine townes of Franche Counte that the Lady Regent gaue order to prepare to depart Neuerthelesse by the working of the Popes Legat principally by the operacion and good office of thArchbishop of Capua the conclusion was established the French king not leauing to promise to the confederats the same things he had offred before At last being the fift daye of August the peace was solemnly published in the great Church of Cambray whereof the first article conteyned That the kings sonnes should be redeliuered so farre forth as their father payed to thEmprour for their raunsome twelue hundred thowsande crownes in ready money and to the king of England for him two hundred thowsand That the king should render to the Emprour within six weekes after the ratificacion all that he possessed in the Duchie of Myllan That he should leaue vnto him Ast with resignacion of the rights apperteyning That he should leaue assoone as he could Barletto with all those peeces which he helde in the Realme of Naples That he should
dead and wounded of them within the towne an hundred and thirtie persons of the souldiors without more then two hundred bodies amongst whom was Capteine Baragnino a Spaniard Amidde these enterchaunges of skirmishes and factions of warre the Florentines forbare not to hope continually for some succours from the Frenche king who accordingly fayled not to enterteyne their hope wyth promise of a sufficient reskewe when so euer he had recouered hys children Wherein the better to assure and confirme them he gaue assignation to the Florentin Marchuntes for twentie thowsande ducketts due to them long tyme before which summe beeing lente by them to the Citie was brought to Pisa by Levvis Alaman but by suche parcelles and dribletts that it dyd little comforte the warre Moreouer Iohn Pavvle de Cere whome the Florentins had taken into their paye for the garde of that Citie came awaye to Pisa But by the conquering of Voltero was bredde to the Florentins a domage of farre greater importance for that where Feruccio both contrary to the commission giuen to him and also because he woulde goe the stronger to the action of Voltero and hauing withall to secure a confidēce in the fortres of Empoly had left for the defence of it so small a garrison that thimperials vsing thoccasion that was offred went to incampe about it vnder the conduit and leading of the Marquis of Guast And as for the weaknes of the defendantes and garrison they tooke it without any resistance and with many harmes put it to sacke So in the losse of that was brought to the Florentins more matter of affliction then in anye other thing during the warre for that hauing determined to assemble in that place newe companies and regimentes they hoped by the oportunitie of the situation which importeth muche both to reduce into distresse and difficulties the armie that lay on that side of Arno and also to open the commoditie and waye for vittells to passe to that Citie which began already to feele the want of norriture and comfort To this also was added a newe occasion to depriue them more of the hopes they had conceyued for after the French king had deliuered ouer his money which he was to paye to themprour and retyred his children which was in the beginning of Iune In place of so many aydes succours which by his promises he had reserued till that time he sent into Italy at the instance of the Pope who to haue wholly at his deuotion the kinges Agents created Cardinall the Bishop of Tarby Embassadour resident in his Court one Peter Frauncis Pontriemoly a man of great confidence with him to insinuate some motions and practise of accorde with the Florentins who by that manner of dealing discerned no further hope to be succoured by the king Wherein they beleued the more by this inducement that both he and the king of Englande ioyning together did all that they could so to allure and gouerne the Pope as they might hope to seperate him from the Emprour And in that regarde the Frenche king laboured to haue some participation and interest to reduce and conuerte the Florentins to the Popes amitie After the Marquis of Guast had taken Empoly he went with the bands of souldiours whom he ledde to ioyne with Maramus in the suburbes of Voltero where hauing in one strength almoste six thowsande footemen they began to batter the towne and when they sawe they had brought to the earth more then fortie faddomes of wall they followed th execution of thartilleries with three furious assaultes but with worse effect then their vallour deserued since in the action they lost more then foure hundred men They made afterwardes a newe batterye and with certayne chosen bands of Spaniardes and Italians consoarted together they gaue an other very braue and resolute assault but with greater domage harmes then the former assaultes in which regarde the campe brake vp rather with great prayse then good effecte of their doinges The same moarning about an howre before day Stephen Colonno issuing out of the gate of Faenza and Malatesta by the posterne that leadeth to Prato went to giue the Camisado with three thowsande footemen to the launceknightes that were lodged in the Monastery of Saint Donat where they had fortified themselues Stephen passed the trenches and slew many of them But the alarme being giuen to the residue they put themselues in order with resolution to defend their place to the last man So that after Stephen had receyued a light hurt in the mouth he retyred for feare of greater reskewes complayning muche that Malatesta had not followed him But in Florence were entred no nature of vittells nor norriture from anye parte albeit their wantes of comfortes went on encreasing dayly yet so resolute were they to defende their lybertie that there could be discerned no diminution of that constancie and fidelitie that at first armed them to so holy an action And where Feruccio was gone from Voltero to Pisa and laboured by his authoritie and industrie to assemble as great a strength as he coulde all the hopes of the Florentins were reduced to his comming for they had signifyed to hym to aduaunce and come on and not to forbeare for anye waye or other daunger to ioyne hymselfe to the defence of the Citie beeing resolued to giue battell to thennemies assoone as he had ioyned his forces with the mayne armie that was within Florence Of whiche deuise the successe and issue was not so good and happie as was greate and manyfest the rashnes of the resolution if I maye tearme those counsels rashe whiche are drawne or deryued from a laste necessitie for in this rested the errour of that counsell that they were to passe thorowe the countreys of thennemies suche as were occupyed and commaunded by a verye strong armie though dispersed into manye seuerall places The Prince of Orenge who had aduertisement of this deuise thought to goe before wyth one parte of the armie whereof he made his greatest assemblie of the Italian footemen And Malatesta Baillon with whom he had many secrete and strayte intelligences hauing happlye assured him in secrete that the Florentins suspected least in hys absence he woulde assayle the armie wente out to meete hym And fynding him neare to Ciuiniano in the mountayne of Pistoya a waye whiche he tooke passing from Pisa towardes Lucquaye in regarde of confidence reapposed in the Chauncellours faction well affected to the popular gouernment he gaue hym the skirmishe with a verye small companie of men At the firste shocke the Prince whose rashnesse was greater then his conduite and in whome was lesse the humor of counsell and discression then apperteyned to the place he managed was slayne doing rather the office of a priuate souldiour then of a Capteyne or commaunder Neuerthelesse his souldiours gotte the victorie and made prisoners together with manye others Iohn Pavvle de Cere and Feruccio whome Maramus slewe beeing prisoner in
meane while desist from the practise of their corrupcions And rendring to the sea Apostolike their due obedience they should returne to their former conuersation of Christian Catholikes This article made more hard the whole practise and negociacion of the councell ▪ for the Lutherans were not onely not to desist from their opinions and ceremonies before the celebracion of the councell but also it was beleued that they had no inclinacion to the councell where they could exspect no other matter then a reprobacion of their doctrine the rather for that their principall opinions had bene many times refuted as hereticall by the former councells yea it was thought they insisted vppon the conuocacion of this councell for that knowing it was a matter fearfull to Popes to stand in presence of a councell they were of opinion that the court of Rome would not accorde to it And so by that meane they should support their cause with the nations of the world with a greater authoritie With these actions and intencions determined the yeare a thowsand fiue hundred and thirty and successiuely followed the yeare 1531. wherein was wrought no great matter of emocion and stirre for notwithstanding it was comprehended by many signes that the French king was not onely ill contented with the accords and contracts made with the Emprour but also stoode very desirous to innouate things to new tumults with whom the king of England bare the same inclinacion especially against thEmprour for that standing in defence of the cause of the sister of his mother he impugned the matter of his diuorce yet the French king beeing both impouerished of money litle leasure to respire from the trauells of so long warrs he sawe the time was not yet apt to kindle matters of innouacion Neuerthelesse he omitted not in the meane while to conspire aswell in Germany with such Princes as bare mindes estraunged from thEmprour as in Italy with the Pope to whome the better to assure his amitie he made an ouerture of mariage betweene his seconde sonne and the Popes Neece In which practises and conspiracies he suffered him selfe to be so much ouercaried with malice and reuenge that to the great offence of God and perpetuall infamie to the crowne of Fraunce which alwayes made principall profession to defend Christian religion and for those merits was honored with the title of Christianissimus he enterteyned practises with the Prince of Turkes to stirre him vp against the Emprour Towards whome the Turkes were ordinarily ill disposed no lesse for a naturall hatred they bare to the name of Christians then for the matter of controuersies they had with his brother tending to questions for the Realme of Hungrie with the Vayuode whome he had taken into his protection The Turkes also began with much ielousie to suspect and enuye the greatnes of thEmprour By this time th Imperiall Capteines leauied their forces from the territories of Sienna to leade them to Piemont But before they departed to satisfie the Pope they reestablished within Sienna the famulie of Montonouo repossessing them of their cōtry and goods yet altered not the forme of the gouernment And to assure them in their estate they left them a garde of three hundred Spanyards depending vppon the Duke of Malfy vnder whome beeing not able to keepe his authoritie thinges so reuerted forthwith to their olde disorders that suche as had beene reestablished and restored left for feare the thinge they could not holde by force Moreouer the Emperour pronownced the forme of gouernment for Florence dissembling that parte of the authoritie giuen to him which lymited their libertie saued for that according to the very instructions which the Pope had sent to him he expressed that the citie shoulde be gouerned with the same Magistrate and in the same manner it was wont in the tymes when the Medicis ruled it he declared also for chiefe of the gouernment Alexander the Popes Nephewe and his sonne in lawe And that in case of him and his yssue extinct there shoulde succeede from hand to hande the children the descendants and the next procreated of the same famulie he restored to the citie all the priuileadges agreed vnto beforetymes by him and by his predecessors but with this condicion annexed to be deposed from them as often as the citie shoulde attempt any thinge against the greatnes of the famulie of Medicis inserting throw all the decree wordes which showed that he tooke not his ground and inducement onely vppon the power that had beene giuen to him by the parties but also vppon the authoritie and dignitie imperiall In which manner of dealing where he happly satisfied the Pope more then was extended by the facultie giuen him by the writ of compromisse he offended him as much immediatly after in a matter which was no lesse greeuous to him then the other was agreeable for after the Doctors especially assigned had heard and examined the controuersie betwene the Pope and Duke of Ferrara before whome both the parties had produced many testimonies and inscripcions with a long course of processe and pleading he pronownced sentence according to their councell and relacion that as Modena and Reggia apperteyned of right to the Duke of Ferrara so the Pope in receiuing of him an hundred thowsand duckats and reducing the tributes to the auncient manner he should inuest him of new in the iurisdiction of Ferrara Wherein the Emprour labored to insinuat into the Pope that where contrary to his promisse made in Bolognia not to pronownce in case he founde his cause not to be iust he had giuen sentence That he was not to complaine against him but rather to blame the Bishoppe of Vasona his Nuncio to whome he alwayes gaue significacion that he woulde not pronownce sentence for that he woulde not bee constrayned to passe iudgement against the Pope But he perswading the contrarye and interpreting those significacions for a discharge of the promisse he had made to giue sentence if the right were in him had pressed so muche the publicacion of the sentence that he was halfe constrayned to it for the regarde of his honour An excuse whiche the Pope woulde sooner haue admitted if the sentence and iudgement had not beene in the same sorte and manner Wherein thEmprour had many tymes assayed to reduce the matter by accorde But the poynte wherein the Pope was moste offended was that the Emperour in pronowncinge vppon the matters of Modena and Reggia hadde followed a waye and taken a coursse of a Iudge moste rogorous but in the action of Ferrara wherein the rigour was manifestelye for hym he hadde donne the office of a friendelye Arbitrator and Compromittor Therefore though he woulde neither ratifie the sentence pronownced nor accept the payment of the money wherein the Duke was condemned neither did he at the next feaste of Saint Peter accept the tribute which was publikely offred to him according to auncient custom yet the Emprour forbare not for
all that to consigne vnto the Duke of Ferrara Modena which he had deteyned in deputacion till that daye leauing them to decyde afterwards the differences betweene them So that by reason of that dealing there was not for many moneths betwene the Pope and the Duke of Ferrara neither an open warre nor an assured peace the Popelying alwayes in watche to oppresse him with conspiracies and surprise or els to exspect the occasion to heape against him an open warre with the supportacion of greater Princes This yeare of 1531. brought forth no other accidents and the tranquillitie also went on continuing for the yeare following A yeare more daungerous for forreine warres then for the emocions of Italy for the Turke beeing kindled with the ignominie of his repulse at Vienna and no lesse vnderstanding howe thEmprour was intangled in Germany prepared a right huge and great armye wherein boasting insolently of his forces he let not to publish that his intencion was to constraine thEmprour to come to battell with him By the rumor and renowme of which preparacions both the Emprour put him selfe in as good order as he could reuoking into Germany the Marquis of Guast with his Spanish regiments and a great band of horsemen and footemen Italyans And the Pope promised to contribute to him a defraiment of forty thowsand duckats for euery moneth sending for the same expedicion as Legat Apostolike his Nephew the Cardinall of Medicis And lastly the Princes and free townes of Germany prepared in fauor of thEmprour and for the common defense of Germany A very huge and mighty army But the effects aunswered nothing the renowme and the feare for Solyman who for the greatnes of his preparacions and difficultie and distance of the way could not enter into Hungarie but verie late did not drawe directlie with his armie where thEmperour was but exhibiting onely a show of warre together with certeine bragging Caualcadoes and braueries of horsemen he returned to Constantinople leauing the enterprise vnperfect for want of vallour which he had induced and managed with so mightie preparacions Neither did thEmperour shew any greater deuocion or readines seeing that when he vnderstood the Turkes drew neare much lesse that he made out to meete them seeing vppon their retyring he omitted to pursue with all his forces the faire occasion that was offered him to reconquer Hungarie for his brother Onely yeelding to his importunate desire to go into Spaine he gaue order that certeine bands of Spanish footemen some regiments of Launceknightes should be conuerted to thenterprise of Hungarie But that order was immediatlie disordered by the insolent behauiours of thItalians who pushed on by certeine their Captaines disdaining that the authority and conduit of the enterprise was giuen to others and not to them so mutined That hauing no reason to alleage for their tumult and the presence of the Emperour who went thither to appease them being not sufficient to conteine them They tooke resolutely and vniuersally their way into Italie in which disorder they marched with great hast for feare to be followed and in their way with minds malicious they burned many villages and houses in reuenge as they said of the burnings wasting committed in many places in Italie by the Launceknights ThEmperour also returned by the way of Italie and where he had set downe in what order and by what places should passe his Court and all his trayne The Cardinall Medicis caried with humors and passions of youth would not obey the order generallie giuen to all the traine but in his insolencie respecting lesse the Emperours order then his owne ambicious will he aduaunced and gotte before together with Peter Maria Rossa vppon whom chiefly was layed the fault of that sedicion This bred no litle indignacion in thEmperour either for that he imputed the beginning and discourse of the matter to the Cardinall or else he feared least the Cardinall standing ill contented that Alexander his cossin was preferred to the administracion of thestate of Florence would goe after the bandes of Italians to lead them to trouble the affaires of Tuskane In which regard he caused to be apprehended by the way the Cardinall and with him Peter Maria Rossa But after he had better considered of thimportaunce of the matter he wrote letters for the redeliuerie of the Cardinall to whome as well as to the Pope he protested many excuses Onely Peter Maria remeyned prisoner though not long after he was released working greatlie for him with thEmperour the iniurie which it seemed he had done to the Cardinall The retyring of the Turke deliuered the regions of Italie of a great warre that threatned to fall vpon them for where the Frenche king and king of England with mindes full of emulacion against thEmperour had an enteruiewe and conference together betwene Calice and Bolleyne where taking their groundes that the Turke would abide that winter in Hungarie and hold intangled the forces of thEmperour They consulted that the French king vnder that oportunitie should inuade the Duchie of Millan and hauing a disposicion to draw the Pope to their parte by violence and astonishment whom they could neuer allure by other meanes they deuised to take from him the obedience of their kingdoms in case he would not cōsent to that which they desired of him which was for the action of Millan for the French king for the king of England to giue sentence on his side in the cause of diuorce And to relate their intencions they were determined to sende to him with sharpe commissions the Cardinalls of Tournon and Tarbes both which bare no small authoritie with the Frenche king But the newes which they receiued of the retyring of the Turke before the time of their enteruiew was determined did not onely well moderate those deuises and their seuerities but were also the cause that the king of England would not suffer to passe to Calyce the Lady Anne Bulleine to celebrate mariage with her publikely in that assembly Notwithstanding that both the cause was hanging in the Court of Rome also he was forbidden by writs Apostolike vnder paine of very great iudgements to innouate nothing to the preiudice of the first mariage ▪ But so deepe did the French king dissemble that albeit to confirme the minde of the king of England that he would be against the Pope he imposed by his owne authoritie vppon the Clergie of his Realme a taxe of tenthes dispatched the two Cardinalls to the Pope yet not obseruing the fidelitie of his word and promisse he sent them furnished with commissions farre differing from the resolucion of the two kings in the beginning The Emprour being comen into Italy with a desire to speake with the Pope the place of their meeting and enteruiewe was eftsoones assigned at Bolognia A place which the Pope accepted willingly the rather for that he would giue no occasion to thEmprour to goe to the Realme of Naples and by that occasion to make
a longer aboad in Italy A matter whereunto albeit thEmprour was induced by the reasons and perswasions of many of his Court yet it was entierly contrary to his principall intencion who desired to make haste into Spaine chiefly for the desire he had to haue sonnes his wife remeyning there So that those two personages of that estate and greatnes mette at the ende of the yeare at Bolognia where were obserued betweene them the same demonstrations of amitie and the same offices of familiaritie whiche they vsed before but there was no more the same correspondencie of willes whiche had beene expressed vppon their negociations the other tyme for themperour had a great desire to aduaunce the Councell the better to reduce to reste and contentment the regions and peoples of Germanie He offred to dissolue the armie liuing at a great charge bothe to him and others But to th ende he might do it with more suretie he insisted to haue renued the last league made at Bolognia both to comprehend in it all the Italians and to taxe the quantities rates of money which euery particular was to contribute if the states of Italy were inuaded by the French He desired also to haue Katherine the Popes Neece maryed to Frauncis Sforce aswel to presse the Pope by a greater necessitie to looke to the preseruatioÌ„ of that state as also to breake the practise of parentage that was solicited with the french king Of all these matters not one was acceptable to the Pope seeing the confederation was a motion contrarie to the desyre he had to stande a newâ—er so much as he could betwene the Princes of Christendome Wherein both he doubted many daungers generally and especially he feared least the Frenche kinge taking his example and instigation by the king of Englande woulde depriue him of the obedience of his kingdome Touching the conuocation of a Councell it was no lesse grieuous to hym then before for the auncient causes and impressions And for parentage with the Duke of Millan it pleased hym nothing at all for that he interpreted it to a meane to take an open hatred with the Frenche kinge with whose seconde sonne he had a vehement desyre to conioyne his Neece These matters were drawne into negociation and counsell but principally was solicited the poynt of the confederation In whiche action running many monethes were deputed for themprour Cnoâ—os the great Commaunder of Leo Granuelle and Prato his chiefe counsellors And for the Pope were delegate the Cardinall Medicis Iames Saluiatio and Guicciardin Who as they refused not to go through with the confederation for that it was all one to vncouer the Popes intention and to gyue themprour cause to conceyue iustely a greate suspicion of him So they made instance to haue the Venetians sownded and to be drawne to consente to it alleaging that bothe without them the defence of Italie would be but weake and that ioyntly with them shoulde be protected with more reputation the common affayres if the defence were continued vppon the renowme of the former confederation Where if there were resolued an other without them it would deliuer to the world an opinion that betwene themprour the Pope and Venetians were apparant matter of discord In this regarde the Venetians were solicited to condiscend to a new confederation for the vniuersall defence of all the regions of Italy for that by the first league their obligation extended no further then for the affayres of Millan and Naples Themprour also wished with great desire that they might be bound to the defence of Genes where it was thought that when the warre was on foote the Frenche men would be apt to recontinue their former inuasion a matter which they might pretende to do lawfully by reason of their rightes and interests particular without preiudicing the contractes of Madrill and Cambray But the Senate of Venice refused absolutelye to renewe the confederation or to amplifye the obligations conteyned in the same A matter whiche broughte no small discontentment to themperour thoughe they affirmed to obserue inuiolably that coniunction But themperour was so much the more importunate and so refuted all reasons that were alleaged to the contrarye that the articles of the confederacion beganne to be commoned vppon And for the more effectuall handling of thinges there were summoned all the Pottentats of Italy who sent Embassadors to this negociacion They were required to enter the league and to contribute in case the warre went on euery one according to his power and possibilitie wherein they made no difficultie or resistance but labored seuerally to ease the demaunde of the contribucion Onely Alfonso d'Este reasoned with them that it was not reasonable he should enter into a league to defend the states of others if first he were not assured of his owne he alleaged there could no accorde be made to warrant him against the Pope nor to enter league with him neither could he promisse to contribute with his treasor to the defense of Myllan and Genes if necessitie compelled him to exspend it continually to keepe bands of souldiours within Modena and Reggia and also for the sewertie of Ferrara Vppon which reasons was deriued a new practise and labor to accord him with the Pope who bearing a mind farre estraunged from that mocion and yet not willing to oppose him selfe so apparantly against the instance of thEmprour he proponed condicions very hard and impossible to be obserued affirming that if he should leaue Modena and Reggia to Alphonso who otherwayes would not come to accord he would that Alfonso should reacknowledge hold them in chief of the sea Apostolike A matter which for that it could not be done in such sort as to be iudicially auaileable without the consent of the electors and Princes of thEmpire reduced the Emprour to a difficultie which had no yssue This brought the Emprour to entreat the Pope that at the least during the league he would be bouÌ„d not to vexe the state which Alfonso held Insomuch as after many importunities and disputings the Pope consented to assure him for xviij monethes And so at last was resolued the conclusion of the league passed and contracted vppon S. Mathievves day A day alwayes happy to thEmprour This league and confederacion conteyned an obligacion of thEmprour the king of Romaines and all the other Pottentats of Italy except the Venetians for the defense of Italy Onely the Florentyns were not otherwayes named then in the same manner they were expressed in the league of Conguac and that to th end not to trouble their entercoursse and trades in the Realme of Fraunce it was set downe with what proporcion of souldiours euery one should be concurrant and with what quantities of money to contribute for euery moneth ThEmprours rate was xxx thowsand duckats The Pope for him and the Florentyns was taxed at twenty thowsand The Duke of Myllan at fifteene thowsand The Duke of Ferrara at ten thowsand the Genovvaies at six thowsand the
state of Sienna at ten thowsand and the citie of Lucquay at a thowsand And to thend to be found prepared against all suddeine vnlooked for inuasions vntill defense might be made with the contribucions afforenamed it was agreed that immediatly should be leauied a loane of a summe of money almost equall to the taxacions and that not to be exspended onlesse the preparacions to inuade Italy were manifestly discerned There was also set downe a small contribucion yearely for thinterteinment of those Capteines that remeyned in Italy and to defraye certeine pensions to the Svvyzzers to stoppe that nation for giuing ayde of men to the French king Ouer this league was declared Capteine generall by common consent Antho. de Leua with ordenaunce that he should remeine in the Duchie of Myllan Touching the generall councell there was nothing cōcluded to the liking of thEmprour who stil solicited the Pope to send out present summonce for it But he refused to accomplishe the mocion alleaging that as in that ill disposicion of the time and mens mindes there would be daunger lest the kings of England and Fraunce would not appeare So if the councell were celebrated without them much lesse that there could be introduced either vnion or reformacion of the Church seeing it was to be feared lest things would diuolue to a manifest scisme Onely he was content to send out Nuncioes to all Princes to induce them to so holly a worke But albeit thEmprour made a question to him what would be the yssue of thinges if those two Princes did dissent from them without iust cause and pressed him in that case to intimat the councel yet he could neuer dispose him to it So that his Nuncioes were assigned and sent out with a very slender hope to bring backe any good conclusion ThEmprour was no better satisfied touching the negociacion of the parentage for that when the two Cardinalls which the French king had sent were comen to Bolognia and had eftsoones recontinued the negociacion of the mariage with the second sonne of Fraunce The Pope gaue aunswer to the offer made for the Duke of Myllan and exhibited by the Emprour That whereas the Frenche king had long time before made an ouerture of mariage for his sonne he had harkned to the mocion by the consent of thEmprour declaring at that time his good consent and liking he should nowe doe too greate a wronge to the Frenche king if during the negociacion he should giue his Neece in mariage to one of his ennemies But he perswaded him that that practise was artificially introduced by the French king to enterteine him and not with intencion to conclude it seing there was betweene the parties so great disagreement and inequalitie of degree and condicion Lastly he assured him that he would not commit so great an offence to the king if he sawe not before the practise and solicitacion altogether broken And the Emprour for his parte beeing not to be perswaded that the French king would adioyne his sonne to a matche so farre vnequall to him encouraged and aduised the Pope that for the better vncouering of the kings dissimulacions he would presse the Cardinals to send for a procuracion to contract them which accordingly was accomplished in fewe dayes and exhibited in very ample forme By which readines and resolute meaning not onely was lost all hope of affinitie with Frauncis Sforce but also the solicitacion with the French king was pursued with so muche the more importunitie and to it was further added according to the deuise betweene them longe before that the Pope and the Frenche kinge shoulde contracte together at Nyce A citye of the Duke of Sauoye standing vppon the ryuer of Var and separateth Italye from Prouence These matters were not a litle discontenting to thEmprour aswell for a suspicion he had that betwene the Pope and French king were concluded a greater coniunction to his preiudice as also for that he was ielous that in the Pope remeyned not some secrete memorie and impressions of his imprisonment of the sacke of Rome of the mutacion of Florence and of other wronges To these he adioyned the passion of disdayne wherein he iudged that the honor which the Pope had done to him in making two iorneyes to Bolognia to speake with him woulde stande derided and diminished if he shoulde make a voyage by sea so farre as Nyce to meete with the French king But in vaine were these suspicions and the causes of them though he could not dissemble them for that in the Popes mind was vehemently norished and affected the desire of that affinitie beeing happly moued more with ambicion and appetit of glorye in that beeing of a house almoste simple and priuate he had obteyned in recompense of a bastarde Nephewe of his A bastard Daughter of so mightye an Emperour and nowe in exchaunge of his Neece legyttimate he had honored his howse with the seconde sonne of Fraunce lawefully borne and orderly assured Then that he was induced which many councelled him that by the meane of that parentage he might giue cooller of right though more apparant then true to the Frenche king to enter for his sonne and for his Daughter in law vppon the estate of Florence To these discontentments of thEmprour may be added also as a full accomplishment of his disliking That where he made instance to the Pope to create three Cardinalls exhibited by him he obteyned onely and that with difficultie the calling of thArchbishop of Bary the Pope making his excuses vppon the contradiction of the Colleage of Cardinalls The Emprour stoode litle appeased in the readines which the Pope showed to make a secret confederacion with him wherein he promised to proceede iudicially to pronownce iudgements and censures and all other things that might be done by right against the king of England and against the Lady Anne Bolleyne And they were bownd to make no new confederacions or accords with Princes without reciprocall consent one of an other Thus thEmprour departed from Bolognia the daye after the conclusion of the confederacion being now no lesse assured in him selfe that the sayd mariage would goe on together with thenteruiew betweene the Pope and the French king Then he had reason to doubt some greater coniunction And beeing embarked at Genes he passed into Spaine with this resolute intencion that if the mariage of Katherine de Medicis were celebrated with the seconde sonne of Fraunce he woulde dissolue and breake the matche made betwene his Daughter and Alexander de Medicis Not many dayes after the Pope departed to goe to Rome beeing accompanied with the two French Cardinalls and nothing troubled with the newe confederacion for that as he was excellent in simulacions and practises in which he was not surmounted with feare so he had told them that vppon concluding the league the spanish armie was to dissolue decasse A matter which would turne more to the benefit of the french king then the league
or confederacion could doe him hurt seeing that aswell for the obligacions it conteyned as for the obseruancie and execucions of the same many difficulties might happen and sundry impediments arise Thus the solicitacions and practises begon were continued betwene them And as the French king was desirous in regard of his honor and for ambicion more then for other needefull matter that the person of the Pope might come to Nyce so to allure him the more he promised not to require of him any confederacion nor to incense him to warre and much lesse to drawe him from tearmes of iustice in the cause of the king of England nor to importune him to create newe Cardinalls Neuerthelesse he was somewhat pushed on by the incitacion of the king of England who had now solemnly maried the Ladye Anne Bolleyne by whome hauing by due order of time procreated a Daughter he had to the preiudice of the Daughter of his first wife declared her Princesse of the Realme of England A title which is transferred to suche as are moste nearest the Crowne By reason of which action the Pope not hable to dissemble so great a contempt against the sea Apostolike nor refuse to graunt iustice to thEmprour had with the vowes and iustificacions of the Consistorie published that king guiltie of the cryme of contempt A matter which moued the king of England to desire with more importunitie both the parentage and enteruiewe of the Pope with the French kinge hoping muche in that kinge to remedye his cause and that if the Pope were induced to common vppon new matters against thEmprour he woulde desire to restore him and to drawe him to their coniunction and so almoste to constitute a triumuirate to giue lawes to the thinges of Italy At laste his going was concluded but not to Nyce for some difficultie interposed by the Duke of Sauoy touching the consigning of the Castel to the Pope hauing in likelyhood no inclination to displease the Emperour But the place was chaunged to Marseilles greatly to the pleasing and appetite of the French king who interpreted it not a little to his honour to reduce the enteruiew into his kingdome Neyther was it discontenting to the Pope as one that desired to satisfie him more with demonstrations to please his ambition then with effects according to true meaning The Pope caused to be published a brute that he went to this enteruiew principally to solicite an vniuersall peace secondly to perswade an enterprise agaynst the Infidells thirdly to reduce and call backe to good wayes the king of Englande and lastely and onely for common and generall interests and to establish some good fourme in the vniuersall affayres But beeing in deede not hable to dissemble the true cause of his iourney before he departed he sent his Neece to Nice vpon the gallies which the French king sent to him accompanied with the duke of Albania vncle to the young Lady Which gallies after they had deliuered the Lady to Nice returned to the port Pisan and tooke in the fourth of October the person of the Pope with a trayne of many Cardinalls whom with a happy nauigation they brought in few dayes to Marseilles There he made his solemne entry and after him entred the French king who had visited him before by night They were lodged in one Pallace and exercised reciprocally one vpon an other right great offices and demonstrations of amitie And the king who especially laboured to insinuate into his fauour and to winne him besought him to sende for his Neece to come to Marseilles which beeing perfourmed with a willing readines in the Pope who forbare to preuent the king in that motion to shewe that he would first debate of the common affayres so soone as the Lady was come the contractes wente on which were immediatly confirmed and made perfect by the consommation of the mariage to the incredible gladnes of the Pope Who albeit with such art solicited his affayres with the king that the king reapposed a wonderfull confidence in his wordes and honored him with a singular affection yet both contrary to thopinion of all men and especially agaynst thexspectation of themprour no article or capitulation was passed betweene them Onely the Pope shewed him selfe alwayes well inclined and desirous that the state of Millan might be conuerted to the Duke of Orleance husbande to his Neece A matter also vehemently thirsted after by the king for a hatred despite he bare to the Emprour and his greatnes fortunes But much more for that the duke of Orleance hauing to his share an estate of that apparance greatnes he thought that therby would be quenched the occasiōs of contentions betwene his children after his death ▪ which otherwise he feared might fall amongest them for the title of the Duchie of Britaine ▪ An estate which the king in the yere before contrarie to the couenauntes made by king Levvis with those people had annexed and vnited to the Crowne of Fraunce wherevnto he induced the subiects of that state to consent more by his kingly authoritie then of their proper inclination and will. Moreouer in this enteruiew muche lesse that the king coulde obteyne any fauour of the Pope in the cause of the king of Englande seeing beeing discontented with the inciuilities of the Agentes of that king whom he founde in the Popes chamber protesting and appealing from him to the Councell he tolde the Pope that it should nothing offende him if he pursued that king and his cause according to the rule of iustice yea he was so moderate in his demaundes and dealings that in nothing did he offende the minde of the Pope sauing that more to satisfie others of his Court and counsell then to content himselfe he solicited him to create three Cardinalls A matter not a little discontenting to the Pope not so muche for thinstance whiche themperours Embassadour made to the contrarie as for that he interpreted it to an action of great consequence both for thelection of other Popes hereafter and for the disobediences whiche might happen in hys lyfe and after to adde so many Cardinalls to the French nation beeing at that time sixe in number Neuerthelesse to preuent a greater euill with satisfying the lesser he accomplished the kings demaunde making to be concurrante in the action of that creation a brother of the Duke of Albanie to whome he had before promised the Cardinalls Cappe In all other regardes they seemed to stande firme and assured in all sortes of fidelitie and satisfaction and in that good estate of inclination and amitie the Frenche king was not curious to communicate with him many of his counsells and especially his determination to stirre vp agaynst themprour certayne Princes of Germany and chiefly the Lantgraue van Hesse and the Duke of VVittemberg who the sommer following drewe into commotion And so wyth these actions and demonstrations of amitie and office after they had passed a moneth at Marseilles the Pope returned
Cardinall of Amboyse aspireth to the Popedome Frauncis Piccolomini made pope The Vrsins against Valentynois Valentynois distressed by the Vrsins Pope Pius the thirde dieth Cardinall S. Petri Ad vincla made Pope The Pope â—oÌ„plaineth to the Venetâ—ans The VenetiaÌ„s ansvvere to the nevve Pope Faenza taken by the Venetians Duke Valentynois arested by the Pope 〈…〉 beyonde the Mounts A truce betvveene the kinges of Spayne and Fraunce VVhat hapned to the French men as they vvould haue passed Garillon Bart. Aluiano commeth to the 〈…〉 of Consaluo Peter de Medicis d 〈…〉 Peace betvveene the Turke â—â— the Venetians Discourse vpoÌ„ the nauigations of the Spaniards Complaints of the Frenchemen Consaluo deserueth the title of great captayne Valentynois prisoner by Consaluo Truce betvveene the kinges of Spayne and Fraunce Confederation betvveene the Pope king of Romains and the â—â—enâ—he king against the Venâ—â—ans The death of king Federike The death of Elizabeth Queene of Spayne Testament of Queene Elizabeth The Florentins broken by the Pisans Death of Cardinall Arkanius Consaluo aydeth the Florentins The Florentins debate vvhether they should besege Pisa The Florentins armie afore Pisa Peace betvvene the French king and king of Spayne An horrible act of a Cardinall Sedes of nevv vvarres Dissimulation very daungerous in the persons of great men King Philip saileth out of Flaunders into Spayne King Phillip caste by casualtie of sea vpon the cpasts of Englande Philip promiseth to redeliuer to king H. the duke of Suffolke Capitulations betvvene Ferdinand Philâ—p The conditioÌ„ of imperie dignitie ielous Imaginations of the French king The Pope deuiseth to vvin agayne Bolognia Malice is infinite in her actions The Pope vvill go in person to the enterprise of Bolognia The great capteine consirmed in the duchy of S. Ange. The death of king Phillip A coÌ„tinuance of the historie of Iulio d'Este The death of duke Valentynois The citie of Genes rebelleth Rebellion increaseth in occasions The seate of dominion very casual vvhere it diuolueth by election Rashnes hath no societie vvith discretion The contentes of the French armie The first defease of the Genovvies The Genovvaies sende to solicite for pardon The rebels of Genes yeelde to the French king The Frenche king entreth as a conquereâ— into Genes The sub 〈…〉 of the rebels of Genes The Pope and the Venetians incite the k. of Romains to make vvarre vppon the French king The dyet of Constance Themperour speaketh in the dyet The kings of Aragon and Fraunce haue enteruievv together The oration of Ni. Foskarin The oration of Andrevv Gritti Deliberation of the Venetians Aluiano beeing sent to suâ—â—â—r Friul giueth the rout to the Almains Truce betvvene Maximilian and the Venetians Thassâ—â—bly of Cambrâ—â— Deliberation of the Venetians The Pope ratisieth the treatise of Cambray A coÌ„tinuation of the vvarrs of Pisa Contract betvvene the French king king of Spaine and the Florentins The French king prepareth agaynst the Venetians The VenetiaÌ„s looke to them selues The ordenaÌ„ce house of Venice on fire Beginning of the vvarre The Popes Bull agaynst the Venetians The Venetians armie The armies affront one an other and feight not Deâ—ait of the Venetians Aluiano takeÌ„ prisoner The taking of many tovvnes by the french The lamentations made as Venice for the ouerthrovv The Popes souldiours in Romagnia The oration of Anth. Iustinian to Caesar Diuers opinions touching the fall of the Venetians The first hope of the Venetians The last actioÌ„ of the Florentins agaynst the Pisans Pisa rendred to the Florentins The VenetiaÌ„s determine to recouer Padoa The VenetiaÌ„s recouer Padoa The Marquis of Mantua prisoner The oration of Leonard Loredan The gentlemeÌ„ of Venice go to the succors of Padoa Description of Padoa Max returneth into Germany The Venetian armie at Vincensa The Venetian armie vpon the contrey of Ferrara Description of Verona Themâ— and the k. Caâ—h â—a to accord touching the gouernment of Castill Death of the Count Petillano The Venetian absolued The league of Caesar and the French king agaynst the Venetians The Pope threatneth the duke of Ferrara Monsr de Chaumont agaynst the Venetians The Vincentins yeelde to discression 〈…〉 M. Chaumont incampeth as Lungaro Conuencion betwene Caesar and the fr. king The taking of Monselice The Popes deliberation to chasse the french out of Italy The Popes ariuie against Ferrara and Genes The descending of the Swyzzers to the Duchie of Myllan The Venetians recouer most part of their townes after the departing of Chaumont Verâ—na beseged by the Vencuans Marquis of Mantua escapeth out of prison The Pope determineth to assaâ—le Genes Pope Iulio The kings disposition agaynst the Pope The Popes armie and the VenetiaÌ„s vppon the countrey of Ferrara Chaumont besiegeth the Pope vvithin Bolognia Chaumont retyreth from before Bolognia Mirandola beseeged The Pope in person at the campe assâ—re Mirandola Mirandâ—la yeldeth â—â— the Pope A neâ— deliberacion of the french according to the kinges direction Triuulce reasoneth The sr â–ª armie returneth to the Duchie of Myllan The sâ—â—k takes Bolognia into his protection The Pope makes ouerture of a new councell â—â— breake the councell of Pysa Friull taken agayne by the Almains The VenetiaÌ„s recouer Friul The Pope holden for dead The Pope pursueth his enterprise to chase the fr. out of Italie The hopes of the Pope The thoughtâ— of the fr. king Ouerture of the Councell of Pisa Cardinal Medicis vvho aftervvards vvas Pope Leo the tenth The Pope makes league vvith the Venetians the king Catholike 〈…〉 of the league The Pope depriueth the rebell Cardinalâ—s of the hat Pandolffo Po. councelleth the Pope A contencion betwene the Florentyns the Cardinalls rebells An ac 〈…〉 dent 〈…〉 the Card 〈…〉 lls depart 〈…〉 a. 〈…〉 The fr king suspecteth Maxymylian VVhat people the Swyzzers be Vales 〈…〉 Grisons The French king demaundeth succ 〈…〉 of the Florentins Soderin for the Frenche king The enterprise of Bolognia by the Pope and king of Aragon The Popes armie retireth from before Bolognia M. de Foix defeateth Ioh. Pavvle Baillon Bressia taken and sacked The armie of Monsr de Foix. The armie of she Confederats The seate of Rauenna The Confederats as the succours of Rauenna The order of the FrenchmeÌ„ in the battell of Rauenna Mâ—â—Soanâ—â— de 〈…〉 encourageth his souldiours to the battell The confederates army The death of Yues d'Allegre Monsr de Foix slaine The number of the dead Rauenna saâ—â—ed The Cardinals councell the Pope to harkeÌ„ to peace The Svvyzzers rise for the Pope against the frenchmen The Card. of Medicis escapeth from the french The D. of Ferrara goeth to Rome to demaund pardon of the Pope The D. of Ferrara in daunger to be prisoner at Rome The resolutioÌ„ of the treatie of Mantua by the confederates The Medicis returne to Florence Peter Sodeâ—in reasoneth in the Councell Prato taken by the Spaniards The castell of Genes taken by the Genowaies Bressia rendred by the french to the Viceroy Crema rendred to the Venetians The Bishop of Gurcy
at Rome Maxymylian Sforce restored to Myllan ThEnglish men as Fontarabye against the french king The king of Aragon taketh the Realme of Nauarre The purposes of Pope Iulio the second his death Creation of Pope Leo the tenth Coronation of the Pope Disposition of princes to the vvarre Desire of pope Leo to chase the Frenche out of Italy The Fr. men in the duchie of Millan The Pope sendeth money to the Svvizzers 〈…〉 Aluiano 〈…〉 generall â—â— the Venetians Aluiano taketh Pesquiero and other 〈…〉 Genes at the deuotion of the French. Nouaro beseged by the french The wordes of Capteine Motyn to the Svvyzzers The Frenchemen defeated by the Svvizzers The Pâ—pe 〈…〉 Humilitie of two Cardinals Padoa 〈…〉 gâ—d by the Viceroy Ouerthrowe of the Venetians armie Prouisions of the Frenche agaynst the king of Englande Torvvaine besieged by the English. The ouerthrow â—f the French neare 〈…〉 Rising of the Swizzers against the French king Thenglish as mie affore Tournay Tornay taken by thEnglish The Popes sentence touching the controuersies betwene Cesar the VenetiaÌ„s The hopes of the Frenche king Treatie of peace betwene Englande and Fraunce The Fr. king marieth the Lady Mary sister to the king of Englande Actions of the Pope The lantern of Genes rased by the people Emocions against the Venetians and of the Venetians Two ElephaÌ„ts presented to the Pope The death of king Lowys the twelfth 1515. Frauncis the first comes to the crowne The fr. king assumeth the title of duke of Millan Preparacions of the frenche king against the Duke of Millan Octauian Fregosa Duke of Genes â—â—mpoundes with the Frenche king The Swizzers seeke to stoppe the passage of the Frenche men The French armie The king of EnglaÌ„d sends to the frenche king not to passe into Italie The treatie betwene the king and the Swizzers broken The Cardinal of Syon persâ—adeth the Swizzers The battell of Marignan Pe. Nauarre afore the Castell of MillaÌ„ Death of Aluiano Enteruiew of Pope Leo the fr. king in Bolognia 1516. The french king returneth into Fraunce Death of the king Catholike Death of the Great Capteine The Venetians recouer Bressia The Pope taketh the Duchie of Vrbin giueth it to Laur â–ª de Medicis his nephew Capitulations betwene the French king and king Catholike Beginningâ— of new 〈…〉 Vrbin returneth to the obedience of the naturall Duke Fano besieged Description of the Citie of Pesero Consederacion betwene the Pope and fr. king Franciscomaria sendes to defie law de Medicis Scituacion of Fossambrono Lawrence loaseth thoccasioÌ„ of the victory Lawrence de Medicis hurt Ielousie against Iohn Ia. Tryuulce The death of Ioh. Ia. Triuulce The french aspireth to be Emperour 1519 Death of Lavv. de Medicis Charles the fife chesen Emperour Occasions of contention betwene the fr. king and themperor The Popes enterprise vppon Ferrara 1520. Martin Luther agaynst the Pope The Pope executeth Io. Paule Baillon ThEmprour in England Commocions in Spaine Pope Leo is the cause of the warre Fontarabye taken by the french Martin Luther Confederation betwene the Pope and thEmperour agaynst the fr. king The titles of thempire to the duchie of Millan Practises against the fr. king FrauÌ„cis Guicciardin the writer of this history Monsr d'Escud before Reggia Lightning vpon the castell of Millan The Marquis of Mantua for the Pope The resolucioÌ„ for the warre agaynst the Frenchmen Monsr de Lawtrech returneth to Millan Frauncis Guicciardin generall coÌ„maunder ouer the army The capteines of the league take counsell together The siege of Parma The Popes Capteines and the Emprours take councell to passe further The armie of the league passeth the riuer of Paw A fault of Monsr de Lavvtrech The Svvizzers leauied by the Pope vvoulde not march against the Frenche king The souldiers of the league passe the riuer of Adda The taking of Myllan by the league The death of Pope Leo the tenth The Frenche men before Parma The duke of Vrbin reentreth his estates Election of Pope Adrian the sixt The D. of Vrbin and the Baillons before Sienna Alexandria taken by the Imperialls Ten thowsand Swizzers discend into the Duchie of Millan for the fr. king Iohn Medicis for the french king The French men before Millan Frauncis Sforce at Millan Monsr Lawtrech before Pauia The Swvizzers woulde leaue the sr armie for that they are not payde Monsr Lawtrech determined to set vppon his enemies Thencounter of Bicocque The ouerthrow of the Swizzers Monsr Lawtrech returneth into Fraunce Loda taken by the Imperialls Genes taken by the Imperialls Monsr d'Escud returneth into Fraunce Emotions in Tuskane An accident in the towne of Lucquai The prouinces of â—â—alâ—e are taxed for the conseruation of the duchie of Millan Pope Adrian the vi coÌ„meth to Rome The king of England for thEmprour sendeth Embassadors to the Venetians to draw them from thalliaÌ„ce of the french VVhat thEmprour did in Spaine Roades taken Rhodes rendred vp to the Turke The Castell of Millan rendred by the French. The oracion of Andrevv Gritti touching thalliance vvith Caesar The oratioÌ„ of George Cornaro Andrea Gritty Duke of Venice Consederacion betwene Caesar and the Venetians Cardinall Volterro prisoner The French armie marcheth Confederacie betwene theÌ„prour the k. of England and the Duke of Burbon The french army in Italy The death of Pope Adrian Frauncis Guicciardin The taking of Reggia by the duke of Ferrara The taking of Loda by the French. The frenchmen breake vp from before Millan Cardinal Medicis is created Pope and taketh the name of Clement the seuenth The death of Prospero Colonno and his qualities The Duke of Burbon notable to doe any thing in Burgondie commeth to Myllan The imperials passe the riuer of Thesin The frenchmen go from before Millan The claime of the Kings of England to the Crowne of Fraunce The frenche king determineth to passe the mountes and to follow the ennemie The French king before Pauia The fr. king sendeth the Duke of Albanie into the realme of Naples The Pope counsellâ—th the fr. king and themperour to peace Duke of Ferrara aydes the French king during the siege of Pauia 1525. The defendantes of Pauya in necessitie The french king will â—â—t 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 of his Captemes The Imperialls take the castell S. Angeo Thimperialls drawe neare to Pauia The battell of Pauia wherin the frâ—king is take prisoner The Potentats of Italy in great feare for the imprisonment of the French king The VenetiaÌ„s solicite the Pope to confederate with them Thimperialls determine to accorde with the Pope Confederation betweene the Pope and the Emprour The rightes pretensions of the familie of Est The Pope sendes to visite the french king beeing prisoner The moderation and temperance of thâ— Emprour â—poÌ„ the neâ—es of the victory The Oration of the Bishop of Osimo touching the taking of the fr. king The opinion of the duke of Alba touching the kings imprisonment The sorowes and feares of Fraunce for the imprisonment of the king A treatise of of accord
betwene the Viceroy and the Venetians The person of the frenche king led prisoner into Spaine Occasions giuen to themperour of new emotions Conspiracy agaynst the Emprour Capitulations betwene the confederates agaynst the Emprour The 〈…〉 ing 〈…〉 s 〈…〉 in the cas 〈…〉 of Madrill The Lady Alanson treateth with theÌ„prour for the kinges deliuery Cardinall Saluiatio the Popes Legate in the Court of themprour Ierome MoroÌ„ prisoner The Duke of Burbon in Spaine The death of the Marquis of Pisquairo Deuises of Princes against the power of thEmprour Qualities of Pope Leo and Clement Pope Clement the 〈…〉 makes a lâ—agee agaynst themprour ThEmperour maried to the daughter of Portugall Oration of the Chauncellor Oration of the Viceroy The treaty of Madrill touching the deliuery of the fr. king The fr. king marieth themprours sister Themprour vvriteth to the Pope touching the fr. kings deliuery The maner of the deliuery of the french king The fr. king complaineth vppon thEmprour The inhabitants of Myllan rise vp against the imperialls Themprour ill contented The Pope the fr. king and Venetians make league together Loda surprised by the Venetians The armie of the lâ—â—gue before Millan The army of the league broken vp from before Myllan Katherine de Medicis The Pope in great astonishment The inhabitants of Millan ill handled by the Spanyards The inhabitantes of Millan implore the compassion of the Duke of Burbon The armye of the league come before Millan the second time The Castell of Millan rendred to thimperialls Soliman Ottoman in Hungria The Pope moueth the confederates to inuade the realme of Naples Prouisions of the Emprour against the confederats Cremona rendred to the confederats Capitulacion betwene the Colonnois and the Pope to deceiue him King of Hungrie ouerthrowen in battell by Solyman Truce betwene the Pope and thEmperour Cremona giueÌ„ by the confederates to Fr. Sforce The league signified to the emprour Deliberation of the duke of Vrbin Catherine de Medicis Duke of Vrbin goeth agaynst the launce knights of George Fronsp Death of Iohn de Medicis Encounter of the Nauye of thempror with the fleete of the confederates The prince of Orenge vvith the Launceknights Ierom Moron out of prison Capitulations betwene theÌ„prour duke of Ferrara 1427. The duke of Burbon goeth out of Millan and leaueth there Antho. de Leua The duke of Ferrara perswadeth the duke of Burbon Continuation of the warre begon in thestate ecclesiastike Caesar Fieremosquo sent by themprour to the Pope The confederates resolue to inuade Naples Monsr Vaudemont the Popes lieftenant Exploytes of the Nauy of the confederates Katherine de Medicis Count Caiazzo goeth from thimperialls to the pay of thEcclesiastikes The Duke of Ferrata couÌ„celleth the Duke of Burbon to goe to Rome The Pope loaseth corage and why The Pope accerdeth with thImperialls Tumult in Florence The Pope compelled to harken to the warre The duke of Burbon draweth his army directly to Rome The Duke of Burbon slayne at the assault of Rome Rome taken and sacked The Pope being abaÌ„doned of all hopes compoundeth with the Imperialls Plague in Rome Confederacion betwene the French king and the king of England Monsr Lawtrech Capteine generall of the league The Cardinal of Yorke in Fraunce Awicked act Genoway returneth to thobedience of the French king Alexandria taken The sacke of Pauya Demaundes which the Emperour made to the armie of the confederats if thaccord went on The Duke of Ferrara entreth into the league Accorde betâ—eene the Pope and themprours Agents The Pope goeth out of prison The Pope thanketh Monsr Lavvtrech for his deliuerie 1528. VVarre denounced agaynst themprour by the kings of Englande and Fraunce The lie giuen by the french king to themprour For what occasioÌ„ the king of EnglaÌ„d refused his wife the Lady Katherine of Aragon Lawtrech entring into the Realme of Naples Andre Dore retyreth from Genes Peter Nauare taleth Aquila The Imperial army yssueth out of Rome The contents of Monsr 〈…〉 treches army Monsr S. Pol appoynted to the warres of Italy Miserable condition of the citie of Millan The Frenche befiâ—gâ— Napler Resolution of thImperialls within Naples Fight at sea betweene the Imperials and French. Death of the Viceroy Dâ— Hugo Monkado Disc 〈…〉 dities aswel of the imperials as the French during the siege of Naples Obstinacie of Monsr Lavvtrech The affaires of the French men begin to decline Antho. de Leua recouereth Pauia Duke of Br 〈…〉 dswyke in Italie for the Emperour Loda besieged by thimperialls The bandes of LauÌ„ceknights vnder Brundswike do mutine The Popes excuses to the confederats The Popes inâ—â—â—ion touching â—lâ—rice Cardinall CaÌ„peius Legaâ— in England Andre Dore leaueth the paye of the French. Couenantes betwene themprour and Andre dore Many difficulties in the â—â—â—army Death of Monsr Lawtrech Capitulations of the Marquis of Salussa with the Imperialls The proceedings of MoÌ„sr Saint Pol in Lombardy The taking of Genoway by Andre Dore New gouernment established in Ge 〈…〉 ay Mont Ian misseth to surprise Andre Dore. Execucions at Naples Proceedings of Monsr Saint Polin Lombardy Deuises of the Pope â—â— restore his house in Florence Cause of the ruine of the Cardinal of Yorke All the Princes harken to peace Monsr Saint Pol prisoner to Antho. dâ— Leua The Pope at accord with thEmprour Peace betwen thEmprour French king negociated in Cambray Themprour sendeth to the P. of Orenge to inuade the states of the Florentins Themprour at Genes vvhither the princes of Italy send embassadours to him The Pope maketh offers to Malatesâ—a The Pope the Emperour as Bolognia Capitulacions betwene the Emprour the Venetians duke of Millan Myllan rendred by themprour to FrauÌ„cis Sforce Lastra taken Camisado Themprour taketh the Crowne at Bolognia Empoly sackt by the Marquis of Guast The Florentins out of hope to be succoured by the fr. king The prince of Orenge slaine The issue of the vvarre of Florence The flaâ—e of the Ciâ—ie of Florence after the siege Ferdinand elected king of Romaines The French king and king of England ill disposed to the Emprour The French king inciâ—â—â—â— the Turke against thEmprour The Pope holdeth him selfe offended with the Empr 〈…〉 The Turke returneth with shame to Constantinople Enteruiew of the king of England and French king A second enteruiew of the Pope and Emprour aâ— Bolognia Katherine de Medicis A league for the defense of Italy The Pope wil not â—arken to â— councell The Pope refuseth to giue his Neece in mariage to the Duke of Myllan Enteruiew of the Pope and fr. king at Marseilles Katherine de Medicis maried to the second sonne of Fraunce The Pope knoweth his end Barberossa aâ— Thunis Death of pope Clement the vij Creation of Pope Paule the thirde A TABLE OF THE MOST PRINCIPALL AND GENERALL MATTERS CONTEYNED in the historie digested according to the order Alphabit A ASensible and apparant token of the ruyne of Princes when they esteme themselues more then they are and make their enemies lesse then they find them 21. A good
proppertie of wisedom in parents to finde out the disposition of their children 52. A thing very daūgerous for men to gouerne by examples if there be not c. 52. A resolut part of a Councellor 59. All things earthly are subiect to their seasons of reuolucion and in mortal felicities can be no assurance nor perpetuity 88 Armes do litle aduaunce where policy is not concurrant and victorie bringeth a very short glory where the gouernment is vnperfect 88. Attēpt vpon the towne of Nouaro 96. Army of the confederats 99. Alfonso king of Aragon dyeth 115. A voyce mistaken defeateth an enterprise 135. An errour familiar with Princes ambicious to measure the euēt of things more by c. 189. Aluiano taketh Bybienna 201. After the seedes of aduersitie be sowen there is no longe exspectacion for the frutes c. 229. A weake surety whose fundatiō is builded vpon the blood of innocents a lamentable example to purge surmised suspicion by vnlawful murder 255. All violent attemptes being set foorth without councell at the beginning seeme mightie but c. 265. Accord betwene the frenche king and the Florentins 265. Aretza rebelleth against the Florentins in fauor of Peter de Medicis 267. Amongst vertuous men reconciliacion hath this propertie to knitte with greater suretie of faith constancy the harts that haue liued in seperacion 280. Anthony de Leua 287. Ambicion hath infinite operacions in this it abuseth the imaginations of men that c. 304. Aluiano being sent to succour Friull giueth the ouerthrow to thAlmains 399. Aluiano taken prisoner 422. Ambicion is a busie humor for that in whom it ruleth it maketh thē hard to be contented with thinges which they haue c. 476. An accidēt which made the Cardinals depart from Pisa 555. Army of the confederats 578. Actions of the Pope 676. Army of the league passeth the riuer of Paw 802. Alexandria taken by thimperialls 825. Army of the league before Millan 989 Army of the league come before Millan the second time 1002. A wicked act 1076. Alexandria taken 1078. Accord betwene the Pope themperours Agents 1085. Anthony de Leua recouereth Pauia 1110 Andrewe Dore leaueth the pay of the french 1117. B Beginning of the warre 36. Beginning of the warres of Pisa 72. Battell of Taro. 102. Beginning of warres in Naples vnder king Lewys the xij 267. Bart. Aluiano commeth to the succors of Consaluo 323. Bressia taken and sacked 574. Bressia rendered by the frenche to the Viceroy 619. Bishop of Gurcy at Rome 620. Bart. Aluiano Capteine generall of the Venetians 641. Bart. Aluiano taketh Pesquiero and other places 641. Battell of Marignan 703. Beginnings of new troubles 729. Battell of Pauya wherein the Frenche king is taken prisoner 902. Barbarousse at Thunis 1183. C Creacion of Pope Alexander 4. Corrupcion of Cardinals in thelection of the Pope Ibid. Confederacion betwene the Pope the Venetians and Duke of Myllan 11. Confederacion betweene the kinge of Fraunce and Lod. Sforce 19. Confederacion betwene the Pope and Alfonso king of Naples 28. Coniectures against the suttleties of Lod. Sforce 39. Cardinall S. Petri ad vincla giues a new life to the expedicion of Naples 41. The Collonnoys for the French k. 46. Cardinal S. P. ad vincla perswadeth the Pysans not to reuolt 56. Capitulacions betweene the French k. and the Florentyns 59. Capitulacions betweene the Pope and French king 63. Cardinal Valence the Popes sonne 64. Complaintes of the Pysans before the French king 74. Confederat league against the French king 87. Citie of Naples riseth to let in Ferdinand 112. Capitulacions betweene the Frenche king and the Florentyns 118. Couenants betwene Ferdinand king of Naples and the Venetians 146. Camylla Vrsin slayne 154. Consaluo surpriseth the French. 156. Caesar sendeth Embassadors to Florence 164. Caesar is comen to Pisa 167. Caesar marcheth to Lyuorna Ibid. Caesar leauieth his campe from Lyuorna 168. Caesar excuseth his suddeine departure 168. Caesar stealeth in hast into Germany 169. Capitulacions betweene the Pope and the Vrsins 172. Consaluo entreth Rome Ibid. Cardinal Valēce killeth his brother the d. of Cādia being both the Popes sōns 179 Castell of Genes rendred to the Duke of Myllan 181. Cardinall of Valence the Popes sonne renownceth his profession 203. Cardinal of Valence made Duke of Valentynois 204. Councell of Melchior Treuisan 209. Conclusion of the league betwene the French king and Venice 213. Count Caiezza leaueth the Duke of Millan 226. Cardinall Askanius leaueth Myllan abandoned 242. Cardinal Askanius betraied takē Ibid Cardinall Askanius deliuered ouer to the French men Ibid. Councell of S. Gregorie against ambicion 249. The chaunces in warre are diuerse and haue in them many hiddē fortunes which neither the wisedom of c. 253. Capitulacions betwene the D. Valentynois and Florentyns 256. Computacion of the French army 257 Consaluo retyreth to Barletto 274. Confederaciō against Valentynois 278 Capitulacions betwene the Vrsins and D. Valentynois 280. Cardinall Vrsin made prisoner 283. Combat betwene twelue French men against twelue Italyans 289. Consaluo in Naples 297. Castells of Naples takē by the spanish 300. Cardinall Amboise aspyreth to the Popedom 311. Cardinal S. Petri ad vincla made Pope 314. Complaints of the French. 331. Consaluo deserueth the title of greate Capteine 324. Confederaciō betwene the Pope king of Romains and the French king against the Venetians 338. Consaluo aydeth the Florentyns 346. Capitulacions betwene Ferdinand and Phillip 355. The condicion of imperie and dignitie is ielous 356. Continuance of the historye of Iulio d'Este 364. Citie of Genes rebelleth 365. Contents of the French army 372. Continuaciō of the warres of Pisa 412. Contract betweene the French kinge king of Spaine and the Florentyns 413. Conuencion betweene Caesar and the French king 477. Chaumont beseegeth the Pope within Bolognia 496. Chaumont retyreth from before Bolognia 499. Contencion betwene the Florentins rebellious Cardinalls 553. Coūcel of Pisa trāsferred to Millā 555. Confederats at the succors of Rauenna 582. The Confederats army 585. Cardinalls councel the Pope to harken to peace 590. Cardinal de Medicis escapeth from the French. 600. Conquest draweth with it ambiciō insolencie and couetousnes with c. 605 Castell of Genes taken by the Genowaies 619. Creacion of Pope Leo the tenth 633. Coronacion of the Pope 634. Capteine Martines words to the Swizzers 644. Cardinal of Syō perswadeth the Swizzers in an oracion 700. Capitulacions betweene the Frenche king and king Catholike 725. Confederacion betwene the Pope and French king 735. Charles the v. chosen Emprour 768. Commocions in Spayne 775. Confederacion betwene the Pope and thEmprour against the French king 781. Capteines of the league take councell together 790. Castel of Myllan rendred by the french 842. Cardinall Voltero prisoner 852. Confederacion betwene the emprour the king of England the Duke of Burbon 855. Cardinall Medicis is created Pope and taketh the name of Clement the vij 866. Claime of the kings of England to
the crowne of Fraunce 876. Confederacion betwene the Pope and thEmprour 910. Conspiracy against thEmprour 935. Capitulacions betweene the confederats against thEmprour 935. Castell of Myllan rendred to thImperialls 1004. Cremona rendred to the confederats 1014. The Confederats resolue to inuade Naples 1040. Confederacion betweene the Frenche king and king of England 1070. Cardinall of Yorke in Fraunce 1073. Cardinal Campeius Legat in England 1114. Couenants betwene Andre Dore and thEmprour 1119. Causes of the ruyne of the Cardinall of Yorke 1139. Capitulacions betweene thEmprour the Venetians Duke of Myllan 1161. Creaciō of Pope Pawle the third 1183 D Duchie of Brittaine inuested in the crowne of Fraunce 24. Death of Ferdinand king of Aragō 27. Duke of Calabria marcheth towardes Calabria 37. Death of Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan 48. Dom Federyk aunswereth the French king 84. Death of Ge. Otto a Turke and kept in refuge by the Pope 85. Duke of Venice reasoneth in fauour of the Pysans and preuaileth 143. Declinacion of the French in the kingdom of Naples 156. Duke of Candia generall of the Popes army 170. Duke of Myllan practiseth against the Venetians touching Pisa 176. Disorders in Florence for the gouernment 177. Duke of Myllan prosecuteth his practise against the Venetians 183. Death of king Charles the eight 184. Death of Sauonarola 185. Duke of Venice aunswereth the Florentyn Embassadors 197. Doings of the French king during the warre of Pisa 203. Duke of Myllan being made astonished with the league soliciteth an accord 215. Duke Valentynois taketh Ymola by the ayde of the French. 236. Discending of the Turke Ibid. Duke Valentynois taketh Furly 237. Disorders in the Frenche gouernment in Myllan 238. Duke of Myllan made prisoner by the treason of the Swizzers 242. Duke Valentynois beseegeth Faenza 250. Duke Valentynois leauieth his campe Ibid. Duke Valentynois disdayneth to be repulsed 251. Duke Valentynois taketh the Duchie of Vrbyn 269. Disorders in Florence touchinge the gouernment 272. Duke Valentynois with the frēch k. 274. Duke Valētynois great with the french king againe 275. Duke of Vrbyn recouereth his estate 278. Duke Valentynois demaundeth succor of the French king Ibid. Death of Cardinall Vrsin 283 Discending of the Swyzzers into the Duchie of Myllan 291. Duke Valentynois for the french k. 310. Duke Valentynois arested by the Pope 318. Discourse vpon the nauigacions of the Spanyards 328. Death of king Federyk 339. Death of Elizabeth Queene of Spaine 340. Death of Cardinall Askanius 345. Dissimulacions very daungerous in the persons of great men 354. Death of king Philip. 363. Death of Duke Valentynois 365. Dyot of Constance 376. Deliberacion of the Venetians 394. Deliberacion of the Venetians 410. Defeate of the Venetians 422. Diuerse opinions touching the fall of the Venetians 430. Descripcion of Padoa 445. Descripcion of Verona 458. Death of the Count Petillano 460. Discending of the Swizzers to the Duchie of Myllan 483. Duke of Ferrara goeth to Rome to demaund pardon of the Pope 603. Duke of Ferrara in daunger to be prisoner at Rome Ibid. Disposiciō of Princes to the warre 634. Desire of Pope Leo to chase the french king out of Italy 638. Death of king Lewys the 12. 684. Death of Aluiano 709. Death of the king Catholike 714. Death of the great Capteine Ibid. Duchie of Vrbyn returneth to the obedience of the naturall Duke 732. Descripcion of the citie of Pezero 733. Death of Iohn Ia. Tryunlce 761. Death of law de Medicis 766. Disorder in an army breeds more daūger then the sword of thennemy 798. Death of Pope Leo the tenth 813. Duke of Vrbyn and the Baillons before Sienna 823. Death of Pope Adrian 857. Death of Prospero Colonno and his qualities 868. Duke of Burbon commeth to Myllan being not able to do any thing in Burgondie 869. Defendants of Pauya in necessitie 894. Duke of Burbon in Spayne 943. Death of the Marquis of Pisquaro 943. Deuises of Princes against the power of thEmprour 944. Duke of Burbon goeth out of Myllan leaueth there Antho. de Leua 1035. Duke of Ferrara perswadeth the D. of Burbon 1036. Duke of Burbon draweth his army directly to Rome 1059. Duke of Burbon slayne at the assalt of Rome 1061. Death of the Viceroy Don Hugo Mōcado 1105. Duke of Brundswike in Italy for thEmprour 1110. Death of Monsr Lawtrech 1122. Deuises of the Pope to restore his house in Lombardy 1137. Death of Pope Clement the vij 1183. E Estate wherein Italy was anno 1490. 1 Embassadors of Myllan perswade the french king to the voyage of Naples 14. Embassadors of Florence confute the complaints of the Pysans 75. Encownter of Soriano 171. Embassadors of the Florentyns at Venice 196. Eldest sonne of king Federyk sent into Spayne 262. Experience declareth this to be true that that which many desire succeedeth rarely for that theffects of humane actions c. 273. Exploytes of the french armies beyond the mountes 320. ThEmprour speaketh in the Dyot 377 Enterprise of Bolognia by the Pope king of Aragon 565. English men at Fontaraby against the french 624. Estate of humane felicities subiect to emulacion and nothing of more difficultie to mortal mē then to beare wel the height and greatnes of fortune 629. English army affore Tournaye 665. Elephantes presented to the Pope 682. Enteruiew of Pope Leo and the french king in Bolognia 711. Emprour in England 775. Election of Pope Adrian the sixt 822. Emprour Charles maried to the daughter of Portugall 951. Emprour writeth to the Pope touching the french kings deliuery 964. Emprour ill contented 976. Execucion at Naples 1132. Emprour sendeth to the Prince of Orenge to inuade the Florentyns 1147. Emprour at Genes 1148. Emprour taketh the crowne at Bolognia 1165. Employ sackt by the Marquis of Guast 1168. Enteruiew of the king of England and French king 1176. Enteruiewe of the Pope and French k. at Marselles 1181. F Ferdinand king of Aragon 2. Frenche kinge sendeth Embassadors to the Pope Florentyns and Venetians 30 Florentyns aunswer the Frenche Embassadors 32. French king angry with the Florentyns aunswer 32. French king prayeth amitie of the Venetians 33. Foreshowes of the calamities of Italy 40. French king doubtfull to goe thorowe with thenterprise of Naples 41. French king in Ast 43. French king discribed Ibid. French king visiteth Iohn Galeas Duke of Myllan 48. French king in minde to returne into Fraunce 49. Florentyns discontented with Peter de Medicis 54. French k. draweth towards Florēce 57. French king entreth Florence 58. French king at Syenna 60. French king entreth Rome 63. French king kisseth the Popes feete 64. French king entreth Naples 70. French king maketh offers to Dom Federyk 84. French king sendeth an army to inuade Yschia 84. French king vseth negligence in ordering the things of Naples 88. French king taketh councel what to do against the league of confederats 90. French k. crowned king of Naples 92. French king aspyreth to the surprising of Genes 98. French kinges attempts vppon Genes
speede euill 110. Ferdinand to reconquer his kingdom of Naples Ibid. French pockes their beginning 128. Factions breede insurrections 135. French nauy ariue at Caietta 147. French king maketh a posting pilgrimage to Towers and Saint Dennys 149. French king determineth to send Tryuulce into Italy as his Lieuetenant 150. The french begin to decline in Naples 154. The french send to capitulat with Ferdinand 157. Ferdinand dyeth 158. Federyk made k. of Naples 159. Florentyns haue small hope to be succored by the fr. king 165. Florentyns send aūswer to thEmprour 165. Frenche kinge maketh peace with his neighbours 204. French king requireth Pisa in trust 205 French king discendeth into Italy 224. French men take diuers peeces in the Duchie of Millan Ibid. Florentyns put Pawle Vitelly to death 233. French king being at Myllan compoūdeth with the most part of the Potentats of Italy 234. French kinge returneth into Fraunce hauing first set order in the Duchie of Millan 237. French men abandon Myllan 239. French men affraid to assalt Pisa 247. French k. sendeth aide to the Pope 249 Faenza yelded to the Duke 253. French king commaundeth the D. Valentynois to depart from the landes of the Florentyns 256. Federik in mind to cōmit him self to the honor clemency of the french king 261 French and Spanyards do disagree vppon the deuiding of Naples 266. Florentyns haue recourse to the french king 269. French king in Ast 273. Fortune hath a free will to come goe when she listeth c. 287. Florentyns in the contry of Pysa 303. Frenche kinge prepareth mightely against the king of Spayne 306. Frauncis Piccolominy made Pope 312 Faenza taken by the Venetians 318. Florentyns broken by the Pysans 347. Florentins debate whether they should beseege Pisa 348. Florentyns army before Pisa 350. First defeating of the Genowaies 372. French kinge entreth as a Conqueror into Genes 373. French king prepareth against the Venetians 414. French army returneth to the Duchie of Myllan 532. French king taketh Bolognia into his protection 533. French king demaundeth succours of the Florentyns 561. Frēchmē defeated by the Swizzers 646 French king marieth the Ladye Mary sister to the king of England 676. Frauncis the first cōmeth to the crown of Fraunce 685. Frenche king assumeth vppon him the title of Duke of Myllan 685. French army 691. French king returneth to Fraunce 713 Fano beseeged 733. Francisco Maria sendeth to defie law de Medicis 736. French k. aspireth to be Emprour 762. Fontaraby taken by the french 780. Frauncis Guicciardin generall of the army 789. Fault of Monsr de Lawtrech 805. French men before Parma 814. French men before Myllan 827. Frenchmē breake vp before Myllā 864 French king before Pauya 884. French k. sendeth the D. of Albanie into Naples 887. French king will not followe the councell of his Captaines 897. Frēch k. marieth themprours sister 963 French king complaineth vpon thEmprour 968. French men beseege Naples 1102. Feight at sea betwene thImperials and the french 1105. Ferdinand elected k. of Romanes 1171 French king and the king of England ill disposed to thEmprour 1173. French king inciteth the Turke against thEmprour Ibid. G Good estate of Italy before the troubles 2. Greate men doe seldome holde it any breache of iustice to be reuenged of him that doth the first iniurie 20. Gilbert Burbon Duke of Montpensier the kings Lieuetenant in Naples 91. Great cruelties of the french men 260. The great Capteine confirmed in the Duchie of S. Angeo 363. Genowaies send to solicit for pardon 372. Gentlemen of Venice goe to the succour of Padoa 444. Greate is the force of a multitude and people beginning to vary and chaunge so much the more c. 596. Genes at the deuocion of the Frenche king 642. Genes taken by thImperialls 833. Genes returneth to the obedience of the fr. king 1077. Genes taken by Andre Dore. 1125. H Howe and when great shot came first into Italy 45. Horrible act of a Cardinall 352. Hope rather prolongeth then satisfieth c. 490 Humilitie of two Cardinalls 650. I Intencion of the Author 1. Impudency of the Pope to iustifie his children 10. Iohn Iacques Tryuulce goeth to the french king 67. Ieronimo Sauonarola esteemed for a Propher in Florence 82. Ieronimo Sauonarola a Freare Preacher in Florence 97. In warres there is no further assurance of the souldier mercenary then he findeth sewertie of his pay c. 155. Intelligence factiō which Pe. de Medicis had in Florence is discouered 180. In matters of enterprise wise men will debate all things at large c. 205. In matters of daunger discression and councel are remedies no lesse assured then courage and discression c. 〈…〉 215. Insatiable lust of Duke Valētynois 260. In all humane actions there is nothing which with lesse perill may not temporise and exspect then rebellion c. 268. In matters of warre it is a daungerous errour to transgresse direction c. 279. Imaginations of the french king 356. In matters of enterprise nothinge is more hurtfull then delayes and nothing more hindreth c. 454. In tymes of perill wise men feare all thinges and doe hold it necessary for their sewertie to hold a suspicion c. 553. Ielousie against Ioh. Ia. Tryuulce 760. Imperialls take the castell of Saint Angeo 898. Imperialls draw neare to Pauya 900. Imperialls determine to accorde with the Pope 908. In worldly things there is no assurance till the end be knowen all mortall men their actions are put vnder an estate of incertainty and errours 990. Inhabitants of Millan ill handled by the Spanyards 996. Inhabitantes of Myllan implore the compassion of the Duke of Burbon 998. K King of Naples sendeth out his force 35. King of Naples sendeth out an army to take the citie of Genoway 36. Kingdom of Naples beginneth to conspire 64. Kings of Fraunce and Spayne deuide betwene them the kingdome of Naples 252. King Philip faileth out of Flaunders into Spayne 354. King Philip cast by casualtie of sea vppon the coast of England 355. Kinge Philip promiseth to redeliuer to the king of England the Duke of Suffolke 355. Kings of Aragon Fraunce haue enteruiew together 381. King of Aragon taketh the Realme of Nauarre 625. King of England sendeth to the french king not to passe into Italy 692. King of England for thEmprour 840. Katherine de Medicis 993. King of Hungarie ouerthrowen in battell by Solyman 1017. Katherine de Medicis 1042. Katherine de Medicis 1177. Katherine de Medicis maried to the second sonne of Fraunce 1181. L Lawrence de Medicis praysed for his vertues and gouernment 2 League for twenty yeares betwene the king of Naples Duke of Myllan and Venetians 3. law de Medicis dyeth 4. Lodowyke Sforce is ielous ouer the amities betwene Pe. de Medicis and thArragons 5. Lod. Sforce insinuateth enuye into the Pope against the Aragons and Medicis 8. Lod. Sforce seeketh to drawe the Pope to his purposes 14. Lewys Duke
of Orleans entreth Genes and preserueth it 37. Lod. Sforce goeth to visit the French king in Ast 44. Lod. Sforce Duke of Millan by vsurpacion 49. Lawrence and Iohn de Medicis with the french king 50. Lod. Sforce beginneth too late to feare the greatnes of the french 85. Lod. Sforce sendeth hawty messages to the D. of Orleance 95. Lod. suttle in dissembling 130. Lod. vaunteth him selfe to be the sonne of fortune 144. Lod. will aswell serue his turne vppon the k. of Romaines for his ambicion as he did of the fr. k. in his necessitie 160. Lodowyk perswadeth Caesar to goe to Pisa 161. Lewys Duke of Orleance succeedeth to the crowne 185. Lewys the 12. king of Fraunce entiteleth him selfe Duke of Myllan 189. Librafatta taken by Pawle Vitelly 200. Lod. strengthneth him selfe against the king 223. Lod. moostereth all the inhabitants of Myllan and laboreth to reconcyle the harts of the people 225. Lod. abandoneth Millan 228. Lamentacions made at Venice for the ouerthrow 423. Last action of the Florentins against the Pisans 433. League of Caesar and the frenche king against the Venetians 466. Leguaguo taken by Chaumont 475. Lanterne of Genes razed by the people 678 law de Medicis Ioaseth thoccasion of the victorie 740. law de Med. is hurt 741. Lightning vppon the castell of Millan 785. Loda taken by thImperialls 833 Ladie Alenson treateth with thEmperour for the french kings deliuery 938 Lye geuen to thEmprour by the french king 1091. League for the defense of Italie 1178. M Mariage of Blanche Maria Sforce with thEmprour Maximilian Fol. 25 Manifest aspiring of Lod. Sforce to the Dukedom of Millan 48. Mountpensier leader of the vauntgard 50. Marquis of Pisquaro slaine 113. Mountpensier stealeth from Naples 115. Monsr Trimouilles opinion touching the peace 123. Marquis of Mantua in the kingdom of Naples for the Venetians 149. Mountpensier dyeth 157 Monsr d'Aubigny cōsenteth to depart the kingdom of Naples 158. Matters of enterprise doe for the most parte nourish their proper impediments 182. Monsr Beaumont a chiefe leader of the french armies 246. Monsr Beaumont sendeth to demaund Pisa in the kings name 247 Monsr de la Palissa made prisoner 289. Monsr d'Aubigny ouerthrowē taken prisoner 295. Malice is infinit in her actions c. 358. Marquis of Mantua prisoner 437. Maximilian returneth into Germanie 451. Monsr Chaumont against the Venetians 468. Marquis of Mantua escapeth out of prison 488. Myrandola besieged 504 Myrandola yeeldeth to the Pope 507. The Man that aspireth is apt to beleue all thinges that are conformable to his hope and oftentimes c. 525. Monsr de Foix his army 578. Monsr de Foix encourageth his souldiours to the battell 583. Mindes thirsting after glory are infinite in opinion and weening c. 588. Monsr de Foix slaine 588. Maximilian Sforce restored to Myllan 623. Martyn Luther against the Pope 771. Martyn Luther 781. Monsr d'Escud before Reggia 784. Marquis of Mantua for the Pope 780. Monsr Lawtrech before Pauia 829. Many impediments do follow the deliberacion of great causes and c. 851. Moderacion and temperance of thEmprour vpon the newes of the victory 915. Maner of the deliuering of the frenche king 966. Many errours in popular commocions c. 983. Monsr Lawtrech Captaine generall of the league 1072. Miserable condicion of the city of Millan 1099 Many difficulties in the frenche armie 1119. Montiā misseth to surprise Andre Dore 1130. Monsr Saint Pol prisoner to Antho. de Leua 1143. Millan rendred by thEmprour to Fraūcis Sforce 1162. N New Princes haue new councells and of new councells commonly resorte new effects 20. Number of the french kings army 45. Nocero taken by Ferdinand 137. Newe practises betwene the kinges of Fraunce and Spayne 180. New castell of Naples assaulted 301. Necessitie is mightie to bende those hartes that are inuincible against all other meanes c. 362. Nothing can satisfie the ambicion of man. 489. Nothing more vnworthy then to adde to a naturall crueltie a great authoritie c. 506. Number of the dead at the battell of Rauenna 588. Nothing flieth faster away then occasion c. 614. Nouaro besieged by the french 643. No certaintie in the councells of mortall men and lesse exspectacion of their worldly euents c. 729. No greater ennemy to great men then too great prosperitie for that it taketh c. 778. Necessarie for Capteines in warre to chaunge councells according to the variacion of accidents c. 192. Nothing more hard then to auoide destinie c. 940. Nothing more suttle then occasion which being taken and applied draweth with it good issue but c. 1011. New gouernmēt established in Genes 1128. O Oration of Antho. Grymany 206. Occasion doth muche to induce the minds of souldiors but example is it that confirmeth their vertue making them c. 288. Ouerthrow of the Duke of Atry 294. Ouerthrow death of Monsr de Nemours 296. Oration of Nicholas Foskarin 388. Oration of Andrew Gritty 391. Ordenance house in Venice on fire 415 Oration of Antho. Iustinian to Caesar 427. Oration of Leonard Loredan 440. Oration of Tryuulce 510. Ouerture of the councell of Pisa 543. Order of the frenchmen at the battell of Rauenna 583. Of all voluble thinges there is nothing more light then reapport and in times of Mutacion c. 640. Ouerthrow of the Venetian army 657. Ouerthrow of the frenche neare Tyrewaine 663. Occasions of contention betwene the Emperour and french king 768. Ouerthrow of the Swizzers 832. Oration of Andrew Gritty 844. Oration of George Cornaro 847. Oration of the Bishoppe of Osmo touching the taking of the french king 916. Oration of the Duke of Alba touching the french kings imprisonment 920. Occasions giuen to thEmprour of new emocions 933. Oration of the Chauncellor 952. Oration of the Viceroy 956. Oftentimes ingratitude and reproache are farre more readie then the remuneracion or praise of good workes 1057. Occasion why the king of England refused the Ladie Kathe. of Aragon his wife 1092. P Pope innocent the eight dyeth 4. Pope Alexander the sixt stayned with many vices 5. Peter de Medicis heire to Lawrence 5. Preparations in Fraunce for the warres of Italie 23. Pope commaundeth the frenche king not to passe into Italie 39. Peter de Medicis cōmeth to the french king 52. Peter de Medicis accordeth with the french king 53. Peter de Medicis fleeth out of Florence 55. The Pisans offer to reuolt 55. Pope is gealous of his owne safety 61. Perswasions of some Cardinalls to depose the Pope 63. P. Antho. Soderin reasoneth touching a forme of gouernment for Florence 77 And against that opinion reasoneth Guido Antho. Vespucci 80. Pope commaundeth the frenche king to go out of Italie 118. Peace betwene the french king and the confederats 122. Prince of Orenge speaketh 125. Peter de Medicis at thinstigation of the confederates determineth to returne to Florence 133. Pisa in the protection of Venice 144. Prince of Bisignian compoundeth for him selfe and
others 158. Peter Capponi 163. The Pisans begin to disclaime from the Duke of Millan 164. Peter de Medicis determineth once againe to returne to Florence 178. Peter de Medicis aided by them of Syena 178. Peter de Medicis faileth of his enterprise 178. Pope abhominable in the lust of his daughter 179. Pope inuesteth Federike in the kingdom of Naples 180. Philip Duke of Sauoy dyeth 181. Pope apt to dispense with all things for the greatnes of his sonne 190. Pawle Vitelly Capteine generall of the Florentin army 191. The Pisans not keeping thaccorde are besieged by the Florentins 220. Pisa is besieged 231. Pawle leauieth the siege 233. The Pisans take Librasatta 248. Pope createth twelue Cardinals at one time 251. Pope giueth thinuestiture of the realme of Naples to the French and Spaniard indifferently 258. Prospero Colonno aduiseth king Federike to aduenture the battell 259. Pawle Vrsin strangled 284. Philip Archduke of Austrich in Fraūce 292. Peace betwene the kings of Spayne Fraunce 293. Prouerbe vpon the Popes dissembling 305. Pope Alexander the sixt dead 307. Pope Pius the third dieth 314. The Pope complaineth to the Venetians 317. Peter de Medicis drowned 325. Peace betwene the Turke and Venetians 327. Peace betwne the french king and king of Spaine 351. The Pope deuiseth to win againe Bolognia 357. The Pope will go in person to thenterprise of Bolognia 360. The Pope Venetians incite the k. of Romaines to make warre vpon the french king 376. Pope ratifieth the treatie of Cambray 412. Popes Bull against the Venetians 418. The Popes souldiers in Bolognia 425. Pisa rendred to the Florentins 434. The Pope threatneth the Duke of Ferrara 468. Popes deliberacion to chase the french out of Italie 479. Popes armie against Ferrara Genes 682. Pope in person at the campe before Mirandola 505. Pope maketh ouerture of a new councell to breake the councell of Pisa 534. Pope holden for dead 539. Pope pursueth his enterprise to chase the french king out of Italie 540. Pope maketh league with the Venetiās and king Catholike 545. Pope depriueth of the hatte the rebellious Cardinalls 547. Pandolffo Petruccio councelleth the Pope 552. Popes armie retyreth from before Bolognia 570. Peter Soderin reasoneth in the councell 612. Purposes of Pope Iulio the second and his death 631. Pope seeketh to appease the king 649. Padoa besieged by the Viceroy 653. Prouisions of the frenche against the k. of England 661. Preparacions of the frenche against the Duke of Millan 688. Peter Nauarre before the castell of Millan 707. Pope giueth the Duchie of Vrbin to Lawrence de Medicis his Nephew 721. Popes enterprise vpon Ferrara 769. Pope executeth Ioh. Pa. Baillon 774. Pope Leo the cause of the warre 778. Popes Captaines and themprours take councell to passe further 800. Prouinces of Italie are taxed for conseruacion of the Duchy of Millan 839. Pope Adrian the sixt cōmeth to Rome 839. Pope coūcelleth themprour french king to peace 889. Pope sendeth to visite the frenche king being prisoner 914. The Person of the french king led prisoner into Spaine 930. The Person of the fr. king extreamely sicke in the castell of Madrill 937. Pope Clement the vij makes a league against themprour 949. People of Millan rise vp against thimperialls 971. Pope Venetians and french king make league together 978. Pope moueth the confederates to inuade the realme of Naples 1008. Prouisions of themperour against the consederats 1009. Prince of Orenge with the Launceknights 1029. Pope loaseth corage and why 1048. Pope accordeth with thimperialls 1049. Pope being abandoned of all hopes compoundeth with thimperials 1067. Passion of spite and disdaine is commonly more strōg in him that recouereth his liberty then in an other that defendeth it 1069. Plague in Rome 1070. Pope goeth out of prison 1085. Pope thanketh Monsr Lawtrech for his deliuerie 1087. Popes excuses to the cōsederats 1112. Popes intention touching Florence 1113. Proceedinges of Monsr Saint Pol in Lombardy 1124. Pope at accord with themprour 1143. Peace betwene themprour and french king negociated in Cambray 1145. Pope maketh offers to Malatesta 1152. Pope themprour at Bolognia 1158. Prince of Orenge slaine 1169. Pope holdeth him selfe offended with themprour 1174. Pope wil not harken to a councel 1178. Pope refuseth to giue his Nece in mariage to the Duke of Millan 1179. The Pope knoweth his end 1182. Q Quarrrell betwene the families of Colonna and Vrsin 192. Qualities of Pope Leo and Clement 946. R Realme of Naples beginneth to reclaime the name of the Aragons 91. Rebellion increaseth by occasions 365. Rashnes hath no societie with discression 368. The Rebells of Genes yeelde to the french king 373. Rauenna sacked 589. Resolucion of the treaty of Mantua by the confederats 608. Returne of the Medicis to Florence 609. Resolucion of the warre against the frenchmen 787. Rhoades taken 840. Rhoades rendred to the Turke 841. Rights and pretensions of the family of Est 912. Rome taken and sacked 1061. Resolucion of the Imperialls within Naples 1104. S Suttelties of Lod. Sforce 23. Seege of Nouaro 116. Shiftes of Lod. Sforce to breake the peace 130. Suche is the rage of ambicion and so sweete thinsinuacion of rule and imperie c. 132. Such as are not accustomed to aduersities haue least rule ouer their passions c. 179. Such is the mutabilitie of men mercenarie that as c. 201. So busie is the humor of treason that in whom it aboundeth it rageth without respect to the c. 225. Suche as haue their destruction determined are seene to decline by degrees c. 226. Sorowes of king Federike redoubled 260. Straunge affection of a sonne 261. Suche a passion is suddeine feare that it makes men runne not whether councel directeth them but c. 270. So importunate is the passion of reuenge in the mindes of mortall men who c. 300. Such a thing is feare that ofrentimes it makes men forgetful aboue shame and all other obseruancies c. 324. So infallible is the law of iustice to take reuenge vpon wrongs not obseruing the presence of times c. 333. Seedes of new warres 353 ▪ Submission of the rebels of Genes 373 So full of quarrell is aduersitie and so infinite is the malice of the world that c. 440. Such is the frayeltie of mans nature that the suddeinnes of perill is more terrible then the daunger it selfe and by how much it c. 469. Swizzers what people they be 558. The Seate of Rauenna 580. Swizzers rise for the Pope against the frenchmen 596. Such is the instability of mortal things that they are neither certeine in thē selues for an vniuersall frayeltie in all humaine actions nor can be made assured c. 597. Swizzers seeke to stoppe the passage of the frenchmen 691. Scituacion of Fossambrono 737. Seege of Pauia 792. Swizzers leauied by the Pope woulde not march against the french king 806. Souldiors of the league passe the riuer of Adda 808. Swizzers would leaue the french army
for that they were not payed 830. So mightie is necessitie that in cases of extremitie it makes tollerable all those thinges which in all other condicions are full of difficulties 839. Such is the infirmitie of treason that it hath no further assurance then the partie hath confidence 862. Such are the domages of an vniuersall negligence that euen amidde perills that be manifest and apparant they take away the studie and care of thinges that most concerne safety and defense 882. Sorowes feares in Fraunce for thimprisonment of the king 924. Solyman Ottoman in Hungarie 1005. Sacke of Pauia 1079. Second enteruiew of the Pope Emprour at Bolognia 1176. T The title of the house of Aniow to the kingdom of Naples 12. The name of Iohane a name vnhappie to the kingdom of Naples 12. The estate of the realme of Fraunce vnder king Charles the eight 13. The thoughtes of Ferdinand king of Naples 21. The way which the french army tooke to Naples 50. Tumult in Florence 55. The young king Ferdinand speaketh in great sorow to the multitude 68. Two particular causes of quarrell betwene Florence and Genes 73. The pretended title of the Duke of Millan to Pisa 73. Tarenta Caietta are rendred to Federike new king of Naples 169. The french king determineth to set vpon Genes 169. The french prepare new enterprises against Italie 173. Title of the frenche king to the Duchie of Millan 188. Truce betwene the Florentins Syennoys 198. There is nothing endureth so small a time as the memorie of benefits receiued and the more great they be c. 204. The towne of Millan yeeldeth to the frenchmen 229. The frenche king commeth to Millan 229. The taking of Cassina 230. The estate of Romagnia in the time of Duke Valentynois 235. The incerteinty of fortune transferreth to one that which she taketh from an other not regarding the equitie of causes c. 230. Those authorities are vniust whose meanes to come to them are vnlawefull c. 245. Truce betwene the french king king of Romaines 251. To men afflicted with sorowe it is one consolacion to know thuttermost of their mishaps and when c. 261. That man erreth lesse who promiseth to him selfe a chaunge of thaffaires of this worlde then he that perswadeth that they are alwaies firme and stable c. 298. Truce betwene the kings of Spayne Fraunce 320. There is no possibilitie to auoyde that which the euerlasting councell of God hath determined nor any reason to pull on the destinie of thinges till times be accomplished 333. Truce betwene the kings of Spayne Fraunce 334. Testament of Queene Elizabeth of Spayne 341. The seate of dominion verie casuall where it diuolueth by election 365. Truce betwene Maximilian the Venetians 402. Thassembly of Cambray 407. The armies affront one an other in the field 420. Tyrewaine beseeged by the Englishe 662. Tournay taken by thEnglish 650. Treaty of peace betwene England and Fraunce 675. Treatie betwene the frenche king and Swizzers broken 693. Titles of thempire to the Duchie of Millan 782. The Taking of Millan by the league 810. Tenne thowsand Swizzers discend into the Duchie of Millan for the fr. king 825. Thencounter of Bicocquo 831. Treaty of Madrill touching the deliuery of the french king 961. Truce betwene the Pope and themprour 1020. Tumult in Florence 1055. Thimperial army issueth out of Rome 1095. The Turke returneth with shame to Constantinople 1175. V. VV. Venetians Newters 39. Victorie when it is not assured with moderacion and discression is oftentimes defiled with some accident vnlooked for 84. Virginio Vrsin Count Petillano being the kings prisoners showe reasons to be redeliuered and their reasons are disproued by Monsr de Ligny 93. Venetians and Lod. Sforce prepare to stoppe the frenche kinges returning into Fraunce 95. Venetians in minde to reskewe the Pisans 131. Virginio Vrsin in pay with the frenche king 137. Venetians in minde to take vpon them the defense of Pisa 141. Thestate of Venice debateth vpon the action of Pisa 141. Virginio Vrsin prisoner 157. Venetians sende Embassadors to the french king 190. Vicopisan rendred 196. Venetians carefull to succour the Pisans 200. Venetians take councell whether they should ioyne with the french king or not 206. Where things are deuided the suretie is intricate and where be many competitors to one thing c. 258. Vitellozzo and the Vrsins made prisoners by treason 282. Vittellozzo Li. de Fermo strangled 282. The Vrsins against Valentinois 312. Valentinois distressed by the Vrsins 314. Venetians answere the new Pope 317. What happened to the frenchmen as they woulde haue passed Garillon 321. When extremities perils be at hand it hapneth oftentimes that confidence is turned into feare and when c. 322. Vaine feares in many cases are farre more hurtfull then hastie confidence or credulitie c. 322. Valentinois prisoner by Consaluo 334. Venetians looke to themselues 414. The Venetians armie 418. Venetians recouer Padoa 433. Venetians armie at Vincensa 453. Venetians armie vpon the countrey of Ferrara 454. Venetians absolued 463. The Vincentins yeelde to discression 474. Venetians recouer most parte of their townes 486. Verona beseeged by the Venetiās 486. The warning of a mischiefe brings with it his remedie the harme that is looked for before hand c. 489. Warres denounced against themperour by the kings of England Fraunce 1089. Y Yt hath bene alwaies true that wisemen haue not at all times a discression iudgement perfect 7. Yt hapneth not alwayes that in taking away thoccasions theffects do ceasse 11. Yt is daungerous to vse a medecin stronger then the nature of the disease or complexion of the pacient will beare 11. Yt is familiar with Princes to holde for suspected the greatnesse of their neighbours 18. Yt is hard to assure any thing that dependeth vpon the wil of an other c. 199. Yt hath bene a custom with the Princes of the worlde to enterteine one an other with vaine hopes c. 299. Yt is seene often in the course and practise of worldly affaires that the falling of one man is the rising of an other 852. The end of the Table
same beeing the cause that the Almains hauing eftsones reassembled reordeined their footemen returned with a thousande horse and six thousande footmen to Calliana distant from Pietra the shotte of a Crosbow And two hundred horsemen of the duke of VVittenbourg beeing gone from them the Venetians with foure thousande horsmen and sixtene thousand footemen came encamped before Pietra planting there a proportion of sixtene peces of artillerie Pietra is a Castel seated at the foote of a mountaine on whose right hand the way leades from Rouera to Trent and out of the same comes a very strong wall conteyning in length the shot of a Crosbowe and stretcheth euen to the ryuer of Adice and in the middest of the same is a gate of the which who is not maister can hardly hurt Pietra The two armies were within a myle one of another and they both had before them the Castell and the wall and on the one side the ryuer of Adice and on the other the mountaines and eyther armie hauing at their backes places of sure retraite And for that the Almains had the castell and the wall in their power they might when they liste driue the Venetian armie to feight which was impossible to the Venetians who for that they were inferiour in numbers muche lesse that they durst commit things to aduenture seeing they deuised onely to rayse impediments that thenemies should not carie the castell which was continually battered by their artilleries But the Almains in whom was indifferent the vertue of celeritie and courage perceiuing one day that their artillerie was slenderly garded gaue a furious charge vppon it and putting to flight the footemen that garded it they wonne with great valour two peeces and drew them to their lodginges This accident abated the stomackes of the Venetians who nowe iudging it but loste tyme to enterteine the action of Pietra whiche had deuoured many of their peoples brake vp and retyred to Rouero and the Almains returned to Trent where within fewe dayes after moste parte of the armie disbanded and were dispersed and the regimentes of the Dyot whiche neuer conteyned aboue foure thousande for all those in substance that assembled at Trent and Cadera were of the Countreys thereabout returned to their houses their tearme of sixe monethes beeing ended by whose example also moste parte of the footemen that were leauyed brake vp the seruice and departed Maximilian himselfe who was much troubled in going from one place to another to leauie prouisions practises could neuer be present at those actions but for that the Dyot of Vlma was referred to a time more conuenient beeing confused in himselfe with the multitude of affaires and shame of his successes withdrew himselfe to Cologne not being acknowen for many dayes where he was And being not strong ynough neither in men munition nor money to resist so great a storme hauing lost al that he held in the countrey of Friull with the other peeces affronting he found himselfe abandoned of all succours and in greater perill to be depriued of Trent if in the Frenche bandes had bene any disposition to ioyne with the Venetian armie But Triuulce who by the kings direction was resolued rather to pacifie then to prouoke woulde passe no further then was necessarie for the defence of the Venetians holding it as iust and honorable in the office he had to forbeare to afflict further themperour as to protect the Venetians Maximilian standing thus abandoned and desyring by some meane to put himselfe out of daunger sent since the ouerthrowe at Cadora one of his Gentlemen to Venice to demaunde truce for three monethes of which the Senate made no accompt hauing no disposition to make truce for lesse then a yere nor yet to giue any consent if the Frenche king were not comprehended in it But his daungers rysing in encreasing for the losse of Triesta and his calamities altering thinges into worse condition the Bishop of Trent as of his peculier motion perswaded the Venetians to truce alleaging by that meane and fundation a readie possibilitie and expectation of peace The Venetians aunswered that their minds were not estraunged from it so farrefoorth as they were not alone in the action but that there were libertie for the Frenche king to communicate In so muche as after this beginning there drewe to conference together the Byshop of Trent and serentane secretarie of Maximilian and for the Frenche king Triuulce and Charles Geffray president of the Parliament of Millan and for the Venetians Zacharia Contarin Embassadour particularly appoynted for that action They agreed easily for other conditions seeing as touching the time they were resolued that it should laste for three yeres and euery one to reteine that he possessed at that present with power to buylde and fortifie suche places as they commaunded This onely was the difficultie that the French would haue had a generall truce wherein should be comprehended suche confederates as euery one had out of Italie and especially the Duke of Gueldres but the Agents of Themperor stoode obstinately agaynst it for that he had determined the ruine of the sayd Duke They alleaged besides that the warre being managed wholly in Italie it was neither iust nor necessarie to communicate of any other things then such as touched Italie wherein albeit the Venetians did what they coulde to haue satisfied the desire of the Frenche king yet seeing little hope to dispose the Almains they were contented to embrace the truce in sorte as they had consented especially for a desire they had to deliuer themselues of suche a warre which was nowe brought wholly vppon their estate and no lesse to confirme in their obedience by the commoditie of the truce for three yeres the townes which they had conquered in those stirres They excused themselues to the Frenche with these reasons no lesse true then iust that neither the one nor the other of them beeing not further bound then for the defence of the matters of Italie and their confederation beeing grounded therevpon they had not to do to thinke vpon matters beyonde the Mountes which if they were not bounde to defende with armes they were not also bounde to deuise to assure them with the truce Vpon this controuersie Triuulce wrote into Fraunce and the Venetians to Venice whose Senate returned aunswere that if there could not be admission of other conditions that they should at least conclude the truce for Italie onely reseruing time and place for the Frenche king to enter wherevnto albeit neither Triuulce nor the President would not consent complayning greeuously that they woulde not so muche as tarie for the kings aunswer and that notwithstanding the President protested that a ioynt and common enterprise should not be determined but by ioynt and common consent alleaging withall howe litle were respected the kings amitie and alliance yet the Venetians forbare not to proceede and conclude with Maximilian and the contract running simply in their proper names they agreed that on the
deliuerer as he boasted afterwards of Italy from forreine nations To these endes he had absolued the Venetians of the Churche censures To these endes was he entred into intelligence and straite alliance with the Svvyzzers making semblance to proceede in those thinges more for his proper sewertie then for desire to offend an other And to these endes not being able to withdrawe the Duke of Ferrara from the deuocion of the french king he was determined to doe all that he could to occupie that Duchie blasing his deuises with this cooller that he stirred onely for the quarrell of the salt and salt pits And yet to th ende not to discloase the plainesse of his thoughts vntil he were better prepared he had continuall negociacion with Albert Pio to haue agreement with the french king not sparing to protest openly though he kept his intencions dissembled The kinge for his parte interpreting all his discontentment to come for that he had taken the Duke of Ferrara into his protection and hauing a carefull desire to auoyde his ill will consented to contract with him newe couenants referring him selfe to the capitulacions of Cambray wherein was expressed that not one of the confederats shoulde intrude into the thinges apperteyning to the Church and did insert with all such wordes and clauses as might make it lawfull to the Pope to proceede against the Duke of Ferrara so farre forth as concerned the perticularitie of the salt and salt mynes to which endes the kinge supposed that the Popes thoughtes did chiefly aspyre wherein he made such interpretacion of the protection which he had taken of the Duke of Ferrara as though there was left to him a lawefull libertie to contract with the Pope in that manner But the nearer the king approched to the demaundes of the Pope the further was he estranged and seperate from him inclining nothinge the more for the newes he heard of the death of Cardinall Amboise for to such as perswaded him to the peace and tooke their argument vppon this that his suspicions were nowe finished he aunswered that the same king liuing the same ielowsies did yet endure confirming his opinion by this that the accord made by the Cardinall of Pauya had bene violated by the king of his proper deliberacion contrary to the will and councell of the Cardinall Amboise yea such as looked deepely into the intencions of the Pope and his manner of dealings founde that his stomacke and hopes were so much the more increased and not without occasion for the qualities of the kinge being such as he stoode in more necessitie to be gouerned then that he was able or proper to gouerne it is without dout that he was much weakened by the death of the Cardinal since that besides his longe experience his abilitie of witte was great and stoode withall in such grace and authoritie with the kinge and had such power ouer his directions and councells that he would often tymes take vpon him to giue of him self a forme and resolucion of affayres A matter which could not be founde in such as succeeded him in the gouernment who durst not communicat with the kinge in affaires which they thought would displease him much lesse that they had authoritie to deliberat Besides he reaposed not the same faith confidence in their councels and being a body of a councell compounded vpon many persons they respecting one another without any great trust in their new authoritie they proceeded both more coldly and carelesly then either thimportance of the present affaires required or was necessary against the heate and importunity of the Pope who not accepting any of the offers that were made to him by the king required him at last to renoūce not with condicion and limitacion but absolutely and simply the protection which he had taken of the Duke of Ferrara not weighing to aduaunce his owne purposes with the kings dishonor And albeit the king perswaded him much that such a renunciacion would bring him great infamie yet it was in vaine to labor to stay him with wordes and reasons whose ambicions were infinit and his intencions full of malice with which propertie of minde he aunswered the king that seeing he refused to renownce simply he would also take libertie not to contract with him nor yet to be against him and not binding him selfe to any person he woulde studye to mainteyne the state of the Church in peace beginning euen then to complayne more then euer of the Duke of Ferrara whose friendes waighing wisely with what aduersary he had to doe perswaded him to giue ouer the working making of salt which he aūswered he could not do without preiudicing the rights of thEmpire to whom the iust iurisdiction of Comacho apperteyned many entred into a certeine dout and opinion which tooke increasing with time that Albert Pio the french kings Embassador not proceeding sincerely in his lagacion stirred vp the Pope against the Duke of Ferrara for a burning desire he had wherein he continued till his death that Alfonso should be deposed from the dukedom of Ferrara The reason was for that Hercules father of Alfonso hauing had certeine yeares affore of Gilbert Pio the moyty of the dominion of Carpy giuing him in recompense the borow of Sassola with certeine other landes Albert feared least in the ende the other moytye eyther by compulsion or corrupcion woulde deuolue to him thexperience often hapning that the neighbour lesse riche and able yeldeth to the couetousnes of the most welthye and mightie A matter which in all common weales hath bene seene to minister no small troubles and therefore it hath not bene thought good that the poore and rich should dwell neare together for that as in the wealth of the rich man are sowne the seedes of enuie in the mind of the poore man so of the wants of the poore superfluities of the rich are nourished the disorders of a whole people But what so euer was the simplicitie and truth of it the Pope expressing tokens of a person vnappeasable against Alfonso and hauing a full resolucion to leauye warre against him prepared first to proceede with thauthoritie and censures of the Church Wherein seking to giue some iustification to the groundes of this action he gaue it out that he had founde amongest the recordes of the chamber apostolike thinuestiture of the towne of Comacho giuen by Popes to the house of Este These were the publike and manifest behauiours of the Pope but in secrete he solicited to sette abroache farre greater mouinges wherein he seemed to haue giuen a good foundacion to his affaires in contracting amitie with the Svvyzzers and to haue at his deuocion the Venetians who nowe were vppon their feete Besides he sawe that the kinge of Aragon respected the same ende that he did or at least was not sowndly ioyned with the french kinge That the forces and authoritie of Caesar were so weakened that there was left no occasion to feare him And lastly that
gaue this as a warning and lesson that that man was neither to be excused nor esteemed worthy of compassion who beeing once beguiled by an other returneth eftsoones to reappose confidence in him An enemie reconciled charitie leades vs to loue him but wisedome willeth vs not to trust him and to a friend once disproued there can be no greater daunger then eftsoones to reenter into confidence with him The Cardinall of S. Seuerin was of an other opinion who as his aduersaries sayd crossing Tryuulce more through enuie then for other occasion for that with his brethren he had alwaies defended the Gebelin faction in Myllan replied in the contrary that nothing could be more profitable to the king and his seruices then in ioyning with Caesar to breake the vnion of thennemies specially the confederacion being made by such meane as they might hope it would last That it was the propertie of Princes in their councells and deliberacions to preferre alwayes profitte affore good will affore hatred and affore other affections And what greater benefit could be done to Caesar then to ayde him presently against the Venetians with hope that his Nephew should come to succeede in the Duchie of Myllan That Caesar being seperat from the others the king Catholike would not obiect against his authoritie as well for thinterests of his Nephew as for other regards Moreouer that as nothing could more amaze the Pope then this confederacion so of the contrary to confederat with the Venetians was full of indignitie since there must be accorded to them Cremona Guiaradada members so conuenient to the Duchie of Myllan that to recouer them the king had stirred vppe all the worlde And yet if the vnion of the others were not broken and deuided the confederacion with the Venetians would not suffice to obteyne the victorie At last this opinion caried the king the rather for thauthoritie of the Queene who desired greatly thaduauncement of her Daughter onely her desire was accompanied with this condicion so farre forth as it might bee obteyned that till the consummacion of the mariage the younge Damesell might remeyne with her And she to bind her faith and promisse to keepe her in the name of Caesar as the spowse assigned for his Nephew to whome she would redeliuer her assoone as her age and yeares made her able to the full office of mariage But the Kinge beeing afterwardes certefied that Caesar woulde not agree vnder this forme of lymitacion but rather that he foysted in those offers for the tyme and by suttletie to detract his diligence and giue him cause to proceede more slowely in his other plottes he brake off from this practise and sent backe againe for Monsr de Asperot brother to Monsr de Lautrech already gone from the Court with his commission to finde the Bishoppe of Gurce On the other side the feare of the vnion betweene the king and the Venetians encreasing dayly the king of Aragon aduised Caesar to render Verona and to transferre the warre into Burgondy by the helpe of the money which he shoulde receiue of the Venetians and with the Spanishe armie Of this aduise was the Bishop of Gurcy who hoping to be hable to moue Caesar by his presence nowe returned into Germanie being followed not onely of Dom Peter de Vree which was come with him but also of Iohn Baptista Spinella Count of Carriato Embassador to the sayde king of Aragon resident with the Venetians And because no newe difficulties should breake of the matters that were nowe in action he induced first the senate to make truce with Caesar for the whole moneth of Marche And those Embassadors gaue them their fayth that Caesar shoulde render Verona if they would promise him within certayne times two hundred and fiftie thousande duckets and for yerely pension fiftie thousande In these alterations of affayres and in these times so deuided and conspiring the Pope fell sicke And happly he was then more full of high conceites and trauelling thoughts then at any time before for notwithstaÌ„ding he had brought his fortune to be equall to his desires obteined the thing he aspired vnto yet his deuises plots did nothing diminish but grewe increasing by the same meane which should haue satisfied them he had determined in the beginning of the spring and first opening of the yere to sende to thenterprise of Ferrara which he so muche desired and his opinion was that that state was hable to make no resistance both for that it was naked of all succours because the Spanish armie was to ioyne with his companies He had secretly bought of Caesar for the price of xxx thousande duckets the Citie of Siena for the behoofe of the Duke of Vrbin to whom except Pesera he woulde neuer giue any thing of thestate ecclesiastike to th ende to reserue to him selfe the whole glorie to haue simply and onely studyed for thexaltation of the Churche he agreed to lende to Caesar fortie thousande duckettes receyuing Modona in gage he threatned them of Lucquoy who in the heate of th affayres of the Duke of Ferrara were become lordes of Garsagnana making instance that they woulde deliuer it to him He was out of conceite with the Cardinall of Medicis for that he thought him to cleaue more to the king Catholike then to him And because he knewe he was not hable to dispose of the Citie of Florence as he thought he studied already newe plottes and newe practises to alter that estate He was yll contented with the Cardinall of Sion from whom he tooke the name of Legate and enioyned him to come to Rome for that in the Duchie of Myllan he had appropriate to him selfe a yerely rent of more then thirtie thousande duckets of the estates and goods of diuers persons The better to assure the Duke of Vrbin of Sienna by intelligences of his neighbours he had of newe taken into his paye Charles Baillon to chafe out of Perousa Iohn Paule who by affinitie was very neare ioyned to the sonnes of â—andolffe Petruccio successors to the greatnes of their father He would of newe create Duke of Genes Octauian Fregosa deposing Ianus from that dignitie an action wherevnto did consent the others of the house of Fregosa because for the degree that his auncestors helde in that state it seemed best to apperteine to him He studied continually either howe he might worke out of Italie the Spanish armie or cut it in peeces by the ayde of the Svvizzers whom aboue all others he exalted and embraced In this deuise he had this intention that the kingdome of Naples beeing occupied by him Italie should remayne free from straungers A speeche that often passed out of his mouth and to that ende he had hindred that the Svvizzers did not confederate with the king Catholike And yet as though it had bene in his power to batter all the world at one time he continued his accustomed rigour agaynst the French king and notwithstanding he had heard a message
by howe muche they vnderstoode that Genes was reduced to great extremities and wants of vittels So that it was determined to inuade the kingdome of Naples aswel by sea as by land and that Monsr de Vaudemont should be Admirall of the army by sea for whose better strength there was addresse giuen to leauy 2000. footmen But Ranso by whose direction was distributed exspended the money of the french king determined contrary to the Popes will who was of opinion to conuert into one place al the forces of that expeditiō to dispose 6000. men to enter Abruzza he hoped that by the working of the sonnes of the Count Montoiro who had bin sent thither with 2000. footmē they should make an easy action vpon Aquila which accordingly hapned through the feare of Askanio Colonno who assone as he heard of their approch fled from the daunger which his tymerous condition would not suffer him to abide The beginnings and first actions of this enterprise were full of hope and felicitie for albeit the Viceroy who had bestowed garrisons within the places neare him was busy to readdresse and refurnishe his army asmuch as he could yet both for that one part of his regimentes was disbanded and an other parte by necessitie bestowed in garrisons it was thought he would stande daungerously imbarked and with great difficultie be hable to make resistance onely to the sea army It was beleeued also by the same reason that Ranso in Abruzza and the Nauies of the Churche and Venetians conteining xxij gallies should finde no head made agaynst them both for that they were resupplied with a strength of three thousande men and also for the ioyning of Oratio with two thousande footemen together with the person of Monsr de Vaudemont who vnder the auncient rightes and claymes of king Rene pretended to the succession of that kingdome and at that time managed the place of Lieftenaunt generall vnder the Pope But these matters proceeded very slowely to execution both for the temporising of the army ecclesiastike not as yet departed from Frusolono where they taryed for the great artilleries that were to come from Rome and also for thexpedition of Abruzza and the aryuall of the sea army These impedimentes and losse of tyme were also increased by the mutinie of the footemen within Frusolono who demaunded double paye as a matter wonne and due for the victorie Neuertheles the eightenth day of February the souldiours of the Viceroy abandoned Cesana and other places confining withdrew them selues to Cepperana by thoportunitie of whose retrayte the army ecclesiastike beginning already to feele the want of vittels passed Saint Germain and the Viceroy fearing to put things to hazard retyred to Caietta and Don Hugo to Naples All whiche notwithstanding the Pope pressed still with his wantes and necessities of money and fearing no lesse the aduauncing of the Duke of Burbon agaynst whose armye he sawe the Confederates disposed to make no greate resistaunce continued styll his inclination to compounde with themprour and in that humor had eftsones procured the Lorde Russell to goe vp to the Viceroy in the name of his king Vppon whiche it followed that Fieremosquo returned to Rome the xxj of February from whence also the daye following he departed hauing published his commissions and left the Popes minde full of confusion and irresolution In regarde of whiche perill and the Popes alteration the Venetians least he should rashely intangle him selfe with thaccorde made offer to him in the beginning of Marche to sende him in ready money within fifteene daies fifteene thousande duckets and fifteene thousande more within other fifteene dayes so farreforth as he would graunt them a Iubiley for all their gouernment But amid these delayes and temporisings the Popes Nauy and the Venetians which had with great losse taryed to exspect the french fleete and beeing by rage of weather driuen into the I le of Ponso the xxiij of February fell with the Molo of Caietta and sacked it And the fourth day of Marche hauing set on lande the footemen at Pozzolo returned eftsones to the sea for that they found it in good condition of defence And so passing further they discended agayne neare to Naples by the ryuer of the borowe of Stabbia where was Diomed Caraffa with fiue hundred footemen They caryed this borowe by assault the thirde daye on that side of the Mountayne by whose example the Castell rendred the day after The tenth day they forced the Greeke towre and Surrenta And in that violence of victorie and fortune many places on that side yeelded afterwardes vppon composition This fleete also had taken before certayne shippes laden with grayne for the prouision of Naples whiche had great neede of them and for want of them suffred no small vexation the rather for that thenemie found no impediment vpon the sea neyther was there suche order taken as was necessarie In which disorder and want of good direction the flete drewe so neare the Mole the seconde daye in Lent that the Castell and the gallies shotte at it yea the footemen came on so faste by lande that with great difficultie the Neapolitanes could retyre them selues by the Market gate and shutte it After this they tooke Salerne when Vaudemont made after certayne shippes and leauing foure gallies at Salerne where Oracio was the prince of Salerne at the same time entred within the towne by the way of the Castell with many souldiours but he was ouerthrowne by Oracio in which encounter were slayne more then two hundred footemen and many made prisoners In Abruzza after the Viceroy had deliuered out of prison the olde Count of Montoire to th ende he might recouer Aquila the sayde Count was no sooner set at liberty by the Viceroy then he was made prisoner by his owne sonnes And Ranso who tooke the sixt of March Scicibiana and Talleconsa went vp towards Sora Neuertheles notwithstanding the fauor of so fayre occasions and the benefite of so many felicities concurring the souldiors began the first daye of March to abandon the army on land by trowpes and that eyther for want of vittels or through negligence in the officers or at least for the yll prouisions of the Pope The negociations and counsels of the peace continued and kept on their course and in that action were come to Rome the seconde of Marche Fieremosquo and Serenon secretorie to the Viceroy There they founde aryued the daye before Monsr de Lange instructed with wordes and promises sufficient for the credite of his expedition but he brought no money notwithstanding they had aduertisement out of Fraunce that he was departed both with twenty thousand duckets for the payes of the footemen appoynted to serue in the great shippes whiche were exspected at Ciuitavecchia and also that he brought twenty thousand more for the Pope to helpe to aduaunce thenterprise of the realme of Naples for one of the sonnes of the french king to whom should be giuen in