assault defended by the Albanian Foot would have sent succours but Coevre thought it not fit that the Army should be ingaged for so small a matter but rather retired to the Bridge of Ganda abandoning the Country and several places upon the Mountain together with the Towns of Trahona Cepsono San Giovanni and others even to Morbegno The Germans entred into all but the Venetians not well suffering the indignity of this success and apprehending the danger of all the rest sent into the Valteline with all speed the Duke of Candales Son of the Duke of Espernon lately come into the Service of the Republick with his Regiment of French and an hundred Horse at the arrival whereof Giorgio taking courage and after many difficulties drawing the Marquess to his opinion they drew out into the Plain and having sent Melander by the way of the Mountain attacqued the Posts Papenhaim not to let himself be taken in the middle betwixt them lightly skirmishing abandons them retiring out of the Valley The Rock of Corbeio did now divide the Confines and the Armies and the Winter no less than the weakness of their Forces put a stop to their proceedings though the Regiment of Fecquieres as a seasonable relief was arrived out of France During this season improper for the management of Arms the Confederates apply themselves to confirm what they had got placing two Forts one in the Center of the Valley at Tirano and another near to the entrance at Trahona the first garrisoned by the French and the second by the Venetians Nor was there the least doubt of the continuance of the War the year following because the Negotiation of Peace by the Cardinal Barberin in the Court of France was come to nothing he by reason of his Purple his Ministry and nearness to the Pope having had an exquisite reception but found the business as much intricate and difficult His offices consisted in complaints for the Invasion in demands for the consignment of the Forts in scruples of restoring the Valley to the Grisons in propositions to withdraw it from their Dominion as the only means to secure Religion and the Consciences of the people But the Cardinal Richelieu the Mareshal of Schomberg and the Secretary of State Herbault deputed by the King to confer with the Legate insisted That the Treaty of Madrid should be executed adding that Chiavena by the French and la Riva by the Spaniards should by way of respect be delivered to the Pope to be presently demolished and afterwards the other Forts successively the demolishing of the one always preceding the delivery of another That in this condition they should afterwards be restored to the Grisons with a Covenant express that the Catholick Worship alone should be there practised the Magistrates and Inhabitants of a contrary belief excepted The Legate shewing himself not contented herewith proposed at least a general suspension of Arms in Italy but was rejected by the French the Ambassadours of Venice and Savoy mainly opposing it who believed that the Confederates intricated in the vain hopes of Peace would imploy themselves more slackly to the provision for War and so would be of no other use but to confirm the Spaniards In their predominancy to enfeeble the French and to consume the Italians betwixt Jealousies and Charges The Legate then seeing his longer stay unprofitable to the Treaty and prejudicial to good Manners departs without expecting the issue of an Assembly of some chief persons which Richelieu called because he foresaw that the aim of the Favourite being but to interest the most accredited of the Kingdom in his own judgment their opinions as it happened would not be differing from his counsels The Kingdom enjoyed now within a certain appearing quiet since Soubize being driven out of the Island and his Ships dispersed certain Articles were agreed with the Huguenots which Rochel also at last received under the caution of the King of England that they should be observed by France and it looked as if the King were now to imploy himself more powerfully to the Affairs of the Valteline to promote which the Venetians had sent besides to that Court Simeon Contarini Cavalier Procurator as Ambassadour Extraordinary But the Pope ill digesting after the disparaging his Troops the repulse also in the Treaty declared that in the Spring to come he would return into the Valley with six thousand Foot and five hundred Horse under the Command of Torquato Conti. To give ground and reputation to this undertaking he sollicited Leopoldus who by devotion of the holy year was then at Rome to invade it on his side He sends to Milan the Prior Aldobrandino who concerted that the Governour was to provide Victuals furnish necessaries and Cannon and supply also a number of Souldiers which should waste in the occasions of War at the charge of the King though under the Popes own Colours The Confederates strucken with this so sudden resolution shewed themselves greatly moved that Vrban renouncing to the intentions of a professed Neutrality would make himself a Party in this War in which amidst so many considerations the most holy one of Religion served henceforth but for a shadow The Cardinal Magalotti therefore having communicated to their Ministers in Rome that the noise of those Arms tended against the Grisons only they let him know That the interest of that people being indistinct from the common concern of the League as much as the Princes venerated the sacred name of the High Priest so much they were resolved not to abandon the Cause of their Friends and the universal good of Italy Surely whoever considered the appearance only and noise of this undertaking divulged by the Pope would easily be perswaded that his mind being overcome with the hopes of the Marriage of Stigliana with his Nephew and the private interests of the Family he had given himself up in prey to the will of the Austrians and would draw stronger arguments from his having destined the Cardinal Barberine immediately upon his return to Rome Legate into Spain under the title to hold at the Sacred Font a Daughter born about that time to the King but he ruminating in his mind upon more absconded ends governed himself by motives more secret for having discovered the secret Negotiations which passed betwixt the two Crowns and knowing that the Peace betwixt them was near being concluded to the deluding of the rest he had a mind by this ostentation of vigour and Arms to uphold to the World the reputation and opinion which he thought prejudiced by the suffering of so great an affront Nevertheless in affairs of a like nature the cause being not to be dived into before the effects every one believed that by interessing the Name and Authority of the Pope the War would be exasperated Preparations were made on all sides of Arms and of minds and the French feigning to be equally pressed demanded by Monsieur de Bassompiere a great Levy of Switzers and that passage
admitted either from his inability or kindred he having a Daughter of Carlo's for his Daughter-in-law Those of Luca gave liberty to the Spaniards to make Levies in their State and the Genouese were exempted from their assistance by the necessity of being vigilant for their own safety round about them and by their known aversion to the Savoyards Besides all this many private men of the richest having their private interests dis-joyned from the publick furnished the King upon several conditions with some millions So did Italy study to overcome it self by it self The Venetians who in the long Peace had for the honour and safety of the one and the others Fortune gathered together a great Treasure had now in pay 12000 Italian Foot divided into four Bodies the Commanders of which were Camillo Cauriolo Giovanni Baptista Martinengo Giacomo Giusti and Antonio Savorgniano Giovanni Baptista General of the Infantry being dead in a decrepit age they received into their service Pompeo Justiniani a Genouese who had made himself a name in the War of Flanders To visit the places and particularly Peschiera to the end the Fortifications might be reformed to the use of modern defence they sent three Senators Giovanni Garzoni Nicholo Contarini Benedetto Tagliapietra who joyning with Lando General and Girolamo Cornaro chief Commissary upon hearing the opinions of the Chief of the Army should resolve upon that which was judged fit Hereupon they resolved to levy 3000 Foot more desiring they might be strangers in regard Italy degenerating by idleness hath with liberty lost military vertue Order was given to the Ambassadour Barbarigo to conclude a League with the two Cantons Zurich and Bern which consisted in promises from the Republick to assist them with a sum of money if they should be invaded and for the Cantons to permit the Levy of 4000 Foot of their Nation whenever they should have occasion in consideration whereof it was agreed that the two Cities should each receive a yearly pension of 5000 Ducats conformable to the custom of the greater Potentates from whom the Helvetians extract gold with their Valour and their Swords The League notwithstanding was not yet published because to assure the passages in the Grisons Country it was agreed that Barbarigo should go thither with the Ambassadours of the two associated Cities That people who of their government make a mystery also of trade and gain unmindful of the benefits received from the Common-wealth of their own liberty and of their obligation to open the passage to the Cantons suffered themselves to be seduced by the Ministers of France and Spain to deny it Both the Crowns agreed therein to the admiration of many because if it served the Spaniards turn for the subjecting of Italy to shut up every passage whence it might have relief it did as much disserve France who by frustrating the union of the Republick with the Grisons helping to introduce the Spaniards there it was clearly evident that they prevailing in cunning power and money would quickly exclude the French themselves Barbarigo could not overcome the opposition therefore going on to his Ambassie for London leaves in Zurich Christofero Suriano Secretary resident in Helvetia In the beginning of this year the Governour of Milan appeared at the head of a flourishing Army of 30000 men The Savoyard had not above 17000 but if in the one the valour of the General was wanting in the other the courage of the Duke supplied it The Prince of Castiglione by order of Matthias who complained that he had been left out in the project of Peace and that the judgment of the Dukes pretensions were deferred to others sends to Carlo the intimation of the Imperial Ban. He imprisoning him that secretly put it into his hands amongst other papers appeals with many protestations of obedience to the Emperour himself who without much ado at the intercession of the Dukes of Saxony from whom the House of Savoy boasts its Original le ts all things fall into silence and oblivion The Duke himself by means of the Venetians renews the project heretofore set on foot by Castiglione of the reciprocal Marriages of Margaret and Eleonora with Ferdinand and Vittorio with equal Dowries and with a certain Parcel of Monferrat which might regulate the Borders but it behoving Ferdinand to depend too much upon the Spaniards it served for nothing but to give time to Carlo the better to justifie himself and inveigh in discourse by endeavours and in print against the Government of Spain For this purpose served wonderfully certain Dispatches directed from Madrid to Inoiosa which falling into the hands of Carlo gave him means to publish the Orders they contained to invade Piedmont without delay before the friends of Carlo and those that emulated the Crown could be ready to relieve it Upon this Intelligence Carlo sollicites those far off and stirs up those that were near But many believing that a bridle was more necessary than spurs to his fiery spirit in place of assistance counselled him to incline to Peace James King of England hiding the intern weakness of his Kingdom under a great Cloak of Authority and honouring his own quiet with the name of Studies and Learning contributes nothing but his good offices commending him to the Venetians as a Prince animated with the ancient Genius Valour and Lustre of Italy and for a better appearance orders his Ambassadour at Venice to go and reside in Piedmont The Hollanders forbid the Levies to the Count of Nassau which Carlo desired and in France some paid the penalty of having transgressed the Kings Orders by going to serve him Carlo to justifie himself in that which was imputed to him viz. that too immoderately he desired War calling one day the Ministers of Princes then with him desires their advice to what conditions they would counsel him to condescend protesting that bating Dignity which was the Pupil of Principality he was willing to any thing The Ambassadours of England and Venice applauding greatly his understanding of things carried it to the Governour but he finding himself not yet authorized nothing could be done but to expect the resolutions from Spain whither the Senate with serious Letters to the King himself ceased not to exhort earnestly to Peace At last the Spanish Ministers explain themselves That at the intercession of so many Princes the King did graciously oversee all that humiliation which he might pretend from the Duke but did require for the publick Peace his disarming no less than the adjustment of the differences with Ferdinand Upon which they declared themselves more fully to Monsieur de Sillery That it was to be understood that Carlo retaining convenient Garrisons should disband his Army and the Emperour should be Judge of their pretensions of Monferrat in the mean time Hostility and offences ceasing the places possessed with the Prisoners should be restored They promise moreover so to dispose of their Army that no Prince of Italy shall have cause to be jealous of it
sort ingrafted as may be said that the cause became common and therefore the Narrative with equal exactness ought not to be omitted Carlo covering with a profound dissimulation the jealousie he had of Toledo sends at his arrival in Milan the Seignor de Parela not so much to complement him as to penetrate his intentions and insinuate to him the conveniencies in fulfilling the Treaty of Asti with restitutions and disarming If the Governour was new in his Office he shewed himself also a very Novice in the discourse of Treaties and Peace and so clearly expresses himself That he knew not to what a powerful King could be obliged That he was bound to no Law or Contract but his own moderation and clemency And if Carlo would make tryal of it and cast himself upon his favour and Royal arbitrement he should experience that the bounty of a great Prince is the only restraint of his power As to the disarming he declares That the Reputation of the King the State of Italy the Motions of the Venetians and the Concernments of Ferdinand did not permit it From such an answer was clearly understood the sum of Toledo's instructions to consist in breaking the Treaty of Asti to re-establish either by Arms or Treaty the pre-eminency of that Crown in Italy The Duke neverthess upon his perswasions is reduced to write into Spain and make some kind of excuse for the things past and press for the fulfilling of that Treaty but at the same time came Orders to the Governour of Milan to press the Duke to ask pardon to refer himself concerning the Capitulation to the Royal Favour and that Maurice the Cardinal his Son should go to the Court of Spain All this being a bitter Pill for Carlo to swallow Toledo sweetens it with an offer to give him assistance to recover Geneva and reclaim that City from disobedience to their Prince and their Apostasie from the Faith This did not at all satisfie the wary and wise disposition of the Duke and so much the less for having towards the end of the past year discovered some practices of the Government against his own person and came daily more and more to know that the eldest Prince his Son had been tempted by the Spaniards to solicite the Succession though he that retained towards his Father an affection equal to veneration resisted all their suggestions There was a Treaty in Zuccarello to deliver that place to the Spaniards which came to be discovered and the flight of the Colonel Allardi Provencal who passed from the Service of the Duke to that of the Governour of Milan confirmed it He gives out that the Savoyards held Intelligence in several places of the Milanese and particularly in Pavia But the Duke denied every thing bitterly complaining that Toledo should lay Plots to intrap him corrupted the Governors of his places received his Rebels and debauched his Souldiers Preparations for War were now strongly carried on and the Agent of France being gone to Milan to endeavour means to bring the Treaty to effect Toledo inveighing against the Duke sollicited France to force Carlo to lay down Arms promising that when by the restitutions he should have shewn the respect due Spain should leave nothing to be desired from its just Greatness declaring nevertheless that the present Arms tending to the relief of the Archduke and to bring the Venetians to a Peace were to be reputed out of this case and the obligation of laying them down But Carlo sustained that by the Treaty not only himself but all Italy ought to be freed from the Jealousie of his Arms and offered the restitutions whensoever Toledo should first disarm These then were the steps to a new War in Piedmont and Carlo informing the Princes especially those which were Protectors of the Treaty of Asti represented the opposition of the Governour and with his own suspicions the common dangers The Pope to prevent the impendent mischieves appoints for Nuntio Extraordinary Alessandro Lodovisio Archbishop of Bologna The King of England presses anew that the Republick and the Duke would enter into the Northern League but they thinking it not an adequate remedy for the diseases of Italy King James applies himself to the ways of procuring Peace For the same purpose arrives from France Monsieur de Bethune Ambassadour in Italy and under-hand proposes a Marriage betwixt Christina the Kings Sister and Vittorio Prince of Piedmont But Carlo receives it with a kind of distrust as if it aimed at disarming and amusing him France to say truth was not now in a condition to give the Duke that assistance of Arms which he earnestly required for d'Ancre governing all by private Counsellors grounding himself upon the Marriages contracted with Spain and the impressions he received from that Crown had perswaded the Queen to imprison the Prince of Conde upon which many withdrew from Court complaining that promises and treaties served but to insnare and make ridiculous the unwary So that the Duke of Savoy had little more hope of assistance left than of the Venetians who by the Jealousie they received from Toledo and for the Declarations of the King in favour of the Archduke were very much perplexed The Ambassadour Scaglia then coming into the Senate relates the series of the former Negotiations the endeavours of Carlo the answers of the Governour his actions the designs justly giving Jealousie to all but to the Republick and the Duke chiefly mischievous then adds It is known how much Carlo a generous and magnanimous Prince in his consent to the Peace hath considered the satisfaction of the Princes Mediators and particularly of this Republick on whose word and warrant and none other he was willing to let his Arms fall out of his hand And now I beseech you what is the state of Affairs Treaties the just Rules of Friendship are converted into the treacherous snares of interest Heretofore we fought armed but now under the fraudulent name of Peace we find our selves little better than without Arms environed by a most powerful King exposed to dangers It is uncertain how far the Spaniards will extend the greatness of their power and arbitrage If enlarging Dominion be their design no other mans state is more secure than that of Piedmont True it is that my Prince stands the first exposed and although he be strengthened with his own generosity and animated by the hopes of friends yet he hath recourse as to the inviolable Sanctuary of Faith to your assistances He supposes them because of the treaties the promises and your friendship I may say of your own interest but let that be left to be weighed in the scales alone of your greatest prudence 'T is certain that common and greater troubles are at hand Toledo either imposes disarming or threatens War Betwixt two great and little less than equal dangers the Duke must either lose himself in the one or hazard himself in the other Betwixt War and Servitude there is no middle security
resolve to defend themselves 230. lose many places and beaten in several encounters ibid. perplexed in their counsels 232. recover what lost 234. suspension of Arms with Savoy 252. troubled at a conspiracy discovered and at threatnings of the Spaniards and of Savoy 282. withdraw themselves from the predominancy of Spain 386 Girolomo Cavazza assists at the Treaty of Chierasco 350 Girolomo Marcello taken by the Uscocchi and released 19 Girolomo Soranzo Ambassadour to the Emperour concludes a peace with the Uscocchi 19 treats at Rome restitution of Goods taken by Ossuna 118. adjusts the manner of putting a Garrison into Casal 344 Girolomo Trivisano designed Ambassadour into Holland to swear the League 145. perswades the approving the Treaty of Monzon 245. Bailo at Constantinople 470 Giesuits not admitted by the Republick at the instance of the Pope and King of France 165 Giacomo King of England offers assistance to the Republick against the Turks 30. being a Lover of peace promotes it for Savoy 46 66 his failings and ends for the interests of Bohemia 136. promises assistance to the Republick 167. treats a Marriage for his Son with the Infanta ibid. assists his Son-in-law weakly 178 188. provoked against the Spaniards calls a Parliament and dissolves it without effect 207. dyes 220 Giaques Piere enters with an ill intent into the Service of the Republick 122. lays treacherous designs is put to death ibid. Giorgio Coranaro banished 292 Giorgio Giorgio Ambassadour in France 266 and to the King of Poland 378 Giorgio Justiniano Ambassadour insists for the execution of the Treaty about the Uscocchi 52 admitted to Audience by Ferdinand after the Peace 115. Bailo at Constantinople 150 Giovanni Baptista Grimani General in Dalmatia Giovanni Baptista Padavino treats for the Republick with the Switzers and Grisons 71 Giovanni Bembo Duke of Venice 59 Giovanni Casimir Prince of Poland Prisoner to the French not set at liberty at the instance of the Venetians but only by a Treaty made with that Crown 443 Giovanni Count of Nassau carries three thousand Hollanders to the service of the Republick 90. his differences with Medici 91. takes the Enemies Forts upon the Carlo 93. dyes 107 Giovanni Count of Nassau Commissary for the Emperour at Mantua 284. presses the Duke earnestly 284 298 Giovanni Count of Tilli defeats the Marquess of Baden 186. and Halverstadt 287 203. the Protestants 226. the King of Denmark 255. proceeds against that King 260. takes Magdenburg and destroys it 358. is beaten at Lipswich 359. dyes ibid. Giovanni Cornaro Duke 228. admonished by Renieri Zeno 296. dyes 319 Giorgio de Medici commands the Army of the Republick in Friuli 76. attempts to divert the Enemy 88 89. his differences with Nassau his maxims and retardings of progress 91 92 Giorgio Elector of Saxony assists the Emperour against the Palatine 153. joyns with the Swedes 358. possesses Bohemia 359. reconciles with the Emperour 411 Giacomo Pancirolo the Popes Nuntio for the peace betwixt the Emperour and Duke of Mantua 318 Giacomo Piscina Ambassadour of Savoy in Venice his offices done there 34 Giacomo Zane General of Dalmatia repulses those of Trieste 61. takes Scrisa 77. Captain General 96 Giorgio Justiniano Ambassadour in Spain 395 Giorgio Grimani Ambassadour to the Emperor 425 Giorgio Mendozza Governour of Milan confounded by the variety of the Duke of Savoy's projects 13. insinuates to him the rendition of what he had taken in Monferrat 14. the Dukes Confident 15. arms himself 16. marches against the said Duke 24. treats with rigour both the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua 27. demands the Princess Mary of Mantua 28. presses Savoy to disarm and makes War upon him 37. raises the Fort Sandoval 39. passes the Tanaro and then retires 43. demands assistance of the Princes of Italy 44. finds difficulty in the siege of Asti 47. accused in Spain but absolved by the King 59 Giorgio Nani disswades the League of the Republick with Holland 141. and the attacquing the Germans in their Posts about Mantua 329. Ambassadour to the Pope 457. exhorts him to endeavour peace betwixt the Christian Princes and procure assistance against the Turk 457. Plenipotentiary for the Treaty of peace with the Pope 568. signs it 592 Giorgio Paulo Gradenigo commands the Gallies of the Republick 296. Proveditor at Cattaro 452 Giorgio Pesari Ambassadour in Savoy 161. France 185. at Rome 364. endeavours to perswade the Senate to protect the Duke of Mantua 506. General in Terra firma possesses the Banks of the Po 542 545. defends the Polefene 560. appointed for the Treaty of Peace 425 Giovanni IV. proclaimed King of Portugal 490. treats with the French and the Hollanders 493. discovers treachery and punishes it ib. sollicites the Duke of Medina Sidonia to rebel 494 Giulio Mazarine negotiates with the Duke of Mantua 313. concludes a Truce in Piedmont 340. perswades the Duke of Savoy to leave Pignenol to France 351. preserves Casal with the adjustment concluded betwixt the Armies of France and Spain 344. most confident with France is chosen its Plenipotentiary for Treaties of Peace 459. made Cardinal 513. Heir of the Kings favour to Richelieu 539. after whose death laid low he raises again and exercises the chief Ministry about the Queen Regent 557 Giosep a Capucin insinuates to the Duke of Mantua an exchange of that Country with France 303. sent by Richelieu to the Treaty at Ratisbone 341 Goito possessed by the Germans 317. the Venetians practise to regain it 332 Gonsales di Cordua Governour of Milan sends Souldiers to the Confines of Mantua and of the Venetians 270. complains of the Duke of Rhetel 273. perswades the Council of Spain to the enterprise of Casal 275. his Forces increased by the Militia of the Genouese ibid. moves towards Casal and sends Paulo Rho to Venice 276 280. the Duke of Savoy exclaims and threatens the Genouese 283. fears the relief of Casal by the French 286. perplexed at the descent of the French into Italy 292. weakned before Casal ibid. retires 301 Goritia described 56 Gradisca its situation 56. besieged by the Venetians 62. assaulted without effect 63. straightens it more closely 88. several times relieved 107. suspension of Arms in order to the Peace concluded 112 Gregory XV. Pope sollicited by the Spaniards for the interest of the Valteline 164. receives the Ambassadours of Venice and seeks by them the restitution of the Jesuits in the Territories of the Republick 165. accepts the deposition of the Valteline 200. dyes 201 Grisons sought to for a League and passage for the Republick deny all 71. at discord among themselves 114. some rising in a tumult from new Tribunals 132. seek a League with the Republick 157. march against the Valteline with ill success 172. oppressed by the Arms of Leopold 173. deluded and divided by Treaties with Feria 182. take Arms again tumultuarily ibid. cozened by the Proposition of a Truce 183. surprised by the Archduke are assisted by the Confederates 216. surprised by the Imperial Army 309. France demands the
Treaty transported to Rome 181. and at Madrid a depositing is spoken of ibid. Feria concludes apart with the Grison 182. the Spaniards offer the deposition to the Pope 199. who accepts it 220. with dislike of the Confederates 220 204. yet consented to by the Ambassadour Sillery 205. the French change afterwards the form of the Negotiation 206. demand of the Pope the redelivery of the Forts 209. take arms ibid. which are moved 333. with advantage to the Confederates 334. to the resentment of the Pope and the Austrians 218. the Arms of the Confederates advance into the two Counties 222. are stopped at Riva 224. those situations described ibid. and several factions 225. the Confederates endeavour an accord betwixt the Valteline and the three Leagues 240. conditions of the peace of Monzon 243. are executed in the Valteline 252. new designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. enter there again with their arms 400. with various success 409. are at last driven out of it 428 Venetian Ships defend the French in the Port of Alexandretta 296 Venice its original undertakings and increase from the first to the tenth page Venetians exhort the Duke of Savoy to peace 12. assist him of Mantua 13. recall their Ambassadour in Turin 15. arm 16. molested by the Uscocchi 18. besiege Segna 23. increase their strength 27. endeavour peace 35. give audience to Piscina Ambassadour of Savoy ibid. resent the injuries of the Uscocchi 36 37. send Renieri Zeno to Milan and Turin about peace 39. strengthen themselves more and more 44. Warrant for the Treaty of Asti 49. moderate their assistance to the Duke of Mantua ibid. their reason of resentment against the Uscocchi 53. suspend Hostility 54. invade the Territory of the Archduke 55. justifie themselves for it 59. draw off from the siege of Gradisca 64. reject the Popes propositions ibid. after many consults resolve to assist the Duke of Savoy 70. endeavour to adjust him with Mantua 85. molested by Ossuna arm at Sea 93. refuse the assistance of the Turks 96. complain of the actings of Ossuna 98. invite the Princes of Italy to an Vnion ibid. inlarge their assistances to Savoy ibid. revoke their powers for peace from Madrid 104. invaded by Toledo 111. arm more and more by Sea 117. deny passage by Sea for the assistance of Ferdinand 119. a new League with Savoy ibid. dissemble the conspiracy though discovered 121. deny assistance to the Bohemians 131. interest not themselves in their Treaties at Constantinople 151. by many Princes sought to for assistance ibid. deny the Transilvanian 157. troubled at the revolt of the Valteline sollicitous for a remedy 159. in particular of the French 162. of the Pope 165 of the King of England 167. agree with the Duke of Savoy for new Levies 172. assist the Hollanders 179. hire Mansfelt into their service 182. dissent from the enterprise on Genoua 212 228. endeavour to divert the King of France 214. strengthen themselves 215. flattered by the Austrians separate not from the French 226. refuse the offers of the Turks assistance 227. counsel the invasion of the Milanese ib. but refuse to do it alone 228 234. increase their Troops in the Valteline 237. endeavour peace betwixt England and France 252 266. approve the Treaty of Monzon 253. deny succours to Dourlach and the King of Denmark 258. their thought concerning the succession of Mantua 271. lured by the Imperial Ministers 274. carry into Spain offices for peace 280. consult about the interests of Mantua 276. resolve together with France to assist Nevers 280. incourage him 284. consent to joyn with France 285 292 298 give money to the Duke of Mantua 286. 302. send an Ambassadour into France 300. resolve to invade the Milanese 301. are withheld by the Treaty of Susa 302. tempted by the Austrians 309. resolve to maintain Mantua 309 312. with great forces 312. sollicite the King of France 315. distasted with the Pope 319. deliberate about driving the Germans out of their Quarters 331. threatned by the Germans in several places 333 337. not frighted at the disaster of Valezza 333 337. jealous of the Sea-coast 337. denying passage to the Spanish Fleet they with their own Gallies conduct the Queen of Hungary to Trieste 338. participate of the concerts of France with the King of Swede 341. send Ambassadours to Ratisbone 442. refuse to sign the Treaty of Peace without the French 346. sollicited by them put a Garrion into Mantua 354. will not interest themselves in the designs of the French upon the Valteline 357. deny assistance to the King of Swede 360. displeased with the Pope for several causes 364 365 385 414. refuse to assist the Emperour 369. at also to have any hand in the concerts about Sabioneda 370. and to correspond with the Duke of Savoy after having taken the Title of King of Cyprus 384. and to unite with the King of France 386. resolute in neutrality betwixt the two Crowns 400. 402. endeavour Peace 413. deny passage to the French and Germans 419. after the death of the Duke of Mantua imploy offices for that House 435. reform their Militia and discharge the Treasury of debts 436. interpose betwixt France and the Princess of Mantua 489. stand and pause after the Victory at Vallona against the Barbary Pirates 419. they arm and demand assistance of the Christian Princes 452. send an Ambassadour to the Pope 457. remain still neutral in the affairs of Piedmont betwixt the two Crowns 400. incline to compose with the Turk 466. and approve the Treaty 467. sollicite the Pope to mediate for the Peace of Italy 473. resolve to interpose with offices betwixt the Pope and Duke of Parma 509 511. excluded out of the Treaty 511. grow jealous 512. also for a report of the designs of the Barberins upon Mirandola 516. relieve Parma with money 518. and Modena with Troops ibid. and refuse to concur to invade the Ecclesiastick State 520 incommodate with their Gallies the Commerce of Ferrara 530. excuse not to assist the Emperour 531. and to conferate with France ibid. whose correspondence with Rome they endeavour to restore 541. jealous of the Borders of the Polesene send Troops thither 542. command the possessing of the Banks 545. send their Army to the other side of the River ibid. imploy also their strength by Sea 547. do more than perform the conditions of the League protest to Spain in case of Vnion with the Pope 549. give Troops to the Duke of Parma 558. succour the Great Duke 564. make new agreements for the War and raise Troops with great difficulty 568 Vercelli blocked by the Spaniards and relieved by the Duke of Savoy 82. besieged by Toledo 99. the Duke attempts in vain to bring in powder 100. assaulted ibid. the Duke endeavours to relieve it 103. is rendred ibid. restored to the Duke 123. besieged again by the Spaniards 437. the French succeed not in bringing in relief 438. renders 439 Verrua besieged by the Duke of Feria
into the hands of such as Ferdinand had deputed The Garrisons also in Pontestura and Nizza were withdrawn all with great applause to the Court of Spain if further actings and the period of the calamity of Italy might have stopped here Concerning this restitution there had been drawn an hasty Writing betwixt the Prince and the Marquess Crivelli assisted therein for Savoy and Annibal Chieppio for Mantua in which mention was only made of the Consignation and not a word spoken of their reciprocal pretensions nor of the reparation of damages which Mantua required or an Act of pardon for those of Monferrat which Carlo desired Moreover besides having spoiled the Magazins of Arms Cannon and Victuals at his going out of Trin the Count de Verua protested that Carlo would sharply revenge whatsoever molestation should be offered to St. Giorge because he knew well that Ferdinand had an implacable hatred to him who afterwards proscribing him with others as Rebels caused his house to be razed to the ground Such roots not plucked up in time quickly begot jealousies and soon after hostility with new disasters nor indeed were all men in Italy pleased with such a Peace because it appeared that the Governour hastening the performance of the resolutions to put himself out of ingagement and to preserve the appearance had not sincerely separated himself from confidence with Carlo but as if they two had colluded together for some secret and unknown designs the Duke at the time the places were rendred re-inforced his Troops and the Governour armed Ferdinand standing exposed betwixt the artifices of the one and the power of the other was in great fear and thereupon the Venetians continued to him the payment of the 3000 Foot and strengthning themselves with 2000 others they sollicited passage and Levies in Switzerland Gregory Barberigo who was going Ambassador to the King of England staying some time at Zurich for that purpose The first disturbance to the quiet was the reparation of damages and the oblivion to Rebels For Ferdinand would not give way to the one and chose to keep the other on foot to oppose it to some of Carlo's pretensions Carlo on the other side publishes in discourse and in print that the Governour had promised him to restore the banished into the possession of favour and their Estates abolishing all mention of damages provided he consented to have the Infant Princess brought to Milan In effect the Governour pours forth threatnings and protests against Ferdinand if he should not acquiesce in his will and that with such vehemency that thence forward all the Princes being aware that under the pretext of a long Peace servitude was slipt in were offended at the terms of obedience and command in which he declared himself Monferrat was the chief sufferer both from the frequent Incursions of Carlo and the Quarters which the Spaniards under the title of protection kept there whence it was universally believed that the Governour of Milan had brought things to that pass that without Peace and without War he thought it the most probable way to get it for that Crown Other Princes made it their business to allay the disgusts and Castiglione particularly in the name of the Emperour admonishes the Marquess to use more complacency towards the Princes whereupon from threatnings turning himself to intreaties and friendly offices the effect was that Ferdinand induced thereto by the Councils of the Republick offers to refer all his rights to the Pope the Emperour and the King But Inoiosa not approving to admit Companions to his King neither in the preheminence nor in the business in place of an answer which was expected sends to Mantua Anthony Piementelli Governour of the light Horse to demand afresh the Princess The Order came from Spain and the Governour who had suggested it executed it with such urgency that it looked as if he had a mind to take her away by force Piementelli represents seriously to Ferdinand That the King himself took due care for the education of the Niece That she belonged to him not only by blood but by authority and interest and being advantaged by his alliance and affection she might be brought up in Milan as in her own house That the King was so far from trusting her unto Savoy that he had imposed upon him the respect due to the interests of Mantua The pledge of the quiet of Italy being placed in the Child it was in every respect fit she should be deposited into the hands of the King who even to jealousie professed himself her security and Guardian Of what was Ferdinand afraid if his Countries were so happily recovered under the Royal protection Can he possibly distrust that she who is near to them both may not be in safety and with a decorum under it Can he possibly fear that by such means the Child should be ravished from him by him who restores him to his State repairs his damages and protects the Family That he was to remember that the resentments and power of great Princes are not to be sweetned and appeased but by obedience The Duke was vexed at such discourses knowing Piementellis perswasions accompanied with authority and power and his own replies assisted only with reason and intreaties yet he defended his negatives with alledging the respect which he professed to the Emperour and Queen Regent of France who had seriously pressed upon him not to alienate the Niece and to justifie himself required time to send some Minister of his to Madrid But Piementelli being not at all satisfied therewith refuses to depart without the Princess when she falling sick and he being brought to see that she was not in a condition to be hazarded in a journey it served for a just excuse for his departure The Duke with all speed sends into Spain Scipione Pasquali Reserendarie and another Minister into France to represent his excuses to the one and sollicite the assistance and good offices of the other Court The Governor at the same time he sent Piementelli to Mantua not to shew partiality had dispatched Sanchio Luna Castellan of Milan to Turin to signifie to the Duke he must disarm Carlo foreseeing that his disagreeing with Ferdinand tended to make them both fall under the Dominion of Spain not being willing flatly to deny it carries himself with several pretexts and in particular that hearing there was a Rendez-vous of some French upon his Borders An. Dom. 1614 it belonged to him to be upon his guard and therefore desired that he might be permitted to levy some foreign Forces and for a greater pledge of his fidelity to the King and disposition to peace he desires some Spanish Regiments to quarter in Piedmont to the end he might be in readiness to march whithersoever need should require The Spanish Ministers observed well that his aims were either to draw in and at the same time set on the French or betwixt ill Quarters and bad accommodation to consume the flower of
the Forces of Milan Rejecting therefore the Proposition they pressed him to disarm and the Secretary Vargas going into Spain passed by Turin to know Carlo his positive intentions He in the presence of Vargas caused a shew to be made of disbanding some Troops but it was rather a reforming because sending home the Militia of the Country which might easily come together again he kept on foot the Strangers Neither did the Governour proceed in forms disproportionable whereupon not being able to penetrate into the present Councils nor make a judgment of future accidents the minds of the Princes remained perplexed amidst the several Interests and in no less suspicions The Venetians making these Interests their business remonstrated to the Catholick King the glory of moderation and the securing of the Peace They put France in mind that the Interest and Honour of the Nation would suffer prejudice if they should wholly abandon the arbitrement of the affairs of Italy to others They demanded from the Pope the care of his Pastoral Office and of Matthias the Authority of the Imperial name to confirm quiet But the Spaniards in place of facilitating peace and doing offices to the Princes for it imposed such conditions as appeared to all no less displeasing than a War because they at Madrid finally expressed the Kings intentions to be That the points of the Rebels and damages should be referred to the Pope the Emperour and himself That the Princess should be brought to Milan the Mother marry with Ferdinand and both the Dukes disarm the Forces of the King being sufficient to execute whatever should be needful for relieving the oppressed and suppressing the refractory Carlo stormed and Ferdinand resents highly that at one and the same time his Niece should be violently taken out of his house from him and his own will forced to the Marriage Nevertheless not seeming to dissent he interposes for excuse that it was fit that together with the Marriage all diffidences should be reconciled and the Rights of the States adjusted In this uncertain state of affairs ends the year 1613 in which for what concerns the Venetians at Sea besides what we have related of the Vscocchi four Gallies of Barbary meeting at Saseno to rob were by Girolamo Cornaro Proveditor of the Fleet chastised with the taking of one and putting the rest to flight two Christian Ships with many Slaves being by this means rescued out of the Pirates hands This served rather for an example than was of much consequence There appeared a greater danger arising from the attempt of Octavio d' Arragona who with eight Gallies of Sicily passing beyond the Island of Scio had surprised twelve Turkish Gallies and taken seven with a very rich booty and a great number of Slaves The Ottoman Port taking the outrage to be as great as the loss published their threatnings to revenge themselves without distinction upon all Christians and in the Spring to put a powerful Fleet to Sea The Venetians as nearest and most exposed made ready some armed Ships and ordered the number of Gallies in Candia to be increased James King of England upon this rumour of preparations and threatnings though in such Interests he may with reason be said to be separate from the World offers the Republick in magnificent terms his Forces when they should be invaded by the Turks The Republick publishing the offer that it might serve for a terrour to the Turks and an example to the Christians answered both with thanks and applause Carlo Duke of Nivers about this time had conceived grievous thoughts against the Turks and much greater than those which the condition of a private Prince could bear and under the name of a Christian Militia had ingaged in several Provinces where he had been for that purpose several men to follow him In the parts of France he had some few Vessels ready and carried on an Intelligence in Morea Being now at liberty from that business which had so long kept him in Monferrat he went to Rome to communicate his designs to the Pope demand a Squadron of his Gallies and the authority of his endeavours to move the Princes of Christendom to set upon that vast Empire not with Leagues which were long and doubtful in treating but every one with the Arms which lay proper for him The Pope encourages the Venetians as the most powerful at Sea in great earnest but they measuring the business according to piety and prudence offered considerations to the Pope of how much mischief might happen from provoking so powerful an Enemy without hope of bringing him under Nevertheless offered having above all others just provocations of interest and revenge to concur with all their power when the other Princes of Christendom should resolve upon it indeed and lay aside those jealousies which unseasonably distracted Italy at present The Popes zeal being applauded in other Courts all offering and no body performing the project fell quickly into silence ANNO MDCXIV With the new year the affairs of Italy were much changed for the two Crowns having reposed in the Marriages concluded the secret of their union and power for the oppression of others under the pretext of removing the War out of that Country introduced servitude there The Dukes of Savoy and Mantua made their complaints upon like terms the one that his Army and his Daughter were violently taken from him and the other that his will and his Niece were disposed of without his consent Carlo aggravated with greater vehemence telling the publick Ministers of Princes which resided with him What signifies the requiring of my laying down Arms else but to exact from Italy a Tribute of the basest slavery I respecting the greatness and the authority of the King my Kinsman have yielded up at his beck my Conquests and my hopes and now am paid with ingratitude and scorn My rights are buried Marriages are imposed upon me I am commanded to disarm Can slavery have any thing in it more base and miserable Shall I then give up for Hostages the Guard of my security and shall my Countries Subjects my Family and my own Person remain disarmed and exposed to the ambition of another What testimonies of most partial affections have not I given to Spain One of my Sons though in great Command is notwithstanding if I may say so a Prisoner and a Slave amidst the Spanish Guards The other who is the Heir to my Estates I have delivered into the Kings hand for a pledge of Fidelity All this is not sufficient but now it is imposed upon me to disarm Who shall secure my Fortresses from a potent Neighbour Can the Spaniards possibly think to satisfie the jealousies of my mind by the same way they make it lawful to dispose of my Daughter The Governour of Milan disarms not though protected by the name and defended with the shadow of so great a Monarchy and shall Piedmont be left destitute of all help It belongs to the weaker to beware of
will cause floods of stranger Nations to come down into Italy whither the Spaniards can have no passage but with slow voyages by Sea and most tedious marches by Land If France will not be with us it will not be against us And when War is once declared it cannot be but that the French at least privately will run to our Colours To a duplicated vigorous Invasion how will the Milanese be able to resist lull'd asleep in a long Peace and under the shadow of an imaginary reputation with weak places an unwarlike people and so remote from succours I invite the Republick to the spoils not to dangers I will be the first that shall invade I will take some place or other and then if the Republick will go before and give the Princes of Italy an example we shall not be alone Those that cover themselves most under the wings of that Monarchy will be the first to pluck the feathers out of them The Indies Spain and Flanders are not places we ought to be afraid of but the States of Italy are the fetters of our slavery Let us free our selves from them at last for in the Milanese as in the Center the Register of all the Monarchy being kept disorder that the rest will lye dismembred and remote nor shall we any more fear to have the Spaniards our enemies when we shall not have them so near Neighbours Such generous conceptions were heard but not approved by the Senate so long as there appeared any hopes of Peace and believing withal that Carlo in the love of a great War and general Conflagration to enlarge amidst fire and destruction the greatness of his States and the lustre of his Name did refuse to prefer his own and common quiet before the vast ambition of his nature The Duke failed not to do the like with others using the same instigations to the King of England the States of Holland and the Princes of the Union in the Empire and with the same success For the first as ready as he was to interpose good offices was as backward to consent to the War The Hollanders professed to follow the Kings example and Germany did not yet owne its Authority and Power The Governour of Milan to second the maritime undertaking yielding to the reproofs and accusations of those that envied them rather than following his own inclination in Autumn moved the Army though afflicted with several sicknesses and in their march incommodated by excessive rains which overflowed all the Country Having passed the Tanaro in view of the Duke who endeavoured to hinder him he found himself perplexed because the Siege of Asti considering the season and the Dukes strength who was there in person was not advisable To quarter at large served the Enemy for pastime who being vigilant and bold would harass it with continual surprises He resolves therefore to retire in all haste into the Country about Alessandria against the opinion of Giovanni Vives Spanish Ambassadour in Genoua the fierce incendiary of this War and of other principal Ministers who would have rather disposed of the Armies lodging into the Territory of Asti while the Troops of Santa Croce should have taken their Quarters about Ceva and Mondovi to torment and oppress Piedmont Carlo on the other side commodiously enjoys his Lodgings upon the intermixtures of the Fiefs of the Empire to the great relief and sparing of his own Countries In the Spring the Armies were re-inforced and great provisions made but the Duke with a new blow of a Treaty being sollicited by the Mediators signs a paper for Peace in which he consents to disarm retaining only wonted and necessary Garrisons It was promised him that within fifteen or twenty days after the Governour should also disband his Army and give his word to the Pope and King of France not to offend him and in case of default the Princes called the Defenders of the Faith of Inoiosa and Vindicators of the Duke should do it with Arms. The Prisoners and places taken were to be reciprocally rendred and Ferdinand was to restore to Carlo the Dowry and Jewels of Margaret other things in controversie betwixt these two houses were to be decided within six months after or to be determined by Law if any difficulty arose The Dowry of Blanche was to be restored within two years and the Rebels to be pardoned It was much doubted whether to this project which secured few things and left many undecided Carlo for the desire of quiet and apprehension of the Enemies Forces or to gain applause and to interest the Mediators in his cause would give his consent But if that were his intention the design deceived him not for the Treaty being carried by the Nuntio and Rambogliet to Inoiosa with an assured hope that he would approve it because the Ambassador of Spain at Paris had also notified the Proposition to the Court they found that by a late Commission from Madrid all power concerning Peace was taken from him It is not to be believed how much they were offended at it but not being able to obtain more they demanded at least a suspension of Arms for forty days The Governour denies that also An. Dom. 1615 knowing nevertheless that the season of it self did it But the Prince Thomaso who was Carlo's youngest Son marching out of Vercelli with twenty Companies of Foot and 700 Horse surprises Candia a great Town in the Milanese and giving it to fire and spoil brought away a great booty For which the Governour and the Mediators equally complaining the Duke endeavours to excuse what had happened by his Sons being far off and not knowing of the Treaty but the Spaniards compensated themselves with the taking of Monbaldona and Denice Towns in the Mountains of Piedmont ANNO MDCXV King Philip being not to be perswaded to treat with Carlo de pari all endeavour was in vain to get the Treaty approved at Madrid notwithstanding the Pope with his own hand wrote earnestly to him about it Neither were the French much pleased with it because Rambogliet more desirous of the glory to conclude it than applying himself to the means of having it well executed had not well provided for the Interests of Ferdinand Divers Princes of Italy in the vanity of their obsequiousness had offered to the Governour of Milan their Militia and he seasonably accepting the offer either to take from Carlo the hope of assistance or to boast his predominancy intimates to all they should either according to the band of Capitulations or in testimony of their affection perform it By the investiture of Siena he required 4000 of the Grand Duke of Modena Parma and Vrbin each a Regiment of Foot of Genoua as much and a certain number of Luca. Cosmo sends 2000 Foot on condition they should not go out of the Confines of the Milanese and disburses besides pay for 400 Horse From the Dukes of Parma and Vrbin was sent a third Modena alone his excuse was
was frequently made the door to let in the Barbarians and in these latter Ages the high way for the Turks Goritia which gives the name to a County is situate in this Plain leaning to a Hillock which in its ascent leads to the top of the Castle It is defended by a strong Tower there is a Bridge there over the Lisonzo beyond which the Campagnia extends it self with many Towns upon some little Hills Five miles lower upon the right shore of the River lies Gradisca built upon a Rock of the form of an oblong square with a good Castle and heretofore garrisoned by the Venetians against the Incursions of the Turks It hath beyond the Lisonzo the Mountains of Carso directly opposite and on this side many Towns environ it as Lucinis Cormons Medea Fara Romans and other places of less moment which nevertheless in the progress of the War will become so many Ports and so many Forts which will consume Armies and Souldiers Towards the Mountains out of which riseth the Lisonzo the Country is straitned with certain narrow Vallies bordering on Carniola and other Provinces of the Austrians who towards the Sea command certain Villages and in Maranuto Castel Porpeto and Aquileia though of these there remains nothing but the ruines and the name kept Souldiers In those parts on this side the Lisonzo the Venetians made their Invasion nor was it difficult to possess every place for except Medea which they got with approaches and Trenches though it was in vain to resist every one yielded at the first appearance The Garrisons without much ado quit the Tower of Aquilea Castel Porpeto and Maranuto which were demolished On the other side of the Lisonzo Eliseo Pierantoni and Hugo Crutta for a diversion marched out of Monfalcon and took in Sagra then left it and Pompeo Justiniano did the same with Lucinis which was afterward much repented for had it been kept it might have served to get the Bridge and the Tower upon the Lisonzo and by them to have straitned Gradisca from succours and passing to the other side of the River which was so many times after attempted in vain might not only have shut up Goritia on all sides but taken it also being open and exposed as was the counsel of Marc Antonio Manzano But the Orders of the Senate containing only to lodge in the Archdukes Country in Campagnia without attacquing places as not willing to divide into so many parts their men which consisted for the most part of Trained-bands Justiniano took up his Quarters in the Towns of Meriano and Cormons The Austrians in disorder at the appearance of the Venetian Colours applied themselves with all speed to a vigorous defence Gradisca was fortified by Ricchardo Strasoldo its Governour The Count of Tersaco puts himself into Goritia and the Baron Adam de Trautmanstorf arriving soon after with Title of Ferdinands General ordered Repairs and Garrisons for both those places fortifying Rubia St. Floriano Vipulzano and Dobra on this and that side of the Lisonzo This first Rumour of War being spread abroad sad judgments were made of it and the Princes discovered in themselves thoughts and reflections of no less The Duke of Savoy offers the Senate himself his Sons his States and his Army and others were not wanting to animate to greater designs In orders to which the English Ambassadour being returned from Turin to Venice exhorting the Republick to reflect upon the state of things while the Crowns of France and Spain linked together by Marriages did conspire at present in the same Maxims to divide betwixt them what with Negotiations what with Arms the Arbitrement of Italy and the world offered a League with his King who though separated by situation yet never by authority and prudence to the common Interest might with the moveable Bridge of his Fleet upon the vast Ocean joyn England to Italy He remonstrated the association of the Northern Princes against the vast designs of the House of Austria and considering that those friendships were never remote which were made upon the ground of common Concern he besought the Republick to joyn their reputation and wisdom to that League assuring them they should find a candid heart and warm spirits amongst those people who are thought to have Sea and Darkness for their Element and Climate The Senate with many wary and respectful answers entertains and cherishes these good dispositions but in their moderate counsels did not consent to conjoyn their Interests with those of Princes so far remote As to the affairs of Italy in a belief that the Peace of Asti was secure Rambogliet had taken his leave of Piedmont but was no sooner gone but the Duke of Mantua denying to have given his consent to the oblivion proceeded to execution against the Rebels The Venetians interposing themselves obtain that suspending any further act he should yield that to their intreaties which they perceived for decency he would not yield to authority Carlo as to the point of disarming proceeds with great caution because he had a mind to hear the judgment of Spain concerning the Treaty of Asti and although he had discharged those of the Vallies and the French yet he had with them recruited some Companies of Savoyards and delayed to discharge the Swizzers upon a difficulty risen about the accounts of their pay and because the Governour of Milan had denied them passage These on the other side set at liberty no Prisoners nor were the places possessed reciprocally rendred the Duke himself not caring to be thought advantaged by the acquisition of some far Fiefs The truth was that at Madrid upon the advice of the Peace there was observed a long and severe silence both in the King and his Ministers but discourses were universally published so much the more licencious against Mendoza thought a man equally weak in the management of Civil and Military affairs It was nevertheless evident to those of the best Judgment that the facility contributed by him proceeded from secret orders from the Duke of Lerma to the end the Marriages with France might be accomplished without disturbances after which and the exchange of the Brides a change of Councils presently appeared Spain in that business did certainly keep concealed one great Stratagem of their Secrets and had therefore offered to the Court of France all assistance against whomsoever should disturb her because the States of that Kingdom having for a shew been called and separated with good words only and the Committees to whom the reformation of abuses were committed done nothing the male-contents had again united themselves to the Prince of Conde and endeavoured to stir up the Hugonots The Queen that for her own interest was resolved the Marriages whatever came of it should be accomplished sending the Mareshal de Boisdauphin with an Army into Champagne to oppose the united Princes and giving the Command of another to the Duke of Guise to be her Convoy on the Journey parts from Paris with her
Prince was to be contented Vittorio breaks the Treaty with his Sword The Princess who alone with her Sons was within it from fear was easily perswaded to surrender At Creveceur a place appertaining to the same the dispute was something harder because Luna hasted from Milan with succours but Vittorio going to meet him beats him leaving Luna himself with many of his dead upon the place The place then renders of its own accord and because it is a Fief of the Church justly excused to the Pope the force whilst that Prince so perniciously conspired against Piedmont Caluso Governour of Vercelli drives the Enemy out of Desana but factions and further progress ended with the year the Prince also falling into a dangerous sickness The Venetians were not well pleased to hear that Carlo sparing the Milanese which did offend him should trouble the Monferrat which was innocent and therefore attempted to set on foot a Composure betwixt the two Dukes and that in order to some kind of reconciliation of their minds they should speak together but 't was in vain because Ferdinand required that as a Preludium to the future friendship the Savoyards should have regard to his State and Carlo who found not the French willing to enter into the Milanese by reason of the interests of that Crown alledged for excuse that with invading it he should have re-inforced Toledo with those assistances which some of the Princes of Italy are in that case obliged to give He continues therefore in his insults and damages done to the Monferrat and so much the more by how much the Duke of Mantua having a little before married Katherine Princess of Medici and thereby the former project of Marriages being fallen to the ground he had now no other remedy for his pretensions but to do himself reason with his Sword whereupon in the places taken and particularly in the Canavese he exacted an oath from the people as their lawful Prince An. Dom. 1616 THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE THIRD BOOK MANY believed that King Philip being of an upright mind and a most impartial understanding and the Duke of Lerma both by Genius and Interest inclined to Peace that which followed in Italy was approved rather than contrived in the Court of Spain and that it had its rise from that Triumvirat which Pietro Girone Duke d'Ossuna Viceroy of Naples Toledo Governour of Milan and la Queva Ambassadour in Venice formed who in their vast thoughts endeavouring to banish Peace and oppress Italy had their aim not so much to make themselves famous as the imployment necessary to the King and of advantage to themselves It was therefore judged that the Councils of Madrid ingaged upon their relations in a point of honour and reputation in which the Nation is beyond measure tenacious did prefer this sole consideration before so many others which rendred the present actings prejudicial to the Monarchy because in some Princes hatred springing up in others jealousies being awakened it seemed that all were afraid and nothing was thought secure from the Power of Spain or sufficient for their avarice To inform themselves then of the mind of the King and of the Favourite the Venetians give command to Pietro Gritti their Ambassadour a Minister of a so well tempered prudence that flegm was not predominant nor did it yield to the sagacity of that Court no less considerate than circumspect to represent the present state of affairs Putting them in mind of the ancient correspondencies sincerely practised with that Crown for the restraint of the Turks the Peace of Italy and the good of Christendom assuring them also that the Republick retained the same lively motives of esteem and affection towards that Crown united to the designs and intentions of a free and honourable Peace They declare withal that having taken Arms to defend themselves against the untolerable outrages of the Uscocchi they pretended nothing of the Archduke but the execution of things promised That Carlo had nothing to require of the Governour of Milan but the observance of things already agreed To what purpose then should Italy be scourged with Armies and tortured with Jealousies if under the shadow of mutual faith which is the most precious Crown of Princes all things might be quieted The Ambassadour added other conceptions which might manifest the Republick inclined to Peace but resolved not to abandon their own decorum or their friends In Spain the Ministers had various reflections thereupon It seemed to some that the arbitrement which they affected in the affairs of Italy being rather called into doubt than maintained it was fit to re-establish it with some advantage before to admit of a Treaty Others apprehending through the universal disgust of the Princes greater commotions and accidents which time did afterwards produce greater indeed than could have been believed were of opinion to embrace conditions of composure Lerma to make himself Arbiter of the War and of the Peace inclines that a Treaty should be set on foot but that it was to be transacted in Spain doubting lest the Emperour resolved that the affairs of the Vscocchi should be composed if the management of the Peace should be in his Court he should constrain the Archduke to accept it in which case the Venetians free from a diversion on that side mihgt be able to revenge themselves upon the Milanese for those jealousies which the Governour had endeavoured to bring upon them It was therefore answered to the Ambassadour in the most lively expressions that the mind of the King always conformable to piety and justice was possessed with equal motives of inclination to Peace with the Republick and with the Duke whereupon it was resolved in Venice and in Turin to dispatch to Gritti powers to treat and conclude a Peace The Ministers of France and England did highly resent it by reason of that competition of Authority which in affairs of weight Princes though friends ascribe to themselves prejudging unhappy success to the business if placed in the self-will of the Spaniards their authority were not qualified by the power of some other Crown which might be able to facilitate the Negotiation and warily inspect the conclusion But although the designs and ends of the Duke of Lerma were not unknown Carlo nevertheless thought to have much advantaged himself by having brought the Spaniard to treat with him as an equal and the Republick hoped that the King thus interessed in the mediation of Peace the minds of the Ministers of Italy would prove less hostile and troublesom That Court being more given to delay than conclude all things began and proceeded very slowly but the War was speeded in Friuli with so much the more diligence though in Piedmont with greater success In Istria the Venetians happened to take Zemino a place strong and of importance The Town was easily taken being abandoned by the Garrison but the Castle was forced by three Batteries there marching out 300 Germans and some of
neither being secure by reason of Orders from those of Coira not to let him remain there he was obliged to return into the Bergamasâ—o And so the Souldiers which had been levied disbanded without much difficulty and over and above every Pass was stopped to some Souldiers of the Republick An Dom. 1618 which by connivence filed towards their own State and it was proposed that a Tribunal should be erected to punish those of the Commonalty who had hearkned to the Proposition of Union with the Republick The League of the Grisons to give them their due opposed that but some of the chief prevailed and turning Justice into a Revenue hoped to make their profit by it This was the foundation of that open discord which did in a manner totally subvert the liberty of Rhetia which being equally in confusion and poverty easily prostituted it self to be the laughing-stock of strangers and to be changed according to the private interest of the Inhabitants ANNO MDCXVIII The year terminating so tempestuous 1618. in consequence begins with little appearance of quiet In Germany the truth was that the inclinations of Matthias without question tended to Peace whence although the Austrians to give all the honour to Spain desired only that the Treaty of Madrid should be approved with the exclusion of that Writing stipulated in Paris nevertheless the Venetians dissenting from it both from decency and the Warranty of the Treaty the ratifications were solemnly exchanged in Vienna Giorgio Justiniano Ambassadour for the Republick with Matthias was admitted to Audience with Ferdinand to whom in an honourable discharge of his function omitting past diffidences he represented the intentions of the Republick towards his Royal person and Family inferring from the present accord and the mutual readiness to execute it presaging of a lasting peace and felicity of their Subjects who from the affections of their Princes receive the most benign or the most severe influences The Emperour together with the King had both a mind to nominate Commissioners for executing the accord Pope Paul and Cosimo the Grand Duke but that served chiefly for State and rather to have Mediators Confidents to both Parties if any difficulty should come to arise Whereupon it being necessary that the Deputies should meet upon the place from the Austrians were sent the Barons Carlo d'Harach and Giacomo Elding and from the Republick Girolamo Justiniano and Anthonio Priuli Cavalier both Procurators of St. Marco The Island of Veglia was chosen for the place of meeting both for the conveniency of the place and because the Venetians even in that loved to keep up a seemliness bringing them home into their own Country In the mean time the Austrians being sensible of an Incursion upon the Frontiers of Croatia sent thither a part of the Militia which was in Friuli abandoning the Post of Rubia and the Republick re-inforced with some of their Souldiery their Army by Sea appointing Barbarigo Captain General over it in whose place passed out of Istria into Friuli Barbaro in quality of Vice-Proveditor General of the Armies Into Segna being brought the Company of Germans of Captain Suech for a Garrison Zemino was immediately delivered by Luigi Giorgio Proveditor General of the Venetian Cavalry to the Commander Rudolfo di Colloredo All passed with somewhat greater length than was accorded and it was caused by various accidents and the quality of the business rather than by the will of the Parties besides because it behoved reciprocally to substitute new Commissioners Elding of the Austrians being dead and of the Venetians in place of Giovanni Bembo Duke deceased Nicholo Donato having possessed the place less than a month Priuli was assumed into the Principality He resolved to depart secretly from Veglia and being met near to Venice by twelve Ambassadours not of the oldest but of the most illustrious with great solemnity assumes the Government of the Republick There succeeded as Commissioner Nicholo Contarini and to Elding Marquardo Baron d'Ech but being recalled a while after the Plenipotence rested in Harach alone The Commerce was re-established and there being 133 names of the Vscocchi agreed upon they were banished with their families and threatnings of most severe punishments if they should dare to return The Barks were burnt and in them also was burnt the Name of the Vscocchi with which the Republick was rid of an unquietness which had vexed them for many years The greatest part of them were transported to Carlistot and other Frontiers of the Turks further from the Sea some of the boldest were received under the protection of Ossuna and amongst them Andrea Ferletich conveying away a Bark made in his passage some pilfering upon the Island of Arbe at which the Venetian Commissioners highly moved protested to suspend the restitution of the places they possessed if against the offence visible severities were not made appear whereupon Harach desirous to make a speedy end of the business because the Insurrections in Bohemia required to haste the Troops thither not being able to get Ferletich into his hands arrests by way of Hostage the Wives of three of his Followers and banished them all with a sentence of death if they ever returned With this and the restitution of the Cannon of the Gally of Veniero the Venetians delivering in exchange those carried away from Scrisa the Austrians having punctually performed the agreement the Republick presently delivered the places they held though on the one side the stirs of Bohemia which greatly straightned the Empire and Ferdinand suggested a conjuncture to attempt advantages and the proceedings of the Ministers of Spain pricked them sharply forward to new resentments and revenge For Ossuna was so far from shewing any inclinations to Peace that rather denying the restitutions promised and continuing secret contrivances and publick designs if he covered the one with silence he published the other with ostentation and talked of nothing else in his Government keeping no other rule but his own will and Capricio the conduct he used was in all things most extravagant To be subject to Reason and Law he held an unbecoming servitude violated the Priviledge of the Church trod under foot the Nobility carried himself insolent tnwards all and oppressing the Kingdom insulted without distinction over all the Princes of Italy Howsoever his extravagances serving for a kind of excuse and cover he seemed at the bottom not only supported by the most secret counsels of Spain but there was a talk of prolonging his Government for three years more The Pope foresaw that this troublesom Spirit would over-turn again the Peace of Italy insists therefore with most effectual offices that he would be quiet restore the Prizes and not disturb the Gulph But the vice-Vice-King all other excuses failing offered to execute every thing when the Republick should discharge the Hollanders He nevertheless at the very same time was providing himself with Ships in England and Holland whereupon the Republick rather than suffer Laws to be imposed upon
at last at Francfort he was received there with infinite applause and the instances of the Bohemians being rejected who endeavoured to exclude him the oppositions of Saxony being overcome with recompences and the Palatine at last forced to consent he was the 28. of August adorned with the Imperial Dignity while at the same time the Bohemians resolve upon a new Election of a King Whether this Kingdom be Hereditary or Successive is a dispute which hath long wearied Armies and Pens with various Judgments some approving reason though over-mastered others applauding the direction of Fortune and the Conquerours As to that which concerned this business in question the resolution sprung both from the necessity of having a Director of that confused Government and from the want of a support by foreign Force In consideration of his nearness his Religion and his Power they offered the Crown to John George Duke of Saxony but he hoping for more certain advantages from the Austrians refuses it The fame of worth and courage begot a great esteem of Carlo Emanuel Duke of Savoy so that he was invited by the Bohemians and in regard of their Religion and Liberty would have preferred him before all others but it appearing environed with thorns that were too sharp neither Carlo nor any body else was yet found that was willing to accept it It was then adjudged to Frederick Prince Palatine a young man and in whom concurred his own high designs and the hopes to be assisted by others being Son-in-law to the King of England It seemed to some of the more wary of that Party that affairs were too far advanced the Austrians being put to a necessity of putting forth their utmost strength and the Catholicks into the obligation of uniting themselves with them Therefore some of the Electors were not wanting who disswaded the Palatine Bavaria counselled from it and the King of England himself endeavoured to divert him He at first shewing himself backward was at last seduced by hopes and ambition to despise their counsels He had his chief incouragement from the then present state of things for although Ferdinand were advanced to so remarkable dignity his ruine was thought near hand whilst being got free from many trains which in his return from Francfort were laid in the way he no sooner arrives at Vienna but he sees all Hungary risen in Arms. The Bohemians having applied themselves to the Ottoman Port to get a consent that Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania might raise Souldiers in those parts where many Hereticks of the Country moved him to it had no great difficulty to obtain it the Turks being always greedy to see the Christians weaken themselves by themselves and having now made a Peace with the Persian were so much the more vigilant if amidst these discords a way might not be opened to advantages of their own This nevertheless as it ordinarily happens that the most wicked counsels are the least successful instead of bringing a prejudice to Ferdinand served greatly to advance his Cause for the Protestants themselves and the Catholicks which took Arms in his favour upon a specious pretext alledged that it was fit they should all joyn for common defence against the Infidels to maintain that Frontier which defended Germany and Europe from ruine Nevertheless the motion of Gabor was at first with great force for with little opposition he makes himself Master of Cassovia with upper Hungary Afterwards of Altemberg and of Presburg or Possonia where he found the Crown worshipped by that people as a testimony from Heaven of lawful Empire The Confederate Bohemians to joyn with him enter into Austria and failed but a little that they had not possessed the Bridges of Vienna if D'Ampiere and Marradas with a stout defence had not maintained them They then advanced towards Hungary when Buquoy with 5000 men only meeting Gabor who not far from Possonia marched with 15000 knowing the Hungarians more fierce to charge than stout to maintain a fight gave them battel and defeats them But the Victory was not of that importance as in the disproportion of their Forces to hinder la Tour from joyning with Gabor and entring into Austria threaten Vienna with a Siege but the season being advanced into November and Victuals in the open Country through the licentiousness of the Souldiers being quickly consumed they were constrained to retire and the rather because the Archduke Carlo Brother to Ferdinand driven in the Revolt of Silesia from his Church of Vratislavia and having fled for refuge to Sigismond King of Poland had obtained of him a Levy of 10000 men though without the consent of the States of the Kingdom and they under Homonay a Hungarian Baron being entred into the upper Hungary had defeated Stefano Ragotzi Gabors General The Confederates for this cause resolved not only to leave Austria but a Diet in Hungary in which was treated the conferring of that Crown upon Gabor was dissolved for fear and Gabor himself retaining his Conquests yields to a Truce which though it ended not wâ—â—h the Peace nevertheless for ten months it took away that troubâ—…som distraction giving opportunity to Homanay to pass into Sâ—lâ—…a and Moravia to Buquoy to go into the upper Austria and to D'Aâ—…piere to follow la Tour into Bohemia And now the applications and thoughts of the Princes were turned towards this Kingdom and it might be said that it resembled a great Lake in which many were fishing with various designs Ferdinand looked at it as his Patrimony Frederick reckoned it as a gift bestowed upon him Saxony and Bavaria gaped after spoils and there wanted not those who waiting upon accidents hoped when others were wearied out to reap for themselves the recompence of the War The House of Austria at that time was truly the die of the Fortune of Europe some desired to raise her up others laboured to bring her down the most were to keep her in a moderate condition All parties therefore made use of the same pretexts of Piety and of State albeit that Princes of several belief joyned themselves together and Religion made War to it self The eyes of the whole Empire were now turned towards the King of England because being so nearly allied to the Palatine and in all affairs endeavouring to thwart the advantages of the Austrians it seemed that it would be difficult for him not to ingage in Arms. But in that Prince decorum and want of power were commonly opposites He being Scotch by birth and come to the Crown by inheritance was the first that governed the two Nations by natural Antipathy and ancient emulation Enemies and designing to reclaim the fierceness of those people with ease and idleness had set up his rest in Peace and avoided as much as possible the calling of Parliaments without which having not the power to impose Contributions nor levy Money he contented himself rather to struggle with many straights and difficulties than see them meet with a jealousie of them or
suspicions exposed to open injuries and secret treacheries And if War be calamitous jealousie is miserable The friendships hitherto contracted are not sufficient to preserve us The Alliances with Savoy and the Switzers are an ornament to the Peace and a defence in War But they open us not the passes they furnish us not with Souldiers they protect not the maritime Provinces for us but that this very City the worthy seat of Liberty and Empire stands no less exposed to dangers than that she hath almost been a prey to Treachery Let us then unite our selves with Holland because if other Leagues defend our Dominion by Land since it is not the Spaniards interest to provoke anew a generous Government which hath taught every one the art how to resist the more powerful they will in future also respect the Gulph not to draw upon them the Arms of that unconquered people which disturbs their possession of the new World and triumphs in the vast Ocean of the Indies By this means our Peace shall be defended by faith but much more by fear If peradventure that rage be objected which in a great Prince will be conceived implacable What occasion will be for it What because we make Alliance with those Provinces with which Spain it self hath concluded a Truce acknowledging them for Soveraign Shall we then be so unhappy that friendship may no more be contracted betwixt free Princes But may not our designs perhaps be to drive the Catholick King out of his vast Territories Our institution and the moderation of our counsels are not accessary to that The League will do him no hurt if he promote not injuries and if he be offended that he finds resistance what greater argument to us to suspect his designs But the charge possibly will be increased But where can it be better imployed than to preserve us from the worst of evils What serves our Riches too if they lye idle but for a provocation to War and a reward to a Conquerour If our Ancestors have been provident to heap up Treasures it belongs to us to be as prudent in the using of it and for fear of growing poor we ought not to imagine our selves always poor for it is not money but Country and People which are the most opulent Treasuries of Princes This opinion prevailed Orders then and powers being dispatched to Suriano a defensive League was concluded for fifteen years in which in case of Invasion the Republick promised 50000 Florins a month to the States and they on their part an equivalent succour of Men Ships or Money as the Senate should appoint For the solemn Ratification of it the Heer Aersen was deputed from the Hagh to go to Venice and from the Venetians into Holland Girolamo Trevisano Ambassadours Extraordinary This League was no sooner published but contrary to that of Italy all the considerable Princes of the North desired to be of it And for that purpose instances and frequent Ministers arrived at Venice In particular Balthasar Nei Secretary to the Marquess of Anspach and Prince Magnus of Wirtemberg in the name of the Protestants of the Union and of the Bohemians came to demand assistance the King of England strengthening their demand with effectual offices But the Republick resolving not to depart from the defensive only did not admit of their instances At the Conclusion of this League the Spaniards seemed to be greatly strucken and their Ministers contrived more and more to increase jealousies and troubles in particular Ossuna who confounding the promised restitution of the goods made prize with the shew of new attempts kept a Squadron of Gallies ready fitted with all their furniture to offer at some surprise in the Adriatick with a doubtful report whether he would fall into Albania to the damage of the Turks or of the Venetians in Dalmatia In both these Provinces he had Intelligences and Treaties and keeping Souldiers alongst the Coast of Puglia gave out that he intended to send them to Trieste by Sea The Venetians constant in their resolution not to suffer armed Vessels to come into the Gulph ordered Lorenzo Veniero surrogated to Barbarigo deceased into the Procuratorship of St. Marc and the Charge of Captain General to hinder it and to oppose him with all his force The Fleet was at Curzola very strong in Ships and Souldiers and Veniero making choice of twelve light Gallies new cleaned and five great ones made a course to the Coast of Puglia clearing the Sea of some Pirate Pinnaces by taking four and making himself Master besides of a Flemish Vessel which laded Corn for Naples He afterwards went back to Corfu to secure ten Gallies which were coming from Candia to joyn the Fleet for which the Marquess of Santa Croce with a Squadron of Naples laid wait in their course But Anthonio Pisani avoiding the ambush keeping the other Coast brought them safe Veniero then joyning with thirty four Ships which were in the Roads of Meleda and two which they had taken come from Vallona with Corn scoured longst the Coast of Albania where he took three which laded Corn for Naples where there was great scarcity At last coming to Pola he discharged some Ships which were over and above what he had need of Freletich that had done some mischief under the countenance of Ossuna seeing the Venetian Fleet advanced into Istria had the boldness to enter into the Gulph to make prey of some Ships but being pursued by some Gallies he ran on shore on the Coast of the Kingdom and leaving the Ship with the Arms of the Viceroy in prey to the Venetians with the death of some of his saved for that time his own life At Naples also the Fleet at last separates for being informed of the defence the Republick had ordered in the Gulph the Ships were sent to Vado to land the Souldiers appointed for the relief of Ferdinand and the Gallies under the Command of Prince Philibert joyned to the Squadrons of the Pope Malta Genoua and Tuscany passed into Africk to attempt upon Susa the Prince having first assured the Republick under-hand who jealous of so great preparations ordered Veniero to assemble the Fleet at Corfu that they should fear no disturbance so long as he commanded But finding the Pirates in Susa upon their guard and all Posts already in defence all they were able to do was but to throw down the first Port with a Pettard and the second being mured up they were obliged to return with some loss It being commonly believed as was divulged by the suspicious Genius of Spain that Ossuna desirous for his own ends to consume those Forces of the King had given the Pirates notice of the design Certain it is that the right those Pirates did themselves was greater than the loss for a while after they ransacked the maritime Coast of Spain burning Orpesa carrying away Booty and Slaves Philibert in his retreat sailed within sight of Cerigo and of Zant where the same night the
kept them on foot With this incouragement la Cadé and the Directorships took Arms pretending by forcible remedies to keep the Grisa in the ancient Union Pompeo Pianta the supposed chief Contriver of the disagreements was killed and Visconti with many of the Faction of Spain were forced to retire in great haste out of the Country because to the first fury of that inraged people nothing being able to resist the Catholick Switzers also with their Colonel Betlinger retired leaving Cannon and Baggage behind La Lega Grisa then joyned themselves to the other but Feria in hopes which quickly vanished to keep the Torrent of these armed people far from the Valley did not only strengthen the Forts but to facilitate the gaining of Chiavena caused an Invasion to be made into the Valley of Musocco which alone of the three Leagues is situate on this side the Mountains The Inhabitants though Catholicks yet for all that not inclined to the Spaniards having cold and ice for the defence of their situation hid themselves behind a great Trench of Snow whence sallying without being observed they so unexpectedly charged the Spanish Troops that leaving five hundred dead upon the place they retired dispersed by several ways into the Milanese Thus every day were their minds as well as Troops more and more imbrued in blood and the Venetians finding in the Princes of Italy more apprehension of the evil than resolution for the remedy had recourse again to the King of England by the means of Girolamo Lando ordinary Ambassadour representing to him the state of things to be in a condition of great contingency James with wonted magnificence of words answers That he took to heart the security and safety of Europe That the Interests of Italy were always in his eye and in his cares That he held the Republick above all in a choice confidence and constant friendship And did therefore declare that if his Son-in-law were despoiled of his Patrimonial Countries he would send a powerful Army into Germany to uphold him If the Hollanders should be invaded he would not spare his assistance and if the Venetians should suffer any molestation he would succour them with the Forces of all his Kingdoms and for an earnest offered a present Levy in England of ten thousand Souldiers The Senate by Letters express renders him thanks in abundance esteeming those magnificat offers for a grace if not an assistance It was now no secret that at this time the Spaniards themselves kept the King in hope of the Marriage of Mary second Daughter of Philip with the Prince of Wales to the end to make him suspected by all and beget a belief in himself that the restitution of the Palatinate should be one of the chief Articles in that agreement He nevertheless at Madrid presses also effectually for the restitution of the Valteline and Bassompiere arriving thereupon pursues the same the Popes Nuntio also and the Ambassadour of the Venetians contributing thereto their endeavours But the death of Philip the Third leaves for some days the business in suspence The face of the Court was a little before this much changed for although Lerma with the Purple of a Cardinal had thought to cover himself from changes and accidents yet it being difficult by honest means to maintain the ascendant over the Genius of Princes he escaped not the accustomed malignant influence of Envy and of Fortune Publick discourses ran abroad that he had with poyson procured the death of the Queen Margaret by the cooperation of Roderigo Calderone who had a power over her mind equal to that which he exercised over the will of the King The disorders in the Government being over and above imputed to him and in many things calumny envy and the interest of a few being joyned to what was true his disgrace from the hatred of all was fiercely promoted Having for some time since wrestled with many in this narrow path of the ambition of Court he met with no more fierce Competitor than the Duke D'Vceda his own Son closely oyned up with Father Luigio Aliaga he Kings Confessor so that there was not a corner that was not cunningly beset even to the inward retirement of Conscience and the most secret Colloquies of the Soul The King at last yields to the general desire of the Court and Kingdoms and in honour of the Purple silencing his accusations commands him to retire It remained a doubt whether in an age proclaimed by the wrath of Heaven to the mocquery of Favourites the King would not have taken upon himself the Government when death in the forty third year of his age takes him away from the troubles which Empire carries with it His years would surely have been more memorable if he had been born a private man rather than a King because being better adorned with the ornaments of life than endowed with the skill to command as goodness piety and continuance placed him in a degree higher than ordinary Subjects so the disapplication to Government rendred him lower than was fit or necessary By publick defects private vertues being corrupted and in particular keeping his mind in idleness it was believed that he had reserved nothing for himself to do but to consent to all that which the Favourite had a mind to Thus the Government of the World recommended to Princes as to the true Shepherds falls into mercenary hands making themselves not understood but by the sound voice of interest and the authority of ambition the people suffer ruine and calamity and the Princes themselves render account to God of that Talent which they have suffered their Ministers to make merchandize of It is certain that Philip in the agony of death was not so much comforted with the calling to mind his innocent life as he was troubled with the sting of conscience for his omissions in Government The report was that the Maxims of Interest yielding in that instant to the Law of God the restitution of the Valteline was precisely ordered The Son Philip the Fourth comes to the Kingdom in an age so young being but sixteen years old that the World had cause heedfully to observe whether ambition the common disease of Princes would sooner move or satiate him But it quickly appeared that the Ascendant of Favourites was not yet set for dispatches being brought to the King he delivers them to Gasparo di Gusman Conde d'Olivares and he shewing himself backward though he desired it commanded they should be given to whom the Count would appoint He feigning modesty assigns them to Balthasar di Zuniga an old Minister and of great credit but yet by concert for Zuniga being his Uncle they had agreed to support one another whereupon taking off the Mask the Power fell to the Count who quickly honoured besides with the Title of Duke will be found with this double attribute in the following relation to be more famous than fortunate From the Republick according to custom were appointed an
and Baldirone makes himself master of the Valley of Partentz Poschiavo and many other Towns and places of the Agnedina and of the Ten Directorships Rhetia by these redoubled invasions was full of confusion and slaughter nevertheless a Pittach was held in Coira which if it proved always tumultuous was at present void of all order and form every one pretending to give counsel to other and no man knowing what was fit to resolve There was a great contest about sending new Ambassadors to Milan many approved it and the Ten Directorships opposed it when Leopolds Army coming to Coira resolves the doubt and the meeting for the people in a fright went out to meet them and renders them the Town saving their Priviledges Government and Liberty of Conscience Certain it was that the Arch Duke desired to have it and pressed the Bishop to renounce the Church to him to which are annexed many temporal jurisdictions and the dominion of one part of the Town it self In the mean time to hinder the Switzers from succouring Rhetia he causes a good Fort to be laid towards Regatz slighting the jealousies of the Cantons and their displeasure whilst not being able to resolve any thing but by an unanimous consent they were obliged first to call a Diet for it And because Feria apprehended some motion from the Venetians to keep the chief strength of their Forces in Lombardy he sends a great number of men to their Borders But there appeared a kind of breathing to Affairs from whence it was least expected for Mansfelt who sought War every where and his profit from every accident being scarcely dis-intangled from the losses of Bohemia with a speedy march comes into Alsatia with so great a diversion and such success that he not only obliges Leopold to hasten thither with all his Forces but Feria to send thither having the convenience of the passes and of the new Conquests four thousand Foot and five hundred Horse lessening the Garrisons and the jealousies towards the Venetians and in particular taking some Companies out of Soncino the which in respect to the Pass of the Steccato went round about the Territory of Crema THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1621 THE FIFTH BOOK CErtainly the Valteline and Rhetia were not taken to be of little consequence as not to deserve the care of the Princes both as to the seizing and defending of them such being their situation that being possessed by Strangers a snare might be said to be closed upon the relief and liberty of Italy The Venetians therefore to whom it more nearly belonged became more earnest upon all occasions in their offices and invitations with the French But that Kingdom involved in new intestine discords still languished from its first distemper and the remonstrances or threats of the King were little feared by the Austrians For Luines having formed a great design to take from the Hugenots the places which former Kings under the title of security had for a time accorded to them took pretext from a certain Assembly which they held in Rochel that since the successes in Bern they complotted with over-much licence things prejudicial to the Kings service and declaring it suspect and unlawful followed the Edicts with an Army That Party was weakened enough already through dis-union for the Court had gained some of the chief ones who preferred their Interest before Religion and amongst those Dediguieres so that there remained no more Chiefs of Authority amongst them but Rohan Soubize Chastiglione and la Force of several inclinations and divers ends amongst themselves Many of the people desired peaceable rather than turbulent counsels others adhered to the Chiefs or followed the obstinate zeal for their false belief The Court designed to suppress them all and the sooner to end the War began it with great force and with several Armies dispersed in several Provinces With one the Duke of Espernon curbs Rochel and with another the Duke of Maine in his Government of Guyenne either confirms the Towns in obedience or forces the disobedient Conde longst the Loire takes Sancere and the King with the most considerable part of his Forces besieges S. Jean d' Angeli The Hugenots were not wanting to themselves some serving in person others contributing money notwithstanding all help from without failed them Germany being too much imbroiled England not minding Foreign affairs and Holland ready to come to blows with the Spanish Army had more need of French succours than were inclined to assist the Rebels of that Crown They were therefore in many places obliged to submit and St. Jean d' Angeli though defended by Soubize to the utmost was forced at its surrender to accept of any conditions and to have the Walls razed Such a resistance of such a place was of marvellous use to the Hugenots to blunt the first fury of the Kings Army which having rather done honour to some obscure places than overcome them sate down at last before Montauban a good deal weakened and not so fierce This was a very memorable Siege because the place wanted neither Fortifications Commanders Provisions and Garrison nor the Aggressors Force Discipline and Courage All Arts and Force of War were there practised there were to be seen diversions attempted ambushes laid succours brought in and sometimes repulsed thundering batteries assaults with more rashness than bravery undertaken and repulsed with the shedding of noble blood in such sort that the Ditches of Montauban were the burying place of the most worthy and valiant Souldiers But at last some being weary others disbanded most dead the Army was much weakened and the season so far advanced that the King was forced to raise the Siege and withdrawing to Winter-quarters in Guiena expect the taking in of some small places where Luines by favour assumed into the honourable Charge of Constable surprised with a dangerous sickness ends his days worthy in this of great praise that he at least rough-hewed the great design of uniting all France unto it self which was afterwards more happily perfected by others These Ingagements of France contributed much to advantage the Spaniards designs who with various Arts laboured to continue them longer intangled in the same whereupon making shew of friendship and zeal of Religion they offer succours to subdue the Huguenots and particularly a Fleet to conquer Rochel And indeed not only the Valteline but in all parts else the Arms of the House of Austria went prosperously on scarce finding opposition for in Bohemia there remaining but Tabor and Pilsen which held for Frederick the first was by Tilli who corrupted the Commanders won with gold and the other by Marradas after a very long Siege Silesia was quickly brought under by the Elector of Saxe and Hungary Gabor having in vain sought succours from the Turks and the Venetians was forced to receive a Peace and Laws Bethlem having laid down the Title of King and restored the Crown with the recompence of seven Counties in Hungary
it self and two large Dukedoms in Silesia There remained both the Palatinates higher and lower the Patrimony of Frederick in whose name Mansfelt yet making War was as hath been said entred into Alsatia doing the Bishoprick of Spira and other places on the Rhine intolerable mischiefs and in Alsatia it self taking Haghenau and with a strait but vain Siege attempted Zabern In favour also of Frederick some other Generals of Armies discovered themselves who in imitation of Mansfelt had the boldness with secret assistance from other Princes to struggle with the Power and Fortune of Ferdinand One was John George Marquess of Jagendorf of the House of Brandenburg who by reason of the Reformation of Religion which the Imperialists in the subdued Provinces executed with so much severity that it seemed to many a slaughter rather than a remedy or chastisement assembled many of the male-contents and some Souldiers to infest Moravia and Silesia Another was Christian Duke of Branswich and Administrator of Halberstat who taking into his service some Troops of the King of Denmarks for that purpose disbanded and having formed a considerable Army harassed Westphalia and the Catholicks of those parts Frederick weary of the vexations of a Crown so troublesom and now desperate being retired into Holland gave way that under the protection of the King of England his Interest should be managed in the Imperial Court and that the Palatinate should defend it self But the offices of James were discredited by the weakness wherewith he accompanied his force whereupon under pretext that the business of the Peace and pardon of Frederick was to be deferred to a general Diet as was desired not only by England but by Denmark and the Lower Saxony the Army of the Austrians marched Upon Spinola's coming near the Rhine with an Army well ordered and provided the Princes Protestants of the Union being frighted condescended to a Treaty in Mentz by which their Union being dissolved which consisted more in name than in a true concord of minds they resolved to stand neutral and Spinola on the other side promises so to respect them In the Palatinate there being now and that but with a very few Troops only Colonel Veer an English man and Obentrauta German it would have been easie for Spinola to have possessed it if out of fear to have too much irritated the King of England and a desire he had to attempt some Exploit upon the Hollanders he had not consented to a Truce for some months A Truce highly disapproved by the Spanish Ministers but which being of little continuance advantaged them in the pretexts of their attempts because the Commanders of the Troops in the Palatinate encouraged with the succours which Mansfelt and Halverstat gave out they would bring them having by a pernicious Council broken it awakened the Spaniards separated into Quarters to assemble themselves and besiege Franckental after having taken Stein which was done by Gonzalo di Cordua Spinola being elsewhere imployed The King of England nevertheless ceased not by means of his Ambassadour Digby at the Imperial Court to sollicite the renewing the suspension of Arms. But Ferdinand impressed already with the thought of depriving Frederick of his Electorship and Country remits the Treaty to Brussels to gain time and in that interim the Duke of Bavaria in a manner provoked by Mansfelt who with several Treaties for several months had deluded him enters the Vpper Palatinate and possesses it without opposition the Country being destitute of Fortresses or Forces And the Duke not to be wanting to the occasion and his own advantages to pursue Mansfelt sends Tilli to the Rhine and orders him to seize all that part of the Lower Palatinate which lies betwixt the Rhine and the Neccar A blow which Maximilian believed doubly pleasing to the Catholicks not only because it deprived the Hereticks of that very strong Hold but because it prevented the Spaniards whom the Germans did not willingly see advanced into the Empire by such Conquests The King of England was inraged to see his Son-in-law oppressed and himself deluded but not having forces proportionable to his anger and his Authority serving no longer for a sufficient cover for his weakness had called a Parliament according to custom to consider of Contributions and Provisions But grievous complaints were presently started some desiring that the Treaty of Marriage betwixt the Prince and the Infanta of Spain might be broken and that a Wife might be given him of a Religion comformable to their own others pressing a Reformation in the Government with pretensions which were injurious to the Soveraignty and opposite to the nature of it so that he dissolves it without coming to a resolution The Palatinate then remained at the discretion of the Enemy-forces nor was to expect other succours but from Mansfelt who according to his custom with sly marches and unexpected arrives there so unlooked for that Cordua taking fright raises the Siege retiring or rather running away by night leaving in his Quarters sick Souldiers Materials and Cannon Thus ends this year famous for War kindled in so many parts and to the end no corner of Europe might remain free from the flame in the Low-Countries also the Truce being expired it fiercely breaks out again Heretofore in the interval of greater Wars that of Flanders served the Spanish Monarchy for a standing Army and to keep Military Discipline in exercise But exercise it self becoming violent and to excess consumed the most vital spirits of the Crown the Souldiers of Spain the gold of the Indies the vigour of Italy being not able to supply them And therefore a Truce for twelve years was willingly interposed and might easily again have been prolonged if in Spain at the expiration thereof the counsels of those had been continued who first setled it But the Conde Duke new in Government keeping the young King remote from affairs took the measure of his power from his own opinion and pride An. Dom. 1622 Hence the Treaties which for some months had run on being by this means broken his thought was to break out into War vainly believing to make the glory of the Monarchy appear if amusing France in the divisions of Religion and dandling England with Treaties of a Marriage he should slight all others and at the same time molest Italy overwhelm Holland and triumph over Germany Spinola then having consented to a Truce in the Palatinate as hath been said marches to the Frontiers of the United Provinces threatning many places At last encamps his Army near to Prince Maurice of Orange who was at Emerich to observe his motions and having by a Stratagem induced him to draw a thousand men out of Juliers making a shew to attacque another place turns to that first invested by Count Henry Vanden Berg with six thousand Foot a thousand Horse and six pieces of Cannon and afterwards by Spinola himself with the gross environed with Forts and deep Trenches That Town the Metropolis of the Dukedom
of the same name is commodiously situate upon the Roer a little River but in the middle betwixt the Rhine and Mase doth not less cover Guelders on that side than opens the way which leads into the very heart of the United Provinces Maurice laboured exceedingly to put relief into it but at first waited upon by Spinola afterwards hindred by a strong Circumvallation at last drawn away by another body of men which from Brabant-side threatned Holland he was forced to see it rendred after some months resistance Upon the motion of these Armies the States sent to several Courts for succours and demanded of the Venetians those disbursements to which the League obliged and which being comprehended in the Article stipulated of Invasion were by the Republick accordingly paid unto them ANNO M.DC.XXII The Prince of Echemberg Favourite and chief Minister of the Emperour having in the end of the year past in the name of his Master espoused in Mantua Eleonora Gonzaga Sister of the Duke a Princess which over and above her Portion brought rare Beauty and singular Vertue the most convenient passage for the Bride lying through the Territory of the Venetians about Trent she was received and defrayed by Andrea Paruta General di Terra firma by order of the Senate with suitable Magnificence But at the same time the Count d'Ognate disputed in Vienna the Rank and Dignity with Pietro Gritti Ambassadour of the Republick denying him the same Treatment and Title which always formerly had been practised and although Ferdinand to whom Ognate in other respects had made himself sufficiently odious shewed his great dislike of it yet the Spaniard persisting in his conceit the Senate was necessitated to recal their Minister leaving at the Court Marco Anthonio Padavino Secretary till such time that by the alteration of affairs minds coming to change and be pacified they might as after a year or two happened send again an Ambassadour to reside there Amidst a heap of so many cross things it served for some kind of satisfaction that in Naples the Vice-King Cardinal Zappata restored at last the Gallies formerly taken with the Merchandize remaining undevoured by Ossuna nothing was spoken of the remainder nor more of the Ships because there having been much hurt done on either side the liquidation would have been difficult The Admiral Ship of Naples was alone as hath been said rendred by the Venetians Another molestation at Sea ceased about this time for Freletich famous for many rapines and villanies discharged out of the Spaniards service was entertained by the Grand Duke in Ligorn but being weary of quiet and hungring after pillage enters into the Adriatick to attempt in the Quarnaro wonted surprisals upon the Islands or Ships of Venetians but being taken by the Men of War paid at last with many of his Companions for his folly with his life Amidst foreign relations domestick examples and testimonies of the well regulated Discipline of the Common-wealth must not be omitted It is forbidden the Sons of the Dukes for important reasons which regard that temperance which is most necessary among Citizens during the life of the Father to accept Benefices of the Church It happened that the Pope conferred upon Mattheo Cardinal Priuli the Bishoprick of Bergamo and he mindful of enjoying the freedom of his Country and to uphold in his Father the chief Dignity of the Common-wealth refused it with great applause of his Fellow-Citizens and probably to the admiration of those who know no other Law but that of Ambition and Interest But amidst the moderation of such an example another above measure abominable pollutes the City For Anthonio Foscarini Cavalier and Senator was seen hanged upon the Gallows upon a calumny to have held a secret Correspondence with Strangers The fraud of some of the wickedest of men proposing to themselves rewards had conspired against the life of the most innocent and eminent Patricians for as much as the Government in turbulent times calling to mind past Treacheries and considering the present hatreds suspicions alone were easily disguised into crimes They addressed themselves to the Magistrate of the greatest Inquisitors of State and dividing the parts some of Accusers others of Witnesses they betrayed Justice and the Just But this infamous Conspiracy could not last long for the hainousness of the offence being discovered Girolamo Vano da Salo and Domenico da Venetia as the principal suffered just punishment Foscarini by a publick declaration of his innocency was restored if not to life at least to his good name and his family to their former lustre and from common compassion promoted to greater degrees of Honour And now returning to the successes of the French Armies whose motion was depending also upon those of Italy they proceeded against the Hugenots with some sort of prosperity for that Soubize being driven out of the Islands of Rochel the King in the mouth of the Chanel planted the Fort Louis which though it did not shut up the Town and Port did nevertheless incommodate and was afterward the foundation of that memorable Siege The small places of Guyenne and Languedock were all rendred being so much the more weak as they were more numerous whilst the Hugenot Party composed of many equal in authority no less than in interest instead of strengthening the vital and more noble parts applied themselves to the defence of obscure places which at the appearance of an Army or the first Volley of shot were obliged to yield But gaining the Chiefs of that Faction turned to a far greater damage La Force upon a secret promise to be created Mareshal of France abandons it and Chastillon pretending to be ill satisfied with Rohan retires himself Dediguieres declaring himself Catholick obtained by it the Charge of Constable which is the highest in the Armies whereupon by example and other benefits magnifying his own advantages he drew many that considered such notable rewards were not to be had from other than the King A Peace therefore with the Hugenots being procured by the Ambassadours of England and Venice to the end the King might apply himself to foreign occurrences was diverted the endeavours besides the allurements of present advantages of the Apostolick Nuntio who wholly opposed himself against it the artifice of the Ministers of Spain who craftily nourished the division and the judgment of the Prince of Conde who with great aversion to the belief in which he was born implacably sollicited the War prevailing But to the affairs of the Valteline the greatest stop was put by the inclination of Monsieur de Pisieux Secretary of State who succeeded to Luines in the favour shewing himself irresolute in business inconstant in his word and in all things a Minister of greater cunning than ability He professed great respect to the Spaniards and in the affairs of the Grisons published himself above measure solicitous to terminate them by Negotiation but particularly with ambitious designs and hopes imbarking in the pretensions of the
by how much he saw Dorlach wasted to nothing Halverstadt weakned and Mansfelt wont as the fortune of Arms wavered to apply himself to Treaties was always suspected by him lest one day he should sell him and sacrifice him to his own interest But he was no sooner returned into Holland and by a publick Declaration to shew his sincerity so much the more to the Austrians discharged out of his service Mansfelt and his Followers but he perceived that from an Enemy offended and in Arms he that had no Forces could expect but hard Conditions of Peace for there was offered to him but a small pitance of his Country with the rest to his eldest Son after the death of Bavaria on condition that he should pass from Calvinism to the Catholick Faith But such offers being openly rejected by Frederick and the Ministers of the King of England the business was again referred to a Diet in Ratisbone By such Negotiations Peace being retarded the War was more vigorously prosecuted Heidelberg the ancient Seat of the Palatines was by Tilli taken by force and Franckental reduced by Cordua to extremity so that the King of England who published that he held that Country under his Protection desiring by some appearance though laught at by the World to cover the contempt not being able to succour it consents to a Truce of fifteen months during which Franckental and the rest of the lower Palatinate should be deposited in the Spaniards hands to restore them to the King if within that time there were not a Peace concluded So the English in that state of things contenting themselves only with a promise abandoned soon after the hopes also of recovering that place the which for many years went not out of the hand of the Spaniards till the new changes of Fortune and the times obliged them to render it But Mansfelt was constrained to raise the Siege from before Zaverna both because the Catholick Armies being at liberty from the imployment of the Palatinate threatned to draw towards him and that the Duke of Lorrain not being willing to suffer him to nestle himself upon his Borders was preparing to relieve it He nevertheless at that very time when his Martial attempts succeeded not sets on foot a Treaty with Tilli in his own and Helverstadts name with offers to change his Party but his artifices now so many times discovered were by the Austrians with equal arts deluded He nevertheless with a flourishing Army and cryed up by Military men kept himself in great reputation of equally valiant and wise so that to strifs he was earnestly pressed with offers from all parts He inclined not though he were invited to it by the Venetians in regard of the affairs of the Valteline to pass into Rhetia apprehending that amidst the difficulty of the Passes and the Straights of the Mountains he might consume that Army which was accustomed with great spoils to maintain it self in the spatious Provinces of Germany but he equally hearkened to the instances of the Huguenots of France who with cryes and provocations of Religion called him to their succours and to those of the States of Holland who with equal motives of their Religion with greater recompence sued to him for assistance At last not being able to subsist longer in Alsatia whilst the Armies of Tilli Cordua and Leopold flanked upon him and reflecting that with the Huguenots it was rather to maintain a broken Faction than a setled Principality he resolves to go into Holland It was therefore necessary to keep his intention secret and deceive with many various reports and divers marches as he did For having with great artifice disarmed the Duke of Lorrain who expected nothing like it of a sudden he marches into the middle of his Country and in revenge that he had disturbed him in the Enterprise of Zaverne put it into so great confusion and fright with such bitter losses that the Duke was constrained to give him passage furnish him with Victuals and perswade him to vent that Military storm elsewhere Nor did the Count fail for the licence of his Souldiery being satiated in Lorrain he enters into the Bishopricks of Verdun and Metz with such terrour to the neighbouring Countries that Paris it self was in a fright whilst the King by reason of the War with the Huguenots was so far off The Duke of Nevers Governour of Champagne by all sorts of fair means and promises endeavours to stop him and he to lay truth baring those licences which to an Army that had no other livelyhood but rapine he was necessitated to permit he restrained 〈…〉 y as much as he could Fear therefore entred into the Province of Flanders towards whom it now appeared the march was directed and the Infanta with no less solicitude endeavours to keep him afar off sending as far as to the Pont a Mouson the Duke of Bornoville who with large offers was to perswade him to divert some whither else or to inroul himself under the Spanish Colours Certainly it was wonderful to consider that an Army new raised and mercenary without the Authority of Princes and without the Protection of Dominion driven out of Germany after having over-run it and in a great measure laid it waste should now be the Scourge of Lorrain the Fear of France the Terror of Flanders be paid by many intreated by all and every where most earnestly desired But whilst this fury of War in so many places either laid waste or threatned discord slides into its bowels Halverstadt upon great discontents separating who being sollicited by the Duke of Bouillon inclined to assist the Huguenots Little wanted but that the common Souldiers according to the animosity of the Chiefs at variance also amongst themselves had not fallen to kill one another and with intestine Arms expiated the offence and the excesses till now committed But at last foreseeing in their disunion their destruction and considering that the flatteries and propositions of Nevers by gaining time had served so to arm the Frontier as to be able to make a strong resistance the Commanders and the Troops reconciled amongst themselves and leaving as in trust under the faith of the Governour of the place the Cannon in the Suburbs of Mouson burning many Carriages to set a greater number of men on Horseback he continues his march with haste And it was now necessary for him to hasten it because Cordua sollicited not only by the Infanta but also by the French was come to Ivoy in Lutzemburg to cross him in his way but with a strength inferiour not exceeding ten thousand Foot and five thousand Horse so that at the first Encounter of Mansfelts Horse who confidently ravaged the Country he received a little blow But a while after re-inforced by the Colonel Verdugo whom Spinola without abandoning the Siege of Bergopzoom sent to his relief the Armies now being near an equal strength they straitned one anothers victuals and march in such sort that they could
the custom of the Ottoman Emperours perserved him for the Empire But the Barbarians making Destiny guilty and Author of their villanies Mustapha excuses himself saying that he knew he had oftentimes decreed his death but that God would not permit it Left then in prey to the Janissaries and conducted to the seven Towers amidst the concourse and execrations of the people who having during his Reign endured all kinds of calamity Hunger Pestilence and War detested him as the fatal occasion of their evils his Head was cut off Delivert grand Visir in this interim fled but taken at Scutari and brought back to Constantinople he was killed with his blood and a few others of the chief Ministers and the pillaging of some house the Tumult ceasing Nevertheless Mustapha destinated to frequent passages from a Prison to a Throne remains not long upon the Stage An. Dom. 1623 for his incapacity by new experience being confirmed he was anew deposed and Amurath Brother of Osman being very young was assumed to the Crown He sends to Venice Mustapha Chiaus with wonted respects of friendship and peace and the Republick corresponded as usual by sending Simeon Contarini Cavalier and Procurator Ambassador Extraordinary to his Court. ANNO M.DC.XXIII Bohemia being not alone but the Imperial Crown the object and reward of the War which inflamed Germany the Austrians rejoyced so much the more in the Victories they had gotten by how much with the spoils of the Palatine having taken away a Vote from the Protestant the Empire seemed to be confirmed in their Family and the Catholick Party The Pope with motives of Religion pressed that the Electorate might be disposed of and recommended Bavaria not only a Kinsman in blood to the proscribed Palatine but worthily deserving it for his piety promising also great assistances if it should be necessary to maintain the disposal and decree by Arms. Nor was Ferdinand against it but rather found himself ingaged in his word and interest for Maximilian and he by the almost entire possession of both the Palatinates by his own Forces and those of the Catholick Ligue made himself so much considered and almost feared that it was not easie to dispose of it to another The Emperour was very earnest to get out of his hands by this change the Upper Austria which Bavaria held engaged for thirteen millions of Florins which in subduing the Rebels he affirmed to have spent but great difficulties crossed his desires The Protestants were inraged and in particular Saxony vexed besides at the Reformation of Religion which was practised in Bohemia many had compassion of the calamities of the Palatine and the innocence of his Children and not a few pretended to be sharers in his ruine But the most considerable opposition rose from the Spaniards who irritated that Bavaria had by Arms possessed himself of a part of the Lower Palatinate openly opposed Ferdinands intentions and that with a pretext that it was not fit so publickly to offend the King of England and with reasons besides that it was not convenient to set him up so high who might one day dispute the Empire with the Austrians but that resolving to maintain the Investiture by Arms it was better to come to extremities and bestowing it upon some of their own Kindred to advance the greatness of the Family with an Electoral Vote But the Emperour aiming to recover his own and to amuse those of both Religions in the Empire sends to Saxe the Archduke Carlo his Brother to perswade and appease him and into Spain some Religious persons to represent motives by which he was induced and in a manner forced to resolve There happened at this time the sudden Voyage of Charles Prince of England to the Court of Spain which put into admiration all Europe doubtful which was greatest the artifice on the one side in solliciting it or the happiness on the other in performing it In Madrid Digby resided Ambassadour for King James so much enamoured with such a Negotiation that proposing to himself great rewards according to his desires and proper interest he continually represented facility and safety The project consisted on the one side of promises to restore the Palatine into his Country and Vote and on the other of a connivence or rather assistance to oppress the United Provinces of Holland There resided then in London for the Catholick King the Count of Gondomar who with a stupendious acuteness of wit so confounded pleasant things with serious that it was not easie to be discerned when he spoke of business and when he rallied He had marvellously possessed the mind of the King and the inclination of the Prince and so insinuating himself into the hopes and inclination of both with mysterious speeches and facetious discourses he perswades him in earnest to resolve that Charles himself incognito should surprise them at Madrid to conclude the Marriage and bring back the Bride to London The Prince then parting in great silence passes disguised by Post through France accompanied by few others but the Duke of Buckingham Director of the whole Affair and who with an unusual example enjoyed no less favour from the King in being than from the Prince his Successor Not many resolutions haply are to be found which made a noise equal to this Of a Prince that was foreseeing to a wonder who was over-shadowed with jealousie the people made it their discourse and the English more than any murmured at it the only Son of the King the Heir of the Kingdom hazard himself in such a long Voyage carry himself as an Hostage rather than a Spouse to a Court of contrary Maxims of Religion and State humbly to supplicate for a Wife Most men would not be perswaded but the business was concluded so that many discourses were made of secret Alliances and the Protestants feared it nay some of the Catholicks themselves no less suspiciously apprehended it Bavaria in particular doubting lest the Country and Dignity in favour of the Marriage should be restored to Frederick and France was jealous lest if Great Brittany should adhere to the Austrians their Power in Europe would be without a ballance In England the Hereticks were afraid lest the King inclined to change Religion to effect it with greater security had a mind to support himself by the Forces and Countenance of great Princes and the Catholicks rejoyced hoping by such a Marriage for Liberty of Conscience and security for their lives In Ratisbone where the Diet was assembled the Spanish Ambassadour pretended that without disposing of the Electorate the Emperour should at least stay to see the issue of this Voyage and of so great an Emergency But those of the Popes party and the Bavarians with unusual and incessant instances pressed him to declare himself and end the business Notwithstanding then that the major part of the Empire were of opinion that the Authority did not belong to the Emperour alone in a matter of so great importance to deprive
also perswaded Bethlem Gabor to be quiet for he proposing to himself either to make a short War or Peace having obtained the Turks consent by the means of the Count de la Tour who went to the Port for that purpose had invaded Hungary and Moravia But it being divulged that Tilly having the fame of so many Victories his fore-runners was coming to their relief he retired into his own Country and applies himself to new agreements He had also in this year sent Stephano Attuani his Minister of most trust to Venice to demand a League and assistance but without effect because the Senate purposed to be attentive observers of but not be intangled in foreign occurrences so far distant from them An. Dom. 1624 ANNO M.DC.XXIV But was so much the more watchful upon the Valteline experiencing now from the usurpation of the passages there the mischiefs foreseen whilst for recruiting their Army and increasing their strength in order to the fulfilling of the League and guard themselves against the jealousies which molested them on all sides they had no means to bring any Souldiers but by Sea with much length of time and charge The Pope to gain time proposed divers expedients and above all expressed that without re-imbursement of the charges he would not part with the trust but the Confederates offering that with all readiness provided he would put the Valley into their hands to be rendred when the Forts were razed and Religion restored to the first Owner he remained fearful to offend Spain and proposed that of the Valley should be formed a soveraign body to be united either to the Catholick Cantons of Helvetia or as a fourth League to the three of the Grisons But the Confederates proposing to themselves the end of restoring things to their former state judged they should be wanting to the protection promised to the Grisons and nevertheless feared lest the Valteline not being able to subsist of it self as a body apart should uphold it self by the Spaniards by which means taking away the cover of the name they should still enjoy predominancy over their minds the convenience and liberty of the passage to the exclusion of all others Nor could this chief interest be longer concealed because it being at last proposed in the name of the Pope that passage through the Valley should remain free for the Souldiery of the King of Spain it gave the Confederates occasion to conclude thereupon that the subtle pretext of Religion being now removed the Interest seemed discovered to tend to the subjecting no less of Italy than of Germany by the uniting of Countries and opening a door to over-run the one and the other at their pleasure The Pope nevertheless persisted in what had been proposed moderating the particular of passage by confining it to the Valteline excluding the Country of the Grisons and Chiavena and that to take away jealousie from Italy it should be understood only of passage from the Milanese for Germany and Flanders and not from them back thither and insisted upon it with so much urgency that taking upon him the part of an Arbitrator he pretended to a power to decree it by vertue of the consent the Princes had given that he should prescribe needful securities for the Catholick Religion affirming withal that to bridle the Protestants and Hollanders a sudden march of Spanish Troops was made necessary for the defence of the Low Countries and relief of the Empire but the others considered that a door once opened to the Spaniards limits and ways could no more be prescribed and that under the pretext of passage the Milanese being made a perpetual place of Arms jealousies troubles and apprehensions would be eternized in Italy Nevertheless the Ambassadour Sillery with the assistance of Gheffier who was at that time at Rome although he could not but know France more prejudiced than any others both by the blow which its Confederates would feel within and without Italy and the breach which would be made into that most ancient League with the Grisons by vertue whereof the absolute disposition of the Passes was ascribed to them readily consents to it to the so much dissatisfaction of the other Princes united that attributing all to Pisieux from whose Judgment and Pen by reason of the favour and his charge the business depended they resolved to discover the Plot to the King himself giving him to understand the alterations with which they had proceeded at Rome from what had been concerted at Paris setting at naught the Princes who were their friends neglecting the Interests of the Crown it self and having by a most destructive consent conducted the business to that very end which the Spanish Ministers directed Concerning Pisieux besides the hatred and envy which are the wonted followers of favour a common opinion was currant that he was not more powerful in the Kings favour than venal in his Ministry making use of his Authority rather for profit than honour Being therefore not at all acceptable besides to the great men of the Kingdom it proved no hard matter for the Ministers of the Princes and in particular Giovanni Pesari Ambassadour of the Venetians by their Offices and wonted Arts to help forward the secret Intrigues of Court which discovering themselves of a sudden his Fortune split in a moment the King intimating to him that he and the Chancellor his Father should presently leave the Court The Marquess de la Vieuville Superintendant of the Finances took quickly possession of the favour and in the little time he subsisted by the Marriage with England and other means laid the foundations of those contrivances perfected afterwards by his Successor with great felicity But the affections of the King towards Favourites having hitherto proved but short and unhappy he continued but a few months Some ascribed his fall to covetousness by which he provoked the hatred of the great ones accustomed to satisfie their private interests out of the publick Treasury Others judged that one ingratitude being commonly the punishment of another as he had lent his hand to the expulsion of Pisieux the Raiser of his Fortune so the Cardinal Richelieu introduced by him into business quickly excluded him This Cardinal is the person called elsewhere the Bishop of Lusson and there is no doubt that as for the most part in the choice of great Ministers the judgment of the Princes agree with those of their Subjects though soon after they differ in the maintaining of them he was not ordained for that place from applause or common consent but was brought into it chiefly by the savour of the Queen-Mother with whom he had been long exercised in all sorts of observance The King surely had no inclinations to him either for having in former Negotiations discovered the sagacity of his nature or because there is a certain natural secret aversion to those who with an ascendant of wit exceed Sure it is that the Cardinal possessed rather the power of the favour
than the favour it self nevertheless he had the great Art how to fix the mutable and suspicious Genius of the King and the inconstant nature of the people governing as with a supreme Dictatorship the one and the other even to his death But as to the Affairs of Italy by the disgrace of Pisieux the Minister being changed there was a change also at Rome in the proceeding of the Treaty and Sillery being recalled all that was disavowed which he had negotiated and consented to Monsieur de Bethune a Minister formerly well known in Italy being come to Rome in his place assures the Pope that all that which his Predecessor had approved concerning the Passes was wholly against the Kings mâ—nd and in the name of the Confederates expressing to the holy See unalterable duty and ready consent to that which might secure Religion in the Valley as to the rest refuses any expedient which did not deliver the Grisons from the present oppression restore them to their Country and Soveraignty and did not exclude the Spaniards from the Passes They published this change of Ministers to be a shift but the Pope who had made them deliver to him Riva also and Chiavena endeavoured to gain time perceiving that to which soever of the Parties he should give the possession of the Forts it would serve but for a pretext to kindle a most dangerous War which flaming out betwixt the two Crowns by Auxiliary Forces would quickly extend it self throughout all Europe Nor did the Spaniards now fail as they had succeeded in the gaining of the Cardinal Lodovisio with Rewards and Marriages to try every way to insnare the Barberins also giving hopes to Vrbans Nephews of the Princess Stigliana who being an Inheritrix of vast Territories in the Kingdom of Naples brought also in Dowry the Soveraignty of the strong Fortress of Sabioneda Some also suggested to the Pope and to his House hopes that amidst the jealousies and dissensions of the Princes he might have the hap to get himself glory by uniting the Valley to the Church or obtain advantages by investing his Kindred in it But the one and the other equally displeased the Confederates because no less suspicious was the temporal greatness of the Popes who protected by the Cloak of Religion cannot make War themselves without danger nor overcome without blame then the inclination of the Nephews doubtful it being not possible for him that possesses the Valley but to depend upon the protection and assistance of the Governour of Milan Nothing then remained but the closing in a War France before ingaging out of the Kingdom strengthens it self with two great and important Treaties The first with the Provinces of Holland to whom were promised three millions and two hundred thousand Livres Tournois to be paid in three years upon condition not to make Peace or Truce with Spain without their knowledge and if it should so fall out that France it self should have need of assistance they were to retribute it either by restoring the half of the foresaid sum or by furnishing Ships in proportion The other was the Marriage of Henrietta Sister of King Lewis with Charles Prince of Wales from which was derived a report that the English would break into a War with Spain and the Palatine be restored into his Country by Arms. Charles to say truth from his Voyage into Spain had brought back discontent hatred and desire of revenge against that Crown for though he were received at Madrid with all possible honours he nevertheless penetrated the intention not to restore his Country to Frederick nor conclude the Marriage for which the King the Princess her self Olivares and all the Kingdoms had in their hearts a particular aversion Being for some months amused with several proportions and a difficulty which they feigned came to them from the Court of Rome though to remove it he was induced to write himself to the Pope and tempted at last if he would have a Wife to change his Religion he parted in great haste returning to London by Sea It is not possible to express what disdain vexed the heart of that young Prince and King James with no less vehemency published his revenge having a mind in his old age to adorn his Sepulchre with those resentments which in the course of his Reign having been blunted by idleness seemed to have blemished the glory of his life For this purpose he calls a Parliament in which Buckingham having justified with a zeal to common good and a desire of Peace the Kings intentions concerning the Marriage with Spain and rendred an account of the Princes Voyage it was resolved that the Kings Son-in-law should be restored into his Country by Arms and that the Son should marry with a Princess of the Blood Royal of France But it being usual in England that Parliaments have an equal suspicion of their Kings when they are armed as Kings have of Parliaments when they are united it was presently desolved many jealousies being spread abroad which were believed fomented at least if not raised by the Ambassadour of Spain as if the Parliament adhering to the youthful age of Charles and with applause flattering that Generosity which he shewed to revenge himself would condemn the cooler proceedings and past actions of the King in whose life time they were disposing the spoils and Funerals of his Authority and Command But withal the means were not ripened nor the contributions consented which might raise and keep on foot an Army So that as the Marriage with Henrietta was easily concluded with a dispence from the Pope and many Articles of favour to the consciences of the Catholicks so the moving of Arms quickly vanished It is notwithstanding true that Mansfelt beaten in Germany and in Holland not willingly suffered by Orange through emulation of military glory and the applause of the people was called into England by the King where being received with great honour making him his General for the recovery of the Palatinate he ordains him an Army of ten thousand Foot and three thousand Horse with six pieces of Cannon if France would concur with a Force proportionable Sending him with this Proposition to King Lewis who professed himself disgusted with the Count because he had taken the Title of the Kings General without his knowledge and therefore when he went to London had forbid him coming into France he obtains to be admitted to treat with his Ministers denying him his own presence He was supplied with some money by the French with promises of more though in effect they had little fervency in the interest of the Palatine But for Italy having secured all behind him by the friendship of the English and the flank by the War of Flanders they applied themselves with more warmth to the Affairs of the Valteline The Venetians imployed all care with the Princes of Italy to unite them in the common Interest But succeeded no further but to induce the Dukes of Savoy and
resolved to apply themselves to the same Arts which the Enemy practised by endeavouring to overcome famine with famine and by hindering Victuals from the Camp to reduce Spinola to the fortune of the besieged But he with the prudence of an excellent Captain foreseeing the necessity had also provided for it by a flying body causing the Convoys to be so strongly conducted that the Hollanders either durst not attacque them or attempting it could not break them It happened that for the securing of one the Garrison of the Castle of Antwerp was much weakned Maurice whom Fortune seldom reproached for neglecting of occasions attempts to surprise it and having chosen a dark night with Bridges made for that purpose passes the Ditch though very broad and raising the Ladders which at the head of them were so fastened that with Ropes they were easily set up he was now upon the Rampart when one of the Ladders falling back upon its bridge made such a noise that the Sentinels heeding it and they with some shot advertizing the Guards the Alarm was given in the Castle The Hollanders taking fright retired leaving some of their Engines behind and now Force not being sufficient nor Art succeeding the hope of preserving the place was reduced to succours which with great earnestness the States sollicited from the Crowns of England and France Which last besides the money promised in their Treaty would not meddle further in that cause having obtained their purpose to keep a great part of the Spanish Power ingaged in that Country It maintained over and above the War in Italy nor were unquietnesses wanting within the Kingdom whilst Soubize either foreseeing from far the Siege of Rochel or moved to it by those that desired to divert the Crown from foreign occurrences had endeavoured to possess himself of some of the Ships Royal in the Port of Blavet and although the design succeeded not nevertheless to the Kings great resentment he possessed the Islands near to Rochel and infested the Sea with Piracy and the Land with disbarkings To oppose and suppress Rohan who in Languedoc and other parts was contriving Commotions the Kings Fleet assembles under Command of the Duke of Monmorency and Souldiers were sent into several places to no small disturbance of the Wars in Italy and the necessities of Flanders But England had its Forces at liberty and minds inflamed for James in the month of March of this year being dead it looked as if the spirit of quiet would have extinguished with him whilst his Successor Charles as vigorous in his age as in the desire of Glory and hatred against the Spaniards was believed that with his Fathers Crown he would have assumed differing thoughts He ingages himself presently to a great arming by Sea with which he publishes to attempt upon Spain it self the Head and Seat of its great Power and at the same time raises an Army to put under Mansfelts Command for the restoring the out-lawed Palatine into his Countries for which purpose making a League with the King of Denmark he disburses money to him to the end that making War with the same design in the Empire he should not make Peace with Ferdinand without the Kings knowledge and the restoring the Palatine But Breda that had been many months besieged could not expect concerts so remote King Charles therefore to preserve it applies means more ready it serving also his ends to keep the Spanish Forces imployed in the Low Countries lest sending them into the Empire they might hinder the principal design which was the restoring of Frederick Hoping then that France would concur in the same intention he resolves that Mansfelt with a good number of English Foot should pass the Sea and landing at Calais should first joyn Halverstat with two thousand Horse and afterwards altogether the Prince of Orange to relieve the Town But betwixt England and France it was found that after the Marriage the interest of State or rather the passion of Favourites converted the bonds of affection into causes of hatred Europe in those times reckoned amidst its unhappy destiny that the Government of it depended upon three young Kings yet in the flower of their age Princes of great power desirous of glory and in interest contrary but in this alone by Genius agreeing that they committed the burden of their affairs to the will of their Ministers for with an equal independency France was governed by Richelieu and Spain by Olivares and Great Britany by Buckingham confounding affections with interest as well publick as private Betwixt the Cardinal and Buckingham open animosities discovered themselves for causes so much the more unadvised as they were more hard to be known Buckingham being in France to carry back Charles his Bride it seemed that in the free conversations of that Court he had taken the boldness to discover something of his inclination to the Queen whilst the Cardinal was inflamed with the same passions or rather feigned to be so with aversion in her who with vertue equal to the nobleness of blood equally despised the vanity of the one and abhorred the artifices of the other Whereupon the Factions arising amongst the Ladies of the Court were not so secret but that the King was obliged to make a noise and banish some But the contention betwixt the two Favourites was for power and Richelieu by reason of the favour of the King in his own Kingdom prevailing in Authority procured to Buckingham many mortifications and disgusts The other was no sooner arrived at London with the Bride but to make shew of a power not inferiour by ill using her thought to revenge himself The Catholick Religion served for a pretext whilst the Family brought out of France according to the Contract of Marriage practised it whence distasts brake forth to such a degree that the minds of the Spouses being alienated and affections betwixt the Crowns themselves disturbed it looked as if discord had been the Bride-maid at that Wedding All this passed to the prejudice of the Interests of the Palatine and of Holland For Mansfelt at the instant that he had imbarked the English Army France denying him the Port of Calais and entry into the Kingdom was forced to land in Holland after having negotiated several days betwixt the two Kings But the Souldiers remaining on board the Ships wasted time and almost themselves and in their passage weather-beaten by a great storm troubled with rains and many inconveniences they arrived so diminished and languishing that the succours was found to be less than was needful and fame had made them Nevertheless at the noise of their landing the Spanish Ministers being moved and Spinola resolved not to stir from the place now reduced to extremity assembled in an instant with the pomp of their great power another Army of thirty thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse of the Trained-bands of the Country intermixed with some old Souldiers drawn out of Garrisons with which and the succours together
the Valley the way of the Mountains being too steep a Street is continued longst the Lake cut out of the Rock which is called Corbeio This begun at the Riva which taking name from the same use for which it serves is no other but a cover upon the brink of the water for the convenience of Passengers and safety of Merchandize which pass by that place There is upon a height some marks rather than the form of a small Castle and there are besides betwixt the Valteline and the Riva certain Villages as Campo and Nova and some other that lie higher which would never have been taken notice of if in this ingagement betwixt so powerful Princes in such a narrow corner every Rock had not served for an attacque and every span of ground for an occasion of War Into this Post of Riva kept by fifteen Souldiers of the Popes and a Commander the Governour of Milan amusing them with shews and in a manner forcing of them were introduced the Spaniards and into the adjacent Villages to the number of four thousand with two Companies of Horse under the Command of the Count Giovanni Serbellone and enlarging it with many Intrenchments kept it as a pledge of their hopes to recover what was lost Nor indeed could any be fitter for their purpose because keeping a Foot in the County of Chiavena and being defended by force and the situation it had ready assistance from behind them by the way of the Lake commanded by a great number of armed Barks The Confederates though late attempt ro drive the Enemy thence and making the way of the Rock passable again which the Spaniards had demolished assault and possess the Town of Vico lying above that of Campo But here was the dispute greater there lodging 800 Souldiers in it who making use of a certain Wall instead of an Intrenchment had the Assaillants point blank exposed to their Musket-shot Two thousand five hundred Foot with some Horse were appointed for the attacque the Army standing in Arms within a little distance After the first Salvo with loss on both sides the Confederate-Troops advanced in such sort that the Albanois nimbly getting over the Wall obliged the Spaniards to abandon that defence and also retire out of the place But in their March towards Riva meeting with a thousand Foot which came to their relief taking courage again they returned altogether and that so opportunely that re-entring unawares into the place whilst those of the Confederates either weary or dispersed minded nothing less than the return of an Enemy obliged them to quit it and betake themselves to flight and could not be stopped by those Troops left more behind them The Spaniards nevertheless not to separate themselves into so many parts in the night quit it and the Confederates without further contest possessed and fortified it Captain Ruinelli sent by night with four hundred Foot to take in Montagnuola so situate as to command Riva and greatly to infest it found it prevented by great Guards of the Spaniards and fortified with many Works To cut off relief from Riva without which it was judged difficult to straighten it and take it the Confederates applied themselves to several Expedients Shipwrights were sent from Venice to build Barks upon the Lake it self to dispute the possession of it with the Enemy It was resolved also to place a Fort upon the Canal which separated the two Lakes but le Coevre made scruple to execute it finding the place to belong to Milan within whose Confines he had no authority to make War Harcourt also who on the other side of the Mera had taken in Archetto a Post upon the Lake thought fit to leave it because Riva being re-inforced with three thousand Germans commanded by Papenheim gave cause to apprehend for Chiavena out of which Coevre had taken the two Regiments of Salice and Berna to strengthen the Posts of the entrance into the Valteline Codera a small place but which facilitated Commerce with Chiavena and relief the Confederates took with a Pettard But the Spaniards sufficiently strengthened extended their Quarters and Trenches to Nova and Colico threatning to enter again into the Valley whiles the Army of the Confederates was weakned and although three thousand Grisons more were levying yet that Nation thinking of nothing but enjoying their present condition they were long in raising and as men that were new could not serve for much The Regiment of Normandy consisting of sixteen hundred men came now out of France and the Republick sent two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse into the Valley And now without question the power of the Crown of Spain appeared in that besides naval Forces and potent Armies elsewhere imployed Feria had in the Milanese forty thousand Foot and four thousand Horse The Dukes of Parma Modena and Vrbin had sent their Regiments and the Catholick Switzers of Helvetia notwithstanding all endeavours of the Confederates against it had consented a Levy of seven thousand of their Nation and free passage to all those who from beyond the Mountains should flock to the Service of the Milanois Great numbers of Souldiers besides were levied in several places and principally in the Provinces of Austria near to the Venetians to touch them the more to the quick with jealousie They nevertheless though in great streights and perplexity by reason the burden of the War of the Valteline was greatest upon them and of the difficulty which they met with France being elsewhere distracted and the State environed with suspicions threatnings and Arms would not recede from the Union with King Lewis although amidst these extremities and hostile appearances allured by Spain by the sending of Christofero Benevento de Benavides Ambassadour to Venice and of Ferdinand Duke of Mantua who moved unto by the Spaniards came expresly to that City they were invited with full advantages and offers if they would adhere to the Austrian Party Fortune had now beyond dispute conducted the Emperour to such an height of reputation and glory that what with fear and what with Armies quartered in most of the Provinces of the Empire he kept under or in quiet as well those that envied him as his Enemies The King of Denmark only with the assistance of money which England contributed to him and a certain sum which France with greater caution gave him shewed his resentment taking upon him the Title of General of the Lower Saxony which that Circle to the Emperours great displeasure conferred upon him The King notwithstanding proceeded with some sort of respect and first sending Ambassadours to Ferdinand demanded the pardon and restitution of Frederick But the Emperour making answer to the business with an Army sent Tilly into those parts to bridle him and to give countenance as he passed to the Election of a Catholick into the Bishoprick of Osnabrug which also succeeded notwithstanding that the disagreement of the Chapter had given great hopes to the Protestants to obtain it That
his view the Prospect of the River the deliciousness of the situation and the Wealth of the City stirred up in him that avarice which had provoked him to the undertaking Although this blow had greatly troubled mens minds in Genoua yet there was not the least wavering there whereupon the Duke was forced to retire and in conjunction with the French apply himself unwillingly to the taking in of Gavi He had counselled Desdiguieres that letting that Rock lye which being unmoveable could not disturb their progress he would during the warmth of the Victory bring his Army directly to the Gates of Genoua But the Constable not consenting was firm in the opinion not to leave a place behind him which having in it no small Garrison might in those streights of Mountains stop up the ways for Victuals The Duke had no remedy but to give way though that resolution highly increased that discontent which was already secretly creeping upon him observing that Desdiguieres introduced into the places taken Garrisons of the French Nation only arguing clearly from thence that arrogating to himself the direction of the War he assumed with the disposing of the Conquests the Arbitrement of the Peace also Nevertheless he refused all Propositions and advantages which to disjoyn him from France came underhand largely offered to him by the Spaniards and refuses the suspension of Arms which Cardinal Barberin Legate touching at Genoua in his way to the Court of France caused Monsignor Giovanni Baptista Panfilio to propose to him The Genouese doubtful concerning Gavi whether it were not best to resist with the hazard of the Garrison in maintaining that Post had referred the resolution to the Governour of Milan because not being able to receive succours but from thence alone it depended upon him to quit or keep it He was not willing as yet openly to ingage himself with the Army and therefore commands Captain Meazzi who was Governour that for preservation of the Garrison consisting of about three thousand men he should endeavour warily to withdraw himself by night But Meazza being gone out and finding the passages towards the Milanese beset by the Enemy and in the confusion of the darkness not knowing whither to go returns again into the place and the day following renders it contrary to the intentions signified to his Masters to have held it out longer The Castle suddenly run the same hazard the Constable having as was publickly given out found a more easie way to batter it with gold than bringing the Cannon before it would have been for being situated upon a Rock it was out of all battery and attaque The expedition of the enterprise would have satisfied the Dukes impatient desires if Desdiguieres had been willing to second them by going forward but amidst these Rocks seeming that he had his courage in a manner petrified he laid his excuse upon the want of Victuals and the disbanding of his men The Duke from earnest pressing of him passes into fury and from fury into suspicions and accusations laying to his charge that he had been caught by Genouese money because the glory of so great a man being notoriously defiled with avarice there was cause to doubt that by interest no less than age his warlike spirits had been blunted The Genouese to foment such an opinion failed not sometimes by publick dispatches to Desdiguieres then by secret Propositions to the other Ministers and sometimes also by advertisements though false to the Duke himself to nourish distrusts and his disagreements with the French Ministers Nevertheless they found themselves greatly perplexed within for to move Feria in so fair an opportunity neither invitations intreaties nor the disbursement of pay prevailed any thing whereupon they go on to protests declaring that if he abandoned them they would submit themselves to the protection of France Nor failed they to the end to give credit to that opinion to send certain Propositions to Desdiguieres which it was believed had a great power to retard and restrain him But in Genoua the name of the Duke was so abhorred by all sorts of people that every other calamity was thought less than to fall under his Government On the other side mens minds not being accustomed to the War many being distracted by their private affections and considerations others afflicted from the desolation which the Country together with their goods and fortunes suffered the advantages and offers of both the Crowns made them wavering and whilst against France was objected the fresh hatred of so many evils and the interest of many private persons closed with Spain after long debates in the most secret of their counsels the resolution not to subject themselves entirely to Spain was carried but by three Votes only They admitted notwithstanding Spanish Souldiers into their places and into Genoua it self and Feria at last leaving a good part of his Army towards the Valteline and the Venetian Confines advances with eight thousand Foot and three thousand Horse to Alessandria From thence Gonsales Oliveira with a Body of that Nation marches forward to Nizza de la Paglia to cut off Victuals from all parts And now to say truth the Confederates about Gavi were brought to streights no succours coming from France and the assistance hoped for from the Sea failing for notwithstanding that Carlo endeavoured by most effectual offices to perswade the King of England to send his powerful Fleet into the Mediterranean he could not effect it the King proposing to himself more plausible and profitable designs against Spain That of France though the motion of it was one of the conditions agreed on yet could as little be disposed to it whilst the Ships were kept in the West Sea to repulse the annoyances of Soubize and the Duke of Guise Admiral was in Provence with a few Ships unproportionable to what was needful and uncapable to undertake any thing but a booty of one hundred and eighty thousand Rials as it was wafted from Spain to Genoua That caused more noise than profit for in requital all the effects of the French in Spain and in revenge those of the Spaniards in France were seized The Genouese pretended to make themselves satisfaction by a vengeance more conspicuous three of their Gallies taking the Admiral-Ship of the Savoyards at the Islands of St. Honorat possessing also by four or five thousand men they sent thither Oneglia almost without dispute Carlo ill bearing the insults of the Enemy and the loss of his own hopes though the Conquest of Genoua proved difficult had a mind at least to attempt the possessing the West part of the River which in the division belonged to him Separating then his own from the French Forces he sends one part with Felix his natural Son to take in Savignone a Fief of the Empire distant but a few miles from Genoua and the rest which consisted in six thousand Foot and four hundred Horse he commits to the Prince Victorio who with one Cariere of good
might be denied to those of the Austrians To find out some composure betwixt those of the Valteline and the Grisons which might serve to maintain the defence with minds united or facilitate the Peace Coevre and Giorgio assembled their Deputies in Sondrio but without fruit the one not resolving to lose their Soveraignty and the profits and the other fancying to themselves that pardon was more to be suspected than revenge Seeds of greater calamities sprung now up in all parts for as much as that in Germany also the Victories of Ferdinand served rather to exasperate than terminate the War whilst his prosperity rendred his power as much burdensom to his Neighbours as hazardous to the Empire For this purpose a Meeting was held at the Hague to which coming the Ministers of France England Denmark Sweden Gabor and of other Princes of the North they made the World believe that they aimed not so much at the moderation of the greatness of the Austrians as totally to suppress it Nevertheless according to the destiny attending such an Assembly every one amidst the common interest driving his own peculiar designs it was discovered that the French did not intend to charge themselves with ought else but to give the Hollanders the Subsidy stipulated that they would refuse the Truce offered by the Spaniards with other large Conditions The Kings of Sweden and Denmark desired to make a War and demanded great sums of money to maintain it and the Transilvanian not regarding the Conditions lately made with the Emperour offered to break anew provided he might have a vigorous assistance In such sort that every one demanding considerable assistances and none being willing to give them to another the Meeting separates like one of those great Engines which split when they are ready for motion taking pretext that some especially the Transilvanian had not sufficient powers whereupon the Meeting was put off to the year following to the end that by a better concert the League might then be finished No body had shewed himself more earnest in this business than the King of England as both younger and more provoked whereupon dispatching his Favourite Buckingham and the Earl of Holland for his Ambassadours to the Hague impatient of longer delay he concludes with the United Provinces a Treaty of offence and defence for fifteen years by means whereof he pretended to restore the Palatine Frederick into his Patrimony concerting a diversion by Sea on the Coast of Spain and to send an Army by Land at a common charge But of this for want of money which could not be raised without the odious calling of a Parliament the design vanished and of the other Fortune frustrated the effect although the Fleet consisted of more than ninety Ships a Squadron of Holland being therein comprehended so well furnished with Souldiers and all other necessaries that if in the inconstancy of the waves reason or force might have commanded any attempt whatsoever seemed likely to succeed But carrying Fredericks Colours for a shew sailing longst the Coast of Spain and casting Anchor in the Baye of Cadiz in design to take that Port and to pillage the rich Fleet which was expected from America they land at Puntal to cut off succours from the Town and shut up certain Gallies and Gallions in the Port which would have easily succeeded if they had not spent a great deal of time to no purpose in fortifying themselves Spain that was wont rather to provoke her Enemies afar off than to see them before her face and in her bosom was in disorder and the King would have gone in person to oppose them if Olivares had not diverted him considering the remedy too late and unbecoming the grandeur and gravity of that Nation Ferdinand Giron who commanded in that Quarter with a stupendious stoutness transported in a few Gallies from the Terra firma and in sight of the Enemy Ammunition and Souldiers with which the Garrison was strengthened they so molested the English with Sallies that judging the gaining of it would be long and difficult they re-imbarked applying themselves to what they could light on at Sea Many Barks were dispatched from the Coast of Spain to meet the Fleet to the end that changing their course and keeping aloof from the Cape of St. Vincent where the English waited for them they might put in at the Corogne One of them falling seasonably into their hands saved the rest for taking it for granted that the Fleet would make for this Port they sailed thither whilst in the mean time having had no advice it arrived happily at Cadiz And now the English Weather-beaten and sickness increasing returned into their own Country not without mutual dissatisfaction with the Hollander the one imputing to the other the ill success of the Expedition But greater were the jars and jealousies which after the Conference in Holland increased more and more betwixt England and France for the one attributed to the other the loss of Breda by denying passage to Mansfelt and upbraided him with the ruine of the Palatine and the other interests in Germany whilst designing in his own Kingdom the destruction of the Huguenots he desired the lessening of the Protestants every where Nor did France want complaints reciprocal for the many reprisals happened at Sea the retreat of Soubize to London the assistances promised before the Peace to the Rochellois and the caution given to that Peace as though England intended to make a Party with its Subjects besides the unhandsom intreatment of the Queen and her Family contrary to the Conditions of Marriage The Austrians hoping for great advantages from such disagreements the common friends to both interposed themselves to put a stop to them or remove them and particularly the Venetians who charged Marco Anthonio Corraro and Angelo Contarini Cavalieri Ambassadours Extraordinary An. Dom. 1626 to congratulate King Charles his Succession with express and most effectual offices for that purpose which nevertheless had no effect the minds of the Favourites being much more exasperated than the interest of the Crowns discordant ANNO M.DC.XXVI In the beginning of this year Torquato Conti with the Popes Army being entred into the Milanese put mens minds greatly to a stand betwixt the report which he published to invade the Valley joyntly with Papenhaim and the slowness of his march as if he desired retardments and expected accidents which might divert him from doing of it The Venetians with a body of their Army coasted upon him longst the Borders resolving according to his motion to advance into the Valteline and defend it But before any undertaking and ingagement of Arms arrives the news that as to the Affairs of the Valteline France and Spain had betwixt themselves concluded a Peace a report so surprizing that it is not to be said how much it universally struck mens minds in regard that though the name of Peace was very pleasing yet the secret management of it and the almost shame with which
the makers of it themselves divulged the conclusion and endeavoured to suppress the Articles gave cause for due considerations Nor was the business so secretly carried betwixt the two Kings but that the Princes Confederate with France had a scent of it But the appearances of War the refuse given to the Popes mediation and the firm assurances of the principal Ministers of that Crown had made them confident of the contrary From the time the Cardinal Legate was at the Court of France it was discovered that the Marquess de Mirabel Ambassadour of Spain had insinuated that it belonged to the greatness and authority of the Crowns to convert the mediation of others to their own arbitrement and by agreeing betwixt themselves to impose the Law to others Olivares afterwards in Spain dealt with Fargis the French Ambassadour to the same purpose with such instance that to sound the bottom Monsieur de Rambogliet under pretext to congratulate the delivery of the Queen was sent from Paris to Madrid From discourse they passed quickly to the Treaty and from the Treaty to the conclusion During the Negotiation frequent Courriers ran to and fro and as it was no easie matter to discover the precise conditions the knowledge so much as of a Treaty being kept from every body but the two Favourites and very few of their Confidents so it was manifest that some great matter was in Treaty and the secrecy made it the more suspicious The Ambassadours of the Republick and of the Prince of Piedmont who were in the Court of France to sollicite the re-inforcement of their Armies concealed not their Jealousies because besides the obligation to which the League did bind not to treat or conclude a part expedience required that they should be Parties to the Treaty who had a common interest in the charge and hazard of the War But some believing though falsely the loss of reputation and faith less than that of private interest it was so far that the chief Ministers had communicated the project or the conditions which were negotiated in Spain that rather with constant asseverations and oaths they denied that there was a Treaty At last that secret being slippery which though the tongue concealed the face declared the Confederates found themselves to be deluded and complained bitterly of it Schomberg in conclusion confessed the Treaty affirming then that some Propositions were come from Olivares but so unworthy that being scorned and rejected by France they had not deserved communication to the Princes their Friends That the Ambassadour Fargis had since transgressed in signing certain Articles prejudicial and contrary to the designs of the Confederates but that the King was not only resolved to disavow them but to recal Fargis and severely to punish him All this aimed only to temper the taste of the Venetians and Savoyards imbittered to extremity to digest by little and little a business so displeasing for the truth was the Articles by direction and approbation of both the Crowns had been sealed in Barcellona where the Catholick King was though they appeared to have been under-written some days before in Monzone and therefore the Cardinal Barberins landing just at that time in Barcellona was believed in some measure to cover the dis-respect which accrued to his own reputation and the dignity of the Pope by not giving way nor place to his Mediation The Treaty which was called of Monzone contained many Articles in the beginning whereof the Worship alone of the Catholick Religion being established in the Valley and in the two Counties adjacent it seemed that other Affairs were to be restored to the state in which they were found to be in the beginning of the year 1617. with abolition of all Treaties and every other thing which had been made or had happened since that time But this came to be destroyed rather than restrained by other conditions for taking away all substance of Soveraignty from the Grisons free Election of Judges and Magistrates was yielded to those of the Valteline the three Leagues were prohibited in a manner to oppose themselves nay were so straightly obliged to the confirmation that they remained deprived also of this apparent right if they should but prolong or deny it In recompence a certain yearly Pension was assigned which the people of the Valley were to pay the Grisons the sum to be limited by Deputies of both sides and this and every other Prerogative should be forfeited besides the resentment of both the Crowns by Arms if the three Leagues should not content themselves with thus much and should in any manner disquiet the Valley or pretend to impose Garrisons there The care over the exercise of Religion was committed to the Pope who in case of innovation advertising the two Kings of it was to sollicite the remedy from them the Forts in like manner were to be delivered into his hands to demolish those which had been built from the year 1620. forwards It was imposed upon the Grisons to lay down Arms and the Crowns were presently to suspend their Auxiliaries in the difference of Duke Carlo with the Genouese offering themselves to interpose that both Parties might perform it and that cause be made an end of They reserve to themselves at last the interpretation in case of any difficulty in the present Treaty which by other private Articles was yet made worse for the Grisons and those of the Valteline not agreeing about the Pension or the Duke of Savoy not according with the Genouese about the business of Zuccarello the Crowns assumed the decision to themselves In sum capitulating all rather like Arbitrators than as Princes of contrary Parties and different Interests Many believed that the two Kings and their chief Ministers being with so much secrecy thus agreed had their aim to divide the care or rather the Dominion of the World prescribing Laws to inferiours and promising themselves reciprocal assistances to oppress their Envyers and Enemies subdue the Protestants and Hereticks divide England and share Europe betwixt them But others considered that the interests of France and Spain being incompatible what between the emulation and the power no other effect in this Conjuncture could happen but that which is seen in bodies which possessed by two spirits are strangely tossed up and down and from thence did foretel that the present friendship would quickly break out into greater contests and a more sharp War In effect the Treaty was penned in terms very differing from those which lodged in the heart of their Authors such a Union so extemporary taking its measures at that time only from occasion and interest The two Ministers had no other aim but to deceive each other Richelieu sacrificed all considerations whatsoever to appease a furious storm which with danger to involve the Kingdom in a Civil War was rising against his Authority He had besides a great desire to subdue Rochel and humble the Huguenots and no less passion drove him to vent his revenge against
suffer turbulent weather or be pleased with fair To us who are accustomed by prudence and constancy to weary out adversity it self it belongs to remain stedfast with dexterity to oppose the present to divert dangers wait for better Conjunctures and above all not to assure our selves of our new Enemies nor despair of our ancient friendships By such conceptions those reasons being rooted up out of mens minds which before had been imbued with the contrary the Peace was approved by the Venetians both by necessity and prudence At the same time nevertheless they perswaded the Duke Carlo to remain firm in the Maxims of the common Interest and they always fortified themselves with greater Forces till that amidst the confusions and obscurity of objects the bent of Affairs might be better discerned The French understood the reasonable sense of their Confederates and withal feared to lose by this example the imagination and hopes of new friendships They dispatched therefore in extraordinary Ambassage to Venice Monsieur de Chasteauneuf and to Turin Monsieur de Buglion to the end that excusing things past by the necessity of domestick interests they should give assurance that Italy should not be abandoned to the will of the Spaniards should promise assistance in case of invasion or attacque to both the Confederates and to heal the present wounds should propose to the Republick to procure for them of the Grisons the liberty of the passages and entertain the Duke with the hopes of Kingly Titles and other vain advantages But the Venetians listned with little credit to such projects for France having with the conclusion of the Articles lost the Authority and Keys which he formerly had in Rhetia it was no more in his power to shut or open the Passes to his friends And therefore France had nothing else to alledge in excuse but the domestick disturbances which threatned to subvert that Kingdom The Nation nevertheless in general were inraged at the indignity of the Treaty and those that designed the ruine of Richelieu failed not to publish the reproofs accusing him that betraying friends he had sold the glory and advantages of the Crown to Strangers and that with the worse consequences because it yielding to the Spaniards in the largeness of Territories and the sagacity of Negotiation there was no way to even the scales but by friendships But now said they who will any more relye upon France if the observance of Treaties shall not depend upon the integrity of the Princes or the eternal Maxims of the State but upon the venal arbitrage and fickle interests of some Favourite Minister Was it not enough then to have offended the King of England ruined Mansfelt cast off the Protestants of the Empire lost Breda and with it in a manner Holland if Italy were not abandoned the Valteline and Rhetia oppressed and the best and ancient Friends of France were not discontented Is it to be thought that the friendship of Spain is to be preferred before a base and unworthy Peace a friendship always full of jealousie and trouble and now so much the more to be lamented as it by the Treaty makes such breaches into reputation and interest as by no length of time can be repaired by Arms Let the Cardinal then rejoyce in his secret Negotiations so long as there shall remain no more famous Monuments of his Authority and Name than to have razed the two strongest Pillars of the Kingdom Faith and Friendship But the Cardinal deaf to reproaches and the gainsayings of all maintained the Treaty and sollicited the execution of it It is necessary to know what were the more internal motives of the Kingdom to so important an emergency and what were the successes that followed France to say truth was at the point of being in a combustion for division was no more restrained to Religion and its Partisans but had invaded the Court it self the Cardinal having the chiefest part in it There is no Nation that more hates and suffers Favourites than the French In civil dissensions they serve some for a pretext and others for a shelter War and Peace depend upon their will the Factions are either destroyed or promoted Kings make use of them sometimes for a shadow and oftentimes also for a help The Cardinal Richelieu above all others hath taught the rule to govern himself in such manner that making his own and the Royal Interest one and incorporating the Favour with the Authority of the Soveraign the one though there was a difference could not be distinguished from the other nor could that be offended but the other was wounded The sterility which seemed to be in the Marriage of King Lewis helped forward this boisterous storm and there was thereby confounded together as is usual in the Court of France jealousies interests passions and loves also It was expedient therefore to marry Gaston then Duke of Anjou and afterwards of Orleans the only Brother of the King and by his Marriage the hopes of the Succession and the fortune of the Kingdom being espoused the minds and eyes of the Court and Nation were turned towards him He as young in years and inconstant by nature suffered his affections to be governed by the Mareshal d'Ornano who Governour of his Childhood and now Director of his Youth by complying with him in the luxurious desires of that lascivious Age had so much power with him that sometimes setting him against the Favourites sometimes making merchandize of his inclinations to his own advantage with various Fortune passing through a Prison rose afterwards to be Mareshal of France with considerable power and no less riches Amongst the Propositions of Marriage the most secret counsel excluded that with strangers that the Duke might not provoke unnecessarily mens minds to bold attempts and unseasonable hopes to get and possess the Crown by the trust and reliance upon Foreign Forces The Queen-mother promoted that alone with the Heir of the House of Monpensier which to the splendour of the Blood Royal added a considerable portion of Goods Jurisdictions and also of Soveraignty with the Principality of Dombes The Faction of the Guises abbetted her in it because the Mother of this young Princess by a second Marriage was passed into that Family and the Cardinal de Richelieu concurred in it thinking to retribute to the Queen the gratitude of that favour which he acknowledged from her Authority and Protection Others desired to give him the Daughter of Conde and Ornano who was said beyond measure enamoured on the beauty of the Princess her Mother promoted it and moved the will and inclinations of the Duke to it But the Web was woven with yet greater Intrigues for many with the discord of the Royal Family desired to introduce an alteration in Affairs for as much as the favour of the King and the authority of the Government falling upon Richelieu alone others were unsatisfied at it and aspired to their own advantages by jostling out the chief Minister and changing
believing that not only the Princes of the Empire but Strangers also emulous of the Austrians would assist him some from the motive of Religion others from interest of State He aims therefore to extend his Borders and that principally by putting his Sons into the Bishopricks which lying betwixt the Elb and Weser had for some time been possessed by the Protestants The designs being not yet ripe nor the succours ready which the King hoped for from France England and Holland Tilli not to give him time to strengthen himself comes so close up to him that not to give way he was forced unseasonably to break A Truce nevertheless for three months having at the instances of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg been concluded before certain Propositions of Peace were debated but not agreeing about the point of Religion and what should be the limits which the Peace of the Empire called Pax religiosa prescribed the Negotiation was broken off The Armies then coming to move the King calling to him Halverstat and Mansfelt together with the Princes of the Lower Saxony who chose rather to lose themselves amidst hopes and attempts than abandon themselves to despair and fear the Army was found to consist of sixty thousand men Vlrich Frederick Duke of Brunswick refusing to joyn with the others as partial to the Emperour was by the King deposed and putting Halverstadt into his place planted in that Country very convenient for it by reason of its situation the seat of the War But the Army which united seemed capable to overcome all obstacles and to march into the Empire being divided into several parts was quickly ruined every where The King sends Halverstadt into the Catholick Bishopricks of Osnabrug Heildesheim and Minden which were able to furnish victuals and money in abundance and Mansfelt towards the Elb to drive Wallestain out of the Country of Magdeburg who possessed it with his Quarters and afterwards to advance forwards into Silesia to incourage the male-contents and Gabor who offered once more to break the Peace in Hungary Himself takes his Quarters near the Weser to amuse Tilli more feared than all the rest But Halverstadt against whom Bavaria had sent the Count of Anhalt with the Army of the Catholick League was quickly recalled to joyn the King and oppose Tilli with more powerful Forces but he falling sick ends his days being scarce thirty years old leaving that fruit of Glory not yet ripe which by disturbing the Empire he had proposed to himself and also a great document how uncertain and short life proves for remote and too vast designs Mansfelt finding that Walestain held at Desseau a Bridge over the Elb with some Fortifications attempting it played upon them for some days with his Cannon but being maintained and defended by Aldringer with the succours the Count de Slich brought him Wallestain had time to come with the gross and taking away the Enemies sight with a blind of linen-cloth passes a part of his Army and charges with so good success the Troops of the Count that the Horse taking flight left the Foot for the most part cut to pieces with the loss of six Cannons and forty Colours But Mansfelt more ready in recruiting Troops than fortunate in preserving them appeared again quickly with fifteen thousand men the Administrator of Magdeburg having given him some re-inforcement and more covertly the Elector of Brandenburg who having married one of his Sisters to Gabor gave great jealousie to the Imperialists Joyning at last with John Earnest Duke of Weimar his numbers being increased by many that were banished out of Bohemia and Moravia by unusual ways and a very nimble march he enters into Silesia giving such heart to the male-contents for Religion that the Peasants of the Upper Austria though far off rising in great numbers besieged Lintz and great commotions appeared in the other Hereditary Provinces Ferdinand was in great perplexity at these risings in Arms besides the jealousies he had of Gabor and also of the Turks Wallestain sending presently into Silesia three thousand Horse under Colonel Beckman stays himself some days to secure himself of Magdeburg and of the Elector of Brandenburg who being frighted did not only give Contributions and Quarters but acknowledged Bavaria for Elector as Saxony at the perswasion of the Archbishop of Mentz had done before him Tilli his Victory a while after ruined at a blow and subdued all the Protestants He had with great good-luck though with shedding of blood taken in Minden and Gottinghen and afterwards besieged Northeim places near the Weser to rid those parts of the Danes and ingage them to an encounter The King to relieve the place comes near to it and obliges the Imperialists to rise but losing the advantage to fight them in the retreat and at a time when Tilli being sick was far off it happened that he not only had time to recover his health but with various and uncertain marches deluded the King and wearied him out At last in the Dutchy of Brunswick the Armies met at Luther a Village amidst certain Mountains which by its name gave forebodings of hopes to the Protestants but by the event proved unhappy to them Tilli offered them battel and the King with great resolution refused it not That at last came to pass which is seldom observed that Fortune changed during the fight and that Victory crowned them who in the beginning seemed abandoned as overcome At the first Charge it is not to be said what the force and fierceness of the Protestants was The Guards which consisted of four Regiments being at one side made to run they possessed the Cannon and by that example almost all the rest of the Catholicks gave way But as the more veteran Souldiers are not wont to take fright at the first stroke but in confusion and the greatest disorder to put themselves again in order many turning their faces of their own accord others rallied by their Officers were brought back to the fight and some meeting in their flight with impassable Bogs taking courage from necessity repulsed in such sort the Enemy somewhat disordered in the pursuit that they took from them all their advantage The dispute was very fierce fighting with an unwonted obstinacy for several hours man to man their Swords in their hands with such noise from their Arms and cryes that the Sky roared for a good way round about At last the Cavalry of the right Wing of the Protestants fell foul upon their own Foot with such disorder as gave the Victory to the Imperialists to the great slaughter of the conquered The King changed Horses thrice and as often re-conducted his Troops to the Charge kept them from running away animated the faint-hearted was in every place where either danger terrified or hopes gave courage acting with his voice and endeavours directive to his own visible to his Enemies and of example to all Nor did Tilli not perform the part of a great Captain with so
much the more applause as to have got the day after he was little less than overcome so that Chance which in Battels usurps so great a share could not in this by the Victory upbraid the one with its favours or by the loss blemish the praise of the other At the price of such a days work not only the remainder of the conquered who straitned in Luther rendred at discretion but Northeim and all the Countries of Luneburg and Brunswick with many other Cities and places yielded consequences prosperous to Ferdinand spreading themselves into every part of the Empire Nor could it fall out at a time more unseasonable for the King of Denmark for that England and France ready to break betwixt themselves denied him the assistance he hoped for The States of Holland only who apprehended Tilli his old design of getting into Frizland by the way of Embden sent him some succours of men being able to do it with so much the greater convenience as that in this year besides the taking of Oldensel which was of no great moment they had stood either attentive on the Affairs of the Empire or only imployed themselves to hinder the cutting off a Chanel which the Spaniards attempted in vain to unite the Maze with the Rhine The King himself within a while took new vigour from six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse sent him by the Administrator of Hall and from Recruits of his own Subjects whereupon marching out of the Country of Holstein whither he was retired for refuge he was able to take Hoye though himself hurt there with a Musket-shot and his Son by a double stroke much more dangerously Taking his Quarters afterwards in the Bishoprick of Bremen Tilli also divided his throughout the Lower Saxony for a bridle and punishment of those refractory Provinces But the defeat at Luther had given its counter-blow in every other part To reduce the Upper Austria whose stirring carried great danger with it Ferdinand had invited Bavaria to signalize himself by the recovery of that Province once more to God and the Austrians But he wont above all men in all Negotiations to joyn together two things so contrary as are Religion and Interest offers to do it at his own charge provided nevertheless for his re-imbursement that the Country as a fresh pledge might remain in his hand Ferdinand doubtful if another Country should be offered him of recovering this and recompensing him was contented that he should only lend him some Souldiers with which joyning some Horse under the Command of Papenhaim the Peasants were forced to remove from Lintz and having their Quarters afterwards beaten up at Entz were at last wholly subdued with much blood and a mighty slaughter In Silesia Mansfelt had lost the opportunity of going forward by a Truce interposed by Gabor that he might joyn with him so that the Imperialists had him shut in betwixt two Rivers but when they thought to keep him so inclosed he gets loose from them by stealth and advances into the Mountains of Hungary where at last Gabors Brother joyns him with three thousand Horse and a little after a great Body of Turks with which he might have had the better of the Enemy by reason of the number of his Forces and the inclination of the people if the fame of the Victory of Luther had not been to Wallestain in place of a great supply For Gabor applying himself to new projects of Peace separates from Mansfelt and by his example the Turks retire so that the Count environed in the Mountains by the Imperialists without victuals without money and with Troops almost disbanded and consumed leaving order to the small reliques of his Army that they should endeavour to joyn with the Transilvanian slips away almost alone and by a desperate counsel getting into the Turkish Dominions proposes new Unions and Treaties to the Ottoman Ministers and takes his way towards Dalmatia so to get to Venice and from thence pass to those Princes which had formerly assisted him But being come to Vracoviz an obscure place in Bosnia near to the Confines of the Venetians wearied with cares and wants he dies ordering his Corps to be buried in the Territories belonging to the Republick And so Ernest Count of Mansfelt having sought for a glorious death amongst so many famous occasions was ignobly surprized by it there where he least expected to the end it might be said that Fortune had defrauded him both in his birth and death A man otherwise that without envy may be called Famous and be celebrated without blame for great An. Dom. 1627 in an Age wherein some are chosen from Heaven for Ministers of Divine Justice and publick Calamities He had the courage to provoke alone and by his own private Authority and Conduct the formidable power of the Austrians He was alone overcome in Battel but by his felicity of getting up again no less renowned than the Conquerours Superiour in Negotiations to the greatest Wits Bold in encountring dangers and highly subtil in winding himself out of them a Lover of disorders and novelties enduring hunger watchings and excess eloquent wise and vigilant prodigal of his own covetous of anothers lived amidst great hopes and designs and dyed without Lordships and without Treasure The Marquess of Dourlach thought by his example to be able to attempt Alsatia having raised some Troops in Basil by encouragement of the Protestant Switzers and some little money with which France and England secretly furnished him but not with an equal success for the greatness of the Austrians so firmly rooted with so many Victories being no more to be moved with little shocks the Marquess no sooner began to put himself in order but an Army of Ferdinands arriving in those parts ruined the design intimidated the Switzers and obliged those of Basil to discharge him He therefore passes into Denmark but had first sent to Venice the Colonel Niccolas Boet to communicate his intentions to the Republick and desired assistance at a time that the King of Denmark also by Joachim Cratz and the effectual interposition of the Ambassadours of England and Holland demanded money for the maintaining of five or six Regiments The Senate having fully deduced the obligation which the Republick had to the common Cause by what had been done in the course of many years in Italy shewed their sense in the importunity without engaging themselves further ANNO M.DC.XXVII Ferdinand now feared by many and respected by all kept under the Empire with an armed hand keeping his Armies dispersed in the Countries of the Electors and Princes that where any held up his head they were ready to suppress and chastise them Nor seemed the design longer concealed to reduce Christian Religion and the Authority of the Austrians to an Union in Germany The discourse now was to make the Empire successive Walestain in particular not dissembling his thoughts so to moderate the power of the Electors that like Grandees of Spain according to
his own expression they might serve for ornament but not to give jealousie He and Tilli disposed with an absolute Authority of all Undertakings Garrisons Quarters and Contributions but with a hand so severe and heavy that oppressing the Countries of the Protestants and not much respecting those of the Catholicks they drained them every where by an unheard of licence of the Souldiery of their money and blood The people groaned and the Princes stormed no less having been accustomed to determine with a certain sort of liberty the most important affairs in their Diet and not to have Contributions imposed on them but by common consent and an equal distribution In this sad and servile prospect of things scarce any was found that durst shew his dislike Only the King of Denmark though overcome did his best to resist and to represent the necessities to others and by the quality of the person to give weight to the business sends Christian William of Brandenburg administrator of Magdemburg and of Halverstadt to several Courts imploring assistance In France the designs and Arms of the Crown being turned another way he obtained nothing In Holland he had better fortune those Provinces being in a manner without War in regard the Spaniards continued to apply themselves only to the Affairs of the Empire out of a firm belief that the Protestants there once subdued the Hollanders would not be afterwards but an Appendix to the Victory And for this cause also Spinola finding himself without imployment was gone to Madrid his Reputation and Glory after the taking of Breda seeming among the Spaniards to be turned into jealousie and envy The Hollanders then sending to the King of Denmark a body of men with them were garrisoned some places on the Weser offering two thousand more to keep the Sound which is the Streight defended by two Citadels where betwixt the Island of Zeland and the Province of Schonen Ships pass into the Baltick Sea The King taking all things in good part only refused this out of a doubt lest the Hollanders once entred into that place so commodious and important would afterward not easily be got out of it Christian went also to Venice and found the Senate scarce out of the troubles of the Valteline involved anew in suspicions and attentive upon the dangers which by the succession of Mantua seemed imminent so that he obtained nothing but the discharge of the old Count of la Tour from the Service of the Republick who went thence to the Service of Denmark Bethlehem Gabor was also tempted by the Prince himself but he after Mansfelts departure and the disbanding of his Troops upon it having made a new Treaty of Peace with Ferdinand could not break it though he wanted not will for it because he had not the help and the consent of the Turks who terrified with the prosperity of Ferdinand and intricated with disadvantage in the War of Persia thought it best to preserve the Peace and to confirm it to send an Ambassadour to Vienna And now the King of Denmark taking the Duke of Mechelburg into his protection and putting himself anew into the field with ten thousand Horse and twenty four thousand Foot besieged Blechede upon the Elb. But Tilli who had for his fore-runner the fame of so many happy successes scorning an Encounter with the Marquess of Dourlach who endeavoured to amuse him arriving for its relief at the time that the place being taken the Castle more from the valour of the Commander than the force of the Garrison yet held out obliges him to retire in so much confusion and disorder that he left behind him his Cannon and much of his military Provisions The King thinking himself not secure in Butzenberg whither he retired because the Croats by beating Parties and intercepting Victuals molested him retires with his weakned Army deeper into the Dutchy of Mechelburg From thence he sollicites the Anseatick Towns so called from a certain Company anciently erected for Trade and in particular the chiefest which are Hambourg and Lubeck to joyn themselves to the common Interest whilst the Arms of the Austrians facing them by Sea and guarding it with armed Ships they lost their Liberty and Commerce But the evil being so far advanced with fear of worse hindred the remedy of the present danger whereupon the Cities not only denied the King assistance but being intimidated and admonished by the Imperial Generals to furnish their Armies with Victuals and give them passage to grant them Ships and discharge out of Hambourg the Ministers of England and Holland they obeyed in all save in the contributing of Ships Tilli takes in Lawemburg which gives name to a Dutchy and Wallestain coming out of Silesia after having recovered with little opposition all that which Mansfelt formerly held there entred into the Territories of Brandenburg with Forces so powerful that he obliges anew the Elector to receive the Law to contribute Victuals and Money to recall his Subjects from the Kings Service and to admit Imperial Garrisons in Francford on the Oder and other places nay in Berlin the City of his Residence The same yoke did the Lower Saxony receive from Tilli his Garrisons being brought into Wolfembutie and other places of the greatest strength There remained no more but to pursue the King who leaving Dourlach in Mechelburg was retired into his own Kingdom Wallestain who from henceforward shall be called the Duke of Fridlandt for Ferdinand acknowledged his notable services with the recompence of that Title coming into Mechelburg puts the Marquess to retreat and expulsing those most ancient Dukes possesses it exacting from Wismar and Rostoch Cities Imperial vast sums for the maintainance of the Army The States of Denmark despairing now to resist so much prosperity and so full a tide of the Catholick Arms pressed the King to conclude a Peace though upon hard terms and he by means of the Duke of Holstein demanded it but the two Generals imposed upon him conditions so grievous as differred not at all from servitude They pretended that laying down the Title of General of the Lower Saxony he should disband his Army restore all he had taken in the Empire should leave the Bishopricks into which he had thrust his Sons should deliver up Gluchstadt upon the Elb should pay the charges and losses renounce all Treaties against the Empire or the House of Austria make no Innovations in the Sundt and in sum give caution for the observance of all things agreed The King not assenting to such conditions saw Holstein invaded by two puissant Armies Where that Peninsula is narrowest Tilli enters with one on the left side and Wallestein with the other on the right To the first Benneburg and to the latter Steimberg were rendred without much difficulty the King not defending himself but by retiring deeper into the Country and burning the Country he abandoned the Peasants over and above cutting the Dikes and leaving themselves in prey to the waters to save
their houses and goods from their Enemies But Tilli to oppose the Hollanders which had sent considerable Forces into the Territory of Bremen yielded the enterprise upon Denmark to Wallestein who quickly taking the places of greatest importance made himself Master before the end of Winter not only of Holstein but of the Countries of Sleswich Jutland and Ditmars notwithstanding the strength of the situations and the inconvenience of the Ice and Climate Dourlach withdrawn into a little Island near to the Continent was by the Count de Slich who had first defeated certain Companies and gained eighteen pieces of Ordnance so closely besieged that having no Barks to save his Troops was himself hardly able to get away alone in a small Boat leaving the Souldiers to shift for themselves who took Service under the Imperial Colours The King having a Navy of sixty Ships guarded the Islands and scoured the Coasts and although eight of them fell into the hands of the Imperialists he was nevertheless Master at Sea The Austrians by entring with a naval Army into the Baltick projected a great design to pierce into the bowels of the Kingdom of Denmark and at the same time to bridle Swede subject the free Cities and to seize upon the Trade and Commerce of the North to the exclusion of all else and in particular the Hollanders who besides great riches draw from thence Corn to feed their people and Wood for the Fabrick of their great Ships All those that were concerned were much alarmed and the Anseatick Towns were more especially disturbed at it who taking courage from the extremity of the danger did not only deny Ferdinand their own Ships but diverted the providing them elsewhere The Spaniards notwithstanding talked of sending a Squadron of their Ships to joyn with some gotten of the City of Dantzich with the will and consent of the King of Poland who enamoured with such a pleasing thought in hope that the King of Swede would be obliged to retire for the defence of his own Country breaks the Treaty of Peace which he had almost concluded with him But the Ships of Dantzick not being sufficient for the necessity and those of Spain not appearing the design was rather published than performed In this interim another Stratagem no whit less was put in practice by force of Arms Ferdinand promoting under the pretext of Reliligion the Grandeur of his House and Sons Setling upon his Eldest the Hereditary Crowns and the Succession of the Patrimonial Lands he provided Leopold William the Second with Ecclesiastical Benefices of a large Dominion for the Archduke Leopold of Insbruck being married with Claudia de Medici Widow of Ferdinand Duke of Vrbin had resigned to his Nephew though very young the Bishopricks of Strasburg and of Possa with other rich Benefices of the Church and now having overcome the reluctancy of the Chanoines by frights or promises the Emperour had got him chosen Bishop of Halverstat a Principality rich in Revenue and important for its situation in the Centre of many Towns of the Protestants and which enjoyed by them and particularly by the House of Saxony for a long time had for Coadjutor at that time one of the Sons of the King of Denmark The Abby also of Hirschsfelt which is a Principality of the Empire usurped long ago by the Landgraves of Hessen was conferred upon him by the Pope and he was to recover it with Arms. The same was thought on for Magdeburg and Bremen by which was formed for largeness dignity and riches a vast State in the heart of Germany which extended the Power and Authority of the Austrians and which at last passing from hand to hand would be perpetuated in their House The Princes of the Empire were sufficiently jealous of it and in particular the Elector of Bavaria who by secret Envoyes sollicited the Kings of France and England to reflect upon the oppression of the liberty of Germany Nevertheless he could not separate himself from Ferdinand because the Interest of the Palatinate did closely unite him of which by the reconciliation with Frederick the Austrians might upon all occasions be able to deprive him And just at this time was held an Assembly in Colmar wherein by the interposing of the Dukes of Lorrain and Wirtemberg some terms of adjustment were debated Frederick being contented not to have the Country and Vote restored but to his Sons after the death of Maximilian but not assenting that the Catholick Religion introduced by Bavaria should be continued there the Negotiation was broken off That which made more noise though it came to nothing was a Conference of the Electors who moved at the universal oppression of the Empire by the excess of Contributions the licentiousness of the Souldiery and the arbitrary Power of the Generals met at Milhausen in Thuringia some in Person and some by their Deputies to confer of the means to preserve Peace and to remedy the present evils The Count of Stralendorff assisted there for the Emperour whither the King of Denmark and Frederick being willing to send their Ministers they were not admitted In the diversity of Interests which some had and the fear that all were in of the Forces of Ferdinand several things were projected but no one concluded Saxony who could not consent to deprive himself of so great riches opposed those that would have the Church-lands restored And he that desired to bridle the Authority of Ferdinand was disswaded by the apprehension of his powerful Armies whereupon he perceiving the thoughts of some and particularly of Bavaria to restrain by a Decree of the Diet that absolute Power which he assumed in the Affairs of the Empire sending numerous Troops into Swevia and Francony curbs the Catholick League and the Elector himself in such sort that there was not any that had the boldness to express or maintain his own sense Thus the Power of the Emperour runs on uncontrouled all things succeeding to him with such prosperity that Fortune seemed espoused to his desires But she playing the Adulteress at last made her self quickly to be known then chiefly to lye in wait to deceive when she is most kind for in the bosom of so great felicity from the jealousies and suspicions of others was begotten the worm which corrupted it with unhappy and calamitous accidents At the above-mentioned Diet of the Electors was there for the Crown of France Monsieur de Marscheville who visiting many Princes of Germany and penetrating into the secretest of their troubled minds and disgusts had exhorted some to patience till better times stirring up others to oppose themselves against the vast designs of the Austrians by Treaties if not by Arms and beginning a Negotiation with the Elector of Trier to bring him under the protection of France had in many sowed seeds of various hopes and thoughts for Richelieu foreseeing to what height the power of the Austrians would mount if no resistance were opposed endeavoured to dispose things so that being
her passions as much more famous as her life and death equally unhappy She began then to inveigh against Richelieu that to play the Merchant at his pleasure with the Royal Authority he became prodigal of the Kings health keeping him as having him in a manner a Prisoner far from his Wife and Mother amongst Armies and the Marshes of Rochel exposed to dangers and in an unwholesom Air. She besides this dissented openly to have any thing to do with the Affairs of Italy towards which she discovered the Cardinal inclined and aggravated that he for his vain passions having stirred up a War with the English now to satiate his revenge would break also with Savoy and with Spain persecuting every where the Princesses of the Royal Family and exposing the Kingdom in prey to the sword and fire to the end that he alone with his Friends and Kindred might triumph over the publick Calamities and advance his ambition and avarice upon the common Ruine By effectual Letters she disswades the King from him and publickly exclaims against him in Paris seconded by many with whispers and discourses in the Court and in the Country for hatred and envy advanced as much against Richelieu as his own merit increased and the favour of the King appeared more and more partial to him The Cardinal Berule and Monsieur de Marilliac were the chief that in the Council sided with her opinions and to dishearten the Ministers of the Pope and of the Republick who with frequent endeavours moved the King to serious reflections and seasonable resolutions they divulged freely and gave the Ministers themselves openly to understand that France by Religion and Interest being strictly obliged to its own occasions could not be diverted elsewhere nor attend to what happened beyond the Mountains But Richelieu who with a profound judgment fathomed aims and designs as well domestick as foreign entertaining them with better hopes to repair that opinion which after the Peace of Monzon he knew cooled in his old friends and the Princes of Italy comforted them with ample promises that the King would not be wanting in protection and assistance to the House of Mantua and exhorted principally the Venetians so much interessed and so nearly joyned to support the Duke with powerful Aids till the Ingagement before Rochel being at an end and the differences with England in some measure composed the Crown might turn all its Authority and Forces towards Italy The Senate wisely weighing past events and the dangers imminent remained constant in the setled Maxims not to declare themselves but conjoyntly with the Crown of France and therefore sollicited with earnest prayers the happy success of the enterprise of Rochel and with urgent mediation promoted the Peace with England which seemed much facilitated by various accidents for another Fleet being sailed out of those parts formidable for number and quality of Ships manned with choice Souldiers and furnished with all sorts of Provisions having scarce shewed it self to the besieged and attempted the relief in vain was returned to the Coast of England and Buckingham the Incendiary of the discord stabbed with a Knife in his Chamber by one Felton for private causes was dead In the mean time Cordua finding no resistance in the field advances towards Casale hoping according to the concerts agreed with Spadino de Novara Serjeant Major in the Town that a Port should presently have been delivered to him But the Marquess of Canossa a Veronese Governour of Monferrat and Rivara a Monferrin who commanded the Citadel discovering the Plot as it was almost ready to be put in execution gave out Orders presently for the defence by preventing the Treachery and resisting the Force Spadino saving himself from punishment by flight meets the Governour of Milan with the Army near to Casale who though touched to the quick that his best and speedy hope was vanished nevertheless putting it to a venture and ingaging his honour upon the relations of the Traitor that the Garrison though consisting of about four thousand Foot and four hundred Horse yet all for the most part of the Country and having want of many things would together with the Inhabitants be little inclined to suffer for a Prince they knew not ruine and extremities resolves to undertake the Siege To flatter the Citizens he made as if he would respite the Country round about keeping for some days the Militia in such Discipline that it almost looked as if he would rather preserve than force the place And the effect though contrary to his intent proved to be so for the provisions spared by the Spaniards in the Country were in the interim brought into the Town At the first appearance of the Enemy the Garrison made a round Sally but being easily beat back Cordua orders Trenches to be opened and Batteries to be raised but with as many failings and errours as they made steps in the attempt Casale is situate upon the right side of the Po where a little Hillock begins to decline and enlarge it self into a Plain in which the Town is placed being of a large circuit but of an irregular inclosure inhabited by many noble Families and a numerous well-accommodated Commonalty A Castle with Walls and Towers served formerly for its defence but the old Duke Vincenzo placed there for state and defence a Citadel of a great compass with six well ordered Bastions which with two ranks of Walls were joyned to the City Against one of these directly towards the Po which at that time had its course a little distant but afterwards changing its Chanel came nearer to the Wall Gonzales directs his attacques and batteries but weak and slow so that the besieged were able to cover with Half-moons and Batteries the Wall the Mills and the Flank of the Town the most exposed on that side He could not by reason he had so few men begirt the place and for the same defect deferred for divers days to take in the Castles on the Hill by means whereof Provisions in abundance were frequently brought into the Town and even when he went about it Frederico Enriquez sent with a few Souldiers to make his way into Rossignano by a Petard being partly deceived by his Spies who brought him thither when it was broad day light and partly repulsed by the cragginess of the situation for it stood upon a Rock received there a great blow The Savoyards proceeded with greater success The Duke was no sooner in the field but he possessed in a breath Alba St. Damiano with all that which belonged to him by the Treaty and although Trino resisted some days yet upon the loss of a Half-moon it was forced to surrender Being thus dis-ingaged it gave great jealousie to the Governour of Milan lest having obtained his own design he should neglect or rather hinder the success of the Spaniards And knowing him fixed in this that short Wars frequent Treaties and continual change of Parties was that which pleased him he was greatly
Troops straightens Casale taking away at last the entry of Victuals and Succours by the possessing of Ponzone Rossignano St. Giorgio and other Posts on the Hill The place nevertheless defended it self with brave and frequent Sallies in one of which Monsieur de Bevron a French man being come in as a Voluntier and having given proof of singular courage was killed and in another the Serjeant Major Luzzago a Brescian seeing amongst the Enemy the Traitor Spadino ingaged himself so far to take off his head that he there lost his life The Marquess Rivara observing relief would be difficult and tedious and fearing that the consumption of the Victuals in the Town would at last bring it to extremity got store into the Citadel to maintain himself the longer there exhorting the Inhabitants to stint Victuals as they did with great proof of their constancy and fidelity Nor did the besiegers experience little less necessity for Italy overflowed this year by the Rivers had given such a slender harvest of Corn that Famine was an affliction every where and especially in the Milanese whence that which could be taken serving for nourishment though very scanty to the Army the people in the City of Milan perished In Provence the French had restrained the liberty of transport The Duke of Mantua shut up the passage of the Po and the Venetians who also suffered very much were careful that no grain should pass into the Milanese So that the people being famished brake out into a kind of Tumult which constrained the Governour to go thither and quiet it and must have raised the Siege if in that instant from Sicily and elsewhere some Vessels arriving in the River of Genoua there had not been a supply seasonable to the necessity In the Imperial Court to divert the Imperial Ban and the vigorous consequences which it uses to carry with it it was proposed by the Bishop of Mantua that in token of the Emperours Authority to content Guastalla some place of the Mantuan should be delivered to him and a suspension of Arms be in the mean time in Monferrat to treat some Accord with the Savoyards But the Spanish Ministers accepting of no Propositions perswaded Ferdinand to new intimations carried to Mantua by Doctor Foppis a Counsellor of the Court that the Duke within the space of a month was to yield obedience to the Commissary He always to gain time and commiseration sends the Prince his Eldest Son to Vienna to shew his Duty to Ferdinand and to offer also upon the obtaining the Investiture of Mantua to deposite Casal and the Monferrat into the hand of some Prince of confidence to be kept in the Name and by a Garrison of the Emperours for a certain time within which the cause should be decided provided notwithstanding that the Spaniards and Savoyards should do the same in what they possessed The Prince instead of being well received which the Spanish Ambassadour opposed even to protests was scarce privately admitted but although he carried back little advantage by the Journey the Duke nevertheless got himself great applause by it shewing that having on his side omitted nothing of his bounden duty towards the Emperour on the other side was discovered the desire and intention of the others for it was answered That Casal being in the Emperours Name put into the Custody of the Germans which served under the Ensigns of Spain the Emperours will was that the Governour should keep what he possessed on the account of the pretensions of Guastalla and that the Savoyards should keep what they held in consideration of their own Rights till an Agreement or Sentence should be declared and then there should be a suspension in the Mantuan From which was plainly discovered the design to put the Spaniards in possession of Casal and deprive the Duke of Mantua of Monferrat whereupon the Prince denying to have power concerning that departs though the Empress had first given him counsel to lay the whole Concern at the Emperours foot and receive Law from that Authority which he had no power to resist Yet to give time to the French that they might apply themselves to the Affairs of Italy the Duke not wholly breaking off the Negotiation shews himself inclined to some kind of Exchange and a Meeting in Piacenza to adjust it was negotiated by the Nuntio Scappi but Cordua dissents from it alledging to have no power but to reduce Carlo to acknowledge respect due to the Emperour at the same time notwithstanding secretly proposes to him great advantages if he would deliver Casal to himself The Duke to let it be known that the actions of the Governor had had no other thing in aim but the zeal for the Emperours Authority sends to the besieged some Ensigns with Eagles in them that being set up in the Castle Citadel and the City they might procure respect to the Emperours Colours but the Governour getting notice of it suffered them not to go in Amidst these Negotiations Casal holding out though there being daily gained on the Duke of Mantua's side if not advantages at least hopes arrives the news which was so much longed for in Italy that Rochel was at last taken The King of England to maintain it had not failed to use his utmost force though Buckingham being dead much of that heat was quenched which inflamed the War for having sent a third Float under the Earl of Denby to its assistance it made a new attempt to bring it in but the French Ships making a brave opposition the Dike was maintained against all attempts The Sea afterwards swelling with a great tempest dispersed and disordered the English Ships and and on the other side had such respect to the Dike as if it had conspired to the overthrow of the one and the glory of the other the Tides which in the month of July and about the Equinox were wont to be more than ordinarily violent and forcible passed that year so calmly that they did no hurt Denby perceiving that he could not compass his purpose making a Truce for a few days to the end to retire with greater security goes his way and the Rochelois having spent their Victuals and the uncleanest things now failing to satisfie hunger seeing all hope of succours and safety vanished rendred themselves at discretion upon the 29. of October The place to say truth suffered during the Siege all that which by humane patience could be endured or which in any former times may have been suggested by despair The streets covered with dead Carcasses made a shew rather of a Church-yard of bones unburied than of a City of living men and those few that were found alive either languished like men or almost like Skeletons seemed no less to represent the Funerals of that proud City than to signalize the Triumph of the Conquerours The King causing it for two days to be cleansed of the dead and sick made his solemn Entry the first of November restoring the Divine Worship
and giving life and liberty to all except the Mother and Sister of Rohan who by perswasions and example having prolonged the Surrender he commanded to be kept in Arrest not so much for punishment as to have the means to bring the Duke more easily to obedience He dis-infranchised the City demolished the Walls except on the side towards the Sea leaving Rochel little else remarkable but the memory of a strong place and the renown of a memorable Siege True it is that it was much contested in the Kings Council whether Rochel thus reduced ought not to be kept with a strong Garrison as a bridle to the Huguenots and the repulsing of Strangers and the Cardinal did not disapprove it as he aspired to take the direction and government of it but discovering that the King with whom he did not yet enjoy that absolute power which length of time and happiness of success afterwards gave him had secretly promised it to Monsieur de Thoiras he chose rather to see the place razed to the ground than in the hands of another Whereupon from the labouriousness of the Siege recollecting the danger which from the Commanders themselves if they should revolt from the King might happen of falling into the former evils and shewing that Brouage which but a few Leagues off upon the Sea he had caused to be fortified for security of the Salt-pits did plentifully supply the benefits pretended he easily brought to pass that the pulling down the Walls was reputed the most remarkable Trophy and greatest advantage of this Conquest By this most happy issue of the enterprise which had been believed by few and was envied by many the counsels of the Cardinal got more credit and esteem and the King publickly attributing the merit of it to him heaped honours upon him to such a degree that his Fortune as a sign from Heaven was venerated as the destiny of the French with predictions of greater Dignities and was looked at by Italy as the Pole of their own hopes The season far advanced furnished therefore those of the Queen-mothers Faction with pretexts considerable to reprove the thought of succouring Casal and in particular the Kings going into Italy The discourses in the Council were That the Army was wearied out and the Souldiers in disorder from the sufferings in so long a Siege That an unreasonable Voyage was now proposed to traverse the whole Kingdom and to pass over the narrow and steep passages of the Alps subject to Treacheries and disputed by the Enemies Forces That Winter was coming on and how an Army could march and the Cannon pass through the Snow and over the Ice The nature of those craggie situations had at other times been overcome by Art but now by the rigour of the season Art it self was overcome by Nature The Forts Arms and Strengths of the Savoyards were to be considered who if with a handful of men they repulsed Uxelles in the Summer how will they not shut the passage at present when all things contribute to their advantage The Countries near to Italy were found to be infected with the plague In Italy it self the people perish for want of bread To what purpose then expose to hazard the Army that conquered Rochel or rather the remainder of them that beat the English not only to military Factions but to Plague and Famine That Souldiers who had overcome the Sea repulsed the Enemy and chastised the Rebels deserved other rewards than to be carried beyond the Mountains to a Grave as the scraps of glory and no less of obedience That it was uncertain whether Casal could endure the length of such a March and if it should yield to necessity whilst the Alps were forcing and the Army was getting into Italy what way remained there more open for going forward than that of a dishonourable return That it was therefore judged the most warrantable counsel since the season necessitated the delay to except the issue of things sound the minds of the Princes and after resolve upon the way either of Treaty or Arms. To these considerations were added the complaints and tears of both the Queens for Lewis having a feeling of some little indisposition they exclaimed that Richelieu not content to have kept the King in the Marishes of Rochel and the unwholesom Air of the Sea would now expose him to the colds and inconveniencies of the sharpness of the Alps. Many were of opinion that before ingaging the Forces elsewhere it was fit to conclude a Peace with England knowing also that Rohan had an Army in Languedoc and some Towns and that the Duke of Savoy to encourage him offered to enter into Dauphiné and assistances were promised from the Spaniards and to adjust them in the Name of Rohan himself Monsieur de Clausel going with the Abbot de Scaglia to Madrid had made an agreement with Olivares that money being furnished him by that Crown he together with his Party should continue the War in France And therefore Richelieu having often experienced that in the attempt of great things Fortune made them succeed above expectation greater insinuated to the King the just motive to shew the Spaniards his resentment of former injuries and the offences of a later date by justly revenging himself for the assistance they had promised to the Huguenots by maintaining the just cause of a Prince in his own Kingdom and by redeeming Italy from present oppressions and thereby satisfying the perswasions of the Pope and the instances of the Venetians His considerations were That the difficulties which opposed the succours were the Mountains the Season and the Enemy but that nothing was invincible to the courage of the Nation nothing impossible to the power to the greatness and felicity of a King so pious That when he had once set foot in Italy the affections and partialities of several Princes would be stirred up and those who under the yoke for present fear bemoan silently their condition would be the first that with greediness would breathe liberty again and shake off the Chains That the Forces of Carlo Emanuel were weak to make resistance in so many situations and parts as there are passages leading to the Mountains and if the Spaniards would joyn to make opposition at the foot of the Alps they would be forced to rise from before Casal So that Fame and Glory being the fore-runners the Victory would be without hazard without blood and without contest But that nothing could be atchieved without the Royal Presence by reason of the Genius of the Nation which though it undertakes with heat yet quickly grows cool when the eye of the King does not quicken and inflame it That it drew along with it the Guards a People inured to War and faithful it attracted the flourishing and valiant Gentry preserved Obedience and Discipline made difficulties and wants be born dangers be overcome battels won and impossibility it self conquered where the Person of the King distinguished courage from baseness
and Obedience take their turns that we are equally capable to govern and to be governed that to the ambitious dignity of Command is associated the vertuous moderation of a private life and the most easie yoke of the Laws So that our Republick is ordered like the Heaven in which the Citizens in resemblance to the Stars have by office in the universal felicity influence and light but with various Situations divers Aspects and different Motions enjoying sometimes a fulness of light lending it often to others and then themselves suffering an Eclipse Ought we then to accuse the Divine Providence because it hath not distributed to all the same offices and stations Shall we then also in our Country where Ten make a supreme Council which by annual change give place to the merits of others stir our selves up to envy and anger because we all cannot be capable of it at once I dread to think that there is any that detests the rigour of Justice the severity of the Laws and the Authority of the Council of Ten. Let us in this case then suppose our selves guilty from our selves and to offend without punishment will we quite abolish Justice and Government it self Let us I pray turn these invectives against the offences let us abhor the Delinquents let us make Decrees against faults and on the contrary let us venerate that Ray of Divinity which though it strike the wicked with Thunder is a guide to the innocent I account the antiquity of such a Council always venerable and the Ages by which its Authority hath been established a Council chosen by our selves composed of our selves is the Maintainer of the Laws the Protection of Liberty and the Bridle of Subjects But what shall become of us and our Posterity if wanting the sacred refuge of our defence we shall think to offend without punishment and be audaciously despised What protects the Dignity of Persons and of Families the security of quiet and civil living the liberty it self of the Government but the Council of Ten alone which sharply punishing offences restrains with their Name and Authority the thoughts also of attempting them We by weakening it and exposing it to contempt think by it to diminish punishment and by it provoke injuries Do any perhaps under the pretext of regulating abuses go about to abase the Power of the Government A sad design which betrays to himself and his posterity the hopes of those rewards which the Country with considerable dignity largely imparts Let such go out from amongst us let them not be esteemed worthy to be Sons of so great a Common-wealth and he that would withdraw himself from the Laws and from punishments contriving rather to make himself a Criminal than aspiring to be a Judge like a Monster of Vice An. Dom. 1629 let him be separated from us and cut off In our Republick this is the just equality not to do and not to suffer wrongs Away with such conceits that those in Power ought to have a greater liberty and that punishments on Delinquents can be either too heavy or judgments too severe This is the bond of our quiet and the quiet of our Subjects Some Law givers have omitted to mention punishments for certain outragious faults believing that they could never happen in a well ordered Government Our Ancestors on the other side have been willing even in small matters to assign a more severe judgment to the end that not so much as the least offences should give encouragement of coming near to discompose the good order and integrity of the Common-wealth Happy the Country most happy the People and the Government to be admired which hath for its Foundation Law and for its Crown Liberty where those of the better sort excel in example where he finds more restraint that enjoys greater authority Fathers in point of Renown we have no cause to envy any of the ancient States or modern Soveraignties In the largeness of ovr Dominion we have wherewithal to content the moderation of our minds In the duration of liberty we surpass any Common-wealth whatsoever But the deliberation of this day is to overcome our selves therein we give comfort to our Subjects example to Strangers and occasion for a good Report Let the Venetian Nobility all in a body in the most majestical and authoritative of their Assemblies unanimously determine that if Empire and liberty at one and the same birth be acknowledged from God they willingly consecrate themselves to Justice and will govern the people with such moderation and sweetness that for the prevention of offences they make choice for their Court of Justice of the gravest for Laws the severest and for punishments the heaviest Upon these or like words delivered with gravity and received with great attention opinions and minds were so changed that many blushing that they had thought otherwise the Decree with a great number of Votes was willingly embraced and two days after followed the Election of Persons proposed for the new Council of Ten amongst which with great applause Nani was received and what had passed was registred in the publick Records with an honourable memory of his Name ANNO M.DC.XXIX Italy expecting succours from the Alps and by succours safety Lewis arrives there with thirty thousand men having left his Mother Regent at Paris But before the King moved Luigi Contarini the Ambassadour of Venice had gotten a promise from the King of England that he would not interrupt the enterprise and a while after the Peace was concluded which by the death of Buckingham the private passions of Favourities being extinguished consisted in few Articles To renew the ancient Treaties restore Commerce silence reciprocally pretensions about Reprisals prevent them for the future and perform the Conditions of the Marriage if any difficulty should intervene amicably to agree it Each King reserved himself the liberty to assist his Allies without breach of the Peace The Copies of the Treaty till the Ratification were deposited in the hands of the Ministers of the Republick who by the Mediation had gotten great reputation especially Contarini who within a while passed to the Embassy in Ordinary of France The King then freed from that distraction marches towards Italy having first sent to Mantua Monsieur de Landel to carry the News of it to the Duke at a time very seasonable when the Governour of Milan assaulted him with secret promises and Nassau pinched hard upon him who being gone against Mantua and requiring a positive declaration of obedience or resistance while the Duke fenced with general conceptions denounced to him War and Force To the noise hereof the effects afterwards following the Emperour orders to please the Spaniards greatly troubled at the march of the French that his Army should descend into Italy The Duke hereupon in trouble betwixt the hopes of succours and the fear of dangers equally near sending Pomar again to Venice sollicites together with the French Ministers the Republick to declare it self and
greatly moved but withal believing the occasion favourable to publish the War against the Spaniards formerly resolved on they sent to the Infanta to require with the restitution of the Country the liberty of the Elector But he referring the answer to the Emperour as professing to have only obeyed his orders a Herald was sent by King Lewis to Brussels to denounce in the ancient forms War and almost at the same time moved in the Month of May his Troops The French Army by the Mareshals of Chastiglion and Brezé were rendesvouz'd near Mezieres and as it is usual in the first beginnings especially when a War is undertaken through animosity and revenge all things did superabound so that the number of the Army exceeded the Agreement and the warlike provisions seemed to be greater than was needful For France being at the height of reputation and power reckoned at that time to have under its Colours in several parts one hundred and thirty thousand Foot and fifteen thousand Horse with an infinite number of Artillery and abundance of all other provisions The French then marching towards Maestricht with above thirty thousand fighting men and forty pieces of Cannons Prince Thomas with weak Forces near to Avesnes attempts to dispute the passage and was with much slaughter beaten so that going on without resistance they joined Orange who waited for them with twenty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse and fourscore pieces of Artillery The Army appeared formidable for number and valour and the world already supposed the felicity of the enterprise equal to the Force But Victuals for so great a multitude being quickly wanting the Army began to devour it self through want and to be consumed with sickness and suffering Brabant was invaded and Tirlemont a great Town but weak taken by force experienced with cruelty in the slaughter and plunder the first fury of Military license The Spaniards were encamped with their gross near to Lovain to cover that City which is of a great circuit but weak and together with the City the Country near to it The Confederates to draw them to a Battel made shew to advance towards Brussels not without hope but that in the universal consternation they might have the luck to take it But Orange retarding the march gave time to the Spaniards to draw nearer to it The Confederates then commanded their march towards Lovain and on a sudden besiege it with great violence but the defence was no less vigorous maintained by the Baron of Grobbendonk the Governour with the assistance of a good number of Scholars of that famous University who strengthened the Garrison The fierceness of the assailants being hereby abated the Army began to waste for the Hollanders supplying their Army punctually with whatsoever they had need of kept Victuals from the French who though by force and courage they were able to overcome any danger found that hunger and necessity was an enemy invincible Many dyed and the rest disbanding were in great numbers killed by the Peasants so that the Forces being weakned and Victuals wanting the Generals were forced to raise the Siege and give leave to those that were alive every one to provide for his safety and escape The Commanders and the Reliques of the Army were reduced to imbark in Holland scoffed at by the people and scorned that of so many men which aspired to so great Conquests so small a remainder appeared and they in disorder fugitives and in so faint a condition There is no doubt but as the United Provinces in making of the League consented to any conditions which might oblige the French to an open breach with Spain so having obtained their purpose abhorred no one thing more than to have them instead of friends neighbours To the common concerns of the Provinces was added the private resentments of the Prince of Orange for that Richelieu amidst flatteries and confidences had some years before endeavoured to surprise in France the Town of Orange it self but the blow not succeeding he quickly silenced the fact and noise of it But the other dissembling with equal artifice reserved himself for an opportunity to be even with him and now he enjoyed this that if by taking most important Towns from the Spaniards he had gained by Arms the glory of valour and courage in over-reaching Richelieu now in wit the world attributed to him the renown of great policy and prudence Yet the Cardinal having by reason of the War undertaken need of the adherence of the Hollanders and friendship of the Prince of Orange to apply himself to the greater neglected lesser revenges This acting against Flanders with the noise and appearance of better success than was met with had displeased the King of England who willingly could not suffer the greatning of the Crown of France in those parts Putting therefore on that occasion a Fleet to Sea observed the issue of things and the Emperour considering of what importance those Provinces were to the common interest of Germany sends six thousand Foot and four thousand Horse with Piccolominy to the assistance of the Infante The French Army was no sooner dispersed but the fear which at first troubled the Subjects of Spain pierced interchangeably into the heart of the Hollanders For the Count of Embden by order of the Infante surprised Schinche Schans which lies in a situation above any other important where the Rhine divided into two Branches keeps on the right hand its name and on the left assumes that of Waaghe so that the Fort commanding the Navigation and the Dikes can overflow the Country gives an entrance into the Bottowe and on the one side cutting off the Towns and Provinces which are beyond the River opens on the other passage into the bowels of Holland Orange comes immediately to inclose it with a strong Siege drawing abundance of Works longst the side of the River So great a flame of War betwixt two so powerful Kings could not be contained only within those Provinces but spreading it self every where broke forth also in Italy taking its beginning in the Grisons where Monsieur de la Lande for the custody of the Passes for some time past kept three Regiments of that Nation and some French and now having sent a l'improvisto by the Mountain of Spluga six Companies possesses without opposition Chiavanna Riva il Sasso Corbeio and those other places longst the Lake heretofore named then Rohan following by the way of Poschiavo with five thousand Foot and four hundred Horse gets Morbegno and every other place remaining in possession of all the Valteline and the Counties adjacent The Cardinal Albornoz who after the Infanta's departure governed Milan by profession averse to Arms was upon this emergency beyond measure confused Sends nevertheless Troops towards Lago di Como but expected his chief succours and diversions from Germany and no one thing could happen more disturbing to the Austrians than to see the passages shut and communication interrupted The French knew that
consequence convenient for the Navigation of the River and for passage by Land and driving the Siege to a conclusion forces it to render having frustrated all diligence of the Austrians to relieve it This was the most renowned action which happened in Germany for in consequence of it Oxenstern being passed into Sweden to dispose and sollicite the Senate for succours landed in Pomerania with new supplies for the Army with which Banier being rendred more vigorous and bold possesses many places which Gallas retiring abandoned Charles Lodowick Son of the deceased Palatine who was elect King of Bohemia with the assistance of the King of England and the favour of the Swedes who assigned to him for his place of Arms Minden and Osnabrug had raised in Westphalia ten thousand men with which joyning with Melander General for the Hessens he designed to attempt the recovery of the Palatinate or the Conquest of some other Country which might be equal to it but being met so soon as he began to march by the Count of Hatsfelt General of that Circle and for the Catholick Electors was in such sort defeated that his Troops could never re-unite and Osnabrug rendred it self to the Conquerours who with very little blood obtained a very notable Victory Amongst the Prisoners remained in the hands of the Imperialists Robert Brother to Charles Lodowick who conducted to Lintz obtained of the Emperour to be exchanged with John Casimir Brother of Vladislaus King of Poland fallen into the hands of the French as he was passing by Sea out of Italy into Spain But France would not yield their consent for pretending for cause of the arrest that the Prince went to bear Arms in favour of the Spaniards and remembring the mischiefs heretofore done by the Polach Cavalry under the Emperours Colours Richelieu thought it a very seasonable occasion treating with that Kingdom to make a friendship and drawing profit from the accident hinder the Austrians of those conveniencies which they were wont to enjoy in Poland especially Levies And therefore were of little avail for the liberty of the Prince the offices of the Venetians who being expresly desired by the King Vladislaus through the means of the Baron Biboni his Envoyé Extraordinary to interpose themselves had for that purpose made choice of Angelo Contarini Cavalier for Ambassadour Extraordinary to King Lodowick But getting knowledge of the inclination of the King and of the Minister the Mission was suspended whereupon Vladislaus was obliged to dispatch thither an Embassie express by which he obtained the liberty of his Brother with a solemn promise that he would never more bear Arms against France that the King and the Kingdom should not pretend disgust by this arrest that by Poland Levies should not in future be permitted to the Enemies of France nor Alliances made with them to its prejudice The business of the Peace languished this year as formerly notwithstanding the pressing of the Mediators to obtain the Pass ports because besides the Fate of great businesses to find the beginning always full of trouble delays and difficulties were on all sides affected to gain time for designs and the hopes of their Arms. But in the month of March was concluded in Hamburg betwixt Monsieur d' Avo for France and John Salvius for the Swedes a Treaty with promise Not to send their Plenipotentiaries to any Meeting without Pass-ports first had for their Ministers and for those of their Confederates in the form required that in the Treaty they should proceed pari passu in the Interest of both the Crowns concluding or breaking conjoyntly that in case of a long Truce each should remain in the possession of what they held and a Peace coming to be concluded the one Crown should break for the others sake if the conditions to any of them were not by the contrary party punctually observed The accident which was most taken notice of and rendred this year memorable was the Birth in France of a Dolphin upon the 5. of September who after many years of fruitless Wedlock given from Heaven to King Lewis's piety infinitely rejoyced that Kingdom and seemed to serve as an Augure of future felicity for the Arms managed hitherto with equality and a ballance brought Fortune afterwards to incline to the favour of France THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE THE ELEVENTH BOOK AMurath the Fourth ruled at this time the Ottoman Empire in the prime of his age and the height of ambition nourished by warlike spirits and a capacity no less for Arms than Counsel He had his mind fixed on the glory of his Ancestors ruminating on their Chronicles and studying incessantly the Annals and famous Actions especially of Soliman The strength of his body the arrogance of his mind the desire of Empire and the greediness of wealth equal to that of blood rendred him venerable to the Barbarians amongst whom Terrour possesses the place of Virtue He cast in his mind vast designs against Christendom and if at all times the concord of Christian Princes uses to be the Guardian of the Barbarians faith Amurath conceived he might violate it without danger now that he saw it torn into pieces and weakned with unquenchable hatreds But for the present leaving them involved in their discords he applied himself to shut the door by which the Persians might advance deep into several Provinces of the Ottoman Empire They had possessed more by intelligence than force Babylon famous for its name though it be but a heap of the reliques and a shadow of its ancient stateliness whilst the Turks during the former years made an unsuccessful War with the Polacks Amurath had once before attempted it with a formidable Army but after some inconsiderable Conquest unworthy of his presence and of so great preparations the season the want of victuals and many other difficulties fighting against him he returned to Constantinople rather irritated than disswaded by the infelicity of the enterprise In this year he returns with such a disposition of things as shewed the power of a mighty Prince and the wisdom of an excellent Captain for to an Army which was said to exceed three hundred thousand men not only Arms Cannon and Ammunition abounded but Victuals and every other kind of provisions and things that might be needful with such order and method that the multitude was not disordered in their march nor did the length of the way or the extent of the vast desarts waste the multitude So great preparations at Land weakned the arming at Sea whereupon to the end that that might not remain unguarded and exposed he had enjoined the Pirates of Barbary to come with their Gallies into the Archipelago to join with the Ottoman Squadrons They were encreased to such a degree that they were now at last able to command the Sea rather than commit spoil in it For in the Mediterranean the Christian Fleets by the War betwixt the Crowns by factions and by other accidents being weakned gave liberty
and of the ingaging the Army in that Country whilst he lost Alsace and Banier increased to little less than thirty thousand fighting men was wandring towards Bohemia to gain quarters there The Spaniards counselled the Emperour to go himself into the Field and command the Army being in great disorder through the discords and emulations of the Chiefs and in requital of the succours which they received from him in Flanders besides the payment of six thousand Hungarians they furnished him with a great sum of money But Ferdinand abhorring the charge and the danger which the assuming of the command of the Army carried with it allots it to the Archduke Leopold Guilielmo his Brother but to make an effort capable to drive the Swedes out of Germany he had recourse to the Pope demanding of him a powerful assistance Vrban excuses himself because the differences of the Venetians with the Turks being not yet appeased he professed that for that cause abandoned by every body else he was ingaged to imploy his mind and all his Forces The hopes then of Ferdinand depending upon Spain alone and the recovery of Alsace highly concerning him he sends Hannibal Gonzagha Ambassadour Extraordinary to Madrid by whom a Treaty was concluded to raise at common Charge an Army for that purpose to be commanded by Melo This Levy went not forward to designs of War the hopes of a Treaty intervening for Duke Bernard of Weimar dying at Neoburg in the thirty sixth year of his Age snatcht away by a short sickness in the greatest progress of Glory the Austrians believed with money and advantages to gain Erlach and other principal Commanders that had the Command of Brisach and the places of consequence But Richelieu with his wonted Ascendant of Wit and Fortune concludes a more speedy and happy Treaty with them for captivating with a vast sum of money the mind of those to whom the Duke in his Testament had committed the care of the Army he agreed with them That they should accept the Duke of Longueville for their General and be obliged to make War for the advantages and interests of France who was to pay the Army and Garrison of Brisach which under the Government of Erlach should be composed of Germans and French It happened that Charles Lodowick Palatine who was then at London no sooner heard the News of Weimars death but posting incognito through France endeavours to get to that Army in hope not only by conformity of Religion Manners and Tongue but by money and promises from the King of England to induce it to accept him for their Chief by which means he afterwards proposed to himself either by Force or Treaty for the exchange of Alsace to recover the Palatinate Richelieu who by many Spies had his eyes every where being advertised of such an intention caused him at Molins in the Borbonnois to be arrested and did not release him though the King of England not without complaints pressed it till the Treaty with the Weimarians was finished Thus in a moment fell into the power of France a Town a Province an Army not without great reflections of the Swedes and greater of the Germans who would have wished that Crown an Assistant and Neighbour but not so much advanced into the Empire Neither were other prosperities in the Provinces of Flanders wanting to the same for though in the beginning of the Campagnia Piccolomini had beaten Monsieur de Fichieres who besieged Thionville and with many Arts brought him with many others into that Town Prisoner yet on the other side Monsieur de la Meillerey passing through the County of St. Paul incamps with ten thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse before Hesdin a place of great accounts and having sprung two Mines and given three assaults took it being rendred on conditions The King who to countenance the action abode with the Cardinal at Abbeville entring into Hesdin by the breach and adding reward to Merit created him Mareshal of France The Infanta having taken Post at Bourbourg had attempted in vain to succour it for Orange seconding the design somtimes threatning to attacque Guelder and then attempting to dis-imbark at the Sas of Gant he had been obliged to divide his Forces The chief counsel of Richelieu consisted in incommodating the Spaniards upon their own Frontiers demonstrating to King Lodowick That the Enemy being invaded at home would discover his weakness and that Monarchy want strength to supply in so many parts foreign accidents that many Provinces would quickly appear mutinous all groaning under the Government of insolent Ministers with few Fortresses and they without trusty Garrisons with Souldiers for the most part mercenary and Strangers especially when they should be aware that they were under a Government burdensom in Peace and in War unhappy An imagination which came to pass perhaps beyond the belief of the Author himself through such casualties and sad emergencies that the World had occasion to believe that though for the most part humane counsels depend upon events Fortune did adjust events to the counsels of Richelieu He laid the foundations of it in this year by sending the Prince of Conde towards the Pirenei who took Salces the first place that lies nearest to the Mediterranean Sea on the Confines of Spain though after some months it was recovered by Philip Spinola He had conceived greater hopes of the Naval Army which commanded by the Archbishop of Bourdeaux in number about sixty Vessels plyed to and again upon the Coast in the Ocean but the effects proved not suitable for it effected nothing but the landing at Laredo taking and burning certain Ships and plundering some weak maritime places On the other side Spain received a notable blow for after Bourdeaux was retired into the Ports of France 67 Ships amongst which some were of a vast burden spread their Sails towards Flanders having upon them many Souldiers a great quantity of money and other provisions to carry a powerful relief into the Low Countries The way to pass into those Provinces by Land being on all sides stopt and to provide them money the exchange devouring a great part it had been resolved in Madrid to make an effort by Sea in concert with the King of England who jealous of the Greatness and of the Designs of France desiring to see them succoured and provided permitted retreat and security for the Spanish Ships into his Ports But this Fleet no sooner appeared in the Chanel but Martin Tromp Admiral of Holland with thirteen small but nimble and well appointed Ships comes up with it provoking it with incredible boldness to fight Sixteen others a while after joyned themselves to him and by the nearness of the Ports of Zeland and Holland receiving daily Renfort was quickly increased to such a face of a strong Fleet that Anthonio Oquendo General of the Spanish though superiour in number and in the bulk of Ships thought good to retreat into the Downs in England hoping that the Hollanders
obliged to keep the Sea would by ill weather and winds be constrained to go further off Tromp not only kept his course but battered the Spaniards with his Cannon being supplied with powder which he wanted by the French from Calais A Mist at last was so favourable to Oquendo that thirteen great Vessels with a good number of Souldiers and with all the money passed without being discovered to Dunkirk Tromp who now found himself strong one hundred and six Ships troubled above measure at such a passage was so much the more careful that the remaining prey should not escape him The King of England who for the honour of his Port was greatly troubled about the issue of this accident orders forty Ships to come into the Downs that placing themselves in the midst they might hinder fighting and without breaking with the Hollanders who exclaimed with threatning protests might countenance the Retreat of the Spaniards Tromp for all that not quitting his station Oquendo forced to fight or be consumed to nothing attempts under the obscurity of a very foggy Mist an escape towards Spain But he escaped not at this time neither the vigilance of Tromp who first pressing with Fire-Ships into the midst of the Enemy and afterwards with Men of War burnt some of the Spaniards and took others besides those which running on shore were plundered and burnt also Oquendo with a few recovers Dunkirk the remainder got the Coast of Spain torn and ill handled by the Enemy and the Sea there having perished above six thousand men Mariners and Souldiers with the greater part of the Ships Tromp bringing sixteen with a vast Booty in Triumph into Rotterdam was received there with great joy this Victory being reckoned amongst the most famous of those which have happened at Sea The last close of this Campagnia ought to be concluded in Italy where it had its beginning King Lodowick arriving at last at Grenoble according to the concert the Dutchess of Savoy comes thither also to deposite again with lively tears her own interests and those of the Duke in the arms of her Brother and of Richelieu beseeching them to protect this innocent Cause with the same power and generosity by which they made the French Crown formidable It was given her to understand that the depositing of Monmeilian was required and insinuated that her Son should be sent to Paris that he might be brought up with the Daulphin in safety and with honour She answered with no other reasons but a flood of tears whereupon the King moved in his affection and compassion towards her it was pressed further and she was left the Court returning to Paris in great hopes of speedy and powerful succours The Army of Italy the Cardinal della Valette being dead remained in that interim recommended to Henry of Lorrain Count of Harcourt who was equally valiant and prudent The Venetians for the diversion of greater evils sollicited the Pope to use such earnest in procuring Peace An. Dom. 1640 that it might appear to be the duty of the Princes of Italy for their own safety and the common defence to employ their entreaties and offices and need requiring their Arms also Vrban contented himself to send Antonio Feragalli Secretary for decifering that at Milan and in Piedmont he might endeavour a prolongation at least of the Truce The Spaniards and the Princes complained that under the shadow of the said Truce the Dutchess had delivered Towns to the French and they quarrelled that the entry of some Souldiers into Casal which afterwards were brought in by force had been hindered by Leganes Some expedients therefore being discoursed of but to no purpose to prolong it the suspension of Arms expires and the Cannon from the Town and Citadel of Turin declared it that began again to play with great fury Harcourt kept the Field with an indifferent strength of four thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and it hapned that almost at the same time that he by several ways came to Chieri Leganes arrives unexpectedly there with eleven thousand fighting men invironing him at large with many quarters Harcourt thereupon within a while wants Victuals though the Marquess Villa making his passage through the midst of the Spanish Posts put in a Convoy but that being not sufficient for the necessity the French were forced to resolve upon a retreat They then were no sooner gone out of Chieri but they quickly felt the Spaniards at their heels and being come to the Bridge called Lakotta found Prince Thomas in their front Harcourt then with excess of courage giving no time to Leganes to come up with the Body attacques the Savoyards with so great fury that he forces them to yield him the Pass Whereupon night coming on he thought best not to continue his march but employed it to fortifie the Bridge behind him to give a stop to the Spaniards as it happily succeeded so that the day following proceeding on his way though the Spaniards attempted it with several skirmishes they could not hinder it or break him This incounter cost indeed the life of some of his Souldiers and he was forced to leave some Carts of baggage behind him nevertheless it was reckoned amongst the most signal actions which rendred his name famous in Italy having reaped great glory from that which uses to be reckoned amongst the most hazardous employments in the War ANNO MDCXL From the discords of Piedmont were added new difficulties to the general Peace the French requiring Pass-ports for the Ministers of the Duke of Savoy pretending that the Dutchess Mother should therein be mentioned in the quality of Tutress and Regent which being contrary to the late Decree of the Emperour was absolutely denyed by the Austrians There appearing therefore no hopes of Peace discourse was had of a general suspension of Arms but the inclinations of the Crowns being discovered anew to be contrary to it and the Emperour opposing it not to have the Swedes remain in the bowels of the Empire and of his own Countries the project vanished Nor did the Mediators much trouble themselves to prolong that of Italy they being not pleased that Piedmont should be left in the power of the Crowns Nevertheless the greatest difficulty seemed to be on the Spaniards side as well by reason of the pretension to comprehend the County of Burgundy in the Truce as for the hope which Leganes gave to take Casal by which they reckoned to remain so predominant in Italy as with their Conquest there to balance their losses in other places This was added besides that they knew not well where to employ their Army the Passes being either stopped or requiring long marches to send them elsewhere On the other side the French by the advantage of situation in the center of the Austrian Provinces might send their Militia whither occasion most called for them Amidst these Negotiations the French insinuate more secret practices with the Princes of Savoy endeavouring above all to separate
6. which would make l. 7. to him l. 30. restrain incursions p. 82. l. 24. this Post l. 34. governed the Lionese p. 84. l. 1. Court of France l. 45. the more streigthning Vercelli p. 85. l. 6. the Duke justly excused p. 87. l. 6. desires and intentions p. 89. l. 20. 21. This errour sprung from the enemy themselves because p. 91. l. 2. and not relieved by such l. 34. Coast even to Trieste p. 92. l. 4. towards Fiume p. 93. l. 4. 5. but afterwards in the attempt to enter it Bosco l. 23. in these Factions p. 95. l. 2. thirteen Frigats l. 17. Slaves and Presents p. 96. l. 9. they knew laid way for them p. 102. l. 22. contented by this one occasion l. 40. when there should p. 103. l. 33. Battery upon the Bastion of Saint p. 107. l. 17. all three Captains l. 31. a Bridge at Mainizza p. 109. l. 45. which wholly employ ibid. exempting those l. 46. of some slight p. 111. l. 13. being only called p. 115. l. 26. presages of p. 116. l. 39. the Emperour and Ferdinand p. 117. l. 40. him deposed p. 128. l. 23. sworn to God forbid l. 33. representation p. 129. l. 8. than force l. 21. waves p. 130. l. 15. the Bishop l. 25. of convenience p. 133. l. 40. the weal of p. 135. l. 19. conquer the City p. 138. l. 44. through the Milanese p. 140. l. 15. Donato then Ambassador Opinion p. 142. l. 23. 24. to the money of all without a League p. 143. l. 8. 9. the praise of liberality in imparting of their own Princes p. 144. l. 33. dangers insomuch that p. 147. l. 23. the elect p. 148. l. 7. being in disorder the Duke p. 153. l. 33. they would adhere p. 155. l. 40. He then turns p. 156. l. 18. amazement of the. p. 158. l. 21. and the Princes to their interest p. 162. l. 38. beginning by it and ibid. their friendship to it ready p. 163. l. 1. it might be delivered l. 10. in the time of the minority p. 164. l. 46. Fer a sollicites p. 168. l. 3. closely conjoined with l. 16. and continence l. 23. who making l. 24. by the sound of interest p. 172. l. 8. adding considerations and disaffections p. 175. l. 1. to be of so p. 180. l. 40. their parts p. 201. l. 30. calls to him l. 33. in the Wars p. 253. l. 29. to break up p. 256. l. 16. offered him for p. 257. l. 5. was evermore overcome p. 259. l. 8. least whilst p. 260. l. 46. Widow of Frederick p. 261. l. 13. would have been p. 266. l. 21. of the Publick p. 272. l. 15. no less perplexed p. 278. l. 4. we anticipate destruction l. 34. honour panting p. 287. l. 5. thirty four l. 16. together with her p. 289. l. 29. like dying men p. 290. l. 13. venerated by the French l. 43. to expect the issue p. 291. l. 16. a Prince born p. 292. l. 15. readiness it had p. 293. l. 1. to cause a restit to be made l. 9. Fridland was p. 296. l. 15. like Heaven in which all the. l. 34. which is the. p. 298. l. 9. gone again to Mantua p. 300. l. 10. for six years p. 303. l. 24. at least that p. 304. l. 7. consider and make use of them l. 25. the more jealousie ib. He shewed moreover l. 45. impatient p. 305. l. 21. but for a reserve p. 330. l. 33. which is a Nursery p. 339. l. 1 yield ye glory p. 344. l. 41. with Gallas p. 406 l. 9. metamorphose p. 411. l. 43. and Naumburg THE TABLE A. ADam of Trautmestorf General for the Archduke in Friuli 57. passes the Lizonso and is attacqued by the Venetians in his Quarter 73. retires 75. makes an Inroad into Istria 78. fortifies Rubia 92. is killed ibid. Augustino Nani Ambassadour to the Emperour 20. 139 Alba taken by the Savoyards 11. 99 Albert of Wallestain faithful to Ferdinand 134. defeats Mansfelt 254. made Duke of Fridtland takes Mechelburg 259. invades the Kingdom of Denmark 259. with great success 293. invested into the Dukedom of Mechelburg straightens Strassond 293. disswades the Emperour from disarming 347. lays down the Generalat 348. takes it up again 367. stops the King of Swede near Nuremberg 374. his designs 375. beaten at Lutzen 376. suspected by his actings 379. neglects the most important dangers of the Empire 388. required again to lay down the Generalat be endeavours to gain the Souldiery 389. in Counsel at Vienna resolved to ruine him 390. ibid. abandoned retires to Egra ibid. is killed 391. the Authors judgment of him 391 Albert the Archduke dyes 169 Alexander Cardinal Bichi sent by the Crown of France for the Peace of Italy 576. which is treated and concluded at Venice 571. Alexander Lodovisio Popes Nuntio for the Peace of Piedmont 66. created Pope 164. Look Gregory Alphonso de la Queva Ambassadour of Spain assures the Republick of his Kings intention for Peace 14. provokes the Senate by his instances concerning the interests of the Archduke 64. hated in Venice by the people 97. proposes a suspension of Arms 112. his artifice 221. parts without taking leave 123. Ali Grand Visier troublesom to the Republick 150. dyes 150 Almori Nani Bailo in Constantinople pacifies the complaints of the Turks for the loss of the Merchant Gallies 98 Ambrosio Spinola with the Spanish Army relieves the Emperour and disbands the Princes of the Vnion 152. 177. enters into the Palatinat 178. takes Juliers 179. besieges Berghen Opzoom 192. retires 193. besieges Breda 217. takes it 222. is appointed for the Government of Milan 311. his designs against Casal 315. besieges it 325. ill used by the Spaniards dyes 341 Amurath the Fourth succeeds into the Turkish Empire 195. how qualified 445. resolves the siege of Babylon 446. summons the Barbary Pirates to help defend the Sea 446. his cruelty 450. provoked against the Republick for taking the Barbery Gallies out of the Port of Vallona 451. besieges Babylon 453. takes it 454. answers disdainfully to the Republicks Letters 455. his several designs against Christendom ibid. his providing against the Republick ibid. demands insolent conditions of Peace from the Persians 456. retires from Babylon by reason of the plague ibid. returns towards Constantinople 466. falls sick 469. inclines to Peace with the Republick 467. and with the Persians 468. designing War towards Walachiza 469. dyes ibid. Andrea Freletich Head of the Uscocchi disturbs the execution of the Peace protected by Ossuna 116. infests the Gulph 146. is killed 180 Andrea Paruta fortifies in Lombardy the Confines of the Republick 148 Andrea Rosso Resident at Mantua 477. Angelo Contarini Ambassadour to the King of England 255. to the Pope 320. 477. to the Emperour 432 Angelo Corraro Ambassadour in France 440 Proveditor in the Modonese was sent into Tuscany 526. his opinions and actions in the Army of Tuscany 558. Proveditor in Campagnia 561 Anna the Empress dyes 130 Anna Maria Queen
with his King 402 Benedette da Leggi Proveditor in Istria outlawed by the Count Petazzo 54 55 Benefices Ecclesiastical prohibited to the Sons of the Dukes 180 Bergen Opzoom besieged described and relieved 192 193 Bernard Duke of Wiemar after the King of Swedes death assumes the Command of the Army 375 378. takes Ratisbon 385. beaten at Nortlinghen 393. closes with the French 413. defeats the Imperialists in Alsace and takes many places there 433. and Brisach 442. dyes 471 Bethelem Gabor makes War in Hungary 137. makes a Truce ibid. breaks it 157. makes peace again 177. seeks assistance from the Venetians but obtains it not 203 Bohemians rebel 125. what were the occasions 127. the effects ibid. form a Government 129. offer the Crown to several Princes 136 confer it on the Palatine ibid. have recourse to the Turks ibid. other Princes interest themselves 138. are beaten at Prague 156 Boisleduke besieged by Orange 307. is taken 308 Bormio important for the situation recovered by the Grisons and left 160 Breda besieged and taken by Spinola 222. recovered by Orange 430 Brem a Fort built by Savoy 409. taken by Leganes 437 Borgia Cardinal protests against the Pope 369 C. CArdinal Pasman demands assistance of the Pope 369 Charles Duke of Lorrain leans to the Austrians and receives Orleans in his Country 361. humbles himself to the King of France 362. reunites with the Austrians 380. is attacqued by the French 381. gives over his Country to his Brother ib. is forced to put Nancy into the Kings hands ibid. makes new Treaties with the King and breaks them 496 Carlo Duke of Nevers goes into Casal 13. his designs against the Turks without effect 30 protected by the King of France 272. succeeds into the Dutchy of Mantua 271. sends Ambassadours to the Emperour without effect 274. defends himself against the Emperors Commissary and hath recourse to the Venetians 284. raises Troops in France with his own money 286. sends his Son to the Emperour and to pacifie him attempts other means 288. complains of the Treaty of Susa but presses the execution of it 302. tempted to a Composure by the Austrians 312. consents to a cessation of Arms without effect 318. environed with domestick Treacheries 326. incouraged by the French and Venetians 334 retires into Porto renders himself and goes to Melara and there supplied by the Republick 336. is restored to his Country 353. the Pope denies him a Dispensation to marry with his Daughter-in-law 370. enters into a League with France 402. dyos 435 Carlo Duke of Rhetel comes to Mantua marries the Princess secures the Succession 271 goes to Vienna brings back severe answers 288. dyes 354 Charles the Second Duke of Mantua 354 Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy his designs to enlarge his State the occasion offered by the death of his Son-in-law the Duke of Mantua 6. holds a Council about the enterprise on Monferrat and resolves it 10. surprises several places 11. with a general disturbance and the dislike of the Venetians 12. justifies himself to the Spaniards ibid. confides in the Governour of Milan 15. displeased with the Venetians ibid. sends his eldest Son into Spain 16. attacques Nizza della Paglia 23 but is hindred by the Spaniards 24. they press him to restore and he endeavours to avoid it 26. but yields to it with reserves 27 is constrained to disarm 29. complains of the conditions imposed upon him by Spain his courage 31. avoids seeing the French Ambassadour ibid. arms against Spain 33. sends an Ambassadour to Venice 34 39. opposes the Spaniards with their opinion of it 38. not satisfied with the offers of France for the peace 40. exhorts the Venetians to joyn in a League with him 41. seeks assistance elsewhere in vain 42 46. signs a Treaty of Peace without effect 43. clears himself of the Imperial Ban 45. justifies his intentions and accuses those of Spain 46. denies to consent to the conditions that Crown would impose upon him ibid. defends Bistagno and Asti 47. with great courage 48. demands the Republick caution for the peace 49. signs it 50. offers himself to the Republick 57. disarms with caution ib. seeks to know Toledo's intentions discovers Treachery and Arms 65. demands assistance from the Princes and Venetians of whom he obtains it 70. consents to a suspension of Arms 78. discovers the designs of Nemours 79. breaks out into a War with Spain invading the Milanese 80. gives battel 81. constant in his Vnion with the Venetians 83. strengthens himself 84. makes progress into Monferrat 99. his magnanimity when betrayed 100. attempts to relieve Vercelli 103. vexed at the loss of it falls into the Milanese 104 offers himself to the Venetians 112. with whom he unites 119. renders what had been taken to the Spaniards 120. adheres to France 124. assists the Bohemians 131. refuses that Crown 136. his ends on the emergencies of the Valteline 162. does not make the Levies promised the Republick 172. undertakes the surprising Geneva 172. stirs up France against the Spaniards 210. and against Genoua 211. is angry not to be seconded by the Venetians 214. tempted by the Spaniards 215. marches towards the Genouese 228. displeased with Desdiguieres 231 232 forced to retire 233. succours Verrua 235 is succoured by the French 236. angry at Richelieu for the peace of Monzon flatters the English and malecontents of the Kingdom 250. suspends Hostility against Genouse 252 applies himself to the affairs of Mantua and joyns with the Spaniards 269. despises the offers of France 270 273. complains of the Marriage of his Niece with Rhetel 273. possesses part of Monferrat 282. is stirred up against Genoua ibid. denies passage to the French 286. endeavours to sow jealousie betwixt France and the Republick 292. refuses conditions offered by that Crown 299. is succoured by the Governour of Milan ibid. indeavours to stop that Kings march 300. and make peace with him on any conditions 301 avoids executing the Treaty of Susa 303. leans to the Emperour 311. endeavours again to stop the French 319. disgusts increase betwixt him and Richelieu 323. flies from Rivoli 324. discharges the Ambassadour of Venice ibid. flings himself into the arms of the Austrians 325. and is succoured by them 325 angry with Spinola 339. dyes and judgment upon his life 340 Carlo Emanuel the Second Duke of Savoy dyes judgment of his death 434 Charles Lodowick Palatine goes towards Alface arrested Prisoner and set at liberty 471 Charles Prince of Wales goes into Spain to demand the Infanta in Marriage 195. not granted by the Spaniards marries a Sister of the King of France 207. succeeds into the Crown of England to his Father endeavours the restitution of the Palatine and to relieve Breda 220. is disgusted with France 221 255. is displeased with the Austrians 240 sends a Fleet against Spain ibid. his ingaging with other Princes against France 251 endeavours the relief of Rochel in vain 289 jealous of the designs of France upon Flanders 399 100.
restitution of those Passes 311. drive the French out of the Valteline and agree with the Spaniards 428 Gustavus King of Swede succours Strassond 229 sends an Ambassadour to several Princes concerning the affairs of the Empire 306. enters Germany with an Army 348. makes progress 358. beats the Imperialists at Leipzich 359. sends an Ambassadour to Venice 360. his progress in the Empire and against Bavaria 367 373. incamps near Nuremberg 374. killed in the battel of Lutzen 377. his Character ibid. H. HEnry Count of Harcourt recovers the Isles of Ere 's 430. retires from Chieri 474. raises the siege of Casal 478. besieges Turin 479. takes it 483. his other conquests in Piedmont 501 Henry Count de la Tour head of the Bohemian Rebellion 128. besieges Vienna 135. retires ibid. ingaged in the Service of the Republick 215. passes into that of Denmark 258. defeated by Wallestain 379 Henry Count of Berg commands the Spanish Army in Flanders 307. revolts and attempts to form another party 372 I. ISle of Rhé attacqued by the English 263. relieved by the French 264 Isles of Ere 's taken by the Spaniards 411. recovered by the French 430 Istria hostillity in that Province betwixt the Venetians and Archiducalians 53. a description of the Province 55 Italy the heart of Europe left in peace by the Spaniards 2. attempt to greaten themselves 4. imbrace the opportunity 5. the inclinations and interests of its Princes ib. is disturbed by the death of the Duke of Mantua ib. L. LEague of the Princes of Italy thought unseasonable 25. that of the Republick with the Grisons opposed by the French 35. with the Switzers contested by the Spaniards 36. concluded with two Cantons 45. sworn to 131. with the Grisons hindred by the Ministers of France and Spain 45. with the Princes of the North offered but not accepted 57 League Catholick in Germany declares for the Emperour 138 League betwixt the Republick and Duke of Savoy 119. betwixt the Republick and Holland 141 League betwixt France the Republick and Savoy projected in Lyons 185. the Spaniards vexed at it ib. concluded 197. the divers ends of the Confederates 209. betwixt France and Holland 206. 397. betwixt France and Savoy against the Genouese 214. betwixt Spain and Savoy to divide Monferrat 275. betwixt France the Republick and Mantua 300. betwixt France and the Republick to recover the passes of the Grisons but not executed 310. betwixt France and Swede 357. 380. 412. 424 League betwixt France Savoy Mantua and Parma 402. betwixt France and the Dutchess of Savoy 435 League proposed betwixt the Pope and the Republick treated and broken off 479. betwixt the Republick the great Duke and the Duke of Modena for defence 520. is treated also for offence 543. concluded 544 Leganes Governour of Milan takes Brem and Vercelli 437 438. besieges Casal and is beaten 478. Leucata besieged by the Spaniards and relieved with their defeat 431 Leopoldo Archduke dyes 378 Leopold Guglielmo Archduke provided with Church goods 260. commands the Imperial Armies 471 Lodowick XIII King of France jealous of the authority of the Mareshal d' Ancre 101. causes him to be killed ib. gives himself in prey to Luines ib. applies to the affairs of Italy 102. but quickly grows cold 103. presses the Spaniards to restore Vercelli 120. interposes in the affairs of Bohemia 151 152. restores Religion in Bern 122. applies to the affairs of the Valteline 163 184 206. makes War to the Huguenots and then Peace 176. cares not to succour Breda 220. disgusted with the King of England 221 255. procures his Confederates to approve the Treaty of Monzon 253. disorders in his Kingdom for the Marriage of his Brother 248. goes into Britany 250. for the succession of Nevers to the State of Mantua trys the way of Negotiation 268 272. having taken Rochel enters into it 289. opinions in Council concerning the relief of Mantua differ 290. resolves to go into Italy 291. comes to the foot of the Alps 298. forces the passage 301. returns into Languedoc against the Huguenots 304. and afterwards to Paris 309. quiets domestick divisions 310. sends the Cardinal into Italy 315. reconciles with his Brother enters into Savoy and comes back to Lions 306. sends Ambassadours to the Diet at Ratisbone 341. promises money to the King of Swede ibid. falls sick at Lions 343. pursues his Brother 361 362. his Arms in Germany 366. and in Lorrain 370. assists the Swedes 380. gets Philipsburg 394. invaded by the Austrians in his own Kingdom 422. speaks with his Sister at Grenoble 473. is sensible of the too great power of the Cardinal 496. forces the Princes male-contents to an accord 497. goes to the Siege of Perpignan 532. disgusted with Richelieu 536. who dying disposes of the Government in the power of the Favourites 439. dyes his Character 552 Lodowick XIV his Birth 444 Lorenzo Marcello Captain of the Galliasses hurt at Vallona 447. elected Censor 449 Lorenzo Veniero General in Dalmatia 55. takes Novi 53. animates the people of Istria and attempts Moschenizza ibid. Captain of the Ships defies those of Ossuna 95. Captain General 98 Lovain assieged by the French who there consume their Army 398 Lewis Contarini Ambassador in England 266. concludes Peace betwixt Crown and France 296. Ambassadour in France ibid. at Rome 366. Bailo at Constantinople justifies what happened at Vallona 450. arrested Prisoner 451. adjusts those differences 467. Ambassadour at the Meeting for Peace 558. obtains Levies for the Republick in Tirol 568 Luines stirs up Lewis XIII against the Mareshal d'Ancre 101. succeeds him in the favour 102. his designs against the Huguenots 175. made Constable dyes 176 M. MAgdenburg taken and ruined by the Imperialists 358 Mantua described 314. garrisoned and fortified by the Republick 315. besieged by the Germans ibid. relieved by the Republick 317 318. the Germans draw further off 318. is re-inforced by the Venetians 321 334. is betrayed 335. and sacked 336. restored to the Duke garrisoned by the Republick 354. reinforce it 440 Marco Anthonio Businello Resident for the Republick in Mantua Prisoner to the Germans and released 337 Marco Anthonio Corraro Ambassadour to the King of England 255 Marco Anthonio Manzano counsels the Siege of Goritia 56 Marco Anthonio Memo Doge dyes 59 Marco Anthonio Padavino Resident in Naples 338 Marco Giustiniano coasts upon the Army of the Germans and encamps at Sonato 334. attempts Caneto and the relief of Mantua 334. General in Terra Firma Marco Loredano General in Istria 55 Margaret Dutchess of Lorain pretends to the succession of Mantua 274 Margaret Infanta of Savoy wife of Francisco D. of Mantua 5. being a widow pretends to be with child 6. retires to her Father 9. returns to Mantua to her daughter 355. the French drive her thence 596. Vice Queen of Portugal is driven away by the rebellion of the people 491 Maria Princess of Mantua desired by the Duke of Savoy and Spaniards to be in their power 7. Ferdinand her Vncle refuses to
deliver her but the Spaniards insist upon it 7 8. Matthias the Emperour and the Queen Regent of France dissent from it 8 9. thoughts of marrying her to the Duke of Rhetel 272. and married to him 271. assumes the Regency 435. disgusted with France 489. in concert with the Spaniards procures the taking of Casal 417 Mary Queen of Hungary comes into Italy 338. the Republick deny her passage by Sea and at last conduct her with their own Fleet. 338 Mary Queen Regent of France against War in Italy imploys endeavours in favour of the Duke of Mantua 25. sends Ambassadours into Italy 66. imprisons Conde ibid. against Nevers 280. offended at Richelieu 280 309. attempts putting him out of the Government 326. under custody at Compiegne escapes to Brussels 362. dyes at Cologne Marcheville Ambassadour of France in the Empire stirs up the Princes against the Emperour 262 Martin Tromp Admiral of the Hollanders Fleet defeats that of Spain 472 Maximilian Archduke of Austria dyes 130 Maximilian Duke of Bavaria refuses the Imperial Crown 126. possesses the upper Austria 153. and Prague having defeated the Palatine 156. the Elector at conferred upon him 197. treats with France and England 197 198. jealous of the Emperours power not separate from him 261. exclaims against Wallestain 346. proposed General of the Armies 348. closes with the French 361 Maestricht besieged and taken by the Hollanders 373 Marriages reciprocal betwixt France and Spain much contested by the Princes malecontents 33. executed 58. that of the Prince of England with the Sister of the King of France causes disgusts betwixt those Crowns 221 Mattheo Cardinal Priuli refuses the Bishoprick of Bergamo 80 Matthias Galasso beats a body of Venetian Souldiers 327. re-inforces Goito 331. drives la Valette out of his Quarters in the Mantuan and pursues the Venetians 332. takes Valezzo 333. invades France 423. retires with little advantage ibid. Matthias the Emperour sends the Prince of Castiglion into Italy 15. does not assist the Archduke against the Republick 60. nominates Commissioners for the Peace 63. cedes the Crown of Bohemia to Ferdinand 105. endeavours to pacifie the Bohemians 129. jealous of Ferdinand ibid. moved at the imprisonment of Cardinal Gliselius 130. dies 134 Maurice Cardinal Prince of Savoy opposes the Spaniards in Piedmont 82. upon the death of his Brother the Duke comes to the Borders of Piedmont 435. returns thither with great applause 460. takes Nizza and Villa Franca 463. inclines to marry 475 Maurice Prince of Orange relieves Bergen Opzoom 193. succeeds not in the relief of Breda 219. nor in the surprise of the Castle of Antwerp 220. dyes 222 Melchior Cardinal Glisclius Favourite of the Emperour Matthias 8. arrested Prisoner 130. sent to Rome and there absolved 131 Meldole shakes off the yoke of the Prince of Castiglione 149. the neighbouring Princes stirring in it the business is adjusted ibid. Michael Priuli takes Ostia 331. Proveditor in Terra firma 436. incourages those of Rovigo 560. Proveditor in the field 561. dyes 562 Meilleray takes Hesdin and made Mareshal of France 471. takes the Town of Air 496. chosen for the Siege of Perpignan 532. takes Collivre 533 Monaco garrisoned by the Spaniards puts it self under the protection of the French 501 Monferrat pretended by the Duke of Savoy 5. described 10. an exchange proposed by the Spaniards 33. oppressed on all sides 80. several places possessed by the Savoyards 84 98. others garrisoned by the Spaniards 84. invaded the French and Savoyards 229. and by Leganes Governour of Milan 433 Mont Albano besieged by the King of France without success 176. taken by Richelieu 305. the Mountain of Pleurs falls 131 Montvesuvius casts fire 360. Moravians rebel 134. vexed by the Cassocks 153 Mustapha succeeds to Achmet in the Turkish Empire 98. deposed 117. put to death 466 N. NIchola Francesco Duke of Lorrain marries and flies out of Nancy 394 Niccolo Contarini perswades the Senate to assist the Duke of Savoy 69. Commissioner for executing of the Peace 115. Duke 321. dyes 363 Niccolo Delfino takes many places from the Pontificians 547 Niccolo Marquess of Bagni commands the Popes Troop in the Valteline 217 Niccolo Donato Doge 116 Nizza della Paglia besieged by the Savoyards 23. taken by the Spaniards 287 433 Novi surprised by the Venetians complaints of the Archduke their justification 53 Nuntio presents to the Republick a Letter from the Pope for the Victory of their Fleet over the Pirates of Barbery 456. exhorts to send Ambassadours to Rome 457. endeavours to take away jealousies at their raising Arms against the Duke of Parma 506. promised himself too much of the Venetians 509. endeavours to amuse them with flatteries 512. and invitations to send an Ambassadour to the Pope 462. sent away from Venice 554 O. O Edward Duke of Parma tempted by the Spaniards 383. joyns with France 401. invades the Milanese 407. attacqued by the Spaniards 418. inclines to peace and concludes it 426. his parts and distaste against the Barberins 503. fortifies Castro 505. hath recourse to the Republick 506. publishes a Manifest 513. excommunicated proceeds to secure his affairs 515. puts himself into the field demands assistance 517. marches against the State Ecclesiastick with a memorable Voyage 521. deluded after many Treaties returns into his own Country 527. makes new attempts by Sea 542. had a mind also to do it through Tuscany 543. inclines not to enter into the League ibid. marches and possesses Bondeno and the Stellata 544. confounds the designs of the Confederates by not seconding them 546 549. succours not the Republick 560. nor the Great Duke 564. after some difficulty consents to the peace 570 Olland levies in the Republicks pay 90. to the great disturbance of the Spaniards who complain of it to the Pope but are quieted by the Ambassadour of the Republick 139. confederate with the Venetians 145. assist the Palatine 153. do not succour Rochel 265. refuse a Truce offered by the Spaniards 308. beaten at the Scheld and at Ghelre 441 Oneglia besieged and taken by the Spaniards 41 Oratio Baglioni perswades to pursue advantages upon the Carso against the Austrians 92. endeavours to hinder succours to Gradisca is killed 108 Oration in the Senate to stir up moving Arms for the outrage of the Uscocchi 21. others of a contrary opinion 22. of the Duke of Savoy with invectives against Spain 31. and to exhort the Republick to joyn with them 41. of Carlo Scaglia his Ambassadour with the Republick to demand assistance 67. of Niccolo Contarini to perswade the Senate to assist the Duke of Savoy 69. of Simeon Contarini to the Pope 90. of Henry Count de la Tour to the Bohemians 128. of John Nani to disswade the Republick from a League with the Hollanders 141. of Sebastian Veniero perswading it 143. of Girolamo Priuli to the King of France 162. of Count Mansfelt to his Souldiers 292. of Giovanni Basadonna against the undertaking of Genoua 212. of Girolamo Trevisano to approve the
and as a Companion in sufferings and hazards crowned true vertue with praise and reward That the Peace with England was in great forwardness nor could the Huguenots be better bridled but by drawing the Army near to Italy that is to say towards Languedoc where is their greatest strength and towards those Provinces upon which the Spaniards and Savoyards together have their present designs In sum so many conveniencies and advantages concurred with it as now forced a necessity to second the counsels of reason The King assented fully to the enterprise and to attempt it in person for having now tasted the glory of good success he aspired to greater Triumphs and had naturally a great aversion to the Spaniards and a greater desire to keep them under But the Cardinal not believing affairs yet in such a condition as to be able to come advantagiously to an open breach with them inclined nevertheless to the resolution of going into Italy provoked by a violent desire to revenge himself of Carlo Emanuel and by interest to remove the King from Paris the proper Seat for the Intrigues of the Court and particularly of the Queens and their Faction which could not be better extinguished or weakened but by keeping the King from thence and amidst the exercises of War have him under his sole eye and hand To notifie the action Monsieur de la Salodie as a forerunner was dispatched into Italy to incite the Princes to declare and unite themselves now the King was come near to the Alps with a puissant Army Being arrived at Venice he found in the Senate the readiness he had always offered extolling therefore the Generosity of the King and the Prudence of his chief Minister with an applause equal to the desire with which they had sollicited it they wish a happy passage of the Alps which being they assure they will concur in the common designs with the third part of those Forces which the King should judge necessary for the Action The Duke of Savoy imployed several Arts to divert this agreement suggesting by the most secret means to France that the Republick aimed at nothing but to ingage it and afterwards leave it alone in War with the Austrians And to the Venetians that they should remember what had passed in the Valteline and the old design of the French to bring them to a Rupture with Spain without caring to second it But all attempts proving vain Cordua was greatly perplexed For if those of Casal taking courage from the hopes of succours near hand shewed more than ever an obstinate resistance his weakened Army did not admit of a joynt opposition with the Savoyards at the Alps and to continue the Siege also Besides this he knew and considered the present state of things the Milanese exposed the Subjects discontented the Places unprovided Victuals scarce Provisions consumed and Money wanting for just in this year the Holland Fleet under the Command of Peter Hein Admiral advancing with a noble boldness into the American Seas had near the Island of Cuba taken the Fleet composed of twenty Ships which transported into Spain the Treasures drawn from those rich Kingdoms Whereupon after a Meeting in Pavia with Nassau and Monterey he had dispatched Courriers in great diligence to Madrid for Orders and Supplies and to Vienna for assistance and re-inforcement From Spain nothing could arrive but slowly and therefore his greatest hopes were placed in Germany where the power and good success of Ferdinand greatly increasing daily there remained nothing for him to desire more of Fortune In this year Tilly had taken in Verden and Stade nor was there found ought else which could resist except some certain Islands secured by the Sea or some few Towns which having Ports kept a way open for succours Whereupon Ferdinand taking courage to attempt higher matters inclines to make a restitution of Ecclesiastical Goods and particularly to get for the Archduke his Son the Archbishoprick of Magdeburg which had been conferred on Augustus second Son of the Elector of Saxe But Ferdinand upholding his purpose with force pretended that the Cannons themselves being fallen from their power as having run themselves into the delict of Treason by adhering to the Enemy their Votes were illegitimate and therefore the Election void Frizland was designed to have passed into the Islands of Denmark if that Winter the freezing of the Sea as is usual had afforded him a passage or if Ships could have been provided for him which though he assumed the Title of General of the Sea he had not been able to get nor by any means to procure and that in Lubeck the Count of Swartzenburg for the Emperour and Gabriel le Roy for the Spaniards laboured all they could to perswade those maritime Towns to have furnished them But he desirous at least to possess himself of Ports exercised the patience of the Duke of Pomerania with all sort of offences to the end to bring him to some desperate resolution which might give him a pretext to deprive him of his Country But that not succeeding he besieges Rostock and Wismar Anseatick and Imperial Towns with very considerable Havens and having taken them without much ado passing also into the Island of Rughen prepares to straighten Stralsond The King of Denmark to divert him had possessed the Island of Vsdom and the City of Wolgast in Pomerania But Fridlandt hasting thither with his wonted good Fortune gave the King such a defeat as forced him to re-imbark and leave the City it self as a prey to him During this absence of his those of Stralsond making a Sally upon a Fort placed over against their Town took and demolished it wherewith provoked he begirts it with a more straight Siege in such sort that being almost reduced to extremity they capitulated by means of the Duke of Pomerania to render it when Fridlandt secure of the event goes his way to take possession of the Dukedom of Mechelburg which the Emperour having deprived those Princes for having taken part with Denmark had given him leaving the care to the Duke of Pomerania himself to receive the Surrender and put a Garrison into it But the King of Sweden who with happy success made War in Livonia and Prussia with the Polaccks understanding the extremity in which for want of powder the City was doubting lest having taken the Ports of the Baltick the Imperialists might not only subdue Denmark but render themselves terrible to himself and his Dominions sends an abundant Relief into it with promise of greater assistance whereupon the Inhabitants taking courage breaking the Capitulation persisted in their defence which so much enraged Walstain that if it were his custom to make War with great cruelty he now protested to make use of his Victory with all the excess of it But in the brightness of so many prosperities from Stralsond arises that little Cloud which far out at Sea is wont when it scarce appears to burst out suddenly into dreadful