Chamber in defence of the Valtoline which did appertain little or nothing to the Church but spare them for the eminent danger of the State of Urbine which speeches being accompanied with some other favourable Demonstrations to the French did trouble the Spaniards and made them very circumspect in the business of Urbino lest the Pope to make a greater conjunction with the King of France might probably precipitate the business of the Valtoline and yet being naturally very considerate he had two Consultations about the business of the Valtoline of the most conspicuous Theologists of the Court and most exemplary for holiness of life who having discus'd the business were of opinion that the Pope ought not to permit Catholicks to return under the yoke of Hereticks out of the evident danger of their souls which belonging to the Flock of our Saviour Christ it became him according to the Gospel to defend them like a good Shepherd from the Wolves though with the hazard of his own life Thus did the Affairs of the Valtoline alter out of several respects in that Court just like the ebbing and flowing of the Sea and the Pope not being resolved what to do in it that he might hold them both in hand temporized and delai'd his resolution but the French who whilst Gregory lived were quiet when they had a Pope who was their friend began to rouse up and to pretend that the Valtoline the Forts being demolished was to return under the Grisons command nor did they admit of any exception unless that for what concern'd the safety of the Catholick Religion the Pope should be the determiner this they said was dictated by the first Capitulations at Madrid and thus Reason and the King of France his Obligation to Protect the Grifons did require they persisted the more in these pretentions for that they saw their affairs were much altered for in the Spanish Court instead of alliance enmity with the English was increased the Spanish Army in Flanders and all the Forces of those States were busied before Breda a very strong Town of the Hollanders both for Situation Fortification and for its being triple fenced by water the taking of it was held impossible the Siege very long and of uncertain success the Hollanders having raised a strong Army to relieve it The Affairs of that Court had had but bad success in the Indies and in America for Ormuz a very strong Town situated in the mouth of Persia a principal place for Merchandize and of great annual revenue and of greater concernment for the command of the East-Indies was taken by those Barbarians they being assisted by English shipping the Baja de todes santos or All Saints Bay the chiefest staple Town of Brasile being perhaps in pursuance of the League of Avignon assaulted by a Holland Fleet was taken and sack'd which having had booty thâ—…re to the value of above two Millions of Ducates fortified themselves there intending further progress these were two mighty blows to the Crown of Spain which did oblige that King to send a powerful Army as he did to recover them and to boot that the event of these Affairs was uncertain they required great store of shipping multitudes of men and money nor were the wars of Germany yet wholly at an end for many Rebels of the Empire and whose Forces seemed rather to increase then to lessen did molest it in several places for the King of Denmark in conformity to the League at Avignon came into the Field very strong and had made himself head of the Protestant Princes who took up Arms against the Emperour to restore the Palatine to his Patrimonial State and who made great progress in the lower Germany On the contrary the Affairs of France which till now had been full of troubles and civil wars seemed to be brought into a safe Harbour and by several accidents to be in a better condition the King of England having broken the match with Spain had concluded a Marriage between his Son the Prince of Wales and a Sister to the King of France who was yet unmarried and joyning in League with him promised great things against the interest of Spain both by Sea and Land answerable to the League of Avignon and the tumults of France were either totally composed or it was in the Kings power to end them which accidents concurring at the same time were able to incite any Prince to novelties though never so much an enemy thereunto much more the King of France and French Nation who were so far interessed and ingaged in the business of the Valtoline and therefore though after many Consultations had in Rome between the Embassadours of Spain and France of themselves and afterwards with the Pope the Pope put forth at last some Articles touching the security in point of Religion amongst those of the Valtoline whereunto the Embassadour did agree and made others between themselves in their Kings name whereby the Valtoline when the Forts should be demolished was to return to be under the Grisons but with some Articles Conditions and upon pain of Escheat in case of swarving from the agreement and particularly with leave for the King of Spain to pass men thorow it yet the King of France accepting only those that were propounded by the Pope did absolutely refuse those that were agreed upon by the Embassadour and being highly offended with the Commandator Sillery who was his Embassadour he sent Monsieur di Bittune to succeed him and sent for Sillery back to France and did not only deprive him of his favour but removed his Brother who was Lord Chancellor and the Chancellors Son who was Secretary of State together with other of their dependants from their imployments being apprehensive as was said that they held some secret intelligence with the Court of Spain and being incensed against the King of Spain desired the Pope that he would either cause the Forts to be demolished or else restore them to the King of Spain to the end that he might make way to their demolishment without offence to the Apostolick See but the Articles of depositure withstood the demolishing and the restitution was gainsaid for fear of raising new wars between the two Kings so as look with how much more circumspection it became the Pope to proceed in his resolves so much more did the fervency of the French increase who not brooking any delay and seeing things in a way for war furthered the execution of the League and the preparations for all things requisite for what was resolved on But the Marriage which was just at this time in hand between Prince Phileberto of Savoy and Princess Maria Daughter to Francis late Duke of Mantua did either totally hinder or at least retard for the present the effects of so great a combination by which Treaty the Duke of Savoy who if he were not the head was a principal member of this League was diverted from the common Counsels The Spaniards had
And at the same time keeping on the Treaty of the new League and his Sons Marriage in Paris he hoped that each of these Crowns would grow to such jealousie by reason of this double Negotiation as that the one not to lose him and the other to gain him they might both of them vie who should give fairer conditions for this Marriage when it should be hotly negotiated at the same time in both these Courts Chusing theâ—…efore for Agents in these his so great designs Count Verrua a Counsellor who was in great favour with him and Monsieur Iacob he sent them both at the same time the former into Spain the latter into France where both of them negotiated their Commissions The Duke of Lerma greedily imbracing this occasion in the Court of Spain that by assisting to make this Maâ—…ch he might aggrandize his own Family so the Treaty of Marriage between Prince Victorio and the Kings Daughter seemed to proceed on fairly For though the King would not Treat of his eldest Daughter whom he had destined to a much greater Marriage yet not being averse to part with his youngest Daughter this Match though not totally agâ—…eed upon yet was it likely to be speedily concluded And Don Phileberto the Dukes second Son was destined to be made Admiral at Sea and the Dukes third Son the Cardinal was to be furnished with the châ—…ef Church-livings which should be vacant in that Kingdom to a large proportion In pursuit of which Negotiation there were two Gallies already provided by the Duke in Italy to bring the Prince Victorio into Spain together with two of his Sisters that they might be brought up there with the Queen yet many were not fully of an opinion that this would really succeed As if the Duke had juggled in this Marriage with Spain or that he had done it out of cunning to accelerate the Negotiations in France which were carried on with hopes of prosperous success by Iacob For the King having drawn England and the States of Holland into the new League and giving out that he would â—…ut the Princes of Brandenburge and Newburg into full possession of the Dukedoms pretended unto by them had already prepared a powerful Army with which and with the Forces of the Colleagues it was thought that he really intended war against Flanders and those parts of the Low-Countries which were under the King of Spain And at the same time he put a Fleet in order at Marselles with intention to assault Genoa and Millain and offered the Duke of Savoy an Army of 20000 Foot and 3000 Horse to be paid by him the King to the end that the Duke might enter into the 〈◊〉 of Millain with 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse of his own which State he propounded to the Duke of Savoy as a surplus of Portion in respect of the future Marriage These practises were they either true or but reported did no good to the Treaties of Spain which seemed to be as good as already concluded for the King of Spain growing incens'd thereat did not incline any more to the Marriage of his Daughter and the Duke of Lerma who had cordially listened to Verrua's proposals finding that he was not well looked upon by the Court where the practises held between him and Verrua were known to shew himself averse to the Dukes interests and intelligence who was grown odious to the Court for the same respects did all he could to clear himself thereof And the whole Court out of the same reasons being at the same time scandalized with the Duke of Savoy he thinking that he could promise himself no good from that Crown and despairing to make any progress in that Court quite foregoing any thought of further pursuing his Affairs there and betaking himself to the Kingdom of France he indeavoured to joyn in League and to make Alliance with that King Hence it was that we may return to where we gave over that the Duke of Savoy to the end that he might have greater adherences in Italy as also that he might interest other Princes in his ends and designs married forthwith two of his Daughters wherein King Henry had a hand the eldest to Don Francisco then Prince of Mantua and the other to Alphonso Prince of Modena which was not done without much jealousie that the Dukes their Fathers did privately partake in the same ends and designs And at this very time another Marriage coming strangely to light which was very privately treated of in Rome for the Prince of 〈◊〉 the Popes Nephew with a natural Daughter of King Henry it made people very jealous of the Popes Intention This suspicion reached also to many of the Lords of Rome which by many Aâ—…guments drawn from their indeavours and inclinations seemed to follow King Henries party King Henry was then in greater Fortune Authority and Grandezza then peradventure any of the preceding Kings of France had for a long time been he was admired by all Christendom wherefore part of Italy being full of expectation other part full of fear of these so great preparations Italy was partly inclined unto and did tremble at the name and reputation of the French Forces But to the end that the Differences touching Montferrat might not disturb so great hopes as were promised by this Conjunction the Duke of Savoy thought it not good to look too narrowly into them then though they fell into consideration in the conclusion of the Marriage with the Prince of Mantua and therefore he thought it bettâ—… to hasten the conclusion of that Marriage leaving those differences undecided On the contrary the King of Spain finding whether the confederacy or Affinity of the Italian Princes did at that time tend and indeavouring to disturb it I â—…oured though in vain that the same Marriages might be crost but King Henries so unexpected death having either dissipated the ends or allayed the jealousies of that so great Unon and the Duke being afterwards pacified and joined with the King of Spain and the Kingdom of France foregoing the Match with the Duke as having after the Kings death entertained new Negotiations of a double Marriage with Spain whereby Lewis the new King of France was to marry the King of Spains eldest Daughter and King Lewis his Sister she who in her Fathers time was intended for Prince Victorio was also to marry the Prince of Spain to the conclusion of which Marriages there was no leâ—…t at that time but the tender years of those that were to be married Therefore the King and Court of Spain confiding much more in this new Conjunction then they had formerly distrusted the Union of the Italian Princes and their Intelligence with the French did at the same time indeavour that the Marriage might be concluded between the Cardinal and the Dowager Dutchess a thing which made very much for the preservation of peace in Italy and for the new Union which was agreed on with the King of France On the contrary
and all the Princes of Christendom that they would approve of this his taking up of Arms in just resentment of the injuries done him by the Duke of Mantua and for the recovery of what â—…ad been so unjustly taken from his Ancestors and so long possest by his Adversaries so much to his prejudice concluding that he would not refuâ—…e to listen unto and to accept of such Propositions as should be offered unto him for the accommodation of these differences if they were accompanied with reason and conveniency And to make men conceive the better of this Enterprise and make himself the more formidable he gave out that he held Intelligence with the King of England and with the States of Holland from whom he expected great succour by Sea The End of the first Book THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY BOOK II. The Contents THE Wars of Montferrat is continued to be related as also the Provisions and Negotiations made by the Duke of Mantua and other Princes The Surrender of the Castle of Montcalvo The oppugning of Nizza della Paglia Prince Victorio's going to Spain Orders sent from that Court to Italy touching the protection of Montferrat and the Restitution of the Towns that were taken In execution whereof Nizza is freed and the other Towns restored to the Duke of Mantua The War of Garfagnana between the Duke of Modena and the Common-wealth of Lucca which being accommodated by peace the business of Montferrat is reassumed and divers Negotiations pass between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua which whilst they are in Treaty Spains final Resolution comes touching the quiet of Italy and the security of Montferrat Prince Victorio returns to Italy badly satisfied with the King and Court of Spain WHen the Princes of Italy had news of these Commotions and heard of what had happened in Montferrat they were not a little astonished For foreseeing the mischiefs that were threatened Italy thereby no man could imagine how the Duke had begun that War to the so great prejudice of the publick Peace and to the so great danger of the Common Affairs Being much perplexed they argued out of circumstances and by probabilities whether it were done merely out of the Dukes own deliberation or by participation had and Intelligence held with the Court of Spain It was hard for any to perswade themselves that that King should consent to the oppression of a State the protection where of he had ever sincerely prosessed especially since it was impossible this should happen without causing commotions in Italy and without making way for Forreign Nations to enter things totally repugnant to those sound Foundations whereupon the safety of his Dominions and the power of his Authority was so happily built But it did no less repugne the total Affairs of his Crown that the Duke of Savoy should add so rich and so well peopled a Dukedom to his Dominions it being so near and lying so opportunely for the State of Millain left his Power being thereby doubled he migâ—… have a mind to novelties and that afterwards aiming at greater matters he might bend his thoughts to the prejudice of the Publick Peace or at least if he should keep quiet he would be less pliable and depend less upon the Authority of that Crown The Dukes natural Genius made this opinion appear more probable it being hard for him to conâ—…ine himself within the boundeurs of his own Fortune wherefore he had been hardly detained formerly from shewing the bad satisfaction which was discovered to be in him and contrary to the ends of that Crown and to his last streight Intelligence held with King Henry of France which being accompanied by Arms and by the conjuncture of Times had made it appear how much disdain and the desire of greater Affair had prevailed over him wherefore all augmentation of Power or Authority was to be apprehended in him Yet notwithstanding as men are naturally easie to believe those things which they fear most there were but very few who did not firmly believe the contrary as not believing that the Duke would have begun such a business upon his own bottome whereby he would have drawn France upon his back and have irritated Italy They therefore concluded it was impossible he should have put himself and his own Affairs into so manifest trouble unless he had been back'd by that King This opinion was the more confirmed by the flow proceedings of the Spaniards to extinguish this fire which the Duke had kindled and this in process of time did so much increase this opinion as the many evident demonstrations which the King did by his actions manifest the which the more evident they were the more were they interpreted to a sinister sence were not sufficient to remove it The more every one did believe this the more were they puzzled in finding out the ends which could make that King and his State Ministers put on such a resolution And as the supposing of this proved afterwards vain so of necessity must they be but râ—…ve concerning their imagined ends Many believed that they were permitted this enterprize to the end that they might by terror of Arms get that young Lady which they could not do by Authority or indeâ—…vours Others reasoning more subtilly suspected that they might willingly foment dissention between these Princes out of hopes that the Duke of Mantua not being able of himself to defend that State should as he had often formerly indeavoured change it upon disadvantagious terms the greater part whereof he should have divided with the Duke of Savoy out of a desire to make himself master of the Castle of Casalle Those who discoursed more moderately thought that the Kings State Ministers were willing to see the Duke of Mantua reduced to these streights to necessitate him to have recourse to their King to the end that being either favour'd or disfavour'd by him therein it might be known how much the adherence of that Crown did redound to the advantage of the Princes of Italy Those of Italy being agitated by these thoughts and doubtful what the sequel would prove they were not less anxious for fear of the future mischief then uncertain what remedies to prepare which might be adequate to the eminent danger The mean while the Dukes forces caused great commotion and fear in Montferrat where like â—…under the blow was felt before the lightning was seen That State was then unprovided of Arms Men or Ammunition with a powerful Enemy within the bowels thereof who had already made himself master of two of her chief Towns and was ready to take the third and who pillaged many Towns and Villages abandoned by their Inhabitants who yielding to the Enemy ran readily to swear â—…ealty unto him The Governour and Mantuan Officers surprized at so unexpected an accident were astonished thinking no less of their own weakness to defend themselves then on the Dukes readiness to offend them they much distrusted the chief Montferratins whom they knew to
some amends and have repaired the reputation of the Kings Forces wherein they suffered very much if following the enemy they had vigourously re-entred Piedmont at their heels so the keeping with the whole Army for above two moneths about the Fort which was erecting did necessarily detract from their honour and so much the more for that mighty things being looked for from them no mean successes would have satisfied expectation On the other side the Duke making less account of the discomforture given to his men then of the enemies going out of Piedmont thought the least harm that befell the enemy a great comfort to his own affairs And therefore thinking that at the very beginning of the War he had made the world see that the Spanish Forces were not invincible he hoped that the Italians being awakened thereby as by a warlike trumpet would the sooner joyn with him both in Forces and in intelligence against strangers Therefore not being upon this occasion wanting to himself but making his cause the common cause he was well pleased that divers writings and composures should be thrown abroad in Italy but especially in his own Dominions wherein stiling him the head and author of the recovery of their ancient Liberty the Italian Potentates were exhorted to throw off the forreign yoke by which they had been so long oppress'd And still continuing with more fervency the indeavours long before begun in France and Germany with the Princes who did emulate the Spanish Grandezza with the King of England and with the States of Holland he strove to make them joyn with him that so they might unanimously oppose that power which did overshadow a great part of Europe But believing particularly that the Venetians the great harm which would insue unto them by his suppresion being considered would not give him over in so great a danger he therefore having composed the differences which had been between them and him touching the War of Montferrat by the intercession of the Embassadours of France and England then resident in Venice he resolved to send Iacomo Pissina with title of Embassadour to Venice to exhort them upon this occasion to imbrace his cause with their Forces and the defence of the common safety and liberty who being brought into the Colledge may be supposed to have spoken to this effect It is most certain Serene Prince and wise fathers that diffidence hath always been the ruine and undoing of friendship as on the contrary affiance and trust hath always been held the streightest bond to keep Princes perpetually colleagued in friendship to one and the same end The distrust that the Duke my Master joyning with the Spaniards conspired against the common saâ—…ety when upon just occasion he took up arms against Montferrat made you readily imbrace the Duke of Mantua's cause which was then held to be the common cause Out of this Reason the Duke my Master as best knowing his own intentions which he by open manifestoes published to the world thought this Commonwealth more inclined to favour his adversary then him And that therefore constriuing his intentions to be otherwise then they have been since known to be by reciprocal diffidence the ancient friendship so long preserved between him and this Commonweâ—…lth hath on the sudden been turned to enmity Now since all men may assertain themselves by what hath hapned at Novara and Vercelli that the Dukes intention never was nor can ever in the future be different from the common end of the Princes of Italy and particularly from that of this most glorious Commonwealth which is manfully to make good and constantly to maintain the common safety dignity and liberty against the common enemies he therefore hath reason to hope that past distastes being turn'd to as much confidence the former good correspondency will be redoubled and that in so just and honest a cause in so useful and necessary a War he may presume to be favoured by the Venetian Forces For if you did resolve to patronize the Duke of Mantua against a Prince so streightly joyn'd in interest and good will with this Commonwealth only out of fear that he might assault Montferrat with an intention to annex it to the Spaniards how much more ought you now prepare to defend the Duke of Savoy whilst he is assaulted by the ambitious Spaniard for the preservation of the publick dignity by those Forces wheâ—…eby under a colour of preserving peace in Italy and which they are the first that do disturb they indeavour to possess themselves of Piedmont so lawfully injoyed by him and by his predecessors the Spaniards as all men may see would be believed to be the Arbitrators the Patrons of Italy the Supream Moderator of her Potentates they therefore think it reasonable that all Italian Princes as if they we eâ—…so many of their Subjects should obey every the least beck of that King nay of any of his Ministers And terming the slavery of Italy peace the obedience thereof security and on the contrary the freedom thereof contumacy and its generosity turbulency of spirit they by these artifices strive to make themselves gracious and others odious to the people And now having begun to exercise this their superiority to the no less general prejudice then to the universal loss of reputation upon the weakest they will arrogate the like over the greatest They of late commanded the Duke of Modena and the Lucchesi to lay down arms and were immediately obeyed without any reply They now indeavour the like with the Duke of Savoy whom after having secured Montferrat from all Hostility they command to lay down Arms and to disband his Souldiers and because he keeps 2000 Souldiers more then usual in his Dominions they threaten him Was there ever known so unjust and so imperious a command with what reason does that King and that Nation who as all men know are but as of yesterday in Italy give Laws to the Dukes of Savoy who held the Scepter of Piedmont 400 years before he was master of one foot of Land in Italy will there none then dare to shew their faces and gainsay such insolent commands shall the generosity of the Italian name be so totally extinct as that all Italy shall obey those whom they have formerly commanded who sees not that by these beginnings they aim at the reducing of the power and liberty of the Princes of Italy into a Precarious power into a Precarious liberty depending upon every nod of theirs but why talk I of a Precarious power of a Precarious liberty these beginnings tend manifestly to the reducing of the Duke of Savoy into miserable slavery and to the subjugating of Piedmont nor ceasing here to the making themselves absolute Lords of Italy the Monarchy whereof having long fancied unto themselves in Idea they now begin to try how it may succeed by the suppression of the Duke my Master and by counterfeiting with the other Italian Potentates And cloaking this their ambitious and
avaricious thirst with the fair pretence of publick peace they are no less intent upon the usurping of other mens Dominions then were the Persians of old who aspiring at the oppression of Greece demanded a little water and some few clods of earth for no other end but that upon denial they might have some colourable pretence to make War upon them and tyrannically to subjugate them If then the safety and dignity of all Italy be indanger to be ruined by the abasing of my Master by the suppression of Piedmont will this Commonwealth contrary to her custom contrary to the constitutions and examples of her Predecessours stand idle spectators of other mens miseries careless lookers upon the common danger and calamity shall she sleep and be drown'd in a dull Lethargy which confesseth that she continually watcheth over and stands sentinel to the common liberty the Romans did of old make War and sent forth powerful Armies against Philip King of Macedon and Antiochus King of Asia not out of any desire of acquisition or of inlarging their Empire not out of any hatred to those Kings nor to revenge any injuries received from them but only to free the Grecians from the tyranny of those Princes but out of Roman generosity which could not suffer that those people who had been anciently born and who had long lived freed and masters of themselves should be subjected by barbarous Kings And yet Greece was a Nation far distant from Rome much differing from the Romans in Laws Customs Language and Religion so as the Romans needed not to have cared much for their Country nor Condition nor been much moved at their misery and will you who represent that ancient and august Commonwealth to the life in Wisdom Actions and much more in generosity of Mind refuse to assist in the freeing not of a Province or forreign Nation but of this which was anciently the Paincess of Provinces which is your Mother your Country the seat of your Empire and of the Majesty of your Common-wealth from whose dignity safety and freedom you reap so much splendor and security but why make I use of so remote examples when there are not wanting those which are fresher and more sutable to the times and present occurrences it is not much above 400 years since Italy and particularly all that which lies between the Apenine and the Alps being oppress'd by the Dutch Empire many of the Cities of Lombardy took courage to shake off the yoke of that fierce Nation so as joyning in League wherein your Ancestors having manfully for many years made War with Germany which had her foot upon their necks the peace of Constance did insue by which nothing remained to the Germans but the bare name of Supream Empire and the Italians repossest themselves of their so much desired liberty Shall not that then which made so many people disperst in so many Cities oppress'd by so severe a yoke able to venture for and to atchieve liberâ—…y be sufficient now to associate some few and free Chieftains will it not be able to infuse courage into free great and powerful Princes and ascertain them that the same thing begun with more prosperous presage shall have a more fortunate end shall peradventure the doubt of success make you hesitate whose fore-fathers dâ—…d manfully withstand the Forces of so many Princes joyn'd together against them shall the Commonwealth of Venice be afraid of Spain which being without either King or Government drown'd in luxury and riches and divided into so many parts and Regions as that the vastness of its Empire doth counterpoise or injure it self should it fear to resist that power against which the Hollanders who were then but a weak people did rebel and of Subjects have made themselves freemen of slaves Lords nothing can appear really difficult to generously minded men The Duke of Savoy hath no sooner sacrificed his State and Life in so laudable an enterprize but immedâ—…tely the French despising their Kings commands are come in to his aid and will very suddenly appear in greater numbers Nor will he want assistance from Holland and England as also from many of the German Princes who favour my Master and are tacitely confederated with him if for no other end at least to abate so great a surquedry and so odious a pride and shall not that which works upon forreigners prevail with this Commonwealth which to boot with the same Reasons is incited so to do by the safety of her friends by the protection which she professeth to take of the oppressed and which imports most by the imminent danger of her own liberty but if peâ—…adventure so great and important occasions should contrary to the expectation of all men be so little considered by her as in so urgenâ—… a necessity she should not defend the common interest think I beseech you what opinion will be had of her wisdom what esteem will be put upon her generosity and grandezza what will the other Italian Princes say who being anxious for the common interest what the end of the War of Piedmont will prove depend upon your Authority knowing that the safety of their Dominions and fortune depends upon your Counsels and Resolves Who doubts that our Princes shall no sooner know your inclination shall no sooner see the Venâ—…tian Colours display'd and that the people who are subject to the Spaniards shall no sooner see your arms glister but that those wearied with their pride and these vexed with their unsupportable tyranny will move and will expose themselves their children and all that is dear unto them to enjoy that dignity that golden liberty whereunto these Skies and this Country doth invite them Make use then of this so fair so rare and so opportune an occasion wherein all Italy all Europe is concerned which being imbraced by the Duke my Master gives assured signes of happy success Mark I beseech you how he accompanied but with a handful of men hath quickly cooled their threats hath at the first push turn'd their intentions of oppugning Piedmont into care of fortifying themselves in the State of Millain One small Victory one brush given them will throw them down headlong from that height from whence they with such arrogancy pretend to prescribe Laws to Italy will alienate their friends from them will put heart into their Subjects and make them see upon how weak foundations this their vast Monarchy is built And they losing their courage wherewith in their prosperity they are so puft up will yield to us the glory of so gallant an action whereby to boot with our natural liberty we shall purchase perpetual and immortal praise to our posterity These words were as attentively listened unto as efficaciously spoken by the Embassadour who being dismiâ—…d with general words the business was propounded in the Consiglio de Pegâ—…di where a Senator stood up worthy for the acuteness of his wit and for his affection to his Country of all those Honours which
to be totally abandoned by the Commonwealth And there wanted not those who argued by the success that they did not only foment the Duke by private advice and promises but assisted him underhand with supplies The Duke obtained not a much differing resolution from the Court of France where he expected better things from the neighbouring dangers from the vivacity of that Nation and from the Kings minority for the Queen being assured by the King of Spain that he would forbear all hostility in Italy whensoever the Duke would consent to what was demanded she was therewith satisfied and endeavour'd to make the Duke yield to the Kings pleasure in regard of the interest of her Nephew the Duke of Mantua in whose behalf this new War was begun Not listening therefore to any of the Dukes desires or complaints she under severe penalties prohibited all her Subjects to take pay of him and yet she also for the honour of her Kingdom and to give satisfaction to the Princes and Chief Lords of her Count sen Charles a' Anghienes Marquess of Rambolliette to Piedmont Embassadour to exhort the Duke to peace with express commission that if he should forbear to lay down Armes fearing that he might be oppressed afterwards by the Spanish Forces he should give him all such assurances as he himself could desire and offer him the protection of that Crown and the Forces of the whole Kingdom Such was the publick resolution of that Court which was then governed by the Queen who was much inclined to preserve friendship with the Crown of Spain for the Interest of her own authority and greatness and for the quiet and safety also of her Sons affairs which would be less subject to troubles and perturbation by keeping peace and good correspondency with his neighbours That Court continued in the same mind for some years though the King being come to the age of 14 and according to the orders of the Kingdom out of gardianship took upon him the administration of affairs and consequently the Queens regency ceased For depending wholly upon his Mothers authority and advice the change of Government was for a while insensible the name of Governour being only altered The new Kings first action was to ratifie the Marriages contracted with Spain and seeming to be desirous to keep fair correspondency therewith the Duke of Savoy had small hopes of and good from France And though he seemed abandoned of all help from thence the Marshall de Dignieres Governour of Dolphenye sent good store of men continually unto him underhand it not being known whether the Queen did wink thereat or no who hearing that many did murmure that the Duke in so urgent a necessity and danger should be abandoned to the great diminution of the Kings authority and of the Kingdoms interest did underhand give way that the Kings resolution should be countervened And therefore besides those that were sent by de Dignieres many others falling down from the Alps a good number of that Nation were in a short time found to be in Piedmont By which the Duke being comforted aâ—… also by the promises of other Princes and being incouraged by the good beginning of the War as it is usually seen that enterprizes which at first appear fearful grow by degrees less dreadful he began to confide more in himself and looking for greater successes he was content to be intreated to do that which he bad much reason to desire So as the words nor perswasions of the French Embassadour prevailed but a little with him nor yet those of Monsieur Giulio Savelli who was likewise sent extraordinary Embassadour upon the same occasion to Piedmont by the Pope For the Duke persisting in not composing the affairs of Mantua without having some part of Montferrat given him and denying to lay down arms unless the Governour should do so likewise he refused also to refer the differences to be decided by the Emperour being jealous of him but he consented to refer it to the King of France and to the King of England to which he knew neither the King of Spain nor Duke of Mantua would agree It seemed therefore very hard to reconcile them and the less for that the Duke of Savoy growing bold by the Spanish Armies going out of Piedmont and by their lasie entertaining themselves about the building of the new Fort not caring much to pursue the War he thought he was the more secured from any new assaults Wherefore sending daily Troops of horse out of Vercelles which foording over the very River of the Sesia in sight of the enemies Army which the Governour in the Dukes absence durst not pass thorow with a numerous and gallant Army they dared to insult over the Souldiers which were busied about the Fort without either fear or respect though but by a snatch and away And the Governour being wholly intent about building the Fort did not only not care to suppress their insolence but would not follow the advice of many of the Commanders who thinking it bootless and dishonourable to busie the whole Army about building a Fort which stood in the Kings own ground advised to send part thereof in the interim to prejudice Piedmont where the Duke being imploy'd about the guarding and defending of Vercelles it was probable they might make some good progress But the Dukes affairs which seemed to be secure from any hostile act or at least were not troubled with any ran unexpectedly great hazard at home For the French and Swissers which were under the Dukes pay mutinying upon a small occasion put the City of Vercelles in defence whereof they were then imployed in great danger and confusion nor was the danger of a greater sedition small nor the Dukes labour less in appeasing it but being at last quieted the French as who were suspected of novelty and alteration were distributed into several quarters about the City The Dukes resistance being this mean while known in Spain and what had hapned in Italy contrary to that Courts expectation the King and Council were not a little incensed they thought the Kings honour and authority to be highly offended therefore minding resentment more then the appeasing of rumours they thought it necessary to alter their first orders and to take a more severe course in making the Duke acknowledge the Kings Grandezza which by his entring into the State of Millain in hostile manner he seemed to value but a little They therefore commanded the Governour and their other Officers in Italy that they should proceed no longer against the Duke with such respect as formerly but with all bitterness and severity To which end they gave out orders and made extraordinary provisions The Embassador Vives was returned from the Camp to Genoa who having sent some scouts to Nizza di Provensa and to Villa Franca brought back word that the Castle of Nice though otherwise very strong had only a Garrison of 150 Souldiers in it and but little Ammunition That the City
peradventure that the apprehension of the neighbouring Army the Embassadours intercedings and the fear of having war intimated to him in the King of France his name might prepare him for conditions of peace so all things might be with much honour appeased without any danger or hazzard to the Kings Affairs That this might peradventure also be the cause that when he had got the Victory he was contented with the Dukes retreat and proceeded no further And that thinking that he being superiour in forces and victorious he might willingly listen to the urgent and efficacious protestations of the French Embassadour who acquainted him that the King did not intend he should proceed with loose Reins to oppress the Duke assuring him also that the Duke being overcome in battel could not but accept of the conditions of Peace as the Embassador mingling hopes and promises day by day with his protestations assured him it would succeed This is that which is pleaded in the discharge and defence of the Governour bâ—…sides many other Orders given which are unknown which were secretly sent to the Governour from the Duke of Lerma according to which it behoved him to govern himself for it was then tacitly murmured amongst many which increased afterwards in fame and opinion and was constantly and universally believed That the Duke of Lerma to whose severity the reason of these Commotions was chiefly attributed seeing how much contrary to his expectation and contrary to the Kings affairs they increased and fearing lest the disturbance of peace and the Dukes alienation might at long running ruine his own inteâ—…ests did streightly charge the Governour that setting side all other respects he should wholly mind composition and reconciliation with the Duke and that he was precisely commanded to slâ—…cken the carrying on of the war But these things werâ—… neither then nor afterwards so certainly manifest as that they were able to quench the pregnant suspicions which were formerly had of him Therefore the contrary opinion of those did generally prevail who aâ—…guing either out of self-emulation or out of a sinister impression of his actions said That none of the Kings Orders could be so precise or limited especially the far distance being considered but that they were to be varied according to the variation of affairs nor that the Governours hands ought to be so bound up as that he might not make use of his forces according as time and occasion should require Nor that any Negotiation of peace should with any reason so much impede the heat of war as that the progress of the latter should be lost or slackened in respect of not disturbing the uncertain conclusion of the former They made no account of the apprehension of future evils as being vain and not consonant to these times for the Governour having a well-experienced Army on foot commanded by the best Commanders of these times and provided with all things fitting for war which received greater force and reputation by the assistance of divers Iâ—…alian Princes things were so well asscertained as he might be confident of not only maâ—…ntaining Italy in her wonted fidelity and inclination to the King but to keep forreigners from moving and to suppress such as had moved And howsoever what sinister action said they could ever happen which would not be less then the prejudice which would result from the disbanding of that Army which being kept on foot was able to repair all inconveniencies and which being disbanded did infâ—…llibly draw after it all those mischiefs nay greater then those which were so much feared therefore said they it behoved the Commander in chief to know the condition of his own forces to make use of them to his best advantage by streightning and assaulting the enemy and by keeping him so molested as that he might desire covet nay account it a great favour to obtain a secure peace which assuredly is always most advantagious to those who are most against it That all Commanders and Generals had always govern'd themselves so and that by so doing they had reaped great advantage honourable conditions and much reputation to their Princes affairs but that to keep idle within Works to sit quietly under Pavillions and to expect that the enemy should be inclined to peace to suffer themselves to be wheeled about by words to feed themselves with vain promises of interessed Staâ—…e-Ministers and to shew small inclination to war and a great dâ—…sire of peace was nothing else but to increase the adversaries confidence to make him the prouder and more bold to alienate him from Articles of peace to make him backward and harder to consent to that which he finds to be so much indeavoured by his Adversary These and the like things were spoken of throughout Italy in the very Camp at all assemblies of men who not knowing the final ends of Princes and Commanders and of the Reasons which make them operate or which keeps them from doing so and less knowing what would have happened if they had done according to their intentions and discourses do often arrogate unto themselves to the prejudice of other mens reputations the censuring of humane actions even as if the heart of him that governs or future events were apparent to theâ—…r eye And confining the duty of a Writer to the bare narration of what passeth will not permit of his judgment in the truest and most equitable ratiocination to him who shall be pleased and satisfied with his pains it is most certain that the Governour in the general opinion of men made himself suspected of having at the first instead of extinguishing disloyally nourish'd that fire the suppression whereof if he had more indeavoured he would have shut up the mouth of detraction and have beâ—…ter justified his loyalty to his King and together with his own reputation wherein he suffer'd very much have preserved the Kings honour which beginning from the first to bow did afterwards decline without any stop as the future success will shew But that we may return to where we left whilst the Army wasted as hath been said the indeavours of peace were not given over by the Agents of Princes the French Embassadour did Negotiate it together with Pier Francesco Costa Bishop of Savoy and Nutio resident with the Duke who succeeded Savelli he having for some particular indispositions of his own obtained leave to return to Rome and together with them the same Zeno for the Commonwealth of Venice with whom but apart from the Nuntio St Dudly Carleton did intervene who was come from Venice were he had been Embassadour in ordinary and was come a little before into Piedmont with the title of Embassadour extraordinary from the King of England which King adhering privately to the Dukes affairs at the same time that he Negotiated the peace as a friend to both had taken order for the disbursing of a hundred thousand Ducates to the Duke at Lyons and also seeming as if it were done by the Peers of
between the Duke and the French Embassadour who bound himself in his Kings name which King took upon himself the whole business and obliged himself to see whatsoever on his side or by the Spanish Agents abundantly executed For what remained there was no mention of any submission to be made by the Duke only in the preamble amongst the Reasons which moved him to peace he alledged the desire he had to witness to the world the obsequence and particular devotion which he had always profess'd to bear unto the King These Articles were subscrâ—…bed by the Embassadours of France England and Venice expresly obâ—…iging their Princes to defend the Duke if all that was promis'd were not made good to him as long as he should observe what he â—…ad promised When these Capitulations were ingross'd or drawn up The Duke who he ring that the Germane and Holland succours were at hand thought that he should now get absolute victory over the enemy who weâ—…e reduced to great extremity and were not able to keep longer in their quarters by reason of the excessive heats refused to under-writ the Articles But the French Embassador forced by express command from the King did at last let him know that â—…e came to intimate war unto â—…im and the Duke shunning his sight he made the Kings Order and the necessity of putting it in exeâ—…ution known to Prince Victorio and commanded the French Souldâ—…ers and Commanders under pain of grievous punishment in the Kings name that they should immediately forego the Dukes service and return to France whither he would follow them the next day which certainly he would have done if the Nuntio had not opportunely interposed his Authority who going several times between him and the Duke and earnestly intreating them not to let the almost concluded peace be disturbed obtained that the Embassadour should tarry and give leave to the Duke to bethink himself better and to reflect upon the danger and necessity of his affairs which would grow to a bad condition if the French who were the chief sinews of his Army should mutiny as they seemed to be already inclined to do or foregoing his pay should be inforced suddenly and in so ill a crisis of time to abandon him Wherefore â—…aging at the Embassadour he not without much indignation was at last brought to subscribe the Articles of peace but upon condition that the Instrument should be kept in the Nuntio's hands to be by him assigned over to the Embassadour when he should receive another from him wherein the Governour of Millan should sufficiently bind himself in his Kings name to observe what the French Embassadours had promised on the Kings behalf the Duke being desirous that it should be rather covenanted with him on the King of Spains behalf for that he knew he for his reputation sake abhorr'd to do it He was also satisfied herein though contrary to the capitulations of Madrid and to the intentions of the two Kings yielded unto by the Embassadour of France and by the other Embassadours who were desirous that Peace might be concluded the most that might be to his advantage and honour and therefore the Embassadour of France having written to the Governour who was now reduced to a state rather of giving then of receiving conditions of peace and having obtained sufficient assurance from him under his hand the business was at last totally agreed Whilst these things were a concluding or were rather held to be totally concluded the Duke not being yet satisfied with venting nor with resenting himself went out of the City by night with a great number of his valiantest Souldiers and Captaâ—…ns and assaulted the enemies Trenches He hoped to find them unprovided by reason of their great sufferings and negligent out of their hopes of the near conclusion of peace which made him desire to make great slaughter and notably to resent his conceived injuries but he failed in his design for the Governour having notice thereof re-inforced the Trenches with Garrisons and gave the chief care thereof to Gamboloita and Bravo who managed the business so well as they forced the Duke to retreat with the like prejudice which he had plotted against the Enemies The Duke lost in that affault by night above 200 of his best and valiantest Souldiers besides many Commanders and persons of note and had the Governour as some of his men thought sent a good body of men out of the Trenches who might have fallen upon the Assailants on the Flank not any of the Dukes men might have escaped scot-free and the Duke himself who was affirmed by many to be there preâ—…ent would have run â—…anger of his person Wherefore the Governour was for this action also much blamed ill spoken of and detested by the whole Camp The next morning which was Iune the 23d and the 34 day after the Batâ—…l upon the Hills peace was proclaimed and was the very self-same day put in execution for as much as was then requisite wherein the Governour was fain to pass by two things also which though small in themselves yet of no small consideration in point of honour the one that the Dukes Souldiers who went to throw down the abandoned Trenches should kill 200 of the Enemies Souldiers who were found sick there the Spanish Army being in a manner present who were not all of them gone from their quarters the other that the Governour deferring his removal for that day in respect of the scarcity of Carriages as also of the multitude of sick persons and of many other impediments the French Embassadour not admitting of any excuse nor giving way to any one hours delay forced him to dislodge immediately protesting and that resolutely that otherwise he would make the Souldiers return who were gone out of the City and that revoking the command to the contrary he would permit the French to tarry and continue in the Dukes service Thus meerly through their fault who govern'd the Kings Forces not only the enterprise of Asti but those others that proceeded had but bad success and not conformable to the greatness of preparation to the threats and imagined resentments Thus the Governour rather inforc'd then willingly and rather as conquered then conquerour went out of Piedmont sufficiently diminished both in Forces and Reputation who was entred thereinto but forty days before with a flourishing and gallant Army and glorious and triumphant for the Victory he had obtained The End of the third Book THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY BOOK IV. The Contents THe King being but badly satisfied with the peace of Asti makes Don Pietro di Toledo Governour of Millain Between whom and the Duke new differences arise touching the execution of the Articles of peace The Venetians by reason of the Slavonians who molest their Navigation in the Gulf make war in Friuli against the Arch-Duke and in Istria against the Emperour and possessing themselves of many Towns in Friuli come before Gradisca from whence they depart not
about that business and he sent the Senator Lodovico Zoello along with the said Count to the end that the Count passing on to Venice Zoello might bring him the Compendium of the business These being gone to Millain the Governour propounded Propositions to them not only very satisfactory for the Duke but made also many promises of advancing the Duke â—…nd his Sons to great preâ—…erment if passing by the nicity of the Capitulations he would humble himself to the King and on the contrary strange doubâ—…s ad difficulties touching the execution and interpreâ—…ation of the said Capitulations if the Duke should tenaciously stick thereunto they were therefore desired to exhort the Duke to write unto the King in conformity to what he had proposed but the Duke being frustrated of any Spanish hopes would not give way to the Governours allurements esteeming them so many baits to make him fall unworthily from that Glory which through so much trouble and danger he had atchieved to the end that throwing himself dishonourably into the Kings Arms and indiscreetly estranging himself from the friendship and protection of those Princes who had subscribed the Peace he might the more easily be brought into his former condition by the Kings Ministers of State with little hope that the same Princes should resent his injuries another time if upon this occasion he should so sleightly have foregone their favour and Authority Resolving therefore to undergo whatsoever misfortune rather than to do what he would not consent unto whilst he had the Enemies Army upon his hands he absolutely denied to forego the Capitulations or to make any submission but pretending that the King was bound by the Articles to disarm he said it was the Embassadours intentions who made them that he should do so though for his Majesties greater honour it was expressed with more circumspection and notwithstanding being desirous that he might not thereby receive any prejudice in compassing his chief end which was that that Army might be disarmed he was content to write a Letter wherein not saying any thing which was not worthy of himself as a free and independent Prince and without parting from the Capitulations at Asti he with great respect excused himself for what had happened and laying the fault upon the late Governour he added that by this means he hoped he should keep himself in his Majesties former favour desiring him to preserve him therein in the same degree which he and his children out of so many relations pretend unto This he sent to the Governour by Zoello with a flying Seal with order that he should deliver it him when he should engage himself by express word that he would dismiss himself within a certain prefixt time But this Letter was neither received by the Governour nor sent into Spain for it did not please him who desired it might have been written more humbly and so as that it might have prejudicated the Capitulations or else thinking that the Duke by that Letter might get a promise of effectual disarming he did not think the prize equivalent to the demande nor the bargain answerâ—…ble to the condition of the present times therefore shewing the Duke the necessity he had to keep his men in Arms by reason of the war in Friuli and offering to restore the places that were taken and giving him his word in the Kings Name that he would not offend him he kept from disarming He added also that the Duke of Mantua would not listen to the pardoning of Rebels and as if the King of France had done more than he had power to do in promising that without his consent he seemed to be prejudiced in the rights of his Principality so as having sent the Marquess Don Iohn Gonzaga into Spain he obtained that that point might be left to his free will that King professing that he though himself not bound by the Articles of that Peace to pardon 〈◊〉 and that he would not nor could not justly keep the Duke oâ—… Mantua from 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction in that State which he had obliged himself to protect And therefore the Duke of Mantua being therein encouraged by the new Governour to whom he was near allied and being moreover desirous that the Duke of Savoy might reap no good by this peace he did not only constantly deny the pardoning of Rebels which he waâ—… much press'd to do by the King of France but selling tâ—…e remainder of Count Guido's goods and confiscating those of the rest who he pretended to be Rebels he also put some of his Subjects to death for having served the contrary party in that War But the Duke of Savoy who could not be satisfied neither by the Kings word nor by the restitution of places taken which the Governour offer'd him without the effectual difarming of the Kings Army seeing that no good was yet got by the peace of Asti but some vain promises by which he had suffer'd himself to be perswaded to lay down Arms and to consent to other of the Kings demands having now lost all hopes of obtaining his intent of the Governour as if he had run the danger of being again assaulted by the Spanish Army and being inforced to send some Souldiers and Ammunition to the Confines of Piedmont that he might thereby move the Princes who were bound to observe the Capitulations to which betaking himself he did not a little exclaim against the not observance of what was agreed upon under their Authority and replying to the Governours oppositions and difficulties he complain'd that all this proceeded only from his not submitting himself unworthily to the King and by renouncing the Articles covenanted from not â—…erding himself from their union and from his not undervaluing their Authority and Dignity who were the Arbitrators and Moderators thereof and putting all men in mind but particularly the French how prejudicial it would be to their King and to the honour of France that the Regal Name and Authority should be cancell'd from the Conventions of peace he endeavour'd by all means to make them to get them to be maintain'd and made good promising that for his part he would refuse no pains would not forbear for any expence would not be afraid for any loss or danger but would adventure his own person his sons and his State and whatsoever he held dear in this world that the glory of that King and Nation in having preserved his State unto him and in the Kings having interposed himself as an Arbitratour in compounding the affairs of Italy should not be turned into as much shame and dishonour â—…hy not being able to maintain them but though he could promise himself but little from the King of England by reason of the far distance of his Country or of the King of France for the aforesaid reasons yet had he a new occasion to hope well in the favour of the Venetians who being entred as hath been said into a new War with the House of Austria were necessitated for
formerly kept secret grew now to be manifest The King of England and many other Protestant Princes of Cermany who seemed to â—…avour him confirm'd him in his belief that being upheld by so many and so potent Princes he might withstand the violence which was thrâ—…atned him and this opinion was increased in many men by the coming of Embassadours at this time to Turin from the King of England and from some German Princes but that which did out do all other appearings and seemings Marshal Deguieres's coming into Piedmont made all men wonder he having been long held to be one of the best Commanders in France and one who took the Dukes affairs very much to heart and more an enemy to Spain then any other French-man this man though he came in a peaceful posture and unarmed as it were to be a superintendent over the French Embassadour's Negotiations and privately to inform himself whether things were in that dangerous condition as the Duke related them to be yet the good correspondency which was held between him and the Duke and his continual assisting him his being nominated in the Capitulations of Asti to see all things perform'd and much more the great desire which he and the other French-men seemed to have of maintaining and backing the Duke upon this occasion so to lessen the Authority of the Spaniard in Italy made it appear manifestly that if the Governour should persist resolute in not disarming he would call the French Souldiery into Piedmont who were said to be ready at his beck upon the Confines of Italy and prepared for Piedmont His coming therefore did not only much countenance the Duke but all the Embassadours future Negotiation and the Duke being very vigilant and ready witted and accustomed to consort the disposition of his genius with outward demonstrations made much use of this present occasion in bâ—…asting of his own Forces and of the assistance which was promised him and which he hoped for wherefore receiving the Marshal with excessive and unusual honour and with singular magnificence and keeping close at very private Counsel with him â—…e seemed to repose much confidence in him not pretermitting any term of honour and liberality to make to himself propitious particularly such who being intimate with the Marshal might further most his ends and his desires but these so many demonstrations did more prejudice then further the conclusion of the agreement for the Spanish Ministers of State being very much troubled at the King of France and King of England's interposing themselves in the affairs of Italy did very much dislike nor could they tollerate the Capitulation agreed upon in France wherein the King swore unto the Prince of Conde and the other confederates that he would cause the Articles of Asti to be performed and the Embassadours and Marshals coming to see them executed and the new preparations which were said to be made in France for Italy being hereunto added they thought that the French did arrogate that authority to them in Italy by rigour and threats which the occasion and conjuncture of times and much easiness of the preceding Governour of Millain had procured unto their King and that the Venetians and other Princes did by declaring themselves to adhere unto the Duke pretend to have an eye unto their Crowns authority so as if the power and dignity thereof were therein too much concerned they thought themselves the more bound to resist what so great a union of wills did threaten for that the danger was greater that if they should give way it might be esteemed they did it out of fear of the French Forces A respect which if it penetrated deep into any one it must needs make a deeper impression in the Governour as in him who being come into Italy wholly inflamed with exalted thoughts who had put himself in a posture of restoring his Kings authority to its former condition would have been too much failing to himself and to the opinion which he had generally won if he had gone less in any thing then what he had at first so openly profest and it would have been basely done by him it seeing his affairs grow worse and worse he had not indeavoured by all possible means to sustain them and if he had not been the more sollicitous in providing for war by how much his enemies bravadoes were the greater Therefore to boot with the moneys which he had already disburst for raising of men that it might be seen he durst sheâ—… his face and to make them jealous who did almost already openly threaâ—…en him he sent some Forces to the Venetians Confines and to the Confines of Piedmont and as if he would assault the Staâ—…e of Venice for the effects of their League with the Duke appeaâ—…ed daily more and more he gave order for a Bridge to be made over the Adda Whereat though the Commonwealth were much troubled yet having a great scarcity of men at that time the Senators not being able to do more were forc'd to commit the defence of that part of the State to the people of the Country Whilst the Governour was thus busied in making preparations every where the Embassadour after having staid some days at Turin came to Millain the substance of whose Embassie was That the King had by reason of the accidents which hindred the laying down of Arms used many indeavours to the Duke and given him his word to secure him from the extraordinary Militia of the State of Millain but that the Duke not being therewithal satisfied the King out of his great desire to publick peace and by the obligation which was upon him by the Articles of Astiâ—… did desire him that he would prosecute the disarming which was begun by his Predecessors to the end that the restitutions of the Towns might be come to and the execution of other things appointed by the peace To this proposal which was given in in writing the Governour replied in a long discourse given also in in writing wherein by a methodical Narration of all things that had occur'd from the beginning of the war of Montferrat to the peace made at Asti he inferr'd That the King had done all things for the protection and security of that State to which he was much sollicited by the Queen of France That the King was not bound by the Treaty of peace to dismiss no not so much as one man and that the Duke had only at the beginning given satisfaction in this point but that he had afterwards openly countervened it by the many novelties attempted against Montferrat by his new Levies of men and by his League lately concluded with the Venetians against the House of Austria So as the King was in all acceptations free from the Articles of peace That the Duke refused the security offered him by the words of two so great Kings not out of any doubt or distrust but in favour to the Venetians and that therefore the King of France was no
a friend to them all insinuating the Popes Brother or Nephew Proposals which he listened very willingly unto as being much inclined to the exaltation of his kindred but they were mightily abhor'd by others particularly by the Venetians who grew as suspicious of the Pope after the Marriage as they were confiding in him before for the constancy which he profess'd in the common Cause To this was added That the Principality of the Valtoline being of it self but weak and lying open towards the State of Millain it would too necessarily depend upon the Spanish Authority and if this were not satisfactory in any other person the Venetians must needs abhor it in the Popes Nephews by reason of the Wives Estate held in Fee which being by the Marriage to fall unto the Lodovisian Family and to be annexed to his person who should be Prince of the Valtoline they were too pregnant proofs of the necessary dependance of that Principality upon the Crown of Spain Neither could the French though they stormed at the Popes alteration any ways resent it the business being by the Covenants of the Depositure reduced from Forces to Treaty wherein the French were to carry themselves cunningly lest they might exasperate the Pope and alienare him the more from their Kings interests The Treaty of Marriage which was near concluding between the Prince of England and the Infanta Maria Sister to the King of Spain did not a little trouble the French and suppress their pretentions which Treaty being one of the most memorable and signal Negotiations of those times and for that it was also of great concernment in the present Occurrences it will not be unnecessary nor will it swerve from our present Narration to give you a short account of it The King of Spain being deeply concern'd in the Bohemian wars did not only send men and monies to the Emperour through the Valtoline before it was deposited but commanded Marquess Spinola his Captain General in Flanders and in the Low-Countries to enter the Palatinate and wage war there in the Emperours name In obedience whereunto Spinola with incredible speed and prosperity possessed almost the whole Palatinate and suppressing the Forces of the numerous Army of the Protestant Princes associated in assistance of the Palatinate who durst not give him Battel forced them at last to forsake the Palatinate upon the Rheine and to receive Law from him By which prosperous success the parts of the Palatinate and of the other Confederates being overcome they were afterwards totally ruined by the Emperours Army and by that of the Catholick League in Germany for these two Armies jointly entering Bohemia and joining Battel with the Palatines Army before Prague they routed it totally and the Palatine having lost his new Kingdom and all hopes of regaining it he fled with his Wife Daughter to the King of England towards Holland that he might go from thence to his Father in Law and obtain favour from him or at least monies to recover his Paternal Estate which was possess'd and confiscated by the Emperour for Rebellion and high Treason The King of England could never be drawn to approve of his Son in Law 's resolution of accepting the Crown offered him by the Bohemians and professing that he could not with a just conscience assist him in that Cause which he thought to be unjust and a pernitious example to all Princes forbore sending aid or succour to him which he did profess at first and with miraculous constancy and faith made good unto the last whereby he deserved very well of the Emperour and of the House of Austria who were so deeply concern'd in those Revolts But afterwards commiserating the exile of his Son in Law Daughter and Grand-children and yet resolving not to assist their afflicted Country by Arms nor by joining with the other Princes of Germany who prepared to repair the Prince Palatine with new forces he thought he should be able to do him better service by Negotiation wherein he had placed no small hopes by marrying his own and only Son to the Infanta of Spain and by his having deserved so well of the House of Austria And unusual means being to be used in unusual enterprises he with a sudden and very secret resolution sent his only Son to the Court of Spain to desire in his own person the Infanta for his Wife thinking that by the Authority of his Sons presence and by his generous shew of honouring that King he should cut off all difficulties and hinderances which might obstruct a business of so high concernment And that the Court of Spain being overcome by so magnanimous a favour should not only consent unto the Marriage but in savour thereunto restore the Palatinate which the Prince intended to demand and hoped to obtain amidst the Festivals and Jollities of the Royal Marriage The Prince of England departing from England privately past with a very small attendance disguised through France and came to Madrid before the knowledge of his departure and of so strange a resolution was arrived there The King and the whole Court being astonished and confused at the arrival of such a Guest knew not whether they were to be glad of the Princes coming in respect of the great Honour they received thereby or to be sorry for it being necessitated to grant him whatsoever he should desire though peradventure they were not thereunto well inclined Yet being received with all the demonstrations of Honour and with the greatest applause that might be he found a first very good correspondency of good will in the King and in the whole Court and already desire to please him in what concern'd the Match and for what concern'd the Palatine such demonstrations were used as he had reason to conceive hopes that he should obtain his whole desire by that voyage As for the Marriage all difficulties giving way to the Authority and presence of the Prince the point of Religion was the only Remora wherein the King of Spain desiring much satisfaction many debates were had about it But at last the English being desirous of a conclusion consented to whatsoever the Spaniards did demand so as the Marriage was held as good as concluded and for such divulged Very rich Presents past between the Prince and his Mistress as an earnest-penny of the future Marriage and many signs of rejoycing and of reciprocal affection and union past between the two Crowns There rested only one scruple on the King of Spains part which delayed the Consummation which growing daily greater became an invincible difficulty and afterwards reverst the whole business and did wholly defeat it For the King of Spain desirous to proceed cautiously in so weighty a business and which was on his side irretractable required security for the performance of what was agreed upon And the King of England offering his Princely Word and Solemn Oath which was all that he could offer or the other could pretend unto the King of Spain was
said in the affairs touching the Valtoline for doubting lest by this Marriage a streight League might be concluded between the Crowns of Spain and England the Kingdom of France being placed between them grew apprehensive of it And the intestine wars continuing in France against the Hereticks who were much favoured by the King and Kingdom of England it behoved the Fench to be very circumspect in falling foul with the Crown of Spain when it should be so closely annex'd to the English as it was likely to be by that Marriage But new accidents did this mean while happen which did much better the French affairs The Pope who was grown very inward with the Spaniards died about the end of Iune in the year 1623. who was succeeded by Maffeo Cardinal Barbarino a Florentine by Nation who caused himself to be called Urbane â—…one of a most pleasing wit as well for his great Erudition in the more weighty Sciences as in humane Learning He was also well vers'd in the affairs of the world and in State affairs for having been accustomed to the most important imployments of the Court of Rome he had also been Nuntio both ordinary and extraordinary with the King of Francâ—… and whilst he was in that imployment was made Cardinal by Pope Paul the fifth wherefore he was thought to be inclined to the French and that he could not wish well to Spain and yet he did so win upon the Spanish Faction by his wisdom dexterity wit and canâ—…id comâ—…oitment as the Votes of the Spanish Cardinals and particularly Borgia's Vote who was the head of them weat to the making him Pope He was created according to the new form prescribed by his Predecessors who to the end that the Cardinals might give their Votes with the more freedom did by a particular Bull ordain so secret a way for the giving of Suffrages as it could not be discovered by any which form though as new and not formerly used it kept the Conclave a little longer yet it being then the Dog-days and the Cardinals being much incommodated by their being kept so close many of them fell sick and some died wherefore forced by fear and danger they joined in the election of Pope Urbane who was indowed with all those parts and ornaments required in a great Prince and in a powerful Pope Having taken the Popedom upon him great signes of constant resolution appeared in him of a good affection to Christendome and that he was not apt to siding For to the great neutrality which he seemed to profess in publick affairs and in such as appertained to the Papal dignity he added great severity in his private affairs by refusing great offers which were immediately made him by the French Agents for the aggrandizing of his House but on the other side being very gratious to the Cardinals of Savoy and to the French and Venetian Cardinals with whom he held close consultations he caused much distrust in the Spanish Cardinals and Agents who therefore quickly shewed little satisfaction in his choice and were displeased with themselves for the favour they had done him And truly the success of affairs under his Popedom shew'd they did not much erre in their judgment nor in the diffidence which they conceived of him for Pope Urbane whether moved thereunto by his own Genius and inclination to the French or out of a desire to restore the Pontifical dignity to its former vigour and render it less exposed to the dependancy of anothers will or that he nourished more generous and more exalted thoughts of the Liberty of Italy he soon discovered himself no great favourer of the Spaniards and very much a friend to those who being desirous of the like liberty of Italy strove to oppose the Spanish greatness This jealousie was augmented by the knowledge of an important accident which happned in Avignon in the Moneth of October this very year The Kings of France England and Denmark the Venetians Duke of Savoy and Hollanders many of the German Princes and as some will have it Bethlem Gaber the Transilvanian Prince sent their Embassadours very secretly to that City where coming unknown and in the habit of Merchants they made a League between them against the Emperour and the King of Spain for the liberty of Italy for the restitution of the Valtoline and of the Palatinate The principal Articles whereof were That the Hollanders to boot with the war which they made in their own Country against the Spaniards should send Fleets into America and possess themselves of Brazil That the King of England should assist the Hollanaers with a certain number of men in their Domestick wars and should send a powerful Fleet to Spain to assault those Rivers and to intercept the Navy which useth to come thither from America That the King of Denmark together with the Protestant Princes of Germany should raise a powerful Army and wage war with the Emperour in Flanders for the Restitution of the Palatinate And that Bethlem Gaber should molest the Emperours Dominions towards Hungary to the end that being assaulted on two sides he might be the less able to make resistance That the King of France should hinder the commercâ—… between Spain and Italy with a powerful Fleet to be kept at Marselles and should pass into Piedmout with an Army of 25000 Foot and 4000 Horse and that joining with the Duke of Savoy who was to raise another Army of 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse he should assault the State of Millain for the maintaining of which Army the Venetians should disburse 100000 Duckats a Moneth to the Duke of Savoy And that at the same time the King of France should fall into the Valtoline with another Army out of the Grisons Country and when he should have possess'd himself of it he should fall down from thence into the State of Millain and joining with the Venetians who for those enterprises were to join a certain number of men to the French Army he should assault the same State of Millain with the Common forces and that they should assault the affairs of the Kingdom of Naples with a Fleet of Ships towards the Adriatick Sea This League being made two months after the Pope Election in a City belonging to the Church made the Spaniards suspect that it never would have been appointed without tacite intelligence held between the Pope and the French who were thought the authors of it because besides the restitution of the Valtoline and the Palatinate the restoring of the Apostolick See to all that did anciently belong unto her was agreed upon wherein it seemed the Kingdom of Naples might be understood and place was also left in the same League for the Pope and great Duke of Tuscany who was also promised to have all the Havens of Tuscany restored unto him but the French openly denying any such Conspiracy and no wise man being to believe that a Pope hardly waâ—…m in his Chair should enter into so weighty
Arsenal of Venice built certain Boats and Brigantines and putting them armed into the water he made himself master of the little Lake and of the Channel by which Boats came with Victuals and Ammunition to those of Riva remedies were found for both these inconveniences for Count Iovanni sent men to Riva who taking from the French the Fortifications which they had possess'd themselves off made the way open and rendred that pass free for Provisions and Succour and the Duke of Feria having also sent for experienced Ship-wrights and Mariners from Genoa he also put other Barques and Brigantines into the River which beâ—…ng well armed and man'd and some pieces of Artillery being placed in fitting palces upon the side of the Lake kept the way open as well by Water as by Land for Victuals and other Provisions and forthwith freed la Riva from being besieged but Coure's men being this mean while much recruited by more men and moneys sent by the Venetians who desired to see that Enterprise ended to the end that when the French should fall upon the State of Millain they might also assault it on their side and new Regiments of Souldiers being come unto him from the Swissers and Grisons Feria being very careful to defend that pass sent 2000 of those Dutch thither who came fiâ—…st to the State of Millain which hapned very opportunely for Coure being thus recruited would needs go to assault la Riva and do his utmost to take it and he found the Defendants also recruited who marching into the Field encountered the Enemy in a little Plain beyond Nova and fought them the Combate was very fierce and stoutly fought on all sides and the French being often times recruited the Fight continued till night upon the coming on whereof the French were forced to retreat with the loss of many of their men and could not only not come neer Riva but forsaking Campo withdrew into their Quarters about Vico and Vercei which were lower and farther distant from Riva These happy successes afforded the Duke of Feria breath he thought himself so safe from assaults on that side as he might have more leasure to think upon the affairs of Genoa in the freeing whereof the Victory in all parts did depend but the delay of the Dutch was a great hinderance to it which did proceed not only from the endeavours to the contrary of the Confederates and of the French but also from the avarice of the Cantons who were to permit them to pass who being Creditors to the Crown of Spain for pay denied them passage till they were paid their Arraers and the Governour being in great want of money much time was required to get the moneys wherewith to satisfie them before the coming of the Gallies from Spain to Genoa nor would they grant them free passage when they were satisfied as they had granted to the French but with many limitations which caused much delay and the Governour being much sollicited by the Genoeses whom he could not please before the arrival of the Dutch he made use of appearance instead of effects for making all things ready for marching he went from Millain to Pavia giving out that he would go to relieve Genoa and here according to what was published he was very diligent in making all requisite provisions for that succour and for the people who came daily from Genoa a shew which was very seasonable and which was thought did much detain the Enemies proceeding who seeing him ready to march could not without apparent danger to themselves keep their Quarters much less could they advance to their Enterprise to the home and neighbouring provisions which secured the Genoeses forreign and further distant accidents were added which though far enough off yet made much for their main business Don Frederico di Tolledo who was gone with a powerful Fleet to recover Brafile return'd at this time victorious into Spain and Marquess Spinola after nine moneths Siege took Breda in the defence and preservation whereof not only the Hollanders did labour with all their Forces but the Kings of France England Swethland and Denmark so as the Fleet which was return'd from Brasile was a strong defence to the Mediterranean against the English and the Flemish Fleets if entring the Mediterranean they should make for Genoa so also the Flanders Army being freed from besieging Breda might commodiously and without any impediment go whither it listed and keep France in j alousie which was then rent and disturbed with home discords and when the affairs of Genoa wherein that Crown was so concern'd should require it it was sufficient by molesting that Kingdom on that side to divert France from offending the Genoeses and the King of Spain being quite of these two impediments might imploy greaâ—…er Forces in defence of the State of Genoa to boot with these two Forreign accidents whereby the conditions of the affairs of Genoa were bettered three others which hapned neerer hand did much impair the affairs of the Confederates Army the one was that the Victuals and Provisions in the English Fleet were corrupted then when it was ready to put to Sea for Italy so as it was foced to tarry some moneths to take in new Provisions another that the Hereticks in France began again to tumultuate and the King being necessitated to quench the fire which was kindled in his own house could not furnish fuel to mantain combustion abroad the third that the Duke of Guise who was to put with his Fleet from Marcelles notwithstanding the 150000 Ducates taken from the Genoeses and other moneys which the Duke of Savoy furnished him with upon this account proceeded slowly in his preparations and could not put to Sea according to appointment therefore the Duke of Savoy and the Constable failing in the chief ground-works of their Enterprise and seeing the Enemies preparations to increase both in Genoa and in the State of Millain they were forced to think more upon their own safeties then upon the ruine of others The inward discords of their own Army was also a great break-neck to their affairs which keeping about Gavio Ottaggio and the neighbouring parts uncertain and not resolved what to do began to want Victuals the Country being barren and those spent which were in the Army at its first appearing and at the taking of Ottaggio for they could not hope for any from the State of Millain now that it was provided of Souldiers and very little came from Piedmont by reason of the length of the Journey the difficulty of the Guides and Conducts and by the hindrances they met with by the Montserrians who being irritated and angred at the ill usage they received from the Army as it passed through their Country declared themselves fierce Enemies hindring their Conducts killing the Conductors and all such Souldiers who to get rid of the sufferings of the Camp retired either into France or Piedmont The trocb'es were no less which they received from the Pozzeveraschy
the Duke of Savoy was held not only to be conscious of this Conspiracy but the chief Author and Composer thereof out of anger that the peace had been so concluded and that the Abbot Alexander Scaglia a chief Agent of the Dukes and then Resident in that Court was not only a great Contriver thereof but that being sent from thence by the Duke into Holland and into England he should treat of novelties with that King and with those States in the behalf of the Rebels and Rochellers who were at that time besieged and in great streights in relief of whom the King of England sent forth three Fleets which were all repuls'd the Duke of Savoy did also foment the Duke of Roan head of those that were risen up against the King he received and entertained Count Soissons in Turin who was gone from the Court and offer'd the Duke of Orleans safe reception and the command of his State when for fear of the King he should retire thither by which accidents seeing himself in open breach with the Court of France and fearing that lying in the midst between the two Crowns he might be equally hated by them both he began to endeavour to joyn again with the King of Spain to the end that if he should be assaulted by the one King he might be sustain'd by the other this business being brought into the Court of Spain and there discussed met with many difficulties as for the most part new and great affairs do for though at the first view it was well and willingly listned unto as an excellent means for the good of the affairs of Italy whereby to remove the inconveniences which had hapned by the Dukes alienation yet it missed not some contradictions some inclining to embrace the examples of Charles the Fifth and of Philip the Second who by rewards and alliance had always studied to keep that Prince their friend others were troubled at the Dukes genius who was various unquiet naturally a friend to novelties hard to be govern'd before he were broke harder afterwards when all respects being thrown aside and the reins given to resentment he had already troubled the affairs of the Crown so many several ways so as they thought his reconciliation would be unsafe and costly and which could hardly be integral after so many injuries done and received it being impossible to reduce him to his former obsequie and observance wherefore he was likely rather to trouble and perplex the Kings affairs then to secure them The Duca's authority prevailed he being desirous to signalize his inwardness with the King before that of his predecessour the Duke of Lerma who suffer'd in his fame for having been too severe in depriving the Crown of this Prince his adherence by whose alienation such prejudice and so many troubles had resulted so as thinking his reconciliation would prove as advantagious he was of opinion that if it should succeed in his time and by his means it would adde as much to his reputation as his alienation had detracted from that of his Predecessour the execution thereof was therefore out of good respects put off till the conclusion of peace between the Commonwealth and the Duke The mean while they went forward with the peace of Monsone by vertue whereof the Forts of the Valtoline were restored to the same condition they were in before they were taken from Torquato Conti in the Popes name after many delays interposed by the Marquess di Coure who would have had the Forts demolished before restitution which the Pope did constantly deny but did forthwith demolish them together with all the Fortifications of la Riva and Chiavenna so as the peace was ratified on that behalf fully with satisfaction to all men but the peace between the Genoeses and Savoy met with greater and more inextricable difficulties the Duke would have his Towns that were taken his Artillery together with the Galley and Prisoners restored before the Truce and that they should proceed to decide differences to which purpose he nominated Claudio Marini for his Arbitrator and the President of Grenoble came from France to Piedmont by direction from the King to be assistant together with one who should be named by the King of Spain in the Arbitrement which was to be made by Marini and by an Arbitrator to be named by the Commonwealth The Commonwealth on the contrary would have the Arbitrators first chosen who should determine the differences before any restitution should be made nor did they allow of Marini to be an Arbitrator as being formerly accused by them for that he had been in the Confederates Army in the present war and that he had as Embassadour from the King of France to the Duke intervened in the Consultations and Wars against the Common-wealth but the Duke being resolved not to consent to the Truce whilst the Genoeses should hold his Towns and the business being thereby intangled the Marquess of Castagneda found out this accommodation that without passing any express formal word each party should keep armed in their stations but with Orders to their Captains that they should stand only upon their Gurd and that in case any contention should fall out between the Country people and the Inhabitants none of them should interpose themselves in the behalf of their friends and having agreed with the Commonwealth that this should be observed by them he by Letters acquainted the French Embassadour who was at Turin with what he had done who writ back that the Duke had made the same agreement and had sent such Orders and Commissions to his Captains and Officers Thus the business seemed to be conveniently adjusted rather by reciprocal intelligence then by any express Truce or any formal word given or received for suspension of Arms. In this interim the term of four moneths prefix'd to the Arbitratours by the Capitulation of Monsone being expired the Treaty of Peace was turn'd over to the Court at Madrid where the Conde Duca was for the Genoeses and the Marquess of Rambollietto being gone to that Court upon an occasion of the birth of one of the Kings Daughters was detain'd there too by order from the King for this Affair The difficulties were many the Commonwealth refused to restore the Artillery and the Galley which were demanded by the Duke as things which being taken in open fair War are never restored in peace but the French pressing this point much who were desirous to appease the Duke he being offended and angry at the peace made at Monsone and the Spaniards desirous to gratifie him the most they could in what was more of shew then substance that they might thereby draw him over to them conformable to the endeavours which were had of reconciliation they desired the Commonwealth to give way to this at the request and for the satisfaction of the two Crowns whose aim was to settle a good and a secure peace The Commonwealth considering that restitution doth increase and not
had encreased his â—…roops with the men that were sent into Flanders and that joyning with Archduke Leopold he threatned innovation against the Grisons and that in the mean while Merodes and his Lievtenant did by several ways molest those people and pick new occasions to break the peace that the Duke of Feria being desired by the Nuntio Panciruolo and press'd thereunto by the Fâ—…ench to cashier those men so to remove all occasions of new jealousies he openly denâ—…ed to do it and this for nothing else but for that as he saâ—…d the new Duke of Mantua had put new Garrisons of French Souldiers into Casalle contrary to Covenants and for that the Grisons contrary to the Articles of Ratisbone had fortified the passes of Stainc and of other places and that therefore it was necessary to provide against these inconveniences by way of anticipation lest other more great might follow thereupon that the Spaniards who were now more powerful in the Emperours Court then the Dutch themselves had labour'd very much even since the Treaty of peace that the Emperour would deliver the City of Mantua into their hands and that not being able to obtain it they had treated with the Imperial Officers who had the Government of that City to deliver it up unto them and that they had proceeded so far therein as they failed but a liâ—…tle of having it done had they not been hindred by such Officers as were faithful to the Emperour and who would not consent to so great a piece of treachery he also said that the Emperour bare no good will to the new Duke nor was pleased with the peace that he himself made for that the next day after the investment was granted he by a secret Article procured by the Spanish Agents had declared the investment should be null and of no effect if at any time the Articles of Ratisbone should not be observed and as if this were directly contrary to the same Articles wherein he in express words covenanted that the investment should be granted in the same manner as it had been formerly granted to the former Dukes the King alledged that that Declaration was procured only to serve for a pretence that the Spaniards might once more assault that Duke and bereave him of his Dukedom upon any slight occasion since they and the Emperour who were parties in this business were made judges of the breach thereof and accusers of those that should break it he further argued that the Spaniards fomented the civil dissentions of his Royal Court and were of intelligence with his Brother and Mother who were at this time fled from the Court of France and were gone into Flanders to the end that he and his Kingdom being troubled with intestine dissentions might not apply themselves to the Affairs of Italy and so they might assault the Duke the third time with greater Forces nor herewithall contented that they endeavoured to draw the Duke of Savoy to joyn with them in their Plots contrived against the quiet of his Kingdom as was discovered by Letters of the Spanish Embassadours Resident with the Duke of Savoy which were intercepted and as might be better comprehended by the Abbot Scaglia's going into England which Abbot being Embassadour from the Duke of Savoy in Madrid at the same time when the Towns of Savoy and Piedmont were restored was sent at the King of Spains charges into England to treat of new Leagues against France he further urged the Cardinal of Savoy his going into Flanders at the same time that the Queen-mother was to be there and the imprisonment of the Baron S. Romano who after having treated in Millain with Feria and afterwards with the Spanish Embassadour in Turin was gone into Languedock with the Dukes Pass-port and with Order to raise men for the Kings Brother moreover Orders given for the going of 500 Spaniards and 2000 Italians at the same time to Barcelona to put those designs in execution which might by all men be imagined Monsieur di Servien who was the Kings Embassadour in Turin havâ—…ng delivered the Duke a long Discourse in writing upon these and other lighter complaints he at last required an answer from him to these the Kings demands within three days to the end that the King might know how to dispose of his Forces that were yet in the Provinces which confine upon Italy putting him also in mind that he the Duke having gotten so great a part of Montferrat by the Kings means and being consequently the only man that had got advantage by the late war he was bound both for convenience and gratitude to do some thing for the safety of the Affairs of Italy and for the satisfaction and reputation of the Kings Forces The Duke immediately acquainted the Governour of Millain with the Kings demands and with the threats which might apparently be seen in case he should deny them adding that he the Duke not having wherewith to resist must be forc'd to chuse the lesser evil and to comply with the Kings will unless he were furnish'd with 10000 effectual Foot and 1000 Horse for the defence of Savoy and with 6000 Foot and 1000 Horse for the defence of Piedmont and if they were paid what was their due he should submit to the Kings will The Governour not being able to furnish him with so many men at the preseâ—…t offer'd to send him as many as he was able now and that he might be suâ—…e that for the future he would procure him what assistance he could for the preservation of his Dominions The Duke not content with these uncertain generalities agreed with the French Embassadour to assign over Pinarollo and Perâ—…sa and San ' Brigata to those very Swissers to whom Susa was assigned the year before upon Oath that they should hold them for the King for six moneths space and that time being ended that they should re-assign them over again to him the Duke unless by his own consent the time of assignment to the King should be prorogued that the King might put a Governour into them who should take the same Oath The Duke obliged himself also and promised not to co-operate with them who should go about to trouble the peace of France during the Kings Mothers and his Brothers absence and to give free passage for the French to enter Italy if they should be brought thither by any novelty against the Duke of Mantua There was not any one who did not resent this so sudden and unexpected demand and who did not wonder and were not amazed at the Dukes so ready yielding thereunto so as none were so void of reason as not to think that it was agreed upon long before between him and the King especially by the many accidents and circumstances which went to the approving thereof The Cardinal of Savoy went to Paris a little before the French restored the Towns of Piedmont and Prince Thomasâ—… with his Wife and Children on whom the Duke having no Children
house of Bavaria which State and Dignity being forfeited by the Prince Elector Palatines Rebellion were for some years before confer'd by the Emperor upon this Duke of Bavaria the occasion which moved this Prince to this resolution was commonly attributed to jealousie of the peace made at this time at Madrid between the Kings of Spain and England for knowing that the King of Spain was displeased at the conâ—…erring of the Electoral State and Dignity upon him and that the authority and power of the house of Bavaria should be so encreased and that he had opposed the Emperour in conferring it upon him and knowing that the King of England whose Sister was Wife to the Palatine labour'd hard that the Palatine or his Son might be restored to their former condition he thought he had just occasion to doubt that the Peace made between the two Kings who were for several respects desirous to deprive him of it might tacitely contain some Agreement between them to his pâ—…ejudice And on the other side having soon after that Peace was concluded sent the Abbot Scaglia into England in appearance to treat of Truce and Peace in the Kings Name with the Hollanders but in effect to treat oâ—… a League against him as he complain'd and as the King of France had heard therefore both Bavaria and the King of France easily joyn'd in this Convention for their own safeties sake and that they might make plots not inferiour to those that were plotted against him And that they might the better alienate the Bavarian from the Emperour the Kings of France and of Sweden promised him the Imperial Crown whereof when the Emperour should be beaten no Germane Prince seemed to be more capable then he as being the most powerful of all the Catholick Princes and who had most care of the Catholick Religion and for that he as one of the Electors had a Vote in chusing the Emperour and his Brother who was Elector and Arch-bishop of Collen another Vote with whom the Arch-bishop and Elector of Triers would joyn who was the first that had joyned in League with the King of France and had received a French Garrison into that State particularly into the Fort of Hermenestein a strong Fort and of great consequence being scituated where the Mose falls into the Rheyne The Votes of the Electors of Saxony and Brandenburg who were declared Enemies to the House of Austria and who depended upon the Swedish King would likewise have concurr'd in the same Election when the Bavarian should be by that King promoted to the Empire as he â—…ad promised The Duke being therefore â—…ed with these hopes and apprehending that the Austrians would deprive him of the Palatinate and Electoral Dignity and that they would restoreâ—…it to the Palatine totteâ—…'d in his intelligence with the Emperour and met with a new accident which gave him more and better reason to alienate himself from the Emperour The Emperour being reduc'd to great streights by the Swedish Forces by the rising of so many people and by his being deserted by so many Germane Princes had as hath been elsewhere said for the last remedy of the imminent danger the Empire was then in which also threatned him sent for Wallestine Duke of Fritland and had once more made him general of all his Forces for he was the only man on whom it was thought the welfare of the Empire might saâ—…eliest depend There had been such high distastes between this Wallestine and Bavaria as the Bavarian in the Diet of Ratisbone had been the chief cause of his being laid aside and doubtlesly had the Bavarian openly declared against the Emperour and had adhered to the contrary Parties the Affairs of the Empire would have been but badly sustained But were it either that he received such assurances from the Emperour as took from him all distrust or that his hopes of attaining the Empire seemed but small especially since both the Kings who offered and promised it unto him were known to be ambitious of it themselves or that he was at last wisely aware that the two Kings did desire to separate him from the House of Austria only that they might weaken it and so the more easily suppress it whereupon his ruine would assuredly succeed he medled not with any novelty but stood firm and constant in defence of the Catholick Religion and of the Imperial Majesty To this was added that the chief ends of the two Kings and of all the German Pâ—…nces was to restore the Palatine to his former state and dignity whereof they were much more troubled then was the King of Spain to seâ—… Bavaria master He therefore had no reason to trust them in what was directly contrary to the end of the common Arms and to the universal desire and consent of whole Germany which for the common concernment could not see the Palatine devesâ—…ed of his Dominion and Bavaria indued theâ—…ewith and as it might be supposed that the two Kings out of these respects did promise that unto him which they could not possibly effect so it might also be comprehended that the same Bavaria seemed to make league and union with the two Kings so to keep the Austrians from depriving him of the State and Dignity which they had confer'd upon him so uncertain and fallacious are the unions and confedeâ—…acies of Princes In this wavering condition were the Affairs of Germany whereof the King of France seemed to be become no lesse Arbitrator then of those of Italy for the Swede differ'd much from him in point of Authority and profes'd to depend much thereupon notwithstanding all the victories he had gotten and all the happy course of his prosperity and the King of France his being deeply ingaged in the affairs of Germany took him much off from the Wars of Italy whereat though the Governour of Millain and the Spanish Agents were much troubled fearing his Forces which they saw were received into the Towns of Italy yet did not his Forces do any thing after the assignment of Pinarollo all things passing quietly on unless it were the preparations and several levies of men the Spaniards being obliged to keep greater Garrisons upon occasion of Pinarollo Cassalle and Mantua The new Duke of Mantua though peacefully possess'd of his States was not at all happy in injoying them for not to mention the troubles which he past thorough the monies spent and the dangers which he ran in arriving at the succession thereof his Dominions were so lessened so dismembred so consumed and wasted both in men and monies as his need of assistance from other Princes to maintain them was greater then the authority or Grandure that he got by them and having ingaged his Lands in France in defending and maintaining his Dominions in Italy he lost the advantage of both his chiefest Towns being possess'd by others he had little more then the bare name of Principality left him Nor was he in a more free and absolute condition of Prince
amongst the offences which he pretends to have received that the Queen and the Duke of Orleans the one Sister the other Brother in Law to the King of Spain both of them being gone from France were received with safety to their persons in Flanders and that 2000 Horse were given to the Duke of Orleans for a conduct so the Emperour and King of Spain might with much more reason complain of the King of France for giving the like protections and fomentations to the Hollanders the German Princes and the Duke of Nevers who were in Arms against the Emperour that therefore it was no less an injury to the Emperour that the King of France should desire that the German Princes who had taken up Arms against him should be admitted into the peace which was in treaty between the Emperour their Sovereign and the King of France it being no better then to abet a Subject against his Prince to prescribe Laws between a Sovereign and his Vassal and to make the world know that the King of France was Arbitrator of Peace and War in Germany and Moderator of the Empire which were undoubtedly too high pretentions and which were never put for not practised by any that the case of the King of France his Mother and Brothers who were fled into the King of Spains Dominions and honourably received there was otherwise that these were personal Offices between a Father in Law and Son in Law and between Brother in Law in the like case nor did they extend further then to the person to whom they were done and if they would talk of the 2000 Horse given to the Duke of Orleans these and other assistances as the Fleet at Sea destined against Provence ought to be opposed to the King of France his fomenting so many both open and secret Hostilities against the Emperour and King of Spain since it was not reasonable that it should be lawful for the King of France to undermine the Austrian Grandezza and that the Austrians should act nothing against him that the dissentions between the Crowns of France and England and the wars made by the King of France against the Duke of Savoy because he would not abet the Spanish designs were not to be considered being things notoriously false and whereof there was no proof that the world knew the reasons of the differences between France and England and whence the distastes arose in the Royal Family of France and what were the occasions of the war made against the Duke of Savoy and how much the then Queen Regent of France and the Potentaâ—…es of Italy did press the King to force the Duke to lay down the Arms which he had taken up to suppress the Duke of Mantua These were the chief charges and defences made by each party and it being hard to say what was the just cause of this breach those who understood the Affairs of the world best were of Polybius his opinion an ancient Authour who discoursing upon the true occasions from whence the bitter Wars between the Romans and Carthaginians arose makes no account of this or that hostile act which happened between these Common-wealths or of any breach of peace between them but layes the true reason of the Wars which succeeded between them upon the meer Ambition that the one Common-wealth had to exceed the other The like say they was the occasion of the Wars between these two Crowns and Nations which contending for superiority great Emulation arose between them from whence those reciprocal hatreds which are grounded between them cannot be cancell'd by any Peace The roots of the like Ambition being hatch'd say they then in the Souls of both these Nations it was necessary that the fruits of hatred continual jealousies and reciprocal suspitions by which their minds are continually agitated should bud forth From hence grow cruel hatreds which branch out into secret treaties into plots and then into open Wars Building therefore upon these foundations they say ' t is true that the King of France had promis'd to forget all faults past in the Peace of Vervin and that he had promis'd to forego all Intelligence with the Enemies of the Crown of Spain But that finding afterwards that his Kingdom was bounded on the South by Spain on the North by Flanders which is under the Crown of Spain on the East by Germany in part obedient in part subject to the House of Austria and a little lower by Italy which is likewise partly subject partly adherent to the same Crown And thinking that being as it were imprisoned by the Austrian Forces he did enjoy the freedom which became so great a King but that every the least addition of this so great power indangered the suppression and suffocation of his Kingdom he held his honour and authority to be but small and that the eyes of all the world were fix'd only on the Austrian Sun These were sharp goads to unsettle a well fix'd Resolution he considered also what commotions and troubles the meere Dukes of Burgondy who commanded all Belgia had caused in France that those Territories would now be incorporated into the Crown of Spain and back'd by the Forces of Germany That therefore it became him to think not only upon his honour but upon his Kingdomes safety which being weakened by the late Wars and vex'd with intestine dissentions could not well secure it self from so great a neighbouring power that it was usual for Princes to keep others low for their own better preservation and to endeavour the pulling down of those that were more potent that principalities were maintained by these Arts. He therefore apply'd himself to get out of their streights and to favour the Hollanders lest if they should be beaten the King of Spain should grow too strong upon those Confines or at least that that wound being kept open he might be lesse able to advance further that therefore this Resolution was more necessary then voluntary arising from the interest of self-preservation which is by natural reason more warranted to bruit beasts and surely then to men and great Potentates then it is prohibited by the gain-sayings of Peace That such Peace wherein one of the parties is subject to the other does not deserve the name of Peace but is rather to be termed Slavery and not likely to last long as was clearly shewn by the Embassadours of Privernum who being asked in the Senate of Rome how long that Peace was like to last which they desired answered that if it were a good one for them it should be perpetuall if a bad one very short An answer which made those Senators know that no people nor person can keep long under the sharpness of an unjust condition and this made them mitigate the conditions of Peace which were granted to those of Privernum That notwithstanding the King of France had pieced up that rent by the Truce which was by his means made between the Crown of Spain and the