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A50476 Parthenopoeia, or, The history of the most noble and renowned kingdom of Naples with the dominions therunto annexed and the lives of all their kings : the first part / by that famous antiquary Scipio Mazzella ; made English by Mr. Samson Lennard ... ; the second part compil'd by James Howell, Esq., who, besides som [sic] supplements to the first part, drawes on the threed [sic] of the story to these present times, 1654 ; illustrated with the figures of the kings and arms of all the provinces.; Descrittione del regno di Napoli. English Mazzella, Scipione.; Lennard, Samson, d. 1633.; Howell, James, 1594?-1666. 1654 (1654) Wing M1542; ESTC R9145 346,662 279

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new Inhabitants undoing and pulling down certain ancient Sepulchres to build little houses in their Villages purposing to imploy those stones and using therein much labour and diligence passing up and down discovered certain Vessels of antick work found in a little Table of Brass wherein was written Capi the builder of Capoa to be here buried with Letters in Greek words to this effect That whensoever the bones of Capi shall be discovered at the same instant one of the kindred of Iulo must be slain with a sword by the hands of his own friends and kindred and after be revenged with grievous afflictions and the ruine of Italy This same Capoa was by Gensericus King of the Vandals razed and destroyed with sword and fire six hundred years after it had been subject to the Romans but since the Goths Ostrogoths being chased away by Narsete Eunuco Captain to the Emperor Iustinian was newly inhabited again And about a hundred years after was destroyed and ruinated anew by the Lombards but with the reliques builded of the Inhabiters again two miles distant from the ancient place Since by Conradus King of Naples son of the Emperor Frederick the second the Walls thereof were thrown to the ground because the Capoans were known to be contrary to the Manfredi with the Neopolitans wherefore he ransackt and sackt it and did therein harm enough It sustained great calamity in the time of Pope Alexander the sixth being sacked and robbed by the French sent by Lewis the twefth King of France to the Conquest of the Kingdom of Naples against King Frederick of Arragon now it remaineth well fortified by the providence of Philip of Austria the most puissant Catholick King under whose protection it resteth most secure Pliny in the description of Italy speaking of Capoa saith that there is the Field Leborino much more pleasant and delightfull then any part of all Italy and he in another place calleth Leborino the excellent Territory of Capoa and to declare what it is the Territory thereof is all plain which stretcheth from Tifata which is the Hill above Capoa even to Naples and Pozzuolo and from Capoa to the mouth of Vulturno where it entreth into the Sea Capoa being so hated and defaced by the Romans and twice ruinated the people near adjoyning disdained to be any longer called Campani desiring to avoid this infamy and this danger to be hated and undone for this name changed the name being called by their ancient name Leborini and so much their constant perseverance prevailed that that which before was wont to be called Campania was called the Land of Lebore But since the word being corrupted by people was called the Land of Labore from whence grew the opinion that this should be because as it were all pains for so the word Labore signifies should there be well bestowed and some others have said that it should be so called from the great and difficult pains that is required in the subduing of it F. L. Sosipatro Charisio a most ancient Gramarian was a Citizen of Capoa whose works have been found by Iano Parasio Victore called the Capoan Bishop and a famous Astrologian and an excellent Orator hath given great honour to this City who lived in the year of Christ 480. Likewise Pietro of Vineis was also a Citizen a learned Lawyer which was in great favour with the Emperor Frederick the second King of Naples but the Emperor had afterward a certain suspicion of him for a conspiracy that was de●ised banished him where through grief he died having first composed a Book of Consolation Of this Pietro Dante maketh mention in the first part of the 13 Cant. saying I am he which holdeth both the Keys Iohn Antonio Campano hath also given no small reputation to this noble City of whom Raffaello Voluterano writeth that he know him being a child attended the keeping of sheep and being apt and urged by nature endeavoured by all means to attain learning wherein he so much profited that he was esteemed worthy to read in the Schools of Paris being entertained by the Paragians with a large stipend and so much he increased in fa●● and learning that Pius the second afterward made him Bishop of Apruntino This learned man left behind him many Works of the which was the book of the Acts and famous deeds of Braccio of Montone He writ the life of the worthy Prince Frederick Duke of Vrbin and the life of Pope Pius the second Moreover in these our daies Camille Pellegrino and Beneditto of Vva excellent Poets whose Works are well known have and alwaies give everlasting honour to this noble City And with these hath also been very famous Iohn Battista an eloquent Orator Afterward from Capoa eight miles distant is Aversa a noble and a rich City builded upon the ruines of the ancient Attella often remembred by Livy and Marcus Tullius Atella was the well-spring of lascivious Verses and wanton and effeminate behaviours whereupon the compositions and lascivious Comodies and dishonest were called Atelliane Boyes and girls were taught certain lascivious Verses and to that purpose did come with a certain composed measure and wanton carriage of the body and roling the eyes to pronounce them with so great immodesty and lascivious behaviours at the Tables of dishonest persons and on the Stages that there wanted nothing but the dishonest and carnal conjunction together But of better discipline was the beginning of Aversa the which by Averso the Norman a famous Captain was first built and afterwards was beautified by Robert Guiscardo a worthy and a valiant man This City was ruinated and defaced even to the foundation by Charls the first of Angio King of Naples for the Rebellion of the House Rebursa But it was afterward newly re-edified and beautified by Charls the second King his son This City is great and much inhabited and is one of the principal in the Land of Lavoro as well for the vicinity and neighbourhood of the City of Naples from the which it is not distant more then seven miles as also for the fertilty of the pleasant and beautifull fields thereof the which being inclosed in six miles spread between Naples and Capoa And a little more towards Linterne compassing a great part of the Leborine fields sometime very famous and now called Gaudo Moreover this City is very honorable for the Bishoprick which yieldeth eight thousand Crowns yearly and is now under the Authority of the worthy and reverend Lord Don Pietro Orsino a Prelate as it is commonly said of great clemency and wisdom whereby he is loved and honoured of all This City had many famous men very expert in the Law as Cavello Barnado President of the Kings Chamber Felice Barnada Tomaso Grammatico a famous Councellor for the deciding of controversies Scipio Cutinar●o Regent of the Councel of Italy in Spain Marc. of Mauro President of the Summaria In Philosophy
wollen Cloath and Iron and Paper which are there wrought There are in this City these Noble Families Alamagni Amallano Afflitto Austericcio Bembo Brancia Bonito Capoano Cometurso Comite Castello Corsari alias Don Musco Cappa Santa D' Arco Dentice del Iodice de Domio Marino De Fusolis De Platamono Favaro Molignana Marramaldo Petrarca Pisanello del Barone Guglielmo The Arms of this City have been a field per fesse gu and Ar. plain crosses counter-changed the which signifie no other then a unity and consort of things which we have declared of the said City Not far from Amalfi is the beautifull and rich Country of Mairue full of honourable people called by the Letterati Maiorium which was builded by Sichinolfo Longobard Prince of Salerno in the year 842. although some affirm that it had its beginning of Sicardo Duke of Benevento brother of the said Prince The Citizens thereof were almost all Merchants and very ingenious it hath had at sundry times men of great worth as Vinciguerra Lanario which was Lieutenant of the Kings Chamber Iohn Antonio Lanario Councellor and afterward Regent of the Councel of Italy in Spain with King Philip by whom through his worthy merits he was created Count of Sacco And moreover in those daies that worthy and learned man Farrante imperato hath much honoured that Country an excellent and most diligent searcher and conserver of all the riches of Nature and is very learned in the experience of simples whereupon to his great charge hath collected so many divers things and procured them from sundry parts of the world which yield no small wonder to every one that sees them for the which cause many learned men come from far Countries allured through the same of this man to see in Naples his admirable and rare studie He hath composed two learned Works the one a History of natural things and the other of Treacle the which Works are sufficiently known to the world He maintains how in Naples his most honourable house with great courtesie and kind entertainment of the which the City of Scala may well boak that the said Family descended from it which florished with Military men Going a little higher appeareth Minori a little City which is very delightfull for the pleasant Gardens thereof full of Oringes Citrons and Limons and other Fruits Afterward in the top of a Hill is the City Ravello full of goodly buildings and the seat of Nobility where in the principal Church thereof is preserved within a grate the miraculous bloud of St. Pantaleone which being black and hard as a stone the day before and after its Feast as they say is liquid and moist as it was at the time when it was first spilt The Noble Families of the said City are these following Acconciaioco Alfano Bove Campanile Confalone Citarella Castaldo Curtis de Vito de Insola Fenice de Foggia Frezza Fusco Grifone Iusti Longo Muscetola Marra Peroto Rogadei Rufula Rustico Sasso Sconciaioco and others In these daies Paolo Fosco Bishop of Sarno hath much honoured this City who writ two learned Books one of Visitation and Church-Regiment the other de Singularibus in jure Pontificio Going a little farther is Scala re-edified by the Longobards in which City were these Noble Families Afflitti Alfani Marini Atrara Bondello Bonito Cavaliero Frisaro Grisone Mansella Pando Rufola Samnella Sasso del Cardinale Staivano Sebastiani and others The said City was burnt at the same time with Amalfi by the Emperor Lotharius the third because they had been very favourable to Ruggiero the Norman King of Naples which was in the year 1125. but was afterward by the same Citizens newly repaired Descending after towards the shore of the Sea going from Amalfi and sailing towards the East is a little Promontory called the Cape of Orso very memorable for the Victory Count Philip Lieutenant to Andrea Doria had there then Admiral of the King of France against the Empereal Army where were taken prisoners the Marquiss of Vasto and Ascanio Colonna with the death of Don Vgo de Moncada Viceroy of Naples and of Don Pietro di Cardona and others which thing was the cause that Andrea Doria left the service of the French King and joyned with the Emperor Charls the fifth The occasions that moved Doria to leave the French party we have discoursed at full in the lives of the Kings of Naples and besides in the Annals of the said Kingdom Going along by the Continent of the Land you come to Vieteri called of the Latines Vicus Veterum and Vetus Vrbs where are many delightfull and pleasant Villages and going a little farther a mile distant from the Sea appeareth the most ancient and famous City of Salerno the Head both of this Region and also of Basilicata builded near the River of Silare which riseth from the Apennine where also springeth Drumento which runneth down into the Adriatick Sea the said City is situated at the foot of an arm of the Apennine it hath in the front or fore-part fertile and spacious fields behind and on the left side high Mountains on the right side the T●rrene Sea which is so near that the wals are watred therewith and from which a Gulf very perilous is so named which Mariners now call the Gulf of Salerno which by the Latines is named Sinus Pestanus from the ancient City of Peste which is now wholly ruinated as is to be seen in the midst of the shore Through all the Territory of Salerno are seen pleasant Garden● ful of Oringes Limons and Citrons and other excellent Fruits and al the year there are Flowers which seem as a perpetual Spring through the happy influence of the heavens wherefore Horace saith Quod sit hiems veliae quod coelum valla Salerni and therefore all the fruits that grow there are of singular perfection and especially Pomgranates and the Appian Apple whereof is written Omnia mala mala preter Appia Salernitana The Grain Rice which is there in great abundance is very excellent and worthy praise there are also precious Wines and most pleasant in taste Salerno was so named by the River Silare whereof Lucan speaketh in his second Book Radensque Salerne tecta Siler But who should be the Founder thereof no Writer hath made any mention Yet the Citizens say that Sem the son of Noe built it and for authority thereof alleadg an ancient Hymn which their Clergy were wont to sing the 15 of May in celebrating the Feast of the Translation of St Fortunato Caio and Anthe the which Hymn thus beginneth O Salernum civitas nobilis Quam edificavit Sem Noe filius Non tuis sed sanctorum meritis collaudaris It is true that it was an ancient Colony of the Romans who fortified it and put therein a strong Garison of Souldiers for the doubt and distrust they had of the Picentini Lucani and Brutii which were assembled together with
Alcala the 20 of Iuly 1539. as it appears by a Letter inserted in a Commission of the Kings Chamber of the Summaria dated the first of Iuly registred in the Royal Register Litterarum Curiae xxi fol. 93. the which payment containeth 41640 duckets yearly The Families also of the Kingdom payed 17 grains for to pay the souldiers and men of arms which guarded and defended the Kingdom this payment in the year 1555. was received 45 grains for a Family in the year after 1559. the Kingdom being augmented by the means of Don Iohn Manriquez Viceroy of the Kingdom the said payment was deducted to 36 grains And last of all because the number of Families were very much increased it was brought to 17 grains a Family the which payment amounteth yearly excepting the free Universities 74900 duckets two carlins and eight grains Finally the Universities and Families of the Kingdom pay two grains through the decay of 5804 Families These are extraordinary payments which the Families of the Kingdom pay into the Exchequer Also the Kings Exchequer receives from the said Kingdom other Revenues and Rents which consist in divers things which are these following The custom of the sheep of Apulia which is one of the principal Revenues which the King hath in the Kingdom the which consisteth in the herbage which the Kings customer renteth every year to the husbandmen for the pasture of sheep and greater cattel whereof some pay thirteen duckets and eight carlins for a hundred sheep and some twelve and some ten and a half and some six and some three and some fifteen carlins for a hundred and some twelve crowns for a thousand but for greater cattel there are some which pay thirty seven duckets and a half for a hundred and others twenty two and a half and others eighteen duckets and three quarters Therefore the receiver satisfieth to the Masters of the herbage according to the goodness and qualitie of the pasture As in the year 1592. there was assigned to the said custom four millions four hundred seventy one thousand 496 sheep and of greater cattel nine thousand six hundred of which sheep and greater cattel is paid into the Kings Exchequer 622172 duckets and seven carlins from the which sum is deducted 380492 duckets and five carlins and two grains for the payment of the herbage given to divers particular persons with the alms bestowed upon the poor and other charges returning into the Kings Exchequer 241264 duckets four carlins and five grains and three quarters the which sum is carried into the Kings Treasury This customary payment hath been very ancient for in the time of the Romans the like was payed as it appears in Varro and other ancient Writers And as we have before said the Kingdom being invaded by divers Nations the custom decayed through the long wars untill the coming of the worthy and renowned Alfonsus of Arragon first of this name King of Naples the which newly restored it in the year 1447. with excellent orders and made Francesco Maluber Commissary for reformation thereof In the year 1501. Lewis the twelfth King of France having devided the Kingdom with King Ferdinando the Catholick King and Apuglia and Calauria being alotted to King don Ferdinando he created Frederick Menidois Neopolitan cust●mer of the sheep who received by means of the rents of the herbage 83280 duckets The French King perceiving so great a revenue challenged the custom saying it belonged unto him through which discord after long wars the Frenchmen were driven out of all the Kingdom Leaving as an example for others that who seeks all commonly loseth all The second revenue is the custom of Silks which is one of the best revenues in the Kingdom and this is in the Province of Calauria for all the silk which was there made and in other places they anciently paid five grains in the pound This custom was in the year 1483. by King Ferdinando the first sold to the Prince of Bisignano for eighteen thousand duckets In the year after 1541. Don Pic●ro of Toledo Viceroy of the Kingdom imposed five tornese more upon the pound and assigned it to the said Prince because of the right which he pretended unto the County of Milito This revenue now yields seventy thousand crowns yearly In the same year the said Don Pietro in the name of the Emperor Charls the fifth imposed five other grains more upon a pound of silk and this he did because of the fortifying of the Castle of Cotrone In the year 1555. Don Berardino of Mendozza being Viceroy of the Kingdom ordained that of all the other Provinces should be gathered one carlin for a pound of silk and appointed that that imposition should be paid in the time that the silk grows Afterward Don Francesco Pacecco Cardinal Saguntino Viceroy of the kingdom imposed in the year 1557 upon all the silk which went out of the kingdom another carlin in the pound Last of all in the year 1580. Don Iohn Zunica Prince of Pietra Pertia purposing to take away the deceits which by means of the said extractions were committed with the will and consent of the kings collateral Councel ordained that even as in the Province of Calauria was received fifteen grains on the pound at sund●y times he would have the same at one entire payment that is to be paid in the time that the silk grows and also he would that in the other Provinces should be received two carlins on the pound By the which order the said revenue was much augmented To the which Imposition is also annexed Saffron of which is paid one carlin the pound The receit of this revenue ariseth yearly to the summe of 148003 duckets The third revenue is the custom and profit of Iron the which Imposition was ordained by the Emperor Frederick the second who made it unlawfull for any man to bring iron into the kingdom to sell except to the kings Paymasters or Tenants and the price was rated throughout all the Provinces The which custom although at sundry times it was diversly received nevertheless at this present for the most part the third part thereof is paid which is the half of the price which is paid for the iron brought into the kingdom to the paymasters Therefore the said price is imposed by the kings Chamber of the Summaria over which before the price was established it caused to be taken in Naples a diligent information of ●hat it stood the Rentmaster in And so goes the fourth part of steel and the fifth of pitch the which revenue amounteth to the sum of 61836 duckets And according to the same rent go the custom of the mercerie wares of Calauria The fourth revenue is the regal custom and the greatest storehouse of the City of Naples because there is received 18 grains by ounce of all the merchandize which are sold by the Merchants by reason of the custom there are received also divers other
to whom not onely descended as supream Lord the Dukedom of Angio but also of all Provence Ferdinando having afterward intelligence that Charls the 8. King of France made preparation with a mighty Army to recover the Kingdom of Naples by the right of the Angioini who by the death of King Lewis his father was interessed therein began to make provision of men and being very carefull in the preparation of the war growing sick died the 25 of Ianuary in the year 1494. having reigned 35 years 5 moneths and 25 days Alfonsus 2. the 19 King of Naples ALfonsus the second of this name after the death of Ferdinand his Father obtained the kingdom and in the beginning of the fourth moneth was crowned in the Cathedrall Church of Naples by Iohn Borgia Cardinall of Montereale Legate of Pope Alexander the sixth with greater pomp and majesty then was ever used to any King of Naples But understanding that Charls the 8. K. of France gave order for the pretended war fearing because he was become odious to the people of the Kingdom through his austerity resigned the Kingdom to Ferdinando his son Duke of Calauria a young man much differing from him in nature which every one loved and retired himself into the countrey of Mazara in Sicilia being before time given unto him by Don Ferdinando the Catholique King of Spain where he spent the remainder of his life having reigned one year and three days FRANCES I. Charls the fourth the twentieth King of Naples CHarles de Valois the eighth of this name King of France and fourth of the same name King of Naples came in the beginning of Ianuary 1495. to Rome with a mighty Army Pope Alexander full of incredible fear and anguish fled into the Castle of St. Angelo But the King having no purpose to offend the Pope met with him and concluded friendship and a perpetuall confederacy for the common safety defence Charls was invested conditionally by the Pope of the kingdom of Naples and obtained also from the said Pope Zizimo Gemni Ottoman● the brother of Bajazeth Emperour of the Turks After Charls had re●●●ined a moneth in Rome he past into the kingdom and although some small resistance was made by Ferdinando at length he got the dominion of the whole kingom Ferdinando after that the C●stles of Naples were yeelded departed with fourteen Gallies ill ●rmed into Sicilia Charls after he had pacified the kingdom demanded of the Pope the ●ree installment of the Realm of Naples the which although it were at Rome granted him yet it could not be thought sit in respect of the Aragon●si whereupon the Pope refused to give it him Charls afterward being departed to return into France many of the Barons rebelled through the severity and cruell demeanor of the Frenchm●n Whereupon Ferdinando was recalled who chased away the adversaries Charls reigned ten moneths and 26 days he died a sudden death the ●ight before the 8 of Aprill in the year of our Lord 1497. being returned f●om playing at Tennis He was buried in the Church of St. Denis of Paris in France and on his Tomb this Epitaph was engraven Hic Octave jaces Fran●orum Carole 〈◊〉 Cui victa est forti Brit●nis 〈…〉 Parthenop● illustrem tribuit capti●a t●●iumphu● Claraque Fornovio pug●●● pera●●a sol● Caepit Henricus regno depulsus ajuto Bellare auspici●s sceptra Britan●● tuis O plures longinqua dies si futa d●●issent Te nullus toto major in orbe foret ARAGONES I. Ferdinando the second the ●1 King of Naples FErdinando the second of this name a valiant man endued with Princely qualities of liberality and Clemency who for to strengthen and corroborate his affairs with a more firm conjunction with Ferdinando the Catholique King of Spain took for his wife with the Popes dispensation Ioan his Aunt born of of Ferdinando his Grandsire and Ioan the sister of the aforesaid King and at the same time had of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment of the kingdom And being placed in great glory fell sick and died the 8. of October in the 1496. He reigned one year 8 moneths and 14 days Frederick the 22 King of Naples FRederick Prince of Taranto the son of Ferdinando the first by the death of his Nephew succeeded in the kingdom in the year 1497. obtained of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment of the kingdom And being much troubled with continuall war because Charls the 8. King of France died without leaving any children the kingdom fell to Lewis Duke of Orleans as the neerest in blood by the masculine line and was the twelfth of this name This Lewis came upon him with a mighty Army but Ferdinando the Catholique King being confederate with Lewis to his own prejudice for a displeasure conceived against Frederick yet conditionally that Lewis should divide the kingdom with him Frederick that was not able to make head or resist the puisance of so great forces united against him especially finding his kingdom exhaust and ill provided retired into the Isle Ischia neer to Naples with all his Family and afterward gave his kingdom wholly into the possession of King Lewis his enemy not bequeathing any thing to the Catholique King Ferdinando reputing himself to be ill dealt withall by him that in stead of a friend and defender he was come to the contrary to dispossess and deprive him of his kingdom Frederick was very courteously received by Lewis and he assigned unto him the Dukedom of Angio and so much revenue as amounted yearly to thirty thousand Crowns and the French King obtained in recompencee from King Frederick all the right and interest which he had in the kingdom Within a little time following Frederick fell sick at Torse in France where his pain increasing upon him died the ninth of September in the year 1504. He had to his wife being Prince of Taranto the Lady N. della valle Bertania of the worthy Family of Alibret blood in Gasconie the kinswoman of the father of Charls the eighth King of France by whom he had one onely daughter called the Lady Carlotta which was brought up in the French Court and afterward succeeded in her mothers inheritance Of his second wife Isabella the onely daughter of Pirro del Balzo Prince of Altamura and Duke of Andry he had six children that is to say three male and three female the male children were Don Ferdinando Duke of Calauria and Prince of Taranto Don Cesar and Don Alfonsus the which two last died in their Fathers time The women kind the first named the Lady Iulia was married in the year 1533. to Giorgio Paleologo Duke of Montferrato and Marquis of Sanluzo of the noble blood of the Emperours of Constantinople The Lady Isabella and the Lady Caterina were never married The Queen Isabella after the death of King Frederick seeing herself deprived of all humane comfort because that being discharged of that kingdom by the King of France by reason
Emperour by the death of Don Carlo de Lannoi sent for his Viceroy into Naples Don Hugo Moncada a man very expert in Arms and a valiant Captain in the which year Monsignor Odetto Fois Lotrecco went with thirty thousand Footmen and six thousand Horsmen into the kingdom of Naples in the name of King Frances and overcame Melfi Venosa and many other places in Basilicata and Apulia and with the success of victory besieged Naples the which siege continuing certain moneths in the mean time Andrea d'Oria sent the Count Philip d'Oria his Nephew with eight Gallies to annoy the Gulf of Naples wherewith Moncada being much discontented seeking to remedy the same he caused to arm six Gallies and two Foists which were within the Haven and putting therein the very flower and principall of the people that were in the Citie he in his own person with the Marquis of Vasto Ascanio Colonna great Constable Cesare Ferramosca and many other worthy men with a resolution to encounter the enemy and confidently to overcome were imbarked there The Count which suddenly perceived the Imperiall Gallies to go forth of the Haven retired himself presently to the sea and encountring together at the Cape of Orso the Imperiall Forces were overcome and there dying with many others Don Vgo and were taken prisoners the Marquiss Vasto and Colonna the great Constable with other worthy men The Count obtaining the victory presently victoriously went to Genoway to find the Admirall Andrea his Uncle who disdaining the dealing of the French King because he had taken from him the office of the Admiralty and Generall of the Sea and given it to Monsignor Barbigios he agreed by the means of Vasto with the Emperour and brought Genoway and Savona under his Crown Whereupon he went with all expedition into the kingdom in the behalf of the Emperour and discharged the French Army which lay at the siege of Naples Afterward Charls made peace with the French King and gave him for wife the Lady Elinora and the King forsook Barletta and that which he held in the kingdom of Naples and payed to the Emperour for a fine one million and two hundred thousand crowns and yeilded up unto him all the right and possession that he held in the Dukedom of Millane and the kingdome of Naples The Emperour having ended his peace went by Sea to Genoway from thence he past to Bolonia where in the moneth of February 1530. was by Pope Clement the seventh which was come thither with his whole Court to that effect and was solemnly crowned with the Imperiall Crown Afterward the Emperour departed from Bolonia went into Germany and what he afterward did there is written in Histories In the year 1535. Charls having made a voyage to Tunis there subdued M●leasson the lawfull King of the Moores and made him his Feudary with certain conditions went into Sicilia From whence afterward he departing came to Naples the 23 of November in the same year and entred in in triumphant manner where were made him by the Citie many triumphant Arks and huge Colosses with divers and learned Inventions Charls remained with great delight in feasting and tilting all that Winter in Naples where understanding that the French King was entred into Italy with his Army and not knowing to what end and purpose was much moved and displeased with him went to Rome and so proceeded in his journie But at length the Emperour becoming a mortified man and growing into contempt of the world being unwiliing to sustain any longer the heavy burthen of the Empire wisely determined to renounce it And to that end having caused all the Knights of the order of the Golden Fleece to assemble at Brussels and all the States of the Low Countries the first thing he did the 25 of October in the year 1555. he made King Philip his son head of the Knights of the Golden Fleece and after dinner solemnly resigned unto him all Flanders with the other States and Titles and right of Burgony descending unto him from his predecessors Not long after the Emperour continuing his determination resigned and renounced in like manner in Brussels to the forenamed King Philip the kingdom of Spain Sicilia Majorica Minorica with the new Countries called America and the new world reserving onely certain rents and revenues to sustain himself and his family reduced to a small number of servants His Majesty also giving not onely full and absolute power to the King of the Romans his brother to govern and rule as some write the Empire in his place but also freely resigned the Title the Scepter and Imperiall Dignity So Cesar voluntarily deprived himself of his Monarchy a thing truly worthy of consideration that from the Emperour Lotharius till this present never in so many ages chanced the like although Amurath the great Turk resigned the Empire of Constantinople to Mahume● his son In September 1556 Charls departed from Brussels with a great Fleet towards Spain carrying with him Queen Elinor and Queen Mary his sisters and so sailing with fair weather and a prosperous wind they soon arrived in safety Charls constantly persevering in his purpose retired himself to the Monastery of of St. Iusto neer to the village called Sciarandiglia eight leagues from the Citie of Piacenza in the Realm of Castile where living godly and with great devotion he ended his dayes the 21 of September in the year 1558 being of the age of 58 years having ruled even to the time of his renunciation 37 years 2 moneths and 3 dayes the Empire and 37 years and 8 moneths the kingdom of Naples which he resigned to his son Philip. He was married as is before declared to Isabella of Portugall the sister of Iohn King of Portugall by whom he had the Catholique King Philip and two daughters the one called the Lady Mary which with the Popes dispensation was married to Maximilian King of Bohemia the son of the Emperour Ferdinando his brother The other called the Lady Ione was espoused to Iohn the King of Portugals son He had children by another naturall means as Don Iohn and Margarita which was first married to Alexander de Medici Duke of Florence and afterward to Octavio Fernese Prince of Parma and Piacenza Upon the Supulcher of this invincible Emperour are engraven these two Epitaphs 1. LIquisti exuvias gelido sub marmore sed non Quantum eras Caesar marmor urna capit Pro tumulo ponas orbem pro tegmine coelum Pro facibus stellas pro Imperio Empireon 2. Non aurum non marmor erunt non gemma sed omnis Carole terra tui corporis urna decens Conteget immensum quantum patet undique coelum Sol tibi funerea pro face lumine erit Proque tua memori fama pro nomine stabit Aeternum tempus quod tua facta notet Natura effundat lachrymas elementa gemiscent Persitient
as we have declared and according as Leone Cardinall and Bishop of Ostia saith in his History Casinense about the year of our Lord 755 Arechi the second 14. Duke of Benevento who having inlarged his Dukedom would have his said State no longer called a Dukedom but a Principality and caused himself to be anointed and crowned by his Bishops and in the end of his Letters and Charters of Priviledge caused them to to be thus dated Scriptum in nostro sacratissimo Palatio Afterward his successors continuing used to do the like Whereupon by their example the Princes of Capoa of Taranto and of Salerno being allured thereunto caused themselves also to be annointed and crowned by their Bishops These titles at the 〈…〉 of the Kings were given unto their children nor any except the blood Royall 〈…〉 partakers of these titles Whereupon of the children of Ruggiero the first King of the kingdom of Naples and Sicilia Ainulfo was Prince of Capoa and Gulielmo which afterward succeeded in the kingdom was Prince of Taranto Charls of Aujou the first of this name King of Naples ordained that his eldest son should be named Prince of Salerno whereupon Charls the second in the time of his father was intituled Prince of Salerno and Charls the son of Charls the second before he came to the kingdom of Hungary was also called Prince of Salerno But because his brother Ruberto and not he succeeded in the kingdom of Naples which was then called Duke of Calauria from thence it so came to pass that from that time forward they were no more Princes of Salerno but the Kings first begotten son was called Duke of Calauria So was Charls called his father living the worthy son of Ruberto so was Ferdinando the son of Alfonsus King of Arragon who first conquered Naples and so was Alfonsus the squint-eyed the son of Ferdinando but it so falling out that old Ferdinando alo living to Alfonsus his son was born a son whom he also named Ferdinando to him because his father Duke of Calauria lived was given the title of the Principality of Capoa The first which was called Prince of Taranto not descending of the blood Royall was Iacobo del Balzo the son of Francisco which was also the first that of no Princely family was called Duke of Andri And so much concerning the title of a Prince which signifying the Dignity Signiory and Jurisdiction which 〈◊〉 holdeth so it is lawfull for them to place over their Scutchion or Coat Armour o●●heir Family a crown made after this fashion In this kingdom after the dignity of a Prince the next is the state of a Duke which taketh place before a Marquess and an Earl These Dukes have above their Arms a round hoop without any points or work above But in place of the points there are certain pearls and round about are certain pretious stones after the manner which here underneath appears The which fashion although it be now decayed I have thought good to declare to the end the truth thereof may be known The first title of a Duke in this kingdom was that of Benevento instituted in the year 573. But after they came under the jurisdiction of the King the first being not descended of Princely blood was Francisco del Balzo as hath been said made Duke of Andri by Queen Ione the first Not long after was Iacobo Marzano made Duke of Sessa by King Ladislaus and so others from time to time whereof the number at this present is very great This dignity of a Duke increased to a very high and eminent degree the which chanced not to any of the other aforesaid dignities because Charls the 8. King of France being possest of this kingdom created Giliberto of Borbona Earl of Montpensier his Lieutenant Generall of the kingdom Archduke of Sessa and so the said Borbana afterward caused to be set upon his Arms a great purple cap garnished with a golden hoop set full of pretious stones with certain points without pearls in the top but onely put in the sides thereof to the end the dignity of a Prince might have its place and that he also might be known for an Archduke The which crowns as well of the Archdukes as the Dukes are to be used in the manner abovesaid that whosoever ascendeth to that dignity ought not to augment it with flourishing or otherwise with the ornament of Jewels or pretious stones for in so doing they seem to usurp a greater dignity then belongs unto them for which as the Lawyers say they ought to be punished And here it is to be noted that they are not pointed in that manner as some of them have formerly used that is to say after that fashion as their ancestors have had them because they as they were free Lords and acknowledged not any superior as before hath been declared in the discourse of the principality on this side might lawfully do it the which is now otherwise the kingdom being under the dominion and jurisdiction of Kings After these the next in degree are the Marquesses the which are adorned with a hoop set with pretious stones without any thing above and with a very small appearance thereof above the Arms after this manner Bi●ndo and Pietro Razzano say that the word Marquess signifieth in the Lombard tongue a perpetuall Magistrate or a perpetuall Lordship but according as Mario Equicola saith in his Commentaries of the Marquesses of Mantua signifieth in the I●alian tongue a President Alciato that excellent Lawyer saith that the word Marquess is a Dutch name and that it signifieth a Master of the Horse forasmuch as the Germans call a horse Marca and in the French tongue Marcare is as much as to say to ride In this kingdom as the name of a Duke and an Earl came the soonest and that of a Prince first before in any other place so that of a Marquess appeared long after for the first was Cecco dal Bargo that was made Marquess of Pescara by King Ladislaus Then follow the Earls called in Latine Comiti because they were sent from the train and followers of the Emperours to rule and govern some province or some part thereof Also an Earle according to Luca de Penna may put upon his Arms in place of a crown a plain hoop differing nothing from that of a Marquess save onely the want of Jewels and pretious stones as the Earls of Altavilla of Aquino of Conza of Marsico of Nola of Isernia of Milito of Potenza of Troja and others anciently have used The Earls had their precedence in the Parliaments of all the other Lords and Barons which had no title being created by the ancient Kings with great state and solemnity as appears in Vgone Falcando where he speaketh of the promotion of Riccardo di Mandra Constable of the County of Molise Comes creatus tubis tympanis cimbalisque de more solenniter prae untibus FINIS CHARLES The
a Treaty commen●d a little after for a cross mariage twixt Spain and France which took ●ffect though there was much opposition in France about it made by them of the Religion and their party The Ceremonies of these reciprocall Nuptials were performd the one at Burgos in Spain the other at Bourdeaux in France In the first the Duke of Lerma married the Infanta by commission from King Lewis In the second the Duke of Guyse married Isabel Daughter of France by proxy from King Philip the exchange of the two Princesses was made upon a River calld Bidasso hard by Saint Iohn de Luz which separates the two Nations There were two stately Barges provided to transport them with divers sorts of inventions of wit the Spaniards on their side had a huge vast Globe representing the world raisd upon a Pavilion very high which made an ostentous shew the Duke of Guyse took exception at it protesting that he wold never bring ore the Princess till the sayd Globe was taken down which was done accordingly the next day the young Queen came to Bayon where Luynes then Favorit to the French King attended her with a Letter all written with the Kings own hand in these words Madam SInce I cannot according to my desire find my self neer you at your entrance into my Kingdom to put you in possession of the power I have as also of my entire affection to love and serve you I send towards you Luynes one of my confidentst Servants to salute you in my name and tell you that you are expected by me with much impatience to offer unto you my self I pray therfore receive him favourably and believe what he shall tell you Madam from your most deer Friend and Servant LEWIS Luynes delivered her also from the King two rich Standerds of Diamonds which she receivd and kissd and from her own Table she sent him a dish of meat In the morning she returnd the King this answer Sir I much rejoyced at the good news Luynes brought me of your Majesties health I com therwith being most desirous to arrive where I may serve my Mother and so I am making hast to that purpose and to kiss your Majesties hands whom God preserve ANNE THe Kingdom of Naples to congratulat the Kings Espousals presented him that yeer with a Donative of two millions Not long after there was a Treaty set on foot for a mariage twixt the Prince of Wales and the Infanta Donna Maria the Kings second Sister but there had bin an ouverture made before by the Duke of Lerma for a match twixt our Prince Henry of England and the eldest Infanta Anne now Queen of France as hath bin spoken This Treaty with England was above ten yeers in agitation it was a Web that lay long upon the Loom of Policy and afterwards was torn off being just wrought to the point of perfection By the endeavours of Count Gondomar in England and the Earl of Bristol in Spain matters were brought to such a hopefull pass that it inducd the Prince of Wales to undertake that hazardous youthfull journey to Spain traversing the whole Diameter of France under a disguise being accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham who was not only his Companion but had bin his chiefest Counsellor herein they came both in an advantagious time to Paris for they were admitted to see a Mask being Carnival time wher the Prince had a full view of the Lady Henri●tta Maria who was designd by Heaven to be his wife afterwards though he little dreamt of such a thing then Thence by the name of Iac and Tom Smith they posted to Spain but two daies after t was discoverd in the French Court what they were therefore being sent after withall possible speed if they had stayed but three hours longer at Bayon Monsieur Gramond had had order to stay them Being arrivd at the Earl of Bristols House in the Court of Spain at the close of the day in the evening he was struck with amazement to see such objects there having no fore-knowledg at all of the Plot saying I am afraid we are all undone The next day there was a buz abroad that som great man was com from England but none imagind he could be the Prince In the evening of the next day the Duke of Buckingham went in a close Coach to the King of Spain where he had privat audience and he was returnd no sooner but Olivares was sent to visit the Prince which was done with extraordinary expressions of joy and complement Oliuares saying that Spain and England wold divide the World betwixt them The next day somwhat late at night the King himself came in a close Coach to visit him but the Prince having notice of it met him half way so they greeted one another with mutuall embraces there were divers great Lords appointed to be the Prince his Officers and a part of the royall Pallace was preparing for his Quarter whither the next Sunday he removd and rod in triumph under a large Canopy of State the King accompanying him all the way and giving him still the upper-hand all the Grandees Noblemen and Officers attended them in the same manner as they usd to do at a Coronati●n Now it seems that Gondamar was the chief man who tracd this journey for the next day after the Prince his arrivall he was made Privy Counsellor and suddenly after coming to visit the Prince he told him that he was com to tell him strange news which was that an English man was sworn that morning Privy Counsellor in Spain meaning himself in point of affection The third day after the Prince had bin there the King of Spain with the Queen and the Infanta who wore a blew Ribon about her left arme that she might be distinguisht came abroad in an open stately way of purpose that the Prince might see his Mistress which he did out of a close Coach wherein Count Gondamar attended him with the English Ambassadors So much for matter of Ceremony now touching the substance of the business it self when the Prince came thither matters had bin brought to that perfection by the activity of Ambassadors that there wanted nothing for the consummating of all things but the Popes dispensation which upon news that the Prince was com to Spain was retarded and som advantages taken to clog it with further clauses The Pope demanded caution for performance of such Articles that were granted in favor of the Roman Catholicks in England upon this match hereupon Sir Francis Cotington rid Post about it from Madrid Touching that point King Iames answerd that he wold take his oath upon the Evangelists to accomplish the said Articles and his Son the Prince shold do the like His privy Counsellors also shold firm and subscribe the sayed Articles and this was all the security King Iames cold give Now wheras the Pope demanded that som Roman Catholic Prince should undertake for him and his Son in point of
revengfull as any other Italian Among a world of examples that could be producd let this suffice In the ancient Citty of Nocera there were three young Noble-men calld Conrado Cesare and Alexandro the eldest was Prince of the place before Charles the Fifts time There was and is still in Nocera a strong Castle where the Prince Conrado had a Garrison wherof he made a Confident of his Captain and Keeper of the Castle the Prince most of his time kept in his Country-house and his Brothers also but somtimes he wold com and ly som dayes in his Castle It fortund that his Captain having a comly woman to his wife the Prince fell in love with and never left till he enjoyd her which he had done often to the knowledg of her husband so beating his brains how to be revengd he fell upon this way The Prince being at his Country-house the Captain sent him word that there were two wild Boares discoverd in the Forrest hard by therfore if he and his two Brothers wold com such a day with their Dogs he doubted not but they shold find very Princely sport So Conrado came with his second brother Cesare but Alexander could not com till two dayes a●ter so the Captain had provided a fitting Supper for the Prince and his brother who had brought another Noble-man with him to have part of the Sport the Prince and the sayd Noble-man lodgd in the Castle but Cesare lay in the Town The Captain was wonderfull officious to attend the Prince to his Chamber but having confederated with the chiefest of the Garrison in the dead of night they rushd into the Prince his Chamber and the first thing they did they chopd of his Genitories then his Head which they put to stand on a window and quarterd the rest of his body This being done very silently in the morning betimes they sent in the Prince his name for his second brother to com in all hast when Prince Cesare came the Captain waited upon him to his brothers Chamber where the first Object he beheld was Conrados head upon a window and his members quarterd and strewd up and down the Room ah sayd Cesare is this the wild Boar you writ of yes answered the Captain but I writ to you of two so they fell upon Him also and made the like Sacrifice of revenge upon him this being done the Captain barrd up the Gates and going upon the walls of the Castle he sent for the chief of the Town made a Speech unto them in what slavery they livd in under Conrado therfore if they ever desird liberty there was a fair opportunity offerrd now because he had Conrado in his Custody and he could do with him what he pleasd But the Cittizens wold hearken to no such motion so they sent speedy word to Alexander the younger brother who coming with som Country forces the Citty joynd with them and beleagurd the Castle the Captain finding his case to be desperat takes his wife first on a high Turret and hurld her down amongst them then his Children and afterwards murtherd himself in the ey of all the Citty There is no Country swarms with Nobility more then the Kingdom of Naples the number wherof do daily encrease insomuch that the last account which was taken there were in Naples Calabria and Apulia with the rest of the twelve Provinces adjoynd two thousand Barons fifty Dukes ninety Marquesses seventy Earls and five Princes But som of these Nobles have but slender Estates as Aretin reports who sayes that three Marquesses in Lunigiana were found eating of Figgs off one Tree to keep them from starving Now though the Spaniard entitle himself King of both the Sicilies yet he holds the latter I mean the Kingdom of Naples in Fee from the Pope whom he acknowledgeth to be Lord-Paramount therof by right of Donation to the Church Therfore the Spanish Ambassador upon the Vigile of Saint Peter or every Saint Peters Eve presents the Pope in his Masters name with a Heriot and a Rent viz. With a Mu●e and seven thousand Duckets in Gold at the reception wherof the Pope answers Sufficiat pro hac vice Let it suffice for this time and till this be done the great Catholic King lyeth under an Excomunication which in a short compass of time is layed on him and taken off every yeer I. H. Senesco non Segnesco FINIS A Catalogue of Mr. Howells Works in severall Volumes Printed by M● Humphrey Mosely I. Mr. Howels History of Lewis the thirteenth King of France with the life of his Cardinal de Richelieu Fol. II. Mr. Howels Epistolae Hoelianae familiar Letters Domestick and Forren in six Sections partly Historicall Politicall Philosophicall the the first Volume with Additions 8 o. III. Mr. Howels new Volume of familiar Letters partly Historicall Politicall Philosophicall the second Volume with many Additions 8 o. IV. Mr. Howels third Volume of additionall Letters of a fresher date never before published 8 o. V. Mr. Howels Dodon as Grove or the Vocal Forrest the first part in Fol. 4 o. 12 o. with many Additions VI. Mr. Howels Dodon'as Grove or the Vocal Forrest the second part in 8 o. never printed before VII Mr. Howels Englands Tears for the present Wars VIII Mr. Howels Pre-eminence and Pedigree of Parliament in 12 o. in answer of Mr. Pryn. IX Mr. Howels Instructions and Directions for Forren Travels in 12 o. with divers Additions for Travelling into Turky and the Levant parts X. Mr. Howels Vote or a Poem-Royall presented to his Majesty in 4 o. XI Mr. Howels Angliae Suspiria lachrymae in 12 o. XII Tumulus Thalamus two Counter-Poems the first an Elegy upon Edward Earl of Dorset the second an Epithalamium to the Lord M. of Dorchester XIII Parables reflecting on the times XIV A German Dyet or the Ballance of Europe wherin the Power and Weakness Glory and Reproach Vertues and Vices Plenty and Wants Advantages and Defects Antiquity and Modernes of all the Kingdoms and States of Christendom are Impartially poiz'd by James Howell Esq Fol. XV. Parthenopoeia or the History of the most noble and renowned Kingdom of Naples with the Lists of all their Kings the first part translated out of the Italian by Mr. Samson Lennard the second Part continued to these present times 1654. by James Howell Esq More of Mr. Howels Works Printed by other Men. XVI THe great French Dictionary refind and augmented in a large Fol. XVII A Survey of the Signory of Venice in Fol. XVIII A Dialogue twixt the Soul and the Body XIX The first Part of the late Revolutions in Naples XX. The second Part of the sayed Resolutions XXI The Warr of the Iewes epitomiz'd XXII Sir Robert Cottens Works which he was desird to publish XXIII Saint Pauls Progress upon Earth XXIV A Venetian Looking-glass XXV A Winter Dream XXVI The Trance or Mercurius Acherontious XXVII A Dialogue twixt Patricius and Peregrin XXVIII An Inquisition after blood XXIX The
Instruments of a King XXX The late Kings Declaration in Latine French and English XXXI Bella Scoto-Anglica or the Traverses of War twixt England and Scotland XXXII Mercurius Hybernicus XXXIII The Process and pleadings in the Court of Spain for the death of Mr. Ascham in Fol. Three of all which Books are Translations the rest his own Compositions Vfent is a River near the City of Ansure now called Terracina for the roughness thereof It was builded by Ansurus the son of Iupiter The Provinces of the Kingdom of Naples See Virgil in the end of the fifth Book of Aeneid●s where he saith Iamque adeo scopulos syrenum c. The Isles of Diomedes called by Cornelius Tacitus in his 4 book Trimerus The praise of the Kingdom Men and women endued with divers Sciences St. Thomas Aquinus see lib. of Metheora Turia is a Country of Calauria anciently called Meta●tos Marinus florished in the time of the Emperor Hadrian and writ many questions of Philosophy as Suida noteth See Stasius in the end of his 3 Book to Claudia The length and breadth of the Land of Lavoro Campania Felix why it was so called The nature of the Land of Lavoro Trees flourish twice a year in this Province The great plenty both of fowls and wild beasts in the Land of Lavoro The fishes which the Sea of this Province bringeth forth Mines and Baths Of the Wine Oyle and living creatures which are in this Province See Plutarch The praise of this Province The excellent Conserve of Naples The nature condition of the people of this Province Fondi Pliny lib. 14. cap 6. The Lake Fondano Mamurry Gaeta Galasius second Bishop of Rome Mola Formia The Village of Scipio and Lelius See Martial lib. x. epig●a The Castle Honoratus Horace lib. pr. The River Garigliano The overthrow given to the Saracins by Pope Iohn the 10. Consalvus Ferrandus grand Captain of Cordova Tratetto Minturne The Land of Lavoro Garigliano Trifano Sinope called Sinuessa Turpillus the Comical Poet. The Hill Massico The Fort of Mondragone The Villages of Sessa The City Sessa Why it was called Sessa Augustine Nifo Carinola The Fields Falerni what they were and how far they stretched The Fields Stellato Calvi Cajazza Tiano Caianello Vulturno Patria Of the Fountain Acidula and the property thereof The City Cuma The Town of Servilio Vacia Miseno Trumpeter of Aeneas Bana the Lake Averno and Pizzolo why they were so named Soffatara The Hil Asturno Listroni The Village of Cicero where the Emperor Adrian was buried Hot-Houses The soul of Pascasio Cardinal See also Iohn ●●ki● in his 2 book of Purgatory Pausilipo a most delightfull place which according to Dion was possessed by Vedio Pollione a Roman a man famous for no other cause then his wealth and cruelty because in that place he had certain Fish-ponds wherein he used often times to cast in men as food for his fishes and dying le●t Augustus his heir of Pausilipo Virgil his Sepulchre Chiaia Giacomo Sanazaro The Castle of Vovo Naples alwaies faithful to the people of Rome The praise of the City of Naples The Gulf Cratera The Arms of the City of Naples The Tower of Greece and of Nuntiata The Hill Somma casteth out fire The death of Pliny The Wholsome House a most delightsome place builded by King Charls the second The City Massa The Temple of Minerva The Isle of Sirenuse see Virgil in the end of his 5 Book of Ene●dos now these Islands are called under one name Gallo where is the Isle of Capri. Procita why it was so called Dyonisius of Alicarnaseo in the first of the Histories of Rome Iohn of Procicla Author of the Sicilian Evening Ieronimo Zurita in the History of Arragon The Family of Procita in Catalogna The Isle Ischia Of the Giant Tipheo the Poets speak diversly for Virgil in the 9 of Aeneidos saith that here he was strucken with lightning by Iupiter in the which opinion agreeth Lucan but Ovid saith it w●s in Sicilia Alfonsus King of Arragon and Naple was of the House of Medina so saith Laonico Calcondile Athenian in the History of the Turks in his fift Book Gironda an ancient City of the Isle Bartholmew Perdice Genoway The Book of the Antiquities of Pozzuolo written by the Author of this Work The body of St. Restituta Virgin The Isle Nisita why it was so called Gaiola why ●t was so called The City Capoa Capoa destroyed The Sepulchre of Capi the builder of Capoa Capoa destroyed by Genserico King of the Vandals Capoa newly builed The Lombards destroy Capoa Capoa re-edified Conradus King of Naples cast the Walls of Capoa to the gr●und Capoa sacked by the French The Land of Lavoro why it was so called F. L. Sosipatro Charisso Vittore Bishop Peter of Vineis Iohn Antonio Campano The City Atella The City Aversa by whom it was built Aversa destroyed by Charls of Angio King of Naples Don Pietro Orsino The famous men of Aversa Marigliano The City Acerra why it was built Acerrr why it was so called The Temple of Iupiter Feretrio Propertio in 4. The river Glanio and the originall thereof Sessula The river Isclero Aierola The City Caserta by whom it was built Lonardo Santoro Mataloni Venafro The City Sora. The Sorani cut in pieces the Roman Colonies The Romans take Sora. The Romans send another Colony to Sora. Sora destroyed by the Emperor Frederick the second The River Fibreno and the beginning thereof The River Liris now called Garigliano An Island a most beautiful Country called by the Ancients Interamnia Comino a pleasant Country was ●o called by an ancient City of the same name The City Atina The River Melfa The City Arpino The Arms of Arpino The City Arce The City Aquino Giovenal a Satyrical Poet. Victorino a Geometrician Pescenio Negro Emperor St. Thomas of Aquin. Gio Menardo in the 6 book of epistles in the 5 epistle Adinolfo Count of Aquino and Duke of Gaeta Monte Casino Totila King of Goths Paulo Diacono in his 6 book of histories The City Theano The City Calvi The City Lauro by whom it was built Palma The Plain of Palma The City Nola. The death of the Emperor Octavius Augustus Flora and her Riches The Temple of Flora. St. Felix Bishop St. Paulino the Inventer of Bels. The Arms of Nola. The first Counts of Nola Romano Orsino was the first of that Family that had Lordship in the Kingdom Wherefore the Rose was adjoyned to Arms of the House of Orsina Iohn Antonio Orsino Prince of Tarento Counts of Nola. The names of the Noble Families of Nola. The Arms of this Province of Lavoro Arechi Duke of Benevento in the year 755. The Confines of the Picentini Where the Picentini dwelt Why the Picentini were driven away by the Romans The City Picentia Sundry opinions of the Picentini The fertility of the Province Noceria Sanseverino The water of Mela. Cava and the beginning thereof in the year 910. Adalferio
Nocolas the 2 Bishop of Rome came to the Parlament with Guis●a●do an 1059. Robert Guiscard invested with the Dukedom of Puglia and Calauria The oath of loyalty and homage of Duke Robert● The second oath P●terno taken by Robert Guiscard Salerno taken by Guiscardo in the year 1076. Pope Gergory the 7 con●●emed to Ruberto the Dukedom of Puglia and Calauria The investing made by Pope Gregory Ruberto delivereth Pope Gregory being besieged The death of Duke Ruberto Guiscardo an 1085. Ruggieri the Norman Duke of Apulia and Calauria Boemund created Prince of Antiochia Ruggieri died in the year 1110. VVilliam the Norman Duke of Apulia and Calauria in the year 111● Ruggieri Count of Sicilia the son of Ruggieri Bosso possesseth the Dukedom of Puglia and Calauria An. 1123. The death of Duke William An 11●8 Ruggieri entituleth himself King of Italy Innocent the ● warreth upon Ruggieri Duke Ruggieri besieged in the Castle Galluccio Ruggieri delivered from the siege The City of Naples given by the Bishop to Duke Ruggieri Ruggieri created King of both the Ci●ilies An 1130. Sig●nius in his ● book of Histories An 1130. The death of King Ruggieri anno 1153. An. 1153. William excommunicated by Adrian the 4. The Pope is called into the Kingdom William maketh peace with the Pope Anno 1156. Anno 1167. Anno 1138. Henry the 6. Emperor by some called the 5. Constance a nun given for wise to the Emperor Henry the 6. The coronation of the Emperor Henry Constance an 11●1 ●●ples besieged The death of Ruggieri the son of King Tancred King Tancred died in the year 1194. The wife and children of Tancred The Emperor Henry entreth the Kingdom and taketh it The wife and children of Tancred made prisoners Anno 1195. Henry the Emperor 〈◊〉 in the year 1197. An. 1197. The coronation of Frederick the 2 Emperor an 1198. Why the Kings of Naples are intitled Kings of Ierusalem Anno 1220. A Law made by Frederick Frederick the Emperor crowned King of Ierusalem An. 1229. Discord between the Pope and the Emperor Frederick The death of the Emperor Frederick The wife and children of the Emperor Frederick The natural children of the Emperor Frederick Anno 1251. Capoa Naples and Aquino t●ken by the Emperor Conrado Henry slain the death of Conrado Anno 1254. An. 1263. Anno 1295. For the better understanding of the Reader the said Bettrice of Aragon was the daughter of Don Raimondo Berenguer of Aragon Earl of Province and of Bettrice the daughter of Thoma● Earl of Savoy which was married with Charls of Angio .245 the which Bet●trice as the eldest of all the other sisters inherited the said Count of Province Berenguer is as much as to say Berengarius in Latine and was a name of honour among the Spaniards for the many victories which the most valiant Berenguer obtained Anno 1265. Mary resigneth to King Charls the Kingdom of Ierusalem See the Register of King Charls 1. of the year 1268 ●●d 6. li●era A. ●ol 55. Anno 1285. Anno 1309. Anno 1343. Anno 1●81 Anno 1386. Anno 1414 This Alfonsus was the ● ●f that name K. of Aragon and 〈…〉 in the history of the Tu●ks in the 5. Book w●ites that that K. ●lfonsus of Aragon was of the House of Med●na Anno 1423. Anno 1434. King Alfonsus taken prisoner Anno 1381. Anno 1442. Anno 1458. Anno 1494. Anno 1495. Anno 1495. Anno 1504. Anno 1501. Anno 1503 Anno 1516. Anno 1517. Anno 1519. Anno 1520. Anno 1526 Charls 5 marrieth Isabella of Portugall Anno 1527. The birth of Philip King of Spain Anno 1528. Monsig Lotrecco besiegeth Naples This siege was the 29 of April 1528. The battell of the Emperours Gallies with the Genoways The victory of the Count Philip d'Ori● Andrea d'Oria leaveth the service of the French King and the cause why Peace made with the French King Anno 1530 Charls the fifth crowned Emperour Anno 1535. The enterprise of Tunis Charls the fifth goeth in triumph through Naples Novem. 23. 1535. The resignation made by Charls 5. of his kingdom to Philip his son The resignation of the Empire made by the Emperour Charls 5. Anno 1556. The death of Charls the 5. Anno 1558. The wife and children of Charls Anno 1554. Charls of Angio was the first that was crowned with an Imperiall Crown King of both the Sicilles The Kings of Naples are written sacred Royal Majesty See the Gloss in the Preambles of the Constitution of the kingdom in the second colum What the annointing of the Kings shoulders and right arm signifie The Royall purple Rob● signifieth Charity Tullius Hos●●●●u● King of Rome after he had overcome the 〈◊〉 was the best King that use● the purple robe The Golden Scepter the sword the one signifieth that he commandeth the people and the other that he pursueth the enemies in the name of Christ. The Ring and the Bracelet signifie faith and purity The Apple signifieth the Kingdom The Crown declareth glory The King of Naples is crowned with an Imperiall crown Edissa a City of Mesopotamia from whence Tobias sent his son to Gabellus and where Thaddeus the Apostle was converted to the Christian faith The victory of Baldwin Baldwin taken prisoner Fulk of An●o● King of Ierusalem The death of Baldwin the 2. Almerick succeeded Baldwin The death of Almerick Marquess of Monferrato the Governour of Ierusalem The death of Baldwin the 4. The death of Baldwin the 5. Jerusalem taken by the Soldan Conrado Longa●patho Marquis of Monferrato made King of Ierusalem Cyprus surprised by the King of England The Knights of the Temple made Governors of Cyprus Guy of Lusignon first ●ing of Cyprus The death of King Con●●do The death of Henry Earl of of Ciampania Almerick King of Cyprus the third husband of Isabel. Iohn Count Brenne was made Companion of the Empire of Constantinople The Emperour Frederick taketh Ierusalem Anno 1269. This Hugo for his vertue and valor was called the Great Mary the daughter of Melisenda and of Raimond giveth her right to K. Charls King Charls of Angio is proclaimed lawfull King of Jerusalem Ruggieri Sanseverina sent to govern ●erusalem The Arms of the kingdom of Naples Athenaeo of the invention of the crown Aristotle of the crown Libero according to Pliny was the first which was crowned Three sorts of crowns according to Theophrastus The crown of Crassus Of the distinction of the crowns of herbs Posthumio Tuberto used a crown of Mirtle The crown Civica was of Oke The crown Vallare The crown Murale The crown Navale The crown of grass among the Romans was held most glorious Fabius Maximus The Royall crown not used in old time What the Kingly ornaments were in old time The purple robe as Martial declareth was the ornament of a Magistrate whereupon he thus saith Divisit nostras purpura vestra togas And in another place saith Purpurate foelix te colit ●●nis honos From whom the use of the crown descended The Bishop of Ostia crowneth the Pope Aurelianus was the first that wore a c●own of gold Lamp●idio a grave Author writeth that the first of the Roman Emperours which wore apparell of Silk was Heliogabalus Charls the Great the first that was crowned by the hand of the Pope Three crowns belong to the Roman Emperours the first is of silver which is taken of the kingdom of Germany in the City of Aquisgrain The second is Iron of the kingdom of Lombartly in Medina neer Millan the which crown is of ancient workmanship without flowers or points made within as a plain hoop of Iron which binds in the temple but without is beautified with gold and pretious stones the which sheweth that the Roman Empire hath the strength of Iron by military power The third Crown is then of gold of the Empire of Rome which the Pope giveth in the Church of St. Peter Arechi Duke of Benevento was the first that was called Prince The dignity of the principality of Salerno How the kings elde●● son was intitled Duke of Cal●●ria The first Prince of Capoa See Luca di Penna in l. 1. c. de auro coronario lib. 10. in l. 1. c. de Authle Cassaneus in catalogo gloriae mundi in 1. par Concl. 9. Archduke of Sessa Luca de Penna in Rub. c. de Comitibus lib. 12. This dignity was by Charls the Great his son bestowed on those which were their Deputies Afterward under the German Empire that title was of a proper power and authority Marino Frezza in 2. lib. de suffendi in the chap. Quis dicatur Comes nu 54.
PARTHENOPOEIA OR THE HISTORY OF THE Most Noble and Renowned Kingdom OF NAPLES With the DOMINIONS therunto annexed and the LIVES of all their KINGS The first Part By that Famous Antiquary SCIPIO MAZZELLA MADE ENGLISH By Mr. SAMSON LENNARD HERALD of ARMES The Second Part Compil'd By IAMES HOWELL Esq Who besides som Supplements to the First part drawes on the Threed of the Story to these present Times 1654. ILLUSTRATED WITH THE FIGURES OF the Kings and the Arms of all the Provinces Vidi sub Rupe micantem Parthenopem Egregiam LONDON Printed for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at his Shop at the Princes Armes in S. Pauls Church-yard 1654. And as we read of one of her Princes Alphonso Duke of Calabria came and obtaind of Henry the Eight your Progenitor to be made Knight of the English Order of Saint George that thereby he might have protection from him being Soveraign of the Order against Charls the 8th of France as the Laws of the Garter tyed Henry unto so She comes to install herself in your Lordships Favor to be protected and sheltred against any blasts of Obloquy that may chance blow upon Her in this more bleak and colder Clime Lastly She coms with commission to inform the World how much for such frequent noble Favors I am London Calendis Maij 1654. MY MOST HIGHLY HONORED LORD Your obedient and truly devoted Servitor Iam Howell TO THE READER WHEN Rome shrunk into a Pigmies Skin from that Gigantic stature she was once of in those dayes when the Tyber did out-swell the Ocean Naples may be sayd to have stuck closest to Her of any and continues so still for to this day she ownes Her for her Mistress and Lady Paramount In recognition wherof the Spanish King payes Her a Heriot with a Rent of seven thousand Duckets every Saint Peters Eve till which be done he lyeth under the Curse of the Church which is quickly on and off Now the Kingdom of Naples being so delicat a peece of the Europaean Continent and having had such vicissitudes and various turns of Fortune may well deserve for those two respects to have a Chronicle of it self in one entire peece which was not done yet under this Meridian Touching first all do acknowledg that for delicacy of all things either for common use pleasure or wonderment Naples may be call'd Natures Darling who seems to study how to make her self admir'd in divers places Ceres and the God of Wine strive there for Mastery She abounds with Silks Oyles Fruits Flowers Roots Fowl Fish and Flesh with an incomparable Race of Horses as also with such a choice of fragrant Wines that She may be call'd Bacchus his Inner Cellar It is also the Country where Manna is gather'd and She hath the best Medicinall Baths that the Earth affords Now this rare fertility may be impted not so much to the heat of the Air as to the Sulphureous quality and heat of her Soyl also which though it be over-violent in som places causing Incendiums and Earthquakes the one if the irruption of the fire be deep the other if it be neer the Superficies yet this fire dilating it self up and down through her bowels it makes the Womb of the Earth more prolificall Touching the Territories annexed to her Dominions som of them as Apul●a may contend with Her for fecundity but others not specially Calabria which compard to Naples may be sayd to be a course List at the side of a peece of fine Scarlet Now for the Inhabitants wheron the second reason depends they may be sayd to have much of Vertue and no less of Vice and were they cast into a Balance one could hardly discern which Scale wold be traboccant and over-poising They are magnificent both in Houses and Habit they are free and full of Complement yet though the Hall be commonly open the Closet is shut though the face be unclouded Viso sciolto and free yet the Heart is close and reservd The same may be sayd of the Mouth and the Hand when the first open's widest the other is closest shut They are in their Method of Devotion pious and charitable their stately Temples and Monasteries demonstrat the one and their Lazarettos or Houses for the Poor do verify the other specially that of Monte de pietà an Hospital of 60000. Duckets of yeerly Revenue whose Officers upon som Festivals go in Gowns of white Sattin Now for the mass of ordinary peeple as there is a common Saying of England Inghilterra buona Terra mala Gente England is a good Country but the people are bad so there is a worse Saying of the Napolitan that it is Vn Paradiso piantato da diavoli It is a Paradis peepled by Devils Indeed the Napolitan according to the quality of the Soyl is of a fiery boyling Nature which makes the Spaniard ride him with a Bitt and a Martingall he hath as many Whirlwinds in his Brain and quicksands in his Brest as the French or any other Nation Witness else their sundry Innovations for Naples had in two yeers no less then five Kings of severall Countries Insomuch that I have not read of any Politicall Instrument so often out of tune having had forty popular Revolutions in less then four hundred yeers yet none that brought a Ruine with it Touching this last Revolution in the yeer 1647. it was the violent'st of all it was like a Candle burning at both ends the common peeple were all as mad as if they had bin bit by a worse thing then the 〈◊〉 In which Revolution there were so many prodigious things happend that were they not recent and don as it wer but t'other day they wold be held for meer Romances For it requires a strong faith to beleive that in so well a policed Christian Citty so replenishd with Nobility Gentry and Gown-men of all Professions as Naples is known to be there shold be such horrid Barbarismes committed That this Tumult from a small spark shold com to be so huge a fire from a little source shold com to be such a rapid Torrent that from a weak blast it shold so suddenly com to such an impetuous Whirlwind that it shold begin with a score of Boyes pursued and ended with so many thousands of Men That a young barefooted Tatterdemalian Retaylor of Fish shaking off his blew Wascot and red greasy Bonnet shold so suddenly com to have such an ascendent upon the spirits of the peeple as within three or four dayes to govern Naples in chief and being clad in Cloath of silver to ride so triumphantly with naked Sword in hand and his brother as despicable a thing as he in Cloath of gold attended with an Army of fifty thousand men and so march up to the Castle where the Vice-roy kept his Court where he forc'd him to grant whatsoever he proposed That in so short a tract of time he shold mount to such a despoticall or rather Imperiall power for nine dayes
also that of Sicily with the utter Revolt of Portugal and commotions in Catalonia as also the loss of so many Towns about Flanders which were given in ransom for Francis the French King as likewise the rending away of the county of Rossillon hath given so shrewd a ●heck to the Spanish Monarchy that she is still a branling ever since having made her so thin of men at home and mony abroad and plung'd her in such a bottomless Gulph of debt that the whole Revenue of Naples which is above three millions per ann is scarce able to pay the Genoways and other banks their yeerly interest And the Spanish Monarchy is like to continue still in this shaking aguish posture while this fiery Cardinal sits at the French Helm moving upon the principles of his Predecessor who may be sayd to be two fatall ●ngins raisd up to unhi●ge the World I. H. Sen s●o non Segnesco The chief Ingredients that go to the Composition of this Historicall Survey I· THe Scituation of the Citty of Naples II. The names of the severall Provinces and the quality of the Country III. The Customes of the Peeple and the famous men Naples hath producd IV. An account of the Revenues Imposts Donatives and other Perquisits of the Crown V. A History of the Kings of Naples with their Titles and Stile VI. The names of the Barons with their Armes as also of the spirituall power VII A discourse of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and how it is appropriated to the Kingdom of Naples c. VIII An exact relation of the procedures of the Spanish Match with England c. IX The Revolt of Catalonia X. The Revolt of Portugal XI The severall pretentions of Right and Title to the Crown of Portugal XII The Tumults of Sicily XIII The three late horrid Revolutions of Naples XIV Of the Duke of Ossuna Vice-roy of Naples of his Extravagancies and the strange Articles exhibited against Him XV. The Catastrophe of Olivares the great Spanish Favorit and the causes of his downfall XVI A true Relation of the suspectfull death of Don Carlos Prince of Spain never yet so much discovered to the World Upon the CITTY OF NAPLES FIRST CALL'D PARTHENOPE OR THE VIRGIN-CITTY Salve Parthenope Decora salve PArthenope a Citty bright as Gold Or if the Earth could bear a richer Mold Is com to greet Great Britain Queen of Iles And to exchange som Silks for VVooll she smiles To find that Cloath shold wear and feel so fine As do her Grograns she doth half repine That Lemsters Ore and spires of fallow'd Grass The leafs of Mulberries shold so surpass Which so abound in Her with every thing Which Pleasure VVealth or VVonderment can bring That Nature seems to strive whom she shold please Herself or Vs with rare Varieties There her own Bawd to be she may be sayed As if the VVanton with Herself she played Let England then strow Rushes all the way To welcom in the fair Parthenopey For I dare say She never yet came o're In such a Garb to visit any Shore I. H. A Table of the most notable things that are contained in the first part of the HISTORY of NAPLES ACerra a City and why so called 16 Acidola a spring of an admirable nature 8 Adria a City in Apruzzo now called Atri 74 Alphonso the first of Aragon 17 King of Naples 160 Alphonso the second 19 King of Naples 162 Amalfia a City 23. by whom it was built 26 Annibal the Carthaginian falls in love in Apulia or Pugl●a 89 Apruzzo citra the ninth Province of the Kingdom 69 Apruzzo ultra the tenth Province of the Kingdom 73 Aquila Metropolitan City in Apruzzo 76. how many Churches are in it ib. Nature and custom of the Aquilans ib. how many armed men it can set forth upon occasion ib. Adriatick Sea why so called and where it ends 89 Arms of Terra di Lavoro 21 Arechi Dukes of Benevento 22 Arms which the Province of Principato citra carries in its colours 36 Arms of Principality ultra 43 Arms of Basilicata 47 Arms of Calabria citra 52 Arms of Calabria ultra 60 Arms of the Land of Otranto 65 Arms of the Land of Bari 68 Arms of Apruzzo citra 72 Arms of Apruzzo ultra 81 Arms of the County of Molise 84 Arms of Capitanata 93 Ascoli in Apruzzo restored to the Church by Queen Giovanna 80 Asturno a Hill where the Royal hunting is in the Land of Lavoro 9 Aversa a City by whom built and famous men of it 15 B BAsilicata fourth Province of the Kingdom 44 Barletta a famous Town 67 Benevento a City by whom it was built 38 how it came into the Churches hands 40 Basignano and other Towns and Cities in the Province of Calabria 51 Bitonto a City in the Land of Bari 68 Boiavo a City in Capitanata 83 Borrello and other Towns in Calabria ult 54 Brutii whence called 53. Brindisi and by whom it was built 63. Body of St. Nicholas in Bari 67. Bodies of Saints found in the Province of Bari ib. Body of S. Thomas Aquinas 71. Bounds of the Land of Apruzzo 70. C CAlabria citra the 5 Province of the Kingdom 47. Calabria ultra the 6 Province in the Kingdom 52. Capitanata the 12 Province 85. why so called ib. Charls the 1 of Anjou 9 King of Naples 152. Charls the 2. 10 King of Naples 153. Charls the 3 of Durazzo 13 King of Naples 155. Charls the 4. 20 King of Naples 162. Charls the 5 Emperor 26 King of Naples 168. Catanzaro chief city of Calabria 59. Campania the happy why so called 4. Castle of Vovo 10. Casasana a most delicious place built by Charls the second 11. Capua a city 13. sackt and rebuilt 14. Casetta a city by whom it was built 17. Capre of Partivento 56. Castle at Mare Volturno 8. Campo Basso a chief town in the county of Molise 83. Cava a City and its beginning 24. Caliph King of Egipt friend to the Amalphitans 26. Charles the great disguised to see the Princess Arrechi 39. Capa of Palinuro and Molpa 45. Calabria citra a Province why so called 49. Calabria ultra a Province 52. its fertility ib. Cardinal Pascasius his soul 10. Cape of the Pillars 60. Crickets and their properties 56 City of Chie●i Metropolitan of Apruzzo 70 Counts and Dukes of Puglia and Calauria 136. Coronation of the Kings of Naples 174. Coast of Amalfi 25. Cosenza chief city of Calabria 50. Cotrone a city in Calabria 60. County of Molise 11 Province 82. its bounds and things whereof there is plenty ibid. Conradus the fourth Emperor and seventh King of Naples 150. Cuma a city 9. Custom of the sheep of Puglia and the Revenues of it 91. Country-house of Scipio and Lelius 7 Cicero his country-house where the Emperor Adrian was buried 9 Charls 2 King of Naples drives out the Saracins 92 D. DIscourse of the Kings of Ierusalem 176 Donatives given by the kingdom of Naples to
their Kings Court 106 Dukes of Benevento 38. Dukedom of Benevento usurped by the Greeks ibid. Death of Alexander King of the Molossians 50. E. EFfigies lives of the Kings of Naples 139 Euoli a famous town in the Principality Citra 34. The noble Families of the said town 35. F. FRederick the second Emperour and sixth King of Naples 148. Ferrante the first of Arragon eighteenth king of Naples 161. Ferrante the second the one and twentieth king of Naples 161. Frederick 22 king of Naples 164. Ferdinand the Catholick 24 king of Naples 166. Flora and its riches 20. Fertility of the Province of the Prinpality Citra 23. Fairs and noble Families of Salerno 33. Female become male 34. Fountains Rivers and Lakes in the kingdom of Naples 111. Fondi a City in the land of Lavoro 6. Fens and Marshes of the kingdom 127. Fishes bred in the sea belonging to the land of Lavoro 5. G. GAeta a citie and its gulf 17. Giovanna the first twelfth Queen of Naples 154. Gelasius the second the fifth Pope 6. Giovanna the second 15 Queen of Naples 157 Giovanna the third 25 Queen of Naples 166 Giacomo Sanazaro 10. G●avina a citie why so called 67. Gulfs and Capes of the sea in the kingdom 45. Gulf of Salerno 28. Gulf Adriatick where it begins 63. Gulf of the famous citie of Venice ibid. Great Constable 184. Great Admirall ibid. Great Justice 185. Great Chamberlain 186. Great Protonotary ibid. Great Chancellor ibid. Great Steward 187. H. HEnry the sixth King of Naples 147 Hunting of Swordfishes 55. Hills in the kingdom of Naples 1●5 How long the Samnites warred against the Romans 69. I. ISland of Capri 12. Ischia ibid. Islands of Eolia 54. Ionick sea where it begins 60. Iohn of Procida caused the Sicilian vespers 12. L. LAdislaus fourteenth king of Naples 156. Lakes of the said kingdom 128. Lewis the 12 king of France 13 King of Naples 16● Lake of Celano 60. Lake of Averno 9 Lanciano a Citie in Apuzzo 71. Land of Lavoro its praises 6. Lewis king of Italy 30. Land of Otronto seventh Province of the kingdom 61. Land of Lavoro why so called 4. Land of Bari eight Province 66. Lives portraitures of the Kings of Naples 139. M. MAnfredi eighth king of Naples 151. Massa a citie 11. Marigliano 16. Manna what it is and how it is ingendred 57. Matera a citie in the land of Otronto 64. Mines which are in the kingdom 132. Misenus Aeneas his Trumpeter ●0 Miracle of Saint Pantaleon his blood in Ravello 28. Martian water brought to Rome 80. Mines in Calabria 48. Mine of Bolearmonick in the said citie 64. Mines and Bathes in the land of Lavoro 5. Manner of writing used by the Kings of Naples to divers Kings and Princes 181. Mount St. Angelo and its description 87. Mount of Somma 11. Mount Casino 19. destroyed by the Saracens 39. Mount Virgin a famous Monastery 42. Mount of salt in the said Province 50. Mount Leone a place in Calabria 53. N. NAture of the territory of the land of Lavoro 4. Nature and qualities of the inhabitants 6. Naples faithfull to the Romans and its praises and Arms 10 11. Nisita an Island why so called 13. Names of the Viceroys of Naples from the year 1505. 183. Nola a noble citie and its Citizens 21. Of the cattell which had custom paid for them in the kingdom of Naples in the year 1592. 91. Nucera 24. O. ORigine and difference of the crowns of the Noblemen of the Kingdom of Naples 188. Otho the sixth Emperour seeketh to take away the body of St. Bartholomew of Benevento 40. Otranto a citie of the Kingdom 61. How far it is distant from Greece ibid. P. PAtria a Lake 8. Piacenza a citie why destroyed by the Romans 34. Principality Citra second Province 22. Principality Vltra third Province and why so called 37. Procida why so called 12. Philip the second 27 king of Naples 170. Philip the third 28 King of Naples 171. Physicians famous in Salerno 32. Q. QValities of the inhabitants of Basilica●a 46. Qualities of the Inhabitants of Calabria 60. Qualities of the inhabitants of the land of Otronto 65. Qualities of the inhabitants of the land of Bari 68. R. REnato of Anjou 16 king of Naples 159. Reggio a citie of Calabria 55. Revenues the crown of Spain hath in the kingdom of Naples 97. Rivers in the kingdom of Naples 111. Rock of Mondragone 8. Rhodes how it came into the hands of the knights of St. Iohns order 26. Ruggiero first king of Naples 139. Robert the 11. king of Naples Robert Guiseard Duke of Puglia 76. S. SAracens gain a great number of places in Capitanata 87. St. Thomas Aquinas 18. St. German why so called 19. St. Paulino inventes of Bells 20. Sanseverino 24. Salerno why so called 29. Saracins come over into Calabria 30. Sarno a River 33. St. Antony Abbot of whence he was 34. Saint Vito and his body within the demains and Territory of Evoli 35. S. Bartholomew Apostle in Benevento 39. Scituation of Calabria in ancient times 49. Saint Thomas Apostle and his body where they are 71. St. Erasmus which appears to Seafaring men ibid. Sessa a citie and why so called 8 Siccardo Duke of Benevento 29. Sea-compass whose Invention 27. T. TAncred fourth King of Naples 145. Taranto a chief citie 62. Temple Floriano 20. Temple of Iuno in Basilicata 45. Titles of dignity used by the Kings of this kingdom 181. Tower of the Grecian and of the Annunciata 11. Totila King of the Gothes 19. Troy of Puglia by whom built 92. Tremiti anciently called the Diomedean Islands 93. Traietto 7. Tranie a citie 67 V Vlesti a destroyed citie 89. Volturnus a River 8. Vniversity of Salerno by whom founded 32 W. WInes and Oyls made in the land of Lavoro 5. Woods which are in the Kingdom A Collection of the prime Materials that go to the structure of the second part of the History of the Kingdom of Naples with the additions to the first A ALphonso Duke of Calabria made Knight of the English Garter in policy In Epist. ded A strange Prediction of Benincasa before the last tumults in Naples In proem A rare observation in the number seven ib. The Advantage which a due reverence to the Church carrieth with it to a State In proem An Abridgment of the expeditions and exploits of Charls the fift fol. 2 Of Don Antonio of Portugal 8 Of Antonio Perez ib. A cross Alliance betwixt France and Spain 25 A relation of the marriage betwixt them at the confines ib. A Letter from the last King of France to his new Queen with her answer 26 A Treaty of a match betwixt Prince Charls and the Infanta of Spain The Arrival of the said Prince in Spain and the circumstances ib. A high Speech of Olivares at the Princes coming ib. Another Speech of Gondamars 27 An Appearance of the Infanta two daies after in publick with a blew ribond about
Near Naples is the Greek Tower first called Herculea of Hercules which came thither with many Ships after he left Nontiata near the ancient Stabie At this place standeth aloft that famous Hill of Somma called Vesevo and Vesuvio about which are situated many pleasant Villages except in the top where the Poets feign remain the shoulders of the Giant Porfirius In the time of the Emperor Titus with a general fear to all those in the fields and destruction of them which were nearest it cast out from the top thereof great flames of fire and Balls of Sulphure Mine and burning stones where Pliny died the great preserver of the Latine tongue whilst he desired to see the great exhalations of that Hill which cast the ashes even into Africa Going a little farther is the City of Castel by the Sea of Stabia so named by the City Stabbia which was not far off which had been destroyed by L. Silla this Castle is situated in a corner of the Mount Gauro where it beginneth to stretch towards the West which maketh the Promontory of Minerva Here about the distance of a mile through the delight of the place King Charls the second builded a Royal Palace calling it for the sweetness of the air the Wholsome House which afterward King Rubert enlarged giving it greater beauty and ornament which place is now possest by the Noble Family Nocera King Ferrant the first having bestowed it on Pietro Nocera his chiefest favorite which for his great valour was afterward by King Ferrant the second made General of the Gallies This Country aboundeth with great plenty of clear water and great store of the best Fruits and for the facility and easie access of the place hath much Traffick According to the division of Strabo of Ptolomy and of Sempronio this City should be placed in the Country of the Picentini which is now called the Province of Principato but we have thought best to confine it in the Land of Lavoro because it is situated in the Gulf of Cratero Within a little is the beautifull City Vico builded by the people Equani then followeth the City Sorrento very ancient and Noble situated on the top of the Hill whose prospect is the Sea Although it be not of that greatness as formerly it hath been it hath a very fertile and delightfull Territory garnished with Vines and Oringes and other fruitfull Trees This City was builded by the Greeks and was called Petra Syrenum In this City lived Antonio the Abbot a most holy man and famous for his miracles whose body remaineth even now as a testimony of his divine Miracles as they say towards those which are oppressed with Spirits Then from Sorrento a mile is the City of Massa newly named to the which Paolo Portarello that excellent Poet and great Humanist hath now and alwaies giveth everlasting glory From hence then is seen the solitary Hill Atheneo the which because it joyneth not with any other Hill passeth along towards the West and is otherwise called the Hill Massa it was also called Prenusso Sirreo Minervio and the Hill Equano in the top of the Promontory is to be seen a great part of the Temple of Minerva builded by Vlisses Under the side of the said Promontory are certain desart and stony Islands called the Sirenes in one whereof from that part which lieth towards Surrento in ancient time was a rich Temple where were certain very ancient gifts long since presented by the Inhabitants of the Country for the worship and reverance of that holy place the Reliques whereof are now to be seen Here endeth the Gulf called Cratera included within two Promontories Miceno and Ateneo which lie towards the South which Gulf is almost wholly planted with Houses and goodly Gardens opposite to the which riseth out of the Sea the Isle of Capri the first delightfull place of Tiberius Caesar but now ordained for Exiles and banished people Here twice in a year are Quails taken Directly against Miseno is the Isle of Prochita now called Procita the which according to Strabo is a part of Pitecuse Procita was so called as Pliny saith by the depth thereof for by miracle the said Isle rise of it self out of the bottom of the Sea But as Dionisius of Alicarnaseo affirmeth that it was named by a beautifull young man a Trojau called Procita which came thither to inhabit Whereof Servio upon these Verses of Virgil saith in his 9 Book Tum sonitu Prochyta alta tremit c. Saith that it had that name from Protheus which signifieth spread or dispersed to the which opinion agreeth the Greeks and almost all the Latines Silio the Italian in his 12 Book speaking of Procida saith thus Apparet Prochyta saevum sortita Numanta Apparet procul Inarime quae turbine nigro Fumantem premit Iapetum flammasque rebelli Ore rejectantem si quando evadere detur Bella Iovi rursus superisque iterare volentem Within this Isle is a fair Country well replenished with people which hath the same name and is very famous for the abundance of Corn that is gathered within it and for the taking of Partridges and Pheasants whereof there is great plenty The Lord of this Isle in former time was Iohn of Procida a Phisitian a man very famous who fearing not the power of King Charls of Angio to revenge a great injury took Sicilia with that famous slaughter of the French commonly called the Sicilian evening and he had done greater matters if he had been permitted This Iohn was in great esteem with Iames King of Arragon after whose death King Peter his son knowing the valour of Iohn Le dio dice il Zurita en el Reino de Valencia para el y sus successores las Villas y Castillos de Luxer Benyzano y Palma con sus alquerias He gave him as saith Zurita in the Kingdom of Valentia to him and his successors the Towns and Castles of Luxer Benyzano and Palma with their bordering Villages From this man descended the Family called Procita which are now very great in the Kingdom of Catalogna and enjoyeth the Countie of Almenare In the said Isle in a fair Church with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Margarite the Virgin and Martyre which was carried thither from Antiochia Salvo Selano the Phisician honoureth much this Isle now living in Naples with great renown who hath written upon the Aphorismes of Hyppocrates The said Isle is distant from Naples twelve miles and in composs seven A little from Procita lieth the Isle Ischia formerly called Inarime Pithecusa and Enaria very famous not only for the Fable which the Greeks feigne of the Giant Tipheo strucken with Iupiters Thunder-bolt but also for a Fortress there being so great that it is held the second Key of the Kingdom The said Castle was builded by Alfonsus of Medina King of Arragon first of this name King of Naples who because
a place called Garigliano committed infinite evils through the Country of Lavoro Among other mischiefs which were done in the year 884. they burnt the Monastery of Monte Casino Not long after departed Basilio Emperor of Constantinople the year 886. to whom succeeded Leone his first begotten son in which time the Prince Aione taking occasion by the death of the Emperor the greatest part of his State revolted whereupon Leone having endured this injury certain years at length in the year 891 he sent against him a strong Army under the command of Simbatizio Patrizio who being three months encamped about Benevento happily subdued it 318 years after it had been possessed by the Lombards beginning from Zotone the first Duke of Benevento untill to this time Simbatizio Patrizio having possest the Dukedom of Benevento used the Authority of a Prince after whom came Giorgio Patrizio by whom the said State was Governed 3 years and 9 months Coming afterwards in the year 895 Guido Marquiss of Toscana drove away the Greeks and held the Seigniory about 2 years to whom presently followed Radelebi the which held it two others untill it was possest by At●nolfo Castaldo of Capoa in whose house the Principality of Capoa was joyned with that of Benevento who maintained it a long time in great prosperity Atenolfo being now made Castaldo of Capoa was afterward in the year 899. entituled Prince of Capoa and Benevento in the which house for the space of 163 years that Seigniory remained Atenolfo died the year 914. and Atenolfo and Landolfo his sons succeeded him in the Principality Atenolfo died about the year 946. and the Principality only remained to Landolfo which by that most valiant Prince Luitprando received many overthrows and died the year 951. and left that Principality to his son Pandolfo which was sirnamed Iron-head The Prince Pandolfo departed this life the year 966. and left eight sons whereof Landolfo his first begotten had the Principality and died the year 982. and Landenolfo took the Government of the State which was slain the year 991. The Prince Landenolfo dead his brother Laidolfo succeeded in the Seigniory which continued not long in the Principality in whose place was in the year 996. created Prince Pandolfo of St. Agata his son in which year the Emperor Otho the third was Crowned in Rome under whose Principality Historians recite that the Emperor going about to take away from Benevento the body of St. Bartholmew the Apostle there was given him instead thereof the body of St. Paolino Bishop of Nola of which deceit being informed made War with the Beneventani but growing grievously sick raised his siege and as he much desired returned into Germany little regarding the heat of Summer being come into his natural Country departed this life the year of our Lord 1001. and so the Beneventany were delivered of so grievous a War Henry the second succeeded in the Empire by the election of the Princes of Germany who in the year 1022. levying a mighty Army came into Italy to the prejudice of the Greeks and understanding the ill demeanor and most wicked proceeding of the Prince Pandolfo took the Prince prisoner and carryed him along with him into Germany and the Principality of Capoa he bestowed upon Pandolfo Count of Tiano Henry the Emperor having builded in Bamberg a City of Germany a noble Church in the honour of St. George and desiring that the same might be consecrated as a Cathedral Church Benedict the 7 consenting thereto obtained with condition that the said Church should give by way of tribute yearly to the Bishop of Rome a mark of silver with a white horse well furnished but within a while the Bishop receiving in gift from the Emperor Benevento the tribute from the Church of Bamberg was discharged by this means then Benevento came under the dominion of the Church which we have declared in our History of the lives of the Kings of Naples and after we have declared how Ruberto Guiscard having possest Benevento being desirous to expell the Saracins out of Italy came to the Parlament in the City of Aquila in the year 1060 with Pope Nicolas the second which was much laboured by the Roman Barons and Guiscard having with great humility adored the Pope made peace with him and he restored the City of Benevento and all other places which he held belonging to the Church whereupon the Pope did not only receive him into grace and favour but created him Duke of Puglia and Caulauria and so Ruberto was now made a vassal of the Church Benevento being afterward possest by Ruggiero the Norman King of Naples William his son who succeeded in the Kingdom restored it to Pope Adrian the fourth as a thing properly belonging to the Church whereupon he was by him confirmed in the Kingdom the Emperor Frederick the second and King of Naples having been excommunicated by Gregory the ninth disdaining the same ruinated and made spoil of the said City and threw the Walls even to the ground being afterward repaired by the Citizens thereof was by Charls of Angio the first of this name sacked because they were known to be favourable to King Manfred and although this City sustained so many spoils yet the Citizens thereof alwaies repaired it St. Gianuario Martyr was Bishop of Benevento whose body lieth with great reverence in the principal Church of Naples where as they say are seen many miracles of his holy blood There was born in Benevento Felix the fourth called the third Victor the third and Gregory the eight Bishops of the holy Church of Rome which were of exemplary life and indued with learning Orbillio Grammatico was very famous in the time of Cicero which for his austerity and severe speech was by Horace called the wonder Rofredo and Odofredo Lawyers of great fame were thereof from whence afterward descended the house of the Odofredi in Bologna Alberto Morra Cardinal and Dionisio which was also a Cardinal Angelo Catone a learned Philosopher was Count and Arch-Bishop of Vienna Marino Bilotta was President of the Chamber under King Ferrant the first Mercurio of Vipera was dearly beloved of the Roman Bishops and imployed in divers affairs and afterward made Auditor of Rota Pietro of the worthy Family Candida was Councellor of State and Captain of the principal Fortress of the Kingdom under King Ferrant the first Bartholmew Camerario a famous Lawyer having been from the beginning in most honourable imployments in the service of the Emperor Charls the fifth was made Lieutenant of the Kings Chamber with Title of Keeper of the Patrimony He was in great account with Pope Paul the fourth by whom he was created in Rome Purveyor of the Store and General of the Army he was afterward entertained by King Francis in France and made his Councellor Leonardo Grifo most expert in the affairs of the Church of Rome whereupon he was created Arch-Bishop of this Country Thomaso
The City standeth in an Island like unto a ship having bridges to pass over into the Continent here the ebbing and flowing of the Sea is very violent on the other side with a ditch made by mens labours is joyned the little sea with the great the which ditch is able to receive a gally where at this present is the City esteemed one of the strongest Forts of the Kingdom where was the first Fortress which Fardinando of Aragon King of Naples repaired Of this Country there is no more to be said then that which Horace saith Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes angulus ridet Coasting from hence is Cesaria a place ruinated by those of Gallipoli with the lower sea full of great skuls of fishes not very far is Gallipoli a City very fair and populous which Pliny calleth Anza but Pomponius Mela nameth it Gallipolis the said City was built by the Greeks which being afterward droven out by the Gauls called it Gallipoli The said City is situate in a narrow piece of Land running into the Sea in the fashion of a Frying-pan in whose utmost part is that most impregnable City both for the situation the Wall and the Castle because the steep and craggy Rocks rampire it where in the Wars between the Aragonesi and the French defended it self in the behalf of Aragon with great commendation That excellent Philosopher Iohn Baptista Crispo hath much ennobled this City who hath writ 23 books De Ethnicis philosophis caute legendis and three others de Animarum statu ex hac vita migrantium Departing from thence is Vgento and the Cape of Luca called in old time the Promonto y of Iapigio and in this place was the famous Temple of Minerva where was kept the Arms and the Chain of Diomedes this cape is now called the cape of Santa Maria in the end of the country so named at this present by the sumptuous church here builded in honour of the glorious mother of our Lord called of the Ancients Promontorium Iapigium and of Pliny Ara Iapigia This cape riseth out as a front or brow of Lacinio compassing on both sides the gulf of Taranto Then followeth Castro a place to be noted for the ruines it sustained by the Turks in the time that Soloman attempted the enterprise of Italy Not far from thence is the cape and the famous City of Otranto here Acomat Bascia first mustered his souldiers in Italy having destroyed this City according to the manner of Mahomet 2. his Prince he made new fortifications in the city whereupon were afterward made by our ancestors so many fortresses through all Europe that they seemed invincible And this city is so near to Greece that it is scant distant 50 miles and therefore in this place I think first Pirrhus and after M. Varro purposed to joyn Italy with Greece by a bridg of ships Here also begins the Adriatick Gulf which is divided from the Ionian sea as it were by a line or path although many say it hath its beginning from the Mount St. Angelo or rather according to some from Ancona This great gulf had its name from the city of Adria the which lying crooked as it were a horn more then any other gulf of the Mediterrane even to Tieste separating Italy from Sclavonia being on the right side full of Havens and having very few on the left and oftentimes so tempestuous whereupon grew this Proverb amond the Ancients Adria furiosior it is now called the gulf of Venice that famous City giving the name by a Ring of Gold which the Duke casteth in on the Ascention day the Popes Legat being present And continuing this course are to he seen near the Lake of Liminiti certain ruins which declare the greatness of the Emperor Adrian After comes the Haven of St. Cataldo and Brindesi which was sometimes one of the chiefest cities in Italy for all the shipping from the East arived here and now through discord and dissention it is half desart And therefore the aire is very unwholsome a thing which hapneth to all great cities why the air is no better is the want of inhabitants because they dry up the moist and moorish places with their tillage and cut down the woods that are too thick and with fire purge the ill air and with high buildings have that which is good so contrarily there is nothing worse then the solitude of great cities because not only they are deprived of the abovesaid helps but of the houses themselves and their ruine is the receptacle of corruption which appeared in Aquileia Rome Ravenna Alexandria in Egipt and also Bagdel For the which cause the Greeks did not too excessively inlarge their cities Plato would not that his should exceed five thousand Families Aristotle that all his people at one instant might hear the voice of the Crier The Haven of Brindesi is like to the head of a hart whose horns compass the city within it because it is divided in two it is barred up with a chain the outward part is guarded by two rocks and an Island the mouth of it is very deep but in the Wars between K. Alfonsus and the Venetians a ship sunk to the bottom which choked it in such manner that hardly a Gally can pass Here we incounter two Vallies digged by hand which brings in the sea on the right hand and the left side of the city lieth in such sort that it makes almost an Island It hath two fortresses one within the two horns built by the Emperor Frederick the second of square stone very beautifully built the other in the ●sle of St. Andrea At the mouth of the outward haven built by King Alfonsus of Aragon Strabo cals this city Brundusium and others write that it was builded by the Etoli and afterward inhabited by the Cretesi which came with Theseus and Gnoso and at last it was a colony of the Romans and in old time was of so great power that L. Floro saith it was the head of the Salentini M Pacuvio the Tragical Poet the nephew of Ennius on whose Tomb saith A. Gellio was ingraven this Epitaph Adolescens temetsi properas hoc te saxum rogat Vt se aspicias deinde quod scriptum est legas Hic sunt poetae Pacuvii Marsi sita Ossa hoc volebam nescius ne esses vale There lieth with great reverence in the principal church thereof the bodies of St. Theodoro and Pelino Martyrs and there is to be seen all the whole tongue of St. Ierome The noble Families that are in this city are these following Balzo Bove Caracciolo Catignano Cuggio d' Eredia Fornaro Pando Pascale Pizzica Ramondo Scomafora Sasso Tomasino Villanova Vacchedani and others Between Brindesi and Otranto every place is full of Olives but from Brindesi to Ostuni for the space of 24 miles there is nothing but bushes and woods Brindesi is distant from Rome 360 miles
Rapino and near to Maiella is Penna After the mouth of the River Foro is to be seen on the sea the mouth of the River Lento which also riseth from Maiella On whose right side but yet very near distant from the Sea but five miles appears Villamania above the which nevertheless under Maiella is the Castle Petrono near to the which is the Fort of Montipiano and above the fountain from whence the River Lento springeth is Castel Menale And somewhat lower upon the Mediterrane is Bucchianico a civil Country honoured with the dignity of a Marquisat the Territory whereof is very fertile and hath great plenty of Olives going a little farther we come to the noble and fair City of Solmona by Strabo called Sulmo and likewise Ptolomy and Cato so name it the said City was built by Solemo of Frigia the companion of Aeneas That eloquent Poet Ovid Nasone was here born as he witnesseth in the 4 book of de Tristibus in his tenth Elegy Sulmo mihi patria est gelidis uberimus undis Millia qui novies distat ab urbe decem And the Poet Martial in the first book of his Epigrams declares the same saying Mantua Virgilia gaudet verona Catullo Pelignae gentis gloria dicar ego This City hath the dignity of a Principality the Lord thereof is Don Horatio of Noia a most generous Knight Departing from Sulmona we come to the River Aterno now called Pescara from the City of Pescara which is very near built by the ancient City of Aterno from whence the River hath its name The said City is ennobled with the dignity of a Marquisat possest by the Family Davolo Going a little farther towards the Mediterrane is the little Castle of Cantalupo situated at the foot of a Hill under the which most miraculously doth flow a liquor called the stony oyle the which is very carefully gathered for the vertue and medicinable operation Afterward appears Caramanico a noble Country the Territory whereof is very fertile and a little beneath is to be seen Cusano in whose higher parts the River Librata endeth in Pescara in old time called Albula into the which runneth two little Rivers which also descend from Maiella in the midst whereof is the Country of Lietto Manupello in whose Territory is a Mine of Pitch which was found the year 1577. And it is in the manner of Tarr Being now come to an end of this Province it remains that I declare somewhat of the Inhabitants The people of this Country are very tall and strong and in countenance not much unlike the French Nation in bargaining with strangers they are simple and courteous full of courage and much affected to the profession of Arms wherein they grow to great perfection they are not very costly in their apparel but much given to hunting they are also well inclined to Learning and apply themselves much to the study of the Law and Phisick The Arms belonging to this Province is or a wild Boars head couped in pale on bas a yoke in chief gu noting as I think thereby the great abundance of wild Hoggs that are therein and with this that memorable exploit that chanced between these people and the Romans as it is before recited moreover it may be said that these two charges should signifie the same service placing the head of the Boar as a fierce and cruel beast for the arrogancy of the Romans put under the yoke But I refer my self to better judgment ABRUZZO On the other side the tenth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES THe worthy and renowned Alfonsus of Aragon the first of this name King of Naples willing to take away the continual strife which fell out among the Collecters of the Impost and Custom of Abruzzo divided the said Province into two parts and so that which is included in Aterno and the Hills of Marsi is called Abruzzo ulteriore which I am now to handle This part contained the Marrucini Piligni and Ferentani and part of the Sanniti Abruzzo is now divided from Campania of Rome between the Region of the Equicoli and a little River of obscure name having on the one side certain Vaults and Caves and on the other a high Hill It is divided from the Province of Abruzzo on this side by a branch of the River Pes●ara running from the foot of the Apennine above Raiano and directly against Popoli endeth its course and a little higher by the Apennine Hils near the head of the River Sangro between Pesco and Sarli and Gioia and above the Lake Fucino in the utmost parts of the Marsi By the same Hils which lie towards the South it is also divided from the Country of Lavoro by the River Garigliano even at the spring which riseth by the Valley of Orvito under the Fountain near to Balzorano cometh Abruzzo on this side to joyn with the Territory of Sora. And these places end not only with the Marsi the Marrucini the Peligni the Ferentani the Vestini the Sanniti and the Preguntini of Abruzzo but also with the Territory of Naples This Countrey is both in men and situation very strong it hath great plenty of Corn heards of Cattel and Wine it hath many Rivers and an excellent air there is great variety both for hunting and fowling there are also Bears and great store of Wolves But now coming to describe in particular the Rivers and the Cities which are in this Province I will begin from the shore where is a Castle called Montepagano and going along twelve miles upon the Sea-side is to be seen the River Viciola which springeth from the Apennine near the Mount Corvo and running along entreth into the River Tordino by Pliny called Iuvan●●o which also floweth from the Apennine near to the foot of the said Hill Corvo Among the said Rivers appears Teramo a City full of civility the Bishop thereof is ennobled with many Titles of dignity and the Lord is called a Duke The said City is the head of all this Country named by Pliny and Ptolomy Interamnia the which name it had because it is situated among the Rivers for a little above it runneth into Tordino a swift stream called Fiumicello near the which are three Countries so near that they are all called by one only name Campio Above the Fountain of the River Vicola are these Castles Bisigno and Rugnano from the River Tordino to the River Vomano by the sea-side are only six miles and between the one and the other are many Countries and Castles some in the midst and others nearer to the one then the other because the Rivers in their courses make many turnings It were requisite to declare with what order all these are placed from the head to the feet and first is Murro Locaristo Guardia di Vomano the old Castle Transmondo Cauti●no Forcella Miano Rapino Colle Vecchio Forna●olo Montorio Poggio Vmbreco and Rosseo and where Vomano springeth from the Apennine are
we purposed to speak we will at this time omit The said City hath brought forth many excellent men and famous as well in Arms as in Learning as Ansalda of Aquila General of the Army of William the evil King of Naples and Sicilia Antonuccio Camponesco General of King Ladislao and Captain of the Venetians and was afterward by Pope Eugenio the fourth created General of the holy Church Minicuccio Vgolino Captain of King Alfonsus of Aragon Guelfallione Fonticulano was General of the Perusini against Braccio and took in battel Nicolo Piccinino and to his great honour defended Padova from the fury of the Venetians Geronimo Gaglioffa was a Colonel of Charls the eight King of France and Master of the Camp of King Lewis the twelfth in the Conquest of the Kingdom of Naples Francesco Rustico was Captain of the Crossbow-horsmen of King Ferdinando the second In Learning there have been very famous men as Pietro called Scotello of Aquila a religious Frier of the Order of St. Francis which learnedly writ upon the four books of the Master of Sentences Iohn Aquilano a Frier also of the Order of Saint Francis a famous Preacher of his time he composed a book which he entituled Viti●rum lima Francesco Vivio a most famous Lawyer who now liveth and hath lately publisht the Forest of divers opinions and hath done many things besides and of the decisions of the Kingdom of the Audience of the Country of Bary where he was the Kings Auditor whose works are very profitable to the professors of the Law Giovanni Crispo called de Monte writ three books of Law one de Gradibus the other de Haered qui ab intest de and the last de actionibus Gioseppo Rustici a Doctor of great account which is now a Counceller of the great Duke of Tuscane hath written and published a Treatise An quando liberi in conditione positi vocentur and very shortly he is to publish another discourse De utraque conditione si sine liberis decesserit ad L. cum avus F. de cond demonst Iacopo Carli a learned Doctor hath written in Law a book entituled Gemmatus Pavo in quo juris canonici civilis materiae tanguntur Alexander Trentacinque a most noble and renowned Doctor of Law writ de Substitutionibus with other subtile and witty advisements Iohn Aquilano a famous Phisician writ a discourse de sanguinis missione in pluritide Bernardino Cerillo writ the Annals of the City of Aquila his natural Country and the History of his time Serifino Aquilano was the mirror of his time for Poetry whose Works are well known over whose Sepulchre Aretino caused these Verses to be ingraven Qui giace Serafin Partirti hor puoi Sol d' haver visto il sasso che lo serra Assai sei debitore a gli occhi tuoi Here lieth Serafin depart in peace Enough thou art indebted to thy eyes To have seen the stone under which he lies Sebastian Aquilano a Phisician hath published a discourse de Morbo Gallico and another de febre sanguinis Cesar Campana which now abideth at Vicenza hath writ with an eloquent stile in the vulgar tongue the History of the World Iohn Angelo Contecelli hath published a discourse de differentiis febrium and another de Sanguinis missione Blasio Pico a Phisician hath writ the contemplative Grammer Angelo Fonticulano a worthy Historian writ very eloquently in the Latin tongue the Wars of Braccio of Montone with the Aquilani There remain many other noble and learned men which have much ennobled this City as I have understood but because I have no true information thereof I think it not amiss to omit them The Territory of this City brings forth besides other things great abundance of Saffron which as the Aquilani themselves affirm there is made thereof every year more then ●0000 crowns Above Aquila in the Apennine under the River of Pescara is Monte Reale called in old time Monte Pireo but inlarged and beautified by King Charls the second of Angio abandoning the first name it is a city very fair civil and rich compassed round about with a very strong Wal here with great reverence lieth in the church of St. Mary of Piano the body of Saint D●minick of whom the Chronicle of St. Francis maketh mention and in the church of St. Augustine is to be seen the body of St. Andrew which in token of his holy life it pleaseth God as they say to shew many miracles There now liveth with much honour to this country Pe●tio Pompeo and Iohn Circii all three Doctors of Law and great learned men of whom there is much commendation by Vivio in the Forest of common opinions The Territory of this country is very fertile for the spacious vallies and pleasant hils yield grain wine fitches beans slax hemp and other fruits A little distant from the said country is the River Pescara and at the mouth thereof on the left side is the city called Pescara named by Pl●●y and Ptolomy Aterno a most ancient city which they also so called the said River which according to the common opinion was held the swiftest and cold●st of all the Rivers in Italy The said country is honoured with the dignity of a Marquisat subject to the house of Avolo Somewhat higher in Pescara runs another River called Alba and into Alba cometh two little streams which flow from the Mount Maiella between the which is Manopello and a little higher on the side of Maiella is the Fort of Molise and undernea●h is Cosano and upon the bank of Pescara is Torre a little country and on the side of the River Pescara is Lucolo a populous country and not very fa● is Caramanico a very good country and hard by lieth Cantalupo in whose Territory riseth under a Hill a quick spring of Petronical Oyl Near the bank of Pescara is the country of Tocco which hath an excellent Territory wh●re is made the best Oyl in all Abruzzo and the purest Wine and four mile 〈◊〉 Popoli a most noble and populous country which hath the title of a Dukedom it is very strong every way partly by the Rivers which cannot be past as a pl●sh of water and also by the Forts which guard it as a Wall And going certain miles we come to Tagliacozzo a country well inhabited and very rich but not very ancient it hath the title of a Dukedom governed by the Family Colonna But we are now come to the country of the Marsi destroyed long since by Hannibal with all the other people round about in this country was a city called Valeria the natural country of Pope Boniface the fourth who obtained of the Emperor Phocas the Temple Pantheon in Rome dedicated to all the gods of the Gen●iles which he dedicated to all the Saints This city in the time of the Longobards had the name of Marsi changed into Valeria Pliny saith that Marsi was a city
duckets and a half for a hundred and others 22 and a half and some 18 duckets and three quarters the hundred whereupon the said receiver satisfieth to the Masters of the herbage according to the quality and goodness of the pasture as it falleth out As in the year 1592. there was allowed to the said custom four millions four hundred seventy one thousand and four hundrey ninty six sheep and of greater cattel nine thousand and six hundred Of which sheep and cattel in general is paid unto the Kings receit six hundred and two and twenty thousand and a hundred seventy three duckets and seven carlins of the which sum is abstracted 380492 duckets for the payment of the herbage to divers particular persons with the alms bestowed upon the poor and other charges yielding to the Kings Exchequer 241264. the which sum of money was carried into the Kings general Treasury This kind of payment of custom hath been very ancient for the like was paid in the time of the Romans as it appears by Varro and other ancient Writers But this Kingdom being invaded by divers Nations the custom decayed through the extremity of long wars untill the time of the worthy and renowned Alfonsus of Aragon first of this name King of Naples who newly restored it in an excellent order and constituted Francisco Malubre Commissary for the reformation thereof and was the first receiver to whom he allowed for his pains 700 duckets with the pasture of a thousand sheep as Marino Trezza in his second book de sub feu the which the excellent Lawyer Carlo Tapia Neapolitan relateth with great learning and eloquence in the first book of his Commentaries in the Rubrick and final Law F●de constitutionibus Principium num 98. This worthy man liveth with much admiration for his vertue and honourable qualities and at this present with general applause exerciseth the office of the criminal Judge of the great Court of the Vicaria Departing from Foggia 12 miles appears upon a little hill situated in a Plain the fair City of Luceria in the which city in the time of Strabo was the stately Temple of Minerva where were many and rich gifts the which city was the ancient seat of the Daunii and was also built by Diomedes It is true that it was destroyed in the time of Strabo whose ruines even at this present declare how great it was and what power and authority it had it was afterward repaired with the fragments of the old ruinated buildings and so continued even to the time of Constantius the son of Constantine the third Emperor of Constantinople who destroyed and spoiled it in the time of Vitaliano Bishop of Rome as Paolo Diacono writeth in his fifth book and Biondo in his ninth book of Histories Where having slain all the Citizens sackt it and afterward burnt it yet within a little time following it was reedified but nothing so fair and magnificent as at the first The which city being given by the Emperor Frederick the second to the Saracins was so strongly fortified that it became very powerfull commanding and domineering over all the bordering places neither was any man able to expel them untill the year 1271 Charls the second King of Naples after many conflicts confounded them and inforced them to forsake their hold The Territory of the said city is very plentifull and yieldeth all sorts of victuals To the which city twice in the year do assemble almost all the Merchants of Italy Grecia Sicilia and Slavonia and from other countries to traffick and sell their wares and this city is the head of the whole Province for there resides the Kings Audit with his Vice-roy In the Church of St. Dominicho which is therein lieth the body of St. Augustine the Hungarian of the Order of Preachers sometime Bishop of the City where he is highly reverenced by the people and was canonized by the holy Church naming him St. Augustine by consent and agreement of the Apostolick Colledg God shewing to his creatures as they they say how acceptable the merit of this man was unto him in the bestowing upon them infinite favours by the means of his Sepulchre From Luceria eight miles upon a small hill is the noble and rich city of Troia which hath a fertile and plentifull soil under the North side of this little hill runneth the river Chilone which flows from the Apennine this city was builded by Bubagano Catapano of Greece and not a Captain of the Greeks as Frier Leandro affirmeth Of the original thereof Leo Bishop of Ostia maketh mention after whom Carto Sigonio a diligent writer of Histories in our time following accounteth the building thereof about the year 1016. Some hold opinion that it was the ancient Esana which was beaten down by the Emperor Constantine There are in the said city these noble Families De Claritiis del Vasto Lombardo Palonibo de Tucciis Gioioso de Rubeis Sangro Saliceto Silvei Sassone Tancredo and others Here was held a Councel in the year 1092. by Pope Vrban the second for to reform certain customs of the Clergy as Biondo and Platina declare in the life of the said Bishop In the principal Church that is therein lies the bodies of Eleutherio Martyr St. Pontiano Bishop St. Secondino and of St Anastasio Walking along by the fields we may see the castle Carignola where the French men were overcome the Duke of Nemors their Captain General and Vice-roy of Naples for Lewis the twelfth King of France and Naples being slain by Consalvo Ferrando of Cordova Captain of Ferdinando the Catholick King of Spain having in his company the valiant Captains Fabritio and Prospero Colennesi Romans in the year 1503. as we have written at large in the lives of the Kings of Naples Going a little farther in the descent of the Apennine appeareth Orsara and afterward the city of Bovino the Lord whereof hath the title of a Duke Four miles farther is Dellicito and from hence seven miles is the ancient city of Ascolo innobled with the dignity of a Prince And this city is sirnamed by Writers Ascolo Satriano as a difference from that of Abruzzo This city was ruinated by Ruggiero the Norman having understood they purposed to rebel against him his father being then in Dalmatia the which was afterward repaired again by his father but not with that greatness Walking then towards the Sea we come to the sumptuous and stately Church dedicated to St. Leonard by the Emperor Frederick the second where is a worthy Monastery assigned to the Dutch Knights of the Order of St. Mary of Prusia allowing them great revenues who governed the said holy Temple a long time with great religion and devotion In the ●nd they decaying the said Monastery was given in commendum whereby at this present it is very ill governed This worthy Church is in great reverence not only with the people near inhabiting but also among all the
Italians and there are to be seen great heaps of iron pieces of sundry fashions as chains shackles collers and others of like sort to hold prisoners and to inchain men the which were all as they say miraculously delivered and the persons set at liberty through the prayers and intercessions of that worthy St. Leonard both from prisons and the Gallies in the Church resteth his said body Directly against this Province are situate the Isles of Trinity which was in old time called Diomedes which had that name for the Fable which the Greeks feigned upon the companions of Diomedes transformed into fowles being of the bigness of the Magot-a-py seeming also in their tune to imitate a humane voice but not so pleasing according to the fixions of the Poets in the ancient time of the forein Greeks the which declared with their singing and flying the content of their arival being shunned and despised of all others bewraying by the clapping of their wi●gs and their pittifull scrieking the contempt of their company but now in truth they are much available and do great good by their fatness to those which are benummed or swoln in any member with any cold humour There is in this Isle a Fortress and a very fair Monastery of Canonical regular Priests The women of this Province are all in general very fair the men great and well proportioned but inclining to a brown complexion which proceeds of the great heat Their proper language is all after one manner but somewhat rude and impolished They have very strong arms wherefore they often exercise wrestling and the managing of weapons They are not very neat and curious in their apparel but very ingenious and sharp witted they follow not the affairs of the Sea for almost all employ themselves in the profit of the fields They inhabit in Castles and Cities and in the time of tillage and the gathering in of their fruits they go to the fields with carriages of bread and wine and other necessary things for so many daies and with their oxen they remain day and night untill they have tilled and sowed or gathered in their grain barley and other corn that being done they fire the straw and returning with the rest home to their dwellings where they continue till time requires again to manure and sow their ground They are all rich and very courteous and carefull to keep their word and in bargaining very free The Arms of this Province is azure on a mount of Ceres fixed on bass St. Michael or the which arms signifie the apparition of the Angel Saint Michael upon the Mount Gargano and the ears of corn the great plenty of the Province A DESCRIPTION OF THE Kingdom of Naples The second Book WE having finished the first book of the description of the Provinces of this Kingdom it were requisite to speak more particularly as we have promised to the end the reader may be the better satisfied of so much as he desires to know thereof The Kingdom then of Naples as hath been said is divided into 12 Provinces the which contains 2700 popularities of which there are 20 Archbishops and 127 Bishops and 1464 Countries in which places live at least two millions of people for in the Province of the Country of Lavoro was taxed in the Kings Schedule by Families 58152 The Principality on this side by Families 47562 The Principality on the other side by Families 30535 Basilicata by Families 38747 Calauria on this side by Families 50878 Calauria on the other side by Families 55457 The Country of Otronto by Families 50874 The Country of Bary by Families 39141 Abruzzo on this side by Families 27046 Abruzzo on the other side by Families 48689 The County of Molise by Families 15693 Capitanata by Families 20804 Whereupon the abovesaid number of Families being collected together make in all 4834●8 and this is the number at this present of all the Families in the Kingdom in the which number the City of Naples is not comprehended nor the hamlets belonging thereto for the freedom and priviledges which the Neapolitans hold The revenue of the Crown both in the ordinary and extraordinary ariseth very near to three millions of Crowns yet excepting the donative which is now reduced into an ordinary revenue The dignified or titular Barons of the Kingdom in this year 1596. are 155. whereof 20 are Princes 34 Dukes 40 Marquisses and 53 Earls but the Barons without title are about 1400. the which are all bound to serve personally for the de●ence of the Kingdom The Duke of Alba in the year 1556. in the War against Pope Paolo the fourth had 20 thousand footmen 7 hundred armed men and a thousand seven hundred light-horsemen Now at this present the King maintaineth ordinarily for the defence of the Kingdom 4000 Spanish footmen under many Captains with a Master of the Camp and an Auditor and this Corporation of people is called the third of Naples In the Castles of the Kingdom and Fortresses made for the guard and defence of the Sea are held 1608 footmen ordinarily Spaniards comprehending also the Officers which remain in the Castles for the service of them There are also 1020 armed men ranged into 16 companies that is to say five Spanish and eleven Italians 60 men in a company there are besides reserved for the Viceroy-General of the Kingdom a hundred men and 80 for the great Constable But for light-horsmen there is not above 450 ranged into five companies And for the guard and service of the Viceroy he hath an hundred Almain Holbardiers besides a hundred Gentlemen that is to say 60 Spaniards and 50 Italians that are continually attendant whose duty is to frequent the Court to accompany the Viceroy in time of peace and war and therefore they are bound to have their arms and their horses Moreover for occurrences in defence of the Kingdom there is maintained in exercise of the war an Army of 24078 footmen of the Kingdom the which hath not been very long since it was ordained for because that in all the Provinces of the Kingdom there are ordinarily limited five footmen for every hundred Family these footmen in every Country of the Kingdom are chosen by the Electors of that Country therefore if the souldiers named do not please their Captains they ought to chuse others that may content them these footmen are bound both in the occurrences of the Kingdom and out of the Kingdom to serve five years and then in change of them to chuse others And in the same manner is paid to the said souldiers to Captains Ensigns Sargeants for that time which they serve the same pay that is given to Spanish footmen and their Officers These souldiers of this new Army which together are so named enjoy certain priviledges of freedom The strength of the Kingdom consisteth also in 30 Gallies with their helps which are 27. but the principal Fortresses are Naples with three Castles Gaeta la Mantia Trani Cotrone
Gallipoli Monopoli Taranto Bary Brindesi with the Fortress of St. Andrea Barletta Otranto Manfredonia Monte de St. Angelo and towards the Mediterrane Capoa Cosenza Catanzaro Civitella Aquila All the men in general are strong valorous painfull well made and comely ingenious courteous inclined to piety and vertue desirous of novelty litigious given to pleasure religious aad devout the which the many and great magnificence of the Churches and riches of the Clergy do testifie In the wars they declare their valour and courage The Nobility are liberal magnanimous warlike and make particular profession of policy and chivalry Now forasmuch as we have spoken somewhat of the Revenues of the Crown in this Kingdom it will not be amiss to discourse more particularly thereof The REVENUES of the CROWN in the noble and most happy Kingdom OF NAPLES BEfore I discourse of the Revenues which the king of Spain hath in this noble kingdom of Naples it were requisite for the better satisfaction of the Reader first to declare in what manner the kings in former time have received it Therefore to let you understand that under the kings of the Normans the Revenues pertaining to the king was received by a price that is to say for every twelve marks of Revenue was paid three fiorines The which continued untill the time of the Emperor Frederick the second who disliking that kind of payment called a general Parlament where assembled all the Barons and Feuditarie persons of the kingdom subject unto him and thither also repaired all the chief Magistrates of the Cities and Countries after the king had made an excellent Oration in commendation of the kingdom he exhorted them all that for a general benefit and aid and confirmation thereof should be decreed and ordained a certain and ordinary Revenue to the end that the poor might not be oppressed by the rich and mighty but that every one might pay so much as were fit and requisite This Proposition of the King seemed unto all just and convenient and so willing to satisfie the desire of the king desired eight daies respit to consult thereon which was gently granted unto them After which time expired they met the 16 of April 1218. at the Parlament in the Castle of Vovo where was decreed and concluded by all the Barons Feuditaries and Burgises of the Cities and Countries that the Regal Revenues for the aid and defence of the Kingdom should be received by collections per aes libras that is to say he that had most wealth should pay most and who had not should pay least the which payments because they were not sufficient for the supply and succour of the Kingdom they increased it to the number of six collections and these were called ordinary Exchequer payments as Luca da Penna testifies in the L. 1. num 3. C. de indic lib. 10. and Antonio Capece in the invest ver feudorum clausulae ver collectis colum 5. in fi in prin and Andrea of Isernia in c. 1. extraordinaria in prin ●um 62. quae sint reg The which likewise Fabio Giordano Neopolitan in his Chro●●ele thus writeth Post quam Neopolitanum Regnum in Federici secund Imperatoris 〈◊〉 ionem veuit noluit ille ut redditus ad fiscum pertinentes licitacione exiger●t●● quemadmodum à superioribus Regibus factum erat nam usque ad ej●s tempora 〈◊〉 ●●odenis Marchis t●es argentei flor●ni solvebantur hinc animadvertus provi●●●●mperator pauperes haec ratione nimium vexari opprimi anno millesimo 〈◊〉 ducentesimum decimum octavum octavo Kalendas Maias in arcem Lucullia●●● Castellum Normandiacum etiam dictum publica comitia haberi voluit quò convenientibus omnibus fere Regni hujus Regulis feudatariis sic dictis oppidorism dominis atque etiam nonnullis urbis praetoribus Fredericus ex excelsa sede regalique solio elegantem ac doctam in Regni laudem orationem habuit universos abhortatus ut pro publico omnium commodo stabilique Regni quasi praecidio praecipuus ac certus quidam per singulos annos censu● designaretur ne singuli nimis ac ultra modum vexarentur Imperatoris oratio universis placuit à quo satis humaniter octo dierum spacium his fuit concessum ut ea de re inter se maturius deliberarent quo dierum curriculo elapso cuntis Regulis visum fuit ut Regni census post hac non licitacione sed per collectas colligerentur ut qui plura possideret bona plus solveret qui verò pauciora minus hic exactionis modus ad breve duravit tempu● ●am cum non esset satis ad Regni necessitatibus subveniendum procedente tempore crevit usque ad sex collectas quae ab omnibus solutiones siscales vocabantur This manner of receiving of Collections continued untill the time of the most famous and renowned King Alfonsus of Aragon who purposing better to establish the affairs of the Kingdom assembled in Naples the 28 day of February 1442 a general Parlament and required that in place of the six Collections should be levied on every Family ten carlines And although Matteo de Afflitto in the cap. plaustorum num 6. quae sint reg saith that that Parlament was held in the City of Benevento nevertheless in the chapters of the Kingdom cap. 1. Regis Alfonsi appears the contrary because he saith that the said Parlament was held in Naples in the Church of St. Lorenzo In the year following 1449 the 20 of September as it is noted in the Register intituled Literarum curae secundi anni 1451. fol. 133 which is preserved in the Royal Chamber of the Summary the said King being in the Greek Tower caused there a general Parlament to assemble where the King so propounded that he maintaining so great an Army as well by land as sea to no other end and purpose but to secure and defend the Kingdom from the incursions and invasions of enemies which neglected no oportunity to prejudice and indanger it the Royal Revenue of the Kingdom being not sufficient he was inforced either to increase it or to give way to the enemy therefore he had considered that for an universal benefit it would do well that there should be imposed five other Carlines on every Family besides the ten the which payment being not grievous nor heavy but lawfull and honest may be easily supported of all And to the end they may know it is not our purpose to impose new Taxes nor through a covetous and greedy desire to heap treasure together but only to secure them from the Tyranny of others and therefore at this present I promise to give to every Family of the Kingdom a bushel of salt The King having finished this Speech they all cryed out with a loud voice saying Whatsoever your sacred Majesty commands shall be done and in token of faithfull Subjects since that you have vouchsafed to bestow salt
payments that is to say 15 grains by the ounce by reason of the storehouse the which custom amounteth to 115025 duckets The fifth Revenue are the Royal Customs of the Merchandize of the Provinces of the Countries of Otranto Bary Basilicata and Capatanata the which revenue ariseth to 97300 duckets The sixth Revenue is the Regal custom of the thirds of Wine which is half the price of the Wine which is paid to the king being called the Custom of the thirds of Wine as a difference from another which is paid to the City of Naples The revenue of this Royal Custome amounteth to 970013 duckets The seventh Revenue is the new Impost of Oyl and Sope which is paid at the rate of one carlin for every stare which is the measure of oyl in Naples so called the which revenue containeth 10400 duckets The eighth Revenue is the new Impost of Wine which is transported out of the Kingdom the which Revenue ariseth to 104000 duckets The ninth Revenue is the custom of playing Cards this new Custom was Imposed in the year 1578. and for every pair of Cards the customer received a carlin which yielded 15310 duckets The tenth Revenue is the Custom of the Marketplace of Maiure called otherwise the place of Small-Wares the Revenue whereof ariseth to 9390 duckets The eleventh Revenue is the Custom of Eggs Kidds and Birds which are brought into the City of Naples which ariseth to 2300 duckets The twelfth Revenue is the Impost of artificial or inforced Manna which is payd at the rate of one carlin the pound which contains 700 duckets The thirteenth Revenue are the two Races of Horses which the Kings Court maintains in Puglia and Calauria which is received by the sale which is made of the said horses and other things 5670 duckets The fourteenth Revenue are the profits forfeitures and compositions which proceed from the Kings Chamber and from the great Court of the Vicaria and from the kings Audit of the Provinces of the kingdom which yearly amount to the sum of 34000 duckets The fifteenth Revenue is the Custom of Horses which are bought of strangers in Naples which importeth 500 duckets The sixteenth Revenue is the due of Ius salmarum for the conveying of Grain Barley and Pulse which is transported into the kingdom the which Revenue ariseth to 4000 duckets The seventeenth Revenue are the Customs which are commonly called the fines of the Annunciata which consist in a certain duty and is received at the four Gates of the City of Naples And in the Market-place of the said City is received the kings due for the slaughter of Cattel And this Revenue of the Fines of the Annunciata was so named because the king Don Frederick of Arragon having taken up a certain quantity of money at Interest of Merchants he agreed with them that they should be paid out of those duties therefore he appointed that they should alwaies be paid by the Masters and Governors of the Hospital of the Annunciata to the end every one might be satisfied his due The which even to this present with great diligence is received by the said Governors paying it to the said Creditors and the overplus of the said Revenue they return into the kings general Treasury This Revenue ariseth yearly to 247001 duckets which dischargeth the said debt the which doth amount yearly to 2247 duckets three carlins and three grains so there remain to the king no more then 2339 duckets The eighteenth Revenue are the helps and aids of Tuscan which do amount to 13000 duckets The ninteenth are the Revenues of the City of Vesti of St. Severino and of the Fee of Tacina and many others the which sum imports 24577 duckets The twentieth Revenue is the new Imposition upon Brimstone which is digged in the kingdom and is paid at the rate of three carlins for a kintal the which commodity is now omitted The 21 revenue is the new Imposition of Hemp which is paid at the rate of 15 carlins for the kintal the which commodity is also omitted The twenty two revenue is a new imposition upon the Infidels which are ransomed and are received in this sort from two hundred crowns downward is paied eight duckets by the poule from two hundred to five hundred is paid ten crowns by the poule from five hundred to a thousand is paid fifteen crowns by the poule and when the ransom is of some quantity the more is paid in respect of the said taxation The twenty third Revenue is the custom of the extraction of Salnitro which is received at the rate of a crown for a kintall the which commodity is omitted Twentifourth Revenue is the industry and labour of Salt and Salt-Pits of the Kingdom and although at this present there is not any commodity thereby nevertheless the King hath a Rent and according to the charge of the said Rent they are constrained to fetch salt out of the Kingdom to maintain their Store-houses furnished and for the provision of Officers and other occasions the Kings Court payeth to the Rent-Masters by the year 17700 duckets and receiveth no profit or benefit by the sale but they are bound to deliver to the Universities of the Kingdom bay salt at the rate of a bushel for every Family by the year and when they give white salt they are bound to give the more according to the rate that the bay salt is valued And so they are enjoyned to give to all the Officers and servants of the Kings Chamber salt answerable to the rate of the charges which they are above enjoyned The twentififth Revenue are the duties for the custom of Grain Barley and Pulse going out of the Kingdom the which is laid up for the store of the Kingdom but being brought out there is great abundance The twentisixth Revenue is the devolution for the dead and the end of the lines of Barons of the Kingdom and of Offices that are void by the death of them that held them but because these things are extraordinary there is no particular account kept of the Revenue thereof The twen●iseventh Revenue are the Liveries of heirs profits of penal amerceaments forfeitures of Statutes Incroachments and other extraordinary Revenues which falls to the King through many and sundry causes which being no certain nor constant revenues I make no distinction of them But as it is judged by Iohn Baptista d' Assaro Cesard d' Acampora and Alfonso Crivella the most diligent and reasonable Arbitrators of the Kings Chamber say the revenue is worth 150000 duckets Moreover the King hath in this Kingdom 24 Cathedral Churches the which held more then fifty thousand crowns yearly He hath also profit from many Abbots which are the ancient patrons of the Kingdom the which yield ten thousand crows yearly The sum of the Revenue which the King hath in all the Kingdom except the donatives is two millions nine
hundred ninty six thousand nine hundred thirty seven duckets seven carlins and four grains 2996937. Thus have I briefly discoursed only to note the greatness of his noble Kingdom the which is not to be wondred that at sundry times there have repaired so many sorts of barbarous Nations from farr and even remote parts of the world as is well known to make spoil thereof But now through the providence of God it remaineth in much peace and secure under the protection of the puissant King Philip 2d the people having never enjoyed so peaceable a times with the great benefit and abundance of all things The Donatives which have been made at sundry times by the Noble City of NAPLES and the KINGDOM to their KINGS AMong other Priviledges which the faithfull City of Naples and the Kingdom holdeth one is that the King cannot for any occasion demand a Donative or assistance nevertheless it hath been known that in times of calamity and the great necessitie of their Kings they have been succoured and assisted with all their strength their money and their men Therefore for these worthy deeds they have deserved to be called no Vassals but faithfull friends I now purposing to discourse of the Donatives which have been made unto the Kings beginning from the year 1507. and having a desire for no other cause there to begin but because from thence I have had a true information of writings being alwaies a more laudible thing to declare few things and true then many and ambiguous In the year then 1507. the last of the month of Ianuary was held a general Parlament by the Deputies of the noble City of Naples in the Monastery of Mount Olivet where met according to the custom the Princes Dukes Marquisses Earls Barons and Feudists and Burgises of the Cities and free Towns in the Kingdom in which general Parlament was concluded that to the Catholick King Ferdinando in respect of the former Wars and the present affairs and to maintain the Kingdom in peace should be given a donative of three hundred thousand duckets the which being propounded the speaker or advocate of the Cities and Common-wealth after he had used some few plausible words desired that besides that day they might have three daies respit to consult thereon And the time being come it was generally concluded that it should be paid in this manner that is to say by the rate thereof the Barons should pay fifty thousand duckets levied by the rate o● the Adogo and that the said sum should be all paid by August 1508 and the remainder the people of the whole Kingdom should pay as well landed men as he Barons eleven carlins a family that is to say three carlins the next months of April or May and three the months of October and November of the same year 1507. and two in the months of February and March in the year 1508. and three in the month of October the same year Of which donative was no man exempted except the noble City of Naples and the Hamlets belonging thereto The 26 of November in the year 1520 was held according to the custom a publick and general Parlament in the which the Barons of the kingdom considering the great charges which Charls the fifth had been at then king of the Romans about his Coronation in Aquisgrane they gave him thirty thousand duckets and concluded that it should be paid within the time of three years levying the first payment of the three at the birth of our Lord next ensuing in the year 1521 and was levied in the selfsame manner which was paid to king Ferdinando neither was it permitted that any person should be exempted except the City of Naples In the year 1523. the first of September was held in the Monastery of Mount Olivet a publick Parlament where was concluded that to the Emperor Charls the fifth for the necessity which he had to pay his Army should be given him two hundred thousand duckets which should be received at three payments that is to say at Easter the birth of our Lord and in August and it was decreed that of this Donative not any person though priviledged should go free except the City of Naples and the Hamlets belonging thereto The 16 of the month of Iuly 1524. in the Monastery of Mount Olivet according to the accustomed manner was held a general Parlament and concluded that to the Emperor should be given 50 thousand duckets by reason of his Army which he had in Lumbardy and of this payment were only freed the venerable Churches and Hospital of the Annunciation with the City of Naples and the Hamlets The 19 of May 1531. was held a general Parlament where having a principal respect to the Wars which the Emperor made with the Turk and although the kingdom had been much exhausted through long wars dearth and pestilence nevertheless the Barons shewing a generous mind to serve the Emperor made a donative of six hundred thousand duckets of which the Barons paid an Adogo and a half not by the way of an Adogo but a pure and free Donative and the remainder the people paid This Donative was levied and paid in four years and thereof was only free the City of Naples and the jurisdictions of the Annunciation The 20 of August 1534. was held according to the accustomed manner in the Monastery of Mount Olivet a general Parlament where with a general consent was agreed that there should be given unto the Emperor one hundred and fifty thousand duckets to the end to chace away the Fleet of the Turks which had given out to invade the coast of the kingdom and this Donative was levied at three payments that is to say at September next ensuing at the birth of our Lord and at Easter 1●35 and the Barons contributed for the aforesaid donative fifty thousand duckets the which payment they paid not by way of an Adogo but as a simple donative and the remnant of a hundred thousand duckets were paid by the people From the which payment was not exempted any person though he were priviledged except the famous and renowned City of Naples and the Hospital of the Annunciation In the year 1536. on the eight day of the month of Ianuary in the Church of St. Laurence was by the Deputies of the renowned Citie of Naples held a general and publick Parlament at the which according to to the usual manner met the Princes Dukes Marquisses Earls Barons Feudaries of the kingdom and also the Burgises of the Cities and free Towns in the which Parlament considering the charge of the Emperor to return into Spain it was concluded there should be given him a donative of a million and fifty thousand duckets and this donative was the greatest that ever was made to any king whatsoever of the said kingdom and was enacted with these Conditions and Covenants following that is to say that the quantity which was to be paid by the Barons might be so much as
the year 1562. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was decreed that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million of gold the which donative the Barons and people of the Kingdom paid In the year 1564. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was given to his Majesty a million of gold and sixty thousand duckets to the renowned Prince of Spain and Duke of C●lauria his son the which sum of money the Barons and people of the Kingdom payed In the year 1566. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was given to the King a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative the Barons and people of the Kingdom paid In the year 1568. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was decreed that to his Majesty should be given a million and 200 thousand duckets the which donative was paid by the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1572. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and 200 thousand duckets the which donative the Barons and people of the Kingdom paid In the year 1574. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was given to his Majesty a million and 200 thousand duckets the which donative was divided between the Barons and the people of the Kingdom In the year 1577. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was devided between the Barons and the people of the Kingdom In the year 1579. was held a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was decreed that to his Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was paid by the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1581. was held according to the accustomed manner a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was devided between the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1583. the second day of Ianuary was held a publick and general Parlament and was decreed that to the King should be given a millon and two hundred and fifty thousand duckets the which donative was paid by the Barons and people of the Kingdom In the year 1585. was held according to the usual manner a publick and general Parlament in St. Laurence of Naples where was concluded that to the Kings Majesty should be given a million and two hundred thousand duckets the which donative was paid two parts by the people of the Kingdom and one by the Barons of which payment only the City of Naples and the Territories of the Annuntiation were free In the year 1587 according to the custom was given a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1589. was given according to the usual custom a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1591. was given by the Barons and people of the Kingdom a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1593 was given according to the accustomed manner a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets In the year 1595. was given a donative to the King of a million and two hundred thousand duckets A Description of the Rivers Lakes Fountains Baies Mines Hils and Woods which are in this Kingdom A THe River Acida runneth near Niceto now called Donato The River Amaseno runneth near Abbadia The River Alabro runneth near Supino The River Albula otherwise called Matrino runneth near Musignano The River Aterno now called Pescara runneth near to Civita di Chieti The River Avinio runneth near Fratte The River Aventino runneth near the Fort of Rasino The River Alandra runneth near Sala The River Acheronte now called Campagnano runneth near Castello Franco called in old time Pandosia where was slain as he was foretold by the Oracle Alexander King of Molossus whilst he understanding not the deceits of the devil remained secure having escaped another River of the same name in his own Country of Epire. The River Ancitula runneth near Francica The River Alaro called in old time Sacra runneth near Roccella The River Aesaro called also Aesano runneth near St. Severina and the City of Cotrone The River Alex runneth near the City of Alesio The River Areus runneth near Cosenza The River Arentho runneth near Cosenza The River Abuceto hath his original from the Hill Abuceto which is in the Isle of Ischia The River Angitula runneth near Angitula The River Agatha runneth near Regio The River Aterno now called Pescara runneth near Pescara The River Alba runneth near Manupello The River Asinella runneth near Vasto The River Ag●ra is in Calauria and runneth into Faro of M●ssina The River Alore in Calauria The River Au●ido hath his original from the Hils Hirpini and runneth by Canosa and after into the Adria●ick Sea by some it is called Canne in respect of a City of the same name not far off which is very famous for the great victory of Hannibal by the overthrow which he gave to the Roman Army by which victory Hannibal had from the hands of the Roman Knights three bus●●ls of Rings of gold the said River is now called Lofanto The River Anfure now called Ufente runneth near the City of Terracina called in old time Ansure The River Acri runneth near Saponara The River Arnone runneth near Castelluccia B THe River Bathino called in old time Tordino and Juvatino is near Montepagano The River Basento runneth near Cosenza which River is very famous for the Sepulchre of Alaricus the Goth with certain treasure that is there hid and the ●light of the Emperor Otho which was overthrown by Basilius the Greek The River Bato runneth near Scalea The River Bradano runneth through Basilicata C THe River Calore runneth near Benevento and riseth in the Mountains of Crepacore The River Cervano runneth into the Haven of Taranto called the little Sea The River Coraco runneth near Roccella The River Croccia runneth near Simari The River Crate runneth near Cosenza the water whereof maketh hair yellow and woll white The River Cratallo runneth near Catanzaro The River Cacino runneth near Seminara The River Cardono runneth through the territory of Cosenza and is full of golden sand The River Cato Castro runneth near Mantea The River Cochile called in old time Sibari whereupon Sicel●o in the year of the world 2409. saith the ancient City Sibari was builded the which increased through the amenity of the Country in such greatness that it could arm sometimes three hundred thousand men this River runneth near Cassano The River Coloneta runneth near Rossano
therefore he thought it his best way to be reconciled with the Church sent an honourable Ambassage to the Pope wherein much humbling himself desired to be restored to the grace and favour of the Church and possession of his Kingdom and promised to restore whatsoever he wrongfully detained from the Church The Pope willing to extinguish the War went to Benevento and expected William who prostrate at the Popes feet desired absolution and took an Oath of Loyalty and homage and first restoring whatsoever he had taken from the Church was invested in the Kingdom the year 1156. William afterward lived alwaies in peace with the Church but was ever much troubled and molested by his Barons and hated of the people and sirnamed for his evil conditions William the wicked He departed this life the year of our Lord 1167. and lived 47 years and in the principal Church of Palermo near his fathers Tomb was buried He had by his wife Margarite the daughter of Garzia the second King of Navar Ruggieri which was proclaimed King by the Sicilians William Prince of Taranto which succeeding in the Kingdom was called William the good and Henry Prince of Capoa William the good 3. King of Naples WILLIAM Prince of Taranto called the good as differing from his father was after his death Crowned King at eleven years of age and presently pardoned all those which had been Rebels to his father and took away all the grievances imposed by him upon the people defended alwaies the affairs of the Roman Church against whosoever sought to molest it and especially in the time when the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa strongly besieged Pope Alexander the 3 within Anagni Whereupon Alexander ignorant of the coming of William not only with great courage and stoutness maintained the Pontifical dignity but many times foiled the Imperial Army But being afterward perswaded by Philip King of France to retire with his honour from the said siege had from King William a Gally which for that purpose he had secretly sent wherein he being imbarked with certain of his Cardinals went to Clarimont in France for his better security where he excommunicated and deprived the said Frederick of the Empire and aggravated likewise the censure against Octavian the false usurping Pope William strongly armed himself both for Sea and Land against Andronico the Emperor of Constantinople for the injuries done in Italy He afterward defended the City of Tire and with his Navy foiled the Forces of Salandine and afterward cleared the Sea from Rovers And this good King having honourably ended all his actions after he had reigned 21 years and lived 32. died in Palermo in the year of our Lord 1188. his body with great honour Ione his wife sister to King Richard of England caused to be laid in a Tomb of Marble curiously wrought and embossed upon which caused this inscription to be ingraven Hic situs est bonus Rex Gulielmus The said Sepulchre being ruinated and spoiled through the injury of time hath newly been very magnificently repaired and renewed with fair Marble by the Archbishop of Torres where this new Epitaph is to be read In●lita quas verbis sapientum turba recenset Virtutes solus factis hic praestitit omnes Egregius quare bonus est cognomine dictus Vtque bonus magno longe est praestantior illo Major Alexandro sic Rex Guillielmus habetur Artibus ipse etenim pacis bellique fuisti Clarus ut semper justa ac pia bella gerebas Sic quoque laeta tibi semper victoria parata est Et nunc ne vilis jaceas Rex optime praesul Te decurat tumulo hoc Ludovicus Torrius Hoc ipso in templo quod tu Guillelme dicasti Tancred the 4. King of Naples TANCRED Earl of Leccie the natural son of King Ruggieri and Unkle to the good William was by the death of his Nephew which had not any child created King of both the Sicilies in the year 1188 Pope Celestine the third being desirous to bring the Kingdom under the jurisdiction of the Church as feuditory of the Apostolick Sea invested in the year 1191. Henry the sixth Emperor the son of Frederick Barbarossa with these conditions That he should recover at his own charge the Kingdom of the two Sicilies with acknowledging the Church and to pay the accustomed Tribute and to the end it might seem more colourable and be the better done he gave under a pretence of Inheritance as a dowry for his wife Constance the lawfull and natural daughter of the aforesaid Ruggieri whom secretly he caused to be brought from the Arch-Bishop of Palermo from the Monastery of St. Mary in the City aforesaid where she was Abesse being now 52 years of age very unfit for the procreation of children dispensing with her although she had been a profest Nun and Crowned them in Rome of both the Sicilies in the year 1191. The first thing then which Henry did he went to besiege Naples but in the beginning of the third month the Plague growing very hot he returned into Germany without any more adoe The Emperors Army being departed Italy Tancred having recovered his Kingdom at the same time among these affairs his son Ruggieri died which was also Crowned and proclaimed King and had married Irene the daughter of the Emperor Isacio and within a little while after him Tancred his father conceiving so passionately the death of his son growing grievously sick died His body was buried in the principal Church of Palermo and in the same Tomb they laid his son Ruggieri Tancred departed this life in the end of the month of December the year of our Lord 1194. having reigned little more then eight years He left behind him three daughters and one son called William whom Sibilla his mother caused instantly to be crowned King of Sicilia The Emperor Henry understanding of the death of Tancred pretending that the Kingdom appertained to him as before is recited returned from Germany in the year 1195. and with a mighty Army entred the Kingdom of Naples which he finding full of civil discord easily obtained without the loss of much bloud and took prisoner Magarito King of Albania which was come thither in the aid of Tancred He had afterward Sibilla in his hands the late wife of Tancred together with his son William and three daughters that is to say Alteria Constanza and Modonia and sent them all prisoners into Germany and afterward caused William to be gelded to the end he should be unable to beget children and afterward blinded him and then released the said daughters Alteria was married to the Earl Gualtiero of Brenna son of the Earl Girardo of Brenna and brother of Iohn of Brenna which was afterward King of Ierusalem Modonia was married with Iohn Sforza Frangipane a Roman Lord which was Earl of Tricarico Constanza was the wife of Pietro Ziano Earl of Arba and Duke of Venice who being old with the
consent of his said wife became a Munk of the Order of St. Benedict which was in the year 1229. Thus ended the ancient and noble masculin race of the Norman Guiscards in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia which from the time of William Ferabach continued 188 years and governed the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia with much honour and renown SVEVI Henry the Suevian sixth Emperor and fifth King of Naples HENRY the Emperor having extinguished the male-issue and progeny of the Normans and remained absolute Lord of both the Sicilies caused Frederick his son to be Crowned by the Electors of the Empire King of Germany Afterward purposing better to establish the affairs of the Kingdom of Naples sent thither a Lieutenant one of his Barons called Marqueredo d' Amenueder whom within a few months following he created Duke of Ravenna and Romagna and Marquiss of Ancona and at the same tine gave to Philip Duke of Suevia his brother the Dukedom of Toscane with the Lands of the Countess Mattilda So Henry being carefull to range his Army to invade England for certain hatreds conceived against Richard the first King of that Land altered his mind in Messina through his delight in hunting being in the time of Harvest whereupon the Feaver growing grievously upon him ended his life the 8 of May in the year 1197 having ruled the Empire 9 years and governed in peaceable possession the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia four years and one month His body with the stately pomp of solemn obsequies was buried in the Church of Monreale in Palermo in whose sumptuous Tumb of Porphyrie is ingraven this Epitaph Imperio adjecit Siculos Henricus utrosque Sextus Suevorum candida progenies Qui monacham sacris uxoris duxit ab aris Pontificis scriptis hic tumulatus inest Imperavit an 9 men 1. obiit Messanae Anno 1197. Frederick 2. Emperor and 6. King of Naples FREDERICK the second Emperor the son of the aforesaid Henry succeeded in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia and because he was a child and but three years of age Constanza his mother caused him to be Crowned King of both the Sicilies and with him in his name began to govern the Kingdom and had the enstalment of the Kingdom from Pope Innocent the third in the year 1198. Frederick being of perfect age married Iola the only daughter of Iohn Count of Brenna and of Mary the daughter of King Conrado of Montferrato and for her dowry among other things had the title and the right of the Kingdom of Ierusalem and hereupon Frederick and all the rest which succeeded in the Kingdom of Naples were called Kings of Ierusalem In the year 1220. two years after his Coronation of the Empire Frederick being in grace and favour with the Pope Honorius the third and with the Church made and published in Rome that Law which beginneth Ad decus seu nos Fredericus the which Law is registred in the book of the feuds under the Title De statutis consuetudinibus contra libertatem Ecclesiarum the which Law the said Pope confirmed and approved Frederick also made at the same time the constitutions of the Kingdom which afterward the learned Doctor Afflitto expounded Frederick having ordered his affairs in Germany went in the time of Gregory the 9 into Soria and after much wars made peace with Salandine for 10 years and for that cause had Ierusalem and all the Kingdom thereof except a few certain Castles whereupon on Easterday in the year 1229. he took the Crown of that Kingdom in the City of Ierusalem Afterward there grew between him and Pope Honorius great discord because he took upon him to bestow the Bishopricks in Sicilia and Frederick pretending he might lawfully do it and dispose at his own pleasure by reason of a Bull which by Pope Vrban the second was granted to Ruggieri the Norman concerning the Monarchy of the said Isle the Pope misliking the presumption and ostentation of Frederick excommunicated him and deprived him of the Empire and the Kingdom the which censure Pope Innocent the fourth confirmed in the year 1245. Frederick lived five years after in continual trouble and vexation and at length having ruled the Empire 33 years and the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia 51. and that of Ierusalem 28. died of an infirmity that grew in his throat the 13 of December in the year 1250. in the Castle of F●orentino in Apulia having lived 54 years Manfred his base son caused his body to be carried with great pomp and honour into Sicilia to the stately Church of Monreale in Palermo and there buried him in a sumptuous Tomb of Porphiry whereupon these Verses were ingraven Qui mare qui terras populos regna subegit Caesareum fregit subito mors improba nomen Sic jacet ut cernis Fredericus in orbe secundus Nunc lapis hic totus cui mundus parvit arcet Vixit an 54. Imperavit an 33. Regni Hierusalem an 28. Regnorum utriusque Siciliae 5 ● Oblit an Domini 1250. He left of six wives which he had many children of the first which was Constance of Aragon the sister or as others write the daughter of Don Ferdinando King of Castile he had Conrado which died young Henry and Giordiano Henry was King of the Romans who in the year 1236. he put to death because he favoured the Popes faction Of Iola his second wife the daughter of Iohn of Brenna King of Ierusalem he had Conrado which was Emperor of Germany and afterward King of Naples Of Agnese his third wife the daughter of Otho Duke of Moravia he had not any children Of Ruthina the fourth wife the daughter of Otho Earl of Vvolfferzhausen he had Frederick which died in his infancy Of Elizabeth his fift wife the daughter of Lewis Duke of Bavaria he had Agnese which was married to Conrado the Landtgrave of Turingia Of Matilda his last wife daughter of Iohn of England he had Henry which was King of Sicilia and Constance who was married to Lewis the Landtgrave of Nescia Frederick had also by Blanca Anglana of Aquosana his concubine these children Manfred Prince of Taranto and usurper of Naples Enzo King of Sardinia Anfisio of whom he made small account and Frederick Prince of Antiochia Of daughters he had Ann which was married very young to Iohn Dispote of Romania Of Henry and of Margarite the daughter of Lupoldo Duke of Austria was born Frederick which was Duke of Austria and Henry Of Conrado and of Elizabeth the daughter of Otho Duke of Bavaria came Coradine which coming to the conquest of the Kingdom was taken by Charls of Angio King of Naples and beheaded Of Manfred his natural son which married Helena the daughter of Michel Dispote of Romania came Henry Godfrey Aufisio and Elena Conrado the 4. Emperor and 7. King of Naples CONRADO the son of Frederick understanding the death of his father
came with a great Army into the Kingdom and was received with great joy and honour by Manfred in Barletta of Apuglia and being informed that Naples Capoa Aquino and the whole Abby of St. Germano were become Rebels through the instigation of the Earl of Caserta and dinoted to the Church conceived thereat so great indignation and ire that with his Army he wasted and overrun the Country and made Tomaso Earl of Cerra to come and submit himself to his mercy and had by agre●ment St. Germano and all the State of the Earl of Caserta He afterward besieged Capoa and having spoiled and destroyed all the Country took the City and threw the Walls thereof to the ground he did the like to Aquino the which he sacked and burned Afterward he besieged Naples both by Sea and Land and after eight months had it by agreement but they not observing their Covenants he caused afterward the Walls to be ruinated and the Fortresses of the City and many Noble houses of Gentlemen and Citizens he banished Conrado having Naples at the same instant had the rest of the Kingdom He now remaining in peaceable state and given to his pleasures being inhumane and of a cruel nature caused Henry his Nephew to be slain upon the high-way the son of Henry King of the Romans which was come from Sicilia to visit him But that revenge was not long delayed for Manfred his natural brother which endeavoured by all means to become King with a poysoned potion upon a light occasion kil'd him which was in the year 1254. and the 3 of Iune having held the Empire 3 years and 5 months and the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia 2 years and 19 daies His body was buried in the principal Church of Naples under a little narrow Marble stone Conrado before his death made his Will and ordained his youngest son his heir general born of Elizabeth the daughter of Otho Duke of Bavaria Manfred the 8 King of Naples MANFRED Prince of Taranto the natural son of the Emperor Frederick the second having usurped the Kingdom was by Pope Alexander the fourth excommunicated The said Pope died within a while after and Pope Vrban the fourth a Frenchman was created in his place who fearing the threatnings of Manfred called unto the conquest of the Kingdom Charls of Angio Earl of Province brother of St. Lewis the 9 King of France to whom he gave the oath of both the Sicilies with the right and title of the Kingdom of Ierusalem and at his own charge should maintain the War and conquer it Charls being animated by his brother and others of the Nobility with a valorus courage undertook this famous enterprise In the mean time Vrban died leaving the Papacy to Clement the 4. in whose Popedom Charls with a most glorious Army came to Rome in the year 1265. and was then with Beatrice Berenguer of Aragon his wife in the Church of S. Iohn Lateran by Pope Clement again invested with solemn ceremony and Crowned with an Imperial Crown King of both the Sicilies and of the Kingdom of Ierusalem and made exempt from the Empire with Covenant that neither he nor his successors that should be chosen Emperors should by any means accept thereof the which was done with solemn oath and so Charls was made a Liegeman and Feudary of the Church and promised to pay for tribute a yearly Rent of 40 thousand mark● to the Bishops of Rome Charls towards the end of February in the year 1265. came into the Kingdom and incountred with Manfred and after divers fortunes both on the one and the other side Charls remained conqueror and Manfred was overcome Manfred reigned 10 years 4 months and 16 daies ANGIOINI Charls of Angio the 9 King of Naples CHARLS remaining Conqueror was received by the Neopolitans with royal pomp and proclaimed King and having ordered the affairs of both the Kingdoms was made by Clement the 4. Deputy of the Empire of Italy Understanding afterward that Corradine the Suevian the son of the Emperor Conrado sometime King of Naples was come with a mighty Army to recover the right of inheritance of his Kingdoms made great preparation of War Corradine entreth the Kingdom and after divers and sundry skirmishes at length Corradine was overcome and flying disguised was taken in Asturi by Iohn Francipane Lord of that place which sent him to Charls who after he had kept him more then a year in prison caused him to be beheaded in the midst of the Market-place of Naples which was in the month of October 1269. and so Charls with little labour recovered all the Kingdom He made afterward great Wars with the Saracins and especially with Arageno King of Tunis because that barbarous King refused to pay the Tribute which was accustomed to be paid to the Kings of Naples Charls did in such wise afflict him that he inforced him not only to pay the charges of that War but also doubled the Tribute In the year following 1276. Vgone Lusignano the 11 of this name King of Cypress and Mary the daughter of Melisenda and of Raimond Rupini Prince of Antiochia contending about the inheritance of the Kingdom of Ierusalem Mary being at variance with Vgone came to Rome and caused the said King Vgone to be convented before the Pope the Pope by his decree commanded that the examination and decision of the cause should be determined by the Barons of the Holy Land and the Master of the Hospital and the Temple who were accustomed to have a voice in Councel in the election of the Kings of Ierusalem The which the Princess Mary considering being a woman very aged faint and wearied with travel and the dangers of so long a journey being advised by her friends and by Pietro Manso knight of the Temple his Ambassador compounded with King Charls and receiving of him a great sum of money resigned all her right and Title which she had unto the said Kingdom Whereupon Charls afterward by means of the Pope obtained a favourable sentence and was declared lawfull and absolute King of that Kingdom as well by the ancient right of F●ederick as also by that of Mary Charls afterward for the more security of things sent the Earl Ruggiero Sanseverino Governor into Soria who in the name of Charls received the faith and oathes of homage of the Knights and Barons which were in the kingdom By these aforesaid reasons all the posterity of the said Charls and also all the other Kings of Naples as heirs are always intitled Kings of Ierusalem Charls reigned 19 years 2 moneths and 26 days Charls the second 10 King of Naples CHarls the second son of Charls of Angio reigned 25 years and 17 days Charls was also King of Hungary by the right of Mary his wife the daughter of Stephen the 5. of the name the King of that kingdom who being slain by the Cumani Ladislao the fourth son of the aforesaid
Stephen died without any heir Whereupon Charls as husband of Mary was crowned King of that kingdom together with Charls Mart●l his son Robert 11. King of Naples RObert the third begotten son of Charls the second reigned 33 years four moneths and 24 days This Robert was a wise and prudent King he made honorable wars with Henry the seventh Emperour with Frederick King of Sicilia in Tuscane in behalf of the Florentines where in the famous overthrow of Montecatino between the Guelfi and Gibellini he lost Philip Prince of Taranto and Pietro Earl of Graunia his brothers He sent his son Charls sirnamed Without land against Frederick King of Sicilia and went against Castruccio Castricani the head of the Gibellini in the time that the dominion of Fiorenza was given to Charls Without land Robert was a religious King and a lover of the learned whereof two things do sufficiently witnesse the marvellous stately Church and other things which he builded in Naples and the great familiarity with the two Tuscane lights of learning Petrarke and Boccace had with him Robert died the 20 of Ianuary 1343. Ioan 1.12 Queen of Naples JOan 1. of this name Neece to Robert and daughter of Charles Without land called also Famous for his prowesse and valor succeeding in the kingdom was married with Andreasso of Hungary her Cousin germain once removed to whom she gave herself and kingdom in Dowry But afterward she being not able to endure the insolency of her husband oftentimes falling into discord caused him unawares to be hanged by the neck in a Gallery in the year 1346. The which being done was married again to Lewis the son of Philip Prince of Taranto the brother of King Robert After whose death was married anew with Giac●mo of Aragon the Infant of Majorica who living also but a small time Joan in the year 1376. was married once again and took for her husband Otho of Este Duke of Brunswich in Saxonie She afterward favouring the part of Clement Antipope was by the censure of Vrban the sixth deprived of her kingdom and Charls of Durazzo invested therein and so through fear she adopted for her son Lewis Duke of Angio the second begotten son of Iohn King of France Charles of Durazzo being come with a most puissant Army into the kingdom had Ione in his power and caused her to be hanged Ione reigned 39. years 4. months and 12. days DVRAZZO Charls the 3. of Durazzo the 13 King of Naples CHarls of Durazzo the third of this name King of Naples remained absolute possessor of the kingdom he had great wars to preserve and defend it and especially with Lewis of Angio And being afterward called into Hungary to take the possession of that kingdom went thither and was solemnly crowned in Alba Reale but afterward by the means of the old Queen Elizabeth was kild in a Parliament which was in the year 1386. Through the right that Charls had in the aforesaid kingdom all his successors and the other Kings which succeeded in the kingdom of Naples were called kings of Hungary Charls reigned four years three moneths and nine dayes Ladislao the fourteenth King of Naples LAdislao after the death of his father had great troubles by Lewis of Angio. In the year 1403. being requested by the Barons of Hungary to take the Crown of that kingdome as belonging unto him by lawfull inheritance went thither and coming to Zara was received with great joy of all and the fifth of August by the Bishop of Strigonia according to the accustomed order was crowned King of Hungaria Dalmatia Croatia Servia Galitia Lodomeria Comaria and Bulgaria He returned into Italy and after he had setled the affairs of the kingdom being desirous to enlarge his Dominion dominiered even to Rome wherein he entred in triumphant manner being called with the cries and clamors of the Soldiers Emperour of Rome which was the 25 of Aprill in the year 1408. And having in the end disquieted Italy and himself died the sixth day of August in the year 1484. without leaving any child having reigned eight and twenty years eight moneths and thirteen days Ione 2 15 Queen of Naples JOne the second of this name after the death of Ladislao her brother succeeded in the Kingdom But growing afterward into discord with Pope Martin the 5. was deprived of her Kingdom and Lewis the 3. of Angio Duke of Lorain and Bar the son of the second Lewis was proclaimed King The which thing was the only foundation and ground of all the mischiefs which for a long time afterward followed to the miserable and unhappy kingdom For the Queen was constrained being not able to defend herself against the power of Lewis and the Pope to adopt for her son Alfonsus King of Arragon and Sicilia the son of King Ferdinando Alfonsus being called by the Queen abandoned the assault and siege of the Castle of Bonifatio the principal Fort and of greatest importance in the Isle of Corsica and provided 28 Gallies well furnished and other Barks and led with him many valiant Captains and came to Naples in the year 1621. Now began the Queens affairs to appear which before was trod under foot and to change countenance and what through counsel courage and the aid of King Alfonsus the Queen was at liberty and her affairs increased with much reputation But the year following 1423 the Queen growing contentious with him under colour of ingratitude sought to annihilate and disanull the said adoption and adopted for her son calling to her assistance the same Lewis thorow whose war she was constrained to make the first adoption and chased away Alfonsus by force of arms from all the kingdom and so lived peaceably all the rest of her life The year 1434. Lewis dyed and before a year was expired from the time of his death the Queen received continual molestations and prejudice by Iohn Antonio Orsino Prince of Taranto and by Giacomo Caldora and other followers of the Aragonesi thorow the vicinity and neighbourhood of Sicilia where Alfonsus maintained a great Army So partly being oppressed with a feaver and troubled with a discontented mind in the year 1434. the second of February the life the line of Charls 1 of Angio the house of Durazzo of the French blood which only rested in her ended all regality having reigned 20 years 5 moneths and 26 days And because she had no child she made her heir as was reported Renato of Angio Duke of Lorain and Earl of Provence the brother of Lewis her adopted son After the death of the Queen the Neapolitans created sixteen men of the principal in the City which they called Governors because they should have care and charge of the City and of the Kingdom These sixteen Governours in all the business and affairs they dispatched writ thus the Title of their government Concilium Gubernatores Reipublicae regni Siciliae ordinati per clarae
memoriae Serenissimam illustrissimam Dominam nostram Dominam Ioannam secundam Dei gratia Hungariae Hierusalem Siciliae reginam c. Within a little time after rose in the Citie divers contentions because Pope Eugenio the fourth understanding the death of Ione sent a Legate to Naples the Bishop of Recanati and Patriarch of Alexandria giving the Governors to understand and the Councell of the Citie that the kingdom of Naples was fallen to the Church as his Feud or Fee willing them not to bestow the dominion upon any but him whom he shall nominate and invest King The Governors answered that they would have no other King but Renato Duke of Lorain whom their Queen had left as her successor By this means the kingdom understood the admonition of the Pope and the answer of the Governors wherewith many of the Princes and Barons of the kingdom much misliked the succession of Renato and being published that that Will and Testament was falsly forged by the Neapolitans one part of the Barons and people which were of the faction of the Aragonesi called King Alfonsus of Aragon Whereupon through contrary consents and inclinations rose the sactions of the Angioini and Aragonesi The Governors being likewise at discord among themselves the whole kingdom was divided and put into great trouble and molestation In the mean time the greatest part of them sent Ambassadors to Marseli● for Renato That part of the Duke of S●ssa the Earl Venafro and many other Barons called Alfonsus who being full of military courage and inflamed with an incredible desire of glory having his Army ready in the year 1436. came to Gaeta and was received by the Duke of Sessa and besieging the said Citie came with his Navy to battell with Bai●gio Captain Generall of the Fleet of the Genowayes and Alfonsus valiantly fighting was at length overcome and taken prisoner and carried to the custody of Philip Duke of Miltane who afterward knowing the singular vertue of Alfonsus being desirous to hold him his companion and friend made a league with him and suffered him to go at his own pleasure together with the other Lords which were also prisoners ANGIOINI Renato of Angio the 16 King of Naples REnato of Angio being at that time prisoner to Iohn Duke of Burgonie the Neapolitane Ambassadors deprived of all hope to have Renato caused Isabellae his wife to come in his stead a very wise and worthy Lady who made great wars with Alfonsus Afterward Renato being set at liberty by the Duke of Burgonie in the moneth of May 1438. came to Naples whose coming gave great hope and expectation to the Angioini and was royally received and presently prepared all necessary things for the wars and retained many principall and excellent Captains through whose valour he obtained all Calauria and the Dukedome of Mel●i in Abruzzo he had at his command many places In the moneth of Iune 1438. he had from Pope Eugenius the instalment of the kingdom of Naples and Ierusalem Many actions and battels fell out between Renato and Alfonsus but at length the party of the Aragonesi prevailed Alfonsus in moneth of Iune 1442. by the way of an Aquaduct which brought water into the City took Naples and the third day with the will of Renato he had the Castle of Capoa and other forts Renato growing into despair not to be able to recover the kingdom with Isabella his wife and his children returned into Provence where he past all the rest of his life in peace having held Naples and part of the kingdom in an uncertain and troublesome possession four years and ten days Being come to the age of 64 years married Ioan della Valle a noble French Lady with whom too excessively satisfying his pleasure became weak and feeble and so died the 19 of Fbruary in the year 1481. and was buried in Nansi a plentifull place and a principapll City of the Dukedom of Lorane and upon his Tomb these four verses engraven Magnanimum tegit hoc saxum fortemque Rhenatum Mortales heu qua conditione sumus Invidia factis hujus fortuna subinde Ne tanti tanto celsus honore foret ARAGONES I. Alfonsus 1. of Aragon called by his surname The Magnanimous 17 King of Naples ALfonsus King of Aragon and Sicilia after many dangers and infinite travell entred Naples in triumph upon a golden Chariot and by the means of Francesco Orsino President of Rome made peace with the Pope Eugenio and obtained a very large instalment of the Kingdom for he was also invested in the Kingdom of Hungary by the right of Ioan his mother And besides that obtained from the said Pope that faculty and power that Ferdinando his naturall son was ordained his heir and to succeed after his death in the instalment and possession of the Kingdom the which investing was likewise afterward confirmed by Pope Nicolas the fifth Alfonsus was very magnificent in buildings he reduced the new Castle in Naples into the form it now appears truly a very Royall and stately piece of work He enlarged Mola and caused the Fens about the City to be made dry He took the Isle of Zerbi overcame in battell the King of Tunis and made him tributary and subdued certain Cities in Barbary he oftentimes sent Armies against the Turks and at the instance of the Pope chased away Francesco Sforsa della Marca He was very studious in learning and made great account of learned men whereof he kept very many in his Court. And to conclude he was a Prince of great magnanimity He reigned sixteen years one moneth and one and twenty days He died the 28 of June in the year 1458. being 64 years of age He had for his wife Mary the daughter of Henry the third King of Castile surnamed the Weak by whom he had no Childern The Neapolitans buried the body of Alfonsus with a stately Funerall and laid him in a Coffin covered all with cloth of gold the which at this present is to be seen in the Vestry of St. Dominick in Naples and at the foot thereof are these Verses Inclytus Alfonsus qui Regibus ortus Iberis Hic regnum Ausoniae primus adeptus adest Ferdinando 1. of Aragon 18 King of Naples FErdinando the first of this name after the death of his Father succeeded in the Kingdom and was by the Institution of Pope Pius the second anointed and crowned King by Latino Orsino the Cardinall But very often was like to lose it through many wars and espe●ially by Iohn of Angio the son of Renato which had a great Train and Troop of the Barons of the Realm which drew unto them a great number of Rebels In the year 1481 died as is declared Renato of Angio who having no male children made heir of all his state and inheritance Charls of Angio Earl of Main his brothers son who dying within a while after without children bequeathed his inheritance to Lewis the 11. King of France
of the Articles of peace concluded between the Catholique Ferdinando and the said King returned with her children to Ferrara where she was very courteously received by Duke Alfonsus of Este her kinsman where she died in the year 1533 her children remaining desolate and much persecuted by Fortune went to Valentia in Spain where was the Duke Ferdinando their brother and no long time following the one after the other died And in the year 1559. the fifth of August the aforesaid Duke ended his life without leaving any issue And so in him was extinguished the Progeny of the old King Alfonsus of Aragon FRANCES I. Lewis the 12 King of France and 23 King of Naples LEwis the twelfth of this name King of France divided with the King of Spain according to their covenants the kingdom of Naples and obtained of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment according to the tenor of those conditions which he had made But in the year 1502. their Lieutenants growing into difference about the Confines fell to Arms and at last the Frenchmen were driven out of that kingdom through the valour of that worthy Captain Consalvo Fernando and Ferdinando the Catholique King remaining absolute possessor thereof King Lewis held the Realm of Naples one year and ten moneths but in France he reigned sixteen years and died in the beginning of the year 1514. ARAGONES I. Ferdinando the Catholick 24 King of Naples FErdinando the Catholique remaining absolute Lord of the kingdom maintained it in great peace all the time of his life and obtained of Pope Iulio the second the investing of all the kingdom Finally after many victories atchieved in divers parts he died in Madrigaleio a City of Castile the 22 day of Ianuary in the year 1516. having been King of Naples twelve years and three moneths His body was buried in the Royal Chappell of the City of Granata and upon his Tomb this Inscription was engraven Mahometicae-sectae prostratores haereticae pravitatis extinctores Ferdinandus Aragonum Helizabetha Castellae vir uxor unanimes Catholici appellati marmoreo clauduntur hoc tumulo Ione the third 25 Queen of Naples IOne the third of this name daughter of Ferdinando the Catholique King being now the widow of Philip Archduke of Austria succeeded in the kingdom and having fourteen moneths governed all her kingdoms substituted her heir Charls her eldest son who had scant accomplished 16 years of age Charls remaining at Brussels in Flanders being much exhorted by the Emperour Maximilian his Grandsire reformed in the year 1516. the order of the Knights of the Golden Fleece and so reduced them to the number of 31. And because many through death were void he elected to the said Order amongst others these Lords Francis 1. King of France Don Ferdinando Infant of Spain Emanuel King of Portugal Lewis King of Hungary Frederick Count Palatine Iohn Marquis of Brandenburgh Charls de Lannoi Lord of Sanzelle Moreover Don Lodovico of Vaimonte great Constable of the kingdom of Navarre took in Naples the possession of the kingdom for the said Queen Charls so soon as he was invested by the Queen his mother sailed into Spain and was received of all the people with infinite joy but yet many of the greatest Nobility and principall of the kingdom would not accept him as King but onely as Prince for offering wrong to the Queen Ione since by Testament of the Catholique King her father it was decreed that after the death of Ione Charls of Austria should succeed Upon the which succession grew great tumults and contentions but in the end things were well qualified admitting him for King together with the Queen his mother to be done with this condition That the affairs of the kingdom should be governed in both their names the money stampt and so all other business whatsoever And so once again on the 25. of March in the year 1517. the said Queen confirmed to Charls the former endowment The year ensuing the 13 of April Charles was proclaimed King together with his Mother And the 18 of the moneth of May Prospero Colon●a took in Naples the possession of the kingdom in the name of Charls which was done with all solemnity Charls then being received to the Administration of Spain sent also to the administration of all the other kingdoms In the year 1519. Charls elected into the number of the Knights of the Golden Fleece in place of Gismondo K. of Polonia lately dead Christerno K. of Denmark and Frederick of Toledo Duke of Alva In the mean time died the Emperour Maximilian and the Electors of the Empire assembled according to their ancient custome at Francford a Citie of low Germany for the election of a new Cesar and by a general consent the 18 of June in the year 1520. they chose Emperour Charls of Austria King of Spain Ione having reigned as we have said absolutely 14 moneths and together with Charles the 5 Emperour her son 38 years and four moneths retired herself to Tordezilla a Citie of Spain where within a little while after she ended her life the thirteenth of Aprill in the year 1555. AVSTRIACI Charles 5 Emperour and 26 King of Naples CHarls the fifth Emperour after the death of Ione his mother remained absolute Lord of all his kingdoms and being as is said elected Emperour the same year past the Sea from Spain into Flanders and from thence into Germany where he was received in the moneth of October in Aquisgraue a noble City both for the ancient residence the famous Tomb of Charls the Great with a mighty concourse of people was first crowned In the moneth of January 1526. Charls celebrated his marriage in Hispali with Isabella of Portugal his wife the sister of King Iohn of Portugal Afterward he went into Spain where being arrived proceeded very severely against many who had been authors of sedition all the other he pardoned and discharged And to joyn with justice and clemency examples of gratitude and remuneration in the acknowledging of that wherein he was ingaged to Don Ferdinando of Aragon Duke of Calauraia who having refused the Crown and the kingdom of Spain offered unto him by the States thereof though he were a prisoner set him at liberty and with great honor called him to the Court and married him to the richest Princess then living even the Widow of the Catholique King Ferdinando by which means he much gladded the people and the Duke received honor liberty and infinite wealth and was created for his life time viceroy of Valentia The Emperour without any charge or the expence of a peny got the friendship of the Duke the love of the people and great security to his State The year ensuing 1527. on the 21 of May the Emperess Isabella was delivered of her son Philip in the Citie of Castilia through whose happy birth was made every where generall seasting and triumphs In the moneth of October 1528. the
Legiones Aragoniae utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Navarrae Granatae Toleti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corcicae Murtiae Giennis Algarbii Alzezirae Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Iudiarum et Terrae Firmae Maris Oceani c. Rex Archidux Austriae Dux Burgundiae Lotharingiae Brabantiae Stiriae Corinthiae Carniolae Limburgiae Lucemburgiae Geldriae Calabriae Athenarum Neopatriae Virtembergae c. Comes Flandriae Habspurgi Tirolis Barchmonae Archois et Burgundiae Comes Palatinus Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandia● Ferretti Kiburgi Namurci Rossilionis Ceritaniae et Zutphaniae c. Lantgravius Alsatiae Marchio Burgoniae Oristani Gotzani et sacri Romani Imperii Princeps Sueviae Cathalaniae Asturiae Dominus Phrisiae Marchiae Sclavonieae Portus Naonis Biscayae Molinae Salinarum Tripolis et Mechliniae c. 27. Philippus D. G. Catholicus defensor fidei Hispaniarum utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Portugalliae Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Sardiniae Corsicae Majoricarum Insularum Canariae Orani Insularum Indiarum Terrae Firmae et Maris Oceani Archidux Austriae Dux Burgundiae Mediolani Lotharingiae Brabantiae Limburgi Lucemburgi Geld●iae Calabriae Athenarum et Neopatriae Marchio sacri Romani Imperii Oristani● et Gotiani Comes Barcinonis Ruscinonis Ceretaniae Flandriae Artesiae Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandioe Namurci Zutpheni Burgundiae Haspurgi et Tirolis Dominus Cantabriae Molinae Phrisiae Mechliniae Vltrajecti Transisalanae Gruningae c. Of the Coronation of the Kings of NAPLES I Have thought it a thing very fit and convenient having declared what the Kings were of this noble and renowned kingdom to receive also the manner and the ceremony which is used in the time of their coronation But before I proceed any further it is to be understood that there are but only four Kings that are crowned and anointed by the order of the Pope as is noted in the Records of the Roman Church the which Alberico de Rosato also confirmeth which are these following the King of Ierusalem the King of France the King of Naples commonly called Sicilia and the King of England All the rest are crowned by their Archbishops or Bishops by a certain custome The Emperour is anointed and crowned in the same manner as are the said four Kings and therefore all the other Kings are called by the name of Highness and not Majesty except those that are annointed by the order of the Pope as is said In the coronation then of the King of Naples the Pope sendeth a Cardinall his Legate or a Patriarch but he must have holy Orders because the said Legate not having the said holy Orders another ought to come which hath the said dignity There also assembles according to the accustomed manner all the Archbishops of the kingdome which crown this Prince with the greatest pomp● and state that may be done to any Christian King The principall thing before the King taketh this dignity the seven Officers of the kingdom which are seven principall secular Lords that meet together at this coronation are cloathed in Purple lined with Ermins with very rich attires upon their heads and repair together with the Recorder of the Citie into the Cathedrall Church of Naples where is the ancient Tomb of Charls of Angio which was the first that was crowned with an Imperiall crown and invested King of both the Sicilles and Ierusalem and there the Apostolike Legate with the other Archbishops pontifically clothed with Miters and Rochets and the other Prelats in Purple Vestments attend the Kings coming at the Church Dore. Afterward when the King cometh that is to be crowned he entreth into the said Church accompanied with all the Princes Dukes Marqueses Earls Barons and Lords of the kingdom and the Legat suddenly kissing his forehead receiveth him and saith unto him with an high and intelligible voyce these words I am come by the appointment of the supream Bishop Pope N. to crown thee King of Naples and Ierusalem After the Archbishop with the other that have charge to say Service in the said Church receive the King at the Altar and there causing him to kneel down and after is made by the Archbishop of Naples of Capoa and of Salerno devout prayers for his Majesty one of the Bishops demandeth of him in Latin if he will promise to maintain always the Faith and Christian Religion Defend the Widows the Fatherless and the Poor Establish the kingdom and minister justice to every one And last of all if he will always yeild due honor to the supream Bishop To all which things the King answering He will two Archbishops take him by the arm and lead him to the Altar where he solemnly sweareth to observe all that which the Archbishop hath demanded of him This done the Archbishop of Naples demandeth with a loud voyce of all the Princes if they will promise loyalty and service to his Majesty Where being answered by all That they will very willingly Then two Archbishops lead him into the Vestry and being there apparelled with Sandalles richly set with Jewels and Pearls with a Surplice like a Minister and a Cope lead him again to the Altar and saying certain prayers the Cardinall Legate accompanied with the Archbishops rising from their seats with Miters on their heads go unto him and finding the King kneeling with a loud and solemn prayer recommend him unto God in whose hands are all Empires that it would please him to make his kingdom stable and perpetuall replenished with victory piety and honor The King remaining on his knees one of the Archbishops goeth to the Altar and beginneth the Letany and devoutly prayeth for his Majesty the Archbishop of Naples with the rest of the Bishops undoing his Surplis with certain zealous prayers anoint his shoulders and his right arm to signifie that he sustaineth the burthen of the affairs of the kingdom and draweth his sword for the conservation thereof And moreover the Royall purple Robe reaching down even to his foot lined with fables and richly embrodered with gold and pearl signifieth Charity That done he still remaining in devout meditation the Apostolick Legat standing the King kneeling before him delivereth into his hand the golden Scepter all wrought in the top with Pearls and Jewels wherewith religiously he commands the people Then he puts a naked Sword into his right hand wherewith he pursueth his enemies in the name of Christ. After that he puts a Ring on his finger and a Bracelet upon his arm to the end he may be faithfull and pure in good works Then he presenteth unto him the golden Apple to figure the kingdome which he ought to govern with singular piety vertue and perseverance And finally he putteth upon his head the Imperial Crown divided into two parts garnished with many Jewels to signifie honor and glory The King religiously remaining on his knees the three Archbishops lifting him up lead him to the Altar where again the Lords that have
the 7 offices of the kingdom cause him to swear to do the duty of a good Prince and to observe the priviledges immunities of the Citie and Kingdom Afterward they lead him to sit on the left hand not far from the Legate in a chair of state covered with cloth of gold and the Legate with a loud voyce proclaimeth him King of Naples and Ierusalem And the seven officers of the kingdom with the Recorder in token of obedience kisse his hand and the like is done by the Princes and Nobility of the kingdom These ceremonies finished the King receiveth the Communion where begins to sound the Organs Trumpets Cornets and other Instruments discharging the Artillery and making great triumph and joy and so Mass being ended the King useth to invest many Lords into their States The King being mounted upon his horse entreth under the Canopy embrodered with gold in the top whereof gently wave up and down the Kings Arms both of the Kingdom of the Citie and of the Provinces carried by men of dignity and honor which at one and the same time succeed in their honors and in their labours Then beginneth the order of the pomp and state to march forward the which I will omit to declare lest I should seem too tedious leaving it to every one to consider thereof And this great King is exempted from the Empire neither acknowledgeth he any superior being a feudist of the Church the which Andrea d' Sormia confirmeth in his Preambles concerning tribute in the ninth column and likewise Mattheo d' Afflitto many other worthy Lawyers discourse thereof the which the most say that the King of Naples is one of the aforesaid four Kings that are anointed and crowned by the order of the Pope Besides he goeth before the elected Emperour being not crowned because that before his coronation he is called King of the Romans but being anointed and crowned he is then called the Roman Emperour Moreover the said four kings do not follow behind the Emperor as other kings that are subject to him but go by his side whereby it appeareth that the King of Naples is one of the great Kings of the world as well in dignity as honor of the Empire therefore I think it not much expedient to take any great pains in expressing it since the reputation thereof is well known to all that have any experience in learning Sufficient is said hereof for the Emperour Charls the 5. in the year 1554. marrying his first begotten son Philip Prince of Spain to Queen Mary of England would not invest him with any other Title then the kingdom of Naples and Ierusalem to the end he should not be inferior to so great a Queen And so much concerning the coronation of the Kings of Naples A brief Discourse of the Kings of IERVSALEM Beginning from Godfrey where is shewed the true cause why the Kings of NAPLES are intituled to that Kingdom THe subject of this Discourse we have here to handle requireth that I also shew and declare the reason and cause by what right all the Kings of Naples have been intituled to the kingdom of Ierusalem a discourse both for the greatness and excellency of the matter worthy to be known from the true understanding whereof every one may evidently see and perceive the great dignity and honor of the Kings of Naples and by what right and title the said kingdom more justly belongeth to them then any other For the better knowledge whereof it is necessary I briefly begin from the first Christian King of that kingdom After the death of Godfrey was Baldwin beforesaid Count of Edissa his brother made King of Ierusalem in his place which was a man of great valor for he wan the Citie of Tiberiade in Galile Sidon Accaron and many more upon the Sea-coast and with the help of the Genoways and Venetians afterward overcame the strong Citie of Tolomaida he had also the Castle of Soball which stands upon the river of Iordan and did much increase his dominion At length having reigned 18 years ended his life without children and was buried in the same Sepulcher with his brother By the death of Baldwin was Baldwin the second of Burges in France made King by the generall consent of the Christians who was cousin germain to the two aforesaid Kings of Ierusalem and in the second year of his reign the Prince of the Turks in Asia minor coming upon Gaza with a mighty Army he valiantly encountred overcame and took him prisoner And in the year following the King of Damasco suddenly besieged the gates of Ierusalem with fifteen thousand fighting men Baldwin couragiously issuing out and valiantly charging them at length put them to flight and slew two thousand of them and took their King with a thousand prisoners and lost but onely thirty men Not long after Balach King of the Parthians arriving with a mighty Army encountred with Baldwin hand to hand overcame him and carried him prisoner to Cairo with many Christian Noble men But at length Baldwin with the said Christian Nobility were released with the payment of a great sum of money and the King returned to Ierusalem where reigning thirteen years died without issue Male and Fulk Count of Anjou his son-in-law succeeded him in the kingdom who had married his daughter Melesina against whom the Barbarians durst never move any war because of his two sons Baldwin and Almerich expert and valiant souldiers who being imployed as Deputies in his affairs executed many great slaughters on the Turks After this valiant King had reigned 11 years running in hunting after a Hare his horse falling with his head downward died presently Whereupon his son Baldwin the Great and third of this name was made King who took Ascalon and Gaza ancient Cities and gave them to the Knights of the Temple Baldwin performing other famous and worthy deeds of Arms after he had reigned 24 years died and was buried in the holy Temple with the other Kings and Almerich his brother succeded in the kingdom a valiant man who had many conflicts with the Turks and took the Citie of Alexandria in Aegypt Afterward he went against the great and mighty Citie Cairo called in ancient time Carra and besieged it and being very likely to win it notwithstanding through the instigations of the Citizens received a great sum of money left the siege and returned again to Ierusalem and not long after died having reigne 12 years leaving behind him three children Baldwin Sybilla and Isabella to whom succeeded in his kingdom Baldwin the fourth of this name his first begotten who though he had the leprosie notwithstanding he did very valiantly and politickly govern the kingdom and having no wife yet because the Realm should not want a sufficient heir to succeed him he married his sister Sybel to William Longspath Marquess of Montferrato and Isabell his youngest sister he promised with
Jewels Treasure to Erfrando of Tours Governor of the Rhodes This Marquess William had the government of Ierusalem but being a weak impotent King did notwithstanding many famous and worthy deeds but he little enjoyed the benefit of his victories for that in the beginning of the second year of his reign he died and left after him one onely son called Baldwin Baldwin the King being desirous to provide for his Nephew married again his sister Sybell to Guy of Puite Lubrun son of Hugh Lubrun Duke of Merchia and Governor of Lusignon in France with this agreement that after his death the said Guy should govern the kingdom till Baldwin his Nephew were of sufficient age But Guy carrying himself haughty and over-proud in the government of the said kingdom was dismist again by Baldwin the King This was in the year 1183. Moreover he procured Pope Lucius the third to annoint and crown his Nephew King Baldwin the fifth being but a child and appointed him Bertrand Count of Tripoly his Governor and protector of the kingdom Thus King Baldwin the fourth reigning 6 years died leaving Count Tripoly Tutor as is said of young Baldwin the fifth but he resigning his charge being withstood by Sybel the mother of the Boy and Guy her husband But in the beginning of the eighth moneth the little king Baldwin died whose death the mother concealed so long as the effecting of her intended purpose required insomuch that what with flattering and fair words and with large gifts she wan the Patriark Eraclio with the Nobility and principal men of authority in the kingdom to create Guy her husband King The Count understanding this fuming thereat being incensed with rage and envying the prosperity of Guy made peace with Salandine King of the Sarasins promising to aid him against King Guy The Salandine being now at peace with the Christians found opportunity by the discord of these Princes to break it because the Christian Prince of Montreale which governed the countrey from that to the river Iordan being on every side inhabited with Sarasins who continually carried their commodities to Ierusalem without the Kings knowledge suddenly brake the truce for the Salandine saw the time was now come which he long expected assembled together fifty thousand Horsmen and an infinite company of Footmen without number and got many cities of the Christians and increasing their Army with the people of the countrey took Ierusalem by covenant after they had besieged it one moneth This was done the second of October 1187 in the third yeare of King Guy having been in the possession of the Christians 89 years Salandine entring Ierusalem caused first the steeples and bells to be thrown down and of the Churches he made stables for his horses onely he reserved the Temple of Solomon which was washed with Rose-water at his first entrance Afterward he went to Tolomayda and besieged it wherein was the King and Sybel his wife with four children who with the children died together of a bloody flux Now as we have said before was promised to Erfrando of Turon Master of the Rhodes a noble young man Isabel to wife the sister of Sybel a virgin and also the daughter of Baldwin the fourth and sixth King of Ierusalem who now by the death of Sybel was next heir to her Fathers kingdom This expectation increased a better regard of the Barons and Christian Princes towards Erfrando But Conrado Longspath Marquess of Monferrato understanding the sudden death of Sibel and her children being desirous of Soveraignty and also enamored of Isabel his neer kinswoman secretly stole her away but with her own consent and conveyed her to Tyre and there privatly married her And so all the right of the kingdom of Ierusalem came to him by his wife Isabel whereupon he was intituled King of that kingdom The year 1190 after Philip King of France had sollicited Richard King of England to go into Soria but King Richard defer'd his going till the year following Richard afterward observing his promise came to Messina in the moneth of September where Philip also was from whence they departed having a prosperous wind Philip in a short time arrived at Tolomayda but Richard by a tempest was driven to Cyprus where Chirsack Duke of the Island denied him harbour whose discourtesie he took with such discontent as by meer force surprized the Island and sacking it planted a strong guard of his own people and from thence passed to Tolomayda to joyn with the Christian Army Not long after he sold the said Island to the Knights of the Temple for a hundred thousand crowns who ill governing the same were forced by the power of the Cypriots to depart thence and so the Knights restored it again to Richard who likewise returned them their money and with the same conditions the year 1193 gave it to Guy of Puite Lubrun Lusignon in France husband to Isabel sister of King Baldwin who before was enforced to flye Ierusalem in consideration whereof he resigned unto him all the Title and Interest he had to the kingdom of Ierusalem and for this cause the King of England began to be called King of Ierusalem and King Guy took the possession of Cyprus and was called King of the said Isle The which right to the kingdom of Ierusalem was nothing because the same by all law now justly belonged to Isabel the daughter of King Baldwin wife of Conrado Marquess of Monferrato therefore can no right or title be attributed to the King of England herein Not long after the King Conrado of Monferrato was slain in Tyre by two Sarazins called Arsacides not leaving any male children but one onely daughter called Mary The Queen Isabel married again and had to her husband Henry Count of Campania who indowed her with the Signiory of Tyre but that unhappy young man living not many years with his wife unfortunately sell from a loft or chamber in his own Palace and so died leaving three daughters Agnesa Melisina and Alicia Queen Isabel remaining thus a widow married again the third time with Almerick Puite Lubrun Lusignon King of Cyprus who by the death of Guy his brother succeeded in the said kingdom and was second King of Cyprus and in the right of Isabell his wife was also called King of Ierusalem by whom he had three children Amarin Sybilla and Melisenda but Amarin died young King Almerick married Sybil to Livon King of Armenia and Melisenda the youngest daughter was married to Raymond Rupini Nephew of the said King of Armenia and his successor in the kingdom the which Raymond was then Prince of Antioch Of this Melisenda wife of Prince Raymond Rupini was born that Mary who in the year 1276 resigned to Charls of Anjou King of Naples the claim and Title she pretended to the kingdom of Ierusalem At length King Almerick died leaving his kingdom of Cyprus to Hugo his son whom he
had by a former wife the which Hugo not long after the death of his Father married Isabell the daughter of Henry Count of Ciampania and of his stepmother and not long after the death of Almerick died also the Queen Isabel his wife who by her will and testament bequeathed the kingdom of Ierusalem to Mary her daughter whom she had by Conrado of Monferrato her first husband recommending the tuition of her to the society of the Hospitalers and Templers whom she appointed her Guardians or Overseers Afterward in the year 1222 Iohn Count of Brenne coming to Rome having the title of King of Ierusalem by the right of Mary his wife daughter as is beforesaid of King Conrado of Montferrato being much honored and presented to the Pope going to Pisa to procure aid for his enterprise into Soria gave to the Emperour Frederick the second King of Naples lately excommunicated but now reconciled to the Church his onely daughter called Iole to wife whom he had by Mary his wife and in dowry with her all the right and title he had to the kingdom of Ierusalem Whereupon Frederick and all other that succeeded him in the kingdom of Naples were called Kings of Ierusalem And this is one of the reasons why all the Kings of Naples are invested with the title of Ierusalem Afterward Frederick in the time of Gregory the ninth in the year 1228 being as it were inforced went into Soria yet managed his affairs with such power and authority that he agreed to conclude a peace with the Soldian for ten years who restored unto him Ierusalem with all the territories and kingdom thereof except some few little Castles Whereupon the Easter following in the year 1229. he was crowned in Ierusalem and caused the Citie of Ioppa now called Zaffo to be repaired and newly reedified The Emperour setling and securing all things to his content returned home into his kingdom and in glory of so great triumph and victory brought with him Elephants Panthers Dromedaries Leopards white Bears Lyons Linxes or spotted beasts After this the kingdom of Naples and Sicil came into the power and jurisdiction of Charls of Anjou Count of Provence for the right and title that his predecessors had descended to him as lawfull King thereof But Fortune willing to confirm and establish his right without any crosse encounter it came to passe that Hugo Puite Lubrun Lusignon the second of this name King of Cyprus married Alicia the third daughter of Isabel Queen of Ierusalem and of Count Henry of Ciampaania the which thing discontenting the Princess Mary daughter of Melisenda and Raymond Rupini Prince of Antioch and Borgne complained much of King Hugo that being her kinsman would usurp the title which was her right by Melisenda her mother being the second daughter and not Alicia his wife who was the third begotten Hugo not onely little esteemed her complaints but also otherwise did ill intreat her Whereupon the disdainfull Princess Mary came to Rome pretending her right to the aforesaid kingdom of Ierusalem as the Neece of Queen Isabel the daughter of Almerick naturall King of the said kingdom summoned King Hugo before the Pope and so began the stir and contention of the title and possession of the said kingdom The matter being much debated by the Ambassadors of King Hugo who knowing it to be far more available for them to have the deciding and determining of the cause committed to the Barons and Nobility of the holy Land The Pope at the first instance referred the judgement and deciding of the matter to the Patriark of Ierusalem the Masters of the Hospitall and the Temple and other the Barons and Nobility of the holy Land who were wont to have a voyce in Councell and election of the Kings of Ierusalem the which the Princess Mary perceiving being a woman of great age weary and irksom of travell and the perils of so long a journey being advised by her friends agreed with Charls of Anjou receiving of him a great sum of money renounced all her right and title and resigned wholly unto him all her interest whatsoever to the kingdom of Ierusalem confirming the same by authentick and solemn writings which was in the year 1276. Whereupon Charls afterward by means of the Pope was proclaimed by lawful sentence King of that Realm as well by the ancient right of the Emperour Frederick as also that of Mary Insomuch that by the reasons aforesaid it plainly appeareth that the right and title of the kingdom of Ierusalem lawfully belongeth to the Kings of Naples and to none other and so the supposed titles both of the King of England and also of the King of Cyprus are little or of no worth Wherefore I do not a little marvell that this last right and title was unknown both to Pandolfo Colennuccio that writ a brief Epitome of the kingdom of Naples and also to Iacobo Mainolda who composed that Book of the title of Philip King of Spain Naples and Ierusalem seeing the History is so apparent But to return to the matter Charls for the better security of his affairs sent suddenly the Count Ruggier Sanseverin Governor into the holy Land who took an oath of the Knights of the Temple and Barons of the Realm of ●ealty and homage in the name of Charls and so King Charls enjoyed not onely the said Realm but also by the means of Ruggier and other Captains held a great part of Aegypt And we have often understood of many brethren of St Francis and other persons worthy credit that have been in Ierusalem and in other places in Aegypt that in many stately buildings in those places there is yet seen the Arms of King Charls the which doe manifestly shew the great power and valor of that good King But since occasion is now offered me it will not be amiss if I shew what the Arms of the kingdom of Naples are although we have writ thereof at full in the book of the life of the Kings of Naples but being rather enforced through the envy of some who have written concerning the Arms of the said kingdom and briefly discourst thereon The Ensign or Arms then of this most noble kingdom is a Field Azure replenished with Flour de lices Or which at first was charged with a Labell of four points gules being carried as the impress of Charls the first of Anjou with this Motto or Emblem Noxias Herbas what time he came to the winning of the kingdom of Naples and to expell and drive away King Manfred enemy to the Church whom he overcame and slew Charls in remembrance of so happy a victory beautified the kingdom with these Arms holding that field and flour de lices with the Labell for a particular Arms in memory of the said happy victory Stopping the mouths of those envious backbiters who say the Arms of this Noble kingdom was an Ass devouring his old furniture or
trappings upon him looked backward for new meaning thereby the instability of this happy kingdom loving always new Governors like the Asses figure which was devised by gross Asses to dishonor and discredit this noble kingdom but it is certain this little kingdom hath sustained great oppression they imputing it to no other sense have feigned this Asinine simplicity which saying the envious have not stuck to publish in books Manner of writing used by the Arragonian Kings of Naples writing to divers Princes KIng Alphonso to the Emperour of Germany was wont to write in parchment in th'infrascribed manner To the most renowned Prince and most excellent Lord Frederick Emperour of the Romans for ever Royall The subscription was thus Alphonsus by th'grace of God King of th' Aragons Sicilie on this side and beyond the Pharos Valentia Jerusalem Hungaria the Majorcas Sardinia Corsica c. greeting and increase of prosperous successes And so in the Occurrences he used to write Most renowned and most excellent Prince we would intreat your Soveraignty or your Mightiness To the Emperour of Constantinople To the most renowned and most excellent Lord Drage Paleologo Emperour of the Romans for ever royall our most dear kinsman The subscription was as above To Prester Iohn of India To the most eminent and most unconquerable Monarch Lord Isaack Prester Iohn sonn of David Lord of the Tables Mount Sinai Aethiopia King of Kings our most dear brother The subscription in the manner aforesaid To the great Turk To the most renowned Prince Amorat Bechi great Lord of the Theucrians our most dear friend To the great Soldan of Babylon To the most Illustrious Prince Abuysac Iamac great Soldan of Babylon To the King of France To the most renowned Prince Charls King of the French our most loving kinsman and friend To the King of England To the most renowned Prince Henry King of England our most dear kinsman and friend To the King of Cyprus To the most worthy Prince Iohn King of Cyprus our most dear kinsman and friend To the King of Castile and Leon. To the most renowned and Illustrious Prince Don Henrich King of Castile and Leon our very dear and very loving Cousin To the Queen of Arragon To the most illustrious Queen our most dear and most beloved Wife and Lieutenantess generall To the King of Portugall To the very Ilustrious Prince Don Alfonso King of Portugall and Algarue our very dear and well-beloved Cousin To the King of Navarre To the most Illustrious Prince Don Iohn King of Navarre our very dear and much beloved Brother and Lieutenant Generall To the King of Granada To the high Prince Don Machand King of Granada our very dear and much beloved friend To the King of Tunis To the most Illustrious Prince Don Octunne King of Tunis our very dear and much beloved friend To the Dolphin of France To the most illustrious Prince Lewis Dolphin of Usania our most dear kinsman To the Prince of Austria To the most Illustrious and our very dear and much beloved Cozen Henry Prince of Austria first born in the kingdoms of Castile and Leon. To the Duke of Cleves To the most illustrious Prince Iohn Duke of Cleves our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Osterlich To the Illustrious and mighty Albert Duke of Osterlich To the Duke of Brittannie To the Illustrious and mighty Peter Duke of Brittannie our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Burgundy To the most Illustrious Prince Philip Duke of Burgundie our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Burgundie his eldest son To the most illustrious Prince Charls first born of the most illustrious Duke of Burgundie and Lord Charlois our most dear kinsman To the Duke of Savoy To the Illustrious and mighty Prince Lewis Duke of Savoy Chablays our most dear kinsman To the Earl of Foix. To the respected and excellent Gascon Earl of Foix our most dear kinsman and friend Names of all the Vice-roys of Naples which began in the year 1505. Year of Christ. Number of Vice-roys   1505 1 COnsalvo Fernandes of the House of Aghilar a Cordonese by Nation Duke of Terranova who for his famous victories was called the Great Captain 1507 2 Don Iohn of Arragon Duke of Ripacursa 1510 3 Don Raimondo of Cardona Count of Albento 1514   * Don Bernardino Villamarino * 1517. Don Francis Remolinis Cardinall of Sorrento were both Lieutenants 1523 4 Don Charls della Noia 1526   * Andrew Carrafa Count of St. Severina was a Lieutenant 1527 5 Don Vgo of Moncada 1528 6 Philibert of Chalon Prince of Orange 1530 7 Pompey Colonna Cardinall 1532 8 Don Piedro de Toledo Marquis of Villafranca 1553 9 Don Lewis of Toledo was Lieutenant 1554 10 Don Pietro Pacecco Cardinall Seguntine     * 1554 Don Bernardine of Mendoza was Lieutenant 1555 11 Don Ernandez Alvarez of Toledo Duke of Alva 1559 12 Bartholomew Cardinall of Cuova     * 1559. Don Frederico de Toledo * 1559. Don Iohn Marique were Lieutenants one after the other 1559 13 Don Perafan Duke of Alcala 1570 14 Antony Perrenotto Cardinall of Granvela 1577 15 Don Innico of Mendoza Marquis of Mondesela 1579 16 Don Iohn Zunica Prince of Pietra Precia 1582 17 Don Peter Giron Duke of Ossuna 1586 18 Don Iohn de Zunica Count of Miranda 1596 19 Don Henry de Gusman Count of Olivares 1599 20 Don Ferdinand di Castra Count of Lemos and of Andrada Marquis of Sarria and Count of Villalua went Ambassador to Rome sent by Philip the second and left in the kingdom for Lieutenant Don Francisco his son who governed with great wisdom The seven principall Offices of the KINGDOM High Constable THere are seven principall or chief Offices in the kingdom The first whereof is the Great or High Constable who stands in place of Generall or the Kings Lieutenant in the wars which happen in the kingdom and in such a case orders and provides for all such things as belong to the Militia This Office lasts as long as the war And when the King creates such a one he puts a golden Truncheon in his hand saying Take this sacred Truncheon in thy hand to drive away and keep back the enemies and opposers of my people And this word Constable much used amongst Tuscan Writers did anciently signifie a Captain of a quantity of Cavallery But in process of time by Constable was meant a Commander of Foot-Soldiers the Captains of Horse beginning to be called Conductors Bembo in his Latin History calls the Constable Centurion of Soldiers In the kingdom of Naples the office of Constable signified not onely a Captain but one of far greater authority it being of the seven offices the greatest And as it hath been always conferred upon great Lords so we see it at this day setled upon the person of N. He by right commands all Martiall persons as well afoot as on hors-back And in Royall Parliaments sits next the King on his right
of piety and pitty Thus this great H●ro became a Hermit this glorious Monarch became an obscure M●nk and certainly he well deservd to have worn so many Crowns who did so freely quitt them obeying therin onely the motions of his own soul without any shew of constraint or the lest appearance of suspecting the alleagiance of his pe●ple Now touching that Arthriticall torturing disease which afflicted the Emperour Charles his Son and immediat Successor had much more cause to be subject therunto in regard of his sedentary and reposefull life in regard that he kept for the most part in his Closet wher he wold write himself his own letters dispatches and instructions There he might be sayed to have a Prospective through which he beheld what was a doing in the old and new World yea as farr as the Antipodes His Closet was the center whence the lines of his comands were drawn to the circumference of so many vast remote Regions as will appear in the History of his life which in regard he was a Prince of a strange mould of a close dark nature that his thought could seldom be penetrated I will spend more oyle then ordinary to illustrat his Raign THE LIFE and RAIGNE of PHILIP the Second 27th KING OF NAPLES PHILIP of Austria second of that name succeeded Caesar his Imperiall Father in all his Hereditary Dominions by a voluntary free Resignation wherin he might be sayed not to be beholden to death as other Heirs apparant use to be but to his Fathers free designe But touching the Kingdom of Naples it was transferrd unto him before to countenance his second marriage with Mary Queen of England and Ireland There wanted not som Critiques that wold have derogated from the worthinesse of that spontaneous Act of the Emperours saying That King Philip was overheard to say a while a●ter that The second day after the Resignation was the first day of his Fathers Repentance But sure that could not be if the Historians who were then contemporaries may be beleevd for this was don by a long moulded preceding resolution as they write in regard that the Emperour had a design to do it six yeers before when he was but fifty yeers of age the ground of which proceeded from the speech of an old Captain of his who desiring a Passe to retire from Armes told him Sir he who hath a care of his soul must put an Intervall twixt the affaires of the World and Death And now to the intended task Philip the second was born in Valladolid upon a Tuesdey the 21. of May 1527. in the Chair-ship of Clement the seventh a little before that his Fathers Armie had assaulted and sackt Rome but without the knowledg of the Emperour himself and the consent of his Viceroy of Naples at that time which was the cause that Philip was not baptiz'd with such Ecclesiasticall Pomp and Solemnity that is usuall at ten months and twenty dayes old he was declar'd Prince of Castilia and Aragon in the Monastery of Saint Hierom in Madrid his Parents being present when he had arriv'd to seven yeers of age wherin Nature doth use to make som visible change in the progresse of humane life his Father commanded a house and family to be settled for him At which time Doctor Siliceo who was afterward Bishop of Toledo and Cardinal was appointed to be his Preceptor who taught him to know to love and fear God to read and write to understand the Latin Italian French tongues and to have som knowledg in the Mathematiques His Mother the Empresse Daughter to Emanuel King of Portugal dyed a few yeers after at Toledo where Philip was bred leaving him about twelve yeers of age at which time he began to rule Spain in the absence of his Father being assisted by Cardinal Tabera the Duke of Alua and others At fifteen yeers of age he was sworn Prince of Aragon where he was intitled Governour according to the custom At sixteen yeers of age he maried the Lady Maria Infanta of Portugal Daughter to Iohn the third a Creature of exquisit bewty being of the same age with Philip. Som few yeers after he was call'd by his Father to Flanders leaving the Government of Spain to Arch-Duke Maximilian his Cosen and King of Bohemia and Hungary He pass'd over to Italy in a Fleet of thirty eight Gallies under the command of Andrea Doria and landing at Genoa he pass'd through Milan and Mantova to Germany and so to Brussels Having their receiv'd divers good Documents from his Father taken a survey of the Nether-lands Italy and Germany whither he attended the Emperour his Father to a Diet at Auspurg having purchas'd all this experience he went back by his Fathers order to Spain having receiued a new Commission to govern there in chief and in the Indies also A while after there was an ouverture of marriage made twixt him and Queen Mary of England which was quickly agreed upon therefore he embark'd himself at the Groyn Corunnia in a Fleet of sixty eight Ships wherein was a Regiment of four thousand Spaniards among whom were divers Noble men and persons of quality Being arriv'd in England and royally attended to London the Nuptials were celebrated in great magnificence hereupon King Philip took share with his wife in the Government by the title of King of Naples Hierusalem England and Ireland but afterwards the Parliament when he was departed began a Cavil and wold not have him stil'd King of England but Husband to the Queen of England during his abode in England his Queen and he liv'd in a sweet way of conjugall love notwithstanding their disparity of yeers she being above a dozen yeers elder It was thought once she was with Child therefore she was prayed for at Saint Pauls Cross but in lieu of a Pregnancy it prov'd a Tympany a Tumor or Mole proceeding from indisposition of body All the while he liv'd in England he advanc'd the Roman Religion but being call'd away by his Father to Flanders the reform'd Religion began to take footing again After he was departed from England Calais was taken by the Duke of Guyse who in the dead of Winter did suddenly sit before her and began his Batteries so furiously that the noyse of his Canons were heard as farr as Antwerp neer a hundred miles distant King Philip while he cohabited with his Wife often advisd her to have a speciall care of Calais and afterwards upon a Treaty of peace twixt Spain and France one of the Articles were that Calais should be surrendred to the Queen of England but she dyed in the interim The Family of Caraffa who were neer allied to Pope Paul the fourth wold needs advise his Holines to recouer the Kingdom of Naples for the Apostolicall See the times being propitious to such a work their counsail prevaild in regard that France obligd her self to assist him but though the attempt went very far yet it could not take effect That clowd being
as to carry two Kings at once shold becom now so weak and meagre that he could not bear a Pigmey one might now tell his ribs his back also was miserably gald by carrying of Panniars and withall he was found full of bunches his feet foundred and one of his nostrils slit yet those who had the chief care of him kept locks on his feet and a strong halter about his neck and face with dark Spectacles on his eyes now there was exquisit search made in the Junta how he was grown so poor answer was made that though he be low in flesh yet he is as high in spirit as ever he was and was ever and anon ready to kick and winch therfore it was fitting that the allowance of Provander which he hath now shold be rather diminisht then mended Therfore the grave members of the Junta appointed that the Rack shold be raisd a span higher and that the third part of his Provender shold be taken off When this hapned their chancd to be present in the Piazza som learned men and Philosophers who resenting much and taking to heart that wofull Spectacle out of pure pitty askt the Junta how they could find in common compassion which obliges every one to be good to his beast to diminish the Nutriment of that poor Animal who was so wasted and worn away that there scarce remained any thing of him but flesh and bone The oldest man of the Junta gave a short answer to the sayed Philosophers telling them that they shold do better to attend their own calling to dispute of Entities and Quiddities then to intermeddle with politicall matters wherin they seemd to be such Simpletons For in case that Caprichious beast were usd better he wold quickly repay their mildness with biting kicks as he had most ingratefully usd som of his former Riders who were so open handed unto him divers of whom he had thrown of into ditches by his excess of mettle and if one shold mend his commons that instable Animal wold foam at the mouth as much as ever and raise tumults and seditions against his benefactors and keepers Therfore whosoever will enter into an exact and judicious ponderation of things and of the tru Mode wherby that flouncing Animal shold be kept he must not look upon the meagernes of his belly or buttocks but upon the mischievous quality of his genius who is still as caprichious a lover of novelty as ever he was Therfore wo be to the Catholic King if that ferocious Napolitan Horse shold have strength and opportunity to put in execution what he doth incessantly cast and chymerize in his own brain against the present government Therfore if any thing be to be complaind of it proceeds from the ill nature of the beast rather then the severity of the Spaniards nor can any deny but it is a high point of wisdom no less of charity with well weighd councels and prudent artifices to take of by way of prevention the means of doing ill from him who alwaies intends mischief and is not capable to judg when one doth use him well and do him courtesies insomuch that there is no medicament can cure the chanchrous humours of the Napolitan then by applying therunto som corrosives of the Spanish severity The same Author proceeds further and fains that Almansor King of Granada meeting casually with the Kingdom of Naples they joyntly condole their calamitous condition of servitude causd by the tyranny of the Spaniards as they walkd and mingld speech a good while together Almansor observd the fashion of that Chain which the Kingdom of Naples carried on his legs because it lookd like a Morisco Manufacture and surely he had seen and handled that Chain before so looking neer upon it he struck his breast in a kind of astonishment saying that he was well aquainted with that Chain for it was the very same wherwith he and his Antecessors the Morisco Kings had kept most of the Kingdoms of Spain the space of seven hundred yeers and upwards in obedience and servility therfore he earnestly desired to know how by whom and when Naples had got on that Chain The Kingdom of Naples answered a most excellent memory hast thou King Almansor for this unhappy Chain which I carry was brought first from Spain by Gonsaluo de Cordova calld the great Captain therfore it is very likely that it is the same you speak of and now it is above an age passd I mean a Century of sad Winters that I am fallen into such a deplorable kind of slavery wherof I know not whether I shall ever rid my self because I find that the Spaniard is mounted to such a height of power that it hath made me loose all hopes I should have in the arme of man for recovery of my lost liberty it is the only omnipotent hand of God can do it by doing such another miracle as he did in the Red Sea Almansor replyed the calculation falls pat you speak of for it was about the very same time that the Spaniard shook off the Chain wherwith you go now bound but let it not be uncouth unto thee most noble Naples to relate how it was possible that the Spaniard shold impatronize himself so easily of a Kingdom so far distant from him by Sea and Land Naples rejoynd It was by fraud that the Spaniard introducd himself to Italy for by pure force he could never have made such acquests so far beyond the proportion of their strength therefore listen well to me and you will be astonisht of the large conscience which one King of Spain carried about him though he made himself appear to the world like another Saint Macarius-painted upon som wall Alphonso my King to draw on his last and my principall ruine gave Isabel his Neece for I will take the rise of my Relation from this unlucky Marriage to Iohn Galeazzo Duke of Milan in marriage In regard of the stupidity of Iohn Lodwick Sforza occupied the state of his Nephew King Alfonso as nature obligd him thought to prevent that usurpation Lodwick knowing well that he could not com to the end of his aimes without the destruction of my Kings took a precipitat resolution to call in the French for the Conquest of me an action which afterwards prov'd so funestous to all Italy My Kings therupon to counterbalance France had recourse to that holy Soul Ferdinand King of Aragon their Cosen who shewd himself so loving a Kinsman and faithfull Confederat that in lieu of chasing away the French he parted stakes with them and divided me amongst them but afterwards they fell out like Dogs about a bone and Ferdinand made the French find their way again ore the Alps to repass shamefully to their Country so Ferdinand made himself my absolute Soveraign and without any scruple of conscience and for my kind invitation he was the first who gave me this Chain you see which as you say is of the Manufacture of
Barbary And this the holy Ferdinand did so a little after that he had receivd the Title of Catholic King from the Apostolicall See nor do I think King Almansor that you ever heard or read of an Act of more infidelity and ingratitude by Saracen Infidel or Pagan Almansor went on and sayed truly I have conversd with divers Chronicles wherin I have met with many odd foul traverses of State done by ambitious Princes in hope to raigne But touching this Act of Ferdinand I do not remember to have read any that can parallell it Naples sayed again but O King Almansor if your Nation kept fast Spain so many yeers in that Chain what way did they use to shake it off Almansor sayed that cursed Union which was made twixt Castile and Aragon by the nuptials of Ferdinand and Isabella was the cause of my ruine and of my Successors after me as also of the servitude wherof you complain a most fatall union which all the Potentates of Europe specially of Italy have as much cause to curse to this day as I have for the jealousies twixt the Castilians and Aragonians securd alwaies my Kingdom of Granada Add hereunto that the countenance and succours which the Popes gave to Ferdinand did accelerat the work Hold there King Almansor sayed Naples for since you were cast out of Spain the Popes have sufferd more by the ambitious designes of the Catholick Kings then they did before for nothing could be so disadvantagious to Rome as to have so potent a Prince so neer a Neighbour unto her witness that Siege and lamentable sack which she sufferd so soon after my servitude by the Spaniard Bourbon being his General wherby he hansomly payed her for that assistance she gave him for the Conquest of Granada since which time the ambition of Spain hath bin felt in Italy and in other places so that it had bin more for the tranquility of Europe that the Moors had still continued in Spain Add hereunto that these new additions of power to Spain have tended much to the disorders ever since that have hapned unto you in matters of Religion The jealousies that Germany had of the growing greatness of Charles the fift were the cause that many Princes revol●ed from him and Rome but since the Spaniards have taken such firm footing in Italy the main reach of their policy is to joyn me and Milan in one entire peece by subduing all the interiacent Territories which if it happen farewell the freedom of all Italy as well as mine But sayd Almansor how are the Milaneses usd your Conterranean fellow Subjects Naples answerd that they of Milan were washd only with dashes of Rain water but a whole deluge hath over-whelmd me Moreover the disposition of the Lombard differs from mine for the Noble-men and Gentry there are more free and resolute and more far from vice they are better Patriots and carefull of their Countries liberty insomuch that I dare say if there were but one tru Cremona brain among my Napolitan Barons it wold be enough to dash that forcd Donative which is exacted of me ever and anon which brings me often to feed upon bread and Onyons Add hereunto that the confines of the Grisons of the Duke of Savoy and the Venetian who are all jealous of the King of Spains growing power makes him proceed with more discretion and caution in his Territories in Lombardy This dialog twixt Naples and Almansor being ended the same Author faignes all the States of Europe to be summond before the oracle at Delphos to be weighd in a great balance held by Lorenzo de Medici where the Monarchy of Spaine making her apparance in a high majestic garb among other passages there was a Book presented unto her by one of the Witts the substance wherof was to discover a way for Spain to reduce to her ancient splendor and freedom the most noble Parthenope and the once most florishing Kingdom of Naples wheras by plundrings of the Soldiers the corruption of the Iudges the fleecing of the Barons the rapacity of the Viceroys who are sent thither as Hoggs to a sty only to fatten the former lustre of that delicate Countrey is quite decayd The Author receavd twenty Crowns of the Spanish Monarchy for a guerdon for this Book promising that she wold deliver that discours and avisos to her Confessor to consider of Another pure Polititian presented Her with a Treaty clean contrary shewing her a way how the Napolitan Courser might be brought to bear a Pack-Saddle of a heavier burden and to be made so docil that he might be fitt to draw her Coach upon ocasion To the Author of this discours the Monarchy gave 12000 Crowns and a little after he was Grandee of Spain At this great Assembly in Delphos ther was a Contrasto happend twixt Rome and Naples who shold have the precedency it was decided that for the Majesty of a Citty Naples must eternally vayle to Rome and Rome to Naples for a delicat situation that Rome must confesse there are more people in Naples but that Naples must acknowledg ther are more men in Rome Moreover it was necessary that the Witts and Wines of Naples shold be transported to Rome to receave perfection it was also decreed that Naples had more skill to break Colts and Rome to tame Men It was confessd further that ther were more Cavaliers in Naples and more C●mendums in Rome That among the Romans they were only calld Knights who carried a red Crosse upon their Garments but in Naples all men indif●erently might be calld Knights because the Spaniard made them carry Crosses upon their very skins Thus this ingenious Italian doth descant upon the comportment of the Spaniard in Italy and his Book kept a great noise in the World but the Spaniard owing him a revenge and after a strict and long inquisition not lighting upon him in any of his own Dominions there were two Valentones two Banditi two Hirelings for bloud found him out in Verona and watching their oportunity they went to his Lodging under colour of a visit and every one of them having a bagg of Sand in his pockett they so crushd his bones that they rattled within his skin and having so dispatchd poor Boccolini out of this World they fledd having stoned him to death with Sand. PHILIP The Fourth of AVSTRIA xxix King OF NAPLES PHILIP the third left behind three Sons and two Daughters the Sons were Philip who succeeded him in all his Dominions with Charles and Ferdinand who was Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Toledo they both dyed young in the Meridian of their yeers one in Spain the other being Governour of Flanders The two Daughters were Anna of Austria and the Infanta Donna Maria the first was married to Lewis the thirteenth King of France yet living the other to the Emperor Ferdinand now Raigning King Philip was but young when he took the Reins of the Government being but sixteen yeers of age There was
young Don Iohn of Austria weighs Anchor with a Royal Fleet of Galeons and Gallies made sayl for Sicily having bin so wonderfully fortunat as to extinguish that prodigious fire that had ragd so violently in Town and Country which the Capitall Citty being reducd quickly conformd it self to its old obedience Nor was this youthfull Generall succesfull only in Naples but also in composing the affairs of Sicily which also was in a dangerous disorder Add hereunto the reducing lately of Catalonia by making himself Master of that proud Metropolitan Citty of Barcelona after a bloody stubborn Siege of two and twenty months where the Lord Goring his Lieutenant did signall Services no less heroik then hazardous During these hideous Combustions in Naples there was a notable peece of inhumane Villany discoverd sutable to those times which was this One Francisco Severino a public Notary had a Sister who was a young Widdow but being to pay her six hundred Duckets towards her Dower he clapt her up with a little Daughter of hers in a dark Cave twixt four walls where he fed them with bread and water with som few Roots for seventeen yeers together This Widdow had a Son under the Tutele of an Uncle all the while who being com to yeers demanded of the sayd Notary his Mothers Dowry thinking she had bin dead The rumor hereof flying among the people being in Armes they rushd into the Notaries house the women in the Cave hearing an extraordinary noise began to shriek which being heard they broke down the Wall where they found two women like Savages or Furies with long dischevelld hair dangling about their sholders hereupon the Villany being discoverd the Notary was put to exemplary punishment These Risings of the Napolitan people and those of Sicily with other unlucky Travers●s gave a shrewd shock to the Spanish Monarchy It shook also Olivares the great Favorit of the Catholic King and that so ill favourdly that his utter downfall followd Now in regard that this Favorit slept in the Kings bosom and swayd the Monachy of Spain so long it will not be improper to insert here a short Legend of his life He was born in Rome during his Fathers Embassy there in the unlucky Palace of Nero and being a younger Brother at his coming to Spain he became a Student in the Law in Salamanca and then got a Lay Prebendary in Sevill which was his first preferment Having got som subsistence and knowledge he came to Court and insinuated into the favor of this King then Prince so dextrously that he came afterwards to have an absolute power over his inclinations after the fall of the Duke of Lerma and Don Balthasar de Zuniga upon whose ruines he built his fortunes In a short time after the death of Philip the third he was made Master of the Kings Wardrobe Master of the Horse great Chancellor of the Indies which Offices with som Comanderies he got of the three Equestrall Orders of Saint Iago Alcantara and Calatrava were worth him communibus annis 240000. Crowns But he had other reaches to grow rich for when the Galeons set forth from Sevill and the Caracks from Lisbon every yeer for the Indies he usd to embark in them great Cargazons of Corn Wine and Oyle Custom free all which grew in his County of Olivares and with the proceed of those Commodeties there were Jewels Silks and Spices bought and sold afterward for his account wherby he could not choose but gain many millions For engrossing the Kings Favor more entirely he had a way to restrain the Grandees but whom he pleasd from being about the Kings person and for the Queen she was only Co-partner of the Kings Bed but he kept her from having any power at all in other things He found divers inventions for inhancing the Royall Revenew as that all Offices and Benefices which were bestowd shold pay half a yeers in-com to the King which was calld Mediannates There were waies also found out to decry and raise the value of Coin and not long before his fall there was a project calld Papell Sellado which was that no legall Instrument not so much as a Bill Obligatory shold be of force unless it were written in the Kings Paper with a particular Seal to it and all public Notaries with others were to buy these seald Papers at the rate the King imposd upon them by these means there was a Computation made that above two hundred millions of gold came extraordinary to the Kings Coffers in his time Now these new things being imposd upon Catalonia and Portugal which claim more priviledges of enfranchisements then Castillia it was among other the ground of their Revolt Now there were many things conspird to demolish this Grand Minion of the Catholic Kings First A series or crowd of ill successes which tumbled one upon the neck of another both in the Indies as the loosing of Ormus and Goa as also in Europe and in Spain her self by the revolt of Catalonia and Portugal in Flanders by the loosing of many Towns which Francis the first had payd for his ransom Nor was there any signall Exploit worth the speaking atchievd all his time but that of Spinolas when he took the Palatinat Secondly The disaffection of the Queen whom he may be sayd to have kept to her Needle and Distaff all the while who one day broke out into such a passion against him having done her som ill office a little before that meeting him in a Lobby she took off one of her Chapines and banging him ill favourdly about the Pate sayed That she wold have him know that she was Daughter to Henry the Great as well as wife to the King of Spain But this breach was made up presently by the patience and humble protestations of the Conde never to offend her for the future Awhile after the Kings affairs necessitating him to go in person to Catalonia he left the Queen Governesse of Madrid during which time she wonderfully gaind upon the affections of the people by allaying the austere humor of the Spaniard with the affability of the French At the Kings return she took heart then to speak of his affairs of state of the interest of his Monarchy of the revolt of Kingdome ruine of Armies and how all things went from bad to worse and were like to continue so if they whom his Majesty intrusted most with the management of his affairs did not look better to things This discourse sunk somwhat deep into the Kings brest which made his thoughts to reflect upon Olivares his chief Minister and now the Ice being broken the next night after Donna Anna de Guevara the Kings Nurse took heart of grace to speak also to the King having put her self in a convenient place where the King was to pass where falling on her knees she told him That she was not there to beg any grace at his Majesties hands but to render the Crown of Spain the greatest
most plentiful i● this countrey The description of this Province Campobasso Campo di pietra Macchia Celentia Riccia Gambatesa The Castle of Motta St Iulian Colletort Gel●ono Circo The river Fortorio Vinchiaturo Baronello Busso M●rrone Gerione Livy lib. 2● Montenegro Riofredo Forolo Fornello The vally Porcina Esernia Andrea of Esernia a famous Doctor of th● law Supino Guilliniaco Lupara Catabuttaccio Lucito Limosano Castelpignano Rocchetta Casal reparande Lespinato Reg●st Reginae anno 134● litera A f●l 117 Boiano Livy lib. 9 10. Slio lib. 8. The hill Fiterno The river Fortore The river Trinio Roceavivara Trivento Iacobo Caldora Salicito Fossaseca Bagnulo Civita nova The nature and condition of the people of the countrey The Armes of this Province and what it signifieth The bounds of Capitanata Why it was called Capitanata P●ntano lib. 2. de bello Neap. Te●r● Hydruntina Barens●is regio B●silicatata Why it was called Iapigia Mesapia Daunia Apulia How Puglia came into the hands of the Romans Hannibal did much harm to Puglia Strab. lib. 6. The things which are most plentiful in Capitannta The nature of the earth The number of the cities countries and castles that ●re in the said Provinces The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 hil Garga●● The city of S. Angelo The Saracins possest th●se places and when they were driven away The description of the holy cave of S. Angelo The cause why this church was dedicated to St. M●chael the Archangel An. 1●4 Pontano lib. 2. Templum S. Michaelis in monte Gargano Laurentio an●●sio Sipontum Vieste Vieste destroyed by the Turks King Ferdinando repaireth again Vieste The end of the Adriatick sea The Citie Salapia where Hannibal was inamored The Lake of Andoria Mansredonia Castelluccio Monte Rotano Celenza St. Marco Volturara St. Gaudio Rosseno Montefalcone Lesina The Lake of Lesina Serra Capriola St. Martino Colletorto St. Iuliano Macchia Campo di Pietra Geldono Circomaggiore St. Nicandro Porcina St. Seniero Strabo lib. 6. The Temple of Calcante of Podaliero St. Iohn Ritondo Cagnano Carpino St. 〈◊〉 Arign●no St. Nicandro Foggia 〈◊〉 The custom of the sheep The number of the cattel that were customed in the year 1592. The custom of the revenue of the sheep made in the year 1592. The payment for sheep hath bin very ancient in the Kingdom Alfonsus of Aragon King of Naples 〈◊〉 to the c●stom of sh●●p Luceria of the the Pagans Paolo Diacono lib. 5. Charls the 2 King of Naples drove the Saracins from Luceria and from all the Kingdom The body of St. Augustine in Luceria By whom Troia was built The Councel of Troia The bodies of Saints in Troia Ascolo di Satriano The Church of St. Leonard given to the Knights of St· Mary of Prusia The Isles of Diomedes now called Trinity The quality condition of the people The Arms of this Province The nature disposition of the people The Royal revenue under the Kings of the Normans was received by a price What a whole intire fee was Andrea d' Isernia Capece A feudary was bound but to 3 months service The Chap. of King Charls The feudary when he served not personally to what he was bound Afflitto Charls 2. Places of Demains which yay the Livery Extraordinary payments on whom and when it is imposed The imposition of 3 grains made by Don The sum of the imposition for the Castles The sum of the imposition for repairing the highway● The sum of the payment for the soldiers and men of arms The custom of the sheep of Apulia The custom of Puglia very a●cient The custom of Puglia newly instituted by King Alfonsus The cus●om of silk sold to the Prince of Bisignano The sum of the imposi●ion upon s●●k and saffron The custom or Iron and by whom 〈◊〉 w●s ●●s●ituted The great custom of Naples and the revenue thereof The sum of th● 〈◊〉 r●venue T●e reven●● of 〈◊〉 cu●●om of 〈◊〉 Of Oyl and Sope. Of Wine conveyed out of the kingdom The custom of Cards Of eggs birds and kidds Of Manna Of the race of Horses Of forfeitures to the King Of horses that are bought Of the conveying of corn The revenue of times why it was so called The aids of Tuscan The revenue of the City of Viesti and others A new imposition upon Brimstone The new imposition on hemp A new imposition on the infidels The due of Salnitro The industry and labour of Salt The duties of the commodities of grain and others The end of the lines of Barons and the Kings Offices that are void The revenue of Liveries of heirs and forfeitures and others The Cathedral Churches of the Kingdom The Abbats of the Kingdom Circes the daughter of S●le and Perse. Totila King of the Goths apparelled like a Page Petronio Petronasso reedified the Monastery of the Hill Casino A girl converted to a male The belief of the Au●h●r The Hill Cibele now called Monte Virgine The bodies of Sidrack Mesheck and Abedneg● preserved in Monte Virgine The admirable 〈◊〉 in Monte Virgine Flesh and milk carried into Monte Virgine become● full of worms The fertility of the Hill Gauro Why it was called the Hill Miseno The hill Miseno called in former time Aereo Aeneas kild his Trumpeter Miseno and sacrificed him to the Gods of Hell The Tower of Faro Octavius Augustus kept his Fleet in Ma●● Morto for the defence of the Tirrene Sea Pompey flouteth L. Lucullus The answer of Lucullus The Authors which make mention of the Hil Miseno The Hil Massico The wine F●lerni in great estimation with the Romans The Author● which make mention of the hil Massico The Authors which make mention of the Wine of Falerno Minervio Maiella Olibano The Emperor C. Caligula caused the hill Olibano to be cut The bath of the rock and the vertue thereof The bath Ortodonico why it was so called Palinuro The City Hielia Why it was called Palinuro Pausilipo Virgils Sepulchre A Bay-tree that grew naturally over the Sepulchre of Virgil. Sarno The Country of Pompeians one of the beautifullest parts of Campagna spoiled by fire of the Hill Vesuvio See Corn Tacitus in 15 book of Histories The Wine of Trifolino Lib. 13. Why it was called the Hill Vesevo Cornel. Cetego the Consul dried up the Fen Pontina Iupiter Ansure The Lake Averno Plin. lib. 2. cap. 106. Plin. lib. 3. cap. 10. The Lake Lucrino why it was so called The History of a Dolphin The Sepulchre of Scipio Africano A Proverb See the Elegy of Giovio in the life of Scipio Afr. Phil. lib. 14. Columella lib. 13. Vegetio l 4. The Saracius possess Sicilia Ferabach maketh Warr with the Greek● Guglielmo Ferabach Count of Puglia The death of Guglielmo 1042 〈◊〉 Count of Puglia The Count of Puglia consumed by the Emperor Henry the 2 to Dragone 1051. Vm●rid● Count of Puglia Anno. 57. Baielardo Count of Puglia Roberto Guiscard Count of Puglia Ruberto Guiscard attributeth to himself the title of Duke of Puglia and Calauria
a Polititian 24 The Restitution of those Jewels the Prince left in Spain for the Infanta notwithstanding the breach of the Treaty 31 The Reign of this King of Spain less succesfull then of his Predicessors 58 The first Race of the Neapolitans 60 A Remarkable story of the Marquiss Oliverio 61 A Remarkable story of the Neapolitan revenge ib. The Revenues of Naples above three millions yearly in proem Not able to pay the King of Spains interest to Genoa ibid. A Relation of the revolt of Portugal 41 Rome hath more men and Naples more people Rome hath more Comendams and Naples more Cavaliers 24 S THe Sulphurious quality of the Soil cause of the fertility of Naples in proem A Saying of Pythagoras in proem The Shaking condition of the Monarchy of Spain in proem Self-conquest the greatest victory 2 The Strange carriage of a Spanish Captain towards King Philip the second 15 A Strange opinion the Spaniards had of the English since they dserted Rome 20 The Spanish Ambassadors plot against Buckingham in England 37 The Subtil information which they gave King Iames against him 37 The Solemn complaint which Sir Walter Ashton made in Spain against the said Ambassador 38 The whole plot detected in the said complaint 39 The Spanish Ambassadors instead of punishment are rewarded ib. Spain and England break out into a short war ib. Seven Secretaries attended Masanello 50 A Strange Tale of a Neapolitan horse towards his rider 61 A strange Story of Olivares his bastard 59 A Saying of Olivares at his fall 60 T THe Tumults of Masanello like a candle burning at both ends in proem The Conquest of the Philippine Islands by Philip the second 10 The successes of this world compared ib. The disasters of Philip the second ib. The ill successes of Mestogan ib. The ill success at los Gelues ib. The ill success at Granada 11 The ill success at Goletta d' Tumi ib. The notable temper of Philip the second ib. The grounds that Philip the second pretended for invading of England ib. The ill offices which Q. Eliz. did Philip of Spain ib. The disaster of the invincible Spanish Armada 88 12 The taking of Cales by the Earl of Essex ib. The tragical end of Masanello 52 Two pound of brains found in Olivares skul when he was opened 60 A huge Tempest role when he was going to be buried ib. V MOre Vicissitudes in Naples then in any other Country in proem Ve●●vius fires prophetical in proem De Valdes gets Florida from the French 10 The Vow made by Philip the second to build the Escurial 7 The Vastness of that building being called the eight wonder of the world 14 A Very great clash in Naples betwixt the Duke of Matalone and the Prince of Sanza 40 Vasconcellos the Portugal Secretary murthered Viceroy Ognate did notable service in Naples 60 Viceroy of Naples the Duke of Arco's reproached by young Don Iohn of Austria 55 An Vniversal sadness in Spain for the breach of the match with England 31 W THe Wonderfull progress of Masanello in a few daies in proem The Witchcraft of the Mahumetan 10 Wise sayings of Philip the second upon sundry occasions 14 His Wise comportment towards an insolent Captain 15 His Wonderfull temper ib. Of the four VVives of Philip the second 16 His Wise comportment and sayings upon the death of his eldest son 17 A Wise Speech of Charls the Emperour concerning Kings 16 Another touching Spain and England 20 A Wise Speech of this King of Spains Nurse ●8 Waies extraordinary that Olivares had to enrich himself 57 Waies extraordinary to raise the King money ib. Sir Walter Ashtons memorial to the King of Spain for the miscarriage of his Ambassadors in England 37 Wise waies which Philip the second had to decide controversies 16 THE DESCRIPTION OF THE KINGDOM OF NAPLES THe Kingdom of Naples otherwise called the Great Sicilia which from Faro lieth as it were almost an Island inclosed with three Seas the Tirren Ionian and Adriatick hath in circuit a thousand four hundred and twenty miles being accounted only by land from the mouth of the River Vsent to that of Tronto a hundred and fifty miles These two Rivers the one runneth into the Tirren the other into the Adriatick Seas where are contained besides a little part which there remaineth of Latium many Regions which the people of the Country call for their greatness Provinces the which according to the division made by the Emperor Frederick the second by King Charls the first by King Alfonsus the first by the Catholick King and by Don Ferdinando the Catholick King are these The Land of Lavoro the Principality on this side the Principality on the other side Basilicata Calauria on this side Calauria on the other side the Land of Otronto the Land of Bary Abruzzo on this side Abruzzo on the other side the County of Molise and Capi●anata There are also adjacent unto the said Kingdom under every Province certain Islands very near lying round about as in the Tirren Sea directly against Terracina and at Gaeta are Ponza and Pandaria now called Palmarola by Pliny called Pandatena and by Strabo Pandria and Pandaria and directly against Mola Palmosa is Parthenope so called by Ptol●my now commonly called Bentetiene and against Pozzuolo is Ischia which anciently had three names Inarime Pitacuse and Enaria There are near Ischia Prochita and the Isle Nessi the one now called Procita and the other Nisita There is against the Cape of Minerva the Isle Capri and Sirenusse directly against Passitano which are two little Isles the one called Gale the other St. Peter Opposite to Tropeia and to Ricadi are the Isles Eolie which were only inhabited by the Lipari which compasseth sixteen miles all the rest are solitary and desert and retain also the ancient names of Stromboli and Vulcan from whence continually ariseth fire and smoke In the Adriatick Coast are Rasato and Gargano directly against Varrano and the four Isles of Diomedes which now by one name are called Tremite which are but little but of the two greater the first is called St. Mary of Tremite the other St. Doimo and the two lesser the one Gatizzo and the other Capara These are the Isles of any name except the Rocks which are comprehended in the Confines of the Kingdom of Naples This fortunate and great Realm exceedeth all other Kingdoms not only by reason of the situation lying in the midst of the fifth Climate which is held the most temperate part of the world but also for the great abundance of all good things being not any thing to be desired which is not there to be found of so great perfection and in so great plenty It is Inhabited by people so warlike and generous that herein it gives place not to any other Country I will not say only of Italy but of all the world besides being a thing well known to all men that the most valiant
Nations the Piligni the Samniti the Marsi the Frentani being so well known in the Wars of Archidamus and of Cleonimus the Spartan of Agatocles the Sicilian of Alexander the Epirote of Pyrrhus of Molossus and Hanniball of Carthage and in the civil Wars of Iulius Caesar and Pompey and other Romans these People have valiantly demeaned themselves and in latter times have also declared their prowesse and manifested every one their noble acts in the Wars which they had against Alericus and Totila ancient enemies of these noble Provinces This happy Kingdom hath also produced excellent wits in all Learning and wisdom as in Philosophy Aistossenes Architas and Euritus of Tarentum Filolous Aremeones Tela●ges Aristeus and Rodippus born at Cotron Androdamus of Reggio Parmenides Zenon and Leucippo of Scalea Hippasus of Metapont Pythagoras Timeo Xenon Filodamus and Euetus of Locris a Country worne out with antiquity Ocelus of Lucania Stratonicus of Cuma St. Thomas of Aquin Nearest to this our age the light of all Learning was born at Naples and of a more later time Augustin Nifus of Sessa and Simon Portius a Neopolitan neither will I conceal the glory of the Poets and Orators which have honoured this Kingdom Ennius an ancient Poet was of the Country of Puglia Rudia Lucillus of Arunca near to Benevento Pacuvius a Tragical Poet of Brindese Venosa may boast for bringing forth Horace as also Sulmona Ovid Regio of Theagenes Ibicus Cle●mines and of Lodwick Parisetus a youth Croton of Orpheus Turia of Stesicorus a Lirical Poet Nola of St. Paulinus Bishop Napes of Achias the Master of Cicero of Pub. Statius of Marinus and excellent Orator and Philosopher Disciple of Proelus of Porcellus of Iohn Pontanus and Iacobus Sannazaco Amiternus of Salust Capoa of Vittor Bishop an eloquent Orator and learned Astrologian Aquin of Iuvenal and of Marcus Tullius Cicero the very lightning of eloquence This said Noble Kingdom hath brought forth not only men but also learned women which have been very excellent in Philosophy as Themistoclea the sister of Pithagoras of whom she learned many notable things and Damea the daughter of the same Pithagoras who sufficiently expressed her learning in expounding the difficult opinions of her Father no less Myan and Arignote her said daughters have been excellent in the same profession Artea the daughter of Aristippus after the death of her Father maintained while she lived most gloriously the School and held the Chair of Philosophy In the Art of Poetry have been very excellent Perilla the wife of Ovid Claudia wife of P. Statius Papinius Neapolitan Violentilla wife of Aruntius Stella Neapolitan Consul and a famous Poet Luscina the daughter of Stesicorus a Poet of Metaurus in Calabria And those that were not born in this Kingdom have esteemed it a place worthy of their life of their leisure and of their studies as Plato Vergil Livy and Plotin which had their habitations in Villages in divers places of the Kingdom and there composed their Works holding famous Schools for which cause it may truly be accounted a happy Kingdom But since these few things are touched in general but as it were passing by for the knowledg thereof I will now endeavour to handle them in particular and with a very distinct order whereby every one shall clearly understand how many good and beautifull things that whole world containeth in it and that through the excellency thereof have repaired thither so many and so strange Nations as never the like have past into any other Kingdom or Province as well to inhabit as to sack and ransack the same And to speak of the most ancient thither have come the Coni the Sicli the Morgeti the Enotri the Pelasgi the Ausoni the Etoli the Arunci the Etrusci the Osci the Opici the Cimerii the Lapigi the Liburni the Illirii and other people which are of later memory even continuing to this our time as the Greeks Goths Lombards Saracins Normans Germans Frenchmen Spaniards and also the Turks have attempted to overcome it But leaving to discourse any more in general I will proceed with a particular narration of every Province in this Kingdom The Land of LAVORO The First Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES THe Fortunate and happy Province of the Land of Lavoro called of the Latines Terra Laboris hath on the East the River Silare on the West Garigliano now called Liris on the North the Apennin Mountains and on the South the Tirrene Sea the length thereof wanteth little of a hundred miles and the breadth thirty It hath been inhahited by the Osci the Arunci the Volosci the Ausoni the Cimerii the Samniti the Cumani and the Picentini It hath four principal Rivers Garigliano Vulturno Sarno and Sele which as they are between them little wanting of an equal distance so alwaies in most places they cannot be waded This Country was also called of the Latines Campania felix it was called happy for the fertillity and fatness of the earth which is so much and in such sort that here Ceres and Bacchus strive together for the greatest Soveraignty It attained the name of the largeness of the fields it was also called the old Campania as a difference from the new that is Campania of Rome and now from the Leborine Fields which are near Capoa it is called the Land of Lavoro The Fields of this Province lie under moist and mistie hils and are all as it were in a plain and the benefit of this Land briefly to declare the nature of the Earth is that the superficial or uppermost part thereof is very drie and dustie but within so spongeous and moist like to a pomice that sucks in the water whereby no small profit ariseth also from those Hills for that the showers descending from them are dispersed over all the Valley and so not over-watering the earth nor making it too soft but apt and easie for tillage the same ground sendeth not out that received moisture in any Springs or Fountains but temperateth it and concocting within it holds it as nourishment unto it Corn is sowed once in a year and Oats and Flax twice every year Dionysius of Alicarnassus saith That in his time was successively gathered in one year three sorts of Fruits that is one in the Spring another in Summer and the third in Autumn In this most plentifull Region the Trees flourish twice in a year and there is found all delights for the pleasure of men In this Noble Province are large and fertile Fields pleasant and fruitfull Hils thick and delightfull Woods fresh and clear Springs and pleasant Lakes Moreover there are places in the manner of spacious Amphitheaters wrought amongst the Hils by that great Workmaster Nature to yield delight in the hunting of wild Beasts that are inclosed therein and to declare the great abundance that is there I will begin with flying fowles whereof there are great plenty that is to
all the Romans both men and women might lawfully commit any lascivious dishonesty which then was accounted the most holy that which that day was most dishonest St. Felix Bishop hath given great honour to this City whose body lieth in it and as they say there riseth continually Manna out of his holy bones whose life was written by St. Paulino Bishop of this City St. Paulino was the inventor of the use of Bels an Instrument utterly unknown to the Ancients which is now so necessary in the Church of God He gave it the name of Campane because he invented it in Campania where is the aforesaid City of Nola of the which he was Bishop and that the Citizens ever since glorying therein as rightly they may have alwaies used to give a Bell for the Arms of the City And to say something of the famous Counts of Nola Monsignieur Guido da Monforte was the first thereof a most noble and valiant Gentleman of France which came with Charls the first of Angio to the Conquest of the Kingdom with whom he was in great estimation and having one only daughter called Anastasia married to Romano Orsino chief Justice of the Kingdom who by the death of his Father in Law succeeded in the County which was the first of the Family of Orsina which had Seigniory in the Kingdom The posterity of this man have proved all worthy men and very valiant but the matchless Paragon of all was Ramondo which florished in the time of Charls the second for being chased away and forsaken by his Father went into Soria after he had in a journey into the Holy Land done many valiant exploits against the Moors and overcome in a private combate a most fierce and mighty Saracin who carried a Rose upon the top of his wreathed Turbant returned home into the Kingdom with great honour and for a token of that Victory joyned it with much glory to his Arms whereupon through his great magnanimity and valour was made Prince of Taranto That Principality hath been continued even to this present one of the most important Members of the Kingdom for it contained very much land and Cities of greatest importance which for brevity I omit to name so that Ramondo being a very mighty and great Lord the House of Orsina was very famous through all Italy R●mondo married the Lady Mary of Eugenio of an honourable proginy in France who after the death of her husband having the tuition of her children became Queen of Naples at such time as King Ladislao besieged her in Taranto who being not able to subdue her resolved to take her for his wife and so by that means to possess the Inheritance of the children of Ramondo of whom the first was Iohn Antonio who redeemed the Principality of Taranto with money from Iames husband of Queen Ione This Iohn Antonio increased much his Patrimony with Lands of great importance and was highly favoured by Alfonsus of Arragon King of Naples who made him great Constable which is the chiefest of the seven Offices in the Kingdom with a hundred thousand Duckets yearly for a Pension And to return to the Counts of Nola they were great L●rds for they possest Sarno Tripalda Palma Avella Lauro Forino Ascoli and other Lands But afterward Felice Orsino Prince of Salerno succeeded in the County who having little experience in worldly affairs through the d●●●ension and division of the Kingdom lost his State in 〈◊〉 time after the death of his Father And King Ferrant the first gave Salerno to Robert 〈◊〉 and Nola Tripalda Ascoli Lauro and Forino to Orso Orsino 〈…〉 great Chancellor of the Kingdom and partner with him in the Wars against Iohn Antonio Orsino whereupon the line of Romano Orsino which had ruled Nola almost two hundred years was extinguished and the Principality of Salerno rose of the House of Orsino 24 years after he had it But this line afterward of the Count Orso continued but a small time for the Lady Santola a Citizen of Nola by whom he had two sons the one Duke of Ascoli and the other a Knight lost all their Inheritance through the wicked means of their mother who lewdly justified of her own accord that they were not begotten by the Count Orso were deprived of all their right by King Ferdinando who gave the County of Nola with Cimitino Avella Monforte Lauro Palma and Ottoiano to the Count Nicola Orsino of Pitigliano whose successors possest it untill the year 1528. the which Don Arrigo in serving the French lost his life and his state also and so ended the line of the Counts of Nola which were so famous in this Kingdom Now returning to our former order I say that from the City of Nola are also sprung many other famous men as well adorned with Learning as with Military Discipli●e which would be too teadious to repeat and therefore I re●er the reader to Ambrogio Lione who very exactly nameth and describeth them all But for us it shall be only sufficient to name the Noble Families which the said Leone writeth of which are in the said City and are these following Albertino Alfano Barone Capos●rosa Candido Cesarini Coriale Carmignano Campobascio de Ferrariis de Elia Freccia Fellecchia Fontana Rosa Del Iodice Ioseph Infante de Gennaro Maffei Marifeulo Morra Mastril●o Mazzeo Notariis De Palma Perarii Perrigioanni Rehi Risi Santori Sassolani c. and at this present the Bishop of this City Fabritio Gallo Neopolitan a Prelate besides his learning a man of sincere and pure life who with much diligence composed a Sinodal Book of his Diocess There are many other places the which I think not fit to recite all but the greatest and most important I have not omitted any but the small and little as those which are thought to be of little or no account I have neglected assuring you that to the integrity and soundness of the Work it shall not fail in any momentary matter The Arms of this Noble Country is in a Field Asur●● Cornucope in salter thorow the middle of a Crown the first of ●eres the other Bacchus or the which Arms signifie the great fertility and abundance of the Country which as it were Queen of every other Province exceeds them in all the benefits of Nature Whereupon in confirmation of what I have said I will concluded with L. Floro who speaking thereof thus writeth Omnium non modo Italia sed toto orbe terrarum pulcherrima Campaniae plaga est Nihil mollius coelo nihil uberrius solo nihil hospitalius mari Denique bis floribus vernat ideo Liberi Cererisque certamen dicitur Hic illi nobiles portus Caieta Misenus tepentes fontibus Baiae Lucrinus Avernus qu●dam maris otia Hic amicti vitibus montes ●aurus Falernus Massicus Pulcherim●s omnium Vessuvius Aetaeni ignis imitator Vrbes ad mare Formiae Cumae Neapolis Herculanium Pompei ipsa
caput urbium Capua quodam inter tres maximas Romam Carthaginemque numerata c. The PRINCIPALITY On this side the second Province of the Kingdome OF NAPLES THe ancient Inhabiters of this Province were called the Picentini But Arechi the second 14th Duke of Benevento in the year 755. much enlarged his Dukedom for as much as he not only subdued by force of Arms the Picentine people but also the Irpini whereupon growing proud usurped the Title of Prince and was the first in Italy that attributed to himself that Title and so commanded that his State should be no more called a Dukedom but a Principality And from hence perhaps it so came to pass that within a while after from that new Title of Prince all that part of the Picentini and of the people Irpini by one only name were called Principato The Confines of the Picentini according to Strabo Ptolomy and Sempronius hath on the West the happy Campania on the North the Irpini on the East the River Silaro and Basilicata and on the South the Tirren Sea This said Country was within the said limits in breadth 16 miles and in length beginning from Sirenuse even unto the mouth of the River Silaro 260 furlongs which is 33 miles But according to Pliny only 30. the circuit of which Country contained a part of old Campania The Romans brought these people from Adria to inhabit here about the borders of Pestano But afterward being Confederate with Hannibal the Carthaginian the Romans for this cause became afterwards their enemies who in disdain drove them out of the Country and were forced to dwell elsewhere as some report their principal City was Picentia as Pliny testifieth the which are also so named by Pomponius and Silius in his eight book from the which these people derive the name Picentia of the Picentini as some say Others affirm that the Sabines having chosen of a new people ce●ain Colonies sent them under the Conduct of Pico which brought them into the borders of Pestano and there built the City of Picentia from whence they were afterward called Picentini Others say that they were so called of Piceno from whom their fore-fathers draw their first original and that from their City the people were so called And last of all others say from Pico their Captain they had that name which led the first Colony of Sabines into a part of Pestano The Territories of this Province are very fruitfull in many places of all sorts of Corn and have sufficient store of Cattel and where there is not that abundance of these things yet that great Mother Nature yieldeth other things very plentifull which in time of Harvest sufficiently appears that even among themselves there seems a certain emulation Besides this the Sea which every where with great abundance of divers sorts of Fishes both shel-fish and others furnish it as it were glorying it self comes nothing behind the other To conclude the greatest part of this Region bringeth forth Corn Wine Oyl Rice and all other sorts of pulse And those places which are any thing scarce of these things besides divers excellent Fruits yield Hony Silk Bombace and Saffron whereupon many say this Region is seasoned and tempered with all the graces It is also adorned with pleasant Woods and thick and shady Groves and hath high and stately Mountains and delightfull Hils with great plenty of Springs and sweet waters On the Sea-side it hath many secure safe Havens and goodly Shores and the places much inhabited it hath besides all sorts of fruitfull Trees and particularly those which were transported by Hercules unto us out of Media as Citrons Limons and Oringes which the beautifull Nymph Amalfi planted in the pleasant Vallies of this Country a place which seemeth to the beholders thereof a most beautifull Embrodery or Arras work where the nearer a man cometh the more pleasure increaseth both to the eyes and the nose besides the Mirtle Trees the Bayes the Gelsomine the Roses the Rosemary and Flowers of sundry kinds and other the like Plants from whence proceeds such a fragrant smell which mingled with divers odours yields an admirable sweetness Who can be able to declare the ornament and furniture of the Vines from whence are had such sweet and delicate Wines Verily the places of this Region are so delightfull and pleasant that they are worthy to be numbred among the most beautifull and most delicate of all Italy And here the air is temperate and wholsome and through all the year excellent hunting both for fowls and beasts In truth the Territory of this beautifull Region is such that all Italy hath not almost the like wherefore it may be called a perfect work of Nature In praise whereof that learned Iulius Cesare Scaligero composed these Verses Quae Borcae g●lidas furias contemnit ovantis Torva procellosi despicit arma Noti Medorum silvis foecundas provocat auras Fundit à biseris Indica dona jugis Protinus Autumnus veris cum tempore certat Et ver cum Autumni tempore certat item Huc accessit hyemes venerantibus uda capillis Et peperit mirans sibi poma legit Tuta mari fruitur terrae dominatur amarae Et coeli mutat jura quid ergo Dea. But having now made a description of this Country which beginneth at the mouth of the River Sarno leaving the Castle of Stabie going by the Mediterrane four miles distant from the said River is the City Noceria whereof M. Tullius and Livy makes often mention now called of the Pagans Nueera because the Saracins held it a certain time their Army being overthrown at Garigliano by Pope Iohn the tenth This said City is indued with the dignitie of a Dukedom under the Family of Carrafa And in this City among others are these Noble Families Pagano Rinaldo and Vngro On the right hand of Nucera are certain Hils in the midst whereof lieth the Land of Tramonti so called because it is situated between the Hils At the side of these Hils on the left hand near to a very pleasant Valley is Sanseverino a good and an excellent Country from whence as some affirm the noble Family of Sanseverino derive their original whereof have descended more excellent Warriers then were in the Trojan horse of whose noble deeds Histories make sufficient mention and whereof we have also discoursed in the noble Families of Naples whereto I refer the Reader But returning to the said Country although it be of a later time nevertheless is very famous for the excellent Wines that are had out of the fertile Valleys thereof which the Latines call Amineum vinum whereof Virgil saith Sunt Animeae vitis firmissima vina Some had opinion that from the ruines of the ancient City of Aminio Sanseverino should be builded in which noble Country are many worthy Families as the Curiale Capacini Caiano Folliero dell ' Abbadessa Pandone Pescara of Sarno
continued Monk and in the year 998 resigned his State to Guaimaro the son of the other Guaimaro In the year after 1038. the Emperor Corrado entring Italy for the displeasure he conceived against the Archbishop of Millan and understanding the injuries and tortures which the Prince of Capoa had do●e to the Monks of Casino being very dishonest and wicked the Emperor came with his Army to the Mount Casino and again understanding the lamentations and complaints of the Fathers incontinently went to Capoa The Prince fearing him retired into the Fort of St. Agata the which he one day doubting his ill dealings had caused to be very strongly fortified whereupon the Emperor being not able to lay hold of him deprived him of the Principality and gave the same to Guaimaro Prince of Salerno Guaimaro being now become a mighty Prince through the uniting together of so many great possessions received Ambassadors from Mainace Lieutenant of the Emperor of Greece desiring him to give him aid of his Normans he being with a mighty Army of Grecians and many Calaurians and Puglians in expedition to expell the Saracins out of Sicilia To whom the Prince sent Guglielmo Dragone and Vnfrido the sons of Tancred with 300 other Normans a small number but valiant people with the which they recovered a great part of Sicilia Now the Prince Guaimaro growing proud with so great felicity ill intreated the Salernitani whereby becoming odious to all they took one day occasion that as he went to recreate himself upon the shore of Salerno to assault him and gave him 36 deadly wounds and afterward in contempt of him they drag'd him a long time about the Walls of the Fortress and the City But Guido Lord of Surrento inviting the Normans to aid him neglected not the revenge of his brothers death having recovered the City and put Gisulfo his son into his Fathers Seigniory executed 40. for the death of the Prince But within a few years following Gisulfo grew into controversie with Ruberto Normando Duke of Puglia his Cousin the Duke with a strong siege begirt Salerno where finding the Prince grievously sick died not long after and so came the Principality of Salerno under the Normans who after with the title of King governed the whole Kingdom from whose dominion in the year 1195. it fell into the House of Suevia by the right of Queen Constance the only heir thereof from whence it came to pass in the year 1265. that Charls of Angio having slain Manfred and overcome Currandine under the French created his first begotten son cal'd Charls the lame Prince of Salerno who succeeding in the Kingdom was the second of that name Afterward the Kingdom came under the Durazze which Queen Ione the second having a desire to recompence in some measure the services which Antonio Colonna had done for her created him Prince of the said City which Seigniory retained certain years untill Alfonsus of Arragon the better to settle his foot in the Kingdom having with large promises drawn unto him Raimondo Orsino Count of Nola a puisant Lord to bind him the more unto him made him Prince thereof which dignity remained no long time in that house for that it fell into the Kings Exchequer by rebellion of Daniel Orsino the which Principality King Farnando in the year 1463. gave to Ruberto Sanseverino Count of Marsico his great Admiral Notwithstanding that Seigniory continued not long with them for that Ferrant the third Prince made rebellion against the Majesty of Cesar whereby all his estate was confiscate and so from thenceforth the said City was made a part of the Kings demesnes now it remaineth peaceable under the protection of the most potent Catholick King Philip. All this I thought good to declare the better to satisfie the Reader how this famous City came under Princes and last of all their Kings But now returning to speak of other things which give no small ornament to this City one thing is the publick and famous School which for a long time hath alwaies florished in every faculty and especially in Philosophy and Phisick for which it was called the City Hippocratica Francisco Petrarea speaking thereof in his Commentary thus writeth Fuisse hic Medicinae fontem testator antiquitas And although it be a most ancient famous Uniuersity nevertheless it is said that in the year of Christ 802. Charls the great instituted it at which time two others were founded by him the one in Paris and the other in Bologna This City is very plentifull of all necessary things for the sustenance of living creatures and in it is the Kings Audit and the Treasury of the Province The Citizens thereof are very ingenious and nice and very much inclined to the exercise of weapons and learning and to all vertuous indeavours they are also very courteous and modest and generally in all appeareth a certain natural civility the Nobility is divided from the people in three Quarters or Courts which they call Seggi and are these Portanova Portaretese elo Campo in the which Seggi are these Noble Families following In Portanova are Aversani Capograssi Comiti dello Iodice Grillo Longo Mazza Morra Pagano Pinto Santo Mango Salernitano de Stafano del Barone d' Accadia Scattaretichi Serluchi Vicarii In Portaretese are these Aiello Coppola Capoano Curiale del Pezzo Guarna Pagliari Pantoliano Prignano Manganaro Porta Rascichi Rugiero and Vivaldo In the Segge of Campo Castellomati Cavaselice David del Regente del Pezzo Granito Guardato Grillo Ruggio Sciabichi Solimeni and Trentacapilli There are also many other ancient and Noble Families the which for that they are not comprehended in any of the said Seggs I think it not amiss at this time to make no mention of them And therefore you are to understand that although of the Family of Pezzo there is mention made in two of these Seggs yet for all that are they not two different Families but one and the same being a thing very manifest that their original came from Collen a famous City of Germany where at this present is a branch of the ancient stock and descended from Iohn del Pezzo a valiant and famous Captain which wandring along time served in the Wars both here and there whereupon by means of the Wars which were in Italy came hither following the faction of the Arragonese and as he was very expert in military discipline shewing much maturity of wit and invincible courage of an excellent mind and incomparable wisdom to resolve the difficulty of the affairs of Warr. He was in great estimation with Alfonsus the first King of Arragon from whom he obtained many bountifull and rich gifts Of the valour and magnanimity of the said Iohn a certain large priviledg maketh sufficient mention which I have seen made by the same King under the date of Castiglione of Peschiera in the year 1448. and 23 of Ianuary in the which priviledg was decreed that one Pietro
round about That R. Padre Matthia Iuono sirnamed Aquario of the Order of Preachers hath given great honour to this Country of the learning of this man many Works written by him are sufficient testimony that is to say certain learned discourses upon all the principles of Logick natural Philosophy Metaphisick and the Soul upon the four Books of Sentences and another book in particular of the exquisite learning of the controversies between St. Thomas and all the other Doctors and Philosophers with a brief discourse de memoria artificiali de significationibus terminorum juxta doctrinam Sancti Thomae The said learned man died in the year 1591. Walking a little forward is the Country of Olivito the natural Country of Camillo Borrello an excellent Lawyer Olivito was so named because the Territory thereof is full of Olives But leaving these Mediterranean places and walking the ruinous way by the shore we come to Agropolo where is reported that through the delicacy of the air women at twelve years of age are capable of husbands like to the Cipriots which at that time lose their virginity After we come to the Castle of Abbate is the Cape of Licosa first called the Promontory of Possidoniate hard by is the Castle of Bruca a relique of old Velia with the River Electe which taketh the name from the City of Elea and hither the Romans sent to celebrate their accustomed sacrifice to Ceres their Goddess Before the Country of Elia are the two little Isles of Enotrie which have two little artificial Havens the one called Isacia and the other Pontia Afterward appeareth upon a high hill Cammerota in a small circuit of ground builded as some affirm by the reliques of the ancient City of Molpa which standeth but a little distant Going afterward some few miles is a goodly Fortress Near Policastro with the Gulf which the Ancients call the Haven Saprico is the City of Sapri now named Bonati Within the Land is Capaccio Novi and the Valley of Diano a litle from whence upon a hill is a Country called Atane on the other side is Polla Tito and Sala so called because the hils are full of Sage whereupon because in this Valley riseth a great Spring of water which the City of Diano takes the name from Atane of Atteone Tito of Titan which is the Sun Apolla of Apollo it seemeth from the resemblance and near affinity of these names and from the pleasantness of the Country the Fable might here have had its beginning of Atteone the son of Aristeo with Diana After followeth the Fenn with the rich Monastery of St. Laurence possessed by the Carthusian Monks and not far distant is Laurino Saponara and Marsico with many other places But to conclude touching this Province it remaineth that I now declare the disposition and nature of these people which are of a strong constitution and naturally merry ready in arms desirous of learning wary in their affairs and given both to pleasure and profit they are also painfull and industrious and inclined to Traffick the Gentlemen are comely and neatly attired nothing differing from the manner of the Neopolitans but the common people respect not so much civility for as much as they cloth themselves with cloth made of course wooll and base attires on the head All the men in general are very jealous both of their honour and their wives whereupon proceeds the old Proverb Picentinorum Zelotypia In bargaining and contracting their affairs it behoveth a stranger to be very wary for what with deceitfull and flattering speeches and many oaths they easily deceive those that buy any thing of them The Arms of this Country is per fesse ar Sa unto a Sea-compass four wings extended and fixed in Salter with the North-star in chief sinister or The which said arms declare unto us that in this Province was found as hath been said the Mariners Compass with the vertue of the Adamant stone and the Sea-card by Flavio di Gioia whereupon the two fields the one signifieth the day the other the night the four wings which are joyned to the Sea-Compass declare the four Cardinal Winds and chiefest in the world that is to say the East the West the North and the South the shining Star signifieth the North Star wherewith through that excellent invention Pilots and Mariners might sail both day and night with any wind The PRINCIPALITY On the other side the third Province in the Kingdom OF NAPLES THe people of the Principality on the other side are part of the ancient Irpini and derive this name from Lupo which conducted them into this Province to inhabit for so much as the Sabines call Lupo Irpo the which Strabo declareth in the end of his first Book saying Ordine de hinc sunt Hirpini ipsi Samniticae gentis Qui quidem ex Lupo nomen adepti fuerunt qui eis in deducenda Colonia Dux oblatus est Samnites enim Lupum vocant Hirpum The limits of these people were on the East Lucania at this present called Basilicata on the South a part of the said Basilicata with the Picentini and the happy Campania on the West the Sabines and the Vestini on the North the Apennine Hils and the Plain Apuglia now called Capitanato with the Saracins and the Peligni There is also contained in this Province a Country now called the dale of Beneventana the principal part of all Sannio where have been done greater exploits and more in number then in any other part of Italy This Country hath higher hils then the Apennine from whence proceed in certain places little brooks and from almost immeasurable Cliffs and Rocks which is the cause of many Rivers Streams Lakes and Springs it stretcheth in length going along by the Apennine 80 miles from the head of Vulturno to the beginning of the River Silare in Basilicata and of so many Rivers which water this Valley except some few all first fall into the River Sabato and afterward into Vulturno so that from the lower part Sabato seemeth a snag or a branch of a Tree among all the other boughs thereof In Matese which is a Promontory of the Apennine did inhabit the most valiant people of all Sannio Of these people which remained upon these hils Livy saith that they were alwailes faithfull to the Sannites neither could the Roman Army go much before them The principal City of this Region is Benevento edified as Servio affirmeth by Diomedes the Greek and Livy saith that it was first called Malvento and that it was made a Colony of the Romans at the same time with Arimino under the Consulship of P. Sempronio and Ap. Claudio The said City was maintained many years in great peace under the Government of the Romans untill the coming of Tottila King of the Goths into Italy who destroyed it with great slaughter and so remaining ruinated for certain years was afterward repaired
because it runneth near the said City Afterward we come to these Countries Montefalcione Candida and Serpito but above the high and difficult mountains called Monti Tremoli above named appeareth the City Vulturara Above Benevento little more then the third part of a mile runneth the River Calore into the River Sabato on the right hand whereof which bendeth towards the Hils and Mountains which we have said to be above Benevento are these Castles and Countries Pia Chiusano the old Castle and a little above Montella an excellent and goodly Country indued with the Title of a Count. Over the River Calore two miles from Sabato the Emperor Valentine made a great and magnificent Bridg joyning with the way Appia which was therefore called Valentino which is now all ruinated On the left side of the said River are these Countries Apice where was another goodly Bridg which was joyned with the said way Appia and then Mirabella Tauraso Cursano Bagnulo Cassano Nusco And afterward beginneth the Apennine to rise where springeth the River Calore and on the other side of the Hill in like sort riseth the River Ausido which the Country people call Lofanto which passeth through Apuglia and runneth into the Adriatick Sea Then cometh on the right hand of Calore the River Tripalto which is near the populous Country of Tripalta which hath the honour of a Dukedom in the principal Church whereof lieth with great reverence the body of St. Ipolistro Martyr and Priest On the right side of the said River is a long and spacious Wood called by the same name Tripalta near the which on the side of this River are situated these Countries Bonito Grottamenarda Flumari and Vico. On the left side of the said River is Melito Amando Zuncoli and then up towards the Apennine is a great back of the Hill called Gr●m● which through the great difficulty to climb up is called Crepacore upon the which Hill springeth the River Moscano which runneth into Calore in the same place where entreth the River Tripalto On the right hand of Moscano is Corsano and Montecalvo and in the distance which is between the said rivers upon a pleasant hill is the City of Ariano called in old time Ara Iani of a famous Temple which was there and dedicated to Ianus On the right side of Moscano are these Countries and Castles Montemale Buon Albergo Casalalbore and the Freemens Castle Afterward is to be seen the mouth of the River Tamaro which runneth into Calore and hath as great plenty of water as any other above named and between the said two Rivers as it were in the midst is Paluda a populous and principal Country and somewhat higher on the right side of Tamaro are these Countries and Castles Sain●● Iorio Molinara Reino Santa Maria del Colle where died Iacobo Caldora a famous and a valiant Captain Cercello Cassano and Santa Croce Here beginneth a mighty great Wood which incloseth on both sides the Apennine Hils so that one part stretcheth even to Fortore a River of Puglia the other to Tamaro the which Wood is four miles in breadth and twenty in length On the left hand of Tamaro are these Countries Pietrapulcina Pavoni Pestolo Fragnito Campolottara the Monastery of Giulietto Morcone and in the Apennine Supino an ancient Country whereof Livy maketh mention Then followeth Altavilla before named which hath the dignity of a Count subject to the noble house of Capoa above the which in a hill of the Apennine is to be seen Castellovecchio near which riseth the River Tamaro Having now described this Region it remaineth that we now discourse something of the Inhabitants therein the which are very sturdy and strong and of healthfull complexion and all are exercised and expert in arms and in learning they grow excellent which apply themselves unto it But in Merchandize they are little imployed which so falleth out because every man is contented with his own goods Those in general which dwell in the Country are attired after the fashion of the Neopolitans but not the women the which go diversly apparelled and very few use to wear a mantle upon their gown they dress their heads with base attires only covering them with a broad linen cloth neither do they wear pantosles but shooes and chopineos The natural colour of the people inclines more to white then a swart colour in reasoning and discoursing they are very stately and disdainfull and great braggadochios but very obedient to their superiors The arms which this Region have used is a field per fesse gu and argent a Crown in chief or the which Arms I think signifie no other then that new title of Prince which the valorous Arechi the second the fourteenth Duke of Benevento gave in the time that he subdued the Picentine people to his dominion whereupon by the field gu and ar would manifest the vertue and courage of this Country which was in the said Arechi and for the Crown of Gold which little or nothing differeth from a regal Crown I think signifieth the new Lordship as hath been declared BASILICATA The Fourth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES A Part of Montagna sometimes named Lucania and another of Puglia were in ancient time called by one only name Basilicata but from whence the said name should proceed is not certainly known But some think although they have it not from any great authority that this Province was by an Emperor of Constantinople given in dowry with one of his daughters Others affirm and more probably that it was so called by Basilio a man very valiant in Arms which in those daies possest all these places and from this Province and from the Country of Otranto with his industry and valour drove away the Greeks and Carthaginians that were established therein The River Silare divideth this Province from Vestini and from happy Campania It hath on the South the Tirrene Sea on the East the River Lavo with the Brutii and part of Magna Gretia and on the North the Pugliesi the Pecutii with a part of the Irpini These people Lucani had their original according to Pliny from the Sanniti which are now called Abruzzesi but first the Possidoniati inhabited there a people of Magna Grecia afterward the Morgeti Seculi Italiani Enotri and Pelasgi and at length the said Sanniti were afterward called Lucani the which were a long time popularly governed by themselves and were so called by Lucano a Captain which with a Colony of Sanniti came into this place to inhabit The first Elephants that were ever seen in Italy were brought hither in the Wars of King Pyrrhus and were called Lucan Buls in respect of Lucania which was in the year after the building of Rome 47● This Province is for the most part mountainous and hilly but yet very fertile in all sorts of grain and yieldeth excellent Wines for the Vines grow to a wonderfull greatness which proceeds through
the right side of the River Bradano is the City of Venosa called by Pliny Venusia Patercolo writeth that it was a Colony of the Romans the which Livy confirmeth which was in the year 552. under the Consulship of P. Galba and C. Cotta Horace that eloquent Lirical Poet hath given much honour to this City it is adorned with the dignity of a Prince subject to the Family Gesvalda From it fifteen miles appeareth Canoso whether Terentio Varonne the Roman Consul did retire with fifty of the remainder of the Cavaliery at that famous overthrow which Hannibal gave to the Romans at Canna where L Paulo Emilio the other Consul was slain Six miles after appeareth Lavella which hath the Title of a Marquisat subject to the Family of Tufo then cometh Potenza a populous and rich City upon the Apennine to the which Sebastian Barnaba a Neopolitan Gentleman the Bishop thereof now giveth no small ornament a Prelat of sincere life and indued with great learning The said City hath been a long time possest with the Title of a Count by the House of Gevara which through defect of issue male is now conveyed to the Family of Noia Prince of Sulmona Going on the left side is seen the noble and rich City of Melfi from whence Iohn Andrea d'Oria Admiral of the Sea by the grace and favour of King Philip hath the Title of Prince a Noble man well experienced in Sea affairs and very honourable And following the same way is Spinazzola and not far off is Stigliano which hath the Title of a Prince which Lewis Carrafa Duke of Mondragone enjoyeth a very rich Lord and much affected to Poetry Coming now to a conclusion of this Province the which produceth tall and strong men with black hairs azured eyes and of a white complexion and generally all are accustomed to cut their beards very short and also the hair on their heads their manners and conditions are divers and in their Apparel somewhat base and rude except those which inhabit in the City which go very civil and have good behaviour and conversation but the common people are very rustical and barbarous they imploy themselvs to nothing but tillage and hunting and wrestling and all practice Arms in so much as there is not a child that knows not how to discharge a Pistol and Caliver They little apply themselves to learning The women are not fair and basely attired without any ornament or handsomness but very painfull and carry great burthens upon their heads The Arms of this Province is or a fesse counterindented asure voided of the field in chief an Eagles head arrached proper and crowned of the first which arms signifie the victory which the Lucani had having expel'd and driven away all the Greeks out of their Country whereupon the Lieutenant of the Emperor of Constantinople flying with other Captains were drowned in the River Bradano CALAURIA On this side the Fifth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES TOwards the South in the utmost Confines of the Kingdom lieth the ancient Province of Calauria in the South part of Italy included within the Terrene Sicilian and Ionian Seas like the figure of a beast with six heads and is in circuit 544 miles In this excellent and fruitfull Province grows almost all things not only necessary for the sustenance of living creatures but also for the delights and pleasures thereof It is all full of pleasant and fruitfull Hils Mountains and Vallies the fields are like those of Campania felix they are watred with Springs and Christaline Fountains Here is had all sorts of Corn sundry Wines and in great abundance all kinds of Fruits Oyle Sugar Hony Wax Saffron Bombace Annis and Coriander seeds There groweth Gum Pitch Turpentine and liquid Storax In former time it was never without Mettals but at this present it doth much abound having in most places divers sorts of Mines as Gold Silver Iron Marble Alabaster Cristal Marchesite three sorts of white Chaulk Virmilion Alume Brimstone and the Adamant stone which being in the fifth degree draweth not Iron and is in colour black There groweth hemp and slax of two sorts the one called the male the other the female There falleth Manna from heaven truly a thing very rare and although there is not gathered such abundance of Silk yet I dare say there is not had so much in all Italy besides There are also Bathes both hot luke-warm and cold to cure many diseases Near the Seaside and likewise on the Mediterrane are goodly Gardens full of Oringes Citrons and Limons of divers sorts it is watered with many Rivers There are on the hils of the Apennine thick Woods of high Firrs Holms Platanes Oaks where grows the white odoriferous Mushrome which shineth in the night Here is bred the soft stone Frigia which every month yields a delicate and wholsome Gum and the stone Aetites by us called the stone Aquilina In this Province there is excellent hunting of divers creatures as wild Hoggs Staggs Goats Hares Foxes Porcupines Marmosets There are also ravenous beasts as Wolves Bears Lyzards which are quick-sighted and have the hinder parts spotted with divers colours This kind of Beast was brought from France to Rome in the sports of Pompey the great and Hunters affirm this Beast to be of so frail a memory that although he eateth with hunger if he chance to look back remembreth no more his meat and departing searcheth for other The Sea then which lyeth upon this happy Country aboundeth with great store of excellent fish and in many places grows both white and red Coral and near the shore is found the Touch-stone which trieth Gold and Silver from all other Mettals This Province is of greater antiquity then any other in all Italy because it was begun to be inhabited before the floud by Aschenaza the son of Gomero the Nephews of Noe into which place being come where now is Regio through the amenity and temperature of the aire very delightfull made there his habitation and founded a City which by his own name he called Aschenaza and the inhabiters thereof were called Aschenazei which that it may seem true Iosephus which lived in the time of the Emperor Titus in his first book of Jewish antiquities testifieth saying Aschenaz inslituit Aschenazeos qui nunc Rhegini vocantur à Graecis The same also St. Ierome confirmeth in his Hebrew questions upon Genesis saying Aschenas Graeci Rheginos vocant The like name of a City was not heard of among any other people except that in Calauria the which City was afterward by the overthrow called of the Greeks Rhegium Sicilia being in the same place divided from Italy through the violence of an Earthquake Calauria was called by sundry names at the first it was called Ausonia by the valiant Ausonii the inhabiters thereof or as some affirm by Ausono the son of Vlisses it was afterward by the Oriental
followeth Castiglione the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus disbarked himself coming from Sicilia after cometh St. Eusemia which Stephano saith is called Lametia where is a Gulf so named very full of Coral and the best Tunny and a little distant lieth Nicastro and here the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa made for delight and pleasure convenient Baths and excellent hunting both for wild beasts and fowles the first which began in Italy to be delighted in hauking with Falcons which in former time was unknown although some write that Anasilao was the first Not very far is Tiriolo the reliques of old Tirio where the Apennine is drawn into so narrow a point that the rain-water which descendeth from the ridg of some one house falleth on the left side into the Terrene Sea and on the right into the Adriatick And coming now to an end of this Province which hath for the Arms thereof a Cross bastonesa in a field Ar. the which Ensignes and Arms had its original in the time that Boemundo the Norman Duke of Calauria came with twelve thousand choice souldiers in aid of the holy Land whereby through his prowesse and valour was afterward made Prince of Antioche and forsomuch as the enterprise was very famous and honourable therefore I believe the said Province gave these Arms representing thereby the great Voyage which the said Duke made CALAURIA On the other side the Sixth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES CALAVRIA on the other side is a Province which containeth a good part of Magna Grecia and of the Brutii and passeth from the one and the other side of the Apennine to the Ionian and Terrene Seas and is divided from Calauria on this side by the Mediterrane above Cosenza going by a direct line to the one and the other Sea into the Ionian near Stromboli and into the Terrene at the Gulf Ipponiate which is the Gulf of St. Eufemia and these are only the Confines of the said Province where the Brutii sometimes inhabited From that part which lieth towards the North except a little is wholly compassed with the Sea on the East is the Ionian on the South Sicilia and on the West the Terrene which is the utmost limits of the Kingdom It is partly plain and partly mountainous it hath fair and fruitfull Hils Woods Rivers and Fountains great plenty of Corn Vine Olives and every other thing necessary for the sustenance of living creatures There are horses and heards of cattel very plentifull and great abundance of woll and of the best and finest silk In this Province are pits of gold of silver and great plenty almost of all mettals it hath many hot baths which cure divers infirmities and to conclude it is a Country indued with all good things for the which it may be called a most happy Region The men of this Country as also of all Calauria after other ancient names which they had were called Bretii and they were so called from Brettio the son of Hercoles as Stephano writeth in his book of the City and Ermolao upon Stephano and as it appeareth by many Greek Monuments which are declared with great Learning by Pierio Valeriano and by many Antiquaries Iustine and Trogo say that they were called Brutii of Brutia a maid Iohn Annio affirmeth that they were so called by Bruto Ombrone a most valiant Captain Calepino and Nicholas Perotto say they are called Brutii A Brutis moribus but this is a vain thing and an idle conjecture of them Guarino not well understanding Strabo addeth to his translation many things of his own conceit Strabo saying that Brutii fuerunt rebelles Lucanorum he addeth here that they were fugitives a name which was given to servants but we finding in Histories and principally in Iustine that these were children and not servants of the Lucani forsomuch as the Lucani were accusto●ed to bring up and foster their children in the field after the manner of the S●ar●ans but their children misliking that manner of education opposed themselves against their fathers that is to say the Lucani and went to inhabit in Calauria These people in process of time became so mighty that they feared not any whereby for as much as their Country was not well able to contain them they made spoil of the places near unto them and expel'd the natural inhabitants the which they often attempted being allured through the sweetness of the booty The ancient limits of the Brutii were the River Lavo or Lao now called the River Laino measuring along the shore of the Sea and the streight of Sicilia the space between these bounds is according to Strabo 1350 furlongs which contains 169 miles but according to the description of Ptolomy these were the limits on the West the River Lavo with the Lucani on the South the Terrene Sea with Faro of Messina on the East part of the Ionian Sea on the North Magna Grecia with the River Chrati And to make a description of this Province I will begin from the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus King of the Epirots coming from Sicilia disbarkt himself Not far off is Triolo the reliques of old Tiro where the Apennine Hils are very narrow and then is Malda built by the Saracins which hath a very fruitfull Country From hence on the Sea at the mouth of Amato is Angitola where Dionisius often desired to unite the said Haven with that of Squillia Afterward appeareth Pizzo in a very spacious and pleasant place with the little Islands Itacensi which perhaps had this name because Vlysses arrived there Then cometh Bevona planted with goodly Gardens of Citrons and Oringes the ancient Harbour of Hipponio which the Countrey people now call Monteleone which lieth in a pleasant prospect with many fields round about the said City was founded by the Greeks and they called it Hipponium because it was builded according to the likeness pnd similitude of a horse for that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek tongue signifieth a horse the which City as the Histories thereof recite was in compass eight miles wholly built with bricks the ruines whereof are at this present to be seen this noble City had very pleasant and delightfull fields which compast it round about Poets have feigned that when Ceres travelled in search of her daughter Proserpina that was stoln away remained here that Winter to gather Roses and other pleasant Flowers where also continues the three Festival daies which the Tyrant Agatocles so long since ordained Pestino a famous Writer was of this City which is celebrated by Macrobio in his sixth book de Saturnali in this word Transmicto Dominico Pizzimetti a learned Philosopher was also of the same City which translated out of Greek into Latine the predicaments of Archita Tarentino The ancient Vibo was destroyed by the Agareni in the time of blessed Nilo and the like ruine sustained Terino Tauriano and Trischene And this noble
commended for Zeuxses portraying Images in the Temple of Iuno took them for his pattern and for the sports and exercises of Atleta where was Milo so strong that he used to carry a Bull and Egone which in running overtook the young Heifers cutting from them their hoofs and making afterward a present thereof to his Amarillis Walking along we come to the City Cariati which hath the dignity of a Prince and not far off lieth Calopizzato Crusia and the noble and ancient City Rossano built by the Enotri Iohn the 7. Bishop of Rome which was born there honoureth much this City A little farther within the Land is Longobucco where are sound certian Mines of Silver from thence descending towards the Sea we may see Corigliano and not far off is Cassano in so fair and temperate a Country as it is not inferior to the best part of all the Land of Lavoro and here within the circuit of this pleasant Country was the ancient City of Turio which at this present the people of the Country call Terranova Trogo writeth in his 20 book that the said City was builded by Filottete the which was much ennobled by Herodotus having writ therein his Histories in which City he also died as Pliny saith from the same City Octavius Augustus had his beginning And this City hath also been the natural Soil of many Roman Bishops Then appears towards the sea-side Trebisazze Albidona Amendolara and the River Semio called in old time Siri by the City of Siro which stood very near which was afterward named Heraclea to whom the Statue of Minerva bred great wonder in turning and rouling the eyes against the Ionii which sacking and spoyling the City respected it not The men of this Province are of a white complexion of indifferent stature and strong crafty firm and resolute in their opinions hardy and stout much inclined to Learning and Arms they use Daggs Swords and Pikes The Gentlemen attire themselves after the Neopolitan fashion and likewise the women but those which live in Villages are very rude and barbarous The Arms of this Province are per salter or .4 pates gules and on the second partition or so many crosses bastone Sa. The which two Crosses signifie the two Calaurias and the other partitions are the Arms of Aragon These Arms were invented by Don Ferdinando of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Alfonsus the first King of Naples for that he would not otherwise express them that although the Region of Calauria was divided by his Father into two Provinces nevertheless he was Lord of them both The Countrey of OTRANTO The seventh Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fair and rich Province of the Country of Otranto called in old time Iapigia as Solon saith of Iapige the son of Dedalus which came thither with many people to inhabit These people had their original from Latii and as others say from the Cretians which with the Illerians came into this utmost bound of Italy This Province was also called Salentina from the Promontory Salentino at this present named the Cape of Santa Maria but as Festus saith of Salo which is to say the Sea which compasseth it almost round about except a little part which joyneth with the firm land others affirm that it was called Salentina of the people Salentini which came with the Cretians hither to inhabit It was afterward called Messapia of the Captain Messapo which came from Peloponesus with a Colony into this Region And not long after it was named by the Creeks Calauria And finally from the City of Otranto all this Region is called the Country of Otranto The figure and form of this Province is an out cape of land which is one of the three angles or corners of Italy wherein endeth one of the two principal capes wherein is a part of the Apennine and here as is commonly thought ends the Adriatick Sea and is united with the Ionian Verily this Province seemeth as another Chersonesus lying under a pleasant air The circuit thereof is little more then 200 miles whose Istmus is between Taranto and Monopoli not exceeding the space of 40 miles in the which Peninsula although the superficial part of the earth for the most part be rough and stony nevertheless being ploughed up discovereth excellent mould and although there be little store of water it yields good pasture for Cattel and bringeth forth Wheat Wine Barley Oats Olives Citrons excellent Musk-millions Figgs Apples Pears Limons Oringes Oxen Asses Mules of the best breed and such abundance of Saffron that it seems to be rather the proper fruit of this Country then of Carthage The great plenty of O●l which is there made seemeth a thing incredible to those which have not seen it whereby all the Kingdom doth not only abound therewith but also the greatest part of Italy and every where is excellent fowling and hunting both for Conies and hares And although the air be very wholsome yet the leprosie is very common by the means as I think of eating Pork and drie Figgs the ordinary food of the common people The springs of water are partly sweet and partly gross and brackish In this Country is bred the Tarantola whose venom is driven away with sound and singing the which Galen also affirms with the authority of Theofrastus of certain other creatures There are also bred the Chersidri and there is no part of Italy more troubled with Grashoppers which devour all things where they come and in one night consume the ripest fields But nature hath provided a remedy by the means of certain Fowls which they call Ganie which destroy this vermin The Hail also much hurteth this Province which almost every year doth some spoil The Thunder is there felt as in the Country of Lavoro both in Summer and Winter But coming to the description of this Province beginning at the River Bradano is Taranto a worthy and an ancient City which some say had that name from the River Tara and others from Tara the son of Neptune and others impute the original to Hercoles This City so increased by the means of Falanto the Spartan who governing under the Democratical Regiment contended sometimes with the Lucani and sometimes with the Senate being alwaies aided by strange Captains having sometines the help of Alexander and sometines of Pyrrhus became so rich that there was no City except Siracusa that brought greater riches to the people of Rome it glorieth much in her Archita that admirable Mathematician which caused a Dove of Copper to fly round about the City and of Aristosseno the Musician Taranto lieth between two Seas whereof the one is called the great the other the little in the lesser which is in compass 18 miles there runneth in many springs and the River Galeso by means whereof and the calmness of the water there are many fishes and no less then in the Sea of Constantinople
part of men therein are imployed in Learning and Arms. The Arms of this Province is or four pales gu a Dolphin proper in his mouth a Cressent argent The original of the which Arms was in the year 1481. At the time that Alfonsus of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Ferdinando the first King of Naples drove away the Turks from the city of Otronto and other places whereupon the men of this Province willing to shew that great service which the King had done for them in delivering them from the hands of the wicked Tyrant Mahumet the second Emperor of the Turks for this cause devised the said Arms declaring by the four pales gu in the field or the Arms of the King Fardinando of Aragon The Dolphin was no new invention but very ancient for so much as the monuments declare that the Dolphin with Neptune were the proper ensignes of the country of the Salentini but only they added the half-moon in the mouth of the Dolphin noting thereby that the new Seigniory which the Tyrant Mahumet endeavoured to hold in this worthy Province was by the care and diligence of the valiant Alfonsus and the vertue of the Inhabitants thereof taken from him The Countrey of BARY The eighth Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fertile and fruitfull Province of the Country of Bary was in old time called Apulia Pucetia of Pucetio the brother of Enotrio and son of Licaone which with many followers departed from Greece 375 years before the Wars of Troy and setled themselves in this place the which people were sometimes called Pucetii and sometimes Pedicoli and were the first men sent out of Greece to dwell elsewhere Also the said people which inhabited between the Territory of Taranto Brindesi and the River Aufido were named Etoli of Etolia of Greece the people whereof came into these places to inhabit as certain Writers affirm the Pediculi being droven from thence remained therein What these Pediculi were Strabo declares in his sixth book and Pliny in the third and say that they were nine youths and as many wenches which departed from Illiria and here inhabited from whom descended 13 people and to the end they might dwell the more securely built many Castles and were called Pediculi that is to say boys or children At this present it is called the Land of Bary from the city of Bary anciently called Iapigia and Baretum the head of this Province in the which city in a stately church wherein with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Nicholas sometimes Bishop of Licia from whom continually issueth as is said a certain liquor called by the Citizens Manna which is an admirable thing and the Priests which have the keeping thereof use to bestow on those that come thither little viols of glass full of the said Manna The said Church is served by a hundred beneficed Priests The bounds of this Province was according to Strabo and Pliny from the Territory of Taranto and of the Brindesi along unto the River Fortoro from thence by the Mount Gargano and towards the Adriatick Sea or rather Ionian according to Ptolomy even to the Lucani and the Irpini and the Sanniti and so the said bounds have on the South the Salentini Lucani and Irpini on the North the coast of Ionian and Adriatick on the West the River Fortoro the limit of the Caraceni and Ferrentani now called Abruzzo The goodness and fertility of this Province is very great for it yields Grain Wine Oyl Barley Beans Fitches Annis Comin Coriander Saffron and Bombace There are great Woods of Almons and Olives so bigg-bodied and so high that it seems that nature hath brought them forth as a wonder unto men And to be brief so great is the difference of these Trees from those which grow elsewhere as is between the wild Olives and those which are planted and also of the greatness of the bodies and their admirable height with the fashion of their boughs whereupon the Ancients have said that they were dedicated to Minerva and have also feigned that in these places was hanged Filida the Nymph and is no less plentifull of Oringes Limons and other the like fruitfull Trees as well for the benefit of living creatures as for pleasure besides there is excellent hunting both for fowls and also wild beasts The Sea thereof hath great store of good fishes the air is very chearfull and temperate but the waters are otherwise for they are gross and brackish There are on the side of the Sea these Cities and Countrys following Barletta of later Latinists called Barolum a worthy City rich and full of people built by the inhabiters of Canusio but inlarged by the Emperor Frederick the second In the midst of the Market-place of this noble City is a great Statue of Mettal of ten yards high of the Emperor Frederick although the Barletani affirm that it is the Image of the Emp. Heraclio nevertheless the first opinion is truest There is also a very strong castle which is accounted one of the four that are so famous in Italy Presently follows the fair city of Trany named by Pliny Trinium built by Terreno the son of Diomides and repaired by the Emperor Trajan Hard by is Molfetta a city full of civility which with the title of a Prince is possest by the Lord Don Ferrant Gonzaga chief Justicer in the Kingdom Nicolo sirnamed of Giovenazzo companion of St. Dominick gave the name to this City to whom was revealed the manner of conveying his bones as is to be read in the book of the famous men of the Order of Preachers Walking along we come to Mola Saint Vito Polignano St. Stefano and Villanova Farther within the land are these cities Monopoli built by the ruines of Egnatia to which City hath grown great honour by Bartholomeo Sibilla of the Order of Preachers an excellent Philosopher and Divine and C●millo Querno a singular Poet who lived in the time of Pope Leo Ostuno Ceglie Conversano Gioia Rotigliano Altamura Acquaviva Cassano Monorvino Modugno Terlizzi Rutigliano Quarato Pulignano and Biseglia called in old time Vigile a noble city and full of Traffick wherein was found the bodies of St. Mauro Bishop of Sergio and Pantaleone martyred for the Christian faith being revealed to Francesco del Balzo d' Andri Lord of this city who caused them to be put with great reverence in an honourable Sepulchre from which riseth as they say continually a precious liquor called Manna After follows Bitetto Ruvo and Gravina a great city very fair and civil the which with the title of a Duke is anciently possest by the worthy Family Orsina Don Antonio Ors●no is the present Duke thereof a young man which is very likely to imitate the honourable steps of Duke Ferrant his father of worthy memory And the said Gravina was the Garner and Store-house of Puglia for the inestimable quantity of corn which was gathered in
the Territory thereof and there is one notable thing which is there done every summer by the Stork whereby the country receiveth no small benefit by the destruction of Serpents which breed there too plentifully which the Storks feed upon whereupon I will not conceal the manner observed by this bird in killing that venomous creature as the people of the country report and is at all times to be seen The Stork hath a very long beak bigg and sharp pointed and making one of his wings to serve as a buckler which is very great among the bigg quils thereof thrusteth his beak in and out being accompanied with a very long neck so fiercely pricketh and gripeth his enemy untill he kill him and afterward taking him in his mouth carrieth him to his nest oftentimes flying within the view of the city And it is to be noted that in this combat was never seen any stork killed by the serpent whereupon the Dukes have alwaies observed by a penal Act to punish whomsoever killeth any stork and therefore they live familiarly with them The Arms of Gravina are certain ears of Corn and bunches of Grapes to declare how much the Territory thereof aboundeth with these two sorts of fruits that is to say Corn and Wine whereupon some think from thence it taketh its name In this Province is Bitonto so called as it were bonum totum it is a rich and a populous city the Territory thereof is very fertile for so much as it yields besides Wine Oyle and Corn Almons and Oringes and Limons in great abundance Iulius Acquaviva Duke of Atri was Marquiss of Bitonto This country is famous by the means of Antonio the Divine an excellent Preacher and Mariano likewise a Divine of great name in his time Cornelio Musso the Bishop doth also increase the honour of this city an admirable and incomparable Preacher whose Works are generally known There is Andri the renowned and beautifull City and likewise Canosa near ancient Canna where Maherbal Captain of the horse said unto Hannibal Vincere scis Annibal sed victoria uti nescis because he obtaining the victory of Canna went not presently to Rome as he was advised In this Province are bred a great multitude of venomous serpents called the Tarantole which Latinists call Phalangi which are certain living creatures little differing from the likeness of a frog which with often biting so envenometh that the infection cannot be cured but with musick dansing singing and colours and without these means they cannot live The men of this Province are generally of great courage and very forward in military affairs but very frail and unable to incounter adversity whereof grew this proverb That in the beginning of the battel they are more then men but in the end less then women They are for the most part of a swart complexion and of a tall stature in conversation courteous and painfull in their affairs they abstain marvelously from stealing in taking parts and in bargaing they are very honest and seldom is any contention among them the women are beautifull loving and compleat Some have thought because there is no Iron in this country they had in old time little use of swords but only a long staff pointed with a little iron which served them to fight and defend themselves but having the enemy in a streight or a little distant the footmen cast darts and other weapons going to skirmish they wore only one coat they had their Targets painted with divers colours and very few used any mail but at this present it is otherwise for there is not a boy that knows not how with good aim to discharge a peece and almost every one is trained up in the practice of military affairs The Arms of this Province is per salter azur and argent a crosier or Bishops staff or These Arms as I think signifie by the corners the bounds thereof which divide it from the other Provinces and by the Bishops staff should seem to declare the devotion of St. Nicholas and so much the more we may believe it in so much as the body of the said Saint lieth in the principal City of this City ABRUZZO On this side the ninth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES ABRVZZO is the coldest part of all the Kingdom but the Province is very famous for the puissance and glory of the ancient Sanniti which are the Pentri Amiternini Precutini Marci Caraceni Vestini Marracini and Irpini although Pliny also addeth the Frentani and Peligni All these people descend of the Sannity from the City of Sannio called in old time Samnum where the Sabines remained being arived in these places from whom the said Sannity derive their original Of what power and authority these people have been would be a thing no less difficult then tedious to recite insomuch as their Empire became so great that they overan sacking and spoyling even to Ardea of the Latines and also to Campania felix whereby they held War in these countries the space of 80 years oftentimes incountring the Romans with victory and after divers fortunes both on the one and the other side in the end they became so subject by the means of the Fabii and the Papirii both the fathers and their sons that they could never any more strive against them The History is well known of the famous exploit at the gallows of Caudine when under the Consulship of Vetturio and Posthumio the Romans being there intrapped were afterward inforced by Pontio Captain of the Sanniti to pass dishonourable under the yoke the which being indured by the Romans with a silent disdain within awhile after was revenged with a notable overthrow given unto them under the most valiant Cursor L. Papirio the which is discoursed at large by Titus Livius At this present as is elsewhere declared where is named the Gallows Caudine is called the streight of Arpaia and where the Romans past under the yoke is the yoke of St. Mary and the Valley Caudine is eight miles distant from Benevento Strabo speaking of the Sannity thus saith Sannites postremo à Sylla deleti sunt quos cum caeteris Italis bello fractis solos arma retinentes ac Romam oppugnantes vide●et alios in fuga cecidit alios abjectis armis se dedentes ad quatuor millia in villa publica quae in Campo Martio est trucidavit fractisque proscriptionibus non ante destitit quam universum Sannitium nomen deleverit aut Italia fugarit The Region of Sannio was more in length then in breadth for it had on the North the Ferentani and Pugliesi on the South the Campani and Lucany on the West the Ausoni with Piligni and on the East the same Lucani and Pugliesi The worthiest people of all the Sanniti were the Pentri Caraceni and Hirpini from whom this country of Abruzzo derived its name there are sundry opinions for some say they were called by the
other side not only because it is on this side Tronto but also for that in former time it was under the jurisdiction of the Kings of Naples but Queen Ione the second restored it to the church The said city is situate upon a very strong place fortified with a good wall and compassed with high hils it aboundeth with all things necessary for the sustenance of living creatures Bettutio Barro a most eloquent Orator was born in Ascolo to whom Cicero gave the honour of the victory above all the Poets of that age as it appears in Bruto and Ventidio Basso the victorious Captain of the Romans which went with an Army against the Parthians of whom were written these words but too nipping Now he is made a Consul which lately was a Mule-keeper forasmuch as before he had the command of Mules of whom the Satyrical Giovenal saith in the seventh Satire Si fortuna volet fies de Rhetore Consul Si volet haec cadem fies de Consule Rhetor. Ventidius quid enim quid Tullius an ne a●iudque Sydus occulti miranda potentia fati Ascolo had also Pope Nicholas the fourth a learned wise and a vertuous man as Petrarck and Platina among the Pontifical Bishops declares although Biondo saith he was the third likewise Cecco de Ascolo was a Citizen thereof an Astronomer a great Philosopher and a famous Negromancer And Enoc an eloquent Orator indued with the Greek and Latine tongues through whose diligence were found out Marco Celio Apitio and Pomponio Porfirione upon Horace in the time of Pope Nicholas the fifth The same City hath also brought forth Gratiadio of the Order of Preachers an excellent Divine and Philosopher which writ the Commentaries upon the old art eight books of natural Philosophy and three of Aristotle de anima wherein he sheweth his great learning Afterward going along from Vallecastellana we come to the rich and populous country of Amatrice situated under the fountain of Tronto Then followeth Civitella lying not far off among the hils in a country very strong through the nature of the place and the strong wall that compasseth it round about which country was valiantly defended by the Duke of Guise Now being come to Tronto in the which place are not only the bounds of the Pregutini and Sanniti which are in Abruzzo but also of the Territory of the Kingdom of Naples I am now forced to finish the description of this Province somewhat noting the nature of the inhabitants which are of a bigg and tall stature strong bodied of a white complexion fierce countenance and a resolute mind courteous towards strangers in bargaining simple accustomed to the mannaging of Arms and much inclined to Wars and very cruel to their enemies They are also very forward in learning The men which inhabit in the city are seemly and civilly apparelled but those that live abroad in the hils and mountains are very barbarous and unhandsom for they cloath themselves with very course and base cloath The Arms of this Province is Azure upon three mounts united and fixed in bass or an Eagle displayed ar● crowned of the second The which Arms some think that the Eagle signifieth the Standard which was taken in battel from the Romans although others suppose it signifies the Emperor Adrian which was born in Hadria a city of the Province and say that three Hils or declares the fertility and riches of the country neither are their opinions to be mistaken which say that the Eagle signifieth the city of Aquila it self the head and principal of all the country The County of MOLISE The eleventh Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe County of Molise is the least Province in the Kingdom for it is part of Sannio wherein is Esernia and Boiano This Province was so called from the city of Molisia from whence they also had their name which governed this country and Pontano witnesseth that in his time there was also standing the noble house of Molisia the which he setteth down in his fifth book of the History of the Neopolitan War Cui adjungitur ab iisdem quaestoribus Sannii quoque pars ea in qua est Bovianum Aesernia qui ager recenti nomine est Molisius Molisio ab oppido à quo originem duxere qui agro quondam imperaverunt Qua re familia quoque Molisia hodie agnoscitur The inhabiters of this country are the Sanniti Frentani and Caraceni the confines of the which people anciently were according to Ptolomy the river Fortoro on the East the river Sanguine on the West the Adriatick Sea on the North and the Apennine Hils on the South At this present the bounds thereof extend not so far in respect of the new division made by the Kings Exchequer of which country now a great part is under Capitanato the Principality on the other side the country of Lavoro and Abruzzo Pliny declaring the confines of the Frentani writeth thus Flumen portuosum Frento Teanum Apulorum itemque Larinum Cliternia Tifernus amnis inde regio Frentana and in another place saith In ora Frentanorum à Tife●no flumen Trinium portuosum Oppida Histionium Buca Ortona Aternus amnis Intus Anxatini cognomine Frentani C●rentini supernates infernates Lanuenses These people were so named of the Citie Frentana neer to Teano of Puglia the which Citie at this present is called Francavilla These people becoming very puissant made war against the Romans but being overcome as Livy writeth by the Consull Q. Aulio in the year 433. with one battell were sworn to the keeping of their faith and so obtained peace from the Senate Caesar maketh mention of the Frentani in the first book of his Commentaries and also Polybius And Cato writeth that these people had their originall from the Liburni and Dalmati and afterward from the Toscous and their principall Citie was Larino This Province is almost wholly plain and hath a very plentifull Territory for it yeildeth grain in great abundance and all other sorts of corn there is also flax silk bombace saffron annice corianders hony and good wines and very fruitfull trees and great plenty the air is temperate and healthfull sweet rivers and great store of cattell there is excellent hawking and hunting but no ravenous creature is therein except Wolves I will begin to describe this Countrey from Campobasso a City built in the midst of the Hills on this side the Apennine from Boiano twelve miles distant for here begins the first countrey of Puglia The said countrey is very populous and rich from whence the counties of Campobascio have had their originall and surname Going from this countrey towards Luceria four miles is Campo di Pietra which hath a good Territory and following that way no more then six miles appears upon the top of a high hill the Castell Pietra and from hence five miles is Macchia which hath the title of a County And from
Campobascio sixteen miles is the Castle Celantia and from hence seven miles is Riccia opposite to whom is Gambatesa and after eight miles is the Castell of Motta and a litle higher are these Cities and Castles St. Gintiam Coletort Geldono and in the top is Circo the great where the river Fortore springeth six miles from thence is Vinchiaturo afterward is Baronello Busso Ratino Rocchetta Montesaggiano and following that way neer the river Fortore are these Countries and Castles Petrella Castel de Lino Morrone and Giovenisso Then we come to very large and spacious fields which continue the space of eighteen miles even to the sea and therein are to be seen the ruines of the ancient Gerione so often named by Livy neere whose walls he writeth that Hanniball made his stay Upon the Hills which joyn with the Apennine and are above the fountain of Vulturno on the right hand are these Castles Montenegro Riofreddo and a little below is the Castle Forolo so called also in old time then coming down by the course of the river three miles neer Fornello is a new countrey but very populous and rich which yeilds the best wine in all the countrey Directly against Fornello there belongs to Vulturno a vally called Porcina and then somwhat lower there entreth into Vulturno a River which comes from Esernia an ancient Colony of the Romans to which City that learned Lawyer Andrea of Rampino called by the Surname of Esernia hath given much honor whose works are of great estimation with learned men he was a man of great account and of the counsell of Queen Ione the first and as Liparulo writeeth was slain by Currado of Gottis a Dutch Baron for giving judgment against him This Citie hath a very fruitfull Territory and the Citizens for the most part are imployed in merchandise Not far off is Supino a fair and an ancient citie called in old time Sepinum of whom Pliny calleth the Inhabiters Sepinates Ascending then towards the Mediterrane within a mile of the river Fortore and eight miles from the sea is the noble Castle Guilliniaco and as much more higher is Guardia Alferes so named above the which is Lupara Cartabuttaccio and Lucito which hath a fair and fertile Territory the Lord thereof is Alfonso Pescicello a Neapolitane Gentleman a generous young man and wise and much inclined to learning And keeping on that way there is to be seen Limosano Castelpignano Rochetta Casal reparando and Lespineto which was repaired by Queen Ione the first by the mediation of Pietro Cardillo a Neapolitan her Favorite Of the which mention is made in the Register of the Exchequer Rolls of the said Queen of which Family there remains at this present a branch of the old stock even that learned Ottanio Cardillo a man indewed with much knowledge and liveth with great renown Then a little forward appears Boiano a City once esteemed the richest as it were the principall of Sannio whereof Livy maketh oftentimes very honorable mention and sometimes saith that it was sack 't and ransack't by the Romans and was more prey'd and spoyl'd then ever was all Sannio besides Moreover Silio Italio maketh mention thereof when speaking of the Samnits he saith Affluit Samnis nondum vergente favore Ad poenos sed nec veteri purgatus ab ira Qui Batulum Mucrasque colunt Boviana quique Exercent lustra aut Caudinis faucibus haerent Et quos aut Rufrae aut quos Aesernia quos ve Obscura incultis Herdania misit ab agnis Brutius haud dispar animorumque una juventus Lucanis excita jugis Hirpinaque pubes In the Book of the Colonies is thus written Bovianum oppidum lege Iulia milites deduxerunt sine iter Colonis populo iter amplius non debetur quam pedes Ager ejus per centurias Scâmna est designatus Ptolomy calleth the said Citie Bucianum The said Citie is adorned with the dignity of a Duke Not very far from Boiano is the Hill Fiterno which proceedeth from the Apennine from whom the river Fiterno now called Fortore hath the name Passing from thence towards the sea and going towards Termine is the mouth of the river Trinio which Pliny calleth Trinium Portuosum on whose left side five miles off is Castelluzzo Roccavivara and the noble citie of Trivento honored with the title of a County possessed in the time of the King of Aragon by Iacobo Caldora a most valiant Captain but it is now governed by the house of Afflitto The most reverend Bishop thereof Iulius Caesar Mariconda a Neapolitan Gentleman and a Prelate of no lesse learning then sincere life graceth now this citie with his great vertue Then follows Salicito Fossaceca Bagnulo and Civita nova And coming now to an end of this province I will speak of the Inhabiters thereof which are very strong and valiant and much inclined to Arms they are also obstinate in their opinions and in bargaining with strangers very crafty and subtile for the most part they exercise merchandise and husbandry they apparel themselves more for their own ease then with any decent or comely civility although the women more respect strait lacing then seemly attire This Province useth for the Arms thereof in a field gu a star of 8 points ar within a border of Ceres What the said Arms doth signifie I do not well understand yet thus much I may say that the garland of Ceres signifieth the great plenty of corn which this countrey yeilds and by the star argent noteth the great good will love of the people which they have to retain the memory of the family of Balzo which in former time governed almost all this whole countrey with other places of great importance in the kingdom whereto I give so much the greater credit insomuch as the house of Balzo gave in their Arms a star ar in a field gu Therefore I think it very fit not to neglect this opinion in the present description of this province although some think that the Star signifieth the prosperity of the countrey whereof the Poet saith subitoque fragore Intonuit latuum de coelo lapsa per umbras Stella facem ducens multa cum luce cucurrit Among the Romans the star was placed above the heads of Romulus and Remus which sucked the teat of the Wolfe signifying the custody of their proper Genio or good spirit who preserved them being children CAPITANATA The twelfth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES THis noble and fruitfull Province of Pugliapiana which at this present is called Capitanata was anciently named Iapygia Daunia Mesapia and Apulia The said Province stretcheth from the river Lofanto where the country of Bary endeth and passeth to the river of Frontone now called Fortore containing in breadth all between the Apennine hils where are the Irpini and the Sanniti and the Adriatick or rather Ionian Sea so that on the East it hath the country of Bary with the
terra Lennia and terra Sacra it is much commended by Galen and many other Physitians as an excellent remedy to heal wounds and the bloudy flux and pestilent diseases and the biting of venomous creatures and to preserve a man from poyson and to vomit poyson already taken and for other infirmities There is also a Mine of natural and artificial Salt-peter In the Province of Calauria on this side In the Territy of the Country of Martorano is a Mine of Steel In the Territory of the City of Cosenza near the River Iovinio are Mines of Gold and Iron and in a place commonly called Macchia germana is a Mine of Gold of Lead and Brimstone and a little farther in another place called Miliano is a Mine of Salt and Alume In the Territory of Pietr● fitta near the River Ispica are Mines of Steel Lead and Salt In the Territory of the Country of Regina are Mines of Alabaster of Brimstone and of Coperas In the Territory of the Country of Longobucco are Mines of Silver and Quicksilver In the Territory of Rossano are Mines of Salt and of Alabaster and the Marchesite stone In the Territory of Alto monte are Mines of Gold of Silver of Iron and of Alabaster and there grows Cristal and there also mighty Hils of white salt In the Province of Calauria on the other side In the Territory of the City of Regio are Mines of Alabaster of Brimstone and Saltpeter In the Territory of the City of Taverna is a Mine of Antimonium which is a stone of the colour of lead and very brittle like that which grows in Britany In the Territory of the Country of Agata is a Mine of Iron and Steel and of the Adamant stone In the Territory of Belforte is a Mine of Gold and of Iron and there grows Coprass and Cristal In the Territory of Calatro is a Mine of Iron In the Territory of Belvedere are Mines of Silver of Iron of Brimstone of Alume of Salt and of white and black Alabaster and there grows a stone which shineth like Silver In the Territory of Soriano is a Mine of Quicksilver In the Territory of Nicastro is a Mine of Quicksilver and there are also goodly Hils of mixed Marble In the Territory of Mesuraca is a Mine of Earth which yields a colour called of Latinists Giluus In the City Cotrone grows a Thistle which yieldeth Mastick and also it grows in Castrovillare and in many other places of Calauria And to conclude Calauria is a very goodly Region and yieldeth plenty of all good things The Castles and Forts of defence which are in the Kingdom of Naples with the number of Souldiers which remain in every Guard and their monthly pay The names of the Castles The number of souldiers The pay what it monthly imports In Naples are these 3 Castles   Duckets 1. The new Castle 167 775.2.12 2. The Castle of Eramo 110 452.2.9 3. The Castle of Vovo 25 90.4.11 The Castle of Baia. 69 233.0.13 The Castle of the Isle Ischia 34 116. The Castle of Gaeta 86 322.3.3 The Castle of Capoa 51 200.1.13 The Castle of Aquila 53 197.1.13 The fortified Castle of Brindesi 56 175.3 The Castle of Leccie 54 201.1.13 The Castle of Otranto 86 144.1.13 The Castle of Civitella 94 Duckets 321.0.13 The Castle of Pesara 62 303.2.10 The Castle of Viesti 36 247 1.13● The Castle of Momfredonia 34 137.1.13 The Castle of Barletta 52 194.1.13 The Castle of Bary 28 118.1.13 The Castle of Monopoli 29 140. The Castle of Brindesi 41 151. The little Castle of Brindesi 63 223.4 The Castle of Cosenza hath only a Capt. with the pay of 10 crowns monthly 1 10 The Castle of Gallipoli 30 Duckets 125.1.13 The Castle of Taranto 46 176.0.4 The Castle of Cotrone 39 136.3.6 The Castle of Bi●eglia hath but only a Captain 1 10 The Castle of St. Germano hath only a Captain with the allowance of 200 duckets yearly 1 17 The Castle of Trani hath only a Captain with the pay of 10 crowns monthly 1 10 In the Isle of Nis●ta the Court maintain●th a Ga●ison   Duckets The Fort of the City of Aman●e● maintaineth 6 souldiers 6 20.4 The Fort of St. Cataldo maintain there 6 262. In the Isle of Tipare are two Gunners 2 2 A CATALOGVE Of the Earls and Dukes of Puglia and Calauria and of all the Kings of Naples Normans S●evi Angioini Durazzeschi Aragonesi Castilliani Austriaci ALthough I have more at large written in another book of the lives of all the Kings which have ruled the Kingdom of Naples but being now to speak of the same subject I will handle every thing with as much brevity as may be hoping that as it will be no small ornament to this work so it will give no little contentment to the Reader It is then to be understood that in the year of our Lord 987. the last year of the reign of Lewis the fifth King of France avaliant Norman souldier and of great magnanimity called Tancred having twelve sons which he had by two wives that is to say of Moriella Lucha his first wife he had Frumentino Gotfredo Sarno Tancred Malugero Dragone Godfredo and Alberedo of the second wife called Fresanda Rotaria the daughter or as some write the sister of the Earl of Altavilla he had Guglielmo Feraback Vnfredo Ruberto Guiscard and Ruggieri Bosso with these twelve sons Tancred determined to seek out some new Country to inhabit and to try some new and better fortune with hope to find some other place to live better and more richly through his industry and wit and coming into Italy first arived in Romagna and perceiving that Landolfo Prince of Salerno was much opprest through the excursions and outroads of the Saracins sent in his aid six of his sons who being well provided by the Prince both of horse and arms in three battels wherein they incountred the enemy made an admirable slaughter of them whereupon they returned as it were in triumph to Salerno and were by the Prince and all the people received and with much intreaty were sollicited to remain in that Court But they declaring that what they did was not for any human pomp nor for any other end but the service of God refusing all gifts returned to their own habitation But within a few years following there fell certain controversies between Pandolfo of St. Agata and Guaimaro Prince of Salerno Pandolfo sent Ambassadors into Romagno requesting Guglielmo Dragone and Vmfrido three sons of Tancred with many promises and offers to serve under his pay which that he might the better do in the manner of another Narsetes sent them not only rich furniture for horses and costly apparel for themselves but great store of money These worthy men made no delay to come to the Prince Pandolfo through whose assistance the enemy being foild was forced with shame and sorrow to retire but Pandolfo being brutish and ungratefull made no great account of them
which they perceiving for this cause the time of their service being expired took part with Guaimaro who by their worthy deeds in a short time recovered much Through these famous atchieuments the Normans gained the reputation of valiant Warriers with every one In the mean time died Tancred their Father which was Earl of Altavilla the which Count descending to Gugli●lmo Ferrabach his eldest son omitted no time to go into Normandy to take possession thereof where after he had setled the affairs of his State returned afterward into Italy bringing with him no less then fifteen thousand Normans into Romagna and in process of time got not only the dominion thereof but also the most part of Tuscan Things resting in this manner the Saracins possest all Sicilia and Sardinia and many times did much prejudice the Coast of Italy whereupon Pope Sergio the 4 fearing and much suspecting they would overrun all Italy demanded aid of Guglielmo Ferabach Guglielmo through the perswasion of the Pope went in this expedition with eleven thousand of his souldiers together with Maniace Captain of Michele Paslagone the Greek Emperor to the recovery of Sicilia and with much valour and courage expeld the Saracins out of all the ●sle but Maniace not observing the agreement that what was gotten should be equally divided between them Farabache growing wrathfull past with his Normans into Puglia making a mighty slaughter subdued the greasted part and finding a fit and secure place builded the City of Melsi in a difficult place and well fortified by nature The which Maniace understanding came upon him with a strong Army but Ferabach braving the enemy which besieged him being wearied with travel came out against them and encountring them gave them a mighty overthrow near the River of Lofonte in Puglia the Normans remaining Conquerors and so rich both of reputation and spoil mounted mightily in state indeavouring both by might and other Military means to obtain other places and Cities in Puglia the which atchieuments succeeding with so great felicity to the Normans it followed that all Puglia came into the possession of the said Guglielmo who through his valiant acts had the name of Ferabach that is to say strong-arm of which dominion he afterward took the title of an Earl Afterward Guglielmo died in the year of our Lord 1042. and because he left no child his brother Dragone succeeded in the County which was Lord of Venosa who had at his beginning a great overthrow by Melo Captain of the Greek Emperor and lost a great part of Puglia but being aided by Guaimaro Prince of Salerno he oftentimes fought with the Greeks without any advantage yet in the end in a great conflict he overthrew and dissolved the Greek Army and not only recovered that which he had first lost but also got many Castles and Holds which the enemies possest upon the Sea-coast of Puglia At this time the Emperor Henry the second came into Italy and having pacified the affairs of the Church went into the Kingdom and confirmed to Dragone the County of Puglia from whom he received not only much money but had also the best and fairest horses that were in all the Kingdom The Emperor departing Italy the Earl Dragone moved the Beneventani to War and in two battels which he made his Army was overthrown and he flying was slain by the enemies His brother Humfrido took the possession of the Earldom at which time Guaimaro Prince of Salerno was cruelly murdered by his own people and his son was made Prince with the help of the Normans which the said Count laboured with long War in the end the Count ill demeaning himself with the Pugliesi was for his cruel nature slain in the year 1057. Baielardo his son succeeded in his fathers Dominion the which being chased away in the same year by Ruberto Guiscard his uncle this Ruberto became the fourth Earl of Puglia who being a valiant man at arms and of a great spirit suddenly besieged Reggio and having taken it went with prosperous victory subduing other parts and Cities of Calauria to his dominion Afterward he returned into Puglia took Troia and in such manner never rested taking from hand to hand many Cities and brought all the Normans of that Country under his Empire and being fully resolved to continue no longer an Earl with a general consent caused himself to be called Duke of Puglia and Calauria At this present Nicholas the second Bishop of Rome being much incumbred with the Roman Barons came in the year 1●59 to the Parlament with Guiscardo in the City of Aquila and Guiscard having with much humility adored the Pope made peace with him and restored unto him the City of Benevento and all other places that he had belonging to the Church for the which the Pope not only received him into grace and favour but confirmed and invested him with the Title of Duke of Puglia and Calauria The which act was registred and confirmed with a solemn Oath and so Ruberto was now made a Vassal and Liegeman of the Church Sigonio writeth two Acts of the Oath which Ruberto at this present made to the Pope the one to pay the yearly tribute the other loyalty and homage the which two Acts I thought good to insert in this place to the end the Reader may know how the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction began in the Kingdom of Naples The first is in this sort Ego Robertus Dei gratia St. Petri Dux Apuliae Calabriae utroque subveniente futurus Siculis ad confirmationem traditionis ad recognitionem fidelitatis de terra S. Petri promitto me quotannis pro unoquoque jugo boum pensionem duodecim denariorum Papiensium persoluturum B. Petro tibi D. meo Nicolao Papae omnibus successoribus tuis aut tuis aut tuorum successorum nunciis ad S. Resurrectionem obligans me meos haeredes sive successores tibi successoribus tuis Sic me Deus adjuvet c. The second is thus Ego Robertus Dei S. Petri gratia Dux Apuliae utroque subveniente futurus Siciliae ab hinc in posterum fidelis ●ro S. Romanae Ecclesiae Apostolicae Sedi D. meo Nicolao Papae Neque ero auctor aut adjutor ut vitam aut membrum amittas aut capiaris mala captione consilium quod mihi credideris ne enunciem imperaris non enunciabo in tuum detrimentum sciens S. Romanae Ecclesiae ubique adjutor ero ad tenenda acquirenda regalia S. Petri ejusque possessiones pro viribus meis contra homines adjuvabo te ut securè honorifice tenens Pontificatum Romanum terramque S. Petri Et Principatum nec invadere nec subigere tentabo nec praedari contendam sine tua tuorumque successorum licentia Pensionem de terra S. Petri quam ego teneo aut tenebo sicut statutum est recta fide studebo ut
tumulum vix satis ista tuum Philip of Austria 27 King of Naples PHilip of Austria the most puissant Catholique King which reigneth with all Triumph and Honor after he was invested in the kingdom and the Title of the kingdom of Ierusalem by the Emperour his Father by reason of the ensuing marriage between him and Queen Mary of England he sent in his name to Naples the Marquess of Pescara to take the possession of the kingdom Afterward in the year 1556. Pope Paul the fourth entring in invaded Marc Antonio Colonna of Paliano and spoyled the rest of his estate and ministred occasion of War to the King Whereupon the Duke of Alva the Kings Lieutenant with an Army of twelve thousand Footmen and fifteen hundred Horsmen invaded the Dominion of the Church and the war ensued called War of Campania of Rome which continued a year Afterward peace was concluded between the Pope and the King In the mean time Queen Mary the wife of King Philip died without leaving any children The King after many controversies had with Henry the second King of France made peace with him in the year 1559. And for a greater confirmation thereof and true reconciliation the Catholique King married Isabella the daughter of the most Christian King who died in child-bed in the year 1568. PSALM 19. Domine salvum fac Regem exaudi nos in die qua invocaverimus te The Titles of Dignity which all the Kings of this Kingdom have used 1. ROgerius Dei gratia Siciliae Italiae Rex Christianorum adjutor clypeus Rogerii primi Comitis haeres silius 2. Gulielmus Dei gratia Siciliae Rex Christianorum defensor 3. Gulielmus 2. Divina favente clementia Rex Siciliae Apuliae Dux princeps Capuae religionis Christianae adjutor defensor c. 4. Tancredus D. gratia Siciliae Rex ac Aletii Comes 5. Henricus 6. Dei gratia invictissimus Romanorum Imp. semper Augustus ac Siciliae Rex 6. Imperator Fredericus 2. Romanorum Caesar semper Augustus Italicus Siculus Hierosolymitanus Arelatensis foelix victor ac triumphator 7. Conradus 4. Divina favente clementia electus Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus ac Siciliae Hierusalem rex 8. Mansredus D. G. Siciliae Hierusalem rex ac Tarenti princeps 9. Carolus Dei gratia rex Hierusalem Siciliae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae almae urbis Senator princeps Achaiae Andagaviae Provinciae Forcalquerii Corciadoni Comes ac Romani Imperii in Tuscia per sanctam Romanam Ecclesiam vicarius generalis 10. Carolus 2. D. G. rex Hierusalem Siciliae Vngariae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 11. Robertus D. G. rex Hierusalem Siciliae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 12. Ioanna D. G. regina Hierusalem Siciliae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae Provinciae forcalquerli ac Pedimontis Comitissa 13. Carolus 3. D. G. rex Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 14. Ladislaus D. G. Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae Dalmatiae Croatiae Romae Serviae Galitiae Lodomeriae Comuriae Bulguriaeque rex Provinciae et Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 15. Ioanna 2. D. G. Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae Dalmatiae Croatiae Romae Serviae Galitiae Lodomeriae Comuriae Bulguriaeque regina Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comitissa INTERREGNO Consilium Gubernatores Republicae Regni Siciliae ordinatis per clarae memoriae Serenissimam Illustrissimam Dominam nostram Dominam Joannam secundam Dei gratia Ungariae Hierusalem Siciliae reginam 16. Renatus D. G. Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae rex Andagaviae Bari Lotharingiae Dux Pontis Marchio Comitatumque Provinciae Forcalquerii Cevoviam ac Pedimontis Comes 17. Alfonfus D. G. rex Aragonum Siciliae citra ultra Farum Valentiae Hierusalem Vngariae Majoricarum Sardiniae Corsicae Comes Barchionis Dux Atenarum Neopatriae ac etiam Comes Rossilionis Ceritaniae c. 18. Ferdinandus Aragon D. G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem Vngariae Valentiae c. 19. Alfonsus 2. Aragoneus D.G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem et Hungariae c. 20. Carolus 4. D.G. rex Francorum Neapolitanorum et Hierusalem 21. Ferdinandus 2. Aragoneus D. G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem c. 22. Fredericus Aragoneus D.G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem c. 23. Ludovicus D.G. Francorum Neapolitanorum et Hierusalem rex dux Mediolani Ferdinando the Catholique King having divided the kingdom with Lewis King of France did intitle himself so long as he so continued Duke of Apulia and Calauria 24. Ferdinandus et Elizabeth Dei gratia rex et regina Castellae Aragonum Siciliae Granatae Toloti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Giennis Algarbii Gibraltaris et Insularum Canariae Comes et Comitissa Barchinonae Domini Viscayae et Molinae Duces Calabriae et Apuliae ac Athenarum et Neopatriae c. After the said King had chased away the Frenchmen from all the Realm and made himself absolute Lord thereof he used this title Ferdinandus D.G. rex Catholicus Castellae Aragonuum utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Granatae Toleti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Giennis Algarbii Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Comes Barchinonae Dominus Vizcoyae et Molinae Dux Athenarum et Neopatriae Comes Rossilionis et Ceritaniae Marchio Oristanii et Gotiani 25. Ioanna 3. D. G. regina Castellae Aragonum utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Granatae Toleti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Giennis Algarbii Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Comitissa Barchinonae Domina Vizcayae et Molinae Ducissa Calabriae Athenarum et Neopatriae Comitissa Rossilionis et Ceritaniae Marchionissa Oristanii et Gotiani 26. Carolus 5. Divina favente elementia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus rex Germaniae et Ioanna ejus mater et eidem Carolus Dei gratia Reges Castellae Legionis Aragoniae utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Navarrae Granatae Toleti Vulentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Murtiae Giennis Algarbii Alzezirae Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Indiaram et terrae Firmae Maris Oceani c. Rex Archidux Austriae Duc Burgundiae Lotharingiae Brabantiae Stiriae Corinthiae Carniolae Lymburgiae Lucembargiae Geldriae Calabriae Athenarum Neopatriae Virtembergae c. Comes Flandriae Habspurgi Tirolis Barchmonae Archois et Burgundiae Comes Palatinus Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandiae Ferretti Kiburgi Namurei Rossilionis Ceritaniae et Zutphaniae c. Lantgravius Alsatiae Marchio Burgoniae Oristani Gotzani et sacri Romani Imperii princeps Sueviae Cathalaniae Asturiae Dominus Phrisiae Marchiae Sclavonicae Portus Naonis Biscayae Molinae Salinarum Tripolis et Mechliniae c. The Title which Charls used afterward when he was absolute King Carolus 5. Divina favente clementia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus rex Germaniae Castellae
hand Pontanus in the fourth book of his History of Naples speaking of the office of the Constable refused that word as too base and abject and not Roman and so named him in Latin Magnus militiae Magister the great Master of the Militia Some would liken the office of great Constable to the Praefectus Praetorio yet there seems to be a difficulty in it seeing the Praefectus Praetorio was always created out of the Knightly order which Rule is not observed in the High Constable who is alwayes selected from among the greatest and most illustrious Barons of the Kingdom I believe their opinion was grounded upon this that the Praefectus Praetorio was next to the Prince a supream office depending upon none else over all the Militia just as the high Constable is amongst us he hath 219● Duckets a year pay and pretends in time of service when the war is without the kingdom he ought to have it double Whereupon there is a consultation depending in the Royall Chamber which is yet undecided High Admirall THe High Admirall is the second Office of the kingdom And though the Great Iustice have pretended to have the second place yet there arising many years ago a controversie for precedencie between the Duke of Somma high Admirall and the Duke of Amalfi chief Justice and the question being which of them should at that time precede it was thus judged That for the present the Duke of Somma as high Admirall should precede the chief Justice and this was done in a summary kind of judgment for the Viceroy who was at that time having called together the Regents before he went to the Chappell on a Sunday morning he caused this question to be resolved standing so far that the Usher was commanded to say That his Excellency commanded the High Admirall should go before the chief Justice not debarring howsoever the chief Justice of any reasons which he might hereafter alledge for himself Signior Agnolo of Costanzo told me that one of those Regents being called by the Viceroy that very morning wherein he had commanded the Usher to publish that Order had told him they were moved to give sentence on the high Admirals behalf because there was a very ancient Record sound in the Kings Chancery by which it plainly appeared that in a Parliament held in the time of Charls the third King of Naples Thomas Marzano Count of Squillace high Admirall preceded Rogger Acclocciamuro chief Justice And this Record is likewise made mention of by Martin Frezza in his first book de Subseudis pag. 54. num 35. And though in the Parliament held by King Alphonso in Benevento they seemed to sit in another order yet because there was no authenticall Record thereof extant as of that of Charls the third judgement was given on the high Admirals side and so much the rather because it seems to be very just that the Generall of the Sea who is the Admiral should immediatly follow the Land Generall which is the Constable This Office alone of all the other seven retains to this hour its jurisdiction which all the rest have lost And from this also hath been taken away the Generalship of the Gallies of the kingdom though there yet belongs unto him a very large jurisdiction both in Naples and elswhere through all the kingdom over all those which any way by industry live upon the trade of the Sea The great Court of Admiralty hath its name of Great even just as that of the Vicaria and its Tribunall is governed by one or more Judges according to the high Admirals pleasure He chuses his Lieutenant who carries in his hand the staff of Jurisdiction as the Regent of the Vicaria doth And he as well as the Judge hath a place in the Royall Chappell next to the last Judge of the Civill Vicaria as Frezza saith lib. 3. pag. 432. num 23. He may likewise appoint fifty men for the guard of his person with fifty Constables on Horseback and 25 Commensali or fellow Boorders and other persons as is contained in his priviledges which may go armed in the Citie of Naples and all the kingdom over with any manner of Arms though they be prohibited by the law He hath also all his houshold Officers and such Officers also as belong to his Court He appoints in every Sea-town a Vice-Admirall a Register and two Marshals and in every Province a Provinciall Vice-Admirall with six Marshals and all subject to his jurisdiction All shipwracks either of Infidels or unknown masters are his When he purposes to keep Court for execution of justice he sets up his Flag hath a Captain of the guard and his Marshals His stipend is besides six Duckets a day which all the other six Officers have which comes every year to 2160 Duckets every moneth a hundred Duckets as he is Generall of the Sea He hath for every Bark or Boat a Carline by reason of their Pennons which are certain little Flaggs with the high Admirals Arms upon them which every master of Boat or Bark is bound to carry by his Lanthorn none can put any vessels to sea against the Infidels without his license for which he is to pay a certain rate and of the prizes also when any are taken there belongs a share to the high Admirall He hath also all the bodies of the vessels which are taken with other pledges and those which by chance are sunk in the sea he hath also I know not how many barrows of Salt of the old measure for his house provision He pays no Custome or Toll nor gives no account for any thing he exports out of the kingdom by sea though others pay for such things He hath moreover very many other prerogatives and preheminencies which may be read in the Orders of the Office of the high Court of Admiralty which for brevity I omit of which to this day the high Admirall is possessed Chief Iustice. THe third Office is that of Chief Iustice which hath the supream place of exercising Justice as well Civill as Criminall in the whole kingdom of Naples His Lieutenant is called the Regent of the Vicaria and hath his Judges both Criminall and Civill and his Tribunall is the Court of the Vicaria The Chief Iustice his stipend is two thousand one hundred and ninety Duckets and the Regent hath six hundred Duckets he hath also the profits of the licenses of the Sword which are two and twenty grains and half for every license which may come every year to two thousand Duckets High Chamberlain THe fourth Office is that of High Chamberlain is so called by reason he hath partciular care of the Royal Chamber and every thing else therby belonging to his King His Lieutenant hath his Tribunall called the Chamber of the Summaria where there is nothing treated of neither by his Lieutenant nor by the Presidents but of such differences as arise between private men and the Kings Treasury or
Exchequer His stipend is two thousand one hundred and ninety Duckets and hath moreover Ius Tappeti of the Captainships which are given within the lands of Demains of the kingdom for the administration of Justice and for some he hath six Duckets a year for some three and for some twelve when they are dispatched He receives also of Barons which pay homage to the Royall Court eight Carlines for an ounce for any such sum the said homages amount unto which one year with another are judged to amount to two thousand Duckets a year He hath moreover from the Royall Court 24 Bushels of Salt and 36 fine Sugar-loaves every year Has Lieutenant hath one thousand Duckets a year stipend and the Presidents six hundred and they also have their emoluments Grand Protonotary THe fifth Office is that of Grand Protonotary to which Office at first belonged to read before the King and keep all his writings Then the Catholick King transferred the care of that to the Secretary of the Kingdom and to the Clerks of Commissions so that whereas this Office was at first of great authority so now there remains nothing to the Vice-protonotary but the creating of Notaries and Judges of Contracts and legitimating of Bastards The stipend he hath is according to the rest He hath moreover the emoluments of Notaries and of Judges of Royall Contracts which are made within the kingdom the legitimations which are granted the dues of which emoluments belonging to him are these For a Notariship two Duckets and six for the judgement when it is all over the kingdom but when it is for a Province four Duckets and for every legitimation a Ducket which emoluments are thought to be worth to him yearly 1●00 Duckets High Chancellor THe sixth Office of the kingdom is that of High Chancellor which serves both for Secretary and Chancellor in occurrent businesses and he keeps the Royall Seal He takes care also when any one will take the degree of Doctor to have him examined by the Colledge of Doctors by which being approved for sufficient in the Kings name he gives him his degree This Office was wont to be given by our French Kings to Prelats His stipend differs not from the other He hath moreover the emoluments of the Students which come to the Doctors of the Law and of Physick which are worth some 2000 Duckets a year He hath power to chuse and appoint his Vicechancellor who paticipates of his emoluments High Steward THe seventh Office is High Steward who hath particular care of providing all things which concern the Kings daily ordinary diet and his Court. The name of such an Office is thought to have come out of France from whence came also that of Marshall which as we may perceive seem to have a kind of conjunction and affinity together Athenaeus a very subtile indagator of Antiquities calls the Steward Elatrus He saith moreover there was such an Office very much respected amongst the Ancients he hath two thousand one hundred and ninety Duckets a year A Discourse of the order and the fashion or form of the Crowns of the Nobility of the Kingdom of Naples FIrst of all before I declare how many and who be the intituled Lords of this famous kingdom I esteem it a thing very convenient briefly to set down forasmuch as the quality of the matter so requireth the differences of the Crowns which they use And although many excellent Lawyers have written thereon nevertheless as I have said the subject thereof so requiring I think it fit to discourse something thereof the better to satisfie the Reader and to leave nothing unperfect Athenaeo then writeth that the Crown was invented by our Ancestors as a badge of honor for the ornament of the head wherein the beginning and foundation of the senses being placed nature hath put as it were in a rock and fortresse of the whole body that power of the soul which we call Reason or Understanding Aristotle was of opinion that the Crown was first invented by quaffers and drinkers to repress the force and inflammation of wine which ascending with the fume into the head moveth some pain in that part the which thing being found to be true it might be then because it gave also ornament and comeliness the means to increase the wonderfull estimation thereof whereupon by some were added certain little birds because pinching another mans forehead suffered him not to sleep it was also in great use among Lovers The Greeks in the solemnity of their sports used a crown of the Pine tree the Achaians Smallage the Cappadocians Mugwort Pliny affirmeth that the first that was crowned was Libero after whom the use of that ceremony so much increased among the Greeks and the Romans that in the end it was brought upon the Altars in sacrifice in victory and in their sacred contentions whereupon ambition always increasing men used to sit with crowns on their heads in their feasts and Bankets At last crowns entring in among Souldiers and men of war Armies began to give it to their Captains to honor them and very often Generals were crowned therewith which carried themselves valiantly in any honorable act either by valor or manhood and the like honor was also done to others by the people and the Senate Whereupon the Lawyers reasoning to this purpose of the crown have written that it was granted sometimes in token of Empire and honor sometimes for industry and military reward and sometimes in sign of spirituall victory Theophrastus describeth three sorts of Crowns one of sweet odoriferous flowers another of flowers that have no scent the third of leaves and green boughs of trees the fourth which was added by the rich Crassus was made of gold silver by the imitation of leaves which he did expose to the view of other men in his sports and games But passing over this ancient barbarous rudeness and resting in the now last use of Crowns which are made of massie gold and silver intermixed with beautifull ornaments of pearls and pretious stones transforming the leaves into sharp poynts and other curious work which yeild a pleasant and beautiful object to the eye The custome of the Athenians was to crown their worthy and vertuous Citizens with a wreath of two Olive boughs But we speaking again of the first crowns which take their names of the effects for which they are imployed for that of Bayes is given to him which goeth in triumph and is called the Triumphale for the Bayes is a token of Joy and Victory Posthumio Tuberto in his triumph for overcoming the Sabins with little blood wore a crown of Mirtle Likewise the Ovale crown was given to him which had got a Citie not by force but by friendship and covenant Moreover he that had delivered a Citie from siege had given him a crown of the grass growing in the territory wherein they were besieged and this crown of grass was called
Order The Siege provd very obstinat for four months and the Canons played upon the walls of Malta incossantly which batterd som of them down to the ground destroyed multitudes of houses killd within the Town 7000. of all ages and Sexes with 2000. Cavalliers and Commanders of all Nations who had sacrified their lives for the preservation of Malta and therby transmitted their Fame to Posterity Don Garcia de Toledo hereupon returnd triumphantly with his Fleet to Naples where the three Castles and the Church of Carmine saluted him with sundry Volleys of great Shot The next Design was no less succesfull to Philip for he made himself absolut Master of Melilla notwithstanding that the Mahumetans added witch-craft to their Stratagems of War to over-throw the Spaniards A little after Philip understanding that Florida which belongd to him by right of discovery being part of new-found World was colonied and usurpd by a Plantation of French Hugonots whom he abhorrd as Hereticks in his opinion the chief wherof was Iohn Riblaut King Philip commanded eight Galeons with 1500. Soldiers to be made ready at Ca●es appointed Pedro Melendez de Valdez Commander in chief giving him the title of Adelantado or Governour of Florida after a prosperous Navigation thither he assaulted a Fort which the French-men had built and he pursued the point of his Design with that vigor that he subdued it with the loss of a 150. men and so driving the French into the Mountains and Desarts he made himself Master of the Country upon Michaelmas day The next yeer he sent Sea and Land Forces towards the Luzones Ilands which ly the South-east which had bin discoverd by Magellan before And he imployed upon this Service Michael Lope de Legaspe who had such prosperous success that arriving at the I le of Zebu he was receivd with much humanity and frendship by Tupas who ruld ther as King so he built ther a Town calld Saint Michel with a strong Fort and having som Fryers aboard he raysd ther the Standard of the Cross and many of the Indians were reducd to Christianity in a short time acknowledging the Catholic King for their Lord Paramount many Iles more wherof ther is such an infinity rendred themselfs and in honor of the King they were Christned las Philippinas making a Town calld Manila the chief wher afterwards the Christian Vice-roys resided and much about that time the Frontire Town twixt Champagne and Germany took his name and is calld Philipsburg to this day All this while King Philip had the wind in the Poupe and Fortune on the Fore-castle but now growing old that inconstant Female fell from him and turnd her back and as commonly one good Success coms not alone so disaster and misfortunes when they once com they com like the Surges of the Sea and one wave upon the neck of another And indeed the affairs of this instable World are nothing but Vicissitudes composd of good and bad events The first frown tha● Fortune did cast upon King Philip was under the Command of the Conde of Alcaudete at Mostagan in Barbary wher the said Conde was slain by the Forces of the Xariphe a petty Morisco King and so the enterprizd fayld Not long after the Napolitan Gallies with other Christian Forces had very lamentable success at Los Gelves neer Tripoli wher most of the Christian Fleet perishd Don Alvaro Commander in chief was taken prisoner and presented to Piali the Turks General but ther was a great deal of rashness and imprudence usd in the conduct of that expedition which hapned in the yeer 1570. For had the Christian Army set upon Tripoli which was a place not so strong in the ey of reason and all humane probability they might have taken it having a competent strength to do it for the Army consisted of 12000. Soldiers besides Commanders 38. Galeons and 26. Gallies but as Marriages so Victories are decreed in Heaven Another disastrous Accident hapned in the Port of Herradura in the Kingdom of Granada wher Don Iohn of Mendosa son to Bernardin de Mendoza Vice-roy and Captain-Generall of Naples who having a considerable Fleet wherin ther were 3500. land Soldiers which were to be quarterd in the Kingdom of Valentia wher an Insurrection was feard there blew upon a sudden such a furious gust of an East-wind that most of the Fleet perishd and above 5000. Souls But this mis-fortune was inferior to that which hapned three yeers after which was in 1574. when Aluch-Ali that famous Turkish Generall came with a formidable Army to the coasts of Barbary wherwith he made himself Master of Goletta and Tunis wher above 200. peeces of Ordinance were found which the Enemy made prize of with other rich Booties they destroyed all the Churches and Monasteries except the great Church which was preservd by a ransom of money This crowd of Disasters ushering in one another besides that costly and remote War in Flanders might in any mans judgment have daunted the spirits of King Philip who before had bin so long habituated to good success for as the morall Philosopher tells us Miserum est fuisse felicem One of the worst kind of unhappiness is to have bin happy but he was a Prince of a marvailous aequanimity and temper one who had long studied the mutable condition and lubricities of this world insomuch that these crosser traverses did rather heighten his mind then depress it for not long after he riggd a mighty Fleet upon a great Dessign no less then for the conquest of England which he thought to swallow at a bit which shews that neither his spirits nor treasure was wasted notwithanding the vast expences in the Flemmish Wars and so many millions that he buried in building the Escuriall The ground of this hardy Enterprize upon England was that he had receivd divers Indignities and his Subjects much damage from his Sister Queen Elizabeth though for his part he ever since the death of his wife Queen Mary forbore to do any thing that might displease her during his aboad in England he had don her such signall and high favors as to preserve her head from the Scaffold to have her allowance enlargd to divert her Sister from a design she had to send her beyond Sea to be a Nun and at his departure from England he desired not to carry with him but one Ring of 100 l. price nor demanded he any thing of his wifes moveables after her death And lastly he had shewed no small love for comprehending the surrendry of Calais to the English in his treaty of peace with France But in lieu of these Plums he gave her she threw the stones at him by assisting Don Antonio the Bastard against him about the Title of Portugal by fomenting his own naturall Subjects against him in the revolt of the confederat Provinces as far as to send a Governor of her own amongst them by giving commissions to rob him in the Indies by intercepting som
but to take order for the preservation of your life be quiet so he took his Sword which was by his beds-head and causd a steel Cabinet to be carried away telling him it shold be returnd him again after som papers of his were perusd so the King departed leaving a guard upon him There was a huge murmur the next day all the Court over that the Prince shold be thus made a Prisoner being the greatest heir in the world but the King the next day writ to all his Vice-roys and chief Officers that they shold not much wonder at this sudden action or be too inquisitive to know the cause of it or trouble themselves to intercede for the Prince let it suffize for them to know that it tended to the common good that he was his Father and knew what belongd to things He sent also to all the Ambassadors at Court not to intermeddle or trouble themselvs about this business the Prince being thus restraind and his humors being as fiery as the season which was the Dog-daies he drunk much water coold with snow out of an artificiall Fountain he had which with som other excesses and disorders made him fall into a double Tertian he afterwards fell a vomiting and to a dysentery proceeding from the extream cold water he usd to drink so much The Kings Physitians did carefully attend him and usd what Art cold do but the Disease provd mortall and beyond cure hereupon the Councell ●at to advise whether it was fitting for the King to go visit him som wer of opinion that the Prince was well disposd to dy a good Catholic and the sight of his Father might happily discompose him yet the King went in and gave him his benediction but stayed not and so returnd with more grief and less care A little after the Prince expird being twenty three yeers old he had made his Will before which he deliverd his Secretary wherin he desird his Father to forgive him and to give him his blessing to pay his debts and give his movables to Churches and Hospitals and that his body shold be buried in Toledo which was performd His Funerall was prepard the same day he dyed for at seven in the evening the Grandees carried his body out to the Court-gate wher the Nuncio with other Ambassadors and a great concours of Noblemen were ready to attend the Herse The hard destiny and death of this great young Prince with the extraordinary circumstances therof may teach the world this lesson that the love of a Father must give place to the office of a King and that jealousy among Princes works more powerfully then naturall affections 1. This was one of the four Acts for which King Philip made himself so subject to be censurd abroad in the world for papers flew in many places that h● had poysond his Son 2. The second was in the transaction of the business of Aragon where he was taxd to have falsifyed his own manifesto wherin he declard that the Army under Don Alonso de Vergas was intended for France wheras it proovd afterwards to have bin expresly raysd to surprize Saragosa 3. The third was the business of Portugal for wheras he had declard that he was willing to refer the right of Title to that Crown to the decision of the Pope he invaded and conquerd the Country before the Nuncio cold com to the Spanish Court though he knew he was upon his way and already landed in Spain to that purpose but he sent speciall Commission to the Towns through which he was to pass that they should entertain and regalar him som dayes while in the interim he did his business in Portugal 4. The fourth was the conniving at the Murther of Escovedo Secretary to Don Iohn of Austria which was perpetrated with his privity as Antonio Perez confessd upon the Rack which made this Character to be given of him that there was but a little distance betwixt Don Philips risa y el cuchillo between his smile and the Scaffold his prudence somtimes turning to excess of severity But as the hearts of Kings are inscrutable so their waies shold be their actions somtimes must be attended with politicall cunning and extraordinary power to crush Cocatrices in the shell to prevent greater inconveniences as God Almighty whose immediat Vicegerents they are doth use sometimes his omnipotence in exceeding the Rules and common course of nature PHILIP THE THIRD XXVIII KING OF NAPLES PHILIP the third of Austria fift Son to Philip the second by Donna Anna the Emperors Daughter and his fourth Wife succeeded his Father in all his Dominions both in the new and old World He was born the 14th of April 1578. in the Palace of Madrid and was Christned upon the Feast of Philip and Iacob the first of whom may be sayed to be his God-father six yeers after he was created Prince of Castile in the Monastery of Saint Ieronimo the next yeer after he was created Prince of Aragon in Monson the next yeer after he was created Prince of Navarr in the Cathedrall Church of Pampelona and lastly Prince of Portugal which made him to have this priviledg above all his Predecessors to be the first who was Prince of all Spain in regard Lusitania had not bin before under the Crown of Castile till the Raign of Philip his Father he was a weakly sick Child for many yeers at first yet he survivd his four brothers viz. Don Carlos Don Fernando Don Carlos Lorenzo and Don Diego so easily is humane judgment deceivd The first thing he did was the sending of a new Vice-roy to the Kingdom of Naples then after that long destructive War in the Nether-lands which had so ragd in his Fathers time he made a Truce with the Hollanders but in these ambiguous words son contento de tratar con vos otros como con Estados libres I am contented to treat with you as with free States wherby according to the Spanish exposition of those words he intimated they were no free States by vertu of this word As for it is a rule in Logic that Nullum simile est Idem No thing that is like a thing is the same thing therfore if he treated with them as with free States they were no free States This Truce afforded much matter of discourse for the Criticks of those times He did this by the advice principally of the Marquess of Denia afterwards Duke of Lermanhom whom he took for his Privado or his Favorit to whom he transmitted the guidance of all great affairs being conscious of som imbecillities of his own wherin he discoverd a great point of wisdom whose chiefest part is for one to know his own infirmities and incapacities But I should have spoken first of the peace he had made with England which preceded this and was the first great action he did when he began to sit at the Healm of that mighty Vessell I mean the Spanish Monarchy which in his Fathers time
had b●n tossd and weather-beaten by so many impetuous and fierce Tempests to conclude this peace he imployed the chiefest Officer of Spain the Constable of Castile in a very high and magnificent equipage in correspondence wherof England sent her high Admirall herein he followd the counsell of Charls the fift his Grand-father who had this saying often in his mouth Con todo el mundo guerra y puz con Ingalat jerra With all the World have War But with England do not jar Before this Embassy to England the common people of Spain were made to believe by their preaching Jesuits that english-men since they receded from the Roman Church were strangly transformd som had f●ces like Hogs som like Dogs som like Munkies but the Constable at his return did rectifie his Country-men in this point Philip being now in peace with all Christian Princes and being addicted to devotion in a high degree he thought it a work acceptable to God Almighty and agreeable to the office of a Catholi● King to cleer Spain of the Mahumetan Moriscos who had planted themselves ●her above seven hundred yeers He put the business to many serious deliberations the result wherof at last was that it wold be a high act of Christian Piety and gratefull to Heaven so there was a royall Ban of banishment publisht against the Moriscos who were dispersd up down specially in the Maritime parts of Spain which border upon the Mediterranean Sea in great multitudes to the number of many hundred thousand souls who were all hurried over to Barbary but permitted to carry with them all their movables and make sale of their other goods the King providing Ships and paying for their transfretation the motive that inducd Philip to this Act was that he thought it a thing unpleasing to God that so many Infidels and Mahumetans shold mingle so thick with Christians that many thousands had bin bapti●d but they apostatizd and grew greater enemies to Chrsts then before that there were sundry plots and machinations discoverd as also the intelligence they kept with the Turk the common enemy of Spain The first advice whereof was given by the English Ambassador the Earl of Notingham who brought Letters with him that had bin sent King Iames how the sayed Moriscos had a secret design to introduce the great Turk and so to joyn with him for the conquering of Spain as the Conde Don Iulian did with the Moors Henry the fourth of France sent him also intelligence tending to that end So in a short time the Country was rid of them as it was formerly of the Jewes in the time of Ferdinand and Isabella But there were som incommodities followd for Spain was much depopulated and impoverisht hereby specially for Corn and other Vegetals for those Moriscos were an industrious people wold grub up Corn and Pulse with other things out of the tops of those craggy Hills wherwith Spain is bunchd in most places so that the Spaniard who naturally is slothfull unless it be in the Wars as the Turks are had nothing to do but having put on his Sword and swelling ruff but go with his Ass to the Market and buy corn of the Moriscos who usually fed upon bread made of Maiz or some other Pulse so that the Spaniards for the most part did eat by the sweat of other mens brows Philip the third having as formerly it was spoken concluded a peace with England and a Truce with the Dutch passd most part of his Raign in quietness which suted best with his disposition he being a Prince wholly devoted to exercises of piety being alwaies fingring his Beads He sympathizd in nature much with Edward the sixth of England but was not so infortunat as he for he preservd what his Father left him wheras the other lost France where he had bin Crownd King in his Cradle And this happiness of Philip may be imputed to the sage conduct of the Duke of Lerma who was a sound and well-weighd Minister of State of a Debonnair and affable deportment quite contrary to the genius of his Successor Olivares who was of a rough rigid humor Philip the third after he had reignd 23. yeers died as he lived in a sweet peaceable way and he was called Philip el Bueno Philip the good as his Father was calld Philip the prudent Philip the third to pay his Fathers Creditors and disburden the Crown of those vast Arrears wherwith it was most heavily laden in regard of so many Irons he had to beat all his life-time was forcd to inhance the Gabels and lay new impositions as in other places so specially in the Kingdom of Naples Now those who cut out Philip the second most work to do were Henry the fourth of France and Elizabeth Queen of England the one was sayed to play the Barber and shave him which Harry did so nimbly and dextrously as if he had bin born to the Trade and old Bess held the Bason while he washd Philips head and face but it was given out that he did this without Camphire Ball or any Soap at all but with stale Ly and strong standing Urine There was about that time a witty Italian Author whose fancies are fresh to this day who being no friend to the Spaniard writ many things by way of drollery against his mode of Government in Sicilie Milan and Naples specially in the last And as he descants upon the Servitude which that wavering and wanton people were reducd unto for their so frequent Sollevations and Revolts he sayeth that to punish with som severity the Napolitans for thier infidelity and murmurings against their former Kings it pleasd the Majesty of the heavenly Judg to deliver them into the hands of Pharo to receive law from him meaning the Spaniard who having felt the pulse of that luxurious people by his interior Cabinet councell was advisd that there was no better way to preserve Naples in a constancy of obedience then to bring down the flesh and tame that hot metteld and spirited Horse or Courser which she gave for her Ensign therupon there were appointed Riders Grooms Smiths and others to look to him and break him they found that he was so wanton that he wold hardly receive Bit Bridle or Saddle that he was of a mighty strength therfore it was fitting so pamperd an Animal shold be brought low and mortified Somthing was don in Charles the fift's time to this purpose but his Son Philip did finish the work who had almost rid him quite of his legs insomuch that at the beginning of Philip the thirds Raign there was a speciall ●unta appointed to meet in the Piazza at Naples to take a view in what case he stood The poor Beast was brought forth and he was grown so feeble that his legs could hardly serve him to be softly led into the Market-place It was a most pittifull object to see how that generous Courser who had once so much spirit and strength
me I will seek justice in my Armes defence being allowable God preserve your Majesty DON JOHN the fourth King of PORTVGALL THis huge loss and horrid disaster gave a shrewd alarm to the Spanish Monarchy for there fe●l from her by this revolt the East-Indies the Tercera Islands the Kingdom of Algarve Brasile and all she had in Afric except the Town of Ceuta which is the only appendix that remains to Spain of the large Dominions of Portugal but t is like a small crust left of a Christmas Loaf A little before this revolt there was a portentous strange accident hapned neer the Tercera Ilands which are subject to the Crown of Portugal for in one of them there was a Town built upon the Sea-side under divers Clifts and Rocks among which there was a great Lough which suddenly one day broak out into a fearfull fire proceeding it seems from som bituminous matter in the bottom the flakes of fire and smoak did so darken and obnubilat the whole Region of the Cir●umambient air for many daies that they of the Town beneath thought verily the day of Judg●ent was com for they could go ankle deep in the ashes which the fire drove to the streets at last the huge Lake came tumbling down the Hills and carryed many of them with part of the Town into the Sea This was held to be an ominous thing and to presage som great change but the yeer following there hapned a stranger thing for a new Iland poppd out of the Sea therabouts and peed above water which was never seen before Now ●is worth the while considering what a mighty alteration it hath made in the Christian World to set down the right of title that both the King of Spain and the house of Bragansa hath to the Crown of Portugal therfore we will plant here the Tree of their Genealogy that the Reader may pass his judgment accordingly The fortunat and famous Alphonso having in the yeer 1139. obtaind a mighty battell against the Moors in Portugal by the unanimous consent of the people he was chosen King and solemnly Crownd in Lamego and his Posterity made capable to succeed him to all perpetuity all which was confirmd afterwards by the Pope Among other Lawes which the three Estates being assembled at Lamego did enact one was this Let it be a Law for ever that the King of Portugals eldest Daughter marry a Native of Portugal that so the Crown never descend to a stranger and in case she shold marry to a Prince who is a stranger let her not be Queen for we will never have our Kingdom go out of the Race of the Portugals who have made us Kings by their own valor and by the effusion of their own blood without forraign assistance Now Don Emanuel was the fourteenth King of Portugal from Don Alphonso and had for his Issue six Sons and two Daughters as followeth 1. The Prince Don Iohn his eldest 2. The Infanta Donna Beatrix who was married to the Emperor Charles the fift by whom he had Philip the second 3. The Infanta Dona married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy 4. The Infant Don Luis who left behind Don Antonid an illegitimat Son 5. The Infant Don Fernando dyed without Issue 6. The Infant Don Alfonso Arch-bishop of Lisbon and Cardinal never married 7. The Infant Don Henry Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Dragon ● The Infant Don Edward who left two Daughters the eldest was Mary Wife out of the Kingdom to Alexander Farnesse Duke of Panna the younger was married to Don Iohn Duke of Bragansa After the death of Emanuel succeeded his eldest Son Don Iohn who was named before and was called Iohn the third whose onely Son called also Iohn dying before his Father left behind him Don Sebastian who succeeded his Grand-father and was slain without Issue at that notable battell in Barbary 1578. where most of the Nobility and Flower of Portugal did also fall Upon the death of Sebastian the Crown returnd to the eldest Survivor of his Grand-fathers Brothers viz. Henry the Cardinal whose old age as well as his Function made him incapable of marriage he raignd peaceably two ye●rs After his death there were no less then eight Pretenders to the Crown 1. The People claimd right to elect their own King jure Regni 2. The Pope challengd Iure divino to be Arbiter herein in regard that Alfonso the first King made himself Feudetary to the See of Rome 3. Don Antonio gave out he was no Bastard but his Father Don Luis was lawfully married 4. Katherine de Medici Queen Regent of France claimd a right as descending from Don Alphonso the third since whom al● the Kings of Portugal have bin no better then Usurpers 5. Philibert Duke of Savoy Son to one of King Emanuels Daughters 6. Ranuccio Duke of Parma claimd the Crown in right of his Mother Mary Daughter to Don Duarte King Emanuels youngest Son 7. Katherine Dutchesse of Braganza claimd the Crown as being born in Portugal wheras all the rest were Aliens according to the Primitive Law made in Don Alphonsos time 8. Philip the second claimd the Crown by right of his Mother the Empresse being Heir Male of Don Emanuels eldest Daughter Now touching the first Pretender which was the people it was answerd that untill the Royall Line of a Kingdom be quite extinct there can be no right of Election in them Touching the Titles of the rest they were solemnly debated in many Universities but most concluded for King Philip first in regard that the Kingdom of Portugal had bin before Alphonsos time An 1138. under the protection of the Crowns of Castile and Leon wherof he was King Secondly because he could not properly be calld an Alien because he was born upon the Continent of Spain wherof Portugal is part being calld according to the old division Hispania Lusitanica Thirdly he might claim it a digniori partu because he was the first Male of an Empress who had bin also first Daughter of Portugal Besides this fatall defection of the Kingdom of Portugal with the sundry Dominions far and neer that belongd unto it there were many other cross traverses besides that happend to the Spanish Monarchy There was an illfavourd fire kindled in Palermo in Sicily which by a popular fury did so rage and was like to be so destructive that the Marquess de los Velez the then Vice-roy was forcd to publish a Manifesto wherin to content the rabble he took off and abolishd to perpetuity the Taxes that were layed upon Meat Wine Oyle and Cheese Moreover the people having in the sayed Mutiny broke open the Prisons and let out the Prisoners the Vice-roy was constraind to publish another Instrument wherin he pardond all such Prisoners as also those who let them out and all this was don sub verbo fide Regia The Kingdom of Naples which is also Sicily beyond the Phare a little arm of the Sea and thought at the Creation to be one
entire continent having intelligence how well their Neighbours and Fellow-subjects had sped the tother side by that popular Insurrection thought that they were as free born people as the Sicilian and did contribute more to the Spanish greatnes their Donatives therfore they might very well deserve and expect as good usage as they There had bin not long before a new Tax layd upon all Fruits green dry which amounted to about eighty thousand Duckets yeerly The Duke of Arcos then Vice-roy was often told that there was an universall muttering at this Tax which might beget dangerous consequences Hereupon som Commissioners were appointed to consult how som other way might be taken to raise monies for the King as also to repay those sums that had bin imprested and already lent upon the credit of the sayed Fruit Tax At that time there was in Naples a young fellow about four and twenty yeers old who got his living by retayling of Fish up and down he was of a stirring and spritfull humor of a confident speech and utterance This poor Retayler of Fish calld Thomas Anello and by contraction Masanello observing what discontents and mutterings raignd in every corner about this Tax upon fruit with divers others and the next day meeting with a great company of boyes in the Market-place he made them follow him up and down the streets with sticks and Canes in their hands making them cry out Let the Pope live let the King of Spain live but let the ill Government perish This and such like Doctrine being infusd by Masanello into his young Schollers the Shop-keepers laught at him as he went asking him whether he were not frantic or foolish but he told them yee laugh at me now but you shall see shortly what Masanello can do let me alone if I do not free you from the Slavery of so many Taxes let me be held infamous for ever At which Speech the laughter encreasd but Masanello grew more and more intentious about the work so that he enrol●d the names of divers boyes twixt 16 17 and 18. yeers old so that at last he made a Regiment of two thousand the next day being a Festivall he marchd with his brigade of boyes after him and it chancd that being in the Market-place the Fruiterers and Costermongers or Shop-keers fell out about the paying of the new Tax and the baskets of Fruits were thrown down and the boyes fell a gathering and eating of them in the streets Masanello encouraging them all the while hereupon the Lord Anaclerio the elect of the people threatning him with whipping and the Gallies not only the Fruiterers but other people threw Apples and Pears into Lord Anaclerios face and Masanello gave him a good thump upon the breast with a stone So with much ado the Lord Elect broke his way in a Coach through the crowd and leaping into a Boat or Feluca he scapd Upon these hope●ull beginnings the Rabble flockd together in many places protesting to pay no more Gabell and crying still let the King live and the ill Government dy So now Masanello began to be attended with men as well as boyes and leaping up upon a stall which was in the Market-place among the Fruiterers he sayed with a loud voice to this effect making this noble Speech as if he had bin inspird Rejoyce my dear Companions and Country-men give God thanks and the glorious Virgin the time of our redemption draws neer This poor Fisher-man barefooted whom you see shall a● another Moses who freed the Israelites from Pharaohs Rod free you in like manner from all Gabels and Impositions It was a Fisher-man I mean Saint Peter who reducd Rome from Satans slavery to the liberty of Christ Now another Fisher-man who is Masanello shall release Naples and with the City of Naples a whole Kingdom from the tyranny of Tolls From henceforth yee shall shake off your necks the intolerable yoke of so many grievances which have depressd your spirits hitherto To effect which I do not care a rush to be torn in peeces and dragd up and down the gutters of Naples Let all the blood of my body spin out of my veins let this head skip off my sholders by a fatal steel be pearchd up in this Market-place upon a Pole yet I shall dy contented and glorious it will be an honor and a triumph unto me that my life and blood perishd in so glorious a Conquest This Speech did wonderfully work upon the people whose hearts were ready to cooperat with him so for a handsom beginning the Toll-house for Fruit with all the books of accounts were burnt to the ground with much of the Customers goods which were shewd there Hereupon the Shops were shut up and down almost through all the City and the Keepers of them went to other quarters of the City where the Toll-houses for Corn Flesh Fish Salt Wine Oyle Cheese and Silk stood all which they burnt to the very earth withall the writing and Custom house books as also all the Hangings and Houshold-stuff were hurld into a great Straw-fire together with som Chests of moneys and Plate and all burnt And in this confusion there was this strickt point of Government already that it was de●th for any one to pourloin or take away any thing out of the fire for his own use The people all this while having met with no opposition at all grew to be above ten thousand in number and they made towards the Vice-roys Palace many of them holding loafs of bread upon the tops of their Pikes which was then very deer because of the Toll upon corn There were som among the Brigads of boyes who carried black clowts upon the tops of their Canes crying out in dolorous notes as they passd Have pitty upon these poor Souls in Purgatory who not being able to endure so many grievances seek how they may escape away O brothers joyn with us O sisters assist us in so just a cause In such dolefull tones they went about and coming to Saint Iames Prison they freed there all the Prisoners and admitted them to their Society At last they came under the Vice-roys window and made a hideous cry that they wold be freed not only of the Fruit Gabell but of all other specially that of Corn The Vice-roy out of his Balcone promisd them very fair to take off quite the Fruit Tax half of that of Corn but this not suffizing they rusht into the Vice-roys Palace notwithstanding the German and Spanish Guards which were there and breaking through all the Rooms they came at last to that Room where the Vice-roy was shut up under lock which they broke open but the Vice-king was fled and thinking to go to the Castle where his Lady was retired he found the Draw-bridg up and so came back and fled to a Franciscan Monastery while the Rabble was in his Palace they did much mischief and pursuing him still and understanding that he was retired to
the Monastery he was forcd to com out and to shew himself The people then though in the height of fury grew somwhat more temperat saying Most excellent Sir for the passion of God disburden us of these Gabells who suck our blood let us but breath and have no more slavery The Vice-roy giving them the charmingst language he could causd little Cedules signed by himself and seald with the Kings Seal affixed to be dispersd amongst them wherin the sayd Tolls were taken off afterwards he threw som peeces of gold and Rials of eight among them so by that costly cunning be got away from among the Rabble for that time to a Church hard by where they still pursued him and wold not be satisfied till they had a perfect Instrument for the taking off the Tax upon Fruit and bread the confusion grew higher and higher till the Arch-bishop Filomarmi came to whom they shewd som reverence being their Metropolitan and common Father and he at last brought them an Instrument signd by the Vice-roy for abolishing the foresayd Tolls so that gave som contentment for the present but the Torrent encreasd presently with greater floods of water for that Instrument of the Vice-kings being read in the Market-place the cry was that it was imperfect for they wold be free from all kinds of Tolls since the time of Charles the Emperor Hereupon they went to the Prince of Bisignano the chief of the Caraffas desiring him to be their Leader and Advocat to the Vice-roy he went with them and being com to the great Church de Carmine he stood up in a high place with a Crucifix in his hands and conjurd the people for the love of God and the most blessed Virgin to be pacified a while and he promisd them by oath to procure for them from the Vice-roy whatsoever they desird But this wold not quiet them but they rushd into the Prisons and set loose the Prisoners They went to the Dogana or Toll-house for Corn with Faggots on their backs and pitch and fire in their hands in a great fury Prince Bisignano not being able to take them off though he labourd earnestly they put fire on all sides and besides the houses they turnd rich Houshold stuff Sedias and ready money all to ashes The Prince being but crazy in point of health grew weary of heeding such an unruly Rabble therfore he rid himself of them at last by a Stratagem The people hearing that Bisignano was gon wanting a Head they cryed out for Masanello who having accepted of it he began more eagerly then ever to invite the people insomuch that he in lieu of water to quench this fire threw Oyle upon t to make it burn more furious The next day Másanello Captain-like divided the people into Companies and Regiments nothing but clashing of Armes within the City whether the Country Swains came with Pikeaxes Shovels and Spades Nay the women appeard armd with Shovels Spits and Broaches and the common cry went Let the King live and the Toll perish our Gabels our Tolls let them go to the Devill to maintain his Kingdom of darknes let the Raisers of them those Dogs dy who being transformd to Wolfs have devoured the flesh of innocent Lambs let them vomit the blood they have suckd into the Cinders of their burnt Wealth those domestic and insatiable Leeches of Naples let these Drones and Wasps be driven away who have suckd the sweet Hony of the Bees With such cries and screekings they stounded the very air in such pitteous accents which were enough to soften the hardest Marble and draw tears from the Pumice stone Thus horror blood and amazements raignd in every corner so order was sent by Masanello to all the thirty six Precincts of Naples to arm under an irremissible penalty of having their houses burnt Now there being som want of Gun-powder they went to a house to buy som but being refusd they threw fird Matches into the house which taking hold of the Powder-barrels blew up above sixty Inhabitans and it gave such a crack as the Galeon som daies before did in the Port which was blown up being not known whether it was done by chance or by pure malice Then they went to the Kings Magazin of Powder but there was a course taken with that before for the Kings Labourers had put it in water by way of prevention In the Interim the Vice-roy fortifieth himself in Castle nuovo having taken in a thousand Germans at the Gates eight hundred Spaniards with a thousand Italians well armd with Pike and Musket The Vice-roy sent a Note to Masanello the Generalissimo of the Rabble by som of the collaterall Councell wherin he promisd to take off all Gabels as was desird but this wold not suffice but Masanello wold have have a ●estitution of the priviledges granted by Charles the Emperor whose Statue he had over the door of his house he proposd also that the Clerk of the Market shold be nominated for the future by the faithfull people of Naples that the old office of Capo popolo shold be revivd and that he shold be namd by the Citizens without any recourse to the Vice-roys Hereupon the Vice-roy sent the Duke of Matalare with divers other popular Lords to ride up and down the City and to assure them that his excellency was ready to give all possible satisfaction They answerd that they desird no more but to have the priviledges of Charles the Emperor restord wherby it was decreed that no new impositions should he layd upon the faithfull people of Naples without the consent of the holy Apostolic See Now since all Gabels from that time have bin imposd without his consent som few of small consequence excepted it was just they shold be abolishd Moreover the people desird the Original of those priviledges of Charles quinto which was in the Archives of Saint Laurence The Lord chief Prior was employed to find out the sayed Original which he shewd the people but som doubting whether it was a counterfeit one the good old Prior had met with death had he not found a way of escape There was appointed to be about the person of Masanello an old Priest by name Genovino a● also a notable Bandito calld Perrone these two being Coadiutors to Masanello gave out a list of sixty and odd Houses or Palaces rather of them who had farmd the Gabels from time to time who having enrichd themselves and grown fat with the blood of the people it was thought fit that they shold be made examples and a terror to others so the sayd houses with abundance of most costly houshold-stuff as also their Coaches and their Coach-horses were pittifully burnt and with so much order and neatnes of hand that he hazarded his life who shold embezel the least thing therupon one taking away but a little Towell was killd another for the Crouper of a horse had fifty lashes and divers other after they had confessd to their