surnamed Iustinian obtained of the Pope in the name of the Common-wealth to traffick into Syria and the time of these two trafficks was prolonged for ten yeares At the same time they beganne in the Citie to build St. Anthonies Church the beginning whereof is attributed to one Iannotto a Florentine of the familie of Abbi vpon a little Rocke where was first builded a little Chappell of wood In the same place at this day is to be seene a great voide place or rather an Island made by a continuall heaping together of earth which the water in processe of time hath brought thither It hath a delightfull prospect towards the Lakes and besides the Church which is faire and large there stands neare to it a new sumptuous building which serueth for an Hospitall About the same time those of Zara reuolted from the Venetians the seuenth time The report was That they had sent to Lewis King of Hungarie to certifie him if he would come into Dalmatia they would deliuer their Citie Hauen Lands persons and meanes as well publike as priuate into his hands The Senate presently vpon these newes gaue fiue armed Gallies to Pietro Canalis who sailed into Dalmatia Being come neere to Zara hee receiued Marco Cornari the gouernour with all his familie and diuers other Venetians into his vessells who were in the Citie when it reuolted from whence hee presently departed For to haue besieged the Citie with so few vessells and by Sea only would haue beene as foolish as vnprofitable He first retired to Pague the inhabitants whereof hauing receiued him into their Citie deliuered the Gouernour into his hands which those of Zara had sent thither not long before together with all those which had aided or assisted him whom Canalis sent to Venice Soone after hauing fortified the place he tooke with those few Gallies which he had diuers vessells of the enemies which laie neere to the Islands But whilst by these meanes hee went about to hinder the Zaratines Marco Iustiniano came by Land with his Armie and encamped at the Fountaine next to the Citie where he sodainly caused his Souldiors to build a Fort. Then from thence he did with his engins batter the Citie beat downe the walls ouerthrow the houses and made all things verie incommodious to the enemies If the Zaratines were streightly besieged by Land by Sea they were no lesse For the Venetians hauing taken from them the Towne of Damiana they did at times approch verie neere to the Citie then they speedily returned and after some stay came back with more furie to assaile the Hauen Thus stood the affaires of the Zaratins when Andrea Morosino and Simon Dâ—…dulo the Princes brother arriued at the Campe to prouide and take order for whatsoeuer should be expedient for the Common-wealth and I thinke this was the cause why from the beginning they called these Magistrates Prouiders but we will alwaies call them Prouidaetori At their arriuall it was resolued to giue a generall assault to the Citie by Sea and Land It may be they had notice that Lewis King of Hungarie was not farre off with great forces The Citie being assailed with great furie the Sea-forces threw bridges from the Gallies vpon the walls seeking by that meanes to enter the Citie On the other side the Land-Armie drew neere the walls with their engins and other warlike instruments But both sides had no great successe Some were gotten vpon the walls on the bridges from the shippes who did greatly affright the inhabitants slew diuers of them But soon after the Townesmen waxing desperate did furiously fall vpon them and beat them from the walls breaking the bridges whereupon the Souldiours on that side were constrained to make a base retreat The fight on the Land-side was as vnfortunate For the engins of batterie breaking at their first approach made all the Venetians attempts bootlesse which the Generall perceiuing commanded to sound the retreat After this assault King Lewis ariued with six score thousand men and encamped not farre from Zara who to free the Citie which was giuen vnto him from the siege gaue a sodain assault to the Venetian Campe. The Hungarians with fearefull cries made an attempt on the Venetians Fort not thinking to meet with trenches and rampiers that were able to keepe them out The Zaratines likewise made a sallie and together with them assailed the Fort. The Venetians did not only valiantly defend it but repulsed the enemies farre from thence with great effusion of bloud In the meane time those in the Gallies hearing the noise and fearing that their fellowes were assailed leauing a sufficient number of Souldiors for the guard of their vessells they came on shore and marched in a close battalion to the reliefe of their countrimen which they in the Fort perceiuing presently issued forth vpon the enemie There was on either side a cruell fight neere to the Fort and much bloud-shed But the Hungarians who at the Venetians first comming had begun by little and little to disorder their owne rankes being ouercome by this sodain sallie betooke themselues to flight who were pursued and slaine heere and there by the Victorious Venetian The Dalmatians perceiuing the bad successe of the Hungarians retired with great amazement into the Citie The King thus repulsed with losse of a great part of his Armie returned in manner of a flight into Hungarie But because it was scarce credible to speake truely that so great an Armie should be defeated by so small a number It is most likely that Lewis brought but twentie thousand men into Dalmatia and that the Printersr and not the Historians haue greatly erred in the number yet whatsoeuer their Armie was for vndoubtedly it was great the Venetians got that day a glorious victorie of the enemies And besides the slaughter of the enemies was so great as the aire beeing corrupted with the infection of so manie dead bodies did in short space cause great mortalitie in the Campe. The siege neuerthelesse was not discontinued but the Venetians on the contrarie did more sharpely vex those Rebells by Sea and Land In the end the Venetians hauing broken the chaine of the Hauen the Zaratines despairing of all forrain aid and distrusting their owne forces craued leaue to send to Venice the which was freely graunted them The messengers beeing come to the Citie craued mercie committing themselues and their Citie to the mercie of the Senate Zara beeing recouered Iustiniano was made Gouernour The chiefe of the Citie who had beene the Authours of this seuenth Rebellion were by the Senate for euer banished the Citie We may by this gentle punishment perceiue how great the Venetians clemency hath still beene who were contented to punish a Citie that had so often Rebelled and been thereby so troublesome to the Common-wealth by the only banishment of a few of her inhabitants The ordinarie iudges of the Citie of Venice not being able in regard of
Armie at the place aboue said and for to enforce him to figâ—…t he encamped at the mouth of the Gulph neere to the mount Lacinia which is iust opposite to that of Salentina These two mountaines looking one vpon an other make this Gulph to be of a verie dangerous approach In that is situated the Citie of Tarentum I said the Venetian did rather encampe neere to Lacinia than elsewhere because that the Genoueses lying in the hauen of Tarentum and the Venetian being verie desirous not onely to draw him to the fight but to constarine him thereunto had rather encampe there to take away the meanes from them who lay a good way in the Gulph of flying backward At the last the enemie being come forth of Tarentum so soone as he perceiued the Venetians to come towards them did speedily put to sea-ward and turned forth of the way The Venetian neerely followed him hoping speedily to ouertake him when as he saw himselfe to be deceiued with a new tricke of warre The enemie made shew as though he would fight and as if he were out of al hope to escape And turning on a sodaine towards the Venetian he feined to make all things readie in his gallies for a battaile which Pisani perceiuing made a stand and commaunded his souldiers and marriners to arme themselues The Genouese so soone as he saw the Venetians in a readinesse the souldiers loden with Armour and the gallies all pestered with warlike engines he gaue a signe to his people to set saile Ye should haue seene then these two fleets sailing very differently the one from the other For the Genoueses who had their marriners readie and vnloden seemed to flie vpon the Sea with wings and the Venetians not able to stirre by reason of their weight and pestering By meanes whereof he escaped at his pleasure and tooke the direct way into Dalmatia Pisani hauing no place of retreate neere turned on the left hand towards Apulia At the same time fiue gallies being armed by the Senates commaund after the taking of Catharra departing from the Citie with the same which brought the newes of the victorie to goe vnto the Armie met with three Genoueses gallies neere to Berisone These three had scoured for a time vp downe to the Venetians losse and had taken as occasion serued diuers ships laden with marchandize The Venetian so soone as he had perceiued them a farre off sailed directly towards them to take reuenge But the Genoueses without any stay betooke themselues to flight and the one ceased not to pursue and the other to flie vntill they were in view of Zara for then the Venetian gallies giuing ouer their pursuite retired to Brandissa where so soone as they vnderstood that the Genoueses fleet was arriued in Dalmatia they stayed in that hauen fearing if they should passe on their iourney to bee surprized by the enemie The hauen of Brandissa is by nature great the mouth thereof containeth diuers and sundrie hauens which are not subiect to Sea tempests There are within it diuers pleasant places of retreat where ships lie out of danger The structure thereof is like to the hornes of an Hart whereof the Citie in times past tooke the name because the hauen with the residue of the Citie is made in the forme of an harts head which in the Messapian tongue is called Brandissa The Venetian hauing then receiued of the Gouernour and the inhabitants of the Citie the towers which lie at the mouth of the hauen did man them with good garrisons then they sent by land to Pisani who was said to be in Apulia with a great Armie to certifie him that they staied in the Hauen of Brandissa fearing to meete with the enemie who was not far from thence Victor vnderstanding the danger of his Countrimen came with speed to Brandissa And there adding the six Gallies to his owne fleet he made vp the number of one and thirtie wherewith he speedily sailed into Dalmatia to surprize the Genoueses going to Zara who hauing notice thereof did sodainely retire to Trahu But whilest these things were done at Sea the Venetians on the firme land tooke the Citie of Saligetta from Gerardo Caminensis soone after Cesalta which was burned and the other wholy ruinated The enemies in the meane time were not idle for Prince Carrario hauing assembled as well of his owne as of the Hungarians the Bishop of Aquileia and of other Princes of the league to the number of sixteene thousand men came and furiously besieged the Citie of Mestra and to take from the inhabitants all hope of succour and victuals he placed a strong Garrison on the riuer which leadeth from Mergera to Mestra within a while after the enemie seized on Morezane which is neare to Mestra without the losse of one man diuers men of note were taken there who were sent to guarde that place The Citie was afterward more sharpely assailed The Venetian sent three hundred braue Souldiers to releeue Mestra vnder the commaund of Nicolao Galianico the Luquois and Hircio Pisani who passed through the enemies watch ech of them carrying a bundle of arrowes on his horses crouper Afterward they made diuers skirmishes all along the dike At the last the enemie desplayed all his forces and battered the Citie more furiously than before Francisco Delfino commaunded within it who by his valour and good counsell did not onely defend the walls but did likewise constraine the enemie after he had lost his peeces of batterie and a great number of his Souldiers to retire into his Campe and within a while after to raise the siege and depart Diuers of the enemies being infected with the aire of the marishes fell into a deadly sicknesse whereof being returned home to their owne houses they soone died These are the exploits which were done that sommer Sixâ—… gallies returning from forrage brought newes to Victor Pisani who was encamped before Zara that the Genoueses Armie rode at an Anchor in the hauen of Trahu Victor departing thence to goe and fight with them and passing by chance not farre from Sicco a Sea towne he thought it fit before hee went farther to take it by assault Yet neuerthelesse hee would first of all summon the inhabitants to knowe whether they had rather to endure an assault than voluntarily to submit themselues to the Venetians Three Gallies were sent before to this purpose who hauing taken assurance of the citizens did enter the same where they acquainted the Magistrates with what they had in charge who answered very arrogantly that the Venetian should neuer expect to haue the Sicceans to yeelde voluntarily but if he ment to become master of the Citie it behoued him to vse other weapons than words Pisani being stung with this braue answere of the inhabitants trusting to the great number of his Gallies which were seuen and thirtie made hast to assaile the Citie Whereupon entring the
distresse of the Imperials and on the contrary the great forces of the confederates and their desire to employ them all for them and with them to run one selfe same fortune and then the hope of the happy successe of that warre by reason of the aide which they dayly expected from France and finally the great preparations which were made to assaile the Imperials in sundry places Hee willed them to call to minde their ancient generosity and in particular sundry fortunate euents happened vnto them being vnited with the Signory of Venice how that the like might now befall them hauing the selfe same constancy and magnanimity that they then had that it was a thing most certain that as their loue and affection towards the league did much encrease the reputation thereof and did assure the confederates euen so in like manner their disunion would greatly hinder and preiudice it For to yeeld for feare of an imaginary danger was nothing else but to precipitate themselues into most certaine and pernitious mischiefes and by ruining themselues to draw forthwith by their downe-fall othermen into the same precipice or at least wise by their declyning to shake and put in hazard the liberty of all Italy wherevpon for the great affection that the common-wealth did beare vnto them and in regard of their common interest the Senate would not faile in any point of their duty The Florentines declared how pleasing his comming and remonstrance had beene vnto them and sent Alessandro de Pacis their Ambassadour to Venice to giue thankes to the Senate promising to continue steadfast to the league and in particular to haue sound intelligence and corespondence with the Republike perswading them to leauy sixe thousand foot more at their common charge that they might with them resist the Duke of Bourbon with more assurance who was reported to haue drawn forces from Milan and with them to march into Tuscany In the meane time the confederates nauall army did still continue neere to Genoa which being reduced to all extremity diuers meanes were propounded to hinder the Spanish nauall army to the number of forty ships prepared at Carthagena from comming to the reliefe thereof and among others Nauarre was of opinion to saile vnto the frontiers of Spaine and to assaile the Emperours army which lay in an open hauen and to burne it This opinion was allowed by the Venetian Prouidator but Doria al-be-it he likewise approued it did neuerthelesse consider that the quallity of that country was very contrary to that proposition and the dangers of the sea much greater where they should not finde any place of retreate to shield themselues from tempests and stormes and setting downe sundry other difficulties he made all the hearers to be irresolute and himselfe constant not to goe to Carthagena wherevpon they determined to saile into Corsica or Sardinia and nere to those Islands to waite for the Imperiall fleet intending if it came to put forth to sea and to fight with it for the which purpose they concluded to send for some great ships from Marseilles and to arme the Genoa ships which had beene taken at the beginning Whilest they dwelt on these resolute preparations they discouered the Imperiall fleet fifteene miles off from land consisting of sixe and thirty vessels of all sorts sayling with a faire winde directly towards Genoa which was deâ—…arted from Spaine sooner then was expected wherein were Don Charles of Lanoy viceroy of Naples the captaine Alarcon and Don Ferrant of Gonzaga So soone as the Venetian Prouidator that lay at Porto-uennere to cause the vessels to bee armed had notice of the enemies comming he put to sea with sixteene gallies that he had ready and gaue chase to the enemies vessels but being oâ—…ertaken with a contrary winde he was enforced to returne from whence he came and the Spanish army in the meane time pursuing their iourney drew still neerer to land determining to enter into the hauen of Genoa but at such time as it passed by Saint Florenzos Mount it was descried by Nauarre who lay at the foot of the hill with seuenteene gallies who comming with them forthwith to sea did with great courage giue in athwart the Imperiall army and falling foule one of an other they fought from morning till two houres within night where the Imperials were so roughly handled by those of the league and their whole fleete so torne by the artillery as had not a tempest arose which separated them it was certainely thought that it would haue beene wholy defeated The confederates fleet retired to Portofin staying the same night for the other gallies that lay at Portouennere and whether they did come or not their resolution was by day breake to seeke the enemie But so soone as it was day albeit that they followed them as farre as Liuorne yet they could not ouertake them by reason that they were already to farre The viceroy went on his way but so beaten by the tempest that his vessels were scattered part of which wherein Don Ferrant of Ganzaga was were carried into Sicily and afterwards came to Gayetta where they landed the Lansequenets and as for himselfe he arriued with the rest in the hauen of Saint Stephen which belongeth to the Sienois if Armiero the Prouidator who lay at Portouennere could haue come to the aide of his fellowes as he sought diuers times to doe all the Spanish army had beene defeated but hee could not come by reason of the tempest yet neuerthelesse he was called home to Venice by the councell of Tenne to come and yeeld an account of his actions and in particular for suffering victuals to enter into Genoa and for that he did not goe with the army to Carthagena and they sodainely sent Augustine de Mulla in his stead who was Prouidator in Friul But Armiero hauing cleered himself of al those imputations was wholy quitted and then they knew that the fault why Genoa was not taken did proceed from the not sending of suffitient troupes from the campe in Lombardy which should neerely haue shut the City in by land which the captaines of the gallies had oftentimes craued Now the Pope more then any else was most troubled with the viceroys comming into Italy fearing least the aide which he had brought with him would ioyn it selfe with George Frondsperg and therefore he sent the Archbishop of Capua vnto him to treat of agreement and to propound in the meane time a suspention of armes but the viceroy being desirous to treat on very hard conditions the whole matter was broken off without any conclusion the Pope hauing taken courage for that his army was encreased in reputation and strength by the arriual of Rance de Cera who beeing sent by the French King into Italy was come to Sauona with the nauall army and from thence went to ioyne with the Church-army which lay not farre from Rome for the subuersion of Colonnesi The viceroy on
ancient Venetians in that change after they had carried away with them their wiues and children and the richest goods they had did retire themselues at leasure into the places of most safety But being hindred by the incursions of the Hunnes all along the Sea-Coasts from tilling the Earth the poorest amongst them gaue themselues to fishing and to make salt or else to transport their neighbours Merchandize esteeming that gaine more honest than to till other mens ground some of the richer fort gaue themselues to the â—…raffick of forraine Merchandize others keeping their houses applied their wits to beautifie their Citie with new lawes and customes and yet neuerthelesse such was their care of Iustice and right was so maintained amongst them as in so great a multitude of people no strife could be perceiued The first and cheefest thing they gaue themselues to was the care of Religion and by so much the more as they perceiued any great danger towards from the enemy The presence of certaine Prelates did augment in them this common affection to godlinesse who for feare of the enemie to Christians had with their Countriemen retired themselues thither Their helpe came in good time not only concerning the Ministery of sacred things but to retaine this City as yet ignorant in ancient pietie and Religion from being infected with the poison of the Arrian heresie seeing that contagion did no lesse ouer-runne the whole Prouince than the Armes of the Hunnes After that they did contend and debate among themselues not on voluptuous matters but on pietie and continence Riches and other things whereof men at this day make so much account made no distinction amongst the Citizens for honor but wisedome only They did not regard mens sumptuous clothing but their goodnesse and to such without seeking for it did they freely offer their places of honor In a word a man would haue imagined that multitude not to haue beene fugitiue Citizens but Philosophers at their quiet studie And because wee would not haue any man thinke that wee feigne this matter to embellish our Storie any one that hath the leisure may reade that which Cassiodorus of Rauenna hath written concerning the ancient state of the Citie The poore saith hee and the rich liue there peaceably together vnder one selfe same equality of lawes without any difference of dwelling not knowing what enuie meaneth and ordering their liues in this manner they eschew the most common vice in the World I passe ouer the rest of his long letter which Bonitendius hath inserted in his Commentaries Such was the beginning of the Citie of Venice and after such a kind of life and in such exercises did she spend hir childhood afterward by hir virtue it grew and waxed strong And because wee haue as I thinke amply and sufficiently declared what hath beene the beginning of this great State we will speake some-what of hir first gouernment For I perceiue that those who haue written the Venetian Historie doe likewise varie in this Some of them say that the Common-wealth was first gouerned vnder the Consulary dignity by those who dwelt at Rialto They doe more-ouer affirme that Galieno Fontano Simion Glauco and Antonio Caluo who were then Consuls at Padua at such time as the first foundations of the Citie were laid at Rialto were the first that in qualitie of Consuls did gouerne the Citie at hir birth Some thinke that these men were the Authors of the Paduans flight and that their first arriuall was in that place and likewise the first buildings According to others I finde in these mens stceds Alberto Phalerio Thomaso Candiano and Paulo el Conte The third yeare of the Cities foundation they created new Consuls for two yeares Marino Linio Hugo Fusco and Luciano Graulo They say that these men were likewise created at Padua and sent to Rialto from whence may be easily gathered that the Cities foundation was altogether before the comming of Attila Marco Aurelio Andrea Clodio and Albino Moro were Consuls at the third election for the two yeares following I doe not finde who succeeded them But it is credible that this forme of Gouernement lasted till Attilas comming at which time all Ilands thereabouts being peopled in stead of Consuls they created Tribunes All of them in a maner say that the same hapned a little after Attilas comming and that about the sixtie yeare of the Cities foundation the Tribunarie dignitie began in the Ilands which were already inhabited For the Creation of the Tribunes the businesse was first of all debated as the maner is by a fewe after that it was concluded in a generall assembly of the Ilanders that euery Iland should haue a Tribune the Magistrate to be yearely hee shoulâ—… doe Iustice to his fellow Citizens and punish offences with seueritie But that which concerned the generall State of the Commonwealth was referred to the generall assembly of the Ilanders to be determined of That which we haue hitherunto said if it be narrowly obserued belongs to the Cities originall We will hereafter begin to speake of her infancie For diuers Historians greatly delighted in this kind of writing in number of whom is 〈◊〉 who haue distinguished the increasing of Cities according to the seuerall parts of mans life Infancie Childhood and Youth Now the Tribunarie Gouernment which neerely followed the originall thereof shall be rightly termed Infancie Wee will then set downe in order what passed within and without the Citie during the same after that we haue acquainted the Reader how that in the time of the Lombards which was during this Infancie the Citie receiued a meruailous increase For it hapned that the Venetians hauing scarce time to breathe after the Warres of the Hunnes did perceiue on a sodaine the Lombards so called by reason of their long Beards to be entred into Italy vnder Albinus their eleuenth King who at their arriuall did possesse and subdue all that which had beene shaken they did forthwith sease vpon all that which the Venetians held in the firme Land not daring to assaile them at Sea because they knew their strength to be great or else it may bee they deferred to doe it till a more conuenient time This Nation as it is reported came from Scandinauia an Iland of the Germane Sea who hauing often a long time before enterprised on the Prouince of the Romanes which lies about the Riuer of Danubie vnder Geodich their King he being dead they passed into Hungarie vnder Andouinus his successour then vnder Albinus thirtie eight yeares after their arriuall in Hungarie they came furiously into Italy where their power did so encrease as they haue commanded there more then two hundred yeares At the arriuall then of this people the whole firme Land belonging to the Venetians lost her libertie with the name of Venice and the Venetians State which was in the Ilands was limited from the Cape of Rising so named at this day euen
was cut in peeces by the people and his bowels being rent forth of his body were torne in peeces by some of the multitudes teeth his wife likewise who was reported to bee of the royall bloud of France was slaine with him But neither was Charles the leader of this Armie nor did this happen which they report And the common consent of the crediblest Historians makes me to beleeue that it was Pepin which made warre on the Venetians But whether it were the one or the other it is certaine that the Venetians did wholly preserue their libertie and became open friends to either Empire ¶ ANGELO PARTITIATIO the 10. Duke of Venice and the first at RIALTO SOme report that Obellerio being slaine his brother Beato held the Principalitie and others say that Obellerio and Beato being expelled Valentin their yonger brother commanded in the Citie But howsoeuer it was for it is hard to iudge the right in such diuersitie of opinions it is certaine that the Gouernement of these three lasted not aboue fiue yeares Angelo Partitiatio succeeded these three who was the first that held his seate at Rialto They gaue him two yearely Tribunes to assist him in all thinges Some say he had the surname of Badoairio from whom the Badoairians are descended The most curious Historians haue numbred the Partitiatij among the noblest families which came from Heraclea to Rialto And that which makes me easily to beleeue it is because among the most memorable matters acted in his Gouernment we find the reparation of Heraclea which by reason thereof was afterward called Villa-noua And because that in the time of the warre with the French a great number of people ranne to Rialto so as the place was filled with an incredible multitude of inhabitants it came to passe that threescore small Ilands next to them were ioyned together by Bridges But all men did thinke this place for the great multitude of people and for the commodiousnesse thereof worthie that the Soueraigne Magistrate and the whole State of the Commonwealth should reside there And with a good and happie presage for the Duke and the whole Venetian State it was decreed That Rialto should euer after bee the Princes seate According to this conclusion to the end that the Soueraigne Magistrate should not want a house the Duke himselfe did forth with appoint a place whereon to build the Dukes Pallace which stands as we see at this daie neere to the goodly Church of St. Marke But we may truly say that it is only the olde Pallace which Partitiatio did edifie For the other neighbour-buildings confronting the Senate-house doe represent a newer architecture For it is nor likelie that in those daies they could tell from whence to haue gotten so manie costlie pillars and excellent stones their meanes being then verie small But whether it were in Partitiatios time or since as it is most credible by the report almost of all Annalists that this worke was built the excellencie and greatnesse thereof doth deserue that such a thing should not be buried in silence But because it would be too tedious a matter to particularize all the singularities of that place wee will speake onely of the admirable structure thereof This place then as it is appointed to manie and sundrie purposes hath likewise manie and diuers fronts whereof that which lookes vpon the West and South is vnder-propt by two rankes of columns and that which supporteth the whole burthen of the worke hath pillars of a strange kinde of stone rather bigge then long The Arches are verie sumptuous made of the same matter and workemanship embracing vnder the bending of a costlie vault diuers columns set verie neere together That ranke which is aboue is made almost of the same stone and fashion and because it hath a greater number of Pillars they are the more slender and vnderneath enuironed with a verie thicke rew of other pillars but farre lesse so as they doe not onely serue for a staie but for a meruailous adornment But as well the vppermost ranke whereof we now spake as the lowest doth make a great gallerie the most spacious part whereof is almost wholly possessed by the market-place The remainder of the front euen to the toppe of the whole Masse which is of a verie rare stone red and white is so high that it troubleth as much as it delighteth the eies of the beholders being verie richly couered with lead Aboue the gallerie there is a part of a verie great Librarie stored with manie Greeke and Latine bookes the greatest part whereof was giuen by the last Will and Testament of Cardinall Bessarion The residue which lookes towards the South is the Comitia For I know not how otherwise to terme this place where euerie eight daies and sometimes oftner all the Nobilitie are assembled about the creation of Magistrates As also I will more freely call that part of the Palace which lookes towards the East The Court whereas the Senate vsually doe resort I vnderstand by the Senate that which they call the Councell of the Preguays by whom are handled the most important affaires of the Common-wealth For the ancient Fathers the Authors of this State haue among other things borrowed of the Romans to name those Preguays which debate in the Senate because they were intreated to deliuer their opinion concerning that which was spoken by him that held the cheifest place in the Senate But we will speake more amply in an other place We will now returne to the gouernment of Partitiatio who hauing two sonnes he sent the one named Iustiniano to Leo Emperour of Greece by whom he was liberally entertained and greatly honoured and praised and in the mean time he tooke the other named Giouanni for his Colleague whereat Iustiniano at his returne was in such sort moued as he obstinately refused to come and see his Father But the olde man being extreamely desirous to see his sonne after he had deposed Giouanni who refused to obaie his Father had not the people constrained him thereunto did associate Iustiniano and his nephew Angelo sonne to Iustiniano the people did confine Giouanni that was deposed to Constantinople Some saie that hee went of his owne accord to Pergamus to the Emperour Leon from whence returning he did by his Fathers commandement take his wife and children and went to Constantinople About the same time the Emperour Leon gaue Partitiatio the bodie of Saint Zacharie and part of the garments of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and of the glorious Virgin with a peece of the holie Crosse which he religiously lockt vp in Saint Zacharies Church which he had built He did moreouer translate the Monkes of the Couent of Saint Seruulo at the entreatie of the Abbot into Saint Hilaries Church which stood then in the farthest part of the Rialto And they which now knowe those places doe at this day shewe the ruines thereof in the firme Land Hee
out of the Infidels hands wherein for the Saluation of mankinde it was his pleasure to be borne and to die where diuers and great tokens of his humanitie were yet to be seen witnesse the little house wherein he was borne the Temple where being a childe he wept and growne bigger had disputed and at last being become a man had taught The mounts of Thabor and Oliuet this a place of praier and that of his transfiguration Pilats Pretorium mount Caluarie where his crosse was set vp and his Sepulcher not farre from thence Peter being returned into Italie had no other thought but to goe to Pope Vrban vnto whom hauing deliuered his message hee passed the mounts and went to the other Christian Princes In the meane space that hee in a manner ranne ouer all Europe he forgat not by the way to exhort all men in his sermons to vndertake this holie voiage But Pope Vrban comming soon after to the Councell of Clermontin Auuergne treated of this matter with a verie vehement Oration the substance whereof was thus Pope Vrban his Oration THat he was not departed from Rome and come to that holy assemblie for the affaires of the Church of Rome only albeit it greatly needed to bee reformed but was stirred vp by another occasion the which as more holie was likewise more notable That he did not doubt but that those there assembled had heard tell of what had be fallen long since in Siria and chiefely in the confines of that Region which is commonly called the Holy Land The vniust vsurpation of the Sepulcher of our Soueraigne Lord Iesus Christ the which he could not vtter without teares by those cruell barbarous Saracens that there was no Church Altar or any other sacred place but was either razed downe to the groundby those cursed Mahometans or conuerted to their prophane vses that the Religious people dwelling there at such time as those enemies made themselues masters thereof were constrained some for feare of horrible punishment to renounce the faith of Iesus Christ and others that would perseuer therein were by sword and fier and other sorts of torments miserably consumed That deuout Matrons going thither on pilgrimage from all parts almost of Europe had not beene onely forced by them to satiate their brutishlust but likewise in contempt and derision of vs tormented by monstrous embracements That if that which he had related was not in their opinions sufficient to cause them to take Armes and to prosecute reuenge He besought them at least to consider and call to remembrance how thatin a short time through the negligence of their Ancestors the forces of Asia were encreased and besides how farre the Mahometans had in length and breadth extended their Dominions How manie Countries they possessed which did in times past belong to the Roman Empire But would to God said he that the affaires of Christendome were brought to that passe that we were but to complaine and bewaile other mens miseries We haue alas seene in our daies Italie wholly destroied by their spoiles and incursions Castles Cities and Churches beaten downe and burnt by those Sacrilegious persons But wherefore doe I relate the murthers imprisonments rapes and so manie other matters neuer almost heard of which this Land hath endured along time seeing that Spaine likewise and her neighbour Aquitaine and all the Occidentall Prouinces haue not only felt the like losse but hauing at this daie scarce dried vp their teares doe stand in feare of the like And ye 〈◊〉 Frenchmen said he albeit that this wound is not yet entred into your bowels no doubt but in regard of your neighbour-hood you haue heard and seene likewise some-what of that whereof I haue now spoken And the Germans and other Westerne Nations who haue not as yet felt these losses ought often to forethinke what dangers menace them from the East nay rather how neere they are to them already I know not said he if the Venetians were not who with strong Garrisons defend the Sea-coasts and who haue often repulsed this cruell enemie from Histria and Dalmatia whether this storme would ere this haue beene blowne euen into Hungarie and Germanie The power of the Grecian Empire which whilst her strength and vigour lasted was wont to be the Buâ—…varke of Europe on the East and West side is in such sort ruined as the Emperour dreames on nothing but on meanes and forces whereby he may conserue his Citie of Constantinople which place if we had lost as God forbid we may easily coniecture how great such a losse would be as well to Europe as to him I tremble with horror when I doe but thinke what will happen if this fier be not quickly quenched which 〈◊〉 doth more and more kindle All the miseries which those haue felt whom we bewaile hang ouer our heads Men and women shall be reserued to satisfie the luxurie of those barbarous people and ye will hereafter lament when it will be too late that hauing had meanes you haue not opposed your selues against these miseries It may be you thinke that this cannot come to passe No more did they who haue since felt it And would to God wee did not so often feede our selues with vaine hope But it were better ô couragious spirits whilst we haue strength counsell aide power and monie readie and generally whatsoeur may giue hope of a victorie to diuert this euident perill from vs. Nor is our enterprise aboue humane strength That Charles surnamed the Great in a manner your Countriman ô ye Germans in regard of the descent of his Ancestors and your king ò Frenchmen and the glorie of your name did driue the Saracens forth of Spaine and Aquitaine The same Charles constrained them to leaue Italie The 〈◊〉 Charles of whom yee so much vaunt did recouer Ierusalem which ye terme Holie and draue thence the enemies And by how much his glorie and reputation is great by so much the more ought it to incite you which are descended from him to attempt some new exploit which may augment this your ancient renowne If ye do not thus but giue your selues to rest and idlenesse yee shall not only hazard what your Ancestors haue left you but you shall suffer the natiue Countrie of our soueraigne king to your great shame and contempt with that of all Christendome likewise to bee trodden downe by these cruell enemies and his Sepulcher Temple and other holie places to be polluted by murthers rapes and sacriâ—…edges Arme your selues then in time rather and deface this common infamie Purchase to your selues and to all Europe assured safetie I thinke you may easily doe it For by how much your forces surpasse those of Charles If ye all iointly vndertake this voiage by so much more shall the victorie be certaine and easie for you The victors profit shall be great inestimable by the spoiles of so opulent a Nation and such rich kingdomes But the Celestiall reward shall be
to bee molested by the Normans It may be likewise that they had couenanted so to doe in the articles of their agreement Now the Venetians hauing in a manner at their first arriuall taken Brundusium left a garrison there and scattering their forces on euery side ouer the firme land filled all the Sea-coasts with spoile and terrour And afterwards the fleet being stuft with booties returned to Venice It is said that it was expressely mentioned in the treatie of peace with Caloman that neither he nor any of his successours should pretend any right to Dalmatia About the same time Matilda a noble Ladie of the illustrious family of the Sigefretti being by meanes of the Venetians repossessed of the Citie of Ferrara granted vnto them as to her friends by whose meanes she had obtained the victorie fredome and exemption for euer from all matters within the same Citie Prince Vitalis about the end of the fourth yeare of his gouernment died ¶ ORDELAPHO PHALERIO the 34. Duke of Uenice ORdelapho Phalerio was chosen in his place In the first or certainely in the second yeare of his gouernment a very great fleete was sent againe into Syria The Venetian Chronicles say That they were one hundred Gallies Blondus mentioneth but fourescore The Genoueses likewise about the same time a litle before the Venetians had sent their fleete thither Baldwin called King of Ierusalem after his brothers death was at the same time incamped before Ptolomais a Sea-towne This man being discouraged with the losse of a great battaile in Syria soone after the death of Godfrey durst neuer after attempt any thing vntill that he vnderstood that Beamond was deliuered and returned to Antioch by the industrie and liberalitie of his nephew Tancred his brothers sonne who to free him paid a great waight of gold for his ransome For being then confirmed by the presence of so notable a man he came as hath beene said and besieged Ptolomais called Acon by the modernes and at last Acre by corrupted speech Baldwin being incamped in this place receiued two mightie fleetes called out of Europe vpon faire promises and being strengthned by these succours he shut in the Citie more strictly by Sea and Land by meanes whereof it was taken the twentieth day after Blondus saith that after Ptolomais was taken there was no warlike exploite done vntill that Beamond who was then gone into Italie was returned into Asia Whereby it is apparent that Baldwin made more account of Beamond alone than of all the other Christian Captaines in the Armie But that which Blondus writes of Beamonds comming into Italie seemeth to be verie true Because diuers Annalls make mention That whilest Beamond tarried in Italie the Venetians in fauour of Alexis armed themselues against the Normans who were incamped before Durazzo and that remembring perhaps the losse which they had in times past receiued they durst not assaile the enemie who was in the Hauen but held their course towards Apulia where after they had greatly molested and indangered the enemie they returned to Venice leauing their enterprise imperfect If it bee so we must thinke that the Venetian fleete after the taking of Ptolomais returned into Italie as well because it was Ordelapho as they affirme which marched against the Normans as also in regard so many vessels being busied in Syria they must of necessitie prouide newe to goe against so mightie a King the which could hardly haue beene done It is reported that the occasion which moued Beamond to make warre on Alexis was because that after Tancred had seized on Laodicia the Greekes inuaded and molested the Sea-townes of the Principalitie of Antioch Others say that Beamond was so terrified at the only sight of the Armies of Alexis and the Venetians as he sodainely fell to composition and that by that meanes the siege of Durazzo was raised The Venetian Annalls affirme that after the taking of Ptolomais their fleete sailed to Sydon whither Baldwins forces marched by Land which in few dayes they tooke Sydon stood in times past betweene Berithon and Tyre the three most famous Cities of Phaenicia the most renowned for antiquitie and riches Some set downe the taking of Berithon before that of Sydon because it was the first that was besieged before which they were incamped two whole moneths and being taken with great losse it caused the Christians at their entrance not only to kill those which were armed but such likewise who for age were not able to defend themselues A Christian Colonie was sent thither by reason of the fruitfulnesse of the Countrie And this is all we finde to be done by the Venetians in Syria in the dayes of Ordelapho Some Authours say that the Venetians after the taking of Sydon tooke Faronia by assault which is a Sea-towne neare to the mouth of Nilus and how likewise in that iourney they sunke diuers ships of the enemies which did vse to scoure the Seas In recompence whereof Baldwin gaue the Venetians in the Citie of Acre a Church and a part of the towne with a place where they might doe iustice one to another with like power and authoritie as the French had with diuers goodly priuiledges and that not only in the same place but ouer all the Kingdome of Ierusalem They say besides that Baldwin being puffed vp with the happie successe of his affaires desired farther to extend the bounds of his Kingdome and to the same purpose he caused to bee built on the other side of the Riuer Iordan famous for the baptisme of Christ our Lord the Castle of Soball in a very high place but that soone after the Venetians were returned into Italy hauing lost certaine battailes against the enemie and fortified some places neare to Ptolomais plotting higher matters in his minde he died euen as these warlike preparations were in readinesse Baldwin surnamed Burgensis who was his neare kinsman was declared King of Ierusalem in his stead and for the stronger assurance thereof he was confirmed by Pope Gelasius Others write that vpon the returne of the Venetian Armie from Syria Ordelapho soone after led it against the Norman but they set not downe vpon what occasion nor to what place And I thinke they did vnderstand it to be the iournie against Beamond alreadie mentioned notwithstanding that they affirme how the same enterprise was not against Beamond but against Liemond his sonne The Venetians at the same time did obtaine sundrie great priuiledges of the Emperour Henrie the fourth and they say that for the same purpose Vitalis Phalerio Stephano Morosini and Vrso Iustiniano were sent to Rome who in acknowledgment of that grant promised him in the name of the people a yearely cloake of cloath of gold and a pension of monie which was not verie great Some say they obtained these priuiledges at Verona and that the Emperor willed them to send commissioners to him to treat of the controuersie betwixt
enemie Ordelapho knowing that in such dangerous businesses speed was to be vsed passed into Dalmatia with a greater Armie than before and ouertaking the enemie before the walles of Zara drew him forthwith to battaile At the beginning they fought furiously on either side fortune enclining to neither part vntill that Ordelapho encouraging his Soldiours and thrusting himselfe into the formost rankes fighting hand to hand with the enemie was stricken with a dart of which wound he sodainely dyed The Venetians being amazed at their Princes death did for a time sustaine the enemies forces but beeing disordered they fell to flight diuers were slaine in the fight and many taken prisoners The report of this losse brought great heauinesse to the Citie The common people thought that their Prince being dead and their Armie defeated there was no more hope for them to be able to keepe the Prouince Therefore they resolued to send Ambassadours to the king of Hungarie to obtaine a peace if it might be or else truce for a certaine time Vitalis Phaledrio Vrso Iustiniano and Marini Morosino the Secretarie were sent thither who obtained truce of the king for fiue yeares Ordelapho's bodie beeing brought to Venice was honorably buried in Saint Markes Church who fighting valiantly for his Countrie was slaine in the nineteenth yeare of his Principalitie Dominico Michaeli was chosen in his sted ¶ DOMINICO MICHAELI the 35. Duke of Venice BAldwin the second of that name sent to this Prince for aide For the affaires of the Christians in Syria were brought to such a passe that they spake no more of making themselues greater but only how to keepe that which they had gotten For albeit in the two first yeares of his raigne he had obtained certaine victories of the enemie yet there was some likelihood that they daily waxing stronger as indeede they did they should hardly be able to keepe those places which they held in Syria without fresh supplies He requested the Venetians by his Ambassadours to passe with a mightie fleete into Asia and the more easily to obtaine it his Ambassadours in his name promised a verie great recompence But Baldwin expecting supplies from Italie being taken prisoner by Dalochus king of the Parthians with whom hee had fought was carried away captiue to Cayro Then those that remained in Ierusalem did speedily certifie Pope Calixus of the state of the affaires of Syria assuring him that if they were not forth with succoured with supplies from Italie and Europe that their dominion in Asia would not only be soone brought to nothing but the name of Christians would be extinct and all reduced vnder the power of the Turkes The Pope being moued by this great danger began forthwith to examine which were the chiefest forces of Italie and found that there were none but the Venetians which were able in those miserable times to preserue the affaires and state of the Christians in Syria Therefore he sent his Nuncio to entreate Prince Dominico speedily to passe into Asia with a mightie fleete to aid the Christians The people then being called before the Assemblie after due Praiers made vnto God the Patriarch of the Citie by the Princes commaundement spake to them after this manner The Oration of the Patriarch of Grada to the people of Venice I Thinke ô people of Venice that you are not ignorant what our owne forces in part and partly those of the rest of Europe haue done these precedent yeares for the recouerie of Palestine which ye call the holie Land For this is the six and twentith yeare if I mistake not since that great voiage which so manie Christian Princes taking the badge of the crosse vpon them vndertooke for the same purpose into Asia where by the Diuine bountie and their valour all that which stretcheth from Bythinia euen to Syria was in a short space taken by force out of the hands of the cruell enemie And our people likewise after they had taken Smyrna in Ionia and executed manie martiall exploits all along the Sea-coasts of Syria did not only purchase great commendation but had their share in the Cities that were taken The which if we well obserue ye shall finde that they laid a sure foundation at that instant whereon to enlarge in time to come your Dominion in Syria But it hath hapned in a short time that by the decease of Godfrey Baldwin and Beamond with other excellent Captaines who died according to the necessitie of nature our affaires in Syria haue been so altred as in sted of their woonted prosperous successe they are on a sodaine fallen to the ground and doe daily wex weake so as being more and more exposed to the violent assaults of the enemies wee haue left vs small hope of abilitie to defend that Prouince The which Baldwin the second fearing did not long since send his Ambassadours vnto vs to entreate vs with great promises to prepare forthwith a mightie Armie and therewith to passe speedily into Asia The intreaties of so great a person did mooue vs. But beeing at the point to open the matter vnto you and deuising meanes how to prouide such an Armie we haue with great terrour receiued newes how Baldwin is taken by Dalochus king of the Parthians and carried prisoner to Cayro Whereupon Varimond Bishop of Ierusalem ô yee Christian people being amazed with all those which lie in garrison in the Citie haue speedily sent for aide and succour to Pope Calixtus saying that vnlesse they be speedily releiued themselues with whatsoeuer they possesse in that Prouince are in danger to be lost The Pope being troubled with these newes hath thought the Venetians alone to be worthie of such an enterprise He hath written to your Prince and to you yee people of Venice whom hee intreateth exhorteth and adiureth not to abandon Christian Religion in so great a daunger Wherewith your Princes pleasure is you should be acquainted to the end ye might will and command a great Armie to be prouided for that purpose whereunto pittie alone and the affection which we beare to the Apostolike Seâ—… and to all Christians in generall should not onely prouoke vs which hauing receiued from our Ancestors as here ditarie we ought to preserue and increase with all our power but likewise the desire which wee haue to enlarge the bounds of our Dominions Who is it but seeth that it will cheefely be an holy and iust warre the which wee ought principally to consider in all things and secondarily highly worthie of the charitie and Religion for which ye are are euerywhere famous to defend by Armes and to preserue from the enemies wrong this land where Christ our king was borne did hide himselfe wept was betraied taken and crucified and his most holie bodie laid in the graue and who according as holie Writ doth witnesse to vs shall come the soueraigne Iudge one daie to enquire of the deedes of all mankind What Churches what monasteries what Altars doe yee
the Venetian Magistrate and the Church that of Grada and should besides send euery yeare to the Duke of Venice a thousand Connie-skins Whilest these things were done in Dalmatia the Venetians and French-men after they had first crossed the Ionian Seas and afterwards the Aegean and the Hellespont arriued at the Bosphorus of Thrace called St. Georges arme But wee must speake somewhat briefly here of the place and situation of the Citie for the more easie vnderstanding of what shall be hereafter set downe Bizantium named as all men know Constantinople by Constantine who much augmented it and did there establish his Empire yea builded as saith Trogus by Pausanias King of Sparta is seated in so pleasant and commodious a place as the Megarians who along time before were the founders of Calcydonia which is right ouer against it were esteemed by Apollo's Oracle of small iudgement because they refused so goodly and fertile a Countrie as is that where Bizantium was afterward builded and chose a barren and desert soile The streight of the Sea is fiue hundred paces in breadth and waxeth still more narrow as it draweth nearer to the Bosphorus of Thrace so called for the vsuall and easie passage of Oxen called at this day S. Georges arme This Citie on the North side hath the Sea of fiftie stadij in length and the maine drawing towards the West At the mouth of this streight in a small distance stands Constantinople on one side and Pera on the other so called in Greeke as I thinke for the small space that is betwixt them being opposite one to another Alexis had shut vp this space with a great yron chaine and placed a strong Garrison at either end thereof to hinder the enemies entrance Now whilest this great fleet staied there the Ambassadours of the Isle of Candie came with two Gallies in the name of the whole Island to acknowledge him for their Lord. This yong youth after he had louingly receiued them gaue the whole Island to Boniface of Montferrat a valiant man and his neare Kinsman The chaine in the meane time could not be broken vntill that a very great ship called the Eagle furnished with great yron tongs and driuen forward by a North-winde strake vpon it and brake it in peeces Presently hereupon the Venetians entred the streight and landed all the forraine troupes which done the Citie in an instant was besieged both by Sea and Land But so soone as the Campe arriued Theodore Lascaris sonne in law to the Emperour made a sodaine sallie with his forces on the Pilgrims for the French-men and they on this-side the mountains departing to the warres of Asia would at the first be so called to trouble their incamping The fight at the first was very bloudie and doubtfull but at the last the Greekish furie being abated Theodore with his forces was constrained with great losse to retire into the citie The Venetian fleet on the other side attempted to winne the Hauen but they spent two whole daies in breaking the chaine which lockt it And this fight was so much the more difficult to the Venetians by how much the Garrison of the Hauen was stronger than that of the streight whereof we haue spoken Twentie Gallies on a front being tied together by great yron chaines lay at the entrie thereof to keepe out the enemies and it was dangerous to come neare them in regard of the great number of arrowes which flew from them against those which came formost Yet neuerthelesse the Venetians valour ouer-came this For after they had likewise broken it and furiously assailed the enemie the hauen was wonne in an instant The Gallies being forsaken at the very first brunt by Alexis Souldiers fell into the possession of the Venetians After this victorie they resolued to assault the Citie with engins on all sides and after they had diuided the portions betwixt them the Venetians did forth-with erect diuers warlike engins against the Citie on the Hauens side Then they tooke two great masts of ships and tying them together they made a bridge vpon them from whence they shot into the Citie at their pleasures by reason the bridge was much higher than the walls They did moreouer cast fierie lances vpon the nearest houses which lighting vpon drie matter kindled such a flame as those who defended the wall being therewith terrified in great confusion forsooke their places which the Venetians mounting on ladders did forthwith possesse Alexis at this sodaine rumour came running thither with three thousand Souldiers which were of his guard and made shew at the first as if he would haue assailed the Venetians vsing thereby a Greekish pollicie to make shew of nothing lesse than flight But because all was lost not only in that place but likewise on the land-side where Lascaris had beene beaten into the Citie with great losse Alexis made a stay as though he would haue deferred the fight till the morrow But the Venetians pursuing the victorie did alreadie in a manner fight in the very Citie Whereupon Alexis at the entrie of the night holding all for lost left his wife and children and committing great treasures which hee had drawne forth of the ground to the keeping of his Daughter Irene who was a Nunne about midnight he left the Citie and fled His flight being openly knowne Isaack was forthwith taken out of prison and the Citie-gates being set open the yong Alexis was with great ioy receiued by all the people Both of them were saluted Emperors Great was the ioy on either side but not without teares to behold the wretched blind old man who did greatly praise the pietie and good nature of his sonne and reioyced with him for this happie successe exhorting him couragiously to maintaine the Empire which hee had by his vertue recouered The child on the other side was no lesse ioyfull to see his Father freed from the prison of his wicked brother and that so perfidious a person hated of God and Men being driuen iustly both from Empire and Countrie was compelled to vndergoe so ignominious a banishment saying that his owne happinesse did not so much content him as to see his Father reuenged on his enemie That hee did not doubt but that this wretched Alexis was greatly troubled in his minde knowing his enemie to command in the same place from whence himselfe had beene shamefully expulsed After all these reciprocall complements Isaac did in open assembly confirme ratifie all that which his sonne had granted to the Venetians and French-men the Protectors of his state And all the good old mans thoughts were how and by what meanes hee might pay the Venetians and French that which had beeâ—…e promised them when falling sodainely sicke hauing as it was thought taken the aire too soone he died in few daies after The Sonne no lesse mindfull than the Father to acknowledge the benefits which he had receiued did meane not
seruice and that hauing by his death taken vpon him the charge of the children for besides his neare kindred hee had euer shewed himselfe a faithfull friend to the late Theodore so soone as he had assured his owne estate hee caused them miserably to be put to death This man being installed Protector beganne the warre against William King of Achaia a French-man by nation and he ceased not to pursue him till hee had constrained him to fight wherein being ouercome and taken he confined him to prison Being proud of this victorie hee came assailed Baldwin The Emperour being aduertised that his enemie approached with his forces resolued to guard the streights of the Ponticke sea and to dri◅e him if it were possible far from the hauen So soone therefore as he had prepared a nauall Armie with the greatest forces that he could leuie he gaue the command therof to Marco Gradonico the Venetian who was then Magistrate in Constantinople determining either to hazard all or else to diuert that haughtie enemie from his purpose For being desperate of all aide he knew not by what inuention else he could bee able to keep Constantinople hauing beene till then so extremely impouerished first by Iohn Vattasus and after by Theodore his successour as hee was enforced to Pawne Philip his sonne who had afterwards committed to ward in Venice to the Merchants of Bruges who was lent him a great summe of money to sell the gutters and couerings of leade of the publike buildings and the pretious relicks of Saints so great was his want of money Thus being compassed with miseries and almost distracted he sent all his forces to the guard of the straite and passages of the Sea not leauing any garrison in the Citie But whilest he sought meanes to keepe out a forraine enemie he was ouerthrowne by domesticke treacherie For certaine Greekes who by nature were light-headed and inconstant being wearied with so many miseries or rather as I thinke glutted with the French gouernment thinking that for want of a garrison in the Citie they might easily deliuer the same to the enemie sent diuers whom they might trust to treate with Palcologus and to will him to come at a certaine houre of the night with what forces he best pleased promising that without doubt they would bring him in and make him master of the Citie without the losse of any one man Paleologus would not slip such an occasion but came about midnight with great troupes of souldiers through by-waies for feare of descrying Hee was no ◅ooner come to the walles but the traitors receiued him into the Citie without the slaughter of any one except of those which had the guard of the gate Baldwin and Pantaleon Iustinian the Patriarch being awaked at the first noise of the surprise in great feare fled to Euripus called at this day the strait of Nigrepont with certaine of their friends carrying with them the most rich and precious things that so fodaine a nightlie terrour would permit them where taking ship they sailed thence with a direct course to Nigrepont Some Authors say that Baldwin and his troupes were absent when Paleologus tooke the Citie But whether he were there or no it is certaine that the Citie of Constantinople was lost in this manner the eight and fiftie yeare or as others say the threescore and third yeare after it was taken by the Venetians and French-men The Venetians dispatched messengers with speed to the Pope and Baldwin sent to Lewis the French King but no aide was either giuen or denied by any of them both Yet notwithstanding in regard it was very likely that Paleologus would not stand still in so faire euen a way they concluded to send Marco Michaeli with eighteene gallies to guard the Islands all the Sea-coasts with expresse charge not to let slip fit occasion to disturbe Paleologus The which was so valiātly executed with such dexteritie as all men did assuredly beleeue that Paleologus was at the point to leaue Constantinople in despair had not the Genoueses in hatred to the Venetians readily offered him their aid For hauing made a league together they sent their whole armie out of Syria into Greece which of a certain was much more strong and mightie than that wherewith they fought betwixt Tyre and Acre Paleologus trusting to his owne forces attempted to enlarge the bounds of his Empire towards Morea And the better to effect it he set William at libertie who as we haue said was by him imprisoned after his defeate on condition to deliuer the Citie of Epidauro in Morea into his hands so was this Citie called in olde time which standeth almost in the middest of Greece called at this day by corruption of the language Maluasia being assured that with this Citie he would greatly molest the Venetians by sea and land But the Venetians hauing notice thereof with little difficultie drew William to their partie and sware perpetual friendship with him who ser◅ed them afterward verie faithfully in this warre They sent moreouer eight and thirtie Gallies with supplies to their Armie which was alreadie in Grecia But whilest this mightie Armie was preparing against Paleologus diuers ships of warre at sundrie times departed from Venice as ships of burthen fit for the fight and Gallies well appointed not so much for the guard of their owne frontiers as to spoile whatsoeuer they could find belōging to the enemy to frustrate his atempts Which happened at the same time when that great ship called the Lion which had two hundred marriners and an hundred souldiers in her departing from Venice with two Gallies met neere to Tenedos with twentie Gallies of Genoa which in steed of flying from she gaue chase vnto pursued them almost to Constantinople It was not long after when that great fleet of thirtie seuen Gallies sent with supplies as aforesaid arriued in Greece where they met by chance on the Sea of Thessalonica with threescore saile of Greekes and Genouoses who durst not meddle with them Neither would the Venetians assaile them in regard of their great multitudes but passing quietly by them they came into the Isle of Nigrepont the which for the most part was possessed by the Venetians after they had driuen thence Anfosius bastard as some say to Fredericke the third King of Sicily who hauing a part thereof by contract of marriage with Marulla daughter to Boniface of Verona held the partie of Paleologus The enemies fieete sailing forth of the Sea of Thessalonica met with three Venetian ships of warre neere to the Bosphorus of Thrace returning from scouring the Seas almost as farre as Constantinople These ships being taken all the prisoners which fell to the Genoueses were forthwith murthered and they which happened on Paleologus had their eyes plucked out The Venetian nauie feeling winter draw on and the enemie not stirre returned to Venice About the beginning of
time began to make their saile-yards in readinesse The Venetian perceiuing their intent was at the first amazed at the strangenesse of the matter But vnderstanding that the enemie went sodainly to flie did with great attention marke which way he would escape They on the other side making shew as if they intended some other matter hauing turned their prowes to that side which the Venetians had left without any guard being aided by their sailes and oares they betooke themselues to flight And foure of the Gallies had in this sort escaped one after an other when Marco Morosino Admirall of the Adriatike sea being vexed therewith commanded one of those Gallies which he had receiued the yeare before for the guard of the Gulph to run athwart the fift Genoa Gallie which was readie to escape which was so speedily done as the same being taken the residue which were readie to follow being amazed ranne vpon the next rocks and were easily taken And because they were laden with richmarchandize the soldiors sailers bourded them being busied in pillage suffered the other foure to escape with ease who were already in the maine Sea not caring for the Generals commandement who being angrie for loosing so goodly an opportunitie through the couetousnesse of his people commanded to set fier on fiue of the Gallies which were taken and had not been yet pillaged He did it to the end to enforce his Souldiours who were thereby depriued of their hope of more spoile to pursue the enemies For so soone as they left off to spoile they followed the chace The Genoueses in the meane time were farre enough off yet neuerthelesse tenne of their Gallies with the Generall of their Armie and threescore and tenne Gentlemen were taken not accounting those of meaner qualitie who were many in regard of the number of the Gallies The victorious Venetian after this victorie at Chariste sailed towards Nigrepont where he left the Genoa Gentlemen with a thousand of the chiefest prisoners to be kept the residue to the number of foure hundred or thereabout were sent into Candie and there put to the chaine and oare The newes of this victorie brought great ioy to the Citie The Senate in the midst of this mirth being mindfull of Religious matters decreed That the same day that the Genoueses were ouercome at Chariste should for euer bee solemnized among the holidaies at Venice It is thought that vpon this occasion the day of the decollation of S. Iohn is till this day celebrated which before then was no holiday Others say that it was vpon S. Victors day the Martyr The Venetians making no long aboade at Nigrepont after they had scoured the Aegean and Ionian Seas came on a sodaine to haue besieged Pera But the enemie hauing notice of his comming by their spies who had brought newes of their late losse at Chariste and how the Venetian Gallies were at hand had fortified all places round about the Citie and chained the shippes together which lay in the Hauen with their Masts and saile yards in manner of a Fort and Rampier and prouided so carefully for all other matters as the Venetians who came thither soon after with great shoutes perceiuing what the enemie had done durst not assaile them But tarrying certaine daies in the streight of Gallipolis they surprized diuers vessels of Genoa In the meane time those foure Genoa-Gallies which had escaped from Chariste hauing ioined themselues to six others which were conducted by Philippo Doria hauing notice of the departure of the Venetian Armie came with all speed to assaile Nigrepont Thomaso Viari who at the same time was Gouernour of the Citie being affrighted so soon as he descried the enemie a farre off fled with the Prouidatori out on the other side of the Citie which lieth towards the Channell The Genouese at his arriuall hauing assailed the Citie wondered at the sodaine flight of the officers and did in a moment take and spoile it then after he had set the prisoners at libertie and brought thence great numbers of the inhabitants he burnt the Citie Doria being exceeding glad to haue in this sort reuenged their losse lately receiued departed from Nigrepont and from thence came soone after and seized on the Isle of Chyos The Generall of the Venetians after he had beene abroad fortie daies on this iournie and being out of hope to take any greater prize returned toward Venice but on the coast of Dalmatia he met with tenne Venetian Gallies which the Senate sent vnto him whom he there staied and caused them to returne with him to Venice The report of the great bootie which the Armie brought home and answered all mens expectation made his returne most welcome Some Authors affirme that the spoile which was brought to Venice amounted to the valew of foure hundred thousand crownes and others say three hundred thousand The same yeare that the warre began the King of Arragon vnto whom the Venetians had sent Mihaeli Steno ioined his forces to their against the Genoueses The Senate being strengthened by the alliance of such a Prince hoping to execute some great designe commanded a verie mightie Armie to be set forth and appointed fiue and twentie of the chiefe among them to make prouision in the Citie of all things necessarie for the warre Nicolao Pisani being chosen Generall of the Armie departed from Venice with twelue Gallies and with him Giouanni Delfino who went to Constantinople to make a League with the Greeke Emperour against the Genoueses Pisani being arriued in Dalmatia receiued one Gallie from the Corictani an other from those of Ragusa then he commanded three others of Venice to follow him who met him at Nigrâ—…pont Giouanni Delfino who came from Venice with him went on his Ambassade to the greeke Emperour who allied himselfe with the Venetians against the Genoueses But whilst the Greekes prepared their shippes of warre thirtie Venetian Gallies departed from Venice vnder the command of Pancratio Iustiniano Admirall of the Gulph who sailed towards Sicilie to ioine with the Armie of the Arragonois which was said to be at hand These two Armies being there ioined together left Sicilie and sailed directly towards Greece intending to passe beyond Morea But being on the maine such an horrible tempest arose as in the memorie of man was neuer the like seene The Fleet was meruailously beaten and in great danger one of the Gallies was drowned and diuers others striking on the shoare were split in peeces but without any great losse of men by reason they were so neere Land At the last the tempest ceasing they sailed towards Modon whither Nicolao Pisani came within a while after from Nigrepont The Genoueses a few daies before had giuen him chace with fortie Gallies from the maine euen almost to Nigrepont whither he speedily retired himselfe and sunke certaine shippes at the entrie of the Hauen to barre the enemies entrance beeing resolute
some were flung into the Sea Diuers were pardoned who had promised to aide the conspirators but they were not made acquainted with their practise but they were so noted as some for shame and for feare forsooke the Citie with their wiues and children the number of whom was about fiue hundred Phalerio his Pallace was giuen to the Church of the holy Apostle He which discouered the conspiracie was not onely pardoned but they gaue him a yearely pension of a thousand duckates and besides a Senators place But he thinking it a meane recompence for such a peece of seruice did publikely accuse them of ingratitude detracting from them in euerie place The Senate being prouoked at his impudencie had like to haue put him to death but the remembrance of his late good seruice made them to abstaine whereupon hauing taken from him the publike recompence he was banished for ten yeares to Ragusa From whence departing before the prefixed time hee died in his iourney towards Hungarie During these troubles Marco Cornari gouerned the Commonwealth as Vice-Prince Then at the next assembly Giouanni Gradonico surnamed Naso was chosen Duke ¶ GIOVANNI GRADONICO surnamed NASO the 56. Duke of Venice ABout the same time Bernardo Iustiniano departed from Venice with seuen gallies He hauing fortunately scoured the Seas for a time did greatly molest the Genoueses and would haue done much more if peace had not opportunely ensued for the good of either people this warre hauing lasted fiue yeares Order was diligently taken for both of them and with their allies and Armes were laid aside as well by Sea as Land against Bernabo and Galeas Viscount who succeeded Iohn Then the prisoners taken in the warres were on each side set at libertie whereupon the Genoueses to the number of two thousand being deliuered on the feast day of Marie Magdalen went by couples carrying each of them a burning taper in his hand to giue thanks vnto God at the Church of the same Saint This spectacle moued the whole Citie to deuotion so as euer since that feast-day hath beene solemnized which before then was not obserued The end of the third Booke of the second Deead THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the fourth Booke of the second Decad. THe truce being expired LEWIS King of Hungarie allieth himselfe with the Carrarians and the Patriarch of Aquileia and at one time assaileth the Venetiaris in Italie and Dalmatia The same King returneth into Hungarie hauing spent some time in vaine before Treuiso and leaueth certaine troupes there to continue the siege The Paduans forbidden to traficke at Venice A troupe of mercenarie Almans defeated by the Hungarians neere to the Riuer Brente The Generallreuolt of Dalmatia from the Venetians in fauour of King LEWIS Peace with the same King Two Venetian Ambassadours sent to the Emperour are taken in Germanie by theeues The Duke of Austria rescueth those Ambassadours and bringeth them backe to Venice The Nobilitie of Candie reuolt from the Venetians LVCHIN VERMIO goeth into the Island with great forces The Venetians vanquish the Greekes neere to Mount Strombula who retire to Candace The Venetians recouer the Citie of Candace The Island being quieted Tilts and Turneyes were made in the Citie for ioy of the victorie The King of Cyprus in the companie of the Venetian Armie taketh Alexandria in Egypt A new sedition in Candie worse than the former so soone as the troupes were gone forth of the Island Those of the Island being a long time very much molested and their forces at the last broken submit themselues to the Venetians obedience The rebellion of the Thriestines The Venetians victorie ouer the Duke of Austria at Thrieste Strife betwixt the Venetians and Paduans concerning their limits ARmes being laid a side by Sea and by Land and the Citie restored to her ordinarie trafficke diuers shippes sailed to Cyprus and to other Faires and Martes of the Aegean Sea who for their more safetie for albeit they feared not the Genoueses yet the incursions of the Barbarians kept them in much awe had certaine armed Gallies for their conuoy commanded by Bernardo Iustinian who hauing brought them to a safe Port returned speedily into Dalmatia from whence hauing taken order for the affaires of the Prouince he brought backe his Armie in safetie to Venice Giouanni Baldo was the first that was sent to gouerne Val-marin that Earledome being fallen to the Venetians by the death of Phalerio This yeare about the Spring-time because the rumour was that Lewis King of Hungarie made preparations against the Venetians Marco Cornari and Marin Grimani were sent into Hungarie from whence they returned within a while after hauing found the Hungarian disposed to Warres Some Authors affirme that the cause of the Kings hatred to the Venetians was because they denied him shipping for the passage of his Armie into Italie at such time as hee would haue made warre on Queene Ioane But it is most certaine that this King was vanquished by the Venetians at Zara before that he beganne any warre in Italie But whether it were on this occasion or for any other as some say for wee know not herein whom to follow without all doubt the Ambassadours were sent into Apulia to the Hungarian who as some Authors say made truce with him for eight yeares and as others say for ten But at the beginning of the Genoueses warre albeit the time of the truce was not yet fully expired he beganne to quarrell with the Venetians about Dalmatia and there were presumptions that hee would forth-with make warre vpon them had not the mediation of the Emperour Charles the fourth caused him to giue ouer who commanded him to stay till the truce was ended whereupon he deferred the warre till this present which the Senate plainly foreseeing made them as it is thought to hasten the peace with the Genoueses the which they had before denied them when they stubbornely craued it to the end that being freed from the Genoan warre they might with more ease intend the other as they had done Some Annales make mention how that Cornari and Grimani the Ambassadours might at the same time haue easily shunned that warre if they would in the Common-wealths name haue promised him a white horse as a yearely tribute for Dalmatia The Venetians not intending thereby to wrong their right to Dalmatia refused it whereupon so soone as the truce was expired hee entred furiously into Dalmatia without farther denouncing of warre It is reported that at his first comming he brought so great an Armie as at one time he besieged Zara Scia Spalatra Trahu and Nona The Venetians who doe nothing rashly measuring the enemie by themselues did not imagine that he would so soone haue beene in the field by reason whereof they had not furnished the Prouince with necessaries But when they heard how that all the Cities almost of Dalmatia were besieged by the
Venetians entred the enemies Countrie and hauing made diuers skirmishes with good successe they filled all places where they came with feare and terror In this meane time Rayniero arriued at Venice where hauing receiued the publike Ensignes he hasted with greater forces to the Campe which he forthwith caused to march and hauing passed the riuer Brente he forraged and spoiled the Paduans Territorie which was next him vnto the riuer of Brentello Carrosino saith that he could not foord that riuer because it was greatly swelled with the raine and that therefore he led his Armie through the Territorie of Vincenza towards Padua from whence the Souldiors brought back great bootie And that from thence hee went and encamped neere to the Fountaines of Abana but that victualls waxing scant and strife arising betwixt him and the Prouidatori hee retired in manner of a flight towards Mestra Some Authours say That beeing desirous to passe the Brentello to bee the neerer to assaile the enemie the Prouidatori would by no meanes suffer him to doe so whereupon hee being moued with choller that hee might not manage the warre as he pleased saying that the ignorance of the Prouidatoridid snatch a goodly occasion forth of his hands gaue ouer his charge calling God and men to witnesse That their wilfulnesse did hinder him from obtaining the victorie The Prouidatori were suspected to haue beene corrupted by the enemie and by that meanes to haue endammaged the Common-wealth Yet neuerthelesse the Venetians affaires prospering and hauing taken certaine Townes from the enemie that suspition ceased The enemie perceiuing that without forraine aide he could not long resist the Venetians called the King of Hungarie to his aide with whom euer since the siege of Treuiso he had beene in league Some Authours thinke that this league was sworne at the beginning of the warre But the Venetians hauing notice that the Hungarian made preparations both by Land and Sea which hee might easily do hauing taken Dalmatia from them the Senate decreed to set forth besides the Land-Armie a fleete by Sea whereof Michaeli Delfino was mà de Generall and the Prouidatori were Pietro Iustiniano Procurator of S. Marke and Pietro Cornari This fleete being gone to Sea kept all the Sea-coasts safe for the Venetians during this warre The Paduans affaires stood at the same stay as I haue said at such time as great numbers of Hungarians came to their succour Their first arriuall was on the Treuisan where they put all to fier and sword respecting neither age nor sex and their murther still encreasing they fought at times with bad successe For Thaddeo Iustiniano at the first report of the enemies comming to resist their attempts did speedily encampe on the riuer of Piaua But the Venetians discouerers beeing surprized by the enemies the Hungarians were sooner seene than heard of whereupon they fell vnlookt for to the fight neere to the riuer and at the first because the bodie of the enemies Armie was not yet arriued the Hungarian was put to flight and pursued by the victorious Venetian euen to the riuers side whither all the Souldiours did not follow Iustinian who hasted after the fugitiue enemie who hauing put themselues in order on the riuer bankes the fight began more cruell than before wherevpon the Hungarians became victors and the Venetians beeing vanquished verie few of them escaped from the battaile the number of the dead was great and that of the prisoners small On the report of this losse the residue of the Armie retired on a sodaine to the Treuisan The enemie soone followed him thither and in his view presented him the battaile But the Venetians keeping themselues in their Fort and the enemie not being able to constraine them to come forth returned towards the Forlani first through the confines of the Bellunois and then of those of Feltre and encamped before Bassan a Citie belonging to the Vincentines Belluna and Feltre did at the same time belong to Albert Duke of Austria an Associate of King Lewis in that war Some Authors say that Carrario gaue those Townes to Albert to procure him to take Armes against the Venetians wherein the German shewed himselfe verie vndiscreet seeing that a while before the Paduan in the treatie of peace had offered them to the Venetians who refused them because they would not doe any thing to displease the German Delfino Generall of the nauall Armie hauing gone round about the Lakes in certaine light boates commonly called Ganzarioles came and builded a Fort at Lupa Podoana and then an other neere to the same by meanes of which the Venetians might more commodiously breake the enemie and offend him neere hand The greatest part of the Venetians Armie laie on the Treuisan where certain warlike exploits were executed but vnworthy of mention Diuers Soldiours were cassed and enforced to leaue the Campe who by their thefts did more molest their own people than the enemie Some Authors say that Rayniero Vasco who as wee haue said did voluntarily giue ouer his place was shamefully driuen from it Giacomo Moro being sent to command the fleete hauing staied a while at the Forts which Delfino had builded fell sick and was carried home to Venice Rayniero being gon Alberto Carrario came to command the Land Armie At this arriuall with Leonardo and Andrca Dandulo and Pietro Fontano Prouidatori they fought in the Lakes with no great successe They fortified a place which was verie commodious for the Venetians verie neere to Delfino his Forts Carrario came vnlookt-for and draue them thence who wrought in those workes Diuers Gentlemen were slaine at the first brunt and with them diuers Archers the rest fled speedily to the shippes But the losse was not so great there as the fight was afterwards fortunate to those of the Campe For both Armies being come in view one of an other the Venetians attempting to fortifie a place which lay betwixt the two Camps Stephano the Transiluanian Generall of the Hungarian horse-men marched in battaile against the Venetians to hinder their worke Leonardo Dandulo went forth to meete him resoluing to fight with him if he had beene so contented But the Transiluanian as if it had been of set purpose did the same day abstaine from the fight The morrow after Pietro Fontano whose lot was that day to command for he and Carrario commanded the Armie by turnes did by the breake of day verie couragiously embattaile the Armie the enemie for his part did the like The battaile being concluded on the Venetian commanded the men at Armes to alight from their horses and to fight among the footmen and as he was putting them in order he exhorted and intreated all of them to resolue either to die or get the victorie protesting to hold him for an enemie and to kill him which should but only make shew of flight and that himselfe would be in the foremost rankes not so much to encourage them as to note and
most part of whom retired to Venice The enemie hauing no good successe at Noualla being wearied with so long a siege and being out of hope to take the Citie raised his campe and returned to the Paduan territorie Where because winter drew neere he disposed his armie into diuers garrisons and sent them away to winter This is all that was done on the firme land that Summer and a part of Haruest At Sea Lauretano approached with the nauall Armie neere to Ancona and afterwards sailed into Histria But soone after departing thence he tooke Bressia and Senia on the frontires of Liburnia by assault which hee spoyled howbeit through an vnfortunate fire at that time hapning in Senia the whole bootie was almost consumed At the report of the comming of this great Armie the Goritani being affrighted forsooke the Citie and retired with their wiues and children to the highest hilles in the Island The Bishop of the place came to the Venetians and offered them the Citie and humbly entreated Loretano not to suffer his souldiers to commit any hostile actes in a Citie that yeelded Whereupon there was no outrage done not so much for present curtesie as in regard of the faithfull friendship which the ancient Lords of that Island had borne to the Venetians wherein they had by mutual offices stil continued till such time as king Lewis tooke all Dalmatia from them From thence he came to Bocharis which being taken by force hee wholly burnt and spoyled it Then he departed towards Pola where by the Senates letters he was aduertized that Carolo Zeno was appointed Generall of the nauall Armie whereat all men highly reioyced For besides his valour he was next to Pisani the most popular man From Pola he came to Parenza wherein few daies after Zeno arriued Hauing mustered the Galley-slaues he found that many were wanting VVherevpon fearing that for want of rowers he might incurre some danger if he should happen to meete the enemie he disarmed seuen of the formost gallies and with their spoiles manned such as had need and being thus disarmed because without rowers they could not serue in the warres he sent them backe to Venice into which Caballa of Verona entered with the troupes of the land-Armie being called home by the Senate by reason of the warre of Treuiso Three of these gallies being come to Venice were presently armed and giuen to Marco Phalerio for the defence of Romagnia and La Marca For the Genoa gallies making daily incursions neere to Ancona had in such sort turned the marchants from commerce with Venice as the dearth began alreadie in the Citie But Phalerio his arriuall restrained the enemies boldnesse whereupon the dearth ceased The passage at sea being assured to the marchants Phalerio by the Senates decree went with his gallies to Zeno in Dalmatia The Armie after diuers passages to and fro through Histria and the frontires of Dalmatia not finding the enemie any where was brought backe to Venice about the first of Nouember hauing done no memorable matter leauing onely foure gallies to guard the Prouince VVithin a while after Carolo departed from Venice with three hundred small vessels well armed and came and besieged Marrana a sea-towne of the Forlani By the way hee met with threescore well armed vessels of the same sort belonging to those of Grada and Piran who came to him at the hauen of Lignana wherewith hauing ioyned his owne hee gaue a furious assault to the Citie But it being circled on euerie side with the Sea and well fortified their attemptes proued bootelesse The Venetian hauing viewed the place perceiued that he should but loose his labour But because he would not seeme to depart thence for feare hauing brought his forces to the walles for a while they fought fiercely but at last diuers being hurt Zeno retired without any further losse The great expences of the warre had exhausted the publike treasure when as the Senate being enforced by the dearth commaunded sixe Gallies and sixteene boates with two rankes of Oares to be prepared to goe into Candie to fetch thence the richest wares of certaine particular persons to the end that they being sold by their consent the money might be imployed for entertainment of the Armie being lent for a time to the Commonwealth At the beginning of the spring for sooner they could not by reason of the tempestuous VVinter the fleete went to sea vnder the conduct of Simonetto Michaeli But I finde in the meane space that these preparations were made in Venice That diuers light skirmishes were made on either side as well on the Treuisan as in Histria and that they fought with different successe as aduantage was offered The Garrison which the Venetians held in Castell-Franco hauing receiued no pay for certaine moneths first chaced away Andrea Paradiso the Cities Gouernour and afterwards assisted by the inhabitants receiued Carrarto into their wals This reuolt caused diuers others on the Treuisan shortly after to doe the like The newes of this losse being brought to the Citie another soone followed For the Hungarians that were encamped on the mountaines and who from thence did ouerrunne the Countie of Ceneda had imprisoned Gulielmo Caminensis an associate of the Venetians accusing them to haue contrarie to the agreement relieued during the warres the townes of Sacilla Cogniliana and diuers others subiect to the Venetians with victuals and they demanded to haue the Hauen of Bufatere deliuered to their hands and that Caminensis with all his family should retire to Conigliana The Venetians affaires being in this sort brought to all extremitie on the firme land and not knowing from whence to be supplied either for victuals or money to sustaine the charge of the warre the Senate resolued to send to Leopold Duke of Austria and in the Commonwealthes name to offer him the Citie of Treuiso with her confines which if the Paduans should not hereafter desist to molest it was certaine that the Almaine would on a sodaine come into Italie with the greatest forces he could leauie and that thereby the Commonwealth being elswhere sufficiently busied with Sea-matters should by forraine sorces be eased of the warre on the firme land Pantaleon Barba was by the Senates decree sent to the Duke In the meane time aboue a thousand horse of those at Mestra for want of their pay went from the Venetians to the enemies side Those who remained after the others departing did in the night bring some victuals to Treuiso and in their returne thence were surprized by the enemies ambush wherevpon some of the horse being taken and the residue put to flight went first to Treuiso and afterwards to the campe so as all the troupes which were at Mestra were in a short space brought to nothing The Venetians being daunted with so many losses sought meanes of agreement with Carrario referring themselues to the arbitrement of Alberto d'Este And to this purpose they sent vnto him Frederico
from himselfe to the end that the Greeks should not afterward reedifie the Fort which the Venetians should demolish But on what pretence soeuer he did it the Commissioners being enforced to depart thence came to Venice The Senate tooke this refusall in bad part knowing that vnlesse Tenedos were deliuered the Common-wealths credit through one mans follie would be crackt among the Italians and forraine Princes and that all men would impute the blame to the Senate and not to one man alone And that besides their breach of faith it was to be feared that so soone as the Genoueses King Lewis and the other associates should heare that the Island was not deliuered to the Sauoyan they holding the couenants of peace to be broken would forthwith take Armes They therefore decreed to send to Mutatio and the Islanders Carolo Zeno was sent thither who neither by entreaties nor threats could alter his determination At Zeno his entrance because by one mans rashnesse the Common-wealths promise should not be infringed they decreed to proceed by Armes whereupon a speedie leuie of Souldiers was made vnto such a number as was thought sufficient to subdue the Island Fantino Georgio was made Generall of these forces He departing from Venice with sixe Gallies well Armed and arriuing at Tenedos landed his men and in an instant gaue a furious assault to the Towne and Castle There were great numbers of Archers in the Camp so was there in the Castle by meanes whereof at euery assault and sallie diuers died on either part Some say that they fought more eagerly than against ordinarie enemies For if any one were taken he was forth with hanged or else being put into one of the engines of Warre was in sted of a stone throwne into the Camp and so from the Camp into the Citie whereby it plainly appeared that it was neither the Prince nor Senates fault that the Island was not deliuered according to the treatie of peace but only through the wilfulnesse of Mutatio The siege lasted aboue seuen Moneths but victualls failing they yeelded on these conditions That neither Mutatio nor those who were with him should bee called in question for detaining Tenedos to the hindrance of the Common-wealth That the Inhabitants should depart forth of the Island with their gold siluer and other moueables That as many of them as would go dwell in Candie should haue as much Land there as they had in Tenedos and as many as would goe to Constantinople or else where should receiue money for the iust value of their Lands And in this sort those within gaue place to the Garrison The Castle being recouered Fantino entred it with two hundred Archers dismissing the residue of the Armie Giouanni Memo by the Senates decree did afterwards succeede him The residue of the Articles being performed and the Inhabitants being gone the Fort was at the last razed The Thryestines who in the hottest of the warre were reuolted from the Venetians fearing that so soone as they should be at quiet both by Sea and Land they would on a sodaine come and inuade them did yeeld to Leopold Soone after King Lewis died At the first it was thought that his death would in some sort abate the pride of Prince Carrario who till then had neuer ceased to molest the Treuisans but on the contrarie in sted of desisting he assailed them more furiously than before and gaue them so many assaults and ouerthrowes as Leopold despairing of being able to defend the Citie did on certaine conditions giue it ouer with her confines to the Paduan who in a manner was Conquerour All this hapned almost three yeares after that peace had beene established by Sea and Land But in the meane time Prince Contareni died after he had gouerned fourteene yeares and was honourably buried in St. Stephens Church ¶ MICHAELI MOROSINO the 61. Duke of Venice MIchaeli Morosino succeeded him At his entrie into the Gouernement a Law was made against Murtherers that whosoeuer should kill a man should loose his head whereas in time before they who were conuicted of such crimes were hanged according to the custome of the Countrie It was thought of a certaine that if his Principalitie had lasted any long time he would haue beautified the Common-wealth with sundrie holy Lawes and Statutes But by how much the hope thereof was greater by so much was his Regiment shorter For about foure Moneths after his Creation hee deceased and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes ¶ ANTONIO VENIERI the 62. Duke of Uenice ANtonio Venieri being absent was subrogated in his sted a man who besides his ancient Nobilitie was of a meeke and gentle disposition and beloued of all men Being called home from Candie where he remained he arriued the thirteenth of Ianuarie at Venice on S. Nicholas shore where the whole Senate and a great part of the people receiued him and from thence after diuers reciprocall embracements going into the Bucentauro he was with great ioy brought to the Ducall Palace His presence was the more welcome to all men because by reason of his long absence it had been so much desired He had beene seuen yeares absent with his familie and had well gouerned the Common-wealth in diuers places and chiefly at Tenedos His gouernment was very meeke and gentle without any tumult or strife in the Citie with plentie of all things which was greatly desired of all men But his owne domesticke losse did in some sort trouble the fortunate successe of his affaires Albeit I doe not well know whether his seuere iustice did purchace the old man more honour and reputation than his sonnes death did afflict him with griefe and sorrow He had a Sonne named Lodouico who was enamoured on a Senators wife But as it often happeneth some jealouzie arose betwixt the two louers whereupon this yong Lord by chance in disgrace of his Mistris whom he then hated caused hornes to be hung vp at her husbands gate Inquirie thereof being made the Prince being moued at the iniurie done to a Senator commanded his Sonne forthwith to be imprisoned where he remained till he died to the great griefe of all the people The same yeare at sundrie times the Marqueses of Aest and Mantua came to Venice with diuers other Princes and Princes Ambassadours to treate with the Senate concerning great affaires of State albeit some of them came but to see the Citie A while after peace still continuing abroade and at home great warre and contention arrising betweene Antonio Escalla of Verona and Francisco Carrario the elder Giouanni Galeas Visconte whose power was at the same time very great at Carrario his entreatie did make warre vpon Escalla and hauing vanquished him he tooke from him Verona and Vincenza Then as the desire of getting doth encrease when prosperitie doth follow vs he did as furiously assaile Padua as he had not long before done those of Escalla
furie earne safe to Venice The yeare following three Gallies departed from Venice the Duke of Austria had prepared two of them and Prince Carrario the third to fetch and conuoie from Apulia the sister of King Ladislaus who being newly restored to his kingdome was Crowned King by Barthimeo Iuliari Cardinall of the Sea Apostolike sent from Pope Boniface This sister was promised to one of the Dukes of Austria But these Gallies came back to Venice by reason that Ladislaus refused to send his sister Some Annales make mention how that the Emperour Robert with his wife came the same yeare to Venice where he was magnificently entertained and honoured with diuers rich presents But those Authors whom we follow conceale the cause of his comming I finde in some that Robert being vanquished by Galeas in the Territorie of Cremona hauing in a manner lost all his Armie retired to Trente where hauing leuied new forces he came to Padua and from the firme Land to Venice where being curteously entertained after he had familiarly discoursed with the Prince and Senate of the wrong which Galeas had done him he returned into Germanie But because mention is made of his wiues being there with him we must think that he left her at Venice because himselfe went on pilgrimage to Rome For it was the yeare of our Saluation one thousand foure hundred at such time as Pope Boniface the ninth celebrated the great yeare of Iubilie The same yeare the bridge of Rialto was reedified In this manner did the Common-wealth peaceably flourish and the greatest care of the inhabitants was set on trade of Marchandize But this quiet was interrupted by the Genoueses new stirs They had about the same time armed one and twentie Gallies and sixteene great Argosies Some Authours make no mention of Argosies The report was That this preparation was made against the King of Cyprus Boucicault a Frenchman was Generall of the Armie The Genoueses had beene for a time as they were then vnder the French Kings protection and the most part of their Gallies were manned with French-men The Fleet departing from Genoa arriued after a tedious course at Scandelora a Sea-Towne of Cilicia those who are most expert in Nauigation affirme this place from the firme Land to be opposite to Cyprus The Genoueses receiued there so great a losse as of all the Gallie-slaues in one and twentie Gallies there were not so manie left as would furnish eleuen Departing thence they sailed into Syria where surprizing Barut they ransackt spoiled as enemies all the Venetian ships and others who by chance were then in the Hauen From Syria they sailed into Moreâ—… Carolo Zeni whome the Senate at the first report of the Genoueses preparations had sent with eleuen Gallies into the Adriatick Gulph hauing at Sea narrowly pursued the Genoueses Fleete had speciall care that they should not attempt on any place belonging to the Venetians for their Armie spoiled all places where they came and yet he would not fight with them because they were not proclaimed enemies In this sort both of them dissembling the Venetians kept the Genoueses in aw and the Genoueses the Venetians But both of them staying neere to Modon they made shew of other matters than they had done at the beginning Zeni fearing least by his patience the Venetians affaires might incurre some great danger did on a sodaine set forward towards the Genoueses Fleete who vnder colour of taking in fresh water lay betwixt Modon and Ijonches At Carolo his vnlookt-for arriuall there was a sharp-fight and the Venetians fortune was so much the worse because the Genoa Gallies were better manned than theirs It is reported that euerie Gallie had besides the ordinarie banke of Rowers fortie men at Armes and all French-men who fought furiously with the Lance sword after the manner of their Countrie And the Venetians did but in a manner beare off the blowes at such time as Hermolao the Lombard returning from a long voiage came thither opportunely with two Gallies He perceiuing the danger wherein the Venetians were did with great furie turne the prowes of his Gallies vpon the enemie who was busied in fight and strooke one of their Gallies with such force as he ouerturned it into the Sea with the Souldiers and Marriners At Hermolao his arriuall fortune sodainly changed For the enemie who had alreadie in a manner wonne the victorie for the losse of one Gallie began to faint The Venetian on the contrarie being strengthened by these two Gallies did valiantly renew the fight Their fortune hung for foure houres space in equall ballance at the last three of the enemies Gallies being sunke and as manie taken the residue which were fiue betooke themselues to flight More than fiue hundred of the enemies were slain and drowned and more than eight hundred were taken prisoners The Venetians for their part obtained not this victorie without bloud shed who found an hundred and three and fortie of their men to be wanting It is said that after the victorie certaine Captaines of the Gallies were disgraced and noted of cowardize for comming too slowly on the enemie at the beginning of the fight because by their basenesse they had endaungered the state of the Common-wealth Others among whom was Gyles the Black were honored with great rewards because they had brauely borne themselues in that conflict The fiue Genoueses Gallies which fled from the fight encountring with a Venetian Gallie loden with victualls they easilie tooke it after that they tooke an Argosie wherein were diuers Venetian Gentlemen Much more harme besides they did to the Venetians but because after this defeate they knew no safe place of retreate they returned verie disconsolate to Genoa Within few daies after a French-man of the number of those who were taken prisoners in the fight being wearied with imprisonment said in choller That he hoped one daie to wash his hands in the bloud of the Venetians This cruell presage being reported to the Senate did so highly offend euerie mans eares as they all with one voice commanded that hee should bee hanged betwixt the two Columnes In this mean space Nouello Carrario commanded in Padua where he was some few yeares before replanted by the Venetians This vnthankfull man did hate the Venetians more than euer his Father had done He practized day night against them their state he dreamed on nothing else all his attempts tended to that purpose The Venetians hauing knowledge of a long time how he stood affected to them had I know not by what meanes discouered all his practises vnderstood by the French prisoners that he had beenâ—… the cause of the setting forth of the last Genoa Fleete that was defeated They knew likewise by letters found in the coffers of Galeas Visconte lately deceased the traps which those Tyrants had laied for them And besides all this after Galeas his decease hee
Francisco Gonzaga vnlesse it were so that he came thither in disguise thinking to deceiue the enemie in that habite till such time as he had crossed the riuer Some say that he was surprized at Asellario a village of the Veronois But be it that he were taken there or elsewhere it is certaine that he did not depart from the Citie before such time as he knew that the inhabitants intended to yeeld Those of Verona being reduced to the Venetians obedience all the Castles neere to the Citie did the like The yeelding of so mightie a Citie gaue the Venetians great hope of executing higher enterprizes And this victorie was as much and more pleasing to the Senate than any other which they had obtained for a long time before and not without cause For Verona to speake somewhat thereof is among all other Cities of Lombardie the most famous as well for the reputation as the situation thereof It is thought that the Gaules were the first founders of it because the notablest Cities of Lombardie were built by them And likewise because Trogus Pompeius referreth her original and foundation to those Gaules which came with Brennus into Italie But whosoeuer the first founders were I doe thinke them to haue beene famous men because they vndertooke so great admirable a peece of worke and likewise that they were wise and discreet persons and not blind like those founders of Calcidonia whom in times past Apollo's Oracle thoght to be so For besides that the territorie neere to the Citie is most fruitfull in corne oyle wine and cattaile and that it hath goodly stone quarries riuers lakes and pondes among which is that of Benac the pleasâ—…ntest of those of all Italie streames of water both holesome and profitable the which I dare affirme to haue in times past serued for bathes by reason that they are hot and because at this day the ruines of the walles are to be seene which doe verifie the opinion which the common people hold thereof VVhat shall we speake of her situation and structure There is nothing to be seene more faire and pleasant Neuer could any Painter how excellent soeuer he were represent a place of more delectable recreation For the whole Citie almost being seated in a plaine countrey looking towards the South East West it hath a little hill on the North side the top whereof by a short and pleasant circuit doth in a manner represent the forme of a Theater The bottome betwixt them both is filled with vine-yards and goodly gardens so delightfull to those who behold them a farre off as their spirits as it hath hapned to some surprized with a sodaine and vnlooked-for ioy are instantly as it were depriued of all sense On the top of the hill two goodly Fortes are to be seene the one of which doth in a manner hang ouer the riuer Ladissa which with her pleasant streames watereth a great goodly bottome the other seated in a higher place and almost ouer the valley looketh on the Citie walles which are below and extendeth her view on euerie side ouer all the plaines watered with the Po and in a manner ouer all Lombardie There are to be seene besides diuers goodly bridges richly builded ouer the riuer an Amphitheater in the midst of the City with diuers old triumphant Arches with a thousand other antiquities which declare how notable the greatnesse of this Citie hath beene in former times That which we haue hitherto said is verie great but that which followeth is much more admirable This Citie hath had from the beginning a certaine Seminarie of excellent men and as famous in all sciences as any other Citie whatsoeuer All these things being knowne to the Venetians did make their victorie more notable They forthwith manned it with a strong Garrison and sent Pâ—…etro Arimondo thither for Gouernour and Rubro Marini for chiefe Iustice. VVhilest these things were done at Verona Gonzaga hauing spoiled all the Paduan territorie and taken diuers townes came and besieged Padua There is a place without Holy Crosse gate called Terra Negra or the blacke land in which place the Venetian was incamped and held the Citie sâ—…teightly besieged keeping the Paduans in continuall alarme The Carrarians in the meane time perceiuing their affaires to bee in great danger did brauely defend the Citie walles opposing themselues euerie where against the Venetians attempts they ceased neither day nor night from labour they fortified their Citie placed the guardes and encouraged the townsmen and did at times sallie forth vpon the enemie as occasion serued Borh sides had labour and care sufficient But whilest Padua was thus besieged and defended Massolerio the Venetian was suspected secretly to haue shot arrowes into the Citie with letters tied to their heads wherupon being imprisoned he was sent to Venice where being conuicted of the crime he was hanged from the highest place of the Palace with a long rope The same day his brother and two young Priests were put aliue into the ground betwixt the two Columnes their heads downewards The which punishment being not as yet vsuall did greatly terrifie all men The common report was That they had determined in the night to set the Citie on fire in diuers places and that they had diuers complices some of whom were found within a while after dead in sacks on the shore not being knowne who they were Giouanni of Padua likewise who had great pay in the Venetian Armie being accused to haue had secret conference with the enemie was sent to Venice and there hanged betwixt the two Columnes These executions did greatly trouble the tyrant for besides that he perceiued all meanes to be cut off from him of discouering any thing in the Armie he was certaine that the shamefull death of a noble person did serue for an example to others how to cast themselues headlong into apparent dangers Now therefore to discouer his enemies designes he tried another way For pretending as if he ment to harken vnto peace he craued a safe conduct saying that he would confer with Gonzaga and treat with him of peace before all men A pasport being sent him he came to the Campe where these conditions as it is reported were propounded to him That he should leaue Padua to the Venetians and that he with his children should goe and dwell an hundred miles from thence That the Venetians would deliuer vnto him Giacomo his sonne and would permit him to carrie away all his treasure apparrell and other rich moueables that he had and that they would ouer and aboue giue him for a present the summe of threescore thousand crownes The enemie contemning these conditions returned to the Citie without effecting any thing resoluing rather to hazard all than to accept of so base a peace The Venetians then perceiuing that the tyrant had lost that haughtie and proud spirit which he was wont to haue did presse the
off by the violence of the winde This was reputed for a wonderfull prodigie And that which some affirmed to haue seene diuers monstruous and terrible representations in the aire did encrease mens feare and amazement Two Moneths after newes was brought to Venice that the Scythians had robbed and spoiled the Faires of Tane with great murther of Christians and that among others diuers Venetians who were come thither with very rich merchandize were slaine by the Barbarians They had assured testimonie that this losse happened at Tane on the selfe same day as that horrible Tempest did afflict Venice The steeple of S. Iohns Church at Rialto was the same yeare finished The order of the Celestines which was founded in the Church of S. George of Alega was at the same time by the pursute of Lorenzo Iustiniano and other Honourable and deuout Persons made very famous and much frequented This Order had at the beginning besides these men sundrie other more rich Benefactors among whome was Gabrieli Candelmaro who being afterwards Pope and called by the name of Eugenius did much beautifie that place with buildings and reuennues At the same time one of those foure Gallies which returned home loden with rich merchandize from France was castaway at the entrance of the Sicilian Sea not by the violence of the winds or waues but by the only ignorance of the Marriners Those who were within it were almost all saued and the most part of the goods were recouered Such was the state then of the Common-wealth abroade and at home But this quiet was disturbed by the inuasions of the Hungarians For Pipus the Florentine ouer-running Italie at the same time with ten thousand Horse made incursions on the Venetian confines The Venetian Annales make no mention for what cause the Emperour Sigismond in whose name the Tuscan made these stirres in Italie did beginne this Warre But it was to bee presumed that it was by reason of the ciuill Warre of the Forlani the Lords and People of that Prouince contending about the publike Gouernement Some of them would haue the Venetians others the Hungarian or the Bishop of Aquileia whereupon it came to passe that at Pipus his arriuall Frederico Sauergnane with all his faction being retired to Venice those of Vdina yeelded to him Pipus hauing receiued Vdina did forth with come vpon the Treuisan and tooke from the Venetians Serauall Belluna Feltre and La Motte It is certaine that the sale of Zara made by Ladislaus and the siege of Sibensa were cause of all those troubles Some Authors neuerthelesse doe affirme that the King came into Italie at the pursute and entreatie of Brunora of Escalla who did still aspire to his Fathers Principalitie But whatsoeuer the occasion of this Warre was it is certaine that Pipus after diuers warlike exploits being corrupted with money as they say did leaue the Prouince and returned into Hungarie where the Hungarian caused him to die by pouring molten gold downe his throat And that soone after he came downe into Italie with fortie thousand men others make the number lesse This latter attempt of Warre albeit it carried a greater shew yet was it not so fortunate as that of Pipus for he did hardly passe the confines of the Forlani Some Historians say that Sigismond did make Warre on the Venetians with Pipus But whether it were so or as others affirme a-part it is certaine that the Venetians at the first report of this Warre made great preparations of Souldiers and munition and chose Carolo Malateste for Generall of their Armie who was a man of great reputation whom for that purpose they had called from his house It is reported that they fought at times on the Treuisan and Feltrian confines as occasion was presented that the Hungarian did still vse such crueltie as all those who fell into his hands came from him lame of some of their members For he did cause the prisoners hands to be cut off and their eies to be put out After hee had in this manner prosecuted the Warre for a time they sent Ambassadours to him Francisco Foscari Tomaso Mocenigo who were afterwards Princes and Antonio Cornari came to his Camp and concluded a truce with him for fiue yeares Armes being laid a-side against Sigismond Prince Steno soone after deceased in the thirteenth yeare of his Gouernment His body was laid in S. Marinies Church ¶ THOMASO MOCENIGO the 64. Duke of Uenice THomaso Mocenigo who was absent was subrogated in his place Hee was at the same time Ambassadour at Cremona to Gabrino Fondulo from whence being called hee came to the Citie and was receiued of all men with great ioy At the beginning of his Gouernment certaine Magistrates were by the Senates decree translated to Rialto And to the three Tables which were there from the beginning the fourth Prosenitica was added called vulgarly the Messetaria For that purpose a Palace was builded on La Riuade Ferro where these foure Magistrates doe at this day execute Iustice. The great Douana was there at the beginning Since then it being diuided into two that concerning the affaires of the firme Land hath still remained there and the other for marine matters was transferred neare to the Church of the Trinitie The Citie was not long at rest a new warre being raised on the confines of the Forlani concerning the contentions of Vdina Lodouico Techia was at the same time Bishop of Aquileia who at his owne pleasure gouerned the whole Prouince which lieth betwixt the Riuers of Liuenza and Timaua the Adriatick Sea and the Alpes Some Authors say that this Prouince belongeth to the Forlani But the vulgar doe at this day call it Friul and the Inhabitants the Countrie of Friul Therearose great strife betwixt this Bishop and those of Vdina by reason that the Vdinois would haue those of Sauergnane his faction who in the last war tooke part with the Venetians and in regard thereof being in a sedition driuen thence and were retired to the Venetians to be called home into the Citie Techia on the contrarie did impugne it saying that he would neuer permit it Whilest the Citie of Vdina was in this contention and by consequent the whole Prouince almost the Venetians seized on Sacila The Bishop perceiuing that the matter was to bee determined by armes had recourse to the King of Hungarie For hee felt himselfe too weake to deale with the Venetians In the meane time the Ciuidalians did yeeld to the Venetians who kindly receiued them not as vassalls but as associates The Bishop soone after returning from Hungarie with foure thousand Hungarians came with the aide of the Patrians who had still continued faithfull to him and besieged the Ciuidalians But being strengthened with a good Garrison which the Venetians had left there they did without feare receiue the enemie The Hungarians were before the Citie for the space of fifteene daies who hauing spoiled all places round about being enforced
Citie In that place all the forces being landed the Cittie was inuironed and dâ—…uers peeces of Ordnance wereplanted in sundry places and with fiue and fiftie canons euerie day the wall was much battered The siege continued 30 dayes in which time besides sundrie light skirmishes made before the walls vpon occasions the Turke with all his forces gaue three assaults wherein he lost fiue and twenty thousand men as it was afterwards knowne at the muster of the Armie Some report that they haue heard the Turkes say that after the taking of Nigrepont more than fortie thousand were found to be wanting in their Armie But during this siege by Sea and Land the Venetian Fleete wanting victualls by continuing too neere Nigrepont sailed to Candie whereby the way meeting with some Turkish Fusts it sanke them and tarried there foure daies Ieronimo Molino Gouernor of the Island did presently take order to furnish them with necessarie victualls and did besides in that short space cause seuen ships of burthen to be armed Being strengthened with these armed vessells and with his owne fleete of 35 armed Gallies the Venetian returned from whence he came The newes in the meane time of the siege of Nigrepont being brought to the Senate did afflict them with griefe and feare It was certaine that without some speedie remedie that most excellent Island of all others of the Aegean Sea would be subdued by that cruell enemie to the great losse of the Common-wealth whereupon they speedily decreed to send as manie Gallies as could possibly be made readie one after an other without intermission to the reliefe of Nigrepont Canalis in the meane time departing from the place where he ankored went with his whole fleet lay in the streight of the channell neere to Laureta then with sailes oares winde and tide he went forwards against the enemie Those within the Citie beeing tired with continuall fight had already endured the siege almost a moneth and yet they durst not well trust some of their owne Citizens For Thomaso of Sclauonia that was sent with a troupe of Souldiers to guard the citie being conuicted of treason and sent for before the Magistrates was by commandement cut in peeces Some say that hee did by secret intelligence sollicit the Turke to vndertake that enterprize and that at the beginning he would haue deliuered the Citie to Ottoman if he would haue but graunted him and the townesmen their liues liberties Ottoman promised the traitor any thing sauing that which he demaunded and he would haue none other recompence but that Now whilst these practizes continued on either side as well by those which fled to the enemies as by letters tied to arrowes the whole matter was discouered to the Magistrate by a yong maide of Nigrepont The besieged being afflicted with so many miseries had in their extremitie but only one hope left which was that the Venetian Nauall Armie hauing first broken the bridge ouer the channell would come and bring them aide and assistance This did they talke of day and night and wished for it with teares in their eies when on a sodaine they descried foureteene Gallies and two ships of burthen within view of the Citie with which Canalis was come before the rest of the Fleet There was then great ioy in the Citie and the townesmen from the walls beganne to crie out vpon the enemies thereby to terrifie them This Generall noyse did altogether amaze them Some say that Ottoman hauing intelligence of the Venetians approach began to thinke on flight and to that end he mounted a very swift horse determining presently to passe forth of the Island into the firme Land and that without all doubt he would haue gon his way had not Mahomet the Gouernour of Asia a valliant and courageous man disswaded him from it telling him That if he fled the Souldiers and his Nauie being affrighted with the departure of their Generall would at one time together fal into great danger And therefore that he should do better to giue a generall assault to the Citie by Land and Sea more fierce than all the former and promise the spoile thereof to the Souldiers with a great recompence to him that should first aduance his Ensignes on the Walls The great Turke being moued with this good counsell commanded his Souldiers to giue the last assault His Gallies at Sun-set came forth of the channell neere to the Walls The Venetians that were come forward with the Generall as hath beene said went with full saile within a mile of the bridge Then because the winde tide and necessity did inuite them to set forward against the enemie with as great courage as they were come thither all men cried out that a fit time and occasion was offered to do a notable peece of seruice Canalis alone was of opinion to tarrie for the rest of the Fleet which staied at Politia no man knoweth whether they did it for feare or else because the Captaines of the Gallies were commanded so to do howbeit Canalis did condemne their slownesse Those which were there did earnestly solicite him to set forward saying aloud that there was no good meaning in that delay The Picemanes of Candie bretheren Captaines of a ship of Burthen craued leaue that they with theit ship might Saile against the enemie promising by the force of their ship and by the winde and tide to breake the bridge and if their enterprize should succeede badly they would at least thinke themselues happy to haue exposed their liues and fortunes in the seruice of the Common-wealth The Generall commanded them and all the rest not to stir but to tarrie still where they were till the rest of the Fleete were arriued Those of Nigrepont who in the meane time were furiously assaulted by Sea and Land perceiuing by day-breake that their Fleete Lay still like men amazed could hardly hold their weapons in their hands Great numbers of Arrowes couered the wretched inhabitants The ordnance confusedly beat downe whatsoeuer it encountered steeples towers walls and people Leonardo Caluo Gouernour of the Citie Giouanni Bondomaria the Prouidator Paulo Hericio the Magistrate and manie other Venetian Gentlemen were vpon the Wals and in the trenches some to exhort and encourage the Souldiers others to run vp and down to those places which had most neede of help And although many thousand enemies were neere to the wals they did not cease for all that still to fix their eies on that side from whence they had descried the Venetian Gallies The wretched inhabitants held vp their hands and eies to Heauen and them Then by day-breake they erected a black Ensigne vpon the higest tower of the citie to demonstrate their miserable condition to the end that those which lay in the channel being moued with their disaster might come and relieue them The fierce assault continuing without intermission had in such sort tired the besieged as those which guarded the gate Burchiana
Ferdinand to intreat the that they would the summer folowing arme against their common enemie the Turk and to tell them that the matter was not to be delayed but that it was time alreadie to be at Sea The Ambassadours were curteously entertained by either of them who promised all assistance according to their power Mocenigo likewise did by Letters intreate the King of Cyprus and the great Maister of Rhodes that they would arme against the Turkes Himselfe in the meane time visited all the Islands of the Aegean seas and confirmed them by his presence There is a small towne in Ionia opposite to the Isle of Chios which is called Passage whither from Asia all goodes were brought at such time as the Italian Marchants did frequent the Isle of Chios as into a common store-house Mocenigo hauing intelligence that the same place was without garrison came with his fleet before day neere to the shore and sent his Mariners and some of the Rowers to fetch this rich booty The Inhabitants of this Towne being affrighted at this sodain incursion escaped into the neighbour-mountaines the Shoppes full of Asian marchandise were rissed and the whole bootie beeing brought to the Gallies the towne was burnt Mocenigo returning to Modon for Winter was not yet spent made some stay there Then beeing prouoked by the common report how that the enemies fleete of fortie Gallies were ready to inuade Lemnos he with his fleet speedily sailed into the Island But finding this rumour to be false and beeing vnwilling to haue his comming thither to be to no purpose hee caused the towne of Coccina in the Isle of Lemnos to be repaired which before had beene ouerthrowne by an Earth-quake and hauing reedified it hee manned it with a strong Gar rison Hauing prouided for the assaires of the Island he returned to Modon where hee found two new Prouidators sent from Venice who were Stephano Maripietro and Vittori Soranza two of the chiefe Senators At their arriuall they concluded betwixt themselues that in euerie Gallie besides the Souldiers and Marriners tenne horse-men whom the Greekes call Stradiots should be placed These men are more apt to take booties than to fight They vse a buckler sword and lance few of them waere curases but they quilt their doubtles and casocks with cotton to beare off the enemies stroakes They haue very swift horse and wel breathed The Venetians did vse these kinde of men in the wars in Albania and Morea But those of Morea neere to Naples wee reaccounted most valiant The choicest of these were put into the Gallies The Fleete beeing furnished with such supplies put to Sea to waste and spoile the Prouinces of Asia It spared the Cities and Islands of Greece for respect it did beare to the Christian name notwithstanding that they were subiect to Ottoman From Morea hee went to Lesbos where neere to the Promontorie on the East-side where the Island is least habitable the Fleete cast Ankor in a safe Hauen Right ouer against it on the Sea shoare stands the Citie of Pergamus a towne in olde time very famous in the lesser Asia it was well knowne to the Romans for the Tapestrie that was made there but much more because it was the inheritance of king Attalus There is nothing to bee seene at this day but the ruines of tance of king Attalus There is nothing to bee seene at this day but the ruines of olde buildings The Territorie by reason of the fertilitie thereof is stored with villages The Venetian departing about midnight from Lesbos landed his troups on the opposite shoare in the lesser Asia and commanded Giacomo Parisotto the Admirall of the Fleete to place part of his troupes in Ambush and with the rest to spoile and wast the enemies Countrie putting all to fire and sword According to this commaundement all places were spoiled to the great terror of the Countrie-people and great store of cattaile with many prisoners were carried thence But the Turkish horse-men of the neighbour Garrisons hearing the lamentations of the poore people that fledde did fiercely charge the Venetians who retired to their shippes and by that vnlooked for assault did greatly molest the Souldiers that were loden with bootie Then the light horse of Morea comming speedily to their reskew did easily chace and pursue them with great slaughter The enemies heads together with the bootie were brought to the vessells and for euery head the Souldier receiued a Ducat the which recompence the Generall promised to all those that serued him in that iournie against the Turkes and was exactly performed during that warre The Fleet departing from the enemies Countrie went and cast Ankour in a desert Island betwixt Chios and the firme Land There was the bootie laied abroade and sold to them that offered most The Treasourers appointed for that purpose distributed the monie to the horse-men Souldiers and Marriners The same night the Venetian sailed to the Islands neere to Caria which in times past had belonged to the inhabitants of Gnidos to spoile and wast them Gnidos in times past among the Cities of Caria was very famous in regard of her Arsenall and two Hauens and at this day sundrie ruines of olde buildings are to bee seene there The Territorie neere adioining is not tilled but frequented by sheepheardes The Fleete being come to this place both horse and foot were landed to waste the Countrie many of all sex and ages were taken and brought to the Gallies but of Cattaile no more than serued for their present vse They found nothing else there but certaine tapestrie and fustians to make tents such as the Numidians vsed when they were wont to goe wandring vp and downe The Venetian putting to Sea went to Delos an Island of the Ciclades famous informer times for Apollos Temple and the great concourse of people that resorted thither it is now desolate and inhabitable there is nothing now to be seene but the ruines of the temple with those of an amphitheater of white marble columnes and other statues with a Colossus of fifteene cubites high From Delos Mocenigo directed his course to Morea because victualls grew scant By the way neere to the Cape of Mailles he met with Rachainesis the Generall of King Ferdinando his fleete with seuenteene Gallies and after reciprocall salutations with great acclamations and other signes of ioy after the manner at Sea they went together to Modon There the Venetian had intelligence that the Popes Fleet would soone arriue there But because he would make no long abode there hauing victualled his Fleet he and the Kings Generall departed from Modon and with a faire winde sailed to the Islands of the Rhodian Sea next to Asia Those of Rhodes possessed the Cittie which was exceeding strong by arte and manned with a strong Garrison called the Castle of S. Peter seated in that part of Caria opposite to the Isle of Coos the only refuge of the Christians that fled forth
marriners in the meane time desirous of bootie straying far from the worke made incursions as far as Ferrara from whence returning with great bootie they went without leaue to the Campe on the opposite shoare leauing Marcian and his workmen with few or no forces at all By reason hereof the worke could not be finished in one day Hercules by messengers from the Duke of Feltre aduertised of the enemies deseigne came speedilie thither to defeat them For he was not ignorant how discommodious that Fort would be to Ferrara At his arriuall he charged them but Marcian in the end being oppressed by the multitude was taken and Falceria with him Many of his soldiors were slaine Thomaso of Imola in a little boat escaped with some few soldiors and went ouer the Riuer Hercules presently finished the fortification which the other had begun and placing a strong Garrison in it did greatly relieue Ferrara Sanseuerino in the meane time lying longer before Ficarolles than he expected the better to annoy the enemie sent Fracasse Gâ—…ouan Maria and Pietro Marcello the Prouidator with part of the troops to take the Townes of the Rhouigian Pollesin For the enemies Countrie neer to the Adice had not yet tasted the calamities of warre At their first arriual there they tooke Castle-Guillielmo the tower Sandona enuironed with lakes Rouiga Lendenara the Abbey and other places of the Pollesin but not without fight where Ieronimo sonne to Count Marcian a braue young man was slaine For the assurance of the Townes yeelded to the Venetians Augustino Barbadico at that time Gouernour of Padua a man of great wisedome and authoritie did by the Senates commaund go to Rouiga with whom they ioined Pietro Treuisano The Prouince being setled Barbadico by the same commaundement returned to Padua Treuisano falling grieuously sicke died soone after Roberto Venieri sonne to Francisco succeeded Treuisano in the Prouince This man did not alone fashion the peoples minds to obedience but by his meeknesse confirmed them in their duties towards the Venetians Whilest these things were done neere to the Adice Frederick of Vrbin falling sicke was carried from the Campe at Stellata to Ferrara Sanseuerino though his sonnes had part of the forces did not cease continually to annoy the enemie whose wals being beaten downe by the Canon himselfe impatient of any longer delay resolued to giue an assault wherein the Venetian tooke the Parapet of the Tower and made it good many after the retreat was founded remayning in it Hercules soldiors terrified with the enemies boldnesse did set fire on the piles that supported the Tower and ouerthrew it Sanseuerino thereby perceiued the inhabitants small hope whereupon he assailed the Citie more fiercely Vpon the 29. day of Iune at midnight the soldiors went to the assault and fauored by the night made many bridges ouer the dikes and hollow places The besieged notwithstanding the darknesse of the night did brauely defend it so as this assault both in shew effect was more furious than that by day It continued till day-light but the enemie being then vanquished the Venetian in sundrie places entred the Citie which taken the soldiers threw downe their Armes some of them were cast into the riuer others murthered verie few taken prisoners This being done and the Venetian master of the Citie he did forthwith begin to repaire it Within a while after Sanseuerin and Lauretano fell sicke by reason of the vnholesome aire of the marshes both of them were carried to Padua but with seuerall destinies for the Venetian died there and the Generall recouered Moro likewise Generall of the nauall Armie called home by the Senate died soone after his arriuall at Venice This Summer was vnfortunate but the Autumne after it much more Some that haue written the Ferraresse warre and were present there affirme that more then 20000. men of those that were at the siege of Ficarolles by land and water by some one accident or other died there but most of all by reason of feauers occasioned by the infectious ayre of the marshes This is all that happened in Lombardie during that Summer In Flaminia Robert of Arimini did not cease to annoy the enemie by ordinarie incursions with those forces which he had receiued at the beginning of the war he was abundantly furnished with victuals other warlike necessaries from Rauenna gouerned at that time by Bernardin Bembo Roberto in the heat of Summer was commanded by the Senate to go to Rome to relieue Pope Sixtus which was besieged Alphonso Duke of Calabria at the beginning of the Venetians warre sought to bring 4000. men to aide his brother Hercules But because his way lay through the Popes territories he marched by assistance of the Colonessi and Sauellâ—… who were open enemies to the Pope directly towards Rome which Citie hath diuers noble families in it among whom the Vrsini Colonesi and Sauelli hold the chiefe ranke as well for wealth as antiquitie of descent These men of a long time being ill affected to each other haue often by meanes of their mortall hatred banded together sometimes in the Citie but oftner in the field as in a freer place most of the townes and villages neere to Rome are theirs But beside these there be diuers other noble families in the Citie yet the Vrsini haue for many yeares excelled them all both in wealth and knowledge in martiall discipline Foure of this house sonnes to Carolo haue in our time beene verie famous Latino Giouanni Neapuleo and Roberto The two first followed Pope Eugenius to Florence where they did winne his loue and fauour as Latino the eldest brother was made Cardinal and Giouanni elected Bishop of Trani and being inriched with diuers other benefices did much augment the greatnesse dignitie of his house These two did greatly illustrate their familie but not so much as Neapuleo and Roberto who by their experience in martiall disci pline purchased such honour as at one time the first was made Generall of the kings Armie and the other of the Popes They did not onely by their valour keepe their paternall principalitie but did wonderfully encrease it so as they became Lords of all the whole countrey from the Tyrhene sea as farre as the lake Piscino extends it selfe This prosperitie procured them hatred and eâ—…uie For at one time the Colonessi Sauelli and Anguilares were their enemies and because they were all too weake to withstand the power of this one familie they caused Pope Calixtus likewise to Arme against them whose attempts they did not onely frustrate but brake and defeated them and chiefly at that time when Borsia Nephew to Calixtus with forces farre superiour to Vrsiâ—…os was by him vanquished at Varro his village But if Vrsinis greatnesse was enuied before it was most of all in the daies of Pope Sixtus when their enemies desirous wholly to ruine them had in their owne opinion found out a fitt occasion For these foure noble
Nalda Augustin Clusone Haniball Fregosa Caesar Martinenga and diuers others whose valour did greatly apeare in that action The businesse of Genoa being ended and Iohn Mora the Prouidator of the Venetians nauall army being come with sixteene Galleis to Liuorne where hee found Doria who tarried for him with sixteene Gallies they resolued together to giue in vpon the Isle of Sardinia hoping easily to winne it and that it would bee very commodious for them for the conquest of Sicily but this enterprize proued infortunate for the fleete being come neere to the Island and hauing taken certaine Sea townes it hapned as it went from one place to another that it was assailed by a furious tempest which did scatter it into sundry places certaine Venetian Gallies beeing a long time beaten in it did at last arriue safely at Liuorne The rest after-wards hauing runne the same fortune came to Corsica whether the French Gallies had already escaped two excepted which were broken vpon the rockes of Sardinia And not being able at that time to enterprize any thing at Sea by reason that winter approched Iohn Mora retired with his Gallies to Corfou Petro Lande was at the same time Generall of the Venetians nauall army who was commanded to scoure the Seas neere to the Islands and places of their dominions to assure and comfort their subiects and that sayling into Sicily hee should take all the ships that were fould to bee loden with corne and send them to Venice where was great scarcity of victualls But the Generall hauing for the assurance of the Seas sent Augustine de Mulla the Prouidator with two light Gallies to scoure on the one side and Antonio Marcello with foure Bastard Gallies whereof hee was Captaine on the other it fell out that Marcello beeing come to Candy into the Hauen of La Suda had intelligence that a Turkish Gally was to passe neere vnto the Island he suposing that it was Cortugoll a famous Pirate who not long before in the same Seas had taken and spoyled a Venetian shippe and then burnt it killing all the Marriners and passengers that were in it did speedily come forth of the Hauen and beeing desirous to reuenge that iniury came on a sodaine to assaile it the which hee tooke and then retired with his owne and this Gally to La Bicorna Where the Gallies ryding with their Poopes towards the land hee descried within a while after seauen Turkish Galleis to passe along one after another which belonged to the Moore of Alexandria as the same did which he had taken Marcello remaining firme in that place without any feare at all was amazed when he saw himselfe assailed on the sodaine by the Barbarian who hauing re-assembled his owne did furiously assault him where-vpon Marcello was enforced to escape by flight the like did his fellowes who not departing so soone as he but one alone escaped the other two being taken were carried to Alexandria The Venetian Captaine beeing to yeeld an account for this deed the Aâ—…ogares of the Republick were commanded to take notice thereof and for this purpose he was sent for from the army as a prisoner but greefe by the way killed him Soliman being aduertized of the indiscretion of the Captaine and of the Senates good will not like a barbarous Prince vsing curtesie and liberality towards the Senate sent back their Galleies which were taken being loden with salt-peeter which they greatly needed and bestowed them vpon the Venetians as his guift For this cause and for diuers other signes of friendship the Senate thought good to send an expresse Ambassade to him to giue him thankes in the common-wealths name for all his curtesies and demonstrations of Frendship towards it and to continew and encrease that good will in him Thomas Contaren was chosen for this purpose vnto whom were giuen diuers rich garments and other presents of great value to present to the Baschas of the Port and cheefely to Ibraim who for the friendship and affection which the great Turke did beare vnto him was at the same time in great credit and reputation Whilst these thinges were done in the Leuant the Lord of Lautrec returning to his former deseignes at such time as all men expected that following the course of his victory he would haue marched towards Milan to beseege it he turned another way and hauing with his army passed the Po he marched towards Placentia intending as he said to lay by all other enterprizes and to thinke on nothing but how to sette the Pope at liberty All men wondred at this sodaine change seeing the faire occasion which was offered if he had continued to giue an end vnto the warre of Lombardy by taking the Citty of Milan It was not knowne whether Lautrec was mooued thereunto rather by some particular affection or for some interest of his King then for any care he had of the Popes liberty It is certaine that in his heart he did beare a secret grudge to the Venetians and Francis Sforza for their oppositions concerning the matter of Alexandria These suspitions were confirmed by his manner of proceeding who speedily departing with such ill prouision as hee had forth of the state of the Dutchy of Milan did afterwards pursue his iourney very slowly and for that after hee had ioyned him-selfe with the Almaine foote-men vpon the expecting of whome hee had at the firstexcused his delay he remained at Parma without doing any thing The Army of the league had no better successe who beeing lodged neere to Montefiascone did spend the time vnprofitably notwithstanding that the weaknesse of the enemies army did sufficiently affoord them meanes to execute somme enterprize This gaue occasion to the Venetians to suspect that the Duke of Vrbin for his owne perticular interest did not proceed with such fidelity as he ought therefore they placed guardes ouer his wife and children who lay at that time at Mâ—…rana The Duke of Vrbin hauing intelligence that the Venetians did distrust him sent Horacio Florida oue of his Gentlemen to Venice to procure leaue for him to come thither that he might iustifie himselfe and yeeld an account of his actions The Senate either for that they were better informed or else beeing very desirous to fitte them-selues vnto time and necessity would not permit him to depart from the army but hauing remoued the guards from his wife and children made a shew that they were well satisfied and contented with his seruice to the Republike And perceauing after-wards that they could not alter the Lord of Lautrecs resolution they placed their forces which they had in Lombardy which were fifteene thousand foote in garrison in sundry places for the gard of those townes which they had recouered in the state of Milan and gaue to the said Lord Lautrec fifteene hundred light horse for the enterprize of Rome All the care and meanes to keepe the conquered townes in the Dutchy of Milan fell vpon the
Venetians to the end thereby to oblige them to take the person of Pietro Lodouico and his State into â—…heir protection and safegard because it was not to bee doubted but that the Venetians in acknowledgment of such a benefit and sor their owne proper interest desiring rather to haue a particular Lord of that State to bee their neighbour then the Church would employ all their forces for the maintenance and preseruation of the greatnesse of the Farneâ—…ia family wherevnto the Pope hearkning very willingly and hoping for some greater matter the pursutes for the Dutchy of Camerine was for the Venetians sakes smoothered of whom hee then â—…eemed to make great account All the Princes of Italy at the same time and especially the Venetians were in feare and stood vpon their guard by reason of a mighty Army which the Emperor prepared vntill such time as they were aduertised that it was for Affrick to recouer Thunis and thereby to assure the kingdome of Naples a neere neighbour to it which Cariadine did dayly threaten to inuade The Emperor did particularly aduertise the Venetian Senate of all his deseignes seeming to bee very zealous for the common good of Christendom and in particular for that of their Republick desiring to continue the same friendship and good correspondence which was betwixt them This demonstration of friendship was the cause of the renuing the confederacie betwixt them according to the same conditions which had beene concluded at Bolognia onely to shew that by the Popes death it was neiâ—…her finished nor broken off Wherevpon they commanded Marc-Antonio Contaren their Ambassador that in signe of continuance of amitie heâ—… should follow which he did the Emperor whether soeuer hee went After that generall processions and publick prayer were made in Venice by the Cleargie that it might please God to fauour that enterprise This great preparation of the Emperors Army had caused the Tâ—…rkes to suspect diuerse matters and this suspition was most of all increased in them as it was reported by Iohn Forrest the French Ambassador at Constantinople thorow his reports made to the Baschaes seeking to make them beleeue that the Venetians did perswade the Emperour to turne his great forces vppon Greece against Solimans state and yet neâ—…erthe lesse the French Ambassador resident at Venice did offer to the Senate in his Kings behalfe all fauour and curtesie that might be he did likewise enâ—…reat them to take speciall heed to the Emperors actions and that such great preparations ought verily to cause them to suspect and that the common rumors abroad were so many signes of the imminent dangers and preiudices which threatened the Common-wealth These offers and aduerticements did greatly trouble the Senate who did well perceiue that they tended only to cause the Republick to suspect and distrust all men and to thrust it into open warre either against the Emperor or Soliman to enforce them thereby to haue recourse to the French King to make vse of his fauour toward the Turke or of his forces against the Emperor Yet neuerthelesse partly dissembling these suspitions they thanked the King for his offers and good-will for which though at that present they had no need of them the Common-wealth should neuerthelesse remaine much obliged to that Crowneâ—… they did after-wards complainâ—… of the bad offers which his Ambassador at Constantinople had done vnto them cleane contrary to truth wherupon the King did disauow it and assured them that he had neuer giuen him any such commissions Howsoeuer it was it is certaine that notwithstanding all these reports and bad offices done to the Venetians towards Soliman he did still loue and highly respect them for at his returne from Persia he failed not particularly to acquaint them with the prosperous successe of his iourney how he had chased away his enemies entred Persia spoiled and sackt the Citty of Tauris the Royal seate of that Kingdome had beene at Babilon from whence hauing expulsed the Garrison he became Maister thereof and lastly that he was returned victorious to Constantinople The report was that soone after his returne home he was desirous to leuy a mighty army wherupon he called for the same purpose Cariadine and diuers other Captaines before him to consult with them about the affaires of warre thereby shewing that his meaning was not to suffer his Army long to continue idle The Emperor in the meane time the winter season beeing past and all things in readinesse for the Voyages of Affricke tooke shipping at Barcelona where all the fleet lay to the nomber of three hundred â—…aile of all sortes vnder the conduct of Prince Doria with forty thousand fighting men not accounting the Marriners and Rowers who were very many being attended on by all the Spanish Nobility together with the Infant of Portugall who met him at Barcelona with fourescore saile of shippes of warre The first landing of the army was in Sardinia in the Hauen of Caliers and hauing there taken order for all warlike necessaries it sailed to Carthage then being come neere to the land not farre from Goletta the armâ—… was forthwith landed which encamped not farre from thence knowing very well that on the taking thereof depended that of Thunis because that Goletta is a Tower enuironed with diuers Bastions and seated almost vppon the mouth of a Channell through which the Sea entring in a good way it maketh a Lake right ouer against it vpon which the Citty of Thunis is seated some twelue miles from Sea At their first arriuall the Turkes Garrison in Goletta did valiantly defend themselues but the Emperors ordnance hauing almost ruined the Fort it fell into the Spaniards possession who entring afterwards into the Lake did without any disficulty or fight take fifty three vessells as Gallies Galliots and Fusts which Cariadine had left there as in a place of most safety This losse did so daunt Cariadine as notwithstanding that at the beginning comming forth of Thunis with his army hee made a shew as if he would giue the Emperour Battaile yet neuer-the-lesse giuing place on a sudaine he retired into the Citty of Bonna where finding himfelfe in no great safety and vnderstanding that Doria followed him he went to Argiers The Citties of Thunis and Bonna being forsaken by their Captaine notwithstanding that there were strong Garrisons in them did very quickly and with ease fall into the Spaniards hands Cariadine escaping all these dangers went within a while after to Constantinople whither he was sent for and being come into Solimans presence who was newly returned from Persia he did in the best manner he could excuse all that which happened and the losse of the Kingdome Solimaâ—… being ioyfull for his victories obtained in Persia did pardon and receiue him to fauour and after-wards gaue him the super-in-tendence of his Army by Sea The Emperor on the other side hauing with royall bounty rendred the Kingdome of Tunis which he had conquered to Amulcasse on
enterprize being executed vnder his conduct and command as Generall of the army As also for that he was obliged therevnto by his promise often made to the Venetians vpon which they had not feared to commit into his hands all their forces which were very great and such as the assurance of their Estate by sea did wholly depend vpon them Doria not being mooued with all these reasons answered that they should haue accepted his offers at that time when occasion was offered of ouerthrowing Barbarossa when with a part of his army he passed thorow the Channel of Corfou so as neither the Popes letters which he wrote vnto him with his owne hand nor the arriuall of the Emperors Ambassador at Naples who for that purpose came thither expresly from Rome in post could in any sort alter his determination but he speedily departed from Naples to goe to Genoa saying that he would acquaint the Emperor with what had passed and there attend his commandment The departure of Doria and his manner of proceeding did greatly trouble the Venetians not so much for that their hope was frustrate of being able to breake the Turkish army as for to see themselues vnder vaine promises deceiued by the Imperials yet neuerthelesse al-be-it that Doria his departure and the report that Barbarossa was comming into the Gulphe with an hundred gallies might haue perswaded them to countermand their Generalls not to goe to Brandiza the Senate notwithstanding to shew their constancy in matters determined and resolued vpon and to preserue the reputation of their army which would haue beene much blemished if they should haue seemed to depend wholly vpon Dorias councels and actions after sundry opinions resolued to alter nothing of that which had been determined but made a new request to the Pope that he would command the Count of Anguillare to saile with the Churches gallies and those of Malta to Brandiza according to their former resolution The Turkes in the meane time had landed fiue and twenty thousand men and thirty peeces of ordnance in the Isle of Corfou builded foure Caualliers round about the castle to make them equall to those within it and to beate downe their defenses hauing first wasted the whole Island cut downe the fruite trees burned the country houses and led away as prisoners al those whom they found in the Island which had not saued themselues in the castle many neuerthelesse escaped into Saint Angelos castle the sytuation of the place being able to gard them Then hauing begunne the battery and perceiuing that by reason of the long distance of the place where they had beene enforced to build their Caualliers for feare of the ordnance within their cannon shot was of no great force they were desirous to approch neerer but they were beaten backe with cannon shot to their great harme losse The Visier Basha came twice from Butintrot into the Island and being come vpon the brinke of the castle dike to view the place reported to Soliman that the sytuation of the place and the fortifications were such as their was no hope in a long time to doe any good there wherevpon he councelled Soliman to raise the seege and to retire his armies which beganne already to seele great discommodities as well by sicknesse as by the small store of victuals that was brought thither as also because that winter drew nere a very vnfit season for such an enterprize and that the longer he tarried there the more he should loose his reputation being afterwards enforced to discampe without any prosperous successe that hee had by a sodaine alteration turned his forces vpon that enterprize which had beene prepared for other more easie purposes against the Emperour and therefore that hee was not to wonder if the euent of a rash and head-long action had not answered the fortunate successe which was wont to follow the wise and discret councels of the Ottomans that he should send away his two armies by sea and land to Constantinople there to refresh them which were much weakened by sundry accidents to the end they might the yeere following with better successe enterprize some exploit more assured and generous Such was the opinion and councell of Aiax the Visier Basha yet neuerthelesse to preserue their reputation feigning some other deseignes contrary to that which he spake or rather enuying Barbarossa his greatnesse and seeking to disgrace him by reconciling the Venetian Common-wealth to Soliman he called for the Venetian Baily who had still followed the campe and told him that if his countrymen would satisfie the harmes and dammages as well of men as other matters which Soliman had susteined at that seege and make a demonstration how that whatsoeuer had happened was not by the consent or appointment of the common-wealth he had so handled the matter that the seege should be raised from before Corfou and his countrimen should recouer peace and friendship as in times before with Soliman Ianusbei the first Dragoman did afterwards affirme that the same came from Solimans selfe as that did manifest which soone after ensued the Baily hauing leaue giuen him to send one of his followers to Venice for that purpose who was conducted in safety by two Chiaus to Castel-nouo But Soliman almost at the same time not tarrying for any answere raised his campe and hauing shipped his ordnance and al his souldiers sailed towards Constantinople after that he had continued his seege for ten daies space and carried away with him more then fifteene thousand soules into bondage The Isle of Passu very nere to Corfou with Butrintor seated on the firme land on Albanias side a nere neighbour to it tasted the like harme and losse Barbarossa departing with the army from before Corfou sailed towards Preueze Soliman not permitting him to remaine vpon those seas with an hundred gallies to scoure the coastes of Puglia and Sicily It was supposed at that time that the chiefest cause that mooued Soliman so sodainely to raise his campe was certaine newes from Persia because that two daies before this resolution some Olaches were speedily come to the campe and the cause of their comming not being diuulged it was certainly thought that they had brought bad newes that nation being wont to publish euery where anything that did concerne their glory or reputation and to keepe secret and conceale that which might procure them any contrary effect but vndoubtedly the true cause of his dislodging proceeded from the great difficulties which Aiax had discouered in that enterprize of Corfou The newes of the enemies discamping did infinitely reioyce the Venetians and generall processions were made for it with praiers in Churches and sundry almes giuen to the poore Monasteries and other deuout places of the city But Soliman seeking to molest the Venetians in sundry places had at the same time commanded Cassin the Sangiack of Morea that assembling all the souldiers round about he should beseege Naples of Romagnia
in the Hauen of Nista opposite to it where he speedily landed his souldiours and willed them to march on a sodaine to assaile the enemies thereby hoping with ease to surprize them and to seize vpon the place and to this purpose he sent certaine Harquebuziers before and himselfe followed after with the residue of his forces but hauing marched a great while through narrow and difficult waies they did from farre descry the caâ—…tle which they went to surprize being seated on the top of an hill in a plaâ—…e of very difficult accesse 〈◊〉 hauing well considered al matters and finding things to be otherwise then they had beene reported thought it against reason to hazard those troupes which were destined to greater atchiuements and therefore on a sodaine hee turned backe againe although the Prouidator was of a contrary opinion and countermanding the Harguebuziers that he had sent before he marched backe to the Hauen of Nista and returned to Corfou At the same time Marco Quirini came with his Gallies from Candy to Corfou hauing by the way taken the fort of Brazza de Menia which the Turkes held He was presently commanded to go with twenty Gallies and scoure the Islands of the Archipelago wherevpon he sailed to the Isle of Andros one of the renowned Cicâ—…ades Within a while after the Generall Zanne receiued commandement from the Senate to saile with his forces farther vp into the Leuant and by assayling some of the enemies townes to diuert them from the inuasion of Cyprus Wherevpon he left Corfou and went to Modon where Quirin with his Gallies met him and within two daies after he arriued in the Isle of Candy anchorâ—…d in the Gulph Anfialea which at this day marriners call the Hauen of Suda The Generall being there desirous to make speedy prouision of whatsoeuer the fleet needed found great difficulties in it chiefly in recouering suffitient numbers of men to supply the places of them that were dead wherevpon he sailed with forty Gallies to Candace the chiefe city of the Island the sooner by his presence to hasten the necessary prouisions leauing both the Prouidators and Palauicin in the hauen of Suda with foure score Gallies enioyning them to leauy men from all parts Now after that the fleet was sufficiently furnished with souldiers marriners and other necessaries they vnproffitably spent the time and the best season of the yeere expecting the Popes and Spanish Gallies the which according to the Venetians directions being ioyned together were to meet them in Candy At the last toward the latter end of August Marâ—…-Antonio Colonna the Churches Generall and Gioâ—…an Andrea Doria the Catholike Kings being arriued the Venetian 〈◊〉 was merueilous ioyfull of their comming The Generall and fleet went forth of the Hauen of Suda to welcome them where according to the manner they saluted with volies of shot then all of them entring together into the hauen made no long aboad there but after some propositions made the whole fleet retired to Siâ—…hy there more maturely to consult what were best to be done to free the Isle of Cyprus from inuasion Whilest the Christian fleet had spent much time in preparing and vniting it selfe togither the Turkes with greater celerity had assembled all their forces and being mighty at sea had without any difficulty prosperously pursued their enterprize the which was more speedily performed because that Selim who said that hee would in person goe to the army changed his determination and resolued to remaine at Constantinople by the aduise of Mahomet and Mustapha to whose authority and councell all the other Bashas condescended Selim then tarrying at Constantinople made Mustapha his Lieutenant Generall in that warre committing the whole enterprize by land to him and all marine actions to Piali Admirall of the Gallies Piali within a while after departing from Constantinople with fifty fiue Gallies and certaine other vessels Mustapha set saile with like number vnto whome for an extraordinary fauour the great Lord had giuen the Imperiall Galley to transport him which is of extraordinary greatnesse and most sumptuously decked in which the great Turke embarketh himselfe when he goes forth on any enterprize They anchored first at Negrepoâ—…t then at Rhodes where hauing intelligence that the Venetian fleet lay at Zara and could not depart from thence by reason of ficknesse and other impediments and that they had no newes at all of the Spanish fleet the Turkes being out of feare that the fleetes would ioyne together and supposing that they durst not come on any farther determined to saile directly to Cyprus But as 〈◊〉 Turkish fleet passed along from Negrepont to Rhodes Piali made an attempt to take the fort of Tina which is an Island in the farthest part of the Archipelago belonging to the Venetians and comming vnlooked for in a morning to that Island thinking to surprize it it was discouered at sea by Ieronimo Paruta a Venetian Gentleman Gouernor of the Island a valiant and discreet person who of a long time hauing feated their arriuall hee made prouisions of all necessaries for defense Hee perceiuing the enemies for to bend their course thitherward shot off a warning peece to aduertize those of the Island that were abroad in the country that they should quickly retire into the castle which beeing done in time they prepared themselues to withstand the Barbarians assaults which were very cruell not onely once but twice and thrice in euery of which they were brauely repulsed with great losse of their men and were enforced to discampe after that they had with incredible fury wasted the whole Island burned the Country houses ruined Churches and slaughtered all the cattaile that were in that Island From Tina Piali went to Rhodes where all their fleet lay which amounted to more then two hundred armed vessels accounting an hundred and fifty Gallies together with Fusts and Galeoâ—…s but in the great fleete were certaine Mahonnes which are like to great Gallies not altogither so bigge as a Gallion sixe ships and great numbers of other vessels commonly called Caramuscolini and some fifty Palandaries to transport horse This fleet bending it direct course toward Cyprus was discried neere to Baffo on the first day of Iuly in the yeere 1570. which scoured all the coast from Limissa as farre as the Promontory commonly called the Cape of the Cat then landing part of their forces they burned and spoiled the sea coasts taking many prisoners the next day pursuing their iourney they went to Salines where finding no resistance they vnship't their ordnance and the rest of the souldiers who presently fortified their campe with deepe trenches and strong Rampiers from whence they afterwards wasted and spoiled the country neere adioyning Then marching to Leucata nine miles from Salines they did easily make themselues Masters of the country and people vnto whom Mustaphaa gaue great guifts and goodly promises to draw on others and especially those of the mountaines seeking
it Who would triumph ouer woemen Wee are to share the whole wealth of nature the earth to the suruiuors heauen to the martirs Euen the scarres of the wounded will be beautifull because honorable who would ingratefully refuse to bleed for that louing God which hath not refused to dye for him Courage therefore diuine Champions forget not that som of ye are Romains and which is more all Christians This speech was euery where answered with applausiue and hopefull conclamations In which resolution wee will leaue them a while to view the countenance of the aduerse Nauy The Turkes in the meane time vsed circumspection and prouidence nothing barbarous For hauing intelligence by spies fugitiues and prisoners not only of the conuention of the Confederate nauy but their aproach beeing now in the Gulph of Lepanto Mehemet Bey was dismissed with 60. Gallies to Aspropicio a neighbor Citty to bring from thence competent supplies of victuall and men in which businesse he vsed such celerity that in short time he returned bringing with him plenty of victuall and munition besides ten thousand Ianizaries two thousand ordinary soldiers and two thousand voluntaries with which multitude and false supposition of our paucity they were not so cōfirmed but that they stood possest of a certaine fatall ominous misdeeming the euent In which respect the high Admirall Ali Bascha though by his owne inclination and his maisters command he stood resolute to fight called a Generall Councell to deliberate so important a deseigne Most of them perswaded to giue battaile but Partau Bascha Generall of the land forces earnestly oppugned it on the contrary part Hassan Bascha sonne to Barbarossa somtime Viceroy of Algier a young man yet of great spirit and worthy so noble a father whose magnanimity he seemed to inherit licensed to speake with braue countenance and apt gesture spake as followeth Most excelse and victorious Prince the Turkish Nation hath euer so nobly behaued it selfe that it is a question whether their fortune hath bred their greatnesse or their valour commanded their fortune Once it may be affirmed that if our starres haue fauored vs wee haue not forsaken our selues nor shamed them but magnified their influence by our actions Our Predecessors haue left vs ample territory wherein wee haue not been vnthrifts but haue so husbanded it that if they made little much wee haue extended much almost to infinite So that if we hold on this course of victory Alexander neuer stood more then wee in need of new worlds which if these prying inquisitiue Christians had not discouered to vs our valour ere long would want work Yet let vs not seeme so glutted and cloyed with conquest as to refuse to accept this one triumph more This by Sea wilserue to counterpoize that other balance of land victories Let vs fill both the hands of our Emperor one with spoiles of the land the other of the Sea These feeble tired Christians haue been but our Porters They are now ready to deliuer it Let not vs disdayne to take it of them least they couzen vs now as they did my father about thirty yeares since and ran away with their burthen Wee haue Gallies enough not only to stowe their wealth but if need were their Gallies Therefore most inuincible Admiral let vs preuent their flight by speedy assault This speech vttered by a man whose performance had euer heeretofore beene correspondent to so confident a perswasion not only encouraged but inflamed many of the hearers whereof Vluzzali Generall of the forces of Barbary could not containe him-selfe but with many earnest and pregnant arguments aue◅r'd the same alleaging besides the opportunity the necessity of obtaining the great Lords command Caiabeg the Sanzach of Smitna ecchoed Vluzzali Yet many the grauer and aduiseder Captaines dissented from this more hotte then deliberate determination especially Mehemet Bey the Sanzach of Negropont which if not eloquently yet truly demonstrated the danger of fight as followeth I am sorry magnificent Alli that at this time the Councell of Illustrious Hassan is rather to bee admired and applauded for greatnesse then followed for soundnesse fitter to set our tongues on worke then hands I meane to bee answered then executed It is most true in raysing the Ottoman Empire that the Turkish valour hath euer guided their fortune but as true their wisdome hath directed their valour else had they neuer created this world of their greatnesse out of nothing or made it of Attomes and so slender principles They haue not by poasting to the end of their desires lamed or tyred the meanes that carried them but by going softlier haue gone farther Greatnesse is steepe and high not to bee ascended but by leysure Those that striue to rise violently fall precipitately Such was the suddaine floud and ebbe of the Goths such the inundation of Tamberlan One Kingdome is a sufficient croppe for one yeare After that rate wee may soone begger Christendome and perfect the Turkish Monarchie As wee haue wonne Cyprus and may keepe it so wee may lose both that and ourselues too in seeking to get more If you conceiue the Christian◅ haue come so farre but with resolution to fight or to fight but with probabillity of preuayling you must thinke them either fooles or cowards But if after so familiar and long hostillity ouer-vallewing our selues hinder vs not to know them wee must needs confesse their swords and wits as sharpe as ours Not their Pusillanimity but diuision hath ruined them and our multitudes rather wearied then conquered them From Preueza themselues departed not wee draue them at least the shame of flying then will excite them to fight now Our oddes of strength is vncertaine If they bee the weaker supplyes may strengthen them If wee the stronger many accidents may weaken vs but none strengthen Therefore my councell is that wee go home while our way is open and wee haue our welcome in our hands and not let hope defraude vs of certeinty Yet is mineopinion opinion euer subiect to your correction This speech was highly approoued of Partau Bascha Siroch and Carabey Yet fate and their Emperors expresse command vrged publickly by Vluzzali so farre carried them against their owne iudgements that they resolued not onely to hazard battaile but seeke it To this end hauing distributed those foureteene thousand soldiers where they found most need They weyed anchor and came to Galanga about the euening the seuenth of October and there stayed There supplying their Galleys and themselues with whatsoeuer was requisite for the incounter Now drawing neere the Admirall neglected nought that tended to the augmentation of the strength or ostentation of the brauery of his Galleys and men One principall care was the fastning of his slaues least their bodies his but mindes his enemies might insteed of necessary instruments be conuerted to dangerous bosome aduersaries knowing that desire of liberty and reuenge two violent appetires would make them apt to snatch at any opportunity Hee caused their
which extending towards the South-east makes the Hauen like to a semicircle and is stronger by situation then art This the Turkes carefully garded for the commodiousnesse of the hauen lying in the very hart of Morea There are two wayes leading to the Castle that on the left hand is not farre from the Sea the other behind it towards the firme land lies by a lake not farre from thence and is very narrow and hidden The Prince of Parma had charge of this enterprize who landing two thousand Spanish and Italian foot and tenne peeces of battery took the open and plaine way to cut off supplies from the enemies but he either neglected or knew not the other narrow secret way Iuan di 〈◊〉 and Morettâ—… the Calabrois went afterwards to make good the passage but they were on a suddaine assailed by great number of enemies and with great difficulty came off By this meanes aboue two thousand Turkes came to releeue the Castle who beeing maisters of that narrow passage did at their pleasures not onely put in what supplies they thought good but had leisure to seaze on certaine high places commanding the wayes from whence with their small shotte they still annoyed our men busied in planting the Ordnance lying open also at the same time to the Castles shot so that in three dayes they could hardly plant two Canons and the danger more and more increased the soldiers wanting rampiers to defend themselues and the enemies numbers still augmented with whom to their owne great disaduantage they were daily enforced to skirmish This did greatly trouble the confederate Generals who knew that to quit the enterprise would blemish their reputation and to continue the siege would not much auaile them but their greatest difficulty was want of bread which Don Iohn and his faction dayly amplifying said That of necessity they were to depart And yet it seemed strange and incredible to most men that the Spanish Nauy comming lately from Sicily with so many ships which is the Magazin or Granary of Italy should in so short time want bread or if it were true that scarcity might easily haue beene supplied by sending to Tarento for certaine vessels laden with Bisket which the Spaniards themselues reported they had left there The Venetian Generall that he might cut of all occasion of the Spaniards departure offered Don Iohn part of his owne Store earnestly entreating him to accept his offer telling him that the rest of his Nauie might bee easily supplyed by those vessels before mentioned It is not certainly knowne why the Spaniard refused this curtesie who stopped their eares against all reasonable perswasions which might delay their departure which they onely intending discamped from before Nauarin leauing a safe and open way for Vluzzali to conduct his fleete to Constantinople and the Honor to bee accounted a skillfull and valiant Captaine Yet Don Iohn did what he could to cause Generall Foscarin and the Venetians to consent and be well pleased with his departure assuring him of his earnest desire to purchase honor and reputation whereof Fortune had bereft him by taking from him the meanes to fight with the enemy yet if by the way he did chance to meet with those ships of supplies he would then willingly embrace any occasion whatsoeuer to doe some notable seruice to the league ere hee returned with his fleet into the West and that though he now wanted opportunity hee hoped the next yeare to recompence that which necessity had enforced him to loose The Venetian Generall perceiuing his resolution consented therevnto because hee would not giue an occasion to the enemies to thinke that the league was broken as also for that hee knew himselfe alone too weake to attempt any great matter Yet when our men thought least of it they were more likely then euer to giue the enemy battaile for at the very instant when the confederats were vpon departure they had intelligence that a Spanish ship come from Corfou was in fight with certaine Turkish Galleys not farre from Sapienza wherevpon all things beeing put in order the fleete speedily left the Hauen of Nauarin to rescue the shippe and to fight with the enemies Ere our men could get out of the Hauen Vluzzali with three score of his Gallyes came forth of the channell of Modon to rescue those that were in fight and to secure others which hee had sent to scoure the seas So soone as Don Iohn saw Vluzzali hee commanded the Prouidator Souranza to meete him with a certaine number of Galleys to hinder his comming on any farther the Marquis of Santa Cruz and the Prouidator Canalis with their Squadrons to charge the enemies with fiue and twenty Galleys who discrying our fleete left the ship and betooke themselues to flight When Vluzzali saw the Prouidator comming towards him he made a stand but at last turning his prowes without any farther delay he retired vnder the Castle of Modon being still pursued by our Gallies who beeing come neere to the towne bestowed diuers Cannon bullets on it The Gallies which fought with the shippe beeing light and able to make way escaped with ease one excepted commanded by the Sanzach of Mitelene nephew to the famous Barbarossa who fighting longer then any of the rest and his slaues in hope of liberty rowing slowly was taken by the Marquis of Sancta Crux but night approaching they gaue ouer farther pursute Then D. Iohn sounded the retreat and commanded eùery one to returne into the hauen of Nauarin beeing vnwilling to leaue the engin behind that the enemies might not terme his departure a flight then the greater vessells beeing forth of the Hauen and a faire southeast wind blowing he willed them presently to saile to Zant and himselfe the next morning directed his course thither with the whole fleet being so desirous to returne home as going a neerer way through the Channell of Giscarda contrary to the aduise of the skilfullest Marriners who councelled him to goe to Cephalonia he escaped a great danger neere to the Gulph of Larta and there lost one of the Popes Gallies which was broken to peeces vpon the Rocks of Paxu Vluzzali after the Confederates departure freed from all hinderances in his iourney did without any order put to Sea and came vnto the Cape of Malâ—…a where by reason of a contrary northerne wind he was enforced to continue certaine dayes but in the end hauing a faire Gale he sailed to Constantinople with an hundred Gallies where he was with all honour entertained the Turkes openly term ing themselues Conquerors for that they had defended Morea and their other territories dared as they said the Christians oftentimes to battaile lastly driuen them forth of their dominions secured the Sea and made it nauigable The Confederates in the meane time arriued at Corfou the twentith day of October who though their fleet were augmented with thirteene Gallies and certaine shipps loden with wheat brought by the
ordred all their squadrons and after some small stay our vant-gard set forward and comming neere to the enemies discharged their ordnance vpon them to draw them to fight but the Turkes hauing noe such intent and finding no aduantage retired vnder the protection of the Castle of Modon After the enemies retreat ther arose great 〈◊〉 and difficulties among the Captaines concerning their proceeding thinking it a dangerous and impossible matter to enter into the Channell of Modon to fight with the enemies fleet the entrance whereof narrow of it selfe was flanqued with great store of ordnance where vpon the Generall knowing that the enemy could not be enforced to fight determined to retire to Sapienza and to enter the Hauen the two wings being gone afore Vluzzali perceiuing the Confederates retreate came forth with fifty Galleis to assaile our Vantgard which lag'd behind but so soone as Don Iohn espied him giuing signall to the fight hee 〈◊〉 his prowes towards the enemies Vluzzali who came not forth to fight perceauing our battailes ranged on a sodaine returned from whence hee came doing it very aduiâ—…edly as well because night approached as by reason of a great fogge that arose which enforced our men to keepe aloofe to sea ward the shores on both sides belonging to the enemy The next morrow the sea being calme the Confederate fleet went to the Gulph of Coron to take in water at the mouth of the riuer Pamisus some foure miles from Coron and to conuoy those that went for water it being in the enemies country they landed certaine foote-men conducted by Francisco Andriana campe Maister to intercept whome and for the gard of Coron Vluzzali had sent thither a thousand fiue hundred Ianizars and two hundred horse with whom they often 〈◊〉 among whome the valor and prowesse of Charles of Lorraine Duke of Mayenne did shew it selfe who at that time accompanied with diuers French Gentlemen was in the army as a Voluntary Our men hauing warred returned to the Gallies and before their departure bestowed certaine cannon shot vpon the forte of Coron and sailing neere to the Isle of Cuprare passed along in the enemies view diuided into three battaillons one after another because the place was very narrow and came againe to the South-East side of Sapienza comming to an ankoâ—… right ouer against Modon But all men perceiuing that to tarry long in that place hoping to draw the enemies forth to fight was but lost time and very dangerous the Venetian Generall made a proposition to land tenne thousand foote to seaze on the hill at the point of the Channell from whence it was most likely to annoy the enemy for that the place was weakely garded which would not be defended by Vluzzali who would not vnman his Gallies for feare of greater danger the enemy being so neere him The Spaniards reiected this proposition saying that they ought not to weaken the fleet by vnshipping such multitudes espetially the enimy bing so neere wherevpon Foscareâ—… perceiuing all his propositions to be crost and considering that ere long the fleet would be dissolued without any notable exploit resolued that in a matter of so great consequence where hope of good successe was greater then the danger to hazard the entring of the Channell of Modon and thereto assail the enemies this being by him like-wise propounded hee offered to expose himselfe formost to the danger and to leade the way to others though at first all men allowed this and some straue to haue the honor of the first charge yet it tooke none effect so as the fleet without doing ought at al departed thence and went into the 〈◊〉 and spatious Hauen of Nauarin free from the danger of the Castle shot seated on an high place farre from thence our men lying there the enemies fleet was as it were beseeged beneath Modon so as it could not returne to Constantinople but indured much scarcity and was in danger of shipwrack and that which was worse it could not come forth but our men might at their pleasure fight with it The Turkes in the meane time sent diuers Harquebusiers that knew the wayes who comming vp by the mountaines neere to Nauarin attempted to anoy and hinder our men from taking in water Heerevppon wee landed fiue thousand foot vnder the command of Paul Iordano Vrsino who repulsing the enemies secured the Contrey whereby matters were brought to such a passe as there was no doubt made but that the Victory would ere long fall to the Confederates This was rumord ouer Christendome and al men reioyced thereat not as a thing hoped for but already effected In the end the enterprize vppon Nauarin was propounded but considering afterwards that if it should succeed prosperously it would not greatly profit the common cause they turned to that of Modon on whose conquest depended their cheefe hope because that the enemies fleet beeing driuen from thence could not auoid fight therefore they determined to assaile the Towne Castle of Modon assaulting it at one time by land and sea and to the end that the soldiers which lay in the shippes might bee imployed in that enterprize Giouan Moceniga was presently sent vnto Zant to fetch them to the fleet In the meane time Ioseffo Bonello the Florentine made an engin by ioyning foure Gallies together on which were planted tenne Cannons fortified with Parapets wherewith to approach and batter the Castle of Modon and at the same time to secure the passage of the other Gallies which beeing by this engin defended from the enemies ordnance might enter the Channell and come to the assault But so soone as it was finished they perceiued many defaults in it which made it vnseruiceable for first they could not guide it on the water next thewaight of the burthen and ordnance was likely to sinke it neither could they make it ankorable by reason of the Seas great depth but the greatest difficulty was to bring it to the place appointed whether it was to bee towed by the Gal lies which beeing not able to make way were exposed to the mercy of the enemies ordnance planted at the mouth of the Channell which would easily haue sunke them so that dispairing of the seruiceablenesse thereof and hauing intelligence that the Beglarbey of Grecia was comming thither with a thousand horse to frustrate their deseigne they gaue ouer the worke That which most tormented the Venetians and frustrated their hope was a rumor spred through the fleet that the Spaniards victuals would not long hold out who said that in regard thereof it behooued them to prouide for their departure and beeing desirous to leaue some token of victory behind them which might encourage the inhabitants of Morea and put them in hope of better successe they determined to beseege Nauarin so often before propounded and still reiected in regard of the small reward of the conquest The Castle of Nauarin in old time called Pila is seated on a mountaine toppe