to take Armes against him withall aduising him to take Picinino into his seruice seeing he could not finde a better Captaine nor one that was more readie to procure his ruine To this end they made a league together and King Alphonso was receiued into it as a third man Sforza was fully resolued to relieue king Renatus whom Alphonso by sea and land had besieged in Naples and vndoubtedly would haue performed it to the vttermost if before his comming to La Marca Pope Eugenius had not entangled him in a ciuill warre Whereupon changing his determination because he might not himselfe be so farre from home he sent his brother Giouanni to the aide of Renatus But his iourney proued vnfortunate For ioyning with the Cappilistes and comming by chance to fight with Alphonso he lost at Carpenona both his campe and cauallerie Afterwards the king entering Naples did not only fauour Picinino in hatred to Sforza but adopted him into the familie of Arragon who hauing receiued of the Pope and King money for his pay went with great rumour through the territorie of Perugia into the Dutchie of Spoleta where at his arriuall he tooke Tuderta from Sforza Then marching through the territorie of Sisa to La Marca he did streightly besiege Bellafort Diuers that were present at that iourney say that warre was begunne in La Marca before Sforza departed forth of Lombardie and that from thence proceeded Sforzas great hatred to Ciarpelion who came to meete him which was thought to bee the cause of his death For being of a bold courage and free speech he taunted Sforza telling him That whilest he spent the time in kissing and embracing his wife Bianca he basely suffered the enemie to take the countrey of La Marca from him Warre being thus kindled Sforza came to La Marca and within a while after comming in sight of the enemies he enforced Picinino that was retired to Amandola a verie litle towne to sue for peace which was granted him on condition That he should depart forth of the countrey of La Marca and all other territories belonging to Sforza The Prouince being in this sort quieted Sforza marched against Alphonso And it fortuned in his way that through the stubbornnesse of the Transionates he commaunded their Citie which stands on the frontires of the Prouince to be sacked and spoiled Picinino hauing thereupon taken an occasion and being prouoked thereunto by the Popes Agents as though hee had outraged one of the Popes townes did presently seize vpon Tollentino Galde Nucernio Asisio hauing driuen Alexander Sâ—…orza's brother from thence Sforza being called backe vpon these sodaine newes was inforced to winter in La Marca Renatâ—…s in the meane time hauing lost all hope returned home into Fraunce Whereupon Alfonso within a while after entring the royall Castle which till then had beene in the enemies hands was by Pope Eugenius declared King on condition that hee should presently march into La Marca to ouerthrow the power of Sforzaâ—… At this stay stood the affaires of La Marca and there was likelihood that there would be great warre about the possession of that Prouince when Francisco sonne to Picinino whom his father had left at Bolognia at the beginning of the warre of La Marca tooke Haniball Bentiuoglio who had bin a long time suspected in regard of the great power and authority of those of his partie and sent him prisoner to the Castle of Variana But he escaping thence by meanes of Galeas Marascot and Virginio Maluesia went to Bolognia where hauing incited the people to regaine their libertie he defeated by surprize Francisco Picinino and most of his Garrison Francisco was afterwards exchanged for Gasparo and Achilles Bentiuoles But the Bologneses the better to assure and maintaine their recouered libertie sent to the Venetians and Florentines to craue aide of them and to be receiued into their alliance vnto whom both their demaunds were presently granted Being confident vpon the alliance and forces of these two great States they did not onely maintaine their libertie but after they had driuen Lodouico Vermio from their confines in a short time they recouered all their Townes and Castles And the better to increase their Republike they thought fit to repeale Baptista Canedoâ—…a with all those of his faction who had beene banished from the Citie since the time that Eugenius had recouered Bolognia whose neece Hanibal Bentiuoglio should marrie thereby to extinguish all their ancient enmitie But neither the new alliance nor any other bond of affinitie could root out the hatred which time had planted For Hâ—…nibal being treacherously surprized by Bertucio Canedola and other his complices was most inhumanely murthered The Bologneses being mooued with this monstrous impietie foorthwith ranne to Armes and on a sodaine slew the chiefe of the Canedoli with diuers others amongest whom Baptista was the first that tasted of their furie whose bodie after they had dragg'd it ignominiously about the Cittie was at last in the market place burnt to ashes Their libertie notwithstanding by the supportance of their associates stood inuiolate But these two Common-weales were not onely carefull for Bolognia but likewise for the danger they saw Sforza engaged in And now the Venetians beganne to repent them that they had so soone dismissed Christofero Tollentino with diuers other excellent persons and that Bartholomeo Coioni was gone to Philips party In the meane time Philip had sent William of Monferrat and Carolo Gonzaga to make warre on those of Bolognia The Venetians being troubled with sundrie cogitations dispatched thither Tiberto Brandolino Thadeo d'Aeste and Guido Rangone The Florentines had sent thither not long before Asturo Fauentino aâ—…d Simonetto These men hauing easily broken the enemie did in a short space expell them out of the Bologneses territories Whereupon all places neere Bolognia being in this sort pacified the associates troupes departed by seuerall wayes The Venetian Captaines were by sundry messages called backe into Lombardie by reason of the war renewed vpon the Cremonese The Tuscans were commanded to goe to La Marca to Sforza's aide For vpon the arriuall of King Alfonso and Lodouico the Popes Legate both of them were come to La Marca with great forces where Sforza was brought to great extremitie by meanes of sundrie ouerthrowes happening one vpon an other But nothing hurt him so much as the reuolt of his friends For Troilio with a thousand horse went to the Kings side hauing first deliuered vnto him the Towne of Esia where hee lay in Garrison and Pietro Brunora had alreadie done the like with eight hundred footmen This valiant captaine being amazed with those losses and many others although of himselfe hee was of courage inuincible after the losse of Stella and whatsoeuer almost hee possessed in La Marca was retired to Santa Maria de la Fortuna It is thought That at this time hee sued to Philip and made a secret league with him wherein it was agreed That
will Testament 31 Infidels aduertised of the Christians enterprize 72 Infidels retire 74 Ierusalem 80 In whose time the Turkes recouered the holy land 95 Incursions of the Bandetti of Zara. 118 Isaac the Emperour ratifies what his sonne had promised 119 Isaac deliuered out of prison ibid. Isaac dieth sodainly ibid. Isle of Candie giuen to the Venetians 122 It is lawful for all men to defend their owne 138 Iâ—…ppa besieged by the Barbarians 91 Inconstancie and lightnesse of the Greekes 151 Ingratitude of the Venetians neighbours 153 Incursions of the Turkes 175 In what place and manner the battell was fought 203 Ingratitude of a son to his father 232 In what maner Pisani fortified Venice 247 In what place Zeni receiued newes of the losse of Chioggia and the Cities siege 252 Ielousie betwixt Pisani and Thaddeo Iustiniano 254 Iohn d' Agons a Frenchman Generall of the Venetian Armie 257 Iustiniano is sent to Apulia to forrage 259 Iustiniano is taken by the Genoueses ibid. In what esteeme the Citie of Verona is 286 Incursions of Nichola Stella vpon the Lucan territories 324 Italus of Friull and Giacomo Guiuano are put to death 401 Inestimable valew of the treasure of Venice 410 Inuention of the Art of Printing attributed to a German 431 Isle of Lemnos deliuered to the Venetians 436 Isle of Delos described 451 Italian Princes send a present to Matthias King of Hungarie 479 L. LOmbards giue limits to the Venetians 8 Luitprand Duke of Forleini 11 Leo the Emperor giues many goodly reliques to the Prince 28 Lewis King of Germanie Tributary rie to the Huns. 40 Leo the Pope comes to Venice 64 Leo the Pope vanquished by the Normans 65 Length of the siege of Antioch with the want in the Armie 78 League with Wilâ—…iam King of Sicill 100. League of Achaia with the Venetians 150 League renewed betwixt Paleologus and the Venetians 155 Ligustick and Lybick warre had almost one selfe same end 163 League and alliance against those of Escalla 176 Lewis King of Hungarie defeated before Zara. 195 Luchin Vermio of Verona Generall of the land Armie 217 Lightnesse and inconstancie of the multitude 218 Lithernians returne to the Venetians obedience 223 Liberall offer made to the Senate by a Citizen of Chioggia 250 Loretta recouered 256 Leopold accepteth the Venetians offer 278 Leopold his proud answere to the Paduan 273 Leopold entreth Treuiso ibid. Leopold rendreth Treuiso to Carrario vpon conditions 277 League against Galeas Viscont ibid Ladislaus selleth Zara to the Venetians 290 Lauretano respected and beloued of euery one 352 Lauretano besiegeth Sermone 360 Legnaga is taken 365 Longina is taken by Sforza 369 La Garda Bardolin and Lansiza are taken 383 Lionello d' AEst commeth to Venice 397 La Marca reduced vnder the Popes obedience 400 Lodes and Plaisancia yeeld to the Venetians 404 Leonesio his death 421 Lauretano his exploits in the Isle of Nigrepont 425 Lamentation and great courage of a woman 465 Lodouico Lauretano commeth from the Popes Legate 470 League betwixt the Venetians and the Kings of Portugall with the cause of that league 518 Law of Nations violated 524 Luca Pisani his opinion on Sanseuerino his designe 525 M. MAcrin Gouernour of Hungarie ouercome by the Huns. 3 Monegario his miserable end 19 Miraculous aparition of S. Marke 30 Malamoc ruined 32 Moores returne into Italie 34 Murcimirus King of Croatia sends Ambassadors to the Duke 57 Molloc Gouernour for the Greeke Emperour deceiueth his fellowes 66 Murasis yeelded 76 Moores came into Dalmatia 35 Michael the Emperour driuen from Constantinople 66 Murderers punished 36 Malamoc burnt and drowned 87 Myrtillus issued from meane parents 120 Myrtillus speach to the people Ibid. Myrtillus flight 121 Meaning of the Prophecie 123 Modona and Corona receptacles of theeues and Pirates ruined 125 Mount Ida. 130 Michael Paleologus his treacherie 148 Mastin beggeth peace of the Venetians 181 Mastin raiseth his campe from Pontremolle 182 Mestra yeelded to the Venetians 185 Mastin incampeth to shut victuals from the Venetians 186 Marsilio his answere to the Venetians 188 Mastin imploreth aid of the Duke of Bauiere ibid. Mastin enforced accepteth peace on any conditions 189 Mastin made a gentleman of Venice 190 Manner of Phalerio his conspiracie 207 Marco Cornari Vice-duke during the troubles 209 Miserable death of Andrea Cornari 217 Marco Gradonico murthered in the Palace 218 Mocenigo his resolution 223 Marsilio Carrario forsaketh his brother 230 Mestra besieged by the Carrarians 237 Mestra relieued by the Venetians ibid Mutatio his answere to the Venetians and Genoueses ibid. Market place of S. Marke paued with bricke 280 Malateste giues ouer the Generals place 284 Massolerio conuicted and punished for treason 287 Milanois offer to Philip. 314 Malateste Generall of Philips Armie 320 Marquis of Montferrat commeth for refuge to Venice 334 Mellato his valour 343 Mellato conducteth the Venetian Armie 346 Mantuans excuse 347 Mellato speedily dislodgeth 348 Martinenga's and Auogadres in Bressia are reconciled 349 Mellato commeth forth of Bressia and is constrained to returne 353 Mellato departs from Bressia and marcheth towards the mountaines 354 Mantuan fortifieth Po. 356 Mellato made Generall of the Venetian Armie 357 Mellato prouides to relieue Bressia 359 Mantuans plot to send the warre farre from his owne Countrie 362 Mantuans pollicie for the passage of his gallies 363 Mantuans gallies passe into the Adice 364 Mellato fortifieth the passages neere to Torbolles 372 Malateste Prince of Cesenna is taken prisoner 373 Maguis entreateth the Prince of Mantua not to spoile Verona 375 Mantuan proclaimed Prince of Verona ibid. Mantuans preparation for defence of Verona ibid. Maguis brought before Sforza is clâ—…ered 377 Malatestes take the enemies partie 379 Mellato his death 396 Mount Barri is taken 403 Milaneses suspect Sforza 408 Manerbia and Ponteuico yeelde to Sforza 421 Malateste besiegeth Sparta 437 Mocenigo his answere to Canalis 447 Mocenigo his first exploit 448 Mocenigo his Oration to the Popes Legate 451 Mocenigo his incursions into Asia 454 Mocenigo his answere to the King of Cyprus 469 Micra is taken by composition ibid. Mocenigo his answer to the Ambassadours from the King of Cyprus his sister ibid. Mocenigo his answere to Lauretano 470 Mocenigo aduertised of the enemies purpose 474 Mocenigo his diligence to relieue Cyprus 475 Mocenigo punisheth the murtherers of Cornari 476 Mocenigo is chosen Gouernour of Cyprus ibid. Matthias King of Hungarie a great souldier 479 Mantuan Prince goes to the Confederates Armie 509 Mantuan discontented leaueth the Armie 510 Maximilian is chosen King of the Romans 521 N. NArses comes into Italie 9 Narses answere to the Empresse ibid. Narentines rodes euen to Caorli 35 Narentines great incursions 55 New officers sent to the Cities newly conquered 58 Normans driue the Saracens and Greeks forth of Italy 65 Nicholas the Pope Tributarie to the Normans ibid. Normans defeat Molloc 66 New titles giuen to the Duke of Venice 68 Nicea besieged 73 Nicea yeelded and vpon what conditions 74 Number of
new Duke and that the Electors voyces did greatly varie which was neuer seene before then they concluded to choose no Duke in sixe yvares following but to establish some new Magistrate that should haue the whole power and authoritie whose place should be but for a yeare Thus it came to passe that the fortieth yeare or thereabouts from the creation of the first Duke of the Common-wealth they inuented a new manner of gouernment This new Magistrate set vp in the Dukes place was called the Master or Colonell of the men at Armes The first that was appointed to this office by the common consent was Dominico Leon. Foelix Cornicula succeeded him who as some say was chosen at Malamoc Next followed Theodato sonne to Duke Vrsus lately called from exile who by the consent of euery one continued the yeare following but he died before his time was expired to the great griefe of all men Iuliano Cepari or according to others Hippati succeeded him Some Authors say that the Venetians in this mans time tooke Rauenna from the Barbarians Fabritio Ciani some set downe Giouanni for Ciani enioyed the fifth yeares gouernment who before the yeares end was deposed from his office and had his eyes thrust out by the people Some haue written that this yeare the Heraclians and Iesulans fought one against the other with great furie and that the place of battaile was for a perpetuall memorie called Parco de Canale Both of them at the last being defeated the Heracleans Iesulans and Equilins sought out new dwellings But wee will set downe in the booke following vpon what occasion the inhabitants departed thence The end of the first Booke of the first Decade THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE FIRST DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice ¶ The Contents of the second Booke of the first Decad. THe gouernment of Duke restored to the Citie Duke THEODATO being blinde was banished The Principalitie of Galla his successor had the like end Duke MAVRITIO by a new example tooke GIOVANNI his sonne for companion in the gouernment From whence the strife proceeded betwixt MAVRITIO and FORTVNATO Bishop of Grada Diuers opinions of the warre of the French against the Venetians vnder the conduct of PEPIN A briefe description of the Cities scituation PEPIN takes all from the Venetians except Rialto PEPIN defeated at Sea by the Venetians betwixt the Citie and Malamoc The Romans compared with the Venetians in both their exploits against the French The end of the Venetians warre against PEPIN their full libertie Heraclea repaired by Duke PARTITIATIO Description of the Duks Pallace and of the place where the Senate is assembled The building of diuers Churches in the Citie For what cause the Plaies were ordained which are made at Shrouetide in the great Court of the Pallace From whence the Sarracens are descended How St. MARKS bodie being stollen out of Egypt was brought to Venice ¶ THEODATO the fourth Duke of Uenice THE fifth yeare of the creation of the Master or Colonell of the men at Armes was not yet fully expired when the whole Citie possessed with a meruailous desire to haue a Duke as though the Commonwealth could not stand without such a Magistrate Theodato sonne to Vrsus was on the sodaine by the mutuall consent of the assemblie held at Malamoc declared Duke of the Common-wealth This man obtained of Astolpho King of Lombardie that the bounds of Heraclea should stand for the Venetians in the same termes as they did of old euen to the Riuer of Piauo Besides there was an Hauen distant three miles from Chioggia neere vnto the entrie whereof stood a Castle stronger by arte then by nature which the inhabitants thereof called Brundulla Nothing is now to be seene there but the ruines of a Tower all the rest is razed to the ground Theodato going thither to fortifie it was surprised by Galla his enemie the thirteenth yeare of his gouernment and hauing his eyes put out by his disloyall aduersarie was miserably deposed by him from his dignitie the which he hauing purchased by so wicked a deed did enioy at his returne to Malamoc ¶ GALLA the fifth Duke of Uenice DIuers doe affirme that Theodato was suspected to haue affected tyrannie by the new fortification of this Castle and that by Gallas meanes the people made him blind But Galla being verie dissolute possessed with all manner of vices abusing his ill-gotten Principalitie did iustly receiue his deserued rewarde For after that his eyes were likewise put out hee was banished almost in the beginning of the second yeare of his gouernment ¶ MONEGARIO the sixth Duke of Uenice DOminico Monegario was forthwith appointed in his place vnto whom in regard of his violent and furious nature were yearely Tribunes assigned to assist him in the gouernment For they feared that the Common-wealth might receiue some great hurt by his rashenesse if there were not some in the Councell to counterpoise the violence of his Spirit But this was to small purpose For in steed of a bridle and stay it proued aspurre to his depraued humour causing him to thunder forth all manner of mischiefes The people then being impatient at his new tyrannie after they had depriued him of his sight turned him out of all authoritie the fifth yeare after his election Mauritio of Heraclea a wise man and of vertuous life succeeded Monegario ¶ MAVRITIO of Heraclea the seuenth Duke of Uenice THis man hauing well and happily gouerned the Common-wealth for â—… certaine time and thereby purchased the loue and good will of the people did obtaine in another assemblie that which no man euer till then had done libertie to associate his sonne Giouanni as Colleague with him in the Principalitie Some affirme that in these mens dayes those of Heraclea and Equiline retired themselues to Malamoc and that the cause of their retreit proceeded from the secret hatred of the Dukes against Fortunato Bishop of Grada about the gouernment of the Common-wealth This Fortunato had with diuers others conspired against them but their desseignes being discouered he with his complices for feare of being apprehended fled for safetie to the Emperour Charles where hauing accused the Venetians for that contrarie to the agreement sworne betwixt him and Nicephorus who commaunded the Easterne Empire despising the Estate of the Roman Empire they had shewed themselues affectionate to that of Constantinople seeing that agreement did expresly import that the Venetians should be free acknowledging neither of the Empires This did in such sort moue Charles as in the end he did by letters commaund his sonne Pepin who gouerned the affaires of Italie to make furious warres vpon the Venetians Vpon this commaund Pepin forthwith came and assailed the Venetian coast next to the firme land where Heraclea and Equiline stood The inhabitants of those places frighted at the first alarme of this warre and distrusting the sufficiencie of their walles nothing strong either by arte or nature fled away in
with a certaine caracter to auoid deceit Then they heedfully reckon the balles of the consent which if they amount to the number of fiue and twentie he for whom they drew is declared Prince if they are lesse they fall to cast lots for him who was drawne for the second place Against him likewise and so the rest it is lawfull for euerie man to speake what he thinketh good and the like for him to to refute their accusations and this man shall be Prince if the number appointed for the voices be full if not they proceed to the third then to the fourth and so to all the rest He saith That it is a rare matter if the Duke be not created at this first Scratino as they call it And therfore if by chance there proue no creation at the first time the first voices are crossed out after proceede to new casting of lots for those which are shut vp in the same manner as we haue said And the same is reiterated vntill such time as they haue a new Duke This is that which Sabellicus hath set downe vnder the authoritie of so notable a man concerning the Princes election which I haue of purpose mentioned to the end that all men may know what was the ancient manner and what the new forme now is of electing the Venetian Princes whereof we haue hitherto spoken and shal hereafter speake as occasion is offered As also because that Morosini was the first that was created in this sort But howsoeuer this manner of election were then or since invse it is certaine that the Venetians haue of a long time obserued it in the creation of their soueraigne Magistrate Now to returne to Morosini his gouernment In his time Philippo Fontano Bishop of Rauenna came as some Authors say to Venice as Legate from Pope Gregory or according to others from Pope Alexander who vsing spirituall Armour propounded euerlasting life as recompense for all those who should take Armes with him against the tirant Eccelin who was proclaimed enemie to the Church of Rome Eccelin at the same time laid straight siege to Mantua Philippo to breake his forces determined with such troups as he could leuie to trouble and disquiet those townes which he had possessed Diuers men being called to so holy an enterprise by so great a recompence came and met him at Venice But the Venetians power did greatly further the businesse For besides the great number of souldiers wherewith they furnished Philippo they relieued him with Armour ships and victuals and they generally caused all necessaries to be carried speedily to the camp which they thought to be expedient for the warres and besieging of townes The Armie departed from Beâ—…ia which was the Rendez-vous for all the troups to march against the enemie and came on a sodaine to Corregiola Ansedin nephew to Eccelin and gouernour of Padua was alreadie come thither with certaine troupes who being aduertised of what had passed at Venice had caused the ordinarie course of the riuers Brente and Bacchillion to be turned backe so as he did in a manner draw drie all the lakes which were neere thereabouts being wont to be filled by the flowing of those riuers to the end the Venetian ships might not come neere the firme Land to Land the Armie This did in some sort make the Nauigation more difficult For when they came to the mouth of Corregiola finding the ancient channell almost without water and so shallow as it could not beare any great vessels they were constrained to vse small boates barks In them they passed ouer first the Archers to beate back the enemies which stood vpon the bancks opposite against them and afterwards they landed the residue of the Armie which marched directly to the citie of Sacco which being strengthned by Ansedin with a strong Garrison was valiantly defended The Bishop of Rauenna did on a sodaine raise his Campe and seized on some small townes not farre from thence Ansedin beng aduertised thereof after he had committed the guard of Sacco to the Townes-men came speedily to Padua Philippo and the Venetians hauing receiued the Sacceans vpon their faithfull promise pursued the enemie Padua at their arriuall was so sodainely assailed as they had in a manner taken all the suburbes of the crooked bridge ere they in the Citie heard the assault Philippo and the Venetians waxing more hardie by this fortunate successe did more furiously assaile the enemie at the Port Altina The Paduans blushing to see so excellent a citie so fully furnished with men and all necessaries to bee lost by their fault beganne couragiously to resist the enemie The fight was eager on both sides these men fought for their countrie the other for renowne the loue to their countrie did animate the one and the hope of victorie the others At the last the obstinacie of the Townes-men being ouercome the citie was entred by force at that gate Whereupon Ansedin thinking all lost fled with certaine of his friends on the other side of the citie His flight being knowne the towne was forthwith yeelded The castle which at this day is to be seene in one part of the citie within foure daies after did the like Eccelin all this while being ignorant of what was done at Padua and seeing that he lost his time before Mantua resolued to bring backe his troupes to Verona Hee forthwith therefore raised his siege and camped on the Riuer Myncia where hee had determined to tarrie three dayes But he was constrained to alter his purpose vpon the newes of the losse of Padua which he little expected And albeit it did greatly mooue him yet kept he his griefe verie secret dissembling it vntil he came to Verona whither after these newes he marched by great iournies But being entred into it with his troupes he did commit as it is reported incredible crueltie For by sundrie exquisite torments he put tweluethousand Paduans to death which were in his Armie who were not mercenarie men or of the common sort but all Gentlemen and some of them of great account We find not that euer any man did the like except Cornelius Scilla in slaughtering at one time so many men subiected vnder his obedience Of whom it is reported That at one time and place he put twelue thousand Prenestines to death because they had fauoured Marisu partie not pardoning any one of so great a number but onely one that had beene his Hoste who perceiuing by that meanes the slower and choise of his countrey to bee extinct did boldly refuse his mercie and in saying that he would not thanke him for that curtesie he cast himselfe into the throng of those who were put to execution It is not to be thought strange or vntrue which we haue deliuered touching so many thousands of men at one time sent forth of Padua to the warres For it is certaine by the testimonie of a verie credible
able to approach the Hauen by a mile for want of winde and water did on a sodaine with those who were in his companie leape into a Galliot or small Gallie for the enemie was verie neere and so escaped into a place of safetie Whereupon three Genoa Gallies did enuiron and spoile the ship in the view of the Citizens who stood gazing on the shoare when they had so done they burnt it This was the greatest disgrace that the Venetians sustained during this war to behold one of their ships which was returned from Syria richly loden to be pillaged and burnt by the Genoueses they not daring to stirre or make any resistance The enemie departing thence went and tooke Pelestrina by assault the which hauing found for the most part to be abandoned by reason of the wars they forthwith spoiled and burnt it Then they sailed towards Chioggia where they landed and without any difficultie seized on that part of the Citie which looketh towards the East called by the inhabitants Little Chioggia the which likewise being desolate they forthwith burned The Garrison which lay in the Citie being much offended thereat made a sodaine sallie vpon the enemie The Genoueses attended them beyond the bridge where they fought couragiously on both sides but the enemies number still increasing the Venetian beeing ouer-come was constrained to retire with great losse into the Citie and the Genoueses to their ships who after that directed their course towards Ancona where they staied to refresh their Souldiours and Mariners and from thence hauing with great mirth dragged the Venetians militarie ensignes gotten at Pola through the Sea they returned triumphing to Zara. It is thought that the Genoueses might easily haue taken Chioggia at the same time when they burnt part of it if they had knowen the situation of the Citie The Venetians being in a short space afflicted with so manie mischiefes considering that the meanes of the Common-wealth were not sufficient to leuie an Armie strong enough to oppose against the Genoueses and that the cause therof was partly by reason of the late losse of their Armie and partly likewise because diuers armed Gallies were from home they resolued for that time to defend their Citie Therefore they appointed fifteene Gallies for the guard of the Hauen vnder the conduct of Thadeo Iustiniano But they could hardly manne six of the number by reason that they wanted rowers euerie man refusing to serue in hatred to the Senate who had imprisoned Victor Pisani who was beloued of all men They did afterwards fortifie the Hauen in this manner They did first of all build two Castles of wood of a verie hard and strong substance at each end one These two Castles were filled with great quantities of arrowes and darts and beneath were placed warlike engins to keepe the enemie far off Then they crossed ouer an yron chaine three double supported by verie strong Sandoni for so they call certaine ill trimmed vessels euerie of them being fastned to two Ankors to the end they might not be shaken by the waues of the Sea And they did couer the entrie thereof with yron bodkins and made strong defences on each side Three great ships strongly fastened together were set against those chaines who being furnished aboue with hurdles did represent an inexpugnable Fort. They made a trench at Saint Nicholas on the shoare from the waters which are within the Citie and there they builded a Fort to hinder the enemies approach if he should come from Malomoc then they builded a Fort neere to Malamoc with a strong Garrison and two couered ships to keep the enemie from comming into the Lakes whereby they might greatly indanger the Citie Caballa of Verona was made Generall of all these Garrisons The Ports being thus inclosed and fortified Thadeo Iustiniano Generall of the nauall Armie did keepe sometimes within the Forts and sometimes abroad Diuers other vessells well victualed for a good while were readie and expected when they should bee commanded to saile against the enemie if neede should be The Genoueses likewise were not idle in so faire an aduantage but departing from Zara the sixt day of August vnder the conduct of Pietro Doria with eight and fortie Gallies and diuers other small vessells they sailed beyond the Citie of Venice and came furiously into the Hauen of Chioggia which being taken the Armie approached the Citie Prince Carrario who was before aduertized as being allied to this war of the Genoueses arriuall had leuied forces and shippes and hauing notice of what they had done at Chioggia he came in smal vessels called Ganzarioles through the channell of the Riuer Brent euen to the Venetians Fort neere to Montauban But perceiuing that the place could not be taken without great slaughter and meaning to make no long stay there he tooke in hand a memorable worke and worthy a great Prince For hauing assembled a great number of husband-men from day-breake till noone he caused a trench to be made of fiue hundred paces long euen to the channell called Nasariola so deepe as the vessels with the troupes might easily passe through it by meanes whereof he forth with constrained the Fort of Nasariolas to yeeld Giouanni Chyurani being sent the same day with manie vessells to hinder the Paduans designe ioyning fight with the enemie did greatly foreslow Carrario his attempt till night and then either by feare or negligence rather forsaking the businesse he went to Chioggia The enemie in the meane time came at his pleasure and ioined al his troupes to the Genoueses Armie with his munition and victualls hauing left a Garrison at a Fort built of purpose at the mouth of the Riuer to the end that the passage thereof might be assured to his people comming from the firme Land The Senate commanded Chyurani who was at Chioggia to come home who because he had not perfourmed his dutie in the Seruice of the Common-wealth was condemned in a great fine and to perpetuall prison The end of the fifth Booke of the second Decad. THE SIXTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the sixth Booke of the second Decad. THe Genoueses take Chioggia The Citie is greatly affrighted at the report of this losse PISANI is set at libertie by the Senates Decree The Generall of the Armies place is diuided betwixt THADEO IVSTINIANO and VICTOR PISANI The Citie fortified neere to the Hauen and in diuers other places King LEWIS sendeth CHARLES to besiege Treuiso The treatie of peace begun by the Hungarian is broken off by reason of his vniust demands The Genoueses besiege Malamoc They fight vpon occasions on either side as well on the shoare as in the middest of the marshes The Senate resolue to leuie a great Armie Diuers particular persons doe diuersly aide the Commonwealth The Genoueses raising their Campe from before Malamoc doe retire to Chioggia CAROLO
children of two yeares olde rauishing maides and abusing married wiues The Souldiers did not commit this crueltie but the Voluntaries of the contrarie partie who to glut their hatred towards the poore vanquished did like brute beastes fall to murther and spoile The bootie which they brought from thence was thought to be more worth than two hundred thousand Crownes Besides Mount Barri being forced by Attendulo was sacked and spoiled Leco afterwards which is seated on the mouth of the Lake of Coma being for a time besieged could not be taken Moreouer diuers small townes neere to the Lake whose inhabitants were supposed would not long continue loiall were giuen ouer to be spoiled In this manner all places from the riuer Adda as far as Coma on both sides the Lake being reduced vnder the Venetians obedience the Souldiers being loden with bootie were brought back on the hither side of the riuer Whilst these things were done abroade the Citie of Venice was greatly afflicted with the plague the which daily increasing generall processions were made praiers said at the Saints Altars which were in the streets so greatly was the citie at that time giuen to deuotion Great fiers were made in the night time in sundrie places of the Citie with sweet odoriferous perfumes to amend and purge the aire Besides al those that were infected with the sicknesse were carried two miles off from the Citie to a place commonly called the Lazaretto Six boates were by the Signorie appointed for that purpose to the end there might be one in euery of the six quarters of the Citie into which the towne is diuided And because this place was found to be verie commodious not only to lessen the sicknesse but likewise for the reliefe of the poore for the sicke were there better and more commodiously look't to it hath been since then by little little stored with buildings all other necessaries An other hath been added neere vnto it for the same purpose of a costly structure which a far off seemeth to be a little towne Philips affaires were as hath beene said much disiointed when Sforza departing from Flaminia with 4000. horse 2000. foot whither he was come from La Marca to assemble forces went through the Territorie of Ferrara to that of Parma At his departure the Pope recouered al places of La Marca Ancona excepted For the Anconitans being besieged by Land and Sea Alphonso's nauall Armie did vex them by Sea that of the Pope by Land fearing if they should too rashly giue credit to the Souldiers who solicited them to yeeld their towne would be sacked did erect the Venetian Ensignes whereupon shippes of warre came presently from Venice who entring the Hauen defended the Citie The Anconitans beeing receiued into the alliance of the Venetians and Florentines as were those of Bolognia not long before Lorenzo Mini was sent thither with seuen Gallies for the guard of the Citie Some Historians write thus But many make no mention at all of the tumult of the Anconitans Two ships of war at the same time departed from Venice against the Pirates who troubled all the Sea-coasts the one was set forth by Giacomo Morosino and the other by Andrea Leone At Sforza his arriual in Lombardie the cauallerie which the Senate had appointed to withstand him marching through the Paduan territorie comming by an other way was sent on the hither side of the Po to Attendulo's Campe. The preparations for war were great on both sides at what time Philip the greatest warrior that euer was in the family of Viscontes being first troubled with a feauer and then with a flux dyed By his death all those of his partie and his subiects being amazed were possessed with sundrie thoughts Those of Lodes louing the name of libertie did voluntarily yeeld to the Venetians Foure daies after those of Plaisantia opened their Citie gates to the Venetians Giacomo Marcello placed strong Garrisons in both these Towns Then causing his troupes to crosse the Riuer Oglio he did in a short space recouer Colombana and in a manner all the Countrie of Lodes The Milaneses in the meane time did with great courage vndertake to pursue in their owne name the warre begunne by Philip and chose Sforza for Captaine Generall of their troupes against the Venetians on these conditions that if hee could take Bressia from the Venetians it should be his owne and if he should become master of Verona likewise that then Verona should be his and Bressia should returne to the Milaneses Some say that presently after Philips death Sforza wrote to all the Captaines of the Armie entreating them to perseuer in their loyaltie that hee would shortly be with them if those of Milan would send for him and that then their forces being ioined together he did hope with ease to ouerthrow those of the Venetians He then being made Generall by those of Milan came to Cremona From thence hauing crossed the Riuer Adda at Picigatone he ioined with Francisco Giacomo Picinino and with the other Captaines of deceased Philip and presently departing thence he did in a short space recouer Colombana The Venetian Armie because it was lesse than that of the enemies retired towards Lodes Those of Pauia being prouoked by their owne particular passion did proclaime Sforza's sonne by his wife Bianca Earle and Lord of their Citie in memorie of his Grand-father The Milaneses in a short space sent three Ambassades to the Venetians one after an other to demand of them that which had belonged to Philip. The Ambassadors were still answered after one manner that notwithstand all those Townes till then taken from Pqilip were well purchased by right of armes yet neuerthelesse that the world might see that the Venetians did loue peace better than war they were readie to surrender that which they demanded so that the Milaneses would truely pay them the great quantitie of gold which they had disbursed in that warre But they offering nothing were dismissed with nothing The Senate perceiuing the great warre they were to sustaine against Sforza and the Milaneses decreed to set forth a nauall Armie which should saile vp the Po to the farthest places of Lombardie and to that ende foure Gallies were armed and two and thirtie Galliots vnder the command of Andrea Quirini and Georgio Lauretano During these preparations at Venice Sforza hauing assembled all the forces of Lombardie went on a sodaine and besieged Plaisancia and hauing beaten downe a great part of the Walls betwixt the gates of Saint Lazarus and Saint Raymond and the Pobeing so risen at the latter end of Haruest as the vessells might easily come to the Walls he did by an assault by Land and Water take the Citie which was giuen to the Souldiers to spoile Gerardo Dandulo and Thadeo D'Aeste that lay in Garrison there with a thousand footmen and great troupes of horse were taken prisoners The one yeelded with the
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
Senate being moued by these letters did presently from all parts cause great quantitie of Ordnance to be prouided and gold plate curiously wrought with many peeces of Scarlet cloth of Verona and a certaine summe of Duccates likewise for a present to the Persian king with an hundred young men skilfull in Gunners art to attend vpon the Ordnance whose Captaine was Tomaso Himolao Iosepho Barbaro an old Senator a man skilfull in the Persian tongue was appointed Ambassador for to carrie these presents to the king which loded three ships All things being in readinesse Barbaro imbarked himselfe and with a faire wind sailed to Cyprus from thence along the coast of Cilicia and Syria he arriued in the countrey of the king their friend Moreouer the Senate commaunded Mocenigo to make his fleete readie to saile with it whither soeuer it should please Vssan-Cassan to command it Mahomet in the meane time hauing left a strong Garrison in Constantinople marched with great forces into Asia to oppose himselfe against that warre The Venetian likâ—…wise because the common rumour was that the Caramani brethren associates to the King of Persia whom Mahomet had bereft of their fathers Kingdome did inuade the Sea-townes of Cilicia did at the Spring time in the behalfe of the king of Persia saile with his fleete to Cyprus from thence to goe to the aide of the Caramans He had as many horse and foote troupes and the same prouision for warre as the yeare before The Rhodians sent him two well-armed Gallies and the king of Cyprus their friend and allie gaue him foure The Venetian fleete being thus augmented sailed into Cilicia neere to Seleucia at the siege whereof Caraman was then encamped There is an hauen called Theodora which the Venetian fleete made good There in old time stood a Temple of Venuâ—… and the place by reason of the commodiousnesse thereof was much frequented by Pirates without the ruines of the Citie on the shoare there is at this day a verie ancient Temple to be seene builded of square stone Cassambet the younger of the Caraman brethren for the eldest whose name was Piramet and king of Cilicia remained in the king of Persias Amie sent Ambassadors to the Venetian who after they had congratulated his safe arriuall told him that the Caraman brethren had euer grounded their hope and trust on the Venetians in regard of the friendship and alliance betwixt their dead father and them that Cassambet had for foure monethes besieged three Cities of Cilicia Sichin Seleucia and Coric which if he might take he did assure himselfe in short space to recouer his whole Kingdome that he wanted nothing but Ordnance and other warlike engines to batter townes That he did entreate him to aide the king a friend and allie to the Venetians till such time as he had recouered his fathers kingdome which Ottoman their common enemie did wrongfully possesse The Venetian after that he had put the Ambassadours in good hope dispatcht Victor Souranza to Cassambet to consult with him concerning the forme of the warre He learned of him that of those three Cities which were besieged it behooued him first to take Sichin for that being taken the rest would presently yeeld Mustapha the Cilician was Gouernour therof a treacherous man and one that with his fortune had changed Religion and had in times past beene a friend to Cassambet and his brother who so soone as he saw their Kingdome to be taken from them did follow Ottomanâ—… Armie and did wrongfully seize on that Citie Cariolan Cepio of Trahâ—… being sent to view the towne reported that the Citie was seated on an high place but that the wall was weake and vnfortified the people vnskilfull and disarmed with other matters which did promise victorie The Venetian resoluing to besiege that Citie sent Lodouico Lombardo the Venetian with ten Gallies to Coric by Sea to keepe all victuals from comming to the inhabitants By land Caraman with his troupes did neerely presse the enemie the rest of the Armie drew neete to Sichin and gaue an assault but by reason of the difficultie of the place the town could not be taken The inhabitants waxing proud for that good successe did from the walles mocke the Venetians saying Get yee home O Venetians and command the Sea and fishes but leaue the Empire of the land to Ottoman The Venetian by an Herald of Armes sought to draw Mustapha to a voluntarie yeelding wishing him rather to make proofe of the Venetians loyalty and gentlenesse than of their Arms but perceiuing that the Turke contemned peace he gaue a more furious assault to the Citie and planting his Ordnance on the North side and hauing made a reasonable breach the enemie being daunted presently yeelded The Venetians suffering Mustapha with his souldiers to goe whither he would deliuered the Citie to Hisafa Caramans Lieutenant From thence going to Coric he did by the way meet with Zanchio General of the royall Armie with ten Gallies The Sea enuironeth two parts of Coric the rest on the land side hath a verie depe ditch fortified with a double wall The hauen lieth towards the East whose entrance is likewise fortified On the South side is the Isle of Eleusia three hundred paces from thence fortified with a wall of white square stone The Venetian from the poope of the Galley hauing curiously viewed the situation of the place made a signe to his Gallies to enter Thereupon the Gallies with discharging their Ordnance and in a shower of arrowes did winne the Hauen Mocenigo hauing landed his troupes sent to the Gouernour of the Citie to know of him whether he would yeeld and goe from thence He made a proud answer saying Tell him from me that the weake coward Mustapha is not heere but another who by his deserts commandeth the royall troupes which are heere in garrison The Turkish Princes doe vse to appropriate to themselues the fifth part of all captiues They make choice of male children from ten yeares old to sixteene If there be no captiues they doe by their officers carrie away children of that age in despite of their parents forth of such Prouinces as they haue wonne from the Christians These by constraint hauing renounced Christianitie are instructed in the Mahometan superstition and then are deliuered ouer into the hands of tutors who teach them martiall discipline and when they come to be men they follow the Prince to the warres The vulgar call them Ianizaries such among them as are wise and valiant attaine to great honours of these the Baschas Gouernours of Prouinces Townes and Castles are made Some of them lie in Garrison in the Cities and some of them remaine at the great Lords port to be neere him with their Armes when he rides abroad Out of these he chooseth a Regiment for the Guard of his owne person when he goeth to warre Ottoman had left many of these men for the Guard of Coric Ismael the
dangerous that euer was in Italy and the Venetians to resemble them in all things did not onely in Lombardie withstand the forces of all the Princes of Italy enuying their geatnesse but brake and defeated them We will then first speake of the cause and progression of the Ferrarese warre from whence afterwards sprang that of the confederates that we may the better vnderstand what ensued But before we enter into this discourse we must set downe somewhat which preceeded that warre among others two iournies of Ottoman against the Christians which though they may seeme impertinent to our Historie I neuerthelesse thought good to insert because we account all Christendome for matters of religion to be but one intire bodie A yeare and more after peace was concluded Ottoman besieged Rhodes with as warlike preparation as he had certaine yeares before iuuaded Nigrepont Rhodes is the goodliest Island of the Aegean and Ionian Seas wherin in old time were three beautifull Cities Camia Linda and Lalissa at this day there is no more but Rhodes It is in compasse one hundred fiue and twentie thousand paces though Isidorus say it is not so much The Turke at this siege attempted many notable enterprises and by frequent assaults went about to vanquish the Christians and at times the walles being beaten downe entred the Citie but by the valour of the besieged most of whom were knights of Ierusalem for those of that order had the absolute command of the Island they were with great slaughter driuen from the walles and the Citie by diuine and humane aide was preserued The Turkes themselues did afterwards report that two men of diuine countenance so long as the siege lasted with torches in their hands did euerie night walke the round vpon the walles with their swords threatning the enemies so as they being terrified with this vision retired The common people said that they were Saint Peter and Paul If this be true we may then iustly affirme that Rhodes at that time was not onely preserued by humane but by diuine assistance It was also accounted for a miracle That the verie day that Ottoman a cruell enemie to Christians died the Hauen of Rhodes stood drie and yet it is exceeding deepe This happened a yeare after the siege The Spring following the great Turke resoluing of some important enterprize did by sodaine incursion take Ottranto This Citie is in Calabria diuided from Valona by a small Arme of Sea Valona is an ancient Hauen The smal space of sea which separates this place from Italy containing 50000 paces in length king Pirrhus first of all attempted to passe ouer his Armie on foote and to that end builded bridges there After him Marcus Varro Admirall of Pompeis nauall Armie against Pirates was desirous to doe the like but both of them were diuerted from their enterprises by sundrie accidents Ottranto being taken it was to be feared that Ottoman with all his force would come and inuade Italy which would mightily haue endangered Christendome had not Gods prouidence preserued it from that mischiefe by the Tyrants sodaine death for this plague to mankind was cut off euen in the middest of his warlike preparations whereupon king Ferdinand besieging Ottranto by land and sea recouered it aud tooke all the Turkes that were in it The Venetians in the meane time annexed the Isle of Coritia in Dalmatia to their dominions which the modernes call Veglia It was their owne in former time when they were Lords of Dalmaria and the Islanders for a time had beene gouerned by Venetian Magistrates But in the daies of Prince Râ—…iniero Zenâ—… it being giuen in perpetuitie to the Schiâ—…els in those daies one of the nobless families of the Island they and their successors for two hundred yeeres space continued loyall to the Venetians But in succession of time the affection of these petty kings beganne to alter in the troubles of Dalmatia now following the Venetians party and then on a sodaine that of Bela Ladislaus Lewis and other Hungarian kings euen till the time of Iohn sonne to Bano the last Prince of the Coritans Hee hauing rashly and forcibly entred certaine small townes on the firme land belonging to Prince Martin his brother by whose will and testament after his death they were bequeathed to Mathias king of Hungarie he did in such sort prouoke the Hungarian against him as he was enforced to haue recourse to the Venetians Maerblaisius who to that end was sent from Hungarie into Dalmatia not satisfied with the recouerie of those townes on the firme land passed ouer into the Island and had already besieged the cittie of Musella when Giacomo Venierâ—… sent by Antonio Lauretano Generall of the nauall Armie from Corfu arriued there followed afterwards by Antonio Vinciguerra one of the Secretaries sent from the Prince and Senate who in the Common-wealths name willed the Hungarian to desist from inuading the Coritans who were vnder the Venetians protection But the Hungarian was so farre off from giuing ouer his attempt as on the contrarie hauing taken Musella by force hee brought his Armie to the chiefe Cittie of the Island The Islanders standing ill affected to their Prince in regard of the grieuous subsidies hee exacted from them at the beginning of the warre were in a manner all reuolted from him vpon the enemies arriuall Then the Coritan Prince hauing lost all hope did by the perswasion of friends quit all the claime which himselfe and predecessors had in the Island to the Venetians into whose hands hee resigned the Castle and himselfe went to Venice whither already he had sent his wife and children Not long after foure Gallies arriued in the Island wherewith the Hungarian being terrified and fearing to be intercepted in his returne home hauing first taken assurance of the Venetians did peaceably surrender the Island vnto them Victor Souranza who succeeded Lauretano in the Admiralty comming thither by chaunce fortified it The Senate assigned a perpetuall pension of a thousand crownes to the Coritan Prince and foure thousand ducats for his daughters dowrie But he accustomed to tyranny and not being able to liue vnder Lawes in a free State departed secretly with his houshold into Germany It is now time to returne to the propounded warre of Ferrara The Princes of Ferrara had of a long time beene friends to the Venetians so that Borsia Predecessor to Hercules if at any time strife arose concerning their bounds came with a small traine as a priuate person to conferre with the Prince and Senate supposing that he could doe them no greater honour nor better expresse his loue than to come himselfe vnlooked for to giue them satisfaction This Prince to his dying day had nothing in greater admiration than the Venetian Seigniory nor accounted any thing comparable to the peace and friendship thereof This mans deserts and the hope which the Senate had conceiued that no man would more resemble Borsia in his behauiour and affection towards them than his
intent wholy to ouerthrow the Venetian forces vpon Po being stopt by SANSEVERINO returnes without effecting it GIACOMO MARCELLO Generall of the Venetian fleet dies at the siege of Gallipolis which being taken the Venetians make farther incursions into Calabria The enemies Armie comes to Baignols where peace in vaine before motioned at Cesenna is determined and concluded And lastly the triumphes turnaments and barriers made at Venice for ioy of this peace THE Venetians had alreadie mightily preuailed and the warre with Hercules would soone haue beene ended had not Pope Sixtus by his sodaine alteration not onely snatched the victorie forth of their hands but that which worse is thrown them headlong into a dangerous war For the Pope and Ieronimo Visconte by whose councell and aduise all matters were directed â—…alling by little and little from the Venetians after Malatestes death did at last openly declare themselues friends to the Feâ—…arois Francisco Diede who at that â—…ime was Ambassador with the Pope had of a long time foreseene it and a little before had by letters aduertized the Prince and Senate thereof who to containe them still in league omitted no kinde offices of good friends and confederates It is not certainly knowne vpon what cause they did it The Pope hauing made a league with the enemie did by letters goe about to cause the Venetians to lay downe Armes to induce them no more to warre vpon the Ferrarois and to restore vnto him whatsoeuer till then they had taken from him The Senate moued by these letters were vnwilling to let goe the victorie whereof they had so sure hold and yet desirous to answere the Pope and to let him and all the Princes of Italy and Europe vnderstand that they were not Authors of that warre for they would neuer haue taken armes against Hercules had not Pope Sixtus prouoked them thereunto They decreed that Bernardo Iustiniano a verie eloquent person should in the Common-wealths name answere the Pope The effect of those letters which he composed and after the Senates approbation were sent to Rome is this That the Senate were so farre from entertaining this warre without his Holinesse consent as they did it by his instigation That as at first so now they did not onely preferre peace before warre but before victorie so it were sought for in time and not on such conditions as might make their lenitie inâ—…erpreted in discretion That they were confident his Holinesse actions had no priuate end but such as imported the common good of Christendome onely in this it was notorious to the whole world that he dealt more subtilly than sincerely That for twentie yeares wherein both by land and sea they had beene singled out by dreadfull Ottoman none of the Princes of Italy afforded one drop of bloud towards the quenching of this neighbour flame but seemed deafe to all solicitations lame in assistance But in this priuate cause of Ferrara those which shranke backe from the publike quarrel could all bandie together not as if they would arbitrate but enforce peace That they humbly desired his Holinesse to deliberate this businesse temperately which others did passionately let his owne vnderstanding aduise him whether it more concerned him to fauour the Venetians or the Ferrarois As for them they were resolued to prosecute that warre which by his aduise they had vndertaken hoping the successe should be as happie as the cause iust and honorable This is in summe the import of the Venetian letters But the Pope not respecting his ancient league and perceiuing the Venetians to continue their resolution excommunicated them He had alreadie leagued himselfe with Ferdinand and others And whilest this businesse was pursued by letters to and fâ—…o Alphonso Duke of Calabria came to Ferrara with two thousand men among whom were foure hundred Turkes which he brought from Otranto but they within a while after ranne ouer to the Venetian Vpon his arriuall certaine skirmishes were made neere the Citie himselfe stayed not long there but leauing his troups with his brother in law went first to Mantua and then to Milan But at a councell held at the sametime at Casal-Maior vpon the Cremonese where the commissioners of all the confederate Princes and states met warre was concluded against the Venetians by general consent Fredericke Gonzaga Prince of Mantua had the title of Generall of the Armie but Alphonso Duke of Calabria the honour The Senate hauing intelligence of what had beene concluded in that assembly and considering the dangerous warre they were to oppose the next Spring For the Genoueses excepted whom Giouanni Pascalis sent to that end had exempted all other Princes and States of Italy had coniured their destruction and for the strengthening of their partie they sent into France for Renatus Duke of Lorraine vnto whom they gaue honourable entertainment Antonio Vinciguerra one of the Secretaries had long before solicited him from the Pope and Venetians to come into Italy against the Ferrarois who now the Pope relinquishing the cause remained firme to the Venetians and brought two hundred horse and one thousand foote to their aide Vinciguerra conducted him through the Alpes Bartilmeo Victurini and Nicolao Foscarini Venetian gentlemen went as farre as Trent on the confines of Italy to meete him The Duke of Austria and the other Potentates of Germanie in fauour of the Pope denied passage to the Sauoyards and other French whom Lorraine had enrolled The Spring was alreadie come when Pietro de Priuli and Marco Antonio Morosini came to the Armie as Prouidators The enemies comminations were great but the Senate hauing intelligence that their fauorites in Milan which yet stirred not would if Sanseuerin crossed the Adda raise some commotion vpon difference betwixt the widow of Galeas and Lodouico Sforza after mature deliberation commanded one part of the Armie to passe into Lombardie and the other to remaine before Ferrara Deifebo Aâ—…guillare went before with a braue troope of horse and expected Sanseuerino at Azzola vpon the Bressan Confines Roberto soone followed him leauing the Prince of Mirandola Bernar dino Montone Antoniace Dulcino Gasparo Perussini Alessandro surnamed the Turke and diuers other Captaines at the siege before Ferrara The French Generall went thither likewise with his forces But their arriuall was more terrible to their enemie than profitable to the Venetian the French euerie day mutining Sanseuerino with Marc-Antonio Morosini the Prouidator being come to the Bressan territorie remained for a time at the new Orges then making a bridge ouer the Adda aboue Trezzia and fortifying it at each end himselfe encamped on the further side where he contained his souldiers without executing any hostilitie vpon the Countrey rather like a guest then enemie which was so farre from diâ—…inishing the malice of the Confederates as on the contrarie it increased it hastening not deferring this intended warre Lodouico Sforza with a mightie Armie was in field against the Rossians of Parma who till then had brauely
come within three miles nere to Bolognia delt so with the Pope as he gaue him leaue safely to depart from Bolognia with his wife and children and to dwelin what place of the Dutchy of Milan he pleased permitting him to sell and carry away with him all his mouables and to enioy the immouables which he possessed with iust title The Bentiuoles being departed the people of Bolognia sent their Ambassadors to the Pope for to giue him the entire gouernment of their City At the same time the King of Arragon being imbarked at Barcelona came along by the coast of Prouence to Genoa and from thence keeping close by the land continuing his iourney he entred into the Hauen of Gayetta Then being conducted to Naples he was receiued with great magnificence Ambassadors from all places of Italy came thither with speed and among others from Venice whither George Pisani and Marc Dandulo were sent to congratulate and honour so great a Prince The Pope likewise notwithstanding that he was displeased for that he had not sent to offer his obedience as the manner was sent a Nuntio to him to incite him against the Venetians thinking that for the recouery of the Hauens of Apuglia which the Venetians held he had wished their ouerthrow And the Venetians on the contrary did still study to keepe his friendship Soone after King Lewis came into Italy by reason of the rebellion of Genoa the Venetians sent Dominico Trenisano and Paul Pisaâ—…i their Ambassadors to him to congratulate his arriuall who came to Milan whether the king came so soone as he had recouered Genoa The Pope being at Bolognia had solicited the King to come into Italy that they might conferre together wherevnto the King did incline albeit the Popes intents were against the Venetians whom he hated in regard of the Cities of Romagnia which they possessed But when he vnderstood that the King determined to take armes in fauour of the Gentlemen against the people of Genoa because the strife betwixt the Gentlemen and the Commons had beene cause of the rebellion he was much discontented thereat because he had euer fauored the people against the Nobility and he perswaded the King as much as in him lay to absteine from armes alleaging that it might kindle some fire in Italy which would hinder the warre which they had decreed against the Venetians To the which perceiuing the King would not agree being transported with choller he gaue out on a sodaine at the beginning of the yeere 1507. contrary to al mens expectation that he would returne to Rome saying that the aâ—…e of Bolognia did not agree with his healthâ—… wherevpon the King was troubled not knowing what to thinke because he interrupted that which himselfe had â—…raued and did all he could to alter his determination But the Kings earnest instance to change his minde did encrease the Popes suspition which hee had conceiued that the King would keepe him still there where they might meet together at one selfe same place which did so much the more confirme him in his determination wherein being obstinate he departed from Bolognia about the latter end of February being not able to dissemble the disdaine which he had conceiued of the King By this wrath the hatred which he did beare to the Venetians being in some sort mittigated hee determined to passe by the City of Faenza new quarrels arising euery houre betwixt the King and him in regard of the Bentinoles whom he would haue the King to expell from the Dutchy of Milan albeit by his owne consent they were permitted to abide there in such sort as nothing could appease him complayning greeuously of the King and being thereby prouoked he did by his Nuâ—…tios and by a Breefe giue the Emperour and the Electors to the Empire to vnderstand that the French Kings preparations for his passage into Italy with a mighty army vnder pretence to appease the sedition of Genoa was in effect to oppresse the state of the Church and to vsurpe the Imperiall dignity The Venetians likewise fearing the Kings comming into Italy with so great an army did giue the like aduertizement Maximillian being desirous of nouelty hauing receiued these aduertizements held an Imperiall Diet in the City of Constance where all the Barons Princes and Common-wealths of Germany being assembled he did in such sort agrauate the matter against the French King by his oration as the mindes of all those that were there present were merueilously mooued where he exhibited the Popes and Venetians letters of aduertizement The French King hauing intelligence of the whole matter did on a sodaine cassier his army to take away the cause of such a suspition and would himselfe haue repassed the mounts had not the desire which he had to speake with the King of Arragon staied him who was preparing for his returne into Spaine and leauing Naples came directly to Sauona where he had appointed to conferre with the French King who for that cause was come from Millan to attend him there where Fernand with the Queene his wife being arriued all distrusts being laied aside on both parts with infinite numbers of reciprocall embrasings they had diuers long and secret conferences betwixt themselues and by that which fell out afterward it was apparent that they promised a perpetuall league of friendship one with the other and that Ferdinand should vse meanes to reconcile the Emperour and the French King to the end that all of them being vnited together they might afterward shew themselues open enemies to the Venetians The two Kings departed from Sauona the fourth day after their arriuall with the same shewes of loue and friendship The one went by sea to Barcelona and the other by land returned into France leauing the other affaires of Italy at the same stay King Lewis in the meane time perceiuing that the Diet of Constance continued where Maximillian had so highly animated all the German Princes against him he sent vnder-hand certaine men of purpose to Constance who should not be publikely knowne but dealing secretly should worke meanes by the hidden fauour of the Princes his friends to appease the mindes of the rest excusing those slanders which were imposed vpon him by the euidence of the effects seeing that after the reduction of Genoa to his obedience he had on a sodaine cassieâ—…ed his army and returned with all possible speed into France to take away all suspition that he would attempt nothing against the Church nor against the title of the sacred Empire and with these iustifications they wrought meanes to appease the Germans armes by the force of gold which they so highly loue These things did greatly trouble the French Kings minde who was altogether vncertaine of the Venetians meanings who would not openly discouer themselues but had euer held matters in suspense The Dyet of Constance beeing ended it was there concluded after sundry disputations that Maximillian should haue
territories as hee had often-times before requested them that hee might goe to Rome saying that his King would come armed for feare of his enemies Neuerthelesse hee did assure the Signory of Venice that hee and his would passe without dooing wrong to any of their subiects or else that hee would passe without Armes prouided that the common-wealth would giue him hostages for the assurance of his passage To that Prince Loredano answered that Maximillian was not ignorant how that the Common-wealth had euer beene a friend to him and to his father the Emperor Frederick and that it was not well done of him in counterchange to vse all hostile actions against them as to rauage and spoile their countrey to take their townes and castles by force whereof they had iust cause to complaine and to call God to witnesse whether they had deserued it at his hands neuerthelesse hee would propound the demand to the Senate and according to the same he would giue him answer And because Cornare had written to the Senate that Aluiana was in great hope and would in a manner bee bound that the enemies should in short space recompence the wrongs and spoiles which they had committed the Senate was of opinion to deferre the answering of Maximillians Ambassadors till such time as they had newes from Friul And so soone as they heard from thence they answered the Ambassador as they had done in times before without making any mention of the defeate of the Almains and caused him to bee accompanied thorow the Rhetike countrey to the end he should receiue no out-rage Aluiana after the taking of the castle of Cadora would not stand still in so faire away but pursuing his good fortune recouered Portonanoue then Cremousa seated on a high hill and from thence went and encamped before Gorithia which is at the foote of the Alpes strong by situation and well fortified and which hath a castle of difficult accesse But hauing planted his Artillery before the towne hee tooke it the fourth day after by composition by reason that they within wanted Armor water and victuals The Captaine of the castle yeelded vp the place in few dayes after receiuing foure thousand Ducats The Venetians made diuerse fortifications there to serue in time to come against the Turkes to stop their passage ouer the riuer Lisona Aluiana after the taking of Gorithia went to besiege Thryeste and tooke it with the Castle likewise which being seated on the Gulphe of Venice was very commodious to them for their traffick wherevpon the Venetians beeing puffed vp with their prosperous successe determined to follow the course of the victory and to make warre on Maximillian by entring farther into his countrey But Dominico Morosino Procurator of Saint Marke a man of foure-score and ten yeares of age wise and aduised began to speake and to entreate the Senate not to suffer any farther attempts to bee made saying That Germany was not pleased that Maximillian made warre on the common-wealth when as hee might freely liue at peace that it was also to bee feared that the same Germany would take it in euill part and would resent it if any farther roads were made into their countrey for they would not suffer their Imperiall dignity to be so abased and contemned That the offence which he had committed against the common-wealth was not great for which neuerthelesse thorow the goodnesse of God he had made a worthy satisfaction all his souldiers hauing beene cut in peeces in Friul Cadora and Portonanoue beeing recouered and wee haue lost nothing on the Verona territory nor receiued any disgrace And heerewith beeing satisfied without passing on any farther we shall receiue great profit by our cessation from Armes and especially the friendship and good-will of the whole German Nation of whom wee receiue infinite commodities as well for the trade of merchandize whereby our customes are encreased as for all other matters concerning prouision of victuals That it was indeed a glorious matter to vanquish a mans enemies in warre and to augment their owne bounds and confines But that it was more glorious to â—…ame and vanquish a mans owne passions and himselfe that the euents of warre depended commonly on fortune who is variable and inconstant But Councells proceeding from mature deliberation and from wisdome are firme and stable and do proffit much more then those which issue from furious rashnesse The good old man hauing vttered this speech the heate of those who craued warre was in some sort cooled and therfore they concluded nothing for that present but said only they would consider of it at more leisure But Maximilian continuing the warre in the confines beneath Verona and raising forces in diuers places of the Friull against them heerby abusing their loue warre was resolued against him on the fourth of Aprill This resolution of the Senate was on a sodain sent not only to Grâ—…tle Cornare Prouidatory but likewise to Ieronimo Contaren who was Prouidator in Histria with certaine Galleis to the end that each of them should enuade whatsoeuer they found to belong to Maximilian either on the firme land or at Sea According to this commandement Cornare and Aluiana pursuing their victory tooke Protonoue then Fume which is a Citty of Sclauonia which they burnt and passing ouet the Alpes they tooke Possonia seated on the marches of Hungary This was done in the Friul whilst not farre from Trent the Germaine Army which was come to Calliana did assaile three thousand Venetian footmen who beeing well fortefied on the hill of Bretonic fled thence neuerthelesse so soone as they descried the enemies whervppon the Germans deriding their cowardize did raze the fortifications which they had made on the hill burning the houses and then went back to Calliana But this great army of Maximilian within a short space came to nothing by reason of a contention of small importance which arose about the paiment of the Grisons who mutining therefore did spoile the victualls of the Campe by meanes whereof all things being in disorder and all the Grisons being departed the residue of the Army who were about seuen thousand men were enforced to retire The Venetians then made incursions on the neighbor Villages and came and assailed La Pietra six miles from Trent but those of Trent comming to their reskew the Venetian companies retired and went to assâ—…ile the Fort of Creste which is a place of importance which yeelded before the supplies from Trent ariued which caused the Almaines to re-assemble their foot forces and to returne with a thousand horses and six thousand Lansquenets to Calliana which is distant from La Pietra a crosbow shotte The Venetians returned to beseege this Castle of La Pietra with foure thousand horse and sixteene thousand foote determining to batter it with sixteene pieces of Ordinance The two armies were within a mile one of another each of them hauing the Castle before them But the Venetians
his part because his enterprizes proceeded not from any particular interest but from a sole and sincere desire of the liberty of Italy but he could not hope much from them by reason their treasure was exhausted and them-selues oppressed with sondry difficulties The French King beeing by so many experiences assured of the Popes bad meaning towards him determined to strengthen him-selfe as much as he might with the Emperors friendship and to passe in person the spring following into Italy to make warre on the Venetians or on the Pope according as the state of his affaires should petmit The end of the eight Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the ninth Booke of the fourth Decade WIth what boldnesse and resolution Pope Iulius marched against the Duke of Ferrara and beeing not able to ouercome him by temporall armes he vsed spirituall A Generall Councell published at Lions A new Confederacy as well offensiue as defensiue betwixt the Emperor and the French-King How greatly the marche of the French Army toward Bolognia did afright the Pope and all his Cardinals The Lord of Chaumonts retreate into the Dutchy of Milan The Duke of Ferrara defeateth the Venetians nauall Army The Popes Army taketh the Citty of Concorda Mirandolo taken by the Confederates The King doth wholy resolue to make warre on the Pope The Death of the Lord of Chaumont where vpon Triuulcio is made Generall of the Army A great Earthquake at Venice and in the Countrey neere adioyning The Popes Army is defeated before the Bastida Geniuola The French Kings discontent for that the Emperor consenteth to a peace with the Venetians The King of Arragons secret practises against the French King The Cardinall of Pauia flyes from Bolognia at the arriuall of the French The flight of the Duke of Vrbin Generall of the Popes Army Death of the Cardinall of Pauia slaine by the Duke of Vrbin The French King greatly desireth to bee at peace with the Pope How the Venetians did still maintaine their forces and greatnesse A new confederacy betwixt the Pope the King of Arragon and the Venetians The Swisses come downe into the Dutchie of Milan The Army of the Confederates before Bolognia the which is releeued by Gaston of Foix. And lastly how the Confederates Army dislodgeth from before Bolognia The ninth Booke of the fourth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe Pope continuing his displeasure against the Duke of Ferrara omitted all other designes onely to pursue this and to this end hee came to Bolognia at the later end of September by his presence to hasten matters and to giue the greater authority to his affaires resoluing to assaill Ferrara both by land and water with all his owne forces and those of the Venetians who at his request sent two armed fleetes against Ferrara which being entred into the Po by the Fornaces and by the hauen of Primara made great spoile on the Ferrara territory the like did the Popes forces at the same time and yet they came not neere to Ferrara where besides the Dukes forces were two hundred and fifty French lances and the Popes army was not suffitient to assayle the Citty by land For allbeit the Pope gaue pay for eight hundred men at Armes six hundred light horse and six thousand foote the complete number of so many was greately wanting as also for that by his command Marke Anthony Colonna and Iohn Vittelli were gone with two hundred men at armes and three hundred foote for the gard of Modena In regard whereof he requested seeing that the Venetians had in a manner recouered the country of Friull that part of their army might be brought on the Ferrarois He did more-ouer expect three hundred lances which the King of Arragon was bound to send him according to the articles of the inuestiture of the realme of Naples making account vpon the arriuall of all these forces to assaile Ferrara for his part and that the Venetians should doe the like for theirs hee perswaded him-selfe that the people of the Citty would forth-with take armes in his behalfe against the Duke and hee would not harken to those who told him That it would not so fall out in regard of the garrison within it which was sufficient to defend the Citty and to hinder the people if they were so bent from reuolting About the same time an intelligence which the Venetians had on the Citty of Bressia was discouered the Author whereof Earle Iohn Maria of Martinenga was beheaded there Now the Pope perseuering in his hope did promise to him-selfe though all his other forces should faile to be able to take Ferrara with his owne and the Venetian fleets notwithstanding al the reasons giuen by his Captaines to the contrary but he found himselfe to be deceiued For the Duke comming forth of Ferrara did assaill the Venetians fleete which was entred by Primaria and comming to Hadria with two Galleis two Fusts and with diuers small boates hee did easily defeate it then hee went to meet with the other the which consisting onely of fustes and other small vessells had entred by the fornaces and was come to Puliselsa which attempting to retire into the riuer Adicé by a chanell neere at hand it could not by reason of the shallownesse of the water where-vpon being assailed and beaten with the enemies ordnance those of the fleet not beeing able to defend it were enforced to forsake it and to vse meanes to saue them-selâ—…es and their ordnance The Pope perceauing that his temporal armes were not of force to execute his deseignes made vse of spirituall and did publickly excommunicate Alfonso of Este and all those who were or should come to his aid and namely the Lord of Chaumont and all the cheefe persons of the French army The French King who already vpon the Popes behauiour determined to call a generall councell against him and had caused all the prelates of his Kingdome to meete at Orleans and afterwards at Tours hauing notice of his Ecclesiasticall censure executed so rashly vpon his subiects was of opinion in this assembly where he was present diuers times that before hee would free him-selfe from his obedience to send Ambassadors to him to aduertise him of the articles concluded on by the French Clergy against which if hee thought to except he should be cited to the generall councell which all Christian Princes had determined should bee assembled by a certaine day According to this resolution the Councell was published at Lyons against the first day of March next ensuing Within a while after the Bishop of Gurcia sent from the Emperor arriued at Tours where his entertainment was sumptuous which shewed how greatly his comming was desired with whome the King continuing to treat of matters which had already beene handled at the first they seemed to bee very casie but they were afterwards drawne forth at length as well by reason that the Emperors answers were very slow
same conditions as they had beene before treated of with Baziazet This treaty being concluded and effected Iustinian returned to Venice with whom Selim sent Alimbei his Ambassador to cause the Prince and Senate to ratefie the present treaty vnto whom he likewise wrote exhorting them to entertaine his frendship And that he for his part would neuer faile them The Turkish Ambassador being come to Venice and brought into the Senate Prince Loredan swore and ratefied as well in his owne name as in the Common wealthes all that which Iustinian their Ambassador had agreed to and signed Selim by this meanes being out of feare of the warrs on Europes side hauing likewise renewed the truce with the Kings of Poland and Hungary hee marched courrageously against Achomat whome hauing broken and defeated hee commanded to be slaine to the end that by his death hee might without contradiction become absolute Lord of Asia the lesse thereby promising to himselfe that nothing should bee able to resist him whereby hee became so proude as hee thought hee was able to conquer the whole world and cheefely Italy on which hee began to fixe his thoughts imagining that he could with ease subiugate it being weake and molested by the forepassed warres He was moreouer incited thervnto by the Emperor Maximilian who thought on nothing more then how to ruinate the Venetians It is certaine that he sent an Ambassador to Constantinople to aduertise Selim of the great opportunity then offered to enuade the sea coasts of the Venetians state whilest hee with his army would assaille them by land but it was not certainly knowne on what place he ment first to attempt Selim being thus solicited caused that winter diuers Vessels to bee armed and new to be made and to new builde those that were broken But at the spring newes was brought to Constantinople how that Amurath Sonne to his brother Achomat who being not at the battaile where his Father fought with such bad successe had escaped into Persia had on a sodaine entred Cappadocia with great numbers of horse and foote where afrighting the whole country with great wast hee was become maister of diuers places of that Prouince Selim being greatly daunted at these newes and considering that the Sophi alone was cause as well of those present troubles as of those which Achomat his brother had in time before raised resolued to take reuenge and to this end determined to send all that great army as well by land as sea into Asia the which was leuied for Europe This Asian warre fell out opportunely for the Christian Princes whome this most mighty and cruell enemy would haue wholy ruined and afterward would haue gone on in dispite of all their resistance This being considered by Pope Leo with the great good which this warre of Persia had done thought it his duty to meditate a firme peace among Christian Princes to the end that being vnited together they might with more ease oppose them selues against that Barbarous enemy The Cardinalls solicited him therevnto in setting on foot the treaty of peace and not to leaue till it had taken effect according to their desire But albeit the Pope did very well know that this was more then reasonable yet neuer the-lesse hee reuolued in his minde which was troubled with diuers maters that as the successe of that wholesome councell did promise a very great and certaine commendations euen so the diuers respects of warre and peace and the difficulties which he met with in this treatie did affright him and wholy draw him backe from that enterprise For his feare least the French should returne againe into Italy and make head against the Spaniards and Almans did extreamely trouble him thinking verily that the same would happen if the realme of France were not enuaded in some place or other knowing that King Lewis by nature was altogether an enemy to quiet and that so soone as hee had made peace with the English hee would turne his thoughts vpon Italy for the recouery of the Dutchy of Milan in regard hee had euer reiected all motions of peace wherein was propounded that hee should quit his claime to the state of Milan The Venetians affaires were almost at the same stay the Pope being not desirous to haue them recouer their former greatnesse noâ—… yet to be to much deiected in regard of the common reputation of Italy Whilest the Pope was in this sort afflicted with sundry thoughts and that at one time hee would fauour the Venetians and at another shewe them an angry and froward countenance the warre did still continew notwithstanding the sharpnesse of the Winter for Prospero Collonna with the Duke of Millans forces marching to Crema ioyned himselfe to the Spannish army the which did re-enforce the Citties seege and the Paduan territory was daily scoured and spoiled by the enemies incursions the like was done in the Contrey of Friul where there was no towne or castle so strong either by art or nature which was not enforced to obey that partie who was strongest in the field so as the inhabitants of that poore contrey were wholly stript of all And for to dispatch them at once Bernardino Frangipan hauing forsaken the Venetians did by treachery seaze on the Fort of Maran as hath beene said by meanes of a Preest called Bartholomeo who being a familiar frend to Alessandro Marcello Prouidator of the place got leaue of him on a morning before day to haue the Castle gates opened for him vnder coâ—…ller that he went forth to hunt so as Frangipan according as it was concluded betwixt himselfe and the Preist did on a sodaine seaze on the gate with certaine Almaine foot and some horse vntill his troopes were arriued whereby hee became maister of the place But the traytor within a while after was paied his desert for being taken by Nicolo Pisare who commaunded in Gruare hee was sent to Venice where beeing hung vp by one foote hee was by the people stoned to death This place beeing very commodious for the Venetians the Senate was of opinion to haue it speedily beseeged the better afterwards to assayle Goritia which Frangipan had taken in the same manner and held it in the Emperors name The land Army marched thither vnder the conduct of Balthasar Scipione of Luca and the nauall army commanded by Bartholomeo de Must a man well experienced in marine matters These two Armies being come before Maran an Herrald was sent to the inhabitants of the towne and to the Almaines that were within it to summon them in the name of the common wealth to yeeld vp that place to the Venetians aduising them not to delay till it were taken by force Those within it made shewes wholy contrary to the summons and vsed many iniurious speeches to the Herrald whereat those of the Camp being incensed determined to giue an assault not tarrying for certaine galleyes which were to ariue but at
the first shot of ordnance which the beseeged made vpon the armed boates which did disorder them and slew some the sailers and soldiers were so danted as on a sodaine they retired as far off as they could from the shot of the Cannon whereas at the beginning they craued to be led to the assault so as afterward they durst in no sort stirre vntill that foure armed gallcies arriued to their aid The towne-walls next to the Hauen were in some sort lower then other places where the small towers likewise had beene beaten downe by the Canon the Venetians made account to enter there with ease and to make the matter lesse difficult to assaile it on a sodaine in sondry places as well on the land side as on the Hauens to the end that the beseeged beeing busied in so many places might be the weaker in all According then to this resolution they went to the assault but on a sodaine there fell such a shower ofrayne as those on the land side were enforced to retire not only from the walls but a great way from the towne the whole plaine being couered with water by reason of the Marshes neere adioyning by meanes where-of the beseeged being assured on that side turned all their forces towards the Hauen from whence with ease they draue the assaylants who already beganne to mount the walles At the same time as this happened the soldiers whom Scipio had sent to garde the passages of the mountaines to stoppe all ayd from the beseeged sent intelligence to the Campe that Frangipan approached with great nombers of soldiers requesting to haue supplies sent vnto them otherwise they should bee enforced to abandon those places beeing to weake to resist them Sauorgnane who was in the army being out of hope to take the towne vpon these news turned his forces towards the Mounts but he had not marched a mile ere he met with those that sent for more aide who being afrighted at the great numbers of those who were said to be comming to releeue the towne had not the courage to attend them and Sauorgnane vniting them with his forces went to the horsemens quarter who were lodged on a little rising hill not farre from the campe and did earnestly entreate them hauing acquainted them how their affaires stood to approch neare to Maran to ioyne them-selues with the residew of the army and to keepe backe the aid that was comming to the towne they were not ashamed to refuse it where-vpon those of the Campe being affrighted at the report of the enemies great numbers did in a manner all disband vnder collour that they had not their pay Frangipan in the meane time beeing come with his succors did without any difficulty enter the towne finding no where any resistance where he tooke without delay part of the Almaines who lay there in garrison and ioyning them with his soldiers they made a good troope with which hee went on a sodaine and assayled the remnant of the Venetians campe who little expected it so as with ease hee did put them to rout who thinking on nothing but how to escape forsooke their campe and their ordnance whereby the greatest part of them were either taken or cut in peeces Francisco Tron Captaine of a Gally did winne that day great reputation who remembring the Venetian glory did neuer forsake the place which hee had seased on with a few soldiers vntill he saw the most part of them slayne or greeuously hurt Frangipan following the course of his victory went on a sodaine to Strasoda and Montfalcone townes of the Friul which hee finding vnfurnished of garisons did easily take and committed most lamentable spoyle During this vnfortunate successe of the Venetians warre and the small hope they had that the French King would that yeare send an army into Italy a greeuous fire hapned in Venice in the night in the beginning of the yeare 1514. on the bridge of the Rialto which being driuen forward by the North-windes did so runne on as no dilligence or humaine labour could for a long time quench it it burned the most inhabited and welthiest part of the Citty The Pope at the same time being desirous to attone the Emperor and the Venetians did in his owne person cause a new compromise to bee made with ample vnlimited power whervpon by a breefe he commanded both parties to surcease their armes which was not very wel obserued by the Spaniards and Almans because the Spaniards in the meane time did spoyle the whole country neere to Este and the Viceroy sent to take Vincenza because hee would be found to bee possessed thereof at such time as the sentence should bee giuen Frangipan on the otherside hauing done great harme in the Friull as hath beene said began to scoure the whole country the like did the Almans vnder the command of the Captaines Rissan and Calepine who seperating them-selues Calapine came afterwards to Feltre which he tooke by assault where staying three daies hee was expulsed by Iohn Brandolino who marching to the recouery thereof by the commandment of Ieromino Pisare the prouidator with strong troopes gathered together from Valmarino and with his light cauallery enforced the enemies who were daunted at his sodaine arriuall to abandon the Câ—…tty and to seeke meanes to escape by flight Calepine with the greatest part of his soldiers retired to Bassan where not standing on his grade he was assailed a new by Francio Duoda Gouernor of the country for the Venetians hauing called to his aide Bernardino Antignole with his light horse and Calepine being surprized in that place was taken prisoner and three hundred of his foot were slaine But 〈◊〉 with eight hundred foot and three hundred horse hauing taken the way of Goritia met with Frangipan as he returned and hauing vnited their forces together and by that meanes beeing to the number of fiue thousand foot and a thousand horse they resolued to assaile Vdina The Senate hauing intelligence thereof sent Malateste Sogliane and Iohn 〈◊〉 thither the one to coÌ„mand the army and the other to be Prouidator with sixe hundred horse and two thousand foot Ieronimo Sauorgnane was there already with two thousand men of the country where after long consultation whether it were best to tarry there for the enemy or by crossing the Riuer Liuensa to goe vnto some safer place at the last it was concluded vpon the aduice of the inhabitants concerning the commodities and discommodities of that place to quit and abandon it and to retire else where beyond the Riuer the which was speedily done for feare least the enemies preuenting them their passage might be stopt Sauorgnane retired to Osof a place of his owne to keepe and defend it from the enemies Vdina being thus abandoned did yeeld at the enemies first summons their liues and goods being saued on condition to pay a thousand crownes to the army to auoide the sack of
battaill whome ignominiously he put to death openly hee made beside a great slaughter of those Mamaluks and thereby in a manner did wholy root out their name hee tooke Cairo which is a populous citty and the Soldans ordinary residence and in a short-time seased on all Suria and Aegypt Al these great victories and encreases of his Empire had not without cause giuen occasion to all Christian Princes to stand in awe of him and cheefel◅ the Venetians of whome hee pretended to demand a yeerely tribute of 8000. Ducats which the Kings of Cyprus were wont to pay to the Soldans of Aegipt in times before Now the Venetian Ambassadors being embarked at Venice did first touch at Cyprus and from thence they went to Damasco where Selim returning from his victories had wintered with al his army The Senate had expresly enioyned them to procure that the Venetian marchants who dwelt at Tripoli Alexandria Barath Damasco and other marchant places of those Prouinces might be maintayned there in the selfe same priuiledges which they were wont to enioy in former times graunted vnto them by the former Kings of Suria and Aegypt That it might like-wise bee lawfull for the Signory to haue their Magistrates in those places with the same authority they were wont to haue to doe iustice to their Cittizens in their strife about marchandize and other such like businesse Selim ayming at other ends did easily graunt it as wel for the desire he had to entertaine the Venetians friendship as to restore trafick to his new conquered Prouinces whereby great profit and commodity might redound to him At the same time for the same purpose an Ambassador was appointed to goe to Charles King of Spaine to the end that it might be lawfull for the Venetians to traffick thorow all the lands and signories newly fallen to him as they were wont to doe in the life time of King Fernand in Spaine because that his officers did seeme to make some difficulty in it in regard of the trade with Africke whereof it shall not not be impertinent to say some thing by the way The antient founders of the citty had speciall care that the cittizens of their new citty should exercize them-selues in voyages and sea-traffick to bee able by their vertuous industry to encrease their domesticke meanes and faculties and make themselues knowne to forraine nations The situation of their citty inuited them there-vnto because the Inhabitants had not they any inheritāces wheron to busie themselues Whervpon they decreed diuers ships should traficke into sondry places of Christendome and of the Infidells in which they sent diuers gentlemen to learne them nauigation and other matters belonging to the sea some of whome remained for a time among those forraine nations and cheefely wher there was greatest trading negotiating for themselues and others whereby besides the greate wealth which they purchased they made themselues fit by experience for great maters so as returning afterwards to Venice they readyly executed all matters committed to them Now the places whether these vessels which were commonly called shippes of traffick vsed to goe at their departure from Venice was first into Sicily to the Citty of Saragossa from thence to Tripoli in Barbary and hauing coasted the Iland of Gerbes they passed on to Tunis from thence they directed their course to the realme of Tremisen staying cheefely at Tusen and at Mega two excellent Marchant townes called at this day Ona and Orana Then they went to diuers places of the Kingdome of Marocco and touching at all the hauens of Barbery which were antiently comprized vnder the Prouinces of Mauritania and Numidia they sailed into Spaine But their traffick was very different for at their departure from Venice they carried to the Affrican Moores sondry kindes of mettalls and woollen cloathes which they sould there then comming into Spaine they bought sondry kinds of merchandize as silk wool graine and other things which they found in the contrey with which being laden they returned to Venice This traffick then being interrupted by the difficulties which the agents of the new King of Spaine did set abroach and by reason of other accidents that did happen is wholly lost But to returne to our discourse the Venetians perceiuing that a great part of the time of truce betwixt the Emperour and them was spent they thought it necessary to come to some new agreement with him the which the Pope desired and that it might be by his meanes at Rome But the Venetians trusting more to the most Christian King referred the whole matter to him and made means that the Emperour should to that end send his Ambassadors into France who comming thither and concluding no peace the truce by the Kings meanes was prolonged betwixt them for fiue yeares on condition that for euery of the fiue yeares they should pay twenty thousand crownes to the Emperour The occasion of this truce was because that the Pope being mooued by the Turkes fortunate successe beganne to thinke on other milder matters he sent Breefs to all Christian Princes putting them in mind of the danger which threatened them requesting them that all discords and contentions being layd aside they would speedily prouide for the defence of Christian religion and for their common safety the which was exposed to very great dangers vnlesse that they being vnited together did transport the warre into Turky in regard of the encrease of Selims Empire and his great desire of rule and soueraignty which would prouoke him at last to oppresse all other Princes as he had done by the Souldan of Egipt and the Mamalucks These things being by the Pope represented to the Venetians as well as to other Christian Princes were cause that the Venetians consented to the truce as hath beene said made by the French King betwixt the Emperour and them seeing that peace could be hardly concluded on to the end they would not seeme by their refusall to turne away so great a good from all Christendome But as for the popes proposition made particularly vnto them to take Armes against Selim they answered that when they should see matters set foreward and ernestly pursued the Venetian Senate would be more ready for that enterprize then any else and would neuer faile of their duty knowing very well how much it did import them not only in regard of the common interest of all Christendome and for the Popes entreaties and exhortation as because their Sea-state did border vpon that mighty enemy the which he would in a moment assaile and molest with all outrages before the Confederates Army would be ready to enter into his Contrey Soone after this treaty of truce the Emperour Maximilian fell sick and dyed at Lynx in the be◅inning of the yeare 1519. which is a towne seated on the marches of Austria his death being knowne to the soldiers that lay in Garrison at Gradisca and Maran they sallied foorth vppon the lands belonging
the euent thereof hearing that the enemies had entred did forth-with flie with diuers Cardinals and other Prelats to the castle Saint Angelo The Lords Rance de Cera and Langey hauing laboured in vaine to mooue the people to take armes for their owne defense and had sought valiantly with those few forces they could gather together and with them a long time kept the castle bridge were at last enforced to retire The City beeing thus abandoned and all the people in confusion and flight the enemies on all sides entredit and became Masters thereof without any difficulty Philippin Doria and Count Guy so soone as they perceiued the Duke of Bourbon to march towards Rome did on a sodaine without wayting for any other commandement set forwards to rescue the Pope with the forces of Ciuitauecchia and Oruietta but the Duke of Bourbon by his speed hauing preuented them and shut vp all the passages by which they were to follow him did enforce them to returne from whence they came Now the Duke of Vrbin hauing set forward to follow the enemies but very slowly by reason of the hindrances of his campe did at last with the whole army come as farre as Viterbo who finding all the country to be spoiled by the enemies hee was enforced by want of victuals to tarry there his army beeing by sundry accidents much diminished hauing in all but seuen thousand men in stead of thirty thousand appointed by the confederates The army lodging in that place the light horse and foot-men did oftentimes scoure the whole Country where meeting with the Imperiall souldiers that were laden with great spoile and disbanded comming from Rome they striped them of all they had Besides that at the taking of the City all manner of crueltie was vsed euery where infinite complaints were heard of those who were inhumanely tormented partly to enforce them to pay their ransom and partly to bewray the wealth that they had hidden The cries and pittifull lamentations were heard of Roman dames and Nunnes who the souldiers lead away in troupes to satisfie their Luxury All holy things the Sacraments and Relikes of Saints where-with the Churches were stored being despoiled of their ornaments were euery where trodden vnder foot wherevnto were added infinite vilanies of the barbarous Lansequenets The sacke and pillage lasted many monthes which according to the common report as well in ready money gold siluer and iewels amounted to more then a Million of Ducats and the ransomes that were paied did rise to a farre greater summe The end of the sixth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the fifth Decade THE Venetians sorrow and greefe for the taking of Rome and the Pope by the Imperialls The Cardinalls meete at Bolognia to treate of the Popes deliuerance The Venetians warlike preparations by Land and Sea to free the Pope from his imprisonment The Venetians seaze on Rauennato keepe it for the Holy Sea The Duke of Vrbin taketh Perugia to the same end The Duke of Vrbins resolution for the Popes deliuery The French King maketh great warlike prouisions to send into Italy Andre Doria in the seruice of the French King The army of the Confederats remaineth on the Confines of the Siennois The Popes agreement to come forth of prison The Venetians resolution vpon that agreement The Lord of Lautrec commeth into the state of Milan with great forces Bosco and Alexandria taken by him Pauia is taken and sackt by the French Genoa is reduced vnder the French Kings obedience The Turke being assailed by Marcello had soone after his reuenge The Lord Lautrec marcheth towards Rome The demands propounded by the French King in the motion of peace The Agreement whereby the Duke of Ferrara and the Marquis of Mantua enter into the league The entire enlargement of the Popes person The Venetians send an Ambassad to the Pope inuiting him to enter into the league The like Ambassade of the most Christian King to the same effect The Popes excuses not to enter into any new confederacy The Lord Lautrecs iourny into the Kingdome of Naples The Popes demand to the Venetians with their answer The Imperialls refuse to fight The Lord Lautrec encampeth before Naples The Duke of Brunswich commeth with great forces into Lombardy The Venetians preparations against the Duke of Brunswich He returneth into Germany The Imperialls are put to rout at Sea The arriuall of the Generall of the Venetian Army before Naples with the discommodities which it there endured Andre Doria reuolteth from the Kings seruice The Pope resolueth to remaine neuter The great wants of the Army before Naples And lastly the Lord Lautrecs Death The Seuenth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THE accident at Rome being knowne at Venice together with the Popes imprisonment did greatly afflict the Senate with griefe and compassion and with a disdaine for the wrong offered to the person of the holy Father wherevpon they not intending to suffer any longer the Emperors fortune to encrease to their owne perill determined to releeue the Pope with all their forces and therein to spare for no cost which caused them to write to the Duke of Vrbin their Generall and to Pisani and Vitturi the Prouidators to lay by all other deseignes and attempt onely if it were possible to free the Pope from his imprisonment and the better to effect it to come neere to the Castle wherein hee was shutte vp to seeke by all meanes to draw him thence and because no other matter might hinder this enterprize they forth-with made a new leuy of foote to encrease their forces to the number of ten thousand foot which lay on the confines of Crema and Lauda to resist Antonio de Leua who being come forth into the field and finding no opposition was likely euery day to grow more strong by the aid which he expected forth of Germany The Venetians were incited therevnto by the great preparations of the Kings of England and France who hauing notice of the great inhumanity vsed towards his Holinesse and the scandall giuen to the Church of Christendome by detayning the head thereof in prison determining to remedy it resolued betwixt themselues at their owne charges to send an army into Italy to free the Pope and to put him in possession of all the Churches lands and another mighty one into Flanders by assayling that country to enforce the Emperor to abandon Italy for the defence thereof These two Kings were very earnest in this businesse wherevpon the Cardinall of Yorke who could doe more then all men with the King of England came for the same purpose to Amiens to the French king to procure an enteruiew of those two kings to the end they might consult together more considerately concerning the Popes deliuery The most Christian King seemed to be no lesse willing therein who sent speedy word to his Captaines in Italy to procure by all meanes the Popes freedome from
The French King on the other side beeing prouoked by discontent caused thirty Galleys to bee armed at Marseilles his intent therein beeing not knowne It was likewise reported that great numbers of vessells of all sorts were armed and prepared in Barbary not to scoure and robbe at sea but to ioyne with the Turkâ—…h Armie conducted by Caâ—…aaine and among other Captaines there was a very famous Pirate called Sinam Câ—…fut surnamed the Iewe a man very valiant and well experienced in marine businesse The Pope in like manner to assure his Sea townes from all incursions and inuasions or â—…or some other deseigne as it was sâ—…pposed had armed ten Galleys All these fleetes begaâ—… iealousie in the Venetians and enforced them to expences by augmenting the number of their Galleys and the soldiers of the garrisons in their sea townes whereby beeing in extreame need of helpe in these extraordinary expences it was propounded in the Councell to acquaint the Pope againe therewith to the end to obtaine leaue of him for that purpose to raise the summe of an hundred thousand Ducats vpon the Clergie of their owne State Some others of those of the Councell who had already in this businesse tried the Popes rigor were of opinion that the Senate without tarrying for that leaue should begin to leuie that summe of money or else to proceed therein more earnestly with the Pope declaring how that the wealth dedicated to the Churches of their State was very great and ample which beeing freed from all publick contribution their other subiects were oppressed with subsidies and intollerable charges for the paiment of their fleets and soldiors leuyed for the conseruation of their liberty and publick faculties That it was not credible that the holy intent of those who had enriched the Churches was that the Republick being ruined and destroied should be depriued of making vse of that which they had giuen to those Churches in case of necessity That the Pope stood badly affected to their State and to whatsoeuer concerned them â—…o as hee made difficulties vpon all their requests or else vsed long delayes therein Bâ—…t notwithstanding these prepositions the zeale of Religion and the respect to the Sea Apostolick were of such force with the Senators as preferring it before all other profit and commodity this proposition was reiected constantly affirming that it did not beseeme the Republick which was founded encreased in Christianity vnder a continuall obedience and vnion to the Church and Pope of Rome whereby it had purchased an immortall glory and commendation to lay her hands on Church goods or therein to force the Popes will That they in times past had great and vrgent affaires for which they had prouided without that aid and without enterprizing scandalous matters that they were not to doubt but that he which knoweth the inward thoughtes of men and can doe all things would raise them vp aid and succor by meanes to them vnknowne much greater and farre moâ—…e 〈◊〉 then that where-unto they werâ—… councâ—…lled by an euill example and if the Pope did still continew his vsuall rigor by so much the more would appeaâ—…e before God and the world the deuout and holy intent and accustomed wisdome of the Venetian Senate This opinion being allowed they pursued with all honor and reuerence the expedition of their request in the Court of Rome the which at last they obteined By this means the Senate hauing raised money they began to augment the number of their galleis whereof Capello was still Generall and to leuy footmen to send to the Islands and other sea places vnder their obedience to the end to assure them expecting what would become of the preparations of so many fleetes Now the Turkes whiâ—…est their nauall army was preparing were come by land to besiege Coron did so strictly shut it in as the Spaniards that were within it beeing impatient and in a manner desperate by reason of the miseries they there endured made a sally vpon the Turkes which succeeding vnfortunatly they were enforced to retire into the castle with great losse of their soldiers whervpon finding themselues by that losse likewise by pestilence to be reduced to a very small number so soone as the Sicillian ships arriued which brought supplies the Spanish Captaines being out of hope to keepe that towne embarked themselues in the same ships and left it to the Turkes discretion Yet neuerthelesse it was supposed as a matter more likely that the same happened by the Emperors expresse commandement who perceiuing that hee would not but with great expences defend that place enuironed on all sides with enemies and beeing out of hope of any farther progression determined to quit it Cariadine in the meane time hauing put to sea with an hundred saile and beeing come neere to the Venetian Gulphe the Generall who narrowly obserued his actions prepared according as the Senate had willed him at the beginning to retire farther in and not to abandon the defence and safety of the Gulphe but the Turkish fleete directing their course towards the Tirrhene sea sailed to the sea coasts of Calabria where on a suddaine hauing landed great numbers of soldiers they did not onely spoile the countrey but tooke two townes vpon the sea-shore though of small consequence The feare of the inhabitants of Naples and Rome at the report of the arriuall of these Barbarians was very great so as if Cariadine had marched thither he might easily haue taken them there beeing no forces to hinder him but the Turke hauin scoured and spoiled the whole Prouince went vnto the Isle of Ponze to take in fresh water and then sailed towards the coast of Affrick chiefely to exectute his deseigne for which hee was come from Constantinople albeit that hee had cunningly made shew to â—…aile towards the coast of Spaine that hee might on a sodaine and vnlookt for assaile his enemy Amulcasse King of Tunis Cariadine was sufficiently enformed of the whole State of that Countrey of the situation and strong townes and of the Kings forces and what affection his sâ—…biects did beare vnto him Wherevpon adding to all these things which hee well knew force and cunning â—…ee hoped that his enrererprise would fall out prosperously as it did For hee gaue forth that hee brought Roscetta with him the Kings brother knowing how pleasing that name was to the people where after sundry exploits hee did at last take the Citty of Thunis The other fleetes at the same time did nothing worthy of memory except that of the Venetians which was enforced to come to strokes with certaine vessels of Malta to chastice their Captaine It was Philippo Mazzo a Knight of Malta who hauing very audaciously with certaine vessels scoured not onely the Leuant seas but came into the Venetian Gulph spoiling robbing both Christians and Turkes indifferently was taken by the Generall and sent to Venice where his processe beeing by the Senate referred to the criminall
meanes whereof he determined first to enuade it The King had sundry occasions to bee displeased with the Duke of Sauoy which did the more heate and hasten him on for the loane of money made by the same Duke to the Duke of Bourbon a traitor to the King his gratulatory letters written to the Emperor when he was taken prisoner his practises to allienate the Suisses from the alliance with France the purchase of the County of Ast his refusall to lend Nice for the enteruiew of Pope Clement and himselfe the Kings claimes to the dowrie of the Lady Loisa of Sauoy his mother sister to Duke Philibert who died without children the King affirming thâ—…t a great part of the succession of Sauoy did belong vnto himselfe by reason that his mother was borne of the first wife and sole sister and heire to Duke Philibert together with his â—…resh refusall to giue him passage thorow his countrey to march to the conquest of the Dutchy of Milan all these things were euident signes of the Dukes small affection towards the King wherevpon the Duke knowing very well that he had greaâ—…ly offended him and being out of hope to be reconciled to him so soone as the Emperor was come to Palermo in Sicily beeing returned from his iourney of Thunis hee did secretly send vnto him to craue his ayde against so mightie an enemy This businesse could not bee so secretly carried but that the King had speedie intelâ—…igence thereof which caused him on a sodaine to send his forces beyond the mounts vnder the conduct of Philip Chabot Admiral of France his Lieutenant Generall whom he sent to enuade Piedmont about the beginning of the yeare 1536. where finding the country badly prouided of defence hee easily tooke the citties of Thurin Fossan Pigneroll and was besides like to haue taken the citty of Verceill had not Antonio de Leua who was in the Dutchy of Milan come thither to the speedy rescue thereof staying by his arriuall the designes and progression of the French The Emperor seemed to bee extreamly displeased and incensed against the French King for making warre in Piedmont and causing speedily a mighty Army to bee leuied hee did soone hope to ouer-runne him affirming boldly that hee would goe in person to assaile him in his owne kingdome and within a while after comming to Rome hee câ—…me into the Consistory where in the presence of the Pope and Cardinalls and great numbers of Ambassadors and Prelates Dukes Earles Barons and other noble personages hee began to complaine of the French King so as beeing traâ—…sported with choller hee proceeded so farre as for the auoyding of greater effusion of bloud heâ—… would end all controuersies by fighting with him hand to hand and that heâ—… would challenge him for that purpose The Pope did all hee might to appease him and had already employed himselfe to make them friends but all in vaine The greatest difficulty was to findâ—… a meanes which mâ—…ght content both the one and other concerning the Dutchy of Milan in which treaty although the Venetians had an hand the Emperors pleasure beeing to haue them acquainted therewith yet neuerthelesse they did very slowly proceed in it in regard of the aboue â—…entioned reasons which were much encreased by these new accidents of Piedmont For the Duke of Sauoy beeing driuen from his State went to Naples to the Emperor to beseech him to haue pitty vpon him and to helpe to restore him to his Dutchie The Emperor beeing mooued with piâ—…ty was ready to make an agreement with the French King to free himselfe from that war and to restore the Duke of Sauoy to his state but not agreeing together vpon the persons of the Duke of Orleance or the Duke of Angoulesme for the Dutchy of Milan the Emperor beeing desirous to giue it to the Duke os Aâ—…goulesme and the French King to the Duke of Orleance the matter remained vndecided and the Emperor departing from Rome after some small stay in Tuscany went without tarrying any where to Ast. Hauing there assembled all his cheefe Captaines among whom were D. Fernand of Toledo Dâ—…ke of Alua the Marquis of Guasto and D. Fernand de Goâ—…zaga he conferred with them concerning the meanes to make warres where of hâ—…s owne proper motion he propounded against al reason the opinions of the best experienced into Prouence wherevpon to that end the rendezuous for all his troopes was at Nice whither Doria likewise came with fifty Galliâ—…s to second the land army The Emperor came thither in person from thence entring into the French Kings countrey he encamped not farre from the Citty of Aix beeing not well resolued what to attempt first cheefely desiring to assaile either Marseilles or Aâ—…les and hauing spent much time in this irresolution he gaue the King leisuâ—…e to assemble a mighty army who beeing come to Lyons for that purpose did practise with sondry Italian Captaines who in his behalfe hauing raised forces neere to Mirandola made an attempt to surpriâ—…e Genoa and to reduce it to the French Kings deuotion The Emperor beeing by this meanes called away to defend his owne perceiuing likewise that his army sustained diuers discommodities by reason of the bad disposition of the ayre where it was encamped was enforced to retire without doing any thing but only making a shew of his great desire to hurt the King But before hee came into Prouence hee sent Roderico D'Analos to Venice to acquaint the Senate with his great preparations of warre and with his deseigne to inuade France and to entreat them by the same meanes to make ready those forces which they were tyed to furnish by their Confederacy for the defence of the state of Milan if need should be The Senate therevpon determined to leuy six thousand footmen vnder the command of Antonio de Castello Generall of the artillery and did in the meane time answer the Emperor that as it had beene ready to renew the league it was likewise as diligent to maintaine that whereunto it was bound and that for their parts they would in no sort faile to defend the State of Milan they did afterwards adde to these foot-forces fiue hundred light horsse armed after the Burgonian manner commanding all those forces of foot and horsse to meet by a certaine day at Azola vpon the Bressan territory to passe from thence when need should bee vppon that of Cremona The Duke of Vrbin was likewise sent for to come in person to the Armâ—… but truce beeing granted by the arriuall of the Cardinall of Lorraine this former heate of the French seemed to be quenched wherby the Venetians had no cause to march forth of their owne confines yet neuerthelesse the French king made shew openly to be distasted of them although he very well knew that he had no iust cause by reason they did not exceed the bounds of their Confederacy but hoping by his complaints to cause them to
began modestly to excuse the matter concerning Contarens shippe and other things done to the Venetian Marchants and their marchandize as matters happened without the great Turkes expresse commandement and which should be speedily remedied There was then a report at that time how that the Sophy of Persia had taken armes and that hee would shortly be in the field whereby the Turkes would bee enforced to turne their forces vpon Persia And that the rumor which was currant how that th â—… Turkes had an enterprize vpon Christendome was rather to maintaine their reâ—…utation among Christian Princes then for any desire they had at that time to employ their forces against them The end of the tenth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the first Booke of the sixth Decade THE Turke maketh great preparations both by Sea and land to enuade Christendome The Venetians are enforced to arme and to stand vpon their guard The French Kings deseigns vpon Italy The Imperialls are afraid of the Turkish Army Count Guy de Rangon commeth to Venice being sent thither by the French King and is answered quite contrary to his expectation Three sundry accidents are cause of warre betwixt the Venetians and Soliman The Venetians fleet is by force of wind cast vpon the Coast of Puglia where that of the turkes lay The Venetian fleet beeing retired from Puglia Soliman declareth himselfe their enemy Doria his pollicy to enforce the Venetians to ioyne with him The Baily Canalis aduiseth the Senate to reconcile them selues to Soliman The Venetian Marchants are stayed and their goods seased on ouer all Solimans Empire Barbarossa wasteth the Isle of Corfoù The description of the Isle of Corfoù The Venetians determine to fight with the Turke A league contracted betwixt the Emperor the Pope and the Venetiams Doria his delaies and in the end his refusall to ioyne with the Venetians against the Turkes The Venetians are constant to assaile the Turkes not-with-standing that Doria had forsaken them The Vifier Bascha councelleth Soliman to raise his campe from before Corfoù hauing viewed the place Soliman seeketh the Venetians friendship The seege raised from before Corfou Soliman determineth to assaile Naples of Romagnia and Maluefia Barbarossa his incursions vpon the Venetians Islands The Venetians take the Islé of Scardona The Emperor although hee â—…ffirmed that hee would make warre vpon the Turkes is suspected of the contrary The Popes dilligence to attone the Emperor and the French King Sundry oppinions in the Senate concerning either warre or peace with Soliman And lastly the Emperors Ambassador goeth about to breake the Venetians Newtrallity but in vaine The First Booke of the sixth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THE Venetians by the Bashas speech remayning irresolute and in doubt either of warre or peace were greatly troubled wherein the French Ambassador did by a maruelous cunning entertaine them hoping theâ—…eby to cause them to condescend to his Kings deseignes to ioyne them-selues with the French and to abandon the Imperialls friendship assuring them that if they would so doe to shield them from all danger on the Turkes behalfe In the meane time sundry rumors were bruted in Constantinople soâ—…e affirming that those great preparations for the fleet was to passe into Puglia and others said that it was to enter into the Venetian Gulph there to â—…aile what-so-euer it could finde to belong vnto the Emperor others thought that it was for Barbary according to the aduise of Cariadine Barbarossa and others like-wise did threaten the Venetians naming particularly the Isle of Corfoù These preparations were as great by land as by â—…ea and made with great speed so as it was certenly thought that hee would set forth more then three hundred saile with great store of ordnance war like engins and great quantity of all sortes of munition The Venetians being troubled with these preparations and for diuers occasions suspecting the Turkes faith non-with standing that the league made of a long time with Soliman did still continue resolued likewise to arme as fast as they could supposing that there was no safer meanes to assure their affaires then to stand vpon their gard for feare of beeing surprized Therefore they beganne to make great prouisions for warre and leauied on a sodaine eight thousand footemen to re-enforce their garrisons they did trimme their old Gallieâ—… and gaue order to build fifty new ones they stayed some Venetians and strangers that were bound for sondry voyages to make vse of them for the carriage of the munitions and other necessaries for the fleet determining if dangers did increase to arme the number of an hundred Galleis and for that purpose they chose for Geneâ—…all according to their vsual manner by way of lotte in the Councell of the Preguais Ieronimo Pesare a man very skilfull in the affaires of the common-wealth and cheefely in sea businesse who was afterwards allowed by the great Councell But that which among other matters did most troble them was the care from whence to haue meanes to furnish the expences which they were to make their treasor beeing wholly exhausted by the late warres wherby they were to inuent sundry extraordiâ—…ry deuises to get money speedily They created three Procurators of Saint Maâ—…ke which is one of the chiefe dignities in the common-wealth next to the Duke namely Andrew Capello Ieroâ—…imo Bragadino Iacâ—…mo Cornare who did each of them aide the Republicke with twelue thousand crowns they did afterwards entreat the Pope to permit them to raise two hundred thousand Ducats vpon the Clergy of their state which the Pope making great difficultie to graunt alledging sometimes the Clergyes pouerty and then that he could not belâ—…eue that Soliman did intend to march against Christendome they were enforced to raise it some where else and amid these troubles and perplexities of mind they did not forget following the holy and religious institution of their Forefathers to haue recourse cheefely to diuine assistance whereuppon solleme prayers were commanded to be made in all Churches foure hundred measures of wheate were giuen to the poore Friers to pray to God that it would please him to fauour the good and deuout affection of the Councellors of the State The Imperialls were in no lesse care and trouble to be assured of the Turkish forces wherevppon they caused great numbers of Spanish footmen to passe into Italy to lye in Garrison in the Realmes of Sicill and Naples and in other places exposed to the enemies arriuall they sent word to Andrew Doria Prince of Melfi who at the same time was Admiral for the Emperor on the Mediterranian seas that he should speedily make ready his Gallies and come into the kingdome to ioyne with those of Naples Sicilly and the religion of Malta to command there But these prouisions being weake were not sufficient to resist the Turkish forces For the Emperor was at the same time enforced to looke to the defense of his other Estates which the French King
Emperor by good offices had beene disposed to the obseruation of the Articles of the league namely to grant a proportion of corne out of Naples and Sicily toward the entertainment of the army to cause Castelnouo to be consigned into the hands of the Republicks officers and to command the Gallies to be ready in the moneth of March that the fleets might be ioyned together but the Emperor performing nothing of all this did still find out delayes and excuses for concerning the proportion of corne his officers were first to haue their owne share and diuision for the restitution of Castelnouo they aleadged that the Common-wealth should first pay the Spaniards for keeping that Fort till then and as concerning the ready expedition of the Army in regard that the Emperor determined to be in it in person it behooued them to make greater preparations and also to haue more forces and so consequently a longer time But in some of these things reason and the effect did manifest that hee did neither regard equity nor the common good the Emperors speeches were very magnificent full of goodly promises but greatly suspected that he did only intend to keepe the Venetians bound by meanes of the league that hee might make vse both of their armes and friendship in as much as concerned his owne particular profit and comodity and not for the wealth or seruice of the Republicke by reason that it was knowne how that the Estates assembled in Spaine did beseech him not to deparrt forth of the Cuntrey besides his want of money was so great as although his meaning had beene to haue gone in person into the Army yet hee would not haue had meanes to haue defraied the expences of such a iourney in regard whereof all men may perceiue that it was farre more safe and expedient for the Signory of Venice to thinke on peace and agreement rather then on armes That which mooued them to this Treaty was their hope to obtaine peace on honest conditions seeing that the Turkes did vse them with more respect then they were wont for they had released the Baily forth of the Tower of the great Sea and admitted them into Constantinople and did likewise put them in hope as it came to passe speedily to restore all the Venetian Marchants to their liberty and to suffer them to trade in the same manner as they had done before so as they would be bound one for another not to depart from Constantinople nor to send their goods forth of the Ottoman Empire There came besides to Venice a man whose name was Antonio de Modon dwelling at that time in Zante bringing letters from Ianusby his friend which he had written to him concerning their owne particular traficke wherein hee mentioned how that the great Turke and the Bascha were desirous of a Peace with the Republick so as if an Ambassador were sent from Venice to Constantinople for that purpose some agreement might bee easily concluded and that this Iauusbey did offer so that they would intreate him willingly to employ him selfe therein All these things did mooue the Councell of Tenne to begin some practise of agreement but to the end it should bee kept secret they would not for that time send any publick person to Constantinople but appointed Lorenzo Gritti the Dukes sonne for that iourney vnder coullor of some affaires of his owne and in particular for the recouery of certaine goods belonging to a brother of his who a little before dyed at Constantinople They enioyned him first to speake of a generall truce and that hee should bee very earnest therein the better afterwards to come to some resolution But if the Turkes should not entertaine it then to motion a treatie of peace for the Common-wealth by renuing the ancient capitulations and on conditions that both sides should yeeld vp those places that had beene taken during that warre The French King had an hand in this treaty of truce sending an Agent expresly for that purpose to Constantinople but the small hope of any peace was soone discerned the Turke beeing not willing to haue any accord with the Emperour wherevpon the better to turne all his forces against him he had propounded and consented to an agreement with the Venetians But so soone as Gritti his going to Constantinople was published notwithstanding that the cause was kept secret all men did suspect the matter how that his iourney was to treate of peace with Soliman Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza Ambassador at that time for the Emperor at Venice beeing come into the Senate in secret audience did discouer this suspition and made a modest complaint for that they went about to treate of peace with the common enemy not comprehending therein the Emperor their friend and confederate and did afterwards seeke by a long and perswasiue oration to disswade them from peace with the Turkes They answered him that the Republick had more then two years since entred into the league yet neuerthelesse it might truly say that it had alone susteined all the Turkish attempts That they did allow of the lawfull occasions which had held back the arriuall of the ayde of the other Confederates at that time when they most needed them that they did likewise beleeue how it might easily come to passe that by sundry accidents the same occasions might be againe offered and yet neuerthelesse they had euer borne and would beare great respect to the Confederates that the French King had procured generall truce at Constantinople by accepting whereof they did suppose to haue procured much wealth and profit to the common cause whereby great commodity might redound to the league if there were nothing else then the gaining of time which the Emperors selfe did thinke to bee most necessary for his voyage into the Leuant The like pursute was made in the Emperors Court betwixt his Maiesty and the Ambassador of the Common-wealth But it was not to any purpose either to hasten the Emperor to make prouisions for warre or to with-draw the Venetians from the treaty of peace already determined With such successe ended the yeare 1538. about the latter end whereof on the seuen and twenty day of December Prince Gritti deceased beeing foure score and foure yeares of age hauing gouerned fifteene yeares and seauen moneths and was buryed in Saint Francis Church PIETRO LANDE the seuenty eight Duke PIETRO LANDE was chosen in his place a noble man and of three score and eighteene yeeres of age The yeere following was in a manner spent about the negotiation of peace at the beginning whereof the Venetians supposing that it behooued them onely to trust and hope in their owne forces for the safety of their state went about to encrease the Garrisons of their fortes and to re-enforce their Armie wherevpon they made a great leuy of Soldiers and armed other light and great galleys at Venice they likewise sent a commandement to Alessandro
Milladonna Secretary to the Councell of Tenne to read it which in effect was thus That the Senate did greatly maruaile that his Lord beeing no way by them prouoked nor vpon any iust cause would violate and enfringe that oath by which he had so solemnly confirmed the peace and tooke for a pretence to make warre vpon them that they should giue away a kingdome which the common-wealth had for many yeares lawfully and peaceably enioyed the which hee might bee well assured that they would neuer part from but seeing hee was determined to proceed against them after that manner the Venetian Senate would not faile to defend that which did belong vnto it hoping by so much more to bee the better able to doe it by how much the iustice of their cause would procure them all ayde and succour both diuine and humaine They told him afterwards that his Lords letters beeing translated and read hee should receiue an answer and so the Chiaus without any farther discourse was dismissed The beginning of those letters was stuffed with sundry complaints against the Venetians for that they had disquieted the ancient bounds of Dalmatia which by conuention made with his predecessors had beene established betwixt both the one and other Empire that contrary to the old and new agreement the Admiralls of the Venetian Galleys hâ—…d put diuerse Turkish Pirates to death after that they had taken them aliue in fight but especially for that the Westerne Pirates were welcome into the Isle of Cyprus who did continually disquiet his neighbour citâ—…ies and barred his subiects from their free nauigation then toward the latter end hee craued that if the Venetians were desirous to continue their ancient friendship with him that they should surrender vnto him the Isle of Cyprus to take away that cheefe cause which did entertaine those controuersies betwixt them otherwise they should prepare for a fierce warre by sea and land for hee was determined to send his nauall Army with great forces to take that Island and in other places to inuade their dominions by land hoping in God the giuer of victories and in his blessed Prophet Mahomet by whose fauour the Ottoman Family had obtained so great an Empire to be victorious in that enterprise The Senate made this answer to these letters That the Venetians had euer inuiolably maintained peace made with the Ottâ—…man Emperors and contemned all other respects whatsoeuer by refusing all occasions whereof they might haue made good vse to their owne profit because that aboue all other things they thought it fit and beseeming a Prince carefully to keepe his promise and they being desirous to auoyde all suspition of so great an infamy had dissembled and buried in silence diuerse wrongs done vnto them because they would not bee the first desturbers of the peace But now perceiuing that vppon no occasion warre is denounced against them at such a time as they least expected it they would not refuse it for the defence of their owne and in particular for the defence of the Realme of Cyprus the which as their Aucestors had enioyed it with so iust a title for so many yeares they did likewise hope that God would giue them the grace to defend it valiantly against all those that would vniustly take it from them Warre beeing in this sort denounced against the Venetians and by them entertained the Senate made a decree to sell diuerse publick possessions to accept of sundry loanes of money to the great profit of those that brought them and in a word to vse all meanes to gather great sums of money together wherevpon for this purpose the number of the â—…rocurators of Saint Marke was augmented which is the cheef dignity next to the Duke bestowing it vpon those that should lend twenty thouâ—…and Ducats to the Common-wealth they did likewise permit all young Gentlemen to enter into the great Councell before the time appointed by the lawes who thereby might be capable to elect magistrates and likewise to execute the like places themselues so as they would lay in deposito certaine sommes of money in the publique treasury The surcease of armes had continued for a while till the returne of Cubat and the end of his negotiation but being come to Raguza the answere which he brought was soone divulged wherevpon the souldiers that lay in the parts neere adioyning not tarrying for any others commandement being assembled in great numbers did not only waste and spoile the champaine country of Albania and Dalmatia which was subiect to the Venetians but went and encamped before Dulcina and Antiuari who finding them to be manned with strong Garrisons and hauing no ordnance to batter them they were enforced to retire Now the Chiaus being returned to Constantinople and the Senates answere being knowne all men did greatly wonder at it for the Turkes hauing seene in former time what deere account the Venetians made of the great Lords friendship supposed that they would try all meanes before they would take armes against him But Selim did not so much wonder as he did scorne and disdaine accounting himselfe highly wronged and contemned in his owne person because that the vsuall ceremonies and entertainments done to Ambassadors had beene denied to Cubat and for that they had not sent an expresse messenger to him with their answere but had contrary to their promise detained the Secretary Bonricci at Venice In regard whereof his pleasure was being so councelled by Mahomet to haue Cubat come into his presence and particularly to relate the Venetians speeches and entertainment giuen vnto him together with their preparations for warre which he vnderstanding from his mouth was some times amazed at the report of the Republikes forces repenting him in a manner of his determination and on a sodaine he would enter into rage and choller being therevnto prouoked by his owne pride and by the flattery of his councellors wherevpon he placed gards about the Baylies house that he should not goe abroad commanding the Bashas of Cairo and Aleppo to doe the like to the Venetian Consuls of Alexandria and Syria yet they were afterwards set at liberty on condition they should not depart nor conuay their marchandize forth of the Turkes Dominions LODOVICO MOCENIGO the 85. Duke IN the meane time Prince Loredan died at Venice and Lodouico Mocenigo was chosen in his place to the peoples great ioy and vnusuall applauds presuming that they had a Prince who was wise discreet and a louer of the poore and would constantly oppose himselfe against all those perils and dangers which did then threaten the Commonwealth The Senaâ—…e after this election hauing acquainted all Christian Princes with the comming of the Chiaus to Venice together with their answere went about to continue the former motions of the league Therefore for the greater recommendation of the matter they resolued to send an expresse Ambassador to the Emperour and to that end they appointed Giacomo Sourance a man of great
reduced to this forme That none of what quality soeuer should giue lands to the Church but onely for two yeares space in which time they should be sold and if the sale were not made by the Clergie a ciuill Magistrate should bee appointed to doe it This beeing considered by the Senate hath euer since beene generally practised ouer the whole Venetian state The yeare 1603. the Councell of the Preguays at Venice decreed that no Venetian cittizen of what degree or quality soeuer should in the Citty without the Senates consent build any new Church Hospitall or Monastery not that the Senate would wholy prohibit such buildings but because the Prince and Senate as Superiours would consider whether it were needfull or not there beeing in the citty one hundred and fifty Churches Monasteries Hospitalls and other like places of deuotion The yeare following 1604. the Venetians inioying peace warre remooued it selfe to other places as Germany the Leuant and Flanders In the yeare 1605. Pope Clement the eight falling sick on the twelfth of February dyed on the third of March following hauing gouerned the sea of Rome thirteene yeares his body was carried to Saint Peters Church and buried in the Clementine chappell which himselfe had built Then the Cardinalls entring into the Conclaue elected Alessandro de Medicis Cardinall of Florence sonne to the illustrious Octauio who beeing Archbishop of Florence was made Cardinall by Pope Gregory the thirteenth and beeing chosen Pope tooke vpon him the name of Leo the tenth The Romaines were very glad of his election but their ioy lasted not long for hee dyed of a Feuer the twenty sixth day after hee was made Pope Some thought hee was poysoned but his body beeing opened in the presence of diuerse Physitions they found it otherwise hee lyes buryed in Saint Peters Church The Cardinals proceeding to a new election and desirous to make haste the Cardinalls Farnese and Montalto went to Cardinall Aldobrandini intreating him to name three among the whole Colledge of Cardinalls Tuscus and Baronius excepted and they would choose one of the three Wherevpon the Cardinals Clement Arragon and Borgesius beeing named Borgesius as best beloued was presently saluted Pope by way of adoration intitling himselfe Paul the fift This Pope descended from an ancient family in Syenna was sonne to a Romaine Gentlewoman his Father comming to dwell at Rome But the Venetian Clergie notwithstanding the Senates decree did dayly more and more augment their reuenues and possessions as well within the Citty as abroad the Senate for reducing their whole State to one conformable custome had before as hath beene said diuulged their law ouer all their dominions and added therevnto a prohibition that none within their Citty or Signory vnder what coullor soeuer should sell giue or in any sort alienate lands to the Clergie without the Senates permission which should not be granted but with the same solemnities vsuall at the alienation of the publick reuenue and all alienations made otherwise to bee declared voide the lands confiscate and Notaries punished The Pope at the beginning of his Papacie hauing notice of this law did duly examine it and would in no sort approoue it but toward the end of October the same yeare complained thereof to the Venetian Ambassador at the time of publick audience saying That whilest the Sea of Rome was vacant the Venetians had made a lawe which prohibited the Clergie to purchase lands adding though it were made vpon important occasion and by vertue of a former dedree yet the Cannons disanulled them both therefore his pleasure was to haue them reuoked inioyning the Ambassador in his name to signifie as much to the Signory The Ambassador did what the Pope commanded and within a while after receiued instruction and Commission from the Senate to acquaint his Holynesse with the equity of their cause and iustice of their law together with the Signories power and authority to make such decrees The Pope confident in his owne opinion said aloud That he gaue him audience onely to content the Venetians and not to admit any of his propounded reasons or excuses then made an other complaint about the detaining of a Channon of Vincenza and the Abbot of Nerueze both of them accused of notorious crimes and within a while after another concerning the law forbidding to build Churches without permission beeing resolute to haue those two lawes reuoked and the prisoners deliuered to his Nuncio residing in Venice And on the tenth day of September making two Iniunctions one concerning the two lawes and the other about sentencing the Clergie hee sent a Commission to his Nuncio to present them resoluing vpon their answer and refusall to proceed to excommunication But the Nuncio beeing peraduenture mooued with pitty because the Senate at that time had chosen an extraordinary Ambassador by humble meanes to seeke to diuert his Holinesse from his resolution and to induce him better to consider of the matter delaied the presentation of those iniunctions which the Pope tooke in bad part wherevpon in all hast he sent him an expresse commandement to present them without farther delay In regard whereof vpon Christmasse day when Duke Grimani lay at point of death and that the Signory and Senators were assembled some of whom had receiued the holy Sacrament and others were ready to receiue the Nuncio craued audience and presented the two iniunctions which notwithstanding the Dukes death happened the day following were not opened till after the election of the new Duke Prince Grimani hauing gouerned nine yeares and odde moneths departed this mortall life in the Christmasse holy-dayes in the yeare 1605. his funerals ended Leonardo Donato Knight and Procurator of Saint Marke was after the 〈◊〉 manner chosen in his steed on the tenth day of February 1606. LEONARDO DONATO the 90. Duke AFter his election the two iniunctions beeing opened were both of one substance containing that his Holynesse was aduertised that the Venetian Senate had decreed diuerse things contrary to the liberty of the Church and authority of the Sea Apostolick and diuulged ouer all their Signories certaine lawes particular to the Citty of Venice forbidding to build Churches and Monasteries and to allienate secular possessions to the Clergie without the Senates permission which as repugnant to the Churches liberty his Holynesse declared to bee of no force and they who had made them to haue incurred Ecclesiasticall censures commanding them on paine of excommunication presently to reuoke and breake those lawes threatning to proceed farther if they obeyed him not To this the Senate answered on the 28. of Ianuary the same yeare 1606. That with greefe and amazement it vnderstood by his Holynesse letters that hee disliked the lawes of the Venetian common-wealth prosperously obserued for many ages and neuer till then taxed by any of his predecessors the reuocation whereof would ouer-throw the foundation of their State that hee accounted those lawes to be contrary to the authority of the
giue ouer their robbing the Dalmatian and Histrian seas sent certaine Galleys thither vnder the command of Giouan Bembo their Generall assisted by Colonell Piercente Gabutio his troopes who defeated these theeues and cleered the seas Heerein during peace did the Venetians busie themselues whilest the Turke enuaded Hungary and Transiluania But the Vsicoques in the yeare 1599. continuing their incursions the Venetians sent Nicolo Donato who succeded Bembo against them together with the same Colonell Pierconte Gibutio and his Regiment who entred and wasted their countrey tooke diuerse of theirs Castles and slew many of them Henry the fourth French King vpon diuerse iust and reasonable causes hauing obtained the Popes dispensation to repudiate his wife the Lady Marguerite of France sister to the late King and to marry an other by whom hee might haue issue craued the Lady Maâ—…y of Medicis Princesse of Florence daughter to the late Francisco great Duke of Tuscany and Neece to Ferdinand de Medicis now great Duke a Princesse beside her youth endowed with rare beauty wisdome and many excellent parts The great Duke perceiuing how honorable this match would bee to himselfe and the whole family of Medicis did willingly consent therevnto wherevpon so soone as it was determined and concluded a great Lord of France was sent thither who in the Kings name married her at Florence honoring her as his maisters wife Then all things prepared for the iourney of so great a Princesse towards the latter end of the yeare she embarked hir selfe and traine in the great Dukes Gallies sailing to Marseilles where arriuing she remained for certaine daies receauing magnificent entertainment till she might faâ—…ther know the pleasure of the King her husband who at that time made warre vpon the Duke of Sauoy for recouery of the Marquisat of Salusses which that Duke had seazed on during the ciuill warres of France His Maiestie hauing intelligence that the Queene his wife was arriued at Marseilles sent word that shee should come to Lyons whither himselfe came in post and consummated the marriage begun at Florence Italy in the meane time was in all arme because the Count Fuentes being by King Philip sent Lieutenant Generall to Milan made great leuies of soldiers both Spaniards Italians Swisses and Almaines vnder collour of aiding the Duke of Sauoy against the French King if peace betwixt those Prines tâ—…eated of at the Popes command by his Nephew the Cardinall Aldobrandini tooke not effect This troubled all Italy and especially the Venetians in regard of their townes in Lombardy The great Duke likwise grew iealous whervpon each of them armd and gaue order to fortifie their frontiers the lâ—…ke did Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin Peace in the meane time being proclaimed at Lyons betwixt the Christian King and duke of Sauoy at the beginning of the yeare 1601. and Count Fuentes for all that not disarming but on the contrary encreasing his forces made the French King to renew his league with the Swisses and to leuy new troupes that if the Spaniard should enuade any of his friends or Confederats in Italy him selfe might speedily be able to succor him King Philip aduertized of this iealozy commanded Count Fuentes to disarme whereby al these suspitions ceased Not-with-standing the Venetians sent the Colonell Pier-conte with other Captaines into Lombardy whither like-wise by their commandement the Generall Leonardo Donato was gone together with Giouan Baptista Generall of their fantery to fortifie their frontier townes hauing discouered a plot laid to surprize one of their cheefest Citties and although Count Fuentes by his masters commandement had deuided his Army at Milan into sundry parts namely into Flanders Croatia and to Prince Doria yet he still retained such great numbers at Milan as might iustly cause his neighbors to feare and suspect The Venetians likewise armed certaine Gallies and two Galeasses Diuers causes mooued the Venetians to doe so but cheefly because Prince Doria by King Phillips commandement hauing rigged a mighty fleet houered vp and downe the mediterranean no man knowing his deseigne in the end he cleered this doubt for he sailed to Argier in Barbary making an attempt there which by reason of sundry difficulties had no good successe In the yeare 1602. the fort called Palma Noua by the Venetians was ended and is thought to be one of the goodliest in all Italy which beeing inhabited they there beganne to build faire houses and goodly Pallaces so as in a short time they hope it will prooue as populus as strong The Senate afterwards perceiuing that one of the mouthes of Po would in time choake vp with aboundance of earth the Hauens of Chioggia and Malamoc to the great preiudice and hinderance of the Citty of Venice which by that meanes would loose the ordinary trafficke and commerce of those Hauens caused a great trench to bee made through which they diuerted that mouth of the Riuer another way making it to fall into the Sea at a place whereas it could doe noe more hurt At the same time Philippo Pascalic arriued at Venice returning from his iourney against the Vsicoques hee was sent by the Senate as Prouidator Generall of Dalmatia wherein hee got great commendation hauing defeated those theeues who were afterwards wholy rooted out by the Archduke Theodoro Balbi likewise Prouidator of the Gulphe did put the Pirates of Barbary to flight who scouâ—…ed the seas almost to Venice from whom hauing taken three Galeots and set many Christian slaues at liberty hee did so terrifie them as they durst no more come into those seas The great Dukes Galleys had the like good hap which according to their custome sailing in the Archipelago to meet with Turkish Foists and to spoile their sea coasts incountred the Galleys of Rhodes which they fought with tooke some of them and carried a rich booty to Florence But not to stray farre from the Venetians the Clergie of Prague hauing vehemently contested against Doctor Francisco Zabarello for the â—…ute prefer'd to sell certaine antient Church lands The Senate made a decree that the Church should not appropriate vnto it selfe rents possessed by the Layety grounding that decree vpon a prohibition made by the Senate in the yeare 1333. that no lands should bee giuen or bequeathed in perpetuity to Churches within the Citty and Dutchy of Venice and if any were left vnto them they should bee sold by a certaine time prefixt and the money alone to be theirs alledging for reason that the Clergie who pretend themselues and goods to bee exempt from all necessary charges belonging to the Common-wealth the number of them dayly increasing and on the contrary that of the Citizens still decreasing who serue and busie themselues in the ciuill gouernment and the quantity of their goods wheron the publick reuenew depends beginning to faile in the end all wealth would of necessity fall to the Clergie This law was variously obserued till the yeare 1536. when it was