trappings upon him looked backward for new meaning thereby the instability of this happy kingdom loving always new Governors like the Asses figure which was devised by gross Asses to dishonor and discredit this noble kingdom but it is certain this little kingdom hath sustained great oppression they imputing it to no other sense have feigned this Asinine simplicity which saying the envious have not stuck to publish in books Manner of writing used by the Arragonian Kings of Naples writing to divers Princes KIng Alphonso to the Emperour of Germany was wont to write in parchment in th'infrascribed manner To the most renowned Prince and most excellent Lord Frederick Emperour of the Romans for ever Royall The subscription was thus Alphonsus by th'grace of God King of th' Aragons Sicilie on this side and beyond the Pharos Valentia Jerusalem Hungaria the Majorcas Sardinia Corsica c. greeting and increase of prosperous successes And so in the Occurrences he used to write Most renowned and most excellent Prince we would intreat your Soveraignty or your Mightiness To the Emperour of Constantinople To the most renowned and most excellent Lord Drage Paleologo Emperour of the Romans for ever royall our most dear kinsman The subscription was as above To Prester Iohn of India To the most eminent and most unconquerable Monarch Lord Isaack Prester Iohn sonn of David Lord of the Tables Mount Sinai Aethiopia King of Kings our most dear brother The subscription in the manner aforesaid To the great Turk To the most renowned Prince Amorat Bechi great Lord of the Theucrians our most dear friend To the great Soldan of Babylon To the most Illustrious Prince Abuysac Iamac great Soldan of Babylon To the King of France To the most renowned Prince Charls King of the French our most loving kinsman and friend To the King of England To the most renowned Prince Henry King of England our most dear kinsman and friend To the King of Cyprus To the most worthy Prince Iohn King of Cyprus our most dear kinsman and friend To the King of Castile and Leon. To the most renowned and Illustrious Prince Don Henrich King of Castile and Leon our very dear and very loving Cousin To the Queen of Arragon To the most illustrious Queen our most dear and most beloved Wife and Lieutenantess generall To the King of Portugall To the very Ilustrious Prince Don Alfonso King of Portugall and Algarue our very dear and well-beloved Cousin To the King of Navarre To the most Illustrious Prince Don Iohn King of Navarre our very dear and much beloved Brother and Lieutenant Generall To the King of Granada To the high Prince Don Machand King of Granada our very dear and much beloved friend To the King of Tunis To the most Illustrious Prince Don Octunne King of Tunis our very dear and much beloved friend To the Dolphin of France To the most illustrious Prince Lewis Dolphin of Usania our most dear kinsman To the Prince of Austria To the most Illustrious and our very dear and much beloved Cozen Henry Prince of Austria first born in the kingdoms of Castile and Leon. To the Duke of Cleves To the most illustrious Prince Iohn Duke of Cleves our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Osterlich To the Illustrious and mighty Albert Duke of Osterlich To the Duke of Brittannie To the Illustrious and mighty Peter Duke of Brittannie our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Burgundy To the most Illustrious Prince Philip Duke of Burgundie our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Burgundie his eldest son To the most illustrious Prince Charls first born of the most illustrious Duke of Burgundie and Lord Charlois our most dear kinsman To the Duke of Savoy To the Illustrious and mighty Prince Lewis Duke of Savoy Chablays our most dear kinsman To the Earl of Foix. To the respected and excellent Gascon Earl of Foix our most dear kinsman and friend Names of all the Vice-roys of Naples which began in the year 1505. Year of Christ. Number of Vice-roys  1505 1 COnsalvo Fernandes of the House of Aghilar a Cordonese by Nation Duke of Terranova who for his famous victories was called the Great Captain 1507 2 Don Iohn of Arragon Duke of Ripacursa 1510 3 Don Raimondo of Cardona Count of Albento 1514  * Don Bernardino Villamarino * 1517. Don Francis Remolinis Cardinall of Sorrento were both Lieutenants 1523 4 Don Charls della Noia 1526  * Andrew Carrafa Count of St. Severina was a Lieutenant 1527 5 Don Vgo of Moncada 1528 6 Philibert of Chalon Prince of Orange 1530 7 Pompey Colonna Cardinall 1532 8 Don Piedro de Toledo Marquis of Villafranca 1553 9 Don Lewis of Toledo was Lieutenant 1554 10 Don Pietro Pacecco Cardinall Seguntine   * 1554 Don Bernardine of Mendoza was Lieutenant 1555 11 Don Ernandez Alvarez of Toledo Duke of Alva 1559 12 Bartholomew Cardinall of Cuova   * 1559. Don Frederico de Toledo * 1559. Don Iohn Marique were Lieutenants one after the other 1559 13 Don Perafan Duke of Alcala 1570 14 Antony Perrenotto Cardinall of Granvela 1577 15 Don Innico of Mendoza Marquis of Mondesela 1579 16 Don Iohn Zunica Prince of Pietra Precia 1582 17 Don Peter Giron Duke of Ossuna 1586 18 Don Iohn de Zunica Count of Miranda 1596 19 Don Henry de Gusman Count of Olivares 1599 20 Don Ferdinand di Castra Count of Lemos and of Andrada Marquis of Sarria and Count of Villalua went Ambassador to Rome sent by Philip the second and left in the kingdom for Lieutenant Don Francisco his son who governed with great wisdom The seven principall Offices of the KINGDOM High Constable THere are seven principall or chief Offices in the kingdom The first whereof is the Great or High Constable who stands in place of Generall or the Kings Lieutenant in the wars which happen in the kingdom and in such a case orders and provides for all such things as belong to the Militia This Office lasts as long as the war And when the King creates such a one he puts a golden Truncheon in his hand saying Take this sacred Truncheon in thy hand to drive away and keep back the enemies and opposers of my people And this word Constable much used amongst Tuscan Writers did anciently signifie a Captain of a quantity of Cavallery But in process of time by Constable was meant a Commander of Foot-Soldiers the Captains of Horse beginning to be called Conductors Bembo in his Latin History calls the Constable Centurion of Soldiers In the kingdom of Naples the office of Constable signified not onely a Captain but one of far greater authority it being of the seven offices the greatest And as it hath been always conferred upon great Lords so we see it at this day setled upon the person of N. He by right commands all Martiall persons as well afoot as on hors-back And in Royall Parliaments sits next the King on his right
her arm that the Prince might distinguish her ib. A censure of the English that came with the Prince ib. A notable saying of Archy ib. A high passion shewed by the Prince to the Infanta ib. A civil answer by the Prince to the Popes complement 28 A discreet answer to another Speech of the King of Spain's 28 The Amorous parting of the King of Spain and the Prince ib. An Inscription thereupon 29 A Rupture of the Spanish match 31 A Libel against Spain 34 A pithy but punctual Relation of the late prodigious Revolutions in Naples and how it was suppressed 44 Arettus Jest of the Neapolitan 62 B BAcchus hath his Inner-Cellar in Naples In proem The Battel of S. Quinten on S. Laurence's day 7 The Battering Canons heard from Calais to Antwerp 6 Boccolini had his bones crushed by baggs of sand whereof he died 24 Buckingham the breakneck of the Spanish match 29 Buckingham Olivares and Bristol clash one with another ib. Buckingham makes use of the Parlament to break the match 37 Buckingham not beloved in Spain 30 By what reasons one may conclude the Spaniard did really intend a match with England ib. Bristol and Ashton like to clash about a Letter sent from the Prince ib. The Bold spirit of young don Carlos Philip the second 's son exemplified 17 Buckinghams parting speech to Olivares 29 Olivares his Answer ib. Olivares forced to part covertly from the Court of Spain betwixt two Jesuits 59 C THe Cause of the Dedication of this work to the Marquis of Hartford in Epist. Ceres and Bacchus strive for mastery in Naples in proem Comparisons of the last tumults in Naples in proem A Comparison of Philip the second in proem A Character of Charls the fifth 1 Charls the fifth first of the Austrians who mounted the Neapolitan courser ib. Some Critical censures upon Charls the fifths resignations 4 The Conquest of Portugal the last great exploit of Philip the second 12 The Close illegible countenance of Philip the second 18 A Comparison betwixt them of Milan and Naples 24 A Contract betwixt Rome and Naples at Delphos ib. A Character of the Count of Olivares the great favorit 60 The sad Catastrophe of him ib. His witty Speech touching the Queen of Spain ib. A Character of the Neapolitans 61 Conde de Castrillo present Viceroy of Naples helpt to put down Olivares 60 D THe Dutchy of Calabria compared to Naples in point of fertility in proem The Duke of Alva though in disgrace yet employed for the conquest of Portugal by Philip the second 7 Don Alonzo de Vargas reduceth Saragoza 9 The Duke of Parma's protestation at his entrance into France ib. A witty Dialogue betwixt Almansor King of Granada and Naples 22 Of the nature of the Neapolitan horse 122 The difference betwixt Rome and Naples 24 Don Gaspar de Gusman first favorit of this King of Spain Don Philip the second thought to be accessary to Escovedos death 18 An Apology for the extraordinary actions of Kings ib. Don Lewis de Haro the present favorit of Spain Olivares nephew 60 Donna Maria the Infanta caused Mass to be sung for the Prince his good voyage to England 30 Don Balthasar the young Prince helped to put down Olivares 59 Donna Anna de Guevara her wise speech with another of the Queens 58 59 E EArthquakes and incendiums in Naples and their cause in proem The Expeditions of Charls the Emperor 2 The Exploits of Charls the Emperor ib. Examples produced of the admirable temper of Philip the second 1â— Examples of his piety 16 Examples of his charity 1â— Of Escovedo Secretary to don Iohn 18 The Expulsion of the Moors from Spain 20 The motives which induced Philip the third to banish them ib. The English Ambassador gave the first advice of an intended insurrection of the Moors ib. An Epitaph put on Masanello 53 Eraso a great wise man Secretary to Charls the fifth 3 An Elogium of Charls the fifth 4 The Extraordinary policy of Philip the second to suppress the dangerous insurrection of Saragoza 8 F FRench compared with the Neapolitan in proem Five Kings of several Nations in Naples in 5 years in proem Forty several Revolutions in Naples in a short time in proem Fortune being a woman loves youth best 3 France the greatest one knot of strength a-against Spain 9 The Fleet 88. 11 The Four Acts for which Philip the second was censured 18 The Fare betwixt Naples and Sicily 44 Filomarinâ— the Archbishop of Naples from utter destruction 49 First Foundress of Naples was a young Grecian Lady 60 The Formidable insurrections of Naples suppressed principally by young Don Iohn of Austria 56 G GReat works of charity in Naples in proem The greatest conquest Charls the Emperor made was of himself in proem Of the Gout 2 The Guysards take Calais on Christmas day from the English 6 Genovino an old Priest and cunning fellow made Masanello's chief privy Counceller 47 The Duke of Guise comes from Rome to Naples the people entertain him for their General and is treated with highness 55 Young Don Iohn of Austria takes him prisoner and sends him to Spain 57 The Duke of Guise breaks out of prison in Madrid and is taken again at Victoria but released by the mediation of Conde 55 The Lord Goring doth notable service in Catalonia 57 Grandees of Spain curbed by Olivares ib. Gennaro the next great Rebel to Masenello executed ib. H THe Heriot and Rent which Naples paies yearly to the Pope in proem The History of Naples never brought to England till now in proem How Francis the first was taken prison in Italy 3 The Hearts of Kings as their waies should be sometimes inscrutable 18 Henry the sixth of England compared with Philip the third of Spain 21 Henry the fourth of France compared to a barber ib. How he shaved Philip the second while Q. Eliz. held the basen ib. How Philip the second rid the Neapolitan Courser off his leggs ib. The Hazardous night-ploâ— of Don Iohn and how it took wonderfull success for reducing of Naples 56 Henry the eight Protector of the Duke of Calabria in Epist. ded Henry de Gusman Olivares bastard his legend 59 I INhabitants of Naples have the face open the heart shut in proem The Inconstancy of the vulgar in proem The Insurrection of Aragon 8 The Insurrection of Sicily under the Marquiss de los Velez 44 The hideous Insurrection of Naples a little after ib. D. Iohn of Austria arives at Naples where he doth notable exploits and reduceth the City 54 Don Iohn composeth the tumults of Sicily 57 He takes Barcelona with the help of the Lord Goring 57 An Inhuman piece of vilany discovered in Naples ib. Iulian Valcasar Olivares Bastard 59 Inducements to believe that the Spaniards did really intend a match with England 30 An Italian libel englished 36 Iulian Valcasar base son to Olivares changes his name to Don Henry de Gusman 59 K THe Killing of Masanello
Near Naples is the Greek Tower first called Herculea of Hercules which came thither with many Ships after he left Nontiata near the ancient Stabie At this place standeth aloft that famous Hill of Somma called Vesevo and Vesuvio about which are situated many pleasant Villages except in the top where the Poets feign remain the shoulders of the Giant Porfirius In the time of the Emperor Titus with a general fear to all those in the fields and destruction of them which were nearest it cast out from the top thereof great flames of fire and Balls of Sulphure Mine and burning stones where Pliny died the great preserver of the Latine tongue whilst he desired to see the great exhalations of that Hill which cast the ashes even into Africa Going a little farther is the City of Castel by the Sea of Stabia so named by the City Stabbia which was not far off which had been destroyed by L. Silla this Castle is situated in a corner of the Mount Gauro where it beginneth to stretch towards the West which maketh the Promontory of Minerva Here about the distance of a mile through the delight of the place King Charls the second builded a Royal Palace calling it for the sweetness of the air the Wholsome House which afterward King Rubert enlarged giving it greater beauty and ornament which place is now possest by the Noble Family Nocera King Ferrant the first having bestowed it on Pietro Nocera his chiefest favorite which for his great valour was afterward by King Ferrant the second made General of the Gallies This Country aboundeth with great plenty of clear water and great store of the best Fruits and for the facility and easie access of the place hath much Traffick According to the division of Strabo of Ptolomy and of Sempronio this City should be placed in the Country of the Picentini which is now called the Province of Principato but we have thought best to confine it in the Land of Lavoro because it is situated in the Gulf of Cratero Within a little is the beautifull City Vico builded by the people Equani then followeth the City Sorrento very ancient and Noble situated on the top of the Hill whose prospect is the Sea Although it be not of that greatness as formerly it hath been it hath a very fertile and delightfull Territory garnished with Vines and Oringes and other fruitfull Trees This City was builded by the Greeks and was called Petra Syrenum In this City lived Antonio the Abbot a most holy man and famous for his miracles whose body remaineth even now as a testimony of his divine Miracles as they say towards those which are oppressed with Spirits Then from Sorrento a mile is the City of Massa newly named to the which Paolo Portarello that excellent Poet and great Humanist hath now and alwaies giveth everlasting glory From hence then is seen the solitary Hill Atheneo the which because it joyneth not with any other Hill passeth along towards the West and is otherwise called the Hill Massa it was also called Prenusso Sirreo Minervio and the Hill Equano in the top of the Promontory is to be seen a great part of the Temple of Minerva builded by Vlisses Under the side of the said Promontory are certain desart and stony Islands called the Sirenes in one whereof from that part which lieth towards Surrento in ancient time was a rich Temple where were certain very ancient gifts long since presented by the Inhabitants of the Country for the worship and reverance of that holy place the Reliques whereof are now to be seen Here endeth the Gulf called Cratera included within two Promontories Miceno and Ateneo which lie towards the South which Gulf is almost wholly planted with Houses and goodly Gardens opposite to the which riseth out of the Sea the Isle of Capri the first delightfull place of Tiberius Caesar but now ordained for Exiles and banished people Here twice in a year are Quails taken Directly against Miseno is the Isle of Prochita now called Procita the which according to Strabo is a part of Pitecuse Procita was so called as Pliny saith by the depth thereof for by miracle the said Isle rise of it self out of the bottom of the Sea But as Dionisius of Alicarnaseo affirmeth that it was named by a beautifull young man a Trojau called Procita which came thither to inhabit Whereof Servio upon these Verses of Virgil saith in his 9 Book Tum sonitu Prochyta alta tremit c. Saith that it had that name from Protheus which signifieth spread or dispersed to the which opinion agreeth the Greeks and almost all the Latines Silio the Italian in his 12 Book speaking of Procida saith thus Apparet Prochyta saevum sortita Numanta Apparet procul Inarime quae turbine nigro Fumantem premit Iapetum flammasque rebelli Ore rejectantem si quando evadere detur Bella Iovi rursus superisque iterare volentem Within this Isle is a fair Country well replenished with people which hath the same name and is very famous for the abundance of Corn that is gathered within it and for the taking of Partridges and Pheasants whereof there is great plenty The Lord of this Isle in former time was Iohn of Procida a Phisitian a man very famous who fearing not the power of King Charls of Angio to revenge a great injury took Sicilia with that famous slaughter of the French commonly called the Sicilian evening and he had done greater matters if he had been permitted This Iohn was in great esteem with Iames King of Arragon after whose death King Peter his son knowing the valour of Iohn Le dio dice il Zurita en el Reino de Valencia para el y sus successores las Villas y Castillos de Luxer Benyzano y Palma con sus alquerias He gave him as saith Zurita in the Kingdom of Valentia to him and his successors the Towns and Castles of Luxer Benyzano and Palma with their bordering Villages From this man descended the Family called Procita which are now very great in the Kingdom of Catalogna and enjoyeth the Countie of Almenare In the said Isle in a fair Church with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Margarite the Virgin and Martyre which was carried thither from Antiochia Salvo Selano the Phisician honoureth much this Isle now living in Naples with great renown who hath written upon the Aphorismes of Hyppocrates The said Isle is distant from Naples twelve miles and in composs seven A little from Procita lieth the Isle Ischia formerly called Inarime Pithecusa and Enaria very famous not only for the Fable which the Greeks feigne of the Giant Tipheo strucken with Iupiters Thunder-bolt but also for a Fortress there being so great that it is held the second Key of the Kingdom The said Castle was builded by Alfonsus of Medina King of Arragon first of this name King of Naples who because
new Inhabitants undoing and pulling down certain ancient Sepulchres to build little houses in their Villages purposing to imploy those stones and using therein much labour and diligence passing up and down discovered certain Vessels of antick work found in a little Table of Brass wherein was written Capi the builder of Capoa to be here buried with Letters in Greek words to this effect That whensoever the bones of Capi shall be discovered at the same instant one of the kindred of Iulo must be slain with a sword by the hands of his own friends and kindred and after be revenged with grievous afflictions and the ruine of Italy This same Capoa was by Gensericus King of the Vandals razed and destroyed with sword and fire six hundred years after it had been subject to the Romans but since the Goths Ostrogoths being chased away by Narsete Eunuco Captain to the Emperor Iustinian was newly inhabited again And about a hundred years after was destroyed and ruinated anew by the Lombards but with the reliques builded of the Inhabiters again two miles distant from the ancient place Since by Conradus King of Naples son of the Emperor Frederick the second the Walls thereof were thrown to the ground because the Capoans were known to be contrary to the Manfredi with the Neopolitans wherefore he ransackt and sackt it and did therein harm enough It sustained great calamity in the time of Pope Alexander the sixth being sacked and robbed by the French sent by Lewis the twefth King of France to the Conquest of the Kingdom of Naples against King Frederick of Arragon now it remaineth well fortified by the providence of Philip of Austria the most puissant Catholick King under whose protection it resteth most secure Pliny in the description of Italy speaking of Capoa saith that there is the Field Leborino much more pleasant and delightfull then any part of all Italy and he in another place calleth Leborino the excellent Territory of Capoa and to declare what it is the Territory thereof is all plain which stretcheth from Tifata which is the Hill above Capoa even to Naples and Pozzuolo and from Capoa to the mouth of Vulturno where it entreth into the Sea Capoa being so hated and defaced by the Romans and twice ruinated the people near adjoyning disdained to be any longer called Campani desiring to avoid this infamy and this danger to be hated and undone for this name changed the name being called by their ancient name Leborini and so much their constant perseverance prevailed that that which before was wont to be called Campania was called the Land of Lebore But since the word being corrupted by people was called the Land of Labore from whence grew the opinion that this should be because as it were all pains for so the word Labore signifies should there be well bestowed and some others have said that it should be so called from the great and difficult pains that is required in the subduing of it F. L. Sosipatro Charisio a most ancient Gramarian was a Citizen of Capoa whose works have been found by Iano Parasio Victore called the Capoan Bishop and a famous Astrologian and an excellent Orator hath given great honour to this City who lived in the year of Christ 480. Likewise Pietro of Vineis was also a Citizen a learned Lawyer which was in great favour with the Emperor Frederick the second King of Naples but the Emperor had afterward a certain suspicion of him for a conspiracy that was deâ—ised banished him where through grief he died having first composed a Book of Consolation Of this Pietro Dante maketh mention in the first part of the 13 Cant. saying I am he which holdeth both the Keys Iohn Antonio Campano hath also given no small reputation to this noble City of whom Raffaello Voluterano writeth that he know him being a child attended the keeping of sheep and being apt and urged by nature endeavoured by all means to attain learning wherein he so much profited that he was esteemed worthy to read in the Schools of Paris being entertained by the Paragians with a large stipend and so much he increased in faâ—â— and learning that Pius the second afterward made him Bishop of Apruntino This learned man left behind him many Works of the which was the book of the Acts and famous deeds of Braccio of Montone He writ the life of the worthy Prince Frederick Duke of Vrbin and the life of Pope Pius the second Moreover in these our daies Camille Pellegrino and Beneditto of Vva excellent Poets whose Works are well known have and alwaies give everlasting honour to this noble City And with these hath also been very famous Iohn Battista an eloquent Orator Afterward from Capoa eight miles distant is Aversa a noble and a rich City builded upon the ruines of the ancient Attella often remembred by Livy and Marcus Tullius Atella was the well-spring of lascivious Verses and wanton and effeminate behaviours whereupon the compositions and lascivious Comodies and dishonest were called Atelliane Boyes and girls were taught certain lascivious Verses and to that purpose did come with a certain composed measure and wanton carriage of the body and roling the eyes to pronounce them with so great immodesty and lascivious behaviours at the Tables of dishonest persons and on the Stages that there wanted nothing but the dishonest and carnal conjunction together But of better discipline was the beginning of Aversa the which by Averso the Norman a famous Captain was first built and afterwards was beautified by Robert Guiscardo a worthy and a valiant man This City was ruinated and defaced even to the foundation by Charls the first of Angio King of Naples for the Rebellion of the House Rebursa But it was afterward newly re-edified and beautified by Charls the second King his son This City is great and much inhabited and is one of the principal in the Land of Lavoro as well for the vicinity and neighbourhood of the City of Naples from the which it is not distant more then seven miles as also for the fertilty of the pleasant and beautifull fields thereof the which being inclosed in six miles spread between Naples and Capoa And a little more towards Linterne compassing a great part of the Leborine fields sometime very famous and now called Gaudo Moreover this City is very honorable for the Bishoprick which yieldeth eight thousand Crowns yearly and is now under the Authority of the worthy and reverend Lord Don Pietro Orsino a Prelate as it is commonly said of great clemency and wisdom whereby he is loved and honoured of all This City had many famous men very expert in the Law as Cavello Barnado President of the Kings Chamber Felice Barnada Tomaso Grammatico a famous Councellor for the deciding of controversies Scipio Cutinarâ—o Regent of the Councel of Italy in Spain Marc. of Mauro President of the Summaria In Philosophy
Hannibal whereof Strabo in the end of his fifth Book thus vvriteth Picentum vero Metropolis erat quòndam Picentia nunc verò per vicos vitam agunt ab Romanis expulsi propter initam cum Annibale societatem Quo quidem in tempore pro militari officio viatoris publici aut tabellaris operam explerent assignati sunt quem admâ—dum Lucani Brutii easdem ob causas Paulum autem supra mare Romani Salernum custodiae gratia in eos munierunt c. Afterward under the Triumvirat of Ti. Sempronio Longo Consul and of M. Servilio and of C. Minucio Thermo was made a Colony at the same time with Pozzuolo Vulturno Linturno and Buxento and from that time following was that City confederate with the Romans and govern'd as their Commonwealth nor ever was it unfaithfull unto the reverend Majesty of the Roman Empire by which means it increased in honour and grew very populous but alwaies defended it against the fury of Barbarians But Italy being afterward overrun by the Longobards Salerno came also under their Dominion and so in the year of Christ 839. Sicardo the 18. Duke of Benevento and fifth Prince being slain by Naningone Radelchi the Treasurer took the Principality of Benevento all things being then in hurly-burly The Salernitans grudging at that Election and to be alwaies subject to the Beneventani with secret practises attempted to wring the Seigniory from the hand of Radelchi and to give the same to Sichinolfo the brother of the late slain Sicardo who was then in prison at Taranto but they perceiving so great an enterprise could not be well undertakâ—n without the help of the Amalfitani made league with them and so by common advice sent a Bark well armed under shew to buy certain earthen Vessels which with great secricy they sent to Taranto where the Bark arived and they landed those to whom the charge of so great affairs were committed so ordered the matter that they came thither by night and not knowing where to remain were received by the Gaoler under whose custody that miserable Sichinolfo continued whom they corrupted with money and made so drunk with wine became therewith so drowsie that easily they brake up the prison and released Sichinolfo wherewith they merrily entred their Bark and came to Salerno where the name of Sichinolfo being advanced by his partakers and favorites they drove away and killed the Officers and adherents of Radelchi and proclaimed him Prince and Lord in the year 840. there joyned with Sichinolfo Landolfo Count of Capoa and likewise in favour of him came Orso and Radolmondo the one Lord of Couâ—a and the other of Agerenza Radelchi seeing so dangerous a conspiracy at hand and fearing though he delayed no time they would notwithstanding gather greater force with an incredible courage caused his people to be assembled and got together a goodly Army wherewith he came against Salerno whom Sichinolfo deferred no time to incounter having all these people united together Salernitani Capoani Argentini and Conzani and coming with him to hard strokes remained conqueror having put the Beneventani to slight and many of them cut in pieces won their Quarters and took from them many Ensignes Whereupon with plenty of spoil and glory entred Salerno with great triumph and having got so great strength which was not only sufficient to defend but also to assail the enemy in his own quarter with a mighty Army came against Benevento But the Beneventani being not able to indure that to the ill-fortune of the first overthrow should be annexed new ignominy became so desperate to be thus disparaged charged the back of Sichinolfo with the uttermost of their fury forcing them to retire and turn their back having put to the edg of the sword not a few of those which were not speedy for their own safety The Saracins of Sicilia understanding these stirs unwilling to omit so good an occasion incontinently entred Calauria and overcame Taranto going against Puglia a City of the same Province put it to sword and fire In the mean time Lodovico King of Italy being invited by Londone Count of of Capoa son of Landolfo to yield some redress to the afflicted state of the Longobards having cut the Saracins in pieces made division of the Principality between Sichinolfo and Radelchi who remaining Prince of Benevento with the bounds of that State and Sichinolfo possessing the rest with title of Prince of Salerno which was in the year 847. and so was made the division of the Principality of Benevento between these Lords and now began the title of the Principality of Salerno The Arms of these Princes now laid aside Sichinolfo no long time after enjoyed the fruits of his great labours being assailed with a grievous sickness departed this life having by Itta his wife left one only son by the name of his grandsire called Sicone who being also a child left him to the tuition of Pietro his Gossip Sichinolfo reigned little more then ten years with fame and the reputation of a liberal and a valiant man to whom Radelchi was not much inferior who having reigned twelve years lacking one month died the year 8â—0 leaving heir of his estate his son Radelgario Lodovico King of Italy being gone the Saracens that held the City of Bari began by little and little to spread over Puglia and to prey and spoil the Country the which thing proceeding happily partly encouraged them to spread even to the Tirrene Sea forraging and miserably spoiling Calauria and partly to run thorow all the Principality of Benevento whereupon the Longobards being unable to resist so many evils recalled Lodovico again into Italy who delayed no time to come and having with many battels brought the Saracins to extream misery conceiving indignation against Sicone banished him from Salerno and constituted Prince thereof Ademario son of Pietro To Ademario succeeded Danferio and to him Guaiferio and next after Guaimaro who died the year 950. by whose death his son Gisulfo succeeded in the Principality in whose time things were in some quiet In the year 954 the body of St. Matthew the Evangelist was brought to Salerno which had been first in Ethiopia where he suffered martyrdom and after in Brittain was found by revelation of the same Saint the Authors of that age write that three years after were seen two Suns and that in the Month of Iuly two daies together all the Sea which is between Naples and Cuma became sweet Gisulfo was a mercifull and valorous Prince and began in the honour of the said Saint a magnificent and stately Church beautified with high and mighty Pillars of Marble and under the Alter bestowed the sacred body of the said Saint where they say is seen much Manna which alwaies issuing from his reverend bones are often the occasion of admirable effects Gisulfo dead the Principality fell to Landolfo who being possest with zealous and holy devotion
de Biscolis should not presume to bear for his Arms a Lion seâ—ant or with the tail through his legs and turning up towards the head above a fesse ar in a field gu declaring that these Arms were the ancient Ensignes and Coat Armor of the said Family Besides the said Family prospereth in many other Corporations in divers places as Pietro de Pezzo descending of Iohn went to Amalfi to the Government of that State was comprehended in the number of the Nobility of that City and Luke his brother serving the Duke of Amalfi Marquiss of Guasto in the Wars of Lombardy being a Captain of much renown in his return passing by Rome was by the Decree of the Senate made with his successors of the race and line of the Roman Senators the which line is now to be seen in the Segge of the Nobility of Campo in Salerno And Francesco del Pezzo the son of Pirro being by the favour of King Philip created Auditor of the same Province was reckoned among the Nobility of the Segge of Portaretese This Family hath alwaies had excellent men both in Learning and Military affairs And among others Don Ieronimo del Pezzo a noble man well qualified which for his excellent parts was by the favour of King Philip honoured with the Order of the Knights of St. Iames. And among the rest Iohn Andrea Knight of St. Iohn of Malta which valiantly fighting in the enterprise of Zara died there and now liveth with much honour Silvio Knight of the same Malta and of sincere life and singular learning besides the Lord Cesare del Pezzo Bishop of Sulmo What they were in old time their royal issue sufficiently declares the men of this Family have been Lords of many Castles and great revenues But in these daies they possess the Barony of St. Mango in Cilento and the Barony of Prato St. Pro in the County of Aquilaâ— the one is Baron Tiberio del Pezzo descending of Luke a Lord of most pleasing behaviour and a great lover of vertue which is one of the rarest Noble men of these daies the other possesseth Hortenzio del Pezzo Doctor of Law and descended from Pirro before said Now returning to Salerno in whose reverend Churches the bodies of many Saints are in rest whereof Marc. Antonio Marsilio Colonna Arch-Bishop of the same City very largely discourseth Many ingenious and learned persons have given great ornament to the said City as in Phisick Matteo Silvatio who at the instance of King Rubert writ Aphorisms of Phisick Trota or Trotula de Ruggiero a woman of great learning which composed a book De morbis mulierum eorum cura and another de compositione medicamentorum Abella which very learnedly writ two books in Verses the one de Atrabile the other de natura seminis humani Mercurial composed four books the first de Crisi the second de febre pestilentiale the third de cura ulcerum exteriorum and the last de unguentis Rebecca Guarna writ de febribus de urinis de Embrione Boccuccio Grillo writ de differentiis pulsuum de febrium causis Iohn of Proeida although he were Lord of the Isle of Procida notwithstanding he was an excellent Phisician and composed a learned Work of Phisick and was the Author of the Sicilian Evening against the French In the same profession there have been in these latter daies very excellent men as Paolo Grisignano Francesco d' Alfano Antonello and Iohn Cola di Rugiero In the faculty of the Law were very famous Pietro Bailardo of whom the Gloss maketh mention in L. quinquepidum C. finium regendorum Iohn Cola de Vicario an expert Doctor which is much commended by Iohn Vincenza in the deciding and defining of freedoms and priviledges Charls de Ruggiero for his learning was a Counceller of great estimation of whom Afflitto testifieth in his definitions Tomaso de Simeone whose Works not long since were committed to the Press by Sebastian Maffa Iohn Angelo Papia a most worthy and famous Doctor now liveth and hath read 26 years continually in the publick Schools of Bologna Pirro Alfano a man of excellent fame whose writings are a sufficient testimony No less famous have been Iulio Pomponio Lieto Masuccio Guardato Iohn Andrea Longo and Andrea Guarna which composed that excellent and learned discourse entituled Bellum Grammaticale Benedetto Ruggio being a very famous Rhetorician was sent by King Alfonsus Ambassador to the State of Venice where he died whose funeral Marc. Antonio Sabellico performed in the behalf of the said State extolling his singular vertues Moreover this City hath no little fame for the two mighty Fairs which are there every year the one the third of May and the other the 21 of September the first continueth eight daies and the other ten where Merchants come almost from all parts of Italy Sicilia Schianonia Graecia and Asia and other Nations to sell their Wares This City contended with Capoa for the precedence and in the general Assembly of the States in the publick Parliament at Naples which could not be finished for the obstinacy and wilfulness of the Factions the claim and contention the Catholick King Ferdinando moderated so the matter that he appointed Capoa to speak saying that it should speak before Salerno The Arms of this City is in a field Azur under the Evangelist S. Matthew the protector thereof fix barrs Ar. and gu the which Ensignes are the Arms of Hungaria Which Charls the second of Angio King of Naples gave to the said City because his wife Mary the only daughter of King Stephen succeeded in the aforesaid Kingdom of Hungary the said King Charls being before as hath been declared created Prince of Salerno Leaving Salerno and Sanseverino twelves miles off upon the side of a Hill is Sarno the Town lieth beneath in the Plain and the Castle is seated higher upon the Hill which overlooketh both the Town and the Country From hence walking towards Naples about a mile and half we encounter the head of the River Sarno over the which is an entrance or passage guarded with a Tower naturally fortified by the River and the Hill the which place by the Inhabitants of the country is named the mouth of Sarno The said country is adorned with the dignity of a Count subject to the Family Tuttavilla There are in it these Noble houses Abbignente Alteda Balzerani Lupo Pandone Montâ—oro Romandia de Specchio and others Six miles after we come to Montoro and not far off is the worthy Country of Montecorvino built in a beautifull valley at the foot of a Hill near the which in a place which they now call Pattipaglia are seen the ruines of the stately and ancient City of Picentia called by Strabo Picentum which was destroyed by the Romans because it was confederate with Hannibal the Carthaginian Eight miles off near Acerno is seen among the Hils Campana a City so called because it is situated in the
and possest by the Longobards more then two hundred years at which time they became Lords of Italy and established their siege or â—eaâ— in the said City and named it the Dukedom of Benevento the which Dukedom contained all happy Campania which we now call the Country of Lavoro except Pozzuolo and Naples the greater part of the Sannity of Benevento Isernia and Guasto even to the River Pescara which of the Ancients was called Aterno and all that which was contained under the name of Feligni of Marsi and of Marrucini now commonly called Abruzzi The first Duke of Benevento which began to reign in the year 573 was Zotone which reigned twenty years to whom succeeded in the Dukedom Arechi sent thither by Agisulfo King of the Longobards who ruling 50 years died left his successor Aione his son which died in the year 645. Aione dead Rodoaldo five years quietly possest the Dukedom who died in the year 649. and left Grimoaldo his brother to succeed him a worthy Warrier who became King of the Longobards the year 666. whereupon Romoaldo his natural son remained Duke of Benevento which reigned 16 years and died in the year 681. whom Grimoaldo the second his son succeeded which reigning three years and died the year 694. and left the Seigniory to Gisulfo his brother who having reigned as Erechemperto saith 24 years died the year 707. and left Romoaldo the second his son successor and heir of the Dukedom which held that Seigniory 26 years and died in the year 733. By the death of Romoaldo Gisulfo the second his son succeeded in the State and died in the year 750. After Gisulfo Luitprando took that Dukedome which reigned 5 years died the year 755. and Arechi the second succeeded him which was a valiant and a worthy Prince and as we have elsewhere said was the first of all the Dukes of Benevento which caused himself to be entituled Prince and perhaps Lord of all others which untill that age had but the particular title of Lordship He would also wear a Crown upon his head and caused himself to be anointed by Bishops and in the end of his priviledges and Letters Papents and other writings caused this to be added Scriptum in nostro sacratissimo Palatio the which dignity in what manner he obtained it is not known except it were granted by King Desiderio whose son in-law he was Great were the Wars of this King which he made with the Romans and the Bishops that lived in those daies in Rome so that Adrian which at that time ruled the Apostolick Sea was inforced for his refuge to slie to King Charls for aid of the French in such manner that Stephen the second his predecessor through the toâ—l and travel which King Astolfo urged him unto was constrained to submit himself unto the power of King Pepin the second father of the said Charls who for his great enterprises was afterward sirnamed the great Then came King Charls in the aid of Adrian and overcame King Desiderio and took him prisoner in the year 774. in the month of May and absolutely took the Kingdom of Italy from the hands of the Longobards the which for the space of 2â—6 years possest the same but he thought himself no absolute Conqueror unless he subdued the Prince Arechi especialy for that by the right of his wife he pretended a title to the Kingdom of Italy he made War against him But the Prince knowing his power unable to resist the puissance of so mighty a King which was now come to beleaguer the City of Benevento was constrained to accept such Conditions as were offered unto him acknowledging himself from thence forward to be under the Crown of France Many notable things are written by the Longobards of this Arechi for because that when Charls sent unto him Ambassadors from Salerno to perform the Covenants agreed between them disguised himself through the fame of his great renown into the habit of a Royal Ambassador to see himself the Prince Arechi and having seen the Magnificence and splendor of his Court the number of Knights that attended him his great abundance of Plate his Stables full of excellent Horse and the majesty with the which he gave audience and the wisdom wherewith he answered returned to his people with great admiration often times saying that the Prince Arechi and his Court was far more excellent then the fame thereof He bestowed much labour and great cost to repair and newly to fortifie Salerno that he might have one secure Fortress upon the Tirrene Sea There repaired unto his Court Paolo Diacono when he fled to St. Mary of Trimiti whether he was confined by Charls the great and was by him and his wife well entertained Finally Arechi being of the age of 53 years died the 26 of August in the year of our Lord 787. having reigned Prince 29 years and 5 months Arechi dead Grimoaldo the third his son succeeded in the State which with King Charls and Pepin made great Wars and died the year 807. having reigned 19 years and 6 months By the death of Grimoaldo was created Grimoaldo the fourth son of Delrico which was Treasuror of Prince Grimoaldo but making himself odious to some was slain in the year of our Lord 820. having reigned 12 years lacking 5 months Great contention suddenly arose among the Beneventani about the Principality but in the end Sicone a noble Lord was created which died in the year 832. and reigned 12 years and 6 months Sicone dead his son Sicardo succeeded in the State which made great wars with the Saracins that molested the Kingdom But perceiving afterward they had set foot in Sicilia and therefore doubting left in time they would overrun all the Islands of that Sea sent through all those places to search out the bodies of Saints which were there found and caused them to be brought to Benevento with great reverence Among which the most excellent and worthiest work he did was that he caused the body of St. Bartholmew the Apostle to be brought from Lipare Sicardo was slain the year 839. having reigned 7 years wanting 2 months After the death of Sicardo Radelchi his Treasuror got the Principality of Benevento which reigned 12 years and died the year 850. in whose Principality succeeded Radelgano his son which died the year 853. and left his successor Radelchi his brother though by some Writers he is called Adelgisio which fled into Corsica the year as Regione saith 873. Afterward Gauderi the son of Radelgario got the Principality of Benevento who held it but two years and half and to him succeeded the year 876. Radelchi his Cousin son of the Prince Radelchi and held the Principality 3 years lacking 9 months The Principality of Benevento came into the possession of Aione the year 879. under whose Regiment and the ensuing Lords the Saracins being almost the space of 40 years setled in
part of men therein are imployed in Learning and Arms. The Arms of this Province is or four pales gu a Dolphin proper in his mouth a Cressent argent The original of the which Arms was in the year 1481. At the time that Alfonsus of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Ferdinando the first King of Naples drove away the Turks from the city of Otronto and other places whereupon the men of this Province willing to shew that great service which the King had done for them in delivering them from the hands of the wicked Tyrant Mahumet the second Emperor of the Turks for this cause devised the said Arms declaring by the four pales gu in the field or the Arms of the King Fardinando of Aragon The Dolphin was no new invention but very ancient for so much as the monuments declare that the Dolphin with Neptune were the proper ensignes of the country of the Salentini but only they added the half-moon in the mouth of the Dolphin noting thereby that the new Seigniory which the Tyrant Mahumet endeavoured to hold in this worthy Province was by the care and diligence of the valiant Alfonsus and the vertue of the Inhabitants thereof taken from him The Countrey of BARY The eighth Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fertile and fruitfull Province of the Country of Bary was in old time called Apulia Pucetia of Pucetio the brother of Enotrio and son of Licaone which with many followers departed from Greece 375 years before the Wars of Troy and setled themselves in this place the which people were sometimes called Pucetii and sometimes Pedicoli and were the first men sent out of Greece to dwell elsewhere Also the said people which inhabited between the Territory of Taranto Brindesi and the River Aufido were named Etoli of Etolia of Greece the people whereof came into these places to inhabit as certain Writers affirm the Pediculi being droven from thence remained therein What these Pediculi were Strabo declares in his sixth book and Pliny in the third and say that they were nine youths and as many wenches which departed from Illiria and here inhabited from whom descended 13 people and to the end they might dwell the more securely built many Castles and were called Pediculi that is to say boys or children At this present it is called the Land of Bary from the city of Bary anciently called Iapigia and Baretum the head of this Province in the which city in a stately church wherein with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Nicholas sometimes Bishop of Licia from whom continually issueth as is said a certain liquor called by the Citizens Manna which is an admirable thing and the Priests which have the keeping thereof use to bestow on those that come thither little viols of glass full of the said Manna The said Church is served by a hundred beneficed Priests The bounds of this Province was according to Strabo and Pliny from the Territory of Taranto and of the Brindesi along unto the River Fortoro from thence by the Mount Gargano and towards the Adriatick Sea or rather Ionian according to Ptolomy even to the Lucani and the Irpini and the Sanniti and so the said bounds have on the South the Salentini Lucani and Irpini on the North the coast of Ionian and Adriatick on the West the River Fortoro the limit of the Caraceni and Ferrentani now called Abruzzo The goodness and fertility of this Province is very great for it yields Grain Wine Oyl Barley Beans Fitches Annis Comin Coriander Saffron and Bombace There are great Woods of Almons and Olives so bigg-bodied and so high that it seems that nature hath brought them forth as a wonder unto men And to be brief so great is the difference of these Trees from those which grow elsewhere as is between the wild Olives and those which are planted and also of the greatness of the bodies and their admirable height with the fashion of their boughs whereupon the Ancients have said that they were dedicated to Minerva and have also feigned that in these places was hanged Filida the Nymph and is no less plentifull of Oringes Limons and other the like fruitfull Trees as well for the benefit of living creatures as for pleasure besides there is excellent hunting both for fowls and also wild beasts The Sea thereof hath great store of good fishes the air is very chearfull and temperate but the waters are otherwise for they are gross and brackish There are on the side of the Sea these Cities and Countrys following Barletta of later Latinists called Barolum a worthy City rich and full of people built by the inhabiters of Canusio but inlarged by the Emperor Frederick the second In the midst of the Market-place of this noble City is a great Statue of Mettal of ten yards high of the Emperor Frederick although the Barletani affirm that it is the Image of the Emp. Heraclio nevertheless the first opinion is truest There is also a very strong castle which is accounted one of the four that are so famous in Italy Presently follows the fair city of Trany named by Pliny Trinium built by Terreno the son of Diomides and repaired by the Emperor Trajan Hard by is Molfetta a city full of civility which with the title of a Prince is possest by the Lord Don Ferrant Gonzaga chief Justicer in the Kingdom Nicolo sirnamed of Giovenazzo companion of St. Dominick gave the name to this City to whom was revealed the manner of conveying his bones as is to be read in the book of the famous men of the Order of Preachers Walking along we come to Mola Saint Vito Polignano St. Stefano and Villanova Farther within the land are these cities Monopoli built by the ruines of Egnatia to which City hath grown great honour by Bartholomeo Sibilla of the Order of Preachers an excellent Philosopher and Divine and Câ—millo Querno a singular Poet who lived in the time of Pope Leo Ostuno Ceglie Conversano Gioia Rotigliano Altamura Acquaviva Cassano Monorvino Modugno Terlizzi Rutigliano Quarato Pulignano and Biseglia called in old time Vigile a noble city and full of Traffick wherein was found the bodies of St. Mauro Bishop of Sergio and Pantaleone martyred for the Christian faith being revealed to Francesco del Balzo d' Andri Lord of this city who caused them to be put with great reverence in an honourable Sepulchre from which riseth as they say continually a precious liquor called Manna After follows Bitetto Ruvo and Gravina a great city very fair and civil the which with the title of a Duke is anciently possest by the worthy Family Orsina Don Antonio Orsâ—no is the present Duke thereof a young man which is very likely to imitate the honourable steps of Duke Ferrant his father of worthy memory And the said Gravina was the Garner and Store-house of Puglia for the inestimable quantity of corn which was gathered in
Latines Aprutium because it is mountenous and full of wild hoggs Others affirm that a part of Abruzzo being sometimee inhabited by the Precutini time having corrupted the word instead of Precutio was called Aprutio I name this Province Abruzzo as it is by the Kings Court and as at this present it is commonly called changing the letter P. into B. The bounds of Abruzzo had on the East the River Fortore Tronto on the West on the North the Adriatick Sea and on the South the Apennine Hils and moreover also it had on the East the Plain Puglia with the River Fortore on the West part of the Sabines Picentini and Campani with Latium the Equicoli along the Apennine as much on the one side of the said Hill as is on the other It now taketh its beginning from the mouth of the River Pescara and goeth along the shore of the Adriatick sea even to the mouth of Fortore where it ends with Capitanato leaving by that Province the City of Teramo and between the Land with Abruzzo on the other side and that branch of the River Pescara which rising from the streight of Valata passeth by the foot of the Apennine against the Land of Popoli and near it entreth into the Valley called Itramonti leaving all the country which hath the River on the right side and a little higder above the Marsi are the Apennine Hils where the River Sangro springeth which riseth from that obscure Valley of Barrea which they call the Kings Valley in the Plain near the castle of Sangro which divides this Province from the county of Molise This Province is partly plain and partly mountainous and hath great plenty of Rivers and great and thick Woods and the Territory thereof is very fertile for it bringeth forth Wine Grain Oyle Rice Barley and other Corn and everywhere is gathered great abundance of excellent Saffron And although the air be somewhat cold nevertheless the amenity of the country is sweetned thereby with so good a temper and such plenty of fruits and heards of cattel and abundance of wild beasts besides ravenous creatures as wolves and bears Some think that the Frentani were the most valiant people of all Italy but as I think they were much deceived having not first well considered the words of Pliny who describing the Region of the Frentani saith it makes the fourth which from the River Tiferno beginneth the fourth Region of the Frentani so that by these valiant people he meaneth the Frentani themselves and the Marrucini which came afterward and the Peligni and the Precutini and who readeth the Roman Histories may know that the squadrons of the Peligni were preferred before all the Latine Nations The principal city of this Region is called at this Present Civita di Chieti named by Ptolomy Teatea and of Pliny Theate and also of Strabo Theate and was so called by Theata the mother of Achilles Both these said Authors write that this city was the chief and principal head of the Marucini as likewise Silio affirms the same saying Marhucina simul Frentanis aemula pubes Corfini populos magnumque Theate trabebat This city is situate upon a very high hill distant from the Adriatick Sea no more then seven miles it was destroyed by Pepin the son of Charls the great for taking part with the Longobards but it was about two hundred years following repaired again and became so pleasing to the Normans for the most pleasant situation thereof that Gotfredo the brother of Ruberto Guiscardo in the time of Pope Nicholas the second possessing this Province made the said City the head of all the Country of Abruzzo the Territory thereof is very excellent and bringeth forth all necessary things as well for profit as pleasure beyond the River Sangro among the Peligni is the ancient City of Orton upon the Sea being by Strabo called Ortonium and of Cato Ortonum but Ptolomy nameth it Orton And Strabo writeth that it was in old time called Petra Piratorum because the Rovers and Pirats retired hither when they had robbed at the sea in the which City is to be seen in a very stately Church where with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Thomas the Apostle with his ancient Tomb in which Church appeareth alwaies upon the Steeple when any ship is in danger at sea the miraculous light of St. Heramo which the Ancients attributed to Castor and Pollux although Philosophers affirm that it naturally proceeds from the repercussion of the air through the winds and water which seemeth very unlikely because there is not so much as the leaf of a tree that moveth without the providence of God how should this light casually chance the sea presently becoming calm and the sailers in safety which in that perilous state called faithfully upon the name of God Neither can it be by the means of any evil spirits for never is shewed any deed of piety but by some celestial and divine means and especially towards the faithfull Not far distant from Ortona is to be seen Ferentana at this present corruptly called Francavilla because it was often possest by the French this City was according to Razano the head of the Frentani From the River Sangro or Sanguine called in old time Saro four miles distant and as far from the sea is Lanciano a noble City called by Pliny Anxium and of Ptolomy Anxanum Here at two several times in the year that is to say in the month of May and August do Merchants assemble almost from all parts of Europe Asia and from other parts where is a principal Mart or Fair very famous through all the world on the right hand of Lanciano at the foot of the Hill is Maiella and Palumbaro and on the right hand of the River Sangro near the Sea is the Monastery of St. Iohn where sometimes was the famous Temple of Venus and above are these Countries Fossaceca and the Fort of St. Iohn and a little higher on the side of Sangro are seen the great ruines of the City of Bica which the country people call Seca on the right hand cometh the River Aventino and joyneth with Sangro and near the foot of Maiella are these Countries Civitella and Lama and on the right hand of the River Aventino is Palena the word being corrupted in place of Peligno near the which appears the ruines of the ancient City sometimes the chief and head of the Piligni called Superequani This Country is ennobled with the dignity of a Count the Lord whereof is Matteo of Capoa Prince of Couca a very rich Lord and a great lover of Learning But returning behind Lanciano going along the shore of the sea we come to the mouth of the River Foro which riseth from the Mount Maiella where it entreth into the Sea near the which is the Castle Tollo and on the left side thereof near unto it is Miglionico and a little higher is Fara and before it is
800 years following which had been in Rome or any other place of Italy we read the Bishop of Forconio Here was thrown down from a high Tower that young and holy man Massimo whose miracles moved Pope Iohn the 16. and the Emperor Otho to visit his reliques giving to the Bishoprick twenty thousand crows yearly of the which it is almost wholly deprived and by Alexander the fourth bestowed upon the City Aquila In this place is the Furnass wherein Giusta a most holy Virgin was condemned to be burnt but by the providence of God was delivered by an Angel and inclosed in the Mount Offido which is now called Bazzarano The said City was destroyed by the Longobards the people whereof being dispersed were united with the Amiternini Abiensi and the people Duronii which likewise fled the wrath and fury of the Longobards and so under the conduct of an Amiternin their Captain called Aquila they built in a pleasant place upon the ridge of a plain and low Hill a City called by the name of their Captain Aquila which in process of time increasing with people was beautified and afterward inlarged by the Emperour Frederick the second King of Naples to the greatness which now it seems a City truly very worthy famous and rich and the head of this Province Here Pope Nicolas the second being much molested by the Roman Barons came to the Parliament with Robert Guiscard the Norman who restoring Benevento and all that which he held of the Church was by the said Pope created Duke of Puglia and Calauria the which as we have also declared in the lives of the Kings of Naples was in the year 1060. The said Citie is in compasse four miles and without the walls it hath a very pleasant vally of excellent pasture compassed with trees and watred with crystalline and fresh Springs besides the profit which proceeds from the river Aterno which dividing it with a pleasing current yeelds also a great commodity by the Mills The length of this plain is not above four and twenty miles and three in breadth but every where fruitfull It hath great abundance of all sorts of wood and plenty of corn wine oyl and every other thing which serveth for the use of living creatures their Orchards are such as neither through cold or the heat of Summer they ever fail in yeilding their fruits Whereupon Martial saith Nos Amiternus ager felicibus educat hortis The wares and Merchandise wherein this Citie most abounds are very fine flax saffron silk cloth wooll great plenty both of great and small cattell that it serves the most part of Italy with flesh the horses are excellent coursers and very swift There are in this City an hundred and eleven Churches all richly beneficed and besides they have many Reliques of Saints among the which are the four Protectors of the Citie carefully and richly kept and faithfully worshipped And within a Coffin of silver of the value of 1800 crowns is to be seen the body of St. Bernardino Senesi of the order of the Minors of St. Francis the first reformer of the regular life of that religion And in the Church of Collemaggio are to be seen the bones of St. Pietro of Marrone called Celestino the fifth The other two Protectors that is to say St. Massimo in Duomo and St. Equitio in St. Lorenzo and every one of these had a statue or Image from the middle upward of their naturall bigensse of pure silver Moreover there is besides the said Churches twelve magnificent and stately Monasteries of religious Nuns This Citie is much commended for the Conserves and Preserves that are there made The Citizens thereof for the most part exercise merchandize and making of cloth and in every thing shew prompt and ready wit In Arms they are fierce and cruell and very costly and magnificent in civil matters they are courteous in their apparell and conversation very civill The Lady Margarite of Austria the naturall daughter of the Emperour Charls the fifth governed this Citie many years the Citizens for the benefit they received by her made her a stately palace in length 256 hands breadth and in breadth an hundred and sixty with an hundred windows round about a very costly building But it is not fit that I should omit the remembrance of the strong wel fortified Castle which is in the said Citie for to them that know it it seems one of the goodliest Forts in all Italy This Citie by the tolling of a Bell is able to arm 15000. men It hath a great county rich and much exercised in Arms the situation is for the most part mountainous and strong Pontano speaking of this Citie thus saith Auctus post civibus atque opibus prolatis etiam confinibus facta est Aquila urbs quidem ipsa civibus auctoritate opibus clara regionisque totius caput And in another place speaking thereof saith the like words Nam populus ipse quamquam lanificio deditus ac texture maxime tamen bellicosus est finitimisque undique formidini nec minus regibus qui Neapoli imperant And Iohn Albino in his 5. book de Bello intestino Alphonsi 2. Aragonei Ducis Calabriae declaring the riches and great power thereof thus writeth Reges praeterea urbes caeterosque primores per tot annos tributo exaustos veteri quodam odio in regem Apostolicae sedis signa intrepide secuturos populis insuper quotidianis injuriis supra modum lacessitis invisos rerum omn ium egenos undique bello cintos brevi regno ejici posse praesertim quod ditissima ac populosissima urbs Aquila totius regionis caput Apostolicae sedis Imperium datis obsidibus subire deposcit cujus urbiâ— defectionem ad Aragonci nominis internecionem satis esse putaret c. Aquila was made as we have said a Bishops Seat by Pope Alexander the fourth in the year of our Lord 1257. the which Bishop besides many other prerogatives which he hath acknowledgeth not any other Metropolitan or any other superior except the Bishop of Rome Basilio Pignatell a Neopolitan Gentleman is now Bishop of this City a most carefull and vigilant Prelat and of great sincerity of life There are in this City many noble Families which are these following Angisili del Cardinale Antonelli Alfieri Angelini Baroni Baroncelli Branconii Bucciarellis Camponeschi Caselli Carli called Cardicchi Caprucci Castiglioni Colantonii Crispo Dragonetti Emiliani Eugenio de Matteis Emiliani Franchi Gigli Lucentini Piccolomini Legistis Lepidi Lepori Maneri Mariani Mattucci Micheletti Nardi Oliva Orsegli Pasquali Porcinarii Prati Pica Paoli Perelli Rustici Rosis Rivera Simconi Vgolini Salvati Trentacinque Valla Vetusti Vinio Zechieri The Families extinguished are these following Bonaginiti Findazi Roiani Pretatti Camponeschi Gaglioffi Mozzapiedi Todini Miraluce Cocci and Orsegli There are besides many other honourable Families of strangers indued with all true nobility which being more then
Beccarini Gentile del Avantaggio Caverletta Minadois Nicastro Visco Tontoli and others But first before I proceed any farther to declare what the Monte Gargano is here towards the sea I will finish that which lieth upon the River Fortore Above Sanseverino four miles is Torre the great which is a Country that hath the title of a Dukedom subject to the house of Sangro which lieth from Fortore twelve miles and as much above Torre the great is Castelluccio and a little from thence is Monte Rotano and somewhat higher is Celenza which hath a very fruitfull Territory and is adorned with the title of a Marquisat the Lord whereof is Carlo Gambacorta a Neapolitan Gentleman a very famous and worthy Lord whose honourable actions are well known having many years with so much wisdom and valour governed through the grace and favour of King Philip the two Povinces of Principato and Basilicata and at this present with great honour ruleth and governeth this present Province Not far from Cilenza is a country called St. Marco and near that is Volturara which hath a good Territory and the Lord thereof holdeth the title of a Marquiss and not far off is the country of St. Gaudio and a little above is Rosseno and beyond that near the river of Fortore is the Castle Montefalcone The River Fortore runneth into the Sea near the Lake of Lesina which contains 40 miles in compass and a mile from this Lake and four from the Sea is the city of Lesina from whence the Lake hath taken its name the which city was built by the men of the Isle of Lesina of Slavonia some say that the Saracins spoiled the said city Leandro Alberti believeth that the aforesaid Lake is named by Pliny in the 10. chapter of his third book Lacus Pantanus which breeds good fishes and great Eels and at all times there is good fowling for wild Geese Mallards and Swans Within the land four miles above Lesina and within a mile of Fortore upon a high hill is Cerra Capriola in a populous and a civil country the which is well known through all the Kingdom for the toll or custom of cattel which pass through it from divers countries to winter in Puglia and for the custom of sheep where they pay in that place so much for every beast by the head Somewhat higher are these countries and castles St. Martino Colletorto S. Guilian Macchia which is adorned with the dignity of a Count subject to the house of Regina and not farr off is Petra di Cratello Campo di Pietra Geldono and in the top is Circomaggiore near the which springeth the river Fortore then on the left hand of Fortore is St. Nicandro five miles from the Sea and near the Lake of Cesina on that side which is nearest the Mount Gargano then farther within the land is Porcina a populous and a civil country where is also a very stately magnificent Palace made by the Emperor Frederick the second for a retiring house of pleasure after his sports of hunting in those parts Going six miles forward we come to St. Seniero a country very rich noble civil and populous whose Territory is so fertile that it is not inferior to any in this Province the said country hath lately been innobled by the Kings favour with the dignity of a Prince which the Family of Sangro possesseth Strabo writeth in his sixth book that in the Territory of Daunio although that imperfect and corrupt book nameth it Saunio at a hill named Drio in the manner of a Wood was in his time two Temples the one in the very top assigned to Calcante that whosoever came to demand any thing of the Oracle sacrificed a black ram lying down themselves upon the skin The other Temple was dedicated to Podalirio below at the very foot of the Hill distant from the Sea a hundred furlongs From the which Temple did spring a little brook very wholsom and comfortable to cure the infirmities of cattel therefore it may the better be believed that such Temples have been in these places hereabout for Strabo saith In agro Daunio circa tumulum quem Drion nominant basilicae monstrantur una quidem Calchantis in summo â—ertiâ—è cui petentes oracula ingrantâ—m imâ—lant arietem strata in pelle dormiunt Altera Podalirii in insima montis radice posita abest à mari stadiorum circiter C. Ex ea rivulus manat ad omnis pâ—corum morbos salutaris Now it is time to return to the Mount Gargano or rather St. Angelo to the end I may the better describe certain places which are there In the midst then of the said hill where is the fair and spacious plain of â—lorishing and pleasant pasture is to be seen the country of St. Iohn Ritondo where every year on the 11 of Iune are assembled the Bailiffs and Officers thereabout a chief and principal magistrate coming thither in the name of the King the which after they have well considered the store of grain barley and other corn with a general consent they proclaim a price of all victuals Not far from the said place are Cagnano and Carpino which have a fruitfull Territory the Baron thereof is Antonio Nava so honourable and worthy a Lord and so vertuously given as he is generally honoured and loved of every one and hath been the special occasion that this work is published the second time At the foot of the said hill near Manfredonia is St. Vito a very great country but wholly abandoned for the great abundance of Serpens that are therein Not far off is the Castle Arignano and St. Nocandro Departing then from the foot of the Mount Gargano and leaving the places near adjacent we come to Foggia in a populous country which hath a very fertile and fruitfull Territory yielding great plenty of grain barley and other sustenance Some say that it was built of the ruines of the ancient city of Argirippa the which as Straboâ—aith â—aith was in old time one of the greatest cities in Italy and was first called Argostippium afterward Argyripa and at the last Arpe and saith that it was builded by Diomedes At this present liveth with great honour to the said city Giovanbattista Vitale a very plausible and pleasant Poet of our age But it is not fit I should smother in silence the custom of the sheep of Puglia which is one of the greatest revenues that the King hath in the Kingdom and consisteth in the rents of the herbage which cometh every year into the Kings Exchequer by the Officers for the pasture of sheep and greater cattel of the which rents in truth some pay 13 duckets for a hundred sheep and some 12. and some 10 and a half and some 9. and some 6. and some 3. and some 15 carlins for a hundred and others 12 crowns for a thousand But of greater cattel some pay 37
is the cause that all the discents and banks are very pleasant and delightfull through the many Vaâ—lies There are also many Gardens full of fruitfull Trees and especially Oringes Citrons Limons and other fruit Pliny saith in his 9. book and cap. 53. that in this pleasant Hill Cesar had a very beautifull house with Fish pools wherein was cast a Fish by Pollione Vedio which lived 60 years Pollione was Lord of the said place and dying bequeathed it as Dion saith to Augustus This house was near to the highest part of the said Hill in the place which is now called the fatal Cave where at this present are to be seen the Baths which Cesar had there whereupon by this it may be judged how pleasant this excellent Hill hath been and especially for the banishing of sadness and melancholy from frail and feeble minds for which cause it hath that Greek name for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth in Latine queis and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as much as to say sadness Near the side of this pleasant and delightfull Hill are to be seen round about infinite buildings of Antick stately workmanship which time hath utterly defaced and on the side towards Naples is the fair Village of the Prince of Stigliano called Serena and towards Chiaia at the foot of the Hill is the pleasant place of Morgilino so named by the swimming of the fishes where the learned Iacobo Sannazaro the darling of the Muses composed his divine Egâ—ogues and reedified a Church to St. Mary of the birth in whose honour he composed Latine Verses a most excellent and rare work of the deliverance of the said Virgin in which Church in a goodly Tomb of Marble with his picture carved thereon is he buried on the which Sepulchre the Cardinal Pietro Bembo caused this Epitaph to be ingraven D. O. M. Da sacro cineri flores hic ille Maroni Syncerus Musa proximus ut tumulo At the foot of the Hill on the side towards the Sea is the delightfull place of St. Mary of Piedigrotta and on this side lieth the Cave of Cocceio which some attribute to Basso and some to Lucullus made after the manner of that of Cuma the which is wholly cut artificially out of the Rock Upon the hill in the right side towards the entrance of the Cave in the way towards Naples is Virgils Sepulchre the which neither Biondo nor Razzano could find But being found in these daies I went to see it with that excellent Lawyer Fabio di Giordano a worthy Poet and a great Herbalist and a searcher of Antiquities and with us also went the Lord Geronomo Colonna and Paolo Portarello persons of great judgment and wisdom Being come to the place we found upon the said Cave a Chappel smoothly vaulted round about with Marble and within were places for Images to stand in the midst was a Tomb of Marble with four little Pillars likewise of white Marble the which supported a Coffin whereon were ingraven these Verses MANTVA me genuit CALABRI rapuere tenet nunc PARTHENOPE cecini paseua rura Duces Opposite thereto without the Chappel was an Epitaph of white Marble with these modern Verses ingraven Qui cineres tumulo haec vestigia conditur olim Ille hoc qui cecinit pascua rura Duces After we had well considered the place and among other things worthy to be noted which we beheld looking up to the top of the said Chappel was a great Bay-Tree naturally growing for the roots thereof took hold through the chinks and crevises of the Wall Whereupon I presently thought that this was the very true Sepulchre of Virgil and that nature had caused that Bay-Tree to grow as a signe to discover unto us that here lay the ashes of that great Poet So Seignieur Colonna said my masters this requiâ—â—th matter for us to do something worthy memory and he would not deâ—ert from thence till every one of us had made certain Verses and because I was the youngest of the company he said unto me Seignieur Scipio by the rule of the Law you ought to begin first And so presently we made those Verses Quod sacrâ— Vaâ—is cincres tumulamque Maronis Sponte sua hic viridis laurus adulta tâ—gat Indicat musis diâ—is sâ—â—iper amicum Virgilium speret cui fore nemo parem Then said the worthy Fabio Busta ubi grandi loqui sâ—eterant tumulumque Maronis Vastaque saculorum pondera saxa ruunt Delphica formosis increvic frondibus arbor Atque injussa sacras explicat alta comas Ne tanti cineres vatiâ— sine honore jacerent Ossicium praestat laurus amica suum Seignieur Fabio having ended D. Paolo began to say Quod super hunc tumulum crevit Parnasia laurus Sponte sua manesque pios atque essa Maronis Atque loci genium viriâ—antâ— protegat umbra Divini vdâ—is signat reverenter honores Vt quoniam nemo ante illum nec post erit unquam Qui sid ruris opes tali vel carmine reges Diceret illius vigat per secula nomen Laurus ut haec tumulo foliis frondentibus extat Observatque memor sacri monumenta poetae Sarno is a Hill so called of the City of Sarno which is situated at the foot of the Hill where also a River taketh its name which runneth hard by near to the mouth whereof was Pompey and not far from the Hill Voscoâ—o as Pliny saith they were named the Pompeians as Solino affirmeth by Hercoles which brought thither his oxen with great pomp from Spain The Pompeians had a long Country full of goodly Villages The said Country began at the point where is now the Tower of the Annuntiation and stretcheth even to Castello à mare beyond the River Sarno In old time as Strabo declares in these places did first inhabit the Osci and after the Toscani the Peligni and also the Sanniti the which were driven out by the Romans This pleasant Country yieldeth excellent Wines Pliny writeth in the 6. cap. of the 14 book that the said Wines grew still to their greatest perfection and goodness even till ten years age not any thing impairing them This fair and pleasant Country of the Pompeians was for the most part destroyed by an Earthquake in the time of Nero which was one of the best parts of the Province of Campania felix Taburo is a high Hill near Capoa in old time it was called Mons Taburnus as Virgil declareth in the 2 of the Georgicks Neu segnes jaceant terrae juvat Ismara Bacco Conserere atque olea magnum vestire Taburnum And elsewhere of the said Hill and particularly in the twelfth book is made mention saying At velut ingenti Sylvae summoque Taburno Trifolino is a Hill which joyneth even with the City of Naples and called by the common people the Hill of St. Hermo and sometimes of St. Martino because upon the top of the said Hill there is a very fair
terra Lennia and terra Sacra it is much commended by Galen and many other Physitians as an excellent remedy to heal wounds and the bloudy flux and pestilent diseases and the biting of venomous creatures and to preserve a man from poyson and to vomit poyson already taken and for other infirmities There is also a Mine of natural and artificial Salt-peter In the Province of Calauria on this side In the Territy of the Country of Martorano is a Mine of Steel In the Territory of the City of Cosenza near the River Iovinio are Mines of Gold and Iron and in a place commonly called Macchia germana is a Mine of Gold of Lead and Brimstone and a little farther in another place called Miliano is a Mine of Salt and Alume In the Territory of Pietrâ— fitta near the River Ispica are Mines of Steel Lead and Salt In the Territory of the Country of Regina are Mines of Alabaster of Brimstone and of Coperas In the Territory of the Country of Longobucco are Mines of Silver and Quicksilver In the Territory of Rossano are Mines of Salt and of Alabaster and the Marchesite stone In the Territory of Alto monte are Mines of Gold of Silver of Iron and of Alabaster and there grows Cristal and there also mighty Hils of white salt In the Province of Calauria on the other side In the Territory of the City of Regio are Mines of Alabaster of Brimstone and Saltpeter In the Territory of the City of Taverna is a Mine of Antimonium which is a stone of the colour of lead and very brittle like that which grows in Britany In the Territory of the Country of Agata is a Mine of Iron and Steel and of the Adamant stone In the Territory of Belforte is a Mine of Gold and of Iron and there grows Coprass and Cristal In the Territory of Calatro is a Mine of Iron In the Territory of Belvedere are Mines of Silver of Iron of Brimstone of Alume of Salt and of white and black Alabaster and there grows a stone which shineth like Silver In the Territory of Soriano is a Mine of Quicksilver In the Territory of Nicastro is a Mine of Quicksilver and there are also goodly Hils of mixed Marble In the Territory of Mesuraca is a Mine of Earth which yields a colour called of Latinists Giluus In the City Cotrone grows a Thistle which yieldeth Mastick and also it grows in Castrovillare and in many other places of Calauria And to conclude Calauria is a very goodly Region and yieldeth plenty of all good things The Castles and Forts of defence which are in the Kingdom of Naples with the number of Souldiers which remain in every Guard and their monthly pay The names of the Castles The number of souldiers The pay what it monthly imports In Naples are these 3 Castles  Duckets 1. The new Castle 167 775.2.12 2. The Castle of Eramo 110 452.2.9 3. The Castle of Vovo 25 90.4.11 The Castle of Baia. 69 233.0.13 The Castle of the Isle Ischia 34 116. The Castle of Gaeta 86 322.3.3 The Castle of Capoa 51 200.1.13 The Castle of Aquila 53 197.1.13 The fortified Castle of Brindesi 56 175.3 The Castle of Leccie 54 201.1.13 The Castle of Otranto 86 144.1.13 The Castle of Civitella 94 Duckets 321.0.13 The Castle of Pesara 62 303.2.10 The Castle of Viesti 36 247 1.13â— The Castle of Momfredonia 34 137.1.13 The Castle of Barletta 52 194.1.13 The Castle of Bary 28 118.1.13 The Castle of Monopoli 29 140. The Castle of Brindesi 41 151. The little Castle of Brindesi 63 223.4 The Castle of Cosenza hath only a Capt. with the pay of 10 crowns monthly 1 10 The Castle of Gallipoli 30 Duckets 125.1.13 The Castle of Taranto 46 176.0.4 The Castle of Cotrone 39 136.3.6 The Castle of Biâ—eglia hath but only a Captain 1 10 The Castle of St. Germano hath only a Captain with the allowance of 200 duckets yearly 1 17 The Castle of Trani hath only a Captain with the pay of 10 crowns monthly 1 10 In the Isle of Nisâ—ta the Court maintainâ—th a Gaâ—ison  Duckets The Fort of the City of Amanâ—eâ— maintaineth 6 souldiers 6 20.4 The Fort of St. Cataldo maintain there 6 262. In the Isle of Tipare are two Gunners 2 2 A CATALOGVE Of the Earls and Dukes of Puglia and Calauria and of all the Kings of Naples Normans Sâ—evi Angioini Durazzeschi Aragonesi Castilliani Austriaci ALthough I have more at large written in another book of the lives of all the Kings which have ruled the Kingdom of Naples but being now to speak of the same subject I will handle every thing with as much brevity as may be hoping that as it will be no small ornament to this work so it will give no little contentment to the Reader It is then to be understood that in the year of our Lord 987. the last year of the reign of Lewis the fifth King of France avaliant Norman souldier and of great magnanimity called Tancred having twelve sons which he had by two wives that is to say of Moriella Lucha his first wife he had Frumentino Gotfredo Sarno Tancred Malugero Dragone Godfredo and Alberedo of the second wife called Fresanda Rotaria the daughter or as some write the sister of the Earl of Altavilla he had Guglielmo Feraback Vnfredo Ruberto Guiscard and Ruggieri Bosso with these twelve sons Tancred determined to seek out some new Country to inhabit and to try some new and better fortune with hope to find some other place to live better and more richly through his industry and wit and coming into Italy first arived in Romagna and perceiving that Landolfo Prince of Salerno was much opprest through the excursions and outroads of the Saracins sent in his aid six of his sons who being well provided by the Prince both of horse and arms in three battels wherein they incountred the enemy made an admirable slaughter of them whereupon they returned as it were in triumph to Salerno and were by the Prince and all the people received and with much intreaty were sollicited to remain in that Court But they declaring that what they did was not for any human pomp nor for any other end but the service of God refusing all gifts returned to their own habitation But within a few years following there fell certain controversies between Pandolfo of St. Agata and Guaimaro Prince of Salerno Pandolfo sent Ambassadors into Romagno requesting Guglielmo Dragone and Vmfrido three sons of Tancred with many promises and offers to serve under his pay which that he might the better do in the manner of another Narsetes sent them not only rich furniture for horses and costly apparel for themselves but great store of money These worthy men made no delay to come to the Prince Pandolfo through whose assistance the enemy being foild was forced with shame and sorrow to retire but Pandolfo being brutish and ungratefull made no great account of them
which they perceiving for this cause the time of their service being expired took part with Guaimaro who by their worthy deeds in a short time recovered much Through these famous atchieuments the Normans gained the reputation of valiant Warriers with every one In the mean time died Tancred their Father which was Earl of Altavilla the which Count descending to Gugliâ—lmo Ferrabach his eldest son omitted no time to go into Normandy to take possession thereof where after he had setled the affairs of his State returned afterward into Italy bringing with him no less then fifteen thousand Normans into Romagna and in process of time got not only the dominion thereof but also the most part of Tuscan Things resting in this manner the Saracins possest all Sicilia and Sardinia and many times did much prejudice the Coast of Italy whereupon Pope Sergio the 4 fearing and much suspecting they would overrun all Italy demanded aid of Guglielmo Ferabach Guglielmo through the perswasion of the Pope went in this expedition with eleven thousand of his souldiers together with Maniace Captain of Michele Paslagone the Greek Emperor to the recovery of Sicilia and with much valour and courage expeld the Saracins out of all the â—sle but Maniace not observing the agreement that what was gotten should be equally divided between them Farabache growing wrathfull past with his Normans into Puglia making a mighty slaughter subdued the greasted part and finding a fit and secure place builded the City of Melsi in a difficult place and well fortified by nature The which Maniace understanding came upon him with a strong Army but Ferabach braving the enemy which besieged him being wearied with travel came out against them and encountring them gave them a mighty overthrow near the River of Lofonte in Puglia the Normans remaining Conquerors and so rich both of reputation and spoil mounted mightily in state indeavouring both by might and other Military means to obtain other places and Cities in Puglia the which atchieuments succeeding with so great felicity to the Normans it followed that all Puglia came into the possession of the said Guglielmo who through his valiant acts had the name of Ferabach that is to say strong-arm of which dominion he afterward took the title of an Earl Afterward Guglielmo died in the year of our Lord 1042. and because he left no child his brother Dragone succeeded in the County which was Lord of Venosa who had at his beginning a great overthrow by Melo Captain of the Greek Emperor and lost a great part of Puglia but being aided by Guaimaro Prince of Salerno he oftentimes fought with the Greeks without any advantage yet in the end in a great conflict he overthrew and dissolved the Greek Army and not only recovered that which he had first lost but also got many Castles and Holds which the enemies possest upon the Sea-coast of Puglia At this time the Emperor Henry the second came into Italy and having pacified the affairs of the Church went into the Kingdom and confirmed to Dragone the County of Puglia from whom he received not only much money but had also the best and fairest horses that were in all the Kingdom The Emperor departing Italy the Earl Dragone moved the Beneventani to War and in two battels which he made his Army was overthrown and he flying was slain by the enemies His brother Humfrido took the possession of the Earldom at which time Guaimaro Prince of Salerno was cruelly murdered by his own people and his son was made Prince with the help of the Normans which the said Count laboured with long War in the end the Count ill demeaning himself with the Pugliesi was for his cruel nature slain in the year 1057. Baielardo his son succeeded in his fathers Dominion the which being chased away in the same year by Ruberto Guiscard his uncle this Ruberto became the fourth Earl of Puglia who being a valiant man at arms and of a great spirit suddenly besieged Reggio and having taken it went with prosperous victory subduing other parts and Cities of Calauria to his dominion Afterward he returned into Puglia took Troia and in such manner never rested taking from hand to hand many Cities and brought all the Normans of that Country under his Empire and being fully resolved to continue no longer an Earl with a general consent caused himself to be called Duke of Puglia and Calauria At this present Nicholas the second Bishop of Rome being much incumbred with the Roman Barons came in the year 1â—59 to the Parlament with Guiscardo in the City of Aquila and Guiscard having with much humility adored the Pope made peace with him and restored unto him the City of Benevento and all other places that he had belonging to the Church for the which the Pope not only received him into grace and favour but confirmed and invested him with the Title of Duke of Puglia and Calauria The which act was registred and confirmed with a solemn Oath and so Ruberto was now made a Vassal and Liegeman of the Church Sigonio writeth two Acts of the Oath which Ruberto at this present made to the Pope the one to pay the yearly tribute the other loyalty and homage the which two Acts I thought good to insert in this place to the end the Reader may know how the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction began in the Kingdom of Naples The first is in this sort Ego Robertus Dei gratia St. Petri Dux Apuliae Calabriae utroque subveniente futurus Siculis ad confirmationem traditionis ad recognitionem fidelitatis de terra S. Petri promitto me quotannis pro unoquoque jugo boum pensionem duodecim denariorum Papiensium persoluturum B. Petro tibi D. meo Nicolao Papae omnibus successoribus tuis aut tuis aut tuorum successorum nunciis ad S. Resurrectionem obligans me meos haeredes sive successores tibi successoribus tuis Sic me Deus adjuvet c. The second is thus Ego Robertus Dei S. Petri gratia Dux Apuliae utroque subveniente futurus Siciliae ab hinc in posterum fidelis â—ro S. Romanae Ecclesiae Apostolicae Sedi D. meo Nicolao Papae Neque ero auctor aut adjutor ut vitam aut membrum amittas aut capiaris mala captione consilium quod mihi credideris ne enunciem imperaris non enunciabo in tuum detrimentum sciens S. Romanae Ecclesiae ubique adjutor ero ad tenenda acquirenda regalia S. Petri ejusque possessiones pro viribus meis contra homines adjuvabo te ut securè honorifice tenens Pontificatum Romanum terramque S. Petri Et Principatum nec invadere nec subigere tentabo nec praedari contendam sine tua tuorumque successorum licentia Pensionem de terra S. Petri quam ego teneo aut tenebo sicut statutum est recta fide studebo ut
so many Christian Barons French Germans and Englishmen Boemond being of a generous mind and full of magnanimity animated by emulation of the glory of so many honourable men which went in this noble enterprise leaving all things to his brother went with these to the Conquest of the Holy Land where having streightly besieged Antiochia took it and was therefore by the general consent of the Army for that enterprise made Prince and Earl of Tripoli he afterward married Constance the eldest daughter of Philip King of France which brought him a son named Boemund which succeeded in the said Principality But returning to Ruggieri who having held the Dukedom of Calauria and Apulia 25 years died in the year 1110. and left William his eldest son his heir born of Adelandra his wife daughter of Robert Frisone Earl of Flanders This Duke William peaceably possest his State and made Pope Galasio his special friend by whom he was invested in the said Dukedome of Apulia and Calauria in the year 1118. The year following the Duke thinking to marry the daughter of Iohn Comneno Emperor of Constantinople being promised unto him imbarked himself to go thither and committing the tuition of his State to Pope Calisto the second In the mean time the year 1123. Ruggieri Earl of Sicilia his Nephew the sonne of the aforesaid Ruggieri Bosso following so fit an oportunity nothing esteeming the Pope invaded Calauria and before the Pope could well bethink himself how to relieve it he had got the possession of all Calauria and Apulia The Duke William being deceived and returned without his wife retired himself to the Prince of Salerno his kinsman where not long after without leaving any issue he died in the year 1127. The Kings of NAPLES Ruggieri 1. King of Naples RVGGIERI by force of arms and by the right of inheritance being Lord of so great a State with whose power the Pope Honorius the second being not able to contend made peace with him and received of him an Oath of Loyalty and homage and so created him Duke of Apulia and Calauria The said Act was solemnly done and registred in Troia a City of Puglia in the year 1128. Afterward Ruggieri began War with the Prince of Capoa and so afflicted him that in the end he usurped his Principality but growing proud with this great prosperity would be no longer called Duke of Apulia and Calauria and Earl of Sicilia but entituled himself King of Italy the which thing Honorius seemed to dissemble but Innocentio the second which succeeded him could not by any means indure being moved with rage without measuring otherwise his strength raised a sudden tumultuous Army and with all expedition and violence came against Ruggieri which knew nothing of that preparation that he chaced him from St. Germano and through all the Country of Abadia and besieged him being within the Castle Galluccio above Sessa where flying was forced to retire back again The other William son of the besieged Ruggieri understanding thereof with great celerity came to relieve his father and did a very admirable exploit in breaking their forces and taking the Pope prisoner with many Cardinals and at the same instant delivering his father from the siege Ruggieri through his great courtesie and reverence used to the Pope obtained without the Title of King particularly the City of Naples which till this time had been under the Greek Empire Ruggieri perceiving the good will of the Neopolitans created 150 Knights Innocentio being set at liberty returned to Rome and found that in his absence had been created one Pietro an Ante-Pope the son of Pier Leone a very powerfull and factious Citizen of Rome which was called Anacleto the second Innocentio having no doubt thereof with the help of the Pisani past into France Ruggieri went to Benevento and visited Anacleto and obtained the Title and Crown of King of both the Sicilies which was done the 25 of Iuly 1130. and was the first that in this part of Italy had the Title of King and was made a Liegeman and Vassal of the Church the which Instalment as Sigonius noteth was the same that the aforesaid Pope Innocentio afterward confirmed in the year 1139. declaring him lawfull King of Sicilia Duke of Apulia and Calauria and Prince of Capoa Ruggieri having performed many noble enterprises died in the year 1153. being 59 years of age his body was laid in a Costly and stately Tomb of Porphery in the Church of Monreale of Palermo where these Verses are ingraven Si fastus homines si regna slemmata ludunt Non legum recti sit norma Rogerius ist is Est lusus rebus comite à quo nomine natus Virtutem his splendor situs diademà que Regum Vixit ann LIX Regnavit an XXIII Menses V. obiit an MCLII Ruggieri had four wives the first was Airolda the daughter of the Earl of Caserta the second was called Albira daughter of the King of Spain the third named Sibilla sister of the Duke of Burgony the fourth was called Bettrice which was the daughter of the Earl of Resta of his two first wives he had not any children Sibilla brought him Ruggieri which was Duke of Apulia and Amalso and Guglielmo which was Prince of Capoa and Salerno which died both in their fathers time Of Bettrice his last wife he had William Prince of Taranto which was afterward King of Naples and a daughter named Constance who by the advice and Councel of the Abbot Giachimo Calaures the King put her into a religious house of Nuns He had a base son called Tancredi who was Earl of Leccie and King of Naples William the wicked the 2. King of Naples WILLIAM called by his sirname the wicked William the first begotten son of Ruggiero his father succeeded in the Kingdom and in the beginning of his State usurped by force of arms Ceperano with the Suburbs of Benevento and Banco with other places belonging to the Church for which cause he was excommunicated by Pope Adrian the fourth and deprived also of the title of King and discharged his subjects of their obedience towards him William conceiving a most violent hatred against the Pope raised a mighty Army with a purpose to go for Rome but being for his perverse nature hated of his Barons many of them rebeld against him and called the Pope into the Kingdom The which was the occasion that William changed his purpose and converted his fury against the Prince of Capoa which had been the Author of that conspiracy The Pope which saw all the Kingdom in Arms with admirable celerity made a mighty Army pass to Benevento and without any resistance took a great part of the Kingdom by the which victory the Barons which called him did swear unto him loyalty and homage William understanding that Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople and Frederick Barbarossa the first Emperor of Germany made expedition to aid the Pope
therefore he thought it his best way to be reconciled with the Church sent an honourable Ambassage to the Pope wherein much humbling himself desired to be restored to the grace and favour of the Church and possession of his Kingdom and promised to restore whatsoever he wrongfully detained from the Church The Pope willing to extinguish the War went to Benevento and expected William who prostrate at the Popes feet desired absolution and took an Oath of Loyalty and homage and first restoring whatsoever he had taken from the Church was invested in the Kingdom the year 1156. William afterward lived alwaies in peace with the Church but was ever much troubled and molested by his Barons and hated of the people and sirnamed for his evil conditions William the wicked He departed this life the year of our Lord 1167. and lived 47 years and in the principal Church of Palermo near his fathers Tomb was buried He had by his wife Margarite the daughter of Garzia the second King of Navar Ruggieri which was proclaimed King by the Sicilians William Prince of Taranto which succeeding in the Kingdom was called William the good and Henry Prince of Capoa William the good 3. King of Naples WILLIAM Prince of Taranto called the good as differing from his father was after his death Crowned King at eleven years of age and presently pardoned all those which had been Rebels to his father and took away all the grievances imposed by him upon the people defended alwaies the affairs of the Roman Church against whosoever sought to molest it and especially in the time when the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa strongly besieged Pope Alexander the 3 within Anagni Whereupon Alexander ignorant of the coming of William not only with great courage and stoutness maintained the Pontifical dignity but many times foiled the Imperial Army But being afterward perswaded by Philip King of France to retire with his honour from the said siege had from King William a Gally which for that purpose he had secretly sent wherein he being imbarked with certain of his Cardinals went to Clarimont in France for his better security where he excommunicated and deprived the said Frederick of the Empire and aggravated likewise the censure against Octavian the false usurping Pope William strongly armed himself both for Sea and Land against Andronico the Emperor of Constantinople for the injuries done in Italy He afterward defended the City of Tire and with his Navy foiled the Forces of Salandine and afterward cleared the Sea from Rovers And this good King having honourably ended all his actions after he had reigned 21 years and lived 32. died in Palermo in the year of our Lord 1188. his body with great honour Ione his wife sister to King Richard of England caused to be laid in a Tomb of Marble curiously wrought and embossed upon which caused this inscription to be ingraven Hic situs est bonus Rex Gulielmus The said Sepulchre being ruinated and spoiled through the injury of time hath newly been very magnificently repaired and renewed with fair Marble by the Archbishop of Torres where this new Epitaph is to be read Inâ—lita quas verbis sapientum turba recenset Virtutes solus factis hic praestitit omnes Egregius quare bonus est cognomine dictus Vtque bonus magno longe est praestantior illo Major Alexandro sic Rex Guillielmus habetur Artibus ipse etenim pacis bellique fuisti Clarus ut semper justa ac pia bella gerebas Sic quoque laeta tibi semper victoria parata est Et nunc ne vilis jaceas Rex optime praesul Te decurat tumulo hoc Ludovicus Torrius Hoc ipso in templo quod tu Guillelme dicasti Tancred the 4. King of Naples TANCRED Earl of Leccie the natural son of King Ruggieri and Unkle to the good William was by the death of his Nephew which had not any child created King of both the Sicilies in the year 1188 Pope Celestine the third being desirous to bring the Kingdom under the jurisdiction of the Church as feuditory of the Apostolick Sea invested in the year 1191. Henry the sixth Emperor the son of Frederick Barbarossa with these conditions That he should recover at his own charge the Kingdom of the two Sicilies with acknowledging the Church and to pay the accustomed Tribute and to the end it might seem more colourable and be the better done he gave under a pretence of Inheritance as a dowry for his wife Constance the lawfull and natural daughter of the aforesaid Ruggieri whom secretly he caused to be brought from the Arch-Bishop of Palermo from the Monastery of St. Mary in the City aforesaid where she was Abesse being now 52 years of age very unfit for the procreation of children dispensing with her although she had been a profest Nun and Crowned them in Rome of both the Sicilies in the year 1191. The first thing then which Henry did he went to besiege Naples but in the beginning of the third month the Plague growing very hot he returned into Germany without any more adoe The Emperors Army being departed Italy Tancred having recovered his Kingdom at the same time among these affairs his son Ruggieri died which was also Crowned and proclaimed King and had married Irene the daughter of the Emperor Isacio and within a little while after him Tancred his father conceiving so passionately the death of his son growing grievously sick died His body was buried in the principal Church of Palermo and in the same Tomb they laid his son Ruggieri Tancred departed this life in the end of the month of December the year of our Lord 1194. having reigned little more then eight years He left behind him three daughters and one son called William whom Sibilla his mother caused instantly to be crowned King of Sicilia The Emperor Henry understanding of the death of Tancred pretending that the Kingdom appertained to him as before is recited returned from Germany in the year 1195. and with a mighty Army entred the Kingdom of Naples which he finding full of civil discord easily obtained without the loss of much bloud and took prisoner Magarito King of Albania which was come thither in the aid of Tancred He had afterward Sibilla in his hands the late wife of Tancred together with his son William and three daughters that is to say Alteria Constanza and Modonia and sent them all prisoners into Germany and afterward caused William to be gelded to the end he should be unable to beget children and afterward blinded him and then released the said daughters Alteria was married to the Earl Gualtiero of Brenna son of the Earl Girardo of Brenna and brother of Iohn of Brenna which was afterward King of Ierusalem Modonia was married with Iohn Sforza Frangipane a Roman Lord which was Earl of Tricarico Constanza was the wife of Pietro Ziano Earl of Arba and Duke of Venice who being old with the
of the Articles of peace concluded between the Catholique Ferdinando and the said King returned with her children to Ferrara where she was very courteously received by Duke Alfonsus of Este her kinsman where she died in the year 1533 her children remaining desolate and much persecuted by Fortune went to Valentia in Spain where was the Duke Ferdinando their brother and no long time following the one after the other died And in the year 1559. the fifth of August the aforesaid Duke ended his life without leaving any issue And so in him was extinguished the Progeny of the old King Alfonsus of Aragon FRANCES I. Lewis the 12 King of France and 23 King of Naples LEwis the twelfth of this name King of France divided with the King of Spain according to their covenants the kingdom of Naples and obtained of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment according to the tenor of those conditions which he had made But in the year 1502. their Lieutenants growing into difference about the Confines fell to Arms and at last the Frenchmen were driven out of that kingdom through the valour of that worthy Captain Consalvo Fernando and Ferdinando the Catholique King remaining absolute possessor thereof King Lewis held the Realm of Naples one year and ten moneths but in France he reigned sixteen years and died in the beginning of the year 1514. ARAGONES I. Ferdinando the Catholick 24 King of Naples FErdinando the Catholique remaining absolute Lord of the kingdom maintained it in great peace all the time of his life and obtained of Pope Iulio the second the investing of all the kingdom Finally after many victories atchieved in divers parts he died in Madrigaleio a City of Castile the 22 day of Ianuary in the year 1516. having been King of Naples twelve years and three moneths His body was buried in the Royal Chappell of the City of Granata and upon his Tomb this Inscription was engraven Mahometicae-sectae prostratores haereticae pravitatis extinctores Ferdinandus Aragonum Helizabetha Castellae vir uxor unanimes Catholici appellati marmoreo clauduntur hoc tumulo Ione the third 25 Queen of Naples IOne the third of this name daughter of Ferdinando the Catholique King being now the widow of Philip Archduke of Austria succeeded in the kingdom and having fourteen moneths governed all her kingdoms substituted her heir Charls her eldest son who had scant accomplished 16 years of age Charls remaining at Brussels in Flanders being much exhorted by the Emperour Maximilian his Grandsire reformed in the year 1516. the order of the Knights of the Golden Fleece and so reduced them to the number of 31. And because many through death were void he elected to the said Order amongst others these Lords Francis 1. King of France Don Ferdinando Infant of Spain Emanuel King of Portugal Lewis King of Hungary Frederick Count Palatine Iohn Marquis of Brandenburgh Charls de Lannoi Lord of Sanzelle Moreover Don Lodovico of Vaimonte great Constable of the kingdom of Navarre took in Naples the possession of the kingdom for the said Queen Charls so soon as he was invested by the Queen his mother sailed into Spain and was received of all the people with infinite joy but yet many of the greatest Nobility and principall of the kingdom would not accept him as King but onely as Prince for offering wrong to the Queen Ione since by Testament of the Catholique King her father it was decreed that after the death of Ione Charls of Austria should succeed Upon the which succession grew great tumults and contentions but in the end things were well qualified admitting him for King together with the Queen his mother to be done with this condition That the affairs of the kingdom should be governed in both their names the money stampt and so all other business whatsoever And so once again on the 25. of March in the year 1517. the said Queen confirmed to Charls the former endowment The year ensuing the 13 of April Charles was proclaimed King together with his Mother And the 18 of the moneth of May Prospero Colonâ—a took in Naples the possession of the kingdom in the name of Charls which was done with all solemnity Charls then being received to the Administration of Spain sent also to the administration of all the other kingdoms In the year 1519. Charls elected into the number of the Knights of the Golden Fleece in place of Gismondo K. of Polonia lately dead Christerno K. of Denmark and Frederick of Toledo Duke of Alva In the mean time died the Emperour Maximilian and the Electors of the Empire assembled according to their ancient custome at Francford a Citie of low Germany for the election of a new Cesar and by a general consent the 18 of June in the year 1520. they chose Emperour Charls of Austria King of Spain Ione having reigned as we have said absolutely 14 moneths and together with Charles the 5 Emperour her son 38 years and four moneths retired herself to Tordezilla a Citie of Spain where within a little while after she ended her life the thirteenth of Aprill in the year 1555. AVSTRIACI Charles 5 Emperour and 26 King of Naples CHarls the fifth Emperour after the death of Ione his mother remained absolute Lord of all his kingdoms and being as is said elected Emperour the same year past the Sea from Spain into Flanders and from thence into Germany where he was received in the moneth of October in Aquisgraue a noble City both for the ancient residence the famous Tomb of Charls the Great with a mighty concourse of people was first crowned In the moneth of January 1526. Charls celebrated his marriage in Hispali with Isabella of Portugal his wife the sister of King Iohn of Portugal Afterward he went into Spain where being arrived proceeded very severely against many who had been authors of sedition all the other he pardoned and discharged And to joyn with justice and clemency examples of gratitude and remuneration in the acknowledging of that wherein he was ingaged to Don Ferdinando of Aragon Duke of Calauraia who having refused the Crown and the kingdom of Spain offered unto him by the States thereof though he were a prisoner set him at liberty and with great honor called him to the Court and married him to the richest Princess then living even the Widow of the Catholique King Ferdinando by which means he much gladded the people and the Duke received honor liberty and infinite wealth and was created for his life time viceroy of Valentia The Emperour without any charge or the expence of a peny got the friendship of the Duke the love of the people and great security to his State The year ensuing 1527. on the 21 of May the Emperess Isabella was delivered of her son Philip in the Citie of Castilia through whose happy birth was made every where generall seasting and triumphs In the moneth of October 1528. the
Ossidionale Who first mounted upon the walls of the enemy to him was consecrated a crown of gold with the form of battlements of the wall and this kind of crown was called Murale and the Emperour did give it with his owns hands Who first entred into the enemies camp to him was given the crown Vallare which was also called Castrense which was of gold in the form of a Bulwark Who first in battell at sea boarded the enemy to him was presented the crown Navale which was of gold in the fashion of a ship The first that had this crown was M. Varro for overcoming the navy of Pirats and Rovers and this En. Pompeius gave him The crown which was given to those which had preserved any Citizen in battel received in token of safety from him a crown called Civica which was first of Oke and afterward of Holm Finally those which were accustomed to be made of metall in recompence of worthy deeds were the Vallari or Castrensi the Murali and the Navali These were of gold as were also those in process of time of Bayes whereupon it was called crown gold which was given to those who had the crown made them for triumph But none among the aforesaid crowns was ever more noble or more glorious with the Romans then that of grass after which the Civiche the Tirumphale and those of gold were the next in estimation because that all the other crowns Captains did give to Souldiers but this of grass was presented by the whole Army as to the preserver thereof And sometimes the Senate did give it and the people of Rome to some particular person as to Fabius Maximus when Hannibal departed Italy and which was also given to Augustus when he shut the Temple of Ianus and made peace both by sea and land Now concerning the Royall crown according to the use in these days was by the Ancients in no such sort observed athough the Priests of Persia and the Kings did wear a round wreath of Linnen and the Meonii the Syrians the Phrygians and the Lydians the Miter the which is now used by our Bishops as an ornament over the Scutchions of their Arms signifying thereby the Nobility of their House and their divine profession But in exchange of the crown the King had the Scepter the Chair of State the purple Robe wrought with gold and carried a Diadem upon their heads which was a roll of white linnen which the Kings were wont to wear upon their heads an invention as I think of the Egyptians and the Hebrews who using to anoint their Kings upon the Temples or sides of the head did roll a veil round about that the sacred oyntment might not be wip'd away Whereupon to this purpose we find that Alexander the Great took from his head the Diadem to put it upon Lysimacus who whas therewith wounded in the forehead the which accident was prognosticated by the future reign of Lysimacus And that Pompey surnamed the Great was envied because he did wear a wreath upon his knee for a certain hurt that did much offend him as though he would aspire to the kingdom of Rome Now concerning the use of this crown according to the modern custome the Emperours and Kings which descended from the Romans were wont to send to those whom they exalted to any Royall dignity a crown in token of honor And moreover the invention came from them for it is not long since this ceremony was exercised by the chief Bishops Emperours forsomuch as it was not honor enough for the Pope as election should be made of that supream degree to sit in St. Peters Chair But this ceremony gathering daily greater force was introduced that between the solemnity of the Masse he should be crowned by the hand of the Bishop of Ostia And likewise the coronation of the Emperours was unknown in the first Ages of the Empire for the first of the Roman Emperours that put a golden crown upon his head was as Aurelius Victor declares the Emperour Aurelianus who ruled the Empire in the year of Christ 271. and used apparrell embrodered with gold and pearl and full of pretious stones Afterward Dioclesian as Eutropias writeth begun the fashion of the Royall state of a King because that not onely in his apparell but even in his shooes had pretious stones embrodered causing others to do him honor and reverence and was the first that would be adored But the first of all the Emperoers which received the crown of the Roman Empire from the Pope was Charls the Great who having setled the affairs of Italy of France and Germany came to Rome with all the honor that might be was placed in the seat of Pope Leo the third which through the envy of some men was deposed from the Papacy Charls the Great was crowned in the year of our Lord 801. The Pope having celebrated the 〈◊〉 upon the Reliques of St. Peter by the consent and desire of the pâ—â—ple of Rome declared Charls Emperour of the Romans and put an Imperiall crown upon his head the people making great applause and acclamation and proclaiming with a loud and high voyce three times To Charls August crowned by God the great and peaceable Emperour Life and Victory And the Pope anointed him with oyl and balm consecrated to this effect together with Pepin his son whom he pronounced King of Italy the which things were all done in the year of our Lord 801. And so Charles began to Occidentall Empire of Germany which to this present hath continued with great honor and glory Whereupon the Emperours which succeeded him imitating Charls either because that action seemed unto them worthy observation or perhaps because they desired by that means to maintain the title of the Empire which Leo gave to Charles as is said they followed from time to time the custome to be crowned In this manner also were together with the power annexed the demonstrations of Regall or Princely fortune of the which demonstrations of honor they participating more or lesse the which did participate more or lesse of Kingly fortune from thence proceeded the use of Crowns and Chaplets signifying Royall or Princely dignity or the honor of a Duke or Lordly power authority because that the Roman Empire being fallen from the greatness therof and Barbarians coming into Italy who like the inundation of a mighty river carrieth with it infinite damage replenished unfortunate Italy with their brutish manners whereupon miserably fell to the earth not onely the beauty of the Roman tongue and the perfection and propriety thereof but all that semblance and similitude of the ancient customes and new titles new fashions and new lawes were intruded the word Prince was taken for a new kind of dignity which being inferior to a King and Imperiall preheminence taketh the precedence of Dukes Marquesses and Earls The first which used this name in Italy was
as we have declared and according as Leone Cardinall and Bishop of Ostia saith in his History Casinense about the year of our Lord 755 Arechi the second 14. Duke of Benevento who having inlarged his Dukedom would have his said State no longer called a Dukedom but a Principality and caused himself to be anointed and crowned by his Bishops and in the end of his Letters and Charters of Priviledge caused them to to be thus dated Scriptum in nostro sacratissimo Palatio Afterward his successors continuing used to do the like Whereupon by their example the Princes of Capoa of Taranto and of Salerno being allured thereunto caused themselves also to be annointed and crowned by their Bishops These titles at the 〈…〉 of the Kings were given unto their children nor any except the blood Royall 〈…〉 partakers of these titles Whereupon of the children of Ruggiero the first King of the kingdom of Naples and Sicilia Ainulfo was Prince of Capoa and Gulielmo which afterward succeeded in the kingdom was Prince of Taranto Charls of Aujou the first of this name King of Naples ordained that his eldest son should be named Prince of Salerno whereupon Charls the second in the time of his father was intituled Prince of Salerno and Charls the son of Charls the second before he came to the kingdom of Hungary was also called Prince of Salerno But because his brother Ruberto and not he succeeded in the kingdom of Naples which was then called Duke of Calauria from thence it so came to pass that from that time forward they were no more Princes of Salerno but the Kings first begotten son was called Duke of Calauria So was Charls called his father living the worthy son of Ruberto so was Ferdinando the son of Alfonsus King of Arragon who first conquered Naples and so was Alfonsus the squint-eyed the son of Ferdinando but it so falling out that old Ferdinando alo living to Alfonsus his son was born a son whom he also named Ferdinando to him because his father Duke of Calauria lived was given the title of the Principality of Capoa The first which was called Prince of Taranto not descending of the blood Royall was Iacobo del Balzo the son of Francisco which was also the first that of no Princely family was called Duke of Andri And so much concerning the title of a Prince which signifying the Dignity Signiory and Jurisdiction which 〈◊〉 holdeth so it is lawfull for them to place over their Scutchion or Coat Armour oâ—â—heir Family a crown made after this fashion In this kingdom after the dignity of a Prince the next is the state of a Duke which taketh place before a Marquess and an Earl These Dukes have above their Arms a round hoop without any points or work above But in place of the points there are certain pearls and round about are certain pretious stones after the manner which here underneath appears The which fashion although it be now decayed I have thought good to declare to the end the truth thereof may be known The first title of a Duke in this kingdom was that of Benevento instituted in the year 573. But after they came under the jurisdiction of the King the first being not descended of Princely blood was Francisco del Balzo as hath been said made Duke of Andri by Queen Ione the first Not long after was Iacobo Marzano made Duke of Sessa by King Ladislaus and so others from time to time whereof the number at this present is very great This dignity of a Duke increased to a very high and eminent degree the which chanced not to any of the other aforesaid dignities because Charls the 8. King of France being possest of this kingdom created Giliberto of Borbona Earl of Montpensier his Lieutenant Generall of the kingdom Archduke of Sessa and so the said Borbana afterward caused to be set upon his Arms a great purple cap garnished with a golden hoop set full of pretious stones with certain points without pearls in the top but onely put in the sides thereof to the end the dignity of a Prince might have its place and that he also might be known for an Archduke The which crowns as well of the Archdukes as the Dukes are to be used in the manner abovesaid that whosoever ascendeth to that dignity ought not to augment it with flourishing or otherwise with the ornament of Jewels or pretious stones for in so doing they seem to usurp a greater dignity then belongs unto them for which as the Lawyers say they ought to be punished And here it is to be noted that they are not pointed in that manner as some of them have formerly used that is to say after that fashion as their ancestors have had them because they as they were free Lords and acknowledged not any superior as before hath been declared in the discourse of the principality on this side might lawfully do it the which is now otherwise the kingdom being under the dominion and jurisdiction of Kings After these the next in degree are the Marquesses the which are adorned with a hoop set with pretious stones without any thing above and with a very small appearance thereof above the Arms after this manner Biâ—ndo and Pietro Razzano say that the word Marquess signifieth in the Lombard tongue a perpetuall Magistrate or a perpetuall Lordship but according as Mario Equicola saith in his Commentaries of the Marquesses of Mantua signifieth in the Iâ—alian tongue a President Alciato that excellent Lawyer saith that the word Marquess is a Dutch name and that it signifieth a Master of the Horse forasmuch as the Germans call a horse Marca and in the French tongue Marcare is as much as to say to ride In this kingdom as the name of a Duke and an Earl came the soonest and that of a Prince first before in any other place so that of a Marquess appeared long after for the first was Cecco dal Bargo that was made Marquess of Pescara by King Ladislaus Then follow the Earls called in Latine Comiti because they were sent from the train and followers of the Emperours to rule and govern some province or some part thereof Also an Earle according to Luca de Penna may put upon his Arms in place of a crown a plain hoop differing nothing from that of a Marquess save onely the want of Jewels and pretious stones as the Earls of Altavilla of Aquino of Conza of Marsico of Nola of Isernia of Milito of Potenza of Troja and others anciently have used The Earls had their precedence in the Parliaments of all the other Lords and Barons which had no title being created by the ancient Kings with great state and solemnity as appears in Vgone Falcando where he speaketh of the promotion of Riccardo di Mandra Constable of the County of Molise Comes creatus tubis tympanis cimbalisque de more solenniter prae untibus FINIS CHARLES The
habbiamo da mangiare Che servar vogliam per l' altro giorno Subito si stan dicendo intorno Da nobia hodié Et se di questi noj ci lamentiamo Vengono sopra noj con tanto ardire Che senza dubbio siam forzati a dire Dimitte nobis Et se in tutto no li contentiamo Metton tutta la casa in disbaratto â—â—iâ—ando contra noi non haver â—attâ— Debita nostra Appresso a questo ogni male e poco Per voler contentar tutte lor voglie â—oglion anchor dormir con nostre moglie Sicut nos Et se qual cosa noi gli diciamo Voto a Dios os dare de cuchi lladas Tal che por nollevar de bastonadas Dimittiâ—â—s Vn altra cosa mi manoava a dire Son tanto rei perfidi ed avari Che voglion anchor riscuoter j danari Debitoribus nostris Gran Dio dacci nostra libertade Anticha da qui avanti Sotto il jugo de usurpanti Ne nos inducas Sotto il Francese piu franchi vissimo Má so questi remanemo tutti Diventati pur schiavi per forza indutti In tentationem Che habbia haunto piu variabil fato Che noi non e's nation nissuna No vengi frá noi altro com Ossuna Sed libera nos a malo Mentre che di noi tenghin â—il governo Questi maluaggi altieri popoli Non possiamo dire que di Napoli Nam tuum est Regnum The Lamentations of Naples PItty O pitty for all hopes are vain Releive my oppressed Christians That they be not torn to peeces by Barbarians O our Father These are they who under the hard Cross Have made and will make war against Thee And they wold use thee worse if thou wert on Earth Which art in Heaven When these Scabbs enter our houses Devoutly with their Beads in hand They seem so holy as if their mouths were Hallowed They make themselves Masters the first day And look about what things are fit for Prey Then they prophane a thousand times a day Thy name The first thing a Spaniard doth He skulking goes in every part of the house And if there be any thing that like 's he sayes Let come Bring hither Sirrah he sayes unto the Master With a swelling breast and such high looks As if with the Giants he wold assault Thy Kingdom Sirrah bring here those Hens and Capons Or els I will hurl thee out of thy window So he obeys saying with a trembling voice Thy will be done O Lord I implore thee for thy passion To free us from these ravenous Wolfs And grant that justice may be done In Earth as it is in Heaven And if perchance we have any thing in store And reservd for another time They presently cry out and bawl Give us this day A poor man who goes to gain a living At the yeers end can scarce put up a penny For these Spanish Dogs continually devour Our daily bread And if by chance they go upon the score Which they too often use to do With swelling words and threats they say Forgive us our debts And we must do it with speed Wiping off their Scores in their presence So that we must forgive them not As we forgive our Debtors Great God restore us our liberties With our ancient Laws and Customes Under the Iron yoak of Usurpators And lead us not We livd far better under the French But under this half-moorish people We are becom pure Slaves and daily brought Into temption There is no people hath had and felt More miseries and chances then we Lord let there not com among us another Ossuna But deliver us from evil While these Tyrants sit at the Healm And grind our face ni this manner Lord it cannot be sayed that Naples For thine is the Kingdom IT hath been formerly related how illfavoredly matters went betwixt England and Spain after the return of the Prince of Wales for the Treaties both of Match and Palatinat were dissolvd by Act of Parliament where the Puritan bore the greatest sway and the Duke of Buckingham made use both of Parliâ—ment and Puritan to bring that work about but there being at that time two Ambassadors extraordinary in England and finding that it was chiefly by the practises of Buckingham that the Match was broken they practisd also how they might break his neck and demolish him likewise King Iames was old and they knew the least thing wold make impressions of jealousie in him therfore by a notable way of plotting they gave him intelligence at a privat audience of a dangerous conspiracy against his Royall Authority by the Duke of Buckingham and his Complices The manner of which Conspiracy may be best understood out of the following memoriall or information that Sir Walter Aston remaining still Ambassador in Spain did present unto that King which was as followeth and being so remarkable a passage I thought it worthy to take place here To the King SIR SIr Walter Aston Ambassador to the King of great sayth that the King his Master hath commanded him to represent unto your Majesty that having declard to your Majesty the reasons why he could receive no satisfaction by your Majesties answer of the fift of January and that therby according to the unanimous consent of his Parliament he came both to disolve the treaties of Match and Palatinat he hath receivd another answer from your Majesty wherin he finds less grounds to build upon and having understood that neither by the Padr Maestro or your Majesties Ambassadors who have assisted these daies passd in his Court there was somthing to be propounded and declard touching the busines of the Palatinat wherby he might receive contentment The sayed Ambassadors untill now have not sayed any thing at all to any purpose which being compard with other circumstances of their ill carriage he gathers and doubts that according to the ill affection and depraved intentions wherwith they have proceeded in all things but specially in one particular they have labourd to hinder the good correspondence and so necessary and desired intelligence should be conservd with your Majesty Furthermore he saith that the King his Master had commanded him to give account to your Majesty that in an Auaience which he gave to the Marquess of Inoiosa and Don Charlos Coloma they under cloak and pretext of zeal and particular care of his person pretended to discover unto him a very great conjuration against his perâ—â—n and Royall Dignity which was that at the beginning of this Parliament the Duke of Buckingham had consulted with certain Lords and others of the arguments and means which were to be taken for the breaking and dissolving of the treaties both of Match and Palatinat and their consultations passd so far that if his Majesty wold conform himself to their counsels they wold give him a house of pleasure whither he might retire himself to his sports in regard that the Prince had now yeers
half drunk up by his Officers Having spoken thus he turnd to the Bishop saying most Eminent Lord bless this people which he did so thinking to go on with his Calvalcata the number of the people was so great that it filld all the Castle and so hindred the passage therfore because going to treat of peace t was unseemly that such a confusd Rout shold go along he commanded upon pain of life that no body shold make one step further which was observd with marvellous obedience so there went only with him Arpaia Genovino his brother and the Arch-bishop whom the Vice-roy came to meet to the top of the Stairs Masanello putting himself at his feet he kissd them in the name of the people thanking his Excellence for the grace he had done them touching the Capitulations saying he was com thither that his Excellence might do with him whatsoever he pleasd either to hang him to break him upon wheels or tear him with wild Horses but the Vice-roy made him rise up saying He never knew him to be culpable or that he had offended his Majesty in any thing therfore he may rejoyce for he shold alwaies be well regarded by him The Vice-roy then brought him to an open Balcone that the people might see him to avoid all jealousies so they fairly concluded the peace and parted Masanello being confirmd by the Vice-roy to be Captain-generall of the people The next morning Masanello put off his Cloth of silver-sute and took again the Habit of a Marriner yet was he obeyd and feard as much as formerly He wold rise betimes and give audience in the Market-place out of a window which was in his house whither they wold reach him Petitions on the tops of Pikes he had alwaies an Archibuz ready cockd hard by him which was of som terror to those who came to petition or sollicit about any business By these furious Traverses and popular confusions matters at last came to that point of perfection that the Originall Charter of Charles the Emperor having bin publickly producd revivd and ratified the Vice-roy issued forth this generall Indulgence in the Kings name and his own Philip by the Grace of God King c. Don Rodrigo ponce de Leon Duke of Arcos We by an everlasting Priviledg do grant to the most faithfull people of this most faithfull Citty of Naples that all Gabels and Impositions be extinct and abolishd which were layed upon the sayed Citty of Naples and the Kingdom from the time of the Emperor Charles the fift of happy memory untill this hower Moreover we grant a generall Pardon for any offence whatsoever committed since the beginning of this present Revolution to this point of time as also for every â—ffence and inquisition passd that related to the sayed Revolution Given in Castle Nâ—ovo 10th of Iuly 1647. Subscribed the Duke of Arcos As this was to be publishd there intervend an ill-favord Accident which much puzzled the busines for there entred into the City 500. Banditi brought in by Perrone who had bin admitted to be a Confederat or Counsellor to Masanello after their entrance ther hapned som difference twixt them and Masanello upon a jealousie that they had intelligence with the Duke of Mataloni which was true enough therupon som seven of those Banditi shot at one time at Masanello but none of the bullets could penetrat him but to the astonishment of the world they only singd som part of his Shirt and so he dropd down which preservation was imputed to a Medail of the Lady of Carmine that he wore about his neck Perrone with most of those Banditi were killd and executed and having found that they had complotted with Mataloni against the people Don â—â—seppe Carasfa brother to the Duke of Mataloni was found out and most miserably butcherd by the fury of the people Masanello improvd every day in strength and the opinion of the people insomuch that Perrone being now dead he soly Raignd and the Gran Signor was never obeyed and feard in Constantinople as he was in Naples His Warrant alone was sufficient to fetch any ones head to fire and plunder any Palace as divers were he commanded that all men shold go without Cloaks Gowns or wide Cassocks for fear any Armes might be hid under and he was generally obeyd for Noble-men and Church-men went up and down the streets en cuerpo He commanded also that all women shold go without Fardingalls and that they shold tuck up their Coats when they went to Church which was punctually observd he disarmd all the Nobility and Gentry and sent for what sums he pleasd from Merchants and others upon pain of fire and plunder Those interruptions which the treaty of peace receivd by the coming in of the Banditi were at lâ—st taken away by the prudent carriage of the Arch-bishop Filomarini so that at last there was a solemn meeting of the Vice-roy and Masanello in the great Church of Naples where before the great Altar the Charter of Charls the fift was read sworn unto by the Viceroy with a general pardon Masanello standing all the while with a naked Sword in his hand on one of the staires of the Alter till all was don Then Te Deum was sung which with the loud acclamations of the people made the very walls to ring agen and re-echo with joy After this Masanello did King it higher and higher and one day his Wife and Children went in a stately Coach she in a Gown of cloath of Gold and her Children in Silver to give the Dutchess of Arcos a visit in the Castle where she had provided a sumptuous Banquet for them giving them Jewels and other rich Presents at their departure and a little before the end of the Banquet Masanello himself came very glorious where t was thought he took a Figg which wrought afterwards upon his head-peece that he became to be twixt frantic and fool he wold as he went along cut slash and killd som he causd a Baker to be clapd in an Oven and burnt alive for making light-bread one time he leapd into the Sea clothes and all to cool himself He had got a Catalog of all the rich Merchants and Cittizens and sending for them he made them under-write for payment of such a sum for the Service of his Catholic Majesty for whom he intended to raise five millions as an acknowledgment for taking down the Taxes He commanded an order to be publishd that none under pain of death shold depart from Naples without his Warrant wherupon divers Noble-men wold com to wait upon him for Pass-ports and a Gentleman of quality of Aversa coming one day unto him for a Pass-port he gave him a kick in the buttock Thus he tyrannizd more more having commanded som to be beheaded upon a Sunday morning with much ado the Arch-bishop prevaild with him to defer the execution it being not sitting to pollute the holy Sabboth with such Sacrifices of humane blood A
word that he shold forbear sitting among them any longer but that his Highness Don Iohn shold govern who therupon sent for the Sicilian Fleet to com for the succour of Naples as also for three Regiments from Milan a little after the Duke of Arcos departed with his Family and Don Iohn was heard to say Vayase en hâ—ra mala che ha hecho perder este Reyno a mi padre Let him go in an ill hower for he hath lost my Father this Kingdom Don Iohn being sworn Vice-roy causd a generall pardon to be publishd wherupon the grave Judg Onufrio made a pathetic Oration to the people who had a verend opinion of him that since the Duke of Arcos with the chief Incendiaries were gone and that they had now a Kings Son so gallant a young Prince to gorevern them it was high time that they shold return now to their old obedience to their Monarch and lawfull King who had preservd them in peace and plenty so many yeers c. but the people lent a deaf ear to his speech so that the next day there was new money stampd with the armes of the Royall Republic The first of February 1648. the Castle of Saint Elmo erected the Royall Standard upon the discovery of three Gallies wherin was embarkd the Conde d' Ognate who had receivd a Commission at Rome where he was Ambassador to be Vice-roy of Naples all the Castles saluted him as also the great Bastion of Carmine from the Citty the first did it with powder only but the last with bullets wherby som of the Gally-slaves that rowd him were slain There arrivd from Malaga a Vessell with five hundred fresh Spaniards and thirty thousand Duckets for the Service of the Vice-roy and this Galeon gave notice of eight more that were coming There arrivd likewise a great supply from Genoa both of men mony and Amunition There came also an Ambassador from Malta with a goodly Retinue of Cavaliers which did much enhearten the Royall party The French Fleet having landed as formerly was spoken som Provision and Commanders in Naples was constraind by distress of weather to leave the Coasts with the loâ—s of divers Ships and Marriners now the Spaniards had securd and strongly fortified the Port of Nisita and there being a Fleet of Ships expected from Province with Provision of Corn which were to sayl that way the Duke of Guise went with a considerable Army of Horse and Foot with a Train of Artillery for the reduction of that place to the Royall Republic for it was a place of great importance The Conde d' Ognate now that the Duke of Guise was gone with a good part of the strength of the Citty fell upon this design which provd as happy as it was hazardous About twelve a Clock at night having with extraordinary acts of Devotion implord the assistance of Heaven young Don Iohn of Austria and the sayd Conde with a great number of Barons Cavaliers and other ventrous Spirits marchd silently down towards the Citty they had a Train of choise Artillery with good store of Fire-works Don Iohn came first to the Cisterna d'oglio with all his Brigade and causd the Church of Jesus which was contiguous therunto to be gently opened where having made ardent prayers to the Redeemer of Man-kind he desird Father Gerunda to confess him and administer him the holy Communion Thus he began to fall to work and commanded a Wall to be batterd down which joynd to San Sebastian and so he passd without interruption to Porta Alba Being advancd so far he got a horse-back and rid confidently towards Constantinople street through a crowd of the Citty Arcabusiers wherof som shot others being amazd at the suddennes of the thing stood astonishd thence he went on to Saint Aniellos street and the Virgins quarter where the most civill sort of people dwelt who were from the beginning the most Loyall to the King The Arch-bishop Filomarini was appointed to meet him which he did with other Lords thence he pursued his way to the Duke of Guises Palace and after som Musket-shot the Palace yeelded for the great Canons which were there planted wold not go off though there was fire put to them which was held miraculous and so much heightned his Spirits finding that all things conjurd to make this attempt prosperous He marchd thence to the great Market-place and being com neer the great Bastion of Carmine where Gennaro Arnese was with a choice guard of three hundred men he sent him word it was fitting that Bastion shold be put into his hands for his Catholic Majesties Service and if he wold not conform to so just a proposall he left him to consider what a high act of disloyalty it wold prove Arnese consulting with his best thoughts came forth and prostrating his person before him presented him with the Keys hereupon Don Iohn inordred a Cavalier of Malta to publish a generall pardon with an abolition to all Gabels new and old provided that every one wold return to his former alleagance The people with loud acclamations answerd that they wold be well satisfied herewith if Don Iohn himself wold declare this with his own mouth which was done accordingly So this Noble and Magnanimous Expâ—oit took effect without any effusion of blood except the death only of two Spanish Captains and one of the peoples which may be imputed first to a speciall Providence of God Almighty then to the prowesse of a young Generall and lastly to the Prudence of a grave Vice-roy Add hereunto that the absence of the Duke of Guise condued much for the facilitating of this great Design The Citty of Naples being thus suddenly redued Don Iohn sent in quest of the Duke of Guise to the Country hard by who after som resistance was taâ—en Prisoner and clapd up in the Castle of Capua the high Collatterall Councell adjudgd him to dy but young Don Iohn overruld the sentence and so sent him Captif to the Court of Spain where having bin Prisoner a good while he made an escape as far as Victoria within a dayes journy of France but notwithstanding his disguise he was discoverd and so clapd up again in Prison where he continued till the Prince of Conde leaguring lately with the Spaniard got him released There were Gibbets put up in divers places of the Citty to execute the chiefest Incendiaries but at the cryes of the women and Children to Don Iohn he commanded them to be taken down yet after this his departure the Vice-roy dispatched many and gave them Pass-ports for the other world among others too Gennaro Arnese who had bin Capo popolo with divers others and a long time after the inquest and execution of som of the chief Ring-leaders continued by the noble sagacious proceeding of the foresayd new Vice-roy the Conde d' Ognate a notable Minister of State having bin traind up therunto by sundry Embassies abroad as well to England as to other Countries Not long after