fearefull or at least to bee suspected of all other Potentates with diminuation if not of their States yet certenly of their reputation and greatnesse the facility of the enterprize there being but a sâ—…nal space of Sea for the transportation of the Turkish army from Albiana to Ottranto and at one time to scoure the Sea coast of that country The great discontent of the inhabitants of that country with the Spanish gouernment and especially of the cheefest of them who as desperate persons would embrace all occasions to open the way to higher enterprizes which might abase the Emperors authority Aiax Listibei was at the â—…ame time in great authority in the Port of the great Turke holding the place and gard of first Bascha a mighty enemy to Christians and who since the death of Ibraim had often perswaded Soliman to turne his forces vpon Christendome This man because hee would not lose the occasion and praysing the ouertures and propositions of the French Ambassadors propounded them with much amplification to Soliman vsing all meanes to incite him to the enterprize of Italy laying before him the example of Mahomet a discreet and valliant Prince who with fortunate successe did easily take the citty of Ottranto and by his arriuall did bring that whole country to extreame consusion opening him selfe a way for the conquest of Italy one of the excellentest countries of Europe had he not beene preuented by death These things being represented to Soliman did greatly preuaill with him who did couet glory and was full of pride supposing him-selfe to be highly honored in that so great a King did send to craue his aide and asistance against another most mighty Prince his enemy and hee was like-wise glad that so faire an occasion was offered to diuert him from the enterprizes of India and Persia where hee vnprofitably consumed his army where vpon he did on a sudaine consent to promise the French Ambassador that the next sommer hee would raise great forces both by Sea and Land to enuade the Emperors dominions But aboue all other things supposing it to be most necessary to separate the Venetians from the Emperor he resolued to send Ianusbei one of the Dragomans or interpreters of his Port to exhort the Senate that hee being to march with a mighty army it would shew it selfe a friend to his friends and enemy to his enemies promising them that he would take order that nothing should be hurt which did belong vnto them The Senate did forthwith answere this proposition That the republicke had euer made great account and deere reckoning of peace with al Princes and especially with the Lords of the Ottomans family with whom hauing of a long time contracted peace and frendship with a free commerce betwixt each others subiects they did at this present retaine the same desire to continue it more then euer whereof there was no need to make any more amplâ—… declaration It seemed that Soliman was wel content and satisfied with this answere who was a Prince if these quallities may be found in a Barbarian of a goodly vnderstanding and a friend to iustice and honour but diuers of his seruants being desirous for their owne interest and particular affection to disturbe this quiet and to break this peace setting foreward by a false complaint the actions of sundry officers of the Common-wealth who as they affirmed had borne small respect to the maiesty and profit of his Empire did perswade him to permit his officers likewise to vse some practises against the Common wealth of Venice that at last the matter might be brought to an open warre this being permitted diuers Venetian Marchants that were at Constantinople and other places of his Empire by reason of their particular affaires were vnder sundry false pretences committed to prison and their goods confiscate after that two Venetian shippes vpon diuers occasions were stayed the one belonging to Andrew Contaren taken vpon the Sea of Ciprus by the Gallies of the Garrison of Rhodes as a man of warre and the other in the hauen of Alexandria Soliman saying that he would vse them in his most important affaires The marchandize besides which the Venetians were wont to bring forth of Syria had an imposition layd on them oftenne in the hundred the Bailies letters to the Senate were oftentimes intercepted and without further dissembling their meaning Mâ—…stapha one of the cheefe Baschas complaining of them told them that because they were so streightly allied to the Emperor their enemy they had incurred the hatred and indignation of Soliman This gaue him some iust occasion to resent it and some collour of a lawfull warre if he had beene disposed thereunto notwithstanding that diuers other reasons and coniectures did testiffe vnto them the contrary for it was not likely that the Turke being able to make warre vpon the Emperor alone who was not very strong at Sea and easily to breake his forces would enforce the Venetians to ioyne with the Imperialls and to vnite their forces with theirs which being mighty at Sea would not only hinder his enterprizes against the states of other men but likewise greatly endanger his owne knowing very well that for the space of eight and thrity yeares the friendship and peace betwixt theâ—… had beene on both sides so carefully obserued and namely that Soliman had euer made shew both in his wordes and actions to desire nothing so much as the Venetians friendships That since then nothing had happened on the Venetians part that might alter that quiet or enforce them to take armes seeing that the Senate discreetly mesuring the forces of the Ottoman Empire and fitting their deseignes and actions to the condition of the times did with great honor and respect proceed in the Turkes behalfe prouided that the dignity of the Common-wealth might not therein receiue any preiudice temporising the best they could with so mighty an enemy whom being not able to assaile they thought it wisely done to keepe him for their friend and to expect the commodity of time or some better fortune of the Common-wealth At the same time Tomazo Moceniga Ambassador for the Common-wealth arriued at Constantinople being sent according to the manner to reioyce with Soliman in the name of the Senate for the happy successe of his warres in Persia and for his safe returne home to the Citty He hauing kissed Solimans hands and presented his vsuall guifts of rich garments he was well receiued and entâ—…rtained of all those of the Port and particularly of Aiax the Visier Bascha whoe did often-times assure him that their Lord did beare great good-will the Republicke and was verâ—… desirous to maintaine that antient peace and friendship with it so long as the Venetians should beare them-selues in his behalfe with the like offices of friendshippe That Soliman had euer vsed to keepe his word and promise and thought they ought not feare that hâ—…e would euer doe other-wise Therefore hee
at last openly refuse it fearing by fauoring them to offend the Venetians with whom he was desirous to ioyne Moreouer Lodouico did draw Giouan Bentiuole with the State of Bolognia to his part and caused the Florentines to take his sonne Alessandro into their pay together with Octaniano de Riare Lord of Imola and Furli with an hundred and fifty men at armes He did in like manner cause the Lukeses to promise neuer more to fauour the Pisans The Florentines hauing in vaine attempted to draw the Geneuois and Sienois to their side went into the field vnder the command of Paulo Vitelli their General The Pisans vnderstanding that the Florentines were abroad raised their campe from before Ponte di Succo and went to Cascina where Vitelli placing an Ambuscado assailed them and slew many Stradiots and tooke Franco their captaine prisoner with an hundred horse In this manner did the Florentines annoy the city of Pisa hauing taken diuers townes round about it when they receiued some likely aduertizement from the Duke of Ferrara and others that the Venetians would be content to harken vnto peace prouided that they would proceed in the treaty not as with their equals but superiors They then sent Ambassadors to Venice to sound their meaning Guido Antonio Vespucâ—… and Bernardo Rucelli two of the honorablest Citizens went thither who after kinde entertainment beeing introduced to the Senate after long disputation concerning meanes to satisfie both parties neither the Venetians for Florentine Ambassadors would propound any referring themselues to the Spanish Ambassador who incited them to this accord But the Venetians distasting his opinion the Florentines returned back without any satisfaction This treaty broken the Venetians on the one side and Florentines on the other beganne to strengthen their party with new leagues and treaties the one with the Sienois and the other with Pietro de Medicis and the Lord of Faonza Lodouico still shewing himselfe very much affected to the Florentines The Venetians hope from Syenâ—…a and Perousa being by this meanes frustrate did by the assistance of Pietro de Medicis attempt to releeue Pisa on Romagnias side but in vaine In the meane time Paulo Vitelli Generall to the Florentines tooke the towne and castle of Librafaâ—…ta whereat the Venetians being incensed sought againe to draw the Marquis of Mantua to their pay whom not long before they had dismissed he leauing them by meanes of Alâ—…iana the Florentines army being turned from Pisa but so as the whole burthen of warre fell vpon the Venetians who wisely procured meanes of agreement For although the Florentine Ambassadors departed from Venice hopelesse of any accord yet at Ferrara a new treaty of composition was made propounded by the Duke at the Venetians intreaty During these troubles in Italy by reason of Pisa the new French King made preparations against the next yeere to inuade the Dutchy of Milan where he hoped to haue the Venetians on his side who mortally hating Lodouico did particularly negociate with him so did the Pope who sent his sonne which had cast of his Cardinals hat into France in secular habit to carry a dispensation to the King to repudiate his wife Ioanâ—… and to marry his Predecessors widdow Caesar Borgia came to the French Court in great pompe where the King very honorably entertained him giuing him a company of an hundred men at armes a yeerely pention of 20000. French pounds and made him Duke of Valence in Daulphine Then desirous to pursue his iourney into Italy hee made peace with all Princes his neighbours and especially with the Kings of Spaine who presently called home not only all their Ambassadors from Italy hee with the Pope excepted but Gonsaluo with all his forces The King likewise made an agreement with the Emperor vnto whom for his sonne the 〈◊〉 sake hee promised to surrender the townes in Artois Hee did moreouer confirme the peace made by his predecessor with the King of England Whilest the Senate was busied in prouiding for the releefe of Pisa newes came to Venice that the Turke prepared a great fleet which caused them to send an Ambassador to him for they were afraide that hee was offended with them because that toward the end of the precedent summer Nicolo Priuli Prouidator of their fleet had on the Aegean Sea sunke a great ship belonging to one of his Bashas which first assailed the Prouidator Zancani whom the Senate sent being come to Constantinople had notice of the great numbers of vessels which the Turke had caused to be armed The great Lord curteously entertained him shewing no signe of discontent He determined to assaile the Venetians whilest they should be busied in Lombardy with making head against Lodouicos forces who had promised to inuade them in those parts Zancani intreating him to renew the league with the Signory hee the better to deceiue him granted it giuing him the Articles of the league written in Latin Now their law saith that they are not bound to performe any thing vnlesse it be written in their owne language Zancani aduertized thereof by Andre Gritti a Venetian Gentleman skilfull in the Turkish lawes and customes and for his bounty and other good parts beloued of that nation hauing dwelt a long time at Constantinople was by him in some sort put in hope to haue them written in the Turkish tongue but not obtayning his desire Zancani returned with the Articles in Latin concealing what Gritti had told him because his iourney should not be thought vaine Now the French King so soone as he had made peace with his neighbour Princes and in his absence secured his Realme made a Confederacy with the Venetians not mentioning Pisa as heâ—… had done at the beginning wherein it was concluded that at the same time as he with a mighty army should inuade the Dutchy of Milan they on the other side from their frontiers should doe the like and the Dutchy being worâ—… 〈◊〉 with the country of Gyradade should remaine to the Venetians on this condition that after this conquest they should be bound to defend the King for a certaine time with certaine number of horse and foot the King being bound to do the like for Cremona and what soeuer they possessed in Lombardy This contract was so secretly made as Lodouico nor yet the Pope who was very inward with the King could but very late haue any certaine knowledge thereof The King not mentioning Pisa did afterwards propound conditions to the Florentines farre different from the former wherevpon they resolued to rely on the Duke of Milan by whose assistance their affaires prospered in the Casentine territory where they were Lords their enemies hauing beene inforced to abandon the townes by reason of great difficulties Lodouico who neuer imagined that the Venetians would haue leagued themselues with the French King who was greater nad more potent then they and least of all change his neighbourhood for that of the French was wonderfully danted
forbidden him to meddle with any thing that did belong to the Empire The Lord of Chaumont according to the meaning of the King his maister hauing placed a strong garrison in Rhegio went to Parma resoluing to temporise till the spring The Pope beeing impatient to see his deseignes not executed notwithstanding the sharpnesse of the season fent for all his Captaines to Bolognia and propounded to them the seege of Ferrara and notwithstanding their generall dislike of the matter the Venetians excepted they at last resolued to please him first to assaile Mirandola thereby to take from the French al means of hindering the seege of Ferara afterward and the releeuing thereof and by the same meanes to beseege as they went along the Citty of Concorda which held for the King This being determined was likewise executed for beeing come before Concorda they forthwith tooke it by force and the castle by composition then they drew neere to Mirandola whether the Pope came in person thinking that his soldiers went slowly to worke and that his presence would aduance the businesse preferring the fury and heate of his spirit before all other respects albeit the Cardinalls did earnestly entreat him not to go thither and that the Venetians who were his greatest fauorits did blame him for it In regard of his presence complaints promises and threatenings all thinges were sett foreward more then otherwise they would haue beene and yet neuerthelesse the sharpnes of the weather and many other difficulties oppugning it no great matter was performed Those within Mirandola did brauely defend it who were commanded by Alexander Triuuicio seconded by foure hundred stranger footmen vpon hope that they should be releeued but the contention betwixt the Lord of Chaumont and Iohn Iacamo Triuulcio was cause of the losse of the place for the Lord of Chaumont preferring his owne passion before the Kings proffit was glad that the Nephewes of Triuulcio might be depriued of Mirandola and therefore he excused his sending of releefe by reason of the difficulty to bring ordnance thither in so cold a season by so bad waies and through such deep snow as the like had not beene seene of a long time before which were things greatly to be considered The Pope on the contrary omitted nothing for the obtaining of the victory wherby those within the towne beeing out of hope to be releeued and fearing that they should not be able to resist the first assault in regard of the great breach which the enemies ordnance had made sent messengers to the Pope to certefie him that they would yeeld so their liues and goods might be spared albeit the Pope would not at first tye himselfe to saue the soldiers liues yet neuerthelesse he did at last agree to it at the earnest entreatie of his followers and the inhabitants that redeemed the sack of their towne which had been promised to the soldiers the Castle in like manner yeelded The Pope by the taking of Mirandola hoping as sodenly to get Ferrara would no more giue eare to any talke of peace vnlesse first of all Ferrara were yeelded to him The French King on the other side hauing notice of the losse of Mirandola and considering how greatly it did blemish his reputation perceiuing likewise that the Pope continued in his displeasure against him resolued to assaile him therefore he sent word to the Lord of Chaumont not only to defend Fertara but to offend the Churches lands vpon the first occasion that should be offered For which the Lord of Chaumont making preparation and hauing assembled his whole army he made the Pope to alter his minde who by the aduice of his Captaines went back to Bolognia and from thence within a while after to Rauenna The French Army being ready to march the Captaines consulted on what place to make their first attempt some were of opinion to goe directly to assaile the enemies in their trenches hoping by force of armes and by the sury of the artillery easily to enforce them to retire and by that meanes to free Ferrara from all danger Others were of a contrary opinion and the cheefe of those was Triuulcio who was newely come from France who hauing declared the danger of assailing the enemies army in their fortification councelled them to march towards Modena or Bolognia hoping if the enemies did remooue for feare of losing any of those townes to fight with them and to obtaine the victory and if they did not remooue they might then with ease take the one or other of them This was Triuulcio his opinion but it was not followed the better thereby to diminish his authority in regard of the hatred wich the Lord of Chaumont did beare him as also because that Alfonso of Este did vrge them to follow the former opinion for feare that if the French should goe farre from thence the enemies might enter into the Pollesin of Ferrara a matter which would greatly haue augmented the Citties disease But the Lord of Chaumont hauing vnderstood by the way the great difficulty which was made to come to Finall where the enemies were encamped by reason of the waters which ouer-flowed the country neere adioyning he beganne greatly to doubt for the cleering whereof notwithstanding that Alphonso did perswade him to the contrary he assembled the councell where Triuulcio being entreated openly to deliuer what he thought thereof spake in this manner I Did yesterday hold my peace because I haue often-times knowne by experience that my councell hath beene lighlty esteemed the which if it had beene followed at the beginning wee should not at this present be where wee are nor haue lost so many daies vainely which might haue beene spent with more profit and I should now continew in the same opinion to bee silent if I were not spur'de forward by the impotance of the matter in regard wee now stand on termes to commit to the most vncertaine hazard of one day this army the state of the Duke of Ferrara and the Dutchy of Milan which is to great a cast except wee reserue some-what to play afterwards Besides that which prouoketh mee to speake is for that as I imagine the Lord of Chaumont desireth that I should bee the first to councell that which he already beginneth to tast and thinke well of Which is no new thing with me because I haue heretofore knowne my councels to be lesse contemned when it is needfull to retract some-what which peraduenture hath not beene maturely determined then when the first determinations are to bee made We treat of going to fight with the enemy and I haue alwaies obserued that great Captaines haue held for a firme ground the which I haue like-wise knowne by experience that a man neuer ought to hazard the fortune of a battaill vnlesse he be inuited therevnto by some great aduantage or enforced by vrgent necessity for it is according to the reason of warre that it belongeth to the enemies who are
for the defence of his Kingdome but like-wise all fauour and furtherance to forraine Princes thereby the more easily to obtaine of them some succor and releefe It seemeth indeed and not without cause that the first addresse belongeth to this Republike when any question is of opposing the Ottamans greatnesse because that as well in regard of your power at sea as for your neere neighbour-hood to them yee haue excellent meanes to molest that enemy and to hinder him from growing great at other mens costs Therefore my Lords yee shall purchase great glory and shall establish a greater safety to your state if yee will be Authors to moue other Princes to protect and defend the realme of Hungary against this new furious enemy to Christians Consider my Lords to what greatnesse the â—…ttaman family hath in short space attayned and wholy if I may so say by the carelesenesse of Christian Princes that haue not opposed them-selues against it Hee marcheth forward with a swift pace to a soueraigne Monarchy If the cries prayers and protestations of Constantine had beene heard when the warlike and cruell Mahomet did assaile Constantinople the Greekes Empire should not now bee ruyned not that of the Mamalukes bee wholy extinct For both the one and other gaue such counterpoyse to the Turkish forces as if they now weare in force they might with ease assure not onely the Kingdome of Hungary but like-wise all the residue of Christendome Who-soeuer shall consider the progression of the antient Monarchies will find that their difficulty was not great to attayne to a soueraigne degree when there was none of power sufficient to oppose their greatnesse and to counterpoise their pride whereby the conquests which after-wards ensued proued very easie The Romaines spent much time in subduing Italy but beeing once Maisters thereof and by that meanes most mighty they in few yeares subiected vnder their power and dominion many forraine Kings and Prouinces Therefore it is certaine that by how much we shall delay to cut off the greatnesse of this cruel enemy by so much more wil dangers encrease and remedies become more difficult I will not say that to take armes for the defence of the Kingdome of Hungary is a matter onely honorable for Christian Princes as well in respect of the duty of their religion as for their profession nor also that it is profitable for them for any particular interest but I will say that of a certaine it is most necessary for the conseruation of their states For that Kingdome being lost which hath already of a long time opposed it selfe against the Turkes attempts and hath interrupted the course of their victories who is it that is able to hinder him from entring into Austria from molesting Germany and from making incursions on the very confines of your state This same Kingdome which still hath beene the Bullwarke to stoppe his progressions being ruined which God forbid and taken by the enemy who doubteth but that it wil bee very commodious for him to subdue other nations to enuade other Kingdomes and generally to execute all his enterprizes But as this defense is sayd to bee necessary wee must not like-wise iudge it impossible and least of all difficult prouided that Princes will no more want will and desire then they doe meanes and power Our Hungarian nation hath beene war-like and our Kings haue purchaced great glory by warre Our King at this day my Lords and his subiects doe not degenerate from their Ancestors they want not courrage nor ought else that men are to haue for their defence But what can one Kingdome alone doe agaâ—…st such numbers of enemies gathered to gether out of so many Prouinces against the war-like preparation of the richest and mightiest enemy in the world And yet this our Kingdome is not very great or rich to furnish store of soldiers armor mony munition and so many other necessaries for any long continuance against such war-like enterprizes but if it bee aided by other Princes her forces will not onely encrease but like-wise her reputation and valour so as wee doe not doubt but to make all the enemies attempts and designes vnproffitable and if occasion serue wee will not refuse to fight wiâ—…h him in the field to assure for a long time at our owne perills and by the hazard of our owne fortune if God doe fauour as wee are to hope our holy and valorous â—…enterprizes with our owne country other Kingdomes and Prouinces of Christendome But I see that perhaps I haue passed my bounds by my long oration The summe of all is Our Kingdome is the Bulwarke and defense of all Christendome against the fury of the Turkish armes now the common defence ought to bee mannaged by common forces your wisdome and piety makes yee to fore-see and esteeme of dangers and your authority and power giues yee meanes of speedy remedy The Ambassador was heard with great attention and as they were before already well disposed to this businesse hee like-wise left a very great impression in their mindes Therefore they concluded to solicite other Christian Princes by their Ambassadors that were resident with them to the end that they might with a mutuall consent releeue the Realme of Hungary and prouide for future dangers where-vnto they freely offered all the meanes of the Common-wealth But this negotiation had no better issue then the former where-vpon daungers dayly encreasing and King Lewis supposing that to free Belgrade from the seege which was a very strong Citty and of great impotance and which had euer beene the Rampier of the whole Kingdome that hee must fight with the Turke did after that send Iohn Statilius his Ambassador to Venice to obtaine of the Senate certaine summes of mony thereby to encrease his forces to the end that being strengthened with meanes hee might at tempt on hope of happy successe the hazard of a battaill The Republike had often in times past ayded with mony and other meanes the Kings of Hungary against the power of the Turkes but it thought it selfe at that time more bound then euer before to doe it as well in respect of the strict aliance and friendship with King Lewis as for their feare of the Ottaman greatnesse who dayly grew more potent and redoubted by reason wherof the Venetians sent the King thirty thousand Ducats with promise of greater offers and for a testimony of their friendship to King Lewis they sent word to Lorenzo Doria their Ambassador resident with his Maiesty that he should ordinarily folow the Kings army But the Kings deseigns and enterprises had a disastrous successe for Belgrade was lost all the other Citties of the Kingdome continuing still fearefull of the force and violence of the Turkes who after the taking of this towne returned to Constantinople hauing left his Artillery and munition in Hungary intending to returne thither againe at the spring as him-selfe aduertized the Senate of Venice by one of his seruants
Generall to the Venetians The Duke of Bourbon leaueth the French Kings party The French army in Italy vnder the Admirall Boniuet Nouara and Vigeua are taken by the French The French come before Milan and soone dislodge thence Monce taken by the French Motion of peace betwixt the Emperour and the King The death of Pope Adrian The creation of Pope Clement the seuenth The French retire in disorder The cause of the Kings discontent with the Emperour and the Venetians The King commeth into Italy and taketh the City of Milan The Duke of Albany is appointed to goe and enuade the Kingdome of Naples The King beseegeth Pauia The Venetians are sought to by both parties A secret league made betwixt the Pope the King and the Venetians The Marquis of Pescara keepeth the viceroy of Naples from dislodging forth of Lumbardy The Imperialls come into the field and assaile the King The King is taken prisoner by the Imperials and the French army is put to rout The Popes resolution after the defeate of the French The Venetians resoluing to defend Italy are diuerted from it by the Pope And lastly the wordes and gesture of the Emperour at the newes of the victory The Fifth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe French army being much encreased in the beginning of the yeere 1522. by the arriuall of the Swisses who in great numbers came to their campe and by the Venetians forces ioyned to them which were six thousand foot sixe hundred men at armes and eight hundred light-horse Lautrec by the aduise of all the captaines resolued to march directly towards Milan which was the principall motiue and aime of the warre According to this resolution they passed the Adda on the first day of march and the campe was lodged within two miles of the castle The third day after the French were encamped they marched in order making shew that they would assault the Rampire the which they did not either because that at the first it was not Lautrecs meaning or else for that in regard of the great numbers of souldiers that were within it the disposition of the people and the readinesse which was seene in the defendants hee was diuerted from it for the manifest difficulty of such an enterprize It is certaine that the Lord of Lautrec had no hope to take Milan by assault but thought to effect it by length of time because that by reason of the multitude of his horse and great number of the bandetti which followed him who scoured the whole country hee did cut off all victuals from it as also because he had broken downe all the mils and turned away the waters forth of their Channels which brought great commodities to the Milanois and he did besides hope that the pay which the Milanois did giue the souldiers would soone be wasted for the Emperor sent little or none at all But the Citizens of Milans hatred towards the French was wonderful and their desire merueilous to haue Francis Sforza their new Duke againe in regard wherof enduring paciently all discommodities they did not onely not change their mindes for all those miseries but the young men of the City did put on armes and made captaines in euery parrish in such sort as the gardes which speedily ranne to the remotest places of the army did greatly releeue the souldiers prouiding beside in stead of the mils that were broken downe hand mils for all their meale was spent The Duke of Milan in the meane space who had a long time remained at Trent expecting some fit occasion to passe forward went on his way with six thousand Lansequenets and seized on the Fort of Croare which did belong to the Venetians to the end to open his passage From thence he came thorow the Veronois and Mantuan territories with ease to Casal-major because that the Venetian army was ioyned with the Lord Lautrec and there crossing the Po hee came to Placentia beeing afterwards aided by the Marquis of Mantua hee marched to Pauia where he remained waiting for some fit occasion to goe to Milan where his arriuall was extreamely wished for So soone as the Lord of Lautrec had intelligence of his comming to Placentia he raised his campe and went and lodged at Cassin fiue miles from Milan on the high way towards Pauia and the Venetians at Binasca which lieth on the same road way to hinder his comming to Milan where in the meane time hee tooke Saint Angelo and Saint Colombane But being aduertized that the Lord of Escut his brother was come from France with money and certaine companies of foot-men and came by the way of Genoa he sent thither for his conuoy Frederico de Bozzole with foure hundred Lances and seuen thousand foot Swisses and Italians against whom the Marquis of Mantua going forth of Pauia came backe thither on a sodaine standing in feare of them by reason they were more in number then had beene reported vnto him Bozzole hauing ioyned his forces with the Lord of Escut both of them together tooke the way towards Nouara and comming to the castle which held out yet for them they tooke the ordnance that was within it and battered the City the which they tooke by force at the third assault sacking it wholly and putting all those within it to the sword Count Philip Tournielo the Gouernor excepted and some few others with him who were made prisoners from thence they went to Vigeua which they likewise tooke opening the way by the taking of those townes to the supplies which they expected from France But in the meane time Francis Sforza departing secretly in a night from Pauia went thorow by-waies and ioyned himselfe with Prospero Colonna neere to Landriana a few souldiers remayning in Pauia with the Marquis of Mantua who would not passe on any farther because he would not be farre off from the Churches territories By reason whereof the Lord of Lautrec supposing his stay at Cassin to bee to no purpose seeing that Francis Sforza was escaped as also because it had beene no discretion for them to encampe before Milan they determined for to turne the army towardes Pauia hoping to take it wherevpon so soone as hee had re-assembled his army hee went and encamped there where at his arriuall a furious battery was made in two seuerall places as well by the French as the Venetians so that the breach was iudged reasonable for an assault And yet the beseeged resolued valiantly to defend themselues and to hinder the enemies from taking it not sparing their liues and meanes Prospero in the meane time perceiuing the manifest daunger wherein the City was did speedily send thither a thousand Corsicans and as many Spaniards who in the night passed along very neere to the campe not beeing descried before they were in a manner all past and then the French watch which was still on horse backe did charge them on their backes and defeated some
a way was found to content both parties namely not altogether to abandon the affaires of Naples and yet to make the cheefe attempts in Lombardy For the Confederates possessing diuerse and sundry places in Puglia where the people did greatly affect the French and Venetians it was resolued to re-enforce those troops that they had there to trie if they could aduance the businesse any better and keepe the Imperiall Captaines amuzed and in feare and for that purpose the Senate wrote to the Prouidator of their nauall Armie that he should carry his vessels into Puglia and to place strong garrisons in those townes which held for the Signory and for the French and then to besiege the Castle of Brundusium and that on the other side the Prince of Melfi and Rance de Cera should passe ouer into those parts with fiue thousand footmen whom the Venetians should furnish with vessels for their passage But as concerning Lombardy and the state of Milan they resolued the forces there beeing compleate to goe and besiege the citty of Milan and to this end all the troopes beeing come as farre as Landriane the Captaines were of an other opinion hee that was sent to discouer the Citty hauing told them that such an enterprise could haue no fortunate successe Wherevpon they determined to goe and encampe before Pauia the which they hoped to take with ease because there were no more then two hundred Lansquenets and eight hundred Italians in it and both the armies beeing by sundry wayes come neere to Pauia they encamped round about it and hauing planted on the hither side of the Riuer Thesin in the plaine on the lower side of the Citty nine Cannons they plaid in such sort vpon a bastion neere to the Arsenall that in a short space it was halfe ruined and on the farther side of Thesin three Cannons to batter when they should goe to the assault a Flanqueer right opposite to the Arsenall and vpon a little hill on the hither side Thesin fiue Cannons which did batter two other bastions and at the foote of the hill three others which plaid vpon the wall all which ordnance belonged to the Venetians and that of the Lord Saint Paul serued for the beating downe of the fortifications After a sufficient battery in sundry places and so soone as they had drawne the water foorth of the Dikes they went to the assault where for two houres space those within the towne did valiantly defend it but their number beeing too small to susteine such an assault those of the league did at the last enter it with very small losse and with great honor to the Duke of Vrbin seauen hundred souldiors of the towne were slaine the residue escaped into the Castle with Galeas de Biraga the Citties Gouernor and diuerse of the inhabitants who yeelded soone after vpon composition the Citty was wholy sackt but of no great valew in regard of the two former The taking of Pauia did procure to the league great contentment and notable reputation not onely in regarde of that Citty but because that Nouara and diuerse other neighbour townes did within a while after yeeld to the great losse and discommodity of the enemies who from thence had aboundance of victuals for the reliefe of their Army in Milan The Venetian Senate beeing wonderfull ioyfull of such happy successe promised to it selfe that it might bee able to recouer all those disastrous mishaps susteined before Naples and in regard heereof it did infinitely thanke and extoll the Lord Saint Paul intreating and exhorting him to goe forward as hee had begunne hoping that vnder his conduct they should bee able to recouer not onely the State of Milan but the kingdome of Naples The newes of the losse of Genoa beeing in the meane time brought into France did greatly greeue the King who speedily sent commandement to the Lord Saint Paul that all other Commissions beeing layde apart hee should march to Genoa to attempt the reducinâ—… thereof vnder his obedience For the three thousand footmen appointed for the releefe thereof not going thither because they wanted their pay Triâ—…lcio was in great distresse protesting that if he were not speedily releeued he must of force yeeld himselfe wherby the affaires of the league which beganne to prosper did afterwards fall into great dsfficulties because that as the commoditie of conquering Milan did present it selfe by the reputation of the taking of Pauia and by the discomodity which Antonio de Leua his army endured where for the effecting thereof it beehooued all the forces to be brought together with two Camps to assaile and shut in so great a Citty they were constrained to giue ouer all the Lord Saint Paul hauing bent all his thoughtes and deseignes to releeue Genoa wherevpon he did not only refuse to goe to the enterprise of Milan but did sollicite the Duke of Vrbin to goe along with him thither with the Venetian forces for the recouery of it wherevnto the Senate would not consent because that by sending their forces so farre off they should not only loose all the fruit of the Victory and put the Duke of Milan into dispaire but expose the Citty of Bergamo and other townes of their owne State to great dangers Persisting then both the one and the other in their opinion the French Army seperated it selfe and passed ouer the Po at Stella to march through Tuscany to Genoa and the Venetians Campe by the Senates aduise retired to Pauia to fauor with the reputation thereof the affaires of Genoa it beeing in the meane time in safety and to excute like-wise what so-euer occasion would present But the enterprize of the Lord Saint Paul had no fortunate successe who finding Genoa to be mand with a strong garrison and hauing in his owne army but two thousand footmen beeing out of hope to obtaine that which he desired by tarrying any longer there notwithstanding that he had made his approaches neere to the Citty determined to returne into Lombardy to spend the winter time where by the consent of Sforza he did put himselfe into the Citty of Alexandria Now Trinulcio in the meane time hauing notice of his departure and expecting ayd from no place else resolued to yeeld the Castle as he did the which was forthwith raced to the ground by the People to take away that hinderance of their liberty The Citty of Sauona like-wise where-into the Lord of Monteian sent thither with his forces to releeue it could not enter returned vnder the Genowaies Gouernment who on a sodaine filled the hauen thereof with stones and grauell to make it vnseruiceable The Venetians perceiuing that the French King did openly shew himselfe to be displeased with them because that the Duke of Vrbin with their forces did not goe to the releefe of Triuulcio were very desirous for his satisfaction to reuiue the enterprize of Genoa as also for their owne commodity because they accounted that Citty to
condition to pay vnto him as his feodatory an Annuall tribute of six Barbery horses twelue falcons and twelue thousand crownes for the paiment of a thousand Spanish footmen whom he left in Garrison at Goletta departed victorious from Affrick and sailed with his whole army into Sicily where hauing made some abode in the Citties of Palermo and Messina he dismissed the greatest part of his fleet and cassed his army retaining no more then two thousand Almaiâ—…e footmen for his guard and afterwards went to spend the winter at Naples Sundry Princes and Princes Ambassadors went thither to him the Slgnory likewise according to their ancient custome sent soure Ambassadors thither to him namely Marco Foscare Gionan Delphino Vincenzo Grimani and Tomazo Contaren to reioyce with him in the Republicks name for his victories obtained in Affricke Whilest the Emperor was on his iourney Francisco Sforza Duke of Milan deceassed without any Children of his owne to succeed him The Senate after his death requested Antonio de Leua to haue an eye vpon that State and to gouerne it in the name of his widdow vntill that the Emperors pleasure were therein knowne The Dutchesse went to Naples to the Emperor where being honorablie entertained by him he seemed to be very sorry for the Death of the Duke hir huâ—…band either for some particular friendship which he had borne vnto him or elce for feare least hiâ—… death would breed some new troubles in Italy or rather by dissembling it to seeke thereby meanes to make all men beleeue that for his owne part he would lay no claime to that State But the Venetians were extreamely sory for his death who hauing so long a time with great expence and discomodity maintained warre to the end that the same state might be possessed by a particular Italian Lord perceiued them-selues by the Dukes death to be throwne into new doubts and difficulties and being depriued of their hopes to be peraduenture enforced to renew the warre Therefore so soone as the Emperor was come to Naples the Venetian Ambassadors that followed him did represent vnto him the Senates desire together with the State of the affaires of Italy Earnestly entreating him to find a meanes if it were possible to maintaine that peace which himselfe had there established and the which he seemed so much to desire The Emperor made answer that in regard it belonged to him as chiefe Lord to prouide for that State he did likewise therein desire to giue content to the Princes of Italy and cheefely to the Venetians therfore he would very willingly learne of them what were best to be done for the safe establishing of the quiet of Italy and also what their meaning there in was The Venetians notwithstanding they desired to haue the State of Milan fall into the hands of some particular Lord yet neuerthelesse being therein ignorant of the Emperors pleasure beeing not willing and it may be not in vaine to offend him or any other they continued constant in this proposition to haue som one inuested therein who should be esteemed â—…it and sufficient to maintaine peace and quiet in Italy with-out proceeding any farther where-vppon the foure departed Ambassadors had no commission at al for this businesse when they departed towards Naples whereat the Emperor wondering and beeing defirous to draw the Venetians to his party occasion now beeing offered hee beganne againe to discourse of that matter concluding in the end as hee had at other times done that being not yet well resolued on whom to bestow the State of Milan hee would willingly know their opinions the which hee would greatly esteeme and respect in that businesse Within a while after there beeing some suspition that the French did meane to stirre vp new troubles the Emperor sought to the Venetians that as by the Popes death they had renewed the league betwixt themselues euen so to renew it now againe by reason of the Duke of Milans deâ—…th that he did desire it the better to assure the affaires of Italy and to take away all occasion from those that were desirous to trouble it The Venetians beeing of the same mind did therein giue consent to fatisfie the Emperor by confirming the league on the self same former conditions reseruing therein place for the Pope and for him also that should bee chosen Duke of Milan It was well aduised sodainly and freely to grant the Emperors first entreaties to shew by that readinesse how much they did affect him and to auoid besides the occasion of handling that businesse at Rome whither he determined speedily to goe whereof the Turkes would haue conceiued some sinister opinion in regard of the leagues which Popes were wont to propound against Infidells although of a long time they haue beene to no purpose The Pope not well considering all these occasions or else beeing ignorant of them made shew to be displeased with the Venetians for that they had so readily graunted the Emperors demand saying that they ought to haue tarried for his presence and vntill the Emperour had beene come to Rome The Duke of Milans death had reuiued in the French King his former claimes and his earnet desire to conquer that State wherein being resolute knowing how greatly the Venetians might aid him in that enter prize he determined first of all to sound their meaning and to this end sent the Lord os Beauais one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber to Venice to vnderstand how they stood affected to the occasion which did now offer it self to assure as he said and augment their State declaring vnto them how that his King had great store of money friends and all other necessaries for such an enterprise whereby they could not but hope for a good and prosperous successe and if that they shew themselues to be his friends and Confederates he would very nobly recompence them The Senate supposing it to bee no fitte time to giue an eare to these propositions made answer in generall termes that the Republick had beene euer desirous of peace and neuer more then now as well by reason of the great discommodities of the late warres as for that Christendome was in sundry places afflicted with many heresies the which ought to bee rooted out before any new warre were to begin yet neuerthelesse they did highly thanke the King for his offers and for his confident communicating them vnto them wherof they would stil be mindfull and perhaps in time make vse The French King for all this not giuing ouer his deseigne of sending his Army into Italy to conquer that State did leuie as great forces as hee could to enuade it on the sodaine and to that end sent to the Duke of Sauoy to craue passage thorow his country which the Duke denying by the perswation as it was reported of the Dutchesse his wife the King tooke it very strangely in regarde of the ancient alliance and neere kindred that was betwixt them by
knowing that therein he had done no great good seruice to Religion that he had broken with the Pope and nothing preuailed with the Almains wherevpon he sought to moderate the conditions with which it had beene published The Venetians on the other side perceiuing that the assembly of the councell though they would not openly hinder it was not pleasing to the Pope as being made in an vnfit time and place and by meanes not beseeming the dignity and authority of the sea Apostolike would not send their Ambassadors thither Concerning the accord treated of at Constantinople of which al men hoped for a prosperous end by meanes of a long truce of many yeeres certaine difficulties arising about the restitution of some few castles in Hungary it ended by a short suspension of armes for one yeere with an intent neuerthelesse as Solimans selfe did say and write to the French King that after the matter should bee well debated in Ferdinands Court the Ambassadours might returne to the Port the next yeere following with new Commissions to strenthen the peace with a longer terme In the meane time a new Contention arose betwixt the Turkes and the Venetians about the confines of Dalmatia where the Sangiacks of Bossina and Clissa being desirous to disturbe the peace for their owne particular profit or else to spoile the country or to receiue so me presents of the Venetians would haue vsurped a great part of the territory of Zara saying that a country contayning nine and forty villages did belong vnto them as dependances of the castles of Nadin and Laurana which by the last accord remayning to the great Lord they said did likewise belong vnto him with all their territories wherevpon they forbad the inhabitants of those places vpon grieuous penalties to acknowledge any other Lord but Soliman This new trouble did greatly vex the Venetians the country in question being of great importance both for it selfe and for the preseruation of the city of Zara and although their reasons were vnreasonable in regard that Nadin and Laurana small castles had no territory belonging vnto them but did with the other villages nere adioyning depend on Zara the chiefe city of the Prouince yet neuerthelesse fearing least the strange and insolent proceedings which the Turkes are wont to vse in such businesses who hold it for a law that the whole country whereon the horse of the great Lord hath once trod doth belong vnto them might occasion longer strife had recourse to Soliman who referring the decission of that controuersie to the Sangiac of Chersega and to two Cadis these men are ordinary iudges in law was desirous to haue whatsoeuer they should set downe to be executed who were to meet in the same place with the Commissioners of the Signory The Senate did for that purpose choose Lodouico Rayniero who handled the businesse so wisely and discreetly with the Turkish officers as the whole territory in question was quietly adiudged to the Republike of Venice The same yeere deceassed Prince Landi leauing behind him a great and singular reputation to haue well and wisely gouerned the Common-wealth for the space of sixe yeeres and eight monthes and lieth buried in Saint Antonies Church Francesco Donato was chosen in his place FRANCESCO DONATO the seuenty ninth Duke ABout the beginning of the yeere 1546. all those that desired the peace of Italy were afraide least it would be shortly shaken with new troubles because that the peace betwixt the Emperor and the French King the principall Articles thereof taking none effect was so badly assured as there wanted nothing but a fit time to take armes The French King by the sodaine death of his sonne the Duke of Orleance hauing not obtained the Duchie of Milan promised vnto him by meanes of the marriage had not for all that lost his desire to recouer it the Duke of Sauoy likewise could not be restored of his State the King still detayning it vpon sundry pretences hoping to enforce the Emperor to some other conditions by the restitution thereof seeking thereby to obtaine his desire An other new matter happened in Italy which gaue cause of feare of some new troubles for the Pope perceiuing al his deseignes to fal out contrary to his desire for the aduancement of his house hauing cut off from the Churches demaines the cities of Parma and Placentia which Pope Iulius the second had annexed therevnto gaue them in see to Petro Lodouico his son on condition to pay a yeerely rent of eight thousand crownes to the Church and in recompence thereof to make ouer to the sea Apostolike the Dutchy of Camerin and the Signory of Nepi wherwith his son Octanio had beene inuested This Cession did so much displease the Emperor as he could by no meanes be induced to giue the Pope the inuestiture of those two cities which he demanded hauing beene in formet time incorporated into the Dutchy of Milan This resusal of the Emperor had equally incensed both the father and the son so that Petro Lodouico would willingly haue embraced the first occasion offered against the Emperour and the Pope distrusting both the Emperour and the French King resolued by all meanes to maintaine and defend what he had done concerning the erection of the new Dutchy in the person of his sonne who discoursing with the Venetian Ambassadour told him into what danger Italy was like to fail so soone as the French King should be at peace with the King of England which at that time was treated of and that the Emperor if he could not at the Dyet of Ratisbon draw the Protestant Princes to his desire would bee enforced to make warre vpon them therefore he did exhort the Senate to ioyne with him a firme and sound intelligence as it behooued them for their common interests and for a greater assurance he caused the new Duke to send Augustino de Landes his Ambassador to Venice who acquainting them with the new grade and dignity which he had lately obtained did in his name offer both his State and person to the seruice of the Signory The Senate did very louingly thanke him for his offers offering him the selfe same but in generall termes which could not tie them to any thing because they would not thereby giue his Holinesse any hope by their meanes to raise any troubles in Italy then prouiding for the defense of their owne States and foreseeing what might happen they tooke into the seruice of the Common wealth Guido Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin in quallity of Generall of their forces by land with a yeerely pension of fiue thousand crownes and fifteene thousand crownes for an hundred men at armes and a hundred light horse which he was bound to haue continually ready for the seruice of the Signory But the troubles wherein the Emperor and the French King were engaged was cause of the safety of Italy because that the one notwithstanding all his attempts could not get Bolloigne
off after which followed an intollerable dearth so as for the peoples reliese they were enforced to imploy the munitions which were reserued for the fleetes These two inconueniences happening one after an other in the ciâ—…ty did prouoke the Turke to make an attempt vpon the Isle of Cyprus beeing vrged therevnto by Iohn Miches who of a Iew beeing become Turke could doe much with Selim as hath beene said This man the better to perswade him to the enterprize of Cyprus did acquaint him with the aduertisement which he had receiued from the Iewes at Venice how the Arcenall had beene burned on the third day of September 1569. where all the munitions had beene for the most part spoiled and lost together with the great dearth which had followed that losse where with the citty was still afflicted Selim who long before then had beene desirous to seaze vpon that Island and to take it from the Venetians and who for that purpose had in the yeare 1567. secretly sent to the Duke of Sauoy to incite him to recouer that Island which did of right belong vnto him promising him all ayde and succour and to make him quiet possessor thereof but the Duke giuing no eare therevnto hee himselfe resolued to haue it by all meanes As also because he beeing desirous to build a Mesquite for no great Lord is truly proclaimed Emperor vntill hee haue builded one and endowed it with reuenues was diswaded from it their Mufti who among them is as the Pope with vs saying that hee could not doe it till hee had made some great enterprise against Christians to the augmenting of his religion and Empire and hauing made a conquest to endow it with the wealth thereof it beeing no way lawfull for the great Lord to build a Mesquite with the reuenue of the Empire or that of the Casnata which is like to the Chamber of accounts in France but onely with that of the countrey conquered by him He hauing along time debated these reasons with him-selfe did at last resolue to communicate the matters to his Baschas And departing from Constantinople in the moneth of Nouember the third yeare of his Empire with his cheefe Baschas to ride on hunting the Turkes terme it the councell on horse backe hee began to acquaint them with that enterprize Mahomet as Visier Bascha began cunningly to diswade him from it as well for the loue he did beare to Christians as for the great profit which he ordinarily receaued from the Venetians telling him that vpon what occasion soeuer hee was moued to take armes either for Religion Empire or for glory he ought by no meanes to breake with the Venetians whose friendship had been euer proffitable for their nation That he ought rather to attempt to releeue the Moores of Granado as a matter more beseeming the greatnesse wherein by the grace of the great Prophet Mahomet the Ottaman Emperors were seated not to abandon the defence of those who by an holy and constant resolution had neuer forsaken the Mahometan religion That it was like wise necessary for the power and safty of his Empire for the glory which Selim seemed so much to desite not to suffer any one Potentare to grow too great but presently to abase those which might make head against the power of the Ottamans such as was that of the king of Spaine which though it would be a difficult enterprize would neuer-the-lesse be full of glory and great hope Therefore he besought him to acknowledge and make good vse of that great occasion which God offered him to preserue the faithfull Musulmans to molest his enemies and to open to him selfe away to great and glorious conquests The other Baschas Piali and Mustapha did with no lesse vehemency then Mahamet had done maintaine the contrary for they not onely enuying him but hauing declared themselues his open enemies did euer crosse his deseignes councels and did more earnestly embrace this businesse knowing that the great Lord did affect it and highly extolling his deseigns they hoped to win his fauor and to disgrace him that councelled the contrary Likewise they thought that by councelling him to what he was addicted that they themselues should be employed in that enterprize the one by Sea and the other by Land wherevpon they perswaded him that the Venetians forces were of themselues weake and the aide of Christian Princes vncertaine and badly grounded as they had knowne by experience that the Isle of Cyprus being farre from Venice was not easily to be releeued and easie to be enuaded by them by reason of their neere neighbourhood that it was a most rich and excellent Island and very commodious for all his other states and 〈◊〉 in a place which might much assure his subiects nauigation vpon those Seas Selim lent a willing eare to those two because they were of his opinion and Mahomets credit was thereby much diminished and his speech greatly suspected so as after-ward that enterprize was resolued and concluded to the which Selim promised to goe in person with such a will and resolution as all men thought that the very first yeare of his Empire he would haue vndertaken this warre if other lets had not detained him For after Solimans death he found the Empire much wasted by reason of his fathers continuall warres both at Malta Zighet and in other places where he had lost great numbers of Soldiers and spent much treasure besides his army was ill prouided of all necessaries which it behooued him to renew by rest and time with all to repaire his fleet all which being done there was no more likelihood that it would be any longer deferred The Venetians were speedily aduertized of all these things by Marke Antonio Barbaro their Baily in Constantinople a very wise discreet maÌ„ who at that time did many great and good seruices to the Commonwealth But these things at the first seemed vnto them impossible so as the Senators could hardly be drawne to beleeue it for when motion was made of making prouisions for the nauall army they answered that it behooued them to proceed discreetly therein and not to prouoâ—…e Selim who peraduenture had neuer thought on such a matter which would rather hasten the danger then preuent it The end of the seuenth Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the eighth Booke of the sixth Decad. THE Senate are certainly aduertised of the Turkes enterprise vpon Cyprus A Cypriot practiseth treason ouer the whole Island The Venetians implore the ayde of all Christian Princes The Pope soliciteth all Christian Princes in the Venetians behalfe The Venetians solicit the King of Persia to make warre on Selim. The Turkes great preparations for the warre of Cyprus Selim by the perswasion of Bascha Mahomet sendeth a defiance to the Venetians vnlesse they quit the Isle of Cyprus The small entertainment giuen to the Chians of the great Lord. The Venetians prouisions and preparations for the warre of
ibid. French king as farre as the Rhine in fauour of the Protestant Princes 350 French king maketh incursions vpon the Dutchie of Luxembourg 351 French kings demand to the Siennois 355 Francis Daulphin of Viennois marrieth the Queene of Scots 361 French take Thyonuille ibid. First motion of the enterprise of Cyprus for the Turkes 370 French kings offer to the Venetians 377 Flight of the enemies gallies 402 French king forbiddeth his subiects to goe into Flanders 456 French kings answer to the Venetian Ambassadour 457 French Kings magnificent reception at Venice 479 French Kings marriage celebrated at Florence 492 French King mediates peace betwixt the Pope and the Venetians 497 G GReat preparations of K. Lewis and the Venetians to stop the Emperours passage 8 Genoa assured for the King 31 Generall Councell published at 〈◊〉 37 Gaston of Foix his incursions 43 Gaston comes to the aid of Bolognia 49 Gaston relieues the Castle of Bressia 51 Gaston defeates Meleager of Fâ—…rli 52 Gaston besiegeth Rauenna 54 Gaston slaine by the Spaniards 55 Genoa reuolteth from the King 58 Great harme which the Croizado did in Hungarie 86 Great dearth in Bressia 102 Gritti the Prouidator his answere to Lautrec 109 Great ioy of the Veronois for beeing reduced vnder the Venetians obedience 113 Great numbers of Suisses in the French campe 133 Genowais brauely repulsed 160 George Frondsperg leuieth great numbers of Lansequenets for the Emperour 163 Genoa reduced vnder the Kings obedience 182 Great sorrow of the Lord Lautrec 194 Great discommodity which the reuolt of Doria procured 195 Genoa by meanes of Doria reuolteth from the King to the Emperor 198 Genowaies fill the Hauen of Sauona with grauell 201 Great valour of a woman in mans attire 211 Great preparations of the Venetians 212 Great entertainment giuen the emperour on the Venetian territory 224 Great troubles in Germany concerning the Duke of Wittemberg 242 Great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at one time in sundry places 243 Goletta besieged 247 Genoueses forbid Doria to carry the gallies out of Genoa 257 Great signes why men did suspect the 〈◊〉 274 Gritti goeth to 〈◊〉 to treate of an 〈◊〉 296 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Barbarossa 301 Great hope of a long peace 312 Great preparations for warre on all 〈◊〉 319 Gonzaga his excuse 〈◊〉 the death of Pietro Lodouiâ—…o 337 German princes treat with the french King against the Emperour 347 Germanie wholie banded against the 〈◊〉 and his brother Ferdiâ—…and 348 Great 〈◊〉 done by the 〈◊〉 after the maner of Spaine 366 Generall of the Venetians and 〈◊〉 vse reasons to Doria to perswade his stay 394 Great 〈◊〉 against the dead 418 Generall Foscarin his answer to Colonna 458 Gills Andrada his opinion 459 Great charity of a Prelate 481 H HOw the Venetians were daunted at the report of the battells losse 16 How the French K. ordaines his armie 96 Hugo de Moncada sallieth foorth vpon the confederates 168 How the Venetians behaued themselues vpon the agreement betwixt the Pope and Emperour 180 Heretikes begin to stir in Germanie 218 How Doria's departure did trouble the Venetians 266 Hungarian ambassador at Venice 306 Henry the second french king 336 Horatio Farnese marrieth King Henries daughter 337 Horatio Farnese puts himselfe and familie vnder the French Kings protection 342 Hostages giuen 〈◊〉 both sides of Turks and Christians 416 Henry Duke of Aniâ—…w chosen King of Poland 478 Henry the fourth French king motioneth a marriage with the Princesse of Florence 492 I IOhn Paul Baillon yeelds vp Perugia and her territory to the Pope 5 Iâ—…rring betwixt the Commissioners assembled about the truce 11 Imperialls succour Veroni with men and victualls 25 Iâ—…iurie offered to the Popes stâ—…tue in Bolognia 45 In what manner the Venetians prouided for their Cities on the forme land ibidem Iohn Paul Baillon defeated broken by Gaston of Foix. 52 Imperiall army by night passeth the riuer Brento 72 Iohn Iames 〈◊〉 general of the Venetian army 101 In what maner the Venetians did relieue the State of Milan 127 In what order the French did assaile the enemies 135 Imperialls pursue the French and take Garlas 144 Iohn de Medicis a great captain 164 Imperiall fleete beaten by the confederates 166 Imperialls great cruelty in Rome 174 Italie amazed at the Emperours comming 212 Imperialls demand concerning the accord for Milan 221 Incursions of the knights of Malta against the Turkes 226 Iohn Pisani extraordinary Ambassador into France 229 Islands taken from the Venetians by Barbarossa 268 Instructions sent by the French king to bee propounded by Cardinall Tournon to the Senat at Venice 345 Institution of the Venetian Academie 490 Italie iealous of the Spaniards 493 L LEague betwixt Maximilian Emperour and Lewis the 〈◊〉 King 3 Lewis his Ambassadours at 〈◊〉 ibi Lewis commeth into 〈◊〉 5 Lord of Chaumont Generall of the kings armie 14 Lord of Chaumont taketh the Pollesâ—… of Rouigo 29 Lâ—…gnaga taken ibi Lord of Chaumont takes diuers 〈◊〉 which stopped the Emperors comming into Italie 30 Lord of Chaumont with his 〈◊〉 returneth to the Dutchie of Milan 31 Libells set vp in diuers places against the Pope 45 Lâ—…sse of Bressia troubleth the Venetians 53 La Palisse forsaketh the field and guardeth the Towne 57 League betwixt the Pope and the Emperour 59 League betwixt the French King and the Venetians ibid. Lancequenets defeate the Venetian forces 60 Legnagâ—… taken and dismantled by the Venetians 65 League betwixt the Emperour the king of Arragon the Duke of Milan and Suisses 91 Lautrec besiegeth Bressia 108 Lautrec master of Brâ—…ssia forthwith restoreth it to the Venetians 109 Lancequenets refuse to besiege a citie belonging to the Emperour 110 Lewis K. of Hungarie prepareth for defence against the Turkes 119 Lord of Lescut discouers the enterprise of the Bandetti of Milan 125 Lord of Lautrec succoâ—…s Parma 127 Lautrec fortifieth Milan 128 League betwixt the Pope the Emperour the Venetians the Milanois and Florentines 138 League conclâ—…ded at Coignac 156 Lauda is taken by the Confederates 157 Lord of Langi comes to Venice 158 Lancequenets come into Italie 164 Lautrec entreth the Dutchie of Milan with great forces 181 Lautrec leaueth Milan and marcheth towards Rome 183 Lautrec 〈◊〉 towards Naples 187 Lautrec defiâ—…th and 〈◊〉 thâ—… Imperialls to bâ—…ttell 189 Lautrec incampeth within two miles of Naples 190 Lord of Barbezieux commeth to Sauâ—…na 193 Lord Lautrec his nature 194 Lord Lautrec his sickenes and death 196 Lord S. Paul leaueth Milan to goe to the reliefe of Genoa 201 Lord Chastilion commeth to Venice 206 League betwixt the Pope the Emperour and Venetians against the Turke 265 Badoarioâ—…hosen â—…hosen Ambassadour by the Senate to goe to Solyman 306 Losse of the battell of Saint Laurence and the taking of S. Quintines by the Spaniards 360 Long delaies vsed in the conclusion of the league 395 Lodouico Martinenga sends supplies to Famagosta 396 M MAximilian the Emperors Ambassadours at Venice in the Popes behalfe 3 Maximilian the Emperours request â—…to
said was the Authour of Otho his banishment and therefore during the gouernment of Vrso Bishop of Grada hee was banished the Citie as an enemie but not long after hee was repealed at the peoples request So soone as he had receiued the gouernment hee propounded to the people that he thought it fit and most profitable for the Common-wealth to driue the familie of the Vrseoli out of the Citie as pernicious enemies to the publique quiet He willed them then to assemble themselues and to declare the Vrseoli vnworthy euer after to execute the soueraigne dignitie or any other Office whatsoeuer or to haue any authoritie to be present at the suffrages and that they should adiudge them common enemies and as such banish them The people being ill aduised hauing alreadie forgotten the sundrie deserts and benefits of this familie making themselues the ministers of an other mans hatred did sodainely consent thereto After this sort this familie till then famous and which had affoorded so many worthie men to the Common-wealth was by this ignominie so deiected as it could neuer after rise againe He did likewise abolish the custome of associating a Colleague in the Principalitie the which as most profitable is carefully obserued vnto this day I find no memorable matter done by him abroad but being oppressed with yeares he departed this life ¶ DOMINICO CONTARENO the 30. Duke of Uenice DOminico Contareno was by the generall consent of all men established in his place Pepin in the meane time had molested all the places round about Grada and for that time there was nothing decreed against him in regard the City was then busied in affaires of more importance Those of Zara had yeelded to the Lord of Croatia or as some write to Salomon King of Hungarie At the report hereof for it was to bee supposed that vnlesse the Venetian Armie did speedily passe into Dalmatia the other Countries which were now readie to rebell would soone after reuolt from the Venetians the Duke with a great fleet sodainely hasted to Dalmatia besieged Zara and tooke it by force The report of the reprisall of Zara auailed much to containe the other Cities in their dutie and fidelitie Pepin in the meane space tooke Grada the second time by assault and did more harme at this entrie than at the former The Venetians iustly moued by this iniurie determined before they would reuenge it to aduertise Pope Benedict of the wrong which Pepin had done them resoluing that if he did not obey the Pope who they thought would redresse it to reuenge the losse of Grada by Armes Pepin sodainely obeyed the Popes commandement but being of an obstinate and turbulent spirit he dyed as some say soone after miserably Some write that Pope Leo came at the same time to Venice But if they sent to Pope Benedict concerning the businesse of Grada as hath beene said following the opinion of diuers I cannot imagine how the Popes name should bee so sodainely changed which makes me to thinke that it hapned by the negligence of some writers who haue set downe Benedict for Leo or on the contrarie Leo for Benedict or that which is most likely that these things were done at sundrie times They say the occasion of his iournie was to visite the body of Saint Marke and they affirme that hee gaue diuers great priuiledges to his Church and to diuers others in the Citie VVee finde also that about the same time those of Apulia fought diuers times with Robert surnamed Guiscard a Norman by Nation whose power at the same time was very great in Italie The which neuerthelesse I dare not altogether affirme because of all those Authours whom wee follow there is but one which makes mention thereof ¶ DOMINICO SILVIO the 31. Duke of Uenice THis is all which hapned vnder the gouernment of Prince Contareno who the six and twentieth yeare of his Principalitie dyed he was buried in Saint Nicholas Church his funerall being followed by great multitudes of people Dominico Siluio was by sodaine acclamation of the people as hee followed the bodie saluted Duke He is reported to haue married a wife from Constantinople so full of arrogancie and greekish pride who as saith Damian was so nice and delicate in her manner of life as shee would neuer wash with ordinarie water shee neuer touched her meate but with a forke of gold her Chamber was perfumed with such rare odours as the senses of those which came into it were ouercome with the sweetnesse thereof But as nothing is of lesser continuance than vnbridled dissolutenesse which is so much the more dangerous as it is most excessiue This most proude and curious manner of life procured her a very loathsome and stinking disease so as she who by her insolent pride would not vse the most necessarie element of water because it was common to euery one could not bee holpen or comforted by the same nor yet by any other meanes to clense the filth and infection of her bodie About the same time Dominico Bishop of Oliuollo deceased Henrie sonne to the last Duke succeeded him who altered the ancient name of Oliuollo and would be called Bishop of the Castle as they are now at this day It is reported that vnder this Princes gouernment the Normans were driuen out of the confines of Dalmatia And because the Venetians haue had diuers warlike incounters with this Nation we must speake something of them They were then as some Authors affirme neere neighbours to the Sea-coasts of Guyenne who after they had a certaine time scoured the Neighbour-Seas entred in tract of time vnder their Captaine Raoul by the Riuer of Loire into France They ouerranne Lorraine and a part of Germanie with fier and sword afterwards returning into France Raoul made a league with king Charles the third surnamed the Simple and beeing by him perswaded to become a Christian of an Enemie hee became his Guest and being named Robert he married the kings daughter By meanes of which marriage Charles gaue vnto him that Prouince lying vpon the Riuer of Seine which hath beene since called Normandie by the name of the inhabitants This man of whom I speake was great Grandfather to that Robert who came with an Armie into Italie of whom we must say somewhat to the end we may the more easily vnderstand that which they haue done there Now at what time this yong Robert began to wex great on the confines of Lucania and Sicill the affaires of Italie were then in meane estate as well by the new receiued losses as by the incursions of the Saracens who ouer-ranne that whole Prouince and Sicill in like manner But it is vncertaine whether this man or some other of that Nation did bring the Normans out of France into Italie For it is certaine that the same great Robert who from the shoares of the Ocean Sea did enter by the riuer of Loire so farre into France
the Venetian Magistrate and the Church that of Grada and should besides send euery yeare to the Duke of Venice a thousand Connie-skins Whilest these things were done in Dalmatia the Venetians and French-men after they had first crossed the Ionian Seas and afterwards the Aegean and the Hellespont arriued at the Bosphorus of Thrace called St. Georges arme But wee must speake somewhat briefly here of the place and situation of the Citie for the more easie vnderstanding of what shall be hereafter set downe Bizantium named as all men know Constantinople by Constantine who much augmented it and did there establish his Empire yea builded as saith Trogus by Pausanias King of Sparta is seated in so pleasant and commodious a place as the Megarians who along time before were the founders of Calcydonia which is right ouer against it were esteemed by Apollo's Oracle of small iudgement because they refused so goodly and fertile a Countrie as is that where Bizantium was afterward builded and chose a barren and desert soile The streight of the Sea is fiue hundred paces in breadth and waxeth still more narrow as it draweth nearer to the Bosphorus of Thrace so called for the vsuall and easie passage of Oxen called at this day S. Georges arme This Citie on the North side hath the Sea of fiftie stadij in length and the maine drawing towards the West At the mouth of this streight in a small distance stands Constantinople on one side and Pera on the other so called in Greeke as I thinke for the small space that is betwixt them being opposite one to another Alexis had shut vp this space with a great yron chaine and placed a strong Garrison at either end thereof to hinder the enemies entrance Now whilest this great fleet staied there the Ambassadours of the Isle of Candie came with two Gallies in the name of the whole Island to acknowledge him for their Lord. This yong youth after he had louingly receiued them gaue the whole Island to Boniface of Montferrat a valiant man and his neare Kinsman The chaine in the meane time could not be broken vntill that a very great ship called the Eagle furnished with great yron tongs and driuen forward by a North-winde strake vpon it and brake it in peeces Presently hereupon the Venetians entred the streight and landed all the forraine troupes which done the Citie in an instant was besieged both by Sea and Land But so soone as the Campe arriued Theodore Lascaris sonne in law to the Emperour made a sodaine sallie with his forces on the Pilgrims for the French-men and they on this-side the mountains departing to the warres of Asia would at the first be so called to trouble their incamping The fight at the first was very bloudie and doubtfull but at the last the Greekish furie being abated Theodore with his forces was constrained with great losse to retire into the citie The Venetian fleet on the other side attempted to winne the Hauen but they spent two whole daies in breaking the chaine which lockt it And this fight was so much the more difficult to the Venetians by how much the Garrison of the Hauen was stronger than that of the streight whereof we haue spoken Twentie Gallies on a front being tied together by great yron chaines lay at the entrie thereof to keepe out the enemies and it was dangerous to come neare them in regard of the great number of arrowes which flew from them against those which came formost Yet neuerthelesse the Venetians valour ouer-came this For after they had likewise broken it and furiously assailed the enemie the hauen was wonne in an instant The Gallies being forsaken at the very first brunt by Alexis Souldiers fell into the possession of the Venetians After this victorie they resolued to assault the Citie with engins on all sides and after they had diuided the portions betwixt them the Venetians did forth-with erect diuers warlike engins against the Citie on the Hauens side Then they tooke two great masts of ships and tying them together they made a bridge vpon them from whence they shot into the Citie at their pleasures by reason the bridge was much higher than the walls They did moreouer cast fierie lances vpon the nearest houses which lighting vpon drie matter kindled such a flame as those who defended the wall being therewith terrified in great confusion forsooke their places which the Venetians mounting on ladders did forthwith possesse Alexis at this sodaine rumour came running thither with three thousand Souldiers which were of his guard and made shew at the first as if he would haue assailed the Venetians vsing thereby a Greekish pollicie to make shew of nothing lesse than flight But because all was lost not only in that place but likewise on the land-side where Lascaris had beene beaten into the Citie with great losse Alexis made a stay as though he would haue deferred the fight till the morrow But the Venetians pursuing the victorie did alreadie in a manner fight in the very Citie Whereupon Alexis at the entrie of the night holding all for lost left his wife and children and committing great treasures which hee had drawne forth of the ground to the keeping of his Daughter Irene who was a Nunne about midnight he left the Citie and fled His flight being openly knowne Isaack was forthwith taken out of prison and the Citie-gates being set open the yong Alexis was with great ioy receiued by all the people Both of them were saluted Emperors Great was the ioy on either side but not without teares to behold the wretched blind old man who did greatly praise the pietie and good nature of his sonne and reioyced with him for this happie successe exhorting him couragiously to maintaine the Empire which hee had by his vertue recouered The child on the other side was no lesse ioyfull to see his Father freed from the prison of his wicked brother and that so perfidious a person hated of God and Men being driuen iustly both from Empire and Countrie was compelled to vndergoe so ignominious a banishment saying that his owne happinesse did not so much content him as to see his Father reuenged on his enemie That hee did not doubt but that this wretched Alexis was greatly troubled in his minde knowing his enemie to command in the same place from whence himselfe had beene shamefully expulsed After all these reciprocall complements Isaac did in open assembly confirme ratifie all that which his sonne had granted to the Venetians and French-men the Protectors of his state And all the good old mans thoughts were how and by what meanes hee might pay the Venetians and French that which had beeâ—…e promised them when falling sodainely sicke hauing as it was thought taken the aire too soone he died in few daies after The Sonne no lesse mindfull than the Father to acknowledge the benefits which he had receiued did meane not
the French King who succeeded Lewis being then greatly desirous to releeue the distressed French-men in Syria Wherewith as it is reported he was so greatly affected as he kept with him at Cremona the Ambassadors of either of these people so long sometimes entreating the one and anone exhorting the other appeasing and promising so much as at last all sorted to his owne desire And this was the eleuenth yeare according to some Authors since the beginning of the warre against the Genoueses Now there are some other Venetian Historians who seeme to augment this number saying That Rayniero Zeno ruled seuenteen yeares Others set downe only sixteene and affirme That the warre beganne at Ptolomais in the beginning of his Principalitie which was the yeare of our saluation 1260. and continued till the time of Lorenzo Tepulo But in my opinion this incertaintie of times hath chiefly hapned through the negligence of Writers who for want of due obseruation haue perhaps attributed longer time to Zeno than he raigned Or else it may bee that the warre was not commenced in the beginning of his Principalitie For their confusion herein is so great as a man can hardly discerne the truth of the matter wherefore following the opinion of Blondus a most exact obseruer of times I thinke that this first Genoan warre endured but eleuen yeares Now truce being concluded with the Genoueses the Venetians had new warre in Lombardie Those of Bolognia who at that time possessed the greatest part of the Countrie of Flaminia being grieued that by the new decree of Impost lately as aforesaid made by the Venetians their Merchants were excluded from their traffick prepared with all secrecie a new warre to open them a passage for their nauigation Being therefore readie to set forward they sent their Ambassadours before to Venice who concealing their warlike preparations should treate with the Venetians about the abolishing of that Decree and dismissing of their Garrisons on euery side to the end that their Merchants might haue free passage Whereunto if the Venetians should refuse to consent as it was likely they would they were without other termes to denounce warre Tepulo soone discouered the fraude of the Bolognians Whereupon he fell to his subtilties which were no lesse pollitick than theirs and speedily sent out nine Gallies to preuent the enemie It was most certaine that he who could soonest discouer the others pollicie and first seize vpon the place would make all things after very difficult for his enemie Wherefore the Venetians came with speede to the mouth of the Po which is called Primario neare to Rauenna where at their arriuall perceiuing the Bolognians to build a Fort on the other shore they likewise with speede seized on S. Alberts which they instantly fortified by helpe of the Souldiers Within few daies after Prince Tepulo came thither with Sea-forces the better to restraine the enemies attempts There and in other places they often fought with great effusion of bloud and the Bolognians did still for the most part preuailâ—… in regard of their great numbers For their Armie was reported to be fortie thousand fighting men and all of the same Prouince which the Celtique Gaules had in part possessed a most warlike race and almost not to be conquered and in part the Senonians who for certaine Moneths held the Citie of Rome which was afterward called Flaminia and at last Romagniola Whereby may bee coniectured that the same Prouince doth not at these daies bring forth men wholly different from those whom it nourished in former times but very couragious and of great spirits and such in a word as it was not said without cause That a red Italian a blacke German and one of Romagniola with his haire of two colours are commonly froward fellowes Now this dangerous warre was drawne out at length till the third yeare after when at last they fought with all their forces vnder the conduct of Marco Gradonico where the victorious Venetian brake and defeated the enemie with great losse The Bolognians hereupon being discouraged sued for peace which they obtained on these conditions That hauing ouerthrowne their Fort at Primario being permitted to carrie thence certaine things with them they should leaue the entrance of the Po free to the Venetians The Anconitans by the example of those of Bolognia durst attempt to take armes and sent to Pope Gregorie the tenth to complaine on the Venetians The Pope entreated the Venetians not to stop their nauigation This entrâ—…atie they did neither obay nor resist But because they would not seeme against their custome to contemne the Popes commandement they sent Ambassadours to him who alleaging now one thing and then another said that the Anconitans had not done well by false reports to traduce the Venetians before the Pope and that their accusations were vntrue These and such like allegations of the Venetians by little and little ended the matter And the Pope herein was so farre off from conceiuing any displeasure against them as heâ—… rather procured the truce before then concluded at Cremona betweene them and the Genoueses to bee renued for two yeares more These things thus succeeding in Italie certaine Lords of Nigrepont who as yet possessed the third part of the Island contrarie to the will of Andrea Dandulo Gouernour of the Island with sixteen Gallies inuaded that part of Asia the lesse which then was vnder obedience of Paleologus from whence hauing carried away great bootie they prouoked this Prince to warre vpon them So soone therefore as his Armie was readie he came to Nigrepont and besieged Orea The Lords of the Island to free their people from the siege came with twentie Gallies to draw the enemie to fight wherein being broken and put to flight Paleologus in a manner bereft them of all their fleete and brought away diuers of the chiefe as prisoners But fiue hundred Venetians found in the fleete of those Lords hee committed to his Lieutenants to bee sent home to Venice with commandement to renew the league for fiue yeares following I cannot but exceedingly meruaile in that it is said that those Lords of Nigrâ—…pont made warre on Paleologus against the will of Dandulo Those of the Island might perhaps refuse to obay the Magistrate but that the fiue hundred Veneâ—…ians who were found as hath beene said in the fleete should so doe it is very vnlikely Let them which so report consider by what meanes the same could possibly come to passe On these termes stood the affaires of Venice at such time as Tepulo decâ—…ased the sixth yeare of his gouernment who was buried in the Church of the Twinnes in the monument of his Ancestors Giacomo Contareni was chosen in his place ¶ GIACOMO CONTARENI the 47. Duke of Uenice AT the beginning of his gouernement it was likely that the warre would haue beene renewed with the Genoueses because an Argozie of Venice laden with merchandize
Ring which hee had on his finger let the Duke and Senate vnderstand that by our meanes the Citie hath beene this night preserued from a terrible floud And because thou shalt not faile but doe this know that he whom thou diddest see enter into his Church is blessed Saint Nicholas which yee Marriners doe so highly reuerence the other is Saint George who is gone to visite his Church and I am Marke the Euangelist the patrone of your Citie This being said he vanished The poore Fisherman emboldned by this pledge so soone as it was day came to the Palace where saying that hee would speake to the Prince concerning some important businesse he was presently brought into his presence who was accompanied by the Senate where he declared in order all that hee had seene and heard then for a witnesse to his speech he drew foorth of his bosome the Ring which the holy Saint had giuen him ouer night They were all greatly amazed at this miracle then they caused diuers solemne Prayers to be made as well in priuate as in publike in the Churches of these holy personages by whose helpe the Citie had beene defended from the present danger Besides they appointed the poore Fisherman a yearely pension out of the publike Treasurie About the same time the Ambassadours of Edward King of England arriued at Venice crauing aide by Sea against Philip the French King whom the Genoueses fauoured with all their power but notwithstanding all their promises on their Kings behalfe they could obtaine nothing Their excuse was in what great danger their affaires stood at Sea which they were constrained to defend from the ordinarie incursions of the Turkes who by the carelessenesse of the Christians were growne so mightie as they could in a moment Arme two or three hundred Gallies if neede were At the same time certaine Lords of Candie reuolted who being retired into some Fortes and Castles in the mountaines did disquiet the greatest part of the Island Nicholao Phalerio Iustiniano surnamed Iustinian and Andrea Morosino with good forces were sent against these men who were embarked in the Gallies which went to traffique in Ciprus Being arriued in Candie they assailed the enemie in three places and giuing them in a maner no time to breath they tooke from them all meanes to robbe and spoile They did moreouer propound great rewards to any whosoeuer should kill any one of those Rebels or could bring him aliue to the Venetian Magistrate hauing set downe a certaine rate for euery head but the Authours whom we follow mention not how much They being by this meanes in few dayes reduced vnder the Venetians obedience were punished according to their deserts diuers of them were throwne into the Sea but the most of them were hanged which caused those of the Iland being terrified by the punishment of those Lords to returne on a sodaine to their due obedience The Island being quiet the Generals of the Armie Nicholao Phalerio excepted who died there returned to Venice Victuals were very deare in the Citie during the principalitie of Gradonico which was very short for it lasted but two yeares and nine Moneths which time being expired he died His body was buried at the entire of Saint Markes Church The end of the second Booke of the second Decade THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the third Booke of the second DECAD A Great Armie prepared against the Turkes The foundation of Saint ANTHONIES Church The Venetians victorie neere to Zara against LEWIS King of Hungarie Thereddition of Zara. The Citie of Venice much shaken by an Earthquake The same Citie terribly afflicted by the Pestilence Truce for fiue yeares with LEWIS King of Hungarie Cape-histria rebelleth which causeth the Venetians to passe ouer thither The cause of the third Ligusticke warre The Venetians take ten Ships of Genoa in the Hauen of Cariste The Genoueses take Nigrepont in the absence of the Venetian Armie The Venetian and Arragonian Fleete greatly tossed by a tempest on the Ionian Sea The prosperous battels which the Genoueses had at one time against three mightie Armies neere the Bosphorus The Venetians and Arragonians ouercome the Genoueses on the lower Sea The Genouses in anger contemne their libertie who after they haue repaired their Armie take Parenza The Genoueses take diuers Ships of burthen from the Venetians at sundrie places The Genoueses defeate a great Armie of the Venetians in the Isle of Sapientia Prince PHALERIO affecting tyrannie is with his complices worthily punished ¶ ANDREA DANDVLO the 54. Duke of Uenice A Ndrea Dandulo succeeded Gradonico a man certainly of rare and singular learning and as eloquent as could be wished in one of his yeares For it is reported that he wrote the Venetian Historie in two stiles the one more amply and it may bee therefore lesse eloquent and the other more succinctly and thereby as saith Carosini more beautified and adorned Hee was besides of a meeke and liberall disposition whereby hee purchased the surname of Comifino And that was the reason as I thinke why before he was of competent age they made him Procurator of S. Marke and soone afterwards Prince For the manner was not to name any one to that dignitie but such as were already of good yeares and all Authors almost are of opinion that he was not aboue sixe and thirtie yeares of age when hee was named for the soueraigne Magistrate We finde in some Authors that at the beginning of his Principalitie according to the league made with Pope Clement other Christian Princes against the Turke the Venetians armed sixteene Gallies and gaue the command of them to Pietro Zeno who after he had sunke diuers ships of the Barbarians did by a sodaine assault take the Citie of Smyrna and where hauing slaine the Inhabitants he left a good Garrison and that soone afterward not farre from those confines the Venetians accompanied with those of Rhodes and Cyprus did oftentimes fight with the Turkes where diuers of both sides were slaine But at the last the Venetians with their Allies being defeated and put to flight part of them being afrighted escaped into the Citie the rest being enclosed by the Barbarians were all slaine At the same time Nicholao surnamed Giouanni was sent by the Senate to the King of Babylon to treate with him concerning the Venetian Merchants free traffick into Aegypt The Barbarian granted their request bnt on certaine conditions the which seeming not to bee allowed of without the Popes permission it was not thought lawfull to trafficke with the enemies of the Christian faith Marini Phalerio Knight and Andrea Cornario were sent to his Holinesse who granted that the Venetians should for fiue yeares following traffick to Alexandria with sixe Gallies Souranza by vertue of this permission was the first that vnder-tooke that voiage with two Gallies wherein Pietro Iustiniano went Consull Two yeares after Iustiniano
from himselfe to the end that the Greeks should not afterward reedifie the Fort which the Venetians should demolish But on what pretence soeuer he did it the Commissioners being enforced to depart thence came to Venice The Senate tooke this refusall in bad part knowing that vnlesse Tenedos were deliuered the Common-wealths credit through one mans follie would be crackt among the Italians and forraine Princes and that all men would impute the blame to the Senate and not to one man alone And that besides their breach of faith it was to be feared that so soone as the Genoueses King Lewis and the other associates should heare that the Island was not deliuered to the Sauoyan they holding the couenants of peace to be broken would forthwith take Armes They therefore decreed to send to Mutatio and the Islanders Carolo Zeno was sent thither who neither by entreaties nor threats could alter his determination At Zeno his entrance because by one mans rashnesse the Common-wealths promise should not be infringed they decreed to proceed by Armes whereupon a speedie leuie of Souldiers was made vnto such a number as was thought sufficient to subdue the Island Fantino Georgio was made Generall of these forces He departing from Venice with sixe Gallies well Armed and arriuing at Tenedos landed his men and in an instant gaue a furious assault to the Towne and Castle There were great numbers of Archers in the Camp so was there in the Castle by meanes whereof at euery assault and sallie diuers died on either part Some say that they fought more eagerly than against ordinarie enemies For if any one were taken he was forth with hanged or else being put into one of the engines of Warre was in sted of a stone throwne into the Camp and so from the Camp into the Citie whereby it plainly appeared that it was neither the Prince nor Senates fault that the Island was not deliuered according to the treatie of peace but only through the wilfulnesse of Mutatio The siege lasted aboue seuen Moneths but victualls failing they yeelded on these conditions That neither Mutatio nor those who were with him should bee called in question for detaining Tenedos to the hindrance of the Common-wealth That the Inhabitants should depart forth of the Island with their gold siluer and other moueables That as many of them as would go dwell in Candie should haue as much Land there as they had in Tenedos and as many as would goe to Constantinople or else where should receiue money for the iust value of their Lands And in this sort those within gaue place to the Garrison The Castle being recouered Fantino entred it with two hundred Archers dismissing the residue of the Armie Giouanni Memo by the Senates decree did afterwards succeede him The residue of the Articles being performed and the Inhabitants being gone the Fort was at the last razed The Thryestines who in the hottest of the warre were reuolted from the Venetians fearing that so soone as they should be at quiet both by Sea and Land they would on a sodaine come and inuade them did yeeld to Leopold Soone after King Lewis died At the first it was thought that his death would in some sort abate the pride of Prince Carrario who till then had neuer ceased to molest the Treuisans but on the contrarie in sted of desisting he assailed them more furiously than before and gaue them so many assaults and ouerthrowes as Leopold despairing of being able to defend the Citie did on certaine conditions giue it ouer with her confines to the Paduan who in a manner was Conquerour All this hapned almost three yeares after that peace had beene established by Sea and Land But in the meane time Prince Contareni died after he had gouerned fourteene yeares and was honourably buried in St. Stephens Church ¶ MICHAELI MOROSINO the 61. Duke of Venice MIchaeli Morosino succeeded him At his entrie into the Gouernement a Law was made against Murtherers that whosoeuer should kill a man should loose his head whereas in time before they who were conuicted of such crimes were hanged according to the custome of the Countrie It was thought of a certaine that if his Principalitie had lasted any long time he would haue beautified the Common-wealth with sundrie holy Lawes and Statutes But by how much the hope thereof was greater by so much was his Regiment shorter For about foure Moneths after his Creation hee deceased and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes ¶ ANTONIO VENIERI the 62. Duke of Uenice ANtonio Venieri being absent was subrogated in his sted a man who besides his ancient Nobilitie was of a meeke and gentle disposition and beloued of all men Being called home from Candie where he remained he arriued the thirteenth of Ianuarie at Venice on S. Nicholas shore where the whole Senate and a great part of the people receiued him and from thence after diuers reciprocall embracements going into the Bucentauro he was with great ioy brought to the Ducall Palace His presence was the more welcome to all men because by reason of his long absence it had been so much desired He had beene seuen yeares absent with his familie and had well gouerned the Common-wealth in diuers places and chiefly at Tenedos His gouernment was very meeke and gentle without any tumult or strife in the Citie with plentie of all things which was greatly desired of all men But his owne domesticke losse did in some sort trouble the fortunate successe of his affaires Albeit I doe not well know whether his seuere iustice did purchace the old man more honour and reputation than his sonnes death did afflict him with griefe and sorrow He had a Sonne named Lodouico who was enamoured on a Senators wife But as it often happeneth some jealouzie arose betwixt the two louers whereupon this yong Lord by chance in disgrace of his Mistris whom he then hated caused hornes to be hung vp at her husbands gate Inquirie thereof being made the Prince being moued at the iniurie done to a Senator commanded his Sonne forthwith to be imprisoned where he remained till he died to the great griefe of all the people The same yeare at sundrie times the Marqueses of Aest and Mantua came to Venice with diuers other Princes and Princes Ambassadours to treate with the Senate concerning great affaires of State albeit some of them came but to see the Citie A while after peace still continuing abroade and at home great warre and contention arrising betweene Antonio Escalla of Verona and Francisco Carrario the elder Giouanni Galeas Visconte whose power was at the same time very great at Carrario his entreatie did make warre vpon Escalla and hauing vanquished him he tooke from him Verona and Vincenza Then as the desire of getting doth encrease when prosperitie doth follow vs he did as furiously assaile Padua as he had not long before done those of Escalla
had earnestly solicited William of Escalla who had beene created a Gentleman of Venice and dwelt at the same time there to recouer the Principallitie of Verona whom after the recouerie thereof he perfidiously poisoned notwithstanding that before he had sworne and protested all loue and friendship to him and releeued him with Armes and Councell After which hauing surprised Antonio and Brunora of Escalla his children he caused them to be murthered The race of Escalla being thus extinct Francisco caused his son Giacomo or according to some his brother to enter Verona the Ensignes of the Empire and his owne being displaied before him and created him Prince of the Citie Yet not being satisfied with so great a Principalitie he besieged Vincenza hauing first spoiled the Vincenzans Territorie The Vincenzans detesting the name of Carrario resolued to endure all extremitie rather than to submit themselues to their Tyrannie They speedily sent to Katherina widdow to deceased Galeas for Carrario already made hauock of their countrie to get that by force which he could not obtain by right and intreated her to assist them against the violence of the Carrarians giuing her to vnderstand their great danger vnlesse they were speedily relieued alleaging for instance That on the one side they had Padua for neighbour where the Tyrants made their retreate and Verona on the other which they had lately seized on hauing vilely murthered their hosts and that being enuironed and shut in on euerie side they were openly pursued as enemies because they would not open their gates to the Tyrants and that the Vincenzans knew not of whom or from whence to expect reliefe but from thence where the power of Galeas had beene in force and Authoritie Earnestly therefore they entreated her presently to send them aide or if she had not the meanes so to do yet to send them word in what manner shee would will or commaund the Vincenzans to prouide for their safetie This did the Commissioners deliuer vnto her But she being a woman and troubled with the death of her husband and busied elsewhere in greater affaires For Carolo sonne to Bernabo after Galeas death began to 〈◊〉 and diuers pettie Princes of Italie had seized on the Cities which belonged to her husbands Dukedome so as she had busines enough to keepe Milan for resolution in these difficulties assembled her Councell by whom it was concluded That in regard they being so streightly pressed could not continue in her obedience it was much better for Verona Vincenza Feltre Belluna Collogna and Bassan with their dependances to be giuen to the Venetians than to leaue them for a prey to those wicked Tyrants The Venetians albeit they had already refused the offer which the Vincenzans had made to them of their Citie not that they did it to gratifie Carrario or were vnwilling to helpe their poore afflicted friendes but only for that they were ashamed to possesse the goods of an other man without iust cause so soon as they perceiued the offer to be made contrarie to their expectation by the true Lord albeit they knew that great warre would follow with Nouello they would not loose so faire an occasion Therefore they courteously entertained the Vincenzans Commissioners the chief of whom was Giacomo Thyeni sent with the Cities keies willed them after they had receiued their oathes of fidelitie to be of good cheere not to doubt but that they would deale in such sort as if this Paduan who filled all places with tumult and menaces did not desist from molesting them they would shortly set him such taske-worke as he should no more trouble his neighbours nor any else Besides seeing that the Vincenzans had esteemed from the beginning nothing to be more profitable for their Citie than to be vnder the protection of the Venetians they would take order that so loiall a Citie should neuer repent her loue and affection towards them Heereupon they willed them then to depart and to carrie home with them the ensignes of Saint Marke whom they besought to be fauourable to them both and to erect them in the publicke places of their Citie assuring them that the Prince and Senate would take order for the rest In this manner were the Commissioners sent home Giacomo Suriano followed them soone after with a good troupe of Archers for the Cities guard They sent likewise to Carrario to signifie vnto him in the name of the Common-wealth that he should abstaine from further molesting the Vincenzans because they were become subiect to the Venetians But al this aduertisement notwithstanding so farre off was he from giuing ouer his enterprise as on the contrarie in contempt of them and against the law of Nations he caused the Ambassadours Nose and Eares to be cut off and willed him besides to tell the Venetians that it was too saucily done of them to prescribe lawes vnto those who were commanders in possession That they should doe well to containe themselues within their small inclosure of the Sea and leaue Cities to those who from their Ancestours had receiued the power to gouern The Senate being mooued by the Tyrants arrogant answere would before they proclaimed open warre contract alliance with Francisco Gonzaga In the mean time the Feltrians the Bellunois and Bassans following the Vincenzans example voluntarily submitted themselues to the Venetians Colognia gaue occasion of a great battaile The Paduan euerie where opposing himselfe against the Venetians attempts did greatly molest them The Senate on a sodaine caused great forces to be leuied and gaue the charge of them to Carolo Malatesie of Arimini who was sent from Flaminio for that purpose The Armie was reported to be of thirtie thousand as well horse as foot Howbeit Carolo staied longer than was expected yet being come to Venice he was entertained with great ioye and receiued the publicke Ensignes in St. Markes Church Then marching towards the enemie he came to Mestra which was the Rendes-uous of all the Venetian troupes and diuers great personages were in that Armie who receiued good pay of the Venetians The Generall at his arriuall made certaine attempts vpon the enemie but of no great moment and therefore not worthie of memorie But in the hottest of the warre he gaue ouer his place Those Authors whome we haue read giue no reason why he did so Whilest these things were done on the firme Land the nauall armie had no better successe on the Lakes Marco Grimani Generall of the Fleet which the Senate had sent forth against the Tyrant hauing remained for a time on the Lakes neere to the enemies and caused a great number of light boates to come thither did violently force certaine of the Garrisons but being assailed on a sodaine by the Paduan neere to the Church of Saint Hilarie he was defeated hauing lost the greatest part of his vessels which the enemies drew on shoare with hookes of Iron and himselfe being
wronged by any of his subiects and that he could hardly belieue it Diede being moued with indignation went to besiege the town of Bistonia the onely harbour at that time of those theeues I suppose that the same Sea towne which stands vpon the confines of the Florentines which at this day is called Bistice was in time past so named and at his arriuall summoned the Inhabitants to deliuer into his hands the Pirates that were there and in so doing he promised them to depart thence and to hurt none of them Vpon the towesmens refusall who threatned to discharge their ordnance vpon him if he made any attempt Diede ranne to Armes and comming to assault the towne he would greatly haue endangered the enemie had not a terrible tempest sodainly arose which scattering his vessels heere and there threw the Venetians into the enemies hands whereupon the Generall of the fleet with his whole companies were taken who afterwardes by Alphonsos commandement were set at libertie and had their ships and goods restored to them and of his bountie the king added his promise to make good to the Venetians whatsoeuer they had lost in that incounter which could not bee recouered Andrea Quirini drew forth the vessels which had beene taken from the Hauen of Bistice and to blot out that first disgrace pursuing the Pirates he recouered from them diuers Venetians ships and tooke some of theirs who fearing the punishment that would haue beene inflicted vpon them if they should be taken and carried to Venice they would by no meanes fall into the Venetians hands but forsaking their Liburnian vessels they went on shore in the next Hauen they came to where they continued till such time as they vnderstood that the nauall Armie was returned to Venice For then they began more fiercely than before to spoyle and take whatsoeuer they met with But their vnbridled libertie lasted not long For Philippo Canalus was speedily sent against them with three ships of burthen and one Galley Some write that about the same time certaine Gallies were armed at Venice against the Turkes but they that write this doe not set downe the number of the Gallies nor vnder whom they were sent forth Of those ships which returned from Syria â—…oden with marchandize that of Contareni by a sodain tempest was cast away the marriners hardly escaping with their liues to the bordering shore But afterwards being taken into Antonio Abramo his ship they did againe suffer shipwracke and were cast all away neere to Modon This carried with it two losses namely of men which was the greatest in regard they were many and also in rich marchandize which was thought to be worth fiftie thousand crownes Two Gallies were likewise furnished in the name of Lionello d' Aeste the sailes of one of them were of purple silke which brought from Ortona a towne of the Peligniani to Venice the king of Arragons daughter betrothed to this young Prince Victor Capello and Francisco Lauretano commanded those two Gallies The Bride for the Princes sake her husband who was a friend to the Venetians was honorably entertained at Venice The Arcenall was shewed vnto her and to the great Lords that attended her among whom was the Prince of Salerne From thence being brought backe to the Rial to thorugh the Mercers street it was so abundantly set out with costly warres as all men did admire it Such great multitudes of people came from all parts to see her as with their weight both sides of the Bridge of Rial to fell downe into the water and carried with it many people who were spoiled and drowned At her departure from Venice she was honoured with sundrie rich presents For which within a while after Lionello came in person to Venice to salute the Prince and Senate and to thanke them for the honourable reception of his Bride At the Spring-time eight Gallies were on a sodaine armed at Venice against the Turkes at the expence of Pope Eugenius The Pope referred the execution of that businesse to Cardinall Iohn his Nephew of the familie of the Candelmares Lodouico Lauretano Pietro Zenti Marini de Molino Paulo Lauretano Lorenzo Moro Nicolao Contareni and Antonio Candelmare were Captaines of the Gallies Besides these the Duke of Burgondie caused foure others to be armed there at the same time which were commaunded by foure Venetian Gentlemen namely of the familie of the Venieri Contareni Lauretani and Georgij This French and Papall fleete being readie to set â—…aile against the Turkes was commaunded by Lodouico Lauretano their Generall who departing from Venice with the Cardinall Candelmare and with all mens prayers that their iourney might bee prosperous put out to Sea The Christian fleete opportunely arriued at the streight Amurath Ottoman Emperour of the Turkes hauing left his sonne at Salonica departed at the same time by the aide of the Genoueses as it is said forth of Europe into Asia whither he was speedily recalled by sundrie messengers The rumour was That king Caraman marched against him with a mightie Armie But haing composed the affaires of Asia returning into Europe he found the streight to be shut vp and guarded by the Christian fleete This had put all men in hope that this cruell enemie being diuided from his forces might by his absence receiue some notable ouerthrow in Europe For it was reported that Ladislaâ—… King of Poland hauing caused his Armie to crosse the Danubie in three seuerall places did fiercely march against the Turkes in Europe But it is now time to returne to the affaires of Italie from which wee haue somewhat digressed the better and more plainely to dispatch that which remaineth behinde Eugenius as hath beene said tooke it in euill part That by Sforza's sentence he might not enioy Bolognia till two yeares were expired But Philip was more displeased to see that all his sonne-in-lawes attempts were bent against Alfonso whom at the Spring he meant to assaile with his greatest forces Although Sforza's hatred seemed to be hereditarie from his father for Sforza's father seruing valiantly in the Realme of Naples in the quarrell of Queene Ioane had brauely withstood all Alphonso's attempts it was neuerthelesâ—…e augmented by a new displeasure which was that Alphonso had seized vpon all the townes which by succession belonged vnto him in Samia and Apulia vpon which occasion whilest he remained at Cremona he had made a league with king Renatus by meanes of Nicolao Mace who for that purpose came to him to intreate his aide Alphonso being troubled with the report of this league entreated Philip if it were possible in some sort to mitigate the furie of his sonne-in-law Philip being moued by the intreaties of the King his inward friend and displeased likewise with Sforza for that hee had rather recommended Cremona to the Venetians than to him as also because that since the marriage with his daughter hee was in a manner estranged from his partie did importune Eugenius
the Riuer where some say they fought againe vpon the bankes and that six hundred of the enemies horse were taken with them two thousand peasants two Ganzares and as manie Galliots which Lodouico of Seuerine had sent to breake the bridge by which the Venetians had ioined the Riuer to the Marshes Pietro Auogadre Giacomo Antonio Marcello and Antonio Martinenga because they had fought valiantly that day and borne themselues more brauely against the enemies than any else were honoured with the order of Knight-hood Whilest the Venetians were entangled in this warre of Lombardie Sforza as though he had beene reduced to the last extremitie did at the perswasion of Pope Eugenius and King Alphonso who enuied the Venetians greatnesse in that Countrie hauing quitted La Marca went openly to Philip. The Venetians had beene before aduertised of his meaning and vpon the first intelligence of it they thought it fit to commit Angelo Simonetto to prison who was then in Venice and to take away Sforza's pension and the Pallace which the Prince and Senate had giuen him To reuoke likewise all gifts giuen to Sforzas friends which were so many and so rich as that it is scarce creâ—…ble which we find in the Venetian Histories how that in the last war of Lombardie the Venetians spent fiue Millions of gold And afterwards they drew from Simonetto the true ground of Sforza's reuolt The Senate vpon this new rebellion did forthwith leuie 400. Archers for the guard of Rauenna together with certaine vessels Commandement was likewise sent to those forces which the Florentines had sent to Bolognia to suffer none whosoeuer to come forth of Lombardie Philip after al these ouerthrowes sent his Ambassadors to Venice to treate of peace who were not only entertain'd as friends louing guests but were moreouer suffred to tarrie a month in the Citie But the businesse being for a time debated on had not such successe as was desired wherupon they returned the matter being imperfect Attendulo after the battaile of Adda hauing fortified the bridge which iojned the Riuer to the marshes and placed a strong Garrison vpon it did with great rumour make incursions into the State of Milan and in the middest of winter did with his cauallerie runne to the verie gates of Milan from whence hauing set fier on diuers houses of the suburbes be carried away manie prisoners and great store of Cattaile Whilst these things were done in Lombardie one of those gallies which in trade of marchandize had been at the Tana was commanded by Zeni Morosino was cast away by a storm on the Pontick-sea but the goods within it al the Marriners being cast vpoÌ„ the shore were taken by the Turks the other gallies arriued safely at Venice Such successe had the Venetians affaires when newes was brought of Pope Eugenius death in whose place Thomaso Sarsania was chosen who was afterwards called Nicholas in whom we haue set before our eies the onely example of humane happinesse For in one yeare he was made a Bishop created Cardinall and elected Pope The Venetians presently decreed to send Ambassadours to him Foure of the chiefe of the nobilitie were chosen Lodouico Lauretano who after sundrie braue exploits against the Turkes had brought home the fleete to Venice Lodouico Venieri Pascalis Maripietro and Christophero Moro who was Aduocate to the Common-wealth the other two were Procurators of Saint Marke But Moro not being able to trauaile through extremitie of sicknesse Zacharia Treuisano was sent thither in his sted Giacomo Foscari the princes son being cited by the councel of Ten was in his absence condemned for not appearing at the day prefixed But afterwards his innocence as I thinke being knowne he was by the Senates decree sent from Thryeste where he remained to Treuiso with expresse charge not only not to go forth of the Citie but not to walke vpon the Mestrine without the leaue of the Potestate but afterwards either for his Fathers sake who was at that time matchlesse for his wisedome pietie towards his Countrie or as I suppose rather for his innocencie he was repealed from Treuiso home to Venice But as Fortune when she once beginneth to frown vpon a man doth euer after pursue him euen so it hapned that soon after his returne to the Citie he was accused of a murther that by his procurement Hermolao Donato had been slain as he returned in the night from the Palace towards his own house wherupon diligent enquirie being made and no greater proofes found he was confined into the Isle of Candie After that being again brought to Venice in a Gallie sent of purpose to fetch him for that the Senate knew by his letters that he practised treacherie and being vpon the torture demanded if he had written those letters which were directed to the enemies he confessed that he had written them and that he had vsed means to haue them fal into the magistrates hands that therby he might be called home into his countrie which though it might not be as he desired would neuerthelesse be as it might At the last when they found he was guiltlesse he was againe confined into Candie where he died Andrea Donato likewise being at the same time accused to haue been corrupted by Sforza was sent for from his gouernment of Candie and being enforced by the Senates decree to answere before the Lordes of the Councell of Tenne he was put to torture and by them condemned in 1400. Ducats and being depriued of all publik gouernment to endure ayeares imprisonment In the mean time Carolo Montone son to that great Captaine Brachio hauing intelligence that Philip Sforza were recoÌ„ciled did in hatred to the coÌ„trarie faction come to the Venetians side The Venetian Armie had alreadie taken from Sforza Casal-major other strong towns neere therunto Afterwards Attendulo going again vpon the territories of Milan commanded Tiberto Brandolino with a braue troup of horse to scoure as farre as the Citie Gates where in the enemies view erecting the Venetian ensignes he inuited the Milanois to recouer their libertie But perceiuing the enemie not to stir he turned his forces elsewhere went on wasting the Countrie as far as Pauia from whence hauing carried away a great booty he again drew neere with his Armie to Milan and inuited manie of the Townes-men to recouer their libertie In this place as they abode neere to the riuer Adda foure valiant men were knighted hard at the Citie gates namely Tiberto Brandolino Theote Saluia of Bergamo Lodouico 〈◊〉 and Gilberto Câ—…rregiano At length the Venetian hearing no tumult in the Citie after he had spoiled all that quarter where he had planted his ensignes hee went to besiege Brebia in Briansa which he presently tooke From thence hee scoured and wasted all the Prouince of the Briantines It is reported that they did there vse great crueltie vpon the inhabitants not onely killing men but young
against the Venetian nauall armie almost to the verie place where the execution was made so soone as after the rout he vnderstood that Sforza being come into the Gyradade had besieged Carauazza he likewise approached with his troupes neare vnto that place to make it famous by the Venetians ouerthrow Neuer before in any other warre of Lombardie had there beene seene so great Cauallerie nor so many notable men assembled in one place For the Venetian armie besides Attendulo who was their Generall had in it Lodouico Gonzaga Bartolomeo Coyone who not long before was come to the Venetians party Gentil Leonesio Carolo Montone Tiberto Brandolin Giouan la Conte a Roman Gentleman Guido Rangone Alberto Bodiense Caesar Martinenga Nicolao Guerrieri and with them twelue thousand horse and great numbers of footmen In Sforza's Camp were Alissandro Borsia and Conrade his brother Roberto Sanseuerine Francisco and Giacomo Picinini Gulielmo of Montferrat Carolo Gonzaga Lodouico Vermio Giouan Tollentino Cristofero Tourello and Bartolomeo Quartiero and with them sixteene thousand horse They often fought in that place by skirmishes which sometime continued from morning till night not comming to battell with all the forces Frederico Contareni and Hermolao Donato were at the same time come to the campe with commandement to enioyne the Venetian Captains to relieue Carauazza Frederico at the same time being bitten with a dog died Hermolao and Gerardo Dandulo who before was Prouidator in the Armie continuing the same request Attendulo and diuers other Captaines although they were assured that vnlesse the inhabitants were relieued they could not long hold out were not for all that of opinion in Councell to giue battaile but others insisting on the contrarie they did at last conclude that it was better to hazard the last fortune of warre than by a lingering encamping to suffer the inhabitants being tired with the siege to yeeld This determination held good for certaine daies For they could not resolue principally by what way the Venetians might passe through the enemies Tiberto Brandolin offered to giue the first charge by the new way because that the same side by reason of the marshes was not well guarded by Sforza For he being disguised like a meane souldier had beene ouer all the enemies campe and had at leisure well viewed it Tiberto Guido Rangone and Alberto Bodiense were commanded to go vpon a holiday when no man would thinke on their comming to giue in behind vpon the enemies camp Sforza was gone to heare diuine Seruice in our Ladies Church of Carauazza which is not farre from the towne whither certaine horsemen one another comming to him told him that the enemies were in the trenches who comming with great furie to assaile the campe had alreadie forced the Rampiers where vndoubtedly all would be lost without speedie remedie Some say that returning from Seruice as he was sitting downe to meat this word was brought him and others say that riding about noone towards the new way he was in hast aduertized how that the enemie assailed the campe But whensoeuer or wheresoeuer it was that he vnderstood of the enemies comming it is certaine that without any trouble or amazement he gaue order for all matters The Venetian troupes in the meane time made good the way which lay betwixt the two Armies Carolo Gonzaga Alexandro and Sforza's other Captaines being at the Venetians first approach beaten backe into the Rampiers could hardly sustaine the enemies charge Some say that Carolo Gonzaga being wounded did not onely leaue the fight but the campe and that being affrighted he went to Milan where he assured them that the Venetians had defeated Sforza Such at the beginning was the enemies feare But being afterwards encouraged by Sforza's presence who with the body of the Armie ran to that place where the fight beganne the fight was not only made equall but they did beate the enemies forth of the Rampiers Then giuing a fiercer charge the Venetians who had fought in the forefront being tired by the enemies who were stronger than they both in force and courage Alberto and Guido Rangone who were much troubled to renew the battaile and to keepe the souldiers in their rankes being enuironed with a troupe of enemies were beaten downe dead and then the Captaines being slaine the souldiers began openly to flie wherein besides the difficulties of the places the enemies pursuits did much hinder them For those of Mozainga so soone as they saw the Venetians had the worst stopt the runna waies so as they were enforced to yeeld or to fall headlong into the neighbour marshes On the other side the two brethren Picinini which were at Triuia on the one side of the Armie did giue in with two thousand horse in another place vpon the Venetians camp Coyoni who was left to guard it did for a time make it good but perceiuing his friends to flie and the lower end of the campe to be taken from the enemies did on foote escape into the neighbour forrest Attendulo and the rest so soone as they knew the formost ranke broken whether they did it vpon malice or else because they knew that all was past remedie betooke themselues to flight Eight thousand men both horse and foote were taken together with the Prouidators Dandulo the Prouidator being aduised by Attendulo to saue himselfe by flight answered That he had rather die neere the publike ensignes than escaping by a shamefull flight purchase a perpetuall disgrace The Victorious enemies were masters of the Venetians campe which was stored with meruailous abundance of all things wherein were two thousand waggons Attendulo retired to Bressia whither the enemie pursuing his victorie within a while after brought his campe The Venetians notwithstanding this great losse were not discouraged but hauing speedily appointed two new Prouidators Lodouico Lauretano and Pascalis Mariptetro they did leuie the greatest forces they could Phe Prouidators being sent to ressia with thirtie thousand crownes could not enter into the Citie which was enuironed by the enemie For Sforza being come thither with his Armie had by the commandement of the Milaneses diuided it to Lodouico Verinio Carolo Gonzaga and other noble persons The Prouidators were day and night at Verona busied in making new leuies They did in a verie short space by meanes of great pay assemble many troupes of horse and foote Diuers great Lords likewise did by their expresse letters and messengers promise to enter into their pay and to be quickly with them if the Senate thought it fit with great numbers of horse Victorious Sforza in the meane time rcouered Casal-Maior Riuoltelles and diuers other townes from the Venetians Carauazza the next day after the ouerthrow yeelded But whilest he lay before Bressia Picinino went with the residue of the Malan troupes and encamped before Lodes On these termes stood the affaires of Lombardie when those of Milan had notwithout cause some suspition of Sforza as fearing that he did secretly
was Ambassador for the Signorie with his Holinesse brought these presents to Venice which the Prince in great solemnitie did weare vpon that day that the peace was published Peace at the same time was treated of with Sforza by Ambassadors Pascalis Maripietro was to that end sent to Crema whither Ambassadors were come from Milan to treate of that businesse The Senate likewise sent Ambassadors to congratulate Borsia d' Aeste for his promotion to his new principalitie who after the death of Leonello had beene with a generall consent proclaimed Prince At the same time likewise Hermolao Donato a Venetian Gentleman was murthered The Senate by a decree made sharpe search for the murtherers and promised a perpetuall pension besides a present recompence to him that should bewray them The Duke of Austria the Emperours brother in his iourney from Rome towards Germanie came to Venice The Prince and Senate went â—…o meete him and being receiued into the Bucentauro he was conducted to the Pallace of Aeste which was sumptuously prepared for his lodging and hauing at leisure viewed the Citie he went home into Germanie In the accord which they made with king Alphonso the Sienois the Duke of Sauoy the Maquesse of Montferrat and the Lords of Corregia were included their Commissioners sent for that purpose did at one time meete at Venice Ambassadors came from the king of that part of Illiria which at this day is called Bossina who from their master did present the Prince with foure gallant horses hawkes and flagons of siluer they said that they came to bring the presents and in their masters name to congratulate in the presence of the Prince and Senate the marriage of his daughters one of whom had married Stephen the Vayuod and the other Caloianes Viceroy of Hungarie And that therfore the King their Lord did wish perpetual happinesse to the Prince Senate and people of Venice his friends for that he had made new alliance with two such great personages That he did besides take a solemne oath to continue a perpetuall friend to the Venetians which so long as he should liue he would religiously keepe The Prince and Senate did highly thanke the king and gaue kinde entertainment to the Ambassadors Whilest these things were done at Venice Gentilis Leonesio and Tiberto Brandolino some Authors mention Picinino in steede of Brandolino did by the Senates commandement take fifteene hundred horse from Coyoni which he had with him on the territorie of Verona against whom hauing practised some noueltie they came on a sodaine as they had beene commanded But himselfe escaping went to Mantua to Prince Lodouico At the same time king Alphonso the Venetians and their associates did chace the Florentines from their confines in hatred to Sforza whom they had assisted with money Carolo Gonzaga vpon the first report of this warre came to the Venetians to implore their aid and succour against his brother Lodouico who he said had wrongfully bereft him of those lands which he had till then possessed by his fathers testament The Venetians did louingly receiue him and did put him in hope whether that they had peace or warre soone to repossesse him in his estate and the Commonwealth gaue him in the meane time a thousand crownes a moneth for the entertainmenr of himselfe and familie Lodouico Bishop of Aquileia came to Venice and within a while after Pietro Barbe Cardinall who when hee came to be Pope would needs be called Paulo great troupes of Gentlemen went forth to meete either of them and both of them were honorably entertained But the Emperour Fredericke had more princely reception who with Leonora his wife came to Venice about the Spring time of the yeare following For such great numbers of boates neuer went forth to meet any Prince whatsoeuer It is reported that besides the Bucentauro richly hung with cloath of gold wherein the Prince and chiefe Senators were foure great vessels were set forth whose poopes were all guilded in which were the whole nobilitie of Venice These followed the Bucentauro as their Admirall The Gallies went after them The Ganzares and patischermes which are lesser vessels to the number of sixscore were as gallantly decked as those of the Clarissimi in which were the common Citizens who did striue to exceed one another in brauerie The whole Citie was hung that day with cloath of gold purple scarlet and violet colour In euerie place musicall instruments songs and sweet voyces were heard which did in a manner rauish the hearers Fredericke being come to S. Clements Church where the Prince met him came forth of the Duke of Ferraraes Barge and went into the Bucentauro where the good old Prince Foscare welcomed and seated him in a throne of Golde and then sate downe next to him He was with great ioy and generall applause conducted through the middest of the Cittie to the Pallace of Aeste which the Common-wealth had richly furnished for his lodging The Empresse Leonora within a while after came to Venice and to the end that her entrie into the Cittie might be more magnificent shee tarried three dayes at S. Nicholas on the shoare then vpon an holiday she was receiued into the Bucentauro by the Princes wife and two hundred of the fairest Ladies glistering with gold purple and pretious stones The same order of boates as had serued for the Emperours reception did wait vpon her through the Cittie as farre as Saint Eustace his Church vnto the pallace of the Vitturi where shee landed The chiefe Senators went to visite her and to doe her seruiee in the Morning and Euening The day was spent in feasting those great Guests The Councell Chamber was richly hung which was filled with the fairest and noblest Ladies of the Cittie The Senate presented the Empresse so soone as she entred her Chamber with a Crowne of Golde set with three pretious stones which were esteemed to be worth two thousand sixe hundred crownes and with a coate for a little childe as a presage of her future progenie with a Cradle-cloth of purple powdered with pearles Both of them danced together The day was spent in all delights and pleasures And the whole Citie did keepe many Holie-daies in honour of her great Guests although they had not neglected their care for the warre of Lombardie Heereby wee may perceiue how curious the Venetians haue euer beene more than any other people of Italie to giue entertainement to forraine Princes Fredericke being gone the Senate the better to prouide for the expences of the warre made a Decree that all Officers aswell in the Cittie as abroad Iudges Registers and others of meaner qualities vnder great Officers who in anie kinde had pension of the Common-wealth should pay a certaine tribute to the Signiorie And that the Gentlemen after that they had executed their yearely charge for euerie one at the yeares end receiued his pay should serue the Republique gratis for sixe moneths longer At this
he had sodainely wasted the territories of the Mireneans in Lycia hee failed to Cyprus where after that hee had comforted the mournefull Queene for her husbands death he intreated her to bee of good cheere and to feare no warrelike menaces for he was readie to defend her and her kingdome from all assaults and attempts whatsoeuer Then he made haste towards Cilicia So soone as the fleet came to Coric Lodouico Lauretano Captaine of one of the Popes Gallies came thither to him and told him that hee came from the Archbishop of Spalatra the Popes Legate who was arriued with tenne Gallies at Rhodes to know of him what hee meant to doe and whether he intended to preferre some notable seruice against the Turkes for if his intention were such he would meet him with his fleete by which speech he gaue him to vnderstand That the Popes Legate had no meaning to come forward but vpon hope of some great enterprize thereby going about to inferre that till then hee had done no memorable matter Mocenigo taking his speech in bad part could not so much master himselfe but that he tolde him That peraduenture the new Legate thought that what hee till then bad done against the enemie was but a trifle yet those who had felt his forces did thinke that no greater mischiefe could light vpon them and that it was at his owne choice whether he would ioyne with the Venetians fleete or not but for his owne part he promised for the Popes sake to haue the gallies souldiers and Legates selfe in singular estimation and that he would haue no lesse care of them in all places than of the Venetians The Venetian fleete had already remained certaine dayes on the confines of Cilicia when the Generall had intelligence by Letters from Catharine Zeno that the Persian had fought twice with the Turkes Ottoman had two of his chiefest Officers in his company the one was the Gouernour of Natolia and the other of Romagnia The first commaunded the Prouinces of Asia and the second those of Europe Moderne Cosmographers haue termed Romagnia all the coast of the Ponticke sea from Tauris of Chersonessus to the furthest part of Morea This name as some do thinke was giuen it at such time as the seate of the Empire was transported from Rome to Constantinople Natolia which in time past was called Ponticke containeth with whatsoeuer belongeth to the streight all Caria Lycia and Pamphilia The great Lord vseth the aduise and councell of these men in any weighty and important businesse and specially in martiall matters in the Barbarian tongue they are called Baschas The Gouernour of Romagnia then comming to fight with Vssancassans sonne was vanquished and slaine in fight Some thinke that the Persians are superiour to the Turks in number of men and horse as the euent of that battell did testifie For Ottomans army being broken and put to rout they were in a manner all slaine together with their Generall The king being puffed vp with pride for this victory did the next day encompasse the enemies Campe. Ottoman in the meane time had fortified himselfe in the middest of his Campe where hee remained as in a strong for t hee had inclosed it with a trench of foure thousand paces in compasse with rampires neere to which he caused waggons made fast together with yron chains to be placed vpon euery of which two field peeces were laid then there was great store of ordnance planted in euery place to defend the fortifications Round about it fifteene thousand shot were appoynted continually to play vpon the enemie within the rampires were fiue and twentie thousand choice horse all Thracians and Tribulls and twenty thousand Ianissaries reputed inuincible and like to the Macedonian Phalange At the enemies first approach infinite cannon shot were at one time bestowed vpon his troupes which made a great slaughter of men and horse In that place Vssancassans sonne a braue young Prince being emboldened by the precedent victorie fighting in the former rankes was slaine with a cannon shot The Persians beeing amazed with the great slaughter of their men and horse and being affrighted with the vnusuall report of the ordnance turned their backes The Turkes comming furiously foorth of their Campe did pursue the vanquished and made a great execution All the Persian Armie consisted of horseâ—… who by their swiftnesse did in a moment escape farre from thence The victorious Turkes durst pursue them no further The King retyred into the mountaines of Armenia where his wife and children were Otâ—…oman accounting himselfe the Conquerour for that he had wonne the enemies Campe dismissed his Armie and returned to Constantinople The Persians were reckoned to be three hundred and fiftie thousand fighting men and the Turkes three hundred and twentie thousand of the Turkes fortie thousand were slaine and ten thousand of the Persians The Generall hauing intelligence hereof by Zenos letters went from Cilicia into Cyprus For Zeno sent him word that the king in regard of the losse of the battell would not come to the Sea-coast that yeare Mocenigo held the Queenes sonne which she lay in off at the Font and was his Godfather Andrea Cornari the Queenes vncle was at the same time in the Island The Queene and her Councell gouerned the affaires of the Kingdome Mocenigo enquiring of Cornari concerning the state of the Kingdome found that all thinges were quiet there Neuerthelesse being vnwilling to leaue such a Realme altogether naked of forces hee added two Gallies to those that were come thither at the beginning of Summer and commaunded them to remaine at Famagosta vnder the commaund of Cornari The Popes Legate likewise came thither with two Gallies for the Treasurer had carried the rest to Sio Both of them within a while after departing thence went to Rhodes from thence to Sio And after that they had coasted the Islandes Ciclades they sayled into Morea The Legate taking his leaue returned towards Italie and Mocenigo went to Modon This is all that was done abroad during that Summer In the middest of Autumne Prince 〈◊〉 died hauing gouerned one yeare and eight monethes He was buried in the Church of the Frieâ—…s Minors where his sonne Philip did afterwardes build him a verie sumptuous Tombe of white and blacke marble curiously guilt neere to the high Altar ¶ NICOLAO MARCELLO the 69. Duke of Uenice NIcolao Marcello a man of singular vertue succeeded him In his time they begaâ—…ne orderly to paint in the great Councell-chamber that which the Venetians had done in times past for Pope Alexander against the Emperor Fredericke The vndertaker of this worke was Gentile Bellino the excellentest painter of his time who after the peace being sent to Constantinople to the Emperour Mahomet shewed so many excellent proues of his skill as he receiued of him the honour of Knighthood and was 〈◊〉 home into his countrey with rich presents During this Princes gouernment a new kinde of money was coyned
Scutari battering it continually with his Ordnance whereupon it lasted till the fifth of September at which time the Gouernour of Asia tooke Driuaste by force from whence he carried away fiue hundred of the inhabitants and bringing them in view of the Scutarians did cut them all in peeces Foure daies after Ottoman being wearied with so long a siege went from thence with the greatest part of his forces The same day he departed from Scutarie he tooke Lissa on the banks of the riuer Drimon with two Venetian Gallies wherein finding two hundred rowers and marriners he sent them to Marbeg who with eight thousand Turks continued the siege to be massacred before Scutarie This siege lasted eight moneths after and two forts were built at the mouth of the Boyano with strong Garrisons in them to keepe all reliefe from the Citie In the meane time the Venetian Secretarie began to treat with the enemie concerning peace which was graunted and concluded about the latter end of Winter on these conditions That the Venetian should giue ouer Scutarie to Ottoman with libertie to the Garrison and inhabitants to depart whether they pleased together with Tenarus a Promontorie in Laconia with the Isle of Lemnos and should pay him yearely 8000. crownes and that the Venetian Marchants might freely trafficke on the Pontick seas Peace being entertained on these conditions the soldiors and all the inhabitants came foorth of Scutarie and in regard of their ancient affection to the Venetians they rather chose to be banished from their Countrie than to vndergoe the yoake of a barbarous enemie The Cittie was yeelded according to the agreement vpon the fourth day of Aprill Of 1600. men which guarded the Citie there suruiued onely foure hundred and fiftie and of women there remained but one hundred who followed their husbands through the enemies Campe and accompanied them in their iourney As many of the Scutarians as came to Venice some of them receiued yearely pensions from the publike Treasurie others were rewarded with gouernments of Townes and Castles according to euery mans former estate and condition so as the Commonwealth suffered none of them to be vnsatisfied some write that the like was done to those which escaped from Nigrepont Peace being published did not so much reioice the Venetians tyred with long warre as it did feare and terrifie other people and Princes of Italie and not without cause For it was likely that the Venetians being at rest the Turke would make some attempts on other parts of Italie whereto he was alreadie become too neere a neighbour so as from the Hauen which he had newly gotten he might easily see it and indeed it so fell out afterwards But of this we will speake after the siege of Ottranto In the meane time the Venetians were like to haue incurred new troubles For the Summer after the peace a mightie Turkish fleete sailed into the Ionian seas against the Lords of Cephalonia This Island is opposite to Natolia from whence the Lords being expulsed Ottoman became master thereof Pietro Buaillio was at Xant with fiue hundred braue horse of Morea who not long before had taken it from the Lords of Cephalonia and till then held it So soone as the Turkish fleete came thither as to an Island which belonged to the Cephalonian Princes Loretano who was still Generall of the Venetian nauall Armie did presently follow them saying That he would neuer suffer that Island to be besieged so long as the horsemen of Morea remained there He did afterwards tell the Generall that he ought not contrarie to the treatie of peace assaile the horsemen being Venetians Both of them wrote to Constantinople the Turke to his Lord and master and Loretano to Benedetto Treuisano Ambassador at the same time at the great Lords Port. He hauing informed the great Turke of the businesse did freely obtaine from him That it should be lawfull for the Venetians not onely to draw all their horsemen foorth of the Island but as many other as would willingly depart thence By this meanes the Venetians conueied many thousands foorth of the Island who otherwise would haue been made slaues and being conducted into Morea went freely whither they pleased to inhabite The Turke after the taking of Xant retired to Constantinople These were the exploits done at Sea In Italie the Venetians before the warre with Ottoman was ended had taken armes as at other times to defend the Florentines libertie It fell out that the yeare before Iuliano de Medicis was by a conspiracie slaine at diuine seruice in St Liberatos Church and his brother Lorenzo like to haue been murthered with him but that by his owne valour and aide of his friends he escaped The Florentines being affrighted with the death of so eminent a person tooke armes and slew many that had an hand in this murther imprisoned Pâ—…pe Sixtus nephew who then was at Florence and did publikely hang Saluiato Archbishop of Pisa authour of the conspiracie with diuers others who caâ—…e to Florence to accompanie either of them The Pope incensed with the Florentines rigorous proceedings hauing first interdicted and excommunicated them raised an Armie himselfe being first combined with King Ferdinand and the Sienois The yeare before this murther committed a mightie Armie was sent into Tuscanie Frederick of Vrbin was made Generall but the whole honor was attributed to Alphonso Duke of Caâ—…abria sonne to Ferdinand a sworne enemie to the Florentines one who from his great grandfather did mortally hate them He was accompanied by Vrso el Conte Roberto Vrsino and Virginio his nephew sonne to his brother Neapolio Mathew of Champaine and Roberto 〈◊〉 Armini but this last being afterwards entertained by the Florentines was created Generall of their Armie The Florentines relying on their owne forces and those of their associates for the Venetians the Milanois Hercules d'Este and Frederick Gonzaga were leagued with them did brauely entertaine the warre But the Venetians being still busied with Ottoman both by land and sea euen in the verie confines of Italie being likewise daunted with the troubles of Milan arising by Duke Galeas death who the yeare befote was slaine in St Stephens Church by Giouanni Lamponiano and his complices at the time of diuine seruice could not so soone send aide to the Florentines But as well the one as other striuing to doe their vâ—…most sent forces to them though vnequall to the greatnesse of both Commonwealths yet at least such as the qualitie of those times permitted The Venetians sent Francisco Micaeli to the armie as Prouidator during that warre Not long before they had sent Bernardo Bembo to Florence who for the space of two yeares that the warre continued in Tuscanie did good seruice to the associates The Enemie in the meane time being backt by a mightie Armie tooke Renze Castelina Rada Broia Cachiane and mount Sabina in the Imbrian valley from the Florentines And then because Winter approached they
they could not march to this Castle by reason of the difficult hanging of the mountaine hee caused his Armie to crosse the Riuer at a bridge which he made at his arriuall then he marched vp against the streame of the Riuer and within an houre and an halfes march came to Caillan a small towne within a mile of Castle Pietro where on small boates making another bridge he repassed the Riuer and encamped in a plaine sixe hundred paces from it betwixt the mountaine and the riuer and from thence sent his light horse to make dscouerie who were to aduertize him if they should chance to descrie any of the enemies ensignes These light horse for getting the Generals commandement rode vp and downe wasting and spoiling the countrey onely intending to get bootie Those of Trent in the meane time aduertized of the making of the bridge fearing their owne danger as much as their neighbours their Armie being far off and their Citie badly fortified and vnprouided of all necessaries intreated George Lord of Pietro Plana a Castle be yond Trent to make speedie head against the Venetian Armie with such forces as he had and the greatest numbers of Boores he coulde leuie and with them to amuze the enemie till Sigismond should come to their rescue He presently did what they entreated and from Besina and other places neere adioyning had in an instant aboue one thousand men readie to march Then with many drummes and trumpets he began to come downe from the hilles The light horse who romed vp and downe descrying them and being not able to view their exact number by reason of the hill top which shadowed them and perceiuing their file to be verie long in regard of the streight waies supposed them to be farre moe then they were and seeing them to approach with such great rumours turned their backes and fled and meeting with their fellowes which followed them caused them likewise to runne away towards the Campe the horse and foote being pell-mell together The Almaines being more encouraged by the Venetians flight than their owne valour were presently at their heeles and so terrified their enemies campe as euerie man fled and retired to the Generals troupes who hauing notice of his souldiers flight was comming to backe them where he brauely resisting the enemie and reprehending the basenesse of his owne troupes fought verie valiantly for a time Many on both sides were slaine And noble Sanseuerino perceiuing the enemies squadron to presse in vpon him acted wonders with his sword till at last being beaten to the verie brinke of the Riuer still aduancing one of his owne ensignes and being oppressed with multitudes wrapped himselfe in his colours and so mortally wounded fell into the water where he died The rest of the Armie terrified by their Generals death fled euerie man toward the bridge Andrea de Burgo Colonell of the infanterie perceiuing this disorder and that no man had any care to resist the enemies supposing that if the bridge were broken the runnawaies would stand to it and be enforced to fight ranne presently to cut the ropes which held the boates But it fell out otherwise than he imagined For feare doth commonly entertaine no counsell euen so those who fled hoping to escape by crossing the riuer when they saw the bridge broken did headlong with their horse and Armes throw themselues into the riuer where they all perished by the violence of the streame Few or none escaped to the other side so that of the Venetians accounting as well those that were drowned as they whom the Almaines slew aboue a thousand men lay dead on the place Onely Guido Maria de Rossis with his troupe of horse fighting valiantly manifested the worth of carriage and magnanimitie in warre who being inuironed by the victorious enemie made way through the middest of them and came off brauely Other Captaines and Souldiers that could not crosse the riuer some by vnknowne waies got vp to the tops of the mountaines and others but verie few entred into boates and escaped to Rouero among whom was De Rossis and his companie There died great numbers of the Almaines who with a bloudie victory returned home The Venetians spent some time in renewing their Armie which was almost disbanded The Almaines in the meane time did not stirre but were glad to doe the like hauing receiued no lesse losse than their enemies Neuerthelesse there happened at the same time diuers skirmishes and incounters with taking of townes vpon the Feltrine and Vincenzan territories and along the lake of La Garda with such troupes as each side could raise putting all to fire and sword The Venetians among others tooke a Castle neere to the lake called Arques which by the Senates decree was burnt and ruined because it had beene the principall motiue of the warre and had caused the strife concerning their bounds as also because that the Lords of that Castle were capitall enemies to the Venetians In the meanetime Andrea de Burgo accused before the Councell of Ten for that he had treacherously and of malice broken the bridge at Caillan was committed to prison but vpon report of Marco Beazana Chanceller of the Senate who had bene in that incounter he was inlarged and restored to his place Pope Innocent being displeased with this warre at that time dispatcht the Bishop of Ozima to Sigismond to intreat him in his name to giue an end to to that warre and to tell him that the Turk being so neere a neighbour it did not befit two such potent Christian nations to contend with one another that if it should please him to make his Holinesse vmpier of his controuersie with the Venetians he would doe him all right The Bishop made some stay with Sigsmond till articles of peace were drawne which he carried with him to Venice who imparting them to the Senate they were reiected In this manner without effecting his legation he returned to Rome The Pope made the same motion of peace to the Venetians by Nicolao Franco Bishop of Treuiso his Nuncio who earnestly entreated the Senate to embrace it assuring them that his Holinesse would imploy his credit and authoritie to effect it But all was in vaine till Sigismond tired with the heauie burthen and expence of warre being no longer able to entertaine his Armie did himselfe sue to the Venetians for peace whereupon after sundrie messages from both sides peace was concluded in Nouember on these conditions That the townes taken on either part should be restored to the true owners That the Venetian marchants taken at the Faire of Bolzana should be set at libertie and their losses recompenced Other matters not heere mentioned were referred to the Pope Such was the end of the Rethicke warre The Senate recompenced the Captaines and Souldiers according to their merits Iulius Caesar Varran was casseerd because he had behaued himselfe negligently in his place The two sonnes of noble
meanes to obtaine Ecclesiasticall dignities others expected some honourable command in the Armie and to be gouernours of Cities and Townes which the king should conquer and some likewise were possest with a desire of noueltie King Charles lending a willing eare to this Ambassade and tasting the Prince of Salernes proposition a rumour was presently spred That the French were comming into Italy to inuade the Realme of Naples Vpon these newes king Ferdinand began to arme by sea and land and to inuent meanes to draw Pope Alexander to his side Lodouico foreseeing that if they leagued themselues together Ferdinand might ioyne his Armie with that of the Pope and send them both into Lombardie before the kings arriuall and by the same meanes expulse him from Milan intreated the Venetians to send their horse and foot troupes to the riuer Oglio in the Bressian territorie to diuert king Ferdinand from his designe or else to let them crosse the riuer to defend his State The Venetians answered that it was needlesse for his countrey was out of danger Lodouico perceiuing the French delaies and fearing that it might breed his ruine did againe send Ambassadors to Charles to hasten his iourney promising to assist him with men and money and victuals so soone as he should set foote in Italy King Charles who had spent certaine moneths in the onely consultation of this businesse and had not as yet made any certaine resolution when this second Ambassade arriued did by these continuate pursuites and offers of Lodouico presently resolue vpon it Now because he would not in any sort be hindred in his conquest he renewed the ancient league with the kings of Castill and surrendred to them the countie of Rossillon engaged to king Lewis his father for three thousand crownes by Iohn king of Arragon father to Ferdinand on condition that the said kings should in no sort aide the Arragonois against him in his conquest of the Realme of Naples This league sworne to the king made all things readie for his iourney Ferdinand had intelligence heereof one day as he came from hunting whereupon he fell sicke and within two daies after died of an Apoplexie Alphonso his eldest sonne was by his younger brother and all the Princes of the Realme saluted king He intreated the Venetians by their Ambassador resident in his Court to perswade Lodouico to desist from soliciting the French king to come into Italy and that hee would not be a meanes of his ruine promising no more to taxe his vsurpation of the State of Milan which he should enioy so long as he pleased The Senate by letters acquainted Lodouico with Alphonsos request and intreated him not to draw the French into Italy But perceiuing that he made no direct answere they gaue ouer and solicited him no more King Charles hauing resolued vpon the enterprize sent Philip de Comines Lord of Argenton his Ambassador to Venice who in his kings name made a proposition to the Senate That if they would ioyne with him in this warre of Naples they should haue a great share in the kingdome and if they would not accept that offer to intreat them at least to perseuer in their ancient league and friendship with the king his Master heereunto he added that his king had commanded him to remaine at Venice to acquaint them with all his designes and enterprises The Senate replied That the king was so potent and so well furnished with all warlike necessaries that he needed not their aide in that warre and therefore they determined according to the example of their Ancestors not to stirre who neuer made warre but vpon constraint and that they would craue no part in a kingdome whereunto they had no right For the rest they would neuer goe from that which they had promised to the kings Ambassador that they would euer make great account of his leage and friendship that they had willingly heard him for his kings sake and would still do so if he remained among them that he might at his pleasure familiarly discourse with them about any matter that concerned his king as well in regard of their loue towards his father king Lewis as to himselfe In the meane time Pope Alexander who repented that he had incited the French king to this warre and king Alphonso by the mediation of Virginio Vrsin comming to Viconare a Castle of his owne to see one another and to discourse together of their affaires made a league on this condition That the Pope should take Alphonso into the protection of the Romane Church and with all his power defend him against his enemies and in counterchange Alphonso promised to pay him downe in readie money a thousand pounds of gold for the arrerages of the tribute due to the Church of Rome for the Realme of Naples and to pay him yearely afterwards foure hundred pounds of gold And for greater assurance of this treatie Alphonso promised to giue one of his daughters in marriage to Guifredo sonne to Pope Alexander This thus concluded both of them made preparations for warre Alphonso had alreadie armed thirtie Gallies and eighteene great vessels to scoure along the Riuer of Genoa and to annoy the enemies fleet which was making readie in the Citie and he was to make a leauie of horse and foot in Calabria to send them into Lombardie when newes came that Baiazeth the Turkish Emperour made new preparations whereupon the State of Venice determined likewise to arme Antonio Grimani made Generall of the Gallies Commanded all Gallies that were readie to be lanched and with them sailed into Sclauonia where commissioners from Scardona and Clissa came to him who receiued their oath of alleageance for the Venetian Signorie from thence he went to Corfou Alphonsos fleete whereof his brother Fredericke was Generall entring the Riuer of Genoa came to Portouenere where Obâ—…eto de Fiesca a man highly esteemed among his countrey men landed with certaine souldiers but being repulsed by the enemie he returned to his Gallies and presently made towards Liuorne and from thence held his course to Naples Alphonso hauing lost all hope by Sea sent his Armie vnited with the Popes into Romagnia hauing intelligence that part of the enemies forces had alreadie crossed the Po. Ferdinand sonne to Alphonso a young Prince of great hope assisted by Nicolao Vrsin Count Petillan Virginio Vrsin and Iohn Iames Triuulce the Milanese commaunded the Arragonoise armie consisting of two thousand fiue hundred horse and eight thousand foote Whilest the Venetian fleete was at sea Ambassadours from Florence came to Venice to craue the Senates aduise how they should answere king Charles who had intreated them to giue his armie passage through their territories and also how they should behaue themselues in those occurrents for they referred themselues wholy to them and determined directly to follow their Councell The Senate knowing very well that whatsoeuer they should say to the Florentines
staied there till the Florentines popular tumult were in some sort appeased who had not yet laied downe armes taken that day when Pietro de Medicis was expulsed and also to giue Aubigni time to come and meet him whom he had sent for Aubigni was in Romagnia where hee had remained euer since his comming into Italy making head against Ferdinand Duke of Calabria Alphonsos sonne where after sundry retreates on both sides beeing re-enforced by the arriuall of certaine companies left behinde him two hundred Launces and one thousand Swisses which the King had sent so soone as hee came to Ast hee remained Master of the field and enforced Ferdinand to retire into the Cerca of Faenza which is a place betwixt the walles of that Citty and a great trench some mile behind it inuironing them both which doth make it strong Aubigni then returned into the Country of Imola where hee tooke certaine strong townes filling all Romagnia with feare and amazement so that hauing taken Faenza after the enemies departure hee marched directly to Bertinora to passe the Appenine to ioyne with the Kings army But Bertinora refusing to giue him passage hee assailed and tooke it by force and in despite sack't it Ferdinand perceiuing that hee could not by any meanes stoppe the French mens passage and thinking it dangerous to remaine betwixt Imola and Furli retired neere vnto the walles of Cesenna and from thence went to Rome The Venetians hauing intelligence that King Charles had crossed the Po with a mighty army the more to honor him resolued to send him Ambassadors whom they commanded to tarry still with him and in the meane time armed at all aduentures The Ambassadors were Dominico Treuisan and Antonio Loredano who finding the king at Florence accompanied him whereso euer he went Now after sundry commings too and fro the king with his army marched towards Florence There was great magnificence vsed both by the Courtiers and Citizens The king entred the city like a conqueror himselfe and horse armed at all points with his Launce on his thigh They beganne forthwith to treat of agreement but not without great difficulties the which at last ended by the valour of Pietro Caponi one of the foure Commissioners appointed to treat with the king they accorded and the contract lawfully past it was with great ceremony published in the Cathedrall Church at diuine seruice where the king in person and the cities Magistrates promised by sollemne oth vpon the high Altar in presence of the Court and people of Florence to obserue the contents thereof Two daies after the King departed from Florence hauing tarried there tenne daies and went to Sienna where making short stay hee left a Garrison because hee suspected it to be at the Empires deuotion Then he iourneyed towards Rome where not long before Pope Alexander had giuen entrance to Virginio Vrsini and Count Petillan captaines to King Alphonso and his sonne Ferdinand So as it seemed he ment to haue anticipated the enemies to fortifie the city and to repulse them from it But doubting King Charles intention and fearing his forces he had a wonderfull conflict in his minde For now hee determined to defend Rome and to that end suffered Ferdinand and his captaines whom he had introduced into the city to fortifie the weake places then supposing that hee should not bee able to defend it hee determined to leaue Rome and thus floating betwixt hope and feare the French in the meane time spoiled all the country on the hither side Tiber taking now one towne then an other no place beeing strong enough to hold them out so that after diuers parlies hee resolued as it were by force to grant all King Charles his demands and to receiue him into Rome from whence he caused Ferdinand and his army to depart who went to Tiuoli and from thence into the Realme of Naples and whilest he went forth at Saint Sebastians Gate the French King armed at all points with his launce on thigh entred with his army at the gate of Sancta Maria del Popolo The Pope many times determined to flie but at last retired into Castle Saint Angelo well prouided of ordnance munition and victuals When the King and his army were entred an accord was propounded by meanes of Cardinall Ascanio on very rough conditions which neuerthelesse were effected to the Kings content who thereby made a league with the Pope saluted him then kissed his feet in open Consistory and afterwards his cheeke and at an other time was present when the Pope said masse and sate downe next beneath the first Cardinall Bishop and according to the ancient custome when the Pope celebrated masse serued him with water to wash his hands This done the Pope made the Bishop of Saint Malo and the Bishop of Mans descended from the house of Luxembourg Cardinals Whilest the King remained at Rome which was some month or thereabout Alphonso despayring of his owne good fortune sent for his sonne Ferdinand to Naples and in presence of his brother Frederick tenounced and made ouer vnto him his Kingly title and Authority hee did this peraduenture for to lessen his subiects loue towards the French because this young Prince was of great hope had neuer offended any of his subiects and was gracious with the people Alphonso after this voluntary demission hauing giuen his sonne a large instruction to recommend himselfe to God departed from Naples with foure light Gallies laden with treasure and ritch stuffe and fled into a towne in Sicily called Mazare where before the yeere was expired he died Ferdinand after his fathers departure rode in royall habit vp and downe the city attended by his vncle Frederick and other great Lords of the Kingdome setting open prisons pardoning all offenders promising to repeale those that had beene banished Then mustering his army hee gaue great guifts to his souldiers and placed new Garrisons in his townes King Charles at the very instant of his departure from Rome receiued intelligence of Alphonsos flight hee went to Velitra and with him Caesar Borgia Cardinall the Popes sonne as Legat Apostolicall or rather pawne of his fathers promises This Cardinall fled away secretly in the night and to take away all suspition that he did it not by his fathers consent went not to Rome but to Spoleta And at the same time those whom the King sent to the castles of Hostia Ciuita-uecchia and Terracina to receiue them according to the accord made with the Pope that they might keepe them so long as he remained in Italy were repulsed by the Popes souldiers For the fort of Hostia which Fabricio Colonna held was recouered by Count Petillan and re-deliuered to the Pope From Velitra the vantgard marched to Monte-fortino a very strong towne seated in the Churches territories and subiect to Iacomo de Contis a Roman Gentleman who held for the Arragonois which being battered by the cannon was in short space
and Venice and if any thing should happen otherwise then well their forces thus ioyned together they might easily preuent it This speech of Suares did highly content the Senate who being already iealous of King Charls his greatnesse and good fortune began to looke about them and to feare other matters not yet thought of Lodouicos distrust likewise of King Charles as well for that Iohn Iames Triuulce whom he had driuen forth of Milan receiued the Kings pay as because he had commanded the Duke of Orleance to attend him at Ast for Lodonico complained thereof to the Venetian Ambassador and told him that he would gladly leaue the French parts and make a league with the Venetians Beside all this Maximillians Ambassadors whose father the Emperor Frederick died that yeere did not cease to solicit the Senate to league it selfe with them against the French In the meane time Castelnouo and that Del-Ouo two Cittadels in Naples which yet held for Ferdinand yeelded to the French For Castelnouo the abode of Kings seated on the shoare was after some small defence yeelded to King Charles by the cowardize and basenesse of fiue hundred Lansequenets that lay there in Garrison And the castle Del Ouo built vpon a Rock in the sea beeing continually battered with Ordnance was content to yeeld if it were not releeued within eight daies The fort likewise of Gayetta notwithstanding that it was prouided of all necessaries did after some sleight assaults yeeld so as in a very short space the whole kingdome in a manner was with great facility reduced vnder the Kings obedience the Isle of Ischia excepted and certaine townes in Puglia and Calabria which still held out for the Arragonois King Charles did now no more entertaine the Venetian Ambassadors with such cheerefull countenance as hee was wont but oftentimes said That those who were not pleased with his comming into Italy for the conquest of the Realme of Naples should repent it This being reported at Venice caused them to hasten the conclusion of a new league to which end Lodouico had sent new Ambassadors Lorenzo Suares at his arriuall told them that his Kings pleasure was to haue him in his name to enter into the league on any conditions pleasing to the Senate Pope Alexander likewise did daily expect a fit time to ioyne himselfe with the Venetians and the rest hauing openly said that if the French returned to Rome hee would goe to Venice and no more behold them At last in the month of Aprill the Ambassadours of these Princes did in the City of Venice make confederacy betwixt the Emperour Kings of Spaine Venetians and Duke of Milan it was onely published for the defense of one an others States with reseruation of place for any else to enter into it that would But all of them thinking it more then necessary to draw the French King forth of the Realme of Naples concluded in their more secret capitulations that the Spanish companies that were in Sicily should aide Ferdinand of Arragon to recouer his Kingdome who much presuming of his peoples loue made meanes to enter into Calabria In this confederacy it was concluded that the Confederates should make account to entertaine an army of foure and thirty thousand horse and twenty thousand foot viz. That the Pope should furnish foure thousand horse Maximillian 6000. the King of Spaine 8000. the Venetians the like number and Lodouico as many And if any of them by reason of the long distance of place could not so soone as need were leuy the number of soldiers hee was rated at in sending to his associates six hundred pounds of gold they should for him furnish such forces These were the conditions of the Consederacie the which was so speedily and secretly concluded as Philip de Comines Lord of Argenton Ambassador for king Charles at Venice who went dayly to the Pallace and conferred with the other Ambassadors had neuer any inckling thereof and beeing the next day after it was concluded sent for into the Senate and vnderstanding by the Prince and Senators what had beene done he was in a manner like a man berest of his sences and when the Prince told him that they had not done it to make warre vpon any one but onely to defend them selues he recouered his spirits and said My King then shall not returne into France The Prince answered But hee shall if hee will returne as our friend and wee will willingly helpe him with whatsoeuer hee shall need After this answer hee went forth of the Senate so amazed as being at the staires foote he turned towards the Chancellor who accompanied him and said to him Good Sir tell mee what the Prince said for I haue for gotten it which he did Beside the insolency of the French by reason of the facility of their victory was so encreased as in respect of themselues they contemned all Italians for which the peoples loue towards them was already conuerted into mortall hatred and on the contrary their hatred towards the Arragonois into pitty and compassion to Ferdinand Wherevpon Naples and all the rest of the kingdome waited but for a fit occasion to repeale him King Charles had in a manner resolued before the conclusion of the league to returne presently into France prouoked therevnto by some occasion vnknowne to mee notwithstanding that diuerse important businesses were not ended in Naples his victory beeing not fully perfected by reason that the Realme was not yet altogether conquered But hauing intelligence that so many Princes were leagued against him and that the Venetians had called home their Ambassadors resident with him his minde was much troubled and hee consulted with his Lords what was best to bee done in a matter of so great importance His Councellers were of opinion to hasten his departure fearing that by his longer stay difficulties might increase and the Confederates haue time to make greater preparations Therevpon the King resolued to returne by land maugre all the Confederates seeing that hee wanted vessels to transport so great an Army by sea for the fleete which hee had prepared at Genoa was wrackt by tempest vppon the shore of Plombino the Admirall whereof and Antonio Prince of Salerno came to him by land In the meane time King Charles perceiuing that Lodouico as well as others had deceiued him was desirous to take the Citty of Genoa from him and to that eâ—…d sent Pietro Fregosa Cardinall thither who had beene Duke thereof and Obietta de Fiesca with eleuen Galleys the remainder of his whole fleete Then desirous to prosecute his owne returne he left Guilbert of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Prince of the bloud his Lieutenant Generall in the kingdome with the moyety of the Suisse and part of the French footmen eight hundred French lances and fiue hundred Italian men at armes which were in his pay part of them vnder the command of the Prouost of Rome and the rest vnder Prospero
satisfying his Kings demands Charles raised a new army determining to send it by Sea to the releefe of Caietta vnder the Conduct of the Duke of Orleans who crauing to be excused from that iourney the army was dissolued and the determination to releeue those in the Kingdome of Naples vanished into ayre Lodouico hauing intelligence of what-soeuer was done in France and now no more fearing the French was aduertised by letters from his frends of the Pisans request made to the Venetians whervppon hee intreated the Senate to receiue him as an associate in the defense and protection of Pisa because that the Florentines were leagued with King Charles and him-selfe had taken their Ambassador in his owne Dominions which was going into France This businesse sundry times debated in the Senate it was at last concluded by the generall consent of the Ambassadors that Pisa should bee defended at the common charge of the Pope Venetians and Duke of Milan and that two thousand foot should bee leuyed at Genoa by the Venetians to bee sent to Pisa. Herevpon the Florentines raised 6000. foot and with the ordnance sent them to Pisa before the enemies forces were assembled hoping to take the cittie But comming neere to the gates those within the towne made a salley and after a furious charge vpon the enemy defeated and put them to route and tooke their ordnance Not long after Paulo Vitelli the Romane a valiant and braue Captaine forsooke the Pisans and went to Florence where beeing honorably entertained and made Generall of their Army hee marched with 10000. foote against the Pisans and at his arriuall lodged in the Citties suburbes from whence the townesmen did beate and repulse him but the Florentines winning them againe were enforced to quit them and to giue ouer the siege to defend their owne confines against Pietro de Medicis who was said to be comming with great forces against the citty of Florence accompanied by this kinsmen the Vrsini The Venetians in the meane time leuied fiue hundred foote at Genoa whom they sent to Pisa the like did Lodouico The Florentines hauing vsed all their cunning to take the Cittadell of Pisa as well by meanes of the King as money the gouernour thereof prouoked by his owne inclination to the French that were in Pisa or by secret Commissions from the Lord of Ligni whose Lieutenant hee was or else beeing enamored on a young maiden of Pisa for it is not likely that money alone would haue preuailed with him seeing hee might haue receiued a greater summe of the Florentines was very loath to yeeld vp the Castle but in the end beeing enforced by the Kings frequent commandements and threatnings hee surrendred it to the Pisans hauing first receiued twenty thousand Ducats of them whereof twelue thousand fell to his owne share and eight thousand for the soldiors that were in it The Pisans running in heapes to the Cittadell razed it downe to the ground But because they found themselues too weake to resist the Florentines they sent to craue ayde at one time of the Pope Emperor Venetians Duke of Milan Geneuois Seinoiâ—… and Lukeses but they were most earnest with the Venetians and Duke of Milan on whom they relyed more then on any other because hee had prouoked them to rebell and had speedily releeued them But the Duke though hee extreamly desired it did neuerthelesse doubt whither hee should accept it or no fearing least the other confederates should take it ill by whose councell the treaty of the State of Pisa had bin begun as a matter common to them all and standing in need of them hee durst not openly declare himselfe vntill the King were wholy forth of Italy But the Pisans then grew cold hoping to bee releeued by the Venetians who without sparing for any cost did bountifully supply them with all things wherevpon they betooke themselues to their protection and were receiued by the Senate after long contâ—…station among the Senators The Venetians at the same time had taken Astor Lord of Faenza into their pay and accepted the protection of his state which was very fit for to bridle the Florentines Bologneses and all the rest of Romagnia To these particular aides of the Venetians other supplies from the Confederates were ioyned for the Pope Venetians and Duke of Milan sent certaine companies of men at armes paid in common to the ayde of Ferdinand In the meane time Antonio Grimani beeing enforced by his indisposition of body to retire from Corfou to Venice Melchior Treuisan was in his steed sent as Generall to the fleet who going to Corfou with certaine Galleys did presently saile into Puglia and from thence into Calabria where hee vnited himselfe with the rest of the Venetian vessels and with them enforced diuerse townes to yeeld to Ferdinand Whilest the whole kingdome of Naples was filled with warre and troubles King Charles hauing vnderstood the losse of the two Castles in Naples through want of supplies began a new to bend his thoughts on the affaires of Italy and to determine to goe thither againe in person This desire dayly increasing in him wherevnto diuers great Lords both French and strangers prouoked him Therefore his councell concluded that Triuuâ—…cio who not long before was come forth of Italy to his Court should returne in post to Ast as Lieutenant to the King and with him eight hundred Launces two thousand Swisses and two thousand French foot that the Duke of Orleance should ere long follow him with greater forces and the King last of all with all prouisions moreouer that thirty ships in the hauens of Prouence where thirty Gallies Gallions were to be armed should saile through the Ocean with supplies of men victualls munition and money into the Realme of Naples and that in the meane time whilest the fleet was making ready certaine vessels well manned and victualled should bee sent thither The rumor of these preparations in France diuulged in Italy did much trouble the Confederates especially Lodouico Sforza who was the first to be exposed to the enemies fury but most of all when hee vnderstood that the King had dismissed his Agents with sharpe and bitter speeches He sent Ambassadors to the Emperor to draw him into Italy and others to Venice to request the Venetians to contribute towards this expence to preuent this common danger and to send certaine troupes to Alexandria to make head against the French The Venetians freely offered to send forces to Alexandria but they were not so willing to giue their consent for the Emperors passage who was no great friend to their State yet fearing least Lodouico whom they knew to bee fearefull and timorous should fully reconcile himselfe to the French King they agreed to send Ambassadors to the Emperor to the same end And standing in doubt of the Florentines they sent word to Giouan Bentiuole to make warre vpon them with such forces as the Confederates should furnish him on
yeelded sooner The Senate in the meane time to secure their owne territories during the warre in Romagnia sent three thousand foot and two thousand horse to Rauenna vnder Aluianaes command to distribute them through the territories of the Confederates neere adioyning with two prouidators Francesco Capello and Christophoro Moro the one for Arimini and the other for Faenza So soone as Borgia had taken the Castle of Furli Gionan Sforza Lord of Pessaâ—…e knowing that Borgia hated him fearing least he would come and assaile him was desirous to commit himselfe and State to the Venetians protection The Senate answered that they would neuer defend one that had been so great an enemy to them for he had concealed the Ambassador which Lodouico sent to the Turke against the State of Venice and furthered his passage The like had hee done by the Turkes messenger sent to Lodouico whom he entertained in his house and caused him secretly to be conducted to Milan himselfe likewise hauing often acquainted the Turke with the occurrents in Venice Borgia deferred his punishment till some other time because Triuulcio was inforced to call back those troopes which hee had lent him by reason of some tumults feared in Milan in regard of Lodouicos arriual who had brought some smal aid forth of Germany with which and by their assistance who distasted the French he hoped to recouer what he had lost The Senate presently commanded their forces both horse and foot to passe into the Cremonese leuied three thousand Suisses and appointed Pietro Marsello and Christophoro Moro prouidators in that warre Lodouico comming at the same time to Coma tooke it without strokes for the French within it fearing to be shut in betwixt the Inhabitants and Lodouicos troopes went their way Hee sent his brother Ascanio before to Milan from whence the King not long before was gone home into France hauing left a strong Garrison in the Citty and Triuulcio his Gouernour Generall in the Dutchy but the Lombards not so well rewaâ—…ded by the King as they had expected prooued false to him refused to obey Triuulcio who was cheefe of the Guelph faction for the Gibeline party was very strong in the Citty wherevpon the most of the Nobllity and people desirous of innouation wisht for Lodouicos returne and openly proclaimed his name and so soone as they heard of the losse of Coma and that Ascanio was not farre from Milan the people rose and the cheefe of the Gibelline faction began to tumult so as Triuulcio was glad to retire to the Castle and the night following from thence to Nouara The morrow after Cardinall Ascanio entred Milan Lodouico followed him who by this meanes recouered it as easily as it was lost Pauia and Parma presently ecchoed his name Lodi and Placentia would haue done the like had not the Venetian companies by their arriuall preuented it The Senate aduertised of this reuolt determined to send a man of worth to command the Castle of Cremona Lodouico in the meane time desirous to haue the Senate his friend made sute that Ascanio his brother might send the Bishop of Cremona to Venice to offer them his seruice but it was in vaine for the Senate resolued not to quitte the French Kings confederacy The Genois refused to obey him and the Florentines contemned him The King in the meane time hauing intelligence of the rebellion of Milan vsed great speed and sent the Lord Trimouille into Italy with six hundred lances leuied great numbers of Suisses and appoynted the Cardinall of Ambois his Lieuetenant Generall beyond the mounts who comming to Ast had in short space assembled one thousand fiue hundred lances ten thousand Suisse and 6000. French vnder the command of the Lords Trimouille Trivulcio and Ligni Lodouico before these supplies came from France went and beseeged Nouara which hee tooke but not the Castle The French Army assembled at Mortara drew neere him and did cut off his victualls then both sides falling to blowes Lodouico was enforced to retire into the Citty where the Suisses mutined for want of pay hee being not able to pacifie them They told him that they would sodenly depart home into their country wherevpon hee earnestly entreated them to safe-conduct him to some secure place which they denying did at last consent that hee should march amongst them disguised like one of their footmen and in this maner marching amiddest their troopes was by them discouered to those that sought after him who presently apprehended him as the Kings prisoner and sent him into France to the tower of Loches His brother Ascanio followed him who taken by the Venetians and carried to Venice was deliuered to the King and sent into France where hee was more honorably and with greater curtesie entertayned then his brother for hee was sent prisoner to the great tower of Bourges where the same King had beene imprisoned two whole yeares yet afterwards hee was enlarged but this brother dyed in prison Now to returne to the Turks After the taking of Lepanto the Senate despatcht Lodouico Manenti Secretary to the Councell of ten to Bajazeth to complaine for that hee had without cause inuaded them by sea and had contrary to the treaty of peace made not long before with him in the Signories name by Andrew Zancani their Ambassador and to entreate him to enlarge the Venetian Marchants which by his commandement at the beginning of the warre had beene imprisoned That it might likewise please him to surrender Lepanto vnto them which hee vniustly had taken from them And lastly if hee would grant none of these yet at least to renue the League with them Two things moued the Senate to send this Ambassage the one because some that were very inward with the great Lord had written to them that if they sent an Ambassador to Constantinople they might be reconciled to his fauour the second for that they considered how chargeable it would bee for them if they should bee enforced to set forth a new Army against him their treasure both publick and particular beeing exhausted Whereby all their attempts would proue vaine and vnprofitable against so mighty an enemy Manenti ariuing at Constantinople all his demandes were crost for the Turke answered that if the Venetians were desirous of peace with him they should deliuer vnto him Modon Coron and Naples three Citties which they held in Morea and pay vnto him as his tributaries an hundred pound in gould yearely otherwise hee protested to make warre vppon them with this answer Manenti returned But because at Manenti his departure from Venice there was a report that great numbers of Turkish horse were come into Albania the Senate fearing least the desire to spoile the Country of Frioul might draw them thither as the precedent yeare appointed Pietro Doria and Angelo Barozzi Prouidators who taking along with them the Gouernor of Vdina and others of the Country should consult together about repairing and
fortifying the townes and wayes necessary and fit to repulse the enemy giuing them for assistants Aluiana with his light horse and Gurlin of Rauenna with two thousand foote Pietro Marcello likewise one of the Prouidators of the Army in Lombardy was commanded to carry forces into Frioul but the Turkes came not thither at that time because their Emperour called home their Generall to Constantinople This report againe reuiued about Midsommer that the Turkish army was in field to waste the Venetians confines Count Petillan with a great part of the forces and Giouan Baptista Caracciola Colonell of the States Fantery did by the Senates command march into Frioull where all the inhabitants of the plaines retired with their goods to the Castles and strong Townes yet the enemies came not thither eyther for that they had intelligence that the townes were fortified or else beeing imployed by their Emperor in the warre of Peloponessus Manenti was newly returned to Venice when the Senate fearing to loose the Isle of Corfou sent Angelo Quirini and Lodouico Canalis with a hundred foote to gard the two fortes of the Island which are seated on two Promontaries neere one another and not farre from the Citty beeing so small as they needed no greater forces to defend them Newes was afterwards brought that the Turkish fleete which had wintered at Lepanto much increased determined to saile into Morea their Emperor beeing with them in person to take those townes which hee had demanded of Manenti Herevpon the Senate commanded ten great Galleys and foure great ships to bee made ready vnder the command of Iacomo Venieri with a particular Captaine to euery vessell whose pay was augmented the better to incite them to goe the voyage Rowers were sent for from the firme land and money giuen to pay the fleete diuerse Brigantines and other lesser vessels apt for warre were rig'd to attend vpon the fleete Melchior Treuisan which lay not farre from Cephalonia to keepe out all Turkish ayde beeing assured of the enemies deseigne made speedy meanes to send men victuals and ordnance from Candy to Naples because all men thought that the Turke would make his first attempt there hee likewise sent victuals to Modon The Modonois hauing wasted the countrey round about their Citty and burnt the houses because the enemy should not make vse of them builded a Forte neere to the Hauen to keepe the enemies vessels from the walls leauing but a little space at the entrie of the hauen for one ship to come in at once Melchior Treuisan beeing come to Zant sent for the whole fleete thither consisting of seuenty vessels both Galleys and ships of burthen but that of the Turke in number more then two hundred comming to the confines of Naples had sent part of the cauallery before by land to scoure as far as the city The horse within the town to the number of one thousand fiue hundred made a sally vpon the enemies and in a manner defeated them all Therevpon the enemy leauing Naples went to Modon from whence hee sent forces to besiege Iunca which is a Castle seated on a hill with a hauen beneath it some ten mile from Modon Those within it hauing beene newly supplyed with men and victuals by Ieronimo Contaren the Prouidator did brauely repulse the enemies so as despairing to take it they returned to their fleet In the meane time Melchior Treuisan fell sick and dyed neere to Cephalonia wherevpon by a Generall consent Contaren the Prouidator was chosen to command the Army till the Senate had otherwise prouided The Turke came and assailed the Burrow of Modon and with his Canon did beat downe a great part of the wall those within it being out of hope to defend the breach carried away all their goods into the Citty and abandoned it The enemy entred it and hoping ere long to become Lord of all did without intermission batter the walles of the Citty Whilest this siege lasted Contaren left Zant determining if it were possible to releeue Modon or at least to annoy the enemies fleete whose great ships lay neere Sapienza and the Galleys and other lesser vessels in the Hauen of Iunca So soone as the Venetian descried them hee resolued to fight with them and ordering his fleete did brauely set forward The Turke seeing them to come on receiued them with an hundred Galleys the fight was sharpe and cruell victory inclining to the Venetians so as the Turkes were once ready to make towards the shore and flie But the misfortune was that whilest they fought the winde slackned whereby the shippes of burthen could neither goe backward nor forward and part of the Galleys durst not come vp to them the Turkes seeing this tooke courage and renued the fight for three houres space till night one great Venetian Galley was sunke and an other taken but all her men slaine who alone had fought all night with the enemy Contarens Galley beeing shotte thorow both sides and a great leake in her himselfe leapt into an other and retired to Zant to trim his vessels which were much bruzed The Senate hauing notice of Treuisans sicknesse and death chose Benedetto Pesare to succeed him who receiuing money to pay the Army departed from Venice three dayes after his election Contaren hauing trim'd his Galleys resolued to releeue Modon fearing least the besieged dispairing of helpe should yeeld to the enemy Hee chose fiue Galleys out of the whole fleete which hee loded with all necessaries yet before their departure hee thought good to aduertise the besieged thereof that they might bee ready to receiue supplies To this end hee sent a valiant and couragious fellow in a Frigate with tenne Oares Hee at noone dayes passed thorow the enemies fleete euen in their view and entred Modon dooing his message The next day Contaren with the whole fleete sayled towards Modon and beeing in sight of the enemy hee called for the Captaines of those fiue Galleys intreating them valiantly to releeue the besieged foure of them with great difficulty passing thorow the middest of the enemies entred the Hauen the fifth slower then the rest perceiuing diuerse of the enemy Galleys to come vp towards her returned to the fleet The Modonois greatly cheered ranne presently to the Hauen to receiue those supplies and to carry them into the Citty and they were so earnest in it as those on the other side of the Citty which were on the walls forsooke their guard and ranne thither likewise so as the walls were bared of defence which the enemy perceiuing and loth to let slippe so faire an occasion reared Ladders and entred the Citty killing some few that resisted This being knowne the Townesmen and Soldiers ranne vppon them and fought valiantly with them a long time in the middest of the Citty killing great numbers of them But the multitude of enemies still increasing and all the streetes stopt the Christians were in a manner all cut in peeces
did willingly desire to know why his King had not first aduertized them thereof At this demand the Ambassador made some little pawse then he answered that he knew nothing of it yet neuerthelesse it was mentioned in the treaty that each of them might within foure months space name a fellow whom he would wherevpon it was lawfull for his King to name the Signory of Venice The Ambassadors answere did not greatly content the Senate and could not hinder them from suspecting this league contracted without their knowledge Wherevpon they thought it most expedient to trie if they could appease the Pope vnto whom certaine months before they had offered to deliuer vnto him Riminy and withall that which they had possessed in Romagnia since Pope Alexander his death prouided that he would be content that they might still retaine Faenza with her Territory This was for feare of the French King and likewise because the Emperour at the Popes request had sent an Ambassadour vnto them to will them to make restitution of the lands belonging to the Church as hath beene said But the Pope hauing giuen them this resolute answere that he would not in any sort consent to the with-holding of one onely towre and threatning them to recouer yet before he died Rauenna and Ceruia which they possessed as wrongfully as they did Faenza they passed on no farther at that time But their feare being encreased by reason of this new confederacy betwixt the Emperour and the French King they offered by the meanes of the Duke of Vrbin a friend to both sides to deliuer vp all that which they possessed the appurtenances of Faenza and Riminy excepted if the Pope would giue admittance to their Ambassadors to come and make the oth of obedience wherevnto in time before he would not consent The Pope inclined to this proposition made by the Duke of Vrbin though vnwillingly in regard he had so highly threatned them for hee perceiued the affaires betwixt the Emperor and the French King to be drawne out at length and that in the meane time those of Furli Imola and Cesenna did indure many discommodities Vpon this consent that which they had offered being re-deliuered the Senate sent their Ambassadors who after they had protested obedience with the accustomed ceremonies they brought home with them to Venice no signe whereby it might be perceiued that he was become any whit the milder In the meane space the Pope perceiuing well enough that without the French Kings aide he could not hurt the Venetians and that he could not as yet induce him to make warre vpon them to the end his Popedome should not be spent vnproffitably or without honour he turned his thoughts else-where and entreated the French King to helpe him to reduce vnder the Churches obedience the Cities of Bolognia and Perugia the which in all ages did belong to the Sea of Rome and were possessed the one by Iohn Paul Baillon and the other by Iohn Bentiuogle whose predecessors hauing vsurped them were become absolute Lords thereof The Popes request was very pleasing to the King because thereby hee might finde meanes to keepe his friendship from which he was in some sort estranged in regard of the Kings alliance with the Venetians which did much trouble him Wherevpon because he would not disapoint him he offered him all aide and succour and the Pope on the other side gaue him the breefes of Cardinalship for the Bishops of Achy and Bayeux with authority to dispose of the benifices of the Dutchy of Milan The execution of this enterprise was delaied by reason of the iourney which Maximillian desired to make into Italy with his army to receiue his Imperiall crowne at Rome wherein he being desirous not to be hindred by the Venetians hee sent foure Ambassadors to acquaint them with his intent and to intreate them to grant a passage for him and his army likewise assuring them that he would passe thorough their territories without disturbing them in any sort being desirous likewise to vnite himselfe with them The Venetians hauing a long time consulted therevpon made him a pleasant answere for after they had giuen him to vnderstand how much they desired to conforme themselues to his will they councelled him to come into Italy without armes especially comming for so peaceable a matter which was pleasing to all men where on the contrary comming in armes Italy desparing for so many calamities which it had susteined would rise determining to take armes and not to lay open a way to new troubles and that the French King might doe the like for assurance of the state of Millan The determination of Maximillian caused the Pope to defetre his enterprize till an other time being perswaded therevnto by the King who was vrged of his promise about that businesse least they by reason of that accident of Italy should rise in armes as also because he feared to prouoke the Venetians who had sent him word that they would take armes for the defence of Bolognia if the Pope did not first giue ouer to them the rights to Faenza which did belong to the Church But the Pope being by nature sodaine and impatient would not temporize but sought all meanes to effect his purpose after a furious manner And without staying for any other resolution he departed from Rome with fiue hundred men at armes where fortune did so fauour him as Iohn Paul Baillon by the Duke of Vrbins perswasion went to him to Oruietta where he was receiued into fauour hauing wholly referred himselfe to the Popes discretion and deliuered into his hands the castles of Perugia and the territory therevnto belonging into which he afterwards entred Then marching towards Bolognia being attended on by six hundred French Launces and three thousand footmen of the Kings forces he went by the way of the mountaine because he would not come vpon the territory of Riminy which the Venerians held and being come to Cesenna he commanded Bentiuoli to depart from Bolognia on paine of most greeuous censures both spirituall and temporall The Bentiuoles had made great preparations for their owne defence but all their hope was turned to dispaire so soone as they heard of the French-mens arriuall in the Popes army and much more when the Lord of Chaumont who conducted them did tell them the same day that he arriued at Castel-nouo on the Bolognians territory that the King being willing to obserue whatsoeuer he was tied vnto by the capitulations of the protection did meane to continue him in the possession of his goods so that he would leaue the Gouernment of the City to the Church At these words Bentiuoli and his children who before with great threatnings had published euery where that they would defend themselues being wholy discouraged made answere that they would altogether referre themselues to his arbitrement beseeching him by all meanes to mediate tollerable conditions Vpon this answere the Lord of Chaumont being
Faentyne territory The Burrow of Russi strong both by nature and art after the Kings victory did yeeld to the Pope on composition the like did the Citty of Faenza which being vnfurnished of Venetian soldiars and at her owne command did promise to acknowledge the Pope for her Lord if it were not releeued within fifteene daies which was not done Rauenna did the like so soone as the army of the Church drew neare the Castle excepted In such sort as the Pope conquered more by the fame of the French Kings victory then by his owne army the Venetians possessing no more in Romagnia but the Castle of Rauenna new enemies shewing them-selues dayly against them euer since the defeate of their army The Duke of Ferrara on a sodayne shewed him-selfe who till then had abstained and hauing expelled the Visdoma from Ferrara a magistrate which the Venetians kept there hee did forcibly without any let at all recouer the Pollesin of Rouigo The townes of Azole and Lunate yeelded to the Marquis of Mantua which the Venetians had in former time taken from Iohn Francisco Gonzaga his great Grand-father Christofero Frangipane held Pisinia and Diuinia in Histria The Duke of Brunswic with his forces entâ—…ing Friull by the Emperors command tooke Feltre and Bellone Thryeste likewise and the other townes vpon his arriuall did returne to the Emperors obedience The Earles of Sodron seazed on certaine Castles and Villages which lay neere them the like did the Bishop of Trent who tooke Riua di Trente and Agresta The Venetians being brought to all extremity determined to quit the Signory of the firme land to the end to auoide so many enemies hoping that good fortune one day returning they might easily recouer it Beeing contented then onely to retaine the salt waters all their care was to fortyfie their Citty with men victualls and munition and they sent Mandates to the Magistrates and Officers of Padua Verona and other Cittie 's allotted to Maximillian that they should sodenly depart thence leauing them to the power of the people During these atchiuements Antonio Iustinian who had beene sent to the Emperor beeing admitted to his presence in publike audience did speake with very great submission but it was in vaine for hee would doe nothing without the French King The Venetian Cardinalls likewise who besought the Pope to absolue solue the Monitorie seeing they had offered to make restitution of the townes within the space of foure and twenty dayes could obteine nothing For the Pope answered That they had not obeyed because they did offer it with limited conditions not mentioning the profits which they had receiued by them The Senate sent likewise into Puglia to yeeld vp the hauens to the King of Arragon who being certaine to obtaine them with ease had sent a small fleete from Spain the which had already taken possession of diuerse places belonging to those Citties and Sea hauens In this manner were the affaires of the Venetian common-wealth throwne head-long downe all hopes failing them Those of Verona would yeeld to the King seeing the Venetians had forsaken them but hee would not receiue them meaning faithfully and wholy to obserue the capitulations made with the Emperor seeing hee had conquered all that which did belong to himselfe and he commanded the Ambassadors of the Veronois to present the Keyes of their Cittie to the Emperours Ambassadors who were in his Army the like did they of Padua and Vincenza This determination of the French King not to passe with his Atmie beyond his limits gaue some beginning of hope and safety to the Venetians concerning whom the mindes of all Italians were diuersly mooued Some were highly pleased with their misery calamity and said That with great ambition they had sought to subiect all Italy to themselues by meanes whereof they had made their name very odious Others considering more iudiciously how vnseemly a thing it would be for all Italy to be brought vnder the bondage of strangers did infinitely lament the disaster of that Citty the antient seat of liberty and which more then any other had vpheld the common glory and renowne of all Italy This compassion began to touch the Popes heart who fearing the power of the Emperor and the French Kinge desired to diuert their thoughtes from any more oppressinge it by intangling them in affaires Therfore he resolued but secretly to hinder as much as hee could that the miseries of that Signory should goe on no farther and did willingly receiue the letters with Denis Loredan wrote vnto him requesting that it might please him to receiue sixe Ambassadors which the Signory would send vnto him of the principall Senators most humbly to entreare him to pardon and absolue them The letters were read in open consistory where their petition beeing propounded the Pope consented to admit them notwithstanding that the Ambassadors of the Emperour and the French King sought to hinder it alledging that by the league of Cambray he was bound to pursue them with spirituall and temporall Armes vntill that each of the confederates had recouered that which did belong to him and that the Emperour had not yet recouered all Hee answered them That the ancient custome of the Church was not to shew it selfe obdurate to those who repenting of their faults did craue pardon but that hee would not absolue them before they had giuen satisfaction to euery one This reception of the Pope did encrease their hope with the newes they heard from Treuiso which beeing forsaken by the magistrates and by the Venetian companies as others were Leonardo of Dressina banished from Vincenza beeing come thither without forces to take possession thereof for the Emperor they in the city mutined and began with a generall voyce to cry S. Marke protesting that they would acknowledge none other Lord and a fellow that was a shomaker named Marke beeing their leader he carried with great shoutes and concourse of people the Venetians banners into the market place and hauing driuen thence Dressina they placed souldiers in their City and speedily fortified it with victuals and all other necessaries the hors-men which were within it scouring the country round about The end of the seuenth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the eight Booke of the fourth Decade WHat mooued the Venetians to hope to raise them selues An enteruiew resolued on betwixt the Emperour Maximillian and Lewis the French King broken on a sodaine by the Emperor The Venetians recouer Padua whereby they become masters of the Champaine Country The Marquis of Mantua is taken by the Venetians The Emperors proposition to goe and beseege the City of Venice Frangipane maketh warre in Histria The Venetian Ambassadours come to Rome by night The Emperors seege before Padua The King of Hungary refuseth to make warre on the Venetians during their aduersity The Venetians recouer Vincenza and beseege Verona The Venetians nauall army on the Po scoureth as farre as
attempted in vaine to take Monfalcone but he gaue a furious assault on the towne and castle of Cadora where he committed great slaughter on those that were within it The Venetians in the meane time tooke the towne of Valdesera by force and Bellona by composition The Emperour perceiuing that his forces were not worthy the name of Imperiall propounded to the confederates the vniting of all their forces in one to assaile the city of Venice and to that intent to vse the helpe of the sea armies and Galleis of the French King and the Pope The French King would willingly haue consented therevnto if he had seene any likelihood of the matter But the Pope and the Catholike King gainesaid it as a thing most vniust and dishonorable The Duke of Brunswicke on the other side being sent by the Emperor could not take Vdina the Capitall city of Friul nor Ciuital-D'Austria which he likewise beseeged Christoforo Frangipane did the like in Histria where nere to the village of Verme he defeated the Venetian officers and did greatly burne and spoile the whole country During these temporall accidents of armes in diuers places they disputed at Rome on spirituall armes whither before the recouery of Padua the sixe Ambassadors from the Senate were arriued namely Dominico Treuisan Leonardo Moceniga Paulo Pisani Ieronimo Donato Paulo Capello and Lodouico Maripietro who entring by night in poore and wretched habite because the Pope would haue it so who did not see them they went to the pallace of the Cardinall of Naples to conferre with him and the other Commissioners Great were the practises of the Ambassadors of the Emperour French King and the King of Spaine to hinder them from obtayning absolution and on the contrary the Archbishop of Yorke solicited for them in the behalfe of Henry King of England The Emperor in the meane time hauing assembled all the forces he was able to make as well of his owne as of others that assisted him determined with a mighty army to goe and beseege Padua The Venetians weighing how much the preseruation of that city did import them did not forget to furnish it with all necessaries for defence Wherevnto Prince Loredan did greatly incite them in an Oration full of mighty perswasions by whose counsell two hundred young Gentlemen departed from Venice to goe to the releefe of that city where they were receiued with incredible ioy of al men They receiued letters at Venice at the same time from Andre Foscole Ambassador at Constantinople for the Common-wealth neere to the great Turke whereby he assured the Senate that the Turke was mightily dipleased when he vnderstood of the defeate of their army at Gyradade and for that they had not acquainted him with their enterprizes and requested his aide and that now he freely offered them all aide and fauour it being his pleasure that Prince Loredan should bee speedily aduertized of this offer The Senate by their Ambassador did highly thanke him but would not accept the offer because it was neither seemely nor proffitable But to returne to the Emperours preparations who whilest he tarried for forces which came to him from all parts he came to the bridge of Brente three miles of from Padua where hauing taken Rimini by force and turned aside the current of the water he marched towards the Pollesin of Rouigo keeping aloofe off from Padua to open the passage to his victuals staying for his Artillery which was to come forth of Germany and tooke the village of Este by assault which he sack't and next he tooke Monselecia the castle with the town of Montagnane by composition From thence returning towards Padua he encamped nere to the bridge of Bassonella nere to the city where he attempted but in vaine to turne backe the course of the Riuer Brento To this place came the artillery and the munition which he expected with the residue of his army wherewith he went forward and encamped nere to the Suburbes of Saint Crosse determining to giue an assault in that place but when he vnderstood that it was the strongest part of the city he changed his purpose and remooued towards the little Gate on the way to Venice as well for that it was the weakest part of the city as also to cut off supplies that might come thither by land or water wherein hauing spent much time vnproffitably and giuen leisure to the enemies to fortifie and furnish themselues with victuals He approched neere to the wals with his army which besides the French Kings seuen hundred Launces vnder the command of the Lord de la Palisse consisted of one thousand Italian men at armes eighteene thousand Lansquenets sixe thousand Spaniards six thousand boot-halers of sundry nations two thousand Italianâ—… After these followed a great traine of all sorts of peeces of battery with wonderfull store of munition so as neuer any seege in Italy was of the like expectation as well for the importance of the place whereon depended the good or bad successe of the Venetians as in regard of the greatnesse and authority of such a leader which caused the number of the army daily to encrease al-be-it the souldiers were not paied who fed themselues neuerthelesse with hope of the Cities spoile On the other side the army which the Venetians had in Padua for the defence thereof was little inferior to the Emperors For there were sixe hundred men at armes fifteene hundred light horse fifteene hundred famous and well experienced Stradiots and besides the Cauallery there was twelue thousand footmen of the best souldiers of Italy and tenne thousand other footmen as well Sclauonians as Greeks and Albanezes drawne from their Galleis and besides all these all the Venetian young Gallants were there with their followers whose example did much encourage the rest Moreouer it did not want great aboundance of all necessary prouisions nor great store of artillery with a merueilous quantity of all kinde of victuals and a multitude almost numberlesse of peasants who without intermission laboured in the Cities fortifications so as within a short space it was fortified with bastions ram piers casemates parapets and necessary trenches And to the end that the courage of al those within it might be answerable to those preparations the Count Petillan who was General caused them all to be assembled in Saint Anthonies market-place where hauing encouraged them by graue valorous speeches he first bound himselfe by sollemne oth and then the captaines the whole army and the townesmen in like manner faithfully to employ themselues in the defence thereof euen to the death In the meane time the Pope the Emperor and the French King did earnestly solicite the King of Hungary to make warre on the Venetians telling him how easily he might recouer all the lands which they held in Histria and Selauonia now when as they had in a manner lost all their forces and were assailed on euery
side But the King of Hungary would neuer giue eare therevnto but continued still their friend Whereof the Senate being aduertized by Vincentio Guidocho their Secretary and Agent in Hungary sent Petro Pascalio their Ambassadors to the same King to entreate him to continue in the alliance which he had sworne of a long time with them the which he promised to doe Now the Emperor hauing made his approches neere to the wals of Padua towards the little Gate where his army was extended round about the city three miles in length he beganne to plant his peeces of battery which could not be done in a long time by reason of the number of them some of them being of a merueilous greatnesse Being planted they would needs see how the enemies could defend themselues and therefore the French and the Lansequenets gaue an assault on that side where the Lord de la Palisse had command at a Rauelin of a Gate but it being valliantly defended they returned to their quarter The next day the artillery plaied with great fury and did beate downe a great part of the wall the shot from the city likewise did greatly hurt the whole army and those within the town made many sallies especially the Stradiots and the light-horse The artillery hauing plaied nine daies together and made so large a breach as all men thought was more then needfull the whole army made preparation the next day to giue an assault But when they perceiued how that the same night they within had filled the dike with water the Emperour sent backe his souldiers to their quarters They beganne afterwards to batter the Bastion which was neere to the Gate of Codalonga the Emperor determining to doe his vttermost to force it and hauing ouerthrowne a part thereof with the ordnance he caused the Spaniards and Lansquenets two daies after to giue it an assault who fighting furiously did mount it and placed two Enseignes thereon But the valour of the defendants was such and the aboundance of defensiue engines so great as they were enforced to leape downe in heapes many of them were slaine and hurt By meanes whereof those who were already prepared to giue an assault to the wal thinking that the Bastion was taken retired and disarmed themselues without attempting any farther Maximillian by this attempt did wholy loose the hope of victory wherefore resoluing to dislodge hauing first sent away his artillery to a place of safety he raised his campe and came with his whole army to Limini the seuenteenth day of the seege from thence he went to Verona all men generally blaming him for that by his owne fault he had lost Padua and had not taken Treuiso And he on the contrary imputing it to other men complained of the Pope and the French King of the one for suffering the Venetian Ambassadors to goe to Rome and of the other because he had delaide to send supplies of men But these complaints did no whit better his condition for the Pope cared not greatly for him and the King was glad to haue his faults and changings knowne Hauing receiued the oth of fidelity of those of Verona he departed thence towards Germany determining as he said to returne the next spring with greater forces to make warre in Italy leauing the Marquis of Brandenbourg for the gard of Verona The Emperours returne into Germany left all that which he possessed in great hazard and all Italy in doubt in regard of some contention arising betwixt the Pope and the French King which being soone after appeased there remained neuerthelesse some discontent in the Popes minde wherevpon he wished that the King might loose whatsoeuer he held in Italy and was willing to imploy himselfe to effect it And al-be-it he propounded so great a designe to himselfe yet neuerthelesse he would not enter into league with any one but trusting wholy to himselfe and to the authority which the Papall Sea had ouer all Princes hee shewed both by deed and words that he did not greatly account of any one and waxing strange to all others he enclined only to the Venetians side whom for the safety of all Italy and for the preseruation of his greatnesse he thought fit to absolue and to assist with all his power The Emperors and French Kings Ambassadors opposed it the like did the Ambassador for the King of Arragon alleadging the confederacy made at Cambray by which they were not yet fully satisfied The Pope made answer therevnto that it was not the office of Christs Vicar to pursue with spirituall armes to the preiudice of the saluation of so many soules those who repenting had with great humility craued absolution espetially the cause for which they were censured ceassing That it was an other matter to pursue them with temporall armes and therein he was determined to perseuer and made offer to consent with the rest to obserue the league of Cambray Being in these termes with the Ambassadors he would willingly haue absolued them if the Venetians would haue giuen place and consented to two conditions The one to leaue the nauigation of the Adriatrick Sea free to the subiects of the Church the other that they should keepe no more a Magistrate called Visdomo in Ferrara which was a City depending on the Church The Venetians in the meane time vpon this different meaning of Princes not greatly esteeming the Emperour sent forces vnder the conduct of Andre Gritti the Prouidator to Vincenza on assurance that they were wished for by the people who at his arriuall tooke the suburbes of Posterla then being brought into the city by the townesmen the Prince of Anhalt and Fracasso retired into the castle which was yeelded foure daies after It was verily thought that he might haue taken Verona likewise if he had gone thither on a sodaine but whilest he tarried for the reduction of the castle of Vincenza new companies of the Emperors entred into it and three hundred Launces of the French Kings commanded by the Lord D' Aubigns so as there being in it fiue hundred Launces and fiue thousand footmen as well Spaniards as Lansquenets it was a hard matter to take it The Venetian army neuerthelesse came thither soone after vpon hope that at their arriuall they in the city would rise but because it being diuided into two parts did not shew it selfe before the wals at one time the businesse fell not out according to their proiect The Venetians at their departure thence tooke Basciana then Feltre and Ciuitall with the fort of Escalla At the same time Antonio and Ieronimo Sauorgniane gentlemen of the country followinge the Venetians party in Friull tooke Castel-nouo beyond the riuer of Tailemont no newes being heard of Maximillian The Venetian army for the recouery of the Pollesin of Rouigo marched towards Monselecia and Montagnane to the end from thence to enter on the territory of Ferrara Hauing moreouer sent their nauall army
conducted by Angelo Treuisano to make warre on the Duke of Ferrara which entring the Po at the mouth of Fornaces burnt Corbolo and other villages neere to the Po not sparing the whole country as farre as the Lake of Scarra from whence the light horse which kept way with it by land scoured as farre as Fiquerolles The incredible hatred which they had conceiued against the Duke of Ferrara did mooue them to doe so who not being content with that which he said did belong vnto him did detaine that which was none of his owne hauing receiued of the Emperour for money the village of Este in Fee and that of Montagnane by ingagement he hauing no title to those places which from time to time belonged to the Venetians The Duke of Ferrara was much amazed at the comming of this army and at the report that their land-army followed it for he had no meanes to defend himselfe till the supplies which he expected from the Pope and the French King were arriued but only with his artillery planted on the bankes of the Riuer to stop the enemies farther passage which was the cause that Treuisan lay at Ankor in the middest of the Riuer behind a little Island tarrying for the land forces without which he knew he could not goe forward And to remaine there at more safety til their arriual he caused two Bastions to bee made on the Riuer Po the one on Ferraras side and the other on the opposite shore with a bridge of boats to the end he might be able to releeue the Bastions chiefly that on Ferrara side The Duke determined to hinder the finishing of that worke whereupon hauing assembled the greatest forces he could as wel of the City as of strangers he sent them before to assaile the Bastion and he himselfe followed after with store of horse But those of the Bastion being releeued by their owne fellowes out of the vessels did with such fury charge the Ferrarois as they put them to rout so as the Duke who followed them at the heeles with his cauallery meeting with them turned them backe and encouraged them but it lasted not long For the enemies fury was such together with the safety of the place well fortified with small peeces of Ordnance as at the last he himselfe was constrained to retire with great losse of his people who were slaine and hurt This mooued the Lord of Chaumont to send a hundred and fifty French Launces for the gard of Ferrara and the Pope being incensed against the Venetians for that without respect to him they had assailed the Duke sent thither likewise the two hundred men at armes which hee had alotted for the Emperor But this aide would haue come to late if the Venetians had not beene enforced to call backe their army the which hauing conquered all the Pollesin was in readinesse to goe to the reliefe of their nauall army for it was enforced to returne backe hauing left foure hundred light horse and as many footmen for the defence of the Pollesin and for the helpe of their vessels because the Lord of Chaumont hauing entred Verona with great forces had lent eight thousand Ducats to the Emperour who had engaged to the King for the same sum and for others to be paied afterward the towne of Valeggia sixe miles from Bressia and a passage of the Riuer Mincia of great importance and made preparations beside as it was said to goe and beseege Vincenza The Venetians diuided their army into three parts which they placed in Legnaga Suaua and Vincenza then being desirous to conserue Vincenza they beganne to fortifie it with strong rampiers and with deepe ditches full of water they like they did afterwards to Suaua and Legnaga and in this manner standing on their guarde they assured the whole country especially for that winter Ferrara by this meanes was in some sort eased but not altogether freed from feare and daunger For those in the vessels seconded by the cauallery that was left with them did daylie scoure euen to the Cittie Gates and other Venetian vessels comming by an other way to assaile the Ferrarois had taken Comachia But by the arriuall of the Popes and French Kings forces the Duke and the Cardinall of Este beganne to take courage and for to make diuerse attempts to draw the enemies to fight they which they refused til the return of their army The Duke and the Cardinall perceiuing that the ouer-throw of the vessels would gaine the victory and that it might easily be effected if meanes were made for the safe planting of the artillery on the banke of the Riuer the Cardinal came and assailed the Bastion once againe and hauing beaten backe the enemies who were come forth to skirmish hee did take and fortifie the nerest part of the causey vnknowne to the enemies then in the night hee brought the artillery to the shoare opposite to the enemy and planting it with great silence it began in the morning to discharge very furiously The vessels would haue escaped by flight but not being able to make way by reason of the shot they were in a manner all sunke or taken The General leaping into a Skiffe saued himselfe by flight with the chiefe standard of the common-wealth fifteene Gallies fell into the Dukes power certaine great ships diuers Fusts with other small boates almost numberlesse two thousand men died there as well by the shot as by fire and water and threescore banners were taken Many that came on shoare were saued by the Venetian light horse men The Duke after this defeate sent forces of horse and foote to doe the like to those who had taken Comachia who recouered Loretta which the Venetians had fortified and they had defeated the army which was there if it had not retired to Bebies knowing the danger Such vnfortunate end had the seege of Ferrara which lasted about one month Their affaires prospered better on the Paduan territorie for the Emperour beeing on the Vincentin with foure thousand footmen the Venetians by the aide of the country peasants almost vnder his nose and before his face tooke the Paces of Escalla Cogola and Basciana whereof the Emperour complayning said That the departure of the Lord of La Palisse had bred diuers disorders and therevpon hee went to Bolsane and from thence to Inspruch to hold the Dyet which hee had appointed and the Lord of Chaumont following his example retired to Milan leauing strong garrisons in all places on the frontiers and especiallie in Verona which the Emperour could not haue defended alone During this cessation of armes Maximillian sought to take truce with the Venetians the Bishop of Pescera the Popes Nuntio practized it by his Masters commandement the Ambassadors were at Hospitaletto a little aboue Escalla and conferred with Iohn Cornare and Lodouico Mocenigo the Venetian commissioners But the Emperours excessiue demands brake off this treaty without any conclusion
law the vassall could not do it without the leaue of the chiefe Lord and that the same did preiudice those of Bolognia his subiects threatning him if he did not take away those imposts to make war vpon him The King heereby found himselfe greatly perplexed for on the one side it greeued him to make warre on the Pope and on the other hee would not forsake his friend the Duke of Ferrara beeing obliged to maintaiâ—… and defend him and the more the Pope did vrge him to forsake him the more constant he was in his defence After diuers reasons alleaged on either side that the King had propounded conditions whereby for the most part he should bee satisfied for those losses which hee should pretend to haue sustained by the Duke hee was moreouer content to bee bound according to the Popes request made vnto him that his army should not passe ouer the Riuer Po vnlesse it were to protect the Florentines and to molest Pandolpho Petrucci and Iohn Paul Baillon During all these differences the Lord of Chaumont had taken without any impediment with fifteene hundred Launces and tenne thousand footmen with great store of Ordnance followed by three thousand Pioners the Pollesin of Rouigo which the Venetians had abandoned and the tower Marquisana the Duke of Ferrara beeing ioyned with him with two hundred men at armes fiue hundred light horse and two thousand footmen Then he came to Castelbaldo and from thence to Montagnane and Este which he tooke at the first summons and gaue them to the Duke The Prince of Anhalt the Emperours Lieutenant came forth of Verona with three hundred French Launces two hundred men at armes and three thousand Lansquenets and following the Lord of Chaumont they came both together towards the Vincentine territory where the whole country did forthwith yeeld vnto them the Venetian army being retired into a place of safety by meanes whereof the Vincentines perceiuing themselues to be wholy forsaken hauing of themselues no meanes of defence had none other hope left but only in the victors mercy the which they did hope to obtaine by the meanes of the Lord of Chaumont of whom hauing gotten passe-port they came to the Campe in wretched habit where one of their number hauing with great humillity declared to the Prince of Anhalt the infinite and intollerable losses that they had susteined and the misery and calamity whereto they were brought to the end to mooue him to some compassion and to appease his wrath they receiued but a very vnpleasing and vngentle answere which in effect was to haue their liues goods and honours at his owne discretion The Vincentines being daunted with so cruell an answere remained for a certaine space like men without any motion or feeling and not knowing what to answere or thinke they at last by the Lord of Chaumonts councell fell downe prostrate on the earth and did absolutely referre themselues and their city into the conquerors hands But the Lord of Chaumont making intercession for them with diuers others the matter was so handled as the Prince of Anhalt was content to promise them that their persons should haue no harme but the disposing of their goods should be absolutely referred to his will and pleasure After the taking of Vincenza al be-it the Emperour did in no sort stirre against the Venetians as hee had promised hee would but on the contrary his companies decreasing dayly for want of pay the Lord of Chaumont neuerthelesse perceiuing that whatsoeuer had beene done till then was to no purpose vnlesse Legnaga were taken hee determined to goe and encampe before it where hauing ouercome the difficulties of the waters which the Venetians had in such sort let forth as the whole country was drowned therewith he wanne Porto which is a part of Legnaga and hauing caused foure thousand French foot and sixe peeces of ordnance to crosse ouer to the farther side of the Riuer Adicé hee beganne to batter the Bastion on both sides the Riuer part whereof being beaten downe the Prouidator who was within it al-be-it his souldiers did what they could to rampire it vp againe being danâ—…ed with feare retired on a sodaine the night following into the castle with certaine Venetian Gentlemen This retreat beeing knowne by daie breake the captaine of the footmen which were in the Bastion did yeeld on condition of safetie of liues and goods The Towne was forth-with sackt and they who kept the other Bastion fled thorow the Marshes The castle yeelded soone after on this condition that the Venetian Gentlemen should remaine prisoners and the souldiers should depart with white wands in their hands There did the Lord of Chaumontreceiue newes of the death of the Cardinall of Amboise his vncle whereat the Pope made great shew of contentation thinking that so long as he liued he shold euer haue an enemy And so much he told the Venetian Ambassador discoursing with him concerning other occurrents The Lord of Chaumont hauing left for the gard of Legnaga an hundred Launces with a thousand footmen determined to returne into the Dutchy of Milan according to the Kings command but by the Emperours entreaty he was countermanded till the month of Iune were ended by which time the Emperour promised to come into Italy and to the end his comming downe might bee more easie the Almaines desiring to recouer Marostic Ciuitella Basciana and other places neere about the Lord of Chaumont came and encamped with his army at Longare to keepe the Venetians troupes from entring into Vincenza wher was a weak Garrison but the Venetian army was retired to Padua The Almaines who were ioyned with the Lord of Chaumont went to Torricelles then to Ciuitella which soone yeelded the like did Marostic Basciana and other places not farre from thence which were abandoned by the Venetians From thence they marched towards Escalla which the Almaines did much desire to take because it was a commodious passage for those companies which were to come forth of Germany but they could not passe forward for the peasants wonderfully affecting the Venetians had possessed diuers places in the mountaine so that hauing taken Castel-noua by composition which is likewise a passage in that mountaine they returned to the Brente where they had formerly beene quartered From thence the Prince of Anhalt did by an other way send diuers foot-companies towards Escalla who passing by Feltre did spoile and burne it then being come to the place of Escalla they found it wholly abandoned and Couola likewise The Country of Friul was no lesse ruined and assaulted on euery side now by the Venetians and then by the Almaines now defended by some then spoiled by others There was nothing to be seene euery where but dead bodies and burnt and sackt places The time drawing neere that the French army was to depart the Emperour and the French King made new couenants together That the army should remaine there the next whole moneth
his part because his enterprizes proceeded not from any particular interest but from a sole and sincere desire of the liberty of Italy but he could not hope much from them by reason their treasure was exhausted and them-selues oppressed with sondry difficulties The French King beeing by so many experiences assured of the Popes bad meaning towards him determined to strengthen him-selfe as much as he might with the Emperors friendship and to passe in person the spring following into Italy to make warre on the Venetians or on the Pope according as the state of his affaires should petmit The end of the eight Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the ninth Booke of the fourth Decade WIth what boldnesse and resolution Pope Iulius marched against the Duke of Ferrara and beeing not able to ouercome him by temporall armes he vsed spirituall A Generall Councell published at Lions A new Confederacy as well offensiue as defensiue betwixt the Emperor and the French-King How greatly the marche of the French Army toward Bolognia did afright the Pope and all his Cardinals The Lord of Chaumonts retreate into the Dutchy of Milan The Duke of Ferrara defeateth the Venetians nauall Army The Popes Army taketh the Citty of Concorda Mirandolo taken by the Confederates The King doth wholy resolue to make warre on the Pope The Death of the Lord of Chaumont where vpon Triuulcio is made Generall of the Army A great Earthquake at Venice and in the Countrey neere adioyning The Popes Army is defeated before the Bastida Geniuola The French Kings discontent for that the Emperor consenteth to a peace with the Venetians The King of Arragons secret practises against the French King The Cardinall of Pauia flyes from Bolognia at the arriuall of the French The flight of the Duke of Vrbin Generall of the Popes Army Death of the Cardinall of Pauia slaine by the Duke of Vrbin The French King greatly desireth to bee at peace with the Pope How the Venetians did still maintaine their forces and greatnesse A new confederacy betwixt the Pope the King of Arragon and the Venetians The Swisses come downe into the Dutchie of Milan The Army of the Confederates before Bolognia the which is releeued by Gaston of Foix. And lastly how the Confederates Army dislodgeth from before Bolognia The ninth Booke of the fourth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe Pope continuing his displeasure against the Duke of Ferrara omitted all other designes onely to pursue this and to this end hee came to Bolognia at the later end of September by his presence to hasten matters and to giue the greater authority to his affaires resoluing to assaill Ferrara both by land and water with all his owne forces and those of the Venetians who at his request sent two armed fleetes against Ferrara which being entred into the Po by the Fornaces and by the hauen of Primara made great spoile on the Ferrara territory the like did the Popes forces at the same time and yet they came not neere to Ferrara where besides the Dukes forces were two hundred and fifty French lances and the Popes army was not suffitient to assayle the Citty by land For allbeit the Pope gaue pay for eight hundred men at Armes six hundred light horse and six thousand foote the complete number of so many was greately wanting as also for that by his command Marke Anthony Colonna and Iohn Vittelli were gone with two hundred men at armes and three hundred foote for the gard of Modena In regard whereof he requested seeing that the Venetians had in a manner recouered the country of Friull that part of their army might be brought on the Ferrarois He did more-ouer expect three hundred lances which the King of Arragon was bound to send him according to the articles of the inuestiture of the realme of Naples making account vpon the arriuall of all these forces to assaile Ferrara for his part and that the Venetians should doe the like for theirs hee perswaded him-selfe that the people of the Citty would forth-with take armes in his behalfe against the Duke and hee would not harken to those who told him That it would not so fall out in regard of the garrison within it which was sufficient to defend the Citty and to hinder the people if they were so bent from reuolting About the same time an intelligence which the Venetians had on the Citty of Bressia was discouered the Author whereof Earle Iohn Maria of Martinenga was beheaded there Now the Pope perseuering in his hope did promise to him-selfe though all his other forces should faile to be able to take Ferrara with his owne and the Venetian fleets notwithstanding al the reasons giuen by his Captaines to the contrary but he found himselfe to be deceiued For the Duke comming forth of Ferrara did assaill the Venetians fleete which was entred by Primaria and comming to Hadria with two Galleis two Fusts and with diuers small boates hee did easily defeate it then hee went to meet with the other the which consisting onely of fustes and other small vessells had entred by the fornaces and was come to Puliselsa which attempting to retire into the riuer Adicé by a chanell neere at hand it could not by reason of the shallownesse of the water where-vpon being assailed and beaten with the enemies ordnance those of the fleet not beeing able to defend it were enforced to forsake it and to vse meanes to saue them-selâ—…es and their ordnance The Pope perceauing that his temporal armes were not of force to execute his deseignes made vse of spirituall and did publickly excommunicate Alfonso of Este and all those who were or should come to his aid and namely the Lord of Chaumont and all the cheefe persons of the French army The French King who already vpon the Popes behauiour determined to call a generall councell against him and had caused all the prelates of his Kingdome to meete at Orleans and afterwards at Tours hauing notice of his Ecclesiasticall censure executed so rashly vpon his subiects was of opinion in this assembly where he was present diuers times that before hee would free him-selfe from his obedience to send Ambassadors to him to aduertise him of the articles concluded on by the French Clergy against which if hee thought to except he should be cited to the generall councell which all Christian Princes had determined should bee assembled by a certaine day According to this resolution the Councell was published at Lyons against the first day of March next ensuing Within a while after the Bishop of Gurcia sent from the Emperor arriued at Tours where his entertainment was sumptuous which shewed how greatly his comming was desired with whome the King continuing to treat of matters which had already beene handled at the first they seemed to bee very casie but they were afterwards drawne forth at length as well by reason that the Emperors answers were very slow
as for the doubt they made of the King of Arragon The Emperor and the French King thought it fit to bee assured of his intent as well in regard of the continuation of the League of Cambray as for that which was to be done with the Pope if hee perseuered in the Venetians frindship and in his couetuousnesse to purchace immediately the demaine of Ferrara to the Church The Catholike King hauing answered all these demandes and his intent being fully knowne the Bishop of Gurcia on the one side in the name of the Emperor and the French king on the other did passe a new confederacy together reseruing place for the Pope to enter into it within two moneths after and for the Catholike King and the King of Hungary within foure The King promised to giue the Emperor a hundred thousand crownes the one halfe to bee paid presently and the other halfe at a time prefixed and the Emperor promised to passe into Italy against the Venetians at the spring time with three thousand horse and ten thousand foote and that then the King should send him at his owne charge twelue hundred horse and eight thousand foote with store of artillery and certaine shipes by sea But during these treaties in France with the Bishoppe of Gurcia the Lord of Chaumont hauing recouered Carpi determined by the soliciting of the Bentiuoles on a sodaine to assaile the citty of Bolognia wherein the Pope and his whole Court lay in regard of the faire occasion which was presented there being in the Citty but a few strange souldiours In this determination hee set forward and hauing taken Spilimberta and Castelfranco hee came and lodged at Crespolana ten miles from Bolognia meaning the next day to shew himselfe before the gates His comming being diuulged through the Citty and that the Bentiuoles were with him it was filled with confusion and tumult The Cardinalls and Prelats not accustomed to the dangers of warre came to the Pope complayning for that hee had exposed the sea Apostolike and themselues to so greate danger beseeching him to vse meanes to appease matters by the mildest composition hee could The Ambassadors of the Emperor the Catholike King and the King of England made the like request Him-selfe alone in so great confusion and disorder vncertaine of the peoples fidelity and discontented for that the Venetians aid was so slow did obstinately resist all their importunities But beeing at last ouer-come by the prayers and entreaties of so many he did consent to haue a messenger sent to the Lord of Chaumont to know of him whether Iohn Francisco Pico Earle of Mirandola might safely come vnto him from the Pope The Lord of Chaumont being assured of the King his Maisters minde who desired nothing more then to be at peace with the Pope did freely condescend to the Earle of Mirandolas comming to him who being arriued he gently heard and sent him backe the same day to Bolognia to signifie to the Pope the conditions whereon he was contented to make an accord who soone returned with an answere The Pope hauing contrary to his custome patiently heard the articles propounded by the Lord of Chaumont together with the entreaties of the Cardinalls who besought him with incredible affection to compound howsoeuer did greatly complaine for that they propounded ouer hard conditions to him and seeming greatly to doubt hee spent that day without declaring what his intent was But the arriuall of Chiapin vitelli at Bolognia with six hundred light horse of the Venetians with a squadron of Turkes whome they kept in pay did encrease his hope The Lord of Chaumont came the day following with his whole army and quartered it at the bridge of Rene three miles from Bolognia whether the Ambassadors of the Emperor and the Kings of England and Arragon came to see him who returned diuers times the same day and with them Albert Pico toward the Pope and the Lord of Chaumont But the disposition of either of them was much changed For the Pope had taken courage perceiuing the people of Bolognia freely to shew themselues in the Churches behalfe and that besides these companies that were arriued he expected the same day two hundred Stradiots from the Venetians Fabricio Colonna with two hundred light horse and certaine Spanish men at Armes On the contrary the Lord of Chaumont beganne to distrust the getting of the victory perceauing that the people did not rise in fauour of the Bentiuoles as they had promised him and that he began to want victualls the which was likely to grow greater euery day The Pope by meanes here of beginning againe his vsuall braues answered vpon new conditions of peace which were propounded That there was no meanes to come to an agreement vnlesse the French Kinge would be bound wholy to giue ouer the defence of Ferrara where-vpon the whole businesse remaining imperfect the Lord of Chaumont departed thence as wel by reason of the want of victualls which were greatly diminished as because he dispaired of doing any good either by armes or by treaties of peace and returned to Castel-Franco and the next day to Rubiero making shew that hee did it to giue the Pope time to thinke on what he had propounded and for him selfe to vnderstand the Kings pleasure The Pope being extreamely incensed against the king so soone as the Lord of Chaumont was departed complained of the king told the Ambassadors that he would no more giue eare to peace vnlesse Ferrara were first of all yeelded to him where-vpon he leuied new forces and incited the Venetians to send part of their forces to Modena to ioyne with his to molest Ferrara with the other part promising to himselfe in a short space to take Regio Rubiera and Ferrara If the forces of the Pope the Venetians and the Spanish lances vnited together had forth with marched against the French it was cerrenly thought that the Lord of Chaumont would haue forsaken Regio but their delay encoraged him and caused him to leuie new companies of foote in sted of those whome hee had cassed at his discamping from before Bolognia Whilest the Popes army and that of his associates did temporise neere to Modena the Duke of Ferrara with the French companies which were commanded by the Lord Castillon encamped on the Po iust opposite to the Venetian companies who lay on the farther side of the riuer they making a retreate were assailed by diuers boates of Ferrara and by the Dukes ordnance which sanke eight of their vessells and the residew hardly escaped On the other side the Popes army commanded by Fabricio Colonna in the absence of the Marquis of Mantua did beseege Sassuola the which being beaten with the artillery was taken by assault and the Castle within a while after Sassuola beeing taken the Pope would haue Montechia a very strong place to be beseeged but Fabricio Collonna would not do it saying that his King had expresly
the assaillants and who are in the field for the conquest of Ferrara to seeke to assaill vs and our Captaines whose part is to defend ought not to attempt to assaill them contrary to all rules of Martiall discipline But let vs consider what aduantage wee haue or what necessity inforceth vs to it It seemeth vnto me and I doe not altogeter deceiue my selfe that it is a matter very apparent that wee cannot do what the Duke of Ferrara propoundeth but with our great disaduantage because we cannot goe to that place but by a causey and by a very narrow and bad way where all our forces cannot display them-selues and where the enemies may very well with small forces resist a greater number Wee must march vpon the causie one horse after another and wee must bring the artillery carriage wagons and bridges ouer this narrow causie And who is it that knowes not that in a straight and foule way euery peece of ordnance euery waggon that shall sticke fast in the mire will for a large houres space cause the whole army to make a stand And that being pestred with so many incombrances euery contrary accident will easily disorder vs The enemies are driely lodged furnished with victuals and forage we shal in a manner encampe in the open ayre forrage is to be brought after vs and we shall not be able but with great labour to bring the one halfe of that we shall need We must not referre our selues to that which ingeners saie and to husbandmen which know the Countrey Because warres are managed by soldiers armes and by Captaines Councels They are made by fighting in the field and not by proiects which those that are ignorant of warres do figure forth in paper or describe with their fingers or with a stick in the dust As for my selfe I doe not presuppose that the enemies areso weake noâ—… their affaires in such disorder nor that in their lodging and fortification they haue had so smal skill as not to helpe themselues by the opportunity of the waters and sytuations as I can promise to my selfe that so soone as we shal be com to the place whether we make account to go their we could with ease ariue ther that it lyeth in our power to assaile them Sundry difficulties may enforce vs to tary ther two or thre daies and if there were none other let the snow and rayne falling in so bad a season will stay vs And besides how should we prouide victuals and forage if it should fall out that we were to carry there And though it were in our power to assaile them who is he that can so easily promise to himselfe the victory Who is it which considereth not how dangerous a matter it is to deale with enemies that are strongly encamped and to haue to doe at one time with them and with the discomodities of the contries situation Vnlesse we can be able on a sodaine to to enforce them thence we our selues shall be constrained to returne back And how hard a matter will it be in a country which is wholly our enemie and where euery small mishap will prooue very great Besides I see small reason to put the Kings whole state in such precipitate danger seeing we are chiefly in action for no other matter but for to releeue the Citty of Ferrara of which if we furnish it with a stronger garrison we may be assured yea although we should breake vp out army for it is thought to be so much consumed as if the enemies waight on ita little longer it is impossible but it wil shortly fall of it selfe Is it not yet in our power to turne back a most mighty remedy in warre whereby without hazarding any one horse we will enforce them to depart from before Ferrara I haue euer councelled and now councell more then euer to turne towards Modena or Bolognia keeping the broad way and to fortefie Ferrara for a few dayes for it will not be long with all thinges necessary Now in mine opinion it is best to go forthwith to Modena wherevnto the Cardinall of Este doth prouoke vs who is a personage of great state in which Towne he doth assure vs to haue intelligence and that we may easily take it For by winning a place of so great importance the enemies shal be enforced to retire on a sodaine towards Bolognia And although we should not take Modena yet the feare which would possesse the enemies as wel for that as for the state of Bolognia will constrayne them to doe the like as without al doubt they would long ere this haue done if at the first this oppinion had beene followed The great reasons of this wise Captaine was approoued by al men by meanes wherof the Lord of Chaumont hauing strongly man'd Ferrara with soldiers for her safety held on his way towards Carpy from thence to march to Modena But the Pope by the king of Arragons councell hauing restored it to the Emperour to auoid so many discontents and to quiet his mind which was displeased for that the Pope had seased on it it being euer accounted a Citty of the iurisdiction of the Empire was cause that the Lord of Chaumont being certefied of this restauration desisted from his enterprise who within a while after falling sick was brought to Corregia where fifteene dayes after he dyed hauing before his death very deuoutly adknowledged the faults which he had committed against the Church and besought the Pope to giue him absolution the which hee freely graunted By his death Iohn Iames Triuulce gouerned the Army because hee was one of the foure Marshalls of France vnto whome the Generall of the Army beeing dead the gouernment belongeth by the customes of France vntill the King hath other-wised disposed thereof There happened at the same time a great Earth-quake in Venice whereby part of the walls of the Ducall pallace fel downe with the Marble statues in Saint Markes Church which had beene set vp for the beautifing of the building the stâ—…ples of Churches were shaken and the Bells range of them-selues The waters of the canalâ—… did swell diuers houses and chimneis fell downe wherewith infinite numbers of people were slaine sundry women with child dyed But Gods pleasure was that it lasted not long wherevpon the Patriarks commanded prayers to be made ouer all the Citty with fasting for three daies space with bread and water The like Earth-quake happened soone after at Padua Treuiso Vdina and in other places and territories belonging to the common wealth Now Triâ—…ulcio commanding the Army returned with all his forces to Sâ—…rmidi to goe to releeue the Bastid Geniuola which the Popes Army beseeged and whether the Venetian fleete was going But he went on no farther hauing notice in that place that the Duke of Ferrara with the Lord Chastillon and the French forces were gone forth with great numbers of soldiours and had defeated the enemies whome they found in disorder and
taken their enseignes and Artillery During these warlike exploits the deseignes of the Princes were sundry and vncertaine especially those of the Emperor who being by nature variable and inconstant and solicited by the Kings of Arragon an enemy to the French name and iealous of the French Kings greatnesse determined to listen to peace notwithstanding that he had concluded before with the French King by meanes of the Bishoppe of Gurcia to make warre withall his might on the Venetians at the spring and to this end wrot at one time to the Pope and the French King that he was resolued to send the Bishop of Gurcia to Mantua to treate of an vniuersall peace requesting them to send their Ambassadors thether likewise with full and ample power hee wrot nothing to the Venetians knowing that they would doe what-so-euer pleased the Pope whose authority they were enforced to follow This aduice pleased the Pope vpon hope to reconcile the Venetians to him and to disunite them from the French King whereat he cheefely aimed But the King was not contented with such an vnhoped for determination as well for feare of the determination of matters concluded with him as also for the doubt he had that the Pope thorow faire promises to aide him in the conquest of the Dutchy of Milan and to giue a Cardialls Hat to the Bishoppe of Gurcia might separare him from his party He was well assured that it was the practises of the King of Arragon and knâ—…w very well that his Ambassador with the Emperor had labored and did openly labour for the agreement betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians and did vse diuers other practizes to contradict his deseignes and among others did hotly oppose him-selfe against the conuocation of a generall councell vnder collour of curtesie and caused the King his Maister to bee earnest with him to make peace with the Pope making in a manner a silent protestation to take Armes in the Popes behalfe if hee did not agree with him The French King dissembling all these dealings because hee would giue the Emperour no cause of discontent resolued to send the Bishoppe of Paris to Mantâ—… and in the meane time aduertised Iohn Iames Triâ—…lce that his pleasure was to haue him to command the army but that he should not assaile the Churches state till the Bishop of Gurcia were arriued Triuulcio vpon this command turned his forces against the Venetians and came to Stellata then passing on farther he surprized certaine Venetian cauallery and sent Gaston of Foix son to a sister of the kings being yet very yong with a hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and fiue hundred foot to scoure euen to the enemies barriers who did put those that kept them to flight and made them to retire to a strong place beyond the channel In the meane space the Bishop of Gurcia came to Mantua but later then hee was expected where within a while after the Bishop of Paris arriued The Pope entreated the Bishop of Gurcia to come and visit him hoping by his presence and authority and by faire promises to winne him The Bishop after diuers difficulties propounded and wel debated on being solicited by the king of Arragons Ambassadors consented therevnto on condition that the Bishop of Paris should stay at Parma and expect what would fall out by his iourney The Bishop of Gurcia arriuing at Bolognia whether the Pope was of purpose come to receiue him there was so great honour done vnto him as a King could not be entertained with greater magnificence the Venetians Ambassador neere to the Pope went to the city gates to meet him vsing signes of very great submission but the Bishop turning from him with merueilous pride and disdaine shewed great discontent because that â—…epresenting the enemies of the Emperour his master he had beene so bould as to come before him That being done he went with great pompe to the Consistory where the Pope accompanied by all the Cardinals staied for him And hauing breefly declared the causes of his comming into Italy he returned to his lodging The next day with great arrogancy he conferred of diuers matters with the Pope and especially that if the Venetians did mean to haue peace with the Emperor it behooued them in any case to restore whatsoeuer they deteined which did belong to the Empire Yet neuerthelesse they beganne after to treat of agreement betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians where at the first diuers difficulties were made on both sides at the last after long disputation each party cutting off some peeces of the hard conditions propounded by them it was thought that by the mediation of the King of Arragons Ambassadors they would come to an agreement But so soone as they beganne to speake of reconciling the Pope to the French King betwixt whom appeared none other contention but concerning the Duke of Ferrara and that the Bishop of Gurcia went to the Pope to make an end thereof because without that the Emperour would conclude nothing the Pope did sodainely interrupt him requesting him to hold on with the Venetians and not to talke of the affaires of Ferrara being in a manner desirous to incite the Emperor against the French whereupon the Bishop of Gurcia tooke his leaue and without effecting any thing returned from whence he came Triuulcio perceiuing the departure of the Bishop of Gurcia and by that meanes all hope of peace being lost came into the field and beseeged Concordia which he tooke the same day and then marched towards Bomport a village seated on the Riuer Panare that he might be nere the enemies to the end that by cutting off their victuals he might enforce them to dislodge or to fight forth of their campe Entring into the country of Modena he vnderstood that Iohn Paul Manfron was with three hundred light horse of the Venetians at Massa nere to Finall he sent Gaston de Foix thither with three hundred foot and fiue hundred horse who found Iohn Paul Manfron at a bridge in order of battaile to stoppe his passage but being forsaken by his owne souldiers hee was taken prisoner by the French with some others Triuulcio found meanes to passe the Channell to assaile the enemies who durst not tarry his comming The Channell being passed he foorded Panare without impediment in a very broad place and where the water is not deepe and marched towards Plumacia three miles off from the enemies army which was the cause that Castel-franco yeelded to him He was there in great doubt what to doe for on the one side he would willingly haue assailed Bolognia if he had beene certaine that the people would haue taken armes in the Bentiuoles behalfe on the other side he feared if he should come thither vpon hope only of a popular commotion to be enforced forth-with to depart thence as the Lord of Chaumont had done to his great disgrace At the last he determined
death beganne extreamely to greeue and lament as well for that he had lost a Cardinall whom he loued decrely as also because so high a dignity had beene violated in a manner before his face and by his owne Nephew wherevpon he determined to stay no longer there but to returne to Rome Being departed from Rauenna he vnderstood by the way that sundry libels had beene set vp on the publike places of Modena and Bolognia by which notice was giuen him of the conuocation of the Generall Councell in the city of Pisa whether hee was cited to appeare in person because hee was accounted vnfit to gouerne the Papacy being Author of all the warres The Pope being come to Rome did forthwith excommunicate the Bolognois vnlesse they did returne to the obedience of the Sea Apostolike Within a while after there happened a great tempest with haile of such vnmeasurable bignesse as the like had neuer beene seene at Bolognia which did spoile and beate downe the fruites of the territory neere adioyning the common people thought that it was a diuine punishment by reason of the Popes censure Now al be-it it was in the French Kings power after this victory to haue taken Rome the Popes forces being greatly weakened and dispersed and those of the Venetians much more he neuerthelesse commanded Triuulcio that leauing Bolognia to the gard of the Bentiuoles he should with his army returne speedily into the Dutchy of Milan thinking that the Pope being freed from the suspition which he had causelesse conceiued of him would be drawne to desire peace the treaty whereof had neuer yet beene wholy broken off But so soone as the Pope perceiued the army to be re-called into the Dutchy of Milan he tooke courage and propounded by the Scottish Ambassador whom for that purpose he had sent to the French King at his departure from Bolognia very hard and greeuous conditions of peace the which neuerthelesse the King for the great desire he had to be at peace with him was content to accept of if the Pope vpon his returne to Rome had not changed his minde thorow the perswasion of the King of Arragon For then he made answere that he would haue no peace vnlesse the Venetians would make an accord with the Emperor adding diuers other excessiue demands which did so greatly mooue the Kings spirit as he determined to hinder his recouery of Bolognia the which he tooke into his owne protection with the Bentiuoles likewise and sent foure hundred Launces thither Then because he would still continue in his alliance with the Emperor he commanded that the number of souldiers granted to the bishop of Gurcia should goe from the Dutchy of Milan to the succour of the Emperors lands vnder the command of the Lord de la Palisse The Emperour had a great desire to make warre on the Venetians but considering the great preparations which he was to make especially for the taking of Padua without which he knew he could doe no great matter he was in a manner ready to agree with them so as being tossed vp and downe by diuers thoughts he spent the time in vaine without executing any enterprize promising from day to day to come in person into Italy or to send his forces thither The Venetians in the meane time finding themselues to weake to take Verona and being encamped betwixt Soaua and Loniga they burnt in a night a great part of the Veronois But hauing intelligence of the comming of the Lord of La Palisse with twelue hundred Launces and eight thousand foot they retired into a stronge place towards Legnaga and Vincenza from whence likewise they dislodged and put themselues into Padua and Treuiso for the defence of which cities diuers Venetian yong gentlemen came thether from Venice The French army tarried diuers daies at the bridge of Barbarana expecting the Emperours comming or his resolution who being come betwixt Trent and Rouero being irresolute after his wonted manner what to doe after he had giuen audience to the Venetian Ambassadours with whom he daily conferred he solicited the Lord of La Palisse to goe and take the Pace of Castel-nouo which is beneath Escalla towards the Friul to make his comming downe more easie on that side The which the Lord La Palisse did brauely execute and then retired to Escalla But the Emperor hauing altered his determinatiō in stead of enuading what the Venetians held on the firme land and going to beseege Rome retired to Trent determining to go no more to the army commanded the Asmains to enter into the Friul where they took Vdina with the whole Prouince thē they returned to ioyne with the Lord of La Palisse who lay within fiue miles of Treuiso the which the Emperor would haue to be assaulted but being well sortified on euery side they found it most expedient speedily to retire the which they did Wherevpon the Lord of La Palisse did soone after returne into the Dutchy of Milan by his Kings command in regard of the Swisses new stirres and confederacies which did dayly encrease The Venetian Stradio◅s did follow him at the heeles hoping to endamage him at his passage ouer the Brente and the Adissa but he found meanes safely to crosse them His departure was cause that Iohn Paul Baillon Generall to the Venetians by the death of Luke Malueze did recouer all that they had lost the same Summet as well nere to Vincenza as in Friul Gradisca excepted In these kindes of warlike exploits was that Summer spent to the Emperours great disgrace and to the encrease of the Venetians reputation who notwithstanding the Emperours and the French Kings armies against them for the space of two yeeres did in the end still retaine their owne forces and signories and al-be-it that it was directly against the Emperour it was neuerthelesse much more hurtfull to the French King For the Emperour by reason he wanted aide perceiuing himselfe to weake to obtaine the desired victory did willingly harken to those who perswaded him to be friends with the Venetians so as already men beganne to perceiue that new deseignes were begotten in his minde The Pope in the meane time hauing made shew that he would come to an agreement with the French King did at last declare himselfe openly against him and made a confederacy with the Catholike King and the Venetians to preserue as he said the vnion of the Church to root out the Conuenticle for so he termed it of Pisa and to recouer the city of Bolognia with all the other townes which mediately or immediatly did belong to the Church therein comprehending the city of Ferrara that they would attempt with a mighty army to driue all those out of Italy who should oppugne it leauing place to the Emperor to enter if he pleased into this confederacy being desirous to disunite him from the French King Don Raymond de Cardona borne in Cattalognia and at that time viceroy of
Naples was made Generall of their army who by their agreement was to haue two thousand foure hundred men at armes two thousand fiue hundred light horse and foure and twenty thousand foote namely for the Popes part foure hundred men at armes fiue hundred light horse and sixe thousand foot from the Senate of Venice eight hundred men at armes a thousand light horse and eight thousand foot and from the King of Arragon twelue hundred men at armes a thousand light horse and tenne thousand foot This confederacy was made vnder collour to free Italy from the Barbarians a very speciall title which all men interpreted according to their iudgement and passion Gaston of Foix was made viceroy in the Dutchy of Milan and in the army who hauing intelligence of the Swisses preparations for their comming downe by meanes of the Pope and his confederates into the Dutchy of Milan caused all the victuals of the Dutchy to be shut vp in the fortes and castles and placed strong Garrison in the neighbour cities hoping that the men at armes would be able to make head against them in the plaines and by that meanes soone enforce them to returne if they should come into the field The Swisses neuerthelesse were not daunted with these difficulties But being come downe to Varesa their number did daily increase bringing with them seuen field peeces and diuers great Harquebuzes carried on horse-backe with some prouision of victuals They sent a trumpet from Varesa to defie the Kings Lieutenant who only to keepe victuals from them was come to Assaron a place thirteene miles distant from Milan From Varesa they came to Galera being tenne thousand in number and Gaston of Foix did put himselfe into Legnana foure miles from Galera Then being increased to the number of sixteene thousand they came to Busti where a hundred French men at armes lay in Garrison who hardly escaped from them loosing their baggage and some of their horses by meanes whereof the French which still retired as the Swisses aduanced came and quartered themselues in the suburbes of Milan within two miles whereof the Swisses were come but wondering that they heard no newes from the Pope nor from the Venetian army as it was knowne by letters intercepted which they sent to their Lords certaine daies after they retired towards Coma and from thence returned home into their countrey Whilest they were retiring two posts arriued from the Pope and the Venetians wherevpon it was thought of a certaine that if they had come sooner the Swisses had not returned But they being gone as hath beene said the Spaniards and the Popes forces entred into Romagnia whereall that which the Duke of Ferrara possessed did forthwith yeeld vnto them the Bastion of La Fossa and the foord of Geniuola excepted Petro of Nauarre Colonel of the Spanish Infantery till such time as all their companies were come together came and beseeged the Bastide and hauing battered it with three peeces of ordnance and giuen it an assault he tooke it the third day after his arriuall where al the footmen that were in it were slain with Vestâ—…tello their captaine Pedro of Nauarte leauing two hundred foot there returned to the vicerois army but the Duke of Ferrara going thither afterwards with nine great peeces of ordnance did so suriously assaile it as he recouered it the very same day where all those who were within it with their captaine were slaine in reuenge of the death of his souldiers The confederates army namely that of the Pope and the King of Arragon to the number of eighteene hundred men at armes eight hundred Genets eight hundred light horse and sixteene thousand foot as well Spaniards as Italians aboundantly furnished with munition the most of them being come forth of the Realme of Naples determined to encampe before Bolognia The Venetian army on the other side being come vpon the Marches of Verona seemed to threaten the city of Bresâ—…ia Now the viceroy Generall to the Pope and the Spaniards caused his army to march and came and incamped betwixt the Riuer Adicé and Bolognia where hauing giuen order for matters necessary to beseege it he drew nere to the walles quartering and extending the most part of his army betwixt the hill and the high way which goeth from Bolognia into Romagnia in regard of the commodity of victuals which came from thence and seized on Saint Michels Monastery which is very nere to the city seated on an high place and which doth in a manner command the towne Within the city beside the people which did beare armes and certaine companies of horse and foot paied by the Bentiuoles Gaston of Foix had sent thither two thousand Lansequenets and two hundred Launces commanded by Odet of Foix Lord of Lautrect and â—…ues of Alegre two famous captaines and with them were the captaines Fayete and Vincent surnamed the great Diuell who vpon the assurance made to them by Gaston of Foix to releeue them did freely enter it in regard of the Cities large circuit Yet neuerthelesse they began to be bold when they perceiued the enemies small progression who were nine daies before the walles and enterprized nothing but onely made certaine idle Coluerine shot from Saint Michels Monastery into the city but they sodainely abstained perceiuing very well that they spent their munition vnproffitably They were diuers daies determining on what side to batter the city especially to keepe releefe from it and after diuers and sundry opinions they resolued to assaile it on that side nere to Saint Stephens Gate by which men goe to Florence and the artillery was planted within thirty fadom of the walles Pedro of Nauarre on the other side made a mine drawing towards the gate of Chastillon in a place where within was a little chappel called Baracane The Artillery hauing begunne to play did in foure and twenty houres space beate downe an hundred fathom of the wall with the tower of the gate the which was abandoned by reason it could be no longer defended so as the assault might be easily giuen on that side and in the meane time they câ—…used bridges of wood to be made and filled the dike with fagots to come with more ease to the assault The miue being finished they gaue fire to it which with merucilous force did in such sort blow vp the wall and the chappell as in that space those without the towne did plainely discerne those within the city with the souldiers who stood ready for defence but the whole wall falling downe againe on a sodaine did light in the very selfe same place from whence the violence of the fire had forced it and was in such sort 〈◊〉 to the selfe same foundations as one would haue thought that it had neuer stir'd â—…rom thence which was accounted by all the people for a strange miracle The captaines within the towne perceiuing the enemies preparations before the mine was fired
Now the Rendezuous for all the Kings troupes was at Suza from thence to march with ease into Italy vnder the conduct of the Lord of La Tremouille albeit the warre was managed by Iohn Iames Trivulce a man of great repute for his excellent skill in martiall discipline The report was that there were twenty thousand soldiours in the Kings Army The Venetians had for their parts eight thousand foot-men twelue hundred men at armes and fiue hundred light horse with greate store of munition and ordnance Dominico Contaren and Andre Loredan were prouidators of the army and Bartilmeo Aluiana Generall in the Count Pettillans sted who was deceased Hee beeing come to the Army which lay on the bankes of Adice sent to the Senate to know if hee should passe on farther whilst the enemies were vnprouided of all aide and succour and their townes without garrisons The Senate beeing assembled therevpon after â—…undry opinions decreed that their Armie should not passe the Po nor Adda referring the rest to the pleasure and discretion of their General according as he should think it fit For the Senate had as yet receiued no certaine newes whether the French Armie had passed the Alpes wherevpon they thought it not discretion to abandon their state to the enemies mercy or to send their Army into any place from whence if matters should fall out vnfortunately they should not bee able to withdraw it But Aluiana beeing full of courage and desirous to exploite some gallant enterprise if occasion should fitly serue resolued without delay tâ—… passe ouer and first of all tooke his way directly towards Verona hoping for to winne it Pandolfo Malateste commanded for the Emperour in one of the Fortes of the Citty Hee with certaine of the Townsmen had practised to giue him entrance But the next day fiue hundred Lansquenets entred Verona by the Riuer Adicé and the matter beeing discouered Aluiana perceiuing that the Citty could not bee easily forced and that it would aske much time to besiege it did on a sodaine march towards Cremona and by the way made him-selfe maister of Valegia and of the Forte of Piscara two strong and commodious places for the Venetians in respect of their situation Vpon report of Aluiana his comming a great tumult was raised in Cremona those which were of the contrary faction forsooke the towne and the others without contradiction did receiue Aluiana into the citty who being entred he did sodainly disarme Caesar Fieramosca who lay there in garrison with three hundred horse and fiue hundred foot of the Duke of Milans Hee needed not to spend any time for the recouery of the castle by reason it was euer held for the French King Wherevpon hee forth with erected the French Kings banner saying That hee did receiue the Citty for and in the name of the French King for whom Theodore Triuulce his Ambassador was there present in the Venetian Armie Hee went afterwards to Pisquetona Sonzino Lodi and other places neere adioyning hauing already by the change of Cremona erected the French Kings Banners But on the Verona and Vincentine territories the Venetians affaires were differently managed For so soone as Aluiana was departed with his Armie Rocandolphe Captaine of the Lansquenets and Frederick Gonsaluo of Bossola comming forth of Verona with sixe hundred horse and two thousand foote went to Saint Boniface where Aluiana had left vnder the command of Sigismond Cauallo and Iohn Fortino three hundred light horse and six hundred foote who beeing scattered heere and there vpon newes of the enemies comming fled to Colognia and were so neerely pursued by the Lansquenets who entered the towne by force as they were all taken prisoners and the towne beeing sacked and burnt they returned to Verona laden with spoile The enemies for this exploit waxing more prowd and insolent foure thousand foote and fiue hundred horse sallied forth of Verona for to assaile Vincenza whereof Iohn Paull Manfron the Citties Gouernour hauing intelligence hee caused great numbers of peasants on a sodaine to enter into the Citty and did so carefully prouide for the rest as the enemies hope beeing frustrate hauing spoyled the countrey round about they were enforced to returne to Verona But during these exploites on the Veronois and Vincentine territories the whole Dutchie of Milan was in vprore and Armes There was no Towne Village not Castle but did rise and take armes vpon the comming of the Venetian Armie vpon the report that was spredde that the French had passed the Alpes for albeit that the people of Milan wearied with the French gouernment had desired the returne of the Sforzas their antient Lords yet neuerâ—…helesse hauing not by their returne obtained the liberty and freedome which they hoped for but on the contrary all discommodities and charges they changed their mindes and desired the returne of the French Many likewise enemies to the quiet of other poore banished men or mooued by the diuersity of factions did fauour the French In regarde whereof the Earle of Manâ—…oc sonne to Iohn Iames Triuulce riding vp and downe the Champaine countrey of the Dutchy of Milan to stirre them vp to commotions found it no hard matter to make them to reuolt and to take armes Maximillian Sforza beeing daunted thereat not knowing whereon to resolue perceiuing all things to tend to his ruine thought it most expedient for his safety and escape and for the tryall of his latest fortune to retire with certaine horse to Nouara where he vnderstood some Suisses were arriued resoluing there to tarry for the rest who in great numbers were comming down for the defence of his state Those of Milan seeing them-selues to bee without garrison and without a Captaine that their well fortified Castle held for the French and that the Venetians Army did approach some of them beeing stirred vp with hope oâ—… better fortune others with feare and distrust thought it fit to yeeld to the French and to that end to send an Ambassador to the Venetian Generall who hauing made a bridge ouer the Adda threatned that hee would shortly bee with them The French on the other side with whom Andrè Gritti was in quality of Ambassador for the Signory entred Italy tooke diuerse townes and castles some by assault and others by a voluntary redition so as the state of Milan beeing enuaded by two mighty armies French and Venetian was in short space reduced vnder the French gouernment Two Citties onely held out for Maximillian Nouara and Coma. The Venetians for these so fortunate attempts did promise to them-selues a glorious end of this warre for their armie had gotten such reputation by the the taking of Cremona as Ranze de Cera going with a troope of Soldiers to recouer Bressia it was yeelded vnto him vpon the first summons by reason that the Spanish Soldiers who lay there in garrison beeing frighted at his comming retired into the Castle There was but one onely
who leauing the realme freed from the feare of warre were ready to passe the mounts For neither the Spaniards nor Swisses did euer goe according to their treaty of Confederacy the one to enuade Burgondy and the other the confines neere to Spaine but the Swisses went and encamped at Suze Pigneroll and Salusses to stop the entry of the French into Piedmont and the Spaniards kept himselfe in Lombardy with the Popes troopes of whom Iuliano de medicis his brother was Generall The French then marched forewards on the fifteenth day of Iuly towards the Alpes and being come to Grenoble they were enforced to make some stay there to resolue vpon their way they were to hold for all the waies were so difficult as well in regard of the nature of the places as for the gard in them that it was impossible to possible to passe without danger if they would goe the ordinary high way which leadeth into Italy by Piedmont the Suisses keeping the narrow passages of the mountaines but there was another way betwixt the sea and Coctian Alpes descending towards the Marquisate of Salusses by which they might carry their ordnance beyond the mounts not without wonderfull difficulty because they could not do it but by the strength of men and engins The King resoluing wholly to passe on howsoeuer would needs goe directly ouer the Alpes whereby the French in three dayes came to the hill of Argentire where taking the way on the left hand and ouercomming all the bad wayes they came on the fourth day vpon the confines of the Marquisate of Salusses without any stop at all because no man would euer haue thought that it had beene possible to bring the Artillery ouer such steepe and sharpe mountaines and the Suisses being lodged at Suza were ready to gard the waies by which they must passe which commeth downe by mount Senis or mont Geneura or the hills neere thereunto But they hauing intelligence that the French had passed by an other way being amazed thereat forsooke those passages and retired to Nouara which gaue hope to the French to be soone able to end that warre and without any great bloodshed to conquer the State of Milan knowing that the Suisses are by nature light-headed seditious mutenous and desirous of nouelty and aboue all thinges very couetous to get money by which meanes the King thought sodainly to winne them Great promises of sommes of money were made to diuers of the cheefest of them if they would preferre the certaine offer that was made them before their first heate of warre and not hazard the vncertainty of a Battaile Wherevpon they were desirous to returne home and in a brauery demanding their pay they forsooke their Ensignes and refused to obey the commandements of their Generall and other their Captaines alledging for excuse of their alteration that the affaires of the French at their entry into Italy had prosperously succeeded and how on the contrary whatsoeuer the Suisses had vndertaken had redounded to their shame and losse and therefore they were minded to depart and no longer to draw out the warre at length The French in the meane time hauing passed the mounts the Lord La Palisse came speedily with foure Cornets of light horse beeing lead by people of the Countrey to Villa Franca a towne seauen miles distant from Salusses where Prospero Colonna with his company was lodged not doubting any thing by reason of the great distance of the enemies from whence some said that he would depart the same day to ioyne with the Suisses It is neuerthelesse certaine that he sate at meate and dined at such time as La Palisse his souldiers arriued who were not descryed by any before they came neere the house because those of the towne with whom La Palisse had intelligence concerning that great booty had already secretly agreed to keepe them-selues very quiet and had seazed on the scoutes and Sentinels Prospero Colonna that famous Captaine was thus taken prisoner and Petro Margare the Romaine with him others at the first noyce saued themselues and escaped by flight The passage of the French and the taking of Prospero Colonna did change all mens mindes and altogether the whole state of the affaires causing new alteration in the mindes of the Pope the viceroy of Naples and the Suisses For the Pope perceiuing that the King had passed contrary to his hope and that Prospero Colonna was taken prisoner in whome hee cheefely trusted hee commanded his Nephew Lorenzo Generall to the Florentines in sted of his brother Iulian who lay sicke at Florence to proceed slowly then hee secretly dispatcht Cintio his familliar friend to the French King to excuse him for what had passed and to begin to treate with him if so bee it should fall out badly for the Dutchy of Milan The Viceroy of Naples likewise carried him-selfe other-wise then he had done For remayning still at Verona expecting meanes to cause his soldiours to march and new companies promised by the Emperor to leaue in Verona and Bressia he with these excuses began to deferre his departure because he would first see what would become of the Dutchy of Milan The Swisses in like manner beeing amazed at the Kings passage came on a sodaine to Pignarol and from thence to Nouara as hath beene said where they beganne to treate of agreement with the King In the meane time all the French troopes being reunited at Thurin the King went to Verceill where he stayed many daies expecting what would become of the treaty with the Swisses who shewed them-selues full of variety and confusion For they beganne to mutine in Nouara where they lay because they had not yet receaued the mony which the King of Arragon had promised them and they did perforce take the mony from the commissaries which the Pope had sent them And in this fury they departed from Nouara to returne home into their country the which many of them did greatly desire to doe but they were scarce gon from Nouara ere the King of Arragons mony was brought thither wherevpon being better aduised they redeliuered the Popes mony that they might receaue both the one and the other according to the vsuall manner by the hands of the commissaries The King perceiuing his hope of agreement with the Swisses to decay by meanes of these Variations and by the comming of other new companies forth of Swisserland departed from Verceill intending to goe and beseege Milan leauing at Verceill with the Duke of Sauoy the Dukes bastard brother the Lord of Lautrec the General of Milan to continew the treaty begun with the Swisses Diuers armies were in the field as well for defence as to assail but in such manner as they were seperated in soundry places not being able to ioyne together because the enemies lay betweene them and home by meanes whereof the King being desirous to ioyne with Aluiana departed from Bufalore and being come with his
neuerthelesse forthwith put on their Armor made ready their horses and all other things needfull for a battaile then hauing taken courage they placed themselues vnder their enseignes and opened them-selues more at large Their whole Army was deuided into three parts The Duke of Bourbon lead the Vant-gard accompanied by the Lord of Talamont sonne to Trimouille Iohn Iacomo Triuulcio Pedro of Nauarre and other famous Captaines with all the Almaines Gascons and French In the battaile was the King about whom were the greatest part of the men at armes and a choyce troope of Almaine souldiers with the Dukes of Lorraine and Albany the Lord Trimouille Francis of Bourbon Count of Saint Paul Odet of Foix Lord of Lautrech and diuerse others The Duke of Alançon conducted the rere-ward with the Lords La Palisse and Aubigni and the residue of the Cauallery The Suisses in the meane time hauing left certaine companies of Soldiers vpon the rere-ward had made of their whole Army but one body which was very strong and beeing well closed together they went on furiously that they might the better seaze on the Artillery and gaue in vpon the Lansqnenets who were at the front of the French Armie These men suspecting that the French according to the common report were agreed with the Suisses and that they came only to assaile them in regard of the deadly hatred betwixt these two Nations opened them-selues and suffered the first charge of the Suisses who came furioufly vpon them to passe on where-vpon they went directly towards the Artillery which beeing perceiued by Pedro of Nauarre hee on a sodaine called vp his troopes and caused them to keepe the place appointed to the Lansque nets whereby the enemies passage was soone closed The Cauallery on the other side and the King himselfe who was enuironed with a valiant troope of Gentlemen comming against them their great fury was in some sort cooled and a very cruell battaile beganne the which with diuers euents continewed till fower howers within night certaine French Captaines being already slaine and the King himselfe stricken with diuers pushes of Pikes at the last both sides being so weary as they were able to doe no more did seperate themselues and retired forth of the throng without any commandement or sound of drumme or trompet The Suisses lodged in the very same place expecting day and they suffered one an other on both sides to rest that night as if they had taken truce The King in the meane time did not spend the remainder of the night vnproffitably but assembled his councell to determine what was to be done the day following hee caused the Artillery to be drawne backe and planted in more commodious places hee did reordaine the battaillons of the Lancequenets who promised to amend their former daies fault and to giue sufficient proofe of their faith and loyalty and sent word to Aluiana speedily to come and bring his forces to the battaill So soone as it was day the Swisses went and assailed the French with the selfe same fury of the day before who valliantly receuied them but with more discretion and better order where vpon the Swisses were beaten partly with the artillery and partly with the Gascon Crosbowes and by the horsemen so as they were beaten in Front and in Flanke at such time as Aluiana who was sent for as hath beene sayd arriued with his light horse and with part of his army in the greatest hast he could Hee arriued at such time as the battaile was most closed and most fierce and when matters were in greatest hazard and danger Hee gaue in with great fury vpon the Swisses backes who neuer-the-lesse did still fight valliantly But at last dispairing of the victory as well in regard of the great resistance made against them as by the arriuall of the Venetian army they sounded the retreat and retired with a soft pace towards Milan keeping still their vsuall order with such an amazement to the French army as there was neither horse nor foote-troupes that had the courage to follow them by reason they were much tyred in the battayle hauing fought without intermission from day-breake till none The end of the second Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the third Booke of the fifth Decade COntention among the Swisses being retired to Milan after the battaill Milan and the whole Dutchy is reduced vnder the French obedience The French Kings entry into Milan Aluiana his enterprise on the Citty of Bressia with the Venetian army alone The death of Aluiana and the establishment of Iohn Iames Triuulce in his place The Venetians take Pescara The French are present at the seege of Bressia The Pope maketh motion of peace Parma and Placencia are by the Pope yeelded vp to the French King The enteruiew of the Pope and the French King at Bolognia The Campe dislodgeth from before Bressia Triuulcio giues ouer his charge The Duke of Bourbon Viceroy in the Dutchy of Milan The Lord of Lautrec with the Venetian army comes againe before Bressia The Popes practises to breake the seege of Bressia The Emperor the King of England and the Pope band themselues against the French King Manfron and de Bue are defeated by the Imperialls The Lancequenets are defeated by Fregosa at the Castle of Ansa The Emperor commeth with great forces into Italy and beseegeth Asola The French and Venetian armies retyre to Milan The arriuall of the Swisses at Milan for the King The Emperors shamefull retreate into Almaine and the abandoning of his army King Francis his complaints against the Pope The Lord of Lautrec Gouernor of the Dutchy of Milan beseegeth Bressia the third time Bressiayeeldeth vpon composition Verona after diuers determinations being beseeged in two seuerall places is by the Almains freed from the seege The contents of the treaty of Noyon Verona by the same treaty is yeelded to the Venetians The great ioy of the Venetians together with the Veronois for that redition The Contents of the third Booke of the fifth Decade THE Swisses after the bataill being retired to Mylan a very great contention arose amongst them some of them being desirous to make an agreement with the French King and others to continue still for the defence of Milan Those who demanded the acord making another pretence craued mony of Maximilian Sforza the which they very well knew hee had no meanes to pay but it was onely by that refusall to take an occasion to leaue him the which they did by perswasion of Rost their Colonell leauing fifteene hundred of their countrymen with fiue hundred Italians for the gaâ—…d of the Castle promising Maximillian neuerthelesse to returne to the aide of their fellowes whome they left behind Vpon which promise Maximillian Sforza accompanied by Iohn of Gonzaga and Ieronimo Morone and by other Gentlemen of Milan shut himselfe vp in the Castle The French after the Victory remaining maisters of the field did
with ease reduce vnder their power all the townes of the Dutchy of Milan The Viceroy of Naples who all this while had not stird forth of the Placentyne Territory being out of hope to bee able any longer to gard and defend the state of Milan and fearing besides that the Pope had abandoned the league hee retired into Romagnia and from thence soone after brought backe his army into the realme of Naples The Cardinall of Syon perceiuing him-selfe to bee disgraced among his country-men for the bad successe of the battaill went to the Emperour to solicite aide the like did Francis Duke of Barri brother to Maximillian Sforza The Citty of Milan being thus abandoned gaue itselfe to the French King with entreaties that hee would forget what was past promising to bee euer after more loyall and obedient graunting to pay vnto him a very great summe of mony The King refused to enter into it so long as the enemies held the Castle but the Duke of Burbon came thither to receiue the Citty in the Kings name and gaue speedy charge to Pedro of Nauarre to attempt the taking of the Castle who promised contrary to the opinion of all-men to winne it within a moneth where-vpon hee beganne to batter it with the Canon certaine daies together then according to the vsuall manner hee made mines whereby hee blew vp the walls and towers which were of a wonderfull height Sforza being daunted when hee saw a Case-mate and a part of the wall flying in the aire and being besides ill disposed of his person making vse of the councell of some of his trustiest seruants hee determined to receiue into the Castle Antonio Bratan Doctor of the lawes to make a draught of the agreement and redition of that place which he was resolued to yeeld vp to the French King which imported that Maximilian Sforza should presently consigne to the French King the Castles of Milan and Cremona That he should giue ouer vnto him all his claime to that state and should receiue of the King a certaine somme of money for the paiment of his debts and that he should goe into France where the King should giue him a yeerely pension of thirty thousand Ducats or else should cause him to be made a Cardinall with the like reuenew There were besides diuers Suisses that were in the Castle who were all of them well satisfied and pleased These Articles being accomplished the King entred in great magnificence into the Citty of Milan enuironed with the greatest part of his cauallery Foure Ambassadors of the chiefest Senators of Venice came thither to him namely Vntonio Grâ—…mani Dominico Treuisan George Cornare and Andrew Gritti as well to congratulate him for his victory as to entreat him as hee was tyed by the capitulations of the confederacy to helpe them to recouer their Citties The King after that he had gratiously receiued and entertained them commanded speedily the bastard of Sauoy and Theodore Triuulcio to aid them with six dundred lances and seauen thousand Lancequenets But because they delayed their departure vntill they had seene what would become of the Castle of Milan or else because the King would send the same companies before that of Cremona Aluiana whom the Venetians would not suffer to follow the viceroy marched with his army towards Bressia to trie if he could take it by force according to the Senates direction who desired that all matters being laid aside he should seeke to recouer Bressia and Verona in regard whereof Aluiana hauing passed ouer the riuer Adda marched directly to Bressia the Citty of Bergamo beeing yeelded vnto him presently after the rout of the Suisses Now in the Venetians Campe there was diuersity of opinions among the Captaines some of them thinking it much better to goe first and beseege Verona for diuerse important reasons and cheefely because that beeing taken all the Townes and Castles of the Veronois would soone yeeld the which would not so fall out by the taking of Bressia The Senate at first was of this opinion but because they would not spend the time vainely in that determination they referred that businesse to Aluiana his discretion who because Bressia was neerer to the French Campe hee marched thither hoping to take it with ease for hee thought that Bressia had not so strong a garrison as Verona But Icaro the Spanish Captaine beeing wise and subtill who commanded Bressia hauing intelligence of Aluiana his deseigne had speedily caused a thousand footmen to come thither from Verona with store of victualls and other necessaries to sustaine a seege and had handled it so cunningly as Aluiana had no knowledge thereof who made account so soone as hee should approach the walles to giue an assault in diuers and sundry places But by the sodaine and vnexpected arriuall of the new ayde hee found more resistance there then hee look't for and hauing greatly laboured in his approaches a greeuous feeuer seazed on him which enforced him to leaue the Campe and to retire to Gueda in the Bressan Countrey where hee departed out of this world about the beginning of October in the yeare of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and fifteene not beeing fully three score yeares of age wherewith the Venetians were greatly greeued but the souldiours much more who kept his body fiue and twenty dayes togeather in the Army carrying it with them when they marched in very great solemnity then it was brought to Venice where by a publique decree it was very honorably buried in Saint Steeuens Church where at this day his toombe is to be seene And because he had euer made more esteeme of honor and reputation then of wealth hauing left his wife and children poore the Senate in acknowledgement of his good seruice decreed that euery moneth three score Ducats should be paid to his widdow and as much to a sonne of his foorth of the publicke treasury so long as they should liue hauing giuen them a goodly house in the Citty with exemption from all taxes and impositions and that to euery of his three daughters should be giuen the somme of three thousand Ducats for their Dowry when time should serue After Aluiana his death George Eme the prouidator did for a while command the army The Venetians in the meane time entreated the King to giue them Iohn Iames Triuulce to be Generall of their forces as well in regard of his experience as for his renowne in martiall discipline as also because for the common inclination towards the Guelphe faction there had euer beene good wil and frendship betwixt them and the same Republick Whilest he prepared for his going to the army the Venetian companies tooke Pescara hauing not long before defeated certaine troopes of horse and three hundred Spanish footmen that went to releeue it then they recouered Asola and Lona which the Marquis of Mantua had abandoned Triuulce being arriued at the Venetian Army
the accomplishing of the rest till their enteruiew which by their mutuall consent was concluded to bee at Bolognia The Pope for that purpose departed from Rome and the King from the City of Milan the Venetians Ambassadors did accompany his Maiesty all Italy receiued great contentation by that assembly hoping that it would produce an assured peace to the whole Prouince A legat was sent to the Emperour to treat of agreement betwixt him and the Venetians and to haue him to remit Bressia and Verona to them for a pecuniary recompence The Pope likewise sent a briefe to the Venetians exhorting them vnto peace The Pope and the King being come to Bolognia they couenanted together That the King should take vpon him the protection of the Popes person and the Churches State of Iuliano and Lorenzo de Medicis and the State of Florence That the Pope should cause his forces to leaue Verona and countermand those companies sent to the Emperors aide against the Venetians Diuers other Articles were concluded concerning onely the proffit of either of them In the which treaty hauing continued sixe daies together both of them departed from Bolognia the King thinking that he had done a great matter to haue drawne the Pope to his side and to haue disioyned him from his enemies The King being come to Milan beganne to thinke on his returne to France hauing nothing to detaine him but the desire he had to see the Venetians re-established in their Cities Therefore he commanded to re-enforce the Venetians army which lay before Bressia and had reduced the beseeged to that extremity as all men thought that they would soone yeeld for the Almaines and Spaniards that lay within it had resolued together that if within twenty daies they were not releeued they would yeeld vp the City to the Venetians on these conditions neuerthelesse to depart with displayed Enseignes the drumme beating with the artillery and all their baggage which was the selfe same composition which they had concluded with the Venetians Generall But the Almain succors came and entred the towne before the time agreed vpon was expired The report of the comming of this aide had caused sundry opinions in the army some of the being of opinion to continue the seege others to lead the army elsewhere but the report of the number of the Almaines being greater then the effect and for that they had notice by their spies that Marke Antonio Colonna who was come forth of Verona entred the Mantuā territory made preparations to come and assaile them caused the Venetian captaines who feared that by staying there the enemies might come and enclose them to determine wholy to dislodge and to bring the artillery to Crema and Cremona and the rest of the army to Castlenedulla six miles off from Bressia These newes being brought to Venice did greatly amaze the whole City because they expected rather to haue heard of the taking of the City then of any thing else The Generall and the Prouidatory had written that there was such strong Garrison at all passages as it was impossible that any aide could enter into it which might keepe them backe from obseruing the agreement which they had made and that which caused them most to beleeue it was that the French supplies which were to come to the campe being three thousand Almains and 400 horse were departed from Milan and were on their way towards their campe This did much blemish Triuulcio his reputation whereof he hauing notice craued leaue of the Signory That he might depart saying that the affaires of his owne house called him thence and that he could tarry no longer in their army But the Senate knowing that this mans experience was much important for their affaires vsed meanes to appease him by letters and did entreate the King to cause him to take that charge vpon him but he would by no meanes consent therevnto but returned to Milan Theodore Triuulcio tooke charge of the Venetian army and of the whole mannaging of the warre holding the same authority in the army as Iohn Iames Triuulcio had done al-be-it he had not the name nor degree of captaine Generall The King in the meane time hauing giuen order for his returne into France left the Duke of Burbon for viceroy in the Dutchy of Milan and before his departure he commanded Odet of Foix Lord of Lautrec to carry speedily greater aide to the Venetians and generally to doe all matters for them as if it were for his owne seruice shewing thereby his great affection to the Republike as in all other his speeches and discourses not letting to say that if the Venetians were not wholy restored to their Cities he would returne into Italy with greater forces then before The King being gonne forth of Italy and the Duke of Bourbon tarrying there to command the Dutchy of Milan the Venetians still kept an Ambassador nere to him to sollicite whatsoeuer was needfull for their affaires Andrew Treuisan was sent thither who being come to Milan Andrè Gritti who had remained there after the Kings departure to hasten the supplies went to the army to be Prouidator there in stead of Dominico Contaren that fell sicke and was brought home to Venice At the very same time the Lord of Lautrec came to the army with great forces which did much encrease it so as it seemed that there was no doubt but that Bressia would be taken Now the Pope supposing that this successe did greatly crosse his deseignes sought all meanes to hinder it He propounded truce to draw the matter forth at length hoping to cause the Venetians to condescend to some agreement though it were to their disaduantage by reason of the difficulty to take that City And because he knew that himselfe could doe no good in that businesse for the small credit which the Venetians did giue to his words he determined to make vse of the King of Polands authority whose Ambassador hauing intelligences likewise at Venice he perswaded to reuiue the treaty of peace and to propound to the Venetians that if they would disioyne themselues from the French and allie themselues to the Emperor they might add two goodly Cities to their State Lodi and Cremona because that with the Popes armes the Emperours and their owne being vnited together they might easily expell the French and afterwards by the King of Polands authority obtaine them of the Emperour in guift so as being thus separated from the State of Milan they might for euer after be incorporated to the Venetians demaines Besides this proposition the Pope hoping that by the Generals absence the seege of Bressia might be prolonged wrote to King Francis that it might please him to command the Lord of Lautrec to goe to Rome being desirous to confer with such a man about diuers matters concerning the affaires of Naples to which he knew the King enclined wherevpon he exhorted him to make hast to
beginne the warre on that side seeing that the King of Arragon was dead and that Charles Duke of Burgondy hauing taken vpon him the name of Prince of Castile made himselfe terrible to all those who held any States in Italy and chiefly to himselfe But the Popes cunning being already knowne of a long time caused no great regard to be giuen to his speech The Venetians thus continuing the seege of Bressia without harkening to any truce resolued not to stirre from thence till it was either yeelded vp or taken by force The Emperour who had made warre but slowly the yeere before by his Lieutenants determined to goe thither in person sought all meanes to make new stirres in Italy assembled diuers Diets craued aide made great leauies of soulders and aboue all prouoked the Swisses to take armes to reuenge the death of so many braue men their companions offering to be their captaine and not to abandon them in any trauaile or danger whatsoeuer The King of England made the same request being iealous of the glory and reputation of the French and for that the French King also had taken vpon him the protection of the King of Scots The Pope did no lesse but in more secret manner And all three of them promised good pay to those Swisses that would come shewing them moreouer that the profit which would redound to them by that warre of Italy and by their alliance would bee much greater then their hire The Venetian captaines in the meane time after the arriuall of the Lord of Lautrec did often sit in councel where their opinions were very different saying That there was no great garrison within the towne and that it was besides destitute of all prouision making but small doubt of the seege But this opinion was not receiued by reason of the vnfitnesse of the time which was in the middest of winter when it is not good to discampe and to lead the souldiers to a new faction As also because they thought it meere follie to quit a certenty such as was the taking of Bressia for the vncertaine successe of that which would happen before Verona For they certainely knew that there was in Bressia such want of money corne and al other kind of victuals as it was of necessity soone to be theirs either by agreement or by force and this being verified by diuers it was concluded by a generall consent not to stirre from thence and that the City should be more streightlly looked to In the campe there was plenty of all things for the Senate was carefull to furnish it with all necessaries notwithstanding all the impediments which the enemies vsed against the purueyors which prooued vaine to none effect Marke Antonio Colonna was the man who being lodged at Verona vsed all meanes to cut off victuals from the army and to that end kept great numbers of Spaniards and horse-men at Legnaga which they then possessed so as by little and little the enemies waxed so bold as they came and scoured as farre as the Venetians campe whilest they were busied at their seege The Generall and the Prouidatori thinking if they should endure that indignity it would greatly blemish their reputation sent Iohn Paul Manfron and Marke Antonio Bue with foure hundred men at armes and foure hundred light horse to surprize them but the designe succeeded badly for Colonna being by his spies aduertized of their comming came forth of Verona with six hundred horse and fiue hundred foot and went speedily towards Valegia and met them in the field and comming to handy-stroakes he defeated them At this incounter Iulio son to Iohn Paul Manfron his horse being slaine vnder him in the fight was taken his father fled to Gueda A more prosperous issue had the enterprise of Iano Fregosa Iohn Corardo Visin marching with certaine companies as well of the one as other army to the castle of Anse to stoppe the passage of 3000. Lansequenets for they slue 800. of them and the residew escaped with the mony which they carried into Lodron All these exploits were great but not of any great consequence in comrison of the totall of the warre and of that which happened on report of the Emperors comming into Italy which dayly encreased whereby both the assallants and the beseeged were shaken with diuers hopes and feare The Emperor hauing assembled diuers foot and horse companies prouoked great numbers of Swisses to take armes was on his way to come into Italy intending to enter by the mountaines of Trent and to goe directly towards Verona then to Bressia and leauing strong garrison in both those Cities to passe on into the Dutchy of Milan to expell the French The Pope hauing notice of the Emperours entry into Italy the better to honour him and to acquaint him particularly with his loue towards him created Bernardo de Bibiena Cardinall of Saint Mary in Porticu Legat and sent him to him for that he was euer wont to shew himselfe on the Popes behalfe against the French and to hinder their proceedings But the Venetians beleeuing verily that the Emperour would come into Italy exhorted the French King to prouide for their common affaires and not to suffer the Emperour and the Swisses who enuyed his glory and greatnesse to enioy the fruit of his labour and trauaile and that therefore he should either in person returne againe into Italy with a mighty army or else augment that which he had here already according to the worthinesse of the cause promising for their parts to spare nothing that might auaile him The King knowing that what they said was most true tooke great care not only for the danger wherein he saw the Dutchy of Milan but because he should be enforced to put off his enterprize of Naples till some other time wherevnto he greatly inclined Resoluing neuerthelesse first of all to defend his owne Estates and those of his allies he propounded to the Venetians to wage at their common charge eight thousand Swisses because that he hauing at the same time very opportunely renued his alliance with them it was expresly agreed vpon that it should bee lawfull for the King to draw what number of souldiers he pleased forth of their country The Venetians soone agreed to giue pay to two thousand foot of that Nation and readily to furnish money necessary for other expences of warre And notwithstanding that the publike treasury was much exhausted and the whole City greatly afflicted with so long a warre Yet neuerthelesse there was no want seene in any prouision for the army nor in ought else that concerned the continuance of the warre They made a leauy of foure thousand Italian foot they did encrease their garrisons in the Cities and created two Prouidatori Paul Gradonico and Lodouico Barbaro In the Venetians campe were foure thousand Gascons and fiue hundred men at armes commanded by French captaines but amongst those souldiers
who were particularly vnder the command of Triuulce were seuen thousand foot and about fiue and twenty hundred horse as well men at armes as light horse-men and there staied with the Duke of Bourbon after the Kings departure foure thousand Gascon and Italian foot-men and seuen hundred men at armes Now all these forces being vnited together with the Swisses who were already said to be arriued at Iuree to the number of sixe thousand seemed to be sufficient to defend the State of Milan and to make all the Emperours attempts vaine and vnprofitable al-be-it the report was that his army consisted of fiue and twenty thousand which were no great good souldiers especially the Almaine foot who had beene leauied forth of his countries in hast and his Cauallery was well worse so as his best forces were Swisses whom the Emperour did well not to trust ouer much as well in regard of the Nature of that Nation which is variable and inconstant as for the small loue they beare to the house of Austria so as the Emperours forces being such the common opinion was to march against them as they approched neuerthelesse they resolued on the contrary and the whole army departing from the Bressan Territory came vpon that of Cremona whither the Duke of Bourbon a while before was come with all his Cauallery and foot intending there to stay for the Swisses who were not yet arriued and likewise to stop the enemies from passing on any farther The Emperour being come by Trent to Verona went and encamped before Asola which was garded by an hundred men at armes and foure hundred Venetian foot-men where hauing spent diuers daies to no purpose he was enforced to depart thence and crossed the Riuer Oglio at Orcinouo wherevpon the French and Venetians determined to raise their campe and hauing left three hundred Launces and three thousand foot-men in Cremona they retired on the farther side of the Riuer Adicé resoluing to stop his passage But the French and Venetians were scarce gonne from thence but the whole country which lieth betwixt the Riuers Oglio Po and Adda were at the Emperours deuotion Cremona and Crema excepted the one garded by French and the other by Venetians After that the Emperour had crossed Oglio he drew nere to the riuer Adda to passe it at Pisquetona and finding the passage there to be very difficult he came to Riuolta the French lying at Cassiana on the other side of the Riuer who by reason that the Swisses were not yet arriued and that the Adda might be foorded in many places they marched away the next day to Milan whereby the Lord of Lautrec purchaced small honour who had published and written to the King that he would with ease stop the Emperors passage ouer that Riuer Maximillian being mooued at this retreat crossed the Adda then he pursued his iourney and being come within sixe miles nere to Milan he sent an Herald to summon those of the City threatning the Milanois that if within three daies they did not chace thence the French army he would handle them in worse manner then Frederike Barbarossa his predecessor had done saying that he was come into Italy to receiue according to the custome of his Ancestors one of the markes of the Empire in the City of Milan and to driue thence and forth of all the confines of that State the French as vniust and vnlawfull possessors thereof They answered the Herald according to the pleasure of the French That the State of Milan being in times past a member of the Empire was by the consent of Emperors cut off from it for a summe of money giuen vnto them in regard whereof Emperors could no more lay any claime to it the which was lawfully possessed by Francis the French King as well for that it was his owne inheritance as being likewise wonne by right of armes and therefore that the Milanois would keepe that City for their lawfull Lord vnto whom they had sworne homage and fealty Notwithstanding this braue answere the whole City was filled with great amazement and their determinations were different Some were of opinion to abandon the City despayring of being able to resist the enemies others on the contrary reiecting that councell as too base would not depart but perswaded to tarry still and defend the City and the better to doe it they resolued to retaine all the foot-men in Milan with eight hundred Launces and to distribute the residue for the gard of the neighbour townes Neuerthelesse the first councell had beene followed had not André Gritti and Andrè Treuisan the Prouidators disswaded it who by meanes of their authority procured them not to make so much haste so that as they were ready to depart certaine newes arriued that the day following Albert Peter would be at Milan with ten thousand Swisses and Grisons These newes did encourage the Citizens and souldiers The Emperour in the meane time came and encamped at Lambre two miles from Milan whether he was no sooner come but the Swisses arriued at the City This comming gaue spirit to the French but greater terror to the Emperor For seeing the City to be strengthened with such a garrison he doubted not but that the seege would be long and painefull whereunto he himselfe had no meanes to tarry there long for want of money victuals and all other necessaries for a seege as also for that he did greatly suspect the fidelity of that Nation by reason of matters past and for that the French might easily winne them for some great summe of money the which himselfe could not doe in regard of his pouerty calling to minde beside what had befalne Lodouico Sforza at Nouara there hauing beene Swisses in his army and in that of the French his enemies he feared least they should play him the selfe same tricke as they had don to Sforza because he could not pay them The Emperour beeing troubled with these and other such like cogitations feare hauing mightily possessed him determined to leaue his army and to returne into Germany hauing caused it to be giuen forth that his departure was only to prouide money to pay his souldiers and that he would soone returne againe And in this resolution he went on his way with two hundred horse onely Now the souldiers of the campe perceiuing themselues to be forsaken of their captaine beganne to take a new party as their particular profit vrged them The Swisses went to Lodi which had yeelded to the Emperour when hee crossed the Adda where hauing wasted the country round about they spoiled the towne and had continued their rauaging had not the other Swisses that lay in Milan protested against them that if they did not abstaine from so doing that they with the French and Venetians would come and assaile them Vpon these threatnings they ceassed from spoyling and hauing remained peaceably there for certaine daies they returned home into their country some
excepted who with Marke Setio their captaine went to gard Verona the like did Marke Antonio Colonna with his cauallery and Spanish and Almaine foot Soone after the Emperours departure the Marquis of Brandenbourg came to the campe with certaine summes of money who although he vsed all meanes to stay the souldiers who were already disbanded all things being in confusion and the money likewise not being sufficient for the payment of the whole army hee lost but his labour Amidest these troubles the small loue and affection betwixt the Pope and the French King began to shew it selfe the which till then lay hidden The King complained for that the Pope being mooued with a bad intent had made so long delay to send that aide to the campe which he was tied to by their agreement That he had secretly stirred vp the Swisses against him and had in diuers other matters manifested his small affection towards him The Pope on the other side alleadged diuers causes which had mooued him to suspect the Kings friendship The Venetians did all they might at sundry times to accord these Princes and to take away al suspition from them knowing very well how important a matter it was for the Pope the French King and their Republike to be vnited together Whilest this agreement was handled by Ambassadors all the enemies deseignes turned into smoake For besides the Swisses who were gonne home into their country as hath beene said three thousand Spanish and Almain foot came to the French and Venetian campes who hauing crossed the Riuer Adda had for certaine daies mightily molested the enemies by diuers and sundry accidents the French now hauing the worse and anon the enemies The Duke of Burbon being at the same time departed forth of Italy the Lord Lautrec remained Gouernor for the King in the Dutchy of Milan who marched speedily with all the French and Venetian forces on the Bressan territory where with the ordnance he began to batter Bressia in foure seuerall places to the end the beseeged might not be able to make resistance in so many places at once who held out so long as they had any hope of aide which they expected out of the country of Tirol it being promised them but it came to nothing by reason that the Venetians did shut vp the castle of Anse and other passages so as the townesmen being not willing to endure an assault because of the great breach that was made couenanted to leaue the city and castle their gods and liues being saued if they were not releeued within three daies on condition that the souldiers might goe any whether sauing to Verona Icaro the Cities captaine came forth of the towne and the Lord Lautrec with the Venetian Prouidators entred it at the same time where they were ioyfully receiued by all the inhabitants who by their cries and salutations did manifest their great content for that the City was reduced vnder the power of the common-wealth Lautrec at his entry tooke possession of the towne and afterwards redeliuered it to the Venetian Prouidators who soone erected the Republikes standard In this manner did this famous City after many thwarts and accidents of fortune returne to the obedience of her lawfull Lords The newes of the reddition of Bressia being brought to Venice did greatly reioyce the whole City all men hoping that this happy successe would be followed with more fortunate euents which would giue end to the warres The Senate did particularly thanke the French King for that by meanes of his aide they had preuailed They likewise wrote to the Lord of Lautrec infinitely commending his speed and loyalty exhorting him not to let slip the occasion which offered it selfe of other most fortunate exploits as was that of Verona if without delay the army might be brought before it by the taking of which City the warre with wonderfull speed would be ended Lautrec being mooued by these words resolued sodainely to discampe and with Triuulcio to march towards Verona But being come to Pescara he had intelligence that those fiue Cantons of Swisses with whom the King was not in league made preparations to come and assaile the Dutchy of Milan Hee then told the Prouidators that in regard of his Kings seruice he could not be absent so farre from the State of Milan This businesse beeing debated in councell all men were of opinion to remaine in the same place where they were and there to expect more certaine newes of those stirres the report whereof was yet vncertaine But the rumor of the Swisses comming still encreasing Lautrec was desirous to bring backe his army into the Dutchy of Milan notwithstanding that all the other captaines were of a contrary opinion shewing how the sytuation of the place was very strong and most commodious where they might resolue on whatsoeuer should bee needfull and prouide for all things necessary to stoppe the enemies passage of whose comming they were yet vncertaine Hee on the contrary remayning firme in his resolution to discampe propounded that he would goe and encampe on the Bressan territory neere to Asola alleadging for his reasons that Verona being well manned with souldiers as well Swisses as Almaines who had retired thither after the rout of the Emperours army that it would bee labour lost to beseege it so as to attempt a difficult enterprize without great hope to effect it would hinder their other affaires and confound all order of warre Besides hee made vse of other excuses namely how that the Venetians had conferred with the King of Polands Ambassador who spake to them of peace and that the money promised to pay the Almaines was not yet sent to the campe Gritti the Prouidator opposing himselfe to what Lautrec had spoken said That he knew of a certaine that there was great scarcity of all things in Verona and chiefly of corne whereby the souldiers that were come thither did more hurt then good to the city that they ought not to giue them time to make prouision least that afterwards the enterprize would prooue more difficult That hee had intelligence by the souldiers that were come to their campe that the townesmen and souldiers were at dissension among themselues that all things were in confusion by meanes whereof the affaires of warre was managed more slowly and with great suspition so as if the army were but before it the people beeing partly prouoked by their owne interest and partly likewise by their loue which they did beare to the Venetians might raise some tumult and giue them meanes for to enter the City As for the Ambassassador of Poland that the Senate had not treated with him of peace without the knowledge of the French King whom they did so honour and reuerence as they had refused sundry and honest conditions of agreement because that they would not disunite themselues from him As for the payment of the Almaines the money was ready long before and should
be brought to the campe so soone as any safe meanes of sending it should be presented But when I consider that you meane to depart hence to goe and encampe on the Bressan country I am greatly troubled thereat as are all those of our city because the people of that country who are very louing and loyall to our Republike and by warre haue endured infinite miseries should be againe tormented by the arriuall of the army now when they beganne to recouer themselues and to breath so as by this meanes we shall charge and oppresse our friends to ease our enemies Gritti hauing vttered this speech added that if Lautrec would not follow them he was resolued to passe with the Venetian army vpon the Verona territory where vnto the Generall and all the Venetian captaines gaue their consent But hauing afterwards maturely considered the mischiefe which that diuiding of the army might procure to the Common-wealth they did solicite and entreat Lautrec to passe on but he would by no meanes harken therevnto and all that they could obtaine of him was that he would a while longer stay in that place and expect as he said money from France and that the Venetians in the meane time should make greater prouisions of money artillery and munition but the chiefe cause of his abode there was to heare what end the treaty of Noyon would come to betwixt his King and the King of Spaine employing in the meane space his armes vpon the poore country men For Lautrec hauing made a bridge at the village of Monzarban was ready to reape downe all the corne of the Veronois and to waste the champian country by his light horse hauing to these ends sent part of his army to lodge on the Mantuan territory where it grieuously spoiled and wasted that country The Lord of Lautrec being afterwards mooued by the Venetians great com plaints crossed the Adicé at Gothalonga where after that his souldiers had taken great booties he drew neere to Verona but it was after that the Venetians had protested not to giue him the money which was come to the campe for to pay the Almaines vnlesse he would march to Verona Lautrec with his army hauing crossed as hath beene said the Adicé his captaines did first of all seize on all the streight passages of the mountaines thorow which the Almaines were wont to come forth of Germany to Verona to the end that they being shut vp and stopt no succor might come to the City The Swisses on the other side hauing all of them in a manner left Verona detesting the seege were gon home into their country The Venetians army with the French aide consisted of eight thousand Italian foot and of sixe thousand Almaines paied by King Francis of a thousand men at armes and two thousand light horse with diuers great captaines well experienced in the art military These forces being come before Verona they were diuided into two campes to batter the City at one time in two seuerall places thereby the more to molest the beseeged who were already reduced to a very small number The French comming to execute what had beene determined the Lansequenets although they had receiued three monthes pay of the Venetian Prouidators either of their owne proper motion or else being suborned by the Emperour protested that they would not come to the seege of a City which was belonging to the Emperours possessions to which the French King had no particular claime and so by no meanes would passe on any further wherevpon Lautrec repassing the Adicé lay a mile off from the walles of Verona and the Venetian army where the Lansquenets remained fiue hundred men at armes fiue hundred light horse and foure thousand foot beeing gonne away not thinking it a safe matter to remaine beyond the Riuer went and ioyned with him In the meane time the Cities forces did dayly decrease by reason that diuers Almaine companies returned home into their country and others went to the Venetians campe where they resolued to entertaine no more of them by reason that they did some-what distrust them Wee must thinke that the number of those who at the beginning were in Verona was very great for albeit many of them were gone from thence it was neuer-the-lesse sufficiently well mand with soldiers in regard wherof the Lord Lautrec meaning not to hazard any thing but vpon a certaine hope of good successe demanded greater aide of the Venetians if they would haue the army to march before Verona The Venetians albeit they found it very difficult in respect of the quality of the matter and the time yet neuerthelesse because they would not foreslow an enterprize which did so much import them hauing speedily gathered together foure thousand foot out of their owne state they sent them to the campe with greate store of artillery pouder and victualls by the riuer Adicé to the end that the campe should want nothing Within Verona which was strong by sytuation and art and wel furnished with all kinds of artillery were besides the cauallery sixe thousand foot as well Spaniards and Almans as Suisses commanded by Mark Antonio Colonna their General who was no more in the Popes pay but in the Emperors a man excellently experienced in martiall matters This man had diligently prouided for whatsoener was necessary for the Citties defence Lautrec approching the walls diuided his army into two parts He went and encamped with his infantery and cauallery on that side which looketh towards Mantua And Triuulcio hauing crossed the Adicé with the Venetian forces seated his campe against the wals towards Vincenza The battery began at one time in both those places but with sundry intents because that Lautrec did batter it furiously in one only place to open away into the City and to take from the enemies the meanes to repaire it But Triuulcio being encamped more at large did batter a great space of the wall hoping that it being beaten to the ground he might with more aduantage come to the assault Lautrec hauing espied a place neere to the gate Calcina which was not very strong being rampierd only with a weake old tower he planted his ordnance against it which being throwne downe he commanded the souldiers to goe to the assault who vpon hope of the sacke of that ritch City went to it valliantly and came without feare of the ordnance or Harquebuze shot vpon the breach fighting with the enemies hand to hand where the French did brauely behaue themselues but the enemies hauing brought certaine peeces of ordnance to play in flanke vpon the breach the French were enforced with great losse of their people to retire to the campe But Triuulce notwithstanding that the breach was very great did neuerthelesse delay to giue the assault knowing very well that the beseeged hauing well fortified the place where the first assault was giuen were gonne to the other breach to the aide of their fellowes
the said King gaue it to the Senate of Venice and for the said Senate to Andre Gritti and Iohn Paul Gradonic the Prouidators to the great contentment of the Nobility and the whole people of Venice who did highly reioyce for that after infinite expences and labors they had made a fortunate end of so long and dangerous a warre But if they reioyced in Venice they did no lesse in Verona and in all the towns round about hoping that by meanes of that peace they should be freed from all those troubles and miseries which they had so long a time endured After all these demonstrations of ioy the Senate acknowledging the Lord of Lautrec for a wise and valliant captaine after they had presented him with great guifts they commanded the Prouidator Gritti to accompany him to Milan But being come as farre as Lodi he found Iohn Iames Triuulce there who came to meet and to bring him from the King the order of Saint Michel Gritti hauing orderly performed his commission tooke his leaue of him and returned according as the Senate had commanded him to the country newly reconquered The end of the third Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the fourth Booke of the fifth Decade THe Impositions and taxes laied vpon the people during the warre are in time of peace reuoked The vniuersity of Padua re-established The Senate send two Ambassadors to Selim Emperor of Turkes The great victories obtained by Selim. He granteth the Venetians demands The Venetians send an Ambassade to Charles King of Spaine concerning trafficke Truce prolonged betwixt the Emperour Maximillian and the Venetians The Emperonr Maximillians death The French and Spanish Kings aspire to the Empire Charles King of Spaine is chosen Emperour Soliman by the death of Selim his father obteineth the Empire of the Turkes Lewis King of Hungary hath recourse to the Princes of Christendome The Venetians in league with Soliman The French King distrusteth the new chosen Emperor The Emperor elect seeketh the friendship of the Venetians The comming of Soliman into the Realme of Hungary enforceth King Lewis to implore the Venetians aide who lend him thirty thousand Ducats The Turke taketh Belgrade the chiefe City of Hungary The King of England is chosen vmpire and mediator for the strife betwixt the Emperour and the French King The French King the King of England talke together Why the league that was determined betwixt the Pope the French King and the Venetians was not concluded and signed A secret agreement made betwixt the Pope and the Emperour The Imperialls practizes on the Dutchy of Milan The Pope inuenteth matter of discontent that hee might leaue the French King The secret intelligences that the Pope and Emperour had with the Bandetti of Milan The Venetians refuse to giue passage to the Emperours army thorow their territory In what manner the Venetians did releeue the State of Milan Parma beseeged by the Imperialls and sodainely recouered by the Lord of Lautrec The army of the league passeth the Adda and commeth to Milan The Swisses forsake the French for want of pay Prospero by the aduerticement of a Traytor marcheth directly to Milan The suburbs of Milan and the Roman gate taken by the league The Lord of Lautrec with his Cauallery retireth to Coma. Milan is taken and sackt The Imperialls take Coma with diuers other townes The sodaine death of Pope Leo. Lastly the resolution and preparations of the Lord of Lautrec and the Venetians to beseege Milan The Fourth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice ARmes being laid a side by the meanes aboue said betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians the Republike was three yeares at peace which began at the entring of the yeare 1517. Wherevpon all the citties of the firme land which were by the last agreement reduced vnder the Venetians gouernment sent their deputies to Venice to reioyce with the Senate for that to their honor armes being laid downe they had recouered al their state and to offer likewise all their meanes and forces to the common-wealth The Senates cheefe care was to discharge the citty of Venice and all other townes and Villages of the firme land from diuers taxes and impositions laid vpon them during the warre by reason of the small meanes of the publike treasury to the end that particular men encreasing their meanes by peace if afterward any need should be they might bee more ready to releeue the publike with their wealth It was decreed like-wise that all those who serued the common wealth in any place whatsoeuer should euer after bee wholy paid their wages which had not bin done during the warre In a word they omitted nothing which they knew to bee commodious or honorable for the Signory They did like-wise re-establish the Vniuersity of Padua which had beene vnfrequented for the space of eight yeares Then because they would no more fall into those inconueniences as they had done for want of prouiding fortifications necessary for their Citties they began to fortifie them and cheefely the two famous citties Padua and Verona the two cheefest of their state on the firme land and for that purpose Andre Gritte and George Cornare were appointed who going to those places should resolue by the aduice and councell of Triuulcio and the other experienced Captaines of the Venetian army on that which was to be done By which meanes diuers places being ruined in time of warre were by them re-established and many others newly built But because the friendship of the Ottomans was very necessary for them as well for the conseruation of peace as for the citties trafficke they decreed to send two Ambassadors to Selim Emperor of Turkes Lodouico Monce◅igo and Bartholomeo Contaren were chosen for that purpose to goe and congratulate him in the name of the Republike for all the goodly victories that hee had obtayned For Selim in an incounter hauing vanquished his brother Achomat and put him publikely to death did like-wise ouer-come the Adulians who are a very valiant people of the mountaines then going into Persia against the Sophi hee defeated him in set battaille and tooke the citty of Tauris the cheefe seate of that Empire with the greatest part of Persia the which he was enforced to abandon for want of victuallls because that yeare had beene very scarce Returning aftetwards to Constantinople hauing refreshed and re-enforced his army hee turned his forces vpon the Soldan of Suria and Aegypt who was a Prince alwaies highly esteemed by those of that Religion and like-wise very potent as well for the extent of his dominions as for the eperience and military discipline of the Mamalukes for by their armes they had possessed the same Empire with great reputatiō for the space of 300. yeares Selim then being come with his army against this kinde of people defeated them soundry times in field so as the Soldan was slaine and an other Soldan his successor was taken in
to the Common-wealth robbing and spoyling the Venetians subiects executing diuers other hostile actions The Senate wrote to the Lieutenants of the Empire saying That for their partes they would keepe and obserue the truce and not make any innouation because of the Emperors death but that they like-wise should doe well to containe their soldiers in peaceable manner and keepe them from making any more incursions vpon their Territories The Lieutenants thinking this to bee iust and resonable the truce was inuiolably obserued euery where In the meane time preparation was made for the election of a new Emperor The French King and the King of Spaine two great and excellent Princes began openly to aspire therevnto And albeit the practize was of great importance betwixt two such mighty Princes yet neuer the-lesse they handled the matter on both sides very modestly without any iniurious speeches or warlik menaces each of them seeking by his owne authority and meanes to draw the Electors on his side But the Italians did stand in awe of either of their powers fearing that which of them two should attaine that dignity would by the aide of the Almains enuade all Italy and ioyne it to the Empire as it had beene in times before so that either of their elections could not but bee very much distastfull and greeuous to the Italians and yet for al that they inclined more to the French King then to the Catholik Maiesty for diuers causes and cheefely because the French as a stranger should not beare such authority in Germany as the King of Spaine who was descended from thence and by that meanes might turne them at his pleasure So as the Pope and the Venetians did rather fauour the French Kings party then the Spaniards and the French sending his Ambassador for the same purpose to Rome and Venice they were honorably entertayned and freely audienced Now besides these Ambassadors the French King sent the Lord of Teligni to Venice as well for this purpose as for diuers and sundry other negotiations and among others to entreate them to lend him some good store of mony to supply his great expence hee was to make if hee should bee chosen Emperor and also that they would send forces into Germanie to assist the Electors to the end they might not be enforced in their election and to aske them what they would haue him to doe if Charles should enter with an army into Italy to enforce the Pope to free him from the oath made to Pope Iulius the second concerning the inuestiture of the Realme of Naples The Senate made answer to the Ambassadors demands That in regard of their great obligation to the French King albeit their treasour was much exhausted by the late warres they would neuer-the-lesse striue to ayde him with an hundred thousand Ducats But for to send forces into Germany it would smalely avayle the King and greatly hurt them Besides the Almains would neuer suffer their soldiers to passe the passages being very streight and wel garded As for Charles his passage if without being prouoked there vnto he would enter armed into Italy against the most Holy Father of Rome that the Venetians would no lesse shew them-selues defenders and protectors of the liberty and dignity Ecclesiasticall then their Ancestors had done preferring the greatnesse therof before that of the Empire During these treaties of King Francis by his Ambassadors Charles King of Spaine being more apt to leuy solders with mony then to giue it to the Electors sent an army into the field vnder collour of keeping the election from beeing forced the which drawing neere to Franckfort did encourrage those Electors that fauored his cause and made those which wandred to encline to him so as Charles of Austria King of Spaine was chosen Emperor the eight and twentith day of Iune which was at the very selfe same time that Soliman the sonne of Selim did peaceably obtaine without any contradiction the Oâ—…taman Empire by the death of his father Selim There was but one onely Captaine named Agazzell Gouernor of Suria that did oppose it and make him-selfe maister of the Prouinces of his gouernment who taking armes for that purpose his rebellion was soone appeased and all the other Prouinces reduced vnder Solymans obedience remained peaceable He was noted to be of a haughty courage and fit for high enterprizes and a great enemy to Christendome yet notwithstanding Christian Princes not considering the perills and dangers which followed them at the heeles suffered this young Prince their naturall enemy to grow great whilst they had time to abate his power by busying him in the defence of his owne lands and Seignories and meanes to keepe him from enuading those of their neighbors Lewis King of Hungary alone leuied soldiers and made great preparations of warre imploying all mens ayde and succor as one that feared this barbarous enemy by reason that Solyman would not renew the truce which this King had made with his father Selim wherevpon he sent his Ambassadors to the Christian Princes and cheefely to Rome and Venice entreating exhorting and admonishing them of other mens ruine and losse by the example of his owne neere at hand The Venetians answered him that the power and greatnesse of the Ottomans was so mightely encreased as all Princes and Potentates stood in awe thereof and cheefely themselues by reason their State was to neere a neighbor to them that they had neuer refused such offers but that they on the contrary had solicited other Princes to oppose themselues against the mightinesse of their Empire which they saw did daily encrease but that they of them-selues alone and with their owne forces could doe no great matter Not long after they sent Marco Minio their Ambassador to Constantinople who with their vsuall presents was to procure the articles of peace to be confirmed in the same manner as some few yeares before Antonio Instiniano had done with Selim and with the same authority immunity and franchize Soliman shewed himselfe very ready to graunt their demands as beeing desirous of their frendship and aliance and for a demonstration of his good will towards them at the same time as Minio departed from Venice Acmat Ferrat set foreward from the Port of the great Turke towards Venice to giue them notice from him of his succession in the Orientall Empires and to renew their alliance begun with his father Selim. Besides he was desirous for that the Venetians trafficke into his Contries might be more free and safe with his owne forces to chase the Pirats that scoured the Leuant Seas entreating the Venetians for their part to doe the like to the end the nauigation might be assured This renewing of their league with the Turke did greatly proffit them in regard their state in Italy was not very firme and by reason that the alarmes and suspitions which they had conceiued at the beginning of the yeare because it was reported
that the Turke armed was by that meanes cleered so as one part of the nauall Army that they had prepared vpon that rumor sailed into Barbary against the Pirats of whom many being taken the passages were freed from danger In this manner did the Venetians temporise with the Turke vsing all means to keepe his friendship despayring of being able to hurt him so long as the Christian Princes carelesse of the common danger were at strife among themselues Now the most Christian King being som-what troubled with this election and fearing least Charles of Austria would turne his deseignes vpon Italy to expulse him from the state of Milan acquainted the Pope and the Venetians with the great danger that threatned them if they suffred the elected Emperor to passe with an army into Italy and therefore he councelled them to enter into a threefold league together against those that would attempt to inuade any of their states and specially to oppose themselues against the Emperors passage comming in armes to goe to Rome as he said to receiue the Imperiall Crowne because he could not enter in that manner but to the great danger of all those who possessed any states in Italy The Venetians soone consented to the French Kings proposition for the safety of their states But the Pope being resolued what to doe and ruminating sundry matters fed the King and the Venetians with faire hope but when it came to the conclusion he would not consent to haue any thing set downe in writing saying That in such a case the onely words of Princes did suffice with their true meaning to execute what had beene concluded In this manner the businesse being delayed the French Kings heaâ—…e in time beganne to coole The Venetians had some suspition that the King did seacretly treat with the Emperor and that the same might bee the canse why the Pope doutbed and prolonged the affaires that were concluded on And that which did increase their suspition was for that they had certaine notice that Artur Gouffiar Lord of Boyssy great maister of France and the Lord de Cheures met at Montpellier the one from the elect Emperor and the other from the King to consult of a finall peace betwixt both their Maiesties and to decide all controuersies betwixt them and their allies The Venetians neuer-the-lesse still continuing their former resolution and firme desire not to separate them-selues in any sort from the alliance of the French made no shew that they suspected the King albeit his Maiesty was sufficiently aduertised of their suspition but held it for certaine that if the King were desirous of agreement with the Emperor they especially should be named and comprised therin and all their contention with the Emperor should be wholy composed Charles so soone as hee was chosen Emperor hauing turned his deseignes vpon Italy knowing how much it did import him to haue the Venetians friendship did shew him-selfe desirous to compose all the differences which had beene betwixt the Emperor Maximilian his predecessor and them and to effect this good desire hee sent his commissioners to Verona according as it was concluded in Maximillians life time with ample power and authority to conclude and decide not onely the businesse of the truce for fiue yeares but like-wise to end all other matters which were yet vndecided two yeares before betwixt them Francisco Pâ—…sare a long time before chosen by the Senate for that purpose went to Verona whither for the Emperors part came foure of the cheefe of the councell of Inspruch who had ample power to negociate that businâ—…sse Iohn Pin the French Ambassador came thither in his Kings name who at the last truce was chosen Vmpier and Iudge of all their controuersies The Venetians craued possession of all the places taken from them in the last warre and that all thing should remaine as they were before the warre saying That it was the surest meanes to end all their controuersies and to establish a firme and assured peace But the Imperialls alleadging now one thing and then an other did still dâ—…lay the businesse and would conclude on nothing so as hauing spent certaine monthes there in vaine and being recalled by the councel of In spruch they returned home Yet neuerthelesse the Venetians hauing at the same time their Ambassadours in the Emperours Court they were put in hope of a prosperous end of that businesse and that the Emperour would speedily appoint Commissioners to intend it beeing very desirous by meanes of a sure peace to become their good neighbour and perpetuall friend his officers thereby shewing how much hee desired the Venetians friendship who for their partes did in like manner declare how they desired nothing more then peace but that they could not their faith kept inuiolate doe any thing contrary to their alliance with the French King After this manner did these two Princes at one time pursue the Venetians friendship and alliance but by different waies each of them seeking to make vse of them in their enterprize of Italy so as in these practizes and negotiations all that yeare passed on without any certaine resolution The yeare following which was 1520. Italy did still continue peaceable but Christendome was threatened by Soliman who perceauing his Empire to be at quiet and all things to fall out as hee wished would not bee idle but following rather the generousnesse of his Ancestors hee determined to take armes and to warre vpon the Christians This was a long time before foreseene of many but remedied by none Following then this determination hee resolued to enuade the realme of Hungary hoping to reape great glory thereby by reason that the Hungarians were reputed valliant and great soldiers Therefore so soone as all things were ready hee departed from Constantinople about the beginning of the yeare 1521. with a mighty army and marched into Hungary King Lewes being amazed at the comming of so mighty an army and distrusting his owne forces did againe send new Ambassadors to solicite and entreate Christian Princes to aid him it being the common cause of all Christendome Philippo Moro Bishop of Agria was sent to the Venetians who being brought into the Senate spake in this manner My King most excellent Prince and yee most noble Lords hath such confidence in yourselues in your fidelity curtezie and power in respect of the strict alliance which of a long time hath beene betwixt this Republike and the crowne of Hungary of the Common interest of both your states of the iustice of his cause and your owne antient custome with that of your ancestors who euer fauored iust and resonable actions and releeued those that stood in need as hee is desirous in this eminent perill of the Turkish warre cheefely to haue recourse vnto you my Lords and vnto you to communicate his deseins and necessity hoping to finde from you not onely a speedy ayde as much as in you lieth
complaine because that by the agreement made betwixt them it was expresly mentioned that the Pope should not receiue the bandeâ—…i of the Dutchy of Milan into his Territories nor the king those of the Dominion of the Church into his The Venetians being desirous as much as in them lay to appease this discontent for the Popes resolution and the treaty made and sworne by him with the Emperor was noâ—… as yet manifestly knowne sought to blot out of the Popes mind the suspition which he seemed to haue by remembring him of the good offices which the King had euer performed to the Sea Apostolike earnestly entreating him not for a trifle to breake the holy alliance so long time sworne betwixt them seeing that by the breach thereof nothing but mischeefe could ensue But all these remonstrances and entreaties were bootelesse with the Pope who had already contracted with the Emperor on condition that the French being expelled forth of the Dutchy of Milan Parma and Placentia should bee ioyned to the Churches Patrimony and all the residew of the state should bee restored to Francis Sforza and that the Pope in the meane time should dispense with Charles for the oath which hee had taken in the inuestiture of the Kingdome of Naples to the end hee might with more iust title still retayne the Empire The Venetians being wholy hope-lesse of making any attonement betwixt the Pope and the French King resolued not to faile in their duty wherein they were tyed to the King for the conseruation of the Dutchy of Milan The report was that diuers soldiers were already leuied by the Pope and the Emperors command and if their secret practizes could not preuaile they would on a sodaine fall to open warre for which cause the Pope albeit it was vnder an other collour had leuied sixe thousand Swisses and Prospero Colonna being declared cheefe of the enterprise comming to Bolognia did from all parts leuy soldiers whilest the Viceroy of Naples with the Cauallery of that Kingdome and the Marquis of Pescara with the Spanish Infantery were on the bankes of the Riuer Trante speedily to passe ouer on the first occasion This caused the Venetians for their part speedily to enrole sixe thousand Italian foot and to assemble all their Cauallery on the Bressan Territory commiting their whole army to Theodore Triuulcio their Generall commanding him to encampe on the banks of the riuer Adda that hee might speedily passe ouer if the affaires of the French should require it They commanded moreouer Paulo Nany Gouernor at that time of Bergamo to follow the Army with the Generall in quallity of Prouidator In the meane time vpon the rumor that was spred abroad in France of these stirres in Lombardy the King forth-with sent the Lord Lautrec to Milan and being comme thither perceiuing that his forces were not sufficient to defend that state if it should be enuaded with a mighty army he thought it fit to keepe backe the new aide which the enemies expected from comming to ioyne with them who already had a thousand men at armes and about eight thousand foot The Pope had but three thousand Swisses for of sixe thousand that he had leauied there remayned with him but the one halfe And at the same time Fernand the Emperors brother being come to villac to assemble sixe thousand foot-men to passe afterwards with them into Italy to the releefe of the imperiall army for which forces the Emperor hauing craued passage of the Venetians they answered that they could noâ—… doe it in regard of their alliance with the French King whome if they failed at his need they should be taxed with shame and infamy Vpon this answer because they would haue their passages to bee enforced they sent strong garrisons thither yet neuerthelesse after diuers propositions for the stopping of Almaines passage the matter being found to be difficult they left it by the consent of the Lord of Lautree to the inhabitants of the country and sent all their forces on the Cremonois there for to ioyne them with the French according to Lautrecs direction who beeing desirous to haue neere him some Venetian Gentlemen of authority and experience to conferre withall on the affaires of the war and about the defence of the State of Milan the Senate sent Andrè Gritti to him Paulo Nâ—…i notwithstanding remayning still in the campe as Prouidator They choose likewise Ieronimo Pesare for Prouidator Generall who was carefully to prouide for all their fortes on the firme land wherein were placed two thousand foot-men newly leauied and certaine companies of men at armes who on all occasions should defend them from trouble and dangers They determined moreouer at Lautrecs perswasition to haue other three thousand foot namely fifteene hundred Gascons and as many Valesians and likewise to contribute to the expence of certaine horse and foot companies with whom the Duke of Ferrara promised to come into the field in the behalfe of the French to the end that the King and all men else should know that they had in no â—…ort failed for the speedy reliefe of the State of Milan according to the couenants made betwixt them The French in the meane time were readier to solicite the Venetians to doe that wherevnto they were obliged by the treaty of confederacy then they were of themselues to make necessary prouisions proceeding therein very slowly which vndoubtedly is a very dangerous matter in warre and al-be-it the Lord of Lautrec did warrant that the Lord of Saint Vallier should speedily passe the mounts with six thousand French and that tenne thousand Swisses leauied for the King should forthwith march yet for all that none caâ—…e and on the other side the enemies being growne strong and mighty by being ioyned with the Almain foot hauing safely passed thorow the Mantuan and from thence thorow the State of Milan knowing how greatly speed might import them in that enterprize were come to beseege Parma supposing that the taking of that City would purchase them great safety and reputation Now the Lord Lautrec hauing intelligence of their march suspecting their deseigne sent his brother the Lord of Escut with a strong garrison for the gard of that city yet neuerthelesse that did not stay their enterprize hoping easily to achiue it as well for that the place was not very strong as because their army was great and wel stored with all necessaries as in deed it would haue come to passe if Lautrec who had receiued new supplies of Swisses had not approched the enemies by whose comming and likewise for that the Duke of Ferrara with great numbers of foot-men marched to assaile Modena and Regio Prospero Colonna was enforced as he afterwards said to discampe from before Parma to the great griefe and discontent of the Pope who by his confederacy with the Emperor did chiefly harken after the taking thereof The euent of this first enterprize hauing such bad successe was cause
few of them but not very many by reason they were to late descried Now the breach being thought to be reasonable the Swisses who by nature are impatient requested the Generall of the army that they might march to the assault but it was put off till an other time the better to assure the businesse staying till Pedro of Nauarres mine had plaied which was made vnder a great Bastion to the end that the ruines thereof might helpe the souldiers in their going to the assault And in this sort the arriuall of new supplies at Pauia and their hope in the mine were the causes that the assault was delayed and the campe raised For Prospero Colonna perceiuing himselfe to be re-enforced with sixe thousand Lansequenets and others which Francis Sforza had brought did with his whole army come into the field that he might be neere to Pauia and he went and encamped at the Chartreux within three miles off the French and Venetians to hinder them from giuing an assault to the City for it had beene against reason to haue suffered it to be don so great a power as his being so nere the enemies Then was the Lord of Lautrec out of hope to take Pauia wherevpon he dislodged and retired his campe to Ladriana and from thence to Monce that he might be releeued with victuals as well from Laudesan and from the territory of Cremona as from the Venetians country receiuing in his discamping no other discommodity then a few light skirmishes The Imperials perceiuing the French army to march towards Monce thinking that they would haue gonne to Milan went and lodged at Bicoca three miles off from Milan on the high way to Laude which is a very spacious house belonging to a Gentleman enuironed with goodly gardens and enclosed with deepe ditches the fields round about beeing full of fountaines and streames brought by conduit-pipes according to the manner of Lombardy to water the meddowes being come to that place they did speedily raise all the dikes and flanked them with great plat-formes well stored with ordnance The Swisses being according to their manner impatient sent their captaines to the Lord of Lautrec to let him vnderstand that their fellowes were wearied with lying in campe and that of three things they craued one ready money leaue to depart or that he would speedily without any to more temporizing lead them to a battaile The Lord of Lautrec considering how dangerous a matter it would haue beene to haue gonne and assailed the enemies in their campe vsed meanes to moderate their fury and told them that if money were long in comming it was not thorow the Kings fault but in regard of the danger of the waies and yet neuerthelesse it would very shortly arriue therefore he entreated them as did all the other Lords of the army likewise that they would bee patient for a while longer seeing they did hope to vanquish the enemies without fight or at least wise to fight with them with greater aduantage But the captaines of the French army not being able to winne or retaine them neither by their authority entreaties promises nor reasons knowing that the chiefe strength of their army consisted of that nation of whom being abandoned they should remaine a prey to the enemies they concluded to fight rather then to flie seeing that vnlesse the Swisses were lead to the battaile they were determined to depart thence Now according to this resolution the Lord of Lautrec did by the Swisses consent send the Lord of Pontdormy to discouer the enemies campe who marched thither with foure hundred men at armes and sixe thousand Swisses who hauing discouered it they found small likelihood of beeing able to assaile it yet neuerthelesse that did not change their opinion wherevpon the Lord of Lautrec comming forth of Monce did with his army march towards that place hauing appointed the Swisses with the artillery to goe and assaile the front of their campe and the enemies artillery which was guarded by the Lansequenets That the Lord of Escut with three hundred Lances and a squadron of French and Italian foot should march on the left hand vpon the way that leadeth to Milan and should goe to the bridge by which they might enter into the enemies campe As for himselfe he would vse meanes to enter it with a squadron of horsemen hoping rather to preuaile by cunning then by open force for the better to deceiue them hee commanded that all his souldiers should weare red crosses on their cazakes which was the badge of the Imperiall army in stead of a white crosse which was the deuice of the French army Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin with the army of the Signory of Venice lead the rereward Now the Swisses being come nere to the enemies cample al-be-it that in regard of the depth of the trenches which were deeper thē they imagined they could not according to their first hope assaile the ordnance their courage neuerthelesse not diminishing they assailed the trench striuing with great boldnesse to get ouer it but in the meane time the ordnance and the enemies small shot wherewith the rampier was stuffed did greatly hurt them so as the greatest part of the captaines and chiefe souldiers died there For as soone as Prospero Colonna had notice of their comming he embattailed his troupes then he appointed euery man his place accounting the victory for his owne in regard of the strength of the place so as the Lord of Escut being gonne on the other side as hee was commanded directly to the bridge finding contrary to his expectation a strong guard there was enforced to retire so that the whole burthen of the battaile fell vpon the Swisses who as well in respect of the vantage of the place as for the defendants valor did labor in vaine and did receiue a very great ouerthrow so as being well rewarded for their rashnesse by the death of many of their fellowes they were enforced to retire The Lord of Lautrec with the other Lords of the army perceiuing all things in disorder would haue perswaded the Swisses to encampe vpon the same place offering them the next day to set the greatest part of the men at armes on foot to march in the forefront but it was impossible to cause them to condescend therevnto so as they would needs returne to Monce whether marching in good order with the French and the artillery they receiued no hurt in their retreat al be-it that the Marquis of Pescara and the other Imperiall captaines did importune Prospero to follow them but he would not doe it beleeuing as it was very likely that the French army made their retreat in good order the men at armes remayning on the tayle of the army to repulse the enemies if they should follow them The army being come to Monce the Lord of Lautrec vsed all meanes to detaine the Swisses and to that end did giue great presents to their captaines and among
deliuery yet neuerthelesse shee entreated the Signory to assist her in so iust a cause and so profitable for them and all Italy by ioyning themselues with the Lords of France to enforme the Emperor Charles to set the King her sonne at liberty vpon honorable conditions The Senate vpon these entreaties did manifest their great griefe for the Kings disastrous fortune with that of the kingdome declaring the great affection which it did beare to the crowne of France and for that present made none other answer but this That because the businesse was of great importance it deserued to haue the Councell assembled to determine thereof But during these practises the Pope who had sent the Archbishop of Capua into Spaine to make an agreement with the Emperor did raâ—…ifie the accord concluded and determined before with the Viceroy by which the Venetians were excluded from it if within twenty dayes after the signifying thereof they did not ratifie it by meanes whereof the Senate was enforced to renew their treaties with the Emperours Ambassadors and to send in regarde of the difficulties of importance which were offered Petro Pesare to Milan to treate with the Viceroy The French in the meane time did not giue ouer their former pursutes beeing not yet out of hope to ioyne the Venetians to themselues albeit the Popes authoritie might then haue drawne them to a contrary resolution wherevpon the Bishop of Bayeux and Ambrose of Florence came to Venice to make in the name of the said Lady Regent and in that of the whole Kingdome more certaine and resolute propositions then at the former time concerning the league and the Kings freedome For this cause as also for that apparent signes were dayly discouered of the Emperours great ambition by reason of the deseignes of his Officers and Agents which tended onely to make him absolute Lord of the State of Milan and of all Italy these French Ambassadors were attentiuely heard in the Senate and their cause consulted on The Marquis of Pescara at the same time entring Milan with three thousand foote two hundred men at armes and with great numbers of light horse required the Duke to deliuer into his hands the Castle of Milan with that of Cremona speaking plainely That hee was come to take possession of the Cittie of Milan beeing sent thither by the Emperour for the same purpose in whose name all Proclamations and other Mandates were already published and although the Pope sought to procure the Emperour to accomplish the Articles of the confederacie by consigning the State of Milan into the hands of Duke Francis Sforza all his pursutes were in vaine for delaying the matter from day to day hee made now one excuse and then an other imputing to the Duke diuerse faults committed by him and among others That hee had treated with the Venetians to deliuer the Castle of Milan vnto them a matter which was neuer thought of by eyther of them These things with diuerse others did greatly with-draw the Venetians affection from the Emperour and caused them to giue no more credit to all his promises nor the Pope likewise who speedily to preuent those perills which threatned them dayly resolued to ioyne in league in regarde there was some difficulty and more trouble and â—…ediousnesse to call the French into it The Pope then renouncing the accord formerly made with the Emperour contracted a new one aswell in his owne name as in the Florentines for the which hee strengthened himselfe with the Duke and Senate of Venice in which agreement it was mentioned that they should ioyne together to preuent those dangers which the experience of things past had taught them might happen and so assure the peace and quiet of Italy and their owne states in perticular each of them taking vppon them the protection of one anothers states and persons running altogether one selfe-same fortune not beeâ—… gâ—…wfull for eyther of them to treate with any other Prince to the preâ—… of that accord and to succour one an other with foure thousand foote-men foure hundred men at armes three hundred light horse and with greâ—…er numbers if 〈◊〉 were And it was more-ouer added therevnto that the Venetians should bee bound to defend and maintaine the greatnesse and power of the house of Medicis to stoppe and preuent all tumult and commotions which any sâ—…ditious mutins should practise against it and to 〈◊〉 and assist him who soeâ—… hee were that the Pope should place aâ—… cheefe Gouernâ—… in the Citty of Florence These things beeing thus concluded and sworne to the Pope the better to begin for his part to prepare that which was concluded on commanded the Marquis of Mantua to visit the Parmesan with his men at armes taking order besides to hasten the Grisons and Suisse footmen where they had begun to leuy but very slowly The Venetians on the other side determined to encrease their Armie to the number of ten thousand foote to make a leuy in Greece of other three hundred light horse and generally to prouide for all matters belonging to their safety And that which did greatly incite them therevnto was the curtezie which the King of England vsed towards the French who beeing iealous of the Emperors power and greatnesse fearing that if hee should grow too mighty hee might afterwards chance to tread him vnder foote conuerted his ill will towards the King into friendship so as he treated with the Lady Regent and the Councell of France promising them all ayde and succour possible as well of men as money to set the King at liberty and to free Italy from all oppression This treaty beeing passed betwixt the Pope and the Venetians gaue hope that they should bee vnited with the Realme of France but they proceeded therein after an vnusuall manner because that the Pope supposing that by the confederacie which hee had already made hee had time enough to preuent dangers and to bee able in the meane time to obtaine more reasonable conditions of the Emperor hee proceeded very slowly in his agreement with the French and cheefely since the Duke of Sessas comming to Rome who was sent from the Emperor to his Holynesse to signifie vnto him the great desire hee had to peace and to restore Francis Sforza vnto the Dutchy of Milan beeing found innocent of those crimes imposed vpon him or if hee were guilty to inuest his brother Maximillian in it But the Venetians not relying on his promises made earnest sute to agree with the French meaning not to trust to his offers which onely tended to breake the league and to delay the prouisions of warre they likewise fearing least the French should enter into league with the Emperour as they were desirous to doe for the recouery of their King and all their practises should by that meanes prooue vaine That hapned which they had foreseene in the beginning of the yeare 1526. when the newes yet vnhoped for arriued at Venice
places whither the nauall army was to goe The Pope desired to haue it goe into Puglia to breake the deseigns of the Colonesie and to diuert their forces from those places who hauing at Saint Germans aboue seauen thousand foote and great numbers of horse had made them-selues fearefull to the Pope but the French King and the Venetians thought the enterprize of Genoa to be much more proffitable for the Confederates as well for the Commodiousnesse of the same citty for diuers other enterprizes as for the great good happe of that exploit which falling out fortunately would much encrease the reputation of the League Pedro of Nauarre was declaired Generall of the Confederates Nauall army a man well experienced in Martiall affaires who although hee was presented by the French King was neuer-the-lesse entertayned by all the associates together But the Churches Gallies and those of the Venetians being ready they were a long time tarrying for those of the French King and the Generall a matter which did greatly weary the Pope and Senate and gaue them iust cause of discontent and to suspect that the French King had changed his mind by thinking on his owne particular interest and not caring for that of the league adding to this suspition other presumptions That small store of mony had beene sent to the Swisses in comparrison of the fourty thousand Ducats which hee was tyed to giue for the payment of tenne thousand foot of that nation and that hee had not begun to warre on the Emperor in the parts beyond the mounts according to the conclusion The King alledged for his excuses that before hee was to renew that warre it behoued him to denounce it to the Emperor although there was no such mention made in the articles of the confederacy And as concerning the delay of his army and payment of the Swisses hee layd all the fault vpon the Captaines and Officers as the Lord of Langi gaue them to vnderstand at large For the most Christian King fearing least the Confederates beeing distasted of him should disioyntly agree with the Emperor he dispatched the said Lord of Langi into Italy for to excuse the long stay of his army with commission to goe first into Swisserland to solicite their leuy and departure or at least-wise to giue them to vnderstand that hee did procure and desire it The Lord of Langi beeing come to Venice made the aboue mentioned excuses assuring the Senators that the King was much disposed to warres and that besides the Gallies hee prepared great shippes of warre in Brettaine to saill with a mighty army to ouer-throw at sea all the enemies attempts and deseignes From thence hee went to Rome where hee executed the same commission and as for the Swisses hee said that they had promised to hold a general assembly where all things should be resolued on in the Kings behalfe and aboue all things he assured the Pope and the Venetians that the King would not enter into any accord vnlesse mention were made of a generall peace and by the consent of all the other confederates The king made like promise to Iohn Baptista Saâ—…ga the Roman whom the Pope had sent as hath been said to the King of England who by the way remained certaine dayes for the same purpose in the French court The Senate making shew that his arriuall was most pleasing to them and that they did wholy giue credit to his saying answered that it had neuer doubted of the Kings good will and affection towards the league and perticularly towards their common-wealth and therefore it promised that not only in that businesse which concerned the common good but likewise in all other and at all times their loue and forces should be inseperably ioyned to his but as concerning peace they had neuer refused it that on the contrary they had neuer taken armes but with an intent to procure a firme and assured peace and therefore if they might haue it to the honor of the league and safety of the confederates it should alway be most acceptable to them yet neuerthelesse knowing that they might at that time rather desire such a peace then hope for it they would incite the King to a greater willingnesse to warre wherevpon the Pope and the Venetians gaue him to vnderstand that if they should conquer the Kingdome of Naples it should be for one of his children the Common wealth retaining only such a portion as should be thought sufficient for the recompence of their costes labour and trauell Vpon this hope the King promised three hundred lances more with a surplusage of twenty thousand Ducats euery moneth for the seruice of the league whensoeuer they should make any enterprise vpon the Kingdome of Naples During these treaties Armiero the Prouidator being departed from Corfou with thirteene Galleis came to Terracina where finding Andrew Doria with eleuen of the Popes Gallies they went altogether to Ciuitauechia then from thence to Liuorne where they met with Pedro of Nauarre with foure Gallions and sixteene light Gallies of the French King It being then there determined to beseege Genoa and to reduce it to the Kings deuotion for the great profit and commodity of the confederates the Army went first to Protouenere which soone yeelded with Spetia and all the other towns vpon the riuer euen to Monega Then the army being deuided Doria and the Venetian Prouidator went to Portofin twenty miles from Genoa and Nauarre with the French Army sailed towards Sauona which forthwith yeeleed to him The first and cheefe deseigne of the Captaines of the league was to stoppe victualls from entring by Sea into Genoa whereof they knew it was badly prouided and that by keeping it short they hoped quickly to reduce it vnder their obedience and for that purpose they placed six Gallies in Gard two of euery prince which tooke certaine shippes with other smaller vessells loden with victualls that were going to the Citty so that it soone felt great want and discommodity But the beseeged were secretly releeued by those of the riuer who furnished them with part of the victualls which vpon sondry pretences were suffered to bee carried to the neighbor townes albeit it was not done without some complaint against Doria who either for some secret enuy that he bare to Nauarre for that vnder his authority and command his contrey should be vanquished and taken or for any other deseigne of his owne was suspected not to haue carried himselfe faithfully as he ought to haue done nor after such a manner as was requisite for the speedy ending of that businesse The Genouois for the assurance of their Citty had with great speed placed at the moâ—…th of the hauen certaine great ships loden with Artillery besides which were six light Gallies commanded by Gobba Iustinian who comming foorth at times to skirmish with the enemie would not goe farther then within Cannonshoâ—…te of the shippes placed at the mouth of
the meane time their hapned a great disorder at Rome to the cofederates great preiudice who after the conquest of Cremona hoped to preuaile in the enterprise of Genoa and to bee able according to the proiects formerlie made to encampe in two seuerall places before Milan For the Colonnesi hauing assembled sixe hundred horse and fiue thousand foot marched with greate speed towards the Citty of Rome where no man thinking of their comming they entred by night and seazed vpon three gates then running vp and downe the Citty they sackt diuers Prelats houses the Pallace and Church of Saint Peter without any respect to the Maiesty of Relligion esteeming sacred matters lesse then Turkes would haue done so as the Pope could hardly retire with some Cardinalls and others whome hee most trusted into the Castle Saint Angelo the Colonnesi hauing determined to take him prisoner who without any long stay did sodainely leaue the Citty the Cardinall Colonna hauing first of all attempted in vaine to cause the people to rise in his behalfe They carried away with them in gould and siluer and other commodities more then three hundred thousand crownes The tumult being appeased which lasted not much aboue three howers D. Hugo after that he had taken assurance of the Pope went to the Castle to talk with him where vsing termes beseeming a Conqueror hee enforced him to grant a truce betwixt them as well in his name as in that of the confederates and the Emperors for foure monethes by meanes whereof the Pope promised speedily to cause his Army to repasse the Po to call home his Galleis into the Churches territories and to pardon the Colonessi and all others that had any hand in that assault and tumult That the Imperials and Colonesi with their Companies should depart from Rome and foorth of the Churches state and should retire themselues into the Kingdome of Naples This truce was for the time present willingly embraced by both sides by the Pope because the Castle was not well victualled by D. Hugo the Colonesi neuerthelesse making instance to the contrary because it seemed vnto him that he had done much for the Emperor and because that all those in a manner with whom he had entred Rome being laden with spoile were slipt away into diuers places The truce did interrupt all the deseignes of Lombardy and the whole fruite of the victory of Cremona But the Pope thinking afterwards more considerately and with a setled iudgement vpon the agreement which he had made and foreseeing into how many dangers he had throwne himselfe in time to come the better to free himselfe from those perrils wherevnto he was subiect if he should obserue the Articles of the truce wrote to his Nuncios to enquire of the most Christian King and the Venetian Senate whether he were bound to performe that which he had beene enforced to promise to D. Hugo or wholly to reiect it and within a while after he sent the Lord of Liege into France for the same purpose who at the same time was come to Rome The Pope knew very well that to obserue the truce was nothing else but to giue the Emperor meanes and time to beginne afterwards a greater and fiercer warre and to ouercome by that delay those difficulties wherewith he was pressed assuring to himselfe in the end his states in Italy to the great danger and hazard of the liberties of all the rest But his immeasurable feare diuerted him from al good councell and hindred him from well discerning that truth wherevppon the Generall of the Friers being come to Rome by the Emperors commandement to treat of peace he heard him attentiuely and exhorted the Venetians to incline to an accord saying That since they were of necessity one day to lay downe armes and beeing then inuited to doe so they ought not to contemne the occasion that was presented The Senate vpon this proposition assuted him that it had neuer desired warre but had on the contrary by warre procured an assured peace so that it might be treated and concluded by the most Christian King because that doing otherwise they should for euer alienate him from the affaires of Italy and should lose a most assured refuge in their necessities and occurrences therefore they vsed meanes to induce the Pope to temporize and to expect an answer from France that nothing did presse him to precipitate his affaires and to grant the Emperors demand on such vniust conditions as to giue him a great somme of money and besides to consigne into his hands for the assurance of the treaty Parma Placentia and Ciuita-uechia places most important of the Churches State That he was to consider that the Emperors forces were not so great as they were reported and that the greatest ayde that he had forth of Germany came from George Frâ—…ndsperg who at his owne charges had brought him an army the which beeing not able to hold out long would of necessity be shortly broken That the Garrison of Milan beeing not paid refused to obey hir commanders and would be gone On the contrary how that they expected Rance de Cera from France with a great somme of money and that there was great hope that the King himselfe who was come as farre as Lyons would in person come into Italy That the enterprize of Genoa was set forward with good successe in a word that all things promised an happy issue The Pope being vrged by these remonstrances and most of all perhaps by the wrongs which he had newly receiued resolued to hold in suspence the practizes of that new truce and to treat onely of an vniuersall peace by the aduise and consent of the most Christian King The arriuall of the Lord Russell did much auaile the resolution who beeing sent by the King of England to offer thirty thousand crownes to the Pope for the expence of the war came at the same time to Rome who did greatly solicite and exhort him to continue stead-fast in the league or else to labour to conclude an vniuersall peace betwixt the Princes of Christendome the which being approued by the Venetian Senate they wrote to Nouagiero their Ambassadour with the Emperour that he should enterpose that treaty of peace it being decreed that the agreement should bee treated and concluded in France and should afterwards for the Emperors honour and dignity be ratified and confirmed by him in Spaine The chiefe pointes of the treaty were That the children of the most Christian King should be set at liberty that Lombardy should be left peaceable and Francis Sforza restored to his State and that the Emperour should pay the King of England that which he pretended to bee due vnto him but difficulties dayly arising vpon these articles each of them prepared on a sodaine for warre The Pope sent his troupes which he had recalled from the campe of the league before the townes which the Colonesi had vsurped vpon the Churches State The
were with in a mile off the City This exploit did so affright the Neapolitains as they presently sent to entreat the captaines of the army not to batter the city nor to spoile the country neere adioyning that they for their parts were ready to yeeld But they could not mâ—…ke vse of this fauour of fortune because that D. Hugo hauing intelligence of the small number of the army shewed himselfe resolute to defend the City so as the army for want of men remained idle wayting for supplies out of France which were very slow in comming and by their delay did snatch the victory forth of their hands so as in the meane time of this expectation infinite disorders arose in the Churches army for money and victuals fayling therewithal martiall discipline was no more obserued the souldiers did no more obey their captaines euery one disbanded they contemned the commandements of the Legate Apostolike and all the interest of the league and the Pope in such sort as diuers of the best aduised and most respected captaines forsaking the pay of the confederates went and serued the Imperials For these causes the Pope continuing resolute in his former determination of agreement sought all meanes to obtaine it saying That since he must needs serue he had rather to do it to the Emperour then still to depend on the vnruly wils of captaines and namely of the basest souldiers Now in this meane time the Duke of Bourbons determination to march into the field and to come and ioyne with the Lansequenets of George Frondsperg did greatly trouble the Pope and altered the confederates deseignes for al-be-it he found himselfe to be without money munition pioners and vnfurnished of all meanes to get victuals hee resolued neuerthelesse to passe on thorow the middest of so many enemies townes and against such enemies as were farre greater in number then himselfe Bourbon then beeing thus resolued hauing drawne away the Garrison from Milan and from other places went with his troupes and crossed the Trebia vniting himselfe with the Lansequenets that were newly arriued who tarried for him on the farther side of the Riuer vncertaine as yet what course to take al-be-it the common report was that at his departure from Milan hee had promised to his souldiers the sacke of Rome and of the greatest part of Italy the like also did captaine George to his Lansequenets who vpon that hope had endured very many miseries since their departure from Germany for they had receiued but one onely Ducat for a man and afterwardes two or three Ducats for the whole time they had beene in Italy The Pope in regard hereof being greatly mooued as well in particular for him selfe as for the Florentines did renue his practizes of agreement with the viceroy al be-it he had promised before not to conclude any thing without the consent of the French King and the Venetians That which mooued him therevnto was his owne feare and the continuall exhortations of the Generall of the Friers of whom hee made great account who beeing newlie returned from the Emperours Court assured the Pope of the Emperours affection towards his Holinesse and of his great inclination to peace wherevpon vsing this Generall in that treaty with the viceroy hee continued in such sort as he seemed wholly to bee confirmed by that agreement not making any warlike prouisions for the safety of his owne person saying That as the vniuersall Father and Pastor knowing the Emperour to bee greatly desirous of peace hee ought not for to shew himselfe lesse affected therevnto and for the effecting thereof freely to imploy all his meanes that hee could without any sinister suspition that all Christendome might enioy the peace and tranquillity which it so much desired Bourbon in the meane time beeing come into the Bolognia territory spoyled all places round about to the end that the Florentines fearing the like dammage should compound with him and contribute a certaine summe of money for the payment of his army and thereby to auoide the ruine of their pallaces and goodly houses which lie neere to their city These considerations did in such sort mooue the Pope as the Lord of Langi beeing come forth of France to perswade him not to make any agreement with the Emperour and the rather to induce him therevnto had brought him twenty thousand Ducats with promise of a greater summe so soone as Caesar Fieramosca sent by the viceroy had told him that his Master was satisfied with the truce for eight monthes propounded by his Holinesse he on a sodaine without any regard to the promises and aide of the French King made an accord with the viceroy saying That time might make his condition worse if the Viceroy should but know what disorder was in the army of the league and that the daunger of the Realme of Naples was nothing in comparison of that of Tuscany and Rome Therefore passing on farther for the better assurance of That treaty hee procured that the Viceroy should come in person to Rome whilest the Cardinall Triuulcio who was Legate in the Churches army should goe to Naples to assure the Viceroy from him who comming afterwards to Rome was honourably entertained there and raâ—…ified the suspention of armes for eight monthes according as it had beene agreed vpon by Fieramosca promising to cause Bourbon to withdrawe his army forth of the Churches and Florentines State The Pope being to credulous thought his affaires by this meanes to bee well assured hauing promised by the agreement to giue threescore thousand Ducats for the payment of the army and to pardon the Colonnesi and particularly Cardinall Pompeâ—… restoring him to the Cardinalship whereof hee had depriued him But the greatest errour hee committed was for that thorow badde councell hee had on a sodaine with-drawne his whole army from forth the confines of the Realme of Naples and his nauall army to Ciuitauecchia and had wholly disarmed himselfe retayning for the garde and safety of his owne person but an hundred light horse and certaine companies of black bands which had belonged to the deceased Iohn de Medicis notwithstanding that the Colonnesi were in armes and committed soundry insolencies The Venetian Senate being aduertized of this agreement would not faile to aduise the Pope not to trust ouermuch to the viceroy for al-be-it that hee had proceeded sincerely therein it was neuerthelesse to be feared that Bourbon who had the like authority from the Emperour as had the viceroy beeing displeased that the accord was made without his consent would not raâ—…ifie it Then they declared vnto him what inconuenience and disorder his so soone disarming did bring with it seeing that the Siennois and Colonnesi with whom hee had not yet fullie ended were still in armes But the Pope contemning all these reasons and remayning obstinate in his resolution did verifie the common saying That good and whole some councell giuen by an interressed and suspected person causeth rather
the euent thereof hearing that the enemies had entred did forth-with flie with diuers Cardinals and other Prelats to the castle Saint Angelo The Lords Rance de Cera and Langey hauing laboured in vaine to mooue the people to take armes for their owne defense and had sought valiantly with those few forces they could gather together and with them a long time kept the castle bridge were at last enforced to retire The City beeing thus abandoned and all the people in confusion and flight the enemies on all sides entredit and became Masters thereof without any difficulty Philippin Doria and Count Guy so soone as they perceiued the Duke of Bourbon to march towards Rome did on a sodaine without wayting for any other commandement set forwards to rescue the Pope with the forces of Ciuitauecchia and Oruietta but the Duke of Bourbon by his speed hauing preuented them and shut vp all the passages by which they were to follow him did enforce them to returne from whence they came Now the Duke of Vrbin hauing set forward to follow the enemies but very slowly by reason of the hindrances of his campe did at last with the whole army come as farre as Viterbo who finding all the country to be spoiled by the enemies hee was enforced by want of victuals to tarry there his army beeing by sundry accidents much diminished hauing in all but seuen thousand men in stead of thirty thousand appointed by the confederates The army lodging in that place the light horse and foot-men did oftentimes scoure the whole Country where meeting with the Imperiall souldiers that were laden with great spoile and disbanded comming from Rome they striped them of all they had Besides that at the taking of the City all manner of crueltie was vsed euery where infinite complaints were heard of those who were inhumanely tormented partly to enforce them to pay their ransom and partly to bewray the wealth that they had hidden The cries and pittifull lamentations were heard of Roman dames and Nunnes who the souldiers lead away in troupes to satisfie their Luxury All holy things the Sacraments and Relikes of Saints where-with the Churches were stored being despoiled of their ornaments were euery where trodden vnder foot wherevnto were added infinite vilanies of the barbarous Lansequenets The sacke and pillage lasted many monthes which according to the common report as well in ready money gold siluer and iewels amounted to more then a Million of Ducats and the ransomes that were paied did rise to a farre greater summe The end of the sixth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the fifth Decade THE Venetians sorrow and greefe for the taking of Rome and the Pope by the Imperialls The Cardinalls meete at Bolognia to treate of the Popes deliuerance The Venetians warlike preparations by Land and Sea to free the Pope from his imprisonment The Venetians seaze on Rauennato keepe it for the Holy Sea The Duke of Vrbin taketh Perugia to the same end The Duke of Vrbins resolution for the Popes deliuery The French King maketh great warlike prouisions to send into Italy Andre Doria in the seruice of the French King The army of the Confederats remaineth on the Confines of the Siennois The Popes agreement to come forth of prison The Venetians resolution vpon that agreement The Lord of Lautrec commeth into the state of Milan with great forces Bosco and Alexandria taken by him Pauia is taken and sackt by the French Genoa is reduced vnder the French Kings obedience The Turke being assailed by Marcello had soone after his reuenge The Lord Lautrec marcheth towards Rome The demands propounded by the French King in the motion of peace The Agreement whereby the Duke of Ferrara and the Marquis of Mantua enter into the league The entire enlargement of the Popes person The Venetians send an Ambassad to the Pope inuiting him to enter into the league The like Ambassade of the most Christian King to the same effect The Popes excuses not to enter into any new confederacy The Lord Lautrecs iourny into the Kingdome of Naples The Popes demand to the Venetians with their answer The Imperialls refuse to fight The Lord Lautrec encampeth before Naples The Duke of Brunswich commeth with great forces into Lombardy The Venetians preparations against the Duke of Brunswich He returneth into Germany The Imperialls are put to rout at Sea The arriuall of the Generall of the Venetian Army before Naples with the discommodities which it there endured Andre Doria reuolteth from the Kings seruice The Pope resolueth to remaine neuter The great wants of the Army before Naples And lastly the Lord Lautrecs Death The Seuenth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THE accident at Rome being knowne at Venice together with the Popes imprisonment did greatly afflict the Senate with griefe and compassion and with a disdaine for the wrong offered to the person of the holy Father wherevpon they not intending to suffer any longer the Emperors fortune to encrease to their owne perill determined to releeue the Pope with all their forces and therein to spare for no cost which caused them to write to the Duke of Vrbin their Generall and to Pisani and Vitturi the Prouidators to lay by all other deseignes and attempt onely if it were possible to free the Pope from his imprisonment and the better to effect it to come neere to the Castle wherein hee was shutte vp to seeke by all meanes to draw him thence and because no other matter might hinder this enterprize they forth-with made a new leuy of foote to encrease their forces to the number of ten thousand foot which lay on the confines of Crema and Lauda to resist Antonio de Leua who being come forth into the field and finding no opposition was likely euery day to grow more strong by the aid which he expected forth of Germany The Venetians were incited therevnto by the great preparations of the Kings of England and France who hauing notice of the great inhumanity vsed towards his Holinesse and the scandall giuen to the Church of Christendome by detayning the head thereof in prison determining to remedy it resolued betwixt themselues at their owne charges to send an army into Italy to free the Pope and to put him in possession of all the Churches lands and another mighty one into Flanders by assayling that country to enforce the Emperor to abandon Italy for the defence thereof These two Kings were very earnest in this businesse wherevpon the Cardinall of Yorke who could doe more then all men with the King of England came for the same purpose to Amiens to the French king to procure an enteruiew of those two kings to the end they might consult together more considerately concerning the Popes deliuery The most Christian King seemed to be no lesse willing therein who sent speedy word to his Captaines in Italy to procure by all meanes the Popes freedome from
of Saint Angelo was by this accord foorth-with yeelded to Captaine Alarcon who entred it with three companies of Spanish footmen and three companies of Lancequenets appointed to guard the Castle and the Pope But the other townes and Castles that were promised were not so easily consigned by reason that the Castle of Ciuita Chastelane was guarded by the Confederates and Aadrew Doria refused to deliuer vp that of Ciuitauechia vnlesse he were first paied fourteene thousand Ducats which he said was due vnto him for his entertainment Parma and Placentia on the other-side abhorring the Spanish gouernment refused to receiue them and those of Modena were reduced vnder the obedience of the Duke of Ferrara who making vse of the Popes calamity threatning the Modenois to spoile their corne which was almost ripe did enforce them to deliuer vp the citty into his handes The Confederates army remained quiet without attempting any thing expecting the arriuall of the Lord of Lautrec who was said to be already in Piedmont with great forces both of horse and foot albeit the Captaines in the meane time were of sondry opinions some thinking that being vnited with the French it would be best for them to march directly to Rome where they should find the Imperiall army in such disorder as they might easily set the Pope at li berty by reason that it was much diminished as well by the contagious sicknesse which was in the Citty as by the ouer-much licence which the Soldiers had taken for certaine monethes space liuing without al order and without any martiall discipline some of them being lodged in the Citty and others heere and there abroad and that diuers of them beeing disbanded went their waies daily without any leaue whereby they might with ease driue those few from Rome that remayned behind Those of the contrary opinion thought that for the effecting of that deseigne it were better to scoure the state of Milan beeing neere thereunto to enforce the Imperials to leaue Rome and to come to the defense thereof which might prooue either to slow or insufficient to stoppe the current of the victory wherby they might at one time execute diuers fortunate exploits and perhaps giue an end to the warre This being alowed by all men and propounded to the Lord of Lautrec at his arriuall he entred into the state of Milan with eight thousand Suisses three thousand Gascons and tenne thousand footmen conducted by Pedro of Nauarre and went and encamped before the towne of Bosco on the marches of Alexandria where was a Garrison of a thousand footmen the most of whom were Lancequenets who after they had for the space of tenne dayes sustained the battery and sundry assaults did at the last yeeld themselues at the discretion of the Victor This conquest was followed by that of Alexandria whither the Lord Lautrec came afterwards and encamped wherin lay fifteene hundred footmen who being molested at one time both by the Artillery and the mynes were enforced to yeeld their liues and goods beeing saued But the taking of Alexandria was cause of the beginning of some contention betwixt the confederates For the Lord of Lautrec being desirous to leaue fifteene hundred footmen in Garrison there to the end that at al euents his owne companies might haue one place of retreat and those which should come from France finde some comodiousnesse of meeting there the Duke of Milans Ambassador fearing that it would be the beginning of an occasion to possesse that State for his King opposed him-selfe against it the like did the Ambassadors of England and Venice wherevpon Lautrec agreed not without indignation to leaue it freely to the Duke of Milan a matter which did afterwards greatly preiudice the leagne Now Lautrec after the conquest of Alexandria propounded that he would march to Rome to free the Pope from imprisonment who although he had agreed as hath beene said with the Almaines and Spaniards did neuerthelesse still remaine a prisoner vnder their guard vntill that he had accomplished the articles of the agreement as wel for payment of the money as for the consignation of the aboue mentioned townes where-in were found sundry difficulties wherevppon the Emperor did not there-in shew him-selfe well disposed nor resolute although by his speech he sought to haue all men to beleeue the contrary But the Venetians did wholy dislike of Lautrecs proposition not that they stood lesse affected to the Popes enlargement then did the King but because they thought the enterprise of Rome lesse profitable for the common cause then that of Milan as it had beene debated before his comming and afterwards confirmed by himselfe that there was at the same time great hope of beeing able to conquer Pauia and Milan where there were weake Garrisons and that Antonio de Leua who by his dilligence and skill more then by force did gouerne that State lay greeuously sicke and was vnable to prouide remedies that losing this opportunity the affaires of the league would euer afterwards decline in regard of the huge number of Lancequenets that were ready to come down from the County of Tiroll into Lombardy But by taking Milan from them which was their only retreat and hauing neither cauallery nor victualls they would be enforced to change their mindes and to tarry at home in their houses that in the meane space it would giue time and leisure to tenne thousand Almaines payd by the King of England to come to the campe of the league and afterwards they might with those forces march to Rome and driue the enemies before them assuring together with the Churches State the libertye of all Italy The Lord of Lautrec inclining to their request determined to march towards Pauia before which with great speed he went and encamped the releefe which Antonio de Leua sent not beeing able to enter it the which being battered for the space of foure daies and a great part of the wall beaten downe the soldiors making ther approches did enter it by the breach The Citty was sackt and the French for eight daies together vsed all sorts of cruelty vpon the inhabitants who had vanted that they had beene the vanquishers of the French King because that King Francis was taken prisoner lying at the seege of the same Citty The Genowais at the same time being afflicted with sundry losses and calamities and cheefely with famine sent Ambassadors to the Lord Lautrec for to capitulate The Citties Duke whose name was Antonio Adorni retired him-selfe into the Castellet and the tumult being appeased by Phillip Doria who was prisoner there the Citty returned vnder the Kings obedience who appointed Theodario Triuulcio gouernor thereof and the Venetians because they would not leaue their Captaines vnrecompenced who had valiantly behaued themselues in the reduction of Genoa they encreased to Caesar Fregosa the conductof other thirty men at armes and doubled his pay they did like-wise acknowledge the valour and prowesse of Guy
great charge and expence to entertaine an army in Tuscany at the same time as it behooued it to haue an other in Lombardy had not refused to expose it selfe to all dangers for the conseruation of the Sea Apostolike and for the particular profit of his Holynesse Person as it was yet still ready to doe and to reuenge the notorious iniuries done vnto him that the Kings of France and England the Florentines the Duke of Milan and the Venetians were of the same mind not to leaue such an Insolency vnpunished how that cursed nation had incurred the wrath of God and men that they did not doubt but that Iustice and Innocency would preuaile and that his Holinesse being restored to his former state all matters would redound to his honour and glory And that therefore all the Confederats did greatly desire and likewise hope that his Holinesse to releeue their sinceere and entire intention with his authority would confirme the Confederacy as Cheefe thereof by newly ratifieing that which before had beene agreed vpon by them seeing that the first agreement ought to be of more force then the latter as beeing concluded by himselfe in quallity of Pope and with his pure and freewill and this latter being extorted by force and violence as from a prisoner that was desirous of his liberty The French King caused the same congratulation to be made to him by the Lord of Longueuall his Ambassador whom he sent to Rome to testifie the great desire he euer had to constraine the Emperor by force to doe that which at last he had done and that the practizes of peace betwixt the Emperor and him had beene to none other end but to amuze him and make him cold in the preparations for warre and not with an intention to conclude any thing with him helping himselfe with the same cunning wherewith he had sundry times practized in his behalfe These Ambassadors were very pleasing to the Pope and by him attentiuely heard wherevpon he gaue thankes to the King and the Venetians with demonstration of great loue towards them saying that for his deliuerance he felt himselfe no lesse bound to the French King and the Venetians then if he had beene freed by their armes but yet neuerthelesse all this was without any resolution for vpon their entreaty that he would confederate him selfe with the rest he beganne to make them sundry answers at one time putting them in hope presently to doe it at another excusing himselfe that hauing nether men money nor authority it would not greatly profit them if he should declare himselfe and yet neuertheles it might hurt him because it would giue an occasion to the Imperialls to molest him in sundry places besides his Pontificall dignity the condition of the times and the greeuous and sharpe miseries that he had sustained did very much incite him to a neutrality and to become a fit Instrument to treat with the French King and the other Christian Princes concerning an vniuersall peace and quiet and that therefore he would no more commit him-selfe to the hazards of warre It may be that beeing carried away by the Emperors faire promises who with his owne hand wrote a gentle and courteous letter to him how that he would hence foreward follow his councell and commit vnto him the whole negotiation of the peace he might speake thus or else that which is most likely and which was afterwards discouered he was content to forget all the wrong which he had receiued by his imprisonment to haue better means to reuenge the iniuries done to himselfe and his house by the Florentines His intent then was with sundry excuses to couer this desire of his for being discouered it would haue bred such a distrust in the Lord of Lautrec as it would easily haue caused him to alter his purpose from passing on any farther in the enterprize of Naples which was a thing the Pope desired to the end that the Lancequenets might be enforced to depart from Rome who mutening often-times among themselues would not get them thence demanding new paiments of money The Lord of Lautrec beeing ignorant of the Popes deseigne and vpon the assurance of his ayd and fauor did in the meane time pursue the enterprise of Naples albeit it was against the opinion and consent of the Venetians who by reason of that new leauy of Lansequenets for the enemies could haue wished that hee might not goe so farre off to the end they might the better and with more conueniency be releeued Lautrec then being resolute in his opinion tooke his way thorow Romagnia and La Marca thinking it to be best and most conuenient for the commodity of victuals and for the carriage of the ordnance determining to enter into the Realme of Naples by the way of Otronte which diuideth the Churches State from the Kingdome of Naples thorow which at one time were gonne before the Venetian troupes diuided into two bands in the first were Valerio Vrsino and the Prouidator Pisani and in the other followed Camillo Vrsino and Petro Pesare These being gonne before seized on Ciuitella and afterwards on Sulmona and on diuers others in Abruzzo which yeelded voluntarily But the whole troupes did afterwards meet altogether neere to Saint Fermo to the number of thirty thousand foot and great numbers of Cauallery as well men at armes as light-horse a preparation without all doubt suffitient for any enterprize whatsoeuer the Lord Lautrec hauing taken the longest way into Puglia by the sea side in regard of the difficulty to carry the ordnance if in those mountainous places hee should haue met with any encombrance of the enemies The Prince of Orange and the Marquis of Guasto beeing greatly mooued for the daunger wherevnto they perceiued the affaires of Naples to be brought did not without great difficulty draw away their troupes from Rome which was greatly furthered by the summe of twenty thousand Ducats which the Pope gaue to the Imperiall captaines vnder collour of some old claimes whereof they gaue some pay to the Lansequenets who more then the rest seemed most loath to depart But the number of their whole army did not amount to aboue foureteene thousand and yet so sore weakened as well by the contagious sicknesse which was in Rome as for that many souldiers were disbanded and gonne home to their country loden with spoile But the Pope by this meanes being freed of that which did most presse him and for the which he had till then kept himselfe a loofe from the confederates so soone as these enemies troupes were departed from Rome hee sent the Archbishop Sipontyne to Venice to demand of the Senate that it should forthwith render vnto him the Cities of Ceruia and Rauenna and on the other side he dispatched the Bishop of Pistoya into France to excuse him to the King whom till then hee had entertained with sundry hopes that he would declare himselfe for the league for that
he could not according to his desire make a new consederacy because that wanting both money and forces his declaration would nothing profit the Confederates that all he could doe was to treat of peace and for that purpose he had giuen commission to the said Bishop to goe to the Emperour to exhort him with vehement speeches thervnto mixing neuerthelesse with that discourse some complaint against the Venetians for that they had possessed and did still detaine certaine of the Churches lands The Popes demand was much displeasing to the Senate not so much for the matter in question as because it was made in an vnseasonable time perceiuing very well that the Pope sought onely some occasion to breake off from them as also for that it was a matter vnreasonable rashly to yeeld vp these townes in so disodered a time and in which the Imperials did still hold many townes of the Churches State yet neuerthelesse sundry were of opinion that it was not good to breake with the Pope for any occasion whatsoeuer but that they ought by all meanes to gratifie him and for the rest to depend on his promise and good will reposing so much trust in him as that he would not forsake them This businesse being debated in the Senate Dominito Treuisan Procurator of Saint Marke a man of great reputation for his long experience and knowledge in affaires of importance declared by sound and pregnant reasons how that it was best to obserue the Pope and to render those Cities which he demanded On the contrary Lodouico Mocenigo Knight one of the chiefe Senators and who had beene of opinion to send backe the Nuncio with a refusall of his demand rose vp and hauing propounded the inconueniences which might redound to the Signory by surrenâ—…ing in so miserable a season those Cities which the Pope craued the Senators grew to be diuided some of them inclyning to one side and some to an other But at last they resolued to answere the Pope That the Senate had euer beene very desirous of peace which might be for the good and safety of the Commonwealth and particularly to the glory and aduancement of the Church and that therefore it would willingly embrace any kinde of agreement but that it behoued them first to consult together to moderate the other difficulties and that for the same end they would shortly send an expresse Ambassadour to treate in his presence of the businesse propounded by the Archbishop Sipontine and of all other matters to let him know their sincere and entire loue towards him According to this answere they on a sodaine appointed Gasparo Contaren their Ambassadour for Rome but the Pope being displeased therewith shewed himselfe more sharpe and earnest in his demaund wherevpon the Lord Lautrec hauing sent to his Holinesse the Count Guydo Rangone and the Knight Casall to vse all meanes they could to appease him they did not only loose their labour but he told them besides that if those Cities were not surrendred to him in stead of declaring himselfe for the league wherevnto they did dayly solicite him hee would vnite himselfe with the Imperialls causing his Nuncio to say as much to the King and indeed he declared by euident signes that he inclined therevnto hauing expresly sent a Nuncio into Spaine to treat with the Emperor al-be-it he affirmed that hee had giuen him commission but to treat of an vniuersall peace wherevnto if the Emperour should refuse to harken that he should denounce warre as the other Confederates had done During all these practizes the Imperiall captaines who were already passed inâ—…o the Kingdome of Naples beganne to be of different opinions For the Marquis of Guasto on the one side councelled them to march whither the Lord Lautrec lay with his army to trie if they could draw him to the fight this he did for diuers occasions which mooued him to hazard the whole on the vncertaine euent of a battaile Fâ—…st because that the Confederates were diuided amongst themselues their infantery being greater then Lautrecs for that the people of the Kingdome did dayly rise in the behalfe of the French the difficulty of receiuing any money from the Emperour and the mutines which vpon that occasion the Almaine foot men made in regard whereof it being to bee feared that the entire losse of that State would ensue he thought it much more proffitable to hazard all on the euent of battaile wherein lay as great hope of good successe as of danger and the French army being broken al the townes which they had taken would returne vnder their obedience and the Kingdome of Naples might thereby bee assured Others maintained the contrary saying That the safest way for them was to lodge in some place strong by sytuation and commodious for victuals from whence the enemies could not easily driue them where they might obserue and narrowly marke the behauior of the army of the league and according therevnto to order their owne enterprizes and if that they should perceiue the enemies to encrease in prosperous successe then to take vpon them the defense of the City of Naples because that vpon the conseruation or losse of the same did wholy depend the successe of that warre That they had receiued newes how that the Prince of Melphi and Fabricio Maraâ—…ani were onwards on their way with great forces for their reliefe that their army being therewith strengthened they needed no more to feare the enemies attempts but should be able to breake all their deseignes That it was the part of him that had charge to defend a State enuaded by a mighty army to temporize because that time doth very often bring with it great and vnlooked for commodities that without all doubt there were disorders in the enemies army and by so much the greater by how much the interests of the Confederates were different that there was nothing which could lesse be gouerned by discretion and good councell then the successe of battailes that there was none so safe and ready a way to victory nor any thing more worthy the reputation of a great captaine then to entertaine the enemie with sundry cunnings and consume him by little and little with time and discommodity the which vndoubtedly might happen to the French campe That they needed not likewise to feare but that the Neapolitans would prouide money for the necessary payment of the Lansequenets till such time as the pay from Spaine should arriue This opinion beeing accompanied with the authory of Alarçon who did constantly maintaine it was receiued for the best wherevpon they resolued to passe forward with an easie march euer lodging in stronge and safe places and in this manner to enter into the â—…erra di Lauor to come neere to the City of Naples But the Imperials beeing retired into Troy to make prouision of victuals and to enquire after the enemy Lautrec as the French are more hardy and resolute embraced that deseigne which the enemy had
such time as the three first Gallies which seemed to flie towardes the maine sea returning vpon the enemies strooke the Admirall Galley vpon the broade side and sunke two others two were taken by Doria and two others which had beene sore beaten committed themselues to â—…light perceiuing that the enemies were victorious There dyed at this incounter of cheefe Commanders Don Hugo the Viceroy and Caesar Fieramosea with more then a thousand men of the ordinary companies there were taken prisoners the Marquis of Guasto Ascanio Colonna the Prince of Salerno Santa Cruz Camillo Colonna Gobba Serenon and diuerse other Captaines and Gentlemen whereby the Citty of Naples was bereft of her best and brauest defendants During these exploits at sea Petro Lande Generall of the Venetians sea-army arriued before Naples with twenty Galleys who came from Puglia where hee had taken the sixe Citties belonging to the Venetians His arriuall did greatly profit the French and annoy the enemies because that hauing left sixe Galleys at Gayetta and as many at Cumes hee with the residue scowred all places neere to Naples did shutte the sea from the besieged suffering nothing to enter into the Citty and stopt their passage who were come foorth of the Towne to runne vp and downe along the Sea side who durst not returne for feare of the shotte of the Venetian Galleis he did beside seaze on diuers places where their mills stood whither those of the Citty did vse to send their corne to be ground whereby they were enforced to vse hand mills or to eate their graine beeing vn-grownd which was distributed vnto them foorth of the munition Besides it did greatly serue for the safe and more easie bringing of victualls to the Army which came fâ—…om sea whereof there was great scarcity as well by reason of the great nomber of vnprofitable eaters that were there as of the great dearth which was then generally ouer all Italy and likewise in regard of the small care of the Captaines At the same time the Lord of Barbezieuz being come from France to Sauona with money for to pay the Army and hauing sent it by sea into the kingdome great difficulties were made for the bringing it to the Campe the Lord Lautrec sendeth forces to the sea-side to receiue the money but the Gallies beeing not able to come to land by reason of the working of the Sea the Marquis of Salusses returned the day following with his Lances and a strong band of Gascons Suisses Lansquenets and of the black-bands Wherevpon at their returne they mette with the Imperialls who were come foorth of Naples in great troopes to assaile them and to take away the money who were valiantly repulsed by Valerio Vrsino with the Venetian troopes and by Hugo de Pepoli Captaine of the Florentines to their great losse and hurt but Hugo de Peopli hauing too farre pursued the runne-awayes was within an Harquebuze shotte of the Battaillon of the black-bands taken prisoner by the Imperiall horse-men Hithervnto had the affaires of the league prospered with hope of giuing a speedy end to the warre by the conquest of the Realme of Naples but within a while after euident signes began to appeare not of the declination of their good fortune but of their entire ruine fortune in a manner declaring that shee could no longer fauour the affaires of the French in Italy For the Armie was afflicted with diuerse sodaine diseases sundry occasions occurring as first of all the celestiall influence which the same yeare had in diuerse places caused contagious sicknesse next their aboade there in the moneth of August when as the Soldiors liuing carelesly did greedily and in aboundance eate of all manner of fruites but that which did most hurt them was the waters which beeing for diuerse moneths turned foorth of their ordinary channells and courses had well neere drowned the whole Counttey round about and infected the ayre The Lord Lautrec being greatly troubled by these difficulties either enforced to continue the siege with these discomodities or else to enlarge his troopes farther of was councelled by all the Captaines to send the soldiers into the territories neere at hand and by separating them in that manner to take from the disease which was already become contagious the cause of any greater progression and giue meanes to the diseased to heale and to looke to themselues But that which did most of all torment the Lord Lautrec was for that hee perceiued the victory which hee had almost obtained to be snacht foorth of his hands and that by enlarging his troopes hee knew very well that the Imperialls who had great numbers of horse to send abroad and finding no resistance at all would haue meanes to prouide for all their discommodities Hee vnderstood dayly how that Simon Roman whom hee had sent into Calabria had fortunate successe that all those people hauing a particular inclination to the French did yeeld vnto him that the townes and Hauens of Puglia were in the hands of the Venetians that Abruzzo was from the beginning at the deuotion of the French that the Spaniards were already in a manner driuen forth of the whole kingdome and yet neuerthelesse that all these happy conquests would turne to nothing if by temporising they should giue any relaxation to those of Naples who were already reduced to great extremity and lose the occasion of taking that Citty whereon depended the good or bad successe of that enterprise Besides hee was ashamed to see the Spaniards who were afflicted with greeuous diseases and discommodities should constantly beare them without enduring any speech of yeelding whereas the French at the first touch of aduerse fortune did strike sayle and seemed to bee ouer-come by the vanquished Hauing afterwards receiued a farre lesse summe of money out of France then hee expected or was needfull for the paiment of the Army hee dispaired of beeing able any longer to entertaine it But that which did most of all torment him was to see himselfe to bee constrained to enforce his owne nature beeing not wont willingly to heare nor esteeme an other mans opinion and least of all to giue ouer a resolution which hee had once taken Wherevpon notwithstanding that occasion was dayly offered to change his minde and to fitte himselfe to time yet for all that hee would neuer consent to discampe nor suffer any man to depart thence vntill that extreame necessitie enforced him to doe that which reason might haue perswaded him to because that meane soldiers alone did not dayly dye but the very cheefe of the Army and among others Lodouico Pisani and Petro Pesare the Venetian Prouidators and the Earle of Vandemont within a while after diuerse beeing stricken with the contagion retired to Gayetta and to other places In the meane time a new accident did more trouble him then all the rest and caused him wholy to despaire of any fortunate enterprise which was the determination
of Andrè Doria who beeing male-content with the French had forsaken the Kings seruice and entred into the Emperours pay The cause thereof was attributed as well by himselfe as by others to diuerse subiects and chiefly to a disdaine which hee conceiued in his minde because that the King did not esteeme of him according to his merrits not granting vnto him the office of Admirall which was then vacant and giuen to the Lord of Barbezieuz That the King would not satisfie his iust request to yeeld vnto the Genowais the accustomed soueraignty of Sauona Sundry signes appearing of this discontent the Pope had some suspition thereof Wherevpon hee aduertised the King of it perswading him to make more deere account of such a man then hee had done who was able to doe much for the furtherance of the seruice of the league and not to suffer him to depart mal-content with such forces to the Emperors seruice But the French King suspecting at the same time all the Popes actions his councell could nothing preuaile with him Yet neuerthelesse finding it to bee true afterwards and perceiuing the matter to be of importance knowing no meanes how to preuent it or else beeing peraduenture willing to be freed from such expence he councelled the Pope to giue him entertainement in regard of his great desire to serue thâ—… Church rather then to suffer him to go to the Emperors side The Pope seeming to be desirous of it and yet not willing to displease the Emperor excused himselfe by reason of his owne small meanes adding that so soone as by the Kings helpe hee should recouer Rauenna and Ceruia hee might then more freely be at greater expence Doria in the meane time without longer dissembling that which he had determined to do sent one of his Gentlemen to the Emperor in whose Court the Articles of agreement betwixt them were resolued on which were The Liberty of Genoa vnder the Emperors protection The Subiection of Sauona to the Genoâ—…ois and the entring of the said Doria into the Emperors pay with twelue Gallels and a yeerely pention of threescore thousand Ducats This reuolt of Doria did greatly hinder the Confederates and mightily preiudice the enterprise of Naples because that the Venetian Gallies remaining alone were enforced to retire their Rowers or Gally-slaues which wrought in the trenches to looke to the businesse at Sea and the Admirall Barbizieux on the other side beeing come from France with sixteene Gallies tarried at Sauona not daring to saile to Naples where he landed a great part of the footmen to send them for the gard of Genoa albeit they were appointed to goe to the succour of the Lord Lautrec so as from this accident proceeded all the mishap of the seege of Naples and the losse of the leagues reputation As also because that the Lord Lautrec could neuer make vse in time of those forces which Rancâ—… dâ—… Cera had at Ciuitauechia by reason of the Popes different and vncertaine resolutions who beeing solicited by the Lord Lautrec with huge and in a manner menacing speeches and afterwards with gentle and courteous language to declare himselfe promising to restore those of his family in Florence would neuer make any certaine resolution euer saying that as one zealous of the common good peace was his chiefe ayme and obiect the which with more safety and lesse suspition to treat of he would remaine neuter although the contrary appeared by sundry apparent signes that he did more encline to the Emperors side then to any other but because he would not vrge the Lord Lautrec to prooue an open enemy he answered that to declare himselfe would nothing auaile them in regard as he had oftentimes said that he had not sufficient forces for any great enterprize That the most Christian King might neuerthelesse make vse of the Churches State and of the commodities thereof without renewing vpon that occasion the Confederacy By this meanes the French forces were daily weakned and disorders and discommodities encreased in the Campe and the beseeged on the contrary were in hope of good successe The aid from France which had been so often craued of the King and which his maiesty had so often promised did not arriue and the troopes raised in the Kingdome of Naples were not sufficient to fill vp the army nor to supply the want of the military factions the Campe standing in need of all thinges because that the enemies Cauallery sallying forth many times to surprise the victualls which was brought to the Campe from the neighbor townes the Army in steed of beseeging was little better then beseeged In a word discomodities did so encrease as there was noe one company in the whole army but had great store of sicke persons in it The soldiers were become lazie and idle and throwing their armes from them obserued no order discipline nor any obedience especially the men at armes who beeing disbanded without their Captaines leaue did forsake the Campe the Captaines likewise were partly absent farre from thence to cause them-selues to be healed and to recouer their healths and part of them also liued vnprofitably in the Campe beeing weake and ill disposed of their persons But among others the Lord Lautrec was very sick beeing spent as well in minde as body for the great danger that hee perceiued the Armie to bee in Wherevpon his owne fault encreasing the sorrow and griefe of his heart made him for the space of many dayes vnable to giue order for the affaires of the warre But beeing come to himselfe and a little recouering his spirits hee began to visit the whole Campe to preserue order and the Guardes fearing to be assailed Matters did dayly decline so as by reason of the strength of the Imperials horsemen there was no more commerce betwixt the Campe and the Galleys and those of the Campe because they had no horse could not runne forth of the wayes But that which did aggrauate all the disorders was the death of the Lord Lautrec vpon whose valour and authoritie all matters relyed and it was certainly thought that his disease encreased by too much trauaile The end of the seuenth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the eight Booke of the fifth Decade THE Marquis of Salusses beeing made Generall of the French Army by the death of the Lord Lautrec raiseth his Campe from before Naples and retireth to Auersa The taking of Auersa and the Marquis by the Imperialls The Citty of Genoa reuolteth from the French King by the meanes of Andre Doria The determination of the Confederates to goe and besiege Milan is broken Pauia is taken by the Confederates Nouara with diuerse other places are yeelded to the Confederates The Lord of Saint Paul his iourney to recouer Genoa is in vaine The Castle of Genoa is raced by the people The Genowais fill vp the Hauen of Sauona with grauell The Pope demandeth the Citties of Rauenna and Ceruia of
all speed to send Nicolao Tepulo to him who had beene already before appointed to go to him to the camp to aduertize him of the new conduct by forcible reasons to exhort him in the name of the Common-wealth to returne speedily to the army and to induce him the more willingly therevnto they sent him a good summe of money for the payment of three thousand foot men appointed for the guard of his State but for that time there was no great need thereof For the Prince of Orange hauing intelligence that the Count of Aquila and Camillo Virsino called Parde hauing ioyned their forces together were come to Canosa and their troupes dayly encreasing it was to bee feared that they would cause some commotion of consequence hauing changed his determination would not at that time depart forth of the Kingdome fearing some great insurrection of the people in regard of the great extortion that was there committed by meanes whereof the Spanish name was very odious to them wherevpon hee thought it fit first of-all to appease those stirres and to make prouision of victuals referring the execution of his former deseigne to a more commodious season the which hee did so that the Duke of Vrbin beeing thereby freed of his suspition did forthwith come to the army determining for to march towardes Milan with all his troupes the Lord Saint Paul hauing sent him word that hee would take the same way beeing inuited therevnto by the difficulties wherein the Imperials then were and by the fortunate successe of the French because that notwithstanding that two thousand Spanish foot-men were arriued at Milan whom the Genowais would not entertaine al-be-it that they expresly came to re◅eeue them discommodities neuerthelesse by their comming were as much augmented as their forces seeing that in so great a dearth and want of money they were to feed and pay them On the contrary diuers townes on the hether side Thesin were at the same time yeelded to the Lord Saint Paul so as the whole country in a manner to his great gaine and reputation was reduced vnder his power Both the armies then aduancing forwards they met together at Saint Martins Burrow fiue miles from Milan where after a long consultation concerning the meanes how to execute that en◅erprize they resolued with both the armies to encampe round about the towne to encompasse and take in as much of the walles as they could thereby to weaken the enemies defense by busying them in sundry places But there was not descerned in the captaines ◅uch readinesse and speed as was besitting the execution of such a deseigne because that the French said That in the Venetians campe the number of souldiers was farre lesse then they supposed and not so many as ought to bee and that by separating themselues they should beeing alone be weake and in great daunger The Venetians on the other side declared that they better accomplished that wherevnto they were tied then had the French and that therefore they would see them encampe first and they afterwards would doe the like and vpon these distrusts one of an other they departed their former resolution being broken The Lord Saint Paul marched towards Landriana the Duke of Vrbin tooke the way towards Monce and the Duke of Milan departed with a determination to enter into Pauia with all his forces making account by this separation to scoure the waies molest the country and keepe victuals from Antonio de Leua hoping thereby to ouerthrow him and to obtaine at last their common desire which was to possesse Milan and Coma the two onely Cities of importance which held out in that whole State for the Emperour But so soone as the French were arriued at Land◅iana they suffered themselues to bee carried away as it was thought they would with the enterprize of Genoa beeing very vehemently solicited therevnto by C◅sar Fregosa who measuring matters according to his own desire made the euent very facile easie whervpon they promised to themselues that they would soone returne to their quarter and therfore they requested the Duke of Vrbin in staying for thē not to stir from thence where he was with the Venetian forces the Duke of Milans for the execution of their former deseignes suffering nothing whatsoeuer in the meane time to enter into those cities Now the French army departing in this resolution to goe to Genoa tooke the way of Pauia the Lord Saint Paul sending the ordnance before with the waggons and the vantgard and himselfe somewhat late followed with the battaile and the rereward Antonio de Leua being aduertized by his spies how that he staied behind farre from the vantgard determined to follow and assaile him if occasion were offered wherevpon in the night he came forth of Milan with his souldiers wearing white shirts vpon their armor marching without sound of drum in good order he met with them in the plaine before they had any knowledge of his comming the first squadron of the French being gonne on so far as it could not in any time arriue to the rescue of the rest as also because that the Lord Saint Pauls selfe did stay behinde by reason that a peece of ordnance did sticke fast in the mire at the passage of a Riuer where whilest he was busied with those few men at armes that were there with him and some fifteene hundred Lansquenets vnder the command of captaine Bossu he found vnlooked for the Spanish shot at his backe who were at the first brauely repulsed by men at armes euen into the battaillons of the Almains but there being a deepe streame betwixt the French and Spaniards their shot retired behind that streame where was a pace of the breadth of thirty or forty foote The Lansquenets on the French side did fight valliantly and with them the Lord Saint Paul who was alighted from his horse as were Iohn Ieronimo Castillon and Claudio Rangone captaines of two thousand Italians who did gallantly defend themselues But at the last the Imperials comming to the charge with a great battaillon of Almaines the horse-men and Lansquenets turning their backes the Italians did the like and the Lord Saint Paul being remounted was taken as he would haue leaped ouer a dike and there were taken prisoners with him Ieronimo Castillone Claudio Rangone Lignach Carbon and other captains of great note The Count Guy de Rangone being gonne before with the vantgard early in the morning as it was concluded the night before had not any notice of the ◅ight till he was safely come to Pauia all the Lansequenets in a manner escaped and Antonio de Leua went backe with his prisoners to Milan Those that escaped part of them retired themselues to the Venetians territories where they were kindely entertained and others into other places The Duke of Vrbin hauing intelligence of this defeate forsooke his abode at Monce where he lay and retired to Cassan a place of more
Lord had borne himselfe as Vice-bailise for the space of seuen yeeres This Ambassage came in a very opportune season to Constantinople for the respects aboue mentioned for the Croizade hauing beene published and the report and expectation thereof being very great by reason that the preachers in their pulpits had exhorted all the people to contribute towards the enterprize against the Inâ—…idels Soliman had conceiued a certaine opinion in his minde that the Venetians after the accord made at Bolognia had with the other Christian Princes conspired against him whereby measuring all their actions past he did among other matters complaine for that by the peace they had giuen a great summe of money to the Princes of the house of Austria his enemies which had the more enabled them to make warre vpon him adding besides therevnto that because they had not acquainted him therewith till the conclusion of the businesse they had not performed the part of a State that was his friend such an one as â—…he Signory made shew to be But all these rumours beeing already spread abroad amongst the Bashas and other men of note did at the arriuall of the Ambassadours vanish wherevpon was speedily renued and confirmed the league on the same conditions as it was before Then the Ambassadours were present at the feast and sollemnity of the circumcision of his children which was done with great pompe cost and royall magnificence in all which shewes the Venetians did still hold a very honorable ranke During these great feasts and sollemnities Soliman being in deed inuited to great attempts did in his minde ruminate on affaires of consequence he did oftentimes discourse with his Bashaes concerning the raising of an army wherewith to returne into Hungary and Germany to ouerthrow the power of the Austrian Princes by reason whereof he dispatched matters of great importance he determined to send a great Nauy to sea intending vpon occasion to execute some braue exploit but especially to assure the sea by all meanes which the Gallies of the Knights of Rhodes did continually scoure who hauing planted themselues in the Isle of Malta giuen vnto them by the Emperour did nothing but scoure and molest all the seas and chiefly those which belonged to the Turkes Soliman at the same time thought on the affaires of peace by determining to cause all marchandizes to be brought to Constantinople with the spices which were brought from the Leuant to Alexandria and to other markets of his Empire meaning as he said to make that city the seate of the Empire to abound in all things and chiefly in gold and therefore he had commanded all strangers not to buy silkes or spices any where but at Constantinople whither he caused them to be brought with great store of such commodities which he had bought with his owne money These things did greatly discontent the Venetians as well in regard of the warre he determined to make as for the change of the trafficke for al-be-it his meaning was to assaile others and not them yet neuerthelesse growing mighty by the ruine of other Princes his power was fearefull to the Venetians and the diuiding of his army did still giue trouble and molestation to the Republike and did likewise put them to expence by taking away trafficke from the vsuall and ordinary places which did much disturbe the businesse of Marchants These considerations did mooue the Venetians to entreate the King of Hungary who already did treat of an agreement with Ferdâ—…nand to embrace this businesse thereby to deliuer Christendome from so many mischiefs They made the same request to the King of Poland who was already a mediator in that agreement to pursue it to the end They did likewise solicite Lodouico Gritti at Constantinople whose fauour and authority did daily encrease at the Port of the great Lord to coole by meanes of the Basha that great heate of Solimans to cause his army to depart by shewing vnto him how carefull the Republike was to keepe the nauigation free and safe from Pirates and for the other likewise to hinder the transportation of the commerce to Constantinople which could not be done but with the great hurt and losse of all forraine nations Now wholy to keepe the Turkes from arming themselues and entring into the Venetian Gulphe The Senate commanded the Prouidator of the army to aduertize the Gallies of Malta no more to come vpon their Gulphe nor to hurt those vessels which sailed on the Leuant seas which they held and that he should threaten to disarme them if they did otherwise The Turkes held this for a greeuous wrong and complayning of the Venetians said that it did not beseeme the friendship which they made shew to beare to the great Lord to suffer them in their country before their faces to be so badly delt with because that they presuming vpon the forces and prouisions of the Republike had not entertained any armed vessels The Emperour being in the meane time come to Ausbourg did there connoke an assembly where he caused his brother Ferdinand to be elected King of the Romaines then treating of affaires concerning religion the Protestants craued the celebration of a generall councell where their opinions touching saith might be examined and concluded which was a pretence to collour their cause with the authority of Religion The Catholikes likewise for other respects desired a councell hoping that the authority of the decrees that would there be made should suffice if not to diuert the mindes of the chiefe of the Heretikes from their errors yet at least to reduce part of the multitude to the soundest opinion so as the one and other of them required one selfe same thing namely to haue a General Councell called The Emperour being desirous to satisfie this earnest request of all Germany as also because it fell out very opportunely for his affaires to appease the causes of tumults and contumacy of the people in that Prouince did very much presse the Pope to conuoke the councell and promised him to the end he should not feare to haue his authority and dignity endangered to be there in person and to haue a particular care of him The Pope perceiuing the small hope that was in it of any great good and fearing rather some occasion of other disorders without making any open refusall he answered That for diuers respects it was not yet time to treat thereof because that peace was not yet well established amongst the Princes of Christendome which ought first of al to be looked vnto to the end that all of them being vnited together might meete there to aide and fauour the Councel The Protestants therevpon being more earnest and the Pope fearing that it would breed some greater inconuenience beganne to detest that Nation and to propound that they were to be chastised with temporall armes whereof he often discoursed by letters not only with the Emperour but likewise with the Venetian
the feare likewise for their owne State the Turke waxing so mighty a neighbour on the other side their doubt not to finde in the Christian Princes such steadfast constancy as to expose themselues to necessary trauailes and dangers held them backe so as in this diuersity of opinions they answered the Pope that the Venetian Senate had euer desired and sought the good of Christendome but as the same did sodainely incite them to vndertake all matters for the seruice thereof euen so they were sory that the condition of the times and the particular estate of â—…heir affaires would not permit them to shew it in effect That the greatest Princes of Christendome were at the same time at discord and dissention amongst themselues so as it could not be promised that they would vnite themselues against that common enemy that the forces alone of the Signory were to weake to march against him besides that their State for the space of two thousand miles from the Isle of Ciprus unto the end of Dalmatia was neere neighbour to the Turkes where there were ordinarily great numbers of Citizens and much wealth a matter with indeed did enforce them to temporize with them and kept them from so easily declaring themselues their enemies That they did therefore much commend the Popes goodnesse and wisedome for that he did so well foresee and prouide for the perills of Christendome And that they did hope that their excuses would bee entertained of all men as most iust and reasonable Ferdinand in the meane time al-be-it he perceiued that all these treaties of league would come to nothing yet neuerthelesse promising vnto himselfe to bee able to obtaine by armes a more aduantageous peace then that which King Iohn had propounded vnto him contemned all treaties that were offered by reason that hee had beene declared King of Romaines in the assembly at Colein and thereby successor to his brother Charles in the Empire and had moreouer obtained sundry aides in the Diets held at Lins and at Prague beside the great help which he hoped to haue from his brother The Venetians neuerthelesse without giuing ouer their former proposition of peace hauing sent their Ambassadours vnto Ferdinand for to congratulate in the common-wealths name his new dignity caused him to entertaine the motion of peace exhorting him to embrace it and to answere the hope which men had conceiued of him that as a wise and vertuous Prince he would haue the peace and quiet of Christendome in singular recommendation All those that had regard to the publike good and did neerely consider the conditions of those times desired peace because they did fore-see that great warres and calamities would arise in other places by reason that the Kings of France and England perceiuing a goodly occasion offered to enuade the Emperours dominions who was enforced to turne his forces against the Turkes to defend the Estates of his house and the Empire did practize sundry waies to make warre vpon him the one beeing prouoked with an antient desire to recouer the State of Milan and the other for a disdaine newly conceiued against Charles for defending his Aunts cause wife to the King whom he had put away that hee might marry with an other therefore they had ioyntly practized the German Princes who did not greatly affect the Emperour and in the meane time they armed so as it seemed that they tarried for nothing else to make warre vpon him but till the Turke should beginne and thereby draw the Emperors forces into another place according to their common report Soliman who had dayly intelligence of the Christian Princes deseignes much esteeming the selfe same occasions to see the Emperour at one time busied in diuers and sundry places seemed euery day to be more resolute to defend and maintaine the Realme of Hungary for King Iohn his friend and Confederate desiring to recouer his reputation which he supposed he had lost at his retreat from before Vienna At the beginning then of the yeere 1532. the Turke being come to Andrinople acquainted all men what way he ment to take but before his departure shewing both in word and deed what great account he made of the Venetians friendship he called home the great Gallies which he kept in Soria and Alexandria for the aboue mentioned causes and freely suffered them to traffick in all places as they were wont to doe caring no more to reduce the trade to Constantinople Then being carefull to raise his army he sent for all the Spaches from Greece these are horse-men vnto whom the Prince giueth for wages the possession of certaine lands during their liues to come to him with their armes and horse he demanded likewise of the Tartarians Valachians and Transiluanians the aide which by their confederacies they were bound to send him so as marching into the field and being come vpon the confines of Hungary he found that there were a hundred and fifty thousand fighting men in his army amongst whom the most esteemed were twenty thousand Ianissaries who fight on foote being brought vp from their youth in the exercize of martiall discipline Soliman then being arriued with his whole army before Belgrade a City seated in low Hungary he caused it to be published that he would enforce the Emperour to come to battaile with him promising to himselfe easily to vanquish him threatning with insolent speeches to driue him forth of Germany and to make himselfe Lord of all the States of the Westerne Empire which as he said belonged vnto him as true Emperor and Lord of Constantinople Vpon the report of the Turkes arriuall the Emperour Charles likewise hauing assembled a mighty army from all parts of Christendome and such an one as in the memory of man the like had not beene seene went and encamped before the city of Vienna determyning there to attend the enemy All men were attentiue to see what would be the issue of this warre especially the Venetians who vnder-hand sauored the Christian party hauing suffered their subiects to goe as of themselues to the Emperors army The effects neuerthelesse of these two great armies were farre otherwise then were the expectation and feare which men had because that Soliman entring very late into Hungary beeing not able to come sooner as well in regard of the greatnesse of his preparations as for the distance of the way did not directly march towards the Emperours army but hauing onely made a shew of warre and some few incursions hee returned to Constantinople The Emperour who had not stirred from before the walles of Vienna not going forth to met the the Turkes notwithstanding that he had intelligence of their approches being assured of their retreat did on a sodaine breake vp his army and burning with an extreame desire to returne into Spaine after that he had left certaine Italian foot-men with his brother and some numbers of Lansquenets hee tooke his iourney into Italy from
or ignorance of one particular person Dandulo being returned to Venice hauing first beene carried to Constantinople and then by the meanes of Gritti set at liberty was confined to Zara for â—…ot well behauing himselfe iâ—… this place There happaned besides within a while after a more notable accident whose beginning was much more dangerous but the end farre more fortunate Ieronimo Canalts prouidator of the 〈◊〉 departed from Corfou with twelue Gallies to conuoy the great Gallies which were appointed for traffick into Syria and Alexandria and to safe conduct them from Pirates who did vsually scoure those Seas and all of them beeing â—…ome â—…ogether neere to the I le of Candy not farre from the firme land resolued to â—…ay and cast anâ—…or there where the great Gallies lay some miles distant from the light ones lying in this sort about sunne set vppon the Feast day of all Saints the sentinells which were in the caiges of the great Gallies descried certaine vesselâ—… which held their course directly towards them whereof Daniele Bragadino Captaine of the great Gallies hauing speedily aduertized the Prouidator he supposed â—…hat they were Pirates wherevppon hee forthwith brauely resolued to goe meet them and that 〈◊〉 confirmed him in this opinion was the â—…duertizement which he had receiued what course the Turkish army held the which departing from Modon to goe and winter at Constantinople the Pirates had beene discharged Departing then with speed and beeing come forth a good way to â—…ea hee found that he had no more then seauen Gallies with him because that the others remained behind the Rouers perhaps beeing not so strong or skilfull in sea matters as were the first or else the Captaines were not so hardy and valiant but the Proâ—…idator seeming not greatly to care for that and performing the part of a good Captaine and skilfull maâ—…er commanded all the Galliâ—… that were with him each of them like two Lanthornes to deceaue the enemies by making them to thinke that the number of his vessells were farre greater then they were then making a stand in their view he suffered them to come forward him-selfe keeping still before the wind to incompasse them at his aduantage They were twelue Turkish Gallies conducted by the Moores Sonne of Alexandria Solimans Captaine who the army being dissolued returned to his quarter into Barbary This young Moore then hauing descried the Venetian Gallies keeping on his way with full sailes was already passed beyond the Prouidators Gallies either because his intent was not to come any neerer to the Island or else perceiuing so many Lanthornes he was afraide and had not the boldnesse to doe so The Prouidator then enforcing the bankes of Rowers went and assailed them on their backes and discharged the ordnance and beating some of them in flanke others in poope heâ—… did greately â—…urt them himselfe receauing no harme by the Turkish shot by reason of the place where hee lay The cheefe meaning of the Venetian Gallies was to inuesâ—… the Moores Admirall Galley where vpon the Prouidator hauing assailed it there was a fierce fight by reason of the great number of Ianissaries that were in it who valliantly sustayned the assault a long time but the Prouidator had neere him a Gallie of supplies which did continually furnish him with soldiers in their sted that were slaine or hurt to sustaine the fight wherevpon the Moore beeing 〈◊〉 hurt dispayring of beeing any longer able to defend his Gallies and meaning to cast him selfe into the Sea to escape to some other of his Gallies was taken by the Christian Rowers and making him-selfe knowne his life was saâ—…ed but his Galley was altogether spoyled and foure others were taken and two were sunke the rest escaped by flight So soone as the Turke perceiued the Veneâ—…ian Gallies to come towards him hee had determined to fly but artificiall â—…ire was throwne from the Prouidators Gallie which burnt his failes and after wards the Helme of the same Gally was broken by a Cannon shot whereby hee was enforced to tarry and to come to stroakes This fortunate successe did highly content the soldiors and people of Candy but the Magistrates and other men of note were sorry for it in regard that the vessells did not belong to Pirates but to Soliman a very mighty Lord fearing that hee would take it ill and imagine that affront to bee done to him-selfe by reason hee was at peace with the Republique Where-vpon it was thought fit by the Magistrates of Candy and the Captaines of the Gallies speedily to send home these â—…allies into Barbary and in the meane time respectiuely to entertaine this young Turkish Captaine and to giâ—…e him kind and curtuous language excusing that fault by the error of the Nighâ—… The report hereof being brought to Venice the Senate was extreamely greeued thereat for the selfe same reasons and doubts and so much the more for that the same yeares store being very smal the citty was to be furnished with vicalls from the Turkes country where they had not onely obtayned licence to doe it but had like-wise loden diuers shippes where-vpon they feared that the same iniurie would bee badly disgested at that time as indeed it came to passe For so soone as the Turkes officers were aduertized thereof without tarrying for any speciall commandemenâ—… from the Port they made a stay of the Venetian ships which were come thither for corne In regard whereof some propounded to elect a new Prouidator in Canalis sted and being thus dismissed of his place to call him home to yeeld an accâ—…unt for what he had done thereby in some sort to appease discontented Soliman Diuers others maintaining Canalis cause did defend it as a matter done by right of warre and worthy rather of recompence then of punishment saying that it was a deed vnworthy the Common-wealth to chastice or at least to make shew so to doe their officers that had well and valliantly behaued themselues in their place This reply ouercame the former proposition and caused them to determine to send Daniele Federico Secretary of the Preguais to Constantinople who was a wise and discreet person to the end to iustifie by speech as well before the Baschas as Solimans selfe what had hapned by declaring how that their Captaine was enforced to fight perceiuing in the night so many armed vessels neere to him not knowing whether they were friends or enemies and besides how that the sodaine restitution of the Gallies done the very next morrow and the kind entertainment giuen since then to their Captaine could sufficiently witnesse their good and sinceere meaning towards all those that did belong vnto him Ibrahim Bascha and Gritti stood them in great stead to cause Soliman to allow of these excuses but yet much more the new warre with Persia wherevnto Soliman directing the ayme of all his deseignes would attempt nothing that might diuert him from it and thereby all matters being appeased at
Constantinople Conalis was with greater praise honored by all men who dying within a while after in executing the same office for the Republick the Senate in acknowledgment of his good seruice decreed that Antonio his sonne should during his life enioy the reuenew of the I le of Corfou These things happened in the Venetians Army but that of the Emperor hauing a long time stayed at Naples and at Messina did at the last boldly aduenture to releeue Coron which was reduced to all extremity where at the first hauing had some hope of Victory by reason of the flight and shamefull retreat of the Turkish army it returned afterwards without any honor at all either by the Captaines fault or by a destined plague to Christians seeing that the basenesse of the Turkish Captaines did afterwards procure great hurt to Christendome For Soliman being displeased with those vnto whom he had committed the charge of his fleet taxing their small experience determined to call Cariadine surnamed Barbarossa who of a Pirate beeing become a Prince commanded at the same time in Argier to giue him as he did the whole superintendence of sea matters Hee beeing most expert in marine matters and hauing of a long exercised the trade of a Pirate in Barbary had gotten a perfect knowledge of all the Christians sea places of retreat and in Affrick likewise making incursions vpon the Moores but particularly by his defeating of the Spanish Galleis whereby hee purchased great reputation at such time as foure yeares before they comming vnder the command of Don Hugo de Moncada to meet Doria at Genoa hee did assaile and defeate them Wee may iustly say that this man was the first which taught the Turkes the meanes of well ordering a nauall Armie beeing before then smally experienced in sea matters as those who till then had encreased their power by armes on land hee likewise was the first that began to vse slaues in galleys wheâ—…as before they were wont to man them with the first vnexperienced commers which hath euer since made the Turkish fleetes more mighty and more fearefull to Christians Soliman then resoluing to make vse of this man would so dainly aduertise the Venetians thereof to the end that if they should meet him at sea they might vse him as one of his Porte knowing very well that they hated him for the great harme which he had done them And of a certaine this man was afterwards an instrument of great calamities to Christendome and of sundry losses to the Signory of Venice as heere-after shall be seene At the same time albeit that the Pope seemed to bee carefull for the imminent dangers that threatned Christendom beeing neuerthelesse more ardent then euer in his vsuall thoughts to aduance his Nephewes and his house had vsed some secret meanes with the French King concerning the marriage of Catherine daughter to Lorenzo de Medicis his Neece with Heâ—…ry Duke of Orleans his second sonne for the which treaty it was concluded that the Pope and the King should meet together at Nice a towne belonging to the Duke of Sauoy and seated neere the riuer of Var which separateth Italy from Prouence The report of this enteruiew the occasion thereof beeing vâ—…knowne had greatly troubled the Venetians and especially because it was added that the Emperor would be there wherevpon they carefully obserued these Princes actions because they would not be ouer taken as they had beene at the assembly of Cambray saying that by reason of Princes ambition they were to beware of all things and to suspect all things but this meeting which should haue beene in the moneth of Iuly beeing deferred to September following the true occasion of that enter view was in the meane time discarded for which there mette together at Nice the Bishop of Faenza for the Pope and the Lord great Maister of France for the King which did free the Venetians from all suspition The Pope did afterwards aduertise them of his departure and of the occasion thereof and concealing those nuptialls no longer he sought to couer it with some other shadow saying that in this treaty hee had not so much respected his owne particular interest as the common good and safety of all Italy wherein nothing did so much auaile as the Senate had often told him as to hold the forces of two most mighty Princes in equall ballance to the end that the power of the one might giue counterpoize to the other in regard whereof fearing least the French King being wholy out of hope by reason of the treaty of Bolognia of the friendship of the Italian Princes would presently breake off from him and that the Emperor thereby might come to command all according to his owne pleasure hee thought it fit to draw him vnto him by the bond of kindred as hee had likewise done by the Emperor Now these nuptials which all the Princes of Italy did suspect were celebrated not at Nice by reason of the difficulty which the Duke of Sauoy made because hee would not displease the Emperor to grant the Castle vnto the Pope but at Marseilles according to the Kings desire who thought it more honorable for himselfe to haue the meeting in â—…is owne Reaâ—…me wherewith the Pope was pleased beeing desirous to giue the King all content but that which men feared came not to passe by reason of â—…dry accidents and then by the Popes death which happened â—…oone after so as Italy continued quiet and the Venetians freed from all obligations of taking Armes againe That which did greatly helpe to moderate the Popes great desseignes were as it was reported the stirres in Germany because that the Lantgraue of Hesse hauing with other protestant Princes leuied great numbers of soldiors to restore Vâ—…drick Duke of Wittenberg to his Estate it was reported that they would afterwards march into Austria against Ferdâ—…nand and that from thence they would come into Italy the which the Germaines did very much desire but all these troubles were soone appeased by an accord made with the King of Romaines against whom their principall quarrell was about the Duke of Wittembergs lands which hee possessed In this manner were the affaires of Italy quiet in the firme land whereby the Common-wealth was on that side freed from care and trouble but for the Sea it behooued them dayly to bee at new expences beeing very iealous of their Staâ—…e so as the Republick might iustly say that it was depriued of the benefit of a perfect peace It was no more freed the yeare following one thousand fiue hundred thirty and foure from troubles and â—…pitions then it had beene before because that a great fleete was prepared at Constantinople which was to bee commanded by 〈◊〉 surnamed Barbarossa and the like was expected in the West for the Emperour supposing that the Turkish forces would fall vppon his States vsed all meanes to encrease his sleete and to make it fitte and able to resist them
Venetians to the end thereby to oblige them to take the person of Pietro Lodouico and his State into â—…heir protection and safegard because it was not to bee doubted but that the Venetians in acknowledgment of such a benefit and sor their owne proper interest desiring rather to haue a particular Lord of that State to bee their neighbour then the Church would employ all their forces for the maintenance and preseruation of the greatnesse of the Farneâ—…ia family wherevnto the Pope hearkning very willingly and hoping for some greater matter the pursutes for the Dutchy of Camerine was for the Venetians sakes smoothered of whom hee then â—…eemed to make great account All the Princes of Italy at the same time and especially the Venetians were in feare and stood vpon their guard by reason of a mighty Army which the Emperor prepared vntill such time as they were aduertised that it was for Affrick to recouer Thunis and thereby to assure the kingdome of Naples a neere neighbour to it which Cariadine did dayly threaten to inuade The Emperor did particularly aduertise the Venetian Senate of all his deseignes seeming to bee very zealous for the common good of Christendom and in particular for that of their Republick desiring to continue the same friendship and good correspondence which was betwixt them This demonstration of friendship was the cause of the renuing the confederacie betwixt them according to the same conditions which had beene concluded at Bolognia onely to shew that by the Popes death it was neiâ—…her finished nor broken off Wherevpon they commanded Marc-Antonio Contaren their Ambassador that in signe of continuance of amitie heâ—… should follow which he did the Emperor whether soeuer hee went After that generall processions and publick prayer were made in Venice by the Cleargie that it might please God to fauour that enterprise This great preparation of the Emperors Army had caused the Tâ—…rkes to suspect diuerse matters and this suspition was most of all increased in them as it was reported by Iohn Forrest the French Ambassador at Constantinople thorow his reports made to the Baschaes seeking to make them beleeue that the Venetians did perswade the Emperour to turne his great forces vppon Greece against Solimans state and yet neâ—…erthe lesse the French Ambassador resident at Venice did offer to the Senate in his Kings behalfe all fauour and curtesie that might be he did likewise enâ—…reat them to take speciall heed to the Emperors actions and that such great preparations ought verily to cause them to suspect and that the common rumors abroad were so many signes of the imminent dangers and preiudices which threatened the Common-wealth These offers and aduerticements did greatly trouble the Senate who did well perceiue that they tended only to cause the Republick to suspect and distrust all men and to thrust it into open warre either against the Emperor or Soliman to enforce them thereby to haue recourse to the French King to make vse of his fauour toward the Turke or of his forces against the Emperor Yet neuerthelesse partly dissembling these suspitions they thanked the King for his offers and good-will for which though at that present they had no need of them the Common-wealth should neuerthelesse remaine much obliged to that Crowneâ—… they did after-wards complainâ—… of the bad offers which his Ambassador at Constantinople had done vnto them cleane contrary to truth wherupon the King did disauow it and assured them that he had neuer giuen him any such commissions Howsoeuer it was it is certaine that notwithstanding all these reports and bad offices done to the Venetians towards Soliman he did still loue and highly respect them for at his returne from Persia he failed not particularly to acquaint them with the prosperous successe of his iourney how he had chased away his enemies entred Persia spoiled and sackt the Citty of Tauris the Royal seate of that Kingdome had beene at Babilon from whence hauing expulsed the Garrison he became Maister thereof and lastly that he was returned victorious to Constantinople The report was that soone after his returne home he was desirous to leuy a mighty army wherupon he called for the same purpose Cariadine and diuers other Captaines before him to consult with them about the affaires of warre thereby shewing that his meaning was not to suffer his Army long to continue idle The Emperor in the meane time the winter season beeing past and all things in readinesse for the Voyages of Affricke tooke shipping at Barcelona where all the fleet lay to the nomber of three hundred â—…aile of all sortes vnder the conduct of Prince Doria with forty thousand fighting men not accounting the Marriners and Rowers who were very many being attended on by all the Spanish Nobility together with the Infant of Portugall who met him at Barcelona with fourescore saile of shippes of warre The first landing of the army was in Sardinia in the Hauen of Caliers and hauing there taken order for all warlike necessaries it sailed to Carthage then being come neere to the land not farre from Goletta the armâ—… was forthwith landed which encamped not farre from thence knowing very well that on the taking thereof depended that of Thunis because that Goletta is a Tower enuironed with diuers Bastions and seated almost vppon the mouth of a Channell through which the Sea entring in a good way it maketh a Lake right ouer against it vpon which the Citty of Thunis is seated some twelue miles from Sea At their first arriuall the Turkes Garrison in Goletta did valiantly defend themselues but the Emperors ordnance hauing almost ruined the Fort it fell into the Spaniards possession who entring afterwards into the Lake did without any disficulty or fight take fifty three vessells as Gallies Galliots and Fusts which Cariadine had left there as in a place of most safety This losse did so daunt Cariadine as notwithstanding that at the beginning comming forth of Thunis with his army hee made a shew as if he would giue the Emperour Battaile yet neuer-the-lesse giuing place on a sudaine he retired into the Citty of Bonna where finding himfelfe in no great safety and vnderstanding that Doria followed him he went to Argiers The Citties of Thunis and Bonna being forsaken by their Captaine notwithstanding that there were strong Garrisons in them did very quickly and with ease fall into the Spaniards hands Cariadine escaping all these dangers went within a while after to Constantinople whither he was sent for and being come into Solimans presence who was newly returned from Persia he did in the best manner he could excuse all that which happened and the losse of the Kingdome Solimaâ—… being ioyfull for his victories obtained in Persia did pardon and receiue him to fauour and after-wards gaue him the super-in-tendence of his Army by Sea The Emperor on the other side hauing with royall bounty rendred the Kingdome of Tunis which he had conquered to Amulcasse on
badly hee did digest their manner of proceeding against the great Lord and all those of his Port hauing neuer vouchsafed to make any answer to the propositions of agreement which hee had set downe vnto them Gritti vpon this discourse supposing that the Turkes were not at that time much disposed to peace had craued a suspension of armes on all sides for threee monethes to the end that in the meane time they might treat of an agreement which hauing obtained hee did at the same time publish as hee passed along vpon the Frontiers so as the Turkish troopes encamped before Sa ona to take it that they might afterwards goe and beseege Spalatia did sodainly retire vpon this publication The newes of this truce did not greatly please the Venetians diuers fearing that his suspension of armes for so short a time might rather tend to cause some distrust in the Confederate Princes then procure any peace therefore the opinions in the Senate touching the pursute of this businesse were sundry different where after long disputation it was resolued to send an Ambassador to Soliman to treat of peace and Petro Zene was chosen to that end And whilest he was preparing for his iourney and the accustomed presents Gritti was dispatched to Constantinople to carry news of the Ambassadors election and to vse means to prolong the truce and to begin as occasion should be offered to motion peace being expresly inioyned therein to imploy the fauor and Councell of the Lord of Rincon Ambassador for the most Christian King at the Port of the great Lord who had very earnestly often times offered himselfe to deale in that businesse but it was afterwards perceiued that hee did more harme then good by making the matter more difficult to the end that the King his maister might at the least be chosen vmpier of their controuersy and might reconcile them to Soliman and thereby oblige them to him-selfe and disioyne them from the Emperor At the same time that Gritti arriued at Venice the new Generall had receiued the Standard of the Common-wealth and was ready to depart to his charge but beeing not yet gon forth of the Hauen his departure was deferred supposing that his proceeding on his iourney might cause the Turkes to suspect that this negociation of peace was feigned and by that meanes might returne to inuade the confines of the Republique which newly began to liue at quiet but to the end that the Army in the meane time should not be without an head the same power and authority which the Generalls by Sea were wont to haue was giuen to the Prouidator Contaren The Ambass Zene within a while after departed from Venice being sufficiently instructed what hee had to doe but being come to the Serraglio of Bossina and falling greeuously sick hee dyed there within a while after whereof the Senate beeing aduertised by Petro Franceschis his Secretary they chose Thomas Contaren in his steed a man of foure score and foure yeares of age but greatly esteemed for his wisdome and particular knowledge in the Turkish affaires with whom hee had a long time conuersed vpon sundry occasions Hee was enioyned to depart within foure dayes and in the meane time they speedily aduertised Gritti and the Secretary of the new election to the end hee might acquaint the Bascha therewith with whom Gritti his proposition concerning a generall truce was to no purpose the Turkes still continuing their preparations determining to recouer Castel-nouo rather by force then by agreement Barbarossa was already gone thither with an hundred and fifty saile of all sorts and with great store of Artillery the Beglerby of Grecia was at the same time gone thither with a great Cauallery so that beeing contented to make an agreement with the Venetians they did likewise make no great difficulty to prolong the truce with them for the whole moneth of September The report of this treaty beeing diuulged men did diuersly discourse thereof interpreting it according to their owne passions the Pope neuerthelesse among others did greatly commend the Venetians for that they had in such sort prouided for the safety of their state seeing that the other way would rather haue hurt then profited them Now Barbarossa pursuing his iourney did in no sort hurt any thing that did belong to the Venetians saying That his meaning was to obserue the truce with them but that the Emperor was not comprehended therein wherevpon he was desirous to besiege Castel-nouo which was held by the Imperials The Spaniards that were within it beeing dannted by the arriuall of the Army and great numbers of Turkes did offer that to the Venetians which they had before so brauely refused namely to deliuer Castle-nouo to them but the Senate answered That the same offer was out of time that they had oftentimes requested that the Capitulations of the league might be obserued and that according therevnto that the same place might be deliuered to them and that at the same present beeing enforced to a treaty of peace they neither ought or could doe any thing that might interrupt it Barbarossa then in the moneth of August beeing come into the Gulphe of Catharra with ninety Galleys and thirty Fusts did cast anchor so farre off from Castel-nouo as the Artillery within it could not offend him and safely landed his troopes with foure score peeces of ordnance of all sorts At the same time in a manner Vlaman Sangiach of the Prouince came thither with great numbers of foot and horse which encamped round about the towne those within it not being able by their sallies to hinder their encamping The Turkes hauing begun the battery in three places did so well continue it and did afterwards assaile it in such sort as all those of the towne after they had brauely defended themselues being taken and slaine Barbarossa made himselfe maister of the place who after the taking of Castel-nouo went to Rissane which was yeelded vnto him without contradiction by Lodouico Zene the Garrison being not strong enough to defend it Barbarossa sent to Matteo Bembo Gouernor of Catharra to will him to deliuer that place vnto him with whom hee sought occasions of quarrell that hee might assaile that towne In the end after sundry complaints that his runne-away slaues were retyred thither with other feigned matters which hee alleadged hauing layde aside all respect of the truce hee did audaciously send word to the Gouernour to deliuer the Citty of Catharra into his hands otherwise hee would come and take it by force beeing commanded by Soliman to seaze vpon that Forte and on what-so-euer the Signory did possesse in those quarters therefore hee should not doe well to attend and waite for his owne ruine but to prouide in time for the safety of himselfe and people that he would giue leaue to as many as would depart thence so to doe and good entertainment to such as would abide there Bembo not being daunted
to accept peace on such vniust conditions would to much blemish the Republikes reputation and by quitting so easily their townes and giuing away their money was nothing else but to cause the enemies who by nature are insolent to demand greater matters During these irresolutions Casar Cantelmo came to Venice who hauing beene already sent as hee said to Soliman from the most Christian King about the negociation for the truce at his returne into France had informed the King of the whole matter wherevpon hee returned againe by his commandement to Constantinople for the same businesse The French Ambassador comming into the Senate told them that the King his Maister did expresly send that gentleman to Constantinople about the affairs of the Venetian Common-wealth and from him to deale in the negociation of peace and therefore he was come to Venice to receiue their commandements therevpon being by the King enioyned to execute them as though they were his owne The Lord Iohn Francesco Valerio a Venetian Gentleman did affirme the very same who hauing remained a long time in France had beene very familliar with the chiefe Lords of the Court who did often acquaint him with matters of importance this Gentleman did testifie the Kings loue and hearty affection towards them and his readinesse to send other Agents to Soliman if the Senate should dislike of Cantelmo exhorting them to trust to the King and to his loue towards the Republike the totall summe of this negociation that there was no better nor safer way then that to reconcile them to the Turke with more honour and lesse losse They were aduertized at the same time that an enteruiew was practised betwixt the Emperour and the French King the cause thereof was the iourney which the Emperour determined to make into Flanders to chastice those of Gant who had rebelled resoluing to goe thither through France and to talke with the King and to treat with him for so it was reported about some good agreement that being good friends they might afterwards ioyne their forces together against the Turkes The enteruiew of these Princes furnished all men with matters of sundry discourse and chiefely the Venetian Senate where it was a long time debated whether they should continue the treaty of peace with the Turke in regard of matters offered and the hard conditions propounded by Soliman On the other side some were of opinion to embrace the occasion of Cantelmo his voyage and the Kings offer if they should refuse it it was to bee feared that his Maiesty would take it in ill part thinking that they made small account of him or his friendship that they were at least to entreat that Gentleman on the Kings behalfe to insist vpon the Generall truce which beeing graunted would greatly serue for the fitnesse of the time and the quiet which thereby would arise to enioyne him besides to assure the Turke that the Senates intention was none other then to procure a firme peace vpon honest conditions Others propounded that it was best to send a speedy messenger to Contaren to command him for to tarry in that place where hee should meet with him and there to expect a new commission which the Senate would send him according to the progression of the affaires others thought it fit to proceed to the election of a new Ambassadour or else to referre the whole businesse to the Bayly Canalis who was at liberty and able to negociate but these men were not of opinion to make vse of Cantelmo in this negociation nor to impart any thing vnto him that he was a Neapolitan bannished from his Country who besides the Kings deseignes and interests quite contrary perhaps to those of the Republike had his owne likewise a part which might hinder and not further the good successe of that businesse That their safety and publike dignity did not permit them to discouer vnto such men any iot of the Senates intention the which they were to suspect and not without cause that hee was very desirous to know rather to crosse then to further it that the Emperour sought all occasions to breake this pursute of peace which did so much trouble and anoy him and the French King vpon hope to recouer the State of Milan was ready to con tent him in all things To all these considerations they added an other which was of no meane consequence which was that because the haruest of the same yeere had beene euery where and especially ouer all Italie verie badde wherewith the City of which was to feed an infinite number of persons was greatly troubled so as the people who were wont to fare delicately and to eate none other bread then that which was made of wheate were enforced to feed on all sorts of graine and in hazard likewise to want them vnlesse they might bee brought from forraine countries Venice hauing no corne territory of her owne a thing which did greatly trouble the Senate wherevpon the better to prouide for a matter of so great importance some said that the friendship of the Turkes was very necessary and others thought it fit to haue recourse to the Spaniards to get proportions of wine and graine from their countries whereby it fell out that the same subiect serued for a foundation whereon to build the two sundry opinions In this manner was the time spent without any certaine resolution so as the Ambassador Contaren hauing continued his iourney and receiued no new commandement from the Senate arriued at Venice and Cantelmo departed thence without any commission These irresolutions gaue the Emperor some hope who espied al occasions to breake the negociation of peace with Soliman and once more to draw the Venetians to confirme the league therefore supposing that there was nothing which could better further his intention then to make them beleeue that he was friends with the French King and that being thereby freed from all other lets he would employ all his forces vpon the enterprize of the Leuant and that the French King would aide and fauour the league determined to send some noble personage to Venice perswading the King to doe the like to acquaint the Venetians with the enteruiew and to discouer somewhat of their intentions The Marquis of Guasto who was gouernor of Milan for the Emperor and the Lord of Annebault Marshall of France and Generall for the most Christian King in Piedmont came to Venice vpon the tenth day of December Their entertainment was magnificent as well in regard of the Princes greatnesse that sent them as for the quality and nobility of the persons great numbers of Senators went to meet them with the Bucentaur and seuen Gallies then they were lodged in a goodly pallace and their expence defraied by the Signory Their first audience was giuen them in the great Hall where the great Councell is held in the presence of many people where there were no other speeches vsed but complementall and of
which might giue cause of suspition of any enterprize The Emperor on the other side and the French King had confirmed the truce formerly made at Nice and shewed to one another sundry good offices of loue and reconciliation For whilest the Emperor stayed in France in his iourney towards Flanders hee remained for a time with the King which gaue hope to all men that those Princes hauing trodden all hatred and rancour vnder their feet did determine to liue in peace and quiet But the new accidents which did happen as humane affaires are subiect to change did alter the State of things and altogether breake of all hope of peace For Iohn King of Hungary beeing deceased and leauing a young Child by his wife Isâ—…bell daughter to Sigismond King of Poland and Perdinand King of the Romanes saying that the Realme belonged vnto him and not to the child by vertue of a late agreement made with that King made hast to get it by armes and hauing to that end raised great numbers of Soldiers he entred vnlookt for into the Kingdome and seazed on Alba Regalis Visgrade Peste and other townes of Hungary and at the same time he sent Ieronimo Alasco to Constantinople to treat with Soliman that hee might obtaine the Kingdome after the same manner as King Iohn had held it but the Queene widdow to King Iohn had likewise sent thither procuring by meanes of a sollemne Ambassade of the cheifest Barons of the Kingdome the aid and succor of the Turkish army to keep the Kingdome for hir Sonne which by the selfe same armes had beene maintained for the Father Soliman seemed to bee greatly displeased therewith and by so much more as he supposed to haue receiued a double iniury from Ferdinand for enuading a state recommended vnto him and vnder his protection and for crauing thatby his Ambassador which he went about to take by force Wherwith being greatly incensed he did not only cast from him that good inclination which he seemed to beare to peace and concord but for the reuenging of this iniury determined to assaile Ferdinand with great forces both by Sea and Land and at the same time to keepe the Emperor so busied as he should not be able to helpe his brother Therefore hauing reuoked that which hee had treated with Rincon the French Ambassador concerning the truce hee sent him backe to his King to tell him that hee had changed his mind resoluing altogether vpon warre The troubles of Flanders were in the meane time appeazed the Emperor hauing rigoroâ—…sly punished the Gantois for their rebellion to giue feare and terror to others This being done sooner then was expected was cause that the foundations of peace betwixt him and the French King were not surely laid and finding himselfe freed of that let which hindred him hee resolued in no sort to quit the Dutchy of Milan On the other side Solimans hatred to the house of Austria did augment the French Kings courrage hoping to make vse of his mighty aide and thereby to reuenge the wrong which he had supposed he had done to him by contemning his friendship Rincon then being come to Venice did acquaint the Senate particularly with all what-so-euer had beene done and of the Turkes great warlike preparations the which he presumed to be able to dispose of at his Kings pleasure and crauing after-wards a conuoy for his safe passage into France Mercurio Bue was commanded to attend vpon him with his company of light horse as farre as the confines of their State And because there were but three moneths limited him for his returne to the Port of the great Lord the King hauing speedily dispatched him and returning onward on his way to Venice from thence to passe to Constantinople hee was neere to Pauia vpon the riuer of Po assailed taken and murthered together with Caesar Fregosa by certaine Spanish footmen and by the commandement as it was thought of the Marquis of Guasto This deed did more then can be imagined incense the French King for that during the truce they had so vilanously slaine his seruants that the Emperour not being satisfied as he said to haue deceiued him with words hauing at first put him in hope of peace and that hee would restore the Dutchy of Milan to him after-wards to bee so slacke therein hauing appeased the troubles of Flanders and besides to haue iniuried him contrary to the law of Nations by the trecherous murther of his seruants He complained hereof and caused to be published al a broad that hee would bee reuenged thereof hee wrot to all Forraine Princes giuing them to vnderstand that he had not broken the truce Then he did particularly aduertize Soliman thereof to whome he sent Captaine Polin enioyning him to goe first to Venice to feele how they stood affected to the Emperor and to acquaint them with his iust occasion to take armes for the reuenge of such aniniury and after-wards to offer vnto them for his owne part what-so euer hee could doe for them at Constantinople by imploying his credit and authority so long as he should continue there in quality of Ambassador Polin hauing executed his commission and crauing of the Senate that hee might passe on safely a Gallie was giuen him for his transportation to Raguza The Emperor at the same time was in Germany where at Ratisbon hee held a Diet concerning matters of Religion wherein nothing beeing concluded he graunted to the Protestants an interim so as euery man might vse the same ceremonies which before hee had done and vpon report of the Turkes great warlike preparations who were already come into hungary Soliman being there in person a here they had defeated Guillan of Rocandolf Lieutenant Generall to King Ferdinand perceiuing that in regard of his own honour being in Germany and so neere a neighbour to that defeate all men expected when he would march against the Trukish forces he the better to free him-selfe from it determined to vndertake the enter prize of Argier thinking it to bee easier then that against the great Turke to the great amazement of all men which did see him to attempt an enterprize nothing so honorable as the other but hee did it vpon hope that passing along by Italy he might take the King vnprouided and make some attempt vpon him desiring rather to leaue his owne patrimony in prey then to omit any occasion to be reuenged on the King whom he knew he had greatly wronged by the murther of his Ambassadors but he found that the Lord of Langey Leiutenant fot the King in Piedmont had dilligently prouided for all matters Such were the State of affaires and such were the deseignes of Princes concerning Peace and warre The Venetians thought it fit in those stirrs to beare them-selues with great consideration and vigilancy and to keepe themselues neuters and free from all danger of beeing offended They very well knew how important a matter the losse of Hungary
other matter he was desirous to continew in his neutralitiy to the end that he might obtaine first to haue the state of Milan deliuered into the hands of Octauiano Farnese as Guardian thereof and to yeeeld to the Emperor and the French King a certaine homage til such time as they should find out some more assured meanes of Agreement wherin he presumed that the Venetians would interpose their authority The Venetians perceiuing that they proceeded slowely in that businesse and with small hope beeing desirous not to giue the Turkes any occasion of suspition did abstaine from it notwithstanding that they were diuers times sollicited by the Emperor to send their Ambassadors to Luca where the Pope and hee were to meet In all other matters they had neuer failed in their duty to the Emperor They had giuen passage through their state to the Almaine footmen leuied for the iourney of Affrick and so soone as they vnderstood of his comming into Italy by the way of Trent they appoynted foure Ambassadors to weet Iohn Antonio Veniero Nicholao Tepulo Marc Antonio Contaren and Vincenzo Grimani who entertained him very honorably vpō the Verona territory and attended vpon him so long as he remained vpon their State which was for the space of two dayes for beeing come to Pescara he entered the Mantuan territory from whence afterward he went to Milan from thence to Genoa and then to Luca where hee met with the Pope with whom hauing made some small abode he pursued his iourney for the enterprize of Affrick which succeeded badly as it had beene foretold for hauing landed his soldiers vppon the sands of Argier he found more resistance in the Garrison of the Citty then hee did expect and did besides receiue great hurt by the Arabian horsemen procured by the Turks who comming vpon them with great celerity and fighting in a new and vnusuall manner with our soldiers did preuent all their deseignes and the businesse beeing drawne forth in length great harme happened for their arose so terrible a tempest at Sea as the ships beeing not able to ride at Ankor by reason of the force of the wind som of them were driuen on shoare and the others to Seaward in the midest of the tempest So as hauing lost diuers of his vessells and the residue beeing sore brused and beaten the Emperor was enforced to giue ouer his enterprize Diuers men of note dyed in that voyage by diseases and bad ayre and among others Marin Iustiniano Ambassador for the Signory who by the Senates command had still followed the Emperor and Doctor Nicholao de Ponte who at that time was gouernour of Vdina was sent in his place During the Emperors iourny the French King was not at quiet who being mightily incensed as hath beene said against the Emperor thought on nothing but meanes how to be reuenged of these wrongs which he had offered him therefore by meanes of his Ambassadors whom he sent to Luca to meet the Pope he had earnestly entreated his Holinesse to declare the truce made at Nice by his owne meanes and authority to be broken and infringed by the murther of Fregosa and Rincon the better to let all men see the iustice of his cause But resoluing by all meanes to preuaile by force he did with greater vehemency reuiue his former conceits to preuent the Emperor by meanes of the Turkes aid and friendship whereupon he determined to send back Polin to Constantinople to treat in particular of the comming of the Army against the Emperor and as he passed along to vse new meanes to draw the Venetians to his party Polin then beeing come to Venice from thence to passe to Constantinople he with the Bishop of Montpellier ordinary Ambassador to the King came into the Councell of the Tenne according to the vsuall custome of secret audiences where they discharged their commission from their Prince Polin siriuing very much by a long oration to perswade the Senators by a new aliance to embrace the Kings friendship But all his discourse and goodly reasons could not preuaile with the Senators to make them alter their opinion or to draw them to any new alliance thereby to entangle them in a new warre Therfore that businesse being referred to the Senate their resolution with a generall consent of them all was like to that of the councel of the Tenne to giue the lame answer to the French Ambassadors as was made to Ianusby How that the Common wealth did deerely account of the French Kings friendship the which for their parts they would euer constantly and inuiolably maintaine yet neuerthe lesse they determined to liue at peace wi◅h other Princes not to enterprize any thing which might procure war betwixt them Polin after this answere being inbarked in the Venetian Gallies sailed into Albania and from thence pursued his iourny towards Constantinople with a certaine assurance to cause the Turkish army to march whither he would desire but the deseignes of the French tooke none effect for that yeare either because it was already to far spent to make great preparations and to execute all at one time or else because Soliman had setled all his thoughts vpon the enterprize of Hungary making account to goe thither in person with a farre greater army The French King in the meane time resoluing on warre had raised three armies the one conducted by my Lord the Daulphin went to beseege Perpignan the other commanded by my Lord the Duke of Orleance marched to enuade the French County and Luxembourg the third greater then any of the rest by reason of the supplies of the Duke of Cleaues gouerned by the Duke of Vendosme Prince of the blood of France entred Flanders by the country of Artois But all these forces did by the report of such great prouisions more am aze then hurt the Emperor because that the Daulphin finding Perpignan to be suffitiently fortified by the Duke of Alua returned without any notable exploit the Duke of Orleans on the other side did but scoure and wast the country Wherevpon the French King perceiuing all his deseigns were to no purpose did greatly taxe Soliman and the Venetians because they had not taken Armes to fauour his party whilest the Emperor was busied else-where The King being thus discontented was the more incensed against the Venetians thorow the bad offices of the Bishop of Montpellier his Ambassador so as Polin being informed of his Maisters discontent did openly in all places oppose himselfe against the Venetians affaires scandalizing the Baily and the Common-wealth and because he hoped to haue the Turkish army the yeare following at his kings deuotion he said that it being once ready he would make the Venetians feele to their losse what great force his Kings pursuts and authority had against them The cause of the kings discontentment proceeded from that which is aboue mentioned for that they went armed and in troupes to the house of the French Ambassador to
through their State and to entertaine him by the way The Pope in the meane time hauing promised other matters to himselfe seeing that the confederacy propounded to the Venetians had taken none effect resolued to talke with the Emperor determining first better to assure his owne affaires as well for temporall matters as for Religion and his Pontificall dignity in the councell which was to be held at Trent a city in Germany and next meaning once more to try if the Emperour would quit the Dutchy of Milan to Octauio Farneze for a certaine summe of money which he perceiued the Emperour stood in great need of by reason of the warres he had in hand but concealing for that time those his secret deseignes made shew that the cause which mooued him as the common father and head of Christendome to embrace the Emperor passing along so neere him was to exhort him to peace with Christians and to warre against the Infidels and to try if his presence in that businesse would be of more force then his exhortations made by his Legats sent to the Emperor into Germany and into France to the most Christian King Now the Pope hauing acquainted the Venetians with his departure from Rome and going to Bolognia alleadged no other reason of his iourney then the former wholly concealing the negociating concerning the Dutchy of Milan thereby to feele if he could discouer any thing from them concerning it for on the one side he knew that the same treaty was pleasing vnto them but on the other it behoued them to proceed therein very respectiuely in regard of the aboue mentioned matters The Senate continuing the old resolution not to meddle with these negociations did vnfeignedly commend the Popes good and holy meaning with his resolution in so honest and important a businesse for the common good of all Christendome not passing on any further to any other consideration The Pope seeming to bee greatly desirous of that enteruiew did not cease to pursue it notwithstanding that hee was alone in that negociation and that the Emperour alleadged diuers difficulties and lets who making no great account of him made shew that he did not much affect him either because hee was distasted of him the Pope hauing not openly shewed himselfe his friend as he ought to haue done by reason of the honour done by the Emperor to him and his house hauing by the marriage of his daughter preferred it to so many other noble alliances or else because he did suspect the truth of the matter how that the Pope would recommence his suite that the Dutchy of Milan might be made ouer to Octauio Farneze the which he resolued not to quit to any man whatsoeuer and therefore he was desirous to eschew all occasions of discontenting the Pope and of prouoking him to embrace the French Kings friendship by refusing his demand But the Pope supposing it would greatly blemish his greatnesse and dignity if he should let the Emperour passe thorough Italy without seeing him had to that end sent first Petro Lodouico his sonne to Genoa and then the Cardinall Farneze his Nephew to entreate him that the enteruiew might be at Bolognia and vpon his Maiesties excuse that he was not willing to come so farre backe and to delay his iourney he determined to come farther forward euen to Busset where it was concluded they should see one an other which was a towne very discommodious and smally frequented belonging to the Palauicins but this enteruiew had no better successe then all men expected nothing being there concluded either for the Churches seruice or the particular profit of the Farnezes For the Emperor continued his resolution to make warre vpon the French King and the Duke of Cleues and as for Milan because he would not flatly deny it hee told him that he could not dispose of that State vntill he had acquainted the Princes of the Empire therewith whereby he might easily percâ—…iue that he did meane to appropriate it to himselfe The enteruiew being dissolued which onely lasted three daies the Emperour pursuing his iourney entred vpon the Venetians State where the foure aboue mentioned Ambassadors met with him and did honourably entertaine him furnishing him with whatsoeuer he needed either for his owne person or his household so long as he continued vpon their territories wayting vpon him as farre as the confines of Trent making diuers offers vnto him in generall in the name of the Common wealth not mentioning any negociation till they were ready to take their leaues of him and then they besought him to be a meanes to his brother for a dispatch concerning the agreement of Trent which they had taken vpon them From Trent the Emperour went to Vuormes and from thence to Spire to be nerer to that which he had determined to doe hauing still resident with him Daniele Bouricci Secretary to the Common-wealth the Ambassador de Pont remayning sicke at Trent who being returned to Venice for the recouery of his health Bernardo Nouagera was chosen in his stead Warre was at the same time much kindled in Hungary whither Soliman being come in person with a mighty army hauing first scoured and wasted the country had beseeged the city of Strigonium from whence he sent an Ambassador to Venice to acquaint the Senat with his iourney and deseignes and also there to vnderstand newes of his fleet which at that time lay in the hauen of Villafranca at the enterprize of Nice where of the Senate aduertized him and withal did infinitely thanke him for the honor he did them by acquainting them with his actions and deseignes This demonstration of friendship from the Turkes did serue them for two purposes first to continue peace betwixt them and next to encrease their reputation with other men Therefore Soliman hauing againe sent an other Ambassador to Venice to aduertize them of his progression in Hungary the Senate resolued in reciprocall manner to render him the like demonstration of honour and friendship by sending an Ambassadour to him This charge was committed to Stefano Tepulo hee hauing giuen ouer the place of Generall who at the spring was to goe to Constantinople to Soliman who was come thither from Hungary to reioyce with him in the Common-wealths name for his fortunate successe and to make shew at his Porte of a correspondency of loue and frindship The affaires of Maran were not yet appeased but on the contrary much more enkindled as well in regard of the French who did meane to keepe and defend it as for the Almaines who determined to haue it by force so as besides foure hundred foot-men which the Lord of Senei brought thither the French King sent great troupes of horse and foot on the other side the King of Romaiues hauing caused certaine companies of Lansequenets to passe the mounts at Pontieba vnder the command of Iohn Baptista Sauella did besides assemble all the souldiers on the neerest places of his
Dominions to make a bodie of an army and to beseege it The Senate had giuen free passage through their State both to the one and other to shew that they had no hand in that businesse they were neuerthelesse displeased for that one Fust and two Brigantins had beene armed at Trieste which entring into the Hauen of Dignana had begunne streightly to shut in those of Maran on the sea side wherevpon to suffer them to stay their besides the drawing of many others thither would seeme greatly to preiudice the Republikes claime to that Hauen and shew some partiality by suffering them to offend Maran from that place the which they determyning not to suffer because they would proceed modestly therein did entreate Ferdinand and the Emperour likewise to cause those armed vessels to depart forth of the Hauen sending thither at the same time an armed galley to hinder their incursions till such time as they should receiue an answere During these treaties Iohn Francisco de Pacis a Florentine came to Venice to offer vnto the Senate in Strossi his name the fort of Maran for some honest recompence protesting that vpon their refusall he should be enforced to negociate with some other great Prince whom he knew would gladly accept it Strossi resoluing in no sort to render it to Ferdinand but rather to get some great summe of money for it by contracting with the Turke that the French King had left Maran to bee disposed of at Strossi his pleasure to make his profit thereof in recompence of the good seruices done by him to the crowne of France The Senate therevpon was greatly perplexed either to accept or refuse it It desired to auoide all occasions of contention with Ferdinand who might suspect that they had some intelligence with Strossi and to suffer that place so nere a neighbour to Venice to fall into the Turkes hands would be very dangerous not only for the Common-wealth but for all Christendome Being then mooued with feare of such a danger they resolued to harken to Pacis proposition and to that end two Senators were appointed Antonio Capello and Francesco Contaren to treat with him vpon the particularities of the agreement where after sundry contestations the composition was made in this manner that Strossi for consigning Maran into the Venetians hands should for recompence receiue fiue and thirty thousand Ducats at one entire payment This being thus concluded Alessandro Bondimiero was so dainely chosen Prouidator of that place who going along with Pacis with some few foot forces was brought into it and Strossi hauing consigned the towne to him the whole people with great ioy did forthwith take the oth of obedience to the Republike of Venice The Venetians did afterwards acquaint the Emperour and Ferdinand with the causes which had mooued them to embrace that necessary resolution that their actions in two yeeres space that the towne had beene offered vnto them could yeeld sufficient testimony of their integrity during which time they had not only refused to giue an eare to their often propounded offers but had giuen passage victuals and other commodities to Ferdinands troupes for to recouer it that they had likewise considered how that place was of no great importance to Ferdinand neither for the States confines nor reuenew there of but on the contrary of great expence accompanied with extreame danger for all his States if it should haue fallne into the Turkes hands as vndoubtedly it would haue so happened if they should haue refused Strossi his offer These reasons being cunningly deliuered to those Princes by Bernardo Nouagera and Marin de Canalis Ambassadours for the Signory the one with the Emperor and the other with King Ferdinand did in some sort appease them both of them hauing at first taken the treaty concerning that place in bad part and then the quallity of the times did greatly helpe to make those Princes capable of the reasons by them alleadged by reason that a Dyet had beene published at the beginning of the yeere 1544. Where all the chiefe Princes and Lords of Germany were to meet to treat of affaires of great consequence to make warre vpon the French and to resist the Turkes attempts for all the thoughts of the Emperour and the King of Romans tended only to those two ends hoping besides as a matter which they much desired that the Venetians perceiuing so many Princes and free townes of Germany leagued against the Turkes would enter into league with them and abandon that of the Turkes this was the vsuall talke among Courtiers Now the Emperor was greatly afraide least that the Venetians vpon the least discontent giuen vnto them from himselfe should quit his alliance and embrace that of the French King who had so often sought to them for it aud his feare was at the same time greater then euer in regard of his hope being ioyned to the King of England and the Suisses to molest France more then euer he had done perceiuing himselfe to be freed from the care of releeuing Italy which would be peaceable so long as the accord with the Venetians should last The French King on the contrary hauing the selfe same considerations did hope to defend his owne Realme by troubling Italy with the warres of Naples and the Dutchy of Milan to constraine the Emperour to diuide his forces and to send part of them to the aide of those countries and to that end did againe vse meanes to draw the Venetians to his party and supposing that the quallity and reputation of the man might greatly further the businesse he caused the Cardinall of Ferrara to goe to Venice to that end who was honourably entertained there and comming into the Senat in secret audience as he had desired he beganne in substance to declare vnto them what the Emperours deseignes were who only aspired to a sole Monarchy and especially to that of Italy the which he might with ease attaine to did not the French King counterpoise him who being their louing and trusty friend did by him entreat them to enter into league with him and speedily to send their nauall army into Puglia where they should finde the country disfurnished of Garrisons and all the people at their deuotion who did openly hold the Spaniards for their enemies and he in the meane time for the safety of their State offered alwaies to haue fifteene thousand men ready in Piedmont or in any other place that they should thinke fit The Senate according to the custome did not at that time giue the Cardinall any answere to his proposition but the businesse being afterwards debated in the councell they answered him That as the Republike did highly esteeme and deerely reckon of the French Kings friendship it did likewise determine still to embrace and cherish it but it neither could nor would being now at peace with other Princes and in want of diuers things by reasons of the last warres enter into trouble
and wasted the whole country and chiefly the Isles of Ischia and Lipari which with a barbarous cruelty he did miserably ruine from thence sayling to Corfou and saluting the castle as a friend he receiued the accustomed presents not suffering any harme to be done to the inhabitants of the Island Captaine Polin was in that fleet with fiue Gallies and other vessels who hauing brought the Turkes as farre as Lepanto returned with all his vessels to Marseilles The Turkes were displeased at the newes of this peace betwixt Christian Princes thinking it be done the better to breake their deseignes vpon Hungary or Transiluania for which they had already made preparations but they went about to conceale their discontent for the better maintenance of their reputation being wont to contemne Christians and therefore not giuing ouer their former determination they caused to be giuen out that they were making farre greater preparations then at any other time before to march at the spring against the States belonging to the house of Austria and yet neuerthelesse the report at the same time was that if the Ambassadors of those Princes did come to that Port they should be entertained and willingly harkened to for by their law they can not deny audience to any that come to sue for peace and friendship with their great Lord the report of these great preparations caused the Emperor and Ferdinand expresly to dispatch their messengers to that Port to treat of peace and agreement and for their safer going to worke they caused the French King first of al to send one of his seruants to sound Solimans disposition therevnto and withall to craue a passe-port for their Ambassadors The King did willingly entertaine this businesse as well to free himselfe of that he was tied to by the treaty of peace to aide the Emperour when he should make warre vpon the Turke as in some sort to wipe out that blot for which men taxed him that a most Christian Prince had made vse of the armes of Infidels against Christians wherevpon his Ambassadour passing by Venice did tell the Senate by his Kings commandement that he had to none other end entertained the Turkes friendship but only to make vse of it vpon such occasions for the good and profit of Christendome This Ambassador being come to Constantinople found Soliman disposed to whatsoeuer he demanded and the passe-port which he craued being deliuered to him which was at the beginning of the yeere 1545. Ioronimo Adorni did in Ferdinands name goe to Constantinople the Emperor hauing to that end appointed Doctor Girardo caused him first to goe to Venice where he and the Prothonotary Monluke ordinary Ambassadour for the French King with the Signory did imbarke themselues in the Venetian Gallies for Raguza and from thence went to the Port of the great Lord. Before their departure from Venice they had entreated the Senate that their Baily might haue an hand in that businesse the which was granted and commandement sent to him so to doe but that he should doe it so cunningly as the Turkes might not conceiue any sinister opinion whereby any harme might redound to the Common-wealth or profit to themselues They treated at the same time in Venice of composing the strife betwixt King Ferdinand and the Republike as well for the execution of the sentence of Trent as for that which happened since concerning Maran where after great contestation they did at last conclude for the businesse of Trent to send Commissioners thither to decide it but for Maran it was referred to the Emperors councell one of the chiefe conditions was that the Venetians should giue to Ferdinand threescore and fifteene thousand Ducats the which all other controuersies being ended they promised to pay in three yeeres and at three equall payments This accord although it tooke none effect was maliciously interpreted by some who vsed to sow discord and contention telling Soliman that the same treaty was made against him in Ferdinands behalfe vnto whom the Venetians promised that summe of money to leauy souldiers These false reports being iustified and the truth of the matter knowne Soliman was satisfied therewith wherevpon the Senate thought it fit not to giue him any more cause of suspition and therefore they wrote to their Baily willing him no more to visit the Ambassadors nor to make any more publike demonstration of dealing in their businesse the which he did exactly obserue yet neuerthelesse some times when he had any secret conference with the Bashas he did not let to doe all good offices which might further the conclusion of the accord wherein because the Republike had no other aime but the common peace and quiet they solicited the Bashas that it might be mentioned in the treaty that the Emperor and Ferdinand should not attempt any thing in Italy during the truce Rustin hauing heard this proposition and seeming to be desirous to performe any thing for the particular profit of the Signory sayd that by all meanes it was particularly to bee inserted in the treaty of the accord as the friend of the great Lord and expresse mention was made how that during the truce the Venetians State should in no sort be molested by the Princes comprehended in the agreement who doing otherwise it should be vnderstood to be broken with Solimans selfe yet neuerthelesse it was thought that the Venetians had opposed themselues against that truce then handled seeing that they could not procure peace which caused the Emperor for that purpose to returne from Trent to Venice his Ambassador Mendoza who not dissembling this suspition and assuring them of the Emperours hearty affection towards them entreated them from him to fauour the treaty of truce which was already as hee said well forward at Constantinople and which for the Republikes sake might easily bee effected promysing to haue it comprehended in the treaty as their good and louing friend This did the rather mooue the Venetians to solicite a suspension of armes betwixt those Princes in regard that besides other commodities they were to receiue thereby great assurance and reputation by being declared friends to both parties enioying the benifit of peace which they were to hope for by such an agreement It was thought that the Emperor did not so earnestly pursue the conclusion of the league for any distrust not to be assisted by Germany against the Turkes but because he perceiued himselfe to be enforced to take armes against the chiefe Lords and States of that country who hauing pell mell ouerturned all matters sacred and prophane to the great contempt of the Church of Rome and the Maiesty of the Empire went daily vp and downe practizing nouelties by a manifest rebellion so that the Emperour who from the beginning to draw them to his party had consented against the Popes minde that the councell should be held in the city of Trent to the great aduantage of the Almaines did afterwards repent him of it
from the English and the other hauing called the Protestant Princes to the Dyet of Ratisbon to treat of affaires concerning Religion although he were there in person could not induce them to decree or conclude any thing but whereas at the beginning it seemed that they would haue beene satisfied to haue had the councell held in the city of Trent whither they promised to send their Doctors to treat of matters concerning faith and afterwards to hold and embrace what there should be decided they did then craue first of all to haue a nationall councell held in Germany and if afterwards it should happen to be referred to that of Trent that the assembly might on all sides be free with diuers other exorbitant and vnreasonable demands This caused the Pope no more to feare the councell and to assure the State of Parma and Placencia to his sonne the Emperor Princes and people of Germany hauing turned their thoughts to other matters determining to end that controuersie by armes The end of the fourth Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the fist Booke of the sixth Decade THE Venetians goe about to diuert the Pope from taking armes against the Protestants The Venetians grant passage thorow their Territories to the Pope and the Emperors Soldiors who were the Protestants partakers The Venetians refuse to lend mony to the Duke of Saxon and Lantgraue of Hesse The Protestants take the Castle of Chiusa to stop the Italians passage The cause of the losse and ouerthrow of the Protestants What the Venetian Gentlemen are with their prerogatiues The commotion of the Sienois against the Spaniards Petro Lodouico Duke of Parma and Placentia is murthered The Death of Francis the first French King The death of Henry the eight King of England The occasion of the new warre betwixt the French and the English Horacio Farnese marrieth the daughter of Henry the French King The Venetians being solicited by the Pope and the French King against the Emperour continue Neuters The Popes great perplexities Soliman takes armes against the Persian making truce with Christian Princes Contention betwixt the Emperor and the French King concerning the Truce with the Turke Controuersy about the Place wherein the councell should bee held The death of Pope Paul the third with the election of Pope Iulius the third Horatio Farnese committeth him-selfe and his family into the French Kings protection Great warre in Italy concerning Parma and Placentia The Publication of the Councel of Trent Pietro Strozzi his pollicy to reuictuall Parma The German Princes Treate with the French King against the Emperor The French King being incensed against the Pope forbidd◅th the Annates in France The Turkes warre in Hungary and Transil◅ania All Germany in league against the Emperor and his brother Ferdinand to free him selfe from the warre with the Turkes offereth to pay him tribute for Transiluania And lastly the murther of Frier George Cardinall of the Sea Apostolike The fift Booke of the sixt Decade of the History of Uenice THE Pope perceauing the Emperor to be distasted of the Protestants as hath beene said began to heate him more by promising to aid him with great numbers both of horse and foote paid by the Sea Apostolike The Senate from the beginning vsed meanes to appease the Pope and to diuert him from medling in that warre the which it thought could bring no good to Italy and there was small hope to preuaill by force in matter of Relligion For all the free townes of Germany hauing declared them-selues for the Protestant Princes fearing that the Emperor vnder other pretences went about to subiugate them Germany on the other side standing badly affected to the Pope and Court of Rome it was to be feared and not without cause that the same fierce and warlike nation would by reason ther of make incursions into Italy where they that had in no sort delt in that businesse were to smart for it Or if the Emperor should happen to quell Germany hee by that victory growing more mighty both in forces and reputation his greatnesse would proue fearefull to the Princes of Italy But the Senate knowing him to be resolute therein and that being prickt forward by two mighty spurrs Feare and Hope concerning the affaires of state of his own greatnesse and that of his house he would not embrace any councell contrary to his owne opinion did for beare to speake vnto him any more concerning that matter but vpon the Pope and Emperors motion vnto it about that exterprize by their Ambassadors it made a modest answer because it would not vainely offend the Emperor without praising or dispraising it being not willing to giue any occasion to be requested to aide him Yet neuerthelesse it was certainly reported that the Common-wealth had promised at the conclusion of the league at Rome to giue paiment for fiue thousand footemen which was most false The Venetians being desirous in some sort to content these Princes in any thing which was not of expence and being intreated so to doe did promise free passage to the Popes soldiers who being assembled at Bolognia to the number of twelue thousand footmen and fiue hundred horse were to passe thorrow the Territory of Verona to goe to Trent the like was done to the Emperors forces who for their mony were furnished with victualls and other necessaries The best and brauest soldiers of all Italy were in the Popes Army whereof Octania Farnese his Nephew was Generall who was a yong Lord of great hope But that of the Emperor was composed of sundry nations namely of diuers Almans drawne forth of the patrimonial States of the house of Austria frō those of the Dukes of Bauaria and Cleues and the Marquis Albert of Brandenbourg who did follow the Emperors party so that the whole number of his forces were forty thousand footemen and fiue thousand horse The Protestant Princes made preparations at the same time the cheife of whom were Iohn Fredericke Duke of Saxony one of the Electors of the Empire and Phillip Lantgraue of Hesse who saying that they would defend the liberty of Germany which Charles went about to vsurpe as they said did draw vnto their parts diuers of the greatest Lords and Citties of Germany as the Duke of Wittemberg the Count Palatin another Elector with the Common-wealthes of Argentine Vlmes Francfort and Norimberg the Citty of Ausbourg hauing a long time before declared it selfe in their behalfe all which hauing resolued to hold a diet at Vlmes did send their Ambassadors and Commissioners thither to treat particularly of the preparations for warre where the concourse of all Germany was such as they leuied a very great army of fourescore thousand footmen and tenne thousand horse with which forces they promised vnto themselues to be able to ouercome those of the Emperor and to driue him forth of Germany in regard hee was not able to assemble Germaine forces comparable to theirs They feared
none but forraine soldiers and especially the Italian Fantery leuied by the Pope whereuppon to stoppe their passage they did write louingly to the Venetians and by putting them in mind of the antient freindship betwixt the Germaine nation and them they entreated them not to giue passage to those through their territories who came only to offend them and to serue the Emperor who went about to bring Germany into seruitude The Senate answered that it did hold their freindship deere which they had euer embraced generaly that of all Germany but their Countrey being open and Champaine they could not stoppe the soldiers passage but with great forces which they were wont to employ but against open enemies Within a while after they receiued particular letters from the Duke of Saxony and the Landgraue of Hesse which acquainting them with their deseignes and how that for their owne defense they had beene enforced to take armes did ernestly entreate them to lend them a certaine summe of money The King of England did greatly fauour his demand by his Secretary residing at Venice who presented his letters that King being distasted of the Emperor but the Senate making still one answer said that it did hold those Princes for their good and trusty freinds and did wish them all prosperity and aduancement but that they could not satisfie their request without offending other Princes with whom they were in league and freindship which they did mean to maintaine and that these respects excepted they did greatly affect the Germaine nation Those of Ausbourg likewsie hauing by their letters and by an expresse messenger recommended their Marchants to the Senate many of whom were retired to Venice and greater numbers comming daily thither for feare of those trobles were kindly answered that their Cittizens with all others of any other Citties of Germany which came to Venice should be very welcome and vsed as their owne Cittizens as they had beene in former times Now Whilest either party was busied in making preparations for warre and that already great numbers of soldiers raised in Italy were ready to march a rumor was spred abroad how that both sides were at peace and become freinds the Capitulations whereof beeing vnknowne and no Postes beeing sent abroad into all places to publish it did sufficiently manifest that it was nothing so yet neuerthelesse these sodaine newes did amaze the Venetians considering that such great numbers of soldiers which at that time filled all Italy were sufficient to affright other mens states which were vnfurnished of force whenso euer they should bee desirous to turne their Armes vpon any other enterprize The Pope hauing intelligence of the Venetians doubt and fearing least the Senate would determine for their safety to league themselues with some other with a resolution cleane contrary to his deseignes did enter into a long discourse with the Ambassador for the Signory telling him how that for the Common good â—…hee had euermore beene carefull of the peace and quiet of Italy with a particular desire to aduance whatsoeuer did belong to the safety and greatnesse of the Venetian Common-wealth wherefore he willed him to assure the Senate of his good meaning that they might continew their sound intelligence with him seeing that thereby they should preserue one anothers states in safety yea and all Italy beside that he was desirous at that time to reuiue that discourse when he was armed and out of danger to be outraged to let them know that it was not feare but a true and zealous loue that mooued him so to discourse with him and to open vnto him the secret of his thoughtes The treaties of peace being broken and the Armies on both sides in the field the Protestants seeking to do that of themselues which they could not obtaine of others namely to stop the Italians passage which were comming against them went to seaze vpon the Castle of Chiusa a place in the County of Tiroll seated among the mountaines by which they supposed that the enemies would passe but the Pope and Emperors Armies keeping the way that leadeth neerer to Ispruch entred the Dutchy of Bauaria and from thence went to Ratisbon where the Emperor with his other forces expected them The two armies as well that of the Emperor as the enemies continued a long time idle each of them watching for some aduantage notwithstanding that they were oftentimes so neere together as sundry great skirmishes were many times made in one an others view without comming to battaile which the Emperor being wel aduised did as much as in him lay seeke to auoid the better to draw the businesse out in length and to defeat the enemies who were many heads of seuerall minds by temporizing the which he did For the soldiers and the townes beginning to loose their former great opinion of beeing soone able to vanquish and defeate the Emperor and to feele the discomodities of tedious contributions towards the wars King Ferdinand hauing on the other side entred Duke Iohn Fredericks State with a mighty army accompanied by Duke Maurice of Saxony his enemy there arose such a confusion and amazement in the enemies Campe as suffering diuers Castles to be taken before their faces and their Army dissoluing of it selfe the Emperor might in a short space contrary to his expectation giue an end to that dangerous warre For hauing by these fortunate euents purchased great fame and reputation diuers of those Protestant Princes and free townes returned to their obedience and begged pardon so as in a few monethes space he wonne a great part of the Contries of those great Lords and mighty Common-wealthes the which he had scarcely hoped to be able to haue done in a long time and with great labour and trauell This Warre thus ended winter being already come the Emperor dismissed the Popes troopes which being disbanded returned back into Italy The Cardinall Farnese the Popes nephew who had beene his Legat in that Army returning towards Rome was desirous as he passed along to see the Citty of Venice where hauing notice that they made preparations for his entertainment he determined to goe thither in priuate where he was so well receiued and entertained of all men both in publique and priuate as he departed from thence well satisfied and contented The Farneses not long before at the Popes request had beene receiued into the number of the Venetian Gentlemen in all places so highly reckoned of both for the ancient gouernment of the Common-wealth and for the name of liberty which they haue euer inuiolably maintained together with the dignity and command of great dominions And because occasion is now offered by the way to speak sumwhat of this nobility we wil breefly make some mention thereof The Venetians do call those Gentlemen that haue a share in the gouernment of the Common-wealth that is to say those that haue authority to elect the publick magistrates and may
themselues likewise bee elected this authority is giuen them from their birth so as who-so-euer is borne of noble parents is noble and may at a certaine time and manner limitted by the lawes enter into the great councell where the ordinary electon of Magistrates is made Into this ranke are receiued either those who hauing beene the cheefe inhabitants of the Citty and most famous for vertue and wealth haue from the beginning had the mannaging of publike affaires or alse those who for some notable and worthy act done in serof the Common-wealth are at sundry times and for sundry accidents admitted therevnto who for the most part haue beene of the cheefe and noblest families of some other place or some others vnto whome by speciall grace and fauour this title of Nobillity hath beene giuen Wherein neuer-the-lesse they haue carried them-selues very moderately it being graunted but to Lords of great Estate and in this manner were the families of Este and Gonzaga with some others of the cheefe of Italy admitted there-vnto namely Henry King of France and Poland being at Venice in the yeare 1574. and among other honors receiuing the title of a Venetian Gentleman did seeme to be highly pleased and satisfied with that guift Besides all those that descend from them who haue beene once receaued into this degree haue the same preeminence and to the end it may continually be the better maintayned in it perfection they do curiously search out the pedegrees of those who are to enter into the great councell not only the nobillity of the father but like-wise whether they bee borne of lawfull matrimony and of no common woman but of some honorable degree and condition wherof a regester is kept by one of the cheefe magistrates termed the Auogario of the Common-wealth But to returne to our history the Emperor Charles was in all places highly praised and commended for his fortunate successe and for breaking the enemies army Duke Fredericke and the Landgraue were yet vnuanquished who despayring as authors of al those troubles of obtaining the Emperors fauour did still continew in their rebellion and yet for all that men might perceiue that they could not long resist the forces or so great and victorious a Prince The Pope calling to mind by himself whatsoeuer was past perceiued how much more proffitable it had beene for him to haue followed the Venetians councell whose wisdom he highly praised for he saw no prosperous successe of any thing that he had taken in hand The councell lay open as before the Emperor doing it to content the people of Germany although by reason of the warre certaine Prelats were gone home againe That Pietro Lodouico was in no great fafety in regard the warre was so sonne ended the which he thought would haue continued longer with diuers other matters which discontented him and gaue him cause to complaine The Emperor on the other side made his complaints saying that he had broken promise with him because the warre being not yet ended which hee had begun thorow his perswasion he had countermanded his troupes leauing him still entangled in Germany betwixt two mighty enemies the Duke of Saxony and the Landgraue of Hesse the which he much amplified to draw the Pope to a new contribution of mony or that hee might haue leaue to make vse of the wealth of the Churches of Spaine which he had often craued or els to make his victories seeme greater by exalting the enemies forces so as they made him more proud and encreased in him his desire to rule especially after that he had in battaile vanquished and taken Iohn Fredericke Duke of Saxony prisoner and enforced the Landgraue to craue his pardon wherevpon entring intriumphant manner into the Citty of Ausbourge he there held a Diet where he obtayned whatsoeuer he demanded for his owne proffit and commodity Yet neuer-the-lesse in the middest of all these prosperities his mind stil ran vpon the affaires of Italy how he might keep to himselfe the State of Milan whither he sent great store of ordnance which he had taken from diuers Lords of Germany with great numbers of Spanish foot as those in whom he reposed most trust and him-selfe going thither afterwards caused the oth of allegiance to be made vnto him-selfe and to him whom he should appoint for their Prince meaning his Sonne Philip who for that purpose was shortly to passe into Italy yet neuer-the-lesse he procured an agreement with the Swisses whereby they were bound to maintaine and defend the State of Milan He had moreouer placed foure hundred Spaniards in Siena for the gard of the Citty with an officer of his owne who in diuers matters vsed great authority and went about to build a Castle there that he might afterwards make him-selfe absolute maister thereof vnder collour of the commotions of the people and nobility who being not able in the end to endure to see them-selues brought into bondage had driuen the Spaniards forth of the citty and committed diuers other outrages against the Imperiall Maiestie he did likewise vse meanes to seaze on the towne of Piombino to take it from the true Lord vpon sundry pretences promising to recompence him with some other place hoping to make vse of the commodiousnesse of that place being seated on the sea of Tuscany and fit for his other deseigns But his seasing on the Citty of Placentia together with the death of Petro Lodouico did more then all the rest amaze euery man and especially the Pope for the ful accomplishment of the Emperors happinesse there died at the same time not long one after another the two greatest and mightiest Kings of Christendome Francis the first of that name French King and Henry the eight King of England so that all things seemed to fauour him and to fall out according to his desire seeing that those two great and mighty Princes being taken away who were his enemies and enuious of his greatnesse hee remained alone of him-selfe in a manner Iudge and Vmpier of all matters with a soueraygne authority Henry Daulphin of France succeeded King Francis his Father not onely in the crowne but in the selfe same affections and desires in no sort to giue way to the Emperors fortune The Senate were greatly greeued with King Francis death where-vpon they chose two Ambassadors namely Vittore Grimani and Mateo Dandulo who were in all hast to goe into France to the new King and according to the custome to bewaile with him his fathers death and next to congratulate his comming to the crowne and to assure him that the Venetian Republike was disposed and resolued to continue peace and friendship with him as it had done with his Father the late King As for Henry King of England Italy was not so much greeued fot him that Kingdom being farther off the Venetians alone bewayled him by reason of their ordinary commerce and trafficke into that realme for which they
Councel and haue a watchfull eie on the defence of their State supposing that remedy alone to be sufficient for that time to free them from all feare and dangers and therefore they did not thinke it necessary to enter into a more strict and particular vnion whereby they might stirre vp and prouoke those that were desirous to trouble their peace Although this answer did not greatly please the Pope and King they did neuer-the-lesse dissemble it because they would not altogether estrange them from their friendship and loose their hope of seeing them one day hauing changed their minds to bee ioyned with them Wherupon commending the graue and mature Councell of that Senate they said that when they should haue a further insight into the Emperors intention which could not bee long concealed together with the suspition which all men had conceiued of his ambition they would then on a sodaine resolue with true and firme foundations to assure that which concerned themselues and the whole State of Italy Now notwithstanding this resolution of the Venetians that their hope of their good successe in their own enterprises was for the most part lost the desire neuer-the-lesse of taking armes against the Emperor was not diminished neither in the Pope nor French King and being not able in the meane time by reason of sundry difficulties to come to open force yet diuers secret practises were broched betwixt the French and the Farneses in sundry Citties of Italy cheefly at Genoa Siena Millan Citties infected with the humors of diuers factions The yeere following 1548. was in a manner spent in such like businesses secret practizes conspiracies of Princes against one ano◅hers States yet without any effect of importance For although the French King was desirous to trouble Italy that he might altogether keepe the Emperor busied there and yet neuer-the-les he thought it a weake and feeble thing to build his hopes vpon the Popes friendship who was very old and poore one already in the graue perhaps not very firme constant to maintaine war if the Emperor should propound vnto him as it was likely he would by reason of his alliance with Octauio Farnese some means of agreement he did likewise perceiue that the Venetians being not wel resolued to take arms were stil desirous to remaine neuters were so strongly vnited with the Emperor since certen yeares as he thought it an impossibility to bee able to disioyne them besides he was desirous to pursue the war with y◠English hoping by reason of the contētion in Englād betwixt the Gouernors of the yong King not only to keepe Scotland which he hoped one day would fall to his eldest son by the mariage of the Infanta of that kingdom but likewise to win recouer the towne of Bouloigne by means whereof although he continued his sundry practizes not only with the Pope concerning Parma but likewise at Genoa Siena for the alteration of the gouernment of those townes depending on the Emperors authority yet neuer-the-les hee made no preparation to put his desiegnes in execution nor declared himselfe openly the Emperors enemy The Pope on the other side beeing extreamly desirous to reuenge the wrongs which the Emperor had done him and to restore the Citty of Placentia to his house did greatly doubt whither it were best for him to proceed therein by armes or by way of agreement some-times hee hoped that the Emperor as Lord of so many great States although hee did for a time shew himselfe sterne and seuere would not in the end depriue Octauio his sonne in lawe with his children descended from that mariage of that State and reduce them to a priuate fortune and condition for which hee had more then once sent expresse messengers vnto him to entreat him to deliuer the Citty of Placentia to Octauio and to for beare to molest him any more about the possession of the Citty of Parma but at the same time that hee sent these Ambassadors hee dealt with the Fre◅ch King to take Duke Octauto with the Citty of Parma into his protection against the Imperiall forces The Pope in this sort beeing tossed vp and downe resolued for the satisfying of the Emperor and the Almaines with whom hee was at oddes in regard of the Councel which he would haue had to be kept at Bolognia and others at Trent to send the Bishop of Fane his Nuncio to the Emperor and the Bishop of Verona at the same time for his Legat into Germany with power and authority to grant the Almains sundry things which they craued for some alteration of the ordinary customes in the Romaine Church the which the Emperor had iustly lookt into the better to bridle that nation after that he had granted them the Interim and in the meane time for an answer to the Pope hee fed him and the Duke Octauio likewise with sundry hopes without any certaine resolution propounding sundry kinds of agreement vnto them some times that hee would recompence him with some other State in an other place then he said that he would first see who had most right to that State either the Church or the Empire at other times likewise seeming to bee discontented insteed of surrendring Placentia hee demanded to haue Parma deliuered to him in a word those which best knew his inward meaning did suppose that he went about by those incerteinties to entangle the Pope in perpetuall doubts hauing already determined with himselfe by no meanes to quit the Citty of Placentia as beeing very commodious for the State of Milan but sought to prolong and giue time and to keepe himself from beeing enforced to take armes waiting for the Popes sodaine death that he might in the meane time be able to execute his other great deseignes Now whilest the Christian Princes enemies to peace did in this manner vex themselues with sundry thoughts their Estates were by meere chance and vnknowne to themselues freed from the assaults of the Turkish armes because Soliman was desirous to lead his Army appointed for Hungary against Persia beeing therevnto prouoked by a desire of glory which hee hoped to purchase by the defeate of Tamas forces This caused him more willingly to grant the truce for which Ferdinand had sent an Ambassadge to him to Constantinople which was confirmed for fiue yeares on condition that Ferdinand should pay him a yearely tribute of thirty thousand Ducats for the lands which he possessed in Hungary The Venetians in this agreement were on both sides mentioned which procured them much safety and reputation especially by that wherein it was expresly said that none of those that were mentioned should during the time of the truce trouble the peace and quiet one of another There hapned certainly at the same a matter worthy of note which was that our Princes distrusting one another did of themselues by diminishing their owne reputation encrease the authority and pride
remained at Ispruch to goe into Italy he seemed not to allow of that Councell considering with himselfe that there was small safety in passing through the Venetians State and yet they had neuer lesse will to hurt him then at that time hating to take aduantage on the aduerse fortune of a great Prince their freind and Confederate notwithstanding that certaine Germaine Princes had solicited them to take armes against him offering them tenne thousand footmen and two thousand horse which the Senate would neuer accept of but hee being afterwards informed of the truth of the matter by Dominico Morosin who in quality of Ambassador had stil attended vpon him he did commend it highly thanked the Senare for their loue good meaning toward him in so hazardous a fortune His maiesty then perceiuing that in his greatest desaster the Spanish footmen whom he expected were not arriued turned all his thoughtes vpon peace and to to this end the Confederate Princes holding a Diet at Possonia King Ferdinand went thither in person to treate of the conditions of peace But the Protestants desiting to make vse of the time to abase the Emperors authority and to preserue the liberty and priuiledges of the Princes and free Citties of Germany made very vnreasonable demands where vpon the Emperor sometimes being enforced by necessity and so many miseries did for their satistaction grant their demands and at other times againe recalling his vsuall courrage and inuincible constancy he said that he would rather endure all hazards of Fortune then grant things vnworthy of himself and his Imperial dignity In the end standing firme for the matter of Religion not to innouate any thing in the Citties which had accepted the interim nor like wise to submit to the decrees of the new Diets that which appertained to the prerogatiues and authority of the Empyre hee condescended by accepting the accord to the inlargement of the prisoners and granted a generall pardon to the rebells These troubles had put the French King and Prince of Salerne in great hope to be able to execute the enterprize of Naples in which they supposing that the Venetians could doe more then any others the Prince of Salerne returned to Venice where he and the Lord of Selua Ambassador for the King made new more earnest practizes to draw the Common-wealth into a league for that purpose They declared whatsoeuer they thought might incite the Senate to hate the Emperor and on the contrary they forgot nothing which might serue to insinuate the French King into their fauour and to extoll him as well in regard of his great forces as for his loue and affection towards the Republick And because they perceiued the Senate to bee resolute to persist in their neutrality the Lord of Selua embracing the matter with great vehemency spake thus My Lords doe you not perceiue that it lyeth not in your power to diuert the King from this enterprise hee beeing wholy inclined therevnto either alone or in your or others company and whatsoeuer your resolution is these Princes are to striue together for their fortune to which side soeuer it shall incline it is to bee feared that your newtrality will not bee able to defend your State and that which belongeth to you exposed to infinite dangers beeing equally hated of the victor and vanquished of the one because that when you had meanes to assist him you did not respect his misery nor vouchsafed to doe it of the other for that enuying his wealth and prosperitie you would not ioyne with him And what can my King presume eyther of you and of your so ancient as you terme it and deere friendship if to your owne profit and commodity yee accept not his offers full of affection and good will and grant not his honest and iust demands What hope may hee haue of your friendship in aduersity if you make so small account of him in his prosperity What fitter or more commodious occasion can you expect for the aduancement of your Common-wealth or for your assurance against the Emperors redoubred power if you reiect that which is now offered How often vppon lesse occasion haue your Ancestors and your selues to the immortall praise of your Senates magnanimity taken armes Perhaps you thinke that my King beeing now able to his great aduantage to make an accord with the Emperor and refusing so to doe will without you at some other time hearken to it to his owne disaduantage and yours or peraduenture some hope that the Emperor recouering his former greatnesse will remember this good office for that you beeing sued vnto would not take armes against him but vndoubtedly it is more like that hee according to the custome of all Princes and in particular following his owne naturall inclination will make more account of his owne interest and particular pofit then of all duties and good offices done vnto him Florence Siena and Genoa may serue you for examples whom in recompence of their good seruice hee hath wholy depriued of their liberties These reasons were great in shew but being neerly examined it was perceiued that they were not well grounded hauing no firme foundation and therefore after that the Senate had maturely considered the matter as well that which concerned their newtrallity as the time of yeare already farre spent and vnfit for any great enterprize either by Sea or Land they concluded with a generall consent to answer the Prince and the French Ambassador thus That the Senate did infinitly thanke the King and Prince for their loue and affection towards the proffit of the Commonwealth and that it would perpetually remember it but the Venetians hauing for many yeares beene at peace with all Princes they thought it not a fit thing to breake it vpon no occasion that in any other matter the Senate would striue to satisfie the Kings desire vnto whom and his Realme likewise it wished all health and prosperity After this answer the Prince continuing his propositions did in the Citty of Chioggia assemble diuers of the French faction to determine with them on fittest meanes for the enterprize of Naples There met the two Cardinalls Ferrara and Tournon the Lord of Termes the Kings Lieutenant in Italy Selua the Kings Ambassador at Venice The Duke of Somma with other Dukes of the realme of Naples and certaine other Lords vnto whom the Prince hauing represented the businesse very easie the Assembly did not so finde it in regard of diuers great and euident difficulties the which hauing like-wise beene well examined by the King he wrote to the Prince and to his Ambassador not to motion it to the Senate but they had already done it as hath bin said whereby the Senates answer and resolution was the more commended by all men Whithin a while after matters beginning to turne and change the French King was aduertized how that the Almans had forsaken his alliance and were banded against him because he had
to passe that he being driuen thence easily to obtaine it for himselfe This Duke beeing aduertised of the practises which were wrought against him went to Constantinople to iustifie his cause where knowing that the fauour and friendship of the great Lords Councellors is bestowed on such as giue most for it he carâ—…ied with him fifteene thousand Crownes to bestow among them hoping by that money to winne those of the Councell to his side but at his arriuall the laid hands on him and being committed to prison he lost at one time both his money and all the wealth he had At last beeing set at liberty as innocent and hauing committed no fault at all he could neuer afterwards recouer his principallity so as beeing reduced to extreame pouerty he came to Venice The Venetians taking pitty on that honest man who by the mallice and enuy of that Iew was fallen into such misery and calamity and not through his owne fault were very liberall to him the like did the Pope when he came to Rome By this time Marin Caballo who was appointed by the Senate as hath beene said to goe Ambassador to Selim was ready who departed from Venice and with a faire and gentle wind sailed towards Constantinople where at his first arriuall he treated according to the vse with the cheife of the great Lords Councell for no stranger is admitted to speake with the Emperor till such time as his demaund be determined and concluded by them but he had much to doe to obtaine that which he demanded those Councellors feigning that Selim the new Emperorrefused to confirme their aliance which was only to draw greater guifts from them which they did for the Ambassador hauing giuen them many other great presents he did at length procure the Councellors to consent to the conditlons of peace and freindship then hee was brought in by the Captaine of the Port and led by the Armes to kisse the Emperors hand the like did diuers young Gentlemen which had accompanied the Ambassador but they were led in another fashion for two Turkes held each of them by the armes and brought them as prisoners who did not Kisse the Emperors hand but his knees that doon they returned and went backward their faces being still turned towards the Emperor These young Gentlemen being led forth of the roome not any Christian remained in Selims Chamber but only the Ambassador who spake breefely vnto him in this manner As much greefe most gracious Emperor as our Venetian Common-wealth highly affected to the Ottomans hath receiued by the death of Soliman that glorious and most wise Emperor euen so much ioy and contentment hath it to vnderstand that the diuine power hath raised you to such a dignity and placed you in the throne belonging to the famous and mostiust family of the Ottomans For it is most certaine that the soule of Soliman doth at this present glory not only for that it did so much surpasse all men in good hap and glory for high enterprises in wisdome and knowledge of diuers things for being meeke and gentle to the humble liberall to his freinds and faithfull to his allies but much more for leauing you his sonne behind him farre more excellent then himselfe For hee hauiâ—…g beene euer inuincible and hauing neuer giuen place to any man is not only at this present ioyfull but likewise accounteth himselfe more honored sor being surmounted and ouercome by his sonne in all vertues belonging to an Emperor The excellency of so many great Emperors your Auncestors doe inuite vs nay rather doe enforce vs most mighty Emperor to expect as much from you the glory of the Ottomans the high attempts of your progenitors euery where so much renowned doth draw vs therevnto and the fame of your fore fathers continued for so many yeares without intermission doth confirme it to vs. These things beeing thus the Venetian Senate hath sent mee hether to confirme and establish the same friendship and alliance which hath euer beene betwizt the Ottoman Emperots our Republicke and this amity with your most excellent maiesty ought to bee so much the more pleasing vnto you by how much it is more ancient confirmed by sundry good offices on either part and continued for so many yeares For in very deed all worldly things doe by long tract of time corrupt and grow weake and still new things are found best but freindship which is a sacred diuine thing and which can not be but among good and iust men the older it is so much more perfect and durable is it Our Republick then being mooued by these reasons doth continually pray vnto Almighty God for your health and prosperity The Ambassador hauing ended his speech Selim swore a sollemne oath and ratifyed that which was written in his Patents sealed with his seale The forme of Selims oth was thus I sweare promise by the eternall God creator of Heauen Earth by the soules of the Seauenty Prophets by mine owne soule and those of all mine Auncestors to obserue from point to point all the rightes of alliance and freindship maintained vntill this present and to keepe them sacred and inuiolable in the same manner as they are confirmed by my seale Selim as the Ambassador was taking his leaue answered him in few words badly polished but yet full of all curtesie and humanity Gaballus departing from the great Lords Pallace and mounting his horse was conducted by the Ianissaries vnto whom before hee had audience he had giuen guifts to his owne lodging then preparing for his returne to Venice the Baschaes of the Councell vsed him with great curtesie and liberality giuing him sumptuous garments Terra Sigillata Balsamum and diuers other pretious things somtimes likewise they doe vse to feast and banquet one an other At the same time such numbers of Pirates did scoure the sea-coasts of Dalmatia as men could not liue safly in their own houses they did not only rob those whom they encountred at Sea after the maner of Pirats but did likewise come on shore putting all to fier and sword killing old men and young Children carrying away with them Men Women Cattail The Venetians were not able to indure that insolency â—…ut did on a suddaine arme forty Gallies vnder the command of Hermolao Tepulo whereof these Pirates beeing aduertized departed speedily from thence and left the Prouince in quiet In the meane time Ieronimo Priuli dyed hauing governed eight yeares eleuen monethes and foure dayes and was honorably buried in Saint Dominicks Church in the monument of his Auncestors PIETRO LOREDANO the 84. Duke PIETRO LOREDANO a renowned and excellent Senator was chosen in his steed on the 26. of Nouember all men hoping that his gouernment would procure great commodity to the common-wealth and so ended the yeare 1567. Not long after the Arcenall of Venice was set on fire which was fearefull for the noyce it made it beeing heard many miles
aduised and assisted by Coza Ali a marchant of Tauris vnto whom he comming with him from Venice the busines had been recommended he beganne to deale with the great Chancellor of the Kingdome who after diuers ordinances made a free answer That his King was a very wise and discreet Prince who knowing that in a matter of so great importance it was necessary to proceed very maturely he would first see the successe of the league wherevppon he might afterwards more safely resolue Alessandri hauing receiued this answer and perceiuing that he could not bee admitted to speake with the King left Persia for he plainly discerned that Tamas being very old was altogether adicted to peace and auoided all occasions which might cause the Turkes to suspect that he had any intelligence with Christians against him Such were the Venetians preparations such their resolution and thus did they treat with forraine Princes that beeing vnited together they might oppose themselues against that Common enemy at what time the Turkes beganne to vse hostile actions staied diuers Venetian Marchants with their goods who traded at Narenta and other places of Albania in the Turkes dominions they did likewise vnlode although vnder another cullor two Venetian shippes which were at Constantinople not suffering them to depart from thence Therevppon it was thought fit at Venice to doe the like by the Turkes subiects and their goods to the end that vppon all occasions the bodies and goods of those men might be answerable for their subiects Whilest the Venetians were busied in their preparations the Turkes at Constantinople did hasten the prouision of all necessaries for their iourney they did in their Arcenall build new Gallies trimmed the ould ones cast new peeces of Ordnance enroll great numbers of Pioners in Grecia made huge proportions of Biskets in Morea sent fiue and twenty Gallies to Alexandria to fetch all prouisions made there for the Army and Selim continuing his resolution to goe in person with the army they prepared an infinite number of vessels called Mahonnes and Palanderias and made great prouisions of all things according to the custome of that nation whenso-euer their great Lord doeth goe vnto the Army But the Baschaes Mustapha and Piali with diuers others of the Councell vnto whom the enterprize of Ciprus was committed consulting afterwards on what course were best to be held in that warre and there being some contrariety found in their opinions some stay was made of the businesse In the meane time the Venetian Baily that lay at Constantinople beeing acquainted with all these proceedings tooke great care how he might aduertise the Senate thereof to write he durst not fearing least his letters would bee intercepted as some of his had already beene wherevppon knowing that the Bascha Mahomet was euer against this enterprize hee did hope by his meanes to obtaine his desire Hee did by Ibrahim acquaint the Bascha and afterwards himself by word of mouth how-ill beseeming it was for the Maiesty and generosity of so great a Prince to inuade those on a sudaine and vnlookt for who vpon his word and oath thought themselues safe and firme as though when time and occasion should bee offered hee could want forces to employ against them for the recouery of that which hee might iustly thinke did belong vnto him against whom hee ought first to proceed by way of Iustice and next by force vsing first gentle meanes before hee did take Armes The Bascha being mooued by these reasons perswaded the great Lord to send some of his seruants to Venice to demand the Realme of Cyprus before hee sent his Army to enuade it which councell Selim allowed Cubat Chiaus was appointed to that end who some two yeares before had beene at Venice vpon other businesse the Bayly vnder this coulor tooke occasion to send one of his seruants to accompany the Chiaus to conduct him safely thorow the Venetians territories and to cause this negotiation to bee the more esteemed Hee determined to send Lodoutco Bonriey his Secretary whom hee thorowly instructed with all matters hee did likewise obtaine leaue of the Bascha to send his yong sonne Lodouico to Venice fearing least hee should miscarry among those Barbarians in such wretched times This proposition to send to Venice did occasion an other good for there was a suspention of Armes on the Turkes side till the returne of the Chiaus whereby the Venetians had time to man their townes with strong garrisons and to prouide for their affaires The Chiaus beeing come to Venice the Senate beeing before aduertised of the cause why hee came and hauing resolued vpon an answer commanded that no man should talke or conuerse with him but beeing left alone with the Secretary Bonriccy and two Dragomans they decreed that without any other ceremony hee should haue priuate audience where hee comming into the Senate and beeing placed in the vsuall seate vppon the Princes right hand hee went and kissed his Gowne and after diuerse reuerences hee presented a pursse of cloth of gold Tissue wherein according to the custome of that nation Selims letters were and said Most excellent Prince this is a Letter from my Lord when you are acquainted with his demand I expect to haue an answer Wherevnto the Prince answering that it should bee so and the Chiaus standing still perplexed in minde because no other speech was vsed to him added My Lords Mahomet the Visier Bascha hath commanded mee to tell you that hee is very sorry that an occasion is offered that hee must needs breake off from you hauing euer sought by all meanes to continue your friend but complaints comming so often to the Porte and from so many places of the vnfriendly dealings of the officers belonging to this State and especially of the kinde entertainment and reception giuen to the Westerne Pirates in Cyprus who this very yeare haue done great hurt to the Musulmans hath taken such impression in the minde of the great Lord and hath so prouoked him against this State perceiuing that speech vsed so often vpon these complaints to your Bayly hath beene to no purpose as his authority hath beene no longer able to keepe warre from beeing denounced against you and because hee knoweth that yee cannot long hold out against the power of so potent a Prince hee aduiseth you as a friend to take some other course to shield you from so many dangers and to this end he hath procured my comming hither and offereth to doe all hee may that yee may auoyde this mighty stroake of fortune and continue your ancient friendship with the great Lord and hauing ended his speech hee presented a letter from the same Bascha conteining in substance that which hee had spoken The Chiaus hauing deliuered his message the Prince told him that the Senate had resolued on an answer the which should bee read vnto him that hee might the better vnderstand and know their intention Wherevpon hee commanded Antonio
Milladonna Secretary to the Councell of Tenne to read it which in effect was thus That the Senate did greatly maruaile that his Lord beeing no way by them prouoked nor vpon any iust cause would violate and enfringe that oath by which he had so solemnly confirmed the peace and tooke for a pretence to make warre vpon them that they should giue away a kingdome which the common-wealth had for many yeares lawfully and peaceably enioyed the which hee might bee well assured that they would neuer part from but seeing hee was determined to proceed against them after that manner the Venetian Senate would not faile to defend that which did belong vnto it hoping by so much more to bee the better able to doe it by how much the iustice of their cause would procure them all ayde and succour both diuine and humaine They told him afterwards that his Lords letters beeing translated and read hee should receiue an answer and so the Chiaus without any farther discourse was dismissed The beginning of those letters was stuffed with sundry complaints against the Venetians for that they had disquieted the ancient bounds of Dalmatia which by conuention made with his predecessors had beene established betwixt both the one and other Empire that contrary to the old and new agreement the Admiralls of the Venetian Galleys hâ—…d put diuerse Turkish Pirates to death after that they had taken them aliue in fight but especially for that the Westerne Pirates were welcome into the Isle of Cyprus who did continually disquiet his neighbour citâ—…ies and barred his subiects from their free nauigation then toward the latter end hee craued that if the Venetians were desirous to continue their ancient friendship with him that they should surrender vnto him the Isle of Cyprus to take away that cheefe cause which did entertaine those controuersies betwixt them otherwise they should prepare for a fierce warre by sea and land for hee was determined to send his nauall Army with great forces to take that Island and in other places to inuade their dominions by land hoping in God the giuer of victories and in his blessed Prophet Mahomet by whose fauour the Ottoman Family had obtained so great an Empire to be victorious in that enterprise The Senate made this answer to these letters That the Venetians had euer inuiolably maintained peace made with the Ottâ—…man Emperors and contemned all other respects whatsoeuer by refusing all occasions whereof they might haue made good vse to their owne profit because that aboue all other things they thought it fit and beseeming a Prince carefully to keepe his promise and they being desirous to auoyde all suspition of so great an infamy had dissembled and buried in silence diuerse wrongs done vnto them because they would not bee the first desturbers of the peace But now perceiuing that vppon no occasion warre is denounced against them at such a time as they least expected it they would not refuse it for the defence of their owne and in particular for the defence of the Realme of Cyprus the which as their Aucestors had enioyed it with so iust a title for so many yeares they did likewise hope that God would giue them the grace to defend it valiantly against all those that would vniustly take it from them Warre beeing in this sort denounced against the Venetians and by them entertained the Senate made a decree to sell diuerse publick possessions to accept of sundry loanes of money to the great profit of those that brought them and in a word to vse all meanes to gather great sums of money together wherevpon for this purpose the number of the â—…rocurators of Saint Marke was augmented which is the cheef dignity next to the Duke bestowing it vpon those that should lend twenty thouâ—…and Ducats to the Common-wealth they did likewise permit all young Gentlemen to enter into the great Councell before the time appointed by the lawes who thereby might be capable to elect magistrates and likewise to execute the like places themselues so as they would lay in deposito certaine sommes of money in the publique treasury The surcease of armes had continued for a while till the returne of Cubat and the end of his negotiation but being come to Raguza the answere which he brought was soone divulged wherevpon the souldiers that lay in the parts neere adioyning not tarrying for any others commandement being assembled in great numbers did not only waste and spoile the champaine country of Albania and Dalmatia which was subiect to the Venetians but went and encamped before Dulcina and Antiuari who finding them to be manned with strong Garrisons and hauing no ordnance to batter them they were enforced to retire Now the Chiaus being returned to Constantinople and the Senates answere being knowne all men did greatly wonder at it for the Turkes hauing seene in former time what deere account the Venetians made of the great Lords friendship supposed that they would try all meanes before they would take armes against him But Selim did not so much wonder as he did scorne and disdaine accounting himselfe highly wronged and contemned in his owne person because that the vsuall ceremonies and entertainments done to Ambassadors had beene denied to Cubat and for that they had not sent an expresse messenger to him with their answere but had contrary to their promise detained the Secretary Bonricci at Venice In regard whereof his pleasure was being so councelled by Mahomet to haue Cubat come into his presence and particularly to relate the Venetians speeches and entertainment giuen vnto him together with their preparations for warre which he vnderstanding from his mouth was some times amazed at the report of the Republikes forces repenting him in a manner of his determination and on a sodaine he would enter into rage and choller being therevnto prouoked by his owne pride and by the flattery of his councellors wherevpon he placed gards about the Baylies house that he should not goe abroad commanding the Bashas of Cairo and Aleppo to doe the like to the Venetian Consuls of Alexandria and Syria yet they were afterwards set at liberty on condition they should not depart nor conuay their marchandize forth of the Turkes Dominions LODOVICO MOCENIGO the 85. Duke IN the meane time Prince Loredan died at Venice and Lodouico Mocenigo was chosen in his place to the peoples great ioy and vnusuall applauds presuming that they had a Prince who was wise discreet and a louer of the poore and would constantly oppose himselfe against all those perils and dangers which did then threaten the Commonwealth The Senaâ—…e after this election hauing acquainted all Christian Princes with the comming of the Chiaus to Venice together with their answere went about to continue the former motions of the league Therefore for the greater recommendation of the matter they resolued to send an expresse Ambassador to the Emperour and to that end they appointed Giacomo Sourance a man of great
in the Hauen of Nista opposite to it where he speedily landed his souldiours and willed them to march on a sodaine to assaile the enemies thereby hoping with ease to surprize them and to seize vpon the place and to this purpose he sent certaine Harquebuziers before and himselfe followed after with the residue of his forces but hauing marched a great while through narrow and difficult waies they did from farre descry the caâ—…tle which they went to surprize being seated on the top of an hill in a plaâ—…e of very difficult accesse 〈◊〉 hauing well considered al matters and finding things to be otherwise then they had beene reported thought it against reason to hazard those troupes which were destined to greater atchiuements and therefore on a sodaine hee turned backe againe although the Prouidator was of a contrary opinion and countermanding the Harguebuziers that he had sent before he marched backe to the Hauen of Nista and returned to Corfou At the same time Marco Quirini came with his Gallies from Candy to Corfou hauing by the way taken the fort of Brazza de Menia which the Turkes held He was presently commanded to go with twenty Gallies and scoure the Islands of the Archipelago wherevpon he sailed to the Isle of Andros one of the renowned Cicâ—…ades Within a while after the Generall Zanne receiued commandement from the Senate to saile with his forces farther vp into the Leuant and by assayling some of the enemies townes to diuert them from the inuasion of Cyprus Wherevpon he left Corfou and went to Modon where Quirin with his Gallies met him and within two daies after he arriued in the Isle of Candy anchorâ—…d in the Gulph Anfialea which at this day marriners call the Hauen of Suda The Generall being there desirous to make speedy prouision of whatsoeuer the fleet needed found great difficulties in it chiefly in recouering suffitient numbers of men to supply the places of them that were dead wherevpon he sailed with forty Gallies to Candace the chiefe city of the Island the sooner by his presence to hasten the necessary prouisions leauing both the Prouidators and Palauicin in the hauen of Suda with foure score Gallies enioyning them to leauy men from all parts Now after that the fleet was sufficiently furnished with souldiers marriners and other necessaries they vnproffitably spent the time and the best season of the yeere expecting the Popes and Spanish Gallies the which according to the Venetians directions being ioyned together were to meet them in Candy At the last toward the latter end of August Marâ—…-Antonio Colonna the Churches Generall and Gioâ—…an Andrea Doria the Catholike Kings being arriued the Venetian 〈◊〉 was merueilous ioyfull of their comming The Generall and fleet went forth of the Hauen of Suda to welcome them where according to the manner they saluted with volies of shot then all of them entring together into the hauen made no long aboad there but after some propositions made the whole fleet retired to Siâ—…hy there more maturely to consult what were best to be done to free the Isle of Cyprus from inuasion Whilest the Christian fleet had spent much time in preparing and vniting it selfe togither the Turkes with greater celerity had assembled all their forces and being mighty at sea had without any difficulty prosperously pursued their enterprize the which was more speedily performed because that Selim who said that hee would in person goe to the army changed his determination and resolued to remaine at Constantinople by the aduise of Mahomet and Mustapha to whose authority and councell all the other Bashas condescended Selim then tarrying at Constantinople made Mustapha his Lieutenant Generall in that warre committing the whole enterprize by land to him and all marine actions to Piali Admirall of the Gallies Piali within a while after departing from Constantinople with fifty fiue Gallies and certaine other vessels Mustapha set saile with like number vnto whome for an extraordinary fauour the great Lord had giuen the Imperiall Galley to transport him which is of extraordinary greatnesse and most sumptuously decked in which the great Turke embarketh himselfe when he goes forth on any enterprize They anchored first at Negrepoâ—…t then at Rhodes where hauing intelligence that the Venetian fleet lay at Zara and could not depart from thence by reason of ficknesse and other impediments and that they had no newes at all of the Spanish fleet the Turkes being out of feare that the fleetes would ioyne together and supposing that they durst not come on any farther determined to saile directly to Cyprus But as 〈◊〉 Turkish fleet passed along from Negrepont to Rhodes Piali made an attempt to take the fort of Tina which is an Island in the farthest part of the Archipelago belonging to the Venetians and comming vnlooked for in a morning to that Island thinking to surprize it it was discouered at sea by Ieronimo Paruta a Venetian Gentleman Gouernor of the Island a valiant and discreet person who of a long time hauing feated their arriuall hee made prouisions of all necessaries for defense Hee perceiuing the enemies for to bend their course thitherward shot off a warning peece to aduertize those of the Island that were abroad in the country that they should quickly retire into the castle which beeing done in time they prepared themselues to withstand the Barbarians assaults which were very cruell not onely once but twice and thrice in euery of which they were brauely repulsed with great losse of their men and were enforced to discampe after that they had with incredible fury wasted the whole Island burned the Country houses ruined Churches and slaughtered all the cattaile that were in that Island From Tina Piali went to Rhodes where all their fleet lay which amounted to more then two hundred armed vessels accounting an hundred and fifty Gallies together with Fusts and Galeoâ—…s but in the great fleete were certaine Mahonnes which are like to great Gallies not altogither so bigge as a Gallion sixe ships and great numbers of other vessels commonly called Caramuscolini and some fifty Palandaries to transport horse This fleet bending it direct course toward Cyprus was discried neere to Baffo on the first day of Iuly in the yeere 1570. which scoured all the coast from Limissa as farre as the Promontory commonly called the Cape of the Cat then landing part of their forces they burned and spoiled the sea coasts taking many prisoners the next day pursuing their iourney they went to Salines where finding no resistance they vnship't their ordnance and the rest of the souldiers who presently fortified their campe with deepe trenches and strong Rampiers from whence they afterwards wasted and spoiled the country neere adioyning Then marching to Leucata nine miles from Salines they did easily make themselues Masters of the country and people vnto whom Mustaphaa gaue great guifts and goodly promises to draw on others and especially those of the mountaines seeking
with his Gallies in Candy The Senate beeing very carefull to prouide for Famagosta sent two other ships thither with eight hundred footmen and great store of munition vnder the command of Honoreo Scoto with letters to the inhabitants full of hearty affection highly commending their constant loyalty intreating them still to persist in their owne defence and by no meanes to rely vpon the word or promise of those Barbarous infidels The like letters in effect were written to Baillone wherein his valour was much commended as worthy of his Ancestors and the loue which himselfe and predecessors had euer borne to the Common-wealth promising highly to recompence him When these last supplies arriued at Famagosta they made vp the whole number of foure thousand Italian footmen eight hundred of the Islanders which are termed Legionaries and three thousand Citizens and country people with two hundred Albaneses At the same time the rebellion of the Albaneses against the Turkes did stil continue diuers of the countries of Ducagina Pedana Ematia and Sadrina comming dayly to make sundry offers to the Agents of the Common-wealth wherevpon the Prouidator Celsi was commanded to saile to Catharra with tenne Gallies but Celsi falling sicke by the way Nicolo Suriano who was Lieutenant of the Gulphe was commanded to take that charge vpon him and with foure Gallies to enter into the Riuer Boyan to backe the rebellion of that people and carefully to obserue whether he could with good successe make any attempt vpon Durazzo Scatar or Alexia which the chiefe of the Albaneses had propounded Suriano hauing continued certaine daies in those confines perceiued very well that the deeds were not answerable to their words and that it was in vaine to make any attempt vpon the enemies territories without suffitient forces for that purpose the Senate neuerthelesse beeing vnwilling to omit any thing which it knew might auaile the Common wealth chose Giacomo Malatesta for Gouernor Generall in Albania who comming to Catharra was desirous to make incursions into the enemies country where hauing taken a great booty and heedlesly returning homewards through a valley hee was assailed by the enemies and beeing wounded in the thigh and beaten from his horse was taken prisoner and carried to Rissana In regard of the great expences which the Venetians were to furnish which would monthly amount to three hundred thousand Ducats the Senate sought by all meanes to raise money wherevpon it againe encreased the number of the Procurators of Saint Marke they likewise sold the pastures and voide grounds and the pawnes and pledges of La Zecca were opened vpon sundry conditions Prince Moceniga in that and all other matters shewed himselfe very carefull and vigilant to make speedy provisions of all necessaries and being present on a time in the great councell whither all Gentlemen that haue voyces in the creation of Magistrates doe vsually come he made a briefe but important speech exhorting all of them to bee willing to releeue their deerest country in that time of need and warre either with money aduise or any other thing which it might want euery man according to his power and meanes saying that they could neuer doe it in a time more conuenient and thereby should not onely preserue their wealth but their honor children and liues all which would be exposed to great danger iâ—… the insolent enemy should prooue victorious His words being pronounced with much earnestnesse did greatly mooue those of the assembly and encouraged them boldly to continue that warre with hope of better successe wherevpon whatsoeuer was requisite for the furnishing of the Nauy or for prouision of victuals and money which is the strongest sinew of warre was presently determined and concluded Whilest the Venetians were thus busied in their preparations the Turkes on the other side raised new forces to pursue the course of their victory Selim had receiued such content for the taking of Nicotia the newes whereof was brought to him by Mustaphas sonne together with many riâ—…ch presents as hee was desirous all other things laied aside to intend onely the ending of that enterprize notwithstanding the great report which was made of the Christian fleet the which after the conquest of Cyprus he promised to him selfe to defeate and then presently to become Lord of all the Islands belonging to the Venetians most commodious as he said to open a passage to the city of Rome chiefe of the Romaine Empire and belonging to him as to the greatest Emperor and of a long time promised by their Prophets to the Ottoman family Selim ruminating on these vaine and idle thoughts commanded his fleete that so soone as Cyprus should be furnished with suffiâ—…ient supplies then to fight with that of the Christians and afterwards pursue other enterprises as occasion should be offered And according to his owne proiects hee sent twenty Gallies from Constantinople vnder the command of Caiacelebey who by the way meeting with the Gallies of Chios and Rhodes sailed altogether towards Cyprus to keepe out all releefe from Famagosta After his departure from Constantinople thirty other Gallies came to him and beeing come to Finica to leauy souldiers he went from thence into Cypras where making some aboade hee sent his Gallies in the meane time to Tripoli to take in new supplies and munitions then his Nauy being furnished with all necessaries he left Cyprus leauing Arâ—…mat there with twenty Gallies tenne Mohannes or flat bottomed boates to transport horse fiue ships with many other vessels for the guard of the Island himselfe taking foure and fitry Gallies with him and went to meet Portau neâ—…ly made a Basha in Pialis stead who beeing come from Constantinople and by the way ioyning the Gallies of Naples in Romagnia and Miteline with his forces was with an hundred Gallies at â—…astel rosso the Rendezuous of the whole fleet whither within a while after Vluzzâ—…li came from Argiers with twenty of his owne Gallies and diuers other vessels belonging to Pirates and not long after Hassan sonne to Barbarossa came thither likewise with twenty Gallies The whole Turkish fleet beeing in this sort vnited to the number of two hundred and fifty saile went directly to the Isle of Candy and entred into the Hauen of Suda and sayling afterwards towards Cania it landed great troupes of souldiers neere to the city who presently falling to booty did put al to fire and sword Against these the Prouidator of Cania sent great numbers of souldiers of the citties Garrison with diuers of Quirtni's Gallies which were then in the Hauen who enforced the enemies to retire and our men beeing presently backt by three hundred Corsicans conducted by Colonel Iustinian the enemies were put to rout and with great slaughter beaten to their Gallies not daring to assault the castle The enemies fleet departing from Candy where it had done infinite harme sailed to Ceriga where it did the like and from thence went to Iunca where hauing trimmed
their Gallies they made incursions into the Isles of Zant and Cephalonia and the inhabitants being retired into the fortes all the villages and country houses were burned and the whole country wasted The Turke beeing not satisfied with setting forth a fleet had likewise raised a land army vnder the command of Achmat Basha determining to enuade the Venetians both by sea and land in regard the treaty of peace was wholly broken off and no hope of agreement left For so soone as Ragasson came to Constantinople the Turkes hoping by accord to obtaine that which they could hardly get by armes he was together with the Baily brought before Mahomet the Visier Basha who beganne highly to extoll the power of the Ottoman Empire and to relate the great Lords deseignes against the States of the Venetian Common-wealth who resolued to enuade them by sea and land That Selims intent was to propound peace on very hard conditions neuerthelesse hee would find meanes to moderate that great seuerity prouided likewise that they would consent to what hee should tell them which in effect was that the Baily should perswade the Senate freely to surrender to Zelim the entire possession of Cyprus as a State iustly belonging to the Ottoman Empire The Baily perceiuing thereby that the treaty of peace could not bee continued to the honour of the Common-wealth aduised Ragasson to leaue Constantinople which hee did the other businesse concerning merchants remayning likewise imperfect which once was concluded but presently reuoked by reason of some false reportes brought from Syria and Alexandria so that Ragassons iourney was altogether vaine The end of the ninth Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the tenth Booke of the sixth Decade THE Spaniards absolutely tell the Pope and Venetians that they will not ioyne their forces till Don Iohns arriuall The great progression of the Turkish fleet The league is concluded at Rome and published at Venice The Turkes take Dulcigna and Antiuary The Venetians great preparations so soone as they heard that the Turkes were come into their Gulphe The enemies come before Mandracchia with their base retreat The Pope soliciteth Christian Princes to enter into the league The arriuall of Don Iohn and the Spanish forces The Turkish army before Famagosta Marc-Antonio Bragadino Gouernor of Famagosta The enemies at one time batter the city in fiue seuerall places The beseeged make a counter-battery The Turkes giue many fierce assaults to the city The cittizens by reason of extreâ—…me want are enforced to yeeld vpon composition Mustapha his perfidious cruelty His impiety against the dead The vnion of the Christian fleete with the number of the vessels The Christian fleet resolueth to fight with the Turkes The famous battaile of Lepanto where the Turkish fleet is defeated and put to rout The number of the dead on both sides with the number of the enemies vessels that were taken The great ioy at Venice for newes of the victory Don Iohn retireth to Messina The Venetians take the fort of Marguerites The Christians enterprize vpon Saint Maur is bootles And lastly Marc-Antonio Colonna his magnificent entry at Rome The tenth Booke of the sixth Decade of the History of Uenice THE Confederates nauall army which should haue met at Ottranto in May there to haue ioyned altogether came not thither at the latter end of Iune neither was there any tidings of it The conclusion of the league hanging in suspence and the Venetians fearing that they should not bee strong enough of themselues to incounter and repulse the enemies fleete which was reported to bee farre greater then those of the former yeere determined to set forth threescore Gallies of the best in all the fleet at Candy to employ them for the releefe of Cyprus or other places as need should bee to hinder the enemies nauigation vpon those seas and to cut off the rereward of the Turkish Gallies which should lagge behind the fleet and in a word to take hold on all occasions which time should offer Such was the State of the Venetian fleet for that time the greatest part whereof remayning at Corfou did daily expect the arriuall of the Spanish Armada The Pope and Venetians made earnest request that the Gallies of Naples and Sicily which were ready might goe to Ottranto but the Spaniards would not heare of it resoluing to tarry for Don Iohns arriuall The Turkes on the other side hauing intelligence that the forces of the Christian Princes were not yet vnited departing from Candy did boldly saile forwards the great Lord hauing commanded them to seeke out the Christian fleete and fight with it and in the meane time to waste all places by the way belonging to the Venetian State The Generall Venieri hauing intelligence of the enemies course and deseignes and knowing that nothing could hinder them from passing forward resolued to saile with the fleet to Messina fearing as it was very likely that if the enemies fleet should come neerer to Corfoù his owne Gallies would bee exposed to sundry perils and and dangers and if the Turkes should come and lie betwixt the Fana and the Merlieres hee likewise feared that they would hinder the vniting of the Confederates forces Whilest these determinations were made abroad the league on the second day of Iuly was with great solemnity and concourse of people published at Venice after the celebration of Masse in Saint Markes Church by Don Guzman de Silua Ambassador for the Catholike King in the presence of the Duke Senate Princes Ambassadors and great numbers of Prelats who together with the whole Clergy going afterwards through the city in Precession came into the great Market-place which was ritchly hung with tapistry and other costly ornaments whither so soone as the Prince came to the vsuall place where proclamations are made to the people the league was by an Herald published with great silence which being done the ordnance were shot off drummes beaten and trumpets sounded to the great ioy and content of all the people The league being in this sort published they hastened the preparations already begunne and solicited other Princes to enter into it that they might the better encrease their forces Wherevpon the Pope determined for that purpose to send his Nephew the Cardinall Alexandrine into Portugall supposing that the forces and territories of that King would bee fit to affoord aide and reputation to the league hee beeing Lord of many armed vessels and his countries of the Indies confying vpon the Turkish Empire in respect whereof the Senate likewise resolued that Antonio Tepulo then Ambassadour in Spaine should to the same end goe to the King of Portugall to bee there in the name of the Common-wealth at such time as the Popes Legat should treat of that businesse The Venetians the league beeing thus concluded were so bent to warre vpon hope to encrease their forces by the assistance of other Princes as they would not harken to any discourse of peace for
gaue it ouer but being desirous before their departure to leaue some token of their barbarous cruelty behind them they burnt many Country houses and diuers Churches ruining the Villages and Vineyards neere to the Citty and the third day after they departed from the Island The Venetians did with great greese endure all these miseries and calamities still trusting to the aid of the league and yet they receiued not thereby the profit and commodity which they had hoped for for which to their great losse they had altered their former deseignes and in a manner engaged their forces because that a decree beeing made that the Gallies of Candy should saile towards Messina there to ioyne with those Confederates they were doubtfull of the successe of Famagosta hauing receiued no newes whether it had been releeued or not and for that on the other side their Generall by waiting for Don Iohns arriuall was an idle Spectator of all those wronges and outrages which the enemies had done vnto them and yet durst not set fore-word to take reuenge Therefore they resolued to shew vnto the Pope how that by his meanes they had entred into that warre and had refused all meanes of Agreement therein to obey the authority of the Sea Apostolick and not to seeme likewise to distrust other Christian Princes that they for their partes had notwithstanding all expences and dangers prouided what soeuer was necessary for the vnion and they did not see that the Confederates effects were correspondent to their diligence and industry so as that league which had beene made for the honour and glory of Christendome did more dishonour them and in particular did great harme to their Common-wealth by reason of the losse of Famagosta which vndoubtedly would shortly ensue except it were speedily releeued These complaints beeing propounded to the Pope who found them very iust and reasonable he speedily dispatcht a Post to Don Iohn writing by him to his Nephew the Cardinall Alexandrine who was in Spayne earnestly to 〈◊〉 that businesse according to his former instructions The Legat Alexandrine was honorably entertained by the Catholick King who in smooth termes accquainted them with his ernest desire therein to satisfie the Pope hauing determined for that purpose that Don Iohn with the Spanish Gallies should goe and spend the winter in Sicily thereby to bee readier to execute that which should bee concluded at Rome And although hee had often by letters in former time exhorted the Emperor to enter into that vnion hee would expressly neuer the lesse send Don Pedro Fassardo to him to entreat him from him to condiscend therevnto Hee beeing come to the Emperors Court found him very doubtfull for hee receiued many messages and letters from the Bascha of Buda who exhorted him to obserue the peace promising him faire and Kingly neighborhood and freindship on the other side hee had Intelligence of the Turkes warlike preparations who remaining till then at Scopia held all men in suspence to what place hee determined to bend his course in the end hee resolued to send the accustomed tribute to Constantinople beeing assured that it could in no sort hinder the league nor keepe him-selfe from entring into it when time should serue whereas on the contrary by delaying it any longer he might receiue some great losse because that Selim doubting his loue and good meaning might assaile him on a sodaine These things did greatly trouble the Venetians who knew very wel that peace with the Turkes in the warlike and mighty Northerne Prouinces would greatlie preiudice the league and precipitate the state of the Common-wealth into greater daunger in regard whereof the Pope and the Catholike Kings Agents propounded to the Emperor that they would giue him out of the Confederate forces twenty thousand foote and foure thousand horse to enuade the enemies on that side and that the other thirty thousand which remayned according to the treaty of the league would suffize for the execution of their Sea actions The Emperors Ambassador resident at Rome had oftentimes assured them that the Emperor wanted no good will to warre on the Turke but meanes and therefore if the Confederate Princes would promise him aide he would without all doubt enter into the league and that all Germany being at last prouoked by necessity and shame would ioyne in that warre and by their example Poland and Muscouy would doe the like Neuer-the-lesse all these offers were vaine and to no purpose because that the Emperor making many excuses continued his former resolution to send the tribute to Constantinople In the meane time the Gallies of the Pope Venetians Florentines and Malteses met at Messina where with great earnestnesse they waited for the arriuall of Don Iohn who departing from Cathalognia with seauen and twenty Gallies and fiue thousand Spanish foote-men did at last arriue on the last day of Iuly at Genoa where making short stay leauing Doria with twelue Gallies to make prouisions for the fleete him-selfe went to Naples where hee was entertayned with great magnificence and receiued the standard of Generall for the league which the Pope sent him and within a while after leauing thirty Gallies to conuoy the shippes hee went with the residew of the fleet to Messina where he knew that the Generalls of the Pope and Venetians expected him Hee was accompanied by many great Lords of Spaine namely by Don Bernardin de Requesens great commendador of Castill Don Aluares de Bassan Marquis of Santa Cruz Don â—…uan de Cardona Earle of Piega Antonio Doria Carlo d'Analos Duke of Sessa Ferranti Loffra and the Marquis of Treuic who for Nobillity and the Kings fauour were very famous These were of Don Iohns Councell for warre Now so soone as Don Iohn arriued at Genoa hee dispatcht Micaele de Moncada the Kings counceller to Venice to acquaint them with his comming and to gratifie the Senate for the good opinion it had conceiued of him and to promise that he would in such sort manage all matters as they should not bee deceiued in him being very desirous speedily to execute some notable enterprize vpon the enemies These newes pleasing to all men did awaken their former hope The Turke then departing with his whole fleet as hath beene said from Corfoù returned to Butintro where remayning for a time to receaue some intelligence of the Christian fleete and a new commission from Constantinople hee went after-wards to Preueze where the Bascha receiued certayne newes of the taking of Famagosta and a particular commission to goe and seeke the Christian fleete to fight with it The Turkes after the taking of Nicosia had deferd the seege of Famagosta by reason of winter and other discommodities vnfitting for a seege but so soone as it drew neere towards the spring they speedily prouided all necessaries for it as ordnance munition and other war-like engins which were sent to them from Syria and Caramania fifty thousand Turkes came thither like-wise
giue ouer their robbing the Dalmatian and Histrian seas sent certaine Galleys thither vnder the command of Giouan Bembo their Generall assisted by Colonell Piercente Gabutio his troopes who defeated these theeues and cleered the seas Heerein during peace did the Venetians busie themselues whilest the Turke enuaded Hungary and Transiluania But the Vsicoques in the yeare 1599. continuing their incursions the Venetians sent Nicolo Donato who succeded Bembo against them together with the same Colonell Pierconte Gibutio and his Regiment who entred and wasted their countrey tooke diuerse of theirs Castles and slew many of them Henry the fourth French King vpon diuerse iust and reasonable causes hauing obtained the Popes dispensation to repudiate his wife the Lady Marguerite of France sister to the late King and to marry an other by whom hee might haue issue craued the Lady Maâ—…y of Medicis Princesse of Florence daughter to the late Francisco great Duke of Tuscany and Neece to Ferdinand de Medicis now great Duke a Princesse beside her youth endowed with rare beauty wisdome and many excellent parts The great Duke perceiuing how honorable this match would bee to himselfe and the whole family of Medicis did willingly consent therevnto wherevpon so soone as it was determined and concluded a great Lord of France was sent thither who in the Kings name married her at Florence honoring her as his maisters wife Then all things prepared for the iourney of so great a Princesse towards the latter end of the yeare she embarked hir selfe and traine in the great Dukes Gallies sailing to Marseilles where arriuing she remained for certaine daies receauing magnificent entertainment till she might faâ—…ther know the pleasure of the King her husband who at that time made warre vpon the Duke of Sauoy for recouery of the Marquisat of Salusses which that Duke had seazed on during the ciuill warres of France His Maiestie hauing intelligence that the Queene his wife was arriued at Marseilles sent word that shee should come to Lyons whither himselfe came in post and consummated the marriage begun at Florence Italy in the meane time was in all arme because the Count Fuentes being by King Philip sent Lieutenant Generall to Milan made great leuies of soldiers both Spaniards Italians Swisses and Almaines vnder collour of aiding the Duke of Sauoy against the French King if peace betwixt those Prines tâ—…eated of at the Popes command by his Nephew the Cardinall Aldobrandini tooke not effect This troubled all Italy and especially the Venetians in regard of their townes in Lombardy The great Duke likwise grew iealous whervpon each of them armd and gaue order to fortifie their frontiers the lâ—…ke did Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin Peace in the meane time being proclaimed at Lyons betwixt the Christian King and duke of Sauoy at the beginning of the yeare 1601. and Count Fuentes for all that not disarming but on the contrary encreasing his forces made the French King to renew his league with the Swisses and to leuy new troupes that if the Spaniard should enuade any of his friends or Confederats in Italy him selfe might speedily be able to succor him King Philip aduertized of this iealozy commanded Count Fuentes to disarme whereby al these suspitions ceased Not-with-standing the Venetians sent the Colonell Pier-conte with other Captaines into Lombardy whither like-wise by their commandement the Generall Leonardo Donato was gone together with Giouan Baptista Generall of their fantery to fortifie their frontier townes hauing discouered a plot laid to surprize one of their cheefest Citties and although Count Fuentes by his masters commandement had deuided his Army at Milan into sundry parts namely into Flanders Croatia and to Prince Doria yet he still retained such great numbers at Milan as might iustly cause his neighbors to feare and suspect The Venetians likewise armed certaine Gallies and two Galeasses Diuers causes mooued the Venetians to doe so but cheefly because Prince Doria by King Phillips commandement hauing rigged a mighty fleet houered vp and downe the mediterranean no man knowing his deseigne in the end he cleered this doubt for he sailed to Argier in Barbary making an attempt there which by reason of sundry difficulties had no good successe In the yeare 1602. the fort called Palma Noua by the Venetians was ended and is thought to be one of the goodliest in all Italy which beeing inhabited they there beganne to build faire houses and goodly Pallaces so as in a short time they hope it will prooue as populus as strong The Senate afterwards perceiuing that one of the mouthes of Po would in time choake vp with aboundance of earth the Hauens of Chioggia and Malamoc to the great preiudice and hinderance of the Citty of Venice which by that meanes would loose the ordinary trafficke and commerce of those Hauens caused a great trench to bee made through which they diuerted that mouth of the Riuer another way making it to fall into the Sea at a place whereas it could doe noe more hurt At the same time Philippo Pascalic arriued at Venice returning from his iourney against the Vsicoques hee was sent by the Senate as Prouidator Generall of Dalmatia wherein hee got great commendation hauing defeated those theeues who were afterwards wholy rooted out by the Archduke Theodoro Balbi likewise Prouidator of the Gulphe did put the Pirates of Barbary to flight who scouâ—…ed the seas almost to Venice from whom hauing taken three Galeots and set many Christian slaues at liberty hee did so terrifie them as they durst no more come into those seas The great Dukes Galleys had the like good hap which according to their custome sailing in the Archipelago to meet with Turkish Foists and to spoile their sea coasts incountred the Galleys of Rhodes which they fought with tooke some of them and carried a rich booty to Florence But not to stray farre from the Venetians the Clergie of Prague hauing vehemently contested against Doctor Francisco Zabarello for the â—…ute prefer'd to sell certaine antient Church lands The Senate made a decree that the Church should not appropriate vnto it selfe rents possessed by the Layety grounding that decree vpon a prohibition made by the Senate in the yeare 1333. that no lands should bee giuen or bequeathed in perpetuity to Churches within the Citty and Dutchy of Venice and if any were left vnto them they should bee sold by a certaine time prefixt and the money alone to be theirs alledging for reason that the Clergie who pretend themselues and goods to bee exempt from all necessary charges belonging to the Common-wealth the number of them dayly increasing and on the contrary that of the Citizens still decreasing who serue and busie themselues in the ciuill gouernment and the quantity of their goods wheron the publick reuenew depends beginning to faile in the end all wealth would of necessity fall to the Clergie This law was variously obserued till the yeare 1536. when it was
Genoueses The Pisans vanquished by the Genoueses Rogero Morosino Generall of the Venetians Aâ—… mie Pera taken and burned by the Venetians A wonderfull matâ—…er in the fennes Meotides The fleet of the Genoueses in the Adriaticke Sea The Venetians and Genoueses resolution Carolo and Andrea Dandulo geoeralls of the Venetians â—…mie The Venetians defeated at Corfu Sunarie opinions touching the battaile at Corfu A strange death of one of the generalls of the Venetian Armie A new Army of the Venetians The Venetians defeated at the strâ—…ight of Gallipolis Cydon in Candy taken by the Genoueses An enforced peace betwixt the venetians the Genoueses Buconio his conspiracy The conspirators desseigne The punishment of the guilty New â—…ontention with the Paduanâ—… 〈◊〉 venetian Armie against the Emperour Paleologus Peace with Paleologus How great mischiefâ—… the Emperours absâ—…nce out of italy hath caused A detâ—…stable act of a bastard The venetians help the bastard The Venetians masters of â—…rrara The Fort taken by the venetians The venetians excommunicated by Pope Clement The tenure of the excommunication What miseries this excommunication brought to the venetians The Citie of Ferrara reconered by the Popes Legat. The conspiracie of Tepulo The conspirators purpose Strange prodigies happened that day that the conspiâ—…acie should haue beeâ—…e executed The conspira 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Ducall pallace The death of Baiamont The punâ—…shment of the conspirators A pâ—…ntion giâ—…en to the woman who slew Baiamont Another opinion concerning the â—…ssue of the conspiracie The sixt rebellion of Zara. Dalmation the Spaniard proueâ—… a traitor to the Venetians The treatie of peace broken Dalmation diuinely punished for his treacherie The godle deâ—…ds doone by Prince Marini Zara reduced vnder the Uenetians obedience The Authors discourse on the doings of the Pope and Dandulo The great pietie of Francisco Dandulo Dandulo his pietie acknowledged False reports against the Genoueses A deed worthie of a Generall of 〈◊〉 Armie Description of the Arcenall A new Armie against the Genoueses Those of Pera censtrained to sue for peace New stirres in Candie soone suppressed The Venetians restore the Paduans to their libertie Abundance of Corne in the Citie The Polans and Valâ—…siaÌ„s brought vnder the obedience of the Uenetians Agreement with the Patriarke of Aquileia Viari confined to perpetuall prison The great incursions of the Turkes The enterprise against the Turkes broken The Turkes pâ—… to flight by the Venetians A wonderfull eclipse The power of those of Escalla The course of the warre with those of Escalla Ledgue and alliance against the familie of Escalla What moued the Venetians to make warre on those of Escalla Warre concluded against those of Escalla People come from all parts to the Venetian Armie Pietro Rossis declared Generall of the Uenetians Armie Sentence of a great Captaine Rossis departeth in disguised habit Rossis first exploit Pietro Rossis his first victorie Girard Caminensis taketh Uderza Albert of Escalla recouereth Vderza Want of a Generall Mastin beggeth peace of the Venetians Pietro de Rossis arriueth at Venice Rossis receiueth the ensignes of Saint Marke A generall reuiew of the Armie Mastin raiseth his campe from before Pontremolle Treachery practised by Mastin Peitro Rossis his â—…ration of his souldiors The suburbs of Mestra burnt by Mastin Braue resolution of a greate Captain Albert of Escall sleeth The Sacceans yeeld to the Uenetians Rossis challengeth Mastin Anthenor laid the first foundations of Chioggia The Venetian build a Fort at Bubulente The Venetians besiege the Fort of the Salt pits The Fort of the Salt-pits taken Great insolencies of the Lancequenets The cause why the Paduans reuolted from those of Escalla Ambassadours sent to Uenice to procure a Peace The Venetians propositions concerning a peace Secret practise of Marsilio Carrario with the Venetians Rossis at the Gates of Padua Mestra yeelded to the Venetians Camiâ—…ensis wife slaine in the habit of a 〈◊〉 Serrauall vnder the Uenetians obedience The Territorie of Verona spoiled Charles sonne to the King of Boheme encamped before Feltre Resolution of a desperate man A wise retreate Mastin encam peth to shut victuals from the Venetians A discreet resolution of a Generall Bressia besieged by Luchin Visconte Padua reuolteth from those of Escalla The Citie of Feltre taken by the king of Hungary Bressia and Bergamo taken by Luchin Visconte A notable sentencâ—… Marsilio his answere to thâ—… Venetians The death of Pietro Rossis How highly Pietro Rossis was lamented The death of Marsilio of Rossis Orlando Rossis chosen Generall of the Armie A treatie of peace broken Mastin imploreth the aide of the Duke of Bauiere Mastin defcated before Montechia Moncellesa taken The siege of Vincenza Mastiu being ensorced accepteth of peace on any conditions The Florentineâ—… discontented vpon what cause the venetians did make warre vpon those of Escalla â—…astin is made a Gentleman of Venice A prodigious storme at Venice in a night Beleeue this who list A wonderfull apparition to a poore Fisherman Who those were that appeared The King of Englanst crauetâ—… aide againg the French King Certaine Lords of Candie rebell Reward propounded against the Rebels Caudie is appeased by the Rebels punishment Great deaâ—…th in Venice The Pope the Venetians and other Christian Princes in league against the Turk Smyrna taken The Venetians Rhodians and Cypriots defeated by the Turke The Pope permitteth traffick with Infidells The building of Saint Anthonies Hospitall The seuenth rebellion of Zara. Zara inuested by Sea and Land A general assault giuen to Zara. The Venetians are beaten from the assault King Lewis defeated before Zara. The reddition of Zara. New magistrates created The Prince causeth all the decrees of the Citie to be gathered into one formâ—… A wonderfull Earthquake Sundry opinions on Earthquakes Diuers sorts of Earthquakes The signes which fore-runne an Earthquake Of all Earthquakes the agitation of the waters is most dangerous How men may foretell an earth quake either at Sea or on the Land How long the Earthquake lasted at Venice From whence the contagion came to Venice Great desolation in the Citie of Venice At what time the infection beganne and ended in Venice Strangers that would come and people the Citie were made Citizens of Venice Truce taken with Lewis King of Hungarie Those of Cap-Histria reuolt The Histrians reduced to the Venetians obedience Albert Prince oâ—… Croatia pardoned Those punished which did not follow the Senates commaundement What was the occasion of the third â—…igusticke warre The Venetâ—…ans Armie against the Gâ—…noueses Foure Genoa Gallies escape Ten Genoa Gallies taken A discreet act of the Generall Why the feast of the decollation of Saint Iohn is celebrated at Venice The Venetiandare not assaile Pera. The Genoueses take Nigrepont The Armie returneth to Venice with great bootie The Venetians in league with the King of Arragon Nicolas Pisani Generall of the Venetian Armie The greeke Emperour in league with the Venetians against the Genoueses The Uenetianâ—… ioyne with the Arragonois The Genoueses before Nigrepont Pâ—…gano General
whole country betwixt Oglio Po and Adda yeeld to the Emperor The French Uenetian army retire to Milan The Emperor summoneth the City of Milan The diuersity of opinions in the City The arriuall of the Swisses at Milan for the Kings seruice The Emperor distrusteth the Swisses The Marquis of Brandenbourg commeth to the Emperours army The French Kings complaints against the Pope The Emperors deseignes come to nothing Lautrec beseegeth Bressia Bressia yeeldeth on composition Lautrec beeing 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it to the Venetians Lautâ—…ec marcheth to beseege Ueroâ—…a Sundry opinons in Lautrecs campe Excuses aleadged by Lautrec thaâ—… be might discampe Gritti the Prouidator his answer to Lautrec The Venetians resolution The cause which mooâ—…ad Lautrec to stay still where he was The number of the Venetians army The Lansquenets refuse to beseege a City belonging to the Emperour The army dislodgeth by reason of the Lansquenets refusall The Uenetians send supplies to the army VVhat forces were in Uerona Verona beseeged in two seuerall places Assault giuen to Verona The assailants reâ—…ire with losse Lautrec deliâ—…eth The Venetians remonstrance to Lautrec The Venetians stay to gard the bridge Rocandof the Almaâ—…n victuall th Verona The Prouidators and Venetian Senate in great care For what cause the French king would haue the Venetians to be aduertized of the treaty The sum of the treaty of Noyon Verona againe beseeged The Emperor wholy enclineth peace Uerona consigned to the Lord Lautrec for the French King is presently deliuered to the Venetians The great ioy of the Veronoiâ—… for that they were reduced vnder the subiection of the Venetians The Senates acknowledgement to the Lord Lautrec The Senate disburdeneth the commonwealth in time of peace The Vniuersity of Padua reestablished by th Senate The Venetians send two Ambassadors tâ—… the great Turkâ—… Selims victories The Mamalâ—…kes vanquished by Selim Selim takes 〈◊〉 Cairo Selim granteth the Venetians demands The Venetians send Ambassadors to Charles King of Spaine concerning traâ—…fick The vsuall trade of the Venetian vessels Truce â—…ed betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians The Pope exhorteth christian Princes to take armes against the Turkes The Venetians answere â—…o the Popes exhortation The Emperor Maximilian death The French and Spanish King aspire to the Emperor The French Kings request to the Venetians The Venetians answer to the French King Charles king of Spaine chosen Emperor Lewis King of Hungary preparâ—…th for defence against the Turke The alliance is renewed betwixt Soliman and the Venetians The Uenetians arme against the Pirats VVhy the French King did distrust the Elect Emperor After what manner 〈◊〉 Pope would consent to â—…he Kingâ—… preposition The Venetians suspect the French King The Emperor seeketh the Venetians friendship The comâ—…ssoners of the Emperor and the Venetians meâ—…t at Verona The demâ—…ds of the Venetian commissioners The assembly is broken of without any conclusion and the Uenetians are put in hope of â—… prosperâ—…s â—…d An. 1520. Soliman resolueth to enuade the Realme of Hungary An. 1521. The oration of the Hungarian Ambassador VVhat the Senate concluded after the Ambassadors oration Another Ambassador from the King of Hungary at Veâ—…ice The Venetians send the King of Hungary thirty thousand Ducaâ—…s Belgrade taken 〈◊〉 the Turkes The Emperors promises to the Venetians VVhat mooâ—…d the Emperor to send his Ambassador to the French King The King of England is chosen Vmpier and mediator betwixt mighty Princes The French King and the King of England talke together The Uenetian comon wealth doe â—…sten a dâ—…ghter of the French Kings VVhy the King delayed to conclude the league The Popes new 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Pope and the Eâ—…peror make 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against the French King VVhat the Popes and Emperos deseignes were The Lord of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…prise of the â—…andetti of Miâ—…an The Pope is is 〈◊〉 with the Lord L'â—…scut his pursute The Venetians seeke to appease the Popes indignation against the French The conditions of the agreement betwixt the Pope and the Emperor The Popes and â—…emperors forâ—…s needâ—… to march if their secret intelligences should faile The Venetian army redy to march The Emperor 〈◊〉 passage for his soldiers Ieronimo Pesare Prouidator of all the forts on the firme land In what manner the Venetians did releeue the Start of Milan The Lord of Lautrec hopeth for aide The Imperials beseege Parma The Lord of Lautrec succoreth Parmai Prospero Colonna raiseth his campe from before Parma The Pope suspecteth the Imperials The Emperor 〈◊〉 destasted with the Popes suspition The Emperour by his Ambassador seeketh to draw the Venetians to his side The army of the league marcheth directly to Milan The enemies passe ouer the riuer Adda without any impediment The Swisses leaue the French campe for want of pay Leutrec fortifieth Milan Prospero Colonna is within foure miles of Milan The traitors in milan giue aduertizement to Prospero Colonna The enemies being come to Milan win the Roman Gate â—…d the suburb Triuulcio taken prisoner by the Imperials Lautrec vetireth with his Cauallery to Coma. Moscaron captaine of the castle of Milan Milan is sackâ—… ten whole daies together The Swisses retire home into their country Coma taken The Imperials breake the Decree Lautrecs determination The Venetians disswade Lautrec from his resolution Pope Leo his sodaine death The Cardinall of Medicis after the Popes death retireth to Rome The Venetians leauy forces to march into the Dutchy of Milan Colonna fortifieth Milan The French Venetian army on the Cremonois Great numbers of Swisses in the French campe The French campe before Milan VVhat hindred the Lord of Lautrec from assailing Milan VVith what seruensie the people of Milan endured the discommodity of the seege The Duke of Milan commeth to Pauia with six thousand Lansequenets The French take Nouara Sforza arriueth at Milan Pauia beseeged by Lautrec The campe dislodgeth from before Pauia The Emperors campe lodgeth at Bicoca Lautrec sendeth to discouer the enemies campe In what order the French did assaile the enemies Pollicy of the Lord of Lautrec The Swisses boldnesse in assâ—…yling their enemies The battaile of Bicoca The Swisses retire to Monce The Swisses returne home into their country The enemies surprize Lauda Cremona is yeelded to the enemies The Emperor sicketh the friendship alliance of the Uenetians The Emperor and the King of England talke together A league betwixt the Emperor the King of England The Ambassadors of the Emperor and the King of England come to Venice The Venetians great discretion in their resolution An. 1522. Rhodes taken by Soliman The Creation of Pope Adrian the sixt The Venetians Ambassage to the Pope The Pope is zealous of an vniuersall peace League betwixt the Pope the Emperor the Venetians the Duke of Milan and the Florentines Different opinions in the Senate concerning their alliance with the Emperor The protestation of the Emperor and King of Englands Ambassadors in Senate
The King of France and England resolue to free the Pope The Cardinals meet at Bolognia to treat of the Popes deliuery The Emperors dissimulation concerning the Popes taking The Venetians preparations by Sea land The Venetians place a Garrison in Rauenna for the behoof of the Sea of Rome The Duke of Vrbin taketh Perusa The Duke of Vrbins preposition Vittury is contrary to the Duke of Vrbin VVhat great forces they were to haue to free the Pope from prison Vitturi called to account for being contrary to the Popes deliuery The kings great preparations to send into Italy Andre Doria in the Kings seruice The number of the Venetians army The Pope inclineth to agreement Articles of agreement betwixt the Pope and Emperor How the Venetians behaued themselues vpon this agreement Sondry opinions in the Confederats army about the Popes deliueryl Lautrec ente reth the Dutchy of M â—…lanwith great for ces Bosco and Alexandria are taken by Lautrec Strise betwixt the confederats concerning the taking of Alexandria The Venetians oppose themselues against the Lord Lautrecs proposition to goe to Rome and to leaue the State of Milan Pauia is taken by Lautrec Genoa reduced vnder the Kings obedieence The French and Uenetian fleet are scatered by tempest The Turke be ing assailed by Marcello had his speedy reuenge Marcello dieth by the way for greefe Solimans liberality to the Venetians Lautrec leueth Milan and marcheth towards Rome VVhat mooued the Lord Lautrec to change his determination The Venetians do suspect the Duke of Vrbin VVhat moued the Venetians to eat the chardge of the wavve in Lombardy A cotorable excuse of the King of England to the Venetians request The French king and Venetians demands VVhat was the Emperors meaning concerning peace An accord in de with the Duke of Ferrara The marquis of Mantua ioyneâ—… to the league The Emperor commaedeth that the Pope should be enlarged The Pope complaineth of the imperialls dealings The Venetians Ambassad to the Pope The French Kings Ambassador to the Pope The Popes excuse because he would not enter into any new consedera cy VVhat the Popes Intention was Lautrec marcheth towards Naples The number of the Imperial army The Popes demands to the Venetians The Popes excuses to the French King Sundry opinions of the Senate concerning the Popes demand The Senates answere to the Pope Sundry opinions of the Imperial captaines The Imperials embrace the opinion of Alarcon Lautrec resolueth to fight with the enemy Lautrec defiâ—…th and prouoketh the Imperial army to battaile The Imperials retire towards Naples The confederates take Melfi Ascoli Barletta Trani and diuers â—…ther towâ—…es yeeld to the confederates Lautrec marcheth with his army towards Naples Lautrec encampeth within two miles of Naples Six Cities appointed to the Venetians by the agreement of the league Monâ—…pli and Trani yeelded to the Uenetians The Duke of Brunswich commeth into Italy with great â—…orces A vaine and rediculous challenge The Venetiaâ—… preparations against the Duke of Brunswich The Duke of Brunswich being ioyned with Antonio de Leua doth come and beseege Laudâ—… Brunswich returneth into Germany Pozzuolo takenâ—…y Lautrec An enterprize of the Spaniards against the Gallies of Philippin Doria A policy of the enemies The Imperials â—…e 〈◊〉 at sea The number of the dead of the prisoners The great commodity which the arriuall of the Generall of the Venetian Galleys brought to the confederates The Lord of Barbezieuâ—… commeth to Sauona A fierce incounter of those of â—…he league and thâ—… Imperialls The 〈◊〉 of the Aâ—…my of the league before Naples The great sorâ—…w of the Lord Lautrec The Lord Lautrecs nature Greâ—…t sicknes in the French Campe. André Doria 〈◊〉 from the Kings seruice The cause of André Doria 〈◊〉 reuolt The Popes answer to the King concerning the entertainment of Andrew Doria Articles â—…fgreement betwixt the Emperor and Doria The great discomodity which the reuolt of Doria did procure The wants of the army besoâ—…e Naples Disorders 〈◊〉 the army The Lord Lautrec greeuously sick The Lord Lautrecs death The Marquis oâ—… Saâ—…usses Generall â—…f the Army aftâ—…r Lantrecs death The Marquis with the Army retireth to 〈◊〉 The Capitulation about the yâ—…elding of Auersâ—… Genoâ—… by meanes of Andrè Doria 〈◊〉 from the King to the â—…peror The Venetians great preparations The number of the Venetians sorces The Duke of Vrbins determination The proposition of the coâ—…nt Saint Paul The enterprise of Milan broken The Consederates besiege Pauia The Conseâ—…erates take Pauia Nouara and diuerse other townes yeeld to the Consederates The Lord Saint Paul leaueth Milan to go to the releef of Genoa The lord Sâ—… Paul his aeseignes to re leeâ—… Genoa proouetâ—… vaine Castle of Genoa raced by the People The Genowaies fill the Hauen of Sauona with grauell The Venetiâ—… forces 〈◊〉 diminisâ—…d The Venetians keepe the câ—…ties in Paglâ—…a The French Kings instance to the Veneâ—…ians in the Popes behalse The Venetians answer to the Kingâ—… Ambassadâ—…r The Vâ—…counts offers to the Pope The Uenetiaâ—… offers to the Pope so that peace might be procured Sâ—…cret practises betwixt the King and the Venetians The Emperorâ—… great preparations to coâ—…e into Italy The Popes intention The Uenetians intention The Venetians great preparatioâ—… by sea and 〈◊〉 The Venetians loâ—…e to the French and the Duke of Milan The â—…esolution of the assembly held aâ—… Venice by the Confederatâ—… The King determineth to make warre iâ—… Spaine The resolution of the Venetian councel vpon the Kings comming into Italy The Kings answer and determination The Venetians care to pâ—…serue the placeâ—… which they held in Puglia The Lord Chastillon commeth to Venice and makes a shew that hee would gâ—… into Puglia The Senaâ—…s suspâ—…tion â—…cerning the Kings comming The Venetians soliciâ—…e the King to come into Italy The bandetti of Naples come into the field Aquila is recouerâ—…d of the Imperials Martrica taken by them Treason discouered in Barletta Monopoli beseeged bâ—… the Marqit of Guasto The Maâ—…quis giueth an assault â—…o 〈◊〉 â—…ity to his lesse The Marquis reâ—…ireth from before Monopoli The city of Brundusium yeeldeth to the Venetians The Prince of Orange deâ—…ermineth to goe to Peâ—…sua The Duke of Vrbin runneth to the defense of his owne State The Prince of Orange changeth his determination The Duke of Vrbin being come backe to the army determineth to beseege Milan Enteruiew of the French Venetâ—…an armies The two armies distrust one an other The Lord S. Paul resolueâ—… to execute the enâ—…erprise of Genoa Antonio de Leua assaileth the Lord Saint Paul The number of the Venetian army Antâ—…io de Leua followâ—…th the Dukâ—… 〈◊〉 Vrbin in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cassaâ—… Part of the enemies are defeated by the Duke of Vrbin Gâ—…eat valor of a woman in mans attire The Duke of Vrbîns enterprize to defeate the enemie The enimes 〈◊〉 beaten by the Duke of Vrbiâ—… The doubts and feare of Antonio de Leua Antonio de Leua retireâ—…h 〈◊〉 Milan The report of the Lancequenâ—…ts
The Venetians send Ambassa dors to Selim the new Emperor A mischeuous practise of a reuoulted Iew. The Ceremony of bringing Ambassadors to the great Lord The Venetian Ambassadorâ—…â—…on to the Empepor Sâ—…lim ratisieth the Venetians alliance The forme of the great Lords oath The 〈◊〉 do purâ—…e the 〈◊〉 of Pirats The Arcenall of Uenice burnt The first motion of the enterprize of Cyprus for the Turke Selim comâ—… the enterprise of 〈◊〉 â—…o bes 〈◊〉 as The councel of Mahomet the Visier Bascha The opinion of the other Bascâ—…as contrary to that of Mahomet The reasons of the two Baschas contrary to Mâ—…homet Selim resolueth to inuade the Isle of Cyprus The Senate are certainly aduertised of the Turkes enterprise vpon Cyprus The Venetians preparation for the warre of Cyprus Treason practi zed by a Cipriot Treason is dis couered the Author exâ—…cuted Supplies of one thousand men sent into Cyprus The voluntary offer of Ieronimo Martinenga The death of Martinenga The Venetians implore the aide of Christian Princes Reasons propounded to the Pope to 〈◊〉 him to releeue them The Pope sendeth to exhort the Catholicke King to ioyne in that warre against the Turke The King of Spains answer to the Popes content The Venetiansolicit the Em peror to the same effect The Emperors answer to the Venetian Ambassador The Pope 〈◊〉 the French King to haue â—…n band in this warre The answer of the King and the Queen his mother to the Pope The French Kings offer to the Venetians The Venetians solicit the King of Persia to make war vppon Selim. The Chanceller of Persia his answer concerning the Emperors demand The Turkes preparations for the warre of Cyprus The Baylies remonstrance to the Bascha Mahomet Selim sâ—…ndeth a dâ—…fiance to Uenice vnlesse they surrender the Realme of of Cyprus The Chiaus presenteth Selims letters The Senateâ—… answer to the 〈◊〉 The contents of 〈◊〉 letters The Senates answer to 〈◊〉 letters The Venetians great preparations VVâ—…r opened in aâ—… 〈◊〉 Selim is greatly discontented for the smal respect and entertainment giuen to his Câ—…ians The Venetians 〈◊〉 Ambassador to tâ—…e Eâ—…peror to solicit him to enter into the leâ—…gue The Emperors answer to the Venetian Ambassador The Venetian propositions in the â—…ourt of Sâ—…aine with the difficulties alleadgea thereâ—…pon The Popes proposition to aâ—… delay The flâ—…et receiueth great discommodity by their aboad at Zâ—…ra The Pope armeth twelue Galliâ—…s whereof Colonna is made General The cause which sâ—…aied the 〈◊〉 at Câ—…rfou The enterprize of the 〈◊〉 broken off in 〈◊〉 of the dâ—…fficulty thereof The Venetian fleet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the Senats commandement The 〈◊〉 of the Pope King of Spaine and Vâ—…netians ioyne together Mustapha Generall of the enterprize of Cyprus The Tukâ—…s reâ—… from Tina The number of the Turkish fleet 1570. The Turkâ—…sh fleet landed Mustaphâ—… by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to win the Cyâ—… Astor Baillone General in Cyprus Piali is of opinion to beseege Famagosta first Mustapha mainteâ—…neth the contrary and his opinion is followed The enemies are encamped before 〈◊〉 The sytuation of the city of Nicotia Discord among the commanders in the city Mustapha his great credit among the souldiers Prayers and Processions in Nicotia Those of Nicosia makâ—… certaâ—…ne sallâ—…es The Turkes build three forâ—…es neere to the city The enemies fierce battery A fierce assault giuâ—…n â—…o foure bulwarks at one time An assault giuen to the Bulwarke Constantia The Turkâ—…s take the Balwarke Constantia The Conâ—…t Roccas slaine All the Bulwarke 〈◊〉 taken The Citâ—…y of Nicosia is taken The Citty is sackt The number of the dead Cyprus yeeldeth to the Turkes Famagosta excepted Sundâ—…y opinions of the Captaâ—…nes oâ—…â—…he Christian fleet The Generall is oâ—… opâ—…nion â—…o meet with the enemy sight with him The Number of the Christian fleet Doria hearing of the losse of Nicotia is desirous â—…o returne home The Generall Prouidator vse reason to Doria to perswaâ—…e him 〈◊〉 Doria returneth home Diuers places subiect to the Turke yield to the Venetians The Popes â—…x-hortation for the conclusion of the league Long 〈◊〉 vsed in the conclusion of the league The Spaniards idle excuses The difficulties propounded by the Spaniards The Emperor 〈◊〉 to enter into the 〈◊〉 The Venetian 〈◊〉 resolâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Famaâ—… The Marquis Rangon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bâ—…s excuse Lodouieo Martinenga 〈◊〉 supplies tâ—… Faâ—… Collonna â—…peth two great dangers as 〈◊〉 returned kemeward Sebastiano Venieri is made Generall in Zanne bis steed The Bascha Mahomet reuiueth the trea ty of peace The Venetians great doubts perplexities The Venetians request to the Pope The Emperor will not allow of the Popes new 〈◊〉 giuen to the Duke of Florence The Venetians resolue to â—…arken to peace The Articles of peace propounded by the Venetians The Pope and Spaniards seeke to the Venetians to conclude the league Colonnas remonstrance to the Venetian Seuate The Senates answer to Colonna Tâ—…pulos opinion 〈◊〉 to warre Baâ—…oario is of a contrary opinion VVarre is resolued at Veniee The league against the Turke concluded The Articles of the league Don â—…ohn de Austria Generall of the Army Some particular treaties Supplie sent to Famagosta Flight of the enemies Galleys The Venetians 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 at Gambella More aide sent to Famagosta The number of soldiers in Famogosta The 〈◊〉 reâ—…bel against the 〈◊〉 Prince Mocenigo his remonstrance to the great councâ—…ll The number of the Turkish flâ—…et The Turkes are put to â—…outin Candy The Turkes waste the Islands of Zant and Cephalonia Bash is Mahâ—…mets proposition to the Venetian Bayly The Venetians expect the â—…onfederates fleets VVhat 〈◊〉 the Generall Uenieri to saâ—…l to Messina The league is published at Venice The Pope 〈◊〉 the King of Portugall to enter into the leagu The Uenetiaâ—…s will not heare oâ—… peace The Turkes come before Dulcigna Dulcâ—…gna yeeldeth to the Turkes in composition which is badly obserued The enemies fleet 〈◊〉 forth of the Gulph of Vinice The Christians surprize some of the enemies by ambuscadâ—… The Turkes come before 〈◊〉 The Venetians complaints to the Pope The King of Spains answer to the â—…ardinall Alexandrine The Emperor is doubtfull The Emperors resolution The leagues offer to the Emperor The arriuall of Don Iohn with the Spanish forces The offers of Don Iohn to the Venetians The enemies army before â—…amagosta The care of those within the Citty for their â—…ortifications The number of seruiceable men in the citty Bragadins exhortations to his soldiers The enemies 〈◊〉 fiue batteries at one time The dilâ—…gent care of the Captaines of the Citty Euery Captaines charge The 〈◊〉 mâ—…ke a counter battery They want pouâ—…er The Toure of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a mine The enemies are repulsed from the breach The Turkes in the presence of the Generall Mustapha giue a furious assault and are repulsed The great labour and trouble of tâ—…e beseeged An assault giuen â—…n foure sundry places â—…t one time â—…he volour of the 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Another inuen tion oâ—… the enemies
which did expresly import that with the greatest speed hee could hee should march against them whom hâ—…e heard to bee verie weake and therefore he promised himselfe the victory and being victorious he should beseege Rome and the Pope without any respect to the end to free himself of so many dangers which did threaten him and for the diminution of his enuy encrease of his owne iustifications he would haue that enterprise to be made in the name of the councel of Pisa which should depute a Legate to goe to the army Gaston of Foix departed from Bressia and came to Finall there for to gather together all the companies which were in Italy those excepted who remained for the gard of the Cities and from thence he went to Saint Georges on the Bolognois where there came to him three thousand Gascons a thousand Pioners and a thousand Picards which were newly sent him being al choice soldiers These being arriued he found that he had with him fiue thousand Lanfequenets fiue thousand Gascons and eight thousand as well Italians as French with one thousand sixe hundred launces The Duke of Ferrara was to ioyne with him with a hundred men at armes two hundred light horse and a great quantity of excellent munition because the Generall had left his at Finall in regard of the bad waies The Cardinall of Saint Seuerine being deputed Legate by the councell came likewise to the army Gaston of Foix marching in this equipage did burne with desire to meete the enemy and to fight with him as well to satisfie the King as for his owne valour and prowesse his meaning neuerthelesse was not to assaile him rashly but only to trie if by approching nere to him he would cheerefully come to the battaile in any place where the quallity of the sytuation might make them equall The enemies had an other intent who thought it not safe for them to fight in an equall place at least wise before the six thousand Swisses whom they expected were arriued as also for that the King of Arragon had commanded them to abstaine as much as they could from fight for diuers considerations by him alleaged The two armies did often change places marching continually nere together in good order the artillery going before and their faces turned towards the enemies as if euery houre they were to beginne the fight Gaston receiued a new commandment from the King to hasten the battaile Wherevnto his King was incited so soone as he vnderstood the truce made betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians But Gaston perceiuing that hee did winne nothing by coasting the enemies in this manner in regard of the commodiousnesse of the Cities of Romagnia whether they still retired determined to beseege Rauenna wherein Marke Antony Colonna lay for the Pope with fifteene hundred foot and fiue hundred horse thinking that the enemies would not suffer such a city to be lost before their faces and by that meanes occasion might be offered to fight with them in an equall place He came and lodged betwixt Contignola and Granaâ—…olla then at Rassi hauing driuen them thence who kept it and from thence the day following he came and encamped nere to the walles of Rauenna betwixt the two Riuers namely Ronca and Moâ—…tona betwixt which the towne is seated He possessed the space which is betwixt the one and other riuer The next day he caused his ordnance to be planted and by all meanes hasted the battery that he might come to the assault before the enemies whom he knew were remooued should arriue as well for to get the towne as in regard of his great want of victuals by reason of the Venetian vessels which lay at Fiquerolles and at the mouth of the Channel which falleth into the Po which stopped those that came both from Lombardy and Ferrara This was the reason why he resolued to giue the assault the same day al-be-it he knew that there was no reasonable breach made and that he could not enter but by ladders those likewise which were sent thither being out of hope to force the Citty and perceiuing themselues to be greatly hindred by a Culueryne hauing fought for the space of three houres retired with the losse of three hundred foote and of certaine men 〈◊〉 armes and as many in a manner were hurt But the retreat was no soonâ—… made but they descried the confederates armie coâ—…ming to the releeâ—…e of the Towne the which marched along the riuers side So soone as the French had discouered them they arose in armes and placed themselues vnder their enseignes hauing in great hast with drawne their ordinance from before their walles the which they turned towards the enemies who imagining onely by the shew of their army that Ramenna was suffiâ—…iently releeued thinking that the French durst not assaile it they being so neere they encamped within three miles of Rauenna at a place called Moulinachia which they forth-with fortified with as deepe a trench as the shortnesse of the time would permit them The French were long in councell to know what was to bee done either to assaill the Citty or the enemies In the end after diuers and sundry opinions they resolued to goe and assaile the enemy so soone as it was day Which Gaston of Foix gladly approuing hee caused the same night a bridge to bee cast ouer the Ronca and to liâ—…ell the causeis on all sides to make the waies easie There by day breake being Easter day hee prepared to march against the enemies and hauing encouraged his soldiors with a more eloquâ—… then Martiall oration hee enforced the enemies by the shot of his ordnance to come forth of their trenches and to ioyne fight with him where the conâ—…ederates were so delt with for the space of six 〈◊〉 â—…hat the fight lasted as not being able to make any more resistance they turned their backes and among others the Viceroy and Caranagio were the formost carrying away with them a squadron in a manner whole and vnbroken so as the French remained masters of the field But because the Spanish Infantery made a soft retreate and in god order Gaston of Foix was desirous to breake them and going furiously to assaill them with a squadron of horse hee was on a sodaine enuironed by the enemies and being beaten from his horse was slaine by the push of a piâ—…e thrust into his flanke The Lord of Lauâ—…rec lay by him in a manner dead being wounded in twenty places but being brought to Ferrara he was there healed The Generalls death caused the Spaniards to escape without any empediment the residew of their army being dispersed and put to flight and their bagage enseignes and artillery taken The prisoners were the Popet Legat Fabricio Coloâ—… Pedro of Nauaâ—…e the Marquis of Palu Bitoâ—…o and 〈◊〉 with many other Barrons and great Lords The brute was that there died on both sides eighteene thousand men one third part French and the two thirds of
the confederats But the losse of the victorious was greater without comparison by reason of the death of the Generall of â—…s of Alegre â—…ters French Gentlemen and Almaine Captaines to whose valour the victory was partly ascribed The victors beeing returned to their Campe those of the Citty sent word that they would yeeld but whilest they câ—…pitulated the Lanâ—…equentes Gascons perceiuing the walls to be carelessely kept did enter it at the breach which was made before the bataile and â—…ade cruell spoyle for despight of the losse which they had sustayned in the battaile but they could not take the Castle whether Marke Antony Câ—…llonna was â—…tyled which hee afterward yeelded vpon condition â—…o haue their goods and liues saued The Venetians hauing newes of this losse sent word to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whome they kept in pay with a thousand foote in Flaminâ—… to gard and defend the lands of the Church The Viâ—…y neuer â—…aid till hee came to Aâ—…coha where hee vsed meanes to renew his army promisâ—…g to him selfe that beeing ioyned with the Swisses hee would easily driue the French forth of â—…taly so as euery one would employ him-selfe in that busienesse The Venetâ—…ns beeing aduertised of his intenâ—… sent to comfort him for his losse and to offer him al ayde and releefe by Antoâ—… 〈◊〉 who brought him a good summe of mony from the Senate the liâ—…e also did King 〈◊〉 Aâ—…ssador which lay at Venice The French Army being daunted with the death of their Generall remained within 4. miles of Rauenna attempting nothing expecting the kings pleasure In the meane space newes being brought to Rone of the losse of the battaile all the Cardinalls came forth-with to the Pope earnestly entreating him to accept of peace with the French King the which they assured him hee might obtaine on honest conditions they seeing no other remedy for all these daungers but peace onely The Ambassadors of the King of Arragon and the Signury of Venice insisted on the contrary giuing him to vnderstand that matters were not so desperate nor the army so much decayed but that it might easily bee restored in short space without any greate expence with many other very pertinent reasons to induce the Pope to their opinion But he continewed in very great doubt for on the one side hatred and disdaine against the French did possesse him and on the other feare and danger Wherevpon hee answered the Cardinalls that he would make peace with the French King and yet it was not with that resolution which might giue any certaine hope and last of all when as Iulius of Medicis a Knight of Malta who was after-wards pope came to him from the Cardinall of Medicis and had fully informed him how greatly the French were weakened by their Generalls death and of diuers other particularities of the French army which did much recomfort him And bringing him into the Consistory he caused him to rehearse the selfe same things to the Cardinalls who neuerthelesse did perseuer in their desire of peace the which though in words hee made shew to please them to accept of hee had neuerthelesse resolued not to graunt but vpon the last extremity and rather to leaue Rome hoping that his cause would bee maintayned by the armes of Christian Princes But so soone as hee vnderstood that the Lord of La Palisse who commanded the French army after the death of Gaston of Foix was called into the Dutchy of Milan by the Generall of Normandy for feare of the Swisses comming and that he was with the army departed out of Roâ—…gina he found him-selfe freed of the doubt and feare which hee was in concerning the affaires of Rome whereby hee was more then before confirmed in his obstinacy albeit the Legate of the councell â—…arried still in Romagnia with three hundred lances three hundred light horse six thousand foote and eight peeces of ordnance Now the Pope beeing greatly confirmed by that which hath beene already said and by the great hopes which the King of Arragon gaue him so soone as bee had intelligence of the losse of the battaile of Rauenna promising to send him Gonsaluo the great Captaine into Italy with new supplies and likewise by the commission which the King of England had sent to the Cardinall of Yorke to enter into the league hee did openly reiect peace and pronounced in open Consistory a Monitory against the French King if hee did not release the Cardinall of Medicis whome hee kept prisoner in Milan where hee was honorably vsed The Swisses in the meane time who stood badly affected to the French King and did wonderfully hate him beeing assembled at Coire a city of the Grisons there antient confederats marched from thence to Trent the Emperour to collour the matter with the King saying that hee could not stoppe their passage in regard of the antient confederacy which he had with them From Trent they came vpon the Verona Territory where the Venetians army expected them who together with the Pope did contribute for their pay They were in number more then sixe thousand though no more were demaunded For the hatred which they did heare to the French King was so greate as contrary to their custome they did pâ—…tiently endure al difficulties and namely they caâ—… from home hauing receiued only one florin of Ryne a peece wheras in time before they would not march for the Kings seruice vnlesse they had beene promised many paies and their Captains presented with sondry guifts La Palisse comming first of all with the Army to Pontoglio to stop their passage thinking that they would come that way into Italy perceiuing afterward their meaning to be otherwise came and incamped at Chastillon of the stirrop not being assured whether they would come downe into the Dutchy of Millan or els march towards Ferrara It was certainely thought that they would haue held on the way towards Ferrara according to the Popes directions had not a letter which the Lord of La Palisse sent to the General of Normandy been inâ—…ercepted by mishap the which fell into the hands of the Venetian Stradiots by which he sent him word how his affaires stood and that it would be a hard matter to resist them if they should turne towards the Dutchy of Millan This letter made them change their determination and caused the Cardinall of Syon the chiefe motiue of this warre with the Captaines to resolue to enterprise that which their enemies most feared as was perceiued by that letter Therefore they came to Villafranca to ioyne with the Venetian army vnder the command of Iohn Paul Bailon which was of foure hundred men at armes eight hundred light horse and sixe thousand foote with peeces of Ordnance as well for battery as for the field La Palisse who in all had not aboue seauen thousand foote and a thousand lances did with the Captaines determine wholy to forsake the field and to looke to the defence of the townes
whereof haâ—…ing acquainted Lautrec entreated him to send him more aide that he might the safelier goe to the assault Now al-be-it Lautrec had meanes to doe it for the commodiousnesse of going from one army to an other vpon a very strong bridge ouer the Adicé and that he did often promise to do it did neuerthelesse delay the matter And the campe had already laine fifteene daies before the towne the enemies were reduced to extremity the cannon had beaten downe a great space of the wall the souldiers within the City were wearied with continuall factions they wanted powder the captains and the townesmen did not agree together and yet for all that none of these matters could mooue him to make hast to force the City Newes in the meane time came to the campe how that great numbers of Almaine foot-men were comming to releeue the beseeged These newes did amaze Lautrec more then there was cause and distasted him of continuing the seege so as hee thought on nothing more then how to retire his army into some place of safety The Venetian Prouidators being aduertized of this sodaine resolution came vnto him where after diuers remonstrances of the great blemish he should doe to his honour and reputation to raise his campe they infinitely entreated him with great earnestnesse to temporize for a while longer and not to depart till the enemies were arriued that they might see what they were But all their entreaties could not diuert him from his first resolution Whereupon he commanded on a sodaine to discampe so as all his troupes went to Albareda Paul Gradonic the Prouidator and Iohn Paul Manfron remained for the gard of the bridge with eight hundred horse as well men at armes as light horse-men and two thousand foot fearing if the same were broken their army might want victuals but they tarried not long there for they forth-with went on to Villa Franca where they fortified their campe In the meane time Rocandolf Colonel of the Almaine foot the French and Venetian army being retired entred Verona without any empediment and hauing releeued it with victuals and new souldiers in their stead that were hurt returned into Germany wherevpon the Prouidators did againe solicite the Lord of Lautrecto returne to the seege of Verona and not to spend time so vnprofitably But Lautrec comforting them vsed diuers excuses for his slownesse assuring them that the City of Verona should shortly be reduced vnder the Venetians power The Prouidator hauing seriously ruminated these words in his minde beganne to doubt of some treaty which did not appeare and namely because that at the same time as the campe dislodged from before Verona the report was that a messenger came from France to Lautrec who had secret conference with him and entreated him to keepe close his comming Therefore the Prouidators did earnestly entreat Lautrec to discouer vnto them what hee knew thereof to the end they might be no longer enforced to entertaine so great an army which charged the Republike with a merueilous expence the Senate likewise being aduertized by the Prouidators of what had past had the same thoughts at such time as they had newes from their Ambassador in the French Kings Court of that which had passed at Noyon Because that King Francis beeing desirous that the Venetians should haue time to consult of their affaires would forthwith haue them to be acquainted with the treaty of Noyon betwixt him and the Arch-duke Charles to the end that the Commissioners of both Princes comming to Brussels should find all difficulties to be taken away and resolued on The summe of the treaty concluded at Noyon was thus That there should be a perpetuall peace betwixt the French King and the King of Spaine and a confederacy for the defence of their States against all men in the which were comprehended all other Princes friends or allies of either of them That King Francis should giue the Lady Renè daughter to the late King Lewis in marriage to the King of Spaine That the said King should within a certaine time re-deliuer the Kingdome of Nauarre to her antient King That the Emperour might within two monthes enter into that peace and though he should enter into the league the French King might helpe the Venetians to recouer Verona the which if the Emperour would within sixe weekes commit to the King of Spaine with power to giue it freely to the French King to dispose thereof as hee should thinke fit the King should pay vnto him a hundred thousand crownes and the Venetians an other hundred thousand part whereof should bee paied at the consignation thereof and the rest within sixe monthes after and that he should likewise be acquitted of three hundred thousand crownes which he had receiued of King Lewis whilest they were confederates The Venetians doubting whether the Emperour would accept of peace on these conditions did not cease to solicite the Lord of Lautrec to beseege Verona and also in regard of the summe of money they were to pay which they desired rather to recouer by armes But peace was more agreeable to the French King then force being desirous of accord with the Emperour yet neuerthelesse Lautrec not knowing how to excuse himselfe to the Venetians who had made what prouisions soeuer hee craued as also because the Lansequenets did no more refuse to goe to the seege he condescended to their request and went againe and encamped before Verona Now whilest the French on the one side and the Venetians on the other were busied in the battery nine thousand Lansquenets arriued who were sent by the Emperour to releeue it For the Emperor being solicited by the Cardinall of Syon and by the King of England would not harken to a peace so as his commissioners were ready to depart from Bruxels without any conclusion when the Emperour vnderstood that the French King had made a league with all the Swisses by meanes of a great summe of money for then he seemed to be very desirous of peace with the French and Venetians al-be-it that at the arriuall of these nine thousand Lansquenets the campe did rise from before Verona and was retired to Villa-franca The matter then was concluded at Bruxels as well with the King of Spaine as with the Emperor in the manner aboue said the which going slowly on was hastned by King Francis on condition that there should be truce with the Venetians The whole businesse being thus ended the Bishop of Trent was sent to the Lord of Lautrec to consigne the City of Verona in the King of Spaines name to the French King within the space of sixe weekes according to the contents of the Capitulation the which was done on the fifteenth day of Ianuary 1517. after the Venetians had paied the first fifty thousand crownes and fifteene thousand to the foot-men that were in the City wherevpon at the very instant the Lord of Lautrec in the name of