the Adriatick Sea which were not inhabited they escap'd after them themselves The Padouans seeing the fire so near them concluding when Aquilegia was taken his next visit would be to them sent away their Goods Wives Children and unserviceable people to a place in the same Sea call'd Rivo Alto leaving the young men and such as were able to bear Arms for the defence of the Town The Inhabitants of Montfelice and the Hills about it fearing the same destiny remov'd to the same Islands Aquilegia being taken and Padoua Montfelice Vicenza and Verona overcome and sack'd by Aâ—tila's Army those which remain'd of the Padouans and the most considerable of the rest setled their Habitations in certain Fenns and Marshes about the aforesaid Rivo Alto and all the people about that Province which was anciently call'd Venetia being driven out of their Countrey by the same Calamities joyn'd themselves with them changing by necessity their pleasant and plentiful Habitations for rude and barren places void of all Commodity and Convenience But their number being great and their Quarter but small in a short time they made it not only habitable but delightful framing such Laws and Orders to themselves as secur'd them against miseries of their Neighbours and in a short time made them considerable both for reputation and force So that besidâ—â— their first inhabitants many people resorting to them from the Cities of Lombardy upon occasion of the Cruelty of Clefi King of the Lombards they multiply'd so fast that when Pepin King of France at the solicitation of the Pope undertooke to drive the Lombards out of Italy in the Treaties betwixt him and the Emperour of Greece it was agreed that the Duke of Benevento and the Venetians should be subject neither to the one nor the other but injoy their Liberty to themselves Moreover Necessity having determin'd their Habitations among the Waters having no Land to supply them it forc'd them to look about which way they might live and applying to Navigation they began to trade about the World and not only furnish'd themselves with necessary Provisions but by degrees brought thither such variety of Merchandize that other people which had need of them came to them to be supply'd At first having no thoughts of Dominion they were wholly intent upon what might facilitate their Trade and in order thereunto they acquir'd several Ports both in Greece and Syria and in their passage into Asia the French making use of their Ships they gave them by way of Recompence the Island of Candia While they lived at this rate their Name was grown formidable at Sea and so venerable at Land that in most Controversies betwixt their Neighbours they were the only Arbitrators as it happen'd in the difference betwixt the Confederates upon the division of the Towns where the cause being referred to them they awarded Bergamo and Brescia to the Visconti But having afterwards in process of time conquer'd Padoua Vicenza Trivegi and after them Verona Bergamo and Brescia besides several Towns in Romagna and else where their power began to be so considerable that not only the Princes of Italy but the greatest and most remote Kings were afraid to provoke them Whereupon entring into a Conspiracy against them the Venetians lost all in one day that in so many Years and with so vast Expence they had been gaining and though in our times they may have recover'd it in part yet not having regain'd their Reputation and Power they live at the mercy of other people as indeed all the Princes of Italy do Benedict XII being Pope looking upon Italy as lost and fearing that Lodovic the Emperour should make himself Master of it he resolv'd to enter into strict Amity with all those who held any Lands that belong'd formerly to the Empire presuming their fear to be dispossess'd would make them faithful in the defence of Italy and zealous to keep him out accordingly he publish'd a Decree to confirm all the usurp'd Titles in Lombardy and to continue their Possession But that Pope died before his Promise could be made good and Clement VI. succeeded him The Emperour observing with what libâ—rality the Pope had dispos'd of the Lands belonging to the Empire that he might not be behind him in so generous a point he gave all Lands that had been usurp'd from the Church to such persons as had usurp'd them to hold them of the Empire as the other of the Pope By which Donation Galeotto Maletesti and his Brothers became Lords of Rimini Pesaro and Fano Antonio da Montefeltro of la Marca and Urbin Gentil da Varano of Camerino Giovanni Manfredi of Faenza Guido di Polenta of Ravenna Sinebaldo Or delaffi of Furli and Cesena Lodovico Aledosi of Imola besides many others in other places so that of all the Lands which belong'd to the Church there was scarce any left without an interloper by which means till the time of Alexander VI. the Church was very weak but he recover'd its Authority in our days with the destruction of most of their Posterity At the time of this Concession the Emperour was at Taranto where he gave out his Design was for Italy which was the occasion of great Wars in Lombardy in which the Visconti made themselves Lords of Parma About this time Robert King of Naples died and left two Grand Children by his Son Charles who died not long before leaving his eldest Daughter Giovanna Heir to the Crown with injunction to marry Andrâ—a Son to the King of Hungary who was his Nephew But they liv'd not long together before Andrea was poison'd by her and she married again to Lodovic Prince of Taranto her near Kins-man But Lewis King of Hungary Brother to Andrea to revenge his death came into Italy with an Army and drave Giovanna and her Husband out of the Kingdom About these times there happen'd a very memorable passage in Rome One Nicholas di Lorenzo Chancellor in the Capitol having forc'd the Senate out of Rome under the Title of Tribune made himself head of that Common-wealth reducing it into its ancient form with so much Justice and Virtue that not only the neighbouring Provinces but all Italy sent Embassadours to him The ancient Provinces seeing that City so strangely reviv'd began to lift up their Heads and pay it a respect some out of fear and some out of hopes But Nicholas notwithstanding the greatness of his Reputation not able to comport with so great an Authority deserted it himself for being overburthen'd with the weight of it he left it in the very beginning and without any constraint stole privately away to the King of Bohemia who by the Popes Order in affront to Lewis of Bavaria was made Emperour and to gratifie his Patron he secur'd Nicholas and Clapt him in prison Not long after as it had been in imitation of Nicholas one Francesco Baroncegli possest himself of the Tribuneship and turn'd the Senators out of Rome so that the Pope
had Conquer'd Africa driven out the Vandals and reduc'd it under that Empire again Having first possessed himself of Sicily and from thence passed his Army into Italy Bellisarius recovered Naples and Rome The Goths foreseeing their destruction kill'd Theodate their King as the occasion of all and elected Vitegetes in his place who after several Skirmishes was at length besieged and taken in Ravenna by Bellisarius who not prosecuting his Victory as was expected was call'd back by Iustinian and his Command given to Iohannes and Vitalis who were much short of him both in Virtue and Conversation so that the Goths took heart and created Ildovado their King who was at that time Governour of Verona and being kill'd shortly after the Kingship fell to Totila who beat the Emperours forces recover'd Tuscany and subdu'd the Governours of all those Provinces which Bellisarius had reduc'd Upon which misfortune Iustinianus thought it necessary to send him again into Italy but returning with small Force he rather lost what he had gained before than acquir'd any new Reputation For Totila whilst Bellisarius lay incamped with his Army at Hostia besieg'd Rome and took it as it were under his Nose and then upon consideration that he could neither well keep nor relinquish it he demolish'd the greatest part of it forcing away the people and carrying the Senators as Prisoners along with him and taking no notice of Bellisarius he advanc'd with his Army into Calabria to encounter and cut off certain supplies which were sent out of Greece to reinforce him Bellisarius seeing Rome abandon'd in this manner addressed himself to a very honourable Enterprise and entring the City repair'd the Walls withall possible Celerity and re-invited the Inhabitants when he had done But Fortune concurr'd not to the nobleness of his design for Iustinianus being at that time invaded by the Parthi Bellisarius was call'd back to repell the Invasion In obedience to his Master he marched his Army out of Italy and left that Province to the discretion of the Enemy who seized again upon Rome but us'd it not so barbarously as before being wrought upon by the prayers of Saint Benedict a person very eminent in those times for his Sanctity he apply'd himself rather to repair than destroy it In the mean time Iustinian had made a Peace with the Parthi and resolving to send new Supplies into Italy he was diverted by a new Alarm from the Sclavi another Northern people who had pass'd the Danube and fallen upon Illyria and Thrace So that Totila had his full swing and was in a manner in possession of all Italy As soon as Iustinian had Conquer'd the Sclavi and setled the Countreys which they had invaded he sent a new Army into Italy under the Conduct of Narsetes an Eunuch a brave Captain and of great experience in the Wars Being arrived in Italy he fought beat and kill'd Totila after whose death the remainder of the Goths retir'd into Pavia and made Teia their King On the other side Narsetes after his Victory took Rome and than marching against Teia he ingaged him about Nocera defeated his Army and slew him among the rest By which disaster the very Name of the Goths was well near extinguish'd in Italy where they had reigned from the time of Theodorick to this Teia full seventy years But Italy was scarce warm in its Liberty when Iustinianus dy'd and left his Son Iustinus to succeed who by the Counsel of his Wife Sophia recall'd Narsetes out of Italy and sent Longinus in his place Longinus according to the Example of his Predecessors kept his Residence at Ravenna in other things he digress'd and particularly by introducing a new form of Government in Italy not constituting Governours in every Province as the Goths had done before but deputing a Captain in every City or other Town of importance with the Title of Duke Nor in this distribution did he show any greater favour to Rome than to the rest for removing the Consuls and Senate Names which to that time had been sacred among them he constituted a Duke which he sent every year from Ravenna and his Government was call'd the Dukedom of Rome But lie that more immediately represented the Emperour at Ravenna and had the Universal Government of Italy was call'd Esarco This division not only facilitated the ruine of Italy but hasten'd it exceedingly by giving the Lombards opportunity to possess it Narsetes was much disgusted with the Emperour for calling him off from the Command of those Provinces which by his own Vertue and effusion of his bloud he had acquir'd And Sophia not thinking it injury sufficient to get him recall'd had given out contumelious words as if she would make him Spin among the rest of the Eunuchs Whereupon in great disdain Narsetes incourag'd Alboino King of the Lombards who at that time Govern'd in Pannonia to invade Italy and possess it As was shown before the Lombards were enter'd and had taken possession of such places upon the Danube as had been deserted by the Eruli and Turingi when Odoacres their King conducted them into Italy They had continued there some time till their Kingdom fell to Alboino for a daring and couragious man under whom passing the Danube they encounter'd with Commodus King of the Zepidi a People planted in Pannonia and overcame him Among the rest Rosmunda one of Commodus Daughters was taken Prisoner whom Alboinus took for his Wife made himself Lord of her Countrey and mov'd by the barbarousness of his nature he caus'd a Cup to be made of her Father's Skull and in memory of that Victory drank out of it very often But being call'd into Italy by Narsetes with whom he had retain'd a Friendship in his Wars with the Goths he left Pannonia to the Hunni who as we said before return'd into their own Countrey after the death of Attila march'd into Italy and finding it so strangly Cantoniz'd and divided he possessed or rather surpriz'd Pavia Milan Verona Vicenza all Tuscany and the great part of Flaminia call'd now Romagnia So that presuming from the greatness and suddenness of his Conquests all Italy was his own he made a solemn Feast at Verona where much drinking having exalted his Spirits and Commodus his Skull being full of Wine he caus'd it to be presented to Rosmunda the Queen who sat over against him at the Table declaring and that so loud she could not but hear that at a time of such hearty and extraordinary Mirth it was fit she should drink one Cup with her Father Which expression touching the Lady to the quick she resolv'd to be reveng'd and knowing that Almachilde a young and valiant Lombard had an intrigue with one of her Maids she prevail'd that she might personate her one night and lie with him her self Accordingly Almachilde being introduc'd upon a time into a very dark place he injoy'd Rosmunda instead of her Maid The Business being done Rosmunda discover'd her self
in Romania and performing very valiantly in all those Wars Of Tancred one of the Princes of those Normans were born several Sons among which William call'd Ferabar and Roberto call'd Guiscardo were two William arriv'd to be Prince and the Tumults in Italy were in some measure compos'd But the Saracens having Sicily intire and daily invasions made upon Italy William entred into Confederacy with the Princes of Capua and Salerno and with Milorcus a Grecian who by the Emperour of Greece was deputed Governour of Puglia and Calabria to invade Sicily and in case of Victory it was agreed among them that both Prey and Countrey should be equaly divided The Enterprize was prosperous they beat the Saracens drove them out of the Countrey and possess'd it when they had done But Milorcus causing more Forces to be transported privately out of Greece seiz'd the Island for the Emperour and divided only the Spoil William was not a little disgusted but reserving his indignation for a more Convenient time he departed out of Sicily with the Princes of Capua and Salerno who having taken their leaves of him to return to their Homes in stead of marching to Romania as he pretended to them he fac'd about with his Army towards Puglia surpriz'd Melfi and behav'd himself so well against the Forces of the Emperour that he made himself Master of most part of Puglia and Calabria which Provinces at the time of Nicolas II. were Govern'd by his Brother Roberto and because he had afterward great Contention with his Nephews about the inheritance of those States he made use of the Pope's mediation who readily comply'd being desirous to oblige Roberto that he might defend him against the German Emperour and the people of Rome and it afterwards happen'd as we have said before that at the instance of Gregory VII he forc'd Enrico from Rome and suppress'd the Sedition of the Inhabitants Robert was succeeded by two of his Sons Roger and William to their Inheritance they annexed the City of Naples and all the Countrey betwixt it and Rome besides that they subdu'd Sicily of which Roger was made Lord. But William going afterwards to Constantinople to marry that Emperour's Daughter Roger took advantage of his absence seiz'd upon his Contrey and elated by so great an acquest caus'd himself first to be call'd King of Italy but afterwards contenting himself with the Title of King of Puglia and Sicily he was the first that gave Name and Laws to that Kingdom which to this day it retains though many times since not only the Royal Bloud but the Nation has been changed for upon failure of the Norman Race that Kingdom devolv'd to the Germans from them to the French from the French to the Spaniards and from the Spaniards to the Flemens with whom it remains at this present Urban II. though very odious in Rome was gotten to be Pope but by reason of the dissentions there not thinking himself secure in Italy he remov'd with his whole Clergy into France Having assembled many people together at Anvers he undertook a Generous Enterprize and by a learned Oration against the Infidels kindled such a fire in their minds they resolv'd upon an Expedition into Asia against the Saracens which Expedition as all other of the same nature was call'd afterwards Crociate because all that went along in it carry'd a red Cross upon their Arms and their Cloths The Chief Commanders in this Enterprize were Gottofredi Eustachio Alduino di Buglione Earl of Bologna and Peter the Hermit a man of singular veneration both for his prudence and piety Many Princes and Nations assisted with their Purses and many private men serv'd as Voluntiers at their own Charges So great an influence had Religion in those days upon the Spirits of Men incourag'd by the Example of their several Commanders At first the Enterprize was very successfull all Asia minor Syria and part of Egypt fell under the power of the Christians during which War the Order of the Knights of Ierusalem was instituted and continued a long time in Rhodes as a Bulwark against the Turks Not long after the Order of the Knights Templers was founded but it lasted not long by reason of the dissoluteness of their Manners At sundry times after these things upon sundry occasions many accidents fell out in which several Nations and particular men signaliz'd themselves There were ingag'd in this Expedition the Kings of England and France the States of Pisa Venice and Genoa all behaving themselves with great bravery and sighting with variety of Fortune till the time of Saladine the Saracen but his Courage and Virtue improv'd by intestine differences among the Christians robb'd them of the glory they had gain'd at the first and chased them out of a Countrey where for Ninety years they had been so honourably and so happily plac'd After the death of Pope Urban Pascal II. was chosen to succeed him and Enrico IV. made Emperour who coming to Rome and pretending great friendship to the Pope took his advantage clapt both him and his Clergy in Prison and never discharg'd them till they had impowr'd him to dispose of the Churches in Germany as he pleas'd himself About this time Matilda the Countess died and gave her Patrimony to the Church After the deaths of Pascal and Enric many Popes and many Emperours succeeded till the Papacy fell to Alexander III. and the Empire to Frederick Barbarossa a Swede The Popes of those days had many Controversies with the people of Rome and the Emperours which till the time of Barbarossa rather increas'd than otherwise Frederick was an excellent Soldier but so haughty and high he could not brook to give place to the Pope Notwithstanding he came to Rome to be Crown'd and return'd peaceably into Germany But that humour lasted but little for he return'd shortly into Italy to reduce some Towns in Lombardy which denied him obedience In this juncture Cardinal di S. Clemente a Roman born dividing from Pope Alexander was made Pope himself by a Faction in the Conclave Frederick the Emperour being then incamp'd before Crema Alexander complain'd to him of the Anti-Pope Frederick reply'd That they should both of them appear personally before him and that then hearing faithfully what each of them could say he should be better able to determine which was in the right Alexander was not at all satisfied with the Answer but perceiving the Emperour inclining to the Adversary he Excommunicated him and ran away to King Philip of France For all that Frederick prosecuted his Wars in Lombardy took and dismantled Milan Which put the Cities of Verona Padua and Venice upon a Confederacy for their Common defence In the mean time the Anti-Pope died and Frederick presum'd to Create Guidâ— of Cremona in his place The Romans taking advantage of the Pope's absence and the Emperour's diversion in Lombardy had re-assum'd something of their former Authority and began to require Obedience in the
Emperour Charles call'd away his Governour and the Pope sent his Cardinal Nephew to take possession of it for the Emperour to recompense that Kindness the Emperour restor'd Romania to the Church which had been usurp'd by his Predecessors and the Pope made Bartaldo Orsino Duke of Romagnia growing more powerfull by degrees and believing himself strong enough to look Charles in the face he began to expostulate turn'd him out of his Senatorship and publish'd a Decree that no person for the future of Royal Extraction should ever be Senator in Rome Not contented with this he carri'd his Designs farther and was in the mind to have droven Charles out of Sicily to which end he held secret intelligence with the King of Arragon who effected it alterwards in the time of his Successor He design'd likewise to have made two Kings out of his Family one of Lombardy the other of Tuscany by whose power and assistance the Church might be defended from the incursions of the Germans abroad and the oppression of the French at home But he dying before any thing could be done was the first Pope that gave so manifest demonstration of Ambition or that under pretence of advancing the Church design'd only to exalt and magnifie his own Family and though from this time backward no mention is to be found of Nephew or any other of his Holiness Kindred yet forward all History is full of them and as formerly the Popes have endeavour'd to leave them Princes they would leave them Popes now adays if they could and make the Papacy hereditary But the Principalities they erected have been hitherto short-liv'd for the Popes seldom living long the first gust of wind shakes them for want of their Authority and Courage to sustain them This Pope being dead Martin X. succeeded who being born a French-man was a friend to the French and Charles in the Rebellion of Romania sent an Army to his Assistance who having besieg'd Furli Guido Bonatti an Astrologer being in the Town appointed the Garrison a certain time to sally upon them and following his direction they did it with such success that the whole French Army was either taken or kill'd About this time the practices betwixt Pope Nicholas and Peter King of Arragon were put in execution the Sicilians by that means kill'd all the French they found in that Island and Peter made himself Lord of it upon pretence it belonged to Constansa Manfreds Daughter whom he had married but Charles in his preparation for its recovery died left Charles II. his Son at that time a Prisoner in Sicily who for his enlargement promis'd to surrender himself again if in three years time he prevail'd not with the Pope to invest the House of Arragon with the Kingdom of Sicily Ridolfus the Emperour in stead of coming into Italy himself to recover the reputation of the Empire sent an Embassadour thither with full power to enfranchize such Cities as would buy out their Freedom Upon which many Cities redeem'd themselves and chang'd their Laws with their Liberty Adulfus Duke of Saxony succeeded in the Empire and in the Popedom Piero del Murone by the Name of Pope Celestine but having been a Hermit and exceedingly devout in six months time he renounced and Boniface VIII was chosen in his room The Heavens foreseeing the time would come Italy should be deliver'd both from the Germans and French and remain intirely in the hands of its Natives that the Pope though freed from forreign impedidiments might not be able to usurp and establish himself in the Power which he exercised then rais'd up two great Families in Rome the Colonni and the Ursini that by their Authority and Allyance they might be able to circumscribe his Holiness and keep him within his bounds Pope Boniface was sensible of them and apply'd himself very zealously to have extirpated the Colonni excommunicating them first and then proclaiming the Crociata against them which though it might be some prejudice to them was more to the Church For those Swords which had been drawn in vindication of the Gospel and done honourable things when for private ambition they were unsheath'd against Christians they lost their first sharpness and would not cut at all and so it came to pass their immoderate desire of satiating their Appetite by degrees lessened the Popes power and disarm'd them Two of that House which were Cardinals he degraded Sciarra the chief of them escaping in disguise being discover'd was taken by the Spanish Privateers and clap'd to an Oar but being known at Marsellis he was rescu'd and sent away to the King of France who by Boniface was Excommunicated thereupon and depriv'd of his Kingdom Philip King of France considering very well that in all open Wars with the Popes he had either run some eminent danger or come home by the loss began to look about for some Artifice and at length pretending great readiness to comply and counterfeiting a Treaty he sent Sciarra privately into Italy who being arriv'd at Anagnia where at that time the Pope had his Residence gathering his Friends together in the night he seiz'd upon his Holiness who tho inlarg'd afterwards by the people of the Town died shortly in a Dilirium with meer sense and indigation This Boniface was the first Pope which ordain'd Jubilees in the year M.CCC and decreed they should be celebrated every hundred years These times produc'd many troubles betwixt the Guelfs and the Gibilin's and Italy being forsaken by the Emperours many Towns recover'd their liberties and many were usurp'd Pope Benedict restor'd their Caps to the Cardinals of the House of Colonni absolv'd King Philip and gave him his Blessing Benedict was succeeded by Clement V. who being a French-man remov'd his Court into France Anno MCCCVI During these Transactions Charles II. King of Naples died and left the Succession to Robert his Son The Empire was in the mean time fallen to Arrigo of Luxemburg who came to Rome to be Crown'd though the Pope was not there upon whose arrival many commotions followed in Lombardy and all banished persons whether Guelfs or Gibilins being restor'd to their former Habitations conspiring to supplant one another they fill'd the whole Province with the Calamities of War notwithstanding the Emperour imploy'd his utmost power to prevent it Arrigo removing out of Lombardy by the way of Genova return'd to Pisa with design to have driven King Râ—bâ—rt out of Tascany but not succeeding in that he march'd to Rome but continued there a few dayes only for the Ursini by the help of King Robert forc'd him to remove and he march'd back again to Pisa where for his more secure Warring upon Tuscany and supplanting that King he caus'd it to be assaulted on the other side by Frederick King of Sicily But in the height of his Designs when he thought himself sure both of Tuscany and its King he died and the succession went to Lodovick of Bavaria About this
he escap'd Among the rest who had seiz'd the Cities which belong'd formerly to Iohn Galeazzo William della Scala was one who having been banish'd and retiring to Francesco de Carrara Lord of Padua by his means he recover'd the State of Verona but he enjoy'd it a short time for Francesco caus'd him to be poison'd and assum'd the Government himself The Vicentini hereupon having till then liv'd quietly under the protection of the Visconti growing jealous of the greatness of the Lord of Padua submitted themselves to the Venetians who at their instigation made War upon him and beat him first out of Verona and at length out of Padua By this time Pope Boniface died and Innocent VII was elected in his place The people of Rome made a solemn Address to him for the Restitution of their Liberty and Forts and being deny'd they call'd in Ladislans King of Naples to their Assistance but their differences being afterwards compos'd the Pope return'd to Rome from whence for fear of the people he fled to Viterbo where he had made his Nephew Lodovic Conte della Marca after which he died and Gregory XII succeeded upon Condition he should resign when ever the Anti-Pope should be persuaded to do the same At the intercession of the Cardinals to try whether it was possible to accommodate their differences and reunite the Church Benedict the Anti-Pope came to Porto Veneri and Gregory to Lucca where many Expedients were propos'd but nothing concluded whereupon the Cardinals forsook them both of one side and the other Benedict retired into Spain and Gregory to Rimini The Cardinals by the favour of Baldassare Cossa Cardinal and Legat of Bologna call'd a Counsel at Pisa in which they created Alexander V. who immediately excommunicated King Ladislaus invested Luigid ' Augio with his Kingdom and by the assistance of the Florentines Genoueses Venetians and Baldassare Cossa the Legat they assaulted Ladislaus and drove him out of Rome But in the heat of the War Alexander died and Baldassare Cossa was created Pope with the name of Iohn XXIII Iohn was created at Bologna but remov'd to Rome where he found Luigi d' Angio with the Forces of Provence having joyn'd himself with him they march'd out against King Ladislaus fought with him and routed his Army but for want of good Conduct not persuing their Victory King Ladislaus rally'd recover'd Rome and forc'd the Pope away to Bologna and Luigi to Provence The Pope casting about with himself which way he might restrain and lessen the power of King Ladislaus caus'd Sigismund King of Hungary to be chosen Emperour invited him into Italy to which purpose they had a Conference at Mantua where it was concluded a General Council should be call'd for uniting the Church upon the accomplishment of which it was presum'd they should be better able to defend themselves against the incroachments of their Enemies At this time there were three Popes in being at once Gregory Benedict and Iohn which kept the Church very low both in force and reputation The place appointed for their Convention was Constance a City in Germany contrary to the intention of Pope Iohn and though by the death of King Ladislaus the great Reason was taken away that mov'd the Pope to that proposition nevertheless things being gone so far and he under an obligation he could not handsomly come off but was forc'd to go to it Being arriv'd at Constance it was not many months before he found his Error and endeavoured to have escap'd but being discovered and taken he was put in Prison and compell'd to renounce Gregory one of the Anti-Popes renounced by Proxy but Benedict the other Anti-Pope refus'd and was condemned for a Heretick at last finding himself abandon'd by all the Cardinals he renounc'd likewise and the Counsel created a new Pope Viz. Oddo of the House of Coloâ—ma who took the name of Martin V. upon which the Schisms were compos'd and the Church united after it had been divided fourty years and several Popes living at one and the same time As we said before Philip Visconti was at this time in the Castle of Pavâ—a But upon the death of Fantino Care who in the troubles of Lombardy had made himself Lord of Vercelli Alexandria Novara and Tortona and contracted great wealth having no Sons he bequeath'd his Dominions to his Wife Beatrix injoyning his Friends to use their utmost endeavour to Marry her to Philip by which Marriage Philip being much strengthen'd he recover'd Milan and all the whole Province of Lombardy after which to recompense her great Benefits according to the example of other Princes he accus'd his Wife Beatrix of Adultery and put her to death Being arriv'd at that height both of Power and Grandeur he began to contrive against Toscany and pursue the designs of his Father Iohn Galeazzo Ladislaus King of Naples at his death had left to his Sister Giovanna besides his Kingdom a formidable Army Commanded by the chief Captains in Italy and among the rest by Sforza da Contignuolo a person of particular repute for his Valour in those Wars The Queen to clear her self of an aspersion of too much intimacy with one Panâ—olfello which she advanc'd took to her Husband Giacopa della Marcia a Frenchman of Royal Extraction but upon condition he should content himself to be call'd Prince of Taranâ—o and leave the Title and Government of the Kingdom to her But the Soldiers as soon as he was arrived in Naples called him King which occasioned great differences betwixt him and the Queen sometimes one prevailing and sometimes the other But at length the Government rested in the Queen and she became a severe Enemy to the Pope Whereupon Sforza to drive her into a necessity and force her to his own terms laid down his Commission and refused to serve her against him by which means being as it were disarmed in a moment having no other remedy she applyed her self to Alphonso King of Arragon and Sicily adopted him her Son and to Command her Army she entertained Braccio da Montone as Eminent a Soldier as Sforza and an Adversary of the Popes upon accompt of certain Towns as Perugia and others which he had usurped from the Church After this a Peace was concluded betwixt her and the Pope but Alphonso suspecting least she should serve him as she had done her Husband began privately to contrive how he might possess himself of the Forts But the Queen was cunning and prevented him by fortifying her self in the Castle of Naples Jealousies increasing in this manner and no-body interposing they came to an Ingagement and the Queen by the help of Sforza who was returned to her Service overcame Alphonso drove him out of Naples abdicated him and adopted Lodovic d' Angio in his place Hereupon new Wars ensued betwixt Braccio who was of Alphonso's party and Sforza who was for the Queen In the process of the War Sforza passing the River Pescara was by
was at that time Duke of Genoa This Piero finding himself unable to bear up against so powerful a King upon consideration of his own weakness resolv'd at lest to surrender that State to one that should be able to defend it and perhaps sometime or other give him a reasonable reward he sent Embassadors therefore to Charles 7 of France to desire his protection and tender him the Government Charles accepted the offer and to take possession of the City he sent Giovanni d' Angio King Rinato's Son who not long before was returned from Florence into France for Charles was persuaded that Giovanni being acquainted with the humors and customs of the Italians was properer for that Government than any Man he could send besides from thence he believ'd he might prosecute his designs against Naples with more ease and covenience his Father Rinato having been expel'd that Kingdom by Alfonso of Aragon Hereupon Giovanni departed for Genoa was receiv'd honorably by the Town and invested with the whole power both of the City and State This accident was not at all pleasing to Alfonso he found now he had pull'd an old house over his head however he carried it bravely went on with his enterprize and was advanc'd with his Fleet under Villa Marina at Porto Fino when surpriz'd with a sudden distemper he died The death of Alfonso put an end to the Wars against Giovanni and the Genoeses and Ferrando succeeded his Father Alfonso in the Kingdom was in no little trouble having an Enemy upon his hands of such reputation in Italy and a jealousie of several of his Barons who being inclin'd to new changes he was afraid might side with the French besides he was acquainted with the ambition of the Pope and being scarce setled in his Kingdom was fearful lest he should attempt something to supplant him his only hopes were in the Duke of Milan who was no less solicitous for the affairs of that Kingdom than himself apprehending that if ever the French came to be Masters of Naples their next enterprize of course would be against him for he knew they might pretend to Milan as an appendix to that Crown For these reasons as soon as Alfonso was dead Francesco sent letters and Men to Ferrando the first to keep up his heart the other his reputation Upon the death of Alfonso the Pope designed to give his Nephew Piero Lodovico Borgia the Government of that Kingdom and to gloss over the business and make it more plausible to the Princes of Italy he gave out that that Kingdom belonging formerly to the Church his intention was only to reduce it to that condition and therefore he desired the Duke of Milan would not give any assistance to Ferrando and offer'd him such Towns as he had possess'd formerly in that Kingdom But in the midst of his contrivances Calisto died and Pius 2. succeeded him who was a Siâ—nnesi of the Family of the Piccol Huomini and his Name Aeneas This Pope imploying his thoughts wholly for the benefit of Christendom and the Honour of the Church and laying aside all private passion and advantage at the intreaty of the Duke of Milan crown'd Ferrando King of Naples judging it a readier and safer way to compose the differences of Italy by confirming him that was already in possession than by assisting the pretences of the French or setting up as Calisto did for himself However Ferrando took it for a favour and to requite it he made Antonio the Popes Nephew Prince of Malfi married him to his natural Daughter and besides this restor'd Benevento and Ferracina to the Church And now all the Arms in Italy were visibly laid down and Pius as Calisto had begun before was moving all Christendom against the Turk when a new quarrel sprung up betwixt the Fregosi and Giovanni the Lord of Genoa which produc'd a greater and more important War than the last Petrino Fregosi was retir'd to a Castle of his in Riveria much discontented that Giovanni d' Angio having been prefer'd to his dignity in Genoa by him and his Family had not gratified them as they deserved so that by degrees it was come to a feud Ferrando was very well pleas'd with the difference as being the only way to secure him in his Kingdom and therefore he sent Pietrino supplies both of men and mony hoping thereby Giovanni might be expuls'd out of the State of Genoa Giovanni having notice of their intelligence sent for relief into France which having received he march'd out against Pietrino but Pietrino by the access of more supplies from sundry places being grown too strong Giovanni retreated and applyed himself to securing the City which he did not do so carefully but Pietrino in one night surprized several Posts in it but was beaten the next morning himself and most of his Men slain this victory elevated Giovanni so far that he resolv'd to attempt upon Ferrando departing from Genoa in October 1459 with a great Fleet he sail'd to Baia and from thence to Sessa where he was honorably received by that Duke There had joyn'd themselves with Giovanni the Prince of Taranto and the Citizens of Aquila besides several other Princes and Cities so that already that Kingdom was more than half lost Upon which Ferrando desir'd aid of the Pope and the Duke of Milan and to lessen the number of his Enemies made peace with Gismondo Malatesti which peace disgusted Giacopo Piccinino so highly Gismondo being his natural Enemy that he deserted Ferrando and took up Arms under Giovanni Ferrando sent mony likewise to Federigo Lord of Urbin and as soon as could be expected got together a considerable Army according to those times with which he march'd against the Enemy and finding them upon the River Sarni he engaged them but was defeated and his most considerable officers taken after this victory most of the Towns and Castles surrendred to Giovanni only Naples some few neighbouring Towns and Princes adher'd still to Ferrando Giacopo Piccinino advis'd to march directly for Naples and make himself Master of the chief City but Giovanni replyed he would first ruine the Country and then the City would come with more ease but his rejecting the Counsel of Piccinino was the loss of that design for he did not know that the members follow the head more naturally than the head the members Ferrando was fled into Naples and there resorted to him diverse of his Subjects who were driven from their homes whom he receiv'd and having with all possible gentleness gained some monies of the Citizens he got a small body of an Army together he sent new Embassies to the Pope and Duke for supplies and was reliev'd with more plenty and speed than before for they were both of them afraid that the loss of that Kingdom would turn to their prejudice Much strengthened by their supplies Ferrando march'd out of Naples and having recover'd his reputation in part he recover'd some
Cosimo said the Pope was an old Man but he had begun an enterprize as if he had been a Boy To the Venetian Embassadors who came to Florence with the Embassadors of Alfonso to complain of that Commonwealth putting his hat off to them he demanded the colour of his hair they told him it was gray he replyed in time your Senators will be of the same colour Not many hours before his death his Wife seing him shut his eyes enquired why he did so and he told her to use them Some Citizens after his return complaining to him that the City would be depopulated and God Almighty offended if he banished so many wealthy and Religious Men he told them the City had better be depopulated than destroyed That two yards of Cloth were enough to keep a Man from the cold and that States were not to be preserved by the beads a Man carried in his hand These last expressions gave his Enemies occasion to calumniate him as a person that was a greater lover of himself than his Country and one that took more care of this World than the next Many other of his wise sayings might be inserted but being unnecessary they are omitted Cosimo was likewise a great lover and advancer of learned Men upon which score he entertained in Florence Argiropolo a Grecian as learned as any in his time that by him the youth of Florence might be instructed in the Greek tongue and in several of his Tenets He entertained likewise in his House Marcileo Ficino a great Patron of the Platonick Philosophy whom he loved so entirely and that he might follow his studies with more convenience he gave him a house near his own Palace at Caraggi So that his prudence his beneficence his success and his way of living made him be belov'd and feared among the Citizens and much esteemed by all Princes of Europe Whereby he left such a foundation to his posterity that by their virtue they might equal him by their fortune transcend him and obtain as much honor as he had in Florence in all the Cities and Countries of Christendom Nevertheless towards the latter end of his days he had several afflictions he had but two Sons Piero and Giovanni of which Giovanni the most hopeful dyed and Piero who survived was infirm and by the weakness of his body unfit either for publick or private business so that after the death of his Son causing himself to be carried about his house he sighed and said this house is too big for so small a Family It troubled him also that he had not in his judgment enlarged the dominion of the Florentine state nor added to it empire any considerable acquest and it s troubled him the more for that he found himself cheated by Francesco who when he was but Count had promis'd him as soon as he had made himself Master of Milan to employ his Arms against Lucca in the behalf of the Florentines but his mind chang'd with his fortune and having got to be the Duke of Milan had a desire to enjoy in peace what he had obtained by War so that after his elevation he never medled in foreign concerns nor made any more Wars than were necessary for his own defence which was a great disturbance to Cosimo who now discerned he had been at great pains and expence to advance a Man who was both false and ingrateful He perceived likewise that in respect of his age and the infirmities of his body he was not able to apply himself to publick or private business as he was wont and he saw both the one and the other decline the City going to wrack by the dissentions of the Citizens and his fortune by his Ministers and Sons These considerations gave him no little disquiet towards his end yet he died full of Glory and renown all the Cities and Princes of Christendom sent their compliments of condolency to his Son Piero the whole City attended his Corps with great solemnity to the Grave and by publick decree it was inscrib'd upon his Tomb Padre della Patria If in my description and character of Cosimo I have rather followed the example of those who have written the lives of Princes than of an Historian it is not to be admir'd He was a person extraordinary in our City and I thought my self obliged to give him a more than ordinary commendation during the time that Italy and Florence were in the condition aforesaid Lewis King of France was infested with a furious War which his Barons at the instigation of Francis Duke of Britan and Charles Duke of Burgundy had rais'd This War lay so heavy upon him he could not assist Giovanni in his designs upon Genoa and Naples but believing he had need enough of all the supplies he could get he call'd back his forces and Savona being at that time in the hands of the French he ordered it to be delivered to the Count and left him if he pleas'd to pursue the enterprize against Genoa the Count was easily persuaded to a thing so much to his advantage so that by the reputation of his amity with the French King and the assistance given him by the Adorni he possess'd himself of Genoa and in gratitude to the French King sent him a supply of 1500 Horse into France under the Command of his eldest Son Galeazzo by this means Ferrando of Aragon and Francesco Sforza remain'd at quiet the one Duke of Lombardy and Lord of Genoa the other King of the whole Kingdom of Naples and having contracted alliances together and married their Children the one to the other they began to consider how they might secure their states to themselves whilst they lived and to their heirs when they were dead In order to this it was thought necessary the King should make sure of such of his Barons as had sided against him in his Wars with Giovanni d' Angio and the Duke should endeavour to extirpate all that had been favourers of the Bracci who were mortal Enemies to the said Duke and at that time in great reputation under the conduct of Giacopo Piccinino For Giacopo being the greatest Captain in Italy and having no Soveraignty of his own it concerned all who had any to have an eye over him and more especially the Duke who thought he could not enjoy his Dominion safely himself nor leave it to his Sons whilst Giacopo was living Hereupon the King with all industry endeavoured an accord with his Barons used all possible art to reconcile himself to them and he succeeded with much difficulty for they found that whilst they were in Wars with the King they must certainly be ruined but by accommodation of their differences and trusting themselves to him there was only a hazard and because Men do always avoid those evils with more readiness which are most certain Princes do easily deceive such as are not able to contend The Barons seeing nothing before them but destruction if they continued the
advanced against the Castle and having planted their Guns they battered it exceedingly This attack was new and unexpected to the Florentines insomuch that they drew what force they were able together under the command of Urginio Ursino at Pisa and made their complaints to the Pope that whilst he was in treaty with them for peace the Genoeses had invaded them after which they sent Piero Corsini to Lucca to preserve that City in its allegiance they sent likewise Pagocantonio Soderini their Embassador to Venice to try the minds of that Commonwealth They desired aid likewise of the King of Naples and Signor Lodovico but neither of them supplied them the King pretending apprehension of the Turkish fleet and Lodovico with other shifts delaied to relieve them so that the Florentines as they usually are were left alone in their necessity finding no body so well disposed to assist them as they were to assist other People Nevertheless being not strange to them they were not at all discouraged but raising a great Army under the Command of Giacopo Guicciardini and Pietro Vettori they sent them against the Enemy who had lodged himself upon the River Magra In the mean time Serazanello was closely besiged and what with mines and batteries brought to great danger of being taken Whereupon a Counsel being called it was resolved to leave it and the Enemy not at all declining they came to an engagement in which the Genoesi were defeated Lodovico dal Fiesco and several of their principal officers taken Prisoners yet this Victory could not encline the Serezanesi to surrender they rather prepared more obstinately for their defence and the Florentine Commissaries being as diligent on their side it was couragiously both assaulted and defended This Leaguer proving longer than was expected Lorenzs de Medici thought it expedient to go himself to the Camp where his arrival animated his own Souldiers and discouraged the adversary for upon observation of the vigour of the Florentines and the coldness of their supplies from Genoa freely without any capitulation they threw themselves into the arms of Lorenzo and except some few who were more eminently active in the Rebellion they were all courteously treated by the Florentines During this siege Signor Lodovico had sent his Horse to Pontremoli in appearance in our favour but holding a correspondence in Genoa a party mutinied against the Government and by the help of those forces secured the Town for the Duke of Milan About this time the Germans made War upon the Venetians and Boccelino d' Osimo Nella Marca had caused Osimo to revolt from the Pope and made himself Lord of it This Boccelino after many accidents was contented upon the persuasion of Lorenzo di Medici to deliver up that Town again to the Pope which he did and coming to Florance he lived there under Lorenzo's protection very honorable a considerable time but afterwards removing to Milan and not finding the same faith as he had done at Florance he ws put to death by Lodovico's command The Venetians being set upon by the Germans near the City of Trento were utterly defeated and Signor Roberto da San Severino their General was slain After the loss of this Victory according to their usual fortune the Venetians made a peace with the Germans but upon terms as exceedingly honorable as if they had been the Conquerors About the same time great troubles arose likewise in Romagna Francesco d' Orso of Furli was a Man of great authority in that City and falling under the suspicion of the Count Girolamo he was many times threatned by him so that Francesco living in perpetual fear he was advised by his friends and relations to be before hand with the Count and seeing his intention was manifestly to take away his life he should strike the first blow and make sure of the Count and so by the death of another Person secure himself This Counsel begin given and as resolutely undertaken they appointed the time to be at the Fair at Furli for several of their friends in the Country coming to the Town on course that day they thought they should have enough of them present without the danger of inviting them It was in the month of May in which the greatest part of the Italians have a custom of supping by day light The Conspirators thought their best time to kill him would be after he had supped when the servants were gone down to their own and left him as it were alone in his Chamber Having agreed upon the time Francesco went to the Counts Palace and having left his accomplices below and told one of his Servants that he desired to speak with the Count he was admitted and finding him alone after some previous and pretended discourse he took his opportunity and killed him then calling up his Companions the Servant was slain likewise and then the Captain of the Castle coming in by accident with some few in his company to speak with the Count they fell upon him and murdered him with the rest Having finished their work and raised a great hubub in the House the Count's body was thrown out of the window a great cry made of liberty and the Church and the people exhorted to Arm who abominating the cruelty and the avarice of the Count fell upon his Houses plundered them and made the Countess Catherina his Lady and her Family Prisoners and this was done with so little opposition that there was nothing but the Castle which hindered the accomplishment of their designs but that Captain being obstinate and not to be wrought upon by them to surrender they desired the Countess to try if she could persuade him which she promised to endeavour if they would let her go to him into the Castle and as Hostage for her fidelity she would leave them her Children The Conspirators believed her and gave her leave to go to him but she was no sooner in the Castle but she began to swagger and threaten them with death in revenge of her husband's and when they told her they would kill all her Children she bid them do their worst for she knew how to have more The Conspirators were not a little dismaid at this accident they saw the Pope sent them no succours and hearing that Lodovico the Countesses Unckle was sending forces to her relief they pack'd up what they could and away they went to Castello so that the Countess being restored she revenged the death of her husband with all possible cruelty The Florentines had news of what happened to the Count and immediatly took occasion to attempt the Castle of Piancaldoli which had been formerly taken from them by the said Count and accordingly sending their forces thither they retook it but with the death of Ciecco a most excellent Architect About the same time that this tumult happened in the City another of no less importance fell out in the Country of Romagna Galeotto Lord of Faenza was married to