chiefest one He did his person yeeld to him alone As Neuew to our famous D'Aubigni Whom he had in the warres of Italy Well known and highly for his worth esteem'd So as his Neuew for his sake he deem'd Most worthy thus by him to be affected And more then all the rest to be respected To Bernard such was his respect and loue As death from him could not the same remoue His worth that did allure this worthy Knight Thus him to loue and honor doth by right Stirre vp my homely Muse thus to renew His memory with prayses to him dew Among our Britaines to whom he their owne Should be as well as among strangers knowne Yea better since to him they partly owe Both th'Vnions whence their happinesse doth flow Of both the Roses and the Kingdomes twaine With double thanks for this their double gaine Whose vertuous deeds the rather I set forth That worthy mindes may imitate his Worth And worthily aspire to his renowne Which length of time shall not in Lethe drowne Whiles of his Worth and Name the Memory Shall be preseru'd by many a History In Romane Tuscaue French and Spanish scroules As also kept in these my English Roules Of his last retiring to Corstorfin LInternum though obscure the place became Of famous Scipio's last abode when Spaine And Carthage hauing conquer'd with disdaine Vngratefull Rome he loth'd and left the same Corstorfin as obscure in shew or name Did noble Bernard for her guest retaine From thankelesse France when he came home againe To Scipio like in Fortune as in fame Linternum whilest her venerable guest Did her inhabite greater Worth possest Then great and wealthy Rome in all her treasure Corstorfin also may be said as well Whiles worthy Bernard deign'd therein to dwell Of Worth to haue possest as great a measure Of his buriall in the same place BRaue Bernard of a Noble Linage borne In Scotland whom such Vertues did adorne As did him more ennoble and in France Deseruedly to honour high aduance Who Englands parted Roses and with them The Scottish Thistle in their Royall Stemme Help'd to vnite who of a Ruler wise And valiant Warriour well deseru'd the prize In Italy chiefe Theater of his Worth And Victories whose Fame from South to North From East to West did through all Europe flye Interr'd doth in obscure Corstorfin lie But I mistake his better part is past To Heau'n on earth his fame shall euer last Of the Lords of Aubigni descended from the most noble house of Lenox AMong the fairest Branches that haue sprouted From the Illustrious Stocke of Lenox three Came in successiue order Lords to be Of Aubigni like Mars in Armes redoubted The first was Iohn whom for his seruice loyall And valiant deedes King Charles did so regard As he with Princely gifts did him reward And to his Scutcheon adde his Lillies Royall The next was Bernard who such honour gained Both by his valiant Acts and Vertues rare As iustly we may him with them compare That haue by Worth to Honors height attained The third was Robert so for valour praised In many a fight but chiefely in the field Of Marignan that Sunne and Moone beheld As to be France's Martiall he was raised In calmer times their Heyres occasion wanted Not valiant hearts their worth in Armes to shew And now their worthy Of-spring doth renew Their honour in great Britaine there transplanted Where they in happy manner grow and flourish But chiefely he who shines in Worth and place Among her Peeres and whome our Soueraign's Grace Deseruedly doth so aduance and cherish These goodly branches whom their Worth commendeth From Stemme haue sprouted of that Royall Tree Which doth from stormes with sheltring shadow free Great Britaine and in height to Heau'n ascendeth A short Collection of the most notable places of Histories quoted in this Memoriall I Haue thought it meete the better to shew how this Memoriall agreeth with Historicall truth to adde thereunto the most notable places of Histories quoted in the Margent without altering the seuce of the Authors yea or their words but onely in that they are translated and in the abridgement of some narrations wherein other mens actions are interlaced To the said passages I haue added nothing but the connexion and some few briefe obseruations Which collection I haue the rather made for that the things contained in this Memoriall that are of least importance and doubtfulnesse being drawne from Records and Relations of honorable and credible persons the contents thereof which are of greatest unportance and may seeme most doubtfull are testified and auerred by these passages The charge which he had of a Company of men of Armes is thus recorded by Malingre a French Historiographer Charles the seuenth Hist Chronol who did first institute the ordinary Companies of men of Armes in France crected the Company of Scottishmen of Armes of the remnant of the Scottishmen ouer-throwne at Vernueil which consisted of an hundred men of Armes and two hundred Archers giuing them the first place among the French bands of that kinde Of which Company the said Author saith that Bernard Stuart Lord D'Aubigni was the second Captaine Of his Embassage to the King of Scotland Hist Scotâ—… Lesley Bishop of Rosse maketh mention in this manner Charles the eighth sent into Scotland Bernard Stuart Lord D'Aubigni and Doctor Mallart his Embassadours to renue the ancient League betweene the two Kings and Nations Of his comming to England with King Henry the seuenth Ibid. the said Lesley writeth thus He commanded those Forces that accompanied the Earle of Richmond into England and did him good seruice against the Vsurper King Richard So as the said Earle being crowned King did therefore euer after fauour the Scottish Nation The same is confirmed by the foresaid Malingre Hist Chronol who affirmeth That he was the Kings Lieutenant generall of the Army which was sent to England to assist Henry the seuenth against Richard the third Of his Embassage to the Pope Guicciardin writeth thus In his Hist of Italy l. 1. King Charles sent to the Pope foure Embassadours to wit Bernard D'Aubigni a Chiefetaine being a Scottishman by Nation one of the Treasurers of France the President of the Parliament of Proumce and Peron de Basche Where is to be noted that among men of such dignity he had the first place Yea he was of such reputation as Paulus Iouius doth name no other Embassador but him writing of his Embassage in this wise To the Pope was sent for Embassador Hist l. 1. Bernard D'Aubigni a Scottishman of the Royall Family of the Stuarts a renowmed Warriour who had direction in his iourney to Rome to treat with Iohn Bentiuoli then Lord of Bononia Hercules D'Este Duke of Ferrara Peter de Medices Chiefe Commander of the Common wealth of Florence and Pandulpho Petrucci of Siena As also comming to those Cities to learne what power they had and how they were pitulation of
set Mine see thou maist although to please thine eyes 〈◊〉 no curious Art without disguise True and vnstaind to be which to thy view Her inward falshood and my truth may shew As painfull dreadfull dangerous my path Yea and pernicious she traduced hath Hers vaunting to be pleasant and secure And such as might all ioy to thee procure In both she a most shamelesse lier is For that my path though painfull leades to blisse And glory yea the paines thereof are sweet For that with solid inward ioyes they meet Whereas her way though pleasant she it name Leads to destruction infamy and shame The pleasures thereof being such as beasts Enioy her sports of Venus and her feasts Of Bacchus being poison to the health Of mind and body and the wrack of wealth And honor Both our wayes ends of which No mention made was by this guilefull Witch They that doe follow either her or mee Such by experience find at length to bee I therefore for thine honour and auaile Wish in aduising thee I may preuaile Voluptuousnes and Vertue so did striue Him after them to draw which did him driue Into a great quandary for a while His fancie to her that would him beguile Inclining but his reason to the other Who sought his welfare as a louing Mother But Reason ruling Fancie Vertue won The victory so as he soone begun To tread her path whereby he did attaine To endlesse blisse and glory vertues gaine Young Bernard so did Vertues counsell take And Vice with all her pleasant baits forsake He had occasion in his youth to passe To France from Scotland whither cald he was By Iohn his Vncle who before his death Did by his will to him as heire bequeath Of Aubigni the Lordship with the rest Of those demaines that he in France possest And which he most deseruedly had won By valiant wise and faithfull seruice done To Charles then King who hauing had a proofe Thereof much to his honor and behoofe 〈…〉 a conflict chiefly in the fight 〈…〉 wherein many a noble Knight 〈…〉 Clarence died to grace him more 〈…〉 the Armes he had before 〈…〉 three Royal Lillies in a Field 〈…〉 in his Coat and Shield 〈…〉 to him a glorious ornament 〈…〉 House an honor permanent 〈…〉 Nephew bent to act his part 〈…〉 done by acts of Martiall art 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 went about to win 〈…〉 did so much excell therein 〈…〉 the valiant'st Knights renown'd 〈…〉 as also worthy sound 〈…〉 yeeres increase 〈…〉 and judge hent both in war and peace 〈…〉 ployments Which in peace he had 〈…〉 his Master with intent to adde 〈…〉 of friendship to the former band 〈…〉 ancient league which without breach did stand 〈…〉 France and Scotland thither to that end 〈…〉 â—mbassador did him appoint and send 〈…〉 which his Embassie hee did approue 〈…〉 both those Kings his prudence faith and loue 〈…〉 Great also grew in warfare his command 〈…〉 When he was chosen Captaine of that Band 〈…〉 this own warlike Nation that contain'd 〈…〉 hundred men of Armes and had obtain'd 〈…〉 â—hat honour first of all the Companies 〈…〉 Which of that kind did since in France arise 〈…〉 Whose Princes no disparagement it hold 〈…〉 be as Captaines of those Bands enrold 〈…〉 of this charge and of each high degree 〈…〉 honour worthy shew'd himselfe to bee As did by many his braue deeds appeare Whereof much one by right should him endeere To all great Britain and throughout the same Immortall glory purchase to his Name Which was that he with warlike power from France Did come to England Henry to aduance 〈…〉 Long thence exil'd and but in name and shew Then Richmonds Earle who when he ouerthrew And slew the crookeback Tyrant in the field Rich Englands scepter gloriously did wield The helpe of this his Champion wise and stout Both in his passage full of dread and doubt And in the battaile hauing happily Been such as much he furthred was thereby It seemeth then to haue been Heau'ns intent That he in Scotland borne and by descent Of Kingly race should for a Scottish King Sprung from that Royall Stemme whence he did spring Who both great Britains Scepters now doth sway Prepare to this great Monarchy the way O how both Nations of this famous I le Are by this Vnion blest which doth exile From them all discord and vnpleasant iarr's With all the harmes and woes of former warr 's Them tying fast with concords happy bands And giuing them occasion hearts and hands To ioyne in seruing both one soueraigne Lord And for their mutuall profit to afford All fruits of loue and friendship th' one to th' other As if they were the children of one Mother Ioyn'd by this Vnion for which thanks they owe To him from whose support such helpe did flow To Royall Henry who the Roses twaine Made one by wedlock whence proceeds againe This second Vnion more then th' other bless Made by a King sprung thence of Kings the best Appointed by heau'ns high and blest decree Sole Monarch of great Britain first to bee As well by Vertues purchase hauing right Thereto as by inheritance whose might Is equal'd by his goodnes and good will Is guided by Minerua's arts and skill Whose Prudence linked is with Pietie With Iustice and vnfain'd sinceritie Whose Iustice is by mercy qualified Whose courage is by wisedome modified Whose Maiestie with modestie is deckt Whose worth is lesse in shew then in effect Like Phoebus whom the brighter is his light The lesse we see his rayes so dim our sight And as he doth to all this worldly frame Imparâ—hâ— beames to benefite the same So doth our Phoebus well with all men deale As an efficient cause of publique weale To subiects neighbours and confederates As likewise to all other Christian states Sith he by wisedome mediates their peace And thereby their commerce wealths increase And as he happy in his person is So in his issue is he blestywis As in his Princely Sonne both of his feature And phisnomie the liuely pourtraiture As also of the beauty of his mind Who to all kind of vertues well inclind Such buds of them doth yeeld in spring of youth As promise vs in ages riper growth Of vertues rare and deeds Heroicall A fruitfull haruest whereby winne he shall The name and fame of Albions Charlemaine When in his Fathers throne he comes to raigne Who in his Daughter faire is blest likewise From all the worthiest of her sex the prize Of honor winning by her worth whereby She doth procure to her Elector hie Much happinesse as by her bringing forth Such Princes as may for their bloud and worth When th' Emperours election shall be free As well Elected as Electours be And daughters matches fit for France's flowers Romes Eagles spred or Castil's stately Towers But cease to range thus any more my Muse And by thy homely chanting to abuse The prayses of such sacred Maiesty Though it to honour duty do
Atella whereby the Frenchmen after a great ouer-throw the Duke of Monpensier being their Generall were bound to depart out of the Kingdome of Naples Consaluo returned into Calabria Hist Hisp 126. â—â— the greatest part whereof was in his absence brought vnder the French yoke by D'Aubigni a most valiant and stirring warriour but a man of valour and wisedome more approued then fortunate for that he had to deale with so strong an Aduersary whose diligence pressing him euery where he was constrained to yeeld to the Articles of agreement made with common consent by the Frenchmen and leauing Italy to returne into France Of the enterprise of Milllain Auregne 〈◊〉 Louis 12. Du Haillan hath these passages that follow The King had assembled an Army of fiue and twenty thousand footemen and of sixe thousand horsemen He gaue the conduct of them to Bernard Stuart Lord D'Aubigni Lewis of Luxenbourg Lord of Ligni and Iohn Giacomo Triuulcio all men of great experience and sufficiency in the Mystery of Armes D'Aubigni assaulting Nona with his troupes tooke it at the first assault The City of Dertona was yeelded immediately after to him And they of Pauia fearing the mis-fortune of the Alexandrians did not make longer resistance Paulus Iouius naming D'Aubigni the principall Leader in this enterprise Hist epit l 17. saith That Sforza being astonished by the newes which he had of the defeate of his Army and of the taking of Alexandrta was quite dis-heartned and leaning Milain fled to the Emperour Maximilian and that soone after King Lewis hauing receiued the most pleasing newes of this victory came to Milain and that all the Townes of Sforza's dominion with the City of Genua yeelded to him Of the enterprise of Naples Du Haillan hath written that which followeth in sundry places D'Aubigni departed from Milain with twenty thousand footemen and foure thousand Horsemen Au. Regnt de Louis 12. He tooke the Castles of the Lords of the house of Columna well fortified some by force and some by composition When hee came to passe the Riuer of Gariglian the Frenchmen were molested by the Enemies Army But the Lord D'Aubignt lowdly reproching to the French Horsmen their arrogant boasting a little before that they alone without the helpe of the Foot-men would ouercome their enemies they set on them so couragiously as at the first encounter they put them to flight Soone after Naples yeelded and King Frederic did capitulate with the Lord D'Aubigni that the King shuld giue him a certaine yeerely Pension He had leaue also to carry away his moueables and contented himselfe with the Lord D'Aubigni's Letters to the King and without any other assurance came into France to the King who gratified him not onely with the pension promised to him but also gaue him many good townes houses and faire gardens The affaires of Naples being ended the King was troubled with no other care but of settling the state thereof which as it happeneth in time of war was very much shaken To which end hee commanded fiue Ciuilians of honest life and good reputation to bee admitted into the Senate And some telling the Lord D'Aubigni of the learning of Iouianus Pontanus he fell into such a liking of him as sending for him the next day he bestowed on him great and rich Presents and offered him a place in the Senate with the fiue already chosen Hitherto Du Haillan maketh no mention of the Duke of Nemours but ascribes to the Lord D'Aubigni what soeuer was done eyther in warre or in settling the State But hee saith That after the King gaue the chiefe authority to Lewis of Armaignac Duke of Nemours As for the discord which fell betweene the Frenchmen and Spaniards for the confines of that Kingdome diuided betweene both their Kings Hist Hisp li. 〈…〉 Marian saith That after the taking of Naples there arose discord betwixt both Nations as it must needs haue come to passe they being in conditions manners and fashions extremely different Of the Lord D'Aubignies iourney into Calabria going to warre against the Spaniards Iouius writeth in this manner D'Aubigni who had next to the Duke of Nemours the greatest authority in the Army went to Calabria with the third part thereof being there much renowmed both for hauing in the time of King Charles with great moderation and mildnesse gouerned that Nation Demi-Grecian and for that by his Martiall prowesse he ouercame King Ferdinand and Consaluo in a memorable battell So as in all mens iudgement he was preferred before all other French Commanders For which respects there were many beholding and well-affected to him in particular besides them which were of the Angeuine faction The principall of those were the Princes of Bisignan and Salerne and the Earle of Mileto who reuolted from the Spaniards as soone as the two Kings fell at variance The Lord D'Aubignies comming was much desired by them desiring as much to help him in the War with their seruice and meanes which were more then meane They together with others of the same part inuited him by letters and messages to hasten his comming and to shew the Banners of France to that people ready to follow them Wherefore satisfying their desire as soone as he came he found himselfe not deceiued in the expectation which he had of their affection seruice For both in Cosenza their chiefe City and in all the other Townes of that Prouince the gates were opened to him and the Spanish Garrisons Officers driuen out of them so as with very little bloud-shed he wanneall the Country euen to the very straits of Messina The battell of Terine and his victory is set forth by the said Iouius Don Hugo de Cardona with an Army which hee brought from Sicilie hauing much annoyed the French party in Calabria the Lord D'Aubigni went to encounter him hauing in his Army the Princes of Besignan and Salerne with their troupes Grigni with his light Horse-men and Malherbe with his Gascoyne Archers and three Companies of Heluetians But his principall strength consisted in his men of Armes among which was most eminent a wing of Scottish-men which were his familiars and faithfull to him The enemies informed of his preparation did not expect him til two dayes after they had notice thereof But this expert and vigilant Captaine beguil'd their expectation For with French expedition marching night and day through wayes little hanted hee shewed himselfe to them the next morning and forth with set on them The Spaniards sustained couragioully the assault so as the combat was alike fierce and bloudy on both sides D'Aubigni seeing this commanded Grigni with his wing to rush vpon the Spanish and Sicilian Infantery which hee doing disordered them On the other side the Enemies Horsemen by the encouragement example of Cardona sustained the assault of the Calabrians with like slaughter on both parts But D'Aubigni aduancing his troups the Spanish and Sicilian Cauallery not being able to resist the