therefore he thought it his best way to be reconciled with the Church sent an honourable Ambassage to the Pope wherein much humbling himself desired to be restored to the grace and favour of the Church and possession of his Kingdom and promised to restore whatsoever he wrongfully detained from the Church The Pope willing to extinguish the War went to Benevento and expected William who prostrate at the Popes feet desired absolution and took an Oath of Loyalty and homage and first restoring whatsoever he had taken from the Church was invested in the Kingdom the year 1156. William afterward lived alwaies in peace with the Church but was ever much troubled and molested by his Barons and hated of the people and sirnamed for his evil conditions William the wicked He departed this life the year of our Lord 1167. and lived 47 years and in the principal Church of Palermo near his fathers Tomb was buried He had by his wife Margarite the daughter of Garzia the second King of Navar Ruggieri which was proclaimed King by the Sicilians William Prince of Taranto which succeeding in the Kingdom was called William the good and Henry Prince of Capoa William the good 3. King of Naples WILLIAM Prince of Taranto called the good as differing from his father was after his death Crowned King at eleven years of age and presently pardoned all those which had been Rebels to his father and took away all the grievances imposed by him upon the people defended alwaies the affairs of the Roman Church against whosoever sought to molest it and especially in the time when the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa strongly besieged Pope Alexander the 3 within Anagni Whereupon Alexander ignorant of the coming of William not only with great courage and stoutness maintained the Pontifical dignity but many times foiled the Imperial Army But being afterward perswaded by Philip King of France to retire with his honour from the said siege had from King William a Gally which for that purpose he had secretly sent wherein he being imbarked with certain of his Cardinals went to Clarimont in France for his better security where he excommunicated and deprived the said Frederick of the Empire and aggravated likewise the censure against Octavian the false usurping Pope William strongly armed himself both for Sea and Land against Andronico the Emperor of Constantinople for the injuries done in Italy He afterward defended the City of Tire and with his Navy foiled the Forces of Salandine and afterward cleared the Sea from Rovers And this good King having honourably ended all his actions after he had reigned 21 years and lived 32. died in Palermo in the year of our Lord 1188. his body with great honour Ione his wife sister to King Richard of England caused to be laid in a Tomb of Marble curiously wrought and embossed upon which caused this inscription to be ingraven Hic situs est bonus Rex Gulielmus The said Sepulchre being ruinated and spoiled through the injury of time hath newly been very magnificently repaired and renewed with fair Marble by the Archbishop of Torres where this new Epitaph is to be read Inâ—lita quas verbis sapientum turba recenset Virtutes solus factis hic praestitit omnes Egregius quare bonus est cognomine dictus Vtque bonus magno longe est praestantior illo Major Alexandro sic Rex Guillielmus habetur Artibus ipse etenim pacis bellique fuisti Clarus ut semper justa ac pia bella gerebas Sic quoque laeta tibi semper victoria parata est Et nunc ne vilis jaceas Rex optime praesul Te decurat tumulo hoc Ludovicus Torrius Hoc ipso in templo quod tu Guillelme dicasti Tancred the 4. King of Naples TANCRED Earl of Leccie the natural son of King Ruggieri and Unkle to the good William was by the death of his Nephew which had not any child created King of both the Sicilies in the year 1188 Pope Celestine the third being desirous to bring the Kingdom under the jurisdiction of the Church as feuditory of the Apostolick Sea invested in the year 1191. Henry the sixth Emperor the son of Frederick Barbarossa with these conditions That he should recover at his own charge the Kingdom of the two Sicilies with acknowledging the Church and to pay the accustomed Tribute and to the end it might seem more colourable and be the better done he gave under a pretence of Inheritance as a dowry for his wife Constance the lawfull and natural daughter of the aforesaid Ruggieri whom secretly he caused to be brought from the Arch-Bishop of Palermo from the Monastery of St. Mary in the City aforesaid where she was Abesse being now 52 years of age very unfit for the procreation of children dispensing with her although she had been a profest Nun and Crowned them in Rome of both the Sicilies in the year 1191. The first thing then which Henry did he went to besiege Naples but in the beginning of the third month the Plague growing very hot he returned into Germany without any more adoe The Emperors Army being departed Italy Tancred having recovered his Kingdom at the same time among these affairs his son Ruggieri died which was also Crowned and proclaimed King and had married Irene the daughter of the Emperor Isacio and within a little while after him Tancred his father conceiving so passionately the death of his son growing grievously sick died His body was buried in the principal Church of Palermo and in the same Tomb they laid his son Ruggieri Tancred departed this life in the end of the month of December the year of our Lord 1194. having reigned little more then eight years He left behind him three daughters and one son called William whom Sibilla his mother caused instantly to be crowned King of Sicilia The Emperor Henry understanding of the death of Tancred pretending that the Kingdom appertained to him as before is recited returned from Germany in the year 1195. and with a mighty Army entred the Kingdom of Naples which he finding full of civil discord easily obtained without the loss of much bloud and took prisoner Magarito King of Albania which was come thither in the aid of Tancred He had afterward Sibilla in his hands the late wife of Tancred together with his son William and three daughters that is to say Alteria Constanza and Modonia and sent them all prisoners into Germany and afterward caused William to be gelded to the end he should be unable to beget children and afterward blinded him and then released the said daughters Alteria was married to the Earl Gualtiero of Brenna son of the Earl Girardo of Brenna and brother of Iohn of Brenna which was afterward King of Ierusalem Modonia was married with Iohn Sforza Frangipane a Roman Lord which was Earl of Tricarico Constanza was the wife of Pietro Ziano Earl of Arba and Duke of Venice who being old with the
all the Romans both men and women might lawfully commit any lascivious dishonesty which then was accounted the most holy that which that day was most dishonest St. Felix Bishop hath given great honour to this City whose body lieth in it and as they say there riseth continually Manna out of his holy bones whose life was written by St. Paulino Bishop of this City St. Paulino was the inventor of the use of Bels an Instrument utterly unknown to the Ancients which is now so necessary in the Church of God He gave it the name of Campane because he invented it in Campania where is the aforesaid City of Nola of the which he was Bishop and that the Citizens ever since glorying therein as rightly they may have alwaies used to give a Bell for the Arms of the City And to say something of the famous Counts of Nola Monsignieur Guido da Monforte was the first thereof a most noble and valiant Gentleman of France which came with Charls the first of Angio to the Conquest of the Kingdom with whom he was in great estimation and having one only daughter called Anastasia married to Romano Orsino chief Justice of the Kingdom who by the death of his Father in Law succeeded in the County which was the first of the Family of Orsina which had Seigniory in the Kingdom The posterity of this man have proved all worthy men and very valiant but the matchless Paragon of all was Ramondo which florished in the time of Charls the second for being chased away and forsaken by his Father went into Soria after he had in a journey into the Holy Land done many valiant exploits against the Moors and overcome in a private combate a most fierce and mighty Saracin who carried a Rose upon the top of his wreathed Turbant returned home into the Kingdom with great honour and for a token of that Victory joyned it with much glory to his Arms whereupon through his great magnanimity and valour was made Prince of Taranto That Principality hath been continued even to this present one of the most important Members of the Kingdom for it contained very much land and Cities of greatest importance which for brevity I omit to name so that Ramondo being a very mighty and great Lord the House of Orsina was very famous through all Italy Râ—mondo married the Lady Mary of Eugenio of an honourable proginy in France who after the death of her husband having the tuition of her children became Queen of Naples at such time as King Ladislao besieged her in Taranto who being not able to subdue her resolved to take her for his wife and so by that means to possess the Inheritance of the children of Ramondo of whom the first was Iohn Antonio who redeemed the Principality of Taranto with money from Iames husband of Queen Ione This Iohn Antonio increased much his Patrimony with Lands of great importance and was highly favoured by Alfonsus of Arragon King of Naples who made him great Constable which is the chiefest of the seven Offices in the Kingdom with a hundred thousand Duckets yearly for a Pension And to return to the Counts of Nola they were great Lâ—rds for they possest Sarno Tripalda Palma Avella Lauro Forino Ascoli and other Lands But afterward Felice Orsino Prince of Salerno succeeded in the County who having little experience in worldly affairs through the dâ—â—â—ension and division of the Kingdom lost his State in 〈◊〉 time after the death of his Father And King Ferrant the first gave Salerno to Robert 〈◊〉 and Nola Tripalda Ascoli Lauro and Forino to Orso Orsino 〈…〉 great Chancellor of the Kingdom and partner with him in the Wars against Iohn Antonio Orsino whereupon the line of Romano Orsino which had ruled Nola almost two hundred years was extinguished and the Principality of Salerno rose of the House of Orsino 24 years after he had it But this line afterward of the Count Orso continued but a small time for the Lady Santola a Citizen of Nola by whom he had two sons the one Duke of Ascoli and the other a Knight lost all their Inheritance through the wicked means of their mother who lewdly justified of her own accord that they were not begotten by the Count Orso were deprived of all their right by King Ferdinando who gave the County of Nola with Cimitino Avella Monforte Lauro Palma and Ottoiano to the Count Nicola Orsino of Pitigliano whose successors possest it untill the year 1528. the which Don Arrigo in serving the French lost his life and his state also and so ended the line of the Counts of Nola which were so famous in this Kingdom Now returning to our former order I say that from the City of Nola are also sprung many other famous men as well adorned with Learning as with Military Discipliâ—e which would be too teadious to repeat and therefore I reâ—er the reader to Ambrogio Lione who very exactly nameth and describeth them all But for us it shall be only sufficient to name the Noble Families which the said Leone writeth of which are in the said City and are these following Albertino Alfano Barone Caposâ—rosa Candido Cesarini Coriale Carmignano Campobascio de Ferrariis de Elia Freccia Fellecchia Fontana Rosa Del Iodice Ioseph Infante de Gennaro Maffei Marifeulo Morra Mastrilâ—o Mazzeo Notariis De Palma Perarii Perrigioanni Rehi Risi Santori Sassolani c. and at this present the Bishop of this City Fabritio Gallo Neopolitan a Prelate besides his learning a man of sincere and pure life who with much diligence composed a Sinodal Book of his Diocess There are many other places the which I think not fit to recite all but the greatest and most important I have not omitted any but the small and little as those which are thought to be of little or no account I have neglected assuring you that to the integrity and soundness of the Work it shall not fail in any momentary matter The Arms of this Noble Country is in a Field Asurâ—â— Cornucope in salter thorow the middle of a Crown the first of â—eres the other Bacchus or the which Arms signifie the great fertility and abundance of the Country which as it were Queen of every other Province exceeds them in all the benefits of Nature Whereupon in confirmation of what I have said I will concluded with L. Floro who speaking thereof thus writeth Omnium non modo Italia sed toto orbe terrarum pulcherrima Campaniae plaga est Nihil mollius coelo nihil uberrius solo nihil hospitalius mari Denique bis floribus vernat ideo Liberi Cererisque certamen dicitur Hic illi nobiles portus Caieta Misenus tepentes fontibus Baiae Lucrinus Avernus quâ—dam maris otia Hic amicti vitibus montes â—aurus Falernus Massicus Pulcherimâ—s omnium Vessuvius Aetaeni ignis imitator Vrbes ad mare Formiae Cumae Neapolis Herculanium Pompei ipsa
which they perceiving for this cause the time of their service being expired took part with Guaimaro who by their worthy deeds in a short time recovered much Through these famous atchieuments the Normans gained the reputation of valiant Warriers with every one In the mean time died Tancred their Father which was Earl of Altavilla the which Count descending to Gugliâ—lmo Ferrabach his eldest son omitted no time to go into Normandy to take possession thereof where after he had setled the affairs of his State returned afterward into Italy bringing with him no less then fifteen thousand Normans into Romagna and in process of time got not only the dominion thereof but also the most part of Tuscan Things resting in this manner the Saracins possest all Sicilia and Sardinia and many times did much prejudice the Coast of Italy whereupon Pope Sergio the 4 fearing and much suspecting they would overrun all Italy demanded aid of Guglielmo Ferabach Guglielmo through the perswasion of the Pope went in this expedition with eleven thousand of his souldiers together with Maniace Captain of Michele Paslagone the Greek Emperor to the recovery of Sicilia and with much valour and courage expeld the Saracins out of all the â—sle but Maniace not observing the agreement that what was gotten should be equally divided between them Farabache growing wrathfull past with his Normans into Puglia making a mighty slaughter subdued the greasted part and finding a fit and secure place builded the City of Melsi in a difficult place and well fortified by nature The which Maniace understanding came upon him with a strong Army but Ferabach braving the enemy which besieged him being wearied with travel came out against them and encountring them gave them a mighty overthrow near the River of Lofonte in Puglia the Normans remaining Conquerors and so rich both of reputation and spoil mounted mightily in state indeavouring both by might and other Military means to obtain other places and Cities in Puglia the which atchieuments succeeding with so great felicity to the Normans it followed that all Puglia came into the possession of the said Guglielmo who through his valiant acts had the name of Ferabach that is to say strong-arm of which dominion he afterward took the title of an Earl Afterward Guglielmo died in the year of our Lord 1042. and because he left no child his brother Dragone succeeded in the County which was Lord of Venosa who had at his beginning a great overthrow by Melo Captain of the Greek Emperor and lost a great part of Puglia but being aided by Guaimaro Prince of Salerno he oftentimes fought with the Greeks without any advantage yet in the end in a great conflict he overthrew and dissolved the Greek Army and not only recovered that which he had first lost but also got many Castles and Holds which the enemies possest upon the Sea-coast of Puglia At this time the Emperor Henry the second came into Italy and having pacified the affairs of the Church went into the Kingdom and confirmed to Dragone the County of Puglia from whom he received not only much money but had also the best and fairest horses that were in all the Kingdom The Emperor departing Italy the Earl Dragone moved the Beneventani to War and in two battels which he made his Army was overthrown and he flying was slain by the enemies His brother Humfrido took the possession of the Earldom at which time Guaimaro Prince of Salerno was cruelly murdered by his own people and his son was made Prince with the help of the Normans which the said Count laboured with long War in the end the Count ill demeaning himself with the Pugliesi was for his cruel nature slain in the year 1057. Baielardo his son succeeded in his fathers Dominion the which being chased away in the same year by Ruberto Guiscard his uncle this Ruberto became the fourth Earl of Puglia who being a valiant man at arms and of a great spirit suddenly besieged Reggio and having taken it went with prosperous victory subduing other parts and Cities of Calauria to his dominion Afterward he returned into Puglia took Troia and in such manner never rested taking from hand to hand many Cities and brought all the Normans of that Country under his Empire and being fully resolved to continue no longer an Earl with a general consent caused himself to be called Duke of Puglia and Calauria At this present Nicholas the second Bishop of Rome being much incumbred with the Roman Barons came in the year 1â—59 to the Parlament with Guiscardo in the City of Aquila and Guiscard having with much humility adored the Pope made peace with him and restored unto him the City of Benevento and all other places that he had belonging to the Church for the which the Pope not only received him into grace and favour but confirmed and invested him with the Title of Duke of Puglia and Calauria The which act was registred and confirmed with a solemn Oath and so Ruberto was now made a Vassal and Liegeman of the Church Sigonio writeth two Acts of the Oath which Ruberto at this present made to the Pope the one to pay the yearly tribute the other loyalty and homage the which two Acts I thought good to insert in this place to the end the Reader may know how the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction began in the Kingdom of Naples The first is in this sort Ego Robertus Dei gratia St. Petri Dux Apuliae Calabriae utroque subveniente futurus Siculis ad confirmationem traditionis ad recognitionem fidelitatis de terra S. Petri promitto me quotannis pro unoquoque jugo boum pensionem duodecim denariorum Papiensium persoluturum B. Petro tibi D. meo Nicolao Papae omnibus successoribus tuis aut tuis aut tuorum successorum nunciis ad S. Resurrectionem obligans me meos haeredes sive successores tibi successoribus tuis Sic me Deus adjuvet c. The second is thus Ego Robertus Dei S. Petri gratia Dux Apuliae utroque subveniente futurus Siciliae ab hinc in posterum fidelis â—ro S. Romanae Ecclesiae Apostolicae Sedi D. meo Nicolao Papae Neque ero auctor aut adjutor ut vitam aut membrum amittas aut capiaris mala captione consilium quod mihi credideris ne enunciem imperaris non enunciabo in tuum detrimentum sciens S. Romanae Ecclesiae ubique adjutor ero ad tenenda acquirenda regalia S. Petri ejusque possessiones pro viribus meis contra homines adjuvabo te ut securè honorifice tenens Pontificatum Romanum terramque S. Petri Et Principatum nec invadere nec subigere tentabo nec praedari contendam sine tua tuorumque successorum licentia Pensionem de terra S. Petri quam ego teneo aut tenebo sicut statutum est recta fide studebo ut
Legiones Aragoniae utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Navarrae Granatae Toleti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corcicae Murtiae Giennis Algarbii Alzezirae Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Iudiarum et Terrae Firmae Maris Oceani c. Rex Archidux Austriae Dux Burgundiae Lotharingiae Brabantiae Stiriae Corinthiae Carniolae Limburgiae Lucemburgiae Geldriae Calabriae Athenarum Neopatriae Virtembergae c. Comes Flandriae Habspurgi Tirolis Barchmonae Archois et Burgundiae Comes Palatinus Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandiaâ— Ferretti Kiburgi Namurci Rossilionis Ceritaniae et Zutphaniae c. Lantgravius Alsatiae Marchio Burgoniae Oristani Gotzani et sacri Romani Imperii Princeps Sueviae Cathalaniae Asturiae Dominus Phrisiae Marchiae Sclavonieae Portus Naonis Biscayae Molinae Salinarum Tripolis et Mechliniae c. 27. Philippus D. G. Catholicus defensor fidei Hispaniarum utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Portugalliae Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Sardiniae Corsicae Majoricarum Insularum Canariae Orani Insularum Indiarum Terrae Firmae et Maris Oceani Archidux Austriae Dux Burgundiae Mediolani Lotharingiae Brabantiae Limburgi Lucemburgi Geldâ—iae Calabriae Athenarum et Neopatriae Marchio sacri Romani Imperii Oristaniâ— et Gotiani Comes Barcinonis Ruscinonis Ceretaniae Flandriae Artesiae Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandioe Namurci Zutpheni Burgundiae Haspurgi et Tirolis Dominus Cantabriae Molinae Phrisiae Mechliniae Vltrajecti Transisalanae Gruningae c. Of the Coronation of the Kings of NAPLES I Have thought it a thing very fit and convenient having declared what the Kings were of this noble and renowned kingdom to receive also the manner and the ceremony which is used in the time of their coronation But before I proceed any further it is to be understood that there are but only four Kings that are crowned and anointed by the order of the Pope as is noted in the Records of the Roman Church the which Alberico de Rosato also confirmeth which are these following the King of Ierusalem the King of France the King of Naples commonly called Sicilia and the King of England All the rest are crowned by their Archbishops or Bishops by a certain custome The Emperour is anointed and crowned in the same manner as are the said four Kings and therefore all the other Kings are called by the name of Highness and not Majesty except those that are annointed by the order of the Pope as is said In the coronation then of the King of Naples the Pope sendeth a Cardinall his Legate or a Patriarch but he must have holy Orders because the said Legate not having the said holy Orders another ought to come which hath the said dignity There also assembles according to the accustomed manner all the Archbishops of the kingdome which crown this Prince with the greatest pompâ— and state that may be done to any Christian King The principall thing before the King taketh this dignity the seven Officers of the kingdom which are seven principall secular Lords that meet together at this coronation are cloathed in Purple lined with Ermins with very rich attires upon their heads and repair together with the Recorder of the Citie into the Cathedrall Church of Naples where is the ancient Tomb of Charls of Angio which was the first that was crowned with an Imperiall crown and invested King of both the Sicilles and Ierusalem and there the Apostolike Legate with the other Archbishops pontifically clothed with Miters and Rochets and the other Prelats in Purple Vestments attend the Kings coming at the Church Dore. Afterward when the King cometh that is to be crowned he entreth into the said Church accompanied with all the Princes Dukes Marqueses Earls Barons and Lords of the kingdom and the Legat suddenly kissing his forehead receiveth him and saith unto him with an high and intelligible voyce these words I am come by the appointment of the supream Bishop Pope N. to crown thee King of Naples and Ierusalem After the Archbishop with the other that have charge to say Service in the said Church receive the King at the Altar and there causing him to kneel down and after is made by the Archbishop of Naples of Capoa and of Salerno devout prayers for his Majesty one of the Bishops demandeth of him in Latin if he will promise to maintain always the Faith and Christian Religion Defend the Widows the Fatherless and the Poor Establish the kingdom and minister justice to every one And last of all if he will always yeild due honor to the supream Bishop To all which things the King answering He will two Archbishops take him by the arm and lead him to the Altar where he solemnly sweareth to observe all that which the Archbishop hath demanded of him This done the Archbishop of Naples demandeth with a loud voyce of all the Princes if they will promise loyalty and service to his Majesty Where being answered by all That they will very willingly Then two Archbishops lead him into the Vestry and being there apparelled with Sandalles richly set with Jewels and Pearls with a Surplice like a Minister and a Cope lead him again to the Altar and saying certain prayers the Cardinall Legate accompanied with the Archbishops rising from their seats with Miters on their heads go unto him and finding the King kneeling with a loud and solemn prayer recommend him unto God in whose hands are all Empires that it would please him to make his kingdom stable and perpetuall replenished with victory piety and honor The King remaining on his knees one of the Archbishops goeth to the Altar and beginneth the Letany and devoutly prayeth for his Majesty the Archbishop of Naples with the rest of the Bishops undoing his Surplis with certain zealous prayers anoint his shoulders and his right arm to signifie that he sustaineth the burthen of the affairs of the kingdom and draweth his sword for the conservation thereof And moreover the Royall purple Robe reaching down even to his foot lined with fables and richly embrodered with gold and pearl signifieth Charity That done he still remaining in devout meditation the Apostolick Legat standing the King kneeling before him delivereth into his hand the golden Scepter all wrought in the top with Pearls and Jewels wherewith religiously he commands the people Then he puts a naked Sword into his right hand wherewith he pursueth his enemies in the name of Christ. After that he puts a Ring on his finger and a Bracelet upon his arm to the end he may be faithfull and pure in good works Then he presenteth unto him the golden Apple to figure the kingdome which he ought to govern with singular piety vertue and perseverance And finally he putteth upon his head the Imperial Crown divided into two parts garnished with many Jewels to signifie honor and glory The King religiously remaining on his knees the three Archbishops lifting him up lead him to the Altar where again the Lords that have
as we have declared and according as Leone Cardinall and Bishop of Ostia saith in his History Casinense about the year of our Lord 755 Arechi the second 14. Duke of Benevento who having inlarged his Dukedom would have his said State no longer called a Dukedom but a Principality and caused himself to be anointed and crowned by his Bishops and in the end of his Letters and Charters of Priviledge caused them to to be thus dated Scriptum in nostro sacratissimo Palatio Afterward his successors continuing used to do the like Whereupon by their example the Princes of Capoa of Taranto and of Salerno being allured thereunto caused themselves also to be annointed and crowned by their Bishops These titles at the 〈…〉 of the Kings were given unto their children nor any except the blood Royall 〈…〉 partakers of these titles Whereupon of the children of Ruggiero the first King of the kingdom of Naples and Sicilia Ainulfo was Prince of Capoa and Gulielmo which afterward succeeded in the kingdom was Prince of Taranto Charls of Aujou the first of this name King of Naples ordained that his eldest son should be named Prince of Salerno whereupon Charls the second in the time of his father was intituled Prince of Salerno and Charls the son of Charls the second before he came to the kingdom of Hungary was also called Prince of Salerno But because his brother Ruberto and not he succeeded in the kingdom of Naples which was then called Duke of Calauria from thence it so came to pass that from that time forward they were no more Princes of Salerno but the Kings first begotten son was called Duke of Calauria So was Charls called his father living the worthy son of Ruberto so was Ferdinando the son of Alfonsus King of Arragon who first conquered Naples and so was Alfonsus the squint-eyed the son of Ferdinando but it so falling out that old Ferdinando alo living to Alfonsus his son was born a son whom he also named Ferdinando to him because his father Duke of Calauria lived was given the title of the Principality of Capoa The first which was called Prince of Taranto not descending of the blood Royall was Iacobo del Balzo the son of Francisco which was also the first that of no Princely family was called Duke of Andri And so much concerning the title of a Prince which signifying the Dignity Signiory and Jurisdiction which 〈◊〉 holdeth so it is lawfull for them to place over their Scutchion or Coat Armour oâ—â—heir Family a crown made after this fashion In this kingdom after the dignity of a Prince the next is the state of a Duke which taketh place before a Marquess and an Earl These Dukes have above their Arms a round hoop without any points or work above But in place of the points there are certain pearls and round about are certain pretious stones after the manner which here underneath appears The which fashion although it be now decayed I have thought good to declare to the end the truth thereof may be known The first title of a Duke in this kingdom was that of Benevento instituted in the year 573. But after they came under the jurisdiction of the King the first being not descended of Princely blood was Francisco del Balzo as hath been said made Duke of Andri by Queen Ione the first Not long after was Iacobo Marzano made Duke of Sessa by King Ladislaus and so others from time to time whereof the number at this present is very great This dignity of a Duke increased to a very high and eminent degree the which chanced not to any of the other aforesaid dignities because Charls the 8. King of France being possest of this kingdom created Giliberto of Borbona Earl of Montpensier his Lieutenant Generall of the kingdom Archduke of Sessa and so the said Borbana afterward caused to be set upon his Arms a great purple cap garnished with a golden hoop set full of pretious stones with certain points without pearls in the top but onely put in the sides thereof to the end the dignity of a Prince might have its place and that he also might be known for an Archduke The which crowns as well of the Archdukes as the Dukes are to be used in the manner abovesaid that whosoever ascendeth to that dignity ought not to augment it with flourishing or otherwise with the ornament of Jewels or pretious stones for in so doing they seem to usurp a greater dignity then belongs unto them for which as the Lawyers say they ought to be punished And here it is to be noted that they are not pointed in that manner as some of them have formerly used that is to say after that fashion as their ancestors have had them because they as they were free Lords and acknowledged not any superior as before hath been declared in the discourse of the principality on this side might lawfully do it the which is now otherwise the kingdom being under the dominion and jurisdiction of Kings After these the next in degree are the Marquesses the which are adorned with a hoop set with pretious stones without any thing above and with a very small appearance thereof above the Arms after this manner Biâ—ndo and Pietro Razzano say that the word Marquess signifieth in the Lombard tongue a perpetuall Magistrate or a perpetuall Lordship but according as Mario Equicola saith in his Commentaries of the Marquesses of Mantua signifieth in the Iâ—alian tongue a President Alciato that excellent Lawyer saith that the word Marquess is a Dutch name and that it signifieth a Master of the Horse forasmuch as the Germans call a horse Marca and in the French tongue Marcare is as much as to say to ride In this kingdom as the name of a Duke and an Earl came the soonest and that of a Prince first before in any other place so that of a Marquess appeared long after for the first was Cecco dal Bargo that was made Marquess of Pescara by King Ladislaus Then follow the Earls called in Latine Comiti because they were sent from the train and followers of the Emperours to rule and govern some province or some part thereof Also an Earle according to Luca de Penna may put upon his Arms in place of a crown a plain hoop differing nothing from that of a Marquess save onely the want of Jewels and pretious stones as the Earls of Altavilla of Aquino of Conza of Marsico of Nola of Isernia of Milito of Potenza of Troja and others anciently have used The Earls had their precedence in the Parliaments of all the other Lords and Barons which had no title being created by the ancient Kings with great state and solemnity as appears in Vgone Falcando where he speaketh of the promotion of Riccardo di Mandra Constable of the County of Molise Comes creatus tubis tympanis cimbalisque de more solenniter prae untibus FINIS CHARLES The
performance of Articles he answerd that he had not such an interest in any such Prince so matters began to gather ill blood and were allmost quite off the hinges insomuch that there was a dark rumour abroad how the Prince had a design to get away privatly and in a disguise as he came The English-men that were then attending the Prince wherof there were a good number that were dyeted at the Kings house and waited upon by Spaniards wold often times break out into bold speeches by disdaining the Dyet and barrenness of Spain and jeering their processions wherat there were exceptions taken and the main business receivd som prejudice by their indiscretions Archey the Fool being then in Madrid was admiâ—ted one day to see the King of Spain at Dinner where he â—ell a talâ—ing and strutting up and down The King asked what he sayd an Interpreter told him that the Fool sayed King Iames his Master was likest to God Allmighty of any King upon Earth the King asking him his reason he replyed That God Allmighty had but one sâ—n and he sent him to be Crucified among Iewes So the King of England had allso but one Sâ—n and he sent him to be Crucified among Spaniards In the interim the Prince shewd himself passionatly in love with the Infanta and courted her in a very high way He had the sight of her often in public and at Comedies which are once a week in the Kings Court where he wold fix and fasten his eyes upon her immovable a long time without looking upon the Action of the Stage-players to the wonder of the Spectatâ—rs The King had the other side of the River Manâ—â—â—mares wheron his Royall Pallace stands a Somerhouse of pleasure where the Infanta was usd to go betimes in the morning to gather May dew the Prince got up betimes one morning and taking Mr Ed Porter only with him he got into that Somer-house and was let in into the fore-Garden but no further because the Infanta was in the other therupon the Prince got on the top of the Wall and leapd down where the Infanta was she espying him gave a kind of sâ—rich wherupon the old Marquess who attended her with som women came and kneeld before the Prince desiring him to advance no further because his life lay upon it for he was to admit no man breathing to the company of the Infanta who was then his charge so the Prince retird the Marquess waiting upon him to the door of the Garden and opening it with much humility wheras before he had com ore the Wall As matters were thus at a doubtfull stand because of the Popes demand in point of caution for the performance of those Capitulations which were stipulated in favour of the English Catholicks by vertu of this match The King of Spain gave the Prince a visit and told him that rather then a Treaty of so many yeers agitation shold fall to the ground and that those noble affections which he had shewd his Sister for whom he had put hiâ— person to so much hardship and hazard by that heroik journey shold be now quite frustrated he himself wold undertake to satisfie the Pope in this point and offer himself to be a Pledg and Bail for the King of great Britan and his Highness to perform the sayed Capitulations the Prince thanked him in the highest degree that could be saying that this Favour transcended all the rest wherof he had receivd such multitudes from his Majesty Hereupon the Pope being thus contented there were Bonefires of joy baiting of Bulls with men and other Actions of triumph in the Court of Spain So the dispensation being compleatly com a little after from Rome the Desposorio's or the day for a contract betwixt the Infanta and the Prince was nominated In the interim the Nuncio was privatly admitted with a Letter from the Pope to visite the Prince who made him this civill answer by an Interpreter That he kissd his Holyness feet for the Favor and Honor he did him which was to be so much the more esteemed by how much the less it was deserved by him but his Holines shold see for the future what he wold do and he doubted not but his Father wold do the like so that his Holines shold not repent himself of what he had done A little after the King and the Prince had a solemn enterview in the privat Gallery for signing sealing and swearing unto the Articles The King had the Patriarch of the West-Indies the Duke of Infantado Oliuares and Gondamar with him The Prince had the Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Bristol and the Lord Aâ—hton with him so the Patriarch administred the Oath upon the Holy Evanglists unto King and Prince which they interchangeably took But as Heaven would have it Som few daies before the betrothing day was com it chancd that Pope Gregory the 15th dyed and Vrban the 8. who succeeded him fell suddenly sick hereupon the King of Spain gave the Prince another visit telling him that he had received ill news from Rome for his holy Father the Pope was dead who was so good a friend to this Match now he cold proceed no further for the compleating of the work without a Ratification of the former dispensation by the present Pope whom he was to obey as his Spirituall Father which task he wold undertake to do by his own Ministers without puting his Highness to any trouble and the busines was of that consequence that he feard it wold require som time in regard of the indisposition of the new Pope therfore he desired his Highnes patience in the interim and now that he had stayed so many yeers for a wife he shold not think it much to stay a few months longer the Prince answerd That he was sorry for the news from Rome and wheras his Majesty had a Spirituall Father he himself had a Naturall Father to obey who was now becom crazy and indisposd in his health which encreasd by his so long inexpected absence from him being his only Son therfore he had sent him a peremptory command to be in England in such a month because Winter came on a pace to which purpose he had sent a royall Fleet for him under the command of the Earl of Rutland besides he had intelligence that there were some murmurings in England for his so long abode in Spain which might break out into dangerous consequences and hazard the rupture of the Match which had there so many Enemies among the Puritans Moreover he sayed that when he came to Spain he thought he came not to treat of a Marriage but to fetch home a wife whom he was loth to trust with any but himself the King replyed then your Highnes may please to leave a Proxy behind you to do the work and I shall take it for an honor if you make me your Deputy to perform the Rites of the Espousals which upon the faith of a Catholic King
shall be performd the same week after that the Ratification shall com from Rome to which purpose he wold engage his Contratation house in Sevill if need requird The Prince shewd himself to be mightily taken with this proposall so he left two Proxies behind in the Earl of Bristols hands one for the King and another for Don Carlos his brother to be his Substitutes the wedding day so the Prince put himself in an Equipage for his return to England and the King with his two brothers and Grandees accompanied him beyond the Escuriall on his way and wold have done it to the Sea-side had not the Queen bin then big with Child At their parting King and Prince often embracd one another but Oliuares and Buckingham did not part so kindly for the Duke told him that he was infinitely beholden to their Majesties of Spain for many royall Favors as also to the Lady Infanta and that he wold live and dy there Servant and continu to do his best Offices for continuance of peace twixt tht two Crowns but for your self Count Oliuares he sayed I must tell you plainly you have disobligd me so far that I cannot make further profession of friendship unto you without flattery Oliuares turnd about and made this short answer aceto lo diesto I accept of what you say and touching the first part of your Speech if you perform what you promise you will do well and I must tell you that your own safety depends upon it but for any particular correspondence of friendship twixt you and me it matters not much and so I bid you farewell Thus the King of Spain and the Prince of Wales parted with many interchanges of endearment in a field calld el Campa de Balsain not far from the Escuriall at the bottom of a great Hill upon which departure this monumentall Inscription was erected In campo Balsain HEic ubi fausta sors tulit ad praerupti montis radices in latè patente campulo solenni Regum venatione nobili sed in solenni Rei e ventu longè Nobiliori Philippus Quartus Hispaniarum Indiarumque Rex Catholicus Carolus seremissimus Wallie Princeps pactis cum Maria serenissima Infante Nuptijs ad quas petendas It Fama per orbem in Hesperiam properabat dextras dederunt in amplexus mutuo ruentes pacis Amicitia aeterna faedera nodo astrinxerunt Herculeo O magnum invictum Regum Par sine pari Nullus mehercule Hercules contra duos Ipsi potius contra omnes perfidia fremente duo Aleydae solo salo Iusuperabiles siste Fama non plus ultra viderunt suspexerunt stupuerunt duo Austriacae sobolis Incrementa maxima Carolus Ferdinandus serenissimi Infantes Gasper Oliviariorum excellentissimus Comes a Belli Statusque Concilijs Sacri Cubiculi Regis stabuli summus Praefectus Didacus Carpentis Marchio cui fas per sacratioris Aula limen Ex Britannis Johannes Comes Bristoliae Orator Extraordinarius Gualterus Astonus eques Legatus ex munere Baro Kensingtonius praetorianae militiae Angliae Dux Posteritati sacrum In the field of Balsain Here by the conduct of a propitious Star at the foot of a craggy Mountain in a spacious field ennobled by the common hunting of Kings but grown more noble now for the solemn event of the Thing Philip the fourth Catholic King of both the Spaines and the Indies and Charles the serenissim Prince of Wales Nuptials being agreed upon with the Lady Mary the serenissim Infanta to seek which sa the Fame of it flies through â—he world he posted to Spain the said King and Prince plighted their Troths and running into mutuall embraces they tyed with an Herculean Knot an eternall league of peace and friendship O mighty and invincible peerles pair of Kings no Hercules can be against these two and they two enough against all let disloyalty rage never so much two Alcides insuperable both by Land and Sea Fame stop thy mouth for thou canst go no further Two of the Royall branches of the Austrian Tree Don Carlos and Don Ferdinand saw beheld and stood astonisht hereat as also Gaspar the most excellent Count of Olivares chief Gentleman of the sacred Bed chamber and of the royall Stables as also Didacus Marques of Carpio who had the golden Key among the British Heros Iohn Earl of Bristol Ambassador extraordinary and Walter Ashton Ambassador ordinary with the Baron of Kensington Captain of the English Praetorian Bands Sacred to Posterity In this Inscription the Duke of Buckingham was not mentiond though he was there present all the while which shews that the Spaniards did not so much affect him yet was he at first much esteemd in regard of the charge and trust he had being the Princes Gardian but afterwards he began to grow out of request by his French carriage and over familiarity with the Prince c. Insomuch that his Commission being examind it was found to be signed only by King Iames and the Prince wheras the Commission of Bristol and Ashton was signd also by the privy Councell and exemplified under the great Seal of England Therfore the King of Spain being instructed by Olivares sent him word that he shold not trouble himself any further in point of audience about the match for he was resolvd to treat only with the two Ambassadors who had a more plenary power and understood the busines better so il blood began to engender betwixt Olivares Buckingham and Bristol The Prince was attended by som of the Grandees and Count Gondomar to the Sea-side where being com not without som danger aboard the Prince-Royall he sent Mr. Clerk a Creature of Buckinghams to Madrid with a privat Letter to Bristol not to proceed in the busines of the Match till further order from England notwithstanding that the Ratification shold com from Rome Clerk lay in Bristols house but was not to deliver him the sayed Letter till the Ratification shold com the Earl of Bristol suspecting such a thing causd a rumor to be spread that the Ratification was com hereupon the Letter was deliverd him so he went to confer with my Lord Ashton about it who was in joint Commission with him to conclude the Match he askt him whether upon that Letter he wold suspend the busines of the Match and Ashton answering that the Letter was to be obeyed Bristol replyed that then he wold protest against him telling him that they had a royall Commission under the broad Seal of England signd and seald by King Prince and Councell therfore he conceivd that a privat Letter from any other could not have power to suspend the Kings immediat command but his own counter-command he alledgd also that if when the Ratification came they shold delay a moment of the time in point of proceeding the Infanta wold hold her self disparagd in point of honor He subjoynd that this Match tended to the restitution of the Palatinat and settling of an eternall peace in
revengfull as any other Italian Among a world of examples that could be producd let this suffice In the ancient Citty of Nocera there were three young Noble-men calld Conrado Cesare and Alexandro the eldest was Prince of the place before Charles the Fifts time There was and is still in Nocera a strong Castle where the Prince Conrado had a Garrison wherof he made a Confident of his Captain and Keeper of the Castle the Prince most of his time kept in his Country-house and his Brothers also but somtimes he wold com and ly som dayes in his Castle It fortund that his Captain having a comly woman to his wife the Prince fell in love with and never left till he enjoyd her which he had done often to the knowledg of her husband so beating his brains how to be revengd he fell upon this way The Prince being at his Country-house the Captain sent him word that there were two wild Boares discoverd in the Forrest hard by therfore if he and his two Brothers wold com such a day with their Dogs he doubted not but they shold find very Princely sport So Conrado came with his second brother Cesare but Alexander could not com till two dayes aâ—ter so the Captain had provided a fitting Supper for the Prince and his brother who had brought another Noble-man with him to have part of the Sport the Prince and the sayd Noble-man lodgd in the Castle but Cesare lay in the Town The Captain was wonderfull officious to attend the Prince to his Chamber but having confederated with the chiefest of the Garrison in the dead of night they rushd into the Prince his Chamber and the first thing they did they chopd of his Genitories then his Head which they put to stand on a window and quarterd the rest of his body This being done very silently in the morning betimes they sent in the Prince his name for his second brother to com in all hast when Prince Cesare came the Captain waited upon him to his brothers Chamber where the first Object he beheld was Conrados head upon a window and his members quarterd and strewd up and down the Room ah sayd Cesare is this the wild Boar you writ of yes answered the Captain but I writ to you of two so they fell upon Him also and made the like Sacrifice of revenge upon him this being done the Captain barrd up the Gates and going upon the walls of the Castle he sent for the chief of the Town made a Speech unto them in what slavery they livd in under Conrado therfore if they ever desird liberty there was a fair opportunity offerrd now because he had Conrado in his Custody and he could do with him what he pleasd But the Cittizens wold hearken to no such motion so they sent speedy word to Alexander the younger brother who coming with som Country forces the Citty joynd with them and beleagurd the Castle the Captain finding his case to be desperat takes his wife first on a high Turret and hurld her down amongst them then his Children and afterwards murtherd himself in the ey of all the Citty There is no Country swarms with Nobility more then the Kingdom of Naples the number wherof do daily encrease insomuch that the last account which was taken there were in Naples Calabria and Apulia with the rest of the twelve Provinces adjoynd two thousand Barons fifty Dukes ninety Marquesses seventy Earls and five Princes But som of these Nobles have but slender Estates as Aretin reports who sayes that three Marquesses in Lunigiana were found eating of Figgs off one Tree to keep them from starving Now though the Spaniard entitle himself King of both the Sicilies yet he holds the latter I mean the Kingdom of Naples in Fee from the Pope whom he acknowledgeth to be Lord-Paramount therof by right of Donation to the Church Therfore the Spanish Ambassador upon the Vigile of Saint Peter or every Saint Peters Eve presents the Pope in his Masters name with a Heriot and a Rent viz. With a Muâ—e and seven thousand Duckets in Gold at the reception wherof the Pope answers Sufficiat pro hac vice Let it suffice for this time and till this be done the great Catholic King lyeth under an Excomunication which in a short compass of time is layed on him and taken off every yeer I. H. Senesco non Segnesco FINIS A Catalogue of Mr. Howells Works in severall Volumes Printed by Mâ— Humphrey Mosely I. Mr. Howels History of Lewis the thirteenth King of France with the life of his Cardinal de Richelieu Fol. II. Mr. Howels Epistolae Hoelianae familiar Letters Domestick and Forren in six Sections partly Historicall Politicall Philosophicall the the first Volume with Additions 8 o. III. Mr. Howels new Volume of familiar Letters partly Historicall Politicall Philosophicall the second Volume with many Additions 8 o. IV. Mr. Howels third Volume of additionall Letters of a fresher date never before published 8 o. V. Mr. Howels Dodon as Grove or the Vocal Forrest the first part in Fol. 4 o. 12 o. with many Additions VI. Mr. Howels Dodon'as Grove or the Vocal Forrest the second part in 8 o. never printed before VII Mr. Howels Englands Tears for the present Wars VIII Mr. Howels Pre-eminence and Pedigree of Parliament in 12 o. in answer of Mr. Pryn. IX Mr. Howels Instructions and Directions for Forren Travels in 12 o. with divers Additions for Travelling into Turky and the Levant parts X. Mr. Howels Vote or a Poem-Royall presented to his Majesty in 4 o. XI Mr. Howels Angliae Suspiria lachrymae in 12 o. XII Tumulus Thalamus two Counter-Poems the first an Elegy upon Edward Earl of Dorset the second an Epithalamium to the Lord M. of Dorchester XIII Parables reflecting on the times XIV A German Dyet or the Ballance of Europe wherin the Power and Weakness Glory and Reproach Vertues and Vices Plenty and Wants Advantages and Defects Antiquity and Modernes of all the Kingdoms and States of Christendom are Impartially poiz'd by James Howell Esq Fol. XV. Parthenopoeia or the History of the most noble and renowned Kingdom of Naples with the Lists of all their Kings the first part translated out of the Italian by Mr. Samson Lennard the second Part continued to these present times 1654. by James Howell Esq More of Mr. Howels Works Printed by other Men. XVI THe great French Dictionary refind and augmented in a large Fol. XVII A Survey of the Signory of Venice in Fol. XVIII A Dialogue twixt the Soul and the Body XIX The first Part of the late Revolutions in Naples XX. The second Part of the sayed Resolutions XXI The Warr of the Iewes epitomiz'd XXII Sir Robert Cottens Works which he was desird to publish XXIII Saint Pauls Progress upon Earth XXIV A Venetian Looking-glass XXV A Winter Dream XXVI The Trance or Mercurius Acherontious XXVII A Dialogue twixt Patricius and Peregrin XXVIII An Inquisition after blood XXIX The
memoriae Serenissimam illustrissimam Dominam nostram Dominam Ioannam secundam Dei gratia Hungariae Hierusalem Siciliae reginam c. Within a little time after rose in the Citie divers contentions because Pope Eugenio the fourth understanding the death of Ione sent a Legate to Naples the Bishop of Recanati and Patriarch of Alexandria giving the Governors to understand and the Councell of the Citie that the kingdom of Naples was fallen to the Church as his Feud or Fee willing them not to bestow the dominion upon any but him whom he shall nominate and invest King The Governors answered that they would have no other King but Renato Duke of Lorain whom their Queen had left as her successor By this means the kingdom understood the admonition of the Pope and the answer of the Governors wherewith many of the Princes and Barons of the kingdom much misliked the succession of Renato and being published that that Will and Testament was falsly forged by the Neapolitans one part of the Barons and people which were of the faction of the Aragonesi called King Alfonsus of Aragon Whereupon through contrary consents and inclinations rose the sactions of the Angioini and Aragonesi The Governors being likewise at discord among themselves the whole kingdom was divided and put into great trouble and molestation In the mean time the greatest part of them sent Ambassadors to Marseliâ— for Renato That part of the Duke of Sâ—ssa the Earl Venafro and many other Barons called Alfonsus who being full of military courage and inflamed with an incredible desire of glory having his Army ready in the year 1436. came to Gaeta and was received by the Duke of Sessa and besieging the said Citie came with his Navy to battell with Baiâ—gio Captain Generall of the Fleet of the Genowayes and Alfonsus valiantly fighting was at length overcome and taken prisoner and carried to the custody of Philip Duke of Miltane who afterward knowing the singular vertue of Alfonsus being desirous to hold him his companion and friend made a league with him and suffered him to go at his own pleasure together with the other Lords which were also prisoners ANGIOINI Renato of Angio the 16 King of Naples REnato of Angio being at that time prisoner to Iohn Duke of Burgonie the Neapolitane Ambassadors deprived of all hope to have Renato caused Isabellae his wife to come in his stead a very wise and worthy Lady who made great wars with Alfonsus Afterward Renato being set at liberty by the Duke of Burgonie in the moneth of May 1438. came to Naples whose coming gave great hope and expectation to the Angioini and was royally received and presently prepared all necessary things for the wars and retained many principall and excellent Captains through whose valour he obtained all Calauria and the Dukedome of Melâ—i in Abruzzo he had at his command many places In the moneth of Iune 1438. he had from Pope Eugenius the instalment of the kingdom of Naples and Ierusalem Many actions and battels fell out between Renato and Alfonsus but at length the party of the Aragonesi prevailed Alfonsus in moneth of Iune 1442. by the way of an Aquaduct which brought water into the City took Naples and the third day with the will of Renato he had the Castle of Capoa and other forts Renato growing into despair not to be able to recover the kingdom with Isabella his wife and his children returned into Provence where he past all the rest of his life in peace having held Naples and part of the kingdom in an uncertain and troublesome possession four years and ten days Being come to the age of 64 years married Ioan della Valle a noble French Lady with whom too excessively satisfying his pleasure became weak and feeble and so died the 19 of Fbruary in the year 1481. and was buried in Nansi a plentifull place and a principapll City of the Dukedom of Lorane and upon his Tomb these four verses engraven Magnanimum tegit hoc saxum fortemque Rhenatum Mortales heu qua conditione sumus Invidia factis hujus fortuna subinde Ne tanti tanto celsus honore foret ARAGONES I. Alfonsus 1. of Aragon called by his surname The Magnanimous 17 King of Naples ALfonsus King of Aragon and Sicilia after many dangers and infinite travell entred Naples in triumph upon a golden Chariot and by the means of Francesco Orsino President of Rome made peace with the Pope Eugenio and obtained a very large instalment of the Kingdom for he was also invested in the Kingdom of Hungary by the right of Ioan his mother And besides that obtained from the said Pope that faculty and power that Ferdinando his naturall son was ordained his heir and to succeed after his death in the instalment and possession of the Kingdom the which investing was likewise afterward confirmed by Pope Nicolas the fifth Alfonsus was very magnificent in buildings he reduced the new Castle in Naples into the form it now appears truly a very Royall and stately piece of work He enlarged Mola and caused the Fens about the City to be made dry He took the Isle of Zerbi overcame in battell the King of Tunis and made him tributary and subdued certain Cities in Barbary he oftentimes sent Armies against the Turks and at the instance of the Pope chased away Francesco Sforsa della Marca He was very studious in learning and made great account of learned men whereof he kept very many in his Court. And to conclude he was a Prince of great magnanimity He reigned sixteen years one moneth and one and twenty days He died the 28 of June in the year 1458. being 64 years of age He had for his wife Mary the daughter of Henry the third King of Castile surnamed the Weak by whom he had no Childern The Neapolitans buried the body of Alfonsus with a stately Funerall and laid him in a Coffin covered all with cloth of gold the which at this present is to be seen in the Vestry of St. Dominick in Naples and at the foot thereof are these Verses Inclytus Alfonsus qui Regibus ortus Iberis Hic regnum Ausoniae primus adeptus adest Ferdinando 1. of Aragon 18 King of Naples FErdinando the first of this name after the death of his Father succeeded in the Kingdom and was by the Institution of Pope Pius the second anointed and crowned King by Latino Orsino the Cardinall But very often was like to lose it through many wars and espeâ—ially by Iohn of Angio the son of Renato which had a great Train and Troop of the Barons of the Realm which drew unto them a great number of Rebels In the year 1481 died as is declared Renato of Angio who having no male children made heir of all his state and inheritance Charls of Angio Earl of Main his brothers son who dying within a while after without children bequeathed his inheritance to Lewis the 11. King of France
to whom not onely descended as supream Lord the Dukedom of Angio but also of all Provence Ferdinando having afterward intelligence that Charls the 8. King of France made preparation with a mighty Army to recover the Kingdom of Naples by the right of the Angioini who by the death of King Lewis his father was interessed therein began to make provision of men and being very carefull in the preparation of the war growing sick died the 25 of Ianuary in the year 1494. having reigned 35 years 5 moneths and 25 days Alfonsus 2. the 19 King of Naples ALfonsus the second of this name after the death of Ferdinand his Father obtained the kingdom and in the beginning of the fourth moneth was crowned in the Cathedrall Church of Naples by Iohn Borgia Cardinall of Montereale Legate of Pope Alexander the sixth with greater pomp and majesty then was ever used to any King of Naples But understanding that Charls the 8. K. of France gave order for the pretended war fearing because he was become odious to the people of the Kingdom through his austerity resigned the Kingdom to Ferdinando his son Duke of Calauria a young man much differing from him in nature which every one loved and retired himself into the countrey of Mazara in Sicilia being before time given unto him by Don Ferdinando the Catholique King of Spain where he spent the remainder of his life having reigned one year and three days FRANCES I. Charls the fourth the twentieth King of Naples CHarles de Valois the eighth of this name King of France and fourth of the same name King of Naples came in the beginning of Ianuary 1495. to Rome with a mighty Army Pope Alexander full of incredible fear and anguish fled into the Castle of St. Angelo But the King having no purpose to offend the Pope met with him and concluded friendship and a perpetuall confederacy for the common safety defence Charls was invested conditionally by the Pope of the kingdom of Naples and obtained also from the said Pope Zizimo Gemni Ottomanâ— the brother of Bajazeth Emperour of the Turks After Charls had reâ—â—â—ined a moneth in Rome he past into the kingdom and although some small resistance was made by Ferdinando at length he got the dominion of the whole kingom Ferdinando after that the Câ—stles of Naples were yeelded departed with fourteen Gallies ill â—rmed into Sicilia Charls after he had pacified the kingdom demanded of the Pope the â—ree installment of the Realm of Naples the which although it were at Rome granted him yet it could not be thought sit in respect of the Aragonâ—si whereupon the Pope refused to give it him Charls afterward being departed to return into France many of the Barons rebelled through the severity and cruell demeanor of the Frenchmâ—n Whereupon Ferdinando was recalled who chased away the adversaries Charls reigned ten moneths and 26 days he died a sudden death the â—ight before the 8 of Aprill in the year of our Lord 1497. being returned fâ—om playing at Tennis He was buried in the Church of St. Denis of Paris in France and on his Tomb this Epitaph was engraven Hic Octave jaces Franâ—orum Carole 〈◊〉 Cui victa est forti Britâ—nis 〈…〉 Parthenopâ— illustrem tribuit captiâ—a tâ—â—iumphuâ— Claraque Fornovio pugâ—â—â— peraâ—â—a solâ— Caepit Henricus regno depulsus ajuto Bellare auspiciâ—s sceptra Britanâ—â— tuis O plures longinqua dies si futa dâ—â—issent Te nullus toto major in orbe foret ARAGONES I. Ferdinando the second the â—1 King of Naples FErdinando the second of this name a valiant man endued with Princely qualities of liberality and Clemency who for to strengthen and corroborate his affairs with a more firm conjunction with Ferdinando the Catholique King of Spain took for his wife with the Popes dispensation Ioan his Aunt born of of Ferdinando his Grandsire and Ioan the sister of the aforesaid King and at the same time had of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment of the kingdom And being placed in great glory fell sick and died the 8. of October in the 1496. He reigned one year 8 moneths and 14 days Frederick the 22 King of Naples FRederick Prince of Taranto the son of Ferdinando the first by the death of his Nephew succeeded in the kingdom in the year 1497. obtained of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment of the kingdom And being much troubled with continuall war because Charls the 8. King of France died without leaving any children the kingdom fell to Lewis Duke of Orleans as the neerest in blood by the masculine line and was the twelfth of this name This Lewis came upon him with a mighty Army but Ferdinando the Catholique King being confederate with Lewis to his own prejudice for a displeasure conceived against Frederick yet conditionally that Lewis should divide the kingdom with him Frederick that was not able to make head or resist the puisance of so great forces united against him especially finding his kingdom exhaust and ill provided retired into the Isle Ischia neer to Naples with all his Family and afterward gave his kingdom wholly into the possession of King Lewis his enemy not bequeathing any thing to the Catholique King Ferdinando reputing himself to be ill dealt withall by him that in stead of a friend and defender he was come to the contrary to dispossess and deprive him of his kingdom Frederick was very courteously received by Lewis and he assigned unto him the Dukedom of Angio and so much revenue as amounted yearly to thirty thousand Crowns and the French King obtained in recompencee from King Frederick all the right and interest which he had in the kingdom Within a little time following Frederick fell sick at Torse in France where his pain increasing upon him died the ninth of September in the year 1504. He had to his wife being Prince of Taranto the Lady N. della valle Bertania of the worthy Family of Alibret blood in Gasconie the kinswoman of the father of Charls the eighth King of France by whom he had one onely daughter called the Lady Carlotta which was brought up in the French Court and afterward succeeded in her mothers inheritance Of his second wife Isabella the onely daughter of Pirro del Balzo Prince of Altamura and Duke of Andry he had six children that is to say three male and three female the male children were Don Ferdinando Duke of Calauria and Prince of Taranto Don Cesar and Don Alfonsus the which two last died in their Fathers time The women kind the first named the Lady Iulia was married in the year 1533. to Giorgio Paleologo Duke of Montferrato and Marquis of Sanluzo of the noble blood of the Emperours of Constantinople The Lady Isabella and the Lady Caterina were never married The Queen Isabella after the death of King Frederick seeing herself deprived of all humane comfort because that being discharged of that kingdom by the King of France by reason
Ossidionale Who first mounted upon the walls of the enemy to him was consecrated a crown of gold with the form of battlements of the wall and this kind of crown was called Murale and the Emperour did give it with his owns hands Who first entred into the enemies camp to him was given the crown Vallare which was also called Castrense which was of gold in the form of a Bulwark Who first in battell at sea boarded the enemy to him was presented the crown Navale which was of gold in the fashion of a ship The first that had this crown was M. Varro for overcoming the navy of Pirats and Rovers and this En. Pompeius gave him The crown which was given to those which had preserved any Citizen in battel received in token of safety from him a crown called Civica which was first of Oke and afterward of Holm Finally those which were accustomed to be made of metall in recompence of worthy deeds were the Vallari or Castrensi the Murali and the Navali These were of gold as were also those in process of time of Bayes whereupon it was called crown gold which was given to those who had the crown made them for triumph But none among the aforesaid crowns was ever more noble or more glorious with the Romans then that of grass after which the Civiche the Tirumphale and those of gold were the next in estimation because that all the other crowns Captains did give to Souldiers but this of grass was presented by the whole Army as to the preserver thereof And sometimes the Senate did give it and the people of Rome to some particular person as to Fabius Maximus when Hannibal departed Italy and which was also given to Augustus when he shut the Temple of Ianus and made peace both by sea and land Now concerning the Royall crown according to the use in these days was by the Ancients in no such sort observed athough the Priests of Persia and the Kings did wear a round wreath of Linnen and the Meonii the Syrians the Phrygians and the Lydians the Miter the which is now used by our Bishops as an ornament over the Scutchions of their Arms signifying thereby the Nobility of their House and their divine profession But in exchange of the crown the King had the Scepter the Chair of State the purple Robe wrought with gold and carried a Diadem upon their heads which was a roll of white linnen which the Kings were wont to wear upon their heads an invention as I think of the Egyptians and the Hebrews who using to anoint their Kings upon the Temples or sides of the head did roll a veil round about that the sacred oyntment might not be wip'd away Whereupon to this purpose we find that Alexander the Great took from his head the Diadem to put it upon Lysimacus who whas therewith wounded in the forehead the which accident was prognosticated by the future reign of Lysimacus And that Pompey surnamed the Great was envied because he did wear a wreath upon his knee for a certain hurt that did much offend him as though he would aspire to the kingdom of Rome Now concerning the use of this crown according to the modern custome the Emperours and Kings which descended from the Romans were wont to send to those whom they exalted to any Royall dignity a crown in token of honor And moreover the invention came from them for it is not long since this ceremony was exercised by the chief Bishops Emperours forsomuch as it was not honor enough for the Pope as election should be made of that supream degree to sit in St. Peters Chair But this ceremony gathering daily greater force was introduced that between the solemnity of the Masse he should be crowned by the hand of the Bishop of Ostia And likewise the coronation of the Emperours was unknown in the first Ages of the Empire for the first of the Roman Emperours that put a golden crown upon his head was as Aurelius Victor declares the Emperour Aurelianus who ruled the Empire in the year of Christ 271. and used apparrell embrodered with gold and pearl and full of pretious stones Afterward Dioclesian as Eutropias writeth begun the fashion of the Royall state of a King because that not onely in his apparell but even in his shooes had pretious stones embrodered causing others to do him honor and reverence and was the first that would be adored But the first of all the Emperoers which received the crown of the Roman Empire from the Pope was Charls the Great who having setled the affairs of Italy of France and Germany came to Rome with all the honor that might be was placed in the seat of Pope Leo the third which through the envy of some men was deposed from the Papacy Charls the Great was crowned in the year of our Lord 801. The Pope having celebrated the 〈◊〉 upon the Reliques of St. Peter by the consent and desire of the pâ—â—ple of Rome declared Charls Emperour of the Romans and put an Imperiall crown upon his head the people making great applause and acclamation and proclaiming with a loud and high voyce three times To Charls August crowned by God the great and peaceable Emperour Life and Victory And the Pope anointed him with oyl and balm consecrated to this effect together with Pepin his son whom he pronounced King of Italy the which things were all done in the year of our Lord 801. And so Charles began to Occidentall Empire of Germany which to this present hath continued with great honor and glory Whereupon the Emperours which succeeded him imitating Charls either because that action seemed unto them worthy observation or perhaps because they desired by that means to maintain the title of the Empire which Leo gave to Charles as is said they followed from time to time the custome to be crowned In this manner also were together with the power annexed the demonstrations of Regall or Princely fortune of the which demonstrations of honor they participating more or lesse the which did participate more or lesse of Kingly fortune from thence proceeded the use of Crowns and Chaplets signifying Royall or Princely dignity or the honor of a Duke or Lordly power authority because that the Roman Empire being fallen from the greatness therof and Barbarians coming into Italy who like the inundation of a mighty river carrieth with it infinite damage replenished unfortunate Italy with their brutish manners whereupon miserably fell to the earth not onely the beauty of the Roman tongue and the perfection and propriety thereof but all that semblance and similitude of the ancient customes and new titles new fashions and new lawes were intruded the word Prince was taken for a new kind of dignity which being inferior to a King and Imperiall preheminence taketh the precedence of Dukes Marquesses and Earls The first which used this name in Italy was