kept an ordinary Ambassador in England Edward the sixt of that name succeeded his Father Henry who was yong and gouerned by the cheefe Lords of the Kingdome vnto whom the Senate send Dominico Bollano for their Ambassador who found them very willing to continue friendshippe and vsuall trafficke with the Venetians promising to giue kind vsage to as many of their nation as should come into those parts The French King was desirous at the same time to make warre vpon the English for diuers respects but especially for the towne of Boloign Those which feared the Emperors to much greatnesse were sorry that the French King should busie him-selfe in that warre which made him to forget the affaires of Italy and to suffer the Emperor freely to pursue his owne deseigns but the Pope was more discontented then any other as he that for his owne particular interests and not for the common good did determine by the armes of the French to abate the Emperors greatnesse therefore hee resolued to send the Cardinall of Saint George into France vnder collour as it was giuen forth to cause the French Prelates to come to the councell published at Bolognia But in effect it was for other ends namely to incite the French King to turne his deseigns against the Emperor and to stoppe his pregressions offering him for that purpose all ayde and friendship King Henry did willingly harken to this motion as one desirous to execute some great enterprize and who would not omit any occasion whereby he might hope to purchase glory by some generous action wherein the Pope by meanes of his forces was thought to be a very fit Instrument for the affaires of Italy as well in regard of the commodiousnesse of his State as most of all for his authority wherevpon the King beeing easily perswaded to harken to this proposition resolued to strengthen his intelligences in Italy and to purchase friends there and among othere he sent for Perro Strossi into France whom he forth with honored with the order of S. Michell which at that time was a great honor and giuen to none but noble persons or to such as had well deserued of the Crowne of France this man was highly esteemed for his excellent witte and also for that he was an enemy to peace and greatly followed by the bandetti of Florence and others which was a ready means to trouble the affaires of Italy The King did likewise fauour thereuolt of the Sienois promising to aid them in the defense of their liberties But together with the Pope for the vnion betwixt them was already confirmed Horatio Farnese sonne to Pedro Lodouico hauing married King Henries daughter he was likewise desirous to draw the Venetians to that league and Vnion because hee would attempt nothing against the Emperor in Italy but that which he was sure would take effect The King to this end sent his Ambassador to Venice so did the Pope his Nuncio who supposed to find the Venetians more ready to condiscend to their demandes then they had beene in times past in regard of the Emperors dealings and especially for the Villany committed vpon the person of Petro Lodouico who had beene murthered by certaine Place ntiâ—…e Gentlemen by the consent as it was reported of D. Ferrant of Gonzaga Lieutenant to the Emperor in Italy who presently after had seazed vppon the Citty of Placentia leauing great numbers of Spaniards in Garrison there in the Emperors name who by that meanes went about to take away an other mans rightes not by open force but by deceit Gonzaga knowing that the Venetians would suspect and think strangely of that deed did speedily send Giouan Baptista Schizze a Senator of Milan to Venice toacquaint the Senate with what had beene done and by quallifying the matter to assure them that he was not guilty thereof but that he could do no lesse beeing sent for and sought vnto by the Dukes murthererers who presently came to him to Milan to haue him goe and receiue that Citty in the Emperors name the which he did but till such time as hee might receiue newes what the Emperors pleasure was therein but his deeds were contrary to his worps for so soone as he entred the Citty he caused the building of the Castle which the Duke had already begunne to be set foreward and caused the nobility and people to take the oath of aleadgeance to the Emperor and made speedy preparations to goe and beseege Parma notwithstanding that Octauio Farnese complained in vaine that so great an iniury was done vnto him he beeing the Emperors sonne in law This stirre being in very deed of great importance had caused the Venetians to make prouisions for the defense of their townes therfore they made Stephano Tepulo Prouidator Generall on the firme land to the end that in that office hee should prouide for all their soldiers visit the Forts belonging to the State and take speedy order for what soeuer should be needfull They did besides call home the Duke of Vrbin Generall of their Army who was then at Rome about his marriage not long before concluded with Virginia daughter to Duke Pietro Lodouico Farnese They wrote afterwards to Antonio de Castello who serued them as maister of their Artillery and a man of great credit that he should make hast to the Citty of Bressia to augment the ordinary Garrison that lay there the Prouidator Generall did the like at Verona and in all other townes of importance the Venetians supposing that all places were full of deceit and trechery Things standing at this stay the Pope and the French King did daily more ernestly solicite the Venetians openly to declare them-selues without any more delay and not to deferre the remedying of the present mischiefe till it were too late The Senate for all that did not make hast to take armes against a most mighty Prince their neighbour who at the same time exalted to the very height of his prosperous greatnes because that the common-wealth was not so weake and low brought as whosoeuer those should bee that were desirous to assayle it might thinke their enterprize easie nor yet so mighty as it was able to keepe others in awe and thereby gaue them cause to goe about to abate their greatnesse so as the condition thereof was farre different from that of others because it might without any feare of beeing assayled by the Emperor expect that which time and the alteration of affaires might procure it which might as it often happeneth open a way to some better and safer course Whereupon after that the matter had beene well debated in open Councell the Pope and French Kings demands were answered after one maner and yet apart how that the Senate did infinitely praise their care of the common safety together with the prouisions which they had made for the mainetainance and defence of that which did belong vnto them that they would follow and imitate that
Syria But all those attempts pâ—…oued vaine and fruitlesse of which wee determine briefly to speake as occasion shall serue not interrupting the course of our Historie During the aboade of Prince Michaeli in Asia or soone after his returne the Hospitall of the publike charitie was builded with all that which stands neere to it The bodie of Saint Donato brought from Pera to Venice was laid in a Church newly built by the diligence and cost as some Authours say of one called Marco Iuliano Michaeli after hee had gouerned the Common-wealth eleuen yeares did fortunately decease His funeralls were followed by great multitudes of people His tombe is to be seene at this day in the porch of Saint Georges Church right ouer against the Comcell-Hall on the left hand as ye enter into the Church The end of the sixt Booke of the first Deâ—…ad THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE FIRSâ—… DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the first Decad. THe voluntarie submission of the Faneses The institution of a new Religious Order in the Church of Saint SALVATORI The erecting of the Church of Saint CLEMENT The Paduans are defeated on the turning of the Riuer Brente The Venetians warre against the Normans in fauour of the Emperour EMANVEL The building of the great Tower before the Market-place Diuers people of Histria made Tributaries The building of the Church of the Crossed Friers How greatly the conspiracies of the Neighbour-people did trouble the Venetians The originall of the plaies made at Shrouetide What the Emperour EMANVEL did to the Venetian Merchants ouer all his Empire in one day The Venetians mightie Sea-armie against EMANVEL The familie of the IVSTINIANI are almost extinct through the malice of their enemies The miserable death of Prince VITALIS slaine by his owne people at his returne from Greece Two huge Pillars of a wonderfull workemanship erected in the Market-place by an Artificer of Lombardie An Ambassadour of Venice is abused by the Emperour EMANVEL The cause why the Emperour EMANVEL hated the Venetians At what time they beganne to shut vp in the publike Treasurie the money of particular persons vnder colour of loane Pope ALEXANDER flies to Venice in disguise The Venetians make warre against the Emperour FREDERICK BARBAROSSA in fauour of the Pope The Emperours Sonne defeated at Sea by the Venetians with his imprisonment and the Emperour FREDERICK his comming to Venice The Honours and Titles giuen by Pope ALEXANDER to the Dukes of Venice The agreement betwixt FREDERICK the Pope and the Venetians made at Venice The Venetian Prince hauing accompanied the Pope to Rome returneth to Venice honoured with rich presents And lastly the description of the magnificent Church of St. MARKE ¶ PIETRO POLLANI the 36. Duke of Venice PIetro Pollani succeeded his deceased Father-in-law Michaeli At his entrance into the gouernement the Faneses submitted themselues to the Venetians authoritie promising to aide them when neede should be to giue yearlie the quantitie of a thousand pound weight of oile for the vse of S. Markes Church and to pay them besides a yearly pension of money in manner of Tribute It seemeth vnto mee that this tribute proceeded from some aide which they had receiued from the Venetians in their warres the which some Historians haue noted albeit they set not downe against whom it was Bonfiâ—…io Michaeli Administrator at that time of the Church of S. Saluatori and all those which accompanied him tooke a Religious habit vpon them instituting a new order which was afterward authorised by Pope Innocent and after him Pope Alexander the fourth consecrated their Church Pietro Gathilaso caused the Church of S. Clement to be builded on the Canal Orphano It is reported besides that at the same time a great strife arose betwixt the Venetians and the Pisans occasioned by a brauado rashly made vpon them in the Hauen of Rhodes by Michaeli Vitalis the Princes sonne Generall of the Venetian Armie where the Pisans being ouer-come and loosing the greatest part of their Armie did receiue a great disgrace which afterward caused diuers and sundrie murthers on either side And these two States would haue beene more sharply bent one against the other had not the Pope by his wise mediation sodainely pacified their strife Diuers cities of Dalmatia insinuating themselues into the Venetians fauour promised each of them in her owne name to waite on the Prince with one armed Gallie as often as he should put to Sea with fifteene Gallies The Polani likewise a people of Histria offered them all aide with all necessaries for the furniture of the Gallies at any time when the Prince marching against the enemies should arriue in their Countrey I finde about the same time the Venetians fought a cruell fight with the Paduans who would haue cut off the Riuer Brente neere to Saint Hilaries Church Guido Monticulano Generall of the Venetians Armie by Land in that warre hauing incountered them neere to Tumba the bickering was verie bloudie on either side but the enemies being ouercome and put to flight three hundred and fiftie of them were brought prisoners to Venice who neuerthelesse at the entreatie of the chiefe of their Citie laying all the blame on some audacious persons among the Common people and not on the Nobilitie were all freely sent home againe Vrso Badoario left to Giouanni Throno of Mayorba diuers goodly Lands seated neere to Muriana and Maiorba to build an Hospitall in the name of Saint Iames which being since much augmented and enriched was giuen to the Religious sisters of the order of the Cistercians But whilest the Citie was thus at quiet the Venetians because they would not liue idely did set set forth an Armie at the request of the Emperour Emanuel against Rogero sonne to Guiscard King of Sicilie This Prince departing from Ottranto with a great Fleete came to the Isle of Corfu bordring vpon the Adriaticke and Ionian Seas And hauing seized thereon hee sailed into Morea where betwixt the Promontorie of Mailla and the Gulphe of Argiers and Laconia he executed diuers hostile actions Returning thence towards the Sea of Sarrona neere to the Hauens of Cenchrea and Corinth hee put all the Countrie adioyning to fire and sword Then passing forward without any resistance at all and being come to Istmos vulgarly called at this day Heximilia he filled all Achaia with feare and terror He tooke likewise the Citie of Thebes where it is reported he shewed himselfe ouer-couetous in his curious seeking for gold In the end he neither spared the Countrie of Nigrepont nor Beotia called Phocides And being puâ—…t vp by this happie successe he sent one of his Lieutenants with threescore Gallies to crosse the Hellespont called at this day the streight of Gallipolis euen to the Bosphorus of Thrace at this present called Saint Georges Arme who with great boldnesse vsed such speed as being arriued on the sodaine before Constantinople he set fire on diuers
for the greatnesse and antiquitie thereof That therefore such as are ignorant of antiquitie may not erre in the knowledge of her name it is the same Creta which the vulgar at this day call Candie by the name of a Citie as I thinke which is of late so called therein Dosiades thinks that it was called Creta by the Daughter of Hesperides And Anaximander saith by King Curetus Philistides and Crates say that it was first called Acria and after Cureta from whence we may easily gather that her name was in the future deriued Eudoxus to speake somewhat of her situation thought it to be sâ—…ated in the Aegean Sea But the most curious Authors saie that it is enuironed with diuers namely the Aegean Cretan Libian Aegyptian and Carpathian Seas Apollodorus saith that it is in length two thousand and three hundred stadij Artemiâ—…orus setteth downe foure thousand and one hundred extending from the East to the West where her out-stretched proportion is longest Some account but two thousand and her breadh to be much lesse Plinie thinckes that no part thereof doth exceed fiftie thousand paces in breadth two hundred threescore and tenne thousand in length and fiue hundred fourescore and ten thousand in compasse Her territorie besides is verie closely compacted full of mountaines and verie fertile vallies The hilles towards the West are of a meruailous heigth not giuing place any iotte to mount Taygetus in Laconia In the middest thereof where the hills seeme highest mount Ida is to be seene so much celebrated in the fabulous Poets Ephorus writes That the most ancient inhabitants of the Island were first instructed by Radamanthus to build Cities and to lead a more ciuill life and afterwards by Minos his successor strictly to obserue Iustice hauing established lawes and ordinances for the same purpose The same Author and Plato likewise did thinke That this people and the best-mannerd of Greece especially the Lacedemonians haue beene followers and obseruers of these lawes But as Strabo saith all things being altered from bad to worse this holie kind of life vanished and mens manners being wholy depraued it was first troubled by Pyrates and soone after being inuaded by the Romanes and subiected to their dominion it was for a time vnder their protection in peace and quietnesse At length that Empire beginning to decline after Constantine had translated the Imperiall seate to Constantinople afterwards vpon the diuision of that one entire Empire into twaine hauing two Emperours one for the affaires of Greece and the other of Italie this Island was euer reputed as a part of the Greeke Empire In this passage of time it was not onely molested by the Barbarians but at sundrie times greatly afflicted And notwithstanding all oppositions after the Empire of Myrtillus which lasted not long it was taken from the Greekes and ioyned to the Venetians dominion But such is the disposition of this Nation and their desire of noueltie so great as the Venetians a long time had much trouble to containe them vnder their obedience Whereupon I will here beginne to speake of their turbulent commotions Enuie which euer waites on prosperitie so soone as the Venetians possessed Candie did incite the Genoueses repining at their greatnesse to imploie all their forces which at that time were great and mightie and by some meanes or other to snatch it from them For the Island was as yet scarcely fortified with Garrisons when they attempted by some of their Nation with armed Gallies for the purpose to conquere it but afterwards with greater force when they vnderstood what was befallen to Vetrano their countrie-man whom the Venetians had put to a shamefull death wherewith being througly vexed this aemulation was conuerted into open hatred and they assayed by all meanes to winne the Candiots to rebellion Which they being readie to put in practise Count Mailloc tooke armes to trouble the affaires of the Island This man beeing couragious and sodaine in his attempts presuming on his assurance of the Genoueses forces did in a short space reduce the whole Island in a manner vnder his obedience The Venetians who from the beginning were resolued to keepe that Island by all meanes whatsoeuer did set forth a great Fleete And in the meane time diuers were of opinion after it should be recouered to dismantle all the Cities Castles and townes that were strong either by nature or arte alleadging diuers reasons for the confirmation of their saying But Rayniero Dandulo who was a man sodaine and verie rich did presently offer to keepe whatsoeuer should be recouered at his owne costs At which offer of his all the assistants blushed so as no man afterward durst speake of razing of Cities fearing thereby they should seeme vnable to keepe the Island vnder their subiection The Armie being readie departed vnder the command of the same Rainiero according to some Annalists who had more mercenarie Souldiours out of Lombardie than of their owne allies and confederates At his arriuall in the Island the Metropolitane Citie of Candace which at this day is the best for Marchants traficke of the whole Island was forth with recouered and after all the other townes and Castles Count Mailloc being brought to verie meane tearmes in a Fort and being enforced to yeeld vpon composition departed out of the Island The Candiots were alreadie brought to a reasonable good passe when as certain seditious Greekes did by their commotions interrupt the peace of the Island Rayniero speedily opposing himselfe against these combustions was slaine with an arrow shotte through his body who being carried to Candace was buried in Saint Georges Church His death being reported at Venice Giacomo Longo and Leonardo Nauigaioso were sent with speed to guard the Island and with them Giacomo Tepulo for the Islands Gouernour And in another place Raphaeli Zeno sailed towards Morea to the reliefe of Coron and Modon Giacomo Longo meeting by the way not farre from Candie three Shippes of Genoa suncke them and gaue chase to diuers others Moreouer seeing in regard of the leuitie and inconstancie of the Greekes there was no likelihood of abilitie to quiet the state of the Island without a great standing Garrison they resolued to send a Colonie thither namely horse-men of the order of Senators and foot-men of the common sort of people Vnto whom being scattered here and there in Candace and other places of the Island were great inheritances giuen to some for terme of life and to others in perpetuitie Howbeit some Authors affirme That the Colonie was sent thither presently vpon the Islands recouerie as hath beene alreadie spoken in the precedent booke Soone after the arriuall of the Colonie the Hagiostephani who for Nobilitie and riches were the chiefe of the Island being desirous of noueltie did reuolt from the Venetians and seized on Mirabeau and Sethia Giouanni Tepâ—…lo to appease these stirres called Marco Sanuto to his aide from the neighbour-Islands promising
the next Spring Gilberto Dandulo departed from Venice with two and thirty Gallies and being come into Greece met vpon the way neere the hauen called the Seauen swine the same fleete of Genoueses which the Venetians the yeare past durst not deale withall as they came forth of the Bosphorus to spoile whatsoeuer they could light on belonging to the Venetians Being come in sight one of another they presently put themselues in order of battaile readie to fight running one vpon another with great furie The fight was verie sharpe at the encounter but it lasted not long by reason of the smal number of the vessels neither was it verie bloudie For the Genoueses with losse of foure of their ships escaped away by strength of their oares putting themselues into the hauen of Maluasia But the Genoueses soone after made their losse good by the sodaine surprisall of three Venetian ships laden with victuals and munition Now albeit the maine warre was neere to the Islands of the Aegean Sea and along the coast which runneth from Morea to the straite of Gallipolis â—…et the affaires of Syria were not altogether quiet For all the Italians in a manner that were in Iernsalem did so much fauour the Venetians in Acre as it was plainly seene that they did more affect them than they did the Genoueses whereas on the contrarie those of Tyre held altogether for the Genoueses By this meanes all the Christians which were then in Syria were diuided in factions one against another for the partie of these two mightie people and those Cities which in times past had beene with so much labour and bloud freed from the cruell Empire of Mahomet were in an instant by this vnnaturall warre filled with murther and sedition Neuerthelesse the Venetians that they might not seeme carelesse of what more neerly concerned them the third or fourth yeare according to some Authors of this first Genoan warr set forth fiftie Gallies or as some say seuen and thirtie against their enemies the Genoueses who being come into the maine directed their course to Sicily where the Genoan fleet was reported to ride And not finding the enemie there they sailed into Syria where neere to Tyre they tooke an Argozie of the enemies After this they entred the hauen determining to force the Citie But Andrea Barofio a discreet and valiant Captaine was gouernour of the towne who although the Venetians had sent to Ptolomais for supplies to girt the Citie with a streighte siege both by sea and land did neuerthelesse with the garrison thereof verie brauely defend it The Genoueses in the meane time were not idle For vnderstanding by their spies that a great ship called the Strong Castle with ten other ships of burthen laden with marchandize were to come forth of the hauen of Venice bound for Asia they lay in ambush for them behinde a Rocke at the issue of the Adriaticke Gulph But the marchants being thereof aduertized by a small boate which went before for discouerie affrighted with the newes made presently to land And vnlading their ships on the shoare where lay a garrison of Albanians they left the emptie vessels to the enemie who perceiuing themselues discouered and knowing the Venetians meaning forsooke their ambush and shewed themselues Some historians affirme that Michael Doria commaunded that Genoan fleete and how they fought at Sea as also that the Venetians trusting to the strength and greatnes of an Argozey returned to Venice after they had lost the other ships laden with marchandize The Venetians in sted of being discouraged at this losse were the more animated to reuenge so as not long after they sent Giacomo Dandulo into Dalmatia with seuen Gallies with full power If it should be expedient for the Common-wealth to ioine with those whom hee should finde there for the guard of the Islands Whereupon after he had taken three from Zara hee sailed into the Sea of Sicilie where receiuing three other Gallies of Candie and not long after foure from Nigrepont strengthened with these supplies hee sailed to Ragusa where hee met Marco Gradonico with tenne Gallies These two fleetes beeing ioined together sailed into Sicilie where after they had coasted all that part of the Island which looketh towards the East and almost all that which lieth from Mount Pachino toward the South they tooke neere to Lilibeum three Genoa-Gallies conducted by Lanfranc of Bourbon This losse beeing reported at Genoa eight and twentie Gallies were sodainly set forth to reuenge this iniurie who sailing into Sicilie with a direct course to meete the enemie found the Venetians at Ankor in the Hauen of Trapani Some write that the two fleetes met by chance before Trapani But whether it were so or no it is certaine that the Gallies on either side sailed in order of battaile readie for fight It is reported that the Genoueses came too eagerly to charge and so by consequence too vnaduisedly For after their comming from Genoa they feared nothing so much as to misse the Venetian so that their hatred concurring with their power the fight began sodainly Hatred on the one side and desire of glorie on the other did greatly augment eithers forces And as well the one as the other would manifest to the Sicilians in whose sight they fought which of them was best experienced in Martiall discipline who were best Sea-men They fought a long time with vncertainetie of victorie But the Genoueses fortune at last declining their wilfulnesse was such as rather than to escape with dishonour they chose there to die fighting In this fight were taken foure and twentie of their Gallies and the residue burnt or sunke Aboue two thousand fiue hundred were taken prisonerâ—… and more than twelue hundred slaine the rest were drowned The victorie was not vnbloudie to the Venetians but their ioy to haue so brauely vanquished the enemie would not suffer them to thinke on their great losse And because that by this ouerthrow the Genoueses power was thought to be wholly abated Paleologus who till then had taken their partie made truce with the Venetians for fiue yeares The Senate after the battaile of Trapani sent one and twentie Gallies to Modona for the guard of the Sea-coast because as I thinke they were aduertised that the Gallies of Genoa made incursions on those places It happened by chance that certaine of the enemies ships being come at the same time as farre as Modon to rob spoile so soon as they vnderstood of the Arriuall of the Venetian Armie presuming on theiâ—… swiftnesse on a sodain like run-awaies they turned their backs The Venetians holding themselues not deceiued in their enemies flight forthwith followed them But the Genoueses beeing still daunted with their former losse receiued in Sicilie and determining from the beginning not to sight did escape by strength of their oares into the Hauen of Rhodes from whence soon after departing they tooke a Venetian ship laden with
the multitude of causes which was dailie pleaded before them to haue any fit leisure to intend the appeales sent vp by inferiour iudges to their audience The Senate created three Auditors to looke to that businesse who according to the large extent of their iurisdiction were called the Ancients Three others were likewise created to heare the causes of strangers Besides Prince Dandulo caused all that which had beene abolished from the ancient customes to be reduced into one volume together with all the decrees made by the Senate since the principality of Giacomo Tepulo vntill that present and hauing diuided them into Chapters with a large Table he named it The sixth Booke of the Cities decrees And hauing moreouer whilst he was Procurator of Saint Marke carefully gathered together all the iudiciall acts and decrees of the great Councell he set them downe in order and noted who had beene the Authour of euerie of them and vnder whose Gouernment each of them had beene receiued and allowed There was at the same time great scarcitie of victualls in the Citie which began in Graedonico his time by reason whereof Gallies and other vessells were sent into Apulia and Sicil to fetch corne vnder the command of Marco Iustiniano We may heereby easily perceiue that this voiage for corne was before the siege of Zara the which likewise some Authors do not denie For it is certaine that this Iustiniano in that warre of Dalmatia was generall of the Land-Armie and that after Zara was was recouered he was made Gouernour of the Citie Now as all men know it could not bee that one man alone could at one selfe same time execute two so different offices It is reported that two shippes of those which went for Corne were lost by a sodaine tempest as they returned homeward and that they were neuer after heard of Others say that foure only escaped out of this storme The residue of the ships laden with Corne did fortunately arriue in the Hauen by meanes whereof the dearth ceased But this mischiefe being taken away an other presently ensued For vpon the day of Saint Paul his conuersion about one of the clocke after noone there hapned a great Earthquake which did in such sort shake the Citie as diuers publike and priuate buildings were thereby throwne to the ground The Steeples of Saint Siluester Vitalis Saint Giacomo de Lorio fell downe together with the top of Saint Angelo his Church and the left side of that of Saint Basil. The Babylonians thought for I see diuers that demaund from whence this fearefull motion of the Earth doth proceede that it happeneth by the force of some Planet meeting with the Sunne in the Region of the Earth Anaxagoras hath thought that it is engendred in the Earth by processe of time and restraining of Aire Possidonius affirmes that it is a winde shut closely vp in the bowells and concauities of the earth Plinie saith that the earth neuer quaketh but when the Sea is very calme and the aire so still and cleare as birds can hardly beare themselues vp therein and at such time as the winds are inclosed in the veines and entrails of the earth By this speech of Plinie it seemeth that the windes are the cause of this shaking the which diuers Philosophers doe likewise affirme Hee addeth by and by after An earthquake saith he is nothing else but as the thunder in the aire or an ouerture or creuase in the earth or as the lightning breaking forth violently from the middest of the cloudes the wind enclosed therein striuing to burst forth by force The Stoicks set downe diuers sorts of earthquakes opening of the earth swelling of the water and the boiling vp of the same the which is very true For at some time the earth falleth downe very low at other times it is much lifted vp and putteth forth great Mountaines in this the Riuers doe ouer-flow on a sodaine in the other sparkes of fire are seene to rebound the waters to boile ouer and sometimes Riuers to leaue their ordinarie course A fearefull sound goeth before and accompanieth this quaking sometimes like to the roaring of a Bull and then like to the lamentable cry of some humane creature or like the clattering noise of Armour according to the qualitie of the matter which is inclosed or according to the fashion of the caue and hole through which this winde passeth which resoundeth as it is said in vaulted and hollow places waxeth hot in sharp and drie places and causeth great defluxions in moist and humide places The Citie of Venice is not so much subiect to earthquakes as some doe imagine seeing among all the motions of the earth that of the waues and flouds is the most dangerous For lightning is not so hurtfull nor the shaking of buildings nor namely when the earth is puffed vp or falleth downe by an interchangeable motion because the one keepeth backe the other The safest buildings are those vpon vaults the corners of walls and on bridges leaning one against another Besides bricke buildings are lesse dangerous in such accidents than are others Those which are at Sea can foretell these earthquakes at such time as they perceiue the waues to swell on a sodaine without any winde and those which are on Land may likewise foretell them when they see birds as it were in amaze to stay their flight or when the water in Wells is more troubled than ordinarie hauing a bad tast and stinking smell for these are as it is reported the true signes and presages of future motions Pherecydes the Syrian drawing water out of a Well foretold an earthquake which hapned there Anaximander Milesius did by these signes declare to the Lacedemonians that an earthquake was at hand for otherwise hee was no God to know things to come And the truest signes of all are when the windes blow not or when the Sea is meruailous calme For an earthquake neuer happeneth when the wind bloweth or when the Sea swelleth with waues for when it blowes the motion ceaseth otherwise it lasteth fortie daies and some times longer some haue lasted two yeares But this earthquake whereof wee speake lasted fifteene daies more or lesse wherevpon all Women that were with child being touched therewith miscarried and died soone after of the contagious sicknesse that forthwith ensued This dangerous sicknesse as it is reported came from Scythia and from thence glided along the Pontick Sea and the Hellespont and at last at the same time that this great earthquake happened it infected in a manner all the West Some Authors call this disease the euill of the groine and I thinke the reason was because the first signes of that disease were small kernells in the groine then there followed an extreame heate with griefe and heauinesse in the head which caused losse of memorie so as in three daies they died And this infection was so sharpe as of one hundred that
had the better that they took eight and twenty of the enemies Galleis that the Soldiours and Sailers in them were all slaine with great numbers of others who diuersly perished that the Venetians had lost but foure Gallies But forraine Historians report the matter to haue hapned in the same manner as wee haue alreadie mentioned at the Bosphorus of Thrace But because no man should thinke that wee haue concealed or dissembled ought chiefly in that we said that they fought all the night Francisco Petrarcha the famous Poet speaking of this cruell battaile makes mention of it in these words You haue ouercome saith he writing to the Genoueses content your selues least it be thought that ye haue forgotten your ancient customes Wee haue seene the Bosphorus to swell with the bloud of the Venetians your enemies when at night a strong wind arising yee were assailed by three mightie Nations betweene Constantinople and Nigre-pont fighting with the enemies against wind and tide This is that which he writeth with other matters to the same purpose Blondus besides saith That the battaile continued all night euen till day without any intermission and that which is most to be admired in the middest of winter Soone after this battaile Pisani surprised two Genoa shippes laden with victuailes which were going to Pera. Then perceiuing that he could not draw the enemie to fight after hee had staied there a while victuailes beginning to faile he retired with the Armie of Arragon into Candie where at leisure hee trimmed and repaired his Gallies The Genouese in like manner brought backe his halfe-broken to Genoa The newes of that which hapned at the Bosphorus being reported at Venice did greatly afflict the Citie But the Senators were more ashamed than sorrie being highly displeased with the rashnesse of those who would fight in so discommodious a place beeing accompanied with the forces of two mightie Princes and yet could not vanquish the Genoueses whom they alone had so often ouercome and which is worst of all they had quitted the place as though they had been vanquished with great losse Wherefore because in time to come no more such rash faults might be committed they decreed to send foure Prouidatori to euerie Armie who should in all matters assist the Generall and with him giue order for whatsoeuer should be expedient for the Common-wealth Giouanni Delfiâ—…no Marco Cornari Marini Grimano and Marini Phalerio were sent thither in the same nature These men being come into Candie certaine Gallies were sent to scoure the Ponticke Seas who hauing surprized certaine of the enemies shippes laden with corne and other marchandize returned into the Island After whose returne Paulo Lauretano surnamed the Great was commanded to goe to Cyprus with nine Gallies from whence he brought to Venice diuers Marchants with rich marchandize Whilest these things were done neere to the Islands foure Genoa Gallies entring the Gulphe came on boote-haling euen to Histria vpon these newes Marco Michaeli was commanded to hasten spedily thither with fiue Gallies to take them if it were possible but whilest he made preparations for his iourney the enemie went backe as speedily as he came Much about the same time eight Gallies were sent to Sea vnder the command and of Giouanni Sanuto and not long after nine others of both which Pisani was made Generall Who after he had sailed the Aegean and Ionian Seas and being come as farre as Pera did with admirable speede surprise diuers ships of Genoa among whom were two Barzes laden with rich merchandize which were iudged to bee worth two hundred thousand Crownes wherein were nine Gentlemen of Genoa with diuers Merchants This being fortunately atchieued vpon report that the Genoa fleet was comming Pisani thought it euer better to go and assaile the enemie than to waite for him and to make warre rather in a forraine Countrie than at home Wherefore hauing chosen out of the whole fleet twentie Gallies he left Marco Michaeli with the residue for the guarde of the Gulphe and came with a prosperous winde into Sardinia where he ioyned with the Armie of Arragon which was of fortie Gallies and three Barzes vnder the commaund of Bernardo Caprari The Arragonois did at the same time besiege Algiers the two fleets being there ioyned together came to the Sea of Caralitana The Genoueses being puffed vp with pride for the battaile at the Bosphorus departing from Genoa with three and fortie Gallies commanded by Anthonio Grimaldi went to seeke the enemie Some say they fought neare to Cyrna and others at Callaris which is a part of the Isle of Sardinia from whence it is thought that the Gulphe tooke the name and some say at Congeria But wheresoeuer they fought it is certaine that so soone as the two Armies got sight one of another they forthwith fell into order of battaile and set forward with great courage to the encounter The Genoueses calling to minde how that not long before they had vanquished them albeit they were stronger than they thereby promised to themselues the victorie The Venetians attributed it to the incommodiousnesse of the place rather than to the enemies valour all of them resoluing that day to reuenge the disgrace and losse which they had sustained or else to die in that place Their Allies were of the like minde wherupon they fought with as great courage as force Some say that the Genoueses hauing descried the Venetian ensignes were afraide For hearing that the Venetian was comming to ioyne with the Arragonois they were desirous to fight with the Spaniards before the Venetians should arriue Now the Venetians with their Allies being ready to fight determined to tie and make fast all their Gallies together ten choise Venetian Gallies excepted which were committed to Giouanni Sanuto to execute some enterprise if neede should be By this wee may easily imagine with what courage the Venetians fought that day For hauing in this sort chained their Gallies together they had determined either to vanquish or die there hauing taken from themselues all hope of flight Some say that Giouanni Sanuto did first receiue the enemie with his ten Gallies and that the maine Armie with the Barzes followed after But it is not credible that such a battaile was so sleightly begunne or that ten Venetian Gallies would oppose themselues to three and fortie of Genoa which would in an instant haue been inuested by so great a number It is more probable that these ten were set a-part to come to the rescue and that their Generall was commanded to runne a-thwart the enemie when he should perceiue him most busied in the fight and that by this meanes it fell out that the Genoueses being assailed in front and in flanke were the more easily vanquished But how soeuer it was done either by pollicie or force or rather by both of them together it is not certainly knowne Yet it is most certaine that they fought the same
charge thereof was committed to Nicholao Iustiniano who with those forces went to expulse the enemie Phalerio in the meane time hauing gouerned the Commonwealth nine whole moneths was possessed with a desire to make himselfe king thereof whereunto this wicked man had almost opened the way This enemie to his owne countrey and to the Senate who had elected him to the dignitie did determine to seize vpon the seignorie and to kill the chiefe of the Senate And the more easily to effect it hee had hired diuers of the common sort to exhort this wretched murther and some likewise which is to be admired of the nobilitie so as mischiefe doth euer find fauourers The murther was committed to sixteene euill disposed persons who were of the chiefe of the conspiracie all which had a day appointed them to come to the Pallace with threescore more well armed They concluded among themselues that on the fourteenth day of Aprill they would cast false reports about the Citie That the enemie was at hand and that his gallies were alreadie before the hauen at which rumour the Prince should forth with commaund all men to take Armes and cause the great bell of the high Tower to be rung At which signall those of the conspiracie comming forth of their houses well armed should by sundrie waies come to the Pallace to receiue the Prince and Senates commaundement where seizing on the gates they should kill all the Senators with as many as were come thither to debate on matters concerning the Commonwealth and generally the whole Nobilitie and then Phalerio should no more be called Duke but Lord. Some say that they resolued so soone as they should haue disanulled the order of the Senators to commit the gouernment of the Citie to the people But it is most certaine that a Commonwealth well gouerned hath still beene beloued of God and much more when it is gouerned by iustice so as of all earthly gouernments I thinke the same to be most pleasing vnto him which Plato calleth Aristocratia which doth not obey the commaundement of one alone and which being most good as well in opinion of that learned man as in the iudgement of all wise men hath euer beeene esteemed most worthie of praise Because it is a true agreement and vnion of the chiefer sort and such is the gouernment of the state of Venice which hauing beene oftentimes preserued before by the diuine prouidence was of a certaine much more at this instant For succour came to the Senators from thence where they least of all expected it There was a man called Beltrand a popular person and one of the chiefe of the conspiracie He the verie night before this massacre should haue beene committed being prouoked as it is to be thought with repentance for so horrible a crime came secretly the euening of the same night to the house of Nichalao Leon one of the Senators and his gossip and hauing taken him aside discouered the whole matter telling him That being stirred vp with loue to his country and with an exceeding great affection to the Senate he could not conceale such a mischief And after he had named the chiefe of the conspiracie with Phalerio he be sought him that he would haue him in remembrance that it might not be imputed to him for a fault that hee had at the beginning consented to the conspiracie against the Senate and his countrey Leon was amazed and with the heinousnesse of the matter could not for a time make him an answere but the feare of the publike and particular danger awaked him Beltrand being gone home he speedily sent for the chiefe of the Senat those of the councell of the ten and other officers of the Citie to come to speak with him So soone then as the Senators were come to his house and such of the cōmon sort as had not bene named by the accuser to haue beene acquainted with the plot those sixteene which were chiefe of the conspiracie were the same very night apprehended and being conuicted of the crime were murthered and with ropes let downe from the top of the Pallace vpon the Columnes It is reported that Philippo Calandriero was one of the number who was one of the best architects and engrauers of his time whose skill the Senate had vsed in their publike buildings It is thought that the new buildings as well in the ducall Pallace as in the market-place which doth much exceed the old was of his workmanship I would haue concealed his name if I had not thought it a cruell deed to depriue so excellent a wit of his praise For in this matter whereof we now spake I am so farre from mentioning the names of the conspirators as on the contrarie I thinke those that haue named them to haue done indiscreetly who in thinking thereby to shame them haue for euer made them inrolled For there is no man how wicked soeuer but doth in some sort desire to leaue some remembrance of himselfe to posteritie witnesse that vnknowne fellow who of set purpose did burne the Temple of Diana in Ephesus who being demaunded wherefore he did it answered that he determined by some notable villanie seeing by vertue he could not to leaue some memorie behinde him after his death It is said that for to raze out his remembrance it was decreed that none should set downe his name in histories The which was wisely done For it was a greater punishment to quench his memorie than to take away his life Domesticke examples might haue remembred our Citizens of their dutie For after Tepulo his conspiracie the Senate expresly forbad that none should dare to write paint or engraue the name or armes of Baiamont nor of any of his complices And besides whereas our ancestors would haue the effigies of all the Princes from the beginning of the Citie vntill that present time to be represented in order in the hall of the great councell to the end that the picture of wicked Phalerio should not be seene in the ranke of Princes they decreede that his place should remaine void and be couered with a blacke vaile Their opinion was that they could no sharplier punish those who had transgressed against the Common-wealth than wholy to blot out their remembrance And we in like manner hauing named the authors of the conspiracy because it should be knowne who had in times past conspired against the countrey haue expresly concealed the name of the rest for to punish them thereby as we haue done others Phalerio likewise was by the Senates commaundement the same day punished with death his bodie was carried into a little boate to the Church of the Twinnes being accompanied by eight Sergeants who carried torches It is reported that commissioners who were appointed to enquire of this matter did discouer in eight daies space aboue foure hundred A great many of them were put to death some were hanged others beheaded and
Venetians entred the enemies Countrie and hauing made diuers skirmishes with good successe they filled all places where they came with feare and terror In this meane time Rayniero arriued at Venice where hauing receiued the publike Ensignes he hasted with greater forces to the Campe which he forthwith caused to march and hauing passed the riuer Brente he forraged and spoiled the Paduans Territorie which was next him vnto the riuer of Brentello Carrosino saith that he could not foord that riuer because it was greatly swelled with the raine and that therefore he led his Armie through the Territorie of Vincenza towards Padua from whence the Souldiors brought back great bootie And that from thence hee went and encamped neere to the Fountaines of Abana but that victualls waxing scant and strife arising betwixt him and the Prouidatori hee retired in manner of a flight towards Mestra Some Authours say That beeing desirous to passe the Brentello to bee the neerer to assaile the enemie the Prouidatori would by no meanes suffer him to doe so whereupon hee being moued with choller that hee might not manage the warre as he pleased saying that the ignorance of the Prouidatoridid snatch a goodly occasion forth of his hands gaue ouer his charge calling God and men to witnesse That their wilfulnesse did hinder him from obtaining the victorie The Prouidatori were suspected to haue beene corrupted by the enemie and by that meanes to haue endammaged the Common-wealth Yet neuerthelesse the Venetians affaires prospering and hauing taken certaine Townes from the enemie that suspition ceased The enemie perceiuing that without forraine aide he could not long resist the Venetians called the King of Hungarie to his aide with whom euer since the siege of Treuiso he had beene in league Some Authours thinke that this league was sworne at the beginning of the warre But the Venetians hauing notice that the Hungarian made preparations both by Land and Sea which hee might easily do hauing taken Dalmatia from them the Senate decreed to set forth besides the Land-Armie a fleete by Sea whereof Michaeli Delfino was mà de Generall and the Prouidatori were Pietro Iustiniano Procurator of S. Marke and Pietro Cornari This fleete being gone to Sea kept all the Sea-coasts safe for the Venetians during this warre The Paduans affaires stood at the same stay as I haue said at such time as great numbers of Hungarians came to their succour Their first arriuall was on the Treuisan where they put all to fier and sword respecting neither age nor sex and their murther still encreasing they fought at times with bad successe For Thaddeo Iustiniano at the first report of the enemies comming to resist their attempts did speedily encampe on the riuer of Piaua But the Venetians discouerers beeing surprized by the enemies the Hungarians were sooner seene than heard of whereupon they fell vnlookt for to the fight neere to the riuer and at the first because the bodie of the enemies Armie was not yet arriued the Hungarian was put to flight and pursued by the victorious Venetian euen to the riuers side whither all the Souldiours did not follow Iustinian who hasted after the fugitiue enemie who hauing put themselues in order on the riuer bankes the fight began more cruell than before wherevpon the Hungarians became victors and the Venetians beeing vanquished verie few of them escaped from the battaile the number of the dead was great and that of the prisoners small On the report of this losse the residue of the Armie retired on a sodaine to the Treuisan The enemie soone followed him thither and in his view presented him the battaile But the Venetians keeping themselues in their Fort and the enemie not being able to constraine them to come forth returned towards the Forlani first through the confines of the Bellunois and then of those of Feltre and encamped before Bassan a Citie belonging to the Vincentines Belluna and Feltre did at the same time belong to Albert Duke of Austria an Associate of King Lewis in that war Some Authors say that Carrario gaue those Townes to Albert to procure him to take Armes against the Venetians wherein the German shewed himselfe verie vndiscreet seeing that a while before the Paduan in the treatie of peace had offered them to the Venetians who refused them because they would not doe any thing to displease the German Delfino Generall of the nauall Armie hauing gone round about the Lakes in certaine light boates commonly called Ganzarioles came and builded a Fort at Lupa Podoana and then an other neere to the same by meanes of which the Venetians might more commodiously breake the enemie and offend him neere hand The greatest part of the Venetians Armie laie on the Treuisan where certain warlike exploits were executed but vnworthy of mention Diuers Soldiours were cassed and enforced to leaue the Campe who by their thefts did more molest their own people than the enemie Some Authors say that Rayniero Vasco who as wee haue said did voluntarily giue ouer his place was shamefully driuen from it Giacomo Moro being sent to command the fleete hauing staied a while at the Forts which Delfino had builded fell sick and was carried home to Venice Rayniero being gon Alberto Carrario came to command the Land Armie At this arriuall with Leonardo and Andrca Dandulo and Pietro Fontano Prouidatori they fought in the Lakes with no great successe They fortified a place which was verie commodious for the Venetians verie neere to Delfino his Forts Carrario came vnlookt-for and draue them thence who wrought in those workes Diuers Gentlemen were slaine at the first brunt and with them diuers Archers the rest fled speedily to the shippes But the losse was not so great there as the fight was afterwards fortunate to those of the Campe For both Armies being come in view one of an other the Venetians attempting to fortifie a place which lay betwixt the two Camps Stephano the Transiluanian Generall of the Hungarian horse-men marched in battaile against the Venetians to hinder their worke Leonardo Dandulo went forth to meete him resoluing to fight with him if he had beene so contented But the Transiluanian as if it had been of set purpose did the same day abstaine from the fight The morrow after Pietro Fontano whose lot was that day to command for he and Carrario commanded the Armie by turnes did by the breake of day verie couragiously embattaile the Armie the enemie for his part did the like The battaile being concluded on the Venetian commanded the men at Armes to alight from their horses and to fight among the footmen and as he was putting them in order he exhorted and intreated all of them to resolue either to die or get the victorie protesting to hold him for an enemie and to kill him which should but only make shew of flight and that himselfe would be in the foremost rankes not so much to encourage them as to note and
prouision they threw the residue into the Sea and then failed into Histria The Citie of Thryeste at their arriuall being before solicited by the Forlani did reuolt from the Venetians The Genoueses placed a choice troupe of Archers for the guard thereof The Thryestines hauing taken armes did first of all seize on the Palace then on the person of Donato Troni Gouernour of the Citie and imprisoned all the other Venetians whom they first despoiled of their wealth After that they assailed both the Forts for there were few people in them which within two daies yeelded and were presently razed downe to the foundations Prince Contareni hauing prouided for the affaires of Chioggia left Carolo Zeno for the guard thereof and making Pisani Admirall of the Sea he returned to Venice where he was generally welcommed with signes of great ioy The newes of the Thryestines rebellion being brought at the same time to Venice did in some sort interrupt their mirth For at the Princes arriuall the Citie was troubled thereat But on the very day of his entrie other newes no lesse distastfull arriued how that Cap-Histria was taken It was reported of a certaine that the enemies Armie was so mightily encreased as besides the Gallies which were fortie in number they had diuers other small boats of two ranks of Oares and that the enemies after they had taken the Towne had wholly spoiled it certaine houses of banished men excepted by whose means and trecherie they had surprised it but that the Castle did still hold out for the Venetians into the which Crispolino Azo of Treuiso perceiuing the Citie to be lost had with certaine troupes entred The losse of these two neighbour Cities brought great discontentment to the whole Citie And then the great Armie which the enemie was reported to haue did much trouble the Senate For it was very likely that vnlesse their Armie were as strong as that of the enemies the Genoueses would in short time become Masters not only of Histria but of all the Venetian coast Resoluing then forthwith to leuie a mightie Armie they tooke order that no day should passe but some Gallies should be Manned and Armed But during these preparations at Venice the Genoueses hauing restored Cap-Histria vnto the Patriarch of Aquileia departed thence with their Gallies and speedily encamped before Brondolli where so soone as they had viewed the fortification of Chioggia and perceiued how all passages were shut vp from them they sailed towards the Citie The Fleet remained in order of battaile for a time before the Hauen but not with great assurance For diuers light boats going speedily forth of the Hauen did greatly molest them by arrow-shot and stones throwen forth of engines But no signe of a battaile appearing the Genoueses returned towards Histria when hauing attempted to cause the Piarnes to reuolt they did furiously assaile the Citie because the inhabitants and the Souldiers would not consent thereunto But being brauely defended the enemie was with great disgrace beaten thence The Genoueses did likewise at the same time assaile Parenza but their attempts as well there as at Piarna were to no purpose The enemie departed thence and came to the Frontiers of the Carnori where they trimmed their Gallies in the Hauen of Marran The Venetians did at the same time recouer the Fort of Bebia It is certaine that the siege lasted for a while for threescore Genoueses were within it who at the first did valiantly defend the place but when they perceiued the Venetians who were entred into their defences to beate downe the Fort thirtie of the besieged by swimming ouer the Riuer escaped and fled to Padua Those which continued within hauing valiantly defended it were either all slaine or taken Those likewise who kept the Tower would neuer yeeld till they perceiued it to be set on fire Bebia being recouered all the other Forts and Townes which are in the Lakes or at the mouthes of Riuers were recouered by the Venetians Cap-darger excepted which was held by Carrario On these termes stood the Venetians affaires when on a sodaine newes was brought that the Genoueses had taken Pola and burnt it for the most part This caused the Venetians sooner than they had determined to passe ouer with a mightie Armie into Histria At their arriuall the enemie being danted for the report was that they had seauen and fortie Gallies and manie boats of two ranckes of oares hauing spoiled the Citie did retire to Zara. The Venetians Armie being come into the Prouince was forthwith encreased by many Gallies from the Piarnes Parenzanes and other inhabitants of Histria who had continued loyall to the Venetians so as it amounted to an hundred warlike vessels The Venetians neuer had a better furnished nauall Armie For euerie Gallie had fifteene men at Armes besides the rowers Archers and other mariners Pisani commanded this mightie Armie Caballa of Verona was there likewise who had beene as hath beene said at the beginning Generall of the Armie by Land The Venetians being come into Histria sent forth two Gallies in the euening towards Cap-Histria to discouer the state of the Citie Michaeli Delfino and Petrucio Maripetro commaunded those two Gallies These being assisted by the night did breake the bridge which the Patriarch of Aquileia had made from the Citie to the firme Land For being thus broken there was some likelihood that the Venetians being encamped before it those within could not hope for reliefe from any place Diuers of the Bandetti who had bene the cause of the taking of the Citie so soone as the bridge was broken did the same night escape to the firme Land by the foordes neere to the Citie By day-breake the residue of the Armie approched the light vessells went before being followed by the residue with great cries Those who kept the Castle would not loose so faire an occasion but presently making a sallie vpon those of the Citie did so afright them as they presently yeelded Foure hundred Forlani were taken there among whom were Nicolao Spilinghergo Gouernour of the Citie and Simon Pampergino The Citie in detestation of the Bandetti was wholy spoiled and then left to the guard of the inhabitants who were not then in regard of the miserie of the time verie many they placed a good Garrison in it to defend it with them fearing least the enemie should againe seize on it by reason of the small number of the inhabitants Cap-Histra being recouered Pisani would haue directly gone to Pola but that he tarried for an expresse commandement from the Prince and Senate to knowe their pleasures whether they though it fit that he should passe with his Armie ouer the Fanaticke Gulphe which being granted him the Armie soone after drew neere to Pola The Genoueses in the meane time were not idle For whilest the Venetian Gallies remained at Cap-Histria they brought theirs to the Isle of Scardona neare to Liburnia
Cornari and Pirrino Rotta the one being his Procurator and the other his Goship and ancient friend But they could procure him by no meanes to deale in the businesse so mischieuously at the same time were their neighbours bent against them And because the report then was that they were alreadie mounted on the carriages the Venetians on a sodaine made great Causies and Rampiers on the banks of Mussiona as men goe by water to Mestra thinking that all the enemies practises were wholly bent to surprize and inuade Mestra But his designes were elsewhere For Carrario being come to Noualla began furiously to batter it and hauing broken downe the cawsies round about Moggiana on which men went to Treuiso and placed a strong Garrison at the breach hee tooke from the Treuisans all hope of reliefe The Garrison in Treuiso being aduertized of the Ambassade sent to Leopold for all men certainly beleeued that Pantaleon Barba was sent to offer Treuiso with her confines to the Almaine fearing in this alteration to be defrauded of their due and hauing receiued no pay of a long time they chose Horatio Malespina a discreete person to vndertake and debate the souldiers cause They did all sweare and promise to accept of agreement truce warre peace or whatsoeuer he should conclude saying that at his command they would take and lay by Armes so that he would onely take their cause in hand and take such order for them as they might not bestow so great labour and trauaile as they had endured for nothing This Horatio being a wise and discreet Gentleman came with all the Captaines to the Venetian Magistrate Leonardo Dandulo was Gouernour of the Citie Marco Zeni chiefe Iustice and Andrea Venieri Prouidator vnto whom it is said he spake in this manner Malespina his speech to the Magistrates of Treuiso IT is reported for certaine my Lordes of Venice that the Prince and Senate haue sent to Leopold Duke of Austria to offer him in the name of the Commonwealth the Citie of Treuiso with her confines the which which we may suppose if he be not senselesse that hee will willingly embrace Who doubteth but that when he hath accepted thereof he will soone come hither with forces and commit the guard of the Citie to his owne souldiers or that which I can hardly beeleeue if delaying to come he should afterward arriue in Italie too late Carrario is heere vnto whom whether we will or no we must of force yeeld he hauing shut vp all the passages and taken all hope from vs as well of victuals as of souldiers Now because we are iealous of them both vnwilling to loose so many monethes pay wich is due vnto vs we haue determined respecting the Venetian dignitie the faith of souldiers to looke to our affaires in time and gently to demaund our pay And because we will doe nothing rashly we are resolued to containe our selues a while longer in our dutie till such time as one of you shall goe to Venice to take order that our due be sent vs. In the meane space you may safely relie vpon vs. But heerein wee will endure no delay nor haue the Senate advertized heereof by letters or messengers one of your selues must needs goe thither to the end all may fall out prosperously Wee will expect the returne of him whom ye shall send so long time as we shall thinke to be sufficient to prouide money For there needeth no long determining in matters that are iust The fault shall bee in you if we be not such hereafter as wee haue hitherto beene or if yee enforce vs by iniuries to commit ought against your profit and reputation For we will keepe our faith and promise with you euen so long as yee shall please This vnciuill demaund of the Souldiours greatly amazed the Venetians for there was no man but easily knewe whereto their deseignes tended Albeit they made a gentle replie yet euerie one fearing as much his owne particular danger as that of the Publicke they concluded betwixt themselues that Dandulo should forthwith be sent to Venice to aduertise the Prince and the Senate on what tearmes the affaires of Treuiso stood Departing therefore by night somewhat farre off from the enemies Campe he came with two trustie friends by woody and by-waies to Musestra and from thence to Venice The Senate being aduertised in what danger Treuiso was resolued by a common consent to prouide money but they were at a stand by what meanes safely to conuey it thither For they could not do it without great danger the enemie possessing all the passages besides they had no forces readie to conuey it thither Therefore they concluded to write to Zeno that he should deale with the chiefe of the Citie that some of them would in the Common-wealths name paie the Souldiours their due saying that they were readie to make ouer the same summe into what Banco they pleased But in regard of the length of the warre those who were thought to be best monied said that they were so farre from hauing any summes of money lying by them as on the contrarie they had not one pennie that their continuall losses one vpon another had in such sort stript them of all meanes as they were in a manner readie to begge Whereupon leauing the Townes men they delt with two strangers who did put forth money to interest who on the assurance of the Common-wealths word did presently tell downe the money and by this meanes the Souldiours were paied But whielest these things were done at Treuiso the enemie hauing assembled all his forces from diuers places came and besieged Asil where there was no great Venetian Garrison Francisco Delfino Gouernour of the place and those that were with him distrusting their small number retired into the Castle The enemie comming to besiege them hauing battered it with engins of warre and vndermined it in sundrie places did in fiftie daies take it by force Some say that eight and fortie of those that were within it were slaine by the enemies arrowes and engins But the Castle Walls and the tops of houses being much shaken by the engins of warre and besides vtterly despairing of succour the Inhabitants who with the Gouernor were retired thither vrged him to parley Delfino being thereunto enforced capitulated in this manner That it should be lawfull for himselfe and as many as should follow him safely to depart thence with fiue and twentie waggons which the enemie should furnish them for the carriage of their stuffe and furniture The Castle being in this sort yeelded Delfino going towards Venice neere to Crespiniano met with Leopolds troupes who came to free them from the siege Some Authors affirme that at the same time Lofinastro Calderio Generall of those troupes was corrupted by Carrario and thereupon he slackt his iourney till such time as hee imagined the Castle was yeelded The Garrison of Noualla likewise hauing expelled their Gouernour for
along with him to helpe to quench that fire and that he did not wish them all in generall to go with him but such as were fit for the wars He caused the same to be published by a trūpet through the whole Citie and then departing from Milan he marched towards the enemie Great numbers of the Milanois and those of Pauia followed him to the warres He encamped betwixt Cremona and the enemies within three miles of the Venetian He had before then in his Armie twelue thousand horse and halfe as many footmen and he brought with him as well of his friends and associates as of others fifteene thousand horse and foote so as both the Armies were reported to haue thirtie thousand men apeece at one selfesame time The which was scarcely euer seene before That since the declining of the Romane Empire two Italians to haue had two such mightie Armies readie to fight one with another The presence of Philip had greatly animated his souldiers to enterprize some great exploit so that they craued nothing more than to fight they wholly desired it and with loud voice did cheerfully beg it Then being embattelled they marched couragiously against the enemie The Venetian was at the same time encamped at Suma and his campe was not fortified with trenches nor Rampiers but enuironed onely with wagons and with a riuer which diuided the plaine the enemie hauing no way to come at him but by a bridge distant three Stadij from his campe The enemie comming to that place made a stand expecting that the Venetian in regard of his great numbers would fight beyond the bridge But the Venetian attended him in order of battaile on the plaine neere to his campe determining to ioyne if the enemie came foreward Pergulan and Taurello counseled him not to passe the bridge but the bold counsell of Sforza and diuers others was followed who were of opinion to march directly against the enemie These being commanded to march before and the fight alreadie begunne all the rest followed in order to the battaile a few excepted who staied behind for the guard of the bridge to the end that thereby the retreat to their Campe might be assured They fought from noone till night running with such furie and vehemencie one vpon another as on a sodaine there arose a great dust like to a blacke clowde which did in a manner blinde them by meanes whereof they did inconsideratly throw themselues into danger Eyes were to small purpose in that darkenesse they onely knew one another by their voices the fight was doubtfull and the aduentures of the combatants vncertaine Euerie one might iustly boaste in fighting to haue come euen to the enemies Ensiges or to haue performed that day some generous exploit Some say that diuers of Philips Armie thinking in that confusion to retire to their fellowes who kept the bridge did neuer perceiue that they were in the enemies Campe till they came to the waggons at the last the retreit being sounded both sides retired without any aduantage Carmagnolla was wont to say that he had taken that day more of his own souldiers than of his enemies and that the enemie might sundrie times haue taken him if he had beene knowne The same likewise hapned to Sforza Picinino and diuers other noble men Philip being glad for that which had beene done in his presence and imagining that he had wonne the victorie because he had not lost the battaile being speedily called home by sundrie messengers because the cauallerie of the Dukes of Sauoy and Montferrat entering by Vercelles on the Milanois made incursions euen to the gates of Milan he forth with departed hauing dismissed those forces which he brought with him whom he willed if they so pleased to goe home to their houses The Venetian perceiuing Cremona to be strongly manned for excepting those troups whom Philip had dismissed the residue of the Armie after the battaile was retired thither imagining that a Citie so well fortified would not easily be forced came and encamped at Casall Major for so is it called Bembo with the nauall Armie came thither likewise soon after Francisco Sforza with a braue troup of souldiers pursued Carmagnolla in his march but perceiuing his Armie to be so well guarded and circkled in on all sides and being loth to attempt any thing rashly for feare of ambushes he went backe againe and without any difficultie recouered Bries where he threw those whom he found in Garrison there into the Riuer because the Venetians not long before had done as much to their souldiers Casall for a time was in vaine besieged by the Venetian by land and water by reason of the strong Garrison that lay in it Antonio Pisani a valiant Captaine was Gouernour there who day and night keeping good guard on the Rampier with foure hundred braue souldiers did by his prouidence frustrate all the enemies attempts The Citie was enuironed with good Rampiers and banks which defended it from the engines of batterie But it is reported that there was a tower neere to the gate of Po the which being battered with greatest violence did wholly in a manner fall downe into the vttermost ditches The Venetians hauing by sundrie assaultes attempted to enter in at that place and the Garrison of the Citie being repulsed withgreat slaughter the inhabitants stubbornnesse being daunted they were receiued by them vnknowne to Pisani The Venetians Generall being proud of this victorie did determine to make a bridge ouer the Riuer of Adda to the end to send his troupes to spoile and rauage the Milanois But hee wanted victualls and it behoued him to prouide for that And therefore he encamped still at Casal til all necessaries were brought him from the neighbour Townes Philip in the meane time perceiuing his Captaines to bee diuided among themselues euery one thinking himselfe equall both in valour and reputation with the best and by that meanes refusing to giue place to one another either in counsell or authoritie in regard whereof there was some likelihood that his affaires might receiue some notable losse if it were not speedily remedied hee made Carolo Malateste Generall of his whole Armie It is thought that in this choice of Generall he had not so much respect to the valour of the man as to his wisedome and Nobilitie in bloud Some say that hee did it because that euer since Pandolfo his gouernment hee had beene greatly beloued of the Bressians and that hee did hope by his meanes the Citie would reuolt from the Venetians The Venetian in this meane time was gone from Casal And Carolo hauing accepted the charge was not idle but leading his Armie through by-waies he did opportunely frustrate the enemies designes At the last the Venetian came and encamped before Maclodia called by the vulgar Macale a Citie of the Cr◅monois Philips Captaines and his whole Armie did hardly digest the enemies boldnesse and did greatly blame their owne patience and
aspire to the same principalitie like Philip. They then being desirous to preserue their libertie did by little and little retire their forces and did daily diminish his credit and reputation But Sforza perceiuing that ere long he should bee esteemed no more a friend to those of Milan than to the Venetians he resolued to renew his ancient league and alliance with them for he knew well enough that the onely power of that Commonwealth might serue him for a ladder to mount vp to the principalitie Now among all the prisoners of note that were taken at the battaile of Carauazza and carried to the castle of Cremona was Clemento Thealdino one of the Secretaries of the Signorie with Hermolao Donato Angelo Simonetta had beene acquainted with him a long time whereupon he brought him secretly to Sforza who sent him to the Prince and Senate to let them know from him that if peace were pleasing to them they should secretly send to him Giacomo Antonio Marcello or Pascalis Maripietro The Senate although it had after the ouerthrow at Carauazza by vertue of their ancient alliance obtained great supplies of the Florentines had at that time mightily encreased their Armie yet for all that supposing the successe of warre to be vncertaine they did willingly he aâ—…ken to peace And because Marcello was at that time Gouernour of Verona they sent Maripietro to the Fornaces a place neere to Pescara The Venetian and Simonetta had many secret conferences in that place where they agreed vpon these conditions of peace That Sforza and the Venetians should declare themselues enemies to the Milaneses That the Senate should furnish him with foure thousand horse and two thousand foote vntill he had conquered Milan and should besides for his entertainment send him monthly thirtie thousand crownes Moreouer it was expresly mentioned that the Venetians should possesse whatsoeuer Philip had held on the hither side the riuer Adda and should purchase Milan and the residue of the Dutchie for him The accord being in this sort made and all the prisoners set at libertie Sforza crossed the riuer Adda marched against those of Milan The Venetians hauing dismissed Attendulo from his place sent him to the Treuisan territorie Those of Lodes because they would not fall into Sforza's hands hauing sent away the Venetian Garrison yeelded to them of Milan Sforza in a short space recouered whatsoeuer the Milaneses held betwixt the Adda and the Thesin Lodes and Coma excepted Then from thence he went and encamped within fiue miles of Milan The same yeare about the end of Haruest there was a bloudie fight betwixt the Turkes and the Hungarians vpon the confines of Adrinople wherein fourescore thousand Turkes were slaine and of Christians halfe as manie The Venetian Gallies surprized a Foist of the Pirats all the Rouers were hanged and they that were lesse faultie were made Gallie-slaues within a while after they met with a Marchants shippe belonging to the Gotholans which was loden with oile the which they tooke in hatred of their Countrie-men who were all Pirates Tortona in the meane time Nouara Alexandria and at the last Parma yeelded to Sforza These newes being brought to Venice did greatly reioice the whole Citie and this ioy was by so much greater as they supposed these conquests to haue beene made in part by the valour and conduct of Marcello The Senate according to the treatie had sent him with two thousand horse and two Prouidators Lorenzo Lauretano and Pascalis Maripietro and Sforza had afterwards sent him with Alessadro his brother to recouer diuers Townes beyond the Po most of which being recouered and assured by strong Garrisons this valiant Captaine called for the Venetian forces and went to besiege Milan In the meane time newes was brought that Lewis Duke of Sauoy who had leagued himselfe with the Milaneses against Sforza had 〈◊〉 great trouples into Italie vnder the command of Iohn Compensio to wast and spoile the confines of Nouara who at their first arriuall attempted to surprize Nouara But their enterprise sailing they went from thence and encamped vpon the Territorie neere adioining Coyoni whom the Venetians had sent with Marcello to Sforza was commanded to march against them who were reported to bee sixe thowsand men Hee ioining fight with Compensio vpon the bankes of Thesin did put them to rout and took Compensio prisoner with foure hundred of his horse This victorie did highly renowne Coyoni and did greatly further him afterwards in mounting to those honours which he obtained At the same time Lrrenzo Pisaure was sent with a Gallie to the King of Babilon The cause of his Ambassade was for that the Venetian Marchants had beene badly dealt with by the Barbarians in the Faires of Syria Angelo Pisaure did likewise put to Sea with two Gallies against the Pirats The Milaneses in the meane time affecting libertie which they had a little tasted did on a sodaine murther diuers of the chiefe in the Citie who were said to take Sforza's partie then going forth of the Gates in heapes they ranne towards the enemie Sforza did at that time batter the Fort of Mellignana who vnderstanding of the enemies comming forth who were reported to be three score thousand men hee did in such sort order his battallions as those of Milan hearing of the excellent order of his Armie durst not approch Marcello who was with him perceiuing the great skill and dexteritie of that braue Captaine in a matter so sodain did write to Venice that not only the Venetians but all Italie would haue had cause to haue feared that inuincible Captaine if he had taken Milan The enemies being retired he continued the siege But all his designes tended to famish the Citie Therefore he did so streightly besiege it as at times running to the very Rampiers hee did with sodaine incursions set fier on the Suburbes At this stay stood the Citie of Milan at such time as the Citie of Venice had like to haue sustained a losse as great as vnlookt-for A certaine Greeke named Stamatus borne in Candie being by chance at Venice at that time when they did shew according to their manner to great Lordes that were strangers vnto Borsia D'Aeste the publike treasure which is kept in a part of S. Markes Church it happened after this manner That this Greeke being vnknowne and thrusting himselfe among his household seruants did enter into the Vestrie Then he was so far off from being amazed at the view of such great and admirable wealth as on the contrarie hee did forthwith determine in his minde to commit a notable theft The Walls of 〈◊〉 Markes Church which in the beginning wee haue termed the golden Church in regard of the excellent guilding thereof both within and without is down to the pauement seeled as it were with great tables of marble In that part of the Church where the Innocents Altar standeth this cunning theefe remoued a
dangerous that euer was in Italy and the Venetians to resemble them in all things did not onely in Lombardie withstand the forces of all the Princes of Italy enuying their geatnesse but brake and defeated them We will then first speake of the cause and progression of the Ferrarese warre from whence afterwards sprang that of the confederates that we may the better vnderstand what ensued But before we enter into this discourse we must set downe somewhat which preceeded that warre among others two iournies of Ottoman against the Christians which though they may seeme impertinent to our Historie I neuerthelesse thought good to insert because we account all Christendome for matters of religion to be but one intire bodie A yeare and more after peace was concluded Ottoman besieged Rhodes with as warlike preparation as he had certaine yeares before iuuaded Nigrepont Rhodes is the goodliest Island of the Aegean and Ionian Seas wherin in old time were three beautifull Cities Camia Linda and Lalissa at this day there is no more but Rhodes It is in compasse one hundred fiue and twentie thousand paces though Isidorus say it is not so much The Turke at this siege attempted many notable enterprises and by frequent assaults went about to vanquish the Christians and at times the walles being beaten downe entred the Citie but by the valour of the besieged most of whom were knights of Ierusalem for those of that order had the absolute command of the Island they were with great slaughter driuen from the walles and the Citie by diuine and humane aide was preserued The Turkes themselues did afterwards report that two men of diuine countenance so long as the siege lasted with torches in their hands did euerie night walke the round vpon the walles with their swords threatning the enemies so as they being terrified with this vision retired The common people said that they were Saint Peter and Paul If this be true we may then iustly affirme that Rhodes at that time was not onely preserued by humane but by diuine assistance It was also accounted for a miracle That the verie day that Ottoman a cruell enemie to Christians died the Hauen of Rhodes stood drie and yet it is exceeding deepe This happened a yeare after the siege The Spring following the great Turke resoluing of some important enterprize did by sodaine incursion take Ottranto This Citie is in Calabria diuided from Valona by a small Arme of Sea Valona is an ancient Hauen The smal space of sea which separates this place from Italy containing 50000 paces in length king Pirrhus first of all attempted to passe ouer his Armie on foote and to that end builded bridges there After him Marcus Varro Admirall of Pompeis nauall Armie against Pirates was desirous to doe the like but both of them were diuerted from their enterprises by sundrie accidents Ottranto being taken it was to be feared that Ottoman with all his force would come and inuade Italy which would mightily haue endangered Christendome had not Gods prouidence preserued it from that mischiefe by the Tyrants sodaine death for this plague to mankind was cut off euen in the middest of his warlike preparations whereupon king Ferdinand besieging Ottranto by land and sea recouered it aud tooke all the Turkes that were in it The Venetians in the meane time annexed the Isle of Coritia in Dalmatia to their dominions which the modernes call Veglia It was their owne in former time when they were Lords of Dalmaria and the Islanders for a time had beene gouerned by Venetian Magistrates But in the daies of Prince Râ—…iniero Zenâ—… it being giuen in perpetuitie to the Schiâ—…els in those daies one of the nobless families of the Island they and their successors for two hundred yeeres space continued loyall to the Venetians But in succession of time the affection of these petty kings beganne to alter in the troubles of Dalmatia now following the Venetians party and then on a sodaine that of Bela Ladislaus Lewis and other Hungarian kings euen till the time of Iohn sonne to Bano the last Prince of the Coritans Hee hauing rashly and forcibly entred certaine small townes on the firme land belonging to Prince Martin his brother by whose will and testament after his death they were bequeathed to Mathias king of Hungarie he did in such sort prouoke the Hungarian against him as he was enforced to haue recourse to the Venetians Maerblaisius who to that end was sent from Hungarie into Dalmatia not satisfied with the recouerie of those townes on the firme land passed ouer into the Island and had already besieged the cittie of Musella when Giacomo Venierâ—… sent by Antonio Lauretano Generall of the nauall Armie from Corfu arriued there followed afterwards by Antonio Vinciguerra one of the Secretaries sent from the Prince and Senate who in the Common-wealths name willed the Hungarian to desist from inuading the Coritans who were vnder the Venetians protection But the Hungarian was so farre off from giuing ouer his attempt as on the contrarie hauing taken Musella by force hee brought his Armie to the chiefe Cittie of the Island The Islanders standing ill affected to their Prince in regard of the grieuous subsidies hee exacted from them at the beginning of the warre were in a manner all reuolted from him vpon the enemies arriuall Then the Coritan Prince hauing lost all hope did by the perswasion of friends quit all the claime which himselfe and predecessors had in the Island to the Venetians into whose hands hee resigned the Castle and himselfe went to Venice whither already he had sent his wife and children Not long after foure Gallies arriued in the Island wherewith the Hungarian being terrified and fearing to be intercepted in his returne home hauing first taken assurance of the Venetians did peaceably surrender the Island vnto them Victor Souranza who succeeded Lauretano in the Admiralty comming thither by chaunce fortified it The Senate assigned a perpetuall pension of a thousand crownes to the Coritan Prince and foure thousand ducats for his daughters dowrie But he accustomed to tyranny and not being able to liue vnder Lawes in a free State departed secretly with his houshold into Germany It is now time to returne to the propounded warre of Ferrara The Princes of Ferrara had of a long time beene friends to the Venetians so that Borsia Predecessor to Hercules if at any time strife arose concerning their bounds came with a small traine as a priuate person to conferre with the Prince and Senate supposing that he could doe them no greater honour nor better expresse his loue than to come himselfe vnlooked for to giue them satisfaction This Prince to his dying day had nothing in greater admiration than the Venetian Seigniory nor accounted any thing comparable to the peace and friendship thereof This mans deserts and the hope which the Senate had conceiued that no man would more resemble Borsia in his behauiour and affection towards them than his
guard of Valegia hee went into the Bressan and encamped at Calcina While these things were done abroad the State receiued an ill presage at home For the Dukes pallace was in part burnt downe by night It is thought one of the Chappell negligently leauing a candle lighted the snuffe thereof falling downe kindled the fire which about the second watch of the night brake forth into a flame the mischiefe would haue extended farther as in former time had it not bin speedily preuented Sanseuerino strengthned at Calcina with new supplies was desirous to pursue the enemie when contrary to all expectation hee vnderstood the losse of Azzola and the Castle This newes bred generall amazement many expostulating why the Azolans euer fauoured by the Venetians should so betray them why the Castle should so distrust it owne strength That this yeelding proceeded not from feare but treacherie and that the enemie not vninuited had so confidently entred the Bressan These rumors passed in the Venetians Campe. But Alphonso deliuering the Towne to the Mantuan resolued by all meanes to free his brother Hercules from the siege from whom he daily receiued letters full of complaint how thath e gained not by the Venetians losse that his Victories benefited others not secured his subiects still besieged That the Venetian Ensignes still braued Ferrara and possessed the bankes of Po Therefore he intreated him in such extremitie not to relinquish his sister Leonora and her children parts of himselfe and desired him to consider how that he should be able to hold out a winter siege if the enemy should perseuer and his associates fall from him the onely thought whereof was terrible were not he and his whole estate ruined Therefore he importuned him whilest he had time and meanes that he would doe his vtmost to remoue the enemie from the Po and raise the siege ere Winter These Letters did not moue but spurre this forward Prince who sending his infanterie before by the Po to Hostilia himselfe about midnight followed with the horse by land Sanseuerino hauing intelligence of the enemies departure and assured that his haste tended to the surprisall of the Venetians on the Po remoued likewise before day and by great iournies came to Verona with two companies of men at armes and sent order to the magistrates to prepare all the vessels vpon the Adice that nothing might retard his desseigne Francisco Diede was then Gouernor of the Citie the yeare before Ambassador with Pope Sixtus as hath beene said and Francisco Marcello Prouost These spending most part of the day in gathering the boates and the busines not yet ended were faine to labour all night so that vpon Sanseuerines arriuall the souldiers imbarqued and sailed directly towardes the enemie The Venetian troupes following after the Generall being come to Piscara they diuided themselues and tooke sundry waies Morosini the Prouidator and Fracasso comming to Verona with certaine companies of horse followed Sanseuerino to aide him if neede required Antonio Victorini who had beene Prouidator at Verona returned to the Campe at Calcina with Deifebo Anguilare and the other part of the armie The Venetians had the good fortune that those whom Alphonso had sent to Hostilia by the Po were detained by a south winde They being wind-bouud Sanseuerino with a more fauourable gale arriued at Castel-Nouo as soone as Alphonso The enemie amazed with the sodaine noise heard from the Castle and wondering at so many confused voices what and whence those numbers were at last vnderstanding Sanseuerino to be come Alphonso brake into these words O immortall God! doth this olde fellow flie now â—…e can not goe must the vigour of my youth bee out-stripped by his deerepitude and his iourney being greater than mine must his speede be so too Then turning to his Captaines and Pilots hee exclaimed against the windes and waters as confederate against him and so grinding his teeth and bewraying much passion returned frustrate to Hostilia Victorini in the meane time Deifebo and Rodolpho Gonzaga departing from Calcina went to Castagnolles There they vnderstood that Lodouico Sforza did with great force batter Romagnia vpon the Bergamasch The Venetian crossing the Oglio went to Pallasuoles from whence Thomaso Primania was sent to Bergamo and Pietro of Carthage to Martinengà to secure those Townes But Sforza remaining before Romagnia after long siege tooke it The Venetian Armie comming afterwards to Pontoglio and from thence neere to the Oglio did in short space recouer diuers townes lost that Summer In the meane time Sanseuerino and Morosini the Prouidator returning from the Po ioyned with the Armie All things succeeding prosperously Pietro Marcello as Prouidator was left to winter at Valegia and the Albanian horsemen at Villafranca vnder the commaund of Nicolao Enonio and his brother two braue young men and the rest in other places of the Veronois neere to the Mantuan confines who by their frequent â—…cursions did all that winter disturbe Mantua and the Territories adiacent Sanseuerino vnited with Victorini and Rodolpho Gonzaga tooke Manerbia and the strong garrison in it From thence Morosini by the Senates licence returned to Venice leauing Victorini in the Campe. Manerbia taken the Venetian Generall recouered Valeriota Scorsariola and to conclude all townes lost that Summer but Azola Quinciana and Senica Then sending the troopes to Garrison himselfe in mid winter honourably accompanied went to Venice Prince Mocâ—…nigo attended by the noblest Senators in the Bucentauro richly hung went to meet him and because he had honorably borne himselfe in his place the State gaue him many rich gifts they afterwards bestowed vpon him Catadella a towne on the Paduan territorie and Montorio on the Veronois with a delicate and pleasant place neere to the citie with a goodly pallace in it and that his wife might bee a sharer of his good fortune the Senate inriched her with many costly iewels The like acknowledgement did the Rossians of Parma receiue who being by Sforza expulsed their Countrie were at the same time in Venice where they were bountifully entertained by the Prince and Senate promising neuer to forget their good seruice and for the time present gaue them certaine summes of gold forth of the publicke treasury for the entertainement of their great familie afterwards assigning a perpetuall annuitie of 32000. crownes to the two brethren Guido and Giacomo and to the third who had taken holy Orders a very rich benefice vpon the Veronois Whilest these magnificent rewards were giuen at Venice it fell out after Sanseuerines departure forth of Lombardie Giouanni Antonio Scariotta leading fiue hundred horse to their Garrison at Cremona by the treacherie of his guides fell into an Ambuscado in which he lost most of his horse but himselfe sonne and one seruant made way through the enemies and escaped Sanseuerino toward the latter end of winter together with Nicolao Pisaura the Prouidator came to the new Orges where Fracasso lay in garison
betwixt the Venetians and the Milanois The Senate reiected both these counsells that of Aluiana as to bold and that of the Generall as ouer fearefull wherevpon they determined that the army should draw neare to the riuer Adda because they would not leaue the Gyradad in prey to the enemies with the Senates expresse commandement not to fight with the enemy but vpon great hope or vrgent necessity The French King hauing passed the Mounts with an intent to fight sent his Herald to Venice to denounce warre and in passing by Cremona to doe the like to the Venetian Magistrates The Lord of Chaumont beganne the first motion of the warre on the fifteenth of Aprill crossing by a foord the riuer Adda neere to Calciana with three thousand horse and passed ouer by boate six thousand footemen and the Artillery after-wards marching directly to the towne of Treui which being beseeged and battered yeelded wherevpon Iustinian Morosin Viteli de citto de Castello and Vincenzo de Nalde who were within it and with them an hundred light horse and about a thousand footemen remained prisoners the Sradiots saued them-selues by flight Vpon report of the taking of this place diuers neighbour-townes did like-wise yeeld The Lord of Chaumont did soone after with all his forces repasse the riuer Adda The Marquis of Mantua came with his forcas to Casal-Major which forthwith yeelded Rocalatin like-wise hauing on a bridge of boates passed the riuer Adda where it entreth into the Po came and made incursions on the Cremonois with an 150. Lances 3000. footemen the like also did they of the Garrison of Loda The peasants likewise of the Mountainy of Briança made incursions as farre as Bergamo After these first attempts of warre the Pope for his part began by spirituall armes for hee published a terrible Bull in forme of a Monitory against them specyfing al the vsurpations made by the Venetians on the Churches lands and the authority which they attributed to them-selues to the preiudice thereof whereby he admonished them to yeeld vp within foure and twenty daies next following the Churches townes which they possessed with the reuenew receiued by them euer since they enioyed them vpon paine in case of disobedience of incurring censures and interdictions not onely for the Citty of Venice but likewise for all the townes vnder their obedience declaring all those to be excoÌ„municate who should in any sort detaine them guing power to all men in all places to seaze on their goods and to make slaues of their persons The Senate kept this Monitory close from the people for feare least they should haue mutined and threw in an appeall to the next General councel which was carried and fixed on the Churches of Rome by vnknown persons At the very same time in a manner King Lewis his Herald came to Venice who in his Kings name in open Senate did denounce the warre already begunne for diuers occasions which he declared in their presence The Duke by the aduice of the Senate answered seeing that the French King did denounce warre contrary to their aliance with him the which they had neuer violated they would with their forces and with the iustice of their cause seeke to defend them-selues After this answer they gaue order to their army the which being assembled at Pontuico to the number of two thousand men at armes three thousand light horse and stradiots fifteene thousand footemen chosen forth of all Italy and fifteene thousand other choice footemen of their own teritories with great quantity of Artillery 〈◊〉 came to Fontanella which is within sixe miles of Loda a place very commodious for the reliefe of Cremona Crema Carauagia Bergamo Citties vnder their obedience And because they had a fit time to recouer Treui by reason that the Kings Armie was not yet assembled the Senate was of opinion to assaile it The ordnance beeing planted which made great execution those within it did yeeld the next day following on condition that the souldiers liues should bee saued who were disarmed the Captaines to bee prisoners and the towne to be vsed at their discretion The King was at Milan who departed thence so soone as hee vnderstood that that towne was battered for to releeue it and came and passed ouer the riuer of Adda on three bridges made of boates neere to Cassiana with his whole Armie the enemie 〈◊〉 stopping him who hauing entred Treui busied themselues in pillaging the towne from whence the Captaines could not with-draw their souldiers neither by entreaties nor threatnings vntill that Aluiana in a â—…age caused the towne to be set on fire to make them to depart thence But it was too late for the French were wholy come ouer the riuer The King so soone as hee had passed ouer the Riuer came and lodged within little more then a mile of the Venetians campe who beeing encamped in a place strong both by sitâ—… and arte the King could not assaile them but with great disaduantage The matter was debated where some of the Kings councell were of opinion to draw out the warre in length expecting the Emperors comming downe for then the Venetians should bee enforced to come to a battle not being able to looke to so many places at once But the King was of a contrary opinion as well for feare least the Emperour would come too late as for the desire which hee had being there in person with all the forces of his kingdome that he might without an others helpe finish that warre by a glorious victory The armies in the meane time did not stirre but remained incamped the one before the other for the space of a day with sundry skirmishes betwixt the light horse on either side The next day the King marched towards Riuolta to prouoke the enemies to come thether that hee might fight with them but they did not stiâ—…re shewing thereby that they had no meaning to fight The Artillery being brought before Riuolta the Fort within a few houres was taken by assault wherein the King with his whole armie lodged the same night The King wondering at the enemies proceedings the which to himselfe he neuerthelesse commended resolued to depart thence to come into a place where he might cut off their victuals which came to them from Cremona and Crema thinking that the want of victuals would breake their determination wherefore hauing staid one day at Riuolta he dislodged and burnt it and tooke the way of Vailla and Paudina the very next night because that either of these places were in the way by which victuals came to the enemy The Venetians did very well perceiue the Kings meaning and how they were of necessity to remooue but the Count Petillan would haue them to tarry till the next day and Aluiana would haue them instantly to depart to the end to preuent them the which was done There were two waies to go to the places aboue mentioned the
gate of La Garzulo where the souldiers entred at the iron grate by which the riuer of the same name entreth into the city notwithstanding all the attempts and resistance of the French who perceiuing the enemies to bee entred and that the Bressans did rise in their behalfe they retired to the Castle with the Lord of Luda their Gouernour loosing their horse and baggage Bressia being taken all the townes along the Lake of La Garde did driue away the French and yeelded to the Venetians Bergamo did the like soone after the two castles excepted the one of which standeth in the middest of the city and the other halfe a mile off It was thought that if at Venice where the ioy was incredible they had forth with prouided that which Andre Gritti did sodainely write for namely to send souldiers and artillery which he had need of to win the castle of Bressia they had made greater progression or at least the victory would haue beene more assured But during these exploits Gaston of Foix being aduertized of what had passed at Bressia did speedily march thither who hauing passed the Po at Stellata did so one crosse the riuer Mincia at the bridge of Molino then he came and lodged at Nogera on the Veronois and the day following at Pontpesara and at Treuilla where hauing intelligence that Iohn Paul Baillon was come with three hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and twelue hundred foote to lodge at the Island of Escalla hee ranne speedily thither with three hundred Launces and seuen hundred Archers the residue of the army who could not march so speedily comming after and finding him to bee gone they followed him hastily and ouertooke him as he was at the point of the passing a foord of the riuer Adicé Iohn Paul Baillon hauing descried him a farre off thinking it to be nothing else but part of the forces of Verona did embattaile his souldiers and tarried for him Both fides ioyning fought valiantly for more then an houres space but the Venetians fortune beganne to decline by the arriuall of the residue of the army which came in file and notwithstanding that they disordered them they neuerthelesse rallied themselues diuers times vntill being no longer able to resist the greatnumbers they betooke themselues to flight wherevpon Iohn Paul passed the riuer safely but diuers of his people were drowned The morrow after Gaston of Foix did likewise put Meleager of Furli to rout whom he incountred as he conducted certaine Venetian light horse then hee came and encamped in the suburbes of Bressia and without any delay at all hee sent to assaile the Monastery of Saint Fridiana which stood halfe way off from the hill vnder which he was lodged and hauing assaulted it hee draue thence those which garded it and turned with his army to the other side of the towne that hee might be the nearer to the castle The next morning by day breake hauing chosen out of the whole army foure hundred men at armes well armed and six thousand foot and going vp on that side nere to the Gate of Pises he entred without any resistance into the first wall of the castle where after he had for a while caused his souldiers to test and refresh themselues he did incourage them with faire speeches and promises of an inestimable booty That being said he marched foreward But at the comming forth of the Castle he found certaine footmen who with the Artillery thought to haue staied him but their attempt was in vaine for hauing put them to flight he came downe furiously vpon the voide place where captaine Burlettes palace stood where the Venetian forces being close ioyned together did attend him with great boldnesse and there ioyning they fought furiously on either side for a long time the one fighting for their owne safety and the others for glory and for desire of the spoile and sack of so rich a City The Venetians at the last hauing brauely defended themselues were driuen from the place For the French being victors did by force driue their enemies before them in all places not going to pillage vntill they were wholy become Masters of the city following the command of Gaston of Foix who had so enioyned them before their comming downe Of the French side there died many foot and some number of men at armes but more then eight thousand of the enemies were slaine and great numbers of them taken prisoners amongst whom were Andre Gritti and Antonio Iustiniano with many others Count Lodowicke Auogare and a sonne of his being taken among the rest were beheaded in the publike place of execution Gaston of Foix preserued the honour of the Nuns but their goods were pillaged and those who had retired into their Couents and other Churches were the captaines booties In this manner fel the City of Bressia into extreame misery which in dignity and nobility did not giue place to any other of Lombardy and which did for wealth surpasse all the rest excepted Milan It was sackt seuen whole daies together The newes of this reprisal being come to Venice did greatly trouble the whole City who thought they should be no more able to enterprise any thing condemning chiefly the small speed that was made to send necessary forces and munition to the Prouidator Gritti the which was cause of that losse The Senate forthwith consulted about the repairing of their army sent to leauy two thousand foot in Candy and a great number of Stradiots in Albania Two hundred pound weight of gold was sent to the viceroy of Naples as had beene promised The foot which were not at Bressia and the horse-men which escaped together with those who were stript and disarmed came to Vincenza Instinian and Gritti were sent prisoners to Milan The Pope vnderstanding that the French had recouered Bressia councelled and perswaded euen with threats that they should accord with the Emperour And certaine commissioners beeing assembled for that purpose perceiuing the great difficulties which were made in the treaty of peace it was propounded to make truce for a while in the meane time during which they might with more ease deliberate on the Articles of peace and other reasonable conditions According to this aduice truce was concluded at Rome in the Popes presence betwixt the commissioners on condition that the Senate should at two paiments giue foure hundred pound of gold to Maximillian to the which were one hundred pound more added to cause the Emperor to ratifie this agreement the whole amounting to fiue hundred pounds of gold Gaston of Foix after the recouery of Bressia hauing giuen order for his affaires for Bergamo which had rebelled and all the other townes neere adioyning had recalled the French and refreshed his army which was wearied with so great and long trauaill determined to goe and incounter with the confederates army according to the commandement which hee had receiued from the King
rage and yet neuer brake their order All in generall did fight with great courage the men at armes excepted who stood still and did nothing no perswasions commandements nor entreaties of the Lords Triuulce and Trimouille beeing able to preuaile with them beeing so affrighted as they had no courage to charge the enemie who stood before them and the Suisses were well pleased with their standing still and for that they came not on to the ayde of the footmen At the lâ—…st the great boldnesse and valour of the Suisses carryed it away who hauing brauely wonne the ordnance did turne it vpon the French whom they put to rout the footmen as well as the men at armes doing nothing worthy of prase This is the famous battaile of Nouara where they fought for the space of two houres with great losse on both sides but most of all on the French which did afterward bring great calamity on the Venetians By this defeate of the French a great alteration followed in Italy chiefly in those matters which concerned the Venetians Gritti who was in the French army was likewise one that accompanied them in the flight who beeing by no reason able to perswade them to tarry at Alexandria or in Piedmont and not blot their reputation with so base and shamefull a flight perceiuing their Armie to bee wholy broken and knowing that hee could in so sort aduance the seruice of the Common-wealth went to Sauona and from thence to Genoa then to Luca and so at last he came to Venice This victory caused Milan with other townes which had openly shewed them-selues for the French to send to begge pardon which was granted them on condition to paye the Suisses vnto whom by right was due not onely the profit but the glory of the victory purchased by their valour and bloud The Viceroy who till then had still kept the Spaniards in their garrisons and not shewed himselfe against the French nor Venetians following the victors fortune did on a sodaine crosse the Po and marched towards Cremona where he knew the Venetian army lay to assaile it Wherof Aluiana hauing intelligence and how that in other places the people began to rise against them the French in Maximillians behalfe attempting to cut off victuals and passage from them determined to leaue those confines and to draw his Armie in safety from thence the which the Senate vpon the report of the battailes losse had commanded him to doe but yet neuerthelesse to retire in such manner as his retreat might not sauor of a manifest flight least it should discourage his owne soldiers and cause the enemies to become more audacious Aluiana being departed and Cremona left naked of Souldiers the Spaniard did forth with seaze on it and wholy sackt it because it had giuen entrance to the Venetian Army Then sending ayde to Maximillian Sforza to Nouara and to Octauian Fregosa at Genoa against the Adorni he brought the residue of his Army towards the Venetians confines hauing crossed the riuer Adda where without any difficulty hee tooke the Citties of Bressia and Bergamo These Citties were taken in the Emperors name and rated at certaine great summes of money which being rigourously leuied were destributed among the Spanish Soldiers Aluiana in the meane time with all his forces remaining on the Veronois being much discontented to see the great deseignes which hee had proiected to bee snacht forth of his hands resolued on a great and difficult enterprise for hauing wonne the towne of Legnaga he left Iohn Paul Baillon at the siege of the Castle with twelue hundred foot and himselfe went speedily with the residue of the Armie to assaile Verona to trye if hee could take it on the sodaine Baillon hauing made a breach in the forte of Legnaga gaue a furious assault to it and notwithstanding the Spaniards resistance it was taken by force for which hee was greatly esteemed by the Senate This place beeing taken was not able to beekept without a strong garrison wherefore they resolued to dismantle and forsake it Aluiana on the other side being come before Verona did assaile it on the weakest side neere to Saint Maxims gate where hauing planted his ordnance hee did with great fury batter the Tower of the gate and the wall thereto adioyning expecting in the meane time when any tumult would be raised in the Citty and hauing beaten downe to the ground forty fathome of the wall with the tower which fell downe likewise hee gaue it a fierce assault But three hundred horse and three thousand Lansquenets beeing in Verona it was valiantly defended by reason that the breach was very high on the townes side which made the descent very vneasie Which Aluiana perceiuing and that the Veronois did in no sort stirre contrary to his hope he did with great speed retire his footmen and artillery from before the walls as wholy despairing of the Victory and returned the very same day to his quarter from whence he came in the morning hauing in that assault lost aboue two hundred of his soldiers In this exploit there was nothing worthy of praise but his great speed because he had done that in one day which other Captains were scarce accustomed to doe in three or foure After that hee spoiled the Countrey trying whether for feare thereof he could enforce the Veronois to come to any agreement The end of the tenth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the first Booke of the fifth Decade THE Spaniards take the Castle of Legnaga Pope Leo reuiueth the treaty of peace betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians Offers made to the French King by the Venetians Lewis the French King submitteth himselfe to the Pope The Venetians lose the towne and Castle of Pescara Padua besieged by the enemies they soone quit it The enemies make great spoile beeing come within fight of Venice Aluiana comming forth of Padua with his Army opposeth him-selfe against the enemies passage The enemies are greatly perplexed by reason they could not could not come to any place of safety The enemies doe defeate and put the Venetians to rout neere to Vincenza The admirable constancy of the Venetian Senate after the losse of the battle Prospero Colonna doth secretly fauour the Venetians by diuerting the siege from Treuiso The Pope in person makes a Compromise concerning the strife betwixt the â—…mperor and the Venetians which takes none effect Selim King of Turkes his warre against Acchomat his Brother The difficulties which held back the Pope from procuring peace betwixt Christian Princes The Countreys of Padua and Friul wholy ruined Frangipan taketh Maran by the treachery of a Priest The Venetians are defeated before Maran A great fire in the Citty of Venice A new compromise made in the Popes person concerning the same differences Feltre taken and spoiled by the Almains is opportunely releeued by the Venetians The difficulties which were found a new in the accord betwixt the Emperor and the
army to Biagrassa whilest hee stayed there the Duke of Sauoy with the other commissioners whome the King had left at Verceill had made peace with the Swisses in the Kings name But this peace was almost in one day concluded and broken by the arriuall of new Swisses who being proud for their forepassed victories hoping to carry home with them as great wealth as they saw their fellowes laden with they would not heare tell of peace refusing to yeeld vp the valleis mentioned in the agreement so as by this breach of peace matters returned to their former difficulties and to much greater in regard of the Swisses new forces as also of those of the Viceroy and Lorenzo de Medicis who approched Milan Aluiana in the meane time sent word to the French King that he would so amuse the Spanish army as it should haue no meanes to hurt him and therefore so soone as hee vnderstood that the Viceroy was gone from Verona he left the Pollesin of Rouigo and hauing crossed the Adice he speedily came along the riuer Po with nine hundred men at armes foureteene hundred light horse and nine thousand foot with greate store of artillery neere to the walls of Cremona The King according to Aluianas letters came to Marignan to giue him more easie meanes to ioyne with the royall army and to stop the companies of the Church and Spaniards from doing the like with the enemies For it did greately import the king to haue the enemies force diuided in sundry places The King being come to Marignan stayed there and wrot to the Venetian Senate giuing them notice of his arriuall in Italy and of the fortunate successe of his affaires till then together with the hope hee had that his deseignes would prosper in regard that both their affaires were managed by one selfe-same Vnion and concord But in these interims Rance de Cera who had well demeaned him-selfe against the enemies being mooued with iealozy against Aluiana for that hee would not bee enforced to obey him as Generall if the armies should come to ioyne together craued leaue of the Venetians to depart who being not able to make them friends did freely graunt it Hee was a braue Captaine and could not abide any superior and Aluiana could not endure an equall by meanes whereof they could not agree together wherevpon hauing taken his leaue hee put him selfe into the Popes pay with two hundred men at armes and two hundred light horse Marke Antonio Colonna in the meane time who remayned for the gard of Verona made a sodaine sally with three thousand foot-men and about seauen hundred horse of all sorts and went and scoured the Vincentine Territory spoyling and wasting what-so-euer he met with Albeit this did trouble the Venetians yet could it not diuert them from their former determination which was that Aluiana should ioyne with the French army knowing well that if the French Kings affaires did prosper this could not doe amisse Foure armies were at one time in one country very neere to one another The French army was of forty thousand men among whome were fiue hundred men at armes chosen out of the French Nobillity excellently well armed and mounted who after they had seazed on Nouara and Paula were come to Marignan not farre from them lay the Venetian army of twelue thousand foot and three thousand horse which stayed at Lodi both armies being well stored with artillery Against these two were two other armies of the enemies who for the same reasons were enforced to remaine deuided one from another That of the Pope and the Florentines ioyned with the Spaniards was more esteemed for the old soldiers then for the great number and it was lodged neere to the Citty of Placentia on the banke of the riuer Po. The other was of Swisses which was said to bee forty thousand men who at the pursute and perswasion of the Cardinall of Syon kept the Citty of Milan which was well furnished with all necessaries This Cardinall returning from Placentia whither he was fled wondering that his country-men practized with the French king relying on great numbers of soldiers newly come which did fauor his party he came among them who were al in a manner diuided some of them not enduring to heare tell of war and others not of peace And causing them al to come together on a day he beganne with a very vehement and affectionate speech to incite them without any more delay to go forth the same day and assaill the French King and not to set so much before their eyes the number the enemies horse and artillery as to let it make them to forget the valour of the Swisses and the victories obtained by them against the French That it was not the artillery which gaue the victory but onely the prowesse and valour of the soldier And that besides the giuing of the victory which he assured them of they should consider the great wealth they were to get as well by the spoyle of the French army as by that of the whole state of Milan And therefore hee willed them to aduance their pikes with their vsuall courage and sound their drums and without delaying one houre of time to goe and vse their armes effectually and to glut them-selues with the bloud of those who by their pride would molest the whole world and by their basenesse doe euer become a prey to all men The Swisses beeing incited by these or such like speeches did furiously on a sodaine put on their armes and going forth of the Citty did put themselues in order of battaile and albeit it was neere night they marched towards the French Army with such courage as if they had already obtayned the victory notwithstanding that diuerse of their Captaines thought it great rashnesse and a very dangerous matter to assaile the enemy in his camp who was resolued for battaile But the Cardinall of Sion fearing least delay might produce somthing contrary to his deseignes and that as the desire of fight had easily enflamed their courages it might as easily be quenched by the remonstrance of their Captaines of the contrary part he gaue forth a false rumor among them that the French gathered togeather their baggage and prepared for their departure and that their vantgard was already forth of their Camp to goe and ioyne with the Venetian army to retire afterwards to beseege Milan wherevpon he exhorted them to make hast to surprize the enemy in disorder who little doubted thereof This exhortation was seconded by diuers Captaines of his faction who did greatly praise his councell and incited them to battaile going vp and downe the rankes making the like remonstrances wherewith the soldiers being encouraged marched on with a speedy pace towards the enemies Now the French being aduertized of the Suisses comming towards them albeit they were at the first greatly amazed as it happeneth in matters not foreseene nor premeditated they did
the accomplishing of the rest till their enteruiew which by their mutuall consent was concluded to bee at Bolognia The Pope for that purpose departed from Rome and the King from the City of Milan the Venetians Ambassadors did accompany his Maiesty all Italy receiued great contentation by that assembly hoping that it would produce an assured peace to the whole Prouince A legat was sent to the Emperour to treat of agreement betwixt him and the Venetians and to haue him to remit Bressia and Verona to them for a pecuniary recompence The Pope likewise sent a briefe to the Venetians exhorting them vnto peace The Pope and the King being come to Bolognia they couenanted together That the King should take vpon him the protection of the Popes person and the Churches State of Iuliano and Lorenzo de Medicis and the State of Florence That the Pope should cause his forces to leaue Verona and countermand those companies sent to the Emperors aide against the Venetians Diuers other Articles were concluded concerning onely the proffit of either of them In the which treaty hauing continued sixe daies together both of them departed from Bolognia the King thinking that he had done a great matter to haue drawne the Pope to his side and to haue disioyned him from his enemies The King being come to Milan beganne to thinke on his returne to France hauing nothing to detaine him but the desire he had to see the Venetians re-established in their Cities Therefore he commanded to re-enforce the Venetians army which lay before Bressia and had reduced the beseeged to that extremity as all men thought that they would soone yeeld for the Almaines and Spaniards that lay within it had resolued together that if within twenty daies they were not releeued they would yeeld vp the City to the Venetians on these conditions neuerthelesse to depart with displayed Enseignes the drumme beating with the artillery and all their baggage which was the selfe same composition which they had concluded with the Venetians Generall But the Almain succors came and entred the towne before the time agreed vpon was expired The report of the comming of this aide had caused sundry opinions in the army some of the being of opinion to continue the seege others to lead the army elsewhere but the report of the number of the Almaines being greater then the effect and for that they had notice by their spies that Marke Antonio Colonna who was come forth of Verona entred the Mantuā territory made preparations to come and assaile them caused the Venetian captaines who feared that by staying there the enemies might come and enclose them to determine wholy to dislodge and to bring the artillery to Crema and Cremona and the rest of the army to Castlenedulla six miles off from Bressia These newes being brought to Venice did greatly amaze the whole City because they expected rather to haue heard of the taking of the City then of any thing else The Generall and the Prouidatory had written that there was such strong Garrison at all passages as it was impossible that any aide could enter into it which might keepe them backe from obseruing the agreement which they had made and that which caused them most to beleeue it was that the French supplies which were to come to the campe being three thousand Almains and 400 horse were departed from Milan and were on their way towards their campe This did much blemish Triuulcio his reputation whereof he hauing notice craued leaue of the Signory That he might depart saying that the affaires of his owne house called him thence and that he could tarry no longer in their army But the Senate knowing that this mans experience was much important for their affaires vsed meanes to appease him by letters and did entreate the King to cause him to take that charge vpon him but he would by no meanes consent therevnto but returned to Milan Theodore Triuulcio tooke charge of the Venetian army and of the whole mannaging of the warre holding the same authority in the army as Iohn Iames Triuulcio had done al-be-it he had not the name nor degree of captaine Generall The King in the meane time hauing giuen order for his returne into France left the Duke of Burbon for viceroy in the Dutchy of Milan and before his departure he commanded Odet of Foix Lord of Lautrec to carry speedily greater aide to the Venetians and generally to doe all matters for them as if it were for his owne seruice shewing thereby his great affection to the Republike as in all other his speeches and discourses not letting to say that if the Venetians were not wholy restored to their Cities he would returne into Italy with greater forces then before The King being gonne forth of Italy and the Duke of Bourbon tarrying there to command the Dutchy of Milan the Venetians still kept an Ambassador nere to him to sollicite whatsoeuer was needfull for their affaires Andrew Treuisan was sent thither who being come to Milan Andrè Gritti who had remained there after the Kings departure to hasten the supplies went to the army to be Prouidator there in stead of Dominico Contaren that fell sicke and was brought home to Venice At the very same time the Lord of Lautrec came to the army with great forces which did much encrease it so as it seemed that there was no doubt but that Bressia would be taken Now the Pope supposing that this successe did greatly crosse his deseignes sought all meanes to hinder it He propounded truce to draw the matter forth at length hoping to cause the Venetians to condescend to some agreement though it were to their disaduantage by reason of the difficulty to take that City And because he knew that himselfe could doe no good in that businesse for the small credit which the Venetians did giue to his words he determined to make vse of the King of Polands authority whose Ambassador hauing intelligences likewise at Venice he perswaded to reuiue the treaty of peace and to propound to the Venetians that if they would disioyne themselues from the French and allie themselues to the Emperor they might add two goodly Cities to their State Lodi and Cremona because that with the Popes armes the Emperours and their owne being vnited together they might easily expell the French and afterwards by the King of Polands authority obtaine them of the Emperour in guift so as being thus separated from the State of Milan they might for euer after be incorporated to the Venetians demaines Besides this proposition the Pope hoping that by the Generals absence the seege of Bressia might be prolonged wrote to King Francis that it might please him to command the Lord of Lautrec to goe to Rome being desirous to confer with such a man about diuers matters concerning the affaires of Naples to which he knew the King enclined wherevpon he exhorted him to make hast to
Generall to the Venetians The Duke of Bourbon leaueth the French Kings party The French army in Italy vnder the Admirall Boniuet Nouara and Vigeua are taken by the French The French come before Milan and soone dislodge thence Monce taken by the French Motion of peace betwixt the Emperour and the King The death of Pope Adrian The creation of Pope Clement the seuenth The French retire in disorder The cause of the Kings discontent with the Emperour and the Venetians The King commeth into Italy and taketh the City of Milan The Duke of Albany is appointed to goe and enuade the Kingdome of Naples The King beseegeth Pauia The Venetians are sought to by both parties A secret league made betwixt the Pope the King and the Venetians The Marquis of Pescara keepeth the viceroy of Naples from dislodging forth of Lumbardy The Imperialls come into the field and assaile the King The King is taken prisoner by the Imperials and the French army is put to rout The Popes resolution after the defeate of the French The Venetians resoluing to defend Italy are diuerted from it by the Pope And lastly the wordes and gesture of the Emperour at the newes of the victory The Fifth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe French army being much encreased in the beginning of the yeere 1522. by the arriuall of the Swisses who in great numbers came to their campe and by the Venetians forces ioyned to them which were six thousand foot sixe hundred men at armes and eight hundred light-horse Lautrec by the aduise of all the captaines resolued to march directly towards Milan which was the principall motiue and aime of the warre According to this resolution they passed the Adda on the first day of march and the campe was lodged within two miles of the castle The third day after the French were encamped they marched in order making shew that they would assault the Rampire the which they did not either because that at the first it was not Lautrecs meaning or else for that in regard of the great numbers of souldiers that were within it the disposition of the people and the readinesse which was seene in the defendants hee was diuerted from it for the manifest difficulty of such an enterprize It is certaine that the Lord of Lautrec had no hope to take Milan by assault but thought to effect it by length of time because that by reason of the multitude of his horse and great number of the bandetti which followed him who scoured the whole country hee did cut off all victuals from it as also because he had broken downe all the mils and turned away the waters forth of their Channels which brought great commodities to the Milanois and he did besides hope that the pay which the Milanois did giue the souldiers would soone be wasted for the Emperor sent little or none at all But the Citizens of Milans hatred towards the French was wonderful and their desire merueilous to haue Francis Sforza their new Duke againe in regard wherof enduring paciently all discommodities they did not onely not change their mindes for all those miseries but the young men of the City did put on armes and made captaines in euery parrish in such sort as the gardes which speedily ranne to the remotest places of the army did greatly releeue the souldiers prouiding beside in stead of the mils that were broken downe hand mils for all their meale was spent The Duke of Milan in the meane space who had a long time remained at Trent expecting some fit occasion to passe forward went on his way with six thousand Lansequenets and seized on the Fort of Croare which did belong to the Venetians to the end to open his passage From thence he came thorow the Veronois and Mantuan territories with ease to Casal-major because that the Venetian army was ioyned with the Lord Lautrec and there crossing the Po hee came to Placentia beeing afterwards aided by the Marquis of Mantua hee marched to Pauia where he remained waiting for some fit occasion to goe to Milan where his arriuall was extreamely wished for So soone as the Lord of Lautrec had intelligence of his comming to Placentia he raised his campe and went and lodged at Cassin fiue miles from Milan on the high way towards Pauia and the Venetians at Binasca which lieth on the same road way to hinder his comming to Milan where in the meane time hee tooke Saint Angelo and Saint Colombane But being aduertized that the Lord of Escut his brother was come from France with money and certaine companies of foot-men and came by the way of Genoa he sent thither for his conuoy Frederico de Bozzole with foure hundred Lances and seuen thousand foot Swisses and Italians against whom the Marquis of Mantua going forth of Pauia came backe thither on a sodaine standing in feare of them by reason they were more in number then had beene reported vnto him Bozzole hauing ioyned his forces with the Lord of Escut both of them together tooke the way towards Nouara and comming to the castle which held out yet for them they tooke the ordnance that was within it and battered the City the which they tooke by force at the third assault sacking it wholly and putting all those within it to the sword Count Philip Tournielo the Gouernor excepted and some few others with him who were made prisoners from thence they went to Vigeua which they likewise tooke opening the way by the taking of those townes to the supplies which they expected from France But in the meane time Francis Sforza departing secretly in a night from Pauia went thorow by-waies and ioyned himselfe with Prospero Colonna neere to Landriana a few souldiers remayning in Pauia with the Marquis of Mantua who would not passe on any farther because he would not be farre off from the Churches territories By reason whereof the Lord of Lautrec supposing his stay at Cassin to bee to no purpose seeing that Francis Sforza was escaped as also because it had beene no discretion for them to encampe before Milan they determined for to turne the army towardes Pauia hoping to take it wherevpon so soone as hee had re-assembled his army hee went and encamped there where at his arriuall a furious battery was made in two seuerall places as well by the French as the Venetians so that the breach was iudged reasonable for an assault And yet the beseeged resolued valiantly to defend themselues and to hinder the enemies from taking it not sparing their liues and meanes Prospero in the meane time perceiuing the manifest daunger wherein the City was did speedily send thither a thousand Corsicans and as many Spaniards who in the night passed along very neere to the campe not beeing descried before they were in a manner all past and then the French watch which was still on horse backe did charge them on their backes and defeated some
few of them but not very many by reason they were to late descried Now the breach being thought to be reasonable the Swisses who by nature are impatient requested the Generall of the army that they might march to the assault but it was put off till an other time the better to assure the businesse staying till Pedro of Nauarres mine had plaied which was made vnder a great Bastion to the end that the ruines thereof might helpe the souldiers in their going to the assault And in this sort the arriuall of new supplies at Pauia and their hope in the mine were the causes that the assault was delayed and the campe raised For Prospero Colonna perceiuing himselfe to be re-enforced with sixe thousand Lansequenets and others which Francis Sforza had brought did with his whole army come into the field that he might be neere to Pauia and he went and encamped at the Chartreux within three miles off the French and Venetians to hinder them from giuing an assault to the City for it had beene against reason to haue suffered it to be don so great a power as his being so nere the enemies Then was the Lord of Lautrec out of hope to take Pauia wherevpon he dislodged and retired his campe to Ladriana and from thence to Monce that he might be releeued with victuals as well from Laudesan and from the territory of Cremona as from the Venetians country receiuing in his discamping no other discommodity then a few light skirmishes The Imperials perceiuing the French army to march towards Monce thinking that they would haue gonne to Milan went and lodged at Bicoca three miles off from Milan on the high way to Laude which is a very spacious house belonging to a Gentleman enuironed with goodly gardens and enclosed with deepe ditches the fields round about beeing full of fountaines and streames brought by conduit-pipes according to the manner of Lombardy to water the meddowes being come to that place they did speedily raise all the dikes and flanked them with great plat-formes well stored with ordnance The Swisses being according to their manner impatient sent their captaines to the Lord of Lautrec to let him vnderstand that their fellowes were wearied with lying in campe and that of three things they craued one ready money leaue to depart or that he would speedily without any to more temporizing lead them to a battaile The Lord of Lautrec considering how dangerous a matter it would haue beene to haue gonne and assailed the enemies in their campe vsed meanes to moderate their fury and told them that if money were long in comming it was not thorow the Kings fault but in regard of the danger of the waies and yet neuerthelesse it would very shortly arriue therefore he entreated them as did all the other Lords of the army likewise that they would bee patient for a while longer seeing they did hope to vanquish the enemies without fight or at least wise to fight with them with greater aduantage But the captaines of the French army not being able to winne or retaine them neither by their authority entreaties promises nor reasons knowing that the chiefe strength of their army consisted of that nation of whom being abandoned they should remaine a prey to the enemies they concluded to fight rather then to flie seeing that vnlesse the Swisses were lead to the battaile they were determined to depart thence Now according to this resolution the Lord of Lautrec did by the Swisses consent send the Lord of Pontdormy to discouer the enemies campe who marched thither with foure hundred men at armes and sixe thousand Swisses who hauing discouered it they found small likelihood of beeing able to assaile it yet neuerthelesse that did not change their opinion wherevpon the Lord of Lautrec comming forth of Monce did with his army march towards that place hauing appointed the Swisses with the artillery to goe and assaile the front of their campe and the enemies artillery which was guarded by the Lansequenets That the Lord of Escut with three hundred Lances and a squadron of French and Italian foot should march on the left hand vpon the way that leadeth to Milan and should goe to the bridge by which they might enter into the enemies campe As for himselfe he would vse meanes to enter it with a squadron of horsemen hoping rather to preuaile by cunning then by open force for the better to deceiue them hee commanded that all his souldiers should weare red crosses on their cazakes which was the badge of the Imperiall army in stead of a white crosse which was the deuice of the French army Francisco Maria Duke of Vrbin with the army of the Signory of Venice lead the rereward Now the Swisses being come nere to the enemies cample al-be-it that in regard of the depth of the trenches which were deeper thē they imagined they could not according to their first hope assaile the ordnance their courage neuerthelesse not diminishing they assailed the trench striuing with great boldnesse to get ouer it but in the meane time the ordnance and the enemies small shot wherewith the rampier was stuffed did greatly hurt them so as the greatest part of the captaines and chiefe souldiers died there For as soone as Prospero Colonna had notice of their comming he embattailed his troupes then he appointed euery man his place accounting the victory for his owne in regard of the strength of the place so as the Lord of Escut being gonne on the other side as hee was commanded directly to the bridge finding contrary to his expectation a strong guard there was enforced to retire so that the whole burthen of the battaile fell vpon the Swisses who as well in respect of the vantage of the place as for the defendants valor did labor in vaine and did receiue a very great ouerthrow so as being well rewarded for their rashnesse by the death of many of their fellowes they were enforced to retire The Lord of Lautrec with the other Lords of the army perceiuing all things in disorder would haue perswaded the Swisses to encampe vpon the same place offering them the next day to set the greatest part of the men at armes on foot to march in the forefront but it was impossible to cause them to condescend therevnto so as they would needs returne to Monce whether marching in good order with the French and the artillery they receiued no hurt in their retreat al be-it that the Marquis of Pescara and the other Imperiall captaines did importune Prospero to follow them but he would not doe it beleeuing as it was very likely that the French army made their retreat in good order the men at armes remayning on the tayle of the army to repulse the enemies if they should follow them The army being come to Monce the Lord of Lautrec vsed all meanes to detaine the Swisses and to that end did giue great presents to their captaines and among
the businesse of the league to the which at last the King after that hee had intelligence that the Emperor would alter none of the Articles of the Capitulations made at Madrid began more to incline and vpon the tenth day or May 1526. it was concluded at Coignac betwixt those of the Councell and the Kings Procurators on the one siâ—…e and the Agents of the Pope and the Venetians on the other The chiefe points of which were That betwixt the Pope the French King the Venetians and the Duke of Milan for whom the Pope and the Venetians promised the ratification there should bee a perpetuall league and confederacy to the end that Francis Sforza might freely enioy the Dâ—…tehy of Miâ—…an and the children of France be set at liberty by receiuing an honorable ransome which the King of England should appoint with other particular obligations concerning the preparations of the warre concluded with the Councell of the Realme before the Kings deliuery In this manner then was the league concluded but it was not presently published because they tarried for the King of Englands resolution whom they desired should bee named one of the cheefe Contractants Therefore the Confederate Princes resolued to send an expresâ—…e message into England to solicite him forth with to declare himselfe against the Emperour in the behalfe of the league Iohn Baptista Sangua a man of singular wisedome went thither from the Pope Iohn lâ—…q iâ—… from the French King and Marc Antonio Veniero for the Venetians But the King of England albeit hee seemed to bee deâ—…ous to listen to that agreement as beeing distasted of the Emperor resolued neâ—… helesse not to make any publick demonstration thereof vntill hee had first of all requested the Emperour Charles to gratifie the Confederates so much as to set the children of the most Christian King at liberty and reâ—…der the state of Milan to Francis Sforza and for want of so dooing to protest against him and to denounce warre in the name of all the confederates Now because it would haue beene too long to haue proceeded after this manner by reason of the difficulties which might haue beene made such as it was it was published with great â—…olemnity they thinking themselues strong enough to abate the Imperiall pride There was at the same time in the Venetians army tenne thousand foot nine hundred men at armes and eight hundred light horse and they daily expected great nombers of Suisses paid partly by the Pope and the Venetians and partly by the French King at whose arriuall they resolued to march to the releefe of the Castle of Milan and to trie if they could take the Citty The Marquis of Salusses on the other side with the French men at armes and tenne thousand foot waged at the common charge of the league was â—…o enter the Dutchy of Milan and to assaile Nâ—…ara and Alexandria whilst in an other place order should be taken for anauall Army The Venetians commanded their Generall and Petro Pesare their Prouidator to goe and encampe speedily at Chiari vpon the Bressan terrritory which was the rendezuous of all their troopes and those of the Pope commanded by Francisco Guicciardin came vpon the Parmesan to the end they might ioyne together and then maâ—…h whether it should be thought fittest for the seruice of the league In the meane time Malateste Baillone with a band of the Venetian troopes marched to Lauda where he had intelligence with Lodouico Visturlin a gentleman of the same Citty and albeit there lay within it fifteene hundred footmen in Garrison he did neuerthelesse with ease seaze on it and became master therof and kept it in the name of Francis Sforza After the taking heereof the whole Venetian army passed the Po and within two dayes after ioyned it selfe with the Popes and all of them together marched directly towards Milan the Duke of Vâ—…bin beeing in great hope to take the Citty because it had beene told him that vpon their arriuall the People would life and take armes in their behalfe and that the Imperialls Captaines â—…ring it had already sent their riches and bagage forth of the Citty meaning forth-with to abandon it And vpon this hope of the people rising and of the enemies disorder Lodouico Earle of Belgie requested the Duke of Vrbin to giue him two thousand footmen with whom he offered to releeue the Castle of Milan Now the Confederates Army beeing come very neere to the Citty was lodged at the Monastery of Paradis towards the Roman gate intending to assaile that surburbe supposing to take it and to lodge there And albeit the enemies made many sallies and hotte skirmishes they were still notwithstanding beaten back by those of the league But the night before the day that the Army should set forward the Duke of Bourbon who not long before was come to Genoa with six Gallies and bills of Exchange for an hundred thousand Ducats entred Milan with eight hundred Spanish foote that he had brought with him He was very much sollicited thereunto by the Marquis of Guasto and Antonio de Leua The Duke of Vrbin at these newes dispayring to take the Citty by assault and fearing some greater disorder if he should tarry any longer there raised his campe and retired in good order vnto Marignan without any losse or empeachment at all The Senate who had conceiued great hope by reason of the armies approach neere Milan that the Castle would be releeued which was reduced to extreame want did greatly wonder and was sorry when it vnderstood by the Prouidators letters that they had raised their campe so that the Duke of Vrbin sent Lodouico Gonsaga to Venice to instiâ—… his actions who being brought into the Senate yeelded a particular account of what had passed and of the occasions which mooued him to proceed in that manner wherewith the Senate was well satisfied but the Pope was nor so easily appeased complaining very much not only of this retreat but likewise of the whole course of the Duke of Vrbins actions who did not vouchsafe in any â—…ort to communicate the affaires of greatest importance to his Lieâ—…enants the which had greatly mooued him so as for to please him the Senate commanded the Duke of Vrbin euer after to communicate with Guiccardin all matters of importance which should be handled in the army On the other side they prepared the nauall army to assaile the sea-townes belonging to the Emperor and to those ends the Venetians hauing appointed Lodouico Armiero for their Prouidator sent him to Corfou wher Iohn Mora the other Prouidator was with the army of which Armiero had commandent to take 12. Gallies and with them to saile towards Rome to ioyne with those of the Pope and the most Christian King that all of them together might direct there course according as they should iudge it to bee necessary and proffitable for the confederates Diuers propositions were made concerning those
the Venetians A treaty of peace held at Rome but to no purpose The great warlike preparations of the Archduke of Austria to send into Italy to the Emperors ayde The Venetians lend money to the French and to the Duke of Milan The French King resolueth to make warre vpon the Emperour on the frontiers of Spaine The Venetians solicit the King to come in person into Italy The Imperialls recouer Aquila and Matricia The Marquis of Guasto besiegeth Monopoli Brundusium is yeelded to the Venetians An allarme beeing giuen to the Duke of Vrbin hee runneth to the defence of his owne state An enterview of the French and Venetian Armies The defeate and taking of the Count Saint Paul by Antonio de Leua The Duke of Vrbins retreate to Cassan. The Duke of Vrbin defeateth a part of the enemies at the passage of a Riuer Antonio de Leua retireth to Milan The Venetian Senate are male-content with the King The Emperors arriuall at Genoa The Emperors great forces in Italy The Florentines send Ambassadors to the Emperor The great warlike preparations of the Venetians Peace concluded at Cambray betwixt the Emperor and the King The King is very earnest with the Emperor to make an accord with the Venetians And lastly a new confederacie betwixt the Venetians and Francis Sforza Duke of Milan The Eight Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THE Lord Lautrec beeing dead Michaele Antonio Marquis of Salusses a couragious Lord and well beloued of the Soldiors tooke vpon him the charge of the Armie in a manner ruined who beeing councelled to discampe not so much for the present state of their affaires as for the danger and necessity that pressed him gathered together those forces that remained and retired with small losse to Auersa expecting succours from Rance de Cera Vpon his retreate the Imperialls comming foorth of Naples gaue in vpon his rereward but by reason of his good order the losse was not great Certaine French troopes were broken and Pedro of Nauarre beeing taken prisoner was ledde to Naples where hee dyed The Marquis beeing come to Auersa was neerely pursued by the Imperialls and beeing not able to make defence hee sent the Count Ouy de Rangone to parley with the Prince of Orange the Imperialls Generall with whom it was capitulated That the Marquis should quit Auersa with the Castle Artillery and Munition That as well himselfe as the other Captaines should remaine prisoners except the Count Guy who treated particularly for himselfe That the Marquis should doe his vtmost to cause the French and Venetians to render vp the kingdome with diuerse other conuentions which made this French Armie miserable who of vanquishers became vanquished to the Venetians great greefe and discontent whose fortune for the kingdome of Naples was to depend on that of the French their friends and consederates This losse was accompanied by a very greeuous and most preiudicious accident to the league and of great importance to the French which caused great strife betwixt them for the plague beeing very great in Genoa and by reason thereof in a manner forsaken by all men and likewise by the soldiers and namely by Theodore â—…riuulcio the Gouernor who retired into the Castle Anare 〈◊〉 making vse of this occasion came neere to the Citty with certaine Galleys and those few soldiors that hee had which did not exceed the number of fiue hundred footmen not hoping neuerthelesse to performe that which hee afterward did and entring it without any great resistance by the fauour of the people who were greatly delighted with the name of liberty which hee promised them became maister thereof where on a sodaine hee changed the manner of gouernment vnder the Emperors protection It lay not in Triuulcio his power to hinder it who beeing come to the Citty but a while before had much to doe to escape into the Castle hoping as hee said vpon the artiuall of succours to bee able at his pleasure to enter the Citty and to reduce it to the Kings deuotion as it had beene in time before For hee sent to the Lord Saint Paul to send him speedily three thousand footmen by whose ayde hee hoped to recouer the Citty Wherevpon the Captaines of the Confederates did determine That the Lord of Montilan should turne to Genoa with three thousand Lansquenets and Suisses which came from France and were already arriued at Alexandria The Senate in the meane time did not cease to giue order for necessary prouisions for the speedy renewing of the warre in Lombardy and for that they would not giue Antonio de Leua any time to make preparations they solicited one an other speedily to take armes they sent the Secretary André Rossi into France to hasten the forces which were to come into Italy they did besides command the Duke of Vrbin to receiue all those Almaines into their pay which had forsaken the Duke of Brunswich hauing more-ouer sent to Iuree money for the payment of fiue thousand Lansquenets so as the Republick had in a very short space more then tenne thousand footmen of sundry nations Almaines Suisses and Italians fifteene hundred light horse and eight hundred men at armes with which forces and those of the French beeing ioyned together they did hope to driue Antonio de Leua forth of Italy The Duke of Vrbins chiefe purpose was to place a strong Garrison in Lauda beeing a place of great importance for the Duke of Milan and for the Venetians likewise because the keeping there of did greatly auaile for the assurance of Bergamo and Crema and then to passe the Po so soone as the French succours should beginne to come vpon the Alpes to ioyne with the French and afterwards to goe and assaile Antonio de Leua For the supplyes of siue thousand footmen and fiue hundred Lances as many light horse which were expected beeing arriued the Duke of Vrbin talked with the Count Saint Paul at Monticella on the Po to consult in what manner they were to proceed in this warre for the profit and commodity of the common cause The Duke of Vrbin by the aduise of the Senate propounded to employ their whole forces in Lombardy to driue Antonio de Leua if it were possible foorth of the State of Milan to the end to cut off all meanes from the Imperialls of sending downe any ayde by that way into Italy forth of Germany and of hauing victuals from thence for the feeding of their Armie as they were wont The Lord Saint Paul and the other French Captaines were of a contrary opinion saying That it was not fitte to abandon the affaires of Naples vnlesse they should loose their honour and reputation both with the people and the enemies propounding besides how important a matter it was to keepe the Imperialls busied in the kingdome of Naples who by that meanes could not come and ioyne with Antonio â—…e Leua In this diuersitie of opinions
gaue occasion to those Princes both of them beeing the Emperours sworne enemies to complaine thereof to the Senate and to distrust them This league beeing concluded and published the Emperour departed from Bolognia and went to take shipping at Genoa where fiue and twenty Galleys attended him vnder the command of Andrè Doria to saile to Barcelona The end of the ninth Booke of the fifth Decade The Contents of the tenth Booke of the fifth Decade VMPIERS are in vaine appointed to end the controuersie betwixt the Venetians and Ferdinand The Emperors and the Turkes Nauall armies are at one time at Sea without meeting one another Francisco Dandulo is taken by Pirats and bannished at his returne to Venice The Venetians take the Moore of Alexandria by night and presently set him at liberty Soliman calleth Cariadin Barbarossa the Pirate to his seruice Henry Duke of Orleance second Sonne to Francis the French King marrieth Katherine de Medicis the Popes Neece Great troubles in Germany by meanes of the Duke of Wittemberg Sundry great fleets at one time vpon the Seas The Turkes recouer Coron The Turkish fleete vpon the Coasts of Calabria Cariadine Barbarossa taketh Tunis The Death of Pope Clement the seauenth and the Creation of Pope Paul the third The Pope taketh armes for the Dutchy of Cameryne Solimans great friendship towards the Venetians The Emperors iourney into Affricke where heetaketh Goletta and Tunis The death of Francis Sforza Duke of Milan The French King seeketh by all meanes to draw the Venetians to his â—…ide The Duke of Sauoy denieth the kings passage thorow his country The French take Thurin Fossan and Pigneroll The Emperor commeth with his army into Prouence The Kings enterprise vpon Genoa Antonio de Leua dyeth in Prouence The Kings deseigne to make vse of the Turke against the Emperor Diuers wrongs and outrages done to the Venetians in Solimans countries And lastly the Bascha excuseth all these wrongs as done without Solimans knowledge The Tenth Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THe Emperor departing from Bolognia to go into Spaine being come to Cremona wrote wery louingly to the Senate giuing them to vâ—…derstand that hee had willingly admitted their excuses in that they would not consent to the renewing of the league and how that hee was desirous to doe any thing that might consent them And signes of friendship thus continuing betwixt those of Austria the Republike both of them seeming to bee very desirous to end the controuersie which was yet vndecided betwixt Firdinand King of the Romans and the Signory concerning the restitution of certaine townes held by Ferdinand which did belong to the Venetians the Emperor dealing therein they agreed at last vpon a third man which was Lodouico Porro a Senator of Milan Ferdinand hauing chosen for Vmpiers Ierome Bulfarch a German Doctor and the Venetians Matheo Auogadre of Bressia a Doctor and Knight who being come to Trent â—…he Senate likewise sent thither Andre Rosse the Secretary that he might be present there and acquaint the Senate with the whole businesse But the Senate hoping afterwards to compose this controuersie by friendly meanes and by disbursing a summe of mony to recouer their fortes of Maran and Gradisca they commanded Giouani Delfino gouernor of Verona to goe to Trent about that businesse Yet neuer-thelesse both in this and other matters so many difficulties were presented as the assembly brake vp without any resolution at all Whilest the Christian Princes were busied about these affaires the Turke determining to recouer Coron had prepared a mighty fleete for that purpose which was sent towards those quarters Doria to giue counterpoize to this Turkish army caused great numbers of vessells to be armed in sundry places that he might ioyne together the greatest forces he could These preparations caused the Venetiens like-wise to arme the Gallies which they had disarmed at the beginning of winter continuing neuer-the-lesse in their first resolution not to medle betwixt those Princes where-vpon they sent word to the Generall Capello who was still in commission to keepe the same order and manner of proceeding as hee had done the yeare before by reason whereof hee sent Francisco Dandulo Captaine of the Gulphe with certaine Gallies into the Gulphe to gard it against Piâ—…ats who being assembled in great numbers did much harme and for the same purpose hee dispatched foure Gallies to Zante and to the Promontory of Mailla the Gallion which was a greate shipp of a merueilous building well stored with ordnance and soldiers that place being very commodious for the Nauigation of the Venetian vessells which sailed into the Leuant and him-selfe with the residue of the fleete remained neere to Corfou satisfying himselfe according to the Senates meaning to assure their owne State and keepe that which belonged to the Republick from being spoiled and molested but yet hee could not so well handle the matter but that the subiects of the Signory did susttaine much harme and many losses as it often happeneth in such cases Now Francesco Dandulo being come into the Gulph towards the coast of Dalmatia with six Galleis descried from farre twelue Galleoâ—…s of the Barbarians and supposing at first that they were the Gallies of the Prouidator Canalis he held on his course but beeing come within kenning he perceiued that they were Pirates wherevpon hauing changed his mind he did put himselfe more to Seaward determining as hee after wards said to come and incompasse them that hee might fight with them and keepe them from escaping by flight but not acquainting the Captaines of the other Gallies with his determination they supposed that he did put to Sea not for to fight but to escape thence and therefore tarrying behind he was only followed by Mâ—…rco Cornare who commanded a bastard Galley The Pirates beeing come very neere them and perceiuing their owne aduantage by reason of the retreat of the other Venetian Gallies fell vpon them and tooke them and carried both the men and the vessells into Barbery and among others the Captaine and Cornare These newes being brought to Venice did much troble the Senate as well in regard of the audaâ—…iousnesse of those the eues as for the Captaines indisâ—…retion who thorough his owne fault had caused the Gallies of the Signory which were very famous at Sea to receiue such an affront whereuppon some propounded that it was necessary to send a sufficient number of Gallies towards the Sea-coasts of Affrick and cheefely to Gerbes and to Argier there for to burne all the shipping they could find and to doe other harmes in reuenge of the wrongs they had sustained of that nation but others confidering that it would not be well done to â—…urt all the iâ—…habitants of that Cuntrey with whom they traded and thereby â—…ut off from the Venetians their traffick and nauigations caused this Councell to be reiected yet neuerthelesse to free the common-wealth from disgrace happened by the default
fearefull or at least to bee suspected of all other Potentates with diminuation if not of their States yet certenly of their reputation and greatnesse the facility of the enterprize there being but a sâ—…nal space of Sea for the transportation of the Turkish army from Albiana to Ottranto and at one time to scoure the Sea coast of that country The great discontent of the inhabitants of that country with the Spanish gouernment and especially of the cheefest of them who as desperate persons would embrace all occasions to open the way to higher enterprizes which might abase the Emperors authority Aiax Listibei was at the â—…ame time in great authority in the Port of the great Turke holding the place and gard of first Bascha a mighty enemy to Christians and who since the death of Ibraim had often perswaded Soliman to turne his forces vpon Christendome This man because hee would not lose the occasion and praysing the ouertures and propositions of the French Ambassadors propounded them with much amplification to Soliman vsing all meanes to incite him to the enterprize of Italy laying before him the example of Mahomet a discreet and valliant Prince who with fortunate successe did easily take the citty of Ottranto and by his arriuall did bring that whole country to extreame consusion opening him selfe a way for the conquest of Italy one of the excellentest countries of Europe had he not beene preuented by death These things being represented to Soliman did greatly preuaill with him who did couet glory and was full of pride supposing him-selfe to be highly honored in that so great a King did send to craue his aide and asistance against another most mighty Prince his enemy and hee was like-wise glad that so faire an occasion was offered to diuert him from the enterprizes of India and Persia where hee vnprofitably consumed his army where vpon he did on a sudaine consent to promise the French Ambassador that the next sommer hee would raise great forces both by Sea and Land to enuade the Emperors dominions But aboue all other things supposing it to be most necessary to separate the Venetians from the Emperor he resolued to send Ianusbei one of the Dragomans or interpreters of his Port to exhort the Senate that hee being to march with a mighty army it would shew it selfe a friend to his friends and enemy to his enemies promising them that he would take order that nothing should be hurt which did belong vnto them The Senate did forthwith answere this proposition That the republicke had euer made great account and deere reckoning of peace with al Princes and especially with the Lords of the Ottomans family with whom hauing of a long time contracted peace and frendship with a free commerce betwixt each others subiects they did at this present retaine the same desire to continue it more then euer whereof there was no need to make any more amplâ—… declaration It seemed that Soliman was wel content and satisfied with this answere who was a Prince if these quallities may be found in a Barbarian of a goodly vnderstanding and a friend to iustice and honour but diuers of his seruants being desirous for their owne interest and particular affection to disturbe this quiet and to break this peace setting foreward by a false complaint the actions of sundry officers of the Common-wealth who as they affirmed had borne small respect to the maiesty and profit of his Empire did perswade him to permit his officers likewise to vse some practises against the Common wealth of Venice that at last the matter might be brought to an open warre this being permitted diuers Venetian Marchants that were at Constantinople and other places of his Empire by reason of their particular affaires were vnder sundry false pretences committed to prison and their goods confiscate after that two Venetian shippes vpon diuers occasions were stayed the one belonging to Andrew Contaren taken vpon the Sea of Ciprus by the Gallies of the Garrison of Rhodes as a man of warre and the other in the hauen of Alexandria Soliman saying that he would vse them in his most important affaires The marchandize besides which the Venetians were wont to bring forth of Syria had an imposition layd on them oftenne in the hundred the Bailies letters to the Senate were oftentimes intercepted and without further dissembling their meaning Mâ—…stapha one of the cheefe Baschas complaining of them told them that because they were so streightly allied to the Emperor their enemy they had incurred the hatred and indignation of Soliman This gaue him some iust occasion to resent it and some collour of a lawfull warre if he had beene disposed thereunto notwithstanding that diuers other reasons and coniectures did testiffe vnto them the contrary for it was not likely that the Turke being able to make warre vpon the Emperor alone who was not very strong at Sea and easily to breake his forces would enforce the Venetians to ioyne with the Imperialls and to vnite their forces with theirs which being mighty at Sea would not only hinder his enterprizes against the states of other men but likewise greatly endanger his owne knowing very well that for the space of eight and thrity yeares the friendship and peace betwixt theâ—… had beene on both sides so carefully obserued and namely that Soliman had euer made shew both in his wordes and actions to desire nothing so much as the Venetians friendships That since then nothing had happened on the Venetians part that might alter that quiet or enforce them to take armes seeing that the Senate discreetly mesuring the forces of the Ottoman Empire and fitting their deseignes and actions to the condition of the times did with great honor and respect proceed in the Turkes behalfe prouided that the dignity of the Common-wealth might not therein receiue any preiudice temporising the best they could with so mighty an enemy whom being not able to assaile they thought it wisely done to keepe him for their friend and to expect the commodity of time or some better fortune of the Common-wealth At the same time Tomazo Moceniga Ambassador for the Common-wealth arriued at Constantinople being sent according to the manner to reioyce with Soliman in the name of the Senate for the happy successe of his warres in Persia and for his safe returne home to the Citty He hauing kissed Solimans hands and presented his vsuall guifts of rich garments he was well receiued and entâ—…rtained of all those of the Port and particularly of Aiax the Visier Bascha whoe did often-times assure him that their Lord did beare great good-will the Republicke and was verâ—… desirous to maintaine that antient peace and friendship with it so long as the Venetians should beare them-selues in his behalfe with the like offices of friendshippe That Soliman had euer vsed to keepe his word and promise and thought they ought not feare that hâ—…e would euer doe other-wise Therefore hee
come before him vnto whom he greatly complayned of the officers of the Republike who did not dayly cease to commit deeds cleare contrary to the desire of peace and good will which he had at his arriuall assured him that the Common-wealth did beare vnto him at the last he seemed to be content that the Baylife should expresly send some of his seruants to Corfou truly and particularly to vnderstand how matters had passed wherevpon he sodainely sent Alessandro Vrsino thither who was then with him Soliman in the meane time continuing his purpose to assaile the coast of Puglia caused great number of horse to be landed on the territory of Ottranto who scouring the whole country brought away men women and all sort of cattaile with other moueables filling the whole country with feare and terror Doria in the mean time hauing manned eight and twenty light gallies with soldiers and mariners comming to scoure the seas nere to Zante and Zeffalonia tooke diuers Turkish vessels which being laden with victuals were going to Valona then sayling towards the Gulphe he arriued vpon the sea of Corfou at the very same instant in a manner that Ianusbei being chased by the Venetian Gallies landed at Cimera whereby he had his part in the booty and carried away the empty Turkish vessels which did much encrease the Turkes hatred to the Venetians and made them to suspect that they had some secret intelligence with the Imperials The Generall Pesare being aduertized of Barbarossas departure from the confines of Zant where he had remayned to assure the victuals which came from Constantinople to the campe and of his sayling towards Corfoù did thinke it a very fit occasion for himselfe to make vse of the liberty which the Senate had giuen him to ioyne both the fleets together wherevpon he resolued to enter into the Gulphe and to ioyne with the Generall Vitturi meaning neuerthelesse by all meanes to auoide meeting with the Turkish gallies But being on his way and driuen by a contrary winde he was carried to sea-ward before the winde to those quarters where he was to meet with that which he had most of all auoided for hauing sailed a long time with the whole fleet and about night being come neere to land he was councelled to ankor there to passe the rest of the night which was so darke as they could not discouer a farre off which gaue occasion to the third accident For it fell out that the vantgard consisting of fiteene Gallies conducted by Alessandro Contaren the Prouidator did vnawares strike vpon a Turkish galley this was an Imperial galley prepared for the great Turke if hee should desire to come to sea and was commanded by Bustan Rais those within it hauing in the Italian tongue demanded of the Venetians whose vessel that was which was so neere them and they replying that it belonged to the Venetians did aske them the selfe same question who they were but they making no answer vsed all meanes to escape thence and then on a sodaine shot off a peece of ordnance Contaren being then mooued with disdaine and spurred forward by a zeale to honour and reputation notwithstanding that the darkenesse of the night would not suffer him to discerne any thing did neuerthelesse redouble the bankes of Rowers and followed that Turkish galley which had plaied an enemies part and after a long fight there being more then three hundred souldiers in it he became Master thereof by the death of all the Turkes some few excepted who had hid themselues Contaren was by some reprehended for this deed as though being carried away by a particular desire of reuenge he had enterprized that which he knew to be against the commodity and seruice of the common-wealth by executing that hostile act vpon the Turkes yet neuerthelesse others in excusing him said That He had more then any man else foreseene all those disorders by meanes whereof to auoide all occasions he demanded to haue the army conducted into Candy seeing that the Turkes had passed as friends thorow the Channell of Corfoù The Generall after this exploit passing forwards on his way came very nere to the coast of Puglia where they descried an infinite number of fiers and heard at the same time sundry shot of ordnance They thought at the first that it had beene those of the country who hauing descried the Venetian fleet and not knowing what vessels they were did giue warning to the inhabitants round about to retire themselues into the strong townes but they soone found the contrary for it was a warning to the Turkes that were there speedily to embarke themselues as they did and to fall into order of battaile before the Venetian fleet Then was there great confusion in the Venetian army for the vnhoped for arriuall of the Turkish gallies on the one side danger was very nere and their doubt very great whether they were best to escape by flight or dispose themselues to battaile Flight seemed dishonorable and of small pofit to fight was against the Senates expresse command the which they were to obserue and not on the vncertaine euent of a battaile aud to their owne disaduantage hazard the gallies on which depended the whole defense and safety of their Estate by sea Matters remayning in this confusion by reason of these irresolutions either to abide or to be gonne it happened that when the Generall commanded to turne the Prowes and to returne towards Corfoù it was done in a manner in disorder so as all of them preparing with speed to get forth of that danger fiue Venetian gallies tarried behind either because they had not soone enough turned their Prowes or for that they were not so light as the others foure of them fell into the Turkes hands who soone after by declaring himselfe their enemy did inhumainely put the foure captaines to death which commanded them as for the fifth which was commanded by Giouan Baptista Mirchouich of Pago al-be-it it was farther behinde then any of the rest did neuerthelesse by chance escape that danger for carrying in her flag the cressent or half moone they thought it to be a Turkish galley and thereby being not medled with it found meanes afterward to escape to Ottranto Now this latter exploit caused Soliman wholly to resolue to make warre vpon the Signory of Venice who was before that time halfe-minded so to doe by reason of the precedent actions whereby he perceiued the small affection that the Venetians did beare vnto him his seruants likewise the more to animate him therevnto did agrauaâ—…e the matter and afterwards a letter of Doria written to Pesare coming to his hands assured him of that which he most doubted Doria had as it was thought forged that letter and found meanes to haue it fall into the Turks hands to make them beleeue that he had some secret intelligence with the Venetians and by that means to set them at ods thereby enforcing
captaines who altered their course sayling against them towards the entrance of the Gulphe of Larta from whence they came wherevpon by altering their course the order of the fleet was likewise changed so as the Generall Capello was in the vauntgard who from as farre as he could descry the Turks vessels causing those of his battaillon to double the bankes of Rowers did speedily set forward against the enemies and by discharging diuers Canons vpon them enforced them to returne from whence they came the which they did speedily being come forth only to discouer and not to fight as they fell into some disorder whilest euery one of the gallies striued which should enter first to free themselues from danger which neuerthelesse grew greater by their fight by reason that by turning their gallies their poopes lay open to the ordnance shot being neither able to defend themselues nor to be releeued by their fellowes who kept the mouth and entrance of the Gulphe closely shut vp Doria who sailed in the battaile so soone as he perceiued it did set forward all men supposing that he did it to keepe the enemies from entring into the mouth of the Hauen who being beaten both in poope and flanke could not choose but bee vanquished or sunke But so soone as hee came nere to them he sent commandement thorow the whole fleet no man knowing the cause why that vpon paine of punishment all his gallies should forthwith retire and being ioyned altogether should saile to the Ducall Cape in the Island of Saint Maur to the great astonishment and griefe of all men wherevpon men did boldly and openly thorough the whole army vse reproachfull speeches against him for that by his meanes they had lost the commodity of ouer-throwing a great part of the enemies fleet without the losse of one only man Being come to that place the chiefe of the army beganne a new to consult onwhat were best to be done some were of opinion to send part of their gallies to assaile the castle of Lepanto affirming that Barbarossa would neither himselfe come forth nor yet suffer his gallies to leaue the Gulphe without vrgent necessity and if he should come forth it would be in their owne power to take what aduantage they pleased to giue battaile others thought it fit to returne speedily to Preuese because that the Turkish army not stirring forth of his place they might assaile the castle and if it did come forth they would be enforced to come to battaile to their disaduantage and be assailed before they could put themselues into order of battaile This opinion was allowed as being thought fiâ—…rest for the honour of our army and for the assurance of breaking that of the enemies and thereupon the army of the league departing from Saint Maur on the eight and twentith of September sailed forward in the same order as at the first But the winde hauing failed them by the way which till then had euer fauoured them they were enforced because they would not separate the gallies from the ships to tow them with great discommodity and delay by meanes whereof the Turkes had time to come forth of the Gulphe and to order themselues in battaile as they desired contrary to the opinion of the confederates so as the army of the league descried that of the enemies in battaile before it could come to the mouth of the Gulphe the which came sailing with a faire winde vp to ours We haue now said Doria caused the enemy to dislodge according to our desire it is now in our power to fight but certainely it behooueth vs well to consider of it it is a matter of very great importance and repentance afterwards will be in vaine We are to consider that by giuing battaile we commit to the hazard of a short time not onely this army but likewise the whole reputation of the Confederate Princes and if I may so say the wealth and safety of all Christendome because that these forces being Iost where are the meanes to set forth an other fleet to oppose the enemies to stop the course of their victory What hope is there of being able to defend and preserue the sea townes without forces at sea Then turning himselfe towards the Venetian Generall he added that it was his part whom it most of all concerned to consider those things because that the danger which threatned the State and liberty of his Common-wealth was greatest of all other Capello made answer that the Senate had commanded him to fight with the enemy when occasion should be offered and that at the same time so faire an one being presented he was to obey that commandement and to beseech God that the iustice of their cause might be accompanied with a fortunate successe to the seruice of all Christendome and their owne particular commendation and that his desire was to be placed in the most dangerous part of the battaile which he would willingly accept The Patriarke Grimani seemed to be of the same minde notwithstanding that in the beginning he had councelled them to goe to Lepanto Doria perceiuing that all men consented to a battaile Be it so theâ—… quoth he and I beseech God to fauor our enterprise and in so saying he did speedily cause the battails banner to be erected and gaue order for whatsoeuer was necessary saying that with his owne battaillon he would be the first that should charge the enemy All men were ioyfull when they vnderstood this resolution for the great hope they had of victory and in regard of the smal forces that were in the enemies army wherevpon they imagined that they would not haue the courage to attend them but that they made that shew only in brauery The captaines in the meane time did exhort the souldiers to fight valiantly setting before their eyes the greatnesse and facility of the victory the rich spoiles and the immortal glory prepared for the vanquisher Doria would needs saile formost with his galleys placing Capel in the battaile and Grimani in the rereward to succour with his battaillon those parts which he should perceiue to haue most need he commanded Antoniâ—… Doria who conducted the great vessels that keeping before the light galleys hee should vse meanes to get the winde of the enemies that he might with more ease runne vpon them and with his ordnance disorder them before they should come too neere the light galleys But the Turkes on the other side seeking the same aduantage vsed all meanes they could to get before the Christian Army that they might first assaile it which Doria perceiuing did in time draw his army towards the land to keepe the enemies from possessing those quarters Then vpon the sodaine there beeing no winde at all it was an hard matter to pursue that desiegne in regard that the light Galleys were with many turnings enforced to towe the great ships yet neuerthelesse all men were so earnest to the battaile that by
their industry this impediment was taken away and the two great ships namely the Argozy and the Gallion were placed at the head of the Army like two strong Towers to breake the enemies first assaults So soone as Barbarossa perceiued those two great ships comming against his Armie before the calme fearing least hee should bee first enforced to fight with them hauing auoided it as much as hee could began to repent his comming forth of the Gulphe of Preueze Yet neuerthelesse taking presently courage hee did euery where play the part of a good Captaine thinking on nothing more then on fight seeking all aduantages that the condition of the time and place would affoord him and chiefly hee sought to bend his course towards the cape of the Island of Saint Maur wherevpon auoiding at the same time the meeting with those two great vessels hee did vse meanes by turning to the other side to charge oue Army on their backs the which being desirous to keepe the great vessels vnited to the light ones could not but with great difficulty disorder mooue and chang their place and therefore he did solicite his soldiers both by promiscs and threats not to be discouraged and to speake truth he did that day do whatsoener belonged to a discreet and vaâ—…ant Captaine He had diuided his Army into three parts the right wing was gouerned by Trabacchio the left by Salecca both of them valiant Captaines and renowned for their great experience and Barbarossa was in the middest with the body of the battaile Dragut a famous Pirat went before the whole army with great numbers of Fusts Galâ—…ots and some light Galleys as it were to lead the way to the rest and with those lighter vessels to begin the skirmish The long delay and irresolution of our men or the speed and good fortune of the enemies the sea beeing calme so that the great vessels could doe no seruice for want of winde did giue the Turkes time and leisure first to possesse that part neere to the firme land which the Captaines of the league had determined to seaze on and to driue the enemies from it who lying in a very commodious place and a great way off from our vessels lay in front of the Christian Army to descrie how it would make vp towards them supposing themselues to be foorth of danger by reason that they perceiued that the Captaines of the league were determined to giue battaile without those great vessels and that it was dangerous to tow them any further on in the view of the enemies so as it seemed that it was in their power either to giue battaile or not Doria in the meane time beeing followed by all the light Galleys turning towards those great vessels had for a time not onely held our men but the enemies in doubt what he would doe all men expecting when he would turne the prows vpon the enemy and begin the fight But during this long delay he gaue time to the Turkes to get the vantage and to eschew the battaile Dorias pollicy was as he said afterwards to beguile the enemies who beeing vncertaine what course he would hold thought it best to lie at sea in the same place and close order which they held whereby it had beene an easie matter for him by fetching a great compasse to haue assailed them with his Galleys in sundry places But Barbarossa perceiuing his intent did with great speed as hath beene said make to land-ward keeping still as he sailed along the prows of his Galleys turned towards our Army keeping as farre off as he could from our great vessels The Army of the league in the meane time to all mens wonder stood immoueable to behold the enemies insulting and the faire occasion which it lost the Generall Capell and Grimani began to cry out with a lowd voyce that they were no longer to loose time nor the certain hope of so goodly a victory Capel presently after leapt into a Frigat and was carried round about the fleet stirring vp all men to battaile beeing reciprocally welcomed and commended of all men and being come to Dorias Galley he said vnto him Let vs goe my Lord to charge the énemies that flye from vs time occasion and the soldiers cryes doe call vs forth the victory is ours I will bee the first that shall charge and I tarry for nothing but the commandement to begin the fight Capell was a man of three score and thirteene yeares of age of a cheerfull countenance healthfull constitution singular iudgement and was reuerenced of all men for his age and great discretion ioyned with a singular experience in marine matters so as great estimation was made of his aduice and councell and indeed all men were desirous of battaile and did ioyntly cry out battaile battaile victory victory Doria at the last beeing mooued by these cryes and spurd forward by shame commanded the rest to â—…et forward and himself with his battalion did passe on beyond the great ships our army came neerer to the enemies Galleys who were already come to the place they wisht for their poopes beeing towards the land and their prows to sea-ward wherevpon from both parts though a farre off the Cannon plaid so as a man would haue thought that the battaile had bin begun and yet neither on the one side nor other did the Galleys set forward Doria did still looke when that the Turkes all amazed would forsake the Galleys without fight and saue themselues on shoare and Barbarossa perceiuing the light Galleys to bee backt by the Gallion and the Argozey durst come no neerer for feare least the Ordnance of those great ships would disorder and sinke him but Doria hauing for a time continued in this manner and perceiuing that his pollicy tooke no effect and resoluing as his actions did afterwards shew not to commit himselfe to the hazard of a battaile began openly to retire The Turkes taking courage by the retreate of our men did come so farre forward as diuerse of the enemies Galleys were very neere to the Gallion and the Argozey who by reason of the place wherein they were and their greatnesse they could not retire so soone but a Cannon shot beeing made vpon the Gallion and fire taking in a barrell of powder the marriners and soldiers were in great feare and disorder but the Captaine prouiding a speedy remedy for it did defend them from danger and the Turkish Galleys comming still neerer to these ships both of them at one time discharged their ordnance vpon them so as euery Bullet dooing execution they enforced them sodainly to retire In this manner the whole army of the league beeing safe and vntoucht sauing a few vessels that were lost in the retreate was brought to Corfou Doria in his Galley would be the last that should retire thereby to shew himselfe more braue and valiant or else that hee had a great care of the Army but all men
who might easily breake the enterprise the like might Barbarossa doe comming to Valona so as it would bee no safe matter to land the soldiers and to leaue the vessels vnfurnished hauing so mighty an enemy neere them that they were to make warre else-where and to molest the enemy in places farther off from his greatest forces which consisted in horse and foote Both these propositions then beeing for these reasons reiected they resolued to enter the Gulphe there to enterprise some-what which might assuredly and without difficulty answer their desire The Army then departing from Corfou sayled to the mouth of the Channell of Catharra to besiege Castle-nouo a place seated on the sea-shore a little within the Gulphe which Mahomet had certaine yeares before taken from Chersega that place was sufficiently esteemed not for beeing great or of an impregnable fortification but onely for the situation commodious for diuers matters and chiefly for the Venetians for the safety of Cathara Aboue the Towne there is a Castle kept by a garrison of Turkes all the other inhabitants are Dalmatians or Sclauonians The fleet hauing entred the Gulph Doria landed his footmen not farre from the castle and within a while after his ordnance to batter it giuing the particular charge thereof to Don Ferrant de Gonzaga But whilest they planted the ordnance the Generall Capello beeing come neere to the Citties walls with his galleis forth of the danger of the Castles shorte the which comming from aboue â—…lew ouer their heads hee began to giue an assault to the Towre with his Rowers and marâ—…iners who vsing their oares insteed of ladders and 〈◊〉 it in sundry places did at last enter it and opened the Gates to the soldiers Wherevpon the Turkes did sodainly retire into the Castle but within a while after perceiuing that they could not long hold out they yeelded vpon discretion The towne was sackt by the Spaniards notwithstanding Don Ferrants prohibition who knew that the spoile did belong to the Venetians but the insolency of that nation was so great as not beeing satisfied with the spoile of the Citty when they did meete with any of the Venetian Rowers returning to the Galleys loden with pillage they did take all from them and would perforce enioy the fruite of other mens labours Barbarossa beeing aduertised that the Christian Army was gone to besiege Castel-nouo did leaue Preueze and was onward on his way meaning to go and releeue it or at least by the report of his comming to breake the enemies enterprize But hauing sailed halfe way thither a marueilous tempest arose in which thirty of his Galleys were cast away and sunck Wherevpon hee returned with the rest very much beaten to Volona The Christian army hauing intelligence of this losse all men began to cry out and said that it behooued them to saile forthwith towards the enemies who were weakened both in courage and forces to fight with them the Generall Capello did with great vehemency perswade Doria not to lose such an occasion seeing it was not farre from thence to Valona where they might assaile the Turkish fleet which was not in state to fight beeing weakned by the fortune of the sea nor was able to escape by reason that all their Oares were in a manner broken neither could it presume vpon the safety of the place where it lay the Castle of Valona beeing not able to defend them because it was too farre off from the hauen But Doria making excuses saying some-times that hee resolued to goe thither and afterwards that the season was vnfit for such an enterprise with diuerse other impediments did make such long delayes as hee gaue Barbarossa time and leisure to conduct his army in safety to Constantinople hauing left Dragut in the Gulph of Lepanto with fiue and twenty Galleys and a certaine number of Galeots and Fusts belonging to Pirats to hinder the Christians nauigation Doria afterwards alledging new occasions that he might be gone from thence and chiefly the want of Bisket that was in the Army resolued to depart and to carry his Army into Sicily notwithstanding that he was councelled and exhorted by his owne friends and countrey-men and namely by Don Ferrant to keepe the armies ioyned together all that winter either at Corfou or in some other commodious place to the end they might at the spring put to sea betimes and outstrip the enemies preparations He left foure thousand Spaniards for the guard of Castel-nouo vnder the command of Captaine Iohn Sarmiento notwithstanding that the Venetian Generall entreated him that according to the capitulations of the league the towne might bee consigned to him to bee kept by his soldiers but excusing himself for that he had no commission so to do he referred that businesse to the Emperor he went about beside to place six thousand Spanish footmen in garrison in the citties of Budua Antiuari and Dulcino vnder coulor that he did it for the Venetians commodity the better to assure those townes and to haue soldiers alwayes ready to make speedy vse of at the Spring Doria beeing gone the Patriarke Grimani followed him within a while after and sailed to Ancona where hee disarmed the Galleys and sent them empty to Venice afterwards hee went to Rome to yeeld an account to the Pope of that which had beene done Capello in this manner remaining alone all the other Commanders beeing gone in the Gulphe of Catharra went to Rissane a small towne not farre from thence held by the Turkes with a small Garrison which beeing soone yeelded vnto him he manned with Soldiers and made Lodouico Zene their Gouernor Capello in the meane time by reason of the toyle and trauaile which hee had susteined or rather with greefe and discontent to see matter handled contrary to his desire fell into a greeuous sicknesse in regard whereof hee besought the Senate to giue him leaue to returne home to Venice to take order for his health The Duke of Vrbin at the same time beeing consumed by a lingering disease dyed not without suspition of beeing poisoned to the Venetians great greefe and discontent Sollemne obsequies were made for him at Venice in the Church of the Saints Iohn and Paul Now the occasion beeing so often lost of fighting with the Turkish fleet with a certaine assurance of the victory and the Spaniards seazing vpon Castelnouo did more and more encrease the suspition which all men had conceiued of the Captaine Generalls small sincerity or great cowardize but some said that he had proceeded in that manner by the Emperors will and consent wherevpon the Senate was greatly troubled and perplexed for that it had vndertaken such a warre against so mighty an enemy and made their atâ—…onement with him more vneasie by their refusall thereof hauing beene therevnto inuited vppon the weake and vncertaine hope of the aid of Christian Princes so as it knew not by what means to assure the conseruation of their State The
this trea ty and consenting to the Turkes demaunds he should put them in hope to obtaine other matters Hauing spent certaine daies in this perplexity Barbarossa seeming to be desirous that he should go foreward with the treaty of agreement perswaded him not to giue ouer his enterprize offering to aid and fauour him and although he opened him a way to be a better hope yet neuerthelesse by continuing the Treaty he found no alteration in the Baschas wherevpon he was enforced in a short time by little and little to consent to that which was reserued till the very last namely to giue ouer besides the Townes which they already possessed the Citties of Naples and Maluesia and to pay vnto them within three yeares towards the expences of the warres the summe of three hundred thousand Crownes Then were the antient Capitulations renewed and confirmed together with diuers other particularities concerning the establishment of the peace The report of this agreement beeing brought to Venice although euery man desired it the Republick being in great distresse by reason of the discomodities of the warres and the dearth of victualls and at such a stay as it had need of being restored by peace was neuerthelesse badly welcomed when men vnderstood the particularities thereof many blaming that Councell for hauing bought peace at so deere a rate by the giuing away of so goodly a portion of their state and so great a somme ofmoney wherewith they might haue beene still able for a time to haue maintained the war others did taxe the Ambassadors ignorance or to much feare who by a precipitate resolution had yeelded at the first to the Turkes demands and had suffered himselfe to be carried away by latest remedies reserued for the safety of most desperate matters But these first motions beeing vanished and the State of the affaires more maturely considered on with the reasons which had mooued those wise Senators to consent thereunto all men did rest satisfied and very well contented praysing their good aduise and wisedome Within a while after the trechery of certaine perfidious persons was disco uered wherby the intention and honor of the Ambassador Badoario was preserued The traitors were Constantine and Nicholao Cauazzo of the order of Cittizens who entring into the Councell of Tenn and into that of the Preguais in quallity of Secretaries receiuing pension of the French King did accquaint him with the affaires of greatest importance of the Common-wealth with them Maffeo Lâ—…one of the order of Senators was ioyned who by reason of his place had accesse into both of the Councells besides Augustino Abondio and Francisco Valerio had a hand in that trechery These men being discouered by meanes of certaine letters found in the Cabinet of Abondio where-in matters of State were mentioned three of them to wit Nicholao Cauazzo Abondio and Valerio retired vnto the Pallace of the French Ambassador as vnto a place of franchise This retreat of theirs hauing caused the Senate to thinke very badly of them the officers were forth-with sent to apprehend them where somme resistance beeing made they were enforced for to bring a small Barke thither with two great peeces of Ordnance in it to spoile and batter the house where-vpon the traitors were deliuered to them and being committed into the hands of the officers of Iustice and their processe made they were hanged in the market place of Saint Marke Constantine Cauazzo and Maffeo Leone leauing the Citty betimes had leasure to escape to some place of safety They were proclaimed thorrow the Citty three seuerall daies with promise of a good summe of mony to any that could take them aliue or dead The King seemed to be much displeased for the violence offered to the Ambassadors lodging so as for certaine moneths space he denied audience to Giouan Antonio Veniero Ambassador to the Signory vntill that one day being at the Campe before Perpignan and being desirous to here newes from Constantinople he called for him and complained but very modestly as though he were halfe reconciled for that his Ambassadors house had beene forced vsing these speeches among others what would you haue said if the like had beene done vnto you Venier made this ready answer If God should send into my house and vnder my power a traitor to your Maiesty I my selfe would lay hands on him and deliuer him vnto you being wel assured if I should doe otherwise that the Signory would sharpely reprehend me During the negociation of the treaty of peace albeit that the Generall Moceniga was abroad with a great fleet of Gallies yet neuer-the-lesse hee executed no warlike exploit for feare least he should hinder the agreement but onely sailed vp and downe entertayning the time and hauing intelligence that Dragut lay neere to the Isle of Zante with great numbers of Fusts and other vessels belonging to Pirats and robbed all those that hee met with hee sayled thither-ward to meete and fight with him But he hauing a farre off descried our Gallies and hauing a faire wind tooke another way and escaped and after wards not daring any more to returne into those seas he went into the West where hee was taken by Ianetin Doria with eight of his vessells Now after the conclusion of the peace the Generall before he would goe to Dalmatia to disarme the fleet went to Naples of Romagnia and Maluesia to acquaint those people with the successe of the businesse concluded at Constantinople and the Senates resolution to quit those townes to the Turke It is not to be imagined how greeuous these newes were to the people being as loth to tarry there as to go from thence For to liue vnder the Turkish tyranny seemed a very hard matter vnto them To depart thence like-wise and for euer to abandon their country goods houses and sepulchers was a greefe almost intollerable The Generall then to comfort them the whole people of Naples being assembled in the market place spake to them in this manner The fatherly loue wherewith the Common-wealth hath imbraced and receaued you from the beginning vnder her rule and protection and then gently gouerned you for a long time may very easily perswade you that the same which I am now enioyned to deliuer vnto you which perhaps yee already know how that this Citty and Maluesia your neighbour are by an agreement made at Constantinople to be deliuered to Soliman hath beene done rather vpon extreame necessity then by any free or voluntary will Diuers things may make you see how deerely the Republike hath euer loued you and especially in these last warres in which for your releefe it hath readily exposed part of her forces to great dangers it hath furnished you with mony soldiers and victualls for feare least yee should fall into the enemies power who with barbarous cruelty would haue bathed their hands in your blood as they threatened to doe and made this Citty desolate hath in aword not to
the Duke of Neuers on the other side tooke diuers places in the country of Luxembourg as Herbemont the forts of Iamoigne Chygni Rossignoll Villeneufe and diuers others This happy successe did change the French mens sorrow into gladnesse their hearts still panting for that red and bloudy battaile of Saint Lawrence and chiefly at Court where the ioy was doubled in regard of the marriage of Francis Daulphin of Viennois with Mary Steward Queene and Inheretrix of Scotland daughter to Iames the fifth and Mary of Lorraine daughter to Claude Duke of Guise and that of Charles Duke of Lorraine with Claude the younger daughter of France This ioy was accompanied with an other by reason of the taking of Thyonuille which after a long battery of fiue thirty great peeces of ordnance was yeelded vpon composition Great preparations for warre being after this manner dayly made Almighty God tooke pitty on the people and raised vp Mediators of peace betwixt those two great Kings the which at that time tooke no-effect in regard of the great difficulties which were presented But the death of Charles the fift happening in Spaine and that of his two sisters Flenor Queene Dowager of France and Queene Mary Dowager of Hungary who accompanied him Mary Queene of England died soone after which procured the accomplishment of the peace turning the bitternesse of the precedent warres into a pleasing sweetnesse of accord by meanes of the alliances made the yeere following 1559. For as the Commissioners of both Kings did treat together the death of Charles the fifth happening in September and that of Queene Mary of England in Nouember altered the place and time of that conclusion Peace was concluded in the castle of Cambresis by meanes of the marriages of Philip with Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Henry and of Philibert Emanuel Duke of Sauoy with the Lady Marguerite the Kings only sister who tendred backe to the Spaniard whatsoeuer he had taken from him and to the Duke Sauoy and Piedmont and to the Geneuois Corsica But whilest the nuptials of the Kings daughter and sister were celebrated at Paris with all sports and delights that might be imagined this pleasant Commedy was turned into a mournfull and lamentable tragedy by King Henries death who being at tilt stricken into the eye with a splinter of a Lance died the eleuenth day after his hurt But to returne to the Venetians great numbers of pirats did at the same time scoure the Adriattick sea and by their vsuall spoiles and incursions did great harme on the sea coast of Dalmatia and Histria Matteo Bembo a discreet person and well experienced in many matters and Generall of the Venetians nauall army came forth of the Gulph of Corfou with twelue Gallies and with great speed pursued those Rouers gaue them chase and diâ—… greatly molest them who escaping into the Hauen of Durazzo those of the 〈◊〉 hauing taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their behalfe Bembo being incensed thereat not regarding the peace which the Venetians had with Soliman discharged his Cannons vpon the cities walles where some of the inhabitants were slaine and yet he could not seize on the Pirats The Turke tooke this battery and manner of proceeding in very bad part and determined to reuenge it the Venetians considering the losses and harme that might arise if they should breake peace with so potent a Lord did appease him both by presents and excuses banishing Bembo from their State being not able to apprehend him that they might giue him an exemplary punishment which did the more coole and appease Soliman On the other side by the death of Mary Queene of England Elizabeth her sister obtained the crowne To Henry the second succeeded Francis the second Daulphin of Viennois his eldest sonne of the age of sixteene yeeres At the same time died Pope Paul the fourth who being extreamly hated of the Roman people as well for the behauiour of his Nephewes as for the Inquisition which he had established in Rome before he had scarce giuen vp the ghost the people arose and being led by the chiefest of those that beene iniured by him ranne to the palace of the Inquisition from whence with their swords hauing driuen the Monkes they opened the prisons and set all the prisoners at liberty the like did they to all the other prisons in Rome then they went to the Capitoll where finding the brazen Statue which the Romans had erected in honour of the Pope at the beginning of his papacy in regard of the good offices he had done them they brake it in peeces and drag'd the head diuided from the body through the dirt and mire of the city that done they threw it into Tiber. The Venetians sent their Ambassadors to the new French King to congratulate according to their manner his comming to the crowne Nicolo de Pont Doctor and Knight and Bernardo Nouagera were appointed to that end and within a while after the Prince falling sicke deceased to the griefe of all men in regard of his integrity and learning he was buried in Saint Dominikes Church in the monument of his ancestors Then by the example of former times they chose Ieronimo Priuli brother to the deceased Duke a man very famous and of great Maiesty IERONIMO DE PRIVLI the 83. Duke AT the beginning of his gouernment Giouan Angelo de Medicis a Milanois brother to the late Marquis of Marignan was chosen Pope to the great contentment of all the Romans taking vpon him the name of Pius the fourth which was at the latter end of the yeere 1559. who to make his actions conformable to his name pardoned the people of Rome the commotion and mutiny made by them against his predecessor then seeing all Christendome at peace he tooke order that the generall councell begunne at Trent and broken off afterwards by reason of the warres should be reuiued And although he was by nature meeke and gentle yet neuerthelesse beeing enforced by the great complaints made vnto him against his predecessors Nephewes who during their vncles Papacy had committed infinite extortions hee imprisoned Charles and Alphonso Caraffi Cardinals the Duke of Palliano brother to Charles and two others of their nere kinsmen who their processe hauing beene made and considered by Iudges deputed to that end being found guilty of sundry bad crimes the Cardinall Charles was strangled in Castle Saint Angelo and forthwith buried the Duke of Palliano with his other kinsmen were beheaded in the tower of Nona and shewne afterwards in publike and Cardinall Alphonso as least culpable was sent home to his owne house by meanes of a pecuniary amends which hee paied and the office of Chamberlaine was taken from him About the same time died that famous Prince Andrew Doria being foure score and thirteene yeeres of age famous as well for the great enterprises he executed as for restoring the city of Genoa his natiue country to the liberty it enioyeth at
him in his Realme of Hungary determining hotly to pursue him but the Transiluanian being backt by the Turke enforced the Emperour to retire The end of the sixth Boke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the sixth Decade THE great hurt caused by the Inquisition after the manner of Spaine The Venetians beeing solicited by Pope Pius the fourth to receiue it doe excuse themselues because they would not trouble their Dominions with it The death of Pope Pius the fourth with the election of Pope Pius the fifth The death of Soliman before Zighet which is concealed by Mahomet Bascha Selim succeedeth Soliman The ceremony which is vsed in bringing Ambassadours into the presence of the great Lord with the forme of the oth which hee vseth to make The first motion of the enterprise of Cyprus by the Turkes And lastly Selims resolution to enuade the Isle of Cyprus The seuenth Booke of the sixt Decade of the History of Uenice THe Pope being desirous at the beginning of the yeere 1565. to pluckvp by the roots al heresies forth of Italy to diue into the very secret thoughts of men fearing least that Prouince should embrace heresies like others did throw it head-long into very great and difficult Labirinths which had almost caused an intestine warre in the country For he procured King Philip to establish the Inquisition after the manner of Spaine in Milan namely this sharpe and cruell inquisition by which the conuicted do loose both liues and goods to the great hinderance and vndoing of their heires Now King Phillip hauing written to the Senate of Milan that his pleasure was to haue the Inquisition of Spayne receiued into the Citty all the People began to mutine and take armes against the Spanish officers that went about to introduce it which the Senate of Milan perceiuing made answer to him that brought the Kings commandement that they were ready to obey whatsoeuer his Maiesty should please to command and that they would take order to haue his will performed in euery point yet neuer the lesse they were not of opinion to haue that commandement to take place as then in regard of the Kings profit as well because those rigorous lawes were needlesse in Milan by reason that the Inquisitors would know all matters though distinct and diuided from al customes and lawes as also for that the Citty of Milan and all Italy in generall did detest that new manner of proceeding which might in the end breed much hurt That it was not good especially in these times ful of miseries and calamities to put good men and a warlike people into desperation for feare of the mischeefes which might ensue thereof which could in no sort profit his maiesty This discreet answere of the Milan Senate did change King Phillips determination who reuoking his Edict did greatly assure and confirme the Milanois The Pope perceiuing that his deseigne had taken none effect at Milan as he de sired he did by letters exhort the Venetians therevnto entreated and in a manner went about to enforce them to embrace that nouelty The Venetians beeing wise and discreet after they had maturely considered the businesse together withthe great danger they were like to incurre if they should permit such cruelty to take place in their Townes and Citties in regard that the Realme of Naples for the selfe same matter had in a manner reuolted from the Emperor and the Milanois had bruely impugned it they being vnwilling openly to seeme to deny the Pope nor likewise to grant his request so dangerous vnto them delayed as much as they could to make him an answere But his Nuncio still vrging them more and more to grant the Popes demand the Senate was assembled for that businesse where after sundry opinions had beene propounded they dilligently considered the discomodities which might arise vnto them by means of the Popes wrath and indignation if they should refuse him who being already not very wel affected to the Common-wealth would be the more enflamed against them On the other side they did represent before their eyes how that the wretchedest of al others was a ciuill and domestick war whereby the Republick did weaken her owneforces which were sooner raised then pacified Therefore the Senate all this being well examined made the Pope an answer full of meeknesse and humility how that it was of opinion by rigorous and sharp punishment to extirpate all execrable heresies but that it was not seemely to depriue children guiltlesle of that crime of their fathers successions seeing that they had Citties very zealous of Catholick Religion which had no need of such great rigor and iustice yet they would take order that those who should be conuicted of Heresy should abiure their errors or else should be punished with death according to the manner of their Iustice. About the latter end of this yeare dyed Pope Pius Quâ—…rtus in the sixth yeare of his Papacy vnto whom succeeded at the beginning of the yeare 1566. Frier Michaell Giseleo of the order of Saint Dominick called the Cardinal Alexandrine who tooke vpon him the name of Pius Quintus Soliman lying at the seege of Zighet and beeing inraged to see a handfull of Christans so brauely to resist the great numbers of his soldiers this disdaine and rage did so alter him as it brought him to a flixe which killed him on the fift day of September but his death was in such sort concealed by Mahomet Bascha who next him was the cheifest man in the Army as the Turkes knew it not fearing as it was likely that the newes of the great Lords death would be the cause of the ruine of the whole Army Selim his sonne succeeded him in the Otoman Empire But to returne to the Venetians of whom our meaning is cheifly to speake certaine monethes after that this new Emperor of Turkes was installed in his Empire and that from all parts Ambassadors were sent vnto him to congratulate his happy comming to the Crowne they appointed Marin Caballo a nobleman and excellently well seene in the knowledge of diuers things being both learned and ritch to goe and reioyce with him likewise in the Common wealthes name for his aduancement to the Empire and afterwards to confirme the ancient Articles of peace and alliance which they had made with his father Soliman the which that hee might obtaine with more ease hee tooke along with him the presents which Ambassadors were wont for to carry to the new Emperors But whilest he prepared for his iourney it happened that one called Iohn Miches a Iew by nation a great fauorite of Selims a man of an euill disposition and who had turned Turke for a certaine wonderfull pollicy did continually sollicite Selim against the Duke of Necsia one of the Islands Ciclades descended from the race of Crispes and was the one twentieth Duke of that Island to bereaue him of his Prnicipallity hoping as it came
the most Christian King hauing dispatched the Bishop of Aix to Constantinople chiefly to negociate some accord and hee comming to Venice acquainted them with the zeale and affection of his King towards the good and proffit of the Common-wealth togither with his Commission to procure peace betwixt the Turkes and them The Senate thanked him and without giuing farther eare to his propositions called in the Confederates Ambassadours that they might heare his message this they did to take away all iealouzy and suspition and to animate them to warlike preparations like themselues The Turkish fleet in the meane time came still forward into the Venetian Gulphe none daring to oppose it on the other side the Sangiacs of Scopo Durazzo and Ducagina taking fiue thousand men tenne cannons and many other lesse peeces with them came neere to Dulcigna hauing enforced the country people to quit the streight passages which they guarded wherevpon the inhabitants resolued to abandon the city and to retire to Catharra but Nicolo Suriana and Sciarra Martinenga comming with newforces did confirme and encourage them to defend their city although it were not strong either by art or nature The enemy beeing encamped before it after that hee had made a battery and a reasonable breach the Ianissaries prepared for the assault wherevpon Martinenga beeing out of all hope to hold out long without sresh supplies did speedily send for the French men which hee had brought thither with whom for a time they valliantly defended it but the enemies fleer approaching and Suriana in that respect beeing with his Gallies enforced for to quit those seas all the inhabitants and souldiers beeing affrighted and wholly despayring to hold the towne any longer craued a parley the battery hauâ—…ng continued for the space of twelue daies and the accord was made with the Basha to depart with their liues and goods with promise to giue them foure ships to transport those to Ragusa that were willing to depart and good entertainment to such as would still remaine there and that the souldiers might depart with their armes and ensignes The city was deliuered to the Turkes though that the conditions were afterwardes badlie obserued because that since then some contention either true or feigned arising therevpon betwixt Pertau and Achmat Bashas who were come to that seege they tooke occasion to deale cruelly with those poore wretches who relying on their word had submitted to them for they caused all the inhabitants in a manner to bee imprisoned and did put diuers valliant Albanese souldiers to the sword that were come thither to defend the city onely they kept their word with the Gouernor Martinenga and some few other of the chiefest who were safely conducted to Ragâ—…sa Dulcigna beeing taken the enemies fleete sailed towards Antiuari where the inhabitants were much daunted with their neighbours misfortune though they feared not the fleete the Citty beeing foure miles from sea The Gouernor hauing intelligence of the enemies approach did without waiting for their comming send the Citties keyes to the Bascha by some of the pâ—…incipall townesmen in regarde whereof hee was afterwards by the Senate condemned to perpetuall banishment In the meane time newes beeing brought to Venice how that the enemies with a mighty fleete were come into their Gulphe the whole Citty was much terrified especially when it vnderstood how that in all places where they came they left terrible scarres behinde them the Venetians presently began to fortifie all passages and especially the Porte of Saint Nicholas on the shoare opposite to which is a very strong Castle builded and well stored with ordnance the defence where of was committed to Lodouico Grimani with certaine foote companies and furnished with expert Gunners they afterwards gaue Vincento Morâ—…sin one of the cheefe Senators charge of all the Fortifications along the shore with sixe other Gentlemen of the order of Senators to assist him namely Daniele venieri Marco Iustiniano Ieronimo Contareni Francesco Mithâ—…ele Lorenzo Souranze and Andrea Bernardo Those men caused a mighty Iron chaine to bee drawne from the aforesaid Castle to the opposite shore the which embarred the whole Channell and behinde it they placed three great Galleys and a certaine number of light ones which were well stored with Ordnance All other passages were likewise assured they did more-ouer place sundry corps du Guard in diuerse places of the citty and in a word omitted nothing which was necessary for the preseruation and defence thereof But it was knowne within a while after that all these speedie preparations were altogether vnnecessary For Vluzzali Admirall of that fleete after that hee had wasted as hath beene sayd the Isles of Lisena and Cursoles went back againe to ioyne with the Basha who with the residue of the fleete lay at the mouth of the Channell of Catharra where making some aboade hee summoned the Castle to yeeld and yet made none attempt vppon it because peraduenture hee was vnwilling to performe any great enterprise or else feared the vnion of the Christian fleetes Wherevpon hee departed thence and sailed to la Valona where hauing re-enforced his Armie with diuerse troopes brought to him by the Sangiack of Bossina and sent foorth certaine Galleys truely to discouer the estate of the Confederate nauall Armie hee bent his course towards Corfou and comming to Paxu hee sent first to view Mandracchia and the Galleys going vnto Butintro the Captaines coasted vppe and downe the Iâ—…land and heedfully obseruing the sytuation thereof could not agree vppon that which they would haue done In the meane time diuerse souldiers which were in the Fusts going on shore to get pillage fell into an Ambuscado of certaine troopes of horse belonging to the gaâ—…rison of the Citty vnder the commmand of Captaine George Mormori by whom all the enemies were eyther â—…laine or taken and among others Cassan surnamed Baffa á Renegado of Candy a man very famous not so much for his experience in marine matters as for his notatable crueâ—…ty In the end the whole fleete drew neere to the Island and yet as they passed along many Cannon shot were bestowed among them which did no great harme thorow the fault and small experience of the Gunners And comming to Potama great numbers of soldiers were landed who assaulted the towne our men who had seazed on the passages of the mountaines beeing to weake to hinder their passage Phillippo Rancone with foure hundred footmen garded the Towne part of his forces were Greekes and the rest Italians who perceiuing the enemies great numbers beganne to retire towards the plaine where finding other supplies sent from the Castle he made a stand and caused the Turkes that followed him to doe the like But the day following greater numbers beeing landed together with sixe hundred horse which they had taken in at Butrinto they gaue an assault to the Castle Saint Angelo and finding it to be a farre difficulter enterprize then they had immagined
what is their Generall but a youth fitter to leade a maske then an army what are both but the remainder of this yeeres victory whereof Cyprus was the late ritch earnest neither can they so soone forget to yeeld nor we to ouercome Therefore be confident braue fellowes in armes that not resolution but their destiny hath brought them hither Italy is the gate of Christendome and Venice the key of Italy This fleet is that Barre which if we can either breake or put backe all flies open and we shall goe beyond Caesar in the VVest Alexander in the East making the rising and setting of the Sunne the confines of the Turkish Empire Come on them let vs fill the sea with their bodies our Gallies with their wealth our selues with honor and felicity of both The Christians hauing in all respects prouided for so great an attempt as farre as humaine wisdome or strength extended considering this fleet to be their Arke God himselfe being interessed in the controuersie ceased not with humble but importunate inuocation to implore the aide of Heauen which by their Priests and Churchmen was confidently promised Their deuotions concluded and both battailes now facing each other the charge sounded by a cannon from Ali the Turkish Admirall answered by one from each wing with barbarous clamors after their custome which they thinke awakens the courage of their owne and amazeth and terrifieth their enemies swiftly made towards the Christian fleet who in a contary manner made trumpets drums fifes and other such martial musick the delightful Prologue to a more dreadful scaene Venieri back't his Galley with two other of Giouan Loretano and Catarini Malipietro Colonna did the like with two other And now being within distance of their ordnance the Turkes passing by the Galeasses were vnexpectedly torne by their great shot which brake forth on all sides like thunder and lightning out of some darke cloud they being high and close infinitely spoyled the naked Turkes and Rowers and made as it were that breach at which the Christian fleet entred For it disordered them then when they had no time to reforme themselues In which confusion yet desperatly passing the Galeasses they ranne vpon a sharper point of danger For the winde resisting the swiftnesse of their approch staied and set them vp as dead markes to the Christian ordnance which had more certaine ayme at them lying still then in motion and course Besides it did benight them with smoake augmenting the terror of those inuisible mischiefes which they felt but could not see to shun or reueng The horrible noize of some commanding others answering the crack of Gallies foule of each other terrified both the Turkes which suffered and Christians which but heard it victory appering to them in a dreadfull countenance In some Gallies the officers slaine the slaues brake lose and like Lyons slaughtered their keepers In others the powder taking fire casually seemed to rebell against them too shooting their bodies vp in the ayre as sacrifizes to that Christ whom they blasphemed Here men fallne ouer-boord wanted Gallies heere Gallies emptied of their companies wanted men and floted like dead bodies without soule which Mehemet Siroch now finding himselfe a truer Prophet then he desired obseruing with-drew himselfe from the body of the fleete thinking to circumuent the Christian left wing betwixt whom and Syroch Augustino Barbarico interposed his squadron wherewith he shut vp his passage the easlier by reason of a Promontary called Mahanguli extending it selfe on that part Marino Contareni resolute to be a sharer with his vncle Barbarico both in honour and danger followed and vnited himselfe to that squadron betwixt whom a cruell fight was maintained on both sides The Turkish left wing commanded by Vluzzali and confronting our right was very neere to haue ioyned with Doria who considering himselfe inferior in number of Gallies he hauing but fifty his enemy ninty vrged it not Vluzzali balancing with the fortune of the Christian his owne oddes of strength was contented likewise to absteine Doria after some suspence stood out to seaward with certaine of his Gallies a mile from the remainder In the meane time Don Iohn Colonna and Venieri the confederate Admirals in exact order incountred the middle battaile of the enemy exchanging in the approach three or foure vollies of great shot with much disaduantage to the Turkes The Christian vessels being snugge and stooping from the ordnance of the Turkes higher Gallies and many of their peeces choaked with Christians bullets casually shot into their mouthes and there sticking Which difficulties bred rather fury then despaire in them and induced them with violence of oares to make hast to grapple that there fighting hand to hand the difference might be decided by pure valour And beeing now come neerer swarmes of arrowes and small shot enterchangeably stung both sides and artificiall fiers reciprocally lightned euery where At last boording death and wounds drest variously were the entertainment of that hostile and vnwelcome visitation Whence sprung such a deluge of bloud that this might haue beene more properly called the red sea Now Siroch perceiuing himselfe not only frustrated by interposition of Barbaricos squadron but distressed by the vnresistable force of it persisted in fight to saue his honor though not life vsing his vtmost incouragements to reuiue the languishing hope of his men wherein by speech but more by example he so farre preuailed that desperation supplying the want of resolution they had now recouered not onely hope of resistance but victory For after doubtfull and vnequall conflict in many parts here number oppressing valor there valor counterpoizing the ods of number especially in the Gallies of Barbarico and Ciconta Barbarico whilest with inuincible courage he still ran to the weakest part like the vitall spirits in the body was vnfortunately and mortally wounded by a fatall Turkish arrow in the left eye himselfe being in deed not onely the eye but the very heart of his squadron He falling downe gaue demonstration that the life bloud of an army runnes in the veines of the Commander His owne men shrunke back the Turkes intruded and prest in his Galley which had beene then taken but that Frederico Nani and Siluio Porcia came in to her reskew These heroick gentlemen growing vp like Hidraes heads in the roome of Barbarico repeld the Turkes and recouered the former hope of victory Porcia receiued a wound in his thigh the honorable badge of his valor In an other part Ciconia opprest with multitude of Turkish Gallies was as I may say refined with wild fire and his face beautified with an eminent skar but was at last preserued by speedy supplies being so farre from yeelding either to wearinesse or torment that after this he boorded and tooke a principall Galley and one of their Imperiall Enseigns which in the Venetian armory serues now to display the inuincible courage of the taker But Siroch inuironed with danger and mischiefe on all sides
the greatest number of Gallies to meet with Don Iohn and free him from that danger This councell was reiected by the Venetian Captaines saying that to eschew an vncertaine danger they exposed the fleet and all the force of the confederats to a manifest perill seeing that the great vessells could not saile from Cerigo by reason of a contrary winde nor yet remaine there in safety the Gallies being reduced to a smaler number with sundry other alegations which were not alowed by Colonna nor Andrada for they thought that they might safely carry away an hundred Gallies with them to Zant and at one time secure Don Iohns arriuall and yet send the great vessells to Candy which was an easie matter to be done they saying that this was the best aduiâ—…e for the easie conuention of the confederate fleet Whilest this important businesse was vnresolued a Fregat opportunely arriued from Don Iohn aduertizing them that hee could not depart from Messina till the first of August Though this newes did cleere the former difficulties among the Captaines yet did it not wipe out discontent from their mindes for they like-wise vnderstood that Don Iohn had no meaning when he should arriue to go farre with his Gallies but by letters expresly commanded the Admirallâ—… to come and meete him which by reason of contrary winds especially they being to carry along with them so many great vessells could not be done without much losse of time danger and distast to those Islanders subiect to the Venetians forsaking them at such a time when the enemy was so strong at Sea and at their doores Not-with-standing they generally resolued to obey Don Iohns command but it being an impossibillity to carry the great vessells with them they determined first to leaue them safely in Candy and from thence to direct their course to Zant. Neuer-the-lesse this resolution was not afterwards affected by reason of new intelligence of the enemies fleet which was descried not farre from the Cape of Malea which verily perswaded them that they were going to intercept D. Iohn whervpon the Christian fleet dislodged and went to the arme of Meina from whence Vluzzali was newly departed From thence being fauored with a faire South-East wind within three daies they arriued at Zant where contrary to their hope not 〈◊〉 with Don Iohn but receiuing a new commandement to come to him to Cephalonia they were enforced to leaue the great vessells there though in great danger to bee taken by the enemies who vpon the least inckling thereof would not haue failed to returne to seaze on them which being likely to happen some of the cheefe of the Spanish fleet were of opinion that seeing it was an hard matter to secure them to send backe to haue them burnt But Generall Foscarin detesting this councell sent the Prouidator Quirini thither with fiue and twenty Gailies to safâ—…-conduct them to the fleet From Cephalonia they went to Corfoù whither Don Iohn was come on the ninth of August with fifty fiue Gallies thirty three shippes and fifteene thousand foot-men who though at first he could hardly dissemble his discontent for that they had not waited his comming but had like to haue inforced him for want of sufficient forces to haue gone alone into the leuant and to remayne idle at Corfoù to the derogation as he said of his reputation and greatnesse was neuer-the-lesse at last content to forget what was past and seemed very carefull and desirous to enterprize any honorable or important action for the profit and seruice of the league much amplifiing it in words because it was publikely reported thorow the army thnt he came but onely for a shew and not with intent or commission to exploit any thing and that he had euer vsed delaies and excuses eschewing all occasions of assailing the enemy or of imploying him-selfe in any certaine enterprize which suspitions did dayly more and more encrease all men perceiuing after so many delaies that he referred all resolutions to the arriuall of the Duke of Sessa and his Gallies from Spaine But the Venetians told him that their forces there were more then sufficient for vnited they amounted to the number of a hundred ninty foure Gallies eight Galleasses besides forty fiue ships to weet thirty Spanish and fifteene Venetians All these Vessells before their departure from the Gomenisses were drawne into forme of battaile The three Generalls lay in the maine with 62. Gallies the Marquis Santa Cruz conducted the right wing and the Prouidator Souranza the left and in each wing were fifty two Gallies Petro Iustiniano Generall of Malta commanded the vantgard with sixe Galeasses Iuan de Cardona and Nicolo Donato led the rereward with twenty two Gallies Don Rodrigo de Mendoca and Adriano Bragadino had charge of the shippes determining neuer-the-lesse to carry them to Zant and there to leaue them intending to vse some of them for the transportation of victuall and munition In this order the fleete departed from Paxu on the eleuenth of September vncertaine as yet what course to hold vnlese it were to set forwards to incounter with the enemy who by their Gallies sent to discouer were reported to liâ—… at Modon and Nauarine diuided and in great want of all necessaries espetially of men most of whome were dead and gone away wherevpon they remained safely there till the arriuall of new supplies These newes did greatly reioyce the whole fleet thinking that a fit occasion was offered to ouerthrow the enemies presuming that the Turkes hauing inteligence of the conuention of the Confederate fleet much superior to theirs in strength would according to their custome returne to Constantinople to winter in the streight hauing gotten honor by twice confronting the Christian Nauy and making shew to fight Some of Don Iohns Councellors did afterwards make vse of these reasons to impaire the credit of their former intelligence confirmed by many euident signes where vpon by giuing too great authority to those men their departure was delaied to the great preiudice of the enterprize and yet euery man consest that the onely hope of happinesse consisted in the speedy execution thereof not giuing the enemies any time to flie or vnite themselues because a suddaine and vnlook't for assault would more terrifie and disorder them The Captaines then presently determined to set forward and sayling on their course vndescryed from Zant to fall sodainely on the Isle Sapienza seated betwixt Nauarin and Modon to shutte vp the enemies passage and keepe them from helping one another But the execution of this deseigne was so long delaied and the fleet went so slowly for ward as when by day breake it should haue beene at Sapienza it was 〈◊〉 come to Prodaua where being discried by those of the Castle of Nauarin the Turkes that were their had time to retire in safety to Modon passing along in the view of our Nauie which seeing them come forth and doubting that Vluzzali would offer them battaile
excessiue expense was not onely forbidden in womens lying in but likewise the vsuall visitation of friends vnlesse they were neere kinsfolke and to preuent all deceit herein the mid wiues were enioyned within three daies after any woman was deliuered of child to aduertize the Magistrate thereof An other decree was made against superfluous diet restrayning it within the bounds of modesty peacocks partridge feasant and all dainty fish were bannished from the tables of delicious Epicures Iesters and Buffons from their houses It was likewise forbidden not to serue double messe of fish or flesh into any banquet and a commandement to all Cookes to giue in the names of such to the Magistrate as had hired them to dresse any together with the order therein obserued All Gouernors of townes and Iudges of Prouinces were likewise enioyned not to bestow any excessiue cost in garments houshold-stuffe or seruants because that modesty and proportion in gouernors is an assured bridle to hold back subiects from doing euill For where euery man is suffered to liue after his owne pleasure without order of law there of necessity must all mischiefe and riot abound for this cause the State enacted great and greeuous penalties vpon the transgressors of these so holy and wholesome decrees For it auailes not a Commonwealth to haue good lawes vnlesse subiects doe obey them and Magistrates see them seuerely executed Whilest the Senate were making these wholesome lawes the Persian perceiuing that he had to doe with so potent an enemy as the Turke sought to weaken him by busying him in more places then one and to that end did the same winter send an Ambassador to the Venetians requiring that of them which they had propounded vnto him for during the warre against Ottoman hee intreated them to enuade the Turke now that hee was busied in Persia promising so streightly to enclose them as they should neuer escape from thence thereby hoping wholly to roote out the tyrannous memory of the Ottomans who went about to make themselues absolute monarkes of the whole world The Venetians dismissed this Ambassador with an ambiguous answere as men that had no intent to entangle themselues in a new warre without likelihood of great aduantage and assured hope of victory In this manner ended the yeere 1580. The yeere following 1581. Pope Gregory the thirteenth perceiuing that because the course of the sunne had not beene rightly obserued the Equinoctiall of the spring had gotten tenne daies before the course of the sunne whereby the feast of Easter on which all other mouable feasts depend was not celebrated at the iust time appointed in the primitiue Church by the councell of Nice which in congruity if it were not reformed the holy daies of winter would bee kept in summer and those of summer in winter he sent for the skilfullest Astrologians of Europe to come to Rome and commanded them after exact calculating the course of the planets to referre the Equinoctiall of the spring to the 21. day of March as it had beene in old time decreed by the fathers of the said councell of Nice and to finde out some meanes and rule that the same inconuenient might for euer be remooued These learned men did what the Pope commanded by referring the Equinoctiall to it true place and by taking away for once tenne daies from October His Holinesse assured that this was the onely true remedy approued it and by his iniunction commanded it to be obserued ouer all Christendome only the Greekes and some other nations would not entertaine this reformation which was diuised by Lodouicus Lilius a very famous Mathematician and divulged ouer all Christendome by his Holinesse command The same yeere there arose some contention betwixt the Venetians and knights of Malta because that those knights scoured the seas to surprise the Turkes whom sometimes they tooke in the Venetians seas whereat Amurath being incensed sent them word that if they would not take order that his subiects might safely passe through their seas himselfe would send a mighty fleet to secure them The Venetians complained to the great Master of Malta intreating him not to permit his vessels any more to trouble the Turkes on their seas but the Malteses making no account hereof the Venetians tooke from them a ship of warre which they sent into Candy and not long after tooke two Gallies from them which being brought to Corfoù all the Turkish slaues in them were set at liberty and the empty Gallies restored to the knights The Venetians the same yeere to satisfie the Turke did publikely behead Gabriele Heme a Venetian Gentleman This Heme in a Galley of his owne had in the Archipelago fought with a Turkish Galeot which was going from Argier to Constantinople with the vice-queene of the same Kingdome and a sonne and daughter of hers which carried ritâ—…h presents to Amurath all the Turkes both men and women in it he put to the sword setting all the Christian slaues at liberty Beside the execution of this gentleman the Venetians to appease the Turke were enforced to send home foure hundred Turkish slaues in stead of so many Christians which the said Heme had set at liberty and to pay him in ready money the sum of 800000. Ducats But to giue this yeere a more pleasing farewell the Prince of Mantua did with great solemnity and magnificence marry one of the daughters of Francesco great Duke of Tuscany and Catherina Infanta of Spaine was by King Philip her father promised in marriage to the Duke of Sauoy Not long after Pope Gregory the thirteenth died in the foure score and third yeere of his age his funeralls ended in Saint Peters Church where he was buried in a chappel which himselfe had built the Cardinals entred into the Conclaue where after twelue daies they elected Cardinall Falix Perreti of Montalto a Castle in the marches of Ancona a Monke of Saint Francis order who tooke vpon him the name of Sixtus the fifth The same yeere on the fourth of Iune Nicolo de Ponte the Venetian Prince died beeing ninty foure yeeres of age hauing gouerned seuen yeeres and odde months he lies buried in Saint Maries Church his funeralls ended and the forty one proceeding to a new election Pascale Cigogna Procurator of Saint Marke was chosen Duke on the eighteenth of August of the same yeere PASCALE CICOGNA the 88. Duke IN his time there happened a tragicall act in Padua a towne vnder the Venetian Signory into whose territories presently vpon the election of Pope Sixtus the fifth Paulo Iordano Vrsino Duke of Brasciano retired himself iealous of the Pope who suspected that the Duke had put a kinsman of his to death before his Papacy hauing married his widdow Victoria Corembona a beautifull Lady and there dyed not without suspition of beeing poysoned for which losse the Dutchesse beeing extreamly greeued retired with two of her bretheren to Padua vnder the protection of the State of Venice till such time
behalfe of the said decrees nor of the authors of the said bookes which are two very important points and which did wholly seeme to breake of this reconciliation the State doubting that the Pope by this silence and omission had an intent to proceed afterwards against the Authors of the said bookes by the ordinary way of Ecclesiasticall iustice and thinking it a matter against all reason to abandon those that had done them such good and faithfull seruice after mature consultation the Senate made a very notable and honorable decree that the Signory should protect them against all men and assigne them a perpetuall pention In this manner is the Commonwealth by Gods goodnesse and reuocation of the censures restored to her former ancient peace and glory The end of the fourth and last Booke of the seuenth Decade of the History of Uenice FINIS A Table of the principall matters contained in the first Volume of the Historie of Venice compiled for the more easie finding out thereof by the right course of Alphabet AVthors meaning wherof to treate Fol. 1 Authors opinion concerning the Cities foundation 4 A verie curious obseruation 5 A wonderfull miracle smelling somewhat of Poperie 5 Attila defeated neere Tholouse 5 Arrian sect ouer all Italy 7 Ancient custome of marrying their daughters 9 A great miracle at Verona 10 A league made with Luitprand 12 A cruell and vnworthie act 18 A punishment of God 18 Ancient Malamoc ruinated 24 Albiolans yeeld 24 A verie excellent Librarie within the Palace 27 A conspiracie against the Prince discouered 28 Alexandrines insolent to straungers 30 Augustus his Prouerbe 30 A Sea-Armie granted to the Grecians against the Sarracens 34 A fleet sent against the Narētines 45 A solemne oath made by the Clergie and chiefe Citizens 45 A meruailous example of fortune 51 Ambassadors of Dalmatia Liburnia and Histria come to Venice to complaine of the Narentines 55 Ambassadors offers to the Venetians 56 Albania is a part of Illiria 56 A diuine punnishment 65 A wondersull vision hapned to Peter the Hermite 69 Assemblies answere to Pope Vrban at the councell of Clermont 71 An admirable matter 71 Alexis practiseth treacherie 72 Alexis Beamond reconciled 73 A new agreement betweene Alexis and the Christian Princes ibid. A new Armie of Infidels 74 A great battaile betwixt the Christians and the Infidels ibid. Armenia Maior giuen by the French men to Palmurus 75 A verie dangerous way 76 A luckie euent for the Christians ibid. Antioch S. Peters first seat 77 Abundance of victuals at the beginning of the siege ibid. A great quarrell betweene Beamond and the Earle of S. Giles 79 Agreement made with the king of Tripolie ibid. A new fleete of Venetians in Syria 85 A new Armie of Hungarians in Dalmatia 88 A couragious act of Prince Michaeli 93 A strang case of a Pigeon ibid. All the Islands of the Grecian Empire taken 95 A new religious Order 97 Agreement with the Pisans ibid. A new Armie against the Normans 98 A sodaine fire 99 A league with William king of Sicill 100 A secret league betwixt the Greeke Emperour and the King of Sicill 101 A great fleete against the Greeke Emperour 102 A new deceit of the Greekes ibid. An example of great affection to a mans countrey 104 All the Princes of the Greeke Empire murthered 106 A generall Councell published to be holden at Dijon ibid. Aresolued Ambassade to Frederick in the Popes behalfe 107 At what time the Venetian Prince began to seale with lead 108 At what time the Venetian Prince began to marrie the Sea ibid. Ancient manner of distributing almes 112 A new manner of electing the Prince 113 A new army of Christians for recouery of the Holy Land 114 Agreement betwixt the Venetians and forraine Princes 116 Agreement with the Bandetti of Zara. 118 A great fight at the Hauen of Constantinople 119 An assault giuen to the Citie ibid. A discreet answere of a young Emperour 120 A new Greekish inuention to deceiue the Christians ibid. A new agreement betwixt the Venenetians and the Princes 121 A decree of the Venetians about possession of the Islands 124 A great courtesie 126 A new strife betwixt the Venetians and Paduans 126 A sedition of the Constantino politans affirming their Church not subiect to Rome 127 A Colonie sent to Corfu ibid. Andrew king of Hungarie chiefe of the voyage into Syria 128 A Colonie sent into Candie 131 A new commotion in Candace ibid. Accord betwixt Tepulo and Sanuto 132 A new commotion in Candie 133 Agreement betwixt the Venetians and Greekes ibid. Agreement with the chiefe Rebels of the Island 135 Angelo Gradonico Gouernour of Candie 136 Agreement with the Candiots ibid. Armie of the Greeks before Constantinople 137 Articles of the truce betwixt the Venetians and Genoueses ibid. Andrea Tepulo sent to aide the Genoueses 140 Agreement with the king of Hungarie for Zara. ibid An armie at Venice against Eccelin 142 An assault giuen to Padua 143 A noble courage of a Prenestine ibid. Acre taken by the Venetians 147 A new Venetian fleet in Syria 151 A new Venetian army sent to Modon 152 A new Venetian armie against the Genoueses ibid. An vsuall Prouerbe 155 Anconitans seeke to defraud the Venetians of their Impostes 157 Anconitans pollicy to surprise the Venetians ibid. Anconitans send to Pope Nicholas the third ibid. A new warre with the Patriarch of Aquileia 158 A traitor punished 159 Acre taken by the Infidels 160 At what time the Christians were driuen out of Syria ibid. A popular tumult about the creation of the Duke ibid. Andrew king of Hungary commeth to Venice 163 A new war with the Genoueses ibid. A wonderfull matter in the Fennes Maeotides 164 A strange death of one of the Generals of the Venetian armie 165 A new armie of the Venetians 166 An enforced peace betwixt the Venetians and the Genoueses ibid. A detestable act of a bastard 167 A pension giuen to the woman who slue Baiamont 169 Another opinion concerning the issue of the conspiracy ibid. Authors discourse on the doings of the Pope and Dandulo 170 A deed worthy of a Generall of an armie 173 A new armie against the Genoueses ibid. Abundance of corne in the City 174 Agreement with the Patriarch of Aquileia 175 A wonderfull eclipse ibid. Albert of Escalla recouereth Vderza 181 A generall reuiew of the armie 182 Albert of Escalla flieth 183 Antenor laid the first foundations of Chioggia 184 Ambassadors sent to Venice to procure a peace 185 A wise retreat 186 A discreet resolutiō of a General ibid. A notable sentence 188 A treatie of peace broken ibid. A prodigious storme at Venice in a night 190 A wonderfull apparition to a poore Fisherman ibid. A Generall assault giuen to Zara. 194 A wonderfull earthquake 196 At what time the infection beganne and ended in Venice 197 Albert Prince of Croatia pardoned 198 A discreet act of the Generall 199 A cruell night-fight 201 Arragonois Generall slaine in
ibid. French king as farre as the Rhine in fauour of the Protestant Princes 350 French king maketh incursions vpon the Dutchie of Luxembourg 351 French kings demand to the Siennois 355 Francis Daulphin of Viennois marrieth the Queene of Scots 361 French take Thyonuille ibid. First motion of the enterprise of Cyprus for the Turkes 370 French kings offer to the Venetians 377 Flight of the enemies gallies 402 French king forbiddeth his subiects to goe into Flanders 456 French kings answer to the Venetian Ambassadour 457 French Kings magnificent reception at Venice 479 French Kings marriage celebrated at Florence 492 French King mediates peace betwixt the Pope and the Venetians 497 G GReat preparations of K. Lewis and the Venetians to stop the Emperours passage 8 Genoa assured for the King 31 Generall Councell published at 〈◊〉 37 Gaston of Foix his incursions 43 Gaston comes to the aid of Bolognia 49 Gaston relieues the Castle of Bressia 51 Gaston defeates Meleager of Fâ—…rli 52 Gaston besiegeth Rauenna 54 Gaston slaine by the Spaniards 55 Genoa reuolteth from the King 58 Great harme which the Croizado did in Hungarie 86 Great dearth in Bressia 102 Gritti the Prouidator his answere to Lautrec 109 Great ioy of the Veronois for beeing reduced vnder the Venetians obedience 113 Great numbers of Suisses in the French campe 133 Genowais brauely repulsed 160 George Frondsperg leuieth great numbers of Lansequenets for the Emperour 163 Genoa reduced vnder the Kings obedience 182 Great sorrow of the Lord Lautrec 194 Great discommodity which the reuolt of Doria procured 195 Genoa by meanes of Doria reuolteth from the King to the Emperor 198 Genowaies fill the Hauen of Sauona with grauell 201 Great valour of a woman in mans attire 211 Great preparations of the Venetians 212 Great entertainment giuen the emperour on the Venetian territory 224 Great troubles in Germany concerning the Duke of Wittemberg 242 Great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at one time in sundry places 243 Goletta besieged 247 Genoueses forbid Doria to carry the gallies out of Genoa 257 Great signes why men did suspect the 〈◊〉 274 Gritti goeth to 〈◊〉 to treate of an 〈◊〉 296 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Barbarossa 301 Great hope of a long peace 312 Great preparations for warre on all 〈◊〉 319 Gonzaga his excuse 〈◊〉 the death of Pietro Lodouiâ—…o 337 German princes treat with the french King against the Emperour 347 Germanie wholie banded against the 〈◊〉 and his brother Ferdiâ—…and 348 Great 〈◊〉 done by the 〈◊〉 after the maner of Spaine 366 Generall of the Venetians and 〈◊〉 vse reasons to Doria to perswade his stay 394 Great 〈◊〉 against the dead 418 Generall Foscarin his answer to Colonna 458 Gills Andrada his opinion 459 Great charity of a Prelate 481 H HOw the Venetians were daunted at the report of the battells losse 16 How the French K. ordaines his armie 96 Hugo de Moncada sallieth foorth vpon the confederates 168 How the Venetians behaued themselues vpon the agreement betwixt the Pope and Emperour 180 Heretikes begin to stir in Germanie 218 How Doria's departure did trouble the Venetians 266 Hungarian ambassador at Venice 306 Henry the second french king 336 Horatio Farnese marrieth King Henries daughter 337 Horatio Farnese puts himselfe and familie vnder the French Kings protection 342 Hostages giuen 〈◊〉 both sides of Turks and Christians 416 Henry Duke of Aniâ—…w chosen King of Poland 478 Henry the fourth French king motioneth a marriage with the Princesse of Florence 492 I IOhn Paul Baillon yeelds vp Perugia and her territory to the Pope 5 Iâ—…rring betwixt the Commissioners assembled about the truce 11 Imperialls succour Veroni with men and victualls 25 Iâ—…iurie offered to the Popes stâ—…tue in Bolognia 45 In what manner the Venetians prouided for their Cities on the forme land ibidem Iohn Paul Baillon defeated broken by Gaston of Foix. 52 Imperiall army by night passeth the riuer Brento 72 Iohn Iames 〈◊〉 general of the Venetian army 101 In what maner the Venetians did relieue the State of Milan 127 In what order the French did assaile the enemies 135 Imperialls pursue the French and take Garlas 144 Iohn de Medicis a great captain 164 Imperiall fleete beaten by the confederates 166 Imperialls great cruelty in Rome 174 Italie amazed at the Emperours comming 212 Imperialls demand concerning the accord for Milan 221 Incursions of the knights of Malta against the Turkes 226 Iohn Pisani extraordinary Ambassador into France 229 Islands taken from the Venetians by Barbarossa 268 Instructions sent by the French king to bee propounded by Cardinall Tournon to the Senat at Venice 345 Institution of the Venetian Academie 490 Italie iealous of the Spaniards 493 L LEague betwixt Maximilian Emperour and Lewis the 〈◊〉 King 3 Lewis his Ambassadours at 〈◊〉 ibi Lewis commeth into 〈◊〉 5 Lord of Chaumont Generall of the kings armie 14 Lord of Chaumont taketh the Pollesâ—… of Rouigo 29 Lâ—…gnaga taken ibi Lord of Chaumont takes diuers 〈◊〉 which stopped the Emperors comming into Italie 30 Lord of Chaumont with his 〈◊〉 returneth to the Dutchie of Milan 31 Libells set vp in diuers places against the Pope 45 Lâ—…sse of Bressia troubleth the Venetians 53 La Palisse forsaketh the field and guardeth the Towne 57 League betwixt the Pope and the Emperour 59 League betwixt the French King and the Venetians ibid. Lancequenets defeate the Venetian forces 60 Legnagâ—… taken and dismantled by the Venetians 65 League betwixt the Emperour the king of Arragon the Duke of Milan and Suisses 91 Lautrec besiegeth Bressia 108 Lautrec master of Brâ—…ssia forthwith restoreth it to the Venetians 109 Lancequenets refuse to besiege a citie belonging to the Emperour 110 Lewis K. of Hungarie prepareth for defence against the Turkes 119 Lord of Lescut discouers the enterprise of the Bandetti of Milan 125 Lord of Lautrec succoâ—…s Parma 127 Lautrec fortifieth Milan 128 League betwixt the Pope the Emperour the Venetians the Milanois and Florentines 138 League conclâ—…ded at Coignac 156 Lauda is taken by the Confederates 157 Lord of Langi comes to Venice 158 Lancequenets come into Italie 164 Lautrec entreth the Dutchie of Milan with great forces 181 Lautrec leaueth Milan and marcheth towards Rome 183 Lautrec 〈◊〉 towards Naples 187 Lautrec defiâ—…th and 〈◊〉 thâ—… Imperialls to bâ—…ttell 189 Lautrec incampeth within two miles of Naples 190 Lord of Barbezieux commeth to Sauâ—…na 193 Lord Lautrec his nature 194 Lord Lautrec his sickenes and death 196 Lord S. Paul leaueth Milan to goe to the reliefe of Genoa 201 Lord Chastilion commeth to Venice 206 League betwixt the Pope the Emperour and Venetians against the Turke 265 Badoarioâ—…hosen â—…hosen Ambassadour by the Senate to goe to Solyman 306 Losse of the battell of Saint Laurence and the taking of S. Quintines by the Spaniards 360 Long delaies vsed in the conclusion of the league 395 Lodouico Martinenga sends supplies to Famagosta 396 M MAximilian the Emperors Ambassadours at Venice in the Popes behalfe 3 Maximilian the Emperours request â—…to