and so did Anaximander Milesius and the truest signs are either when the wind blows not or when the Sea and Region of the Air are calm for an Earthquake never hapneth when the wind blows or the Sea swells This strange Earthquake in Venice among other direfull effects it produc'd caus'd that many hundreds of women miscarried in childbed and a plague follow'd which reduc'd the City to such a heâ—…ht of misery that it was almost depopulated wherupon the Senat made a decree that as many as wold com to dwell at Venice shold after that they had sojourn'd there two years be free Citizens Moreover during this Contagion divers places on firm land revolted from the Republic which were reduc'd again The Genoway also went about to deprive the Venetians of all trafic in the Pontic Seas and therupon took divers Candiot Marchants hereupon Marco Marosino Admirall of the Adriatic Sea went abroad in course with thirty five Gallies to fish for some Genoways and meeting with twelve in the Haven of Carista which lieth towards Negrepont they surpriz'd them being richly laden with Merchandizes and carried them to Venice this defeat was of that consequence that the Senat decreed that the same day the Genoways were o'rethrown at Charista shold be ever after celebrated for a holy day Ther happen'd the year after a terrible nocturnall fight 'twixt Venice and Genoa at the Thracian Bosphorus and though ther were Auxiliaries both from the King of Aragon with whom the Republic had made a League a little before and from the Greek Emperour also yet the Venetian had the worst of it But the yeer after about the Coasts of Sardinia she handsomly met the Genoways and linking her Gallies together fought with that pertinacity and resolution that she took thirty two Gallies which so weakned the Genoways that he was forc'd to fly to the Viscont of Milan to implore help and put her self as it were under his protection a little after the Venetian gain'd another victory of the Genoways nere the Morea The Viscont of Milan appearing for Genoa Venice made a counter-balancing League with the King of Boheme and that he shold invade the Territories oâ—… Milan with a Land Army to find him work to do MARINI PHALERIO was chosen the next Duke who was Erl of Vaâ—…uarin the first yeer of his government the Republic had a shrewd losse in the I le of Sapientia nere Morea where Pagano Doria who was the new Admirall of Genoa surpriz'd Pisant the Venetian Generall and gave him an overthrow this PHALERIO by a very bloudy way thought to make himself King of Venice but it was detected and he with his complices put to death GIOVANNI GRADONICO surnamed Naso succeeded Phalerio in whose government a peace after five years cruentous war was concluded with the Genoways and their Allies but another Land war did rise 'twixt the King of Hungary and the Common-wealth in Dalmatia GIOVANNI DELPHINO succeeded Gradonico who made a peace more necessary then honourable with the King of Hungary for the Republic was to renounce all right to Dalmatia and that the King for his part shold redeliver whatsoever was taken from them in Istria LORENZO CELSO followed after in whose time the Duke of Austria came to see Venice and after him the King of Cyprus the Candiots rebell and continue so a good vvhile at last they were reduc'd by arms the news wherof being brought to Venice prisoners were set at liberty divers maids were married out of the Tresury of S. Mark Tilts and Tournaments continued for divers daies in S. Marks place with divers other exultations and triumph MARCO CORNARI succeeded Celso with many triumphs but before the years end som tumults arise in Candie which were suppress'd with much difficulty ANDREA CONTARENI follow'd Cornari and refusing to accept the principality he was threatned unto it Tenedos did then yeeld to the Venetian but in this Dukes time ther happen'd terrible wars 'twixt the Venetians and the King of Hungary as also with the Arch-Duke of Austria and interchangeable overthrows were given on both sides but by the mediation of the Patriarch of Aquileia a peace was concluded but the rancor of the Genoway broak out again and after some hostile encounters a peace vvas concluded by the intercession of the Duke of Savoy afterwards the Republic leagues with the King of Cyprus MICHAEL MOROSINI succeeded next who lasted but four moneths in his principality ANTONIO VENIERI then sueceeds in whose time ther fell out a fierce warre in Lombardy which was but collaterall only to the Venetians yet they were the chiefest sticklers therein and Accommodators at last MICHAELI STENO Procurator of S. Mark then succeeded and presently the fire broak out 'twixt Venice and Genoa again Bouciqualt a notable resolut Frenchman was Generall of the Genoways yet the Venetian still put them to the worse Vâ—…cenza came then under the protection of S. Mark who sent a Garrison thither Verona also one of the most famous Cities in Lombardy put her self under the Venetians which much heigtned the glory of the Republic add hereunto that Padoua also was brought by force of arms under her subjection All things being afterwards setled in a firm peace ther came forty gentlemen from Verona to Venice all clothed in white wherupon the Senat commanded a Theater to be erected of purpose in S. Marks place where the Duke with his Family clothed also all in white were ready to receave them The Veronois being all com to the Theaâ—…et after they had saluted the Prince and the Senat they layed down their public Ensigns and the keys of their City gate at their feet entreating them to accept thereof beseeching God that the proffer might be both to Venice and Verona as fortunate and profitable as that was an assured pledge of their fidelity as well public as particular towards the Venetians requesting them of their accustomed goodnesse to continue in the preservation defence and maintenance of them their City their means and fortunes with all other both divine and humane matters and as for their unfained love towards them they durst freely say and affirm that they wold be extremely sorry if among so many peeple as did obey them any shold go before them in love duty and affection These Ambassadors being courteously entertain'd were assur'd by the Duke that as long as they continued to be such as they promised the Senat wold e're long let them know that the greatest happinesse which can befall those who have not means to defend themselfs is to be shrowded under a lawfull government which they shold find to be as pleasing in regard they had recourse to the only Fort of Liberty and cast off a Tyrants yoak as a safe harbour useth to be to a man that hath escaped a terrible tempest they might therefore depart when they pleas'd and take with them the Venetian Ensigns and in so saying the Duke gave them to their
Prolocutor which they were to erect in the midst of their City he wish'd they might prove to themselfs to the Venetians ever happy and being so erected to hold them in reverence then he will'd them to execut justice in regard they had in times pass'd obey'd the commands of a Tyrant so they were dismiss'd those of Padoua following their example came soon after only with this difference that in lieu of white the Padouans were cloth'd in purple Anno Dom. 1405. THOMASO MOCENIGO was next chosen and ther being great dissentions raiis'd 'twixt the Bishop of Aquilea and them of Udine the Venetians recover Feltre Bellluna and other places The Udinois did also yeeld themselfs to the Republic with the whole Countrey of the Patrians in Friuli But upon these notable successes by Land ther happen'd a most raging fire in Venice which burnt the Dukes Palace and melted all the Lead upon S. Marks Church which was contiguous The fire being quench'd the Senat decreed that no man under pain of forfeiting a thousand ducats shold dare to propound to pull down the old palace and reedifie it more sumptuously The Prince then preferring the honor of the City to his own private profit brought the same sum to the Senat requesting that they wold permit the fore part of the Ducall palace might be reedifi'd in a more magnificent manner as was befitting the majesty of the Republic and so willingly forfeited his thousand Ducats so the work was done accordingly but the Duke died before 't was finish'd FRANCISCO FOSCARD was then elected Duke the same year ther was warres begun against Philip Duke of Milan and the Republic concluded a League with the Florentines against him which League consisted of these heads that the Venetians and Florentines shold arm at their own common charge one thousand six hundred horse and eight thousand foot they shold furnish two Navall armies with the one the Venetians shold sail up the River Po to resist the Forces of Philip the. Florentines along the River of Genoa that none shold speak of peace till the Venetians shold command it That all the Cities Forts and Towns taken on the confines of Flaminia shold belong to the Florentine the other shold be joyn'd to the Vetetian State or given to whom they pleased Lorenzo the Florentine Ambassadour did herupon cast himself at the Dukes feet and with a loud voice sayed that the Florentine peeple shold be ever mindfull of such a signall benefit and besought God that the glorie of Venice might increase and if ever it happen'd that the Venetian peeple shold have need the Florentines wold be ever ready with their utmost means to aid the Republic divers others as Amadeo Duke of Savoy King Alonso and Syena entred into this League This enforc'd the Duke of Milan to a peace which imported that he shold quit to the Venetians Bressia with her confines together with that part of Cremona's Territories which is contiguous to the River Olio as also that part of Bergamo which stretcheth towards the River Adiâ—…e The Marquesse of Monferrat being oppress'd fled to Venice for refuge who restored him to his Territories There arrived about this time Iohn Paleologus the Grecian Emperour Ioseph Patriarch of Constantinople with the Prince of Morea to confer with the Pope about matters of Religion They went to Ferrara to find out Eugenius the Popâ—… who was a Venetian born and this conference produced good effects and an union for the time About this time there came to Venice the Bishop of Aquileia and Pietro Barbe Cardinall that was Pope afterwards that had splendid entertainment But the Emperour Frederick with his wife Loenora had more magnificent reception for besides the Buccentoro richly hung with cloth of gold wherin the Prince and Senators were divers great vessells were set forth besides whose poopes were all new gilded in which were many hundreds of the Venetian Clarissimi the Ganzari and Patischerme that are lesser vessells which were numberlesse were as allantly deck'd wherin were the common Citizens who did strive who shold exceed one another in bravery the whole City was hung up and down as they pass'd with Cloth of gold and rich tapestry in every corner musicall instruments songs and melodious voices were heard The Empress landed a little while after in the same glory attended by two hundred of the prime Venetian Ladies she was presented with an Imperiall crown of gold set with rich stones and a coat for a little child with a cradle cloth of purple powdred with peaâ—…ls in regard 't was thought she was with child c. The Emperour being gone the Senat to furnish the warres of Lombardy decreed that all Officers as well in the City as abroad Judges Registers and others of meaner quality under great Officers who in any kind had pensions of the Republic shold pay a certain sum and that other sorts of Clarissimi shold serve the Signiory gratis for six months In this Dukes time a cunning Candiot by sapping under the Church got into S. Marks Tresury and stole thence jewells and other things to a mighty value but he was detected by his companion before he could get away and hang'd betwixt the two columnes in S. Marks place In this Dukes time also was Constantinople won by the Turk in regard of the sloth supiness and stupidity of the rest of the Christian Princes but especially for the frowardnesse of the Constantinopolitans themselfs who wold not give timely aid to the Emperor out of a base kind of covetousnesse and with Constantinople the whole Greek Empire perish'd which had stood above eleven hundred yeers this gave an alarum to all Italy and caus'd a generall peace about Anno Dom. 1459. Mahomet at the taking of Constantinople did endeavour to oblige the Venetians more then any other Christian Nation ther wherfore in the generall slaughter he savâ—…d them knowing that none was more powerfull to do him hurt then Venice PASCHALIS MARIPIETRO succeeded Foscaro who continued in the Principality longest of any of his sixty five Predecessors for he govern'd above thirty six years and being stricken in age he made a voluntary resignation to Paschalis who preserv'd the Republic in peace all his life time in his government happen'd that universal Earthquake which shook most parts of Italy Anno Dom. 1460. CHISTOPHORO MAURO was next elected the I le of Lemnos was delivered to the Venetians in this Dukes time and Oenos was taken but the Republic had very ill luck in the Morea and before Corinth moreover they lost Negrepont MICOLAO TRONO succeeded Moro whose short government was very fortuâ—…at because thâ—… Republic in his time made a League with the King of Persia and united the Iland of Cyprus to their Dominions the Pope at his time sent a Fleet of Gallies to second the enterprises of the Venetians in the Greek Seas and being met Mocenigo the Generall for the Republic made this Speech to the
who were joyn'd with them for protection so they retir'd to a further distance but the English Ships poursued them and played so well upon their Galeons that the men stow'd themselfs under hatches and left their Vessells to the fortune of the Sea without guidance The Galeasses coming up then to their succour receav'd also such a rude welcom that they row'd away to shelter themselfs under the English Ships that road in the Bay which was don purposely so the French were left alone and som of their Ships being lusty Vessells they came up close to Sir Kenelme who directed his two lesse Ships to deal with them but they being not able the Rere-Admirall went to their succour and so put the French to the worse Among the English ther were none hurt to death but of the French and Venetians it was reported ther were above eighty stain of whom one was a Commander of the Land soldiers whose losse was much lamented This action of the English was question'd by the Turks because they had don hostility to his friends within the Gran Signor's Road therfore by the subtilty of the Venetian and complaint of the French the Bassa of Aleppo and Cady of Scanderon took hold of the occasion to take an avenia upon the English Merchants exacting from their Consulls large summes But Landi the Venetian Ambassador then residing in London made a high clamorous complaint against Sir Kenelme Digby and his Adherents in a solemn audience before the King and Councell of State aggravating the businesse to the very height and aspersing Sir Kenelme that such a man shold infringe the sacred peace which was kept inviolably 'twixt the Crown of England S. Mark so many Ages and never broken till then from the beginning of the world But Sir Kenelme at his return justified all his proceedings prov'd that he had not contraven'd or transgress'd his Commission any way Landi being shortly after to depart and apprehending som danger from Sir Kenelme the King commanded him to visit the sayed Ambassador and to save his Honor to tell him that he had receav'd Commandement from his Majesty for so doing Sir Kenelme accordingly perform'd this Ceremony which he had no sooner done but the Venetian Ambassador came immediatly to his house to repay the visit so they were reconcil'd and the businesse ended FRANCISCO ERIZZO was sworn Duke of Venice afterwards which swearing they do not call an oath but by a more civill term 't is stil'd Promissione Ducale in the record he was a person full of years and freighted with experience therfore ripe enough for the Government At the beginning of his time the Republic enjoyed a profound universall peace by Sea and Land but the growing greatnesse of the house of Austria did trouble Her in regard of their new acquests in Germany the Emperor having reduc'd the Bohemians to an exact obedience by way of conquest and the Spaniard having the Palatinat in his hands therfore she was well pleas'd that the Swed did rush into Germany which wars she fomented with her countenance and somthing els Besides the Emperor had a little before disturbed the peace of Italy by the imperiall title he claim'd to the tutele and protection of the young Duke of Savoy during his Minority which the French King his Oncle by the maternall side took upon him but the Emperor back'd by the Spaniard thought to get it by the sword which caus'd som perturbations in Italy therfore the Pope also was well contented that the Emperor was shaken a little by the Swed Ther was employed about this time M. Capello a Venetian gentleman of an ancient extraction a person of a small bulk but well timber'd both for body and brain to have the charge of the garding the Gulph with a nomber of well appointed Gallies At Vallona upon the Coasts of Dalmatia he met with the Barbary Fleet whom he assaulted so vigorously ther being many gentlemen of his own kindred engag'd in the service that he sunk divers of them and took the Admirall Gally of Algier a Vessell of vast bignesse which he brought with him away and she remains to this day for a Trophy in the Arsenall of Venice The Gran Turk did very much storm at this therfore the Republic rather then enter into open hostility against so potent a Neighbour was contented to part with three hundred thousand Crowns to accommode the difference wherof she recover'd part out of the Comendams of the Knights of Malta which they enjoy'd within Her Dominions but the foresayed Capello was clowded a good while after and had it not bin for his great Alliance it might have gon worse with him for having exceeded his Commission in this action such an exact obedience the Signory expects to be had to her Orders be the successe never so glorious Ther was another piece of Justice executed also upon C. Moro who had bin a Senator and one of the Pregadi but afterwards he took Holy Orders and shav'd himself to becom an Abbot he was us'd to go frequently in a disguize to the Spanish Ambassadors house and hold correspondence with him which is Treason in a high degree among the Venetians therfore being discover'd by a Bandito who had fled to the sayed Ambassadors house for shelter the Bandito had the Ban taken off and a considerable annuall Pension given him ever after but the Abbot was strangled and his carkase drag'd to S. Marks place wher he hung by the leg betwixt the two Pillars from Sun to Sun in his Monasticall habit Som years after ther happen'd a new disgust 'twixt the Republic and Pope Vrban the VIII about the extent of their Boundaries upon one anothers Frontire which was aggravated by som books that were printed and permitted to be expos'd to public sale in Venice which books reflected upon the old quarrell that had bin 'twixt Paulus Quintus and the Republic Pope Vrban resented it so far that by the impulses of his Nephews he caus'd an ancient Inscription or Elogy to be defac'd and raz'd which had bin set up in the Sala Regâ—…a in the Vatican as a Monument of gratitud to the honor of the Venetians for restoring Pope Alexander to S. Peters Chair when he was chas'd thence by the Emperor Frederic as formerly hath bin declared The world thought that the Republic was offer'd hard measure herin and though the affront sunk deep into Her yet she hid the impressions it had made a good while till she might find som oportunity to right her self The Luqueses also having ordain'd somthing for restraining the exorbitances of the Clergy in that Common-wealth provok'd the Popes indignation so far that he excommunicated them The Gran Duke of Toscany fell also under the same Censure because he made the Churchmen to pay a nâ—…w Gabell upon Grinding Mills as well as the secular subject But ther fell a higher clash then all these 'twixt Pope Vrban and the Duke of Parma about a summe of money
making Warre out of a private spleen against Heraclea he was slain by the Citizens of Venice upon the eleventh year of his Magistracy URSUS being thus thrust out of the world there happen'd an intervall in the Ducall Government and another kind of Magistrat was chosen call'd the Master or Consull of the men at Armes Dominico Leo was the first and Cornicula succeeded him but the fifth year after the Creation of this new Magistrat the whole City was transported with a marvailous desire to have a Duke again Hereupon THEADATO HYPATO Son to the slain Duke was chosen the fourth Doge of Venice in an Assembly at Malamocca but there was a powerfull man in the Republic call'd Galla who malign'd him and having rais'd a Party surpriz'd him the thirteenth year of his Government and put out his eyes managing the businesse with so much Art that he succeeded him in the Dukedome GALLA in his second year of his Principality displeasing the people had his eyes also put out and was banish'd DOMINICO MONEGARIO was forthwith appointed Duke but being of a furious nature there were yearly Tribunes chosen to assist him and counterpoise the violence of his spirit but the fift yeare of his Authority his eyes were outed of his head and his Person of his Office MAURITIO of Heraclea was chosen next who did purchase so much popular love that he obtain'd that which none of his Predecessors could compasse which was a Liberty to associat his Son Givanni as Collegue with him in the Principality In his time a bold Declaration was publish'd which imported that the Venetians were a free people acknowledging neither of the Empires East or West This did so move Charles of France then Emperour that he commanded his Son Pepin who then governed the affairs of Italy to make furious Warres upon the Venetian Coasts where Heraclea and Equâ—…ine stood the Inhabitants whereof being frighted thereat fled to Mâ—…lamocca and the Rialto GIOVANNI MAURITIO Son succeeded the Father in the Dukedome there happen'd a shrewd clash 'twixt him and the Bishop of Gradâ—… a man eminent for Sanctity GIOVANNI sent his Son MAURITIO with som troupes to assail the said Bishop who being taken he was thrown headlong down from a high Tower hereupon Pepin by Order from Charlemain to expiat the Bishops Bloud made a fierce warre upon the Venetian Territory hereupon GIOVANNI and his Son were expell'd the City and Heraclea the place of their Nativity was utterly demolish'd and OBOLLERIO ANTHENORIO of Malamocca was chosen Duke Anno Dom. 801. 〈◊〉 associated his brother Beatâ—… for Collegue and an eager warre happen'd 'twixt Pepin and the Republic who infesting the Sea Frontires up and down came as far as Malamocca and thinking to passe thence to the Rialâ—…o to find out the Duke he vvas beaten back by a Tempest wherein he lost the greatest part of his Army About this time the Lombards Kingdom was extinguish'd by Pepin 802. There was another battail fought among those Lakes ' tvvixt the Venetians and King Pepin where the Venetians had the better again hereupon a Peace vvas concluded and French Ambassadors came to the Rialto where having being honorably entertain'd they departed OBELLERIO vvho vvas cryed up to be the occasion of the former vvarres was cut to peeces by the fury of the peeple and his bowells gushing out they were drawn at length like ropes and torn up and down the streets his wife likewise who was of the Bloud Royall of France was slain with him ANGELO PARTITIATO succeeded next and he was the first that held the Seat at the Rialto Heraclea was repair'd in his time and call'd Villa Nuova Anno Dom. 809. The Historians rank the 〈◊〉 the Noblest Family that came from Heraclea There happen'd a hot war in this Dukes time 'twixt Venice and the Bishop of Aquileia who had bin declar'd Heretique by Pope Alexander the Venetian took him prisoner but they gave him his liberty on condition that they shold send yearly to Venice on the same day that the Victory was got twelve wild Boars which with a Bull shold be kill'd before the Generall Assembly by way of sacrifice this custom with other sports continues annually to this day And now I may say that the Republic of Venice did passe her Infancy her Youth may be sayed to follow hereafter as by her actions will appear JUSTINIANO was chosen next in whose time a Fleet was sent to assist Michael the Eastern Emperour against the Saracens who did good service but the remarkablest passage in this Dukes Government was that the body of St. Mark was translated from Alexandria to Venice where it is kept with great devotion to this day in a curious Church made of Mosaicall work GIOVANNI PARTITIATIO brother to JUSTINIANO was declar'd the next Prince but having many potent Adversaries he was surpriz'd neer to St. Peters Church whither he was going to his Devotions and being disrob'd of the Ornaments of Soveraign Dignity they shav'd his beard and head and confin'd him to a Monastery in Grada PIETRO TRADONICO was chosen in his place he was born at Pola a very ancient City built by the Colchians there came Ambassadors from Verâ—…na to desire help of the Republic against some enemies they had which they obtain'd and overcame their foes at the Lake of Benae whereupon they sent rich gifts to the Venetian for their succour Theodosius the Greek Emperour sent his high Admirall to sollicit the Republic for Auxiliaries against the Moors whereupon she armed sixty Gallies which did do notable exploits in regaâ—… whereof TRADONICO the Duke of Venice was call'd Protospater viz. the first father of the Graecian Empire by Theodosius But at the battail of Crotâ—…na the Greeks not sticking close to their businesse the Venetian receav'd a shrewd overthrow by the Moors under Saba their Captain who aftervvards grew so insolent that he march'd to Rome and pitifully ransack'd S Peters Church with others A little after Pope Benedict came to Venice unto whom about the year 840 he promis'd the bodies of S. Pancratius and Sancta Sabina Lotharius also the Emperour did confirm unto Venice many extraordinary immunities but in this Dukes time the Republic receav'd divers illfavor'd successes abroad and there were odd factions at home against the Duke in so much that returning one day from St. Zacharies Church he was murthered but the actors and conspirators thereof were soundly punisht for 't this Duke had govern'd nineteen years URSO PARTITIATIO came next to the Ducall Dignity who had a magnanimous young man to his son and did divers exploits against the Moors and Saracens in the behalf of the Greek Emperour so that the Title of Protospater was confirm'd again to the Duke of Venice who among other Presents sent twelve Bells to Constantinople which was the first time that the Greeks us'd Bells Anno Dom. 864. GIOVANNI PARTITIATIO brother to URSO was chosen to govern but he did
the bosom of my own Countrey Never was Princesse so welcom to Venice as you will be you know you are to thank the Senat for being Queen but if you deny this motion you will seem to acknowledge it very little In a word I being your brother and one who ought to have som interest in you if you dismisse me with a deniall the world will judge it is not you have done it but my councell whereby I shall incur a high displeasure therefore I pray Madam consider well of it ther is nothing more worthy of praise then to know how to entertain Fortune modestly when she smiles on us and not to desire to be still on the wheels top c. Cornari having thus discours'd to the Queen he prevail'd so far with her that mâ—…lting into tears she made him this answer Brother if this be your opinion I wil conform to it and wil strive to overmaster my self but Venice shall thank you for Cyprus not me So she was conducted to Venice and receav'd with all imaginable state after she had rul'd Cyprus fifteen years A little after this the King of Tremisen in Affrique sent to Venice his Ambassador to entrust som Venetian gentlemen to see Justice done to the Venetian Subjects who liv'd in three of his Cities therupon Lodovico Piramane was sent who had the hundredth peny upon all Marchandize for his salary Not long after the Patriarch of Aquileia died at Rome and Hermolao Barbaro being there Ambassador for the Republic the Pope confer'd that high Ecclesiastic Dignity upon him and made him Cardinall This being known at Venice notwithstanding that Hermolao was a Minister of great desert and had acquainted the Senat hereof yet because there was an expresse Law forbidding all Venetian gentlemen being Ambassadors at Rome to receave any obliging Dignity of the Pope during the time of his Legation the Senat took the audacious infringing of this Law in ill part and though he were rich well allied and had great friends they sent expresse command that he shold resign the Patriarkship again to the Pope if not they wold take from his Father the Procuratorship of S. Mark and confiscat all his estate the Father died before the years end of meer resentment and the Son having compos'd many excellent books died a little after of a Squinancy Venice was now very quiet when Charles the VIII of France sent three Ambassadors one after the other to the Duke that their King being resolv'd to com to Italy to conquer the Kingdome of Naples which by hereditary right belong'd to him he desir'd to know the Venetians inclination towards him and whither they wold continue the former League and Amity The Senat answer d the Ambassador that the Signory did ever prefer peace before war and did now desire it more then ever therefore they could wish that their King being now in a perfect peace wold suffer the Princes of Italy to be so too Afterwards the French King being daily push'd on by LowtkSforZa the Duke of Milan and the Prince of Salerno then an Exile in France send Philip of Comines again to Venice who propos'd to the Senat that if they wold joyn with them in the recovery of Naples they shold have a considerable share of the Kingdome if not that they shold persever in their former friendship The Senat answer'd That the King was so potent and well provided with all warlike necessaries that he needed no help from them therefore they determin'd according to the laudable custome of their Ancestors not to stir who never made war but upon constraint Moreover they desir'd not to have any share in that Kingdome whereunto they had no claim for the rest they sayed they wold still make high esteem of his friendship The Republic had at this time a great Fleet upon the Coasts of Slavonia because they understood Bajazet the great Turk began to arm at which time there came a solemn Embassie from Florence to crave their advice how they shold behave themselfs 'twixt the Kings of Naples and France the latter of which had sent to desire passage through their Countrey The Senat answer'd That in so difficult a businesse subject to such a world of accidents they knew not so suddenly what was best to be done and though they loved the one better then the other they durst not deliver their Opinion because that fortune is commonly Mistresse in warre and that it usually falls out that matters done by chance and adventure do oftentimes prosper better then those which are premeditated and beaten upon the anvill of long premeditation therefore they ought to ask counsell of none but Almighty God who only knew what was best for men to embrace or avoid The French King rushing into Italy found no resistance scarce till he had crown'd himself King of Naples The Venetians were at this time put mightily to their plunges and reaches of policy because it was not wholesom for them or Italy that the French shold grow so powerfull therefore the King of the Romans the Spaniards and the Duke of Milan who had fallen from the French sending their Ambassadors unto them they strike a League to represse the French proceedings The Venetian takes Manapoli Pulignano and Mola and partly by arms partly policy the French are driven out of Italy yet Charles the VIII being dead they make a new League with King Lewis of France against the Duke of Milan upon these conditions that Lodowick SforZa being elected King shold have Milan and the Republic Cremona and Abdua and it came so to passe The Republic had but sorry successes against the Turk in this Dukes time for at Cephaloma they receav'd a terrible blow yet she reduc'd at last that Iland to a perfect subjection LEONARDO LOREDANO succeeded Barbarico in his time the French and Portugall assist the Signory against the Turk so that a peace ensued The Republic receav'd a mighty wound in her Comerce about this time in regard that the Portugalls had found a passage to the East Indies by the cape of good hope and so brought home in their Carraks those spices which Venice was us'd to fetch from Alexandria and dispence up and down Europe 1503. But Pope Iulius the II. gave her a worse blow by drawing a most heavy war upon the Republic in regard she wold not part with FaenZa and Rimini for which She offer'd to pay him any rent in quality of Tenant alledging that it was dangerous for the Signory in regard of their Situation that they shold be in any other hands Hereupon that notable League at Cambray was privatly struck against Venice wherin ther were Confederates the Pope himself the Emperour the King of France the Kings of Aragon and Spain with divers others It was given out that they met there to accommode the businesse of the Duke of Gueldres but that was only a pretext which the Republic could not smell out The Republic by this huge powerfull League had
how that if they had bin desirous to possesse Towns belonging to other men they wold not have refus'd the offer of those of Furli and of other Cities of Romania who sought much to be under their obedience nor wold they have defended or maintain'd with such extraordinary cost and danger the City of Bologna with others belonging to his Holiness nor have kept them from him and that those Cities had bin taken at such time as the Pope had quitted the League and that they might justly now detain them for the same occasion moreover they had spent a great masse of Tresure in that warr which those Cities were not able to recompence they desired that the King wold take it into serious consideration how much it might import him if those so commodious Cities shold be quitted by his friends and confederats to be given to the Pope who stood so coldly affected to the Crown of France nay even into the hands of the Imperialls seeing that it was apparent how the Pope either by his own proper motion or through fear did wholly depend upon the Emperour that he was besides to consider of their interest and the wrong which wold be offer'd their confederats viZ. the Florentines and the Duke of Ferrara whoquestionlesse wold be greatly distasted hereat and wold cool that heat which pusheth them on to the affairs of the League and moreover how that these Towns did serve for a bridle to contain the Pope within his bounds seeing that without them he wold already have shewed himself an open friend to the Emperor A little after the Republic lends the King of France the Duke of Milan a considerable sum of money Chastillon coms Ambassador to Venice and Brundusium in Apulia is taken by her Admirall Herup on a Treaty of peace was appointed by all parties to be at Cambray and the Republic employ'd Lodovico Falieri to the King of England to entreat him That since he had ever shew'd himself a royall friend to the Republic his Majesty wold be pleas'd as at all other times to take into his protection and to procure that in those affairs which were handled at Cambray nothing might be concluded to the hurt and prejudice of the Republic nor to the liberty of Italy whereof many years before he had to his immortall praise taken upon him the defence while preparations were made on all fides to disturb her if not destroy her About the fag end of this Dukes government Solyman makes warre upon the Hungary and takes â—…uda he warr'd also with the Venetians but against them he had not so good successe for they took Scardona from him and 〈◊〉 in Dalmatia upon this a solemne League was struck 'twixt the Pope the Emporor and the Republic against the common enemy In this Dukes time the Republic sent to the Pope that she might have the nomination of her own Bishops for which he had made divers proposalls formerly but could get no definitive answer herupon ther was a seizure made of the temporalities of divers Bishopricks which the Pope had collated wherat his Holiness was much incens'd The Senat considering the importance and difficulty of the business did deliberat theron in open Councell where opinions were very different but for the present it was decreed that in favour of the Pope the temporalities of those who had bin promoted by his Holiness shold be surrendred them in the Cities under their jurisdiction yet nevertheless they did not give over their demands saying that what they had then done was for the extraordinary respect and reverence they bare to Pope Clement hoping that herafter they wold grant them more than they crav'd The Pope nevertheless who at first made shew that he demanded nothing els but that stood after upon greater difficulties Solyman having made peace with the Persian intended to assail Christendome on all sides by Sea and Land hereupon he entertain'd Barbarossa the famous pyrat and sent word to the Venetians that they shold usâ—… him no more as a Pyrat but one of his own Port. To bear up against Solyman the Senat thought fit to levy the Tenths upon the Clergy but they could not obtain it of the Pope who made answer that he had a purpose to levy two Tenths upon the goods of all the Italian Clergy to employ them for the relief of the Cantons of the Catholic Swissi against the other apostat Cantons who threatned them with war A little after Venice made her self Mistresse of a Town in Dalmatia call'd Obrovatza a place of considerable strength and advantage PIETRO LANDI succeeded Gritti who had continued Prince nere upon sixteen years Guy Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin the old Duke being dead was chosen Generall of the Republic by Land he was allow'd ten Captains pay and four thousand Ducats yearly Salary besides The Senat at that time decreed that four hundred Artificers of the City shold be inroll'd with whom four times a year the Gallies appointed for that purpose shold be mann'd that they might all of them row together which they commonly call'd Regater and pensions were appointed them who had serv'd so thrice This decree pass'd to the end they might be assur'd to have men alwaies fit and ready to mann any nomber of Gallies Ther happen'd a mighty dearth of corn through all Italy in this Dukes time which lighted more heavy upon Venice then any place among other causes which necessitated her to make peace with the Turk but the Marquis of Guasto Governor of Milan and the Lord of Annebalt Marshall of France and her Generall in Piemont came to Venice to divert her they had extraordinary magnificent entertainment both for the quality of their own persons and of the great Princes that sent them The Marquis of Guasto coming to the Senat told them that he was sent by his Imperiall Majesty to acquaint them as his trusty and inward friends with the enterview that he intended to have with the French King and in Flanders with King Ferdinand his Brother and the Queen his Sister who govern'd ther for him assuring them that in the same Assembly of Princes affairs wold be handled concerning the universall good of Christendom and the particulrr advantage of that Republic which the Emperour did as much desire as well as of his own Estates and that now they were ready to assail the Turks with very great Forces The Emperor therefore was desirous to know the Senats will and intentions therein what provision they wold judge to be necessary and what they wold have him to do for his part towards the better managing of this great design Marshall Annebalt spake to the same effect protesting his Kings good will to the common peace of Christendome amd particularly of the Common-wealth of Venice Answer was made by the Senat to the Marquis and the Marshall that their arrival was very pleasing and acceptable as well in respect of the Princes whom they represented as for their own persons for which
shold come to Arms he prayed his Serenity to consider that though Philosophie tells us the Sun warms these inferior bodies without heat in it self yet in human things it is not so but he that wold heat in his favour must first be hot himself The Senat determin'd to signifie unto all Princes the Declaration of the King of great Britain wherin he call'd God to witnesse ' That his resolution to defend the cause of the Republic had no other end but the service of God and to conserve the Liberty which God gave to all Princes not for any ill will that he carried to the Pope nor was he mov'd by the particular interest of the Republic but only so far because he knew She defended a cause most just and acceptable to God which the more he considered in his mind so much the more was he confirm'd in Her protection and defence not finding any the least shadow of reason to relinquish Her That he had already taken this resolution and wold sustain it suddenly That he wold not do as the Spaniard who by a Letter had fill'd the Popes spirit with vanity to carry him into a precipice but that he wold execut with courage and sincerity what he had promis'd he consider'd also as a thing of great consequence that the Pope prepar'd himself for warr and had to this effect erected that new Congregation of men disaffected to the Signory and all dependents of Spain herunto he added that he wold be as ready to perform his promise as to publish his Declaration and wold besides procure som good offices from his brother the King of Denmark and other Princes of Germany his Allies The Kings of France and England appearing so earnestly in this businesse the Emperour also did contribut his intercession the Grand Duke of Florence likewise stir'd in it yet nothing could be concluded to any purpose Therfore the Spaniard begins to arm in the Duchy of Milan to which end the Count de Fuentes had particular Commission The Republic having intelligence herof it did not stand with Her wonted prudence and circumspection to stand idle wherfore to meet with all occasions that might occurr She sent to Padoua Verona Crema Bergamo and Brescia five hundred thousand Crowns one hundred thousand for each City to prepare themselfs for all exigents Unto the old nine thousand six hundred Footmen and six hundred Horse To the one hundred fifty Albanian Horse She added six hundred Italian Foot and one thousand Albanians more under Paolo Ghini Order also was given to Count Francis Maâ—…tinengo to levy in the Confines four thousand French soldiers and six hundred Cuirasses which She caus'd to be arm'd To the three great Gallies was adjoyn'd one other and to the thirty eight light Gallies they sent five more in the Iles of the Levant and twelve more newly arm'd at Venice In Candy also were arm'd twenty Gallies Nicolaâ—… Sagredo Proveditor general by his prudence dexterity which was singular in managing of Martial affairs wrought in such sort that all this was don at the expence of privat gentlemen so that ther were in all seventy five light Gallies four great ones got together Divers of the French Nobility made profer of their service to the Republic and the great Turk seem'd to importune her to accept of his assistance She utterly refus'd the last and wav'd the first The rumor of these preparations fill'd ev'ry corner of Christendome therfore the Kings and Princes who were already engag'd in quality of Mediators 'twixt the Pope and the Republic stir'd more nimbly in the businesse specially the French who to accelerat things and do them with greater countenance employed to that end the Cardinall de Ioyeuse in a splendid Embassie both to Rome and Venice In Spain the Duke of Lerma complain'd to the English Ambassadour for the proser of such assistance that his King had made to the Republic which had put her to stand higher a tiptoe against the Holy Father and impeded the Treaty for She wold not shew Her self so obstinat against him if She were not so much incouraged by his King because from France She could expect but words or peradventure som troops hired with her own silver The Treaty began now to be poursued with som heat and the Cardinal de Ioyeuse carried himself with such address that he overcame all difficulties and brought both parties to a conformity but the Republic wold by no means part with her Laws or revoke Her Decrees formerly mention'd touching Ecclesiastics and Her Ban against the Jesuits She only deliver'd the foresayed Count and Canon to the French Ambassadors hands who deliver'd them afterwards to the Nuntio so the quarrel ended the thunder câ—…as'd which had made such a noise and cut the Princes of Christendom so much work to do herupon Letters of thanks were written to the Kings of France and Spain but specially to the King of great Britain for his propensity and good intentions towards the Republic The Cardinall Ioyeuse had a present of 6000. Crowns value and Don Francisco de Castro had another of 3000. who had bin sent from the King of Spain expressely to compose these differences which charge in his first Speech before the Duke Senat he sayed that he had willingundertaken both in obedience to his Catholic Majesty and for the particular affection he did bear unto so illustrious a Signory hoping easily to conclude a peace betwixt the Holy Father and his Serenity specially seeing he shold not meet with those three impediments that usually render all Treaties difficult which are first the passion or extraordinary affection of him in whose name men treat or of him who treateth secondly the inconvenience of the matter treated and thirdly the incapacity or want of good will in the person with whom the treaty is For touching the first it was certain that the King his Master was well-affected and had no other aims but the common good That the greatnesse of the Republic was advantagious unto him as being the Bullwark of Christendome against the power of the Turk and for his own person he protested that he was not com to use deceit or subtilty being Noble by birth and therfore oblig'd to tell truth above all things Touching the second the point of treaty was for peace a thing excellent in its own nature and for an union with the See Apostolic a thing very profitable to the Republic all stories being full of the mutuall good offices which they have ever rendred one to the other as on the contrary their disunion must needs be pernicious to the Republic for if their cause were injust it wold incense all Princes against them and though it were reasonable yet was it not fit therfore to forget what reverence men shold owe to the Soveraign Bishop Touching the third That the Treaty was with a Senat of great prudence lovers of peace enemies of novelty who had bin Authors alwaies of
Patrons Page 23 The Governors of the two Castles in Corfù never to meet upon pain of death Page 29 Rare glasses made in Venice Page 38 Glassmakers much esteem'd for their Art Page 39 Giovani Mauritio Duke of Venice Page 59 Giovani Partitiatio put off the Dukedom and confind to a Monastery Page 60 The Greeks taught first the use of Bells by the Venetian Page 61 Giovani Partitiatio Duke of Venice who voluntarily deposd himself Page 61 The Gnoway defeated by the Venetian at Trapani Page 72 Genoa vayld to Venice as Carthage to Rome at last Page 74 Genoa shrewdly beaten in the pontick Sea by Venice Page 75 Gallipole in Calabria taken by the Venetian Page 84 Genoa held Famagosta in Cypria above ninty yeers Page 98 H. The habit of the Duke of Venice Page 11 The habit of the Duke with the Iewells he wears upon festivall dayes valued at above 100000 cr Page 11 The heir of Venice answerable for his Fathers faults Page 12 A horse a monster in Venice Page 54 The high Epithetts which are given Venice above the rest of the Townes of Italy Page 55 Horteo Hypato Duke of Venice Page 58 Heraclea utterly demolishd Page 59 The Hunns overcom by the Venetians Page 61 Henry the Emperour comes to Venice Page 65 Part of Hierusalem given to Venice Page 67 Honor don by the Pope to the Venetian Page 68 Hermolao Barbaro punished for receaving dignities from the Pope Page 85 Henry the 8. of England the great instrument of the French King and the Popes release Page 89 Henry the 3. of France comes to Venice Page 132 How the King of Polands borther intercâ—…ded for the readmission of the Jesuits to Venice Page 198 How Venice Rome with the rest of the Princes of Italy carry themselfs in point of politicall interest Page 175 Holland and Venice of a diffring humor Page 180 I. Impossible for the Duke of Venice to becom Tyrant Page 6 Inhibition that Courtesands mingle not with honest Women in the Venetian Churches Page 8 Italy the â—…y of Europe Page 8 The Iudges of Venice Page 17 Of Istria Page 24 Of the I le of Corfou Page 29 Of the I le of Cephalonia Page 30 Of the I le of Zant Page 30 Of the I le of Candis Page 31 The incredible riches of St. Marks treasure Page 37 Iustinianos speech to Maximilian the Emperor in behalf of Venice not found in her Archies Page 73 Justiniano Duke of Venice Page 60 Justinopoli comes under the Venetian Page 61 The I le of Candie under the Venetian An inundation Page 71 Juluis the second incites all the Princes of Christendom against Venice Page 87 The Inquisition refus'd by Venice Page 94 The Iesuits expell'd from Venice with the causes therof recited at large Page 163 The Iesuits tenets Page 163 King James his Declaration touching the quarrell twixt the Pope and Venice Page 161 L. Long age argues strength of body in Epist. Lawes the ligaments of a State Page Ibid. The Lawes of Rhodes and Oleron the Prince for Sea affaires in Epist. The Lombards Kingdom extinguish'd in Italy Page 59 The lamentable end of one of the Dukes of Venice Page 60 Lotharius the Emperour endowes Venice with many immunities Page 60 Lesina and Spalato reduc'd to Venice Page 62 Pope Leo comes to Venice and endowes with many priviledges Page 65 Lesbos Same 's and Andros taken by the Venetian Page 67 Lemnos yeelded to Venice Page 80 The Legat of the Popes answer to the Venetian Generall Page 81 The league of Cambray like to destroy Venice Page 87 Lodovico Falieri employed Ambassador to Henry the 8. of England from Venice Page 90 A league against the Turk in Pius Quintus time the substance of it Page 101 New Lawes in Venice Page 134 Luca excomunicated Page 171 Lep anto battail at large Page 118 M. The maner and majesty how the Duke of Venice sitts Page 14 St. Marks Proctors the high dignity of their place Page 20 The Magistrats of Venice in generall Page 16 Of the marke of Treviso Page 24 St. Marks place Page 37 The Magistrats of old Rome and Venice parallell'd Page 45 Mariello Tegaliano Duke of Venice Page 58 Maaritio of Heraclea D. of Venice Page 59 St. Marks body transported to Venice from Alexandris Page 60 The Moors defeat the Venetian under Saba their Generall Page 60 The Moors ransack Rome Page 60 St. Marks Church burnt Page 62 Meniro Duke of Venice turnes Monkâ—… Page 62 Matilda restor'd to her Duchy of Ferrara by the help of Venice Page 65 Michaeli Duke of Venice goes with 200 Vessells to Joppa and frees her from the siege Page 66 The Marquis of Monferrat restord to his territories by the Venetian Page 79 Mocenigos speech to the Popes Generall Page 81 The maner of Mariages and Christnings in Venice Page 187 N. Nothing discovers the wisdom of a peeple more than the form of their government Page 9 Nothing so difficult as the Art of government Page 10 The neatnes of Venice Page 35 A notable speech against the Tribunitiall power Page 57 The Narentines debell'd by the Venetians Page 62 The Normans give a great overthrow to the Greeks and Venetians at Darazzo Page 65 A mighty defeat given to the Venetians by the Genowayes neer Corfù Page 72 A notable speech of Philip the second touching his Fathers resignations Page 93 A notable speech of a Turk before the battail of Lepanto Page 116 A notable speech of another Turk Page 116 A notable speech of the Turkish Generall Page 124 A notable answer of the Turkish Ambassador to King James Page 131 Nova Palma built in Friuli Page 135 A notable invective against Urban the eighth and his Nephews Page 172 The Navall strength of Venice reviewd Page 197 O. Of the three Republiques of Italy how they differ Page 9 Of the severall denominations of Kingdoms and Commonwealths Page 9 The Office of the Duke of Venice Page 12 Cardinall Ossatts opinion of Venice Page 183 Of the Colledg of Sages in Venice Page 14 The Officers of Venice Page 15 Of the great Chancelor Page 15 Originall of the Venetian Page 33 D. of Ossuna no frend to the Venetian Page 38 An old prophecy touching Venice Page 40 Old Rome and Venice Parallell'd Page 44 Of one who would have preferr'd a Spurrier to Q. Eliz. Page 54 Obeserio Duke of Venice Page 59 Otho the Emperour comes to Venice Page 62 Otho Urseolo Duke of Venice he marries the King of Hungarie's Daughter banish'd afterwards Page 65 Otho the Emperours son taken prisoner by the Venetians freed upon his Parole Page 69 Otho's wise speech and advice to the Emperour Frederic his Father Page 69 P. Peace alwayes preferr'd before war by Venice Page 4 The privat Arsenal of Venice Page 6 The Presse and Pulpit strictly regulated in Venice Page 7 The Pope a great temporall Prince Page 8 The Pope fittest to be umpire of differences in Italy with the reasons alledg'd Page 8 Paulutio
S. P Q. V. A SURVAY OF THE SIGNORIE OF VENICE Of Her admired policy and method of GOVERMENT c. WITH A Cohortation to all Christian Princes to resent Her dangerous Condition at present By JAMES HOVVELL Esq. LONDON Printed for Richard Lowndes at the VVhite Lion in S. Pauls Churchyard neer the West end M. DC LI. TO THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE NATION THE PARLEMENT OF ENGLAND Most Noble Senators LEngth of Age argues strength of Constitution and as in Naturall bodies so this Rule holds good likewise in Politicall Whence it may be inferrd that the Signorie of Venice from Her Infancy was of a strong Symmetry well nursd and swadled with wholsom Lawes which are no other than the ligaments of a State or the Arteries whereby the bloud is directed and strengthened to run through all the veines in due proportion though Nature allowes som to have a greter quantity than others To this may be attributed Her so long duration for having bin born a Christian and Free from the beginning She hath continued a pure Virgin and an Independent but only upon Her-self neer upon 13 Ages She hath shind in Her VVatry Orb among all other Republiques upon Earth as the Moon doth in the Heavens among the rest of the Planets Though She hath cop'd with the gretest Potentats of the World and particularly with the huge Ottoman Emperour Her Neighbour having not only scratchd his face and oftentimes cut off those tuffs of hair wherin his strength lay for the time but peeld his beard and somtimes pluckd him by the Mustachos She is now in actuall luctation and hath bin any time these six yeers at handy-gripes with that monstrous Giant who this yeer intends to bend and bandy all his Forces both by Land and Sea to ravish and ruin Her Therfore it imports all Christian Princes to resent Her condition She being both the Key and Bulwark of Europe that way And with humble leave I speak it it may well becom England now that she is more formidable at Sea than ever to be sensible of Her case That Republic having bin her antient Confederat ever since the association of the Holy Warr and having for this last Centurie mingled interests and run the same cours of state with Her Nor is it a Quaere altogether impertinent but may very well admit of a debate whether a warr against the Turk might not prove more advantagious to England than his wares Moreover if likenes may beget love England hath reson to affect Venice more than any other for in point of security ther is much resemblance between them being both seated in the Sea who is their best Protector The one preserves Her-self by her Gallies the other by her Galeons The fairest flower of England is the Dominion of the Narrow Seas the gretest glory of Venice is the Dominion of the Adriatic Gulph 700 miles in extent Venice had the chiefest hand in framing the Rhodian Lawes for Sea cases by which all the Levant parts are guided and England was the busiest in constituting the Maritim Lawes of Oleron whereby the Western World is governd This following Survay which is like a Frame indented with sundry peeces will I beleeve make the Reder both outwardly and inwardly acquainted with this Mayden Republic for it shewes Her policy and power Her warrs exploits and confederacies Her interests of State together with Her advantages and defects and how farr She hath trodd in the stepps of old Rome Therfore most humbly under favor the Author deemd it a peece of industry not alltogether unworthy to be presented unto that Noble Assembly by Their daylie Orator HOWELL The famous Hexastic which Sannazarius made upon the Citty of Venice for which he receavd 100 Zecchins for evry verse amounting neer to 300 sterling in lieu of reward by decree of the Senat. VIderat Adriacis Venetam Neptunus in Undis Stare Urbem toti ponere jura Mari Nunc mihi Tarpeias quantumvis Iupiter Arces Objice illa tui maenia Martis ait Sic Pelago Tibrim praefers Urbem aspice utramque Illam Homines dices Hanc posuisse Deos. WHen Neptun 'mong his billowes Venice saw And to the Adrian Surges giving law He sayed now Iove boast of thy Capitoll And Mars his Walls This were for to extoll Tiber above the Main Both Citties Face You 'l say Rome men Venice the Gods did trace A short Analysis of the whole Peece A VENICE LOOKING-GLASSE Wherin that rare and renowned City and Signory is represented in Her tru Colours with Reflexes I. UPon Her Constitutions and Government wherin ther may be divers things usefull for this Meridian II. Of the extent and distance of Her Dominions III. Of Her Interests of State with the rest of the Princes of Italie and others IV. Of Her imitation of old Rome in most things V. Of Her advantages and defects VI. Of Her power by Sea and Land VII Of Her 98 Dukes Doges or Souverain Princes In whose Lifes is involvd the Historicall part which looks upon the Greek Empire and Turky as well as upon most Countreys in Europe in whose Councells tending either to Peace or Warr the Republic of Venice hath had as great a share as any other Christian Prince THe Author desires to prepossesse the Reder with this advertisement That he would not have adventurd upon this remote Out landish subject had he not bin himself upon the place had he not had practicall conversation with the peeple of whom he writes As little had he presumd upon the Life of the last French King and Richelieu his Cardinall in the Story calld LUSTRA LUDOVICI unlesse he had bin Spectator of most of his actions And herin the Author desires to be distinguishd from those who venture to write of Forren affaires and Countreys by an implicit faith only taking all things upon trust having Themselfs never trodd any part of the Continent Upon the Citty and Signorie of VENICE COuld any State on Earth Immortall be Venice by Her rare Goverment is She Venice Great Neptunes Minion still a Mayd Though by the warrlikst Potentats assayd Yet She retaines Her Virgin-waters pure Nor any Forren mixtures can endure Though Syren-like on Shore and Sea Her Face Enchants all those whom once She doth embrace Nor is ther any can Her bewty prize But he who hath beheld Her with his Eyes These following Leaves display if well observd How She so long Her Maydenhead preservd How for sound prudence She still bore the Bell Whence may be drawn this high-fetchd parallel Venus and Venice are Great Queens in their degree Venus is Queen of Love Venice of Policie I. H. OF THE REPUBLIC OR SIGNORIE OF VENICE The PROEME WEre it within the reach of humane brain to prescribe Rules for fixing a Society and Succession of peeple under the same Species of Goverment as long as the World lasts the Republic of Venice were the fittest pattern on Earth both for direction and imitation This Maiden City
busines of himself without the adjunction of other Senators nor can he leave the Cittie or marry any forrener without the knowledg and consent of the Senat Insomuch that we read of Duke Falerio that was putt to death for marrying a Stranger without the suffrage of the Senat In fine this high politicall Magistrat hath only the presence of a Soverain Prince but nothing of the power In the old records of Venice the reasons are yet extant which inducd the Republic to elect this formall Prince for her Head wherof these are the remarkablest We have observd that in this vast Universitie of the World bodies according to their severall natures have multiplicity of motions yet they receave vertu and vigor but from one which is the Sun All causes derive their originalls from one supreme cause We see that in one Creture ther are many differing members and faculties who have various functions yet they are all guided by one soul c. The Duke for his Salary hath 100. Zecchins which coin wants above twelvepence of ten shillings English brought him every Wensday to his Palace Among all these restraints which keep him from trenching upon the Common Liberty and doing injustice ther is another and that a shrewd one which is that Lex repetundarum may be executed upon his Heir after his death for there is a Iunta appointed to make a scrutiny of the actions of the deceased Duke and if any can prove he was wrongd by him he shall have reparation out of the Heirs estate Of the Venetian Senat. THe Senat consists of 120. grave men wherof ther are threescore calld Ordinary Senators and threescore of the Junta they are calld all together the Pregadi because being taken for wise men they are prayed to be assisting the Commonwealth with their Counsells The sixty ordinary are created yeerly by the suffrages of the great Councell in the months of August and September observing this order that at every meeting six be chosen of the sayed Senators untill the whole nomber be compleated The other sixty Senators of the Junta are ascribd unto these other sixty but there is one caution observd that ther may be but two of a kinred chosen among these sixty but the other allow three of a kinred To these 120. Senators are adjoind the Duke and Decemvirs with other Orders the 40. Judges of Capitall Causes the Provosts of Salt and Corn the Sages of health the Prefect of the Arsenal and Proctors of Saint Mark with other Magistrats and these in effect have the management of the whole Republic They treat of peace and warr their power extends to lay taxes to make extraordinary levies and erogations of moneys They make choice of Ambassadors to be employd to forren Princes they have power allso to summon the Sages of Land and Sea with all the chief Magistrats Of the Decemvirs and their Colledg THe Colledg of Decemvirs is composd of 17. Senators ten of these are chosen by the great Councell and are in Ordinary having this priviledg that he who is in that Magistracy may not procure in two yeers that any mention be made of him in other meetings and conventions Of these evry month three Senators are chosen to be of the quorum these are the chief of the Colledg are commonly calld Capi di dieci the Heads of ten and have power to summon the Decemvirall Colledg and referr matters unto it They have a privat Conclave where they daylie meet having Oâ—…icers of sundry sorts to attend them They read the Letters addressd to the Decemvirat Colledg and make relation unto them of the substance therof and ther must be two of them which must do it To these Decemvirs is adjoind the Duke in chief and six Councellors whose peculiar priviledg is to be chosen out of the six Precincts or Sextaries of the Citty this order observd that three be chosen this side of the Rialto and three on the other They are to be assistant to the Duke eight months with Him they are to take care of all things that concern the Wellfare of the Republic and Citty It is sufficient that fower of them subscribe all public Orders Touching matters of moment they are to make relation to the great Councell The Prince therfore with the Decemvirs and six sayed Councellors do constitut the Decemvirat Colledg which is the supremest authority and hath a kind of Dictatorian power They are to take care that no discord or any public quarrells happen which may disturb the peace of the Citty and draw after them any insurrection They are to have an eye that no factious or fantastic Cittizen introduce any dangerous innovation That no counterfeit coyn be stamped or brought in That Sodomy and all other flagitious crimes be enquird after which they have inappealable power to punish Of the Colledg of Sages or Preconsultors THis Colledg consists of 16. Senators which are of the chiefest Cittizens and they are calld Savii or Sages because they are presumd to antecell others both in dignity and experience These use to preconsult of generall matters tending to the administration of the Commonwealth as allso of peace and warr with other the most important affairs and make relation therof to the Senat. This Colledg is divided to three Orders the first containes 6. Senators which are calld Savii grandi the great Sages who consult of all things touching the honor of the Republic in generall specially of Sea matters and other requisitts reflecting upon peace or warr and make reports of their Consultations to the Senat. The second Order consists of 5. Cittizens or Gentlemen of Venice commonly calld Savii de terra firma the Sages of the Continent who allthough they have the like authority to make report of matters to the Senat yet are they much inferior to the former in dignity and trust Their chiefest duty is to have care of the Militia by Land and of salaries of such soldiers that are entertaind by the Republic whether Forreners or Natives The third degree consists of 5. Cittizens or Gentlemen of Venice who are commonly young men primae lâ—…nuginis of the first shaving of the razor as they say but learned and well versd in the Sciences which are inferior to the other two and make report of all Sea businesses to the Senat and these are calld Savii de gli ordini and they are culld out of the choicest Witts to be made capable for future employments To this Colledg of Sages or Preconsultors are adjoind the Prince the six Councellors the Triumvirs of the forty who preside over Criminall Causes So that the whole Colledg may be sayed to consist of 26. Senators or Cittizens of the Patrician Order The maner of the convention of this Colledg is thus the Prince sitts in the middle mounted upon a high Seat and about him those Councellors who were chosen out of the six Precincts of the Cittie three on the right and three on the left hand and after
a Spurrier to Queen Elizabeth To speak of the sundry sorts of Antiquities Monuments and ingenious Epitaphs which are in the Churches up and down Venice wold afford matter enough to fill Volumes I will only produce an instance of one extraordinary odd kind of Epitaph upon Peter Aretin in S. Lukes Church Qui giace l'Aretin Poeta Tosco Chi disse mal d'ognun fuor che di Dio Scusandosi dicendo n'ol conobbi Englished thus The Toscan Aretin lies in this Grave He who at all excepting God did rave And if the reason you desire to have He knew Him not Having thus endeavourd to sett forth this Mayden Cittie in Her tru colours and made the narrowest inspection into Her Water we could the close of Her Character shall be som peculiar Epithetts that are given to Her among the rest of the fair Towns of Italy as followeth Fama tra noj Roma pomposa santa Venetia riccha saggia signorile Napoli odorifera Gentile Fiorenza bella tutto il mondo canta Grande Milano in Italia si vanta Bologna grassa Ferrara civile Padona dotta Bergamo sottile Genoa di superbia altiera pianta Verona degna perugia sanguigna Brescia T'armata Mantoa gloriosa Rimini buona Pistoia ferrigna Cremona antica Luca industriosa Furli bizarro Ravenna benigna Et Singallia de l'aria noiosa Et Capoâ—…a l'amorosa Pisa frendente Pesaro giardino Ancona bel Porto al Pellegrino Fidelissimo Urbino Ascoli tondo lungo Recanate Foligno delle strade inzuccarate Et par da'l cielo mandate Le belle donne di Fano si dice Mà Siena poj tra l'altre più selice Among all these Citties we find that Venice is rankd next Rome and hath three as it were proverbiall attributs given Her higher than any of the rest viz. to be Rich Wise and Ladylike or Stately wherunto I shall add another saying Venegia Venegia chi non Ti vede non Ti pregia the Eye is the best Judg of Venice Having now don with the Topography and local description of Venice together with Her method of Goverment and Magistracy both Urban Rurall Having allso given som touches of her wealth power and extent of Dominion with other singularities peculiar to Her We will now make som reserches into Her Annalls and speak of Her Martiall Exploits up and down the World as allso of the transactions and traverses of State twixt other Princes and Her which are various and very remarkable She having allwayes bin one of the most politic and pragmaticall'st Republics on Earth Therfore in Her 's the Story of many parts of Christendom and other Regions may be sayed to be involvd All which shall be don in a regular way of succinctnes and a speciall care had to avoyd trivialties and impertinencies as well as that no materiall passage may be omitted OF THE PRINCES AND DUKES OF VENICE PAULUTIO ANAFESTO THE FIRST DOGE OR DUKE OF VENICE VNity is as much requisit for the well-being of things as Entity is for their being the Philosophers as formerly was said call it the highest point of perfect on all bodies incline and propend towards it by a secret instinct of nature as to their Center The Republic of Venice therefore finding som inconveniences or half a kind of confusion if not a deformity to have two heads upon one body grew weary of the Tribunitial Power and so resolv'd to reduce the Soverain Authority under one to which purpose a notable Speech was made to this effect That there was no more hope to be had of the Venetian Common-wealth nor yet of their Liberty which had bin pourchased and maintain'd by their Progenitors with such generosity unlesse the fury of the Tribunes expired that their self-same Ancestors had in times past for the sweetnesse of Liberty abandoned their most pleasant Countrey their Houses and all other matters which men commonly esteem most dear and were com into barren Ilands where there was nothing that might invite them to dwel That if they could have dispens'd with their Liberty they might with all safety have remain'd in the City where they were first born and brought up and with this losse alone might have liv'd peaceably among the Barbarians but being full of innated courage they suppos'd that they ought not to lose their Freedom but with their lives wherefore divers of those that were there present following the example of their Predecessors came only into those places to live at Liberty To what purpose then was their designs what profit had they by their dislodging why had they so many Churches Buildings and so many public and private Houses why did they forsake the firm land to eschew bondage and yet meet it in the midst of the waters by the insolency of a few whither it was likely that the barbarous enemy who was so near them wold take any rest till he had found som means to â—…uinat this new Domicile of Liberty seeing that Tyrants hate nothing so much as that Name and undoubtedly 't was his wish to see the whole Venetian State destroy'd by civill discord which he could not shake by any other means Hereupon they suddenly resolv'd to elect a new Duke who shold represent the Honor and Majesty of the whole State and have power to Assemble the General Councell to choose Annual Tribunes in the inferior Ilands from whence the Appeals should come before him and moreover if any had obtain'd any dignity oâ—… Prelatship by the suâ—…rages of the Clergy he shold not enjoy the same without the ratification of the Duke Upon these Deliberations PAULUTIO of Heraclea a man of integrity evperience and courage was chosen Duke after the Cities foundation about 276. He took an Oath well and faithfully to provide whatsoever should be fit for the honor of the Common-wealth and the Venetian Name hereupon he was adorn'd with divers Noble Ensigns to make the Dignity the more illustrious Being instal'd Duke his first care was to free the Republic of the War that was than afoot with Luitprand which he did and he extended the limits of Heraclea from the River of Piâ—…vo unto the little stream call'd Piaricolle and brought the Equilines under his Dominion In his time those of Tourcedes built a Magnificent Temple to the honor of the Virgin Mary which is yet standing and in good repair to this day MARCELLO TEGALIANO succeeded PAULUTIO who swayed o're the Signory twenty years and upwards this Duke MARCELLO got more repute by Peace then Warre and governed nine yeares HORâ—…O call'd URâ—…US HYPATUS succeeded MARCELLO the Longobards at that time had taken Ravenna and the Exarch flying to Venice for refuge by the intercession of the Pope the Venetians rais'd a considerable Army and took Ravenna again and restor'd it to to the Exarch in which exploit PRODEUS of Vicenza a person of renown was slain this Duke was of a spirit more haughty then ordinary and
Popes Legat who was Admirall for the Church I am sure most excellent and reverend Father that you are not ignorant how valâ—…antly the Venetians have hitherto born themselves for the Christian Faith This is the ninth year we have fought by Sea and Land against this cruell enemy without the assistance of any Christian Prince but King Ferdinand only It is needlesse to rehearse the losses travails and dangers which we have sustain'd for ther is no place in all Morea no shore in Greece nor Iland in all the Ionian and Egean Seas which is not mingled with our bloud or with that of our enemies we have not spar'd any labour or expence and we heartily wish that whatsoever we do now or shall hereafter execut may be for the Weal of Christendom we have lately with fire and sword wasted Eolia and Caria two rich Provinces of the enemies and now we hope by your happy conjunction to do som nobler enterprize It rests therfore on your part to teach us what you know to be profitable for Christendome and prescribe us what to execute and we hold it our parts to execute your commands The Legat answer'd It is sufficiently known with what Zeal and affection the Noble Venetians have till this present defended Christian Religion and how by their valour and industry they have preserv'd whole Common-wealths Ilands and Cities but for your own particular Generall Mocenigo I must say that although other Commanders have done valiantly yet you have not only comported your self valiantly but fortunatly and if I may so say divinely This being thus I entreat you to go on as you have begun and let not our conduct or that of any one els interrupt the course of your happy proceedings For my self as becometh a Churchman I will pray unto God and his Saints that all your enterprises may succeed prosperously and those troupes which I have brought with me shall follow your commands Mocenigo had forty six â—…allies of the Republic under his command twenty of the Popes and fifteen of King Ferdinands He infested the Turks up and down in divers places taking sundry places and prizes among others he took Sichin and Seleucia where the Turks being too confident of their strength cryed out from over the walls to Mocenigo get ye home O Venetians and command the Sea and fishes but leave the Empire of the Land to Ottoman Mocenigo having taken Seleucia went after to Cyprus where he understood that Iames the King was sick of a Dissentery and being come to visit him he entreated the King to be of good cheer and with patience to undergo the force of his malady who made him answer I know very well most excellent Captain and already feel that by the violent torment of my disease I am in great danger of life and not to â—…atter my self I have no hope to escape therefore I make my dearest wife with the child she bears in her body mine heirs and she as thou knowest is daughter to Marco Cornari and being adopted by the Venetian Senat was by them given me in marriage If I die whereof I make no question I recommend my Wife Issue and Kingdom to Venice therefore I heartily entreat thee in regard of our friendship and for the greatnesse of the Venetian State if it com to that that thou woâ—…'st defend and keep both her selfe Issue and Kingdome from all wrong and oppression Mocenigo answer'd Thy body most Royall King is yet in a good estate and thou in the prime of thine Age which may put thee in good hope of a speedy recovery but if it shold fall out otherwise which God forbid I beseech thee be confident that neither my self nor the Venetian forces will be wanting to thee or thine Mocenigo parting from Cyprus sayl'd towards the Ilands nere Licia where making incursions into the firm land he resolv'd to besiege Miâ—… which he took and plundred thence he sayl'd to Flisca where the King of Cyprus daughter the Lady Charlotta allied to the Duke of Saâ—…y sent to crave assistance of him against Iames her base brother who was the son of a Concubin Mocenigo's answer was remarkable He sent her word that in the Republics name he wold do the Lady Charlotta all favour yet he greatly wonders that she did not remember how that the right of Kingdoms is rather debated by the Sword then by Law and that the Iland of Cyprus had not bin only taken from her but also from the Genoways who then held part thereof For his part he knew how that the wife of the late King the adoptif daughter of the Venetian Senat being left with child had bin together with the fruit of her womb made heirs by the deceased King before his death in his hearing therefore he told them plainly he wold espouse the quarrell of the pregnant Queen Dowager who he hop'd wold shortly bring forth a young King A while after the Popes Legat being revok'd and taking his leave of Mocenigo spake unto him thus I take my leave of thee O thou valiant man and will be the public witnesse and trumpet of thy heroick deeds and if God shall send me safe to Italy not only the Pope and the most reverend Colledge of Cardinalls but all Europe with the Princes and 〈◊〉 Nations of Christendom shall understand what Venice under thy conduct skill and counsell hath done against our common enemie the Turk in Asia Licia and Pamphilia go forward brave Captain as thou hast begun to inlarge the Venetian glory and bear up the banners of the Crosse thereby to imortalize thy own name I beseech Almighty God to favour all thy attempts and I hope 't wil come so to passe that all the losses which Christendome hath sustaind by this barbarous enemy shall e're long by thy own valour and to their ruine be fully compensated After this Mocenigo was Godfather to the young Prince and made Governour of Cyprus NICOLAO MARCELLO succeeded afterwards in whose principality divers things prospered on the Republics side in Macedonia PIETRO MOCENIGO was chosen next who being S. Marks Admirall for many years did notable feats by Land and Sea but in the compasse of a year and two months he gave up the Ghost and his Government ANDREA VENDRAMMO succeeded the Turks besiege Croia and are worsted but they ravag'd and burnt the Countrey of Friuli and the fire was so violent that it was seen from som of the turrets of Venice GIOVANNI MOCENIGO was next elected Duke and shortly after there was a peace concluded with Ottoman the Turk upon these conditions that the Venetians stold have free and safe trafic into the Pontick Seas and that Ottoman shold have Lemnos and Scutary given him up He afterwards took Otrauto in Calabria wherby he fill'd all Italy with a terror of invasion In this Dukes time the Island Vegia in Dalmatia gave her self up to Venice In this Dukes time there was an eager warre begun and prosecuted with much
and for the honor and friendship which they did professe to the Republic they did infinitely thank their Princes The news of the good correspondence and certain hopes of peace 'twixt two such mighty Kings had much rejoyc'd them and so much the more by how much greater the profit was which all Christendome shold receave thereby But as for the Declaration of their meaning and intendments towards the present occasions it might be sufficiently known by their actions how for their parts they had for three years born the brunt and burthen of the warr against the common enemy and being invited by those hopes they were ready again to embark and expose themselfs yet neverthelesse all might well perceave that they were not able alone to hold out long against the power of so potent a Foe therefore what could they say more their necessity being known to all men how ev'ry one knew that Barbarossa was in the Gulph of Lepanto with a Fleet of eighty Gallies and intended to winter there whereby the whole world might perceave to what danger the State of the Common-wealth was expos'd and by consequence all Christendom unlesse the Navall Armies might be ready by the month of February to divert his designs all which things were exactly to be thought upon and speedily remedied This was an Answer without a resolution nor could those two great Ambassadors get any other at all for the sagacious Senat smelt out whereunto these practises tended and what the Emperors true designs were namely to feed the French with vain hopes of a restitution of the Duchy of Milan and the Venetians by propounding unto them to make preparation against the Turk though he cared not to perform either but only thereby to win time by being assur'd of the quiet of the French Arms and diverting that King from warr But the Republic was constrain'd a little after to conclude a peace with the Turk by surrendry of Naples in Peloponnesus and Malvesia into his hands The Inhabitants of Napoli and Malvesia were exceedingly afflicted that the Republic wold give them up to the Turk therefore Generall Mocenigo made unto them this consolatory tender Oration The fatherly love wherewith Venice hath alwaies embrac'd and receav'd you from the beginning under her rule and protection and then gently govern'd you for a long time may very easily perswade you that the very same which I am enjoyn'd to deliver unto you viz. that this City and Malvesia your Neighbour are to be deliver'd to Solyman hath bin done rather upon extreme necessity then by any freedom of will Divers things may make you cleaâ—…ly perceave how dearly the Republic ever lov'd you specially these last wars wherin for your relief she hath oftentimes expos'd her self to the greatest dangers she hath furnish'd you with money souldiers and munition for fear you shold fal into the enemies power who with barbarous cruelty wold have bath'd his hands in your bloud but what greater demonstration of love can the Republic make you in this present exigent then to promise all those who are willing to depart another fit dwelling place wherin they may safely live under her protection and to help favour and nourish them The ancient Sages said how that the same place may be term'd ones Countrey where he hath his well being Now what better thing is ther then to live under the moderat government of a good Princce Divers Nations their numbers growing â—…ver great at home have of their free wills departed from their Native Countrey and followed Fortune In miseries to have an assured refuge carrieth with it such a comfort as a man doth oftimes remember things passâ—…d with greater contentation we cannot remove hence the houses and walls of the City but you may bear away what 's dâ—…arer unto you your goods persons shall be preserv'd your posterities shall propagat in another place and who knows but you may beget such generous children that may revenge your wrongs som other day so great is the change of mundane affairs wherunto the greatest Empires are as subject as the smallest villages you may be well assured that the Republic will retain still a desire to take up arms at all times when she sees that Christian Princes will seriously unite that ther may be som probability to do good Whilst Mocenigo did thus comfort them both men and women did shed warm tears being all melted into love as well as sorrow Not long after the French King finding that he could get nothing but promises instead of performances for the surrendry of Milan from the Emperor Charles he employ'd one Rincon Ambassador to Solyman for aid against Francis of France this Rincon was near Pavia in Italy slain by the Emperours Forces as he was on his way to Turky therupon Polin was sent whom the Republic did furnish with a Gallie to carry him to Constantinople He negotiated so well that Solyman sent a Fleet of sixscore Gallies which took Reggio in Calabria with the City of Nice and so arrives at Marseilles The Republic was eagerly importun'd both by the Emperor and French King to enter into a League with them but nothing could put off from their Neutrality FRANCISCO DONATO was chosen after the death of Lande in his time Cardinall Grimani the peeple complaining of his oppressions his temporall dominion was taken from him and restor'd to the Republic in his time also Friar George Bishop of Varadine and Cardinall suspected to hold intelligence with the Turk was massacred MARC ANTONIO TREVISANO was next elected in whose time notwithstanding that all the Princes of Italy were ingaged in some warre or other yet the Republic was peacefull and quiet This Duke being at Masse one morning died suddenly of a faintnesse in the head FRANCISCO VENIERI succeeded next in whose time Charles the Emperour being tired with labour and weary of the world resign'd the Empire to his brother Ferdinand and all the rest of his Dominions to his son Philip the second reserving to himself an annuity of a hundred thousand crowns and so retir'd to a Monastery som write that he was sorry for it afterwards and that his son shold say That the second day of his resignation was the first day of his repentance this happen'd in the year 1554. LORENZO PRIULI then was created Duke a great learned man in whose time after a long funestous warre a peace was concluded 'twixt France and Spain much by the endeavours of the Republic JEROMINO PRIULI succceeded next in the Principality in his time the Councell of Trent begun Anno Dom. 1560. and broke off Pius the fourth being Pope who though by his own naturall inclination he was meek and gentle yet being importun'd by the great complaints made unto him against his Predecessors Nephews who during their Oncles Papacy committed som extorsions he therupon committed to prison Charles and Alphonso Caraffi both Cardinalls the Duke of Palliano their brother and two others their neer
that Piali the Turks Admirall was with his whole Fleet making towards them they weigh'd anchors and made for Candy Though the Republic had ill luck at Sea and in Cyprus this year yet there were som compensations made to her in Albania for divers Towns did rise up there who being desirous to shake off the Turkish yoke they sent to Venice for some auxiliary supplies protesting unto them That upon the first sight of their ensignes they wold run unto them and becom their subjects for security wherof they wold give them their chiefest children for hostages so the Governors of Autivari Dulcigna and Budua did in the name of the Republic receave the Oath of Alleageance of more then one hundred Towns and Villages While poor Cyprus and her chief City Famagosta was upon making her last wil the renewing of the League was treated at Rome which the hauty spirit of the Spaniard did much retard The Pope in his hortative offer'd to go upon the Fleet among other things the Spaniard propos'd that the Venetians shold be bound upon pain of Ecclesiastical censures to observe in ev'ry point that which shold be resolv'd on in the League as though they had suspected the Republics integrity wherunto the Venetian Ambassadors gave a round and stout Answer they did moreover contend about a Generalissimo the Spaniard proposing not onely to nominat him but his Lievtenant also who in his absence shold have the same authority this did much distract the Treaty ther was another rub besides in the businesse which was a darknesse that was like to be 'twixt the Emperour and the Pope for conferring a new Title upon the Duke of Florence which the Emperour wold not allow of Ther was a motion of peace made about this time by the Turk to the Republic but as she was ready to send Ragasson instructions accordingly Generall Colonna the Popes Generall was sent from Rome to disswade her from it the Spaniard also seeks unto her about the same purpose and to desire her to re-enter into the League which was now absolutely concluded hereupon she gave Colonna a pleasing answer and after much canvasing the point in the Senat a resolution was taken to send new Commissions to her Ambassadors at Rome accordingly So in Rome after most solemn Divine Service and the procession ended in S. Peters Church the League was publish'd the particular Articles whereof were as followeth Betwixt Pope Pius Quintus promising for the Sea Apostolic and his Successors with the consent of the whole Colledge of Cardinalls Philip the Catholic King and the Duke and Senat of Venice a League and perpetuall confederacy hath bin made to abate and overthrow the Turks power who of late hath invaded with a mighty Army the Realm of Cyprus a Countrey very commodious for the conquest of the Holy Land That the Confederats forces shall consist of two hundred light Gallies one hundred Ships of war fifty thousand footmen Italians Spaniards and Almains four thousand five hundred horse with Artillery and Ammunition proportionable to such a force all which shall be employed for the defence as wel of the confederat States as to assail the enemy and particularly for the enterprize of Algier Tunis and Tripoli That all these forces shall be united in the month of May next ensuing or in the month of April at Otrauto to passe into the Levant against the enemies as Times and the Councell of Captains shall think fit that thâ—…se Forces neverthelesse may be changed by increasing or diminishing the provisions of war as necessity and the quality of the enterprise shall require wherupon a yearly meeting shall be at Rome in Automn ther to consult what is best to be done and if it shall ther be concluded not to attempt anything that year in common yet it might be lawfull for ev'ry of the Confederâ—…s to execute their particular enterprises specially for the King of Spain to enterprise those of Algier Tunis and Tripoli in which so that ther be no mighty Turkish Army abroad the Venetians shall be bound to aid the King with fifty Gallies of purpose That the sayed King shall be likewise bound to aid the Venetians whensoever they shall enterprize any thing in their Gulph against the common enemy on this condition neverthelesse if he which shall crave this aid have far greater forces ready That all the Confederats shall be oblig'd to defend the States of any one of them whom the Turk shall invade and in particular with other places that shall belong to the Church that for the expence of the war his Catholic Majesty shall pay one half and the other moitie being divided into three parts the Venetian shall pay two and the Pope the third They shall be bound to give the Pope twelve Gallies ready rigg'd and munition'd which his Holinesse shall mann for the service of the League that generally each of the Confederats shall be bound to contribut for the common necessity whatsoever he shall abundantly have and others want which afterwards shall be allow'd upon account that the Store-houses for corn shall â—…e ev'ry where open for the common good and that grain may be taken forth out of commodious places so that he of whom 't is taken make first his own provision that at Councells and Consultations the Commanders of the three Consederat Princes shall be present and what the most of them resolve upon shall be concluded neverthelesse the execution of matters determin'd shall remain to the Generall of the Army who was presently nam'd to wit Don John of Austria and in his absence Marc Antonio Colonna with the same authority though at the same time he retain the title and rank of the Churches Generall In this League which was struck 1570. ther was a place reserv'd for Maximilian of Austria the elect Emperour for the King of France and the King of Portugal to enter into the confederacy when they shold think it fit and to all other Christian Princes who had a desire to engage in it and in case any strife shold arise twixt the Confederats the Pope as Umpire shall decide it These Articles were not to be put in execution till the year following in the mean time because Famagosta was so much streightned the Republic sent thither Marc Antonio Quirini with four Ships attended by twelve Gallies to carry supplies thither who safely landed sixteen hundred foot with great store of victualls and munition in Famagosta which did beyond expression encourage them and whilst he remain'd ther he took a Ship of the enemies with other smaller Vessells and raz'd certain Forts which the Turks had rais'd upon the rock of Gambella there was another supply of eight hundred fresh men sent to Baillone the Governour of Famagosta in other Ships a little after The Turk made some overtures of peace again to the Venetians which they wold not hearken unto in regard of the new League hereupon there came another formidable Fleet of two hundred and
Interdict the only Ecclesiastics that went out of the Republic were the Iesuits and Capuchines wherof the first was banish'd the other dismiss'd the rest did still officiat alledging that the difference 'twixt the See of Rome and the Signory was not touching any point of the Catholic Faith But at Rome her self it was expected that the sayed Interdict wold produce three effects 1. That the Religious wold al depart 2. That the Cities and peeple seeing themselfs depriv'd of Church Offices wold raise a sedition and so force the Senat to give the Pope satisfaction 3. That the Nobility upon this occasion might be disordered terrified and divided among themselfs but none of all these three effects hapned for the Senat was greatly united in their resolutions the City of Venice and common peeple kept themselfs in wonderfull obedience and this so generall a calm did not only proceed from the voluntary conformablenes of the peeple but also from the providence of the Senat and diligence of the Magistrat who provided for all accidents Besides this great affair was conducted with so much prudence and dexterity that no bloud of any man was shed for contempt or mutiny which made the world to stand at a gaze that so great a Body and Government shold be kept npright without any violence execution or the least shock given notwithstanding ther were many under practises us'd afterwards The Jesuits in ev'ry place wher they had taken footing did put all irons in the fire and fell a beating them to brand the Republic of Venice insomuch that her Ambassadors receav'd affronts in som places as in Poland and Prague but it was by privat persons for which they had satisfaction from the Emperour and the King of Poland for the Signory was not so carelesse but she sent a punctuall account of all these traverses 'twixt the Pope and Her Genoa and Savoy was also displeas'd with Her because both they had bin succumbent to the Popes Censures before and submitted Among other Princes Iustiniano the Venetian Ambassador residing then in London had command to acquaint the King of England with his Contrasto 'twixt the Pope and the Senat. King Iames after he had very attentively heard the relation of the Ambassador shew'd how well he accepted that esteem and highly commended the Laws of the Republic adding that he long'd to see the whole Church of God reform'd to which end he much desir'd a free Councell to determine so many controversies which have no other cause but the usurpations of the Roman Bishops in which desire he thought the King of France and other Princes wold joyn with him that perhaps God meant to produce this happines out of these troubles of the Signory that he had sent word therof to Pope Clement then when he was mov'd by him the first time he came to the Crown of England to unite himself to the Roman Church but he wold not hear any thing of a Councell that this union was much to be desired but clearly ther was no other means to effect it then by a Generall Councell he added moreover that that ruine of the Church proceeded from this that the Popes esteem'd themselfs as Gods and were so corrupted by flattery that 't was no marvail they could give no ear to any reason and if they proceeded oftentimes with such precipitation The separated States of Holland writ letters full of of affection unto the Republie upon this occasion offring Her a supply of Arms Ships and Victualls if the case requir'd with any other good office of friendship All Christian Princes were sensible of this rupture 'twixt the Pope and the Republic specially the Roman Catholikes in whose Courts the Venetian Ambassadors did refrain for a while to go with the rest into their Chappell 's after the accustomed manner The Duke of Savoy did appear more against the Republic then any other not treating her Ambassador as formerly though he took hold of another occasion because She had written to his children by the title of Excellency not of Highnesse The Republic apprehending som fears that such a confederacy might be procur'd against Her by Pope Paul the eight as was by Iulius the second who carried fire in his hands She was very willing that matters might be reconcil'd by the mediation of other Princes wherin Mons. du Fresne stir'd more vigorously then any other by order from Henry the IV. of France his Master the Duke of Mantoua also offer'd to com to Venice in disguize to know their intentions and then passe to Rome of purpose to treat with the Pope for an attonement The Senat took this as a very high respect and sayed that the Republic who us'd to be accounted the Right Hand of Rome wold do nothing unworthy of her self and it was just that he who had first offended shold repair the offence therfore it was fitting that the Pope shold revoke his Censures and so open the way to a Treaty for no wound can heal till the inflammation be taken away While this difference lasted 'twixt Rome and Venice a certain writing was affix'd at Vicenza and other places wherin the Republic was exhorted to shake off the Popes Yoke calling him Antichrist c. The Senat was much mov'd herat therfore they caus'd a rigorous Baâ—… to be publish'd wherin they promis'd a large reward to him or them that shold discover the Author of that infamous paper giving charge that a diligent search shold be made after the Authors but none being found 't was thought to be an artifice of the Jesuits to induce the Venetian therby to com the sooner to an accord with the Pope The King of Spain in these doubtfull traverses of things writ a Letter full of terms of reverence and complement unto the Pope that if need were he wold joyn his temporall Arms to maintain the spirituall Arms of the Church to which purpose he had written both to his Viceroy of Naples and Governor of Milan upon the receit of this Letter ther were Bonfires made at Rome and the flames of the fire flew upon the wings of fame all Christendome over which gave the Republic such an alarm that She began by Land and Sea to arm apace She was offer'd assistance if need were from som of the Greek Christians that were subjects to the Turk as also from the reformed Churches of France but she wav'd both but it was thought that this Letter of the Spanish King wherin he promis'd warlike succours to the Pope was not a thing really meant but only to terrifie the Republic and bring her the sooner to an agreement which appear'd in regard he had sent expresse commands to Don Innigo de Cardenas his Ambassador residing in Venice to propound som Overtures of Treaty wherupon he propos'd to the Duke and the Senat That his Catholic Majesty affecting the conservation of peace desir'd that the disgusts 'twixt his Holines and the Republic might cease to which end he had commanded all
which he was accountable for to the Fameze bank in Rome for which he had engag'd his Castle of Castro herupon he was also excommunicated and a high feud fell out 'twixt the Cardinall Fameze and Cardinall Barberini the Popes Nephew herabouts The French Ambassador at Rome interpos'd in the businesse by instructions from his Master but Pope Vrâ—…an told him That he might chastise the Duke of Parma who was his Subject as well as his Christian Majesty dâ—…d take off the head of Montmoreney c. Herupon the Castro was secur'd for the Pope and besides he musters up an Army which advanc'd as far as the â—…rontires of Modena and so seconds his spirituall Arms which had gon before with the temporall making his Nephew Don Taddeo his Generall who demanded passage to go on to the invasion of Parma but he found more difficulty in this expedition then he did in the taking of Castro wher he found no opposition at all The Duke of Modena sent a complementall Answer to the Pontificiall Generall touching a free passage which in effect did countervail a deniall and this he did by consultation with his Neighbour States for this Papall Army tending so much to the disturbance of Italy who was in an universall repose before did awaken the spirits of all the Princes The Luqueses in their little industrious Republic began to humm like so many Bees in a hive The grand Duke of Toscany stood in a maze but the Signory of Venice who was us'd to be the chiefest instrument to preserve the common peace of Italy was more deeply sensible of this disturbance in so much that Don Taddeo was denied passage ev'ry where which made one say That ther was a great deal of difference betwixt that Pontificiall Army and the ancient Army of the people of Israel for at the marching of the one the Sea it self divided his fluid body to let it passe but at the marching of this all the world seem'd to close together to hinder the passage For a little after a League was struck to that purpose 'twixt the Republic of Venice the Gran Duke the Duke of Modena and him of Parma who had all former grounds of discontent During this â—…ontrasto and Traverses of war 'twixt the Pope and Parma ther was a notable Libell or Satyre drop'd up and down in divers places of Italy against Rome and the person of Vrban which in regard 't is a very materiall piece compos'd of a mixture of divinity and policy and that it tends much to the understanding of the State of Italy I thought worthy to insert here a person of great knowledge and quality being the Author therof The famous Invective against Pope Urban the Eighth and Rome THe Author faineth that the second Person of the Holy Trinity complains to the first touching the distolutenes and excesses of the Roman Church his Spouse therfore he desires a divorce from her The Father being mov'd by his Sons reasons commands Paul to transfer himself to earth to visit mortalls and take knowledge of their complaints specially in Italy against the Roman Spouse and if need be to form an exact proces of her actions speaking to him as follometh Paul Great are the discomposures and mischiefs which arise from an unchast woman this very heaven cannot glory it self to be free of them my only begotten Son is troubled and aggriev'd at the dishonest actions of the Church of Rome his Spouse I well hoped that she had bin capable of a reconcilement but he holds himself so highly offended and finds her nature to be so perverted that he thinks she is incorrigible therfore with a constant resolution he seeks a divorce from her Now what can I deny to my only Son specially when so much Justice favoureth his complaints yet I do not intend to determin any thing upon the businesse so hastily though the eternal Word cannot tell an untruth that to the end that our Decree may have a sufficient foundation we command thee to betake thy self on earth and hear what mortalls can say against the Roman Spouse and frame a charge against her accordingly the enterprise may prove somwhat difficult because she useth to palliat her faults and to persecute those men that write against her proceedings but we assure our selfs that the approved vertue of Paul which heretofore knew how to support the persecutions of the wicked against the honor of Christ will not shrink a whit in this employment for his service S. Paul doth readily obey the Lord and descends to earth in human disguize and steers his course for Venice but before he there arriv'd he casually found upon the way a writing the Tenor wherof was as followeth and the Endorsement thus A Memorandum for the most renowned Republic of Venice Amonst those Princes who reverence Rome your Serenity is She most renowned Republic who being free from all superstitious credulity do conserve your Christian Empire from all insidious pretences of Religion by a most sage Lâ—…w therfore you did constitut some years since that the â—…lergy shold be made incapable to inherit staple possessions for the dead daily multiplying and consequently the nomber of Legacies ev'ry day increasing in tract of time the Ecclesiastics wold become Masters of all that wealth which giving subsistence to all kind of subjects is destinated for the service of your Serenity therfore whosoever lives free from all passions to the interests of Rome is bound to applaud the maturity of your deliberations in this point and he who professeth himself a friend to the greatnesse of your Dominions must needs acknowledge that your high wisdome is warn'd by public necessity to regulat two other no lesse important abuses The first consists in perpetuity of Legacies for what avails it to prohibit that staple goods passe not under the possession of the Ecclesiastics all the while that by the multitude of perpetuall Legacies which use to be bequeath'd and charg'd upon staple possessions it will fall out in time that all the rents shall be drunk up so and what difference can ther be then I pray 'twixt a perpetuall Legacy and staple possession or what benefit shold your subjects receave from the foresayed Law who though they cannot be dispossess'd of the propriety of the Land yet they remain depriv'd of the usufruit of it Now this redounds to the greater advantage of the Clergy for while the residuary seculars of the Testators undergo the weight of all public duties and assessements by keeping in their hands the fee the Churchmen do by vertu of their annuall Legacies sweep away the rents without any burthen at all The zeal of your known prudence will stir you the rather for regulating this abuse when you consider that the perpetuity of Legacies was introduc'd at first rather by the cunning of the Ecclesiastics then for the advantage of souls in Purgatory for if the pains of Purgatory are sayed to be but temporary wherefore shold the simplicity of peeple be
essayed all kind of wayes to engage that Court unto him And when he waged any warr though the merit of the cause was meer civill yet he gave out t was for Religion wherby he still engaged Rome to be his Partisan as he did against the Germans and English and in favor of the Guysards Nor was he short-handed in distributing his gifts up and down with collation of honors upon their Nephewes and other of their Favoritts wherof he hath plenty in Naples and Calabria which he enjoyes by paying a Heriot evry yeer Nor is ther any Prince that 's tied in more observances to the Pope than the King of Spain in regard that he payes him homage for most of his Kingdomes nor is the Pope of late yeers tied for more variety of respects to any Prince than to the Spaniard He complies also with the Colledg of Cardinalls endeavouring mainly to have a strong party there to out poise the French though in the election of Urban the eighth the last Pope his power fayld him among them which Pope was Fleurdelizd all over having bin raysd by the French faction that then was predominant in the conclaves which made this pasquill among others to be scatterd up and down cur Petrus negat Dominum quia Gallus cantat Nor was Urban the eighth averse only to the Spaniard but to the whole house of Austria in so much that when the Emperour sent to sollicit him for a sum of money to support the War against the Swed and the Northern peeple that had hurld themselfs into the Territories of the Empire he wold not part with a peny of S. Peters patrimony to that use which made the Spanish Souldiers up and down the streets to call him Lutherano And others to give out that ther was secret intelligence twixt Him and the King of Sweden that when he had don his work in Germany he wold assist him to recover his right to the Kingdom of Naples but indeed his aversnes to the Emperour was because a little before he had disturbd the common peace of Italy about the quarrell with the Duke of Savoy This present Pope Innocent the tenth is as much an Austrian as the other was a Bourbonian which hath not a little advantagd the Spaniard as it hath appeard by som successes since his creation He is more Catholic than Christian whereas his Predecessor was vice versa TOuching the interests and disposition of the Dukes of Toscany in regard they were first introduc'd and establishd in that Dutchy by the Armes of the house of Austria they hold their chiefest interest to be a dependency upon that House adhering allwayes to that party with money Armes yet this tie was not so strong but it slackned sometimes when public liberty was at the stake wisely considering that the oppression of their neighbours wold not exempt them but reserve them for a more certain ruin Whereupon Cosmo the first stuck not to assist the Genoways in a quarrell that was abetted by the Crown of Spain And after him Duke Ferdinand with great sums of moneys assisted Henry the third and Henry the fourth of France perswading the latter to break with Savoy that by possession of the Marchisat of Salucces France might alwayes have a gate open to Italy And Cosmo the second to the same purpose supported the Duke of Mantoua against him of Savoy But this present Duke Ferdinand although he makes shew to breath nothing els than a kind of religious observance to the Austrian Family yet he hath utterly refusd at present to engage against France whereupon in policy he disarmd those Gallies wherewith he was usd formerly to scowr some of the Mediterranean and Greek Seas to prevent that neither Kings shold desire his assistance TOuching the interests of the Republic of Genoa since by meanes of Andrew Doria She drew her neck out of the French yoke and put Her self under the protection of Spain She hath still mingled interests with that Crown Charles the first finding that the Citty of Genoa stood very commodiously for him to convey his forces to Italy sollicited often Andrew Doria to consent to the erecting of a sortresse which notwithstanding that he was movd thereunto by the Emperour both with menaces and money he wold never agree unto whereupon the Emperour thought upon another new and more ingenious way to engage that Citty by putting a bridle of Gold into her mouth insteed of that Iron one he thought of at first for ever since Genoa serves Spain for a scale to convey her treasure to high and low Germany whereby her bank of S. George hath so swelld and the whole Citty hath so enriched her self that it is wonderfull for it may be sayed that most of the Indian Gold hath pass'd ever since through their fingers so that much thereof must needs stick unto them by the use the Spaniard gives them when they advance any sum by way of assiento as they call it untill his fleets com from the Indies So that they have a saying in Spain that the Genoways did use to carry their consciences in thin Pocketts but the weight of the Indian Gold hath broken thorough so that now ther is neither bottom or bounds left in them Now ther is no state in Italy that 's more capable to incommode the Spaniard than that of Genova and to put him in a hazard to lose Milan and consequently the other territories he enjoyes in Italy which She may do if She denies Him her ports and hinder the landing of his Ships upon her coasts or by shutting the passages in that long list of Land which is calld the River of Genoa Therefore the Spaniard because he wold not depend soly upon the affection of that City raysed up a Fort at Monaco and another at Finale thereby if it were possible to reduce the Republic to an entire dependence upon Him In the last War with Savoy the Genoways felt the benefit of the Spaniards protection which by way of diversion preservd them from much danger Therefore in point of interest Genoa may be sayed to be an inseparable confederat of the King of Spaines both for profit and preservation She is in relation to him like a Partridg under a Faulcons wings as the little Republic of Luca is to the Duke of Florence who can seize upon her when he list but that he finds it more advantagious unto him to permit Her to continu an industrious Republic still of Herself TOuching the Dukes of Savoy their interest hath bin allwayes to keep good intelligence with France therfore they never swervd from Her friendship but once in the time of Charles the fifth when by the inducements of a Portuguez Wife Charles Emanuel refusd passage to the French King which cost him afterwards very deare And it had cost him much more unlesse he had comported himself with extraordinary cunning and artifice which made Him to be termd the little Fox of the Mountaines THe Dukes of Mantoua