conspicuous that the Histories of those Times call him the Marquess without any further distinction as we gather from Arnulphus of Milan and Scafnaburgensis and even down to the time of Villani and Dante when they spoke of the Marquess he of Esté is to be understood as having a particular right to this Title above all the Families of Italy Though Hugo had helped the Emperour to humble the Romans and by discovering the Conspiracy against his person seem'd to have brought things to that hopefull pass that there remained no further ground for fears yet the restless attempts of Otho's enemies at length succeeded for some Roman Gloves were presented him by Crescentius's widow in which the richness of the perfume did cover such a deadly poison as kill'd him before his Physicians knew he was infected this the ambitious Woman was said to have done not so much upon her husbands account as for the affront done to her self whom the Emperour promised to marry but afterwards changed his inclinations which her haughty Spirit could not digest Otho the third dying without Children Henry of Bavaria came to the Crown which his Father had so much coveted in the minority of the two late Emperours and was as I have already mentioned opposed in it by Albertus of Esté nor did their quarrel end with their lives but was entail'd upon their Sons as might be seen in Henry who from the beginning discovered a dislike to Hugo's management of the affairs of Italy and let drop some expressions that he designed to remove him from all Publick Trust as soon as he found himself setled This preposterous resolution lost him Italy for some years because Hugo having notice of it engaged his whole interest to exclude Henry and set up Ardoinus Marquess of Eporoedia who supported likewise by most of the Nobility of Lombardy came without much opposition to be chosen King at Pavia The success he had at his entry upon the Government against Henries Army put him in peaceable possession of his Crown the disturbances of Germany not allowing Henry to look any further at present The only person Ardoinus could never gain was the Arch-bishop of Milan who ceased not to solicite Henry till he brought the Germans again into Italy and then did Ardoinus part with his Kingdom upon as easie terms as he had got it and Hugo was fain to retire to the Greek Emperours General in Naples whither Henry pursued him and took him prisoner with his three Sons Henry having got Hugo and his Sons in his power did beyond their expectation shew a rare example of clemency for when in them he might have extirpated the family remembring his rash expressions had in a Anno Christi 1024 great measure occasioned their revolt he generously restored Hugo to whatever he formerly possessed renewed his Commission of Vicar of Italy and dismist his Sons with great expressions of kindness Hugo to shew himself worthy of the Emperours confidence did make it afterwards the whole study of his life to promote his Service and effectually recovered him by his gentle Government the hearts of the Italian Nation which the severity of Otho the second and Otho the third had alienated He lived to a great age was universally lamented at his death and proposed to posterity as the true pattern of a worthy Magistrate who could advance the Princes Authority without invading the Peoples Rights Azo the fourth succeeded him about the same time that Henry the second dying without Children left the Imperial Crown to Conrard Duke of Franconia who out of a particular value he had for Azo promoted his match with Cunigunda the Duke of Anno Christi 1026 Bavaria's only Daughter By her Azo had a Son called Welpho who inheriting all his Grand-father the Duke of Bavaria's Territories gave the first rise to the most Illustrious Family of Brumswick and Lunenburgh which is thus descended of the Family of Esté The Abbot of Vrspergh writes that the Original of that Family was from an Italian Marquess who married in Germany and this Marquess both the Records of Esté and Aventinus in his History of Bavaria prove to have been Azo Hugo's Son of whom I now treat Cunigunda died young leaving this only Son Welpho who was plentifully provided for in Germany Afterwards Azo married as some write the Emperour Conrards Daughter as others Anno Christi 1037 his Niece or his Grand-child by whom he had several Children the eldest was called Azo the fifth after his own name who if the Pope had not shewed himself most unjust in the matter of his marriage with his Cousin the Countess Matildis was in a fair way to have been one of the richest Princes of that age as I shall now make appear and hope to give the Reader some satisfaction in treating of Matildis whose double Relation to the Family of Esté both by Blood and Marriage makes her naturally fall under our consideration in this place and if I do enlarge the great influence she had upon all the remarkable transactions of that age seems to require it CHAP. V. The most material passages of the Life of Azo the fifth and of Matildis Countess of Esté THedaldus whom I made mention of a younger Brother of this Family and Uncle to the great Hugo had raised himself to vaste wealth this his Son Boniface did so much enlarge that none in Italy came near him He was called Marquess of Tuscany and had Ferrara Modena Mantoua Regio Parma and Luca and upon his Marriage with Beatrix the Emperour Conrards Daughter he had Verona and that which is since called the Patrimony of S t Peter given him all which after the death of his little Son Frederick fell to his Daughter Matildis under the tuition of her Mother Beatrix Beatrix being left so rich by Boniface though her Father Conrard was dead yet under her Brother Henry the third did manage Italy as she pleased but her disposing of her self and her Daughter Matildis to Godfrey Anno Christi 1053 Duke of Lorrain and his Son without the Emperours consent justly offended him seeing by this she gave footing in Italy to a Powerfull Family which might have given the Empire trouble if there had been any Issue by either marriage Yet that which made Henry most jealous was lest these Princes should joyn with the Popes who of late were become very troublesome for taking advantage of the Emperours absence they did every day make some encroachments upon them and were then come to that pass that instead of allowing the Emperours Prerogative in confirming them which had been alwayes practised Benedict the ninth took upon him to deprive Henry the third of his Right of Succession and gave the Imperial Crown to Peter King of Hungary upon condition he would depend upon him and his Successors Henry to give a check to an Usurpation of so dangerous consequence and likewise to remove the great scandal occasioned by three Popes all Reigning at once passed into
Rome nothing except Florence giving him any stop Rome against which the chief design was laid wanted neither provision nor troops and Gregory was there in person performing all the parts of a good Officer during the siege Upon the surrender of the City he retired to the Castle S t Angelo from thence to the Normans in Naples whom he had engaged in his quarrel but finding them in no condition to restore him nor the Romans disposed to receive him again who had for many years behaved himself so imperiously among them and last of all the passage for Matildis being so shut up by the Emperours Forces that she could not come to his assistance trouble and anguish when he saw he was thus deserted in his old age occasion'd a feaver which in a few dayes put a period to his life He was Canonized after his death as Baronius informs us in his Roman Martyrology but whence they had the proofs either of the sanctity of his life or the miracles he wrought we cannot guess The Characters not only given him by his Contemporaries who writ of him but by the Synods of Wormes Pavia Mentzs and Brixina did little countenance this design his apparent Miracles if any such were alledged did flow from the same source with those of the Aegyptian Magicians in whose studies he had spent some part of his youth he pretended to the spirit of prophecy when he foretold the Emperours death of which he thought he had made sure but his Instruments failing him he was fain to save his credit by an equivocation And to say no worse their thrusting Gregory the seventh in among the Saints gives us just ground to suspect their Catalogue is not so pure as it ought to be and that all to whom they address themselves are not in so happy a state as their mistaken superstition is willing to suppose It was hoped Gregories death would have calm'd the storm and that the Emperour might afterwards enjoy his Crown and Clement the third his dignity without disturbance if grief had killed Matildis at the same time as it was like to have done But Gregory by his last Will recommending his party with much earnestness to her protection the war and the Schism were continued Welpho Duke of Bavaria and his Son of the same name Rebels formerly with Rodolphus began to sow new divisions in Germany whereupon Vrban the second the true though not immediate successour of Hildibrand judged the young Prince a person fitly qualified for a Husband to Matildis and the match was quickly made up where the parties both aimed at the same thing that is the Emperours depression This did further declare their great injustice to her former Husband for Welpho was a Grand-child of the House of Esté nearly related to Matildis as well as Azo only there was no cause to suspect him of being in the Emperours confidence But such indirect courses were justly blasted and Welpho reconciled after some time to Henry by which he lost Matildis whose love to her Husbands was alwayes grounded upon their devotion to the Pope he could not both be the Emperours friend and Matildis Husband and therefore a new pretence was found out for a divorce A greater Title was design'd for Matildis by the Greek Emperour who sent an Ambassador to court her in his Name but Vrban who could promise himself no good by sending her so far from home disswaded her from any such thoughts And now her zeal growing with her years no Title pleased her so well as to hear her self every day called the Daughter of S t Peter the pillar of the Truth and the Protectress of the Church names invented by the Court of Rome to gratifie the humour of a bigotted Woman There remained still one expedient to ruine the Emperour which was to perswade his Son Conrard that he ow'd him no Duty but that he might take up Arms against him and seize upon the Crown which his Father by being cut off from the Communion of the Church had forfeited long ago Thus did Vrban stir up a Rebellion more unnatural and black than any Gregory had attempted and what the Popes Words made lawfull Matildis Army made practicable so Anno Christi 1094 that Conrard coming into Italy received the Crown but justly was he punished with a short reign for his usurping that which with honour and security by the course of Nature he might e're long have expected Conrards death did break all their measures yet they could not dispair while the Emperour had another Son Vrban was dead and Pascalis in his place who debauch'd Henry from his Anno Christi 1105 Duty as much as his predecessour had done his elder Brother and was assisted in it by some about the young Prince whom Matildis had corrupted A meeting of all the Emperours enemies being held at Mentz the Arch-bishops of Mentz and Collogue were sent to the Emperour to demand his Crown for his Son the Emperour understanding the business for which they came desired to know the reason why they proceeded so severely against him it was answered because he had made a Schism in the Church had exposed Ecclesiastical dignities to sale and had not observed the Canons in his choice of Bishops To this the Emperour smartly reply'd If you pretend I have sold Dignities what had I pray from either of you for the Arch-bishopricks of Mentz and Collogne the greatest and richest of Germany You who turn accusers are best able to vindicate me and ought to discountenance those who are guilty of Rebellion against me their Soveraign Many other considerations he laid before them but they still insisting he desired at least a day might be appointed in which he should resign his Crown that both for his honour and theirs it might seem his own voluntary act This reasonable request also was denied and the Arch-bishop of Mentz most impudently coming up to him snatch'd away his Crown others by his example strip'd him of his Purple and the other marks of Royalty and carried them to his Son who was immediately declared King and confirmed by the Popes Legates The Old Emperour retired to Liege thither his Friends resorted from all hands to assist him in the recovery of his Crown with these he gave battle to his Sons Army and was at first successfull Yet money and large promises having corrupted his party he was abandon'd by all and in despair and necessity was forced to make his application to the Bishop of Spire that he might be received a petty Canon in a Church which he himself had there founded but this small favour being also beyond example denied him he died within a few dayes leaving to posterity one of the greatest instances perhaps that any age has afforded of the inconstancy of worldly grandeur Those who were much wedded to the Interests of Rome could presently discover the immediate hand of Divine Providence revenging in Henries death the long persecution he had carried on against
could not be better employ'd than in reducing it but Ernestus instead of countenancing this design immediately declared for the Anno Christi 718 Emperour and help'd to defend Ravenna Gregory the seconds bold Usurpation in pretending to free Italy from Anno Christi 726 any Soveraignty Leo Isaurus had over it because that Emperour fiercely opposed the worship of Images which Gregory was then introducing proved more favourable to the Lombards designs for by this unjust sentence the Emperours Ministers were cast out of most places and that shadow of Authority left him was quite lost and they encouraged to undertake the siege of Ravenna the second time But miscarrying again in their attempt they set upon Rimini which they had scarce well invested when a Venetian Army under the Conduct of Ernestus gave them battel and after a hot dispute forced them to retire with great loss leaving their Kings Nephew prisoner to be led by Ernestus Anno Christi 740 in triumph to Venice All these disappointments did more enflame the Lombards against Ravenna upon which the fate of Rimini and the other places under the Emperour depended And Ernestus judging it the true interest of Italy that the Emperour should keep this Key to open a passage for his Army when ever the occasions of his Friends required it did earnestly sollicite the Pope to repeal the severe sentence he had past and to come to some accommodation with the Emperour lest the Lombards taking advantage of their difference might e're long become Masters of that Important place which hitherto had kept them from fastening their chains harder upon Italy But no arguments how weighty soever being able to work upon the Popes obstinacy unless the Emperour would consent to the erecting Images in Santa Sophia at Constantinople as he himself had done in S t Peters at Rome Ernestus made hast to Ravenna where the Lombards were assembling themselves from all hands nor did he ever abandon the place during its long and close Anno Christi 752 siege of almost three years till an arrow from the Enemies Camp killing him out-right opened a breach for them to enter upon the possession of what they had long toil'd for The fatal consequence of the Popes unjust dealing with the Emperour was the same that Ernestus had foretold for the Lombards being now absolute Masters grew insupportable under King Astolphus nor did any find their yoke heavier than the Popes who well deserv'd it by cutting off that arm which was most likely to protect them and it was remarkable that God prolong'd the injured Emperours life till he received the news of the Lombards having sack'd Rome and in requital of Gregory the seconds favours carried away all the Images of Saint Peters Church which his superstitious zeal had with excessive charge there placed Nor is it to be doubted but Leo's prejudice against Images was more confirmed when he perceived the hand of God visibly joyn with him in opposing them After his death his Son Constantine Copronymus though earnestly courted by the Pope yet could never be brought to meddle with the affairs of Italy being mindfull of the ill usage Leo had met with but France was more Anno Christi 755 easily wrought upon and Pepin began the War with his Son Charles the Great finished by the destruction of the Lombard Monarchy renewing the Western Empire in himself and his family CHAP. III. The advancement of the Family under Charles the Great and his Successors until the settlement of the Imperial Crown upon Otho the first DUring Pepin's Invasion we find no mention of Henry the Son or as some Writers will have him the Grand-child of Ernestus the only War I observe from Atila down to this time in which we cannot prove that any of the House of Esté had part Seeing the Historians silence leaves us to our conjectures it seems most probable that the unhappy death of Ernestus and the incontroulable Power of the Lombards after they got Ravenna might keep Henry from engaging till he had a certain prospect of their ruine and therefore when Charles the Great came he first appeared upon the head of the Venetian Troops sent to assist the French against the Lombards Ernestus had been formerly their General at Rimini which made them the more willing now to employ Henry Nor could he decline so fair an occasion of being revenged upon the Lombards How well Henry behaved himself in this War or how much his own merit joined to that of his Family made him regarded can best be proved by Charles the Great 's Bounty to him after Desiderius King of the Lombards was taken Prisoner and the Army dismiss'd For besides the confirmation Anno Christi 774 of what he formerly possest he had Treviso given him the Country also of Scodosia with the Title of Count and his Son Berengarius was invited to Court as the fittest place for his education No sooner was the Emperour gone but those who retained any kindness for the Lombards began to hatch new Projects how to restore Adalgisius the Son of Desiderius to his Fathers Throne The great Contriver of this was Rodigaud Duke of Friuli who being jealous of their placing Henry at Treviso upon the Skirts of his Country as a Spy upon his actions concluded that nothing could be done till he were dispatched by the Dukes instigation then the factious Party in Treviso pretending the breach of some priviledges suddenly took Armes kill'd Henry imprisoned his Wife and Children and forc'd those of his Train to leave the Town Their success here gave encouragement to insurrections in other places so that it was like to have broken out into an open Rebellion had not the Emperours return confirmed his Authority and given him occasion to enquire into the Authors of such practices Rodigaud being found guilty of the Murther of Henry lost his head those of Treviso were severely dealt with Henry's Wife and Children were set at liberty and to secure the peace of that Country Berengarius Henry's Son being high now in the Emperours favour was left in his Fathers place and did in every thing answer the good opinion the Emperour conceived of his zeal and fitness for his service While Berengarius lived at the Emperours Court his winning carriage made him to be highly regarded by all and particularly by Prince Lewis the Emperours Son who succeeding Anno Christi 814 Charles the Great invited Berengarius into France At his arrival he found the purple had no way changed the Princes former inclinations and after some stay at Court an occasion was offered by which he was assured of the Emperours confidence in him and the Emperour likewise of his fidelity Charles the Great had declared his Grand-child Bernard King of Italy but he being young and ambitious suffered himself to be perswaded by his Favourites That the Imperial Crown did of right belong to him as the Son of Lewis's Elder Brother This with the invitations sent him from the disaffected Party
in France did soon engage him in a War against his Unkle Upon the News of Bernard's March towards France the Emperour who was jealous of most about him gave the Command of his Army to Berengarius Count of Esté who without hazarding a Battel being afraid of the treachery of his under Officers who either were or easily could be corrupted did so manage the business that King Bernard disappointed of the French that were to join him and abandoned by most of those he brought from Italy was perswaded by Berengarius to come in person to the Emperours Court there to owne his rashness and to humble himself to his Unkle But the barbarous usage he had did much lessen the Glory of Berengarius's action For the poor Prince when he expected only a gentle rebuke and leave to return home was cast into a loathsom Prison after Anno Christi 818 many indignities had his eyes put out and died in three days partly through pain partly through anguish Indeed his Fate was deplorable being inconsiderately hurried upon his own ruine when he had scarce compleated the 19 th year of his Age and though the Emperour thought this instance of his severity upon his Nephew and his Followers who were all treated after the same manner did secure his Crown yet he found by woful experience that it irrecoverably lost him the affections of his people Upon King Bernard's death the Emperours Son Lotharius was sent into Italy and because he was young and not acquainted with the customs of the Countrey Berengarius by his Fathers Order did accompany him thither to advise him in all affairs of moment Berengarius proving more useful to the Emperour in Italy than he could be elsewhere continued there several years and by his credit ordered things as he pleased Some sparks of jealousie afterwards appearing betwixt the Emperour and his Children were industriously blown up into a Civil War by those who could never forgive King Bernard's death Berengarius ever true to the Emperours interest upon the first report of his danger made what haste he could towards him yet came too late for the Emperour was already strip'd of his power and confin'd to a Monastery where they intended he should have past the rest of his time in expiating by a rigid penance the Anno Christi 583 crimes he stood accused of If they had dealt more gently with him it is likely he had never been able to weather so violent a storm but however strange it may seem his being brought so very low was the occasion of his speedy re-establishment For that popular fury which at first he could not withstand was presently turned to compassion and the Emperour again put in a condition to call his Sons to an account while they were at variance among themselves We have reason to believe this unexpected change was not wrought without Berengarius For we find he had no inclination to return again into Italy where Lotharius governed but spent the rest of his life at Court had his share in those troubles which came thick upon the Emperour in his latter days and died at Paris with the repute of one of the wisest and greatest Captains of his Anno Christi 840 Age. It was indeed his misfortune to be the chief Instrument in King Bernard's ruine which if he had foreseen no doubt he would have declined the employment He left his Son Otho so young that he never appeared at the Court of Lotharius who besides had no kindness for his Family but when his Son Anno Christi 856 Lewis the Second came to the Empire Otho got as much into his favour as Berengarius had done into that of Charles the Great or of Lewis his Son He had been trained up in Military Discipline under his Father for which the Emperour made him General of the Horse and this charge requiring his constant attendance at Court the management of his affairs in Italy was left to his friends He had the City and Territory of Commachio given him as a reward of his and his fathers services done to the Imperial Crown which is evident by the Grant from the Emperour yet to be seen among the antient records of Esté Nor doth this a little aggravate the injustice of Clement the 8 th to the family of Esté who seizing upon the Dutchy of Ferrara in the Year 1598. upon a pretended devolution took from them at the same time the City of Commachio with its Territory which they only ow'd to the Emperours bounty and to which the Pope or Church could not pretend any Title but truly the carriage of Clement in this whole business was most illegal and tyrannical as I question not before I conclude this History to make appear to all who are not highly partial The Venetians who were ever jealous of their growing Neighbours did what they could to keep Otho's Son Marinus from taking possession of Commachio and failing in this employed fresh arts to thrust him out Marinus heard of their practices and had secret information that the Doge's Brother was to pass within a few miles of Commachio in his way to Rome to treat with the Pope about it Marinus to prevent this took a rash and injustifiable course for having laid wait for the Ambassadour he brought him to the City and made him there swear that neither he nor his Brother should ever attempt any thing in prejudice of Commachio or of what belong'd to his Father The Venetians highly resenting the affront they here received in the person of the Ambassadour sent immediately their Navy against Commachio which being ill provided could not long hold out Marinus retir'd first to Ferrara then into France where having given an account to his Father of what had happen'd he soon after fell sick and died But the Emperour concern'd to make good to Otho Anno Christi 874 what he had given him did by his Authority compose the difference with the Venetians saw him possest of Commachio and renewed the antient friendship betwixt the Republick and the family of Esté Whether Otho continued in the same station at Court after the death of Lewis the second we cannot certainly learn but it is plain he lived to the latter end of the Reign of Carolus Crassus He was married to Anno Christi 887 the Duke of Friuli's Daughter by whom he had four Sons two of which were Vbertus and Sigifred the Saracens had long infested Italy and never wanted encouragement from such as preferred the revenge of their private quarrels to the weal of their Country Most of the Cities put themselves under the protection of some person of courage and interest which made Parma and Luca chuse Sigifred they of Luca had suffered much of late by those Infidels whom Albericus Marquess of Toscany had call'd in out of Malice to the Pope upon condition they would not meddle with any of his Subjects but as soon as Sigifred was engaged both Luca and Parma found
themselves as much out of danger as those that belong'd to Albericus did and upon much more honourable terms owing their safety wholly to their Generals courage without making that base contract of freeing their own Estates at the charge of their Neighbours Vbertus was Count of Esté and Commachio the History of whose life the writers of that age have thought fit to leave us in a few yet so weighty words that if there were extant a perfect Journal of his actions we could not thence form a more glorious Panegyrick or a compleater Idea of his worth he treated always his Subjects say they with the same tenderness as if they had been his Children by which he did so gain upon their affections that they were rather loth than afraid to offend him and his discreet indulgence preserved his Authority more than severity could have done Italy reaped no benefit by its union with France the Imperial Crown had of late been set upon some Heads that did ill fit it For the Race of Charles the Great was strangely degenerate and almost spent the late Emperour Carolus Crassus who at first filled the Empire with the expectation of an extraordinary Prince was afterwards laid aside for insufficiency and brought so low as not to have a servant left him nor any thing allowed for his maintenance except what flowed from the Bishop of Mentz's Charity Arnulphus who came after him found more business in Germany than he could well deal with and Lewis of Provence was making haste towards Pavia nothing doubting the Conquest of Italy Most of the Italians therefore being weary of a Foreign Yoke began to think of chusing a Prince of their own Nation a blessing they had not enjoyed of many Ages Vido Duke of Spoletum and Berengarius Duke of Friuli both descended of Charles the Great by their Mothers thought their quality equal and their title better than that of Lewis whom they forced to return into France and agreed the matter so that Vido should be Emperour and Berengarius King of Italy Vido miscarrying in his attempt fell Anno Christi 890 out with Berengarius dispossessed him of all and Berengarius with some of his most trusty friends among whom was Vbertus Count of Esté took Sanctuary at the Court of Arnulphus whom he engaged in a War against Vido At their coming into Italy they found Vido dead and his Son Lambertus in his place and after great variety of successes and much blood-shed Berengarius was again restored but before he was setled had new disturbance given him from Lewis of Provence countenanced by Anno Christi 899 the Marquess of Tuscany who could not endure to see any Italian greater than himself and by the Marquess of Eporoedia though he had married Giscla the Daughter of Berengarius Notwithstanding all their endeavours Berengarius had the better and made Lewis enter into a solemn vow never to return more into Italy Afterwards Lewis not valuing this oath which he said was extorted undertook a third invasion in which his success did justly answer his perfidy for being taken prisoner according to the barbarous resentment of that Anno Christi 903 age he had his eyes put out Berengarius as soon as he was eas'd of the fears of so dangerous a Rival disposed of what he could among his friends and none had a larger share either in his bounty or affection than Vbertus who never had deserted him in all his troubles Vbertus by his last Will committed his Son Albertus to the Kings care and protection which thing succeeded happily to the Family for Giscla the Kings Daughter being divorced from the Marquess of Eporoedia her former husband for his siding with Lewis of Provence was given in marriage to Albertus The ancient root of Esté was at this time conspicuous in its branches Sigifred whom I mention'd before was still alive both lov'd and obey'd by those of Luca and Parma which were grown considerable under his Government Almericus Cousin German to Albertus was invited to Ferrara to be Rector for so they named the Chief Magistrate in that City but his equity in the decision of all their differences and his zeal in uniting them in one common interest prevailed upon them so far that they soon abrogated the Office of Rector as too mean and precarious and declared him their Prince Giscla had also enrich'd the Family with two Sons Hugo and Azo and a Daughter who was afterwards married to Petrus Candianus Dogé of Venice Albertus being thus happy in his Kinsmen happy in his Off-spring and above all in his Father in Law lest the world in good time before the scene changed For Berengarius after twenty years glorious reign was murdered Anno Christi 923 at Verona and leaving no Male Issue Berengarius Giscla's Son by her former husband laid claim to his Grandfathers Crown The Princes of Italy having no great Opinion of his merit being unwilling likewise to submit to one of the same rank with themselves call'd in Rodolphus King of Burgundy presently weary of Rodolphys they sent to Hugo of Arles with whom Rodolphus adjusted all differences by giving his Daughter Adeleidis to Lotharius Hugo's Son and Anno Christi 948 to him resign'd his pretensions to Italy Lotharius prov'd but a weak Prince and this put Berengarius again in a condition to dispute his Title which he did to so good purpose that getting the Power into his hands he left Lotharius only the empty name nor did he ever rest till Lotharius was kill'd and thereupon had himself created Emperour and his Son Albertus King He came to the Crown by the same difficult steps his Grandfather Berengarius the first had done which made many hope he would imitate him in his Princely Virtues and restore to Italy that Government which they were not sensible of while they enjoy'd it Yet his carriage presently discovered that he design'd nothing less seeing he neglected those whom the ties both of nature and gratitude ought to have made him regard What in all outward appearance could have been more for the Interest of Hugo and Azo of Esté after their Grandfathers death than to have their Brother Emperour but it proved much otherwise for Berengarius either jealous of Hugo's aspiring to the Crown whom he knew to be popular and bold or still angry when he reflected how much he and his Brother were caressed at Court in their Grandfathers time took all occasions to slight and discountenance them Hugo could hardly bear such ill usage and just when his long-stifled anger was ready to break out as fair an occasion of being revenged upon Berengarius presented it self as Hugo could have desired Adeleidis the Wife of Lotharius who by her excellent deportment had strangely insinuated her self into all peoples affections promised not to leave Italy in the condition whereunto Berengarius had brought it and he knowing how little he was beloved design'd her for his Son Albertus hoping by this means both to
strengthen his interest and keep her from any other match which might prove in the end fatal to him and his Family But Adeleidis in her heart hated Berengarius as the Author of her husbands death and rejected Albertus upon his Fathers score Berengarius resolving to gain by threats her who was proof against all allurements confin'd her first to Pavia then to a more narrow prison whence there was no hopes of deliverance but by consenting to a marriage with Albertus Hugo who knew nothing to be more natural to Berengarius than cruelty being sensible of the Queens danger whom he judg'd not likely to yield generously ventur'd all to rescue her and oblige Otho King of Germany for whom Adeleidis was designed before her imprisonment Having therefore got without suspicion into the Castle where she was kept in the midst of a Lake by the help of a Priest of whose fidelity and courage he had formerly experience the Queen was let down out of a Window and convey'd away in a Boat which lay ready for that purpose into the next Wood where she continued several days with Hugo the Priest furnishing them with such entertainment as he could procure from the neighbouring Villages Notice being given to Otho of the Queens escape his Army presently advanced towards Italy and this put all in such a consternation that Hugo and the Queen got without any further danger into the Castle of Cannossa where Azo expected them Otho having received his Queen Anno Christi 952 from the hands of Hugo her Deliverer marched on towards Berengarius whose tyranny had now render'd him so odious that being deserted by all his friends he delivered himself up Prisoner with his Son Albertus and Otho without much trouble possess'd himself of the Imperial Crown which has ever since continued in the German Nation No reward seeming too great for the person to whom he ow'd his Queen Hugo was made Governour of all that Country which is now known by the name of the Dutchy of Milan the Dutchy of Montferrat Piemont and the territory of Genoua and Berengarius was carried Prisoner into Germany CHAP. IV. The most remarkable actions of the Counts of Esté from Otho the Great to Henry the third AFter a short confinement Berengarius had leave to return into Italy with the title of King but much limited in his Authority which he was too apt to abuse scarce was he well setled when forgetfull of the Emperours clemency and his own engagements being enraged at those who had helped to humble him he behaved himself more cruelly than ever Hugo whose splendid way of living did eclipse him was the chief object of his wrath but too powerfull for him to meddle with After Hugo's death he took occasion to fall out with his Brother Azo about their Mother Giscla's inheritance and their difference ended in Azo's being turned out of all he had and forced to fly for his life into Germany with his Anno Christi 960 Son whence neither of them ever returned With them must the family of Esté have perished had not the hopefull Issue of Sigifred Prince of Parma supported it Sigifred himself was dead but his eldest Son Azo entering upon his Cousins desperate fortune in spite of the Tyrant maintained his right and confirmed his younger brothers in theirs at Parma and Luca. The loud cryes of Berengarius's oppression and the complaints of such as every day fled from Italy reaching the Emperours ears brought his Son Lodolphus with an Army from Germany against the Tyrant Lodolphus being suddenly kill'd Azo the third happening to be then in the Camp was chosen General in the Princes room In this station he had not continued many dayes when engaging the enemy he obtained a signal victory and reduced several places to the Emperours obedience Where-ever he came the people crouded to welcome him as the deliverer of his Countrey Piacenza and Regio desiring to live under his protection presented him with their keys many Cities being weary of their late sufferings were making hast to free themselves from the yoke of Berengarius who on the other hand was using all diligence to raise forces and to put a stop to Azo's success But Otho 's appearing the second time with a strong Army after some few skirmishes rather than fights took Berengarius prisoner and sent him into Germany there to endure perpetual imprisonment for the miseries he had brought upon his Native Countrey Otho's occasions requiring his speedy return into Germany he resolved to put the Government of Italy into sure hands and none having deserved so well of him nor being so able to do him service as Azo he committed all to his trust with the title of Vicar of Italy This unlimited Power Anno Christi 970 Azo discreetly employ'd for the establishment of the Emperours Authority yet not without giving satisfaction to those he govern'd by which he added greatly to the former lustre of his family Azo left several Sons the eldest was Albertus the second Otho's chief Favorite whom some of the Italian writers call Albertatius the second was Thedaldus whom the City of Ferrara mindfull of its former happiness under a Prince of the house of Esté chose in the place of Almaricus lately dead After the death of his Father and Uncle he had likewise Regio Parma and Luca by which he laid the foundation of that Power and Riches which his Grand-child the Countess Matildis so famous in the Histories of those times did foully mis-imploy in setting up the Papal Authority against that of the Emperours as we shall relate hereafter The vast possessions fallen to Albertus by his Fathers death might have invited him home had he not been deeply engaged at the Emperours Court. From the time of Charles the Great the Family of Esté had been dignified with the title of Counts which Otho changed into that of Marquess and thinking he could never too well requite Hugo's kindness in rescuing Adeleidis from the hands of Berengarius he gave his Daughter by Adeleidis named Alda in marriage to Albertus with ten Castles in Lombardy and the City of Friburgh in Germany Upon the death of Otho the Great dissensions arose about the Succession for his Brother Henry of Bavaria trusting in his Interest with the neighbour Princes endeavoured to wrest the Imperial Crown from his Nephew Otho the second But Albertus being zealous for the young Prince engaged so many in his behalf as made good the Justice of his Cause against the Usurper This did beget him the irreconcileable hatred of Henry which he little valued while he was so fast united to the Emperour Harald King of Denmark was one of those that declared for Henry and brought an Army to the Fields to over-aw those who should offer to oppose him but Albertus with the Emperours Forces gave him such a blow that all his threats ended in a peace with Otho upon very unequal terms Things thus setled at home Otho the second went
to free Naples from the Saracens whom the Greeks had called in the flower of the German Nobility accompanied him in this Expedition and Albertus hoping his absence might then be dispensed with stopped in Lombardy to look into the concerns of his Family which the Emperours Affairs had made him long neglect Otho gave the Saracens battle under the walls of Benevent where by the treachery of the Romans his Army was overthrown and he himself made his escape most miraculously after having been sometime though unknown in the enemies hands Albertus having the news of the Emperours defeat hasted towards him with what Troops he could raise and came in time to help to reunite the Emperours scatter'd Army which thereupon made head against the Saracens when they least expected it kill'd all that made any resistance and then pursuing the advantage never gave them time to breathe till they had chased them out of Naples from thence had Otho the title of Saracenicus given him At his return to Rome he treated those who had betrayed him with the utmost severity and was going on to see deeper every day into their indirect practices when he was seized with a desperate feaver which killed him in a few dayes Otho the third came to the Crown so young that Henry of Bavaria's ill success formerly did not discourage him from a second attempt he had got the young Prince into his hands pretending he was his Guardian and that till he were of age none ought to question his Right to Govern Albertus who well understood if Henry succeeded in this so long as he lived Otho was never like to enter upon the Government shew'd no less concern now than he had done formerly for Otho the second Others who remember'd that he had been too hard for Henry were encouraged to joyn and form'd a strong confederacy in defence of Otho that Henry seeing the difficulty of the enterprize with the doubtfulness of the success gave it over Albertus lived to see Otho the third in sure possession of the Crown which he had been so eminently instrumental in setting both upon his and his Fathers head Never did any man promote the interest of Princes more than Albertus did that of the three Emperours under whom he lived nor have we any ground to tax them of backwardness in acknowledging his merits He was honour'd with Otho the first 's Daughter in marriage under Otho the second and Otho the third he had the chief trusts of the Government committed to him and had such a strange influence upon all their Counsels that nothing but the assurance of his integrity could have justified their prudence in placing any man in so high a sphere Alda brought him three Sons the eldest was Hugo the second who succeeded his Father not only in his Possessions and Title but which is a rare thing in his Interest at Court About this time Rome grew big with a new project of setting up an Italian Monarchy in opposition to the Emperours The severity or as some termed it the cruelty of Otho Anno Christi 993 the second made the Romans conceive an unalterable prejudice against his Family and his Nation and those who expected to advance their fortunes by a change did most carefully foment these humours The great Engine which moved all was one Crescentius who according to the character given him by the Italian Writers wanted none of the qualifications necessary for such an undertaking Upon all occasions he did inveigh against the Emperour with equal boldness and eloquence complaining how much his Countrey-mens spirits were debased from those of their Ancestors in suffering a dull phlegmatick People and a Priest the Germans he mean'd and the Pope to keep the Mistriss of the world thus in slavery Being created Consul he endeavour'd to retrieve some of the lost Power to that empty name and began with the Pope whom he chased from Rome that so he might order things as he pleased Otho had notice of all that past and judging it a business of too great consequence to be neglected set forward towards Rome accompanied by his Cousin the Marquess of Esté and many of the German and Italian Nobility In his march he had advice of the Popes death which made him create a Kinsman of his own and a German Pope by the name of Gregory the fifth whom he sent to Rome before him to see if they would acquiesce in his choice Crescentius and the Romans to divert the present danger received the new Pope with much outward respect confessed their rashness in calling the Emperours Authority in question and readily promised entire submission for the future though it soon appeared they intended nothing less for scarce was the Emperour gone when the former project being again set on foot Gregory was rejected as an Usurper and John Bishop of Piacenza a Greek by Nation friend to Crescentius and the richest Prelate of Italy placed in the Chair Otho enraged at their proceedings made what preparation he could for a new Expedition resolving not to be put off a second time with fair words with the German Army and the Troops that Hugo of Esté had raised in Italy the Emperour invested Rome which Crescentius having fortified refused to deliver but there being neither Provision nor Forces sufficient to hold out a long siege the City was taken and in it the new Pope who had his eyes put out his nose and ears cut off and with his face backward was afterwards carried upon an Ass round the City in triumph Crescentius retired to the Castle of S t Angelo which he defended with such obstinacy that the Emperour seem'd glad to agree to what terms he would but he was the more liberal in his promises because he never design'd to perform them for Crescentius after having suffered many indignities in his person was sentenced to end his life upon a Gibbet He was a person of rare endowments and might have deserved a more honourable death had he imployed himself in a better Cause In short Crescentius had truly the fate of all unsuccessfull Traytors to be infamous to Posterity for miscarrying in his attempt but if his Fortune had bore any proportion to the greatness of his mind we had found him ranked among the Worthies of Italy All must own that Crescentius did not make good his promise to Otho yet this could not vindicate Otho's breach of his Royal word or secure him from the subtle contrivances of the Romans who vowed the death of Crescentius should be revenged and they had so ordered the matter that when the Emperour fancied himself free from all danger he must have fallen into their hands had not his Cosin Hugo of Esté disappointed them by conveying him away by night The sense of so narrow a deliverance with Hugo's great performances in this and the former expedition made Otho Create him Marquess of Italy a Title Anno Christi 1000 never given to any other This rendred Hugo so
prisons freeing fifteen hundred from their chains in one place six hundred in another besides many Women of quality who had not seen the light nor their friends nor known how things went in the world for several years Upon the surrender of the Castle the whole City run to see that place of which next to hell they were most afraid it having been of a long time the infamous Theatre of Actiolins cruelty Upon search in the Dungeons above four hundred and sixty persons were found so pined away with hunger and covered with filth that none present could know them either by their voices or countenances though afterwards most of them proved to be Padouans The great number and variety of Instruments of torment with the heaps of dead bodies that filled the corners of those loathsom apartments did strike the beholders with amazement And indeed as other great Men delight in stately Palaces and fine Gardens Actiolin's whole study was employed in those hellish Inventions his prison was a Laberinth in which he commanded the person who presented him the Model to be shut first up to see if it were so ingeniously contrived as he pretended and it is certain as many thousands ended their dayes in it so neither the unhappy contriver nor any other ever found the way out to come and give the world an account of it till the Marquess and the Legate got thither While Padoua was expressing its joy for so unexpected a deliverance it went ill with the poor Padouans at Verona Actiolin happened to arrive from the siege of Mantoua at the same time with this unwelcom news and the poor Messenger who innocently reported it was by his order immediately put to death but it being in a few hours confirmed by many of his Officers who had made their escape Actiolin commanded his Army to be lodged within the City and the Gates to be shut up and all the Padouans who were there either under confinement or soldiers in the Army or Officers of his House to be apprehended and killed and so punctually was he obeyed by his Guards and the other Ministers of his Cruelty that in a weeks time of eleven thousand only twenty eight remained alive Having offered up such a bloody sacrifice to his wrath as hardly any History can parallel he marched towards Padoua but finding it was not to be recovered at his return to Verona those twenty eight whom in regard of the singular services done him he had formerly exempted from the common butchery were all hanged in the Market place Then joyning with Pallavicino and some other Gibellins he beat the Legates Army took himself prisoner and got into Brescia almost upon as easie terms as the Marquess and the Legate had Padoua But his allowing no share in the Conquest to those who assisted him made Pallavicino go over to the Marquess for whom the honour of ruining Actiolin was reserved for while he was attempting no less than the Conquest of Milan the Marquess and Pallavicino gave him battle and having the advantage they so pursued it that Actiolin with five horse only endeavouring to recover Bergamo was over-taken before he got thither and so fell into their hands alive When the Soldiers heard Actiolin was taken they crowded to behold the Monster whom they fancied not to be shaped like other men it being a constant tradition among the Common People that a Devil cloathed with a body supplied his pretended Fathers place when he was begotten many of them calling to mind how much he had made them suffer in their persons in their estates or in their friends could scarce by the Generals Authority be contained from offering him violence but he being recommended to Pallavicino's care he was convey'd first to his tent afterwards to Soncino where giving little sign of sorrow for the rivers of innocent blood he had split and obstinately refusing to have his wounds searched or to eat or drink enough to keep him alive he thus helped to dispatch himself nor could his greatest enemies have wished him to fall by a more polluted hand The joy for Actiolin's death was soon allay'd by the actions of Albericus his Brother in whom he seemed still to live His cruelties at Treviso and other parts of the Mark called for a new Croisado of which the Marquess was again declared General Albericus had strongly fortified the Castle of S t Zeno and provided it with all necessaries resolving to make it his last refuge and thither he now retired with his Treasure his Family and a few of his most trusty Friends who helped him to keep it out so long beyond expectation that the besiegers engaged that all in the place should be set at liberty except Albericus and his Family who were to be given up which being accordingly done the vengeance of such as he had injured he was brought with his Wife his six Sons and his two Daughters into the middle of the Camp where first the Sons in his and their Mothers presence had their legs and arms cut off and thrown at their Parents their bodies were hewed in pieces and carried as relicks to the poor disconsolate Widows whom Albericus had deprived of their Husbands much after the same manner before he left Treviso His Wife and his two Daughters whose innocence and beauty deserved a better fate were fasten'd to stakes and burnt alive and Albericus in the last place being tyed to a Horse tayle was dragged about the Camp and all that would had leave with hot pincers to tear out his flesh and what remained of his Carcass became a prey to the Wolves of the next wood After this dreadfull manner was the Family of Onara extirpated which had for several Ages aimed at an Absolute Dominion over that part of Italy but the insupportable tyranny of the two Actiolin's and Albericus drew the wrath of Heaven and Earth upon them and has made their memory odious to all posterity CHAP. VIII A continuation of the differences betwixt the Guelphs and Gibellins untill the death of Rinaldus the second THe loss of Actiolin to the Gibellins was repaired in Mastinus Scaliger who coming to be Created Podestá of Verona declared himself head of that Party Most of the Italian Writers make Mastinus of a very mean extraction raised to great riches under Actiolin and now to the chief trust in the City which was so managed by him that he and his Off-spring continued Absolute Princes there for above a hundred years till their Ambition and Insolence provoked their Neighbours to arm to their ruine The first thing Mastinus undertook was to chase away Count Boniface and the Guelphs but they going to Ferrara made known the danger their Party was in from such a growing enemy and Actiolin's creature and easily engaged the Marquess to assist them but Mastinus upon their approach not thinking himself able yet to deal with him who had so lately ruined Actiolin and his Family agreed to restore the Count and those he
the first man that thought of employing himself this way because the animosities they had been bred up to from their Infancy had so heated and sour'd their tempers that their whole study was how to ruine one another looking upon this as the only method to secure themselves Yet Opizo shewed the world that as he could put off those Principles his Grand-father had infused in him so by his means others could be brought to righter apprehensions of things and differences be made up betwixt Families which were judged absolutely irreconcileable An instance of this he gave at Milan where he brought several Families which had long lived in open defiance to an entire friendship and scarce was he got back to Ferrara when Ambassadors from Modena and Regio came to declare him their Prince The Emperour likewise approving of this choice confirmed to Opizo and his Successors the perpetual Principality of those Cities which continue to this day in their Allegiance to the House of Esté and have in these latter Times given signal marks of their fidelity to their Princes beyond most people of Lombardy So great were the distractions of Modena and Regio when they chose Opizo for their Prince that it was thought strange they could ever be brought to agree in any thing yet the Opinion both parties had of his worth and justice made them not only unanimous in chusing him but likewise in submitting all their differences to his determination and his Prudence and Authority soon put an end to them This was the last remarkable passage of Opizo's life for at his return to Ferrara he died He was a prudent and a fortunate Prince had in his youth shewed both resolution and conduct in several enterprizes but the latter part of his life was still the most glorious and he got also more in a few years by promoting the peace of Italy than his Grand-father had done all his time by fomenting their unnatural divisions He left three Sons the eldest was Azo the ninth whom the French in Naples highly caressed knowing his friendship to be necessary for the support of their interest in Lombardy But the Padouans were like to have given him much trouble by setting up his younger Brother Aldobrandin had not the Patriarch of Aquileia adjusted the matter before it broke out into an open war The City of Parma had more respect for Azo and resolved to follow the example of Modena and Regio but Bologna did so deal with the Gibellins that they could not be brought to consent to it This ill office the Marquess did much resent and thereupon began a war with Bologna which lasted a Anno Christi 1297 long time and was prosecuted by him with such heat that Bologna sensible of the danger sent to the Pope and the Florentins to intercede with the Marquess for a peace The Families of Visconti and Torriani had long divided Milan either of them affecting the Soveraignty by the ruine of the other at last by the favour of the Emperour Henry the seventh who began again to meddle with the affairs of Italy neglected by his predecessors for almost sixty years Visconti not only prevailed but grew on a sudden so powerfull that he was like to swallow up all near him the Cities of Pavia Vergelli Novara Cremona Crema and Bergamo apprehending themselves most in danger did with the Marquess of Ferrara Montferrat and Saluzzo enter into a confederacy to pull Visconti down and Azo being declared their General did so successfully manage the war that Visconti was soon humbled and might have been brought low enough had the League continued After the conclusion of the Peace Beatrix Azo's Sister was contracted to Galliazo Visconti's Son and the marriage solemnized at Milan with such magnificence as Italy had not seen of late years Visconti being a little depressed Azo was absolutely the greatest Prince of Lombardy for besides Ferrara Modena Regio Rovigo Commachio with several other places of less note all his own Bergamo Cremona Crema and Pavia lived under his protection and were ready at a call This made Charles the second King of Naples willingly hearken to a match betwixt the Marquess and his youngest Daughter having married her three elder Sisters to two Kings and the first Prince of the blood in France Such an Alliance we must allow was highly for the honour of the House of Esté but proved unhappy in its consequences for the Neighbours grew jealous of Azo as they had formerly been of Visconti and it was given out that the King of Naples and he designed to Conquer and then to divide Italy betwixt them that Azo was to have all upon this side and the King all beyond the Appenin Scaliger therefore of Verona with those of Mantoua Parma and Bologna by the Popes means declare war against the Marquess and Regio narrowly escaped being taken by those of Parma as Modena likewise by those of Bologna and both places after some time fell into their hands by the treachery of a few disaffected Inhabitants who by night opened the Gates for the Enemy to enter at The loss of two Cities gave not so much discouragement to Azo as the revolt of his Brother with others of Anno Christi 1308 his Subjects which made him doubtfull whom to trust but the seasonable arrival of his Father in Laws troops from Naples and of some from the Swisses together with seven hundred Catalonian Horse did remove his fears and put his affairs in so good a posture that it is believed it would have gone hard with his Enemies if he had lived to finish that Campagne No wonder if Francis who durst rebel against his Brother did dispute the Title with his Son Friscus after his death but it seems there was a Will either found or feigned in which Azo had declared him his Successor by this and the Legate of Bologna's help he raised a tumult against Friscus got possession of the City of Ferrara and was by the Magistrates and People saluted Marquess The Castle whither Friscus retired had a Venetian Garrison and made a stout resistance till Friscus seeing things desperate stole away by night to Venice where he died and left the Garrison to the mercy of the Legate who caused the eyes of all the Venetians to be pulled out Francis likewise had little reason to brag of his Conquest for the Legate assuming the whole Authority sent him to reside at Rovigo where by his order he was soon after murdered The Pope first by countenancing and then by murdering this ambitious Prince got Ferrara to himself but such wicked practices did so alienate the hearts of the People that to preserve it from the Emperour he was advised to consign it into Robert King of Naples hands Robert though Brother to Beatrix Azo's Wife kept it more by the strength of the Garrison than the affections of the Inhabitants who retained an inward reverence and passion for the injured Princes of Esté and waited but for an
of his folly in disobliging Forza and agreed to give him his Daughter in marriage recommending the management of the business to Nicolaus who made up the match betwixt Forza and the Lady and the Peace betwixt the Duke her Father and the Republick This was the last remarkable action of Nicolaus's life for going to visit the Duke of Milan he died there and in him did Italy lose the wisest Prince it had bred of many ages he came short both of the Venetians and the Duke of Milan in power but by turning the scale alwayes towards the party for which he declared he raised himself as it were above both his riches he employed in living splendidly and had entertained two Emperours and three Popes besides many other Princes at his Court his two Sons by the Marquess of Saluzza's Daughter Hercules and Sigismond being yet but Children he left the Government to Leonel to whose Mother it was believed he never was married Leonels first Wife of the House of Gonzaga being dead and he raised to a higher station Alphonsus King of Naples accepted of him for his Son in Law and Leonel sent his Brother Borsius with the Venetian Gallies to conduct the Princess to Venice where the Doge and Senate took occasion to express their respect to King Alphonsus and the Marquess in the great state with which they received her When she entered into the territories of Ferrara the whole Gentry a horseback with the Ladies in rich Coaches made such an appearance that the Prince of Callabria her Brother who came to see her safe with her Husband seemed equally pleased and surprized with the splendour of the Court of Ferrara The Prince in his return home was accompanied by Hercules and Sigismond recommended by Leonel to the King of Naples at whose Court he said his Father upon his death-bed desired they should be bred but many thought it an honourable and secure sort of banishment while they were kept at a Kings Court indeed yet still under the eye of Leonel's Father in Law The Pope the King of Naples the Duke of Milan the Venetians and Florentins being all in War Leonel in imitation of his Father observed a perfect Neutrality and as soon as the Parties were disposed for Peace offered his Mediation which they accepted and sent their Plenipotentiaries to Ferrara This with the many Treaties held there in the time of the former Marquess made Platina and Sabellicus term Ferrara the House of Peace or as we find it in some Letters the Venerable Temple of the Quiet and Liberty of Italy While Leonel and the Plenipotentiaries were at work the death of Philip Duke of Milan in whom the Race of the Visconti failed put a stop to their proceedings the Duke leaving things in that confusion as if he had designed to entail upon Lombardy the divisions which he had all his life fomented The City of Milan weary of so Absolute a Government enclined to form it self into a Republick several other places were given up to the Neighbour Princes Leonel out of his kindness to Forza had given him notice of the Dukes death when it was kept secret and now Pavia and other places which sent to him desiring to be received into his protection he turned over to Forza endeavouring to get for his friend what he had not courage to take for himself It is certain if Nicolaus had been alive he had ordered things more for the advantage of the House of Esté but Leonel was not so well known and every one could see that his love for Peace or rather for ease did ill fit him for a New Conquest The Venetians were of a much different temper who having so fair an invitation to enlarge their Dominions upon the terra firma pretended that the Duke dying their declared Enemy they might seize upon what they could Forza by his Wife could set up no Title to the Dutchy she being a Bastard yet desirous to put in for a share offered to be General of Milan against all who had any design upon it and under this plausible pretence question'd not to advance himself which he did The Dutchess Dowager knowing Forza's ambition endeavoured to cross him all she could and threatned to call in Savoy and France to oppose him but the Venetians jealous of France countenanced Forza though afterwards they were sorry to see him become so soon Duke of Milan and their gains so small by so considerable a change they solicited therefore Leonel to engage the King of Naples in a War with the New Duke which he was not forward to meddle in having helped to raise Forza to that greatness and while these designs were a foot Leonel died with the reputation rather of a good than an active Prince He was a great Patron of Letters for besides the Learned Men whom he kept alwayes about him and who had plentifull provisions in his University Theodorus Gaza Georgius Trapezuntius Laurentius Valla and several others at Rome found the effects of his bounty and much did such persons stand in need afterwards of so good a support in the time of Paul the second and of Sixtus the fourth especially of the latter to whom Theodorus Gaza presenting a Book with a fine Dedication after having bestowed what money his poverty could spare in the neatness of the binding the Popes liberality to him scarce amounted to that charge But Rome was then what an Ingenious French Writer observes of it under a certain Heathen Emperour when one pitiful Cook had a larger allowance than fifteen excellent Orators For it is certain that if those who fled from Constantinople and other places with the ruines of the Greek Learning had not found a true friend in their Countrey man Bessarion never sufficiently to be commended upon this score they had as good have stayed in the Seraglio as have come to the Vatican They could have but starved there and so they might at the Court of Sixtus if the Greek Cardinal and some other generous persons such as the Princes of Esté and the House of Medici had not contributed towards their maintenance CHAP. X. The Life of Borsius the first Duke of Ferrara and Modena LEonel was no sooner dead but the Magistrates came to Borsius his Brother to salute him Marquess who though he made some difficulty at first upon the account of his Brother Hercules whose right it certainly was yet they soon wrought upon him to accept of the Government for some time and when he was once in possession all parties appeared so well satisfied that there were no thoughts of removing him while he lived In his Youth he had been bred up in Arms had made several Campagnes in the Venetian Army under Forza and also in the Milanese Army had behaved himself so well that many thought that Duke having no Sons designed to have adopted him The City of Luca hearing of Leonels death took Arms and seized upon some Castles belonging to Modena but
had so highly disobliged him that he and the Prince of Taranto with several discontented Barons took part with the French wherefore Borsius seeing Hercules in danger and Sigismund discountenanced sent for them home and that it might appear he had not the least jealousie of either the one was made Governour of Modena the other of Regio The Emperour Frederick coming again into Italy could not pass that way without visiting Borsius as he likewise did in his return and to say no more was both times treated at a rate peculiar to Borsius The French afterwards sent to Anno Christi 1470 Borsius to make known their resolution of invading Naples again being encouraged in it by Paul the second but the Duke though he had no kindness for Ferdinand yet instead of giving any assurances to France sent to the Pope to represent to him the unreasonableness of the thing how little he could expect from the French how much he would disturb the quiet of Italy by calling them in and disoblige all the Princes and that it would much better become him to consult the common safety of Christendom and the quiet of Italy by employing such restless Princes against the Turk The Pope being taken with the Dukes freedom invited him after some time to Rome and made good what Pius had promised by Creating Borsius Duke of Ferrara This new Title he did not long enjoy for falling sick in a few dayes after his return he died Borsius was a just a splendid and a bountifull Prince every day he used to walk in the Outer Court of his Palace there to hear whatsoever complaints were brought him if he observed any that had not the confidence to come he called to them and by his affable carriage encouraged them to speak oftentimes both parties appearing he presently came to a determination and where the business was difficult he would be sure first to ask the Opinion of those about him and in this he took such a particular pleasure that he often said it was the chief work of Princes to be ready to examine and redress the grievances of the meanest of their Subjects the rest of his time he spent in hunting in hawking and in Horse-matches his Stables being the best furnished of any in Italy His constant habit was rich Brocade and the same he allowed to all his Buffoons of whom his Court according to the humour of that age was full one of them called Gonella of Ferrara had so great a Name that every witty saying and brisk repartee was father'd upon him and he was talked of in all the Courts of Italy The hospitality and bounty of Borsius was yet beyond all the rest whoever came within the Court might eat or drink what they pleased Officers still being in readiness to treat them according to their quality the names of all the poor in the City were written down their wants plentifully relieved and portions given by the Duke with their Daughters in marriage such persons were likewise desired to give notice of their condition and had Physick and other necessaries accordingly sent them Every Christmas day the Treasury being opened Borsius came thither in person and called all to whom he or his Officers owed any thing to receive their money which being done as seldom it was then to do what remained he divided with his own hands among the Gentlemen of his Court In one word such was the bounty of his Nature that there could scarce be given an instance of his ever having refused what any asked him These Princely Virtues made his Subjects heartily love him and the love of his Subjects was of all things most proper to recommend him to strangers the Duke of Milan and the Venetians who differed in most things agreed in their good Opinion of Borsius His Family after him bore the honourable badge of the value the Emperour and Pope had for him and as if all this had been too little or as somewhat of partiality had been in it because proceeding from those of his own Countrey or of his own Religion a great Mahumetan Prince the Sultan of Aegypt by an Embassy and rich Presents sent to Borsius a little before his death did demonstrate that his reputation was too large to be confined within Italy or indeed within Europe CHAP. XI The Life of Hercules the first the second Duke of Ferrara c. THe Mother of Hercules upon her Husbands death and Leonels advancement retired to the Marquess of Saluzzo's with a vow that she would never see Ferrara till her Son were in possession of his Right Many melancholy years had she spent while her Son lived in an honourable sort of banishment at the Court of Naples his returning home safe which she scarce expected and his Brothers treating him with much kindness did a little raise her languishing spirits but now hearing that Borsius was dead and the injury done Hercules in some measure repaired by the accession of a higher Title she with unexpressible joy made hast towards Ferrara where being scarce well arrived she had the comfort to see her other Son Sigismund return from Naples with the Kings Daughter for a Dutchess to Hercules and to Crown her with all worldly happiness the next year brought her a Grand-child Alphonsus Heir to the Dutchies of Ferrara and Modena After all the troubles Hercules met with and his late establishment in what was undoubtedly his at his Fathers death Nicolaus Leonels Son who never durst mutter while Borsius lived had now the impudence to disturb his quiet He was a Grand-child of the House of Mantoua and wanted not those at Ferrara who upon the least success were ready to declare for him this encouraged him with what Forces he could make to come by water from Mantoua when the Duke seemed most secure and being brought safe by night with his men into the chief street of Ferrara he beat the Drums early in the morning for those of his party to take Arms but seeing none offering to joyn with him the Guns playing from the Castle upon his Souldiers and men beginning to appear in arms about the Palace Gate he made hast to get away and was taken in his retreat the Duke enclined to save him but those who knew his temper being of another mind he was formally condemned and beheaded with the Chief of his Followers the rest of the Prisoners were to be set at liberty only a true-hearted German who had lived long with Nicolaus and deserved a more fortunate Master when he saw his dead body refusing the benefit of the Dukes pardon died the most gloriously of any in that quarrel Two dayes after a Gentleman brought the Duke the names of all in Ferrara that were privy to the late design but Hercules without ever opening the paper burnt it in the Gentlemans presence telling him he intended to punish no more upon that account that he would gladly have pardon'd his Cousin Nicolaus if it could
the Artillery was planted and they observed he used it with such advantage that it helped greatly to obtain the victory When the Enemies main body was routed and their Officers gone in a little action fitter for some young Captain than a General Gaston was unhappily killed and by his death he made that day remarkable above all others that a victory may be too dear bought with the loss of a General for from that hour the French Arms declined in Italy and did every day lose ground leaving those at last whom they had beaten in possession of what they fought for There being now no French Army in the field the Duke enclined to an accommodation with the Pope Fabricius Colonna whom he had taken prisoner at Ravenna and had used with great civility and dismist without any ransom promising to procure it upon equal terms the Duke had an invitation from Iulius to Rome with assurances that he should find a reception answerable to Colonna's promise as indeed he did being immediately absolved from all his censures but when they came to treat such unreasonable demands were made that he chose rather to venture all than agree to them and the Pope seeing his resolution designed to keep him there Colonna who was the occasion of the Dukes coming thought his honour now so much at stake that not valuing the Popes indignation he brought the Duke from Rome by night in spite of the Guards and committed him to the care of his Cousin Prosper Colonna who with great Address in the midst of the noise of his escape brought him safe through the Popes Territories The Pope being upon this more enraged than ever did contrary to his promise send to the Duke of Vrbin and his other Officers to get what they could before the Dukes return most of the Dukes Subjects looked upon him now as irrecoverably lost not only the places in Romagna but also Regio Brescello and Carpi yielded so that little remained to him upon that hand and all concluded that it must have ended in his utter ruine had not God happily put an end to the life of Julius The person in the whole Colledge next to his Brother Hippolytus whom the Duke could have wished to succeed Iulius was Iohn Cardinal of Medici who in the former reign had secretly favoured him and found wayes when employ'd as Legate in those parts to decline the executing the Popes violent resolutions against him Upon the joyfull news of this Cardinals election who is known by the name of Leo the tenth the Duke went immediately to Rome and came in time to be absolved anew and to carry S t Peters Standard as great Confalonier or General of the Church at the inauguration of Leo who promised to restore whatever Iulius had taken from him but in a little time he was so strangely altered that far from the least performance he watched every opportunity to take from the Duke what was left him Upon a report of his being dead Leo ordered his Troops to march that way and when it proved a mistake he did endeavour to excuse it as if his design had been to secure the Dutchy for Prince Hercules the Dukes eldest Son His ill intentions were more plainly discovered two years after for he hired one Rodolphus a Captain Anno Christi 1520 in the Dukes Guards to kill him but the Captain by good luck had neither the courage to go through with what he had undertaken nor yet to deny it In short the Duke was much disappointed in Leo who could never be brought to make good his promise till Francis the first who succeeded Lewis the twelfth being well satisfied that all the Duke of Ferrara's sufferings proceeded from his constant adhering to the French Interest did refuse to enter into any treaty with the Pope unless the Duke were comprehended in it After Leo's death no Prince complemented Adrian the sixth with so noble an Embassy as the Duke of Ferrara did who upon the Popes arrival at Rome sent his Son Hercules thither attended by many of his chief Nobility the young Prince was then but fourteen years of age yet having his audience of Adrian before the Consistory he harangued so finely and with so good a Grace that the Pope embraced him with tears and having asked him several questions in Latin found him so much a Master of that Language his answers so pertinent and lively and in his whole behaviour a modest assurance so fitted to his age and quality that Adrian declared before all the Cardinals that he must grant the Duke of Ferrara whatever he demanded by such an Extraordinary Ambassador Lueretia the Mother of Hercules being dead there lived a young Gentlewoman at Ferrara called Laura Enstochia sufficiently qualified every way for a Princess except in her birth her person her air but above all her wit did so charm the Duke that after having sometime Courted her she came to be his third Dutchess and brought him two Sons Alphonsus and Alphonsinus Much were the Duke and the Prince grieved for the death of so friendly a Pope as Adrian when they perceived that Clement the seventh began to renew the practices of Leo offering the Emperour great summs of money to have Modena and Regio given to himself and his Family but the Emperour being unwilling to advance the House of Medici by an act of injustice to that of Esté would not hearken to the proposal though the Popes bounty to his Ministers who were to further it had drained the Apostolical Chamber this disappointment which cost Clement so dear helped to hasten his unhappy breach with the Emperour by which Rome was exposed to the most barbarous usage it had met with since the Goths and Vandals sacked it and he himself imprisoned in the Castle S t Angelo by the Duke of Bourbon's Army Duke Alphonsus instead of insulting over his Enemies misery was as forward as any to contribute towards his releasement and at Ferrara was a League of most of the Christian Princes concluded against the Emperour to this very intent No man questioned but the Duke in this action had for ever secured to himself an interest in Clement who by his Legate offered to renounce all his pretensions upon Modena and Regio and to renew the investiture of Ferrara as soon as she should be set at liberty yet all was presently forgot and the only advantage the Duke had by this League was the match then made up betwixt his Son Hercules and Renata Lewis the twelfths younger Daughter who proved the most excellent Princess in all respects that ever Italy saw Amongst other things Clement had promised upon the death of Cardinal Gonzaga the Bishoprick of Modena to the Dukes second Son Hippolytus but it was given away to a Son of one of the Emperours Chief Favourites purposely that the Duke by disputing the business might draw upon himself the Emperours Indignation if not his Arms Other subtle Arts were used by Clement to ruine the
they should not be discovered or if they were that the Duke would not be rigid a more effectual course was found out for several high-way-men being sentenced for other crimes to die were ordered to be hanged up in those fields some with Partridges some with Pheasants some with Hares about their legs the Dukes Officers giving out that they were put to death for killing such This so frighted the people that never was Game in Italy so preserved as in the Countrey about Ferrara but withall it did beget in them such an Opinion of the Dukes cruelty that they could never afterwards be brought to have a hearty kindness for him and though others who were privy to the thing laboured to disabuse them yet it was now sunk too deep to be removed The Dutchess Barbara being dead the Duke was again married to a Daughter of Mantoua but there being no hopes of Children by any he began to look upon Caesar the Son Anno Christi 1580 of his Uncle Alphonsus as most likely now to succeed him with this prospect he procured a marriage for him with the Great Dukes Daughter and made him larger appointments than formerly Sixtus Quintus being lately chosen Pope Caesar by the Dukes advice went to Rome whence he returned very well satisfied soon after died Lewis the Cardinal to the great grief of the Duke his Brother and this grief was not digested when he had news from Blois of the fatal deaths of the Duke and Cardinal of Guise whose Mother was the Dukes Eldest Sister Italy had been a considerable time without War but the Bandito's were now grown more terrible than any Enemy especially in Romagna where listing themselves in three Companies above six hundred in all they put the whole Countrey under Contribution they had the impudence to erect Judicatures try men for their Lives give Passports and Commissions impose Taxes and to act by a Soveraign Power they had assumed to themselves they mocked all Princes especially the Pope upon whom they lay heaviest and when ever those of Religious Orders were brought before them they would have them fall down and worship them If any Town failed to send them what they required within a few dayes it was sure to smart for it for they being all desperate Bandito's well armed there was no resisting them till upon grievous complaints of their cruelty the Duke sent Count Montecuculi with some other good Officers and several Companies well provided with ammunition who in two months time killed the Chief of them and dissipated the rest of whom few escaped the whole Countrey rising upon them The Duke being grieved at the loss of his Brother and of his Nephews as also to see himself decay apace Anno Christi 1590 without Children sent to the Emperours Court to renew the investiture of the Dutchy of Modena and Regio to himself and his Cousin Caesar which was accordingly done without any difficulty at Rome he was not so fairly dealt with but put off with empty excuses from time to time and the Popes dying before the business could be brought to an Issue in the next reign he was obliged to begin again When he heard of the Election of Clement the eighth he did not question but he was fallen into good hands Clement's Father having raised himself by the bounty of the late Duke and of his Uncle Hippolytus not only from a low but from a necessitous condition as Clement had alwayes own'd while a Cardinal but now being Pope he grew more reserved in his acknowledgements yet upon every occasion expressed a most particular zeal for the House of Esté The Duke trusting in his kindness and foreseeing his own death at hand made his last Will by which he declared his Cousin Prince Caesar his Heir three or four dayes after he was taken ill of a feaver in which at first there appear'd no danger but the malignity of the distemper discovering it self and Nature being quite spent he called to him Prince Caesar made his Will be opened and read in the presence of many of the Nobility recommended his particular Friends and Servants to his Cousins care exhorted him to be a Just Prince and the Nobility to continue dutifull and obedient as he had ever found them and then died with great composure of mind He was tall of stature and well proportion'd Anno Christi 1597 of a fresh complexion and a chearfull countenance and besides the ordinary traits of a good face had according to the observation of one that knew him some thing of Majesty proper to the House of Esté which challenged an awfull Reverence as well as Love from all that beheld him They were disappointed who expected treasures at his death and no wonder for the constant charge of his Court with the extraordinary charities he did in time of Famine gave a full account of his Revenue The Court of Ferrara though very ancient yet may be said to have received its first Lustre from the Marquess Nicolaus before Eugenius the fourth kept his Council there Leonel did endeavour to imitate his Father but Borsius his second Son and the first Duke raised things to a higher pitch and became famous all Europe over for the greatness in which he lived Hercules the first with his Dutchess Leonora of Arragon added every thing that was Gentile at the Court of Naples making Ferrara not only a Court fit for Gentlemen as it was in the time of Borsius who lived single but for Ladies also under Alphonsus the first notwithstanding his constant War nothing of the former state was lost And when Hercules the second brought his Dutchess Renata from France the alterations she made were much for the better But the late Duke did yet outdo those that went before him rendering his Court an Epitome of whatever was fine or great in France Germany or Italy Princes came long journeys on purpose to see it and by all their confessions though some Courts might be greater yet none in other respects did come near that of Ferrara Nor was it an empty shew for with that noble entertainment such as Italy has not since seen for strangers of all qualities some thousands of poor had their daily maintenance thence The young Gentlemen of Quality were at such an age received into the number of the Dukes Pages and bred up to all manner of exercise beyond any Academy of the world and owing their Education to their Prince for the most part they dedicated their lives to his service either being entertained as Officers of his Household as Captains of his Guards as Governours of his Castles or employed as Ministers in foreign Courts where the Ambassadors of Ferrara in their Equipage and behaviour gave strangers some notion of the place from whence they came None of the Dukes Subjects that excelled in any thing needed go to a foreign Court for want of encouragement at home and Cavalier Guarini the Author of Pastor Fido who rashly engaged
supposed that out of flattery or a design to promote their own fortunes by bettering other mens condition they would have condescended to publish a falsehood seeing there was not at that time the least appearance of this succession the four Sons of the former Dutchess Lucretia Borgia being then alive Leander Albertus in his description of Italy treating of Romagnola and speaking of Alphonsus the first uses these very words He had three Wives first Anne Daughter to Galleazo Forza Duke of Milan then Lucretia Pope Alexander the sixth's Daughter by whom he had four Sons Hercules the second Hypolitus afterwards a Cardinal Francis and Alexander in the third place Lucretia being dead he married Laura of Ferrara a woman of mean Parentage indeed but of most quick parts and extraordinary prudence by whom he begot two Alphonsus's Words most plain and which prove not only the Marriage but also the Sons he had one of whom was Alphonsus that we now mention This Writer was a Fryar a Subject of the Church and Contemporary with Duke Alphonsus he had occasion to be informed of the truth of the business and if passion could at all have by assed him it is to be believed he would not have written for the Marriage but against it Jovius who was not only a most rare Person but a Bishop Contemporary likewise to the above named Duke and perfectly well versed in the concerns of Princes discoursing of the Lady Laura sayes But she being of a virtuous and chast behaviour and in her beauty answerable to her parts and being happily recommended by her fruitfulness he had her for his lawfull Wife and had by her two Sons both of whom after his own Name he called Alphonsus By which we clearly understand that Duke Alphonsus after he had got two Sons by her being charmed with the singular Virtue of the Lady Laura took her for his Wife Marcus Guazzo in his Annals of those Times calls the Lady Laura of Ferrara Duke Alphonsus's Wife a woman of low Extraction but for her Prudence and Parts truly Noble both Sansovinus in his History of the Illustrious Families of Italy and Andrew Teut a French Author in his Lives of the Illustrious Men lib. 5. cap. 53. do testifie the same And finally Marcus Antonius Guarini of Ferrara though he was a great friend to the Church and writ so long after the seizure of Ferrara that he had reason to doubt of his incurring the Popes indignation yet being constrained by truth he confirms the same in his Historical Compend of the Churches and pious places of Ferrara To the above-mentioned Authorities we must likewise add that of Frederick Scot a Doctor of great reputation and that writ also near those Times who while he endeavours to prove Cons 4. numb 17 and 18. Tom. 2. lib. 3. That a Prince may make presents to his Wife brings for an instance the presents made to the Lady Laura when she was married to Duke Alphonsus in these very words I could give an example in the Presents sent by Alphonsus the first Duke of Ferrara to the Lady Laura his third Wife and the Daughter of Beretarius whom the Duke married in performance of his vow Nor do the depositions of many Witnesses that were examined in a legal manner since the loss of Ferrara and which are still kept on record differ from the Historians Testimony From whence a publick report and fame of the marriage we speak of is evidently proved and some there were ready to take oath that they had seen the Lady Laura treated by the Duke himself with that honour and respect which are only due to a Wife to this they add that she enjoy'd Prerogatives which were sutable to none but a Princess she was generally respected as such not only by her Subjects but likewise by foreign Princes and was by all treated with the name of the House of Esté which sirname she alwayes took in all publick and private writings as doth still appear by an infinite number of Authentick Instruments Priviledges Orders Letters Commissions and the like She made use of a Seal with the Arms of the Princes of Esté in her Orders and Letters she spoke in the plural number We It was her custom when she went abroad to have Gentlemen before and Ladies in Coach behind her And as an expression of that favourable fortune which from her low Condition had exalted her to that pitch of greatness she had engraved upon her Coach a Sun with this Motto For he who is great has magnified me and the Duke her Husband alluding to the same had Money coined of which very many pieces are still to be seen where our Saviour is sitting and a woman at his feet with these words Thy faith hath made thee whole which was a most manifest sign that he had exalted her to the eminent station of a Wife All the time she survived her Husband she went in the habit of a widow which she had not done had she not been one From the Honours and Prerogatives she enjoyed in her life the said witnesses pass to the respects which were pay'd her at her death and they averr that Duke Alphonsus the second and Cardinal Lewis his Brother with a train of the whole Court did solemnly accompany her to the place of burial the Duke honouring the Funeral with mourning and the Cardinal with the Cloaths which such Princes use to wear upon the death of their Relations The whole Court put on mourning and as the custom is they did hang out the Arms of the said Lady quartered with those of the Princes of Esté one of which according to the testimony of the same witnesses is still preserved To whom else could honours and respects of this kind agree but to the Dukes Wife and how could ever Duke Alphonsus and Cardinal Lewis who were Princes that in their carriage observed alwayes a state and carriage sutable to their quality ever have suffered much less contributed by their presence towards her being treated after this manner if they had not really own'd her for a Princess of their Family Finally there are two Authentick Instruments verified by all the forms of Law which remove all manner of difficulty and were with great earnestness required and made by a Notary in Ferrara the one in the year 1550 and the other in 1551. The very words for what concerns the marriage do agree and are the same as they are here set down The most Illustrious Lady the Lady Laura Eustochia Wife of the most Illustrious and Excellent Duke Alphonsus late Duke of Ferrara Modena and Regio c. And yet Hercules the second was then alive who having no kindness as every one knows for the Lady Laura and her Sons would never have suffer'd that she should have been falsely honoured in publick writings with such like Titles as these And with those abovementioned there is another ancient Instrument which agrees with it thus The most Illustrious and most Excellent Lady Laura of Esté relict of the late most Illustrious and Excellent Prince Alphonsus of blessed memory Duke of Ferrara c. being personally present To conclude the matter now in hand we must consider that here we treat of a business of some antiquity in which not only evident proofs but likewise presumptive and conjectural ones such as these are must be allow'd and the rather because we do not enquire now into the truth of the marriage for the marriage it self but only to make the Succession Legitimate for posterity in which case slighter proofs may be the better admitted Nor is it of small moment that the said marriage was solemnized before the Council of Trent because then so many formalities were not required and the Orders that were made in that most holy assembly were for regulating future marriages and not those that were past as it has been often declared in several Supreme Judicatures nor would the Original Instrument of the marriage be wanting which was required and made by John Baptista Sarachi a Notary in Ferrara if this and other papers relating to the same affair had not been withdrawn by Duke Hercules for the grudge he bore as we have already hinted to the two Alphonsus's his Brothers both upon the account of their being the Sons of another Mother and because he observed that his and their Father Duke Alphonsus loved them so very tenderly and thereupon granted them free and independent Feuds and considerable Revenues Nevertheless by Divine Providence so many proofs still remain as are sufficient to discover the truth Moreover his Imperial Majesty Ferdinand the second being wrought upon by these motives and informed that Don Alphonsus was really legitimate by the Marriage that followed not only declared the report which was given out to the contrary by ill affected persons to be vain but did grant also the Investiture of the Imperial Territories to me not as the Successor simply of Duke Alphonsus the second but as to a Prince named and comprehended in the ancient Investitures of my Progenitors And that it may not appear his Majesty was moved to do this without having first weighed well the business he accompanies his Declaration with the very words that follow that he declared this having deliberated well upon it and having taken sound and mature advice about it The Marriage being then proved by the credit of so many Historians by the testimony of so famous a Lawyer by the deposition of Witnesses that the Lady Laura was alwayes treated as the Dukes Wife during her Life and at her Death by Titles Subscriptions Seals Arms Habit and lastly by the Emperours Declaration It necessarily follows then that the pretence of the devolution of Ferrara is overthrown because the Marriage being thus proved it cannot be questioned but the Children who are by this means Legitimate are really lawfull and therefore capable of succeeding to any estate whatsoever FINIS