Ambasdors at Rome to receiue any Ecclesiasticall benefice from the Pope during the time of their Ambassage the Senate tooke the audacious infringing of this law in bad part And though he were very rich well allied and had great friends his father being one of the noblest men in the Citie the onely loue and reuerence to law caused the Senate to write backe vnto him that presently without delay he should redeliuer the Patriarkeship to the Pope and for not so doing they threatned to take from his Father the Procuratorship of S. Marke and to confiscate all his goods His father not being able to moderate the sentence giuen by the Councell of Tenne fell sicke with griefe and within a while after died The sonne likewise hauing published certaine excellent bookes of his owne composing did before the yeeres end die of a Squinancie The same yeere Lorenzo de Medicis died at Florence a man of a rare and excellent iudgement gouerning his Countrie in Peace He left three children liuing who were afterwards expulsed the gouernment and banished The summer following Pope Innocent died in whose stead by guifts and briberie Alexander Borgia a Spaniard borne in Valentia was chosen This Pope made a league offensiue and defensiue for fiue and twentie yeeres with the Venetians and Galeas Sforza Lord of Milan who was at that time very young and ruled by Lodouico his vncle By this league they were tyed to defend and maintaine one anothers territories and to destroy their enemies And because Zemes brother to Baiazeth the Turkish Emperour liued at that time in Rome there was an addition made in the treatie of the league that if Baiazeth should make warre on the Venetians the Pope should deliuer him vnto them that they by him might inuade his brother This Zemes being by his brother driuen forth of his kingdome fled to Rhodes The Rhodians vnwilling to draw warre to their owne Gates sent him to the French King he deliuered him to Pope Innocent who had earnestly craued him Pope Alexander at his election found him at Rome where hee was carefully guarded lest he should renew warre against his brother in recompence whereof Baiazeth sent yeerely to Rome to the Pope 400. pounds of gold Hercules de A Este Duke of Ferrara did afterwards enter into this league The Venetian State thus peaceable Charles the eight French King sent a Gentleman to Venice who being brought before the Senate told them That his King being resolued to come into Italy with a mightie Armie to conquere the kingdome of Naples which by hereditarie right belonged to him did desire therein to know the Venetians loue towards him and to be satisfied whether they intended to keep and obserue the same league and friendship which of old had beene betwixt them The Senate vpon this newes which was likely to alter the State of Italy assembled the great Councell namely to debate this businesse being loth by their answere to prouoke the King against them After sundry opinions the Councell answered the Ambassador that the Signorie had euer preferred peace before warre and did now desire it more than euer therefore they could wish that his King liuing at peace would suffer other Princes of Italy to doe the like yet if hee came thither with an intent to make warre they would in no sort stirre nor quit his league and friendshippe This Gentleman with their answere left Venice and went to Rome After him two others in lesse than two moneths came to Venice one after another from the same King for the same businesse who receiued the selfe same answere as the first But Lodouico Sforza was the onely motiue that prouoked this King to the enterprize of Naples He after the death of his brother Galeas Sforza Duke of Millan tooke vpon him the gouernment of the State and expulsed his widow who would haue managed it in the behalfe of her sonne Iohn Galeas that was very young when his father died Then by little and little he dismissed the ancient Officers placing others in their roomes and in this maner had commaunded the Dutchie aboue thirteene yeeres And though in outward shew he seemed very carefull of his Nephew yet in his young yeeres he had so carelesly brought him vp as it seemed that his onely ayme was to make him incapable and vnfit for any honourable exercise drawing him from all vertuous studies Alphonso sonne to Ferdinand King of Naples gaue his daughter Isabell in mariage to this young Iohn Galeas yet though he were maried and had children by his wife his vncle neuerthelesse still gouerned the State meaning to leaue it to his owne children Ferdinand and Alphonso taking his vsurpatio for it was no better in bad part moued by the continuall lamentable letters of their daughter did louingly entreat Lodouick according to equitie and reason to surrender the gouernment of the State of Milan to his nephew sonne to his brother vnto whom it belonged who was of yeeres to gouerne maried and had two children They hauing often vsed these intreaties proceeded to sharpe and bitter termes telling him That they had made alliance with the Duke of Milan who was his Nephew whose State hee vsurped and therefore he should doe well to detaine it no longer Lodouico fearing their power and threatning and hauing intelligence that the French Kngs laid claime to the kingdome of Naples sent an honourable Ambassade into France vnder colour to salute king Charles not acquainting Pope Alexander or the Venetians with it with whom he was in league and commanded his Ambassador secretly to motion the matter and to assure the king that if he would attempt the recouerie of that Realme he would assist him with all his forces and meanes and that the conquest would be easie so that he would onely passe the Alpes and shew himselfe in Italy This aduertisement comming from such a person did greatly preuaile with the king to cause him to vndertake this iourney being besides incited thereunto from another place Antonio Prince of Salern maligned by Ferdinand and by that meanes enforced to forsake his countrey Italy had retired himselfe into France He in all his discourses with the king spake of no other matter telling him That he should doe ill to let slip so faire an occasion offered for the recouerie of his owne right assuring him besides that Ferdinand was generally hated for his auarice crueltie and treacherie and therefore it would be an easie matter to dispossesse him especially for a king of France whose authoritie and credit in those countries was verie great Besides all this Pope Alexander was no friend to Ferdinand in regard of Virginio Vrsino that serued him whose open enemie the Pope had declared himselfe in regard of the towne of Anguilare All these reasons were approued by the Lords of France that were in fauour with the king who desired nothing more than this iourney For some of them hoped by the Popes
Some say that Carrario attempted to set Bernabo his Allie at libertie whom Galeas his Sonne in Law and Nephew Sonne to his Brother kept prisoner in the Castle of Trecy because he had beene aduertized by Katherine his wife that Bernabo had laid waite to kill him whereat Visconte being moued made warre vpon him The Venetians in this warâ—…e ioyned their forces wish Galeas who assailed the Paduan and hauing armed foure hundred boates vnder the conduct of Giacomo Delfino did in a manner selze vpon all the Cities Forts and townes which Carrario possessed on the lakes 〈◊〉 at the mouthes of riuers Galeas likewise on the firme land did not alone 〈◊〉 all the Cities of the Paduan territorie but likewise in few moneths that the 〈◊〉 lasted the verie Citie of Padua Where after he had taken the elder Carrario 〈◊〉 imprisoned him in the Medozian prison His sonne surnamed Nouello escaped into Germanie Galeas would not stand still in so faire a way but pursuing the course of his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came and tooke Treuiso by force This warre was verie painfull and bloudie At the last Carrarios forces being broken and wholly ouerthrowne Galeas by agreement had Padua 〈◊〉 and Belluna the Venetians Treuiso and the Marques of Aest who was one of the associates against Carrario recouered all the townes which did belong to his ancestors Then not long after Galeas hauing proclaimed warre on the Bolognese and Florentines and his forces being alreadie suspected of all the people and potentates of Italie The Venetians Florentines Bologneses Francisco Gonzaga the Marquesse of Aeste and Carolo Malateste entered into league against him Robert Duke of Bauaria was entreated to bee of the number with whom Nouello remained and to march with his forces into Italie against the troups of Visconte Galeas leauing the Bolognese came and furiously besieged the Citie of Mantua and preâ—…ming on the great number of his souldiers for his Armie was reported to be fortie thousand he enuironed the Citie by land and water The Venetians armed a great â—…mber of boates against him to deliuer a friend and confederate Citie from the siege and because Gonzaga was more molested by water than by land the Venetians hauing added certaine gallies to their fleete this audacious enemie was repulsed with great losse from the Citie by the Venetians aide on the same side of the Citie by which the enemie had thought to haue taken it And soone after being in countred by Malatesta Generall of the land Armie neere to the village of Gouernâ—…lla and being broken and defeated by him in a set battaile he was with great disgrace chased farre from thence Nouello remained not idle in so faire an occasion For Robert vsing delaies he returned into Italie in disguised habite vnknowne to the Venetians and their associates And by that meanes he enâ—…d Padua and enioyed it The Almaine following him afterwards with a great Armie came and besieged the Castle of Padua which held out for Galcas Those of Verona being amazed by their neighbours example tooke Armes and hauing expelled Galeas his Garrison they sent for Antonio of Escalla from Tuscan but they vnderstood that he was dead a while before whereupon repenting of what they had done they sent to Vgoletto Blanchardo who commaunded Viscont his Armie in the countrey of Cremona and hauing obtained pardon of him for their reuolt and for the obtaining of it paid a great summe of money vnder the name of lendings for the souldiers they receiued him into their Citie ino the which entering â—…umultuously the souldiers desirous of bootie could not be kept from spoyling The wife of Galcas being sorie for the mishap of so excellent a Citie commaunded three daies after they began to pillage to spoyle no more Robert in the meane time being discontented for that he was deceiued by his associates of his promised reward raised his campe from before the Castle of Padua and went backe with his forces into Germanie The Florentines did at the same time send Iohn Hancute one of the famouse Cstaptains of his time with forces to aid Nouello by whose valour the Castle was in few daies recouered diuers and sundrie attempts were made on either side but because they do no whit concerne the Venetians for they were done on the firme land farre from the Sea we do of purpose omit them At the last peace being concluded for ten yeares was as acceptable to afflicted Lombardie as pleasing to all men else At the same time the Duke of Austria arriued at Venice where being bountifully entertained he remained till such time as two gallies were made readie to carrie him to the Sepulcher of our Lord. The same yeare the French kings Nephew arriued there who had the like entertainment as had the Almaine he made readie a Galley there at his owne charges to transport him into Syria for the same purpose as the Austrian was gone thither In processe of time all things being quiet by sea and land newes was brought that an Argozie of Genoa of meruailous bignesse was gone forth to robbe at Sea The Venetians vpon this report rigged forth three great ships of warre which were maâ—…ed with fiue hundred armed men which went to Sea But that great Genoueses Argosey being cast away by a great tempest the Venetians returned 〈◊〉 and sound home to their houses The Ciâ—…tie during this long peace was beautified with diuers publike works The market-place of Rialto with that great and spacious place before Saint Markes Church were paued with bricke and with square stone At the same time Prince Venieri died the eighteenth yeare of his principalitie His funerall was accompanied by great multitudes of people to the Church of the Twinnes ¶ MICHAELI STENO the 63. Duke of Uenice MIchaeli Steno Procurator of Saint Marke succeeded him who being chosen in the beginning of December came not by reason of a disease whereof he lay sicke to the Pallace till the tenth of Ianuarie The people did neuer doe the like honour to any of his predecessors as to him All the Trades of the Citie euerie one a-part did prepare costly shewes for his sake each of them inuenting new so as no holy day passed in the whole yeare but some shew or other was presented And that whole yeare would haue beene spent in mirth and pastime if the vnexpected losse of certaine Citizens had not marred the sport Sixe gallies laden with forraine marchandize vnder the conduct of Leonardo Trenisano returned to Venice about the end of Autumne but it fell out that neere to the Islands of the Egean sea at Irene called by corruption of language Turin foure of them which had seldome happened being beaten with a tempest suffered ship wracke Yet neuerthelesse few of the men perished the marchandize being scattered heere there was with great labour recouered The Viari Delfino Sourance and Sagreda were lost Cornari and Gradonico resisting the seas
Modon Thither newes was brought him how that the enemie with great forces lay before the Citie of Scutari This Citie standeth in that part of Dalmatia which being possessed by the Epirots was by the modernes tearmed Albania by a particular name it is seated on an hanging hill and in some places the accesse to it is very difficult On the West side is a lake in circuit fourescore thousand paces though Authors make no mention of it The inhabitants call it the lake of Scutari out of which issueth a nauigable Riuer called Boyano Plinie saith That in former time the Riuer Drina did runne on the East side thereof very neere to the Citie walls where at this day the ruines of the bridge are to be seene now the Riuer changing her course it runnes neere to the Island and deliuers it selfe by two channels to the sea ten myles from Boyano The champaine countrey which lieth betwixt these two Riuers and the fields neere adioyning are so fruitfull as seed being cast vpon the ground without any tillage giue a wonderfull encrease and they are enforced to driue their cattell forth of the pastures for feare they should ouerfeed themselues Alongst the sea coast are goodly woods wherewith they build shippes Ottoman who aspired to the Empire of Italie being allured by these commodities resolued to attempt Scutari the chiefe Citie of that Prouince hoping by taking thereof with ease to become master of the rest hee committed the charge of the siege to Soliman the Eunuch whom he made Gouernor of the Prouinces of Europe in his stead who the yeare before was slaine in the Persian warre And besides his other forces he gaue him eight thousand Ianizaries of his owne guard with an hundred Canoniers He hauing assembled great forces forth of all Prouinces subiect to Mahomet had fourescore thousand men in his armie The Citie being besieged he made a bridge ouer the riuer Boyano the guard wherof he committed to Alibeg with his fierce troopes of Tribulls Then he caused foure peeces of ordnance of a wonderfull bignesse to be planted neere the walls to make a breach the munition belonging to those peeces did load foure hundred Camels Hee did besides cause twelue other smaller peeces to be planted to batter the houses of the towne So soone as Mocenigo had intelligence of the siege of Scutary he went to Corfu where he receiued letters from the Prince and a commandement from the Senate to be carefull of the defence of Scutari and of the sea-coast of Albania Therefore he presently passed ouer into the firm land where at the mouth of the Boyano he met with Triadin Gritti his successor and Lodouico Bembo the Prouidator Then although he might haue commaunded alone yet being in no sort ambitious he resolued to doe nothing without their common consent First of all then they sent Leonardo Bolda with foure Gallies to Catharra and commaunded him to goe to Iohn Cernouich who commaunded the Sclauonians neighbours to the Lake and to entreat him from them that he would as became a faithfull associate leuie forces from all parts in some sort to relieue Scutari if it were possible That Leonardos selfe with his vessels appointed for that purpose should together with Ceruouich vse meanes to put some supplies into the towne by water They did afterwards send fiue Gallies by the Riuer Drinon for the guard of the Island The Citie is seated on a plaine and is in no sort strong by Art or Nature The riuer Drinon falling by two channells into the sea makes an Island whither all the Country people of that Prouince which dwelt in the Villages were retired with their wiues and children vpon the enemies comming Now for the defence of this Island the Venetian Generalls sent diuers armed vessells beside the Gallies They did moreouer assure Durazzo with foure gallies and certaine troupes of Albanian horse This cittie was in former time called Epidamnum by the Founders name his Nephew sonne to his daughter added the Hauen to the Cittie and would haue it to be called Dirrachium after his owne name He lost his sonne Ionius in the war against his bretheren vnder the conduct of Hercules who slew him by misfortune and threw him into the neighbour Sea of whom it afterward took the name This is the opinion of the Greeke Authors The Latines do not reckon the place to be of such antiquity and affirme that the Romains named it Dyrrachium in sted of Epidamnum because that name seemed to presage some misfortune to such as went thither It was in old time a very famous cittie and much renowmed during the ciuill warres of the Romans For Pompey in that place made all his warrelike preparations against Caesar but it is now desolate and vninhabited The Venetians kept it for the commodiousnesse of the hauen They did afterwards place garrisons in Buda Antiuari and Olchina which in former times according to Plinie was called Colchina founded by the Colchians who pursuing Medea entred into the Adriatticke sea and Ionian seas Some Authors woorthie of credit affirme That the Inhabitants of that place doe yet retaine the barbarous crueltie of their Ancestours and that among all the Inhabitants of that coast they are most vnciuill to strangers The Venetian Generalls went and encamped with the rest of the armie at Saint Sergius Church in view of the Inhabitants This place is fiue miles from Scutari and foureteene from the Sea The Gallies could not saile vp the Riuer beyond the Church by reason of the shallownesse of the water From thence the fleete gaue signes of encouragement morning and euening to the Cittie by making fires The riuer Boyano diuides it selfe into two very narrow channels beneath the Temple Eschella eight miles from the Armie The Turkes went about to embarre those streights with yron chaines and piles to shut in the Venetian Gallies which would haue mightily endaungered the Venetians had not a fugitiue giuen them notice thereof in time whereat they being somewhat troubled did sodainely saile in order of battell to seize vpon the mouth of the Riuer The enemie vpon the gallies arriuall being landed was encamped vpon the shoare in a close battallion The fight being begunne the Turkes did extreamely afflict the Venetians with their arrows and they them with their ordnance howbeit in the end the enemy was enforced to quit the place with the losse of fiue hundred of his men The victorious Venetians hauing left foure gallies for the defence of the place returned to their campe neere the Temple Many that were present at this exploit affirme that this fight against the Turkes at the entry of the riuer Boyano hapned vnder the conduct of Triadin before Mocenigo his arriuall But whilst this was done vpon the Riuer the Turkes did continually with the cannon batter the city walls and ouerthrew the houses Antonio Lauretano a valiant gentleman commaunded in the city and was Prouidator in the Prouince who as one
moneth was spent in the handling of the difficulties as well of his accord as of that of the Venetians and at last the Pope hauing greatly imployed him-selfe therein both the one and other were concluded Francis Sforza promised to pay vnto the Emperor within a yeare foure hundred thousand Ducats and other fiue hundred thousand within tenne yeare namely fifty thousand yearely Coma and the Castle of Milan remayning in the Emperors hands who promised to surrender them so soone as the first yeares payment were made and gaue him the inuestiture or rather the confirmation of that which hee had before giuen him As for the Venetians they did like-wise consent to surrender Rauenna and Ceruia with their Territortes to the Pope their clames saued the Pope pardoning those who had practized or done any thing against him They did like-wise agree to render to the Emperor in the moneth of Ianuary next ensuing all that which they possessed in the Kingdome of Naples and to pay him the residue of the two hundred thousand Ducats due at the last peace contracted betwixt them namely twenty thousand Ducats within a moneth and fiue and twenty thousand yearely after-wards till the end of the payment and to pay him another hundred thousand Ducats besides the one halfe within tenne moneths and the other within a yeare after and that the Duke of Vrbin should be comprized in that peace as being vnder the Venetians protection Diuers other Articles were added concerning particular persons and the generall commerce so as by this peace and confederacy Italy was freed from the tumults and dangers of armes where-with it had beene afflicted the space of more then eight yeares with infinite ho◅tible accidents Florence alone was exempted from this good hap vnto whome other mens peace had procured a worse and more dangerous war by reason of the Florentines contention with the Pope The Imperiall army leauing the Venetian State and being come neere to the confines of Tuscany went on very slowly by the Popes commandement who desired to preserue the city of Florence and her whole territory from the souldiers spoile and oppression which gaue the Florentines time and occasion to fortifie them-selues and to make strong rampiers about their walles and to receiue two thousand foot-men into it which Malateste Baillone brought thither after that he had by composition yeelded the City of Perusa to the Marquis of Guasto which made them more vnwilling to grant the Popes demaunds As also because that their delay to make their approches had begotten an opinion in the Florentines that the Emperour would rather in shew then in effect satifie the Popes de◅ire But the Pope on the other side being extreamely incensed against them because they would not referre themselues to his iudgement wherein ◅e promised to proceed with all meekenesse and being in great hope to obtaine his desire by freely disposing of the Emperours forces seeing that he had no more need of them by reason that he had made an agreement with the Venetians and the Duke of Milan he determined rather to come to the extreamest point of all then to giue place in any thing The Venetians were greatly grieued for the Florentines troubles and vexations as their friends and confederates and ioyned together in one selfe same cause for the tuition and defense of the liberty of Italy but the Republike was charged with such excessiue expences as al-be it that all her forces were still whole yet neuerthelesse it could not giue them that aide and assistance which was needfull and therefore the Senate exhorted the Florentines to make an accord if it were possible with the Pope vpon any honourable condition which might not preiudice their liberty The Emperour in the meane time commanded the Marquis of Guasto to set forward with the army and to goe and encampe before the walles of Florence being mooued therevnto by his owne particular interests besides the Popes greatly desiring to haue those of Medicis to returne into the city because that he had promised to giue the Lady Marguer◅te his naturall daughter in mariage to Alexander the Popes Nephew to the end that his sonne in law might hold an estate answerable to the greatnesse of so high a marriage thinking moreouer that it would greatly profit him for the encrease and assurance of his power in Italy to haue the gouernment of that City which had euer shewed it selfe much inclined to the French to depend wholly in time to come vpon him All the warre being in this manner brought into Tuscany and neere to the wals of Florence all the remainder of Italy and Christendome were at peace the which hapned very opportunely at the same time that all of them being vnited together might march against Soliman who desyring there to purchase glory and reputation by armes being the more emboldened therevnto by the quarells and contentions of Christian Princes did menace their Realmes and Dominions for notwithstanding that winter approched and that he wanted great ordnance he was constrained to discampe from before Vienna the which was defended by a number of braue men he neuerthelesse cau◅ed it to giuen forth abroad that he would returne againe at the spring and beseege it with greater forces or else some other City of Germany Soliman dislodging from those quarters did establish Iohn in the Kingdome of Hungary shewing thereby that his principall aime was to purchase the ◅ame of a valiant and generous Prince he did moreouer create high Treasorer of the Kingdome Lodouico Gritti sonne to Andre Gritti Duke of Venice borne of a Concubine at Constantinople whilest being young he remained there about businesse The conditions of peace being thus accomplished the Venetian Senate being very carefull to establish it and to purchase and keepe the fauour and friendship of these Princes determined to send Ambassadors to the Pope and the Emperor to testifie both to the one other the gr◅at conten◅mēt which they had receiued by such an accord and reconciliation and how desirous they weare to haue that peace and friendship long to continue betwixt them Some of the cheefest Senators were appointed for this Ambassage namely Marco Dandulo Lodouico Gradonico Lod◅uico Moceniga and Lorenzo Bragadin◅ vnto whom to make the Ambassage mo◅e honorable were added Antonio Su◅iano chosen at the first for successor to Gasparo Contare◅ Ambassador with the Pope and Nicolao Tepulo who was to be resident with the Emepror These sixe then came to Bolognia at the beginning of the yeare 1530 where the Pope and Emperorlay who honorably entertayned them where they executed the tenor of their commission a part first of all to the Pope and then to the Emperor They did highly e◅toll the Pope for that a◅ the common Father embracing with Piety and wisdome the cause of Christendome hee had ended so many troubles and calamities and the Republi◅e did particularly thanke him for his care of the wealth and commodity thereof by composing in
Constantinople Conalis was with greater praise honored by all men who dying within a while after in executing the same office for the Republick the Senate in acknowledgment of his good seruice decreed that Antonio his sonne should during his life enioy the reuenew of the I le of Corfou These things happened in the Venetians Army but that of the Emperor hauing a long time stayed at Naples and at Messina did at the last boldly aduenture to releeue Coron which was reduced to all extremity where at the first hauing had some hope of Victory by reason of the flight and shamefull retreat of the Turkish army it returned afterwards without any honor at all either by the Captaines fault or by a destined plague to Christians seeing that the basenesse of the Turkish Captaines did afterwards procure great hurt to Christendome For Soliman being displeased with those vnto whom he had committed the charge of his fleet taxing their small experience determined to call Cariadine surnamed Barbarossa who of a Pirate beeing become a Prince commanded at the same time in Argier to giue him as he did the whole superintendence of sea matters Hee beeing most expert in marine matters and hauing of a long exercised the trade of a Pirate in Barbary had gotten a perfect knowledge of all the Christians sea places of retreat and in Affrick likewise making incursions vpon the Moores but particularly by his defeating of the Spanish Galleis whereby hee purchased great reputation at such time as foure yeares before they comming vnder the command of Don Hugo de Moncada to meet Doria at Genoa hee did assaile and defeate them Wee may iustly say that this man was the first which taught the Turkes the meanes of well ordering a nauall Armie beeing before then smally experienced in sea matters as those who till then had encreased their power by armes on land hee likewise was the first that began to vse slaues in galleys wheâ—…as before they were wont to man them with the first vnexperienced commers which hath euer since made the Turkish fleetes more mighty and more fearefull to Christians Soliman then resoluing to make vse of this man would so dainly aduertise the Venetians thereof to the end that if they should meet him at sea they might vse him as one of his Porte knowing very well that they hated him for the great harme which he had done them And of a certaine this man was afterwards an instrument of great calamities to Christendome and of sundry losses to the Signory of Venice as heere-after shall be seene At the same time albeit that the Pope seemed to bee carefull for the imminent dangers that threatned Christendom beeing neuerthelesse more ardent then euer in his vsuall thoughts to aduance his Nephewes and his house had vsed some secret meanes with the French King concerning the marriage of Catherine daughter to Lorenzo de Medicis his Neece with Heâ—…ry Duke of Orleans his second sonne for the which treaty it was concluded that the Pope and the King should meet together at Nice a towne belonging to the Duke of Sauoy and seated neere the riuer of Var which separateth Italy from Prouence The report of this enteruiew the occasion thereof beeing vâ—…knowne had greatly troubled the Venetians and especially because it was added that the Emperor would be there wherevpon they carefully obserued these Princes actions because they would not be ouer taken as they had beene at the assembly of Cambray saying that by reason of Princes ambition they were to beware of all things and to suspect all things but this meeting which should haue beene in the moneth of Iuly beeing deferred to September following the true occasion of that enter view was in the meane time discarded for which there mette together at Nice the Bishop of Faenza for the Pope and the Lord great Maister of France for the King which did free the Venetians from all suspition The Pope did afterwards aduertise them of his departure and of the occasion thereof and concealing those nuptialls no longer he sought to couer it with some other shadow saying that in this treaty hee had not so much respected his owne particular interest as the common good and safety of all Italy wherein nothing did so much auaile as the Senate had often told him as to hold the forces of two most mighty Princes in equall ballance to the end that the power of the one might giue counterpoize to the other in regard whereof fearing least the French King being wholy out of hope by reason of the treaty of Bolognia of the friendship of the Italian Princes would presently breake off from him and that the Emperor thereby might come to command all according to his owne pleasure hee thought it fit to draw him vnto him by the bond of kindred as hee had likewise done by the Emperor Now these nuptials which all the Princes of Italy did suspect were celebrated not at Nice by reason of the difficulty which the Duke of Sauoy made because hee would not displease the Emperor to grant the Castle vnto the Pope but at Marseilles according to the Kings desire who thought it more honorable for himselfe to haue the meeting in â—…is owne Reaâ—…me wherewith the Pope was pleased beeing desirous to giue the King all content but that which men feared came not to passe by reason of â—…dry accidents and then by the Popes death which happened â—…oone after so as Italy continued quiet and the Venetians freed from all obligations of taking Armes againe That which did greatly helpe to moderate the Popes great desseignes were as it was reported the stirres in Germany because that the Lantgraue of Hesse hauing with other protestant Princes leuied great numbers of soldiors to restore Vâ—…drick Duke of Wittenberg to his Estate it was reported that they would afterwards march into Austria against Ferdâ—…nand and that from thence they would come into Italy the which the Germaines did very much desire but all these troubles were soone appeased by an accord made with the King of Romaines against whom their principall quarrell was about the Duke of Wittembergs lands which hee possessed In this manner were the affaires of Italy quiet in the firme land whereby the Common-wealth was on that side freed from care and trouble but for the Sea it behooued them dayly to bee at new expences beeing very iealous of their Staâ—…e so as the Republick might iustly say that it was depriued of the benefit of a perfect peace It was no more freed the yeare following one thousand fiue hundred thirty and foure from troubles and â—…pitions then it had beene before because that a great fleete was prepared at Constantinople which was to bee commanded by 〈◊〉 surnamed Barbarossa and the like was expected in the West for the Emperour supposing that the Turkish forces would fall vppon his States vsed all meanes to encrease his sleete and to make it fitte and able to resist them
ex 〈◊〉 was in the beginning The Venetians zeale to Religion The Arrian sect ouer all Italy The Venetians great modestie The first gouernment of Venice vnder Consults The Creation of Tribunes The partes of mans life compared with Cities The comming of the Lombards into Italy From whence the Lombards are descended The Lombards giue limits to the Venetians The Venetians first voyage to Sea The ancient custome of marrying their daughters The Triestines defeated The occasion of the games dedicated to the glorious Virgin Narses comes into Italie Wherein the Venetians aided Narses Churches builded by Narses The Empresse Sophia reprocheth Narses Narses auswere to the Empresse The Church of Grada made Metropolitane by the Pope Strange prodigies A great miracle at Verona The Paduan fugitiues dwell at Embragola The Church of Grada robbed Vision in a dreame Uderza ruined by the Lombards The foundation of Heracles The Episcopall See of Padua translated to Malamoc The foundation of Equiline Luitprand Duke of Forleini What moued the Venetians to change the gouernment The generall assemblie held at Heraclea Complaint in the assemblie against the Tribunes What forme they obsâ—…ued at the first Dukes election The Duke takes his oath A league made with Luitprand The taking of Rauenna by the Uenetians The creation of Exarch The troubles round about Grada The Duke murthered by his owne Citizens Difference arising about the creation of a new Duke The master or Colonell of the men at Armes Dominico Leon the first Felix cornicula the second Theodato the third Iuliano Cepari the fourth The gouernment of Duke restored A cruell and vnworthie acte A punishment of God Monegario his miserable end The first association into the Principalitie Conspiracie against the Duke What Bonitendius saith concerning the association The cruell death of the Bishop of Grada Conspiracie against the Duke discouered The Duke and his sonne expeld the Citie Who led the French Army against the Uenetians Pepin King of Italie The cause of the warre betwixt the two Empires The French takâ—… Commada The Greeke defeated before Commada Obellerio practiseth treason against Pepin The opinion of Blondus concerning the warre French against the Venetians Why the French did assaile the Venetians The Venetians 〈◊〉 allwaies kept their ancient libertie Discription of the scituation of the Citie of Venice The retreate of Valentin and all the Venetians to Rialto The auncient Malamoc ruinated The Albiolans yeeld The Venetians pollicie The Venetians resolution Different intents of the combatants The French vanquished by the Uenetians The Venetians compared witâ—… the Romans Pepin retires to the firme land Heraclea after it was repaired 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rialto chosen for the Princes ordinarie residence The Dukes Palace in Rialto Description of the Dukes Palace A verie excellent Librarie within the Prelace Wherefore they are called Pirguays Iustiniano the Dukes sonne sent to Constantinople Giouanni deposed by the people The Emperour Leo giues many goodly relikes to the Prince A conspiracie against the Prince discouered Vlric Bishop of Aquileia vanquished by the Venetians The publike games at â—…tide Succour sent to the Greeke Emperour against the Sarazens From whence came the name of Sarazens Why S. Marks bodie was brought from Alexandria The Alexandrines insolent to strangers Augustus his prouerb Pollicie of those which carried S. Markes bodie to the ships Miraculous apparition of S. Marke The prophecie accomplished Iustinians last will and Testament concerning S. Marks Church The Creation of the Deane of S. Markes Church Malamoc ruined The death of Obellerio Duke Giouanni flieth The vsurper punished Giouanni repealed Duke Giouanni deposed from his charge and becomes a Priest Pola an ancient Citie The 〈◊〉 request against those of Benâ—…c The comming of Theodosius to Venice A Sea-armiegraunted to the Grecian against the Sarracens From whence the Sarracen Moores are descended The Pirgueys Saint Peters Church at Rome taken by the Moores The spoiles made by the Moores The Moores returne into Italie Saba the Moore before Tarentum The Citie of Crotona Pythagoras and Milo the two ornaments of the Crotonians The battaile of Crotona The Greekes stir The Venetian Armie defeated before Crotona The Moores came into Dalmatia The Narentineâ—… roâ—…des euen to Caorli Pope Bennet comes to Venicâ—… The bodies of S. Pancracius and S. Sabina brought to Venice The Emperour Lotharius confirmes the franchizes of Venice Great strife among the Citivens Duke Tradonico murthered The Princes household-seruants retired into the Palace doâ—… Capitulate Three men appointed by the people to enquire of the Princes murther The murtherers punished Pouegia newly inhabited The Saracens before Grada The Sâ—…racens fought with before Grada Dorsse dura newly inhabited Vrso declared Prothospater of the Grecian Empire The Dukes brother taken by the Count of Commachia Duke Giouanni doth voluntarily depose himselfe The Duke dies fighting with the Narentinâ—…s Giouanni Parti tiatio takes again the gouernment vpon him The Citie 〈◊〉 fortified The Huns 〈◊〉 into Italie the sâ—…cond time Ciuill warre betwixt the Huns. Lewis King of Germanie Tributarie to the Huns. Berengarius defeated by the Huns. Treuiso taken by the Huns. The Huns assaile the Citie of Venice The great crueltie of the Huns. Exhortation to the Venetians The Venetians constant resolâ—…tion Battaile betwixâ—… the Venetians and the Hunnes The Venetians ouercome the Hunnes Great praise giuen to the Duke The Dukes son taken at Sea The Duke voluntarily deposeth himselfe becomes a Monke The originall of the plaies dedicated to them that are married The Commachians vanquâ—…shed Complaints against the Narentines A fleet sent against the Narentines The Dukes son which was his Colleague stirres vp sedition in the Citie The Dukes son banished the Citie A solemme oath made by the Clergie and chiefe Citizens The sonne warrs on the Venetians The Duke dyes for griefe The Church of the Augustines builded The Generall Councell held at Rome declares the Church of Grada for Metropolitan The Duke puts awaie his wife The Duke marrieth Vualdeâ—…ta daughter to Guido The Dukes tirannie Uderza taken and ruinated by the Duke The people assaile the Duke The Duke seekes to saue himselfe and his yong son The Dukes request to the people The death of the Duke and his son â—… The bodies throwne vpon the common dunghill Buried afterwards verie honourably The great harm which the fier did the same day He refuseth to take the charge vpon him The people â—…weare to the Prince The Palace and Saint Markes Church repaired Vrseolo ouercomes the Sarazens before Barri The husband wife â—…ow chastitie The complaint of Vitalis Bishop of Grada The Emperours answere to Vitalis A maruailous example of for tune Berengarius his some Albert defeated The Histrions tributarie to the Venetians Guerin comes in pilgrimage to Venice The Prince resolues to giue ouer his place How the Prince spent the time in the meane space till he departed The Dukes secret departure Otho the second hateth the Venetians Ciuill discordes The cruel intent of the Caloprini Dominico Morosino
was cut in peeces by the people and his bowels being rent forth of his body were torne in peeces by some of the multitudes teeth his wife likewise who was reported to bee of the royall bloud of France was slaine with him But neither was Charles the leader of this Armie nor did this happen which they report And the common consent of the crediblest Historians makes me to beleeue that it was Pepin which made warre on the Venetians But whether it were the one or the other it is certaine that the Venetians did wholly preserue their libertie and became open friends to either Empire ¶ ANGELO PARTITIATIO the 10. Duke of Venice and the first at RIALTO SOme report that Obellerio being slaine his brother Beato held the Principalitie and others say that Obellerio and Beato being expelled Valentin their yonger brother commanded in the Citie But howsoeuer it was for it is hard to iudge the right in such diuersitie of opinions it is certaine that the Gouernement of these three lasted not aboue fiue yeares Angelo Partitiatio succeeded these three who was the first that held his seate at Rialto They gaue him two yearely Tribunes to assist him in all thinges Some say he had the surname of Badoairio from whom the Badoairians are descended The most curious Historians haue numbred the Partitiatij among the noblest families which came from Heraclea to Rialto And that which makes me easily to beleeue it is because among the most memorable matters acted in his Gouernment we find the reparation of Heraclea which by reason thereof was afterward called Villa-noua And because that in the time of the warre with the French a great number of people ranne to Rialto so as the place was filled with an incredible multitude of inhabitants it came to passe that threescore small Ilands next to them were ioyned together by Bridges But all men did thinke this place for the great multitude of people and for the commodiousnesse thereof worthie that the Soueraigne Magistrate and the whole State of the Commonwealth should reside there And with a good and happie presage for the Duke and the whole Venetian State it was decreed That Rialto should euer after bee the Princes seate According to this conclusion to the end that the Soueraigne Magistrate should not want a house the Duke himselfe did forth with appoint a place whereon to build the Dukes Pallace which stands as we see at this daie neere to the goodly Church of St. Marke But we may truly say that it is only the olde Pallace which Partitiatio did edifie For the other neighbour-buildings confronting the Senate-house doe represent a newer architecture For it is nor likelie that in those daies they could tell from whence to haue gotten so manie costlie pillars and excellent stones their meanes being then verie small But whether it were in Partitiatios time or since as it is most credible by the report almost of all Annalists that this worke was built the excellencie and greatnesse thereof doth deserue that such a thing should not be buried in silence But because it would be too tedious a matter to particularize all the singularities of that place wee will speake onely of the admirable structure thereof This place then as it is appointed to manie and sundrie purposes hath likewise manie and diuers fronts whereof that which lookes vpon the West and South is vnder-propt by two rankes of columns and that which supporteth the whole burthen of the worke hath pillars of a strange kinde of stone rather bigge then long The Arches are verie sumptuous made of the same matter and workemanship embracing vnder the bending of a costlie vault diuers columns set verie neere together That ranke which is aboue is made almost of the same stone and fashion and because it hath a greater number of Pillars they are the more slender and vnderneath enuironed with a verie thicke rew of other pillars but farre lesse so as they doe not onely serue for a staie but for a meruailous adornment But as well the vppermost ranke whereof we now spake as the lowest doth make a great gallerie the most spacious part whereof is almost wholly possessed by the market-place The remainder of the front euen to the toppe of the whole Masse which is of a verie rare stone red and white is so high that it troubleth as much as it delighteth the eies of the beholders being verie richly couered with lead Aboue the gallerie there is a part of a verie great Librarie stored with manie Greeke and Latine bookes the greatest part whereof was giuen by the last Will and Testament of Cardinall Bessarion The residue which lookes towards the South is the Comitia For I know not how otherwise to terme this place where euerie eight daies and sometimes oftner all the Nobilitie are assembled about the creation of Magistrates As also I will more freely call that part of the Palace which lookes towards the East The Court whereas the Senate vsually doe resort I vnderstand by the Senate that which they call the Councell of the Preguays by whom are handled the most important affaires of the Common-wealth For the ancient Fathers the Authors of this State haue among other things borrowed of the Romans to name those Preguays which debate in the Senate because they were intreated to deliuer their opinion concerning that which was spoken by him that held the cheifest place in the Senate But we will speake more amply in an other place We will now returne to the gouernment of Partitiatio who hauing two sonnes he sent the one named Iustiniano to Leo Emperour of Greece by whom he was liberally entertained and greatly honoured and praised and in the mean time he tooke the other named Giouanni for his Colleague whereat Iustiniano at his returne was in such sort moued as he obstinately refused to come and see his Father But the olde man being extreamely desirous to see his sonne after he had deposed Giouanni who refused to obaie his Father had not the people constrained him thereunto did associate Iustiniano and his nephew Angelo sonne to Iustiniano the people did confine Giouanni that was deposed to Constantinople Some saie that hee went of his owne accord to Pergamus to the Emperour Leon from whence returning he did by his Fathers commandement take his wife and children and went to Constantinople About the same time the Emperour Leon gaue Partitiatio the bodie of Saint Zacharie and part of the garments of our Sauiour Iesus Christ and of the glorious Virgin with a peece of the holie Crosse which he religiously lockt vp in Saint Zacharies Church which he had built He did moreouer translate the Monkes of the Couent of Saint Seruulo at the entreatie of the Abbot into Saint Hilaries Church which stood then in the farthest part of the Rialto And they which now knowe those places doe at this day shewe the ruines thereof in the firme Land Hee
they were constrained to make satisfaction and to send yearely to Venice for a tribute an hundred peeces of wine Pietro Bishop of Oliuollo sonne to Duke Pietro surnamed Tribuno placed the bodies of Saint Saturnine and Saint Nichodemus in the Church of Saint Maria Formosa And this is all we finde to haue beene done during the gouernment of Candiano who dyed in the second yeare of his regiment or as some others say the latter end of the seuenth ¶ PIETRO BODOARIO the 20. Duke of Venice PIetro Bodoario succeeded him who as hath beene said was taken prisoner in Sclauonia as hee returned out of Greece This man did likewise gouerne the Common-wealth two yeares Others say three and affirme that it was hee that ouercame the Histrians in the marshes of Caorli and restored the Virgins of whome wee lately spake More then this I finde not anie memorable matter done by him ¶ PIETRO CANDIANO the third the 21. Duke of Venice CAndiano sonne to Pietro succeeded him who being by his father associated to the gouernment was for his great pride banished But waxing by yeares more wise and modest hee was by the common 〈◊〉 of the people restored to his lost dignitie The Narentines in the meane time did by their thefts vexe all the neighbour-Seas so as the Venetians condition was in a manner to bee compared to theirs who are streighly besieged The shame and anger stirred vp euery one to reuenge saying It was a dishonour to the Venetians who had in times past obtained so many goodly victories on the bosome of the waters patiently to endure that a fewe base theeues who had no hope but in flight should so much presume as to leaue the Venetians nothing in safetie That diuers euen till then had beene by them vndone euen in the Cities sight and that there remained nothing for them now to doe but to come into the middest of the Citie and knocke downe the wretched Citizens like heartlesse beasts Being mooued with these complaints they forthwith prepared a new Voyage against the Narentines And for the same purpose thirtie three Sips called for the maner of their building Gombaries were set forth Vrso Bodoairio and Pietro Rossolo commanded the Armie The Narentines being amazed at the reporte of this Nauie had not the spirits to attend them but by Ambassadours they sued for peace which was graunted them vpon these conditions That they should pay vnto the Venetians the iust value of the hurt which they had till then done Some say that the Fleete returned as at other former times without doing any thing at all The League at the same time was renewed with the Bishop of Aquileia Dominico Bishop of Oliuollo caused certaine relickes of Saint Iohn Baptist to be reuerently placed in the Church builded in times past by his Ancestors in that part of the Citie which is called Embragola Duke Candiano in the meane time hauing three sonnes did elect for his Colleague neither the eldest nor the youngest but the second called Pietro who soone after became so insolent as hee durst in contempt of his fathers wholesome Counsels stirre vp certaine dissolute persons to raise a sodaine sedition in the Citie The whole Senate in manner fauoured the old father The animated seditious people followed the foolish young man and the sundrie affections of either party preuailed so farre as the Citizens were like to haue assailed one another in the middest of the Citie Candianos authoritie appeased those tumultuous parties readie to fight and on a sodaine by the peoples commandement the greatest number of whom were actors in this conspiracie the sonne was deposed and banished And at the same instant the Clergie and the chiefe of the Citie sware iointly neuer to suffer neither in the fathers life time nor afterward that seditious person Pietro Candiano to be restored againe to his place from the which he had iustly bin deposed Some say that he was by the people committed to prison and condemned to dye but at his fathers request they saued his life and banished him In his exile he went to Rauenna to Guido sonne to Berengarius some say Albert for Guido and obtained meanes at Berengarius pursute to make warre on the Venetians whose enemie hee had beene proclaimed Some thincke that Guido furnished him with six Gallies to this purpose For no one particular man had been able to enterprise so great a matter in a deiected fortune like his This rash young man did in short time take certaine Venetian shippes not farre from Rauenna wherewith the old Dukâ—… was so grieued as within fewe daies after he departed out of this life after he had gouerned seauen yeares or as some say eleauen ¶ PIETRO CANDIANO the fourth the 22. Duke of Uenice THe Citie being busied about the election of a new Duke the peoples affections being euer inconstant the whole multitude possessed with a wonderfull desire to see this absent yong man did on a sodaine by a publike decree repeale Candiano from bannishment and contrarie to the oath made aswell by the Clergie as the Principall Citizens installed him in his dead Fathers place But soon after the Citie and Pietro himselfe receiued the punishmeÌ„t of their rashnesse The one for contemning her oath endured a tirannicall gouernment with a publike losse by meanes of fier And the other for iniuring his Father and his Countrie It is reported that the more to honor him they sent three hundred barkes to Rauenna to accompanie him home For it were a madnesse to thinke that they were so manie shippes as some do write Now in this Princes daies Pietro Marturio Bishop of Oliuollo did with a sumptuous preparation builde the Church of the Augustines Ambassadours likewise at the same time were sent to Rome to Pope Leo and to the emperour Otho to entreat them that the Church of Grada might be declared by the generall Councell then held at Rome Metropolitane of the Venetians dominions and of Histria The which they did not onely obtaine but brought home other priuiledges graunted to the Venetians The Duke in the meane time did repudiate Ioane his wife because as he said she was old He had a sonne by her named Vitalis who taking holie orders vpon him was by his Father disinherited vnder colour of entring into Religion But it occasioned his future good for he became afterwards Bishop of Grada Now his wife being put away and sent to Saint Zacharies Nunnerie he married Vualderta daughter to Guido with whom he receiued for her dowrie great inheritances manie slaues and other riches By meanes whereof being puft vp with his great wealth and new alliance he vomited out his bad 〈◊〉 which till then hee had hidden and gaue himselfe to all manner of vices beginning openly to practize tirannie in sted of a iust gouernment He became proude and full of menaces He had rather be feared than loued of the people He did moreouer leuie a mightie Armie
and marched against the inhabitants of Vderza saying that they did wrongfully hold from him certaine lands belonging to his wife Hee did first spoile the Countrie round about then he assailed the Citie which beeing taken hee burned downe to the ground Some Authors affirme that vpon the same occasion he assailed likewise those of Ferrara and that he tooke by force a Citie of their confines These warlike actions made him more insolent For he placed a companie of soldiors in the Dukes Palace for his guard and all his speech and actions sauoured of tirannie The people calling to minde their ancient libertie fel on a sodaine vpon him the seuenteenth yeare of his gouernment as some saie or the eighteenth according to others For the Historians doe much disagree concerning the times of euerie Princes gouernment But with his Guarde defending himselfe valiantly from the top of his house they set fier on the houses next to the Palace on this side the Canall on the same side the winde did blow which being kindled the flame did not onely burne the Dukes Palace but Saint Markes Church Pietro seeing himselfe inuironed with so manie miseries and that he must bee constrained either to giue place to the peoples furie or else to die there he tooke his yonge son which he had by this last wife in his armes and went into that part of the Church which the fier had not yet touched and comming forth by a priuie way he endeuoured to saue himself and his sonne by flight whom he meant to carrie into Exile with him But when he perceiued all the waies stopped with Armed men he then fell to intreaties That they would not fall vpon him as on a cruell beast that they would abstaine from hurting him till he had excused himselfe to the people and then it should be at their choice either to put him to a cruell death if they thought it fit or else to saue his life as by their bountie they had done in times past whilst his Father liued at such time as they accounted him guiltie of Treason He did moreouer confesse that the people might be iustly mooued against him but yet the yonge childe in his armes was innocent that they should doe a most vnworthie deede If for the hatred they did beare to the Father they should murther the innocent creature who neuer yet had offended anie one All these entreaties were vaine and those who assailed him cried out a loud That it was lawfull for them being an holie and iust matter to take awaie a Tirant from the Common-wealth whose excuses could not be but wicked And so rushing vpon him he did in a moment fall downe dead to the ground wounded in diuers places with his yong sonne likewise Some saie that they did cut the childes throate in the trembling nurses armes and that the bodies were by the peoples command throwne vpon the dunghill and there left to bee eaten with dogges but that at the intreatie of Giouanni Gradonico that lamentable spectacle was remoued from the sight of the multitude and the bodies honorably buried in St. Hilaries Church Some thinke that through the counsell of Pietro Vrseolo who was Duke after him the people fired the houses next to the Palace and that it was done onely to hurt the Duke But it fell out otherwise For the force of the winde and the houses neere to the Palace did in such sort feede this fier as besides the Palace the most magnificent Cathedrall Church of the Citie and those of Saint Theodore the Martir and Saint Marie Iubenica with three hundred priuate houses were the same daie burnt The end of the third Booke of the first Decade THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE FIRST DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice ¶ The Contents of the fourth Booke of the first Decad. THe Dukes Palace burnt in the last popular sedition is repaired at VRSEOLO'S cost who succeeded CANDIANO He giues a most rich Table to laie vpon Saint MARKES Altar VITALIS Patriarch of Grada sonne to the deceased Duke CANDIANO flies to the Emperour OTHO ADHELETA a most renowned Ladie and her manie crosses The league renued with those of the Cape of Histria VRSEOLO moued with a Religious desire doth secretly leaue the Citie The Common-wealth endangered by ciuile discorde OTHO the second makes secretwarre on the Venetians whom he first seekes to ouercome by famine Saint GEORGES Churche built right opposite to the great market-place The description of the Countrie of Illiria All Histria and Dalmatia brought vnder the subiection of VRSEOLO The Emperour OTHO the third comes to Venice in disguise and remaines secretly for a time with the Duke The Phaledrini build Saint BENETS Church The Venetian ouercomes the Hadrians neere to the mouthes of the Riuers Po and Adice They fight likewise afterward with good successe in Dalmatia with Heresimus King of Croatia Prince OTHO banished DOMINICO VRSEOLO flies to Rauenna the morrow after he had seised on the Dukes Palace being driuen thence by the people Those of Zara reuolt after they had first yeelded to the Venetians PEPIN Patriarch of Aquileia troubleth the quiet of the Common-wealth From whence the Normans are descended who haue a long time reigned in Italie and Sicilie GISCARD their Captaine The Venetians vanquish the Normans at Sea neere to Durazzo THE Common-wealth hauing by the Dukes death preserued her ancient libertie it was an hard matter to declare whether of these two were the greatest either their ioye for being freed from tyrannie or their sorrow to see so many publique and priuate buildings consumed to ashes by the late fire which did maruellously deface the Cities beautie But fearing least such an astonishment might breed some greater mischeife in the Citie as it is often seene that one new sorrow followeth another at the heeles they forthwith created a new Duke But yet they sought out one differing in humour and qualitie from him that last deceased But they needed not make any farre search being so well furnished neere at hand ¶ PIETRO VRSEOLA the 23. Duke of Uenice THe vertuous wisedome of Pietro Vrseolo being at the same time knowne to all men was the cause that at the generall assembly held at Saint Peters Church for the same purpose which is at this day the Patriarks seat he was with a generall applause declared Prince who refusing this charge tooke it vpon him at the peoples entreatie who told him that he ought not to forsake the Commonwealth in so dangerous a season Yet it is most certaine that hee vnwillingly embraced it For being from his youth brought vp and trained in the loue of Iustice hee was afraid of popular gouernment which seldome or neuer respects the innocent But the affection which hee did beare to his Countrie for the which we are chiefly borne as saith diuine Plato made him not to abandon his fellow-citizens in so great a danger So soone therefore as hee was chosen Prince
because there was some likelihood that the state of the Common-wealth could not bee on a sodaine established but that greater troubles were to be expected in a Citie newly mutinied for her Princes massacre to the end to make the people more obedient he bound them vnto him by oath and protested that hee would in no sort endure any enterprise to bee vndertaken against himselfe nor the State whilest hee should manage the soueraigne dignitie And because the Pallace had beene burnt he transported the ensignes and Ducall dignitie into his owne priuate house meaning neuerthelesse to returne to the Pallace so soone as it should be reedified His gouernment began by repairing these two places which he did at his owne costs more magnificently than they were before Now the Church being thus beautified hee caused the bodie of the Euangelist which few people thought had escaped the fire to be brought againe into it He gaue besides to the same Church a table of gold richly wrought at Constantinople which hee caused to be dedicated with greate solemnitie on the high Altar About the same time or a little before the Sarracens being entred in two companies into Italie after they had taken Capua they beseiged Barri by land and Sea a towne seated betwixt Brundusium and the mouth of the Riuer Aufida the poore inhabitants where of enduring all miseries through want of foode were succored with victuals by the Venetians fleet vnder the conduct of Vrseolo But because the Barbarians did notwithstanding ouer-streightly presse those of the towne Vrseolo accompanied with the aide of Greece came and fought with the enemie on the Sea and hauing defeated the greatest part of them and put the residue to flight he purchased great glorie to the Venetians He had but one sonne by his wife Faelicia and as soone he was borne they both vowed chastitie He gouerned the State in the meane space with such wisedome and integritie as men did easily perceiue by his carriage that he had not accepted the charge thereof for any desire that he had to command but for the good onely of the Common-wealth in such sort as a peaceable gouernment had succeeded the tumults of the deceased Duke if certaine Authors and Ministers of the late Duke Candianos furie had not resolued to trouble the publike peace At these mens perswasions Vitalis Bishop of Grada who was as hâ—…th beene said reiected by his father vnder colour of entring into religion fled into Lombardie to the Emperour Otho the second where after hee had greatly complained of the miserable death of his father Pietro hee besought him with great instance to reuenge it in regard he had beene some time his frend and guest Happily some would say that hee was iustly slaine but they could not say so of the young infant his brother whom they had cruelly murthered in his fathers armes He did moreouer manifest his owne banishment which his very enemies lamented wherein he was likely to wax old and to die farre from his natiue Countrie if he were not by some forraine aide reestablished in the Citie from whence he had beene so vniustly driuen by his fellowe Citizens His complaint and teares did greatly mooue the Emperour Otho who seemed priuatly to be greatly displeased at his guests miserie whereupon after hee had giuen him some hope of returning into his Countrie hee willed him to be of good courage and to be merrie in his companie till a fit occafion were presented to send him home which he promised shortly to effect with all his power Vualderta in the meane season Vitalis his mother in law being come along with him went to Adheleta Othos mother who then laie at Placentia and by her meanes she was soone after with the consent both of the Prince and people admitted into the Citie It is not vnnecessarie in regarde it bolongs to our Historie briefly to rehearse by what meanes Adheleta returned to the Imperiall dignitie from whence she fell by the decease of her first husband She married first of all the Emperour Lotharius a great friend to the Venetians He being dead Berengarius his successor confined her for euer into the Castle of La Garda whereof the goodliest Lake of Italie doth at this day beare the name where she was brought to such pouertie as begging her bread by letters and messages she led a miserable life Whereby wee may leame that there is no man so great did not the foolish admiration of wordly riches make men forget their weakenesse but may confesse that there is nothing in this world so firme and certaine which a man may promise to himselfe long to enioy Adheleâ—…a escaping secretly from this place came to Verona to Alard who as I thinke was Bishop of the Citie for it is certaine that the familie of the Alardi are at this day of great account there This man because hee had no place where he might hide such a Ladie sent her to Accioni his vnkle who was in times past a good friend to Lotharius who hid her a long time in a countrie-house tenne miles distant from the Citie vntill such time as knowne to himselfe alone she married for her second husband Otho the first who carried her into Germanie by whom he had a sonne which was the Emperour Otho the second of whom wee euen now spake Who after he had not onely defeated Berengaria and Albert his sonne but wholly ouerthrowne them and by their ruines confirmed the Empire to himselfe hee made peace with the Venetians at the request of his mother Adheleta against whom he was incensed for the murther of Prince Candiano About the same time there arose a new strife with those of the Cape of Histria which was soone appeased by the meanes of a new League wherin it was expresly couenanted That they should paie vnto the Venetians euerie yeare an hundred Hogsheades of wine The Bishops of Grada haue for a certaine time gathered this tribute in the peoples name Thus stood the State of the Common-wealth which was sodainly depriued of the presence of this good Prince by an vnheard-of accident A certaine man named Guerin comming from Aquitaine in pilgrimage to Venice to visit Saint Markes bodie was brought before the Prince according to his appointment which was that all those who should come to the Citie for anie deuotion should be bountifully entertained in his Pallace This man hauing a great while discoursed of religion and of Pennance for this stranger was by profession a Moncke brought the Prince by little and little to this passe who of himselfe was sufficiently addicted thereunto as he forthwith thought vpon meanes how he might giue ouer the gouernment And to put it in practise hee craued but so much time of the stranger as was sufficient for the quiet setling of the Common-wealth and hauing prayed him to returne within a yeare he dismissed him Vrseolo in the meane time gaue himselfe to
disarmed and the Towne being razed downe to the earth by his commandement he departed sodainly from thence and came to Saint Maximins The Commissioners of Ragusa with their Bishop came and met him and submitted themselues to him and to the Venetian people The Duke after that entring their Countrie in hostile manner did put all to fire and sword The enemies being amazed at this spoile sent their Ambassadours to sue for peace which was graunted them on these conditions To paye vnto the Venetians the iust value of all the losse they had sustained from the beginning of the warres neuer after to exact any more tribute and not to suffer any Lord of their owne nation or a stranger for them and in their name to spoile and robbe at Sea The Narentines who had made warre on the Venetians for the soueraigntie at Sea the space of one hundred three score and tenne yeares with different successe many times embracing peace which was more necessarie than honorable for them did willingly accept these conditions All the prisoners being set at libertie the victorious Armie was embarqued The Duke after hee had freed the Sea from Pirats and brought all the Sea-coasts of Dalmatia Liburnia Histria vnder the Venetians subiection he returned with a prosperous winde to Venice where hee entred almost in a manner triumphantly the true ancient triumphes being no more in vse being enuironed by the people who highly praised him for his great victories vnto whom after hee had related what he had done and how by the grace of Almightie God and his owne conduct he had subiected to the Venetians all the Sea-coasts from Histria euen to the farthest parts of Dalmatia with all the Islands neere adiacent he was greatly extolled in an Oration And it was decred that euer after both he and his successors should carrie the title of the Duke of Venice and Dalmatia beseeching God that the same might be prosperous to him and to the Venetian Nation likewise It was moreouer thought fit to send new Magistrates to all the Cities of this new Prouince It is thought that Otho Vrso was sent to Ragusa his sonne to Spalatra Dominico Polano to Trahu Giouanni Cornare to Sicore called Sibinica by the Modernes Vitalis Michaeli to Belgrade and others to other townes whose names the length of time hath worne out Vrseolo repaired the Citie of Grada and with great cost caused diuers Palaces to be builded He caused the holie bodies of Fortunatus and Hermagoras with those of Dionise Largius and Hermogenes to be new in-shrined He caused likewise a goodly Pallace to be built at Heraclea with a Church according to those times the towne being then smally inhabited He did in such sort terrifie Giouanni Bishop of Belluna who troubled the Venetians by a sodaine prohibition to his subiects not to trafficke in any sort with them as hee did forthwith surrender whatsoeuer had beene taken vnto which the commandement of the Emperor Otho could neuer induce him withall humbly sued for peace which because it should last the longer he would haue confirmed by a new alliance He sent his young sonne afterwards to Verona to the Emperour Otho who had sent for him by letters whom at the holie Sacrament of Confirmation he named Otho who was called before then Peter He did moreouer obtaine of the same Emperour diuers new immunities and priuiledges of Faires Ports Concerning likewise the limits of Heraclea which extended in time past to the Riuer of Piauo Giouanni Diacono whom the Prince had sent to Verona to acquaint the Emperour with the conquest of Dalmatia had commandement to treat with him about it who easily obtained that they should stand at the same stay as they had done in ancient time Otho went to Rome from whence resoluing to returne into Lombardie hee commanded Giouanni who went along with him to write to Vrseolo that hee would be shortly at Rauenna from thence would secretly come to Venice to performe a vow that he had made and that therefore he desired to haue his comming kept secret because his determination was to come thither in disguise and with a small traine The Duke meruailous ioyfull at these newes did with a wonderfull affection attend the comming of such a guest The Emperour in the meane space came to Rauenna and from thence to Pomposia a place verie neere Ghoria at the mouth of the Riuer Po. Then in the night entring into a boat with fiue of his houshould seruants and Giouanni Diacono he came with a faire wind to Venice Hee went rather to the Monasterie of Saint Seruula than to anie Inne or Citizens house to the end that his comming might be the better concealed The Prince came to him by night in the same place where after a reciprocall gratulation for the arriuall of the one in health and with a prosperous winde to Venice and for the others happie exploits in Dalmatia they came about mid-night into St. Markes Church from whence so soone as Otho had made his prayers and accomplished his vow they went to the Pallace And because each of them were verie desirous to haue the arriuall of this new guest kept secret so long as the Emperour staied in Venice the Duke euerie day dined in publike but he supt in priuate with him And to the end they might be allied together not onely by the law of friendship hospitalitie but by another more strict and holie band Otho held a daughter of the Dukes then new borne at the Font the same day she was baptized He did for euer remit to the Venetians the Cloake of cloth of gold which the Common-wealth by accord solemnly sworne to were yeerely bound to giue vnto the Emperours Being honored likewise by the Duke with diuers great and rich presents hee went back againe to Rauenna Three dayes after Otho was departed the Duke commanded a generall assemblie where he publikely declared how that the Emperour Otho had beene in Venice in what manner he had beene at home with him for certaine dayes and what he had obtained of him It was verie pleasing to the people and they greatly praised Vrseolos wisdome for concealing the presence of so great a Prince And because he had so well deserued of the Common-wealth they permitted him soone after by a decree to associate Giouanni his sonne into the Principalitie whom hee sent thus honoured with the soueraigne dignitie with his wife and Otho his brother to Constantinople to the Emperours Constantine and Basilius from whence they returned soone after to Venice laden with diuers rich presents But because neuer anie humane prosperitie was seene to bee exempt from one trouble some accident or other of Fortune it hapned thus that before this old man otherwise most fortunate dyed he saw by two extreame miseries Plague and Famine and by the decease of his sonne and daughter in law hapned almost on one day the course of
from himselfe to the end that the Greeks should not afterward reedifie the Fort which the Venetians should demolish But on what pretence soeuer he did it the Commissioners being enforced to depart thence came to Venice The Senate tooke this refusall in bad part knowing that vnlesse Tenedos were deliuered the Common-wealths credit through one mans follie would be crackt among the Italians and forraine Princes and that all men would impute the blame to the Senate and not to one man alone And that besides their breach of faith it was to be feared that so soone as the Genoueses King Lewis and the other associates should heare that the Island was not deliuered to the Sauoyan they holding the couenants of peace to be broken would forthwith take Armes They therefore decreed to send to Mutatio and the Islanders Carolo Zeno was sent thither who neither by entreaties nor threats could alter his determination At Zeno his entrance because by one mans rashnesse the Common-wealths promise should not be infringed they decreed to proceed by Armes whereupon a speedie leuie of Souldiers was made vnto such a number as was thought sufficient to subdue the Island Fantino Georgio was made Generall of these forces He departing from Venice with sixe Gallies well Armed and arriuing at Tenedos landed his men and in an instant gaue a furious assault to the Towne and Castle There were great numbers of Archers in the Camp so was there in the Castle by meanes whereof at euery assault and sallie diuers died on either part Some say that they fought more eagerly than against ordinarie enemies For if any one were taken he was forth with hanged or else being put into one of the engines of Warre was in sted of a stone throwne into the Camp and so from the Camp into the Citie whereby it plainly appeared that it was neither the Prince nor Senates fault that the Island was not deliuered according to the treatie of peace but only through the wilfulnesse of Mutatio The siege lasted aboue seuen Moneths but victualls failing they yeelded on these conditions That neither Mutatio nor those who were with him should bee called in question for detaining Tenedos to the hindrance of the Common-wealth That the Inhabitants should depart forth of the Island with their gold siluer and other moueables That as many of them as would go dwell in Candie should haue as much Land there as they had in Tenedos and as many as would goe to Constantinople or else where should receiue money for the iust value of their Lands And in this sort those within gaue place to the Garrison The Castle being recouered Fantino entred it with two hundred Archers dismissing the residue of the Armie Giouanni Memo by the Senates decree did afterwards succeede him The residue of the Articles being performed and the Inhabitants being gone the Fort was at the last razed The Thryestines who in the hottest of the warre were reuolted from the Venetians fearing that so soone as they should be at quiet both by Sea and Land they would on a sodaine come and inuade them did yeeld to Leopold Soone after King Lewis died At the first it was thought that his death would in some sort abate the pride of Prince Carrario who till then had neuer ceased to molest the Treuisans but on the contrarie in sted of desisting he assailed them more furiously than before and gaue them so many assaults and ouerthrowes as Leopold despairing of being able to defend the Citie did on certaine conditions giue it ouer with her confines to the Paduan who in a manner was Conquerour All this hapned almost three yeares after that peace had beene established by Sea and Land But in the meane time Prince Contareni died after he had gouerned fourteene yeares and was honourably buried in St. Stephens Church ¶ MICHAELI MOROSINO the 61. Duke of Venice MIchaeli Morosino succeeded him At his entrie into the Gouernement a Law was made against Murtherers that whosoeuer should kill a man should loose his head whereas in time before they who were conuicted of such crimes were hanged according to the custome of the Countrie It was thought of a certaine that if his Principalitie had lasted any long time he would haue beautified the Common-wealth with sundrie holy Lawes and Statutes But by how much the hope thereof was greater by so much was his Regiment shorter For about foure Moneths after his Creation hee deceased and was buried in the Church of the Twinnes ¶ ANTONIO VENIERI the 62. Duke of Uenice ANtonio Venieri being absent was subrogated in his sted a man who besides his ancient Nobilitie was of a meeke and gentle disposition and beloued of all men Being called home from Candie where he remained he arriued the thirteenth of Ianuarie at Venice on S. Nicholas shore where the whole Senate and a great part of the people receiued him and from thence after diuers reciprocall embracements going into the Bucentauro he was with great ioy brought to the Ducall Palace His presence was the more welcome to all men because by reason of his long absence it had been so much desired He had beene seuen yeares absent with his familie and had well gouerned the Common-wealth in diuers places and chiefly at Tenedos His gouernment was very meeke and gentle without any tumult or strife in the Citie with plentie of all things which was greatly desired of all men But his owne domesticke losse did in some sort trouble the fortunate successe of his affaires Albeit I doe not well know whether his seuere iustice did purchace the old man more honour and reputation than his sonnes death did afflict him with griefe and sorrow He had a Sonne named Lodouico who was enamoured on a Senators wife But as it often happeneth some jealouzie arose betwixt the two louers whereupon this yong Lord by chance in disgrace of his Mistris whom he then hated caused hornes to be hung vp at her husbands gate Inquirie thereof being made the Prince being moued at the iniurie done to a Senator commanded his Sonne forthwith to be imprisoned where he remained till he died to the great griefe of all the people The same yeare at sundrie times the Marqueses of Aest and Mantua came to Venice with diuers other Princes and Princes Ambassadours to treate with the Senate concerning great affaires of State albeit some of them came but to see the Citie A while after peace still continuing abroade and at home great warre and contention arrising betweene Antonio Escalla of Verona and Francisco Carrario the elder Giouanni Galeas Visconte whose power was at the same time very great at Carrario his entreatie did make warre vpon Escalla and hauing vanquished him he tooke from him Verona and Vincenza Then as the desire of getting doth encrease when prosperitie doth follow vs he did as furiously assaile Padua as he had not long before done those of Escalla
taken prisoner was committed to the keeping of the Sacceans Malateste his dismission being knowne at Venice they beganne carefully to consider whom they should appoint for their Generall At the last among so many noble persons as were then in great number in the Armie Paulo Sabello a Roman Gentleman for his valour and great experience was alone thought worthie of that place By his conduct diuers places were in short space taken from the enemie and the Venetians beganne to haue better successe vnder this new General But the Tyrants arrogancie did no whit diminish whereby they knew of a certaine that he was to be dealt with in more places than one And therfore they leuied new forces and a new Campe as great as the former which should spoile and ouer-runne the territorie of Verona They made Francisco Gonzaga their associate in this warre Generall of that new Armie He comming sodainely on the Veronois did spoile all places and brought away with him a great bootie as well of prisoners as of Cattle he burnt the Farmes and Countrie houses he tooke certaine strong places and among the rest Hostilio and in a word he left the enemie in a manner nothing Carrario being then assailed in two seuerall places that great vsuall heat of his beganne by litle and litle to coole For he could not intend both places together nor were his forces sufficient being diuided into two to resist the enemies attempts His affaires therefore were of necessitie to goe backeward in both places or at the least in one of them In the meane time Prince Albert of Aeste being mooued with compassion of his friend and allie proclaimed warre on the Venetians who were readie enough to accept it He first sent aid to the confederates and after draue the Venetians foorth of the Pollesin Some Authors say that it was Nicholao sonne to Albert which made warr on the Venetians to whom Carrario had giuen his daughter Liliola to wife But whether it were he or the other according to the Venetian Annals who at the same time relieued the Carrarians the Venetians being displeased thereat did repeale Accio D'Aeste from Candie whither they had in time before confined him in fauour of Albert and hauing giuen him forces they caused him to warre on the territorie of Ferrara This Accio was before that time a deadly enemie to Albert and had without doubt driuen him from his estate if the Venetians the Florentines and those of Bolognia had not ouerthrown him in the height of his good fortune and confined him farre from Italie There was then some likelihood that so soone as this man should assaile the Ferrarois in his Countrie that he would either greatly molest him or enforce him to laie aside his Armes against the Venetians Therefore they armed certaine Gallies and gaue them to Giouanni Barba who at the mouth of Po sailed vp the Riuer where he did greatly affright those of Ferrara In the meane time diuers and sundrie skirmishes were made on the Riuer and else-where And the Citie of Ferrara being thus hardly pressed by water and land Albert to quench this great domisticke flame inclined to peace the which he obtained of the Venetians on these conditions That no more salt should be made at Comaccia and that hee should sweare besides to continue euer a friend to the Venetians These things were done neere to Ferrara but on the Paduan territorie they fought fiercely The Venetian had fortified his Campe at Nogara Then the Generall being gone from thence with part of his troupes came and encamped at Bassanelto Those Authors whom we follow expresse not on what occasion he did so The sonne of Francisco Carrario surnamed Tertius a valorous young man being sent by his father with a choise troupe of horse came and assailed the Campe. The Venetians at the first were so affrighted as the enemie came euen to the Generalls Tent and trode the Venetian Ensignes which where there erected vnder his feet before any man made resistance Sabello in this amazement with much adoe recalled his Souldiours and by earnest intreating now one and then another he restrained their shamefull flight sharpely reprehending their feare Then he commanded them to turne their faces towards the enemie and as he exhorted them hee marched foremost But so soone as the enemie perceiued the Venetians in armes and furiously bent to begin the fight fearing if he should ioyne with them he should be enforced to bring all his forces to the battaile turning his backe he retired on a gallop towards his Ensiignes who alreadie by their Captaines command had begunne the retreat The Venetians not being able to cause the enemie to stay suffered him to depart with certaine of their Ensignes which at his arriuall hee had taken from them Some say that they fought at Mansana and that the Venetians lost six hundred horse but they altogether conceale the losse of their Ensignes This victorious young man returning to the Citie as it were triumphing presented the people with a ioyfull shewe It is reported that afterwards diuers and sundrie exploits were executed and that diuers Townes were taken from the enemies as well of the Paduan as the Verona territorie Whilest these things were attempted Paulo Sabello dyed His bodie being brought to Venice was in great solemnitie accompanied by the whole Clergie the Prince and Senate to the Church of the Friers Minors His Image is to be seene on horse-backe before the high Altar Galeas Grumello of Mantua was by the Senates decree subrogated in his place Others say that Gonzaga brother to Prince Francisco succeeded him and not Grumello This man beganne his charge with as great care and diligence as could be desired in a great Captaine In the meane time Giacomo Suriano who lay in Vincenza because there was no doubt to be made of the Vincenzans loialtie affection towards the Venetians resolued by the permission of the Prince and Senate to goe with a companie of men at armes to the Venetians Campe on the territorie of Verona The enemie lying in ambush came forth and assailed this troupe of men at armes at Soaua and easily defeated them and being thus broken they tooke Suriano with diuers others prisoners The Veronois being wearied with so long and tedious a siege were alreadie determined to yeeld For they likewise did detest the Carrarians Giacomo Carrario commanded in the Citie who as we said in the beginning was giuen to the Veronois for their Lord and Prince Hee of himselfe perceiuing all things to be doubtfull and imagining that he should bee safer abroad than in the Citie being out of hope to keepe it attempted secretly to flie thence He came first to Hostilio and from thence crossing the Po he was taken on the Riuers bancks and brought to Venice But I know not what should mooue him to goe to Hostilio seeing it was at the same time vnder the power of
befall those which haue not meanes to maintaine and defend themselues is to be shrowded vnder a lawfull gouernment and that they would finde it to be as pleasing in that they had recourse to the only Fort of libertie hauing cast off a Tyrants yoake as doth that man which hath escaped out of a terrible tempest when he entreth into a safe Harbor They might then depart when they pleased and take with them the Venetians Ensignes and in so saying the Prince gaue them to the chiefe Ambassador and erect them in the middest of their Citie which he wished might proue to the Venetians and them alwaies profitable and honourable and being so erected to hold them in reuerence Then he willed them to execute justice and equitie in regard they had in times past obaied the vniust commandes of Tyrants In this sort the Ambassadours of Verona were dismissed Those of Padua following their example came soone after to Venice They were entertained as the former and the only difference was that in sted of white the Paduans were clothed in purple The end of the eighth Booke of the second Decad. THE NINTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the ninth Booke of the second Decad. LADISLAVS King of Hungarie restoreth the Citie of Zara to the Venetians Warre for a while in Dalmatia by meanes of the Sibensans What great hurt a sodaine storme hapning on the thirteenth of August did to the Citie and places neere about The Scythians make incursions on the Faires of Tane PIPVS entreth violently into Italie with great troupes of Hungarians FREDERICK soone followeth him thither Diuers encounters with the enemies on the Treuisan and Forlane Certaine new Magistrates are created in the Citie How the Venetians by the contention of those of Vdina entred in Armes into the Countrie of Friul which is reduced vnder the Venetians obedience Strangers come twice into Italie vnder the conduct of LEWIS Bishop of Aquileia CARMAGNOLLA forsaking PHILIP VISCONTE comes and serues the Venetians Sundry opinions of the Senate touching the warre in behalfe of the Florentines against PHILIP And last of all war is proclaimed against PHILIP the Venetians being allied with the Florentines PEace continued three whole yeares as well within the Citie as abroad All which time according to those whom we follow we finde no memorable accident to haue hapned In the end whereof being the yeare of our Saluation one thousand foure hundred and nine Ladislaus leauing Italie departed towards Hungarie to possesse his Fathers Kingdome Hee made a stay in Dalmatia before Zara. This Prince was sonne to the same Charles who in the time of the Genoueses warre did for a while besiege Treuiso from whence being afterward called hee went into Apulia to reuenge the death of King Andrew on Queene Ioane his wife where he conquered the kingdom of Naples but returning afterwards from Italie into Hungarie he was murthered by his owne subiects He left behinde him his sonne Ladislaus who in processe of time being likewise called to recouer his Fathers Kingdome came into Dalmatia and recouered Zara after hee had for a while besieged it In the meane time being aduertized by letters that the Neapolitanes with diuers great Lords of the Kingdome were readie to rebell fully resoluing to returne into Italie he sold that Citie with her Territorie Hauen and other appurtenances to the Venetians for the summe of one hundred thousand crownes Whereupon Francisco Cornari Leonardo Mocenigo Antonio Contareni and Fantino Michaeli were sent thither with a strong Garrison to take possession thereof We finde in some others that the Venetians receiued Zara before the Paduan warre was ended This negotiation was very pleasing to the whole Citie as well in regard of the hauen which is one of the most commodious in all Dalmatia as also because it being reduced vnder their obedience did seeme to promise them the entire Dominion of Dalmatia as it fell out soone afterward Some say that the Venetians did together with Zara buy of Ladislaus all his Title to Dalmatia Whereupon they made generall Processions in the Citie and a decree was made That the same day should be kept holy Within few Moneths after there arose great dissension betwixt the Sibensans the Nobilitie holding for the Venetians and the rest of the people for the King of Hungarie This seditious multitude did put on Armes and hauing thrust all the Gentlemen forth of the Citie they tooke the publike gouernment into their owne hands Those who were expelled went to the Venetians and hauing promised to yeeld themselues vnto them entreated them speedily to passe ouer into Dalmatia to recouer Sabenica The Venetians did forth with arme foure Gallies with about fiftie other smaller vessells The Citie being besieged was not only well defended but the Venetian was expulsed thence with great losse whereby they knew that it behoued them to haue a greater Armie whereupon the Senate sent thither Lodouico Buccecharino with great supplies to besiege it by Land At his arriuall they built a Fort neare to the Citie and all the passages were shut vp that no victualls armour nor reliefe might come vnto it And besides Ambassadours were sent into Hungarie Giouanni Barba and Tomaso Mocenigo both of them being Prouidatori of S. Marke went thither The affaires of the Sibensans being for a while debated was by the consent of the Hungarian and the Venetians referred to Pope Iohn to be decided But in this meane time Marsilio Carrario and Brunora of Escalla being then fugitiues in Germanie did each of them by Letters and trustie Messengers solicite their friends to stirrevp rebellion whereof the Venetians being aduertized it did greatly trouble them At the last it was knowne by letters intercepted by chance that Marsilio would be shortly at Padua where certaine of the Inhabitants who were louers of noueltie had put him in hope to be kindly welcommed One of those who were faultie being taken and conuicted of the fact was cut in foure quarters And an other of them being brought backe from Ferrara to execution lost his head betwixt the two Columnes Diuers were reported to haue a hand in the conspiracie but the Senate were of opinion that it was better to defer the punishment till some other time thinking in the meane time that they had sufficiently prouided for the Common-wealth if by containing the Paduans in their dutie they should for feare of danger keepe the Tyrants farre from Italie They appointed fiue thousand crownes for reward to any that should bring either of their heads to Venice About the same time on the thirteenth of August there hapned in the Citie so great a Tempest of Winde Haile and Raine as diuers ships were cast away some being swallowed by the waues and others dasht to peeces against the Sea-banks Diuers buildings as well publike as priuate were ouerthrowne and among others S. Sauiours steeple Trees were pluckt vp by the rootes and carried farre
whole Towne and hauing fortified his Campe with trenches and rampires he resolued to keep the enemie besieged vntill he should constraine him by force or faire means to yeeld vp the place The next day after that the Venetians were incamped Picinino retired a mile off into a place full of wood and water watching all occasions that if the enemie should commit anie errour he might cut off the Victuallers or those which kept the guard determining not to fight with his whole forces At this stay were Philips affaires who although hee were reduced to that want as after Picinino's returne he was inforced for the renewing of his Armie to borrow money of certaine of his Courtiers to take vp Armes on credite in shops and horse and victualls forth of the townes vnder his subiection yet neuerthelesse because he perceiued that the whole burthen of the warre would light vpon him and being of a great and inuincible courage and alway busied in warre he vsed all possible meanes to assure his subiects by new supplies The Venetians in like maner did the same beeing already in a manner victors And to make a greater shew of their power they leuied souldiers from all parts with greater pay than had euer bin giuen so as in a few daies they had before Martinenga aboue thirtie thousand fighting men besides the Souldiers boyes Laundresses and mechanicke people which vse to follow Campes The ordnance in the meane time still playing had made a very great breach which might haue beene easily approached if Sforza had giuen an assault But hee would not doe it fearing as some thought that Picinino would haue assailed his Campe while he should be busied at the assault At the same time it was by some supposed that the businesse was expresly drawne forth at length without any battel by the two Generals and that there was some secret practize and agreement betwixt them to diuide together the towns of Italie they supposing by the assurance of so great forces to be able with ease to seize on the Prouinces But this rumor had no certain author though perhaps some held it for certain But the Venetians who in no sort doubted of Sforza's loialtie had no mistrust thereof Sigismond of Ariâ—…ini vnto whom Malateste gaue his daughter Polixena in marriage came at the same time to Sforza's Campe. Ostasio Polentano who lay at Treuiso being taken as hee was going to the enemie with Ieronimo his sonne were confined into Candie where both of them not long after died by sicknesse In the meane time nothing was done before Martinenga The two Armies were not farre off from one another the one intending the fâ—…ege and the other how to surprize But the businesse on both sides went slowly forwards Philip being either incited by the reports that were dispersed of the trecherous accord made betwixt the two Generalls or else being wearied with the great expences of the warre or rather as some affirme being vrged with the insolent demands of Picinino and the rest that were in pay vnder him turning sodainly from Armes to peace resolued to commit his daughter Bianca and all his meanes to the trust discretion of Sforza He secretly therefore sent one called Vrbano Rosan of Pauia or as others write Eusebio Caiman to Sforza's Camp Howbeit those that haue most faithfully written this Historie say That Antonio Guidebon of Derthonna was first sent to sound him how he stood inclined to peace and presently after him Eusebio Caiman who finished the businesse It is reported that Sforza alone treated with this man from the second watch of the night till brode day-light concerning the conditions of peace and that in the morning both of them comming forth of his cabinet they publikely shewed themselues with smiling countenances Manie were already come to the Generalls tent as the manner is to bid him good morrow among whom was Maripietro the Prouidator Sforza turning towards him and the rest smiling said Gentlemen I proclaime peace to you wee must talke no more of warre nor Armes we must only thinke on peace and quiet This aduertisement being new and vnlookt-for seemed verie strange to the Venetian and the rest who asked of one an other what was meant thereby and why Sforza was so soone turned from Armes to peace and of Philips capitall enemie become his friend These newes were forthwith spred ouer the whole Campe And the Generall presently commanded the Souldiers no more to execute any hostile actions The like did Philips Commissioner cause to be done in Picinino's Armie It is reported for a wonder that the verie selfe-same day there was such a mutuall congratulat on among the Souldiers and such frequent comming to and fro from one Armie to the other vpon the only speech of peace as both Campes seemed to bee but one and that the next day the Captaines did publikely embrace and entertaine one an other Sforza in the meane time had sent Angelo Simonetto to Venice to acquaint the Prince and Senate with what had beene done Picinino did not long conceale his griefe but hauing drawne the Garrison forth of Martinenga he marched to the Territorie of Lodes where he greatly complained on Fortune and Philip for that they had betraied a poore lame and olde man O Fortune quoth he and thou Philip most ingratefull could ye without my knowledge treate of a businesse of so great consequence and is this the recompence of my seruices for the space of so many yeares in heate and cold faire weather and foule done to an vnthankfull Prince O how vaine are all my toiles and forepassed dangers To what purpose hath my loialty beene to what end my industrie why hath my labour and speed so often restored Philips affaires wholly ruined I haue serued and defended him in his soueraigne authoritie that now proueth mine enemie for certainely hee holdeth mee for such an one nor doe I thinke but that hee hates mee more than an enemie Hee hath giuen his daughter to Sforza he hath committed all his meanes vnto him But of wretched Picinino of whose loue affection and industrie he hath had so great triall hee hath no remembrance esteeming him not only vnworthie of greater honour but reputeth meanely of him not vouchsafing to acquaint him with the motion of the peace O how more than true is that saying That there is nothing more vaine and vncertaine than the fauour of a great Prince and that there is no more assurance in depending vpon such an one than in the wordes and actions of a mad-man Such were Picinino's complaints when Sforza after that he had recouered Martinenga and other Townes on the Cremonese and committed the troupes to Maripietro the Prouidator went to Venice where comming into the Senate he spake in this manner to the Senators Sforza his Oration in the Senate WEe haue O Prince and Senators by the fauour of Almightie God and your good fortune till now so daunted Philips great forces and in
children of two yeares olde rauishing maides and abusing married wiues The Souldiers did not commit this crueltie but the Voluntaries of the contrarie partie who to glut their hatred towards the poore vanquished did like brute beastes fall to murther and spoile The bootie which they brought from thence was thought to be more worth than two hundred thousand Crownes Besides Mount Barri being forced by Attendulo was sacked and spoiled Leco afterwards which is seated on the mouth of the Lake of Coma being for a time besieged could not be taken Moreouer diuers small townes neere to the Lake whose inhabitants were supposed would not long continue loiall were giuen ouer to be spoiled In this manner all places from the riuer Adda as far as Coma on both sides the Lake being reduced vnder the Venetians obedience the Souldiers being loden with bootie were brought back on the hither side of the riuer Whilst these things were done abroade the Citie of Venice was greatly afflicted with the plague the which daily increasing generall processions were made praiers said at the Saints Altars which were in the streets so greatly was the citie at that time giuen to deuotion Great fiers were made in the night time in sundrie places of the Citie with sweet odoriferous perfumes to amend and purge the aire Besides al those that were infected with the sicknesse were carried two miles off from the Citie to a place commonly called the Lazaretto Six boates were by the Signorie appointed for that purpose to the end there might be one in euery of the six quarters of the Citie into which the towne is diuided And because this place was found to be verie commodious not only to lessen the sicknesse but likewise for the reliefe of the poore for the sicke were there better and more commodiously look't to it hath been since then by little little stored with buildings all other necessaries An other hath been added neere vnto it for the same purpose of a costly structure which a far off seemeth to be a little towne Philips affaires were as hath beene said much disiointed when Sforza departing from Flaminia with 4000. horse 2000. foot whither he was come from La Marca to assemble forces went through the Territorie of Ferrara to that of Parma At his departure the Pope recouered al places of La Marca Ancona excepted For the Anconitans being besieged by Land and Sea Alphonso's nauall Armie did vex them by Sea that of the Pope by Land fearing if they should too rashly giue credit to the Souldiers who solicited them to yeeld their towne would be sacked did erect the Venetian Ensignes whereupon shippes of warre came presently from Venice who entring the Hauen defended the Citie The Anconitans beeing receiued into the alliance of the Venetians and Florentines as were those of Bolognia not long before Lorenzo Mini was sent thither with seuen Gallies for the guard of the Citie Some Historians write thus But many make no mention at all of the tumult of the Anconitans Two ships of war at the same time departed from Venice against the Pirates who troubled all the Sea-coasts the one was set forth by Giacomo Morosino and the other by Andrea Leone At Sforza his arriual in Lombardie the cauallerie which the Senate had appointed to withstand him marching through the Paduan territorie comming by an other way was sent on the hither side of the Po to Attendulo's Campe. The preparations for war were great on both sides at what time Philip the greatest warrior that euer was in the family of Viscontes being first troubled with a feauer and then with a flux dyed By his death all those of his partie and his subiects being amazed were possessed with sundrie thoughts Those of Lodes louing the name of libertie did voluntarily yeeld to the Venetians Foure daies after those of Plaisantia opened their Citie gates to the Venetians Giacomo Marcello placed strong Garrisons in both these Towns Then causing his troupes to crosse the Riuer Oglio he did in a short space recouer Colombana and in a manner all the Countrie of Lodes The Milaneses in the meane time did with great courage vndertake to pursue in their owne name the warre begunne by Philip and chose Sforza for Captaine Generall of their troupes against the Venetians on these conditions that if hee could take Bressia from the Venetians it should be his owne and if he should become master of Verona likewise that then Verona should be his and Bressia should returne to the Milaneses Some say that presently after Philips death Sforza wrote to all the Captaines of the Armie entreating them to perseuer in their loyaltie that hee would shortly be with them if those of Milan would send for him and that then their forces being ioined together he did hope with ease to ouerthrow those of the Venetians He then being made Generall by those of Milan came to Cremona From thence hauing crossed the Riuer Adda at Picigatone he ioined with Francisco Giacomo Picinino and with the other Captaines of deceased Philip and presently departing thence he did in a short space recouer Colombana The Venetian Armie because it was lesse than that of the enemies retired towards Lodes Those of Pauia being prouoked by their owne particular passion did proclaime Sforza's sonne by his wife Bianca Earle and Lord of their Citie in memorie of his Grand-father The Milaneses in a short space sent three Ambassades to the Venetians one after an other to demand of them that which had belonged to Philip. The Ambassadors were still answered after one manner that notwithstand all those Townes till then taken from Pqilip were well purchased by right of armes yet neuerthelesse that the world might see that the Venetians did loue peace better than war they were readie to surrender that which they demanded so that the Milaneses would truely pay them the great quantitie of gold which they had disbursed in that warre But they offering nothing were dismissed with nothing The Senate perceiuing the great warre they were to sustaine against Sforza and the Milaneses decreed to set forth a nauall Armie which should saile vp the Po to the farthest places of Lombardie and to that ende foure Gallies were armed and two and thirtie Galliots vnder the command of Andrea Quirini and Georgio Lauretano During these preparations at Venice Sforza hauing assembled all the forces of Lombardie went on a sodaine and besieged Plaisancia and hauing beaten downe a great part of the Walls betwixt the gates of Saint Lazarus and Saint Raymond and the Pobeing so risen at the latter end of Haruest as the vessells might easily come to the Walls he did by an assault by Land and Water take the Citie which was giuen to the Souldiers to spoile Gerardo Dandulo and Thadeo D'Aeste that lay in Garrison there with a thousand footmen and great troupes of horse were taken prisoners The one yeelded with the
the cause therof who hauing beene able in time to haue quenched that fire had by their mutual hatred auarice suffered it to encrease That they were to blush for shame to repent that they had not relieued that loyal Citie during the siege Therefore all men with one consent detested both the fleet and the Generall and a Decree was made that hee should be dismissed of his place and being sent for home he should giue an account why he had not relieued Nigrepont Pietro Mocenigo was by a generall consent subrogated in his place who was presently commaunded to make hast to the Armie In the meane time after the fleete had made some aboad at Sea Canalis and the rest determined to surprize Nigrepont and by an vnlookt-for assault to attempt the recouery of the Citie They concluded then among themselues that Giouanni Trono Nocolao Molino and Frederico Iustiniano should saile before with nine Gallies and so soone as they from the channell should perceiue the fleete to be neere the Citie then to land their men and march to assaile it on the other side But these men were somewhat too forward for being euuironed with great troupes of Turkes more than two hundred of them were in a moment slaine among whom was Giouani Trono a man whose valour did greatly appeare in that fight although their forces were not equall The rest of the fleete landing on the shoare being daunted with the death of their fellowes and perceiuing those in the channell to goe slowly to worke escaped to their Gallies And in this manner the fleete retired without any good successe to Aulida not farre from Nigrepont The same day somewhat before Sunne-set Pietro Mocenigo with three Gallies came to the fleet so soone as Canalis descried him hee descended into a long boat and went to meete him where after mutuall embracements hee acquainted him what his purpose had beene and why he had assembled that great fleete for the recouerie of Nigrepont which hee hoped to haue effected if hee had any longer tarried in commission But his hope was that what himselfe could not execute by reason of the losse of his place the new Generall by his valour and conduct would fortunately bring to passe all things being in a readinesse for that purpose Mocenigo said vnto him Pursue what thou hast begunne and if thou hast anie hope to recouer the Citie goe on a Gods name as for my selfe I am so farre off in this my new authority from hindering the publique good as on the contrarie I freely offer to aide and assist thee in this important businesse as a friend or ordinarie Captaine but he refusing to enter vpon an other mans charge Mocenigo dismissed the Gallies that had beene sent for and determined not to continue to the weale publiques losse and his owne dishonour an enterprize which had beene so vnfortunately begunne Then he departed for winter was at hand with the rest of the fleete into Morea determining at the Spring to remoue from thence and to attempt some notable exploit which should recompence the losse of Nigrepont Canalis so soone as hee came to Venice was condemned to perpetuall banishment Hee was confined to the Port of Gruare a town of the Forlani where to lessen the griefe for the losse of his country he spent the time in hunting and studie Mocenigo during that winter was not idle for hee repaired his Gallies and sent to the Islands on the Aegean Sea to comfort and assure the Inhabitants who were yet daunted with the losse of Nigrepont Thus was he busied when Marino Maripietro and Lodouico Bembo did about the beginning of the Spring come as Prouidators to the Armie who were sent thither that Mocenigo together with them might manage the affaires of the Republique Ricaosa came thither likewise from Apulia with tenne Gallies being sent by King Ferdinand to make warre on the Turkes in the company and by the aduise of the Venetian Generall The losse of Nigrepont had troubled all the Princes of Italie and especially king Ferdinand who the more he perceiued the frontires of Apulia and Calabria to lie open to the Turkes inuasions the more did he feare their prosperitie and aduancement Ottoman fearing that by his taking of Nigrepont from the venetians all Christian princes would arme against him was willing to trie if hee could make peace with the Venetians or at least if that could not be done to draw the businesse out in length to the end that time might sweeten the sharpenesse of that losse But because hee would not haue them thinke that hee did it for feare hee was content to vse the mediation of his mother in lawe who was a Christian and Daughter to George who in former times had beene Prince of the Tribulles She hauing beene made acquainted with her sonne in lawes meaning sent one of her houshold seruants to Venice from her to aduertize the Venetians that they should doe well to send their Commissioners to the Turke and that if they were desirous of peace it should be graunted them and peraduenture vpon better conditions than they hoped for Hereupon Nicolao Coco and Francisco Capello were sent to her by Sea who found her in a village of Macedonia where shee remained and from thence they went by land to Ottoman But peace being treated of and the Conditions propounded not pleasing and the Commissioners beeing by Letters called home to Venice Capello being troubled with a feauer died at Constantinople Coco in a fisher boat went to Lemnos and from thence in a Gallie that he found there by chaunce sailed to Candie And thus by the going to and fro of Ambassadors by treaties of peace at Constantinople and by transporting of Letters from both sides all that Summer was spent to no purpose Winter drawing neare the Kings nauie returned to Naples and the Prouidators being called home by the Senate went backe to Venice Within a while after Prince Moro died hauing gouerned the Common-wealth nine yeeres and six moneths Hee was buried in Saint Iobs Church which together with the Monasterie neere adioyning hee had erected at his owne proper costs During his gouernement the Citie was not onely beautified with that building but the inner side of the entrie into the Pallace which was begunne before then vnder Maripietro was in his time wholly finished where his Marble Statue is to be seene with two others vnderneath him representing our two first parents wrought by Antonio Crispe the skilfullest Caruer of his time Saint Peters Steeple of the Castle made of a white square stone which is an excellent peece of worke was then builded ¶ NICOLAO TRONO the 68. Duke of Venice NIcolao Trono succeeded Moro whose short gouernment was verie fortunate because the Venetians in his time made a league with the king of Persia and vnited the famous Isle of Cyprus to their dominions The Senate sent Messengers to the Pope and to King
Cities gouernour presuming vpon them would not endure to heare tell of yeelding But when the Venetian perceiued it to be time to vse force and no threatning he planted his Ordnance on the South and West sides of the Citie and hauing made a great breach in the wall Ismael yeelded on conditions to haue his owne life and those of his souldiers saued The Venetian surrendred the Citie to Caraman From thence he went to besiege Seleucia Seleucus one of Alexander of Macedons successors builded it fiue miles from Sea This Citie is now ruinate Nessembeg lay in Garrison in the Castle which was strong by situation and art who although at first he made shew not to yeeld yet so soone as he perceiued the ordnance other engins to be planted against him he forthwith yeelded the fort the garrison to the Venetians who by Souranza did presently deliuer it to the king his friend Caraman hauing won his kingdom presented the Venetian general with a horse bridled sadled barded withsiluer with a tame Leopard giuing him infinite thanks for that by his meanes he had recouered his fathers kingdome assuring him that whatsoeuer his brother and himselfe should possesse they would euer confesse to hold it of the Venetians Warre being in this manner ended in Cilicia Mocenigo hearing no newes of the king of Persias Armie determined to inuade Licia which had not as yet tasted the miseries of war But newes being brought vnto him that Iames king of Cyprus lay grieuously sicke of a Dissenteria or flix he sailed to Cyprus to visit him The Venetian being come into the Island hauing after reciprocall salutations enquired of his disease of the remedies applied thereunto entreated the king to be of good cheere and with patience to beare the force of his maladie who made him this answere I know verie well most excellent Captaine and feele how that by the violent torment of my disease I am in great danger of life and not to flatter my selfe I haue no hope to escape I make my deerest wife with the childe which she beares in her body mine heires and she is as thou knowest daughter to Marco Cornari and being adopted by the Venetian Senat was by it giuen to me in mariage If I die which I make no question of I recommend my wife issue and kingdome to the Venetians And I heartily entreat thee in regard of our friendship and for the greatnes of the Venetian state if it come to that that thou wouldest defend and keepe both her selfe issue and kingdome from all wrong and oppression Thy body quoth Mocenigo most Royall King is yet in good estate and thou in the prime of thine age which may put thee in good hope of speedy recouery but if it should fall out otherwise which God forbid I bescech thee be confident that neither my selfe nor the Venetians forces will euer be wanting to thee or thine And then taking leaue of him he speedily sailed with all his fleete to the Islands neare to Licia from thence going to the firme land and carrying away a great bootie from that coast he resolued to besiege Micra a towne neare to the sea and because hee had small hope that it would otherwise yeelde hee planted his ordnance on both sides The wall was in some places very much shaken when Aiasabet Gouernour of Lycia shewed himselfe with great troupes of souldiers The light horse of Morea went against him and there was a cruell fight on both sides Aiasabet being slaine the Turkes were with great slaughter broken and put to rout An hundred and fiftie of the enemies heads were brought to the Campe and being fixed vpon launces with that of Aiasabet were set vp neere to the walles to the end the besieged might behold them Charago the Tribull who commaunded in the Citty being daunted with the disaster of his Countrymen and perceiuing a great part of the wall to be beaten downe he capitulated for himselfe and the Inhabitants that they might haue their liues saued and depart whither they pleased This being graunted the Venetians sacked and burnt the citie From thence the fleet sailed to Flisca which in times past was opposite to Rhodes but at this day there is nothing to be seene but the ruines the territorie round about it is filled with Villages The horse of Morea and the Mariners being landed wasted all that Countrey The Generall had determined to passe the streight and had already commaunded the Captaines of the Gallies to bee ready to that end when the Messengers of Charlotta sister to the King of Cyprus whom her brother had driuen foorth of the kingdome and like a banished woman had liued a long time at Rhodes arriued who certified the Generall of the King of Cyprus death by whom his sister Charlotta being borne in lawfull matrimonie had been wrongfully expelled from her fathers kingdome They craued his aide and entreated him to assist the King of Cyprus daughter and kinswoman to the Duke of Sauoy and to restore her to her fathers kingdome from which her brother sonne to a concubine had driuen her Mocenigo after that he had acquainted them with the auncient league and alliance which had beene betwixt the Venetians and King Iames answered That in the Common-wealths name he would doe the Ladie Charlotta all right yet hee did greatly wonder that shee did not remember how that the right of Kingdomes is rather debated by the Sword than by Law And that the Realme of Cyprus had not beene onely taken from her and from the Genoueses who then held a part thereof That for his part hee knew how that the wife of the late King the adoptiue daughter of the Venetian Senate being left with child had beene together with the fruit of her wombe made heires by the deceased King before his death and therefore hee tolde them plainely That hee would in that iust quarrell take vpon him the defence of the Queene wife to the late King who did hope ere long to be mother to a King Hee willed them then to depart and to seeke aide elsewhere against her for hee was resolued in honour of the Republique to defend her from all wrongs and oppression The Ambassadors being dismissed with this answere he determined to passe the streight but in the meane time hee receiued Letters from Catharine Zeno which did aduertize him that the Armies of the Persian king and the Turke were not farre off from one an other and that their meaning was to fight with displayed ensignes for the finall deciding of their controuersie that he should doe well speedily to bring his fleete to the sea coast of Cilicia whither the Persian king promised to bring his troupes there to treate with him after what maner the warre should be managed These Letters made the Venetian to giue ouer his iourney into the streight and to shape his course towards Cilicia and after that
Sanseuerino were still retained in the Signories pay and each of them made Captaine of sixe hundred horse Sebastiano Badoario and Bernardo Bembo were sent to the Pope to accomplish this Treatie All matters thus concluded the Senate made decrees concerning the expences of priuate families womens garments and generally against all superfluities namely dice and cards-play sauing aâ—… weddings Innes and vnder the two Columnes in S. Markes place with this addition That the summe which was plaid for should not exceed the fifth part of an ounce of gold There was a rumour at the same time That Baiazet the Turkish Emperour made incursions on the Aegean Sea The Senate hereupon commanded Francisco Priuli at that time Generall of the Gallies to be in readinesse to put to Sea And because they supposed that the Turkes had an intent to inuade Cyprus he was commanded to saile thither Priuli embarking his souldiers in Aprill went to Corfou and from thence to Modon accompanied by Cosmo Pascalis the Prouidator where Nicolao Capello the other Prouidator met them augmenting the number of their vessels with which being fiue and twentie Gallies and tenne Brigandines they set saile and the fifth day after arriued in Cyprus The report of this Turkish fleet consisting of many long vessels which had sailed by Cyprus through the Gulph of Aiazza and then returned into the Hellespont without any exploit bred a longing in the Senate to impatronize the Realme of Cyprus As also because Ferdinand king of Naples went about to make it his by means of a marriage which he secretly treated betwixt his sonne and Queene Katherine borne in Venice of the illustrious family of the Cornares giuen in marriage by her father Marco Cornari to Iames of Lufignan king of Cyprus with a dowrie of a thousand pound of gold This Queene a little after her husbands death being a widow and with child by him was by his last will and testament left coheire with the childe she should bring foorth and yet committed to the protection of the Venetian Senate who at her marriage adopted her their daughter After the kings death she was deliuered of a sonne who died before the yeere was expired Then did certaine Lords of the Island goe about to raise commotions but the Senate sent forces thither vnder the commaund of a Prouidator together with the Queenes father who were still to attend vpon her so as these stirres were on a sodaine appeased The Realme then being at quiet the Queene vnder the Senates protection had for the space of fifteene yeeres peaceably gouerned that kingdome when Ferdinand vnderhand by two of his familiar friends practised the said marriage Their names were Riccio Marini of Naples an inward friend with the late king and Tristan Cybelletto of Cyprus who had a sister attending on the Queene these two comming thither from Ferdinand were apprehended by the Generall of the fleete and presently sent to Venice but Tristan died by the way hauing swallowed a Diamond and druncke Sea-water after it for hee knew that if he came to Venice the Senate would punish him according to his deserts because after the kings death he had raised tumults in the Realme and slaine Andrea Cornari the Queenes vnckle The Councell of Tenne moued by these practizes fearing Ferdinands pollicies and the Turkish preparations together with the king of Syriaesneere neighbourhood commaunded Georgio Cornari the Queenes brother to goe into Cyprus to her and perswade her to remit the gouernement of the kingdome to the Venetian Senate and her selfe to returne to Venice where she might spend the remainder of her dayes merily in her owne Country among her friends and kinsfolkes and not trust her life and meanes among strangers in aforraine Realme Georgio Cornari imbarked himselfe in a small vessell to make the more haste and in the winter time in a short space arriued in Cyprus where hee presently acquainted his sister with the cause of his comming The Queene wondred at his demand as one that had beene wont to liue royally and knew the sparing and parcimonious life of the Citizens of Venice and boldly refused it saying That shee would not for the world forsake so rich and goodly a Realme and that the Senate ought to be satisfied with enioying it after her death He insisting on the contrarie intreated her not to make more account of Cyprus than of her owne Countrey because that worldly affaires being variable and inconstant it might in short space come to passe that shee might bee expulsed her kingdome it being so desired by many great and potent Lords and her selfe envied by her owne subiects who disdained to be gouerned by a woman One onely meanes was left her whereby to preuent all these mischiefes which was seeing shee had no children to referre the gouernement of the Realme to the Venetian State now in her life time That the Venetian Common-wealth had beene well pleased to suffer her to gouerne the Realme so long as the time had beene quiet and voyd of suspitions But now when all her neighbours wait for occasions and lay snares to surprize it the Senate hath thought this onely remedy most expedient But if she feared not these daungers he besought her to consider the perill she was likely to haue fallen into the precedent Summer had not the State of Venice reskewed her with their Gallies the Turkish armie would haue taken her kingdome from her and her selfe haue beene enforced to flie or else in daunger to haue beene carried as a captiue to Constantinople It is good to foresee that which a small accident or some errour may cause vs fall into and to preuent it Fortune is variable sodaine and inconstant and we cannot euer preuent the enemies desseignes nor can our friends be alwayes ready to help vs when we please There is a great distance by land but farre greater by Sea betwixt the farthest part of the Adriatticke Gulph and the Isle of Cyprus This ought you Madame to remember and especially consider that though nothing enforced you thereunto yet what greater honour or more lasting praise can you leaue behind you than to haue giuen so flourishing a kingdome to your Countrey and to haue it written in the Annales That the Venetian State was honored and augmented with the kingdome of Cyprus by a Ladie her owne Citizen You shall still be a Queene And if the case were mine I should be desirous especially hauing liued so long in Cyprus as you haue done to beholde my natiue countrey and place of birth there to shew my greatnesse and magnificence there to embrace my brethren sisters and kinsfolke Neuer was the arriuall of any Lord or Lady so welcome to Venice as yours will be And if Venice were a base and abiect village yet in you it would be a pious duety to be willing to reuiew the place where you first drew breath and those who of a long time you haue not long seene But it is certaine that
meanes to obtaine Ecclesiasticall dignities others expected some honourable command in the Armie and to be gouernours of Cities and Townes which the king should conquer and some likewise were possest with a desire of noueltie King Charles lending a willing eare to this Ambassade and tasting the Prince of Salernes proposition a rumour was presently spred That the French were comming into Italy to inuade the Realme of Naples Vpon these newes king Ferdinand began to arme by sea and land and to inuent meanes to draw Pope Alexander to his side Lodouico foreseeing that if they leagued themselues together Ferdinand might ioyne his Armie with that of the Pope and send them both into Lombardie before the kings arriuall and by the same meanes expulse him from Milan intreated the Venetians to send their horse and foot troupes to the riuer Oglio in the Bressian territorie to diuert king Ferdinand from his designe or else to let them crosse the riuer to defend his State The Venetians answered that it was needlesse for his countrey was out of danger Lodouico perceiuing the French delaies and fearing that it might breed his ruine did againe send Ambassadors to Charles to hasten his iourney promising to assist him with men and money and victuals so soone as he should set foote in Italy King Charles who had spent certaine moneths in the onely consultation of this businesse and had not as yet made any certaine resolution when this second Ambassade arriued did by these continuate pursuites and offers of Lodouico presently resolue vpon it Now because he would not in any sort be hindred in his conquest he renewed the ancient league with the kings of Castill and surrendred to them the countie of Rossillon engaged to king Lewis his father for three thousand crownes by Iohn king of Arragon father to Ferdinand on condition that the said kings should in no sort aide the Arragonois against him in his conquest of the Realme of Naples This league sworne to the king made all things readie for his iourney Ferdinand had intelligence heereof one day as he came from hunting whereupon he fell sicke and within two daies after died of an Apoplexie Alphonso his eldest sonne was by his younger brother and all the Princes of the Realme saluted king He intreated the Venetians by their Ambassador resident in his Court to perswade Lodouico to desist from soliciting the French king to come into Italy and that hee would not be a meanes of his ruine promising no more to taxe his vsurpation of the State of Milan which he should enioy so long as he pleased The Senate by letters acquainted Lodouico with Alphonsos request and intreated him not to draw the French into Italy But perceiuing that he made no direct answere they gaue ouer and solicited him no more King Charles hauing resolued vpon the enterprize sent Philip de Comines Lord of Argenton his Ambassador to Venice who in his kings name made a proposition to the Senate That if they would ioyne with him in this warre of Naples they should haue a great share in the kingdome and if they would not accept that offer to intreat them at least to perseuer in their ancient league and friendship with the king his Master heereunto he added that his king had commanded him to remaine at Venice to acquaint them with all his designes and enterprises The Senate replied That the king was so potent and so well furnished with all warlike necessaries that he needed not their aide in that warre and therefore they determined according to the example of their Ancestors not to stirre who neuer made warre but vpon constraint and that they would craue no part in a kingdome whereunto they had no right For the rest they would neuer goe from that which they had promised to the kings Ambassador that they would euer make great account of his leage and friendship that they had willingly heard him for his kings sake and would still do so if he remained among them that he might at his pleasure familiarly discourse with them about any matter that concerned his king as well in regard of their loue towards his father king Lewis as to himselfe In the meane time Pope Alexander who repented that he had incited the French king to this warre and king Alphonso by the mediation of Virginio Vrsin comming to Viconare a Castle of his owne to see one another and to discourse together of their affaires made a league on this condition That the Pope should take Alphonso into the protection of the Romane Church and with all his power defend him against his enemies and in counterchange Alphonso promised to pay him downe in readie money a thousand pounds of gold for the arrerages of the tribute due to the Church of Rome for the Realme of Naples and to pay him yearely afterwards foure hundred pounds of gold And for greater assurance of this treatie Alphonso promised to giue one of his daughters in marriage to Guifredo sonne to Pope Alexander This thus concluded both of them made preparations for warre Alphonso had alreadie armed thirtie Gallies and eighteene great vessels to scoure along the Riuer of Genoa and to annoy the enemies fleet which was making readie in the Citie and he was to make a leauie of horse and foot in Calabria to send them into Lombardie when newes came that Baiazeth the Turkish Emperour made new preparations whereupon the State of Venice determined likewise to arme Antonio Grimani made Generall of the Gallies Commanded all Gallies that were readie to be lanched and with them sailed into Sclauonia where commissioners from Scardona and Clissa came to him who receiued their oath of alleageance for the Venetian Signorie from thence he went to Corfou Alphonsos fleete whereof his brother Fredericke was Generall entring the Riuer of Genoa came to Portouenere where Obâ—…eto de Fiesca a man highly esteemed among his countrey men landed with certaine souldiers but being repulsed by the enemie he returned to his Gallies and presently made towards Liuorne and from thence held his course to Naples Alphonso hauing lost all hope by Sea sent his Armie vnited with the Popes into Romagnia hauing intelligence that part of the enemies forces had alreadie crossed the Po. Ferdinand sonne to Alphonso a young Prince of great hope assisted by Nicolao Vrsin Count Petillan Virginio Vrsin and Iohn Iames Triuulce the Milanese commaunded the Arragonoise armie consisting of two thousand fiue hundred horse and eight thousand foote Whilest the Venetian fleete was at sea Ambassadours from Florence came to Venice to craue the Senates aduise how they should answere king Charles who had intreated them to giue his armie passage through their territories and also how they should behaue themselues in those occurrents for they referred themselues wholy to them and determined directly to follow their Councell The Senate knowing very well that whatsoeuer they should say to the Florentines
at last openly refuse it fearing by fauoring them to offend the Venetians with whom he was desirous to ioyne Moreouer Lodouico did draw Giouan Bentiuole with the State of Bolognia to his part and caused the Florentines to take his sonne Alessandro into their pay together with Octaniano de Riare Lord of Imola and Furli with an hundred and fifty men at armes He did in like manner cause the Lukeses to promise neuer more to fauour the Pisans The Florentines hauing in vaine attempted to draw the Geneuois and Sienois to their side went into the field vnder the command of Paulo Vitelli their General The Pisans vnderstanding that the Florentines were abroad raised their campe from before Ponte di Succo and went to Cascina where Vitelli placing an Ambuscado assailed them and slew many Stradiots and tooke Franco their captaine prisoner with an hundred horse In this manner did the Florentines annoy the city of Pisa hauing taken diuers townes round about it when they receiued some likely aduertizement from the Duke of Ferrara and others that the Venetians would be content to harken vnto peace prouided that they would proceed in the treaty not as with their equals but superiors They then sent Ambassadors to Venice to sound their meaning Guido Antonio Vespucâ—… and Bernardo Rucelli two of the honorablest Citizens went thither who after kinde entertainment beeing introduced to the Senate after long disputation concerning meanes to satisfie both parties neither the Venetians for Florentine Ambassadors would propound any referring themselues to the Spanish Ambassador who incited them to this accord But the Venetians distasting his opinion the Florentines returned back without any satisfaction This treaty broken the Venetians on the one side and Florentines on the other beganne to strengthen their party with new leagues and treaties the one with the Sienois and the other with Pietro de Medicis and the Lord of Faonza Lodouico still shewing himselfe very much affected to the Florentines The Venetians hope from Syenâ—…a and Perousa being by this meanes frustrate did by the assistance of Pietro de Medicis attempt to releeue Pisa on Romagnias side but in vaine In the meane time Paulo Vitelli Generall to the Florentines tooke the towne and castle of Librafaâ—…ta whereat the Venetians being incensed sought againe to draw the Marquis of Mantua to their pay whom not long before they had dismissed he leauing them by meanes of Alâ—…iana the Florentines army being turned from Pisa but so as the whole burthen of warre fell vpon the Venetians who wisely procured meanes of agreement For although the Florentine Ambassadors departed from Venice hopelesse of any accord yet at Ferrara a new treaty of composition was made propounded by the Duke at the Venetians intreaty During these troubles in Italy by reason of Pisa the new French King made preparations against the next yeere to inuade the Dutchy of Milan where he hoped to haue the Venetians on his side who mortally hating Lodouico did particularly negociate with him so did the Pope who sent his sonne which had cast of his Cardinals hat into France in secular habit to carry a dispensation to the King to repudiate his wife Ioanâ—… and to marry his Predecessors widdow Caesar Borgia came to the French Court in great pompe where the King very honorably entertained him giuing him a company of an hundred men at armes a yeerely pention of 20000. French pounds and made him Duke of Valence in Daulphine Then desirous to pursue his iourney into Italy hee made peace with all Princes his neighbours and especially with the Kings of Spaine who presently called home not only all their Ambassadors from Italy hee with the Pope excepted but Gonsaluo with all his forces The King likewise made an agreement with the Emperor vnto whom for his sonne the 〈◊〉 sake hee promised to surrender the townes in Artois Hee did moreouer confirme the peace made by his predecessor with the King of England Whilest the Senate was busied in prouiding for the releefe of Pisa newes came to Venice that the Turke prepared a great fleet which caused them to send an Ambassador to him for they were afraide that hee was offended with them because that toward the end of the precedent summer Nicolo Priuli Prouidator of their fleet had on the Aegean Sea sunke a great ship belonging to one of his Bashas which first assailed the Prouidator Zancani whom the Senate sent being come to Constantinople had notice of the great numbers of vessels which the Turke had caused to be armed The great Lord curteously entertained him shewing no signe of discontent He determined to assaile the Venetians whilest they should be busied in Lombardy with making head against Lodouicos forces who had promised to inuade them in those parts Zancani intreating him to renew the league with the Signory hee the better to deceiue him granted it giuing him the Articles of the league written in Latin Now their law saith that they are not bound to performe any thing vnlesse it be written in their owne language Zancani aduertized thereof by Andre Gritti a Venetian Gentleman skilfull in the Turkish lawes and customes and for his bounty and other good parts beloued of that nation hauing dwelt a long time at Constantinople was by him in some sort put in hope to haue them written in the Turkish tongue but not obtayning his desire Zancani returned with the Articles in Latin concealing what Gritti had told him because his iourney should not be thought vaine Now the French King so soone as he had made peace with his neighbour Princes and in his absence secured his Realme made a Confederacy with the Venetians not mentioning Pisa as heâ—… had done at the beginning wherein it was concluded that at the same time as he with a mighty army should inuade the Dutchy of Milan they on the other side from their frontiers should doe the like and the Dutchy being worâ—… 〈◊〉 with the country of Gyradade should remaine to the Venetians on this condition that after this conquest they should be bound to defend the King for a certaine time with certaine number of horse and foot the King being bound to do the like for Cremona and what soeuer they possessed in Lombardy This contract was so secretly made as Lodouico nor yet the Pope who was very inward with the King could but very late haue any certaine knowledge thereof The King not mentioning Pisa did afterwards propound conditions to the Florentines farre different from the former wherevpon they resolued to rely on the Duke of Milan by whose assistance their affaires prospered in the Casentine territory where they were Lords their enemies hauing beene inforced to abandon the townes by reason of great difficulties Lodouico who neuer imagined that the Venetians would haue leagued themselues with the French King who was greater nad more potent then they and least of all change his neighbourhood for that of the French was wonderfully danted
resist it offered men and money to arme three score vessels prouided that the Senate would furnish them with bread and ordnance The Senate willingly accepted this offer and command a florin of gold to be giuen to euery man which should enter into those vessels The Gouernor of Zara aduertized the Senate that two thousand Turkish horse were entred on their confines and had taken great numbers of the country people still continuing their incusions The arriuall of the Turkish cauallery on the Zaratin made the Venetians thinke that they would not at that time beseege Rhodes Wherevpon they forthwith made two Prouidators namely Francesco Cicogna for Morea and Romania and Andrea Loredano for Corfou and beside these Andres Zancani was with forces sent into Frioull because they had intelligence that the Turke determined to come thither In the meane time the Turkish fleet came forth of the Streight consisting of more then two hundred three score and tenne saile and beeing come neere Negrepont directed it course towards Romagnia the great Lord being there in person who before his departure from Andrinople commanded all the Venetians which were in Constantinople to bee imprisoned and amongst others Andrè Gritti before mentioned who was more streighty looked to then any other for that in loue to his Country he had by letters written in caractery aduertized the Gouernor of Lepanto of al the Turks proceedings against his country which had like to haue cost him his life Grimani hauing speedily assembled all the vessels which were in the Islands neere adioyning made vp the number of forty six Gallies seuenteene great marchant ships and forty other lesser ones with as many brigantines and light vessels and anchoring at Modon had an eye on euery side vpon the Turke Hauing intelligence that the enemy was comming to seeke him hee sailed with all his nauy towards the Isle of Sapienza opposite to Modon and there embarrailed his fleete and hauing giuen order for all matters necessary for fight himselfe went somewhat forward with foure Gallies the Turkish fleet being not farre from thence which with the winde hee might haue assailed at his pleasure yet he deferred the fight and returned backe to Modon where after that the Turke had in a few daies made two or three seuerall brauadoes Grimani ordered his fleete resoluing to fight with him when at the very instant Andrea Loretano with eleauen Brigantines and foure great ships arriued hee came to Grimani and told him that hee was come to doe seruice to the State intreâ—…ting him to commaund what hee would haue him doe Hee was a valliant Gentleman and skilfull marriner and at his arriuall the whole fleete made great signes of ioy The Generall placed him in one of the great ships Albano Armerico commanded an other great shippe who in open Councell was enioyned by the Generall to assaile the enemies biggest ship which he performed and Loretan an other who grapled with it to fight more conueniently and in the bickering wild fire was throwne into the enemies ship which beeing on fire was by the winde carried amongst the Venetians and fiered them This accident did more hurt to the Venetians then Turkes because that they did easily saue their men with other small vessels but our men could not bee reskewed in time so that they all perrished some few excepted with Tomaso Duodo recouered in his long boate Albano was saued by the Turkes Grimani wonderfully troubled with this losse sounded the retreate and without any farther fight retired to the Isle of Podroma the Turkish fleet for a time remained in the selfe same place where it had fought Albano brought to Constantinople was solicited by Bajazeth to turne Turke which he boldly refusing to doe was sawed a sunder in the middle and so constantly died The French King solicited by the great Master of Rhodes whether it was reported the Turke would come to releeue him dispatched two and twenty Gallies which beeing rigged in Prouence sailed towards Rhodes But that Island needing no supplies as then they did by the Kings command ioyne with the Venetian fleet The Venetians and French comming to Zant resolued to assaile the Turkish fleet which lay at Tornes but drawing neere it perceiuing that the enemies vessels lay with their poopes to land ward and their prowes towards the sea filled sixe small vnseruiceable vessels with reedes and other combustible matter mingled with wilde fire and sent them before the winde vpon the enemies fleet but it succeeded not according to their hope And Grimani in the meane time omitted a second opportunity to fight with and vanquish the enemy wherevpon an other being sent into his place and himselfe cited to Venice he was committed to the examination of the Councell de Pregati The Turkish fleet went forward to Lepanto whither the Emperour was already come and by the arriuall of his vessels hauing beguirt the towne by sea and land those within it despayring of releefe and wanting all necessaries yeelded These newes did greatly trouble the Venetians and augmented their hatred toward Grimani euery man saying if he had done his duty the enemies fleet would haue beene defeated The Turkish Cauallery on the other side scouring the confines of Zara entred Frioull to spoile and wast and finding the country not defended spoiled and burned all places as farre as Liuenza where they tooke many prisoners vpon these newes Zancani with great forces was sent to the frontiers Seuen thousand of the enemies horse came in troupes through very badde waies into Histria and then crossing the Riuer Liuenza came and encamped nere vnto Gradisca where Zancani lay determining if hee came into the field to fight with him But the enemies Generall perceiuing that he meant not to come forth sent two thousand horse to wast and spoile the Cuntry whom hee commanded to make no long stay These disperfing themselues ouer that goodly Contrey tooke many prisoners burning and wasting many Contrey houses both on the Treuisan and Paduan territories Three hundred Albanese horse fallied forth of Vdina and defeated some hundred of the Turkes if Zancani with his forces had done the like the Turke would haue receiued a great ouerthrow but he would not suffer any one to goe forth of the Towne whereof accused at Venice hee was sent for thither as a prisoner and by a Decree of Senate confind for foure yeares to Padua On such termes stood the Venetian State at home and abroad when Cesar Borgia with the King and Senates forces went into Romagnia to beseege certaine townes which of right did belong to the Church being conquered Pope Alexander gaue them to his sonne This Borgia was a Cardinall as hath beene sayd and casting off his robe and Hatte of Cardinall married a wife in France Hee comming before Imola and Furli after some assaults enforced the inhabitants to yeeld but the Castles which were very strong held out longer especially that of Furli for the other
Contaren the Prouidator in Candy that hee should speedily arme fiue and twenty Galleys in that Island The Senate at the same time decreed that foure thousand artificers of the Citty should bee enrolled with whom foure times a yeare the Galleys appointed for that purpose should bee manned that they might all of them row together and they did commonly call it Regater and sundry stipends were appointed for such as had continued that course thrice together This was done that they might bee assured by this exercise still to haue men fit and ready to man on a sodaine a certaine number of Galleys They did likewise confirme Guy Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin in the degree of Generall of their forces by land who in his fathers life time had serued the Republick they encreased his place with an hundred men at armes an hundred light horse and the pay of ten Captaines with foure thousand Ducats for his entertainement This Duke was thought a very fitte man for the seruice of the Common wealth as well for the excellent parts that were in him hauing from his youth beene trained vppe in martiall discipline vnder his deceased Father as by reason of his Countrey full of good Souldiers it beeing commodiously seated for the easie sending of them from thence to their Fortes along the Sea coast Therefore the Senate after the death of the Duke his father did in signe of loue and honor send Francesco 〈◊〉 their Ambassador to condole with him for his death and to assure him that the Senate would neuer forget the notable seruices which hee had done to the common-wealth But certaine moneths were spent before they confirmed him in his place in regard of the Pope fearing least hee would take it ill to see them honor and entertaine a Duke that was a feodatarie of the Church hee being at variance with him The occasion of their striâ—…e as hath beene already mentioned proceeded from the Dutchy of Camerin which the Duke of Vrbin did enioy by reason of his wife the sole daughter and heire to the last Duke of Camerin and the Pope pretended that the line masculine failing that infeofment was to returne to the sea Apostolick The Senate in remembrance of Duke Francesco Maria who had deserued well of the common wealth and for the loue that it did beare to the sonne did earnestly employ it selfe in that businesse fearing least it might stirre vp some new troubles in Italy because that the Duke of Mantua Vncle to Duke Guy his wife did determine to defend him not onely with his owne forces but with those of strangers whom he did meane to call into Italy The Pope at the last resoluing by force to haue that Dutchy if hee could get it by faire meanes it was agreed that Duke Guy should referre himselfe to the sea Apostolick and that his Holynesse should giue him a certaine summe of money in recompence in name of dowry of the Dutchesse Iulia his wife This controuersie beeing thus ended Duke Guy was confirmed as hath beene sayd in the pention of the Common-wealth But to the end likewise that the Nauall Army should not bee without an Head whilest Capell by the Senates permission lay at Venice for the recouery of his health who was not yet in state to execute his place they chose in his steed Iohn Moro Prouidator Generall at that time in Candy but the Senate hauing notice within a while after of his death the place of Generall was giuen to Thomaso Moceniga a man excellently seene in the important affaires of the Common-wealth at home and abroad Iohn Moro was slaine in Candy in a Popular Comotion betwixt the Greekes and the Italians of the Garrison among whom hee running with his Halbardiers to appease the tumult was stricken with a stone vppon the head whereof within a while after hee died These were the preparations of the Venetians whilest the Turkes did speedily make ready their fleete beeing not able to digest the losse of Castel-nouo as men that were alwayes wonte to the great losse of all Christendome to winne and not to loose therefore resoluing before all other things to attempt the recouery of that place thereby to repaire their honor which that accident had bereft them of they made great preparations of men and warlike engins sufficient for a farre greater enterprise Dragut in the meane time whom as hath beene said Barbarossa had left in the Gulphe of Lepanto departed thence with thirty vessels both Galleots and Fusts all well armed and beeing come into the Isle of Paxu did there barre the Christians free Nauigation for hiding himselfe in Saint Nicholas Hauen foure miles off from Corfu hee often sent his vessels to scoure the channell of Corfou and to take those ships which should arriue in that Island but the Prouidator Pascalic beeing not able to beare that indignity determined to goe forth with twelue of his best Galleys against certaine Turkish Galleys which were come neere to the land but the enemies not tarrying for him fled towards the Gulphe of Larta to deceiue the Prouidator and to make him thinke that there were no other Vessels of theirs at Paxu but as the Prouidators Galleys giuing chase to those Galeots were come farther to Sea-ward they discouered Dragut who comming forth of Paxu with the residue of his Galeots and Fusts had put himselfe forward to Sea to take the aduantage of the winde that hee might the better bee able to encompasse the Prouidator who then perceiuing the danger whereinto hee should runne by gooing any farther forward did sodainly did sodainly hoist sailes and turned back towards Corfou beeing still pursued by the enemies vessells which comming very neere to them caused three Venetian Gallies who feared that they should not be able to escape by flight to runne on ground vppon the Sands of Messanga twelue miles off from Corfou where they did beat themselues in peeces all the men within them with their goods escaped one only Galley belonging to Antonio Canalis whose saile yards were broken and thereby vnable to follow the rest was taken by the enemies This successe hauing made the Turkes more bold and insolent they went with those vessells into the I le of Candy where landing vpon the territory of Canea they burnt and spoiled the Countrey but great numbers of Stadiots and feudataries of the Island being gathered together did charge them so fiercely as hauing slayne diuers of them they did enforce the rest to returne to their Gallies Gritti the same time returned from Constantinople about the beginning of Aprill hauing made great hast in his iourney hee reported how that by the meanes of Ianusby hee had beene brought into the presence of the Visier Bascha who although hee entertained him very curteously did neuerthelesse first of all greatly complaine of the hostile actions which sundry officers of the Republike had executed vpon the Musulmans which the Signory had left vnpunished then proceeeding farther hee told him how
with these summons although hee did not looke for them vsed speedy meanes to prouide all things necessary for the defence of the towne and to stirre vp the Citizens and souldiers to a braue resistance then hee answered Barbarossa that hee did greatly wonder and so would likewise all the world beside at his audacious demaund the which beeing wholly against all reason hee could not imagine to proceed from Soliman who was euer wont to keepe his word and promise and that therefore hee did so much relie vpon the iustice of his owne cause as hee did determine to keepe and defend that towne committed vnto him by his Country and Common-wealth Barbarossa made no reply to this answere but caused part of his Gallies to set forward the which being inconsiderately come neere to the forte were to their great hurt and losse beaten backe by the Artillery Barbarossa beeing the next day come thither with the residue of the army was likewise repulsed by the ordnance and hauing landed great numbers of souldiers farre of from the castle those which went by the way of the hill comming very neere vnto the walles were so hurt by small peeces of ordnance which were planted vppon the highest place of the castle as beeing disordered they made all possible haste they could for to returne towardes their Gallies but vpon those who went on the land side where the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis standeth with whom Barbarossa was in person to view the place the Stradiots with certaine Harquebuziers on horse backe made a salley and enforced them to retire to their losse and to saue themselues on the toppe of the next hill whither the horse-men could not follow them Barbarossa hauing well viewed and obserued the castle and the resolution of those within it brauely to defend themselues despayring of beeing able to take it hauing stayed there one day longer without enterprizing any thing determined to raise his campe and to returne to the mouth of the Gulphe whether being come and leauing a strong Garrison in Castel-nouo hee did wholly depart forth of the Gulphe of Catharra it was then thought that hee would goe to scoure the sea-coasts of Puglia and by the way hee passed by the Channell of Corfou wherein signe of friendship hee was saluted with certaine Cannon shot from the castle and presented from the Gouernour with fresh cates and certaine garments which hee did very willingly receiue with great thankes and kinde speeches The report of the taking of Castel-nouo and Barbarossa his enterprize vppon Cathara was not very pleasing to the Senate fearing that their army beeing deuided the enemy would make some other attempt vppon their State At the same time whilest that the Turkes did batter Castel-nouo Andrew Doria departing from Sicily was come to Casopa from whence hee sent word to the Prouidator Contaren who lay at Corfou that a faire occasion was offered to ouerthrow the enemies whilest they hauing forsaken their Gallies were busied in battering Castel-nouo therefore hee did aduise him for to ioyne both their fleetes together the Prouidator hauing answered him the better to sound his intent that hee would bee ready to releeue Castel-nouo and to execute any other enterprize so that all the forces might bee ioyned together with hope of profit Doria making no replie at all vnto this answere retired to the hauen of Brandissa The Ambassador Contaren in the meane time iournyed towards Constantinople whither beeing come and brought into Solimans presence who had graunted him audience all the time that hee was deliuering his commission Soliman held his hand vpon his brest signifying as his seruants interpreted it a troubled minde yet neuerthelesse hauing quietly heard him hee told him that hee was welcome not making any other answere to his negociation referring him as the manner is vnto his Bashas with whom Contaren afterwardes conuersing and beginning more particularly for to explaine his commission so soone as they heard him to motion the yeelding vppe on both sides of places taken in that warre they answered on a sodaine that hee was not to speake any more of that how that their Lord was greatly animated against them and especially for their league made with the Emperour against him whereby hee was so farre off from harkening to any restitution as on the contrarie they were not to hope to obtaine any thing of him vnlesse that they did render vnto him the Citties of Naples and Maluesia with whatsoeuer the Signory did possesse on the sea of Constantinople as farre as Castel-nouo by meanes whereof all cause of warre should bee taken away for after times and a firme peace established betwixt them they demaunded moreouer to haue Soliman recompenced for his expences in that warre hauing beene by them drawne to it perforce and not mooued therevnto by any auarice but for his owne honour knowing very well that they had granted as much to the Emperour a farre meaner Prince then hee The Ambassadour declaring that hee could not grant any of their demands told them that his commission did not extend so farre that the Common-wealth ought verilie for to desire peace so farre forth as it might stand with her honour and dignity the which it would euer maintaine and defend by armes and that for himselfe hee beeing but an actor of the Senates will and pleasure neither could nor would say or doe any other thing but that hee would acquaint them at Venice with the whole matter intreating them in the meane space that the same businesse might bee delayed till such time as hauing written thither he might vnderstand the Senates resolution therevpon The Bashas did put him in hope that the businesse might haue a prosperous end so that the Venetians would grant part of their demaunds how that their custome was to craue much to obtaine little therefore they did aduise him to returne backe in person to Venice particularlie to acquaint his superiours with the whole businesse that they might afterwardes come to some new treaty and that his returne would bee in a very fit time to bee present at the nuptials of the great Lords daughter and at the circumcision of one of his sonnes Contaren vpon these words notwithstanding that so many iourneys and delaies were tedious to him in regard of his yeeres and the important businesse that was in hand yet neuerthelesse supposing that if he should stay any longer at Constannople after this leaue giuen him it would put the Turkes in hope to obtaine their demands hee resolued to depart hauing first very speedily aduertized the Senate of all that which had passed The Ambassadors departure did greatly trouble the Senate together with the difficulties made vpon the accord for the found it a very hard matter alone and of themselues to make warre vpon so mighty an enemy that their hopes grounded vpon other mens forces although weake and to small purpose were by that negociation wholly lost on the other side
kept an ordinary Ambassador in England Edward the sixt of that name succeeded his Father Henry who was yong and gouerned by the cheefe Lords of the Kingdome vnto whom the Senate send Dominico Bollano for their Ambassador who found them very willing to continue friendshippe and vsuall trafficke with the Venetians promising to giue kind vsage to as many of their nation as should come into those parts The French King was desirous at the same time to make warre vpon the English for diuers respects but especially for the towne of Boloign Those which feared the Emperors to much greatnesse were sorry that the French King should busie him-selfe in that warre which made him to forget the affaires of Italy and to suffer the Emperor freely to pursue his owne deseigns but the Pope was more discontented then any other as he that for his owne particular interests and not for the common good did determine by the armes of the French to abate the Emperors greatnesse therefore hee resolued to send the Cardinall of Saint George into France vnder collour as it was giuen forth to cause the French Prelates to come to the councell published at Bolognia But in effect it was for other ends namely to incite the French King to turne his deseigns against the Emperor and to stoppe his pregressions offering him for that purpose all ayde and friendship King Henry did willingly harken to this motion as one desirous to execute some great enterprize and who would not omit any occasion whereby he might hope to purchase glory by some generous action wherein the Pope by meanes of his forces was thought to be a very fit Instrument for the affaires of Italy as well in regard of the commodiousnesse of his State as most of all for his authority wherevpon the King beeing easily perswaded to harken to this proposition resolued to strengthen his intelligences in Italy and to purchase friends there and among othere he sent for Perro Strossi into France whom he forth with honored with the order of S. Michell which at that time was a great honor and giuen to none but noble persons or to such as had well deserued of the Crowne of France this man was highly esteemed for his excellent witte and also for that he was an enemy to peace and greatly followed by the bandetti of Florence and others which was a ready means to trouble the affaires of Italy The King did likewise fauour thereuolt of the Sienois promising to aid them in the defense of their liberties But together with the Pope for the vnion betwixt them was already confirmed Horatio Farnese sonne to Pedro Lodouico hauing married King Henries daughter he was likewise desirous to draw the Venetians to that league and Vnion because hee would attempt nothing against the Emperor in Italy but that which he was sure would take effect The King to this end sent his Ambassador to Venice so did the Pope his Nuncio who supposed to find the Venetians more ready to condiscend to their demandes then they had beene in times past in regard of the Emperors dealings and especially for the Villany committed vpon the person of Petro Lodouico who had beene murthered by certaine Place ntiâ—…e Gentlemen by the consent as it was reported of D. Ferrant of Gonzaga Lieutenant to the Emperor in Italy who presently after had seazed vppon the Citty of Placentia leauing great numbers of Spaniards in Garrison there in the Emperors name who by that meanes went about to take away an other mans rightes not by open force but by deceit Gonzaga knowing that the Venetians would suspect and think strangely of that deed did speedily send Giouan Baptista Schizze a Senator of Milan to Venice toacquaint the Senate with what had beene done and by quallifying the matter to assure them that he was not guilty thereof but that he could do no lesse beeing sent for and sought vnto by the Dukes murthererers who presently came to him to Milan to haue him goe and receiue that Citty in the Emperors name the which he did but till such time as hee might receiue newes what the Emperors pleasure was therein but his deeds were contrary to his worps for so soone as he entred the Citty he caused the building of the Castle which the Duke had already begunne to be set foreward and caused the nobility and people to take the oath of aleadgeance to the Emperor and made speedy preparations to goe and beseege Parma notwithstanding that Octauio Farnese complained in vaine that so great an iniury was done vnto him he beeing the Emperors sonne in law This stirre being in very deed of great importance had caused the Venetians to make prouisions for the defense of their townes therfore they made Stephano Tepulo Prouidator Generall on the firme land to the end that in that office hee should prouide for all their soldiers visit the Forts belonging to the State and take speedy order for what soeuer should be needfull They did besides call home the Duke of Vrbin Generall of their Army who was then at Rome about his marriage not long before concluded with Virginia daughter to Duke Pietro Lodouico Farnese They wrote afterwards to Antonio de Castello who serued them as maister of their Artillery and a man of great credit that he should make hast to the Citty of Bressia to augment the ordinary Garrison that lay there the Prouidator Generall did the like at Verona and in all other townes of importance the Venetians supposing that all places were full of deceit and trechery Things standing at this stay the Pope and the French King did daily more ernestly solicite the Venetians openly to declare them-selues without any more delay and not to deferre the remedying of the present mischiefe till it were too late The Senate for all that did not make hast to take armes against a most mighty Prince their neighbour who at the same time exalted to the very height of his prosperous greatnes because that the common-wealth was not so weake and low brought as whosoeuer those should bee that were desirous to assayle it might thinke their enterprize easie nor yet so mighty as it was able to keepe others in awe and thereby gaue them cause to goe about to abate their greatnesse so as the condition thereof was farre different from that of others because it might without any feare of beeing assayled by the Emperor expect that which time and the alteration of affaires might procure it which might as it often happeneth open a way to some better and safer course Whereupon after that the matter had beene well debated in open Councell the Pope and French Kings demands were answered after one maner and yet apart how that the Senate did infinitely praise their care of the common safety together with the prouisions which they had made for the mainetainance and defence of that which did belong vnto them that they would follow and imitate that
by reason of Parma all men did blame him for the warre which hee had raised in Christendome and whose successe beeing different himselfe was to beate a part in it determined to send two Cardinalls to those Princes as Legats from the sea Apostolick to weet Verale to the French King and Carpi to the Emperor to exhort them to lay by all hatred and malice and all desire of making any more warre one vpon another how that the taking of Tripoli and diuerse other great warlike preparations of the Turkes for Christendome ought to excite them to firme peace and friendship But the flame was already growne so great as all his exhortations could not quench it although the French King for his part gaue some hope thereof and had within a while after sent the Cardinall Tournon to Rome to prosecute the treaty of accord and that the Venetian Senate was entreated to haue an hand therein yet all men might perceiue that hee was more disposed to warre then to peace and that all his practises tended to draw the Pope to his party and to make him a companion in the war which he intended against the Emperor who on the other side suspecting these treaties of peace had re-enforced his army that lay at the siege of Parma thinking that it would greatly blemish his reputation if during these practises they should surprise and take him vnprouided The Pope on the other side being in great doubt feare for that hee was disioyned from the Emperor and vncertaine of the friendship of the French knew not what to resolue vpon yet neuerthelesse beeing mooued by the Emperors great power and already tied vnto him by a particular confederacie thought it best to make shew of that was not and in no sort to seeme to doubt of his friendship Hee did afterwards create diuerse Cardinals at his deuotion all Imperialls vsing in open Consistory very bitter speeches against against the French King detesting sundry of his actions and especially his alliance and friendship with the Turkes so as the King beeing out of hope to haue him for his friend dismissed his Legat from his Court and called home the Lord of Termes his Ambassador at Rome threatning both the Pope and the whole Romaine Court forbidding his subiects to send any more to Rome for Bulls concerning benefices saying That it was against reason to make warre on his kingdome with his owne money At the same time a very great and mighty Turkish Fleet departed forth of the Hauen of Constantinople commanded by Sinan Bascha and Rusten the visier Bascha with diuers other Captaines of authority and experience Vpon report thereof the Senate did augment the number of their forces with seauen and forty Galleis as beeing vncertaine what way the Turkes would take and Stefano Tepulo was for the second time chosen Generall But the Turkish Fleete sayled peaceably through the Channell of Corfou and held on it course towards Sicely where the Bascha was desirous to know of the Viceroy what account the Emperor made of restoring the townes which Doria had taken in Affricke the yeare before and beeing answered that hee did meane to keepe them to take away those places of retreats from Pirats who did ordinarily scoure those seas hee landed great numbers of souldiers who tooke and sackt the City of Augusta carrying away with him from that Sea-coast great number of prisoners whom they made slaues from thence the Fleet sayled to Malta which they hauing begunne to batter and finding the interprize to bee very difficult hee did on a sodaine reembarke his Souldiers and Artillery and went to Goze a smale Island eyght miles distant from Sicely the which was likewise spoyled and wasted and the Castell taken by force although it was man'd with a strong Garrison from thence sayling into Barbary it stayed before Tripoli which after some small battery was yeelded by the Knights of Malta that commanded there who with some of the cheefe inhabitance of the towne escaped into the French Galleis which followed the Turkish Fleet great cruelty beeing vsed vppon those that tarried behind contrary to the promise made vnto them This is all which the Turkes did at sea but at land on the parts of Hungary and Transiluania the Christians were strongest for King Ferdinand by the helpe of Giouan Battista Gastalda Sforza Palauicin and other his Captaines made himselfe maister of all Transiluania and of the County and Citty of Temisuar the which lands although they belonged to yong King Stephen and to the widdow Queene his mother were neuer-the-lesse vnder Solimans protection who first sent the Basâ—…ha of Buda and after him the Beglerbey of Grecia with great numbers of horse to driue Ferdinands troopes from thence but all their attempts were for that time to no purpose A certaine Frier called George who serued the young King did by his authority and good councell much further that enterprize by whose aduice not-with-standing that the cheefe of the kingdome were of a contrary opinion aduising the Queene to tarry for the Turkish succours which were expected she all amazed resolued to quitte Transiluania to King Ferdinand and in recompence thereof to take the Dutchy of Opelia hee promising her to giue his Daughter in marriage to the King her sonne so soone as hee should bee of age so that Ferdinands souldiers hauing fortified themselues in Transiluania and Temisuar could not bee driuen from thence by the Turkish succors that came thither afterwards who beeing compelled by the extremity of winter did wholy giue ouer the enterprize and returned with small credit and reputation In regard of the selfe same commodity of winter all exployts of warre ceased in Italy notwithstanding that Parma and Miranda were still beseeged without any further progression The yeare following 1552. the Emperor Charles and Ferdinand his brother were threatned with great warres whereby they were to defend their owne States and dominions All Germany in a manner was banded against Charles the Almaines hauing resolued in a Dyet to driue him by force forth of all Germany and to elect a new Emperor because he as they said had done diuerse things to the preiudice of the Empire and against the liberty of Germany King Ferdinand was likewise greatly perplexed by reason of the great warlike preparation which Soliman made to enuade Hungary and Transiluania the which hee knew not how to resist despairing of all ayde from the Emperor his brother as well for that hee was busied else-where as also in regard of the discontent betwixt them because Ferdinand would not quit the succession of the Empire to Philip sonne to the Emperor and his Nephew therefore seeking by other meanes to prouide for the safety of his owne he vsed meanes to appease Soliman by offering to pay him an other yearely tribute of thirty thousand Ducats for Transiluania as he already did for those lands which hee possessed in Hungary In the meane time the
or vpon some other occasion a decree was made to reduce all wares to the old price appointed by the lawes and to see it effected fiue Senators were appointed namely Marco Iustiniano Lorenzo Bernardo Sebastiano Barbarico Nicolo Quirini and Lodouico Contareni Three Senators were afterwards deputed to take order for the discharge and payment of the States debts occasioned by the last warres the Senat was desirous it hauing beene propounded by Giouan Francesco Priuli a wise and vertuous Senator to pay euery man his due and to that end they appointed the said Francesco Priuli Antonio Bragadini and Iacomo Gussone At the same time Haniball of Capua elected Archbishop of Ottranto came to Venice as the Popes Nuncio whose arriuall was pleasing to the Senate for the memory of his dead vncle who in former time had beene Legat there as also because that by his comming the passage towards Romagnia was opened which till then had beene shut vp by reason of the late sicknesse his presence likewise brought content with it for hee presented the Prince with a rose of gold from his Holinesse which is a guift which Popes are wont to bestow vpon Princes which are their greatest friends and fauorites Pope Alexander the third in the yeere 1177. honoured Prince Sebastian Ciani with the like guift and the ceremony of presenting it was magnificently performed in Saint Markes Church fifteene daies after vpon the one and twentith day of Iuly a publike proclamation was made wherein the City was declared to bee cleere and sound from all infection At which publication the Prince and Senate went to visit the new Church built in honor of our Sauiour at La Zuecca Not long after Ormanetta Bishop of Padua beeing dead the Pope bestowed that ritch Bishoprick on Frederico Cornare the Bishop of Bergamo and that of Bergamo vpon Ieronimo Ragazzone Bishop of Nouara it did highly content the Senate to see one of those Churches restored to the family of Cornares who for a long time had gouerned it and the other to a house so well deseruing of the Common-wealth for Ragazzone was brother to Iacomo and Placido Ragazzoni beloued of the Signory for their good seruice done to the State This ioy the fate of Brescia did greatly lessen where the plague dayly consumed multitudes wherevpon in Iuly the Prince and Senate for three daies made sollemne precessions praying vnto God for their health The same yeere sundry prodigies were seene a great Comet ouer all Europe and at Rome a globe of fire in the ayre like to a great tunne which arising ouer the gate del populo vanished ouer Castle Angelo besides a cleere light was seene in Romagnia at midnight which notwithstanding the darkenesse shined so bright as that men did as easily see to read as at noone day these were interpreted signes of future misery Not long after newes was brought to Venice of the death of D. Iohn of Austria who deceassed at Namur in the beginning of the yeere 1578. at which time likewise Prince Venieri opprest with old age and surprised with sicknesse then when he thought to celebrate the birth day of Princesse Cecilia Contareni his wife for which Francesco Morosini his sonne in law a noble Gentleman prepared great triumphs departed this mortall life on the third of March being generally bewailed of the whole City hauing gouerned the Commonwealth eight months and twenty daies The ceremonies which were wont to bee made in the Church of Saint Iohn and Paul were by reason of the great raine performed in Saint Markes his body was afterwards buried in the Church of Maran The Archduke of Austria craued his picture of the Senate together with his coate armour which hee wore vpon the day of the battaile of Lepanto which the Senate willingly granted The funerall ceremonies ended and the Senators after the vsuall manner proceeding to a new election Nicolo de Ponte a very graue and noble Senator foure score and eight yeeres old and Procurator of Saint Marke being a learned man which in his youth had read publikely at Venice was chosen In his time the Commonwealth was peaceable the Turke turning his force vpon the Persian NICOLO DE PONTE the 87. Duke THE same yeere the great Duke of Tuscany discouered a conspiracy against himselfe and his brethren made by certaine Florentine Gentlemen who were apprehended and publikely executed and not long after Iâ—…ne of Austria his wife died in child-bed a very vertuous Princesse The yeere following 1580. though there were fierce wars both in the East and Netherlands men fearing that it would likewise renue in France the Venetians were quiet ouer their whole dominions The second yeere of Prince Ponte his soueraignty an accident happened at Venice very pleasing to the Senate Francesco de Medicis great Duke of Tuscany a very potent Prince was desirous to marry for his second wife Bianca daughter to Bartilmeo Capello a Venetian Gentleman and to that end sent Mario Sforza to Venice to acquaint the Senate and her father therewith The Senate sent for Barthelmeo and his sonne Vittorio whom they knighted then adopted the great Dutchesse Bianca daughter to the Venetian Signory in the same manner as in former time they had done Catherina Cornare Queene of Cyprus the State then and afterwards shewing great signes of ioy but chiefly vpon the arriuall of Don Iohn de Medicis the great Dukes brother sent to Venice to conduct her to Florence and Giouan Micaele and Antonio Tepulo were sent Ambassadors to the great Duke in the Senates name to congratulate his marriage and to be present at Florence at the great Dutchesse coronation They likewise sent Marco Iustiniano Ambassador to Charles Philibert the new Duke of Sauoy to bewaile with him the death of Emanuell his father a great friend to the Venetian State And because Philip had obteined the crowne of Portugall by the death of the Cardinall King the Senate appointed Vincento Troni and Ieronimo Lippomano both Knights and noble Senators Ambassadours to his Maiesty to reioyce with him in the Senates name for his happy fortune Now because peace had in Venice begotten excesse in the expense of priuate Cittizens which commonly carrieth sundry mischiefes along with it for there where frugality and parcimony hath place religion vertue and modesty doe flourish a decree was made that superfluous expence in garments feasts and womens lying in should be moderated They abolished the vse of all sorts of pearle true or counterfeit onely women were permitted to weare a small carkanet of them about their neckes costly skinnes and furres were wholly forbidden to bee worne together with the vse of any gold or siluer lace vpon garments Moreouer it was not lawfull for any Curtezan to weare any precious iem iewels of gold or siluer or to vse any tapistry Great penalties were imposed not onely vpon the transgressors of this decree but on workmen which should make or sell any of these prohibited things and
Cape-Histria taken by the Genoueses 271 Conditions of peace betwixt the Venetians and the Genoueses 274 Cruell warre at Tenedos 276 Carrario imprisoned in the Medozian Tower 279 Carrario his lands diuided ibi Castle of Padua recouered for Nouello ibid. Carrarians make incursions on the Vencenzans 282 Carrario wrongeth the Venetian Ambassador 283 Carolo Malateste of Arimini generall of the Venetians armie 284 Conditions of peace made with Albert Aeste 285 Conditions of peace propounded vnto Carrario 287 Carrario his great cruelty 288 Ciuidalians yeelde to the Venetians 293 Carmagnolla leaueth Philip and commeth to the Venetian 297 Cornari his Oration to Philip. ibid. Carmagnolla called into the Senate with his Inuectiue against Philip. 302 Carmagnolla Generall to the Venetians 307 Certaine Venetian troups defeated by the armie of Philip. 310 Castle of Bressia yeelded to the Venetians 312 Casal-Maior taken by Picinino 315 Carnagnolla before Monteclaro 317 Carolo Malateste Generall of Philips armie 320 Chiefe cause of Carmagnolla his death 321 Cause of the renewing of the war betwixt the Venetians Philip. 323 Carmagnolla escapes by flight 328 Carmagnolla giues ouer his charge for sorrow that he had done a fault 331 Carmagnolla conuicted of treason is beheaded 334 Cornari dieth in prison 336 Cause of the renewing the warre betwixt the Venetians Philip. 338 Carrario commeth forth of Germany to take Padua 339 Carrario is discouered and executed at Venice 340 Cosmo de Medicis sent to Venice 344 Cosmo goeth to the Pope 346 Casall yeeldeth to Picinino 348 Cause of the commotion of Padua Vincenza 367 Commissioners of Verona come to Venice 378 City of Antiuari subiect to the Venetians 396 Christians possesse the Streight 397 Cause of Sforza's hatred to king Alphonso 398 Ciarpelions death 400 Carolo Montone taketh the Venetians party 403 Coione takes the VenetiaÌ„s part 406 Coyone his victory 409 Crenia yeeldes to the Venetians 411 Coyone assailed by command of the Senate 416 Carolo Gonzaga imploreth the Venetians aide ibid. Coyone makes incursions vpon the Bressan territorie 418 Constantinople besieged 422 Captaines of gallies punished for leauing the fleet without licence 425 Conditions of peace concluded betwixt Sforza and the Florentines by meanes of an Hermit 426 Cause of the warre betwixt the Thryestines and those of Cape Histria 434 Capel his exploits 439 Capel dieth with griefe 440 Canalis speech to Mocenigo 447 Canalis condemned to perpetuall banishment ibid. Commissioners return from Constantinople without any conolusion ibi Coccina in the Isle of Lemnos is reedified 448 Citie of Vdina affrighted at the comming of the Turkes 454 Christians besiege Smyrna 465 Coric yeelded 468 Caraman his present to the Venetian ibid. Conspirators flie from Cyprus 475 Croia yeelded to the Turkes 486 Conditions of peace betwixt Ottoman and the Venetians ibi Confederate armie against the Florentines 489 Comparison betwixt the Romans and Venetians 491 Cause of the warre of Ferrara 493 Castel-nouo yields to the Venet. 498 CoÌ„ditions of peace betwixt the States of Italie and the Venetians vpon the end of the 〈◊〉 of Lombardie 516 Ceremonie at the Duke of Venice his funerall 522 Charles the eight Freâ—…ch king sends an Ambassadour to Venice with the Senates answere 532 D DIuers opinions of the Historians concerning this Historie 3 Duke Paulutio the first takes oath 12 Duke Horteo murtherd by his owne Citizens 14 Difference arising about the câ—…eation of a new Duke ib. Dominico Leon the first master or Colonell of the men at armes ib. Duke Giouanni and his sonne expelled the Citie 21 Description of the situation of Venice 24 Different intents of Combatants 25 Dukes Pallace in Rialâ—…o 27 Description of the Dukes Pallace ibi Duke Giouanni flieth 32 Duke Giouanni deposed from his charge and becomes a Priest 33 Duke Tradonico murthered 35 Dorsse-Dura newly inhabited 37 Duke Giouanni his brother taken by the Count of Commachia 38 Duke Giouanni doth voluntarily depose himselfe ibid. Duke Pietro dieth fighting with the Narentines 39 Duke Vrso his sonne taken at sea 42 Duke Vrso voluntarily deposeth him selfe and becomes a Monke ibid. Duke Pietro his sonne who was his Colleague stirs vp sedition in the Citie and is banished 45 Duke Pietro dies for griefe ibi Duke Pietro the fourth marrieth Walderta daughter to Guido 46 Duke Pietro his tyrannie ibid. Death of the Duke and his son 47 Duke Pietro Vrseolo his secret departure 52 Dominico Morosino murdred 54 Death of Otho the second Emperor ibid. Duke Tribuno voluntarily deposeth himselfe 55 Description of Illyria 56 Duke Vrseolo the second his great wisedome permitted to associate his sonne Giouanni into the gouernement 59 Duke Vrseolo the 2. his last will 60 Dominico Vrseolo vsurpeth the Dukes Pallace 62 Durazzo besieged by the Normans 66 Description of Hierusalem 81 Duke of Venice comes to Hierusalem 92 Description of Tyre ibid. Distrust conceiued against the Venetians 93 Death of Rogero King of Sicil. 99 Diuers opinions of the Historians concerning the reconciliation of Pope Alexander and Fredericke the Emperor 109 Death of Cyani and his last wil. 110 Description of S. Marks church ibi Description of Constantinople 118 Discreet answer of a yong Emperour 120 Death of the Emperor Baldwin 122 Decree of the Venetians about possession of the Ilands 124 Damiet in Aegipt taken 128 Description of the I le of Candie 129 Death of Theodore sonne to Vattasus 148 Death of Baiamont 169 Dalmasio the Spaniard proues a traitour to the Venetians 171 Dalmasio diuinely punished for his treacherie ibid. Dandulos pietie acknowledged 173 Description of the Arcenall ibid. Diuers sorts of Earthquakes 196 Discreet act of the Generall 199 Doria spoileth the Adriaticke Gulph 205 Duke of Venice denied a pasport 213 Duke of Austria comes to Venice 215 Dominico Michaeli Generall of the Venetians nauall armie 217 Demand of the Greeke multitude ibi Death of Nicholao Dandulo and his brother 221 Duke of Austria bringeth aide to the Thryestines 226 Diuers opinions concerning Rainiero his dismission 229 Diuers opinions in the Senate concerning the taking of Tenedos 232 Diuers opinions concerning the taking of Famagosta 235 Description of the hauen of Brandissa 236 Description of the city Chioggia 243 Diligence vsed in fortifications 247 Diuers and sundry incounters where the Venetians had the better 248 Dandulo goeth to Venice about the souldiers demaunds 269 Duke of Sauoy a Mediator for peace 272 Diuers publike shewes made in the city for loue to the Duke 280 Death of Paulo Sabello 285 Duke of Milan his victorie ouer the Florentines 296 Description of Bressia 308 Duke of Sauoy Montferrat make incursions on the Milanois 319 Double treacherie vpon the Castle of Soncina 328 Discourse betwixt Gonzaga and the Venetians 347 Description of the lake of Benac 349 Duke of Ferrara complaines vnto the Pope 352 Death of Pietro Lauretano and his strange buriall 360 Disposition of Picinino 374 Doubt of those of Verona 375 Description of the Riuer Adice 376 Diuers Gallies armed at Venice against