the accomplishing of the rest till their enteruiew which by their mutuall consent was concluded to bee at Bolognia The Pope for that purpose departed from Rome and the King from the City of Milan the Venetians Ambassadors did accompany his Maiesty all Italy receiued great contentation by that assembly hoping that it would produce an assured peace to the whole Prouince A legat was sent to the Emperour to treat of agreement betwixt him and the Venetians and to haue him to remit Bressia and Verona to them for a pecuniary recompence The Pope likewise sent a briefe to the Venetians exhorting them vnto peace The Pope and the King being come to Bolognia they couenanted together That the King should take vpon him the protection of the Popes person and the Churches State of Iuliano and Lorenzo de Medicis and the State of Florence That the Pope should cause his forces to leaue Verona and countermand those companies sent to the Emperors aide against the Venetians Diuers other Articles were concluded concerning onely the proffit of either of them In the which treaty hauing continued sixe daies together both of them departed from Bolognia the King thinking that he had done a great matter to haue drawne the Pope to his side and to haue disioyned him from his enemies The King being come to Milan beganne to thinke on his returne to France hauing nothing to detaine him but the desire he had to see the Venetians re-established in their Cities Therefore he commanded to re-enforce the Venetians army which lay before Bressia and had reduced the beseeged to that extremity as all men thought that they would soone yeeld for the Almaines and Spaniards that lay within it had resolued together that if within twenty daies they were not releeued they would yeeld vp the City to the Venetians on these conditions neuerthelesse to depart with displayed Enseignes the drumme beating with the artillery and all their baggage which was the selfe same composition which they had concluded with the Venetians Generall But the Almain succors came and entred the towne before the time agreed vpon was expired The report of the comming of this aide had caused sundry opinions in the army some of the being of opinion to continue the seege others to lead the army elsewhere but the report of the number of the Almaines being greater then the effect and for that they had notice by their spies that Marke Antonio Colonna who was come forth of Verona entred the Mantuā territory made preparations to come and assaile them caused the Venetian captaines who feared that by staying there the enemies might come and enclose them to determine wholy to dislodge and to bring the artillery to Crema and Cremona and the rest of the army to Castlenedulla six miles off from Bressia These newes being brought to Venice did greatly amaze the whole City because they expected rather to haue heard of the taking of the City then of any thing else The Generall and the Prouidatory had written that there was such strong Garrison at all passages as it was impossible that any aide could enter into it which might keepe them backe from obseruing the agreement which they had made and that which caused them most to beleeue it was that the French supplies which were to come to the campe being three thousand Almains and 400 horse were departed from Milan and were on their way towards their campe This did much blemish Triuulcio his reputation whereof he hauing notice craued leaue of the Signory That he might depart saying that the affaires of his owne house called him thence and that he could tarry no longer in their army But the Senate knowing that this mans experience was much important for their affaires vsed meanes to appease him by letters and did entreate the King to cause him to take that charge vpon him but he would by no meanes consent therevnto but returned to Milan Theodore Triuulcio tooke charge of the Venetian army and of the whole mannaging of the warre holding the same authority in the army as Iohn Iames Triuulcio had done al-be-it he had not the name nor degree of captaine Generall The King in the meane time hauing giuen order for his returne into France left the Duke of Burbon for viceroy in the Dutchy of Milan and before his departure he commanded Odet of Foix Lord of Lautrec to carry speedily greater aide to the Venetians and generally to doe all matters for them as if it were for his owne seruice shewing thereby his great affection to the Republike as in all other his speeches and discourses not letting to say that if the Venetians were not wholy restored to their Cities he would returne into Italy with greater forces then before The King being gonne forth of Italy and the Duke of Bourbon tarrying there to command the Dutchy of Milan the Venetians still kept an Ambassador nere to him to sollicite whatsoeuer was needfull for their affaires Andrew Treuisan was sent thither who being come to Milan Andrè Gritti who had remained there after the Kings departure to hasten the supplies went to the army to be Prouidator there in stead of Dominico Contaren that fell sicke and was brought home to Venice At the very same time the Lord of Lautrec came to the army with great forces which did much encrease it so as it seemed that there was no doubt but that Bressia would be taken Now the Pope supposing that this successe did greatly crosse his deseignes sought all meanes to hinder it He propounded truce to draw the matter forth at length hoping to cause the Venetians to condescend to some agreement though it were to their disaduantage by reason of the difficulty to take that City And because he knew that himselfe could doe no good in that businesse for the small credit which the Venetians did giue to his words he determined to make vse of the King of Polands authority whose Ambassador hauing intelligences likewise at Venice he perswaded to reuiue the treaty of peace and to propound to the Venetians that if they would disioyne themselues from the French and allie themselues to the Emperor they might add two goodly Cities to their State Lodi and Cremona because that with the Popes armes the Emperours and their owne being vnited together they might easily expell the French and afterwards by the King of Polands authority obtaine them of the Emperour in guift so as being thus separated from the State of Milan they might for euer after be incorporated to the Venetians demaines Besides this proposition the Pope hoping that by the Generals absence the seege of Bressia might be prolonged wrote to King Francis that it might please him to command the Lord of Lautrec to goe to Rome being desirous to confer with such a man about diuers matters concerning the affaires of Naples to which he knew the King enclined wherevpon he exhorted him to make hast to
treaty of peace with the Turkes in regard the Emperor would neuer be at peace with the French so long as he could haue the Estates of the Venetian Republike and the Realme of Hungary for his Bulwarke for the which aduertisement they thanked his King and for that present delt no farther with him But although the Pope did offer his forces to maintaine the warre and exhorted the Senate to prouide dilligently for the conseruation of their States and defense of Christendome yet neuerthelesse he did not dissemble the suspition which he had conceiued of the Imperials and the smal hope he had in their aide wherevpon he did often times affirme that being assured that the Venetian Senate as most prudent and well aduised would neuer make peace with the Turke vnlesse they were enforced therevnto by very vrgent necessity euen so the occasions being once knowne to be such he did commend their councell which knew how to fit it selfe to times and necessity Now about the same time the Senate receiued letters from the Bayly Canalis who aduertised them that great and magnificent triumphs were preparing at Constantinople for the nuptials of the great Lords daughter married to Rusten Basha and for the circumcision of two of his children and to that end they expected some from Venice and that the Basha did greatly desire that according to the vsuall custome some Ambassador of theirs might come to the Porte to haue an occasion to reuiue the treaty of peace The Senate being assembled therevpon and a proposition being made to elect an Ambassador to send to Soliman all of them with one voice and consent embracing the businesse did choose 〈◊〉 Badoario a Senator of great authority and one of those who had most of all perswaded the Senate to an accord with Soliman offering himselfe if neede were to goe thither for that purpose They did then enioyne him first of all to procure the negociation of the Generall truce according to the former instructions of the Ambassador Contaren continued by the French Kings Agent then to motion the restitution of all those places possessed on either side during that warre and if hee could not obtaine that then to treate of a finall peace by renuing of the ancient capitulations giuing authority for to offer some fiue or sixe thousand Dicatâ—… a peece for the Cities of Naples and Maluesia and to promise three hundred thousand Ducats for the expences that Soliman had beene at in that warre This was the Senates commission But the councell of Tenne who at that time did Soueraignly treate of the most serious affaires of state without communicating them to the Senate to the end they might be more secretly managed among fewer persons added another more ample commission namely to haue power if hee should perceiue the treaty to bee wholy desperate to surrender vnto them the townes of Naples and Maluesia These Senators who were of the ancient and best experienced in the gouernment did very well know how greeuous and insupportable that warre had bin vnto them how that Naples and Maluesia were farre off from them and therefore hardly to be releeued and easie to be beseeged by the enemy whereby they had beene in danger oftentimes to haue beene taken in regard of their want of many things So as they would ere then haue fallen into the enemies hands had not the truce protected them That the Common-wealth was at the same time in great danger where-vpon it was discreetly aduised to cast away some what although it were deere and pretious to conduct it safely to the Hauen of peace forth of the rockes of that dangerous warre That it was a Maxim confirmed by many experiences that time in the Negociations with the Turkes doth breed danger and the conclusion of matters by delaies haue euer had a bad and difficult successe This happened about the latter end of the yeare and at the beginning of the next which was 1540. the Emperor came to Paris where the king entertained him with all possible signes of honor and friendship Christophero Capello Ambassador at the same time for the Signory in France did acquaint both of them with the Senates answer to the Marquis of Guasto and the Marshall D. Anibault wherevnto the Emperor answered that although for his owne part hee did resolue to make warre vpon the Turkes yet neuer-the-lesse hee could not see in regard of the shortnesse of the time how they might satisfie the Republcks desire and therefore that it would be to more purpose at that present to obtaine a generall truce during which they might haue time to prepare forces conuenient for such an enterprize and that he in the meane time would not omit to doe whatsoeuer lay in him for the common safety of their Sea Estates The most Christian King did at the same time make great protestation for his good will saying that hee would let men know that his intention neuer was to diuert the common good of Christendome but that he was ready speedily to embrace peace and concord with the Emperor that he might afterwards vndertake a warre more proffitable and necessary but that the present time would not permit him to treat of those bussinesses because he would not mingle graue and serious matters among feasts and ioy for the Emperors arriuall the negociating whereof might breed difficulties and discontents where-vpon they had referred the whole businesse to the assembly of Flanders Capello hauing acquainted the Senate with the Emperors and French Kings answers they were found to be very generall so as no certaine hold could be taken thereon neither of peace betwixt themselues not of warre against the Turkes where-vpon they resolued more earnestly to persue the treaty of peace already begun and did write to Badoario who ariuing at Constantinople about the middest of Aprill began to treat according to his commission with the Baschas therein vsing the fauour and aduice of the French Ambassador But at the beginning of their negotiation great difficulties did arrise not that the Turkes were vnwilling of an agreement but because they hauing notice of the secret commission giuen to Badoario and thereby being growne more insolent as well in regard of the feare and desire of peace which they discouered to be in the Venetians as for that they were assured to obtaine what-so-euer they demanded began forthwith to protest that they would not harken to any other proposition vnlesse that besides the Ilands of the Archipelago and the Castles of Nada Laurana which they already enioyed the Citties of Naples and Maluesia might bee freely surrendred to them and restitution made for the expences of the warre The Ambassador beeing amazed at these demands so sodainly and obstinately made and suspecting the truth of the matter did for certaine daies giue ouer that negociation incertaine of himselfe what he were best to doe on the other side he was drawne from it when he considered how that by continuing
still at his backe who had followed him into Flaminia was enforced to leaue his Cauallerie to his enemie and himselfe with a few followers to make a speedie retreat into the frontiers of Rauenna Such was the end of Sanseuerino and his sonnes renowned iourney from Lombardie to the warre of Rome which we haue not so much mentioned for himselfe as to let the world vnderstand the Venetians great constancie and loyalty For although an occasion was offered to ruine king Ferdinand intangled in a domesticke war or at least mightily to endanger him if they would haue embraced those offers promises and conditions yet because they would in no sort violate the treatie of peace which they had once sworne to they stopt their eares to these motions Now whilest these things were done neere Rome newes was brought from France that Maximilian sonne to the Emperour Fredericke was chosen King of the Romanes a name verie hatefull to the Citie of Rome taking it original in the daies of that Charles who ouerthrew the Lombards greatnesse in Italy For many Historians affirme That he did afterwards make his sonne Pipin King of Italy himselfe being Emperour and by this meanes it came to passe in time that he is not only called king of Italy but of Romans which enioyeth the same digintie and greatnesse like him Maximiliam had maried the daughter and heire of Charles Duke of Burgondie who died in the war against the Suisses and by this marriage purchasing great and ample Signories being young valiant and apt either for warre or peace had after some new troubles and difficult men aces of warre inforced that stirring nation to obey his commandemment Himselfe and Fredericke his father acquainted the Venetians as their great friends with this new election Dominico Treuisano and Hermolao Barbaro were sent Ambassadors to them both with commission in the States name to congratulate that royall election They were both knighted Another Ambassador was likewise sent into Portugall to thanke that king from the Prince and Senate for that not long before he had relieued and assisted the Venetians who by Pyrates had beene robbed and spoiled and set on shore in his countrey Ieronimo Donato a verie excellent Philosopher was appointed to goe thither Toward the Spring the sicknesse lessened and before Summer ended it wholly ceassed so as of a long time before the Citie was not seene more healthfull This prosperitie was accompanied by another proceeding from Prince Barbadicos care and diligence which was great plentie and abundance of all things for such store of corne wine oyle and all sorts of meate was brought to the Citie as in the memorie of man the like had not beene seene This ioy was likewise seconded by another for the Venetians at that time had peace both by land and sea so as the Commonwealth was neuer more happie than at that time The Prince was not onely busied in maintaining the State in this prosperitie but in augmenting it when on a sodaine to all mens griefe death preuented him He died in the ninth moneth of his gouernment and therein perhaps more happie than all his predecessors because that besides a goodly race which he left behind him himselfe hauing well deserued of Religion Countrey and Citizens the Citie at his death was cleare from pestilence and abounded in plentie We may moreouer adde this to his good fortune That vpon his death-bed an Ambassador came to him from Baiazet sonne to Mahomet Emperour of Turks and brought him rich presents It is reported that drawing towards his end he called for foure of his sonnes whom after vertuous instructions which he gaue them he exhorted to loue and honour the State intreating them often to remember the honour it had done him for raising him from a meane Citizen to the highest and soueraigne dignitie the which ought to make them to render that pietie to their countrey which their father by reason of his short gouernment could not performe The whole Citie did infinitely bewaile his death Euerie one did publikely speake of his meeknesse towards all men For besides other pious examples towards the poore he did at the beginning of his gouernment fearing that by reason of multiplicitie of causes the poore should haue no free accesse to him make a decree That the names of those who were desirous to haue audience of him should from eight to eight daies be drawne by lot and that their names who were first drawne should be first dispatched This holy Decree was cause that neither ambition briberie nor fauour could hinder poore mens suits nor barre them from audience Great numbers of people followed his funerals to the Church of the Twinnes But his bodie lies buried in the Church of the Publike charitie It shall not be impertinent to set downe briefly in this place the ceremonie which is at this day vsed at the interment of the Venetian Dukes After he is dead and bowelled they embalme the bodie and lay it vnder a Canopie of Gold with his guilt sword and spurs reuersed he is publikely kept in the Pallace for three whole daies then all the companies of the Citie which are as many as there bee Trades doe with their banners in solemne order goe before the bodie after them follow the Cleargie next them the mourners who are many in sad and sorrowfull manner last of all come the Senate clothed in Scarlet and Purple to demonstrate That the Citie which is free doth neuer in mourning habit follow the funerall of any Prince how vertuous so euer In this manner and habite so soone as the bodie is brought into the Church they sit round about it whilest the memorie of the deceased Prince according to the ancient manner is recommended to the people in a funerall Oration From thence the Senators returning to the Pallace doe publish the first assembly for the creation of a new Duke AVGVSTINO BARBADICO the 74. Duke of Venice AVgustino Barbadico brother to the deceased Prince a man of singular wisedome and grauitie and at that time Procurator of S. Marke succeeded his brother This election was by so much more pleasing to the Cittie by how much euery man thought that they could not haue chosen a man more resembling the late Prince in all vertuous qualities than this man The next day after his creation he made a sweet and gentle Speech to the people but his maiestike and reuerend presence with a long white beard hanging downe beneath his girdle made him more venerable After his election all things flourishing in peace as before hee beganne his gouernement like to his brother by repairing the Ducall pallace The next Winter Antonio Ferriere and within a while after Giouanni Baria were sent to Constantinople to the Turkish Emperour Antonio Lauretano Ambassadour at Rome was called home because the Senate supposed that hee had not faithfully discharged his place hee was a very wise man and excellently learned he was banished the Cittie
contracted with the French And if the Pope would call to minde the antient benifits of the French Kings not onely to the Venetian common-wealth but likewise to the Church and to consider the wealth and power of that Kingdome hee would not onely excuse but commend the Venetians councell and bee desirous himselfe to follow it because that beeing backed by the French forces and those of the Venetians there was likelihood that he should be able to lay surer foundations as well for the state of the Church as for the greatnesse and aduancement of his owne house This speech beeing pronounced by Prince Lauretan they made priuate remonstrance to Bembo how the Senate did greatly suspect that vnder that treaty of peace some deceit might lurke in regard it was practized by the Emperor by Ferdinand being assured that vnder collour of agreement they wold as at diuers other times practize some dangerous warre on the Venetians because that at the same time as the Spanish Ambassadour delt with the French King cōcerning the affaires of Italy Ferdinand had reuiued this treaty of peace to none other end but to cause the French King to suspect the Venetians friendship and thereby to separate himselfe from them the better afterwards to enforce them to agree with him to his owne great aduantage and that the same comming to passe the Venetians being so diuided from the French what should hinder Ferdinand to make himselfe master and quiet possessor of all Italy as long time before then he had aspired thereunto Bembo being returned to Rome reported all this to the Pope but before he left Venice he assured the Venetians that the Pope would neuer suffer any man to attempt against their State knowing very well that on them depended the liberty of Italy and that he was to rely on them for the greatnesse and maintenance of the house of Medicis The Venetians made declarations that they did not greatly care for that agreement for thereby they should be depriued of the richest and goodliest city belonging to their state which was Verona and that which maintained them therein was the hope which they had that the French King would shortly come into Italy For King Lewis being prouoked with a desire to recouer the Dutchy of Milan had made peace with Henry King of England and made preparations to repasse the mounts and to come into Lombardy with a mighty army wherevnto the Venetians being ioyned they hoped with ease to chace their enemies from their bounds and confines This hope caused them to send Ambassadors to the French King and to the King of England their friends for to continue them still in their affection towards them and to this end were appointed Francisco Donato and Petro Paschalic but in Donato his stead who fell sicke Sebastian Iustinian was sent thither Their chiefe commission was to congratulate both of them for the peace and alliance contracted betwixt them King Lewis hauing married King Henries sister and to thanke them for that in the treaty of agreement made betwixt them they had therein comprehended the Venetians by name as their friends and confederates That they should moreouer assure the French King that the Senate did beare the same loue-towards him as it had done in times past determining to preferre his friendship before any others resoluing to renue the warre if he so pleased and that to that end they should councell him to returne speedily into Italy where he should find the Venetian forces ready to ioyne with his Now whilest these Ambassadors were on their way King Lewis died for as hee ouer ardently tooke his pleasure on the excellent beauty of his new wife who was not aboue eighteene yeeres old not remembring his age nor the weakenesse of his complexion he was taken with a feuer beside which being troubled with a continuall flixe hee soone departed out of this present life and made the first day of the yeere 1515. famous by his death It was thought that his death would haue bread great alterations Yet for all that they did not call backe the Ambassadours but commanding them to goe forward on their iourney they were enioyned to stay at a certaine place to expect a new commission from the Senate King Lewis was a lust Prince and welbeloued of his subiects who neither before that hee was King nor afterward did euer finde either bad or good fortune firme and constant to him The ioy which they had of King Lewis his death who desired not the returne of the French into Italy lasted not long For Francis Duke of Angoulesme succeeded Lewis the twelfth as the next in ligne Masculine of the Royal bloud and of the very race of the Dukes of Orleance whose vertues and magnanimity was admired of all men who with the title of French King did likewise take that of Duke of Milan as belonging vnto him not only by the antient claime of the Dukes of Orleance but as being comprized in the inuestiture which the Emperour made according to the treaty of Cambray and besides he had the same desire to recouer it as his predecessor had The which he neuerthelesse dissembled for the present seeking first of all to practize the friendship of other Princes diuers of whose Ambassadors came forth-with to him whom hee graciously receiued and among others those of the Venetians hauing had new commissions sent vnto them to Lyons where they staied with whom he confirmed the league in the same forme as it had beene made with his predecessor and he caused the Bishop of Ast to doe the like in his name who being sent to Venice by King Lewis tarried still there The Venetians who already did make great account of the friendship of the French and had enioyned Marco Dandulo their Ambassador to sound what the new Kings minde was concerning their alliance and confederacy were exceeding glad when they receiued his letters and had seene the Bishop of Ast his commission praising his gentlenesse beeing desirous to shew how highly they esteemed his friendship and therefore they commanded their Ambassadors to giue him great thankes for the loue which he seemed to beare to their Republike and his desire to aide and succour them promising him to employ themselues with like affection in ought that should concerne his seruice and would vse meanes that the French might againe hold some dignity in Italy to the enemies feare and terror and to the maintenance and stay of the Republike their friend and confederate They should likewise perswade him to hasten his iourney and assure him that the chiefe point of victory consisted in speed and not to giue the enemies leisure who were now weake to strengthen themselues as also for feare least the City of Crema which did import much for the recouery of the State of Milan should incurre some danger in regard it had of a long time endured many discommodities of warre so as it was reduced to the
with all the troopes 〈◊〉 within it and the Marquis of Pescara to Lauda but they gaue 〈◊〉 order that 〈◊〉 might be well fortefied and stored with soldiers and all other necessary prouisions into the which Aâ—…tonia de 〈◊〉 entred with three hundred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and fiue thousand foot partly Spaniards and Almaines 〈◊〉 all of them old soldiers In this sort did the French recouer the Citty of Milan into the which the King would not haue the army enter least they should sack it At the same time Iohn Stuard Duke of Albanie appointed by the King to goe and enuade the Realme of Naples with two hundred Lances seauen hundred light horse and foure thousand Suisses craued passage of the Pope thorow the Churches territories and thorow Tuscany to march to that enterprise which was resolued on to draw the Imperiall forces thither to the end that the defence of the state of Milan might bee weakned where dayly sundry townes yeelded without any great difficulty All the cheefe exploits of warre were neere vnto Pauia whither the King with his whole army was come to besiege it resoluing not to stirre from thence till hee had taken it thinking that it would greatly diminish his reputation if hauing so goodly an armie hee should leaue such a Citty behinde him so well stored with Soldiors and victuals as that was The King had according to the common report not reckoning those who stayed at Milan two thousand Lances eight thousand Lansquenets sixe thousand Suisses sixe thousand Pioners and foure thousand Italians the number of whom did afterwards very much encrease with great prouision of Artillery and the flower of all the French Nobility The Imperials on the other side placed their chiefe hope in the conseruation of that Citty and therefore all men were desirous to see what the euent of that siege would bee especially the Pope and the Venetians fearing on the one side the French Kings armes who was displeased with them if hee should prooue the victor and on the other those of the Imperialls if chasing thence the French they should become maisters of Italy Amidst these sundry thoughts they shewed themselues in a manner newters neither sending their forces to the ayde of the Imperialls nor agreeing in any sort with the French expecting with good deuotion the successe of Pauia which beeing reduced to a siege did seeme would bee very long The Pope neuerthelesse thinking it to bee a part of his duty to procure peace betwixt these Princes sent his Datarie to the Kings Campe to treate of an agreement wherevnto the King seemed to condiscend the Viceroy was soone aduertised thereof by his Holynesse to the end hee might testifie that his desire was conformable to the duty wherevnto hee was obliged by the place and degree that hee held to vnite the Emperor and the most Christian king in a firme peace and friendship that all of them together might afterwards arme against the power of Soliman who was already in the field with a mighty Armie The conditions of the treaty of peace propounded by the Pope were That the Emperor should enioy the kingdome of Naples and the French king the Duchy of Milan with particular promise not to passe on any farther into Italy without the Popes knowledge and consent This treaty hauing continued for certaine daies no effect thereof succeeded but onely iealousies betwixt the French and Spaniards wherevpon the Venetians were againe solicited by both parties to fauour their sides The Count of Carpi came to Venice from the French to solicite the Senate to renue their alliance with the most Christian king or at leastwise that they would not bee against him The Viceroy on the other side sent Charles of Arragon thither to require them to send those forces which they were bound to by the capitulations of the league They answered the French Ambassador in generall termes how that they had referred all that businesse to the Pope but to him the Viceroy sent albeit they did not refuse his demand yet neuerthelesse they answered coldely as those who knew very well how to fit their councels to the euent of things and this irresolution of theirs continued till such time as the Pope had very secretly concluded with the French king both for himself them wherevpon when they came to resolution in the Senate their opinions were different either because in many of them the memory of their ancient â—…lliance with the French King was renewed or else for that they supposed hee would prooue victorious in regarde of the great forces that hee had ready in Italy against enemies that were wholy vnready and very ill prouided of all necessaries which caused them rather to encline to the French then to the Imperials According then to this resolution a peace and league betwixt the Pope the King and the Venetians was determined and concluded at Rome with the Ambassadors in the beginning of Ianuary the yeare 1525. and confirmed afterwards by the Senate at Venice This treaty beeing handled very secretly the Senate beeing most importunately vrged by the Emperors Ambassadors to ioyne their troopes with the Imperiall Armie after sundry excuses answered that they would not contradict the Popes command and least of all at that time when they were vpon a treaty of peace which his Holynesse pursued by the Emperors consent and that therefore they would not interrupt it nor bee a a meanes to prolong the warre The league beeing thus concluded the French King sent the Bailiffe of 〈◊〉 to Venice to congratulate them and to assure them of his loue to the Common-wealth from which hee promised neuer to diuide himselfe Hee did afterwards require that the same accord which was secretly concluded might be published abroad wherevnto the Venetians did freely condescend thinking it to bee the best thereby to cause the Imperials who expected their ayde to hope no longer for it and that they beeing destitute of their helpe dispairing of beeing able to keepe the State of Milan might retire some-where else or incline to peace The Pope was of a contrary opinion saying That the treaty ought not to be published the better to reduce the Imperials to greater necessity and danger which would happen so soone as the French should passe the Po which they said they would doe promising to repasse it at the Popes pleasure but time and necessity pressing him to discouer himselfe in regard hee was to grant passage to the Duke of Albany thorow the Churches territories for his iourney into the Realme of Naples the Pope made shew as if the Duke of Albany would passe by force and violence with his troopes thorow the lands of the Church and the Florentines and that for himselfe hee would remaine neutrall in that warre and seeke to procure an vniuersall peace and concord protesting against those two Princes and admonishing them both to throw downe Armes to come to an agreement
to make his preparations for his iourney into Italy came to Genoa with many shippes and Galleis within which were a thousand horse and nine thousand footmen the which he caused to be landed at Sauona for their more easie passage into Lombardy His deseignes for that present could not be truly descouered because he affirmed that his comming into Italy was to establish peace there and to compose all his variances with the Potentates of Italy yet neuerthelesse he did with all speed and from all parts assemble the greatest forces he could Antonio de Leua came and ioyned with him with twelue thousand footmen the Prince of Orange with seauen thousand the Lanceque nets which had beene leuied in the connty of Tiroll to the number of tenne thousand came through the Verona territory to meet him so as all his forces being ioyned together amounted to forty thousand footmen beside the cauallery which was great the Almains being folowed by tenne thousand Bourguinian horse-men The Emperors arriuall and with such prouision did greatly amaze the minds of all Italy together with the rumor that was spredde abroad how that the accord betwixt the Emperor and the most Christian King was already concluded the Confederates beeing not therein comprehended notwithstanding that the King had promised the contrary so that there was not any but the Pope alone which was free from this feare in all Italy according to the particular treaty which he had before concluded with the Emperour at Barcelona which till then had beene kept secret whereby he made account to make vse of the Imperiall forces for the execution of his deseignes and cheefely to restore his nephewes into Florence and to place them in their antient dignity and greatnesse as had beene concluded betwixt them Therefore the more to honor his comming so soone as he vnderstood that he was landed at Genoa he sent thither three of the cheefest Cardinalls of the Colledge for to congratulate his arriuall and to accompany him euery where The Florentines vpon these newes whom it first of all concerned to purchase his fauor and to be assured of his meaning did within a while after likewise send their Ambassadors vnto him who after the congratulation were to excuse them for entring into confederacy against him hauing therein beene enforced by the Popes authority and commandement and for that they had since then continued therein by necessity and they proceeded no farther because they had not any commission especially concerning the strife betwixt the Pope and them buâ—… the Emperor seeming to be desirous to satisfie the Pope in that which he had promised him their Ambassador was to no purpose The other Potentates of Italy did likewise send their Ambassadors to his Imperiall Maiesty requesting his friendship and peace The Venetians alone remaining constant in their determination resolued to enter into no agreement with the Emperor but vpon extremity not but that they were desirous of peace but because he feared that the Emperor had a meaning contrary to the liberty of Italy and that he would so handle the matter as all the whole state thereof should depend only vpon him wherevpon they thought that to shew themselues humble and low-minded was nothing else but to encourage him and to confirme him in his desire and hope of beeing able to command all Italy So that they did then wisely by not sending their Ambassadors to him but they gaue their consent that the Duke of milan who as beeing tyed vnto them had therevppon craued the Senates aduise might send his Ambassadors as a vassall of the Empire and as for themselues being in a manner leâ—…t alone they did with speed make great prouisions for warre to assure as much as might bee their owne state they leauied new troupes of foot to augment their army and to strengthen the garrisons of other Citties they chose Francisco Pascalie Prouidator Generall for the firme land whose principall charge was to visit their forces and to furnish them with all necessaries they tooke diuers Captaines into their pay and among others Sigismond Malatestâ—… with a thousand foote and two hundred light horse and because great numbers of Lancequenets departing from Bolognia were already passed by they caused Iohn Contareâ—… the Prouidaâ—…or and Caesar Fregosa with a strong garrison to enter into Verona Now because it did greatly import them to keepe the other Italian Confederate princes in breath The Senate did not faile to encourage the Florentines and to commend their constancie exhorting them to defend their country and liberty promising to giue them all aide and succour that the time would permit and particularly to cause their forces to enter vpon the Parmesan and Placentine Conâ—…ines so soone as the Emperor should dislodge to draw into those quarters for the defence of his Citties the Emperiall forces which were in Tuscany They did the like to the Duke of Ferraâ—…a vnto whome they sent Marke Antonio Renier their Ambassador to declare vnto him the Republikes good meaning for the common defence of the liberty of Italy and the particular affection which they did beare to the Duke and to his whole state for which being conioyned by neere neighbour-hood and by sundry other respects they would neuer refuse to runne one selfe same fortune with him and therefore they desired to be acquainted with his intent and meaning The Duke shewed that hee was highly pleased with his Ambassade and promised to doe much and particularly to leuy great numbers of men of warre which hee assembled neere to Modena to serue not alone for the defence of his owne state but in all places where the Confederates should haue neede The Treaty of Cambray was at the same time published which already by a Common rumor was knowne to all men namely how that none of the Confederates were comprehended in it There was onely place reserued for the Venetias to enter into it so as within the space offoure moneths they would end their controuersies with the Emperor which was nothing else but a silent exclusion in regard the greatest difficulties remayned vndecided The King by the same treaty was among other things bound â—…o cause those townes which the Venetians held in Puglia to bee rendred to the Emperor and vpon their refusall to declare himselfe their enemy and to helpe him to recouer them by force For the execution of which article the King did on a suddaine send his Ambassadors to Venice to entreat them to render to the Emperour whatsoeuer they held in Puglia being bound to make that request by the Treaty of Cambray and that according to the forme of the Capitulations at Coignac adding therunto that he did so much rely on the affection which they had euer made shew to beare vnto himselfe and to the Crowne of France as albeit that there were not any Treaty that did oblige him to demand that of them hee did neuer-the-lesse perswade him-selfe that hee
reason of their particular claimes and interests that they might doe it without breaking the agreement made at Madrill or Cambray as also because that Genoa was not mentioned in their treaty of the last league but only the state of Milan and the Realme of Naples The Pope seemed to be highly pleased with this enteruiew for hauing propounded to marry his Neece to the second sonne of France and fearing least the Emperor distasting it would refuse to passe on any further in the marriage already determined and concluded betwixt Alexandro de Medicis his nephew and the Lady Marguerite his naturall daughter sought all meanes to entertaine the Emperour and to satisfie him in all things therefore he sent word to all the Potentates of Italy to send their Commissioners to Bolognia where the meeting should be there for to renew the Confederacy according to the Emperors desire This proposition did for diuers reasons displease the Venetians First for feare least the Turke should suspect that the renewing of the league was rather made against him then for the defense of Italy with whom they were to deale with great respect Next they thought it to be against reason so to contemne the interests and deseignes of the French King which might beget great discontent in him which might turne to the losse and detriment of the Signory And then that the Emperors intention to renew this first league being only to comprehend Genoatherein the same might displease the Turke and the French The Turke for that he hated that Citty and Nation from whom that fleet came which had taken Coron and done him so much harme the French because that the assurance of Genoa would enforce them to take armes against them by reason of the report which was already currant how that they had an enterprise vpon it And lastly they were in doubt that this renewing of the league was a cunning of the Emperors to cause the French King and Soliman to suspect the Republick and for to reduce it to this point not onely strictly to ioyne and confederate it selfe with him but likewise to depend wholy vpon him and his pleasure and altogether to follow his fortune by declaring it selfe a friend to his friends and enemy to his enemies The Venetians made answer to the Emperors Agents which came from Rome for that purpose that they were willing to maintaine and keepe the confederacy which they had made with the Emperor and the other Confederates beeing desirous of the peace and quiet of Italy The Emperor in the meane time came forth of Germany into Italy vnto whom the Senate sent foure Ambassadors Marco Minio Ieronimo Pesare Lorenzo Bragadino and Marco Foscare who found him at Pontiebe and waited vpon him thorow their State with all the honor that might bee presenting him with confiâ—…ures and other sweet meates where in they spent aboue ten thousand crownes The Emperor beeing come to Bolognia about the latter end of the yeare the Pope speedily arriued there where were shewed the selfe same demonstrations of friendship and familiarity as at the former time Then comming to conferre together at the beginning of Ianuary of the next yeare 1533. to treate of important affaires and chiefly to renew the last league made in the selfe same place by reason whereof all the other Princes of Italy had sent their Commissioners thither Marc-Antonio Veniero and Marc-Antonio Contaren Ambassadors of the Republick the one with the Pope and the other with the Emperor were called and earnestly intreated by these Princes to perswade the Senate to hearken to that businesse which concerned the safety of all men and the quiet of Italy which they so much desired The Pope besides these exhortations made to the Ambassadors sent Roberto Magio his Nuncio to Venice albeit it was more according to the common report to satisfie the Emperor then for any desire hee had there-vnto The Venetians had vsed all meanes possible to keepe themselues from beeing called into it by promising carefully to obserue that which had beene agreed betwixt them but beeing at last enformed to deliuer their resolution they refused to renew the confederacie or to amplifie the obligations therein contained alleadging for their excuses not mentioning the Freneh how that the Turke had notice of the former made at Bolognia for the safety of Italy so that comming now to renew it in regarde all the deseignes of Christendome were presently meant against him hee would distrust it and vndoubtedly suspect that the Venetians had a hand in it Besides it was sufficiently knowne to all men that for the safety of Italy there was no need to renew the league in regard of the meanes they had to resist all attempts which should bee made against it for if they came by Sea the Emperors fleete was mighty enough to hinder their approaches as for any enterprises by land the league had prouided for it and among others for the matter of Genoa whither they could not come but thorow the State of Milan which was comprehended in the league the which experience did sufficiently manifest no man hauing since three yeares that the league was contracted dared to raise any stirres in Italy no not those who were desirous to trouble the peace thereof The Emperor beeing not satisfied with this answer and desirous speedily to returne into Spaine hauing already remained two moneths at Bolognia was more earnest with the Pope to conclude one betwixt themselues refuting all the reasons which hee for his part could alledge to the contrary so as they began to treate of the Articles of the Confederacie which beeing determined and concluded betwixt the Pope the Emperor and the other Potentates of Italy namely the Dukes of Milan and Ferrara the Citties of Genoa Sienna Luca and Florence notwithstanding that the latter was comprehended in the promises made by the Pope it was published at the latter end of February and by the same each of those that were therein named were bound to contribute to the warres according to his strength and meanes by gathering together in the meane time a stock of one hundred and ten thousand crownes and monethly to furnish the like summe if warre should happen and in time of peace fiue and twenty thousand for the entertainment of the Captaines and other soldiers and at the same instant Antonio de Leua by a generall consent was declared Generall of the league with a decree that â—…ee should remaine in the Dutchy of Milan But it was a matter truly worthy of note thaâ—… albeit the Common-wealth would not consent to this treaty nor in any sort deale therein yet neuerthelesse it was named in the publication thereof and in the impression that was made of it either to make that action to bee of more account or else to cause the Common-wealth to bee suspected and to become odious to other Princes as it came to passe for that impression beeing carried to Constantinople and into England it
least they should after-wards grow could in their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 warâ—… that to make 〈◊〉 greate hast to send an answer was to discouer their weakens to the Turke and to make him become more insolent in the conditions of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were not to make account of expences in regard that they were to arme howsoeuer and being armed to treate of peace and not rashly to rely vpon the faith and discretion of those perfidious enemies In this manner did the practize of the league continue by delaying the affaires of Constantinople But at the last by meanes of diuers who did not cease to solicit them to send an answer and not wholy to giue ouer that treaty and to take armes it was propounded in the Senate to write to the Bayly still to entertaine the Baschâ—… Aiax and to tell him how that the common-wealth had great cause to complaine of Soliman who without being prouoked had broaken the peace and came like an enemy to enuade the Isle of Corfoù not tarring for Vrsinos returne who by his expresse command was sent to Venice with promise to attempt nothing till his returne that the Senate had beene euer very carefull to continew the peace and friendship with Soliman whose enterprizes it had neuer sought to hinder but had inuiolably kept there promise with him euer behauing themselues as newters If the Generall â—…esare had met with his forces vpon the coast of Puglia where the Turkish army lay it was by meere chance hauing beene driuen thither by force of the windes Their drift that propounded this was to haue the Baily by this discourse to vse meanes to discouer the Turkes meaning concerning peace and if he should see any good likelihood there-vnto then to beginne to motion it This being thus propounded in the Senate three daies were spent in the resolution thereof after-which the matter hauing beene long debated by the cheefe Senators two voyces wanting for the ending of it the whole matter remayned vnresolued the promises of Princes hauing made such an impresion in all men as they wholy relied thereon Don Lopes the Emperors Ambassador hauing notice of this irresolution hoping that the Common-wealth would make a more strict alliance with the Emgeror beganne to solicite the Senate as Doria had already done to Vnite and ioyne their nauall Armies and to bee no longer newters but openly to declare them selues enemies to the Turkes But the wisest and best aduised among them meaning not to bee carried away by words abused by vaine and idle promises did continue in their former proposition not to take armes but vpon constraint against so mighty an enemy who was able in so many sundry places to enuade the State of the Common-wealth which was not alone of it selfe suffitient to make defence against him and ought not to rely ouer-much on an others helpe Therefore they determined to answer the Ambassadors offers in generall termes and by the same meanes to thanke the Emperor as author thereof assuring him that for diuers respects they could not passe on any father and namely because that the French and the Turkes seeking their friendshippe they had answered them that they would not therein giue them satisfaction by reason that the Senats meaning was by shewing them-selues newters to keepe their promise with all men intending neuer-the-lesse to remaine armed what-so-euer should befall setting alwaies before their eyes with their owne proper interest the commodity of all Christendome At this answer the Ambassador held his peace not making any farther reply but within a while after comming into the Senate he made another request vnto them which was that for feare least the French should come downe into the State of Milan they would raise the six thousand foote-men to defend it which they were bound to furnish by their last accord for which the Duke of Vrbin hauing taken speedy order who was their Captaine Generall they replied that there was no need to cause those troupes to march any farther which were appointed onely for the defense of the State of Milan seeing that the French were still making warre in Piedmont and that so soone as they should passe the riuer Sefia it would be theâ—… time to vrge their promise which they would in no sort breake The end of the first Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the second Booke of the sixth Decade THE Venetians doe hasten the fortification of the Islands and Sea townes of their iurisdiction Andre Doria is chosen Generall of the Army of the league Solimans great preparations against the Venetians The Venetian Senate resolue to make warre vpon Soliman The league concluded andresolued on betwixt the Pope the Emperor and the Venetians against Soliman The French King refuseth to enter into the league The treaty of peace betwixt the Emperor and the French King is broken The Pope commeth to Nice to attone them where truce was onely graunted Barbarossa wasteth the Islands of the Archipelago Hee commeth into Candy with his retreate thence The Senate sendeth supplies into Candy The Sangiach of Morea summoneth the cities of Naples and Maluesia in Morea to yeeld The Turkes wast and Spoyle Dalmatia whither the Senate sendeth supplies The Turkes take certaine Castles in Dalmatia A motion made in the Senate for the recouery of that which they had taken there The Turkes returne doth breake that motion The Emperor after that the Venetians had renued the league sendeth his Nauall Army to Corfoù The Army of the league resolueth to goe and assalt the Castle of Preueze Doria fauoreth the Army of Barbarossa Doria is vnwilling to giue Barbarossa battaill The Generall Capel complaineth for that they did not fight And lastly Dorias retreat to Corfoù to the great greefe and discontent of the whole Army The Second Booke of the sixth Decade of the Historie of Uenice THE Treaty of peace being wholy broken and no hope remaining but in armes dilligent and carefull prouision was made in Venice of all things necessary for the warre great numbers of vessells and soldiors munitions and victualls to furnish the Islands and other townes on the Sea coast Those of Naples and Maluesia made sute to haue their Garrisons augmented and especially to furnish them sufficiently with victualls and munition for want of which Naples had like to haue fallen into the enemies hands promising that if they might be thus releeued to sustaine all the perills and dangers of warre to keepe those Citties vnder the Venetians obedience The Isle of Candy made the like request where certaine troubles being raised and sundry scandalous speeches giuen forth that they would yeeld to the enemy if hee should come thither for feare of sacke and spoyle as it had happened in the Islands of thy Archipelago the cheefe townes of the Island sent Ambassadors to Venice to cleere them selues oâ—… that imputation and to let them know that the error of some of base condition had occasioned those reports
their Gallies they made incursions into the Isles of Zant and Cephalonia and the inhabitants being retired into the fortes all the villages and country houses were burned and the whole country wasted The Turke beeing not satisfied with setting forth a fleet had likewise raised a land army vnder the command of Achmat Basha determining to enuade the Venetians both by sea and land in regard the treaty of peace was wholly broken off and no hope of agreement left For so soone as Ragasson came to Constantinople the Turkes hoping by accord to obtaine that which they could hardly get by armes he was together with the Baily brought before Mahomet the Visier Basha who beganne highly to extoll the power of the Ottoman Empire and to relate the great Lords deseignes against the States of the Venetian Common-wealth who resolued to enuade them by sea and land That Selims intent was to propound peace on very hard conditions neuerthelesse hee would find meanes to moderate that great seuerity prouided likewise that they would consent to what hee should tell them which in effect was that the Baily should perswade the Senate freely to surrender to Zelim the entire possession of Cyprus as a State iustly belonging to the Ottoman Empire The Baily perceiuing thereby that the treaty of peace could not bee continued to the honour of the Common-wealth aduised Ragasson to leaue Constantinople which hee did the other businesse concerning merchants remayning likewise imperfect which once was concluded but presently reuoked by reason of some false reportes brought from Syria and Alexandria so that Ragassons iourney was altogether vaine The end of the ninth Booke of the sixth Decade The Contents of the tenth Booke of the sixth Decade THE Spaniards absolutely tell the Pope and Venetians that they will not ioyne their forces till Don Iohns arriuall The great progression of the Turkish fleet The league is concluded at Rome and published at Venice The Turkes take Dulcigna and Antiuary The Venetians great preparations so soone as they heard that the Turkes were come into their Gulphe The enemies come before Mandracchia with their base retreat The Pope soliciteth Christian Princes to enter into the league The arriuall of Don Iohn and the Spanish forces The Turkish army before Famagosta Marc-Antonio Bragadino Gouernor of Famagosta The enemies at one time batter the city in fiue seuerall places The beseeged make a counter-battery The Turkes giue many fierce assaults to the city The cittizens by reason of extreâ—…me want are enforced to yeeld vpon composition Mustapha his perfidious cruelty His impiety against the dead The vnion of the Christian fleete with the number of the vessels The Christian fleet resolueth to fight with the Turkes The famous battaile of Lepanto where the Turkish fleet is defeated and put to rout The number of the dead on both sides with the number of the enemies vessels that were taken The great ioy at Venice for newes of the victory Don Iohn retireth to Messina The Venetians take the fort of Marguerites The Christians enterprize vpon Saint Maur is bootles And lastly Marc-Antonio Colonna his magnificent entry at Rome The tenth Booke of the sixth Decade of the History of Uenice THE Confederates nauall army which should haue met at Ottranto in May there to haue ioyned altogether came not thither at the latter end of Iune neither was there any tidings of it The conclusion of the league hanging in suspence and the Venetians fearing that they should not bee strong enough of themselues to incounter and repulse the enemies fleete which was reported to bee farre greater then those of the former yeere determined to set forth threescore Gallies of the best in all the fleet at Candy to employ them for the releefe of Cyprus or other places as need should bee to hinder the enemies nauigation vpon those seas and to cut off the rereward of the Turkish Gallies which should lagge behind the fleet and in a word to take hold on all occasions which time should offer Such was the State of the Venetian fleet for that time the greatest part whereof remayning at Corfou did daily expect the arriuall of the Spanish Armada The Pope and Venetians made earnest request that the Gallies of Naples and Sicily which were ready might goe to Ottranto but the Spaniards would not heare of it resoluing to tarry for Don Iohns arriuall The Turkes on the other side hauing intelligence that the forces of the Christian Princes were not yet vnited departing from Candy did boldly saile forwards the great Lord hauing commanded them to seeke out the Christian fleete and fight with it and in the meane time to waste all places by the way belonging to the Venetian State The Generall Venieri hauing intelligence of the enemies course and deseignes and knowing that nothing could hinder them from passing forward resolued to saile with the fleet to Messina fearing as it was very likely that if the enemies fleet should come neerer to Corfoù his owne Gallies would bee exposed to sundry perils and and dangers and if the Turkes should come and lie betwixt the Fana and the Merlieres hee likewise feared that they would hinder the vniting of the Confederates forces Whilest these determinations were made abroad the league on the second day of Iuly was with great solemnity and concourse of people published at Venice after the celebration of Masse in Saint Markes Church by Don Guzman de Silua Ambassador for the Catholike King in the presence of the Duke Senate Princes Ambassadors and great numbers of Prelats who together with the whole Clergy going afterwards through the city in Precession came into the great Market-place which was ritchly hung with tapistry and other costly ornaments whither so soone as the Prince came to the vsuall place where proclamations are made to the people the league was by an Herald published with great silence which being done the ordnance were shot off drummes beaten and trumpets sounded to the great ioy and content of all the people The league being in this sort published they hastened the preparations already begunne and solicited other Princes to enter into it that they might the better encrease their forces Wherevpon the Pope determined for that purpose to send his Nephew the Cardinall Alexandrine into Portugall supposing that the forces and territories of that King would bee fit to affoord aide and reputation to the league hee beeing Lord of many armed vessels and his countries of the Indies confying vpon the Turkish Empire in respect whereof the Senate likewise resolued that Antonio Tepulo then Ambassadour in Spaine should to the same end goe to the King of Portugall to bee there in the name of the Common-wealth at such time as the Popes Legat should treat of that businesse The Venetians the league beeing thus concluded were so bent to warre vpon hope to encrease their forces by the assistance of other Princes as they would not harken to any discourse of peace for
being taken away our forces would ioyne set forwards against the enemy we were enforced to leaue our Islands as their prey to call home our fleet with greater blemish to our reputation expence of lost time then the vniting of our forces would haue profited vs and lastly when fortune hath offered vs many vnhoped for faire occasions to ouer-throw our enemies wee haue beene constrained to omit them beeing forsaken by our friends who vnseasonably dislodged from the Hauen of Nauarin with no honorable but a very preiudicious resolution But what need I to rehearse things so lately done Wee are reduced to such extremity as wee are not able alone to maintaine warre against the Turkes and wee know by experience that the company of others who should ayde and assist vs is rather a burthen and impediment to vs at first it promiseth much but afterwards it growes cold and in deed doth rather encrease then diuert our dangers Wee were perswaded that there would not onely be a sure correspondency betwixt the Pope Catholick King and vs but that the confederacie of these three Potentates would haue incited all other Christian Princes to take armes with vs against the common enemy especially after that notable victory which all men thought would haue procured the Turkes finall ruine but beeing now confirmed by sundry proofes wee may perceiue that this opinion was rather conceiued according to our owne desire then the certainty of the matter Shall wee still then continue in the same error and ground the conseruation of the State and the whole fortune of our affaires on vncertaine foundations and hopes which haue so often deceiued vs Questionlesse it was a generous resolution not to grant the insolent demands of Selim constantly to maintaine the cause of Christendome in no sort to degenerate from our Ancestors who haue euer brauely pursued those enterprises by which they hoped to purchase greatnesse and glory to their Common-wealth but now when wee haue couragiously taken armes and with fortunate successe wonne the battaile hoping for greater matters I know not by what disaster wee can reape no fruite thereof and in fighting wee hazard all and by winning gaine nothing to continue still the same deseignes and dangers without any profit after that the opportunity which together with the victory offered it selfe for the execution of some great enterprise hath already escaped vs will bee rather thought obstinate rashnesse then any zeale to Christian piety or desire of true honour If wee consider the quality of our forces and State wee shall easily perceiue that there is nothing more hurtfull or ill beseeming it then to draw the warre out in length Because that our affaires doe still impaire the leagues forces depending on sundry councels and many times on contrary respects and although they are great doe neuerthelesse become vaine and vnprofitable and then the discommodity of maintaining them for our part is very great by reason of the excessiue expences wee are to bee at for want of men and especially Rowers Most part of whom the late warre hath exhaust not to bee supplyed but with great cost and vncertaine whether with any But if wee shall view our owne estate in a true not flattering glasse wee shall discerne it to bee rather great then strong at least not equiualent to such an enemy An other maine consideration is the distraction and remotenesse of our territory neerer danger then succour requiring diuerse Armies to secure so diuerse places How then is it probable continuance of this warrre shall not more weaken vs then the enemy prosecution of the late victory in deed gaue vs some hope for so wee might haue dispatcht it But how this opportunity is lost and the effects of loosing it ate experience doth teach vs. Now our hope is fledde to the enemy Can then any man doubt but that wee should welcome peace offering hir selfe to vs Since we cannot protect our State by warre why should we not by peace wee know that the Bascha Mahomet alwaies inclining to amity hath vsed their late ouerthrowes as inducements to draw his master to entertaine milder conditions Yf we now reiect his offer he may perhaps reiect vs heereafter Who could haue immagined that the Turks out of the wracks and ashes of their last Fleet could so sodainly haue raised another and with it not only secure themselues but inuade vs what cleerer demonstration can we haue of their Potency or more insallible prediction of the warres euent if after ouerthrow they could doe all this what might we expect after victory I would entreat those which stand for war to satisfie me if domestick occasions imploy the aid of Spaine at home or any priuate respect diuert it to Affrick our props then failing how are wee able of our selues to stand Dependance vppon others may make vs neglect our owne strength and when danger is at our doore it will bee to late to call for helpe from Spaine Portugall or Germany or for them to preuent those Mischeefs which wee already suffer These infirmities the enemy discouering he will grow more insolent and bee so farre from offering that he will not accept any conditions of peace It is pollicy therefore my noble Lords since we haue not reaped the fruit of victory to prouide that we vndergoe not the calamities of ouerthrow that the expence of so much blood time and treasure may purchace safety hough not conquest Wee must not to confidently rely vppon the hazard of battaile whose euent is euer vncertaine som-times not greatly profitable Let vs rather trust to the cleernesse of reason then blindnesse of fortune alwayes an enemy to great actions Peace may perhaps set open some fairer breach to warre heereafter The world can make no dishonourable construction heereof nor our Consederates condemne vs but themselues wee hauing alwaies beene as foreward in the warre as they backward Who can tax vs beeing neglected by others if we secure our selues We follow but the president of the Spaniards and end the warre as they shunne it Nay one of the Catholick Kings cheefe Councelors hath made our Apologie heerein who suspecting this treaty affirmed his maister had no cause to censure ill if the Venetians without violating his entertained the Turkes freindship vpon honorable termes If this peace should soone breake yet we should get breath a thing necessary to the weaker and wearied party All things vnder the Moone are infected with her mutability mens councells and actions altring like themselues Let vs then imbrace this meanes of our safety God in whose protection this State hath euer beene hath vsed this scourge of war to discipline not wound vs and will at his leisure open some vnexpected way of farther happinesse The Princes speech together with his authority was of great force wherevpon the Senate sent presently a new commission to the Baily to reuiue the treaty of peace with ample power to conclude it on the aboue mentioned conditions The great
sundry difficulties arising about the renewing of the fleet did much farther this resolution in respect of the great numbers that were dead the like did newes from Flanders where by reason of new rebellions and aid which the Germaines were ready to send them all places were in vprore in regard whereof the Spaniards had turned all their deseignes thither moreouer the Senate at the same time had intelligence that a Chiaus from Constantinople arriued at the Emperors Court whom though it was afterward knowne that his comming was Concerning Moldauia they suspected came to craue passage for the Turkish army which was said to be comming into Frioul These aduertizements did coole their heate who were yet willing to continue the league so as with generall consent euery one inclined to the treaty of peace The Bishop of Aix Ambassador for the French King was presently accquainted with this determination he was lately returned from Constantinople to Venice where he receiued a new Commission from his King to returne to the great Lords Porte and in his name to further this treaty wherevnto his Maister had often aduised the Venetians to hearken The Bayly hauing intelligence of the Senates determination was commanded so soone as the French Ambassador should arriue at Constantinople to conferre with him concerning the treaty of peace and as occasion should bee offered to make vse of his Kings mediation and authority The Turke in the meane time hauing notice that the Bishop was to returne to Constantinople presently suspected that hee brought new conditions of peace more aduantagious for them wherevpon their former treaties with the Baily were by little and little neglected cunningly going about to temporize concealing their owne intentions This delay did greatly preiudice the businesse for they who for their owne particular interest were desirous to hinder it alleadged sundry difficulties especially to Selim telling him that all things were ready that it was neither profitable nor honorable at that time to speake of any accord whereby the state of the treaty grew euery day from bad to worse the Turkes propounding very vnreasonable conditions thereby manifesting how carelesse they were of peace Therefore they committed the Bayly to straighter keeping muring vp the windows of his house placing strong guards about it handling him very roughly thinking thereby to enforce him to reueale his latest and most secret Commission or else the treaty of peace being broken to hinder him from aduertising the Senate of their warlike prouisions or rather which is most likely to bee true to barre his conference with the Bishop thinking by this meanes more easily to draw from the French Ambassador ignorant of what was past the new conditions which they supposed hee brought with him So soone as the Bishop arriued they confer'd with him and found that he had no other then a generall Commission but the Visier Basha suspecting that the French for their owne particular interest would haue an hand in this treaty by this good office bind the Turkes to fauour and assist the Duke of Aniou the French Kings brother in the election to the crowne of Poland would in no sort vse him as an instrument but effect it by the former meanes and mediation of those whom hee had first imployed namely Orimber and Salomon therefore he renued his treaty with the Bayly and after sundry propositions and answeres from both sides peace at last was concluded about mid March whereby confirming all articles contained in the old Commission sauing that the castle of Siponto which the Venetians yet held should be surrendred to the Turkes As for other townes of Albania and Sclauonia with their confines and territories possest before the warre should remaine vnto those who then held them that all marchants goods should bee restored on both sides and that the Venetians beside should be bound for three yeares space to send an 100000. Ducats yearely to Constantinople which the Turkes for their owne greatnesse and reputation made most account of Peace in this sort beeing concluded and signed by Selim the Bayly dispatched his sonne Francesco to Venice who arriued there on the fifteenth of Aprill where it was presently published The end of the second Booke of the seuenth Decade The Contents of the third Booke of the seuenth Decade POpe Gregory is displeased for that the Venetians made peace with the Turke The King of Spaine is highly pleased therewith The Pope beeing satisfied by an Ambassador sent of purpose from Venice in open consistory doth approue what they had done The Venetians and Turkes are iealous of each other Peace is ratified with the Turke Henry Duke of Aniou is chosen King of Poland and goes thither Don Iohns voyage into Affrike where he takes Tunis The death of Selim the Turkish Emperor The death of Charles the ninth French King The King of Polands secret departure towards France Great triumphs made at Venice at the reception of Henry King of France and Poland Amurath the Turkish Emperor enuades the Empires territories Amurath confirmes peace with the Venetians A great plague at Venice with the Prince and Senates vow to appease Gods wrath Great charity of Cardinall Borromeo The lawes of Venice are reformed and a new order taken for the gouernment of matters The Pope sends a golden Rose to the Venetian Duke The Venetians decree concerning the Citizens particular expences The Venetians solicited by the Persians against the Turke will not agree to it Contention betwixt the Venetians and knights of Malta The death of Pope Gregory the thirteenth and creation of Sixtus the fifth A Dutchesse is cruelly murthered in Padua The third Booke of the seuenth Decad of the Historie of Uenice PEACE beeing published men did differently censure thereof measuring it by their owne particular affection Many had regard to their owne interest and others perseuering in their former hope that warre would haue procured much good to Christendome did taxe the Venetians for making peace but grauer and more iudicious spirits measured future things by experience of matters past saying that therein they were to be approoued at least not condemned requiring it for the conseruation of the State which without this only remedy Peace was exposed to very dangerous hazards But the Pope more then any seemed to be displeased therewith and at such time as the Venetian Ambassador came to acquaint him with it commanded him forth of his presence and would for that time admit no excuse The Cardinals and others of his Court following his President discoursed thereof after their owne various passions The Catholike King knowing by experience how much it importeth Princes to desire the preseruation of their owne States did with great iudgement and modesty seeme for his part to bee well pleased therewith saying that hee doubted not but that the occasions which mooued the Venetians to doe so were of great importance hoping that as himselfe had freely imploied his forces for the seruice of
Pope 68 The incursions of Rance de Cera Gouernour of Crema 69 The tenour of the Senates letters to Aluiana 74 Troubles in Asia 75 The Emperour Maximilian prouoketh Selim against the Venetians 76 Traitor punished 77 To what intent the Spaniard spake to the Venetians of peace 88 Those of Bressia make a sally on the Venetians campe 101 The retreat of the Venetians Armie ibid. Triuulcio leaueth his charge 104 The Emperours comming into Italie 105 The whole countrey betwixt Oglio Po and Adda yeelds to the Emperour 107 Truce renewed betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians 117 The King of England chosen Vmpier betwixt mightie Princes 124 Traitours in Milan giue aduertisement to Prospero Colonna 128 Triuulcio taken prisoner by the Imperials 129 The protestation of the Emperor and King of Englands Ambassadors in Senate 139 The French King will by no meanes discampe from Padua 148 The French King is taken by the Imperials and the Armie defeated ibid. The Emperours speech and gestâ—…re vpon newes of the victorie 149 The King of Englands courtesie towards the French king 154 The King of Englandes aâ—…nswere to the Commissioners of the league 156 The two Armies of the Pope and the Venetians march together to Milan 157 The offer of the Pope and the Venetians to the King 159 The King of England offereth the Pope a great summe of money 163 The Emperours preparations by sea and land ibid. The two Armies of the league and Imperialles at once in Tuscanie 171 The king of Fraunâ—…e and England resolue to free the Pope 176 The Emperours dissimulation concerning the Popes taking 177 The French kings great preparations to send into Italy 179 The Turke being assailed by Marcello hath speedie reuenge 183 The Emperour commaundeth the Pope to be enlarged 115 The French kings answere to the Venetians Ambassador and his determination 206 Treason discouered in Barletâ—…a 207 The two Armies of the French and Venetians distrust one another 209 Triuulcio his request from the king to the Venetians 213 The Emperours arriuall at Genoa 212 The Kings request to the Venetians 215 The king entreateth the Emperour to make an accord with the Venetians 216 The Emperour is desirous of an accord with the Venetians 218 The Emperour is crowned at Bolognia 224 The Emperours gift to the Venetian Ambassadors brought into the publike treasurie ibid. The Turkes complaints against the Venetians 226 The Emperour granteth an Interim concerning the difference in Religion 228 The king of Hungarie seeketh peace of the Emperour and Ferdinand 230 The Emperour with a mightie Armie encampeth before Vienna 232 The Emperours and Solimans nauall Armie 233 The Emperour returneth into Italie 235 The Turkes recouer Coron 243 The Turkish fleet scoureth the Sea-coast of Calabria 244 The Emperour seeketh to the Venetians 245 The Emperour for the Venetians sake doth maintaine the Duke of Vrbins caufe 246 The Emperours preparations for Africke ibid. The Emperours great Armie for his voiage into Affricke 247 The taking of Thunis and Bonna 248 The Emperours captious answere to the Venetians concerning the State of Milan ibid. The Emperour challengeth the French King to single fight 250 The Emperour enforced to retire forth of Prouence 251 The three chiefe pointes which the Pope handled with the Christian Princes 252 The French king sendeth an Ambassador to Venice to draw them from the Emperour ibid. The king purposeth to vse the Turke against the Emperour 253 The king commeth to Lyons to go into Italy 257 Three sundrie accidents that caused warre betwixt Soliman and the Venetians 260 The Turks of Obrouazzo retire to the Castle 269 Treatie of peace betwixt the French king and the Emperour broken off 276 The Emperour declareth that hee could not take Armes for the league ibid. The Emperour and French King refuse to sâ—…e one another at Nice in the Popes presence 277 The Turkish feastes of Baieran 278 The Turks wast Dalmatia 281 The Turkes take the Castle of Laurana 282 The Turks leaue Dalmatia and goe into Hungarie 283 The Turkes arriuall makes the Venetians quit Obrauazza 284 The Turks wonder at the Christians boldnesse 286 The Turkish Gallies put to rout by the Armie of the league 287 The Turkes come forth of the Gulph and put themselues in battaile 288 The Turkes purpose broken by Doria 289 The Turkish Armie retireth into the Gulph of Larra 292 The Emperours excuses for not performing his promise 295 The Turkes great preparations for recouerie of Castel-nouo 298 Truce for three monethes betwixt the Turkes and Venetians 299 Truce prolonged with the Venetians 300 The Basha his demaunds to Contaten 302 The Emperour desireth passage through France to goe into Flanders 303 The Emperour and French king send to the Venetians to diuert them from peace with the Turks 304 The Emperour commeth to Paris 307 The traitors which bewrayed Badoatio his Commission to the Turks discouered 308 The traitors punished 309 The Emperours resolution contrarie to his promise 313 The Emperour allieth himselfe with Henrie King of England 319 The Turkes take Regio in Calabria 320 The Emperour returneth into Italy ibid. The Emperour refuseth to conferre with the Pope 321 The Turke makes warre in Hungarie 322 Two Legates sent to the Emperour and the French king to procure peace 324 The Emperour and Ferdinand send Ambassadors to treat of peace with the Turke 326 Truce for one yeare betwixt the Emperour his brother and Soliman 328 Tyrannicall law of the Turks ibid. The Emperor refuseth to inuest Pietro Lodouico in the Dutchie of Parma and Placentia 329 The Emperours the French kings difficulties cause of peace in Italy 330 The Emperours complaintes against the Pope with his returne so Milan 335 The Turke sendeth an Ambassador to Venice 342 The Turkes make war in Hungarie and Transiluania 347 The Emperour sendeth the Vice-Roy of Naples against the Siennois 355 The Emperour Charles resigneth his whole state to his sonne Philip and to his brother 358 Truce granted and soone broken 358 The taking of Calais by the Guise 361 The forme of the great Turkes oath 369 The opinion of the other Bâ—…shaes contrarie to that of Mahomet 371 Treason practised by a Cypriot discouered and punished 374 The King of Spaines aunswâ—…re to the Popes conteâ—…t 376 The Turkes preparations for the war of Cyprus 378 The Emperours answere to the Venetian Ambassadour 382 Turkes repulsed from Tina 385 The Turkish fleete landed in Cyprus ibid. Turks build 3. Forts neere to Nicosiâ—… 390 Turkes take the Bulwarke Constantia 391 The Emperour resuseth to enter into the leâ—…gue 396 The Emperour will not allow of the Popes new Title giuen to the Duke of Florence 399 Tepulo his opinion tends to warre 401 The league against the Turke concluded ibid. Turkes put to rout in Candie 404 Turkes waste the Islands of Xant and Zephalenia ibid. The League published at Venice 407 Turks before Dulcigna 408 Turkes before Mandrachia 410 The king of Spaines answere to the Cardinall Alexandrine ibid. The leagues offer to
enemie Ordelapho knowing that in such dangerous businesses speed was to be vsed passed into Dalmatia with a greater Armie than before and ouertaking the enemie before the walles of Zara drew him forthwith to battaile At the beginning they fought furiously on either side fortune enclining to neither part vntill that Ordelapho encouraging his Soldiours and thrusting himselfe into the formost rankes fighting hand to hand with the enemie was stricken with a dart of which wound he sodainely dyed The Venetians being amazed at their Princes death did for a time sustaine the enemies forces but beeing disordered they fell to flight diuers were slaine in the fight and many taken prisoners The report of this losse brought great heauinesse to the Citie The common people thought that their Prince being dead and their Armie defeated there was no more hope for them to be able to keepe the Prouince Therefore they resolued to send Ambassadours to the king of Hungarie to obtaine a peace if it might be or else truce for a certaine time Vitalis Phaledrio Vrso Iustiniano and Marini Morosino the Secretarie were sent thither who obtained truce of the king for fiue yeares Ordelapho's bodie beeing brought to Venice was honorably buried in Saint Markes Church who fighting valiantly for his Countrie was slaine in the nineteenth yeare of his Principalitie Dominico Michaeli was chosen in his sted ¶ DOMINICO MICHAELI the 35. Duke of Venice BAldwin the second of that name sent to this Prince for aide For the affaires of the Christians in Syria were brought to such a passe that they spake no more of making themselues greater but only how to keepe that which they had gotten For albeit in the two first yeares of his raigne he had obtained certaine victories of the enemie yet there was some likelihood that they daily waxing stronger as indeede they did they should hardly be able to keepe those places which they held in Syria without fresh supplies He requested the Venetians by his Ambassadours to passe with a mightie fleete into Asia and the more easily to obtaine it his Ambassadours in his name promised a verie great recompence But Baldwin expecting supplies from Italie being taken prisoner by Dalochus king of the Parthians with whom hee had fought was carried away captiue to Cayro Then those that remained in Ierusalem did speedily certifie Pope Calixus of the state of the affaires of Syria assuring him that if they were not forth with succoured with supplies from Italie and Europe that their dominion in Asia would not only be soone brought to nothing but the name of Christians would be extinct and all reduced vnder the power of the Turkes The Pope being moued by this great danger began forthwith to examine which were the chiefest forces of Italie and found that there were none but the Venetians which were able in those miserable times to preserue the affaires and state of the Christians in Syria Therefore he sent his Nuncio to entreate Prince Dominico speedily to passe into Asia with a mightie fleete to aid the Christians The people then being called before the Assemblie after due Praiers made vnto God the Patriarch of the Citie by the Princes commaundement spake to them after this manner The Oration of the Patriarch of Grada to the people of Venice I Thinke ô people of Venice that you are not ignorant what our owne forces in part and partly those of the rest of Europe haue done these precedent yeares for the recouerie of Palestine which ye call the holie Land For this is the six and twentith yeare if I mistake not since that great voiage which so manie Christian Princes taking the badge of the crosse vpon them vndertooke for the same purpose into Asia where by the Diuine bountie and their valour all that which stretcheth from Bythinia euen to Syria was in a short space taken by force out of the hands of the cruell enemie And our people likewise after they had taken Smyrna in Ionia and executed manie martiall exploits all along the Sea-coasts of Syria did not only purchase great commendation but had their share in the Cities that were taken The which if we well obserue ye shall finde that they laid a sure foundation at that instant whereon to enlarge in time to come your Dominion in Syria But it hath hapned in a short time that by the decease of Godfrey Baldwin and Beamond with other excellent Captaines who died according to the necessitie of nature our affaires in Syria haue been so altred as in sted of their woonted prosperous successe they are on a sodaine fallen to the ground and doe daily wex weake so as being more and more exposed to the violent assaults of the enemies wee haue left vs small hope of abilitie to defend that Prouince The which Baldwin the second fearing did not long since send his Ambassadours vnto vs to entreate vs with great promises to prepare forthwith a mightie Armie and therewith to passe speedily into Asia The intreaties of so great a person did mooue vs. But beeing at the point to open the matter vnto you and deuising meanes how to prouide such an Armie we haue with great terrour receiued newes how Baldwin is taken by Dalochus king of the Parthians and carried prisoner to Cayro Whereupon Varimond Bishop of Ierusalem ô yee Christian people being amazed with all those which lie in garrison in the Citie haue speedily sent for aide and succour to Pope Calixtus saying that vnlesse they be speedily releiued themselues with whatsoeuer they possesse in that Prouince are in danger to be lost The Pope being troubled with these newes hath thought the Venetians alone to be worthie of such an enterprise He hath written to your Prince and to you yee people of Venice whom hee intreateth exhorteth and adiureth not to abandon Christian Religion in so great a daunger Wherewith your Princes pleasure is you should be acquainted to the end ye might will and command a great Armie to be prouided for that purpose whereunto pittie alone and the affection which we beare to the Apostolike Seâ—… and to all Christians in generall should not onely prouoke vs which hauing receiued from our Ancestors as here ditarie we ought to preserue and increase with all our power but likewise the desire which wee haue to enlarge the bounds of our Dominions Who is it but seeth that it will cheefely be an holy and iust warre the which wee ought principally to consider in all things and secondarily highly worthie of the charitie and Religion for which ye are are euerywhere famous to defend by Armes and to preserue from the enemies wrong this land where Christ our king was borne did hide himselfe wept was betraied taken and crucified and his most holie bodie laid in the graue and who according as holie Writ doth witnesse to vs shall come the soueraigne Iudge one daie to enquire of the deedes of all mankind What Churches what monasteries what Altars doe yee
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
Florentines was by a generall consent of them all concluded VVhereupon their Ambassadour being called before the Senate the agreement betwixt their two States which was to continue firme and inuiolable betweene them during the whole time of the warre following was solemnely concluded and confirmed in such manuer as hâ—…reunder followeth It was therefore concluded that the Venetians and Florentines should Arme at their common charge sixteene thousand horse and eight thousand foote They should furnish two Nauall Armies with the one the Venetians should saile vp the Riuer Po to resist the forces of Philip and the Florentines along the Riuer of Genoa with the other That no man should speake of peace neither before nor otherwise till the Venetian should commaund it That all the Cities Fortes and Townes taken on the confines of Flaminia should belong to the Florentines the others should be ioyned to the Venetian state orgiuen to whom the Venetians should please So soone as Lorenzo in the Florentines name had allowed of these written conditions he did cast himselfe at the Princes feete and voluntarily with a loud voice began to protest That the Florentine peoplâ—… should bee for euer mindfull of such a benefit and besought God that the Venetians affaires might daily prosper better and better And that if euer it did happen that the Venetian people should haue neede the Florentines would be euer readie according to their meanes to aide the Venetian Common-wealth This new alliance was strengthned by Nicholao de Aeste Francisco Gonzaga Amadeo Duke of Sauoy King Alfonso reconciled not long before to the Florentines and by those of Sienna in respect of their neighbour-hood The Venetians sent Francisco Serrano one of their Secretaries to Philip to entreate him speedily to desist from making warre on the Florentines who were newly allied to the Venetians and vpon his refusall he should in the Common-wealths name according to the custome of their Ancestors denounce warre against him But he was so farre off from condescending to the tenour of this Ambassade as on the contrarie he did with great courage entertaine their defiance imagining by how much the matter was more painefull and dangerous so much greater did he hope the honour and glorie would bee if hee should chance to winne the Victorie The end of the ninth Booke of the second Decad. THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE SECOND DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the tenth Booke of the second Decad. CARMAGNOLLA Captaine Generall to the Florentines taketh Bressia The Armie of PHILIP returning from Tuscanie besiegeth Bressia The great Trench which the Venetians made about the Castle of Bressia The enemies being wearied with the long siege yeeld vp the Castle of Bressia Peace being concluded with PHILIP doth not last long through his owne fault The Milanois Oration to PHILIP to stirre him vp to renew the warre The Venetians hauing renewed their alliance with the Florentines doe againe beginne the warre The banished Fregoses being vanquished in battaile by the Genoueses were driuen from the Genoa Coast. The Nauall Armie of PHILIP broken by the Venetians a little beneath Cremona two infortunate incounters hapning soone after to the Venetians not farre from Cremona The enemies falling into an Ambuscado neare to Bressia doe loose many of their Horse The enemies so daine sallie on the Venetians Campe neare to Otholenga doth greatly trouble them A battaile neare to the Riuer of Olia where they fought on both sides without any losse Last of all PHILIP is wholly put to rout at Macal whereupon peace ensueth WArre being thus denounced the Senate did forthwith make a speedie leauie of Souldiors ouer all Italie But in the meane space not to loose any time they gaue to Carmagnolla their Captaine Generall all those troupes which they had then readie Hee hauing receiued them being full of courage beganne to thinke in what manner hee might by some braue exploit begin the warre For his hatred to Philip on the one side and on the other the great opinion which the whole Senate and people of Venice had conceiued of him did animate him to high and difficult enterprises Hee attempted first of all to enter the Castle of Bressia by intelligence hauing to that end wonne diuers who promised him in the night time to kill the Gouernour of the place But the businesse falling out vnluckily he practised by goodly promises the chiefe of that faction whome hee certainely knew did not affect Philip and especially Pietro and Athilles Auogadres very couragious persons and great enemies to Philip. Hee drew both of them by promises and exhortations to this point as they granted about midnight to breake downe the Citie wall and to let in the Venetians This being executed diuers of the contrarie part being awaked forth of their sleepe by the noise in the night did in great feare retire to the strongest place of the Citie where the Garrison which Philip had a few dayes before sent thither did lodge Oldrado Captaine of those men at Armes kept them backe that night as they would haue runne into the Citie which they possessed thinking if he could but defend that part of the Citie with the Castle seated aboue it that the Venetian after a notable losse should be at last enforced to quit the place which he had inconsiderately surprised Bressia hath a Castle as is alreadie said on the top of an hill which doth commaund the Citie from whence two walles doe sundrie waies descend towards the bottome that which looketh Eastward enuironeth the Citie and that which goeth athwart cutting through certaine houses and old buildings separateth the remnant of the hill and is called the old Cittadell But this old Cittadell was so named three yeares before this happened when as by Philips commaundement they made a wall ioyning to it which was called the new None else in a manner dwelt in the old but those of the Gibelline faction Some say that Pietro Auogadres at the first report of the warre entred the Citie with a great troupe of Pesants of the mountaines and that the Prince of Mantua followed him with two thousand horse and that at last Carmagnolla came thither with his troupes But in what manner soeuer the Citie was taken it is certaine that so soone as the Venetian was master thereof he did sodainely fortifie that side where the wall separated him from the enemie fearing least they aboue should make some sodaine sallie vpon them They say moreouer that at the same time as Bressia was taken Nicolao D'Aeste Captaine Generall to the Florentines in this Warre entring the Territorie of Cremona brought thence a very great bootie Philip although at the first he made no shew of any great feare for being engaged in so great a warre for neither in Milan nor abroade he had not leuied any new forces and had besides suffered those which he then kept in Flaminia for want of victualls and pay as if they
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
and Venice and if any thing should happen otherwise then well their forces thus ioyned together they might easily preuent it This speech of Suares did highly content the Senate who being already iealous of King Charls his greatnesse and good fortune began to looke about them and to feare other matters not yet thought of Lodouicos distrust likewise of King Charles as well for that Iohn Iames Triuulce whom he had driuen forth of Milan receiued the Kings pay as because he had commanded the Duke of Orleance to attend him at Ast for Lodonico complained thereof to the Venetian Ambassador and told him that he would gladly leaue the French parts and make a league with the Venetians Beside all this Maximillians Ambassadors whose father the Emperor Frederick died that yeere did not cease to solicit the Senate to league it selfe with them against the French In the meane time Castelnouo and that Del-Ouo two Cittadels in Naples which yet held for Ferdinand yeelded to the French For Castelnouo the abode of Kings seated on the shoare was after some small defence yeelded to King Charles by the cowardize and basenesse of fiue hundred Lansequenets that lay there in Garrison And the castle Del Ouo built vpon a Rock in the sea beeing continually battered with Ordnance was content to yeeld if it were not releeued within eight daies The fort likewise of Gayetta notwithstanding that it was prouided of all necessaries did after some sleight assaults yeeld so as in a very short space the whole kingdome in a manner was with great facility reduced vnder the Kings obedience the Isle of Ischia excepted and certaine townes in Puglia and Calabria which still held out for the Arragonois King Charles did now no more entertaine the Venetian Ambassadors with such cheerefull countenance as hee was wont but oftentimes said That those who were not pleased with his comming into Italy for the conquest of the Realme of Naples should repent it This being reported at Venice caused them to hasten the conclusion of a new league to which end Lodouico had sent new Ambassadors Lorenzo Suares at his arriuall told them that his Kings pleasure was to haue him in his name to enter into the league on any conditions pleasing to the Senate Pope Alexander likewise did daily expect a fit time to ioyne himselfe with the Venetians and the rest hauing openly said that if the French returned to Rome hee would goe to Venice and no more behold them At last in the month of Aprill the Ambassadours of these Princes did in the City of Venice make confederacy betwixt the Emperour Kings of Spaine Venetians and Duke of Milan it was onely published for the defense of one an others States with reseruation of place for any else to enter into it that would But all of them thinking it more then necessary to draw the French King forth of the Realme of Naples concluded in their more secret capitulations that the Spanish companies that were in Sicily should aide Ferdinand of Arragon to recouer his Kingdome who much presuming of his peoples loue made meanes to enter into Calabria In this confederacy it was concluded that the Confederates should make account to entertaine an army of foure and thirty thousand horse and twenty thousand foot viz. That the Pope should furnish foure thousand horse Maximillian 6000. the King of Spaine 8000. the Venetians the like number and Lodouico as many And if any of them by reason of the long distance of place could not so soone as need were leuy the number of soldiers hee was rated at in sending to his associates six hundred pounds of gold they should for him furnish such forces These were the conditions of the Consederacie the which was so speedily and secretly concluded as Philip de Comines Lord of Argenton Ambassador for king Charles at Venice who went dayly to the Pallace and conferred with the other Ambassadors had neuer any inckling thereof and beeing the next day after it was concluded sent for into the Senate and vnderstanding by the Prince and Senators what had beene done he was in a manner like a man berest of his sences and when the Prince told him that they had not done it to make warre vpon any one but onely to defend them selues he recouered his spirits and said My King then shall not returne into France The Prince answered But hee shall if hee will returne as our friend and wee will willingly helpe him with whatsoeuer hee shall need After this answer hee went forth of the Senate so amazed as being at the staires foote he turned towards the Chancellor who accompanied him and said to him Good Sir tell mee what the Prince said for I haue for gotten it which he did Beside the insolency of the French by reason of the facility of their victory was so encreased as in respect of themselues they contemned all Italians for which the peoples loue towards them was already conuerted into mortall hatred and on the contrary their hatred towards the Arragonois into pitty and compassion to Ferdinand Wherevpon Naples and all the rest of the kingdome waited but for a fit occasion to repeale him King Charles had in a manner resolued before the conclusion of the league to returne presently into France prouoked therevnto by some occasion vnknowne to mee notwithstanding that diuerse important businesses were not ended in Naples his victory beeing not fully perfected by reason that the Realme was not yet altogether conquered But hauing intelligence that so many Princes were leagued against him and that the Venetians had called home their Ambassadors resident with him his minde was much troubled and hee consulted with his Lords what was best to bee done in a matter of so great importance His Councellers were of opinion to hasten his departure fearing that by his longer stay difficulties might increase and the Confederates haue time to make greater preparations Therevpon the King resolued to returne by land maugre all the Confederates seeing that hee wanted vessels to transport so great an Army by sea for the fleete which hee had prepared at Genoa was wrackt by tempest vppon the shore of Plombino the Admirall whereof and Antonio Prince of Salerno came to him by land In the meane time King Charles perceiuing that Lodouico as well as others had deceiued him was desirous to take the Citty of Genoa from him and to that eâ—…d sent Pietro Fregosa Cardinall thither who had beene Duke thereof and Obietta de Fiesca with eleuen Galleys the remainder of his whole fleete Then desirous to prosecute his owne returne he left Guilbert of Bourbon Duke of Montpensier Prince of the bloud his Lieutenant Generall in the kingdome with the moyety of the Suisse and part of the French footmen eight hundred French lances and fiue hundred Italian men at armes which were in his pay part of them vnder the command of the Prouost of Rome and the rest vnder Prospero
hee houered two whole dayes before the Citty of Naples expecting some popular commotion in the Citty which had been promised but it was in vaine for the French tooke good order there for that time so that the third day after Ferdinand dispayring of any good successe made to Sea determining to returne to Ischia The Cittizens of Naples who had resolued to deliuer the towne to Ferdinand their plot being halfe discouered determined to make a vertue of necessity and to win or loose all according to this resolution secretly sent a small boate to call back Ferdinand intreating him to land all or part of his forces to giue incouragement to those that intended to rise in his behalfe Vpon this aduertizement Ferdinand returned againe before Naples and then landed a mile from the Citty which the Duke Montpensier perceiuing sallied forth of Naples with all his forces to hinder his landing The Neopolitans then taking hold on occasion presently tooke armes and at the first ringing of the Toxin or larum bell made good the gates and began euery where to cry Ferdinand Ferdinand The French amazed at this suddaine tumult thinking it dangerous to abide betwixt the rebellious Citty and the enemies determined to returne to Naples but they were enforced to fetch a great compasse to come to the Gate neere Castelnouo for that through which they came forth was seazed on by the Neopolitans Ferdinand in the meane time entred the Citty on horseback where to the peoples incredible ioy he rode vp and downe The French entring at the Gate next the Castle did their best to get into the heart of the Citty but their attempts were vayne for at euery streetes end they found resistance and night approaching they retired into the Castle to gether with the Duke of Montpensier Yues of Alegre a famous Captaine Antonio Prince of Salerne and many other French and Italian Captaines of note Those of Capua Auersa the Fort Montdragon and other townes neere adioyning and the greatest part of the Kingdome did the like Those of Gayetta going about to follow their example were with great slaughter preuented by the French Garrison who in heate of blood sackt the Citty The Venetian Senate hauing intelligence that Ferdinand had recouered the Citty of Naples wrote to Antonio Grimani that he should no more assault any towne of the Kingdome in the Venetians name but to remaine at Monopoli to know their farther pleasure The Pope vnderstanding that the Venetian fleet was idle intreated the Senate that it might saile to Naples to aid Ferdinand this was granted and Antonio Grimani leauing 100. light horse and two Gallies for the gard of Monopoli went to Tarentum which held out against Ferdinand But Grimani being there aflicted with a flix sent twenty Gallies to Ferdinand vnder the command of Contaren the Prouidator and himselfe with the rest of the fleet for he had in the meane time receiued new supplies directed his course to Corfou At the same time the Florentines being desirous by all meanes to recouer Pisa and the Pisans being to weake to resist sent secret messengers to the Venetian Senate to intreat them to receiue their Citty into their protection and to hold it for a member of their state At first the Senate found the matter to be of such importance as they made no great hast either to refuse or accept it yet at last some Senators beganne to tast this offer and to harken vnto it as they who with the deseignes and hopes embraced the entire Monarchie of Italy for obtaining whereof they supposed that the Signory of Pisa would greatly auaile them in regard that their antient vnion with other Potentates was broken and most of those who were wont to resist them weakened as also because that Citty would giue them sure footing in Tuscany and extend their bounds as farre as the lower sea and therefore concluded to accept it as an offer sent from God This opinion being approued by the greatest part of the Senate the businesse was consulted on by the councell of Tenne that the resolution of it might bee kept more secret whose opinions being various the matter was put off till some other time Lodouico likewise was greedy to impatronize this Citty and therevpon seemed very ready vnder-hand to aid the 〈◊〉 against the Florentines whom he entertained with sundry practises The Pope mooued by Ferdinands intreaties wrote at the same time to the Venetians to send part of their Army returned from the seege of Nouara to aid Ferdinand to driue the French forth of the Realme of Naples promising that Ferdinand should engage certaine sea townes to them till they were satisfied for their expence in that warre The Senate not fully resolued to send the Army to the King commanded Bernarao Contaren to go before to Rauenna with 600. light horse to the end that if they should determine to send it he might be so farre onwards on his way This beeing vnderstood at Rome the businesse was prolonged for Cardinall Ascanio brother to Lodouico made a proposition that the Venetians should assist the King in that warre and yet haue no townes engaged to them Ferdinands Ambassadors that came to Venice to make an accord following the Cardinalls aduice demanded the army but offered no pawne The Senate knowing that this was Lodouicoes practise who enuied their greatnesse did on a sudaine dismisse the Ambassadors not suffering them to remain a moment in the Citty The Ambassadors spent many dayes to pacifie the Senate and notwithstanding that they promised that Ferdinand should deliuer three of his best Citties with their territories vnto them namely Trani Brundusium and Oâ—…ranto they would hardly agree to it had not the Confederate Ambassadors there present interceded for them whereuppon a new league was made by which the Venetians hauing first receiued the three townes were obliged speedily to send 600. men at armes and 3000. foot to Ferdinand and the Treasorer to the State did deliuer to Ferdinands Ambassadors 150. pounds of gold by way of loane with diuers other conditions which the Pope approoued and ratified as one hauing interest in the Realme of Naples The League thus made Commissioners were sent to Ferdinand to receiue the three townes and messengers to the Marquis of Mantoua to will him without delay to lead his troopes into the Realme of Naples These things thus concluded and diuulged caused diuers townes in the Kingdome which the French held presently to yeeld to Ferdinand the like did the two Castles in Naples King Charles after his returne into France sent the Lord of Argenton to Venice to tell the Senate that hee accounted their State to be comprehended in the accord made with Lodouico because their Generals Prouidators were present at it in which regard he intreated the Senate to surrender Monopoli to him which their Army had taken from his subiects and that they would no more assist Ferdinand The Venetians sent him back without
when he vnderstood that the league betwixt the King and Venetians was resolued hee not knowing the particularities thereof Hee was then ready to send Francesco of Sanseuerine with great forces to aide the Florentines but hee detained them vpon intelligence that Triuulcio leauied souldiers neere Ast. Hee likewise thought that if the accord betwixt the Venetians and Florentines should take effect they would peraduenture moderate their indignation conceiued against him and forsake the French King Herein hee imployed Hercules D'Aeste Duke of Ferrara his father in law and by forcible reasons enforced the Florentines in some sort to condescend to the Venetians desire sending them word that if they did not agree he should be constrained for feare of the French King to call home those forces he had sent to aide them Hercules the better to effect it came in person to Venice whither Lodouico sent his Agents and from the Florentins Giouâ—…n Baptista Râ—…dolfi and Paâ—…ic Antonio Soderini two of the wisest and chiefest Citizens came thither all which after long disputation concerning the meanes to be obserued in that accord made an absolute compromise for eighâ—… daies in the person of Hercules Duke of Ferrara who hauing well considered the matter did on the sixth of Aprill prouounce his sentence But the Venetians not satisfied therewith in regard of the small consideration had of their expences in warre nor yet the Pisans who obtained nothing but a seruile kind of liberty contrary to the intention of most of the Venetian nobility nor the Florentines who thought themselues ouer burthened for that they were to repay part of their expenses who had vniustly molested them it tooke none effect notwithstanding that the Venetians and Florentines had signed and ratified it because that the Pisans determined to endure all extremity rather then to returne vnder the Florentines command being there vnto secretly incited by the Geneaois Lukeses and by Pandolfo Petrucci And so soone as they vnderstood the tenure of the sentence being wonderfully incensed against the Venetians they tooke the gard of the Cities fortes and gates from their souldiers and would not longer suffer them to lodge in the City The Florentines despayring by this accord to obtaine Pisa resolued to win it by force King Lewis in the meane time commanded his forces to march into Italy his army consisted of 1600. Launces 5000. Swisses 4000. Gascons and 4000. out of the other parts of France whereof Giouan Iacomo Triuulcio was made Generall This army comming before the fort of Arazza seated on the riuer Tanaâ—…e took it in a short space notwithstanding that there were fiue hundred footmen in it from thence it went to Anon a little towne betwixt Ast and Alexandria vpon the same Riuer which beeing battered in foure seuerall places was in two daies taken by force notwithstanding that the Duke of Milan some few monthes before had well fortified it and placed seuen hundred men in Garrison there The King came after as farre as Lyons intending to passe the mounts from whence he sent an Ambassador to Venice for to accompany the Venetian army whether soeuer it marched to which so soone as it was ready Melchâ—…or Treuâ—…san and Marc Antonio Morosini were sent as Prouidators And the Senate presented this French Ambassador with a gallant horse ritchly caparisond a pauillon for the field and two pounds of gold The Venetians hauing intelligence of Triuulcio his good successe caused their army to march consisting of seuen thousand horse and as many foot which vnder the command of Aluiana hauing crossed the Oglio and entred the enemy country did in a short space take diuers townes and castles and comming before Carauagia the chiefe City of the country tooke it by force with other townes neere the Riuer Adda The end of the fifth Booke of the fourth Decade The Contents of the sixth Booke of the fourth Decade LOdouico is troubled with the newes of the league betwixt the French King and Venetians against him Alexandria is taken by the French The Milaneses reuolt and Triuulcio entreth Milan for the King The Venetians take Cremona King Lewis comes to Milan The Venetians fleet against Bajazeth It sustaines great hurt by fire The Turke takes Lepanto Lodouico is receiued into Milan by the disloyalty of the Inhabitants Lodouico going forth of Nouara is taken by the French and sent prisoner into France The Venetians great warre with Bajazeth The Venetians through want of winde at sea lose the battaile The Turke takes Modon Coron and the fort of Iunca are yeelded to the Turke on composition Naples in Morea beseeged by the Turke is brauely defended The Isle of Samothrace yeeldeth to the Venetians They take the City of Cephalonia Confederacy betwixt Ladislaus King of Hungary and the Venetians against the Turke Peace betwixt the Venetians and Turke The Portugals traffick to Calicut for spices The castles of Moua and Faenza are re-deliuered to the Venetians The Pope complaines against the Venetians in regard of the Cities of Romagnia And lastly are set downe the Venetians Ambassadors inuectiue to the Emperour Maximillian and French King against the Pope The sixth Booke of the fourth Decade of the History of Uenice THese newes did greatly afflict Lodouico Sforza putting him in feare of his State who lost as it often happeneth in sodaine Aduersities both courage and councell flying to bootlesse and vnprofitable remedies He sent an Ambassador to Venice to vse some meanes to pacifie the Senate This Ambassador comming first to Ferrara Duke Hercules sent one of his Gentlemen before to the Senate with Lodouicos letters intreating them to suffer his Ambassador to come thither The contents of his letters were that himselfe and his brother Ascanio sent an Ambassador to them on great and important affaires requesting them to giue him audience The Senate hauing read both their letters commanded the Ferrarois presently to leaue the City and gaue Lodouicos letters to the French Ambassador At the same time Frederick King of Naples did by his Ambassador acquaint the Senate with his desire to send fiue hundred horse to Lodouicos aide The Senate told the Ambassador that hee should make his King this answer That the Cauallery he intended to send to the Duke of Milan would doe him small good he hauing need of farre greater forces and that if he should send him any they would take it as a wrong done to themselues adding that there was no man liuing who had receiued more fauors and benefits of them then hee which he had requited with ingratefull iniuries That the time was now come when God was his enemy whom hee had so often offended by his disloyalty and periury and that therefore his King should doe much better to leaue him to him selfe In the end Lodouico frustrate of all hope made meanes to the people of Milan who extreamely hated him for his great exactions and hauing assembled them he did acquit and release part of his imposts to them and
therevnto added very earnest speeches to winne their loues which were heard with more attention then profit that done hee enroled all those in the City that were able to beare armes The Venetian army in the meane time still preuailed and after the taking of the towne and â—…astle of Carauagia crossed the Riuer Adda on a bridge of boats and made incursions as farre as Lodi The French army on the other side beseeged Alexandria where Galleas Lodouicos sonne in law lay with twelue hundred men at armes twelue hundred light horse and three thousand foot who the third night after the seege acquainting none of his captains with his intent but only Maluezza did secretly flie from Alexandria to Milan with certaine light-horse His departure knowne in the city as many as tarried behind beganne in tumultuous manner some to flie others to hide themselues wherevpon the French army entring it by day breake did not only ransacke the souldiers but sack't the whole city The taking of Alexandria caused those of Placentia to send their Commissioners to Triuulcio with their Cities keyes the like did those of Pauia and all other townes round about There was the like confusion at Milan as in other places where the foot companies demanding pay Lodouico sent them to his cheefe Treasurer who giuing them no satisfaction was by them wounded and left for dead This accident did so terrifie Lodouico as he sent his children to Coma together his with mistris for his wife was dead Cardinall Ascanio his brother and Cardinal Sanseuerine brother to Galeas and from thence into Germany himselfe resoluing ere long to goe thither The Milaneses perceiuing Lodouico to destrust his owne forces made an assembly in their towne-house where they appointed foure of the chiefe among them to take order for their affaires These comming to Lodouico told him that they were resolued to yeeld to the French King seeing that in distrust he had sent his children and family forth of the City So soone as he heard this he caused pay to be giuen to fiue hundred light-horse and with teares in his eyes departed with them and Galeas of Sanseuerin his sonne in law towards Germany He was scarce gonne forth of the castle when Count Gayazza came to him and the better to collour his disloyalty told him that he now thought himselfe freed from the martiall oth which he had made him seeing that he abandoned his State and that he was now at liberty to goe whether it pleased him and at the very instant not tarrying for an answer went his way to serue the French King with the same company which he had leauied and entertained at Lodouicos cost Before his departure from Milan hee left Bernardin de Corte of Pauia whom he had brought vp of a child to gard the castle whereof he was then Gouernor with three thousand footmen vnder captaines whom he greatly trusted with prouision of victuals munition and money sufficient to defend it for a long time preferring this man before his brother Ascanio who had offered to take that charge vpon him Foure daies after his departure Triuulcio sent for by the Milaneses entred the City where he was receiued with great ioy reseruing the capitulations till the Kings comming all other townes of the Dutchy which yet held out yeelded on a sodaine The Venetians comming nere Cremona the townesmen sent to entreate them to grant them some respit to consider vpon their yeelding This granted they sent to Triuulcio to request him to receiue them for the King for they abhorted the Venetians gouernment but answered that by agreement made betwixt the King and them that city was theirs the chiefest Citizens with the Bishop and Clergy went to the Gates and there receiuing the Prouidators placed them vnder a Canopy and in this manner accompanied them through the City to their lodging where they intreated the Venetians to free them from the taxes and impositions where with Lodouico had opprest them the which was presently granted There is in that City a very strong castle which being well furnished with all necessaries it was a hard matter to take it Antonio Battaglione was Gouernor there vnto whom Lodouico had committed the guard of that place The next day the Prouidators sent to him willing him to yeeld vp the castle to the Venetian State at first he made refusall but after sundry messages too and fro the Prouidatorsâ—…ntred it by meanes of an hundred and fifty pounds of gold which they paied him some in hand and the rest by promise with letters of a Venetian Gentlemans place and an house in Venice and an other in the country neere to Padua with diuers other lands The same day that the Venetians entred the castle of Cremona Triuulcio did the like into that of Milan which was yeelded vnto him by Berdardino de Corte with al Lodouicos and Galleas ritch mouables in recompence of a certaine summe of money a company of an hundred Launces and a perpetuall pension Cremona obeying the Venetians the Senate sent two Presidents thither to gouerne it and to doe iustice Dominico Treuisan and Nicola Foscarinâ—… were sent thither and beside these two Ambassadors were chosen and all foure of them appointed to goe to Milan to receiue the King and in the States name to congratulate his new conquest so soone as he should ariue there The King receiuing newes at Lyons of such fortunate successe his expectatioon rode presently in post to Milan where receiued with in credible ioy hee granted to the people vnreasonable in their demands exemption from diuers tâ—…xes but not from all as they vainely presumed and gaue great rewards to many Milanese Gentlemen and among others to Triuulcio vnto whom he gaue Vigeua and other townes in acknowledgement of his desert All the Potentates of Italy went thither to him King Frederick excepted some personally and some by Ambassadors some to congratulate his happy successe and others to cleere themselues from imputation of inclyning to Lodouico Sforza more then to him and others likewise to secure their owne euer after The King gently receiued them all and compounded with them all but after different manner according to the diuersity of the conditions and greatnesse of the profit he expected from them But whilest these things were done in Lombardy the Senate hauing intelligence that Bajazeth armed by sea and land made Antonio Grimany Generall of their Naual army commanding him speedily to depart He vnwilling to prolong his iourney for want of money their treasure beeing much wasted by continuall warre lent the State foure score pounds of gold to pay the marriners and other officers of the fleet and promised to carry as much with him to Corfou and other places to supply the fleets want when need should be Those of Corfou vpon intelligence that the Turkish fleet was vnder saile and that the State was not able in a short space to set forth a Nauy able to
yeelded sooner The Senate in the meane time to secure their owne territories during the warre in Romagnia sent three thousand foot and two thousand horse to Rauenna vnder Aluianaes command to distribute them through the territories of the Confederates neere adioyning with two prouidators Francesco Capello and Christophoro Moro the one for Arimini and the other for Faenza So soone as Borgia had taken the Castle of Furli Gionan Sforza Lord of Pessaâ—…e knowing that Borgia hated him fearing least he would come and assaile him was desirous to commit himselfe and State to the Venetians protection The Senate answered that they would neuer defend one that had been so great an enemy to them for he had concealed the Ambassador which Lodouico sent to the Turke against the State of Venice and furthered his passage The like had hee done by the Turkes messenger sent to Lodouico whom he entertained in his house and caused him secretly to be conducted to Milan himselfe likewise hauing often acquainted the Turke with the occurrents in Venice Borgia deferred his punishment till some other time because Triuulcio was inforced to call back those troopes which hee had lent him by reason of some tumults feared in Milan in regard of Lodouicos arriual who had brought some smal aid forth of Germany with which and by their assistance who distasted the French he hoped to recouer what he had lost The Senate presently commanded their forces both horse and foot to passe into the Cremonese leuied three thousand Suisses and appointed Pietro Marsello and Christophoro Moro prouidators in that warre Lodouico comming at the same time to Coma tooke it without strokes for the French within it fearing to be shut in betwixt the Inhabitants and Lodouicos troopes went their way Hee sent his brother Ascanio before to Milan from whence the King not long before was gone home into France hauing left a strong Garrison in the Citty and Triuulcio his Gouernour Generall in the Dutchy but the Lombards not so well rewaâ—…ded by the King as they had expected prooued false to him refused to obey Triuulcio who was cheefe of the Guelph faction for the Gibeline party was very strong in the Citty wherevpon the most of the Nobllity and people desirous of innouation wisht for Lodouicos returne and openly proclaimed his name and so soone as they heard of the losse of Coma and that Ascanio was not farre from Milan the people rose and the cheefe of the Gibelline faction began to tumult so as Triuulcio was glad to retire to the Castle and the night following from thence to Nouara The morrow after Cardinall Ascanio entred Milan Lodouico followed him who by this meanes recouered it as easily as it was lost Pauia and Parma presently ecchoed his name Lodi and Placentia would haue done the like had not the Venetian companies by their arriuall preuented it The Senate aduertised of this reuolt determined to send a man of worth to command the Castle of Cremona Lodouico in the meane time desirous to haue the Senate his friend made sute that Ascanio his brother might send the Bishop of Cremona to Venice to offer them his seruice but it was in vaine for the Senate resolued not to quitte the French Kings confederacy The Genois refused to obey him and the Florentines contemned him The King in the meane time hauing intelligence of the rebellion of Milan vsed great speed and sent the Lord Trimouille into Italy with six hundred lances leuied great numbers of Suisses and appoynted the Cardinall of Ambois his Lieuetenant Generall beyond the mounts who comming to Ast had in short space assembled one thousand fiue hundred lances ten thousand Suisse and 6000. French vnder the command of the Lords Trimouille Trivulcio and Ligni Lodouico before these supplies came from France went and beseeged Nouara which hee tooke but not the Castle The French Army assembled at Mortara drew neere him and did cut off his victualls then both sides falling to blowes Lodouico was enforced to retire into the Citty where the Suisses mutined for want of pay hee being not able to pacifie them They told him that they would sodenly depart home into their country wherevpon hee earnestly entreated them to safe-conduct him to some secure place which they denying did at last consent that hee should march amongst them disguised like one of their footmen and in this maner marching amiddest their troopes was by them discouered to those that sought after him who presently apprehended him as the Kings prisoner and sent him into France to the tower of Loches His brother Ascanio followed him who taken by the Venetians and carried to Venice was deliuered to the King and sent into France where hee was more honorably and with greater curtesie entertayned then his brother for hee was sent prisoner to the great tower of Bourges where the same King had beene imprisoned two whole yeares yet afterwards hee was enlarged but this brother dyed in prison Now to returne to the Turks After the taking of Lepanto the Senate despatcht Lodouico Manenti Secretary to the Councell of ten to Bajazeth to complaine for that hee had without cause inuaded them by sea and had contrary to the treaty of peace made not long before with him in the Signories name by Andrew Zancani their Ambassador and to entreate him to enlarge the Venetian Marchants which by his commandement at the beginning of the warre had beene imprisoned That it might likewise please him to surrender Lepanto vnto them which hee vniustly had taken from them And lastly if hee would grant none of these yet at least to renue the League with them Two things moued the Senate to send this Ambassage the one because some that were very inward with the great Lord had written to them that if they sent an Ambassador to Constantinople they might be reconciled to his fauour the second for that they considered how chargeable it would bee for them if they should bee enforced to set forth a new Army against him their treasure both publick and particular beeing exhausted Whereby all their attempts would proue vaine and vnprofitable against so mighty an enemy Manenti ariuing at Constantinople all his demandes were crost for the Turke answered that if the Venetians were desirous of peace with him they should deliuer vnto him Modon Coron and Naples three Citties which they held in Morea and pay vnto him as his tributaries an hundred pound in gould yearely otherwise hee protested to make warre vppon them with this answer Manenti returned But because at Manenti his departure from Venice there was a report that great numbers of Turkish horse were come into Albania the Senate fearing least the desire to spoile the Country of Frioul might draw them thither as the precedent yeare appointed Pietro Doria and Angelo Barozzi Prouidators who taking along with them the Gouernor of Vdina and others of the Country should consult together about repairing and
diuers counterpoisons escaped but was aflicted with a long and greeuous disease At the same time Benedeto Pesare Generall of the Venetian fleet beeing ready to returne from Corfou to Venice fell sick of a Quotidian and there dyed In the place of the deceassed Pope Cardinall Picolhuomini of Syena was chosen a man Noble and for his other qualities not vnworthy such a dignity who to reuiue the memory of his Vnckle Pius Secundus intituled him selfe Pius the third But the 26 day after his election he died wherevpon the Cardinall of Saint Peter ad Vincula mighty in reputation and wealth was chosen in his stead and was called Iulius Secundus this did highly please the venetians They presently appointed eight Senators to go as Ambassadors to him to congratulate his election Antonio Iustiniano being one of them At their arriuall in Rome being brought to the Popes presence hee louingly entertained and embraced them saying that he was much bound to the state of Venice and that he would deny them nothing in his power Then entring into discourse concerning Duke Valentinois Iustinian told him all men thought that his Holinesse would aide and assist him that he was desirous to haue the Townes and Castles which he held in Romagnia to bee taken from him This saying of his did highly content the Venetian Senate which aspired to the peaceable possession of the whole dominion of Romagnia and had presently after Pope Alexanders death sent forces to Rauenna with which the Citty of Cesenna was on a sodaine in a night assaulted but the people valliantly defending it they were enforced to retire to Rauenna being come thither without ordnance yet this could not discourage them but they espied all occasions to get footing in that Prouince not long after a faire occasion was offered by meanes of a controuersie betwixt Dyonisius the noble and the Fauentines who were desirous to repeale the Manfredi This did Dyonisius contradict and in despite sent for the Venetians vnto whome hee gaue the Castle of Val de Lamone which hee kept in which the Venetians placed a strong Garrison they did the like in the castle of Faenza which the Captaine corrupted with mony deliuered vnto them They did like wise hold Forlimpopolj and Rimini by the peoples consent recompencing Pandolfo Malateste in an other Prouince then they went and beseeged Faenza because that the Fauentines nothing terrified with the losse of their Castle which seated in a low place they had diuided from the Citty by a deepe ditch made valliant resistance as well for their loue towards the Manfredi as prouoked there vnto by the Florentines who feared nothing more then to suffer Faenza to be the Venetians And to these ends imployed the aid and credit of Cardinall Francisco Sonderini their country man to make the new Pope grow iealous of the Venetians who one day talking with his Holinesse told him that the Venetians did already possesse the Castle of Faenza and all places neere the Citty the which they shortly hoped to winne not so much to take from the Valentinois that which he vniustly possessed by vsurpation as to appropriate it to them selues And that their custome was neuer to restore any thing they held That Faenza being a territory belonging to the Church the Pope could doe no lesse then to take it into his owne Protection The Venetians being aduertized of this discourse of the Cardinall Iustinian went to the Pope to excuse the state and to entreat him not to giue credit to their enemies tales and after a long discourse there-vpon made the Pope replied that hee had neuer beleeued any thing against them being well assured of their loue and friendship toward him as they of his But for that which concerned Valentinois state he could haue wished that what-so-euer did belong to the Church might haue first beene surrendred vp with this answer the Ambassador tooke his leaue The Venetians notwithstanding all this continued the seege of Faenza and beginning their battery the beseeged dispairing of all aid yeelded the venetians hauing agreed to giue Astor a small pention to liue by They could as easily haue taken Imoâ—…a and Furli but they determined as then to passe on no farther because they would not incense the Pope where vpon they sent their forces to Garrison hauing beside Faenza and Rimini taken diuers townes in Romagnia At the same time Andre Gritti returned from his Ambassade of Constantinople where hee had confirmed certaine Articles of Peace with the Turke to the profit of the Signory Not long after Iustinian acquainted the Senate that the Pope had giuen the Valentinois leaue to goe and recouer his State These newes caused them to write to the Prouidators that were in Romagnia to vse meanes to take whatsoeuer might be for the profit of the State from Duke Valentinois by meanes wherof Tossignans and Meldola two strong townes did vpon the first summons yeeld to the Venetians The Pope much incensed against them for this manner of proceeding sent Angelo Bishop of Tiuolito Venice to reprehend them for that they had taken Faenza and Rimini which belonged to the Church which he craued to haue surrendred to him intreating them likewise to aid him to recouer the rest he being resolued to leaue the Valentinois nothing yet he would haue whatsoeuer should bee taken to bee restored to the right owners The Senate displeased with the Popes demands answered that they did neuer expect this from him in regard of their long friendship confirmed by many reciprocall good offices especially because they knew he had no interest therein that they had imbraced the offered occasion to seaze on Faenza and the rest those townes being not possest by the Church which in open Consistory had disclaimed all her right therein and transferred it to Duke Valentinois As also for that the precedent Popes did neuer possesse those terrritories but from time to time had giuen them to new Tenants without any other acknowledgement of superiority then the rent which they offered presently to pay Lastly they besought him that being Pope he would continew towards the Venetian Signory the same friendship which he had euer born them being Cardinall and that in so doing he might make vse of their men force and meanes as themselues Such was the Senates answer to the Bishop of Triuoli the Popes Nuncio But the Pope continuing his resolution and knowing his owne forces to weake to inuade them sayd that he would craue the aid and assistance of forraine Princes Iustinian did put him in mind that the Signory of Venice had done nothing but by his councell and aduice being Cardinall wherevnto he replied let them first surrender Tossignan which belongs to the territory of Imola to me and then afterwards I may chance to do somewhat concerning Faenza and Rimini heereof Iustinian aduertised the Senate who whilst they were assembled to determine thereof the Bishop of Triuoli
arriued with letters from the Pope whereby hee tooke from them all hope of agreement with him vnlesse they did deliuer vnto him those Townes they had taken saying that to those ends hee would implore the aid of God and men threatening if they did it not to doe his worst against them The Senators were greatly troubled and incensed with these letters but more against the Bishop then Pope whom they thought had incensed his Holinesse against them This discontent was accompanied by an other for the Pope had sent an Ambassador to the French King by whom complaining of the Venetians he craued aid and assistance against them requesting him to enter into league and Confederacy with himselfe and Maximilian called to be a third man against them This being knowne at Venice the Senate presently sent Ambassadors to those two Princes to let them vnderstand that the Signory had taken nothing from the Pope but only Faenza and Rimini from a wicked man fearing least the Florentines their enemies by reason of Pisa should seaze on them as they had determined hauing already sent forces thither That they had recompenced those that kept them giuing them other Townes in exchange That those two Citties with their dependances were wont to bee giuen to new Tenants before Valentinois had them and the Senate demanding them in that nature the Church could lay no claime to them so as they payed the vsuall Rent but on the contrary ought to bee content there-with because they could not fall into the hands of any that were better able to defend and keepe them then the Venetians That the Pope had beene the Author and motiue of the Signories taking of Romagnia from Valentinois and now changing his opinion did causelesse seeke all meanes to expulse them thence And therefore the State of Venice did earnestly intreat King Lewis nor for that regard to infringe the league made with them and Maximilian in like manner that he would rather aide and assist the Signory as a good friend and neighbour in so iust and reasonable a matter then the Pope who craued a thing wholy vnreasonable These remonstrances being kindly entertained by both these Princes they promised to debate the matter with his Holinesse This answer did in some sort satisfie the Senat. Count Petellan at the same time being on great promises entreated by diuers Kings and Princes to serue them would neuer for-sake the Signory In acknowledgement whereof the state of Venice made him Generall of their Army for three yeares with a yearely annuity of fiue hundred pounds of gold The end of the sixth Booke of the fourth Decade of the History of Uenice FINIS THE SECOND VOLVME OF THE GENERALL HISTORY OF VENICE The Contents of the seuenth Booke of the fourth Decade THe Emperor entreateth the Venetians to deliuer the Cities of Faenza and Riminy to the Pope Lewis the French King maketh the same request to them The Emperor craues leaue of the Venetians to passe in armes thorow their state to Rome to his Cornonation which they deny Iohn Paul Baillon restoreth Perugia with her territory to the Pope Bolognia is yeelded in the same manner to the Pope by the Bentiuolies The King comes into Italy by reason of the reuolt of Genoa The Pope doth greatly suspect and distrust the French King Enteruiew of the Kings of France and Arragon at Sauona The Emperour performeth bad offices in Germany toward the French King How the report of the Emperours comming downe into Italy did trouble the Venetians The Emperour commeth into Italy and returneth sodainely into Germany The Almains are defeated in the vale of Cadora The Venetians take the town of Goritia The conclusion of the truce betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians did breed some discontent betwixt the King and them Confederacy sworne at Cambray against the Venetians by the Pope the Emperor Maximillian and the Kings of France and Arragon The Venetians make great warlike preparations against this confederacy The Pope casteth aterrible excommunication on the Venetians The Kings army and that of the Venetians very neere together The Venetians are defeated by the French in the Countrey of Giradade The great progression of the French army ouer Italy after the Battaile All Romagnia in a manner is yeelded to the Pope Lastly the Venetians resoluing to quit the firme land doe leaue Padua Verona and all the other Cities appointed to the Emperor The seuenth Booke of the fourth Decad of the History of Uenice MAXIMILLIAN forgetting the promise which he first made to the Venetians to debate their cause before the Pope sent two Ambassadors to Venice to entreate them to yeeld Faenza Ryminy to him That it belonged to him to make that request as Protector of Holy Church and of whatsoeuer apperteined therevnto If they thought it an vnreasonable matter they should referre it to arbitrement That he would labour to cause the Pope to condescend therevnto and that if they would choose him for their vmpier he would willingly accept thereof and would giue sentence according to equity The Senats answer with that of the Great Coūcel to these Ambassadors was hauing reiterated all that which their Ambassadors had first of all declared to the Emperor from the Senate that their right to those lands being so plaine and euident they would not put it to compromise Vpon this answere one of the Ambassadors departed from Venice to Rome the other stayed there whose expences were defraied by the State In the meane time a league and confederacy was made betweene the Emperor Maximillian and the French King after long strife and disputation of their Ambassadors This league being concluded King Lewis sent againe Iohn Lascaris of Constantinople his Ambassador to Venice to entreate them to seeke all possible meanes of agreement with the Pope for that being done they were determined to ioyne altogether against the Turke He added that his King had sworn league and friendship with Maximillian not to hurt any man but only for the safety and preseruation of each others State The Senate who had already decreed that the Ambassadour should haue a pound weight of gold giuen him euery month towards his expences made answere that they had omitted nothing either by entreaty or promises to giue the Pope satisfaction hauing not long before made him this offer that al-be-it Pope Alexander had giuen Faenza and the other lands to the Valentinois free from all conditions they were content neuerthelesse to hold Faenza and Riminy of the Church on what conditions and rent it pleased promising to make true payment euery yeere but this would not be accepted of That they were exceeding glad that two such great Princes had conuerted their hatred and contention into a sound and firme league friendship But because it was specified in the contract betwixt King Lewis and them that neither of them two might make alliance with any other Prince whatsoeuer without the consent of his fellow they
hauing lost diuers of their men there with two peices of ordinance which the Almaines tooke from them in a salley thinking it lost time to tarry there any longer seeing they could not enforce the enemies to fight they went to Rouero and the Almains to Trent the most parte of whom within a while after disbanded Mazimilian who during these warlike exploits had runne vp and downe from place to place to be releiued with men and money perceiuing all men to forsake him after the defeat of his forces at Cadora sent a Gentleman of his to Venice to craue truce for three monethes but the Senate contemned it and would not grant any for lesse then a whole yeare not without the knowledge and consent of the French King Maximilian being the more danted for the losse of Tryeste and other places of the Sea-coast did solicite the Bishop of Trent to inuite as of himselfe the Venetians to truce thinking by that meanes the sooner to purchase Peace The Venetians made answer That it lay not in their power but that he ought to mooue the French King For this purpose Commissioners were appointed to meet and conferre together for Maximilians part the Bishop or Trent and Serentano the Emperors Secretary for the French King Triuulce and Iacomo Galfredo President of Millan and for the Venetians Zacharie Contarene a particular Ambassador deputed for that businesse Conferring together they easily condiscended to all conditions sauing that the Frenchmen would haue a generall truce and that all the confederates of either of them as well out of Italy as within should be therein comprized and especially the Duke of Guelders wherevnto Maximilians Agents would not consent because their maister had determined to ruine that Duke saying that in the treaty there was nothing mentioned but the warres of Italy and that nothing ought to be entermingled therewith but that which concerned Italy The Venetians did all they might to content the French King but perceiuing the Almaines to be obstinate in that businesse they resolued for their part to accept of truce in the same manner as they had concluded it beeing desirous to free themselues from such a warre which lighted wholly on their dominions and notwithstanding the protestation of the French Kings Commissioners that a mutuall enterprise ought not to be finished but in common the Venetians went on and concluded the truce on the twentith of Aprill the which was speedily ratified by the Emperour and the Venetians by meanes whereof the warrs ceased betwixt them and diuers did hope that Italy thereby should for a time enioye Peace and quiet Armes beeing layd a side Aluiana and Cornare returned to Venice where they were receiued with great pompe and in a manner triumphall The French King hauing intelligence that the truce was concluded and signed shewed signes of discontent and complained to Antonio Condelmerio Ambassador for the Venetians in his Court saying that he had not deserued of the Seigneiury of Venice that without staying for his answer and consent they had granted truce to Maximilian That he did not greatly care if the confederates of Italy were comprized therein prouided that the Duke of Guelders might be assured in his state whom he much affected and yet neuerthelesse the Signory had made his desire frustrate wherein he did hope to be assisted and furthered And yet he had an hundred thousand crownes ready to employ in his ayde and that he would not endure that any wrong should be done to him by the fault of his confederates The King hauing vttered these words in choller did repent him of it and feining to forget all matters he beganne to entertaine him with more pleasing discourse namely when the Ambassador had excused the common-wealth and told him that the Senate euer had a principall regard to maintaine him in the Dutchy of Millan to the end that whilest the truce lasted hee might not be molested in that State The King gaue him then some hope that he would ratifie the truce but in himselfe he beganne to thinke on all meanes how to be reuenged The Emperor on the other side not digesting the brauadoes which the Venetians had offered him and being desirous to resent the wrongs which he had receiued because he had no hope to draw any more aid from the Germaine Princes made shew that he had a will to vnite himselfe with the French King against the Venetians as the only remedy to recouer his honor and lost states The Pope likewise prouoked the King against them because besides the old hatred which he did beare to them he thought that the Bandetti of Furli who dwelt at Faenza had by their meanes made some attempt on that Citty The King calling to minde besides his new displeasure for the truce all the wronges which he thought they had done him in his warres of Naples and beeing desirous to snatch forth of their handes Cremona and other townes which had beene a long time possessed by the Dukes of Millan had the same inclination like to the Emperor wherefore the better to bring it to passe they began betwixt thēselues to ha◅ken to the contentiō betwixt the Arch-duke the D. of Geldres and for that purpose they chose the Citty of Cambray for their place of conference Whether from the Emperor came the Lady Marguerit his daughter Regent of the Low Countreys and Mathew Langy the Secretary and for the French King the Cardinall of Amboise who vnder coulour of treating a peace betwixt the Arch-duke and the Duke of Guelders as they gaue it forth to the end that the true cause might not be knowne to the Venetians they concluded a perpetuall peace and confederacy betwixt the Pope the Emperor the French King and the King of Arragon against the Venetians each of them to recouer those things which they held from them The new confederacie beeing thus concluded the Cardinall of Amboise departed from Cambray the Bishop of Paris and the Count of Carpy went to the Emperor from the French King for the ratification of the peace who did soone ratifie and confirme it by oath the like did the French King and when it was afterwards brought to the King of Arragon albeit he had some doubt in his mind yet neuerthelesse he did forth with ratifie it with the same solemnities But the Pope made more difficulty in the matter beeing on the one side swayed by a desire to recouer the citties of Romagnia and with his hatred to the Venetians and on the other side his feare of the French Kings forces did greatly mooue him As also for that he thought it a dangerous matter for himselfe if the Emperour by recouering from the Venetians the places which they held and which did belong to the Empire should grow too great in Italy To preuent this inconuenience hee thought it more commodious to seeke to recouer his townes by a more gentle way then by warre To this
Now the Rendezuous for all the Kings troupes was at Suza from thence to march with ease into Italy vnder the conduct of the Lord of La Tremouille albeit the warre was managed by Iohn Iames Trivulce a man of great repute for his excellent skill in martiall discipline The report was that there were twenty thousand soldiours in the Kings Army The Venetians had for their parts eight thousand foot-men twelue hundred men at armes and fiue hundred light horse with greate store of munition and ordnance Dominico Contaren and Andre Loredan were prouidators of the army and Bartilmeo Aluiana Generall in the Count Pettillans sted who was deceased Hee beeing come to the Army which lay on the bankes of Adice sent to the Senate to know if hee should passe on farther whilst the enemies were vnprouided of all aide and succour and their townes without garrisons The Senate beeing assembled therevpon after â—…undry opinions decreed that their Armie should not passe the Po nor Adda referring the rest to the pleasure and discretion of their General according as he should think it fit For the Senate had as yet receiued no certaine newes whether the French Armie had passed the Alpes wherevpon they thought it not discretion to abandon their state to the enemies mercy or to send their Army into any place from whence if matters should fall out vnfortunately they should not bee able to withdraw it But Aluiana beeing full of courage and desirous to exploite some gallant enterprise if occasion should fitly serue resolued without delay tâ—… passe ouer and first of all tooke his way directly towards Verona hoping for to winne it Pandolfo Malateste commanded for the Emperour in one of the Fortes of the Citty Hee with certaine of the Townsmen had practised to giue him entrance But the next day fiue hundred Lansquenets entred Verona by the Riuer Adicé and the matter beeing discouered Aluiana perceiuing that the Citty could not bee easily forced and that it would aske much time to besiege it did on a sodaine march towards Cremona and by the way made him-selfe maister of Valegia and of the Forte of Piscara two strong and commodious places for the Venetians in respect of their situation Vpon report of Aluiana his comming a great tumult was raised in Cremona those which were of the contrary faction forsooke the towne and the others without contradiction did receiue Aluiana into the citty who being entred he did sodainly disarme Caesar Fieramosca who lay there in garrison with three hundred horse and fiue hundred foot of the Duke of Milans Hee needed not to spend any time for the recouery of the castle by reason it was euer held for the French King Wherevpon hee forth with erected the French Kings banner saying That hee did receiue the Citty for and in the name of the French King for whom Theodore Triuulce his Ambassador was there present in the Venetian Armie Hee went afterwards to Pisquetona Sonzino Lodi and other places neere adioyning hauing already by the change of Cremona erected the French Kings Banners But on the Verona and Vincentine territories the Venetians affaires were differently managed For so soone as Aluiana was departed with his Armie Rocandolphe Captaine of the Lansquenets and Frederick Gonsaluo of Bossola comming forth of Verona with sixe hundred horse and two thousand foote went to Saint Boniface where Aluiana had left vnder the command of Sigismond Cauallo and Iohn Fortino three hundred light horse and six hundred foote who beeing scattered heere and there vpon newes of the enemies comming fled to Colognia and were so neerely pursued by the Lansquenets who entered the towne by force as they were all taken prisoners and the towne beeing sacked and burnt they returned to Verona laden with spoile The enemies for this exploit waxing more prowd and insolent foure thousand foote and fiue hundred horse sallied forth of Verona for to assaile Vincenza whereof Iohn Paull Manfron the Citties Gouernour hauing intelligence hee caused great numbers of peasants on a sodaine to enter into the Citty and did so carefully prouide for the rest as the enemies hope beeing frustrate hauing spoyled the countrey round about they were enforced to returne to Verona But during these exploites on the Veronois and Vincentine territories the whole Dutchie of Milan was in vprore and Armes There was no Towne Village not Castle but did rise and take armes vpon the comming of the Venetian Armie vpon the report that was spredde that the French had passed the Alpes for albeit that the people of Milan wearied with the French gouernment had desired the returne of the Sforzas their antient Lords yet neuerâ—…helesse hauing not by their returne obtained the liberty and freedome which they hoped for but on the contrary all discommodities and charges they changed their mindes and desired the returne of the French Many likewise enemies to the quiet of other poore banished men or mooued by the diuersity of factions did fauour the French In regarde whereof the Earle of Manâ—…oc sonne to Iohn Iames Triuulce riding vp and downe the Champaine countrey of the Dutchy of Milan to stirre them vp to commotions found it no hard matter to make them to reuolt and to take armes Maximillian Sforza beeing daunted thereat not knowing whereon to resolue perceiuing all things to tend to his ruine thought it most expedient for his safety and escape and for the tryall of his latest fortune to retire with certaine horse to Nouara where he vnderstood some Suisses were arriued resoluing there to tarry for the rest who in great numbers were comming down for the defence of his state Those of Milan seeing them-selues to bee without garrison and without a Captaine that their well fortified Castle held for the French and that the Venetians Army did approach some of them beeing stirred vp with hope oâ—… better fortune others with feare and distrust thought it fit to yeeld to the French and to that end to send an Ambassador to the Venetian Generall who hauing made a bridge ouer the Adda threatned that hee would shortly bee with them The French on the other side with whom Andrè Gritti was in quality of Ambassador for the Signory entred Italy tooke diuerse townes and castles some by assault and others by a voluntary redition so as the state of Milan beeing enuaded by two mighty armies French and Venetian was in short space reduced vnder the French gouernment Two Citties onely held out for Maximillian Nouara and Coma. The Venetians for these so fortunate attempts did promise to them-selues a glorious end of this warre for their armie had gotten such reputation by the the taking of Cremona as Ranze de Cera going with a troope of Soldiers to recouer Bressia it was yeelded vnto him vpon the first summons by reason that the Spanish Soldiers who lay there in garrison beeing frighted at his comming retired into the Castle There was but one onely
Venetians with the Popes arbitratiue sentence The Venetians defeate the Almaines in the Countrey of Friul And lastly the meanes which the Venetians vsed to recouer money for the entertainment of their Armie The First Booke of the fifth Decade of the Historie of Uenice WHilest the Venetians spoyled the Countrey about Verona to enforce the Veronois to some agreement the Spanish army came forward the Viceroy fearing least thorough the bad disposition of those of Legnaga Verona would open her gates to the Venetians and therefore hee determined without delay to giue ayde to the Emperors affaires which made him to crosse the Po at Stradella to encampe before the castle of Legnaga which was guarded by two hundred and fifty foot the which notwithstanding the common opinion that it might well haue held out for certaine dayes longer he tooke by force the Vènetian Prouidator being taken prisoner with all the footmen which were not slaine at the assault Aluiana hauing intelligence of the Spaniards approach retired to Albera on the farther side of the riuer Adicé where he vsed all the means hee could to repaire his armie the which hee afterward diuided for the gard of Treuiso and Padua sending Iohn Paul Baillon Malatesta Sogliana and the Knight de la Volpe to Treuiso with two hundred men at armes three hundred light horse and two thousand â—…oote and himselfe went with the residue of the Armie to Padua During all these warlike exploits and different practises because the treaties of the accord betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians were not wholy broken off Pope Leo would haue them to be reuiued thinking it an easie matter to obtaine of either of them that which hee pretended For he supposed that the Emperor beeing inuited by his occasions beyond the Mounts would bee content to hearken therevnto that hee might with more ease recouer Burgondie for his sonnes sonne and the Venetians much more as well because they were daunted with the defeat of the French as for that they knew that the French King many dangers threatning his kingdome could not for that yeare thinke on the affaires of Italy and besides he saw the Spanish Army at their doores with which the companies that were in Verona went to vnite themselues They were more ouer drawne dry of money vnprouided of Soldiers and namely of footmen and they were to make resistance alone no sparke of light appearing nor no ayde neere The Senate neuerthelesse made a most constant answer That it would not hearken to any agreement vnlesse Vincenza and Verona were yeelded to them And on the otherside they solicited the French King by their Ambassador Dandulo resident with him to renue his army and not to make shew of being danted for one onely losse hapned at Nouara not to suffer those mountainer Suisses to boast for that they had driuen so mighty a king from his state and rob'd him of the fruite of the purchased victory That hee should boldly make choyce of counsell worthy his greatnesse that the Venetians would not faile him in any thing That hee should make vse for his seruice of their Armes Soldiers and meanes that so long as life should remaine in their bodies they would bee ready to vnder-goe all paine and danger for the greatnesse of the Realme of France and for the defence of their common cause King Lewis thanked the Venetians for their offers and with faire words gaue them good hope manifesting his desire to bee reuenged on his enemies and to continue his friendship and confederacie with them that the Frenck Kings custome was not to be chargeable but to bring all aide profit and comfort to their friends and confederates But because it was certainly thought that the Realme of France beeing assailed in sundry places namely by the King of England at Calais and by the Emperor and the Suisses in another place it would bee hard for King Lewis to intend for that whole yeare the affaires of Italy The Venetians in the meane time did exhort him to free himselfe from all those difficulties which might in time to come hinder him from the conquest of that which did belong vnto him in Italy and to purchase friends in the Countrey especially the Pope The King who desired nothing more then the vniting of his Realme with the Church the which was earnestly craued by all his Court and subiects did willingly hearken to the Venetians intreaties and remonstrances and resolued for the same purpose to send the Bishop of Marseilles his Ambassador to Rome and perceiuing that hee could neuer hope for any alliance with the Pope in temporall matters vnlesse he first of all did compose spirituall dissentions hee gaue his Ambassador in charge to assure the Pope that hee had broken and reuoked the Councell which hee had caused first to bee assembled at Lyons and afterwards at Pisa and that hee would not allow of any other Councell then that of Lateran which was then to be held in Rome that he would euer like to his Predecessors greatly honor and reuerence the Popes name and the sea Apostolick and would be ready with his whole power to defend the Church of Rome The Venetians at the same time sent ten Ambassadors to the Pope for age and dignity the chiefest of the Citty for to giue him sufficient testimony of the good will and affection which they did beare to him and had besides the better to please him enioyned Francisco Foscare their Ambassador resident with him to be present at euery Sâ—…ssion of the Councell in the name of the Republick so soone as it should be begun at Saint Iohns of Lateran But they found afterward that the Pope did not so greatly affect them as they imagined because that beeing wholy since the rout at Nouara freed from the feare of the French insteed of dissembling which before hee had done he began to discouer himselfe openly He did aloud rebuke the Venetians and greatly taxe them for recalling the French into Italy and that they who ought to haue had most care of the liberty and quiet of the Prouince were those who had stirred vp more troubles in it and had reduced it vnder the seruitude of Barbarians And to make them more odious hee did accuse them to haue had a desire if matters had fallen out prosperously to recouer the Citties and Townes of Romagnia which they had enioyed The Pope did often vse these reproachfull speeches The Emperour in the meane time did solicite him to send him the aide promised in the treaty passed with Iulius his Predecessor and ratified by himselfe against the Venetians in which demand the Emperour still persisting with great obstinacy albeit it was iâ—…ksome vnto him fearing least the French King would be displeased therewith hee sent vnto him being not able to delay it any longer vnder the conduct of Troilo Sauello Achilles Tourella Mutio Colonna the nomber of soldiers which he craued because
same conditions as they had beene before treated of with Baziazet This treaty being concluded and effected Iustinian returned to Venice with whom Selim sent Alimbei his Ambassador to cause the Prince and Senate to ratefie the present treaty vnto whom he likewise wrote exhorting them to entertaine his frendship And that he for his part would neuer faile them The Turkish Ambassador being come to Venice and brought into the Senate Prince Loredan swore and ratefied as well in his owne name as in the Common wealthes all that which Iustinian their Ambassador had agreed to and signed Selim by this meanes being out of feare of the warrs on Europes side hauing likewise renewed the truce with the Kings of Poland and Hungary hee marched courrageously against Achomat whome hauing broken and defeated hee commanded to be slaine to the end that by his death hee might without contradiction become absolute Lord of Asia the lesse thereby promising to himselfe that nothing should bee able to resist him whereby hee became so proude as hee thought hee was able to conquer the whole world and cheefely Italy on which hee began to fixe his thoughts imagining that he could with ease subiugate it being weake and molested by the forepassed warres He was moreouer incited thervnto by the Emperor Maximilian who thought on nothing more then how to ruinate the Venetians It is certaine that he sent an Ambassador to Constantinople to aduertise Selim of the great opportunity then offered to enuade the sea coasts of the Venetians state whilest hee with his army would assaille them by land but it was not certainly knowne on what place he ment first to attempt Selim being thus solicited caused that winter diuers Vessels to bee armed and new to be made and to new builde those that were broken But at the spring newes was brought to Constantinople how that Amurath Sonne to his brother Achomat who being not at the battaile where his Father fought with such bad successe had escaped into Persia had on a sodaine entred Cappadocia with great numbers of horse and foote where afrighting the whole country with great wast hee was become maister of diuers places of that Prouince Selim being greatly daunted at these newes and considering that the Sophi alone was cause as well of those present troubles as of those which Achomat his brother had in time before raised resolued to take reuenge and to this end determined to send all that great army as well by land as sea into Asia the which was leuied for Europe This Asian warre fell out opportunely for the Christian Princes whome this most mighty and cruell enemy would haue wholy ruined and afterward would haue gone on in dispite of all their resistance This being considered by Pope Leo with the great good which this warre of Persia had done thought it his duty to meditate a firme peace among Christian Princes to the end that being vnited together they might with more ease oppose them selues against that Barbarous enemy The Cardinalls solicited him therevnto in setting on foot the treaty of peace and not to leaue till it had taken effect according to their desire But albeit the Pope did very well know that this was more then reasonable yet neuer the-lesse hee reuolued in his minde which was troubled with diuers maters that as the successe of that wholesome councell did promise a very great and certaine commendations euen so the diuers respects of warre and peace and the difficulties which he met with in this treatie did affright him and wholy draw him backe from that enterprise For his feare least the French should returne againe into Italy and make head against the Spaniards and Almans did extreamely trouble him thinking verily that the same would happen if the realme of France were not enuaded in some place or other knowing that King Lewis by nature was altogether an enemy to quiet and that so soone as hee had made peace with the English hee would turne his thoughts vpon Italy for the recouery of the Dutchy of Milan in regard hee had euer reiected all motions of peace wherein was propounded that hee should quit his claime to the state of Milan The Venetians affaires were almost at the same stay the Pope being not desirous to haue them recouer their former greatnesse noâ—… yet to be to much deiected in regard of the common reputation of Italy Whilest the Pope was in this sort afflicted with sundry thoughts and that at one time hee would fauour the Venetians and at another shewe them an angry and froward countenance the warre did still continew notwithstanding the sharpnesse of the Winter for Prospero Collonna with the Duke of Millans forces marching to Crema ioyned himselfe to the Spannish army the which did re-enforce the Citties seege and the Paduan territory was daily scoured and spoiled by the enemies incursions the like was done in the Contrey of Friul where there was no towne or castle so strong either by art or nature which was not enforced to obey that partie who was strongest in the field so as the inhabitants of that poore contrey were wholly stript of all And for to dispatch them at once Bernardino Frangipan hauing forsaken the Venetians did by treachery seaze on the Fort of Maran as hath beene said by meanes of a Preest called Bartholomeo who being a familiar frend to Alessandro Marcello Prouidator of the place got leaue of him on a morning before day to haue the Castle gates opened for him vnder coâ—…ller that he went forth to hunt so as Frangipan according as it was concluded betwixt himselfe and the Preist did on a sodaine seaze on the gate with certaine Almaine foot and some horse vntill his troopes were arriued whereby hee became maister of the place But the traytor within a while after was paied his desert for being taken by Nicolo Pisare who commaunded in Gruare hee was sent to Venice where beeing hung vp by one foote hee was by the people stoned to death This place beeing very commodious for the Venetians the Senate was of opinion to haue it speedily beseeged the better afterwards to assayle Goritia which Frangipan had taken in the same manner and held it in the Emperors name The land Army marched thither vnder the conduct of Balthasar Scipione of Luca and the nauall army commanded by Bartholomeo de Must a man well experienced in marine matters These two Armies being come before Maran an Herrald was sent to the inhabitants of the towne and to the Almaines that were within it to summon them in the name of the common wealth to yeeld vp that place to the Venetians aduising them not to delay till it were taken by force Those within it made shewes wholy contrary to the summons and vsed many iniurious speeches to the Herrald whereat those of the Camp being incensed determined to giue an assault not tarrying for certaine galleyes which were to ariue but at
battaill whome ignominiously he put to death openly hee made beside a great slaughter of those Mamaluks and thereby in a manner did wholy root out their name hee tooke Cairo which is a populous citty and the Soldans ordinary residence and in a short-time seased on all Suria and Aegypt Al these great victories and encreases of his Empire had not without cause giuen occasion to all Christian Princes to stand in awe of him and cheefel◅ the Venetians of whome hee pretended to demand a yeerely tribute of 8000. Ducats which the Kings of Cyprus were wont to pay to the Soldans of Aegipt in times before Now the Venetian Ambassadors being embarked at Venice did first touch at Cyprus and from thence they went to Damasco where Selim returning from his victories had wintered with al his army The Senate had expresly enioyned them to procure that the Venetian marchants who dwelt at Tripoli Alexandria Barath Damasco and other marchant places of those Prouinces might be maintayned there in the selfe same priuiledges which they were wont to enioy in former times graunted vnto them by the former Kings of Suria and Aegypt That it might like-wise bee lawfull for the Signory to haue their Magistrates in those places with the same authority they were wont to haue to doe iustice to their Cittizens in their strife about marchandize and other such like businesse Selim ayming at other ends did easily graunt it as wel for the desire he had to entertaine the Venetians friendship as to restore trafick to his new conquered Prouinces whereby great profit and commodity might redound to him At the same time for the same purpose an Ambassador was appointed to goe to Charles King of Spaine to the end that it might be lawfull for the Venetians to traffick thorow all the lands and signories newly fallen to him as they were wont to doe in the life time of King Fernand in Spaine because that his officers did seeme to make some difficulty in it in regard of the trade with Africke whereof it shall not not be impertinent to say some thing by the way The antient founders of the citty had speciall care that the cittizens of their new citty should exercize them-selues in voyages and sea-traffick to bee able by their vertuous industry to encrease their domesticke meanes and faculties and make themselues knowne to forraine nations The situation of their citty inuited them there-vnto because the Inhabitants had not they any inheritāces wheron to busie themselues Whervpon they decreed diuers ships should traficke into sondry places of Christendome and of the Infidells in which they sent diuers gentlemen to learne them nauigation and other matters belonging to the sea some of whome remained for a time among those forraine nations and cheefely wher there was greatest trading negotiating for themselues and others whereby besides the greate wealth which they purchased they made themselues fit by experience for great maters so as returning afterwards to Venice they readyly executed all matters committed to them Now the places whether these vessels which were commonly called shippes of traffick vsed to goe at their departure from Venice was first into Sicily to the Citty of Saragossa from thence to Tripoli in Barbary and hauing coasted the Iland of Gerbes they passed on to Tunis from thence they directed their course to the realme of Tremisen staying cheefely at Tusen and at Mega two excellent Marchant townes called at this day Ona and Orana Then they went to diuers places of the Kingdome of Marocco and touching at all the hauens of Barbery which were antiently comprized vnder the Prouinces of Mauritania and Numidia they sailed into Spaine But their traffick was very different for at their departure from Venice they carried to the Affrican Moores sondry kindes of mettalls and woollen cloathes which they sould there then comming into Spaine they bought sondry kinds of merchandize as silk wool graine and other things which they found in the contrey with which being laden they returned to Venice This traffick then being interrupted by the difficulties which the agents of the new King of Spaine did set abroach and by reason of other accidents that did happen is wholly lost But to returne to our discourse the Venetians perceiuing that a great part of the time of truce betwixt the Emperour and them was spent they thought it necessary to come to some new agreement with him the which the Pope desired and that it might be by his meanes at Rome But the Venetians trusting more to the most Christian King referred the whole matter to him and made means that the Emperour should to that end send his Ambassadors into France who comming thither and concluding no peace the truce by the Kings meanes was prolonged betwixt them for fiue yeares on condition that for euery of the fiue yeares they should pay twenty thousand crownes to the Emperour The occasion of this truce was because that the Pope being mooued by the Turkes fortunate successe beganne to thinke on other milder matters he sent Breefs to all Christian Princes putting them in mind of the danger which threatened them requesting them that all discords and contentions being layd aside they would speedily prouide for the defence of Christian religion and for their common safety the which was exposed to very great dangers vnlesse that they being vnited together did transport the warre into Turky in regard of the encrease of Selims Empire and his great desire of rule and soueraignty which would prouoke him at last to oppresse all other Princes as he had done by the Souldan of Egipt and the Mamalucks These things being by the Pope represented to the Venetians as well as to other Christian Princes were cause that the Venetians consented to the truce as hath beene said made by the French King betwixt the Emperour and them seeing that peace could be hardly concluded on to the end they would not seeme by their refusall to turne away so great a good from all Christendome But as for the popes proposition made particularly vnto them to take Armes against Selim they answered that when they should see matters set foreward and ernestly pursued the Venetian Senate would be more ready for that enterprize then any else and would neuer faile of their duty knowing very well how much it did import them not only in regard of the common interest of all Christendome and for the Popes entreaties and exhortation as because their sea-Sea-state did border vpon that mighty enemy the which he would in a moment assaile and molest with all outrages before the Confederates Army would be ready to enter into his Contrey Soone after this treaty of truce the Emperour Maximilian fell sick and dyed at Lynx in the be◅inning of the yeare 1519. which is a towne seated on the marches of Austria his death being knowne to the soldiers that lay in Garrison at Gradisca and Maran they sallied foorth vppon the lands belonging
that the Turke armed was by that meanes cleered so as one part of the nauall Army that they had prepared vpon that rumor sailed into Barbary against the Pirats of whom many being taken the passages were freed from danger In this manner did the Venetians temporise with the Turke vsing all means to keepe his friendship despayring of being able to hurt him so long as the Christian Princes carelesse of the common danger were at strife among themselues Now the most Christian King being som-what troubled with this election and fearing least Charles of Austria would turne his deseignes vpon Italy to expulse him from the state of Milan acquainted the Pope and the Venetians with the great danger that threatned them if they suffred the elected Emperor to passe with an army into Italy and therefore he councelled them to enter into a threefold league together against those that would attempt to inuade any of their states and specially to oppose themselues against the Emperors passage comming in armes to goe to Rome as he said to receiue the Imperiall Crowne because he could not enter in that manner but to the great danger of all those who possessed any states in Italy The Venetians soone consented to the French Kings proposition for the safety of their states But the Pope being resolued what to doe and ruminating sundry matters fed the King and the Venetians with faire hope but when it came to the conclusion he would not consent to haue any thing set downe in writing saying That in such a case the onely words of Princes did suffice with their true meaning to execute what had beene concluded In this manner the businesse being delayed the French Kings heaâ—…e in time beganne to coole The Venetians had some suspition that the King did seacretly treat with the Emperor and that the same might bee the canse why the Pope doutbed and prolonged the affaires that were concluded on And that which did increase their suspition was for that they had certaine notice that Artur Gouffiar Lord of Boyssy great maister of France and the Lord de Cheures met at Montpellier the one from the elect Emperor and the other from the King to consult of a finall peace betwixt both their Maiesties and to decide all controuersies betwixt them and their allies The Venetians neuer-the-lesse still continuing their former resolution and firme desire not to separate them-selues in any sort from the alliance of the French made no shew that they suspected the King albeit his Maiesty was sufficiently aduertised of their suspition but held it for certaine that if the King were desirous of agreement with the Emperor they especially should be named and comprised therin and all their contention with the Emperor should be wholy composed Charles so soone as hee was chosen Emperor hauing turned his deseignes vpon Italy knowing how much it did import him to haue the Venetians friendship did shew him-selfe desirous to compose all the differences which had beene betwixt the Emperor Maximilian his predecessor and them and to effect this good desire hee sent his commissioners to Verona according as it was concluded in Maximillians life time with ample power and authority to conclude and decide not onely the businesse of the truce for fiue yeares but like-wise to end all other matters which were yet vndecided two yeares before betwixt them Francisco Pâ—…sare a long time before chosen by the Senate for that purpose went to Verona whither for the Emperors part came foure of the cheefe of the councell of Inspruch who had ample power to negociate that businâ—…sse Iohn Pin the French Ambassador came thither in his Kings name who at the last truce was chosen Vmpier and Iudge of all their controuersies The Venetians craued possession of all the places taken from them in the last warre and that all thing should remaine as they were before the warre saying That it was the surest meanes to end all their controuersies and to establish a firme and assured peace But the Imperialls alleadging now one thing and then an other did still dâ—…lay the businesse and would conclude on nothing so as hauing spent certaine monthes there in vaine and being recalled by the councel of In spruch they returned home Yet neuerthelesse the Venetians hauing at the same time their Ambassadours in the Emperours Court they were put in hope of a prosperous end of that businesse and that the Emperour would speedily appoint Commissioners to intend it beeing very desirous by meanes of a sure peace to become their good neighbour and perpetuall friend his officers thereby shewing how much hee desired the Venetians friendship who for their partes did in like manner declare how they desired nothing more then peace but that they could not their faith kept inuiolate doe any thing contrary to their alliance with the French King After this manner did these two Princes at one time pursue the Venetians friendship and alliance but by different waies each of them seeking to make vse of them in their enterprize of Italy so as in these practizes and negotiations all that yeare passed on without any certaine resolution The yeare following which was 1520. Italy did still continue peaceable but Christendome was threatened by Soliman who perceauing his Empire to be at quiet and all things to fall out as hee wished would not bee idle but following rather the generousnesse of his Ancestors hee determined to take armes and to warre vpon the Christians This was a long time before foreseene of many but remedied by none Following then this determination hee resolued to enuade the realme of Hungary hoping to reape great glory thereby by reason that the Hungarians were reputed valliant and great soldiers Therefore so soone as all things were ready hee departed from Constantinople about the beginning of the yeare 1521. with a mighty army and marched into Hungary King Lewes being amazed at the comming of so mighty an army and distrusting his owne forces did againe send new Ambassadors to solicite and entreate Christian Princes to aid him it being the common cause of all Christendome Philippo Moro Bishop of Agria was sent to the Venetians who being brought into the Senate spake in this manner My King most excellent Prince and yee most noble Lords hath such confidence in yourselues in your fidelity curtezie and power in respect of the strict alliance which of a long time hath beene betwixt this Republike and the crowne of Hungary of the Common interest of both your states of the iustice of his cause and your owne antient custome with that of your ancestors who euer fauored iust and resonable actions and releeued those that stood in need as hee is desirous in this eminent perill of the Turkish warre cheefely to haue recourse vnto you my Lords and vnto you to communicate his deseins and necessity hoping to finde from you not onely a speedy ayde as much as in you lieth
complaine because that by the agreement made betwixt them it was expresly mentioned that the Pope should not receiue the bandeâ—…i of the Dutchy of Milan into his Territories nor the king those of the Dominion of the Church into his The Venetians being desirous as much as in them lay to appease this discontent for the Popes resolution and the treaty made and sworne by him with the Emperor was noâ—… as yet manifestly knowne sought to blot out of the Popes mind the suspition which he seemed to haue by remembring him of the good offices which the King had euer performed to the Sea Apostolike earnestly entreating him not for a trifle to breake the holy alliance so long time sworne betwixt them seeing that by the breach thereof nothing but mischeefe could ensue But all these remonstrances and entreaties were bootelesse with the Pope who had already contracted with the Emperor on condition that the French being expelled forth of the Dutchy of Milan Parma and Placentia should bee ioyned to the Churches Patrimony and all the residew of the state should bee restored to Francis Sforza and that the Pope in the meane time should dispense with Charles for the oath which hee had taken in the inuestiture of the Kingdome of Naples to the end hee might with more iust title still retayne the Empire The Venetians being wholy hope-lesse of making any attonement betwixt the Pope and the French King resolued not to faile in their duty wherein they were tyed to the King for the conseruation of the Dutchy of Milan The report was that diuers soldiers were already leuied by the Pope and the Emperors command and if their secret practizes could not preuaile they would on a sodaine fall to open warre for which cause the Pope albeit it was vnder an other collour had leuied sixe thousand Swisses and Prospero Colonna being declared cheefe of the enterprise comming to Bolognia did from all parts leuy soldiers whilest the Viceroy of Naples with the Cauallery of that Kingdome and the Marquis of Pescara with the Spanish Infantery were on the bankes of the Riuer Trante speedily to passe ouer on the first occasion This caused the Venetians for their part speedily to enrole sixe thousand Italian foot and to assemble all their Cauallery on the Bressan Territory commiting their whole army to Theodore Triuulcio their Generall commanding him to encampe on the banks of the riuer Adda that hee might speedily passe ouer if the affaires of the French should require it They commanded moreouer Paulo Nany Gouernor at that time of Bergamo to follow the Army with the Generall in quallity of Prouidator In the meane time vpon the rumor that was spred abroad in France of these stirres in Lombardy the King forth-with sent the Lord Lautrec to Milan and being comme thither perceiuing that his forces were not sufficient to defend that state if it should be enuaded with a mighty army he thought it fit to keepe backe the new aide which the enemies expected from comming to ioyne with them who already had a thousand men at armes and about eight thousand foot The Pope had but three thousand Swisses for of sixe thousand that he had leauied there remayned with him but the one halfe And at the same time Fernand the Emperors brother being come to villac to assemble sixe thousand foot-men to passe afterwards with them into Italy to the releefe of the imperiall army for which forces the Emperor hauing craued passage of the Venetians they answered that they could noâ—… doe it in regard of their alliance with the French King whome if they failed at his need they should be taxed with shame and infamy Vpon this answer because they would haue their passages to bee enforced they sent strong garrisons thither yet neuerthelesse after diuers propositions for the stopping of Almaines passage the matter being found to be difficult they left it by the consent of the Lord of Lautree to the inhabitants of the country and sent all their forces on the Cremonois there for to ioyne them with the French according to Lautrecs direction who beeing desirous to haue neere him some Venetian Gentlemen of authority and experience to conferre withall on the affaires of the war and about the defence of the State of Milan the Senate sent Andrè Gritti to him Paulo Nâ—…i notwithstanding remayning still in the campe as Prouidator They choose likewise Ieronimo Pesare for Prouidator Generall who was carefully to prouide for all their fortes on the firme land wherein were placed two thousand foot-men newly leauied and certaine companies of men at armes who on all occasions should defend them from trouble and dangers They determined moreouer at Lautrecs perswasition to haue other three thousand foot namely fifteene hundred Gascons and as many Valesians and likewise to contribute to the expence of certaine horse and foot companies with whom the Duke of Ferrara promised to come into the field in the behalfe of the French to the end that the King and all men else should know that they had in no â—…ort failed for the speedy reliefe of the State of Milan according to the couenants made betwixt them The French in the meane time were readier to solicite the Venetians to doe that wherevnto they were obliged by the treaty of confederacy then they were of themselues to make necessary prouisions proceeding therein very slowly which vndoubtedly is a very dangerous matter in warre and al-be-it the Lord of Lautrec did warrant that the Lord of Saint Vallier should speedily passe the mounts with six thousand French and that tenne thousand Swisses leauied for the King should forthwith march yet for all that none caâ—…e and on the other side the enemies being growne strong and mighty by being ioyned with the Almain foot hauing safely passed thorow the Mantuan and from thence thorow the State of Milan knowing how greatly speed might import them in that enterprize were come to beseege Parma supposing that the taking of that City would purchase them great safety and reputation Now the Lord Lautrec hauing intelligence of their march suspecting their deseigne sent his brother the Lord of Escut with a strong garrison for the gard of that city yet neuerthelesse that did not stay their enterprize hoping easily to achiue it as well for that the place was not very strong as because their army was great and wel stored with all necessaries as in deed it would haue come to passe if Lautrec who had receiued new supplies of Swisses had not approched the enemies by whose comming and likewise for that the Duke of Ferrara with great numbers of foot-men marched to assaile Modena and Regio Prospero Colonna was enforced as he afterwards said to discampe from before Parma to the great griefe and discontent of the Pope who by his confederacy with the Emperor did chiefly harken after the taking thereof The euent of this first enterprize hauing such bad successe was cause
deseignes the Duke of Vrbin hauing passed Thesin beganne to scoure the Contrey and hauing on euery side beaten the plaines he went and encamped before Garlas a towne strongly fenced with dikes and Rampiers wherein were foure hundred Italian footmen to which after he had made a breach he gaue an assault the very same day and tooke it by force with great slaughter of those that were within it The taking of this towne caused diuers others to yeeld vnto him The Admirals hope beeing grounded vpon two points both of them failed him The one was that Rante de Cera comming downe with eight thousand Grisons into the Venetians territories would constraine them to call back their forces to defend their owne Contrey aud the other was that the ayd of Suisses which the King sent to him would speedily arriue and fill vp his army which was much diminished but both those hopes prooued vaine For the Grisons would not depart from their houses when they vnderstood that they should find resistance and no aide and the Suisses being come to the bankes of the riuer Stesia tarried there still beeing not able to passe it by reason of the great encrease of the waters wherevpon the Admirall being pressed by the Enemies and the nomber of his forces daily decreasing being desirous to ioyne with them commanded a bridge to be made ouer that riuer and the day following he caused all his soldiers to passe ouer to the Suisses the enemies being lodged within two miles of them Now the Imperialls perceiuing in what disorder the French were retired who left diuers peices of Ordnance with other munition behind them intreated the Duke of Vrbin to pursue them in their company wherevnto the Duke of Vrbin seemed to consent But the Prouidator refusing so to doe the Venetians would not passe ouer the riuer thinking that they had already passed farther then they were tyed to by the bonds of the Confederacy by which they were bound to nothing elce but for the defence of the Dutchy of Milan and they had entred into the lands of the Duke of Sauoy for which refusall the Duke of Vrbin was greatly commended and the Senate being desirous to acknowledge it albeit he had not serued them long did neuerthelesse honour him with the Title of Generall of all their forces as well horsse as foot with a present recompence Now whilst the Venetians were busied in this war sondry cares dangers troubled them from elsewhere for they had intelligence that Soliman practized some high attempt and was desirous to execute it by reason that he made great preparations of Soldiers and armor the which did much amaze them and caused them to keepe strong garrisons in all their sea townes and cheefly in the I le of Ciprus whereunto they knew the Turke aspired and to furnish that expence imposed a loane as well on their perticular citâ—…izens as on al their citties and subiects which speedily furnished them with ready money In this meane time the French King notwithstanding the bad successe of his army had neither lost his courage nor his desire to returne into Italy being the more prouoked thereunto by the disdaine which he had conceiued of the Emperor who not beeing satisfied with taking vpon him the defence of the state of Milan did moreouer trouble him in his owne Realme by stirring vp the King of England against him wherevpon he made great warlike preparations to returne himselfe in person into Italy the which he hoped to doe with more ease and speed because his Army was safely returned into France These newes did greatly trouble the Senators not only in regard of the huge expence they were to be at by reason of their alliance with the Emperor for the defence of the state of Milan but likewise for the feare they were in of their owne state the French King beeing mightely incensed against them not so much for that which they had done in their last encounters as for that they being since then sollicited to returne to his alliance and to quit the Emperors they had wholy refused it The Venetians being then aduertised that the French army passed the mounts did cause all their forces which lay in sondry places in Garrison to meet on the Verona territory whether they sent word to the Duke of Vrbin to come and willed Pessare their Prouidator to goe thither with all speed to waite what should be commanded him The Pope in the meane time being shaken with feare sondry suspitions told the Venetians that it was well done to be vnited with himselfe and the Emperor and to proceed matuâ—…ely in all matters for the liberty of Italy and for the defeÌ„ce of the stare of Milan that they possibly could but if they should not find themselues strong enough to resist the mighty army of the French it were better to seeke in time to reconcile themselues to the most Christian King then to delay it till he should fiercely march against them thereby to auoyd those insolencies which doe vsually follow victories He willed them to consider that the power of the French was very great and of force to ouerturne the whole state of Italy and 〈◊〉 they should doe well to send ample power and authority to Marco Eoscare their Ambassador at Rome to treat of that which the French had already offered them Though the Pope propounded all this by way of Councell yet neuerthelesse it was perceiued thereby that his meaning tended to a new confederacy with the French the better to assure the state of the Church and that of Florence For which the Senate did not yet perceiue any reason so soone and without cause to quit the Emperors alliance to returne to that of the French King seeing it would 〈◊〉 argued ouermuch lightnesse and inconstancy and small discretion to make the Emperor their enâ—…my before they were certaine of the French Kings will and therefore they had determined that their army should enter into the state of Milan to be employed in the Emperors seruice but the Duke of Vrbin before he would execuâ—…e their determination sent them word how dangerous a matter it were for the Common-wealth to send their army abroad at that time because that if they with their forces should assure the state of Milan it was to be feared that the enemy would turne his deseignes somewhere elce and perhaps against their 〈◊〉 and therefore he said that it were best to tarry till the French army had passed the riuer Sila before that they did put their resolution in practise But the French making great hast were sooner in the Dutchy of Milan then they were lookt for and from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 directly to the Citty they came to the subâ—… of the gate of Thesin before it could be sufficiently rampierd and prouided 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 herevpon all the Captaines were of opinion to forsake it therfore the Duke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Viceroy and Sforza retired to Soncina
of Saint Angelo was by this accord foorth-with yeelded to Captaine Alarcon who entred it with three companies of Spanish footmen and three companies of Lancequenets appointed to guard the Castle and the Pope But the other townes and Castles that were promised were not so easily consigned by reason that the Castle of Ciuita Chastelane was guarded by the Confederates and Aadrew Doria refused to deliuer vp that of Ciuitauechia vnlesse he were first paied fourteene thousand Ducats which he said was due vnto him for his entertainment Parma and Placentia on the other-side abhorring the Spanish gouernment refused to receiue them and those of Modena were reduced vnder the obedience of the Duke of Ferrara who making vse of the Popes calamity threatning the Modenois to spoile their corne which was almost ripe did enforce them to deliuer vp the citty into his handes The Confederates army remained quiet without attempting any thing expecting the arriuall of the Lord of Lautrec who was said to be already in Piedmont with great forces both of horse and foot albeit the Captaines in the meane time were of sondry opinions some thinking that being vnited with the French it would be best for them to march directly to Rome where they should find the Imperiall army in such disorder as they might easily set the Pope at li berty by reason that it was much diminished as well by the contagious sicknesse which was in the Citty as by the ouer-much licence which the Soldiers had taken for certaine monethes space liuing without al order and without any martiall discipline some of them being lodged in the Citty and others heere and there abroad and that diuers of them beeing disbanded went their waies daily without any leaue whereby they might with ease driue those few from Rome that remayned behind Those of the contrary opinion thought that for the effecting of that deseigne it were better to scoure the state of Milan beeing neere thereunto to enforce the Imperials to leaue Rome and to come to the defense thereof which might prooue either to slow or insufficient to stoppe the current of the victory wherby they might at one time execute diuers fortunate exploits and perhaps giue an end to the warre This being alowed by all men and propounded to the Lord of Lautrec at his arriuall he entred into the state of Milan with eight thousand Suisses three thousand Gascons and tenne thousand footmen conducted by Pedro of Nauarre and went and encamped before the towne of Bosco on the marches of Alexandria where was a Garrison of a thousand footmen the most of whom were Lancequenets who after they had for the space of tenne dayes sustained the battery and sundry assaults did at the last yeeld themselues at the discretion of the Victor This conquest was followed by that of Alexandria whither the Lord Lautrec came afterwards and encamped wherin lay fifteene hundred footmen who being molested at one time both by the Artillery and the mynes were enforced to yeeld their liues and goods beeing saued But the taking of Alexandria was cause of the beginning of some contention betwixt the confederates For the Lord of Lautrec being desirous to leaue fifteene hundred footmen in Garrison there to the end that at al euents his owne companies might haue one place of retreat and those which should come from France finde some comodiousnesse of meeting there the Duke of Milans Ambassador fearing that it would be the beginning of an occasion to possesse that State for his King opposed him-selfe against it the like did the Ambassadors of England and Venice wherevpon Lautrec agreed not without indignation to leaue it freely to the Duke of Milan a matter which did afterwards greatly preiudice the leagne Now Lautrec after the conquest of Alexandria propounded that he would march to Rome to free the Pope from imprisonment who although he had agreed as hath beene said with the Almaines and Spaniards did neuerthelesse still remaine a prisoner vnder their guard vntill that he had accomplished the articles of the agreement as wel for payment of the money as for the consignation of the aboue mentioned townes where-in were found sundry difficulties wherevppon the Emperor did not there-in shew him-selfe well disposed nor resolute although by his speech he sought to haue all men to beleeue the contrary But the Venetians did wholy dislike of Lautrecs proposition not that they stood lesse affected to the Popes enlargement then did the King but because they thought the enterprise of Rome lesse profitable for the common cause then that of Milan as it had beene debated before his comming and afterwards confirmed by himselfe that there was at the same time great hope of beeing able to conquer Pauia and Milan where there were weake Garrisons and that Antonio de Leua who by his dilligence and skill more then by force did gouerne that State lay greeuously sicke and was vnable to prouide remedies that losing this opportunity the affaires of the league would euer afterwards decline in regard of the huge number of Lancequenets that were ready to come down from the County of Tiroll into Lombardy But by taking Milan from them which was their only retreat and hauing neither cauallery nor victualls they would be enforced to change their mindes and to tarry at home in their houses that in the meane space it would giue time and leisure to tenne thousand Almaines payd by the King of England to come to the campe of the league and afterwards they might with those forces march to Rome and driue the enemies before them assuring together with the Churches State the libertye of all Italy The Lord of Lautrec inclining to their request determined to march towards Pauia before which with great speed he went and encamped the releefe which Antonio de Leua sent not beeing able to enter it the which being battered for the space of foure daies and a great part of the wall beaten downe the soldiors making ther approches did enter it by the breach The Citty was sackt and the French for eight daies together vsed all sorts of cruelty vpon the inhabitants who had vanted that they had beene the vanquishers of the French King because that King Francis was taken prisoner lying at the seege of the same Citty The Genowais at the same time being afflicted with sundry losses and calamities and cheefely with famine sent Ambassadors to the Lord Lautrec for to capitulate The Citties Duke whose name was Antonio Adorni retired him-selfe into the Castellet and the tumult being appeased by Phillip Doria who was prisoner there the Citty returned vnder the Kings obedience who appointed Theodario Triuulcio gouernor thereof and the Venetians because they would not leaue their Captaines vnrecompenced who had valiantly behaued themselues in the reduction of Genoa they encreased to Caesar Fregosa the conductof other thirty men at armes and doubled his pay they did like-wise acknowledge the valour and prowesse of Guy
first men thought that he had but feigned For the Emperor thinking it not only dangerous but smally for his honour to depart forth of Italy and to leaue matters imperfect without establishing a sure peace there for a time he beganne to shew that his mind enclined therevnto But because hee plainely perceiued that hee could not effect it without making an accord with the Venetians on whome during these troubles the State of all Italy seemed to depend being yet doubtful whether the French king would ioyne with them who were so much distasted of him by reason that hee did no more care to obserue the Treaty of Cambray now that hee had home his children then hee had done that of Madrill after that hee was set at liberty Hee resolued with him-selfe to make an accord with the Venetians and made this his desire knowne to his owne Councellours the better to finde some meanes to end this businesse in which diuers men of authority did employ themselues Andrew Doria sent Frederico Grimaldi to Venice to offer them freely to employ himselfe in this treaty assuring them that he knew for certaine that the Emperor was desirous of an agreement with them and that if the Senate would be pleased to haue him to meddle in the businesse he did hope speedily to dispatch it The Senate neither accepting nor refusing this offer answered that it had euer desired peace and highly esteemed as it became them the Emperors fâ—…eindship being at the same present of that mind but that they were very desiâ—…ous to see some euident signe whereby they might perceiue the Emperors intention to be such as as he spake of for the keeping of the Lancequenets in hostile manner vppon their State spoiling and wasting the Bressan territory was a token of a contrary affection Soone after Sigismond de la Tour Chamberlaine and Ambassador to the Marquis of Mantoa came to Venice to exhort the Senate in like manner to an agreement with the Emperor affirming the very same that Doria had done how that the Imperiall Maiesty was desirous of an atonement with them entreating them to giue consent to suffer the treaty thereof to bee concluded in the Citty of Mantoa whether he knew that the Emperor would forth-with send his Agents with commissions to that end During these treaties the Emperour prepared for his comming to Bolognia to speake with the Pope according as it had beene concluded at Barcelona All men had great hope of this enteruiew wherein matters of importance were to be decided of which men greatly doubted remaining with attention to see what would be the end thereof especially the Venetians because their affaires were very much intermingled and of great difficulty The Pope seemed greatly to affect them seeking by the meanes of Cardinall Cornare to induce them to lay downe their armes and to come to some honourable composition and therefore hee had already before then sent the Bishop of Vaison his Nuncio to the Emperor at Placentia who was thought to haue greatly preuailed in disposing him vnto peace with all men and cheefely with the Venetians This was the cause why diuers Senators shewed themselues more strict in this negociation some of them being desirous to tarry till it were called vpon in the assembly at Bolognia others of a contraâ—…y opinion propounded that it behooued them to accept of the offer of the Marquis of Mantoa and make present choyce of Ambassadors to send thither to treat of agreement And why should we say they deferre it any longer The Emperor hath a mighty army the forces of the league being broken and dissolued are weake nay rather deâ—…eated the Florentines alone the Duke of Milan and We are left to vndergoe the burthen of such a warre which is indeed a matter very vneasie by reason of our smal meanes after so great expences that we haue beene at and in regard of the great forces that the Emperor hath at this present in Italy and yet neuerthelesse in such an inequallity of things whilest he daily increaseth in hope and we wax weak he is content to treat with vs vpon equall termes and as I may say to humble himself and to be the formost in inuiting vs to peace and friendship and we refuse it and make small account thereof And besides it is not to be doubted but that which Doria first of all and then the Marquis of Mantoa haue so freely offered and promised hath not only proceeded from his owne consent but hath beene done by his expresse commandement for beleeue it they would neuer vndertake to be dealers betwixt such great Princes with such an assurance of their mindes were they not more then certaine thereof and is it then a part of wisdome to let such an occasion to escape which offereth it selfe to doe that which wee haue soe often-times desired and which at this present more then euer is to be wisht for Wee haue had for many yeares continuall warre wherein wee hâ—…ue spent more then fiue Millions of gold so as this Citty and our whole State which did scarcely beginne a little to breath after the forepassed warres is now wholy ruined and all mens meanes consumed and yet for all that a way being opened vnto vs to settle vs hence-forward in rest and quietnesse to our honor and reputation by prouiding as there is hope for our safety and comfort we will hold the matter doubtfull and expose our peace to the hazard of fortune which may as it hath often done produce such an accident as will change the Emperors mind and will or else by his remayning armed here in Italy may encrease our discommodities and dangers or by his departure leauing matters in trouble and confusion keepe vs yet for as many yeares more at as great expence in warre and then God knoweth what will be the end thereof Those which haue hithervnto praised the constancy of this Senate for that without sparing cost and without feare of any danger it hath defended with such great affection the common cause and the liberty of Italy perceiuing now accidents being changed and how needfull it is to change opinions that it doth continue in the same way and desire to dwell in armes and to make warre hauing meanes to auoide it will perhaps change their minds and deâ—…me vs to obstinate and others will repute vs foolish and ill-aduised for that wee will not handle matters not onely by reason but according to our owne will without applying our selues to time and occasion by temporizing and expecting better fortune It is without doubt good and commendable to deliberate maturely on matters which present themselues but we must not excced the limmits of reason least wee come to extremity which is euer dangerous but follow as most proffitable the middle way because it often happeneth that a long delay of his which holdeth matters in perpetuall irresolution and length causeth as much and more danger then an ouer hasty and
friendly manner their strifes with the Emperour and thereby sreed them from the expence and trouble of warre They declared to the Emperour the necessity which had enforced them to take armes and to continue the warre their sorrow and griefe for matters past but aboue all their firme resolution to obserue and maintaine the accord made betwixt them and their desire of a perpetuall and an dissoluable friendship betwixt the house of Austria and the Republike The Ambassadors hauing in this mannerfully executed their commission so as nothing was left for them to negociate they were neuerthelesse commanded not to stirre from Bolognia that they might be present at the Emperours Coronation which was to be done in that City because that Charles meaning at the first to be crowned at Rome according to the ancient custome of other Emperours being called home by the Germains for matters of great importance resolued to haue the ceremony performed at Bolognia by reason whereof great numbers of people comming thither from all parts and Princes Ambassadours they thought that such an Ambassage as theirs would become the pompe and sollemnity of such a day which was vpon the foure and twenty of February which being ended the Ambassadours returned to Venice being honoured by the Emperour with a guift of fiue hundred Portiguze worth ten crownes a peece the which according to their custome were laied vp in the publike treasury The ancient fathers of the State hauing wisely decreed that if those citizens that were sent in Ambassage to Princes did receiue any thing of them in guift they were to deliuer it vp in publike they thinking it vnreasonable to refuse that which was giuen in honour to him that did represent the Common-wealth nor likewise to suffer that which was giuen to publike persons to be conuerted to priuate vses and if at times they were permitted to enioy them it passed by the common suffrages of the Senate wherevpon he vnto whom it was giuen held it afterwards of the Senates grace and liberallity and by this meanes they did cut off all occasion from bad Citizens of being partiall for any Prince whatsoeuer vpon hope of gaine to the detriment of the Common-wealth Within a while after three Ambassadours came to Venice from the Emperour to render a reciprocall office of friendship and in particular to resolue vpon the execution of certaine Articles of peace who were entertained with all honour and sumptuousnesse and at their departure they were presented with cuppes of gold of the value of a thousand crownes a peece and touching the Emperours demand for his sake diuers of the Republikes subiects were pardoned and others raised to great honours and dignities The Emperour after his coronation went to Mantua where he was receiued with all royall magnificence by Frederico Gonzaga Marquis of that place who by him was recompenced with the degree and title of Duke to himselfe and his posterity from thence being to passe thorow the Republikes State in his iourney by Trent into Germany the Senate commanded Paulo Nani and Giouani Delfino Generall Prouidators in the firme land and likewise Gâ—…ouani Mora gouernor of Padua and Pedro Grimani gouernor of Vincenza to meet him at Villafranca with great company of Gentlemen which lieth vpon the Mantuan and Verona confines and to waite vpon him so long as he should make his abode vpon their territories they commanded likewise the officers of Verona to make speedy prouision of victuals and other necessaries for those of his Court and for the souldiers and they did in particular in the Republikes name present him with wine venison fish sweet meats and all other exquisite delicates fit for entertainment The Emperour then passed along with all his forces beeing attended on by great numbers of Lords and Princes Ambassadours and amongst others by Nicâ—…lao Tepulo appointed as hath beene said ordinary Ambassador with his Maiesty and in passing by Verona without entring the city where and in the castles the gards were doubled he came to Chiusa being still accompanied by the Commissioners that represented the common-wealth and being thorow all their State entertained with great honor he seemed to be highly pleased and satisfied therewith and protested great loue to the Republike As these things seemed to encrease these Princes confidence and to confirme peace and friendship euen so was it to be feared that they would in Soliman great States being euer filled with iealosie beget summe suspition that the Signory would enter into league against him with the Christian Princes and that which made him to doubt it was the common report that was spread abroad that peace was established amongst those Princes that they might afterwards being vnited together make warre vpon the Turke and oppose themselues against Solimans great deseignes who hauing once alâ—…eady beseeged the city of Vienna did threaten to returne thither againe with a mightier army Certaine Cardinals appointed for that end did meet at Bolognia with the assistance of the Ambassadors of other Princes to treat of necessary preparations to beginne the warre with the Turke and though the Common-wealths Ambassadors were not present at that assembly where there was nothing concluded on the report neuerthelesse encreasing the matter as the manner is and being bruted at Constantinople for otherwise then the truth was the cause that diuers did blame that councell who thinking to remedy a mischiefe fell into a greater and a more dangerous Now the Senate being aduertized by Lodouico Gritti who as Ambassador to Iohn King of Hungary had followed Soliman to Constantinople of the Turkâ—…s suspition resolued to dispatch an Ambassadour to the great Lord to acquaint him with the peace made with the Emperour and with the reasons that mooued them therevnto and also to assure him of the Senates firme and constant desire euer to continue friends to the Ottomans and if he should perceiue Soliman to be well inclined towards them then to renue the Articles of peace The Senate did not without cause vse all these respects and demonstrations of friendship to Soliman because that not long before at his returne from Belgrade he had sent Ibraim Bei his Ambassador to Venice to acquaint them with that which had 〈◊〉 in Hungary and parâ—…icularly how that he had restored King Iohn their friend and Confederate to his Kingdome he did besides send an other Chiaus to the Senate to entreate them to send their Ambassador to Constantinople to be present at the sollemâ—…ity of the circumcision of two of his sonnes and at the same time he vsed great liberalit y towards them by giuing them for a present a thousand Canthars of Salt-peter brought from Alexandria hauing heard that the Venetians did need it Thomaso Moceniga was chosen for this commission who within few daies after did set forwards on his iourney with Francisco Barbaro who was chosen Baylif to succeed Pedro Zene who being sent as Ambassadour to the Porte of the great
Venetians to the end thereby to oblige them to take the person of Pietro Lodouico and his State into â—…heir protection and safegard because it was not to bee doubted but that the Venetians in acknowledgment of such a benefit and sor their owne proper interest desiring rather to haue a particular Lord of that State to bee their neighbour then the Church would employ all their forces for the maintenance and preseruation of the greatnesse of the Farneâ—…ia family wherevnto the Pope hearkning very willingly and hoping for some greater matter the pursutes for the Dutchy of Camerine was for the Venetians sakes smoothered of whom hee then â—…eemed to make great account All the Princes of Italy at the same time and especially the Venetians were in feare and stood vpon their guard by reason of a mighty Army which the Emperor prepared vntill such time as they were aduertised that it was for Affrick to recouer Thunis and thereby to assure the kingdome of Naples a neere neighbour to it which Cariadine did dayly threaten to inuade The Emperor did particularly aduertise the Venetian Senate of all his deseignes seeming to bee very zealous for the common good of Christendom and in particular for that of their Republick desiring to continue the same friendship and good correspondence which was betwixt them This demonstration of friendship was the cause of the renuing the confederacie betwixt them according to the same conditions which had beene concluded at Bolognia onely to shew that by the Popes death it was neiâ—…her finished nor broken off Wherevpon they commanded Marc-Antonio Contaren their Ambassador that in signe of continuance of amitie heâ—… should follow which he did the Emperor whether soeuer hee went After that generall processions and publick prayer were made in Venice by the Cleargie that it might please God to fauour that enterprise This great preparation of the Emperors Army had caused the Tâ—…rkes to suspect diuerse matters and this suspition was most of all increased in them as it was reported by Iohn Forrest the French Ambassador at Constantinople thorow his reports made to the Baschaes seeking to make them beleeue that the Venetians did perswade the Emperour to turne his great forces vppon Greece against Solimans state and yet neâ—…erthe lesse the French Ambassador resident at Venice did offer to the Senate in his Kings behalfe all fauour and curtesie that might be he did likewise enâ—…reat them to take speciall heed to the Emperors actions and that such great preparations ought verily to cause them to suspect and that the common rumors abroad were so many signes of the imminent dangers and preiudices which threatened the Common-wealth These offers and aduerticements did greatly trouble the Senate who did well perceiue that they tended only to cause the Republick to suspect and distrust all men and to thrust it into open warre either against the Emperor or Soliman to enforce them thereby to haue recourse to the French King to make vse of his fauour toward the Turke or of his forces against the Emperor Yet neuerthelesse partly dissembling these suspitions they thanked the King for his offers and good-will for which though at that present they had no need of them the Common-wealth should neuerthelesse remaine much obliged to that Crowneâ—… they did after-wards complainâ—… of the bad offers which his Ambassador at Constantinople had done vnto them cleane contrary to truth wherupon the King did disauow it and assured them that he had neuer giuen him any such commissions Howsoeuer it was it is certaine that notwithstanding all these reports and bad offices done to the Venetians towards Soliman he did still loue and highly respect them for at his returne from Persia he failed not particularly to acquaint them with the prosperous successe of his iourney how he had chased away his enemies entred Persia spoiled and sackt the Citty of Tauris the Royal seate of that Kingdome had beene at Babilon from whence hauing expulsed the Garrison he became Maister thereof and lastly that he was returned victorious to Constantinople The report was that soone after his returne home he was desirous to leuy a mighty army wherupon he called for the same purpose Cariadine and diuers other Captaines before him to consult with them about the affaires of warre thereby shewing that his meaning was not to suffer his Army long to continue idle The Emperor in the meane time the winter season beeing past and all things in readinesse for the Voyages of Affricke tooke shipping at Barcelona where all the fleet lay to the nomber of three hundred â—…aile of all sortes vnder the conduct of Prince Doria with forty thousand fighting men not accounting the Marriners and Rowers who were very many being attended on by all the Spanish Nobility together with the Infant of Portugall who met him at Barcelona with fourescore saile of shippes of warre The first landing of the army was in Sardinia in the Hauen of Caliers and hauing there taken order for all warlike necessaries it sailed to Carthage then being come neere to the land not farre from Goletta the armâ—… was forthwith landed which encamped not farre from thence knowing very well that on the taking thereof depended that of Thunis because that Goletta is a Tower enuironed with diuers Bastions and seated almost vppon the mouth of a Channell through which the Sea entring in a good way it maketh a Lake right ouer against it vpon which the Citty of Thunis is seated some twelue miles from Sea At their first arriuall the Turkes Garrison in Goletta did valiantly defend themselues but the Emperors ordnance hauing almost ruined the Fort it fell into the Spaniards possession who entring afterwards into the Lake did without any disficulty or fight take fifty three vessells as Gallies Galliots and Fusts which Cariadine had left there as in a place of most safety This losse did so daunt Cariadine as notwithstanding that at the beginning comming forth of Thunis with his army hee made a shew as if he would giue the Emperour Battaile yet neuer-the-lesse giuing place on a sudaine he retired into the Citty of Bonna where finding himfelfe in no great safety and vnderstanding that Doria followed him he went to Argiers The Citties of Thunis and Bonna being forsaken by their Captaine notwithstanding that there were strong Garrisons in them did very quickly and with ease fall into the Spaniards hands Cariadine escaping all these dangers went within a while after to Constantinople whither he was sent for and being come into Solimans presence who was newly returned from Persia he did in the best manner he could excuse all that which happened and the losse of the Kingdome Solimaâ—… being ioyfull for his victories obtained in Persia did pardon and receiue him to fauour and after-wards gaue him the super-in-tendence of his Army by Sea The Emperor on the other side hauing with royall bounty rendred the Kingdome of Tunis which he had conquered to Amulcasse on
condition to pay vnto him as his feodatory an Annuall tribute of six Barbery horses twelue falcons and twelue thousand crownes for the paiment of a thousand Spanish footmen whom he left in Garrison at Goletta departed victorious from Affrick and sailed with his whole army into Sicily where hauing made some abode in the Citties of Palermo and Messina he dismissed the greatest part of his fleet and cassed his army retaining no more then two thousand Almaiâ—…e footmen for his guard and afterwards went to spend the winter at Naples Sundry Princes and Princes Ambassadors went thither to him the Slgnory likewise according to their ancient custome sent soure Ambassadors thither to him namely Marco Foscare Gionan Delphino Vincenzo Grimani and Tomazo Contaren to reioyce with him in the Republicks name for his victories obtained in Affricke Whilest the Emperor was on his iourney Francisco Sforza Duke of Milan deceassed without any Children of his owne to succeed him The Senate after his death requested Antonio de Leua to haue an eye vpon that State and to gouerne it in the name of his widdow vntill that the Emperors pleasure were therein knowne The Dutchesse went to Naples to the Emperor where being honorablie entertained by him he seemed to be very sorry for the Death of the Duke hir huâ—…band either for some particular friendship which he had borne vnto him or elce for feare least hiâ—… death would breed some new troubles in Italy or rather by dissembling it to seeke thereby meanes to make all men beleeue that for his owne part he would lay no claime to that State But the Venetians were extreamely sory for his death who hauing so long a time with great expence and discomodity maintained warre to the end that the same state might be possessed by a particular Italian Lord perceiued them-selues by the Dukes death to be throwne into new doubts and difficulties and being depriued of their hopes to be peraduenture enforced to renew the warre Therefore so soone as the Emperor was come to Naples the Venetian Ambassadors that followed him did represent vnto him the Senates desire together with the State of the affaires of Italy Earnestly entreating him to find a meanes if it were possible to maintaine that peace which himselfe had there established and the which he seemed so much to desire The Emperor made answer that in regard it belonged to him as chiefe Lord to prouide for that State he did likewise therein desire to giue content to the Princes of Italy and cheefely to the Venetians therfore he would very willingly learne of them what were best to be done for the safe establishing of the quiet of Italy and also what their meaning there in was The Venetians notwithstanding they desired to haue the State of Milan fall into the hands of some particular Lord yet neuerthelesse being therein ignorant of the Emperors pleasure beeing not willing and it may be not in vaine to offend him or any other they continued constant in this proposition to haue som one inuested therein who should be esteemed â—…it and sufficient to maintaine peace and quiet in Italy with-out proceeding any farther where-vppon the foure departed Ambassadors had no commission at al for this businesse when they departed towards Naples whereat the Emperor wondering and beeing defirous to draw the Venetians to his party occasion now beeing offered hee beganne againe to discourse of that matter concluding in the end as hee had at other times done that being not yet well resolued on whom to bestow the State of Milan hee would willingly know their opinions the which hee would greatly esteeme and respect in that businesse Within a while after there beeing some suspition that the French did meane to stirre vp new troubles the Emperor sought to the Venetians that as by the Popes death they had renewed the league betwixt themselues euen so to renew it now againe by reason of the Duke of Milans deâ—…th that he did desire it the better to assure the affaires of Italy and to take away all occasion from those that were desirous to trouble it The Venetians beeing of the same mind did therein giue consent to fatisfie the Emperor by confirming the league on the self same former conditions reseruing therein place for the Pope and for him also that should bee chosen Duke of Milan It was well aduised sodainly and freely to grant the Emperors first entreaties to shew by that readinesse how much they did affect him and to auoid besides the occasion of handling that businesse at Rome whither he determined speedily to goe whereof the Turkes would haue conceiued some sinister opinion in regard of the leagues which Popes were wont to propound against Infidells although of a long time they haue beene to no purpose The Pope not well considering all these occasions or else beeing ignorant of them made shew to be displeased with the Venetians for that they had so readily graunted the Emperors demand saying that they ought to haue tarried for his presence and vntill the Emperour had beene come to Rome The Duke of Milans death had reuiued in the French King his former claimes and his earnet desire to conquer that State wherein being resolute knowing how greatly the Venetians might aid him in that enter prize he determined first of all to sound their meaning and to this end sent the Lord os Beauais one of the Gentlemen of his Chamber to Venice to vnderstand how they stood affected to the occasion which did now offer it self to assure as he said and augment their State declaring vnto them how that his King had great store of money friends and all other necessaries for such an enterprise whereby they could not but hope for a good and prosperous successe and if that they shew themselues to be his friends and Confederates he would very nobly recompence them The Senate supposing it to bee no fitte time to giue an eare to these propositions made answer in generall termes that the Republick had beene euer desirous of peace and neuer more then now as well by reason of the great discommodities of the late warres as for that Christendome was in sundry places afflicted with many heresies the which ought to bee rooted out before any new warre were to begin yet neuerthelesse they did highly thanke the King for his offers and for his confident communicating them vnto them wherof they would stil be mindfull and perhaps in time make vse The French King for all this not giuing ouer his deseigne of sending his Army into Italy to conquer that State did leuie as great forces as hee could to enuade it on the sodaine and to that end sent to the Duke of Sauoy to craue passage thorow his country which the Duke denying by the perswation as it was reported of the Dutchesse his wife the King tooke it very strangely in regarde of the ancient alliance and neere kindred that was betwixt them by
entertainment Returning at an other time into the Senate in secret audience the Marquis of Guasto began to tell them that he was sent by the Emperor Charles to acquaint them as his trusty and inward friends with the enterview which he determined in France with the French King and in Flanders with King Ferdinand his brother and the Queene his sister who did then gouerne those countries for him assuring them that in the same assembly of Princes affaires would be handled concerning the common good of Christendome and the particular profit of that Common-wealth which the Emperor did as much desire as that of his owne Estates And that now seeing they were ready to assaile the Turkes with very great forces the Emperour was desirous to know the Senates will and intention therein what prouisions they would iudge to be necessary and what they would haue him to doe for his part for the better mannaging of his deseignes that the peace with the French King although it were not established might neuerthelesse be held for done in regard of the mutuall disposition and good correspondence betwixt those Princes whereby all men were certainely to beleeue that they would both together turne their armes beeing freed from all other lettes vpon the Infidels but because the greatnesse of the businesse did likewise carry with it length of time and for that the time of yeere was already to farre spent to make such great prouisions the Emperor thought it fittest for the time present to stand vpon the defensiue rather then on the offensiue with the enemies wherein he would not faile to haue as great a care of the safety of his friends States as of his owne The Lord of Annebault spake in a manner to the same effect protesting his Kings good will and desire to the peace and profit of all Christendome It was no hard matter to discerne wherevnto all these practises tended and what the Emperours true deseignes were namely to feed the French with a vaine hope of restoring vnto them the Dutchy of Milan and the Venetians by propounding vnto them to make great preparations for warre against the Turkes not caring very much to performe these things but onely thereby to winne time by being assured of the armes of the French diuerting the Kings thoughts from warre and of those of the Turkes by opposing against them as a Bulwarke the States and army of the Venetian Common-wealth Answere was made to the Marquis and to the Lord Annebault how that their arriuall was very pleasing and acceptable as well for respect to the Princes which sent them as for their owne persons for which and for the honour and friendship which they did beare to the Common-wealth they did infinitely thanke their Princes the newes of the good correspondence and certaine hope of peace betwixt such mighty Princes had much reioyced them and so much the more by how much greater the profit was which al Christendome might receiue thereby But as concerning the declaration of their meaning and intent towards the present occasions it might be sufficiently knowne by their actions seeing that they had so soone at the first taken armes many times refused all propositions of agreement and liberally furnished all expences requisite without niggardize neither had they refused to execute all enterprizes how dangerous soeuer how that for their parts they had already for the space of three yeeres borne the whole burthen of the warre and being at that time inuited by those hopes they were ready againe to expose themselues yet neuerthelesse all men might well perceiue that they were not able alone to hold out long against the power of so great an enemy therefore what could they say more Their necessity beeing knowne vnto all men how euery one knew that Barbarossa lay in the Gulphe of Lepanto with fourescore saile intending as it was reported to winter there whereby the whole world might perceiue to what daunger the whole State of the Common-wealth was exposed and by consequent that of all Christendome vnlesse the nauall armies might bee euerywhere ready by the month of February to diuert his deseignes all which things were very exactly to bee thought vppon and considered and speedily râ—…medied This answere without any resolution at all was thought fit for their proposition and the condition of the times and without proceeding to any more particular negociation the Ambassadours of the Emperour and the King returned home into their countries The Pope on the other side hauing had notice of these Ambassadours comming to Venice was displeased therewith because that the enteruiew was resolued on without his knowledge and consent not that hee did any way distrust the Republike beeing very well assured that it would euer runne the selfe same fortune as did the Sea Apostolike but because hee greatly feared least all that outward shew of honour and friendship should couer as at other times some important practize against the liberty of Italy wherevpon hee did by all good offices solicit the Venetians that their might bee betwixt the Sea Apostolike and their Common-wealth a sound and perfect intelligence and correspondency and he for his owne part would not any way faile for to prouide all possible meanes to beate backe all the daungers which might happen The Emperor hauing intelligence of these suspitions of the Pope fearing least his discontent might be some hinderance to his deseignes did on a sodaine lend Luigi Dauila to Rome and caused the French King to send the Lord of Saint Iust thither to acquaint the Pope with that enterview in France and for to iustifie their actions The Pope by the arriuall of those Ambassadors was greatly satisfied and the better to demonstrate it he determined to send his Nephew the Cardinall Farneze into France to the end that as Legat to the See of Rome he might be present at the assembly of those Princes fauor the conclusion of peace and offer the Popes authority with all the Churches treasure for the enterprise against the Infidels The Senate in demonstration of the friendship and respect which it did beare to those Princes did appoint two Ambassadors to be present likewise at that enteruiew namely Antonio Capello and Vincenzo Grimanâ—… both of them Procurators of Saint Marke who were enioyned by the Senate to thanke the Emperor and the French King for the friendship and honour which they had shewed to the Common-wealth by acquainting it with what they determined to doe next to praise and commend their intentions and to incite them to prouide for the dangers of Christendome and lastly to excuse them for that they had sent an Ambassador to Constantinople being enforced therevnto because they had not sufficient forces to resist the enemy At the same time an Ambassador came to Venice from the King of Hungary to request the Senate to make a firme alliance with him for the common defense of both their States and to exhort them besides to continue the
this trea ty and consenting to the Turkes demaunds he should put them in hope to obtaine other matters Hauing spent certaine daies in this perplexity Barbarossa seeming to be desirous that he should go foreward with the treaty of agreement perswaded him not to giue ouer his enterprize offering to aid and fauour him and although he opened him a way to be a better hope yet neuerthelesse by continuing the Treaty he found no alteration in the Baschas wherevpon he was enforced in a short time by little and little to consent to that which was reserued till the very last namely to giue ouer besides the Townes which they already possessed the Citties of Naples and Maluesia and to pay vnto them within three yeares towards the expences of the warres the summe of three hundred thousand Crownes Then were the antient Capitulations renewed and confirmed together with diuers other particularities concerning the establishment of the peace The report of this agreement beeing brought to Venice although euery man desired it the Republick being in great distresse by reason of the discomodities of the warres and the dearth of victualls and at such a stay as it had need of being restored by peace was neuerthelesse badly welcomed when men vnderstood the particularities thereof many blaming that Councell for hauing bought peace at so deere a rate by the giuing away of so goodly a portion of their state and so great a somme ofmoney wherewith they might haue beene still able for a time to haue maintained the war others did taxe the Ambassadors ignorance or to much feare who by a precipitate resolution had yeelded at the first to the Turkes demands and had suffered himselfe to be carried away by latest remedies reserued for the safety of most desperate matters But these first motions beeing vanished and the State of the affaires more maturely considered on with the reasons which had mooued those wise Senators to consent thereunto all men did rest satisfied and very well contented praysing their good aduise and wisedome Within a while after the trechery of certaine perfidious persons was disco uered wherby the intention and honor of the Ambassador Badoario was preserued The traitors were Constantine and Nicholao Cauazzo of the order of Cittizens who entring into the Councell of Tenn and into that of the Preguais in quallity of Secretaries receiuing pension of the French King did accquaint him with the affaires of greatest importance of the Common-wealth with them Maffeo Lâ—…one of the order of Senators was ioyned who by reason of his place had accesse into both of the Councells besides Augustino Abondio and Francisco Valerio had a hand in that trechery These men being discouered by meanes of certaine letters found in the Cabinet of Abondio where-in matters of State were mentioned three of them to wit Nicholao Cauazzo Abondio and Valerio retired vnto the Pallace of the French Ambassador as vnto a place of franchise This retreat of theirs hauing caused the Senate to thinke very badly of them the officers were forth-with sent to apprehend them where somme resistance beeing made they were enforced for to bring a small Barke thither with two great peeces of Ordnance in it to spoile and batter the house where-vpon the traitors were deliuered to them and being committed into the hands of the officers of Iustice and their processe made they were hanged in the market place of Saint Marke Constantine Cauazzo and Maffeo Leone leauing the Citty betimes had leasure to escape to some place of safety They were proclaimed thorrow the Citty three seuerall daies with promise of a good summe of mony to any that could take them aliue or dead The King seemed to be much displeased for the violence offered to the Ambassadors lodging so as for certaine moneths space he denied audience to Giouan Antonio Veniero Ambassador to the Signory vntill that one day being at the Campe before Perpignan and being desirous to here newes from Constantinople he called for him and complained but very modestly as though he were halfe reconciled for that his Ambassadors house had beene forced vsing these speeches among others what would you haue said if the like had beene done vnto you Venier made this ready answer If God should send into my house and vnder my power a traitor to your Maiesty I my selfe would lay hands on him and deliuer him vnto you being wel assured if I should doe otherwise that the Signory would sharpely reprehend me During the negociation of the treaty of peace albeit that the Generall Moceniga was abroad with a great fleet of Gallies yet neuer-the-lesse hee executed no warlike exploit for feare least he should hinder the agreement but onely sailed vp and downe entertayning the time and hauing intelligence that Dragut lay neere to the Isle of Zante with great numbers of Fusts and other vessels belonging to Pirats and robbed all those that hee met with hee sayled thither-ward to meete and fight with him But he hauing a farre off descried our Gallies and hauing a faire wind tooke another way and escaped and after wards not daring any more to returne into those seas he went into the West where hee was taken by Ianetin Doria with eight of his vessells Now after the conclusion of the peace the Generall before he would goe to Dalmatia to disarme the fleet went to Naples of Romagnia and Maluesia to acquaint those people with the successe of the businesse concluded at Constantinople and the Senates resolution to quit those townes to the Turke It is not to be imagined how greeuous these newes were to the people being as loth to tarry there as to go from thence For to liue vnder the Turkish tyranny seemed a very hard matter vnto them To depart thence like-wise and for euer to abandon their country goods houses and sepulchers was a greefe almost intollerable The Generall then to comfort them the whole people of Naples being assembled in the market place spake to them in this manner The fatherly loue wherewith the Common-wealth hath imbraced and receaued you from the beginning vnder her rule and protection and then gently gouerned you for a long time may very easily perswade you that the same which I am now enioyned to deliuer vnto you which perhaps yee already know how that this Citty and Maluesia your neighbour are by an agreement made at Constantinople to be deliuered to Soliman hath beene done rather vpon extreame necessity then by any free or voluntary will Diuers things may make you see how deerely the Republike hath euer loued you and especially in these last warres in which for your releefe it hath readily exposed part of her forces to great dangers it hath furnished you with mony soldiers and victualls for feare least yee should fall into the enemies power who with barbarous cruelty would haue bathed their hands in your blood as they threatened to doe and made this Citty desolate hath in aword not to
which might giue cause of suspition of any enterprize The Emperor on the other side and the French King had confirmed the truce formerly made at Nice and shewed to one another sundry good offices of loue and reconciliation For whilest the Emperor stayed in France in his iourney towards Flanders hee remained for a time with the King which gaue hope to all men that those Princes hauing trodden all hatred and rancour vnder their feet did determine to liue in peace and quiet But the new accidents which did happen as humane affaires are subiect to change did alter the State of things and altogether breake of all hope of peace For Iohn King of Hungary beeing deceased and leauing a young Child by his wife Isâ—…bell daughter to Sigismond King of Poland and Perdinand King of the Romanes saying that the Realme belonged vnto him and not to the child by vertue of a late agreement made with that King made hast to get it by armes and hauing to that end raised great numbers of Soldiers he entred vnlookt for into the Kingdome and seazed on Alba Regalis Visgrade Peste and other townes of Hungary and at the same time he sent Ieronimo Alasco to Constantinople to treat with Soliman that hee might obtaine the Kingdome after the same manner as King Iohn had held it but the Queene widdow to King Iohn had likewise sent thither procuring by meanes of a sollemne Ambassade of the cheifest Barons of the Kingdome the aid and succor of the Turkish army to keep the Kingdome for hir Sonne which by the selfe same armes had beene maintained for the Father Soliman seemed to bee greatly displeased therewith and by so much more as he supposed to haue receiued a double iniury from Ferdinand for enuading a state recommended vnto him and vnder his protection and for crauing thatby his Ambassador which he went about to take by force Wherwith being greatly incensed he did not only cast from him that good inclination which he seemed to beare to peace and concord but for the reuenging of this iniury determined to assaile Ferdinand with great forces both by Sea and Land and at the same time to keepe the Emperor so busied as he should not be able to helpe his brother Therefore hauing reuoked that which hee had treated with Rincon the French Ambassador concerning the truce hee sent him backe to his King to tell him that hee had changed his mind resoluing altogether vpon warre The troubles of Flanders were in the meane time appeazed the Emperor hauing rigoroâ—…sly punished the Gantois for their rebellion to giue feare and terror to others This being done sooner then was expected was cause that the foundations of peace betwixt him and the French King were not surely laid and finding himselfe freed of that let which hindred him hee resolued in no sort to quit the Dutchy of Milan On the other side Solimans hatred to the house of Austria did augment the French Kings courrage hoping to make vse of his mighty aide and thereby to reuenge the wrong which he had supposed he had done to him by contemning his friendship Rincon then being come to Venice did acquaint the Senate particularly with all what-so-euer had beene done and of the Turkes great warlike preparations the which he presumed to be able to dispose of at his Kings pleasure and crauing after-wards a conuoy for his safe passage into France Mercurio Bue was commanded to attend vpon him with his company of light horse as farre as the confines of their State And because there were but three moneths limited him for his returne to the Port of the great Lord the King hauing speedily dispatched him and returning onward on his way to Venice from thence to passe to Constantinople hee was neere to Pauia vpon the riuer of Po assailed taken and murthered together with Caesar Fregosa by certaine Spanish footmen and by the commandement as it was thought of the Marquis of Guasto This deed did more then can be imagined incense the French King for that during the truce they had so vilanously slaine his seruants that the Emperour not being satisfied as he said to haue deceiued him with words hauing at first put him in hope of peace and that hee would restore the Dutchy of Milan to him after-wards to bee so slacke therein hauing appeased the troubles of Flanders and besides to haue iniuried him contrary to the law of Nations by the trecherous murther of his seruants He complained hereof and caused to be published al a broad that hee would bee reuenged thereof hee wrot to all Forraine Princes giuing them to vnderstand that he had not broken the truce Then he did particularly aduertize Soliman thereof to whome he sent Captaine Polin enioyning him to goe first to Venice to feele how they stood affected to the Emperor and to acquaint them with his iust occasion to take armes for the reuenge of such aniniury and after-wards to offer vnto them for his owne part what-so euer hee could doe for them at Constantinople by imploying his credit and authority so long as he should continue there in quality of Ambassador Polin hauing executed his commission and crauing of the Senate that hee might passe on safely a Gallie was giuen him for his transportation to Raguza The Emperor at the same time was in Germany where at Ratisbon hee held a Diet concerning matters of Religion wherein nothing beeing concluded he graunted to the Protestants an interim so as euery man might vse the same ceremonies which before hee had done and vpon report of the Turkes great warlike preparations who were already come into hungary Soliman being there in person a here they had defeated Guillan of Rocandolf Lieutenant Generall to King Ferdinand perceiuing that in regard of his own honour being in Germany and so neere a neighbour to that defeate all men expected when he would march against the Trukish forces he the better to free him-selfe from it determined to vndertake the enter prize of Argier thinking it to bee easier then that against the great Turke to the great amazement of all men which did see him to attempt an enterprize nothing so honorable as the other but hee did it vpon hope that passing along by Italy he might take the King vnprouided and make some attempt vpon him desiring rather to leaue his owne patrimony in prey then to omit any occasion to be reuenged on the King whom he knew he had greatly wronged by the murther of his Ambassadors but he found that the Lord of Langey Leiutenant fot the King in Piedmont had dilligently prouided for all matters Such were the State of affaires and such were the deseignes of Princes concerning Peace and warre The Venetians thought it fit in those stirrs to beare them-selues with great consideration and vigilancy and to keepe themselues neuters and free from all danger of beeing offended They very well knew how important a matter the losse of Hungary
other matter he was desirous to continew in his neutralitiy to the end that he might obtaine first to haue the state of Milan deliuered into the hands of Octauiano Farnese as Guardian thereof and to yeeeld to the Emperor and the French King a certaine homage til such time as they should find out some more assured meanes of Agreement wherin he presumed that the Venetians would interpose their authority The Venetians perceiuing that they proceeded slowely in that businesse and with small hope beeing desirous not to giue the Turkes any occasion of suspition did abstaine from it notwithstanding that they were diuers times sollicited by the Emperor to send their Ambassadors to Luca where the Pope and hee were to meet In all other matters they had neuer failed in their duty to the Emperor They had giuen passage through their state to the Almaine footmen leuied for the iourney of Affrick and so soone as they vnderstood of his comming into Italy by the way of Trent they appoynted foure Ambassadors to weet Iohn Antonio Veniero Nicholao Tepulo Marc Antonio Contaren and Vincenzo Grimani who entertained him very honorably vpō the Verona territory and attended vpon him so long as he remained vpon their State which was for the space of two dayes for beeing come to Pescara he entered the Mantuan territory from whence afterward he went to Milan from thence to Genoa and then to Luca where hee met with the Pope with whom hauing made some small abode he pursued his iourney for the enterprize of Affrick which succeeded badly as it had beene foretold for hauing landed his soldiers vppon the sands of Argier he found more resistance in the Garrison of the Citty then hee did expect and did besides receiue great hurt by the Arabian horsemen procured by the Turks who comming vpon them with great celerity and fighting in a new and vnusuall manner with our soldiers did preuent all their deseignes and the businesse beeing drawne forth in length great harme happened for their arose so terrible a tempest at Sea as the ships beeing not able to ride at Ankor by reason of the force of the wind som of them were driuen on shoare and the others to Seaward in the midest of the tempest So as hauing lost diuers of his vessells and the residue beeing sore brused and beaten the Emperor was enforced to giue ouer his enterprize Diuers men of note dyed in that voyage by diseases and bad ayre and among others Marin Iustiniano Ambassador for the Signory who by the Senates command had still followed the Emperor and Doctor Nicholao de Ponte who at that time was gouernour of Vdina was sent in his place During the Emperors iourny the French King was not at quiet who being mightily incensed as hath beene said against the Emperor thought on nothing but meanes how to be reuenged of these wrongs which he had offered him therefore by meanes of his Ambassadors whom he sent to Luca to meet the Pope he had earnestly entreated his Holinesse to declare the truce made at Nice by his owne meanes and authority to be broken and infringed by the murther of Fregosa and Rincon the better to let all men see the iustice of his cause But resoluing by all meanes to preuaile by force he did with greater vehemency reuiue his former conceits to preuent the Emperor by meanes of the Turkes aid and friendship whereupon he determined to send back Polin to Constantinople to treat in particular of the comming of the Army against the Emperor and as he passed along to vse new meanes to draw the Venetians to his party Polin then beeing come to Venice from thence to passe to Constantinople he with the Bishop of Montpellier ordinary Ambassador to the King came into the Councell of the Tenne according to the vsuall custome of secret audiences where they discharged their commission from their Prince Polin siriuing very much by a long oration to perswade the Senators by a new aliance to embrace the Kings friendship But all his discourse and goodly reasons could not preuaile with the Senators to make them alter their opinion or to draw them to any new alliance thereby to entangle them in a new warre Therfore that businesse being referred to the Senate their resolution with a generall consent of them all was like to that of the councel of the Tenne to giue the lame answer to the French Ambassadors as was made to Ianusby How that the Common wealth did deerely account of the French Kings friendship the which for their parts they would euer constantly and inuiolably maintaine yet neuerthe lesse they determined to liue at peace wi◅h other Princes not to enterprize any thing which might procure war betwixt them Polin after this answere being inbarked in the Venetian Gallies sailed into Albania and from thence pursued his iourny towards Constantinople with a certaine assurance to cause the Turkish army to march whither he would desire but the deseignes of the French tooke none effect for that yeare either because it was already to far spent to make great preparations and to execute all at one time or else because Soliman had setled all his thoughts vpon the enterprize of Hungary making account to goe thither in person with a farre greater army The French King in the meane time resoluing on warre had raised three armies the one conducted by my Lord the Daulphin went to beseege Perpignan the other commanded by my Lord the Duke of Orleance marched to enuade the French County and Luxembourg the third greater then any of the rest by reason of the supplies of the Duke of Cleaues gouerned by the Duke of Vendosme Prince of the blood of France entred Flanders by the country of Artois But all these forces did by the report of such great prouisions more am aze then hurt the Emperor because that the Daulphin finding Perpignan to be suffitiently fortified by the Duke of Alua returned without any notable exploit the Duke of Orleans on the other side did but scoure and wast the country Wherevpon the French King perceiuing all his deseigns were to no purpose did greatly taxe Soliman and the Venetians because they had not taken Armes to fauour his party whilest the Emperor was busied else-where The King being thus discontented was the more incensed against the Venetians thorow the bad offices of the Bishop of Montpellier his Ambassador so as Polin being informed of his Maisters discontent did openly in all places oppose himselfe against the Venetians affaires scandalizing the Baily and the Common-wealth and because he hoped to haue the Turkish army the yeare following at his kings deuotion he said that it being once ready he would make the Venetians feele to their losse what great force his Kings pursuts and authority had against them The cause of the kings discontentment proceeded from that which is aboue mentioned for that they went armed and in troupes to the house of the French Ambassador to
knowing that therein he had done no great good seruice to Religion that he had broken with the Pope and nothing preuailed with the Almains wherevpon he sought to moderate the conditions with which it had beene published The Venetians on the other side perceiuing that the assembly of the councell though they would not openly hinder it was not pleasing to the Pope as being made in an vnfit time and place and by meanes not beseeming the dignity and authority of the sea Apostolike would not send their Ambassadors thither Concerning the accord treated of at Constantinople of which al men hoped for a prosperous end by meanes of a long truce of many yeeres certaine difficulties arising about the restitution of some few castles in Hungary it ended by a short suspension of armes for one yeere with an intent neuerthelesse as Solimans selfe did say and write to the French King that after the matter should bee well debated in Ferdinands Court the Ambassadours might returne to the Port the next yeere following with new Commissions to strenthen the peace with a longer terme In the meane time a new Contention arose betwixt the Turkes and the Venetians about the confines of Dalmatia where the Sangiacks of Bossina and Clissa being desirous to disturbe the peace for their owne particular profit or else to spoile the country or to receiue so me presents of the Venetians would haue vsurped a great part of the territory of Zara saying that a country contayning nine and forty villages did belong vnto them as dependances of the castles of Nadin and Laurana which by the last accord remayning to the great Lord they said did likewise belong vnto him with all their territories wherevpon they forbad the inhabitants of those places vpon grieuous penalties to acknowledge any other Lord but Soliman This new trouble did greatly vex the Venetians the country in question being of great importance both for it selfe and for the preseruation of the city of Zara and although their reasons were vnreasonable in regard that Nadin and Laurana small castles had no territory belonging vnto them but did with the other villages nere adioyning depend on Zara the chiefe city of the Prouince yet neuerthelesse fearing least the strange and insolent proceedings which the Turkes are wont to vse in such businesses who hold it for a law that the whole country whereon the horse of the great Lord hath once trod doth belong vnto them might occasion longer strife had recourse to Soliman who referring the decission of that controuersie to the Sangiac of Chersega and to two Cadis these men are ordinary iudges in law was desirous to haue whatsoeuer they should set downe to be executed who were to meet in the same place with the Commissioners of the Signory The Senate did for that purpose choose Lodouico Rayniero who handled the businesse so wisely and discreetly with the Turkish officers as the whole territory in question was quietly adiudged to the Republike of Venice The same yeere deceassed Prince Landi leauing behind him a great and singular reputation to haue well and wisely gouerned the Common-wealth for the space of sixe yeeres and eight monthes and lieth buried in Saint Antonies Church Francesco Donato was chosen in his place FRANCESCO DONATO the seuenty ninth Duke ABout the beginning of the yeere 1546. all those that desired the peace of Italy were afraide least it would be shortly shaken with new troubles because that the peace betwixt the Emperor and the French King the principall Articles thereof taking none effect was so badly assured as there wanted nothing but a fit time to take armes The French King by the sodaine death of his sonne the Duke of Orleance hauing not obtained the Duchie of Milan promised vnto him by meanes of the marriage had not for all that lost his desire to recouer it the Duke of Sauoy likewise could not be restored of his State the King still detayning it vpon sundry pretences hoping to enforce the Emperor to some other conditions by the restitution thereof seeking thereby to obtaine his desire An other new matter happened in Italy which gaue cause of feare of some new troubles for the Pope perceiuing al his deseignes to fal out contrary to his desire for the aduancement of his house hauing cut off from the Churches demaines the cities of Parma and Placentia which Pope Iulius the second had annexed therevnto gaue them in see to Petro Lodouico his son on condition to pay a yeerely rent of eight thousand crownes to the Church and in recompence thereof to make ouer to the sea Apostolike the Dutchy of Camerin and the Signory of Nepi wherwith his son Octanio had beene inuested This Cession did so much displease the Emperor as he could by no meanes be induced to giue the Pope the inuestiture of those two cities which he demanded hauing beene in formet time incorporated into the Dutchy of Milan This resusal of the Emperor had equally incensed both the father and the son so that Petro Lodouico would willingly haue embraced the first occasion offered against the Emperour and the Pope distrusting both the Emperour and the French King resolued by all meanes to maintaine and defend what he had done concerning the erection of the new Dutchy in the person of his sonne who discoursing with the Venetian Ambassadour told him into what danger Italy was like to fail so soone as the French King should be at peace with the King of England which at that time was treated of and that the Emperor if he could not at the Dyet of Ratisbon draw the Protestant Princes to his desire would bee enforced to make warre vpon them therefore he did exhort the Senate to ioyne with him a firme and sound intelligence as it behooued them for their common interests and for a greater assurance he caused the new Duke to send Augustino de Landes his Ambassador to Venice who acquainting them with the new grade and dignity which he had lately obtained did in his name offer both his State and person to the seruice of the Signory The Senate did very louingly thanke him for his offers offering him the selfe same but in generall termes which could not tie them to any thing because they would not thereby giue his Holinesse any hope by their meanes to raise any troubles in Italy then prouiding for the defense of their owne States and foreseeing what might happen they tooke into the seruice of the Common wealth Guido Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin in quallity of Generall of their forces by land with a yeerely pension of fiue thousand crownes and fifteene thousand crownes for an hundred men at armes and a hundred light horse which he was bound to haue continually ready for the seruice of the Signory But the troubles wherein the Emperor and the French King were engaged was cause of the safety of Italy because that the one notwithstanding all his attempts could not get Bolloigne
regard of their particular profit not caring to let him know the truth giuing credit to the dissimulation of other men and enterteining him in the meane time with vaine suspitions whereby without knowing it he had in a manner giuen ouer his neutrallity and had giuen occasion of disturbing that peace for which hee had so much sought to purchase fame and glory The Venetians had often dealt with his Holynesse for the appeasiâ—…g of these troubles fore-seeing the long and dangerous warre that might proceed from them hapning then in a bad time for Italy in regard of Solimans great preparations to enuade Christendome by sea and land and by putting him in minde that it was his duty as the common father to mediate peace betwixt Princes and in no sort to shew himselfe partiall but neuter as he had determined at the beginning they caused him to consent to procure some accord Wherevpon within a while after hee sent the Cardinall of Medicis to Parma who was brother to the Marquis of Marignan and kinsman to the Duke of Parma offering to giue him the Dutchy of Camerin and Nepi in recompence of Parma the which should remaine to the Church whereof hee forthwith aduertised the Emperor assuring him that the Venetians councel had made him to resolue thereon the Pope supposing that the Emperor would easily condiscend to that agreement as well because it was reasonable as for feare likewise that by refusing it he should league himselfe against him and augment the French faction in Italy which would bee dangerous for the kingdome of Naples in regard of the great troubles raised there at the same time It was thought that the Emperor was willing of himselfe to haue granted it but that he was altered by his seruants and officers and especially by Don Diego de Mendoza his Ambassador at Rome and by Don Ferrant de Gonzaga Gouernor of the State of Milan shewing therein as it was openly spoken their particular hatred to the Ferneses But the Pope perceiuing that it did not please the Emperor and not daring for feare of his forces to displease him fell to his former resolution to pursue the Farneses by Armes who beeing already strictly allyed to the French King would no more accept of that offer Warre then beeing kindled in Italy the French King hauing sent ayde to the Farneses and the Emperor to the Pope it increased in such sort as the Pope entring into some distrust of the Emperors deseignes and actions detesting openly his officers manner of proceedings repented for what hee had done and sought occasions to with-draw himselfe from him Wherevpon hee determined to send his nephew Ascanio de la Cornia to the French King to perswade him to lay downe Armes and to consent to some agreement by putting him in minde of the difficulty of his enterprize defending a Citty so farre off from his kingdome not long after hee sent Achilles de Grassis to Venice whose comming although it seemed to be only for the iustifying of his actions and in counter change of so many good offices which the Venetians had done to him was neuerthelesse to entreat them to bee a meanes to draw the French King and the Duke to some agreement which the Senate did not greatly deny so as they might see any hope of beeing able therby to aduance the common good Now Ascanio beeing returned from France reported that the King had vsed many goodly speeches and seemed willing of agreement and had likewise caused Octauio to giue consent that Parma should returne to the Church prouided that the Emperor would doe the like by the Castles and strong Townes which hee held vppon the Parmesan and that hee would not with-draw his forces from Parma till such time as hee were well assured that it should neuer more returne vnder the Emperors power Wherevpon sundry difficulties arising all men perceiued that the proposition tended onely to draw the businesse out in length and to weaken the affaires of warre rather then to any firme peace so as at last al their care on either side was to strengthen themselues with soldiers and other necessary things for warre The King still sent troopes into Italy vnder the command of the Duke of Neuers and other Captaines causing Pietro Strossi to make an other leuie of soldiers in Mirandola The Pope and the Emperor did the like so as those two Armies Ecclesiasticall and Imperial beeing ioyned together amounted well neere to fifteene thousand footmen with great numbers of horse of whom Don Ferrant de Gonzaga was Generall but Strossi his wit and dilligence was to bee admired who on a sodaine going forth of Mirandola entred vppon the Bolognois scouring and wasting the Countrey with such terror as the Pope beginning to stand in doubt not onely of Bolognia but likewise of Rauenna and other places in Romagnia was compelled to call his forces foorth of the Parmesan and to command them to goe speedily to the Bolognois to the reskew of their fellowes whereof Strossi taking aduantage did with great speed march towards the Parmesan and entred with great numbers of footmen and store of victualls into Parma in regarde whereof the assailants beeing out of hope to take it of a long time did perceiue that the warre would long continue The Venetians in the meane time looking warily to all matters and not willing by any means to depend on any but on themselues determined to leuy foure thousand foot and fiue hundred light horse with whom hauing encreased the garrisons of their frontier townes and caused most of their best Captaines to goe thither they were watchfull for the guard of whatsoeuer did belong vnto them The Duke of Florence on the other side beeing greatly obliged to the Emperor did openly fauour his party both with men and money not with any intent to feed this fire which hee would willingly haue seene quenched but because hee would not haue him thinke sinisterly of him for he likewise with the other Princes of Italy did not allow of the behauiour of the Emperors officers nor yet of his desiegnes suspecting them very much and especially in regard of a new Castle which he had lately built in Sienna which was commonly termed Il Ceppo délla Toscana As for the Duke of Ferrara although as a vassall to the Church it behooued him to beare himselfe discreetly in that businesse yet neuerthelesse following his owne passion hee did secretly ayde the French faction Wherevpon the Imperialls to keepe all succours from the besieged on that side did seaze vpon Brisselles and on two other small Castles of the Dukes seated on the frontier Wherewith the Duke being greatly mooued sent Ieronimo Serafino his Ambassador to Venice to craue as he said the Senates aduise after what manner hee should behaue himselfe in so miserable a time resoluing to follow their councell and especially in their neutrallity but finding himselfe too weake of himselfe to doe it
concluded it of his owne peoper motion The Venetians had enioyned Sigismond de Caualli their Ambassador with the Catholick King to ayde and further the Treaty of Torres who hauing well and duly acquitted himselfe of that charge returned to Venice Leonardo Donato was sent thither in his place who dealt so with the King as hee continued him in that good desire and inclination Torres hauing dispatched his businesse in Spayne did for the same purpose make a iourney into Portugall hauing first obtained letters of recommendation from the Kings mother who lay then at Madrill Sebastian the first of that name was at the same time King of Portugall beeing seauenteene yeares old bred and brought vp in Christian piety vnder the gouernment of D. Luigi Genzabeil a Iesuist a man very famous and of great authority neere the King by whose meanes the Pope presumed to obtaine of that Prince whatsoeuer he was able to doe for the profit and serucie of Christendome Torres hauing requested this King to send the tenne Gallies which were vsually ready armed in that Kingdom that they being ioyned with the King of Spaynes might altogether saile into Sicily The King shewed great loue and reuerence to the Sea Apostolick and seeming to be desirous to satisfie his Holinesse demand in a matter so holy iust and honorable did to his great greefe excuse himselfe for that hee could not accomplish his good desire saying that his Gallies were at the same time vnready and disarmed by reason of the contagious sicknesse which had the yeare before beene at Lisbone and that it would be impossible to make them ready vppon a suddaine or to be seruiceable that yeare so as by this meanes Torres iourney into Portugall was to no purpose During this negotiating in Spayne Giouani Michaele being the Venetians Ambassador with the Emperor a man of singular vnderstanding and well seene in affaires of importance had already motioned the matter to the Emperor telling him that the occasion was now offered which he had so often desired in their discourses together how he might fearlesse enuade the Turkish States whilest they being busied at Sea might not haue leisure to succour them and therefore he should not delay it till they had ended their warre and assured their Sea coasts at which time it was to be feared that they being freed from all other care would seek to enlarge their Empire by his losse and ruine as for the small safety in the truce with them their Example might giue him sufficient testimony thereof Selim hauing broken it with them and infringed his oath vpon none occasion but only through a couetous desire to rule ouer the whole world The Emperor gaue a willing care to these remonstrances with a ready answer that he would neuer be wanting to the wealth and commodity of Christendome but that he was desirous to see how the King of Poland the Muscouit with other Christian Princes and especially the King of Spayne would carry them-selues there-in vnto whom hee woold send an expresse messenger into Spayne to know his mind As for Charles the ninth the French King the Pope vsed all the meanes hee could by his Nuncio to draw him into the league exhorting him to fauour and further it with all his power notwithstanding al the domestick warres and broiles which had for certaine yeares molested his Kingdome if not with his forces yet atleast with his name and authority the which the King seeming not to be able to satisfie and being likewise vnwilling to neglect the authority and exhortation of his Holinesse he said in manner of delay that he would see what others would do who were more mighty and free from all other letts for he had at the same time sharpe warre in his Realme where not long before the battaile of Monâ—…contour was fought betwixt his brother the Duke of Aniou his Lieuetenant Generall and the Photestants of whom the Duke of Aniou gat the victory But the Queene Mother who had the entier gouernment and managing of affairs making a more open excuse alleaged That the condition of other Princes was not like to that of hir sonne because that others treated of continuing warre against their enemies wheras they made a proposition in France to breake the truce with a most mighty Prince their antient freind and therefore that the businesse deserued longer and more mature consultation Yet neuerthelesse the King and Queene gaue louing and kind speeches to the Venetian Ambassador residing in their Court and besides diuers offers made to the Senate from them by their Ambassador resident at Venice the King did expressly send thither one of his Gentlemen to offer to the Signory that which the condition and misery of the time would permit his Kingdome troubled with such greâ—…uous accidents namely to be a meane to diuert that warre and to compose that controuersie with the great Lord making vse in that manner of that freindship the which he himselfe had not contracted but hauing found it established by his Grandfather and afterwards confirmed by Henry his father he would vse meanes to preserue it the which hee supposed would for that time bee to purpose and redound to the profit of the Venetians his ancient and great freindes The Senate did not thinke those offers of any force at that time the preparations for warre being very foreward on both sides fearing least by an vncertaine hope of peace the mindes of other Princes who were already much animated to warre would be so ftened The Italian Princes were much disposed to this league as the Dukes of Vrbin Sauoy Florence and Ferrara who did all of them offer to spend their meanes and liues in that warre Tamas King of Persia was sollicited to take armes and to reuenge the old and new wronges receiued from the Ottomans and to this end 〈◊〉 Alessandri a Cittizen of Venice was sent thither who hauing dwelt a long time at Constantinople could speake diuers languages Hee beeing come to Casbin where the King of Persia lay was by meanes of certaine Armenian Marchants brought in by night according to the manner of the Contrey although it was in the summer time before Sultan Caydar Mirisi the Kings third sonne who was at the same time his Lieuetenant with whom hauing a long time discoursed concerning his comming â—…hither and telling him what great warlike preparations Selim made against the Venetians together with the great prouisions of al Christian Princes to fight with him hee entreated him in the name of the Senate to make vse of such an occasion and to make warre vpon the Turkes in Asia whilest the townes there should bee vnfurnished of Garrisons by reason of the warre of Cyprus Caydar lending a willing care to this discourse did dilligently craue to bee informed of the whole mattter not promising him any thing but to procure him audience of the King his father But Alessandri perceiuing that they vsed many delaies therein beeing
Christendome and particular profit of the Venetian State they likewise in acknowledgement of his loue would be ready to doe the like for him when need should bee and generally all Spaniards as well at Rome as in Spaine approued it Many discoursing why the Spaniards did so modestly carry themselues therein said that in accusing the Venetians they feared to vrge them to iustifie their owne cause and to taxe the actions of some of the confederates the precedent yeere others said that though the league were broken they would not for all that wholly forsake the Venetians friendship whom in other matters they might neede But I thinke they did it of their owne proude nature beeing willing to let the world see that they did not greatly care for the breach of league accounting themselues strong enough without it to make head against the Turkish force Now the Pope continuing his displeasure the Venetians did not shew themselues stubborne but determined to send an expresse Ambassadour to Rome honorably and reuerently to appease and dispose him to receiue their iustifications Nicolo de Ponte was chosen a man of great yeeres and authority and at that time Procurator of Saint Marke Hee beeing arriued at Rome and hauing audience acquainted his Holinesse with the iust occasions which had mooued the Signory to accept the Turkes offered peace Hee told him that all their sea-coasts were in very great daunger by reason of the enemies mightie preparations the Venetians friends and Confederates delaying their aide that the burthen and expence of that warre had for three yeeres space beene very greeuous to them and their subiects who were able to vndergoe it no longer That the Venetians so long as hope of happy successe did comfort them in their miseries had contributed more then they were tied towards the expense of warre but all faire occasions being omitted they saw no reason to continue it any longer And seeing that the Common-wealth perceiued by many experiences that it could not preserue it selfe by any better meanes then peace his Holinesse ought not to take it in bad part if fitting it selfe to time it sought meanes to temporize with so potent an enemy thereby to imploy the remainder of her forces in some more prosperous action for the aduancement of Christendome and seruice of the Church as it had often done in former time That Pope Paul the third perceiuing that they had in vaine taken armes against Soliman did himselfe aduise the Venetians to peace the league beeing then as now That the Senate for diuers reasons did not impart this their deseigne to any of the confederates proceeding therein by the rule of State and by the same which the Catholike King a very wise Prince had vsed who at that time when he detained his fleet did not acquaint the Venetians with the cause These reasons did somewhat satisfie the Pope who beganne more mildly to treat with the Venetian Ambassadors The Senate in the meane time had speedily dispatched Francesco Barbaro to Constantinople to carry newes of their consent and confirmation of peace till that Andrea Badoario appointed to goe thither as Ambassador should be ready to depart to Selim for the sollemn confirmation of the Articles and with the vsuall presents Barbaro made great hast as befitted the importancy of the businesse and in 14. daies arriued at Constantinople which was at the beginning of May his arriuall was very gratefull because that the Turkes hauing daily intelligence of the warlike preparations made at Messina beganne to suspect that the Venetians had cunningly made this treaty to delay their warlike prouisions that they might with more ease surprize them vnawares and that which confirmed them in this opinion was because they had no notice of the comming of a Venetian Ambassador This sodainely caused them to prepare the fleet which had beene disarmed notwithstanding that the time was too farre spent for such actions Mahomet with sundry difficulties hauing till then deferred it to take away all occasions that might frustrate peace At last toward mid Iune the Bashas Vluzzali and Piali went to sea with an hundred and fifty Gallies thirty Foists and ten Mahonnes and sailed to Negropont where they made some aboad expecting the issue of the treaty of peace and Piali hauing intelligence from the Sanzhac of Chersega that the Ambassador and the new Baily were arriued in Dalmatia and on their way towards Constantinople did with the whole fleet saile to Modon and hearing that peace was established with the Venetians he turned his forces vpon the Catholike King scouring the sea coasts of Puglia where he burnt the city of Castres The Venetians being aduertized that the Turkish fleet was abroad and that they intended not to obserue the peace and what themselues had done was interpreted as a collour to deceiue were possessed with the same iealozies as the Turks wherevpon notwithstanding the Ambassador was already in Dalmatia the euent of his Ambassage was held very doubtfull and a decree being made that Generall Foscarâ—…ni leauing sixe Gallies at Corfou should bring the rest of the fleet to Zara and vnrig it they neuerthelesse deferred the execution thereof and sent him word to disarme only tenne of the worst and to re-enforce the rest which being done there remained with him foure score and twelue seruiceable Gallies But this did farther encrease the Turkes iealouzies All these shaddowes of false suspition being vanished and the Senate supposing that the Common-wealth was out of danger being vnwilling any longer to continue so great a charge sent word to the Generall that he should vnrigge his Gallies and returne home to Venice By this time the Ambassador Badoario arriued at Constantinople where in few words he told Selim That by how much the Prince and Venetian Senate had beene greeued with the breach of friendship betwixt the State and the Oâ—…toman family by so much more was their ioy then compleate because all controuersies ended they were now revnited as before their subiects enioying peace quiet and free traffick hoping that peace and friendship now renued would be of long continuance which the Venetians for their parts would be very carefull to obserue intreating Selim to doe the like for his part as became a vertuous and iust Prince Selim made no other answer but briefly seemed to allow that which the Ambassador had spoken and ratified and confirmed the Articles before concluded with the Baylie In this sort after that warre had continued foure yeeres peace was established with the Turke The same yeere 1573. in March Henry Duke of Aniou brother to Charles the ninth French King was elected King of Poland that Kingdome being voide by the death of Sigismund Augustus the last of the noble family of the Iaâ—…elons who had worne that crowne for the space of two hundred yeeres and because succession hath no place in that Realme being an electiue Kingdome after Sigismunds death which happened in Iuly in the yeere 1572. 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
consistory would impart it to some particular Cardinals and the same after-noone call them one after an other into his chamber to take their vowes in secret According to his resolution his Holinesse hauing in the consistory declared his intention to some particular Cardinals he did the same after noone call the rest into his chamber secretly to take their vowes and in that businesse spent the week The Spaniards being iealous and malcontent that they were not imployed in that negociation and desirous to frustrate the matter divulged certaine rumors contrary to the Popes will and meaning and among others a cunning letter written from Venice by D. Francesco de Castro by which he certified the Pope that if hee stood fast for the restoring of the Iesuits he should obtaine it and that the Venetians determined to make protestation by surrending the prisoners contrary to that which had beene concluded and which his Holinesse had promised to himselfe These false rumors did somewhat trouble the Pope who therevpon made some difficulty to proceed any faâ—…ther but Cardinall Perron soliciting and assuring him of the contrary hee deliuered according to his former resolution the commission to Cardinall Ioyeuse willing him to make hast to Venice The Spaniards being not able to crosse this resolution made sute to haue Cardinall Zapala to bee ioyned in commission with Cardinall Ioyeuse but their labor was lost and yet in other solemnities Zapala and the Spanish Ambassador had in apparence some eâ—…uality which the French Kings Ministers because in their Kings name they were sureties for the Venetian Signory as were Cardinal Ioyeuse and the French Ambassador for the Christian King yet the world accounted it but a vaiâ—…e and idle fable for they had no such authority from the Signory of Venice as had the French who executed their commission to their Kings great fame and glory Cardinall Ioyeuse together with the 〈◊〉 receiued from his Holinesse the conditions on which the censures were to be reuoked being in number sixe the effect whereof is thus That the two Church men prisoners namely the Abbot of Nerueze and the Channon of Vincenza shall bee freely giuen to the Pope That his Holinesse shall reuoke his censures making a declaration thereof to the Colledge That the Venetian Signory shall within a while after send an Ambassage to the Pope That the Duke by a declaration shall certifie the Clergy of his State that the first declaration is reuoked That the three Decrees mentioned in the Popes interdiction and other lawes of the Signory shall continue in their full force and power with this prouiso that the Senate shall promise the French and Catholike Kings not to execute them before the businesse be fully ended betwixt his Holinesse and the State of Venice hauing first better and more amply informed the Pope of the iustice and equity of those lawes And lastly that all Churchmen and Religious orders which are banished and expulsed from Venice or the iurisdiction thereof by reason of these troubles may returne home to their houses and couents But concerning the returne of the Iesuits his Holinesse is content to deferre it till an Ambassador from the Signory haue treated particularly with him concerning that point certifying him that their expulsion proceeds from certaine causes and reasons which haue no community with the interdiction and if it shall be found otherwise then as easily to admit the restauration of the Iesuits as that of other Clergy men Now Cardinall Ioyeuse departed from Rome with commission and Articles and arriued at Venice where hee was honorably receiued and entertained many Senators going to meet him in the Bucentaure Then the next day beeing the twentith of Aprill one of the States Secretaries accompanied with the captaine and other officers of the prison and for greater solemnity with a publike Notary brought the two prisoners to the house of the Sieur de Fresne Ambassador to the French King and deliuered them to him as granted to the Pope at the intreaty of the King his Master without preiudice to the States iurisdiction in such like cases and the French Ambassador did presently consigne them into the hands of the Cardinall Ioyeuse who was in the same house in the presence of the Secretary with these words These are the prisoners which the Signory hath granted to his Holinesse not adding at whose entreaty and so the Cardinall receiued them as the Popes prisoners wherevnto the Secretary at that time made no reply In this manner by this omission on the one part and silence on the other it seemeth that some doubt not well vnderstood remayned betwixt the Pope and Signory which neuerthelesse holds it honor preserued by the forme of the consignation inregestred by a publike Notary and the Cardinall supposeth that the Pope ought to rest satisfied with the words of the Sieur de Fresne or rather with his casuall or voluntary omission Then the next morning which was the day appointed by the Senate the Cardinall comming to the Colledge after some circumstances of the Popes fatherly goodnesse did assure them that the censures were reuoked hauing giuen them his blessing went to celebrate masse in the Patriarkes Church The Dukes first declaration was likewise reuoked in this manner Leonardo Donato by the grace of God Duke of Venice c. To the reuerend Patriarkes Archbishops and Bishops of our State and iurisdiction of Venice and to the Vickars Abbots Priors Rectors of parrish Churches and all other Ecclesiasticall Prelats greeting Seeing it hath pleased our good God to finde out a way whereby our holy Father Pope Paul the fifth hath beene daylie informed as well of our good meaning as integrity of our actions and continuall honour and reuerence which wee beare to the Sea of Rome and thereby to take away all cause of strife Wee as wee haue euer desired and procured vnity and good correspondence with the said Sea of which wee are louing and obedient children receiue likewise this contentation to haue at last obtained the accomplishment of our holy desire Therefore we thought good by our declaration to aduertise you hereof giuing you besides to vnderstand that whatsoeuer did belong herevnto hauing beene faithfully performed on both parts and the censures and interdiction remoued the protestation likewise which we made against them hath beene and is reuoked we being desirous that herein and in all other our actions the piety and religion of our State may still more and more appeare the which we will carefully obserue as our Predeoessors haue euer done Giuen in our Ducall pallace the one and twentith of Aprill 1607. signed Marco Ottoboâ—… Secretary The Duke hauing published this declaration and by deliuery of the prisoners satisfied for his part the conditions mentioned in the accord the Senate was perplexâ—… with a doubt of no meane consequence which was that the Pope for his part hauing made no mention at all concerning bookes and writings published in
of Saxony whereon and vpon the quality of the engagement hauing a long time insisted the whole businesse remained vnresolued on This assembly was broken off by reason of the rumors spred abroad at the beginning of the yeere 1543. of the great prouisions for warre made in sundry places and chiefly at Constantinople to enuade Hungary and Austria and to scoure all the sea-coasts belonging to the Emperour The French King hoping by meanes of this army raised in his behalfe and at his entreaty to breake the Emperors designes and forces had likewise raised a great army as well of his owne subiects as of Swisses to vphold the Duke of Cleues rebellion and to assaile the Emperor in diuers and sundry places who on the other side determining to reuenge the wrongs and iniuries receiued from the French and especially to chastise as he said the audaciousnesse of the Duke of Cleues a feudatary of the Empire for taking armes with his enemies against him did assemble the Dyet of Princes and free townes according to the custome of the country where hee procured them to make warre on the French King and the Duke of Cleues at the common charge of all Germany and for the augmenting of his forces he resolued to ally himselfe with Henry King of England notwithstanding that the same King had repudiated his Aunt Queene Katherine and shaken off the yoake of the Romish Catholike Church that they might both of them together make warre vpon France King Henry did easily agree to the Emperors motion beeing distasted of the French King for fauoring Iames King of Scots his enemy The Pope in the meane time and the Venetians did still continue in their neutrallity meaning as much as in them lay to maintaine the peace of Italy The Pope neuerthelesse being for sundry reasons displeased with the Emperor made suite to the Venetians to contract a more strict alliance together for their common safety propounding at that time termes tending wholly to peace and not to depart but vpon constraint from their neutrallity but determining neuerthelesse as it was perceiued by sundry signes to draw the Republike afterwards to some new confederacy with the French King The Senate continuing the accustomed answers and telling the Pope how that there was not any cause to mooue them to renue their alliance which might not without suspition to Princes rather hasten then preuent the mischiefe to come made an excuse saying that it could not make any new agreement with any one for feare least the Emperour would be incensed against them who had so often sought vnto them for new confederacy to the which they had neuer consented But they were most of all troubled to see the Turkish army to depart from Constantinople whereof men spake diuersly notwithstanding that the Turkes did promise them in no sort to meddle with any thing which did belong to their Common-wealth and that captaine Polin who was to goe along with it had assured them of the like who by his Kings commandment had changed his minde Yet the Senate not relying ouer much on all these promises determined likewise to arme the number of three score Gallies and to appoint a Generall ouer them which was Stefano Tepulo a man very famous for his rare vertues and deserts whereof they forthwith aduertized all Princes to the end that the making ready of their fleet might not make them to suspect that they had any sinister meaning saying that the Republike had armed certaine Gallies for the defense of their owne subiects and for the gard of their sea-coasts and they commanded their Generall to visit the Islands vnder their dominion and all their forts vpon the sea to giue order and prouide for all things necessary with expresse charge to auoide all occasions that might giue the Turkes any cause of distrusting their friendship towards them whereinto they very well knew that Doria would haue oftentimes cunningly drawne them The Turkish nauall army in the meane time consisting of sixe score saile departed from Constantinople vnder the command of Cariadine Barbarossa captaine Polin going along with him and comming to Negrepont where it made some stay to take in souldiers and other necessaries it sailed to the Hauen of Figara and from thence directed their course towards the West and hauing passed the Far of Messina came neere to Calabria where landing certaine of his troupes he tooke the city of Regio and after he had spoiled it and scoured the country round about the castle still holding out he did re-embarke his people and held on his course towards France and by the way he tooke in water at the Isle of Ponze and next at Ostia vpon the Riuer Tiber whereby Rome was in alarme but Polin did by letters assure the Gouernor of the towne that no harme should bee done to any one vpon the coast then hoysing ankors and still coasting along the Riuers of Tuscany and Genoa he arriued in the Hauen of Tolon where finding two French Gallies hee was by them conducted towards Marseilles whither the Kings other foure and twenty Gallies came Barbarossa went on shore where hee was magnificently entertained in the city together with great numbers of Ianissaries Polin riding post to finde the King and to receiue his commandements whom Barbarossa was enioyned wholly to obey did speedily returne to the army which being encreased by sixteene French Gallies and certaine shippes wherein were sixe thousand foote-men hee departed from Marseilles and sailed with a faire winde to the hauen of Villafranca to beseege the city of Nice which the Duke of Sauoy then possessed which had euer belonged to the crowne of France The Artillery and souldiers beeing landed the City for certaine daies was battered whereby it was enforced to yeeld without being sacked but the Marquis of Guasto hauing victualled the castle and Barbarossa being diswaded from makeing any longer aboade there Autumne being very farre spent raised his campe and returned with his whole fleete to the hauen of Marseilles Now the Venetian fleete beeing truely aduertized what course the Turkes held and how that Ianetin Doria was gonne into the Leuant did entertaine time in the Gulphe the Generall thinking it more safe and proffitable to prouide for that which concerned themselues and to auoide occasion of meeting with the others that he might take away all suspition of being desirous to helpe or hinder their deseignes The Emperor at the same time resoluing to goe into Germany to stirre vp that country against the French King hauing first caused the Estates of Spaine to accept the Prince Don Philip his sonne for their King came to Barcelona where finding Doria with forty Gallies and certaine ships he imbarked himselfe with the Spanish fantery and came to Genoa Vpon the report of his arriuall in Italy the Venetians chose foure Ambassadours to wit Carlo Morosin Gabriele Veniero Lodouico Faliere and Vittor Grimany to meet him as he passed
through their State and to entertaine him by the way The Pope in the meane time hauing promised other matters to himselfe seeing that the confederacy propounded to the Venetians had taken none effect resolued to talke with the Emperor determining first better to assure his owne affaires as well for temporall matters as for Religion and his Pontificall dignity in the councell which was to be held at Trent a city in Germany and next meaning once more to try if the Emperour would quit the Dutchy of Milan to Octauio Farneze for a certaine summe of money which he perceiued the Emperour stood in great need of by reason of the warres he had in hand but concealing for that time those his secret deseignes made shew that the cause which mooued him as the common father and head of Christendome to embrace the Emperor passing along so neere him was to exhort him to peace with Christians and to warre against the Infidels and to try if his presence in that businesse would be of more force then his exhortations made by his Legats sent to the Emperor into Germany and into France to the most Christian King Now the Pope hauing acquainted the Venetians with his departure from Rome and going to Bolognia alleadged no other reason of his iourney then the former wholly concealing the negociating concerning the Dutchy of Milan thereby to feele if he could discouer any thing from them concerning it for on the one side he knew that the same treaty was pleasing vnto them but on the other it behoued them to proceed therein very respectiuely in regard of the aboue mentioned matters The Senate continuing the old resolution not to meddle with these negociations did vnfeignedly commend the Popes good and holy meaning with his resolution in so honest and important a businesse for the common good of all Christendome not passing on any further to any other consideration The Pope seeming to bee greatly desirous of that enteruiew did not cease to pursue it notwithstanding that hee was alone in that negociation and that the Emperour alleadged diuers difficulties and lets who making no great account of him made shew that he did not much affect him either because hee was distasted of him the Pope hauing not openly shewed himselfe his friend as he ought to haue done by reason of the honour done by the Emperor to him and his house hauing by the marriage of his daughter preferred it to so many other noble alliances or else because he did suspect the truth of the matter how that the Pope would recommence his suite that the Dutchy of Milan might be made ouer to Octauio Farneze the which he resolued not to quit to any man whatsoeuer and therefore he was desirous to eschew all occasions of discontenting the Pope and of prouoking him to embrace the French Kings friendship by refusing his demand But the Pope supposing it would greatly blemish his greatnesse and dignity if he should let the Emperour passe thorough Italy without seeing him had to that end sent first Petro Lodouico his sonne to Genoa and then the Cardinall Farneze his Nephew to entreate him that the enteruiew might be at Bolognia and vpon his Maiesties excuse that he was not willing to come so farre backe and to delay his iourney he determined to come farther forward euen to Busset where it was concluded they should see one an other which was a towne very discommodious and smally frequented belonging to the Palauicins but this enteruiew had no better successe then all men expected nothing being there concluded either for the Churches seruice or the particular profit of the Farnezes For the Emperor continued his resolution to make warre vpon the French King and the Duke of Cleues and as for Milan because he would not flatly deny it hee told him that he could not dispose of that State vntill he had acquainted the Princes of the Empire therewith whereby he might easily percâ—…iue that he did meane to appropriate it to himselfe The enteruiew being dissolued which onely lasted three daies the Emperour pursuing his iourney entred vpon the Venetians State where the foure aboue mentioned Ambassadors met with him and did honourably entertaine him furnishing him with whatsoeuer he needed either for his owne person or his household so long as he continued vpon their territories wayting vpon him as farre as the confines of Trent making diuers offers vnto him in generall in the name of the Common wealth not mentioning any negociation till they were ready to take their leaues of him and then they besought him to be a meanes to his brother for a dispatch concerning the agreement of Trent which they had taken vpon them From Trent the Emperour went to Vuormes and from thence to Spire to be nerer to that which he had determined to doe hauing still resident with him Daniele Bouricci Secretary to the Common-wealth the Ambassador de Pont remayning sicke at Trent who being returned to Venice for the recouery of his health Bernardo Nouagera was chosen in his stead Warre was at the same time much kindled in Hungary whither Soliman being come in person with a mighty army hauing first scoured and wasted the country had beseeged the city of Strigonium from whence he sent an Ambassador to Venice to acquaint the Senat with his iourney and deseignes and also there to vnderstand newes of his fleet which at that time lay in the hauen of Villafranca at the enterprize of Nice where of the Senate aduertized him and withal did infinitely thanke him for the honor he did them by acquainting them with his actions and deseignes This demonstration of friendship from the Turkes did serue them for two purposes first to continue peace betwixt them and next to encrease their reputation with other men Therefore Soliman hauing againe sent an other Ambassador to Venice to aduertize them of his progression in Hungary the Senate resolued in reciprocall manner to render him the like demonstration of honour and friendship by sending an Ambassadour to him This charge was committed to Stefano Tepulo hee hauing giuen ouer the place of Generall who at the spring was to goe to Constantinople to Soliman who was come thither from Hungary to reioyce with him in the Common-wealths name for his fortunate successe and to make shew at his Porte of a correspondency of loue and frindship The affaires of Maran were not yet appeased but on the contrary much more enkindled as well in regard of the French who did meane to keepe and defend it as for the Almaines who determined to haue it by force so as besides foure hundred foot-men which the Lord of Senei brought thither the French King sent great troupes of horse and foot on the other side the King of Romaiues hauing caused certaine companies of Lansequenets to passe the mounts at Pontieba vnder the command of Iohn Baptista Sauella did besides assemble all the souldiers on the neerest places of his