he had held ever since the Resignation of the last Dauphin Humbert he remitted the Titles of the affairs of Geneva to the King of which he had possessed himself to be revenged of the Genevoises the Bishop his Son having given him the Records So that the King transferred them to Bourges in Berry and from thence to Lyons where they are kept at present and all Merchants passing through his Countrys were forbid to go to Geneva but to France and moreover the Duke obtained of the King that his son should be apprehended and kept in prison till he grew wiser The Genevoises did all they could to have their affairs restored having gotten the chief Citizens of Ligues to be their intercessors to the King and at that same time humbly besought Philips enlargement The King having heard their request consented to it provided they would obey the Duke as their Prince to which they would not agree This Duke died a while after and his son Amé the ninth succeeded him who set effectually on the establishment of the affairs again in Geneva as being indeed his interest but in vain whereupon he granted leave to the Merchants of Geneva to bring in and carry out through his Dominions for ever all Merchandizes which shews say the Genevoises that he accounted them as Strangers and not as Subjects There was held the year following an assembly of Masters and Workmen in the art of Coyning at Bourg in Bress where John Chabot otherwise Porter was chosen chief intendant on that work There came thither from Geneva Aymard Faury and Amé Blondel with twenty seven of their workmen We read in the Records of those times of one Philip de Compois Vicar General of the Bishoprick and after him Anthony of Malvenda who were sworn to keep the Liberties and Priviledges of the Town the same did one called Claude of Spain Amé the ninth being dead in 1472. the last of March left his Wife Yoland his Childrens guardian who was Sister to King Lewis the 11. and the King had espoused the deceased Duke her Husbands sister yet all Amé's Brethren had greater kindness for the Burgundians than French. The Duke of Burgundy having been defeated by the Switzers in the famous Battel of Morat retreated to Gex the Dutchess of Savoy who was then at Geneva gave him a visit with her children after some discourse took leave to return again in her Chai◠but the Duke fearing she should take part with his enemies bethought himself and commanded one of his Captains to follow her and carry her into Burgundy whose design was perceived by a Gentleman of Piedmont Master of the Dutchesses houshold who endeavoured to save her but all he could do was onely to hide the young Duke in a heap of Corn charging him to lie quiet Whilst this was doing Malcomanda being come up to them commands the Dutchess to turn her Horse and follow the Duke of Burgundy She made some resistance and it is reported this Captain who was a rough fellow gave her a box on the Ear and conveyed her to S. Claude where he kept her four months prisoner and was from thence carried to Rouvre where she remained for a while longer In the mean time the Duke of Burgundy being vexed he had mist of the young Duke commanded some Troops of his Lombards to forrage the Country about Geneva whereupon the Bishop caused all the Lombards in the Town to the number of two hundred to be hanged and drowned for a requital The Switzers after the overthrow of the Duke prosecuted their victory and fell the second time upon the Country of Vaux neither spared they them of Geneva because the Bishop John Lewis had made War with the Valeysans their Allies but the Deputies of the Town with the Savoyards went out to meet them desiring them to desist that if there were any misunderstanding betwixt them it might be easily rectified at some appointed meeting which was agreed to be held at Fribourg where it was determined the Switzers should restore whatsoever they had taken from the Dutchy of Savoy upon consideration of a certain sum of mony and some places which they should still keep in their hands So that they of Geneva were forced to pay 2800. Crowns of gold as a reimbursment to the Switzers for their expences in the War. But the City being impoverished by reason of the removal of the Fairs could not suddenly raise this mony desiring the Switzers to allow them time for payment to which the Chief of them consented but the Soldiers mutinied saying they would have their pay let it come from whence it would accusing them who had the management of affairs that they had already received the mony and spent it whilst they must undergo all the hardship of War. The common Soldiers then thus mutinying had private Cabals wherein it was agreed to fetch their pay by main force They therefore to the number of seven hundred of them on the first day of Lent came to Zug marching along the Road with flying colours without their Superiors leave and in their march met with others who joyned with them with intention to plunder Geneva So that being come to Fribourg they found they were two thousand but the Embassadors from Ligue interposing appeased them upon condition the Genevoises should pay both use and principal which amounted to near six thousand Florins of gold and give Hostages for the more certain performance of it to which they were forced to give their consent only obtaining some small time which being expired they were as much put to it as before to raise the mony being forced to borrow of the Citizens their Rings and Jewels and to melt their Chalices and Crosses and to lay great Taxes on the people The Bishop John Lewis sensible of the miseries of War endeavors a perpetual Alliance with the Switzers to which they consented but the people were so stupid as to slight the benefit procured them by the Bishop which he perceiving was contented to let it be only in his name and during his life by which means he secured himself from his enemys abroad but not from his own Domesticks He had two Favorites the first of which was Prothonotary and of the Family of Terny whose name was Pommieres Governour of Renel in Piedmont and the other a Gentleman of the house of Chissy These two Favorites being jealous one of another as to their Masters favour could never agree so that Pommieres not able to brook his Rival betakes himself to the French Court where he discovers himself to the King telling him as a great secret that his brother-in-law the Bishop of Geneva and the whole State of Savoy at Chissy's sollicitation were about taking the Duke of Burgundy's part The King liking this advertisement recompences him with the Bishoprick of Viviers De Pommieres not content with this would carry it on further and would
his intrigues The Baron of Aubonne who was likewise his Brother-in-law was at the same time a prisoner in Berne upon suspicion of Treason Chenalat being pressed confessed his intelligence with most solemn protestations that he had no other design than only to draw mony from the Marquiss but this saved not his head The Republick sent afterwards John Diodati and Thedore Trochin Professors in Divinity into Holland to reside as their Deputies in the Synod of Dort whom the States had invited together with the English and Dutch Divines to oppose the Doctrines of Arminius at their departure they were each of them presented with a Medal by the States The Duke of Savoy having begun to make great Levies alarm'd thereby the City of Geneva Monsieur d' Alincourt who was Governour of Lyons sent notice thereof to the King who was sollicitious for their preservation and desired that he might be informed if any thing was undertaken against them this occasioned the fortifying of S. Gervais Mottet an Engineer whom the Prince of Orange had sent drew a Trench which reached from the Rhosne as far as the Lake the better to shelter the Burrough being assisted by Ferault a French Gentleman who had â—led to Geneva In this same year on Whit-Sunday there hapned such an Earthquake that the Ministers in the time of their Preaching were fain to hold fast by the Pulpit for fear of falling In the following year there died a Woman who was learned both in Greek and Latine and who had passed through her Exercises in Philosophy in the Colledge She was M. Offredy's Wife a skilful Physician who writ several Commentaries on Hippocrates And lie having but bad eyes his Wife assisted him in his Studies writing his Bills and reading to him A National Synod of the Protestant Churches being held at Paris the Ministers of Geneva wrote to it that they being conformable to the French Churches in Essentials they would likewise be the same in indifferent matters and give the Communion henceforward with unleavened Bread as the Bernoises had already began to do adding moreover that the Elders should no longer give the Cup as they were wont but the Pastors after the same manner as in the French Churches Tronchin being injoyned by the Council and Consistory gave notice hereof to the people one Sunday night after Sermon and shewed the reasons moving them to this change in so indifferent a matter Some small differences had like to have broke the peace for although it was agreed in the Treaty made at S. Julien that there should be a free Trade yet had the Duke strictly forbidden any Corn to be Transported to Geneva and the Council by way of requital prohibited the carrying out of Iron Salt or any other Commodities into Savoy but Wake the English Ambassador passing through Geneva and observing how scarce Corn was amongst them interceded for them to the Duke and got off the prohibition The Marquis of Bade a Lutheran Prince being stript of his Estate by a Decree from the Imperial Court withdrew to Geneva with his Wife and a Minister The Council permitted him to have preaching in his House for his own Family but several Germans inhabitants of the City and others resorted thither at which the People muttered saying That in time the Mass would be permitted to be read in the City seeing Lutherans were permitted after this manner The Council of twenty five understanding the matter sent a Syndick and the Lieutenant to intreat him not to let any Citizens into his house at Sermon time which request of theirs he despising instead of granting it sent them word that the City belonging to the Empire and he being one of its Princes he had as much right there as they had themselves some say that he lifted up his hand to strike the Syndick which caused the Magistrates to repeal the permission they had granted him at which he being inraged left Geneva and withdrew to Thonon where the Duke permitted him the exercise of his Religion Another great Lord who in the Year 1624. had withdrawn to Geneva as to a place of refuge ended his daies there his name was George Erasmus of Tzernembel an Hereditary Baron of the Marches of Esclavonie and of Carniole who had been formerly Counsellor to the Emperors Rodolphus the second and Matthias the first and one of the Directors of Bohemia but after the new Kings defeat he was forced to give place to the Victorious and to flie out of the Empire He came to Geneva with his Wife and Daughter and another Relation and was a second Job in his miseries and afflictions for having been deprived of all his Offices and tortured with the Gout and other vexations both of body and mind he at length had news brought him that his son who stayed behind to gather up the pieces of his shattered fortune was drowned and all that he brought with him so that having nothing left him but patience the Magistrates and the Church gave him a monthly allowance for his families subsistence and continued it after his decease he was honourably interred in S. Peters Cloyster according to his quality Emilia of Nassaw Princess of Orange and sister to Prince Maurice and Widow to Don Emanuel son of Anthony King of Portugal after that the Spaniard had made himself Master of that Kingdom she came and dwelt at Geneva with her six daughters but having purchased a Castle near Nyons she withdrew thither She died in the year following and was interred at Geneva in the Chappel on the left hand of S. Peters Quire. This Princess although of great quality resided several years at Geneva living in a condition much beneath her quality and desert her Daughters were married to ordinary Gentlemen of the Country of Vaud one of them who had espoused Colonel Grol was buried near her Mother in 1647. Madam the Dutchess of Rohan remained for some time in the City with her Daughter and afterwards went to Venice Geneva likewise served for an Asylum to the Sieur of Aubigné a French â—entleman who having published his History of France had thereby so much displeased the King that he would have him taken into custody for it and moreover his Son whom the Jesuits had won to their party heightened the Kings displeasure against his Father but he foreseeing their design took about thirty thousand Crowns of gold which he hid in the Saddles of his Horses and fled to Geneva about the year 1619. He was received by the Magistrates and Church with great respect for they had been informed of his zeal for the Protestant Religion and of his valour and conduct in Military affairs So likewise when there was any kind of Fortification undertaken they always asked his advice It is said that he had a secret enabling him to speak to any person a hundred paces distant from him and they who stood by should
7. May 4. Verly slain May 5. May 27. Liberty of Conscience granted Verlys Relations bring with them 120 Soldiers to revenge his death July 15. August 6. Thoberet sentenced to lose his head Decem. 2. Furbity opposed by Froment Decem. 27. Furbity complained against by the Bernoises Decem. 27 The Fribourgers threaten to break off with Geneva 1534. Jan. 1. Jan. 4. Jan. 18. Quarrels about Rellgion 1534. Pennet sentenced to be beheaded Feb. 10. Feb. 29. Feb. 13. Furbity enjoyned to Recant Feb. 22. Articles of the Bernoises and their answer March 1. Farel Preaches publickly Mar. 30. Fribourgers break off with the Genevâ—ises Protestants and Papists equal in number June 23. July 29. A Conspiracy to bring in the Bishop c. 1434. Vandelled away Prisoner Octob. 5. Furbity's enlargement requested by the French-King Feb. 12. A Frier preaches in Lent at Geneva 1535. April 4. Viret almost poysoned May 5. Penay Castle assaulted by the Genevoises Bernard makes publick profession of the Truth May 30. July 22. Farel preaches at S. Magdalens Aug. 5. Aug. 6. Aug. 10. Farel preaches before the Council Aug. 27. Mass abolished in Geneva Aug. 30. The Nuns leave Geneva Beudichon made Captain General Farel causes a Fast to be proclaimed Dec. 18. Mony Coyned in Geneva with the City Stamp 1536. 1536. Jan. 3. Jan. 4. Jan. 14. Jan. 16. The â—ernoises promise the Genevoises their assistance They break off with the Duke Jan. 24. The Genevoises sally out Jan. 26. Jan. 29. A Bark fitted out by the Genevoises Jan. 30. Peney blown up Jan. 31. Gex surrendred Feb. 1. Feb. 2. Bernoises arrive at Geneva La Cluse surrenders Feb. 18. Chillon Castle besieged March 29. Bonnivard set at liberty May 21. Mass abolished Saunier teaches School 1536. Aug. 7. Calvin comes to Geneva Sept. 1537. An Anabaptist disputes with Farel March 10. Carolyn maintains the lawfulness of the Mass Calvin compiles a Catechism 1538. The Syndicks still Catholicks in their hearts April 23. Calvin with others banished the City Mare committed to Prison Decemb. Calvin writes to Geneva Saunier with others banished 1539. Nov. 5. 1540. June 5. Philippe kills a Man with his Leading-staff Artichauds Faction Richardet dies by a fall June August The banishment of the three Ministers repealed May. 1. Calvin sent for to Geneva Sept. 13. Calvin's painfulness 1541. Nov. 21. 1542. Plague at Geneva 1543. Calvin Disputes with Carolyn 1544. Castalio his Opinions 1545. Lentilles spreads the Plague in Geneva 1546. Calvin accused for teaching false Doctrine 1548. 1550. Marquiss of Vico comes to Geneva Bolsec charges the Ministers with preaching false Doctrine 1551. Octob. 6. Calvin cleareth himself and Brethren Bolsec writes Calvin's Life 1552. Aug. 1553. Servetus comes to Geneva Grybalde propagates Servetus's errors 1554. The French designed to be massacred in Geneva 1554. The English Church in Geneva 1555. 1560. 1556. 1557. Octob. 1558. Jan. Gentil disputes against Calvin A Colledge founded at Geneva 1559. June 5. 1560. Adultery severely punished 1561. Jan. The French King complains against the Genevoises for sending Ministers into France 1564. Calvin dies 1566. Spiffame his Tragical end 1566. 1567. May. Sept. 1567. Grimaud endeavors to spread the plague 1972. May 3. April 24. 1574. 1575. Novemb. 1578. Hâ—n the 3. of France makes an Alliance with the Switzers c. Aug. 29. 1579. 1582. The Duke of Savoy makes attempts on Geneva 1582. Aug. 16. 1582. 1582. Des plans April 18. The Jews request to Geneva 1584. March 1. An Earthquake Zurich makes a perpetual Alliance with Geneva 1585. 1586. A Famine in Geneva 1587. Vita di Sixto V. The Pope requested to assist the Duke against Geneva 1588. Olivarez's Counsel to the Dukes Ambassador 1588. Sancy animates the Genevoises against the Duke Bonne taken by the Genevoises 1589. April 7. Gex surrendred La Cluse attempted by the Genevoises 1589. 1589. Baron of S. Lagier slain April 12. April 16. April 26. April 27. The Royal Army consisted of 10000 Foot and three Troops of Horse 1589. April 29. The Regiment of Soleurre re-attacked May 1. May 14. Boege taken May 25. The Duke advances to attack the Fort near Arve May 27. June The Castle of Terny surrendred to the Duke June 3. The Genevoises engage the Enemy The Savoyards attack the Forces from Berne June June 28. July 14. The Bernoises agree upon a cessatlon of Arms. July 26. 1589. Aug. 22. Mercier the Minister flead alive Octob. Versoy besieged and taken Nov. 8. Jan. 2. 1590. Gex surprized Jan. 18. March 29. April 16. La Cluse surrenders April 21. Esgaillon beheaded May 21. The Savoyards set upon three Barks bound for Geneva Guiche assaulted by the Peasants Lurbigny defeats the Savoyards Genevoises worsted 1590. July 6. Amedée says Ambushes about Geneva The Genevoises defeated Aug. 23. The Baron of Conforgien arrives at Geneva Hermance lays an Ambush for the Genevoises gathering their Wine-harvest The Valour of a Captain Octob. 29. Crusille sacked aâ—d burat 1591. Jan. 1. Buringe besieged Feb. 6. 1591. Feb. 11. The Dukes Army approaches 1591. March 12. The Kings Army attached by the Savoyards Sonas slain Sadeel dies at Geneva May 17. 1592. Octob. Nov. 1593. March 19. April 17. Conforgien returns home Lancy demolished Sept. 9. 1593. 1594. The Fort of Arve demolished 1595. 1597. Sep. Beza reported to have turned Papist 1568. May. The Bastard of Savoy makes his entrance into Geneva A Peace concluded 1598. May. May. Serres dies at Geneva 1600. The Duke of Savoy desires that the King would desist from Protecting Geneva 1600. Beza makes a Speech to the King. The Kings answer Decem. 16. The Fort razed 1600. Sept. 16. The Ebbings and flowings of the Rhosne 1601. Jan. 17. The King of France declares Geneva comprehended in the Treaty April 5. 1602. A Jubilee at Thonon where the design was laid to scale Geneva A warning given to the Genevoises concerning the attempt on their City Albigny draws up his men near Bonne Warning a second time given to the City The Savoyards raised up Ladders against the City-Walls Sonas bleeds at Nose Alexander a Jesuit encourages the Enterprizers Dec. 12. Sonas with six others first climb up into the City The Duke dispatches Messengers to all parts to impart the news of their success The valour of a Taylor Thirteen of them who had scaled the City hanged Beza Preaches a thanksgiving Sermon for their deliverance A Letter from the Genevoises to the Sieur of Guiche A Letter of the French King to the Genevoises 1603. Jan. Maillet committed to Prison Tournon his Harangue to the Lords of Berne Bernoises not satjsfied with this harangue Genis taken by surprize De Vic ordered to assure the Geneâ—oises of the French Kings favour 1603. May. Culebro his Orders A Peace concluded between the Duke and Genâ—voises July 21. Buttet writes a Book which he calls The Cavalier of Savoy Sarrazin sets forth his Book called The Genevois Citizen 1604. Blondel his villanous actions 1606. Octob. 13. Beza dies 1605. 1606. 1607. The Landgrave of Hesse makes the City of Geneva a Present 1607. 1608. 1609. Canal a Traytor to the City Feb. 2. 1610. Terrail his designs on Geneva 1609. Terrail's design discovered 1609. Terrail sets out from Savoy for Flanders Terrail apprehended April 19. Bastide and Terrail executed 1610. Roset dies at Geneva Giovani accuses one of the Council of Treason 1610. 1611. Lectius dies at Geneva 1613. A Serjeant executed 1613. 1614. S. Claudes Relicks imbalmed and sent to Geneva 1614. The Plague in Geneva 1616. The Battel between the Duke of Nemours and the Duke of Savoy 1617. 1617. 1618. Chenalat executed for Treason 1619. Diodati c. sent to the Synod at Dort. 1621. 1622. A Synod of Protestant Ministers at Paris 1624. Marquiss of Bade retires to Geneva 1625. 1626. Biron of Esclavonia c. retires to Geneva 1627. The Princess of Orange resides in Geneva 1628. Aubigné comes and lives at Geneva 1628. Aubigné's death 1631. 1632. Antoine his errors and abominable practices 1632. The Church of Divonne in the Country of Gex The second Psalm 1636. 1638. May 17. The Duke of Rohan his Funeral c. 1638. 1642. 1645. A discourse of the Rhosne 1645. 1645. Gothofredus his Latin Inscription 1649. Octob. 3. Deodati's death 1651. Nov. 21. Dec. 7. 1653. Gautier hanged Aug. 9. 1655. Cromwel writes to the Genevoises 1656. The King of France comes to Lyons c. 1658. The States of Holland contribute to the building of the Fort on S. Victors Mount. 1660. 1661. The Bishop of Geneva presents a request to the french-French-King 1661. 1662. 1664. Crequi passes through Geneva 1664. 1667. The Duke of Savoy quarters Forces about Geneva The Genevoises fortifie the City Spies sent into Savoy The diligence of the people in working at the Fort. The Savoyards and Genevoises at variance about their priviledges City divided 1670. A fire on the Bridge of Rhosne 1671. The Prince Palatine entertained at Geneva 1673. An account of another project for the taking of Geneva discovered by its Author Novoy secured 1674. Prince George dyes at Geneva 1675. July 7. 1675. Savoy and Geneva at difference about the impositions of Salt. 1675. In Autum 1676. The French King assures the Genevoises of his good will. June 12. Deputies dispatched from Geneva July 18. Octob. Roset harangues the Queen and Dauphin Stoupe intercedes with the French King in behalf of Geneva 1677. March. Novemb. 1678. Feb. 1. 1677. Octob. 23. The Emperors Embassador passes through Geneva 1678. March 24. The Spanish Embassador passes through Geneva Conclusion Titi Filio Auli nepoti Bene merenti posuit Fieri curiavit sub Ascia â—x dicavit Ponendum curavit Sub Ascia dedicavit Coloniae Equestris Ex Testamenta Vide Inscript XXI Cosmograph L. 2. caii Filla Caii filius Parentes maerentes filiae meritissimae Pâ—â—endum â—â—ravit
one Evening to be in it above four thousand men and amongst others several Lords as Messieurs of Guise Elboeuf Espernon Guiche and Biron the last of these walking with some Councellors of Geneva as he came to S. Gervais upon some discourse begun he clapt his hand to his Sword and told them Gentlemen This shall do your work or I will lose my life They thanked him for his good will but he made it appear afterwards that he meant otherwise than they understood him Monsieur Sully who came likewise eased them of their trouble in being so crouded with people having ordered his Horse and several Volunteers to return to the Camp. The Fort capitulated soon after the Trench was made they within promising to surrender if they were not succoured in ten days which was only a formal business seeing it was well known the Duke was not in a capacity to relieve them The Garrison marched out beating their Drums and their Colours flying with three pieces of Ordnance Monsieur Sully blew up immediately the Bastions by means of the Mine of which the Genevoises having notice according to the Kings Order there came so many of them and fell so wholly to their work that within a day or two there was not the least trace to be seen the King gave them six Cannons which were found in the Fort. There hapned three months before a thing very remarkable After several great Claps of Thunder which lasted all the Morning the Rhosne after several ebbings and flowings at length became dry in some places where it was wont to be five foot deep the Boats which were at the Lakes mouth relying on the ground so that children took up little Fish and Smiths who dwelt on the Bridge came down and picked up old Iron but the waters immediately returning happy was he who could soonest get away If one of these refluxes had lasted but one quarter of an hour the houses on the Bridge and part of S. Gervais would have been drowned it is very likely that this prodigy was occasioned by some kind of Earthquake or uprising of the Earth by which the ground where the Rhosne issues forth from the Lake being twice or thrice lifted up by the subterranean agitated vapours hindred the Rhosne from running and that the same ground sinking down again by reason of its own weight it took again its ordinary course The same hapned in the year 1584. in that great Earthquake which raised up that heap of Earth which we have already mentioned and caused the Lake to overflow twenty paces which instance may serve to confirm the other All the difference lies here that these exhalations were not strong enough to force a passage and to shake the neighbouring parts That which makes this more clear was an Earthquake which reached from Geneva as far as Switzerland which hapned a year after in the same month with so great a violence that Monsieur James Godefroy observed in his Memoires that he was rocked in his bed with it after the same manner as if he had been in a Cradle The War with Savoy was ended by the interposition of the Legat Aldobrandin the Duke exchanging with the King the Marquisdom of Saluces for Bresse His Majesty declared in his Letters dated the thirteenth of August 1601. that Geneva although not expressed in the Treaty yet was understood and ought to enjoy the benefit of the Peace The Duke yielded likewise the Bailliage of Gex with La Bresse which was held by the Genevoises who desired the King to let it remain in their possession as a place whereon depended the safeguard of their State but the King told them he could not grant their request seeing that by the Treaty held at Lyons betwixt him and the Duke La Bresse Veromey and Gex were to be incorporated into the Crown and were never to be cut off from it upon any occasion Immediately after this Liberty of Conscience was granted and the Mass said in S. Peters Church at Gex The Savoyards did not forbear their insultings over the Genevoises having possessed themselves of the Villages of Focenay and Thonex and would have in like manner seized on Vandoeuvres but this Village was defended by James des Arts accompanied by a Minister and some Soldiers who kept the Church and drove out thence the Priests who were brought in by force In the Summer following the Jubilee was celebrated at Thonon where was contrived the famous enterprize of scaling Geneva Certain Frenchmen whose occasions led them to and from the City got notice of the design and gave an account of it to their friends at Geneva which the Citizens could hardly believe the Articles of Peace having been sworn to by both parties to be observed resting secure on the two Treaties held at Verins and Lyons not considering that the Invasion of these Villages and the seizure of several Impropriations were the sparks of a fire which would soon break out into a flame There were complaints made of this to the Sieur Albigny Lieutenant General on this side of the Mountains his proper name was De Gordes son to him who had been Governor of Dauphiny but he had left the Kings service for his Highnesses He made answer to the Messengers from Geneva two several times that it was both his own and his Masters intention to let them live in peace and that his Highness meant the Treaty should be religiously observed Moreover the President Rochelle Counsellor of State was arrived at Geneva some days before this Scalado for to lull the Magistrates asleep to observe their countenance and to understand the condition of the City telling them it was expedient to make some lasting agreement profering his assistance for the carrying on so good a work Whereupon the Genevoises resting secure and distrusting nothing neglected the guarding of the City although they had warning given them even by the Dukes Subjects Amongst others there came one from Chesne who drawing near to the Gate the day before the execution of the enterprize told them positively that the Enemy was coming and that they should stand upon their guard but this advertisment was slighted either for want of due heed or else that they reputed this person to be some dealer in Visions The Duke had caused several Troops to advance undiscerned into â—ocigny the Duke of Nemour's Country yet under the jurisdiction of Savoy amongst the rest the Regiment of the Baron of La val d'Iseare who was born in Picardy which Regiment consisted of near eight hundred men the most part of them French fugitives and people who would undertake any thing right or wrong Brunaulieu this Barons Lieutenant had with some others viewed the City at his ease taken the height of the walls and the depths of the ditches in the night and had assured Albigny of the facility of the enterprize moreover the intelligence which they held with the
Attorney-general required satisfaction for this and desired that the Process might be prosecuted according to the form of the instructions which were given him but because the person was dead all farther proceedings were laid aside The French King Henry the fourth having been treacherously assasinated the Duke made great preparations of War against Geneva as it was before suspected The Protestant Churches of France collected several sums of mony and sent a considerable number of men to assist them which the Queen ill resented but Anjorrand the Genevoises Deputy to the French Court making it appear by the Treaty at Soleurre that his Majesty permitted his Protestant Subjects to assist Geneva both in their persons and estates this satisfied her About that time arrived M. de Soubize of the house of Rohan M. de Bethune the Duke of Sully's nephew the Sieur Desmarets son to the wife of the same Duke and several other Lords and Gentlemen M. de Bethune raised Fortifications near S. Victor and S. Pauls and not far from the Bullwarks of S. Anthony and Pin making trenches all along Yet after the French Switzers had remained a considerable time in the City and perceiving no act of hostility every one returned home A while after died James Lect Jacobus Lectius a great Orator Poet and Lawyer who held great correspondence with several learned men in Europe He was towards the latter part of his life chosen several times both Syndick and Counsellor and but once Lieutenant because that being very exact and strict in his Office the people would chuse him no more About this time the side of the Gate of Rive was fortified by a Rampart and Ditch with a good Esperon or Spur of green turfs at the end of it The Sergeant of the River was put to death who was an excellent Soldier and had signalized himself in the former Wars but to terminate a Law-suit which he had at Chambery against his Father he had offered his service to the Marquiss of Lans of the house of Est who was Governour of Savoy and designed to bring in his Troops into S. Anthony's Bulwark A Gentleman of Dauphiny who was in an antichamber belonging to the Marquiss heard some part of the discourse and gave notice thereof to the Council A great Tempest which hapned in the year following did much hurt in several places near Geneva and produced a lamentable effect at S. Claude which is a little City on this side mount Jura where a flash of lightning burnt a whole street The Genevoises perceiving the fire sent immediately to them offering as good neighbours to relieve them which they at first refused but afterwards accepted of it There is reported a very remarkable story concerning them which was that in the year 1590. and 91. they being fearful lest S. Claudes body from whom the City takes it name should suffer violence by the Genevoises or Bernoises they therefore imbalmed his Relicks and sent them as a case of Merchandises into the Halls of Geneva where they knew it might remain a long time without discovery no body coming to claim it and there they let it lie till the Peace was concluded There are some who place this to the year 1636. then when they were afraid of the French but M. Godefroy who carries not on his Memoires any farther than to the year 1627. mentions it as a matter hapning in the preceding Wars yet I have been told as a certain truth that this hapned in the year 1636. for fear lest the French should Transport these Relicks The following year was dreadful to the Genevoises by the Contagion which was brought into their City from Piedmont There died to the number of four thousand people who were most of them of the meaner sort for there were but two Counsellors and two Ministers who perished amongst all these one amongst them named Gervais offered himself of his own accord to visit and comfort the sick there died several of his servants but he had the good hap to escape This Christian service he did the sick keeps his memory â—ll alive amongst good people although he died five years after Come we to affairs of State The Duke of Nemours having often demanded satisfaction of the Duke of Savoy touching his pretensions to no purpose had recourse to the Spaniard who supplied him with men The Duke of Savoy on his side seized on several lands belonging to the said Duke and placed a Garrison in Anecy and sent to the State for Arms Ammunition and Soldiers which were granted him and several belonging to the City went to him and offered their service He obtained likewise contrary to the Treaty of S. Julien to quarter his men along the Rhosne and he had almost drawn out of the City its whole Forces the Prince Major and the Duke of Nemours met and fought in the Valley of Cheisery there being only a Brook which parted these two Armies they of Gex being impatient to know the event of this combat went down the mountain of Farges where they could hear them talk and behold them fire one at another but they could see none fall down which made the Genevoises believe that this was but a trick to weaken their City under pretence of driving away the Spaniard and as a testimony to the Duke of Savoy of the Genevoises gratitude for his kind usage of their Subjects in the time of the Plague which had already devoured the best Soldiers yet the Duke of Savoy the better to resist the King of Spain his Brother-in-law and the Duke of Nemours addressed himself to the Bernoises and treated about a perpetual Alliance with them and for that effect quitted all his claim to the Country of Vaud They sent him three thousand men and they marched by Geneva but there returned not back again three hundred of them the War and Sicknesses having carried away the rest The City of Geneva subsisted by Trade A rich and able Citizen having undertaken some Manufacture perceived that instead of grateful acknowledgments he had nothing but ill will returned him whereupon for a revenge he withdrew to Yverdun where he set up a Work-house a Printing-Press and a Shop wherein he made Serges which did very much prejudice Geneva About the same time the Genevoises suffered a great loss by the death of M. Cusin a most affectionate Preacher who was much lamented by the people and his Colleagues Chenalat a person of good quality and who was capable of doing the City good had he followed the example of his Ancestors offered his service to the Marquiss of Lans Governour of Savoy for which proffer he received five hundred Pistols with a promise of twelve thousand Crowns of gold and to be made Captain of the Guard. He would have purchased a house near S. Legers Gate to undermine it Nicholas le Fert his Brother-in-law caused him to be apprehended and discovered
of Ostie L' AN MCCCC XIIII was made this Inscription which was Engraven by M. John Prindal Sirnamed de Brucesses Pfues which you may read if you please THis Inscription may serve to convince those who will notallow this Chappel to have been built in 1416. or in 1414. of the same date with this Epitaph by the Cardinal John of Bertrandis who was then Bishop and not by John of Brognier who was but in 1423. but this reason is not so prevalent as the Arms of John of Brognier and of his Nephew Francis of Mies which are to be seen there and this Stone perhaps might have been brought thither either when it was finished or perhaps since III. At S. Gervaises Steeple Anno MCCCCXXXV ET ... IANVAR ...... THis was dated from the Year 1435. when this Steeple was repaired by Francis of Mies Bishop of Geneva IV. In S. Peter's Church round a Tomb-stone HIC IACET VENERABILIS ET EGREGIVS VIR Dnus Ansermus de Chenay Can. Eccliar Viennen Gebenn QVI OBIIT Die XXVII mensis Octobris Anno Dni M. o. CCCC o. XXXVII o. Cujus aia in pace requiescat Amen THis is the ancientest of all the Chanons Epitaphs in S. Peters Church It is in Gothick Letters and the Arms of this Anselme of Chenay are joyned with it The Shield is charged with two Bends The Bishoprick of Geneva was under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan of Vienna so that there was great Communication held betwixt these two Churches The Canon is signed in an ancient Act cited by the Author of the Book called the Citizen in p. 256. V. In Verdaine-street on a Gate belonging to the Hospital which was heretofore the Convent of S. Claire PATRONVS NOSTER MILES GVI LLIERMVS BOLOMERIVS FABIVS IN ANNO MCCCCXLIII NOS FVNDITVS INSTAVRAVIT THis Inscription informs us that the Noble William Bolomier Fabius had founded the Convent of S. Claire at Geneva in 1443. his Arms are engraven on it of ... with a pale of Gules and for his Crest a Dogs head This William of Bolomier was Chancellor of Savoy and the Dukes chief Minister of State there but three years after this foundation viz. in the Year 1466. he was thrown alive into the Lake with a stone about his neck for having falsely accused of Treason the Lord of Varembon You may read this History at large in Guichenon's History of Savoy page 508. Roset tells us that the Colledge of Geneva was built in 1558. in the same place where Bolomiers Hutins lodgings lay It is very likely they were called after this manner because he had several houses near the Convent of S. Claire and that he took thence an occasion to build anew the said Convent VI. At S. Peters Hic jacet Reverendus Pater Dns Humbertus de Chilliaco Vtriusque jur Doctor sancte sedis Aplice prothonotarius Canonicus Ecclie Geben hujus capellae fundator qui obiit die VI Augusti Anno Dni MCCCCLVII cujus aia in pace requiescat THis is in Gothick Letters on black Marble at the entrance into the Chappel of which he was the Founder ten years before his death there is written in the windows of it these words Dns Humbertus de Chilliaco 1447. This Humbert of Chilliaco was qualified Doctor of Laws and Prothonotary of the Apostolick See which I believe was but onely a bare title without any profit and Channon of Geneva he departed this life in 1457. Chilly is a Village five or six Leagues distant from Geneva from whence his Family spâ—ang VII At the same place Hic jacet Nobilis Potens vir Gallelius .... Ginessiati qui obiit die IIII. Februarij Anno Dni M o. CCCC o. LXIX Aia Requiescat in pace Amen THis is written in Gothick Letters and hath the Coat of Arms belonging to it joyned with it which are three Barrs wavy The termination i makes me apt to believe that this Ginessiati was an Italian VIII At the same place Hoc Antro recubat R. Pr. Grener inclyti de Viry Amblardus prot ..... MCCCCLXXV die VIII Septembris AMblard Prothonotary of the family of the Viry's departed this life in 1475. the Eighth of September This which follows is of the same stock IX Near the same place Marmoreo tegitur isto vir generosus venerandusque pr Dns Petrus inclyta Viriacorum famila insignis hujus Ecclie Annorum 4 o super ...... Canonicus prebendatus pro suo tpe oes impetus magnanimiter ..... Anno salutis 1494. PEter de Viry Channon of Geneva was of the illustrious Family of the Viry's This Epitaph is engraven in Roman Letters and the Coat of Arms adjoyning thereunto is a Shield paly and over all a bend and charged with a Crescent in Chief and under the Shield is written Viry Menestrier in his Abridgment of Blazonry p. 85. yet blazons them of this Family of Viry in Genevois paled with silver and azure without and bend or crescent Perhaps there are labels belonging to them X. Near the same place Hic jacet Venerandus Petrus Ferodi de Grandivalle in legibus licent .... confrater confratrie Sancte Trinitatis can cus Geben generalem expectans resurrectionem qui obiit anno Dni MCCCCLXXXXVI die V. mensis Novembris THis is in Gothick Letters and the Arms belonging to it are an Anchored Cross this Confraternity of the Holy Trinity of which this Peter Ferodi de Grandeval a Licentiate in the Laws was one had been established at the Gray-Fryars of Rive as I have learnt by the remnant of an Inscription at Chapoterie where this Convent heretofore stood XI In the same Church in Roman Letters Reverendus Pr Dnus Andreas de Malvenda utriusque juris Doctor sedes Applice Prothonotarius ac hujus insignis Ecclie canonicus cantor defunctu occubat in tumulo Orate Deum pro eo Migravit e seculo anno salutis 1499. die 21. mensis Julij THis is an Epitaph belonging to Andrew de Malvenda Channon and Chanter of S. Peters at Geneva Doctor of Laws and Apostolical Prothonotary There is a great Vineyard near Geneva called still by that name of Malevendes and there is farther a famous Author of the same name the Arms engraved on this Tombstone are a Flower-de-Luce the Crest is a Hat with three Tassels They are moreover to be seen painted in the Church-windows in green colour with the Flower-de-Luce XII Another in Roman Letters Hic jacet No. lis Gondissalvus de Malvenda Burgen Geben Me .... obiit dictus No. lis Gondissalvus die 25. mensis Augusti 1505. dicto anno M. die mensis ... THis Family descended originally from Spain and the Christian name of this Malvenda was Spanish Gonsalve Burgensis Gebennensis Citizen of Geneva This was the way of speaking in those days his Coat of Arms were in a shield impaled in the first side of which there is a Flowerd-de-Luce as in Malvenda's Coat XIII Another in Gothick Letters
THE HISTORY of GENEVA POST TENEBRAS LUX I. Sturt sc LONDON Printed for Bernard White M.DC.LXXXVII THE HISTORY OF THE CITY and STATE OF GENEVA From its First Foundation to this present Time. Faithfully Collected from several MANUSCRIPTS of Jacobus Gothofredus Monsieur Chorier and Others BY ISAAC SPON Doctor of Physick and one of the Fellows of the Colledge of LYONS LICENSED Dec. 14. 1685. RO. L'ESTRANGE LONDON Printed for Bernard White M DC LXXXVII PREFACE THE City of Geneva being one of the most Considerable of the Protestant party we may easily believe there is none but will desire to know its History some that they may understand the State of that City with which they are linked in Religion others that they may not be ignorant of the strength and policy of a State which they consider as an enemy Hitherto we have had but scattered fragments as in the History of Savoy or Switzerland and in the Book called the Cavaleer Savoyard and in the Genevoise Citizen and indeed in these Historical Relations there is so much of sharpness and passion that a man shall scarce know when to credit any thing This I have endeavoured to avoid to the utmost of my power though it be very difficult when it concerns the Religion of People and the pretensions of Princes to keep such a just moderation as shall provoke neither Party Yet I am apt to think I have done as much in this matter as could be expected For as to the main of this History if all people shall not find satisfaction I shall look upon this only as a misfortune usually attending such sort of Writings and not as an effect of my passion seeing I have followed as much as in me lay the Counsel given of old to an Historian not to be of any Country or Party whilest the Pen was in his hand It is true I wanted several things requisite to a business of this nature but on the other side I know full well there is no one could acquit himself better in this affair than my self seeing that a Genevoise would be sure to be suspected and a stranger could not be so well informed of those things which I have known and procure those Memoires and Manuscripts which I have by me for which both the Publick and my self are obliged not a little to Mâ—â—â—sieur Chorier the French Kings Historian and Advocate in the Parliament of Dauphiné who long since hath been urgent with me to follow this design and had it not been for him I should not so much as have thought of it Certainly no one could have better performed this than my Noble Friend for having Written so Excellent an History of Dauphiné with which our Libraries are adorned this here would have been but an easie task to him would he have undertaken it and his affairs had permitted him The Manuscripts with which he hath furnished me are three Volumes in Quarto taken out of the Library of the deceased Monsieur James Godefroy Jacobus Gothofredus famous for his Commentary on the Theodosian Codex they plainly appear to he Written with his own hand and I do not believe there is any other Copy to be found of them precious Remains of the Closet of this great Man and which ought to be rankt immediately after the famous Commentaries aforementioned And being made Counsellor and Syndick of Geneva his want of leisure and other reasons of State withheld him from publishing his Memoires as he had designed I have had moreover of Monsieur Chorier another Manuscript of which I know not the Author I have likewise made use of some Chronological Manuscripts of one Roset which are in every bodies hands not to reckon other Collections viz. of the Acts and Alliances with Switzerland and Geneva and the Printed Books as many as I could find such as Paradins Historical Chronicle of Savoy the History of Savoy the Genevois Citizen and Pictet's Harangue the Sieur de Jussie's Book intitled the Leven of Calvinism More 's Harangues Spanheim's and several others These are the Materials from whence I have taken my History which I have more need to abridge than amplifie lest I should exceed the bounds of a particular History by introducing a thousand accidents which have hapned in the neighbouring Countries or even in all Europe I have added also of my own at the end of this History those ancient Inscriptions which are to be seen at Geneva and those of S. Peter's Chanons with all possible exactness and expect only this fruit of my labour that 〈◊〉 satisfying my own inclinations I shall also gratifie the curious though I cannot please the Criticks who love to try their Wits and value not a Book unless its periods are laboured and smoothed to the utmost exactness and wholly freed from imperfections not considering that excellent saying of Aristotle that the faults of them who begin a Work do rather claim indulgence than animadversion The Approbation of Monsieur de Mezeray Historiographer of France and one of the French Kings Council I Read this Manuscript four Months since and find it to be an Excellent History and License it to be Printed Signed MEZERAY THE HISTORY OF THE CITY and STATE OF GENEVA BOOK I. Containing the History of GENEVA before the Coming of our Saviour ALTHOUGH I undertake the History of a very mean State considering its small Extent and Compass and the little Noise which it hath made in the World yet my design to publish it cannot be justly blam'd seeing God himself is no less admirable in the small works of Nature than in the great where the matter is fashion'd by his hands neither is he less wonderful in the Government of small States than great Kingdoms as a Pilot shews no less skill in resisting with a little Bark a Tempestuous Sea than in preserving a great Ship in the midst of a Storm You must not expect here magnificent descriptions of Glorious Actions Eloquent Harangues of Famous Generals or Battels fought by infinite numbers of Soldiers but instead of this at every turn some Miracle of Providence some Historical or Political passage worth your consideration In this Scene will appear Actors who although they are not array'd in the glistering Attare of Princes nor speak big as Kings of the Earth on the spacious Theatres of their Dominions yet do they not fail to act that part they have taken upon them and to set before us excellent instructions which are so much the more profitable as they are every mans concern for every man is either a Soldier or Citizen of his Countrey There you 'l see examples of all kinds of Vertues and Vices which will not be useless if you mind not so much him that speaketh as what he saith whether it be to the purpose For my part I shall not be so solicitous after smoothness in my style as after truth in my relations and shall endeavour that no passion shall make me unworthy the name of an Historian
that That if he would have Justice done he must come to Geneva where he should not fail of it provided no stranger assisted at the Tryal it being contrary to the Cities priviledges which assert the Syndicks to be the only Judges in criminal Cases not suffering any others to assist at the Judgment but their own Council In the mean time the Duke resolves upon a journey to the Cantons for some reasons of State particularly about the difference which was not only at Geneva betwixt the Bishop and the Citizens thereof but likewise betwixt the Citizens of Lausane and their Prelate The Bishop of Geneva had the Duke on his side and the Genevoises the Confederate Cantons on the contrary the Bishop of Lausane had the Cantons for him and the people the Duke of Savoy for them He went first to Fribourg about Bertheliers business fearing they might decide the business in his favour from whence he went to Berne to confirm the ancient Alliances and to add some new Articles He had passed through Lausane in his way to Switzerland and had offered his mediation to them of that City which they accepted but he deferred it till his return after which he gave his judgment which was far from contenting both parties as he had promised himself for there was neither of them but was very much dissatisfied for instead of calling himself an arbitrary Judge he terms himself a natural Judge as if he had been their Prince and Soveraign at which both the Bishop and People were so offended that they agreed without him and began to seek an Alliance with the Cantons After this the Duke returned to Geneva where he awhile about Pecolat and Berthelier's business although his occasions required his presence in Piedmont and it having been shewed him at Fribourg that the Bishop of Geneva had acted contrary to their priviledges in imprisoning Pecolat out of the City he therefore caused him to be brought back and to be imprisoned in the Bishops name in the Isle causing him to be examined again by the Syndicks he retracted his former confession being before them as having been extorted The Duke and Bishop would have him again be put on the Rack but the Syndicks refused it without greater evidence the Princes proposed the matter to the consideration of several foreign Lawyers as well as to their own Council to shew they were not carried away by passion but these differed in their judgment for the Civilians being led by their Masters the Bishops interest condemned him and on the contrary the others acquitted him The Syndicks whose Province it was to pronounce judgment knew not what to resolve of temporizing as much as possible to justifie these two Lords desire of revenge the Duke and Bishop hastning this business to a conclusion started a matter which they were not aware of viz. That the Prisoner was a Clerk and by consequence a Subject of the Ecclesiastical Court and belonged not to the Syndicks jurisdiction They transported him then out of the Prison of the Isle to that of the Bishoprick where they were resolved not to spare him but being sick he was visited by the Physitians to see whether he was able to endure the Rack they differed in their opinions but they who affirmed he was able to endure it were soonest believed but because at Thy he was observed to be very constant in enduring the Torment and being suspected to have some Magical charm in his beard which rendred him insensible he therefore had a Barber sent him to shave him close for his beard was very long Pecolat in this extremity ruminated in his mind how to keep himself from being overcome by these torments which he saw were making ready for him the Barber having washed his chin turned aside to empty his Bason carelessly laying down his Razor near him which Pecolat snatching up cut out a great part of his tongue the Barber seeing him bleeding in the mouth wholly astonished called up the guards and Jaylor notice being sent to the Princes of this they took care to preserve him for greater sorrows being recovered they would have him again to the Rack and because he could not speak they would therefore have him write but the Episcopal Council could never agree and particularly the Judge of the Clergies excesses whose office was to pronounce sentence being the Syndick Levrerâ—'s son whom the Duke hated as much as his Father whose head he at length caused to be cut off This Judge told his Friends in private what a dreadful thing it was to let this poor Man be so long misused that for his part he would never give his consent that he should be again put on the Rack and that were it not out of respect to the Princes he would have long since acquitted him and to procure his Release they must have recourse to the Archbishop of Vienna Metropolitan of Geneva His counsel was followed and an Order was obtained from Vienna by which the Advocate of the Treasury was cited to give an account of the detaining of Pecolat and forbidding him and all other Episcopal Officers yea the Bishop himself to touch the Prisoners person Which Order being brought there was no Body found who durst publish it although the Duke and Bishop were not at Geneva the bringers of these Acts were cudgelled for their pains One Bonnivard Governor of S. Victor was so bold as to carry it to the Bishop this Victor was a young Man more daring than wise a Citizen of the confederate Cities of good Kindred as well in Savoy as Piedmont so that he valued neither Duke nor Bishop but hated the later and favoured Pecolat and was very zealous for his Countries Liberty He took then a Serjeant along with him and as the Bishop came from parting with the Duke he delivered to him the Archbishop of Vienna's Order The Bishop being galled at it complained to the Duke the Duke sent for Bonnivard and told him the Bishops Complaints To which he boldly answered My Lord 't is true That the Bishop of Geneva detains one of my Servants and hath put him on the Rack and I have protected him in acknowledgement of his Services but what I have done is justifiable by Law having not suffered my self to be carried away by Passion neither do I think you can take it ill that I have executed the Metropolitan's Order you who are a Prince and a lover of Justice and who would not hinder Right though your own Interest lay at Stake The Duke pretended to be satisfied and parted the next Morning for Piedmont having first caused Pecolat to be removed into the Castle of Penay We read in the Chronicles of Geneva That in this Year before the Dukes departure the Bishop John of Savoy lying sick of the Gout and hearing a noise in the Street asked what was the matter His Nurse answered him 'T was a Thief who was led to be Hang'd whom added she if you will pardon my
gotten 300 Crowns of the Genevoises to carry their Appeal to Rome he stirred not in the business Some private Persons designing to do it secretly the Duke hindred them and made them fly into Germany And not content with this he sent Judge Bartalais and the Vidame Hugues of Rogemont to Geneva to the end the Genevoises should renounce this Appeal and remit the Recognisance of criminal Cases to himself Which Article was delivered to the General Council and the chief Syndick Nergaz passed it saying That matter brought no great advantage to the City Bonier another of the Syndicks strongly opposed it saying He would never consent to it and called them Traitors who would But he remained not long in this mind for a while after he took part with the Duke Upon this refusal the Vidame by the Dukes order designed to weaken the Eidgnots Faction in apprehending some of the chief of them who were Besançon Hugues Peter and Claudius Baud Amy Gerard the Treasurer Francis Rosset Inn-holder at the Blacks-head John Lulin Inn-keeper at the Bear Peter of Toy aliàs Poulain and one Chabot Which two last intending to save themselves by flying to Fribourg fell at Versoy into an Ambuscade laid by their Enemies Poulain being well mounted made his escape but Chabot was carried to Gex Notice was given to the rest to stand upon their Guard. Williet the Bayliff of Gex intending to apprehend Hugues who was his Gossip came and lay at his House at Chatelaine but he being informed of his design was too cunning for him for having received him the Night before with the greatest outward expression of joy he made his escape the next Night with some Friends and took the Bayliffs Horse along with him They were pursued by the Provost and his Men and by his Highness's Guards but they could not overtake them having gotten already to Fribourg where they made their complaints of the Dukes violences beseeching the Lords either to continue the Alliance or to make another They had fair promises made them after which they went and Addressed themselves to the States of Zurich who notwithstanding the troubles which began at that time about Religion gave ear to them and dispatched two Deputies to the Duke at Anecy The Duke at their suit granted a Release to the Prisoners and a Safe conduct to the Eidgnots who had withdrawn themselves into Switzerland Yet they would not accept of it seeing it contained some dangerous points wherefore they were more urgent to make an Alliance with the confederate Cantons which was promised should be effected by them of Berne and Fribourg when they should have leasure to consider more narrowly of the Articles of that Treaty In the mean time the Duke being arrived at Geneva caused a General Council to be assembled in S. Peter's Cloister a place designed for that purpose where he assisted in Person sitting in his Chair his Chancellor behind him and his Guards round about him for fear of any Popular Tumult which Council hath been since called The Council of Halbards The Chancellor Gabriel de Lande demanded of the People as from the Duke that in consideration of the pains and trouble his Predecessors had underwent to maintain their State they should therefore acknowledge him Soveraign Protector of the City and that they should disown the Fugitives and Burgership which they were contracting with the Switzers Which Proposals amazed the People and yet they granted him nothing he therefore seeing his endeavours fruitless returned to Piedmont Yet he came there again a while after and began to speak more gently to the Syndicks assuring them he had expresly commanded that the Estates belonging to the City should be restored adding moreover that he would not in the least manner derogate from the Liberties and Priviledges thereof for which they thanked him The Vidame and Judge Barralis presented themselves before the Council shewing them as Friends to the City who desired nothing more than its Repose and Establishment That seeing the Duke was Vicar of the Empire and Soveraign in all his Country he might also be acknowledged Soveraign in Geneva without any prejudice to the Bishop or City by which means he would watch over it for its preservation and that moreover it would be a difficult matter to hinder him if he were minded to take by force this Soveraignty upon him that they might easily perceive the Bishop would not help them in their necessities that the Duke was a mild and generous Prince who would defend and maintain them against any who should oppose them Upon which it was answered They would deliberate on the matter and confer with the Episcopal and General Council and with M. of Geneva In the mean time the Vidame and Barralis plied the Councellors so fast with good words or threats that the greatest part of them told the Syndicks If ye will acknowledge him we will likewise But they held firm and troubled themselves no more about it Twelve days after came the Deputies from Fribourg and Soleurre who shewed the Council That if they should be any more troubled about their Priviledges their Superiors would take them into their Protection The Council were very much divided and those who took part with the Duke oftentimes carried it from the rest as they did then for the answer given the Deputies was this That they who had made their complaints to them did it without the consent of the Town and so they were dismissed with this answer They wrote to the Cantons of Berne at the same time as also to Fribourg Soleurre and Lucerne that they should not give heed to all complaints made them without the consent of the City The Fribourgers wrote back again desiring to see the Cities Charter which was refused them saying They had no cause to complain against the Duke of Savoy On the 10th of December the Duke caused another Council to be held of whom he demanded three things by his Chancellor First That nothing should be done against his authority nor the Bishops Secondly That the Syndicks should be chosen according to the manner used six years ago And Thirdly That they should renounce all Foreign Alliance which was promised and publickly proclaimed but this being not gotten by common consent on the 22 d of the same Month appear'd before the Council John Bandieres accompanied with the Children of those who had withdrawn themselves into Switzerlamd together with Secretary Vandelli and above 200 others who presented a Writing to this effect That they and their Party owned and acknowledged the Fugitives in Switzerland to have done a good office both to the Bishop and City in endeavouring an Alliance with the confederate Cantons protesting against the injury done them in their disowning of them saying They desired no answer but only Letters testimonial from the City Secretary which the Council would not agree to On the same day a Letter was directed to the Bishop then
debated before the Cantons till the year 1530. All outrages on either side were forbid during this process but there always hapned some disturbances For to hinder the insulting of the Dukes party by the fear of disobliging the Switzers there were six persons constantly residing at Berne and as many at Fribourg The Bishop undertook to bring in again the exiled Mammelusses the Council agreed to receive the most moderate of them paying as a Fine Eighteen thousand Crowns of gold but the Duke hindred sometimes threatning to deal with them as enemies if they did and otherwhiles promising to introduce them all in general upon honourable terms The Articles of Burgership being made ready when they were to be signed several of the Dukes party absented themselves and from that time they were suspected a little while after there was a Diet held at Soleurre in which the Confederates answered the Dukes Embassadors that they should not mention any more that matter seeing he could not prove that he had any right to Geneva and Lausane who on the contrary had produced their Titles The Duke meditating revenge prohibited all Merchandises and provision to be carried out of his Dominions to Geneva but a Herald from the two Cities of Berne and Fribourg passed through Geneva in his journy to Chambery to give notice to the Duke that his Ambassadors would not be heard in the general Assembly in Switzerland till he had taken off this prohibition and reduced things to their former state which he did some days after publickly in appearance but he sent notice about privately that he would have the former Order observed and that his Subjects should be ready in their Arms at the first ringing of the Bell and beat of Drum. Towards the end of this Year arose a difference about a Prisoner of the Mammelusses faction whom the Syndicks condemned to be beheaded as a Taytor to the Bishop and City but his kindred obtained their consent to request the Bishops pardon which should be produced at the place of Execution with this proviso that he should remain in Prison till he had paid a Fine but the Bishop stood at the Castle gate and gave him his Pardon and the Officers unbound him and let him go at which the poor man was so transported with joy that although full of the Gout he ran to the Prison and entred into it joyfuller than he went out having never since felt his distemper The Dyet held at Berne on the 22. of December 1526. had again ratified the Burgership with Geneva and concluded to return the Copy of the Alliance made with him because it was made without the peoples consent In the month of May another being held the two Cities of Berne and Fribourg sent to the Duke who was at Chambery to demand the Letters of Alliance which he would not grant no more than he would make satisfaction for the damages done to Geneva and do justice on the Murtherers his Subjects who had killed a Genevois named Gentil and some other persons neither would he suffer the fugitive Mammelusses to plead their cause at Geneva upon Letters of Safe-conduct offered by the Bishop The Syndicks being informed that there were Soldiers lying in Ambuscade at Lancy beyond the Bridge of Arve commanded Besançon Hugues Captain-General of the Town to take care accordingly who caused the Gates to be shut the Chains to be extended and an Alarm to be sounded Which the Enemies perceiving and finding they were discovered withdrew It was known afterwards that it was the Captain of the Dukes Guards who had gathered some Troops to take the Bishop Peter of Baume at our Lady of Grace's Church where he went usually to Mass every Saturday but by good fortune he was not there that day it is thought they designed to put him to death and to chuse another in his room which obliged him to withdraw secretly into the Franche-Comt◠having first cancelled the Letters Testimonial which he had heretofore made against the Alliance of the Town with the Confederates Fifteen days after he sent the Syndicks a Copy of a Letter dated the first of April which the Emperor had written to the Duke of Savoy which fell into his hands in passing through S. Claude the Contents of which were that his Imperial Majesty having understood that they of Geneva had made an Alliance with the Cantons for to maintain themselves against the Dukes oppressions and his Officers who had violated the Bishop and Cities priviledges it enjoyned the said Duke to forbear his pretensions for the time to come of Sovereignty otherwise he would make it appear that this displeased him for he would maintain whatsoever his predecessors had established in this Imperial City The two Cantons of Berne and Fribourg wrote likewise to the Duke not to molest their Allies of Geneva The Mammelusses finding they could not prevail with the Cantons to enter again the City removed their suit to Vienna but the general Council being met there was a Copy of the Imperial Letter read by which they were in hopes to find that Geneva was not subject to Vienna and from thence forward it was concluded that no person for the time to come should prosecute any cause in that Court. The Bishop Baume desirous to shew his affection to the City and the care he took for its interest made himself a Citizen thereof as appears by an Act dated the fifteenth of July 1527. at which the Duke being enraged seized on the Abbies of Sure and Pignerol which belonged to him which he offered to him again for the Vidomat or Stewardship The Bishop likewise at the same time remitted the cognizance of civil Causes to the Syndicks to lessen the charge which persons were at in his Court. After the Mammelusses faction there arose another out of the City which did much hurt to the Citizens which was the Confraternity of Gentlemen of La Cuillier or the Spoon with whom were joyned some disaffected Chanons of the Dukes party This Fraternity was instituted in the Castle of Vaud where some Gentlemen being at Table eating amongst other things Broth with Wicker Spoons they bragged that they would make them of Geneva do the same They hanged each of them their Spoons about their necks for a note of distinction and those Francis of Pontverre Sieur of Terny a man couragious and skilful in warlike affairs for their Captain they had from that time several meetings to consult on their design at which the Duke was not at all pleased fearing it would end in his prejudice They did great hurt to Geneva wasting the Country thereabouts and misusing them whose business led them to the City Complaints of this were made to the Cities who instead of Soldiers sent Embassadors which these Gentlemen valued not They excused themselves on account of the troubles which the change of Religion had produced in Switzerland
of a Minister but they had notice that he privately endeavoured to get some other Bishoprick which was the occasion that at his return he was more narrowly observed and his former life searched into It was found that he had a child before he was married of her whom he had espoused and to the end it might not be declared a Bastard he had forged a Contract of an antedated Marriage and false Seals for a greater confirmation to make his Son capable of his inheritance which was very considerable for all which he was imprisoned and having confessed the whole matter he was beheaded at Molard being very penitent for what he had done expressing his sorrow by an excellent speech which he made on the scaffold Some persons have thought that these accusations were only for a colour when in effect it was to gratifie Catherine de Medicis who had prevailed on the Syndicks at the instance of the Pope Duke Emanuel Philbert who had been a long time urgent with the Bernoises to restore him his lands prevailed so far by the Emperors intercession that they released to him Gex Gaillard and Terny with Chablais on condition they should remain in the state they were in having the free exercise of the Protestant Religion permitted them which agreement when he was in possession he did not observe The Country of Vaux fell to them of Berne as it was agreed by the Decree made at S. Julien and Payerne in case he violated the agreement The Duke D' Alva being to pass through Savoy and near Geneva Emanuel Philbert would have laid hold of this opportunity to make himself Master of that City and therefore raised great numbers of Soldiers on this side and beyond the Mountains The report of his enterprise being spread in France there came in a short time several French men especially Burgundians and them of Provence to offer their service to the City the Magistrates likewise took all possible care for its preservation they made out seven Companies of these strangers four of which were commanded by Captains belonging to the City and the three others by them of Provence besides the inhabitants who mounted the Guard by turn I. F. Bernard second Syndick was made Captain-General Amy Varro Sergeant-Major Amblard Corne Colonel of the Infantry and Paul de Mouvans his Lieutenant The Duke De Alva being informed of the nature of the place would not stop there but traversing the Franche Comté he passed over into Flanders where there were affairs expected of greater concernment the Hollanders having taken up Arms the Troops composed of strangers which were at Geneva were not willing to remain idle but took likewise the same road to assist them of the Religion they Alarm'd Gex and Versoy as they passed by the inhabitants being seized with a panick fear forsook these two Boroughs this exploit hath been since called The battel of Gex no sooner begun than ended concerning which there is a poem extant in Burlesque Verse in that Country Language It was about this time that the Arsenal of Geneva was built These rumours of War were followed by the Plague which swept away several people there was again a discovery made of several persons who endeavoured to spread the infection about the City and who had learned this cursed art in Lentilles School There were divers burnt for this fact amongst others one called Grimaud and his Accomplices yet the Plague ceased not till 1572. which year being very cold put an end to it being one of the sharpest as could be remembred to have hapned in Geneva People passed over the Lake on the Ice almost over against Cologny and the Mills could not work which caused a great scarcity of flower The City was likewise twice shaken with Earthquakes the first of which overthrew the Gate of Cornevin into the Ditch and in the years 1576 and 78. there appeared two Comets which were followed by the joyful news of an Alliance which Henry the third made with the Switzers in which Geneva was comprised it being stipulated that for the defence of the said City which was stiled the Key and Bulwark of Switzerland the Cantons should send in case it should be besieged a sufficient number of men to its assistance at the Kings charge and on the other hand the City should suffer his Troops to pass through it marching orderly in rank and file granting no retreat or passage to his Majesties enemies This Treaty was concluded at Soleurre betwixt the King and the Cities of Berne Soleurre and Geneva Zurich was afterwards comprehended at the suit of the Sieur of Cocumartin Ambassador from the King to the Switzers This hindred not the Duke of Savoy from making a new Tryal upon Geneva A Dauphinoise who lived at Thonon informed him that he held intelligence with the chief of that City which put the Duke upon raising some Regiments of Horse and Foot out of Piedmont Provence and Savoy under the conduct of Bernardin of Savoy Earl of Raconis These Forces lay hid in several Castles and Monasteries the place of their Rendezvouz was to be the great Wood of Ripaille which was enclosed with Walls where they were to have Arms and other necessaries In the mean time they tampered with some of the City who let themselves be won but they more especially applied themselves to the Captain Lieutenant Lance who commanded at S. Gervais He took what mony soever they brought him and promised great things but he informed the Council of the whole transcation The Dukes Forces marched through Terny and came to Gex from whence they were to march to S. Gervais Lance having promised to set open the Gates to them The day appointed being come the Earl of Raconis told the Dauphinoise that he would not have him leave him but he fearing if the enterprize took not effect it would go hard with him got away and came to Geneva so that Raconis perceiving how the matter went dared not to approach the Town although the Gate stood a long time open and he had the appointed sign given him but he withdrew to Terny and S. Julien his conjecture was not ill grounded for besides the inhabitants of the City who were all in Arms there were five hundred Musqueteers with other Companies who waited his coming The Earl having mist his mark and considering what a gallant Army he had under his command there being besides others one thousand five hundred Switzers belonging to the Catholick Cantons whom he had raised maugre their Allies for to set them by this means at variance he resolved not to return home without doing something On the other side the City was very well mann'd with Soldiers both French and Switzers who were Protestants a considerable number of which they posted near the Bridge of Arve where there passed some skirmishes The Enemy was worsted which made him withdraw having