when that should be over to make them bid adieu to their determinations for being easilier overcome by Famine and unaccommodation then by Armes 't was likely they would returne to their former stations in Montferrat and Piemont as it afterwards fell out The Spaniards hoping well by reason of this their good successe and Leganes having provided for all the Forts and strong-holds of the State by adding unto their garrisons that they might be ready on all sides to set upon the French who over-run the Countrey for Forrage and Provisions and having left a Body of men at Biagras to set upon the Enemy on this side of Tesine hee advanced to the station of Panperduto and to the Sperone which the Colleagues had abandoned and began presently to build a Fort whereby to secure the water of Naviglio and to hinder the French from getting it againe so easily as they had done Don Martine d' Aragoâ—a marcht towards the Countrey of Verselles and assaulted the Castle of Fontane whose defendants willing at first to try some Cannon shot yeelded upon condition to march out with their Bag and Baggage Marching from thence into Allessandria hee likewise surprized Hannone taken not long before by the Collegues and put 100 Foot to the Sword who were obstinat in the defence thereof The French who were in the Fort at Brem perceiving hereby it was not good to be idle they likewise set upon Fumello sackt the Towne and brought away some Cattell Leganes on the other side that he might divert the Enemy from the King of Spaines Territories and inforce them to defend their own quarters marched into the Territories of Verselles where hee made some excursions and having sackt Gatinara upon Sesia he returned to Novara making it be given out that he would besiege Brem which when Crequi heard he feared lest for want of Victuals and the murmuring of the Souldiers who began now to be sensible of their sufferings some evill accident might befall him and not knowing how to effect his designe upon Milan with so few men hee marched towards Verselles and from thence to his first quarters of Brem and Montferrat The Duke of Savoy's behaviour upon this occasion wherein hee shewed much zeale to the interest of France being ballanced with the ill opinion that was had of him before Valenza afforded variety of opinions to the curiously minded for many wondered since hee did not desire Valenza should be taken because he did not approve the French should advance any further why hee should now upon this occasion wherein there was a much greater concernment so to behave himselfe as if the Spaniards had been worsted Milan it selfe had been indangered Divers were therefore the discourses and divers the opinions hereupon some said he did it in respect of his Honour thinking he should suffer too much therein if he should recede from his Colleagues in their time of need others thought hee was perswaded hereunto out of a desire of glory that if hee had beene worsted or put to the rout hee would have been much blamed for the conduct of his affaires and on the contrary hee should purchase much glory by the Victory and that he could not well do lesse lest he should too openly declare himsefe opposite to the intentions of the French But those who better understood the reasons of State by rightly weighing this affaire found that as the Duke of Savoy liked not the French should get â—ooting so far in Italy by gaining the strong holds of the State of Milan and increase their Dominions by having such places to retreat unto so likewise it did not stand with his interest that the Spaniards should extend themselves beyond their bounds and hereupon it was probably judged that that Duke intended to keep the French Army in force and vigour to counterpoise the Spanish power and to preserve the Forts belonging to the Crowne of Spaine so to bound the French designes And that therefore since it made not for him that the French should be beaten by the Spaniard he had really assisted them and that if the Spaniards should have beene beaten it had â—ot beene hard for him through his wit and industry to make the Victory bee neglected and so retard the French-mens further advancement The Duke of Parma hearing of these garboiles in the State of Milan wherein all the Spanish Forces were imployed and being desirous though he had not received that aid promised him from France to doe somewhat and to make use of occasion went from Piacenza with about 2500 Souldiers and came before the Castle of Rotofredo which was held by the Dutch and valiantly defending it selfe did hold the Duke in play till Don Martin of Aragon having time to succour it those of Parma were inforced to retreat with much losse leaving what dead what slaine about 400 after which some fresh Spanish Forces having past the Poe and being entred into the State of Placenza he advanced to Aragona tooke the Castle Campo remoto which without any opposition yeelded as likewise did Fiorenzolo Borgo San Domino and Monticelli from whence the Spaniards got good Contribution On the other side Cardinall Trivulsio who was at Cremona sent some Muskettiers to certaine Mills belonging to the Duke of Parma guarded by 30 Foot which after some short defence the Spaniards tooke and brought much graine to Cremona leaving the place in ashes Wherereupon the Duke not dispairing yet but to be able with the choice Trained Bands of his owne Countrey added to the French Garrison which was at Piacenza to oppose the invasion of the Spaniards who came in aboundantly in all places to the prejudice of his State hee gathered together a Body of 4000 Foot and 400 Horse but afterwards finding the timerousnes of those men accustomed to Mattockes and not to see naked Swords and fearing also an insurrection amongst his subjects as those who were rather inclined to an accommodation with the Spaniards then to follow the Capriccioes of the French who had brought them into a world of miseries he resolved to withdraw himselfe into the Citadell of Piacenza and to send an expresse messenger from thence to Count Fabio Scotti at Paris wishing him to solicit the King of France to send unto him the aid he had promised him and to represent unto his Majesty in what condition he was and how prejudiciall it would be to the Crowne of France if hee should be by them forsaken who had ventured his life fortune and state in the service thereof Leganes going this meane while from the Country of Novara to Allessandria to discover those places and provide for what was requisite not failing in his hostility against the Colleagues hee sent Don Philip de Silvia with 2000 Foot and 800 Horse to the Astigian Territories who over-run much thereof as also some Villages of Montferrat and brought backe good booty spoiling those Towns which joyned upon the State of Milan whereby since the French could not commodiously lodge
So Walestein as well to acquit himselfe of the favour received as likewise that his intention was not to stirre out of Germany that he might not grow lesse in authorities and for the feare hee had leâ—t his Corrivalls might in his absence plot somewhat to his prejudice procured that imployment for the said Colalto to which the Emperour easily condiscended not so much out of the affection which hee bore to Walestein and Colalto as to satisfie the Spaniards who liked better of Colalto as one lesse haughty and who depended more upon them and set themselves close to this Warre for that the liberty of Italy consisting in the Counterpoising of the Forces of France alwayes desiring to assist that side where they would get footing if they should have wonne Casall a place of Retreat for the French Forces and a Fortresse able to keep the State of Millan in continuall Motion and the Common-wealth of Venice being weakned by the losse of Mantua which Common-wealth of Venice as Arbitrator of all actions in Italy by piously backing Justice is alwayes a helpe to the weakest and doth in part keep the Subjects of Italy alive they did not onely hope to secure the Millanneses but thereby to open the way for their Conquering the remainder of that Kingdome a Designe of all others alwaies most studied of the Spaniards He moreover knew that those of the Nation were ill-apaid that imployments should be conferred upon Strangers that the Haunce Towns Princes of the Empire little affected with the Austrian Government were jealous of the greatnes of the House of Austria and did mainly endeavour the weakning of it which hee observed might easily be effected for that the Emperour in likelihood would be contented to give way to the disbanding of the supernumerarie Forces or else to the sending of them out of the Empire upon some other employment thereby to make Electors at the Election of the King of the Romans willingly adhere to favour the King of Hungary and not more to exasperate those Princes Hee was likewise certifi'd that such Princes of Italy as the Emperour might hope for helpe from against the Protestants were not well contented to see the Imperiall power screwed up so high and were much troubled at the comming of the Army to Reine in Lombardy He hoped well in assistance and diversions from France which by the victories of Lewis the Thirteenth was brought into a peacefull and triumphant condition He hoped likewise for helpe from the King of England who was not well satisfied with the Austrian party for their usurping of the states of the Count Palatins his Nephewes He was no lesse confident of Holland a growing Common-wealth enricht by many Forces both by Sea and Land Hee then saw the occasion was fitting which he knew was not to be neglected but that he was to reassume that Warre which being with little successe begun by others had no other hopes but from his try'd valour To the effecting of these Designes of the yeare 1629. Many Commanders were well received in Swethland who had been returned from the Caesarian Army and from that Army which was sent to assist the King of Polonia under the Conduct of Harnem which was given out to be done by the good will of Walestein who intirely hating every one that did but speak of Reformation desired such Innovations as might make the Emperor know how ill he was advised in lissening to those who by a peacefull way did cunningly lead him to a more dangerous Warre Having received good Intelligence by these and giving them speedy Commissions to raise Forces and on the other side having gathered together the remainder of the Army which was brought back from the Warres of Livonia and having taking such order as was requisite for the Souldiers pay in Gothland Finland and Smoland hee in a few Moneths space found himselfe ready to bee served and obeyed by a strength of old Souldiers to the number of above twelve Thousand Foot and Horse And now hee thought himselfe to bee in a good posture to have ground enough to raise his plotted Designes upon and to hoise Saile for Pomerania Pomerania extends it selfe along the Shore of the Baltique Sea it is bounded on the East by Poland and on the West by the Dukedome of Mechelberg inlarged afterwards by fruitfull Territories even to the Confines of the Marquisate of Brandemburg She receives into her selfe the Noble Oder one of the famous Rivers of Germany which falling from the utmost parts of Moravia upon the Confines of Silicia runnes into the Lake called Grosse Haffe The King having to this purpose called all his Captaines and Officers together and the greatest part of the chiefe of his Kingdomes out of the which the King by a Fundamentall Law cannot upon what pretence soever goe without the consent of all the Orders at Sâ—ocholme the City of his Residence placed right over against Pomerania looking on the South side upon the Sea by two great Armes whereof it is girt about would in publike make knowne what his Designes were Thus being all in the great Hall of his Court hee demonstrated unto them with valid reasons the necessity of this Warre as well for the preservation of his owne Kingdome in quiet as for the maintenance of their Faith and in a very feeling manner enlarged himselfe to this effect That the Empire was now growne to that height as that the thirsty ambition of the greatest therein exceeding their owne limits would spread their Resolutions even over his State since it was evidently seen how he was injur'd by the Imperialists who never having had any thing to doe with the Baltick Sea had now declared Walestein to be Admirall thereof an Usurpation not to be endured by a couragious King that the Princely name of Swethland had in their Imperiall Diets beene villified with scurrilous Writings and Hostill Edicts that he suffered in his Honour by the Austrian Ministers of State that his vast mind cryed for revenge that the occasion of enlarging and securing their Dominions ought not to be let slip by Princes who had their wits about them that Honour Religion and Greatnesse were the things now in question that his Forces did not now differ from them of former times so much dreaded which had brought under the fairest Nation of Europe that the World would say the same of times past that the like Fortune as Alexander Caesar and Achilles had would not be wanting to one of as undaunted a Courage that it did not misbecome a King to quit his owne Countrey whose minde being bent upon Glory Greatnesse and his Subjects Happinesse should not bee imbased by the leasure of Courts that to spend his Talent in the Luxuries and Pleasures of Peace did not become a Prince who had been brought up in Martiall Exercises and lastly hee with a loud voyce said that he would either Sacrifice himselfe to the Negligence of his Fortune or else returne unto his Kingdome
Sittaw and Guben two Townes paâ—ted by the River Neisse with divers other places weake in Defence and Garrisons yielded themselves to the Caesarians But the Duke of Saxony awakened by this invasion assembled all his Army which lay scattered in divers Townes and went against the Austrians who were not strong enough long to withstand him so as after some dayes defence they were necessitated to abandon Gubâ—n to surrender Sittaw and to quit other places they had tane The Saxons likewise possessed themselves of Freiberg watered by Polsnitz Sagan neere Bober and Glogaw watered by the Oder chiefe Cities in Slesia together with many other Townes which were forsaken by the Imperialists who got into Steinaw seated between Glogaw and Breslaw where they fortified themselves but being afterwards set upon by Harnem the Saxon Generall having first by their singular valour supplied the defects of their Bulworkes with the bodies of men they were inforced to yield whose example was followed by Lignitz a walled Town seated upon the Angle made by Ratsbach Schwartzwasser Rivers which taking their head not farre from thence joyne there and a little below fall into the Oder this Towne was taken by Kalchesteim a Saxon Colonell This meane while Maradas being joyned with Schamburg Count Mansfeild and Schaffâ—uts chiefe Commanders of the Emperours Army opposed the Swedes proceedings and Mustering their Forces which came to 14000 Souldiers and 12 piece of Cannon he thought it might make much for them to recover Steinaw hee saluted it with divers Cannon-shot and couragiously assaulted it and with many threates invited the Garrison to surrender the Towne as they basely did having had onely Thirty Great-shot made at them The taking hereof incouraged the Caesarians to undertake the winning of Glossaw a thing very much desired by them aswell for their owne honours as to satisfie Walesteine for it belonged unto him as being Duke thereof being afterwards informed that Tuball one of the Swedish Colonels was intrencht about it with a good body of an Army which would make their designe the harder they deserted the effecting thereof and some little skirmishes passing between the Swedes and them with equall successe they left a fitting garrison in the Fort and withdrew themselves to Breslaw the Metropolitan of Slesia a free Towne as are the other Hauns Townes of Germany rich and given to Merchandise by the traffique it holds with Poland but not much confiding in the Magistrate thereof and suspecting the faith of the Protestant Inhabitants fearing likewise to be set upon by the Swedes who made haste towards them they resolved to go to Neisse a place strongly but irregularly fortified and there to attend succour from Walesteine Their hopes being vanished to aire who built their greatnesse upon the ruines of France by the death of Momerancy by the punishment of the Rebels and by Monsieurs reconciliation and the Imperialists being filled with new fears through the formidable power of that now united and warlike Kingdome wavering in the uncertainty of their resolutions they openly declared themselves when new businesse being set on foot by the Spanish wisedome and a firme resolution taken to sow discord in France that they might thereby secretly enjoy their desired fruite they applyed themselves to the effecting thereof And for that whil'st Monsieur stayed in Lorayne his favourite Pilloran fell in love with the Dawager Princesse of Psalsburg Sister to Duke Charles love being of power sufficient to overcome what ever defence wisedome could make and the Princesse by secret messengers corresponding with him in his desires he gave himselfe so totally over to the hopes of this marriage by which his Condition would be not a little bettered and being much troubled at Momerancy's example thinking his person more considerable when out of France then when in it where he was not wel looked on by those who were faithful to the King making use of the credit he had with Monsieur raising him by new hopes to fresh undertakings troubling his thoughts with Momerancy's death and by putting him in minde that Princes how mercifull soever they be never forget the injurie of high Treason hee brought him againe to resolve of absenting himselfe the which he did by withdrawing himselfe againe into Lorayne where Pilloran hoping to make himselfe worthy of the Princesse Dowager by some service which he might doe to Duke Charles did negotiate and privatly conclude the marriage with the Princesse Margaret which as was very well knowne was yielded unto by the Spaniard that they might have the greater obligation upon the Duke in binding him to effect their desires that they might by this allyance oblige the affection of these Princes reciprocally the one unto the other and by this knot make both their hatreds to the King of France implacable and by the assistance of this State and the Forces thereof make fitting preparations for to trouble France and by the interposition of this State free Alsatia and the Palatinat from the power of that Crown Moreover the most Christan King being without issue and having but small hopes of any his Brother was to succeed unto him so as the making of his brother sure did not meanely import them whereby they might not onely afterwards ransome such Townes and Provinces of theirs as were fallen under the government of the Crowne of France but afford matter of thought to the subjects of that Kingdome who should take up Armes against the Kings onely Brother and Heire as well for the respect which is due to the blood Royall as likewise for feare lest he being afterwards possest of the Scepter of that Kingdome might remember such as had stuck unto the King Many were therefore of opinion that the Spaniards unwilling that he should stay in Lorayne where being so neere he might soone alter his determination and returne to France as by all possible art it was by the King indeavoured he should doe they wrought so with Duke Charles as that he should perswade Monsieur it were better for him to retire himselfe into Flanders for that by his stay in that his Dukedome the King might take occasion to threaten him the Duke of Lorayne and make Warre upon him whose Forces wanting the Austrians assistance were but weake that it was better to see the issue of the Emperours Armies under Walesteine then by buckling thereunto without a good foundation runne upon the like hazard with little hopes of good successe Monsieur being then perswaded by these reasons and much more confirmed therein by the advice of such as were of credit wiâ—h him not minding their policy went to Brussels to the great satisfaction of the Spaniards whose end as was said by some wise men was to keep him as an Hostage and under some specious pretence either of waging war against Languedoc or some such like thing to draw him into Spaine and so secure themselves by their keeping him aloofe from France from being unquieted thereby and that if their mentioned hopes should
the Enemies proceedings and intentions and for that by the good usage of such others may be invited to doe the same Crats who was a man of eminent place and much verst in the affaires of warre was in a small time preferred to be Marshall of that Army This new resolution of Crats who had alwayes been held to be of an uncorrupted faith seemed strange and afforded diversity of thoughts to many who deemed he might easily have delivered up unto the Swedes that City wherein he commanded in Chiefe and it did open the eyes of such and make them better advised who indeavouring to injure a man doe notwithstanding leave him meanes to revenge himselfe This plot not succeeding Holke marched towards Vilsbourg and Waymer that he might hinder him from taking of Neumarch sent Colonell Plat with 4000 Souldiers towards Wolfesteim some whereof met with the Crabats skirmisht with them and after a long fight with equall fortune there perished on both sides about 100 men The besieged in Brisach were not this meane while idle but made divers gallant Sallyes sometimes on this side sometimes on that side the Rhyn wherein they were still more couragious then fortunate The Duke of Lorayne having got together a Body of 8000 fighting men was ill advised by his Officers who had drawne him on with flourishing but fruitlesse hopes and was perswaded by that confidence which makes the greatest designes answerable to desire though hee was advertised by the Spaniards who were preparing in Lombardy to passe over into Alsatia not to take in hand any new designe till such time as they were come with their Forces to the Rhyn which being joyned with the Lorayners they did not onely thinke to drive the Swedes from thence but entering into Lorayne to defend that Dukedome from the Invasion of the French a businesse which tended much to their ends for by bringing their Forces into that state they did not onely thinke to hinder the French from breaking in thereinto which they should alwayes afterwards have feared in Alsatia and Luxemberg but putting Garrisons into Nancy Mota and other the best Townes of that State they should make themselves absolute arbitrators of that Princes will they should open the way to the Dutch Armies thorow this Country into France upon any occasion of breach they should make their journy more safe and short from Germany Italy and Burgundy into Flanders and assuring themselves that the French would not so easily bring their Forces upon the Rhyn nor set footing in Germany whilst Lorayne stood in defence of the Austrians who hardly quit those places they are once possest of and the Swedes being far from receiving assistance from that Crowne and invironed by the Imperialists they would make but small aboad in those Provinces which were slenderly inhabited uncultivated and already consumed by the misfortune of warre The Duke disquieted by the Counsell of those who were ambitious to shew their valour before the Spaniards should partake of their glory was perswaded to make his men advance into Alsatia and raise the Siege of Haghenaw Some are of opinion that the Duke was hereunto perswaded by some who depended upon France to the end that he breaking his promise made unto the King such an occasion might put the French upon the possessing themselves of that State before the Spaniards should come thither at which the French were not a litle troubled for that if the Spaniards should as they easily might nestle themselves here together with the re-inforcements which by the addition from Flanders Germany Burgunies and Italy they might receive and peradventure of some turbulent French these last the nature of whose nation it is to shew their â—icklenesse upon any the least pretence when they should have so secure a sanctuary to fly unto would have lesse respect to the duty they owe unto their King and openly manifest their ill intentions So as that France being on all sides invironed by the Spanish Forces injealousied by the Intelligence of Rebels kept by the Austrians from being succoured by their friends their Forces lessened by the Imperialists vast undertakings and warre being mantained in Lorayne Artois Alsatia and Burgondy might peradventure not be troubled with them Lorayne is oportunely situated upon Germany on the East side Burgondy on the South France on the West and Luxemberg on the North. the Lorayners being savoured by great windes and raine did on the tenth of August so bravely assault the Swedes who were advanced to â—faffen Hoven as at the very first encounter Roffawes Regiment of Horse being worsted by the Lorayne Horse faced about and by their retreat infusing fear into the rest occasioned no small harme unto themselves which might easily have been pursued had the Lorayne Commanders been more sufficient and not the Colonels Ransaw and Viston who were well experienced Gentlemen and commanded the Swedish Forces at this time Berchenfeild who had the charge of the field not being there used their valour and advisednesse for they instantly sent some horse into the Wood whether their Souldiers were fled who gave out that the grosse of the Enemies Body were on that side and that therefore there was no hope of escaping but by facing about to the other side which was made good but by a few of the Enemies those who through feare were formerly imbased being possest with this conceipt as it is usuall for men to believe that which they most desire spurr'd on towards the grosse body of the Loreynes hoping there to finde a more easie escape and comforted hereby did so farre advance as that the feare wherewith these were first possest passing to their adversaries who were amazed to see so strange a resolution and thinking it to proceed from desperation which ought oft-times to be feared they betooke themselves to their heels where being pursued though timerously and in disorder by the Swedes many of them were taken Prisoners amongst which were Monsieur de Fiorville and the Lord Minâ—ourt men of great account In this action that I may not tearm it a Battaile since there was no incounter of Armies but onely retreats there dyed on the one and the other side about 800 men the Loreyners left behinde them 6 pieces of Cannon and 100 Carriages of Baggage and Ammunition to the greater resentment of the Austrians then of the Duke himselfe for hereby they saw how the King of France might take occasion to wage Warre with Lorayne and prevent their comming thither by which their designes being discomposed they could looke but for little advantage from the Forces of that Duke nay rather they were to expect much of mischiefe from this his unadvised resolution for every Atchievement of France is a losse to Spaine The flight of some of Rossawes Horse which got into Strasbourg was so direfull tydings and occasioned such feare in those people as that the newes thereof arriving at the Swedish Campe before Brisach it gave them an allarm and made them
a few dayes made his approaches to the Ditch and Walls the Towne though it were onely surrounded with a single Ditch and Towers after the ancient manner and some Trenches made where it was weakest resolved notwithstanding to defend it selfe The Inhabitants did therefore make Rampiers of earth against the Walls the Gates and such Towers as they thought weakest made places to retreat unto cut off their streets closing them up with strong Trenches and Pallizadoes and began with their Cannon and Musket-shot to re-salute the Swedish Campe. Horne having playd incessantly upon the Towne with his Cannon for some dayes space and a sufficient breach being made he commanded an assault to be given as was done with much courage and great force by the Scots under Ruthens command but with no lesse valour and boldnesse repulsed by the defendants and some fresh supplyes that were come in unto their succour yet for all this Horne altred not his mind but streightened the Towne every houre more and more throwing downe the Walls and firing the houses with Granadoes artificiall fires and with the Cannon but the besiegeds diligence increasing as did the Swedes offences Hornes confidence began to coole whereupon perceiving that the difficultie grew every day greater that his men grew lesse and that the Garrison in the Towne was increased by dayly succours which were by the Lake sent in his wisedome prevailed over his passion and that he might not from a Generall of an Army become but the Commander of some few Troopes he raysed his siege and returned to his quarters But because the difficultie of these proceedings arose from the Lake which afforded meanes of succour to the Townes built thereupon and it proving unpossible to take any one of them without cutting off the passage thereunto by water he thought the taking of Bucorne would be a good meanes to effect this it being a walled Towne upon the Banks of the Lake between Vberlinghen and Lindaw a fit place to build Boats and to scoure those Rivers He therefore rising from before Vberlinghen turned thitherwards and without any obstacle tooke the Towne and gave present directions for the so fortifying it as that it might be a safe station and gave likewise order for the building of two small men of Warre which might serve to make excursions upon the Lake All things necessary for their going into the Field being prepared in Austria and in Bavaria the Imperialists put themselves in order and prepared to march The King of Hungary parted from Vienna accompanied with a considerable number of Nobilitie and came within a few dayes to Prage where mustering his Army he found therein about 30000 fighting men and having weighed severall expedient meanes how to regaine that place the losse whereof so much molested all those people he left Prage and marched towards Pilsen about the 20th of May but the Duke of Saxony who had given a Rendezvous to all his Forces about Turgaw had sent 12 Regiments towards the Frontiers of Bohemia so to rayse jealousies in the Imperialists who were quartered in that Kingdome and if not to divert the taking of Ratisbon at least to dismember the Austrian Army in obliging it to divide it selfe that so he might afford more way for Waymer and Horne to incampe against them and just so it fell out for that he might not leave that Kingdome unprovided for the King left Collorado there with 10000 Souldiers and his Majestie with the rest of the Army leaving Pilsen went towards the Palatinate having first made very good appoyntment and taken good order with the Duke of Bavaria and Aldringer that they likewise should advance against Ratisbon on the other side The great preparations which were made in all parts of Germany and in the Austrian Dominions by the wisedome and gold of Spaine and on the contrary side the dayly declining of the Protestant and Swedish Forces after the losse of their King the chiefe heads and Governours whereof not caring by new Levyes to recruit their shrunk Companies but onely looking after their owne particular profit and advantage fill'd Oxesterne with many thoughts who as Director of all their affaires had the whole weight lying upon his wisedome and wit availing but little where force is wanting nor such fruitfull actions being to be hoped for from Commanders interessed in their particular gaine as are produced by great and magnanimous hearts nor yet the decaying Contributions being sufficient to satisfie the Souldiers pretences who not having wherewithall to answer their ill-taught wills as formerly by reason of the Countries being impoverished demanded pay Oxesterne resolved forthwith to send his Sonne Embassadour to Holland and into England as well to demand assistance in money men and advice as also their interposition with the King of France for by waging Warre with the Spaniards in Italy and Flaunders the succours which were expected from those Provinces in Germany being deteined for their owne defence the Protestant Forces might more boldly proceed in the Austrian Territories The Embassadour was curteously received by the States and sent away if not fully satisfied in his desires at least comforted with great hopes From thence he went for England where by His Majestie of England hee was nobly entertained as the Sonne of Oxesterne but not bringing any Letters with him from the Queene of Swethland and the English not knowing that Oxesterne had any authoritie to Create Embassadours he was refused audience as an Embassadour wherewithall his Father who was then at Franckfort being suddenly acquainted he being a man greatly esteemed of and of high pretences was thereat scandalized and without more adoe sent for his Sonne backe and seemed nor to be much satisfied with the English nor with his fruitlesse Embassy Hereupon the Deputies of the Confederate Circuits were speedily summoned to Franckfort to consult how they might best mannage the Warre and to put on such resolutions as might be most adequate to the present imminencies Hidelsheim being surrendred as hath beene said to the Landgrave of Hessen he after the taking thereof joyned with George Duke of Lunenberg who was quartered in Westfalia with a strength of men to about 5000 Foot and 2000 Horse they joyntly went towards Scheld a Towne betweene Gostar and Hidelsheim the Garrison whereof being weake as not amounting to above 600 Foot not able to contest against a great Body of Souldiers provided with all necessaries the Commander fore-seeing the Enemies approach thought best to quit the place and tooke away with him the ablest Citizens that he might get Contribution from them then went to Wolfembuttell a considerable strength the preservation whereof as it was greatly indeavoured by the Austrians so did this Governour bend all his thoughts upon the maintaining of it and therefore this Garrison was no little comfort to him though his Souldiers got not all safe thither for being overtaken in this their march by the Swedish Horse who pursued them closely about 40 of them were taken
Duke of Savoy is much prest by the French and Spaniards at last he resolves to satisfie the French Duke Waymer takes pay of the King of France Oxesterne goes from Germany for Swethland The Austrians make divers proceedings about the Rhyn The Dutchmen come to the succour of the Valteline Great confusion in the state of Milan by reason of the French Hostilitie The Spaniards helpe them Artois is assayled by the French Forces and much of action is had in those parts The Duke of Saxony indeavours to shun breaking with the Swedes but cannot prevaile they declare themselves his Enemies The King of Hungary comes into the Field he passes into Wirtenberg and hath an eye to the proceedings of the French The Austrians indeavour to put distastes betweene France and England but faile in their designe The Duke of Bavaria is married to the Emperours Daughter The Spaniards surprise Sckinck-Sconce The Duke of Crequi passes into Monferrat enters the state of Milan takes many places encamps before Valenza The Milanois are hereat much affraid Rohan proceeds sâ—ccessefully in the Valteline The Hollanders goe to regaine Schinck-Sconce The Forces of Parma and Savoy joyne with the French before Valenza The Spaniards complaine unto the Pope of the Duke of Parma The Duke in a Remonstrance publisheth his Reasons The Spaniards make great preâ—arations for the defence of Milan by a Fleet at Sea they surprise the Island of S. Honore and S. Marguerit WHilst the Imperiall Forces to the wonder of many remained idle in their Quarters at Wirtenberg Lieutenant Colonell Iaspar Baumberger formerly Governour at Filisburg he who before he surrendred that place to the Swedes cunningly and peradventure with intention of making use thereof upon fitting occasion made the Palizadoes to be saw'd on some sides of the Fort and to be so repleated that if at any time any reasonable force should be used against them they might be broken in sunder and throwne downe the season serving for this purpose which was so cold as that all the Ditches were hard frozen over and incouraged by the good correspondency which he held with all the parts thereabouts for whilst he had the government of that place he so behaved himselfe as he had generally wonne the good will of all the neighbouring people not doing as the French who by making continuall inrodes into the neighbouring Townes and by other different wayes of proceeding and Military licentiousnesse had purchased the peoples hatred did secretly acquaint the King of Hungary and some other prime Counsellours and Chiefe Commanders of the Caesarian Army with his designe Who debating hereupon some were of a contrary opinion affirming That the event of a businesse must be maturely fore-seene before the businesse it selfe be undertaken that it was well knowne how that Fort was valued by the French what trouble and paines they had to get it from the Swedes and that therefore it was not to be doubted that as the losse would be more resented so would the distaste they should take thereat be the greater that it was not yet time to come to open enmitie with the French who were at peace within themselves had recovered their Kings Brother and who united within themselves were of themselves alone without any other assistance formidable to all Europe a Nation alwayes desirous of Warre which could not wish for a better occasion then such a conjuncture to breake with the Spaniards being as well their greatest Enemies as their chiefest Rivalls and who by having an Army out of their Kingdome might thereby evacuate those unquiet humours wherewithall they doe abound and which uses to occasion home-troubles amongst them very advantagious to those that feare them and without which all attempts against them are vaine that Flanders was not able at one and the same time to maintaine it selfe against the Hollanders and defend it selfe against the French who might easily fall upon Artois that the Forces of Burgondy were too small to defend it selfe from those much more powerfull of a King of France that Italy which was drained by the continuall evacuation of so many men sent into Germany and Flanders most Princes being at this crisis of time well inclined towards the French might run a great hazard if it should at this time be set upon that it was no doubt that either Flanders or Italy without succour from Germany could make their partie good against the French that it was credible that the Spaniards who were much concerned in the possession of those Provinces were to expect succour from the Emperour whereby the Dutch Army being weakned the Swedes joyning consequently with the French Forces the Warre was likely to be kept on Foot in the Empire to the great prejudice of those people that it was therefore better for them to temporise and persisting in the way they were in before they should breake with France to weaken the Swedes re-assume a good correspondency with the Hanse-Townes and conclude the peace with Saxony without the which it would be dangerous for them to have to doe with the French To these wel-grounded Reasons reply was made by those who knew how advantagious it was to make Achievements without cost That occasions of securing themselves and growing greater were not to be let slip when Fortune proffers the meanes that the proceedings of the French were no longer concealed that the harmes occasioned by them were apparently seene how they indeavoured to oppresse the house of Austria and aggrandise themselves that the blowes of a declared Enemy were lesse to be feared then those of a diffident and feigned friend that it was to be considered the French would alwayes foment the Austrians Enemies and strongly assist them out of hopes of getting somewhat thereby and that keeping themselves in peace whilst others were by the eares as others grew weaker they must consequently grow the stronger that the proceedings of the French out of France was not much to be feared for that the impatiency and eagernesse of that Nation not being long to be tollerated by others of a different genius 't was probably to be hoped they might alter the affections and friendship of their Confederates that it made not for any of the other Protestants that they should get footing out of France that it would be hard for them to make any proceedings in Flanders by reason of the strong holds and situation thereof that it was held the Hollanders would never agree they should grow greater in those parts That Burgundy wanted not Forts upon the Frontiers sufficient to consume whatsoever Army and that the losse of that Countrey would be prejudiciall to Helvetia whereunto it was not expedient to change the Confines of a King whose Territories were dis-joyned with those of a formidable Monarch whose state was united that more might be feared in Italy then elsewhere but since it made not for the advantage of the Princes and Potentates thereof that the state of Milan should be taken from the Spaniards and
whole affaire and to desire him that he would interpose that the Duke might be permitted according as he desired to keep newter Duke Waymer by reason of his late bad successes was at this time in no good credit with such German Princes as were confederate with the Crowne of Swethland who did not applaud his too hasty actions Wherefore hee seeing that the Countries Contributions grew daily lesse and lesse that the Duke of Saxony had made his Peace with the Emperour and that many Hauns Townes had changed their Copy so as he knew not how longer to maintain his Army without help and assistance from the great Potentate the States from whence he raised his Monies and Victuals for the maintenance of his Souldiers being the most of them already in the power of the Austrians and the Country wherein he was quartered being totally wasted and consumed and that his Souldiers inforced by their sufferings fled to the Colours which were set up of all Nations for the King of France who foreseeing the insubsistency of the Dutch Companies in the Swedish service aswell for the want of Contribution as of pay which the Swedish Commanders converted to their owne use and fearing lest by the disbanding of these the Caesarian Army might bee augmented which was victorious and composed of the same Nation resolved to make some levies of Forreyners aswell for what hath been said as likewise to winne the affection of the Protestants who comming into his pay together with the aggrandizing of his already dreaded power the weakning of other Armies made not a little for the advantage of the French Waymer being therefore moved out of these considerations resolved to fly for protection to the French by whose Agents hee had been sought unto and perswaded to take pay of that Crowne and to ingage himselfe and his Forces in the service thereof The French foreseeing that unlesse they could divert the Emperours Forces which were numerous and well experienced the Fabricke of their designe was grounded but upon an ill foundation and that this division of the Dutch Forces was the right way to compasse their ends had procured this Princes dependency upon them he being a gallant Gentleman beloved by the Souldiers a greatly experienced Commander and who was at this time in great valew and estimation As also the like of the Landgrave of Hessen who was a sprightly Prince and of no lesse esteem with the Protestant party and the Elector of Saxony and all this was done through great promises which being food onely fit for weake stomacks the using therof was rather prejudiciall then advantagious to the safety of France For this was judged to be one of the chiefe motives which made the Duke of Saxony reconcile himselfe to the Emperour hee having too well found that the protection of more puissant Princes is nothing else but a hook whereby that liberty is fisht for which hath escaped the nets of other mens rule and govenment as he had very well found since his joyning in friendship with the King of Sweden The great Chancellour Oxesterne having likewise wisely weighed that any longer tarrying about the Rhyn would be hurtfull to the need which the Townes upon the Elb and Oder stood in of his assistance which might easily be invaded by the Saxon Forces joyned with the Emperours As likewise for the Dyet which was to be held at Hoband for the new Truce Peace or Warre with the Polachs leaving Mentz resolved to goe into Pomerania to provide for what was needfull for those Provinces which were yet held by the Swedish Forces and which did more import them then the others foreseeing very well it was impossible for the Swedes to keep any longer upon the Rhyn being pursued on one side by the Imperialists Sword and on the other side prest by the desires and perswasions of the French who knowing them to be but weake in Men Mony and Meanes to subsist did much urge them to give themselves up unto their protection that so they might get into their hands such Townes as they were possest of in those parts Hee therefore tooke his was by France where by command from the King he was honourably treated and received with extraordinary civillity and afterwards imbarking himselfe in some Holland Vessels at Callis he lâ—nded safe in Holland and after divers negotiations with those States he parted from thence and came to his journies end Nurenberg which yet stucke to the Evangelicall League for so did the Protestants tearm theirs being reduced to that scarcity of Victuals as that a loafe of bread was sold for a Dollar and decaying much in trade it being a very populous City which lived upon handy-Crafts and Merchandizing seeing their hopes faile them of being succoured by the Swedes and Princes of the League being likewise invited by the examples of Ratisbon Auspurg and other Cities which had found more Clemency from the Conquerour then from the conquered for Caesar finding at last that violent meanes did not worke upon a malady cankered through the peoples obstinacy of not forgoing the liberty of their Conscience had applied the due remedy therunto to wit the permission of their said liberty and privileges which was the true Antidote wherewith to abolish hatred and regaine the peoples love agreed likewise that 't was better for them to reconcile themselves with the Emperour then to persevere in friendship with the Swedes from whom they had yet received but a ruinous preservation which peradventure would not have proved such if they had kept themselves in their due obedience to the Emperour The Swedes were in these confusions when the Imperialists imboldned by their victories and growing stronger in Alsatia and Burgundy thought it expedient to venter upon somewhat whereby they might satisfie the Duke of Lorayne and advantage themselves in those parts Montebelgarde which lies upon the Confines of Alsatia Burgundy Lorayne and Swizzerland and where the French had fortified themselves seemed to them a very convenient place to open their way into Lorayn Gathering therefore together all their Forces towards Brisach and Burgundy they advanced to the taking in thereof against which they planted their Cannon plaid upon the Towne and would doubtlesly have taken it had not the Marshall de la Force suddainly come in to the succour thereof who fortunatly gave the Austrians Battaile neer Luder and after a strong bickering had the upperhand and routed the Regiments of Wert Renoch and Merci the chiefe heads of that Army Whereupon the Imperialists fearing to bee worsted if they should continue the enterprise they had begun suddainly raised their Siege and retreated part into Burgundy part under Wert into Alsatia rather to guard that Province then to indeavour the winning of any Townes garrisoniz'd by the French As these the Austrians proceedings were jointly listned unto in Vienna and throughout the whole Caesarian Territories so was the news of the French-mens falling into the Valteline no lesse displeasing unto them whereby
and somewhat of unknowne was agreed upon by the Duke in favour of the King of Spaine Crequi this mean while playd upon Valâ—nza on all sides in so much as those that were wel-wishers to the French gave out a report that Valenza would yeeld or be lost which being got hold of by the common people began to be believed by the great ones and the wisest And this the rather for that the wary Crequi seeing how little good his Forces could doe unassisted by Savoy and Parma from whom as yet he had received nothing but hopes save 10 Companies of Curasses from Savoy under the command of Monsieur Flort a French Gentleman and Marshall of the Field resolved upon some prevalent meanes to perswade the Duke of Parma to declare himselfe openly against the Spaniards for when he should have done so Savoy would have all excuses taken from him why he should not condiscend to the desires incessant pressures made unto him by the French And the more to make Parma as being the further off declare himselfe for the French Crequi by expresse messengers sent him word that the Towne was already so distressed by his assaults as it would doubtlessely suddenly be tane that therefore he desired him to come and honour the Forces of France with his presence for that by so doing he might the more ingratiate himselfe into the favour of the King of France by declaring himselfe when the event of things were yet uncertaine The Duke believing that Crequi spoke like a reall friend being moreover desirous of glory and inheartned by hopes of bettering his condition with the division of the State of Milan suffered himselfe contrary to the opinion of his owne Counsellours to be perswaded by Crequi and to that purpose mustering his men at Saint Iohns Castle where were found to be 4000 Foot and 800 Horse he on the 30th of August sent some Squadrons on this side Poe into the Territories of Coniado the demeanes of Prince Trivullio and on the first of September those of Parma marched very secretly through the Country of Tortona and not meeting with any incounter came before that Town where staying a while and the Duke quartering himselfe neer Poe in Signor Scampa's Palace a Battery was suddainly raised on that side also against the Tenalia which was held by the besieged and moreover hee threw a Bridge of Boates over the River in that part as the Duke of Savoy did likewise on the other side who came thither also soone after with about 5000 men and this was done that they might passe on this side the River and hinder the succour which those of Valenza might receive by the Bridge which was guarded by the Spaniards The Spaniards being very much grieved at the Duke of Parma's hostility and the more for that they had alwayes beene held by the Dukes his predecessors as arbitrators of the affaires of that Dukedome could not tollerate the proceedings of the present Edward they therefore complained bitterly to the Pope to the end that that Dukedome holding of the Church and consequently the Pope being obliged to defend it hee should not afterwards have reason to move them to withdraw their Forces if they should invade that Dukedome since the Duke thereof had first given the occasion The Pope being wrought upon by such perswasions wisht the Duke not to molest the State of Milan lest hee might afterwards give the Spaniards occasion of waging Warre against him the Duke and therein interest the holy Sea The Duke of Parma pretending to have just cause to breake with the Spaniards dispatcht away a Gentleman of his to Genua to advertise that Republicke of his comming into the field and soone after publisht a Manifesto expressing therein what benefits the Crowne of Spaine had recived from his house and how on the contrary that Crowne had evilly requited him how Regent Villani had threatned him for that he had not consented to what had been propounded prejudiciall to his State in respect of sending him into Flanders as hostage of the others faith how instant the Emperours Embassadour had been with him to disburse more Mony then he was able and how he had sent an Embassadour into Spaine to represent unto his Catholicke Majesty how much hee might expect from him which Embassadour was entertained there many Moneths and at last returned backe without any answer The Spaniards knowing very well that the State of Milan was not to be succoured by help from Germany by reason that the passages of the Valteline were stopt by Rohan and that therefore they were to indeavour succour by Sea where it behoved them to have a considerable Fleet to scoure the Seas without danger of the French Vessels had already prepared a good Squadron of Gallies and round-botomb'd Boates in the Mediterranian under the command of Marquis Santa Croâ—â— and thinking it was very fit for their purpose to take the Islands of S. Mâ—rguerit and S. Honore places which would not onely have facilitated their navigation but be a hindrance to the French who passe from Marselles into the Territories of Genua and consequently would be a great trouble to the transportation of such provisions as they should indeavour to send to their Armies in the State of Milan and Montferrat sailed thitherward and landing some of their Foot made themselves easily masters thereof for the French not expecting such an attempt had neglected to put such defence into those Islands as was requisite for them The end of the tenth Book DOCTRINA PARIT VIRTUTEM The Warres and other State-Affaires of the best part of Christendome THE XI BOOK The Contents of the Eleventh Book The French continue to oppugne Valenza the Spaniards defend themselves valiantly many men of qualitie are slaine before it Gustavenburg falls into the Imperialists hands The Crabats invade France and are worsted Monsieur De Belieure the French Embassadour goes to many Princes of Italy Valenza is luckily succoured by the Spaniards which causeth the French-men to rayse their Siege being ill satisfied with the Duke of Savoy A great bickering in the Valteline betweene Rohan and Serbellone The Spaniards desire and obtaine passage from the Papists Cantons of Switzers for succour from Germany for Milan The Saxons proceedings against the Swedes Marquis Villa passes with those of Parma into the Countrey of Piacenza Marquis Leganes comes to Milan The Court of France is much troubled at the retreat from Valenza Consultation is had upon what is expâ—dient to continue the Warre in Italy The Duke of Parma goes into France to speake with the King Villa enters in hostile manner upon the Territories of the Duke of Modena and is made retire The King of England indeavours the restitution of the Palatinate but in vaine The Emperour demands helpe from the Princes of Italy for the Warre of Germany New Dutch Forces come to the State of Milan whereupon the Spaniards pursue to invade the Territories of the Duke of Parma The French
thereunto nor yet to let them partake of what they had gotten and promised unto them but to receive the usurped state from their protection thinking that now when they had obtained their desires the French should make their words good declaring themselves able with their owne Forces to preserve their recovered patrimony began to have sinister opinions of the French-mens actions From whence a desire of independent libertie budding forth those evills ensued afterwards unto the French which perhaps they had not met withall had they governed themselves otherwise For by re-calling their Souldiers from those Valleys and by maintaining necessary Garrisons of the Switzers and Grisons therein they would not onely have held good correspondency with those Colleagues have undeceived those Princes who thought their Armes tended onely to their owne greatnesse but might have hoped for some considerable advantage from such a Chiefetaine as was Rohan and from such a strength as was his so experienced in other parts at least if they would have made use of them But as the immoderate desire of government is alwayes hunger-starved so as it can hardly come neere what belongs unto another without taking some morsells thence so many will have it that the French reaped not those effects which at the first was hoped for by reason of their confidence and too farre inlarged thoughts And moreover many are of opinion that Rohans firme foundation in Protestanisme whereof he was a chiefe professor and one who firmely believed he should never be forsaken by those of the same Religion helped at first to make the French withdraw their friendship from the Grisons for the interest of state is the onely hand which holds fast or le ts loose the affection as well of Christians as of Pagans When Mentz was recovered by the Imperialists they re-called the Elector thereof who when the King of Swethland appeared first in Germany in Armes was fled to Cobn. The Spaniards fore-saw that if the Emperour who was now of good age should dye during these present emergencies before his Sonne should be declared King of the Romans there might be feare enough the Empire might not continue in the house of Austria it being a difficult businesse to get all the Electors to a Dyet to that effect For certainly the King of France would pretend thereunto and consequently by promises gifts and threats he might easily divert some of the Electors from their intentions of favouring the house of Austria and more particularly they apprehended the Ecclesiasticall Electors as they who having their states confining upon those parts which were possest by the French were more exposed to their hostilitie then the rest The Hans-Townes being now freed of their Oath might together with the other Protestant Princes joyne in the Election of such a Protestant Prince to be Emperour as should put for it which might make the Elector of Saxony looke after it as one who hath had former Emperours of his house The Duke of Bavaria when he should find certaintie in the assistance of France when he should know the edge thereof was not to be abated and that France would at least indeavour that the Empire should no longer continue in the house of Austria he might peradventure be perswaded to side with them In fine the Austrian greatnesse being envied and feared by the greatest part if not by all the Potentates of Europe every one of them either openly or secretly embracing this occasion would adde their helping hands to the dis-membring and weakning of it in Germany where as 't is without all doubt that if they had an Emperour joyned with the so Potent house of Spaine there would be little cause of jealousie of any of the other Electors upon whom the Election should fall for his power would be counterpoised by the other German Princes and by the house of Austria it selfe which set the Empire aside was very powerfull in Germany having for its inheritance Bohemia part of Hungary the Austria's Alsatia Stiria Carinthia Croatia and other Provinces in that Kingdome The Spaniards therefore were of opinion that this apparent disorder was to be prevented and that the succession should be secured whilest the Dutch fought under their Masters Standard They therefore negotiated with the Elector of Mentz as the first Elector of the Empire and perswaded him as one much obliged to them for the re-possessing of his State to intimate the Dyet at Ratisbon wherein many matters pertaining to the safetie of the Empire might be treated on as also a choice might be made of a King of the Romans to succeed the Emperour so to secure Germany from such alteration as might easily happen if the Emperour should doe otherwise then well To this the Elector of Mentz gave way inviting the rest of the Electors to meet at Ratisbon on the 24th day of Iune next ensuing where his Caesarian Majestie should likewise be and the King of Bohemia who hath the seaventh voyce amongst the Electors The Imperialists heard of the invasion made by Oranghell in La Marca wherein taking likewise Golchenitz by assault he put all the Imperiall Garrison to the Sword Whereupon fearing least likewise he might set upon Frankfort upon Oder Colonell Vngher who was in Slesia was sent with 5000 Caesarian Souldiers to succour that City At whose arrivall the Inhabitants thereof were as much joy'd as they were much terrified at the newes of the invasion so as it behoved the Swedes to face about and prosecute their first designe which was to joyne with Bannier for the preservation of Magdeburg and to oppose themselves to the wayes of the Saxons and Imperialists which when the Duke of Saxon understood he made Maracini advance with his men towards Oder to hinder Oranghells further proceedings or his joyning with Bannier which if it had happened time enough that Elector would have had somewhat else to doe then to have sitten down before a strong Towne which had a prettie Army in the Field to assist it The businesse of Magdeburg being by common consent agreed upon by the Electorall Councell and all Provisions made tending thereunto The Elector past over the Elb at Wirtenberg before any addition of Forces were come to Bannier with 25000 fighting-men and 38 piece of Cannon and in battell array advanc't to Strastan where Bannier was with the Swedish Army who hearing of the Saxons approach had fortified himselfe and put his men in readinesse to fight though this were rather but to shew he seemed not to feare them then that he really had any equivalent strength for Bannier who was a very wise man in warlike affaires knew very well he had not Forces sufficient to oppose so numerous an Army all his men not amounting to above 14000. And therefore making it knowne that his courage failed him not he privately by night parted from his quarters destroying them and all the Townes through which he past And that the Saxons might not know whether he retreated but be
Foot and 3000 Horse besides Voluntiers and the Nobilitie of Normandy which were to come with him and having declared his Brother the Duke of Orleans to be the Generall of his Forces made all the Army march under his Highnesse conduct towards Picardy to recover the places that were lost to drive the Spaniards thence Who hearing of these great preparations which were made throughout all France and fearing what they might doe had fired the Countrey all about 'T was said they did this to incommodiate the French in Forrage and Victualls and to streighten them so as they might not be able to keepe long in the Field Piccolomini together with Wert retired to Noyon the rest of the Spanish Army intrenched themselves about Corbie the preservation whereof was much endeavoured by the Austrians for this Towne was so situated as that by any reasonable Garrison therein part of France might be kept in continuall jealousies The Duke of Orleans being advanced unto the Frontiers made his first attempt against Roye a Towne between Noion and Corbie against which having planted his Cannon and the defendants having indured some assaults they compounded knowing themselves not able there to resist a Royall Army and the Spaniards and Dutch finding that their longer stay in those Confines would be but a losse of time and men whereof they daily lost many in skirmishes and as they went to fetch Forrage they drew towards Cambrai leaving about 3000 Foot and 300 Horse in Corbie But the French having taken Roye did lose no time but furiously beset Corbie and after having playd upon it many dayes with their Cannon they assaulted it with a battalion of Voluntiers who with their Pikes and Musquets desirous to have the honour of making the first assault as in such cases is usuall with those of that Nation stormed all the Trenches and Fortifications that were about it so as those within the Town being set on on all sides and playd upon by 36 piece of Cannon which without intermission day and night battered their Rampiers and beat downe their houses though with much undauntednesse they tended their defence yet were they in great danger of losing the Towne the losse whereof much grieving the Spaniards they caused Piccolomini and Wert to come from Chapelle whether they were gone from Noyon and to furnish Cambrai with all things necessary with intention to make the French rise from before Corbie by their setting upon Dorlens a place of no lesse importance seated in the Frontier of Artois betweene Amiens and Arras they therefore sate downe before it and began to thunder upon it with their Cannon but this their enterprise lasted not long for the King of France being come himselfe in Person to Amiens where hee was gladsomely received and the Count Soisons going from thence with a good strength of men into Artoise Corbie being in great streights they were inforced to quit Dorlens and to bethinke themselves how they might best relieve Corbie but having sent some Spies into the French Camp that they might be informed in what state the French Army was and these being discovered and punished they saw their designe was vaine and so forwent it Whereupon the besieged seeing their succour vanished and that the French did every day increase in their offending them they capitulated on the 18th of November and surrendred the Fort to the French who with great content with the universall applause of Monsieur the Kings Brother entred the Towne At which it was said the King was not well pleased and that therefore withdrawing him from so great an Authority he became more wary in conferring imployments in the Army upon him for it is not good to make those Princes Commanders of the Militia who are neer in succession to the Crowne since by winning the Souldiers love they prove oft-times harmfull The Spaniards on the contrary side had assembled together an Army of about 10000 Foot and 1500 Horse in Novara under the command of the Admirall of Castile intending to invade France therewithall where if they should finde no insurrection amongst the people as they hoped by reason of the naturall inquietude of that Nation to do the undertaking was notwithstanding advantagious that thereby they might divert the French Forces from their hostility against the States of Austria They therefore entred into the nether Novara took Saint Iohn de Lus and besieged Bayon making many incursions into the King of France his Dominions wherefore many Companies of Foot and Horse were forthwith dispatcht away thitherward to re-inforce Count Gramont the Governour of Bear who already with those Forces he had opposed them Whilest the Spaniards grew every day stronger in the State of Milan by people who continually landed in the Port of Vado from Napells and by the Dutch who came downe by Helvetia and who forbare not their hostility with the Duke of Parma The French who kept themselves quiet not doing any thing afforded matter of thought not onely to the Spaniards but to all Italy every one being desirous to see what the issue would be of the succour which was though requisit for the State of Parma and so much the rather for that a great fleet of theirs being put to Sea from Marseilles with a great many of Foot therein for Land-service was now in the Genuan Seas Some said the reason hereof was their want of Forces others that they expected what the effect of the fleet at Sea would bee and waited to see the men landed that were therein brought which report did much comfort those of Parma who were brought into great streights and which were so much the greater by how much the lesse will they had to Warre and onely hoped in succour from France it being reported that the fleet came to this purpose for there was no appearance that the Country of Piacenza should be succoured by Crequies Souldiers were it either for that they wanted their pay or for that their numbers were lessened or out of their no desire to remove from their quarters wherein they kept complaning rather of their ill-entertainment in Italy then that they were not imployed in the State of Milan as they were by their Commanders fed with hopes they should bee before they came out of France that so they might the easier bring them on this side the Mountaines Leganes this meane while being come from about Pavia to Tortona and having reviewed the neighbouring Townes and places in Allessandria and provided for such passages as might be put for by those Forces which were in the fleet which was said intended to land its Souldiers in the Haven of Specie that from thence they might bee transported into the State of Parma returned into the Piacenzan Territories to attend the businesse of Piacenza and secure himselfe in such sort thereabouts that in case the succour should come which yet was knowne by the best understanding people to be impossible they should not be able to force
and his demonstration of affection to his faithfull servants were so many Trumpets to invite unto his service even those that lived most remote from him Ferdinand was so very good and requisite in the government as that his people they wonderfully loved him out of meere gratitude His government was without contempt his greatnesse without excesse his glory void of ambition he bestowed what was gotten by his Armies in adding greater splendor and glory to the worship of the Church in rewarding such as deserved well and in the relieving of his vassals His Conscience could not tolerate the unseemlinesse of Heresie hee detested ingratitude and his naturall magnificency liked nor the vulgarity of custome In briefe good men lamented his death the Souldier bewailed â—is losse the Church-men were afflicted at this misfortune and the people thought that by his departing the Heavens lost their serenity and the Earth its fruitfulnesse Hee left two Sonnes Ferdinand King of the Romans Leopald Arch-Duke of Austria and two Daughters Anna Maria married to Maximilian Duke of Bavaria and Cicely married to Vladislaus King of Poland The Duke of Rohan kept still in the Valteline greatly desiring orders from his Majesty of France to leave those Mountaines and so attempt somewhat of new upon the State of Milan wherein hee â—oped to doe some good service if the King would give him leave to march with his Forces into those parts for having with him a good strength of old and experienced Foot and excellent Horse he feared not that his Enemies though more in number then hee and who dreaded his name could doe any thing to the prejudice of his warinesse or his Souldies valour But it was feared in the Court of France that if Rohan should leave the Valteline the Grisons who seemed already weary of the French-mens company whose friendship they found to be nothing else but a subjection since that valley which was first taken from them by the Spaniards was now held by the French might easily drive them out and attempt somewhat of new upon those that should remaine there it was not therefore intended that he should depart from thence Others notwithstanding who had an inckling of the Grisons intentions and knowing likewise how disadvantagious it would be for the Forces of France if they should lose those Countries and the friendship of those people who had already sufficient adâ—â—â—tages in Italy and considering that the Grisons could upon the sounding of a bell assemble together 16000 armed Foot stout men and well experienced and jealous of their liberty so as they might easily have forced the French to give them satisfaction or have driven them out of their Country by which meanes the Spaniards would become the stronger in the State of Milan They therefore by forceable arguments advised that the Grisons might have good words given them that their anger might be allaid by Mony and that by departure they might be freed of the conceipt that his Majesty intended any thing else save their liberty and that affording Mony for the maintenance of Garrisons of their owne Nation and of Swissers in such Forts and places as were convenient they might consequently be maintained in their liberty and good correspondency might be held with them and by giving that which they could not keep they should keep them from joyning with the Spaniards and Rohan entring into the State of Milan with his men and Duke Crequi doing the like on the other side they might bring their busines to good effect And when they should prosper in their designes of taking Milan from the Spaniard they might the more freely afterwards throw off their counterfeit Maske with the which wisemen upon occasion ought to cover their actions But as the felicitie of Princes doth by hopes and confidence puzle the fore-sight of the wisely advised these reasons were over-borne by other reasons For those who were of a contrary opinion and who did not believe that Rohan ought to be sent thither as one who was acceptable to the Nation nor that those ought not to be trusted who pretending to governe themselves onely according to their owne interest would as willingly have applyed their mind to the Spanish Pistolls as to the French Crownes And they further added That it being hoped that the State of Venice would at last declare themselves for their King it would be a most considerable point to perfect the enterprise of the State of Milan That the Grisons would never dare to undertake so dangerous a busines against Rohan not only a wel-wisher of theirs but which imports much in great esteem and much feared by every one having the strong holds in his possession and upon such an occasion likely to be assisted by the Venetians who had many Souldiers upon those Confines And it was thought they would not suffer the French to be driven from thence because if the Spaniards should get footing there they should be debarr'd those passages and the Spaniards would grow the greater But thoughts which are built upon bare opinion and raysed onely upon hopes not being established upon the interest of others were of no validitie for the Grison Captaines and Colonells laying claime to much money and others who were destined to have the government claiming the restitution of the Valteline according to promise they mutined and betaking themselves to Armes throughout all Rhetia they secured the Duke of Rohan in the Fort of Maynfelt and behaved themselves so as the French to escape being buried in those Valleyes were inforced to forsake them and to returne to their owne Kings Dominions and thus was this Valley freed in the moneth of March and the Grisons Garrisons entred thereinto and recovered their libertie which was not in their power to doe whilst it leaned upon the protection of France All feares and jealousies caused in the Spaniards by the Armes of France under the command of Rohan seemed to cease and Rohan not being able to escape from Coira whither he was brought from Maynfelt as an hostage there to remaine untill such time as his men were gone out of Rhetia to his great griefe failed in a designe he had by intelligence with a great friend of his one Colonell Smith of Zurick who was then keeper of the said Castle in the behalfe of the Switzers with whom he had secretly wrought that the said Fort should be kept for the French party by which means he might easily again re-enter into Rhetia revenge himself for the injuries he had received by means of Waymers Army which was not farre from the Grisons though the Fort were in the Grisons power and the French already past over the Rhyn The passage of the Valteline being thus freed by which way the Dutch might with most ease passe to the succour of the State of Milan which till then the French had gaine-said The Spainsh Forces were dis-ingaged which were kept there to wait upon the French and might to their great advantage be
upon Languedock a Countrey which extends it selfe from Provence unto the Pirenean Mountaines and which is of a temperate climate very fruitfull and populous by the invasion whereof their intentions were not onely to divert those Forces which threatned Italy and Flanders but that which was of greater consequence to frighten those Inhabitants and see whether by their assistance they could make them take up Armes against the Kings Ministers of State as those who had occasioned the War in France And because almost all the Military men that had imployment in Italy Flanders or elsewhere were sent for from far into the King of Spaines Dominions for the Councell of Spaine thought it not fitting to give the government of an Army in Spaine to one of the same Nation for the preferring of one Subject before the rest in his owne Countrey is to derogate from the pretensions of many others who thinke themselves not inferiour to the partie preferred and to rayse him to too great an height whom they so exalt they were aware of this and therefore sent for Count Iohn Serbellone to command those Forces a Subject of the State of Milan of great esteeme and of experienced worth in Military affairs as well to take him from the pretences he had in the Armies of that State as for the fore-mentioned reasons of shunning emulation amongst themselves as also for Marquis Phillip Spinola Nephew to that great Generall Ambrosius under whom he had beene disciplined When these came to Madrid they were received with much civilitie by the King and Queene and all the Court as those who were thought might be serviceable unto them in the time of War though the wiser sort were of opinion That these were but counterfeit demonstrations of contentment such as are frequently used by such as stand in need of anothers assistance for it was held for certaine that the Spaniards who envie all other Nations desire to monopolize all their Grandezzes within themselves The Duke of Cardona who was commanded to rayse as many men as he could in those Kingdomes had now assembled together an Army of betweene ten and twelve thousand men to boot with other Souldiers remaining in Novar under the Duke of Nocera to watch over the French who by reason of the Spaniards entring in hostile manner into those parts were now become strong and had driven the Spaniards from Bayon where they had met with hard usage The Spaniish Commanders thinking it now fitting time to effect their resolves and Serbellone desirous at his entrance to doe somewhat handsomely they turned their march towards Leucata a Citie in Languedock neere Narbone and not far from the Sea as a place very fit to make way for greater enterprises Their Army being brought before it Serbellone and the Marquis of Mortara tooke up their quarters on the side towards Narbonne Francis Specchi Master of the Field with his men quartered at Franchina and the Duke De monte Reale tooke up his abode at the place called Sferra Cavalli they set a great number of Pioniers on worke in the digging of Trenches as well against the Citie as to keepe off succour and thought verily to take the Towne for the French Forces were afarre off neither did it comply with them to remove them from the Rhyn and from Flanders to imploy them here They planted their Cannon against it and beset it the Catelonians using more bravery with their tongues then with their Swords as never having seene any Squadrons unlesse of Cattell they being for the most part Countrey people But as things suddenly raysed are oft-times as suddenly razed they failed in what they intended for the Allarme being given to all the French thereabouts and those Confines being strengthned by Troops of Horse and Foot speedily sent thither from the neighbouring Provinces by the Governours thereof these men naturally hating the Spaniard did with such hast and fury as is naturall to the French flock to ayde the besieged and the Spaniards being for the most part fresh-men of the Trained Bands and not used to Warre they either knew not how or were not able to resist the fierce assault which the French not valuing their lives made upon their Trenches about three a clock at night on the 28th of September so as it behoved them to give way to the French and bethinke themselves of a retreat which they could not so orderly performe but that they lost all their Artillery their Baggage and about 2000 men The newes whereof being speedily brought to the Court of France was very welcome and made the French looke about them and provide for that which had they not beene awakened by the Spaniards perhaps they would never have drempt of So turning their eye this way they were hereby incited to recover that which was formerly taken away by Ferdinand King of Spaine by reason of Pope Iulius the second his Excommunication thundred out against Iohn Albertâ—â— who sided with Lodovick the twelfth Signior De Schamont was commanded to assemble together as many men as he should judge requisite for the businesse and march towards Parpignon and the Prince of Conde was by His Majestie declared Generall of that Army and for that Affaire As one misfortune comes seldome alone but is followed by a greater if the Spaniards fared ill in Languedock they fared not better in Flanders nor in Lorayne For Prince Thomas and Piccolomini not being able to succour La Chapelle too narrowly beset by the French the besieged having discharged the parts of good Souldiers after having held out valiantly many dayes and now despairing of reliefe they yeelded up the Towne to the French on the 21th of September and Duke Longheville falling with 6000 Souldiers into Lorayne he tooke the strong passage of Doux in Burgundy routed some of Duke Charles his Horse and sackt many Townes in that Province On the other side the Infante finding it impossible for him to relieve Breda the Spaniards having beene received to their no little losse in the Duke of Bullions quarters hee went to the taking in of Ruremond and Venlo Forts possessed by the Hollanders upon the Mosa to see whether by the setting upon these he could remove the Prince of Orenge from the Siege of Breda the which within a few dayes yeelded to him the Garrison not being able longer to defend themselves for the defendants were but few and their Works imperfect This though availed but a little for the taking of Breda was of greater importance to the Hollanders it being strongly seated and whereby they should not onely the better secure their Frontiers on that side but might extend their raising of Contributions even to Antwerpe and Lira then the losse of six Ruremond's The Prince of Orenge therefore continued constant in his Siege and the defendants being reduced to great extremity of all things and wanting succour they yeelded up the Towne on the 10th of October upon the same conditions as were formerly graunted by
Spinola when hee tooke the same Towne in the yeare 1624. Piccolomini finding it lost labour to indeavour the succouring of La Chappelle went with his Army to before Maubrug a City seated between Landresi and Mons neer the river Sambra that if La Chapelle should be lost somewhat might be had by the taking of Maubrug The Cardinall of Vallette who after he had taken the Castle of Bussegni waited upon the Austrians to see what they would doe seeing what danger the City was in which if it should be lost he looking on would have redounded much to the shame of the French Forces marched speedily towards the Imperialists Camp But Piccolomini who knew himselfe inferiour in force to the French raised his Tents before they came up unto him not judging it now time to grapple with them and this the rather for that it was the Austrians firme advice and the Emperours expresse command who as it was thought would not have willingly dispossest himselfe of so many men though it had been for his owne affaires of the Empire that care should be had to spare the Souldiers as much as might bee since Germany being by reason of so many Warres depopulated recruits must be had from farre and would be hardly come by whereas France on the contrary being united and full of Warlike people who were desirous to see the world the King found no difficulty in recruiting his Armies hee therefore retreated neer Mons. The Imperialists retreat from Pomerania into the State of Brunswick and Alberstat incouraged the Swedes and Orenghell being joyned with Bannier they came both together to Stettin where agreeing that no favourable occasion was to bee pretermitted which might invite them to further advancement they resolved upon the recovery of Garts aswell to free the Villages which were under the command of their Forts from being insulted upon by the Garrison of that place as to open their way to greater Atchievements when the Forces should be come up unto them which were continually taken into pay by the Swedish Officers in Swethland and in Pomerania which place not being able to resist the Swedes and the Inhabitants thereof the greatest part being Protestants desirous to returne to the government of those of the same Religion and publickly to enjoy that liberty of Conscience which they so much valued and the Emperours Souldiers who had the Guard thereof fearing no lesse the injuries of the Inhabitants no well-wishers to the Roman-Catholiques then the Swedes invasion they surrendred the Towne to Bannier who was contented they should march out with their Armes and Baggage though the Citizens thereof complaining that the Imperialists carried away with them many things taken from their houses desired that was taken from them might be restored to them for the Imperialists in lieu of pay which they laid claim unto took away wheresoever they came all they could lay their hands on without any manner of respect The Swedes growing still more bold by these successes they marched without any let to before Verben where planting their Cannon and beating downe their Trenches the Saxons who had the Guard thereof staid not to be Assaulted but surrendred the City and many of them who hoped for little good from the Dukes pay changed colours and inroled themselves under the Swedes which the Elector did much resent who knowing very well that if fortune should prove propitious to the Swedes his mortall Enemies all the mischiefe and all the storme was to fall upon him and his State was likely to prove the seat of Warre he incontinently advertised the Court at Vienna therewithall as also Gallasse who for want of Victuals Mony and Men disbanded through hunger and sufferings durst not stirre from his lodgings into the Army for feare of a generall mutiny and representing the generall ruine which over-hung his estate he required and very earnestly prest the Emperour not to faile in his promised assistance Whereupon the Austrian Counsell knowing how necessary it was to give satisfaction to this Prince from whose friendship Bohemia received great advantage having Saxony for their out Wall without which the Warre would suddainly bee brought into that Kingdome though their Cofers were empty yet the Spanish fleet supplied the want thereof the Spaniards seeming no lesse concern'd herein then the Dutch and furnished 300000 Dollars which were sent to Gallasse with orders to oppose the Swedes with which the Army being a little comforted they went from their quarters in Brunswick and marched towards Bannier who not yet able to withstand the Forces both of the Emperour and Saxony went from Verben and haulted betwen Demitz and Stettin thinking to incommodiat the Imperialâ—sts as formerly and to drive them backe from whence they came rather by Famine then by the Sword so as the Saxons being left about Verben they suddainely retook it and Gallasse comming before Demin tryed though in vaine to take that Fort for not being able to reduce it so speedily as he had thought he was forced for want of Victuals to inlarge his quarters towards Brandenburg where being followed by the Swedes who were much inforced by fresh succour come from Swethland divers skirmishes past daily between them but of no great moment At this time William Landsgrave of Hessen a sprightly Prince and given to the Warres exhorted the King of England all that he could to make use of this opportunity in remitting the Counts Palatine into their State to which purpose many men were raised about Meppen and aswell for this as for other common causes the League between France Swethland and Holland was againe established in which France promised to pay 12000 Souldiers Swethland 5000 and Holland 5000. The Landsgrave being now gone in person to Meppen to consider what course was to be taken for the mannaging of this Warre and from thence to Holland to agree with those States what was best to be done in these present emergencies whilest he returned well-satisfied with his negotions to his owne Country he fell into a malignant Feaver in Leer a City which lies neer the Amasio between Meppen and Embden whereof hee dyed to the great griefe of the Protestants who loved this Prince exceedingly hee being a constant defender of their Religion and very firme in his friendship with his confederates never failing in his promise though unevitable ruine appeared thereby to his Dominions Therefore did the King of Swethland to answer him in affection as when he fell to praâ—se any one hee never forgot the Landsgrave of Hessen and Duke Bernard Waymer affirming that these two young Princes surpassed the gray-headed wits of Germany and that the Kingdome wherein they were had reason to boast The Landsgrave was a comely presence his body well composed hee injoyed a proportionable activity his aspect was pleasing whilest he was young he went into Holland and and lived under the Discipline of that great Maurice Prince of Orenge by obeying he learned how to command as Students get learning from
to the French Hee had a solid judgement a temperat minde a goodnesse not despicable he was given to Warre worldly enough and desirous of riches knowing at least imagining that he being a Frenchman and esteemed by his Subjects to be the cause of their misfortunes they did not much affect him which made him not confide in them nay his diffidence grew to so great a hight as he writ whatsoever was of most importance with his owne hand he had wont to keep in writing all the faults committed by his Officers that hee might shew when he would make no further use of them hee had reason for what he did Thus did he dismisse Parma and Caffin the two Secretaries of state shewing them their faults registred for what remaines hee was of good example had a good conscience and perfect will his onely fault being his too much love of Mony hee lived ten yeares Duke of Mantua died when hee was 61 yeares old of such a strength of body as naturally hee might have lived longer The Spaniards did above all other things labour to finde out a means whereby to hinder the French from entring into the strong holds of Piemont with which they were as much troubled as were the consequences great which did depend thereon for hardly should they be able to drive them from those holds wherein being to bee imployed without any impediment from Dolpheny which joynes upon Savoy those Townes would be as it were annext to France and consequently in processe of time the Spaniards would no longer confine upon a Duke but upon a puissant King nothing inferiour to them in strength and should thereby receive such prejudice as states doe by having potent neighbours These considerations causing therefore much thought in the Spaniards they at last light upon one of the best and most singular remedies that could be â—â—plied to this malady Which was to send for Prince Thomas into the State of Milan as one who was much beloved by the people of Savoy and Piemont to the end that entring Piemont with the Spanish Forces he should either by force perswade the Duchesse to deliver up unto him the government and drive away the French or else by the adherence of the people and holding good intelligence with the Nobility of Piemont make way for such proceedings as happen usually upon like occasions But many things were requisit before this resolution was to be tane secrecy was chiefely esteemed necessary that the French might not be jealous hereof and then they were to contrive their intelligence with such as sided with them they therefore cloaked this their intention and seemed onely to minde the bringing in of more Souldiers from Germany Swisserland Spaine and Naples which occasioning a beliefe in the French that the Spaniards would rather use their power then wits they kept quiet within their owne stations not moving any whither But Don Francisco de Melo who was already gon as hath been said towards Cullen and then towards Flanders having notice of these designes altered his course and turned towards Vienna to negotiat there not onely concerning these agreements but to get succour for the State of Milan which might be sufficient to effect the businesse intended of bringing Prince Thomas into Piemont To the which the affaires of the Empire being very urgent the Dutch Counsellors did not consent for Caesars necessity was much greater then was the Spaniards and the people who were continually grieved with contribution and free-quarter knew the danger of the approaching evill and murmur'd that those who should be kept for their defence should be sent out of the Empire to assist others complaining not without reason of the Emperours ministers of State Yet the Spaniards desires prevailing alwayes with the Emperour it being they that furnish Gold for the succour of Germany and doe their utmost indeavour to maintaine the Imperiall dignity they got leave to raise other Regiments and were in the same sort be-friended by the Arch-Duchesse of Ispruch who suffered them to raise Forces in her State The agreement being afterwards made with the Emperour concerning Prince Thomas his comming into Italy who was informed that the Emperour would invest him in some such dominion as should give him satisfaction out of what hee should win by the assistance of the Spaniards Melo parted from Vienâ—a and went on his journy towards Flanders This meane while Prince Thomas who had been advertised by the Infante of the Spaniards intentions to give a beginning to the businesse thought it fitting to send the Baron Pallavicino to his brother the Cardinall with whom he might work a perfect understanding so as they might agree secretly upon what would be most advantagious for their Nephews state to the end that it might not be usurped either by the French or Spaniard they thought the occasion fair to send the same Pallavisino to the Duchesse their sister in law to condole the D. death he being fittest for such an imployment and not at all suspected at the Court of Turineâ—00 â—00 the end that whil'st he made that his errand to the Duchesse he might underhand agree things with those that were friends to the Cardinall Prince Leganes not failing likewise on his part did continually solicit the Viceroyes of Naples and Sicely to ship away other Souldiers that were raised in those Kingdoms and sent Don Diego Patigne to Genoa to agree there for monies He visited the Count Montery Viceroy of Naples at Pegi as he was going for Spain in his return from his government that he might inform him of the present affairs of Lombardy and so Montery might punctually inform the King of Spain of all things better by word of mouth then Leganes could do by letters He reformed his weak Companies added their Souldiers to other Companies that were more compleat he sent likewise Count Biglia with some Monies to Coira to keep the Grisons true who were again tampered with by the French to make them breake with the Spaniards he pretermitted not any thing that might make for the safety of the state of Milan which of all other states was most esteemed of by the Spaniards for if they should once have lost it it would be hard for them to recover it again for that the King of Spain had no other Territories joyning upon it wherein to raise necessary succors the honour of their Army would be lost and they should runne hazard of losing all they had in Italy For the Passages being shut up to any succour from Germany and the succours from Spaine being weake and uncertaine the Protestants of Italy might easily drive the Spaniards from out their Countrey and particularly out of the Kingdome of Naples the subsistance whereof as also all the Spanish Grandezza in Italy depended upon the State of Milan At the newes of these preparations the Duchesse of Savoy who was a very couragious Princesse began notwithstanding to be somewhat apprehensive for she very well
fore-saw that Piemont was likely to be the Sceance whereon all the Warre betweene those two Crownes was to be acted She called her Counsell together and advised upon what was fitteâ—â— to be done upon the present and did openly declare That though she were the King of France his Sister yet she was Mother to the Duke of Savoy and that she thought her selfe more concerned in her Sonne then in her Brother The present affaires were had in consultation and very well discust It was generally agreed upon by all that if they might be suffered to be Neuters and not to declare themselves for either partie it would be the wisest course they could take The bringing of the Cardinal into the government was also discoursed of to which some were inclined for if he shold come thither the King of France his Forces might be prejudiced by assistance from Spaine and doubtlesly the French turning their threats into handsome desires and efficacious promises would rather indeavour to divert the Duchesse from siding with the Spaniard and to hold good correspondency with her Brother then exasperate her against them and peradventure this would have beene the best resolution they could have put on But there were in it such difficulties as it behoved them to leave the thought thereof for besides that the government of one so neere of blood to the Heire afforded cause of jealousie the Duchesse as are all other Princes being desirous to be chiefe in the government and not to admit of a Companion would not give way thereunto But that which did chiefly hinder the taking such a resolution was the King of France his protestation who threatned that if the Piemontois should take the Cardinal into the State belonging to the Duke of Savoy he would presently wage Warre with them and the French being already masters of the strongest and most important passages of Savoy and Piemont they would straightwayes have brought that State into evident danger They likewise fore-saw that they were not to ground their hopes upon assistance from Spaine for though the French should be beaten which would not easily be done if they should really intend such a Warre it was not to be doubted but that whilest the Spaniards warred in Piemont those Townes which should have escaped the insolencies of the French would have tasted the Spaniards indiscretion and so much the rather for that they had not as then any hope to carry the Warre on the other side the Mountaines for the French being possest of Casalle and the greatest part of Montferrat it would require some time to drive them from thence and therefore the Warre would be maintained in the bowells of Piemont to the great prejudice of those Inhabitants They being then of two evills to chuse the least resolved to put themselves totally upon the protection of France and to this purpose the Marquis Parelo was sent by the Duchesse to her Brother to desire succour and assistance although this was knowne to be a hazardous resolution for not being able to put themselves into the protection of France without receiving the French into their strong holds they would not be easily got to forgoe them so as either by permitting them to Lord it there the Dukes authoritie must be lost or else the Spanish Forces which most apprehended this neighbour-hood if they should endeavour to drive them out by force the State of Piemont would first be ruin'd by their encamping and if afterwards things should happen successefully and the Spaniards be brought into that State they would have the better pretence to keepe it as the purchase of their Swords Whence it is easily seene what prejudice such States receive as have Infants for their supreme Lords But as the Austrians prepared by all meanes possible to ruine France so were not the French idle in contriving how to countermine the Spaniards cunning which they much apprehended and at the same time that the Spaniards built their designes upon the Prince of Savoy the French who confided very much in Duke Waymers valour began to lay the foundations of their future Fabrick So as Waymers Army being much increased by recruits from France and by moneys he had received from them wherewithall to satisfie the Dutch he thought it no longer time to keepe idle in his quarters but fore-going them in Chapell and the Countrey of Fistemberg he kept the Fields with his united Army in those Territories which caused the Austriâ—â—s to doubt whether he intended to march against Bavaria or else to enter Rhetia to revenge the injuries done to Rohan Divers were their suspitions and their discourses divers but whilst every one not without much feare stood expecting where this blow should fall foreseeing some mischiefe Waymer on the sudden and unexpectedly came before Rinfield which in his absence was againe taken by the Austrians where he planted his Cannon and according to his wonted diligence playd upon the Walls So as though the Towne were well defended by a good Garrison yet it not being a place fit to resist the moderne violences of the Pick-Axe and Mines it was not able to be maintained many dayes without sudden fitting relief The Imperiall Commanders whose Forces were increased by succours sent from Bavaria and Franconia thought it not honourable for their Prince nor that it became their reputation to suffer such a Citie besieged but by a few to be lost whilst they looked on mature deliberation being had in the Councell of Warre concerning what was to be done it was resolved that Duke Savell and Iohn de Wert should goe to the succour of it they therefore marched with their Army which consisted of about 12000 fighting-men in good order to effect their purpose But being advertised that Speureter one of their Colonells was come to about Lindaw and Constance with 4000 Souldiers with command to joyne with them they resolved to expect his comming before they went any further Therefore they haulted in Obercal Schoma and Lomat Villages betweene Friburg and Rinfield and by great fires gave notice to the besieged that they were upon their march to succour them to the end that they might be the more constant in maintaining the Towne They afterwards dispatcht away Posts to Speureter to hasten his comming to them continuing their resolution of succouring the Towne and in Battell Array advanced towards the Swedish quarters Waymer being advertised by his Spies that the Imperialists were not strong enough to effect this designe sent some Troopes of Horse and two Regiments of Foot on this side Rhyn and doubling the Guards on that part continued his Siege no wayes fearing the Enemy The Caesarians seeming as if they would turne toward Laâ—fâ—mburg that by taking that Towne which was not fit to resist the Cannon they might become Masters of the passage over the Rhyn unexpectedly fell upon the stations guarded by the Swedes who surprised by this accident and not being able to withstand the furious assault given by the
they see imbroyle the relation as not being of Capacity either to understand or to remember what hath hapned and so all foundations grounded thereupon prove vaine A batttle sought betweene the French and Spaniards will not without some alteration be related either by a Frenchman or a Spaniard Affection is of a nature not unlike to wine it tastes of the caske the private passion of the minde pertakes of the quality of Torrents it is troubled and growes cleare againe answerable to the raine by which it is fed If any shall say that pen takes a precipitate and dangerous course which writes of present emergencyes unbridled by adulation t is granted But he who writes in times when the government of the present Princes is not to be blamed need not feare to fall upon the unpleasing off-spring of truth The Princes of this age are knowne to be ruled by justice and governed by reason And if through the interest of state or by the advice of their councell they doe any thing which is not acceptable to all men they are not therein blameable for the greatnesse of men of might is not seene in the peacefullnesse of minde but is discerned in their sprightly thoughts and vast intents The Encomiums of the worthy Princes even of these ages are celebrated with no greater titles then so many Caesars or Alexanders Greatnesse loves greatnesse The Danuby Rhyne and Po are great because the concourse of many Rivers goes to make them great Principalityes are likewise plants which branch forth and increase in hight more or lesse accordingly as the ground is fertill where they are planted The desire of glory and greatnesse reignes not onely amongst the better but amongst the inferiour yea the basest sort of men The private who neighbours upon an inferiour rests not content till he hath joyned his neighbours land unto his owne Such a genious labours to get the priority amongst those who are esteemed lovers of rarityes the souldier fights and looseth his life to increase his fame amonst men humane desires not unlike to torrents by how much they are more swolne with the waters of glory the more headlong doe they run oft times breake the banks or bounds of faith and promises Those who have not been conversant in any other nation then their owne and yet governed by a certaine Sympathy professe themselves to side sometimes with this sometimes with that stranger may peradventure wry the neck when they shall heare of any bad accident which hath befallen one that they liked and may perchance say I am in some places too free spoken If it shall so fall out I would have them to know I writ not to give satisfaction to any one save to truth it selfe and that men write ill when they omitt writing what is ill fortune is not alwayes favourable and therefore when she frownes she cannot be said to smile Who apprehends the satisfying of all men does by his owne beliefe begin to prejudicate what he writes Bouldnesse in relation freedome in judgment discretion in words and wisedome in contriving are the reynes which ought to governe the pen of an Historian If others who may be of an opinion that such events as are written whilest the actors themselves are yet living are usually written partially and with adulation and not adaequate to the times and to the persons and shall therefore blame me for writing so early let them remember that the force and credit of truth is so much the greater by how much it hath the more witnesses That writings which are kept lockt up in a chest are like some plants which kept in their own originall earth never grow unles they be tane from thence and placed some where else no lesse then these ought past events in History to be transplanted whilest the bowes remaine in memory for that if any bastard plant be given for legitimate by the inocculation of amendment in the second impression it may become legitimate Nor is it at any time a fault which is occasioned by the faultinesse of an other I have thaught it fitting in these my labours to describe the conditions of such Princes and chiefe Commanders as have perished that they may serve for looking glasses to such as succeede them If it be objected I onely writ their praises and that Encomiums belong not to the weaving of a History I would have it knowne I make not use of such spectacles or prospective glasses whereby men discerne spots in the Moone That the praises fall not from my pen but from their merit And History requires the representation of such whose actions are the soule of discourse and the marrow of instruction Those who peradventure from the tribunall of their judgement shall give senâ—ence against me blaming either my stile my discriptions the composure of the narrative part the scarcity or superfluity of my words or what ever els they ought to know that I am a souldier and no perfect Scholler and that as such a one I appeale from their seate of judement so as the sentence rests null I have not stroven to adorne my writings by inventing eloquent and polished Orations made by Commanders and other gracefull digressions which not for that they are so in themselves but to shew thâ—ir quaint witts many use in their compositions as well for that I thinke those conceits fitter for the Schooles or chaire of an Orator to delight the hearers then for a campe where the generall doth usually infuse courage into his souldiers with succinct words conteyning in them only the hopes of reaping honour and advantage as also for that it seemes not sitting to me that the Maske wherewith a Tale is disguised should be applyed to the face of a serious truth I have done that I may not be to tedious to thee be contented to accept of metal drawne out of mine owne myne DOCTRINA PARIT VIRTUTEM THE Warres and other State-Affaires of the best part of Christendome from 1629. to 1640. THE I. BOOK The Contents of the First Booke The First Book relates the Originall of the War made by Gustavus King of Swethland against the Emperour Ferdinand the second What the Condition of Germany was at that time what Friendship and Intelligence the King had with Forraigne Princes before this War began his Military Preparations made in Swethland what Counsells he held and what Resolutions he put on His entrance into Germany his landing in the Isle of Rugen First entrance into Pomerania What confusion this unexpected novelty wrought among the Roman Catholiques The League between France and Swethland the Conditions and Advantages thereof Divers Proceedings Resolutions Counsells and Policies of all the concerned Parties Preparations in England to reinforce the Swedish Army The ill will born by Protestants towards the Austrian Ministers of State and their good affections towards the Swedes The taking of Franckfort upon the Oder and other advancements made by the King The Description of such Provinces Places or
possesse himselfe of the Lake and of those passes which lead into Retia which if he had done he might have easily lead his Forces even into Italy since that the Grisons the greatest part whereof are Protestants and at this time very much incensed against the Austrian party would gladly have seen such a novelty hoping by such an assistance to fall upon their so much desired recovery of the Valteline he resolved upon another no lesse considerable enterprise which was to invade Tiroll a bold thought and not easily to be effected though made to appeare easie by his exalted imaginations for things unexpected prove alwayes easier then those that are foreseen this was so weighty a designe that if he had prospered therein as indeed it was not impossible he should doe he would not onely have inlarged himselfe even to the Confines of Italy but descending by the River Inn which taking it's head from the Alpes in Rhetia with a swift current becomes navigable from Inspruch to Passaw where it fals into the Danube he would have brought himselfe into the Archbishopricke of Saltzburg a Province which extends it selfe on the East to the Confines of Austria upon the West to Bavaria and the Country of Tiroll upon the North is inclosed by the Inn and is bounded on the South by Stiria which abounds in Mines of divers Metals and in Cattle is rich and delightfull belonging to the Archbishop thereof one of the richest Prelates of all Germany whose rents come to neer upon 300000 Dollers yearely and winning that City which was not yet fully fortified as was intended he might doubtlessely without much difficultie passe on to Passaw a place of great importance and from thence to Lintz a City in the upper Austria seated upon the Danube where joyning with the discontented people of those parts he might have over-run Austria and marched up to the very gates of Vienna wasting and plundering all that Province which not having yet quartered any of the enemies Forces promised good booty Had this enterprise succeeded as it was undertaken and afterwards deserted it had apparently indangered the Roman-Catholick Camp before Nurenberg or brought it to some great necessity for the greatest part of their Victuals and Ammunition came from Austria and Bavaria He then with this intention passed about the midst of August with 8000 Souldiers to Mimingen from thence to Kempten and unexpectedly set upon Feltzen a Towne invironed with Towers and imperfect Ditches after the ancient manner which being seated in the utmost parts of Swabenland upon the Leech and in the Confines of Tiroll where those Mountaines meet which divide Tiroll from Swabenland was upon these present emergencies of no contemptible consideration The onset being ordered the Garrison made no resistance neither stay'd they to be assaulted but at the enemies first approach they rose in mutiny against their Governour for he being one that had tane up Armes for his particular gaine and desirous rather to inrich his purse then his reputation turn'd the greatest part of the Contribution-mony due to the Souldier to his owne privat use treating them with severe avarice and keeping in his owne quarters people who were to watch over and punish such as complained of his government so as taking him prisoner and for his greater shame binding him with cords and plundering his house they surrendred themselves and the Towne unto the Swedes Whil'st Weymar was intent upon this affair he received a redoubled Command from the King that all other businesse whatsoever set aside he should come with all his Forces to Nurenberg so as he was by obedience bound to forgo the occasion which had unlooked for presented it selfe unto him of entering into Tiroll and being returned to Kempten he had already begun his march towards Nurenberg when Charles Duke of Lorayne being on all sides incompassed by the French Forces that they might keep him from taking up Armes though he publiquely appeared to be onely for the Emperour yet having some little dependency upon the Crowne of France he resolved though his warlike and couragious spirit could not well admit of thoughts of peace to call his most intimate friends into his privat Cabinet and consult with them upon the present emergency being forced thereunto by necessity which maketh men oftentimes incline to that which they have formerly much abhorred Hereupon there wanted not some who foreseeing how he was running into imminent danger told him that nothing ought to be so deerly esteemed of by a Prince or be so pretious in his eyes as peace that no more profitable or usefull Counsell could be given him then to shun warre that the relying upon the power of great and potent men was little advantagious or rather oft-times prejudiciall for that these either that they may work themselves into their friends territories under pretence of assisting them and so appropriate it unto themselves or else that they may keep warre aloofe from themselves and bring it into their friends home doe never contract friendship but upon particular ends and such as being foreseen by wisemen ought to be shunn'd as we would doe usurers who taking double use for what they lend ruine them that adheare unto them that his Highnesse Forces were but small in comparison of so great a King that he had no strong hold to withstand or stop a Kings Army save Nancy and Motha that in Lorayne there could not be raised above 20000 Souldiers the Inhabitants being more vers'd in ploughing and cookery then in mannaging of weapons that he could not defend himselfe without the Austrian succours and that these were onely to be expected from Flanders Burgundie or Germany that the Germans were imployed in the defence of their owne Country that the Flemmish Army was imployed against the Hollanders who were very strong and were upon the Guard of the Frontiers of France that Burgundie was a little State and unable to give fitting helpe unlesse strengthened by Italy Germany or the Switsers that to bring in forreigne Forces was to bring the warre home to ones owne house and to deprive ones selfe of the free and absolute authority injoyed in peace and to receive more harme oft-times by friends then we doe by enemies that Princes ought never to indeavour a breach with such Potentats against whom all contending being vaine men onely play that they may lose that faith ought not to be given to the promises or profers of the mighty for that they use to indure no longer then serves for their owne occasion that he is an enemy who onely aspires to get the Command of another mans authority and that such as these ought alwayes to be suspected that occasions are oft-times invented by the great and powerfull whereby they doe hoodwinke their inferiours that they may pick a cause to take from them what they possesse and that they aime no lesse at the oppression of their friends then of their enemies that they did advise his Highnesse to abandon the
suggestions of the Spanish Ministers of State to keepe quiet within his owne dominions and peacefully to injoy that which hee could not so easily preserve in warre These reasons though very strong and such as the Duke had hee been wise should have followed were neither embraced nor rejected but the greater part of his Councell who were wisely by the Spaniards kept partiall on their side either by pensions hopes or promises thinking it not fit to forgo the friendship and protection of the Austrian party for any pretence or threats of the King of France grounding their hopes upon the event of the secret practice held by the Spaniard by the Duke of Orleans and other Princes of France which was to raise new troubles in France whereby they might inlarge their owne limits said Peace was alwayes good where Warre was harmfull as it was likewise alwayes prejudiciall when by the idlenesse thereof ruine was well-nigh caused that wise men ought to observe the meanes how to secure their dominions which was not to be done by suffering their neighbours to increase in power that Princes were alwayes in suspition either to be treated as vassalls or to lose their estate when they suffered themselves to be brought into the bosome of one greater then themselves That France was no more powerfull then it was daily indeavouring to increase its power that the memory of their pretensions upon Lorayne a faire Jewell for the Crowne was of great efficacy that fit occasions to weaken such Forces as we stand in feare of ought not to be let slip when the permitting of them may cause jealousie that it was better to hazard ones selfe in warre then to be sure to lose all in peace that inferiour Princes thought it a great advantage to have a sanctuary whereunto to fly when they are injured by their superiours that nothing could preserve Lorayne from the ambition of the French but protection from Spaine that it might be said to be lost between the Swedish and the French Forces that reason of State would have Alsatia preserved Burgundie kept flourishing Flanders strengthened and France troubled that the King wanting issue was lesse observed by his subjects that such successours as were most adhered unto by the unstable and wavering multitude had reason to hope well that therefore Orleans ought to be fomented and that it was safer to follow the Austrian party then by fearing the French Forces to grant them that which would be more profitable to deny them Although these reasons prevailed much with the Duke who was sufficiently thereunto inclined and did lively worke upon the affection which he bore the Imperiallists occasioned by the good entertainment he had received from them whilest he was a Voluntier in their Armies against the Count Palatine during the life of his Unckle Duke Anthony yet for that the fiercest spirits are sometimes kept under by the scourge or rod of the more powerfull fearing the inundation of the French upon his State who were already in readinesse and had a good will thereunto he by the advise of his Councell resolved upon a peece of cunning which was to satisfie the King with complements and faire words and with all outward appearance which might make him forbeare his threats and to conceale the ill will he bare him to a fitter occasion And for that the French a Nation of all others of a more nimble spirit boldnesse of minde and unquiet disposition are hardly pleased or contented with the idlenesse of peace but still desiring novelty is oft times prodigall of its wisedome and runs without foundation to graspe at shadowes which to their passion seeme bodies those that had seduced the Queene Mother to absent her selfe from the Court and to put her selfe into the hands of the Spaniard being still distasted with the present condition of affaires and thinking they should be more esteemed of when they were forth of the Kingdome then when in it having likewise wrought upon the Duke of Orleans the Kings only brother to incense him against the Cardinall Richelieu an officer of State to whom the whole government of the Kingdome being committed did faithfully governe it and with so much advantage as France had never before knowne upon pretence that the authority wherewith this man was intrusted belonged better to a Brother then any other subject feeding him with vast hopes kept him still in Lorayne The Spaniards by whose knowledge all this businesse was set on worke considered how much the troubles of France would make for their greatnesse and the profit they might receive by the Civill discords of that Kingdome whose union was their jealousie and was only able to counter-ballance their desired ends and this so much the rather for that by reason of the French Forces falling downe upon the Frontiers of Germany they rationally enough suspected they might have called the Swedes into those parts to frighten the Roman Catholiques and consequently invite them to flye for protection to them whereby fencing themselves from being injured by the Protestants and without unsheathing their sword yea under a religious pretence this was a fitting meanes to possesse themselves of many Forts of great importance But it being foreseene by the wisedome of the Austrian Councell that this was the Center wherein the lines of many circumstances of reflection was to fall for that the getting of the French are such as are much facillitated by the peoples necessity who had no other meanes Spaine being growne too weake to defend themselves against the warre but by their protection and that as this would be a considerable addition to the greatnesse of France so would it be no small trouble to the Austrian power since it was not in good policy of State to be permitted Hence it is that many thinke they upheld the fearefull with hopes fomented the male-contents with Counsell and endeavoured to stirre such as were constant by feigned appearances so as these practises passing from one to another already infected with treachery as the Duke of Momerancy Dukes of Rohan and Delbeaf the Bishops of Vsiers Nismes and Besiers and many other principall subjects the businesse seemed already to have had a good beginning But on the one side they found the Swedes proceedings to be such as neither the German Forces nor yet the Forces of Flanders which were much weakened seemed to be any wayes able openly to second the commotions in France and that the straights whereinto they were by the Swedes reduced did not well comport with the irritating of France and thereby drawing upon them a dangerous warre and on the other side they considered that to passe by such an occasion as this whereby to moderate the greatnesse of France was to lose that wisedome which as the Pilot of the Spanish Counsels brought their resolutions oftentimes to a happy shore since wise Polititians ought never to abandon those undertakings out of feare which may suffocate feare nor embase themselves in those difficulties which
this great Commanders qualities Walesteine was borne a private Baron of Bohemia a Childe of fortune not much inricht in Patrimony nor other indowments he past his Infancy under the Tutorship of the Jesuits where his lively spirit when hee began to be first downe-feathered broke the reignes of observancy and feare of those his Elders and varying in the instability of his disposition he seemed sometimes inclined to Armes sometimes to learning sometimes to other extravagancies being afterwards entred into the larger field of Youth and therein giving himselfe over to what his genius most led him unto and freedome to his unquiet spirit letting his desires domineer over him he spent some time uncurb'd by consideration whereby he got the respect of unwise and unstable desirous afterwards to know other Countryes and the fashions of other Nations a knowledge which well becomes men of Command he visited Flanders enjoyed the sight of England satisfied himselfe in France went into Italy a Country which refines the Northerne wits and having admired the magnificency of Rome the delights of Naples the quaintnesse of Tuscani and the fertility of Lombardy his curiosity fixt it selfe in Padua a City apertaining to the most illustrious state of Venice the Mother of liberall sciences receptacle of the learned fountaine of vertue and there he applyed himselfe to divers studies whereof he made himselfe at least a partaker if not a perfect master though the vivacity of his spirit and his unquiet opinions made many esteem him to be foolishly conceited Leaving Padua with little of renowne though he had got the Language and custome of the Country he returned to Bohemia where not able to remaine idle though laught at by many and contrary to the will of his Comrades he disposed himselfe to spend part of what his Trustees had gotten in his absence and yet being naturally thereunto inclined he applyed himselfe to Armes the strong keyes of glory and greatnesse The Arch-Duke Ferdinand being molested in Friuli by the Venetian Forces desired aid of the Emperour whereupon Walesteine boldly proffered to raise 300 Horse at his owne proper costs and charges which offer being accepted of and by him punctually performed he went with the title of Colonell to the succour of Gradisca where he tarried during that action begetting wonder in men by his generous extravagancies and curteous liberality he was sumptuous in his invitations the true tyes of affection reviving the conversation of his friends rewarding and solacing the Souldiers nothing being more able to captivate the good will of the Militia then generositie Many therefore began to be desirous of his service which by these actions was pleasing to the Arch-Duke and his Ministers Charles Count of Arach a much favoured Counsellour of Ferdinands would joyne alliance with him gave him his daughter for wife and consequently made him partaker of his affection and protection The differences of Friuli being composed in peace troubles arising in Bohemia and the Arch-Duke being made Emperour he had occasion to exercise his warlike genius his father in-law had opportunitie to countenance him and fortune to favour him Being afterwards of a private man become a Prince being from a Colonell preferr'd to be a Generall and discovering himselfe to be wise from being thought a foole he made the world see that his study was not to change opinion but condition and that there is no better fence against the blowes of envy or malice then the received opinion of not being greatly wise and that fortune there showres her favours where are the clouds of extravagancy The War being afterwards brought to a happy end as by his meanes the Imperiall State was augmented so did Caesar who is alwayes wont munificently to reward good services by investing him with the Dukedome of Mechelberg make him a Soveraigne Prince and of a Subject a Feudatory of the Empire Being arrived at this hight surrounded with so many applauses secured by so great merit and glorying in his worthy actions knowing that a good Militia is the securitie of Principalities and and that Souldiers flock thither where recompences are frequent honour invites estimation inheartens and gratitude opens the doore to munificence by cherrishing ambition with titles puffing up valour with praises and securing affection by effects he drew unto his service the best Swords and best Wits that of late ages have mannaged Armes Walesteine was ambitious in all his actions grave and haughtie in all his treaties wise and advised in all his resolutions he was not governed by selfe-interest not moved by profit nor plyable by adulation he exceedingly desired to be reverenced coveted to be observed and was a great maintainer of punctuallitie he could not indure any defect in his Army he liked not confusion he was offended at the sloath and ignorance of those who were not indued with those parts and conditions which he desired to wit greatnesse of spirit quicknesse of understanding readinesse in Treaties fore-sight in their doings obedience to commands faithfulnesse in executions He did so abhorre any base action as that his favour being once lost by any single fault it was not to be regained by whatsoever meritorious act He declared that under his command Souldiers were to live and behave themselves like Souldiers and not thinke they had girt their Swords about them as many doe to winne fame amongst the weake and vulgar sort but amongst men of courage such as were abandoned by fortune and yet abounded in worth and valour were by him splendidly entertain'd assisted with competent helpes and such as exceeded many of their deservings his magnanimity of mind could not tollerate that a gallant wit should beg that which so many unworthy men possest and therefore he afforded them meanes to exercise their talents and to climbe up those steps which Princes ought to leave free to such as gathering rust in idlenesse and kept low by the Antipathy of such as governe if they had wherein to imploy themselves would being esteem'd of by others prove peradventure the abstract of perfection No mans authoritie nor protection was of weight with him not permitting that either the conditions of birth nor the intercession of such as were powerfull nor that the riches of a blunted spirit should obscure the qualities of inferiours and bereave that which worthily becomes a man of merit Valour and knowledge in Armes were to him the onely recommendations of a Souldier Doctrine and exemplary life the like to him of Church men Wisedome and capacitie in State-Officers Diligence and faithfulnesse in servants Speech nor writing nor the request of great ones were not able to put any one in his favour whosoever made use of such means rather impaired his cause then better'd it In his Souldiers he especially loved quicknesse of spirit extravagancy in thoughts and ambition affirming that Valour would not admit of a low mind a limited opinion nor respectfull humilitie A ready action a new thought an unsuall audacitie were the true wayes which led
he resolved to ride streight towards the Frontiers of Picardy and took order to prevent any mischiefe which might insue that upon the day appointed certaine Troopes of French Horse should bee upon those Frontiers Hee went out of Brussels waighted upon by Messieurs de Pilloran de Fargis de Condray Montpensier leaving Monsieur de Candeboune to wait upon the Duchesse his Wife which Candebonne was afterwards sent away by the Spaniards as one they trusted not in And finally he arrived in France to the great contentment of all the Subjects Princes Ministers of state Cardinall and of the King himself which they exprest by Jubilean teares and all outward manifestations of joy and to the as great discontentment of all those who had laid their foundations upon these divisions The Spaniards who if all be true that was said were not very well pleased hereat did notwithstanding wisely cover their inward sorrow giving out how much they were joyed that their Kings Brethren in law were reconciled and that his Highnesse needed not have beene so secret in his departure for as they had courteously received him so would they as willingly have served him and attended him with such decency into France as became so great a Prince The Infanta whom we left after the Battaile of Nordlinghen in the Spanish Army in the Dukedome of Wirtenberg went by Ashaffemburg a City belonging to the Elector of Mentz upon the Main towards Cullen and came happily into the Country of Lucemburg with the great applause of the Inhabitants The King of Hungary having taken Neilburne a City in the Dukedome of Wirtenberg seated upon the Neccar which being onely surrounded with old Wals soone yeelded march't with his Forces towards the Ringrave who kept himselfe with his owne men and those hee had drawne out of Garrisons neer Offemberg to oppose the Caesarians proceedings in those parts not being strong enough to face a great and victorious Army discovering the Imperialists Scouts and having skirmished with them he retired towards Strasburg But being pursued by the Caesarian Horse and not able to get to the Bridge over the Rhyn before they overtooke him whilest hee past over his Foot it behoved him to skirmish with the Imperialists Horse where being overborne by the grosse of the Enemy and not able to passe over the Rhyn by the Bridge which was barricadoed by Carts and Foot he to save his person threw himselfe into the River and by swimming over it escaped the hands of the Enemy but left behinde him at this bout neer 400 Horse and some Carriages After this action the Imperialists fearing lest they might necessitate the Swedes to implore succour from France and to joyne themselves with the Army commanded by the Marshall de la Force who was fallen downe into Alsatia and was then quartered about Lindaw they kept themselves within there quarters for some time in the Dukedome of Wirtenberg not indeavouring any new businesse at which the Swedish Commanders did not a little wonder But this was by politicians interpreted a piece of cunning thus to afford leasure to the Swedes who were totally broken that gathering a little courage they might not give way to the demands made in Mentz by the French Agents concerning those Townes which they held upon the Rhyn and thereabouts and which they had yet refused to surrender But the Elector of Bavaria growing jealous at these delayes by which they seemed rather to seek peace with the Protestant Princes then pursue the warre 't was said that the Austrians foreseeing an almost inevitable rupture with France would first see the businesse of Germany setled that they might the more freely afterwards oppose themselves to the French Forces the which was to be indeavoured before they should declare open Warre against the French for if they should fall foule with them before the other affaire were setled they were likely to meet with greater difficulties then otherwise for inheartned by hopes from France their pretensions would be the loftier The Duke of Bavaria doubted lest the Emperour might conclude this Peace and lest he might remit the Count Palatine into his state so to gaine the friendship of the King of England which it much imported him to have Hee indeavoured therefore by what was gathered from understanding men to thwart this and made Iohn de Wert Commander of the Forces of the Catholicke League of which the said Duke as hath been formerly said was Generalissimo sit downe before Heydelberg the Metropolitan of the lower Palatinat to renew by this hostillity the jealousies between Caesar and the Crowne of England the which Wert did and tooke the Town and shortly after the Castle which wanting succour compounded The losse of this Towne though it opened the way for the Caesarians to advance without any difficulty towards Franckfort and Mentz yet was it not pleasing to the Imperiall Councell For Manheime being garrizon'd by the French a strong hold upon the Rhyn at the mouth of the Neccar formerly possessed by the Spaniards afterwards slighted by them to free themselves of the expence they must be at in maintaining a strong Garrison there which now they needed not and having built a Bridge upon Boates they would not oblige them to passe over the Rhyn and declare Warre They therefore kept themselves within their quarters at Wirtenberg and the Marquisat of Turlach not indeavouring any other enterprise attending the conclusion of Peace with Saxony which at this time was with much fervenvency and almost an assured successe treated of For the distastes which that Elector had taken against Oxesterne for the little respect given by him in his discourses to the Electors actions were growne to a very great height And though the French who were troubled this peace should be concluded sent Monsieur de la Grange to the Elector to disturbe it as it was commonly reported with promise of Monies Armes and assistance yet did they not feare to effect it for the Elector was not greatly well inclined to the greatnesse of Forreigne Protestants in Germany and therefore it was not to be believed hee would nourish the Warre at the desire of the French The end of the ninth Book DOCTRINA PARIT VIRTUTEM The Warres and other State-Affaires of the best part of Christendome THE X. BOOK The Contents of the Tenth Booke The Imperialists are invited to the surprisall of Filisburg by the Frenchmens neglected Guards many consultations being had they resolve upon the enterprise which they easily obtaine The French are much incenst at this surprisall and make great Military Provisions Franckfort upon the Mayne compounds with the Emperour The Spaniards surprise Triers and carry the Elector prisoner into Flanders Auspurg and other Cities brought to great extremitie cloze in with the Peace of Prague The French fall unexpectedly upon the Valteline and without any dispute make themselves masters thereof The state of Milan takes up Armes and the Spaniards are carefull to preserve the strong holds The
appearance all things were fairely carryed on 〈◊〉 the English no lesse mindfull of the Spanish actions who under the colour of good neighbour-hood had formerly indeavoured by an Armado at Sea to land their men in that Kingdome and under pretence of comforting the oppressed Romanists to conquer it did very well know that the French could not be held under without promoting the Spaniards whom for many respects they ought more to dread then the Brench and in particular because the English greatnesse consisting at Sea which they must passe over who will set footing in that Kingdome they had more reason to feare the Spaniards that were as well potent by Sea as Land then the French farre inferriour to them in shipping and strength at Sea And for that the King of England was first to have satisfaction given him in his pretences of having the Palatinate restored to his Nephewes which was a businesse the Austrians desired not to heare of their thoughts proved imperfect especially since the Palatinate was conferr'd upon the Duke Bavaria and likewise the Electorall Cap so as it seemed not faire to bereave him of the title of Elector though the Palatinate should be taken from him and as good an estate given him Divers Propositions were therefore propounded hereupon by the wariest Court-Counsellours Some were of opinion That England was by all meanes possible to be satisfied not onely so to winne the love and affection of the King thereof but to interest him in a League which might moderate the excessive power of France already growne to too great an height and to take from the Protestants their pretence of taking up Armes against the Emperour by restoring the Palatinate and Electoricall Dignitie the which was knowne to many to be of great importance since that it little concerned the Emperour and his affaires whether that state were in the hands of the Duke of Bavaria or in the Prince Palatines and yet the not restoring thereof was of great concernment That by reason of this the Austrians became hatefull to the Protestant Princes and 't was a prevalent cause of raysing Warre which being fomented by France and England did much endammage the Empire as experience had already shewen for the expences the Austrians had beene at in the late Warres did twentie times exceed the full value of the Palatinate that notwithstanding not to quit good correspondency with Bavaria nor breake faith with him who was alwayes ready to disburse his owne monyes and indanger his state for Caesars service the Palatinate might be changed for the upper Austria as it had beene formerly done And that the title of Elector might rest in the Duke of Bavaria during his life and afterwards returne to the Palatine for that though they should not intend to doe so they should by this promise winne time to put the affaires of the Empire in order and get to be in a condition of altering their word at their pleasure Others thought it good to feed England with good words but that their actions should onely aime at their owne interests for though the Palatinate should be restored the English would not notwithstanding declare themselves Enemies to France for since it made for the interest of their Kingdome that both these Crownes should be weakened by the Warre they would endeavour to keepe the ballance equally poised betweene them that so by their ruines they might the more secure the peace and accommodation of their owne quiet Kingdome And as for the distaste they might receive by the not restitution of the Palatinate they should not any wayes apprehend that for the English would never joyne with the French to oppresse the Spaniards lest thereby they should augment their already excessive Forces which necessarily they ought to be jealous of but they would rather foment that partie whose declination might make the other more dreadfull Others affirmed It were more convenient to give in Lieu of the Palatinate some Lands in Swabendland and in Wirtenberg to the Duke of Bavaria and that the title of Elector should remaine to him during his life In fine the most voyces were for the restitution of the Palatinate but the putting of it in execution was much hindred through the feare the Imperialists had of distasting the Duke of Bavaria whose assistance was now more necessary for them then formerly And thus was this so weightie resolution retarded and inveloped with other considerations when Maximilian wisely fore-seeing that the Austrian Ministers of State might resolve upon somewhat which might give satisfaction to England and finding there was no better way to crosse it then by obliging the Emperour to have a greater care to the interest of his owne house he bethought himself of marrying the Emperours Daughter as well to winne more upon Caesars good will by this new alliance as to oblige his Imperiall Majestie rather to favour his grand-children then strangers This marriage was therefore managed with reciprocall desire the Duke desired it the more to oblige the Emperour and King of Hungary to continue friendship with him as likewise that he might have issue to succeed him in his Dominions which as yet he had not Caesar listened willingly thereunto as well to shew his affection to Bavaria as likewise to make him by this tye more firme to what concerned Caesar and to keepe him from being wrought upon by the perswasions and promises of France as it was said was mainely indeavoured by vast hopes whereby to withdraw him from his siding with the Emperour and certainly if the Duke should as things then stood have given eare thereunto such a resolution might have tended much to the prejudice of Caesar. The businesse was therefore wholly concluded though some good wits murmured thereat pretending to fore-see that such fruits might proceed from this marriage as might prove bitter to the Emperours house Whilest France and Germany were thus busied each of them making what preparations they could for the present affaires a Hollander named Entholts who being banished his Countrey lived amongst the Spaniards in Flanders and who was very ill satisfied with the states of Holland because they had beheaded his Father for having as it was layd to his charge conspired with other two of his companions to deliver up the Fort of Tiell seated upon the Wall betweene Bonniell and Niminghen unto the Spaniards whilest he lived in a Countrey that profest Neutralitie this Entholts holding intelligence with some kindred and friends of his who often used to advertise him how affaires went in those Provinces thought how he might effect somewhat which might correspond with his desires as it is usuall with men whose passion exciteth them to revenge And being advertised that the Fort of Skinck a very strong place situated upon the poynt of the Island made by the Rhyn which dividing it selfe here into two parts that on the left hand takes the name of the Wall the other on the right hand continuing the name of the Rhyn till it
falls into the Sea so as it is made almost impregnable had in it at that time not above 200 Foot for the guard thereof that the Ditch might in some parts be easily waded over that one Palizado was weake and which imported most that the Man of Warre which had alwayes wont to lye in the mouth of the said River to keepe it from surprisall by water was retuned to Amsterdam for some disputes betweene Niminghen and the said Amsterdam Niminghen denying to pay such Sessements as those of Amsterdam Niminghen being the Metropolitan of Guelders for the safetie of which Province the said Ship was maintained pretended it should doe he acquainted the Spanish Commanders therewithall and offered them his best assistance whereupon they resolved not to let slip the occasion but to try the enterprise Count Embden a gallant Gentleman and he who not long before surprised Trevers had therefore the charge hereof given him he presently caused some light Boats to be built and tooke his way thitherwards with 400 choice Foot for had he taken greater numbers with him he might have beene discovered by the Hollanders who with their Army were not farre from thence and moreover he made use of two other greater Barques called Shamorouses wherewithall they ordinarily Traffique and carry Victuals from Neutrall places wherein secretly passing the River he placed his Scaling Ladders and bravely set upon the Town which tooke Allarme and the Garrison thereof ranne to defend it and did their utmost but many Austrians being entred the Town who were followed by the rest the Hollanders having stoutly opposed them and being so much the more affrighted by how much they were the more unexpectedly set upon not able to make head against the Enemy who fought upon the Rampiers and within the streetes that they had wonne they were inforced to yeeld the greatest part of them together with their Governour being slaine The losse of this Fort a place of so great importance being understood by the Prince of Orâ—nge who was with his Army about Niminghen did as is usuall in such unexpected cases much amaze him and all the Hollanders for this place being one of the keyes of those Provinces the Spaniards by possessing themselves thereof did not onely much indanger the whole Betaw but hindred the navigation of the Rhyn and cut off some Townes thereupon which were possest by the Hollanders as also if they could keep themselves there when the Austrians were strong in the field they might easily have thereby Ingresse into the heart of those Provinces whereof though they should not make themselves masters yet would it be very prejudiciall to all Holland if they should but fire those wind-mills which are made to empty the Country of water and to throw it into some Channels which afterwards when the Sea flowes fals backe into it of which benefit if that so low a Country should bee but a while deprived it would be wholly drowned it being onely maintained by these Mills which empty the water out of the Ditches and some Bankes which keep backe the Sea and without the which all that Country would be a Lake Whereupon the Prince of Orenge foreseeing the future dammage and knowing how necessary it was to recover it hasted with his Army thitherwards to that purpose But a good Garrison and good store of Victuals being put thereinto the Hollanders though they did their uttermost were stoutly resisted and beaten back Yet did they not like gallant Souldiers dispaire of successe being sure that the Spaniards could not keep it lying so farre from succour and so neer their out-rages and chiefely for that being continually infested by the French they could not imploy those men to the maintenance of that Fort which being to be divided for the preservation of other Cities and Provinces were not able to withstand the Hollanders proceedings in a place whither by reason of the great importancy thereof they had summoned all their Forces But if the Spaniards prevailed here the French failed not to do the like elsewhere Duke Crequi falling from Piemont into Montferrat with 8000 Foot and 2000 Horse past over the Poe and carrying his men on this side Sesia to within the jurisdiction of the State of Milan hee tooke Villata a place which in the former Warres of Montferrat was held by the Spaniards meeting with little or no resistance But the French-mens chiefe aime was to get into the State of Milan and to drive the Spaniards thence which when they should have done they would not onely have secured themselves of the State of Savoy but successefully carry on their Forces to further enterprises the which they might easily have done if they had not given eare to the perswasions of such who openly appearing to believe much in the French Nation spread abroad those Politique reports and which Princes are so well pleased to heare to wit that with little expence and not many men they might effect their desires for they believed that any small number of their men as they were told by others with the assistance of their Colleagues would be sufficient to doe the deed If they had not moreover been made believe that the Milanois being weary of the Spanish subjection and desirous of Novelty would suddainly follow the French Banners as soone as they should see a compleat Army in Piemonte which might be sufficient to keep in the confederates awe the Imperialists and to keep the Field in the Territories of Milan And if the French Commanders instead of passing their time away in making addresses to the Ladies of Montferrat and Piemonte in arguing upon yea and nay and in filling their purses with Gold had directly marched on and set downe before the Walls of Milan which was not furnished with men nor resolution Divers propositions were set on Foot in the Courts of France and Piemonte that the best and most advantagious might be chosen The taking of Valenza a Towne neer the Poe between Tortona and Casalle was propounded as that which would in a good part have hindred such succour as might be sent from the State of Genua to that of Milan it opened the passage to enter into that State and it cut off Alissandria making the passage easie from Montferrat to Piacenza which was the chiefe considerable thing in this affaire for the Duke of Parma not daring openly to declare himselfe in hostile manner against the Spaniards because his state was too farre distant from Montferrat from whence upon occasion hee was to expect succour it was consequently fitting and in all reason approved of that their first enterprise should be such as might give satisfaction to their Colleagues Novara was talked of whose Frontiers joyned upon that State and there was nothing else to withstand them even to the very Gates of Milan But this being a strength which was well-guarged by the Spaniards and which had formerly proved unfortunate to the French it was laid aside Some of the wisest were of
offer the Duke would have accepted as it was thought being inclined to Armes and no lesse to monies if he had believed the Mony would have been sent him and that the Venetians and the Pope would have assisted him in procuring of Men Victuals and Ammunition in their flourishing dominions without which he could not possibly undertake such an imployment From thence hee came about the end of August to Venice to move that Republicke to breake with Spaine and assist France upon which the French not without reason built very great hopes for if that State should have declared it selfe the Spaniards would certainly have lost Milan But because that wise and pious Senat intended not the perturbation but preservation of the publicke quiet of Italy the Embassadour had civill audience was magnificently received with such decorum as is usually practized by that splendid Republick to those who represent so great a King but carried no answer away save words full of courtesie and such as tended to the publicke quiet The French this meane while did straightly beset Valenza and plaid upon it on all sides and Crequi who thought he had brought it to an ill passe summoned the Towne threatning fire and Sword if it would not yeeld yet did these words little availe to abate the Spaniards daring who more couragious then ever answered the Trumpeter that brought the summons that the Spaniards used not to surrender any place for threats that they could not give way to bravadoes that the French should doe well instead of words to use deeds wherein they should be answered and should be taught that the Governour of Valenza had learnt from his Ancestors that threats never prevaile with well-borne Gentlemen At the time of this summons the Spaniards who knew it was requisite to bring them speedy and opportune succour before the French should have possest themselves of their out-Workes to the preservation whereof good numbers of men were requisit and that the losse of them would bee very prejudiciall to the Towne and much impede the succouring thereof resolved to advance and resolutely to indeavour the bringing in of men Don Carlo Colombo was therefore commanded to march thitherward and to indeavour to seat himselfe in Frescarolo about two miles from Valenza who comming with 4000 Foot and 10 Companies of Horse on the seventh of October to Pieue del Cairo staid there till the tenth of the same moneth Where hearing that the French having past the Poe advanced both with Horse and Foot with intention to take the said Frescarolo and by the taking thereof which was not possest by the Spanish Army having onely some sicke men and Sutlers in it to fortifie themselves in the Castle which was walled about with good old Wals and so make the Spaniards quit the fields who lay round about every where hoping to relieve the Towne and the Marquis of Terracusa who was then without any command in the Spanish Camp perceiving the French-mens drift and learning moreover that some few files of Foot with two Sakers were already on their march thitherward advertised Colombo thereof by whom hee was held in good esteem as one who had borne great offices in Flanders they immediately tooke counsell how to governe themselves upon this occasion Whereupon the next day the Horse moving from their former station and being backt with some files of Muskettiers hee possest himselfe of the way by which the Enemies Foot advanced where they fell to skirmish and the Neapolitans bravely withstood the Enemies Charge and broke their designe for at the same time the Spaniards that were led by the aforesaid Terracusa to whom for his greater honour the government of that affaire was that day commited set upon a Battaglion of the Savoyards who by order from their Duke hee being in person in the French Camp began to retreat and re-passing over the Poe without fighting as they might have done they returned to their former quarters whether the said Dukes Horse did likewise retreat being pursued by the Spanish Horse which upon this occasion were commanded by the Count de Sora a Spaniard who likewise served as a Voluntier under Colombo So as staying there three dayes on the 15th of the said October they luckily succoured the Towne with all things necessary to the great resentment of Crequi and the French Commanders who though it behoved them at the present not to take notice thereof yet could not Crequi forbeare saying to the Duke of Savoy My Lord Duke if it be your Highnesse pleasure to suffer Valenza to be succoured we need not trouble our selves in keeping any longer before it The French perceiving by the entrance of this reliefe that their hopes of winning the Towne were vaine their men being wearied and much lessened in lying before it and that any longer delay proved much to their disadvantage for whilest they to little purpose entertained themselves in that Siege the Spaniards augmented their numbers in Naples Cesely Germany and other places they with a joynt consent raised their Siege on the 26th of October the French and Duke of Parma retiring to Saint Salvadore and the Duke of Savoy with his men towards Satirana whereupon Colombo who kept in his quarters at Frescarolo to hinder any foraging upon the Kings Land on this side Poe and any further inrodes into the Country as likewise to make use of such occasion as fortune should offer him to incommodiate the confederates finding the French Campretreated went to his former quarters of Pieue del Cairo and watched there over the Enemies proceedings who to colour this their retreat gave out that they were to joyne with some Forces of Dolpheny that were comming towards Piemont and that being so joyned they intended to set upon the Spaniards in the fields for that they knew them to be too good at the defending of Wals. But this was but the opinion of the vulgar who alwayes talke of things not as they are but as they would have them For the French being much cast downe by the miscarrying of their enterprise whereby they suffered much in honour were not yet growne so confident as to venter upon another which was uncertaine and dangerous And the good which they had promised unto themselves appeared much more unlikely for the Duke of Savoy the originall of all their mischiefe not liking that they should get footing in the State of Milan did so craftily behave himselfe and was so well able to cloake his feigned intent as the French who trust more to their Sword then to their judgement not aware of his cunning threatned much but did little 'T was afterwards suspected that the Duke of Parma was contented Valenza should be relieved for hee finding all Crequies formerly said instances quite contrary to what hee expected was not very well pleased but beginning to doubt 't was said he made his complaints to Crequi foreseeing that the Spaniards being victorious in their defence might undertake some-what to his prejudice
being thus recruited marched into the field to oppose the inrodes of the Swedes who keeping in the State of Magdeburg did much infest those Towns which joyned upon Saxony and putting some of their Regiments to flight they slew many of them and tooke 7 Ensignes Bannier being hereof advertised who was reinforced about Lunenburg with 4000 Souldiers which were brought to him by Colonell Stalans from Prussia marched with his Army against the Saxons who fearing to meet with desperate men and such as desired to joyne Battaile with them though their numbers were greater their courage appeared to be lesse for they faced about and retreated to their former quarters Hannaw was likewise at this time streightly besieged by the Imperialists a strong hold fortified after the moderne fashion and seated upon the River Brints which taking its head from Franconia fals into the Mayne before Franckfort Colonell Vistum did herein command in Chiefe one of the bravest Commanders the Swedes had who having a stout Garrison made frequent Sallies wherewith he much troubled the Marquis of Grana and Lamboi who were the chiefe leaders of the Caesarian Camp News being come to the Court of France of their countrymens retreat from before Valenza and how little good their Commanders had yet done they took speedy advice about such things as they thought most fitting to continue the Warre in Italy and somewhat to salve their losse of reputation It was therefore foreseen and evidently made appeare by the wiser sort that little was to be hoped for in that Province whilest they were not really and effectually assisted by other Potentates or else unlesse the King himselfe should march thither in person with a powerfull Army For the French have no great desire to make Warre in Italy which they call their Grave insomuch as of 20000 Foot which came from Dolpheny hardly 10000 came into Piemont of which whole Squadrons fled daily away moved thereunto out of the impatiency the French-men have of seeing Rome Venice and other Cities in Italy where they stay lay downe their Armes and betake themselves to such Trades as they formerly used in France whereby the French Companies were so much lessened as that their Captaines not daring to acquaint the King therewithall were it either out of shame or for their privat gaine by the receiving of dead pay excused their delay by invented difficulties Whence it was that thus to set upon an estate full of strong holds and having good Forces in the fields was but a losse of men and time And the King not being able to goe out of his Kingdome by reason of the great interests of the Crowne or rather as it was said by others lest he might hazard that reputation and glory which with the universall applause of Christendome and of the whole World he had wonne when he freed the Duke of Mantua from evident Spanish subjection it behoved either to quit the enterprise or else to indeavour to conclude a friendship and union with some such Potentate as might be able to set upon that State in some other part that by such a diversion the way might be opened to their desired proceedings This Counsell though it were the most proper and that which at their first taking up Armes was imbraced yet was it not thought sufficiently effectuall For those who cleerly saw the reason and relation of States argued by what was past that the Italians more hated the neighbourhood of the French then of the Spaniards they being naturally more inclined to the Spaniards by reason of their sympathizing in language and gravity with them then to the others who much differ from them both in customes and vivacity of spirit Yet building upon the opinion that the Spaniards were ill thought of as those who being potent in Italy doe infinitely desire to inlarge the bounds of their Monarchy That they had beene the cause of so much ruine in Italy as was witnessed by the fresh memory of Mantua and Lombardy they perswaded themselves that particular hatred was able in some sort to obfuscat that wisedome through which Princes regard not the memory of any thing that is past that so they may be the more intent to the present interest of their State The Duke of Parma was in this interim not well satisfied with those chiefe Agents who had the government of the French Forces in Italy who gave little appearance of concurring in advice with his Highnesse keeping their men quartered in Montferrat when both time and occasion required they should have beene imployed about the common interest before such time as further Forces should bee brought into the State of Milan as was expected from Spaine Naples Germany and elsewhere and whereof some Dutch Troopes did already appeare who were received upon the Confines by Signior Alexander Visconti sent thither to that purpose from Milan The Duke foresaw that through the Commanders negligence who minded nothing but their owne profit the Warre was at last to fall wholly upon his Country which lay open for the Spanish invasion But he was also comforted by hopes of receiving fresh aide from the King of France and that hee himselfe should have the chiefe command of the Warre A businesse which if it had succeeded as it was wisely advised the French might have hoped for better successe then they hitherto had For the Duke of Parma being a sprightly Prince and of high thoughts would have carried on the Warre with courage and ingenuity and being sufficiently ill minded towards the Spaniards would not have let slip such occasions as should have opportunely presented themselves keeping his Companies compleat and behaving himselfe like a generous Commander And when the Milanesses should have seene such a Prince in the field who can tell but that believing hee might prove another Lodowick they would not have been so faithfull unto the Spaniards as now they seemed to bee for feare of falling in subjection to the French And this was thought by witty men the best course the French could have taken for when they should have appeared not to have beene any wayes interessed themselves and that their onely end had beene to have driven out the Spaniards and to have reduced that Dukedome under the Scepter of an Italian Prince those who were subjects unto Spaine would have been glad thereof so to have been eased from the government of strangers and the other Princes of Italy hoping to better their condition by expelling the Spaniards and particularly by their dividing the State of Milan amongst them they would have heartily fomented the worke but strangers being to be exchanged for strangers and an united power as was then that of France being to be drawne neere them 't was better for them to continue the State of Milan in the Spaniards hands whose Territories are farre off and disjoyned For to compose an Army fit to defend on one part and to offend the State on another much Mony and time would be required and the
from holding any prejudiciall correspondency with the French as likewise to procure from them some succour if not of men nor money yet of minds well disposed towards his affaires he gave the charge hereof to Crast one of his Court-Counsellours who parting from Vienna and comming to Venice after having with all tearmes of courtesie and appearing confidence but as was repâ—rted without obtaining one penny of money dispatcht his Embassy with that Republique pursued his journey to the other Princes from whom receiving likewise all such satisfaction as is usually given by excuses and faire words the negotiation proved of little or no effect For the Italian Princes resenting their expences occasioned by the ambition of the Austrian Agents and their numbers being much diminished by the contagion brought into their States by the Imperialists could neither have any appetite to disgest such dangers nor reason sufficient to perswade them to soment a greatnesse which in due time would be exercised against the benefactors thereof But the Spaniards who were now become strong and numerous in the State of Milan for to boot with the Horse and Foot sent to them from the Kingdome of Naples there were likewise arrived 8 of Gileda's his Companies 6 Companies of Foot belonging to Colonell Lunardi 10 of Horse to the Count De Slich and other 10 of Dragoones to Colonell Girone thinking it now time to move some whither resolved to doe somewhat in recompence of the Hostilitie used in the Countrey of Regio against the Duke of Modena by the Savoyards and those of Parma They therefore entred upon the Piacenzan Territories set upon and tooke S. Iohns Castle which suddenly yeelded by reason of the flow advance of succour which came not time enough though it were sent by Marquis Villa Wherefore those of Parma the Towne being lost retreated which they could not so suddenly doe but that being followed by those of Modena they suffered some losse in the skirmish which certainly would have beene greater had not the Spaniards thought this their retreat a stratagem to draw them into an ambush so as they ceased from further pursuing them and retreated to S. Iohns Castle where leaving a Garrison of 700 Dutch Foot Gambaccorta the Governour of the Horse had order to over-run the Piacenzan Territories the which hee did burning some Barkes upon the Poe and bringing good store of Cattell into Cremona Which hostile acts being understood by the French Crequi that he might seem not to neglect the State of Parma thought to make the Spaniards quit the Pâ—acenzan Territories by diversion he therefore sent out some Companies of Horse and Foot who pillaged some Townes and Villages on this side the Poe sackt Palestro Confienza and Robio but got not much thereby for all the best things had been wisely conveyed away from thence before into places of greater strength Wherefore the Governour sent speedily a good Body of men to the Confines of Novara and hee himselfe went in person to Briagras to looke to the preservation of the State and to oppose the Enemies designes who notwithstanding continuing their inrodes did likewise sack Vespola Bannier being inheartned by the Saxons retreat advanced with his Army from Magdeburg towards Henneberg a place neer Sala where meeting with 7 Imperiall Regiments hee fought with them and put them to flight inforcing them to retreat with some losse from thence he came before Leipsick set upon it and would have taken it had not the Elector who was much concerned in the losse thereof in respect of his owne interest and for the reputation of his Forces speedily joyned himselfe with Colonell Maracini who commanded a Body of Caesarians to the number of about 7000 and was advanced thitherward the which when Bannier understood after having gotten some contribution from the neighbouring Townes he retired towards Hall upon the Sala not to hazard the fortune of a Battaile wherein he feared hee should receive some great prejudice being weake in men and the Saxons having about 28000 fighting men the Caesarians being cast into the number The Pope and great Duke of Tuscany who were not a little grieved at the troubles of Italy and in particular at the falling out betweene Modena and Parma from which they saw much of incommodity might in time ensue to their States for this was a businesse wherein they were likely to be interessed both the one for the one the other for the other party resolved to indeavour an agreement between them before businesses should be growne to a greater hight They therefore begun to negotiat to purpose with their Highnesses insomuch as by their interpositions the Forces of Modena retreated from the Territories of Parma and shortly after their differences were quieted through the good indeavours of Monsignior Mellino Bishop of Imola sent to this purpose from the Pope to Modena and Parma On the other side the Spaniards perceived there was no better way to bring the Duke of Parma to their devotion then to reduce him to a necessity of being succoured by the French upon the confidence whereof he had declared himselfe For when he should see that their words and their deeds did not correspond as they were confident they would not he would have just cause to provide for his own safety And they likewise knew that to succour Piacenza and to withstand the Spanish Forces which were about Montferrat it would be requisite for them to have a very great Army of which there was but little likelihood for the French came unwillingly into Italy and the few that were there every day ran away and their Commanders minded more their owne preservation and their making good cheer in Montferrat and Piemont then the winning of another Country which conteined in it so many and so great incommodities difficulties They therefore resolved to appeare more ready to offend him and on the fifth of March made some of their men advance and tooke the Town and Castle of Colorno a place between the Poe and the River Parma which upon the sight of Cannon Articled and yielded as likewise did Merano a place belonging to the jurisdiction of Parma upon the side of Poe towards Casall the greater Advancing further they lodged in the Townes of Count Saint Secundo giving out that they did it to remit the heirs of that Count into their Territories their father having lost his life in the businesse of the Valteline in the King of Spaines service In all which they prospered and met with no lets there being no Souldiers to oppose them for little lesse then their whole Militia was in Parma and Piacenza and retreated into their strong places to keep themselves safe till the arrivall of the promised succour from France And Villa who kept still about Piacenza durst not come forth of his quarters with those few men he had as not able to oppose the Spaniards Crequi hearing of these invasions indeavoured to do somewhat in the State of Milan so to divert the
Spaniards Therefore they more then ever renewed their hostilitie in the State of Piacenza and making more Dutch Troopes advance they tooke the Castle of Rottofredo betwixt Titon and Trebbia and afwards Valditaro and S. Donino and wasted all those Territories 't was said their intention in doing this was that if the Duke should come with a French Army into his Countrey to invade the State of Milan on that side he should find neither Forrage nor Victualls to maintain himselfe by which meanes they should secure themselves on that side and so much the rather for that the French when they should be brought to that ruined Countrey of narrow Precincts they being a Nation who cannot well endure hunger if at other times and in other places they were accustomed to runne from their Commanders they would much the more doe so here having the commoditie to goe see Mantua and Venice And the Spaniards greatly fearing that the French upon the Duke of Parma's comming and their Commission from the King should rather attempt somewhat in the State of Milan they sent Don Alonso de Quiranes the Lieutenant Generall of the Horse with 24 companies of Horse into Novara to watch over the French-mens wayes and to oppose them in such sort as his experience should bid him till such time as necessary Provisions for defence were had in the State of Milan And because the Spaniards knew of what importance Rottofredo and the Borrough of Valditaro were by reason of their situation for the present Warre they resolved to fortifie them for that maintaining themselves there though the French should come to succour Piacenza they would be able to bring them to great sufferings and to hinder the French from advancing on that side into the States of Milan or of Modena And for that the keeping of good intelligence betweene the Spaniards and the Duke of Modena was very requisite in many respects they sent Don Francisco di Mello to the greater Cassall whither likewise the Duke came and speaking together 't was said that Mello in his Kings name did againe assure his Highnesse of his Majesties perfect good inclinations to what concerned him wishing him to cast away any umbrage of feare he might have that the French passing into the Countrey of Parma were to lay hands on the State of Râ—giâ— or of Modena Others said that Mello let fall some words to invite the Duke to come to the Court of Spaine which was much desired by the Spaniards that they might not goe lesse with France which had beene visited by the Duke of Parma Others said it was to raise more men out of that State and to interest that Prince yet more with the Crowne of Spaine but every man judged as he thought good guessing onely by conjectures for no man knew any word he said The Duke of Alcana came likewise at this time to Milan who was reported should be entertained as Governour thereof and who was much welcomed and in stately manner met without Pavia by Leganes Mello and other Cavaliers The French were as diligent as the Spaniards in examining what would make most for their advantage and of all the rest Crequi was offended that his fame should not now mount as high as it had done in his former actions foreseeing that if by his valour he should not make good those hopes which the Court expected from the comming of the Duke of Parma and the Kings commands he should goe lesse in reputation The French Kings chiefe Commanders and Ministers of State being met in Cassale such Propositions were put to be wisely weighed as were thought fitting by such as were more passionate then others to see the honour of the French Forces lessen the contents whereof were That the Army being brought together it should immediately march towards the State of Parma that when they should have driven the Spaniards from thence made Piâ—cenza their Arsenall of Armes and all necessary Provisions they should couragiously and boldly set upon the State of Milan on this side which as it was more opulent and abounding in plentie then any other part so did it want Forts able to withstand a strong Army and that when they should have ransackt the Countries of Cremona and Lodegian and made themselves Masters of those two Townes which were not very strong they might easily beleaguer the Citie of Milan they fortified these opinions by these reasons That if this were not done the Duke of Parma who had readily without any respect to his owne particular declared himselfe for them might lawfully make his peace with the Spaniard Whereupon together with the losse of so important a friend they were to suffer not onely in their reputation but even in their plighted faith for all other Princes taking example hereby would be careful how they built upon hopes from France That the friendship of the Princes and Potentates of Italy was one of the greatest goods that could befal the Crown of France and contrariwise the greatest prejudice that could happen to Spaine That Charles Duke of Maâ—tua's obligations to France were knowne the affection and intire friendship of the state of Venice That doubtlesse though the state of Parma should prove penurious as not to be able to maintaine an Army it would be supplyed from Mantua Ferara and Venice That the Princes would be glad of such a neighbour-hood for that the Spaniards having thereby recourse unto their Townes their Territories growing consequently more populous and they inriching themselves by their neighbours pillage their Principalities would be thereby advantaged That it was not to be believed that the Spaniards though stronger then they were would resolve upon a generall battell with the French Army since by losing they should lose too much and by winning gaine but little That therefore they were to furnish Brem Cassalle and other neighbouring Forts with all things necessary to send speedy advertisement to the Court to the end that more Forces might with expedition be sent by the King to set upon the State of Mila on the other side that so they might effect the work according to their desire The other Commanders would easily have given way to these reasons as appearing probable and valid but considering the end and scope of the enterprise there were some who openly opposed them alledging That the French had not about 7 or 8 thousand Foot and 2500 Horse wherewithall to keepe the Field that this was a small number in respect of the difficultie of the undertaking and the recruits which the Spaniards had received from divers parts that they were for many miles to passe through the Enemies Countrey having Valenza Alessandria and Tortona upon their Flanks and backs that the Army would be perpetually disturbed that they could not promise themselves any safe retreat if they should have occasion so to doe it was rather to be feared that the Spaniards by possessing themselves of the most advantagious Avenues might crosse them in their march and
confused in their following of him he left the Campe full of fires though no body was therein and having put part of his Foot into Magdeburg he with his Horse wasting all the neighbouring Territories retired to Serbest some six houres march from Magdeburg over-running all parts thereabouts and pillaging the Townes even to Brandeburg and from thence to Havell to the end that the Saxons finding neither Victualls nor Forrage might be incommodiated in their Siege and not be able to keepe long before that Citie and meeting with two Regiments of Saxons who were advanced to watch over and oppose his designes being in condition to withstand them for some of Maracinies men were come up to him he ingaged himselfe with them in a gallant fight routed them and tooke from them eleaven Standards flew 200. tooke many prisoners and returned againe to Serbest But the Elector having sent some Barques of Ammunition and instruments of Warre downe the River to Rossemburg a Towne upon the Sala and Elb he himselfe likewise advanc't thether being joyned with Azfelt who brought with him about 9000 fighting-men and having made two Bridges upon Boats over the Elb and Sala he commanded Azfelt to advance towards Magdeburg on the Bishopricke of Halberstats side and he himselfe past with his men on the other side the Elb to set upon Bannier to drive him from Zerbest and to begin the Siege But he found the Swedes parted from thence and quartered betweene Magdeburg and Werben in Tregemonde where they expected Oranghell who was already at Stetin with 8000 Souldiers They therefore halted here and fortified themselves making a Bridge that as time should serve they might succour Magdeburg which being strongly set upon by the Saxons those within the Towne did valiantly defend it and by gallant and continuall sallies did annoy the Enemy in their 〈◊〉 and quarters The Hollanders did now besiege and batter Sckinck-Sconce the former losse whereof as hath beene said did much trouble them in succour whereof Colonell Iohn de Nassaw was come with his men to Cleves a Citie three leagues distance from thence and the Spaniards were likewise advanced who tryed on all sides though in vaine to surprise the Hollanders in their Trenches who were so well fortified with Trenches re-doubts and their men did so desperately behave themselves as the Spaniards holding it impossible to break into them resolved to returne to Cleves and Goch where a little before to the universall sorrow of the Infanta and all the Commanders of that Army the Marquis of Aytona dyed a Gentleman greatly wise and as well courteous in his demeanour as valiant and experienced in Warre At this retreat the Hollanders being much incouraged and not desisting day and night to batter and assault the Fort they at last set upon it with such force and boldnesse as the defendants wanting further meanes to maintaine it and the Hollander being dead therein who had surprised it and who was sent thether by the Spaniards to defend it they Articled on the 26th day of May and on the 30th of the same Moneth about 900 Foot marched out with their Armes Baggage Drums beating Colours flying and 4 pieces of Cannon and marched towards Ghelders and the Hollanders entred to the great applause and ineffable content of all the States and people of those Provinces But if Fortune favoured the Hollanders in assisting them so quickly to compasse their desired enterprise she frown'd upon the Imperialists before Hannaw for though Lamboye was succoured by 3000 Souldiers and that he did more and more streighten the Fort the Swedes and Inhabitants by valiant defending themselves and by unheard of daring and continuall sallies annoying the Caesarian quarters they kept them at distance and in awe and making excursions even to the banks of the Maine they fired the Barques that were sent to Franckfort which caused a great dearth in that Citie the Inhabitants whereof were reduced to that poynt as they durst not for feare of the Garrison of Hannaw goe one mile out of the Citie nor live in the neighbouring Villages The end of the eleventh Book DOCTRINA PARIT VIRTUTEM The Warres and other State Affaires of the best part of Christendome THE XII BOOK The Contents of the Twelfth Book The Spaniards are much troubled to heare of the French-mens passing into the state of Parma They advise about and provide for their affairs Rohan enters into Valsazena and breakes the building wherein Cannon Bullets were made The King of England sends the Earle of Arundell to the Emperour about the Palatinate The Landsgrave of Hessen having surprized Minden succours Hannaw Duke Waymer declared Generall of France and Swethland in Germany prepares for Warre Dole in Burgundy is besieged by the French The Duke of Parma returnes privatly to his own Dominions Crequi with his Army enters into the heart of the state of Milan He cuts off the water from Navillio that goes to Milan Incamps himselfe on the fields of Castane and puts all the neighbouring parts in great feare The Spaniards invade Picardy and by the falshood of some of the Governours take some Forts The Duke of Orleans in head of his Majesties Forces make divers Atchievements France takes Allarme and provides for such inconveniencies The Spaniards publish a manifesto against the government of the King of France his Ministers but get nothing thereby A bloâ—dy Battaile is fought upon the fields of Castane neer Pamperduto between the French and Spaniards The French after a while retire from the places they had tane neer Pamperdueto Divers discourses upon the Duke of Savoys actions Zaverna yeelded to the French The Prince of Conde retires from Dole Magdeburg is yeelded to the Duke of Saxony who doth divers other things The Emperour comes to Ratisbon where the Dyet begins The Spaniards go out of Navar against France They incamp themselves before Bayone The Spaniards thinke upon the taking of Piacenza and to that effect marcht towards it The Duke of Parma makes protestation in France that without aid he can no longer hold out against the Spaniards The King of Hungary is chosen King of the Romans in Ratisbon and what the Austrians joy was WHilest affaires went thus in Germany great preparation for Warre was made in Flanders and all Europe stood as a spectatrix inquisitive what the event of so great provisions made on all sides would bee The Spaniards having sent the Duke of Alcala to the State of Milan to assist in the government of that Dukedome Leganes not being able to be both in Milan and in the field at once made it knowne that the French increasing every day more and more in Montferrat gave out they would by force of Armes march into the State of Parma Whereat they being much troubled for that enterprise being accompanied with the diversion which they might have on the Piacenzan side would very much molest them generall consultations being had in Pavia between the Duke D'Alcala Leganes Mello and
such a diversion might easily much advantage themselves and totally confound that State but such considerations proceeding from Rohans passion who impatient to live idlely after so many Victories and so great a renowne was by his valour and animositie incited to the contrary were not approved of For Waymer had occasion enough to imploy himselfe in Alsatia the getting whereof was of greater importance to the French then was the Valteline not engaging himselfe among the unpassable Mountains of Rhetia for if he should once set upon them besides the difficulties of bringing Cannon Ammunition and the streightnesse of passage the Spaniards under pretence of assisting the Grisons might get footing there which would rather be the way to effect the Austrians ends then to satisfie the French-mens aimes But Rohan still continuing his anger against the Grisons having grievously complained of them to the Switzers of Zurick and to every one that he spake withall he gave out that going blindly to work they themselves did hammer out a Chain wherewith afterwards they should find themselves fastened to the Spaniards will To which purpose I will not omit the extract of a Letter written by the said Rohan from Zurick to an Italian Gentleman the contents whereof were I Very well remember what you told me as you went for Coira touching the bent of the discourse which those Grison Colonells held in the poynt of their dexteritie with our Nation I have found the words true by the effects nothing else could be expected from them who having totally given themselves over to their owne interest have beene able by the vizard of publique reason to disguise the monster of unwarinesse and make it appeare wisedome The Grisons shall in time know what it is to distrust those who that they might trust them have vindicated their liberties By how many more the Flowers shall be in the Spring of this Spanish friendship so much lesse shall be the fruit which they shall gather in the Autumne of this their folly Every one desires the King my Masters Forces but none lookes upon them with a sincere eye They might have forborne to have kindled this fire which into how great a flame it will burst out is not yet certaine If my King not well pleased with the contrary events to what he expected in Italy shall with-draw his invincible Forces from thence that he may dispose them elsewhere more for the advantage of his Crowne it will then be seene whether the Spaniards having throwne off their perfumed Gloves with which they temper or stifle the smell of those that side with them or draw neere them have hands of the same odour as they seeme to have Time will be the judge of this affaire and will peradventure give sentence against those who will repent that they have repented their friendship with Francâ— The Spaniards being greatly inheartned by the taking of Ponzone and the certaintie of tâ—e French-mens weake preparations and very much strengthned by new recruits from Naples Spaine and Germany Leganes thought it became not the honour of the Spanish Forces to lye idle whilest they were by their good successe invited to further enterprises Whereupon he resolved to proceed and because Nizza Della Paglia a Towne in Montferrat invironed with no contemptible Walls and Towers was a businesse though of some difficultie yet of no little advantage for that the entrance into Monferrat was thereby opened and thereby way was made for the winning of other Townes at leisure which being had prepared them for the taking of Cassalle a strength of mightie consequence and which being like a thorne in the side of the State of Milan all the designes ends and industry of the Spanish Commanders and State-Ministers were bent against it the Austrians not being able to indure that such a Citie should remaine in the hands of the French they brought their Army before the said Nizza and so fiercely beset it as that those of Piemont who guarded it being at the very first filled with fear and confusion and despairing of being able to maintaine it they chose rather to accept of Articles of agreement then to runne the hazard of defending it The Garrison marched out with their Armes and Baggage and retired to Cassalle to the no little resentment of the French who blaming the Governour thereof for his distrust of succour tooke it ill that the Duke of Savoy did not punish him by way of example to others The Spaniards having left some Souldiers to defend this place divided their Army into two parts with the one of which Leganes came before Alba a Citie of Montferrat and with the other Don Martine d' Aragona went to the taking in of Agliano a Fort by reason of its situation and in respect of the present times of great importance And the Spaniards knowing of what consequence Nizza was in these present emergencies they resolved to keepe it and began to fortifie there and by the taking thereof the Garrisons of Montegrosso and Castiole being of no use they tooke them away And the Passe at Finale in the State of Milan being of mighty consideration the Spaniards that they might the better secure it sent the Regiments of the Princes Reignold and Borso from Este into the Langhe that they might there watch over the proceedings of the French over whom Crequi after his desires thrice to the contrary had his Commission of command renewed He therefore made all possible preparations to drive back the Spaniards into the State of Milan and Leganes rising without any fruit from before Alba went to Annone and on the third of Iuly past back again with his Army on this side Tanare upon a Bridge which he threw over at Croce Bianca two miles distant from Asti with intention to surprise that Towne whereat the Savoyards tooke such an Allarme as fearing what might succeed Marquis Villa came with 4000 Foot and 500 Horse into Asti to defend it in case the Spaniards should attempt the taking thereof and to fortifie Alba the preservation whereof made much for the Duke of Savoy so as the Armies of both sides being so neere continuall skirmishes past betweene the Horse which was all that was done A reciprocall and affectionate correspondency was now more then ever held betweene the Crowne of France and the States of the United Provinces of Holland and in this present conjuncture their closest intelligence tended to the lessening of the Spanish greatnesse wherefore their intentions were that the one of them should set upon Flanders on one part whilest the other did the like in another part that so they might divert the Spanish Forces and consequently make their other resolved on enterprises lesse difficult The Prince of Orenge went therefore unexpectly forth with many Boats which were provided at Dordrech in Holland and having imbarqued many Souldiers therein he made towards Flushing and from thence comming privatly to shore upon the strond of the Marish which lies between Sluce and the
indispositions were such as was his for besides the Cough of the Lungs he was of a very weake Complexion The Spaniards likewise much resented the death of this Prince for he being a great Polititian and one who desired to keepe faire with the French to the end that they might permit him quietly to enjoy his owne State but with no intention that they should get further footing in Italy many were of opinion that he held secret intelligence with the Spaniards and that this was a chiefe cause why the State of Milan was no further indammaged for cloaking the secrets of his mind with outward simulation and appearances he dexterously governed the affaires of Warre as they most conduced to his owne end The Spaniards fearing least upon this occasion the French might be brought into the best Forts of Piemont by the Duches meanes in regard of the feare she stood in of her Subjects who were not well inclined to the French and that that State should no more in effect belong to the house of Savoy but onely in outward shew so as they losing the hopes they had therein as the Trench which divides Italy from France they must be inforced to keepe Forces continually on Foot in the State of Milan to defend it from the incursions of the French their contiguous neighbours The Spaniards being much moved for the said reasons sent speedy advertisement of this accident to Spaine Flanders and Germany and did moreover give out That the Duke was poysoned by Crequi his procurement that by such a report they might the more incense his subjects against the French who never departing from those Towns as at first they did began to be very burthensome to the Inhabitants The Marquis Leganes and the other State-Ministers of Spaine advised what they were to doe upon the present emergency at last this being acknowledged to be a wound which if it were suffered to runne on and grow worse all remedies that could be apply'd thereunto hereafter would prove vaine they all agreed in a joynt opinion that they were to doe their utmost as well by force of Armes as cunning and industry in using such meanes as should be most opportune for them without losse of time and whilst by the Dukes death all Piemont was in a confusion and whilst the French had not yet thought of establishing any government there though the French that were in Italy sought rather how they might get into the strong holds of Piemont then into those of Milan By command from Leganes all they that were in Comasco went into the Countrey of Allessandria where the Spaniards hearing that the French Fleet was discovered in the Mediterranian over against Italy and fearing lest landing their men they might attempt some enterprize Don Martin of Aragon and Don Iohn de Garray were sent with some Souldiers into the Lang he to looke to any incursion the French might make on that part but the Spaniards march being discovered by the French who were quartered in Montferrat towards that side they came forth against them and fought with them in the Lang he where the French who were more in number then the Spaniards prevailing Don Martin was necessitated to retreat into the Territories of Allessandria with the losse of 400 of his men The Austrians this meane while understanding that those of Piement being much opprest by the French who treated them as Subjects would willingly imbrace any occasion whereby they might drive them out did cheerfully consent that the Cardinall of Savoy should come into Piemont who was then at Rome conceiving that if he were introduced and admitted to the government of that State who was a friend to Spaine and a very understanding Prince he would have a care to preserve his Nephewes authoritie would have an eye to the sinister proceedings of the French and that being upon all occasions fomented by the Spaniards it would not be hard for him to make them forgoe their quarters in Piemont especially since the Spaniards were growne stronger and the French weaker By nourishing the Warre in Piemont the Spaniards kept the evills thereof from out their owne Territories and which was of greater importance by putting enmitie betweene the Savoyards and French to boot with the increase of Forces of the one and decrease of the others they hoped by driving the French out of Italy to become Masters themselves of the chiefe strengths of Piemont and consequently keepe the Princes thereof at their beck so as if they could have secured themselves from the power of France on this side they certainly would have become very dreadfull to all the rest of Italy To this purpose the Cardinall parted speedily from Rome and came to the State of Genua upon the Confines of Piemont where he found himselfe deceived in his opinion for the French protested to the Duchesse that if she should bring her Brother in law into Piemont they would turne their Forces against her State The Duchesse was therefore inforced to signifie unto him that he should forbeare comming further for she would by no meanes receive him then she her selfe being sufficient to take upon her the government of her Sonne and that so it was her Husbands will she should doe This answer was very bitter to the Cardinall as he witnessed by his sharpe rescenting thereof the rather for that he very well fore-saw the eminent dangers which threatned that State which in other times had beene the Theater of Italies greatnesse in so much as he declared That by the Fundamentall Laws of that State he was to take upon him the administration of the government that his Brothers will was voyd and invalid and that the Statutes of that Dukedome were unalterable which containe that if the Duke dye and leave his Children Orphans the Princes of the Blood be admitted to the government both of the State and them But as no reason is of validitie with those that will not be governed thereby and when there wants sufficient force to compell obedience the Cardinalls pretensions were not allowed of but his Sister in Law sent him word againe willing him to returne to Rome from whence he came And the French fearing that since the Cardinall could not prevaile by his perswasions for admission he would indeavour to effect his desires by the force of Spaine which were all already brought upon those Frontiers and had caused no little suspitions Crequi having now to his no small contentment the sole supreame command of all the Forces in Italy for it is usuall with great men not well to brooke an equall or superior in authoritie thinking that he should now be able to doe some great matter in Italy went with his Army from Montferrat to Poma a Castle betweene Valenza and Casalle neere the River Roaldo guarded by 200 Spaniards who not able to defend themselves forsooke it when they heard of the French mens approach and causing a Bridge to be throwne over the River Poe on the side of Brem
gave out that he would quarter his whole Army that Winter in the State of Milan but these words tooke not effect for Leganes having brought the greatest part of his Army about Valenza the Marshall altered his mind and returned to Winter in his former quarters of Piemont and Montferrat Whereby the Spaniards finding it an easie matter to take Brem they had many reasons to goe about it before they should betake themselves to their Winter quarters and before the French should receive more recruits from France But the season proved afterwards so exceeding wet and the wayes so deepe as they could not without much incommoditie march with their Cannon wherefore upon better advice Leganes resolved to leave garrisons on the Frontiers particularly in Lumello and Carasona whose fortifications were not yet perfected and disperse his Army in the Townes of that state with intention to appeare in the Spring with greater numbers in the field and doe that which though it was deferred was not forgotten The face of affaires was changed in Lombardy by the death of Victorios Amadreo Duke of Savoy as also by the decease of Charles Duke of Mantua who died a little before the other on the 21th of September For Charles having left his Grandchild very young and his sonnes Wife Mary Governesse of her sonne till he should come to bee 18 yeares old 't was foreseen that from hence alteration would proceed for the wiser sort were of opinion that the Princesse was of another genius then was Charles who could not forget his affection to the French and that the greater part of the Mantoans being Leaguniosised and not onely naturally small friends to Forrainers but much exasperated against those whom they termed the cause of their ruine they might easily perswade the young lady to keep faire correspondency with the Spaniard under whom they thought themselves to be bettered when indeed they were by so much more impaired by how much a King of Spaine is greater then a Duke of Mantua at which the French who through Charles his unadvisednesse were now in the best Townes of Montferrat taking offence some adverse accident might fall out Others said the Duchesse being but young and much solicited by her mother Marguerit of Savoy and the Empresse Ellinor she might perhaps listen to a new marriage And that when the Infante of Spaine could get footing in Mantua and in the right of the young Lady lawfully keep what he had gotten in Montferrat hee would willingly yeeld to marry her and that the Princesse would not be unwilling to better her condition in these present emergencies from whence great troubles must needs arise for if the Spaniards should once get into Mantua and the Citadell of Casalle there was no hope though they might intend to restore the state to the lawfull heire that ever they would take their garrisons out of such important places Whereupon every Potentate apprehending the Spaniards greatnesse they would prepare to obviat what might prove prejudiciall to them and so those poore Countries would bee the Scaene of Warre Some notwithstanding replied to the discourse touching this marriage with reasons not improbable to wit that it would hardly be affected for that the Princesse being esteemed to be fruitfull it did not comply with the Spaniards that their Kings brother should have children out of the reason of State of keeping the government in one onely and that therefore when they should thinke upon a match for him they were to provide a Wife that were barren and on the other side they aswell saw that if the Mantuans should keep constant to the French they should not onely be treated by them as subjects and the Duke of Mantua's Authority be assubjected to the pleasure of France but which was of greater consideration if the Spaniards could not beare that the French Forces should bee in Cassalle they would consequently never be contented till they were removed from thence So as the Warre hapning in an Orphans state his subjects were likely to prove the mischiefes thereof although others reflecting hereupon and who were not of opinion that this made for the Duke did probably maintaine that Warre was little or nothing troublesome to those who were therein brought up and that both parties being desirous to keep that warlike people well affected to them they should be gently proceeded with by them both and being well treated they might consequently by making the best of their affaires expect more profit from Warre then from Peace But it was not long ere the effects of such cogitations began to shew themselves For the Princesse taking upon her the government of her sonne and being more addicted to the Italian gravity then to the French freedome seemed little satisfied with the proceedings of the French and in particular she seemed not to be well pleased with Monsieur de Torre who commanded under Charles as generall of all his Forces for he not able to submit the French liberty to the moderation of Italy had by his affability won the good will of many and almost got all the Nobility of Mantua to follow his Capricioes so as basterdizing the customes of Mantua with the mode of France his actions were no wayes pleasing to the Princes nor yet to others who knew it was not fit to introduce such a noveltie So as aswell to free her selfe from such a spectacle as also to injoy that soveraignty which became her and which was by this man through his Kings authority in some sort moderated as also that by so doing she might partly shew the Spaniards her Mother and her Aunt that she was independant as concerning France and for other reasons the Princesse so behaved her selfe as she made Monsieur de Torre depart from Mantua who going to Venice and from thence being sent for into Montferrat the superintendency of Cassalle was committed to his charge and the French by these demonstrations growing jealous of the Princesse and her Ministers of state they fell to such resolutions in Casall as shall hereafter be mentioned But to returne to the Duke he was well enough composed in the parts of his body and no lesse inriched in those of his minde for to boot with a generall knowledge he was easily appeased and governed by reason his being borne and bred up in France was the cause why he as all others who naturally affect their owne Country taken with the courteous behaviour of the French Nobility by the good entertainment he partook of at the Court and by addition of his naturall clymat could not when he was transplanted into Italy overcome his nature by art so as rather then to forgoe his affection to France he incurr'd the anger of Spaine and submitted his state to the discretion of their Forces which peradventure hee might have shunn'd and would have been more advantagious to him then Warre if with the change of soyle hee could have changed that genius which made him beare so great an inclination
should have lost in Germany the more easily for the Dutch weary of the sprightly conversation of the French would be readily disposed to remit themselves to their own more flegmatick society so as the French being on all sides shut up within their Kingdome the way would be open for the Spaniards to obtaine their coveted ends To these interests were added the Spaniards naturall inclination to the clymat of Italy because that this more complying with their complexions then any other they more willingly came hither then to any other part where to boot with the wholsomenesse of the aire and the bettering of their condition they much valued the respect that was shewed unto them and the affection wherewithall they were received For the Italians being naturally courteous discreet and punctually gentile not being able to withdraw themselves from the government of Forrainers and of two evils the lesser being to be chosen doe more willingly succumbe to the Spanish nation then to any other for that by their civill and courteous proceedings and by the hopes of honour and greatnesse of which they are aboundantly lavish in all professions to those they know fit for it and whose good will they desire to win that they may thereby oblige the Nobility make their subjects obedient and their Empire tollerable they are better borne withall then are any other Forrainers To this may be added that the French not using to impart any of their greatnesse in France to Italians where they are not suffered by the French to have any great Commands and the French not possessing any states in Italy wherewithall to satisfie them there it hence ensues that the hopes being greater which are grounded upon the Spaniards then upon the French many who are governed by their selfe-interests are more affectionat to Spaine then to France So as all these reasons being put together they are sufficient to gainsay any opposition that may be made by other maximes Others also would not forbeare to say that the Spaniards had alwayes their thoughts more bent upon Italy when they fared worst elsewhere for it was supposed they might hope whilst their Armies were put to the worst elsewhere the other Italian Princes growing thereby confident would not so easily apprehend their preparations in Lombardy so that the hopes that they would not put for any novelty in Italy whilst they were ingaged elsewhere afforded them time and meanes by which they might afterwards onely tend their increase of greatnesse in Italy Crequi being advertised of Leganes military preparations and suspecting that the Spaniards designes might bee upon Rossegnano Moncalvo and Pontestura as places which would much facilitate the taking of Cassall hee tooke his men from their quarters in Piemont and Montferrat and went to the Frontier intending to disturbe the Spaniards He never imagined that the Spaniards without greater Forces or Provisions would have dreamt upon the taking of Brem it being a Fort Royall and very well seated and which might very well hold any Army how great soever play for some time there was therefore little appearance Leganes could doe any good before it and the rather for that it might be easily succoured by the French Army or they might greatly incommodiat the Spaniards by cutting off their Victuals but it proved cleane otherwise for to boot that the Garrison within were not well paid by the King Mongagliard who was governour there had brought in some French Merchants thither who by their negotiations had already erected a warehouse of French merchandize in the Fort and that they might have the better vent for their Ware hee permitted any one to come in that would spend his mony Leganes under pretence of buying commodities did by understanding men informe himselfe of the condition of the place and having learnt that by reason of the last Winters Ice a great part of the Rampier was broak down as being only made of Earth and coped with Turfe that moreover the Palisadoe of the ditch was weak that the ruins were not yet repaired that there were but few Souldiers in it and the greatest part of them sick and weak and that all other things that concernd the defence of the Town were but ill-favoredly governed hee thought the taking therof would not be so hard a matter as was imagined by many He therefore unexpectedy appeared before it with his Army 2 houres before day on the eleventh of March where Count Ferrante Bollognino advancing with his Brigade of Foot against a halfe Moone upon the Gate towards the Poe he with no great adoe tooke it Don Girollamo Sottello with the Spanish Foot tooke his station on the neither side Don Iohn Vasques Coronado Governour of Cremona quartered himself with the Lombards on the upper side and the Dutch haulted neere Bologninoes station Here Workes were raysed and approaches made on all sides the Batteries were made and the Fort was playd upon by the Cannon Mongayliard thought to hinder their Works by a gallant salley that he made but at his comming out of the Gate with about 40 Horse himselfe being bravely mounted upon a Daple Gray he was saluted with so thick a haile of Musquet-shot as his Horse being slaine under him and many of his men unhorst he returned back into the Fort upon which the Spaniards Cannon thundring from all sides the defendants began to feare and were greatly afflicted for that they were inforced to supply the duties of the Garrison Duke Crequi who liked not that this place should be lost upon the first newes he heard thereof made some Boats be prepared and furnished with Men Munition and Armes and sent them downe the River on the 14th of the same moneth that they might relieve the Fort. But these being discovered by the Spaniards they handled them so ill as but a few Souldiers got into the Towne Whereupon the Spaniards hoping well to effect their desires they continually built little Forts at proportionable distance and threw a Bridge over the Poe which they fortified on both sides to hinder the French from playing upon Bologninoes quarters Crequi being informed of all that past though he had deferr'd the succour a few dayes intending first to let the Spaniards be a little weakned and consumed and that he himselfe might be the stronger yet fore-seeing that if this place should be lost whilst he looked on to boot with the importance of the Fort it would redound much to his dishonour he resolved to advance and to indeavour by all meanes possible how to relieve it But Fortune which when she will forsake her Favorites takes first from them the use of their understanding and then the like of their body having for many yeares favoured the wisedome of this valiant Captaine now taking from thence that heedfulnesse which keepes it alive Crequi after having seene how unadvised he was in not making necessary Provision for the defence of that Fort contrary to that wisedome which formerly he was indowed withall ranne furiously to
daring to quit his quarters for feare his souldiers should mutiny for want of money Bannier had oportunity to assault Volghast and to take it which hee luckily did He afterwards with his horse which were led on by Tortenson advanced too neer the Imperiallists quarters with whō he had divers skirmishes for it behoved Gallasse much against his will to retreat as far as Volbery towards Elbis for he fore-saw hee was likely to reap but little good by that War since the Sweedes were recruited in all parts the Imperiallists every where lesned To boot with these defaults which hindred him from proceeding on accordingly as he had hoped he was much grieved for the death of Lelio Pompey an Italian Gentleman of Verona by birth who had by many Princes been very wel esteemed of as wel in peace as war The Sweeds being the more encouraged by this retreat of Gallasse came before Dimmin of which after many Cannon-shot and three fierce assaults they made themselves Masters Wherefore Bannier marched cheerfully on toward Landsperg by the winning whereof the way was opened into Saxony and the Country of Magdeburg whether the Sweed did desire to come to take revenge for the injuries they had received from that Elector Whilest nothing but War was heard of on all sides in Montferrat each party being prepared as well for defence as offence the French expecting supplyes from France and the Spanyards the like from Naples Spaine and Germany Francisco Giacintho the young Duke of Savoy seised on by a violent Feaver dyed on the third of October whose death as it bore along with it weighty consequences so were not the effects which were thereby fore-told by our curious newes-mongers late in their arrivall for there being none left of the Issue of Victorio Amedio save one Infant Prince named Charles Emanuel but five years olde of a weake constitution of body and who was at this time sick of the small poxe a disease which raigned much that yeare 't was easily fore-seene that if he should saile great troubles would arise concerning the succession for the government falling upon the Prince Cardinall and hee having of late declared himselfe to adhere to the Spanish faction it would ensue that upon this occasion the French would never tollerate a Prince in this State which should be independant upon them so as keeping the Townes in their own possession and not suffering the lawfull Prince to be introduced it would fall out that the Subjects being well affectionate to their naturall Princes and incensed by the Spaniards against the French the War must needs grow greater which would produce bloody events The Spaniards therefore who as hath beene already said hath formerly laid great foundations upon the comming of the Prince Cardinall and Prince Thomas knowing this to be a fitting occasion sent presently for the Cardinal from Rome for that being by meanes of their Forces brought into Piemont he might the better be prepared to take possession of his right in case his other Nephew should dye The Spaniards invited him hereunto out of greater hopes for that they knew the Inhabitants of Piemont were not very well satisfied with the French after the taking of Vercelles because in steed of defending them and helping them to recover what they had lost they seemed rather desirous to possess themselves of all the rest that belonged to the Duke of Savoy pretending not to confide in the people and to have some caution of their good in their hands The Spaniards who were stil carefull to maintain their Crown in its greatness for they knew what advantage did accrew unto them by the dependency of Forreign Princes and endeavouring all means whereby they might reap any good after their accustomed fashion of civility endeavoured to correspond in gratitude to the satisfaction they had received from Francis Duke of Modena a wise Prince and very affectionat to the Crown of Spain whose good correspondency his Highness out of reason of State thought requisite for besides the great advantage which those of Modena gat by their commerce with the State of Milan it may be added that confining upon the Pope between whom and the Dukes of Modena there was never any great inwardness since the loss of Ferrara To boot then with what was already done for the Emperour had already invested him in Corraggio a Town in the heart of the Country of Modena by al other friendly demonstrations made him know what valuation his most Catholike Majesty put upon him He was under various pretences invited to the Court of Spaine and more particularly for that the Queen being great with child was ready to lye downe the King the more to win his friend-ship would have him to be God-father to his childe yet this was but a pretence to hide the true occasion which was not so easily seene by all men for the emulation being very great betwen the Spanyard and the French they could not disgest that demonstration of obsequiousness of the Duke of Parma to the King of France whilst he went to visite him at Paris without the like comming of another Italian Prince to Madrid that it might be known that if Parma did depend upon France others did side with Spaine The Duke of Modena therefore being a sprightly Prince and well inclined to make this voyage that he might see new Countreys and receive honours and profitable terms for his State which he could not chuse but do from so great a King went to the Court of Spain where he was received with greater magnificency then ever was any Prince of Italy Those who see far into State-affaires affirmed that this the Spaniards civility proceeded from the need they had both of his person and state and therefore they said they had brought him into Spain with an intention of giving him the chief command of his Majesties Forces against the French in those kingdomes the which they did not onely to obleige that Prince unto their pay but that they might have out of his Countrey which was very populous as many souldiers as they could to make use of them in their owne kingdomes It was also reported that the Spanish Ministers of State thought to make a change with this Duke and to give him the Kingdome of Sardinia for his Dukedome of Modena which would have been a very good change for the Spaniard for augmenting the State of Millan by the addition of that of Modena becomming on this side also the Popes neighbours they would have heightned their authority in the Court of Rome and the Duke of Parma bound up between the Country of Cremona and Modena would have beene inforced to depend upon Spaine and by how much the Spanyards power encreased in Italy so much did the power of the Italian Princes lessen and Sardinia being but a barren Island in a clymat almost unknown to the Italians the Spaniards would have lost but little by loosing it But the Duke being wise and no
which so much conceirned his Prince He therefore marched towards Burgondy to joyne with some of the Duke of Loreynes troopes that yet remained in that Province and then joyntly with the remainder of the Caesarian Army to indeavour the recovery of that reputation which if it were not altogether lost was little better But whilest he indeavoured to execute his intention with 1000. horse and 1500 foote Monseiur de Ficchiers being advertised thereof who with part of the French army kept upon the Frontiers of Loreyne which lay towards Germany that he might be ready to march wheither occasion should require went forthwith to encounter Savell as fortune doth not so easily turne to favour those whom shee hath once turned her back upon when they were come to Blowes the Imperialists being on all sides invironed by the French who were many more in number then they Savell with much adoe saved him selfe and his horse leaving the Foote to the discretion of the Enemy who tooke many of them prisoners and got about 80. Carriages of Victualls and Baggadge which when Reynock who was Governour of Brisack understood knowing that his last hopes were vanisht away in smoake and seeing it was decreed by the Fates that that place should be lost which was brought to its last gaspe and there being neither force nor industy that can fight against hunger he condiscended to yeild the Towne up to Weymar and to receive those honourable conditions that were offered him he therefore on the eighteenth of December marched out with Banners flying with Armes and baggadg and other such accustomed ceremonyes Thus were the Austerians deprived of this so important a place to the great displeasure of the Caesarian Court and very great resentment of the Duke of Bavaria who having long before foreseene the businesse and the ruine that was likely to ensue had given exact information thereof to the Emperour and his Ministers of state and thought the Emperours officers had failed much in their duty in taking no greater care for the preservation of a place which was the very soule of all those Provinces for they might easily have victualled and munitioned it for a longer time And the Spaniards leaving sufficient forces for their Warre in Itally and Flanders might easily have succord it and have kept afflicted Germany from those new wounds which that they might heale their owne they suffered her without compassion to receive Bavaria was moreover greived at this losse because it being the key of Alsatia a Province which serves for an out Bull-worke to his states more perticularly to the Palatinat his Enemies being got in thither would keep his dominions in perpetuall feare and agitation And though some saw that this place being to remaine free in Weymars possession it might easily hereafter be either made to have no dependency upon France or else returne againe into the Austreans hands either by composition or stratagem yet the feare least before this should happen the French might get footing there which when they should have done they would not so easily be driven out was a thing infinitly considerable in reason of State By how much therefore the Imperialists were hereat afflicted the French were as much pleased and Weymar who blowne up with glory in having wonne a place of such importance before the face of so many forces conspired against him 't was feared he might inlarge his thoughts and afflict the remainder of those states noe lesse then the King of Sweden had done whereof he was debar'd by his suddaine death as in its proper place shall be said Weymar having placed a Guarrison in this Towne and all things necessary or requisite for the defence thereof he left Collonell Erlack for the Governour thereof a Swise by nation and marched with his Army into Burgondy that he might winter there and be at the King of France his disposall whereat his first entrance he tooke many places amongst the rest the Castle of Ioux and Collonell Rosa staied to take in Tan that he might deprive the Enemy of that place of retreate and the better secure the passage from Burgondy into Flanders Passing forwards from Ioux Weymar made himselfe Master of Ponterlin which was no strong place of Nosaret another weake place towards the River Daime and being tould that some of the Enemyes troopes were quartered about Ornans a Towne upon the River Lonne he over run all those neighbouring Townes but to little purpose for upon the newes of his coming the Burgonians had forsaken them and were got into Bisansonne Banniers forces being now increased by the accesse of the people which the Swedish Ministers of State sent him in from all sides and Gallasse on the contray being inforced to retreate through the want of victualls and of money and by reason of his Armies being much diminished by sufferings and by the plague did without any manner of feare keep the feilds in those parts where finding he was dreaded and knowing the power of daring when the adversary gives back he advanced to make further acheevements and continued firme in his opinion of bringing all the Warre upon the Enemyes Country and of easing those Provinces which being quartered upon now by the one now by the other side the people which yet remained therein were brought into great want He therefore rose from his winter quarters in the one and the other Marca and in Brunswick and having mustered his Army which he found to be about 26000. fightingmen he in good order marched towards Turingia a bould undertaking but rendred feasible by reason of the confusion and paucety of the Imperiall forces in those parts The newes whereof coming to Dresden and to Prage and this neighbour-hood being very prejudiciall to that Duke and to the Bohemians convenient provisions were earnestly demanded of the Emperour who no lesse fearing these proceedings held daily Councels touching the present Emergencies Orders were sent to Azfelt who was yet about Westfalia having an eye to the proceedings of King and the Prince Elector who endeavoured all they might to rally their Forces to march with part of his souldiers towards Fulda and to discover what the Sweeds intentions were The people who were quartered in the Bishopprick of Munster and others in those Provinces were sent towards the Wesser that they might come to Gallasse in Bohemia who being indisposed in body but much more in minde by reason of Azfelts prosperous fortune who began publiquely to say hee would no longer be subordinate or subservient to him desired to withdraw himselfe to a private life At which the Caesarian Councell being not a little troubled he was comforted with good words and had leave given him to tend the recovery of his health but not to quit his charge obliging him as soone as hee should be recovered to reassume the employment which in his absence was committed to Colonell Slich But Gallasse thinking that these appearances proceeded not from the heart because he saw that together
these Forts to try who should have the honour first to perfect his undertaking so as the Spaniards were greatly troubled not only in respect of the imminent danger but out of their emulation for they now saw the greatnes of France did much with-draw from the preheminence which the Spaniards pretended unto in Europe yet not giving way either to fear or passion they provided to defend themselves on the one and the other side Picolomeny was sent towards Theonville that with his valour and experience hee might relieve that place The Infanta encamped himselfe with 14000 men neere Borbocke to endeavour the safety of Hesdin Souldiers were raised every where in Spaine to keepe Salsa from being lost and because the Prince of Oringe was at the same time marcht towards Nimenghen to raise jealousies in the Spaniards and to divide their Forces in such manner as they should not be able to defend themselves both against him and against the French the Countrey Militia being made to take up armes who were put into places least suspitious in lieu of the Souldiers that were drawne thereout another great body of men was sent to Gheldren In fine wisedome nor dexterity not being wanting in any part Spain and France and all other States belonging to these two Crownes were full of Armes and abounded in Councells how they might prosperously effect their ends Whilst these things went thus Bannier not seeing the expected recruits appeare for Scallans who had the leading of them entertained himselfe by the way in taking in of some places held by the Imperiallists which though they were not much valued yet by reason of great contributions which were taken from them were advantagious to the Sweeds and being advertized how the Imperiallists grew daily stronger thought to passe over the Elbe so to keepe himselfe the better from their hostility and joyning with those who were in Slesia to encamp there till the expected succor should arrive But Maracini being advertised hereof though he had not Forces sufficient to buckle with the Sweeds who were become the more bold for that they saw their safety depended more upon the edge of their swords he being encourgaged by his former good successe and by the retreate which is oft times esteemed a kinde of flight gave on with more of hope then security between Chimnits and Suika upon the horse led by Plato Sergeant Major of the Sweedish Battle who was cunningly placed by Bannier in the reer upon agreement made between them that if the Imperiallists should appeare he should only entertaine them with skirmishes and should rather seeme to flye away then to resist for that the enemie being thereby much inhartned might without feare fall upon the Ambush which Bannier had laid of 2000. Foote and 500. Dragoones and 12. pieces of Cannon loaded with musquet bullets placed at the entrance of a certaine passage and of 1 500. horse which were ready with Banniers selfe to fall upon the Imperiallists when they should be falne into the Net which the Sweeds had laid for them for knowing the greediness of Souldiers and particularly of such who kept fasting from usuall contributions and pay doe headlong without any manner of respect fall to plunder he thought that the Imperiallists at the first sight would not keepe from falling upon them And Plato in conformity to the appointment made skirmishing with some few troopes and retreating the stratagem tooke effect for the Austrians desirous to doe some-what to up-hold their reputation and fill their pockets charged furiously upon the enemies horse and came in sight of the baggage in defence of which the Sweeds seeming to advance with some files of Foot the other flew upon them who being charged in the reere of Banniers horse as they thought to wheel about on the other side fell so full in the mouth of the Ambush as that the Cannon playing suddenly upon them and some musquets wherewith the hedges were lyned their files were so routed and their ranks so disordered by the falling of their men and horses which were either slaine or wounded as that they fled away in disorder and fell foule upon their owne Foote in horror and confusion overthrowing all order So as being pursued on all sides by the Sweeds great was the slaughter that was made At last the battle being again resumed by the gross body of the Imperiallists led on by Mâ—racini who not able to endure to stand spectator of this bad successe desired to lose his life together with the battle two fierce and bloody encounters were had But the Imperiallists being no longer able to make head against the Sweeds having continually 400. Dragoones upon their backes who pursuing the Imperiall horse did great execution upon their Squadrons by their continuall shooting it behoved them to face about and to endeavour their safety by flight towards Dresden wherein being followed by the Sweeds they lost their baggage eight piece of Cannon many Colours about 4000. Souldiers and Count Erucam Colonell Paradisi with divers other Captains and Officers were taken prisoners to the Austrians so great terrour as fore-seeing by this what they were to expect hereafter all those parrs were full of feare and confusion Azfelt was therefore by redoubled messengers desired to come into Bohemia which hee unwillingly did by reason of the Competition 2000. Hungarians came into that Kingdome who were a very small helpe for plundering and robbing the very Subjects they exasperated the people and were rather a prejudice then any comfort to them The Emperour who was ready to go for Prague deferred his journey and all the forces of Moravia Austria and the other neighbouring Provinces marched towards the Frontiere Bannier encouraged by this happy encounter would not leave Freibury behinde him upon his back but whilest the people were possest with feare his victory was in force he would indeavour to take it He therefore came before it with 10000. fighting men and first by promises and faire meanes invited the Governour to surrender who being an experienced Souldier returned such becoming answer as his duty bound him to so as faire meanes not prevailing he must betake himselfe to foule to dig trenches and plant his Cannon but the inhabitants behaving themselves gallantly Bannier found t' would be a hard peece of worke therefore that he might loose no more time before that place and consequently afford the Imperiallists time to rally themselves he turned his march towards Bohemia and having taken Melnish and Latmerits upon the Elbe he haulted there for all the Austrians being run to Prague and Gallasse who had reassumed his command being encamped upon the white hill with 10000. foote and 4000. horse he found that City would not so easily be taken nor would he without good grounds hazard to loose the honour he had wone haulting therefore at Latmerits and fortifying himselfe there he intended to make a Magasine there of all things necessary for the army thereby to keep Bohemia and Saxony in
Spaniards from injuring the Piacenzan State Hee therefore sent the Body of his Army to Vespola upon the Goyna between Mortare and Novara and hee with his Horse went towards Vigevan to the end that taking that Towne hee might concentrate himselfe in the heart of that State The Territories and Townes thereabouts were sackt without any obstacle for the Spaniards not being yet joyned came not time enough to succour them Gamba Corta was therefore sent against them with a good party of Horse and a considerable strength of Foot who meeting with the French skirmished some houres with them where at last it behoved the French to retreat with some losse of Horse by which good incounter the grosse Body of the Spaniards who were assembled together about Biagras advanced and made the French abandon Vespola where the most part of their Forces were and to retreat on the other side the Goyna to Satirano and Bremo Whereupon the French failing in their hopes to remove the Warre from Parma the Dutch and Spaniards continued the taking of Townes and Castles in that State to the great prejudice of the Inhabitants who were forced to fly and forsake their houses by reason of out-rages committed by the Dutch the which the Dutch affirmed they did to retaliate the barbarismes committed by the Country-people against some of their Souldiers who were found nailed to Trees Miserable was the condition of this Province and the behaviour of those of Regio unexcusable yet when it came to the knowledge of the prime Officers who were desirous to remedy such abuses the Governour of Milan by publick edicts and threats forbad the Souldiers to commit any insolencies or extortions upon the Country-people The Swedes Forces were at this time quiet for Bannier having retired his Army to Magdeburg and quartered it in that Bishopricke attended the recruiting and refreshing thereof that afterwards hee might undertake some action and the Elector kept likewise in his quarters to prepare for the taking of Magdeburg a place of great concernment for him being seated in the very middle of his dominions and an important Passage when on this side in Alsatia the Imperialists knowing how little good they could doe in Lorayne which was well guarded by the French and their want of Forrage and Victuals increasing daily resolved to make Wert goe with his Forces from about Ramberviller and to passe into Flanders which Province was greatly threatned by a powerfull French Army that was in Picardy and no lesse by the Hollanders who instigated and fomented by the French made considerable preparations to appeare in the field and to doe some famous act Wert comming into Lucemburg and desirous to quarter his Souldiers in the Territories of Leidge hee was forbidden to doe so by order from the Magistrate thereof At which he being scandalized and having caused some Country-people to be put to death who would oppose him with weapons in their hand those Citizens mightily incenst thereat and becomming the bolder for that the French Forces were not farre off from whom they might hope for assistance and protection they presently tooke up Armes and sent 5000 Souldiers with some Cannon against Wert declaring themselves for the French protesting much and making great complaints to the Court of Brussells But this breach though it held for some dayes was afterwards accommodated for the Imperialists having past the Mosa and joyned with Picolominy who was likewise in Luxemburg ready to succour Flanders it behoved them to retire into their City which seeing it selfe beset on all sides its Territories ruined and having little hope of succour from the French as they earnestly had requested willingly could have wisht it had not been so forward in the demonstration it had made Yet did it not seem any wayes to recede for the Citizens thereof knew very well that Princes who stand in need of other mens friendships in their affaires know how to use such meanes as may preserve their friendships and not exasperat them but for Sallies and providing for Defence they did not a little perplex the Caesarians in their indeavouring to offend the City which injoying freedome and being seated upon the Mosa in a Country very considerable between Maestrickt which was possest by the Hollanders and Mamure not far distant from the Frontiers of France being likewise full of warre-like people it would have been very prejudiciall for the Spaniards interest in Flanders if laying neutralitie aside it should by the assistance of the French and Hollanders have declared it selfe an Enemy to Spaine which had received much of emolument from thence and in particular in their levies of the Walloons who are esteemed the best Souldiers in their Army Orders were therefore sent to the Dutch Commanders from Brussells that they should proceed more gently with those war-like people there being no likelihood of any other event but the making of them desperate which would be prejudiciall to the Austrian affaires But those Imperiall Commanders who were accustomed to the quarters of Germany where all licentiousnesse is used and who as Caesars Souldiers pretended they were to be entertained in all States comprehended within the Empire would notwithstanding use violence by which they did so incense those people as that preparing more and more for Warre they by their fierce sallyes did much indammage the Austrian quarters who being at last inforc't to goe against the French Forces and dispairing to effect their desires nor well seeing how they could effect them they accorded and left all differences to be reconciled by the Elector of Cobn. While affaires went thus the Duke of Parma was in Paris with the French King by whom he was courteously and affectionately received and being informed how the Spaniards continued upon his Territories and that they persisted to use hostilitie therein he earnestly begg'd assistance from his Majestie and having got a favourable answer and sure promise of ayde he tooke his leave of the King the Duke of Orelans the Cardinall Richelieu and all the other Princes and returned post to Montferrat that he might prepare to passe into his owne Countrey with such French Forces as were in Piemont who were commanded by the King to accompany him till such time as a reall succour should arrive from France as had beene promised or that the French should make such a diversion as might cause the Spaniards looke to defend themselves and not to offend others But the Spaniards although they were advertised of all this lingred not knowing that if it were believed in the Court of France that the people for the King payd for so many was sufficient to doe the worke yet were they not such nor so many as â—â—re sufficient So as they probably fore-saw that Crequi not having so great a strength nor desirous to appeare needfull of more helpe would feed Parma with hopes propound difficulties to the Court of France and keeping himselfe in his quarters at Montferrat would leave the Duke to the mercy of the