to defend that place with all his forces The Genoueses failed not but came with great shoutes and assailed the Citie which being manfully defended by the Venetian all their attempts poued vaine who beeing repulsed from Nigrepont went and tooke the Citie of Philotea by force But whilst these exploites were done about Nigrepont a Gallie of Genoa left the Fleet and went before to discouer who meeting with a Venetian Gallie which was commanded by Giouanni Moro or Memo as some say assailed one another but the Venetian was ouercome by whom the Genoueses vnderstood that the Venetian and Arragonois forces were not far from thence whereupon returning with speed toward Nigrepont they aduertized their Countrimen That two nauall Armies ioined together were at Morea the one of Venetians and the other of Arragonois that they were already vnder saile to come meet them or else that they would be with them very shortly Pagano the Generall of the Genoueses Armie beeing troubled with these news left Nigrepont and speedily sailed with all his forces to Pera. It is reported that before his departure thence hee reuewed his Armie found fifteene hundred men to be wanting who for the most part had beene slaine before Nigrepont Pisani being freed from the siege came as hath beene said to Modon where after he had conferred with Pancratio Iustiniano with Ponce Generall to the king of Arragon concerning the state of the war giuen order that all things necessarie for their iournie should be in readinesse they came to Nigrepont And from thence after they had fortified the Citie with men and victuals they sailed towards Constantinople But being yet on the Aegean sea by reason of the violēce of the wind for it was in the middest of winter they were constrained to remaine for a time in the same place where the winde had staied them But victuailes beginning to wax scarce they returned toward Candie from whence fortie dayes after about the beginning of the spring being furnished with victuailes and other necessarie munitions they sailed against the enemie The Venetian Historians say That the two Armies passed on to Constantinople without any tempest that being there ioyned with the Greekes forces they went furiously against the enemie that there was a bloudie fight neere to Pera and that they departed one from another with equall vantage But in this they haue verie negligently I say not licentiously spoken against the Venetians reputation For the most credible Authors affirme that the issue of this battaile was verie different saying That they fought neere to the Bosphorus of Thrace which is a streight three miles distant from Constantinople hauing Europe on the one side and Asia on the other looking one vpon another by reason of their neighbour shoares so as they may be perceiued to haue beene in times past but one Land being diuided by an earth-quake which made a verie streight passage to the Sea So Plato thought That Atlas hauing cut through Calpe opened the passage of the Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea Now at the mouth of this streight which in regard of the narrow space therof that Oxen doe easily passe ouer is called Bosphorus surnamed of Thrace by the name of the Prouince which lieth on the one side thereof the Genoueses so soone as they had intelligence of the enemies comming who were newly departed from Gallipolis did of purpose plant themselues fearing if they should fight on the maine Sea and at one time with three great Fleets they should be enforced to fight in around forme therefore they thought it safest for them to receiue the Venetians and Spaniards in front at the entrie of a streight where it was impossible for so many shippes to fight altogether in front and the Greekes Armie on their sides whose forces they hoped to sustaine with more ease and abilitie if on their first approach they could but put them to flight as it afterward hapned For the Greek Armie consisting of forty Gallies so soone as the fight beganne at the verie first shock of the enemie basely gaue place and in a maze returned home The Genoueses being quit from them turned all their forces vpon the Venetians and Arragonois who fought in the front They fought there according to all mens sayings verie fiercely for two hours space it was not discerned vnto which side fortune inclined But at Sunne-set the winde arose which greatly troubled the Genoueses who notwithstanding would not giue ouer but fought more couragiously and for all it was night they would not leaue the battaile choosing rather to dye than to giue place The Venetians on the other side being mindefull of their reputation were ashamed that they had not at the first ouercome them being the stronger in shippes For besides fortie Gallies of their owne the Arragonois had thirtie Other Authors neuerthelesse speake not of so many but say That diuers Gallies being carried away by force of the winde could not come to fight Now this bloudie conflict lasted all night euen till day The night made the dangers of the fight more terrible There was nothing to be heard but groanes and pittifull cries clashing together of Gallies and clattering of armour and both the shoares ecchoed with the horrible noyse All that darke night as hath beene said and that which is most to bee admired in winter the fight continued It is thought that in the darke the Genoueses ranne vpon their owne fellowes the Venetians on Venetians and the Arragonois on their owne countri-men But when it was daie the Sea being dyed red with bloud of the dead bodies made manifest how bloudie that night-encounter had beene on either side The channell of Nigre-pont was couered with bloudie carcases with the furniture of suncke Gallies and with a great quantitie of arrowes and dartes and with diuers abandoned Gallies which hulled vp and downe without Souldiours or conductors At the last Ponce Generall of the Arragonois being slaine and they by reason thereof being retired the Venetians likewise because they were able to doe no more quitted the place to the Genoueses The enemie likewise being satisfied that they had giuen him place reputing it for great honour and imputing the victorie to himselfe did in like manner with his people retire to his Campe. In this battaile were slaine Stephano Contareni Procurator of Saint Marke Giouanni Steno Benedicto Bembo and Pancratio Admirall of the Gulphe dyed within few daies after of his hurtes The Venetian Annalists affirme That the one halfe onely of the Venetian Fleet fought at this battaile which makes mee think that the streightnesse of the place was the cause thereof and that therefore the Genoueses would not stirre from thence It seemes likewise the victorie was as bloudie to him for the Venetian afterward challenging him to fight he durst not accept it Giouanni Delfino who was present at this battaile according to some Authors reported at Venice That the Venetians in this fight
would be reported to king Charles and Alphonso answered That in so difficult a businesse subiect to sundry accidents they knew not what was best to be done and though they loued the one better than the other yet they durst not deliuer their opinion because that Fortune is commonly Mistresse in warre and that it vsually comes to passe that matters done by chance and aduenture did oftentimes prosper better than those which are premeditated and debated with long consultation and therefore they ought to craue councell of none but Almightie God who onely knew what was best for men to embrace or auoide and with this answere dismissed them Now the forces which king Charles and Lodouico had sent before being come neere the enemies neither the one or other durst come to stroakes but marched close together being still protected by some fort or riuer which was euer betwixt them yet they made sundrie light skirmishes to shew their valour King Charles had sent the Duke of Orleans Iulian the Cardinall nephew to Pope Sixtus and Antonio Prince of Salerne of whom we haue heretofore spoken to Genoa with braue troupes of foote to man the Gallies which were ready rigd with them to open a passage by Sea into the Realme of Naples whilest himselfe did the like by Land The end of the third Booke of the fourth Decad. THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE FOVRTH DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the fourth Booke of the fourth Decad. KING CHARLES departs from Vienna in Daulphine towards Italy The King by reason of his sicknesse taries at Ast. The death of IOHN GALEAS Duke of Milan whereupon LODOVICO his vncle vsurps the Title and Armes of Duke of Milan The French take Fiuizana and sackeit PIETRO DE MEDICIS grants all King CHARLES demaunds and for his labour is driuen from Florence and declared an enemie to the Common wealth The King restoreth the PISANS libertie The French take Bertinora King GHARLES his victorious entry into Florence The King makes an accord with Pope ALEXANDER and kisseth his feet and cheeke ALPHONSO in loue to his sonne FERDINAND deposeth himselfe from the Kingdome of Naples FERDINAND retires into the Isle of Ischia King CHARLES entreth Naples and takes the Cities two Castles Aleague made at Venice against the French betwixt the Pope Emperour King of Spaine Venetians and Duke of Milan King CHARLES is crowned in Naples and departs from thence to returne into France The preparation of the League to stoppe King CHARLES his passage The Duke of Orleance his incursions on the Leagues territories he takes Nouara The battell of Fornouo betwixt King CHARLES and the Confederates And lastly King CHALES his arriuall at Ast. SOONE after the departure of the Duke of Orleance and his troopes towards Genoa King Charles leauing Vienna in Daulphine on the 23. of August 1493. iourneyed toward Ast by the mount Geneua Galeas of S. Seuerine met him at Suza and accompanied him to Ast whither Lodouico Sforza came presently to him with his wife and many faire and gallant Ladies of the Dutchy of Milan Hercules Duke of Ferrara came thither likewise where after consultation of sundry affaires it was concluded that the Armie should presently march Lodouico in the mean time retired to Num a Castle on the Milanois a mile from Ast whither those of the Councell went often to see him whilest the King tarried at Ast sicke of the small pocks whereupon his Army was quartered in that towne and in other places neere adioyning the number of it beside the 200. Gentlemen of the Kings guard accounting the Suisses that were gone before with the Bayly of Dijon to Genoa and those troopes in Romagnia vnder the commaund of Aubigni amounted to 1600 men at Armes 6000. Suisse and 6000. French foot-men And for the vse of this Armie they had brought by sea to Genoa great store of Ordnance both for batterie and the field with munition in such abundance as the like before was neuer seene in Italy The King during his aboad at Ast had sent for the Duke of Orleans from Genoa willing him to attend him there This towne belonged vnto him by his grandmother vnto whom it was giuen in dowry by the Duke of Milan her father Now so soone as king Charles had recouered his health hee sent his Armie into the field and himselfe went to Pauia where being lodged in the Castle he went to visite Iohn Galeas Duke of Milan his cofin german the king and hee were sons to two sisters daughters to Lewis the second Duke of Sauoy who lay daungerously sicke in the same Castle His talke to him was generall by reason of Lodouico's presence he told him that he was extreamely grieued for his sicknesse comforted him and willed him to be of good cheere and to vse all meanes for the recouerie of his health But the hope thereof being small the King and as many as beheld him did lament his estate and perceiued that this young Prince through his vncles treacherie would not liue long This compassion was augmented by the presence of Princesse Isabell his wife who languishing aswell for her husbands sicknesse feare of her young sonne as for the daunger whereunto her father and kinsfolke were exposed fell downe at the kings feet recommending vnto him with floods of teares the perseruation of her father and familie of Arragon and though her youth and beautie moued the king to pitie her yet so great an enterprize could not be delayed vpon so weake a ground whereupon he told her that warre being now begunne he was enforced to pursue and continue it From Pauia the king went to Placentia where whilest hee remained he receiued newes of Iohn Galeas death whereupon Lodouico who had followed him returned in post to Milan where the chiefe of the Dukes Councell suborned by him prouided in open Councell that in regard of the States greatnesse and miserie of the times it would be a dangerous matter to haue Francisco sonne to the late Duke Galeas who was but fiue yeeres old to succeed his father but that it behooued them to haue a Duke that was a man of wisdome and authoritie and therefore they ought to dispence with Law and for the generall good enforce Lodouico to accept the Ducall dignitie Vnder this colour honour giuing way to ambition he did the next morning though he seemed to bee vnwilling take vpon him the Title and Armes of Duke of Milan hauing first solemnly protested that he receiued the Dutchie as belonging vnto him by the inuestiture of the king of Romans The King remaining certaine daies at Placentia was in a manner willing to returne home into France as well for want of money as also because no Italian Potentate shewed himselfe on his partie and besides because this new Duke returned no more though at his departure he promised to come backe againe Yet at last he determined to passe on The same day that the
taken their enseignes and Artillery During these warlike exploits the deseignes of the Princes were sundry and vncertaine especially those of the Emperor who being by nature variable and inconstant and solicited by the Kings of Arragon an enemy to the French name and iealous of the French Kings greatnesse determined to listen to peace notwithstanding that he had concluded before with the French King by meanes of the Bishoppe of Gurcia to make warre withall his might on the Venetians at the spring and to this end wrot at one time to the Pope and the French King that he was resolued to send the Bishop of Gurcia to Mantua to treate of an vniuersall peace requesting them to send their Ambassadors thether likewise with full and ample power hee wrot nothing to the Venetians knowing that they would doe what-so-euer pleased the Pope whose authority they were enforced to follow This aduice pleased the Pope vpon hope to reconcile the Venetians to him and to disunite them from the French King whereat he cheefely aimed But the King was not contented with such an vnhoped for determination as well for feare of the determination of matters concluded with him as also for the doubt he had that the Pope thorow faire promises to aide him in the conquest of the Dutchy of Milan and to giue a Cardialls Hat to the Bishoppe of Gurcia might separare him from his party He was well assured that it was the practises of the King of Arragon and knâ—…w very well that his Ambassador with the Emperor had labored and did openly labour for the agreement betwixt the Emperor and the Venetians and did vse diuers other practizes to contradict his deseignes and among others did hotly oppose him-selfe against the conuocation of a generall councell vnder collour of curtesie and caused the King his Maister to bee earnest with him to make peace with the Pope making in a manner a silent protestation to take Armes in the Popes behalfe if hee did not agree with him The French King dissembling all these dealings because hee would giue the Emperour no cause of discontent resolued to send the Bishoppe of Paris to Mantâ—… and in the meane time aduertised Iohn Iames Triâ—…lce that his pleasure was to haue him to command the army but that he should not assaile the Churches state till the Bishop of Gurcia were arriued Triuulcio vpon this command turned his forces against the Venetians and came to Stellata then passing on farther he surprized certaine Venetian cauallery and sent Gaston of Foix son to a sister of the kings being yet very yong with a hundred men at armes foure hundred light horse and fiue hundred foot to scoure euen to the enemies barriers who did put those that kept them to flight and made them to retire to a strong place beyond the channel In the meane space the Bishop of Gurcia came to Mantua but later then hee was expected where within a while after the Bishop of Paris arriued The Pope entreated the Bishop of Gurcia to come and visit him hoping by his presence and authority and by faire promises to winne him The Bishop after diuers difficulties propounded and wel debated on being solicited by the king of Arragons Ambassadors consented therevnto on condition that the Bishop of Paris should stay at Parma and expect what would fall out by his iourney The Bishop of Gurcia arriuing at Bolognia whether the Pope was of purpose come to receiue him there was so great honour done vnto him as a King could not be entertained with greater magnificence the Venetians Ambassador neere to the Pope went to the city gates to meet him vsing signes of very great submission but the Bishop turning from him with merueilous pride and disdaine shewed great discontent because that â—…epresenting the enemies of the Emperour his master he had beene so bould as to come before him That being done he went with great pompe to the Consistory where the Pope accompanied by all the Cardinals staied for him And hauing breefly declared the causes of his comming into Italy he returned to his lodging The next day with great arrogancy he conferred of diuers matters with the Pope and especially that if the Venetians did mean to haue peace with the Emperor it behooued them in any case to restore whatsoeuer they deteined which did belong to the Empire Yet neuerthelesse they beganne after to treat of agreement betwixt the Emperour and the Venetians where at the first diuers difficulties were made on both sides at the last after long disputation each party cutting off some peeces of the hard conditions propounded by them it was thought that by the mediation of the King of Arragons Ambassadors they would come to an agreement But so soone as they beganne to speake of reconciling the Pope to the French King betwixt whom appeared none other contention but concerning the Duke of Ferrara and that the Bishop of Gurcia went to the Pope to make an end thereof because without that the Emperour would conclude nothing the Pope did sodainely interrupt him requesting him to hold on with the Venetians and not to talke of the affaires of Ferrara being in a manner desirous to incite the Emperor against the French whereupon the Bishop of Gurcia tooke his leaue and without effecting any thing returned from whence he came Triuulcio perceiuing the departure of the Bishop of Gurcia and by that meanes all hope of peace being lost came into the field and beseeged Concordia which he tooke the same day and then marched towards Bomport a village seated on the Riuer Panare that he might be nere the enemies to the end that by cutting off their victuals he might enforce them to dislodge or to fight forth of their campe Entring into the country of Modena he vnderstood that Iohn Paul Manfron was with three hundred light horse of the Venetians at Massa nere to Finall he sent Gaston de Foix thither with three hundred foot and fiue hundred horse who found Iohn Paul Manfron at a bridge in order of battaile to stoppe his passage but being forsaken by his owne souldiers hee was taken prisoner by the French with some others Triuulcio found meanes to passe the Channell to assaile the enemies who durst not tarry his comming The Channell being passed he foorded Panare without impediment in a very broad place and where the water is not deepe and marched towards Plumacia three miles off from the enemies army which was the cause that Castel-franco yeelded to him He was there in great doubt what to doe for on the one side he would willingly haue assailed Bolognia if he had beene certaine that the people would haue taken armes in the Bentiuoles behalfe on the other side he feared if he should come thither vpon hope only of a popular commotion to be enforced forth-with to depart thence as the Lord of Chaumont had done to his great disgrace At the last he determined
be at last enforced to haue recourse vnto him and to doe his pleasure but the Venetians on the contrary continued firme and constant in their alliance hoping by that meanes of the French to be able to maintaine and defend their owne state King Francis in the meane time beganne very carefully to gather together very great summes of mony and to encrease the ordenance of his men at armes to the number of foure thousand publishing abroad that his meaning was not to make warre on any one for that yeare but onely to make head against the Swisses who threatened to assaill Burgondy or Daulphinè if so bee hee should refuse to fullfill the conuentions made at Dijon in the name of the late King Many beleeued it inregard of the example of some late kings who would neuer incomber them selues with new wars the first yeare of their reignes But the Emperor and the King of Arragon were of another opinion in regard of the Kings youth and the greate preparations of warre which King Lewis had left behinde where-vpon because they would not be taken vnprouided they made meanes to confederate themselues with the Pope and the Swisses The Pope delayed it as much as he could The Swisses on the contrary whose heate against the French did not onely continue still but dayly more and more encrease did ally them-selues with the Emperor the King of Arragon and the Duke of Milan for the defence of Italy reseruing place for the Pope to enter wherein was concluded that the Swisses should enuade either Burgondy or Dauphinè and the Catholike King with a mighty army should come in by Fontaraby or Perpignan to the end that the French King beeing assayled at one time in diuers and sundry places might not bee able though hee would to trouble the Dutchy of Milan but should bee enforced to defend his owne country The French Kings intent was for a time kept close vntill the greatnesse of his preparations could by no meanes bee any longer concealed in regard of his huge prouisions of mony with which hee waged very great numbers of Lancequenets hee caused store of Artillery to bee carried towards Lyons and had a while before sent Pedro of Nauarre who was newly come to his seruice into Guyen to leuy ten thousand foot on the marches of Nauarre It being then apparant to all men that warre was prepared for the Dutchy of Milan and that the King determined to goe thether in person he openly craued to haue the Pope to ioyne with him as well by the meanes of Iuliano his brother who was as hath beene already said allied to the King as by his Ambassadors to the end to be assured of his entent But the King soone beganne to bee out of hope as well because the Pope had graunted to the King of Arragon the Croizads of Spaine for two yeares whereby it was thought that hee would raise aboue a Million of gold as by the faire and goodly promises which hee made to those who pleaded for him and yet without any resolution at all besides it was wholy in vayne for hee had already before made a very secret conuention with the others for the defence of the sttaâ—…e of Milan the which neuerthelesse hee would not haue yet to be knowne till such time as he had found out some more apparant preâ—…ence whereby he might say that hee had beene enforced therevnto because the King would not graunt him what hee demanded but the King condescended to all his requests and notwithstanding all this hee made diuers doubtfull and irresolute answers The King not tarying any longer for his replies being come to Lyons accompanied with all the French nobillity made Charles of Burbon Constable of France his Liuetenant Generall to command in the warre if him-selfe went not thither in person whereof hee yet doubted promising to him-selfe the certainety of the victory by reason of his great forces for hee had in his Army two thousand Lancequenets conducted by the Duke of Guelders ten thousand Basques or Gascons eight thousand French and three thousand Castadours For of all the enemies army there was none to bee feared but the Swisses who continually came downe into the Dutchy of Milan so as already more then twenty thousand of them were there arriued tenne thousand of whome being come neere to the mountaines did vndertake to gard the streight passages of those valies against the French This determination of the Swisses did greately trouble the Kings mind because it was an hard matter in regard of the valour of that nation to driue them from those strong and narrow passages The rest of the confederates hauing left sufficient garrison for the defence of those townes which they had snatcht from the Venetians were not able to leuy the one halfe of a stronge Army Whilest France made these preparations vpon the report of the Kings comming into Italy the Viceroy of Naples who for a time had beene at truce with the Venetians in the Vincentine territory made shew to bring backe his army to Verona as hee said to the ayd of the Duke of Milan but it was to seaze on Vincenza in regard of the fit season that then was to make silke wherewith the country doth greatly abound hoping from thence easily to draw meanes to pay his army But Aluiana being aduertized of this deseigne left Padua where hee then lay and passing speedily on the Vincentine Territory leading along with him sufficient troupes to gard the Citty and to breake the enemies enterprise whereby the inhabitants had leasure to gather their silkes and to transport them to a place of safety That done Aluiana retyred towards Padua the Spanish forces dayly encreasing and encamped with Rance de Cera at Brentelles two miles distant from Padua where hee taried many dayes because the Senate had willed him not to stirre from thence with the army before hee were certaine of the enemies purpose to the end not to goe into any place where hee might bee enforced to come to handy stroakes and to tempt fortune fearing if hee should receaue any losse it might happen to keepe backe King Francis who affirmed that the cheefe hope of his designes depended on the Venetians and therefore discoursing with their Ambassador resident with him hee did councell him that his country-men should not hazard ought before his arriuall in Italy it beeing indiscretion to hazard the successe of that warre on a small part of those forces which hee hoped would be great being vnited together Yet notwithstanding the Venetian soldiors made often incursions cheefely the light horse vnder the command of the Captains Mercurio Buono and Giouan de Nalda who did greatly molest the enemies taking great Booties from them as well from Rouigo as on the Veronois In this sort did the two Armies Venetian and Spanish behaue them-selues for a certaine time without any other attempts still expecting newes of the French army
places placing in them strong Garrisons Vppon a rumor spred abroad that the Duke of Alua should publiquely say that hee accounted warre to beee open betwixt Spaine and France the most Christian King was mooued thereat made many complaints by his Ambassadors not onely at Rome and Venice but in Spaine also beeing partly greeued that his cheefe officers did affirme so important a matter the which as himselfe detested hee supposed others would doe the like in part like-wise going about to iustifie his owne actions from which it seemed that the Duke of Aluas suspition proceeded causing him to vse such speech The Christian King affirmed that those French which had followed the Count Nassau at the taking of Valenciennes were indeed his subiects but all of them of the Protestant faction and by consequent disobedient rebels to the Crowne of France that hee had euer beene greatly greeued for the troubles in Flanders as one that in his owne kingdome had too much experience of subiects rebellion and whose part it was to roote out and not by such examples to cherish the boldnesse of vassâ—…ls against their Prince beeing as desirous of the wealth of Christendome as any other liuing although his owne particular troubles would not at that time permit him to shew it in effect and seeing with his owne forces hee could not assist them his meaning was not to hinder the good intent of others that he had some armed vessels ready not to assaile or offend any one but onely for the safety of his owne seas infested by Pyrates the number of his vessels being insufficient for any great action These or such like discourses did the French Kings Ambassadors by their maisters commandement vse in Spaine Rome and Venice and to giue the greater credit vnto them they were by Edict euery where published with a prohibition to all French men on greeuous penalties not to passe with their armes into Flanders and not satisfied here-with his most Christian Maiesty seemed at the same time to incline to the league wherevpon the Cardinall Lorraine by his commandement did often conferre with the Venetian Ambassador resident in his Court concerning that businesse whom hee went about to perswade that the French King was wholy bent to procure the peace of Christendome with a singular affection toward the Crowne of Spaine All this notwithstanding the Spaniards were no better satsfied then before saying That the French did but this to coulor their practises and to open themselues a way to assaile the Catholick Kings territories in sundry places That they had certaine notice how that the King of Nauarre and the Admirall Coligni did openly vrge the most Christian King to vndertake that warre whom hee must needs please in regarde of his owne particularinterest the chiefe Lords and Princes of his Court mainteining that France would neuer bee at quiet vnlesse the King did resolue vpon some forraine enterprise wherein to employ both Catholicks and Protestants and among others that of Flanders seemed the easiest for many respects That he might make that warre with some coulor by reason of the claime of the Crowne of France to those Countries in which warre without all question the Queene of England would willingly haue a share in regard of her distast of the Catholik King That the marshall ot Montmorency went into England to none other end then to conclude the League with the English and that both of them together beeing freed from other troubles might the easlier enuade the Netherlands Besides that the French Kings league with the Turke made them to suspect that hee went about to procure the Turkes Army to enuade the Catholick King as they had done in former times especially seeing it was reported that the Turke had giuen the citty of Tunis to the French King and promised with his forces to defend it against the Spaniards The Pope beeing greatly mooued at these delayes as well for the common interest of Christendome as his owne reputation which hee accounted to bee much blemished in that hee at his first comming to the Papacy hauing freely confirmed the league the Nauy should now become idle and vnprofitable or else be imployed to any other end which the King of Spaine could not doe it beeing set forth at the Clergies cost by permission and authority of the Sea Apostolick onely against the Turkes This caused his Holinesse to send new messengers to D. Iohn to command him speedily to depart and ioyne with the Venetians fleet and on the other he councelled the Venetians to dispatch speedy Ambassadors to the French and Spanish courts to root out all suspitious doubts and distrusts betwixt those Kings and particularly to incite the Catholick Maiesty to send away his fleet without any more delay according to the articles of the league His Holinesse sent his Nuncios for that purpose Antonio Maria Saluiati Bishop of Saint Peposito the French King and Nicolo Ormaneti Bishop of Padua to the King of Spaine The Emperor likewise vsed meanes to attone these two Kings being mooued therevnto by sundry particular respects of his owne but the Venetians more then any shewed themselues earnest and ready in this businesse as well in regard of their owne interest as for that they were loath to giue the Pope any cause to suspect that by not stirring in so important a deseigne their mindes were turned to peace and thereby to distaste him of the league They then according to his commandement chose two Ambassadors namely Giouan Micaele for France and Antonio Tepulo for Spaine who made hast to those Courts Michaele being come into France did briefly acquaint the King with the Senates desire to see a firme and assured peace established betwixt Christian Princes that being afterwards vnited they might turne their forces vpon the common enemy he told him that the Venetians were much discontented with the rebellions of Flanders and with the iealozies which therevpon arose betwixt his Maiesty and the Catholike King which if they should haue lasted could not but haue procured great hurt to Christendome but by how much the matter was great and important of it selfe by so much the lesse could the Senate be induced to beleeue it being well acquainted with his Maiesties discreet loue and affection to the common good And because the perswations of those who are enemies to peace and who for their owne particular interest are wont to diuert Princes from their good and honourable deseignes the Senate would not be wanting therein following the custome of their ancestors to imploy in that businesse the fauour which it particularly presumed to haue with his Maiesty to exhort him to stop his eares to such inducements and if peraduenture he had already entertained them that it might please him in the behalfe of Christendome and for his particular loue to their Commonwealth to cassier them to the end that the Catholike King freed from that doubt might freely harken to the enterprises of the
as shee pleased to returne home to her father at Eugubia Lodouico Vrsino kinsman to the deceased Duke lay at that time in Padua for whose sake the Senate gaue him imployment in a iourney into the Leuant this man either of himselfe or prouoked by others did on a night with diuerse armed men go to the Dutchesse house whom hee cruelly murthered together with one of her bretheren The report of this murther beeing carried to Venice the Senate sent Commissioners to punish the Author and complices of this homicide Vrsino hauing notice heereof and certaine of his letters intercepted which discouered the fact so as hee could not deny it resolued to defend himselfe in his house with fifty of his owne followers determining to hold out till the last man but the Magistrates enuironing the house with their gardes and perceiuing that hee would not yeeld caused a Cannon to bee brought wherewith they battered and beat downe part of the house killing some of the defendants Lodouico at last perceiuing longer resistance to be vaine yeelded himselfe who beeing imprisoned together with some of his complices and found guilty of the Dutchesse murther himselfe was strangled in prison and his adherents publickly executed The end of the third Booke of the seuenth Decade The Contents of the fourth Booke of the seuenth Decade HEnry the third French King is slaine by a Monke Henry of Bourbon King of Nauar is proclaimed King of France Foure Popes dye in lesse then a yeare The Venetians are iealous of the Turkes and Milaneses The building of the Bridge of Rialto The conuersion of Henry of Bourbon French King hee sends a sollemne Ambassage to Rome where Pope Clement the eight refuseth to giue him his blessing All the Citties of France yeeld to Henry the fourth The Venetians send Ambassadors to him Pope Clement blesseth the French King Peace betwixt the French and Catholick Kings The French King marrieth the Lady Mary of Medicis Princesse of Florence Peace betwixt the French King and Duke of Sauoy The Venetians cleere the Adriattick Seas from Pirates A decree of the Venetian Senate against the Clergies purchasing of lands An other Decree concerning building of Churches The creation of Pope Paul the fifth Hee complaines to the Venetian Ambassador against the Senates law forbidding the Clergie to purchace lands or to build Churches without licence The Popes resolution vpon the Venetians refusall Hee sends two Iniunctions to them concerning that businesse with the Senates answer Excommunication against the Venetians is published at Rome They make two Declarations vpon the Popes excommunication The Pope and Venetians warlike preparations against each other The French King is a Mediator for Peace betwixt the Pope and Venetians and to that end sends the Cardinall Ioyeuse to Rome The Pope after sundry difficulties condiscends to reuoke his censures and to giue the Cardinall Ioyeuse ample Commission to doe it The substance of the Articles whereby the Censures were reuoked And lastly the reuocation of them by the said Cardinall in Venice The fourth Booke of the seuenth Decad of the Historie of Uenice WHILEST the Venetians and generally all Italy enioyed peace France and the Netherlands were afflicted with warre And Henry the third French King beeing treacherously slainâ—… by a Monke the cheefe of the Army as well Catholicks as Protestants proclaimed Henry of Bourbon King of France and Nauarre as first Prince of the bloud and next heire to the Crowne But to returne to the Venetians vnto whom our History doth cheefly belong The yeare following 1590. there was a great dearth of Corne ouer all Italy but the Venetian Senate made such speedy prouision of graine from England and Poland as during that time of scarcity Bakers stalls and markets were better stored with bread and the price thereof cheaper then in any other Citty of Italy where men could not buy as much as they pleased though in Venice no man was limited The same yeare on the 27. of August Pope Sixtus the fifth dyed hauing held the Papacie fiue yeares foure moneths and three dayes Twenty dayes after Cardinall Giouan Baptista Castagna a Romaine was created Pope intitling himselfe Vrban the seuenth putting all men in hope of an happy gouernment but he enioyed the Papacie onely twelue dayes After his death the Sea was vacant aboue two moneths in which interim more then seuen hundred Bandetti spoiled the countrey round about Rome against them the colledge of Cardinals and great Duke of Tuscany sent forces At last the Conclaue chose Cardinall Nicolo Sfondrato of Milan Pope intitling himselfe Gregory the foureteenth Toward the latter end of this yeare there was in Venice a Greeke called Marto Bragadino Mamagna one that had beene a Monke famous for opinion men had of him that he could transmute quick-siluer into gold the people were not alone bewitched with this golden dreame but the Nobility and some Princes of Italy sought his friendship hoping by his meanes to turne mountaines into gold but this Impostor beeing no longer able to conceale his deceit fled from Venice into Bauaria where the Duke discouering his cousenage imprisoned and condemned him to be hanged but the prisoner making sute to bee beheaded the Duke granted his request The Venetians hauing carefully prouided for the famine as hath beene said were the yeare following 1591 much perplexed hauing intelligence that the Turke made great preparation for warre They sent forces into Candy and to other places confronting the enemie but they were soone freed from that feare being aduertised that the Turke did it at the request of the French King to infest the Spaniard they did afterwards fortifie Bressia and Bergamo suspecting the great forces which were in the state of Milan they did likewise build that goodly bridge ouer the great Canall of the Citty called the bridge of Rialto In the meane time Pope Gregory the fourteenth dyed the tenth moneth and tenth day of his Papacie hee was a great fauourer of the French league to whose ayde he sent forces vnder the command of his Nephew Hercole Sfondrato Duke of Mont marcian at the charge of the Sea Apostolick but after the Popes death their pay beeing no more currant those troopes by little and little disbanded The Sea was vacant thirteen dayes at the end of which Cardinall Giouan Antonio Faschinetta the Bolognesse was created Pope assuming the name of Innocent the 9. at first he seemed to fauour the league of France but his deseigns were vain for he liued but two monethes and one day after he was made Pope The Cardinalls went into the Conclaue at the beginning of the yeare 1592. and elected Hipolito Cardinall Aldobrandino nominated Clement the 7. who seemed willing to aid the French league with men and money At the same time Candy was miserably aflicted with the Pestilence where in a short space dyed twenty thousand persons one thing is worthy to be noted that toward the latter end of August when the
of Saint Angelo was by this accord foorth-with yeelded to Captaine Alarcon who entred it with three companies of Spanish footmen and three companies of Lancequenets appointed to guard the Castle and the Pope But the other townes and Castles that were promised were not so easily consigned by reason that the Castle of Ciuita Chastelane was guarded by the Confederates and Aadrew Doria refused to deliuer vp that of Ciuitauechia vnlesse he were first paied fourteene thousand Ducats which he said was due vnto him for his entertainment Parma and Placentia on the other-side abhorring the Spanish gouernment refused to receiue them and those of Modena were reduced vnder the obedience of the Duke of Ferrara who making vse of the Popes calamity threatning the Modenois to spoile their corne which was almost ripe did enforce them to deliuer vp the citty into his handes The Confederates army remained quiet without attempting any thing expecting the arriuall of the Lord of Lautrec who was said to be already in Piedmont with great forces both of horse and foot albeit the Captaines in the meane time were of sondry opinions some thinking that being vnited with the French it would be best for them to march directly to Rome where they should find the Imperiall army in such disorder as they might easily set the Pope at li berty by reason that it was much diminished as well by the contagious sicknesse which was in the Citty as by the ouer-much licence which the Soldiers had taken for certaine monethes space liuing without al order and without any martiall discipline some of them being lodged in the Citty and others heere and there abroad and that diuers of them beeing disbanded went their waies daily without any leaue whereby they might with ease driue those few from Rome that remayned behind Those of the contrary opinion thought that for the effecting of that deseigne it were better to scoure the state of Milan beeing neere thereunto to enforce the Imperials to leaue Rome and to come to the defense thereof which might prooue either to slow or insufficient to stoppe the current of the victory wherby they might at one time execute diuers fortunate exploits and perhaps giue an end to the warre This being alowed by all men and propounded to the Lord of Lautrec at his arriuall he entred into the state of Milan with eight thousand Suisses three thousand Gascons and tenne thousand footmen conducted by Pedro of Nauarre and went and encamped before the towne of Bosco on the marches of Alexandria where was a Garrison of a thousand footmen the most of whom were Lancequenets who after they had for the space of tenne dayes sustained the battery and sundry assaults did at the last yeeld themselues at the discretion of the Victor This conquest was followed by that of Alexandria whither the Lord Lautrec came afterwards and encamped wherin lay fifteene hundred footmen who being molested at one time both by the Artillery and the mynes were enforced to yeeld their liues and goods beeing saued But the taking of Alexandria was cause of the beginning of some contention betwixt the confederates For the Lord of Lautrec being desirous to leaue fifteene hundred footmen in Garrison there to the end that at al euents his owne companies might haue one place of retreat and those which should come from France finde some comodiousnesse of meeting there the Duke of Milans Ambassador fearing that it would be the beginning of an occasion to possesse that State for his King opposed him-selfe against it the like did the Ambassadors of England and Venice wherevpon Lautrec agreed not without indignation to leaue it freely to the Duke of Milan a matter which did afterwards greatly preiudice the leagne Now Lautrec after the conquest of Alexandria propounded that he would march to Rome to free the Pope from imprisonment who although he had agreed as hath beene said with the Almaines and Spaniards did neuerthelesse still remaine a prisoner vnder their guard vntill that he had accomplished the articles of the agreement as wel for payment of the money as for the consignation of the aboue mentioned townes where-in were found sundry difficulties wherevppon the Emperor did not there-in shew him-selfe well disposed nor resolute although by his speech he sought to haue all men to beleeue the contrary But the Venetians did wholy dislike of Lautrecs proposition not that they stood lesse affected to the Popes enlargement then did the King but because they thought the enterprise of Rome lesse profitable for the common cause then that of Milan as it had beene debated before his comming and afterwards confirmed by himselfe that there was at the same time great hope of beeing able to conquer Pauia and Milan where there were weake Garrisons and that Antonio de Leua who by his dilligence and skill more then by force did gouerne that State lay greeuously sicke and was vnable to prouide remedies that losing this opportunity the affaires of the league would euer afterwards decline in regard of the huge number of Lancequenets that were ready to come down from the County of Tiroll into Lombardy But by taking Milan from them which was their only retreat and hauing neither cauallery nor victualls they would be enforced to change their mindes and to tarry at home in their houses that in the meane space it would giue time and leisure to tenne thousand Almaines payd by the King of England to come to the campe of the league and afterwards they might with those forces march to Rome and driue the enemies before them assuring together with the Churches State the libertye of all Italy The Lord of Lautrec inclining to their request determined to march towards Pauia before which with great speed he went and encamped the releefe which Antonio de Leua sent not beeing able to enter it the which being battered for the space of foure daies and a great part of the wall beaten downe the soldiors making ther approches did enter it by the breach The Citty was sackt and the French for eight daies together vsed all sorts of cruelty vpon the inhabitants who had vanted that they had beene the vanquishers of the French King because that King Francis was taken prisoner lying at the seege of the same Citty The Genowais at the same time being afflicted with sundry losses and calamities and cheefely with famine sent Ambassadors to the Lord Lautrec for to capitulate The Citties Duke whose name was Antonio Adorni retired him-selfe into the Castellet and the tumult being appeased by Phillip Doria who was prisoner there the Citty returned vnder the Kings obedience who appointed Theodario Triuulcio gouernor thereof and the Venetians because they would not leaue their Captaines vnrecompenced who had valiantly behaued themselues in the reduction of Genoa they encreased to Caesar Fregosa the conductof other thirty men at armes and doubled his pay they did like-wise acknowledge the valour and prowesse of Guy
and assure the Seas belonging to the Ottoman Empire These prouisions and the Confederates delaies and irresolutions had much imboldened the Turkes and although in the beginning they had sundry times conferred with the Venetian Baily concerning peace and seemed to be very desirous of it they neuerthelesse delayed the certaine resolution thereof till the arriuall of the Bishop of Aix Ambassador to the most Christian King whom they knew at that time to be come from Venice towards Constantinople vppon important affaires supposing that hee brought som particular commission with him concerning that businesse and that by his mediation together with his Kings authority they might the easier establish and conclude some honorable agreement but the condition of matters being afterwards changed when they came to treat on particulars they propounded very vniust Articles being desirous to make peace as though they had been victorious not vanquished menacing the Venetians with losse and destruction The Confederates neuerthelesse being no whit mooued by these nor other geeat mischeefs went very slowly to work as though the enemies had beene wholly defeated that they had no more cause to fight and as if at their own pleasure they might haue enioyed the fruit of the Vlctory All men did wonder at these delaies and differently discoursed therof A rumor was spred abroad that the French did no longer in secret but openly assist the Flemmings who determined to inuade the territories of the Catholick King that to this end they prepared fifty shippes of warre at Rochell which should be commanded by Phillippo Strozzi and elsewhere other stirrs and rumors of war were reported to be currant in the Realme of Nauarre These soe important and dangerous reports held the Spaniards in suspence and would not suffer them to imploy their sea forces in which their greatest hope consisted in forraine enterprizes fearing not to haue them again at their need for the defense of their owne territories Many alleaged other reasons which mooued the Spaniards not to set forth But whatsoeuer the true occasion was it was after the Spannish manner kept very secret for they making no shew to feare the French or that they had giuen ouer the enterprize of the Senate for any other respect they did still affirme the contrary promising from day to day to come to Corfou all this they did very cunningly knowing well enough that if the Venetians should suspect that the Conederates went about to forsake them it would enforce them to make vse of the present time and to agree with the Turkes a matter which would greatly preiudice the Spaniards who resoluing for to continue perpetuall enemies vnto the Turkes would alone bee constrayned to make head against the forces of so great a Potentate After this manner did the Spaniards at the same time beare themselues not bewraying their inward intentions but temporizing in conclusion did nothing In the meane time Pius Quintus dyed generally lamented a man of great Sanctimony and zealous of the common good of Christendome the onely instrument of the preseruation and augmentation of the league These newes flying to Venice the Senate presently by letters sollicited the Colledge of Cardinalls not to suffer the league which his late Holinesse had cherisht to dye with him knowing how mortall delay was to it and how preiudiciall the dissolution to the common good the Colledge resolued to continue the preparation for warre and instantly committed the maâ—…naging of the businesse vnto the former Commissioners who then presently 〈◊〉 in hand with it The Papacy was not long vacant for the same day the Conclaue elected Hâ—…go Boncompagno Cardinal of Saint Sixtus a Bolognesse doctor of the lawes long resident and very famous in the Court of Rome intituling himselfe Gregory 13. His Coronation solemnized he confirmed the league in the former condition but concerning the conuention of the fleetes there arose many delayes and difficulties for D. Iohn only seeking procrastination grew scrupulous of his departure saying his commission extended no farther but euery day expected a more ample where with hee hoped ere long to satisfie them by this meanes was the great preparation of the Venetian frustrate and D. Iohn perseuering in these protractions wrote to the Generall Foscarini that his onely stay was for the Duke of Sessa who if he came not uery speedily himselfe resolued without him to come to Corfou hee likewise taxed Collonna because his expectation of the Florentine Gallies made him delay his ioyning with the fleet The Senate had enioyned the Generall Foscarini not to attempt any particular enterprize till the Spanish Gallies were arriued â—…erst he therby should hinder the common cause of the league At the same time Sciara Martinenga of Bressia a man famous for his martiall experience and Gouernor Generall of Albania propounded the enterprize vppon Castelnouo to the Senate a matter greatly desired by the Venetians not so much for facillity of conquest the towne beeing small and badly inhabited as for the commodious situation thereof lying at the mouth of the Gulph of Catharra The Senate in som sort desirous to let the enemies feele the fury of their Armes committed this attempt to Martinenga who told them that he had already sufficiently viewed the place and that the execution thereof was easie Hee imbarked himselfe and fiue thousand footmen at Chioggia among whom were many Frenchmen gallant fellowes and good soldiers hee directed his course towards the Gulph of Catharra carrying with him a commission from the Councell of Tenne to the General Venieri to aid and asist him in that enterprize whom meâ—…ting by â—…he way neere to Sisena they sailed together towards the mouth of the Gulph where landing their soldiers and attempting to surprize the Towne the alarme was so whot ouer the whole Countrey as multitudes of Turkes comming to defend it Martinenga and the Generall were enforced to quitt the enterprize and to retreat the one to Zara and the other with his French forces to Catharra After this manner did the Christians affaires languish and were nothing answerable to the reputation which the late victory had gotten them their fleets and soldiers remayning idle at Corfou and Messina being spectators of the enemies insulting braues at sea their number and victualls daily diminishing D. Iohn still remayning at Messina and vsing his former delayes did infinitely discontent the Generall Foscaren who somtimes determined of him selfe to attempt somewhat vppon the enemy but at last making a vertue of necessity and knowing his owne forces alone to weake for any great enterprize he was enforced to spend the time in expectation of the confederates arriuall And yet he did by all meanes auoide any occasion that might discontent the Spaniards or giue them cause of any suspition that they might haue no lawfull cause to bee wanting to the common cause Foscarini beeing thus perplext thought it best to send the Prouidator Soranza to Messina who was newly come from
Leuant and obserue the Articles of the league The King gaue a willing eare to this discourse saying that the Senate was in no sort deceiued of his exceeding loue towards their Commonweale and least of all in beleening that he was desirous of the wealth and aduancement of Christendome that the troubles of Flanders had neuer pleased him that he had vsed all possible meanes to keepe his subiects from being adherents or supporters of those Rebels but that the condition of those times and the present wretched estate of his Kingdome would not permit him to tame the insolency of some that loued innouation who were not to be wondered at if after they had raised troubles in his owne Realme went about to doe the like in his neighbours Dominions that it had neuer beene by his consent for that would haue hurt the Catholike King and done no good to France but on the contrary would haue procured new troubles which might easily incite the Catholike King to an agreement with the Flemings and afterwards to make warre vpon him in Daulphiné or in the Kingdome of Nauar by which meanes in seeking to carry the war into a forraine country he might be enforced to bring it into his owne at such a time when the forces of his Realme were wasted and diuided by long ciuil wars The Queene mother being present at this discourse who at that time had great authority in managing the affaires of the Kingdome desirous to preserue peace would needs with her owne hand write to his Holinesse to assure him of her willingnesse in all things to follow his aduise and councell and that if her sonne the King had raised forces it was not don with an intent to hurt any but only to serue and defend himself from the Spaniards who were reported vpon no iust cause to haue taken armes The Catholike King on the other side before Tepulo his arriuall at his Court resolued to write to Don Iohn That all other respects laied aside hee should make hast with his Gallies to ioyne with the Venetians and with them to saile into the Leuant being herevnto moued by intelligence of the French Kings affection towards him or else for that he did not much feare his power hauing recouered Valenciennes or because he would not so much honor the French as to haue it said that for feare of them he had giuen ouer so important an enterprise as that against the Turkes or that which is most like to be true because as became a wise and vertuous Prince he would in no sort omit that wherevnto he was obliged by the league but whatsoeuer it were that caused this resolution it is certaine that it proceeded from his owne proper motion and that he did write so to Don Iohn before he acquainted his councell therewith fearing least they should propound some difficulties which might haue diuerted him from it as in former times Antonio Tepulo in the meane time being come into Spaine and aduertized of the Kings determination did not speake any thing of the French iealozies or vniting of the Nauies but only intreated the King to permit D. Iohn in regard the time of yeere was almost past for sea-affaires to winter in the Leuant mooued therevnto by sundry reasons which much imported the Venetian Common-wealth The King neuerthelesse alleadging many reasons to the contrary would not grant his request either of his owne proper motion as being vnwilling to hazard too much on fortune or else being so aduised by such as were not greatly affected to the league Now whilest the confederate fleet went slowly forward the great and mighty Turkish nauy scoured the sea For Vluzzali being made Generall thereof besides the gallies which he had receiued of Carazzati had with great speed rig'd and man'd an hundred others with al which departing in great pompe and magnificence from Constantinople he had already past the Streight of Gallipolis and came forward intending to wast and spoile the Isle of Candy and other places belonging to the Venetians according as he should haue intelligence of the progression of the Christian fleet certaine newes being at that time brought to Venice of the stay and delaies of the Spanish fleet which did much discontent them and made them wonder that the Spaniards who at first had been so desirous of the league should after such a fortunate and vnhoped for successe fearing some vncertaine and remote dangers wholy depriue themselues of the present and assured beauty thereof The Senate not being able to discouer wherevnto those delaies tended thinking it vaine to expect their assistance any longer determined to write to Generall Foscaren that without any longer expectation of the conuention of the fleets so soone as the Prouidator Souranza should returne to Corfoù he should put to sea to encourage their subiects and assure their owne territories proceeding warily to embrace such occasions as God shold offer him for the honor and profit of the Commonwealth Foscarin receiuing this commandement tired with his idle aboad there so soon as the Prouidator Souranza Colonna came to Corfou propounded the departure of the nauy into the Leuant wherevnto all men consenting they began to consult about their iourney But Antonio Colonna did freely and with great affection vtter his good meaning towards the affaires of the league and in particular to the profit aduancement of the Venetian Commonwealth much bewayling the time lost and the diminution of their forces neuerthelesse he willed them to hope well assuring them that the Spanish Kings intention was honorable and the Pope very earnest in soliciting him and that Don Iohn with the residue of the fleet would shortly meet them yet though the Popes subiect and seruant to the King of Spaine he was resolued to spend his life in that enterprise it importing the Venetians particular seruice whom hee knew were more interessed in that warre then any other Generall Foscarani replied that the State was well acquainted with the Pope and Catholike Kings loue and they of the States affection and inclination to the league as the proceeding herein testified but Colonnas vertue zeale to the common good of Christendome and particular affection to the Venetian Commonwealth was not only manifested to themselues but to the whole world by so many noble seruices in aduancement of the league yet himselfe could not choose but lament that so many fayre occasions presented they had not imbraced them as they deserued But since it was fruitlesse to call backe time past and they not able to remoue the impediments detayning D. Iohn in Sicely the onely remedy hereof is to redeeme delayes past with present expedition and to set forward against the enemy inferior to themselues both in number and vallor And seeing it hath pleased the diuine prouidence conducting humaine actions in by-wayes to vs vnknowne that the confederate fleeet should bee thus disioyned let vs see if wee can set vpon them