they were not aboue eight thousand foot and a thousand horse of all sortes so as a smal quantity of the towne beeing enuironed by the enemies the Stradiots sallied forth at other places and did freely scoure the whole contrey intercepting whatsoeuer was brought to the Camp the like did certaiâ—…e armed boates which the Venetians had placed for that purpose on the Riuer Adicé so as victuals beginning to faile them they wee euery day to seeke new They had worthy Captaines in their Campe but their skill and experience was to no purpose in that businesse in regard of the authority and obstinacy of the Bishop of Gurcia That which did most trouble them was the bringing of their ordnance neere to the walls and how to bring the souldiers afterward to the assault the which they could not doe without a broad and large trench to auoid the shot of the ordnance which incessantly plaid from the towne and they wanted Pioners to continue it These difficulties being propounded by the Viceroy in the enemies councell with the sicknesse where-with the soldiers were afflicted by reason of the bad aire the campe being seated in a low place and subiect to the ouer flowing of waters all men were of opinion that it would be lesse disgrace to correct the determination vnwisely made by discamping then by perseuering in that error to be cause of some great losse that might happen the which would bee followed with greater disgrace The Viceroy acquainting the Bishoppe of Gurcia with this determination hee made answer in the presence of diuers Captaines that martiall discipline being none of his vocation he was not a shamed to confesse That hee had no vnderstanding in martiall matters and if he had councelled to besiege Padua it was by the Viceroys aduise who by letters and expresse messages had councelled the Emperour that it might be so and giuen him great hope to be able to take it and therefore he gaue consent difficulties still continuing to raise the seege the which was done on the sixteenth day of August after they had encamped twenty dayes before the walls of Padua The enemy marched directly to Vincenza the which beeing found for the most part empty of inhabitants and abandoned by the Venetian Magistrates was foorth with seized by them and made a prey to the enemies where they commited cruell and foule actions not spoyling alone cittizens houses but Churches and sacred places not for hatred they did beare to that wretched citty but because their army was altogether maintained by theft and robbery The Bishop of Gurcia and the Viceroy remained certaine dayes at vincenza with bad intertainment as well in regard of the continuall molestation of the stradiots who scoured the contrey day and night as scarcity and want of victuals in the Citty This enforced them to dislodge The Bishop of Gurcia with his Almans went towards Verona and the Viceroy encamped at Albera on the Adicé where he tarried certaine dayes as well to giue meanes to the veronois to gather in their haruest vintage and to sow their grounds as for to make a bridge ouer the riuer hauing an intent to bring his troopes to winter on the Bressan and Bergamasc territories But Aluiana perceiuing that the viceroy made no hast to depart thence was of opinion to sally forth of Padua and Treuiso with their forces and to assaile the enemies who without any suspition thereof being disperced heere and there about pillage gaue occasion of an assured victory shewing that that Army being defeated the warre was for a time ended The Senate iudging otherwise of the matter said that it was not necessary to hazard on the vncertaine euent of a battaile that army wherein consisted the chiefe hope of the preseruation of their State thinking it likewise no discretion to vnfurnish in so dangerous a time the Citties of Padua and Treuiso of their garrisons Neuer-the lesse concealing their intents they caused it to bee giuen out That their Army should shortly come forth into the field to the end that the enemies beeing troubled with this newes should abstaine from making any more incursions and dislodge foorth of their confines But the Viceroy making no great account of these rumors in regarde hee saw no likelyhood thereof propounded to him-selfe greater designes and changing his former determination to place his armie in garrison on the Bressail and Bergamase Countrey hauing no other meanes to feede his Armie but by boot-haling hee sent for the Almaines and went to Montagnane and Este and to the village of Bouolente from whence bringing away great store of Cattle the Souldiers burned diuerse goodly houses neere adioyning Then being prouoked by the desire of spoyle and emboldened because the Venetian troopes were distributed for the garde of Padua and Treuiso they determined to draw neere to Venice contrary to the opinion of Prospero Colonna and hauing crossed the Riuer Baquillon and spoiled Pieua di Sac which is a great Burrow they went to Mestre and Marguera seated on the salt waters where the Viceroy commanded his Artillery to stay and seeing the Citty of Venice before him hee caused tenne peeces of great ordnance to bee discharged vpon it the bullets whereof fell on the Monastery of Saint Secundus and at the same time his souldiers rob'd and spoyled the whole countrey making warre most vniustly on the very walles for beeing not satisfied with their booty they cruelly burnt Mestre Marguera and Lissafusina together with other townes and villages Now the Viceroy beginning to perceiue his error and therefore beeing desirous to make hast to gette from thence could not keepe back his soldiers from pillaging neither by his authority nor by shewing them the danger they were in if they stayed any longer there in regard of the ouer-much liberty which they had taken to spoile Aluiana being with his army shut vp in Padua was extreamly greeued to see his reputation so soiled and that before his face the enemies passing along neere to so strong a Citty should so vnluckily giue spoile to so great a Contrey Therfore he aduertised the Senate that his intent was to sally foorth of the Cittty with his forces and to come and meet with the enemies to stop their passage at their returne saying that being laden with spoile as they were they could not choose but march in disorder and by that meanes they might easily be broaken and defeated That certainly their Republicke was fallen into a wretched condition farre vnworthy their antient glory the which they could not shake off but by some valiant and generous exploite But the Senate enclining to the contrary thought that the same did not proceed from a base and abiect mind but rather from a generous constancy carefully to prouide for al inconueniences that might happen and that it was no great wisdome to hazard all on the euent of a battaile which for the most part is doubtfull and vncertaine therefore their opinion was that
word to Count Marcian presently to breake downe the cawsies and bankes of the Riuer betwixt Mellaria and Hostilia for that once done they needed no more to feare the enemies incursions and himselfe returned againe to Ficarolles But in his absence the townesmen had fortified the trench planted their Ordnance on the opposite shore broken downe the camps Rampiers and burnt the Souldiers Cabins Vrbin comming thither afterwards from Hostilia had strengthened the Towne with a stronger Garrison and from thence retired to Stellata on the opposite shore and there remained to releeue his people when neede were with supplies armor and victualls all his troupes came thither to him Robert in the meane time being somewhat tyred did againe fill the trench and encamped on either side thereof But whilest these things were done there Christofero Muletto a valiant Captaine who commanded the small vessells for Damiano Moro Generall of the fleete vpon the Po had passed on beyond the enemie besieged and took Hadria a very ancient Citie The souldiers of the garrison and townsmen did at first brauely defend it The situation of the place did greatly auaile them which is for the most part enuironed with water not nauigable but by certaine Channels through which very hardly vessells come neere the Cittie Dominico Hericeo a couragious souldier was slaine at the first assault The Venetians incensed by his death did with greater furie assault the Citie and without feare of danger mounted the rampires and neuer gaue ouer till the souldiers and mariners entred it Then the inhabitants casting downe their Armes cried for mercie The Conquerors at their first entrance slew diuers and the houses in many places were burnt and spoiled and Hadria had that day beene wholy ruined had not the Venetian presently commaunded the souldiers to abstaine from spoile and murther We haue elsewhere spoken of the situation and antiquitie of this ciâ—…tie Hadria taken the whole Countrey round about was wasted Comachia likewise at the same time yeelded to the Venetians These Citties with others neere adioyning some by force and others voluntarily beeing taken by them and Moro sailing with the fleete vp the Riuer all men fled on both sides the Po for the Inhabitants of the Countrey terrified with the losse of Hadria ranne with their wiues and children to Ferrara and other Townes of safetie Hercules had fortified a place vpon the Po called Pilosella by which the fleete was to passe and had there builded three Castles of wood one in the middest of the Riuer and the other on both sides which hee furnished with ordnaunce and other necessaries and strong garrisons Sigismond d'Este Hercules brother and Giouan Bentiuole of Bolognia lay there with six hundred horse and as many foot Moro had great numbers of vessells to wit gallâ—…ots small boates Ganzarioles with many other of sundry sorts to the number of two hundred well armed and readie to fight Himselfe in his owne Gallie sailed against the enemie the like did the forces by land The Venetian beganne the fight with such animositie as putting the Cauallerie and the rest which were on each shoare to flight after along and dangerous bickering hee tooke the Fortes vpon the water The victory was verie bloudy But the ioy to haue vanquished made them forget their present losse They sent the Castle which was builded in the middest of the water vpon a great vessel to Venice the others were burnt Moro victorious caused his souldiers and mariners to spoile and waste all places neere to the Riuer they being as well prouoked by reuenge as desire of bootie pillaged all villages and countrie houses vpon the Riuer and then burnt them and so satisfied carried away with them great numbers of prisoners and cattell and thus loaden with bootie arriued at the campe before Ficarolles These men by theyr speed comming thither before the fleet and being taken for enemies did put the Campe in alarme but when they were knowne to be friends they did cheerefully embrace one another and continued the siege both by land and water then they made so fierce a battery as they ouerthrew the Citties walles and rampires Fredericke of Vrbin who was on the opposite shore beholding the danger of his friends was not idle but annoyed the Venetians with his ordnance from the farther side and supplied the besieged with armour victuall and whatsoeuer else he knew to be necessarie for a siege But nothing did so much hurt to the Venetian as certaine peeces called Bases then not vsuall For neither armour rampire or fortification could withstand their fury and yron bullets which carried away with them whatsoeuer they met with And because that contrarie to the discipline of those times they played aswell by night as day Sanseuerino sent him word by a Trumpet that if hee did not cease his new kinde of warre hee would turne his Cannons from the walles of Ficarolles vpon his Campe whereupon they agreed together that when Sanseuerino should assault the Citie or batter the walls with his ordnance the enemie might vse those peeces Moreouer Sanseuerino resoluing wholy to shut vp the Riuer from the enemie commanded certaine vessells of the fleet to bee drawne by Land vp the Riuer beyond the enemies camp Vrbin sent for nine Galeots from Hostilia of those fiue and twentie which he had brought with him from Milan to ouer-runne those vessells Fiue of them being come to an Island neare to the Venetians fleet foure hundred of the Souldiers landed there to refresh themselues by reason of the great heat and lay downe here and therein the shade vpon the grasse The Venetians aduertised of their landing and vnwilling to omit so faire an occasion landing on the farther side of the Island to the number of 150. did sodainly assaâ—…le the enemie halfe asleepe who being amazed with such an vnlookt for assault in sted of defending them selues fled towards the vessells most of them were slaine or taken threescore and ten being taken aliue were brought to Sanseuerino who vnderstanding that they were Milaneses and Artificers not comming thither of their owne accord to fight but sent by their Princes commandement did vse them gently and furnishing them with clothes and money gaue them leaue to depart It was not long ere the enemie had his reuenge with greater losse to the Venetians The Po diuides it selfe into two branches as hath been said fiue hundred paces beneath Ficarolles The Venetian Captaines determined to build a Fort at the point of the Island where this separation begins that the right side thereof on the way from Stellata to Ferrara might be shut vp from the enemie Antonio Marciano was the first that propounded it wherefore the charge thereof was committed to him He being accompanied by Bartilmeo Falceria Tomaso of Immola and two Companies of foot did on a sodaine seize on the place and then with great numbers of peasants brought thither with him to that end began the worke The soldiors and
of Hungarie as it was afterwards knowne made sodaine incursions vpon the very confines of Italy to surprise Porto-nouo a towne vpon the Riuer Lizonza The Hungarians made a stay vpon the Thryestines territorie But the Senate though it certainly knew that the same King made warre still vpon Frederick and that those troupes were expresly sent into Italy to surprize Porto-nouo and Tryeste which Frederick yet held yet because they were not well assured of the Kings intention they forthwith sent certaine troopes of horse which lay in Garrison betwixt Verona and Padua to the Carnons territories But the Hungarians passing quietly through the territorie of Vdina and frustrate of their hope to take the Citie which the Bandetti had assured them of left Italy and returned without any farther attempt The better part of Haruest was alreadie spent when Roberto Sanseuerino who notwithstanding the peace in Lombardie still remained in the Venetians pay earnestly solicited by Letters from Pope Innocent who succeeded Sixtus went without the Senates consent or knowledge who were then at peace by sea and land with his sonnes Fracasso and Galeas and two and thirtie companies of horse first into Faminia and afterwards to Rome in the middest of winter but hee arriued somewhat before his forces for the Pope being pressed by Alphonso hastened his comming The cause of this warre proceeded from the commotions of the Volaterrans and rebellion of certaine Princes who by a sodaine conspiracie reuolted from Ferdinand retiring to Pope Innocent requesting his aide against that King The Pope finding them not onely worthie to be protected by his authoritie but likewise to be freed from all wrong by the forces of the Church of Rome it fell out that Virgino Vrsino who as we haue elsewhere said besides sundry townes which hee possest neere Rome on this side and beyond Tiber had likewise diuers others in the Marshes as farre as the lake Fuscino in the confines of the Realme of Naples remained still loyall to the King At first he resolued as it is reported not wholly to abandon the King nor likewise in any sort to take Armes against the Pope but together with Ferdinand defending the Realmes frontiers following his Ancestors steps to make no attempt neere Rome In this maner he remained as it were neuter amidst these new garboiles of warre when after Sanseuerins arriual by the perswasion as it was thought of some chiefe Commanders of the contrarie faction the Pallace of the Vrsini vpon Mount Iordano which is the name of some part of the Citie was sodainly by the soldiers spoiled and burnt whereat Virginio being incensed did presently declare himselfe together with the other Lords of that familie an enemy to the Pope Alfonso strengthened by this mans power and hauing seized on certaine bridges neere Rome began after Sanseuerines arriuall to waste and spoile all places round about the Citie We onely mention this to acquaint the reader with the cause of the warre betwixt the Pope and King Ferdinand Now while these things were done neere Rome Prince Mocenigo died the seuenth yeere of his Gouernment ¶ MARCO BARBADICO the 73. Duke of Uenice MArco Barbadico a Senator of great wisdome and authoritie was by a generall consent chosen Prince in his stead This man the Common-wealth being quiet at home and abroad repaired the Ducall Pallace begunne a while before with such expedition as in a few moneths whilest he remained Prince all that part thereof towards the East was with stately Architecture almost finished The cold weather nothing abating the furie of the Pestilence it did greatly afflict the Citie Therefore three Senators were appointed who had ample commission to doe whatsoeuer they should finde necessarie to free it from that calamitie These men that they might the sooner take away the cause of the sicknesse in an open place for the purpose caused a great quantitie of infectious apparell which the couetous graue-makers had layed vp together to bee burned in one fire And because great numbers of people did surcharge the Citie they sent a great part of the vulgar to inhabit elswhere At the same time the great Chanell opposite to the great market-place was clensed the which by a decree of Senate though it were of great extent was in all places scoured They sent certaine foote companies according to their vsuall manner into Cyprus for to guard the Island In the meane time warre betwixt the Pope and the Vrsini who as hath beene said shewed themselues openly for Ferdinand brake forth into great flames after the arriuall of Sanseuerines forces For Pontenomentana being recouered which they had taken and Fracasso sonne to old Sanseuerino almost slaine with a bullet the whole burthen of the warre fellon Paulo Vrsino and other of Virginio's kinsmen For Nomentana being taken by force was sackt and ruined Sanseuerino marched towards Monterotonda when Cardinall Baptista Vrsino came to the Pope and assured him that himselfe and friends would be obedient to the holie Sea by meanes whereof there were none other attempts made neere Rome Virginio's troopes of horse did in the meane time waste the Roman territorie till Alphonso's returne from Tuscanie where according to their agreement they receiued a braue cauallery from the Florentines and Milaneses with which they made towards Rome Sanseuerino with farre fewer number went to incounter him neere Flisco there in skirmish the enemie lost certaine horse but this notwithstanding Alphonso presuming on his owne strength did in despight of Sanseuerino make furious incursions vpon the Romanesca The Pope who till then had constantly maintained this great warre though he alreadie before resolued as some say to craue aide from France hauing sent for Renatus Duke of Lorraine to come into Italy against Ferdinand and had likewise by his Nuncio Nicolao Franco elect Bishop of Treuiso requested the Venetians to associate him in that warre yet because supplies from France are accounted farre off and tedious and that the Venetians in respect of their league sworne in Lombardie at the finishing of the Ferrarois warre with Lodouico Sforza Alphonso and the Florentines would not take Armes hauing thereby lost all hope of aide from any other place and fearing to precipitate the State of Rome into greater dangers he did willingly incline to peace which the enemie offered him on honourable termes For though he was a great Protector of the papall dignitie yet he loued peace and quietnesse in concluding whereof he did as much as in him lay procure the wealth and aduancement of the Church of Rome together with that of his friends and confederates Sanseuerino presently after peace was made being casheerd and resoluing to carrie backe his troupes of horse into Lombardie did by letters and expresse messengers craue leaue of the Senate to retire with two thousand horse into some towne belonging to their territories But his demand not granted himselfe destitute of all counsell as a man forsaken hauing no safe place of retreate and Alphonso
vnfold The Roman Empire saith shee shall bee translated to Constantinople which came to passe in the time of the Emperour Constantine and Grecia shal liue peaceablie in all delights vntill the Emperour Emanuel his time who liued three score yeares Andronicus whom Sybilla calleth a Beare after hee hath slaine his children shall vsurpe the Empire Isack sonne to Emanuel of whom none account was made shall put Andronicus to death Alexis shall take his brother Isack by treason who wore a long beard after the Greekish manner and hauing put out both his eyes shall thrust him into a darke Prison into which likewise some say that young Alexis sonne to Isack was put from whence escaping afterwards hee came for succour to the Venetians That the Venetians at that time ioyned with the French shall passe into Greece vnder the conduct of Prince Dandulo who by the enuie of Emanuel had almost lost his sight as hath beene said and that Constantinople being taken by them the honour of the Empire shall bee taken from the Greekes For in the space of sixtie three yeares and nine moneths there shall bee in Constantinople neither Emperour nor Patriarch of the Greeke Nation whereupon Sybilla if this Oracle be hers calleth the one a Cocke and the other a Goate This is that which shee hath said ¶ PIETRO CYANI the 42. Duke of Venice PIetro Cyani sonne to Duke Sebastiano succeeded Dandulo was Earle of Arba when he was created The Venetians in the mean time who were at Constantinople because they would not bee without a Magistrate did create a Pretor to gouerne them which creation neuerthelesse was not to bee in force till it were confirmed and allowed by the Prince and Senate at Venice The first who executed this new Magistracie in Constantinople was as it is reported Marini Zeno. Ambassadours were sent to Constantinople to the Emperour Henrie to renew the league Boniface of Montferrat on the other side hauing conquered Thessalie was called King thereof according to the Emperour Baldwin his decree But whilst these things were done in Greece the Venetians after the creation of Cyani to the end they might with more ease ioine all the places of the Greeke Empire to their State which were fallen vnto them by the agreement made with the French and the other confederates they published an Edict That all the Citizens of Venice or their allies who could at their owne charges seize on the Islandes of the Aegean and Ionian Seas and of other places neere thereunto depending in time past on the Greeke Empire reseruing certaine Islandes mentioned in the decree which they were expresly forbidden to attempt should claime them for their own as lawfully purchased by right of Armes Although at the first this may seeme not verie commodious for the Common-wealth Yet considering it more neerely it was necessarie to be so as well for that the Citie was at the same time busied about the affaires of Greece as in respect of the great numbers of Pirats who were so increased whilst the Venetians were imploied in the Thracian wars as there needed a mightie fleete to represse their incursions And therefore there was no possibilitie with any safetie to seuer the forces of the Common-wealth in so many places at once It was then thought most conuenient that the wealthiest of them should set forth one or more Gallies a peece or other ships of warre for the same purpose The which they presumed diuers would doe for the hope of the proposed gaine and that thereby it might come to passe that the Common-wealth hauing afterwards neede of those ships of war set forth at the charges of particular men might make vse of them by vertue of her owne authoritie in such cases Besides euerie one was bound to keepe at his owne Costes the places which should be possessed which the Common-wealth could not doe without great expence and to carrie thither their wiues and children with all their wealth And by this meanes as by Colonies sent from the Citie the whole should bee subiect to the Venetians obedience But howsoeuer they had respect either to the one or other of the fore-nam'd occasions it is certain that diuers particular persons did take Armes for this purpose And to the same purpose before any of the rest the publike fleete of one and thirtie Gallies sailed into the maine conducted as some say by Rayniero Dandulo and Rugiero Permarin and others changing both the names make mention of none but Raynierâ—… Permarin All Annalists almost and other authors likewise doe set downe the atchieuements of particular persons before those of the publik State as though it were likelie that priuate persons durst haue attempted any thing on the Islandes before that the Seas were freed from Pirats with whom the commonwealths Gallies were enforced to fight at the verie entrie almost of the Adriaticke Gulph And because the continuall course of this businesse doth so require it wee will first of all set downe that which was performed by the generall Armie They were scarce out of the Gulph when they met with Leo Vetrano the Genouese one of the most famous Pirats of those daies with nine Gallies who being assailed by the Venetians was easily broken taken and brought to Corfu whither the fleet sailed where he was hanged After the recouerie of which Island the Venetians sailed towards Modona first then to Corona the two receptacles of theeues and Pirats which they ruined They are two Cities of Pelloponessus at this day called Morea The one lies betweene Coriphasium and the mount Acrita and the other on the Sea of Messina Neere those places the Ambassadors of Achaya and Athens came to the Generalls of the Armie promising to yeeld themselues to the Venetians but it is reported that their rash resolution was interrupted by a Captaine named Mega who the same time possessed those places I thinke that these places were held by him by others at such time as the Venetians were busied in the wars of Constantinople At which time all the Islands and Sea-townes of the Aegean and Ionian Seas were exposed for a prey to as manie as could winne them the Empire beeing then verie much declined Albeit I wil not denie but that he might be before then appointed Gouernour there by those who did command Greece The passage of the Sea being in this sort opened all men hasted to these Islands as to an assured bootie Marco Dandulo and Giacomo Viadre being ioined together seized on Callipolis Marco Sanuto accompanied with diuers Citizens who were at the Islands Cyclades made himselfe master of Naxos Paros Molos Herma and Andros Raban Carcerio with his nephewes tooke Euboea called at this day Nigrepont and Euripa neere adioining Andrea and Henrico de Glassâ—…s seized on Tenos Micon which the Modernes haue called Micolla Sâ—…hyros Philocolion called in times past Philocandea with Staliminium which is named Lemnos In this meane time Henrie
when hee came thither to the aide of king Ferdinand with six hundred horse say that he fought with his armes bare sometimes with an yron Mace and sometimes with a Sword and executed there so many braue exploits as himselfe alone was more feared than all the rest of his cauallerie He after that he had by his owne industrie recouered the principalitie of Albania did so long as he liued with few forces defend it against the whole power of the Turks He had six hundred choice horse with whom he did ordinarily vse to ouerthrow farre greater numbers of his Turkish enemies For which his glorious exploits it is reported that the people after his death in admiration of him as if they had obserued in him somewhat that exceeded humane performance did by Hymnes and Songs solemnize the memoriall of so worthie a Prince Some credible Authors affirme That in the hottest time of the warre when the Turkes filled all places with armes and terrour great multitudes of Virgins would assemble themselues together in those citties where he had commaunded and euery eight dayes would sing the praises of that dead Prince therein imitating those of olde time who in theyr high feasts did publish the acts of notable men that were dead But this as I haue said was done in former time The Turkes likewise made sundry incursions into Dalmatia But because it was done rather to forrage than to fight it is not worthy of memory It had beene good for the Venetians if the Prouinces onely and not Italie had felt their cruell armes who whilest Mocenigo executed his fortunate exploits in Asia did enter the Confines of Italie and came as farre as Vdina About the middest of Autumne a company of Turkish horse in an euening at Sun-set came with great rumour and incamped on the Riuer of Sconcino and many of them had alreadie foorded the streame when on a sodaine they incountered the Venetian troupes For diuers troupes of horse lying in the Villages heere and there vpon the riuer assembled themselues vpon the enemies arriuall to stoppe their passage and although the Venetians vsed great speed the Turkes neuerthelesse by their swiftnesse were gotten before them and some of their cauallerie had alreadie crossed the Riuer when as the Venetians vpon their first charge did beate them into the water and enforced them to returne to the other side to their fellowes The Italian cauallery remained on the riuer bankes most part of the night but through feare of the enemies great number before day they retired into the Isle of Ceruia This place is neare to Aquileia and is made an Island by the circumfluence of the Riuers Ronedula Amosore and Alsa But so soone as it was day and that the enemie had lost sight of the Venetians he speedily crossed the Riuer and with great out-cries made incursions into the Countrey of the Forlani All those in the villages betooke themselues to flight and they in the Townes thought themselues not secure The smoke of the Villages and Countrey-houses which were seene to burne a farre off had greatly terrified the Inhabitants of the cities but much more the sight of the poore Countrie people who dragged their wiues children and cattell to their very gates The Inhabitants of Vdina which at this day in wealth and populousnesse is one of the most renowned of the whole Prouince was greatly affrighted with the approach of the Turks who were come within three miles of the citie no lesse than if the enemie had beene at their gates In which amazement mothers with their children stoode weeping before the Altars and others ranne vp and downe to the Market-place and to the Castle And it was certainely thought That if the Cittie had beene assailed by the Turkes in that generall confusion it might haue beene endangered without any notable danger But so it was That the Turkes fearing some Ambuscado because they knew not whither the Venetian cauallerie was retired went backe the same way they came with great numbers of prisoners and cattell Now the Venetians at the same time were not onely molested in that place but neere to the Po likewise by reason of the troubles of Ferrara After the death of Borsia d'Aeste the Venetians assisted Hercules his brother with men money and shipping for the obtaining of the principalitie of Ferrara against his Nephew Nicolao sonne to his brother Lionello who claimed it and being therein established they maintained him in it by force notwithstanding that in other places they were pressed with the burthen of a greater warre when by the conspiracie of certaine particular persons hee had like to haue lost it In the citie of Venice they called in all siluer coyne which for the most part was counterfet and coyned other bigger peeces of a new stampe which were called Troni by reason of the Princes effigies vpon it After the Persian Ambassadours departure foorth of Asia Mocenigo and the Associates being desirous to spend the small remainder of Autumne in some honourable exploits directed their course towards that part of Asia which is opposite to Chios neere to Thermena a Promontorie of those of Mindos The horsemen and mariners beeing landed in that place and sent vp and downe that Territorie which aboundeth with vines oliue trees and rich villages they made a great spoile and carried away infinite numbers of prisoners The souldiers brought an hundred seauen and thirtie heades of the enemies to the Gallies The prisoners were solde by the sound of Drumme and the mony was equally diuided among the troupes From thence being come to Nasso the Generall of the Kings Gallies for winter approached took leaue of Mocenigo and with his fleet went home into his Countrey The Venetian and the Popes Legate being desirous to attempt some memorable action before winter leauing Nasso sailed directly to besiege Smirna in times past a famous Cittie of Ionia They had intelligence that because it was seated in a Gulph farre off it had not of a long time tasted any misery of warre and that therefore the Inhabitants of the place did liue in all securitie which had bred in them a carelesse neglect of fortifying their Cittie which in many places was much ruinated They first arriued at Psira a desart Island From thence sayling by night they came the third day after in the morning to the strond of Smirna A great part of the Citie standeth vpon the hill but the better halfe of it is in the plaine and yet the hill is most inhabited The troupes being presently landed gaue a furious assault to the walles of the Citie where they found small resistance but so great was the terrour of the distressed Citizens as all their attempts could not long bold out the Christians for whilest they ran vp and downe confusedly the Citie was spoyled by the souldiers and marriners Great was the lamentation of the flying townsmen whilest women with their children ranne into their Temples or
neighbour townes daunted with the disaster of the Gallipolitans voluntarily yeelded Marcellos death reported at Venice did somewhat sower the sweetnesse of the victorie The Citie neuerthelesse reioyced because that by the taking of Gallipolis a means was offered them at their pleasures to anoy king Ferdinand their enemie whose pride was no whit daunted notwithstanding that he saw the Venetians make incursions into the verie bowels of his Kingdome yet that turbulent spirit of his when it perceiued his countrey entangled in a difficult and tedious warre inclined to peace His sonne Alphonso who lay on the Cremonese hauing intelligence by spies that the Venetians comming from their Garrisons were with a mightie Armie encamped at Varioles did with his troupes which were farre inferiour to the Venetians march to Quintiana where fortifying himselfe his Armie by supplies from the confederates did daily encrease Sanseuerino in the meane time because he would not be idle thought it fit that Nicolao Pisauro the Prouidator and his sonne Francisco should with certaine troupes of horse make incursions into the enemies countrey These hauing at a bridge crossed the Oglio did on a sodaine surprize Calce and other townes of small importance some of which they fortified and razed the rest The enemie being not farre off lay still and would not remoue so as all that haruest there was no other memorable exploit done In the end after that Alphonso had assembled all the confederate forces consisting of sixe score companies of men at Armes with an infanterie to their Cauallerie he marched against the new Orges Sanseuerino though he were inferiour to him in number of horse yet being his superiour in foot forces went to the old Orges supposing that the enemie would come thither Nicolao Treuisano Gouernour of Bressia accompanied Sanseuerino with a gallant troupe to the new Orges Alphonso in the meane time being come to Metella enforced the townsmen to yeeld together with some other places of meane importance From thence he went and seized on Varioles and Scosariolles and then continued at Baignolles But the Venetian who still followed him seeking for a fit occasion to giue him battaile went from Maclodia to Torbolles and from thence not long after encamped at S. Zenes betwixt Bressia and the enemies campe There peace was motioned with more likelihood of good successe than before at Cesenna and as it had a better beginning so was the end more prosperous For the Captaines which seldome happens who were wont to abhorre the name of peace became Authors and Vmpires thereof Sanseuerino on the one side and Lodouico Sforza on the other after sundrie messages from both parts vndertooke this treatie so much desired not onely in Lombardie where warre was hote but ouer all Italy During this treatie of peace or not long before the Venetians receiued a great ouerthrow neere to Ferrara Certaine foot-companies of the Garrison of the obscure lake had made incursions to the verie gates of Ferrara seeking to draw forth the enemie into some Ambuscado but the Ferrarois still contained themselues within their walles till the Venetians retired towards their campe for then they sent certaine troupes of horse against them who skirmished with them as farre as the Parke corner which confrontes Cassagio where the Venetians in disorder were put to rout diuers were there slaine and many wounded but the number of prisoners was verie great who according to the manner of the Italian warre being stript were dismissed Troni Prouidator at that time of the obscure lake falling sicke and being carried to Venice died there Peace as hath beene said being motioned by the Captaines did then take effect on these conditions That the Venetians should reenter Asola Romania and all other townes lost during that warre of Lombardie That they should withdraw all their Garrisons on this side beyond the Po raze all the Forts built vpon the riuer banks and should surrender to Hercules whatsoeuer they had taken from him the Pollesin of Rouigo excepted which themselues retained and should enioy the same liberties old and new as they were wont to haue in Ferrara and places neere adioyning That Sanseuerino should still continue in the Venetians pay and yet should be Generall to all the Princes and States of Italy Such was the end of the confederate warre of all Italy against the Venetians the greatnesse of whose preparations may be imagined by this That in two yeares space or little more whilest this warre lasted they spent three millions and 600000. Ducates The Venetians of a long time had not so willingly entertained peace In all Townes and Castles ouer their dominions bonefires were made in signe of ioy Besides triumphes turnaments and fight at barriers were proclaimed which should continue certaine daies The rewards propounded to the combatants were two peeces the one of cloth of gold and the other of siluer Great multitudes of people came from all parts to behold those shewes Hercules de Oeste and Iulio Count of Camerin were present at them whom the Prince and Senate went to meete Leon sonne to Lodouico Sforza and Galeas Sanseuerino came from Milan to Venice Old Sanseuerino chose rather to be a dealer in the triumphes than a spectator The Rossians of Parma and the Prince of Mirandula came thither likewise with many other great Lords some to fight others to looke on The market-place of S. Marke as farre as S. Geminians Church was to this end sumptuously adorned The combatants preparations were magnificent Three of Sanseuerines sonnes who sundrie times made shewes a-part caused fiue and twentie braue coursers to be richly trapt with gold and purple The Rossians of Parmas shewes were in a manner like this But that of Count Camerins nephew sonne to his brother was accounted more sumptuous than all the rest More than an hundred thousand persons beheld these triumphs Prince Mocenigo accompanied with the Senate and Citie Magistrates had a place prepared for them These turnaments lasted certaine daies In the end the honour of the triumph was adiudged to Sanseuerines sonnes as they that had best deserued it Fracasso and Antonio Maria diuided the cloth of gold betwixt themselues and Galeas alone had that of siluer Count Camerins nephew who in all mens iudgements had done brauely refused three hundred crownes which the State would haue giuen him Some thought he did it in disdaine because others were preferred before him Mariotto a younger brother of the Rossians of Parma doing more at barriers than his yeares promised was rewarded with a horse richly barded Many others were rcompenced according to their merit many were likewise knighted Iulio Count of Camerin was made Generall of the Venetian troupes seeing Sanseuerino commanded those of all Italy The end of the second Booke of the fourth Decad. THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE FOVRTH DECAD OF THE HISTORIE Of Venice The Contents of the third Booke of the fourth Decad. THE Dukes Pallace burnt during the warre is sumptuously
reedified The Pestilence begunne in Summer doth in Autumne make diuers places in the citie desolate A briefe Description of their Sea-trafficke Foure Gallies trading into France are taken by Pirates on the coast of Portugall Troubles in Friull by the sodaine arriuall of the Hungarians ROBERTO SANSEVERINO with a braue Cauallerie goes to the warre lately begunne neere Rome The election of MARCO BARBADICO who succeedeth MOCENIGO in the Principalitie of Venice A briefe Declaration of the warre of Rome betwixt Pope INNOCENT and king FERDINAND Three Commissioners are appointed to prouide all things requisite to purge the Citie from the pestilence SANSEVERINO dispoiled of his troupes returnes to the Venetians Their vsuall custome at their Princes funeralls The cause of the warre with the Archduke of Austria and sodaine commotions of the enemie on the very confines of Italie The beginning and end of the Rethicke warre The kingdome of Cyprus is ioyned to the Venetians Dominions by a conueyance made by Queene KATHERINE in her life time The inuention of harquebuzes and the recompence of such as learned to shoot in them An extreame cold frost at Venice and ouer all the Lakes A league betwixt the Pope Venetians and GALE AS SFORZA The preparations of CHARLES the French King for the conquest of the kingdome of Naples THat part of the Dukes Pallace which was burnt during the warre was from the foundation reedified this first yeere of the peace It is an admirable peece of worke and likely to last long The Citie was greatly molested with the Infection the next Summer which increasing in Autumne did make Venice very desolate This domesticke losse was accompanied toward the end of Summer with an other farre from home But before wee enter into this Discourse it shall not bee impertinent to mention the Venetians great industrie wealth purchased by traffike at sea There is no place in all the Sea from Gades betwixt Affricke and Europe towards Syria and Egypt in the Leuant nor from the North and West towards Bosphorus and the Fennes Meotides nor any place so remote which the Venetian Gallies haue not at all times frequented in trade of Marchandize It is almost incredible to thinke how the Venetian vessells doe ordinarily enter into the Hauens not onely of Italie but of Liburnia Dalmatia Macedonia and Grecce as if it were in the suburbs of Venice Wee will speake of those who at the Common-wealths charge are yeerely sent to take in lading in the remotest places of the world Of these foure great gallies bring home into Italie Spice Silke Pretious stones and Pearles from Syria and Egypt Three others goe into Lybia for gold iewells and slaues Two saile into Fraunce and bring home wooll and Spanish silke Others goe towards the Tana is and Fennes Meotides from whence they returne loden with Tapistrie and Emeraldes And besides this number foure direct theyr course into the French Ocean and from the Martes there loade themselues abundantly with woolls gold tapistrie and cloth of Flaunders According to this custome foure Gallies for this purpose were abroad vnder the commaund of Bartilomeo Minio who comming into the Spanish Seas mette with young Columbus nephew to Columbus the famous Mariner who with seauen tall shippes of warre incountered them in the night neere to the sacred Promontorie modernely termed S. Vincents Cape But although at first hee determined to assault the Venetian Gallies yet hee abstained that night and resoluing to fight with them came so neere as the prowes of the pirates shippes were asterne the poopes of the Venetian Gallies So soone as it was day Columbus assailed the Venetians who were inferior to him in men and vessells but superior in courage and resolution They fought fiercely for certaine houres space and with such great slaughter as is seldome seene in any fight with such enemies who rarely come to fight but vpon constraint Diuerse that were present at the bickering say that three hundred Venetians were slaine at that fight others mention not so many Among the dead were Lorenzo Michael Captaine of a Gallie and Giouanni Delfino brother to another Captaine The Venetians were wearied with long fight The Gallie Delfina was taken by the enemies whereupon the rest yeelded Some say that in one Gallie foure score dead bodies lay betwixt the prow and poope which spectacle the victorious enemie lamented saying in despite That the Venetians by their wilfulnesse had procured that losse The dead bodies were throwne into the Sea and the wounded set on shoare Those which escaped went to Lisbone and from thence were sent home Lisbone is a Citie of Portugall standing vpon the Sea I thinke it was in old time called Olisipone It is at this day very famous as well for the ordinarie residence of kings as for her great wealth The Venetians were there very kindely entertained by the king and those that were sicke he commaunded to be carefully looked to the rest according to each mans qualitie receiued mony and cloaths and were sent home into their countrey The Venetians are in ancient league with the kings of Portugall the which being deriued from the Father to the Sonne they inuiolably obserue They say that the cause of this league and friendship proceeded from the Venetians courtesie and liberalitie It is reported That a king of Portugall came in time past with a small traine to Venice to see the Citie where he remained certaine daies in disguised habite But so great a guest could not long be concealed For the Senate hauing intelligence that a Noble man of royall parentage lay in the Citie it did honourably receiue and conducted him to a goodly Pallace where he lodged being accompanied by certaine Senators to shew him the singularities of the Citie and to wait vpon him whither soeuer hee went At his departure they gaue him rich giftes and for his greater honor appointed some to attend him as farre as the Venetians confines This did the Venetians not as they thought to a king but only to a priuate person of blood royall At his returne into Portugall hee acquainted his Princes with the Venetians curtesie and liberalitie and made a Decree That his successors should for euer acknowledge the Venetians bounty towards him And for this cause the king of Portugall gaue such good entertainement to the distressed Venetians he did likewise commaund that none of his subiects should buy any part of the Venetians goods which had bene stollen from them The newes of this losse did greatly afflict the Citie the which exceeding as it was reported the summe of 20000. crownes touched some particular persons But the death of so many men did much augment their sorrow The pestilence at this time did greatly infect the Cittie in regard whereof the Senate was of opinion at that time not to reuenge that wrong but to deferre it to a fitter time At the same time there arose some troubles in Friull Certaine light horse sent by the King
for tenne yeeres Sebastiano Badoario and Bernardo Bembo were sent to Rome in his stead where Antonio Vinciguerra the Secretarie after Lauretans departure had in the meane time by the Senates commaund treated with his Holinesse whereupon at their arriuall they made a league with him At the same time almost that this league was published Francisco Priuli was made Admirall of the Sea Hee at the Spring receiuing the publique ensignes in S. Marks Church from the Princes hand departed from Venice Certaine armed Gallies to secure the Sea-frontires were gone before and some others followed them So great care had the Senate at that time for the guard of the Seas when an vnlooked for warre from Germanie assailed them about contending for their bounds the beginning and progression whereof was thus Sigismond brother to the Emperour Fredericke was Lord and Soueraigne Prince of the Rheticke and Noricke Common-wealths and other Countries of Germanie neere adiacent Hee was a meeke and courteous Prince but inclining too much to flatterers Hee had euer beene in league with the Venetians in which regard the Almaine Marchants his subiects had free trafficke ouer all the Venetians territories and the Venetian Marchants did the like in his and especially at a famous Mart which is yearely held for a certaine time at Bolzan a Citie vnder his obedience Now the Venetians comming to this Fayre after their vsuall manner in the yeare 1487 were by Sigismunds commaundement contrarie to the law of Nations taken and imprisoned and their goods seized to the Princes vse His subiects had not long before driuen the Venetians from the siluer Mynes in the Alpes bought by the Seigniorie and because they were neere to them they with-held them by force When they were demaunded why they did so their excuse was That Sigismonds subiects inhabiting vpon the Lake of La Garda were dispossessed of their dwellings making this a colour to shadow their malice for the strife of those men being referred to arbitrement was in friendly manner debated by Commissioners from both sides And the better to manifest that their proiect was not new after the imprisonment of the Venetian Marchants they leuied forces from all parts aswell of their own as Swisses Grisons to the number of ten thousand men Then at the Spring they came into the field vnder Gaudentius Amasianus their Generall and entred furiously vpon the Confines of Verona and from thence running fifteene miles into the Countrey along the Riuer Adice they drew neere to Rouero a Castle belonging to the Venetians seated in a streight of the Alpes vpon that Riuer which they being not able to take as they supposed to haue done they wasted the Countrey round about and then made Sturma their Rendezuous These incursions being knowne at Venice the Senate commaunded that their souldiers which were in the Treuisan Friul and Lombardie should speedily meet at Verona and that beside those new leuies of souldiers should be made Within a while after Pietro Diede Gouernour of Verona and Ieronimo Marcello were made Prouidators and the Signiorie committed vnto them the command of that warre The Senate aftewards thought good to make Iulio Caesare Varrana Count of Cameryna Generall of their Armie who presently came to Verona The Almains in the meane time being prouided of all necessaries to besiege and take that place approching neere the walls battred it with their ordnance whereof they had great store and the batterie continuing certayne dayes they did beate downe a great part of the wall the Captaine of the Castle by reason of their great number being hardly able to repulse them from the assault howbeit notwithstanding all his resistance hee was at last enforced to yeelde it vpon composition That which did most torment the besieged at the besieged at the batterie and assault was the enemies artillerie which was charged with yron bullets hollow within and filled with wild fire These bullets striking on the walls scattered the fire vp and downe with such vehemencie as it burnt whatsoeuer it met with so as no man durst come vpon the walles to the assault The Senate perceiuing that the warre would continue longer than they had imagined and in some sort distrusting the speedie finishing of it by the valour and skill of one Generall intreated Roberto Sanseuerino who after that Pope Innocent had cassiered him retired to his owne house neere Padua to accept the place of Generall of their Armie together with Iulius Caesar Varran and to make all haste possible to the Alpes aboue Verona with certaine troupes of horse together with his sonnes two braue young men Sanseuerino entertained the offer and speedily went thither At his arriuall the armie was filled with hope he made certaine light skirmishes whose euent was somewhat doubtfull and made a bridge ouer the Riuer that the souldiers might passe from one side to the other and that by it victualles might likewise be brought to the campe At the same time certaine companies of Almaines made incursions on the Territories of Vincenza Feltre and Friul the feare of their comming doing more hurt than their actions For Ieronimo Sauorgnano issued from a noble and ancient family in Vdina and a great friend to the Venetians who had made him a Gentleman of Venice so soone as he had notice of the Almaines incursions did speedily arme the greatest forces he could and together with many Countrey people whom hee assembled marching from the mountaine tops and bad waies which were not vsually passed he came downe vnlooked for vpon the enemies and assailing them on their backs brake and defeated them manie of whom perished in those deepe and fearefull precipices The Senate in acknowledgement of this notable seruice gaue him great thankes and recompenced him with the commaund of three hundred foote men which him selfe bestowed on his brother Giacomo choosing rather to liue quietly at home than to meddle any more in martiall matters The Almaines puft vp with pride after they had taken Rouero as hath beene said made many incursions into the Venetians Countrey who determined to surprise them which they by their spies hauing notice of laid an ambush to entrap the Venetians from which after a fierce fight Roberto Sanseuerino by the valour and prowesse of his sonne Antonio Maria hardly escaped Not long after Iulio Caesare Varrano Count of Camerina being afflicted with a feuer went from the Campe to Verona The Almaines afterwards wanting victuals and pay were readie to mutinie which the Captaines fearing craued of Sanseuerino a suspension of Armes for a time which hee refusing they did about midnight set fire on the Castle and with their Armes and bagage dislodged before day The Venetians wondering in the morning that they heard no noise in the enemies Campe could hardly beleeue that they were wholly gone but doubted some treacherie or ambuscado but their spies assuring them that they were gone farre enough they recouered the Castle Sanseuerino being
treaty of peace with the Turkes in regard the Emperor would neuer be at peace with the French so long as he could haue the Estates of the Venetian Republike and the Realme of Hungary for his Bulwarke for the which aduertisement they thanked his King and for that present delt no farther with him But although the Pope did offer his forces to maintaine the warre and exhorted the Senate to prouide dilligently for the conseruation of their States and defense of Christendome yet neuerthelesse he did not dissemble the suspition which he had conceiued of the Imperials and the smal hope he had in their aide wherevpon he did often times affirme that being assured that the Venetian Senate as most prudent and well aduised would neuer make peace with the Turke vnlesse they were enforced therevnto by very vrgent necessity euen so the occasions being once knowne to be such he did commend their councell which knew how to fit it selfe to times and necessity Now about the same time the Senate receiued letters from the Bayly Canalis who aduertised them that great and magnificent triumphs were preparing at Constantinople for the nuptials of the great Lords daughter married to Rusten Basha and for the circumcision of two of his children and to that end they expected some from Venice and that the Basha did greatly desire that according to the vsuall custome some Ambassador of theirs might come to the Porte to haue an occasion to reuiue the treaty of peace The Senate being assembled therevpon and a proposition being made to elect an Ambassador to send to Soliman all of them with one voice and consent embracing the businesse did choose 〈◊〉 Badoario a Senator of great authority and one of those who had most of all perswaded the Senate to an accord with Soliman offering himselfe if neede were to goe thither for that purpose They did then enioyne him first of all to procure the negociation of the Generall truce according to the former instructions of the Ambassador Contaren continued by the French Kings Agent then to motion the restitution of all those places possessed on either side during that warre and if hee could not obtaine that then to treate of a finall peace by renuing of the ancient capitulations giuing authority for to offer some fiue or sixe thousand Dicatâ—… a peece for the Cities of Naples and Maluesia and to promise three hundred thousand Ducats for the expences that Soliman had beene at in that warre This was the Senates commission But the councell of Tenne who at that time did Soueraignly treate of the most serious affaires of state without communicating them to the Senate to the end they might be more secretly managed among fewer persons added another more ample commission namely to haue power if hee should perceiue the treaty to bee wholy desperate to surrender vnto them the townes of Naples and Maluesia These Senators who were of the ancient and best experienced in the gouernment did very well know how greeuous and insupportable that warre had bin vnto them how that Naples and Maluesia were farre off from them and therefore hardly to be releeued and easie to be beseeged by the enemy whereby they had beene in danger oftentimes to haue beene taken in regard of their want of many things So as they would ere then haue fallen into the enemies hands had not the truce protected them That the Common-wealth was at the same time in great danger where-vpon it was discreetly aduised to cast away some what although it were deere and pretious to conduct it safely to the Hauen of peace forth of the rockes of that dangerous warre That it was a Maxim confirmed by many experiences that time in the Negociations with the Turkes doth breed danger and the conclusion of matters by delaies haue euer had a bad and difficult successe This happened about the latter end of the yeare and at the beginning of the next which was 1540. the Emperor came to Paris where the king entertained him with all possible signes of honor and friendship Christophero Capello Ambassador at the same time for the Signory in France did acquaint both of them with the Senates answer to the Marquis of Guasto and the Marshall D. Anibault wherevnto the Emperor answered that although for his owne part hee did resolue to make warre vpon the Turkes yet neuer-the-lesse hee could not see in regard of the shortnesse of the time how they might satisfie the Republcks desire and therefore that it would be to more purpose at that present to obtaine a generall truce during which they might haue time to prepare forces conuenient for such an enterprize and that he in the meane time would not omit to doe whatsoeuer lay in him for the common safety of their Sea Estates The most Christian King did at the same time make great protestation for his good will saying that hee would let men know that his intention neuer was to diuert the common good of Christendome but that he was ready speedily to embrace peace and concord with the Emperor that he might afterwards vndertake a warre more proffitable and necessary but that the present time would not permit him to treat of those bussinesses because he would not mingle graue and serious matters among feasts and ioy for the Emperors arriuall the negociating whereof might breed difficulties and discontents where-vpon they had referred the whole businesse to the assembly of Flanders Capello hauing acquainted the Senate with the Emperors and French Kings answers they were found to be very generall so as no certaine hold could be taken thereon neither of peace betwixt themselues not of warre against the Turkes where-vpon they resolued more earnestly to persue the treaty of peace already begun and did write to Badoario who ariuing at Constantinople about the middest of Aprill began to treat according to his commission with the Baschas therein vsing the fauour and aduice of the French Ambassador But at the beginning of their negotiation great difficulties did arrise not that the Turkes were vnwilling of an agreement but because they hauing notice of the secret commission giuen to Badoario and thereby being growne more insolent as well in regard of the feare and desire of peace which they discouered to be in the Venetians as for that they were assured to obtaine what-so-euer they demanded began forthwith to protest that they would not harken to any other proposition vnlesse that besides the Ilands of the Archipelago and the Castles of Nada Laurana which they already enioyed the Citties of Naples and Maluesia might bee freely surrendred to them and restitution made for the expences of the warre The Ambassador beeing amazed at these demands so sodainly and obstinately made and suspecting the truth of the matter did for certaine daies giue ouer that negociation incertaine of himselfe what he were best to doe on the other side he was drawne from it when he considered how that by continuing
Those which escaped the slaughter fired the Citty and with it burnt themselues and goods In this manner was the Citty of Modon taken The Venetian Magistrate beeing tyed in chaines was by the Turkes command carried to Iunca to bee seene of the Captaine of the Castle and all those within it who thervpon yeelded their liues and goods saued As the Venetian fleet returned towards Zant an horrible tempest arose which dispersed them into sundry farre Islands euen to Candie their masts rudders and tacklings beeing all broken in peices Modon taken the Turke sent one of his Baschas and part of his fleet to Coron who told them that if vppon honorable composition the would yeeld before he beseeged them he would vse them curreously otherwise if they stayed till the Canon were planted he would put them all to the sword They terrified with the desaster of the Modonois without respect to the Magistrates or Captaines who had prepared all thinges for defence did vpon very profitable conditions receiue the Bascha into their walls The Turke supposing to take Naples in the same manner and as soone as hee had done Coron sent part of his army to their Confines and sent thither with his Captaines euen to the Citty gates Paul Contaren a Venetian Gentleman that was married in Coron and well knowne in those Cuntryes who after Coron was taken the Turke tooke along with him to this end to perswade the Neapolitans to yeeld He conferring with those in the Citty concerning their yeelding and standing vppon the edge of the Dike right ouer against the Gate did on a suddaine and vnperceiued spur his horse and leaping into the Dike presently entred the Citty The Neapolitans both by his aduice and being willing of themselues did very valiantly repulse all the enemies attempts and did moreouer as occasion was offerred make very fortunate sallies And the Turke sending for his whole army thither thereby thinking to terrifie them they despised all his threatenings and brauely defended themselues In the meane time Pesare comming to Corfou and from thence to Zant tarried there till the fleet dispersed by tempest was revnited The Vessells trimmed and made ready there were 18. great Gallies and 25. lesser ones and 20. shipps well rigde and armed with these hee determined to seeke the enemies fleet and fight with it But the Tuke hauing intelligence of his comming to Zant commanded his Baschas to raise the Seege and to carry back the fleet to Constantinople and himselfe with his whole army departed from thence the next day Pesare at the same time sent a Fregate to Naples to view the enemy fleet but perceiuing they were gon he sailed to Legina which the Turke had taken during the seege of Naples where landing his soldiers hee tooke the Fort and slew all the Turkes within it reseruing the Captaine for his prisoner and restored the Island to the Venetian State From thence he went to Mittilyn where he did the like giuing the spoile to his soldiers and marriners The next day he sailed to Tenedos which he burnt downe to the ground And finding the enemies fleet which fled at the mouth of the Straight he gaue in vppon their taile and tooke diuers vessells and many prisoners whom vpon Gibets set vp on the two shores that diuide the confines of Europe and Asia he hanged and afterwards spoiled and wasted the Contrey with fire and sword From thence he directed his course to the Isle of Samothrace where vnderstanding that the Islanders obeyed the Turke on constraint he sent Lodouico Canalis to them to know if they would yeeld to the Venetians they willingly accepted the offer and he promised to giue them a Venetian Gentleman for Gouernour vnto whom for his entertainment they offered to giue the tenth part of their reuenues Then after that he had taken and sackt Carista hee returned with his fleet to Naples loden with spoile and hauing there made a reuiew of his forces hee did by his bounty highly please and content his soldiers And vpon intelligence that the King of Spaines fleet commanded by Gonsaluo Ferdinandes came to aid the Venetians and was at Zant hee sailed thitherward and passing along by Iunca he caused Charles Contarens head to be cut off vpon the Prow of his Galley who commanding that Castle for the Signory which was exceeding strong both by nature and art had yeelded it to the enemy vppon the first summons not beeing enforced by a seege Beeing come to Zante hee there found Gonsaluo with whom and the Spanish Captaines that were with him hauing consulted vpon the affaires of warre by their aduise and consent of the Prouidators hee determined to goe and besiege Modon But because they wanted store of vessels they sent all their workemen to Cephalonia which a bounds in woods and Forrests to cut downcitees Whilest some were busied in cutting of wood because they would not loose time they resolued to besiege the towne of Cephalonia because the Turkes should not say that two fleetes vnited durst not assaile them This thus resolued Pesare and Gonsaluo caused Ordnance to bee brought from the shippes to batter the walls and giuing euery man his charge they were desirous to make tryall of the valour of those within the tower who were in number three hundred The same day as they would haue begun the battery there fell such store of raine as they were enforced to deferre it till some other time The weather at last beeing faire the Ordnance was planted against the walls where after a breach made an assault was giuen but the enemies did with all sorts of weapons so valiantly desend themselues as the towne could not bee taken so as our men were enforced to retire and great numbers of them hurt The Generalls thus repulsed raised a mount higher then the enemies fortifications from which they might easily see whatsoeuer was done in the citty and then gaue an other furious assault where the Venetians and Spaniards so brauely behaued themselues as they constrained the Turkes to retire into the Forte who within a while after yeelded to Gonsaluo fearing the Venetians indignation whom they had so often deluded and offended During the siege of Cephalonia the Castle of Iunca returned to the Venetians by meanes of one called Demetrius of Modon who practised it with an Albanese a friend of his which was of the garde of the Castle where killing fiftie Turkes that lay there in garrison and enforcing the rest to leape ouer the walles they became Maisters of the place whether Pesare presently sent Ieronimo Pisani the Prouidator with forces and after him Siluestro Troni for Iudge In this manner in a short space they tooke Cephalonia and Iunca Gonsaluo who had already made warre at sea many moneths perceiuing that Pesare deferred the siege of Modon till some other fitte time and that the enemies had strongly fortified it since the recouery of
Iunca returned into Sicely Pesare presented him with fiue hundred peeces of Malmsey and seuenty thousand weight of sweet meates of all sorts which the Senate had sent him from Venice Pesare aduertised that the enemy had made certaine Galleys at Preueze and that some of them were already lanched sayled thether with foureteene well armed Galleys and drew them thence notwithstanding all the enemies resistance and directed his course to Corfou there to trimme his vessels and to review his fleete The Senate in the meane time recompenced those who had well deserued in that warre as well those that were liuing as their heires that were dead The Precedent yeare the state had sent an Ambassador to Ladislaus King of Hungary to mooue him to warre vpon the Turke who after a long discourse did in the Senates name make a league and confederacie with him by which the King was bound to make warre on the Turke with his whole force and the Venetians to giue the King yearely at three distinct times three thousand pounds of gold The Pope would needs make one in this treatie of peace and sent a Cardinall thither for his Legate promising for three yeares space to giue foure hundred pounds of gold yearely to the same King Pesare hauing repaired his fleete determined to burne the Turkish Galleis at the mouth of the riuer Bojan but this enterprize tooke none effect because that the Turkes had inteligence of it who fearing the like danger as at Preâ—…ese with-drew their vessels fourteene miles vp the riuer from sea The Turke at the same time recouered the Castle of Iunca Pesari returning to Corfou had inteligence that the enemies Galleis vppon the riuer Bojan would shortly come forth hee sent certaine of his Galleis thither to keepe them in himselfe in the meane time with the rest of the fleet consisting of fiue and twenty Gallies returned into Morea where from the confines of Coron hee laded his Gallies with great numbers of men women and young children carrying them into Cephalonia desolute of inhabitants From thence hee returned to Corfou expecting the French King and King of Portugalls fleet Whilest these things were done abroade Prince Augustino Barbadico dyed at home hauiuing gouerned the Common-wealth fifteene yeare and in his place according to the vsuall manner Leonardo Loredano a man wise and noble was chosen LEONARDO LOREDANO the 75. Duke AT the first great Councell held after he was made Prince Benedetto Pesare Captaine General of the fleet was made Procurator of Saint Marke in steed of Philippo Troni who was newly dead In his time the French Fleet went to ayde the Venetians against the Turke the like did that of Portugall according to both those Kings promises but they came not both at one time nor to one place for that of Portugall went to Corfou and the French to Zant and yet neither the one or other did any great seruice to the State which hauing long time mainetained warre against the Turke alone of it selfe and in the company of the King of Hungary did at last make peace when it least thought thereof For those beeing redeemed who at the beginning of the warre were imprisoned at Constantinople Andre Gritti was one of the number who returning to Venice was by his Contrey-men kindly welcomed home He brought letters to the Senate from Achmet one of Baziazets cheefe Captaines which contained that if they were desirous to end the warre they should send one to Constantinople to treat of the conditions of peace and that hee would bee their freind The Senate vppon these letters sent word to Pesare to dissolue the fleet twenty Gallies excepted which he should keepe with him and wrote to Ladislaus King of Hungary sending him Achmets letters that they determined to send an Agent to Constantinople intreating him to doe the like to the end peace might be made with more honor Ladislaus vnderstanding the Senates determination did highly commend it and promised to grant what they demanded But the King prolonged the matter because if the Senate made peace with the Turke vnles there were som new agreement betwixt them he should be depriued of the yearly sum which the Signory gaue him wherevpon the Venetian Ambassadors that were in Hungary fearing to prolong the treaty with the Turke granted that the three thousand pounds of gold which they paid him yearely towards the war should if peace were made be reduced to three hundred pounds of gold so long as Baiazet liued In the mean time Baiazeth made peace with the Sophi therby finding himselfe more fit to continue warre against the Venetians grew haughty and told Achmet that he would not haue peace with the Venetians except they would redeliuer the Isle of Saint Maur which not long before they had taken from him The Senate aduertized thereof by Achmets letters written to Gritti and sent by an expresse messenger vnwilling any longer to consume them selues in expence by continuing the warre quitted that Island to Baiazeth and made peace with him reseruing the Isle of Cephalonia to them selues in old time called Leucadia The Venetians were much troubled for that the King of Portugall forestalling their traffick had appropriated vnto himselfe the trade for spices which their vessels and Marchants bringing from Alexandria did with meruailous profit vent into all places of Christendome For the Portugalls going by Sea into those remote partes and in the Indian Sea insinuating themselues into the friendship of the Kings of Calicut and other lands their neighbors haue gotten to themselues the Commerce for spices which the Alexandrian Marchants before were wont to haue and bringing them home into Portugall send them by sea into those places whether the Venetians vsed to trade But to returne to the Peace the Senate commanded thankes to bee giuen to God and three pounds of gold to be distributed to the Preists Baiazeth sent an ambassador vnto whom the Prince should sweare to obserue the peace as he had done to the Venetian Ambassador At the same time Lewis the French King sent Iohn Lascaris of Constantinople his Ambassador to the Venetians to request them to renew the league and Confederacy betwixt them for he being inforced to make warre vppon Gonsaluo Lieftenant Generall to the King of Spaine who had defeated his Army in Calabria was desirous to haue the Venetians take armes in his behalfe and to induce them therevnto propounded many faire conditions but they refused to renew the Confederacy and also his offers saying that they were satisfied with the old one Pope Alexander in the meane time supping in a Garden neere to the Vatican with the Duke Valentinois his sonne was on a sodaine carried thence for dead to his Pallace whither his sonne was likewise carried sick like the father and the day following the Pope dyed black and swelled and very vgly very euident signes of poyson but the Duke his sonne by reason of his youth and presently taking