also render the places it had gained Concerning the Succession if it should happen the Duke should dye he promised to protect the Right of the Princes understanding those who should be adhering to his Party As for the rest to Thomaso was left in Government that which he had in his present power for so long till an agreement were made with his Nephew and Sister-in-law assigning great Pensions to himself his Wife and his Sons for one of which hopes were given him of a Marriage with the Daughter of the Duke of Longueville endowed with great Riches Under the faith of this Treaty which for the present required secrecy the Truce was prolonged for all February of the next year But amidst the Negotiations of Italy the hopes of the general Peace went in such sort backwards that the Pope weary of the Charge and the dishonour of keeping a Legate idle in Collen recalls him leaving for Nuntio Extraordinary Signor Macchiavelli Patriarch of Constantinople to whom Rossetti a while after was substituted These discomposures of the Treaty rose chiefly from the revolts of Catalogna and of Portugal which filling one side with great hopes and designs and the other with perturbation of mind and perplexity admitted not the appearance of any expedients to reconcile their minds and interests It hath formerly been hinted how Olivares with an absolute power governed in Spain the King no less than his Dominions with a Spirit highly elated Maxims severe and Counsels violent He had proposed to himself to exalt the Power and Glory of the King equal to the Title which he had caused him to assume of Great but Fortune with unhappy events seconded so ill his purpose that the Splendour of the Crown seemed in a great measure darkned Whereupon among Strangers there was a relaxation of that awe which rising from power was wont to keep them in respect and in the mind of the Subjects accustomed under the vail of reputation and prosperity to venerate as infallible the Arcana of the Government entred contempt and hatred towards the King and his Favourite The design of Olivares was manifest not only to enlarge the Monarchy beyond its first Confines but in the Kingdoms themselves to establish the absolute Authority of a Monarch who in some of the Provinces circumscribed by Laws Concessions and Covenants seemed precarious and that he enjoyed rather the name than the force of Dominion That which urged him to this was chiefly the want of money and men to supply so many foreign Wars for being to depend upon the consent of the people provisions came not to be furnished equal to the necessity nor ready for the urgency Wherefore he thought to abolish or at least to restrain so great a liberty which some attributed to themselves and principally the Catalans who provided with no small priviledges and free from many burdens kept their Liberty with no less zeal than their Religion The King being some years since with the Court at Barcellona they several times opposed Olivares his demands whereat he being irritated nourished ever after in his mind thoughts to chastise and humble them The Kings to say truth were wont to bear respect to that Nation arrogant by Nature and for the situation important because the Province if from the Sea-Coast by reason it hath no Harbours it be impenetrable on the Land side it seems inaccessible by reason of the Mountains and they piercing deeply inwards and being divided into many branches form themselves into as many Fortifications within which are comprehended strong places populous Cities Towns and a great number of Villages so that the whole Province may be resembled to one mighty Bastion defended with several cuttings of retreats The Neighbourhood then to France the Passes of the Pirenean the largeness of the Circuit the population and martial inclination of the Inhabitants made it considered and little less than feared Nevertheless the Condé Duke busied his thoughts for an opportunity to bridle it but when he thought that Fortune had opened the way to it he was not aware that it carried along with it a down-fal to the greatness and safety of all Spain We have formerly observed how Richelieu tempting the Confines on that side hoped to promote accidents and particularly to irritate the mind of the people amidst the inconveniencies of War and the mischiefs of Arms and so it punctually fell out For Salses being lost the Spaniards to recover it were forced to plant their place of Arms in Catalogna and when they had taken it left the Army to quarter there so that if during the Siege the Province was grievously afflicted by the passages of the Souldiery that people felt afterwards their license so much more intolerable as they had not been accustomed to it Nothing was heard of but extortions and oppressions Churches profaned Women ravished goods taken by violence to which excesses the Chiefs making no reparation an opinion was raised that Olivares to impose under the title of necessary defence the yoak upon that Province willingly suffered it Sure it is that the Count of Saint Coloma the Vice-Roy instigated by frequent Letters from him to draw men and money from that Province under the countenance of the Army without sticking at their priviledges and expecting the consent of the States seized in Barcelona upon certain money which belonged to the disposal of the City and because one of the Jurates the most considerable Magistrate opposed so great a License and insisted that the extravagances also of the Souldiery might be punished he imprisoned him This was enough to put a people into commotion which suffered obedience but was not yet acquainted with slavery Arms were taken the Prisons opened a torrent of people in the Streets with so great and universal a tumult that the Vice-Roy frighted thought his safety only placed in running away He therefore gets into the Arsenal where being as little secure for the people putting fire to the Pallace sought him over all he caused a Galley to come near the shoar but while he was going to the Sea side to imbarque being overtaken by the Mutineers was killed The people now partly terrified by their own excess partly inveigled and confounded amidst the apprehensions of slavery and the appearances of liberty judged that there was no place left for repentance nor for the Kings clemency Shaking off the yoak then they ran out into extremities and the confusion being not able to subsist of it self an independent Government was formed with a Council of an hundred joined to the other ancient Magistrates of the City Upon such an example almost all the Country fell into a commotion and the Towns and Villages universally taking Arms killed and forced to fly all those that were native Spaniards The mind of the Condé Duke at so unexpected an accident being greatly disordered he neither durst make it known to the King nor could it be concealed He endeavours to make him believe that it was nothing but a
of a Half-moon The rains which making the high-ways deep in mire retarded for some days the Besiegers in bringing their Cannon and the attacque hindred also succours to the Besieged so that for want of Ammunition they were forced to render The City agreed for a sum of money not to be plundered and that the Garrison should not be French the Germans marched out with Arms and Baggage The Town of St. Germano where an intelligence failed the Duke was presently invested at large and at the same time that of Montiglio was assaulted by St. Giorgio The Town taken kept but by 400 Monferrines the Castle after a breach made is also rendred for the custody of which there arose a dispute betwixt the French and Savoyards with the death of more than an hundred of each side In this disagreement the Capitulation was also broken for entring in confusion into the Castle they cut in pieces the Garrison Dediguieres after such successes in which he assisted with his help and counsel returned to his own Government whilst in France the Court to disapprove his partiality to the Savoyards had suspended several of his entertainments and profits Toledo not regarding the slaughter and losses of Monferrat and resolving not to repair anothers damage by an unseasonable consuming his own Forces and prejudice his own advantages stays to re-inforce and rest his Army till the end of May and then coming into the field closely besieges Vercelli So soon as he moved that way St. Giorgio had happily put into it 1000 Musquetiers and 200 Horse so that the Garrison consisted of 4000 men and the Duke incamped in the Town of Gabiano had his aim to take in Pontestura so to cut off the Spaniards from that important pass but finding a defence in better order than was supposed he forbore to ingage in it to be in greater readiness to succour the place already battered and so much the rather because having discovered several treacheries it was necessary both with his mind and person to be active in several places In St. Ja particularly some French Officers had concerted to put fire to the powder make the Prince Vittorio who was there their Prisoner and give him up to the Spaniards who were to come in upon it to second the design But they that were found guilty by a Council of War of the Nation to whose sentence the Duke submitted them suffered punishment by the hand of the Hangman A certain Provencal also was put in Prison for having attempted to corrupt another to poyson Carlo He notwithstanding amidst all these accidents shewed great constancy and professed to revenge himself for these treacheries upon the Governour of Milan with Arms beseeming a Prince Toledo having inclosed Vercelli with a large circumvallation disposes Batteries in four places to which the besieged with much boldness oppose theirs Garzia Gomez General of the Spaniards Artillery being killed and Alphonso Davalos so hurt by them that he dyed soon after They attempted afterwards with Sallies to drive the Germans from a Post upon the brink of the Sesia but all they did was to demolish there a Fort which was quickly repaired again A great circuit of Out-works was the defence of the place and some Trenches also kept the attacque far off as much as was possible But the besiegers directed particularly their offence towards the Bastion of St. Andrea and under which the defendants in the doubt they had to lose it had made a Mine that it might rather serve the Enemy for a sepulchre than a place to lodge upon It having not been possible to bring all things in abundance into the place after sixteen days siege only Ammunition was wanting insomuch that they were forced to charge their Cannon and Muskets with Tin and stones in the place of Iron and Lead Carlo to supply it in the best manner he could at least with powder sends the Signor Fleuri with 200 Horse and as many Sacks But being met by a Party of the Spaniards the powder which they carried behind them taking fire from the discharge of Harquebuses thirty only got in and the rest for the most part being a miserable spectable were burnt And now forty great Pieces battered the Walls with great violence but two Half-moons were bravely defended they within cutting to pieces in one Sally three hundred Germans and a hundred and fifty Horse That which covered the Bastion of St. Andrea was possessed by the besiegers and regained by the besieged At last upon springing a Mine the Spaniards made an effort to carry the place by a general assault As they had equal motives so the valour was not unequal both in them that gave it and them that received it for if the one were driven on with the rewards of glory and the pillage the other were exhorted by the safety of themselves their Country and their families Fire and Sword with the shedding of blood had pertinaciously their effect for a long time but the Spaniards were forced to retire and in that instant 100 Cuirassiers sallying into the ditch with their Swords in their hands made a great slaughter Fifteen hundred men and amongst them some of note perished on the Spanish side of the besieged the dead exceeded not a hundred The Duke was in Livorno with 12000 Foot and 1500 Horse to whom joyned 3000 Bearnese and he expected a Renfort from France for by the death of d'Ancre the inchantment upon the Government being discharged the Maxims and Councils were also changed It hath been already hinted what power that Stranger had in the Kingdom The Armies depended upon his will he issued forth the money and disposed of all Charges so that he had the chief Ministers depending upon him and the Queen her self had placed the stress of her Authority in the maintaining of him He notwithstanding pretended to subsist of himself holding places and governments upon the Frontiers and a Militia of Strangers which acknowledged nothing but his name and authority But the people in general hated him the great ones abhorred him and those that were friends to the Crown detested his maxims Howsoever having the Councils of Spain interessed in his safety he thought in the favour of that Monarchy to enjoy a strong support Some there were that doubted not but that his thoughts were to make himself be feared and that he might when he believed himself no longer secure in France sell to the Spaniards himself the places and the Kingdom at a high rate That at least was instilled into King Lewis who in the flourishing age of eighteen years was amused by his Mother and the Favourite in childish toys far from the knowledge of any business whatsoever He therefore melancholy by nature and loving solitude looked with delight upon that Authority which he had not yet enjoyed and feeding himself with suspicions nourished a bitter hatred against d'Ancre Divers persons of great birth of his own age and that had been bred up with him began to
and Baldirone makes himself master of the Valley of Partentz Poschiavo and many other Towns and places of the Agnedina and of the Ten Directorships Rhetia by these redoubled invasions was full of confusion and slaughter nevertheless a Pittach was held in Coira which if it proved always tumultuous was at present void of all order and form every one pretending to give counsel to other and no man knowing what was fit to resolve There was a great contest about sending new Ambassadors to Milan many approved it and the Ten Directorships opposed it when Leopolds Army coming to Coira resolves the doubt and the meeting for the people in a fright went out to meet them and renders them the Town saving their Priviledges Government and Liberty of Conscience Certain it was that the Arch Duke desired to have it and pressed the Bishop to renounce the Church to him to which are annexed many temporal jurisdictions and the dominion of one part of the Town it self In the mean time to hinder the Switzers from succouring Rhetia he causes a good Fort to be laid towards Regatz slighting the jealousies of the Cantons and their displeasure whilst not being able to resolve any thing but by an unanimous consent they were obliged first to call a Diet for it And because Feria apprehended some motion from the Venetians to keep the chief strength of their Forces in Lombardy he sends a great number of men to their Borders But there appeared a kind of breathing to Affairs from whence it was least expected for Mansfelt who sought War every where and his profit from every accident being scarcely dis-intangled from the losses of Bohemia with a speedy march comes into Alsatia with so great a diversion and such success that he not only obliges Leopold to hasten thither with all his Forces but Feria to send thither having the convenience of the passes and of the new Conquests four thousand Foot and five hundred Horse lessening the Garrisons and the jealousies towards the Venetians and in particular taking some Companies out of Soncino the which in respect to the Pass of the Steccato went round about the Territory of Crema THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1621 THE FIFTH BOOK CErtainly the Valteline and Rhetia were not taken to be of little consequence as not to deserve the care of the Princes both as to the seizing and defending of them such being their situation that being possessed by Strangers a snare might be said to be closed upon the relief and liberty of Italy The Venetians therefore to whom it more nearly belonged became more earnest upon all occasions in their offices and invitations with the French But that Kingdom involved in new intestine discords still languished from its first distemper and the remonstrances or threats of the King were little feared by the Austrians For Luines having formed a great design to take from the Hugenots the places which former Kings under the title of security had for a time accorded to them took pretext from a certain Assembly which they held in Rochel that since the successes in Bern they complotted with over-much licence things prejudicial to the Kings service and declaring it suspect and unlawful followed the Edicts with an Army That Party was weakened enough already through dis-union for the Court had gained some of the chief ones who preferred their Interest before Religion and amongst those Dediguieres so that there remained no more Chiefs of Authority amongst them but Rohan Soubize Chastiglione and la Force of several inclinations and divers ends amongst themselves Many of the people desired peaceable rather than turbulent counsels others adhered to the Chiefs or followed the obstinate zeal for their false belief The Court designed to suppress them all and the sooner to end the War began it with great force and with several Armies dispersed in several Provinces With one the Duke of Espernon curbs Rochel and with another the Duke of Maine in his Government of Guyenne either confirms the Towns in obedience or forces the disobedient Conde longst the Loire takes Sancere and the King with the most considerable part of his Forces besieges S. Jean d' Angeli The Hugenots were not wanting to themselves some serving in person others contributing money notwithstanding all help from without failed them Germany being too much imbroiled England not minding Foreign affairs and Holland ready to come to blows with the Spanish Army had more need of French succours than were inclined to assist the Rebels of that Crown They were therefore in many places obliged to submit and St. Jean d' Angeli though defended by Soubize to the utmost was forced at its surrender to accept of any conditions and to have the Walls razed Such a resistance of such a place was of marvellous use to the Hugenots to blunt the first fury of the Kings Army which having rather done honour to some obscure places than overcome them sate down at last before Montauban a good deal weakened and not so fierce This was a very memorable Siege because the place wanted neither Fortifications Commanders Provisions and Garrison nor the Aggressors Force Discipline and Courage All Arts and Force of War were there practised there were to be seen diversions attempted ambushes laid succours brought in and sometimes repulsed thundering batteries assaults with more rashness than bravery undertaken and repulsed with the shedding of noble blood in such sort that the Ditches of Montauban were the burying place of the most worthy and valiant Souldiers But at last some being weary others disbanded most dead the Army was much weakened and the season so far advanced that the King was forced to raise the Siege and withdrawing to Winter-quarters in Guiena expect the taking in of some small places where Luines by favour assumed into the honourable Charge of Constable surprised with a dangerous sickness ends his days worthy in this of great praise that he at least rough-hewed the great design of uniting all France unto it self which was afterwards more happily perfected by others These Ingagements of France contributed much to advantage the Spaniards designs who with various Arts laboured to continue them longer intangled in the same whereupon making shew of friendship and zeal of Religion they offer succours to subdue the Huguenots and particularly a Fleet to conquer Rochel And indeed not only the Valteline but in all parts else the Arms of the House of Austria went prosperously on scarce finding opposition for in Bohemia there remaining but Tabor and Pilsen which held for Frederick the first was by Tilli who corrupted the Commanders won with gold and the other by Marradas after a very long Siege Silesia was quickly brought under by the Elector of Saxe and Hungary Gabor having in vain sought succours from the Turks and the Venetians was forced to receive a Peace and Laws Bethlem having laid down the Title of King and restored the Crown with the recompence of seven Counties in Hungary
it self and two large Dukedoms in Silesia There remained both the Palatinates higher and lower the Patrimony of Frederick in whose name Mansfelt yet making War was as hath been said entred into Alsatia doing the Bishoprick of Spira and other places on the Rhine intolerable mischiefs and in Alsatia it self taking Haghenau and with a strait but vain Siege attempted Zabern In favour also of Frederick some other Generals of Armies discovered themselves who in imitation of Mansfelt had the boldness with secret assistance from other Princes to struggle with the Power and Fortune of Ferdinand One was John George Marquess of Jagendorf of the House of Brandenburg who by reason of the Reformation of Religion which the Imperialists in the subdued Provinces executed with so much severity that it seemed to many a slaughter rather than a remedy or chastisement assembled many of the male-contents and some Souldiers to infest Moravia and Silesia Another was Christian Duke of Branswich and Administrator of Halberstat who taking into his service some Troops of the King of Denmarks for that purpose disbanded and having formed a considerable Army harassed Westphalia and the Catholicks of those parts Frederick weary of the vexations of a Crown so troublesom and now desperate being retired into Holland gave way that under the protection of the King of England his Interest should be managed in the Imperial Court and that the Palatinate should defend it self But the offices of James were discredited by the weakness wherewith he accompanied his force whereupon under pretext that the business of the Peace and pardon of Frederick was to be deferred to a general Diet as was desired not only by England but by Denmark and the Lower Saxony the Army of the Austrians marched Upon Spinola's coming near the Rhine with an Army well ordered and provided the Princes Protestants of the Union being frighted condescended to a Treaty in Mentz by which their Union being dissolved which consisted more in name than in a true concord of minds they resolved to stand neutral and Spinola on the other side promises so to respect them In the Palatinate there being now and that but with a very few Troops only Colonel Veer an English man and Obentrauta German it would have been easie for Spinola to have possessed it if out of fear to have too much irritated the King of England and a desire he had to attempt some Exploit upon the Hollanders he had not consented to a Truce for some months A Truce highly disapproved by the Spanish Ministers but which being of little continuance advantaged them in the pretexts of their attempts because the Commanders of the Troops in the Palatinate encouraged with the succours which Mansfelt and Halverstat gave out they would bring them having by a pernicious Council broken it awakened the Spaniards separated into Quarters to assemble themselves and besiege Franckental after having taken Stein which was done by Gonzalo di Cordua Spinola being elsewhere imployed The King of England nevertheless ceased not by means of his Ambassadour Digby at the Imperial Court to sollicite the renewing the suspension of Arms. But Ferdinand impressed already with the thought of depriving Frederick of his Electorship and Country remits the Treaty to Brussels to gain time and in that interim the Duke of Bavaria in a manner provoked by Mansfelt who with several Treaties for several months had deluded him enters the Vpper Palatinate and possesses it without opposition the Country being destitute of Fortresses or Forces And the Duke not to be wanting to the occasion and his own advantages to pursue Mansfelt sends Tilli to the Rhine and orders him to seize all that part of the Lower Palatinate which lies betwixt the Rhine and the Neccar A blow which Maximilian believed doubly pleasing to the Catholicks not only because it deprived the Hereticks of that very strong Hold but because it prevented the Spaniards whom the Germans did not willingly see advanced into the Empire by such Conquests The King of England was inraged to see his son-in-Son-in-law oppressed and himself deluded but not having forces proportionable to his anger and his Authority serving no longer for a sufficient cover for his weakness had called a Parliament according to custom to consider of Contributions and Provisions But grievous complaints were presently started some desiring that the Treaty of Marriage betwixt the Prince and the Infanta of Spain might be broken and that a Wife might be given him of a Religion comformable to their own others pressing a Reformation in the Government with pretensions which were injurious to the Soveraignty and opposite to the nature of it so that he dissolves it without coming to a resolution The Palatinate then remained at the discretion of the Enemy-forces nor was to expect other succours but from Mansfelt who according to his custom with sly marches and unexpected arrives there so unlooked for that Cordua taking fright raises the Siege retiring or rather running away by night leaving in his Quarters sick Souldiers Materials and Cannon Thus ends this year famous for War kindled in so many parts and to the end no corner of Europe might remain free from the flame in the Low-Countries also the Truce being expired it fiercely breaks out again Heretofore in the interval of greater Wars that of Flanders served the Spanish Monarchy for a standing Army and to keep Military Discipline in exercise But exercise it self becoming violent and to excess consumed the most vital spirits of the Crown the Souldiers of Spain the gold of the Indies the vigour of Italy being not able to supply them And therefore a Truce for twelve years was willingly interposed and might easily again have been prolonged if in Spain at the expiration thereof the counsels of those had been continued who first setled it But the Conde Duke new in Government keeping the young King remote from affairs took the measure of his power from his own opinion and pride An. Dom. 1622 Hence the Treaties which for some months had run on being by this means broken his thought was to break out into War vainly believing to make the glory of the Monarchy appear if amusing France in the divisions of Religion and dandling England with Treaties of a Marriage he should slight all others and at the same time molest Italy overwhelm Holland and triumph over Germany Spinola then having consented to a Truce in the Palatinate as hath been said marches to the Frontiers of the United Provinces threatning many places At last encamps his Army near to Prince Maurice of Orange who was at Emerich to observe his motions and having by a Stratagem induced him to draw a thousand men out of Juliers making a shew to attacque another place turns to that first invested by Count Henry Vanden Berg with six thousand Foot a thousand Horse and six pieces of Cannon and afterwards by Spinola himself with the gross environed with Forts and deep Trenches That Town the Metropolis of the Dukedom
which among those belonging to the City and Policy have the chiefest ranks and who in Ambassages to Kings had done Service to the Country bringing back the degree of Knighthood continued to use the same form of Garment but black during their lives When this custom had its beginning is not known or whether there was a Law for it obliterated by time or that time had given it the authority of a Law The number now seemed somewhat enlarged whilst a certain virtuous desire to render themselves distinguished from the common provoked many to sollicite the chief Imployments of the City and to merit them animated to undertake those abroad that were more difficult and burdensom Some began with whispers afterwards with more open discourses in Companies and the idle Market-place to blame the custom and the distinction not authorized by a Law nay rather to accuse it as an ambitious invention of those who not being able through the wise Institutions of the Republick to continue in the Magistracy had yet a mind for ostentation to bear the Badges of it They said That in these Garments was not manifested that moderation of a private life in which the interchangeable course of command regulates the equality of the Citizens Whence was that Law which in the Republick if liberty exempts from the command of Strangers moderates and restrains the pride and avarice of private men Can possibly Honours be wanting to Citizens or can Citizens be wanting for Honours where in the quality of Birth they all enjoy the ornament of liberty united to the dignity of command Their service being as a debt which is lent to the Country ought to pass without reward and if the imployments be short to the end that the exercise of them may be modest why should a perpetual distinction be desired That in the moderate minds of the Citizens were more firmly grounded the Ornaments of Dignity the Monuments of Glory the Badges and the Praises Others dissented from that opinion believing that with the uniformity of Garments was intended the taking away the degrees and difference not only from Persons but from Merit in such sort that actions and persons should undistinguishedly be confounded Nevertheless by Anthony Veniero and Andrea Morosini Counsellors Giovanni Baptista Foscarini and Giovanni Cernovicchio Capi de Quaranta was proposed to the great Council a Decree that laying aside the Ducals by those that wore them and not continuing them for the future when out of Office they should only be reserved to the Procurators of St. Marco the Eldest Son or Brother of the Dukes and to the Great Chancellor to whom they were already permitted by the Laws To Knights in honour of the degree it was granted that under the Vest should be worn Garments of red and the Welt of the Robe with the Ornaments of the Girdle gilt Conformable to the inclination of the major number it was embraced though the Duke and Francesco Basadonna Giovanni Pizani Domenico Ruzzini Counsellors together with Francesco Barbarigo Capo de Quaranta proposed that this very ancient custom should not be abolished but rather reformed yielding that Vest in future to him that should have twice undergone the Charge of Counsellor or four times that of Savio of the Council reckoning also within that number Embassies and Governments Immediately with a notable Example of Punctuality was seen the day following the Habits laid aside some remaining from age their grey hairs and their merit taken notice of by the people much more adorned and distinguished than they were before by the Garment A while after an attempt was made by Girolamo Trivisano Girolamo Pesaro and Marino Bragadino Avogadori of the Commons to suspend the resolution to the end it might be proposed anew with some kind of reformation but it being confirmed no more was said of it which signified that in the debates of businesses the Understanding is in the Citizens the Father of divers opinions but after Decrees past the Will is in all equally the Mother of obedience Re-assuming now the discourse of the War betwixt the Crowns Forces not inferiour to the hatreds were in preparation nor had advantages served on the one side to pacifie them or losses on the other to suppress them but from ancient experiences and new successes the Forces seeming rather equally poised the emulation of minds was so much the more inflamed In Italy the Spaniards during the Winter were very strong both by the arrival of new succours and because the passages for Germany and for Flanders being shut before them they were forced to entertain the Army in that Province On the other side the French partly consumed before Valenza and partly by natural impatience disbanded appeared to be greatly weakned Nevertheless there wanted not several Factions of War The Marquess Villa lodged with the Troops which served for Convoy to those of Duke Edward in the Piacentino and had order to made an Inroad into the Modonese to revenge the adherence of that Duke and the sending of Souldiers to the Spaniards To have a pretext for it he desires quarters might be given to a part of his Troops and that being denied him he falls of a sudden into the Territory of Modena with a thousand Foot and as many Horse plundering Castelnuovo and other places and carrying away the Booty The Duke from the flames and flight of the Peasants informed of the assault was greatly surprised because the mischief was done him by the Troops of the Duke of Savoy his Uncle and he was obliged to revenge himself upon him of Parma his Neighbour Kinsman and till now Confident He and his Country were taken unprovided of men and if he invited the Spaniards he knew the succours would cost him dear Having recourse to the Venetians he found that if amidst the discords of Strangers they kept themselves neuter they would much less take other part amongst the Princes of Italy than to perswade and sollicite Peace so that he was forced to address himself to Leganes the Governour of Milan and he readily embracing the invitations sends him two thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse with his best Commanders which were Vincenzo Gonzagha the Baron de Batteville and the Count Arese To these joyning between three and four thousand men tumultuarily got together of the Country-Militia under the Prince Luigi his Uncle who by leave of the Venetians was come into that Country he sends them into that of Parma whither Villa was withdrawn who assaulting them with great bravery in their march towards Parma forced them to a Retreat Gonzagha and almost all the Spanish Officers being hurt Nevertheless Rossena which is a little District beyond the River Lenza belonging to Parma remained in the hands of the Modenese in recompence of the damages or rather for a fair pretext for a Treaty In effect the Dukes Edward and Francis had little inclination to break into War betwixt themselves and the Savoyards letting pass this resentment as in complacence to
clearly that for the same causes for which there was a breaking into War it was likely to continue a long time The Venetians therefore being to expect little succours in their necessity whilst they saw the danger slighted applied themselves to some kind of composure with the Turks which might at least be able to retard that mischief for which there appeared as yet no remedy in a readiness Amurath as hath been said being come to Diarbechir intended to continue his way to Constantinople for the plague raging more and more had almost consumed all the Army and the remaining Souldiers were mutined against the Grand Visier murmuring at the King himself as if wont to palliate his avarice with his cruelty he had abandoned his Souldiers to the plague and to sufferings expresly to defraud them of those recompences and gifts which were wont to be bestowed by the Ottoman Kings on those that well deserved and the victorious Armies The Grand Visier having had much ado to quiet them sollicited from his own danger counselled Amurath to remain in those Provinces prognosticating otherwise that the Souldiers in his absence would lose all discipline and respect and the Conquests would with as much shame be exposed as they had been gotten with glory But the self same considerations expresly hastened the Kings departure both to withdraw himself from the grumblings of the Souldiers and not to be a Spectator without force of that which the Persians might attempt To take away every shadow and every chief which might but in name give countenance to sedition since the Turks are not accustomed to seek Kings out of the Ottoman Family he dispatches as he was upon the way order to Constantinople to take away the life of his Uncle Mustapha This unhappy man having twice scarce tasted the Empire was kept in a most strict prison always hating life and every moment fearing death The order as usual was immediately executed though there remained none of the Blood Royal but one Brother of Amurath believed a Fool. The King pursuing his Journey made a solemn Vow to his false Prophet not to lay down his Sword till he should have subjected the Christians to his Empire and Law But God hath set limits to the fury of man as well as bounds to the Sea Amurath through the strength of his body sottishly fierce gave himself up as a prey to every excess particularly that of Wine His Genius was his Law-maker though to the contempt of the Alcoran which expresly forbid it and his example prevailing over the Authority of the Law drunkenness became familiar with the Turks The complexion of the King though of the strongest not able to bear incessant disorder was at last shaken and on the way subjected to a dangerous sickness He found himself weakned in such sort that moderating the pride of his mind he inclines to thoughts of Peace At Smith not far from Constantinople his pleasure was to hold a Council about it and there it was fully considered The Army in Asia destroyed the War of Persia not as yet ended the difficulty to put to Sea a powerful Fleet thirty Gallies to bridle the Cossacks being to be imployed in the Black Sea That the Venetians had advantagiously made use of the time provided for the Islands and Towns increased their Fleet and had ordered and in a readiness all sorts of Provisions It was then secretly resolved to stoop to an accord but such is always the custom of that Government to shew it self averse to it to maintain its faste and meliorate the conditions Their great preparations therefore made a great noise and the Venetians did oppose as great having chosen Proveditor General of the Sea with Authority of Captain General Luigi Giorgio Procurator of St. Marco to the end that he should arm and go forth according as he should be clearly informed of the Turks hostile intentions The Tartars called Crim depending upon the Ottoman Port made at this time to revenge themselves of the Cossacks and to arm the Turkish Gallies with Slaves an Incursion into Russia bringing away a great Booty and number of men which they sold as is their custom to the Turks at a low rate But Amurath being come to Constantinople made not his entry with any designed Triumph because weakned with the late accident he could not sit vigorously on Horse-back some principal Prisoners only were brought in and a great quantity of Gold which stupendiously exceeded the sum expended for the War of Persia So much are the Ottomans wont to make profit by their Armies which to other Princes serve to consume their Treasure He presently let the Bailo know that he held him no more a publick Minister but the Hostage for Ships hostilly taken within his Port. Displacing Mussa the Caimecan he nevertheless orders Mustapha substituted into the same Charge that he should not shut his ears to a Treaty Contarini was admitted to Audience and the Bassa quietly hearing the reasons of the fact and the fixed resolution of the Senate not to deliver up in exchange their own Gallies condescended at last to an adjustment which consisted In the Bailoes promising some money as in reparation of the hurt done at Vallona in restoring that Vessel which was in being as properly belonging to the Turks as to other things that all sorts of pretensions should be silenced that the Corsaires should be commanded not to molest the Venetians and the Governours of Fortresses not to receive them in the Ports till first caution given not to make any disturbance That the Commanders for the Republick might punish the said Corsaires in conformity to the ancient Capitulations that Commerce should be renewed and the Bailo be restored to his liberty and house As was done the Caimecan sending him back with a Vest of Gold which is an Honour used by the Turks The advice of this agreement coming unexpectedly to Venice raised in mens minds as it happens in great things and unlooked for diversity of thoughts whilst some were not wanting who confounding the reflections of the Government with the discourses of the Vulgar judged that it would have been good counsel to have secured themselves with Arms rather than with Money out of a doubt that the Turks making a shew of Peace would by this false security protract their revenge and under a feigned tranquillity till a better conjuncture cover their hatreds and disgusts But the Senate from the experience of former times and the conjuncture of present things undeceived as to the hopes of Christian assistances soberly weighing the dangers the charges and the consequences of the War which might be carried on rather with good courage than with equal Forces and good successes having formerly commanded the Bailo to endeavour an accord approved the conclusion participating to the Princes to have resolved to procure honest conditions of Peace since the state of Christendom understood the trouble of such a War unseasonable The resolution was approved of all and
as a spectacle of humane misery dyes at Collen in a poor and hired house driven by the Parliament from London rejected by the Hollanders and forsaken by the Spaniards This accident also was by the Cardinal as a despiser of Fame numbred amongst his felicities risen to say truth in the eye of the World to the highest point but in himself contaminated by unquietness of mind and infirmities of body He had discovered many of the Kings Guards participants in the contrivances of St. Mars and in particular Monsieur de Treville Captain of the Musquetiers For the last proof of his Authority and of the Kings patience he desires that he would discharge him and moreover that he would come out of St. Germans to speak with him and give way that his Guards might mingle with the Kings for his greater security The King was truly troubled at it as loving Treville and comprehending how insolent the demand was yet after certain days reluctancy the Cardinal otherwise protesting he would retire he complies with him out of a belief that the War promoted by his ambition and the affairs imbroiled by his Arts could not be supported and dis-intangled but by his abilities But when the Cardinal thought himself in a manner delivered from the changeableness of Fortune Nature would exercise her rights for wasted with many diseases death took him away upon the 4. of December in the fifty eighth year of his age Armand Cardinal and Duke of Richelieu of noble but ordinary Parents and as it happens that the beginnings of our lives buried in the deepest darkness give no discerning whither the Laws of Destiny will be extended he applies himself in his Youth to Studies and afterwards to the life of a Church-man Aspiring always to the greatest things he made it visible that from every corner of Fortune the highest degrees are to be attained to provided a man have the confidence to promote and believe himself worthy of them Insinuating himself into the Court he intrudes himself into the Factions and succeeds either in sowing discords or composing them so excellent that Art never failed him and was seldom abandoned by Fortune If he introduced himself into favour if he enjoyed it it was always against the inclination of the Prince that raised him He sets the King at enmity with his Mother with his Brother and it may be said with his own self constraining him to give up his Authority to him though he denied him his affection He ballanced favour against envy supported by the King but always hated by the Princes execrated by the people and sought to be intrapped by Strangers He never grew remiss in prosperity nor despaired in the crosness of affairs in which either chance furnished him with accidents or his wit suggested counsels Having disarmed the Huguenots in France laid low the Great Ones weakned the people and the Parliaments he established the vigour of the Kingly Government On the other side usurping all power to himself fearing the security of Peace and thinking himself more secure amidst the revolutions of Arms he was the Author of Wars and of long and grievous calamities with so much shedding of blood and tears within and without the Kingdom that it is no wonder that many have published him for a man fallacious in his word cruel in his hatred and inflexible in revenge But certainly leaving to God the more exact judgment of his intentions and deeds those gifts cannot be denied him which the World is accustomed to attribute to great Personages his Enemies agreeing in a confession with his Friends that he possessed such and so many that whithersoever he had directed affairs he had reaped success and power This may be said that having united France succoured Italy confounded the Empire divided England and weakned Spain he was the Instrument chosen by Divine Providence for the ruine of Europe The King honouring his death with tears and his memory with praises fluctuated amidst many thoughts in the choice of another Minister doubting lest after one so great and so accredited every one else would be despised by his Subjects and not esteemed by the Princes his Friends Yet he now tasted the liberty of Government without the shadow of a troublesom Favourite But being rather accustomed to leave execution to others than to set forth his own counsels he proved timid and irresolute Richelieu disposing also as he was dying of the Kings Will had left Mazarine Heir to the Post he possessed beseeching the King to establish him in it and to maintain him for the important Service of the Crown whilst instructed by him in the Affairs Interests and Designs he had in all found him of so excellent an ingenuity that he seemed born for that alone in which he had according to occurrences been variously imployed The King perswaded by his Wife inclined not to leave the direction of things to a Confident of the deceased by reason of the hatred which he saw universally of his name Many others therefore aspired to the favour and thereto imployed the Arts of Court which is as much as to say An. Dom. 1643 Frauds and Intrigues which the King abhorring or fearing that with the change and novelty of Ministers the Train of Affairs and the felicity of his Arms would be interrupted confirms those of the Council and confers on Mazarine the primacy and the favour His Ancestors being of Sicily he was born at Rome with noble but slender beginnings of Fortune but scorning his first foundation from the Militia in which he commanded a Company of Foot in the Valteline passing to the Treaty of Piedmont from that to Prelacy and the Nuntiature of France and from thence to the strict confidence of that Crown by the nomination thereof to the Cardinalat he seemed arrived whither not so much as his own hopes had pointed him out the way Seeing Richelieu falling at Perpignan he thought of withdrawing from the thunder stroak and got himself to be sent into Italy under pretext to adjust the differences of Parma with the Pope but the Duke rejecting him as distrusted by him or for old distasts by reason of the dependency which Mazarine had upon the Cardinal Antonio this hinderance served as a rebound to his Fortune for by Richelieu's surmounting the snares laid for him continuing at the Court he was also in a capacity to succeed him in his station He though a stranger and without support nay rather with the hatred which from the very ashes of Richelieu rose up against those which had been his Confidents knew how to exercise a precarious authority Therefore governed himself in such sort that leaving to Lewis the pleasure of the Government and easing him of the burden he seemed rather a Minister than director of the Royal intentions Then towards others he endeavoured that that which is so envious should in him be rendred acceptable from his modesty So with obsequiousness to the Prince with liberality to the Courtiers to all
Nevertheless I have not suffered my self to be defiled with partiality but passing by the priviledge of venerable antiquity which to a face of Truth hath another closely adjoining that of Falshood I have chosen to expose my self to tryal and perhaps to reproof and that I might render a testimony of more authority to posterity to write of the present Age to the Age it self I know it is a sacred thing to compose Histories and not to be undertaken but with an upright mind and undefiled hands and that for that cause the memory of them was consigned to the Temple under the faithful custody of the Chief Priests as the witness or trust of those that went before and the treasure of those that should come after not to be handled but as a religious thing and with great caution In sum the Historian taking to himself an absolute Dictatorship nay an authority more than humane over times persons and actions governs fame measures desert penetrates intentions discloses secrets is with an undistinguished arbitrement over Kings and People the Judge of Ages past and Master of those to come absolves or punishes deceives or instructs Whence not without reason the Pen of Writers may be compared to that Lightning which striking out but one Letter from the Name Caesar Augustus made him a God because praise is a thing so tender that one dash makes illustrious and a little blot infamous and the censure of the world thereupon is so severe that it either consecrates to eternity or proscribes to infamy For my self Most Excellent Prince I know not what else to wish but that every one would take upon him to read this work with the same disinterest and innocent mind with which I have writ it confining my confidence to this one thing that the present Age will not be so unjust to me nor so ungrateful to posterity as to deny me the opinion of sincerity and the merit of obedience For the rest the August name of your Serenity which will be one of the principal subjects of my ensuing labour when I shall come to adorn it with the years made signal by your glorious Government is chosen the Tutelar Deity of this first part to that end the work may defended by the shadow of your protection at present as it will in a little time be made famous by the splendour of your Heroick Virtues which being acknowledged by this our Age for peculiar gifts from Heaven to our Country will be reverenced in time to come as Examples in a free Common-wealth of a great Patriot and a greater Prince I presume not to insert my private observances towards your Serenity amidst the publick considerations of my duty I only implore a benign reflection of your powerful approbation as a comfortable Ray of that fortune with which your Serenity Governing with happiness and wisdom after glory gotten in the dangers of so long a War shall confirm with Victory and Peace perpetuity and security to our Country Of Your Serenity The most humble and most devoted Servant BATTISTA NANI THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1613 THE FIRST BOOK THE Republick of Venice consecrated from its very beginning to Religion and Liberty had its prosperous birth in the fifth Age of our Redemption If it may be said that the age of States is better measured by power than time its Infancy lasted for many Ages during which with uncorrupted Laws and Manners and the security of their scituation they frustrated the fierce assaults of barbarous Nations and the ambition of other Princes The first time she took up Arms was in defence of Piety and Justice afterwards they were imployed against those who envying their Liberty went about to disturb their Quiet And so the Francks and Huns being repulsed in the inmost parts of their Chanels and Ports she began to be more considered and the Government through the Concord of the Citizens and the Authority of the Laws to settle and grow up into a more strong complexion Liberty was no sooner secured but there arose Contests about Empires The first undertakings in that Age were against the Dalmatians and Istrians Those of Ancona and others of the Sea-Coasts were also conquered so that having gotten with the price of Blood the dominion of the Adriatick Sea as a Patrimony she increased in Wealth and Power to such a degree that she not only repulsed but very often overcame the Hungarians Sarazens Greeks Normans and those of Pisa and Genova enriching her self with their States and spoils Her expeditions into the Holy-Land were very powerful united with the Francks she destroyed the Grecian Empire and alone undertook the Defence of Pope Alexander III with the success of her Arms abroad a thing that seldom happens she rectified all things at home and brought her self to that Constitution which at this Day we see her in equally durable and wonderful No body was able now to resist her at Sea and in the 15th Age of Christ she impowred her self with considerable additions at Land She got Friuli Padua Verona and Vincenza with large Territories and passing the Mineio squaring her Empire extended her Borders to the River Adda and Po. She had Romagna under Protection and Puglia in Mortgage But as she grew Great others grew Envious whereupon after the Year 1500. all the Princes of Christendom and some of them against the stile of their own Interest united to restrain her encreasing Power This was a terrible shock the Destiny of the Common-wealth alone being exposed to hazard against the Fortune of all Europe But the Prudence of the Government the Constancy of their Minds the Faithfulness of the Common People and the Reconciliation with France extricated all their difficulties Liberty in the close remaining unviolated and the Empire for the most part confirmed But her State which was to be looked at as the Basis of all Italy could not be in trouble without putting the whole Country into a Convulsion Insomuch that although the Venetians after the Peace of Bologn saw themselves in a Calm the rest lay for the most part under the slavery of Strangers The Common-wealth at this time was incompassed by Sea and by Land with two great Powers divided according to the four Cardinal points of the World East and South with the Ottoman Family and West and North with the House of Austria She therefore fixed her thoughts in the Arts of Preservation and of Peace watching upon what was fit for her and her Friends and for her own and common Liberty The Turks gave her two great Attacques by Sea in the Years 1537 and 1570. carrying away rich and great spoils But the famous Victory of Curzolary signed Peace for a long time during which they strengthned the Defence of their Empire beautified their City gave vigour to their Forces furnished their Arsenals and layed up a no small Treasure She maintained a very long quiet in Italy and though the Wars betwixt France and Spain did
be invaded by a Prince who aspired to greater matters and who if he durst at present in the face of the Spanish Ensigns reputed with their shadow alone sufficient safeguards to those that depended on them possess himself of Monferrat would not be long before he set on foot his known designs upon the Milanese Mendoza was wavering betwixt publick considerations and his private affections and Carlos Emanuel to keep him in perplexities making as may be said a War of Wit with him now sending his Son the Prince Vittorio then dispatching Ministers and then again changing the persons all with various and vast projects with pressing instances excuses and submissions becalmed and confounded him His most special Offices consisted in Treaties that he would not interrupt his progress offering to render all again upon the recompense and satisfaction of his Rights Sometimes he declared that in the places taken by him he would set up Spanish Colours but would keep them by his own Garrisons He gave out that he would refer all his pretensions to the Arbitrement of the most Catholick King but his chief bait was to offer the Conquest of Casal to Spain contenting himself with the open Country if the King would consent to his keeping of Monferrat The Governour was not in a condition to embrace such offers how specious soever because besides the artifices of the Duke who before he could well consider one did still to confound his mind propose another of more hard digestion he knew that being disarmed if he should consent to the Dukes Propositions he left not only Monferrat as a prey but the Milanese it self exposed and that Carlo either to conserve his Conquests or to advance himself to greater designs might with the same facility either by calling in the French or stirring up the Italians have the opportunity to make use of the occasion to drive the Spaniards out of that Country For that cause shewing himself in appearance severe he intimates to him an entire restitution of every thing believing that the Authority of that Monarchy would have been a Weapon of sufficient strength even without force By the Pomp of the same he incourages the Princes not to fear disturbances in Italy and in particular Alphonso della Queva Marquess of Bedmar King Philips Ambassador with the Venetians assures them that without noise or trouble one of the Dukes should be restored and the other chastised That for maintaining the Peace of Italy the intentions of the King did concur with theirs That there was no cause to fear any body or any thing to be troubled at whilst the Power of Philip was still the same That his goodness would not admit novelty or disturbance in that Peace which was so happily enjoyed under the shadow of his Authority The Governour with various Arts fenced with the Duke of Mantua who often repeated the instance of succours perswading him to put himself into Casal to give courage with his presence to those Troops which he prepared for his assistance and to speak with him as he passed by Others admonished Ferdinand to the contrary because the Prince his Brother being in Monferrat it seemed not fit that both should go and expose themselves and be put in the power of the Spanish Ministers leaving the Niece in Mantua open to any treachery or surprise Yet to shew his respect to Inoiosa which was only that to which he pretended and to render that Civility which Savoy had practised by so often sending the Prince of Piedmont his Son he was willing to go to Milan whence from the discourse he had with him he brought away nothing but riddles and dark sayings and returned to Mantua with a terrible jealousie that the Governour were already overcome by Interests or affections of the Enemies Family Inoiosa having in former times born Arms under Carlos's Command and for a reward having the Marquisate of St. German conferred on him professed himself so straitly obliged to him that at his coming to Milan before he entred on the Government he had a desire to speak with him and carried both Presents and Favours This confidence thus begun was even to this present nourished by the Duke sometimes with publick Offices and then with means more secret From whence though in the Council of State discourses of the business and the motion of Troops were carried on against him with some kind of sharpness yet it was well known that there was a more secret Juncto of three persons only his Confidents which governed the mind of the Marquess and sweetned all This made the Duke so confident that although some Troops long in raising were sent to the Confines of Piedmont he nevertheless over-run all Monferrat laid it waste with Sword and Fire and devoured in his hopes the keeping of the rest All that therefore being insufferable to him which contested his pretensions and opposed his vast designs or discountenanced his taking up Arms he could not bear that the Venetians should give assistance to the Gonzaghi Provoked therefore with a vehement spight he calls Vincenzo Gussoni who resided with him Ambassadour for the Republick and complaining to him of it exhorted him to withdraw himself out of his Countries because the people having an ill impression of the assistance given against him he could not assure him of that security in his Court which the Law of Nations required to his Character The Senate from thence conceiving that the presence of their Minister was disliked by the Duke or suspected commanded him to depart But the Duke having resolved to set Italy on fire that he might make his advantage of the ruines and ashes ambition and wrath blowing him up seeing now the Spanish Army to face him threatned to bring the French into its bowels and when the Pope exhorted him to Peace he protested to overflow the Country with Hereticks and if the Venetians should succour Ferdinand he boasts that he would incite the Turks and bring Pirats into the Adriatick Sea The Spaniards proposing to themselves to make a War of Authority and to regulate the Interests of the Princes with their Mediation or the shew of their power by their Army were not at all willing that any body else should meddle with it But the Emperour believing his Authority so much lessened as that of the Spaniards increased deputed Francisco di Castilione that in his name he might bring things to a Treaty admonish Carlo and besides intimate to him the Imperial Ban if laying down Arms and restoring every thing he should not contain himself within more moderate bounds Mendoza provoked by the general clamor saw at last a necessity to arm And thereupon distributing numerous Patents throughout Italy Germany and Switzerland had in a little while a very gallant Army on foot Neither was Carlo wanting to himself but to his warlike Provisions interposes Treaty offering to deposite in the hand of the King of Spain his rights and the places possessed provided the Princess Mary
Let us restrain their courses let us besiege their Harbours and that with a generous prudence and constancy till no one such poysonous root remain unpluckt up Let us yield no more to promises or Treaties Let us practise revenge befitting a Prince and if the Austrians shall not apply more wholesom remedies let us procure it of our selves with a strong hand but in its proper season Shall we then begin to make War before we are throughly armed Or shall we at present divert our care and applications from the affairs of Italy to involve our selves with the Uscocchi at Sea Let us take them in their time But if at present the Duke of Mantua be over-powered if injustice triumph and power prevail what shall become of us and the common Interests It is an easie thing to make War in discourse and in the Market-place but at Land and at Sea how much blood is spilt how much treasure spent Where shall we find the Uscocchi to joyn equal Battel with them whose Victories are wont to be gotten by surprise Where shall we place a Siege if their strength consist in running away We have to do with a Coast without Ports and with Mountains impenetrable They are protected by their situation and by Princes we have no cause as yet to be ashamed we have an Enemy if a Crew of Thieves deserve that name that vexes provokes and insults and yet in an honourable way like Souldiers we know not where to find them and fight with them In some cases there is nothing to be done but to over-look and dissemble and as we are wont in a whirlwind to pass through the troublesom dust with our eyes shut With which Treaties with Arms and with time we shall at last overcome the Uscocchi But at present they deserve not so much honour as to be made the celebrated Authors of a War that will every where be talked of A War which began with the Uscocchi will necessarily go on with the Austrians and possibly end with the Turks Veniero Martyr of the Country himself inspires from Heaven more moderate counsels and prays for Peace and tranquillity to the Commonwealth By the consideration of the Affairs of Italy the minds of the Senators were prevailed upon to which bending their chief care holding a mean betwixt the publick good and the opinion of the vulgar Common-people they resolve that at present Philippo Pasqualigo General of Dalmatia should prosecute the Vscocchi straighten Segna by Sea and increase his strength with 20 armed Barks a 1000 Albanian Foot and 500 Croats To Matthias and Ferdinand they caused vigorous complaints to be made requiring the chastising of the offenders the restitution of the Gally the Cannon and the Booty and in Spain they made lively Remonstrances of all that had hapned And to say truth the minds of men in both Courts at so bloody a story appeared greatly moved Nevertheless the Cannon was not rendred nor the Gally the first being disposed of into several Forts and the last running ashore was beat to pieces by the Sea Only by the Emperour three Commissioners were named that they might meet with as many of the Republick in Fiume But the Senate that understood delay was the thing aimed at by such longsom remedies in a business whereof the World was witness refused to admit of any Negotiation till that were performed which was agreed at Vienna For which the Commissioners having no power they retired from Fiume whereupon the Siege continuing and there happening such accidents as more and more stirred mens minds they quickly broke off the thoughts of Peace The thing most minded now was Monferrat where Carlo remaining still in possession of what he had taken while it was believed that he would at least have expected the arrival of the Prince in Spain moves on a sudden and provoking Fortune and hastening his disgrace marches with his Army leaving it doubtful whether it would go towards Pontestura or Nizza de la Paglia Into the first as nearest to Casal were carefully sent 400 Foot and to procure them greater respect they bore the Colours of Spain whereupon the Duke marching on falls upon the other the Count of St. George speeding before to invest it The place being weak and having scarce any Wall about it had little other defence but the fidelity and valour of Manfrino Castiglione a Gentleman of the Milanese who with some small Garrison commanded it The Savoyards battered it from three places The Governour on the other side exercised them with frequent Sallies and making an example of the baseness of some who inclined to render it gave time for its relief Carlo to hinder that which by way of the Sea might come from the great Duke of Tuscany or others takes Altare a place situate on the Confines of the Genovesi But the Governour of Milan being not able to resist the exclamations of those of Mantua and those stinging Satyrs with which he was jeered dispatches Antonio di Leva Prince of Ascoli with 5000 Souldiers to joyn with the Prince Vincenzo who waited for them with 3000 more Their march was slow as if Ascoli would give time to have it rendred hearkening to the Imperial Commissioners propositions for a suspension of Arms for 15 days but refused by those of Mantua the Army at last came near to Nizza which Manfrino defended beyond all belief Carlo then having made use of all his art publick and secret to hinder Inoiosa from sending in succours seeing him appear within his view pretending respect to the Spanish Colours retires A Garrison of the Kings presently enters and the Governour of Milan having gained the point of Authority neglects the recovery of what remained which with very much ease he might have done The Prince of Ascoli withdrawing the Army goes himself to Milan and those of Mantua remained facing the Savoyards not without some Skirmishes and Factions whereof that of the greatest moment was the Mantuans vain attempt upon Canelio with the loss of above 100 Souldiers Hostility going on in this manner Ferdinand that wanted every day more and more assistance sends according to custom Frederick Gonzagua to Venice to return the Complement of his Succession and to give thanks withal for the succours which with a considerable sum of money for provision of Victuals and Amunition for Casal had been liberally furnished Besides which Cosmo grand Duke of Tuscany had resolved to assist him with 2000 Foot and 300 Horse but having demanded of the Genovese passage through their Country to send them into Monferrat and afterwards of the Pope to get them at least into Mantua he found it every where shut as well from the considerations of not declaring themselves as from the sollicitations of the Spaniards who loved not to see the Italian Princes assist one another and so have a waking eye upon their own Interests and therefore had endeavoured to divert them by several reasons But Cosmo being thereby more inflamed to manifest
himself a free Prince and abhorring the example that it should not be lawful to assist his friends and much more the consequence that all ought to depend upon one sole Potentate presseth the Duke of Modena for passage who yet at the instance of Inoiosa denies it and Count Balthasar Bia coming from Milan into Tuscany attempts to disswade Cosmo from asking of it any further But the Grand Duke sending the men appointed for the succours under the Command of the Prince Francisco his Brother and joyning to them 10000 of his Country Militia with six Cannons to the Confines of the Modenese where finding the passage of the Mountains shut and barricadoed and no friendly instances for passage receiving from the Duke Caesars Souldiers no other answer but Vollies of shot the Florentines resolutely gave the assault and forcing the defenders to give way whether by force or secret connivance of Duke Caesar himself gain the passage taking their Quarters upon the Mantuan Territory but thereby and for the security of Victuals becoming burdensom Ferdinand sends them back upon the first hopes of Peace He hearkens upon this occasion to a certain project of Marriage with a Princess of the House of Medici it being evident from what had happened how advantagious it would be for the Princes of Italy to unite themselves in the strictest bonds of correspondence and affection for the lessening that Authority which Strangers arrogated to themselves for which purpose the great Duke also though with wariness set on foot Propositions for Unions and Leagues but all fell to the ground without effect because as to the Marriage the Duke did not find himself so free from the dependence of Spain as to be able as yet to resolve it neither would he quite break off the renewed Propositions of a new Alliance which was suggested to him with the House of Savoy and for those other Alliances few of the Princes durst hear the discourse of them much less owne them and the Venetians themselves in that Conjuncture judged them rather advantagious and desirable than possible or seasonable The sense and judgment of Strangers upon the present Interests arrived now in Italy Mary Queen Regent of France having her self been much moved at the dangerous and disadvantagious condition of the House of Gonzagha declares to uphold it with Treaties and Arms. Nevertheless some of her chief Ministers inclining to Savoy and others not well affected to the Gonzaghi brought it again into deliberation That it would not be wisely done of them in the time of a Minor King by arming the Kingdom to put themselves to the necessity of trusting Armies to the Command of the great Ones That upon the Confines of Savoy no other could be imployed but Desdiguieres Governour of Dauphin who by authority and credit being reputed the Head of the Hugonots would give so much more vigour to that Party by how much the increase of reputation and power should be given to him They added That it was impossible that both the Crowns should amicably agree in one and the same affair of Italy whereupon going about to restrain the proceedings of Savoy they might possibly meet with the power of Spain against them and by one accident or other discompose the accomplishment of those reciprocal Marriages which had been so lately concluded This was enough to perswade the Queen to imploy her authority rather than force because besides giving her self to pleasures and a peaceable Government rather than troubles she had in the Marriage of the King her Son with the Infanta and of her Daughter Elizabeth with Philip Prince of Spain placed the strength of her authority notwithstanding that upon the publishing of that Treaty all Princes in amity with her grew jealous and the Genius it self of the French Nation disliked it In favour therefore of her Kinsman Ferdinand she imploys nothing but good offices and intreaties in the Court of Spain by which she seemed rather wholly to refer the affairs of Italy to that Kings arbitrement than any way assist the Duke True it was that in Madrid the Ministers conformable to the pondering Genius of that Nation had made long and wise reflections upon the whole emergency and at last not so much for the satisfaction of France and the instances of the Princes of Italy as for that ancient aversion of the Favourite to Carlo the Secretary Vargas was dispatched to Milan with a short Order but substantial that Carlo should restore all and not doing it presently be constrained by Arms. Vittorio who was landed in Catalogna received a Command not to go forward till it should first be known whether his Father yielded obedience or no. Such was published to be the Commission of Vargas and taken for a good providence to Italy and magnified for the justice and uprightness of the Kings intentions Yet some from the carriage of the Spanish Ministers and from things subsequent took upon them to judge that there were more secret orders to make advantage of the conjuncture of affairs but Princes alone having knowledge of the truth of such secrets the people can but guess at the counsels and believe according to the events Carlo to divert the effect of so severe a Commission endeavoured to amuse the Governour offering provided he might keep what he had gotten himself his State and Forces to run the Kings Fortune against whomsoever In conclusion he offered to restore every thing one place excepted to be kept as the pawn of his Rights till the case should be decided but Inoiosa sends to him Francisco Padiglio General of the Artillery a man formal and nice in the points of Honour who in few words and with a severe superciliousness intimates to him an entire restitution delivering Letters from the King directed to the Duke himself by which in very concise terms he orders him to perform all that the Governour of Milan should prescribe him Carlo in the height of his spirit raged being touched in the very heart of his dignity but forsaken of all he could do no other but yield to the more powerful Without giving a precise answer to Padiglio he sends Count Lovis Crivelli with Propositions to the Governour which carried the appearance to protract time They therefore being rejected it was intimated to him anew that he should restore all or the Prince of Ascoli with the Army should march to the Walls of Trin and in case of resistance the Governour would transport himself thither resolving to hang every one who should dare to help to defend it Carlo offers then to resign but about the reception there arose a Punctiglio betwixt the Prince di Castiglione and the Governour each insisting that the sole name of his Master might be used but the one having nothing but authority and the other the power it was agreed that both should concur Trin in consequence was delivered to Castiglione and Alba to Ascoli and Moncalvo to John Bravo a Spanish Colonel and were all presently put
into the hands of such as Ferdinand had deputed The Garrisons also in Pontestura and Nizza were withdrawn all with great applause to the Court of Spain if further actings and the period of the calamity of Italy might have stopped here Concerning this restitution there had been drawn an hasty Writing betwixt the Prince and the Marquess Crivelli assisted therein for Savoy and Annibal Chieppio for Mantua in which mention was only made of the Consignation and not a word spoken of their reciprocal pretensions nor of the reparation of damages which Mantua required or an Act of pardon for those of Monferrat which Carlo desired Moreover besides having spoiled the Magazins of Arms Cannon and Victuals at his going out of Trin the Count de Verua protested that Carlo would sharply revenge whatsoever molestation should be offered to St. Giorge because he knew well that Ferdinand had an implacable hatred to him who afterwards proscribing him with others as Rebels caused his house to be razed to the ground Such roots not plucked up in time quickly begot jealousies and soon after hostility with new disasters nor indeed were all men in Italy pleased with such a Peace because it appeared that the Governour hastening the performance of the resolutions to put himself out of ingagement and to preserve the appearance had not sincerely separated himself from confidence with Carlo but as if they two had colluded together for some secret and unknown designs the Duke at the time the places were rendred re-inforced his Troops and the Governour armed Ferdinand standing exposed betwixt the artifices of the one and the power of the other was in great fear and thereupon the Venetians continued to him the payment of the 3000 Foot and strengthning themselves with 2000 others they sollicited passage and Levies in Switzerland Gregory Barberigo who was going Ambassador to the King of England staying some time at Zurich for that purpose The first disturbance to the quiet was the reparation of damages and the oblivion to Rebels For Ferdinand would not give way to the one and chose to keep the other on foot to oppose it to some of Carlo's pretensions Carlo on the other side publishes in discourse and in print that the Governour had promised him to restore the banished into the possession of favour and their Estates abolishing all mention of damages provided he consented to have the Infant Princess brought to Milan In effect the Governour pours forth threatnings and protests against Ferdinand if he should not acquiesce in his will and that with such vehemency that thence forward all the Princes being aware that under the pretext of a long Peace servitude was slipt in were offended at the terms of obedience and command in which he declared himself Monferrat was the chief sufferer both from the frequent Incursions of Carlo and the Quarters which the Spaniards under the title of protection kept there whence it was universally believed that the Governour of Milan had brought things to that pass that without Peace and without War he thought it the most probable way to get it for that Crown Other Princes made it their business to allay the disgusts and Castiglione particularly in the name of the Emperour admonishes the Marquess to use more complacency towards the Princes whereupon from threatnings turning himself to intreaties and friendly offices the effect was that Ferdinand induced thereto by the Councils of the Republick offers to refer all his rights to the Pope the Emperour and the King But Inoiosa not approving to admit Companions to his King neither in the preheminence nor in the business in place of an answer which was expected sends to Mantua Anthony Piementelli Governour of the light Horse to demand afresh the Princess The Order came from Spain and the Governour who had suggested it executed it with such urgency that it looked as if he had a mind to take her away by force Piementelli represents seriously to Ferdinand That the King himself took due care for the education of the Niece That she belonged to him not only by blood but by authority and interest and being advantaged by his alliance and affection she might be brought up in Milan as in her own house That the King was so far from trusting her unto Savoy that he had imposed upon him the respect due to the interests of Mantua The pledge of the quiet of Italy being placed in the Child it was in every respect fit she should be deposited into the hands of the King who even to jealousie professed himself her security and Guardian Of what was Ferdinand afraid if his Countries were so happily recovered under the Royal protection Can he possibly distrust that she who is near to them both may not be in safety and with a decorum under it Can he possibly fear that by such means the Child should be ravished from him by him who restores him to his State repairs his damages and protects the Family That he was to remember that the resentments and power of great Princes are not to be sweetned and appeased but by obedience The Duke was vexed at such discourses knowing Piementellis perswasions accompanied with authority and power and his own replies assisted only with reason and intreaties yet he defended his negatives with alledging the respect which he professed to the Emperour and Queen Regent of France who had seriously pressed upon him not to alienate the Niece and to justifie himself required time to send some Minister of his to Madrid But Piementelli being not at all satisfied therewith refuses to depart without the Princess when she falling sick and he being brought to see that she was not in a condition to be hazarded in a journey it served for a just excuse for his departure The Duke with all speed sends into Spain Scipione Pasquali Reserendarie and another Minister into France to represent his excuses to the one and sollicite the assistance and good offices of the other Court The Governor at the same time he sent Piementelli to Mantua not to shew partiality had dispatched Sanchio Luna Castellan of Milan to Turin to signifie to the Duke he must disarm Carlo foreseeing that his disagreeing with Ferdinand tended to make them both fall under the Dominion of Spain not being willing flatly to deny it carries himself with several pretexts and in particular that hearing there was a Rendez-vous of some French upon his Borders An. Dom. 1614 it belonged to him to be upon his guard and therefore desired that he might be permitted to levy some foreign Forces and for a greater pledge of his fidelity to the King and disposition to peace he desires some Spanish Regiments to quarter in Piedmont to the end he might be in readiness to march whithersoever need should require The Spanish Ministers observed well that his aims were either to draw in and at the same time set on the French or betwixt ill Quarters and bad accommodation to consume the flower of
the more powerful and in the defence of a mans self and the protections of Subjects the Laws and obligation of Principality make all equal why should Fortune alone predominate If Spain can gain this point with me we Princes of Italy shall from hence forward lye at his feet either fearing punishment or asking pardon without other glory than to be at the pleasure of his Ministers either subdued by Arms or deluded in Treaties An unwary Peace hath brought us to this pass and a more base obedience will degrade us from all Authority and Command Such were the complaints of Carlo who though the Governour threatned France suspected his Country lay open and his two Sons were in the power of the Spaniards couragiously professed to dye armed no less than to live like a Prince Many had a fellow-feeling with him insinuated also by their own fear and interest in the first offence taken at him for his unseasonable taking up of Arms. The Queen Regent of France to make appear a shadow of her Authority dispatches at last the Marquess de Couvre Ambassador to the Princes of Italy but Carlo knowing that he brought nothing but offices and pressing instances that the Marriage might be accomplished and Arms laid down when the Marquess was arrived in Piedmont went to Nizza taking his pretext from some commotions by reason of grievances which were risen amongst those people whereupon the other staying some days and having discovered what the matter was seeing himself laught at before he was received passed hastily to Milan The Spanish Ministers notwithstanding the apparent Confidences betwixt these Crowns could not endure to have in Italy a French-man for Companion or Opposite labouring by all possible means that not only the authority but the name of that Monarchy should not be revived again in that Country insomuch that the Governour declares to him in excuse that he did not admit him and withal not to disgust him that the Duke of Mantua having by sending a Minister into Spain transferred to Madrid the seat of the Treaty for those affairs they were to be managed there and not elsewhere The Ambassadour then going to Ferdinand to shew himself not wholly useless besides general offices and consolations exhorts him bating the delivery of the Niece to consent to the Marriage and the rest of the points With this also the Councils of Castiglione and the Resident of the Venetians agreed because it being discovered that Italy could promise little of it self and that Strangers did conspire to her prejudice and destruction it seemed best that the impending storm should in some measure be diverted and therefore they sollicited the Duke for his consent to the end that for matters of no great concernment the fault of having disturbed Italy might not be laid on his shoulders always excepting the Niece who was thought a price worthy of the danger of a breach and War That which was the desire and prayer of all came doubly confirmed from Spain as a precise command and particularly that the Marriage should be consummated with the agreements made with the Duke Francis excepting the line and cession of Rights for their minds being by this new band united the King would have seasonably provided for that which his authority and the general quiet required Ferdinand out of a firm belief that Carlo would oppose it feigns to shew compliance with Spain to yield to their will only sollicited that the marriage might be accomplished under the the word of the King Emperour and France that he should no more be disturbed by the Savoyards with Armies and that the Niece might not be taken out of the Family and for the rest in consequence of the marriage he assented to the pardon of the Rebels and not to keep on foot the pretension of damages but to make use of them against some pretensions of the Savoyards all which he declared to repreâ—eâ—â— for the publick good and not to restrain the Kings will But the Prince Vittorio returned from Spain who after the news of the restitution of the places possessed in Monferrat being admitted to the Court was from the pride of the Grandees and the jealousie and aversion of the Favourite though the Kings Nephew received with coldness and scorn related to his Father the absolute will of their Councils That he was to obey or submit otherwise they threatned to punish and chastise him in design to bring down that natural height of his spirit which made him suspicious to the Spaniards That the Duke of Lerma spake of his interests with hatred and disdain vaunting that if heretofore he had diverted a Marriage betwixt the King and one Carlo 's Daughter he did now also know how to afflict and mortifie him Such thoughts as these served the Duke fitly as so many provocations to shake off the yoke and therefore inveighing against the pretensions of the Court of Spain he refuses to consent to the marriage of Margaret with Ferdinand if the things in dispute were not first agreed and that his pretensions might find such advantage as he fancied to himself was due But foreseeing that the Spaniards would quickly follow their commands with force he arms the best he could invites some French of quality to his Service raises men in the Vallies and in Bern imploreth the favour of all far and near and in particular where he knew that for interest or emulation the power of the Spaniards was suspected he used all his Art to insinuate himself With a considerable pension he obliges the Count John of Nassaw to serve him and begets a particular confidence with Maurice Prince of Orange The Governour of Milan that saw himself against his will ingaged in a War of Reputation and Puntillio neglects not any means to increase his Forces Italy thus filled with Armies the Princes grew more and more jealous and disordered Monserrat almost no less possessed than oppressed by the Spaniards Quarters there gave Inoiosa occasion to insinuate under-hand to Ferdinand that that Country languishing betwixt Jealousies and Armies it would be more advantagious for him to exchange it for another less contentious and exposed But the Duke alledged for excuse the discomposure of the present affairs and the consideration he had of Italy which being accustomed in the greatest calm to fluctuate amidst jealousies would in this Conjuncture be tossed up and down with more violent discontents The Spaniards to say truth had alone the power in their hands For the Queen Regent had recalled almost as soon as he appeared the Marquess de Couvre into France contenting her self for that time to have laid a stone of Foundation for her Authority to build upon when a better Conjuncture should make way for it there discovering it self just at that instant in that Kingdom one of the wonted storms of that Climate For many of the great Ones having united themselves under the Conduct and Command of Conde first Prince of the Blood Royal pretended with a
plausible pretext to hinder the Marriages with Spain as if the Maxims and Interests of that Crown would thereby be introduced into the Government of France The more secret motive nevertheless arose from the Interest of some who proposed to make their profit in that Crisis which the King being near going out of his Minority gave hopes to afford private advantages and the hatred and envy of all concurred against Concino Concini called the Mareshal d' Ancre who brought by the Regent out of Italy was from mean Parentage by her great favour advanced to the chiefest place of Government Carlo who from France expected jealousies rather than succours was not ill pleased to see that disturbance and the mind of the Regent distracted He entertains therefore a Confidence with the discontented and they sending the Seignor d'Vrfu to Turin insinuate with several Propositions that setting aside the Arbitrage of the Crowns the differences betwixt the two Houses of Savoy and Mantua might be referred to the Duke of Nevers their common Parent But that business however neglected by France was not so easily to be taken out of the hands of Spain which held it fast by so many bonds of Authority and Power The stirs now in France quickly vanished and a Conference held at Soissons quiets all with the promise in appearance of the Regent to defer the consummation of the Marriages till the States of the Kingdom were called And for this the united Princes conceived great merit to themselves participating by the means of the said Seignor d'Vrfu the agreement to the Venetians and inviting them to cooperate that the accomplishment which would be troublesom to the Nation and formidable to all might be wholly disappointed The more secret conditions notwithstanding consisted in private advantages for to Conde was given the Castle of Amboise to Nevers St. Menehoud and to all in general great recompences fruits accustomed in France to be reaped from that which elsewhere was punished by the Hangman In Milan the suspicion of the Mediation of France disappearing and the Treaty re-assumed the Savoyards and Mantuans joyned issue for a meeting in the presence of the Governour to mediate the Peace of Italy Castiglione wearied himself with many Expedients and because Carlo as the recompence of his rights proposed that some part of Monferrat and namely the Canavese might be yielded to him he insinuates the Marriage of Margaret with Ferdinand and of his Sister Eleonora with the Prince Vittorio giving to the Savoyards certain Lands near unto Turin of about the value of 5000 Crowns yearly Revenue But all was turned topsie-turvy by the Governours insisting that Carlo should disarm intimating that without more ado he should perform it within six days On the other side Carlo undauntedly denies it and knowing himself in the necessity to provide himself of Friends fixed his eye upon the Venetians whose Correspondence always heretofore having been improved by him with all sorts of offices had had effects considerable and honourable for Italy but at present had been interrupted by his transport of anger for the assistances of the Republick to Ferdinand for which the Ambassadour Gussoni was discharged and although by means of Hippolito Cardinal Aldobrandin he had endeavoured to renew it again nevertheless in the Senate which always maintains the point of its dignity he had found a deaf ear to whatever he had proposed But now pricked forward by the urgency of more resolute reflections he sends to Venice Giovani Jacomo Piscina a Senator of much wit and voluble eloquence who was received by Dudly Carleton Ambassadour of England That King shewed himself beyond measure partial for the Duke by improving with such a friendship that rest of authority which he had a mind to assume in the Affairs of Italy and therefore the Ambassadour laboured exceedingly that he might be introduced remonstrating to the Senate that to the testimonies of ancient respect the Duke added at present one more apparent than possibly could be desired by sending an Ambassador express who should soon be followed with a Leiger to cast himself into the arms of the Republick and to open his heart to them hear their judgment and imbrace their counsels He interposed the intreaties of the King and passing to more serious apprehensions of the present Conjuncture he considered that the affections of Princes except in things belonging to Religion and Justice did adjust themselves according to Interest and Time the Punctilioes and Formalities rather befitting private men ought not to divert Princes from the substance of more weighty affairs He moved them to reflect that if the Italians disunite all would sink under the burden but joyned together would with impunity despise Foreign powers He pressed upon the Conjuncture and necessity of the times whereupon at last after some difficulty Piscina was admitted into the Colledge to open to them all that had passed betwixt the Duke and the Spaniards He insisted much upon the violences which they presumed to offer him deplored the condition of the Italian Princes added the consequences of the example no less than the motives of the common Interest despaired through the pride of the Governour of Milan Castiglione being weary of proposing Expedients and Ferdinand having called back his Deputies to Mantua of a good end of any Treaty He therefore stirs up the Senate to reflections and remedies how to uphold the Dignity of Italy which if it reverenced that Assembly as the Tutelar Deity of its Liberty Carlo as eldest Son of the Republick desired to have it for his Director and Father The Venetians consoled the Duke and assured him of their affection and good offices and exhorting him to an agreement with Ferdinand and to Peace that neither of them should omit any thing to render that respect to Spain which in the disproportion of their Forces might be compatible with the Dignity of a Free Prince They at the same time earnestly pursue in all the Courts their sense and desire of Peace moving some to be Mediators intreating others to facilitate the rejoyning of the Treaties in Spain particularly and in Milan not missing to represent the dangers of the War and the calamities But Inoiosa shews himself rather provoked than satisfied with Piscina's journey to Venice whereupon the Republick grounding their own jealousies upon those of his the aspect of affairs continued to look more and more troubled And she in consequence to arm her self substituting Antonio Lando Procurator di St. Marco into the Generalat to Priuli committed the Levy of 2000 Foot to the Prince Lewis d'Este newly entred into their Service Of the Switzers she procured as hath been said passage and Levies but neither being to be obtained without a League the Ambassadour Barbarigo applies himself to the management of it remaining some time for that purpose among the Grisons a people no less gross by nature as they are rough by situation but with them he found no disposition to renew that which being
will cause floods of stranger Nations to come down into Italy whither the Spaniards can have no passage but with slow voyages by Sea and most tedious marches by Land If France will not be with us it will not be against us And when War is once declared it cannot be but that the French at least privately will run to our Colours To a duplicated vigorous Invasion how will the Milanese be able to resist lull'd asleep in a long Peace and under the shadow of an imaginary reputation with weak places an unwarlike people and so remote from succours I invite the Republick to the spoils not to dangers I will be the first that shall invade I will take some place or other and then if the Republick will go before and give the Princes of Italy an example we shall not be alone Those that cover themselves most under the wings of that Monarchy will be the first to pluck the feathers out of them The Indies Spain and Flanders are not places we ought to be afraid of but the States of Italy are the fetters of our slavery Let us free our selves from them at last for in the Milanese as in the Center the Register of all the Monarchy being kept disorder that the rest will lye dismembred and remote nor shall we any more fear to have the Spaniards our enemies when we shall not have them so near Neighbours Such generous conceptions were heard but not approved by the Senate so long as there appeared any hopes of Peace and believing withal that Carlo in the love of a great War and general Conflagration to enlarge amidst fire and destruction the greatness of his States and the lustre of his Name did refuse to prefer his own and common quiet before the vast ambition of his nature The Duke failed not to do the like with others using the same instigations to the King of England the States of Holland and the Princes of the Union in the Empire and with the same success For the first as ready as he was to interpose good offices was as backward to consent to the War The Hollanders professed to follow the Kings example and Germany did not yet owne its Authority and Power The Governour of Milan to second the maritime undertaking yielding to the reproofs and accusations of those that envied them rather than following his own inclination in Autumn moved the Army though afflicted with several sicknesses and in their march incommodated by excessive rains which overflowed all the Country Having passed the Tanaro in view of the Duke who endeavoured to hinder him he found himself perplexed because the Siege of Asti considering the season and the Dukes strength who was there in person was not advisable To quarter at large served the Enemy for pastime who being vigilant and bold would harass it with continual surprises He resolves therefore to retire in all haste into the Country about Alessandria against the opinion of Giovanni Vives Spanish Ambassadour in Genoua the fierce incendiary of this War and of other principal Ministers who would have rather disposed of the Armies lodging into the Territory of Asti while the Troops of Santa Croce should have taken their Quarters about Ceva and Mondovi to torment and oppress Piedmont Carlo on the other side commodiously enjoys his Lodgings upon the intermixtures of the Fiefs of the Empire to the great relief and sparing of his own Countries In the Spring the Armies were re-inforced and great provisions made but the Duke with a new blow of a Treaty being sollicited by the Mediators signs a paper for Peace in which he consents to disarm retaining only wonted and necessary Garrisons It was promised him that within fifteen or twenty days after the Governour should also disband his Army and give his word to the Pope and King of France not to offend him and in case of default the Princes called the Defenders of the Faith of Inoiosa and Vindicators of the Duke should do it with Arms. The Prisoners and places taken were to be reciprocally rendred and Ferdinand was to restore to Carlo the Dowry and Jewels of Margaret other things in controversie betwixt these two houses were to be decided within six months after or to be determined by Law if any difficulty arose The Dowry of Blanche was to be restored within two years and the Rebels to be pardoned It was much doubted whether to this project which secured few things and left many undecided Carlo for the desire of quiet and apprehension of the Enemies Forces or to gain applause and to interest the Mediators in his cause would give his consent But if that were his intention the design deceived him not for the Treaty being carried by the Nuntio and Rambogliet to Inoiosa with an assured hope that he would approve it because the Ambassador of Spain at Paris had also notified the Proposition to the Court they found that by a late Commission from Madrid all power concerning Peace was taken from him It is not to be believed how much they were offended at it but not being able to obtain more they demanded at least a suspension of Arms for forty days The Governour denies that also An. Dom. 1615 knowing nevertheless that the season of it self did it But the Prince Thomaso who was Carlo's youngest Son marching out of Vercelli with twenty Companies of Foot and 700 Horse surprises Candia a great Town in the Milanese and giving it to fire and spoil brought away a great booty For which the Governour and the Mediators equally complaining the Duke endeavours to excuse what had happened by his Sons being far off and not knowing of the Treaty but the Spaniards compensated themselves with the taking of Monbaldona and Denice Towns in the Mountains of Piedmont ANNO MDCXV King Philip being not to be perswaded to treat with Carlo de pari all endeavour was in vain to get the Treaty approved at Madrid notwithstanding the Pope with his own hand wrote earnestly to him about it Neither were the French much pleased with it because Rambogliet more desirous of the glory to conclude it than applying himself to the means of having it well executed had not well provided for the Interests of Ferdinand Divers Princes of Italy in the vanity of their obsequiousness had offered to the Governour of Milan their Militia and he seasonably accepting the offer either to take from Carlo the hope of assistance or to boast his predominancy intimates to all they should either according to the band of Capitulations or in testimony of their affection perform it By the investiture of Siena he required 4000 of the Grand Duke of Modena Parma and Vrbin each a Regiment of Foot of Genoua as much and a certain number of Luca. Cosmo sends 2000 Foot on condition they should not go out of the Confines of the Milanese and disburses besides pay for 400 Horse From the Dukes of Parma and Vrbin was sent a third Modena alone his excuse was
admitted either from his inability or kindred he having a Daughter of Carlo's for his Daughter-in-law Those of Luca gave liberty to the Spaniards to make Levies in their State and the Genouese were exempted from their assistance by the necessity of being vigilant for their own safety round about them and by their known aversion to the Savoyards Besides all this many private men of the richest having their private interests dis-joyned from the publick furnished the King upon several conditions with some millions So did Italy study to overcome it self by it self The Venetians who in the long Peace had for the honour and safety of the one and the others Fortune gathered together a great Treasure had now in pay 12000 Italian Foot divided into four Bodies the Commanders of which were Camillo Cauriolo Giovanni Baptista Martinengo Giacomo Giusti and Antonio Savorgniano Giovanni Baptista General of the Infantry being dead in a decrepit age they received into their service Pompeo Justiniani a Genouese who had made himself a name in the War of Flanders To visit the places and particularly Peschiera to the end the Fortifications might be reformed to the use of modern defence they sent three Senators Giovanni Garzoni Nicholo Contarini Benedetto Tagliapietra who joyning with Lando General and Girolamo Cornaro chief Commissary upon hearing the opinions of the Chief of the Army should resolve upon that which was judged fit Hereupon they resolved to levy 3000 Foot more desiring they might be strangers in regard Italy degenerating by idleness hath with liberty lost military vertue Order was given to the Ambassadour Barbarigo to conclude a League with the two Cantons Zurich and Bern which consisted in promises from the Republick to assist them with a sum of money if they should be invaded and for the Cantons to permit the Levy of 4000 Foot of their Nation whenever they should have occasion in consideration whereof it was agreed that the two Cities should each receive a yearly pension of 5000 Ducats conformable to the custom of the greater Potentates from whom the Helvetians extract gold with their Valour and their Swords The League notwithstanding was not yet published because to assure the passages in the Grisons Country it was agreed that Barbarigo should go thither with the Ambassadours of the two associated Cities That people who of their government make a mystery also of trade and gain unmindful of the benefits received from the Common-wealth of their own liberty and of their obligation to open the passage to the Cantons suffered themselves to be seduced by the Ministers of France and Spain to deny it Both the Crowns agreed therein to the admiration of many because if it served the Spaniards turn for the subjecting of Italy to shut up every passage whence it might have relief it did as much disserve France who by frustrating the union of the Republick with the Grisons helping to introduce the Spaniards there it was clearly evident that they prevailing in cunning power and money would quickly exclude the French themselves Barbarigo could not overcome the opposition therefore going on to his Ambassie for London leaves in Zurich Christofero Suriano Secretary resident in Helvetia In the beginning of this year the Governour of Milan appeared at the head of a flourishing Army of 30000 men The Savoyard had not above 17000 but if in the one the valour of the General was wanting in the other the courage of the Duke supplied it The Prince of Castiglione by order of Matthias who complained that he had been left out in the project of Peace and that the judgment of the Dukes pretensions were deferred to others sends to Carlo the intimation of the Imperial Ban. He imprisoning him that secretly put it into his hands amongst other papers appeals with many protestations of obedience to the Emperour himself who without much ado at the intercession of the Dukes of Saxony from whom the House of Savoy boasts its Original le ts all things fall into silence and oblivion The Duke himself by means of the Venetians renews the project heretofore set on foot by Castiglione of the reciprocal Marriages of Margaret and Eleonora with Ferdinand and Vittorio with equal Dowries and with a certain Parcel of Monferrat which might regulate the Borders but it behoving Ferdinand to depend too much upon the Spaniards it served for nothing but to give time to Carlo the better to justifie himself and inveigh in discourse by endeavours and in print against the Government of Spain For this purpose served wonderfully certain Dispatches directed from Madrid to Inoiosa which falling into the hands of Carlo gave him means to publish the Orders they contained to invade Piedmont without delay before the friends of Carlo and those that emulated the Crown could be ready to relieve it Upon this Intelligence Carlo sollicites those far off and stirs up those that were near But many believing that a bridle was more necessary than spurs to his fiery spirit in place of assistance counselled him to incline to Peace James King of England hiding the intern weakness of his Kingdom under a great Cloak of Authority and honouring his own quiet with the name of Studies and Learning contributes nothing but his good offices commending him to the Venetians as a Prince animated with the ancient Genius Valour and Lustre of Italy and for a better appearance orders his Ambassadour at Venice to go and reside in Piedmont The Hollanders forbid the Levies to the Count of Nassau which Carlo desired and in France some paid the penalty of having transgressed the Kings Orders by going to serve him Carlo to justifie himself in that which was imputed to him viz. that too immoderately he desired War calling one day the Ministers of Princes then with him desires their advice to what conditions they would counsel him to condescend protesting that bating Dignity which was the Pupil of Principality he was willing to any thing The Ambassadours of England and Venice applauding greatly his understanding of things carried it to the Governour but he finding himself not yet authorized nothing could be done but to expect the resolutions from Spain whither the Senate with serious Letters to the King himself ceased not to exhort earnestly to Peace At last the Spanish Ministers explain themselves That at the intercession of so many Princes the King did graciously oversee all that humiliation which he might pretend from the Duke but did require for the publick Peace his disarming no less than the adjustment of the differences with Ferdinand Upon which they declared themselves more fully to Monsieur de Sillery That it was to be understood that Carlo retaining convenient Garrisons should disband his Army and the Emperour should be Judge of their pretensions of Monferrat in the mean time Hostility and offences ceasing the places possessed with the Prisoners should be restored They promise moreover so to dispose of their Army that no Prince of Italy shall have cause to be jealous of it
was frequently made the door to let in the Barbarians and in these latter Ages the high way for the Turks Goritia which gives the name to a County is situate in this Plain leaning to a Hillock which in its ascent leads to the top of the Castle It is defended by a strong Tower there is a Bridge there over the Lisonzo beyond which the Campagnia extends it self with many Towns upon some little Hills Five miles lower upon the right shore of the River lies Gradisca built upon a Rock of the form of an oblong square with a good Castle and heretofore garrisoned by the Venetians against the Incursions of the Turks It hath beyond the Lisonzo the Mountains of Carso directly opposite and on this side many Towns environ it as Lucinis Cormons Medea Fara Romans and other places of less moment which nevertheless in the progress of the War will become so many Ports and so many Forts which will consume Armies and Souldiers Towards the Mountains out of which riseth the Lisonzo the Country is straitned with certain narrow Vallies bordering on Carniola and other Provinces of the Austrians who towards the Sea command certain Villages and in Maranuto Castel Porpeto and Aquileia though of these there remains nothing but the ruines and the name kept Souldiers In those parts on this side the Lisonzo the Venetians made their Invasion nor was it difficult to possess every place for except Medea which they got with approaches and Trenches though it was in vain to resist every one yielded at the first appearance The Garrisons without much ado quit the Tower of Aquilea Castel Porpeto and Maranuto which were demolished On the other side of the Lisonzo Eliseo Pierantoni and Hugo Crutta for a diversion marched out of Monfalcon and took in Sagra then left it and Pompeo Justiniano did the same with Lucinis which was afterward much repented for had it been kept it might have served to get the Bridge and the Tower upon the Lisonzo and by them to have straitned Gradisca from succours and passing to the other side of the River which was so many times after attempted in vain might not only have shut up Goritia on all sides but taken it also being open and exposed as was the counsel of Marc Antonio Manzano But the Orders of the Senate containing only to lodge in the Archdukes Country in Campagnia without attacquing places as not willing to divide into so many parts their men which consisted for the most part of Trained-bands Justiniano took up his Quarters in the Towns of Meriano and Cormons The Austrians in disorder at the appearance of the Venetian Colours applied themselves with all speed to a vigorous defence Gradisca was fortified by Ricchardo Strasoldo its Governour The Count of Tersaco puts himself into Goritia and the Baron Adam de Trautmanstorf arriving soon after with Title of Ferdinands General ordered Repairs and Garrisons for both those places fortifying Rubia St. Floriano Vipulzano and Dobra on this and that side of the Lisonzo This first Rumour of War being spread abroad sad judgments were made of it and the Princes discovered in themselves thoughts and reflections of no less The Duke of Savoy offers the Senate himself his Sons his States and his Army and others were not wanting to animate to greater designs In orders to which the English Ambassadour being returned from Turin to Venice exhorting the Republick to reflect upon the state of things while the Crowns of France and Spain linked together by Marriages did conspire at present in the same Maxims to divide betwixt them what with Negotiations what with Arms the Arbitrement of Italy and the world offered a League with his King who though separated by situation yet never by authority and prudence to the common Interest might with the moveable Bridge of his Fleet upon the vast Ocean joyn England to Italy He remonstrated the association of the Northern Princes against the vast designs of the House of Austria and considering that those friendships were never remote which were made upon the ground of common Concern he besought the Republick to joyn their reputation and wisdom to that League assuring them they should find a candid heart and warm spirits amongst those people who are thought to have Sea and Darkness for their Element and Climate The Senate with many wary and respectful answers entertains and cherishes these good dispositions but in their moderate counsels did not consent to conjoyn their Interests with those of Princes so far remote As to the affairs of Italy in a belief that the Peace of Asti was secure Rambogliet had taken his leave of Piedmont but was no sooner gone but the Duke of Mantua denying to have given his consent to the oblivion proceeded to execution against the Rebels The Venetians interposing themselves obtain that suspending any further act he should yield that to their intreaties which they perceived for decency he would not yield to authority Carlo as to the point of disarming proceeds with great caution because he had a mind to hear the judgment of Spain concerning the Treaty of Asti and although he had discharged those of the Vallies and the French yet he had with them recruited some Companies of Savoyards and delayed to discharge the Swizzers upon a difficulty risen about the accounts of their pay and because the Governour of Milan had denied them passage These on the other side set at liberty no Prisoners nor were the places possessed reciprocally rendred the Duke himself not caring to be thought advantaged by the acquisition of some far Fiefs The truth was that at Madrid upon the advice of the Peace there was observed a long and severe silence both in the King and his Ministers but discourses were universally published so much the more licencious against Mendoza thought a man equally weak in the management of Civil and Military affairs It was nevertheless evident to those of the best Judgment that the facility contributed by him proceeded from secret orders from the Duke of Lerma to the end the Marriages with France might be accomplished without disturbances after which and the exchange of the Brides a change of Councils presently appeared Spain in that business did certainly keep concealed one great Stratagem of their Secrets and had therefore offered to the Court of France all assistance against whomsoever should disturb her because the States of that Kingdom having for a shew been called and separated with good words only and the Committees to whom the reformation of abuses were committed done nothing the male-contents had again united themselves to the Prince of Conde and endeavoured to stir up the Hugonots The Queen that for her own interest was resolved the Marriages whatever came of it should be accomplished sending the Mareshal de Boisdauphin with an Army into Champagne to oppose the united Princes and giving the Command of another to the Duke of Guise to be her Convoy on the Journey parts from Paris with her
find it strange to serve a Prince and that grace and favour should depend upon the Minister They ceased not therefore either with secret signs imperfect sayings or covered discourses such notwithstanding as Lewis understood to go on censuring the present Government the condition of the King himself under the direction and tutelage of another Amongst all Monsieur de Luines got the ascendant a Gentleman of Avignon of no great birth expresly put about the King that he might take up his time in hunting and hawking and other lesser pleasures But he with these insnares him in such sort that he quickly made the whole Kingdom his Quarry Corrupting some of d'Ancres Domesticks he brings them to represent to the King his actions designs and the means to preserve himself in his greatness with so much horrour and detestation of Lewis as yet without experience that not thinking himself secure either as to his life or Kingdom he resolves without delay to rid himself of so formidable a Minister His death was betwixt a few resolved on the King is perswaded to it out of a desire to exercise his Office and make tryal of his Authority Luines hopes to inherit the favour and the spoil and Monsieur de Vitri a Captain of the Guards who undertook to kill him thought to oblige the young Prince to him by the first fruits of his command The Mareshal then incertain of his destiny proudly entring into the Royal Palace of the Louvre the four and twentieth day of April sees the door clapt to behind him and in the same instant Vitri making a shew to arrest him d'Ancre falls dead with the shots of three Pistols The business was no sooner divulged but the Queen-mother doubtful what should become of her self breaks forth into a flood of complaints Those that had been of the Confidence fearing the same chastisement dispersed in disorder But the people who are moved with every blast running amongst them upon a report that the King was betrayed and wounded took Arms but assured of the contrary by the chief Ministers who rode through the streets quieting the tumult turned their fear into gladness and detesting the life and name of the dead let the World see That the lustre of favour is glorious but a thing so tender and weakly that going out with every puff it stinks at last and is infectious The Corps ignobly buried was taken up again and mangled into little pieces was burnt the ashes carried through the streets to sell and bought by many at a great rate to vent the publick hatred and private revenge The King greatly rejoycing that the judgment of the people did justifie the violence of the fact sends away the Confidents of the dead amongst whom was the Bishop of Lusson who retired to Avignon The Marquess his Wife was publickly beheaded and the Queen-mother confined to Blois And now those great ones who upon Conde's imprisonment had been kept from Court returned The Prince nevertheless was not set at liberty because the King contented by his own occasion to know his Authority left the height of favour to Luines and he with wonted craft considering how to establish himself in that condition resolved with the price of the liberty of two such Prisoners to play the Merchant with both for his own conveniences France with this sudden change might be said to be restored to it self and gained to Italy because the King stood in much jealousie of the Spaniards by reason of their confidences which he had discovered with the Queen-mother and with d'Ancre The reconciled Princes were addicted enough to Savoy and the progress of the War in the Milanese gave that Crown justly to understand how much of its honour and interest till now neglected was treated there And therefore understanding the danger Vercelli was in Lewis expressed himself to the Ambassadour of Spain That if some sudden composure were not found out he should be constrained to make good his obligation and maintain Carlo in the Treaty of Asti In this interim he gives the Duke leave to raise what French he desired and sends to the Borders of Savoy 6000 Foot and 2000 Horse to go forward into Italy where there should be need The Archbishop of Lyons going in great diligence to Rome communicates to the Pope the intentions of the King in favour of the Duke and seeing a young Prince that inclined to War and gave from his Race future presages of his Government every one believed a flood of Armies in Italy was to follow and an open Rupture betwixt the Crowns And therefore the Pope did not only double his endeavours for Peace but an Union was spoken of by some of those Princes and particularly the Grand Duke who knew they had offended France by having superciliously adhered to the other Party The Spaniards apprehending at first Lewis's threatnings and to pacifie him readily shewing a desire to Peace afterwards being assured that that Kingdom would not remain so quiet but was within a while to expect a new Crisis which promoting with Arts Friends and Money and with the help of some of the chief Ministers who dis-inclined from having any thing to do with the affairs of Italy they proceeded in the siege and in their designs The truth was that the first heat of the French cooling again the most secret intention appeared to be as not to let Piedmont be lost yet so as not to break with Spain Thus with appearances proposals and endeavours to hinder it Vercelli was near being lost for all the Half-moons were now taken The Neapolitans with their approaches having cut their passage into the Ditch had a breach open in the Bulwark of St. Andrea and towards the River on the other side the Walloons had made another The Garrison from duty and sickness appeared to be greatly diminished and for want of powder had at last resolved to take that out of the Mine under the Bastion forementioned No experiment to get some in by stealth had succeeded The Duke thereupon applying himself to force draws near to the Enemies Camp by night placing longst the Sesia 9000 Foot with 1400 Horse and 10 small Pieces Three thousand Foot and 400 Horse were appointed for the relief and there stood in the Rear the French under the Marquess d'Vrfè Signor di Chigliè and the Baron di Rairan and the Italians commanded by the Serjeant Major of the Marquess of Caluso and the Signor of Parella When the Duke caused the Alarm to be given the Arrierguard aforesaid divided into several Parties and d'Vrfè having passed the Sesia met by a Body of Horse and forced to fight was defeated with the loss of 600 men But whilst the Spaniards hasted to that side 1000 men entred into Vercelli on the other with some powder though not so much as was proportionable to the want For all this Toledo slackens not his attacque but re-inforcing with twenty Cannons more his battery of the Fort St. Andrea caused another assault
is the highest part of Germany so it hath always been the most eminent Theatre of Rebellion and of Heresie and their minds almost in all times have been divided into various Sects That of the Communion under both Species exceeded any other having risen to that growth amidst the past dissentions of the Emperours Rudolphus and Matthias who to gain that sort of people had to strives inlarged the liberty of Coâ—science and consented to such Priviledges that the Protestants making use of the facility of the Concessions were by degrees through urgent importunities arrived to a parity with the Catholicks saving in the Crown and the Majesty of the Government These Indulgences were commonly called Letters of the Royal Authority so much the more tenaciously kept by the people by how much less pleasing to the Princes who by an ambitious necessity had granted them For this cause if any doubt arose they procured a restraint of them by judgments in favour of the Catholicks and Matthias being no sooner gone to hold a Diet in Hungary but there came forth a certain Decree in favour of the Archbishop of Prague and the Abbot of Bruno who had opposed the building of two Temples for the Hereticks upon ground belonging to them The Bohemians free from the bridle which the presence of Princes carries with it assembled about this in Prague and requiring a general Diet of the Kingdom to bring their grievances thither and to promote their advantages whilst Matthias so counselled by his chief Ministers denied and deferred it they parted in a Rout from the Colledge Carolino the 23. of May in the morning and coming to the Castle and going into the quarter of the Chancery and asking for the Authors of such a refusal finding the Counts Martinitz and Slavata with Philip Fabritius the Secretary esteemed the most zealous for the Catholick Religion they flung them out of the Windows The miracle of the success is convinced from the situation the view whereof gives the lye to the imprudence of those who with false inventions have gone about to blemish it because to the place from whence they fell there joyning a Precipice of a dreadful height before you come to the earth and being continued with a steep declining to the foot of the Wall forming a most craggy Ditch for the Castle all three of them falling right down and certain shots of muskets made after them were taken up without hurt only Slavata lightly scratched by the resistance he made nevertheless he was able to save himself in a house adjoyning Martinitz disguised went out of the City that very day and the Secretary hasted immediately to Vienna to be the first should bring the News The Mutineers bethought themselves that together with the chief Ministers they had precipitated peace hopes and pardon And therefore easily possessing and fortifying the Castle the ordinary Residence of the King they set themselves to maintain by a proportionable force what they had begun with so great violence The head of this commotion appeared to be Henry Count de la Tour who to his private emulation to Martinitz to whom had been granted the Government of Carlestein the place where the Crown of the Kingdom is kept taken away by Matthias from la Tour expresly from the suspicion of his haughty mind conjoyned the publick concerns of his Religion rather than his own interests for he by occasion of the same having been driven by Ferdinand out of his Countries with the loss of his Goods expected when he should come to the Crown of Bohemia to be used in the same kind The people therefore being moved with crys of liberty a name dear above all others when it is not as it often happens from ambition and interest abused and calling together the chief of them to a particular Conference he thus spake I call you not hither to yield me your obedience or your oaths neither do I aspire to the Crown or Scepter of this unhappy Kingdom but ready to run equal hazards with you I invite you to be Companions in your own liberty I see by your silence amazement united to the assent and not without reason because this unexpected light which Heaven here opens amidst the calamities to which we are accustomed comforts together and dazles Let us now begin to enjoy life and liberty the Soul it self Where are the most worthy Priviledges of the Kingdom of Bohemia Where is the reverent Authority of this unconquered People Where is the exercise of Religion so many times sworn to God forbid that Conscience that rare gift from Heaven should depend upon the will and promises of Princes This usurped Crown passes from head to head as the Revenue and Inheritance of one House and to establish an everlasting Tyranny being ravished before its time from Successors in spite of death is never suffered to be vacant Is not Dominion without peradventure the peoples Patrimony and the Dowry of the Common wealth and yet the Austrians without our consent have arrogated it to themselves What have we not hitherto suffered The use of life comes now to be denied us and the usufruit of the soul contested but all our past miseries will not be able to call to your remembrance but some imperfect representative of the Calamities to come In sum Rudolphus lived amongst us Matthias hath reaped us as the first fruit of his ambitious desires but what may we expect from Ferdinand unknown to us and in himself rigorous directed by the Counsels of Spain and governed by that sort of Religious Priests and people who detest with an equal aversion our Liberty and our Belief He hath been born and bred up in the abhorrency of us Protestants and why should we be forward to make tryal of it if the persons banished the Families displanted the Goods violently taken away demonstrate too cruelly to us that he would abolish our very being if he could as easily command Nature as he uses force Wo to you Bohemians to your Children to your Estates to your Consciences if you suffer Ferdinand to keep his footing in the Throne And when will you attempt to shake off the yoke if you have not courage to do it at a time when without power without guard the Kingdom is in your own power and that you have two Kings to oppose you one whereof is fallen and the other totters Assuredly you shall not be alone but as many Companions as you have in your Religion so many friends shall you have in Arms. All Europe will be moved and you shall see in your favour in some rise up the provocations of piety and in others undistinguished considerations of Religion and State Such commotions are like the great Rivers which rising from very small Springs increased by many as they run carry into the Sea the name of one and the waters of many Look upon those happy people of Holland who with more zeal than fear undertaking their deliverance from Captivity enjoy at present the
famous station of Liberty and Greatness I dare assure you that in all Ages the Generosity of the Bohemians shall be memorable that having flung tyrannical Government out of the windows hath caused the glory to spring out which from this Kingdom will easily diffuse it self to the Empire and though some appearance of violence hath been in it necessity and piety will excuse the fact There is no more place for repentance or pardon counsel or discourse avails no more but only concord and constancy The Lot is drawn Liberty or the Hangman if Conquerours we shall be just free and Princes if overcome perfidious perjured and Rebels A little served to stir mens minds incensed of themselves to thoughts of Novelty for if that flourishing Kingdom in its soil rise as it were into War with fertile and almost continued Hills the people are no less accustomed to float amidst perpetual provocations of Religion and Liberty It was then decreed to shake off the yoke by the consent of all and if there were any that in their minds were against it yet knowing they were not able to resist that universal violence not to make themselves suspect they made a shew to adhere to it with greater vehemence To carry on the Government a Magistracy of Thirty with title of Directors was chosen But what had happened at Prague was no sooner divulged through the Kingdom but all was in revolt drawing also the importance of Lusatia and Silesia Provinces annexed The advice being brought at the Emperours Court there was a great division of opinions and counsels Matthias by plausible means letters and perswasions together with something besides of concession desired to reduce the Bohemians to their obedience and Gleselius strengthened him in that thought out of the consideration that coming to Arms the War was to be directed by Ferdinand in which if the authority of the one might be rendred suspicious to the Emperour the practices of the other would be no less troublesom against which from the time when in his younger years he was carried to the Government of the rebel Provinces of Flanders he had retained a certain aversion in his mind Nor was the Cardinal in his judgment a jot deceived for Ferdinand that inclined more than to pleasures to the management of Arms abetted by the counsels and favours of the Archduke Maximilian and of the Ambassadour of Spain no sooner saw the Emperour levy some few Souldiers for necessity but he asked the Command of them Matthias troubled to deny him resolves to grant it but with such restriction that forming a Council of War of his Confidents of which notwithstanding the King should be chief and limiting the Authority he left him no more than the shadow All this was attributed to Gleselius to whom was imputed besides venality in affairs little propension to the concord of the family and greatness of the Austrians a connivence and superabundant facility towards the Hereticks accusations which proceeded principally from the hatred conceived against him by the Ministers of Spain because to his utmost keeping the King and Archduke from the knowledge of the foreign affairs he excluded them also from those of the Empire and in the affairs of Italy his inclination to Peace had carried him to oppose their designs Amongst the means studiously thought on to take him out of the way that appeared too sacrilegious to stain the Purple of a Cardinal with blood and in the City of Vienna to kill as it were upon the Altar Bishop thereof It was then resolved to arrest him Prisoner not regarding the affection and authority of Matthias which were his only refuge not without hope and design after the thing done either to pacifie the Emperour by flatteries or curb him with apprehensions So being one day called to a Council in the Archdukes Quarter where the King was with Ognate he was seized as he came in by D'Ampiere and Prainer and put into a close Coach with a hundred Horse for a Guard hurried apace toward Inspruch Although the Princes themselves went to communicate it to Matthias with many pretexts of Religion of connivence advantage to the house and of his own service it is not to be said how much he was moved at it because touched in the apple of the eye of his authority and affection it drove him to the extremity of passion nor could he withhold himself both when awake and in his dreams from crying out with a loud voice that Gleselius should be brought back to him again There was an opinion that he had some thoughts to cast himself into the arms of the mutined Bohemians for revenge But the Cardinal Dietrichstein a person of very great credit did in some manner pacifie him bringing into his Chamber the King and the Archduke to ask pardon for the transport with protestations not to intrude themselves into his Authority or Government The Emperour required that promise in writing but it was agreed that he should be contented with the word only and the little while he lived he passed in continual apprehensions and melancholy not without calling to mind Divine Judgments which to him from his Cousin retributed the spoil of that Authority which he but a few years before had with great violence extorted from his Brother Rudolphus And it in truth seems that the imprisonment of Gleselius had set wide open the Sepulchres of the Austrians for Anna the Empress and Maximilian dyed presently after and were soon followed by others The Prisoner was found to have neither money nor goods and that absolved him from the common report of corruption and avarice he being discovered to be poor who under the benign influence of the favour of the Prince it was believed had enjoyed Mines and Treasures He was at last put into the Popes hands who exclaimed that the Dignity and Priviledge of the Church was violated to the end that he might judge him for the faults committed being mixt of Religion and State But after a year or two being restored to his liberty he lived quietly as he had been known to be innocent During these present domestick contentions of the Austrians the Bohemians had made great advantage of that time in furnishing themselves with arms money and friends Amongst the first that ingaged in this troubled affair was Ernest Count of Mansfelt natural Son of Peter Ernest as famous for the mischiefs done with small Forces and the height of courage for the space of many years to the Austrians as the Father had been remarkable in the Government of the Low-Countries and several other imployments for his fidelity to Spain He being of an ambitious spirit desiring by notable actions to make good to the World his spurious birth after having passed through many Charges amongst the Austrians renouncing the Romish Religion made it his ambition to close with Fortune in the greatest dangers He was at that time in Piedmont in service of the Duke who placing the principal security of his own
minds to whatsoever fault or interest Anthonio was at that time Ambassadour in the Court of England and to clear this account he had leave to come to Venice where haranguing in the Senate with great power and no less hope to pacifie mens minds by the merits of his Ancestors and his own Services he found that in cases the most important Justice did not hold the ballance to equalize merits with faults Being summoned to Prison to render account as a Delinquent and yielding to it he was banished with a Sentence of Death and Confiscation of Goods his Name and Posterity cancelled out of the Order of the Patricians He retired himself into England where Girolamo Lando succeeding him in the Ambassage moves the King to discharge him thence But the Senate by the League with the Duke Carlo believing by his strong diversion the State at Land only secured from the attempts of the Milanese and by that of the Switzers judging to have provided themselves with little more than with the appearance and some numbers of Souldiers applied themselves to an equal strength of shipping and men also on the Sea-coast lest the Viceroy of Naples should continue his thoughts to disturb the Islands and the Gulph For this cause they listened to a Proposition of Alliance insinuated from the United Provinces of Holland in which besides the common interest of Liberty and Commerce they had a great desire to strengthen themselves with some strong support before-hand if within a while the Truce coming to expire they should be exposed to a new ingagement with the powerful Forces of Spain Christofero Suriano was at this time Resident for the Venetians at the Haghe who with much ripeness of judgment and dexterity in the managing of persons had introduced himself into a confidence with the Prince of Oâ—â—…nge and the Chief of the States and from thence collecting easily their sense he proceeded from discourses to a Treaty for which some Deputies of the States of the Provinces being appointed to treat with him they set down in writing the Conditions of a League of common defence But being propounded in Venice for the approbation of the Senate opinions differed for amongst those of the Colledge Giovanni Nani judged that the Conclusion should be deferred believing that the Republick though involved in great and grievous suspicions ought not at this time to intangle it self in that interest which presupposing a perpetual War put her into such and so great expences and dangers that the remedy would be found worse than the present evils And so he spake to this purpose If it be true that the faith of Princes is a bond not to be untyed and that Treaties of Leagues as Marriages make a Community of Fortune and Interests it is never too late to resolve upon a Decree which cannot be retracted nor amended A Decree which concerns an Alliance not of those States which govern their Councils by the alteration of things by the vicissitude of affections by the corruptions of Ministers and the change of Governours but of two Republicks in their Constitution immortal in their Maxims immoveable and in their Word constant An Vnion comprehending a short period and a limited number of years yet extends it self to the most weighty affairs and putting the Republick into a long and inextricable Labyrinth draws along with it consequences of great moment because it hath for its object a perpetual War in which with unwearied exercise of mind the Vnited Provinces defend their Religion and Liberty against a most powerful King implacable in the offence and indefatigable in the resentment That the Treasure of the Republick should be poured forth to the assistance of the weak that our aids should be the certain Capital of the oppressed that the Arsenals and Treasuries should be common to Italy there are so strong motives that it cannot be denied but they have not the same force for the affairs of Holland and if they have force by ballancing the reasons it is fit that we measure their strength Our succours perhaps will be large yet unsufficient to be able to maintain a War which subsists upon terms of Liberty and Rebellion irreconciliable with subjection and Kingly Authority A War extended to the four parts of the World which hath no limits nor can be bounded which hath emptied Spain of People exhausted the Indies of Gold and swallowed the Blood and Treasures of Europe The Republick hath always been most just in her undertakings in her own defence most circumspect and in the assistance of others constant What is now pretended is it to take Arms against Spain have we Peace with him is it to preserve our selves but what more safe remedy than the sparing the vital spirits for our own occasions Some desire to perswade those States at the end of the Truce to make an end of the War but if in their intestine Divisions having experienced greater mischiefs from Peace than hazards in the War they are thereto perswaded by their own interest that diversion will surely serve to our advantage and that War will be carried on without us under the shadow of which Italy will take breath and the Republick protected by Heaven against force and treasons will happily enjoy a calm and quiet peace Holland hath the assistance of their Neighbours and they most potent Princes some conformable to their own Religion others by a suitableness to their conveniencies and designs and these can and will uphold her with puissant Forces To what purpose then hasten our Carrier if by the steps of others without wearying our selves we may arrive at the end of our advantages The Republick hath to its praise assumed to her self the protection of Italy hath maintained it and doth maintain it with glory but it would be too vast a thought to espouse all the differences of Europe and have to do in every part of the World If out of prudence we have abstained from meddling in the affairs of Bohemia why should we pinch our selves with those of Holland is it to obtain assistance But that people will not be wanting to be serviceable to us without a League who agree with all the World where there is money and reward I deny not but that friends are a great defence and that in true Mesnagery that Treasure is not to be valued which keeps the Monster of War far off But do the bonds of friendship consist in Treaties only The affections of Princes are there joyned where the Interests are not separate Who doubts but that the Vnited Provinces will embrace our assistance as often as being in distress it may be seasonable to give it and render it to us again when the Conjunction of affairs shall shew it to be necessary We have hitherto at least drawn Commanders Souldiers Ships out of that Country open to the money of all That very money which for the purchase of a friendship not necessary we are here vainly so ready to disburse shall be that
sparks were amicably quenched the one of small moment concerning certain waters of the Forno disputed betwixt those of Monte a Town of the Cremasca and they of Postino in the Milanese which was also easily accommodated on the place by Anthonio da Ponte Governour and Captain of Crema and by Coiro a Senator of Milan under the title of Commissioners The other carried a greater appearance because the Prince of Castiglione being under Pupillage the Town of Meldole subject to him shook off their obedience The Tutor who was the Signor di Solferino went about to chastise it but the Duke of Mantua declared it under his protection and sent a Garrison into it The other had recourse to the Gouvernour of Milan who to use authority and force at once sent thither ten Companies of Foot five hundred Horse and four pieces of Cannon But the Republick who having those little States within theirs loved not such disorders and much less that Garrisons of Strangers should be introduced there sent some Souldiers to the Borders and with the Duke of Mantua and the Guardian passed effectual offices remonstrating that as well the assistances as the enmities of the more powerful were equally dangerous that for a most trivial cause they were kindling a great fire which would first burn their house and afterwards the rest of Italy To the Ministers of Spain it was also declared that the novelty would be extremely grievous because Italy being not yet quitted from the late troubles might upon every emergency be put again into greater agitations The Governour of Milan to say truth judged not the matter such as deserved to disturb the present quiet and commanding thereupon his Souldiers not to pass beyond the Confines interposes himself adjusting the differences by punishing some of the Mutineers and pardoning all the rest The minds of the Princes nevertheless were so much disturbed with jealousies that upon every accident they were stirred up to apprehensions even upon very rumours The Town of Sabieneda which is of a situation of importance not only to the Duke of Mantua but also to the other neighbourhood was yielded in Dowry to the Prince of Stigliano one of the chief Barons of the Kingdom of Naples He being a man of mean parts allured by promises of honours especially of being made a Grandee of Spain shewed himself not unwilling to have a Garrison of that Crown put into it But his Wife of a more masculine spirit opposed both their flatteries and threatnings encouraged by under-hand perswasions of the Princes and particularly of the Venetians who would not willingly have suffered it Insomuch that the jealousie which seemed to be raised on that account presently vanished The Republick amidst their vigilancy in so many places omitting not the care of the domestick policy of their State sends three Judges throughout the Country to take a view of affairs for the right administration of Justice and removing of oppressions and grievances from their Subjects At Venice Cardinal Francesco Vendramino Patriarch being dead was substituted by the Senate Giovanni Thiepolo chief of the Church of S. Marco a man of singular charity towards the poor and of great magnificence in the building of Churches which being proposed in the Consistory by the Pope himself was confirmed without his going to the Court of Rome Prince Thomas of Savoy about this time came to Venice to give thanks for the favours which the Republick had so largely contributed to his Father and was entertained and lodged according to the Magnificence belonging to so wealthy a City From the Eastern parts came some little distraction upon mens minds in that Ali Bassa formerly Admiral and one that shewed himself very troublesom to the Common-wealth was at Constantinople promoted to be Grand Visier By such Ministers is that Empire absolutely governed whilst the Kings buried in Luxuries and the wantonness of the Seraglio shut up from all but vice give up the supreme Authority in their affairs to the basest of Slaves This man bearing in his publick Office the affections of a private man and thoughts of revenge for two Galiots Men of War taken a good while before by the Venetian Ships vents presently his spight against Buonricci Interpreter of the Venetian Bailo who had prosecuted against him in the said business causing him to be most unjustly strangled Amidst the Fast of that Nation maintained by the intestine discords of the Christians neither the Right of Nations nor the practice or respect of Princes is of any consideration insomuch that a little before also the Ambassadour of France had been some days in arrest and his Secretary upon false pretext put to the Torture Now the complaints of the Republick could not come to the King but by means of the same Visier and he to stop every passage revived the pretensions that had been silenced of those of Bossena and others who in the Prize of the Galley of Merchandize had suffered loss intending to oblige the Bailo to restitution Moreover setting on foot most unjust pretensions upon the Confines of Dalmatia he threatned Invasions and Incursions The Senate who at the conclusion of Ossuna's Government had disarmed Veniero and reduced the Fleet to little more than ordinary Guard sent Anthonio Barbaro Procurator as Proveditor General to take care of the Sea and be assistant to Dalmatia against all injuries of the Turks But before he could be in a readiness sixty Turkish Gallies laviering without Corfu with all signs and tokens of friendship while one part only of the Venetian Fleet was at Merlere with a force not able to resist landed in the Kingdom of Naples at Manfredonia where the Governour of the Castle basely presented the Captain Bassa with the Keys The Turks contented themselves to carry away out of the City and thereabouts Prisoners and Booty retiring before forty eight Gallies of Spain could joyn together at Messina At Constantinople the Ministers excusing to Giorgio Justiniano Bailo of the Republick who made a sharp complaint of it their entring into the Gulph alledged the provocations and mischiefs done them by the Spaniards But the Grand Visier was soon after snatched away by death from the designs which he proposed against the Venetians and Vsseim succeeding him one of more moderate thoughts with a present according to the custom of the Country le ts fall into silence the business of the Bossenians applying his mind and forces to a War against the Polacks to which Osman pretended to go in person For a pretext of it were alledged certain differences raised by Gratiano Prince of Maldavia whom the Turks had a mind to dispossess of his Country and the Polacks to maintain him Others believed as the truer motive the instances of the Protestants of Germany to divert King Sigismond from assisting Ferdinand It is surely true that the Agents of the new King of Bohemia and of Gabor did entice the Turks with a counsel as wicked as it was imprudent to weaken a private Enemy
for to strengthen the declared one of all Christendom The Bailo of the Venetians by express Order of the Senate abstained from having any thing to do with those Negotiations But at Venice it appeared as if the Republick had been the Refuge of every one that desired succours The Palatine demanded an hundred thousand Ducats at least Gabor assistance And for the Catholick Ligue of Germany Zaccaria Trattembach and Giulio Cesare Crivelli returning from Rome were earnest for aid and free passage for Ammunition and Souldiers and that the Concessions of the Pope of certain Tenths upon the Clergy of Italy might be extended also into their Country But the Senate not yielding to their importunities nor diverting their thoughts from the affairs of Italy excused to all with many reasons their refusal Neither could France now taken up in domestick confusions be assistant to the affairs of the Empire but with good offices and counsels and therefore had made choice of the Duke d' Angoulesme with Monsieur de Bethune and the Abbot of Preo for Ambassadours Extraordinary into Germany for various ends not liking on the one side that the House of Palatine should be advantaged by that protection which they had always given to the Hugenots and desiring on the other under the title of Mediation to introduce themselves into the business to foment the disorders or end them according to their own mind That Kingdom was surely in a very tottering condition for the Queen-mother had made so considerable a Party that to resist it the Kings Authority seemed not sufficient nor Luines his favour Nevertheless the Council being corrupted the Bishop of Lusson who presided being gained by the Court with great promises it quickly fell to the ground The King followed by very few Troops having quieted Normandy and seized the Castle Caen comes near to the Pont de Cé where the Duke de Rhetz who with a greater strength was there to defend it abandons it either terrified by a needless fear or prepossessed by the Cardinal his Uncle who followed the Kings interest From this success was derived the confusion of all the Party because their Forces were divided in several Provinces and the Queen in Angiers was exposed to dangers whereupon an agreement was on the sudden concluded with a general pardon The Bishop of Lusson got for himself of the King the Nomination to a Cardinals Cap and laid by this Treaty the foundation of that greatness which did afterwards render him one of the most notable and most powerful Ministers of Europe The King resolving to go on in restoring the Catholick Worship and the Ecclesiastical goods in Bern a Country in the Pirenean Mountains the chief Shop of Heresie and where the name without the presence of the King was not known but in a way of mocquery or for some pretext goes thither notwithstanding the cold and inconvenience of the season and the delays and arts which the people laid in his way but at last having suppressed some setled Religion and trusted the places of strength to the most faithful he departs leaving nevertheless seed sown in the disgusts of many of a War near at hand But in Germany the Ambassadours of France were come to Vlm where were assembled the Deputies of the Catholick and of the Protestant Parties and there through their mediation was firmly established That they should not offend one anothers Countries Bohemia notwithstanding to be excluded where without breach of the agreement Hostility might be used It seems that by such a Negotiation the ruine of Frederick was concluded because the Austrians being secured from France not regarding the bare Offices of England and little fearing the Princes of the Union which drove vain and uncertain interests enjoyed the advantage of the Arms of the Catholick League Bavaria being now gained with the hopes to have the spoils and the Vote of the House Palatine his Kinsman but Envyer In Milhausen the Electors held yet another meeting from which they send exhortations and intreaties to Frederick that he would lay down that Crown which now shook upon his head but he knew not how to resolve to withdraw himself from Fortune though she threatned to forsake him He was then by the Imperial Ban proscribed by Ferdinand who committed the execution of it to the Archduke Albert to Bavaria and Saxony All three near about the same time marched with powerful Armies towards the month of August The most powerful attempt was from that which came from Flanders because the Archduke in his own name but with the Forces of Spain sent Ambrogio Marquess Spinola with twenty five thousand men towards the Rhine Louys de Velasco being left with considerable Forces to defend the Frontiers towards the United Provinces with which the Truce being expired they remained without provocations but also in great distrusts Giovacchino Marquess of Anspach General of the Union lay incamped with his Army at Oppenheim and had laid a Bridge over the Rhine when Spinola having obtained passage of the Archbishop of Mentz and of some Princes and Cities for fear of the Army and the Imperial Ban approaches towards him and made himself Master of Creutzenach without much opposition He then makes as if he would advance towards Worms and Anspach moved for its succours but the other changing his march falls suddenly upon Oppenheim and with a resolute assault carries it finding within it all the provisions which were made for the Protestant Army He therefore plants his place of Arms there repairing the Bridge which had been taken up and carrying into the Lower Palatine governed by the Duke of Deux Ponts great fear The weaker places yielded without dispute and some of the Princes of the Union separated from it Many taxed Anspach of want of experience but he excused himself upon the Orders given him by the English Ambassadours to stand upon his defensive without provoking the Spaniards To speak truth that King made bitter complaints at Brussels and at Madrid to have been amused and deluded with the hopes of Peace nevertheless not enlarging his hand in assisting he continued by the luke-warmness of his mediation to foment the proceedings of Spain The United Provinces shewed themselves more earnest who liked not at all that the Arms of the Catholick King should advance to the Rhine Maurice therefore Prince of Orange passing it with 8000 Foot and 3000 Horse sends Frederick Henricks his Brother to joyn Anspach with a good Body of men but he losing the time unprofitably the Hollanders returned some few English only under Horatio Veer remaining in the Protestant Army If the Palatinate groaned under oppressions Lusatia experienced a scourge yet more cruel for the strongest motives of Religion not having been able to over-ballance the most powerful ones of interest and remove the Elector of Saxe from adhering to the Austrians he enters into that Province and taking Budissen the Capital City laid in ashes for the most part by the Bombes flung into it all
five watered by the River Adda situate in the midst of the Mountains in the extremity of Italy and seems cut out by Nature to divide States and separate Confines It hath Tirol towards the East and the Milanese towards the West on the North Rhetia commands it and on the South it borders with Brescia and Bergamo Territories of the Venetians The River discharges it self into the Lake of Como and on the one side and on the other a Plain is extended peopled therefore with many Towns and where the Mountains are any thing low abounds with Corn Wine and Cattel which feed it and by imparting thereof to Strangers inriches it also At its beginning and ending it hath as Appendixes the Counties of Bormio and Chiavena the first joyns to Tirol and pierces with vast high Mountains deep into Rhetia the other on this side of the Spluga declining into a little Plain faces to a Lake which though it be a narrow part of that of Como yet under a divers name is called the Lake of Chiavena All this Country subject to the Grisons sought with all impatience conjunctures and pretexts to withdraw themselves from their Dominion and matter of Conscience suggested to the people motives very effectual because the Leagues sending them Judges and Magistrates for the most part infected with Heresie it seemed by their founding of Colledges and building of Churches as if their aim were not only to spread it through the Valley but also to introduce it into Italy where the true Religion residing as under Wardship errours cannot be admitted or tolerated Upon this stock of universal piety the banished grounded their desire of being restored to their Country and Princes their interest the Austrians in particular who considered the Valtelline as in effect it is as a Gallery which uniting the Countries of Germany with those of Spain separates the Venetians and Italy from the assistance of Strangers The Count of Fuentes who more than any former Governour of Milan had inlarged his authority in that Province was wont to counsel his King that to put Fetters upon Italy Monaco Final and the Valtelline were to be possessed by him Of the two first the design proving easie the last as the most difficult was reserved for a better conjuncture the Grisons making themselves considerable by their adherencies as well as their strength and it appearing that the Venetians not only for their own but were easily moved for anothers interest The Count notwithstanding layes the first stone planting the Fort which commands the entrance into the Valley Ferdinand by fast bonds being now indissolvably united to Spain nothing was wanting for the convenience and strengthening of the common Monarchy but to conjoyn their States and if by possessing the Lower Palatinate a great passage was opened for Germany to communicate with Flanders by making themselves Masters of the Valtelline the one and the other were linked unto Italy The principal persons of that Valley and in particular the Piantaes and the Cavalier Robustelli offered to seize it with so much facility that Feria had no other thought but to enjoy the prize They represented the desires and invitations of the people groaning under the yoke of a base Government which having avarice for a Law sold Authority to Magistrates that they might expose Justice to sale to the people They considered the Order of Nature it self in that unhappy Country perverted where the worst possessing more authority than the better there remained nothing that was not venal Goods Life Honour nay Conscience it self nor could more wickedness be practised by the Judges nor more misery be endured by the people What better opportunity was to be looked for than this in which Rhetia torn to pieces with Factions is neither capable to command nor to obey no not to it self France was incumbred with its own discords and the Venetians while the Conjuncture favoured them did rather divert blows than resent them if given on a sudden they came to succeed happily Though Peace in Italy was at that time most necessary for Spain Feria nevertheless quickly assents to the Proposition for if it succeeded not it cost only the banishment or lives of some few and if it took effect he thought the advantage such as might deserve at least some little hazard and pains Besides the desire to signalize his Government he did believe he should not want excuses and accidents to colour his attempt nor devices or a Treaty to divert coming to Arms. These were the causes of the new War in Italy in the banished desire of liberty in the people zeal to Religion and in the Princes Interest of State and mutual Jealousies In the month of July began the Revolt of the Valteline into which there coming down by concert three hundred men out of Tirol the whole Country rising in a tumult of a sudden it seemed like a flash of Lightning which over-ran it in a moment The Governours of the Protestants in particular the Heads of the Families which were to the number of three hundred were killed and under the Cloak of Religion were committed execrable villanies much innocent blood shed Estates violently taken away and private revenges exercised The Catholicks immediately chose new Magistrates to sway this new Government and fortified certain places of importance with money from Spain From the Milanese also Souldiers came filing on and from the Fort Fuentes Cannon descended otherwise without this strengthening the fire would have been quenched while it was kindling The Count Giovanni Serbellione raised men for Feria but the name of the Pope was pretended the better to cover the design The Venetians more than any other seemed strucken with this accident because besides the increase of power to the Austrians by whom they saw themselves encompassed with a line of little less than five hundred miles they saw also the way stopped for any succours but from Levies in their own Countries And for that cause both to the Pope and to the Austrians they made serious remonstrances for Peace prognosticating the evils to come and shewed the distractions which would arise upon it Bur all offices being vain they apply to strengthen themselves stir up their friends and give vigour to the oppressed Judging that their advantage consisted in not giving time to the Spaniards and the formerly banished to settle themselves in the possession they exhorted the Grisons to a sudden attempt to recover what they had lost by alluring the people with a general pardon and security to the Catholick Religion in the Valley They perswaded also the Switzers upon the ground of their Alliance with the Grisons to take Arms and promised on their side to be assistant disbursing money to the Grisons and sixteen thousand Ducats to the two Cities of Bern and Zurich to arm two Regiments Indignation and common interest not prevailing so much with that people as gold and private profit moves them in Rhetia with that impulse of money they raised twenty
four Companies hastening therewith to provide Chiavena upon which the Mutineers had their eye Seven entred into the Valley on that side taking in at the first assault Traona and certain Trenches guarded by the Captain Carcano Milanese But coming with little order near to Morbegno garrisoned by Spaniards they were repulsed But they had their revenge at Sondrio taking the place All this could not be acted without much slaughter and disorders the Grisons being blooded and inraged Fear therefore spreading it self Fryars Nuns and many other retired into the State of the Republick which gave order that the persons and holy things should be received and kept with great care Such an Invasion nevertheless was like a Torrent of a Land-flood which pouring forth all at once from the Mountains quickly vanishes Those of the Valteline re-inforced from the Milanese with four thousand Foot and four hundred Horse attacque them and drive them from the Bridge of Ganda thence recovering Traona and Sondrio they took also in the County of Chiavena Riva and Nova Animated afterwards with this superfluity of Fortune having a mind to attacque Poschiavo which is a Town of Rhetia where coming down from the Country of Bern is the straightest passage of the Valley being beaten they returned back The Protestant Switzers causing ten Colours to advance partly to secure Chiavena partly to give courage to the Commons of the Agnedina came down to Bormio strengthened with some Troops of the Grisons and forcing the straights of the passages drive the Spaniards thence with the loss of two Captains This County was of great concernment to both the Parties because separating the Valley from Tirol and without joyning to it communicating from Rhetia with the State of Venice it might from Germany and from the Republick receive and give mutual succours Andrea Paruta General of the Venetians sent seasonably Arms Ammunition and Souldiers for its better guard when the Grisons and Switzers impatient to expect so opportune a succour and presuming upon equal success in whatsoever they undertook would needs advance into the Valteline But proceeding in their march without order and disposing of their Quarters without defence all Discipline and Conduct failing coming to Tirano and being resolutely received by a Body of the Spanish Souldiers they were defeated with the loss of two Colours and the Colonel of the Regiment of Bern. In place of retiring to Bormio they thought of nothing but returning to their homes abandoning the Town and the County whereupon those of the Valteline and the Spaniards enter again into it without opposition Feria gave out that his assistance was only in defence of Religion for which there appearing no caution offered to him which was sufficient he denied to withdraw it as was proposed to make place for some composure betwixt those of the Valteline and the Grisons But he knowing of what advantage discord amongst Enemies was to overcome them sows it among the Helvetians whereupon the Catholick Cantons rising up against the Protestants shut the passes of entrance into the Grisons and having raised fifteen hundred men with two Companies of the Vallies threatned to enter into the Valley of Musocco to assist those of the Valteline and such of the commons of the Grisons as professed the Catholick Faith The Cities of Zurich and Bearn dejected with the blow received at Tirano diverted by the threatnings of their Confederates and amongst themselves intangled by many arts and considerations left Rhetia exposed to their Enemies and in prey to their own disorders The Arch Duke Leopold Brother of the Emperor in this while armed in Tirol and publishing his pretensions of Soveraignty over some of the Commons of the Ten Directorships it appeared that his aim was to reduce all the Country to the ancient subjection of the Austrians The Affairs stood in this manner much straitned no succours appearing from France but rather the Ministers of that Crown in Rhetia made things more intricate because at the instigation of Molina though against the mind of the Ten Directorships Gheffier being called to Slants where the Pittach was held he perswaded the People to approve certain Articles which nevertheless were to be confirmed by the Crown by which the judgment of Tava being abolished that of Coira should be revived with the factions and enmities which in consequence went along with it This served to play the Spaniards game for the Lega Grisa protesting against these deliberations the Government thereby growing into greater confusion neglecting the Valteline applied not remedies to the present evils The best resolution was to send Ambassadors to Venice Hercules Salica Cavalier and Constantino Pianta the first whereof dying before the declaring their Commission leaves to his Collegue the care of representing the need which Rhetia had of the authority of their counsels no less than of the assistance of their Forces the Government languishing in discord and confusion the People uncapable to discern their evil or discerning it to apply the remedies The Senate knew of what importance it was to take the charge of a body that not being able to govern but rather disturb it self could be of no service but to incumber others also Yet it being not fit to put him in despair they send back Pianta with hopes of good assistance when the people reflecting upon their miseries should be willing to put a hand to their own preservation But in its more secret reflections they looked upon Italy henceforward in a condition not to be able of it self to bear up against the Arms and Arts of the Austrians They thought it therefore necessary for the remedy of one power to raise up another of contrary interests and opinions since the balance of Europe consists in two Kingdoms which would be equally formidable if in the Spanish ambition were not corrected by sparing and in the French force was not weakened by inconstancy The Senate sends Girolamo Priuli Ambassador extraordinary to Paris to the end that informing that King of the state of things he might perswade him to assist his ancient Confederates and offer them for that purpose the union of his Forces With wonted incitements of profit and favour Dediguieres upon the first motion being come into Italy to whom the care of that Country seemed committed speaks with the Duke Carlo at Turin in the presence of Giovanni Pesari Ambassador of the Republick Several ends discovered themselves in that conference for the aim of the Venetians tended to nothing else but either by Treaty or by Arms to bring things to some kind of composure that might restore the Valteline to its former estate and the liberty of the Grisons But Carlo who kept the Gates of the Alps not regarding those other passages aimed to draw the French into Italy to the end that making a general change in the state of things his own might be advantaged according to success and he might enjoy the spoils of others losses Now the only design of France was to interest
so much the more diligence did the Princes effectually labour to prevail with their partisans to cause the Pontificate to fall upon him that either by his own inclination adhered to their wills or in regard of the Family and Kindred was like to be more easily gained The will of the Spaniards and of the Nephew of the dead Pope inclined to Cardinal Campori of Cremona subject not only by birth but by affection partially addicted to Spain and by consequence for the same respects abhorred by France and it appeared as though the election was not to be hindred so strong was that party although together with his private enviers the Marquess de Coure Ambassador of France did openly oppose him But the minds of the Conclave unexpectedly altering contrary to the opinion of themselves all concurred unanimous in Alexander Cardinal Lodovisio Boltognese by birth who took the name of Gregory the Fifteenth He almost seventy years old giving himself to quiet more than business leaves quickly the direction of Affairs to his Nephew now a Cardinal who governed them through the whole course of this Pontificate with great ability and an authority supreme The Princes studiously contended to possess the Pope in their favour in the business of the Valteline Favin sollicites those People to send Deputies to the Court of Rome that they might fill all with clamours and complaints so to stir up compassion towards those that made a shew to breathe nothing but Religion and Liberty motives so powerful that the one with reason possesses the chief place in things sacred and the other in civil He sends also Giovanni Vives a known Minister of the advantages of the Monarchy and of the disturbances of Italy and joyns to him the President Acerbi who during his private Fortune had been familiar with the Pope that so in publick Audiences and private Discourses he might continually have his ears beaten with the incitements of zeal and piety The Ambassadour of the Venetians on the other side endeavoured to represent that affair in a contrary shape and separate from Religion Because that If the Republick kept it with so much care unviolated in its own Dominions it could no less suffer it to be defiled amongst their Neighbours But it was not to be endured that under a pretext of Piety Interest should intrude it self to the possessing of a Country to which the Spaniards had no other title but that of their own profit and convenience and the oppression of others The Pope was greatly perplexed at these beginnings and desired a composure of the business and thereupon with his own hand wrote into Spain to the King and the Cardinal Lodovisio to his Confessor and principal Ministers representing That to Italy nay rather to all Christendom there could not be an appearance of a greater calamity by War in which amidst the zeal of Religion military Licence would slip in with the contempt of Laws both divine and humane it being impossible for impiety it self and injustice to carrry on a War by honest rules and innocent means There arrived at this time in Rome an Embassy from the Venetians which according to the pious custom of Catholick Princes is called of obedience and consisted of four chief Senators that is to say Girolamo Justiniano Procurator Anthonio Grimani Francesco Contarini Cavalier Procurator and Girolamo Soranzo Cavalier the which besides the accustomed offices had order to insist much upon the business of the Valteline But Gregory by a diversion from that chief point required with great earnest that the Republick would re-admit into their State again those religious people of the Society of Jesus which for important causes in the time of his Predecessor had been banished which being repugnant to many Laws and Formality the indissoluble bonds of Government he could not obtain Nevertheless the Marquess de Coevre in quality of Ambassadour Extraordinary passing from Rome to Venice with the business better laid presses it home in the Name of King Lewis and at the same time the Bishop of Monte Fiascone Nuntio Apostolico with a Brief from the Pope and Letters from the Cardinal Lodovisio did earnestly second the importunity But the Senate did not depart from their first conception remonstrating to the foresaid Ministers their Decrees and grave Considerations by reason whereof Princes in amity with them ought not to press them to that which was neither permitted to them to grant nor could they deny without doing displeasure to themselves Some took upon them to judge that this demand had its rise from a higher account and more secret ends it having perhaps been the aim of some to render the Venetians who it was supposed would not have given their consent either distrusted by the new Pope or little acceptable to France at a time when it was needful to gain the good disposition of the one for the affairs in agitation and to manage confederations and adjustments with the other In the mean time the hinge of the business of the Valteline being fixed in Rome with various turnings passing also to other Courts Feria manages his business more happily planting Forts at Morbegno Sondrio and Tirano to establish himself in possession Sowing in Rhetia incessant divisions the effect was that he at last gained la Lega Grisa by Rams of gold which equally over-turn Mountains and the hearts of those people perswading them to send six Ambassadours to Milan The Government being in this manner divided he could not have safer Hostages of their Venality and of the ruine of that unhappy Country To give it the last blow with four of the Ambassadours the other two dissenting he concludes a Treaty by which the Custody of the Forts was yielded to the Spaniards the Passes were to be open to them they with a shew of words reserving to themselves in appearance the ancient Alliance with France and Feria promising assistance if the other two dissenting Leagues should not confirm the Treaty This Monster of Ambition and Interest was without form begotten by an illegitimate Authority but which nevertheless served for an advantage to Feria's designs to put the Grisons into confusion to remain in the Valley and discompose whatsoever might be resolved elsewhere Gheffier attempted to oppose himself but in vain the name of the French being either detested by the party most oppressed or despised by that already sold to the Spaniards Scaramuccia Visconti going hereupon into Rhetia in the name of the Governour of Milan with money and promises some of the Commons of the Grisa failed not to adhere to the foresaid accord induced thereto besides from the fear of some Colours of the Catholick Switzers who at the instance of Feria being entred into that Country oppressed it with Quarters And the Canton of Zurich in opposition to them kept Souldiers in the other two Leagues but esteeming no mischief greater than charge these would have been long before disbanded if the Venetians with ten thousand Florins a month had not
kept them on foot With this incouragement la Cadé and the Directorships took Arms pretending by forcible remedies to keep the Grisa in the ancient Union Pompeo Pianta the supposed chief Contriver of the disagreements was killed and Visconti with many of the Faction of Spain were forced to retire in great haste out of the Country because to the first fury of that inraged people nothing being able to resist the Catholick Switzers also with their Colonel Betlinger retired leaving Cannon and Baggage behind La Lega Grisa then joyned themselves to the other but Feria in hopes which quickly vanished to keep the Torrent of these armed people far from the Valley did not only strengthen the Forts but to facilitate the gaining of Chiavena caused an Invasion to be made into the Valley of Musocco which alone of the three Leagues is situate on this side the Mountains The Inhabitants though Catholicks yet for all that not inclined to the Spaniards having cold and ice for the defence of their situation hid themselves behind a great Trench of Snow whence sallying without being observed they so unexpectedly charged the Spanish Troops that leaving five hundred dead upon the place they retired dispersed by several ways into the Milanese Thus every day were their minds as well as Troops more and more imbrued in blood and the Venetians finding in the Princes of Italy more apprehension of the evil than resolution for the remedy had recourse again to the King of England by the means of Girolamo Lando ordinary Ambassadour representing to him the state of things to be in a condition of great contingency James with wonted magnificence of words answers That he took to heart the security and safety of Europe That the Interests of Italy were always in his eye and in his cares That he held the Republick above all in a choice confidence and constant friendship And did therefore declare that if his Son-in-law were despoiled of his Patrimonial Countries he would send a powerful Army into Germany to uphold him If the Hollanders should be invaded he would not spare his assistance and if the Venetians should suffer any molestation he would succour them with the Forces of all his Kingdoms and for an earnest offered a present Levy in England of ten thousand Souldiers The Senate by Letters express renders him thanks in abundance esteeming those magnificat offers for a grace if not an assistance It was now no secret that at this time the Spaniards themselves kept the King in hope of the Marriage of Mary second Daughter of Philip with the Prince of Wales to the end to make him suspected by all and beget a belief in himself that the restitution of the Palatinate should be one of the chief Articles in that agreement He nevertheless at Madrid presses also effectually for the restitution of the Valteline and Bassompiere arriving thereupon pursues the same the Popes Nuntio also and the Ambassadour of the Venetians contributing thereto their endeavours But the death of Philip the Third leaves for some days the business in suspence The face of the Court was a little before this much changed for although Lerma with the Purple of a Cardinal had thought to cover himself from changes and accidents yet it being difficult by honest means to maintain the ascendant over the Genius of Princes he escaped not the accustomed malignant influence of Envy and of Fortune Publick discourses ran abroad that he had with poyson procured the death of the Queen Margaret by the cooperation of Roderigo Calderone who had a power over her mind equal to that which he exercised over the will of the King The disorders in the Government being over and above imputed to him and in many things calumny envy and the interest of a few being joyned to what was true his disgrace from the hatred of all was fiercely promoted Having for some time since wrestled with many in this narrow path of the ambition of Court he met with no more fierce Competitor than the Duke D'Vceda his own Son closely oyned up with Father Luigio Aliaga he Kings Confessor so that there was not a corner that was not cunningly beset even to the inward retirement of Conscience and the most secret Colloquies of the Soul The King at last yields to the general desire of the Court and Kingdoms and in honour of the Purple silencing his accusations commands him to retire It remained a doubt whether in an age proclaimed by the wrath of Heaven to the mocquery of Favourites the King would not have taken upon himself the Government when death in the forty third year of his age takes him away from the troubles which Empire carries with it His years would surely have been more memorable if he had been born a private man rather than a King because being better adorned with the ornaments of life than endowed with the skill to command as goodness piety and continuance placed him in a degree higher than ordinary Subjects so the disapplication to Government rendred him lower than was fit or necessary By publick defects private vertues being corrupted and in particular keeping his mind in idleness it was believed that he had reserved nothing for himself to do but to consent to all that which the Favourite had a mind to Thus the Government of the World recommended to Princes as to the true Shepherds falls into mercenary hands making themselves not understood but by the sound voice of interest and the authority of ambition the people suffer ruine and calamity and the Princes themselves render account to God of that Talent which they have suffered their Ministers to make merchandize of It is certain that Philip in the agony of death was not so much comforted with the calling to mind his innocent life as he was troubled with the sting of conscience for his omissions in Government The report was that the Maxims of Interest yielding in that instant to the Law of God the restitution of the Valteline was precisely ordered The Son Philip the Fourth comes to the Kingdom in an age so young being but sixteen years old that the World had cause heedfully to observe whether ambition the common disease of Princes would sooner move or satiate him But it quickly appeared that the Ascendant of Favourites was not yet set for dispatches being brought to the King he delivers them to Gasparo di Gusman Conde d'Olivares and he shewing himself backward though he desired it commanded they should be given to whom the Count would appoint He feigning modesty assigns them to Balthasar di Zuniga an old Minister and of great credit but yet by concert for Zuniga being his Uncle they had agreed to support one another whereupon taking off the Mask the Power fell to the Count who quickly honoured besides with the Title of Duke will be found with this double attribute in the following relation to be more famous than fortunate From the Republick according to custom were appointed an
an Elector and at his own pleasure to make choice of another Ferdinand calling the Clergy apart and some others of the principal Ministers declared to them his resolution not asking counsel but shewing That so important a Dignity which participated in the conservation of the Empire could not be so vacant That Frederick by Rebellion and so many other offences had made himself unworthy of it That Bavaria who was of the same House Palatine for his piety and services done to the Empire did as much deserve it That the reasons of the Pretenders among which was the Duke of Neoburg of the same stock could not at present they being far off be discussed and therefore he referred them to another Diet. That in the mean time by the Authority exercised by his Predecessors in like cases he did invest Maximilian with the Electoral Dignity Some applauded and approved others silently adhered by force the Protestants in vain pondering to resent it in regard the power of Ferdinand and the felicity of the Catholick Arms curbed the wills of the factious and no less abated the thoughts of the disobedient Bavaria had no sooner obtained his purpose but begins to consider of the means to preserve the Dignity as differing from those Arts by which he had gotten it and being always mindful of the jealousie and opposition of the Spaniards seeks new strengthnings against their envy and force He sent into France frequent and secret Messengers to support himself by that Crown and to shew himself partial to their advantages and interests because he believed that to a Party emulating the Austrians it would be a Complement that he should remain in possession of the places taken upon the Rhine to hinder the Spaniards from inwarding themselves further into the Empire Whereupon not separating himself in the union of Forces from Ferdinand he was at work with new Treaties and forming stronger friendships It was just about this time not without the Austrians jealousie discovered that he had sent to London certain Religious persons of which sort he willingly made use for less observation and charge in disguised habits with many Propositions to King James that he would unite himself to that Party of the Catholicks in Germany of which Maximilian himself was Head to the end certainly to oppose himself against the designs and authority of the Spaniards But those practices had no effect because in the conclusion of them Maximilian gave it to be understood that he would not part with the Electorate but being without Children and almost out of hope to have any he offered the possession of it after his death to the eldest of those of the Palatine provided he were brought up in his Court and in the Catholick Faith with a promise to obtain for him one of the Emperours Daughters to Wife All these Propositions were by the English and Frederick rejected because besides the change of Religion they contained but uncertain and remote hopes From these foreign occurrences reflections fell back again to the affairs of Italy where was contending on all sides with tricks of wit to arrive at their pretended advantages The League projected in France at the latter end of the year past was in the beginning of this present concluded without much difficulty the interest of the Contractors concurring it may be said of themselves because the Venetians thought not themseleves strong enough to restore the Affairs of the Grisons without help of the Crown of France and that knew an Union necessary with the Venetians who alone by their nearness could furnish to any undertaking Victuals other Necessaries and Cannon The Duke Carlo was then desired to be of the Party both for his courage and reputation and by reason of the situation of his Countries besides the advantage of keeping him out of the other Party well knowing that he would not have been able idlely to look upon a War so near him without adhering to one side and making his profit by it It was then agreed That the League should last two years and what more need should require for procuring a restitution of places taken in the Valteline and Grisons proposing to themselves to form the body of an Army of between thirty and forty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse and they divided by an even proportion a third to every one of the Princes united but of those assigning betwixt fifteen and eighteen thousand of them to France ten or twelve thousand to the Republick and eight thousand to Savoy each to raise them as soon as might be and send them to their own Frontiers The Cannon were to be furnished by those that were nearest at a common charge according to the rating of the Forces It was further concerted To procure Mansfelt to make a diversion of the Austrians giving him three hundred thousand Crowns yearly the half to be paid by France two thirds of the rest by the Republick and what remained by Savoy In case of Invasion the others were to send half their men to the assisstance of the assailed to which the Treaty obliged and if the Confederates should only shew a willingness to Peace and remain only defensive they referred to another Treaty the consideration of dividing the Conquests when forced to Hostility they should happen to make any The Switzers were invited to enter into this League but the Catholicks prepossessed in a particular Diet by the endeavours of the Nuntio and Ambassadour of Spain raised so many difficulties in the general one of all the body of the Helvetians that although some understood that their interest was highly concerned in it nevertheless in their accustomed delays they let the Proposition fall The Treaty was no sooner concluded but Duke Carlo well acquainted with the liberality of the Republick earnestly solicited them by the Marquess of Lantz sent to them Ambassadour Extraordinary to supply him with the means to raise and maintain the Souldiers which the League laid upon them But the Venetians considering that the burden was divided by an equal ballance according to each ones ability and that by reason of their nearness to the Valteline they were to bear the hazard and greatest burden of the War and besides by reason of the long Frontier with the Austrians were obliged to a more careful defence did not hearken to the instances of the Duke who seemed more concerned in Conquests and advantages than in dangers As to Mansfelt from France was sent into Holland where the Count then was Monsieur de Monteró and from the Duke Monsieur di Bos Christopher Suriano supplying for the Republick who resided with the States inviting him to make War in the French Country supposed the fittest place to cut off communication of succours betwixt Italy and Flanders and also to be near Rhetia as an Army of reserve if any ill accident should happen And for this purpose they advance some months pay to him The Count who by such art subsisted in credit shewing a
also perswaded Bethlem Gabor to be quiet for he proposing to himself either to make a short War or Peace having obtained the Turks consent by the means of the Count de la Tour who went to the Port for that purpose had invaded Hungary and Moravia But it being divulged that Tilly having the fame of so many Victories his fore-runners was coming to their relief he retired into his own Country and applies himself to new agreements He had also in this year sent Stephano Attuani his Minister of most trust to Venice to demand a League and assistance but without effect because the Senate purposed to be attentive observers of but not be intangled in foreign occurrences so far distant from them An. Dom. 1624 ANNO M.DC.XXIV But was so much the more watchful upon the Valteline experiencing now from the usurpation of the passages there the mischiefs foreseen whilst for recruiting their Army and increasing their strength in order to the fulfilling of the League and guard themselves against the jealousies which molested them on all sides they had no means to bring any Souldiers but by Sea with much length of time and charge The Pope to gain time proposed divers expedients and above all expressed that without re-imbursement of the charges he would not part with the trust but the Confederates offering that with all readiness provided he would put the Valley into their hands to be rendred when the Forts were razed and Religion restored to the first Owner he remained fearful to offend Spain and proposed that of the Valley should be formed a soveraign body to be united either to the Catholick Cantons of Helvetia or as a fourth League to the three of the Grisons But the Confederates proposing to themselves the end of restoring things to their former state judged they should be wanting to the protection promised to the Grisons and nevertheless feared lest the Valteline not being able to subsist of it self as a body apart should uphold it self by the Spaniards by which means taking away the cover of the name they should still enjoy predominancy over their minds the convenience and liberty of the passage to the exclusion of all others Nor could this chief interest be longer concealed because it being at last proposed in the name of the Pope that passage through the Valley should remain free for the Souldiery of the King of Spain it gave the Confederates occasion to conclude thereupon that the subtle pretext of Religion being now removed the Interest seemed discovered to tend to the subjecting no less of Italy than of Germany by the uniting of Countries and opening a door to over-run the one and the other at their pleasure The Pope nevertheless persisted in what had been proposed moderating the particular of passage by confining it to the Valteline excluding the Country of the Grisons and Chiavena and that to take away jealousie from Italy it should be understood only of passage from the Milanese for Germany and Flanders and not from them back thither and insisted upon it with so much urgency that taking upon him the part of an Arbitrator he pretended to a power to decree it by vertue of the consent the Princes had given that he should prescribe needful securities for the Catholick Religion affirming withal that to bridle the Protestants and Hollanders a sudden march of Spanish Troops was made necessary for the defence of the Low Countries and relief of the Empire but the others considered that a door once opened to the Spaniards limits and ways could no more be prescribed and that under the pretext of passage the Milanese being made a perpetual place of Arms jealousies troubles and apprehensions would be eternized in Italy Nevertheless the Ambassadour Sillery with the assistance of Gheffier who was at that time at Rome although he could not but know France more prejudiced than any others both by the blow which its Confederates would feel within and without Italy and the breach which would be made into that most ancient League with the Grisons by vertue whereof the absolute disposition of the Passes was ascribed to them readily consents to it to the so much dissatisfaction of the other Princes united that attributing all to Pisieux from whose Judgment and Pen by reason of the favour and his charge the business depended they resolved to discover the Plot to the King himself giving him to understand the alterations with which they had proceeded at Rome from what had been concerted at Paris setting at naught the Princes who were their friends neglecting the Interests of the Crown it self and having by a most destructive consent conducted the business to that very end which the Spanish Ministers directed Concerning Pisieux besides the hatred and envy which are the wonted followers of favour a common opinion was currant that he was not more powerful in the Kings favour than venal in his Ministry making use of his Authority rather for profit than honour Being therefore not at all acceptable besides to the great men of the Kingdom it proved no hard matter for the Ministers of the Princes and in particular Giovanni Pesari Ambassadour of the Venetians by their Offices and wonted Arts to help forward the secret Intrigues of Court which discovering themselves of a sudden his Fortune split in a moment the King intimating to him that he and the Chancellor his Father should presently leave the Court The Marquess de la Vieuville Superintendant of the Finances took quickly possession of the favour and in the little time he subsisted by the Marriage with England and other means laid the foundations of those contrivances perfected afterwards by his Successor with great felicity But the affections of the King towards Favourites having hitherto proved but short and unhappy he continued but a few months Some ascribed his fall to covetousness by which he provoked the hatred of the great ones accustomed to satisfie their private interests out of the publick Treasury Others judged that one ingratitude being commonly the punishment of another as he had lent his hand to the expulsion of Pisieux the Raiser of his Fortune so the Cardinal Richelieu introduced by him into business quickly excluded him This Cardinal is the person called elsewhere the Bishop of Lusson and there is no doubt that as for the most part in the choice of great Ministers the judgment of the Princes agree with those of their Subjects though soon after they differ in the maintaining of them he was not ordained for that place from applause or common consent but was brought into it chiefly by the savour of the Queen-Mother with whom he had been long exercised in all sorts of observance The King surely had no inclinations to him either for having in former Negotiations discovered the sagacity of his nature or because there is a certain natural secret aversion to those who with an ascendant of wit exceed Sure it is that the Cardinal possessed rather the power of the favour
than the favour it self nevertheless he had the great Art how to fix the mutable and suspicious Genius of the King and the inconstant nature of the people governing as with a supreme Dictatorship the one and the other even to his death But as to the Affairs of Italy by the disgrace of Pisieux the Minister being changed there was a change also at Rome in the proceeding of the Treaty and Sillery being recalled all that was disavowed which he had negotiated and consented to Monsieur de Bethune a Minister formerly well known in Italy being come to Rome in his place assures the Pope that all that which his Predecessor had approved concerning the Passes was wholly against the Kings mâ—nd and in the name of the Confederates expressing to the holy See unalterable duty and ready consent to that which might secure Religion in the Valley as to the rest refuses any expedient which did not deliver the Grisons from the present oppression restore them to their Country and Soveraignty and did not exclude the Spaniards from the Passes They published this change of Ministers to be a shift but the Pope who had made them deliver to him Riva also and Chiavena endeavoured to gain time perceiving that to which soever of the Parties he should give the possession of the Forts it would serve but for a pretext to kindle a most dangerous War which flaming out betwixt the two Crowns by Auxiliary Forces would quickly extend it self throughout all Europe Nor did the Spaniards now fail as they had succeeded in the gaining of the Cardinal Lodovisio with Rewards and Marriages to try every way to insnare the Barberins also giving hopes to Vrbans Nephews of the Princess Stigliana who being an Inheritrix of vast Territories in the Kingdom of Naples brought also in Dowry the Soveraignty of the strong Fortress of Sabioneda Some also suggested to the Pope and to his House hopes that amidst the jealousies and dissensions of the Princes he might have the hap to get himself glory by uniting the Valley to the Church or obtain advantages by investing his Kindred in it But the one and the other equally displeased the Confederates because no less suspicious was the temporal greatness of the Popes who protected by the Cloak of Religion cannot make War themselves without danger nor overcome without blame then the inclination of the Nephews doubtful it being not possible for him that possesses the Valley but to depend upon the protection and assistance of the Governour of Milan Nothing then remained but the closing in a War France before ingaging out of the Kingdom strengthens it self with two great and important Treaties The first with the Provinces of Holland to whom were promised three millions and two hundred thousand Livres Tournois to be paid in three years upon condition not to make Peace or Truce with Spain without their knowledge and if it should so fall out that France it self should have need of assistance they were to retribute it either by restoring the half of the foresaid sum or by furnishing Ships in proportion The other was the Marriage of Henrietta Sister of King Lewis with Charles Prince of Wales from which was derived a report that the English would break into a War with Spain and the Palatine be restored into his Country by Arms. Charles to say truth from his Voyage into Spain had brought back discontent hatred and desire of revenge against that Crown for though he were received at Madrid with all possible honours he nevertheless penetrated the intention not to restore his Country to Frederick nor conclude the Marriage for which the King the Princess her self Olivares and all the Kingdoms had in their hearts a particular aversion Being for some months amused with several proportions and a difficulty which they feigned came to them from the Court of Rome though to remove it he was induced to write himself to the Pope and tempted at last if he would have a Wife to change his Religion he parted in great haste returning to London by Sea It is not possible to express what disdain vexed the heart of that young Prince and King James with no less vehemency published his revenge having a mind in his old age to adorn his Sepulchre with those resentments which in the course of his Reign having been blunted by idleness seemed to have blemished the glory of his life For this purpose he calls a Parliament in which Buckingham having justified with a zeal to common good and a desire of Peace the Kings intentions concerning the Marriage with Spain and rendred an account of the Princes Voyage it was resolved that the Kings Son-in-law should be restored into his Country by Arms and that the Son should marry with a Princess of the Blood Royal of France But it being usual in England that Parliaments have an equal suspicion of their Kings when they are armed as Kings have of Parliaments when they are united it was presently desolved many jealousies being spread abroad which were believed fomented at least if not raised by the Ambassadour of Spain as if the Parliament adhering to the youthful age of Charles and with applause flattering that Generosity which he shewed to revenge himself would condemn the cooler proceedings and past actions of the King in whose life time they were disposing the spoils and Funerals of his Authority and Command But withal the means were not ripened nor the contributions consented which might raise and keep on foot an Army So that as the Marriage with Henrietta was easily concluded with a dispence from the Pope and many Articles of favour to the consciences of the Catholicks so the moving of Arms quickly vanished It is notwithstanding true that Mansfelt beaten in Germany and in Holland not willingly suffered by Orange through emulation of military glory and the applause of the people was called into England by the King where being received with great honour making him his General for the recovery of the Palatinate he ordains him an Army of ten thousand Foot and three thousand Horse with six pieces of Cannon if France would concur with a Force proportionable Sending him with this Proposition to King Lewis who professed himself disgusted with the Count because he had taken the Title of the Kings General without his knowledge and therefore when he went to London had forbid him coming into France he obtains to be admitted to treat with his Ministers denying him his own presence He was supplied with some money by the French with promises of more though in effect they had little fervency in the interest of the Palatine But for Italy having secured all behind him by the friendship of the English and the flank by the War of Flanders they applied themselves with more warmth to the Affairs of the Valteline The Venetians imployed all care with the Princes of Italy to unite them in the common Interest But succeeded no further but to induce the Dukes of Savoy and
resolved to apply themselves to the same Arts which the Enemy practised by endeavouring to overcome famine with famine and by hindering Victuals from the Camp to reduce Spinola to the fortune of the besieged But he with the prudence of an excellent Captain foreseeing the necessity had also provided for it by a flying body causing the Convoys to be so strongly conducted that the Hollanders either durst not attacque them or attempting it could not break them It happened that for the securing of one the Garrison of the Castle of Antwerp was much weakned Maurice whom Fortune seldom reproached for neglecting of occasions attempts to surprise it and having chosen a dark night with Bridges made for that purpose passes the Ditch though very broad and raising the Ladders which at the head of them were so fastened that with Ropes they were easily set up he was now upon the Rampart when one of the Ladders falling back upon its bridge made such a noise that the Sentinels heeding it and they with some shot advertizing the Guards the Alarm was given in the Castle The Hollanders taking fright retired leaving some of their Engines behind and now Force not being sufficient nor Art succeeding the hope of preserving the place was reduced to succours which with great earnestness the States sollicited from the Crowns of England and France Which last besides the money promised in their Treaty would not meddle further in that cause having obtained their purpose to keep a great part of the Spanish Power ingaged in that Country It maintained over and above the War in Italy nor were unquietnesses wanting within the Kingdom whilst Soubize either foreseeing from far the Siege of Rochel or moved to it by those that desired to divert the Crown from foreign occurrences had endeavoured to possess himself of some of the Ships Royal in the Port of Blavet and although the design succeeded not nevertheless to the Kings great resentment he possessed the Islands near to Rochel and infested the Sea with Piracy and the Land with disbarkings To oppose and suppress Rohan who in Languedoc and other parts was contriving Commotions the Kings Fleet assembles under Command of the Duke of Monmorency and Souldiers were sent into several places to no small disturbance of the Wars in Italy and the necessities of Flanders But England had its Forces at liberty and minds inflamed for James in the month of March of this year being dead it looked as if the spirit of quiet would have extinguished with him whilst his Successor Charles as vigorous in his age as in the desire of Glory and hatred against the Spaniards was believed that with his Fathers Crown he would have assumed differing thoughts He ingages himself presently to a great arming by Sea with which he publishes to attempt upon Spain it self the Head and Seat of its great Power and at the same time raises an Army to put under Mansfelts Command for the restoring the out-lawed Palatine into his Countries for which purpose making a League with the King of Denmark he disburses money to him to the end that making War with the same design in the Empire he should not make Peace with Ferdinand without the Kings knowledge and the restoring the Palatine But Breda that had been many months besieged could not expect concerts so remote King Charles therefore to preserve it applies means more ready it serving also his ends to keep the Spanish Forces imployed in the Low Countries lest sending them into the Empire they might hinder the principal design which was the restoring of Frederick Hoping then that France would concur in the same intention he resolves that Mansfelt with a good number of English Foot should pass the Sea and landing at Calais should first joyn Halverstat with two thousand Horse and afterwards altogether the Prince of Orange to relieve the Town But betwixt England and France it was found that after the Marriage the interest of State or rather the passion of Favourites converted the bonds of affection into causes of hatred Europe in those times reckoned amidst its unhappy destiny that the Government of it depended upon three young Kings yet in the flower of their age Princes of great power desirous of glory and in interest contrary but in this alone by Genius agreeing that they committed the burden of their affairs to the will of their Ministers for with an equal independency France was governed by Richelieu and Spain by Olivares and Great Britany by Buckingham confounding affections with interest as well publick as private Betwixt the Cardinal and Buckingham open animosities discovered themselves for causes so much the more unadvised as they were more hard to be known Buckingham being in France to carry back Charles his Bride it seemed that in the free conversations of that Court he had taken the boldness to discover something of his inclination to the Queen whilst the Cardinal was inflamed with the same passions or rather feigned to be so with aversion in her who with vertue equal to the nobleness of blood equally despised the vanity of the one and abhorred the artifices of the other Whereupon the Factions arising amongst the Ladies of the Court were not so secret but that the King was obliged to make a noise and banish some But the contention betwixt the two Favourites was for power and Richelieu by reason of the favour of the King in his own Kingdom prevailing in Authority procured to Buckingham many mortifications and disgusts The other was no sooner arrived at London with the Bride but to make shew of a power not inferiour by ill using her thought to revenge himself The Catholick Religion served for a pretext whilst the Family brought out of France according to the Contract of Marriage practised it whence distasts brake forth to such a degree that the minds of the Spouses being alienated and affections betwixt the Crowns themselves disturbed it looked as if discord had been the Bride-maid at that Wedding All this passed to the prejudice of the Interests of the Palatine and of Holland For Mansfelt at the instant that he had imbarked the English Army France denying him the Port of Calais and entry into the Kingdom was forced to land in Holland after having negotiated several days betwixt the two Kings But the Souldiers remaining on board the Ships wasted time and almost themselves and in their passage weather-beaten by a great storm troubled with rains and many inconveniences they arrived so diminished and languishing that the succours was found to be less than was needful and fame had made them Nevertheless at the noise of their landing the Spanish Ministers being moved and Spinola resolved not to stir from the place now reduced to extremity assembled in an instant with the pomp of their great power another Army of thirty thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse of the Trained-bands of the Country intermixed with some old Souldiers drawn out of Garrisons with which and the succours together
suffer turbulent weather or be pleased with fair To us who are accustomed by prudence and constancy to weary out adversity it self it belongs to remain stedfast with dexterity to oppose the present to divert dangers wait for better Conjunctures and above all not to assure our selves of our new Enemies nor despair of our ancient friendships By such conceptions those reasons being rooted up out of mens minds which before had been imbued with the contrary the Peace was approved by the Venetians both by necessity and prudence At the same time nevertheless they perswaded the Duke Carlo to remain firm in the Maxims of the common Interest and they always fortified themselves with greater Forces till that amidst the confusions and obscurity of objects the bent of Affairs might be better discerned The French understood the reasonable sense of their Confederates and withal feared to lose by this example the imagination and hopes of new friendships They dispatched therefore in extraordinary Ambassage to Venice Monsieur de Chasteauneuf and to Turin Monsieur de Buglion to the end that excusing things past by the necessity of domestick interests they should give assurance that Italy should not be abandoned to the will of the Spaniards should promise assistance in case of invasion or attacque to both the Confederates and to heal the present wounds should propose to the Republick to procure for them of the Grisons the liberty of the passages and entertain the Duke with the hopes of Kingly Titles and other vain advantages But the Venetians listned with little credit to such projects for France having with the conclusion of the Articles lost the Authority and Keys which he formerly had in Rhetia it was no more in his power to shut or open the Passes to his friends And therefore France had nothing else to alledge in excuse but the domestick disturbances which threatned to subvert that Kingdom The Nation nevertheless in general were inraged at the indignity of the Treaty and those that designed the ruine of Richelieu failed not to publish the reproofs accusing him that betraying friends he had sold the glory and advantages of the Crown to Strangers and that with the worse consequences because it yielding to the Spaniards in the largeness of Territories and the sagacity of Negotiation there was no way to even the scales but by friendships But now said they who will any more relye upon France if the observance of Treaties shall not depend upon the integrity of the Princes or the eternal Maxims of the State but upon the venal arbitrage and fickle interests of some Favourite Minister Was it not enough then to have offended the King of England ruined Mansfelt cast off the Protestants of the Empire lost Breda and with it in a manner Holland if Italy were not abandoned the Valteline and Rhetia oppressed and the best and ancient Friends of France were not discontented Is it to be thought that the friendship of Spain is to be preferred before a base and unworthy Peace a friendship always full of jealousie and trouble and now so much the more to be lamented as it by the Treaty makes such breaches into reputation and interest as by no length of time can be repaired by Arms Let the Cardinal then rejoyce in his secret Negotiations so long as there shall remain no more famous Monuments of his Authority and Name than to have razed the two strongest Pillars of the Kingdom Faith and Friendship But the Cardinal deaf to reproaches and the gainsayings of all maintained the Treaty and sollicited the execution of it It is necessary to know what were the more internal motives of the Kingdom to so important an emergency and what were the successes that followed France to say truth was at the point of being in a combustion for division was no more restrained to Religion and its Partisans but had invaded the Court it self the Cardinal having the chiefest part in it There is no Nation that more hates and suffers Favourites than the French In civil dissensions they serve some for a pretext and others for a shelter War and Peace depend upon their will the Factions are either destroyed or promoted Kings make use of them sometimes for a shadow and oftentimes also for a help The Cardinal Richelieu above all others hath taught the rule to govern himself in such manner that making his own and the Royal Interest one and incorporating the Favour with the Authority of the Soveraign the one though there was a difference could not be distinguished from the other nor could that be offended but the other was wounded The sterility which seemed to be in the Marriage of King Lewis helped forward this boisterous storm and there was thereby confounded together as is usual in the Court of France jealousies interests passions and loves also It was expedient therefore to marry Gaston then Duke of Anjou and afterwards of Orleans the only Brother of the King and by his Marriage the hopes of the Succession and the fortune of the Kingdom being espoused the minds and eyes of the Court and Nation were turned towards him He as young in years and inconstant by nature suffered his affections to be governed by the Mareshal d'Ornano who Governour of his Childhood and now Director of his Youth by complying with him in the luxurious desires of that lascivious Age had so much power with him that sometimes setting him against the Favourites sometimes making merchandize of his inclinations to his own advantage with various Fortune passing through a Prison rose afterwards to be Mareshal of France with considerable power and no less riches Amongst the Propositions of Marriage the most secret counsel excluded that with strangers that the Duke might not provoke unnecessarily mens minds to bold attempts and unseasonable hopes to get and possess the Crown by the trust and reliance upon Foreign Forces The Queen-mother promoted that alone with the Heir of the House of Monpensier which to the splendour of the Blood Royal added a considerable portion of Goods Jurisdictions and also of Soveraignty with the Principality of Dombes The Faction of the Guises abbetted her in it because the Mother of this young Princess by a second Marriage was passed into that Family and the Cardinal de Richelieu concurred in it thinking to retribute to the Queen the gratitude of that favour which he acknowledged from her Authority and Protection Others desired to give him the Daughter of Conde and Ornano who was said beyond measure enamoured on the beauty of the Princess her Mother promoted it and moved the will and inclinations of the Duke to it But the Web was woven with yet greater Intrigues for many with the discord of the Royal Family desired to introduce an alteration in Affairs for as much as the favour of the King and the authority of the Government falling upon Richelieu alone others were unsatisfied at it and aspired to their own advantages by jostling out the chief Minister and changing
his own expression they might serve for ornament but not to give jealousie He and Tilli disposed with an absolute Authority of all Undertakings Garrisons Quarters and Contributions but with a hand so severe and heavy that oppressing the Countries of the Protestants and not much respecting those of the Catholicks they drained them every where by an unheard of licence of the Souldiery of their money and blood The people groaned and the Princes stormed no less having been accustomed to determine with a certain sort of liberty the most important affairs in their Diet and not to have Contributions imposed on them but by common consent and an equal distribution In this sad and servile prospect of things scarce any was found that durst shew his dislike Only the King of Denmark though overcome did his best to resist and to represent the necessities to others and by the quality of the person to give weight to the business sends Christian William of Brandenburg administrator of Magdemburg and of Halverstadt to several Courts imploring assistance In France the designs and Arms of the Crown being turned another way he obtained nothing In Holland he had better fortune those Provinces being in a manner without War in regard the Spaniards continued to apply themselves only to the Affairs of the Empire out of a firm belief that the Protestants there once subdued the Hollanders would not be afterwards but an Appendix to the Victory And for this cause also Spinola finding himself without imployment was gone to Madrid his Reputation and Glory after the taking of Breda seeming among the Spaniards to be turned into jealousie and envy The Hollanders then sending to the King of Denmark a body of men with them were garrisoned some places on the Weser offering two thousand more to keep the Sound which is the Streight defended by two Citadels where betwixt the Island of Zeland and the Province of Schonen Ships pass into the Baltick Sea The King taking all things in good part only refused this out of a doubt lest the Hollanders once entred into that place so commodious and important would afterward not easily be got out of it Christian went also to Venice and found the Senate scarce out of the troubles of the Valteline involved anew in suspicions and attentive upon the dangers which by the succession of Mantua seemed imminent so that he obtained nothing but the discharge of the old Count of la Tour from the Service of the Republick who went thence to the Service of Denmark Bethlehem Gabor was also tempted by the Prince himself but he after Mansfelts departure and the disbanding of his Troops upon it having made a new Treaty of Peace with Ferdinand could not break it though he wanted not will for it because he had not the help and the consent of the Turks who terrified with the prosperity of Ferdinand and intricated with disadvantage in the War of Persia thought it best to preserve the Peace and to confirm it to send an Ambassadour to Vienna And now the King of Denmark taking the Duke of Mechelburg into his protection and putting himself anew into the field with ten thousand Horse and twenty four thousand Foot besieged Blechede upon the Elb. But Tilli who had for his fore-runner the fame of so many happy successes scorning an Encounter with the Marquess of Dourlach who endeavoured to amuse him arriving for its relief at the time that the place being taken the Castle more from the valour of the Commander than the force of the Garrison yet held out obliges him to retire in so much confusion and disorder that he left behind him his Cannon and much of his military Provisions The King thinking himself not secure in Butzenberg whither he retired because the Croats by beating Parties and intercepting Victuals molested him retires with his weakned Army deeper into the Dutchy of Mechelburg From thence he sollicites the Anseatick Towns so called from a certain Company anciently erected for Trade and in particular the chiefest which are Hambourg and Lubeck to joyn themselves to the common Interest whilst the Arms of the Austrians facing them by Sea and guarding it with armed Ships they lost their Liberty and Commerce But the evil being so far advanced with fear of worse hindred the remedy of the present danger whereupon the Cities not only denied the King assistance but being intimidated and admonished by the Imperial Generals to furnish their Armies with Victuals and give them passage to grant them Ships and discharge out of Hambourg the Ministers of England and Holland they obeyed in all save in the contributing of Ships Tilli takes in Lawemburg which gives name to a Dutchy and Wallestain coming out of Silesia after having recovered with little opposition all that which Mansfelt formerly held there entred into the Territories of Brandenburg with Forces so powerful that he obliges anew the Elector to receive the Law to contribute Victuals and Money to recall his Subjects from the Kings Service and to admit Imperial Garrisons in Francford on the Oder and other places nay in Berlin the City of his Residence The same yoke did the Lower Saxony receive from Tilli his Garrisons being brought into Wolfembutie and other places of the greatest strength There remained no more but to pursue the King who leaving Dourlach in Mechelburg was retired into his own Kingdom Wallestain who from henceforward shall be called the Duke of Fridlandt for Ferdinand acknowledged his notable services with the recompence of that Title coming into Mechelburg puts the Marquess to retreat and expulsing those most ancient Dukes possesses it exacting from Wismar and Rostoch Cities Imperial vast sums for the maintainance of the Army The States of Denmark despairing now to resist so much prosperity and so full a tide of the Catholick Arms pressed the King to conclude a Peace though upon hard terms and he by means of the Duke of Holstein demanded it but the two Generals imposed upon him conditions so grievous as differred not at all from servitude They pretended that laying down the Title of General of the Lower Saxony he should disband his Army restore all he had taken in the Empire should leave the Bishopricks into which he had thrust his Sons should deliver up Gluchstadt upon the Elb should pay the charges and losses renounce all Treaties against the Empire or the House of Austria make no Innovations in the Sundt and in sum give caution for the observance of all things agreed The King not assenting to such conditions saw Holstein invaded by two puissant Armies Where that Peninsula is narrowest Tilli enters with one on the left side and Wallestein with the other on the right To the first Benneburg and to the latter Steimberg were rendred without much difficulty the King not defending himself but by retiring deeper into the Country and burning the Country he abandoned the Peasants over and above cutting the Dikes and leaving themselves in prey to the waters to save
wavering amidst divers considerations not desiring to be ingaged against the power and rage of the Austrians nor seeing willingly the power of the Spaniards to be increased in Italy or the Authority and Name of the Emperour greatly suspicious to the Popes to be awakned He not only approved the remonstrance of the Venetians but in a manner promoted it frequently complaining to their Ambassadour of the iniquity of the times in which from a cause most unjust the ambition of Princes was going to subvert the repose of Italy scarce yet setled He offered his interposition with powerful offices but added What can be promised from reason without Arms in dealing with him who places Reason and Justice in nothing but Arms The excess of power in Princes makes little account of the Popes prayers and their Mediation is reduced almost to nothing else but to adorn the Frontispice of Treaties with their name It is meet since offices do no good to apply to other remedies more powerful To improve the thought of uniting the Princes of Italy in their own and the common Interest But besides his own Forces and those of the Republick of whom was there any account to be made The Duke of Savoy renouncing the ancient Glory of maintaining the Liberty of Italy unmindful of his age and of a Grave at hand contrives new Stratagems The Government of Tuscany was inclined to the advantages of the Austrians In the others power was wanting or will The Senate therefore was seriously to consider if the Forces alone of the Church and theirs would be a sufficient defence against the approaching evils and to maintain the Cause of Mantua threatned and may be said oppressed by the prosperity of the Emperour and the Potency of Spain That he was ready with counsels and action to run the common Fate of Italy but that it was also a common Interest to lean to the more powerful for the upholding of themselves and friends That he thought application to France was necessary whose friendship though by its inconstancy it seemed dangerous by its power made it self seasonable That he was disposed with his intentions offices and endeavours to second the resolutions of that Crown and the Common-wealth The aims of Vrban were not in truth conformable to his expressions He desired to maintain Nevers in the succession of Mantua but abhorred to ingage himself so far as to be obliged to come to a Declaration or taking up of Arms. He encouraged the Venetians to the end he might enjoy their support in whatsoever should happen and flattered the French with hopes of adhering to their Party for if he had the luck to bring him into Italy in favour of Nevers he doubted not but things would proceed with such a ballance that he might reserve to himself the glory of the mediation and the merit of making the Peace Frequent advertisements were then sent from Venice and from Rome to King Lewis of the State of Italy disquieted by great apprehensions and threatned by greater dangers solliciting him to imploy Authority Negotiation and Force for the saving of the Country and the Princes his Friends France in effect was greatly sensible and the principal Ministers confessed the Reputation and Honour of the Crown ruined if it failed to assist Nevers But the Ingagement before Rochel was equally important whereupon they turn their counsels anew to prevail upon the mind of the Duke of Savoy because he it seemed was the Arbiter of the Peace or of the War whilst if it could be brought about to separate him from the Spaniards their taking Arms would be diverted or at least weakned The center therefore of the business lay in Turin the Venetians on the one side assaulting him with reasons and perswasions and the French on the other tempting him with promises and advantages St. Simon besides the ceading of so much Land in Monferrat as should amount to twelve thousand Crowns of yearly Revenue proposes to him secret and great hopes that France with a more powerful assistance should joyn in promoting his undertakings against the Genouese the differences with whom assumed by the Crowns with the title of an authoritave mediation remained yet undecided But the Duke mindful of former accidents relinquished not for the uncertainty of things to come the designs of present advantages Clogging the Treaty therefore by the demand of Trin a place of most important situation because it was opposite to Casal and drawing it into length he no less precipitated the resolutions and getting into Arms. Upon the news of the death of Duke Vincenzo and what had happened in Mantua the Bishop of Mondovi and Serbellone were returned back to relate it to the Duke and to Cordua who agreeing in their aims aggravated also with uniform dissatisfactions That the young Princess Niece of the Catholick King and also of the Duke was without their knowledge forced rather upon the dead body of the deceased Duke amidst sobs and tears than married by her own free consent Then Cordua charges Rhetel with the contempt of having intruded himself into a State in contest contrary to the Commissions Patents of the Emperor Soveraign and Judge of the Parties to whom being required to refer the cognizance of the cause and the penalty of the boldness he refused the Letters which he had written to him concerning the Title assumed of Prince of Mantua The eyes of all men were to say truth turned towards Ferdinand some sheltering themselves under his Authority and others considering his Power Amongst the first were the Princes of Guastalla whose interest served not but for a bounded prospect and stalking Horse for the Arms of Spain and Margaret Dutchess of Lorrain who as eldest Sister of the last Dukes deceased pretended that the Males of the other Branch being excluded the Succession belonged to her but her Rights being very little considered they could amount to no more but to usher in those of Leonora the Empress her younger Sister Whilst the decision was like to proceed with great length of time the new Duke of Mantua and the Princes that adhered to him apprehended the Emperours Forces jealously observing an Army of sixteen thousand men under a Count of Mansfelt in Suaben kept on foot there under pretext of bridling the motions of the Marquess of Dourlach and the Protestants but in effect as a body of reserve for the Affairs of Italy at the disposition of the Crown of Spain the which not only by benefits and pensions held dependent on it the Emperours chief Ministers but upbraided to himself the holding the Imperial Dignity as but the fruit of their counsels and assistance Since therefore Ferdinand was obliged to depend on anothers will the pressing instances of the Popes Ministers and the Venetians availed little who perswaded him not to interest himself but with his Authority in favour of the cause which should appear most just and to prefer Negotiation before a Rupture Nevertheless to cover the designs which were
resolved on long before the Imperialists made shew of an outward inclination to quiet and to amuse the Common-wealth who appeared to be more alarmed than any body else the Count of Verdenberg Chancellor of the Hereditary Provinces entertained Pietro Vico their Resident with frequent discourses of breaking into a War with the Turk now Germany being re-united did almost all acknowledge the Religion of Christ and the Laws of the Emperour stirring up the Republick to be willing by a close union to participate of the Victories and Triumphs which were destined from Heaven for the Piety and Greatness of Ferdinand The Senate from such generous conceptions fitly drew stronger motives to exhort to Peace and remove Jealousies from Italy to the end that with a chearful heart and open Arms Christendom might once deliver it self from the unworthy shackles of the Ottoman Barbarism But pretence and dissembling could no longer have place for Signor Agnelli Bishop of Mantua sent Ambassadour Extraordinary by the Duke so soon as by secret ways he was come into Italy being arrived at Vienna to demand the Investiture and offer his duty and obedience to the Emperour was not received his abode at Court as a Prelate and private person being hardly obtained St. Simon at Turin leaves the Court having discovered that the Duke too closely joyned with the Spaniards minded no more whatsoever proposition was made him At his parting he intimates to certain French that were yet in the Dukes pay to leave it and put themselves into Casal which proved a seasonable succours and helped much to maintain that place exposed as the price and prey of the ensuing War Carlo Emanuel had contented himself to leave it in the division to the Spaniards together with Pontestura Nizza Aqui and all that Tract which towards the Sea was near to the Plains retaining for himself Trino Alba St. Damiano with the parcel more commodious and contiguous to his States on condition nevertheless that as he to take away jealousie should not fortifie his new conquests so the Spaniards should reduce Casal to that weakness wherein it was in ancient times Nor had the Contractors made any difficulty to promise the promotion of one anothers advantages because each hoped that new accidents would afterwards disoblige them from the observance of the conditions whereupon although in Milan the Marquess of Montenegro amongst others dissented from it and prognosticated with great wisdom as it quickly fell out that the mischiefs of so difficult and jealous a conquest would be more certain than the advantages Gonzales nevertheless greedy of renown and glory and desirous above all to confirm himself in the Government of Milan as a necessary Minister and confided in colours the enterprise to the Council of Spain as so easie and certain that he had the hap to get their consent He principally grounded himself upon the Intelligence which he held within Casal and assured himself to be made Master of it before the design or motion towards it should be discovered whence carried away with the Fame of the Action and not minding the French Succours he boasted that in that place Mantua would be taken also nay all Italy while no man would be able to withdraw himself from the yoke if the Duke of Savoy led to it chiefly by his Arts whilst he framed it for others laid it upon himself Olivares who making light of the consequences of hazards to come was wont to embrace greedily the occasions of present profit speeding the ratification of the Treaty into Italy and causing a hundred thousand Crowns to be disbursed to the Duke to quicken the action inflames him with Letters full of flatteries and Encomiums to do himself once reason by Arms and revenge himself generously of the wrongs which he pretended to have been at several times done him by the House of Gonzagha The Governor had not in readiness above twelve thousand Foot and three thousand Horse and of these one body lodged towards Como to have an eye upon the passages of the Switzers and Grisons and he sent another with the Marquess of Montenegro into the Cremonese not only to restrain the suspected resolutions of the Venetians but to oppose the Duke himself who increasing his Forces by certain money drawn from his Goods in France had by the applause of his Name and the Novelty of the War raised about ten thousand Souldiers 4000 whereof were in Monferrat and at Casal and the rest he kept about himself at Mantua Cordua therefore could not have advanced in the attempt of Monferrat but with weak Forces if those of the Genouese had not strengthened him who after having stipulated in contemplation of the Spanish Ministers a Truce for six months with the Duke of Savoy not being able yet to rescue themselves from the dependence on that Crown nor renounce the memory of fresh benefits although they had a due apprehension of the War at hand sent to the Governour of Milan a good body of their Souldiers who when they were come into the Territory of Alexandria put up immediately the Spanish Colours To facilitate the enterprise for him he made Edicts his fore-runners full of bitter threatnings against whomsoever should resist and of large promises to those who without expecting Force would render themselves On the other side doubtful lest the Troops sent to the Confines of the Venetians should serve rather to provoke than check them he sent to the Senate to amuse them till Casal should be taken Paulus Rho who declared The intention of the King to be only to take possession of those Countries which were fallen to the judgment of the Emperor and in his Name to keep them till the Rights of the Pretenders being known they might be restored to their lawful Lord. He ascribed to the goodness of the King himself and to the prudence of his Ministers in Italy that foreseeing disturbances imminent they interposed authority with zeal to keep it from Tumults He then by a large circumference of words let them understand that the alone suspicion lest the French under the name of Nevers should nestle themselves upon the Borders of the Milanese had moved the Governour to this prevention and attacque By the Senate who knew his ends was gravely answered That the dissatisfaction of the Republick could not at all be concealed whilst the Peace of Italy was ready to be split which they taking to heart above any other motive could not but be fervent in the desires and insist earnestly on the remonstrances of Peace believing that in that did consist the Glory of the King himself the happiness of his States and the moderation of his Ministers But amidst the motions and furies of Arms thrust by the Governor into the field all reasons and offices were to no purpose The Venetians therefore were put upon difficult counsels and the Senate being assembled to debate the matter Simeon Contarini Knight and Procurator spake thus With the straights of the present time
it difficult to possess it being unprovided and through the whole Country in the place of defence confusion and fear prevailing Majanfelt in the very brunt ran the same Fortune with Coira where Monsieur de Memin the French Ambassadour who was then there was taken and kept Prisoner The Count John de Merode led this party of men as a Vanguard consisting of ten thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse At this violence offered to Rhetia Italy justly trembled seeing yet greater dangers imminent The Ambassadour of Spain and the Resident of the Emperour to provoke them to greater suspicions or to make tryal of them in this Conjuncture of their great apprehensions communicated to the Venetians the march of these Troops as intended only to maintain the Rights of the Empire in Italy to which the Catholick King also so nearly joyned in blood and interest to Ferdinand could not deny him his assistance And therefore invited the Republick to second the design and adhere to their party approved by the occasion and by Heaven because in their friendship they would find quiet and advantage The Senate always accustomed in the greatest hazards to shew themselves more resolute and constant in short and grave words complying with their duty applied themselves to their own defence making Levies and providing the chief Cities and places with Money Victuals and every other thing necessary It was given out that the War would fall to be in Friuli though every body believed that Mantua was to receive the first blow in regard that that State as a Peninsula being interwoven within that of the Republick its danger concerned it equally with their own Wherefore after having dispatched Marco Anthonio Businello Secretary to reside in Mantua they sent the Duke a great sum of Money Ammunition and Cannon with Matroses and Engeniers that he might make provision of Corn and be before hand with his Fortifications In France pressing instances were made for diversions and succours But the King though for the insult upon the Grisons and the arrest of his Ambassadour he shewed himself grievously offended nevertheless instead of coming back to Susa returns to Paris Richelieu with the Court following him This retreat which afflicted Italy and struck the Venetians with great dislike had not so much its impulse from the Kings apprehension who saw many of the Gentry dye and sick in the Camp as from the Plots which were working against Richelieu by the Queens in Paris and from the retreat of the Duke of Orleans in disgust that the Queen-mother fearing lest he should with violence take away the Princess Mary to marry her had caused her to be kept in a manner Prisoner in the Bois de Vincennes The King indeed had caused her to be set at liberty but with order to his Brother betwixt themselves not to marry her without the Mothers consent whereupon against the Cardinal believed the Author of this contrivance was equally stirred the hatred of the Queen and of the Duke The one therefore sets her self to work his destruction whilst the other retired into Lorrain and well received by the Duke being greedy to involve France in a civil Combustion published a Manifest in which concealing the causes of the amorous flames those of hatred against the Cardinal were sufficiently vented arraigning the form of the present Government The burden then of the War of Italy rested upon the Venetians and France perswaded them to undergo it without fear with promises of greater assistance when invaded in their own Dominion it seeming that the Mantuan whither the Arms of that Crown could not reach was in all respects to rest upon the care of the Republick Monsieur de Razilier was nevertheless dispatched by the King to Crequi with orders that he should press Savoy to the execution of the Accord and thence passing to Mantua should incourage that Duke and sollicite the Venetians to take into their possession the passages of the Valteline to stop the Germans way but difficulties too great opposed themselves the Imperialists having now Rhetia in their power and being able by other ways to go into the Milanese whence the French saw it necessary to change design and resist by more powerful means the prejudices feared from that side Whereupon a Council being held at Paris where was present the Ambassadour Soranzo who consenting that the Republick should come in for a third part it was agreed that at a common Charge four thousand Switzers should be levied to which joyning four thousand French Foot and five hundred Horse the recovery of the Passes by force should be attempted The counsel was seasonable to hinder the Spaniards from Succours in future and to keep the Imperialists distracted or ingaged amidst those Mountains if to the warmth of the resolution there had followed an effect of suitable expedition But whilst the Mareshal de Bassompiere was designed for the command of these men and the direction of the enterprise and that he knowing the Cardinal ill affected towards him feared lest in the heat of the business he should abandon him and ruine him and whilst that Coevre was substituted into his place who for the future shall be called the Mareshal d'Etré and whom the Switzers and Grisons mindful of things happened formerly in the Valteline openly opposed the opportunity and the season vanished so that when Bassompiere accepting at last the Charge went amongst the Cantons he effected nothing but the Levy of a Body of that Nation to re-inforce the Kings Army which returned into Italy Richelieu excusing to Soranzo the mutation of Councils by the change of times because the plague infested Rhetia the Snow shut up the passages and above all the Switzers on several considerations refused to carry their Arms in open Hostility against the Colours of Ferdinand Carlo Emanuel that had stirred up the Emperour to send his Armies into Italy and with specious offers had presented himself for his Captain General sollicited the French to render to him the Town of Susa alledging that by the retiring of Cordua the Corn brought into Casal and the giving passage to their Troops to garrison it he had on his side fulfilled the Accord But he at the same time fortifying Avigliana and more and more closing in confidence with the Austrians gave clear arguments of an irreconciled and hostile mind whereupon Richelieu lets him know that the Crown would keep that Pass of the Alps till the Emperour should restore those of Rhetia to the Grisons Ferdinand on the other side renewing the respect of that people by giving liberty to the Ambassadour Memin quits not the possession of the Passes nor gives the Investiture to the Duke of Mantua though in order to the Treaty of Susa King Lewis by the means of Monsieur de Sabran instantly required it but rather refuses every thing until the Crown of France should ingage it self in Italy and take part in that cause the decision whereof belonged to his Authority The Spaniards
touched to the quick with the Swedes Army and France feared some imminent change within it self The King had in the end of September by a great sickness at Lyons run the hazard of death whereupon the Cardinal seeing by the aversion of the two Queens and of Orleans a furious storm coming upon him thought to compose Affairs abroad hoping that if the King recovered that he should not want means to overturn all that which had been agreed He had not for all that abandoned the care of the War of Italy for the Army under the Mareshals de la Force and Schiomberg augmented to the number of six and twenty thousand Foot and three thousand Horse with Victuals for fifteen days near the expiration of the Truce marched to bring succours into the Citadel of Casal Vittorio was not displeased that it should succeed believing that with the falling of that place into the hands of the Spaniard the Peace might be made more difficult and Colaeltoes judgment and Commission were differing the Emperour desiring that he might make use of those Troops against the Swedes that by all means the Peace should be made Both therefore gave way that the French Army crossing the Po should pass securely through Piedmont although the Duke afar off with some Horse marched on its side But the French pursuing their march without dispute there arrives a Currier from Ratisbone which by the advice of the Peace put the Mareshals into great perplexity whether by advancing they should break the accord or rather halting lose the Army for hunger in the bowels of the Enemies Country They resolved at last to go on for the securing the Citadel for which the Peace of Ratisbone had not sufficiently provided hoping with their appearance to bring the Spaniards to some more reasonable agreement Nor did that thought deceive them for Sainte croix in a fright sends Mazarine to meet them offering to receive the Articles of Ratisbone and besides furnish Victuals to the Citadel for the six weeks within which Carlo was to receive investiture The French perceiving the fright the Marquess was in hoping by pressing of him to draw him to better conditions pretended that he with his Army should retire out of the Town the Castle and all Monferrat So that marching resolutely forwards they presented themselves before Casal where the Spanish Army stood within their infranchment and Colalto was come thither also who to poise things equally had formerly denied the Marquess assistance but now would not suffer that the French should totally prevail They on the other side of the Gattola a very small stream put themselves in Battel and with Troops well in order after having repulsed certain Polish Cavalry which came forth to discover marched a round pace to assault the Trenches But Mazarine taking advantage from the consternation of the Spanish Chiefs and magnifying the Forces and gallantry of enemy Troops perswaded them to consent hastily to the condition of going out of the Town Lo then he coming out of the Trenches and with his hat and his hand making a sign to the Troops to make a stand being brought to the Mareshals concludes the Agreement upon the Field in which the Armies were in a moment seen to pass from fighting to peaceable meetings and from animosities to civilities The Conditions were That the Spaniards going immediately out of Casal and the Monferrat the Posts should be consigned in token of honour to the Emperour to one of his Commissioners who for that purpose should remain in Casal with his Family only but in ought else but carrying the name was not to meddle He afterwards the term prefixed for the investiture being expired was to depart and the French Garrisons likewise were then presently to go out of the Citadel and those of the Country to go in The accord was no sooner concluded but Thoiras comes forth honoured already by the King with the Title of Mareshal of France and was received with the acclamations of all the Army Nor did the Spaniards delay to go out of it Casal remaining betwixt the two Armies after having defloured the glory of two great Captains equally desired by him that saved it and by him that lost it Hereupon grew some delays in the execution of the Treaty because the French scarce gone twenty miles cast into it fifteen hundred Foot and five hundred Horse upon pretence that the Inhabitants were not sufficient to defend it whilst the Spaniards lodging near might attempt to retake it But Sainte Croix highly offended repossesses Fontestura and some other Posts blocking the place which was quickly like to fall into its first languishing because the universal scarcity of the Country had not afforded means to furnish it but scantily with Victuals Mazarine was hereupon obliged though by the conceit that in his Negotiations he had advantaged the French he was become distrusted by the Austrians to take the business in hand again and at the end of five and twenty days he had the success to concert anew the reciprocal abandoning of the Posts But after this retreat the Spaniards remaining armed on the Frontiers of Milan the French Chiefs who had made a halt prone to suspicions or pretexts send thither five hundred Switzers as of a Nation free and indifferent They being of those that bore arms in their Army Santa Croix taking it for a relapse and breach of the Treaty advances with Gallus who Colalto being gone and dead in Coira commanded the German Troops in Italy to take again the Posts The Pope's Ministers being gone the Ambassador Soranzo who in his return home was come with the French Army as far as Casal undertook the mediation by which the going forth of the Switzers being consented the Armies at last on both sides went further off There remained in the place the Duke of Main with the Commissary of Ferdinand and the Garrison of the Monserrins to which in Carlo's poverty France supplied The Peace then of Ratisbone was in this manner executed in the Monserrat notwithstanding that at the same time France blamed it for as much as the King being recovered and returned to Paris it was so far that the contrivances framed by Queen-Mother had any force against the Cardinal that he rather found himself no less by his cunning Arts than by his so glorious Undertakings advanced to a greater height in the favour of King Lewis The favours of Princes resembling a dangerous Voyage at Sea that either brings Shipwrack or Wealth Richelieu having scaped the rocks and snares became exalted with Praises Honours and Riches The Queen being made so much the more impatient broke forth at last into an open pressing of the King that he would put him out of the Government and Court But by such Arts she confirmed him in place of ruining him because Lewis jealous of his own Authority and affections feigning as then if not to satisfie her at least not to neglect her retiring himself afterwards for some days
for Treaty by which some of the difficulties were quieted for as much as the Pope affirming to Monsieur de Brassac the French Ambassador that concerning what had hapned at Rome to Pesari he had not till now had notice of it much less that his Nephew had been concerned in rescuing the Coach-man out of his house expressed himself particularly discontented at it and caused them to be punished with Banishment that were guilty of the offence Declares over and above to the Cardinals that the Republick was as it had always been conumerated with the rest of the Kings comprehended in the exception of the Title of Eminence and commanded them to receive the Letters in the wonted form The Senate resting satisfied admitted the Nuntio to Audience and sent Luigi Contarini Cavalier for ordinary Ambassadour to the Pope But the differences about the Borders as being of an ancienter date met with greater difficulties though to end them it was resolved to send Commissioners on the place whereupon from the Pope were appointed Ottavio Corsini President of Romagna and Fabio Chigi Vice-Legat of Ferrara and from the Republick Baptista Nani and Luigi Mocenigo But the meeting was no sooner compleat but the business was intricated in the doubt what the ancient Confines were which by both parties had been interrupted by reciprocal acts of possession The Ecclesiasticks came afterwards to lay claim to certain new-grown Lands Alluvioni which may in a manner be called the Excrescencies of the Po where with several Streams impetuously pouring forth it breaks the Waters of the Sea and then meeting with a greater force slackning its course leaves sand and forms certain moorish places which sometimes lying bare sometimes covered with the salt water vary according to the course of the Stream and the blowing of the winds their situation extent and prospect The contest seemed of no value but the parties judged it of great importance especially the Venetians because it carried along with it the Rights and Jurisdiction of the Sea the which although the Ecclesiasticks confessed belonged to the Republick their Commissioners nevertheless contended for those new parts of the Waters pretending that they were extended beyond their Borders On the other side the Venetians dissented to treat about it as not comprehended in their present Commission nor in that of 1613. when the same business of the Confines was in debate but without effect So that the Commissioners themselves not agreeing no not so much as upon the grounds of their business Nani falling sick was forced to retire and Corsini follows him returning to his Government Chigi and Mocenigo remained there idle for a time The business at last was brought into Venice by the Mediation of the French Ministers and the Treaty continued part of the year following the Venetians declaring themselves always ready to accept those conditions which with the Jurisdiction of the Sea of the Mouths of the Rivers and of the Sacca di Goro preserved the ancient Covenants with those of Ferrara and the power to divert the prejudices of Ports and Chanels which are the veins and heart of the Capital City These differences were of small moment in respect of the Rupture which now fatally drew near betwixt France and Spain King Lewis kept an Army betwixt the Moselle and the Rhine to bridle the Duke of Lorrain that he should not deviate from the late agreements as also to extend his Authority in Germany and invite the Catholicks to shelter themselves under his protection The Archbishop of Trier served to others for an example but the Chapter of that Church not approving his resolutions brought a Spanish Garrison into the City Whereupon the Mareshal d'Estré besieges it and in a short time taking it the Elector was confirmed there with a French Garrison Coblents also kept by the Spaniards and taken by the Swedes was delivered to France as appertaining to the said Elector It was notwithstanding discovered that the French now either envied the prosperity of his Arms or feared the neighbourhood of the King Gustavus the Mareshal de Brezzé being thereupon sent Ambassadour Neutralities were proposed for the Catholick Ligue and for Bavaria But without effect because the Swede pretending that he should wholly separate himself from Ferdinand and for security should deliver over some places to him besides the restitution of the Palatinate and of all that which the Catholick Arms had from the year 1618. possessed Bavaria assents not to it and drew the Elector of Collen his Brother into the same resolution whereupon the King leaving some Chiefs to make progress in Francony and Westphalia advances against Bavaria with the greatest power of his Forces Having taken Donawert he easily passes the Danube drawing near to the Lech upon the brink whereof Tilli had ordered his defence But Gustavus under the favour of many Cannon passed it with great slaughter of the Catholicks amongst which Tilli was killed and Aldringer hurt The Swedes found upon what to vent their cruelty by Fire and Sword and to satiate their covetousness with Booty in so flourishing and populous a Country Munichen the Residence of the Dukes and some other places yielded with little opposition Ingolstat resisted but the King being received in Ausburg with incredible applauses of those Protestants fears began to increase in Italy amorously looked at so near hand by the King as that which as much as it renders its people with its opulence contented so much by its wealth pleasures and situation allures Strangers The Governour of Milan in particular doubtful lest the King by sending men to Rohan should attempt the Valteline sends Souldiers to the Confines Ferdinand fearing lest the Swedes through Bavaria should attacque his Patrimonial Provinces in Flanque resolves to great mischiefs to apply a desperate remedy and knowing that together with money faith failing and with faith credit Armies were not to be set on foot without gold and the reputation of a great Captain he recalls Wallestain who had in an equal measure gained Glory and Wealth and undergone no less with applause among the Souldiery than with skill the Generalship of Armies and agrees to all the conditions he could devise to pretend to They consisted in an absolute power with which He should order War and Peace having the Command of all the Armies which were in the Empire belonging either to the Emperour the Spaniards or the Catholick League that the King of Hungary should not go into Bohemia nor to the Army that he should dispose of charges punishments and rewards of quarters contributions and of Conquests without the recovery of the Dukedom of Mechelburg he should not make Peace and in recompence of his merit and charges some one of the hereditary Provinces should be assigned to him In sum the Empire was divided betwixt Ferdinand and Wallestein but with this difference that the General without expecting commands had power to do every thing and the Emperour could only command that which the other was not
blocked and the Emperour himself Prisoner This gave vent to universal complaints because besides publick mischiefs the principal Ministers were sensible of private losses the Souldiers lodging upon their estates with all sorts of liberty and undistinguished license All then shewing zeal equal to the urgent necessity under pretext of the common cause demonstrated the common dangers and calling to mind the conduct of the General inveighed particularly against the Articles by him formerly projected with Arnheim among which it had been discovered that there was discourse of ridding Germany of the Spaniards of the banishment of the Jesuites of the restitution of the Palatinate and of the force with which the Emperour might be induced to accept so destructive a Peace in the Empire Nor was it concealed that Wallestain openly aspired to the usurpation of the Crown of Bohemia that there was a conspiracy against the life of the Emperour and his Sons held correspondence with the Swedes and Saxons and had set on foot secret Treaties with the Cardinal Richelieu at the time that Monsieur de Fequieres treated in the Empire with the Protestants Every one precipitating their judgments and declaring their sense upon the actions of Wallestein and the punishments he deserved Ferdinand alone remained greatly perplexed because if the jealousies of the present Affairs oftentimes moved him he was almost at the same time pacified with the memory of his past services The shame to punish a man so well deserving with the prejudice to suffer his insolency put him to a stand and above all he considered the danger which Wallestein perceiving to be suspected resulted no less from his rage than from his faults Wherefore inclining to that course which was most gentle he caused cautiously to be insinuated to him the laying down of the Command and of Arms to give once more place to envy and signalize his obedience He despising promises and not regarding threatnings looked at himself in the affection of the Souldiery and the Officers secure having while he had been General accustomed the Army both to licence and obedience and to receive from his hand rewards and punishments In the Court it self nay among the Council he wanted not friends kept so with profuse gifts of money and booty which he extorted with unjust rapine so that trusting in his Forces and his adherents assembling the Chiefs of the Army he informs them that he was required to lay down the Generalship thereof He numbers up the fatigues the enterprises the Victories under the direction of his Command the years and the sufferings of their making War together he accuses the envy of his old Enemies not sparing the Emperour himself and his Counsellors as those who to defraud the Chief of Glory the Officers of reward and the Souldiers of pay seek with calumnies pretexts to oppress him He puts them in mind of the care he had always had of his faithful Fellow-Souldiers the Booties the Quarters the Contributions the Countries and the Spoils divided and subdivided amongst them He at last requires of them help and counsel for that he now weary of cares and much more of treacheries would be glad to apply himself to quiet and leave impartial posterity to be Judge of Merit and Glory betwixt him and his Enemies There was no doubt but that with clamours more than discourse or reasons he was not perswaded and in a manner forced not to quit Into the meetings of good Fellows and into the Quarters this discourse was quickly spread All to strives extolling his praises That he was a true valuer of labours and of dangers the Father and Defender of Souldiers to whom should they have recourse for the future and of whom demand acknowledgments of services and pay if they would suffer the appointment of new Chiefs over the Army to bury in silence and abolish with oblivion the services they had done He was then by an universal consent animated not to abandon the Army some out of pure affection and military transport others more craftily by his destruction to promote their own Fortunes With a Writing then signed by all they oblige themselves not to disagree and to the defence of their General till he recompensed in the charges he had been at the Souldiers also should be satisfied in their pay After such an extravagance there was no place left for sufferance The Count d'Ognate Ambassadour of Spain who for a long time was contriving the ruine of Wallestain demanding on a sudden Audience of the Emperour few being by and those of the most trusted Ministers lays before them the state of things the boldness of Wallestain his Intelligences his Plots and Designs Commends the moderation with which Ferdinand as an excellent Prince had been willing to proceed That it was indeed fit to dissemble some secret faults in great Ministers interpret favourably those that were doubtful and in a manner bear with those that were manifest so long as there was no breach of fidelity the Soul of great Imployments and the Basis of States That the arrogance insolence cruelty it self and avarice of Wallestain had been longer suffered The Empire was now betrayed Bohemia usurped Austria invaded Vienna besieged the Emperour a Prisoner and his Sons under a shew of Guard and Quarters What would one expect more an occasion or a necessity this cannot be greater that not to be wished more fit Wallestain was feared by many and abhorred by all with insolence and pride he had provoked the hatred of potent Enemies and the envy of his very Friends The Emperour was quickly to draw forth his Authority and Justice before the Swedes could lend a hand to the Rebel that he should find respect among the people obedienee among the Souldiers and the applause and benedictions of all The wound is in truth painful but because it hath its centre in the bowels the more you will suppress it the more it will increase That which hitherto hath been done in the Army may be rather called a Transport than a Revolt The Militia hath by traiterous promises been blinded and by false suggestions deluded The Chiefs have given their consent terrified by the violencies of the General That with one stroke of a Sword the knot might be united and it was better with the death of one alone to terminate or rather prevent a Civil War than with Jealousies provoke it That there was no time to be lost in that which cannot be commended till it be done This said the Consult was short fear and fury confusedly seconding one another and Ognate with aggravations cutting off discourse It was then resolved to make tryal of the Souldiers fidelity for Gallas and Piccolomini and some others of the Commanders had secretly offered the Emperour their endeavours asserting that many for fear alone having consented to sign the Writing and participate of the fault were ready to revolt as soon as they should see a head A Commission then was dispatched to Gallas by which all those
promote disturbances on that of Mantua The Republick by this means remaining quiet and secure reformed and diminished the number of their Army which was very considerable at Land and recalling the General Giorgio left Michael Priuli with Title of Proveditor It applied it self besides according to its Institutions so much the more to the Arts of Peace by how much it was esteemed to excel in those of disburdening the Treasury of those many debts contracted by the long expences of the past Wars it being its ancient custom in times of Peace to recover strength to the end to use it more powerfully where Fortune should present new occasion of troubles It had therefore laid up no contemptible treasure for important accidents and extremities taking rather money at Interest from private persons who as well Subjects as Strangers took for undoubted security that of the publick Faith Nor were they at all deceived for it was resolved to take a million of Gold out of the publick Coffers with which and other sums which were to be raised by the sale of certain Goods was to be satisfied in the first place that debt for the annual Interest whereof was paid seven and six per Cent with choice nevertheless of the Creditors to continue it in the Cantore but with the profit of five per Cent only whereupon the publick Charge decreasing the over-plus was imployed to pay off the principal of the debt it self ANNO MDCXXXVIII The Count of Monterey transporting himself from the Viceregency of Naples by Sea into Spain and passing by Genoua in the beginning of this present year the Ministers of Spain met at Pegli in a secret and grave Assembly concerning the state of affairs and the direction of the future Campagnia in which occasion was opened to them of great advantages They sent to Madrid their opinions about invading Piedmont and in that interim whilst Orders and Answers should come resolved to drive the French out of Breme that the Frontiers being secured the whole strength of the Milanese might with less distraction make War upon the Countries of the Savoyards In the month then of March was the Fort first invested and afterwards very suddenly environed with the whole Army and to take away succours from it the Bank of the Po was so fortified that Crequi attempting to send in by Boat a relief of some Souldiers their passage was hindred He not able to rest so satisfied had a mind to make a new tryal when as he was viewing the situation for planting of a Battery which might oblige the Spaniards to retreat being taken with a Cannon-bullet left his life upon that place together with the opinion of a Captain that for so many years past had rather had a name in Italy than been fortunate Wanting then a head almost all the French Souldiers who were not many disbanded and the Officers repassed the Alps so that Leganes had now liberty almost without opposition to continue the Siege The Garrison without hope of relief defended it self but weakly Five Batteries were raised with twenty pieces on them A Scalade having been attempted in vain approaches were opened and an Out-work called Horn-work being gained could not be kept the besieged still recovering it The place at last being more pressed by the attacque of Carlo della Gatta Neopolitan than elsewhere was rendred The Garrison which went out to the number of eighteen hundred men was conveyed to Casal and there the Governour whose name was Mongaiard had his head taken off To him who of mean birth was raised by the favour of Crequi to so important a Government was imputed that he had weakened the defence by appropriating to himself more pays and hastened the surrender to save the money he had gotten so that he made good by his punishment that baseness seldom finds an escape especially when too much covetousness is that which procures it To divert the new Regent from joyning her Forces to attempt the preservation of the place and to make it believed that Piedmont was in no danger Leganes had sent to Genoua the Abbot Vasques that with the Cavalier Ogliani sent thither from the Dutchess at the suggestion of the Spaniards the means might be discoursed of to compose the differences with the Brothers-in-law and with the Crown of Spain But it being difficult in discourses to keep dissimulation long concealed the Meeting was quickly dissolved the Savoyards perceiving that all tended to retard French succours and give time for the Orders from Spain And they came at last very positive that the Armies should be imployed in Piedmont that the Princes should be incouraged calling back from Rome Maurice who was returned thither and Thomaso from Flanders to the end that not only with military skill but with the authority of the name and the affection of the Subjects the proceedings of the Crown might be facilitated The Dutchess found her self now in very great straights environed with suspicions and with treacheries the minds of the people alienated and the succour scanty which she hoped for from France for that Richelieu to bring her to his will chose to leave her in danger Leganes by the taking of Breme proud to have driven the Enemy out of the Milanese and by the Intelligence he had in it hoping certainly to get himself into Casal advances to Vercelli in the month of May. The Dutchess was now forced to cast her self into the arms of the French by concluding a Treaty that obliged her To make War for two years with the Spaniards and the Princes their adherents joyning three thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse to thirteen thousand five hundred men which the King without pretending repayment of charges but rather paying for his Quarters obliged himself to maintain in Italy The King promised not to make Peace but by common consent and without the Investiture should be conferred on the Duke by the Emperour in the same manner as his Father had obtained it Notwithstanding the limitation of time mentioned in the Treaty it was yet visible that Savoy was in such sort ingaged with France that it had no means to dis-intangle it self Piedmont remaining a free and open field for the French Armies which should not only enjoy Quarters at discretion but have every place ready to open the Gates to them Nor was the conjecture groundless for the Dutchess not knowing in whom among her Subjects she might put confidence of a sudden under the shew of giving a months pay brought a good number of French for her security into Turin and levying a Regiment of that Nation in her own Name to colour the Juggle committed to them the keeping of the Citadel A while after the Cardinal de la Vallette arrives in Italy to command the Army but not followed with Forces proportionable to what was needful nevertheless applies himself immediately to view and strengthen the places and coming into Casal discovers the contrivance which Leganes framed there whereof Ottavio Montiglio
off till they should see the success the Fleet on the 7. of August in the morning was ranged into a Half-moon on the points whereof were placed the two Galliasses to cover the lesser Gallies from the shot of the Fort and so entred couragiously into the Haven where the Corsaires astonished at so great boldness and those thereupon who had the guard of the Ships flying in confusion to Land they made their defence only with Cannon and Muskets from the Fort and from the Trenches The Fort was not sparing of its Cannon but the two Galliasses halling themselves under the Wall and with greater Pieces some shot whereof fell particularly into the Church to the great resentment of the Turks restraining its Battery covered the Gallies in such sort that they advanced under the Bolsprits of the Enemy There finding them empty some Mariners of Perasto incensed at the remembrance of the spoils done to their Country not long before by these very Pirates leaping into the water cut the Cables and the Chains which tying the Ships one to another made them fast to the shore So all the sixteen being taken and towed away with incessant shooting on both sides but little shedding of blood on the Venetians side of persons of account Giovanni Minotto only a Masters Mate being hurt with a Musket they carried them to Corfu in great Triumph There was found upon these Gallies Cannon Arms and Provisions over and above all the Furniture belonging to the Ships themselves and some booty which was presently divided The Hulls of the Gallies to the end both the Corsaires and the Turks might lose the hopes of ever having them again were afterwards all sunk for the making of the Mole at Corsu except the Admiral of Algier which was sent to Venice to be kept in the Arsenal as a Memorial and another which was known to belong to a great Man of the Turks carried away formerly into Barbary by one Cicale a Fugitive The gallantry of the action was universally magnified especially in the Kingdom of Naples and by the Subjects of the Church who acknowledged themselves preserved from cruel mischiefs The news coming to Venice by the Galley of Martin Molino Master of it the Ministers Residents of Princes came to congratulate and the Pope sent an express Brief commemorating the glorious enterprises of the Republick for the maintenance of the Faith and numbred this present action amongst the most famous and advantagious to Christendom offering his Forces whatever should happen upon it The Nuntio as the occasion required was admitted to present it at an Audience and the Senate corresponded in giving thanks Greater signs of joy were not publickly permitted in Venice than to give God thanks by the Sacrifice of a solemn Mass Molino being rewarded with a Chain of Gold Capello honoured with the dignity of a Counsellor and Marcello with that of Censor and a thankful commendation given to the rest the Senate remained in suspence what resentments and resolutions the Ottoman Ministers were to shew upon it Ordering therefore an exact Watch every where in the Islands and on the Borders they communicated to the Christian Princes the success shewing in this occasion also to have practised their ancient custom to prefer honour and common safety before dangers and their own interest At Constantinople mens minds seemed in truth variously affected for upon the first report of the Pirates being besieged in the Port the Turks had made a shew to be somewhat sensible of it but judging that the Sea would either open a way for them to escape or would hinder the Venetians longer stay there Musse Bassa who in the Kings absence governed in quality of Caimecan that is Lieutenant of the Grand Visier made himself ignorant of what had happened not so much out of a dexterity as because Forces being far off and the King ingaged against a powerful Enemy he thought it not fit for him with complaints and jealousies to provoke him thereby against others But when the certainty came of all that had happened with the carrying away of the Gallies artifice being out-done by Nature and Barbarity he brake out into excess of anger The whole fact coming afterwards to be published the principal Ministers and all sorts of persons were moved at it exasperating the violation of the Port of the Fortress and of the Church besides the carrying away of the Ships appointed for the Grand Signors service There happened a while after a commotion amongst the Corsaires some of which and in particular the Son of Piccinino in a mournful semblance and a pitiful habit as is the custom of that Nation with tears and crys filled with lamentations the Divan and the principal houses of the great men describing the insult deploring the loss of the Gallies the dispersing of the Slaves and reckoning amongst the losses the lost hopes by roving at Sea to plunder and devour the Wealth of the Christians The Ministers hereupon greatly moved arrogantly required of the Bailo the restitutions of the Ships but he it was that Luigi Contarini Cavalier who had grown old in the experiences of almost all the Courts of Europe with as much calmness and constancy denied it and brought his reasons interposing time to fury and also with dexterity shewing The right to punish him that dare come into another mans house to steal He alledged the Articles and Agreements attributing the blame of the evil that had happened to the Turkish Commanders that had contrary to the Peace given the Pirates protection and therefore he rather demanded that they might be exemplarily punished as guilty through an insatiable covetousness of prey and in contempt of the Orders of Amurath to have gone out of their way and violated the Dominion of a Prince in friendship with the Ottoman Port. In effect minds being a little quieted many within a while detested their imprudence and temerity nay at Algier Ali Piccinino was condemned as having gone beyond his Commission if he should fall into the power of that Government to lose his head The Ambassadours of the other Christian Princes presented a Writing of one and the same tenour to the Caimecan inveighing bitterly against these very Corsaires for the mischiefs received by every of the Nations which frequented the Ottoman Havens though in perfect friendship with the Port whereupon approving as just the chastisement received they appeared to interest themselves in the maintaining what the Venetians had done It seemed thereupon that the accident was communicated to the King with some sort of moderation But with so much the more bitterness did the Sultana-Mother and the other Women of the Seraglio exclaim against it for either corrupted with gifts by the Corsaires or longing that to exercise their authority nearer hand and enjoy their wonted pleasures he might quickly be restored to the Seraglio they all laboured that abandoning the remote undertaking of Persia he would imploy his Arms on this side against Christendom Amurath was at
act of confidence agreed that together with the National the Cardinals also of the Palace Brother and Nephew of the Pope himself should do it But as to the affairs most important the Ambassadour demonstrated to Vrban what the danger was which impended from the Turkish Arms. That Babylon was taken and therefore in Persia the War at an end or Peace very near It was not to be doubted but that to Amurath puffed up and elated in his mind ambition and power would suggest new designs and bold attempts The long intestine discords of the Princes had these many years served for pastime to the Barbarians who carefully observe the conjunctures by assaulting the weakest to make way to invade the more powerful War was scattered in Italy and in every other part Christendom appeared all bathed in blood nor were other reports heard of but those of deadly Battels and lamentable Sieges Why should so great slaughters be endured for unprofitable Conquests nay for great damages if we will compare them to the progress which the common Enemy promises himself That Christendom can save it self from this present shipwrack but by Peace alone That it was Urbans duty to apply the prayers and ingage the Authority of a common Father and a Prince to pacifie his Sons and unite them against the Power of the Barbarians That it was his office to calm the World appease the Kings pacifie the Princes quiet disturbances and compose the people The Republick would not spare pains and endeavours to second those pious intentions and his most prudent judgment She saw her self threatned by the unjust rage of the Turks but what was her Country but the out-works of others She maintained with a long Frontier the Guard of the Confines of Italy and the violence of a furious Torrent If she should yield to necessity or fall under force what would become of the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples nay the State of the Pope himself This Country the Guardian of Religion the Seat of Liberty and Honour cannot be invaded by the Turks in one part but it will be oppressed all over Their dreadful Arms are to be compared to that poyson which by one sole touch creeps irresistably over the whole body That the Senate for a common benefit promises a constancy in maintaining the War equal to the Generosity of provoking it The proud pretensions of the Turks had for their aim to extort from the Republick Ships and Gallies to offend Christendom with the very instruments of their own defence In case of denial War ensued of granting the power and strength of the Enemy was increased who not content with the usurping of so many spoils lies in wait for the last breath of languishing Christendom That the Republick had given an absolute denial to their demands yet knew their Forces unequal and by consequence the danger great Nevertheless put their Arms in order prepared for resistance with a firm hope that that War being from God and the cause undivided betwixt the Church and the Republick blessings from Heaven would abound nor would warlike assistances be wanting in particular that of the Vicar of Christ The Pope heard all with grave reflections discoursed of many things and although more difficult to resolve and put them in effect nevertheless affirmed that urgency coming upon them he would not suffer his endeavours and forces to be wanting For the present he permitted the Levy of three or four thousand men in his Country and to promote more vigorously the Mediation of Peace betwixt the Princes he sent Extraordinary Nuntio's to the Courts with vehement intreaties and effectual considerations to bring them to some Conditions of Peace and if that should be found too difficult and long to a Truce or at least to a suspension of Arms by Sea by transmitting their powers to Rome to the end that under the eye and direction of the Pope the Treaty might with as much care as the necessity required be brought to perfection The Ambassadours of the Republick cooperated in the same the interposition of Vrban proving faint and not acceptable For a pretext of particular diffidence served the distaste which was pretended by the Emperour by France and by Spain for there being named in the promotion of Cardinals by the Emperour the Prince Rinaldo d'Esté and by one of the Crowns Giulio Mazarini and by the other the Abbot Peretti the Pope denying to comply with the instances and to cover the little inclination he had towards those persons alledging that they were not National deferred the promotion though there were many places vacant The Crowns herewith not at all content insisted on the Nomination with so much heat that being at variance in all else they agreed only in this to force the will of the Pope and passing from intreaties to protests and threatnings gave out they would forbid their Subjects to accept of that Dignity as often as the nominated should not be comprehended The French in particular pressed for Mazarine who besides what he had negotiated in Piedmont had in his extraordinary Nunciature of France so gained the favour of Richelieu and had declared himself so partial for that Crown that having drawn the Cardinal Anthonio to the dependence upon it he not only passed in Rome for the most confident Minister of France but being called to Paris was declared Plenipotentiary at the Meeting for Peace not without the disgust and murmuring of some of the Nation that for the Purple and weightiest Imployments Strangers were preferred as if Merit and Capacity were wanting in so many persons of the Kingdom To exasperate minds the more there happened afterwards other lesser accidents which yet in the Court of Rome take the place of greater matters for the Master of the Horse of the Mareshal d'Estré Ambassadour of France being out-lawed for having taken away out of the hands of the Serjeants a Friend of his was killed in the Country while he was yet in his service and his head publickly exposed in Rome Whereupon the Ambassadour taking himself to be slighted intermitted going to Audiences from whence came that in France also they were denied to Monsieur Scotti Nuntio Extraordinary with much rigour and severity This disgust was at last composed with the punishing some Officers and with the offices of respect and esteem which the Cardinal Barberin passed with the Ambassadour in his own house going thither to visit his Wife After this upon the old diffidences with the Spaniards were sowed new discontents so that the Ambassadour Marquess di Castel Roderigo suspended in like manner the Audiences with Barberino because he being the Cardinal Protector of the Religion of the Franciscans had by the Authority of the Pope assumed to the Generalat a Brother that had not the Royal approbation and the displeasure was so much the more increased by how much the same Ambassadour the night of the Nativity caused in Rome fast by a Church to be arrested the Prince of Sans of the
Valentino The City was guarded by above three thousand Souldiers with Prince Thomaso besides a good number of Inhabitants well trained to Arms. The Undertaking therefore was held impossible to be effected and so it would have been if the constancy and valour of Harcourt had not with equal glory undertook and finished it notwithstanding that he was several times rather in the condition of one besieged than of a besieger and that he was believed overcome at the same time that he appeared triumphant The Siege lasting several months in that while was quieted in France a dangerous Insurrection in Normandy which though composed of the common sort of people yet received incouragement both from the cause which was the impositions and from the Parliament which gave a reputation no less than authority to it The people exclaimed that Richelieu making advantage of the publick evils was Author of the War and Inventor of the Imposts with the wonted destiny of Favourites who being considered burdensom in War and offensive in Peace are in either fortune either of prosperity or adversity with detestation abhorred But he sending Monsieur de Gassion with Souldiers and the Chancellor with authority dissipated the revolt many being punished all defeated and the Parliament interdicted for a time The intestine Peace of the Kingdom facilitated the progress of Arms elsewhere for Arras was besieged by the Mareschals Chaune Chastillon and la Mailleray with a very puissant Army The Town was found in a manner unprovided the French by feigned marches having not only misled the Enemy to other places but induced the Governour who was the Count of Isemberg to go out of it to provide for places elsewhere Arras is the Metropolis of Artois a populous and great City well fortified and so situate that two Cities seem invironed by one inclosure The French plant their Camp there and intrench themselves with a strong circumvallation foreseeing that the weaker the defence within was the greater effort would be made by the Spaniards for its relief Accordingly Philippo di Silva with part of the Army draws near to it and a while after the Cardinal Infante joins with him notwithstanding that Orange threatning many places kept a body of the Spanish Army in a perpetual distraction The Infante succeeded in hindring Victuals from the French Camp so that King Lewis who with the Cardinal was at Amiens was forced to break through with great store of Provisions under a Convoy of ten or twelve thousand men hastily assembled part the Militia of the Country and of the Kings Guards part of the Nobless who from the Neighbouring Provinces to please the King and the Minister flocked thither in great numbers It was concerted by the French that at the same time that the Convoy approached Chaune and la Mailleray should be out of the Camp to secure its passage On the other side among the Spanish Commanders there was difference in opinion some judging to go and meet the Convoy to be the best way to hinder it others that they should assault the Trenches when they were weakned and this counsel as most specious prevailed Whereupon when the two Mareshals were gone at a good distance the Camp was assaulted the Spaniards entring into it in several parts and possessing some Posts But la Mailleray having with great expedition brought the Convoy into safety returns so seasonably that the Fight yet lasting he constrained the Spaniards to retire and abandon all they had gotten The surrender of the place followed a while after the French Colours entring into it the tenth of August to the exceeding glory of their Arms and as much consternation to the Country round about King Lewis thinking to have reaped an abundant Harvest from this Compagnia returns to Paris where with increase of felicity he was enriched in the Month of December with another Son who was named Philip with title of Duke of Anjou Good fortune carrying always its sting with it so many prosperities to France begat in some envy in others jealousie in the English particularly through neighbourhood and emulation About this time the King of Denmark looked with no less suspicions upon the progress of the Swedes whereupon the Austrians believing the occasion proper to strengthen their party the Emperour sent the Count Curtius into Denmark to propound Leagues and Concerts and the Spaniards dispatched the Marquesses of Vellada and Malvezzi to London to insinuate marriages of King Charles his eldest Daughter with the Prince of Spain and reciprocally of the Infanta with the Prince of Wales But the Senate of that Kingdom opposed the King of Denmark's inclination and that of the English was diverted by a general revolt of the Scotch to whom the King had attempted to propose a certain form of Ceremonies and Prayers which were rejected by all sorts of persons in an open tumult It was believed that Richelieu secretly fomented those stirs either because he truly intended it to break those so jealous Negotiations with Spain or because it was thought that he being in this Age so to call it the Intelligence of the world had an influence in all great businesses either by assistance or counsel Sure it is that it seemed as if Fortune applied her self to nothing else but to promote his advantages and very often anticipate his very designs and on the other side to confound and disturb those of the Conde Duke as if from the antipathy of these two great Ministers proceeded the discord of Europe and the disparity of accidents was also occasioned Not long after the rendring of Arras happens that of Turin where the Siege remained a long time by various accidents and by the event was ennobled above any other whatsoever Harcourt had no sooner intrenched himself in the view of Turin but he was forced to repulse many sallies and one in particular which made a deep impression into his Quarters After that Leganes shews himself behind him with twelve thousand Foot and five thousand Horse threatning to assault his Posts and the Bridge but having taken a view of the situation and infested the Camp with some Cannon-shot he turns to Moncalieri to pass the Po upon a Wooden Bridge which was there But the French having broken it he commands Carlo della Gatta to repair it though he might with much ease have attempted a little higher to wade it The French disputed it till at last Monsieur de Turain that commanded being hurt and the skirmish slackning certain little Islands a little lower were fortified by Gatta under the covert whereof he lays over the Bridge The Governour now passes over to the Purpurata and sends Gatta to Cologno to cut off the ways and hinder the French Army of succours and victuals from the Mountains Harcourt also to incommodate Turin took away the use of the Mills by diverting the Dora but the besieged restored it to its old course and he at last beats them to pieces with his Cannon But in the Town they
popular tumult which would vanish of it self or being quickly appeased by force would contribute to render the authority of the Government more respected for by Arms the Rebellion would not only be quieted but the pride of the Catalans brought down and those priviledges abolished which rendred them contumacious But reflecting in his mind with more secret cares upon the importance of the Province the quality of the situation and those greater mischiefs whilst the French would be brought in there he weighed within himself which either artifice or force might more profitably be employed Nor was he free from doubt lest other Kingdoms especially Arragon might follow the example He first trys by the perswasions of the old Dutchess of Cardona who with the people of Barcelona had much veneration and authority and by the means of the Minister of the Pope who resided there to pacifie their minds and quiet the tumult and that not succeeding to advantage he resolves to use force with such power and expedition that the people should neither be able to resist nor the French arrive time enough for their relief He then goes about to assemble the Army commanding the Fee-Farmers and inviting the Nobility and among them many of the most suspected particularly the Portuguese that they might serve for Hostages as well as Souldiers But the Provisions could not be so soon ready but that the Catalans had time to provide themselves with much resolution and to send Deputies into France to demand assistance It is not to be said with what satisfaction Richelieu who had formerly with his wonted arts nourished their first dispositions entertained them He heaps honours upon them and loads them with promises but at the same time willing to make use of the occasion which chance offered him he not only contrived to nourish War in the bowels of Spain but to reduce Catalogna to a necessity of rendring themselves to the subjection of the French He sends Monsieur de St. Paul with some few Officers and by Sea some Souldiers and Cannon to the end that that people might take heart to blood themselves with the Castiglians and dispatches Monsieur de Plessis Besanzon an eloquent Minister and a witty man to discover the disposition of affairs and minds But Olivares having gotten the Army together which amounted to thirty thousand Combatants the command thereof was committed to the Marquess de los Velez by birth a Catalan and destined to be Vice-Roy of the Province towards which it was so far from his having any disposition of affection that he rather had causes of hatred and detestation the people in Barcelona having razed his house and confiscated his goods In the month of December be begins his march from Tortosa a City participant in the Rebellion but which either by the inclination of the Inhabitants or for fear of the Army was the first that restored it self to obedience He advances to Balaguer many Towns not able for defence rendring themselves every where And there though the straits of the Passes might have been defended by a few yet the Guards of the Catalans durst not expect him whereupon the Marquess breathing terrour and severity proceeds as far as Combriel the Mutineers place of Arms. The place though weak despising the conditions which to disband the people in it the Marquess offered had the boldness to hold out five days after which being willing to render it self it was not received but at discretion the Town being laid waste the Magistrates hanged and the Souldiers cut to pieces From this blood was hatched despair over all In Barcelona particularly the Citizens animated one another to undergo all extremity rather than fall into the hand or under the Government of so arrogant a Conquerour or a Vice-Roy become so cruel Entring into consideration of their liberty and safety order was taken for the defence fortifying Mongiovino and uniting their minds for the common danger they went on in the Government and in their resolutions with vigour and concord They nevertheless feared they should not be able to withstand so powerful a shock without a strong support That apprehension was fomented by the French Ministers who represented to them imminent ruine on one side and succours at hand on the other But demonstrating that it was not reasonable that the Crown to procure anothers advantage should abandon its own they insinuated amidst fears and discourses how much it belonged to them to oblige so great a King to support both for honour and interest that Principality The design took for the fear of the danger and the hopes of succours induced the Catalans to deliver themselves up to the protection and dominion of France with many conditions which preserved their priviledges those especially of the consent of the people in the laying on of Imposts the Collation of Church-benefices and temporal Charges on those of the Nation except the Supreme of Viceroy who might be a Stranger To this all gave their assent The major part out of a desire of novelty the simple out of a conceit to change their condition for the better the more wise for being aware that after the first steps of Rebellion whatsoever liberty or servitude was to be it could not be enjoyed but with the same ruine and calamity This happened about the last days of the year very near the time that Portugal also casting off the yoke revived with a new King the ancient name of a Kingdom The emulation which is betwixt the Castiglians and the Portuguais is natural being imprinted by birth nourished by the milk and transmitted as an Inheritance from their Ancestors but was now rather become an abhorrency and impatience after these were forced to bend their necks under the Dominion of the Castiglians The Portuguais had several times applied their attentions and hope to various accidents which might give a change to their present Fortune but the potency and felicity of the Castiglians had till now either kept off foreign designs or prevented those at home The desire nevertheless greatly increased and the consideration of the Dukes of Braganza served to provoke it who descending from Edward Brother to King Henry were by many as much preferred in their Right as they had been forced to submit to the Force of King Philip. The present Duke John observing that the Castiglians had a waking eye upon him shewed himself so much the more averse from all application and business and a Tumult in a certain City having happened some years past upon the hearing of his name called upon he had contained himself within such a modesty that he was believed equally averse from ambition and deceit Olivares considering the Rights of the House and the Favour of the People besides his Riches and Lordships which exceeded the condition of a Vassal to secure himself of him invites him to the Court with rewards and imployments and with a dissembled confidence conferred upon him Charges and Titles which it was believed tended not
great pomp and with a numerous squadron of Ships where he was received with a sutable welcome and applause The chief point agreed upon consisted In arming forty Ships to ply too and again in the Ocean to interrupt the Navigation of the Indies and lying in wait at Sea to make prey of the Spanish Fleets and Treasures The Hollanders were to join twenty others With whom a Truce also was stipulated by Portugal for ten years with many Articles which concerned Navigation and Trade especially in Brasil and the Indies it being agreed That each should remain possessed of what he held in those parts and endeavours be used to drive out the Spaniards every where But that the Treaty beyond the Equator by reason of the distance should not take place till after a year The United Provinces making use of this time with great artifice and much advantage dispatched with diligence orders to Count Maurice of Nassau who commanded in Brasil that he should with all expedition make profit of the opportunity as he did by possessing on the Coast of Africa San Paolo Loanda with certain Islands and places of great importance to the great damage and bitter resentment of the Portuguais who nevertheless were forced to dissemble it But they now wanted not an intestine and perillous storm The Archbishop of Braga had in appearance adhered to the revolt but conserved in his heart a most partial affection for Castile retaining a confidence with Olivares from whom he secretly received incitations and incouragements He communicates his thoughts to Lewis Marquess de Villareal and found him no less inclined whereupon animating one another the Marquess draws into them by force as it were of perswasions and by authority the Duke de Camina and the Marquess d' Armamar the first his Son and the other his Nephew They agreed to kill upon the third of July the King the Queen and their Sons to set the City on fire in several places and if it could be compassed the Ships also in the Port to the end that the people being in confusion and distracted in several parts and amazed should not mind succouring the Kings Palace nor to suppress the Conspirators Hereupon the Archbishop a man of a majestical authority with a Crucifix in his hand was to cry up and perswade obedience to Castigle Nor were Troops to be wanting in a readiness on the Confines to be brought into those places where confusion opened the Gates or the conjuncture required Treachery and Secrecy being for the most part incompatible every thing was revealed to King John and he seemingly hiding it calls a Council whereat the Conspirators were present and being come into the innermost Rooms of the Palace causes them to be arrested The Archbishop was detained in Prison the others with publick punishment expiated the offence The King with equal Art endeavoured to revenge himself of the Castiglians tempting his Brother-in-law the Duke of Medina Sidonia to revolt with Andaluzia where he had good Credit and a great Estate Nor should his endeavours have wanted success for upon the invitations of the Portuguais and the insinuations of Richelieu the Duke had lent his ear and promised safe shelter to the Fleet of the Mareshal de Brezé under the countenance whereof he was to declare himself but that the news coming of the relief of Terragona and of the Siege raised apprehending his own danger he refuses to receive the French Fleet into his Ports and knowing that Olivares had got knowledge of the Intelligence to clear himself of it he challenges the King of Portugal to fight with him reproaching him with the title of Traitor and Infamous He then not having appeared as was well to be supposed in the field he sets upon his head a great sum of money But King Philip being therewith not contented the Duke was summoned to Court and he not finding in Andaluzia an alienation to the Castiglians nor for himself the favour he had hoped obeys with so much readiness that he caused the first suspicions to vanish or at least to be dissembled Whilst Portugal established it self and the Armies were contending in Catalogna Richelieu easily made himself believe that the Affairs of Italy and Flanders would remain in prey to him and in this push of Fortune every thing might have succeeded for him if the course of his felicity had not been hindred in France it self by very considerable accidents though quickly and happily suppressed It hath been said elsewhere that hatred against the Cardinal was with his prosperity increased corrupt and discontented humours being now amassed to such a degree that the vigour of the Government Reputation and Force it self were found not sufficient to digest and purge them It was doubted that the Duke of Vendosm imployed some to kill him Whether it were true or false the Cardinal being in reputation to know every thing and pardon nothing the Duke passes into England where the Queen-Mother as yet resided and thither repaired other dissatisfied and suspected persons The Parliaments of the Kingdom were also exasperated and particularly that of Paris for that having shewed a will to oppose certain Edicts it had been severely reproved by the King with a command that for the future it should not meddle in any thing that belonged to the Government The people then in general as they are wont to be the first to cry up Favourites so being also the readiest to execrate them it cannot be said how much they abhorred the Name and Authority of this Minister The Wars obliged to vast expences and the Kings Revenues being ill managed it was found that the grievance arose from the publick want for money being wanting in the Treasury there was a necessity to take it by force from the rich and extort it with vexations from the poor All seemed full of lamentations but each one passed frequently under the accusation of a Spy tears going not unpunished and the very sighs admitting of reproach Grief becoming at last too fierce could not be suppressed any longer with fear and if talking and discourses were forbidden and punished Writings and Pamphlets abounded that filled all places with detractions and invectives There was raised at last a great storm and the body of it appeared assembled at Sedan declared by the Duke of Bouillon who was Soveraign of it the publick refuge of the Malecontents He was not satisfied with the Court and to his disgusts were quickly added those also of others The chief were the Count of Soissons and the Duke of Guise who framing to themselves a general Commotion of the Kingdom oppressed by the Cardinal with all sorts of calamities represented His Ministry as the sad Center of the common miseries He Author of the War betwixt the Crowns under a feigned lustre of prosperity kept the mind of the King bewitched in the mean while extorted Treasures consumed the spirits and the blood of the Kingdom and to preserve himself in this ambitious station kept
himself environed with Armies They described in him Cruelty and Avarice with equal horrour to have joyned hands to defend him from the threatnings which he incessantly feared That nothing remained in France unviolated That he had revenged himself of some of his Enemies with punishment others of the clearest innocency were more secretly made away That many had been forced to seek their safety by retiring into other Countries and that the Cardinal had either usurped to himself or distributed amongst his Kindred all their Charges Goods and Spoils For these publick causes then and to purge the Kingdom of a Monster so hateful who had either offended every body or did threaten all with ruine they gave it to be believed they had taken Arms protesting perfect obedience to the King But other private motives and perhaps more powerful were not wanting Soissons by reason of his generous and active Spirit was feared by the Cardinal and therefore to bind him in the strict bonds of confidence he had tempted him to take one of his Nieces to Wife But the Count publickly scorning the match by reason of the inequality of birth the Cardinal from his ambition falls into a hatred and from hatred to meditate upon revenge crossing all his pretensions with the King Guise gave the Court that suspicion which was inseparable from the House of Lorain from whom he had taken away with their Estates and Governments all authority in France He enjoyed the Archbishoprick of Reims with other benefices of the Church and the Cardinal desirous to have the spoil of them to impoverish him assigns him a short day to enter into holy Orders knowing that being in love with Anna de Nevers Daughter of Carlo the deceased Duke of Mantua he aspired rather to Marriage than the Priesthood So that not yielding obedience he was deprived of the benefices and reduced to a very narrow condition without permitting him to resign any one of them to his Brothers To strengthen themselves with foreign Forces the said Princes concluded a Treaty with Micael de Salamanca who in the name of the Spaniards promised them a very great assistance of money and men and that Lamboy with a good body of an Army should come immediately to join with them Carlo Duke of Lorain concurred in the same sense though in the beginning of the year being gone to Paris he had agreed to renounce the Austrian party and adhere sincerely to France by which a part of his Country was restored Clermont with Stenay Dun and Jamets remaining in propriety to the Crown and Nancy till a general Peace in deposito He that had aimed at nothing but to recover some places out of the hands of the French having obtained his purpose retires from the Court and presently begins to make Levies yet making it believed that he would join with the Mareshal de Chastillon for the service of King Lewis Thus the revolt of the malecontents was rendred considerable by stranger Forces and perhaps by an internal disposition it seeming to be without doubt that if the United Princes should have hapned in the first heat of some advantage to enter into the Kingdom and should have advanced into the Provinces there would have followed a general commotion of the Gentry Parliaments and People Neither was it without some appearance but that to the King himself the excess of pride and predominancy of the Favourite growing troublesom some opportunity would have been acceptable to be rid of him and disgrace him The Cardinal sometimes opposing Counsel and sometimes Force took care for provisions and for defence He closes with the Prince of Condé giving to his Son the Duke of Anguien one of his Nieces to Wife for it highly concerned that Family to keep Soissons under who had assumed the title of first Prince of the blood Royal and sends La Meilleray with an Army to divert the Spaniards from lending succours to the Mutineers and the Mareshal de Chastillon with another against the Princes united The first passing the new ditch the known and ancient border betwixt France and Artois mastering certain Forts which defended it layed Siege to Aire a place most important secured not only by Nature with much moorish grounds round about it but strengthened by Art with all sorts of Fortifications within and without Chastiglion being come near to Sedan met on the sixth of July Lamboy together with the Princes malecontents The Kings Army was ranged in excellent order upon a certain rising ground with great advantage having the flanks covered with two little Woods On the other side that of the Princes pressed for want of room by reason of the situation was rather confused than well and orderly placed but not being able to avoid the shock certain of Chastillons Troops charged with so much resolution that some of the divisions opening and others retiring behind the Artillery Fortune shewed the Royalists the way to a signal Victory Soissons hasting to remedy this disorder of his armed at all pieces with the visier open and with few that accompanied him while he was mingled in the Fight being shot by a Souldier of the Company of Orleans with a Pistol in the Eye fell backwards from his Horse on the ground losing at the instant his speech and his life Whilst this ought to have confirmed to the Kings Army the advantage it happens by a contrary accident that the Cavalry took basely the flight without being pursued by any either because many abhorred the spilling of so much of their fellow-subjects blood or that some were glad to celebrate the Funerals of those beginnings under which they hoped to make War for private revenge upon the Cardinal The issue was that the Conquerours stopped by themselves in the course of their prosperity nay rather turning their backs to fortune became conquered for the Imperial Troops and those of the Princes over-running the Infantry part were cut to pieces and the rest with all the Cannon and Baggage brought Prisoners into Sedan Almost all the Officers ran the same fate either of death or being taken Chastilion with a few others saving himself with difficulty Nevertheless with a notable example of the indulgence of Fortune towards the Cardinal Richelieu Soissons being dead who was the soul or rather the fury of the male-contents the fruits of the Battel redounded not to the benefit of the victorious but to those that were defeated for although Lamboi took in Doncheri a little and a weak place yet such and so long was the resistance that it gave time to Chastillon to re-assemble in Rhetel the relicts of his men together with new recruits and for the King to arrive with an Army so vigorous that he not only recovered Doncheri at the first appearance of it but threatning Sedan with a Siege perswaded Bouillon to submit and make his Peace The place is for its situation for works and defences truly numbred amongst the strongest nevertheless the Duke considering the head of that
indisposed with pain in an arm which almost withered by blood-letting and by scars had for a long time tormented him The French thought the enterprise would succeed well and not last long supposing that there would be found a want of Victuals in the place But the Marquess Flores d' Avila the Governour gave them out with such exactness and concealed them expresly to strengthen that opinion that for that cause the place would quickly be taken that so the French being deceived in their hopes might spare blood and force and by prolonging the Siege time might be given for its relief Holding out therefore some months affairs in Flanders proceeded happily for the Spaniards for that Melo not able for the distance to send succours into Spain endeavoured to give them aid by diversion finding his Army twenty five thousand strong and with all things else well provided So that he easily recovered Lens and la Bassee was rendred to him Dividing his Army he afterwards threatned to invade France in two several parts and to oppose them the French Army being separated into two bodies he on a sudden rejoyns his own and falls upon the Count de Guische in his Quarters which near Chastelet he negligently kept The Count saved himself by flight leaving the Camp with that which was in it in prey to the Enemy From that side which is much exposed Melo might have gone even to Paris and some counselled him to it to promote in the Kings far absence confusions and tumults in that vast City Others were of opinion that he should carry the Army to the Rhine and repair those disadvantages which after the defeat of Lamboy the Catholicks sustained by the Weimarians Melo having express commands from the Conde Duke not to ingage the Army in ought that might divert the Forces from those vast designs he framed to himself destroys the benefit of the Victory Olivares built upon the intelligence held with Monsieur le Grand who changing into hatred the benefit of his raising studied revenge against the Cardinal because he had hindred him of the honour of being admitted into the secret Council of the Title of Duke and Peer and of the Marriage with the Princess Maria of Nevers He had observed in his confidences with the King that Richelieu was become troublesom to him and by consequence was rather tolerated than loved nay he affirms that Lewis had secretly given him leave to make use of the means that might ruine the Cardinal But wanting experience and transported with ambition he fails in chusing of the way Finding himself to want a party for the private favour of the King was not sufficient to defend him against the publick Authority which the Cardinal had the management of he seeks to make other friends and before he went with the King from Paris he contracts friendship Monsieur de Thou being the instrument with the Duke of Bouillon and both strengthned themselves afterwards with Orleans to have the applause and name of a Prince of the Blood Orleans besides the impatience of a private life was irritated against the Cardinal both for old businesses and for a new suspicion that upon the Kings death he had thoughts to assume the Regency to himself It was therefore resolved to be rid of him by all means and Bouillon offering Sedan for a place of Retreat it came to be considered that men money and credit to support themselves and withal to undertake was wanting To obtain the means for it they send into Spain Monsieur de Frontailles who in the greatest secrecy concluded a Treaty in which under the pretext of promoting the general Peace and the Service of King Lewis himself who was declared to be oppressed by the Cardinal it was agreed That when Orleans should be come to Sedan the Catholick King should deliver to him twelve thousand Foot and five thousand Horse with four hundred thousand Crowns to make new Levies and necessary provisions of Ammunition and Cannon Over this Army was to command the Duke himself assisted with two Mareshals of the Field which should be Bouillon and St. Mars that of Flanders was by a good concert to second their undertaking To the Duke with the assistance of a Spanish Minister should be permitted to grant Peace or Neutrality with those Provinces of the Kingdom that would demand it excluding nevertheless the general Peace betwixt the Crowns which was not to be made but by common consent and with restitution to the Spaniards of all that was taken Lastly that Orleans should be obliged to declare against the Swedes and against all those which were Enemies to the Austrians The Contractors by this Treaty aimed much further than at the ruine alone of the Cardinal for the Spaniards aspired at the discord and division of the Kingdom Orleans gaped after the Soveraignty or at least to have a share in the Regency And the others either thought to revenge themselves of the Favourite or to procure themselves advantages But because the malecontents did believe that the person alone of the Cardinal was to oppose their designs they resolved to kill him and that St. Mars should execute it not only as having the greatest courage but because he passed through the Guards with less observations and greater confidence And he in the Journey might have performed it at Briara near Lyons for that he found him there not well guarded but abstained from it either desiring that in so great a change of things Orleans should be in Court or at least judging with designs perhaps more vast that the Cardinal being so soon taken away further attempts would remain languishing and discredited which had their principal support from the hatred conceived against him The Cardinal having gotten notice of their designs the King being arrived at Perpignan staid as hath been said at Narbonne believing he might remain a far off with greater safety and besides the vivacity of mind and the artifice of wit in cases of the greatest extremity not abandoning him he caused his deplorable condition of life to be published by his Attendants and the Chirurgions themselves to the end that from such hope the Conspirators might abstain from blemishing themselves with the blood of him of whom nature was within a while to be the more just Murtherer The King falls grievously sick in the Camp of a Dysentery and in the contingency of his life arose in the Court and also in the Army great divisions some adhering to Meilleray who supported the party of the Cardinal others to Monsieur le Grand who declared himself for Orleans Lewis's health in a short space recovered quiets that stir yet giving means to le Grand to the end to entertain the King in his aversion against the Minister to draw arguments from what had happened of Richelieu's excess of power and thoughts of the Regency The Cardinal perceiving that he had no more support in the Kings favour and seeing rather under the shadow of his
connivence the party of the malecontents increasing had thoughts of retiring from Narbonne where he thought himself not safe but before he would do it supplicates the King that he would come to see him either to unloose him from the malecontents or to awaken in him with Eloquence and Art his former thoughts of him Lewis refusing to do it be then knew he was totally lost and therefore as fast as he could though in a bad season causes his Guards to carry him by hand in a certain Couch of Wood where he reposed upon a Bed towards the Baths of Terrascona to go forwards afterwards into Dauphiné and Provenze whither the Governours of those Provinces which were depending upon him invited him In this Conjuncture came the News that Guische had been defeated on the Frontiers of Flanders and that Paris was in great apprehension Many judged that the Count being in a strict intelligence with the Cardinal had by an affected negligence been the cause of this sinister accident to the end that in the confusion of things the King might know how necessary would be to him the Minister in whom the intelligence of the Kingdom rested In effect no other Expedient offered it self to Lewis but to send a Courrier after the Cardinal requiring him that to so sudden an emergency he would apply seasonable remedies for the better ordering whereof he desired in some place to speak with him But as the same Fortune in opposition to the Kingdom contributed to the prosperity of the Cardinal so did he heap much greater advantage from the accident for continuing his Journey very uncertain what measures to take the Treaty of Orleans made with the Spaniards came to his hands He presently sends it to the King to the end that he might know that whatsoever wounded the authority and favour of the Minister did withal strike through his own felicity and the Grandeur of the Kingdom Lewis was as much moved as the relapse of his Brother the ingratitude of le Grand and the perfidy of others deserved wherefore changing his affections into anger he goes to Narbonne and there to the end the Arrest might be done out of the Camp and with less noise he caused St. Mars and de Thou to be put Prisoners ordering secretly in Italy whither Bouillon was gone to command the Army that the same should be done with him He then goes to Tarrascona where the Cardinal staid and there speaking together they vented even with tears their affections and past disgusts The King communicates all that to the Cardinal which they had suggested against him and this confirmed the King in the opinion that in his fidelity and power consisted the greatest defence against foreign Forces and domestick Treacheries Thus the Mine being sprung into the Air Orleans asked the Kings pardon who grants it him on condition to see him no more and that with an assignment of two hundred thousand Francs he would retire to Nissi a Town upon the Confines of Savoy Melo the hope vanishing of raising so great a storm in France draws near to Sedan to perswade at least the Mother and Wife of Bouillon who was now a Prisoner in Italy at Casal to admit into the place a Spanish Garrison But he obtained it not because those Princesses considered the preservation of it the best caution they had of the Dukes life Making then an Incursion into the Territory of Bologne with the taking of certain Forts presently retaken by Harcourt the Spaniards ended the Campagnia on the side of Flanders The minds of the King and his Minister being reconciled and by that concord the Forces also of the Army strengthened before Perpignan by the concourse of much Gentry from the neighbouring Provinces the French prepared themselves to resist the more resolute attempts which the Spaniards gave out they would hazard The Naval Army of Spain under the Command of the Prince John Carlo di Medici General of the Sea was to second by Water the Relief which the Marquess di Torrecuso was to attempt by Land But retarding his march too too long Perpignan the Victuals after several months siege being spent and the Garrison wasted was at last rendred to the Mareshals Schomberg and la Meilleray whilst the King weakly in his health was at some distance from the Camp The loss of this place was of importance to the Spaniards and most afflicting to the Conde Duke who to hinder it had without effect imployed Treasures Treaties and Arts infinite The doubt more particularly tormented him lest while the happiness of successes maintained Richelieu amidst so many contrarieties his ill Fortune should at last weary the Kings affection towards him And the report was that he came into the Kings Cabinet lamenting and afflicted and falling upon his knees with tears demanded leave to expose himself to some certain danger to kill himself or at least to retire into the most obscure corner of the World to deliver himself from that unhappy Destiny which pursued him and that the King asking with apprehension the cause and understanding it to be the loss of Perpignan did embrace and comfort him ascribing all to the disposition of the Divine Will After Perpignan Salses was also taken and at last out of time the Army appears commanded by the Marquess of Leganes which consisted of twenty thousand Foot and six thousand Horse but coming to a Battel with the French that were inferiour in number the Spaniards at first prevailed but at last superfluously busying themselves in drawing off three Cannon gained in the first shock la Mothe Haudancourt rallying his men charges the Vanguard and disorders it Night thereupon coming on both Armies retired each ascribing to it self the Victory The Spaniards having possessed Aitona a weak place and more weakly defended were quickly wasted through scarcity of Victuals which were to be brought from far and with excessive charge Richelieu triumphed over his intestine no less than foreign Enemies for Perpignan rendred St. Mars and Thou had their heads cut off at Lyons and Bouillon threatned with the same punishment ransoms himself with the delivery of Sedan to the King to which Cardinal Mazarine betwixt the terrours of death and the hopes of great recompence perswaded him In these distractions was highly advantagious to Richelieu the common desire of the Confederates of France to maintain him for having some of them his Pensioners and in a manner all depending on him they imployed their offices with the King and Orange in particular little less than with protests gave him to understand that in the belief of the Cardinals ruine he contrary to his former inclinations had counselled the Provinces to hearken to a Truce with Spain fearing lest Maxims being changed with the change of Government there might be a change also with new Favourites in the faith of the Crown towards its Confederates At this time the Queen Mary Wife Mother-in-law and Mother of the greatest Kings of Europe wandring without shelter or refuge
danger to which he exposed the Crown and the Heir if the Government should fall to the Queen not only new in Affairs but offended by past usage and of a strange Nation nay an Enemy towards whom she had not at all lost inclination and affection Nor did the counsel succeed ill for Lewis by way of Testament orders the disposition of the Government in the minority of the Son Leaving to the Wife the name of the Regency but the power and effect to the Ministers To his Brother he commits the Lieutenancy of the Crown To Condé the chief place in the Council but subordinate to Orleans He established Mazarine in the Post of chief Minister and for Counsellors added Sequier the great Chancellor who was also of Richelieu's party Bottillier and Chavigni with a caution that they should not be excluded but for crime or by death By this Council with plurality of Votes were to be decided the most weighty matters charges military and civil dispensed and when occasion was the Ministers of the Council it self to be supplied In the disposition of Benefices Ecclesiastick he obliges the Queen to follow the judgment of the Cardinal Mazarine He ordained also that Chasteauneuf the Garde Seau and the Dutchess of Chevereuse should not be permitted to return into the Kingdom and as to other Exiles and Prisoners he lest them to the disposition of the Council He wills that this his Will should be signed and sworn to by the Queen and the Princes and by the Parliament verified The Queen having no party could not oppose it though the Duke of Beaufort declared himself in her favour and at St. Germans where the King lay sick Conventicles and Factions were formed Every one perceived that the favour not only continued to the dependents of Richelieu but that the supreme Authority of the Government was by the King left to them and Mazarine had the greatest share for besides the dependency of the Clergy which with the distribution of benefices was made partial either joyning with the three Ministers he had the majority of Votes or standing as a neutral betwixt the Queen and the others he made himself Arbiter to whatsoever side he inclined Amidst these commotions of affections and discourses the King with remarkable piety renders his Spirit to God upon the 10. of May in the forty third year of his age and having just upon that day compleated the thirtieth year of his Reign Having by Arms enlarged the Power the Renown and Majesty of his Kingdom reformed it with good Laws and dignified it with exemplary Manners he would certainly have been numbred among the Princes of greatest fame if to his praises the Glory of Richelieu had not been interposed to whom the World ascribed the counsels and success He lived and dyed without knowing to defend himself from the Arts of Favourites he was adorned with many Vertues with Piety Religion and Justice but suffered the exceeding great defects of his Ministers Though Heresie were disarmed in France yet abroad it was countenanced and promoted Himself sparing in his Diet in his Cloathing and except it were in Hunting abstaining from all sorts of pleasures abandoned the wealth of his people in prey to the profusion of Favourites With the Title of Just he covered many severe examples filled often the Bastille with Innocents and managed the Sword of the Hangman to the private revenge of his Confidents The Brother was a Fugitive and the Mother forced to fly If then the Greatness of the Name of Richelieu obscured in famous acts the Glory of Lewis it also resoued him from many blames saving only that that jealous and avaritious of his Authority towards his Kindred he was superfluously prodigal of it to his Ministers Lewis the Fourteenth who had not yet compleated the fifth year of his age takes the name of King and thereupon great Revolts were foretold whilst to the intern confusions which the Regency of a Spanish Woman the novelty of Government the affections of Ministers and the pretensions and disgusts of the malecontents pointed out stranger Forces were quickly added and the Army of Melo which consisting of seventeen thousand Foot and seven or eight thousand Horse shewed it self on the Frontiers to offer invitation and incouragement to them that should attempt novelties He having during the Kings sickness waited some days without attempting any thing resolves at last to invade France to promote disturbance more powerfully with an assured hope to find no resistance and the King once dead the Government would be turned topsie-turvy The Army then with the increase of new Forces entring into Tirasche and laying waste many places with Fire and Sword besieges Rocroy a little place on the Frontiers of Champania which alone he thought might hinder his march as far as Rheims and from thence perhaps to Paris Heaven to say truth shewed it self very partial in this conjuncture to France for if Melo retarding his march had maintained the credit of his Army or if the thought of taking the place succeeding he might have been able to advance towards Paris to countenance those that were for him and put the rest in confusion without doubt out of the Sepulchre of Lewis would have been raised the Fortune of the Spanish Crown The Duke of Enguien Son of Conde who scarce out of his Childhood commanded the Army in those parts assisted with the Mareshal del ' Hospital and Monsieur Gassion upon notice of the Siege speedily assembles as many Troops as he could which amounted not to more than fourteen thousand Foot and six thousand Horse and came near to the place situate in a Plain and environed with low Grounds and Woods Melo out of a perswasion to take it with ease having only five unfinished Bastions with some Out-works and a scanty Garrison had thought a Circumvallation needless which gave Gassion the means to thrust into it through the midst of the Enemies Batalions some men with which the Garrison being strengthned makes a Sally and recovering a Half-moon gave time for the gross with which the Duke arrived upon it with so much resolution that shewed he would not refuse a Battel Melo superiour in Forces rejoyced already in the Victory and was so far from avoiding the ingagement that he rather assured himself that Fortune offered him that occasion to ruine the obstacle of that Army to his great designs He removes from the Siege of Rocroy to range himself in order in the Plain and offer Battel but he lost an exceeding advantage For Enguien not being able to dis-ingage the Army so soon from certain narrow passages betwixt the Wood and the Moorish grounds was by the night surprised with his Troops divided and Melo did not care to attacque him pretending to stay for a Renfort under the Command of General Bech who was coming with four thousand men and to overcome as he boasted at one blow not only a part but all the Enemies The French during the night quickly
re-united themselves and the Chiefs receiving the advice of the Kings death with express order not to hazard in that conjuncture a Battel kept it secret not to take away courage from their own nor increase confidence in the Enemy since they found themselves so far advanced that they could not retire either with safety or honour The Army then was put into order and Gassion with the right wing made choice of a place of such advantage that he could conveniently attacque the Spaniards in flank Melo with a redoubled errour not caring to stay any longer for Bech for whom he had the evening before neglected the advantage to defeat one part of the Enemy readily accepts the engagement and in the beginning had the success to rout and pursue all the left-wing with the gaining of eight Cannons taking Monsieur de la Ferté Seneterre Prisoner and the wounding of Monsieur del Hospitall This notwithstanding Anguien with an undaunted courage played still the part of a Commander and suggesting to himself if not from experience at least from his birth the memorials and provocations of glory restores the broken Troops to courage and order and leads again those that were most entire to the Fight Gassion with the natural fury of the French shocks the left-wing of the Spaniards in such a manner that the Cavalry could not withstand him The Duke of Albequerque was General of it arrived to that degree by the favour of Melo and he just unmindful of the publick danger and his own honour was the first that betook himself to flight whereupon the rest easily followed him Gassion then charges in the rear of the right wing which being victorious pursuing advantage had scarce been put to a little stop by Monsieur de Scirot who seasonably with a body of reserve was moving to encounter it But feeling on a sudden blows from behind them turned aside and at last gave way totally The Foot which consisted of the best of the Italian and Spanish Troops made resistance with the proof of great courage as long as they were able The Marquess de Fontaine their General having by the Gout the use of his Feet taken from him died upon a Chair at the head of the Battailons with a great number of Souldiers whose bodies were seen lying in ranks so unmoveably had they kept their station Many flinging away their Arms endeavoured to escape by flight and amongst those Melo after having given greater proof of courage than experience flinging away his Truncheon of command saved himself not softly Five other Squadrons closing themselves together withstood a long time the charge of Gassion resolving not to part with their lives but at the price of a great deal of blood But they abandoned and environed by the French who at last intended to bring Cannon to overcome them were forced to yield The Prisoners were six thousand which with the Cannon Baggage and a great number of Colours remained in the power of the French who found of theirs not above two thousand wanting Anguien warmed with the battel and fierce for the Victory casts himself into the Enemy Country not only recompensing with burning the mischief done in the Tirasche as hoping in that consternation of minds for some great revolt But the Flemmings observing France also by the death of the King tottering kept themselves quiet He applies therefore to more profitable Conquests besieging Thionville which through the importance of the situation in Lutzemburg having been formerly attempted after a bloody Siege was now rendred and a while after Sirch ran the same Fortune The Queen in this interim after the Husbands death comes with her two Sons from St. Germans to Paris amidst long files of the people in Arms and entring with the new King into the Parliament Orleans and Condé assisting expresses rather with tears than words shewing the Sons as pledges of her affection and the Kingdoms felicity that nothing remained to her but Widowhood and tears She referred to the Kings disposition of the manner of the Regency to which Orleans and Condé declared to have given their consent only not to defile with reluctancy and disgusts the quiet of the Kings last breath To many of the Parliament it self it seemed incapable of admission no less than new Being therefore abolished with unanimous Votes the Regency remained decreed to the Mother of the King alone with an absolute power Yet it is true that to have the two above-mentioned Princes consent to it it was before concerted that the Queen should confirm them in the charges conferred by the King and that the same Ministers should be continued in the Council As the first act of her authority to the end to avoid any intestine over-turnings the Queen recals the exiled and sets the Bastille open and to gain applause she bestows charges and gifts upon those she knew she could not wish better publishing that her desire was during her Regency to make appear all the virtue but none of the defects of the past Government To the Princes Confederates and Friends she stedfastly affirms that she would persevere in the alliances and affections of her Husband deceased As to Ministers of the Counsel it quickly appeared that she desired to bring into it persons more in her own confidence They were but few and had out-lived the persecutions of Richelieu neglected rather than preserved by reason of the opinion of their mean abilities Wherefore the others beginning to fear a fall the Chancellor to uphold himself employs as much money as he could and as much art as he knew for the gaining of those who being most conversant with the Queen should remonstrate on all occasions to her his ability in employments and the facility with which he suffered himself without reserve to be bowed to the supreme will of the Government a quality not to be despised in a new Regency Bottillier having the Keys of the Treasury as his Son managed the Pen of the secrets of State having with such eminent charges and immense riches provoked the hatred of the people and the envy of the Court judged it would be available for the preservation of the rest to renounce the superintendency which was by the Queen divided betwixt the President Bailleul her Chancellor and Monsieur d' Avo both in the reputation of sincere and dis-interessed virtue Nevertheless a while after Chavigni also under the title of sale was forced to yield up the Secretaryship of State to the Count de Brienne a person of exemplary integrity and of the Queens oldest Servants To the charge of chief Minister as difficult to be disposed of as to be undertaken because confidence and capacity were in an equal degree requisite she destines the Bishop of Bovés kept from Court by Richelieu as long as he lived But he being at first in the opinion of probity and sufficiency was no sooner arrived at Court but that in the darkness of so many affairs and interests he found a
new and obscure element and passing from a private to a publick life he seemed like a River which in its own Chanel running clear and quiet when it enters into the Sea becomes troubled and fluctuant He erred at first against his own fortune by not removing Mazarine from Court believing to keep him at his pleasure to be informed and instructed by him But he quickly came to know that the excellency of wit keeps predominancy in all things and places The Cardinal in this eclipse of fortune abandoned by all those who a little before worshipped him is not amased but faining to accommodate himself to the time with civil and submiss carriage moves compassion and affections leaving the Bishop to lose himself in the weight of the affairs or grow vain in the ambition of the place The truth was all those that negotiated with him were displeased at his want of experience but above all the Ministers of the League of Italy were offended with him for having with the favour assumed the ambition to adorn himself with the Purple the King having obtained his nomination to the Cardinalat he shewed himself most partial to the Court of Rome Mazarine seeing him tottering began to absent himself from Council alledging that being excluded from his former Post he could no more appear there whereupon the Government was quickly sensible of the weakness and alteration of the Ministers and the Queen more new in business than all knew not what to counsel or resolve There is no doubt but there appeared in the Queen a kind of inclination towards the Cardinal at which the Bishop taking jealousie stirred up others also who in his Government hoped to have a great share to form a party to discard him Perceiving at last that he was not able to do it alone it was published that the Duke of Beaufort would take upon him to kill the Cardinal and Papers with sharp invectives were scattered in the Apartments and private Cabinets of the Court The Queen moved at it caused Beaufort to be arrested Prisoner and commands the Bishop to retire to his Residence The Dukes of Vandosm and Mercure Father and Brother of Beaufort went out of Paris and Madam de Chevreuse left it also Thus the Court changing face in a moment gave Mazarine opportunity to establish himself In the want of other capable persons by the means of those that took party with him he caused it to be divulged That the quality of a Stranger ought not to prejudice him but was rather to be judged commodious for the common good being neither obliged to the factions of the Princes nor exposed to the hatred of the great ones That the Natives had kindred riches and parties in which they were confident either to find excuses for their oversights or pardon for their faults That himself destitute of all protection could not hope for support but in his innocency That he willingly exposed himself to the hatred of the turbulent being always ready to deliver the lovers of Peace out of troubles All applauded these conceptions some to bespeak his favour and to advance him others to expose him to the publick hatred and to ruine him And many being not able to bear the superiority of Equals inclined rather to a Stranger Thus the Cardinal saw himself in a moment got up to that height of authority to which Richelieu in the progress of many years scarce arrived with so many difficulties he as a Stranger governing that Kingdom which having placed the glory of it in Arms he had very often rejected the commands of the King and not valued the fovour of his nearest affections There was no difficulty in the Queens satisfaction she being new in Affairs and desirous of Peace Orleans weary of his banishments and of former troubles of a Genius otherwise tractable and now satisfied with the posture wherein he was and desirous to be imployed in the Armies was pleased with the submissions and flatteries of Mazarine who supplied him with his satisfactions and money and designed him the next year for the Command of the Army of Flanders Conde also setling after the doubtfulness of the Regency and intent upon heaping up wealth and therefore a friend to Favourites from whom he received advantage was at present content with his condition the Cardinal serving him to obtain of the Queen all that which his interests suggested him to pretend to Anguien his Son who having haply tasted the first glory of War breathed nothing but a Martial Genius professed himself bound to the new Minister who destining him for the command of an Army furnished him also with those means for his subsistance which his Fathers Patrimony contributed scantily to him For the rest the Great men finding themselves without places and without Governments the people exhausted both in their Wealth and Blood no body could oppose all rather applauded the Cardinal who in this beginning made it his glory not to appropriate to himself Riches Governments or Honours but labour and toil only with inflexible rigour to keep his Kindred far distant to refuse the Queens favours and benefits and above all trusting in his fidelity and the services which he proposed to render to the Crown to detest any Defence and Guards content with his own House and the modesty of a frugal Family Such were the beginnings of his Government in which increasing always in favour he was notwithstanding acceptable to all But Strangers could not believe this Ministry durable or the Peace of the Kingdom lasting yet it quickly appeared that it was confirmed nay rather increased in Dominion and Glory Power and Authority being so enlarged that the change of the Minister the death of the King the government of a Child and the direction of a Stranger had no power at all to shake it The Queen in these beginnings shewed a desire to Peace and the Cardinal to keep the people with those hopes contented caused Pass-ports for the Ministers of Spain to be dispatched and consents that a beginning should be given to the Meetings for which the Pope deputed Fabio Chighi Bishop of Nardo Nuntio at Collen and the Republick dispatched Luigi Contarini But in Italy amidst the the considerations of foreign occurrences the successes of the Armies Pontificial and Confederate were attentively observed The Duke of Modena with the Vote of the Commendator Vgolino Grifoni who in that Army assisted for the Grand Duke had resolved to incamp in sight of Castel Franco though Corraro believed it more proper that it should have gone to Finale to incommodate the Ferrarese and keep it self nearer to the Quarters of Parma to the Po and to the Territory of the Republick Cardinal Anthonio foreseeing the march sends a great Party into the Mountains of the Modonese so that the Duke was forced to follow it with his own men and two thousand Venetian Foot the rest remaining at Buon Porto He desired afterwards that that also might move but Corraro denied it because
of France passes into that Kingdom to her Marriage 58. is Partaker of the designs against Richelieu 249. obtains of the King to remain at Paris with her Sons 532. her Regency limited by her Husband 551. she gets it at large from the Parliament 555. is about introducing new Ministers ib. Antonio Antelmi Resident with the Switzers swears to the League 131. sent to Mirandola to adjust those Princesses 416 Antonio Barbaro General in Istria falls sick 78. returns to that Command 89. Proveditor General for the Sea 150. General of the Terra firma 217 Antonio Barberino Cardinal Legate for the Peace of Italy 300. returns to Rome successless 325. accepts the protection of France 382 commands the Army against the Prince of Parma 523 525. provokes the Venetians with jealousie 542. opposes the Duke of Parma and Confederates 544. invades the Modonese 547 558 559. by the surprise of Lago Scuro defeats the designs of the Confederates 560 counsels Peace ibid. Antonio Baron de Rabbata Ambassadour from the Emperour to Venice 425 Antonio Capello called Terzo Captain of the Galliasses defends the French Ships in the Part of Alesandrette 296. Proveditor of the Fleet pursues the Pirates of Barbery 447. besieges them in the Port of Vallona ibid. carries away their Gallies 448. chosen a Counsellor 449 Antonio Donato punished for Peculat 140 Antonio Foscarini put to death and afterwards found innocent 180 Antonio Giorgio betrayed and killed by the Uscocchi 52 Antonio Lando General in Friuli besieges Gradisca 88 89. thinks of going up to Carso 89 does it 91. is attacqued in his Quarter 107 being sick retires from the Camp 107 Antonio Pisani brings the Gallies of Candia safe to the Fleet 146. made Proveditor of the Sea chases some Pirates chastises others 215 convoys the Queen of Hungary from Ancona to Trieste 338. Captain of the Galliasses 452 Antonio Priuli General at Land 16. Generalissimo 72. deputed for the execution of the Peace with King Ferdinand 115. dyes 202 Antonio Trivisano killed in a Tumult of the Souldiers 73 Armando de Richelieu named by the King for a Cardinals Cap 151. enters into favour and the chief Ministry 205. his Jars with the Duke of Buckingham 221. blamed for the Peace of Monzon 253. his excuses 253 his parts and arts 249 250. discovers the designs against France 262. makes division amongst the Huguenots 263. undertakes the Siege of Rochel 264. loses the favour of Queen-Mother and the Kings Brother 280. strengthens the Princes of Italy in the interests of Mantua 281. exalted by the taking Rochel perswades the King to go into Italy 291. having concluded the Treaty of Susa returns into France to overcome the Huguenots 304. hated by the Queen-Mother and the Kings Brother 310. is appointed to relieve Mantua 315. suffers himself not to be deluded by the Savoyards 319 forces them to declare themselves 323. his disgusts with the Dukes increase 323. attempts to take him Prisoner 324. gets Pignarol ibid. vexed with the faction at Court 326 345. endeavours to repair the discredit by the peace at Ratisbone 345. is pleased with the possession of Pignerol 356. created Duke and Peer of France and Patrician of Venice 262. the death of the Mareshal of Maivilliac imputed to him 370. revenges himself of the Spaniards 373. pinhes the Lorrainers 381. speaks with Oxenstern 412. troubled at the invasion of the Austrians orders the defence of the Kingdom 422. endeavours to make advantage of the misfortunes of the House of Savoy 463 counsels the King to make War in Spain 472 hated universally in the Kingdom 494. whence arises a great storm of the discontented Princes he defends himself and weathers it 497 becomes troublesom to the King himself 534 perswades the King to the enterprise of Perpignan and aspires to the Regency 531. St. Mars with Orleans and the Spaniards conspire against him 534. discovers the Kings kindness towards him cooled 536. defeats the conspiracy 536. dyes his Elogium 538 539 The Army of France by Sea prey of money belonging to the Genouese 232. infests the Coast of Spain 472. the English Fleet attempts in vain to take Cadiz and the Fleet there 255 Army Naval of Spain attempts in vain Susa 146. avoids an encounter with Turks ibid. give jealousie to the Venetians 170 312. pretends to convoy the espoused Queen of Hungary through the Adriatick 338. prepares for an enterprise on France 395. surprises the Islands of Ere 's 411. is beaten by the Hollanders 472 Army Naval of the Turks scoures the Sea and pillages the Coast of Puglia 96 146 150 Army Naval of the Venetians opposes the invasions of the Spaniards in the Adriatick 95. defends it self in the Port of Lessina ibid. reinforced with a new supply of armed Ships 96. go forth but slowly out of the Port of Curzola against the Spaniards 97. with which he fights 113. ranges the Sea and takes many Vessels 118 145. is re-inforced with the Gallies of Candia 245. thence chases the Pirates 446. takes their Gallies out of the Port of Vallona 448 Armies Naval of France and Spain meet to the loss of Spain 440 Arras besieged by the French not being relieved renders 480 Asti described 47. attacqued by the Spaniards and defended by the Duke of Savoy 48. is rendred to the Princes of Savoy 462 Avo Ambassadour of France stirs up the Republick to assist the Duke of Mantua 285 Austria superiour rebels 134. is punished by Bavaria 153. rises in commotion again and is subdued 256 Axel Oxenstern governs the Swedes affairs in the Empire 378. hath a Conference with Richelieu 412. sends Count Gualdo to Venice ibid. B. BAbylon besieged by the Turks 453. taken by assault 454 Baltasar Maradas with Spanish Souldiers comes to assist the Archduke in Friuli 72. attempts to surprise the Venetian Quarters 89. reassures the people of Istria ibid. assumes the chief Command of the Army 92. succours Gradisca and attempts the Quarters of the Venetians 107 108 Barbery Pirates called by the Turks to help keep the Sea 446. enter into the Adriatick ibid. retire to Vallona ibid. their Gallies taken by the Venetians 448. the Turks incensed 449 Battel of Prague 154. at over Ersheim where Dourlach beaten 186. at Hochst Alverstat defeated 187. at Burgsteinfort defeated again 203. at Leipzich the Imperialists defeated 359. at Lutzen the King of Swedes death 376. at Nordlingen the Swedes beaten and consequences of advantage for the Empire 393. at Sedan with the death of Soissons and defeat of the Kings Army 496 at Leipzich the Imperial Army beaten 531 at Rocroy the French victorious 553 Battista Nani maintains the Authority of the Council of Ten 295. Commissioner for the Borders of Loreo 366. deputed to treat with the French Ministers 386 414. deputed to treat the League with the Princes of Italy 519 Battista Nani Ambassadour gives the King of France thanks for his Mediation of Peace 573 Bellievre Ambassadour of France to the Princes of Italy 401. exhorts the Republick to unite
distracted by the commotion in Scotland 481 Carlo Prince of Spain dyes 378 Carlo Quirini banished 253 Casal besieged by the Spaniards 282. its situation ibid. well defended 287. the Siege raised 302. garrisoned by the French ibid. begirt anew by the Spaniards afar off 315 straightned by Spinola 325. defended by Thoiras 339. succoured by the French together with an advantagious Treaty 344. dealing about garrisoning of it ibid. French enter into it 369. are re-inforced by la Valette 463. besieged by Leganes to the commotion of all Italy 475. succoured and the Siege raised by Harcourt 477 Castro fortified by the Prince of Parma becomes the subject of a War 505. situation of the places easily taken by the Marquess Lewis Mathei 510. resolution at Rome to restore it 569 Catalogna its situation priviledges 485. revolt 486. submits to France 487. attacqued by the Spaniards 492 Christian Administrator of Halberstat takes Arms 177. assists the Palatine 187. defeated by the Imperialists at Hochst and Burgsteifort 202. dyes 254 Christian King of Denmark undertakes the restitution of the Palatinat 226. takes Arms against the Empire 253. is beaten at Luther 254. succoured by other Princes sends Ambassadours for assistance 258. pursued by the Imperialists 259. refusing hard conditions of Peace is invaded in his own Kingdom 260. concludes a Peace with the Empire 305. grows jealous of the Swedes 481 Christina Dutchess of Savoy Regent 434 tempted by the Spaniards 437. constrained to joyn her self to France ibid. the people ill satisfied with her Regency 461. casts her self on France who impose hard conditions 462. the City of Turin surprised ibid. speaks with the King at Grenoble 473. agrees with the Princes 514 Christina succeeds her Father in the Crown of Swede 378 Christofero Suriano Resident in Helvetia 45 hires Ships in Holland 117. treats the League 140 Christofero Veniero taken with his Gally and killed by the Uscocchi 121 St. Mars brought into the Kings favour by Richelieu 532. conspires against the Cardinal 534. is beheaded 538 Concino Concini Mareshal d' Ancre powerful in France killed by the Kings order 101 Confines of Dalmatia disturbed by the Turks 468. Conspiracy discovered in Venice and Corema 121. in Genouse 283. in Mantua 312 in Casal 438 Council of Ten its Authority 294 Corby taken by the Spaniards 422. recovered by the French 424 Correctors of the Authority of the Council of the Common-wealth 295 Correspondence intermitted betwixt the Austrian Ambassadours and those of the Republick 218. restored 425 D. DAmvilliers taken by the French 430 Diets in Germany for the affairs of Bohemia 138. at Mulhausen to moderate the power of the Emperour but without effect 261. at Ratisbonne for the election of a King of the Romans 341. another there where the Emperour was near being taken by the Swedes 498 Desdeguieres Mareshal of France Confident of the Duke of Savoy comes into Italy 70. offers Troups to the Republick 71. succours the Duke of Savoy 83. returns into Italy 98. called thither again 99. succours the Duke by the Kings order 103. returns into Piedmont for the affairs of the Valteline 162. offers the Venetians an Army 162. commands the French Army against Genua 229. retires with little credit 233. Disgusts betwixt the families Carnaro and Zena in Venice 296 Dourlach assists the Palatine 186. is beaten by Tilli ib. undertakes against Alsace and is suppressed 257. defeated by Wallestain 260 Duke of Buckingham jarrs with Richeleu 221. is not admitted to come into France 251. lands at the Isle of Ré 263. retires 264. is killed 281 Duke of Feria makes use of the troubles of Rhetia 133. 134 hearkens to the offers of the Valteline and makes advantage by it 159. overthrows the Treaty of Madrid 169. succours the Genowese slowly 232. complains of the Treaty of Chierasco 353. contrives new designs against Mantua 354. troubled to see Pignerol in the hands of the French 355. passes with an Army into Germany and dyes there 585 Duke of Lerma favourite of Philip the third no friend to the Duke of Savoy 10. 32. inclines to treat the Peace betwixt the Republick and the Arch-Duke 87. is made Cardinal and loses the favour 167 Duke of Memorancy adheres to Orleans 370 taken Prisoner and beheaded 371 Duke of Nemours conspires against the Duke of Savoy 79. the French denying him passage his men mutiny he retires and accords ib. Duke of Rohan head of the Hugenots raises Languedock 264. makes Peace with the King 305. passes to the service of the Republick 312. sent to the General 333. leaves that service and commands for France in the Valtelline 357. takes it 400. invades the Milanese and then retires 419. driven away by the Grisons 428 E. EBrain succeeds to the Ottoman Empire 469 Eleonora Empress passes through the Territory of the Republick 276 Ernest Count Mansfelt ingages in the troubles of Bohemia and possesses Pilsau 131. beaten by Buquoy 135. entertains the Austrians with feigned Treaties 154. enters into Alsace 173 marches into the Palatinate 185. succours Haghenau 187. his march towards the Low Countries 189. fights at Fleuri 191. joins Orange succours Bergen Opzoom 192. receives mony to invade the French County 199. he notwithstanding chooses rather to make War in Germany 202. is there beaten 303. assisted by England and France to recover the Palatinate 207. beaten at Dessau repairs himself 254. enters into Silesia 256. passes into Hungary where invironed with Imperial Troops he saves himself and dyes 257 Elogium changed by Pope Alexander the 3d. to the great resentmen of the Repulick 415 F. FAvourites in France their power 247 Frederick Cornaro made Cardinal 252. is made Patriarch of Venice 319. obtains the abolition of the Elogium of Alexander the the 3d. 459 Frederick Palatine retards the Election of a King of the Romans 126. could not that of an Emperour 134. accepts the Crown of Bohemia 136. assisted by none but his own Forces 139. dissatisfies the Bohemians 139. is proscribed by the Emperour 152. flies from Bruma 153. his Forces defeated in several Incounters 154. retires from Prague 156. disorders in his Government 157. retires into Holland 177. goes into Mansfelts Army 186. leaves it again 188. refuses the conditions offered him for a composure 289. 197. dyes 378 Frederick Henry Prince of Orange takes the command of the Army of the United Provinces 222. takes Boisleduke 308. resentments betwixt him and Richelieu 399. retakes Schinks Schans 423. Breda 430. attacques Gheldre without success 441 Frederick Nani beats Ossunaes Ships 148 Ferdinand Cardinal and Duke of Mantua refuses that Mary his Niece should be carried out of the house from him 8. takes counsel of the Venetians ib. asks assistance of them and obtains it 13. sends to the Governour of Milan 13. to whom he denies to send his Niece 16. sends an Ambassadour to Venice 24. assisted by the Grand Duke 24. who proposes a Marriage and a League 25. facilitates an agreement with Savoy 28. continues to deny the Princess 29. makes a
restitution of those Passes 311. drive the French out of the Valteline and agree with the Spaniards 428 Gustavus King of Swede succours Strassond 229 sends an Ambassadour to several Princes concerning the affairs of the Empire 306. enters Germany with an Army 348. makes progress 358. beats the Imperialists at Leipzich 359. sends an Ambassadour to Venice 360. his progress in the Empire and against Bavaria 367 373. incamps near Nuremberg 374. killed in the battel of Lutzen 377. his Character ibid. H. HEnry Count of Harcourt recovers the Isles of Ere 's 430. retires from Chieri 474. raises the siege of Casal 478. besieges Turin 479. takes it 483. his other conquests in Piedmont 501 Henry Count de la Tour head of the Bohemian Rebellion 128. besieges Vienna 135. retires ibid. ingaged in the Service of the Republick 215. passes into that of Denmark 258. defeated by Wallestain 379 Henry Count of Berg commands the Spanish Army in Flanders 307. revolts and attempts to form another party 372 I. ISle of Rhé attacqued by the English 263. relieved by the French 264 Isles of Ere 's taken by the Spaniards 411. recovered by the French 430 Istria hostillity in that Province betwixt the Venetians and Archiducalians 53. a description of the Province 55 Italy the heart of Europe left in peace by the Spaniards 2. attempt to greaten themselves 4. imbrace the opportunity 5. the inclinations and interests of its Princes ib. is disturbed by the death of the Duke of Mantua ib. L. LEague of the Princes of Italy thought unseasonable 25. that of the Republick with the Grisons opposed by the French 35. with the Switzers contested by the Spaniards 36. concluded with two Cantons 45. sworn to 131. with the Grisons hindred by the Ministers of France and Spain 45. with the Princes of the North offered but not accepted 57 League Catholick in Germany declares for the Emperour 138 League betwixt the Republick and Duke of Savoy 119. betwixt the Republick and Holland 141 League betwixt France the Republick and Savoy projected in Lyons 185. the Spaniards vexed at it ib. concluded 197. the divers ends of the Confederates 209. betwixt France and Holland 206. 397. betwixt France and Savoy against the Genouese 214. betwixt Spain and Savoy to divide Monferrat 275. betwixt France the Republick and Mantua 300. betwixt France and the Republick to recover the passes of the Grisons but not executed 310. betwixt France and Swede 357. 380. 412. 424 League betwixt France Savoy Mantua and Parma 402. betwixt France and the Dutchess of Savoy 435 League proposed betwixt the Pope and the Republick treated and broken off 479. betwixt the Republick the great Duke and the Duke of Modena for defence 520. is treated also for offence 543. concluded 544 Leganes Governour of Milan takes Brem and Vercelli 437 438. besieges Casal and is beaten 478. Leucata besieged by the Spaniards and relieved with their defeat 431 Leopoldo Archduke dyes 378 Leopold Guglielmo Archduke provided with Church goods 260. commands the Imperial Armies 471 Lodowick XIII King of France jealous of the authority of the Mareshal d' Ancre 101. causes him to be killed ib. gives himself in prey to Luines ib. applies to the affairs of Italy 102. but quickly grows cold 103. presses the Spaniards to restore Vercelli 120. interposes in the affairs of Bohemia 151 152. restores Religion in Bern 122. applies to the affairs of the Valteline 163 184 206. makes War to the Huguenots and then Peace 176. cares not to succour Breda 220. disgusted with the King of England 221 255. procures his Confederates to approve the Treaty of Monzon 253. disorders in his Kingdom for the Marriage of his Brother 248. goes into Britany 250. for the succession of Nevers to the State of Mantua trys the way of Negotiation 268 272. having taken Rochel enters into it 289. opinions in Council concerning the relief of Mantua differ 290. resolves to go into Italy 291. comes to the foot of the Alps 298. forces the passage 301. returns into Languedoc against the Huguenots 304. and afterwards to Paris 309. quiets domestick divisions 310. sends the Cardinal into Italy 315. reconciles with his Brother enters into Savoy and comes back to Lions 306. sends Ambassadours to the Diet at Ratisbone 341. promises money to the King of Swede ibid. falls sick at Lions 343. pursues his Brother 361 362. his Arms in Germany 366. and in Lorrain 370. assists the Swedes 380. gets Philipsburg 394. invaded by the Austrians in his own Kingdom 422. speaks with his Sister at Grenoble 473. is sensible of the too great power of the Cardinal 496. forces the Princes male-contents to an accord 497. goes to the Siege of Perpignan 532. disgusted with Richelieu 536. who dying disposes of the Government in the power of the Favourites 439. dyes his Character 552 Lodowick XIV his Birth 444 Lorenzo Marcello Captain of the Galliasses hurt at Vallona 447. elected Censor 449 Lorenzo Veniero General in Dalmatia 55. takes Novi 53. animates the people of Istria and attempts Moschenizza ibid. Captain of the Ships defies those of Ossuna 95. Captain General 98 Lovain assieged by the French who there consume their Army 398 Lewis Contarini Ambassador in England 266. concludes Peace betwixt Crown and France 296. Ambassadour in France ibid. at Rome 366. Bailo at Constantinople justifies what happened at Vallona 450. arrested Prisoner 451. adjusts those differences 467. Ambassadour at the Meeting for Peace 558. obtains Levies for the Republick in Tirol 568 Luines stirs up Lewis XIII against the Mareshal d'Ancre 101. succeeds him in the favour 102. his designs against the Huguenots 175. made Constable dyes 176 M. MAgdenburg taken and ruined by the Imperialists 358 Mantua described 314. garrisoned and fortified by the Republick 315. besieged by the Germans ibid. relieved by the Republick 317 318. the Germans draw further off 318. is re-inforced by the Venetians 321 334. is betrayed 335. and sacked 336. restored to the Duke garrisoned by the Republick 354. reinforce it 440 Marco Anthonio Businello Resident for the Republick in Mantua Prisoner to the Germans and released 337 Marco Anthonio Corraro Ambassadour to the King of England 255 Marco Anthonio Manzano counsels the Siege of Goritia 56 Marco Anthonio Memo Doge dyes 59 Marco Anthonio Padavino Resident in Naples 338 Marco Giustiniano coasts upon the Army of the Germans and encamps at Sonato 334. attempts Caneto and the relief of Mantua 334. General in Terra Firma Marco Loredano General in Istria 55 Margaret Dutchess of Lorain pretends to the succession of Mantua 274 Margaret Infanta of Savoy wife of Francisco D. of Mantua 5. being a widow pretends to be with child 6. retires to her Father 9. returns to Mantua to her daughter 355. the French drive her thence 596. Vice Queen of Portugal is driven away by the rebellion of the people 491 Maria Princess of Mantua desired by the Duke of Savoy and Spaniards to be in their power 7. Ferdinand her Vncle refuses to