setting him verie contemptuouslie vpon an Asse his face towardes the Asses taile They led him in suche manner before the Duke himselfe in whose presence hee affirmed that hee had preached nothing but the truth and wherein he was fully determined to perseuer vntill his end wherevpon they brought him back againe cast him vpon a litle straw before his house where hee gaue vp his ghost and died a spoile beeing made of all his goods and substance in the which village they likewise spoiled murthered and destroyed eight other poore and aged persons whereof the names are exstant to be seene And about the fiftenth of the same moneth the said troupes being in the parishes of Gez Diuonne Villars Plaus Aberoz and Petigny they massacred burnt and destroyed by diuers torments to the number of one and twenty persons with fourteene houses which they burnt in the parrish of Villars besides all these herein specified manye other whiche are not as yet come to light or knowen It were hard to number the women and Maids that were forced and deflowred by them without anie respect of age for that many graue Matrons who were to bee reuerenced for their yeares and diuers Maiden children to be respected for their tender age could haue no assurance against the rapes violences and furies of these inraged Diuels incarnate For it may bee said truly that fewe of all the Women or Maides that fell into their hands haue hardly escaped dishonesting and such as resisted their violence in so much as that they could not force them were massacred and which is a thing most execrable wherof the like hath not bene heard of among the barbarous Scythians Some women being hurt to death ready to yeeld vp their ghosts those villains desirous to enioy their companies departed out of their liues as they lay vnder them They likewise burnt diuers Villages and manie Farmes neere the forte of Cluze so that in a manner they left dessolate and made waste the most part of all the Villages thereabouts depopulating the Countrie by their barbarous and inhumain cruelties By which murthers it may be gathered how manie Orphants and fatherlesse Children they haue made liuing in great miserie and pouertie howe manie Families ruined and subuerted and how manie honest houses impouerished and beggered The Baron de la Sarra in the meane time lay not still but daylie skermished and beat the boats which passed vp vnto Geneua and had diuers times bragged and boasted aswell by his Letters which were intercepted by those of Geneua as by worde of mouth that in short space he would force the town to yeeld to the Duke They of Geneua perceiuing themselues abandoned of all men considering likewise and feeling very wel that Versoy remaining in that estate dailie fortifieng it selfe would be such a yoake vnto them that in the end it would bee their vtter ouerthrowe and confusion concluded to vse some meanes by Gods helpe wherby they might breake the same and after diuers small attempts procuring an assurance rather then a feare vnto the enemie The seuenth of Nouember 1589. keeping their gates shut that no man might passe out In the Euening they caused their small troupes to bee assembled in number about fiue hundred footmen with some hundreth and fiftie voluntarie Souldiers two companies of Argoletiers and two of Lances vnder the conduct of the Lord of Lurbignie commanding the sayd troupes in the behalfe of the most christian King together with diuers wise and expert Captains making their praiers vnto God with a full deliberation about ten of the clocke in the night issued forth of Geneua cariyng with them certaine Lathers and peeces of woode thereby to passe the riuer within halfe a league of Versoy Not long before their issuing foorth there appeared in the Element a great white circle which shone very bright after the which followed certaine fierie Pillers whereat those of Versoy were astonished and being in a feare sayd that they of Geneua would come and visit them But because they had beene in armes all Thursdaie at night hauing watched vntill two of the clocke after midnight betweene Fridaie and Saturdaie the most part layed them selues downe to sleepe In the meane time those of Geneua marched forwards and on Saturdaie after midnight passed the riuer close by a mill without any resistaunce comming about two of the clocke before Versoy where hauing receiued a briefe instruction from their Generall they deuided themselues into four parts the greatest part of the footmen went towards the gate opening vpon the countrey of Vaut there to vse their engine which they had purposlie brought with them and the most part of the Argoletiers and Lances made a halt vppon the waies to the fort part of thē descending on foot wer ordained some to go vnto the scaling of the fort the rest being seuenteene in number followed a peisaunt who with a Leauer on his shoulder led them very quietlie and expertlye betweene the Bourg and the Lacque where he brought them vnto a certaine easie passage beeing the entrie through a little lane or streat into the fort he himselfe shewing them the way mounted first vppe incouraged those that followed him to doe the like which being perceiued by the senturell they sone preuented by killing him that done those seuenteen armed men each man hauing a Partisan or courtelas in his hand entred into Versoy where they began to make a marueilous boucherie of the Dukes soldiers hauing supprized them in Peir Corps de garde Which certaine Captaines hearing awaked and began to make resistance but being slaine as the Baron thought to haue ioyned vnto them with the rest of his troupes they of Geneua with their engine forced the gate of Copet persuing the exploit already begun by the seuenteen men aforsaid Those likewise which scaled the walles entred at the same instant But as in speedie executions it is impossible for men to see into all places at once and that against all hope the place was so sodainelie wonne daye as yet not appearing The Baron with the rest of his Souldiers and part of his slaues found meanes with speed to enter into the Castell wherein there stoode two Tentes the Dukes 4. Canons and great store of warlike munition but the victuals wer within the bourg which was presentlie taken and almost three hundreth Sauoyans Piamontisians and Italians remaining dead in the place and in the houses not accounting such as were burnt with others sore wounded which saued them selues by night leaping ouer the walles and so gotte vnto the Castell of Bastie and of Gez about a league and a halfe distant from thence wherein the Duke held garison The Barron who had diuers times threatened those of Geneua that he would constrain them by famine with halters about their neckes to kneele before the Duke and submit them selues vnto him then found him selfe to be inclosed with his Souldiers for the most part being in their doublets and
iourney to trauell out-right beginneth in the West about foure leagues distant frō Geneua stretching towards Lions At the place where it endeth there lieth right against it in the South the mountaine of Wache betweene the which two ends of hills as neere one vnto the other as a musket shotte the famous riuer of Rhosne hath her course which by diuerse turnings windings runneth vnto Lions Farther within at the foote of mount Iura it is bordered and prospected with an high hill named Cresdo a worde signifieng a mount of earth raised on high vnder the which lieth a little plaine aboute halfe a quarter of a league in breadth at the ende whereof there is a village called Longeray Passing along the rocke or stones of this mount Iura about the end thereof there is a straight and narow waie winding in forme of a serpent vpon the which a cart may verie well passe and by reason of the steepnes of the same hauing the riuer of Rhosne verie swiftly running at the foot thereof is verie easie to be kept In the midst thereof which is about two musket shot in length there standeth a fort part wherof is by maine force cut out of the rock it selfe the rest builded of hard stones specially on that side which butteth vpon Geneua and halfe couered with earth in manner of a wall about the length of eighteene or twentie paces towards Geneua all the foot of this fort before that time being hollow and seruing for a passage vnto carts horses was filled with earth that horse men might pas There is a draw bridge made which commeth out of the Fort and stretcheth along by the same which although it should be taken by the enemie doth not any thing at all hinder the sayd fort but might easilie be wone againe by reason that it can not be held but by those within the Fort not possible to be scaled wherein you maie not enter but one by one and that verie hardly Within this Fort partly out of the Rocke and partlie builded of free stones there are lodgings for a Captaine and about 60. Souldiers with certaine places for their prouisions On that side which butteth vpon Le-Vache and Longeray it lieth more open and discouered is easier to be battered but very difficultly vpon Geneua side by reson the artillary may not be placed nearer then within 100. pases of the same although that they of Geneua about the moneth of April in the yere of our Lord 1589. did assay with their Canon to batter the same This Forte the Duke minding to fortifie and make it of greater strēgth caused another fort to be made naming it the litle Cluse being on the other side of the riuer of Rhosne ouer against the place where those of Geneua had battered it the yere before right against the other fort Which done he entred into the balliage of Gez wher without resistance he tooke both the towne and Castel meane time pacifiyng the Lords of Berne he began to make a fort at Versoy therby to hinder on that side the passage to Geneua both by water by land A description of the fort of Versoy This Versoy is a little Bourg conteining in it about seuentie houses hauing Geneua frō whence it is distant 2. French leagues on the South part the balliage of Thonon the Lacque of the East part mount Zura on the west part the country of Vaut on the North part It is scituated on the side of the Lake hauing two gates and a riuer issuing out of the mountains named Versoy the which by one of her braunches runneth through the midst of the bourg by the other passeth along before the gate which goeth vnto Geneua besides this there is the proportion of an olde castle the wals whereof are yet standing with an high tower This place the Duke perceiuing to bee verie fit to bridle those of Geneua resolued to fortifie the same which he did with great diligēce his armie being lodged therabout the better to bring it to passe first therfore he caused the entries and feeble places to be baricadoed the old castle to be new repaired a trench towards the West in forme of a spur hee stopped the breches erecting a platforme on the side of the Lake whereon were placed two field peeces which hindered the passage of all barkes gallies that would passe vp vnto Geneua in such sorte that by daie it was not possible without great danger to passe by water vnto the towne notwithstanding that the Lake is halfe a league broad in that place by reason the peeces caried so farre and that the streame whereby the boats were carried vp ran principally in the midst of the Lake which fort being made he cōmitted the custodie therof to the baron of de la Sarra esteemed for one of the best souldiers of Sauoy leauing with him 600. chosen soldiers vnder the leading of old Captains to keep defend the same furnishing them with all manner of munition for warre and victuals in great abundance and besides the two field peeees placed on the water side he caused foure Canons to bee brought thether with great quantitie of bullets and pouder Hee lefte likewise with the said Baron seuentie gally slaues both Turkes and Christians which had serued in the building of the fort of Sonzy for to make an end and finish that which was begun at Versoy where they together with the Countrie men and some souldiers vsed such diligence and made so great expedition that in short time the sayde Bourg became meruaylous strong and by them was named Saint Maurice which puffed the Duke vp with such pride assurance that he called his Canons the keyes of Geneua and at his departure he desired the said Baron verie earnestly to doe his indeuour This done in the moneth of October 1589 for that there happened diuerse newe and strange diseases in his armie hee retired with his souldiers in verie pittifull languishing estate vnto Sauoy and from thence vnto Piemont All this he did in the moneths of Iune July August September October with extreame desolation of all the Countrie round about Geneua specially in the balliages of Gez and Ternier wherein hee caused all actes of hostilitie to bee vsed and exercised against his owne subiectes for that the seconde daie of September hee caused the frontiers of Colonges to be burnt and destroyed which was done and executed by the garison of the Cluze wherein they murthered massacred deflouted drowned and hanged of men women and children to the numder of one hundreth and two and twentith persons well knowen besides such as were not found and remaine as yet vnknowen and vpon the thirteenth daie of September he being in the balliage of Gez the daie before his troups marching vnto Croset tooke one Gead Barbir Minister of the word of God in the sayd parish beeing about the age of 70. yeares whose feete they cloue in two and
Martin wherewith he being ioyned they determined trusting vnto the fort aforsayd and of their foot companies which they might easily place in ambuscado betweene the Barne of Warnoz and the village of Latour to shew themselues in the field which lieth betweene that village and the Castell of Tyer hoping of two thinges that one woulde take effect which was either that the armie of Berne consisting of thirtie eight or 40. Ensignes approching might easilie be ouerthrowen by them for they estemed not of the companies of Geneua or els hauing feared astonished that armie they should constraine it to retire So that on saterday the 16. of Iuly 1589. they being incamped in the field betweene their fort and the Castell of Tier the armie of Berne lying at Pillonay about halfe a league from that place They deuided their horse into 3. Squadrons a bow shot distant one from the other The last of their troopes being in the houses of the village of Latour and the first part neere vnto the said houses among the brackes The Lanciers of Piemont were in two other Squadrons at the end of the three first Squadrons there was likewise a squadron of Argolitiers of Fossigny conducted by the Baron of Ermansse which made a halt couertlie vnder the trees and houses of the villages of Latour part of their footmen were set in diuers places for their most aduantage The Lord Vateuille Auoier Generall of the armie of Berne considering and beholding the countenance and maner of the Sauoyans caused all his armie to be raunged in order of battell betweene Pillonay and Vieu choosing out of the same three companies of Harguebusiers and Musketiers vnder the leading of Captaine Berole Bossey and N. with the number of twentie Argoletiers or thereabouts and a companie of harguebuses of Geneua lead by captain Iaques to march forwards which made the point being seconded by the shot of Boisioli he therewith seconded by the Sauoyans footmen to forsake their ambuscado and Boisioli at that instant ceazed vppon the castle of Tier On the other side captaine Guinet with one hundred shot taking the lower waie sodainly set vpon the baricado of the horse of Warnoz where he slew all such of the Fossigniers as resisted him and put the rest vnto flight Captaine Iaques with his bands following likewise after the companies of foot which had left their ambuscado vnder a hedge The Duke of Sauoyes horsemen perceiuing that began to retire which the horsemen of Geneua beeing placed in the side waie betweene Vieu and Tier being descended into the plaine field and perceiuing the Dukes foote men to flie trauersed forcibly among the Dukes horse which because they were inclosed on each side within a straight and narow lane neere vnto the village of la Touer had neither time nor leasure to turne their horses so that of al their troups there was not aboue three rankes which couched their lances against the enimy into one of the which captain Bois lieuetenant to the Lord of Varro Colonell of the horses of Geneua entered where being hurt in the mouth he was constrained to turne on the left hand but he was so wel seconded by 120. lances and fiftie argoletiers with certaine cōpanies of footmen that the Countes of Valpergne and of S. Martin with the greatest part of the Piemontoisians horses hauing receiued the ouerthrowe remained dead vpon the place the rest being scattered fled in great disorder vnto the top of the mountaine whereas many of them were lost the rest with great danger saued themselues within Bonne ville other places of Fossignie which the Dukes footmen perceiuing forsooke their fort and fled into the mountains but the Baron of Ermansse with his Argolettiers saued themselues with the first not once offering to fight by which means the honor of the field together with the fort the foure field peeces all the barricados remained vnto the companies of Berne and Geneua The Duke lost at that time almost 300. horse and foot the Bernors not aboue fiue men at the most whereof captaine Bois was one who not long after died of the wound receiued in his mouth beeing verie much lamented for his valor and prowes Which done those of Berne hauing the field yeelded thankes vnto God for their great victorie the Generall Vateuille caused the armie to march towards Saint Ioire whereas the castle within few daies after yeelded by composition which they burnt Vntill that time the affaires of Geneua seemed to prosper and go forwards but not long after the Switsers and Grisons changed their course marched toward France by the waie of New castle the Franche Counte by which meanes Geneua itself was forced to sustaine the whole charge and burthen of the wars wherwith the Duke of Sauoy being verie wel pleased thought therby to attain vnto the effect of his desires he failed not to approch nere Geneua with a puissant armie consisting of more then 16. thousand and great store of ordinaunce for batterie his Vauntguard hauing done certaine smale exploytes in the Countrey of Fossigny so that about the beginning of the moneth of Iune he entred into the balliage of Ternier whereas with his Canon shot he battered an old towne the souldiers whereof in number about fortie or fiftie being readie to yeeld the same vnto him hee promised to saue their liues but hauing entered contrarie vnto his faith and promise he caused them all to be hanged From thence to the end he might astonish those of Geneua and so constraine them forcibly with all humilitie to yeeld vnto him when they should see so puissant an enemie with thirtie canon shot vnder their wals hee enterprised to batter a little mount of earth which they in great hast had raised by the bridge of Arue whereas fiue times one after the other he gaue the assault but to his shame and dishonour both he and his army were repulsed and driuen backe with the losse of many of his valiantest souldiers which truly was done more by Gods hand then by the force industrie of those of Geneua which had theerin but a verie small number of men and those fighting onely by handfulls and without order yet with an incredible courage and boldnes and with an extraordinarie successe and euent He seeing himselfe to receiue such a repulse tooke another course after certaine small exploits went assieged the towne of Bonne in Fossigny wherin lay three companies of Geneua which yelded vnto him by composition but the same was as well kept with thē as it was with those of Ternier for that the Duke at their issuing forth caused them all to be cut in peeces This done he recouered the castle of Thonon from whence he marched with all his forces vnto the country of Cluse a Countrie scituated betweene two hils neere vnto the riuer of Rhosne wherin the Duke held a fort named the Cluse the scituation whereof is as followeth Mount Iura being about foure or fiue daies