so many Christian Barons French Germans and Englishmen Boemond being of a generous mind and full of magnanimity animated by emulation of the glory of so many honourable men which went in this noble enterprise leaving all things to his brother went with these to the Conquest of the Holy Land where having streightly besieged Antiochia took it and was therefore by the general consent of the Army for that enterprise made Prince and Earl of Tripoli he afterward married Constance the eldest daughter of Philip King of France which brought him a son named Boemund which succeeded in the said Principality But returning to Ruggieri who having held the Dukedom of Calauria and Apulia 25 years died in the year 1110. and left William his eldest son his heir born of Adelandra his wife daughter of Robert Frisone Earl of Flanders This Duke William peaceably possest his State and made Pope Galasio his special friend by whom he was invested in the said Dukedome of Apulia and Calauria in the year 1118. The year following the Duke thinking to marry the daughter of Iohn Comneno Emperor of Constantinople being promised unto him imbarked himself to go thither and committing the tuition of his State to Pope Calisto the second In the mean time the year 1123. Ruggieri Earl of Sicilia his Nephew the sonne of the aforesaid Ruggieri Bosso following so fit an oportunity nothing esteeming the Pope invaded Calauria and before the Pope could well bethink himself how to relieve it he had got the possession of all Calauria and Apulia The Duke William being deceived and returned without his wife retired himself to the Prince of Salerno his kinsman where not long after without leaving any issue he died in the year 1127. The Kings of NAPLES Ruggieri 1. King of Naples RVGGIERI by force of arms and by the right of inheritance being Lord of so great a State with whose power the Pope Honorius the second being not able to contend made peace with him and received of him an Oath of Loyalty and homage and so created him Duke of Apulia and Calauria The said Act was solemnly done and registred in Troia a City of Puglia in the year 1128. Afterward Ruggieri began War with the Prince of Capoa and so afflicted him that in the end he usurped his Principality but growing proud with this great prosperity would be no longer called Duke of Apulia and Calauria and Earl of Sicilia but entituled himself King of Italy the which thing Honorius seemed to dissemble but Innocentio the second which succeeded him could not by any means indure being moved with rage without measuring otherwise his strength raised a sudden tumultuous Army and with all expedition and violence came against Ruggieri which knew nothing of that preparation that he chaced him from St. Germano and through all the Country of Abadia and besieged him being within the Castle Galluccio above Sessa where flying was forced to retire back again The other William son of the besieged Ruggieri understanding thereof with great celerity came to relieve his father and did a very admirable exploit in breaking their forces and taking the Pope prisoner with many Cardinals and at the same instant delivering his father from the siege Ruggieri through his great courtesie and reverence used to the Pope obtained without the Title of King particularly the City of Naples which till this time had been under the Greek Empire Ruggieri perceiving the good will of the Neopolitans created 150 Knights Innocentio being set at liberty returned to Rome and found that in his absence had been created one Pietro an Ante-Pope the son of Pier Leone a very powerfull and factious Citizen of Rome which was called Anacleto the second Innocentio having no doubt thereof with the help of the Pisani past into France Ruggieri went to Benevento and visited Anacleto and obtained the Title and Crown of King of both the Sicilies which was done the 25 of Iuly 1130. and was the first that in this part of Italy had the Title of King and was made a Liegeman and Vassal of the Church the which Instalment as Sigonius noteth was the same that the aforesaid Pope Innocentio afterward confirmed in the year 1139. declaring him lawfull King of Sicilia Duke of Apulia and Calauria and Prince of Capoa Ruggieri having performed many noble enterprises died in the year 1153. being 59 years of age his body was laid in a Costly and stately Tomb of Porphery in the Church of Monreale of Palermo where these Verses are ingraven Si fastus homines si regna slemmata ludunt Non legum recti sit norma Rogerius ist is Est lusus rebus comite à quo nomine natus Virtutem his splendor situs diademà que Regum Vixit ann LIX Regnavit an XXIII Menses V. obiit an MCLII Ruggieri had four wives the first was Airolda the daughter of the Earl of Caserta the second was called Albira daughter of the King of Spain the third named Sibilla sister of the Duke of Burgony the fourth was called Bettrice which was the daughter of the Earl of Resta of his two first wives he had not any children Sibilla brought him Ruggieri which was Duke of Apulia and Amalso and Guglielmo which was Prince of Capoa and Salerno which died both in their fathers time Of Bettrice his last wife he had William Prince of Taranto which was afterward King of Naples and a daughter named Constance who by the advice and Councel of the Abbot Giachimo Calaures the King put her into a religious house of Nuns He had a base son called Tancredi who was Earl of Leccie and King of Naples William the wicked the 2. King of Naples WILLIAM called by his sirname the wicked William the first begotten son of Ruggiero his father succeeded in the Kingdom and in the beginning of his State usurped by force of arms Ceperano with the Suburbs of Benevento and Banco with other places belonging to the Church for which cause he was excommunicated by Pope Adrian the fourth and deprived also of the title of King and discharged his subjects of their obedience towards him William conceiving a most violent hatred against the Pope raised a mighty Army with a purpose to go for Rome but being for his perverse nature hated of his Barons many of them rebeld against him and called the Pope into the Kingdom The which was the occasion that William changed his purpose and converted his fury against the Prince of Capoa which had been the Author of that conspiracy The Pope which saw all the Kingdom in Arms with admirable celerity made a mighty Army pass to Benevento and without any resistance took a great part of the Kingdom by the which victory the Barons which called him did swear unto him loyalty and homage William understanding that Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople and Frederick Barbarossa the first Emperor of Germany made expedition to aid the Pope
therefore he thought it his best way to be reconciled with the Church sent an honourable Ambassage to the Pope wherein much humbling himself desired to be restored to the grace and favour of the Church and possession of his Kingdom and promised to restore whatsoever he wrongfully detained from the Church The Pope willing to extinguish the War went to Benevento and expected William who prostrate at the Popes feet desired absolution and took an Oath of Loyalty and homage and first restoring whatsoever he had taken from the Church was invested in the Kingdom the year 1156. William afterward lived alwaies in peace with the Church but was ever much troubled and molested by his Barons and hated of the people and sirnamed for his evil conditions William the wicked He departed this life the year of our Lord 1167. and lived 47 years and in the principal Church of Palermo near his fathers Tomb was buried He had by his wife Margarite the daughter of Garzia the second King of Navar Ruggieri which was proclaimed King by the Sicilians William Prince of Taranto which succeeding in the Kingdom was called William the good and Henry Prince of Capoa William the good 3. King of Naples WILLIAM Prince of Taranto called the good as differing from his father was after his death Crowned King at eleven years of age and presently pardoned all those which had been Rebels to his father and took away all the grievances imposed by him upon the people defended alwaies the affairs of the Roman Church against whosoever sought to molest it and especially in the time when the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa strongly besieged Pope Alexander the 3 within Anagni Whereupon Alexander ignorant of the coming of William not only with great courage and stoutness maintained the Pontifical dignity but many times foiled the Imperial Army But being afterward perswaded by Philip King of France to retire with his honour from the said siege had from King William a Gally which for that purpose he had secretly sent wherein he being imbarked with certain of his Cardinals went to Clarimont in France for his better security where he excommunicated and deprived the said Frederick of the Empire and aggravated likewise the censure against Octavian the false usurping Pope William strongly armed himself both for Sea and Land against Andronico the Emperor of Constantinople for the injuries done in Italy He afterward defended the City of Tire and with his Navy foiled the Forces of Salandine and afterward cleared the Sea from Rovers And this good King having honourably ended all his actions after he had reigned 21 years and lived 32. died in Palermo in the year of our Lord 1188. his body with great honour Ione his wife sister to King Richard of England caused to be laid in a Tomb of Marble curiously wrought and embossed upon which caused this inscription to be ingraven Hic situs est bonus Rex Gulielmus The said Sepulchre being ruinated and spoiled through the injury of time hath newly been very magnificently repaired and renewed with fair Marble by the Archbishop of Torres where this new Epitaph is to be read Inâ—lita quas verbis sapientum turba recenset Virtutes solus factis hic praestitit omnes Egregius quare bonus est cognomine dictus Vtque bonus magno longe est praestantior illo Major Alexandro sic Rex Guillielmus habetur Artibus ipse etenim pacis bellique fuisti Clarus ut semper justa ac pia bella gerebas Sic quoque laeta tibi semper victoria parata est Et nunc ne vilis jaceas Rex optime praesul Te decurat tumulo hoc Ludovicus Torrius Hoc ipso in templo quod tu Guillelme dicasti Tancred the 4. King of Naples TANCRED Earl of Leccie the natural son of King Ruggieri and Unkle to the good William was by the death of his Nephew which had not any child created King of both the Sicilies in the year 1188 Pope Celestine the third being desirous to bring the Kingdom under the jurisdiction of the Church as feuditory of the Apostolick Sea invested in the year 1191. Henry the sixth Emperor the son of Frederick Barbarossa with these conditions That he should recover at his own charge the Kingdom of the two Sicilies with acknowledging the Church and to pay the accustomed Tribute and to the end it might seem more colourable and be the better done he gave under a pretence of Inheritance as a dowry for his wife Constance the lawfull and natural daughter of the aforesaid Ruggieri whom secretly he caused to be brought from the Arch-Bishop of Palermo from the Monastery of St. Mary in the City aforesaid where she was Abesse being now 52 years of age very unfit for the procreation of children dispensing with her although she had been a profest Nun and Crowned them in Rome of both the Sicilies in the year 1191. The first thing then which Henry did he went to besiege Naples but in the beginning of the third month the Plague growing very hot he returned into Germany without any more adoe The Emperors Army being departed Italy Tancred having recovered his Kingdom at the same time among these affairs his son Ruggieri died which was also Crowned and proclaimed King and had married Irene the daughter of the Emperor Isacio and within a little while after him Tancred his father conceiving so passionately the death of his son growing grievously sick died His body was buried in the principal Church of Palermo and in the same Tomb they laid his son Ruggieri Tancred departed this life in the end of the month of December the year of our Lord 1194. having reigned little more then eight years He left behind him three daughters and one son called William whom Sibilla his mother caused instantly to be crowned King of Sicilia The Emperor Henry understanding of the death of Tancred pretending that the Kingdom appertained to him as before is recited returned from Germany in the year 1195. and with a mighty Army entred the Kingdom of Naples which he finding full of civil discord easily obtained without the loss of much bloud and took prisoner Magarito King of Albania which was come thither in the aid of Tancred He had afterward Sibilla in his hands the late wife of Tancred together with his son William and three daughters that is to say Alteria Constanza and Modonia and sent them all prisoners into Germany and afterward caused William to be gelded to the end he should be unable to beget children and afterward blinded him and then released the said daughters Alteria was married to the Earl Gualtiero of Brenna son of the Earl Girardo of Brenna and brother of Iohn of Brenna which was afterward King of Ierusalem Modonia was married with Iohn Sforza Frangipane a Roman Lord which was Earl of Tricarico Constanza was the wife of Pietro Ziano Earl of Arba and Duke of Venice who being old with the
Jewels Treasure to Erfrando of Tours Governor of the Rhodes This Marquess William had the government of Ierusalem but being a weak impotent King did notwithstanding many famous and worthy deeds but he little enjoyed the benefit of his victories for that in the beginning of the second year of his reign he died and left after him one onely son called Baldwin Baldwin the King being desirous to provide for his Nephew married again his sister Sybell to Guy of Puite Lubrun son of Hugh Lubrun Duke of Merchia and Governor of Lusignon in France with this agreement that after his death the said Guy should govern the kingdom till Baldwin his Nephew were of sufficient age But Guy carrying himself haughty and over-proud in the government of the said kingdom was dismist again by Baldwin the King This was in the year 1183. Moreover he procured Pope Lucius the third to annoint and crown his Nephew King Baldwin the fifth being but a child and appointed him Bertrand Count of Tripoly his Governor and protector of the kingdom Thus King Baldwin the fourth reigning 6 years died leaving Count Tripoly Tutor as is said of young Baldwin the fifth but he resigning his charge being withstood by Sybel the mother of the Boy and Guy her husband But in the beginning of the eighth moneth the little king Baldwin died whose death the mother concealed so long as the effecting of her intended purpose required insomuch that what with flattering and fair words and with large gifts she wan the Patriark Eraclio with the Nobility and principal men of authority in the kingdom to create Guy her husband King The Count understanding this fuming thereat being incensed with rage and envying the prosperity of Guy made peace with Salandine King of the Sarasins promising to aid him against King Guy The Salandine being now at peace with the Christians found opportunity by the discord of these Princes to break it because the Christian Prince of Montreale which governed the countrey from that to the river Iordan being on every side inhabited with Sarasins who continually carried their commodities to Ierusalem without the Kings knowledge suddenly brake the truce for the Salandine saw the time was now come which he long expected assembled together fifty thousand Horsmen and an infinite company of Footmen without number and got many cities of the Christians and increasing their Army with the people of the countrey took Ierusalem by covenant after they had besieged it one moneth This was done the second of October 1187 in the third yeare of King Guy having been in the possession of the Christians 89 years Salandine entring Ierusalem caused first the steeples and bells to be thrown down and of the Churches he made stables for his horses onely he reserved the Temple of Solomon which was washed with Rose-water at his first entrance Afterward he went to Tolomayda and besieged it wherein was the King and Sybel his wife with four children who with the children died together of a bloody flux Now as we have said before was promised to Erfrando of Turon Master of the Rhodes a noble young man Isabel to wife the sister of Sybel a virgin and also the daughter of Baldwin the fourth and sixth King of Ierusalem who now by the death of Sybel was next heir to her Fathers kingdom This expectation increased a better regard of the Barons and Christian Princes towards Erfrando But Conrado Longspath Marquess of Monferrato understanding the sudden death of Sibel and her children being desirous of Soveraignty and also enamored of Isabel his neer kinswoman secretly stole her away but with her own consent and conveyed her to Tyre and there privatly married her And so all the right of the kingdom of Ierusalem came to him by his wife Isabel whereupon he was intituled King of that kingdom The year 1190 after Philip King of France had sollicited Richard King of England to go into Soria but King Richard defer'd his going till the year following Richard afterward observing his promise came to Messina in the moneth of September where Philip also was from whence they departed having a prosperous wind Philip in a short time arrived at Tolomayda but Richard by a tempest was driven to Cyprus where Chirsack Duke of the Island denied him harbour whose discourtesie he took with such discontent as by meer force surprized the Island and sacking it planted a strong guard of his own people and from thence passed to Tolomayda to joyn with the Christian Army Not long after he sold the said Island to the Knights of the Temple for a hundred thousand crowns who ill governing the same were forced by the power of the Cypriots to depart thence and so the Knights restored it again to Richard who likewise returned them their money and with the same conditions the year 1193 gave it to Guy of Puite Lubrun Lusignon in France husband to Isabel sister of King Baldwin who before was enforced to flye Ierusalem in consideration whereof he resigned unto him all the Title and Interest he had to the kingdom of Ierusalem and for this cause the King of England began to be called King of Ierusalem and King Guy took the possession of Cyprus and was called King of the said Isle The which right to the kingdom of Ierusalem was nothing because the same by all law now justly belonged to Isabel the daughter of King Baldwin wife of Conrado Marquess of Monferrato therefore can no right or title be attributed to the King of England herein Not long after the King Conrado of Monferrato was slain in Tyre by two Sarazins called Arsacides not leaving any male children but one onely daughter called Mary The Queen Isabel married again and had to her husband Henry Count of Campania who indowed her with the Signiory of Tyre but that unhappy young man living not many years with his wife unfortunately sell from a loft or chamber in his own Palace and so died leaving three daughters Agnesa Melisina and Alicia Queen Isabel remaining thus a widow married again the third time with Almerick Puite Lubrun Lusignon King of Cyprus who by the death of Guy his brother succeeded in the said kingdom and was second King of Cyprus and in the right of Isabell his wife was also called King of Ierusalem by whom he had three children Amarin Sybilla and Melisenda but Amarin died young King Almerick married Sybil to Livon King of Armenia and Melisenda the youngest daughter was married to Raymond Rupini Nephew of the said King of Armenia and his successor in the kingdom the which Raymond was then Prince of Antioch Of this Melisenda wife of Prince Raymond Rupini was born that Mary who in the year 1276 resigned to Charls of Anjou King of Naples the claim and Title she pretended to the kingdom of Ierusalem At length King Almerick died leaving his kingdom of Cyprus to Hugo his son whom he
a stately kind of gravity which he affected much and therin was a tru Spaniard who will hardly change his pace though it be with a whip He very much honord the Sacerdotall dignity esteeming that reverence which he did to Gods Ministers to reflect upon his own divine Majesty A gentleman of Toledo shott a Musket at a Canon of the Church though it missd him yet he causd the gentleman to be beheaded and another for giving but a cuff to a Capuchin Fryer Ther was a process of fower and twenty yeers standing in Valentia who shold give the Pax at Mass to the Priest the Vice-roy or the Arch-bishop the Duke of Naiara had contested much for it not long after King Philip came to his City of Valentia upon som signall ocasions and being at a conventuall Masse in a Monastery he commanded him who carried the Pax to give it first to the Arch-bishop so the suit was ended he held that a reverend aw to the Governors of the Church was the prime support of piety they having charge of the noblest part of man which is his Soul And herein he was much in the right for wher this awfull Reverence is lost nothing but Sacriledg confusion and Heresy will follow as we find by late woful experience besides this reverence to Church-men is often very available to compose tumults As he did put a sudden end to that church contestation betwixt the Arch-bishop and Vice-roy so he had a Magisteriall and Majestick way of reconciling differences and emulations among his Nobles In a Parliament he had once summond ther fell a high debate twixt the two great Cities of Toledo and Burgos the one being the head of old Castile the other of the new who of them shold speak first and the debate grew very high Phillip hearing of it came with all the Ensigns of Majesty to the Parliment-house and ended the difference by this witty way hable Burgos que por Toledo hablare yo let Burgos speak for Toledo I will speak my self so they did acquiesse but which of them had the better I leave it to the judgment of the Reader Thus the practise of this King may be a pattern for all Princes to govern by his way of ruling may be a rule to raign by the manner of his living and dying may be a rule to dy and live by yet a little before his death he commanded Christoval de Mora to burn all his privat papers Philip the second had four Wifes the first was the Infanta of Portugal Donna Maria the second was Mary Queen of England the third Isabel the eldest Daughter of France and the fourth Anne the Emperours Daughter his Neece of whom he had Philip the third who succeeded him he had in all five Sons and three Daughters Don Carlos was his first begotten who dyed in the flower of his age but because ther have bin and continue to this day divers dark discourses of the cause of the Princes death I will be more large in the relation according to the Manuscript I had from a person of knowledg and honor Don Carlos eldest Son to Philip the second of Spain was born in Valladolid somtimes the Court of the Catholic Kings In his Fathers absence he was being com to the age of foutteen yeers bred under the King of Bohemia his Uncle who then governd Spain with his Ant Donna Iuana during that charge they had of him they wer more carefull of the conservation of his health and growth then of his Education shewing herein too much indulgency and suffering him to have his will too much His Father at his return to Spain observd in him som wildish humors which he connivd at thinking that time wold correct them At sixteen yeers of age he was sworn Prince in the City of Toledo with the greatest solemnity that ever was seen in Spain his Father then sent him and his Uncle Don Iohn of Austria together with Alexander Prince of Parma to Complutum or the University of Alcala to get somthing of the Latin Toung and som knowledg in the Mathematicks It happend that in a waggery climing up a Ladder as he came down he fell so unluckily that he was mortally hurt in his skull and back-bone the King went instantly to see him when he found him in a swown all the Churches prayed for him and the body of Saint Diego which is the greatest relique they have in Alcala was brought and put upon him a good while he then began to com to himself again so a while after by the care and skill of Andria Basili he was cured but to make vent for som congeald corrupted blood that was within he was forcd to open part of the Pericraniuâ— which made him ever after to be of a weak brain subject to extravagancies he wold somtimes go up and down his Fathers house and abuse his Servants he wold hurl out som out at the windows kick and cuff others One time he made his Shoomaker to eat a peece of his Boots because they wer too streight for him Cardinal Espinota coming one day to Court he grappld him by the Rocket and threatned him by the life of his Father These and such like exorbitances did much afflict Don Philip his Father who once intended to have sent him to Flanders upon the beginning of the commotions there and withal the Emperor Ferdinand seemd to invite him offring the Infanta Dona Anna to him in marriage but the Prince continuing in his maddish fits the King alterd his resolution and sent thither the Duke of Alua who coming to kiss the Princes hands before his departure he told him in a great fury that he shold not go to Flanders for the voyage belonged unto him and if he contradicted him he wold kill him A little after he writ to divers of the Grandees that they wold assist him in a business which much concernd him they returnd a respectfull answer that they were ready to serve him in any thing so it were not against his Father These Letters were sent to King Philip and Don Iohn of Austria being then at Court discoverd unto him the extravagant designs of the Prince which was to steal away to Germany to marry his Cosen the Emperors Daughter having for his jorney sent him from Sevill 150000. Crowns and he exspected â—50000 more King Philip being then at the Escurial and having timely notice hereof came presently to Madrid whither he sent for the Duke of Feria with others of his privy Counsellors In the dead of night he went with them to the Prince his Quarter the first who entred was the Duke of Feria the Prince â—â—aring upon him from his bed sayed Duke what do you here this time of night presently after appeard his Father wherat the Prince started saying que es esto quiere me matar vuestra Magestad What 's this will your Majesty murther me the King answerd no si no poner orden en vuestra vido quietaos no
Barbary And this the holy Ferdinand did so a little after that he had receivd the Title of Catholic King from the Apostolicall See nor do I think King Almansor that you ever heard or read of an Act of more infidelity and ingratitude by Saracen Infidel or Pagan Almansor went on and sayed truly I have conversd with divers Chronicles wherin I have met with many odd foul traverses of State done by ambitious Princes in hope to raigne But touching this Act of Ferdinand I do not remember to have read any that can parallell it Naples sayed again but O King Almansor if your Nation kept fast Spain so many yeers in that Chain what way did they use to shake it off Almansor sayed that cursed Union which was made twixt Castile and Aragon by the nuptials of Ferdinand and Isabella was the cause of my ruine and of my Successors after me as also of the servitude wherof you complain a most fatall union which all the Potentates of Europe specially of Italy have as much cause to curse to this day as I have for the jealousies twixt the Castilians and Aragonians securd alwaies my Kingdom of Granada Add hereunto that the countenance and succours which the Popes gave to Ferdinand did accelerat the work Hold there King Almansor sayed Naples for since you were cast out of Spain the Popes have sufferd more by the ambitious designes of the Catholick Kings then they did before for nothing could be so disadvantagious to Rome as to have so potent a Prince so neer a Neighbour unto her witness that Siege and lamentable sack which she sufferd so soon after my servitude by the Spaniard Bourbon being his General wherby he hansomly payed her for that assistance she gave him for the Conquest of Granada since which time the ambition of Spain hath bin felt in Italy and in other places so that it had bin more for the tranquility of Europe that the Moors had still continued in Spain Add hereunto that these new additions of power to Spain have tended much to the disorders ever since that have hapned unto you in matters of Religion The jealousies that Germany had of the growing greatness of Charles the fift were the cause that many Princes revolâ—ed from him and Rome but since the Spaniards have taken such firm footing in Italy the main reach of their policy is to joyn me and Milan in one entire peece by subduing all the interiacent Territories which if it happen farewell the freedom of all Italy as well as mine But sayd Almansor how are the Milaneses usd your Conterranean fellow Subjects Naples answerd that they of Milan were washd only with dashes of Rain water but a whole deluge hath over-whelmd me Moreover the disposition of the Lombard differs from mine for the Noble-men and Gentry there are more free and resolute and more far from vice they are better Patriots and carefull of their Countries liberty insomuch that I dare say if there were but one tru Cremona brain among my Napolitan Barons it wold be enough to dash that forcd Donative which is exacted of me ever and anon which brings me often to feed upon bread and Onyons Add hereunto that the confines of the Grisons of the Duke of Savoy and the Venetian who are all jealous of the King of Spains growing power makes him proceed with more discretion and caution in his Territories in Lombardy This dialog twixt Naples and Almansor being ended the same Author faignes all the States of Europe to be summond before the oracle at Delphos to be weighd in a great balance held by Lorenzo de Medici where the Monarchy of Spaine making her apparance in a high majestic garb among other passages there was a Book presented unto her by one of the Witts the substance wherof was to discover a way for Spain to reduce to her ancient splendor and freedom the most noble Parthenope and the once most florishing Kingdom of Naples wheras by plundrings of the Soldiers the corruption of the Iudges the fleecing of the Barons the rapacity of the Viceroys who are sent thither as Hoggs to a sty only to fatten the former lustre of that delicate Countrey is quite decayd The Author receavd twenty Crowns of the Spanish Monarchy for a guerdon for this Book promising that she wold deliver that discours and avisos to her Confessor to consider of Another pure Polititian presented Her with a Treaty clean contrary shewing her a way how the Napolitan Courser might be brought to bear a Pack-Saddle of a heavier burden and to be made so docil that he might be fitt to draw her Coach upon ocasion To the Author of this discours the Monarchy gave 12000 Crowns and a little after he was Grandee of Spain At this great Assembly in Delphos ther was a Contrasto happend twixt Rome and Naples who shold have the precedency it was decided that for the Majesty of a Citty Naples must eternally vayle to Rome and Rome to Naples for a delicat situation that Rome must confesse there are more people in Naples but that Naples must acknowledg ther are more men in Rome Moreover it was necessary that the Witts and Wines of Naples shold be transported to Rome to receave perfection it was also decreed that Naples had more skill to break Colts and Rome to tame Men It was confessd further that ther were more Cavaliers in Naples and more Câ—mendums in Rome That among the Romans they were only calld Knights who carried a red Crosse upon their Garments but in Naples all men indifâ—erently might be calld Knights because the Spaniard made them carry Crosses upon their very skins Thus this ingenious Italian doth descant upon the comportment of the Spaniard in Italy and his Book kept a great noise in the World but the Spaniard owing him a revenge and after a strict and long inquisition not lighting upon him in any of his own Dominions there were two Valentones two Banditi two Hirelings for bloud found him out in Verona and watching their oportunity they went to his Lodging under colour of a visit and every one of them having a bagg of Sand in his pockett they so crushd his bones that they rattled within his skin and having so dispatchd poor Boccolini out of this World they fledd having stoned him to death with Sand. PHILIP The Fourth of AVSTRIA xxix King OF NAPLES PHILIP the third left behind three Sons and two Daughters the Sons were Philip who succeeded him in all his Dominions with Charles and Ferdinand who was Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Toledo they both dyed young in the Meridian of their yeers one in Spain the other being Governour of Flanders The two Daughters were Anna of Austria and the Infanta Donna Maria the first was married to Lewis the thirteenth King of France yet living the other to the Emperor Ferdinand now Raigning King Philip was but young when he took the Reins of the Government being but sixteen yeers of age There was
me I will seek justice in my Armes defence being allowable God preserve your Majesty DON JOHN the fourth King of PORTVGALL THis huge loss and horrid disaster gave a shrewd alarm to the Spanish Monarchy for there feâ—l from her by this revolt the East-Indies the Tercera Islands the Kingdom of Algarve Brasile and all she had in Afric except the Town of Ceuta which is the only appendix that remains to Spain of the large Dominions of Portugal but t is like a small crust left of a Christmas Loaf A little before this revolt there was a portentous strange accident hapned neer the Tercera Ilands which are subject to the Crown of Portugal for in one of them there was a Town built upon the Sea-side under divers Clifts and Rocks among which there was a great Lough which suddenly one day broak out into a fearfull fire proceeding it seems from som bituminous matter in the bottom the flakes of fire and smoak did so darken and obnubilat the whole Region of the Cirâ—umambient air for many daies that they of the Town beneath thought verily the day of Judgâ—ent was com for they could go ankle deep in the ashes which the fire drove to the streets at last the huge Lake came tumbling down the Hills and carryed many of them with part of the Town into the Sea This was held to be an ominous thing and to presage som great change but the yeer following there hapned a stranger thing for a new Iland poppd out of the Sea therabouts and peed above water which was never seen before Now â—is worth the while considering what a mighty alteration it hath made in the Christian World to set down the right of title that both the King of Spain and the house of Bragansa hath to the Crown of Portugal therfore we will plant here the Tree of their Genealogy that the Reader may pass his judgment accordingly The fortunat and famous Alphonso having in the yeer 1139. obtaind a mighty battell against the Moors in Portugal by the unanimous consent of the people he was chosen King and solemnly Crownd in Lamego and his Posterity made capable to succeed him to all perpetuity all which was confirmd afterwards by the Pope Among other Lawes which the three Estates being assembled at Lamego did enact one was this Let it be a Law for ever that the King of Portugals eldest Daughter marry a Native of Portugal that so the Crown never descend to a stranger and in case she shold marry to a Prince who is a stranger let her not be Queen for we will never have our Kingdom go out of the Race of the Portugals who have made us Kings by their own valor and by the effusion of their own blood without forraign assistance Now Don Emanuel was the fourteenth King of Portugal from Don Alphonso and had for his Issue six Sons and two Daughters as followeth 1. The Prince Don Iohn his eldest 2. The Infanta Donna Beatrix who was married to the Emperor Charles the fift by whom he had Philip the second 3. The Infanta Dona married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy 4. The Infant Don Luis who left behind Don Antonid an illegitimat Son 5. The Infant Don Fernando dyed without Issue 6. The Infant Don Alfonso Arch-bishop of Lisbon and Cardinal never married 7. The Infant Don Henry Cardinal and Arch-bishop of Dragon â— The Infant Don Edward who left two Daughters the eldest was Mary Wife out of the Kingdom to Alexander Farnesse Duke of Panna the younger was married to Don Iohn Duke of Bragansa After the death of Emanuel succeeded his eldest Son Don Iohn who was named before and was called Iohn the third whose onely Son called also Iohn dying before his Father left behind him Don Sebastian who succeeded his Grand-father and was slain without Issue at that notable battell in Barbary 1578. where most of the Nobility and Flower of Portugal did also fall Upon the death of Sebastian the Crown returnd to the eldest Survivor of his Grand-fathers Brothers viz. Henry the Cardinal whose old age as well as his Function made him incapable of marriage he raignd peaceably two yeâ—rs After his death there were no less then eight Pretenders to the Crown 1. The People claimd right to elect their own King jure Regni 2. The Pope challengd Iure divino to be Arbiter herein in regard that Alfonso the first King made himself Feudetary to the See of Rome 3. Don Antonio gave out he was no Bastard but his Father Don Luis was lawfully married 4. Katherine de Medici Queen Regent of France claimd a right as descending from Don Alphonso the third since whom alâ— the Kings of Portugal have bin no better then Usurpers 5. Philibert Duke of Savoy Son to one of King Emanuels Daughters 6. Ranuccio Duke of Parma claimd the Crown in right of his Mother Mary Daughter to Don Duarte King Emanuels youngest Son 7. Katherine Dutchesse of Braganza claimd the Crown as being born in Portugal wheras all the rest were Aliens according to the Primitive Law made in Don Alphonsos time 8. Philip the second claimd the Crown by right of his Mother the Empresse being Heir Male of Don Emanuels eldest Daughter Now touching the first Pretender which was the people it was answerd that untill the Royall Line of a Kingdom be quite extinct there can be no right of Election in them Touching the Titles of the rest they were solemnly debated in many Universities but most concluded for King Philip first in regard that the Kingdom of Portugal had bin before Alphonsos time An 1138. under the protection of the Crowns of Castile and Leon wherof he was King Secondly because he could not properly be calld an Alien because he was born upon the Continent of Spain wherof Portugal is part being calld according to the old division Hispania Lusitanica Thirdly he might claim it a digniori partu because he was the first Male of an Empress who had bin also first Daughter of Portugal Besides this fatall defection of the Kingdom of Portugal with the sundry Dominions far and neer that belongd unto it there were many other cross traverses besides that happend to the Spanish Monarchy There was an illfavourd fire kindled in Palermo in Sicily which by a popular fury did so rage and was like to be so destructive that the Marquess de los Velez the then Vice-roy was forcd to publish a Manifesto wherin to content the rabble he took off and abolishd to perpetuity the Taxes that were layed upon Meat Wine Oyle and Cheese Moreover the people having in the sayed Mutiny broke open the Prisons and let out the Prisoners the Vice-roy was constraind to publish another Instrument wherin he pardond all such Prisoners as also those who let them out and all this was don sub verbo fide Regia The Kingdom of Naples which is also Sicily beyond the Phare a little arm of the Sea and thought at the Creation to be one
consent of his said wife became a Munk of the Order of St. Benedict which was in the year 1229. Thus ended the ancient and noble masculin race of the Norman Guiscards in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia which from the time of William Ferabach continued 188 years and governed the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia with much honour and renown SVEVI Henry the Suevian sixth Emperor and fifth King of Naples HENRY the Emperor having extinguished the male-issue and progeny of the Normans and remained absolute Lord of both the Sicilies caused Frederick his son to be Crowned by the Electors of the Empire King of Germany Afterward purposing better to establish the affairs of the Kingdom of Naples sent thither a Lieutenant one of his Barons called Marqueredo d' Amenueder whom within a few months following he created Duke of Ravenna and Romagna and Marquiss of Ancona and at the same tine gave to Philip Duke of Suevia his brother the Dukedom of Toscane with the Lands of the Countess Mattilda So Henry being carefull to range his Army to invade England for certain hatreds conceived against Richard the first King of that Land altered his mind in Messina through his delight in hunting being in the time of Harvest whereupon the Feaver growing grievously upon him ended his life the 8 of May in the year 1197 having ruled the Empire 9 years and governed in peaceable possession the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia four years and one month His body with the stately pomp of solemn obsequies was buried in the Church of Monreale in Palermo in whose sumptuous Tumb of Porphyrie is ingraven this Epitaph Imperio adjecit Siculos Henricus utrosque Sextus Suevorum candida progenies Qui monacham sacris uxoris duxit ab aris Pontificis scriptis hic tumulatus inest Imperavit an 9 men 1. obiit Messanae Anno 1197. Frederick 2. Emperor and 6. King of Naples FREDERICK the second Emperor the son of the aforesaid Henry succeeded in the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia and because he was a child and but three years of age Constanza his mother caused him to be Crowned King of both the Sicilies and with him in his name began to govern the Kingdom and had the enstalment of the Kingdom from Pope Innocent the third in the year 1198. Frederick being of perfect age married Iola the only daughter of Iohn Count of Brenna and of Mary the daughter of King Conrado of Montferrato and for her dowry among other things had the title and the right of the Kingdom of Ierusalem and hereupon Frederick and all the rest which succeeded in the Kingdom of Naples were called Kings of Ierusalem In the year 1220. two years after his Coronation of the Empire Frederick being in grace and favour with the Pope Honorius the third and with the Church made and published in Rome that Law which beginneth Ad decus seu nos Fredericus the which Law is registred in the book of the feuds under the Title De statutis consuetudinibus contra libertatem Ecclesiarum the which Law the said Pope confirmed and approved Frederick also made at the same time the constitutions of the Kingdom which afterward the learned Doctor Afflitto expounded Frederick having ordered his affairs in Germany went in the time of Gregory the 9 into Soria and after much wars made peace with Salandine for 10 years and for that cause had Ierusalem and all the Kingdom thereof except a few certain Castles whereupon on Easterday in the year 1229. he took the Crown of that Kingdom in the City of Ierusalem Afterward there grew between him and Pope Honorius great discord because he took upon him to bestow the Bishopricks in Sicilia and Frederick pretending he might lawfully do it and dispose at his own pleasure by reason of a Bull which by Pope Vrban the second was granted to Ruggieri the Norman concerning the Monarchy of the said Isle the Pope misliking the presumption and ostentation of Frederick excommunicated him and deprived him of the Empire and the Kingdom the which censure Pope Innocent the fourth confirmed in the year 1245. Frederick lived five years after in continual trouble and vexation and at length having ruled the Empire 33 years and the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilia 51. and that of Ierusalem 28. died of an infirmity that grew in his throat the 13 of December in the year 1250. in the Castle of Fâ—orentino in Apulia having lived 54 years Manfred his base son caused his body to be carried with great pomp and honour into Sicilia to the stately Church of Monreale in Palermo and there buried him in a sumptuous Tomb of Porphiry whereupon these Verses were ingraven Qui mare qui terras populos regna subegit Caesareum fregit subito mors improba nomen Sic jacet ut cernis Fredericus in orbe secundus Nunc lapis hic totus cui mundus parvit arcet Vixit an 54. Imperavit an 33. Regni Hierusalem an 28. Regnorum utriusque Siciliae 5 â— Oblit an Domini 1250. He left of six wives which he had many children of the first which was Constance of Aragon the sister or as others write the daughter of Don Ferdinando King of Castile he had Conrado which died young Henry and Giordiano Henry was King of the Romans who in the year 1236. he put to death because he favoured the Popes faction Of Iola his second wife the daughter of Iohn of Brenna King of Ierusalem he had Conrado which was Emperor of Germany and afterward King of Naples Of Agnese his third wife the daughter of Otho Duke of Moravia he had not any children Of Ruthina the fourth wife the daughter of Otho Earl of Vvolfferzhausen he had Frederick which died in his infancy Of Elizabeth his fift wife the daughter of Lewis Duke of Bavaria he had Agnese which was married to Conrado the Landtgrave of Turingia Of Matilda his last wife daughter of Iohn of England he had Henry which was King of Sicilia and Constance who was married to Lewis the Landtgrave of Nescia Frederick had also by Blanca Anglana of Aquosana his concubine these children Manfred Prince of Taranto and usurper of Naples Enzo King of Sardinia Anfisio of whom he made small account and Frederick Prince of Antiochia Of daughters he had Ann which was married very young to Iohn Dispote of Romania Of Henry and of Margarite the daughter of Lupoldo Duke of Austria was born Frederick which was Duke of Austria and Henry Of Conrado and of Elizabeth the daughter of Otho Duke of Bavaria came Coradine which coming to the conquest of the Kingdom was taken by Charls of Angio King of Naples and beheaded Of Manfred his natural son which married Helena the daughter of Michel Dispote of Romania came Henry Godfrey Aufisio and Elena Conrado the 4. Emperor and 7. King of Naples CONRADO the son of Frederick understanding the death of his father
Stephen died without any heir Whereupon Charls as husband of Mary was crowned King of that kingdom together with Charls Martâ—l his son Robert 11. King of Naples RObert the third begotten son of Charls the second reigned 33 years four moneths and 24 days This Robert was a wise and prudent King he made honorable wars with Henry the seventh Emperour with Frederick King of Sicilia in Tuscane in behalf of the Florentines where in the famous overthrow of Montecatino between the Guelfi and Gibellini he lost Philip Prince of Taranto and Pietro Earl of Graunia his brothers He sent his son Charls sirnamed Without land against Frederick King of Sicilia and went against Castruccio Castricani the head of the Gibellini in the time that the dominion of Fiorenza was given to Charls Without land Robert was a religious King and a lover of the learned whereof two things do sufficiently witnesse the marvellous stately Church and other things which he builded in Naples and the great familiarity with the two Tuscane lights of learning Petrarke and Boccace had with him Robert died the 20 of Ianuary 1343. Ioan 1.12 Queen of Naples JOan 1. of this name Neece to Robert and daughter of Charles Without land called also Famous for his prowesse and valor succeeding in the kingdom was married with Andreasso of Hungary her Cousin germain once removed to whom she gave herself and kingdom in Dowry But afterward she being not able to endure the insolency of her husband oftentimes falling into discord caused him unawares to be hanged by the neck in a Gallery in the year 1346. The which being done was married again to Lewis the son of Philip Prince of Taranto the brother of King Robert After whose death was married anew with Giacâ—mo of Aragon the Infant of Majorica who living also but a small time Joan in the year 1376. was married once again and took for her husband Otho of Este Duke of Brunswich in Saxonie She afterward favouring the part of Clement Antipope was by the censure of Vrban the sixth deprived of her kingdom and Charls of Durazzo invested therein and so through fear she adopted for her son Lewis Duke of Angio the second begotten son of Iohn King of France Charles of Durazzo being come with a most puissant Army into the kingdom had Ione in his power and caused her to be hanged Ione reigned 39. years 4. months and 12. days DVRAZZO Charls the 3. of Durazzo the 13 King of Naples CHarls of Durazzo the third of this name King of Naples remained absolute possessor of the kingdom he had great wars to preserve and defend it and especially with Lewis of Angio And being afterward called into Hungary to take the possession of that kingdom went thither and was solemnly crowned in Alba Reale but afterward by the means of the old Queen Elizabeth was kild in a Parliament which was in the year 1386. Through the right that Charls had in the aforesaid kingdom all his successors and the other Kings which succeeded in the kingdom of Naples were called kings of Hungary Charls reigned four years three moneths and nine dayes Ladislao the fourteenth King of Naples LAdislao after the death of his father had great troubles by Lewis of Angio. In the year 1403. being requested by the Barons of Hungary to take the Crown of that kingdome as belonging unto him by lawfull inheritance went thither and coming to Zara was received with great joy of all and the fifth of August by the Bishop of Strigonia according to the accustomed order was crowned King of Hungaria Dalmatia Croatia Servia Galitia Lodomeria Comaria and Bulgaria He returned into Italy and after he had setled the affairs of the kingdom being desirous to enlarge his Dominion dominiered even to Rome wherein he entred in triumphant manner being called with the cries and clamors of the Soldiers Emperour of Rome which was the 25 of Aprill in the year 1408. And having in the end disquieted Italy and himself died the sixth day of August in the year 1484. without leaving any child having reigned eight and twenty years eight moneths and thirteen days Ione 2 15 Queen of Naples JOne the second of this name after the death of Ladislao her brother succeeded in the Kingdom But growing afterward into discord with Pope Martin the 5. was deprived of her Kingdom and Lewis the 3. of Angio Duke of Lorain and Bar the son of the second Lewis was proclaimed King The which thing was the only foundation and ground of all the mischiefs which for a long time afterward followed to the miserable and unhappy kingdom For the Queen was constrained being not able to defend herself against the power of Lewis and the Pope to adopt for her son Alfonsus King of Arragon and Sicilia the son of King Ferdinando Alfonsus being called by the Queen abandoned the assault and siege of the Castle of Bonifatio the principal Fort and of greatest importance in the Isle of Corsica and provided 28 Gallies well furnished and other Barks and led with him many valiant Captains and came to Naples in the year 1621. Now began the Queens affairs to appear which before was trod under foot and to change countenance and what through counsel courage and the aid of King Alfonsus the Queen was at liberty and her affairs increased with much reputation But the year following 1423 the Queen growing contentious with him under colour of ingratitude sought to annihilate and disanull the said adoption and adopted for her son calling to her assistance the same Lewis thorow whose war she was constrained to make the first adoption and chased away Alfonsus by force of arms from all the kingdom and so lived peaceably all the rest of her life The year 1434. Lewis dyed and before a year was expired from the time of his death the Queen received continual molestations and prejudice by Iohn Antonio Orsino Prince of Taranto and by Giacomo Caldora and other followers of the Aragonesi thorow the vicinity and neighbourhood of Sicilia where Alfonsus maintained a great Army So partly being oppressed with a feaver and troubled with a discontented mind in the year 1434. the second of February the life the line of Charls 1 of Angio the house of Durazzo of the French blood which only rested in her ended all regality having reigned 20 years 5 moneths and 26 days And because she had no child she made her heir as was reported Renato of Angio Duke of Lorain and Earl of Provence the brother of Lewis her adopted son After the death of the Queen the Neapolitans created sixteen men of the principal in the City which they called Governors because they should have care and charge of the City and of the Kingdom These sixteen Governours in all the business and affairs they dispatched writ thus the Title of their government Concilium Gubernatores Reipublicae regni Siciliae ordinati per clarae
of the Articles of peace concluded between the Catholique Ferdinando and the said King returned with her children to Ferrara where she was very courteously received by Duke Alfonsus of Este her kinsman where she died in the year 1533 her children remaining desolate and much persecuted by Fortune went to Valentia in Spain where was the Duke Ferdinando their brother and no long time following the one after the other died And in the year 1559. the fifth of August the aforesaid Duke ended his life without leaving any issue And so in him was extinguished the Progeny of the old King Alfonsus of Aragon FRANCES I. Lewis the 12 King of France and 23 King of Naples LEwis the twelfth of this name King of France divided with the King of Spain according to their covenants the kingdom of Naples and obtained of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment according to the tenor of those conditions which he had made But in the year 1502. their Lieutenants growing into difference about the Confines fell to Arms and at last the Frenchmen were driven out of that kingdom through the valour of that worthy Captain Consalvo Fernando and Ferdinando the Catholique King remaining absolute possessor thereof King Lewis held the Realm of Naples one year and ten moneths but in France he reigned sixteen years and died in the beginning of the year 1514. ARAGONES I. Ferdinando the Catholick 24 King of Naples FErdinando the Catholique remaining absolute Lord of the kingdom maintained it in great peace all the time of his life and obtained of Pope Iulio the second the investing of all the kingdom Finally after many victories atchieved in divers parts he died in Madrigaleio a City of Castile the 22 day of Ianuary in the year 1516. having been King of Naples twelve years and three moneths His body was buried in the Royal Chappell of the City of Granata and upon his Tomb this Inscription was engraven Mahometicae-sectae prostratores haereticae pravitatis extinctores Ferdinandus Aragonum Helizabetha Castellae vir uxor unanimes Catholici appellati marmoreo clauduntur hoc tumulo Ione the third 25 Queen of Naples IOne the third of this name daughter of Ferdinando the Catholique King being now the widow of Philip Archduke of Austria succeeded in the kingdom and having fourteen moneths governed all her kingdoms substituted her heir Charls her eldest son who had scant accomplished 16 years of age Charls remaining at Brussels in Flanders being much exhorted by the Emperour Maximilian his Grandsire reformed in the year 1516. the order of the Knights of the Golden Fleece and so reduced them to the number of 31. And because many through death were void he elected to the said Order amongst others these Lords Francis 1. King of France Don Ferdinando Infant of Spain Emanuel King of Portugal Lewis King of Hungary Frederick Count Palatine Iohn Marquis of Brandenburgh Charls de Lannoi Lord of Sanzelle Moreover Don Lodovico of Vaimonte great Constable of the kingdom of Navarre took in Naples the possession of the kingdom for the said Queen Charls so soon as he was invested by the Queen his mother sailed into Spain and was received of all the people with infinite joy but yet many of the greatest Nobility and principall of the kingdom would not accept him as King but onely as Prince for offering wrong to the Queen Ione since by Testament of the Catholique King her father it was decreed that after the death of Ione Charls of Austria should succeed Upon the which succession grew great tumults and contentions but in the end things were well qualified admitting him for King together with the Queen his mother to be done with this condition That the affairs of the kingdom should be governed in both their names the money stampt and so all other business whatsoever And so once again on the 25. of March in the year 1517. the said Queen confirmed to Charls the former endowment The year ensuing the 13 of April Charles was proclaimed King together with his Mother And the 18 of the moneth of May Prospero Colonâ—a took in Naples the possession of the kingdom in the name of Charls which was done with all solemnity Charls then being received to the Administration of Spain sent also to the administration of all the other kingdoms In the year 1519. Charls elected into the number of the Knights of the Golden Fleece in place of Gismondo K. of Polonia lately dead Christerno K. of Denmark and Frederick of Toledo Duke of Alva In the mean time died the Emperour Maximilian and the Electors of the Empire assembled according to their ancient custome at Francford a Citie of low Germany for the election of a new Cesar and by a general consent the 18 of June in the year 1520. they chose Emperour Charls of Austria King of Spain Ione having reigned as we have said absolutely 14 moneths and together with Charles the 5 Emperour her son 38 years and four moneths retired herself to Tordezilla a Citie of Spain where within a little while after she ended her life the thirteenth of Aprill in the year 1555. AVSTRIACI Charles 5 Emperour and 26 King of Naples CHarls the fifth Emperour after the death of Ione his mother remained absolute Lord of all his kingdoms and being as is said elected Emperour the same year past the Sea from Spain into Flanders and from thence into Germany where he was received in the moneth of October in Aquisgraue a noble City both for the ancient residence the famous Tomb of Charls the Great with a mighty concourse of people was first crowned In the moneth of January 1526. Charls celebrated his marriage in Hispali with Isabella of Portugal his wife the sister of King Iohn of Portugal Afterward he went into Spain where being arrived proceeded very severely against many who had been authors of sedition all the other he pardoned and discharged And to joyn with justice and clemency examples of gratitude and remuneration in the acknowledging of that wherein he was ingaged to Don Ferdinando of Aragon Duke of Calauraia who having refused the Crown and the kingdom of Spain offered unto him by the States thereof though he were a prisoner set him at liberty and with great honor called him to the Court and married him to the richest Princess then living even the Widow of the Catholique King Ferdinando by which means he much gladded the people and the Duke received honor liberty and infinite wealth and was created for his life time viceroy of Valentia The Emperour without any charge or the expence of a peny got the friendship of the Duke the love of the people and great security to his State The year ensuing 1527. on the 21 of May the Emperess Isabella was delivered of her son Philip in the Citie of Castilia through whose happy birth was made every where generall seasting and triumphs In the moneth of October 1528. the
had by a former wife the which Hugo not long after the death of his Father married Isabell the daughter of Henry Count of Ciampania and of his stepmother and not long after the death of Almerick died also the Queen Isabel his wife who by her will and testament bequeathed the kingdom of Ierusalem to Mary her daughter whom she had by Conrado of Monferrato her first husband recommending the tuition of her to the society of the Hospitalers and Templers whom she appointed her Guardians or Overseers Afterward in the year 1222 Iohn Count of Brenne coming to Rome having the title of King of Ierusalem by the right of Mary his wife daughter as is beforesaid of King Conrado of Montferrato being much honored and presented to the Pope going to Pisa to procure aid for his enterprise into Soria gave to the Emperour Frederick the second King of Naples lately excommunicated but now reconciled to the Church his onely daughter called Iole to wife whom he had by Mary his wife and in dowry with her all the right and title he had to the kingdom of Ierusalem Whereupon Frederick and all other that succeeded him in the kingdom of Naples were called Kings of Ierusalem And this is one of the reasons why all the Kings of Naples are invested with the title of Ierusalem Afterward Frederick in the time of Gregory the ninth in the year 1228 being as it were inforced went into Soria yet managed his affairs with such power and authority that he agreed to conclude a peace with the Soldian for ten years who restored unto him Ierusalem with all the territories and kingdom thereof except some few little Castles Whereupon the Easter following in the year 1229. he was crowned in Ierusalem and caused the Citie of Ioppa now called Zaffo to be repaired and newly reedified The Emperour setling and securing all things to his content returned home into his kingdom and in glory of so great triumph and victory brought with him Elephants Panthers Dromedaries Leopards white Bears Lyons Linxes or spotted beasts After this the kingdom of Naples and Sicil came into the power and jurisdiction of Charls of Anjou Count of Provence for the right and title that his predecessors had descended to him as lawfull King thereof But Fortune willing to confirm and establish his right without any crosse encounter it came to passe that Hugo Puite Lubrun Lusignon the second of this name King of Cyprus married Alicia the third daughter of Isabel Queen of Ierusalem and of Count Henry of Ciampaania the which thing discontenting the Princess Mary daughter of Melisenda and Raymond Rupini Prince of Antioch and Borgne complained much of King Hugo that being her kinsman would usurp the title which was her right by Melisenda her mother being the second daughter and not Alicia his wife who was the third begotten Hugo not onely little esteemed her complaints but also otherwise did ill intreat her Whereupon the disdainfull Princess Mary came to Rome pretending her right to the aforesaid kingdom of Ierusalem as the Neece of Queen Isabel the daughter of Almerick naturall King of the said kingdom summoned King Hugo before the Pope and so began the stir and contention of the title and possession of the said kingdom The matter being much debated by the Ambassadors of King Hugo who knowing it to be far more available for them to have the deciding and determining of the cause committed to the Barons and Nobility of the holy Land The Pope at the first instance referred the judgement and deciding of the matter to the Patriark of Ierusalem the Masters of the Hospitall and the Temple and other the Barons and Nobility of the holy Land who were wont to have a voyce in Councell and election of the Kings of Ierusalem the which the Princess Mary perceiving being a woman of great age weary and irksom of travell and the perils of so long a journey being advised by her friends agreed with Charls of Anjou receiving of him a great sum of money renounced all her right and title and resigned wholly unto him all her interest whatsoever to the kingdom of Ierusalem confirming the same by authentick and solemn writings which was in the year 1276. Whereupon Charls afterward by means of the Pope was proclaimed by lawful sentence King of that Realm as well by the ancient right of the Emperour Frederick as also that of Mary Insomuch that by the reasons aforesaid it plainly appeareth that the right and title of the kingdom of Ierusalem lawfully belongeth to the Kings of Naples and to none other and so the supposed titles both of the King of England and also of the King of Cyprus are little or of no worth Wherefore I do not a little marvell that this last right and title was unknown both to Pandolfo Colennuccio that writ a brief Epitome of the kingdom of Naples and also to Iacobo Mainolda who composed that Book of the title of Philip King of Spain Naples and Ierusalem seeing the History is so apparent But to return to the matter Charls for the better security of his affairs sent suddenly the Count Ruggier Sanseverin Governor into the holy Land who took an oath of the Knights of the Temple and Barons of the Realm of â—ealty and homage in the name of Charls and so King Charls enjoyed not onely the said Realm but also by the means of Ruggier and other Captains held a great part of Aegypt And we have often understood of many brethren of St Francis and other persons worthy credit that have been in Ierusalem and in other places in Aegypt that in many stately buildings in those places there is yet seen the Arms of King Charls the which doe manifestly shew the great power and valor of that good King But since occasion is now offered me it will not be amiss if I shew what the Arms of the kingdom of Naples are although we have writ thereof at full in the book of the life of the Kings of Naples but being rather enforced through the envy of some who have written concerning the Arms of the said kingdom and briefly discourst thereon The Ensign or Arms then of this most noble kingdom is a Field Azure replenished with Flour de lices Or which at first was charged with a Labell of four points gules being carried as the impress of Charls the first of Anjou with this Motto or Emblem Noxias Herbas what time he came to the winning of the kingdom of Naples and to expell and drive away King Manfred enemy to the Church whom he overcame and slew Charls in remembrance of so happy a victory beautified the kingdom with these Arms holding that field and flour de lices with the Labell for a particular Arms in memory of the said happy victory Stopping the mouths of those envious backbiters who say the Arms of this Noble kingdom was an Ass devouring his old furniture or
all the Romans both men and women might lawfully commit any lascivious dishonesty which then was accounted the most holy that which that day was most dishonest St. Felix Bishop hath given great honour to this City whose body lieth in it and as they say there riseth continually Manna out of his holy bones whose life was written by St. Paulino Bishop of this City St. Paulino was the inventor of the use of Bels an Instrument utterly unknown to the Ancients which is now so necessary in the Church of God He gave it the name of Campane because he invented it in Campania where is the aforesaid City of Nola of the which he was Bishop and that the Citizens ever since glorying therein as rightly they may have alwaies used to give a Bell for the Arms of the City And to say something of the famous Counts of Nola Monsignieur Guido da Monforte was the first thereof a most noble and valiant Gentleman of France which came with Charls the first of Angio to the Conquest of the Kingdom with whom he was in great estimation and having one only daughter called Anastasia married to Romano Orsino chief Justice of the Kingdom who by the death of his Father in Law succeeded in the County which was the first of the Family of Orsina which had Seigniory in the Kingdom The posterity of this man have proved all worthy men and very valiant but the matchless Paragon of all was Ramondo which florished in the time of Charls the second for being chased away and forsaken by his Father went into Soria after he had in a journey into the Holy Land done many valiant exploits against the Moors and overcome in a private combate a most fierce and mighty Saracin who carried a Rose upon the top of his wreathed Turbant returned home into the Kingdom with great honour and for a token of that Victory joyned it with much glory to his Arms whereupon through his great magnanimity and valour was made Prince of Taranto That Principality hath been continued even to this present one of the most important Members of the Kingdom for it contained very much land and Cities of greatest importance which for brevity I omit to name so that Ramondo being a very mighty and great Lord the House of Orsina was very famous through all Italy Râ—mondo married the Lady Mary of Eugenio of an honourable proginy in France who after the death of her husband having the tuition of her children became Queen of Naples at such time as King Ladislao besieged her in Taranto who being not able to subdue her resolved to take her for his wife and so by that means to possess the Inheritance of the children of Ramondo of whom the first was Iohn Antonio who redeemed the Principality of Taranto with money from Iames husband of Queen Ione This Iohn Antonio increased much his Patrimony with Lands of great importance and was highly favoured by Alfonsus of Arragon King of Naples who made him great Constable which is the chiefest of the seven Offices in the Kingdom with a hundred thousand Duckets yearly for a Pension And to return to the Counts of Nola they were great Lâ—rds for they possest Sarno Tripalda Palma Avella Lauro Forino Ascoli and other Lands But afterward Felice Orsino Prince of Salerno succeeded in the County who having little experience in worldly affairs through the dâ—â—â—ension and division of the Kingdom lost his State in 〈◊〉 time after the death of his Father And King Ferrant the first gave Salerno to Robert 〈◊〉 and Nola Tripalda Ascoli Lauro and Forino to Orso Orsino 〈…〉 great Chancellor of the Kingdom and partner with him in the Wars against Iohn Antonio Orsino whereupon the line of Romano Orsino which had ruled Nola almost two hundred years was extinguished and the Principality of Salerno rose of the House of Orsino 24 years after he had it But this line afterward of the Count Orso continued but a small time for the Lady Santola a Citizen of Nola by whom he had two sons the one Duke of Ascoli and the other a Knight lost all their Inheritance through the wicked means of their mother who lewdly justified of her own accord that they were not begotten by the Count Orso were deprived of all their right by King Ferdinando who gave the County of Nola with Cimitino Avella Monforte Lauro Palma and Ottoiano to the Count Nicola Orsino of Pitigliano whose successors possest it untill the year 1528. the which Don Arrigo in serving the French lost his life and his state also and so ended the line of the Counts of Nola which were so famous in this Kingdom Now returning to our former order I say that from the City of Nola are also sprung many other famous men as well adorned with Learning as with Military Discipliâ—e which would be too teadious to repeat and therefore I reâ—er the reader to Ambrogio Lione who very exactly nameth and describeth them all But for us it shall be only sufficient to name the Noble Families which the said Leone writeth of which are in the said City and are these following Albertino Alfano Barone Caposâ—rosa Candido Cesarini Coriale Carmignano Campobascio de Ferrariis de Elia Freccia Fellecchia Fontana Rosa Del Iodice Ioseph Infante de Gennaro Maffei Marifeulo Morra Mastrilâ—o Mazzeo Notariis De Palma Perarii Perrigioanni Rehi Risi Santori Sassolani c. and at this present the Bishop of this City Fabritio Gallo Neopolitan a Prelate besides his learning a man of sincere and pure life who with much diligence composed a Sinodal Book of his Diocess There are many other places the which I think not fit to recite all but the greatest and most important I have not omitted any but the small and little as those which are thought to be of little or no account I have neglected assuring you that to the integrity and soundness of the Work it shall not fail in any momentary matter The Arms of this Noble Country is in a Field Asurâ—â— Cornucope in salter thorow the middle of a Crown the first of â—eres the other Bacchus or the which Arms signifie the great fertility and abundance of the Country which as it were Queen of every other Province exceeds them in all the benefits of Nature Whereupon in confirmation of what I have said I will concluded with L. Floro who speaking thereof thus writeth Omnium non modo Italia sed toto orbe terrarum pulcherrima Campaniae plaga est Nihil mollius coelo nihil uberrius solo nihil hospitalius mari Denique bis floribus vernat ideo Liberi Cererisque certamen dicitur Hic illi nobiles portus Caieta Misenus tepentes fontibus Baiae Lucrinus Avernus quâ—dam maris otia Hic amicti vitibus montes â—aurus Falernus Massicus Pulcherimâ—s omnium Vessuvius Aetaeni ignis imitator Vrbes ad mare Formiae Cumae Neapolis Herculanium Pompei ipsa
de Biscolis should not presume to bear for his Arms a Lion seâ—ant or with the tail through his legs and turning up towards the head above a fesse ar in a field gu declaring that these Arms were the ancient Ensignes and Coat Armor of the said Family Besides the said Family prospereth in many other Corporations in divers places as Pietro de Pezzo descending of Iohn went to Amalfi to the Government of that State was comprehended in the number of the Nobility of that City and Luke his brother serving the Duke of Amalfi Marquiss of Guasto in the Wars of Lombardy being a Captain of much renown in his return passing by Rome was by the Decree of the Senate made with his successors of the race and line of the Roman Senators the which line is now to be seen in the Segge of the Nobility of Campo in Salerno And Francesco del Pezzo the son of Pirro being by the favour of King Philip created Auditor of the same Province was reckoned among the Nobility of the Segge of Portaretese This Family hath alwaies had excellent men both in Learning and Military affairs And among others Don Ieronimo del Pezzo a noble man well qualified which for his excellent parts was by the favour of King Philip honoured with the Order of the Knights of St. Iames. And among the rest Iohn Andrea Knight of St. Iohn of Malta which valiantly fighting in the enterprise of Zara died there and now liveth with much honour Silvio Knight of the same Malta and of sincere life and singular learning besides the Lord Cesare del Pezzo Bishop of Sulmo What they were in old time their royal issue sufficiently declares the men of this Family have been Lords of many Castles and great revenues But in these daies they possess the Barony of St. Mango in Cilento and the Barony of Prato St. Pro in the County of Aquilaâ— the one is Baron Tiberio del Pezzo descending of Luke a Lord of most pleasing behaviour and a great lover of vertue which is one of the rarest Noble men of these daies the other possesseth Hortenzio del Pezzo Doctor of Law and descended from Pirro before said Now returning to Salerno in whose reverend Churches the bodies of many Saints are in rest whereof Marc. Antonio Marsilio Colonna Arch-Bishop of the same City very largely discourseth Many ingenious and learned persons have given great ornament to the said City as in Phisick Matteo Silvatio who at the instance of King Rubert writ Aphorisms of Phisick Trota or Trotula de Ruggiero a woman of great learning which composed a book De morbis mulierum eorum cura and another de compositione medicamentorum Abella which very learnedly writ two books in Verses the one de Atrabile the other de natura seminis humani Mercurial composed four books the first de Crisi the second de febre pestilentiale the third de cura ulcerum exteriorum and the last de unguentis Rebecca Guarna writ de febribus de urinis de Embrione Boccuccio Grillo writ de differentiis pulsuum de febrium causis Iohn of Proeida although he were Lord of the Isle of Procida notwithstanding he was an excellent Phisician and composed a learned Work of Phisick and was the Author of the Sicilian Evening against the French In the same profession there have been in these latter daies very excellent men as Paolo Grisignano Francesco d' Alfano Antonello and Iohn Cola di Rugiero In the faculty of the Law were very famous Pietro Bailardo of whom the Gloss maketh mention in L. quinquepidum C. finium regendorum Iohn Cola de Vicario an expert Doctor which is much commended by Iohn Vincenza in the deciding and defining of freedoms and priviledges Charls de Ruggiero for his learning was a Counceller of great estimation of whom Afflitto testifieth in his definitions Tomaso de Simeone whose Works not long since were committed to the Press by Sebastian Maffa Iohn Angelo Papia a most worthy and famous Doctor now liveth and hath read 26 years continually in the publick Schools of Bologna Pirro Alfano a man of excellent fame whose writings are a sufficient testimony No less famous have been Iulio Pomponio Lieto Masuccio Guardato Iohn Andrea Longo and Andrea Guarna which composed that excellent and learned discourse entituled Bellum Grammaticale Benedetto Ruggio being a very famous Rhetorician was sent by King Alfonsus Ambassador to the State of Venice where he died whose funeral Marc. Antonio Sabellico performed in the behalf of the said State extolling his singular vertues Moreover this City hath no little fame for the two mighty Fairs which are there every year the one the third of May and the other the 21 of September the first continueth eight daies and the other ten where Merchants come almost from all parts of Italy Sicilia Schianonia Graecia and Asia and other Nations to sell their Wares This City contended with Capoa for the precedence and in the general Assembly of the States in the publick Parliament at Naples which could not be finished for the obstinacy and wilfulness of the Factions the claim and contention the Catholick King Ferdinando moderated so the matter that he appointed Capoa to speak saying that it should speak before Salerno The Arms of this City is in a field Azur under the Evangelist S. Matthew the protector thereof fix barrs Ar. and gu the which Ensignes are the Arms of Hungaria Which Charls the second of Angio King of Naples gave to the said City because his wife Mary the only daughter of King Stephen succeeded in the aforesaid Kingdom of Hungary the said King Charls being before as hath been declared created Prince of Salerno Leaving Salerno and Sanseverino twelves miles off upon the side of a Hill is Sarno the Town lieth beneath in the Plain and the Castle is seated higher upon the Hill which overlooketh both the Town and the Country From hence walking towards Naples about a mile and half we encounter the head of the River Sarno over the which is an entrance or passage guarded with a Tower naturally fortified by the River and the Hill the which place by the Inhabitants of the country is named the mouth of Sarno The said country is adorned with the dignity of a Count subject to the Family Tuttavilla There are in it these Noble houses Abbignente Alteda Balzerani Lupo Pandone Montâ—oro Romandia de Specchio and others Six miles after we come to Montoro and not far off is the worthy Country of Montecorvino built in a beautifull valley at the foot of a Hill near the which in a place which they now call Pattipaglia are seen the ruines of the stately and ancient City of Picentia called by Strabo Picentum which was destroyed by the Romans because it was confederate with Hannibal the Carthaginian Eight miles off near Acerno is seen among the Hils Campana a City so called because it is situated in the
quotannis Ecclesiae Romanae persolvam omnes Ecclesias quae in mea consistunt ditione cum earum possessionibus in tua potestate dimittam defensor ero earum ad fidelitatem Romanae Ecclesiae Et si tu vel tui successores antè me ex hac vita decesserint pro ut monitus fuero à primis Cardinalibus clericis laicis Romanis opem feram ut Pontifex erigatur ordinetur ad honorem S. Petri. Haec omnia suprascripta servabo S. R. Ecclesiae tibi successoribus tuis ad honorem S. Petri ordinatis qui mihi firmaverint investituram à te mihi concessam Sic me Deus adjuvet c. Afterward by commandment of the Pope Ruberto went with his Army against the Roman Barons and never ceased untill he had subdued them all and made them obedient to the Pope Having then a purpose to expell the Saracins out of Sicilia made many progresses into that Isle took Messina surprised Rimeto built in the Valley of Demona the Castle of St. Mark and from hence returning into the Country of Otranto took Taranto by assault four years after it was besieged through the faction of Argirizo of Bari returned again into Sicilia and with a puissant Army besieged Palermo the which City when he had taken committed the Government of that Isle to his brother Ruggieri Bosso determined for a difference risen between him and the Prince Gisulfo his brother in law to subdue Salerno whereupon with a mighty siege he begirt the said City into the which he entred by a breach in the Wall and easily obtained it as he had done many other places and so became Lord of Salerno in the year 1076. and without any delay followed the conquest of the rest of Campania and forsomuch as he had an ingenious and deep conceit took advantage by the dissention and ill government of the Grecian Princes purposing to make war upon them because many years before they attended no other thing but the chasing and dispossessing the one the other Then he past the Sea with an Army of 15 thousand â—ighting men and meeting with the Army of Alessio gave him a mighty overthrow Not long after Pope Gregory the 7 being afflicted with cruel war by the Emperor Henry the 4. requested aid of Ruberto Guiscardo and for to induce him the rather to his desire they met together at Aquino and after at Ceperano and there the Pope confirmed to Roberto the same things which Nicholas the second and Pope Alexander had first granted unto him And so Roberto was again made a Liegeman of the Church and took his Oath in this manner Ego Robertus Apuliae Calabriae Siciliae Dux postâ—ac ero fidelis tibi Domino meo Gregorio Pontifici neque auctor ero aut operam dabo ut vitam aut membrum amittas aut dolo malo capiaris consilium quod mihi communicaveris in tui damnum sedens non enunciabo S. Romanam Ecclesiam te adjuvabo ut teneas acquiras desendas regalia Sancti Petri ejusque possessiones pro meis viribus contra omnes homines praeter partem Firmanae Marchiae Salernum Amalsim de quibus adhuc non est decretum adjuvabo te ut tutò honorificè teneas Pontificatum Terram S. Petri quam nunc tenes vel habiturus es post quam sciero tuae esse potestatis nec invadere nec acquirere conabor nec praedari audebo sine tuo tuorumque successorum permisit pensionem de terra S. Petri quam ego teneo aut tenebo quot annis bona side persolvam S. Romanae Ecclesiae omnes ecclesias quae in ejus sunt ditione tuae potestati dimittam easque desendam Si tu aut sucdessores tui ante me ex vita ingraverint pro ut monitus fuero auxilio ero ut Pontifex eligatur ordinetur Guiscardo having finished his saying Gregory thus replyed Ego vero Gregorius Pontifex investa â—e Roberte de terra S. Petri quam tibi concesserunt antecessores mei Nicolaus Alexander De illa autem terra quam injuste tenes Salernum dico Amalsim partem Marchiae Firmanae nunc te putienter sustinâ—o in considentia Dei omnipotentis tuae bonitatis ut tu postea ad honorem S. Petri ita te geras sicut te gerere me suscipere decet sine periculo animae tuae meae Presently Ruberto answered in this manner Ego Robertus Dux ad confirmationem traditionis recognitionem fidelitatis de omni terra quam ego teneo propriè sub Domino meo promitto me quotannis pro unoquoque jugo boum pensionem duodecim denariorum Papiensium soluturum B. Petro tibi Domino meo Gregorio Pontifici omnibus successoribus tuis aut tuis aut successorum tuorum nunciis ubi dies Sanctae Domini Resurrectionis advenerit Within a while after the Emperor Henry begirt Pope Gregory with a very dangerous siege the which Guisâ—ardo understood being in Grecia with one part of his Army leaving the other to his son Boemund came with all celerity to relieve the Pope and entring in by the port del popolo drove the Emperor away by force deliver'd the Pope from the siege and conveyed him to Montecasino and afterward to Salerno where he liv'd the remnant of his life Guiscard afterward returned to his enterprises beyond the sea where having done many worthy exploits beseeming a most valiant Prince died in Corfu of Grecia the year of our Lord 1085. in the month of Iuly being 62 years of age his body was afterward conveyed into Italy and buried in the City of Venosa in Apulia Ruberto was of a high spirit provident and very ingenious whereupon he was called by the Normans for his sirname Guiscardo which signifieth subtile and witty He had successively three wives the first was Albereda sister to the Prince of Capoa which brought him Ruberto who died young and Boemundo Sigelaica his second wife sister to the Prince of Salerno by whom he had Ruggieri Sivardo and Eria Of his third wife named Isabella the daughter of Vgone the first of this name King of Cypris he had not any child After the death of Ruberto Boemundo his eldest son was altogether imployed in the war which he had in Grecia in the mean time Ruggiero his younger brother with great cunning took upon him the Government of the Dukedom of Apulia and Calauria and obtained of Pope Vrban the second the confirmation of the State in the Councel which was held in the City of Troia the which Boemund understanding came with his Army to drive him away but forune offered him the opportunity of a more glorious enterprise forsomuch as in he Councel held in France in Chiaromonte of Alvernia the voyage beyond the Sea to recover the Sepulchre of Christ from the hands of the infidels was made manifest whether went
memoriae Serenissimam illustrissimam Dominam nostram Dominam Ioannam secundam Dei gratia Hungariae Hierusalem Siciliae reginam c. Within a little time after rose in the Citie divers contentions because Pope Eugenio the fourth understanding the death of Ione sent a Legate to Naples the Bishop of Recanati and Patriarch of Alexandria giving the Governors to understand and the Councell of the Citie that the kingdom of Naples was fallen to the Church as his Feud or Fee willing them not to bestow the dominion upon any but him whom he shall nominate and invest King The Governors answered that they would have no other King but Renato Duke of Lorain whom their Queen had left as her successor By this means the kingdom understood the admonition of the Pope and the answer of the Governors wherewith many of the Princes and Barons of the kingdom much misliked the succession of Renato and being published that that Will and Testament was falsly forged by the Neapolitans one part of the Barons and people which were of the faction of the Aragonesi called King Alfonsus of Aragon Whereupon through contrary consents and inclinations rose the sactions of the Angioini and Aragonesi The Governors being likewise at discord among themselves the whole kingdom was divided and put into great trouble and molestation In the mean time the greatest part of them sent Ambassadors to Marseliâ— for Renato That part of the Duke of Sâ—ssa the Earl Venafro and many other Barons called Alfonsus who being full of military courage and inflamed with an incredible desire of glory having his Army ready in the year 1436. came to Gaeta and was received by the Duke of Sessa and besieging the said Citie came with his Navy to battell with Baiâ—gio Captain Generall of the Fleet of the Genowayes and Alfonsus valiantly fighting was at length overcome and taken prisoner and carried to the custody of Philip Duke of Miltane who afterward knowing the singular vertue of Alfonsus being desirous to hold him his companion and friend made a league with him and suffered him to go at his own pleasure together with the other Lords which were also prisoners ANGIOINI Renato of Angio the 16 King of Naples REnato of Angio being at that time prisoner to Iohn Duke of Burgonie the Neapolitane Ambassadors deprived of all hope to have Renato caused Isabellae his wife to come in his stead a very wise and worthy Lady who made great wars with Alfonsus Afterward Renato being set at liberty by the Duke of Burgonie in the moneth of May 1438. came to Naples whose coming gave great hope and expectation to the Angioini and was royally received and presently prepared all necessary things for the wars and retained many principall and excellent Captains through whose valour he obtained all Calauria and the Dukedome of Melâ—i in Abruzzo he had at his command many places In the moneth of Iune 1438. he had from Pope Eugenius the instalment of the kingdom of Naples and Ierusalem Many actions and battels fell out between Renato and Alfonsus but at length the party of the Aragonesi prevailed Alfonsus in moneth of Iune 1442. by the way of an Aquaduct which brought water into the City took Naples and the third day with the will of Renato he had the Castle of Capoa and other forts Renato growing into despair not to be able to recover the kingdom with Isabella his wife and his children returned into Provence where he past all the rest of his life in peace having held Naples and part of the kingdom in an uncertain and troublesome possession four years and ten days Being come to the age of 64 years married Ioan della Valle a noble French Lady with whom too excessively satisfying his pleasure became weak and feeble and so died the 19 of Fbruary in the year 1481. and was buried in Nansi a plentifull place and a principapll City of the Dukedom of Lorane and upon his Tomb these four verses engraven Magnanimum tegit hoc saxum fortemque Rhenatum Mortales heu qua conditione sumus Invidia factis hujus fortuna subinde Ne tanti tanto celsus honore foret ARAGONES I. Alfonsus 1. of Aragon called by his surname The Magnanimous 17 King of Naples ALfonsus King of Aragon and Sicilia after many dangers and infinite travell entred Naples in triumph upon a golden Chariot and by the means of Francesco Orsino President of Rome made peace with the Pope Eugenio and obtained a very large instalment of the Kingdom for he was also invested in the Kingdom of Hungary by the right of Ioan his mother And besides that obtained from the said Pope that faculty and power that Ferdinando his naturall son was ordained his heir and to succeed after his death in the instalment and possession of the Kingdom the which investing was likewise afterward confirmed by Pope Nicolas the fifth Alfonsus was very magnificent in buildings he reduced the new Castle in Naples into the form it now appears truly a very Royall and stately piece of work He enlarged Mola and caused the Fens about the City to be made dry He took the Isle of Zerbi overcame in battell the King of Tunis and made him tributary and subdued certain Cities in Barbary he oftentimes sent Armies against the Turks and at the instance of the Pope chased away Francesco Sforsa della Marca He was very studious in learning and made great account of learned men whereof he kept very many in his Court. And to conclude he was a Prince of great magnanimity He reigned sixteen years one moneth and one and twenty days He died the 28 of June in the year 1458. being 64 years of age He had for his wife Mary the daughter of Henry the third King of Castile surnamed the Weak by whom he had no Childern The Neapolitans buried the body of Alfonsus with a stately Funerall and laid him in a Coffin covered all with cloth of gold the which at this present is to be seen in the Vestry of St. Dominick in Naples and at the foot thereof are these Verses Inclytus Alfonsus qui Regibus ortus Iberis Hic regnum Ausoniae primus adeptus adest Ferdinando 1. of Aragon 18 King of Naples FErdinando the first of this name after the death of his Father succeeded in the Kingdom and was by the Institution of Pope Pius the second anointed and crowned King by Latino Orsino the Cardinall But very often was like to lose it through many wars and espeâ—ially by Iohn of Angio the son of Renato which had a great Train and Troop of the Barons of the Realm which drew unto them a great number of Rebels In the year 1481 died as is declared Renato of Angio who having no male children made heir of all his state and inheritance Charls of Angio Earl of Main his brothers son who dying within a while after without children bequeathed his inheritance to Lewis the 11. King of France
to whom not onely descended as supream Lord the Dukedom of Angio but also of all Provence Ferdinando having afterward intelligence that Charls the 8. King of France made preparation with a mighty Army to recover the Kingdom of Naples by the right of the Angioini who by the death of King Lewis his father was interessed therein began to make provision of men and being very carefull in the preparation of the war growing sick died the 25 of Ianuary in the year 1494. having reigned 35 years 5 moneths and 25 days Alfonsus 2. the 19 King of Naples ALfonsus the second of this name after the death of Ferdinand his Father obtained the kingdom and in the beginning of the fourth moneth was crowned in the Cathedrall Church of Naples by Iohn Borgia Cardinall of Montereale Legate of Pope Alexander the sixth with greater pomp and majesty then was ever used to any King of Naples But understanding that Charls the 8. K. of France gave order for the pretended war fearing because he was become odious to the people of the Kingdom through his austerity resigned the Kingdom to Ferdinando his son Duke of Calauria a young man much differing from him in nature which every one loved and retired himself into the countrey of Mazara in Sicilia being before time given unto him by Don Ferdinando the Catholique King of Spain where he spent the remainder of his life having reigned one year and three days FRANCES I. Charls the fourth the twentieth King of Naples CHarles de Valois the eighth of this name King of France and fourth of the same name King of Naples came in the beginning of Ianuary 1495. to Rome with a mighty Army Pope Alexander full of incredible fear and anguish fled into the Castle of St. Angelo But the King having no purpose to offend the Pope met with him and concluded friendship and a perpetuall confederacy for the common safety defence Charls was invested conditionally by the Pope of the kingdom of Naples and obtained also from the said Pope Zizimo Gemni Ottomanâ— the brother of Bajazeth Emperour of the Turks After Charls had reâ—â—â—ined a moneth in Rome he past into the kingdom and although some small resistance was made by Ferdinando at length he got the dominion of the whole kingom Ferdinando after that the Câ—stles of Naples were yeelded departed with fourteen Gallies ill â—rmed into Sicilia Charls after he had pacified the kingdom demanded of the Pope the â—ree installment of the Realm of Naples the which although it were at Rome granted him yet it could not be thought sit in respect of the Aragonâ—si whereupon the Pope refused to give it him Charls afterward being departed to return into France many of the Barons rebelled through the severity and cruell demeanor of the Frenchmâ—n Whereupon Ferdinando was recalled who chased away the adversaries Charls reigned ten moneths and 26 days he died a sudden death the â—ight before the 8 of Aprill in the year of our Lord 1497. being returned fâ—om playing at Tennis He was buried in the Church of St. Denis of Paris in France and on his Tomb this Epitaph was engraven Hic Octave jaces Franâ—orum Carole 〈◊〉 Cui victa est forti Britâ—nis 〈…〉 Parthenopâ— illustrem tribuit captiâ—a tâ—â—iumphuâ— Claraque Fornovio pugâ—â—â— peraâ—â—a solâ— Caepit Henricus regno depulsus ajuto Bellare auspiciâ—s sceptra Britanâ—â— tuis O plures longinqua dies si futa dâ—â—issent Te nullus toto major in orbe foret ARAGONES I. Ferdinando the second the â—1 King of Naples FErdinando the second of this name a valiant man endued with Princely qualities of liberality and Clemency who for to strengthen and corroborate his affairs with a more firm conjunction with Ferdinando the Catholique King of Spain took for his wife with the Popes dispensation Ioan his Aunt born of of Ferdinando his Grandsire and Ioan the sister of the aforesaid King and at the same time had of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment of the kingdom And being placed in great glory fell sick and died the 8. of October in the 1496. He reigned one year 8 moneths and 14 days Frederick the 22 King of Naples FRederick Prince of Taranto the son of Ferdinando the first by the death of his Nephew succeeded in the kingdom in the year 1497. obtained of Pope Alexander the sixth the instalment of the kingdom And being much troubled with continuall war because Charls the 8. King of France died without leaving any children the kingdom fell to Lewis Duke of Orleans as the neerest in blood by the masculine line and was the twelfth of this name This Lewis came upon him with a mighty Army but Ferdinando the Catholique King being confederate with Lewis to his own prejudice for a displeasure conceived against Frederick yet conditionally that Lewis should divide the kingdom with him Frederick that was not able to make head or resist the puisance of so great forces united against him especially finding his kingdom exhaust and ill provided retired into the Isle Ischia neer to Naples with all his Family and afterward gave his kingdom wholly into the possession of King Lewis his enemy not bequeathing any thing to the Catholique King Ferdinando reputing himself to be ill dealt withall by him that in stead of a friend and defender he was come to the contrary to dispossess and deprive him of his kingdom Frederick was very courteously received by Lewis and he assigned unto him the Dukedom of Angio and so much revenue as amounted yearly to thirty thousand Crowns and the French King obtained in recompencee from King Frederick all the right and interest which he had in the kingdom Within a little time following Frederick fell sick at Torse in France where his pain increasing upon him died the ninth of September in the year 1504. He had to his wife being Prince of Taranto the Lady N. della valle Bertania of the worthy Family of Alibret blood in Gasconie the kinswoman of the father of Charls the eighth King of France by whom he had one onely daughter called the Lady Carlotta which was brought up in the French Court and afterward succeeded in her mothers inheritance Of his second wife Isabella the onely daughter of Pirro del Balzo Prince of Altamura and Duke of Andry he had six children that is to say three male and three female the male children were Don Ferdinando Duke of Calauria and Prince of Taranto Don Cesar and Don Alfonsus the which two last died in their Fathers time The women kind the first named the Lady Iulia was married in the year 1533. to Giorgio Paleologo Duke of Montferrato and Marquis of Sanluzo of the noble blood of the Emperours of Constantinople The Lady Isabella and the Lady Caterina were never married The Queen Isabella after the death of King Frederick seeing herself deprived of all humane comfort because that being discharged of that kingdom by the King of France by reason
tumulum vix satis ista tuum Philip of Austria 27 King of Naples PHilip of Austria the most puissant Catholique King which reigneth with all Triumph and Honor after he was invested in the kingdom and the Title of the kingdom of Ierusalem by the Emperour his Father by reason of the ensuing marriage between him and Queen Mary of England he sent in his name to Naples the Marquess of Pescara to take the possession of the kingdom Afterward in the year 1556. Pope Paul the fourth entring in invaded Marc Antonio Colonna of Paliano and spoyled the rest of his estate and ministred occasion of War to the King Whereupon the Duke of Alva the Kings Lieutenant with an Army of twelve thousand Footmen and fifteen hundred Horsmen invaded the Dominion of the Church and the war ensued called War of Campania of Rome which continued a year Afterward peace was concluded between the Pope and the King In the mean time Queen Mary the wife of King Philip died without leaving any children The King after many controversies had with Henry the second King of France made peace with him in the year 1559. And for a greater confirmation thereof and true reconciliation the Catholique King married Isabella the daughter of the most Christian King who died in child-bed in the year 1568. PSALM 19. Domine salvum fac Regem exaudi nos in die qua invocaverimus te The Titles of Dignity which all the Kings of this Kingdom have used 1. ROgerius Dei gratia Siciliae Italiae Rex Christianorum adjutor clypeus Rogerii primi Comitis haeres silius 2. Gulielmus Dei gratia Siciliae Rex Christianorum defensor 3. Gulielmus 2. Divina favente clementia Rex Siciliae Apuliae Dux princeps Capuae religionis Christianae adjutor defensor c. 4. Tancredus D. gratia Siciliae Rex ac Aletii Comes 5. Henricus 6. Dei gratia invictissimus Romanorum Imp. semper Augustus ac Siciliae Rex 6. Imperator Fredericus 2. Romanorum Caesar semper Augustus Italicus Siculus Hierosolymitanus Arelatensis foelix victor ac triumphator 7. Conradus 4. Divina favente clementia electus Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus ac Siciliae Hierusalem rex 8. Mansredus D. G. Siciliae Hierusalem rex ac Tarenti princeps 9. Carolus Dei gratia rex Hierusalem Siciliae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae almae urbis Senator princeps Achaiae Andagaviae Provinciae Forcalquerii Corciadoni Comes ac Romani Imperii in Tuscia per sanctam Romanam Ecclesiam vicarius generalis 10. Carolus 2. D. G. rex Hierusalem Siciliae Vngariae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 11. Robertus D. G. rex Hierusalem Siciliae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 12. Ioanna D. G. regina Hierusalem Siciliae Ducatus Apuliae principatus Capuae Provinciae forcalquerli ac Pedimontis Comitissa 13. Carolus 3. D. G. rex Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 14. Ladislaus D. G. Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae Dalmatiae Croatiae Romae Serviae Galitiae Lodomeriae Comuriae Bulguriaeque rex Provinciae et Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comes 15. Ioanna 2. D. G. Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae Dalmatiae Croatiae Romae Serviae Galitiae Lodomeriae Comuriae Bulguriaeque regina Provinciae Forcalquerii ac Pedimontis Comitissa INTERREGNO Consilium Gubernatores Republicae Regni Siciliae ordinatis per clarae memoriae Serenissimam Illustrissimam Dominam nostram Dominam Joannam secundam Dei gratia Ungariae Hierusalem Siciliae reginam 16. Renatus D. G. Vngariae Hierusalem Siciliae rex Andagaviae Bari Lotharingiae Dux Pontis Marchio Comitatumque Provinciae Forcalquerii Cevoviam ac Pedimontis Comes 17. Alfonfus D. G. rex Aragonum Siciliae citra ultra Farum Valentiae Hierusalem Vngariae Majoricarum Sardiniae Corsicae Comes Barchionis Dux Atenarum Neopatriae ac etiam Comes Rossilionis Ceritaniae c. 18. Ferdinandus Aragon D. G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem Vngariae Valentiae c. 19. Alfonsus 2. Aragoneus D.G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem et Hungariae c. 20. Carolus 4. D.G. rex Francorum Neapolitanorum et Hierusalem 21. Ferdinandus 2. Aragoneus D. G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem c. 22. Fredericus Aragoneus D.G. rex Siciliae Hierusalem c. 23. Ludovicus D.G. Francorum Neapolitanorum et Hierusalem rex dux Mediolani Ferdinando the Catholique King having divided the kingdom with Lewis King of France did intitle himself so long as he so continued Duke of Apulia and Calauria 24. Ferdinandus et Elizabeth Dei gratia rex et regina Castellae Aragonum Siciliae Granatae Toloti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Giennis Algarbii Gibraltaris et Insularum Canariae Comes et Comitissa Barchinonae Domini Viscayae et Molinae Duces Calabriae et Apuliae ac Athenarum et Neopatriae c. After the said King had chased away the Frenchmen from all the Realm and made himself absolute Lord thereof he used this title Ferdinandus D.G. rex Catholicus Castellae Aragonuum utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Granatae Toleti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Giennis Algarbii Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Comes Barchinonae Dominus Vizcoyae et Molinae Dux Athenarum et Neopatriae Comes Rossilionis et Ceritaniae Marchio Oristanii et Gotiani 25. Ioanna 3. D. G. regina Castellae Aragonum utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Granatae Toleti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Giennis Algarbii Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Comitissa Barchinonae Domina Vizcayae et Molinae Ducissa Calabriae Athenarum et Neopatriae Comitissa Rossilionis et Ceritaniae Marchionissa Oristanii et Gotiani 26. Carolus 5. Divina favente elementia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus rex Germaniae et Ioanna ejus mater et eidem Carolus Dei gratia Reges Castellae Legionis Aragoniae utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Navarrae Granatae Toleti Vulentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corsicae Murtiae Giennis Algarbii Alzezirae Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Indiaram et terrae Firmae Maris Oceani c. Rex Archidux Austriae Duc Burgundiae Lotharingiae Brabantiae Stiriae Corinthiae Carniolae Lymburgiae Lucembargiae Geldriae Calabriae Athenarum Neopatriae Virtembergae c. Comes Flandriae Habspurgi Tirolis Barchmonae Archois et Burgundiae Comes Palatinus Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandiae Ferretti Kiburgi Namurei Rossilionis Ceritaniae et Zutphaniae c. Lantgravius Alsatiae Marchio Burgoniae Oristani Gotzani et sacri Romani Imperii princeps Sueviae Cathalaniae Asturiae Dominus Phrisiae Marchiae Sclavonicae Portus Naonis Biscayae Molinae Salinarum Tripolis et Mechliniae c. The Title which Charls used afterward when he was absolute King Carolus 5. Divina favente clementia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus rex Germaniae Castellae
the 7 offices of the kingdom cause him to swear to do the duty of a good Prince and to observe the priviledges immunities of the Citie and Kingdom Afterward they lead him to sit on the left hand not far from the Legate in a chair of state covered with cloth of gold and the Legate with a loud voyce proclaimeth him King of Naples and Ierusalem And the seven officers of the kingdom with the Recorder in token of obedience kisse his hand and the like is done by the Princes and Nobility of the kingdom These ceremonies finished the King receiveth the Communion where begins to sound the Organs Trumpets Cornets and other Instruments discharging the Artillery and making great triumph and joy and so Mass being ended the King useth to invest many Lords into their States The King being mounted upon his horse entreth under the Canopy embrodered with gold in the top whereof gently wave up and down the Kings Arms both of the Kingdom of the Citie and of the Provinces carried by men of dignity and honor which at one and the same time succeed in their honors and in their labours Then beginneth the order of the pomp and state to march forward the which I will omit to declare lest I should seem too tedious leaving it to every one to consider thereof And this great King is exempted from the Empire neither acknowledgeth he any superior being a feudist of the Church the which Andrea d' Sormia confirmeth in his Preambles concerning tribute in the ninth column and likewise Mattheo d' Afflitto many other worthy Lawyers discourse thereof the which the most say that the King of Naples is one of the aforesaid four Kings that are anointed and crowned by the order of the Pope Besides he goeth before the elected Emperour being not crowned because that before his coronation he is called King of the Romans but being anointed and crowned he is then called the Roman Emperour Moreover the said four kings do not follow behind the Emperor as other kings that are subject to him but go by his side whereby it appeareth that the King of Naples is one of the great Kings of the world as well in dignity as honor of the Empire therefore I think it not much expedient to take any great pains in expressing it since the reputation thereof is well known to all that have any experience in learning Sufficient is said hereof for the Emperour Charls the 5. in the year 1554. marrying his first begotten son Philip Prince of Spain to Queen Mary of England would not invest him with any other Title then the kingdom of Naples and Ierusalem to the end he should not be inferior to so great a Queen And so much concerning the coronation of the Kings of Naples A brief Discourse of the Kings of IERVSALEM Beginning from Godfrey where is shewed the true cause why the Kings of NAPLES are intituled to that Kingdom THe subject of this Discourse we have here to handle requireth that I also shew and declare the reason and cause by what right all the Kings of Naples have been intituled to the kingdom of Ierusalem a discourse both for the greatness and excellency of the matter worthy to be known from the true understanding whereof every one may evidently see and perceive the great dignity and honor of the Kings of Naples and by what right and title the said kingdom more justly belongeth to them then any other For the better knowledge whereof it is necessary I briefly begin from the first Christian King of that kingdom After the death of Godfrey was Baldwin beforesaid Count of Edissa his brother made King of Ierusalem in his place which was a man of great valor for he wan the Citie of Tiberiade in Galile Sidon Accaron and many more upon the Sea-coast and with the help of the Genoways and Venetians afterward overcame the strong Citie of Tolomaida he had also the Castle of Soball which stands upon the river of Iordan and did much increase his dominion At length having reigned 18 years ended his life without children and was buried in the same Sepulcher with his brother By the death of Baldwin was Baldwin the second of Burges in France made King by the generall consent of the Christians who was cousin germain to the two aforesaid Kings of Ierusalem and in the second year of his reign the Prince of the Turks in Asia minor coming upon Gaza with a mighty Army he valiantly encountred overcame and took him prisoner And in the year following the King of Damasco suddenly besieged the gates of Ierusalem with fifteen thousand fighting men Baldwin couragiously issuing out and valiantly charging them at length put them to flight and slew two thousand of them and took their King with a thousand prisoners and lost but onely thirty men Not long after Balach King of the Parthians arriving with a mighty Army encountred with Baldwin hand to hand overcame him and carried him prisoner to Cairo with many Christian Noble men But at length Baldwin with the said Christian Nobility were released with the payment of a great sum of money and the King returned to Ierusalem where reigning thirteen years died without issue Male and Fulk Count of Anjou his son-in-law succeeded him in the kingdom who had married his daughter Melesina against whom the Barbarians durst never move any war because of his two sons Baldwin and Almerich expert and valiant souldiers who being imployed as Deputies in his affairs executed many great slaughters on the Turks After this valiant King had reigned 11 years running in hunting after a Hare his horse falling with his head downward died presently Whereupon his son Baldwin the Great and third of this name was made King who took Ascalon and Gaza ancient Cities and gave them to the Knights of the Temple Baldwin performing other famous and worthy deeds of Arms after he had reigned 24 years died and was buried in the holy Temple with the other Kings and Almerich his brother succeded in the kingdom a valiant man who had many conflicts with the Turks and took the Citie of Alexandria in Aegypt Afterward he went against the great and mighty Citie Cairo called in ancient time Carra and besieged it and being very likely to win it notwithstanding through the instigations of the Citizens received a great sum of money left the siege and returned again to Ierusalem and not long after died having reigne 12 years leaving behind him three children Baldwin Sybilla and Isabella to whom succeeded in his kingdom Baldwin the fourth of this name his first begotten who though he had the leprosie notwithstanding he did very valiantly and politickly govern the kingdom and having no wife yet because the Realm should not want a sufficient heir to succeed him he married his sister Sybel to William Longspath Marquess of Montferrato and Isabell his youngest sister he promised with
but to take order for the preservation of your life be quiet so he took his Sword which was by his beds-head and causd a steel Cabinet to be carried away telling him it shold be returnd him again after som papers of his were perusd so the King departed leaving a guard upon him There was a huge murmur the next day all the Court over that the Prince shold be thus made a Prisoner being the greatest heir in the world but the King the next day writ to all his Vice-roys and chief Officers that they shold not much wonder at this sudden action or be too inquisitive to know the cause of it or trouble themselves to intercede for the Prince let it suffize for them to know that it tended to the common good that he was his Father and knew what belongd to things He sent also to all the Ambassadors at Court not to intermeddle or trouble themselvs about this business the Prince being thus restraind and his humors being as fiery as the season which was the Dog-daies he drunk much water coold with snow out of an artificiall Fountain he had which with som other excesses and disorders made him fall into a double Tertian he afterwards fell a vomiting and to a dysentery proceeding from the extream cold water he usd to drink so much The Kings Physitians did carefully attend him and usd what Art cold do but the Disease provd mortall and beyond cure hereupon the Councell â—at to advise whether it was fitting for the King to go visit him som wer of opinion that the Prince was well disposd to dy a good Catholic and the sight of his Father might happily discompose him yet the King went in and gave him his benediction but stayed not and so returnd with more grief and less care A little after the Prince expird being twenty three yeers old he had made his Will before which he deliverd his Secretary wherin he desird his Father to forgive him and to give him his blessing to pay his debts and give his movables to Churches and Hospitals and that his body shold be buried in Toledo which was performd His Funerall was prepard the same day he dyed for at seven in the evening the Grandees carried his body out to the Court-gate wher the Nuncio with other Ambassadors and a great concours of Noblemen were ready to attend the Herse The hard destiny and death of this great young Prince with the extraordinary circumstances therof may teach the world this lesson that the love of a Father must give place to the office of a King and that jealousy among Princes works more powerfully then naturall affections 1. This was one of the four Acts for which King Philip made himself so subject to be censurd abroad in the world for papers flew in many places that hâ— had poysond his Son 2. The second was in the transaction of the business of Aragon where he was taxd to have falsifyed his own manifesto wherin he declard that the Army under Don Alonso de Vergas was intended for France wheras it proovd afterwards to have bin expresly raysd to surprize Saragosa 3. The third was the business of Portugal for wheras he had declard that he was willing to refer the right of Title to that Crown to the decision of the Pope he invaded and conquerd the Country before the Nuncio cold com to the Spanish Court though he knew he was upon his way and already landed in Spain to that purpose but he sent speciall Commission to the Towns through which he was to pass that they should entertain and regalar him som dayes while in the interim he did his business in Portugal 4. The fourth was the conniving at the Murther of Escovedo Secretary to Don Iohn of Austria which was perpetrated with his privity as Antonio Perez confessd upon the Rack which made this Character to be given of him that there was but a little distance betwixt Don Philips risa y el cuchillo between his smile and the Scaffold his prudence somtimes turning to excess of severity But as the hearts of Kings are inscrutable so their waies shold be their actions somtimes must be attended with politicall cunning and extraordinary power to crush Cocatrices in the shell to prevent greater inconveniences as God Almighty whose immediat Vicegerents they are doth use sometimes his omnipotence in exceeding the Rules and common course of nature PHILIP THE THIRD XXVIII KING OF NAPLES PHILIP the third of Austria fift Son to Philip the second by Donna Anna the Emperors Daughter and his fourth Wife succeeded his Father in all his Dominions both in the new and old World He was born the 14th of April 1578. in the Palace of Madrid and was Christned upon the Feast of Philip and Iacob the first of whom may be sayed to be his God-father six yeers after he was created Prince of Castile in the Monastery of Saint Ieronimo the next yeer after he was created Prince of Aragon in Monson the next yeer after he was created Prince of Navarr in the Cathedrall Church of Pampelona and lastly Prince of Portugal which made him to have this priviledg above all his Predecessors to be the first who was Prince of all Spain in regard Lusitania had not bin before under the Crown of Castile till the Raign of Philip his Father he was a weakly sick Child for many yeers at first yet he survivd his four brothers viz. Don Carlos Don Fernando Don Carlos Lorenzo and Don Diego so easily is humane judgment deceivd The first thing he did was the sending of a new Vice-roy to the Kingdom of Naples then after that long destructive War in the Nether-lands which had so ragd in his Fathers time he made a Truce with the Hollanders but in these ambiguous words son contento de tratar con vos otros como con Estados libres I am contented to treat with you as with free States wherby according to the Spanish exposition of those words he intimated they were no free States by vertu of this word As for it is a rule in Logic that Nullum simile est Idem No thing that is like a thing is the same thing therfore if he treated with them as with free States they were no free States This Truce afforded much matter of discourse for the Criticks of those times He did this by the advice principally of the Marquess of Denia afterwards Duke of Lermanhom whom he took for his Privado or his Favorit to whom he transmitted the guidance of all great affairs being conscious of som imbecillities of his own wherin he discoverd a great point of wisdom whose chiefest part is for one to know his own infirmities and incapacities But I should have spoken first of the peace he had made with England which preceded this and was the first great action he did when he began to sit at the Healm of that mighty Vessell I mean the Spanish Monarchy which in his Fathers time