Hen Do Cary Baro de Leppington Comes Monmouthensis et honble Ord Balnia Eques THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY From the Year MDCXIII To MDCXLIV IN XVIII BOOKS Written Originally in Italian By Pietro Giovanni Capriata D R at Law And rendred in English By HENRY Earl of MONMOUTH LONDON Printed by I. Macock and are to be sold by Tho. Dring at the George near St Dunstan's Church in Fleet-street MDCLXIII IMPRIMATUR Whitehall Ianuary 10. 1662. William Morice THE Epistle to the Reader IT hath always Judicious Reader among the wisest of men been esteemed a Task most difficult to compose the Histories of those Times wherein the Persons chiefly concerned might yet living behold their great or more minute Actions unmasked or displayed to the world And therefore most have been and still are of opinion That such an Attempt ought not to be made by any but a Person of so resolute a Temper as might neither be swayed by Fear nor Flattery nor yet steered by an over-weaning Opinion for whilst the Biass runs on the first side men dare not speak even the truth it self the second glosses even bad Actions as if to the World it would make Vice appear Virtue and the third represents things not as indeed they were or were intended but as we fondly imagine or conceive them The Task performed by the Learned Capriata Author of the ensuing History was not only of this difficult Nature but had likewise many other Embroils and Entanglements sufficient to have daunted any less Judicious Undertaker so many both particular and interwoven Interests of a number of petty Princes though all united or relying upon those three great Ones of the Church King of France and King of Spain being sufficient to create such infinite Entrigues as were not to be cleared or described but by a great and perspicacious Intelligence And yet hath our Learned Author waded through all these difficulties and by taking no less care in clearing the Causes then describing the Effects of these late Italian Dissentions deservedly gained the name of an Excellent Historian And it was certainly a true and deliberate knowledge of all this and more that induced the ever to be Honoured Henry Earl of Monmouth after having made so many Excellent Italian Pieces speak English with an Industry seldom found in the Nobility of our Nation to make choice of this which is now become the Posthume Child of so Excellent a Parent and which may look though there needs no farther Remembrancer of his never dying Fame like a new Phoenix raising it self out of his ashes And surely besides the Excellency of the Composure and Delicacy of the Stile he was invited or enticed by Delights far more sublime to the Translation of this History To find what Causes should engage the Potent Monarchs of France and Spain in the Quarrels and Dissentions of these little Princes of Italy and how their Interests are involved or dependent must needs be pleasant To trace the Policies of the grave Spaniard and sober Italian accounted Crafts-Masters in that Art cannot be less delightful but to behold such a connexion of Entrigues as if the whole Tragedy were rather a Comedy where the end of one Act leaves but a greater desire and expectation of what shall succeed in the next must needs be the most agreeable of all These or such like might possibly be the Motives or Incentives of the Earl of Monmouth to continue with a Generous Soul to communicate the Excellencies of Forreign Nations to his own Countrey-men which else must have been hidden to all except himself or some few more who by Travel or Industry might have learnt the Italian Tongue unless some other Worthy Spirit like to his would have undertaken so good a Work though few are now found so industriously to prosecute the Publick Good But lest being hurried into a Discourse that may possibly require a Satyre I should obstruct my intended brevity give me leave to assert thus much omitting all that I might say of my own Judgment or Experience and I think I may do it without Hyperbole That the History in its Original must needs be Excellent because the Earl of Monmouth made choice of it to Translate and the Translation cannot be ill rendred because the Earl of Monmouth did it who was Master both of the English and Italian Tongues The Contents BOOK I. FRancis Duke of Mantua and Montferrat being dead Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy pretends the return of his Daughter Margaret Wife to the late Francis into Piedmont together with Mary her only Daughter Cardinal Ferdinando Brother and Successour to Francis retards his sister in Law 's return and keeps his Niece in Mantua Hereupon differences arise between the two Dukes wherefore the Duke of Savoy renewing his ancient claim to Montferrat which was pretended to by his Predecessours assaults that State at unawares possesseth himself of the Cities of Alba and Trino endeavours the like of Montcalvo but not being able to get the Fort levies people to take it The condition of Italy is also given in the Prooemium then by way of digression the Duke of Savoys pretences to Montferrat is discoursed upon and many other Interests and Accidents which occurred between the said Duke and the Court of Spain at several Times and upon divers Occasions Page 1 BOOK II. The Wars of Montferrat are continued to be related as also the Provisions and Negotiations made by the Duke of Mantua and other Princes The Surrender of the Castle of Montcalvo The oppugning of Nizza della Paglia Prince Victorio's going to Spain Orders sent from that Court to Italy touching the Protection of Montferrat and the Restitution of the Towâ—… that were taken In execution whereof Nizza is freed and the other Towns restored to the Duke of Mantua The War of Garfagnana between the Duke of Modena and the Common-wealth of Lucca which being accommodated by peace the business of Montferrat is reassumed and divers Negotiations past between the Dukes of Savoy and Mantua which whilest they are in Treaty Spains final Resolution comes touching the quiet of Italy and the security of Montferrat Prince Victorio returns to Italy badly satisfied with the King and Court of Spain 31 BOOK III. The Duke of Savoy is angry that the King should force him to lay down Arms and to disband his men which refusing to do he is assaulted by a Spanish Army led on by the Duke of Millain who being entred by the Vercelles into the Confines of Piedmont and understanding that the Duke was gone to before Novara returns immediately to the State of Millain to drive him from thence Being returned he begins to build the Fort Scandovalle not far from Vercelles The Duke retreating to Vercelles desires succour from the French Venetians and other Princes many whereof Treat of Agreement by their Embassadour sent into Piedmont The Warre continues the mean while with the Duke in pursuit whereof many accidents happening they came at last to
Princes absence is sworn Governess and Regent being compel'd by the King of France she renews League with him The Governour of Millain goes to before Vercelli and after a long Siege takes it upon Articles The Princes of Savoy assisted by the Spaniards and Piedmontese take many Towns and make much progress they go to before Turin and having tarried before it some days retire without doing any thing falling as before to over-run Piedmont they are received every where till Forces being sent to the Dutchess from France under the Duke of Longueville she recovers Chiavasco and other Towns which the Princes had taken The Prince Cardinal fearing Corneo goes to defend it and Prince Thomaso going once more with the Spanish Forces to before Turin surpriseth the Town and the Governour of Millain coming in unto him with all their Forces attempt the taking of the Citadel whither the Dutchess was retired The Siege is suspended by a Truce which being ended the French under the new General Count Hartcourt take Cheri but being presently besieged by the Governour of Millain they are forced through Famine to quit it and retreat in the face of the enemy to Carmagnuola 628 BOOK XVII You shall read in this Book the Treaties of Agreement between the Dowager and the Princes and the interests between the Princes and the Governour of Millain how the Governour goes with a powerful Army to Cassalle how it is relieved by Harcourt how he fought the Governour before he could bring in the succour and had the better of the Fight and did not only relieve but perfectly free the place Harcourt being victorious goes presently to Turin he takes the Capuchins Bridge over the Poe fortifies himself there and afterwards begirts the City with a vast Line and endeavours to get it by Famine Prince Thomaso being in it but ere long he seeth the Governour upon the Hills with a powerful Army coming to relieve the besieged Prince the Governour finding it impossible to bring the succour by that way strives to get a pass over the River towards Montcalleri and having gotten it he passeth over the Poe where quitting the Hills he takes up new quarters and thinking to make the French abandon the enterprize by Famine he possesseth himself of the Avenues by which Victuals were brought to the Camp so as they would have been quickly made to remove had not the Prince Thomaso who was impatient of delay made the Governour to fall upon the Enemies Trenches and to relieve him so which falling out unfortunately and the Governour not thinking himself any longer safe in his quarters beyond the Poe returns to his quarters upon the Hills where he tarried assisting the besieged in what he was able till the City was surrendred which hapned two moneths and eleven dayes after the unfortunate assault given to the French Trenches that the besieged City might be relieved Prince Thomaso comes out of Turin and retreats to Inurea where he is desired by Monsigniore Mazzarini who was come Embassadour from the King of France into Piedmont a little before Turin was surrendred to joyn with the French but Count Siruela coming to him from the Governour of Millain he makes new capitulations with him to joyn with the Crown of Spain and the Count Della Rivera being sent by the same Governour to the same purpose to the Prince Cardinal the Embassadour Mazzarini having notice thereof forceth Prince Thomaso to joyn with the French upon conditions one of which was that the Prince should go to Paris within one moneths space which condition was not observed for the Prince instead of going to France passeth secretly to Nice where he and his brother re-conform their union to the Crown of Spain to Rivera the Embassadour Mazzarini who went to Nice to confirm the one Prince and to draw the other over to the French party laboured the contrary very much at the same time the Governour of Millain is sent for into Spain and is succeeded in that Government by Count Siruela the French go to Montcalvo take the Town at their first arrival and afterwards the Castle which yields without expecting succour 686. BOOK XVIII The Crown of France and French Commanders being but badly satisfied with Prince Thomaso for his non-observance of the Capitulation made by him go to drive him out of Inurea which being better defended then assaulted holds out till the Governour sends succour who going afterwards to before Chiavasso Forces the French almost to quit the Enterprise that they may relieve Chiavasso and Don Vincenzo Gonzaga coming to the French quarters before Inurea forceth them to their much prejudice to give over the Enterprise wholly and the Prince enters joyfully into the City The Dowagers Generals recover Ceva Mondovi and the Castle of Carru and then joyning with the French go to before Cuneo and take it The Spaniards take Montcalvo The Prince of Monaco drives out the Spanish Garrison and introduceth the French to the great prejudice of the Spanish Affairs the misfortunes whereof are by a short digression related Cardinal Richlieu dies The Conde Duca falls from all Authority and Greatness in the Court of Spain The differences between the Dowager and the Princes are at last composed The Princes forsake the Spanish party and adhere unto the French Prince Thomaso joyning with the French after some small actions done to the prejudice of Spain goes with the Duke of Longueville with a strong Army to before Tortona which after a long time is taken but some months after is re-taken with much ado by the Spaniards in which interim Prince Thomaso recovers Asti and all the Towns that were held by the Spaniards in Piedmont except Vercelli 744 THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY BOOK I. The Contents FRancis Duke of Mantua and Montferrate being dead Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy pretends the return of his Daughter Margaret Wife to the late Francis into Piedmont together with Mary her only Daughter Cardinal Ferdinando Brother and Successor to Francis retards his Sister in Law 's return and keeps his Niece in Mantua Hereupon differences arise between the two Dukes wherefore the Duke of Savoy renewing his ancient claim to Montferrat which was pretended to by his Predecessors assaults that State at unawares possesseth himself of the Cities of Alba and Trino indeavours the like of Moncalvo but not being able to get the Fort levies people to take it The Condition of Italy is also given in the Prooemium then by way of digression the Duke of Savoys pretences to Montferrate is discoursed upon and many other Interests and Accidents which occurred between the said Duke and the Court of Spain at several Times and upon divers Occasions ITALY hoped long to continue that Peace which She had already injoyed for so many years when by the unexpected death of Henry the Fourth King of France she was freed of the great suspition of War which she had cause to apprehend by reason of the great preparations of that Kingdom
Charles his Wife Isabella was married to Duke Charles Grandfather to the present Duke so for the same respects Philip the Second King of Spain contracted a more then customary Union with this present Charles Emanuel by giving him his second Daughter Katherine for Wife with a Portion of many yearly Revenues assigned to him in the Kingdom of Naples to boot with great Pensions which were paid unto him before Marriage out of the State of Millain to keep him the more interessed in the maintaining of those Territories High aspiring thoughts began then to appear in this Prince and much greater then became his Fortune Ardent desires of new Acquisitions greater inclination to war then to peace and therefore he applied himself to military Exercises and just as we read of Alexander the Great that not bounding himself within the limits of Macedon and Greece he thought the whole World too little for him It might peradventure be affirmed of this present Duke That esteeming himself too much streightened within the Precincts of Savoy and Piedmont he sought to inlarge his State and Fortune by the prejudice of his neighbours This his disposition was increased by this his Alliance which like fire in well-prepared metals set this young Prince his mind on flame and made his hopes the greater and thinking that the civil wars of France made much for this his purpose he first assaulted and took Saluzzo which was possest by the King of France in Piedmont and entring into war with those of Geneva he afterwards entred Armed into Province and Dolpheny intending to make himself Master of those Provinces And if Fortune had smiled upon these his high designs his hopes led him on so far as not to think himself inferior to any that pretended to that Crown but the Valor Fortune and Right of Henry the fourth getting the better over all other Competitors who appeasing the Tumults and allaying the Factions possest himself of that Kingdom by right of Succession The Duke was forced not only to forego his Enterprises unluckily undertaken in France but if he would retain the Towns which he possest on this side of the Mountains he must pay a very great price for them In the progress of these Affairs there therefore arose no sleight accidents which disturbed the good Intelligence which ought to have been maintained between the King of Spain and the Duke by reason of their so near Alliance for the Duke when he first busied himself in the affairs of France built much upon the assistance which he had reason to expect from the King his Father in law not so much in respect of his Alliance as that the things which he undertook were of no small help to the Kings self who at the same time assisting the Catholick League of the French Princes both with men and monies against King Henry who was then a Hugonâ—…t made himself Master of many Towns in Britany and in other parts of that Kingdom and therefore made his ends and intentions be much suspected But though the Father in law might for those respects be inwardly pleased with his Son in law's Actions yet wisely foreseeing how much those Enterprises did exceed his Forces and the mischiefs which might thereby accrue unto him he profest the contrary and seeming â—…ather desirous of the peace and safety of his Son in law's Dominions he disswaded him from those Enterprises fearing also lest by provoking France thereby he might draw many bad humors into Italy whereby his peaceful possessions might be disturbed and the common Affairs indangered And yet that he might not seem to abandon him rather then to incourage and foment him in those wars he furnished him with forces but not such as were answerable either for readiness or numbers to the necessity of the Times and no otherwise then with limitation that they should serve only to defend his own Dominions if they should happen as they did to be assaulted by the French but not to offend or disquiet others Wherefore the Duke finding the Spanish Commanders directions contrary to his designs in his most urgent occasions and thinking himself thereby injured he was much troubled And as he who sees himself fallen from high hopes which he had â—…ancied to himself useth to think it a shame that he hath not compassed his ends and to believe that he is deluded more by the will of others then by his own perswasion the Duke esteeming that for so many respects he might freely have promised himself abundance of help from his Father in law thought he had reason to hold himself too severely treated by him wherefore beginning to be jealous of the Kings mind and Magnanimâ—…ty he doubted that though he peradventure might for his own particular ends be well enough pleased to see him busied in those wars indeavouring to keep him in a moderate condition for the greater security of his own affairs in Italy and that he might depend the more upon him the King he had rather held him unfortunately in hand by those weak succours in those wars then assisted him to the acquiring of more Dominion and Grandezza as he the Duke had hoped and this his dislike was the more increased when he found that the Kings Authority was not afterwards sufficient to include him in the peace which was afterwards made between the said King and the King of France without the restitution of Saluzzo The Duke thought that his Father in law being now very old was the less careful to leave his Son who was but then young in peaceful possession of his State by that Agreement for that he had not appeared to solicit his interests for many places of much importance being by vertue of this peace restored to the French the Duke thought that if his Father in law had stuck a little closer to him he might still have kept the little Marquesite of Saluzzo which it was likely King Henry would not have stood much upon having by this Peace many very noble Towns of France restored to him which were possest by the King of Spain in the time of war But the King who had made publick profession that he had possest himself of the Towns of that Kingdom to no other end but to keep the Hereticks from being Masters of them with intention to restore them afterwards to whosoever should be lawfully chosen King of France covering the necessity of his own interests which forc'd him to make that Peace with the cloke of fair proceeding seemed as if the time of his promis'd restoring them was then come since King Henry was declared by all the Orders of France and by the Apostolick See to be lawful and Catholick King and that therefore the Duke having profest that he had possest himself of Saluzzo upon the same pretences and promises â—…nd being by the same reason bound to restore it the King as he would not that by the Dukes interests prevailing over his that peace should be disturbed so could he
places which lying upon the Frontier of Savoy towards Burgony served as a gate to let in or to keep out the Governours men who were to enter by those parts under Diffe This Order being readily executed by Lanz rendered Nemours his business vain for he seeming as if he were coming with his men into Piedmont but indeed turning upon those Towns was repulss'd by the Dukes men wherefore forced to retire more inward towards Chiaromonte and Cleramonte his men out of meer necessity of livelihood and maintenance fell to sack the neighbouring Villages whilst Nemours kept idle in those parts expecting that the forces of Burgony should have come and have joined with him but it was in vain to expect that for Nissi and Remigli holding for the Duke and the Governours of Lyons Dolpheny and the Dutchy of Burgony discovering themselves forthwith to be for the Duke and soon after all the Princes of France moved thereunto out of consideration of the great prejudice which might thereby insue unto the Kingdom if the Spanish Forces entering into Savoy should more inviron the Confines of France Disse could not get to joyn with Nemours And Albertus Arch-Duke of Austria who as Lord of Flaunders and of the Low Countries governed the County of Burgony though he made use for the most part of the King of Spains Armies and Militia and of the Spanish Officers in the Government of those Provinces yet would he not by any means be brought to assist or consent unto that Enterprize were it either that he was unwilling to disturb the Peace between his men and the States of France or for that that enterpâ—…e not being either commanded or approved of by the King but only framed by the State Officers in Italy he did more value the neer interest of blood which he and the Infanta Arch-dutchess his wife and Daughter to the King whose Dowry those States were â—…ad with the Duke of Savoy and with his children born of a Sister of his Wives than he did the Governour of Millain's designs nay giving severe Orders to his Officers in Burgony that they should not countenance Nemours in any sort nor receive his men he was abandoned by all at the fairest of his play So the violence of that storm began suddenly to pass over which whilest it hover'd in the Air did much alter the Dukes Affairs which continued troubled for many moneths but for all this he did not give over the defence of Piedmont where having Garrisonned the Towns of Asti and Vercelles and made Count Guido Governour of the formeâ—… and the Marquess of Clausio who had escaped some few moneths before from the Castle of Millain where he was kept close prisoner Governour of the other he caused a Bridge to be made over the Poe between Verrâ—…a and Crescentino to the end that the Counties of Asti and Vercelles being thereby joyned they might more easily relieve one another in case they should be assaulted and having sent the remainder of the pay to Castiglione and the other Commanders who raised men for him he staid expecting him The Governour did the like in Pavia but with more fervency where breathing forth nothing but fire and sword and being impatient of any the least delay he hasted provisions that he might go into the field and giving out that he would be all August with his Army upon the Confines of Piedmont â—…he made his Artillery be Imbarqued upon the Poe took Order for many Pioneers and Bridges and disburst moneys in Montferrat and Millain for the raising of new Regiments and laying all the Civil Government of the State upon Don Sanchio di Luâ—…a Keeper of the Ciâ—…adel of Millain he was wholly intent in providing for War promising marvellous things unto himself from so great prepâ—…rations and the Nuntio being come to Pavia about the midst of August he gave him Audience boâ—…ted and spurr'd in which posture he used then to go thorow the City that it might be seen he was in a readiness to march and the Nuntio desiring a short suspension of Arms he would not grant it saying That he was come too late But all things were not so ready for going to the field as the Governour could have desired for neither were the Swissers come from their own homes nor were the Dutch come into the State of Millain and many draught-horses for the Artillery and many Arms which were expected from Germany for the use of the Army were not yet come Execution therefore not answering resolution and businesses not proceeding on so fast as was expected nay new difficulties arising every day the Governour began to slacken that vigour of mind wherewith till now he had with some violence been transported and beginning to know the difference between saying and doing he found also that the bad success of the last War was not wholly through his Predecessors fault His courage was also cooled by the bad success of the business of Savoy which was the chief ground-work of his designs wherein to boot with having spent above 300000 Ducats he had also consumed the Marquess of Disse his whole Regiment of Burgonians which had caused no less diversion to him than to the Duke He was not a little scandalized neither that the enterprize should be thought to have miscarried through the wickedness of his men corrupted by the Dukes moneys for his chief Secretary was imprisoned as guilty of having made the Letter written unto the King come unto the Duke of Savoy's hands and though nothing could be proved against him he was rigidly tormented He was likewise detained by continual remembrances from the Court that he should rather break off than imbrace any new occasions of new ruptures finding those Ministers of State more inclined to preserve that Authority and Greatness which they received privately and the Crown publickly from the tranquillity of peace then to advance it by perturbation of affairs chiefly when he called to mind that the Duke being desperate and extraordinarily exasperated not caring into whaâ—… danger he ran seemed to desire nothing but tumults and alteration of affairs which was contrary to the Crowns interest in Italy Of which opinion some of the State-ministers of the State of Millain seemed also to be those chiefly who out of a particular friendship to the Marquess Inoiosa and for good turns received from him thought it suited more with his reputation that either the peace made by him should be perfected or else the new war prove unfortunate And as for the aforesaid respect moneys were not provided in Spain so some State-ministers of the State of Millain not going along with the Governour in his opinions and ends but opposing as much as they might such provisions and resolutions as were to be made caused diffidence in him in his Counsels and impediments in the execution of what was resolved upon wherefore he who was almost surrounded with Competitors consulting in things of weightiest importance only with Vives who was then his Confident
as if the succeeding to that State had belonged to her since her Father dyed without Issue Male he inferred that the right of the same Succession was past to him by the universal institution Charles laid these three ground-works for his universal Succession to Montferrat To boot wherewith he laid also a particular claim to a good part of the same State which being given by Jovan Giacomo Paleologus and by John his Son to Amedeus the first Duke of Savoy 1435. was the very same day given by Amedeus to those that had given it him from themselves and for those that should descend from them on the Fathers side all which being extinct as Duke Charles pretended in Jovan Georgio he said that that part was without all dispute fallen to him as to the Sovereign Lord. On the contrary Margaret alledged that the Succession of Montferrat bolonged to her as the nearest Heir to her Uncle the last Lord thereof and denying that the Heir male should by any legal disposal be preferred before the next of kin yea when the Succession should go out of the Male Line she disputed the reality of the Matrimonial Contract urged by the Adversary And howsoever she said that that Contract did no ways operate to the prejudice of Succession which did belong unto her by other means then by the person of Theodorus without the Emperours consent She said that no heed was to be given to the Lady Bianca's Testament she never having had any thing to do in that State as being excluded by others of Paleologus his male kindred how much less then could the kindred on the Fathers side be excluded from inheritance by Will who had more right thereunto then the Testatrix her self Then she alledged that the Donation of Jovan Giacomo and Georgio Paleologi was null in it self and against the Nature of the Fee-farm And moreover that it was by violence extorted from the said Amedeus when John eldest Son to John Giacomo being sent to a Festival in Piedmont was afterward detained Prisoner there so as John Giacomo was constrained for his Sons Liberty and John for his own to give way unto their will into whose custody John was unadvisedly fallen And that therefore the said Donation was revoked 30. years after by a long and solemn Decree which the Emperour Frederick made Out of which Reasons Margarets cause prevailing the Emperour Charles the fifth who as Lord and Supream Iudge of the Fee had sequestred the possession after the death of Marquess John Georgio ordered that it should be freely restored to her as lawful Heir to her Uncle rejecting by name the Dukes three Actions to the Universal State but made good the Testament of the Lady Biancaâ—… in relation notwithstanding to the Dowry of 80000. Crowns for the payment whereof she might have recourse to the improvement of the State made by her Father Marquess William And without deciding any thing else touching the Donation made in favour to Amedeus of Savoy he left it free for all pretenders to alledg any thing they could at any time about it The Pretenders were no ways satisfied with this Sentence Duke Charles thought that it was given by the Emperour in favour of Margarâ—…t and pronounced by Frederick out of reason of State so to Ballance the Princes of Italy in an equal power which might be inferior to his lest that Duke Charles might counterpoise the State of Millain by the addition of Montferrat to Piedmont which he could not apprehend from Margaret nor Frederick who possessing two States disjoyn'd within them selves would by consequence be necessitated to depend totally upon the State of Millain On the contrary Frederick and those that were for him complained privately as if the question touching the Donation had been left undecided for no other end but that Pretentions and Concurrences being kept 〈◊〉 foot between the Parties the Iâ—…deavours and Inclinations of such as pretended towards the Affairs and Interest of common Iudicature should also be kept the more firmly on foot in Italy And notwithstanding though Margaret and Fâ—…ederick were quiet Duke Charles appealed from the Sentence which as he said was made more in respect of the present times then with any consideration had to the merits and justice of his claim Wherefore thinking himself injured he appealed to Cesar's Self and his Appeal was admitted But the business proceeding on at length he obtained another Edict from the Emperours Self That no time might prejudicate his Title nor the prosecuting of his Appeal and thinking 〈◊〉 that these were not times for such a business he rested content with the Dâ—…ee and 〈◊〉 proscecuting judgment chiefly because having lost Savoy and almost all Piedmont a little before by wars made by the French both he and his Son Emanuel Philebertus minded more the regaining of what they had lost â—…hen the recovery of that by Law which they were then in suit 〈◊〉 with Frederick Yet these differences kept these Princes and their Successors at continual odds in so much as Charles Emanuel the now present Duke of Savoy having obtained another Decrâ—…e from the Emperour Rodolphus the Second in the year 1587. by which his pretentions were not only preserved â—…nprejudiced by lapse of time but confirmed as much as was requiâ—…ite and being nearly allied to Philip the second King of Spain whose second Daughter Katherine he had married he afforded no little jealousie to Duke Vicenso Nephew to Margaret that by occasion of such Decrees and assistance he would in some sort revive his antient Pretentions and trouble his possession in tâ—…t State Wherefore for his greater security he built the Citadel from the very ground which is almost contiguous to the City of Cassalle The Dukes pretentions to Montferrat were upon these terms but that which was spoken of in name of the young Princess had in it more of shew then substance For though women by antient Investment were intituled to the Succession of that State and had really succeeded therein twice it was only when there was not nor did not appear to be any Male remaining of that Line Thus did Violante and Margaret Inherit it but when there was any Male left of the Family though of remote Branches the Daughters of the late Possessors were excluded as they had been twice before Thus Bianca Wife to Charles the first Duke of Savoy and Ioan Wife to the Marquess of Saluzzo both of them Daughters to the first William Paleologus Marquess of Montferrat came behind Boniface next Brother to their Father William And the Marquess Boniface the second Brother to the same Margaret dying without Issue Iovan Georgio her Fathers Brother was preferred in the Possession before her Nor was she admitted to succeed in that State till the whole Male Line of the Paleologi was extinct in the aforesaid Iovan Georgio By which he who is acquainted with the Nature of Fee-farm and with antient observance thereof may easily conceive what the right of pretence was
which that Maid had to strive for succession in that State with her Uncle But as Princes through Ambition are usually ready to imbrace any apparent colour to aspire unto the Stateâ—… of other men and the worseâ—… Cause is often â—…avoured by the condition of times by force of Arms and the power of the Pretendeâ—…s So on the contrary the apprehensions of not being able to preserve their own Dominions makes them carefull in avoiding all occasions wheâ—…eby others mâ—…y geâ—…y the least shadow which may disturb them in the cleâ—…r possession of what iâ—… their own wheâ—…efore the greater the indeâ—…vours were which were made in the behalf of the young Maiden and how much greater the Authority of the Intercessors was the more jealous was Cardinal Ferdinando that the objects of these demands were not such as were publickly given out To these were added other no less trouble some demands concerning the Dowry and Jewels of the Dowager Dutcâ—…ess and touching the execution of the Emper or Charles the fifth's Decree in the Dowry of the Lady Bianca which together with the Inâ—…erest which was due was said to amount to the sum of 800000. Duckats But what did yet import more the Duke seeing himself 〈◊〉 in his demands which concern'd his Niece by the Cardinal did openly lay claim to Montferrat as that which belonged to him by antient pretence which though they had been silenced for a while he began now at this time and upon this occâ—…sion hotly to revive The first two demands were readily yiâ—…lded unto upon the allowance of some â—…me and downright denial of any interest Touching that of Montferrat though at the first to avoid exasperâ—…ting the Duke some intentions of friendly agreement were made known at last the Answer was That there were competent Judges before whom their Predecessors had long pleaded their Title thereunto These were the Negotiations which being treated of with some bitterness was feared would prove as they did the Seeds of further disturbances But on the other side as hope goes often along joined together with fear in this fluctuation of contrary opinions and pretences some benigne Rays appeâ—…red which promised a no less Union and Friendship beâ—…ween these two Princes then had been before the last Dukes death Some youthful desires and inclinations appeared in the Cardinal towards his Brothers Widow It was therefore thought that for his own satisfaction for the quiet of those Inhabitants and for the security of his own Affairs leave being first had from the Pope who did not appâ—…ar unwilling to consent thereunto he would willingly imbrace marâ—…iage with the Dowager Dutchess which though it was at first diversly rumoured in the Courts of those Princes and throughout Italy yet was it approved of by such as wished well to peace and by the wisest men who did best understand the Affairs of Montferrat as the only remedy for the appearing evil Nor was it thought out of any respects that the Duke of Savoy would appear aveâ—…se to this Marriage And particularly in consideration of the Cardinals conditions which came not short of those of his Brother and for the good of his own Dâ—…ughter for whom there was hardly a better Match to be at the prâ—…sent found The Kings consent which was almost requisâ—…e in such Resolutions was more doubted the uniting of greâ—…t Italian Princes being usually suspected in the Court of Spain And it was known that in that respect the first Marriage of the said Infanta was not much approved of there yet it was somewhat hoped that the King would prefer his Nieces good before the other respects the rather because that she being totally of the Spanish side she might be an excellent means to turn her future Husbands mind who was openly declared to be of the contrary faction And as the differences concerning the Child and the Dowries would vanish by this Marriage so it was thought that the disputes about Montferrat all former Sutes giving way to this new Conjunction would be at least quieted a while if not quite extinguished And it made much for the Duke at the same time to Match his Daughter well and together with publick peace preserving friendship with the House of Gonzaga to make use of the present occasion as of an Honourable pretence to terminate his demands touching his Niece and his other pretensions with some credit wherein being much dipt it was impossible for him to obtain the one without the Cardinals consent and to prosecute the other by reason of the times And yet so often do Princes minds alter the Duke of Savoy who was so ready and so well pleased to marry his Daughter to Francis then Prince of Mantua did not consent to her Marriage now when she was a Widow with his Brother who succeeded him in that Dukedom And the King who waâ—… not then well satisfied with that Match did not only now consent to it but desiring it might be effected propounded it not long after affectionatly to both of them This change in them proceeded as it usually doth in great Princes resolutions from the 〈◊〉 and mutation of times But if we shall sift more narrowly into the occasion thereof it will be necessary that breaking off the Thred of our begun Narration for a while we look a little backwards into the ends and designs of their former proceedings which though it may peradventure seem to deviate somewhat from our purpose is notwithstanding requisite to be known for the better knowledge of several accidents whence the occasion of many important effects rose which shall be by us hereafter related and therefore it will be no lost labour nor useless to winde up that in this place and upon this occasion which if pretermitted would obscure the Thred of this present Narration and if divided and recounted in several parts would be a greater interruption thereunto The Dukes of Savoy whose State lies between the Confines of France and the Dukedom of Millain get this of good by the scituation thereof That being placed between two powerful Kings of Nations which do disagree though they be far inferior to either of them in forces yet cannot they be not only not so easily opprest by so neighbouring powers but receive firmer establishment and security in their Affairs by that Neighbourhood For it being dangerous to the affairs of both the Kings that either of them should draw nearer the others Confines by suppressing the Dukes of Savoy and these Dukes being moreover very fit to be made use of in such Enterprises as the one King might sometimes attempt against the other their friendship is willingly imbraced by them both and better secured by tye of near Alliance And as out of these respects Henry the Second King of France gave his Sister in Marriage to Emanuel Philebertus Father to the present Duke and the Emperour Charles the fifth who was King of Spain wrought it so as Beatrice Daughter to Emanuel King of Portugal and Sister to the said
not without manifest repugnancy allow of that retention in another which he did allow unto himself But because the Duke alledged that that Marquesite appertained to him of antient right the King thought that he had sufficiently provided both for the publick quiet and for his Son in law's Indempnity by obtaining as he did that the Dukes pretentions should by the Articles of Peace be referred to Clement the Eighth who was then Pope which Reference when it should be 〈◊〉 the universal Peace was aftewards to be agreed upon between the King of France and him and the Duke But the Pope deferring or not resolving to decide these differences the Duke resolved to go to Paris hoping by his presence and by his doing Homage to make that King favourably to relinquish unto him the controverted Marquesite The King of Spain and the whole Spanish Court were much troubled at this Resolution fearing lest the Duke being ill satisfied with their proceedings should close with the King of France to their prejudice But their suspicions were vain as vain were his hopes for a setled resolution of re-having whatsoever was taken from the Crown in the late troubles prevailing in the King of France over all other considerations he was not to be moved by any indeavours or artificial offers but did absolutely demand the Marquesite or some Territories equivalent thereunto And he was so stedfast in this Resolution as being tempted by the Duke to assault the State of Millain and from thence to proceed to the getting of the Imperial Crown the Duke offering him to assist him in any of these or in any other Enterprise and to confederate with him so as he might enjoy the Marquesite The King did constantly refuse to do it so as the Duke not being able to obtain any better Conditions was forced to yield the Marquesite unto him within a certain limited time without any prejudice notwithstanding to his right which was again referred unto the Pope or else all that part of Savoy which lies between the Rosne and the Lioness called the Country of Bresse Thus the Duke returned to Piedmont not well pleased with the King and not observing what was agreed upon the King took Savoy immediately from him threatening to descend armed into Piedmont And though notice was come to the Court of Spain of the Dukes indeavours with the King of France in prejudice to the Crown of Spain and to the publick quiet yet other respects prevailing upon this occasion over his anger conceived against the Duke the King caused a powerful Army to be prepared in Millain for the defence of Piedmont and to oppose King Henry if as it was feared falling into Italy he should turn his forces upon other Enterprises But this Commotion was once again quieted for the Pope interposing himself the Duke chose rather actually to surrender up Bresse unto the King then the Marquesite of Saluzzo reserving notwithstanding in favour to the King of Spain passage through that Country that his men might go from Italy into Flanders for the defence of those Provinces which did so much import the Crown of Spain Yet subject of diâ—…content arose out of this Agreement for the Duke thinking that he had not a little advantaged the condition of the Crown of Spain in having totally excluded the French out of Italy by the so gâ—…eat lessening his former Territories thought he deserved a very good â—…ecompence On the contrary the Spaniaâ—…ds though they had perswaded the Duke to that Agreement yet they thinking that he had got more advantage 〈◊〉 having excluded the French out of the bowels of his State proâ—…essed that the Restitution of Saluzzo would have been less prejudicial to them the smallness whereof would have been but of little avail to the French affairs in Italy though it had been possest by them whereas by the Concession of Bresse they were totally deprived of the passage reserved to the evident prejudice of the affairs of Flanders since the Duke having received no caution from the King in that behalâ—… but his bare promise it was absolutely in the French mens pleasure whether they would obseâ—…ve it or no and yet the Duke thinking that the advantage was not sufficiently acknowledged held himself to be much injured that the King instead of the Grandezza and the bettering of his estate which he had hoped for by his alliance contracted with him and by his continual adherence to that Crown should suffer him to be deprived of so noble a part of his Paterâ—…al 〈◊〉 without any recompence This his pretention was maâ—…e tâ—…e grâ—…ater by the same Kings giving of Burgundy and the Low-Countries in Portion with Isabella Clara Eugenia his eldest Daughter married at this time to Albertus Arch-Duke of Austria for though the Duke 〈◊〉 from the Crown of Spain in Portion with his Wiâ—…e in Pensions assigned over afterwards to his Children and in other Donatives little less then 200000 Duckats of yearly Rent yet holding the disproportion to be too great which was made between his Wiâ—…e and he Sister he thought there ought some amends to be made him at least by the reason of that equal hand which the Father ought to bear to his Daughters Failing whereof he was much troubled and could the lâ—…ss bear with his aforesaid Loss The King his Father in law died a little before his journey into France and a little before Katherine Wife to the Duke and Daughter to the King So as by the death of the one the knot was slackened which fastened him to the Kingdoms of Spain so the Court of Spain and the Government thereof being much aâ—…ered after the other was deceased those evil seeds began to get root which not long after produced fruits of often distastes which exasperated the minds of both parties and did at last totally allienate the Dukes devotion from the Court of Spain For Philip the second as wise a King as Spain ever had relying upon himself in the Government of so many Kingdoms satisfied the Grandees of the Court with honourable usage not making use of them in publick Affairs except of some â—…ew in whom he found the capacity of understanding annex'd to their greatness of birth for other things he chose men more excellent for worth then eminent for title or dignity assisting in the publick Government with incredible diligence and sustaining the weight of so great an Empire himself which past humane judgment for in him alone did Majesty and regal Authority shine forth His Commands and Resolves were punctuâ—…lly observed by the Natives and greatly reverencâ—…d by Foâ—…reigners being by them acknowledged to proceed from the award and absolute will of so wise and so great a King Hence it was that the Duke himself not being able to avoid them was inforced patiently to give way thereunto though they were oft-times not answerable to his ends His Son King Philip the third succeeded him a good and pious Prince but one who could not intirely inherit
irksome to them through solitariness They were honoured only with Titles and exterior demonstrations but were not otherwise in any favour or Authority at Court The eldest Prince died not long after who upon the like occasions had great disputes with the Duke of Lerma and the rest returned into Italy if not displeased with the King at least but badly satisfied wiâ—…h the Court as not finding that countenance and welcome as they thought became their condition These and the like accidents though out of private occasions and proceeding rather from the State-Officers then from the King wounded the Duke to the very soul who was much exasperated by former proceedings and if he had met with any occasion he would peradventure have been willing to have vented his disdain but neither the times nor the condition of his own affairs corresponding with his desire of resentment he was forced to cloâ—…e his passions and to expect a more opportune time whilst thus fought with by inward haâ—…red such occasions at last happened when he least expected them as brought those opportunities home unto him then which if he had sought after them he could not have met with greater William dalle Marche Duke of Iuliers and Cleves died about this time in whose death all his whole Family failing many several German Princes pretended to the Succession of those States Amongst the rest Leopold one of the Arch-Dukes of Austria and the Princes of Brandenburge and Newburg which latter two joining against the Arch-Duke possest themselves of all that appertained to those Dukedoms except Iuliers which fell into his power Leopold's Cauâ—…e was not adhered unto only by the House of Austria and by the King of Spain but by all the Catholick German Princes who thinking it pernitious for the Catholick Religion that those States should fall into the hands of Heretick Princes contracted a League in the behalf of the Arch-Duke and chose the Duke of Bavaria for their Captain-General The two 〈◊〉 finding themselves too weak against such a League had recourse to the King of France whose Kingdom after so many calamities of preceding wars having now injoy'd peace for many years and consequently flourishing more in Arms people and riches then it was ever known to be before himselâ—… being obeyed by all the Orders of this Kingdom and reverenced by all the Princes of Christendom and not thinking it became him that the Crown of Spain and House of Austria should grow to a greater height took upon him the protection of those Princes and with caution to the Catholick Religion of those Inhabitants he promised to assist themin the possession of the controverted States in whose cause the Protestant Princes of Germany did also adhere And the King of France being made their Head they prepared openly to oppose the Arch-Duke the King perceâ—…ving that from hence great combustions were likely to arise applied his mind to much greater designs Betaking himself therefore not only to make stout preparations of Arms throughout his whole Kingdom but also to negotiate new Leagues and Unions with Forâ—…eigners he sollicited many of the Italian Princes to whom he thought the neighbourhood of the Spaniards was either suspitious or troublesome promising them great Rewards and increase of Dominions if by joyning their Forces with him they would take up Arms in Italy against the King of Spains Dominions The chief of these were the Venetians and the Duke of Savoy the former in respect of the great opinion which was held not only of their forces and wealth but of their Counsel and Wisdom The other for the Neighbourhood of his Dominions and for the vivacity of his military Spirit naturally inclined to new Enterprises as also out of the distastes and bad satisfaction which he had often received from the Spanish State-Ministers Count Fuentes who though he was very old and upon the confines of death was yet alive and much feared and reverenced and the Affairs of Spain flourished much as hath been said under his Government The 〈◊〉 notwithstanding either professing to abhor turbulence and novelty or fearing to provoke the Spaniards refusing the first great offers made to them by the King of France would have no hand in a business of such moment which was like to work great Revolutions in the world not without danger to their own Affairs The Duke who on the contrary though strangely scandalized at the Court of Spain would not let slip such an occasion willingly and was therefore willing to listen to the Kings great offers whereof one was to marry the Kings eldest Daughter to Prince Victorio yet calling to mind the long and bitter wars which the Kings of France had made upon his Father and Grandfather by whom they were beaten almost out of all their Dominions And on the contrary his recovery and being kept in long possession of them by the favour and adherence of the Crown of Spain the annual Revenues which he received from thence which would upon any the least occasion be taken from him to boot with the troubles and wars which he was to undergo by incensing the Spaniards in all these respects he began to doubt lest to pass from the one adherence to the other would be too dangerous for him and for his Children who were by so streight interests and by so near alliance joyn'd to the King of Spain wherefore not totally excluding but keeping the Treaty on foot with the French he thought to make use of this occasion as of the means whereby retaining his former friendship with the King of Spain but upon better conditions he might get a greater esteem put upon himself and his affairs Or totally foregoing Union with Spain which he thought would be now reduced to subjection and slavery indeavour to link himself close with France and by the â—…avour and assistance thereof arrive at that Grandezza and Augmentation of State which having long looked for in vain from the Crown of Spain he could never attain unto He therefore demanded one of the Daughters of Spain for Wife to his Son together with a Portion in Land which might serve in recompence for his antient pretences and other annual Revenues and honourable places for his other Children to the end that they might live in Port and Splendour sutatable to the Nephews of so great a King And to remove the obstacles and difficulties which he might meet with in these desires he thought it necessary to win the Duke of Lerma and to interest him in these his demands for when he should have got him he hoped he should succeed the more easily in all the rest Laying aside therefore all former contentions and emulations â—…e loaded him as it is said with hopes and mighty promises which depending absolutely upon his own will might bring unusual greatness and splendour upon his Family and descendants wheâ—…eby to make so powerful a Minister of State give way unto and facilitaâ—…e whatsoever he should demand of the King for his Sons
and antient friendship between the Duke and the new Governour of Millain to whom as to a chief Minister of State the charge of acquainting the Court with the condition of the Affairs of Italy doth belong So that as the Authority and rigidness of Count Fuentes had continually hindred the Duke in compassing his ends and enterprises so this mans easiness and the great friendship which he profest to have for the Duke considered it was thought they would make him more aptto attempt novelties since he might assist the Dukes affairs sundry ways at least till such time as the Duke having possest himself of a good part of Montferrat the King might be necessitated it being the lesser evil to suffer him to keep it Don Iohn of the most noble Family of Mendosa Marquess of Inoioso did then govern the State of Millain Count Fuentes being dead a little before He was newly raised to so great a Government from a lesser condition by the extraordinary favour of the Duke of Lerma whose Creature he was The Duke of Savoy had given him many years before the Marquesite of St Iermainâ—… in acknowledgment and reward for the service which he had formeâ—…ly done him in the Wars against the French and therefore being made Governor of Millain some Months before he in his passage entered into Asti where he was received with great civilities by the Duke and much private discourse past between them In these very Ruptures Count Guido who had deserved very well of the Crown of Spain and was a great Confident to the whole Spanish Nation for having fought on the Kings behalf in the wars of Flanders past several times secretly between Turin and Millain and had had private discourse with the Governour of Inoioso wherefore and for the news which was given out in Italy of great gifts that he had received from the Duke he was much suspected in the troubles which insued after between these Princes and as out of the aforesaid Reasons the Duke thought the Court of Spain might favour him in this Enterprise so he imagined upon better grounds that he had no reason to doubt the French For he had found two years before by his own experience how much that Queen did deâ—…est war in the Kingdom during the minority of her Son and though her Nephew the Cardinals danger should make her take a contrary resolution it was to be believed that those Forces and those Succours would rather have been prejudicial then of any help to the Adversary as those which would infallibly have made the Spaniards join in favour with the Duke against the Cardinall as against one who did trouble Italy and who with little of reputation or safety to the Kings Dominions did call in Forreign Nations a thing which was much abhor'd by the Spaniards in this Province As for the Princes of Italy he thought them much less able to disturb this Enterprise since not any one of them whilst the King was savourable unto him could succour Montferrat which was far distant from all their Dominions and every where surrouâ—…ed by the State of Millain Piedmont and by the River of Genoa He was likewise incouraged by many things wherein he knew he did far exceed the Cardinal the Authority he had won by being esteemed a Prince of great Courage Sagaâ—…ity exceeding diligent and very dexterous at all great Affairs And moreover by his long experience very well acquainted with the affairs of the world and well vers'd in State-Affairs by reason of his Intelligence held with many Christian Princes That he was by his natural disposition by his long experience in war so much exercised in Military Affairs as that he was not to be equal'd therein by any Prince of those times The opinion which was held of his Vivacity and war-like Spirit practised both in good and bad Fortune which made him capable of any whatsoever weighty imployment that he was for State and natural â—…orces a Prince powerfull enough in Italy and that by reason of his confining upon many warlike nations he might easily come by many Souldiers which he might feed in the fertile soil of Piedmont wherefore thinking that all difficulties were to yield to his will and courage he imagined that Cardiâ—… Ferdinando being as yet but a young man newly setled in his Principality wanting many of those things wherein he knew himself did so much abound not being able to contend with him upon such disadvantages would either yield unto him or atleast come to some composition as Iovan Giacomo and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had formerly done with his Progenitor Amaâ—… Having considered all these things and being of a great Spirit and full of extraordinary confidence and incited by an ardent desire of inlarging the limits of his Dominions a thing which over-sways all other humane affections being moreover inflamed with indignation for the injury which he afterwards pretended was done him they appeared greater and more secure to him then peradventure they would prove they therefore prevailed more with him then the consideration of any difficulties which he was likely to meet with in this his resolution which either not dreaming of or not caring for he thought it necessary as it becomes all great Spirits to do to make use of the present condition of times thinking as he was wont to say that they would be as favourable unto him as they had been the contrary to his Grandfather when by the Decree of the Emperour Charles the fifth he was excluded the possession of Montferrat Therefore neither wholly refusing nor yet wholly consenting to his Daughters Marriage he demanded that she should first come into Piedmont and bring her Daughter with her and that his pretentions to Montferrat should first be decided under pretence that he would have no cause of contention left behind him and Cardinal Ferdinando when he should be become his Son in law It was not yet three Moneths since Duke Francis his death and therefore though it was not certain whether the Dowager Dutchess was with child or no yet the thought thereof growing daily less and the Cardinal being with some resentment incited thereunto by the Duke her Father he at last consented that she should return to Piedmont And he began to take upon him the Government of the State in his own name without any consideration of the Child that might be born and took upon him the Title of Duke of Mantua not foregoing that of Cardinal The indeavours nor hopes of the future Marriage were notwithstanding quite given over when the Dowager Dutchess departed wherefore when she was ready to take her leave she intreated the new Duke even with tears in her eyes that he would give her leave to carry her Daughter at least to Modena that she might be brought up there with her Sister Isabella where she did rather chuse to live then to return without her Daughter home to her Father Upon the occasion of her departure Prince Victorio was again returned from
And as the Proposals made by the Princes were not in reason to be accepted of by the Dowager so neither could the Princes being in so advantagious a condition allow of the Dowagers Proposals though they were more justifiable The Dowager pretended That as the Principality of Savoy was Monarchical so the Regency in her must be Monarchical so as detesting that it should degenerate into an Oligarchical Triumvirate she would be sole and Sovereign in the Regency The considerations wherewith the two Crowns proceeded in these Affairs were such as no cure was to be found for these present evils without a general Peace for the King of France pretending that Piedmont should be absolutely at his disposal his intention therein was to carry the War freely and without any let into the State of Millain On the contrary the King of Spain endeavouring to keep the French Forces as far as possibly he could from his Dominions was necessitated to uphold the Princes pretentions and to use all means to exclude the Dowager and French from Piedmont and so under colour of making War there in the behalf of the Princes to make himself master of all the chief Towns and to keep the French from the State of Millain and this design proceeded so successfully as the King of France distrusting a good end of his designs by reason of the great obstructions he met with forewent the rigour of his proceedings hitherto against the Princes and was induced to make great offers to Prince Thomaso to the end that by his joyning with him he might miss those oppositions which the people of Piedmont and the Spanish Forces made to the progress of his Arms and the King of Spain was forced to consent largely to the will and interest of the Princes and to command his Agents that they should not distaste them lest being distasted they might pass over to the French party and might bring the Arms of that King into the Confines of the State of Millain so as a general peace seemed to be the only means to piece up all these rents but though all treaties of accommodation were in this desperate condition yet the Dowaâ—…er from the profundity of her sad fortune found out so adequate an expedient and so proportionate to the present conditions as if it had succeeded well as it was very likely to do the Civil Wars had been wholly ended and Forreign Wars unfomented by the Civil would have been much ceased if not quite extinguished She was very apprehensive that she should be wholly excluded all administration if Prince Thomaso should accept of the offers made him by the King of France and Cardinal Richlieu and foreseeing that that would be as displeasing to the Prince Cardinal she sought to close with him wherefore telling him that he was the more obliged to endeavour the quenching of Civil Wars which arising from domestick dissention would undoubtedly cease when the others were at an end by his being neerest to succeed in the Principality She therefore exhorted him to give way to her just Regency upon fair and reasonable conditions she offer'd to give him her eldest Daughter the Princess Maria Lodovica for Wife she who it was so much doubted might carry the succession of the Principality to the Blood Royal of France if she should be married to the Dolphine The offer was not mean nor of small consideration for the Prince Cardinal did not only ascertain the succession of the Principality in his own person which in case the Duke should die he feared might receive incumberances thereby but did assure to himself the favour and good will of the Dowager who from being his Brothers Wife becoming his Wives Mother was interessed in a neerer tye of alliance with him so as he might promise himself she would be much govern'd by him and that he should have a great stroak in the Regency and in the administration of the State I is to be observed that the Caâ—…dinal was very deâ—…irous of issue and noâ—… finding any Princess in these times more suitable to his ends he was very well pleased with the offer and did readily entertain it which did much facilitate the Articles of Agreement which being dictated by him veâ—…y conformable to the Dowagers intentions were sent to her from Nice and were for the most part accepted of and those whereof there was any dispute were reduced to so neer a composition as there were great hopes all things would be well agreed for it was not very impossible but that the Prince Cardinal might come over to the King of France his party when by this mâ—…rriage he should be become his Nephew But Prince Thomaso hearing of this Treaty was very much incens'd and endeavoured by all means to discompose it he thought that though in reason he had not equal pretence with his Brother to the Guardianship he was not yet inferiour to him in authority by reason of his Military worth by reason of the good will the people bore him and by what he had done in the present debates they were both likewise comprehended in the Emperours Decree so as he thought it not fit to give way to any accommodation whereby he should be debarred all authority and command it was also thought that he liked not that his Brother should maâ—…ry he and his Children being thereby beâ—…est of soâ—…neer hopes of succession be therefore took it ill that any accommodation should be treated of without his cogâ—…izance and fearing that if it should be concluded he should sall to the ground between two stools he presently sent Marquess Bagnasco and the Commendatore Pasero to Nice to disswade his Brother from making any such agreement by the same reasons by which the Prince Cardinal had disswaded him to accept the offers which the King of France offer'd him and to enter his protestation against it in case he should make it When they came thither they found the Prince Cardinal absolutely resolved to embrace the Dowagers motion the desire of quiet prevailing with him and marriage whereunto he was exceedingly inclined but being put in mind and made to see how fair a course of fortune both to himself and Brother he brake by that resolution how great a prejudice their dis-union would be to the common cause what great offers the Prince had refused generously to keep from abandoning him how little reason he had to confide in the Dowagers promises and how little good he could expect from the marriage though it should succeed they exhorted him to follow his Brothers example and to persevere constant to the Spanish party by whose favour and forces being so far advanced he might hope that when the Citadel of Turin should be gotten as certainly it would be they should be put into such a condition as he should not only obtain the marriage for certain which was now uncertainly promis'd him but much greater things The Cardinal being won upon by these reasons and professing that notwithstanding this he would
as the Spaniards should do the like with those Towns which were in their possession That he would help to make a match between a Son of the Princes and a Daughter of the Duke of Longevile's one of the richest Ladies of France and that he would co-operate in composing the differences between him and the Dowager together with many Pensions to be given to him the Prince to his Wife and Children Upon which account some moneys were disburst unto him in present to prepare him for his journey moreover some promises were made him that he should have some Territories given him out of such Lands as should be gotten in Italy whereby he might have where with to maintain himself and his posterity in a condition becoming their qualities it was agreed out of the same respects that this Convention should be kept secret and the Truce was prorogued for all February next The Prince also promised but not under his hand that he would cause the Castle of Asti to be delivered up to the French and he was not permitted to acquaint the Prince his Brother with any of these agreements so severely did the French press him in this agreement but his aversion to observe this agreement was as great as was their urging him thereunto to witness which the Castle of Asti was not delivered up though 500 Horse with men en Croupe came to it by night to receive it who having told the Sentinels that they brought Letters for Don Emanuel Brother to the Prince and Governour of the Castle were not admitted but were bid to come when it should be clear day when being discovered they were saluted as enemies by Cannon-shot both from the Castle and Citadel and the Garrison of the Castle which were Piedmontese was recruited by the Spaniards The Prince Cardinal having heard how great a blow he had received by the loss of Turin and how little the Governour had done towards the preserving thereof desired to find some way to preserve himself from ruine which he saw was not far off he therefore sent the Abbot Soldato one in whom he did much confide to the Court of France to lay the foundations of an union there which he thought to make with that King offering to joyn with him upon some conditions The chief whereof were three That a Lieutenancy might be permitted him in the County of Nizza and to keep the Towns thereof without any dependency upon the Dowager that the Guard anship and Regency should be absolutely in the Dowager except in matter of Peace and War Confederacies Alienations and the like That his Majesty should be bound to restore all the Towns to the Duke which he held of his within three years space together with any others that he should recover The other conditions were of lesser concernment and such as reflected only upon the Prince Cardinals own occasions The King abhorring that the Princes should hold so principal places whilst he should be prescribed terms of restitution denied both the Articles not without some disdain so the Abbot return'd to Nizza re infecta and the King having quickly notice of the Agreement made in Piedmont not doubting but that they would be made good was very well pleased therewith as was the whole Court and desired very much to see the Prince come who sought nothing more then to evade the performance of those Agreements which he profest he had unwillingly consented unto wherefore the time prefix'd for his going into France being come he did not much mind the taking of that Journey though he was much sollicited thereunto by the Embassadour Mazzarini and by the other French Agents but in lieu thereof he past thorow the States of Millain and Genoa to Nizza where being equally distasted as was his Brother with the negative which was brought from France they treated of the common affairs This so sudden departure of the Prince and so contrary to the late made agreement did and not without reason inâ—…use jealousie into the Embassadour Mazzarini who presaging the sinister influences which that conjunction as an ominous Constellation of so great Planets would cause went to Nizza to see whether he might prevent the imminent influence which he foresaw But all was in vain for the Princes were already almost agreed with the Spaniards so as being press'd by Mazzarini the one of them to persevere in the other to enter into convention with the French they answered that the Spanish Agents were at last perswaded to restore the Towns but that as the King of France offer'd to restore those that he held to the Regency of the Dowager so the King of Spain offer'd to restore what was held by him to the Regency of them the Princes The King of Spain had not really done this nor was there time enough past to have a positive answer in the point come from Spain nay it was at this very time agreed upon between the Princes and the Spanish Agents that the Towns should be garrisoned by the Spaniards in the same manner as they were at the present till the general peace should be made The Proposal was an artificial trick agreed upon between the Princes and the Spanish Agents for that all of them believing that the French would not accept of it the Spaniards might shun the odium which would be laid upon them for desiring to keep what they were possess'd of as also for that the refusal might make the Princes adhere the more constantly to the Spanish party And on the behalf of the Princes to the end that the same refusal might serve the one for a pretence of foregoing the convention which he had entred into and the other from thereinto entring The Embassadour as soon as he was come to Nizza hearing the proposals perceived their ends in it wherefore he immediately answered that it was ridiculous impossible and a thing procured by the Princes themselves Many were the debates hereupon the Princes endeavoured by fair words to perswade the Embassadour to what he could not believe and if the Embassadour should not agree to the restitution out of his mistrust of them they might have occasion not to confide in him who would not trust them but that if the business were rightly weighed it must needs by very advantagious for the Duke for thereby the Towns would be taken out of the hands of Forreigners and put in those of the Natives and would so come to be posses'd by the Duke A chief essential poynt which so it might be done the manner mattered not for means would not be wanting afterwards to accommodate that touching which the form of estitution appeared now strange And therefore if he could think of any middle-way which might satisfie both the Crowns they desired him to propound it for they would be ready to part with any thing that should of due belong to them so as the restitution might be made to the Dukâ—… at last adding intreaties to their reasons they endeavoured by all