trappings upon him looked backward for new meaning thereby the instability of this happy kingdom loving always new Governors like the Asses figure which was devised by gross Asses to dishonor and discredit this noble kingdom but it is certain this little kingdom hath sustained great oppression they imputing it to no other sense have feigned this Asinine simplicity which saying the envious have not stuck to publish in books Manner of writing used by the Arragonian Kings of Naples writing to divers Princes KIng Alphonso to the Emperour of Germany was wont to write in parchment in th'infrascribed manner To the most renowned Prince and most excellent Lord Frederick Emperour of the Romans for ever Royall The subscription was thus Alphonsus by th'grace of God King of th' Aragons Sicilie on this side and beyond the Pharos Valentia Jerusalem Hungaria the Majorcas Sardinia Corsica c. greeting and increase of prosperous successes And so in the Occurrences he used to write Most renowned and most excellent Prince we would intreat your Soveraignty or your Mightiness To the Emperour of Constantinople To the most renowned and most excellent Lord Drage Paleologo Emperour of the Romans for ever royall our most dear kinsman The subscription was as above To Prester Iohn of India To the most eminent and most unconquerable Monarch Lord Isaack Prester Iohn sonn of David Lord of the Tables Mount Sinai Aethiopia King of Kings our most dear brother The subscription in the manner aforesaid To the great Turk To the most renowned Prince Amorat Bechi great Lord of the Theucrians our most dear friend To the great Soldan of Babylon To the most Illustrious Prince Abuysac Iamac great Soldan of Babylon To the King of France To the most renowned Prince Charls King of the French our most loving kinsman and friend To the King of England To the most renowned Prince Henry King of England our most dear kinsman and friend To the King of Cyprus To the most worthy Prince Iohn King of Cyprus our most dear kinsman and friend To the King of Castile and Leon. To the most renowned and Illustrious Prince Don Henrich King of Castile and Leon our very dear and very loving Cousin To the Queen of Arragon To the most illustrious Queen our most dear and most beloved Wife and Lieutenantess generall To the King of Portugall To the very Ilustrious Prince Don Alfonso King of Portugall and Algarue our very dear and well-beloved Cousin To the King of Navarre To the most Illustrious Prince Don Iohn King of Navarre our very dear and much beloved Brother and Lieutenant Generall To the King of Granada To the high Prince Don Machand King of Granada our very dear and much beloved friend To the King of Tunis To the most Illustrious Prince Don Octunne King of Tunis our very dear and much beloved friend To the Dolphin of France To the most illustrious Prince Lewis Dolphin of Usania our most dear kinsman To the Prince of Austria To the most Illustrious and our very dear and much beloved Cozen Henry Prince of Austria first born in the kingdoms of Castile and Leon. To the Duke of Cleves To the most illustrious Prince Iohn Duke of Cleves our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Osterlich To the Illustrious and mighty Albert Duke of Osterlich To the Duke of Brittannie To the Illustrious and mighty Peter Duke of Brittannie our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Burgundy To the most Illustrious Prince Philip Duke of Burgundie our most dear kinsman and friend To the Duke of Burgundie his eldest son To the most illustrious Prince Charls first born of the most illustrious Duke of Burgundie and Lord Charlois our most dear kinsman To the Duke of Savoy To the Illustrious and mighty Prince Lewis Duke of Savoy Chablays our most dear kinsman To the Earl of Foix. To the respected and excellent Gascon Earl of Foix our most dear kinsman and friend Names of all the Vice-roys of Naples which began in the year 1505. Year of Christ. Number of Vice-roys  1505 1 COnsalvo Fernandes of the House of Aghilar a Cordonese by Nation Duke of Terranova who for his famous victories was called the Great Captain 1507 2 Don Iohn of Arragon Duke of Ripacursa 1510 3 Don Raimondo of Cardona Count of Albento 1514  * Don Bernardino Villamarino * 1517. Don Francis Remolinis Cardinall of Sorrento were both Lieutenants 1523 4 Don Charls della Noia 1526  * Andrew Carrafa Count of St. Severina was a Lieutenant 1527 5 Don Vgo of Moncada 1528 6 Philibert of Chalon Prince of Orange 1530 7 Pompey Colonna Cardinall 1532 8 Don Piedro de Toledo Marquis of Villafranca 1553 9 Don Lewis of Toledo was Lieutenant 1554 10 Don Pietro Pacecco Cardinall Seguntine   * 1554 Don Bernardine of Mendoza was Lieutenant 1555 11 Don Ernandez Alvarez of Toledo Duke of Alva 1559 12 Bartholomew Cardinall of Cuova   * 1559. Don Frederico de Toledo * 1559. Don Iohn Marique were Lieutenants one after the other 1559 13 Don Perafan Duke of Alcala 1570 14 Antony Perrenotto Cardinall of Granvela 1577 15 Don Innico of Mendoza Marquis of Mondesela 1579 16 Don Iohn Zunica Prince of Pietra Precia 1582 17 Don Peter Giron Duke of Ossuna 1586 18 Don Iohn de Zunica Count of Miranda 1596 19 Don Henry de Gusman Count of Olivares 1599 20 Don Ferdinand di Castra Count of Lemos and of Andrada Marquis of Sarria and Count of Villalua went Ambassador to Rome sent by Philip the second and left in the kingdom for Lieutenant Don Francisco his son who governed with great wisdom The seven principall Offices of the KINGDOM High Constable THere are seven principall or chief Offices in the kingdom The first whereof is the Great or High Constable who stands in place of Generall or the Kings Lieutenant in the wars which happen in the kingdom and in such a case orders and provides for all such things as belong to the Militia This Office lasts as long as the war And when the King creates such a one he puts a golden Truncheon in his hand saying Take this sacred Truncheon in thy hand to drive away and keep back the enemies and opposers of my people And this word Constable much used amongst Tuscan Writers did anciently signifie a Captain of a quantity of Cavallery But in process of time by Constable was meant a Commander of Foot-Soldiers the Captains of Horse beginning to be called Conductors Bembo in his Latin History calls the Constable Centurion of Soldiers In the kingdom of Naples the office of Constable signified not onely a Captain but one of far greater authority it being of the seven offices the greatest And as it hath been always conferred upon great Lords so we see it at this day setled upon the person of N. He by right commands all Martiall persons as well afoot as on hors-back And in Royall Parliaments sits next the King on his right
a Treaty commenâ—d a little after for a cross mariage twixt Spain and France which took â—ffect though there was much opposition in France about it made by them of the Religion and their party The Ceremonies of these reciprocall Nuptials were performd the one at Burgos in Spain the other at Bourdeaux in France In the first the Duke of Lerma married the Infanta by commission from King Lewis In the second the Duke of Guyse married Isabel Daughter of France by proxy from King Philip the exchange of the two Princesses was made upon a River calld Bidasso hard by Saint Iohn de Luz which separates the two Nations There were two stately Barges provided to transport them with divers sorts of inventions of wit the Spaniards on their side had a huge vast Globe representing the world raisd upon a Pavilion very high which made an ostentous shew the Duke of Guyse took exception at it protesting that he wold never bring ore the Princess till the sayd Globe was taken down which was done accordingly the next day the young Queen came to Bayon where Luynes then Favorit to the French King attended her with a Letter all written with the Kings own hand in these words Madam SInce I cannot according to my desire find my self neer you at your entrance into my Kingdom to put you in possession of the power I have as also of my entire affection to love and serve you I send towards you Luynes one of my confidentst Servants to salute you in my name and tell you that you are expected by me with much impatience to offer unto you my self I pray therfore receive him favourably and believe what he shall tell you Madam from your most deer Friend and Servant LEWIS Luynes delivered her also from the King two rich Standerds of Diamonds which she receivd and kissd and from her own Table she sent him a dish of meat In the morning she returnd the King this answer Sir I much rejoyced at the good news Luynes brought me of your Majesties health I com therwith being most desirous to arrive where I may serve my Mother and so I am making hast to that purpose and to kiss your Majesties hands whom God preserve ANNE THe Kingdom of Naples to congratulat the Kings Espousals presented him that yeer with a Donative of two millions Not long after there was a Treaty set on foot for a mariage twixt the Prince of Wales and the Infanta Donna Maria the Kings second Sister but there had bin an ouverture made before by the Duke of Lerma for a match twixt our Prince Henry of England and the eldest Infanta Anne now Queen of France as hath bin spoken This Treaty with England was above ten yeers in agitation it was a Web that lay long upon the Loom of Policy and afterwards was torn off being just wrought to the point of perfection By the endeavours of Count Gondomar in England and the Earl of Bristol in Spain matters were brought to such a hopefull pass that it inducd the Prince of Wales to undertake that hazardous youthfull journey to Spain traversing the whole Diameter of France under a disguise being accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham who was not only his Companion but had bin his chiefest Counsellor herein they came both in an advantagious time to Paris for they were admitted to see a Mask being Carnival time wher the Prince had a full view of the Lady Henriâ—tta Maria who was designd by Heaven to be his wife afterwards though he little dreamt of such a thing then Thence by the name of Iac and Tom Smith they posted to Spain but two daies after t was discoverd in the French Court what they were therefore being sent after withall possible speed if they had stayed but three hours longer at Bayon Monsieur Gramond had had order to stay them Being arrivd at the Earl of Bristols House in the Court of Spain at the close of the day in the evening he was struck with amazement to see such objects there having no fore-knowledg at all of the Plot saying I am afraid we are all undone The next day there was a buz abroad that som great man was com from England but none imagind he could be the Prince In the evening of the next day the Duke of Buckingham went in a close Coach to the King of Spain where he had privat audience and he was returnd no sooner but Olivares was sent to visit the Prince which was done with extraordinary expressions of joy and complement Oliuares saying that Spain and England wold divide the World betwixt them The next day somwhat late at night the King himself came in a close Coach to visit him but the Prince having notice of it met him half way so they greeted one another with mutuall embraces there were divers great Lords appointed to be the Prince his Officers and a part of the royall Pallace was preparing for his Quarter whither the next Sunday he removd and rod in triumph under a large Canopy of State the King accompanying him all the way and giving him still the upper-hand all the Grandees Noblemen and Officers attended them in the same manner as they usd to do at a Coronatiâ—n Now it seems that Gondamar was the chief man who tracd this journey for the next day after the Prince his arrivall he was made Privy Counsellor and suddenly after coming to visit the Prince he told him that he was com to tell him strange news which was that an English man was sworn that morning Privy Counsellor in Spain meaning himself in point of affection The third day after the Prince had bin there the King of Spain with the Queen and the Infanta who wore a blew Ribon about her left arme that she might be distinguisht came abroad in an open stately way of purpose that the Prince might see his Mistress which he did out of a close Coach wherein Count Gondamar attended him with the English Ambassadors So much for matter of Ceremony now touching the substance of the business it self when the Prince came thither matters had bin brought to that perfection by the activity of Ambassadors that there wanted nothing for the consummating of all things but the Popes dispensation which upon news that the Prince was com to Spain was retarded and som advantages taken to clog it with further clauses The Pope demanded caution for performance of such Articles that were granted in favor of the Roman Catholicks in England upon this match hereupon Sir Francis Cotington rid Post about it from Madrid Touching that point King Iames answerd that he wold take his oath upon the Evangelists to accomplish the said Articles and his Son the Prince shold do the like His privy Counsellors also shold firm and subscribe the sayed Articles and this was all the security King Iames cold give Now wheras the Pope demanded that som Roman Catholic Prince should undertake for him and his Son in point of
Legiones Aragoniae utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Navarrae Granatae Toleti Valentiae Galitiae Majoricarum Hispalis Sardiniae Cordubae Corcicae Murtiae Giennis Algarbii Alzezirae Gibraltaris Insularum Canariae Iudiarum et Terrae Firmae Maris Oceani c. Rex Archidux Austriae Dux Burgundiae Lotharingiae Brabantiae Stiriae Corinthiae Carniolae Limburgiae Lucemburgiae Geldriae Calabriae Athenarum Neopatriae Virtembergae c. Comes Flandriae Habspurgi Tirolis Barchmonae Archois et Burgundiae Comes Palatinus Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandiaâ— Ferretti Kiburgi Namurci Rossilionis Ceritaniae et Zutphaniae c. Lantgravius Alsatiae Marchio Burgoniae Oristani Gotzani et sacri Romani Imperii Princeps Sueviae Cathalaniae Asturiae Dominus Phrisiae Marchiae Sclavonieae Portus Naonis Biscayae Molinae Salinarum Tripolis et Mechliniae c. 27. Philippus D. G. Catholicus defensor fidei Hispaniarum utriusque Siciliae Hierusalem Portugalliae Vngariae Dalmatiae Croatiae Sardiniae Corsicae Majoricarum Insularum Canariae Orani Insularum Indiarum Terrae Firmae et Maris Oceani Archidux Austriae Dux Burgundiae Mediolani Lotharingiae Brabantiae Limburgi Lucemburgi Geldâ—iae Calabriae Athenarum et Neopatriae Marchio sacri Romani Imperii Oristaniâ— et Gotiani Comes Barcinonis Ruscinonis Ceretaniae Flandriae Artesiae Hannoniae Hollandiae Selandioe Namurci Zutpheni Burgundiae Haspurgi et Tirolis Dominus Cantabriae Molinae Phrisiae Mechliniae Vltrajecti Transisalanae Gruningae c. Of the Coronation of the Kings of NAPLES I Have thought it a thing very fit and convenient having declared what the Kings were of this noble and renowned kingdom to receive also the manner and the ceremony which is used in the time of their coronation But before I proceed any further it is to be understood that there are but only four Kings that are crowned and anointed by the order of the Pope as is noted in the Records of the Roman Church the which Alberico de Rosato also confirmeth which are these following the King of Ierusalem the King of France the King of Naples commonly called Sicilia and the King of England All the rest are crowned by their Archbishops or Bishops by a certain custome The Emperour is anointed and crowned in the same manner as are the said four Kings and therefore all the other Kings are called by the name of Highness and not Majesty except those that are annointed by the order of the Pope as is said In the coronation then of the King of Naples the Pope sendeth a Cardinall his Legate or a Patriarch but he must have holy Orders because the said Legate not having the said holy Orders another ought to come which hath the said dignity There also assembles according to the accustomed manner all the Archbishops of the kingdome which crown this Prince with the greatest pompâ— and state that may be done to any Christian King The principall thing before the King taketh this dignity the seven Officers of the kingdom which are seven principall secular Lords that meet together at this coronation are cloathed in Purple lined with Ermins with very rich attires upon their heads and repair together with the Recorder of the Citie into the Cathedrall Church of Naples where is the ancient Tomb of Charls of Angio which was the first that was crowned with an Imperiall crown and invested King of both the Sicilles and Ierusalem and there the Apostolike Legate with the other Archbishops pontifically clothed with Miters and Rochets and the other Prelats in Purple Vestments attend the Kings coming at the Church Dore. Afterward when the King cometh that is to be crowned he entreth into the said Church accompanied with all the Princes Dukes Marqueses Earls Barons and Lords of the kingdom and the Legat suddenly kissing his forehead receiveth him and saith unto him with an high and intelligible voyce these words I am come by the appointment of the supream Bishop Pope N. to crown thee King of Naples and Ierusalem After the Archbishop with the other that have charge to say Service in the said Church receive the King at the Altar and there causing him to kneel down and after is made by the Archbishop of Naples of Capoa and of Salerno devout prayers for his Majesty one of the Bishops demandeth of him in Latin if he will promise to maintain always the Faith and Christian Religion Defend the Widows the Fatherless and the Poor Establish the kingdom and minister justice to every one And last of all if he will always yeild due honor to the supream Bishop To all which things the King answering He will two Archbishops take him by the arm and lead him to the Altar where he solemnly sweareth to observe all that which the Archbishop hath demanded of him This done the Archbishop of Naples demandeth with a loud voyce of all the Princes if they will promise loyalty and service to his Majesty Where being answered by all That they will very willingly Then two Archbishops lead him into the Vestry and being there apparelled with Sandalles richly set with Jewels and Pearls with a Surplice like a Minister and a Cope lead him again to the Altar and saying certain prayers the Cardinall Legate accompanied with the Archbishops rising from their seats with Miters on their heads go unto him and finding the King kneeling with a loud and solemn prayer recommend him unto God in whose hands are all Empires that it would please him to make his kingdom stable and perpetuall replenished with victory piety and honor The King remaining on his knees one of the Archbishops goeth to the Altar and beginneth the Letany and devoutly prayeth for his Majesty the Archbishop of Naples with the rest of the Bishops undoing his Surplis with certain zealous prayers anoint his shoulders and his right arm to signifie that he sustaineth the burthen of the affairs of the kingdom and draweth his sword for the conservation thereof And moreover the Royall purple Robe reaching down even to his foot lined with fables and richly embrodered with gold and pearl signifieth Charity That done he still remaining in devout meditation the Apostolick Legat standing the King kneeling before him delivereth into his hand the golden Scepter all wrought in the top with Pearls and Jewels wherewith religiously he commands the people Then he puts a naked Sword into his right hand wherewith he pursueth his enemies in the name of Christ. After that he puts a Ring on his finger and a Bracelet upon his arm to the end he may be faithfull and pure in good works Then he presenteth unto him the golden Apple to figure the kingdome which he ought to govern with singular piety vertue and perseverance And finally he putteth upon his head the Imperial Crown divided into two parts garnished with many Jewels to signifie honor and glory The King religiously remaining on his knees the three Archbishops lifting him up lead him to the Altar where again the Lords that have
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
fift Emperour and the 26th King OF NAPLES FOR compleating the History of Naples I will take my rise from a High-ground from that Heroick Prince that Top of men CARLOS Quinto who was the first of the Austrian Family that saluted in person the fair Parthenope and mounted the Napolitan Courser From him we will go regularly on and draw the thred of the Story to his Great Grand-child Philip the fourth now Regnant THE Emperour Charles the fift is famous for divers high Feats of Magnanimity and Prudence but the greatest and difficultest Exploit that ever he did the most signal Victory that ever he obtained through-out the whole course of his life which had bin so active was that Conquest he made of Himselfe when he brought his passions and height of spirit to be so succumbent and coâ—chant and to stoop unto Him in so low a posture that stripping himself of all his Imperial and Royal Robes which he had worn in so much glory the first 36. yeers the other 40. from sixteen to six and fifty he reach'd them with his own hands the one to his brother Ferdinand to put on the other to his son Philip denuding himself thereby of all earthly power command and wealth and pulling off as it were all his clothes therby before he went to bed and burying Himself in a dark Cloyster before he was dead An act without controversy most heroick and discovering a high Soul For as while we sojourn here among these frail and mutable Elements the Conduct of our passions is held by the Philosophers to be the principall busines of Vertu so the Conquest of them is the noblest part of Valour A man need noâ— go abroad to seek Enemies wheron to exercise his Courage if he descend into himself he shall find Foes enough at home I mean those Inmates and innated rebellious appetits those tumultuous irregular humors which lodg within him and to give Them the check is the hardest part of the Play we are to act upon this worldly Stage Charles the Emperour did this when he had but newly finished the eleventh Lustre of his Age being then not 56. yeers old nor did he thus controll himself by abandoning the pomp and glory of this life and avoiding publick care that he might retire to a Country House of pleasure to hawk and hunt or use such pastimes but he remov'd from so many Thrones to enter himself into a Monastery or Hermitage rather that by that reclus'd life he might sequester himself from all mundane negotiations and delights to have more vacancy not only to study the Theory of Mortification but put it in practise Besides this reason he declard at his Resignation that he was now weary of the incombrances of worldly affairs wherewith he had bin laden so many yeers for which he was becom now unweldly in regard of Age as also being afflicted with frequent fiâ—ts of the Gout which made him so crazy and unapt for Government having us'd Tassata stirrops for divers yeers One of his Predecessors Severus the Emperour was of an other humor for he being very sick of the Gout at the Citty of York as the story tells us one of his Nobles attending him at that time told him that the world did admire how he could govern so many separated Nations and make such remote Expeditions being so subject to that Arthriticall lame disease whereunto the Emperour with more vigor then ordinary answer'd Sir I would have you know that I rule the Empire with my head and not with my feet with my temples not with my toes Hereunto may be not impertinently answer'd that memorable answer which the late Henry the Great of France gave to a Spanish Ambassador who coming to visit him when he was sore sick of the Gout and condoling his indisposition he suddenly rise up off his Couch and told him Ventre de saint Gris sil y avoit ocasion Vostre Maistre nâ— auroit pas plustost le pied dans Lestrier qu'il ne me trouveroit monte a cheval non obstant la gâ—â—te By the belly of Saint Gris if there were ocasion your Master meaning Philip the 3d. of Spain shold not have his foot sooner in the stirrop then he shold find me on hors-back notwithstanding the Gout But touching Charles the Emperour whereof we have spoken it is much that he shold be so subject to the Gout if stirring and motion be a Supersedeas against it as the Physitions hold because few Princes had bin so active as he from his very youth for he made nine journies into Germany seven to Italy ten to Flanders four to France two to England and two expeditions to Afric He had made eight Voyages on the Mediterranean Sea and three on the Ocean And what a world of Achievements did he perform in these Expeditions He sent away the great Solyman weeping from before the Walls of Vienna and so stoppd that huge torrent of destruction which was like to have overwhelm'd all Germany and quickly after the rest of Christendom He made Barbarossa that formidable Pyrate and his Dragon the Admiral Galâ—on wherein he sayl'd to â—ly before him what notable Conquests were those of Goletta and Tunis where the Roman Eagles had not flown since the time of Scipio and Hannibal and had not the Emulation of som Christian Princes found him work at home and diverted him he in all appearance had conquered and civiliz'd all Barbary To return to Europe he took the Duke of Cleve with all his Towns and Territories he quash'd the Duke of Sax who was head of the Lutheran party he imprison'd the Duke of Milan he subdued and sack'd Rome he tam'd the mutinous City of Gant where he first breath'd aire and had bin rock'd in his Cradle he pierc'd the very heart of France forcing that King to fly to the Turk for his assistance against him whom he afterwards took prisoner being the day he was born upon yet touching that action as he himself confess'd though Charles had more of Fortune therein yet Francis had got as much of glory considering all circumstances being taken with naked Sword in hand among a throng of fighting Enemies all about him weltring in blood Colours flying and Victory fluttering on both sides with doubtfull wings The full discovery of the new World was made in his Raign with the Mines of Peru In fine he had such a continuall tide of good success that it seems that Age was design'd for his glory He had twenty pitcht Battels and above three hundred Sieges nor did he know what a Repulse was but only at Algier Marseilles Mets where the wind blew strongly in his face insomuch that among the Caesars Charlemain may be sayd to be only parrallell to Charles le Qâ—int All this he intimated in a fluent and vigorous swelling Oration before the two Queens Elianor of France and Mary of Hungary Dowager his Sisters divers Knights of the golden Fleece and a great confluence
of piety and pitty Thus this great Hâ—ro became a Hermit this glorious Monarch became an obscure Mâ—nk and certainly he well deservd to have worn so many Crowns who did so freely quitt them obeying therin onely the motions of his own soul without any shew of constraint or the lest appearance of suspecting the alleagiance of his peâ—ple Now touching that Arthriticall torturing disease which afflicted the Emperour Charles his Son and immediat Successor had much more cause to be subject therunto in regard of his sedentary and reposefull life in regard that he kept for the most part in his Closet wher he wold write himself his own letters dispatches and instructions There he might be sayed to have a Prospective through which he beheld what was a doing in the old and new World yea as farr as the Antipodes His Closet was the center whence the lines of his comands were drawn to the circumference of so many vast remote Regions as will appear in the History of his life which in regard he was a Prince of a strange mould of a close dark nature that his thought could seldom be penetrated I will spend more oyle then ordinary to illustrat his Raign THE LIFE and RAIGNE of PHILIP the Second 27th KING OF NAPLES PHILIP of Austria second of that name succeeded Caesar his Imperiall Father in all his Hereditary Dominions by a voluntary free Resignation wherin he might be sayed not to be beholden to death as other Heirs apparant use to be but to his Fathers free designe But touching the Kingdom of Naples it was transferrd unto him before to countenance his second marriage with Mary Queen of England and Ireland There wanted not som Critiques that wold have derogated from the worthinesse of that spontaneous Act of the Emperours saying That King Philip was overheard to say a while aâ—ter that The second day after the Resignation was the first day of his Fathers Repentance But sure that could not be if the Historians who were then contemporaries may be beleevd for this was don by a long moulded preceding resolution as they write in regard that the Emperour had a design to do it six yeers before when he was but fifty yeers of age the ground of which proceeded from the speech of an old Captain of his who desiring a Passe to retire from Armes told him Sir he who hath a care of his soul must put an Intervall twixt the affaires of the World and Death And now to the intended task Philip the second was born in Valladolid upon a Tuesdey the 21. of May 1527. in the Chair-ship of Clement the seventh a little before that his Fathers Armie had assaulted and sackt Rome but without the knowledg of the Emperour himself and the consent of his Viceroy of Naples at that time which was the cause that Philip was not baptiz'd with such Ecclesiasticall Pomp and Solemnity that is usuall at ten months and twenty dayes old he was declar'd Prince of Castilia and Aragon in the Monastery of Saint Hierom in Madrid his Parents being present when he had arriv'd to seven yeers of age wherin Nature doth use to make som visible change in the progresse of humane life his Father commanded a house and family to be settled for him At which time Doctor Siliceo who was afterward Bishop of Toledo and Cardinal was appointed to be his Preceptor who taught him to know to love and fear God to read and write to understand the Latin Italian French tongues and to have som knowledg in the Mathematiques His Mother the Empresse Daughter to Emanuel King of Portugal dyed a few yeers after at Toledo where Philip was bred leaving him about twelve yeers of age at which time he began to rule Spain in the absence of his Father being assisted by Cardinal Tabera the Duke of Alua and others At fifteen yeers of age he was sworn Prince of Aragon where he was intitled Governour according to the custom At sixteen yeers of age he maried the Lady Maria Infanta of Portugal Daughter to Iohn the third a Creature of exquisit bewty being of the same age with Philip. Som few yeers after he was call'd by his Father to Flanders leaving the Government of Spain to Arch-Duke Maximilian his Cosen and King of Bohemia and Hungary He pass'd over to Italy in a Fleet of thirty eight Gallies under the command of Andrea Doria and landing at Genoa he pass'd through Milan and Mantova to Germany and so to Brussels Having their receiv'd divers good Documents from his Father taken a survey of the Nether-lands Italy and Germany whither he attended the Emperour his Father to a Diet at Auspurg having purchas'd all this experience he went back by his Fathers order to Spain having receiued a new Commission to govern there in chief and in the Indies also A while after there was an ouverture of marriage made twixt him and Queen Mary of England which was quickly agreed upon therefore he embark'd himself at the Groyn Corunnia in a Fleet of sixty eight Ships wherein was a Regiment of four thousand Spaniards among whom were divers Noble men and persons of quality Being arriv'd in England and royally attended to London the Nuptials were celebrated in great magnificence hereupon King Philip took share with his wife in the Government by the title of King of Naples Hierusalem England and Ireland but afterwards the Parliament when he was departed began a Cavil and wold not have him stil'd King of England but Husband to the Queen of England during his abode in England his Queen and he liv'd in a sweet way of conjugall love notwithstanding their disparity of yeers she being above a dozen yeers elder It was thought once she was with Child therefore she was prayed for at Saint Pauls Cross but in lieu of a Pregnancy it prov'd a Tympany a Tumor or Mole proceeding from indisposition of body All the while he liv'd in England he advanc'd the Roman Religion but being call'd away by his Father to Flanders the reform'd Religion began to take footing again After he was departed from England Calais was taken by the Duke of Guyse who in the dead of Winter did suddenly sit before her and began his Batteries so furiously that the noyse of his Canons were heard as farr as Antwerp neer a hundred miles distant King Philip while he cohabited with his Wife often advisd her to have a speciall care of Calais and afterwards upon a Treaty of peace twixt Spain and France one of the Articles were that Calais should be surrendred to the Queen of England but she dyed in the interim The Family of Caraffa who were neer allied to Pope Paul the fourth wold needs advise his Holines to recouer the Kingdom of Naples for the Apostolicall See the times being propitious to such a work their counsail prevaild in regard that France obligd her self to assist him but though the attempt went very far yet it could not take effect That clowd being
to be very violent in it King Philip raisd an Army of 10000. foot and 1500 horse under the command of Don Alonso de Vargas a Veteran and a great experiencd Captain they of Aragon having notice hereof were preparing another Army in opposition but the King with his own hand writ to them a gracious Letter in these words No aver levantado aquel Exercitâ— si no para passar a Francia que el era mejor Aragonez que los que aconse javan se le estorvasse el passo y se maravillava mucho se creyes cosa que a el aun no avia passado por el pensamiento y menos romper lâ—s privilegios a un Reyno a quien amava tanto The Army which he was a raising was to no other end but to pass to France he was a better Arrogonian then those who gave advice that this Army shold be stopd in the passage and he wonderd much that credit shold be given to things that never entred into his head where he never habourd the least thought to infringe the priviledge of a Kingdome which he lovd so well This Letter was like a gilded Pill with strong Drugs within for no sooner was the Letter sent but Don Alonso followd with his Army and came to the gates of Sarogosa his Soldiers crying out for France for France Don Alonso being entred the chief Justice of Aragon thinking to fly away was apprehended and according to a private order Don Alonso had from the King to dispatch in the first place Don Iohn de Nuza y que a un mismo punto le avisasse de su prision y de su muerte who shold have notice at the same instant of his imprisonment and death Don Iohn being thus apprehended was hurried into a Coach and two Jesuits to prepare him for death he askt by vertue of what Sentence hereupon they shewd him that short order which Philip all of his own hand-writing had delivered Don Alonso That Don Iohn de Nuza was the prime Officer of the Kindom of Aragon a goodly fair young man and of a gallant presence therfore his death was very much lamented specially being descended of the most illustrious and ancientst Families of that Kingdom many other persons of quality and the chief Ring-leaders of this Tumult were executed and their heads and members set up in quarters upon the gates of the City Antonio Perez had made his escape from Saragosa two daies before towards France to the Country of Bern where Katherine Queen of Navarr and Mother to Henry the fourth gave him protection and entertainment whereupon a publick Ban was proclaimd that whosoever could bring him alive or dead should have 6000. crowns therfore not finding himself secure so neer Spain he fled to England and thence removd to Paris where he did lead the remainder of his life gazd upon as he passd the streets as a strange Monster of Fortune but cryed up for a person of notable sound parts and politick Speculations A little after King Philip his Generall Don Alonzo having already dispatcht the principalst part of the business before him made a kind of progress to his Kingdom of Aragon and convokd a Parliament to meet at Tarasona but a generall pardon preceded his summons only the Town of Tervel and Albarracin excepted with 145. persons besides which he afterwards forgave so he confirmed unto them such priviledges as he thought he enacted new Lawes and repeald many old so the Kingdom gave him a present of about four hundred thousand crowns so he returned triumphantly from Aragon to Castille having thus deprest the courage of that high crested people And if ever that Aphorism was verified viz. That Rebellion supprest makes the Prince the stronger surely it was in this great Action as may be inferrd out of the former transactions in that Kingdom Upon crushing of this Aragonian Cocatrice in the shell there was a monstrous strange Hydra engendred in France with I cannot tell how many heads The Huguenots began to be potent and turbulent there the Queen-mother Katherine de Medicis with the Guisards were great Bigots and abhorring that faction being most fervent in the advance of the Roman cause they made war against the Huguenots upon those grounds Therupon Philip being the Catholick King could do no less in the quarrell of the holy Church then reach his Arme and assist them which he did by sending order to the Duke of Parma his Governour in Flanders to that end who accordingly rusht into France and pursued his march as far as the walls of Paris At his entrance into France he repaird to the Cathedrall Church of Meaux where he protested and solemnly swore that he came to France with that Army which consisted of 10000. foot and 3000. horse to no other intent but to deliver the oppressed friends of the King then under minority from the violence of Rebells and Heriticks in which quarrell he wold expose his person to any perils whatsoever and he knew every soul under the Banners of his Catholike Majesty which were in this Army wold do the like Having receivd this speciall command and knowledg of his sayd Majesties pleasure accordingly This intricat and mysterious War calld the Ligue lasted by intermissions in France above thirty yeers and it came to such a multiplicity of Interests that every Province became Frontire to one another insomuch that that gallant entire compleat Kingdom was like to be cut into fragments cantonizd Queen Eliz of England was offerrd by the Hugonots a good part but fore-seeing what confusion it wold bring and how much it wold enfeeble the power of that Kingdom which is the greatest one knot of strength and entire power that is able to counterbalance that of the Monarchy of Spain she refused the proffer and rather assisted the preservation of the Regall power in that Kingdom King Philip having don such signall Services for the Roman Catholicks in France having wownd himself out of the Ligue from warring against Heritiks as he calld the Hugonots he turnd his Sword against Infidels he sent a puissant Army both by Land and Sea under Don Francisco de Mendosa who was Commander in chief for the Conquest of Oran upon the Coasts of Barbary which design provd so succesfull that it took effect yet not without much expence of blood and treasure which made the triumph more glorious for Turpis sine pulvere palma Having thus reducd Oran and som Territories circumiacent from Mahumetismie and the half Moon to be under the Standard of the Cross he pursued his good Fortunes and assaulted another Fort in Barbary calld Penion de Velez which he also carried but not without som difficulty After a little breathing from beating the Turk in Barbary he had opportunity to meet him at Malta which being besiegd by Solyman he sent to his Viceroy of Naples and Sicily to make what strength they could to assist the great Master and Knights of that noble
of his treasure in her own Seas going to Flanders by wronging som of the Haus Towns who were under his protection These with sundry lucitements more causd Philip to prepare this powerfull Fleet to be quit with her at once for all old Scores and if all things had fallen right in the intended conjuncture ther was proportion enough of strength to speak without flattery that might in all probability have subdued England for ther were 130. Galeons and Gallies ther wer 20000. fighting men aboard neer upon 3000. Canons with Bullets Amunition and all things requisit The Duke of Parma was to cross over from Flanders with 2000. fighting men more horse and foot but he wanted a Fleet to transport them which was the greatest over-sight the Spaniards committed in the tracing and conduct of this business But this mighty invincible Armada vanisht away into smoak by contrary winds and horrid tempest which attended the Fleet from beginning to ending for many ill-favord accidents happened at the very beginning which might presage the Disasters following The Generalissimo the Marquess of San-Cruzd a long experienc'd and fortunate Captain dyed aâ— he was ready to set sayl for the expedition the Duke of Medina being chosen in his place as soon as he launchd out he was beaten by an impetuous storm in the Bay of Biscay upon the coasts of France where he lost divers bottoms and the winds were so cross that wheras they thought to visit England in May they came not till Iuly wher they had such rough welcom that 10000. of their men were made food for Hadocks three parts of four of their Navy were sunk burnd or taken and those which scapd could not return the same way they came but coasting by Denmark and Norway fetcht a compass about Ireland and so came home pittifully shatterd torn and tatterd This provd a heavy loss to Spain which she could not repair as they say twenty yeers after The English push on their good fortune and the next yeer take Cales which they sackt and plunderd divers ill successes did consecutively happen divers yeers to King Philip so that his Fortune made him som amends with his Age but the reduction of Portugal under the Crown of Castile which in modesty he calld an Vnion rather then a Conquest though it was a tru one He seald all his Exploits with this and it was the last great action of his life for ever after he meddled little with public business but transmitted them to his Son who usd to sign and seal most dispatches King Philip was now entring upon his 71. yeer but a good while before he grew valetudinary and weak for twelve yeers before his death he drank not a drop of Wine nor did he eat bâ—t at set hours and then by weight and sparingly to starve his Gout wherwith besides other indispositions he was tormented many yeers insomuch that death did not surpize and assault him upon a sudden but she gave him fair warning before-hand ther wer divers incisions made into one of his legs and he was content to have one of his fingers sawd off to stop a Gangrene that happened ther at last it grew to be the pediculary disease all which he endurd with much humility and wonderfull courage It might be sayd that his body was the field wher his foes wer incampd and he the Combatant they wer both quarterd together he billited and fed his own Enemies who wer all his Inmates During his sickness he had frequent symptomes of mortification which encreasd with his Agonies The last 50. daies before his death he took the Communion fourteen times and confessed so often He began to put his house in order and to prescribe the mode how he wold be buried causing them to open his Fathers Coffin and to take the mesure of it for he wold be buried in the same posture which was in the Frock of a poor Fryer The Chirurgeons being lancing of his knee one day the Prince his son askt him whether it did not pain him much he answerd mucho mas me duelen mis pecados My sins pain me much more In the height of his anguishes his speech usd to be Padre Eterno tu voluntad se haga y no la mia Eternall Father thy will be done and not mine Som daies before his last he calld for the Prince his Son and told him No se sentia con fuerças ni capacidad para advertirle lo que era necessario para el govierno de tantos pueblos que dexava a su cargo mas que dexava un papel en poder de su confessor en que hallaria los mas saludables consejos de sus experiencias y los mas justos avisos que su conscientia le dicto My Son I do not find my self now to have strength or capacity enough to communicate unto you what is necessary for the government of so many peeple which are to fall under your Government but I have left in the hands of my Confessor a paper wherin you shall find the wholsomst advise that my experience and conscience could dictat so he causd him to read what Saint Lewis of France sayd to his Son Philip before his death Afterwards he commanded an Ivory Cabinet to be brought whence he took out a plain Crucifix of wood and a penitentiall Whip all blooded saying wheras others use to leave Rings and Jewels at their death to them whom they love most I leave you my Son this Discipline meaning the Whip for so they call it in Spain which he conjurd him upon his blessing to make often use of for as he sayd Con esta disciplina podria mesclar su sangre con la de su padre y su abuelo In using this you may mingle your blood with that of your Fathers and Grand-fathers And touching that plain Crucifix he told him that his Grand-father dyed having it in his hands and so would he wishing his Son to do the like The next day he took the extream Unction at nine of the night desiring first to be informd by the Arch-bishop of Toledo how it was usd to be usd for he had never seen it don before he had the Prince his Son ther present to whom for all his spirits were so much wasted he made this rare Speech He querido Hijo mio os hallassedes presente en esta hora y viessedes como yo he recebido la santa Vnction lo uno porque no os suceda lo que o mi y tengais la ignorancia que yo lo otro paraque veais en que paran las Monarquias deste mundo ya veys Hijo mio como Dios me ha despojado de la gloria y Magestad de Rey para daros a vos esta investidura a mi me pondran dentro de pocas horas una pobre mortaja y me ceniran con un pobre cordel y a se me caâ— de la cabes a la Corona la muerte me la
had bâ—n tossd and weather-beaten by so many impetuous and fierce Tempests to conclude this peace he imployed the chiefest Officer of Spain the Constable of Castile in a very high and magnificent equipage in correspondence wherof England sent her high Admirall herein he followd the counsell of Charls the fift his Grand-father who had this saying often in his mouth Con todo el mundo guerra y puz con Ingalat jerra With all the World have War But with England do not jar Before this Embassy to England the common people of Spain were made to believe by their preaching Jesuits that english-men since they receded from the Roman Church were strangly transformd som had fâ—ces like Hogs som like Dogs som like Munkies but the Constable at his return did rectifie his Country-men in this point Philip being now in peace with all Christian Princes and being addicted to devotion in a high degree he thought it a work acceptable to God Almighty and agreeable to the office of a Catholiâ— King to cleer Spain of the Mahumetan Moriscos who had planted themselves â—her above seven hundred yeers He put the business to many serious deliberations the result wherof at last was that it wold be a high act of Christian Piety and gratefull to Heaven so there was a royall Ban of banishment publisht against the Moriscos who were dispersd up down specially in the Maritime parts of Spain which border upon the Mediterranean Sea in great multitudes to the number of many hundred thousand souls who were all hurried over to Barbary but permitted to carry with them all their movables and make sale of their other goods the King providing Ships and paying for their transfretation the motive that inducd Philip to this Act was that he thought it a thing unpleasing to God that so many Infidels and Mahumetans shold mingle so thick with Christians that many thousands had bin baptiâ—d but they apostatizd and grew greater enemies to Chrsts then before that there were sundry plots and machinations discoverd as also the intelligence they kept with the Turk the common enemy of Spain The first advice whereof was given by the English Ambassador the Earl of Notingham who brought Letters with him that had bin sent King Iames how the sayed Moriscos had a secret design to introduce the great Turk and so to joyn with him for the conquering of Spain as the Conde Don Iulian did with the Moors Henry the fourth of France sent him also intelligence tending to that end So in a short time the Country was rid of them as it was formerly of the Jewes in the time of Ferdinand and Isabella But there were som incommodities followd for Spain was much depopulated and impoverisht hereby specially for Corn and other Vegetals for those Moriscos were an industrious people wold grub up Corn and Pulse with other things out of the tops of those craggy Hills wherwith Spain is bunchd in most places so that the Spaniard who naturally is slothfull unless it be in the Wars as the Turks are had nothing to do but having put on his Sword and swelling ruff but go with his Ass to the Market and buy corn of the Moriscos who usually fed upon bread made of Maiz or some other Pulse so that the Spaniards for the most part did eat by the sweat of other mens brows Philip the third having as formerly it was spoken concluded a peace with England and a Truce with the Dutch passd most part of his Raign in quietness which suted best with his disposition he being a Prince wholly devoted to exercises of piety being alwaies fingring his Beads He sympathizd in nature much with Edward the sixth of England but was not so infortunat as he for he preservd what his Father left him wheras the other lost France where he had bin Crownd King in his Cradle And this happiness of Philip may be imputed to the sage conduct of the Duke of Lerma who was a sound and well-weighd Minister of State of a Debonnair and affable deportment quite contrary to the genius of his Successor Olivares who was of a rough rigid humor Philip the third after he had reignd 23. yeers died as he lived in a sweet peaceable way and he was called Philip el Bueno Philip the good as his Father was calld Philip the prudent Philip the third to pay his Fathers Creditors and disburden the Crown of those vast Arrears wherwith it was most heavily laden in regard of so many Irons he had to beat all his life-time was forcd to inhance the Gabels and lay new impositions as in other places so specially in the Kingdom of Naples Now those who cut out Philip the second most work to do were Henry the fourth of France and Elizabeth Queen of England the one was sayed to play the Barber and shave him which Harry did so nimbly and dextrously as if he had bin born to the Trade and old Bess held the Bason while he washd Philips head and face but it was given out that he did this without Camphire Ball or any Soap at all but with stale Ly and strong standing Urine There was about that time a witty Italian Author whose fancies are fresh to this day who being no friend to the Spaniard writ many things by way of drollery against his mode of Government in Sicilie Milan and Naples specially in the last And as he descants upon the Servitude which that wavering and wanton people were reducd unto for their so frequent Sollevations and Revolts he sayeth that to punish with som severity the Napolitans for thier infidelity and murmurings against their former Kings it pleasd the Majesty of the heavenly Judg to deliver them into the hands of Pharo to receive law from him meaning the Spaniard who having felt the pulse of that luxurious people by his interior Cabinet councell was advisd that there was no better way to preserve Naples in a constancy of obedience then to bring down the flesh and tame that hot metteld and spirited Horse or Courser which she gave for her Ensign therupon there were appointed Riders Grooms Smiths and others to look to him and break him they found that he was so wanton that he wold hardly receive Bit Bridle or Saddle that he was of a mighty strength therfore it was fitting so pamperd an Animal shold be brought low and mortified Somthing was don in Charles the fift's time to this purpose but his Son Philip did finish the work who had almost rid him quite of his legs insomuch that at the beginning of Philip the thirds Raign there was a speciall â—unta appointed to meet in the Piazza at Naples to take a view in what case he stood The poor Beast was brought forth and he was grown so feeble that his legs could hardly serve him to be softly led into the Market-place It was a most pittifull object to see how that generous Courser who had once so much spirit and strength
Armes till the confirmation of what the Vice-roy had stipulated before were com from the King of Spain as it was agreed it shold be sent three months after In the mean time Don Iohn of Austria was com hard by with a Fleet of five and forty Galeons and sent word to the Citty that if they were desirous to have a peace and generall pardon the people shold lay down Armes and send them to the Vice-roy to the Castle this they wold not do but offerd to lay them up in their houses untill the Treaty shold be concluded so matters fell off the hinges more then ever the three Castles shot at the Town by Land and Don Iohn by Sea with his great Guns from his Galeons and Gallies which made such a hideous noise as if Heaven and Earth wold meet and in the Town the huge Canons from the Tower of Carmine played incessantly so there grew a perfect War twixt the Cittie and the Castles a great number of fair houses were burnt heads chopd off and the great Bell of Saint Laurence rung out for signall of War The Spaniards on the one side put all to fire and Sword the people on the other side burnt the Goods and destroyed the houses of any whom they suspected Many bloody Skirmiges happend in divers places Don Iohn sent a Cavalier of quality to the Captain-Generall of the people to know the ground of this fury and why they were so active in their own destruction with the ruine of so many innocent Souls and such a glorious Citty but word was sent him back that when the Confirmation was com from the Court of Spain they wold send him a civill answer till then t was but just they shold stand upon their Guard and repell any force by that power which God and Nature had given them for the defence of themselves and their liberties together with their Wives and Children yet with this resolution to continue in a constant obedience to his Catholic Majesty and not to listen to the enchantments of any forrain Prince who began to tamper with them already for a Revolt The Duke of Mataloni in these Confusions did many materiall Services to the Spaniards by sending them recruits of horse and foot from the Country At last the people grew jealous of their Elect and Captain-Generall Prince Turaldo and so gave him his pass-port to hasten to the other world without a head so they chose in his place one Gennaro Arnese a man of a far inferior quality In this hurly-burly the French King sent the people a proffer of two millions of gold with twenty Galeons eighteen Gallies and forty Tartanas which message was sent by a person of quality from â—he French Ambassador resident at Rome The Citty embracd the proposall and so employd an express to go to Rome and treat so a little after the cry up and down the streets of Naples was Viva la Francia let France live and in som places let the Parliament of England live which continued divers daies Don Iohn of Austria and the Vice-roy having notice of these practises twixt the Citty and France were much troubld therat thereupon they got the Pope to usâ— his Spirituall Armes so this Nuncio in Naples desired to have audience in his Holines name Gennaro Arnese gave it him all clad in cloth of Silver the Nuncio told him that he had receivd an express Mandamus from his Holines brought by a person of quality to exhort the City to conform to a serious treaty of peace otherwise the holy Church must do her duty Gennaro answerd that there could not be expected a sudden answer to so grave a message therfore the most faithfull people desird som respit of time to consult of it so the Nuncio parted and som did laugh in their sleeves at him insomuch that this message took no effect at all The next day after there was a Feluca discoverd chasd by two Gallies but narorwly scaping them she came safe to Port she brought in her the Duke of Guise with foru Servants only who was all this while at Rome he was receivd into the Town with wonderfull applause he told them that his Christian Majesty had an Army in a readines to assist the most faithfull people so they resolvd to make him their Generall and the next day he went to the Archâ—bishops Palace to take an Oath of fidelity to the people which he did upon the hearing of Masse and receiving the holy Communion Now the Napolitan Nobles had a considerable Army in the Country about therfore the Duke of Guyse desired to have six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse to go find them out which he did at Aversa but he was utterly routed with losse of above three hundred upon the place and many more wounded and so returnd to Naples The sixth of December there was a Truce concluded for three howers during which time Don Iohn sent notice to the Citty of a Letter sent from his Catholic Majesty wherin he ratified all the Capitulations of peace agreed on by the Duke of Arcos the Letter being sent to the Elect of the people and communicated to the Duke of Guise the sayd Duke seemd to exhort the people to accept of it in regard their King had therin made concession unto them of so many signall graces Therupon the Rabble of the people boyling with heat cryed out that they wold be cut to peeces rather then be slaves to the Spanish Nation any longer therupon the Duke took a Medail from his brest and told them his Christian Majesty had given him that Medail for a pledg that whensoever he sent to him for an Army he shold have one forthwith and he told them there was one already prepard therfore he desired that som Felucas might be dispatchd towards Tolon to hasten their coming which was done accordingly So it was decreed that the Duke of Guise from that day forward shold be treated with Highness others wâ—ld have him in imitation of Venice to be tearmd Doge of the Napolitan Republic A few dayes after the French Fleet was discoverd which consisted of eight and twenty Vessels the arrivall therof did fill and affect the whole Citty with such a tripudiant humor of joy that people went dancing and singing up and down the streets The French Fleet appeard in form of a half Moon but durst not com in reach of the three Castles or the Spanish Fleet then in Port but kept their distance yet they landed divers sorts of Provision for the use of the Citty they came up to the point of Pusilipo and got off cleer again The first day of the yeer there came Letters from divers places in Apulia that they had twenty thousand good Combatants in a readiness to assist the Royall Republic of Naples The Duke of Arcos began now to be disaffected by the Royall party as well as by the people insomuch that the high Collaterall Councell in the Castle sent him