had brought a Garrison into the Imperial City of Ratisbone Wallestein follows the Kings Army who directing his march towards Wittemberg thought by drawing the Imperialists after him to consume and weary them to overcome them afterwards more easily when he should meet with a fit place and an occasion seasonable to give Battel But Wallestein considering that for the approaching Winter he lost these better quarters the further he went from those convenient Provinces ceasing to follow goes into Misnia taking Leipzick and every other place of any moment He had a mind in Saxony to attacque Dresden the residence of the Elector not so much to divert him from making progress in Silesia as to chastise him by taking quarters in his Country Thence in the Spring he designed to go into Mechelburg to recover that Province causing Papenhaim to be his forerunner who in the mean time in the Lower Saxony attempted important Conquests The King perswaded by the prayers and dangers of the Elector or rather by his protests that if he abandoned him he would incline to Peace joining Bannier sets forwards to his succours whereupon Fridtland recalling Papenhaim thought to possess Naumburg to stop his way but prevented by the King resolves to protract time and sends back Papenhaim to relieve Colen by another body of the Swedes besieged Nor was the King much inclined to a Battel but seeing the Imperialists weakened follows them to Lutzen a small Town not far from Leipzick There Fridtlandt doubting to be constrained with great disadvantage to some encounter recals in all haste Papenhaim who willingly keeping himself in a command apart was ingaged in the Siege of Hall But the King hastned the Battel so much that Papenhaim hardly arrived in time with those of his Troops which were in the greatest readiness The sixteenth of November was the day on which with the blood of sixty thousand Souldiers that in both Armies boldly exposed their lives it seemed that the fortune and glory both of the King and of the Austrians was to be decided The Troops were the day before marshalled into their distinct orders the Imperialists composed of great Battalions of Foot with the Horse that defended the flanks the Swedes in two very long Lines mingled with Foot and Horse Each had great store of Cannon in the front nor could there on either side be seen better order or greater daring Nevertheless the Fight was deferred the King seeming irresolute and troubled but expressed himself that for reputation it was fit to fight doubting nevertheless that Heaven would punish him by letting many that worshipped him as a God see that he was indeed but Man Each kept their order all the night and Wallestein took a great advantage by lining with Musquetiers certain ditches just before his Enemy So that about these at the first peep of day was he hottest of the Fight and the Swedes prospered in the gaining of them though hindred by a thick mist discerned not in the Fight either their danger or advantages Six Cannons being taken they turned them against the Imperialists doing great slaughter with them They nevertheless getting into order again repulsed beyond the ditches the Enemy who left four of the Cannon nailed and carried away two The left Wing of the Imperialists where was the Polish and Croatian Horse used more to Incursions than set Battels being charged by the Kings left easily gave way and would have disordered other Squadrons if Papenhaim bringing them again to fight had not stopped the Enemy till struk with a Cannon bullet he dyed with that commendation of valour and courage which with the testimony of many scars appeared imprinted upon his face The King that thought it the honour and duty of a great Captain not to overcome only with the blood of others but having ordered his Troops and given directions for the Battel to hazard himself no less than a common Souldier was there killed also leaving it uncertain whether in truth he overcame or dyed first Some will have it that in the beginning of the Battel passing from division to division accompanied but with few he fell into a Company of the Enemies Horse by reason of the Mist not discovered and that while unknown with his Sword in his hand he defended himself and by a shot of a Carabine being flung out of the Saddle and by one foot in the Stirrup by the Horse dragged away he was afterwards by another shot slain Others that having in the left Wing beaten the Imperialists and now certain of the Victory he was hasting elsewhere but by a Company of Horse which advanced to charge was flung to the ground and as an ordinary man trampled upon and amongst others stript There wanted not some who reported and this is the most rational account of them who were in the Battel that the King whilst at the head of the Regiment of Colonel Verde of Finlanders seconded by two others of Swedes charged a great Body of eight hundred Cuirassiers commanded by Ottavio Piccolomini was shot with a Pistol in the Arm for his Cuirasse by reason of some old hurts incommoding him he wore no Arms in the Battel but not to discourage the Souldiers concealing the hurt and though willing to redouble the charge yet constrained by pain had resolved to retire with a few when at the instant he was with a Carabine shot in the Back by a Souldier who was killed in the same occasion Piccolomini returning then to the charge passed over him yet alive and left him under a heap of dead bodies ignobly covered It was never known who could boast of such a blow either because in Battels chance bears so great a sway that confounding the Fate of the King with that of the Souldiers they are not distinguished after death but by Glory or Oblivion or because in this Fortune had withal a mind to shew her self favourable that no mean person may vaunt himself to have killed so great a King and withal so noble a Souldier The Swedes continuing the fight ended the Victory before they knew of his death So that the Souldiers accustomed to fight under the eye of him from whom they expected reward and commendation believing he was fighting with them and would overcome disordered not their Ranks nor grew cool in their accustomed courage Bernard Duke of Weimar alone knowing the Kings Horse that ran loose and was bloody being aware of what was happened but inraged with the grief not to give time to the Souldiers to take notice of it charged with such a force that the Imperial Army was constrained to give way The Horse of both Wings were now fled Piccolomini alone remained the last with his Regiment and with proofs of wonderful valour after four Horses killed under him had five wounds upon him which Wallestain with a generous Present of twenty thousand Crowns cured and acknowledged And the Swedes would now have environed the Enemies Foot on all sides when the Mist which arose towards
thousand Foot and not many above a thousand Horse comes close to the Trenches and without giving time to the Spaniards to take a considerate view of them assaults them forcing them in a very narrow passage By which entring in the evening they were forced night coming upon them to halt within the Enemies Camp The Spaniards surprised could not or had not the skill to oppose them but rather considering that the day following it would be impossible to avoid a Battel silently under the favour of the night retire leaving Leucate free the Camp empty and forty piece of Cannon with infinite Provisions in the power of the French From so many fortunate successes some flattered themselves that the Cardinal having thus provided for his glory would more easily incline to Peace It appeared nevertheless that he became no less amorous of new Conquests than Olivares was irritated at this his adversity And for this cause although in both Courts a truce was proposed by the Ministers of the Pope and the Venetians and that the General of the Minims carried secretly from Paris to Madrid projects betwixt the two favourites yet nothing was concluded because in the Truce the French would have their Confederates comprehended and keep what they had gotten and both the one and the other was denied by the Spaniards not to treat with the Hollanders as equals nor accustom their Enemies to a peaceable enjoyment for so many years of the places possessed Hereupon arose quickly new difficulties the French denying as hath been said elsewhere to acknowledge Ferdinand the Third for King of the Romans and successor into the Imperial Crown of his Father who in the month of February of this year being the fifty ninth of his age yields to the frail condition of Mortality This Prince had experienced such various accidents of things prosperous and unfortunate as may be equally observed both for a testimony of divine Providence and an example of humane vicissitudes From slender beginnings and a very narrow condition he rose to great hopes and afterwards to greater power amidst the oppositions and treacheries of Strangers and of Subjects but they being brought under and the other conquered for the overcoming also of jealousie and envy he wanted nothing but the moderation of counsels He had a tryal therefore of the reflux of Fortune with such blows as made him see his Greatness panting under the Forces of a King almost unknown and despised But the death of Gustavus ascribed to a blow from Heaven the Victory at Nortlinghen no less seasonable than great and the Peace of Prague which contented the chief of the Protestants confirmed to the Son all the Dignity of the Father It was looked at as a great miracle nay rather a singular protection from Heaven that the Election of a King of the Romans should succeed so opportunely and that after so great agitations and so many calamities the Patrimony untouched together with an hundred and ten thousand men in Arms should remain to the Successor It cannot be denied but that to Ferdinand the Second may be assigned a most deserved station amidst the best deserving Princes who have received Splendour and Renown from the Catholick Religion for that with fervent zeal he propagated it in the Hereditary Provinces nay rather may be said to have restored it by Example by Laws and by Arms. He was singular in piety constant in vertue and inflexible in all Fortunes Some laid to his charge a too much yielding to the opinions of others with a too violent heat in execution an undistinguished liberality in giving and a too patient tolerance of so many excesses with which his Souldiery and Generals afflicted Germany and Italy But his vertues were his own his faults were ascribed to Fortune and the Times And now Ferdinand the Third taken into the Empire in the nine and twentieth year of his Age the Venetians to congratulate him sent Renieri Zeno Cavalier and Procurator and Angelo Contarini Cavalier by whom they sollicited the concession of Pass-ports to facilitate the agreement of a Meeting for Peace and the King of Poland also cooperating therein with his endeavours those for Swede and Holland were consented to by the new Emperour but upon condition that they should not be delivered to the parties till after France should have dispatched his own for his Ministers with Titles and Quality of Emperour But the Meeting being still more and more prolonged military successes were in this year reciprocally ballanced in Germany for the Swedes having pursued the Saxons taken Erfordt in Thuringia and advanced into Francony were by them joyned with Gallas forced back to the Frontiers of Pomerania There Banier re-inforced with Wranghel makes head a new obliging the others through want of Provisions and Pay to retire back After this Hermestain kept by the French being rendred to Werdt was deposited into the hands of the Elector of Collen till the cause of him of Triers to whom that place belonged should be decided Werdt after this draws near to Hanau and Weimar hastes with speed to its succours wherein he was not able to succeed though he beat the Duke Carlo of Lorrain who had attempted to hinder him in his way The Duke therefore turns his march into the Franche Conté attempting to possess Besanzon an Imperial City but in vain and thereupon goes into Alsace leaving Hanau to be taken by Werdt He after the place gained follows him joyned with the Duke of Savelli and other Chiefs and seeing Weimar ingaged under Rhinfeldt attacques him obliging him with the loss of his Cannon to rise In this Encounter Rohan who was with Duke Bernard received such a hurt that he a while after dyed leaving the Arms he was wont to wear to the Republick of Venice as a gift of affection and Monument of that Renown which inrolled him in the number of the most famous Captains of the World The Imperialists not contenting themselves with this success by pursuing the Victory lost it whilst at Laufenburg whither Weimar was gone they attacqued him and he made appear of what importance is the Courage of an excellent Captain for inferior in Reputation and Forces he encounters them and fights them with so great resolution that he defeats them putting almost all to the Sword possessing Cannon and Baggage taking the Colours and numbring amongst the Prisoners of Quality Werdt himself and Enchefurt Rheinfeld under which Weimar returned was the reward of the Victory and after that Neoburg and Friburg followed That nevertheless happened in the year following but for the present in Italy the War being transported out of the Country of Parma into the Monferrat Leganes feigned to himself great progress finding himself strong eighteen thousand Foot and five thousand Horse with all sorts of other provisions But his hopes were not seconded by the event In the Langhe Martino d'Aragona took in Ponzone to open the way of succours by Sea and the Communication with Final Gilles de Haes
at last at Francfort he was received there with infinite applause and the instances of the Bohemians being rejected who endeavoured to exclude him the oppositions of Saxony being overcome with recompences and the Palatine at last forced to consent he was the 28. of August adorned with the Imperial Dignity while at the same time the Bohemians resolve upon a new Election of a King Whether this Kingdom be Hereditary or Successive is a dispute which hath long wearied Armies and Pens with various Judgments some approving reason though over-mastered others applauding the direction of Fortune and the Conquerours As to that which concerned this business in question the resolution sprung both from the necessity of having a Director of that confused Government and from the want of a support by foreign Force In consideration of his nearness his Religion and his Power they offered the Crown to John George Duke of Saxony but he hoping for more certain advantages from the Austrians refuses it The fame of worth and courage begot a great esteem of Carlo Emanuel Duke of Savoy so that he was invited by the Bohemians and in regard of their Religion and Liberty would have preferred him before all others but it appearing environed with thorns that were too sharp neither Carlo nor any body else was yet found that was willing to accept it It was then adjudged to Frederick Prince Palatine a young man and in whom concurred his own high designs and the hopes to be assisted by others being Son-in-law to the King of England It seemed to some of the more wary of that Party that affairs were too far advanced the Austrians being put to a necessity of putting forth their utmost strength and the Catholicks into the obligation of uniting themselves with them Therefore some of the Electors were not wanting who disswaded the Palatine Bavaria counselled from it and the King of England himself endeavoured to divert him He at first shewing himself backward was at last seduced by hopes and ambition to despise their counsels He had his chief incouragement from the then present state of things for although Ferdinand were advanced to so remarkable dignity his ruine was thought near hand whilst being got free from many trains which in his return from Francfort were laid in the way he no sooner arrives at Vienna but he sees all Hungary risen in Arms. The Bohemians having applied themselves to the Ottoman Port to get a consent that Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania might raise Souldiers in those parts where many Hereticks of the Country moved him to it had no great difficulty to obtain it the Turks being always greedy to see the Christians weaken themselves by themselves and having now made a Peace with the Persian were so much the more vigilant if amidst these discords a way might not be opened to advantages of their own This nevertheless as it ordinarily happens that the most wicked counsels are the least successful instead of bringing a prejudice to Ferdinand served greatly to advance his Cause for the Protestants themselves and the Catholicks which took Arms in his favour upon a specious pretext alledged that it was fit they should all joyn for common defence against the Infidels to maintain that Frontier which defended Germany and Europe from ruine Nevertheless the motion of Gabor was at first with great force for with little opposition he makes himself Master of Cassovia with upper Hungary Afterwards of Altemberg and of Presburg or Possonia where he found the Crown worshipped by that people as a testimony from Heaven of lawful Empire The Confederate Bohemians to joyn with him enter into Austria and failed but a little that they had not possessed the Bridges of Vienna if D'Ampiere and Marradas with a stout defence had not maintained them They then advanced towards Hungary when Buquoy with 5000 men only meeting Gabor who not far from Possonia marched with 15000 knowing the Hungarians more fierce to charge than stout to maintain a fight gave them battel and defeats them But the Victory was not of that importance as in the disproportion of their Forces to hinder la Tour from joyning with Gabor and entring into Austria threaten Vienna with a Siege but the season being advanced into November and Victuals in the open Country through the licentiousness of the Souldiers being quickly consumed they were constrained to retire and the rather because the Archduke Carlo Brother to Ferdinand driven in the Revolt of Silesia from his Church of Vratislavia and having fled for refuge to Sigismond King of Poland had obtained of him a Levy of 10000 men though without the consent of the States of the Kingdom and they under Homonay a Hungarian Baron being entred into the upper Hungary had defeated Stefano Ragotzi Gabors General The Confederates for this cause resolved not only to leave Austria but a Diet in Hungary in which was treated the conferring of that Crown upon Gabor was dissolved for fear and Gabor himself retaining his Conquests yields to a Truce which though it ended not wâ—â—h the Peace nevertheless for ten months it took away that troubâ—…som distraction giving opportunity to Homanay to pass into Sâ—lâ—…a and Moravia to Buquoy to go into the upper Austria and to D'Aâ—…piere to follow la Tour into Bohemia And now the applications and thoughts of the Princes were turned towards this Kingdom and it might be said that it resembled a great Lake in which many were fishing with various designs Ferdinand looked at it as his Patrimony Frederick reckoned it as a gift bestowed upon him Saxony and Bavaria gaped after spoils and there wanted not those who waiting upon accidents hoped when others were wearied out to reap for themselves the recompence of the War The House of Austria at that time was truly the die of the Fortune of Europe some desired to raise her up others laboured to bring her down the most were to keep her in a moderate condition All parties therefore made use of the same pretexts of Piety and of State albeit that Princes of several belief joyned themselves together and Religion made War to it self The eyes of the whole Empire were now turned towards the King of England because being so nearly allied to the Palatine and in all affairs endeavouring to thwart the advantages of the Austrians it seemed that it would be difficult for him not to ingage in Arms. But in that Prince decorum and want of power were commonly opposites He being Scotch by birth and come to the Crown by inheritance was the first that governed the two Nations by natural Antipathy and ancient emulation Enemies and designing to reclaim the fierceness of those people with ease and idleness had set up his rest in Peace and avoided as much as possible the calling of Parliaments without which having not the power to impose Contributions nor levy Money he contented himself rather to struggle with many straights and difficulties than see them meet with a jealousie of them or
minds to whatsoever fault or interest Anthonio was at that time Ambassadour in the Court of England and to clear this account he had leave to come to Venice where haranguing in the Senate with great power and no less hope to pacifie mens minds by the merits of his Ancestors and his own Services he found that in cases the most important Justice did not hold the ballance to equalize merits with faults Being summoned to Prison to render account as a Delinquent and yielding to it he was banished with a Sentence of Death and Confiscation of Goods his Name and Posterity cancelled out of the Order of the Patricians He retired himself into England where Girolamo Lando succeeding him in the Ambassage moves the King to discharge him thence But the Senate by the League with the Duke Carlo believing by his strong diversion the State at Land only secured from the attempts of the Milanese and by that of the Switzers judging to have provided themselves with little more than with the appearance and some numbers of Souldiers applied themselves to an equal strength of shipping and men also on the Sea-coast lest the Viceroy of Naples should continue his thoughts to disturb the Islands and the Gulph For this cause they listened to a Proposition of Alliance insinuated from the United Provinces of Holland in which besides the common interest of Liberty and Commerce they had a great desire to strengthen themselves with some strong support before-hand if within a while the Truce coming to expire they should be exposed to a new ingagement with the powerful Forces of Spain Christofero Suriano was at this time Resident for the Venetians at the Haghe who with much ripeness of judgment and dexterity in the managing of persons had introduced himself into a confidence with the Prince of Oâ—â—…nge and the Chief of the States and from thence collecting easily their sense he proceeded from discourses to a Treaty for which some Deputies of the States of the Provinces being appointed to treat with him they set down in writing the Conditions of a League of common defence But being propounded in Venice for the approbation of the Senate opinions differed for amongst those of the Colledge Giovanni Nani judged that the Conclusion should be deferred believing that the Republick though involved in great and grievous suspicions ought not at this time to intangle it self in that interest which presupposing a perpetual War put her into such and so great expences and dangers that the remedy would be found worse than the present evils And so he spake to this purpose If it be true that the faith of Princes is a bond not to be untyed and that Treaties of Leagues as Marriages make a Community of Fortune and Interests it is never too late to resolve upon a Decree which cannot be retracted nor amended A Decree which concerns an Alliance not of those States which govern their Councils by the alteration of things by the vicissitude of affections by the corruptions of Ministers and the change of Governours but of two Republicks in their Constitution immortal in their Maxims immoveable and in their Word constant An Vnion comprehending a short period and a limited number of years yet extends it self to the most weighty affairs and putting the Republick into a long and inextricable Labyrinth draws along with it consequences of great moment because it hath for its object a perpetual War in which with unwearied exercise of mind the Vnited Provinces defend their Religion and Liberty against a most powerful King implacable in the offence and indefatigable in the resentment That the Treasure of the Republick should be poured forth to the assistance of the weak that our aids should be the certain Capital of the oppressed that the Arsenals and Treasuries should be common to Italy there are so strong motives that it cannot be denied but they have not the same force for the affairs of Holland and if they have force by ballancing the reasons it is fit that we measure their strength Our succours perhaps will be large yet unsufficient to be able to maintain a War which subsists upon terms of Liberty and Rebellion irreconciliable with subjection and Kingly Authority A War extended to the four parts of the World which hath no limits nor can be bounded which hath emptied Spain of People exhausted the Indies of Gold and swallowed the Blood and Treasures of Europe The Republick hath always been most just in her undertakings in her own defence most circumspect and in the assistance of others constant What is now pretended is it to take Arms against Spain have we Peace with him is it to preserve our selves but what more safe remedy than the sparing the vital spirits for our own occasions Some desire to perswade those States at the end of the Truce to make an end of the War but if in their intestine Divisions having experienced greater mischiefs from Peace than hazards in the War they are thereto perswaded by their own interest that diversion will surely serve to our advantage and that War will be carried on without us under the shadow of which Italy will take breath and the Republick protected by Heaven against force and treasons will happily enjoy a calm and quiet peace Holland hath the assistance of their Neighbours and they most potent Princes some conformable to their own Religion others by a suitableness to their conveniencies and designs and these can and will uphold her with puissant Forces To what purpose then hasten our Carrier if by the steps of others without wearying our selves we may arrive at the end of our advantages The Republick hath to its praise assumed to her self the protection of Italy hath maintained it and doth maintain it with glory but it would be too vast a thought to espouse all the differences of Europe and have to do in every part of the World If out of prudence we have abstained from meddling in the affairs of Bohemia why should we pinch our selves with those of Holland is it to obtain assistance But that people will not be wanting to be serviceable to us without a League who agree with all the World where there is money and reward I deny not but that friends are a great defence and that in true Mesnagery that Treasure is not to be valued which keeps the Monster of War far off But do the bonds of friendship consist in Treaties only The affections of Princes are there joyned where the Interests are not separate Who doubts but that the Vnited Provinces will embrace our assistance as often as being in distress it may be seasonable to give it and render it to us again when the Conjunction of affairs shall shew it to be necessary We have hitherto at least drawn Commanders Souldiers Ships out of that Country open to the money of all That very money which for the purchase of a friendship not necessary we are here vainly so ready to disburse shall be that
the rest submitted to his will From thence he sends 14000 men into Silesia which threatning the Metropolis Vratislavia made themselves masters of Glosgaw This Province and Moravia had a little before been over-run by the Cossacks of Homonay and Frederick who held a Diet at Bruna had been forced to save himself from their swift Incursion with four persons only into Prague The Moravians sent four Ambassadours to meet with these Barbarians to offer them money that forsaking Ferdinands Party they adhere to their interest But the Cossacks with a cruel document killing two of them let the other go free that they might relate what was the duty of their fidelity and what punishment they ought to expect from their rebellion Those Provinces had an effectual tryal that the yoke of War is more heavy than that of obedience The upper Austria also confessed it with tears and blood because Buquoy having during the winter-season gently tempted it with allurements and Treaties rather than with Arms Lintz being re-inforced by Mansfelt with 2000 men the Province was then confirmed in the Rebellion But the Duke of Bavaria being entred into it with 20000 Foot and 4000 Horse filled it with such a terrour that the people having neither defence nor excuse knew not where to resist him nor how to appease him The States of the Country assembled in Lintz were willing to propound Conditions of Peace but the Duke despising them because they had let him come too near upon the 4. of August caused the Gates to be opened by force Where some of the guilty being punished the rest oppressed with a great Garrison and all chastised with the general sack and spoil of the Country obedience was re-established It was fit to follow fortune while she smiled with success and therefore it was resolved to enter into Bohemia to make an end of the War while it was but beginning The Duke then taking the one way and Buquoy the other marched in such a distance that the numbers did not hinder their progress and Victuals were supplied to all each taking in such places and Castles as lay in their way At Buduais they met to speak together thence uniting their Forces but not their minds which for sundry emulations were always in this Expedition at discord they moved towards Pisec and that taken in they advanced to Pilsen The Army of the Bohemians superiour in number but an equal in prowess and discipline coasted upon them and troubled their march The Chiefs were persons of no great reputation and Frederick in a Labyrinth of endless interests could not govern nor would be governed His endeavours to hinder the Catholicks from coming near to Pilsen succeeded not but Mansfelt supplied it with art because in that place as in his own Conquest he had fixed the seat of his Fortune By proposing a Treaty he hoped to gain time till the season should be more advanced to afford him succours Neither did the Duke and Buquoy despair of drawing him to their party because he feigned discontents which besides the custom of Mercenaries wont to abandon their party in the ambiguity of Fortune they might easily give credit too in him that served a foreign Prince and a distracted people But he after some days feigning also Orders from Anhalt which in regard of his honour obliged him to make resistance discovers the fraud whereupon the Catholicks not willing to waste their Forces in a long Siege nor entertain Fortune with lingring hopes leaving Pilsen went to Prague Frederick assaulted from so many parts and worsted in all was in disorder the people stood in a fright and the Army was wavering Near to Raconits the Armies met and that of the Protestants was driven from most of their Posts Buquoy being hurt which nevertheless hindred him not to go on in his march Anhalt perceiving whither the Enemy bent sent la Tour before to Prague with some Troops and himself leaving the Baggage behind by ways to rights hastens thither to prevent their possessing of the Wiisemberg or White Hill in which might much consist the defence of the City of a vast circuit open in several parts and in many commanded and that within shot A little after arrive there also the Duke and the Count so that both the Armies were now near to Prague The Bohemian in the superiority of Forces shewing a distrust of courage intrench upon the highest part of the Hill placing their Cannon in certain Redoubts and part of their Souldiers in the Park called the Star a place of pleasure for their Kings There was in the Austrian Army the Father Domenico of Giesu Maria a bare-footed Carmelite reputed for a man of singular piety who stirred up the Chiefs to fight promising a certain Victory But in the Council there was difference of opinions some considering the Enemies greater number and particularly of Horse and others the disadvantage of the situation in that the Souldiers before they could come to handy blows with the Enemy were to go a good way exposed to the Cannon and Musket-shot Some added the unevenness of the Hill which by several sloapings and in windings gave the Bohemians means to fortifie themselves and at every pass to make good their Retreat But hope of Victory and the greatness of the recompence over-ballancing dangers the Battel was resolved on Anhalt kept the Ports of Prague shut to take away from the Souldiers the hope of escaping thither In the Army he took for himself the right Wing and assigns to Hollach the left Frederick though so chief a part of the Judgment of Fortune stood in a place a little remote to observe the event Of the Catholicks the Imperialists had the right and the Bavarians the left hand Their Word was the Glorious Name of the Virgin under the protection of which represented in the chief Standard the Wing of the Bavarians moved over which next the Duke Giovanni Count of Tilly commanded To come to the Hill they were to file over a Bridge and then to pass a dirty Valley and in that disadvantage the young Anhalt would have charged them if the Count of Hollach had not staid him whereupon the Catholicks dis-engaged themselves and being defended from the Cannon with the rising of the Hill they advanced in better order Buquoy to avoid the Cannon-shot to which his men divided into three great Battallions with Horse on the Wings stood most exposed hastened his pace and came to the charge at the very same time that Tilly made his attaque The shouting of the Souldiers the noise of the Drums and the roaring of the Cannon deafned Heaven making the Hill a deadly Theatre of outrage and slaughter The two Armies consisted of more than sixty thousand men At the beginning advantage smiled on the Bohemians for young Anhalt with the assistance of the Count Slich repulsed the first Charge pursuing the Enemy with the gain of some Colours the death of Prainer and dead wounds of the Colonel Macau The
time at Rome the Ambassadour Sillery preventing those Orders which the Ministers of Venice and Savoy expected performs himself alone the Commissions of the Court to the Pope changing them instructed as was believed by Pisieux by approving the Deposition without limitation of time and without the requiring of those things which the Collegiates were to demand but by adding only an intreaty for the speedy demolishing the Forts and restitution with those conditions for Religion which Gregory should prescribe Before the Pope could answer hereupon God upon the 8. of July calls for him for the deposition of his life after having held rather than exercised a little more than two years the name and authority of the Apostolate A Pope that in matters of Religion left a fame of much zeal imployed with great applause in Wars of Germany and spread abroad by the Congregation by him founded for propagating Faith amongst the Barbarians On the other side as to business he was taxed to have been of a mean spirit and totally subject to the will of his Nephews amongst which the Cardinal directed affairs with such an absolute power that in the short time of his Uncles Pontificate procuring vast riches to his house he minded little else but the heaping up wealth and honours The state of Affairs and of Italy solicitously required the Election of a new Pope nevertheless amidst so many affections and interests of Princes and by reason of the forms with secret scrutinies prescribed by Gregory in his Bull it was doubted it would be long a doing But upon the 6. of August the Election where opinions and minds least inclined fell upon Maffeo Cardinal Barberino by Country a Florentine of the age of fifty and six years to the wonder of the Electors themselves who were amazed to have deceived their own hopes by promoting a person who for his complexion and vigour might out-live the greater part of them He takes the name of Vrban the Eighth with the applause of the World by reason of the high conceit of his Learning and Ability And now in Venice to Anthonio Priuli Duke deceased loaden with years and deserts was sustituted Franceso Contarini Cavalier Procurator signal for many publick Employments and for having undergone Embassies in almost all the Courts of Europe with such integrity and innocency that nothing could be condemned in his actions or accused in his manners One of the first cares in his Principality was to send to Rome the four elected Ambassadours according to custom to venerate the High Priest and they were Francesco Erizzo Cavalier Procurator Renieri Zeno Girolamo Soranzo both Cavaliers and Girolamo Cornaro who were so much the more inflamed as Sillery proceeded with luke-warmness The Pope to say truth detested the engagement into which his Predecessor had put the Arms and Authority of the Church complaining of the unseasonable charge but found no way to get out Lodovisio having strongly tied the knot both of the business and decency that although Vrban by reason of imployments had in that Court was thought inclined to France and in a manner partial it was nevertheless fit to be serviceable in name to the aims and designs of Spain But however time run on to the prejudice of those affairs no man in these beginnings durst irritate or provoke the Pope so that the Grisons groaned under the burden Leopold continued in possession and Feria bating the appearance enjoyed the conveniences and advantages which he had by the Valteline proposed Nor did the diversion of Mansfelt come to any thing for although he had received from the Confederates their money yet believing to make War in Germany with more profit to himself and being stirred up by the King of Denmark and the Protestants of the Lower Saxony was marched into the County of Oldenburg and having extorted great Contributions there leaving Garrisons in several places had entred into Westphalia and the Bishoprick of Munster On another side Halberstat separate in Forces but with the same ends and with the same supplies from the Bishoprick of Osnabrug threatned to advance into the Palatinate with thirty thousand men most new raised ill furnished with warlike Provisions and with but a few Cannon Tilly inferiour in number but better provided prevailing in Valour and military Discipline marches speedily towards him taking his passage through the Country of Hassia mortifying the Landgrave who had had the stoutness to deny it him with oppressions and contributions and indeed terrifying with his fame the whole Protestant Union He overtakes him in the Bishoprick of Munster and doubtful whether he should go forwards towards the Palatinate or bend towards Holland provokes him to battel he avoiding it with that disadvantage which he always hath who retires and gives way Coming at last close up to him at Bursteinfurt a place of no note whilst he was marching towards Statlo through a winding way interrupted with certain small Rivers which forming in several places dams and ditches gave him the opportunity to make a stand then facing about and leaving a strong defence there assure both the Reer and this March But the Catholicks pressed so hard upon him that overcoming all obstacles and the ressistance which was made them at the River Aa they came at last at Statlo upon the River Berchel the 6. of August to a general Battel in which being defeated leaving six thousand dead upon the place besides four thousand which rendred themselves Prisoners and the rest being dispersed eighty Colours Cannon Baggage and the glory of the Victory were the prey of the Conquerours Halberstat then with two Companies of Horse flyes into Holland giving Tilly liberty to re take many places in Westphalia in which he and Mansfelt had their Garrisons Tilly hereupon meditates on a great design to make himself Master of Embden and from thence through Frizland to pass into the bowels of the United Provinces of Holland so to retribute to the advantage of the Spaniards that powerful assistance they had given Ferdinand but the Hollanders furnished the place with all sorts of provisions sending thither men and a Squadron of Ships of War solliciting also Mansfelt for its relief and consenting six thousand men to Haverstadt to repair his Army For these reasons Tilly seeing the enterprise difficult and of a longer continuance than the approaching season of the Winter did permit returns to take Quarters in Hassia Nor had Mansfelt better luck for Cordua having in Westphalia reduced many Garrisons of places partly possessed by him and partly protected by the Hollanders with great facility every other place except Lipstat which made some defence yielded At last the Count of Anhalt and Colonel Erwits took Mansfelt in the Bishoprick of Munster at such a disadvantage of situation and numbers that he was wholly defeated Heaven making War for the Imperialists with such partiality of favours that they publickly boasted That the justice of their cause was decided by the felicity of their successes The Imperialists
Mantua to compose betwixt themselves excluding the Mediation of the Spanish Ministers the differences so long in question upon terms that for the pretended Dowry of Bianca Ferdinand should disburse to Carlo three hundred thousand Crowns a third whereof within the space of four years Contant and the rest with the Dowry of Margaret Moveables and Jewels should be satisfied in so much Land in Monserrat near to Piedmont to be set out by the Duke of Mantua valuing the Rent at two per Cent. For a greater confirmation of the agreement there was a promise of reciprocal Marriages of Mary Princess of Mantua with Filibert Son of Carlo and of one of the Infanta's of Savoy with him that should be Heir of the Dominions of the States of the House of Gonzagha This notwithstanding was not to be executed but within the space of eight years neither was there other difference in the Dowries of two hundred thousand Crowns for each but that Carlo was to pay in ready money and to receive in Lands When therefore the Prince Vincenzo of Mantua should succeed as he hoped in dissolving under pretence of sterility a certain Bond and as he pretended invalid Marriage formerly contracted out of an amorous passion with the Widow Isabella Princess of Bozzolo the Infanta was to be his but that not following or Ferdinand having no Child Male the other was yet to be accomplished with Filibert In order to this agreement Carlo and Mary yield the pretensions on Monserrat to Ferdinand to his Brother and to their Children and this was to take place though by death or other disturbance the foresaid Marriages should not succeed In sum the consent of the Emperour as Soveraign of the States was to be asked and out of respect communication given to both the Crowns Such were the conditions concluded on and subscribed by which the ancient dissentions of both Houses were hoped to have been quieted but to the delusion of humane wisdom that which was believed an Antidote was soon converted into the venemous seed of greater evils Amongst various accidents the first was the death of Filibert for although Carlo sending his Secretary Pater to Mantua offered to substitute Maurice his other Son to the Marriage nevertheless the business fatally succeeded not Heaven disposing new Thunder-claps for Italy and the House of Gonzagha The minds then of the Confederates being by such Negotiations forced for the present from several cares applying themselves in earnest to the Valteline and to Arms caused the delivery of the Forts to be demanded of the Pope that according to the League they might be demolished and the Valley restored to the Grisons or else that the Spaniards should within three months execute the Treaty of Madrid but the Pope himself opposing the first Proposition and not being able to bring the Spaniards to the other it was replied unto him That the Confederates found themselves necessitated for their own safety not giving place to other expedients to apply to more effectual remedies King Lewis had sent into Helvetia the Marquess de Coevre committing to him the charge of the Treaty and direction of the War He and Girolamo Cavazza Resident for the Republick in Zurich notwithstanding the opposition of the Popes and Spanish Ministers by effectual offices and to take away all pretexts perswaded the Catholick Cantons to perform the caution required in the Treaty of Madrid and the Protestants to take Arms and permit Levies of men provisions of Victuals and other necessaries They warily afterwards took upon them under-hand to animate the Grisons incourage the oppressed raise up the commons recal the banished and fugitives out of the Country to the end they might joyn with the Arms of the Confederates to shake off their yoke and drive away the Enemy Feria stirred with great apprehensions upon the arrival of Coevre at Soluturno orders Recruits and to keep the people of Rhetia quiet threatens them with grievous mischiefs Leopold also protesting no less chastisements notwithstanding that he had stipulated another agreement with them in which upon the disbursement of some thousands of Florins he promised to take the Garrisons out of Majanfelt and Coira The Princes of the League being now resolved to take Arms agreed to make the War under the name of the Switzers and Grisons levying three thousand men of each of the two Nations reinforcing them afterwards with twelve hundred Foot and four hundred Horse of the French and with another body of the Venetian Troops of which the gross and those of Carlo were to keep upon the Borders of the Milanese so long as the Royal Troops should lie incamped in the Province of Brescia but the Confederates continued to proceed towards the same end with designs and means differing for France abhorring an open breach with Spain pretended not to manage the War but by Auxiliary Forces and without ingaging his own Troops so far off with little charge and less noise at the cost of the other Confederates especially the Venetians arrive at his purpose The Venetians not aspiring the affairs of the Grisons being restored so to ought but to confirm the Peace desired that the enterprise might have carried reputation and vigour with it so to have obtained the one and the other with equal honour and dispatch And Carlo concurred rather in name than with his Forces busying his thoughts in nothing but to bring the Crowns to an open breach in Italy for being situated in the middle as in a manner Guardian and Arbiter of the War or Peace whatever the event should happen to be he hoped to make his profit and serve himself of the Arms of others principally of the French for his own advantage He represented to the King and to the Senate how prejudicial it would be to ingage and as it were bury Armies in a Country as Rhetia was barren and straight how burdensom to maintain Troops idle upon their own Frontiers He remonstrated to what charge the Confederates exposed themselves and amidst what difficulties they would be straightned if they aspired no higher than relieving the Valteline and defending themselves Was it possibly to be believed that the Spaniards would sit down with one blow or that they would be frighted with the name of this Alliance Their intention was nothing so and being not inferiour in art and force knew how to make use of them according to the change of times never neglecting occasions or losing advantages When could they have greater hopes to atchieve great designs since the Princes of Italy loosned from so many vexatious respects have at last had the courage to take hands with Strangers and in conjunction with them make plain the way to their relief The Duke laid great weight upon this Union and the reflections were not of less moment for if when the World adored Spain in the height of its prosperity and greatness he with his own Forces and the gold of the Republick had been able to resist what might they
much the more applause as to have got the day after he was little less than overcome so that Chance which in Battels usurps so great a share could not in this by the Victory upbraid the one with its favours or by the loss blemish the praise of the other At the price of such a days work not only the remainder of the conquered who straitned in Luther rendred at discretion but Northeim and all the Countries of Luneburg and Brunswick with many other Cities and places yielded consequences prosperous to Ferdinand spreading themselves into every part of the Empire Nor could it fall out at a time more unseasonable for the King of Denmark for that England and France ready to break betwixt themselves denied him the assistance he hoped for The States of Holland only who apprehended Tilli his old design of getting into Frizland by the way of Embden sent him some succours of men being able to do it with so much the greater convenience as that in this year besides the taking of Oldensel which was of no great moment they had stood either attentive on the Affairs of the Empire or only imployed themselves to hinder the cutting off a Chanel which the Spaniards attempted in vain to unite the Maze with the Rhine The King himself within a while took new vigour from six thousand Foot and a thousand Horse sent him by the Administrator of Hall and from Recruits of his own Subjects whereupon marching out of the Country of Holstein whither he was retired for refuge he was able to take Hoye though himself hurt there with a Musket-shot and his Son by a double stroke much more dangerously Taking his Quarters afterwards in the Bishoprick of Bremen Tilli also divided his throughout the Lower Saxony for a bridle and punishment of those refractory Provinces But the defeat at Luther had given its counter-blow in every other part To reduce the Upper Austria whose stirring carried great danger with it Ferdinand had invited Bavaria to signalize himself by the recovery of that Province once more to God and the Austrians But he wont above all men in all Negotiations to joyn together two things so contrary as are Religion and Interest offers to do it at his own charge provided nevertheless for his re-imbursement that the Country as a fresh pledge might remain in his hand Ferdinand doubtful if another Country should be offered him of recovering this and recompensing him was contented that he should only lend him some Souldiers with which joyning some Horse under the Command of Papenhaim the Peasants were forced to remove from Lintz and having their Quarters afterwards beaten up at Entz were at last wholly subdued with much blood and a mighty slaughter In Silesia Mansfelt had lost the opportunity of going forward by a Truce interposed by Gabor that he might joyn with him so that the Imperialists had him shut in betwixt two Rivers but when they thought to keep him so inclosed he gets loose from them by stealth and advances into the Mountains of Hungary where at last Gabors Brother joyns him with three thousand Horse and a little after a great Body of Turks with which he might have had the better of the Enemy by reason of the number of his Forces and the inclination of the people if the fame of the Victory of Luther had not been to Wallestain in place of a great supply For Gabor applying himself to new projects of Peace separates from Mansfelt and by his example the Turks retire so that the Count environed in the Mountains by the Imperialists without victuals without money and with Troops almost disbanded and consumed leaving order to the small reliques of his Army that they should endeavour to joyn with the Transilvanian slips away almost alone and by a desperate counsel getting into the Turkish Dominions proposes new Unions and Treaties to the Ottoman Ministers and takes his way towards Dalmatia so to get to Venice and from thence pass to those Princes which had formerly assisted him But being come to Vracoviz an obscure place in Bosnia near to the Confines of the Venetians wearied with cares and wants he dies ordering his Corps to be buried in the Territories belonging to the Republick And so Ernest Count of Mansfelt having sought for a glorious death amongst so many famous occasions was ignobly surprized by it there where he least expected to the end it might be said that Fortune had defrauded him both in his birth and death A man otherwise that without envy may be called Famous and be celebrated without blame for great An. Dom. 1627 in an Age wherein some are chosen from Heaven for Ministers of Divine Justice and publick Calamities He had the courage to provoke alone and by his own private Authority and Conduct the formidable power of the Austrians He was alone overcome in Battel but by his felicity of getting up again no less renowned than the Conquerours Superiour in Negotiations to the greatest Wits Bold in encountring dangers and highly subtil in winding himself out of them a Lover of disorders and novelties enduring hunger watchings and excess eloquent wise and vigilant prodigal of his own covetous of anothers lived amidst great hopes and designs and dyed without Lordships and without Treasure The Marquess of Dourlach thought by his example to be able to attempt Alsatia having raised some Troops in Basil by encouragement of the Protestant Switzers and some little money with which France and England secretly furnished him but not with an equal success for the greatness of the Austrians so firmly rooted with so many Victories being no more to be moved with little shocks the Marquess no sooner began to put himself in order but an Army of Ferdinands arriving in those parts ruined the design intimidated the Switzers and obliged those of Basil to discharge him He therefore passes into Denmark but had first sent to Venice the Colonel Niccolas Boet to communicate his intentions to the Republick and desired assistance at a time that the King of Denmark also by Joachim Cratz and the effectual interposition of the Ambassadours of England and Holland demanded money for the maintaining of five or six Regiments The Senate having fully deduced the obligation which the Republick had to the common Cause by what had been done in the course of many years in Italy shewed their sense in the importunity without engaging themselves further ANNO M.DC.XXVII Ferdinand now feared by many and respected by all kept under the Empire with an armed hand keeping his Armies dispersed in the Countries of the Electors and Princes that where any held up his head they were ready to suppress and chastise them Nor seemed the design longer concealed to reduce Christian Religion and the Authority of the Austrians to an Union in Germany The discourse now was to make the Empire successive Walestain in particular not dissembling his thoughts so to moderate the power of the Electors that like Grandees of Spain according to
to be suspected by the Governour as if by the direction of his Letters the Gallies of the Republick in maintenance of the right of the Sea should have intercepted certain Ships of the Raguseans which were sailing for that Port vexed with various persecutions was constrained to go to Venice to inform the Senate with it but was no sooner gone but the Governour caused his house to be searched together with his Houshold-stuff and Writings and among them were those of his Ministry Whilst the Republick complained of it and the French Ministers interposed and got no satisfaction the Governour publishes against the Consul a most severe Proclamation laying to his charge that he had unladen in the suspected time of the plague Merchandise out of a Bark which came from Venice but there appeared in the Sentence more of pretext than of his fault because he justified himself to have done it by permission of the Magistrates This increased the resentment of the Republick and gave occasion to the French to renew with more earnest their Mediation by which it was agreed that recalling the Proclamation Oberti should be admitted the Senate shewing themselves when that was done not averse from recalling him and appointing some other for the place But as this agreement was ready to be executed Michael dying his Brother was substituted who going to Ancona to take possession of the place was by the Governour first put in Prison and then again released with severe threatnings and obligations to return no more thither The French complained highly of it because they had given their word to the Republick that the Election should be of such a person as the Republick should best like of but the Senate judging it little secure and less honourable to continue the Treaty suspended more speech of it interdicting Audience nevertheless to the Nuntio Vitelli and forbidding their Ambassadour Contarini to see the Pope The Negotiation also was interrupted which the Duke of Crequi come in the Name of King Lewis to Venice managed with Baptista Nani and Girolamo Soranzo Cavalier and Procurator deputed by the Senate to adjust the differences about Confines betwixt Loreo and Arriano ANNO MDCXXXIV The Republick was strongly pressed by the said Duke that in concert with the Crown of France a new War might be moved in Italy but although his instances were a while after earnestly seconded by Monsieur de Salodie sent by the King with the same projects of Union and War the Senate nevertheless resolving not to depart from the Neutrality they had fixed in answers to the invitations by exhorting to Peace which being the greatest blessing from Heaven ought rather to be promoted than disturbed by the prosperity the Crown enjoyed Not only the French but the Spaniards also used with the other Princes such earnest endeavours requiring positive declarations without admitting neutrality that some grew justly jealous that the Crowns sought no less pretexts for a War than to make parties for it At which the Grand Duke more moved than the rest sends the Archbishop of Pisa to the Court of Rome to propose a League betwixt the Italian Princes of common defence to ballance the power of Strangers and oppose the exorbitancy of it But at this time as always affections contending with interests many governing themselves by separate Councils and believing an union with Strangers more compatible than with domesticks the proposition vanished in its beginning through the difficulty to introduce it The Genouese at this time embittered by reason of past accidents against the Spanish Ministers and more exasperated at present by the decision made by the King and the Infanta of their controversies with the Duke of Savoy gave ear to the insinuations of Monsieur de Novailles who in his passage to Rome offered them the Forces and assistance of the Crown of France so that after having for so many years been serviceable to the sole advantages of the Spaniards they would bring themselves to a fitting neutrality whereupon that Republick making use of the conjuncture enters into a correspondence with France and with many Decrees revived the lustre of its liberty and vigour of its Government The Spaniards received this novelty not without a sharp resentment but being more and more intent upon the contingencies of the Empire dissemble all making it their business only to take away all jealousies from the Italians both by reason of the Infanta's stay and the warlike preparations without notwithstanding to neglect the advantages which the conjuncture afforded for they took hold of the occasion to perswade Prince Thomas to depart on a sudden out of Piedmont and go to the command of the Army in Flanders sending for Hostages his Wife and Children into Spain Some believed that Thomas and Maurice the Cardinal who having renounced to the protection of France in Rome had assumed that of the Emperour held an understanding with the Duke their Brother thereby to divide betwixt them by artifice the affections and good will of both the parties But in truth the two Princes from the weak constitution of the Duke foreseeing his death to be near considered afar of the succession of the Country and those designs which afterwards in their time brake forth and seeing their Sister-in-Law by the bonds of interest and blood tyed to France cast themselves betimes into the arms and protection of the Austrians Whereat the Duke being exceedingly moved sequestred their revenues and suspends their assignments The French for all that putting no entire confidence in him shorten the Bridle increasing in Pignarol and Monferrat Troops and Garrisons The Infanta at last after having concluded a League with the Catholick Cantons of Helvetia for the life of the King and the Prince his Successor obliging them to assist in the defence of the Franche County moves in the Month of June through the Valtelline and Tirol towards Germany accompanied by the Marquess of Leganes with six thousand Foot and fifteen hundred Horse It hath been formerly said what were the aims of Wallestein to amuse himself in Provinces remote whilst the more important were in danger but now upon the loss of Ratisbone Austria was threatned also and the Duke of Bavaria highly protested that if he were not succoured he would agree with the Swedes upon any conditions and would open them the passage into the bowels of the Emperours patrimonial Lands Whereupon Ferdinand with most effectual orders summons him again to come speedily to the assistance of his necessity and to his commands added importunities and entreaties that he would employ his Army against those of his Enemies which were the most dangerous and powerful He with the height of malice considering that the Spanish Forces were come into the Empire and knowing the aims of that Crown tending to thrust him down moving the Army as if he would answer the summons quarters it in Bohemia and distributing several Regiments of his friends into Austria it looked as if he would keep Vienna
act of confidence agreed that together with the National the Cardinals also of the Palace Brother and Nephew of the Pope himself should do it But as to the affairs most important the Ambassadour demonstrated to Vrban what the danger was which impended from the Turkish Arms. That Babylon was taken and therefore in Persia the War at an end or Peace very near It was not to be doubted but that to Amurath puffed up and elated in his mind ambition and power would suggest new designs and bold attempts The long intestine discords of the Princes had these many years served for pastime to the Barbarians who carefully observe the conjunctures by assaulting the weakest to make way to invade the more powerful War was scattered in Italy and in every other part Christendom appeared all bathed in blood nor were other reports heard of but those of deadly Battels and lamentable Sieges Why should so great slaughters be endured for unprofitable Conquests nay for great damages if we will compare them to the progress which the common Enemy promises himself That Christendom can save it self from this present shipwrack but by Peace alone That it was Urbans duty to apply the prayers and ingage the Authority of a common Father and a Prince to pacifie his Sons and unite them against the Power of the Barbarians That it was his office to calm the World appease the Kings pacifie the Princes quiet disturbances and compose the people The Republick would not spare pains and endeavours to second those pious intentions and his most prudent judgment She saw her self threatned by the unjust rage of the Turks but what was her Country but the out-works of others She maintained with a long Frontier the Guard of the Confines of Italy and the violence of a furious Torrent If she should yield to necessity or fall under force what would become of the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples nay the State of the Pope himself This Country the Guardian of Religion the Seat of Liberty and Honour cannot be invaded by the Turks in one part but it will be oppressed all over Their dreadful Arms are to be compared to that poyson which by one sole touch creeps irresistably over the whole body That the Senate for a common benefit promises a constancy in maintaining the War equal to the Generosity of provoking it The proud pretensions of the Turks had for their aim to extort from the Republick Ships and Gallies to offend Christendom with the very instruments of their own defence In case of denial War ensued of granting the power and strength of the Enemy was increased who not content with the usurping of so many spoils lies in wait for the last breath of languishing Christendom That the Republick had given an absolute denial to their demands yet knew their Forces unequal and by consequence the danger great Nevertheless put their Arms in order prepared for resistance with a firm hope that that War being from God and the cause undivided betwixt the Church and the Republick blessings from Heaven would abound nor would warlike assistances be wanting in particular that of the Vicar of Christ The Pope heard all with grave reflections discoursed of many things and although more difficult to resolve and put them in effect nevertheless affirmed that urgency coming upon them he would not suffer his endeavours and forces to be wanting For the present he permitted the Levy of three or four thousand men in his Country and to promote more vigorously the Mediation of Peace betwixt the Princes he sent Extraordinary Nuntio's to the Courts with vehement intreaties and effectual considerations to bring them to some Conditions of Peace and if that should be found too difficult and long to a Truce or at least to a suspension of Arms by Sea by transmitting their powers to Rome to the end that under the eye and direction of the Pope the Treaty might with as much care as the necessity required be brought to perfection The Ambassadours of the Republick cooperated in the same the interposition of Vrban proving faint and not acceptable For a pretext of particular diffidence served the distaste which was pretended by the Emperour by France and by Spain for there being named in the promotion of Cardinals by the Emperour the Prince Rinaldo d'Esté and by one of the Crowns Giulio Mazarini and by the other the Abbot Peretti the Pope denying to comply with the instances and to cover the little inclination he had towards those persons alledging that they were not National deferred the promotion though there were many places vacant The Crowns herewith not at all content insisted on the Nomination with so much heat that being at variance in all else they agreed only in this to force the will of the Pope and passing from intreaties to protests and threatnings gave out they would forbid their Subjects to accept of that Dignity as often as the nominated should not be comprehended The French in particular pressed for Mazarine who besides what he had negotiated in Piedmont had in his extraordinary Nunciature of France so gained the favour of Richelieu and had declared himself so partial for that Crown that having drawn the Cardinal Anthonio to the dependence upon it he not only passed in Rome for the most confident Minister of France but being called to Paris was declared Plenipotentiary at the Meeting for Peace not without the disgust and murmuring of some of the Nation that for the Purple and weightiest Imployments Strangers were preferred as if Merit and Capacity were wanting in so many persons of the Kingdom To exasperate minds the more there happened afterwards other lesser accidents which yet in the Court of Rome take the place of greater matters for the Master of the Horse of the Mareshal d'Estré Ambassadour of France being out-lawed for having taken away out of the hands of the Serjeants a Friend of his was killed in the Country while he was yet in his service and his head publickly exposed in Rome Whereupon the Ambassadour taking himself to be slighted intermitted going to Audiences from whence came that in France also they were denied to Monsieur Scotti Nuntio Extraordinary with much rigour and severity This disgust was at last composed with the punishing some Officers and with the offices of respect and esteem which the Cardinal Barberin passed with the Ambassadour in his own house going thither to visit his Wife After this upon the old diffidences with the Spaniards were sowed new discontents so that the Ambassadour Marquess di Castel Roderigo suspended in like manner the Audiences with Barberino because he being the Cardinal Protector of the Religion of the Franciscans had by the Authority of the Pope assumed to the Generalat a Brother that had not the Royal approbation and the displeasure was so much the more increased by how much the same Ambassadour the night of the Nativity caused in Rome fast by a Church to be arrested the Prince of Sans of the
undertaking to be dead the others weak and in a fright Spain turmoiled in so many parts and Lamboy constrained to repair to the relief of Flanders endeavoured to find his safety in the Kings favour whereupon he stipulates an accord obtaining neutrality for the Town pardon for himself and all the party except the Duke of Guise and the Baron de Bech Some of the male-contents returned to their Houses others would not at all trust themselves there but dispersed into several Provinces or went into those of Flanders leaving to the Cardinal the merit or the fortune to have though thus a loser subdued the Rebellion without intermitting in so many other parts the assisting his Friends and offending his Enemies The Siege of Air was in this interim carried on with great earnest in such sort that besides infinite other factions one and the same Half-moon was gained and lost several times But remaining at last in the power of the French gave them means to press the Town more powerfully gain the Ditch and after mines and assaults to fix a lodgment upon a Bastion And now the place capitulated the afflicting the County of Boulloin and the Country thereabouts with great incursions having not at all availed the Spaniards for the removing Meilleray from the Siege Ghenep was also rendred to Orange upon the same day that Aire was taken but the French retained that Conquest but a very short space For the Cardinal Infante joined with Lamboy straitned it so closely that Meilleray wanting victuals was hardly able to withdraw himself leaving the place unrepaired and provided Whereupon the Spaniards entring into the Trenches and Posts abandoned by the French at the instance of the neighbouring Provinces who fearing the oppressions of the Enemy offered men and money Aire was again besieged La Meilleray having not been able to thrust in succours from Terrouane attacques la Bassen and the gaining of it proved an easie Conquest Lens was likewise rendred to the Mareshal de Brezé and Baupaume defended it self but nine days Flanders besides was harrassed and Armentiers threatned Fontenay who had the body of an Army being not able to hinder it because Orange on the other side gave jealousie to the Sas of Ghent and made shew as if he would pass the Water-courses thereabout But the Spaniards esteemed the recovery of Aire to be preferred before all they had lost and at last took it about the end of the year But yet those Provinces enjoyed not an entire contentment for the Cardinal Infante dies to the extream grief of the Souldiery and of the People He at his entry into those Countries had gained a great applause because laying aside that loftiness and gravity which seems contracted by the Princes in the Court of Spain he had to the excellent prerogatives of piety and virtue added courtesie and affability to the Flemmings most especially acceptable Nor failed they at Madrid to conceive jealousie at it the Governments far distant being always suspected especially when administred by Princes of the blood Royal and supported by Arms knowing withall that the French had oftentimes by offering him to Wife the Daughter of the Duke of Orleans tempted him to make himself Master of those Countries assuring him of all their own Forces and those of Holland The French in this conjuncture conceived certain hopes of a revolt in the Provinces and the King comes with the Cardinal to the Frontiers but they remained quiet and suffering rather than contented with their new Governour that was Francisco de Melo In Germany a Diet was this year held at Ratisbone called by the Emperour to the end to break another more jealous assembly which the Princes of the Empire had a mind to have at Franckefort but the Emperour found himself there in great danger For Banier with a speedy march being come from Erfordt near to Ratisbone the Danube being frozen began to cause his men to pass over it environing that City with great hopes to take the Emperour Prisoner or at least besiege him and dissipate the Diet. The defence being disposed in much haste and disorder the River by special favour from Heaven was in a short space so thawed that Banier being obliged to halt on the other side those which had passed were beaten and made Prisoners Banier moves thence and going to Cham had the good luck to take it Piccolomini having beset Schlang Felt Marshal and given time to the Arch-Duke to come up with the Body to receive the honour of the action obliges him to render himself together with four thousand Horse all Prisoners The Swedes in this manner weakned were forced to retreat pressed by the Arch-Duke and to say truth Banier made his most excellent conduct appear in that being inferiour in Forces and retreating with the Enemy always in sight and in passing the River Egra he received not the least disadvantage but being come to Halverstadt surprised with a great sickness he there dies The Swedes were every where pressed and pursued by the Imperialists when the Count of Guebrian who had succeeded Longueville in the command of the Weimarians moving that Army brought them a seasonable relief The strong place of Wolfenbutel in the Dukedom of Luneburg was now straitly besieged by the Protestants and Piccolomini being come near to attempt the relief of it was repulsed with a very considerable blow Nevertheless strong resistance being still made the aggressors were forced to retire On the other side Dorsten in Westphalia fell into the hands of Hatzfeldt All these successes served rather to protract the War than to end it though it appeared that the Negotiations for the Peace were something more than formerly facilitated for that the Emperour at last consented to the satisfaction of the confederate Crowns the safe conducts for the Princes of the Empire and at the interposition of the King of Denmark was in Hamburg by Lutzau d' Ava and Salvins Ministers of the Emperour France and the Swedes a Treaty concluded which was called of the Preliminaries by which the Assembly which formerly was to have been held in Colen being transported to Munster and Osnaburg Cities which were left Neutral and without Garrison it was agreed that in the former should be transacted all that which belonged to the Austrians France and Holland and in the latter the interest of Swede and its Confederates with the Emperour and his Adherents But when things were thought in a readiness to give a beginning to the managements of the Peace other difficulties arose and the Emperour thought to clear them by publishing in Ratisbone an Amnesty or general Oblivion or Pardon of things past but he rather increased them for by excluding the cause of the Palatine by remitting it to a particular Treaty many declared themselves not satisfied Amidst these universal agitations the Republick of Venice restored to quiet felt only some little disturbance for private contests betwixt Borderers in Dalmatia occasioned by the exceeding ill will of Ali Bei