of Brandenbourg and widow to Christopher the last King of Denmark That Prince having Reigned happily 33. years in Denmark 32. in Norway and 25. in Sweden dyed afterwards A. D. 1482. leaving two sons who succeeded him in this manner John his eldest was King of those three Kingdoms after his Father and gave his brother Frederick the moyety of his Hereditary lands Then having reigned peaceably he dyed A. D. 1513. leaving his son Christian II. to be his Successor That Prince was born A. D. 1481. and married Isabel sister to the Emperor Charles V. by whom he had Dorothy Electoress of Brandenbourg Christina Dutchess of Milan and afterwards of Lorraine and John who dyed bearing arms under the Emperor Charles his Unkle by the Mothers side in the year 1532. Christiern otherwise Christian II. forsook the way of his Father and Grandfather and became so cruel a Tyrant that the Swedes drove him out of their Countrey and placed upon the Throne Gustavus Vasc son to Erick a Swedish Knight A. D. 1523. And nine years after the Danes cast him in prison where he ended his dayes in five more P. Men seem to be of a worse condition then beasts inasmuch as Eagles do not ingender pigeons nor Lions Stags yet Heroical persons rarely beget their like The greatest men are subject to the misfortune of seeing their children unworthy to succeed them But what came to pass after the imprisonment of Christiern G. We will speak in another place of what followed in Sweden In Denmark the Nobility had an honourable memory and high esteem of the virtues of Christian I. and of Iohn wherefore instead of the Tyrant who was prisoner at Sunderbourg they placed Frederick his Unkle by the Fathers side upon the Throne who was very aged and yet he introduced the Doctrine of Luther into Denmark and his own hereditary Principalities That Frederick was the first Duke of Holstein which is held in Fee of the Empire as Schleswick is of Denmark but neither he nor his son Christian III. durst send any body to the Diets fearing they should be but ill used for having assumed the place of a brother-in-law to two Emperors P. It may be those Princes not daring to send their Deputies to the Diets lost the Rank they held there G. Frederick I. of that name King of Denmark was Duke of Holstein before he came to the Crown yet I cannot tell whether he had taken place in the Assemblies of the Empire But to pursue the discourse we have begun that Prince left two sons the elder of whom was King after him by the name of Christian III. and Adolph his younger son Duke of Holstein They had both children from whom all the Princes of this House are descended For Christian was Father to King Frederick II. and to Iohn the younger and Adolph to Iohn Adolph and to Frederick Archbishop of Bremen and Bishop of Lubeck P. I pray draw out this Genealogy a little more at length G. Frederick II. husband to Sophia daughter to Vlrick Duke of Meklebourg had one son and four daughters very worthy of your knowledge For as much as Elizabeth the eldest was married to Henry Iulius Duke of Brunswick Anne to Iames VI. King of Scotland who afterwards got all Great Britain by the death and Testament of Elizabeth Queen of England Augusta to Iohn Adolph Duke of Holstein and Hedwig to Christian II. Elector of Saxony His Son and Successor to the Crown was Christian IV. a great King both in time of peace and war That Prince who admiring the worth of Henry the Great King of France made him his pattern in every thing and had at the least as many sons as he as well Legitimate as Natural But there remains no more of the lawfully begotten then his Successor Frederick III. who hath already many children and may have more P. This King is esteemed throughout all Europe for a knowing Prince and one that sets a value upon good men Let us see the Descendents of Iohn the younger G. That Prince was even goodness it self and God blessed him exceedingly for he had 23. children by Elizabeth Dutchess of Brunswick and Agnes Hedwig Princess of Anhalt his wives Two of those Princes dyed in Hungary one at the illustrious Colledge of Tubing two departed in their infancy and four lived to be married who are fathers of many Lords either residing at Sunderbourg Nortbourg Glugsbourg and Plone or else seeking their fortune in the Wars The daughters were thus married the eldest to a Duke of Lignitz three of the youngest to three Dukes of Pomerania Anne Sabina to a Duke of Wirtemberg Eleonor Sophia to a Prince of Anhalt and Margaret to John Count of Nassau The rest dyed in their Cradle except Eleonor who is still unmarried and leads an exemplary life she is 67. years old yet very lovely for her age and worthy to be visited by Kings for she hath a marvellous way of entertaining those Princes and Ladies that do her the honour to see her And I can assure you I never saw better sweet-meats served any where then at her house nor strangers received with greater civility P. Tell me I pray a little more particularly who are the Descendents of John the younger brother to King Frederick II. G. Alexander his eldest son had six sons whereof the eldest married a Countess of Delmenhorst and at his death left one son and two daughters by her Frederick Philip and Joachim Ernest brethren to Alexander are yet living the first hath three sons and as many daughters the second hath but two sons alive five Princesses married and one to marry the third hath four Princes two whereof have command in the King of Spains service and three Princesses still maids all beautiful and witty and brought up in the School of a Father inferior to none in the Empire for prudence and of a Mother that hath but few equals in all kind of vertues P. Do not forget the Descendents of Adolph younger brother to Christian III. of that name G. Adolph had many sons that dyed young one that was Archbishop of Bremen and John Adolph his eldest married Augusta daughter to Frederick II. King of Denmark These two had issue John Bishop of Lubeck a comely and liberal Prince who dying left his son John Augustus still very young but pretty and exceeding hopeful Frederick this Bishops elder brother hath the moyety of the Dutchies of Schleswick Holstein Stormar and Dithmarsh and takes turns with the King of Denmark in the administration of Justice in having place and voice in the Assemblies of the Empire and in all other Rights of Regality This Prince great in knowledge and magnanimity hath for a partner in his bed and felicity Mary Elizabeth daughter to John George Elector of Saxony by whom he hath still living three sons and five daughters four whereof are married to John Prince of Anhalt Gustavus Adolph Duke of Meklebourg Lewis Landgrave of Darmstadt and Charles Gustavus
few of them who set not a greater value upon it then upon their study P. I confess the sway of my inclination is absolutely bent to it and I could more willingly endure the pains of Hunting a whole day then of study but two hours Yet because you think it fit I will hunt as seldom as I can that I may keep the promise I made to you to follow your counsel in all things G. It is no small comfort to me to hear that you prefer my advice before your pleasure but I am sorry that you call and esteem that a Labour which is nothing but pure delight Study would be a sensual pleasure if the mind were capable of any They that have once tasted it can never take themselves off again and oftentimes it engages those who are born for action to give themselves over to contemplation in such manner that thereby they become despiseable and indeed altogether despised drawing upon themselves the point of those Lances which they have neglected and the venom of those Pens which they too kindly embrace P. As therefore all kind of studies are not proper for all kind of persons so neither is it lawful for every one to spend so much time in them as he would G. You say right for as Alexanders dog thought any creature of less strength and courage then a Lyon to be unworthy of his anger and would not vouchsafe to stir if he did not see an object equal to his valour so men ought to make choice of such studies as are proportionable to their conditions And forasmuch as by Gods Providence you are born such a one as will one day have occasion to render him an account of a Principality you must of necessity learn to govern it well without amusing your self upon knowledges more curious then useful and which would better become a Professor in Philosophy than the General of an Army P. I know that men do not use to send for Shoe-makers to make their clothes nor to Taylors to make their boots Nevertheless many Princes enter upon the Government before they have past an Apprentiship for it and take the least care of that which concerns them the most But that I may not be one of that number I conjure you to instruct me in all that I ought to know to be able to govern G. The method of good Government is not to be learnt but from the mouth or actions of Kings and Princes Therefore I beseech you to give diligent heed to all you shall read in the Books of the Kings the Chronicles and the Wisdom of Solomon in the Sacred Story in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which James VI. King of Scotland and first of that name of England composed for the instruction of his Son in Guevara in the life of Marcus Aurelius in the Romulus Tarquin and David persecuted written by Malvezzi in the lives of Philip II. King of Spain and Henry IV. King of France and every where else where profane History takes notice of the vices and virtues of great men that so you may day by day grow to be an honester man and a more excellent Prince P. I have already read some part of that which you prescribe to me and should punctually observe this rule if I were not hindred by my ignorance in the Languages wherein they are written G. That defect would occasion many others to you and if you did not learn to understand Authors in their own Language you would recieve but little satisfaction for ordinarily translations have less grace and ornament then the Originals For which reason I have given order to your Master to use the easiest method for you and the greatest diligence he can that you may be a good Proficient in forain Languages I beseech you to second his laborious endeavours and help to make them fruitful P. Your will hath alwayes had the authority of a Law with me and I find it good for me to have learnt what you judged to be for my advantage Having therefore heard you say that Italian is easily obtainable by those that speak Latin and French I shall endeavour to get these two in perfection before I undertake the third G. I like your design and dare assure you that you will learn Italian with ease by the help of French for the knowledge of the one smooths the difficulties which occur in the other especially if one begin with French P. Which of these two do you esteem the finest Language and the most useful G. Your question doth somewhat perplex me for my part I think them both equally good and graceful but not equally useful for to know the utility of a Language it should be considered in what part of the world a man inhabits what persons he frequents and with whom he hath to do Italian is in high esteem and exceedingly useful in the Emperors Court and upon all the Coasts of the Mediterranean Sea They that trade in Asia Africk and Europe with the Turks Greeks Arabians Candians Rhodians Cyprians and other Levantine people may commodiously make use of it French is in greater vogue towards the North and is marvellously well entertained in Germany England Denmark Sweden and Poland where all the Kings Princes and Lords speak it exactly except the Emperor who neither loves the French nor their Language yet it is so much in fashion that the chiefest Italians nay even the Spaniards of his Court and all others that I have known in Germany speak it or clip it P. Then would it not be better for a German Prince to learn French perfectly and practise it continually then to amuse himself upon many Languages and become master of never a one of them G. Every man should take a just measure of his own strength and not grasp at more than he can hold But seeing you have a natural disposition to learn Languages and the honour to be a Prince which gives you the hope and almost the assurance of being employed in variety of business and in divers Countreys I lay it as a charge upon you to love French and not neglect Italian The end of the first Dialogue Dialogue II. Of the State of the Empire in general P. I Understand French indifferent well already and I think if I made a voyage through France I might easily attain to the perfection of it And therefore I earnestly entreat you to use the power and credit you have with my parents that by their good leave I may begin to travel and see what Europe affords worthy of my observation G. I know that travelling is a proper means to accomplish what you have begun but I cannot allow that you should imitate those who make it their study day and night to learn what was done at Rome 2000. years since without taking any thought to know how men live in Germany at the present They that study in such a manner are like those imprudent busie-bodies who having their eyes open to
King of Bohemia And the younger brethren of the Palatine House who have place in the Assemblies take it immediately after the Secular Electors as the Archdukes do after the Ecclesiasticks Now all the Princes of this House are descended from two Emperors whose Nephews make two principal Branches both very Potent and Illustrious but of different Religions and perchance no very great friends since they that are sprung from Lewis of Bavaria wear the Electoral Cap which belonged to the descendents of the Emperor Robert And that change came to pass because Frederick V. Elector of the Rhine not regarding the Election that was made of Ferdinand of Austria accepted the Crown of Bohemia whereby he kindled those fires and forged those irons that have wasted our Countrey for above 30. years P. I have already heard say that the Bohemians drew upon themselves and us the mischiefs of the last War by the Election they made of two Kings when they had but one Kingdom to bestow Let us therefore pass by those causes of our evils and according to your accustomed method tell me something of the Original of the priviledges of the greatness and of the alliances of this House G. Many Writers fetch the Original of these Princes out of the loines of Charlemagne and follow the Genealogie down from him to those that are living at this day For my part I know not what to think of it and therefore refer my self to real evidence Yet I dare confidently affirm that the House is very ancient and that since the year 1253. in which Otho Witelpachius Count of Shiern married Agnes heiress of the Palatinate and Bavaria this House hath possessed those two great Principalities with the quality of Elector and great Steward of the Empire It hath given two Emperors to Germany one King to Denmark Sweden and Norway joyntly and another to Sweden alone Without counting I know not how many Generals who have commanded armies in Italy Hungary France and England P. At what time did those Princes reign in Germany Denmark and Sweden G. Lewis of Bavaria was chosen Emperor the 18. of October 1314 and having Reigned gloriously 23. years made room for Charles of Luxembourg the IV. of that name who left Wenceslaus his Successor and he by his intolerable negligence forced the Electors to put Robert Elector Palatine into his place a man low of Stature but of so great courage that the Empire could have wished him endued with immortality if that were to be found here below But he dyed the 18. of May 1410. having Reigned ten years And Christopher his granchild was chosen King of Denmark Sweden and Norway in the year 1430. and dyed without heirs 1448. But Charles Gustavus son of John Casimir a younger brother to the Duke of Zweybruck or Deux-ponts Reigns at this present in Sweden with as much glory as any one of his predecessors and hath a son of Hedwig Eleonor daughter to Frederick Duke of Holstein P. This House descending from two Emperors very renowned in History and having so many and such brave Princes at present worth to be Emperors I wish them those Crown they deserve to wear and desire you to toâ— me whether it enjoys more priviledges theâ— the other Electoral Houses G. The Electors have very great priviledges and the Golden Bull otdains for them allâ— general and every one in particular thaâ— no man appeal from their Justice to any otheâ— whatsoever Yet none of them have preserveâ— this Right entire to them but the Electors oâ— Saxony Brandenburg and of the Rhine Theâ— can all together choose an Emperor and depose him when he is lazy and negligent They have right to prescribe a Capitulation to the Emperor when they have chosen him and to oblige him to swear to the observation thereof Moreover they can meet together once every year without asking leave of any one and consult in that Assembly concerning the publick and their own private affairs Besides this Right which relates to the whole Electoral Colledge the Palatine and the Saxon are Vicars of the Empire and as such they can legitimate Bastards as well of great men as of inferior persons create Notaries and Tabellions confer the Benefices which are in the Emperors nomination give Investiture of lands held in Fee except of Dukedoms and of the Principalities which in Germany are called Fansleben because when the Emperor gives them he puts a standard into the hand of him that receives them and which is most considerable the Elector Palatine can redeem what the Emperor hath sold or engaged at the same value for which it was sold or engaged and which is yet more the Emperor may be convented for Debt before this Elector P. The ancient Emperors gave demonstration of a meekness without example in submiting themselves to the justice of one that is a Subject of the Empire G. No man would deal with Soverains if they did not oblige themselves in Civil matters to some way of Justice and in this case the Emperors have been willing that the Elector Palatine should be their Judge But if the Emperor be accused of Mal-administration the judgement thereupon belongs to all the Electoral Colledge in which case the Elector Palatine is Director of the Process and not he of Mentz though he be Dean of the Electoral Colledge P. Certainly this is no small honour to the Palatine House but wherein consists its greatness G. If these Princes did all aim at the benefit advancement and glory of the whole House in generall and if there were no hatred between the Branches Bavaria the upper lower Palatinate the Landgraveship of Leuchtemberg the Lordships of Simmeren of Deux-Ponts of Weldents the Dutchy of Juliers the Archbishopricâ— of Collen the Bishopricks of Liege Hildesheim and Freisinguen which this House possessseth at this time would make it formidable to all its Enemies as well by reason of its vast forces as because it hath three voices in the Electoral Colledge and at the least eight or ten in that of the Princes P. I know that the Elector of Bavaria in the quality of Duke hath the first voice among the Secular Princes that Duke Albert his Unkle hath one as Landgrave of Leuchtemberg that the Palatine of Simmeren hath another and he of Newbourg too and it may be some other younger brethren of the House have voices also for Deux-ponts in like manner as for the Bishopricks of Hildesheim Liege and Freisinguen But tell me something of the alliances of this House G. It is allied to all the great Families not only of the Empire but of Europe The Emperor Ferdinand II. married in the first year of the Century current Mary Anne daughter to William Duke of Bavaria by whom he had issue Mary Anne wife to Maximilian Duke of Bavaria Cecily wife to Vladislaus IV. King of Poland Ferdinand III. Emperor who had for his first wife Mary Infanta of Spain and by her Mary Anne wife to Philip IV. King of
Spain On the other side Maximilian Duke of Bavaria son of William and of Renata of Lorraine left a son who in the year 1650. married Adelaïs daughter to Victor Amedeus Duke of Savoy and to Christina of France who is allied by consanguinity to all the greatest Kings and Princes in Christendom P. These are indeed very great Alliances G. But this is not all Frederick V. Elector Palatine in the year 1613. married Elizabeth daughter of James King of great Britain and by reason of her the House became allied to the Kings of England and Denmark Philip Lewis his brother in the year 1631. married Mary Eleonor daughter to Joachim Frederick Elector of Brandenbourg and his sister Elizabeth Charlotta was given in marriage to George William Elector of Brandenbourg July 14. 1626. Philip William Duke of Newbourg his first wife was Anne Catherine daughter to Sigismond King of Poland and John Casimir was the worthy husband of Catherine daughter to Charles and mother to Charles Gustavus King of Sweden From whence it may easily be seen that few Houses in Europe are better allied then this which besides what we have newly mentioned is of kin to the Houses of Hesse Gonzaga Bourbon Nassau Saxony Juliers Wirtemberg Rohan and many others P. Is not this Elector Palatine Charles Lewis married G. I forgot to tell you that this Prince who at least equals if he doth not go beyond all his Ancestors in Prudence and Magnaniâ—â—ty hath taken to wife Charlotta the worth daughter of the incomparable Amelia Elizabeth Landgravess of Hess which is sufficienâ— to say that he could not have made a betteâ— choice Edward this Electors brother marâ—â—ed Anne daughter to Charles Duke of Mantâ— and Neuers and Henrietta their sister dye a little after she was married to the Princeâ— Transylvania His other brethren and sisteâ— are yet to marry Robert and Maurice havâ— given proof of their ability and courage upoâ— occasions almost without number and thâ— Princesses Elizabeth Loüyse and Sophia havâ— made skilful masters confess that the Sciencâ— have nothing so sublime nor Picture-drawiâ—â— any thing so marvellous but the wit and hauâ— of these Ladies have been able to reach it P. I hope you will make me a long reciâ—â— of the Genealogies of great persons and theâ— you will not omit these Alliances and these â—â—lustrious Princes and Ladies But that it may bâ— done with the less trouble I shall be conteâ—â— to hear you discourse it at your leisure Leâ— us pass if you please into Saxony and do 〈◊〉 the favour to tell me what you know of theâ—â— Electoral House G. There is not any House in Europe moâ—â— glorious then that of Saxony It restored the honour of the Empire after the race of Charlemagne had lost its first vigour and under oâ—â— Henry and three Otho's it confirmed the Imperial dignity unto Germany it conquered many enemies gave Princes to Savoy and if it be true that Hugh Capet was descended from this House it hath likewise furnished France with their Kings P. Do not the Kings of Denmark also come from Witikind of Saxony G. It is said that the Counts of Oldenbourg are a branch of this great Stock and it is most certain that after the death of Christopher III. the Danes would have chosen Adolph Duke of Schleswick who would not accept of the Crown in regard of his great age declaring that such an honour would be better placed upon the person of Christian Count of Oldenbourg his grandchild and heir apparent The Danes taking this counsel and admiring the generosity of him that gave it chose Christian the first of that name whose posterity Reigns at this day in Denmark Norway Schleswick Holstein Stormar and Dithmarsh P. We will take another time to speak of the Kings of France and Denmark and of the Dukes of Savoy It will be sufficient for the present to inform me when the Electoral Cap was first brought into this House into how many branches it is divided how many voices it hath in the Diets and what are its principal forces and alliances G. The Emperor Sigismond knowing the merit of Frederick the Warlike Marquiss oâ— Misnia and the obligation that the Empire had to his Predecessors charged Eric V. of the House of Saxon-Lawembourg for having lapsâ—â— his due time of demanding the Investiture of the Electorship which his Ancestors had possessed ever since the year 1180. and transfored the same upon the forenamed Frederick oâ— Twelfth-day 1423. Since that time this House hath without interruption possessed the Electoral dignity with the Dutchy of Saxony thâ— Marquisate of Misnia the Landgraveship oâ— Thuringia And by a further accumulation oâ— good fortune it inherited the Principality oâ— Henneberg nay since the last War of Boheâ—â— the Emperor gave the upper and lower Lusaiâ— to Iohn George Elector of this House who diâ—ed the 8. of October 1656. and was interred thâ— 4. of February 1657. with more then Regâ—â—pomp there being 3500. persons in mourâ—ing and 24. Horses of State covered with black and the Electoral Escutcheon embroidered thereon every one of them led by two Gentlemen P. In a late discourse concerning the valiant actions of Duke Bernard Weymar it was sail that he loved not the House of Austria because it took the Electoral dignity from thâ—â— branch G. It is true that Iohn Frederick furnamed the Magnanimous having taken arms for the liberty of Religion was deprived of his dignity by the Emperor Charles V. who took him prisoner near Wirtemberg and gave the Electorate to Maurice in the year 1547. Thus passed this dignity into another branch and the elder became younger brethren For this cause there was but little confidence and kindness between the Princes of this House But as there is no grief which is not diminished by length of time even so the bitterness between these Princes hath been sweetned and they seem to be entirely reconciled For Frederick William Duke of Altembourg took for his second wife Magdalen Sibylla daughter to Iohn George the Elector last deceased and Maurice son to the same Elector hath married Dorothy Mary daughter to William Duke Weymar eldest son of that matchless Bernard whose praises you have heard P. For so much as I perceive this House is divided into many branches G. Not counting the Kings of France and Denmark and the Dukes of Savoy who are the illustrious Ciens that sprung out of this great Tree the Electoral House of Saxony is divided into two principal branches in each whereof there have been six Electors The last of the first branch lost the Electoral dignity because he was unsuccesful in making War for the liberty of Germany against Charles V. and the first of the second branch left the Electoral Cap unto his brother and his posterity for having happily taken and born arms in favour of his Countrey against the same Emperor P. I pray make this business out a little clearer to me G. Frederick III. of that name Elector
to me and I believe as you do that Religion and the State do mutually support one the other But do not forget to tell me something of the beginning progress priviledges immunities and alliances of the House of Brandenbourg of which you have begun to speak already G. All they that discourse of this House make it the Head or a Member of the Colonna's of Rome As for me who cannot be perswaded that the great Houses of Germany came out of Italy but on the contrary following the judgement of Thomas Lansius hold it for certain that many great Families of Italy came out of Germany since the time of Charles the great I am of their opinion who would make Peter Colonna that built the strong Castle of Zolleren from which the first Counts of this Family took their name to descend from the ancient Guelphes that is from the Dukes of Brunswick which being so this House gives place to never a one in the Empire for greatness of Origin P. They that pretend to honor our Houses of Germany by fetching them either out of the Trojan horse or the ruines of Rome do not know that the Ancient Germans are of more worth then the fugitive Trojans and the effeminate Romans But I am of your opinion and desire only to be informed how these Lords acquired the honors and estates which they possess G. The Emperor Rodolph of Habspourg being desirous to give some testimony of the value he put upon his nephew Frederick Count of Hohenzolleren made him Burgrave of Nuremberg in the year 1273. and 156. years after upon the 18. of April the Emperor Sigismond raised Frederick V. Burgrave of Nuremberg to the Electoral dignity to recompense him for the acceptable services he had done in the War of Behemia and Hungary So the Princes of Anhalt who had obtained that Electorship by the favor of the Emperor Conrade the III. of that name in the year 1152. lost it by incurring the displeasure of the Emperor Sigismond Some while after certain differâ—ces arising between the Houses of Brandenbâ—â—â— and Pomerania they fell to open hostility aâ—â— at last to an agreement expresly declaring Thâ—â— in case the House of Pomerania hapned to 〈◊〉 the Marquisses of Brandenbourg should possâ—â— the Principalities that belonged to it and â—â—bert of Brandenbourg from great Master of 〈◊〉 Knights Marianites as he was making himself absolute Prince of Prassia received the â—â—vestiture thereof from the King of Polâ—â— The Dutchies of Iuliers Cleve and Berg wâ—â—â— the Counties of the Mark and Ravensbourg were divided between the Elector Iohn Sigâ—â—mond and Wolfgang William Duke of Newbourg some time after the War which thoâ— Principalities occasioned in the year 1610. As for that which this House possesses in Franâ—â—nia it is their ancient patrimony P. Why did not the Elector of Brandenboâ—â—â— take possession of Pomerania as soon as thâ—â— House was totally extinct G. The Elector neglected not his Right aâ—â— would willingly have taken possession of thâ—â— great Principality if it had not been in the hands of the Swedes But the Crown of Sâ—â—den being victorious in Germany and desirouâ— to keep sooting there would not hearken 〈◊〉 any peace but upon condition of leaving this Maritime Province to them it lying very conveniently for them Therefore as Conqueroâ—â— use to give the Law the Swedes kept the choicest of this Province and left the doctrine of Calvin with a part of Pomerania unto this Elector who by way of recompense for his loss obtained the Bishopricks of Halberstad and Minden and the expectance or reversion of the Archbishoprick of Magdebourg converted into Principalities P. I wonder why they should give this Elector three Principalities for the moyety of one and why the Archbishoprick of Magdebourg was not delivered into his hands immediately after the Peace as well as those two other Bishopricks G. I do not think the Lower Pomerania which the Elector hath quitted to the Swedes yields so good a revenue as the Principalities of Magdebourg Halberstad and Minden Nevertheless I am perswaded this Elector would rather have had that part of Pomerania then the three Principalities which he received in lieu of it by reason of the Sea-force he had thereby gotten and the inconvenience of having a potent Neighbour that keeps him in perpetual jealousie And therefore the States of the Empire having regard to those considerations have given him voices in the Assemblie as Duke of Pomerania and of Magdebourg and as Prince of Halberstad and of Minden Now because heretofore the Archbishops of Magdebourg and Bremen took their turns in the Direction of the Circle of Lower Saxony this Elector doth in like manner alternate at this day with the King of Sweden in the same quality As to your other scruple why the Dutchy of Madgebourg was not presently put into his hands you ought to remember that Augustus youngest son of the Elector of Saxony being in possession of it it was not thought meet to dispossess him thereof so long as he lived P. The Gazette hath often made mention of the difference between the Houses of Brandenbourg and Newbourg for the Dutchies of Juliers Cleve and Berg yet I could never learn the ground of it Do me the favour to tell me from whence that contest proceeds G. You are entring into a Labyrinth out of which Ariadne's clew will not bring us back if we pass further on Let it content you then if you please to know that all the Dukes of Saxony many Princes Palatine and amongst others the King of Sweden bear the name and Armes of those Principalities and that it is to be feared they may one day kindle a flame to consume a good part of the Empire Franskiâ—â— Chancellor of Gotta hath made a long narration of this matter in his Treatise of diverse Resolutions to whom I refer you It is sufficient for you at the present to learn that if the Fief follow the Males and that the daughters neither can nor ought to inherit the same the Dukes of Saxony have a better right to it then any other person because they obtained the survivorship of the House of Juliers in recompense of the services which Albert the Couragious did the Emperor and the Empire against Matthias Corvin King of Hungary who molested Austria and against Charles the Brave Duke of Burgundy who had laid siege to Neus and laboured to bring all the Archbishoprick of Collen under his Jurisdiction This grant was made to Albert by the Emperor Frederick III. June 16. 1483. and afterwards confirmed and amplified in the person and posterity of Ernest Duke of Saxony by Maximilian King of the Romans September 18. 1486. and by him again after he was Emperor in the year 1495. But in case it be supposed that Females may inherit those Fiefs it will be then demanded whether this Priviledge which was granted to Mary only daughter to William Duke of Juliers ought to be extended unto Mary Eleonor her daughter and to
their tranquillity depends upon the equal counterpoise of those two Kings and therefore use their endeavours to hinder the one from bringing the other too much under but I dare not affirm that either of them have such high thoughts True it is that every one ought to fear it and that the wisest Princes seeing the balance too heavy on one side help to make weight on the other The King of Sweden who is prudent in Counsel and valiant in fight will not be the last to apply a remedy when he sees the danger And if he should forget his own and the Empires Interest the Venetians Hollanders and Swisses would employ their money and power for the preservation of theirs and our Liberty P. Europe breeds a people so ingenuous knowing valiant and so opposite to servitude that it seems impossible for it ever to come under the obedience of one only person Let us then leave the Ambitious to rack and torture their minds with imaginary conquests and let us look upon the House of the Guelphes which heretofore possest a great part of Germany And if you will oblige me speak as distinctly of it as possibly you can G. This House which without dispute held the first rank after the Electors before the Archbishopricks of Magdebourg and Bremen were converted into Secular Dignities is put back those two degrees Nevertheless it comes not behind any one in antiquity and had its Territories all along the Elbe in the Countrey of Saxony when it followed the fortune of Albovin King of the Lombards first into Pannonia and afterwards into Italy where these people fixt their seat having driven the Goths out of it and gave their name to the Province anciently called Gallia Cisalpina about 200. years before the time of Charlemagne Then it was that this family acquired the Dutchy of Modena which it possesseth even at this day P. Do you think then that the House of Este which still holds the Dutchy of Modena and lost that of Ferrara in the time of Pope Clement VIII after the death of Duke Alphonso is a branch of this of Brunswick G. I make no doubt of it and when the Kingdom of the Lombards was destroyed in Italy by the arms of Charlemagne some Princes of this House came back into their own Countrey where they had still so large an estate and authority that the Emperor Lewis the Debonaire married Iudith a Princess of that family and had by her Charles the Bald who was King of France and Emperor This Empress had a brother named Henry to whom Lewis his Son-in-law son to Lewis Germanicus gave those lands which are now called Bavaria P. These indeed are fair and advantagious alliances which having made those Princes Brothers-in-law and Fathers-in-law to Kings brought them so considerable a Principality G. The Descendents of Henry did not long possess this Countrey for his line failing in Guelphe IV. his Nephews son the Emperor Henry IV. gave his inheritance to Guelphe V. son to the Duke of Ferrara who as we have said was of the same House And in process of time Henry the Proud Duke of Bavaria descended from Guelphe V. married Gertrude daughter to the Emperor Lotharius II. who brought him the Dutchy of Saxony for her Dowry The issue of that marriage was Henry Leo who together with Bavaria and Saxony possessed many great Principalities lying upon the Elbe and elsewhere P. How comes it then to pass that the Successors of Henry Leo have their Estate confined within the Dutchies of Brunswick and Luntbourg G. That Prince being of a high spirrit and not able to comply with the Emperor Frederick Barbarossâ— his Unkle was proscribed and expelled the Empire and when he was thâ—s driven out of his Estates he made his retreat into England to King Henry II. who gave him his daughter Matildis or Mawd to wife and procured his reconciliation with the Emperoâ— But because he had in the mean time disposed of the Dutchy of Bavaria in favor of the Count of Schieren whose posterity enjoys it at this day Henry Leo was restored to no more then the Dutchy of Saxony which Principality past a little after into the House of Saxon-Lawembourg by the marriage of Helen daughter to the Emperor Otho IV. and grandchild to Henry Leo with Albert I. of that name Elector of Saxony At that time Frederick II. gave the title of Duke of Brunswick and Lunebourg to Otho a prince of that House P. The misfortune of Henry Leo should serve for a lesson to Great ones and make all men see that it is necessary to honor Superiors and not to provoke ones Masters G. Many great Princes desiring to shake off the yoke of their due obedience have forfeited their right and lost that which they would not acknowledge to hold of their Soverain That was the quarrel against the King of England who was devested of the Provinces of Normandy and Guyenne by Charles VII King of France And if the Guelphes had husbanded their strength better and paid the Emperor the respect they ought him they had still been the most potent Princes in Germany P. They are far less at present then they were in the time of Henry Leo and yet they seem to be very considerable by their own forces and by their alliances G. All the Houses that have admitted the right of Primogeniture are better kept up then others This having a large Estate and four voices in the Assemblies is divided but into two principal branches which are equal in dignity but the elder in years of the two Chiefs precedes the other in the general and particular Assemblies They all bear the same title and if one branch happen to fail the other shall succeed it They have both of them good Fortresses Wolfenbottel Cel Hanover Lunebourg and Giffhorne are strong places under the command of these Princes Brunswick hath never submitted to their power still enjoying the right of a Free City though the Duke hath often used skill as well as force to bring it under his obedience These Princes can raise and maintain great numbers of Souldiers within their Territories And the neighborhood of Denmark and Sweden may yet make them more considerable the Emperor being always willing to gratifie them to keep them to him and strangers to gain them to their side P. It is certain that a Prince whose lands border upon a Forain State may easily make himself more valuable then if they lay in the heart of the Empire but there is a great deal of prudence to be used in such cases G. The Dukes of Lorraine and Savoye have always been very much considered for the situation of their Estates and the need that neighboring Monarchs had of their assistance For which cause Bocalini having brought them to be weighed at Laurence de Medicis his Scales finds them as heavy as Kings Yet if these Princes be not very quick and expert as well as valiant and resolute they may hazard the
and freely acknowledging that I do not know whether these Princes be descended from a General of that incomparable Conqueror of Asia I do know that they are of the most Illustrious and most Ancient personages in Germany P. If I be not mistaken the Emperor Charles IV. admitted Albert and John Dukes of Meklebourg sons to Henry Leo Prince of the Vandals amongst the Princes of the Empire G. Charles IV. receiving those Lords into the number of the Estates of the Empire did not give them the quality of Prince which they had before but only brought them under the protection of the Empire by making them Members thereof upon condition they should be subject to its Laws and contribute to its necessities and so enjoy the same priviledges which other Lords of their degree and quality did P. In the time of the last Wars the Emperor made those Princes feel the weight of his indignation giving their lands to Wallestein a Gentleman of Silesia who by a strange ingratitude and a devillish ambition endeavouring to seat himself upon the Throne of Bohemia and dispossess his Master of it came to a miserable end G. The lamentable death of the Duke of Fridland gives us to understand that Kings have long arms and that no man ought to abuse their favors nor follow the motions which an undaunted courage and an inordinate ambition inspires The Duke of Biron and the Earl of Essex had such like designs and as Tragical Catastrophes As to the Dukes of Meklebourg I am to tell you that the greatest part of the Potentates in Germany have felt the smart of Mars his rods and these Princes as much as any other having seen a great Captain indeed and a renowned Souldier but unworthy of their degree bear the name and Arms of their Principality Nevertheless they re-entred into it by the vertue of the Great Gustavus their Cousin-German and though the conclusion of the Peace took Wismar from them yet it gave them in exchange the Bishopricks of Ratzebourg and Suerin turned into Principalities So as they have lost nothing if they do not prefer the convenience of that Haven and its Fort before twice its Revenue P. I did not know that these Princes were so near of kin to the late King of Sweden G. The Great Gustavus and these Dukes were sons of two sisters daughters to Adolph Duke of Holstein which proximity of blood moved that Heroical Prince to embrace their interest So after the Battel of Leipsick he turned his victorious arms towards the Dutchy of Meklebourg and re-placed these Princes there June 25. 1631. Three years after these Lords were reconciled to the Emperor and at this time live in peace divided into two branches the Chiefs whereof make their residence at Suerin and at Gustron P. Have these two Branches equal shares of the Estate G. They have each of them a moyety of the Dutchy and in regard thereof a seat and voice in the Assemblies But Adolph Frederick hath eight sons and six daughters and Gustavus Adolph who is Head of the other Branch had no body to participate with him being aâ— only son This latter who resides at Gustron iâ— of great spirit knowing courteous affable and generous He married Magdalen Sibyll daughter to Frederick the present Duke of Holstein and hath one son by her The children of Adolph Frederick who resides at Sâ—â—nin are all well made and qualified both in body and mind Christian the eldest hath married his Cousin Christina Margaret daughter to Iohn Albert Duke of Meklebourg And Anne Mary youngest of the daughters is the worthy Consort of Augustus Duke of Saxony son to the Elector Iohn George I. All the rest are still to be married and all worthy of Kings as well for their inward as their outward beauty These Princes have all conjunctly one University at Rostoch which was established there in the year 1419 by Iohn and Albert first Dukes of this House P. I should willingly desire a more particular recital of the Alliances of this House but fearing to be too troublesome to you I shall forbear that and intreat you to tell me something concerning that of Wirtemberg G. I shall not proceed any further till I have acquainted you that the House of Meklebourg hath had in marriage six daughters of Kings and five of Electors within less then 200 years As for that of Wirtemberg which after it had for many ages born the quality of Count was raised to the Ducal Dignity by the consent of all the Estates of the Empire in a Diet held at Wormes 1495 it comes behind never a Family in Revenue alliances piety magnificence and priviledges It hath a Countrey where the Mountains abound in Mines Wines and Woods the Forests are well stored with Timber-trees Game and Venison of all kinds the Valleys are a continuation of Meadows covered with Cattle and watered with Brooks full of Fish the Plains are thick set with Gardens and the Gardens like those of the Hesperides or rather like earthly Paradises There is in no place to be seen fairer rows of Orange-trees Grotta's better contrived and beautified Fountains more artificial nor Fruits more pleasant to the sight and taste then at Stutgardt Few Princes have a house of Pleasure and a Heronry within their Garden as this Duke hath neither is there any one in the Empire that hath a greater care of the Sciences and of Learned persons They that have been at Tubing know how many Princes Counts Lords Barons and Gentlemen have been bred in the noble Colledge which Duke Lewis caused to be built and which his Successors do splendidly maintain there P. Since we are entred upon this discourse make me if you please a more particular description of that Colledge G. It would require a more copious and eloquent tongue then mine to make you comprehend the benefit which the Empire receives by this Athenaeum Princes learn there to fear God to honor the Emperor to serve their Countrey to judge of the sincerity of their Confederates and to cherish their friends Counts Barons and Gentlemen do there learn the ways of winning and keeping the favour of Great men a sweetness of carriage necessary for the maintaining of a perfect friendship amongst equals and an infinity of vertues which are the same thing in their Souls that the Soul is in the body the eye in the head precious stones in gold and flowers in meadows P. I suppose that in this illustrious Colledge the exercises of the body are no more neglected then those of the mind G. One may there learn with little charge and pains that which men go to seek for in Italy and France at the expense of their health and soundness both in body and soul Florence hath nothing for riding the great horse nor Rome and Paris for fencing and dancing Schools which may not be gotten without going out of Tubing where the University and Colledge have excellent Professors in all faculties and principally in those
who was born Princess of Hohenzolleren he hath yet living Leopold William who serves the Emperor with great zeal and reputation Herman Canon of Collen with some others who are yet but young and Ferdinand Maximilian the eldest who knowing that Mary daughter to Amedeus IX Duke of Savoy had been married into his House was desirous to renew that alliance and to that purpose married Loüyse of Savoy daughter to Thomas Prince of Carignan A. D. 1653. by whom he hath one son Herman brother to William makes a Branch apart and hath children of both sexes marriageable P. Hath not this Prince Herman some land◠in the Countrey of Luxembourg and a son Canon of Collen G. Yes Ernest brother to Bernard and son to Christopher who had for his share the Marquisates of Hochberg Pfortzen Weiemberg Baden Vsysiler and Rhetel took to wife Elizabeth daughter to Frederick V. Marquiss of Brandenbourg His son Charles married Anne daughter to Robert Prince Palatine by whom he had many children who all died young except George Frederick He was not to be paralleled for valour and magnanimity yet was beaten at Wimpfen by the misfortune of his powder taking fire while the Battel was fighting which he thereupon lost when he was half-assured of the victory This Prince had two Wives Juliana Vrsula daughter to the Rhingrave Frederick and Agatha daughter to George Count of Erbach Of the latter there remain but Anne and Elizabeth Princesses no less knowing then vertuous and of the former by whom he had 15. children Catherine Vrsula Anne Amelia and Sibyll Magdalen who are thus married the first to Otho eldest son to the Landgrave Maurice and the other two to two Counts of Nassau Sarbruck Ernestine is for her rare vertue and admirable knowledge worthy of an eminent fortune and Frederick their eldest brother the present Prince of Dourlach an incomparable man for his skill in Mathematicks and Opticks hath had five Wives and many children the eldest whereof called by his Fathers name hath married Christina Magdalen the worthy sister of Charles Gustavus King of Sweden and daughter to John Casimir Prince Palatine of Deux-ponts who in his life-time knew better then any man how to get a powerful ascendent over the hearts of all that looked upon him He hath very fine children by her both for outward features and inward faculties The youngest called Charlemagne is eminent for vertue merit and military experience he is married to Mary Juliana Countess of Hohenloch and hath by her one son who will equal his courage and one daughter who will not be inferior to her Mother in comelyness of body and sincerity of heart Gustavus Adolph a younger brother of this House is serving his apprentiship in the school of the King of Sweden and of his brethren whom he will equal or surpass if God give him life and health as I wish him P. You tell me nothing of the controversie between these two Branches nor of the sentence which Edward Fortunatus his Successors obtained against the Marquis George Frederick and his son G. It is not good to rub old sores that are skin'd over nor to speak of differences that are silenced by a determination for fear of grieving those persons whom we respect It is sufficient for you to know that these Princes are good friends that they have forgotten all that is past and endeavour to oblige one another to the uttermost of their power The branch of Baden is Catholique that of Dourlach Lutheran and both zealous in their Religion but that zeal will not hinder them from being kind to one another as to their persons though their interest keep them asunder as to their party Each branch hath one voice in the Assemblies and the Marquis Frederick shall have precedence there as long as he lives but after his death the two Branches shall take their turns that is shall precede alternatively according to the resolution made at Munster by the last Treaty of Peace P. Since we have spoken of Houses in Germany that take their turns successively do me the favour to tell me the manner how that alternation is observed G. You may see in this figure how they sit for ten dayes together after which they begin again and continue as they were before every letter denoting the name of one of the five Houses that take their turns P M W H B M W B P H W H B P M H W M P B B P H M W P M W B H M P W H B W B H M P H P W B M B W M H P The five alternating Houses are Pomerania Meklebourg Wirtemberg Hesse Baden P. I wonder the Houses of Saxon Lawembourg and Anhalt do not precede these five or at least alternate with them seeing they hare had the Electorships of Saxony and Branderbourg at the same time G. The Houses you last mentioned are so far from preceding those five that they follow that of Holstein which comes behind the said five 'T is not that those two Houses are not ancient on the contrary I think their antiquity and greatness hath done them wrong for as we have elsewhere seen the Emperor Sigismond deprived them of the Electoral Dignity to give it to the Marquis of Misnia and the Burgrave of Nuremberg which so morrified those Princes that it made them neglect to appear in the Assemblies and gave opportunity to others to take their place P. I have read that those Princes kept the title of Elector long after they had lost the Electoral Dignity and when they could not have place in the Electoral Colledge they cared but little for taking it among the Princes But tell me something of the House of Holstein before we speak more fully of the other two G. I think I have told you already that the House of Holstein and that of Oldembourg are but one that it was derived from Witikind of Saxony and that after the death of Christopher III. King of Denmark the Danes chose Christian Count of Oldembourg into his place at the intreaty of Adolph Duke of Schleswick his Unkle by the Mothers side who leaving no issue behind him made this Nephew of his heir of a great part of the Cimbrick Chersonese and from that Christian it is that all the Princes are descended who have Reigned in Denmark Norway Schleswick and Holstein ever since that time P. The Kingdom of Sweden having been sever'd from that of Denmark under the Reign of the Princes of the House of Oldembourg it is fit you shew me when and how that came to pass G. I shall do it with all my heart both because you desire it and because I shall be glad in doing that to give some testimony of my gratitude to those Princes who have almost all of them obliged me You must know then that Christian the first of that name being 23. years of age was chosen King of Denmark A. D. 1448. A year after he married Dorothy daughter to John Marquis
and tell me when it obtained the quality of Count and lastly of Prince G. The Counts of East-Friseland and those of Oldenbourg did always maintain great feuds and emulations between one another till the year 1656. At which time Antony Gunther dying without issue lawfully begotten left the King of Denmark and the Duke of Holstein for his Successors And I believe the cause of that mis-understanding might proceed from hence That Mary of Jeuer being married to Eno Count of East-Friseland and having children by him did yet make John Count of Oldenbourg her heir and again that the Counts of East-Friseland being less ancient then those of Oldenbourg are as rich as well or better allied then they and do also exercise Soverain Justice over their Subjects P. I know the Counts of Oldenbourg are the ancienter But when did those of East-Friseland begin G. Vlrick Sirxena Lord of Gietziel and other lands was made Count of East-Friseland by the Emperor Frederick III. A. D. 1454. That Lord married Folca who brought him in Dowry the Lordships of Escui and Stetendorf Of that marriage came Edzar l. of that name Father of Eno who married Mary of Ieuer by whom he had Edzar II. That Count aspired higher then his Predecessors and took to wife Catherine daughter to Gustavus I. King of Sweden of whom he begat Iohn from whom the Counts of Ritberg are descended and Eno II. who married Anne daughter to Adolph Duke of Holstein by whom he had Vlrick husband to Iuliana daughter to Lewis Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt This Princess remains a Widow and makes it her business to bring up her children well of whom Edzar Ferdinand is still travelling abroad George Christian is at home with her and Eno Lewis her eldest son having continued some time at the Imperial Court was there made Counsellor to the Emperor and Gentleman of his Chamber Afterward in the year 1653 he was raised unto the rank and dignity of Prince by the Emperor Ferdinand III. at the Diet of Ratisbon This Prince was contracted to Henrittta daughter to Frederick Henry of Nassau Prince of Orange while they were both children but the parties not liking one another the Artitles of marriage were broken and Eno Lewis married Iustina Sophia Countess of Barly November 7. 1656. I am told for certain that this Prince hath 150000. Crowns Revenue and thereby is well enabled to maintain the quality he bears which is annext to the eldest alone the other being no more then Counts and having no part in the Countrey P. We are at length arrived to the end of this journey Let us rest a while and afterwards we will take a view of the Ecclesiastical Princes G. I am content and shall in the mean time prepare my self to tell you how the Ecclesiastical Princes live in Germany how many they are what order of place they observe in the Assemblies by whom and how they were raised to their dignity to what Jurisdiction they are subject and all other necessary things that shall come into my head The end of the Fifth Dialogue Dialogue VI. Of the Ecclesiastical Princes of the Empire P. THe Princes Ecclesiastical hold the first rank in the Empire and you place them after the Seculars but it matters not much since it is neither for want of respect nor of knowing their due place Well then let us see whether the Empire be as venerable by the Mitres of its Prelates as it is formidable by the Sword of its Souldiers G. There is never a Countrey in Christendom where Prelates have so much power as in Germany They are almost all Great Princes and as absolute over the Temporalty of their Benefices as a Secular Elector is over his Lands These riches are now and then misapplied to bad uses and the debauches made by Church-men their great Train the dogs the horses they maintain the Jesters they keep for their pleasure and their dissolute life obliged our Predecessors to upbraid them with it and allow us to believe that they gave occasion to Doctor Luther to preach against their Doctrine as well as their evil conversation Yet still it is often seen that the same Prelate possesseth two three nay a greater number of huge Benefices of the Empire and spends the Revenue thereof without any scruple of conscience in worldly pomp continual debauches and other things unworthy of their rank and profession P. These Princes give themselves but little if at all to their studies misusing their riches and think it beneath their greatness to preach the word of God and do other Ecclesiastical functions But they do not all live alike G. Whatever is spoken against ungodly persons doth nothing concern the truly religious There are Prelates of sundry conditions and different humors some are voluptuous and others chast some love nothing but dogs and bouffons others make much of worthy persons Heretofore besides the three Ecclesiastical Electors there were five Archbishops and thirty Bishops that had seat and voice in the Assemblies of the Empire At this time there are not so many because the Archbishopricks of Magdebourg Bremen and Riga and the Bishopricks of Halberstad Minden and Verden have been changed into Secular Principalities as those also of Besanson Verdun Mets and Toul were dismembred from the Empire and inseparably united to the Lands of Spain and France by the last Treaty of Peace And those of Valesia Losanna and Chur have been abolished by the Suisses So that at present there is none but Saltzbourg that holds the rank of Archbishop in the Colledge of the Princes and about twenty Bishops P. The German Church must without question have lost very much by the last Treaty of Peace where three Archbishopricks and six Bishopricks were Secularized G. Riga was cut off from the Empire before and all those other Benefices were in the power of the Lutherans who had no mind to let them slip out of their fingers And so methinks the generality of the Protestant Princes hath lost more by this Treaty then the German Church seeing the Princes have now no more means to provide for their younger brethren as they had before For in real truth the Elector of Saxony had Magdebourg the King of Denmark Bremen and some other Lords the Bishopricks whereof we have last made mention P. The King of Spain having the Archbishopricks of Besanson and Cambray in his possession there is little likelyhood that those Archbishops should come to the Diets of the Empire G. I do not know whether those Prelates have lost the right they had to sit in the Assemblies of the Empire but it is certain that Cambray doth not challenge the place of an Archbishoprick there though it have gotten that name amongst the Prelates of the Low Countreys by the augmentation of Bishopricks in Flanders which King Philip II. made in the beginning of his Reign That Prelate keeps his ancient title and always qualifies himself Duke of Cambray Count of Cambresis and Prince of the
of Nassan Bredâ— and Dilembourg who are great in number and consideration P. I know that House hath produced Heroical spirits that have made the world understand the King of Spain was not invincible and that William Maurice and Frederick Henry of Nassau stopt his Chariot when he was driving apace to the Universal Monarchy Tell not something of their Alliances G. There are few Houses in Europe which are not allyed to that of Nassau Otho married the heiress of Guelderland and brought that County into his House as that of Zutphen also in the year 1079. Another Otho was husband to Adelais who brought him the County of Viande and the Baronies of St. Vit and Grumberg about the year 1350. Enguilbert grandchild to Otho took to wife the heiress of Breda John married Anne Countess of Catzenelleboguen by whom he was Count of Dietz and Henry son to John married Claudina of Chaalâ—â—s upon whom he begat Renatus the universal heir to Philibert of Chaalons Prince of Orange Now Renatus leaving no children by Anne daughter to Antony Duke of Lorraine had for the Successor of his whole estate William of Nassau who was Founder of the Commonwealth of Holland That Prince had four wives Anne of Egmont Countess of Barc Anne daughter to Maurice Duke of Saxony Charlotta of Bourbon Dutchess of Montpensier and Loüyse of Coligni His daughters were married to William Lewis Count of Nassau Emanuel son to Antony King of Portugal Philip Count of Hohenlohe Frederick IV. Elector Palatine Henry de la Tour Duke of Bouillon Claude de la Trimouille Duke of Toüars and Philip Count of Hanau P. I did not think that House was so well allied G. Philip William eldest son to the said William married a sister of the Prince of Conde And William son to Frederick Henry his youngest son while he was in minority was married unto Mary eldest daughter to Charles I. King of Great Britain John brother to William had three Wives and amongst them Cunegonde daughter to Frederick III. Elector Palatine John who was husband to Margaret Dutchess of Holstein and Ernest Casimir to Sophia Dutchess of Brunswick The Counts of Nassau are also very highly allied Lewis married Anne Amelia and John Sibyll Magdalen both daughters to George Frederick Marquiss of Baden From whence you may easily see that there be few Princes so well allied as those of Nassau Lastly those of Sarbrug do still bear the title of Count and all the rest that of Prince P. That which you have told me of the House of Nassau encreases the desire I have to know the other Counts Give some particulars concerning those of Hohenzolleren G. We said something of them when we were speaking of the Princes to which I now adde that Eitel Frederick who was living in the year 1202. married Elizabeth daughter to Adelbert Count of Habspourg the Emperor Rodolph I. his own sister from whom the Electors of Brandenbourg and the Counts of Hehenzolleren are descended Frederick the Blad is very famous for his military exploits and Justus Nicolas for re-edifying the Fort of Hohenzolleren which had been ruined by Henrietta Countess of Wirtemberg and Montbeliard That action was the more illustrious because Philip Duke of Burgundy Albert Elector of Brandenbourg Albert Duke of Austria and Charles Marquiss of Baden laid the first stone of it using a Tray a Trowel and a Mallet all of Silver about the year 1480. The Lords of that House are Hereditary Chamberlains to the Emperor since the time of Maximilian I. who to recompense the services of Eitel Frederick VII of that name honoured him with that Office to him and his Successors P. The House of Furstemberg is very renowned in History I would gladly know something of it G. Those Lords were grown very illustrious in the time of Henry the Fowler to whom Lewis Count of Freibourg and Furstemberg performed great services maintaining at his own charge threescore men at arms against the Huns and he was a party in the Turnament held at Magdebourg in the year 935. He was son to Frederick and to Agnes daughter to a King of Scotland and from him are descended all those that at this time bear the name and arms of Furstemberg Conrade son to Egon and to Agnes Dutchess of Zeringuen being Bishop of Losanna and Cardinal of the title of St. Ruffina was chosen Pope and refused it P. There are more to be found that sollicite for the Popedom then that reject it when it is offered G. Egon brother to Conrade added to his other titles that of Count of Aurach and his Successors enjoyed it till about the year 1443. at which time that County past into the House of Wirtemberg Henry V. accompanied the Emperor Frederick III. when he went to be Crowned at Rome Henry his son dyed at Tournay in the service of the Emperor Maximilian 1. And William son to Courade is celebrated in the History of France for having served and disserved King Francis I. To conclude all those that are living at present are descended from Frederick and Anne Countess of Heclehemberg who left two sons Christopher and Joachim From the first come Elizabeth the worthy Spouse of Frederick Marquiss of Baden Dourlach Eleonor married to Jâ—hu Eusebius Fugger Count of Kirksberg John Maximilian Frebemus Maria John Martin and Frances a young Lady still and of extraordinary beauty From Joachim are descended Francis Egon Canon of Collen and Strasbourg great Steward great Chamberlain and Counsellor of State to the Elector of Collen Herman Egon and William Egon both Church-men Mary Frances widow to William Palatine and Duke of Newbourg and Ferdinand Frederick Egon Counsellor Chamberlain and Captain of the Halberdiers Guard to the Emperor Ferdinand III. This Count was born February 6. 1623. and communicated his Genealogy to me upon the ending of the year 1654. P. I should be glad that you would run through all the Houses of the Counts of the Empire that I might know them well but seeing that is impossible I shall content my self with what you will be pleased to tell me of them G. I will tell you what I know but that will be no great matter The Counts of Barby are allied to the Dukes of Brunswick and to the Princes of Anhalt and East-Friseland they use the title of Noble Lords Those of Castel are as ancient as the Empire in Germany they are of the chiefest persons of Franconia fruitful in vertue great in merit happy in alliance soverain in their Justice and might raise envy in many though they had none but Wolfgang George President of the Councel of State and great Steward of the Court of Wirtemberg a most excellent pattern of piety justice and integrity The Counts of Oldenbourg and of Delmenhorst are totally extinguished by the death of Antony Gunther who having made his name known amongst all the greatest Princes and secured his lands by the great number of Horses which he gave away to save himself from losing 1200. breeding
Mares which he had in his grounds dyed without children lawfully begotten in the year 1656. at least if I may believe the Gazette where I read it though some men do not agree to it The King of Denmark and the Duke of Holstein inherited his Counties Iohn Prince of Anhalt the Lordship of Iever and Antony Count of Oldenbourg his natural son all the rest of his lands Those of Erbach find their original in the affection which a daughter of Charlemagnes bore to a Gentleman in her Fathers Court who being recommended by his own merit as much as he was favoured by the generosity of Charles had the honour to marry her after he had had that of being carried upon her back through the Court of the Palace The Counts of Hanau have as large an estate as a great Prince and in that a Justice from which their Subjects cannot appeal And having often both given and taken daughters to and from the best Houses of the Empire they have been so happy as to see a noble Lady of their family steer the State of Hesse and bring it succesfully into the Port during the most dreadful storm that ever blew upon the Empire for many ages P. You pass many Houses over in silence G. Those of which I say nothing are unknown to me The Counts of Helfenstein having flourished above a thousand years expired some years since Those of Leininguen judge their Subjects causes without any Appeal The House of Hohenlohe would be very mighty if it had not divided its lands into many portions The Lords thereof are naturally Souldiers brave well made both in body and mind and glorious as well through their own merit as for that of their Ancestors The Barons of Limbourg whom all Writers place amongst the Counts have a title of Semperfrey always free that no body bears but they They are so ancient that they know not their own beginning and so well known in Germany that their priviledge of being Vicars to the King of Bohemia Great Cup-bearer of the Empire is obvious to every one They of Mansfeld are of different Religions One of the Catholiques is Governor of Raab in Hungary the other is Master of the Horse to the Emperor Of the Lutherans Iohn George is travelling to enable himself to answer the hopes which hâ—s Countrey conceives of his vertue This County is plentiful in Copper and other Minerals and famous for many things but especially for Eiseliben where Doctor Luther was born in the year 1484. and dyed there 63. years after The Counts of Montfort have nothing common with those in France but the name they are certainly very noble very ancient and very vertuous P. If you say nothing of the Counts of Ottinguen and of the Rhingraves I will tell you what I know of them G. I speak of the Counts in an Alphabetical method not always suitable to their merit otherwise many should have come behind those Houses so abounding in extraordinary personages That of Ottinguen is divided into two principal Branches That of Waldenstein is Catholique that of Ottinguen Lutheran and both perfectly well allied but specially Ieachim Ernest who having already had one Countess of Solmes and another of Hehenlobe is in the last place married to a Princess Palatine and had of the two former besides many sweet children Sophia Margaret and Mary Dorothy Sophia Princesses whose graces and endowments of body and mind have acquired to the first the chast love and conjugal bed of Albert Marquiss of Brandenbourg of Anspach to the second that of Eberhard Duke of Wirtemberg and to the Father two Sons-in-law equal in Grandeur piety and magnificence The Rhingraves have furnished matter to so many Histories ancient and modern that no body is a stranger to their vertue nobility and generosity The Counts of Schwartzbourg are great in riches vertue and alliances When I passed through their Countrey Clara Dutchess of Brunswick and Sophia Agnes Princess of Anhalt were widows to two Lords of that House and Antony Gunther had a Princess Palatine Many believe the Counts of Solmes are issued out of those of Nassau They are not rich but you will meet with few Lords so well allyed Frederick Henry Prince of Orange the honour of the Captains of our age had the generous Amelia Joachim Ernest Marquis of Brandenbourg had the Phenix of beauty and chastity Sophia Frederick Marquis of Dourlach the incomparable Eleonor Augustus Prince of Anhalt the pious Sibyll Vlrick Duke of Wirtemberg the amiable Sophia Dorothy Maurice Landgrave of Hesse the fair Agnes and Ernest his son hath at this time Mary Eleonor all Countesses of Solmes From whence we may conclude that this House is fruitful in beautiful and vertuous Ladies P. I would willingly have heard a word of the Counts of Salme and Stolberg but if you find it difficult pass on to the consideration of the Barons of the Empire G. The Counts of Salme were raised to the rank of Princes though their lands be held of the Duke of Lorraine They are Rhingraves and all the Rhingraves bear the name and Arms of Salme They of Stolberg are inferior to none either in antiquity of Nobility or greatness of Alliances or priviledges They coyn money both of gold and silver and bear for their Arms a Stag Sable because one of the ancient Counts of that House giving an entertainment of hunting to the Emperor Conrade of Franconia a black Stag was taken and the Emperor would transmit the memory thereof to posterity by that change of Arms. As to the Barons you ought to know that they who are Estates of the Empire do hardly differ from the Counts but in name In all things else they are equal they marry their daughters they are in the same Classe at the Diets of the Empire they give their Suffrages there after the same manner and enjoy the same immunities lastly they are both alike styled Illustrious P. Methinks we have a great many Barons in Germany G. There are but few Barons of the Empire To be such an one it is necessary to be Matriculated and contribute to the necessities of the State which belongs not to any one of those whom the Emperor creates upon a new score in his hereditary Countreys how rich and potent soever they be And for that cause they have neither voice nor place in the Assemblies of the Empire Many of the ancient Barons have taken the quality of Count those which remain are Creange Fleckenstein Fugger Hohengeroldseck Konigseck Limbourg Maxelrein Perlestein Plaven Rapolstein Schombourg Scheuk of Tautemberg Wolfenstein Winemberg Walbot and it may be some others that are not come to my knowledge Part of those of Creange are Counts but the others are not inferior to them being allyed even to Princes and very near to the Houses of Nassau and the Rhingraves They of Fleckenstein have signalized themselves in the last War where they got honour and served in the quality of Generals The Fuggers are not
at Lubeck to take their measures and resolve their affairs there but now that Confederation is of little use to the advancement of Trade since every City doth their own business apart The end of the Eighth Dialogue Dialogue IX Of the Vniversities the Justice and the Diets of the Empire P. LEarning being one of the principal ornaments of man and one of the pillars of the Commonwealth I beseech you tell me whether it be esteemed in Germany as it was heretofore in Greece and Italy G. There were never so many learned men in the world as at this time and there is never a Countrey in Europe where there are more nor more famous Universities then we have in Germany All Princes have founded some and strive who should maintain them the best because they know them to be the Universal remedies against an infinite number of evils which ignorance and idleness bring into the World They are not so ancient in this Countrey as in England France and Italy but they are more magnificent better ordered and fitted with Doctors and furnished with Scholars We read that Charles IV. Emperor and King of Bohemia having founded the University of Prague gave equal priviledges to the Bohemians Polanders and Germans and when he would retrench his favours towards strangers there went out of the Town in a weeks time 24000. Scholars and a little after 16000. more Whereby you may judge that there were more Scholars in Prague then other persons in some great City P. If I did not know that you flatter no body but love truth above all things I should hardly believe there were ever so many Scholars in Germany as you say there went out of Prague G. The last War hath so drained our Empire of men and money that I do not believe all Germany maintains so many Students at this time as there were at Prague in the year 1409. when they reckoned 44000. Scholars under the Rectorship of John Hus. Neither would it be thought strange that a War of 30. years during which time the Muses durst not appear any where should have exhausted the Empire both of Masters and Scholars Yet the Chairs of 32. Universities resound every day with the most sacred notions of Divinity the most equitable of Civil Law the most salubrious of physick the most sublime of Metaphysicks the most solid of Natural Philosophy the most recreative of Mathematicks the most prudential of Politicks the most subtile of Logick the most perswasive of Rhetorick and the most pleasing of Poetry P. Is it possible there should be so many Universities in Germany G. There are no less For Princes seeing that riches had infected the Cloysters with laziness and that the Sciences which heretofore seemed to be wholly confined within them were banished from them being desirous to preserve that Treasure which doth marvellously contribute to the glory of God the honour of the Prince and the peace of the Provinces they founded so many of them that Justus Lipsius saith there are more Universities in Germany then in all Christendom beside P. You believe that Learning is useful to keep the people in quiet and many men think that the Study of Divinity hath occasioned the growth of Heresies as that of the Law hath produced multitudes of Controversies and Suits which were unknown in the time of our Ancestors and that of Physick serves but to shorten our lives G. As an evil stomach turns the best food into putrifaction so a corrupt soul changes vertue into vice and light into darkness Divinity is a sacred Science which fights with and overcomes Heresies the Civil Law is the rule of Right which maintains Justice and banishes quarrels from amongst men and Physick teaches the vertues of Minerals and vegetables whereby the sound may preserve the health they enjoy and the sick recover that which they have lost If then Divines breed Heresies Lawyers processes and Physicians diseases it is not the fault of the Profession but of the Professors who abusing their knowledge do convert the goodness thereof into evil P. You will confess there were fewer Heresies Law-suits and diseases when there were not so many Universities in Europe G. The world growing old becomes so much worse and worse that if the Ancients should live again they would be astonished to see the corruption of our age The Heresies and suits in Law which you see are the fruits of humane malice and diseases are the effects of Navigations and avarice which have made men despise and hazard their lives to find out Sugar Pepper Cloves Nutmegs Cinnamon and other Spices that were unknown to the ancients who through that ignorance lived more piously more healthfully and longer then we do Ascribe then if you please the Original of Heresies Law-suits and diseases to mans covetousness which hath discovered the Indies and not to Universities which oppose them and had destroyed them too if impiety gluttony and drunkenness did not entertain and keep them amongst us P. I suppose you count the Universities of the Low Countreys among those of Germany otherwise there would not be so many and yet the Germans make scruple to acknowledge them for Doctors who have taken their degree at Leyden Franeker Groninguen and Vtrecht G. The Low Countreys being part of Germany it is reasonable that I rank their Universities among those of the Empire and I think they have good title to that honour because that of Doway was founded by Philip II. King of Spain A. D. 1562. that of Leyden was instituted by the States of Holland and by William Prince of Orange 1575. That of Franeker was established by the States of Friseland 1581. That of Groninguen 1614. and lastly that of Vtrecht 1636. As for the first there is no doubt but a King of Spain hath right to found Universities and the others having been founded in a time when the Soverainty of the States was still under dispute some question might jnstly be made whether they had power to give those priviledges which accompany the honour of Doctorship But now that all Europe acknowledges them for Soverains no man can make any more question of it And indeed the States General have so great care to procure eminent Professors for their Universities that Youth cannot but learn all kind of vertues there and ought to repair thither though they could not receive the Doctoral Cap in those places P. The Universities of Swisserland of Marpurg Altorf and Strasbourg are of no greater antiquity then those of the Low Countreys But because those men that administer Justice are commonly taken out of the Universities I think it not amiss that you tell me something of those in the Empire G. All the Universities in the Low Countreys are not so new That of Lovain began in the year 926. Afterwards John Duke of Brabant bestowed great priviledges upon it then it was confirmed by Pope Martin V. and at this time in the judgement of Iohn Becanus there are none in France
wait upon the Emperor to his Lodging P. Are all these formalities absolutely necessary G. They are all so necessary that without them the Recesse or Act would not have the power of a Law nor oblige any one to the observation of it But I should have told you that two Originals are drawn Signed and Sealed in the same manner one of which is laid up in the Chancery of the Empire whereof the Elector of Mentz hath the custody and the other in the Chancery of the Emperor There is also a Copy sent to the Chamber of Spirt Here you must take notice that these Acts are framed and written in the German Tongue to the end that all the Subjects of the Empire may understand them neither can they be in any other Language by an Edict which the Emperor Rodolph made to that purpose in the year 1274. The end of the Ninth Dialogue Dialogue X. In what condition the Empire was when the peace was concluded at Munster 1648. And of the Golden Bull. P. WHen the unwelcome news of the Emperor Ferdinand III. his deplorable death had sounded in the ears of all Germany it struck a sensible sorrow upon the hearts of all those that love peace which he had procured for us and fear the disorders which usually happen in the time of an Interregnum I am one of that number and that fear carrying my thoughts back to the sad and calamitous times of his Reign I desire you to tell me something of it G. Ferdinand III. Son to Ferdinand II. Nephew to Charles Archduke of Gratz and great Nephew to the Emperor Ferdinand I. being born the 13. of July 1608. was placed upon the Throne of Hungary in the year 1625. and two years after upon that of Bohemia Then having given proof of his valour prudence and piety he was chosen King of the Romans at Ratisbon in the year 1636. and on the 9. of July 1637. when his Father dyed he took the Reins of the Empire into his hand and was effectually Emperor though his Enemies refused to give him the title till the beginning of the Treaty of Peace which was concluded at Munster the 24. of October 1648. That Prince having enjoyed but little health and less quietness upon earth entred into the fruition of Eternal rest in Heaven the second of April in the year 1657. which was the 20. of his Reign and the 49. of his Age. P. The decease of that pious Prince was the innocent cause of the dispute which is at this day between the Electors of Bavaria and Palatine the first pretending that the Vicarship of the Empire is inseparably annext to his Electorship and the other to the possession of the Lower Palatinate And I remember I have heard you say that Frederick V. Father of this Palatine accepted the Crown of Bohemia which Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy Bethlelem Gabor Prince of Transylvania John George Elector of Saxony and Maximilian Duke of Bavaria had justly refused when the Bohemians desirous of novelty rejected their King out of which temerarious engagement grew that War which hath afflicted Our Countrey for a long time Now being I hold it more necessary to know the condition wherein Germany was at the beginning and end of our troubles then to learn in what state Rome was at the time when Julius Cesar broke and dissolved the Triumvirate I pray tell me what you know of it G. It is good to know ancient Histories but much better not to be ignorant in the modern I therefore commend your curiosity and for the satisfaction thereof shall tell you it is worth your observation that the peace of many years had filled Germany with riches debauchery and evil humours which could not let Great men be quiet in the enjoyment of their superabundant happiness I do not know whether it be that our nature is always longing for new things or that God usually punishes our excesses even in this life But so it was that the Head and principal Members of the Empire entred into a misunderstanding and distrust of one another while the first endeavouring to enlarge his authority found himself in danger to lose it and the latter desiring to preserve their priviledges filled their states with misery desolation and infinite mortalities P. Some think that the House of Austria being arrived to a formidable greatness projected designs proportioned to its strength and would have made it self absolute as well in Germany as in its Estates of Spain and Italy the apprehension whereof possessing our Nation made it resolve upon the dangeroufest way of preserving it self which is to call in Strangers G. As in eating one bit whets the stomach for another so it is in rule and Government where every addition creates a desire of enlargement Yet I do not believe the House of Austria which is naturally pious and just had ever a design to enrich it self out of the spoils of another but the affection it bears to the Religion of Rome doth easily perswade me that it would willingly have leaped over any other consideration to see the Protestants under the yoke of the Pope P. Do you think that the zeal of Religion which is remarked in those Princes was the cause of our Civil Wars G. It is not impossible but that zeal might have carried the pious disposition of Ferdinand II. upon some enterprize which might clash with that liberty of Religion which was tolerated by the Edicts of his Predecessors and if you adde thereunto with what ease he dissipated the dreadful Forces which Frederick V. Elector Palatine Bethlehem Gabor and his other Confederates had drawn together you will make no further doubt but that his good success inflamed and heightned that zeal of his and that the same great Prince believing his victories to be visible evidences that God called him to humble and bring down every thing that did not acknowledge the See of Rome would have endeavoured to force consciences and make Rome to be reverenced in every place where his Sceptre was obeyed P. Malvezzi pretending to show that the House of Austria took up Arms only in its own defence says that the greatest part of the world conspired its ruine in the year 1625. G. That Marquiss desiring to raise beyond all comparison the merit of Don Gaspar de Gusman Count of Olivares and Duke of Saint Lucar favourite to Philip IV. King of Spain says that by vertue of a League made at Avignon Europe and Africa laid their heads and joyned their hands together against the House of Austria and that the felicity and prudence of that Favourite was such that the King his Master remained victorious every where For says he when it was resolved that the Hollanders should set upon Brasile the Armies of France and Savoy should assault Genoa the King of England should send a Fleet to Cadiz the King of Denmark with the Protestants of Germany should trouble the Empire Venice should assist the Duke of Savoy with
wherein the Swedes got the victory September 7. 1631. The second was fought at Lutzen not far from Leipsick November 6. 1632. between the Swedes having their King for Generalissimo and the Imperial Army commanded by Albert Wallestein Duke of Fridland In that Battel the Swedes had the victory by the resolution of Bernard Duke of Saxony and their other Generals but it cost them their King who was the Cesar of our age and the Emperor on his side lost the flower of his Souldiers and the Achilles of Germany I mean the incomparable Godfrey Count of Papenheim P. That King whose valour was beyond all example ought not to dye but triumphing and Papenheim could not fall but in the company of so great a Prince But it is a thing very extraordinary that an Army should remain victorious where the Commander in chief was slain in the very beginning of the Fight and we hear but of few Princes that have triumphed in their death Pass we on to the other Battels G. The third was at Hamelen July 28. 1663. between the Swedes Hessians and Lunebourgers commanded by George Duke of Lunebourg General of the Circle of Lower Saxony and the Imperialists under the conduct of the Counts of Merode and Grandsfeld where the latter were worsted The fourth which was the first wherein the Emperor had the victory and was one of the bloodiest that had been seen in 30. years before dyed with generous blood the Plains of Nortlinguen an Imperial City of Swaben September 6. 1634. Ferdinand King of Hungary who afterwards was Emperor commanded his Fathers Army and being seconded by the Troops and person of Ferdinand Infante of Spain and of Charles Duke of Lorraine he assaulted and vanquisht Bernard Duke of Weymar and Gustavus Horn Marshal of Sweden who commanded the Swedish Troops That victory was so great that the Swedish party had apparently fallen to nothing if the most Christian King had not contributed his cares and forces to set them up again P. After that Battel John de Werdt took and stript above 50. Gentlemen or Gentlewomen at the Castle of Neuberg G. I have reason to remember that misfortune for though I were at a great distance from thence yet I lost very much there The Fifth made Wistock in the Marquisate of Brandenbourg much spoken of It was there that John George I. of that name Elector of Saxony who had embraced the Imperial Party and was assisted by General Hatzfeld was beaten by John Bannier that Heroical Swede September 24. 1636. The sixth was fought at Leipsick in the same place where the first was without any alteration but that the Imperialists took that ground which the Swedes had before but though they changed their place they did not change their fortune for Torstenson overcame the Archduke Leopold William and Octavio Picolomini Duke of Amalfi renowned Generals of the Imperial Army P. The Catholiques have hitherto won but one of the six Battels wherein they engaged with their enemies Who got the last victory G. The Swedes that were entred into Bohemia under the command of Leonard Torstenson did there at a place called Jancou set upon Count Hatzfeld General of the Imperial Forces and utterly routed him Feb. 24. 1645. These two last Battels together with many combats and taking of Towns gained an immortal name to that Swedish General who was forced to leave the exercise of Souldiery before he was forty years old the Gout having taken away the use of all his Limbs except his Tongue which I have heard him use in accusing of fortune for having too early deprived him of the means of gaining Crowns of Laurel That great personage having thus made himself illustrious by Military actions Christina Queen of Sweden gave him the name with the County of Ortila and History bearing the marks of his eminent vertue will always give him this testimony that he was equal to the greatest Captains of ancient times P. If the gallant men that commanded and dyed in those Battels had been employed against the Turk I am perswaded he had been brought to bow down to the Cross and yield obedience to the Christians G. I think so too and it is a wonder that so much blood being run out of the veins of our Germany hath not brought her even to her grave Yet this is not all she hath lost more valiant persons in the Fights which I am going to relate then in the pitcht Battels The first was that of the King of Sweden who set upon the Imperial Army entrenched and commanded by Wallestein at Furts upon the Old Mountain August 24. 1632. and was forced to retreat with very great loss giving a remarkable example that Great men commit great errors and that the courage of the Lion doth rarely cohabit with the subtilty of the Fox because in some that heat of the heart which is requisite to make a man undaunted dissipates and quickens the coldness of the brain in others that predominant temper of the brain communicates such a faint and languishing quality to the heart as obstructs and fetters its activity The second was fought by the Electors of Saxony and Brandenbourg when they were confederated with the Swedes against the Imperialists who were worsted near Lignitz in Silesia May 3. 1634. The third was that of Rheimfeld where Bernard Duke of Weymar beat the Duke of Savelli and John de Werdt who commanded the Imperial and Bavarian Troops in several encounters from the 18. till the 21. of February 1638. The fourth was given at Wittenvoyer in Brisgou where the same Duke of Saxon-Weymar did again beat the Imperialists and Bavarians commanded by the Count of Gotzen and the Duke of Savelli July 30. 1638. Then that Prince crowned all his former actions when he sent some Generals prisoners to Paris and obliged all Europe to confess that few things were impossible for him to do since notwithstanding all the power of his Enemies used to the contrary he forced the Virgin City of Brisac to submit her self unto his will P. If I be not mistaken Marquiss Virgilio Malvezzi speaking of the Duke Bernard in a little Treatise which he made and intituled Of the successes of the Monarchy of Spain which hapned in the year 1639. says that Prince was more often vanquished then victorious and you say that he obtained two great victories in one year G. I never said he was invincible but I dare confidently affirm that he was never beaten for want of courage or conduct And Malvezzi himself acknowledging that he won more then he lost doth also confess that the design which he had to keep in a Body by himself and to exchange the places he held in Burgundy for those of Colmar Selestadt and Benfeld thereby to make himself master of Strasbourg and by the means of that great and wealthy City to maintain a high reputation as long as the War lasted and to enter upon a Peace with advantage were great thoughts but nothing
continuance at length the two parties being weary as well of beating as of being beaten a resolution of peace was mutually taken Tell me I pray in what condition affairs were when that was concluded G. You have already heard there was never a Province in the Empire which by fire and sword by plague and famine had not lost above half its people and which was not reduced to extreme misery yet to recover the Treasure of Peace Germany was content to lay down another and pay the Swedes five millions of gold for the charges of the war one part whereof was employed to satisfie the souldiery another to recompence the valour of those that had served well and the rest to be disposed in liberalities by their Queen P. Did the French lay down armes without being re-imbursed what they spent in that War G. That Nation did not consent to the Peace without knowing why and wherefore but it rather gave or promised money then received any And all its recompence consists in a part of Alsatia and the Fortresses of Brisac and Philipsbourg from which France reaps more honour then profit the Province being unable to furnish wherewithal to keep those places and pay the Civil Officers that should administer Justice there P. I know the most Christian King obliged himself to pay the Archduke of Inspruck three millions of Livres in case he could prevail with the Catholique King to quit the pretensions he had or might have upon Alsatia But had the Crown of Sweden and its Confederates many Troops and places in Germany when the Peace was made G. The Crown of Sweden had at that time five Regiments of Swedish and Finland Horse four and forty of German Horse and five of Dragons which reckoned with some Troops that were in Garrison amounted all together to 411. Companies It had also threescore Regiments of Foot of the same Nations as the former were to wit one and twenty of Swedes and Finlanders and nine and thirty of Germans but they were not all of like strength For the five Regiments of Swedish and Finland Horse had but one and thirty Troops in all and those of the Foot of the same Nation were of four five six seven or eight Companies at the most and of the Germans that of the Kings Guards was of Twenty Companies and those of the higher Officers nay the greatest part of the rest were of twelve Companies apiece P. By what you said last I perceive Germany made War upon Germany and the Swedes made use of us to overcome our selves Let us see whether the French did not so too G. We are blamed for loving money too much and the honour of our Nation too little Now it is certain that although the Swedes have always had Commanders worthy of Empire and that after their King Gustavus Horn John Bannier Leonard Torstenson Charles Gustavus Wrangel Wittemberg and some others have equalled or surpassed the ancient Heroes signalizing their valour in our late Wars yet they had gone out of the Empire with as much shame and as well beaten as the Danes and Transylvanians if they had not had Religion for a pretense our bodies for a buckler and our courages for the instruments of their glory The same thing may be said of the French They have had Generals of their Nation who have always performed the duty of wise Captains and valiant Souldiers and have no less deserved the name of Gallant men though they have fought with less success then the Swedes but as to the rest the French Troops were oftentimes the least part of their Army The French that have commanded in Germany are the Mareshals of La Force Guebriant and Grammont the Cardinal de la Valette the Dukes of Longueville and Anguyen and the Prince of Turenne who had under his command at the time when the Peace was made a hundred and nine Cornets of Light Horse and sixteen Companies of Dragoons in fourteen Regiments not reckoning two Companies which were in the Lower Palatinate two in the Bishoprick of Spire and three in the Dutchy of Wirtemberg Besides that Cavallery the French had a hundred and threescore Companies in eleven Regiments of Infantry and ten Companies at Brisac three and forty in Brisgou four in the Bishoprick of Strasbourg twenty in several Imperial Cities of the Palatinate and Alsatia fifteen in the Bishoprick of Spire nine in the Lower Palatinate thirteen in Lawinguen eleven in the Dutchy of Wirtemberg six in Swaben twelve in the Archbishoprick of Mentz and three in the Marquisate of Baden which make in all three hundred and six Companies as well French as Germans P. So far as I perceive the Confederates had prodigious Forces G. That is not all the Amazon of Germany Amelia Elizabeth Landgravess of Hesse who raised up her Estate when it was beaten as it were down to the ground and by an unparalleled prudence enlarged the straits she was brought into and augmented her Forces when she was thought to be overwhelmed with calamities after the death of William V. her husband had at the conclusion of the Peace eight and fifty Cornets of Horse in five Regiments and 166. Companies of Foot in thirteen without putting into the account fourteen unregimented Companies P. I do not wonder that so many Troops conducted by good Heads obliged the Emperor to a disadvantagious Peace For I cannot think that his Majesty and his Allies had so many Forces after they had been worsted in several encounters G. I do not certainly know the number of the Imperial and Bavarian Troops but doubtless they were very powerful since their Confederate Adversaries were obliged by the Treaty to restore 210. strong places wherein they had garrison and out of which it is probable the whole Empire would hardly have been able to drive them by force P. I know the Swedes had Garrisons in 125. places of Germany the French in 46. and the Hessians in 39. But some of the best are theirs still G. It is true that by the Treaty of Peace the Empire agreed to yield unto the most Christian King for him and his Successors Kings of France for ever the Cities and Bishopricks of Mets Toul and Verdun with Moyenvic Pignerol Brisac the Landgravedom of Alsatia the Vndgerih the Bailywick of Haguenau and the Fortress of Philipsbourg That by the same Treaty the Empire quitted and granted unto the Queen and Kingdom of Sweden all the Hither Pomerania with the Island and Principality of Rugia and the Cities of Stetin Garts Dam Holnau the Isle of Wollin the River of Oder and the Port which it makes by the name of Frischehaff the Collation of those Ecclesiastical Benefices which the Dukes of Pomerania heretofore had in the Bishoprick of Camin and the expectance or Reversion of that Bishoprick nay of the rest of Pomerania and even of the new Marquisate of Brandenbourg in case the heirs male of that Family should happen to fail P. The Swedes received five millions of gold