Kingdom being in trouble and by directly entring into war with the King of Spain to kindle new fires at home upon the interests of others the fresh example of his Father King Henry was also sufficient to keep him from such an enterprise who when he was in greatest authority and his Kingdom in compleat peace did not break with the King of Spain for building Fort Fuentes which was so prejudicial to the interests of the same Grisons nor would he meddle in those affairs otherwise then by intercession how much might it be said then did it become the present King in the beginning of his Reign the Forces of his Kingdom being divided amidst so many Domestick troubles to forgo his Fathers example and to engage himself in Forreign affairs against a most powerful King the event whereof being of such weight and importance might certainly be supposed would prove if not altogether prejudicial at least long and dangerous to do this it was requisite to have a powerful Army just as if he went to get the State of Millain back'd by the German Forces Besides moneys the sinews of war were wanting and many other things necessary for such an expedition on the other side he was obliged by being bound to protect his Colleagues and their States which he could not with his honour see abused but his Kingdoms interest did urge him much more theâ—…eunto to the prejudice whereof so great a union of the Austrâ—…an Dominions did redound nor had the example of his Father King Henry alledged to the contrary any thing at all to do in this case nothing being then upon the stage but a Fort built by the Spaniards upon their own ground whereas now the usurpation of States was in question the oppression of a Commonwealth confederate with his Kingdom the manifest danger of the Apostolick See and of many other Italian Princes Friends to the Crown which he could not with wisdom nor honour suffer to fall under the Spaniards slavery as for examples that of the same Henry might serve when not being able to suffer that the possession of Cleves and Iuliers should be disputed with the German Princes nor that the Spaniards should increase their power and reputation by the oppression of those Princes and by usurping those States he took up Arms against the Crown of Spain and against the house of Austria and incited almost all Christendom against them that these examples and respects were to be prefer'd before anger conceived against the Grisons for making League with the Venetians if contrary to custom we ought in important resolutions to have any consideration at all upon private spleens which were never known to be prefer'd in well regulated Counsels before wholsome deliberations To these Reasons which were of great force were added the Venetians and the Sovoiards instigations who shewing themselves ready to concur in the same war wish'd consideration might be had that the authority of the French was at an end in Italy if the King should not be permitted to enter by that way or should suffer those parts to be fortified by which they might enter with a few men into that Province in defence of so many Friends and Clients of their Kingdom for the good of the Apostolick See and to curb the covetousness and ambition of the Spaniards who when they should once become masters of what they had usurped and have thereby joyn'd the King of Spains Forces with those of the Austrians in Germany would grow unsupportable for their natural pride and arrogancy and invincible by reason of their Command Authority and Power insomuch as the Princes of Italy being deprived of the French aid which was the only support of their liberty would be forced wholly and every where to yield to the King of Spains pleasure and to reverence and adore the name of Spaniard as an earthly Deity from whence they were to expect and to acknowledge the life and safety of their affairs or otherwise their utter ruine how great a glory how great an honour would it be to the now King in the first beginning of his Reign and as it might be said of his life to win so much authority in Italy not only by sustaining the Duke of Savoy against the Forces of the Spaniards but by becoming Arbitrator of peace or war between that Duke and the Crown of Spain wherefore then should he not only lose so great an acquisition but by abandoning the Grisons the ancient Confederates of his Kingdom and by permitting all the Princes of Italy to fall under the slavery of the Spaniard make the world see that the King of France had neither courage nor power to defend his Confederates to strengthen so many Princes who expect from him only cure for so mortal a wound to provide against so great prejudice which would redound to himself in his reputation and to his Friends and Clients in their Safety States and Liberties These and the like Reasons very much press'd and vehemently pursued in that Court might peradventure work upon their wills but could not remove the difficulties of the enterprise for how was it possible for that King who then lay panting before Montalban a great Town in the midst of his Kingdom when France was divided into several Factions and the Kings Treasure exhausted to think of Forreign enterprises against the King of Spain and house of Austria who were already possess'd of the Valtoline and almost of the whole State of the Grisons who joyning in the Common Cause the State of Millain would abound in Dutch and by means of their Indian Gold they might turn his Kingdom up-side down now when it was full of ill humours the King and his Council did therefore what was most convenient for their present condition which was to proceed friendly with the Court of Spain and to treat of composing the present Occurrences in a civil way To this purpose Monsieur Bossompier was sent extraordinary Embassadour to the King of Spain and finding there more likelihood of good success then he could have imagined he thought the business happily ended but the French finding afterwards that the effects were not answerable but that the Spaniards sought by sophisticated interpretations to annihilate and overthrow all Conventions and that having proceeded further in Rhetia they had in part lacerated in part subjugated the Liberty and Commonwealth of the Grisons putting new and bitter conditions upon them wholly contrary to what had been by common consent agreed upon at Madrid they thought themselves doubly concerned in this business for to the ancient Consederacy and Protection of the Grisons was added the Capitulation at Madrid which the French could not without a great affront to their King suffer to be so trodden under foot and by the easiness of satisfying their desires which they found in the Spanish Court concerning this business conceiving better of themselves and worse of the Spaniards they thought that when the King of Spain should see them in
This hope was much augmented when Philip the Third King of Spain was friends with Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy and laid down those Arms and dismissed those men wherewith he threatened that Duke so to oppose the French in the Dukedom of Millain which Duke Emanuel having at the same time made great preparation of Arms and holding strict Intelligence with King Henry made it be doubted that he intended to trouble Italy and to assault the State of Millain had he not been interrupted by the death of Henry the Fourth of France just when he was ready for so great an Enterprise And the less it was expected that King Philip should let slip the occasion of resenting himself when the Duke was bereft of his assistance from France by the death of King Henry the more was his goodness praised and his mildness pleasing for not minding what might peradventure have happened if affairs had succeeded otherwise he had more respect to the good of Christendom to the peace of Italy and to his Alliance with the Duke then to the desire of revenge a great incitement to all men but more to powerful Princes when they think themselves injured not only by their inferiours but by their equals The Kings rage was much mitigated towards the Duke by the great desire which the Princes of Italy seemed to have thereof by the intercession of Pope Paul the Fift and by the efficacious intreaties made with much affection by Philebert the Dukes second Son to the King his Uncle who was sent by his Father into Spain to give satisfaction on his behalf but the Authority and favour of Mary Queen of France was of no less help herein who by the death of her Husband having the Government of her young Son the King and being Regent of the Kingdom did very seasonobly interpose her self in this Reconciliation Foâ—… though the Intelligence held with the Duke and the great preparations of that Kingdom had caused great Commotions and diffidence in the Court of Spain yet it not being manifest against whom the Arms and ends of that King were intended it so fell out That his magnanimous thoughts ceasing by his death as also the doubts and suspicions conceived in Spain by reason of those great preparations the same Peace and good correspondency continued between Spain and France which though if the King had lived was very likely to have been disturbed was never demonstratively broken And it making for the Queen to keep peace with Spain so to shun the troubles and contestations which her Authority and the guidance of her Son King Lewis his affairs a Minor of ten years old might probably meet with amidst Arms and Commotions in France which was yet full of many humours and Fractions and of so many Religions and wherein the wounds and scars of the late civil Wars were not yet well healed she wisely chose rather to be aiding to the Duke by Negotiation then by Forces which she must have sent into Piedmont The necessity of her backing the Dukes cause being made to appear in Spain by reason and the readiness of her Self and Kingdom also by some preparations upon the Confines of Italy the King pardoning so great offences at the mediation of such Intercessors partly admitting of the Dukes justification with such dissimulation as is sometimes used by Princes he gave order for the disbanding of his Army in the State of Millain which was designed to have assaulted Piedmont Affairs being thus composed and Peace being proclaimed to the satisfaction of all men the publick Affairs of Italy were in so good a posture and so consolidated in a continual quiet as there was no signe seen of any the least appearing storm which could any ways shake the solid Basis of her peaceful condition or the tranquillity of her former quiet For the French who were the only and without all question the most powerful means to cause Novelty and Commotions in Italy being detained by their Kings minority and busied in the necessary care of the preservation of the Domestical affairs of the Kingdom were unable to imploy themselves for the space of many years in foreign affairs Whence it was to be believed that they would not unprovoked disturb that peace which had been with some Anxiety indeavoured by themselves and for their own interests And the Spaniards who being Masters of the Islands of Sicily and Sardigna of the Kingdom of Naples and State of Millain did rule over the greatest and best part of Italy though as being Superior to the other Potentates they might easily cause and continue Commotions in her yet being naturally apt to preserve peace and having by the experience of many years known how happy it was for them to keep the chief place of Authority in Italy by means of their so ample Dominions peacefully and quietly it was no question but that they would be solicitous in preserving her quiet for the future as they had profest themselves to be in the former and present Occurrences The Dutch and Switzers adhered unto the Authority of Spain the latter by reason of the streight League with the State of Millain whereby they reaped much advantage both to the private and to the publick And the former in respect of the Kings of Spain who were the chief of the House of Austria so powerful in Germany by reason of the many Adherences and great States which she hath there and of the Imperial Crown which hath continued in her by so many successions by which means those Kings did not only preserve Italy unprejudiced by the Forces of those two fierce Nations so formidable by reason of their vicinity and power but did the better secure the Majesty of their own Empire and the large Precinct of their Dominions and do also keep the Kingdoms of Spain in more security which are at the present richer then any other Kingdom through the immense Treasure which are abundantly subminstred to them by the unexhausted Mines of the Indies and new World by a Fleet of seventy Gallies distributed in the Havens of Spain Genoa Naples and Sicily The other Princes of Italy divided into unequal Seigniories did therefore reverence and yield observancy to so great and so well grounded a power the lesser whereof did for sundry respects absolutely adhere thereunto and injoy'd quiet under the protection thereof and the greater placing the ground-work of Principality upon Peace minded more the preservation of their Dominions by counsel then inlarging their Confines by Arms and all of them though they saw so great a forreign Empire radicated in the bowels of Italy yet not having for many years been thereby molested and therefore accustomed to injoy their own Territories a long time in a happy and secure Peace they were better contented to bear with the condition of the present Times though upon some disadvantage then out of a desire of absolute liberty to irritate those Forces against them whereunto they were not of themselves equal Nay
And at the same time keeping on the Treaty of the new League and his Sons Marriage in Paris he hoped that each of these Crowns would grow to such jealousie by reason of this double Negotiation as that the one not to lose him and the other to gain him they might both of them vie who should give fairer conditions for this Marriage when it should be hotly negotiated at the same time in both these Courts Chusing theâ—…efore for Agents in these his so great designs Count Verrua a Counsellor who was in great favour with him and Monsieur Iacob he sent them both at the same time the former into Spain the latter into France where both of them negotiated their Commissions The Duke of Lerma greedily imbracing this occasion in the Court of Spain that by assisting to make this Maâ—…ch he might aggrandize his own Family so the Treaty of Marriage between Prince Victorio and the Kings Daughter seemed to proceed on fairly For though the King would not Treat of his eldest Daughter whom he had destined to a much greater Marriage yet not being averse to part with his youngest Daughter this Match though not totally agâ—…eed upon yet was it likely to be speedily concluded And Don Phileberto the Dukes second Son was destined to be made Admiral at Sea and the Dukes third Son the Cardinal was to be furnished with the châ—…ef Church-livings which should be vacant in that Kingdom to a large proportion In pursuit of which Negotiation there were two Gallies already provided by the Duke in Italy to bring the Prince Victorio into Spain together with two of his Sisters that they might be brought up there with the Queen yet many were not fully of an opinion that this would really succeed As if the Duke had juggled in this Marriage with Spain or that he had done it out of cunning to accelerate the Negotiations in France which were carried on with hopes of prosperous success by Iacob For the King having drawn England and the States of Holland into the new League and giving out that he would â—…ut the Princes of Brandenburge and Newburg into full possession of the Dukedoms pretended unto by them had already prepared a powerful Army with which and with the Forces of the Colleagues it was thought that he really intended war against Flanders and those parts of the Low-Countries which were under the King of Spain And at the same time he put a Fleet in order at Marselles with intention to assault Genoa and Millain and offered the Duke of Savoy an Army of 20000 Foot and 3000 Horse to be paid by him the King to the end that the Duke might enter into the 〈◊〉 of Millain with 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse of his own which State he propounded to the Duke of Savoy as a surplus of Portion in respect of the future Marriage These practises were they either true or but reported did no good to the Treaties of Spain which seemed to be as good as already concluded for the King of Spain growing incens'd thereat did not incline any more to the Marriage of his Daughter and the Duke of Lerma who had cordially listened to Verrua's proposals finding that he was not well looked upon by the Court where the practises held between him and Verrua were known to shew himself averse to the Dukes interests and intelligence who was grown odious to the Court for the same respects did all he could to clear himself thereof And the whole Court out of the same reasons being at the same time scandalized with the Duke of Savoy he thinking that he could promise himself no good from that Crown and despairing to make any progress in that Court quite foregoing any thought of further pursuing his Affairs there and betaking himself to the Kingdom of France he indeavoured to joyn in League and to make Alliance with that King Hence it was that we may return to where we gave over that the Duke of Savoy to the end that he might have greater adherences in Italy as also that he might interest other Princes in his ends and designs married forthwith two of his Daughters wherein King Henry had a hand the eldest to Don Francisco then Prince of Mantua and the other to Alphonso Prince of Modena which was not done without much jealousie that the Dukes their Fathers did privately partake in the same ends and designs And at this very time another Marriage coming strangely to light which was very privately treated of in Rome for the Prince of 〈◊〉 the Popes Nephew with a natural Daughter of King Henry it made people very jealous of the Popes Intention This suspicion reached also to many of the Lords of Rome which by many Aâ—…guments drawn from their indeavours and inclinations seemed to follow King Henries party King Henry was then in greater Fortune Authority and Grandezza then peradventure any of the preceding Kings of France had for a long time been he was admired by all Christendom wherefore part of Italy being full of expectation other part full of fear of these so great preparations Italy was partly inclined unto and did tremble at the name and reputation of the French Forces But to the end that the Differences touching Montferrat might not disturb so great hopes as were promised by this Conjunction the Duke of Savoy thought it not good to look too narrowly into them then though they fell into consideration in the conclusion of the Marriage with the Prince of Mantua and therefore he thought it bettâ—… to hasten the conclusion of that Marriage leaving those differences undecided On the contrary the King of Spain finding whether the confederacy or Affinity of the Italian Princes did at that time tend and indeavouring to disturb it I â—…oured though in vain that the same Marriages might be crost but King Henries so unexpected death having either dissipated the ends or allayed the jealousies of that so great Unon and the Duke being afterwards pacified and joined with the King of Spain and the Kingdom of France foregoing the Match with the Duke as having after the Kings death entertained new Negotiations of a double Marriage with Spain whereby Lewis the new King of France was to marry the King of Spains eldest Daughter and King Lewis his Sister she who in her Fathers time was intended for Prince Victorio was also to marry the Prince of Spain to the conclusion of which Marriages there was no leâ—…t at that time but the tender years of those that were to be married Therefore the King and Court of Spain confiding much more in this new Conjunction then they had formerly distrusted the Union of the Italian Princes and their Intelligence with the French did at the same time indeavour that the Marriage might be concluded between the Cardinal and the Dowager Dutchess a thing which made very much for the preservation of peace in Italy and for the new Union which was agreed on with the King of France On the contrary
so zealous in protecting his Dukes Dominions would now so highly injure him in his honour These and other Reasons alledged by the Embassadour were much seconded by the Queen of France her pretentions who sollicited from Mantua made a third in this Affair desiring that the young Lady's education might be allotted to her as to one neerer of kin to her then the King was in case the Duke of Mantua should not be trusted with her Whereupon the King were it either that he approved of the Reasons alledged or to avoid giving dissatisfaction to the Queen dissisted further pursuing his demand Many will have it that the King required this at first more out of his own genius and tender affection to his Nephews the Princes of Savoy then by any advice of his Counsellours or out of any sinister intention to the Duke of Mantua and that it not being intrinsecally approved of by any one no not by the Duke of Lerma from whom he was seldom wont to differ in opinion it had not its just perfection it being known that at the same time when Pimentello was sent to Mantua the answer which that Duke was to make was suggested to him by the Governour of Millain and the manner which he was to observe upon this occurrency to the end that he might retain his Nephew And doubtlesly the Governour did this by order from the Spanish Ministers of State who were desirous to moderate the Kings desires by delays Many were much troubled to think what the truth of this might be the business being spun out at length and what the issue thereof would be not being known During these doubtful proceedings the Duke of Mantua fell sick and there being but little hopes of his recovery it was feared by the Italians that his unseasonable death in these turbulent times might hasten the Spaniards secret designs for he not having any issue and his brother not being likely to have any his Dominions would fall upon the Duke of Nevers the next of kin to the house of Gonsaga who being born in France was for his great adherences and many possessions which he had there esteemed to be more French then Italian Nor was there any that did doubt but that the Spaniards would rather suffer any other condition then that a French-man should possess so great a State in Italy Wherefore all mens minds were possest with fear and confusion foreseeing what troubles and revolutions would insue upon the Dukes death which seemed to be confirmed by bad Auguries and prodigies For in the same year of 1613 on the 11 of October there arose a terrible tempest at Sea the like to which was never seen which beginning at Provence and running along with much terrour to the uttermost parts of the Kingdom of Naples did so agitate the Ligustick and Tuscan seas as entring even into the Havens which were otherwise very safe it sunke almost all the ships therein to the great prejudice of the Merchants and to the terrour of all lookers on the same tempest penetrated into Lombardy where it threw down houses rent up trees by the roots and did such mischief as had never been before so as many as it ofâ—…en falls out when men are astonished with amazement begâ—…n to hold these accidents prodigious as so many signs wherewith the heavens did threaten much greater calamity to come to these Prodigies were added the troubles of France which having been quiet till then under the Queens regency was not a little disturbed For the Princes of the Kingdom were not able to suffer that Concino Concini and his wife both of them being Florentines and the Queens great favourites should be prefer'd before them in Authority and in the conduct of publick Affairs They were likewise much troubled at the Kings Marriage with the Infanta of Spain fearing lest such an union might tend to the diminution of that Authority which they by all means indeavoured to arrogate unto themselves in that Kingdom And the opposition of France being held to be a great curb to the Spanish Forces in Italy therefore that Nation being divided within it self and troubled with civil Wars Italy remained at the Spaniards discretion whose ends and designs not being to be withstood by any other Forces there was no means left of keeping their King from attempting any whatsoever novelty whereby to increase their Kings Empire to the universal prejudice The Duke of Mantua's self whose loss was then chiefliest concerned seemed more to abandon his own cause then any other for not being content to have incens'd France against him and distasted the Princes of Italy by his usage of the Duke of Nevers French he seemed to throw himself too much into the King of Spain's hands and to depend to much upon the Spanish State-Ministers And this course not being commonly approved of then though it proved to be very good afterwards he seemed little to mind the eminent danger of his own Affairs The more for that conferring the Bishoprick of Casalle upon Monsigneur Pasquale a natural Subject of the Kings he had also made Don Alphonso d' Avalos Governour over all Montferrat who though he was an Italian born and a kinne to him yet being originally come from Spain and prosessing to be more a Spaniard then an Italian being also held to be such a one by the King and his State-Ministers the Duke seemed to have but poorly provided for the so turbulent condition of his Affairs by these two Elections at which the Queen and State of Venice were much the more incens'd who publickly seeming to favour the Duke desired to curb the Forces and power of his Protector as much as they could and yet the Queen being careful of her Niece Affairs she sent the Marquess di Coure into Italy a Lord of much authority and reputation and one who had with much grandezza discharged the office of several chief Embassies She sent him with title of Embassadour in extraordinary for the Occurences of Italy to the end that treating as well with the two Dukes as with the Governour of Millain and Commonwealth of Venice he might compose Affairs in a peaceable manner But when he came to Piedmont he could not see the Duke who not desirous to treat with any in this business but the King and Court of Spain from whence he expected much favour he went a little before the Embassadour came thither to Nice in Provence to quiet some commotions which were raised in those parts So as the Embassadour passing to Millain and then to Mantua and from thence to Venice kept in Italy till the beginning of the next year which was 1614. This year produced at last effects which shewed the good intention of the King and did once more free the Italians of the fears which they had conceived by the last years successes For the King having on one side often comforted the Duke of Savoy and on the other side press'd much upon the Duke of Mantua not without
might draw neerer the sea he sent Don Lewis di Cordia Don Piedro Sarmiento Don Ieronymo Pimontello and Thomaso Caracciolo to quarter in those parts with their Brigadoes and some Companies of Iovan Piedro Zerbelloves Brigade and afterwards being advised thereunto by Sancta Croce and Don Carlo Poria who were come into Allessandria he ordeâ—…ed Don Piedro Sarmiento to 〈◊〉 himself of Montbaldne Dente Roccaverano and Cortemiglia by which places the Spaniards became masters of all that Country which lying between the River of Genoa and the lower Montferrat is called Le Langhe Montbaldone and Dente came in immediately to Sarmieneo who going with his Artillery to Roccaverano it is not known for what cause and therefore not without wonder to all men he had new orders to supersede wherefore retiring back the Duke sent 100 Foot to re inforce the Garrison of Cortemiglia he afterwards took Bozalasco Gorzegno Manoxino and other Towns thereabouts this was the success of the Wars of Piedmont in the year 1614 at the end whereof the Governour went to Millain to take order for greater provisions for War the next year and two Millions of Ducates being come to the Haven of Genoa part whereof was for the Army in Flanders part for that in Lombardy the Gabels upon Merchandize and other things was increased to above a third part in Millain The sum whereof being turn'd into annual revenue and a good part thereof sold to particular persons brought great store of moneys into the Exchequer which were afterwards assigned for the War which was noised would be great the next year Levies of men were ordered to be made in Germany Swisserland in the Kingdom of Naples and in Lombardy and not herewith all content the King desired the Genoeses the great Duke of Tuscany the Duke of Urbin Duke of Parma and the Commonwealth of Lucca to send such men to the State of Millain as either for their own concernments or by the condition of obligation they were bound to do and he did this not so much out of necessity as for the honour of the undertaking and to shew how much the Princes of Italy did adhere to the Kings party yea even against an Italian Prince The Princes of Italy were not well pleased to see him proceed with such a bulk of War against the Duke for though the defence and protection of Montferrat and the preservation of publick peace had at first rendred the title and cause of the Spanish Forces less odious yet since the end was now altered and that revenge was indeavoured which made them apprehend worser things they began in respect of the common interest to abhor the proceeding and yet Urbin Parma and Lucca preferring the Kings Authority before any other respect yielded easily to the Kings request The great Duke made some difficulty alledging that being obliged to send 4000 Foot and 400 Horse for the State of Sienna which he held in Fee from the Crown of Spain to defend the State of Millain he was not now bound to do it when as the State making an offensive and not a defensive War his obligation and tenure thereof was inlarged the example being of great consequence and of greater prejudice but reply being made that that which assaulteth must of necessity also be defended his excuse was not accepted of chiefly since as it was said he who held so great a State in Fee from the King ought not to stand so precisely upon the words of his obligation It was therefore agreed that 2000 Foot should effectually be sent which should serve to defend the State and not to offend the Duke and some supplies of money were sent the Genueses case was otherwise who not being requiâ—…ed to administer relief out of any obligation but only by way of fiendship and correspondency and for the great Interest which they had in the Crown of Spain excused themselves upon the necessity they had to guard their Confines towards Piedmont and to keep the Sea and River open for the passage of the people which came to the State of Millain which Reasons gave satisfaction The Duke was not this mean while idle for being much incouraged by the past successes and having after he saw the Governour once more gone out of Piedmont quartered his men in several parts of the State he was wholly bent upon desending himself and not upon agreement He sollicited the promised assistance of the Transalpine Princes and guessing at what was to come by what was past he grew so confident that as he was wont to say his own person was sufficient for half the Spanish preparations Yet the fear of the future war grew daily greater and was confirmed by the knowledge that though the King had declared it did not become a free Prince to ask pardon of another Prince upon the making of peace and that therefore he never expected any such thing from the Duke yet with an intention of resenting what the Duke had done in his Dominions he had openly refused to accept of the last Capitulation subscribed by the Duke But this fear was much more increased by the retaining a Post who coming from Spain was taken Prisoner as he past in a little Barque from Antibo to Finale and was sent to Turin with the Kings and Councels Letters the which being opened and Printed the Duke caused to be divulged throughout Italy together with other Writings wherein he justified his own actions tending as he said only to the defence of his own State which is so natural for all men to do and to the preservation of peace To obtain the which he added he had not refused any submission which became a free Prince And because the Kings Lettess and those of his Counsel contained bitter complaints of what had happened and sharp reprehensions of the Governours actions and breathing forth nothing but fire and threats charged him with having troubled him with grievous war The Duke taking his rise from their apprehensions fill'd the Papers with grievous Revilings of the Spanish Nation blaming the Spaniards without any respect That under the fair pretence of peace they aimed only at the usurpation of his State and that therefore the King refusing the just Capitulations subscribed by him the Duke did incite all the Princes of Italy against him drawing forth all the usual Garrisons of the Kingdom of Naples and Scicily pardoning the most heinous offendors as if he did proceed with all his Forces and Authority against an enemy to Christendom Nor did the following actions delay the confirmation of the fear of the future war for hardly was the tacite Truce occasioned by the sharpness of the season ceased when Arms were taken up with greater fervor about the end of March 1615. Cordona's Spaniards who were quartered in the Langhe were the first that moved who through intelligence held with those of Roccavrano who were weary of the French Garrison entered the Town by night through a hole made in the walls and slew
wrought the Dukeâ—… so much desired humiliation and his re-uniting to the Crown a thing as much desired for the quiet and safeâ—…y of Italy after tâ—…e breach as it was little valued before and that which Dâ—…n Piedro seemed most of all to desire if the Duke should agrâ—…e upon any otâ—…er terms or by any other means then by the Articles of Asti tâ—…e the French mens plots and those of the other enviers of the Spanish greatness would be cancelled and the King of France his arbitrement which the French boasted they had introduced in the affaiâ—…s of Italy and excluded that of Spain would â—…ave proved vain being probably moved thereunto out of these ends he began to propound mâ—…ny difficulties touching the Dukes demands more relating to tâ—…e Kings dignity then to the peace of present affairs preâ—…ending that it was not express'd in the now Capitulations of peace that the King should disarm that the Swissers were dismist and the Auxiliary Forces of tâ—…e Italian Princes and that the remainder weâ—…e so much lessened by running away and by death as there were scarcely enough left for the Garrisons of the State of Millain which was not limited by the Capitula ions And finally that the Duke had not fully disarmed who was to observe â—…ll the other Articles anticipately but the commotions begun at the same time in other parts of Italy between the Emperour and the Archduke of Grats in one part and by the Venetians in another afforded him more reason of justifying his designs For the Kings Agent holding for certain that the Commonwealth had made War upon those Princes out of a desire to bereave the house of Austria of many Towns which it possesseth in Friuli and of the Havens of Istria and Dalmatia they thought themselves bound to maintain them not only for that the Arckduke was brother to their Queen and of the Kings family but for that by their possession of those Havens they did for ever shut up the entrance from any German succours which upon occasion might be sent into the Kingdom of Naples Wherefore because whilst there was War in Italy it neither became the dignâ—…ty nor the safety of the Kings affairs that they his Ministers should be unarmed idly expecting the event of those differences wherein the King was so much concerned the Governour adding this no less just as he termed it then necessary reason to the rest and therewithall refusing the Dukes demands alledged that such accidents had hapned as forced him to keep more strongly armed nor that there could be any pretence made but that the King might lawfully re-arm upon new occasions though he had been bound by those Capitulations to disarm By the inâ—…erposition of these dissiculties together with his rigorous and threaâ—…ing proceedings with the Duke he hoped that by making the Duke despair of reaping his pretended fruit by those Capitulations whereby he might boast that he had once been able to make the King lay down Arms he might easily make him bethink himself of new resolutions This the Governours hope was likewise confirmed by the occâ—…sions and present conjuncture of times which seemed to make very much for him At this very nick of time was the consignation of the Roâ—…al married Couple made by the two Kings with a glorious and splendid attendance upon the Confines of their adjoyning Kingdoms and therefore their Union being established by such pledges he thought that the King of France and the Queen Regenâ—… by whom and according to whose pleasure the Kingdom was then Governed that they might gratifie the King and Court of Spain towards whom the Queen seemed to be very well inclined would no longer stand so much upon the alteration or observation of the Treaty of Asti especially since â—…e knew it had happened partly by sinisteâ—… inâ—…entions partly by the negligence of the State-Ministers in Italy beyond the chief appointment made in Spain with that King by the Commendator Sillery and beyond their intentions who pretended nothing from the King of Spain but the Dukes safety but still joyned with the same Kings Dignity whose Authority they had not the lâ—…ast drift to diminish nay if they had been otherwise minded it would not have been easie to have made good the Dukes Affairs since France was then in greater combustions than ever and fuller of new broyls and intestine discords raised by the Prince of Conde the neerest Prince of the Blood next to the laâ—…e King Henries line and by many other Princes and Barons of the Kingdom who being much unsatisfied with the Kings Match and with the so strong union between those two Crowns since they saw they could no longer hinder it made head under pretence of reforming the Government with great Forces and attendance of the Nobles against the King as he returned with his Wife and Mother to Paris so as the necessity which their Majesties had of keeping united to the Crown of Spain that they might thereby the better fence themselves against the Civill Insurrections of the Kingdom being added to their own good will made them the less able to mind the Affairs of Piedmont Moreover the Duke of Savoy being but badly satisfied with the King and Queen of France by reason of their denial to assist him upon the late occasion and by their intimating War unto him just then when by the diminution of the Spanish Army before Astiâ—…e â—…e thought himself sure of Victory Conde and the other Princes that were tacitely united thought him a fitting means to disturbe together with them that union of the two Crowns which was contrary to his ends which he had already endeavoured and had disbursed moneys largely to such as having a hand in the business might trouble those Marriages so as being still able to do so their Majesties had little reason to look upon his Affairs with a favourable eye The Governour therefore thinking he might lay a good ground-work for his designs in ordering that King and the Affairs of that Court â—…e doubted not but that his Reasons for not disarming effectually represented in that Court by Don Hectore Pignatello Duke di Montelione Embassadour for the Catholick King at Paris and a great Confident of Don Pietro's by reason of the neer alliance that was between tâ—…em might be accepted of as lawfull and consequently the opposition of that Crown being taken away he was sure that the Duke being destitute of such a leaning stock and his Forces being consequently lessened might be put upon great necessities and that submitting himself to the Kings pleasure he would agree to any thing without talking any longer of Asti or of the Capitulations made there The Duke then understanding at last that the Governour desired one might be sent unto him with whom he might treat touching the Common occurrences gave order to Count Iohn Battista Soleri who upon other occasions was destined Embassadour to Venice that pssiang by Millain he should hear what should be said unto him
of water The like did those of a certain Fort called la Trinita built by the Austrians a little higher to these happy successes was added the taking of Fara a small Castle between Luciniso and Gradisca which being plaied upon by the Cannon yielded upon Articles and Baglione a valiant Colonel was sorely wounded before it Thus did the affairs of the Venetians alter in Friuli but they were not idle the mean while in Istria and Dalmatia for Marcho Loredano Commissary in those parts and Benedetto da Leze Commissary of Horse as they scoured the Country met with several incounters wherein having the better they took many prisoners and slew many and some Galleys going to Antignana after having plaid upon it long they took it upon Articles and aâ—…erwards scouring along the Coast of Pessino they put it to fire and sword and Iovanni Iacomo Zane Commissary of Dalmatia went to before Segna but for want of provision durst not attempt it but turning to Mosconizza after having plaid upon it two days took it Berses upon the bank of the River and the Fort of Sirissa over against the Island Pago through the Garrisons discord fell also into the Venetians hands But not long after the Austrians being become masters of the field in those parts by the multitude of men that came in to assist them they ran all over with much terror burning and ruinating all the Country and the Venetians Subjects the affairs of which States began sore to go less in reputation all mens eyes being bent upon Lombardy where the war grew hotter between the Governour of Millain and the Duke The Duke as hath been said was entred into private consederacy with the Venetians in whose name publickly but privately for the service of the Duke of Savoy a Regiment of 4000 Foot was raised in France by the Marquess of Castiglione besides many others who flock'd in threves into Piedmont The Duke had also made his complaints in that Court of the difficulties interposed by the Goveâ—…nour in the performance of the Treaty and though the Reasons wherewith he strove to imprint in that Nation the necessity which they had for the Kings honour to make the Articles be observed prevailed but little with the King and Queen who were not to be removed from their friendship with Spain yet having made great impression in the Prince of Conde and in the other Colleagues they afforded them more occasion efficaciously to demand the Reformation which they pretended unto of the Kingdom openly complaining that the Queen Mother by reason of her secret intelligence held with the Court of Spain and the chief Officers and State-Ministers of the Kingdom for the great advantage they got in that Court and that they might not withstand the Queens authority did wink at and did not value the Kingdoms saâ—…ety nor the honour of the King who by reason of his years was incapable of knowing how much the sustaining of Piedmont concerned the safety of that Court Wherefore these having sent Monsieur d' Orfe to Piedmont to the end that his assisting the Duke in the name of the Confederates he might incourage him and give him reputation they also made open demonstration in France that they would savour the Dukes affairs by all the means they might But in effect their whole ends tended to bring about their own interests whereunto the union of the two Crowns being contrary they found no better means to break it then by pressing the affairs of Piedmont and that the King of Spain being busied in Italy might be less able to assist their King and yet the King and Queen were it either to take away this occasion of complaint from the Princes or that they had a real value for the observance of the Treaty the execution whereof they never had forborn to indeavour though in a moderate manner as becomes Princes really united they always found the Court of Spain veâ—…y ready to allow of the Dukes disarming as legitimate and forward to order the Governour that disbanding his Army he might readily and without difficulty or delay observe the residue of the Treaty not so much for that the peace of Italy was there desired as for that the Duke of Lerma who was interested in Inoioso's defence and thinking that according to the custom of Courts he was bound to make good his actions would that all exceptions being laid aside the peace of Asti should by all means be executed and made good But were it either that those orders were not over precise or were peradventure so express'd as that they left a power in the Governour to do therein according to the condition of the present times and occurrences or that the Duke thought he could not execute them in consideration of the new accidents and preparations for war as well on the Dukes behalf as on the Venetians or else as some would have it that he had so involved himself in the thought thereof or had ingaged himself so deeply that the Duke should by his means be brought to humble himself to the King and that the Capitulations of Asti should be cancelled as that he thought he could not in honour do less he did not much care to see them performed many were of opinion that as the aforesaid orders proceeded not from the Kings nor his Councils mind but from the Duke of Lerma's meer will whose excessive authority grown odious to the Grandees of Spain began to decline as hath been said aâ—…er the success of Piedmont so were they not punctually observed nor much valued by Don Pietro for he thinking that the Grandezza and Majesty of the Crown lay now upon his Shoulders which he thought had not been very carefully sustained by the Duke of Lerma out of private respects was not well pleased that Lerma preferring his own affairs before those of others unless it were Inâ—…iosa's whom he detested should abandon the publick cause which he professing himself to be very zealous of was ready to repair wherefore not openly gainsaying the Kings commands but execusing himself upon the Venetians new occasions upon the Dukes new commotions and upon the strange pretentions of the French he did as it were by force draw the Court to incline to his opinion Hereunto was added that he not being able to per swade himself but that the past disorders had been occasioned through his predecessours fault and tacite Collusion he took it for granted that when the Duke should see himself assaulted by a powerful Army commanded by himself who proceeded really and would assault Piedmont with all the true rules and rigour of war should out of excessive fear yield and humble himself unto the King he therefore being big with vast conceits promised by Letters written to the Court that he would bring him under without almost once unsheathing his sword and without breaking the peace of Italy by his demonstrations only and by his preparations and that undoubtedly he would repair the publick dignity
withstand him in the field nor to defend those places And not long after Don Sanchio di Luna took Gattinara and other neighbouring places with the men of Millain and block'd up the passage to Vercelli on that side which City being invironed by the Territories of Montferrat and Millain and being streightned by the Garrisons of the new Fort of Sandovalle Trino St. Germano and Gattinara was as it were besieged A Gally was also parted from Genoa toward Monaco with monies for Monsieur di Boglio a Lord of many Castles between the Confines of Nice and Provence who having always formerly adhered to the Dukes of Savoy began upon some new distastes to waver in his former friendship and having at present entertained new intelligence with the Governour promised to infest the Dukes Territories on that side who the affairs of Savoy not being yet composed had his Dominions molested on five sides himself being absolutely routed in the field and having lost most of his men And that these so sad accidents might be accompanied with very sad circumstances the Prince of Conde who was the only prop and stay of the Dukes affairs was some few days before by order fromthe King accused to be guilty of high Treason and imprisoned in Paris so as the Government of that Court being altered wherein the Duke did confide and the Princes of the Kingdom who were his friends being alienated from the King they raised men to provide for their own affairs and filling France with civil wars they could not only not succour the Duke in this his so great distress but many of them who were come from France desired leave to be gone being drawn either by their own interests or for that they hoped for better entertainment there The common opinion was That the Duke being thus prosecuted by Fortune would not be able to bear it and less able to withstâ—…nd so great a violence and that therefore being dejected in mind and out of hope of ever making head again he would lay down Arms and indeavour some kind of peace And yet though over-laid not overcome with such an accumulation of evils and so great adversity he with a couragious mind was not daunted nor dismaid amidst so mâ—…ny misfortunes For relying upon the Forts of Vercelli Asti and Nice the chief Keys of hâ—…s Dukedom he little valued what Mortara Luna or Boglio could do against his lesser Holds which being lost by war would be recoveâ—…ed by peace So as he began forthwith to make new Rampiers and Bulwarks about Crescentino But on the other side holding it necessary to allay that fortune by industry and by cunning to lull those Forces asleep which he could not possibly then withstand he procured Monsieur Lodovisio who of an Archbishop was then made Cardinal and continued in the same Nuntiature and the French Embassadour should go to the Governour and treat of peace He sent along with these some discreet Gentlemen and Officers as followers of the Embassadour to the end that they might pry into the enemies ways and into the Commanders intentions And also that making the Rout to seem greater by their speeches they might cunningly make it be believed that the war was at an end and that the Duke not being able to resist any longer was reduced to such a condition as he could no longer refuse any conditions of peace which he knew the Governour would imbrace more willingly then war But there needed not so much cunning for Don Pietro di Toledo who was already weary of war and heard nothing but the noise of Drums and Trumpets and was therefore desirous of repose wanted not those who either for that they thought it made for the Kings service or as it was afterwards laid to their charge at Court out of secret intelligence held with the Duke advised the Governour to use his victory moderately telling him That the French were overcome and the Duke so weakened as he could no longer hold up his head so as he must be forced to consent to any whatsoever conditions That therefore he ought to proceed very warily in hazzarding the affairs of the Crown in Italy if by unseasonable prosecuting the war he should once more draw the French over and make a change in the minds of the Princes of Italy who though they might be content to see the Duke receive a blow yet not being able to see him totally ruined it was to be believed they would easily resent it That as the Dukes suppression increased the envy hatred and jealousies of other Princes would increase That therefore it was a wise advice To be content with an indifferent Victory and not to lose what was already gotten out of a desire of getting more That he had been sufficiently victorious in so short a time sufficiently triumphant and that now there remained no more for him to do then answerably to the Kings mind to secure peace upon such conditions as might be tolerable to the Duke The Prince of Ascoli was tâ—…e chief nay only Authour of this a fatal Counsellor that the Duke being reduced to great extremities might have opportunity to raise himself up again This Prince being till then much suspected by the Governour for the power and streight intelligence he had formerly had with Inoiosa by these his flattering speeches got into great power with the Governour and his counsel was afterwards the more credited by the Cardinâ—…ls and Embassadours coming to the Camp and by the speecâ—…es spred abroad in the Army by the Dukes Spies Wherefore the Governour being tickled to hear himself stiled Triumphant and Conquerour would no longer listen to Vives his counsel nor that of others who weighing the state of affairs better and the Dukes condition thought it necessary to pursue the victory and not to afford the Enemy time to breathe they told him that a good war was the best way to come by a good peace but all this was to no purpose The Cardinal and the Embassadour came to Don Piedro at Tricerro and desired him that he would let them know his intention touching the composing of the present affairs Don Piedro in a haughty manner like a Conquerer answered that they were to discover what the Duke was minded to do and then to acquaint him with it they therefore returned to Crescentino and from thence to Chivasso whither the Duke having found the Governours inclination to an agreement was come under pretence of well considering the state of affairs he spun out the Treaty at length to the end that he might the mean while find where that storm would fall and that he might have the longer time to discover the proceedings of such Princes as were his friends in whom the remainder of his hopes lay for about this time Monsieur de Verdon was come to him from France being sent by the King and Queen of France to acquaint him with the Prince of Conde's imprisonment and perhaps to keep him their friend in this so
Haven at Genoa for any sudden or urgent occasion that may arise which makes very much for the good of the affairs of that Crown by reason of the opportune situation of Genoa which being seated between the Kingdoms of Spain and of those oâ—… Naples and Sicily and being also the Staple to the State of Millain is very convenient for the uniting and preservation of States and Provinces divided so far one from another On the other side the same friendship and good correspondency is a great security and help for the Staâ—…e of Genoa for the singular care which those Kings are forced to have of her preservation not only by the tye of extraordinary Friendship but out of private Interest so as the Commonwealth may with good reason suppose all the Forces and Fleets of that Crown to be always ready to defend her against whosoever shall plot any thing to the prejudice of her or her Liberty he gave the beginning to this so neer conjunction who being the first author of the Commonwealths Liberty deserves to be by her stiled the Father and Free of his Country and fellow Citizens Prince Andrea Doria the best Captain in Sea affair of any in his time and reputed the best for Maritime Forces and experience for Military Valour and happy success wherein the compassion of his afflicted Countries misery prevailing more with him then the great offers and afterwards the anger of the King of France forsaking not without great danger to his own Fortune the French offers and stipends he went over to serve the Emperour Charles the Fifth King of Spain and hoping much in this new conjunction he betook himself with incredible courage and generosity to so glorious an action wherein being very fortunate he proved not only an unexpected safety to his Country which driving out the French he restored to happy and miraculous liberty but gave a great turn to all the affairs of Italy for the fortune of the French which had then the upper hand and was almost victorious began then to decline and that of the Emperour which was then at an ebb began to be raised up for the French mens losing the State of Genoa was immediately followed by their loss of the Kingdom of Naples whereof they were almost fully possessed and being by Dorias resolution robbed of all their best and greatest Maritime Forces and by the revolution of the affairs of Genoa deprived of the opportunity of being succoured by Sea they fell upon sad incounters and not being able to hold out longer were at last forced to abandon the enterprise to the Imperialists who getting to within the walls of Naples the French did not only badly defend the free possession of that Kingdom but lost all hopes of ever regaining it The King of France his enterpriprises in Lombardy and in Piedmont had no better success both then and afterwards Where the conveniency of the State of Genoa being afforded to the Emperour and deny'd to the French was of great moment for the Emperours victory and for the ruine of the French forces insomuch as the French being utterly ruined and the Emperour superiour to all and able to give the Law he built up that grandezza of Fortune to himself and posterity which he injoyed whilst he liveâ—… and which his descendents the Kings of Spain do at the present injoy Doria's name grew very glorious every where for such egregious actions and his Authority was very great in the Commonwealth of Genoa for her re-gained Liberty and his Power was no less great with the Emperour who esteeming it not only a great happiness to have so famous a Commander under his pay and of such valour and experience in Naval Affairs but thinking him also a fit Instrument to make the City and State of Genoa side with him a thing of great imporâ—…ance to his affairs he studied still to keep him his Friend by conferring great Rewards upon him and unusual Honours He therefore made him Lord High Admiral at Sea and seldom dissented from his advice which he valued very much in Land Enterprises And as Doria's power with the Emperour rendred the liberty of the Genoeâ—…es free from being disturbed by so great an Authority as some of the free Cities of Italy were so his authority with his Fellow-Citizens was sufficient to keep the Genoeses constant in their devotion to the Emperour which was the more easily effected for that the affairs of Italy being divided into two Factions the one adhering to the French the other to the Emperour the prevalency of the latter was very opportune and necessary to the Commonwealth to preserve her from the evident danger of being the more opprest by the former the French being the more incens'd against the Genoeses for the great prejudice they had received by their revolution Doria out-lived the Emperour some few years and continuing in the same Employments and Honours under Philip the Second King of Spain and Son to the Emperour he was succeeded by Iohn Andrea Doria Heir not only to his Principality States and Maritime Fortune but also to his Heroick Virtue and singular Piety towards his Countrey who after having served the Crown of Spain in places of great Employment and given good proof of his Valour and Counsel upon all occasions and having kept great sway with his Fellow-Citizens was of no less authority in the Court of Spain in so much as he was preferr'd by Philip the Second in command at Sea before many Competitors and famous Captains of Illustrious Families and discharged the Office of Lord High-Admiral with splendour and magnificence answerable to the authority And as he was a great help and very serviceable to the keeping of the same correspondency between the Crown of Spain and the Commonwealth so was he a no little supporter of his Countreys Liberty in the jealous and troublesome times which did sometimes happen and as the former was honoured by the publick Decree of the Commonwealth with the title of Father and Freer of his Countrey so was he by the like Decree honoured with the title of Conservator of the Liberty thereof After his death for the chief Command at Sea was reserved for the Princes of the Blood Royal his third Son Don Carlo Doria succeeded in the Government of those Gallies which the King of Spain keeps in Genoa for his eldest son being by reason of his private indispositions unfit for Navigation as also his second son Giannettino by reason of his Priesthood he being at the present a Cardinal Archbishop of Palermo and Viceroy of Sicily Which Don Carlo as also Cardinal Giannettino treading in their Forefathers steps proved very advantagious in the service of that Crown to their Countrey and to themselves At the same time almost that the supreme Command at Sea ceased in the Dorian Family new and extraordinary worth arose in the Family of the Spinolas a House of great Alliance and Wealth in the Commonwealth whose worths fomented the same
good correspondency Marquess Ambrosio Spinola and his Brother Frederick both of them being young men and very rich emulating as well the glory and splendour as the virtue and worth of the Dorii and not knowing any more Illustrious Theatre then the Wars made by the Kings of Spain in the Low-Countries against the Hollanders and the United Provinces for the maintaining of Religion and Regal Authority they both of them offer'd to enter upon that warfare upon their own expence the youngest to serve with a certain number of Gallies in the Flemish Ocean and the eldest in Land-service with a great number of men But Frederick being slain in a Naval Battle almost in the beginning of the War could not arrive at that height of Glory which the Marquess his Brother did in a few years who being a great Commander of Armies almost before he was a Souldier and far out-doing the expectation of men most exercised in Military Affairs became in a short time the best Commander of this present age and having the superintendency and absolute management of those Wars given him by the King of Spain he did not only stop but suppress the Fortune of the Enemy which like an impetuous Torrent was like to drown the Kings Authority and the Catholick Religion in those parts Moreover he carried the Spanish Forces into Germany where he did singular good service took many entire Provinces and was as hath been elsewhere saâ—…d a great help to the affairs of Religion and of the then tottering Empire His counsel in civil matters was answerable to his Military Valour for which being admired and reverenced by all Europe he bare also a great sway in the important resolutions of the Court of Spain Thus the Fleets at Sea Armies at Land the most considerable Employments of that Crown having for the most part past through the hands of the Genoeses for almost a whole Age and these drawing over other of their Fellow-Subjects to the Kings service and using them in many useful and honourable Employments appertaining to their Governments it necessarily followed that so much confidence being put by the King in the chiefest Subjects of the Commonwealth and such Honours and Employments conferr'd upon others united the whole Commonwealth of Genoa for ever firm to that Crown Moreover the Squadron of the Kings Gallies which was kept in Genoa were generally commanded by Genoese Captains and served with Officers and Mariners of the same Nation who did not only maintain their houses and families by the Kings pay and by the great emoluments which they got by navigation but did augment their own fortunes This Squadron of Galleys were therefore a great good to the King and to the Commonwealth to the King for that to boot with the conveniency of that Haven which was so fitting for the King of Spain and for his Dominions in Italy it encreased the number of his adherents in Genoa for the Common-wealth for besides the entertaining and employment of so many of her Captains and Citizens and to boot with the advantage of Traffique and Treasure it was of great use to train up her people in maritime skill which Art could not well have been preserved amongst them but upon this occasion and those Galleys being commanded and managed by the Genoeses the Common-wealth had conveniency to make use of them as if they had been her own upon any occasion of her own safety and defence without any the least jealousie for these being added to her own made up almost a compleat Fleet able to oppose the assaults of any enemy but chiefly for that this being one of the best Squadrons of Gallies the Crown of Spain had and being in the power of the Genoeses it must needs be a good pledg of the Kings good will to the Common-wealth The Commeâ—…ce also which the Genoese Mariners have usually in the Kingdoms of Spain Naples Sicily and Sardinia and the Traffique which is very great in the State of Millian and in Flanders doth imploy great part of the meaner sort of the City and State of Genoa who by natural inclination and by reason of the barrenness of their Country are given to Negotiation both by Land and Sea so as there are but very few who for their own peculiar concernments are not very desirous of the prosperity of that Crown But the Contracts or Covenants of the richest and ablest Gentlemen of the Commonwealth doth interest the Genoese Nation with the Crown of Spain the most famous and important contract and of greater concernment for the affairs of Crown then any other which we reade of or have heard The King to keep and maintain his Armies in Flanders Germany and Italy and for maintenance of his Fleet in the Ocean and in the Mediterranean is forced to make many expeditions and send provisions sometimes to one part sometimes to another the Kings Exchequer had not alwaies ready money or in case it had moneys could not with safety and speed be conveyed into those parts where they were to be serviceable but they must either be intercepted by the Enemy or sunk at Sea or come too late to where they were destined which would cause the ruine of the Kings Enterprises and Armies The Genoese Merchants by the great affluence of their riches credit and corespondency which they held in all parts of Europe did abundantly and beforehand supply what was necessary so as in humane bodies the soul and natural heat send forth and supply all the members with necessary nourishment just so in the immense body of so great a Monarchy the Pen of the Genoese as the soul and vital spirit of the King of Spain's Treasure serves the King to convey ready moneys happily safely and speedily whithersoever it is needfull with reciprocal profit and conveniency for the King by making his provisions in good time and speedily secures his Enterprizes wins honour to his Arms by victory and defends his Dominions and the Genoeses get vast gain by the employment of their moneys whereby their private fortunes do exceed that of all other Nations for which advance of moneys they are paid by the King in annual Revenues out of the States and Kingdoms belonging to the Crown as well in Spain as in Italy therefore as this contract is necessary for the main affairs of that King it obligeâ—… him to have a care of the Commonwealth for without the preservation thereof the contract is impossible to be made good and so great a stock of moneys of the Genoeses being imploied in the Kingdoms belonging to that Crown serves the King as a pledge of their good will These are the Ties these are the Bonds of Friendship and conjunction between the Crown of Spain and Commonwealth of Genoa which being confirm'd by process of time and by so many trials grow daily stronger not only for the interests which multiply continually but for the trust and confidence which doth also multiply by the course of years the Kings of
and since he saw he could hope for none from Spain by reason of the Courts great aversion thereunto and for that the Fleet which was gone to recover Brasile had carried away 10000 men from those Kingdoms and that Marquess Spinola who was imploied before Breda did rather want then abound in men and that for the aforesaid respects he could not ground much upon the Kingdom of Naples he betook himself to Germany where without expecting any order from the King he gave out Commissions for making great levies of Germans Besides because he could not expect provisions of moneys from Spain and that the State of Millain was so exhausted as it could not furnish him with any he applied himself to the Genoeses nor was his application in vain for some of the richest Gentlemen of Genoa and who did most study the interests of that Crown seeing how much the welfare of the Commonwealth was concern'd in the preservation of the State of Millain furnish'd him immediately upon his â—…are obligation with between three and four hundred thousand Ducates by which he was inabled to disburse the first payments and to raise four Dutch Regiments consisting of 4000 Foot apiece he believed that the Confederates intended their first blow against the Valtoline because he understood the preparations were in greatest readiness in those parts all the provisions of the Counties of Bergamo and Brossia were brought into Vâ—…lcomonica which confines upon the Valtoline The Marquess of Coure had already raised two Regiments of Swissers and one of Vallesani besides two others which were come to him together with 600 Horse from France through the Country of Berne much Victuals and Ammunition was sent him from the Country of Bressâ—… by the Rivers and Lakes of Helvetia so as not being able to conceal that any longer which was apparent to all mens eyes Feria sent often Messengers on purpose to advertise the Marquess of Bagni of every particular he being the head of the Ecclesiasticks in the Valtoline which Messengers being experienced in affairs of war and known in Fortifications might visite those Forts and might see whether they wanted any thing or no and who might offer Bagni Forces to re-inforce his Garrisons and to withstand the approaching assault but Bagni still refused his offers alledging that he had no orders from the Pope to receive nor to introduce any Garrisons of Forreign Princes into his Forts and the Pope did refuse it as well as he whom the Duke of Pastrana Spanish Embassadour at Rome did very much press thereunto in the name of the King and of Feria giving him a particular account of the danger the Valtoline was in of being assaulted by the Consederate Forces The occasiâ—…n of this râ—…fusal appeared plainly to be because the Pope as also the Court of Spain trusting in the express and clear promises of the French that â—…ey would bear all respect to the Forts which were guarded by the Ecclesiasticks and that the Kings Forces would never commit any hostility against the Ensigns of the holy Chuch did not apprehend the fears which were thought to be very remote and idle and therefore being unwilling to beget diffidence and distrust in either of the Kings he added that the succours which were offer'd were superfluous and dangerous lest they might draw humours to that wound which they endeavoured to heal by succours for he said it was probable that the French would take pretence to assault the Forts of the Valtoline from the entring of the Spanish succours thereinto and would turn those Forces against them which they profess'd were intended elsewhere and that they would assault them not as deposited in the Popes hands but as assigned over by him contrary to the agreement of the Deposition to the Spaniards so as esteeming the remedy a mischief he thought the Articles of the Depositure and the Majesty of the Popes name and Ensigns to be a surer defence and a fitter means to remove new occasions of war then the Auxiliary Arms of that Crown he therefore did so far persist in his constant refusal as the many and pregnant evidences which were laid before him by the Spanish Agents that the French preparations were intended against the Valtoline were always by him repuls'd as imaginary jealousies vain rumours and as subâ—…le Spanish inventions Thus did the Pope carry himself in these and in other Commotions which not long after happened against the State of Genoa for a great many Souldiers being already pass'd from France into Piedmont where the Constable was already arrived and the Duke of Savoy making also great preparations for war out of his immense hatred against the Genoeses the Commonwealth had recourse to the Pope that he would intercede with the Duke and that he would assist them with some men in this so great and so neer at hand danger but all these endeavours and applications were to no purpose for the Pope constant to his resolution of Neutrality would not grant her any succour only to shew himself desirous of her preservation he proposed a League between him and the great Duke for the defence of the States in common which Proposition the Genoeses took to be either a kind of honourable denial of their request or an endeavouring to separate the Commonwealth from the Crown of Spain to the prejudice of that conjunction which if ever at any time was now necessary for them and from whence they might promise themselves more potent certain and undoubted aid then from any other Prince or Potentate and thereby to draw her insensibly into a League with the contrary parties which were chiefly ill minded towards her for there being but little correspondency then between the Pope and the King of Spain and on the contrary much distrust the Commonwealth could not joyn in League with o her Princes and particularly with the Pope without offending the King of Spain and without injurying the good will correspondency and the weighty interests of the common affairs nor could she without danger to her self separate her self from the union of that Crown which she had found to be so certain for the space of so many years so advantagious honourable and faithful which Crown were it only for the necessity of her own interests was forced to sustain her with all her power so to cast her self into the arms of the Confederate Princes who so vehemently conspired her ruine and yet the Commonwealth trying the Pope as it were with the like cunning answered that they would willingly accept of the Confederacy if the King of Spain were therein comprehended which the Pope not giving way unto for it would be an apparent parting from his profess'd neutrality and a drawing the enmity of the King of France and of the other Confederates upon him the Commonwealth was therefore not to hope for any assistance from the Pope for 1000 Foot being at the same time desired of him by the Commonwealth and by the great Duke who had but little
business might be put over to the Law and given out writings and published the opinions of Civilians in Print whereby he strove to prove there was no reason why he should be forced to forgo his Dominions without the cause given why and afterward having complained very much why the like commands had not been sent to the Duke of Savoy and to the Governour of Millain who had actually and by violence possess'd themselves of part of his Dominions and still proceeded to possess themselves of the rest they came to the third Summons wherein Cesar declared that if Nevers would put what he possess'd into his hands the Duke of Savoy and the Governour of Millain should do the like with what they had taken of his Nevers seemed to accept of this offer and to this purpose he sent his Son the Duke of Retell to Cesars Court that he might expedite the dispatch of the business by favour of the Empress who was Sister to the three last Dukes of Mantua and did wish well to Nevers his cause to whom she was neerly allied in blood but being come thither he found that Cesar perceiving that neither the Duke nor Spaniards would be brought to make any restitution and it was hard for him to compel them to it had mitigated the Edict and accommodating himself to the times had made a new Proposal by which the Duke of Savoy and the Spaniards were permitted in Cesars name to keep what they had taken and the Duke of Nevers was to possess the City and entire Dukedom of Mantua so as the Dutch who were to be sent by the Emperour into Italy might have the City Castle and Citadel of Casalle assigned over unto them till cause to the contrary was known Retell not being able to get better conditions and not being received nor acknowledged by the Emperour as Prince of Mantua by reason of the Spaniards earnest desire to the contrary lest by such a Declaration his pretentions might not seem to be tacitely granted and the Kings cause in Montferrat might in the eyes of the world seem to be damnified he departed but ill satisfied from that Court and the new Proposals were not accepted of by his Father whose fear of the Emperours Edicts were lessened by the weakness of the Spanish Army and the King of France his prosperous proceedings made him believe more in the favour and forces of that Kingdom then in the Imperial Dâ—…crees or Decisions In these Negotiations and Transactions the year 1628 ended and the King of France having at last compass'd his ends upon Rochel whereinto he entred victorious and triumphing on All Saints day he prepared to pass over the Mountains with gallant Forces to assist the Duke of Nevers for the Hugonots of France having received a great blow by the loss of Rochel and the Affairs of France being almost perfectly setled nothing was heard of in that Kingdom but preparations for Italy which being divided into two Armies the one was to pass through Dolpheny and Syonois to the relief of Montferrat and the King prepared to pass over the Mountains personally therein and the other was to advance by the County of Nizza and by the River of Genoa towards Casalle the Spaniards nor the Duke of Savoy could not believe so strange a resolution they thought it was impossible that the King having his Kingdom yet full of troubles and exhausted of moneys his Army being weary and wasted before Rochel could pass over the Alps in the midst of Winter with great forces and carry over Victuals Artillery and other necessaries for so great an action the Alps being yet loaded with Snow Especially when he should know that he would be opposed by the Duke of Savoy who being joyn'd in Forces and Intelligence with the Spaniards was to resist him strongly at the Passes which he kept well garrison'd and munited hoping therefore that the fame of these great preparations would prove but talk they continued the Siege the scarcity of Victuals increased this their confidence which scarcity being so great an impediment to their Forces who were masters and peaceful possessors of the State of Millain and of Piedmont it would assuredly prove a much greater hindrance to the French if they should come into Italy and have occasion to keep there for a great conduct of Victuals being requisite to feed so great an Army it would be impossible for the French to compass it and consequently the greater their numbers were which should pass the Alps the easilier and the sooner they would be overcome meerly by Famine they therefore thought that this sole consideration should not only retarde but retain the fury of the French Forces at least for this year and that in the mean while the enterprise of Cassalle undisturb'd by any Forreign assistance would be happily effected The Court of Spain confiding in these difficulties did not only not make any necessary preparations for defence but forbore to send the Duke the succours which they had promised for the maintaining of Piedmont and to oppose the French Forces they forbare also to endeavour diversion by the Pirenean Mountains and by Burgony and by secretly fomenting the Rebels in France so to keep that King in work and busied with his home affairs and consequently from medling with those of Forreigners the pretermission of which provisions did not only facilitate the resolution taken by the French but did incite them to it For the King being firm to his resolution valued not any of the difficulties or contrary considerations being confident to overcome them and to make his way by the Sword The fame of the mighty preparations of this Kingdom increasing greater then those of any of the preceding Kings the Spaniards and the Duke began at last to fear not only the success but whatsoever might be the result of so great and so neer an Army The Duke and Governour were likewise much troubled for not having for a long time heard from the Court of Spain for the Spaniards being jealous of France through which the expresses used to pass and the Sea not being open in Winter people could not without much difficulty pass from Spain into Italy and such had the ill fortune been as three several Posts that had been sent from Spain being driven by violent winds upon the Coast of Provence were detain'd and had their Letters intercepted so as the deliberations of Italy depending much upon the results of that Court the Duke and Governour knew not in such a perplexity of business what to do nor was it only the scarcity of moneys and want of advertisment which kept them from making any provision but neither had they time to make new Levies of men for the necessary defence of the State of Millain and for the Provisions for the Army before Cassalle and for the Forces which were towards the Cremonese and which were already much diminished it was therefore thought the best expedient to beat up Drums in the State of
were therein comprehended they resolved to return to the Camp and have it cleared by the General who being interrogated thereupon it is not known whether as being terrified thereat and repenting what he had done he imbraced the occasion which might make for his justification or whether continuing in his first design of bringing the business to that good end for which he profess'd he had moved it he freely answered that the Swedes were to be prosecuted with the common forces and exâ—…irpated as disturbers of the publick peace of Germany and he was so resolute in this point as no reason which could be alledged to the contrary being able to alter his determination and Arnheim and his companions consenting by no means that the Swedes should be driven out the Capitulations were cancel'd and the Treaty of Agreement was at the same time almost concluded and broken yet the Capitulation was so detestable as all men were generally much scandalized with it the rather for that Wallestein strove not to regain his credit afterwards by contrary actions nor to cancel the sinister opinions which he had thereby purchased but as if he scorned the vulgar opinion giving them new colours he did consolidate them more and more till in time they proved pernicious to him The Capitulations being broken Wallestein sent part of his Forces to assault Saxony which made the Duke thereof recall his men from Slesia to defend himself Arnheim immediately after he had received his Princes Orders marched with his Army towards Saxony leaving a Garrison in Slesia under the old Count de Toure a chief Lord of Bohemia whose authority was so great in the Diets of that Kingdom as the Palatine acknowledged his promotion to that Crown from thence which made the Count be declared a Rebell by the Emperour Arnheim also left Colonel Tubal one of the chieâ—…est of the Swedish Commanders to accompany the Count. Wallestein kept behind Arnheim having also left as many men in Slesia as Arnheim had done but when he saw Arnheim so far advanced as he could not return to succour the Count in Slesia he faced about and returning speedily to Slesia he came thither just then when his men were ready to fight the enemy and he did so surround the enemy as he took the Count and Colonel Prisoners and gave life and liberty to all the other Souldiers and Officers upon condition that they would march into the Emperours quarters and joyn themselves to the Cesarean Army but the Colonel finding a means quickly how to escape made men suspect that Wallestein had underhand given him his liberty as he had openly given him his life The Count having bargained for his own liberty delivered up the Towns in Slesia which were yet in his power and those of least consequence being delivered up the Duâ—…mo di 〈◊〉 which was the chiefest and which commanded all the Province and which by agreement was to be delivered up held out so as the Counts presence being requisite for the surrender thereof he was set at liberty upon condition that he should return prisoner if the Duâ—…mo were not effectually delivered up which not being done and the Count not returning Fritland was still more blamed of collusion with both the prisoners and much more for that having sent so many of the enemies to the Emperours Army he was thought to have done it for that owing their lives to him they should upon all occasions depend upon him yet professing himself abused by the Count and breathing out nothing but revenge he went with his Army to Turingia and Lusatâ—… Provinces which belonged to the Emperour but were in the Duke of Saxony his possession and prosecuting his former designs he seemed resolved to make that Duke and the Marquess of Brandenberg make peace with the Emperour he therefore made much progress there took many Towns amongst others Franckfort upon the Odâ—…r and Lansperg in Marca di Brandenberg both of them great Cities and of much consequence whereby he made way for passing further into the march in the Country of Brandenberg and in Pomerania in which case if he should come to the Coasts of the Baltick Sea he would keep as he threatned to do the Swedes from being relieved from that Kingdom and from returning thereinto these threats accompanied by the multitude of his Forces and by his happy success did so terrifie those Electors as finding themselves unable to make resistance they press'd very eagerly for relief from the Confederates protesting that that if they were abandoned they must be forc'd to abandon the Common Cause and joyn with the Emperour Oxenstern and the other Heads of the League were divided in their judgements not knowing whether they were to abandon or to relieve those Princes for by abandoning them to boot with the great errour they should commit therein and to boot with the loss of reputation they foresaw the manifest ruine of their party and union On the contrary if they should relieve them they must quit all upper Germany to the Emperour so full of Cities and Towns upon the Rheine and the Danow which so much to their praise and encrease of Dominion they had won and from whence they got infinite contributions of Moneys Men Victuals and Munition which Towns and Territories being abandoned were necessarily to fall into the Emperours power if they should go to relieve Saxony and they should thereby infinitely weaken themselves and strengthen the Emperour so amidst these streights they pitch'd their thoughts upon Bavaria which A'dringer being gone into Alsatia was bereft of all defence and they held it their absolute best course to fall upon it with all the Forces they could assemble taking it for granted that when they should have won that Dukedom the way would be open for them to enter Austria and to come even to Vienna they were confident that by this noble and generous diversion without loss of honour or of any thing they had gotten nay by making yet much greater acquisitions they might bring that relief to the Electors which they could not do if they should go directly to their relief with all their Forces without manifest loss of honour and what they had gotten for the Emperour being assaulted in the midst of his Empire would be forced to recall his Army from offending the Electors to defend himself so as Fritlands cunning would be deluded and his counsels countermined wherewith he had fancied unto himself to destroy their League The success out-did the expectation of so noble and generous a resolution for Duke Weymer being deputed to execute it he with 50 Cornets of Horse and 15000 Foot took both sides of the Danow and coasting along came to Ratisbone where sitting down at unawares he after several batteries forc'd it to surrender within 12 days having gotten it he advanced and took Straubingen and dechendorfe great Towns upon the Rheine and with such gallant acquisitions advanc'd towards Austria so as the Court of Vienna was in
holding the State of Sienna in Fee from the Crown of Spain upon obligation to succour the State of Millain with a certain number of men he could not well joyn in Confederacy with other Princes against the said State and therefore soon after the war was begun upon the same Melo's going to him he entred into League with the Crown of Spain which was after establish'd by his Secretary Dominico Pandolfini and sworn unto in defence of that State and was bound to send the Brigade of Foot which he was to have sent to the State of Sienna and which was accordingly sent under the Marquess Camillo dal Monte and moreover he of his meer will and pleasure obliged himself to pay 4000 Swissers and to send 500 Horse which he soon did under the Marquess Ricciardi for which noble and generous action the King made Iovan Carlo Brother to the said Duke and who was afterwards Cardinal Supream General of all his Majesties Fleets in the Mediteranean the French therefore had no hopes of prevailing with that State They thought they might build more safely upon the State of Genca by reason of the displeasure which many of those Citizens at this time conceived from the Court of Spain by means whereof they thought they might divert that Common-wealth from that good corâ—…espondency which so many years had been held between her and the Crown of Spain so happily And that it may be known how this dissatisfaction hapned it will be necessary that repeating somewhat that hath already been touch'd we make a particular discourse thereupon the which may serve not so much to acquaint the present Age with what hath hapned in these our times as the future The Common-wealth had held for an undoubted Maxime of State that the King being concern'd in that State by reason of her negotiations with that Crown should stand for ever well affected to the liberty thereof And the King likewise out of the same considerations was of the same opinion that the Common-wealth should alwayes stand well affected to his Crown From this conformity of opinion did that perfect and affectionate correspondency result which made them never weary of assisting one another reciprocally and a whole Age of experienced happiness being past there was nothing done either by the Spaniards or Genoese whereâ—…n the dignity of that Crown and the preservation of the Common-wealths liberty was not joyntly intended The Genoese allowed the Kings of Spain to maintain a great number of Gallies in the Haven of Genoa whereby those Kings kept their Dominions in Italy joyn'd to their Kingdomes of Spain which were so far divided both by Sea and Land Passage was granted easily at the request of that Crown by the Genoese through their Common-wealth Those Kings made use of the Genoeses in their Affairs and Imployments of greatest importance trusting them with the supream command of their Fleets at Sea and of their Armies by Land being enlivened by this nearness and affiance the Genoese brought home all that by their industry and negotiation they had formerly gotten in several of the parts of the world into the States and Dominions belonging to that Crown And the richest and wealthiest of them having imployed their riches and fortunes in the service thereof were both a great help to the Spaniards and received much honour and advantage thereby By these mens industry those Kings turn'd all the Indian merchandize into Gold and they conveyed not only the Spaniards Gold but their own and the like of all Europe whither soever the occasions of that Crown required as oft as the treasures of America came not time enough or were not sufficient to supply them And all things went succesfully by reason of the credit and great correspondency which they had gotten in all the world by their real and punctual proceedings a most happy Age wherein nothing was contended for between so great a King and the Common-wealth but reciprocal zeal and passion how to serve each other The War made these late years by the Duke of Savoy wherein he was assisted by France against the Common-wealth added new and stricter tyes to this so great an union wherein the King having been very ready and zealous to defend and preserve the Common-wealth she found she had not placed her hopes of preservation formerly in vain in the union of that Crown for the Common-wealth finding her self abandoned in those necessities by all the Princes of Italy nay by the Pope himself not without apparent scandal she found no Arms ready to fence her self against so great a Tempest but those of Spain which coming in both by Sea and Land to her assistance the Common-wealth being assisted only by the Forces of Spain was able so to withstand the Assaulters as she had the better of the business by all which successes the King and all his friends might easily perceive that the joyning of the French Forces to those of Savoy against the Common-wealth was not only to resent the buying of Zuccharello but to bound the Austrian greatness and to begin the abasing thereof in the ruine of Genoa and that likewise the fall of that Common-wealth was not affected by the Rebublicks and chief Princes of Italy for any other end save only that holding her to be too cordially united to the interests of that Crown they thought they could not safely build upon her for those ends which they were intent upon which were to pull down the Spanish Grandezza the preheminency whereof they could not see and patiently suffer So as the ones security and the others greatness which were apparently practised against being joyned to the reciprocal advantagious bonds of such an union it seemed that no future chance could interrupt it But the felicity of this world is not so secure but that when it is come to the height it declines for the storm which troubled Genoa was not well over when on the sudden the so well grounded union was disturb'd and indangered it is hard to penetrate into the true and intrinsecal cause of this change of this Scene But the Spaniards thinking that they had merited exceeding much of the Genoese by the assistance which they had given them pretended mighty matters from them which not being granted neither by the publick nor by the private persons begot ill blood in them and particularly in the Conde Duca who was of a high spirit one who naturally abhor'd ancient customes inclined to novelties no wayes desirous to give satisfaction to such Princes as were friends to the Crown and chiefly not to the Genoese Neglecting therefore that good correspondency which Charles the fifth and Philip the second and the third had still endeavoured to preserve he began on the sudden and under colour of the emptiness of the Kings Exchequer to seiase upon their riches which by reason of their greatness being become odious in that Court were also esteemed hurtful and prejudicial as if they had been accumulated by wasting the Kings
French Garrison in thither and had done it had not Marquess Villa who was not perfectly recovered of his sickness been aware thereof and brought many of the Dukes Militia into the Town by which he seasonably prevented the Marshals designs This Dukes death was the occasion of great wars to Piedmont which we will leave to speak of till the next Book for we must now give over the affairs of Lombardy in the condition we have spoken of and looking a little backwards re-assume the proceedings at Sea which not to interrupt the Land affairs are of purpose treated of here About the time that the things which have been spoken of hapned on Land the Fleet at Sea which having put twice forth from the Haven at Naples could never light upon Provence fell at last upon the two Islands of St. Honorato anciently called Lerino and St. Margherita the latter being divided from the former by a narrow channel small Islands and almost uninhabited Count Monterei was the occasioner of this enterprise who having laboured the sending out of this Fleet twice and spent vast sums of money therein was loth that this enterprise which he esteemed as his own and from whence he hoped to reap great things should vanish away in smoak and seeing that the defence which was prepared in Provence and the lessening of the Fleet which was shatter'd by tempest made the enterprise unpossible to be effected as it was first designed he turned his force upon these two Islands The Marquess of Ferrendina did also co-operate herein who appearing in the Seas of Genoa with a Squadron of Spanish Gallies whereof he was Captain being well furnish'd with Souldiers he found the Marquess of San ' Croce with the Neapolitan Fleet in the Haven at Vai who had but few men aboard he having sent them as you have heard to before Valenza Ferrendina incited San ' Croce to joyn with him in taking of these Islands which when they should have taken they thought they might at least be able to hinder those of Provence from Trafficking by Sea and be ready for some greater enterprise as occasion should be offer'd About the midst of September San ' Croce Ferrandina and Don Carlo Doria Duke of Tursis went with 22 Gallies 5 Ships and some Shallops towards those Islands whither when they were come they landed their men the same day in the Island San ' Margherita as being the greatest and neerest the Continent and therefore apter to be relieved they without any withstanding became masters of it taking a small Fort which was all they found in it wherein were 50 Souldiers in Garrison who after having made some shot surrendred the Fort they went afterwards with their Gallies to batter a certain Tower called le Crocette which was newly built upon a point of the Continent so neer the Island as they plaid upon them with their Artillery from the shore over against them whereof they thought they might easily make themselves masters but the Tower resisting and many men coming to defend it they gave it over they then went to the Island St. Honorato where though they met with more resistance because there was there a greater Garrison and better Fortifications yet it was surrendred though it held out somewhat longer then St. Margherita there marched out of both these Islands about 400 Foot and the Viceroy of Naples receiving advertisement of all that was done abundance of victuals Munition Arms and Artillery and all things necessary to munite them and maintain them were sent from that Kingdom there was great fame at this time of Maritime preparations made by the King of France both in the Seas of Britanny and Provence to furnish out a powerful Fleet and to keep it in the Mediteranean not only to secure Provence from the Spanish Fleet but to resent himself upon the Kingdom of Naples for his offences intended against Provence it was therefore given out that the King of France holding intelligence with many Lords and others of that Kingdom who were held to be dis-satisfied with the Spanish Empire would send that Fleet to prejudice that Kingdom which when the Vice-roy Monterei heard it made him not only provide for offending Provence and for securing the State of Millain but for defending that Kingdome in case effects should be answerable to what was said No appearance was ever found of the intelligence or dissatisfaction which was spoken of though strict inquiry was made thereinto and yet without omitting to provide for the war of Lombardy which the Viceroy minded as much as that of Naples he made all places where the Fleet could Land be munited with strong Garrisons he gave order for levying a Dutch Brigade he armed at least 40 men of war he re-inforced the Gallies made great provision of Arms Ammunition and Artillery he made many Brigades be raised throughout the Kingdom he gave order that the Mediterranean Militia should be in readiness to come if occasion should serve to the sea side he chose 15000 of the best experienced Neapolitans to defend the Walls and he did apply himself with such diligence and indefatigableness to have a care of all places as he might be truly said to be the soul which did at that time maintain and inanimate the vast body of the Spanish Monarchy which was assaulted on so many sides all these provisions were so ascertained and so fitted as the French Fleet which was numerous for Vessels and Souldiers hearing thereof forbare not only assaulting but approaching the Coasts of that Kingdom and keeping long in the Ligustick Sea did not any thing worth so great a preparation nor could it ever hinder the passage and landing of Souldiers which were sent from Spain and from Naples to the State of Millain for the requisite re-inforcement of the Army in Lombardy for at the same time that the French Fleet lay in the Ligustick Sea the Spanish Gallies came to shore at Finale whilst they looked on and landed as many men as they pleased without any hindrance The French Fleet consisted of 60 ships which were come from Britanny into the Mediterranean commanded by Henry of Lorreyne Count Harcourt and by Monsieur De Sordi Arch-bishop of Burdeaux to which were added 13 Gallies of Provence amongst which was the great Galleoun Guise commanded by Count Poncurletto all very well rigg'd and provided of Artillery and all other Navall necessaries they sailed all of them by the Islands which were taken by the Spaniards but a little before not making any one shot at them though they were provoked by many made from those Islands and tarrying a while at Villa Franca they appeared in the Ligustick Sea about the end of September 1636. The Spaniards Forces at Sea were far inferiour to this Fleet wherefore it became the Spanish Gallies to give way to the French Fleet and to keep out of the reach of Cannon wherein the French exceeded them And yet the Duke of Ferrendina who was in the Seas of
of Castile which did so embitter their very souls as made them fall into rebellion Many have said and it is generally believed that this Minister of State did use the Catalonians with all extremity of rigour purposely to make them rebel to the end that upon that pretence he might deprive them of all priviledges as guilty of High Treason and reduce them to meer subjection till by his continual vexations he wrought his ends upon them and gathered the bitter fruits of his Tyrannicâ—…l Counsels The like beâ—…ell the Kingdom of Portugal which being by rigor and bitterness compell'd to rebell chose the Duke of Braganza the only branch of Regal blood in Portugal for their King which when the Conde Duca heard of he hasted joyfully to the King as rejoycing at this rebellion and câ—…aved thanks from him for the good news he brought him that he was now become absolute King of Portugal and Master of all the Territories and Fortunes of the Duke of Braganza which were very great in that Kingdom Nor did this his tyrannous â—…allon confine it self only to the people and Provinces which weâ—…e subject to the Crown but it extended to confederate friends and Princes who having been treated by the former Kings with all Love and Respect and allured by benefits and honors largely conâ—…er'd upon them he began in an imperious manner to distaste and afâ—…erwards to whip them soundly His Government was grown so hateful to the very Castilians themselves as he grew detested and abhor'd by them all the Grandees of Spain being in several sorts distasted and ill treâ—…ed were not able to endure it went voluntarily to the Court and retired themselves from their own jurisdictions so as the King was almost left solitary alone at Court it was observed that the two greatest Princes of Christendome were at the same time and by severall wayes deprived of their chiefest favorites and almost rob'd of that lustre and splendor which Princes use to receive from the numerous attendance of the greatest Personages of their Kingdomes One of them by the excellency of Vertue which drew them after her possessour and with drew them from the King the other by the hatred which all men bore to the Favourite which made the great ones keep far from Court Wherefore when the Favorites fall was heaâ—…d of as the King returned â—…rom the Escurialle to the Court he was met by ten Grandees a league before he came to Madrid which caused the King who had not for a long time before been so attended ask what the matter was and if any strange accident had hapned at Madrid to which Don Melchior di Borgia answered in all their Names that now the time was come wherein his Majesty should know the true devotion which the Grandees Spain boâ—…e to the Crown and to his person and that if they had not waited upon him formerly as they ought it was out of those reasons which were well known to his Majesty Nor were they the Grandees onely that were distasted with the greaâ—…ness of the Conde Duca but the Nobility and all other inferiour persons lived discontentedly by reason of their hard usage and those few who enjoy'd any favour at Court came so hardly by it as they thought it hardly thanks worthy So as the Fountains of Regal bounty being shut up and those of hardship and â—…igor only open the publick Government was become nothing but severity which made men only not dissatisfied but mad and desperate and though he were not ignorant of all this yet did he not alter his way of proceeding but being sure that all this hapned for his being wholly intent upon the Kings service he did rejoyce and glory in it and if the Castilians fell not into rebellion as did the Catalonians and Portugueses or into conspiracies as did the French it must only be attributed to their great continency and to their obsequious devotion towards their King which made them by a singular example of Love and Loyalty rather suffer the indiscretion and unbridled Will of the State-Minister then under pretence of reforming the publick Government venture upon disturbing the publick Peace to the prejudice of all men All men and himself acknowledged that fortune crost all â—…his undertakings and just as he was far from favouring other mens desires so fortune appeared to delight in thwarting his But though it may be true that his unfortunate Genius had a great part in ruining his designes yet it cannot be denyed that much of his miscarriages proceeded from his choice of those whom he deputed to work his own and the publick ends for he alwayes prefer'd his own confidents before those that understood more then they and depriving himself and the Kingdom of their worthy parts he commonly committed the carriage of the most important Affairs to the hands of unexperienced men as may be seen by some unfortunate successes by us related And so faulty was he herein as having not long before his fall declared one Iuliano to be his natural Son and Heir to his County of Olivares and Dukedom of St. Lucar whom as if he had been born again he called Henry by his Fathers name and never having made any the least account of this Iuliano before had suffer'd him to live a Vagabonds life in Taverns and Bawdy-houses exposed to all those miserable adventures to which men that are so given are subject even till by good fortune he had escaped an ignominious death to which for enormous faults he was adjudged by Law this his declaring of his Son-ship was publickly confirm'd by Regal Authority to the loathing and detestation of all men but more particularly to his neerest of Kin Which hatred and detestation grew the greater for that this new Henry having gotten nothing by his formerly led life but customs answerable thereunto he had nothing in him of gentile or handsome but a rusticity of manners and an incapability not only of what was Lord-like but even of what was civil or like a Gentleman To this his Declaration that this Henry was his Son was added the undoubted succession of his Paternal Inheritance which contain'd very large Territories and Titles deriving from the supream dignity of Grandee together with an infinity of riches So as this new Henry was raised to the highest pitch of greatness in Spain and being desirous to match him nobly he endeavoured to marry him to one of the prime Ladies of the Court to the Daughter of the Constable of Castille a chief Lord of Spain who boasts himself to be descended from the race of five Kings not being able to effect his desire by reason of the Constables detestation of the match not thinking that the immense wealth nor the great titles honours which this new 〈◊〉 had accumulated was a sufficient recompence for the sordidness of his past life and of his unhappy inclination by which his blood and those that should descend from him should be contaminated which the
that which better preserved the Publick peace was lest as in former times Quarrels amongst themselves had made way for the Spanish greatness into Italy and confirmed it there they might now make it more formidable by affording it matter of more progress whereby to augment it self Therefore all former strife and contention being forgotten and all turbulent and ambitious thoughts being laid aside they were very intent in quenching all seeds of scandal or dissatisfaction which might discompose that Union and telligence wherein the neer and eminent danger the truest Ligament of any whatsoever Agreement or Convention did keep them tacitely conjoined in the deâ—…ence of themselves France a powerful and neighbour Country and Rivâ—…l to the Spanish Name out of antient pretensions as a stout Counterpoise to the greatness of the Spanish Nation did also adde much to the safety of their Affairs and did the more confirm the King of Spain in his good will to the peace of Italy and in his not disturbing nor distasting the Italian Princes in their antient peacefull possessions Italy being for the aforesaid reasons thus secure for forreign Nâ—…tions and ballanced within her self and well established in peace by the counterpoise of reciprocal apprehensions both of the Natives that by troubling their Affairs their liberty might be hazzarded and of Forreigners that the Empire might be prejudiced every one and not without reason was perswaded that being now escaped the so terrible Tempest wherewith she was threatned she would easily nay of her self settle her former peaceful condition and long continue in it But all humane reasons and judgments are easily exposed to even the sleightest accidents Francis Duke of Mantua and Montferrate dyed of an unexpected death about the end of the year 1612. Mary his young and only Child survived him whose Mother was Margaret eldest Daughter to the Duke of Savoy in which Francis his death though the main course of common Affairs seemed not to be much concerned the Bond of common Concord remaining uninjured yet did his death shake the Foundations upon which the Publick Peace seemed to be so firmly grounded and occasioned much misery and calamity to Montferrat and to the neighbouring people by the Wars which immediately insued in those parts The great Rains fierce Winds and terrible Thunders which happened but a little before in Lombardy wherewith the fields were for many days overflowed to the great prejudice of the ground and terror of the Inhabitants seemed to be a sad Augury of this These States fell for want of Heirs Male upon Cardinal Ferdinando Brother to the deceased Duke Who though he was acknowledged by all to be the true Heir and that the People Officers and the whole Court did with much joy congratulate his Accession to the Dukedom yet because it was thought thâ—…t the Dowager Dutchess might be with child he would not as then accept either of the Crown or Title of Duke but deferred doing so contenting himself with the Government of the Dominions till he might be sure he was true and Legitimate Heir And Prince Victorio Amadeo eldest Son to the Duke of Savoy coming not long after to Mantua to consolate the Dowager his Sister and to bring her back to her Paternal Country he desired leave that he might likewise carry the little Daughter along with him to Piedmont which desire having been much insisted upon formerly by the Duke Grandfather to the young Lady Mary begat not a little commotion in the Cardinal and in the whole Mantuan Court who very well knew how such demands strike at the Foundation and safety of the States And it being thought too dangerous to give way thereunto as also unseasonable then to deny the result of so weighty a business was defeâ—…ed hopes being sometimes given therein difficultâ—…es sometimes objected till it might be more certainly known whether the Dowager Dutcâ—…ess were with child or no who for better satisfaction it was resolvâ—…d should keep in the 〈◊〉 of Mantua the mean while also But their delays making the Duke more fervent in his desires he did all â—…e could to remove them he also made herein use of the favour and Alliance which he had with the Catholick King in whose Court whether by means of Officers or no it is not known the young Lady Mary was Proclaimed Heir to Montferrat Whereof they affirmed women were by the Laws capable and that women had more then once inherited it For it was said to have passed by the means of Violante Daughter to William the Fifth sirnamed the Great from the Paternal Family of Alaâ—…ame into that of the Paleologi and it came into that of Gonzaga by no other means then by Margaret Paleologa who succeeding therein past it over to those that descended from her by Frederick Gonzaga That therefore it ought not to be held a new thing if that State should now be seen to pass by Female succession into another Family which was come into the Family of Gonzaga That Succession in the first place belonged unto the Children without distinction of Sex all other Relations being wholly excluded That it was thus Ordered by the Civil Law and Law of Nature according to which the Succession of great Kingdoms yea even that of Spain was governed That therefore it was too inhumane a thing to permit that that Infant descended from the Austrian Blood Neece by the Sisters Side to the King should be brought up with so much danger in those her so tender years with her Rival who by excluding her aspired at the Succession of so great a State But that it was no less dangerous not to take such order as that the succession of Montferrat might not occasion some important insuing disorder in Iâ—…aly The Italians thought that these or the like pretensions might make great impression in that Court when they saw the Duke of Savoys demands were so much favoured in Italy by the Kings State-Ministers and that they did afterwards indeavour that that Infant should by common consent of all parties be placed in Millain as in a place in the midst between the Dukedoms of Savoy and Montferrat but the people and Court of Mantua were much more troubled when they saw greater demonstrations added to so pressing desires For many persons of quality being in that City who weâ—…e come to accompany Prince Victorio part whereof were Savoyards and part Millanesi and Spaniards who were sent thither under several pâ—…etences from Millain the Mantuans began much to distrust that the Duke had â—…ome more hidden end The Cardinal was therefore forced to have a greater care of the custody of the Child and to give order that thaâ—… Corps de Guard should be kept round about the City and that the most convenient places should be diligently looked unto so to obviate any inconvenience which might happen in such a Commotion and the Child being declared as well in Italy as in the Court of Spain to be Heir of Montferrat a greater desire was daily
Charles his Wife Isabella was married to Duke Charles Grandfather to the present Duke so for the same respects Philip the Second King of Spain contracted a more then customary Union with this present Charles Emanuel by giving him his second Daughter Katherine for Wife with a Portion of many yearly Revenues assigned to him in the Kingdom of Naples to boot with great Pensions which were paid unto him before Marriage out of the State of Millain to keep him the more interessed in the maintaining of those Territories High aspiring thoughts began then to appear in this Prince and much greater then became his Fortune Ardent desires of new Acquisitions greater inclination to war then to peace and therefore he applied himself to military Exercises and just as we read of Alexander the Great that not bounding himself within the limits of Macedon and Greece he thought the whole World too little for him It might peradventure be affirmed of this present Duke That esteeming himself too much streightened within the Precincts of Savoy and Piedmont he sought to inlarge his State and Fortune by the prejudice of his neighbours This his disposition was increased by this his Alliance which like fire in well-prepared metals set this young Prince his mind on flame and made his hopes the greater and thinking that the civil wars of France made much for this his purpose he first assaulted and took Saluzzo which was possest by the King of France in Piedmont and entring into war with those of Geneva he afterwards entred Armed into Province and Dolpheny intending to make himself Master of those Provinces And if Fortune had smiled upon these his high designs his hopes led him on so far as not to think himself inferior to any that pretended to that Crown but the Valor Fortune and Right of Henry the fourth getting the better over all other Competitors who appeasing the Tumults and allaying the Factions possest himself of that Kingdom by right of Succession The Duke was forced not only to forego his Enterprises unluckily undertaken in France but if he would retain the Towns which he possest on this side of the Mountains he must pay a very great price for them In the progress of these Affairs there therefore arose no sleight accidents which disturbed the good Intelligence which ought to have been maintained between the King of Spain and the Duke by reason of their so near Alliance for the Duke when he first busied himself in the affairs of France built much upon the assistance which he had reason to expect from the King his Father in law not so much in respect of his Alliance as that the things which he undertook were of no small help to the Kings self who at the same time assisting the Catholick League of the French Princes both with men and monies against King Henry who was then a Hugonâ—…t made himself Master of many Towns in Britany and in other parts of that Kingdom and therefore made his ends and intentions be much suspected But though the Father in law might for those respects be inwardly pleased with his Son in law's Actions yet wisely foreseeing how much those Enterprises did exceed his Forces and the mischiefs which might thereby accrue unto him he profest the contrary and seeming â—…ather desirous of the peace and safety of his Son in law's Dominions he disswaded him from those Enterprises fearing also lest by provoking France thereby he might draw many bad humors into Italy whereby his peaceful possessions might be disturbed and the common Affairs indangered And yet that he might not seem to abandon him rather then to incourage and foment him in those wars he furnished him with forces but not such as were answerable either for readiness or numbers to the necessity of the Times and no otherwise then with limitation that they should serve only to defend his own Dominions if they should happen as they did to be assaulted by the French but not to offend or disquiet others Wherefore the Duke finding the Spanish Commanders directions contrary to his designs in his most urgent occasions and thinking himself thereby injured he was much troubled And as he who sees himself fallen from high hopes which he had â—…ancied to himself useth to think it a shame that he hath not compassed his ends and to believe that he is deluded more by the will of others then by his own perswasion the Duke esteeming that for so many respects he might freely have promised himself abundance of help from his Father in law thought he had reason to hold himself too severely treated by him wherefore beginning to be jealous of the Kings mind and Magnanimâ—…ty he doubted that though he peradventure might for his own particular ends be well enough pleased to see him busied in those wars indeavouring to keep him in a moderate condition for the greater security of his own affairs in Italy and that he might depend the more upon him the King he had rather held him unfortunately in hand by those weak succours in those wars then assisted him to the acquiring of more Dominion and Grandezza as he the Duke had hoped and this his dislike was the more increased when he found that the Kings Authority was not afterwards sufficient to include him in the peace which was afterwards made between the said King and the King of France without the restitution of Saluzzo The Duke thought that his Father in law being now very old was the less careful to leave his Son who was but then young in peaceful possession of his State by that Agreement for that he had not appeared to solicit his interests for many places of much importance being by vertue of this peace restored to the French the Duke thought that if his Father in law had stuck a little closer to him he might still have kept the little Marquesite of Saluzzo which it was likely King Henry would not have stood much upon having by this Peace many very noble Towns of France restored to him which were possest by the King of Spain in the time of war But the King who had made publick profession that he had possest himself of the Towns of that Kingdom to no other end but to keep the Hereticks from being Masters of them with intention to restore them afterwards to whosoever should be lawfully chosen King of France covering the necessity of his own interests which forc'd him to make that Peace with the cloke of fair proceeding seemed as if the time of his promis'd restoring them was then come since King Henry was declared by all the Orders of France and by the Apostolick See to be lawful and Catholick King and that therefore the Duke having profest that he had possest himself of Saluzzo upon the same pretences and promises â—…nd being by the same reason bound to restore it the King as he would not that by the Dukes interests prevailing over his that peace should be disturbed so could he
his Fathers infinite wisdom neither by reason of his years not exceeding the age of twenty three nor of his experience Therefore the condition of times being changed together with the Prince great men grew to be of more Authority with the King in the Administration of State Affairs which was more largely and more indifferently shared out unto them by him then by Philip the second Amongst these Don Francisco Scandoval and Roxas Duke of Lerma were highest in favour with the King upon whose liking all important Resolutions as also the distribution of Offices the Government of Provinces and the Crown Revenues did depend râ—…ther as upon a Moderator then Court-Minister The eyes of all men weâ—…e therefore with much applause fixt upon him as upon the chief manager of so great a Monarchy Who being of a good and pleasing disposition and for his understanding sufficiently capable of so great Imployment sate long at the Helm of Government in so great an Empire not only with Loyalty to the King but with general satisfaction It is true that being grown very jealous of his own Grandezza he diligently studied the preservation thereof which finding that he might the more easily do in times of peace he hated all novelty and neglected no means whereby the Affairs of the Crown might be quietly proceeded in both at home and abroad Nor was it hard for him to do it the publick interests of the Kingdom concurring thereunto in many respects as also the peoples desire and the minds of the great ones who being rich and happy loved rather to injoy the publick and their private fortune in peace and quietness then to increase it by uncertain and dangerous war But the Affairs of Italy and particularly those of Lombardy did depend almost absolutely upon the Authority and Arbitrement of Don Pierd d' Azevedo Henriques Count of Fuentes a man of high imployment and great worth who being sent by the new King to be Governour of Millain governed that State long with extraordinary Authority And being good both at peace and war and generally held to be of a military spirit seeming more inclined to Arms then quiet he without altering the publick peace held up the Kings Affairs at so high a pitch and brought them unto such reputation in Italy as they were never formerly done by any Governour The government of Affairs being in this posture the Duke though the new King forgetting former distastes had made one of his Sons Grand Prior of Castilâ—… and another Son of his the like of Cratâ—… the latter worth 30000 Duckats a year the other of 100000 Duckats did continually aspire out of his accustomed pretences and desires to the augmentation of his Fortune which was impossible to be afforded him either without lessening the Kings Revenue or without disturbance to the publick peace to which the Government of the Crown was then so much inclined And therefore whilst beyond all expectation he found all access to further greatness blockt up under the new King he had some colourable pretence to vent his anger which by reason of the King his Father in law's Majesty he had kept long concealed for not being of like employment and Authority in the Resolutions oâ—… that Court as he had been formerly he began to complain thereof with less respect thinking that it proceeded rather from the State-Ministers being ill-minded towards him then from the King himself Hereunto was added that it being necessary to make the Duke of Lerma chief in Court as the Arbritrator of the Kings Resolutions and in Italy Fuentes Governour of Millain for the relation and executing of things resolved upon and not finding himself satisfied with their proceedings or pleased in his ends which did totally differ from their ends and intentions and finding sometimes at least seeming to find a certain ambition in them and in other Court-Ministers which doth usually accompany eminent power and the Princes immoderate favour whereby he thought they meant to keep him under he could by no means bear with it He openly exclaimed against them as if making use of the Kings name and Authority for the establishment of their own greatness they would arrogate unto themselves the more Authority over him who was a free Prince and Cousin to the King Hereupon anger and ranckor broke forth between the Duke and the Kings Ministers of State especially between him and Scandoval and Fuentes so as tokens of ardent indignation appearing in the Duke and the like in them for the practises he had held with Henry to the prejudice of that Court and of the universal peace they at last seemed as if they were not able to pay the Pensions which appertained to him as if the exasperating him were the only cure for that wound for which gentler applications would be too disproportionate Their hatred grew the greater when the Duke demanding his Pensions of his Father in law and after his death of his Cousin he resolved to send his eldest Son Prince Philip Emanuel with two other Sons of his into Spain that they might be brought up in the Kings Court upon whom the King not having as yet any Sons the succeâ—…on of so many Kingdoms might probably fall The Duke being come with this intent to the Sea side and having agreed upon the time of their Imbarking and upon other things concerning theiâ—… Voyage in Oneglia with Prince Doria the Kings Lord Admiral wherein they were to be conducted by Don Carlo Doria Duke of Tursi and Son to the Admiral it so fell out as Don Carlo deâ—…arting unexpectedly from Villa Franca whether he was come with the Kings Gallies to Imbark those Princes he left both their Father and them much astonished at his unexpected departure wherefore the Duke credibly believing that a resolution of such importance proceeded not from Don Carlo but rather from the Court Ministeâ—…s of State and particularly from the Duke of Lerma who for his own interest would be loth to see the Kings Nephews so near their Uncle he therefore and for that the King did not appear afterwards to resent it thought himself therein very much injured and yet being resolved that his Children should pursue their intended journey he sent them to the Court where they were graciously received by their Uncle and were by his command treated with all the demonstrations of Honour and with the Title of Infants of Spain a name which is given to the younger Children of that King But on the other side the States-men and great ones of the Kingdom fearing that it might much prejudice their own greatness and their Administration of publick aâ—…fairs that Authority should be added to those that were so nearly allied to the King they did not only keep them at distance from the publick Negotiations of the Kingdom but from any privacy with the King and not being able to suffer their so much preeminency they seldom visited them or discoursed with them rendring the Grandezza of their condition almost
to be totally abandoned by the Commonwealth And there wanted not those who argued by the success that they did not only foment the Duke by private advice and promises but assisted him underhand with supplies The Duke obtained not a much differing resolution from the Court of France where he expected better things from the neighbouring dangers from the vivacity of that Nation and from the Kings minority for the Queen being assured by the King of Spain that he would forbear all hostility in Italy whensoever the Duke would consent to what was demanded she was therewith satisfied and endeavour'd to make the Duke yield to the Kings pleasure in regard of the interest of her Nephew the Duke of Mantua in whose behalf this new War was begun Not listening therefore to any of the Dukes desires or complaints she under severe penalties prohibited all her Subjects to take pay of him and yet she also for the honour of her Kingdom and to give satisfaction to the Princes and Chief Lords of her Count sen Charles a' Anghienes Marquess of Rambolliette to Piedmont Embassadour to exhort the Duke to peace with express commission that if he should forbear to lay down Armes fearing that he might be oppressed afterwards by the Spanish Forces he should give him all such assurances as he himself could desire and offer him the protection of that Crown and the Forces of the whole Kingdom Such was the publick resolution of that Court which was then governed by the Queen who was much inclined to preserve friendship with the Crown of Spain for the Interest of her own authority and greatness and for the quiet and safety also of her Sons affairs which would be less subject to troubles and perturbation by keeping peace and good correspondency with his neighbours That Court continued in the same mind for some years though the King being come to the age of 14 and according to the orders of the Kingdom out of gardianship took upon him the administration of affairs and consequently the Queens regency ceased For depending wholly upon his Mothers authority and advice the change of Government was for a while insensible the name of Governour being only altered The new Kings first action was to ratifie the Marriages contracted with Spain and seeming to be desirous to keep fair correspondency therewith the Duke of Savoy had small hopes of and good from France And though he seemed abandoned of all help from thence the Marshall de Dignieres Governour of Dolphenye sent good store of men continually unto him underhand it not being known whether the Queen did wink thereat or no who hearing that many did murmure that the Duke in so urgent a necessity and danger should be abandoned to the great diminution of the Kings authority and of the Kingdoms interest did underhand give way that the Kings resolution should be countervened And therefore besides those that were sent by de Dignieres many others falling down from the Alps a good number of that Nation were in a short time found to be in Piedmont By which the Duke being comforted aâ—… also by the promises of other Princes and being incouraged by the good beginning of the War as it is usually seen that enterprizes which at first appear fearful grow by degrees less dreadful he began to confide more in himself and looking for greater successes he was content to be intreated to do that which he bad much reason to desire So as the words nor perswasions of the French Embassadour prevailed but a little with him nor yet those of Monsieur Giulio Savelli who was likewise sent extraordinary Embassadour upon the same occasion to Piedmont by the Pope For the Duke persisting in not composing the affairs of Mantua without having some part of Montferrat given him and denying to lay down arms unless the Governour should do so likewise he refused also to refer the differences to be decided by the Emperour being jealous of him but he consented to refer it to the King of France and to the King of England to which he knew neither the King of Spain nor Duke of Mantua would agree It seemed therefore very hard to reconcile them and the less for that the Duke of Savoy growing bold by the Spanish Armies going out of Piedmont and by their lasie entertaining themselves about the building of the new Fort not caring much to pursue the War he thought he was the more secured from any new assaults Wherefore sending daily Troops of horse out of Vercelles which foording over the very River of the Sesia in sight of the enemies Army which the Governour in the Dukes absence durst not pass thorow with a numerous and gallant Army they dared to insult over the Souldiers which were busied about the Fort without either fear or respect though but by a snatch and away And the Governour being wholly intent about building the Fort did not only not care to suppress their insolence but would not follow the advice of many of the Commanders who thinking it bootless and dishonourable to busie the whole Army about building a Fort which stood in the Kings own ground advised to send part thereof in the interim to prejudice Piedmont where the Duke being imploy'd about the guarding and defending of Vercelles it was probable they might make some good progress But the Dukes affairs which seemed to be secure from any hostile act or at least were not troubled with any ran unexpectedly great hazard at home For the French and Swissers which were under the Dukes pay mutinying upon a small occasion put the City of Vercelles in defence whereof they were then imployed in great danger and confusion nor was the danger of a greater sedition small nor the Dukes labour less in appeasing it but being at last quieted the French as who were suspected of novelty and alteration were distributed into several quarters about the City The Dukes resistance being this mean while known in Spain and what had hapned in Italy contrary to that Courts expectation the King and Council were not a little incensed they thought the Kings honour and authority to be highly offended therefore minding resentment more then the appeasing of rumours they thought it necessary to alter their first orders and to take a more severe course in making the Duke acknowledge the Kings Grandezza which by his entring into the State of Millain in hostile manner he seemed to value but a little They therefore commanded the Governour and their other Officers in Italy that they should proceed no longer against the Duke with such respect as formerly but with all bitterness and severity To which end they gave out orders and made extraordinary provisions The Embassador Vives was returned from the Camp to Genoa who having sent some scouts to Nizza di Provensa and to Villa Franca brought back word that the Castle of Nice though otherwise very strong had only a Garrison of 150 Souldiers in it and but little Ammunition That the City
further after the Duke who was gotten but ill-favour'dly with his men into Canelli tarried divers days in Allessandria waiting for Men Ammunition and Artillery which he had sent for from several parts of the State of Millain for the enterprize of Asti which he gave out he would take in hand The Duke when he had brought his men into Canelli sent them by degrees into Asti whether he also sent victuals and Ammunition for the defence of that City against which he saw the Governour bent all his Forces who parting from Allessandria about the fifth of May tarried six days in Felizzano and going from thence to Annone the last Town upon the Confines of Millain he went with his Army towards Asti He had with him between 16 and 18000 Italian Foot 4000 Spaniards about 2000 Horse the Gens d' Armes being therein comprehended to boot with 6000 other Foot and 500 Horse which he had left under Cavagliero Melzi in Sandoval not so much to guard that Fort as to keep Vercelles in jealousie so as the Duke being forced to keep it well Garrison'd was the less able to defend Asti He had also 7000 other Foot which he shortly expected from Tuscanye Urbine and Lucca by Sea and those of Parma were already come unto the Camp At his going from Annone towards Asti he divided his Foot into four equal Squadrons which being led on by four Troops of Dragoons the Cavalry divided into two Squadrons winged the left side towards the Tannaro the more inward whereof was led on by Don Alfonso Pimontello General thereof and the outward by his Lieutenant Don Sanchio Salina after these came the Gens d' Arms conducted by their General the Marquess of Este the Baggage came after the Squadrons and the Artillery part whereof was also plac'd on the left hand of the Squadrons The City of Asti stands in a plain at the foot of some hills upon the top whereof stands the Castle joyn'd to the City of an ancient shape as are also the rest of the Walls of the City which therefore have not those Flanks nor Rampiers which are used in modern Fortifications On the South side the Tannaro runs two Musket shot distant from the walls the little hills which run in a large compass towards the North bending from thence towards the East terminate in Annone from whence like a half Amphitheaer they encompass all that plain between the Rivolea Versa and the hills of Tannato for some four miles space and somewhat further between Annone and Asti. But the Duke not at all affrighted at the approach of so great an Army would though weaker in Forces face them and hating to keep inclosed within walls would march into the field against them He had with him about some 15000 Foot and 1500 Horse most of them Forreigners and chiefly French who were come thither notwithstanding their Kings severe Edicts to the contrary for the Princes of that Kingdom being desirous of new perturbations and ruptures between the two Kings and it may be that their King might be the Arbitrator of Peace and War in Italy sent many men thither thinking that look how many more of their Nation should be in the Dukes service both Peace and War should the more depend upon their Kings Being come neer Versa and having taken up his Quarters upon the inward bank of the River where was no commodious foording save in two places he sent Monsieur de Roason with 200 Lorrain Horse beyond the River that he might get into some houses belonging to an Inn called Corce Bianca the first bickering fell out here between these men and Alphonso Balesteros Comissary General of the Kings Horse who was sent before with 400 Dragoons to discover the enemy This Skirmish by the concourse of people on both sides grew almost to a Battel the Duke having sent his Van to relieve his men and the Governour some Troops of Curassiers with the Burgonian Forces led on by the Baton Batteville who was also followed by Alfonso Pimontello with his Horse Troop so as the fray increasing both sides fought valiantly in which fight it hapned that the Lorrainers who were on the Dukes side being cloathed and weaponed like to the Kings Burgonians did so mingle with the Burgonians as passing unknown thorow the midst of them they advanc'd even to within sight of the Spanish Camp The Governour advancing towards them bare headed thinking they were his men who fled began much to his danger to reprehend them and to bid them return and fight valiantly but they for fear of death in case they should be known seeming as if they would return to the Skirmish retreated dexterously to their own men leaving their Captain Prisoner together with Cavalier San Rainero and some others There died in this Skirmish an Ensign-Bearer of the Dukes with some others of both sides Balesteros was sorely wounded and Baron Batteville sleightly who together with his Burgonians behaved themselves gallantly both here and during this whole Campagnia and were of great aid to the Enterprise Don Pimentello's Horse fell over and over with him not without great danger of death The Skirmish being over for the Dukes men retreated to beyond the River the Governour advanced even to Versa and took up his Quarters there in the face of the Dukes Army but he sent Iovan Bravo with his Brigade and some pieces of Artillery to Quarter upon the little Hills for his own more safety and for the prejudice of the Enemy But the Duke having munited all the bank of Versa on his side with a long Trench which reached from the little Hills to the Tannaro sent also 2000 Foot to possess themselves of the Hill which was opposite to that where Bravo was Quartered and being mightily well sheltered on all sides and fortified nor being to be assaulted there without apparent danger to the Assailants they began to skirmish from the Hills and from the opposite Trenches with Muskets and Bumbards but more out of force and fury than out of any well taken advice or any great effect This Skirmish continued two or three days without any advantage on either side so as the Spaniards thinking it a shame that the Duke with so unequal Forces durst confront them and keep himself equal to their Army so long they resolved to advance by the Hillocks intending to fight him both on the back and flanks in his own Quarters and to beat up his Quarters The Enterprise was committed to the Prince of Ascoli who whilst he foreslowed the execution thereof meeting with some impediments he afforded the Duke who had notice of all proceedings leasure to possess himself of other stations fitter to hinder or at least to make the Enemies progress more difficult in that part And because it was necessary for the Prince to go by way of anticipation to the oppugning of Castiglione a little Castle scituated upon a little Hill which being of some consequence was furnished with a reasonable
the Kingdom but in effect by his own command sent him some Ships as it was said fraughted with Foot Count Iohn of Nassau was also daily expected to come with men by land from Holland and it was heard that succours came from Germany to assist the said Duke which were sent him from the Protestant Princes of that Nation who did not a little foment the Wars of Piedmont Nor did the Venetians foment them less then they though secretly who from the beginning being anxious at the proceedings of the Spanish Army and fearing that the Duke might be oppress'd began to assist him underhand with moneys and advice and afterwards seeâ—…g his affairs proceed prosperously they being desirous to abate the Spanish grandezza were not wanting in sustaining him and shoaring him up to the end that he might resist him who thought to suppress him So all these Princes being thought privately to blow this fire it was imagined that their Embassadours who Negotiated the business did not proceed therein with sincerity unless it were the Popes Nuntio for both their manner of treating and form of conclusion was sufficiently different from that reallity which in appearance they did profess and contrary to the great confidence and good correspondency between the Kings of Spain and France the French Embassadour having the â—…ppointment made at Madrid in one hand and in the otheâ—… the intimation of War being consequently able to compel the Duke by the latter and to force the Governour by the other so as he was the chief Arbitrator of all that Negotiation the rather for that the French Souldiers and Captains who fought on the Dukes behalf depending upon his command he might at his pleasure make them forego their Arms and bereave the Duke of the greatest part of his Forces and though by orders from his King he was to be careful of the reputation of the Spanish Crown and to give satisfaction thereunto and as a good servant to so great a King ought not to suffer the peace to be concluded otherwise for the example which it would be to all greater Kings and being trusted by the Barons of France was chosen by the Queen to be imploy'd for this end at the Court of Spain yet the Authority and common desire of the Princes of that Kingdom wherein they differ'd from the King in point of keeping friendship with the Crown of Spain prevailing more with him as also peradventure the French humour naturally averse to the name of Spaniard he made less account of the Kings command which was the chief cause of all the inconveniences which befell the Spanish Army For doubtlesly things would have gone otherwise if he had punctually observed his Kings directions immediately after the Victory upon the Hills but whilst under pretence of not exasperating the Duke he proceeded sometimes too favourably with him and sometimes approving of his jealousies he feared that by intimating War unto him Piedmont might be made a prey to the Victorious Army much to the Kings prejudice and that therefore he temporiseth with the Duke wherein he is fautor'd by the English and Venetian Embassadours the Duke knowing what was done fenc'd himself on one side with subterfugeâ—… and delays and on the other side assaulted the Enemies Trenches and faced him and on the contrary the Spanish Army as hath been said mouldred away and the weaker they grew in Forces and Men the Duke had the less mind to come to an agreement and consequently standing harder upon the advantage of Articles propounded delays and greater difficulties and hoping to get the better at the last had a greater desire to fight and venting his conceived hatred against the Spaniards aspired at glory by the total Victory of so invincible an Army and the Embassadours who would spin the thread of the Negotiation aâ—… they were resolved to do held the Governours in hand with efficacious promises of peace the conclusion whereof being from day to day defer'd and they the mean while delighting to see the miseries of the Spanish Army they delaied so long as finding it at last reduced to so great weakness as that it was not able to fall upon any enterprise they began to treat of new conditions which together with the three particulars of Madrid contained many other things of satisfaction to the Duke Thus was the Capitulations of peace made upon the beneath written terms and agreement That the Duke should disarm effectually within one moneth and retaining only four Companies of Swissers for the safety of his States together with as many of his Subjects as he would should casheâ—…r all the rest of his men that he should not offend the Duke of Mantua's Dominions and that his pretentions should be discus'd in the Emperours Courts of Justice On the contrary the French Embassadour promised that the Rebels of Montferrat should be pardoned and be fully restored to their Goods Honours and Offices that he should be protected by France in case he should be molested by the Spaniard contrary to what was agreed upon to which purpose express command was given in the Kings name to Marshall Diguere Governour of Dolpheny and to the other Governours of Provinces confining upon the Dukes Territories that immediately without expecting any orders from the King they should succour the Duke in case the Conventions should not be agreed upon that the Swissers and Walloons should be restored to free Commerce in the State of Millain that the places taken by either side should be restored that all the French should be generally pardoned who had served in the present War contrary to the Kings command that the King of Spain should not demand passâ—…ge for six moneths space of the Duke for any men That the Duke should have three moneths allowed him to give notice to his friends that they were to abstain from any hostility against the King during which time the Duke repairing any damage which should be done nothing of Hostility which should happen should prejudice tâ—…e peace and herewith the removal of the Spanish Army was agreed upon in form following That the French Embassadour should desire the Duke to draw a thousand Foot out of Asti at whose marching out he would write to the Governour and cause him to quit his quarters and to retreat to Croce Bianca and to Quarto Which being done tâ—…e same Embassadour was to intreat the Duke to remove the rest of the Souldiers out of the City and the French Embassadour promised that on the same day that that should be done the Spanish Army should march out of Piedmont and that then the Duke should immediately disâ—…rm but with this promise from the Embassadour that after such effectual laying down of Arms the Governour should so dispose of the Kings Army as neither the Duke nor any other Prince of Italy should thereby have any cause of jealousie and that the King of France should ratifie the agreement within twenty days All these Articles and Conventions were reciprocal
Spanish Garrison of 1000 Foot under the Sergeant Francisco Bernardine Vertua from whence the French being after a sleight assault beaten back they retreated to certain Cottages not far off where whilst they thought themselves secure they were unexpectedly surprised by Don Alphonso Pimontello who falling upon them couragiously with some Foot and Horse in those Cottages routed them and slew 200 of them and took 200 more prisoners together with their Captain The Prince being recovered resolved to make the same attempt of Creppacruore with a greater force and with more men sent unto him by his Father the taking whereof it being invironed with steep Clifâ—…s and high Rocks proved very difficult by reason of the inconvenience of bringing Cannon thither and yet he went with 8000 Foot and 400 Horse and taking the places round about it and particularly such from whence it might be relieved he began to skirmish with them that were within from a Hill which being very near and very high commanded the Town and the Cannon coming the next day he began the Battery and having made a sufficient breach he fell to an assault which he did with such violence as those within abandoned the Town without making much resistance and retreated to the Castle which being presently plaid upon by four pieces of Cannon came to composition But some differences arising touching the performance of Articles the Battery was again begun more furiously then before and from a more fitting place Prince Victorio being not a little incens'd who thought himself mocked by the Captains cavelling the Battery continuing some days still more bitterly the defendants not trusting to their forces yielded up the Castle on condition the Princess and her childrens lives should be saved and that the Garrison should be permitted to march out only with their Arms but without bullet powder or match which whilst all was faithfully performed two Barrels of powder fell unfortunately on fire and burnt many of those that had surrendered and many who for fear threw themselves over the wall could not escape their fate the rest who escaped the misfortune went to the State of Millain being convoyed by four Troops of Horse according to the Articles of surrender where Verrua being condemn'd to dye suffer'd for having defended the Town no better The Governour knowing by experience that his men might long make good the Town had sent Don Sanchio di Luna with succour to Creppacuore who finding the passes well fortified and not being able to come to Creppacuore the surrender whereof he heard not of without worsting them he began to intrench himself within Musket shot of Prince Victorio's Fortifications and whilest he was discovering the Sconces there happened a sleight Skirmish which afterwards increased by the coming in of men of both parties wherein whilest Don Sanchio fought valiantly advancing with a Pike in his hand he was shot with two Musket bullets and fell down dead immediately and Carlo di Sanguine Camp-Master to a Brigado of Neapolitans was taken Prisoner together with a Nephew of his one Captain being slaâ—…n and another taken prisoner the Kings men retreated to within the Rampiers and afterwards hearing the Town was surrendred retreated to the rest of his men But the Marshal Deguieres being at last come to Piedmont with about 8000 what Foot what Horse amongst which were many of the Gens d' Arms des Ordonnances of the Kingdom who carried the Kings own Ensigns the Duke increasing in power and reputation since it appeared that the King of France adhered unto him with display'd Banners was not idle being become superiour in Horse he over-ran the Country and without meeting with any opposition was Master of the Field hearing of the taking of Messarano and Creppacuore he being desirous to do somewhat remarkable fell into the lower Montferrat where there was no opposition save what was made by Mortara in the Langhe who had hardly men enough to Garrison the places he had taken The Duke therefore commanded Count Guido to go with all his men from Asti to San Damiano where he and the two Princes Victorio and Thomaso and the Marshal Deguieres met with a great train of Horse Foot and Artillery and having presently possess'd themselves of the hills and placed 24 Bombards in several convenient places they began a furious battery on four sides of the Town wherein there were no Souldiers save such as were of the common people of Montferrat under Captain Andrea Prandâ—… who was slain by the fall of a house which was beaten down The Souldiers being left without a Commander whilest they ran with more courage than order to defend the place which was assaulted left the rest of the Town unprovided of defence which disorder the Captains of the French Horse perceiving they commanded their men to light immediately off horse back and to mount the walls where they were left unguarded wherein succeeding with little labour and less loss they took the Town which they afterwards miserably plundered and used cruelty upon the Defendents who a little before the Enemy entered had either agreed or were ready to agree upon surrender of the Town on Articles to Count Guido who assaulted the Town on the other side San Damiano being taken the Duke gave order that the Walls should be sleighted to the end that if they should come to restitution the State should be bereft of that Fort which was as a thorn in his eyes The Governours of Montferrat and Allessandrio were this mean while come to Alba with 8000 Foot and 700 Horse intending to relieve San Damiano but hearing that it was surrendred and apprehending that the Duke might fall upon Alba next which being weakly walled and but badly furnish'd with Ammunition and Victuals they thought it was not tenable and therefore went from it and leaving Ieronymo Rho there with his Brigade and 500 Montferrians those of Alessandria returned home and the others to Cassalle and not long after they were gone Ieronymo Rho by order from the Duke of Millain who was loath to hazzard the Kings Forces and honour in the defence of that Town went with his men to Felizzano having dismantled the Castle of Neviglie in his passage to the end the Enemy might not take it in whose place 400 Dutch of Soltz his Regiment were sent thither and 500 Foot from Casalle much too small a Garrison for the circuit of the Walls The Duke seeing it abandoned had his eye presently upon it thinking to take it and making himself first master of many places in that Country drew neer it Count Alerame St. Georgio Governour of Alba was very diligent in repairing the Walls of that City where they were weakest and in most danger and in making all necessary provisions for defence and finding afterwards that the Duke being gone with some Forces from Barbaresco to discover the situation of that City and the new Works which he had made he sent some Souldiers to possess themselves of a certain high pass
which stood upon the way whereby the Duke was to go which they did and as soon as they saw the Dukes men come to discover they skirmished stoutly with them and the skirmish lasted a long while with variety of fortune and prejudice on both sides after which the Duke returned to Barbaresco and sent Count Guido to take in Alba with the French Foot and Cavagliere Guirini with those of Piedmont each of them having with them eight pieces of Artillery and 800 Horse who coming before the Town raised Batteries on two sides and began to play upon the Walls those who were within were not wanting in making defence they diligently repaired the Walls wheresoever they were beaten down and made out many bold sallies not without some advantage and assaulted the Enemies Works but at last their Powder being wasted many of their best Souldiers being slain in skirmishing and in defending the Walls they began also to want Victuals and seeing no hopes of succour for Don Pietro being inferiour to the Duke in Horse would not only not expose his men to the danger or being lost but had long before sent for them back that did defend it they were forced to surrender leaving the City upon honourable conditions in Count Guido's hands who received it in the Dukes name the twelfth day after the Siege at the same time Mortara not thinking himself able to resist the Dukes Forces havâ—…ng first barbarously burnt Canelli abandoned all the other Castles which he had tâ—…en in the Langhe where he had committed infinite extortions The Governour thinking it too unworthy a thing to suffer the Duke to over-run the Country thus victoriously and that he should so plainly abandon it and should suffer the chief Towns of Montferrat to be taken and plundered which State he had so often profest to protect and for the occasion whereof he had been so much troubled and had chiefly begun the war he indeavoured to provide against it by some means or other he assembled all the men he could in Alessandria which amounting to about 14000 fighting men he sent them to Feliz-Zano and the Duke fearing Asti entred thereinto with his men but finding that the Governour had soon distributed his men in Alessandrino and Tortonese he with his Souldiers and with the French Horse suddenly assaulted Montiglio a great Town in Montferrat and having made way enough for an assault with his Artillery the Towns-men finding themselves not able to resist him and fearing the Town might be plundered they surrendred it upon Articles But the French having heard a certain whisper at their entring into the Town as the Dukes Captains pleaded in their excuse the Town contrary to Articles was miserably plundered and put to the sword Thus Montferrat was exposed to troubles occasioned by her friends who without defending her laid her waste and was likewise exposed to be injured by the Enemy who without any compassion ruined her in which vicissiâ—…ude of affairs it was no little wonder to consider that the French who fought not many years before in the behalf of Mantua against the Duke of Savoy should now under the King of France his Colours and with the Gens d'ordonnance of that Kingdom joyn'd to those of Savoy tâ—…ke the Duke of Mantua's Territories who was a Friend and Cousen to their King without any preceding injury done and on the contrary that the Spaniards formerly so much suspected to bear ill will to the same Duke of Mantua had not only made his State be readily restored unto him but to the end that he might the more securely injoy it had with so much expence put the world into a hurly-burly and against a Prince so neerly allied to their King Thus doth fortune often alter the State of affairs and humane interests and affections often more then she but as for the King of France though he and all that Nation which had profest to maintain the Duke of Mantua against the Duke of Savoy yea even against the King of Spain when by the sinister means of his Staâ—…e-ministers who joyn'd with the Duke of Savoy they were ill satisfied with the Duke of Mantua because he would not give way to the Kings demands in pardoning the Rebels and because valuing their friendship and authority less he had so wholly betaken himself to the protection of the Crown of Spain yet the Kingdom being for the most part govern'd according to the will and pleasure of the Queen Mother near allied to the Duke of Mantua and who held intelligence with the Court of Spain and consequently was more inclined to favour him then careful of the other Dukes affairs or of the observing the Treaty the King therefore who by reason of his years depended wholly upon her will did not only patiently bear with the Duke of Mantua's stubbornness and that he should accommodaâ—…e himself according to the condition of times and his own affairs but to favour him and not to oppose his Father in Laws intentions at the same time in Italy had expresly forbidden the Marshal to go into Italy and being gone recalled him upon severe Edicts and finding him afterwards contumacious and hearing the Spanish Agents and those of Mantua make grievous complaints he sent to put him out of the Government of Dolpheny and as for the Marshal though he pleaded for his so great disobedience his being bound by the Articles of Astiâ—…o â—…o assist Piedmont without any orders to that purpose also his zeal to the Kings honour which he said the Governour indeavoured to prejudice by altering the Treaty of Peace yet the common opinion was that the Dukes fair speeches and extraordinary favours he being naturally apt to win the love of all men the Venetian Gold Military Courage which was yet very powerful with him and the desire of abating the spanish honour in Italy were of power to work upon him and therefore being come he stuck noâ—… to favour the Duke yea though against Montferrat either for that not knowing whither to turn himself better his coming might not be thought to have been altogether vain or for the aforesaid respects to shew some resentment against the Duke of Mantua so as he made himself be felt and kept the Spanish Forces short and low whilst he was in Italy yet Thomaso Caracciola Captain of the Garrison of St. Germano did at this time somewhat sustain the reputation of the Spanish Forces for the Duke being desirous to get that place sent the Princes Victorio and Thomaso thither who resolving not to fall upon that place because they saw it was provided with a good Garrison and with an excellent Commander and well fortified with Trenches took up their quarters in theâ—… neighbouring ruines of Santia whereby keeping back succour and provisions and by disturbing the way they indeavoured to besiege the Town as it were at a large distance expecting some fit occasion to effect their desires but this enterprise turned much to the Dukes prejudice for Caracciola
it was presently fortified and furnished with a strong Garrison Lando and Medici being beaten from this enterprise and despairing to be able to work their end which was to pass over the River they hoped to effect it by another un-thought of way The passage over the River was not interdicted underneath Gradisca for the Territories of Monfalcone lying on this side the Bank the Venetians were masters of it as well by antient right as having newly won it by the Sword but the passage though it was easie in this part was to little purpose for he who will pâ—…ss fâ—…om the County of Monfalcone to Goritia must pass over the Mountains antiently called Giapedi and now del Carso which beginning from Lisonzo more below Luciniso and running in a continual Line even to the Sea do wholly divide these two Counties Mountains which are horridly rough and craggy and not esteemed passable by an Army at the bottom whereof towards Goritia runs the Vipao a River which falls into the Lisonzo over against the River Fara which though it be lesser then Lisonzo yet though del Carso should be past over they must meet with the same difficulties and be opposed by the enemy who were incamped not far from thence so as these difficulties being thought not to be overcome it was always held desperate to attempt Goritia by this way But it being found by some conjectures at this time that the Mountains were not so rough and craggy as they were imagined Marquess Oratio dâ—…l Monte was sent to make the discovery who having made all necessary diligence brought word back that there were some places by which they might bring their Artillery and avoid the other difficulties The Commissary and Medici being overjyo'd at so good news out of hopes of good success resolved by all means to pass over the River beneath Gradisca and passing from thence over the Carso to go to the besieging of â—…oritia But necessary preparations for the effecting it were not answerable to their hopes and desires the scarcity of Souldiers still increased partly by death partly by running away and particularly those of the Country who were never in the Camp but upon the pay-days many of the Grisons hearing the command of their Superiors were already gone and many were cashiered for having been too insolent and having caused sedition in the Camp The Hollanders delaied their coming still and a Regiment of 4000 French which the Duke du Mayne should have brought to Friuli at the Common-wealths cost were kept back either by reason of the new troubles in France or by the Grisons Decrees To this was added that being to go beyond the River to attempt an uncertain enterprise which the newer it was was the more difficult and dangerous they could not abandon the Country on this side the River which had cost them so much pains to get and so much money to fortifie So as to divide those few that were in the Camp was to hazzard the loss of what was certain to go with much danger to themselves to get what was uncertain The hopes of new supplies were but few by reason of the times which brought the Common-wealth into great streights for the Duke of Savoys Rout at the Abby of Lucedio happened but a little before which made them not only disburse good store of money to recruit him but also to provide experienced Souldiers and Commanders upon their Confines towards the State of Millain lest they might be probably assaulted on that fide So as the Venetian Army was fain to delay the enterprise of Carso and to expect the coming of the Hollanders which was thought could not be long This new enterprise met also with much difficulty by the coming of new supplies from Germany into Friuli whereby the Austrian Camp was increased and there was a speech of others that would shortly come The Common-wealths troubles were also infinitely multiplied by the new-taken resolution of Pietro di Girona Duke of Ossuna and Viceroy of Naples who either seconding the Kings intention had declared himself to side with the Archduke or out of his particular hatred to the Venetians had rigg'd up Gallies and Gallioons in the Haven at Naples giving out that he would send them into the Adrâ—…atick Sea not only to assist the Archduke by diversion but to hinder the Common-wealth in the possession which they pretend unto of the said Sea and to trouble their Maritine Traffick And though the same courage of mind appeared to be amongst those Conscript Fathers amidst so many troubles and adversities wherewith persisting in their first generous resolution of maintaining the publick honour and of freeing the Gulf from Pyrats they prepared to resist this new tempest and therefore forbare not to provide abundantly for all necessaries in all requisite parts yet naturally considering the little good they were likely to get by the war and the prejudice which might thereby result both to the Commonwealth and to private men and moreover foreseeing the emiment dangers threatned to their Common-wealth by the State of Millain and by the Kingdom of Naples they grew somewhat less obdurate and desired that the formerly broken Treaty of agreement might be reassumed But it was no less hard for them to find the means how then to compass their end with satisfaction for all the Princes being weary with the last Negotiations by reason of the Common-wealths backwardness to restore what had been taken not any of them cared to intermeddle therein And they could get nothing from the Pope who they thought would not be inwardly displeased hereâ—…t but words and generallities nor could they confide much in the King of France by reason of the vast troubles of that Kingdom They therefore thought it the less evil to have recourse to the Court of Spain which they had formerly so much suspected and which by the Declaration made by the King in the behalf of the Archduke and by the men who were paid by him in this war against the Venetians was little less then their declared enemy But by reason of many things formerly done by the Common-wealth which were ill taken by the King and Court of Spain and which made them desireous to lessen the Common-wealths good opinion of her self they oftentimes refused the pressures made by Pietro Gritti Resident in that Court for the Common-wealth who desired in the Common-wealths name that some composition might be come unto But the King and Duke of Lerma having been always against having war in Italy and more particularly now out of many respects the Duke imbracing the present occasion began to close with the proposals made by Gritti in the Common-wealths behalf and very affectionately desired the effecting of them But the Duke of Ossâ—…na forbore not for all this to pursue his enterprise for he abominated the Venetians more then any other Spaniard did and had therefore put seven Gallioons in good order for fight and furnish'd them with all warlike Ammunition
Forces and Ensignes of the Kingdom under publick faith for that the affairs of the war were already agreed between the two Kings which had kept him from making provision of new men and by Expresses sent speedily away to Paris he made the like complaints to the King of France accusing his Ministers that by assaulting the State of Millain with the Arms and Ensigns of France they had broken the good understanding and the Conventions of peace which were agreed upon between their Majesties of France and Spain But on the other side seeing so many French and Dutch in Piedmont and fearing that they had higher aims he did the more sollicite that the new levies might be made which were already appointed and as if the safety of the whole State of Millain had been therein concern'd he writ into Spain for speedy supplies of money and demanded the succour from the Princes of Italy which they were bound to send for the defence of the State of Milain and to the Viceroy of Naples that he would immediately send him the Souldiers which were in the Fleet it being then returned from the Gulf for it was not thought that the peace though concluded would be observed by reason of the Dukes new resentments wherein it was much doubted that dissimulation might be used though it was known that the King of France had sent in all haste to the Court of Spain to excuse himself for what had happened as being done contrary to his orders and beyond all expectation through the too great fervor and ardency of his Commanders who were more inclin'd to novelty then that their two Majesties should joyn together in Union And if the Duke when he was beaten and under batches was so little pliable to Treatie of peace how much less was it likely that he would now conâ—…ent thereunto when he was on the upper hand How was it to be believed that â—…e and the other Commanders should abandon so raâ—…e an occasion in the present conjuncture of times and accompanied with so great good success But the errours were already too much multiplied which were committed either in undertaking or in prosecuting the war the â—…aking up of Arms for a meer punctillio of honour had produced too bitter fruits the King and Court of Spain having been interessed in this war contrary to their own will by their Ministers in Italy minding now more the safety and quiet of Italy then the honesting of an advantagious peace which was that for which the Italian Agents fought did detest the continuance thereof beyond measure and the King of France not being able to minde the affairs of Italy and not being desirous to lose the honour of having once again made peace in Italy wish'd that it might be made by any whatsoever means and therefore as the King of Spain accepting of the King of France his satisfactions had sent very precise Orders into Italy for the execution of what was agreed upon so the King of France having upon the complaints made by the Governour sent a Messenger into Italy to reprehend the French Lords and Commanders sharply for what they had done and to wish them upon pain of grievous punishment to desist Italy was freed from the troubles of the late war and from the fear and dread of that which was to insue which was likely to have been more cruel and bloody then the former So as the Duke seeing himself on the one side at it were abandoned by the Venetians and that the two Kings were desirous he should agree and on the other side that he had brought his affairs to such a pass as that he might compound with satisfaction gave way to what was establish'd in France and in Spain the rather for that he was fully secured by the King of France that Vercelles should be restored and that his State should be secured and defended Thus then the here under-written Articles were made on the ninth of October in Paris whither the Governour was gone between the said Governour and the French Embassadour with the Cardinals assistance and intervening That the Duke should lay down Arms before the present moneth October should be ended according to the peace of Asti of which disarming the Embassadour promised the Governour should have notice given him by the King of Fâ—…ance that he should restore all places appertaining to the Duke of Mantua to the Church to the Empire and to whatsoever particular person this being done that the Governour to comply with the King of France his desire should in the King his Masters name restore immediately whatsoever had been taken during the war that all prisoners should be set at liberty on both sides as soon as the Duke should have restored that this being done the Governour should dispose of his Army according to the Articles of Asti upon these terms a period was put to the wars of Lombardy and Piedmont and the Duke at last laid down Arms rather for that he had less occasion to use them then that his desire to use them was lessened Rumours ceased not for all this on the Venetians behalf they were freed from fear of the Spanish Fleet which was gone by the Kings command from the Gulf and retreated into the Tyrrhene Sea they perceived the weakness of the Spanish Counsels and Forces in Lombardy that the Dukes Forces by the great recruits from France and Germany had got the upper hand they argued by the dissimulation used in the Court of Spain and by the insultings suffer'd in Alessandria that the King and that Court were weary of war in Italy and desirous to make peace upon any terms They therefore being confident that they should meet with the same respect and the like usage notwithstanding the peace already made will continue the Siege of Gradisca which they saw was reduced to so great streights as it could not long hold out howsoever were it either for the reputation of their Forces or out of a desire of getting that Town they could not think of coming empty-handed out of this war wherein they had been at so much pains and expence and doubtlesly if they had effected their intention all things would have been again in great disorder so loth would they have been to part with that they had gotten but their Counsel proved not at all fortunate for Archduke Leopold who had still an eye to the conduct of that war upon the Confines of Friuli and the Spanish Embassadour Resident in Venice knowing how impossible it was to be relieved nor having any other means whereby to provide for the preservation of that place writ to the Governour of Millain letting him know in what danger it was of being lost unless as the last remedy he would molest the Confines of the Commonwealth on his side The Governour therefore made many of the Forces who were quartered upon those Confines pass into the Counties of Bergomo and Crema who took from the Venetians the Castle of Fara
money the King of Spain was the more obliged to indeavour peace in Italy not to break with France and to dissemble with the Italian Princes who therefore mans ambition being naturally vast not being content with not being troubled advanced â—…e more in their ends and pretentions Amidst this disposition of humours and accidents the affaâ—…rs of Italy were likely to be quiet for neither were the Forces of her Potentate such as might incourage them to struggle with the Spaniard and the Spaniards being far from desiring novelties out of the aforesaid respects would have been quiet and have avoided any occasion of disgusting the Princes of Italy But Italy could not long continue in this condition for either the heavenly influence not favourable to the quiet of Italy or the anger of God not yet pacified with her sins the Duke of Feria had such occasions administred him of securing the King of Spains affairs as they prevailing over whatsoever respect or inclination to peace he thought he should do much amiss not to embrace them wherefore causing new jealousies and diffidences in the Italians and affording matter of complaint and opposition to the rivals of that Crown it seemed that instead of begâ—…ting good blood and nourishing Confidence the Mother of Peace between that Crown and the Princes of Italy as he was wish'd to do by the King he sowed fresh and fertile seeds of new wars and of more important perturbations then those that were past A secret fire was hatch'd in a â—…ook of Italy which breaking forth aâ—…wards had like â—…o have set all Italy on fire just as what usually beâ—…alls great Cities whose combustions begin sometimes not from Theatres or Temples but from poor Coâ—…ages I will take my Narrative a little backwards to the end that what succeeded afâ—…erwards may be better understood The Inhabitants of antient â—…tia who are now called Grâ—…sons injoy'd their antient liberty under the name of the three Unions or Leagues whereof the chiefest and most numerous from which the whole Country â—…akes its name was called Griggia the other two Dirriture and Cadedio and as part of them did long ago rebell against the house of Austria and are for the most part Hereticks so they retain an implacable hatred against that house and hating extreamly the name of Spaniard have always held France and their confederacy contracted with that Crown for above a hundred years ago to be the chief foundation of their security and liberty and being defended and protected by that Crown they were observed by their neighbours at least not disturb'd in their quiet and peaceful possessions their Country which lies amongst L'ulpi Retiche or Retian Alps extends it self a little into Italy for descending down the Mountains it 〈◊〉 some Valleys as the brinks thereof amongst which lies the Valtoline from whence and by which the new wars the great jealousies and commotions of Italy had their beginning The Valtoline begins from the Alps which border upon Tirvolo just where the River Adda takes her commencement and running along the same river it ends in the lake of Como so as the end thereof confines upon Tirvolo which is under the house of Austria so it joyns in the Basis upon the State of Millain it is coasted along on the one side by the Rhetian Mountain and on the other-side by the Countreys of Bressia and Bergamo this Valley of the Grisons as it severs the State of Millain from Germany and Austria and joyns the Venetians to the Grisons and Swissers and by means thereof to France and all the Transalpine Countreys if by any accident it should fall under the Spanish Dominion upon the access of Germany to the State of Millain it would serve as a Gate or Bridge whereby to bring as many men as the King of Spain should please from Germany to the State of Millain with less expence and difficulty and also if occasion should be to convey the like from Italy into Germany in succour of the Empire and house of Austria which is very convenient and necessary for the saâ—…ety of the Spaniards and Austrians in Germany for Germany being the principal help to defend the State of Millain and the Kingdom of Naples as upon Occurrences the Spaniards have need to ask leave of the Swissers for the passage of Germans into Italy and do purchase it from them at great rates and upon hard conditions for they cannot possibly hope for it from the Grisons by reason of their League with France and their abhorring the name of a Spaniard and the Swâ—…ssers sometimes denying passage they would much endanger the States and Affairs of Spain in Italy so the getting of the Valtoline would afford the Spaniards commodity of passing as many men and other provisions as they should have need oâ—… by a shorter safer and less expensive way through their own Countries of Germany into Italy Moreover the same Valtoline whilst possess'd by the Grisons was like a Gate thrown open to the Venetians and to the other Princes of Italy whereby to receive succour from the Transalpineâ—… in desence of their affairs if as it was continually doubted they should be molested by the Spaniards and being possess'd by the Spaniards it would be a Bulwark which blocking up that passage would exclude all other forreign succour for the Austrian Territories invironing all Italy on the out-side from Rhetia to Dalmatia and the State of Millain coming to those by the Valtoline which State of Millain reaches almost aâ—… ' Mare Ligustico and the King of Spain possessing the Kingdom of Naples and the Mediterranean by means of a powerful Fleet it will appear clearly that the State of Venice and of all other Italians except Piedmont would be invironed by the King of Spain's and Austrâ—…an Dominions and little less then shut up and imprisoned within their Forces so as the possessing of this Valley was of great consequence and moment by reason of the union or disunion which it occasioned of the States to the security or prejudice of the Affairs of all of them It was no wonder then if as the Graecians and Trojans strove so much for fair Haelena our Princes did the like for the Valtoline The Venetians did very much desire a League with the Grisons for ten years from the year 1603. and afteâ—… many disputes and contestations did obâ—…ain it to the end that by that confederacy the way might be open to them for Transalpine assistance as oft as they should have need thereof for their own defence and when they had obtained it they made publick Feasts and Rejoycings But this confederacy did even then very much displease not only the King of France the ancient Protector and Confederate of the Grisons but also the Spanish Agents and particularly Count Fuentes then Governour of Millain so as the Agents of both those Courts by several means and out of differing ends indeavoured by all means to disturb it The French having by the title of long confederacy
him that for the good of the common peace and for the safety of Italy and of those States which â—…e the King did therein possess he would put the affairs of the Valtoline into so joyful a condition as might give satisfaction to all men The Letter either came not at all to the Kings hands or if it did it was at his very last time of life for he died after Paul the Fiâ—…th about the end of March the year 1621. a King who was more remarkable for his goodness and innocence of life then for any thing else for forgoing almost all business and medling but very little in the administration of affairs he retain'd little of a King more then the title and fortune a thing which did much prejudice the authority and greatness of the Crown which being goverâ—…'d by the interest of Favorites for the space of 22 years wherein he reigned and chiefly in his latter time he left it much faln from that height of reputation wherein he had received it from his Father He was succeeded by Philip the Fourth of that name the eldest of three Sons that he left behind him of about 16 years of age who though he gave some greater shew of a Royal inclination by which it was hoped that he would interest himself more in publick affairs then his Father had done yet his young years and the pastimes of youth not permitting him to partake of the troubles of publick Government the administration of affairs must necessarily fall into the former condition which the Spaniard call di Privanza or of affairs being carried by Court Minions The chief Ministers of Staâ—…e were Don Balâ—…esar di Zuniga and Don Gaspar di Gusman Count d' Olivares but Zâ—…niga who being long versed in weightiest affairs as well within as out of the Kingdom and who was highly esteemed by all men died not long after to the general grief of all so as the whole weight of Government leaned upon Olivares his Shoulders who being made a Duke by the new King and retaining still his former Title of Count would be called Conde Duca The Valtoline was that which the new King took first into his consideration wherein the Pope the Princes of Italy and the King of France had used their indeavours The new King would satisfie the joint desires of so many Princes and give a taste in this the beginning of his Reign of his being content with what was his own not desiring to usurp upon other mens states or upon the Liberty of the Italian Princes But because the interest of Religion was concern'd in this business that he might shew himself to be a no less pious and religious then wise and moderate King he agreed upon certain Articles with the French Embassadour the substance whereof was That the same Religion should be established in the Valtoline which was there used in the year 1617 And that the State should be restored to the same condition that it was in before the Rebellion That the Forts should be demollished and all Garisons removed from thence That all the Valtolinians should be pardoned for their Rebellion That the King of France Switzers and Vallesani should become sureties to the Grisons for the observance of what was agreed upon These Articles came from Madrid into Italy soon after the Capitulation of Millain and as they came unexpected by any for even those who did most desire it could not expect nor hope for such facile proceedings from that Court in so weighty a business and of such importance to that Court so the Duke of Feria and all those who out of a desire to advance the Spanish Grandezza had co-opperated in this business seeing their plots and designs wholly overthrown wherein they had taken so much pains were totally astonished not only for the prejudice which they thought would thereby redound to the State of Millain and to the other affairs of the Crown of Spain but for the loss of that ostentation glory and merit which Feria and the rest hoped to have reaped thereby Yet not being able to withstand the Kings so precise Orders and Commands they were forc'd to be content and not knowing from whence this resolution should proceed some laid the fault upon the new Kings weakness others upon the Orders and Commands of the late King who upon receiving the Popes Letters a little before he died charged his Son to desist from the enterprise of the Valtoline Others argued that the new King being too indulgently affectionate to his Wife who was sollicited by the French Embassadour was desirous to please her at her earnest desire in not coming to a breach with her Brother the King of France upon account of the Valtoline There were not some wanting who affirmed that Don Piedro di Tolledo out of private emulation that his successor should so happily effect this business which nor he nor so many others of his Predecessors could ever do did oppose in the Supream Councel of State to the end that Feria's actions might not be approved but rejected as the original and undoubted cause of great scandal and troubles Howsoever it was by the effects men may easily comprehend either a Repentance in theie Court of the thing capitulated for or according to others for there never wants sinister Interpreters an End rather to quiet the minds of the Italians and French much moved and incensed by tâ—…ese ese Capitulations then to put the thing capitulated for in execution Whilst this was negotiating in Spain the Valtoliniâ—…ns faâ—…ing well in Italy by reason of the Victory at Tirano and the Capitulations of Millain and Feria exclaiming sufficiently in the Court that by this resolution the King had lost so opportune and so important a purchase the execution of the Articles was defer'd but the Valtolinians exclaimed more then Feria as men who were sent thither on purpose by Feria They mingled tears with their perswasions and did infinitely desire the King That he would not abandon them nor force them to return under the antient yoke of Tyrants of Heretick Tyrants who would rise up not only against their lives and fortunes but even against their souls crying down the Catholick Religion in the Valtoline They desired him That he would inform himself fully what the condition of the Valtoline was formerly and what it was now as well in respect of their natural liberty as Religion for by the perfect knowledge of these two Points the cheat would be discern'd by which his Majesty was perswaded to condescend to those Articles And as for the first Point they shewed that the Valtolinians were naturally a free people not Subjects nor Vassals to the Grisons as his Majesty had been informed but their Companions and Confederates to whom neither they nor their fore-Fathers had never sworn fealty nor done homage or shewed any signe of subjection though by reason of the diversity of Religions their liberty after having for many years governed the common Republick jointly
had been oppress'd and suffocated by their more powerful Confederate And the Tyranny was the more cruelly exercised against them for that the Catholick Religion was constantly profest by the Valtolinians and Calvins abhorred Wherefore said they the Commotions of the Valtoline were not nor could not be esteemed Rebellion but the defence and maintaining of the Catholick Religion and the recovery of their natural Liberty which was not only allowed of but favoured and assisteâ—… by all Laws both humane and divine That this was the reason why no Prince how great or powerful soever having neither jurisdiction nor command over them could without using violence bring them under the command of others and much less under the unjust Tyranny of the usurpers of their Liberty from which by singular divine goodness and by the so great hazard of their lives and fortunes they had once withdrawn themselves Nay that all lawful and just Princes the more great and powerful they were were the more obliged by the Laws of Nations and by Gods Laws to favour and take into their protection the Liberties of opprest people and to turn all the forces of their Kingdoms to the destruction and beating down of Tyrants who were aâ—…hor'd and persecuted by all Laws both divine and humane And if the defence of the Valtolinians liberty was to be expected from any of the Princes of the present Age it did undoubtedly belong more to his Majesty then to any other who having taken the Valtolinians Religion and liberty into his protection before the Capitulation stipulated with the King of France he could not without breach of his Royal Word abandon them nor make them to do an action so contrary to the protection his Majesty had taken of them by forcing them to return to their former slavish condition But that this did bâ—…long to him â—…lone much more by reason of the hereditary profession of the House of Austria of always being the safe shield and constant defence of the Catholick Religion which was so annexed to the liberty of the Valtoline as the ruine â—…f he latter did necessarily draw after it the ruine of the other for who would doubt but if the Valâ—…oline should return again to underneath the slavery of the Grisons the Catholick Religion would be there trodden under foot Nor did that Article of the Convention whereby it was agreed that Religion should be returned to the same condition as it was in the year 1617. make any thing for the preservation thereof for his Majesty was abused in that Point as well as in the other of Religion being falsly given to understand that the Roman Religion was that year unblemished and undefaced there and that this cousenage was so much the greater as the inconveniences and exorbitances which did thereby result were the greater and that therefore the better provision was to be had for it Saying that the demolitions and profanations of Churches the usurpation of Church goods the Martyrdomes and banishment of religious people the Schools and Seminaries for the breeding up of youth in Calvinisme the abolition of Images prohibition of Indulgences and many other impious and enormious abominations were introduced in the Valtolme long before the year 1617. And on the contrary that obedience to the Pope the Introduction of the holy Office the accepting of Bishops and Prelates of the holy Church the accepting of the Councel of Trent and of the Gregorian Kalander the publication of Indulgencies the abolishing of Heretical Schools and Seminaries the Restitution of demolished Churches of the goods and persons of Church men and finally the extirpation of Hereticks and Her sies were the fruits and products of Liberty recovered the year 1620. Who sees not then said they that if that Article being to be put in execution and that Religion be reduced to the state it was in the year 1617. That your Majesty being highly abused doth command that all those abominations which were abolished in the year 1620. shall return in the Valtoline and that on the contrary that all of Holy and Catholical which was blessedly introduced there together with liberty be abolished We cannot said they without blushing and confusion represent unto your Majesty that which your most Catholick mind cannot without horror hear and know to be true not only all sacred Canons and most holy Councils of the Catholick Church do not only reprove such Conventions but do punish the Authors Fantors and Introducers of all these abominable impieties with severest excommunication the Solemn Oath your Majesty took a little before your Coronation to the high Almighty God to the Princes and People of this so Catholick Crown doth not admit of such Conventions The Catholick Kings your Predecessours who have spent so much Gold and blood of their best Vassels for the maintenance of Divine Worship and for the beating down of Heresie who have not valued the loss of whole Provinces for not admitting of any other then the Catholick Religion do conjure your Majesty the Inheritor not only of so many Kingdoms but of so great Catholick zeal not to allow of that Covention to which the world knows had you not been abused you would not have consented for all your Kingdoms They finally concluded with exaggerating the iniquity and inhumane cruelties of the Grisons which they were sure would increase together with their fierce hatred against the miserable inhabitants of the Valtoâ—…ine for their having taken up Arms in defence of their natural liberty and of the Holy Faith The King was doubtlesly moved with these Reasons which being afterwards divulged in the Court the chief Lords and Officers thereof and the people in general finding the resulting inconveniences by this cousâ—…nage put upon the King were much moved thereat and did confess that nothing more contrary to the Faith nor more prejudicial to Catholicks could be contracted amongst Heretick Princes and storming thereat knew not what to do whereby with safety to the Kings royal word and agreement the Convention might be kept from being put in execution and whilst they were busied thereabout a new accident fell out which furnish'd them with a means A Diet was resolved upon for the execution of this agreement amongst the Swissers to be celebrated in Lucerna one of the chief Catholick Cantons of that Nation wherein to boot with the Deputies of all the Cantons Monsieur Scappi Apostolick Nuntio with the Swissers was to be present for the Pope Monsieur Myron and Monsieur Monholon Embassadours in ordinary and extraordinary for the King of France and Gueffiere Resident in Rhetia and Andriano Tomasini President of the Parliament of Burgony for the King of Spain and the Duke of Feria was commanded to observe Tomasini's Orders for what should be resolved upon in that Diet touching the affairs of the Valtoline the Deputies also of the Grisons appeared at this Diet who presenting the Decree of general pardon granted to those of the Valtoline demanded the demollishing of the Forts lately erected
Grandezza being by such a sound obstacle disjoyn'd and segregated from Italy could less easily hold intelligence with the Iâ—…alian Princes or administer hopes of assistance to them Wherefore Feria seeing how much by the success of that Enterprize happily begun under his auspicious Government and more happily ended he had exceâ—…ded the hopes of his Predecessors returned full of joy and glory to Millain triumphing over the Grisons with the Artillery recovered after a hundred years which being adorned with Lawrel were in manner of Triumph drawn before him But look how much the condition of the Crown of Spain was better and more advantaged by so many good successes so much the more did Jealousie increase amongst the Italian Princes and the apprehension of their own Liberty and Command and together with this jealousie envy and endeavours of opposition increased in those that envyed the Spanish greatness the latter not being able to see so great an advancement in authority nor the others to see that little loop-hole much to their grief shut up by which their liberty in the greatest and most urgent streights might breathe And as some stood lookers on and quiet observers of these events the lesser expecting when the greater should move so the Duke of Savoy though the preâ—…udice did not chiefly belong unto him unless it were that the Spaniards needing now no longer any passage through Savoy should have less occasion to put an esteem upon him yet were it either that as an Italian Prince he was touched with the danger of others or that he thought the too much Grandezza of the Spaniard might prove dangerous to his own affairs or that he did desire by all means to cross the ends and designs of that Crown he thought it no little diminution to his own Interests that the Spaniards should not any more stand in much need of his Friendship But the Venetians were chiefly mad hereat whom the danger did more nearly concern as those that saw that the Spaniards and Archduke by getting firm footing in the Grisons Country and by the Forts erected in the Valtoline had not only disturb'd their ends and bereaved them of the good they hoped for by League with that Nation but as it were imprisoned their liberty and laid it at their feet wherefore as if the total of their affairs and their utmost ruine were in question they resolved to remove every stone to omit for no expence nor labour and to refuse no danger so they might provide against the prejudice and mischief of so great an alteration of affairs and finding that the moneys they had disburst amongst the Grisons and Swissers the raising of men intended in those parts their assisting of those people that they might subsist and not be oppressed by the Spaniard had proved altogether vain and that they of themselves were not able to undertake such a business They resolved to move those Princes whose interests might be concern'd in the ends and actions of the Spaniards tâ—…rouze themselves up upon so great an occasion they forbore not to exclaim against those actions and to make it known in the Courts of all Princes as well Italians as Forreigners what the Spaniards ends were in entring upon this enterprise and how under the vail of Religion they did undermine the Common Liberty incited people to rebel maâ—…e themselves masters of other mens States aimed at the reducing of Italy into slavery to suffocate the Apostolick See to give the Law to all Italian Princes and after having put the yoke about their neck make them dependent upon the Spanish Empire and be at their beck that this was a great step whereby to ascend and arrive at the absolute Monarchy of Iâ—…aly and of all Christendom which they so earnestly thirsted after that the interest of all men the safety of the Empire and the Common Liberty were herein treated of that therefore with an unanimous consent they ought to withstand these beginnings oppose the progress of these unions and concatenations of States so prejudicial to all men to the end that when all remedies should be too late they might not in vain bewail those losses which would be the infallible result of their not having moved upon this occasion that doubtlesly if they would all resent themselves and behave themselves generously in this affair the Spaniards would be forced to yield to their unanimous will and consent and desist from the enterprise which they had begun against the Common Safety and Liberty These and the like Reasons alledged by the Venetians at the beginning of these Commotions in France Rome Italy amongst the Swissers and Grisons wrought not much effect nor were of such moment as such an accident required The Court of France not being well pleased with the Venetiâ—…n League desired that the Grisons affairs might be perturbed and that the Venetians might reap but bitter fruit of their Negotiations the Pope who was full of years and of indispositions shew'd not such resentment as would have been necessary the Swissers disagreed within themselves and as the event shewed afterwards inclined more to favour the Spaniards Designs then the Interest of the Common Cause so as the Grisons being left alone in the Field though set on and fomented by the Venetians were forced to succumb to the stronger But Gregory having succeeded Paul in the Popedom as hath been said who seemed to resent the business more then his Predecessour had done and the French finding what advantage had redounded to the Spaniards by the revolt of the Valtoline and how much they had suffer'd thereby in their own authority they began to be no less troubled thereat then the Venetians and by title of Protection over the Grisons the ancient Confederates of that Crown to pretend that they might be restored to the entire possession of their liberty and of the Valtoline But many things opposed their desires the League between the Venetians and that Nation confirm'd contrary to the Authority of that Crown by which and from which so many inconveniences did arise the war which the King of France made against the Hereticks of his own Country to reduce them to his obedience and to the obedience of the Catholick Church and therefore taking from them those priviledges which they had extorted in the former wars he was intent with all his Forces to heal that wound which troubled his Kingdom and besides that this war did keep him sufficiently busie and kept him from forreign imployment the Title thereof also like that which the Spaniards did pretend against the Grisons would not permit that he without manifest repugnancy should favour those same Hereticks out of his Kingdom which he did with such fervency and religious zeal endeavour to extirpate at home The peace also and good correspondency between his Crown and the Crown of Spain did repugne it which being very convenient for the common interest it did not suit well with the King of France to discompose especially his own
Arms ready to resent the injury he would by no means expect their moving nor that the affairs of Italy should be more discomposed then formerly for any such respect therefore not admitting that the Treaty at Madrid should be null and void by reason of the Swiffers they pretended it was to be observed offering new warranties or cautions equal to the former for the performing of what was agreed upon and if otherwise they threatned making Leagues and to prepare for Italy so as France was full of warlike preparations giving out that it was to take that satisfaction by Arms which they would not do by Negotiation and to this purpose the Duke of Savoy who spur'd on this business being gone to Avignon whither the King of France was come in person from the neighbouring Camp before Montalban the foundations of League were laid wherein the Venetian Embassadours did intervene which certainly would have been perfected had not the Popes Nuntio hindred it by affirming that for an undoubtâ—…d Truth the King of Spain had refer'd the whole business of the Valtoline to be decided by the Pope but all that the Nuntio had affirmed proving afterwards to be but words the Treaty of the League was reassumed with greater fervency for the King of France began to discern by the not observance of the Convention at Madrid and by the noveltâ—…es committed against the Grison by the Archduke and Duke of Feria that the Rebels of his Kingdom were secretly fomented with moneys by the Spanish Agents to the end that being entertain'd with domestick wars they should not be at leisure to think upon Forreign wars which were it true or false being believed by the King to be contrary to the good correspondency which was then profest between the two Crowns he was much incensed at it wherefore speaking not long after with the Prince of Piedmont who was come to Lyons he stipulated the League with him in the Duke his Fathers name which was a little before in Treaty against the States of Italy appertaining to the Crown of Spain for restoring the Grisons to the ancient possession of their State and Liberty and to their possession of the Valtoline and it being divulged that the King was so servent in this business as he would compose differences yea even upon disadvantagious terms with the Hereticks of his own Kingdom rather then suffer such an affront to be done unto himself and his Clients and Confederates to be so much injured Italy grew greatly apprehensive of new troubles which seemed also to be just then threatned and foretold by Celestial Prodigies and Impressions In the year 1618 and in the moneth of November there appeared a great Comet above Saturn and according to the opinion of the most famous Mathematicians very neer the Stars of the eighth Sphear whose angry head was like to the Star called Mars and tail thereof which was very long and like a Squirrils tail was extended or spread abroad 20 degrees with two motions the one retrograde from the East to the West wherewith it ran from the ninth of Scorpio to the eighth of Virgo the other from the South to the North wherewith it â—…an 64 degrees the head thereof terminating in that same Star which stands in the middest of the tail of Ursa Major and the tail of it almost touching that mis-shapen Star which is hard by the tail of the Serpent It was seen in Persia in the Indies and in Iapan it ran through all the parts of the World and continued till the end of December A little before it appeared another impression was seen which was like a Log of fire but lasted but a very little while Mathematicians Prognosticated several things hereby and those who think the success of humane affairs depend upon Celestial influences as upon second causes for these apparitions preceding the Insurrection in the Valtoline many attributed the wars which proceeded from thence to the maligne effects of those apparitions and the present Occurrence which grew daily hotter and hotter to be a well prepared Materia to receive the malignity of these influences but these Prodigies which are most commonly fallacious caused not these new Ruptures to be so much apprehended as did the continual practises which were had every where Feria appeared very constant and resolute in keeping what was gotten and to this purpose had used all his Reasons and Authority with his friends in Spain that the glory of his actions might not be disturb'd by his rivals On the contrary the Venetians who were very fervent in this business were resolved by all means possible to bring it to the end which they so much desired The Duke of Savoy desirous of new wars thought every hour a year till he had begun war with the Spaniard The Pope not able to tollerate that the Capitulation at Madrid wherein he had co-operated should not take effect was very ill satisfied and gave manifest signs of his resentment the King of France egg'd on by so many Princes who had recourse to him as to the chief foundation of common resolutions was ready to end this business by Arms since he could not do it by Treaties The King of Spain was doubly concern'd in this business for to the respect of Religion which was the chief cause why he had medled therein was added the Decree of protecting the Valtoline and the liberty thereof nor could he with honour abandon the enterprise though he should not value the other weighty interests of his Crown on the other side seeing so many jealousies such ill satisfaction so great a combination of Princes who threatned much mischief to Italy he began to reflect upon the prejudice which might redound if new wars in Italy should be added to the wars of Germany and Flanders which at this time were very hot and how hard would it be to make sufficient provisions in all parts which if they should fail in any one place would necessarily draw on the ruine of all the rest Labouring therefore amongst so many weighty and differing respects but chiefly under the great apprehension of the immense troubles which might insue unto Italy as that which prevailed over all other more wholsome resolves he chose the middle way which was to deposite the Forts of the Valioline into the Popes hands to the end that he might keep them with his own Captains and Souldiers in the name of the Apostolick See to dispose of them afterwards with satisfaction to Religion and to both the Crowns whereby Religion was not injured for laying the care thereof upon the Pope he himself was freed from further trouble therein nor was the liberty of those of the Valtoline thereby prejudiced for the Pope being to satisfie both the Crowns therein it was not to be supposed that the Crown of Spain would ever be satisfied with any thing which might be contrary to their Liberty Thus the war being removed from Italy it seemed that the Crown of Spain had with
a friend to them all insinuating the Popes Brother or Nephew Proposals which he listened very willingly unto as being much inclined to the exaltation of his kindred but they were mightily abhor'd by others particularly by the Venetians who grew as suspicious of the Pope after the Marriage as they were confiding in him before for the constancy which he profess'd in the common Cause To this was added That the Principality of the Valtoline being of it self but weak and lying open towards the State of Millain it would too necessarily depend upon the Spanish Authority and if this were not satisfactory in any other person the Venetians must needs abhor it in the Popes Nephews by reason of the Wives Estate held in Fee which being by the Marriage to fall unto the Lodovisian Family and to be annexed to his person who should be Prince of the Valtoline they were too pregnant proofs of the necessary dependance of that Principality upon the Crown of Spain Neither could the French though they stormed at the Popes alteration any ways resent it the business being by the Covenants of the Depositure reduced from Forces to Treaty wherein the French were to carry themselves cunningly lest they might exasperate the Pope and alienare him the more from their Kings interests The Treaty of Marriage which was near concluding between the Prince of England and the Infanta Maria Sister to the King of Spain did not a little trouble the French and suppress their pretentions which Treaty being one of the most memorable and signal Negotiations of those times and for that it was also of great concernment in the present Occurrences it will not be unnecessary nor will it swerve from our present Narration to give you a short account of it The King of Spain being deeply concern'd in the Bohemian wars did not only send men and monies to the Emperour through the Valtoline before it was deposited but commanded Marquess Spinola his Captain General in Flanders and in the Low-Countries to enter the Palatinate and wage war there in the Emperours name In obedience whereunto Spinola with incredible speed and prosperity possessed almost the whole Palatinate and suppressing the Forces of the numerous Army of the Protestant Princes associated in assistance of the Palatinate who durst not give him Battel forced them at last to forsake the Palatinate upon the Rheine and to receive Law from him By which prosperous success the parts of the Palatinate and of the other Confederates being overcome they were afterwards totally ruined by the Emperours Army and by that of the Catholick League in Germany for these two Armies jointly entering Bohemia and joining Battel with the Palatines Army before Prague they routed it totally and the Palatine having lost his new Kingdom and all hopes of regaining it he fled with his Wife Daughter to the King of England towards Holland that he might go from thence to his Father in Law and obtain favour from him or at least monies to recover his Paternal Estate which was possess'd and confiscated by the Emperour for Rebellion and high Treason The King of England could never be drawn to approve of his Son in Law 's resolution of accepting the Crown offered him by the Bohemians and professing that he could not with a just conscience assist him in that Cause which he thought to be unjust and a pernitious example to all Princes forbore sending aid or succour to him which he did profess at first and with miraculous constancy and faith made good unto the last whereby he deserved very well of the Emperour and of the House of Austria who were so deeply concern'd in those Revolts But afterwards commiserating the exile of his Son in Law Daughter and Grand-children and yet resolving not to assist their afflicted Country by Arms nor by joining with the other Princes of Germany who prepared to repair the Prince Palatine with new forces he thought he should be able to do him better service by Negotiation wherein he had placed no small hopes by marrying his own and only Son to the Infanta of Spain and by his having deserved so well of the House of Austria And unusual means being to be used in unusual enterprises he with a sudden and very secret resolution sent his only Son to the Court of Spain to desire in his own person the Infanta for his Wife thinking that by the Authority of his Sons presence and by his generous shew of honouring that King he should cut off all difficulties and hinderances which might obstruct a business of so high concernment And that the Court of Spain being overcome by so magnanimous a favour should not only consent unto the Marriage but in savour thereunto restore the Palatinate which the Prince intended to demand and hoped to obtain amidst the Festivals and Jollities of the Royal Marriage The Prince of England departing from England privately past with a very small attendance disguised through France and came to Madrid before the knowledge of his departure and of so strange a resolution was arrived there The King and the whole Court being astonished and confused at the arrival of such a Guest knew not whether they were to be glad of the Princes coming in respect of the great Honour they received thereby or to be sorry for it being necessitated to grant him whatsoever he should desire though peradventure they were not thereunto well inclined Yet being received with all the demonstrations of Honour and with the greatest applause that might be he found a first very good correspondency of good will in the King and in the whole Court and already desire to please him in what concern'd the Match and for what concern'd the Palatine such demonstrations were used as he had reason to conceive hopes that he should obtain his whole desire by that voyage As for the Marriage all difficulties giving way to the Authority and presence of the Prince the point of Religion was the only Remora wherein the King of Spain desiring much satisfaction many debates were had about it But at last the English being desirous of a conclusion consented to whatsoever the Spaniards did demand so as the Marriage was held as good as concluded and for such divulged Very rich Presents past between the Prince and his Mistress as an earnest-penny of the future Marriage and many signs of rejoycing and of reciprocal affection and union past between the two Crowns There rested only one scruple on the King of Spains part which delayed the Consummation which growing daily greater became an invincible difficulty and afterwards reverst the whole business and did wholly defeat it For the King of Spain desirous to proceed cautiously in so weighty a business and which was on his side irretractable required security for the performance of what was agreed upon And the King of England offering his Princely Word and Solemn Oath which was all that he could offer or the other could pretend unto the King of Spain was
not therewithal contented as not being willing by any means in a business of so great concernment and importance to depend upon anothers will subject to so many casualties and accidents of Variation which might peradventure happen And because the business of the Palatinate grew more difficult the King of Spain keeping himself within the bounds of not promising any effectualy estitution which the Prince of Wales desired and pretended that it was promised affirming that he would use his Authority and best indeavours with the Emperour to whom he said the inteâ—…est of concession did chiefly belong and upon whom the disposal of that State did absolutely depend men began therefore daily to suspect more and more that the Court of Spain having been from the beginning intentionally and inwardly against the Match they had only cunningly held on the Treaty partly out of their own ambition and Grandezza partly for the Honour of the Prince whom they seemed to esteem very highly but chiefly that they might gain time and advance the mean while in the business of the Valtoline Which the Prince percerving he parted from that Court after he had been six Moneths there without having made any conclusion and imbarking in a Fleet which was come from England to re-conduct him he returned to his own Kingdom carrying with him implacable hatred grievous complaints revenge and enmity instead of friendship and a Wife Here I the Translator of this Book must crave leave both of my Author and Reader which if it may not be granted me I will presume to take to insert a passage which then happened and does relate to this Story it being a full and perfect Vindication of a scandalous imputation laid by some black back-biting Dogs nay foul-mouth'd Curs upon this then glorious Prince my since blessed King and now and for ever that undoubtedly happy Saint in Heaven King Charles late Monarch of Great Britain and Ireland they being defirous to make the world believe by their scurrilous speeches and writings that this pious conscientious and religious King was a Papist in his heart and intended to introduce Popery into this Land And truly since it falls out so pat and so aptly here I cannot forbear doing it though I know it be unusual and contrary to custome for Translators to adde any thing of their own and this it was I Who had the honour to be bred up with this hopeful Prince and who account it my greatest happiness to have known him and to have been known by him when he was King having heard a street Report that this Infanta his then Mistress and since Wife to the King of Hungary was turned Lutheran according to the gratious freedom his Majesty was always used to afford me I told him of it one day when he was at Dinner upon the hearing whereof His ever blessed Majesty was pleased to say Harry if this be true I am confident I know who turn'd her which I desiring to know who it might be His Majesty answered Padre Rohose This Padre Rohose said His Majesty when I came to Spain was Confessor to the Infanta and in the absence of the Kings Confessor was also Confessor to the King He was one said His blessed Majesty who gave very diligent attendance upon me when I came first to Spain and for two or three Moneths space never failed to wait upon me when I was at Dinner insomuch as some acquaintance being grown between us he one day moved me that a Disputation might be had in publick between my Chaplains and some of the King of Spains Priests in point of Religion affirming that he knew it would be very pleasing to the Infanta I answered no saying I came not hither to turn nor to be turned in my Religion by any publick Argumentations nor have I any such Commission from the King my Father but rather a Command to the contrary but if you Padre Rohose have any thing to object against the Religion which I profess I will give you the hearing in private Padre Rohose being glad that he had got thus much began to object somewhat against the Religion profess'd in my Fathers Dominions at the beginning whereof said the Prince laying his hand upon the others Arm No Padre Rohose this is not the way this is to Dispute de non concessis But let me give you an account of my Faith and of the Tenents of my Religion first and then if you have any thing to object speak your mind freely Padre Rohose being herewith content as surely he had good reason the Prince began and made him a full and true relation of the Tenents of his Religion which when he had done Rohose replyed Sir do you believe all this Yes said the Prince And will your Highness give me leave said Padre Rohose to affirm this to others from your mouth Yes said the Prince do it boldly for this is the Religion I was born in and bred up in the Religion which is profess'd in my Fathers three Kingdoms and wherein by the Grace of God I am resolved to live and dye Why then said Padre Rohose for ought I know Sir you may be saved as well as I. My blessed King having told me this I asked His Majesty whether Rohose did not object any thing against what His Majesty had said Not at the present replied His Majesty but some few days after he took me aside and began to alledge some trivial things against what he had heard me say to which said the King I gave him such an Answer as I heard no further news of Padre Rohose for a good while whereat marvelling not a little I wonder said the Prince one day in publick why Padre Rohose hath not visited me of late What is become of him To which he was answered by a whisper in the ear That the Priest Rohose was forbidden coming any more to the Prince his Court left instead of his converting the Prince the Prince should convert him I could not omit mentioning this remarkable Passage here since as I said before I had so pat an occasion to do it and since it was to my self that His blessed Majesty was pleased to make this Relation upon the aforesaid occasion And upon the Faith of a Christian and Word of a Gentleman this is the full sence and as near as I can remember the very words His ever blessed Majesty was pleased to do me the honour as to tell me which though they wrought nothing upon me more then what I did formerly know and did confidently believe if they be not able to stop the mouths of those slanderous companions and make them bite out those Tongues wherewith they have indeavoured to throw dirt upon the Memory of His Sacred Majesty yet at least his constant perseverance in the profession and witnessing his Faith at his unpresidented death me thinks should make them do it And now to pursue my Authour again These practises made the French grow cooler as I have
said in the affairs touching the Valtoline for doubting lest by this Marriage a streight League might be concluded between the Crowns of Spain and England the Kingdom of France being placed between them grew apprehensive of it And the intestine wars continuing in France against the Hereticks who were much favoured by the King and Kingdom of England it behoved the Fench to be very circumspect in falling foul with the Crown of Spain when it should be so closely annex'd to the English as it was likely to be by that Marriage But new accidents did this mean while happen which did much better the French affairs The Pope who was grown very inward with the Spaniards died about the end of Iune in the year 1623. who was succeeded by Maffeo Cardinal Barbarino a Florentine by Nation who caused himself to be called Urbane â—…one of a most pleasing wit as well for his great Erudition in the more weighty Sciences as in humane Learning He was also well vers'd in the affairs of the world and in State affairs for having been accustomed to the most important imployments of the Court of Rome he had also been Nuntio both ordinary and extraordinary with the King of Francâ—… and whilst he was in that imployment was made Cardinal by Pope Paul the fifth wherefore he was thought to be inclined to the French and that he could not wish well to Spain and yet he did so win upon the Spanish Faction by his wisdom dexterity wit and canâ—…id comâ—…oitment as the Votes of the Spanish Cardinals and particularly Borgia's Vote who was the head of them weat to the making him Pope He was created according to the new form prescribed by his Predecessors who to the end that the Cardinals might give their Votes with the more freedom did by a particular Bull ordain so secret a way for the giving of Suffrages as it could not be discovered by any which form though as new and not formerly used it kept the Conclave a little longer yet it being then the Dog-days and the Cardinals being much incommodated by their being kept so close many of them fell sick and some died wherefore forced by fear and danger they joined in the election of Pope Urbane who was indowed with all those parts and ornaments required in a great Prince and in a powerful Pope Having taken the Popedom upon him great signes of constant resolution appeared in him of a good affection to Christendome and that he was not apt to siding For to the great neutrality which he seemed to profess in publick affairs and in such as appertained to the Papal dignity he added great severity in his private affairs by refusing great offers which were immediately made him by the French Agents for the aggrandizing of his House but on the other side being very gratious to the Cardinals of Savoy and to the French and Venetian Cardinals with whom he held close consultations he caused much distrust in the Spanish Cardinals and Agents who therefore quickly shewed little satisfaction in his choice and were displeased with themselves for the favour they had done him And truly the success of affairs under his Popedom shew'd they did not much erre in their judgment nor in the diffidence which they conceived of him for Pope Urbane whether moved thereunto by his own Genius and inclination to the French or out of a desire to restore the Pontifical dignity to its former vigour and render it less exposed to the dependancy of anothers will or that he nourished more generous and more exalted thoughts of the Liberty of Italy he soon discovered himself no great favourer of the Spaniards and very much a friend to those who being desirous of the like liberty of Italy strove to oppose the Spanish greatness This jealousie was augmented by the knowledge of an important accident which happned in Avignon in the Moneth of October this very year The Kings of France England and Denmark the Venetians Duke of Savoy and Hollanders many of the German Princes and as some will have it Bethlem Gaber the Transilvanian Prince sent their Embassadours very secretly to that City where coming unknown and in the habit of Merchants they made a League between them against the Emperour and the King of Spain for the liberty of Italy for the restitution of the Valtoline and of the Palatinate The principal Articles whereof were That the Hollanders to boot with the war which they made in their own Country against the Spaniards should send Fleets into America and possess themselves of Brazil That the King of England should assist the Hollanaers with a certain number of men in their Domestick wars and should send a powerful Fleet to Spain to assault those Rivers and to intercept the Navy which useth to come thither from America That the King of Denmark together with the Protestant Princes of Germany should raise a powerful Army and wage war with the Emperour in Flanders for the Restitution of the Palatinate And that Bethlem Gaber should molest the Emperours Dominions towards Hungary to the end that being assaulted on two sides he might be the less able to make resistance That the King of France should hinder the commercâ—… between Spain and Italy with a powerful Fleet to be kept at Marselles and should pass into Piedmout with an Army of 25000 Foot and 4000 Horse and that joining with the Duke of Savoy who was to raise another Army of 12000 Foot and 2000 Horse he should assault the State of Millain for the maintaining of which Army the Venetians should disburse 100000 Duckats a Moneth to the Duke of Savoy And that at the same time the King of France should fall into the Valtoline with another Army out of the Grisons Country and when he should have possess'd himself of it he should fall down from thence into the State of Millain and joining with the Venetians who for those enterprises were to join a certain number of men to the French Army he should assault the same State of Millain with the Common forces and that they should assault the affairs of the Kingdom of Naples with a Fleet of Ships towards the Adriatick Sea This League being made two months after the Pope Election in a City belonging to the Church made the Spaniards suspect that it never would have been appointed without tacite intelligence held between the Pope and the French who were thought the authors of it because besides the restitution of the Valtoline and the Palatinate the restoring of the Apostolick See to all that did anciently belong unto her was agreed upon wherein it seemed the Kingdom of Naples might be understood and place was also left in the same League for the Pope and great Duke of Tuscany who was also promised to have all the Havens of Tuscany restored unto him but the French openly denying any such Conspiracy and no wise man being to believe that a Pope hardly waâ—…m in his Chair should enter into so weighty
Arsenal of Venice built certain Boats and Brigantines and putting them armed into the water he made himself master of the little Lake and of the Channel by which Boats came with Victuals and Ammunition to those of Riva remedies were found for both these inconveniences for Count Iovanni sent men to Riva who taking from the French the Fortifications which they had possess'd themselves off made the way open and rendred that pass free for Provisions and Succour and the Duke of Feria having also sent for experienced Ship-wrights and Mariners from Genoa he also put other Barques and Brigantines into the River which beâ—…ng well armed and man'd and some pieces of Artillery being placed in fitting palces upon the side of the Lake kept the way open as well by Water as by Land for Victuals and other Provisions and forthwith freed la Riva from being besieged but Coure's men being this mean while much recruited by more men and moneys sent by the Venetians who desired to see that Enterprise ended to the end that when the French should fall upon the State of Millain they might also assault it on their side and new Regiments of Souldiers being come unto him from the Swissers and Grisons Feria being very careful to defend that pass sent 2000 of those Dutch thither who came fiâ—…st to the State of Millain which hapned very opportunely for Coure being thus recruited would needs go to assault la Riva and do his utmost to take it and he found the Defendants also recruited who marching into the Field encountered the Enemy in a little Plain beyond Nova and fought them the Combate was very fierce and stoutly fought on all sides and the French being often times recruited the Fight continued till night upon the coming on whereof the French were forced to retreat with the loss of many of their men and could not only not come neer Riva but forsaking Campo withdrew into their Quarters about Vico and Vercei which were lower and farther distant from Riva These happy successes afforded the Duke of Feria breath he thought himself so safe from assaults on that side as he might have more leasure to think upon the affairs of Genoa in the freeing whereof the Victory in all parts did depend but the delay of the Dutch was a great hinderance to it which did proceed not only from the endeavours to the contrary of the Confederates and of the French but also from the avarice of the Cantons who were to permit them to pass who being Creditors to the Crown of Spain for pay denied them passage till they were paid their Arraers and the Governour being in great want of money much time was required to get the moneys wherewith to satisfie them before the coming of the Gallies from Spain to Genoa nor would they grant them free passage when they were satisfied as they had granted to the French but with many limitations which caused much delay and the Governour being much sollicited by the Genoeses whom he could not please before the arrival of the Dutch he made use of appearance instead of effects for making all things ready for marching he went from Millain to Pavia giving out that he would go to relieve Genoa and here according to what was published he was very diligent in making all requisite provisions for that succour and for the people who came daily from Genoa a shew which was very seasonable and which was thought did much detain the Enemies proceeding who seeing him ready to march could not without apparent danger to themselves keep their Quarters much less could they advance to their Enterprise to the home and neighbouring provisions which secured the Genoeses forreign and further distant accidents were added which though far enough off yet made much for their main business Don Frederico di Tolledo who was gone with a powerful Fleet to recover Brafile return'd at this time victorious into Spain and Marquess Spinola after nine moneths Siege took Breda in the defence and preservation whereof not only the Hollanders did labour with all their Forces but the Kings of France England Swethland and Denmark so as the Fleet which was return'd from Brasile was a strong defence to the Mediterranean against the English and the Flemish Fleets if entring the Mediterranean they should make for Genoa so also the Flanders Army being freed from besieging Breda might commodiously and without any impediment go whither it listed and keep France in j alousie which was then rent and disturbed with home discords and when the affairs of Genoa wherein that Crown was so concern'd should require it it was sufficient by molesting that Kingdom on that side to divert France from offending the Genoeses and the King of Spain being quite of these two impediments might imploy greaâ—…er Forces in defence of the State of Genoa to boot with these two Forreign accidents whereby the conditions of the affairs of Genoa were bettered three others which hapned neerer hand did much impair the affairs of the Confederates Army the one was that the Victuals and Provisions in the English Fleet were corrupted then when it was ready to put to Sea for Italy so as it was foced to tarry some moneths to take in new Provisions another that the Hereticks in France began again to tumultuate and the King being necessitated to quench the fire which was kindled in his own house could not furnish fuel to mantain combustion abroad the third that the Duke of Guise who was to put with his Fleet from Marcelles notwithstanding the 150000 Ducates taken from the Genoeses and other moneys which the Duke of Savoy furnished him with upon this account proceeded slowly in his preparations and could not put to Sea according to appointment therefore the Duke of Savoy and the Constable failing in the chief ground-works of their Enterprise and seeing the Enemies preparations to increase both in Genoa and in the State of Millain they were forced to think more upon their own safeties then upon the ruine of others The inward discords of their own Army was also a great break-neck to their affairs which keeping about Gavio Ottaggio and the neighbouring parts uncertain and not resolved what to do began to want Victuals the Country being barren and those spent which were in the Army at its first appearing and at the taking of Ottaggio for they could not hope for any from the State of Millain now that it was provided of Souldiers and very little came from Piedmont by reason of the length of the Journey the difficulty of the Guides and Conducts and by the hindrances they met with by the Montserrians who being irritated and angred at the ill usage they received from the Army as it passed through their Country declared themselves fierce Enemies hindring their Conducts killing the Conductors and all such Souldiers who to get rid of the sufferings of the Camp retired either into France or Piedmont The trocb'es were no less which they received from the Pozzeveraschy
Cadiz to the Continent but being hindred partly by the rain that fell partly by those who came to defend the Bridge they could not effect their desire Don Ferrante Girone who was there in defence after he had well fortified the City issued out and coming to blows with the Enemy a sleight Skirmish insued with some prejudice to both sides at last the English finding that they could do no great good neither there nor in any of the neighbouring parts which were all well munited they resolved to be gone and making towards the West the Spaniards were afraid as they had learn'd by some Prisoners that they were bent for Cape San Vincent the utmost promontory of Spain toward the West to intercept the Plate-Fleet wherefore very much apprehending some adverse fortune they sent out some Carvels into several parts to find out the Plate-Fleet and to advertise them how neer the English were and in what danger they were of them and that therefore instead of coming to Cape San Vincent they should enter into Corogna the utmost Haven of Gallitia one of these Carvels light upon the English Fleet which hearing of the Orders sent to the Plate-Fleet by so many parts steered its Course towares Corogna supposing that the Plate-Fleet would undoubtedly light upon some of those Carvels and would according to their Orders make towards that part a wonderful accident hapned which because it exceeded all humane foresight and providence may deservedly be called a miracle not any of the Carvels met with the Plate-Fleet so as the Orders which were sent to them falling into the hands of the English was the occasion of turning the English out of their way for the Plate-Fleet which coming from out the Channel of Bauma doth usually sail Northward till it come to the 45 degree of the elevation of the Pole and then declining towards the East and South comes into the Terzere and into Portugal and to Coast a long the Cape San Vincent not being able this year by reason of the great Northerly winds to enter between those Islands and the Continent was forc'd to pass on the out side and to run along Africa even to the shores of Morocco at the same time that the English Fleet lay before Cales but when the English Fleet going from Cales went to find the Plate-Fleet out the wind blowing very briskly from the South it hapned that as by the favour thereof the Plate-Fleet came successfully from the Morocco shores to Cales so the English Fleet leaving Cales behind them the more they thought to meet with the Plate-Fleet the English being driven by the same winds towards Corogna the further were they from it and consequently left the entrance into the Streights and the Spanish Seas free to the Plate-Fleet whither it was bound Now because often mention is made of the great Treasure and Riches which this Plate-Fleet brings every year to Spain it will not be much from the purpose to make here a particular Discourse thereof lest the Narration of that which is now so well known being not spoken of by us may peradventure leave the like obscurity to posterity as we find in the Holy Writ touching the Land of Ophir from whence we read that Gold was brought every third year to Solomon The King of Spain as he is King of Castile is Master of the great Kingdoms of America which is now called the new World and which being totally unknown to the Ancients was first discovered and found out by Christophoro Colomba a Citizen of Genoa in the year 1492. and as King of Portugal he possesseth many Towns Havens and Maritime Provinces in Africa Asia and in the Indies and more Eastern Islands whereinto by long endeavors and dangerous Navigation he had penetrated a little before Colomba from these Oriental and Occidental Regions infinite Riches and Treasures are yearly brought into Spain but particularly from America as more abounding then any other Region in the unexhaustible Mines of Silver between the midst of March and beginning of April eight great Ships fraught with Merchandize and eight well-armed Galleoons do usually go every year from the City of Sivil which sailing towards America steer their Course towards that Province which is commonly called Terra Firma and putting to shore first at Carthagena the chief Haven of that Province eleven degrees distant from the Line towards the North and 315 degrees in Longitude do there unload part of their Merchandize and pass forwards with the rest towards Porto Velo the chiefest place for Trade in that Istmus which dividing the uppermost Sea which they call the North Sea from the nethermore which they call the South Sea joyns the two chief parts of America together just as Africa is joyn'd to Asia by the Istmus of Egypt Porto Velo is a place of receipt for all the Merchandize which go to and fro from Peru and for all the Gold and Silver which is brought in great abundance from the unexhaustible Mines of the Potosi in Peru and from the others of those parts for as all that passes from Peru and from those Provinces by the South Sea into the North Sea to be convey'd into Spain puts in at Panama another noble Haven and place of Merchandize on the opposite side of the Istmus which lies upon that Sea and are carried cross the Istmus upon the backs of certain creatures not unlike our Rams to Porto Velo so those which are destined for Peru and those other Regions which lie towards the South from Spain and the other American Provinces which lie Northward are unloaded at Porto Velo and are carried upon the same creatures to Palma from whence they are sent in Ships destined for Peru and those other Provinces the same Ships when they have unladed the Spanish Merchandize in Porto Velo are presently fraught with those which are come from Peru and those other Provinces except it be the Gold and Silver which for the greater safety are for the most part put into Galleoons which are very great and capacious Vessels each of which carrying 36 pieces of great Cannon and 300 select Mariners may be said to be the Plate-Fleets Garrison these being loaded with Gold and Silver depart in company with the Ships of Merchandize from Porto Velo to Havanna a Haven which for capacity safety and Fortification may be accounted the chiefest not only in America but peradventure in the whole World which being situated in the Island of Cuba just under the Tropick of Cancer turns towards the North and is opposite to that part of America which is called Florida whither when they are come they find about 35 other Ships which coming from Spain about the end of the preceding Iune pass to San Iovan di Lua which is the landing place of Mexico and of that Province neer America which is commonly called Nova Spagna and having here unladed the Spanish Merchandize and taken up those of Nova Spagna they endeavour to be in Havanna at the
time that the Galleoons and other Ships use to come thither which is just about the beginning of September to the end that guarded by those Galleoons and other Ships they may pursue their Voyage with more safety and less danger of Pyrates to boot with these other Ships of the neighbouring Kingdoms use to come thither at the same time so as the whole Flotta as they call it amounts to between 60 and 70 Vessels when they part from Havanna they must by the Streight of Beama a very dangerous Streight between the Island Beama and Florida fall into the open and immense Ocean whither when they are come they give fire to all their Artillery in sign of joy for that they have escaped so dangerous a passage and calling a Councel they open a Packet which is brought from Spain wherein there are Orders and Instructions from the King how they are to steer their Course in their return and in what height they are to keep from Climate to Climate to the end that their Enemies may not know what Course they steer who oft times lie in wait to surprize them these Ships which are called la Flotta d' America come usually into Spain in November and entring the Gulf of Cales goe to Sivil by the great River of Guadalquivir where the Merchandize and Treasure are brought to the Kings Officers and are by them delivered out according to their several proportions They bring with them commonly to the value of eleven Millions of Gold whereof two Millions consist in Merchandize the rest in Gold and Silver the fourth part whereof is calculated to belong unto the King the rest to particular Merchants the Merchandizes are Cuchunel Indico Campeggio or Campeche a medecinable wood Tebacco and beasts hides tan'd to make shooe-soles withall which they call Covie of the Ships when they go from Spain those which go first away with the Galleoons carry Silks and Woollen-cloath Cloath of Gold and other things of value the rest which are intended for Terra Firma carry great quantities of Linnen Wine Oyl and Olives in which things those Countries which stand in need thereof do abound for the King to keep those Provinces united and dependant upon his Kingdoms of Spain requires upon rigorous and severe penalties that two things be by them observed the one that neither Vines nor Olives be planted in America though that soil be very capable thereof the other that the Exchequer-rents and Kings Revenues of those Previnces may not upon any terms be sold to private men and hence it is that those Inhabitants being in a possibility of being besieged by Spain forasmuch as belongs to Wine and Oyle they are necessitated to keep Commerce with Europe and to tolerate the Sovereignty of a far distant King to the end that they may be provided thereof and not having elsewhere where to imploy their Riches they must send them into Spain to purchase annual revenues out of the forfeitures of those Kingdoms which by a Spanish word drawn from the Latine they call juri whence it is that almost all the ready moneys of America being transported into Spain raises the rates of the juri and occasions plenty of ready money and which is of greater importance the same juri serves the King as a pledge and surety of their fidelity and vassallage so as they can the lesse easily Rebell Nor were the Portuguese less fortunate in their Maritime Enterprises who some years before Colomba's Navigation undertook by Maritime Art and Study Navigations no less uncertain dangerous unusual and in mans opinion not to be achieved for the ancient Mathematicians and Cosmographers holding that the torried Zone was uninhabitable thought that that part of Africa which being wash'd by the Western Sea extends it self from the Streights of Gibraltar towards the South did enter into that Zone and that therefore it was in vain to sail any further that way or to coast along there without evident danger of their healths who should come to the Precincts of the Zone so as it was impossible to penetrate by Navigation from the Occidental African Ocean into the Oriental which washeth Asia and India but the Portugueses endeavouring to advance further did first discover the great Promontory of Capo Verde and the adjoyning Islands which the ancients called Hesperides and then advancing much further when they had past the Equinoctial line they arrived at the Kingdoms of Congo and Angola then passing the Tropick of Capricorn they at last compassed the enterprise which was before held so desperate and discovered the furthermost Promontory of Africa which they called Capo di buona Speranza or the Cape of good Hope and sailing from thence through the open Ocean towards the East they coasted so far along Africa which turned about thitherwards as discovering the mouths of the Arabian and Peâ—…sian Gulfs they came at last to that of the great Indo where laying the foundations of so great an Empire upon friendship made with some of those Barbarian Kings by the sole Trafick of Spices and other Levant Merchandiz they began to interpose themselves in the Wars which they made one against another adhering to some with their Arms suppressing some others insomuch as having gotten some Towns partly by agreement partly by force and fortifying themselves very well therein they laid some better ground-works of Empire in the midst of that Nation which from nothing or from very little increased so fast as exceeds all their Neighbours if not in greatness and union of State at least in Worth Maritime Forces and Civil Policy which by peradventure an unheard of example proceeding from so far distant parts curbs almost all the Kings and Potentates of those Regions for being either Tributaries adherents or Vassals of the Portuguese Empire they either by force or by private interest are become dependants upon the King of Portugal nor have they kept their Navigations and Acquisitions only within the Confines of India but as if one afforded materials for an other they still advanced till having gotten to the head of India which they call Comorino and hath on its Front the ancient Taprobana they entred into the Gulf of Bengala and from thence into the Molucca Islands the fertile Mother of Spices and to the great Kingdoms of China and Iapan and so bold and fortunate have they been as overcoming the Seas and finding them navigable they have gone about the whole World and joyning the East unto the West they have rendred the opinions of the Ancients fabulous and foolish who denied that the World was round the possibility of the Antipodes the peopling of the Zone and the conjunction of the Seas The Kings of Portugal govern'd this Empire and now the Kings of Castile in succession to those of Portugal by a Viceroy to whom retaining unto themselves all that is on this side of Capo dibuona Sper anza they give all Supream Arbitrement and disposal of all that belongs to them from the said Cape
vain as did likewise the Embassie sent into Spain private Negotiations of peace began at this time to be had between the two Crowns which were happily concluded and with incredible speed The King of France moved the reunto either by the unfortunate success of the League or by the troubles of his own Kingdom or were it that he saw that he must be forc'd to make a new war in Italy touching the Valtoline and other concernments with the Pope who was irritated and incens'd and joyned with the Spanish Forces and considering how costly and how little advantagious the Confederates Counsels proved conceived it better to secure his own affairs then to busie himself in those of other mens laying therefore aside all the ends and interests of the Confederates he thought it best to close upon any terms with the King of Spain and the Court of Spain hearing no more welcome musick then the sound of peace in Italy willingly listned to the endeavours that way tending the conclusion whereof with the same easiness and good inclination of all parties was appointed to be made on the sixth of March the year 1626. in Monsone a Town in the Kingdom of Aragon where the King was gone to keep the Courts of that Kingdom so as the Popes men who were come into the State of Millain at the same time almost that the unexpected news of peace came thither served only to receive peaceful possession of the Forts which in conformity to the Articles of peace were delivered up unto them in the name of the Apostolick See the chief Articles whereof were That the Roman Catholick Religion should be preserved in the Valtoline and in the Counties of Bormio and Chiavenna That things should be reduced to the same condition as they were in the year 1617. That notwithstanding the people might chuse their Magistrates and Governours by whom they were to be ruled without any dependency upon the Grisons That the confirmation of those that were to be elected should belong unto the Grisons who if they were not confirmed within eight days they might administer Iustice and exercise their Office and Iurisdiction That if the Grisons should fail twice in this confirmation they should be understood to have for ever forfeited this their power of confirmation That the Valtolinians and their companions should pay unto the Grisons in recompence for the jurisdiction which was confer'd upon them a certain annual sum of money to be agreed upon between themselves wherein if they should not agree it should be decided by the two Kings That the Grisons should approve of these Articles and should swear to observe them That such Forts as were held by either of the two Kings in those parts should be put into the Popes possession who upon restoring the Artillery and Ammunition which should be therein at the time of depositure should immediately demolish them but that the demolishing should not be delay'd for fault of consignation since the King had past his word they should be consigned That in case the Pope should defer the demolishing the two Kings should joyntly intreat it at his hands so as they might be effectually demolished That the Grisons should not enter armed into the Valtoline nor the Spanish Agents keep any more armed men then usual in the Confines of the State of Millain as touching the differences between the Commonwealth and the Duke of Savoy That their two Majesties and either of them should procure a Truce with their Colleague for four moneths and should chuse two Arbitrators who should end the differences within the said prefixt time in case the differences should not be terminated within four moneths their two Majesties should undertake to determine them and cause each of their Colleagues to observe them That their two Majesties should joyntly end any differences which should arise between the Grisons and Valtolinians and should not permit them to take up Arms one against another That if any differences should happen in Italy between the Friends of either Crown their Majesties should not adhere with arms unto their Colleague till such time as one of the Kings had treated in the other Kings Court and procured an amicable agreement This was the substance of the chief Capitulations of Peace at Monsone then which more honorable or more advantagious could not be expected nor hoped for for the Crown of Spain since the King got in this business of the Valtoline all that he therein pretended to as well in the Catholick Religion which was there very well setled and secured as in respect of the state and liberty of those people who were thereby also freed from the yoke and slavery of the Grisons for though it was agreed that the condition of affairs should be reduced to the state they were in the year 1617 in which the Rebellion not being yet begun the Valtolinians were under the Grisons obedience yet was it more in shew then substance for the election of Magistrates the necessary confirmation of them the free and independant exercise of their jurisdiction were such exceptions to the condition of the year 1617 as they did almost totally alter it and the Valtolinians having shaken off their ancient yoke which made not only for the benefit and freedome of the King of Spaine for the neighbourhood of Fort Fuentes and for the necessity of Commerce which those people stand in with the State it self they were constrain'd to keep united to the Crown of Spain and to depend upon the Governour of Millains authority so as the passage thorow that Country which was the most important point was kept shut up and open at the free will and pleasure of the King of Spain and his Agents for the Crown of Spain having concluded peace upon so advantagious terms after having so fortunately defended Spain against the English Fleet after the safe arrival of the Plate Fleet after the recovery of Brasile after the defence and preservation of Genoa did gloriously triumph over the League and over so many Forces and Plots contrived by her Rivals and Enemies to suppress the Grandezza of her King and truly we have not these many years read or heard of any peace made with such advantage and honour to that Crown especially in a time when by the same which was given out of so great preparations for war made by the Consederates she was thought to be furthest off it and that she was likely to enter into longer and more dangerous wars then the former but the confusion and astonishment of the Confederates was as great as was the glory and satisfaction which the Spaniards received by this peace for finding themselves abandoned by the King of France when they least expected it and that by the dissolution of the League their ends and interest thereby pretended unto were lost they fumed and complained of the King of France not so much for that he had made that peace without their knowledge as for the prejudice of the common
affairs which being by him abandoned were totally ruined the Grisons who were chiefly concern'd in the prejudice of the Valtoline could not tolerate that after having run so many dangers in point of liberty and suffer'd such calamities they should be deprived of so noble a part of their Dominions nor that their Protector the King of France should after his publick profession made to the contrary have consented so far when they did most believe to be restored by his Arms so as they complained bitterly and did openly refuse to accept of those Articles by which they were inforced to renounce their own interests the Venetians were mad seeing themselves deprived of that advantage which they thought themselves sure of after the expence of so much Treasure after having undergone so many Troubles after so many Plots and Artifices whereby for their own safety and the safety of Italy they had turned the world upside down the Pope was variously spoken of herein those who minded the reality of affairs thought he had reason to be very well satisfied with this peace since he had thereby vindicated his reputation by the restitution of the Forts which were to be put into his hands again and might pretend that his taking up Arms had been a great cause why the King of France had been brought to more moderate conditions on the contrary those who were more speculative and who were already sufficiently ill conceited of the Pope thought that as he had with so much dissimulation suffer'd the King of France to enter armed into the Valtoline so to secure Italy from imminent slavery and to abate the Spanish Grandezza so likewise that he took it very ill that the King of France should have stood upon so hard terms with his Legate in composing the affairs of the Valioline and if he were not ill satisfied for these respects they thought he could not be very well pleased finding that his neutrality which he had so publickly profess'd and the course which he had steered upon these present occurrences had not only not made him Arbitrator of the present Controversies but that the two Kings had agreed them without his knowledge and not without some prejudice to his authority and the Duke of Savoy was no less impatient at this then were the other Confederates for considering that instead of the resentment which he pretended unto against the Genoeses instead of the acquisition which he had hoped to have made in their Dominions he had lost many of his Patrimonial Towns lost his Artillery left in Gavi and his Galley with the Sea-Standard he thought that being to re-have them by agreement and not by force was to acknowledge that he had been a loser by that war so as he knew not well what to do to this was added that the peace being proclaim'd in France just at that time that the Prince his Son was in Paris and was gone thither to keep the King and that Court stedfast to the League and to procure new and greater preparations for war to be reassumed the next year which preparations that they might be the more certain and more dependent upon the Dukes authority and that he might have no occasion to contend with the French Captains and Officers as he had done with the Constable the Prince had desired and as it was afterwards reported obtained from the King the charge with title of General of the King of France his Forces in Italy wherefore the Duke being become proud as thinking himself grown formidable to his enemies and more regarded by the King of France then any of the Confederates now that he saw himself faln from such an height of expectation and abandoned by the French Court when he least expected it he held himself to be highly affronted and that the world would laugh at him but it was in vain to complain for the two Kings were firmly resolved to see their determinations effected and the Confederates not being able to do any thing without the King of France were forced to succumb and patiently to swallow down so bitter a pill and of so hard disgestion and the King of France who had no excuse for what he had done cared not much for their being unsatisfied his Agents sheltering themselves under the Kings greatness and authority alledg'd not any thing in defence of what their King had done but that the interests of the Kingdom required it should be so with which they said it behoved and was necessary that the Confederates should comply sometimes suffering it to escape out of their mouths when they were strait put to it that the Confederates not being any ways to be compared to their King they must look upon him as their superiour The Princes of France were no less ill satisfied with the peace it self then were the Potentates of the League wherefore hating the King as well as him who had been the chief cause of concluding the peace some who were discontented with the present condition of affairs and desirous of novelties and pretences to conspire against the Kings person and against Armand du Plesses Cardinal di Richelieu the Kings chief and most intimate Counsellor and Favorite and it not being known what the true causes were which caused the King to be so sollicitous in procuring this peace so speedily and with such secrecie some would have it and it was afterwards publickly spoken that the signs of the dangerous conspiracy which was discovered in the Court of France against the Kings person forc'd him to compose businesses abroad upon any conditions that he might the more securely provide against home conspiracies but the business being discovered in Nantes four moneths after the peace was concluded does totally exclude that consideration but whatsoever the matter was were it that the peace were the effect of the Conspiracy or the Conspiracy of the peace some Princes of France taking the unhappy conduct of the Kings affairs by the unfortunate success of war and by the dishonourable peace as pretence for their Conspiracy and finding that they could not pull down the Cardinal by reason of the constant belief the King had in him plotted to pull down the King himself many were thought to be complices in this Conspiracy the Duke and Cavalier di Vandosme natural Brothers to the King many were imprisoned upon this account the Count di Soissons Prince of the blood his absenting himself from the Court made him be suspected to be guilty many said that Monsieur d'Orleans the Kings Brother and heir to the Crown together with several other chief Officers who were very inward with the King were held to have a hand in it The Plot was that the King should be kil'd or deposed and that having no Sons the said Orleans should be made King upon whose genius as being more tractable and conformable to their humours those laid their foundations who endeavoured new resolutions in the world and the ruine of the League in prejudice to peace
Forces being joyn'd to those of Germany and Piedmont was at first thought a thing which might easily be effected of no moment and which would cause but little alteration when it had brought the Arms of France and Germany intâ—… Italy beâ—…un to be held the seed of future evils and of greater perturbations â—…en any that had preceded for the King of France being with such manifest Demonstrations engaged in the defence and protection of his Friend and Client and fortune having so smiled upon him at the first it was not to be doubted that he would forbear the prosâ—…tion thereof but that â—…e would imploy all the Forces of â—…is Kingdomâ—… making good the Artâ—…les of Susa which had been aâ—…eed unto so â—…uch to â—…is glory Oâ—… the other siâ—…e the Emperour â—…inking that 〈◊〉 Honour and the Majesty of the â—…acred Empire would be too much concerned if he should suffer his Decrees and Commandments to be overborn by the contumacy and disobedience of a vassal assisted by Forreign Forces and that the French should arrogate that Jurisdiction and Imperial Authority to themselves which did absolutely depend upon him it was not likely neither that he should ever appease himself till he should see his Imperial Authority restored to its former condition and reputation by the suppressing of his contumacious vassal and by the abolishment of the Articles of Susa. The almost equal fortune of these two Princes terrified the whole world who after signal Victories had just at this time happily and miraculously setled the Domestick Affairs and brought them into security and obedience by the former total suppression of the Rebels of his Kingdom and the other by re-uniting the Princes of Germany by the peace of Lubeck made between him and the King of Denmark and the rest of the German Princes who had confederated themselves together in behalf of the Prince Elector Palatine so as both of them being free from intestine troubles they were at leasure to bend the whole Forces of their Dominions upon this sole enterprize and what added wonder to all the mischances was that it seemed that the same fortune having thrown open the Gates of Italy unto them at the same time and made the way plain for them to come thither did not only lead them by the hand but drive them on by a favourable gale There was not any of so mean an understanding who did not foresee nor of so inhumane sense who did not deplore the unfortunate sate of Italy which being destined the miserable seat of Warr was exposed to all those evils and calamities which would flow out into her bosome from those two Nations Nor was it to be believed that the Spaniards who were the chief occasion of these present commotions and who were ingaged in this enterprize not only in point of Honour but of interest would by giving way to the Duke of Nevers his Solicitors suffer so great an affront as he had received by the Articles of Susa but that on the contrary being as the soul of so great an enterprize he was to make it good with all the force and power of his Crown but the danger was yet greater of Italie's being inslaved by the Austrean Armes if getting the better of the Duke of Nevers they should become Masters of his Dominions and as the thought hereof did much perplex the very souls of the Italian Princes so was it necessary for them to betake themselves to the best remedies for this threatning evil it was known what foundation they might lay upon the favour and assistance of France of the unfortunate successe of their union with that King of late years upon the occasion of the Valtoline and by the peace of Monzone concluded so little to their satisfaction and yet not having any better resolution to put on at the present made it appear not onely necessary unto them but the great concernments of that King in these present occurrences and the better occasion he had to persevere therein by the now quiet and intire obedience of his Kingdom made it seem more assured since the occasions being removed the impediments must needs also be taken away which might crosse him in the businesse of Italy the chief point concerning that total of the present Affaires seemed to depend upon the Duke of Savoy's resolution who if he should observe the Articles of Susa and keep firm to the common cause would secure the preservation of Casalle and therewith the liberty of Italy And if he should not observe them but joyn with the Austrean Forces the common cause and the liberty of Italy would be much indangered and Casalle Montferrat and Mantua would be apparently lost the Duke was not ignorant how requisite his friendship was to both parties and that he might make his best advantage thereby he held them both in hand making them sometimes hope well in him sometimes to suspect how he might be inclined when he but indifferently succoured the Citadel of Casalle he excused himself to the Spaniards upon the necessity of keeping his promise upon the fear he stood in of the French which were very strong in Piedmont and upon the slender supplies sent thither which not being sufficient long to supply the Souldiery that were there would not much import the main businesse when it should be taken He sometimes said that victuals were privately stoln in thither by meanes either of the Subjects or of the French that it was impossible for him to block up the Avenues so but that relief would be brought in contrary to his will and orders On the other side he strove to satisfie the French of his will and of his constancy in observing his promise by his continuing to send in provisions and by promising to do so still that which was conjectured might be his chiefest aime was that he sent but small supplies into Casalle to the end that if it should be lost and should fall into the Spaniards hands it might not prove too prejudiciall to him and that supplying it though but slâ—…nderly it might be known that it lay in his power either to suffer that place to be lost whereon he knew that all mens eyes were set or else to preserve it so as he might be looked upon by all men as the absolute Arbitrator in so chief a business Others were of opinion that keeping both the parties doubtful of what the sequel might be he might have occasion to treat of demolishing the Citadel lest it might fall unto the contrary party which might prove much to his prejudice he also that he might depend less upon the French and that the Spaniards might conceive the better of him fortified and munited Avigliana very strongly placing 8000. men there in Garrison to the end that it might be a good Bulwark against the French which might exclude them from Casalle and might make their having of Susa very little advantagious to them so as he might still be held to be the same
of that Commonwealth against any whomsoever The Duke of Savoy finding therefore that his plots against the Genoeses were not well listned unto by the French complain'd That the Commonwealths Interest was preferr'd before his and before the promises made him in Susa Being therefore angry that these his drifts did not succeed prosperously in that Court he endeavoured by no favourable demonstrations to the French to withdraw from favouring the Interests of the Commonwealth and finding that their proceedings were not well received in the Court of Spain he thought they might produce some good effects to him he therefore profess'd more constancy to that Court But neither did his designs prove succesful there for that King nor Court would not upon any sleight occasions to please the Duke take off their favour from the Commonwealth and they abhorr'd any innovation which might tend to the prejudice of their good correspondency and intelligence held with the Genoese as also because Marquess Spinola being come with thoughts as high as was his Authority into Italy and indeavouring by all the means he could to restore the Kings grandezza to its ancient condition would not imitate his Predecessor who with little honour to the Kings Affairs had seconded the Dukes will too much being therefore rigid in his resolutions and seeming to depend only upon himself in the Administration of the Kings business he did profess not only not to be governed by the Duke but thought to bring him over to his mode and suspecting the Dukes intentions and actions he was very cautious and reserved in believing him or in doing any thing whereby he might be forced to submit to his will and quit his own power and even in the usual payment of moneys which were granted him to make preparations for the imminent War as also in sending him men to defend Piedmont he was very reserved notwithstanding the Dukes many pressures Wherefore the Duke finding that neither of the Courts did much favour his designs he suspended his resolutions and carrying himself the best he could to both of them he waited till occasion and time might make his conjunction and actions more desirable then they were at the present that he might sell them at the dearer rate according as the urgency of occasions might make them more requisite The Court of Spain being wholly intent upon the business of Cassalle that they might divert France resolved to assault the French on the confines of Catalognia and that the Emperour should send his Army to the Confines of that Kingdom on the side of Lorrein and to his purpose the King of Spain had sent the Duke of Feria with 1000 Horse and 4000 Foot to Barcellona with order to raise more Foot there and to enter with them into Languedock and Provence and the Emperour had commanded the Duke of Fritland the Captain General of his Forces to prepare to enter France with stout Forces on the side of Germany And there was no doubt but that the King of France being held work by these assaults as he had been the preceding year by the business of Rochel could not have sent much aid into Italy to back the Duke of Nevers in his Affairs so as it was likely that the Enterprises of Montferrat and Mantua being attempted by the Spanish Dutch and by the Savoyards could not but succeed well Notwithstanding Spinola who was come into the State of Millain about the end of August with ample Authority as hath been said to treat both of Peace and War bethought himself of many things which withdrew him from thinking upon the uncertain events of the present War to minde the surer counsels of Peace He saw that the State of Millain which was the chief foundation and prop of the War was so exhausted as it could not long sustein the weight of a new War That Mantua and Cassalle being very strong the former made so by the waters and natural scituation the other by Art and Fortifications the besieging of them would prove a business of length and of doubtful event That the enterprise was hateful in the sight of men suspitious to the Princes of Italy and generally detested by the whole world That the French were resolved to defend those Dominions and ready to pass over the Alps again That small Forces were able to withstand what there was but little hopes of getting though with great expence and preparatioon of Arms. The Duke of Savoy's various and uncertain genius did confound him on whose Friendship and Union nothing could be surely grounded but a continual profusion of Moneys to feed him with whilst the danger was far off That when they should draw neerer his Friendship would be more dangerous then advantagious as might appear by the last years example which he could not but think upon But that which in appearance should have encouraged him most did most trouble him The more powerful the Germane Army was the more formidable did it appear to him and the more dangerous for the Kings Affairs for though if they should joyn with him they would undoubtedly prove a great assistance to him in that enterprise yet did he rather fear than confide in them by reason of the pride arrogancy and greediness of that Nation which is naturally unsatiable impatient of military discipline and inclined to mutiny which might occasion sad accidents in the heat of War To this was added the intollerable expence required to maintain that Army which being to be paid by the King the Royal Treasury being emptied by so many and so long Wars was not able to supply them But what exceeded all other respects the Dutch Forces being to wage War in Italy not as Auxiliaries or as brought in by the Spaniards but as Principals and in the Emperours Name it was to be feared that they would not only not leave the first place in Authority to the Spaniards whose intentions they did effectually serve but that by reason of the Sovereignty that the Emperour holds in Italy by reason of the quality and quantity of Forces by reason of their greater disposition to War and through their Commanders ambition they would be masters and would force the Spaniards to fight after their mode so as he thought them dangerous in War but more dangerous in Victory if Mantua or Cassalle being taken they should fix their footing in Italy and settle the seat of the Cesarean Majesty there from whence the Iâ—…alian Princes being for the most part Feudatories of the Empire were to take Law and to depend thereon as upon their Sovereign Lord which consideration by reason of the consequences it might draw after it in prejudice to the Spanish Authority afforded no less occasion of fear then if the French Power should by the Duke of Nevers's means be radicated in Italy Out of these respects Spinola growing more inclined to Peace then War Monsignior Scappi Bishop of Pacenza being sâ—…nt by the Pope to visit him Spinola entered upon some Treaties of
who had orders to come thither from several parts of the Kingdom he by his appearing so strong and with such resolution in Piedmont to terrifie the Duke so as to make him not only forward to observe all that had been agreed upon but willing to yield to whatsoever he should require he nourish'd this opinion not only out of the extraordinary confidence which the French have naturally in their own Forces but also by reason of the Dukes Embassadours endeavours who was at Paris to delay this expedition for when he saw all things ready for the voyage he went to the King and to the Caâ—…dinal and confidently assured them that he had received news from the Duke by a Post that was newly come of a suspension of Arms made in Italy for two moneths and agreed unto by the Venetians between Nevers and the Cesarian and Spanish Commanders according whereunto Collalto had withdrawn his men from Mantua and Spinola from Montferrat and that the general peace would be shortly concluded but the vanity of this advertisement was soon discovered and was reputed as tricks used by the Duke who out of his excessive fear of the French Forces strove to keep them as long as he could from Piedmont wherefore the Cardinal hastned his journey the more and being come to Lyons sent very precise Orders away to the Duke with advertisement of his coming to the end that he might be ready to receive him with Victuals and other Provisions and to joyn his Forces with the Kings in this enterprise in whose behalf he required him absolutely to declare himself but the Duke seeing the Cardinal engaged upon his promises thought it a very opportune occasion for his purposes for the Cardinal passing the Mountains with a great Army without Victuals or other Provisions he knew that the prosperity or ruine of the enterprise lay in his power for if answerable to his promise he should furnish him with all things and should joyn his Forces with the Kings Casalle would be happily relieved on the contrary if he should not furnish him and instead of joyning with him should bring the Spanish and the Dutch Armies into Piedmont and should with them oppose the French Army all the Cardinals plots and threats would prove nothing thinking therefore to reap good by the necessity wheâ—…einto he saw the Cardinal was ready to precipitate he sent his Son the Prince unto him to put new conditions to him and to propound unto him the old flim-flam of the enterprises of Genoa and Millain and on the other side that in case the Cardinal should should not grant those his desires he might have means to oppose him or that out of fear of his stout resistance he might force the Cardinal to give way unto his will he at the same time sent the Abbot Scaglia to Spinola and to Collalto to invite them to advance with their Forces and joyntly to oppose the French who coming into Italy upon the assurance of his joyning with them and of finding those Victuals and Provisions which he would never furnish them withall they should be forced when they should see such an Army before them either to retreat shamefully or being block'd up in Susa to perish miserably for want of Victuals and other conveniences or if they should give Battel to be undoubtedly overthrown he likewise to incite them the more to advance told them that France was at this time in great troubles by the departure of the Kings only Brother the Duke of Orleans from that Court and Kingdom by the Prince of Conde's retiring from the Court by the dissatisfaction of many Princes and Lords who not being able to endâ—…e that even in the conduct of the Kings Arms which in all reason belonged unto them a Cardinal of Priestly profession should be prefer'd before them one unexperienced in Arms whose ambition grasp'd at all things and who through the Kings favour would usurpe those imployments which were due to them by the merits of their ancestors and by the dangers they had run and blood which they had shed in war would by all means endeavour that he should not come off with honour in this enterprise he acquainted them with the Insurrection of several Provinces of the Kingdom for that the people could not bear with such great Contributions as were laid upon them to maintain a war out of the Kingdom and making it plain unto them by these so many Demonstrations how easie and sure the result of the business would be if they would oppose it he press'd them not to let slip so happy an occasion of doing their Kings business but both these expeditions proved vain for the Duke being become suspected to both parties by his double dealing had wearied them all nor could he carry his neutrality so cunningly but that his ends were discern'd which were conceived to be nothing else nor to tend to any thing but to be the Arbitrator between two great Kings Armies and to be he who should cast the ballance as he should like best be Superintendent in all businesses give the Law to all treat of his own affairs with most advantage better himself by the perils and labours of them both and secure the advancement of his own fortune and the increase of his reputation by the equal counterpoise of each of them by which way of proceeding being become not only suspected but hated by both parties who thought themselves injured by this his jugling they abhorred to have him their Arbitrator grew more confirm'd in their distrust and more resolved that he should depend upon their resolutions and not they be wheeled about by his words and cunning Thus keeping the superiority they would treat with him upon such advantage of power and authority as did become their Kings Grandezza and the Majesty of their Masters Arms so as so many Negotiations and pieces of cunning being discovered instead of the advantage that was thereby hoped he reaped loss and danger Spinola had found out his continual treating with the French under one pretence or another he knew what Victuals and Ammunition he had promised and what moneys he had received for them he saw him continue to provide for Cassalle prepare conduct moneys for the passage of their men and make many shews of being in favour with that Court or of not being able to be otherwise he grew very jealous also of the Prince his going into France which though it proved to no purpose yet it was very probable that he was sent thither to treat of some great concernment so as Spinola was so far from crediting the Dukes Proposals and from believing that he would appear against the French as the same change which his Agents promis'd in his behalf lessened his belief and made him proceed with more circumspection fearing and notwithout reason that the Duke would promise as much to the French against him by whom he had already been so severely dealt with and that either out of
though he was inferiour to them in Horse those which were sent to Bricherasco not being yet returned Momorancy was desirous to give battle which if it had been done would have been upon much disadvantage to the Duke but La Force would not give way thereunto Wherefore they retreated to their quarters about Pinarollo and the Plague increasing very much in both Armies they kept in their quarters for many dayes in the face of one another as if they had been in tacite League not doing any thing of moment The King of France proceeded more hotly beyond the Mountains who entring into Savoy with 8000 Foot and 2000 Horse had reduced all Savoy into his power unlesse it were Mommiliano for Prince Thomaso made no opposition he resolved to begirt Mommiliano on all sides and to besiege it a distance for it was a strong and almost invincible place For being inclosed on all sides by his Forces and impossible to be relieved it must of necessity fall into his hands for want of victuals So as needing not many men for that enterprize he sent part of his Forces to recruit his Army in Italy which had need enough of help And Prince Thomaso being sent for back by his Father carried his men with him from Savoy to defend Piedmont Thus both Armies bâ—…ing reinforced they prepared for greater enterprizes the French to relieve Casalle the Duke to withstand them This recruit was sent under Momorancy who was returned from Piedmont into France after the businesse of Cercenaseo it consisted of 10000 Foot and 1000 Horse and â—…ell down by the valley of Susa Momorancy intending to joyn with the Forces that were in Pinarollo and crossing Piedmont to draw neer Casalle towards which Marshal De La Force leaving a sufficient Garrison in Pinarollo and in the other places went by the way of the Mountaines to Giavenna neer Susa waiting there for Momorancy who did not much value Avigliana there being almost no Garrison there for the Duke had sent for the greatest part thereof to Pancaler Wherefore he easily took it he likewise believed he should easily passe through the Canevese to Casalle Spinola and the Duke were much troubled at the coming of this recruit but much more with the news of the Kings coming with a greater force who having possest himself as you have heard of Savoy was come neer the Alpes and was at the same time seen upon the Mountain St Barnado So as the Duke perceiving that the King was offended with him knew not how to fence himself against this third coming of the French and Spinola who was ingaged before Casalle but with a few men fearing lest little to his honour he might be forced as his Predecssor had been to abandon that enterprize which contrary to the opinion of all he had of himself undertaken knew not what to do Yet bâ—…ing much prest by the Duke he sent 6000 Dutch to the Mountain who were brought at the King of Spain's charge but very then from Germany and six Troops under Pagan Doria Duke of Avigliana in the Kingdom of Naples and Brother to Prince Doria a young man and who the year before had entred into the Militia under Don Gonsallo and was in the first businesse of Casalle and Spinola to the end that if the King should come he might not be inforc'd to raise the siege or fight took the Souldiers from working in the approaches and imploy'd them in making a crooked and high trench wherewith he invironed the whole Camp And seeing that by this new work and by the men which he had sent the Duke the siege would be slackned and having in vain desired a thousand of his Dutch from Collalto he sent to the Common-wealth of Genoa for a thousand men which he would take into his pay But neither was this granted him for hearing of preparations of Armes in the Provence the Common-wealth would not disfurnish her self and this the rather for that having formerly sent men to before Casalle she could not receive them back when she needed them without manifest danger of infecting the State the Plague being very hot in the Camp before Casalle So Spinola was forced to make use of those men to defend his own Camp which he had begun to oppose others with and the Duke of Savoy fearing Avigliana sent Count Verrâ—…a from Pancaleri with 3000 Foot and Gambacorti with 400 Hose to possesse themselves of the abandoned Trenches and Fortifications that shut up the valley which leads from Susa to Avigliana As they went thither they found the Enemy very neer but having possest themselves of the Trenches first the Prince came in with a great body of men who reinforcing those stations with 2000 Foot incamp'd himself with the rest at Riano within two miles of Avigliana both parties kept within their quarters facing one another two dayes some sleight skirmishes passing between them the third day the French finding it impossible to advance and storm those quarters resolved to give over their going that way to Casalle and endeavoured to retreat joyntly by the Mountain to Pinarollo and passing over the Mountain Giavenna to joyn with La Force who was yet there with his men the way by the Mountain Giavenna was very narrow and hard to passe so as two Brigadoes being already past over the rest remained yet in the plain in danger of being routed if they should be assaulted for that they could not well be succour'd by those that were already past The Prince thought it not fit to let slip this occasion but without tarrying for more of his men who were not above a mile off would fall upon them with those that he had ready hoping that they would suffice to get the victory He had with him about 5000 Dutch two of the Princes Troops of Horse and Doria's six Companies which were new men unexperienced and were not above 300 Horse The French reere which remained in the plain was 3000 Foot and about 400 Horse the choicest of all the Army and Momorancy and Marshal Diâ—…iate with some others of the most experienced Commanders remained in the reere for the greater security thereof Theâ—…e was a great Meere or standing water between them which men past over by two banks the one whereof was on the back the other on the flank of the French Shamburg and Sults advanc'd by the latter with half the Dutch in a close Baâ—…aglione and with the Prince his Troops of Horse by the other the Prince himself in person with the rest of the Dutch commanded by Gallasso and with Doria's Horse The skirmish being begun Momorancy divided his Horse into two squadrons and took a little compasse upon the left hand towards a neighbouring Town called St Ambrosio which led to the way of the Hill The Prince conceiving that the French fled and would climbe the Mountain by that way and get into a place of safety or recover Susa ordered Doria to fall upon them with his Horse and
they prepared either to revenge received wrongs or to keep off those which were threatned But the King of Spain was at the present troubled most to see that the King of France joyning with the Hollanders and Protestant Princes of Germany prepared to oppose his Brother the Infanta Cardinal Ferdinando his journey into Flanders wherein the Cardinall was first to advise and then to succeed his Aunt Clara Eugenia who was now grown very old in the government of those Provinces And the King thinking that by reason of so many oppositions it would be safer for him to go by Italy and Germany then by Sea he knew that it was necessary to make way for him by powerfull Armies wherefore to boot with the great preparation of Arms and Men made to this purpose by the Duke of Feria in the State of Millain it was also thought necessary to molest France on the parts towards Spain as well in regard of this expedition as for relieving Germany and Flanders opposed by the French that thereby the King of France being strongly assaulted on that side might not onely be diverted from opposing the Cardinals journey but also from fomenting the Wars of Germany and Flanders the Duke of Orleans Brother to the King of France who was already gon together with the Queen-Mother from the Court into Flanders was thought to be a proportionate means answerable to the assistance given by the King of France to the Rebel Hollanders Who by making head and holding intelligence with many French Lords that were displeased at Cardinal Richelieu his too great authority and at the Government of those times plotted new broyles in France he holding intelligence with the Duke of Momorancy Governour of Languedock and peradventure with the Duke of Guise Governour of Provence obtained 2000 excellent Horse from the King of Spain with which passing at unawares thorough France without any opposition for none durst take up Arms against the Kings Brother without express command from the King he came to Languedoâ—…k and by the assistance of the King of Spain's Army in Catalognia he thought to raise commotions in the Kingdom and to make a strong faction whereby he thought to allay the Cardinals authority and to alter the Government quite But being at the very first overcome by the Kings Forces and taken Prisoner together with Momorancy that fire was quench'd almost before it was kindled which would otherwise have held France long in combustion and consequently have kept the King and Richelieu from plotting mischieâ—… against the House of Austria Yet this did not retard the Infanta's journey who mounting into the Gallyes at Barcellona some moneths after Orleans his imprisonment came from thence to Genoa the year 1633. where being received with great pomp he saw and admired the great Fabrick of the new Walls passing from thence to Millain he found the Duke of Feria busie in raising an Army for his conduct and so intended to go speedily for Flanders War grew hotter in Germany after the battle of Lutzen and after the King of Sweden's death for neither the Swedish Commanders nor the German Princes who were alienated from the Emperour were any whit dismaid after the Kings death for the Swedes as if their dead Kings Spirit were revived in them continued the War with the like Courage and Fortune and the Princes and people of Germany being desirous of their pretended Liberty to the recovery whereof they were with much satisfaction led on by the King and almost put into possession being resolved not to fall from so exalted a beginning by the death of their Leader were wholly intent upon this and joyn'd in heart and in intelligence and avoiding all Strife and Emulation they formed a Faction which maintaining the dead Kings Quarrel might quell the Austrian Authority and might bring them to their desired Liberty Duke Bernard Waimer descended from the ancient Dukes of Saxony was chosen somewhat tumultuously by the Swedish Army to be their Captain General the next day after the battle of Lutzen he was a Captain of Courage and Authority and very highly esteem'd in the Army for his experience and Valour and moreover a great Enemy to the Austrian Name for that his great Grand-Father had been bereft by Charles the Fifth of the Electorall dignity and of the Dukedom of Saxony and he himself as descending from him was kept from it by the subsequent Austrian Emperours He muster'd the Souldiers that remained after the battle and finding them to amount to the number of 16000 he went with them to joyn with that part of the Duke of Saxony's Forces which not being present at the Batâ—…le was yet fresh and intire and entring therewithall into Saxony he drove out the Cesarean Garrisons who were possess'd thereof before and did not onely recover the City of Lipswick but all the rest of the Dukedom not meeting with any opposition for Wallestein the Emperours General being rather conquered then Conquerour had quitted the Field and his Cannon to the Enemy after the battle and was retreated with the remainder of his Army into Bohemia where partly minding the recruiting of his Army partly detain'd by the rigor of the Winter he suffered the Enemies Army to go whither it listed But the German Princes having obtained the same assistance from the Deputies of the Crown of Swethland which was given them during the Kings life and seeing the League confirm'd between the King of France and Crown of Swethland for the affairs of Germany they met in a Dyet about the beginning of the year 33 with the chief Officers and Captains of the Swedish Army wherein they agreed upon Nine Articles for the maintaining of the common cause and for the maintenance of the War which they resolved to continue in Germany with like fervour They made Oxenstern supream Governour of the common affairs who was Chancellor of Swethland and who coming into Germany with the King never parted from him a man of excellent Wisedom and profound Counsell very valiant and long experienced in Civil and Military Government to whom they gave a certain number of Deputies chosen out of divers Provinces of Germany which the Dutch call Circles who were as so many Senators to assist in Counsell with him They then divided all the Forces of their joynt union into four parts and made four Armies of them which were to carry on the War in four parts of Germany under four Commanders Arnheim the Duke of Saxony's General a stern Captain and little short of Wallestein in Military Affairs was to enter Slesia with the first Army of which Province the Duke of Saxony meant to make himself Master The second was given to the Duke of Lunenburg who was therewith to fall upon Westphalia The third was assigned to Duke Weymer who falling from the General-ship to which he was chosen by the Army by this reformation was to enter therewith into Franconia Marshal Horne and Col. Bannier were appointed to command the fourth two of
Hollanders not without much satisfaction to Spain which was then desirous to see an end of so expensive a War So as the Spaniards had no reason to complain of any assistance given to the united Provinces wherein the chief foundation of their Justice lay That therefore when France was free of Civil Wars and had regained her former vigour the King not being able to be wanting to the just cause of the German Princes who had recourse to him touching the succession of the States of Iuliers and Cleves though it was conceived that he had contracted several Leagues against the Austrians Yet if that Kings life had not been cut off in the nick of time all those Leagues and Unions spoken of would have soon been seen vanish into smoak and it would have been known that they served for nothing but appearing threats since it made not for that the King who was then well in years whose issue was young and his Kingdom not yet seled to enter into new Wars for the interests of other men and leave his Kingdom to his young children involved in forreign Wars For he might be sure that Regal Authority which curb'd civil dissentions ceasing together with his life the Kingdom which seemed now to be united would fall into its former disorders which would draw forreign Forces into the Kingdom That the present King growng in years had given the King of Spain no occasion of complaint but had alwayes corresponded with him as became Princes that were friends and joyn'd in affinity That the first encounters arose from what had hapned in the Valtoline wherein the King had interested himself out of his being bound to protect the Grisons and out of the great prejudice which was thereby occasioned to his own affairs and to the German and Italian Princes That the first intermission was in a civil manner not by Arms which the King took not up till the first conventions of Madrid were undervalued and that notwithstanding the King of France did temporise to ripen some difficulties But that seeing no satisfaction given he was forced to betake himself to Arms the business not being yet well adjusted he was once again necessitated to take up Arms for the just and necessary defence of the Duke of Nevers who was by violence kept from succeeding in the State of Mantua and Montferrat and for no other reason but for that that Duke was born in France was of kin to the King and held great possessions of the Crown of France That if the Auxiliary Forces of France in the behalf of that Duke if the Peace of Susa ought to be accounted violence or injustice meerly for that they wanted the Cesarean Authority that the appearing of the Spaniards against that very Duke not the division of Montferrat made between the Spanish Agents and the Duke of Savoy were not countenanced nor corroborated by the Emperour that if the merits of the cause if the intention of Arms and dissention between these two Kings were to be balanced without byass those of France would appear to be more just and less concerned then those of Spain Since the later tended to the offence the other to the defence of an assaulted Prince so as the Spaniards had nothing to object against the Arms of France nor could the Emperour account his authority more injured by the French then by the Spaniards And that the award of the cause made on the behalf of the French by the Peace of Ratisbone did more justifie the Proceedings of the French then of the Spaniards For what concern'd the affairs of Germany many other reasons were alledged amongst the rest that there was a difference to be put between the Princes of France and the German Princes that the Regal Authority of France was Monarchical to which all the Princes of France are Vassals that Germany on the contrary was Aristocratical consisting of several Sovereign Princes and free Cities who chusing the Emperour for their Head obey not as Subjects to a Sovereign but as Members and Colleagues of the Empire enjoying many priviledges and exemptions which suit not with Sovereign Authority from which exemptions the Emperour not being able to derogate if by any excess of private power exceeding the known Authority of the Laws heâ—…at any time endeavour to derogate from them or not observe them they hold themselves as much injur'd by him as the Citizens of a Common-wealth would do if their Head abusing Authority and contemning the publick Laws should aspire at Tyranny That all Germany did at the present groan under the burthen of the excessive Austrian authority that she had lost not only the substance but the very shadow of her original Liberty and was therefore forced to send for the King of Swedeland from the utmost Northern parts to recover their almost lost Liberty That this defence did anciently belong to the Kings of France to whom upon like occasions the German Princes had wont to have recourse That the present King out of his too great respect born to the House of Austria had neglected this his duty to the German Princes that he could not without much loss of reputation degenerate from the Kings his Predecessors nor by abandoning those Princes suffer the King of Sweden to prevent him in that office which did of due belong to him nor would the Concernments of his own Kingdom tolerate that the Austrian Authority should extend it self further by the oppression of those Princes And as concerning the conclusion of peace with the Emperour it was neither strange nor new that the King should not make peace without his Colleagues the German Princes since there have been so many both ancient and modern examples seen of peace solemnly concluded between Princes and Vassals that have risen up against their Sovereign Prince The peace of Constance made between the Emperour Frederick sirnamed Barbarossa and the Cities of Italy which had rebelled against him the Truce between the King of Spain and the Hollanders so many peaces made between the very Kings of France and their contumacious people in the last Civil Wars and the peace made not many years ago between the Emperour and the Elector of Saxony are sufficient proofs of peace made between a Subject and a Sovereign It was therefore concluded that the King of France his interesting himself in the civil dissentions of Germany and in the several peaces that were to be concluded was not only just and usual but more necessary then that which King Philip the second undertook in the troubles of France which could neither in justice nor for convenience be parallel'd to this and though the King appeared to have undertaken them only for Religion it was at last discovered that it was more govern'd therein by State interest then by Religion and that therefore if there were any parallel to be made between the countenancing of Germany and that of France France might be said to have learn'd the the Doctrine of fomenting the differences
who boasts so much of the title of Just should intend to favour the unjust Tyrants and violent Usurpers of their Confederates the Valtolinians liberty nor did it belong to the titles of most Christian and most Catholick wherein the one and the other of these Kings do so much glory to reduce to the violent subjection of Hereticks those Catholicks who had so justly withdrawn themselves from it nor that the King of France should by so gross dissembling blemish the glory which he had won in the first wars against the Hereticks of his Kingdom by favouring Heresie upon this occasion out of his Kingdom which he had persecuted with Arms within his Kingdom even to destruction but that ifit had been the intentions of the said Kings to revive the unjust usurped and now extinct Sovereignty of the Grisons they should have manifested their opinions more clearly since the weightiness of the affair did require it and not have woond it up mystically and obscurely in some few and general words they therefore concluded that the reasons which were alledged on the behalf of the Grisons were new inventions meer subtilties and sophisticated interpretations But howsoever the French stuck stifly to the advantage of the words and being desired by the Spaniards that they would ratifie the agreement to the Grisons they answered that the controverted point of Sovereignty first be declared it not being in their opinion sufficiently cleared by these Capitulations but the Spaniards replied that the ratification should be first made as clear and without controversie so that if any doubt should afterwards arise touching the Sovereignty it might be friendly agreed by their Majesties answerable to the Capitulation of Monsone wherewith the French not resting satisfied the King of France to content the Grisons made a Declaration by him self alone in the favour of their Sovereignty and pretended that to suffer people to pass through the Valtoline without their leave was a meer gainsaying of the agreement and the Spaniards esteeming the French Decrees vain without the joynt consent of their King pass'd as many men as they would through the Valtoline and alledging that that Declaration should by the same agreement of Monsone be made by both the Kings joyntly they pretended that being made by one only it was null and that to deny them passage was to contradict the said Capitulation These Affairs continued thus controverted a while the King of Spain endeavouring to keep the Valtolinians on his side promised to be aiding to them continually in their Sovereignty and Liberty and the King of France being unable to see the Valtolinians to depend totally upon the Austrians beck favoured the Grisons pretensions and would not consent that they should ratifie the Capitulations and promised to put them into free possession of the Valtoline which they so thirsted after and the more to nourish this expectation in them he was a means why in the peace of Ratisbone where it was covenanted that the places taken by the Dutch from the Grisons should be restored the restitution of the Valtoline should also be inserted which though it appeared to be express'd that some Dutch Regiments might be taken from thence which were sent thither a little before from Millain lest the Swedes which drawing neer Italy were feared would enter by the Valtoline yet since the general words might bear another interpretation they added to the hopes and expectations of the Grisons and gave the King occasion to betake himself to these words so to maintain the pretensitions of his ancient Friends and Confederates and to make amends for the prejudice they suffer'd in the Capitulation of Monsone The King of France reaped no little advantage by these hopes for though being deeply engaged in several affairs in Germany he could not apply himself much to this of the Valtoline yet feeding them with continual promise he kept them constantly at his devotion and depending upon his pleasure so as thereby he did not only recover the authority with the Grisons which he had in that Nation before the revolt but had munh encreased it these two last years for the parts of Rhetia being by the Emperor restored to the Grisons by the Articles of Ratisbone which were taken from them at the very beginning of the Mantuan war but upon condition that they should be no further fortified and the King doubting that the Treaty of Cherasco might be made null and peradventure that of Ratisbone also by the re-assignment of Pinarollo he perswaded those people to keep them well munited and particularly the passage called Stainck that they might keep out the Dutch if they should attempt to enter their Country again he made also a Fort Royal be built neer il ponte del Reno and making them believe that those Fortifications made much for the recovery of the Valtoline he put French Garrisons into the new Fort and into that of Stainck which was newly fortified all which the Grisons gave way unto lest the King might be incensed at their refusal and might waver in his promise of restoring the Valtoline but the King finding afterwards what prejudice the passing of the Duke of Feria and of the Infanta through the Valtoline occasioned to his own concernments and to those of the Germans his Confederates he bethought himself of removing that obstacle which could only confound the progress of his affairs in Germany he resolved therefore to send Forces to recover the Valtoline which expedition was not called the maintaining of the Grisons Superiority but the protection of the Valtolinians Liberty totally repugnant to the Grisons Sovereignty which liberty the King affirm'd was neer being suppress'd by the Spaniards frequent passing through that Valley so as professing himself to be a Protector of all oppress'd people he now intended to secure the tottering condition of the Valtolinians as he had restored the Grisons to their former liberty and had secured them from the Dutch by the building of Forts in Rhetia he therefore made the Duke of Rohan his General for that enterprise ordering him to protect them against the Spanish tyranny with his men and with those which the Grisons should furnish him withall Rohan was of the Lineage of the ancient Kings of Normandy a Captain of a refined and experienced judgment nurs'd up from his infancy in Arms not only an Hugonot in Religion but a chief Protector of the Hugonots in France in whose behalf he had always fought against the Catholick Religion and against the very King insomuch as he was the last of the Princes and Chieftains of that party who when they were beaten by the King humbled himself and who being pardon'd his hostile Acts was banish'd the Kingdom and confined to the State of Venice where having staid some years he by the Kings Commission went into Rheâ—…ia and was assistant to the Kings Embassadour Monsieur Dulande in the building of the Forts he was afterwards imploy'd by the King in the German wars who thinking him to
new attempts and seeing the State of Millain almost freed of the Confederates Forces he sent some of his men under Don Martine d' Aragona to prejudice that Duke with order to quarter in those States and that without attempting any thing against the chief Cities he might over-run the Country to the end that the Duke being mortified by such losses and terrified by fear of greater might learn to know how unable he was to defend himself against the Kings incensed Forces Don Martine being entred into the State of Piacenza first freed Rottofreno from being besieged by the Dukes men drove away the assailants and killing and taking many of them prisoners pursued them to underneath the Walls of Piacenza he afterwards recovered the Castle St. Stephano for Prince Doria which was taken from him by the Dukes men and Cardinal Trivultio being entred at the same time by Orders from the Governour with a Regiment of Dutch into the States of Cremona and Lodi he drove out those that were placed there in Garrison in some Towns that the Duke had taken but a little before in those parts then passing over the Poe and joyning with l' Aragona he went to possess himself of the State called Palavicino by which acquisition all Commerce was almost interdicted between Parma and Piacenza many Towns of those Territories were afterwards taken and the Salt-pits were destroyed which brought in a great revenue and the Duke of Parma not able to keep the Field against the Spaniards retired to Piacenza where he was first besieged at a distance and closer afterwards it is a thing verywell worth observation to think how that Prince amidst so many adversities and being so neer utter ruine did notwithstanding keep so close to his first resolutions and how he kept his first hopes against all probability of not only obtaining his pretensions but even of being preserved from imminent ruine for though he had much reason not to doubt that the King of France who was his onely hope and who endeavoured now to get the Princes of Italy to adhere unto him would suffer that the first and almost onely one of those Princes and who so freely and so couragiously had declared for him and his Crown would suffer that he should now upon that account be opprest and ruined making him thereby an example to others how little they were in the like case to relie upon the protection of that Crown yet the Affairs of that King were at that time reduced to so bad a condition that they rather seemed to need being assisted by others then to assist others The Cardinal Infanta going from the Confines of Flanders with a gallant Army was entred Picardy and having taken La Capella and Corbie two principal places upon those Frontiers over-ran that Province victoriously and burning and sacking all before him he was advanced even to the Walls of Amiens and St Quintins And the King not having Forces in readiness to with-stand so sudden and so unexpected a storm caused Men and Armes to be tumultuously raised for the defence of Paris it self and by an Edict which the French in their Language call Arierban which is as much as to say the last Call which the Kings of France never make use of but in extream necessity he summoned all his Feudatories and all his Nobility to assist in defence of the publick safety which was then tottering Nor was this all the danger of that Kingdom for the Prince of Conde was forced to rise from before Dole a Town in Burgondy whither he had been sent a little before by the King with a powerful Army For Gallasso being assisted by people of the same County was entred Burgondy with a strong Army and over-running all the Towns thereof on this side the Some had taken Merabaule and was come to before St. Iean di Beaulme a Town standing upon the Some between Verdune and Shalloune Nor was this Kingdom in less danger on the parts towards Spain whither the King having sent a powerful Army commanded by the same Prince of Conde wherein were many Signieurs of France that served to assault Spain on that side and the Prince being encamped before Fonterabie a frontier Town of Spain over against Gascony he had reduced it to great extremity not without much danger to Spain if it had faln into the hands of the French as necessarily it must have done had not the Admiral of Castille come from Spain with 10000 Foot and 1500 Horse which passing over the Pirenean Mountains came unexpectedly to before Fonterabie just as it was upon Articles of surrender and freed it luckily for at the Admirals appearing the Prince of Conde raised the siege and the Admiral taking St. Iohn di Luz and besieging Bayonne over-ran Guascony plundering and bringing the parts thereabouts into composition how could the Duke of Parma expect or fancy unto himself any assistance from the King of France whilst his own Kingdom was so full of troubles and assaulted on so many sides and which was worse for him the French were almost gone all out of Italy and the Spaniards were increased in numbers and reputation and left untroubled by that League which was intended for their ruine He saw apparently that could not be diverted from prejudicing him nay the Governour of Millain having heard that some few French who were yet in Cassalle were ready to pass over to Piacenza in boats when they should see the Poe swolne with water had ordered that a Steccado should be made over that River neer Valenza to withstand those Forces and had a good Garrison to be placed there to oppose those boats and all others who should go upon that River And the Governour had given order to Cardinal Trivultio to have an eye to those parts who fearing lest some Mantuans and some of the State of Venice not being able to enter the nearest way into the Dukes States might by way of diversion assault the State of Cremona or of Lodi he went first with the men that were assigned him to the frontiers of those Counties to defend them from any incursion so as that Prince was excluded from any succour on every side There was onely one loop-hole left open from which he might hope for safety amidst these so many streights which was the King of France his Fleet at that time come into the Ligustick Sea as shall be said in its proper place But to boot with the hindrance as shall be said which the Spanish Gallies gave to the landing of the French Fleet keeping it from landing its men the Governour who was himself with part of his Army in Alessandria stood ready to oppose any who should land in relief of the Duke or to prejudice the State of Millain This was the condition of this Dukes Affairs and to fill up all his misfortunes the Emperour after having taken the Duke of Saxony off from the Protestant League and brought him by the peace of Prague to side with him he
as being superfluous in the Emperours own Dominions but desired that the Emperour would give Pasports and safe conducts to all the Princes and Hans Towns of Germany his Confederates as he professed that they might pass safely to the Convention at Cullen and there safely Negotiate their several interests he required also that safe conduct might be given to the United Provinces of the Low-Countrys and to the Queen and Crown of Sweden who were so deeply concerned in that peace he alleadged for this his pretention the bond of League which he had with all these Princes States and Cities which would not suffer him to conclude any peace without their agreement he added that if he should enter into this Negotiation without them he should give them just cause of jealousie and complaint as if he had abandoned them contrary to the Articles of Confederacy the Emperour not permitting that the Princes and Hans Towns of Germany under the Command of the Emperours and who had rebelled should be admitted to treat of peace in company with him who was their Sovereign Lord denied absolutely to grant them safe conduct the rather for that onely the Plenipotentiaries of Sovereign Princes were admitted into the convention at Cullen but the King who had taken up arms in this cause not upon any account of his own but in defence of the Germane liberty said that he having no interest in that cause save only the patronage of those Princes he was but accessory and the Princes Principals so as there was no reason that the Principals should be excluded and the accessory admitted and that it was no new thing but an ancient custom and now in practice that in disorders which sometimes happen between Sovereigns and subjects agreement be made by covenanted Articles and as for the Queen and Crown of Sweden the Emperour did not refuse to grant safe conduct if it should be demanded by her and by the Deputies of that Kingdom and not by the King of France but the Swedes were so far from desiring it as they were entred into private treaty with the Emperour absolutely denying to come with the other Princes to the Convention at Cullen because they knew that the Cardinal Legate who had the first place in this convention would treat them as Hereticks and consequently would not suffer them to intervene in any treaty of peace nor would use such respect to their Agents as he did to those of other Princes the Emperour on the contrary complained of the difficulties interposed by the king of France as if they were apparent Arguments that he did not onely not wish well to peace but that he was more intent then ever upon War and upon fomenting the Insurrections of Germany and that therefore out of these pretensions proceeding slowly in the Treaty of Peace he intended to give occasion to other Princes who though they desired peace would not for their own honours sake seem to desire it more then others to proceed with the like slackness in this affair which was so necessary for the peace of Christendom and therefore the Emperours Plenipotentiaries nor those of the king of France not appearing in Cullen those of the king of Spain who were come to Cullen after the Legate lest by being come before the rest to the Diet they might seem more greedy of peace then others they never appeared in that capacity before the Legate nor did they seem to be come to treat of Peace and the king of France finding not long after that his pretences being contrary to the Negotiation so much desired by all were generally ill resented and that they were imputed rather to his no inclination to peace then to any thing that he alleadged he recalled his Plenipotentiary power confer'd on Berze and Davo and gave it to the Cardinal of Lyons brother to Cardinal Richelieu which occasioned other difficulties which troubled the Treaty no less then did the former for the Caesarean Agents thinking that this was done on purpose that the French Embassadour might by his Cardinal dignity precede all others whereunto the Emperour nor King of Spain would by no means consent they refused to send theirs thither These and other pretentions occasioned such difficulties as not onely no conclusion was come unto but no commencement was given to the Treaty which was propounded by the Pope and in appearance so much desired by all so as the Negotiation proved abortive and ended before it began Let us now return to the Affairs of Italy A Treaty began by chance and almost unthought of in the beginning of the year 1637 which being afterwards continued and concluded put a period to the business of the Valtoline between the two Crowns and the Grisons League in the subjection of the Valtoline which by the Articles of this Conâ—…ederacy was remitted upon some conditions to the three Leagues And that the foundation of this business may be the better known it will be necessary that we re-assume the whole business from the beginning and repeat some things which have been loosely related The ancient Confederacy between the Crown of France and the Grisons appearing to those people to be turned almost into subjection was not willingly suffer'd by them who thought themselves daily more streightned and more invaded in their Liberties by the Agents of that Crown it began to be very bitter when by reason of the Grisons joyning in League with the Venetians the French pretended that their ancient League was thereby prejudiced and their resenting it made the Grisons suspect that they had gone along with the Spaniards in that insurrection which hapned afterwards in the Valtoline these bitternesses encreased by the peace of Monsone by which the liberty of the Valtolinians was approved of so much to their prejudice by the same King who was the Grisons Protector contrary to what the King had always promised and which was profess'd publickly to all the world by Arms but they grew greater and more insufferable when thinking by this last endeavour of the Duke of Rohan to be restored unto the ancient and free possession of the Valtoline they saw they were kept from it by the French Forces and when any endeavour of restitution was had in the Court at Paris the King as Protector of the Valtolinians did not restitution upon condition notwithstanding that the Catholick Religion should be secured there without any mixture of Heresie and that the Civil and Criminal Justice should remain to the Valtolinians answerable to the Capitulations of Monsone This was caused for that the King of France finding that he could not maintain his authority in that Valley which he greatly desired to do without much disturbance to his own affairs without much war and expence and that assigning it to the Grisons it would be immediately taken away by the Austrian Forces and that he should be obliged to recover it again so as the loss succeeding the recovery and the recovery the loss a perpetual circumvolution
examples did the Prince Cardinal goe about to justifie his and his Brothers cause and both of them thinking that they might ground their pretentions best in the Court of Spain they laboured there and with the Spanish Agents in Italy to get their cause to be embraced by them and powerfully assisted by their Forces wishing them also to consider how much danger would redound not only to their Kings Reputation but to his Affairs and Dominions that the supream arbitrement of Piedmont should depend upon the pleasure of the King of France by his Sisters means which King making himself master afterwards of the chief Towns confining upon the State of Millain the Crown of Spain might get a new and a powerful neighbour that it became not his Majesty to suffer that he and his Brother should be so persecuted for the name sake only of having adhered to him then he strove to perswade theâ—… that the business would be easie by reason of the peoples inclination who desired beyond comparison rather to be govern'd by their natural Princes then by a forreign Lady who was suspected by reason of her greatly enforced and necessary dependancy upon the King her Brother upon whom being of necessity to relie a blind man might easily see the ruine of the house of Savoy and the danger of having the people recommended to their protection subjected to a forreign yoke and that therefore it was most certain that when the people of Piedmont should see their Princes accompanied by any considerable strength they would unanimously abandon the Dowager and adhere to them but these reasons could not prevail with other Princes who were concern'd at a further distance with the concernments of Piedmont and much less with the Spanish Court and Agents whom it concerned more neerly were it either that they were weary of seeing the war renewed in Lombardy or that fearing according to the ancient Spanish maximes that to wrastle in Piedmont would undoubtedly draw on war from France in the State of Millain they desired rather to enjoy the present advantage then hastily to provoke trouble they therefore held it better not to disquiet the present peace though it were doubtful then to enter into new wars which might be long and costly and of uncertain event thus thinking it suited better with the common interest not to innovate then to maintain the Princes presentions by Forces they proceeded cooly and reservedly with them and seemed more inclined to disswade them from pursuing so dangerous a business then to adhere unto them therein whereby to make the Dowager jealous they found yet the Princes of Italy lesser inclined to them who being desired by the Cardinal that together with their so just cause they would embrace the common concernment of Italy which did so much depend upon the good or bad success of Piedmont none of them would so much as appear to favour their pretences The Dowagers affairs seemed therefore to proceed successfully on this side if fortune had not pleased to put a spoke into her wheel here the Dowager could â—…ave desired no greater safety to her self nor to her Sons Principality and the Princes though exiled might have shared in the happiness as was thought by those who saw best into business but the heavens had destined it otherwise for the King of France who was more obliged then the Mother her self by reason of the protection he profess'd to take of the young Duke to preserve the peace of Piedmont which was so necessary for the present affairs of his Sister and Nephew became the chief instrument of disturbing it to the great admiration of all those who considering the inconstancy and vieiffitude of humane affairs wonder'd that the Spaniards who had great reason to oppose the Dowager should willingly offer her peace and that the King of France should purposely disturb it This King was with miraculous fortune and valour got rid of the wars and troubles whereinto the Austrian Forces had brought his Kingdom as hath been said before wherefore he prepared to revenge himself by falling upon the Emperour and King of Spains Territories with as much fervour as they had done upon his to this end he had disburst moneys to the Hollanders and to Duke Weymer to the end that these passing back over the Rhein might enter Germany with the men which he had furnish'd them withall and re-enforcing the Swedish weakned party might renew war with the Emperour and these having at last recovered Schincks Sconce and making ready a powerful Army which they joyned with another Army that he had raised in his Kingdom and entring Flanders might assault those Provinces which were under the King of Spain and embroil them as formerly they had done but the Swedes and Hollanders covenanted with the King that he should assault the State of Millain with a powerful Army at the same time that they should fall upon Germany and Flanders to the end that the Austrian power being assaulted on several parts might be the more easily subdued and that the King of Spain being molested in Italy might not assist the Austrians in those parts he therefore substituted the Cardinal of la Vallette in lieu of deceased Cricky in the command of his Forces in Piedmont and assigned him men and moneys wherewith to renew the war in the State of Millain which could not be done without the consent of the Dowager of Savoy the French Armies being to pass through her State before they could enter the State of Millain she was therefore desired by the King not only to renew the League which was made with her husband and which was then expiring but that she would joyn her Forces in Piedmont with his and resolve to make war upon the State of Millain The Dowager being no less affrighted then surprized with this demand by which all her designs were overthrown said and did all she could to evade it First she represented unto his Majesty how much better peace would be for her and her Son in those his tender years then war how much the present times did differ from those when her Husband lived wherefore she was to govern her self by other Counsels that for the present the safety of her Sons States consisted chiefly in peace and the ruine thereof in war she therefore desired him not to put her upon so dangerous a point that it better became the protection which â—…s Majesty profess'd to preserve peace in Piedmont and to keep 〈◊〉 â—…om the revolutions and combustions of war then to put it to the hazard of dangerous events by fomenting war made by his Majesty elsewhere that the intreaties of his Widow Sister and the innocence of his little Nephew ought to prevail more with his Majesty then the fierce cruelty of the Swedes and Hollanders or the ambitious and unquiet advice of his Counsellors who pretend to vent their rage against the house of Austrâ—…a at the cost of Piedmont that his Majesty ought not to subscribe to
against the King of Spain and had sent all the Forces that he could raise in his Kingdom thither so as no wise man could dream of any supplies To demand conditions of the Enemy was the toâ—…al ruine of the King of France his Forces and of both his and the Dowagers honour for the Prince and the Governour knowing very well what advantage they had would not have been satisfied with mean conditions and if they should have yielded to any conditions they would have demanded the Citadels of Turin and Cassalle Chiavazzo and whatsoever was then upon the point to be lost nay they would hardly have pardoned the Souldiers lives so as they would have pretended to as plenary a victory by way of agreement as if they had won it by force of Arms. It therefore was more honourable to venture life in maintaining the Towns they yet had then ignominiously to abandon them to the Enemy Harcourt was thus generously minded who being in these streights would rather run the hazzard of his life and fortune then be forc'd to yield to ruinous conditions nor did this his Generosity prove vain for Fortune which always favours the couragious seemed to be desirous to preserve this gallant Commander for more glorious Victories He was to do one of three things to get from thence and to escape an ignominious and ruinous surrender he must either get into Chiavazzo by the same way by which he had caused victuals to be brought and from thence to the Citadel of Turin or else go towards Batâ—…igliera a Town which stands upon the skirt of the hill and from thence go through the Langhe to Alba or else which was the most dangerous undertaking get into Carmagnuolâ—… by the way of Santena which the Governour of Millain had lately abandoned The greatest danger of the last lay that whereas if he should betake himself to either of the other two he went still further from the Enemy by the third he should fall into his very jaws yet Harcourt liked the last best for if he had endeavoured to get into Chiavazzo by the first way he must pass through the narrow ways of the hill and in case he should be pursued by the Enemy he must be forc'd to abandon his Cannon and his Baggage if he should go the second way which was exceeding troublesome he could carry neither victuals nor ammunition with him and being to march still through an Enemies Countrey he exposed himself to apparent danger of being routed if the Governour of Millain should follow and overtake him He therefore chose the third way as the securest though fullest of danger And because he had made a false March to be beaten when he stirr'd not several nights before his coming it hapned that when he caused it to be beaten the night that he went away the Enemy either did not hear it or believed it to be feigned as were the former so as he had time and conveniency to be well advanced with his men before the Enemy knew he was gone but though he should have pursued him he could not have speedily overtaken him for several reasons But howsoever â—…e sent his Horse after him to gall him on the Rere but it was late ere these got to him and when they came they found the Enemy engaged with the Prince who coming from Montcalleri fell upon them believing that the Governour would do the like at the same time on his side The Prince gave a furious and gallant assault with various fortune for a while but the French finding that the Spanish Aâ—…my was got up unto them they placed their Attillery loaded with Musket-bullets in the Rere and turning them upon the enemies horse they hurt them not a little and therefore being forced to forbear partly in expectation of the rest of the Army partly to keep from being further prejudiced they advanced no further the Prince his own person was much endangered by the valiant resistance made by the French but at last he made himself master of a Bridge which they had abandoned the coming on of night which was very dark and the Countrey being full of underwoods and Rivulets kept the Governour from falling upon the French whilest they were in Fight with the Prince for he thought it better to make the Victory sure by deferring the Combat till the next day then to undergo those dangers and disasters which battels by night are subject unto but Harcourt reflecting upon the danger he should be in if carrying till broad day he should be assaulted on both sides he fell upon the Prince at midnight so furiously as though he was stoutly resisted he got the better of the business he regained the Bridge over the which he past his men before the dawning of the day and secured both them and himself when day was up the Governour found that the assured victory which he had promised himself over night had escaped his hands which if it had fallen out otherwise it had undoubtedly put an end to the War as this success redounded much to Harcourts Glory so did it occasion much murmuring against the Governour in general and in particular by your Prince who complained as if the Governour out of private rancour and indignation had by affected delay and slow marching shun'd falling upon the Enemy who if he had been taken in the midst between them he must of necessity have been overthrown as if he had not onely not cared to put an end to the War so to keep the Princes from obtaining their pretences which he seemed not to wish well unto but as if he had exposed the Prince his person to the Forces of a more powerful Enemy to the end that he might be defeated and have his own person endangered the Piedmontese joyned all generally with the Prince in his Complaints and not a few of the Captains of the Spanish Army who could not know why when the Governour might have followed the Enemy in a straight line he had pursued him in an oblique one and yet there wanted not some who defended this action alleadging in excuse of what had hapned that the Governours slowness was not to be ascribed to affectation or to any sinister intention to the Prince but to a good rule in War which says it is better to make a bridge of gold for an enemy to march away over then by incensing him to make him desperate and put the whole affair in hazard they praised him for that he had been contented to free Cheri from the Enemy without unshe thing a sword or endangering his men applauding the genius of the Spaniards who are known by so many experiences to shun pitch'd battels as much as they can and never to come unto any but when forced by necessity after this the Governour sent towards Alba and Nizza to drive all the French out of the lower Moniferrat and to this purpose he sent the Camp Master Emilio Ghilino to drive them from Vezzeme and Bubbio
assault who sometimes held them on with the same hopes and sometimes raised difficulties which made against their desired ends But now that the Spring was come not being able to dissemble any longer he declared his mind unto them and shew'd them the necessity of taking the Citadel of Cassalle first that going with his Army to Turin he might not leave that place behind him from which much mischief might redound to the State of Millain that otherwise he must divide his Forces and must leave part of them in that State and go with the rest to the taking of the Citadel of Turin that they might see how prejudicial such a division would be to both those enterprizes that they should suffer him therefore to acquit himself first of Cassalle which when it should be over he promis'd them faithfully he would apply himself wholly to the business of Turin Citadel The Princes strove by forcible arguments to make him alter his mind shewing him that the good success of Turin would not only be a great furtherance to the main of their affairs but even to those of the King of Spain they told him that he who would make himself master of the Citadel of Cassalle must first begin with that of Turin which being lost the other must needs be lost also by the French who being driven out of Turin could not keep in Piedmont but must be forc'd to pass back over the Alps and leave not onely Cassalle to the arbittrement of the Kings Forces but also the whole affairs of Piedmont so not onely Cassalle but Chiavazzo Carmagnuola together with all the other Towns held by them must be abandoned that therefore many other greatly good successes did depend upon this They represented unto him the weakness of the Enemy who were reduced to a very small number not exceeding 4000 Foot and 2000 Horse ill appointed not able to keep the field nor to defend the Citadel of Turin much less to cause any jealousie to the State of Millain from Cassalle moreover that the Kingdom of France which was not onely troubled with the Wars of Flanders but with those of Catalonia and intestine risings was wholly diverted from the Wars of Italy that Normandy was up in Arms against the King whose example would certainly be followed by many other Provinces that there was therefore no fear that new Forces should come from thence to Piedmont and on the contrary that the Spanish Camp being redoubled by so great recruits which were coming from several parts might easily compass any whatsoever enterprize much more that of the Citadel of Turin which was already half taken they therefore earnestly perswaded him to betake himself to the taking thereof but contrary reasons perswaded the Governour from the going to take the Citadel of Turin and to go to the taking of that of Cassalle first his jealousie of the Negotiations still continued between the Princes and the French to this was added the competition touching who should put the Garrison into the Citadel of Turin which not being yet decided the Governour foresaw that the Princes would bring it in play when the Citadel should be taken so as he was refractory therein which when it should be taken would afford occasion of disorders and dissentions which might afterwards make the Princes go over to the French when they should not be masters of the Citadel on the contrary the felicity which he promised unto himself in the taking the Citadel of Cassalle made him believe that it became him not to weaken the flower of his Forces which he had assembled with so much trouble and with such expence to the Kings Exchequer in the taking of the Citadel of Turin which Forces when they should be employed in the taking of Cassalle would undoubtedly win unto the King a place of such importance for the safety of the State of Millain and by which acquisition so great preheminency and advantage would accrue to the Kings affairs over the neighbouring States and which was not least to be considered the acquisition whereof would make so fair a way to the generall peace he was moreover disswaded from taking that of Turin lest the Princes when they should be posses'd thereof assenting to their self interests and to the Common concerns of the I alian Princes would do what they could to keep that of Cassalle from falling into the Spaniards hands and that they would hinder it by underhand dealing wherefore preferring the good of the Kings affairs before that of the Princes he resolved to employ his foâ—…ces which were then fresh and entire in the enterprize of Cassalle believing that the hopes of being afterwards assisted in that of Turin might keep the Princes faithful to the Spanish party and make them co-operate in that of Cassalle and what was of moâ—…e importance the Governour knew how much the Court of Spain was concern'd in the business of Cassalle not so much out of the desire of getting it as for that they thought the French would have slackned the War of Catalonia for the preservation of Cassalle or the Court was not well satisfied with the orders given to assault Piedmont and that they were too exactly observed and could have desired that the Governour contrary to their orders had begun with the enterprise 〈◊〉 Cassalle so to draw the forces of France into those parts so as though he was honoured with the title of a Grandee for the taking of Vercelli yet he had some orders of Revocation to the contrary which Revocation not afresh to incur and that he might at the same time help to secure the State of Millain and also free Cataloâ—… he could not but prefer the business of Cassalle before that of Turin amongst these publick reasons there wanted not some private ones arising from a certain ambition in the Governour to signalize his name in the Court of Spain by the acquisition of that place which he knew was so much desired there and look how much he saw that enterprize had proved unfortunate to his predecessours in that Government the more diligent he was therein hoping that his glory would be the greater in bringing it to a happy end there were also certain other private emulations between him and the Princes which did not make the Governour any thing at all well affected to their interests for an being Infanta of Spain they treated somewhat briskly with him punctually expecting from him all those observances and respects which are due to the Infanta from the subjects of that Crown to that heighth that in the Campagnia where great Princes use to keep open table and to honour their Commanders with sitting at meat with them they never invited him to dine with them nor ever did he negotiate with them but bareheaded and standing and when he was indisposed in his feet he treated with them either by messengers or letters this his aversion was much increased by the Princes arrogating unto themselves all the honour of the
and ought to shew himself more constant in his devotion to that Crown he was past over to the Enemies party not without prejudice to the Crown of Spain But these are things the verification and discussing whereof would require more time and the decision thereof not appertaining to the Author of this History it will suffice to have lightly touch'd upon the accusations and excuses Yet the same Agents who had some knowledge of the fact before it was done endeavoured to prevent the danger but the success was so sudden as all provisions and remedies came too late and truly the more unexpected this blow came the soarer and more insufferable was it But greater blows then this which the Crown of Spain received at these times both in Italy and elsewhere made this appear the less for the Kingdoms of Spain weâ—…e so shaken first by the Insurrection of Catalonia and afterwards by that of Portugal aâ—… they never were the like since that Crown arrived at so much greatness The Catalonians after their Insurrection had recourse to the King of France and by submiting to that Crown had got assistance against the King of Castile whose Forces were entred Catalonia to reduce it So as the French Forces entring that Province also they often routed the Castilians and having finally made them almost all retreat to the neighbouring Kingdom of Arragon they rendred the recovery of Catalonia very difficult which was almost wholly lost and the King not being well provided of men to quell the Catalonians and to drive the French out who had almost made themselves Masters thereof he was forced to make use of the Portugal Garrisons to subject the Catalonians So the Portugueses being quite rid of the Castrlian Garrisons made use of this occasion to withdraw themselves from the Castilian Empire which was to them so hateful and so insufferable They thereto made Don Iohn Duke of Braganza their King who was descended by the Mothers side from the ancient Kings of Portugal and the Castilian Forces not being able to subdue both these Insurrections they were necessitated to insist first upon that of Catalonia whereinto the French poured in men at their pleasure wherefore the Portugal Insurrection was but weakly withstood so as it grew daily greater The new King was better established in his new Kingdom as well by reason of the peoples love as of the friendship and favour of other Princes who out of Emulation to the Spanish Grandezza fomented the Insurrection of the Portugueses So as what by the natural Forces of Portugal and by what he received from forreigners the new King kept the Castilian Forces conveniently from the Confines of Portugal To the loss of the Kingdom of Portugal was added the loss of all the Kingdomes and Provinces of the East Indies and of all the Seas and Islands belonging to that Crown and in the Western parts of Brasil for being govern'd and garrison'd onely by the Portugueses and none but Portugueses being suffer'd to saile towards those parts nor to tarry there by the way of Traffick as soon as the news of the new Kings exaltation to the Crown who was of the Royal lineage was come into those parts they all joyntly with great applause acknowledg'd him for their King and readily swore Allegiance to him The Spaniards also at this time lost many considerable places and battles of no small consideration in Flanders the Fleets of the said Crown were almost dissipated by naval Conflicts by contrary Winds and by other casual disasters their Forces being afflicted by several misfortunes in Lombardy and Piedmont had lost their former lustre The Austrian Empire suffer'd also very much in Germany and not being able to hold that mutual correspendency nor to receive such aid as had wont to pass between it and the Crown of Spain both those Crowns lost much of that Authority and Grandezza whereby they had made themselves so considerable and so formidable with the greatest Princes of Christendom for almost one whole age and because Germany being lacerated by continual Wars and impoverished in people could not furnish the Wars of Italy and the State of Millain with Souldiers as it had wont to do nor Spain whose Exchequer was exhausted could subminister that quantity of monyes to the Germane Empire as it formerly had done nor take order for great Levies of Dutch for Italy the Spanish forces in Lombardy and in Italy were necessarily reduced to great vveakness and discredit insomuch as the Potentates of Italy to vvhom they vvere so formidable before as doubting nothing more then to be over-run by them they vvere vvholly bent upon pulling them dovvn being novv totally free of that fear and as much terrified with the apprehension of the French forces which they saw were gotten to a fatal greatness in Spain it self in Flanders in Italy and in Germany they studied how to maintain that Spanish Empire which they endeavoured to suppress so much before all of them holding it for undoubted that the lessening thereof would prove the lessening of their ovvn States amongst these the Venetians who formerly had always been more averse to the ends and interests of the Crown of Spain then any others changing their counsels with the alteration of affairs began to be their first and most zealous protectors they being the onely bank which could keep out the stood of the French fortune from overflowing and drowning Italy and their own Dominions which they willingly hazarded some few years before when the Duke of Rohan falling down by the Valley of Sarfina from the Valtoline into the State of Millain when the Duke of Savoy and Marshal Cricqui being past the Tessino infused such terrour into the State of Millain the same Rohan being now to pass over a little patch of the Venetian State of not above two miles long before he could come to the State of Millain the Commonwealth which had been so favourable to him before in the getting and keeping of the Valtoline were so averse unto him upon this occasion as they would by no means permit him to come over that very short space of Ground which had they done it would have much increased the danger of that State not onely the Spanish Agents but all the Potentates of Italy were very well satisfied with this action who knew not so much by her present as by her past nay contrary carriage how intent and watchful that Commonwealth was over the well-fare and preservation of the publick peace and liberty the same respects made the Governour of Millain more wary in engaging themselves in battle finding that by the want of ready leavies of men in Germany they wanted the conveniency of supplies to their armies when they shall by any accident be routed or otherwise worsted to this was added that Spain it self by reason of the Wars that were then very hot there required men both from Germany and Italy so as not being able to send men into Italy the Spaniards were
of the enterprize gave over mining which they saw did but little good fell to their batteries again more out of rage then out of any good they expected thereby but it so hapned that as they had got but little good by all their attempts which they had hitherto advisedly made so by this from which they expected little or no advantage the whose victor was occasioned for they made one shot against the Keep of the Castle which beat down part of it and the ruines thereof fell upon the remainder of the victuals contrary to all expectation so as the Defendants having lost all their victuals nothing but surrender was to be thought upon thus forced by necessity they parlyed which ended in a surrender upon honorable conditions having leave to carry away five piece of Cannon a thing not heard of upon the yielding up of places furnish'd with greater store of Artillery and it was also expresly covenanted that they might have five days allowed them to expect if any relief or succour should be sent them which time being expired and no relief appearing they march'd out in number above 1000 Souldiers with Arms Baggage Colours Flying Match lighted and with their five piece of Cannon which served to trumpet forth their valour and they were attended to the Confines of Allessandria being very well received in all places and much praised for the resolution they had shewed during the whole Siege Galleotti in reward of the great valiour he had shewed in defending the Castle was made Camp-Master which honour he did not long enjoy for he was unfortunately slain not long after with a Musket shot the Spanish Garrison marching out the French entred on the 26 of November which was the day of surrender who found the walls so torn and rent by the Mines and batteries as not being easily able to mend them they made what shift they could to defend them with fagots rafters and other things the Conquering Army retreated to the neighbouring Towns where having tarried some days they at great rates got all the victuals they could from the neighboring parts wherewith they furnish'd the Castle and departed to Piedmont but were much wasted and consumed and as they marched through Monferrat they were yet more lessened by the great store of rain that fell and by other sufferings a good part of the Horse being gone to the Confines of Montferrat were strucken with a pannick fear at the meet same that the Governour of Millain was with an Army upon their backs So as running directly away they light upon a path that led to the Orba a little rivulet which being swoln by the fall of waters ran very swiftly those who came first to the water side not being able to go back so fast were they followed by those that came after were forced into the water where entangled amongst themselves both the first and the last were miserably drown'd the foot fared no better for being dispers'd some here some there they were pilladg'd and slain the few that got to Piedmont were quartered in several quarters and rallied so as were it not for the getting of a deserted City and a Castle which was half beaten down the business prov'd prejudicial to both sides and reciprocally ruinous But it is true that the taking of this City and the recovery thereof by the Spaniards was the occasion of the Piedmonteses recovery of many places which the Spaniards had taken in the former Wars which was no little advantage to the French and Piedmonteses for otherwise it would have been more troublesom and chargeable for them to have done it The Governour of Millain though he had done all that was possible for the preservation of the Castle that was lost so as the loss the eof could not be ascribed to any default of his yet being very much troubled that it should fall out in the time of his Government and that that had befaln him which had not hapned to any of his Predecessors since the State of Millain was joyn'd to the Spanish Empire he was grievously vext and being desirous to repair so great a loss he minded nothing but how to recover it he therefore thought every hour a year till the Winter were over that he might wipe away that stain which he thought lay upon him for that loss which he the rather hoped to do by the death which befel in France to the Cardinal Richlieu whose Authority and Counsel as they had kept the Enemies of France in terror whilst he lived so they ceasing with his death every one thought that so excellent an Architect failing to the good Government and prosperous conduct of the Affairs of that Kingdom they would decline apace from that height to which they were brought whilst he lived He died about the end of November in the year 42 of a natural death after a long and noisome or troublesome disease he was very stiff for the advancement of the Regal Sovereignty as also of his own Authority and this to that degree that so he might arrive at any thing which might advance either the one or the other he did not abhor doing any thing though it were not clad with honesty nor justice so as he knew better then any other how to make use of that saying of Iulius Caesar That if reason were to be violated it were to be violated for reason of State and therefore he was termed by some the new Tiberius of our times he rose to such authority in the Court and had so great a power over the Kings genius as he was to have many encounters and to shock not only with the Princes and Grandees of the Kingdom and with the Queen Mother but with the Kings only Brother who was then Heir to the Kingdom insomuch as the Queen Mother not able to tolerate such preeminence and authority which did even out-do hers went out of the Kingdom and would never return unless the King would remove the Cardinal which the King not doing she lived an exile from France many years and died in Cullen a little before the Cardinal whither having run through many Countries she at last retired her self and the Brother having gone several times out of France for the same Reasons and severall times return'd not able to bear with so great a predominancy in the Cardinal conspired often against him and how much the Princes and Grandees of the Kingdom were distasted with this transcendent authority was shewn by frequent Conspiracies against it and against the Government of the Kingdom not without danger sometimes to the Kings person The people also and the Provinces of the Kingdom not able to bear with the many grievances which were laid upon them for maintaining the immoderate expences of War abroad did often rebel but all these Conspiracies and Seditions did rather encrease and confirm his greatness then any ways lessen it and the King himself was not able longer to endure it because all the Lords and Officeâ—…s
Princes absence is sworn Governess and Regent being compel'd by the King of France she renews League with him The Governour of Millain goes to before Vercelli and after a long Siege takes it upon Articles The Princes of Savoy assisted by the Spaniards and Piedmontese take many Towns and make much progress they go to before Turin and having tarried before it some days retire without doing any thing falling as before to over-run Piedmont they are received every where till Forces being sent to the Dutchess from France under the Duke of Longueville she recovers Chiavasco and other Towns which the Princes had taken The Prince Cardinal fearing Corneo goes to defend it and Prince Thomaso going once more with the Spanish Forces to before Turin surpriseth the Town and the Governour of Millain coming in unto him with all their Forces attempt the taking of the Citadel whither the Dutchess was retired The Siege is suspended by a Truce which being ended the French under the new General Count Hartcourt take Cheri but being presently besieged by the Governour of Millain they are forced through Famine to quit it and retreat in the face of the enemy to Carmagnuola 628 BOOK XVII You shall read in this Book the Treaties of Agreement between the Dowager and the Princes and the interests between the Princes and the Governour of Millain how the Governour goes with a powerful Army to Cassalle how it is relieved by Harcourt how he fought the Governour before he could bring in the succour and had the better of the Fight and did not only relieve but perfectly free the place Harcourt being victorious goes presently to Turin he takes the Capuchins Bridge over the Poe fortifies himself there and afterwards begirts the City with a vast Line and endeavours to get it by Famine Prince Thomaso being in it but ere long he seeth the Governour upon the Hills with a powerful Army coming to relieve the besieged Prince the Governour finding it impossible to bring the succour by that way strives to get a pass over the River towards Montcalleri and having gotten it he passeth over the Poe where quitting the Hills he takes up new quarters and thinking to make the French abandon the enterprize by Famine he possesseth himself of the Avenues by which Victuals were brought to the Camp so as they would have been quickly made to remove had not the Prince Thomaso who was impatient of delay made the Governour to fall upon the Enemies Trenches and to relieve him so which falling out unfortunately and the Governour not thinking himself any longer safe in his quarters beyond the Poe returns to his quarters upon the Hills where he tarried assisting the besieged in what he was able till the City was surrendred which hapned two moneths and eleven dayes after the unfortunate assault given to the French Trenches that the besieged City might be relieved Prince Thomaso comes out of Turin and retreats to Inurea where he is desired by Monsigniore Mazzarini who was come Embassadour from the King of France into Piedmont a little before Turin was surrendred to joyn with the French but Count Siruela coming to him from the Governour of Millain he makes new capitulations with him to joyn with the Crown of Spain and the Count Della Rivera being sent by the same Governour to the same purpose to the Prince Cardinal the Embassadour Mazzarini having notice thereof forceth Prince Thomaso to joyn with the French upon conditions one of which was that the Prince should go to Paris within one moneths space which condition was not observed for the Prince instead of going to France passeth secretly to Nice where he and his brother re-conform their union to the Crown of Spain to Rivera the Embassadour Mazzarini who went to Nice to confirm the one Prince and to draw the other over to the French party laboured the contrary very much at the same time the Governour of Millain is sent for into Spain and is succeeded in that Government by Count Siruela the French go to Montcalvo take the Town at their first arrival and afterwards the Castle which yields without expecting succour 686. BOOK XVIII The Crown of France and French Commanders being but badly satisfied with Prince Thomaso for his non-observance of the Capitulation made by him go to drive him out of Inurea which being better defended then assaulted holds out till the Governour sends succour who going afterwards to before Chiavasso Forces the French almost to quit the Enterprise that they may relieve Chiavasso and Don Vincenzo Gonzaga coming to the French quarters before Inurea forceth them to their much prejudice to give over the Enterprise wholly and the Prince enters joyfully into the City The Dowagers Generals recover Ceva Mondovi and the Castle of Carru and then joyning with the French go to before Cuneo and take it The Spaniards take Montcalvo The Prince of Monaco drives out the Spanish Garrison and introduceth the French to the great prejudice of the Spanish Affairs the misfortunes whereof are by a short digression related Cardinal Richlieu dies The Conde Duca falls from all Authority and Greatness in the Court of Spain The differences between the Dowager and the Princes are at last composed The Princes forsake the Spanish party and adhere unto the French Prince Thomaso joyning with the French after some small actions done to the prejudice of Spain goes with the Duke of Longueville with a strong Army to before Tortona which after a long time is taken but some months after is re-taken with much ado by the Spaniards in which interim Prince Thomaso recovers Asti and all the Towns that were held by the Spaniards in Piedmont except Vercelli 744 THE HISTORY OF THE WARS OF ITALY BOOK I. The Contents FRancis Duke of Mantua and Montferrate being dead Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy pretends the return of his Daughter Margaret Wife to the late Francis into Piedmont together with Mary her only Daughter Cardinal Ferdinando Brother and Successor to Francis retards his Sister in Law 's return and keeps his Niece in Mantua Hereupon differences arise between the two Dukes wherefore the Duke of Savoy renewing his ancient claim to Montferrat which was pretended to by his Predecessors assaults that State at unawares possesseth himself of the Cities of Alba and Trino indeavours the like of Moncalvo but not being able to get the Fort levies people to take it The Condition of Italy is also given in the Prooemium then by way of digression the Duke of Savoys pretences to Montferrate is discoursed upon and many other Interests and Accidents which occurred between the said Duke and the Court of Spain at several Times and upon divers Occasions ITALY hoped long to continue that Peace which She had already injoyed for so many years when by the unexpected death of Henry the Fourth King of France she was freed of the great suspition of War which she had cause to apprehend by reason of the great preparations of that Kingdom