and set at naught a Prince in friendship with him The rupture indeed betwixt France and England advanced apace the disagreements betwixt the King and Queen in London continuing notwithstanding that the Mareshal of Bassompiere gone thither Ambassadour Extraordinary setled certain Articles concerning the Queens Family which in matters of Religion served for a pretext to distasts but not reconciling the interests and passions of the two Favourites Richelieu disavowed him and Buckingham as studiously crossed him At the instigation of the Duke of Savoy who by his own anger sharpned that of others the Domesticks of the Queen were sent back to Paris There followed hereupon many reciprocal reprisals at Sea and King Charles taking the Huguenots and Rochel into his protection complained of the inobservancy of Treaties and of the inconvenience the Fort Lewis was to that Town Upon these pretexts Buckingham taking the quality of Ambassadour had a mind to pass into France to procure redress but the true motive of his Journey being ascribed to loves contracted in that Court Richelieu perswades the King to refuse him entrance into the Kingdom The rage hereupon of the other was inflamed to extremity and swearing that since he was forbidden to enter in a peaceable manner into France he would make his passage with an Army he applies himself to an open breach The Kings intentions being carried by Monsieur Montaigue to the Huguenots and the Duke of Savoy it was resolved betwixt them that the King as Protector of the last Peace with the Huguenots should to repair the pretended infractions send thirty thousand men against France divided into three Armies whereof the first was to take in the Islands next to Xaintonge to strengthen Rochel the second to land in the Garonne near Bourdeaux and the third keeping Normandy and Britany in apprehension distract the Forces and shutting up the entrances into the Rivers hinder the Commerce The Duke of Savoy was at the same time to invade Provence and Dauphiné promising also to send five hundred Horse to Rohan who offered to raise the greatest part of Languedoc with the Huguenots and with four thousand Foot and a good number of Horse to joyn with the English in Guyenne And to the end the Kingdom might be invaded on all parts Carlo Duke of Lorrain moved thereto by Chevereuse and Scaglia who went to attend him for that purpose was to enter into it from his side with powerful Forces The Venetians and the States of Holland were also invited by the English and by Savoy the one by the interests of Religion and the other in revenge of the Treaty of Monzone and for fear of the Union betwixt France and Spain but both these Republicks apprehending more than from the Treaty of Monzone the evils from the discord betwixt England and France who coming to a War left every where a field open to the advantages and arbitrement of the Austrians endevoured by an effectual mediation to reconcile them In this interim the Treaty was executing in the Valteline though the Grisons greatly stirred with prejudice appealed sending an express Embassy into France Nor was it to any purpose that Monsieur de Chasteauneuf to appease them came from Venice to Coira and from thence into Helvetia for the three Leagues and amongst the Switzers the Protestant Cantons would never give their consent Nevertheless not regarding their complaints it was agreed to render the Forts and withdraw the Armies The Venetians by reason of the nearness were troubled that the Forts should be demolished and the Pope refusing to charge himself with such a trouble and expence Fargis at the Court of Spain had consented to new prejudices capitulating that they should by the Pope be delivered to those of the Valteline or the Spaniards themselves to demolish them But that being disapproved by France and the Republick it was at last agreed in Rome between Monsieur Bethune and the Count d'Ognate Ambassadors of the Crowns That those old Forts out of which the Ensigns of the Church had gone forth should be restored to Torquato Conti who should enter into them with three thousand men that he afterwards should go out of them when the Spanish Ministers should deliver him a Writing that they were satisfied of the former deposition That at the same time the Confederates should withdraw their Forces out of the new Forts and they to be all at a time demolished by the Peasants so soon as Pope Urbans Colours should enter into the first Some retardments deferred the delivery until the beginning of the year to come for Coevre had a mind before he retired that the Pension of those of the Valteline to the Grisons should be adjusted But Gonsales de Cordua who upon the removal of Feria as little inclined to execute the Peace commanded in the Milanese denying that he had power concerning this it was in France adjudged by the King with the consent of the Ambassadour of Spain at twenty five thousand Crowns a year Carlo also pressed by Bouillon had made a suspension of Arms with the Genouese rather to revenge himself of France than out of complacency to it for being entred into the design to invade with great hopes that Kingdom he did not unwillingly dis-engage himself on that side In this manner was Italy set at quiet but knew it self big with new storms and more fierce tempests The Venetians accommodating themselves to the time and reforming their Militia kept a strong body of the most veteran and tryed ones In this year amongst the domestick Affairs Frederico Cornaro Bishop of Bergamo being promoted to the Cardinalat in that order in which amongst the other Crowns the Popes are wont to honour the Republick there arose a doubt whether he being Son of the Doge the Law had place which forbid them to receive Ecclesiastical Benefices and it was declared by the Senate that a dignity of that quality was not comprehended under the common name of Benefices On the contrary to Carlo Quirini Bishop elect of Sebenico was denied the possession because the Council of Ten having received knowledge that he had gotten it by means not lawful for Citizens of the Republick and by the favour of the Ministers of other Princes banished him with the severest penalties and the Church was given by the Pope to another During the Truce howsoever short caused by the Arms and evils of Italy a new War arises in Germany or rather the old was increased by the practices of Christian the Fourth King of Denmark contrived with the Protestants That Kingdom is not great in Territory nor puissant in Forces but considerable for its situation by Land and by Sea and by reason of the support which through its nearness it gave to the Princes of the Lower Saxony who as hath been said had chosen him for General of the Circle and he together with the charge assuming high thoughts hoped to manage the War to his own advantage by the forces and money of others
plausible pretext to hinder the Marriages with Spain as if the Maxims and Interests of that Crown would thereby be introduced into the Government of France The more secret motive nevertheless arose from the Interest of some who proposed to make their profit in that Crisis which the King being near going out of his Minority gave hopes to afford private advantages and the hatred and envy of all concurred against Concino Concini called the Mareshal d' Ancre who brought by the Regent out of Italy was from mean Parentage by her great favour advanced to the chiefest place of Government Carlo who from France expected jealousies rather than succours was not ill pleased to see that disturbance and the mind of the Regent distracted He entertains therefore a Confidence with the discontented and they sending the Seignor d'Vrfu to Turin insinuate with several Propositions that setting aside the Arbitrage of the Crowns the differences betwixt the two Houses of Savoy and Mantua might be referred to the Duke of Nevers their common Parent But that business however neglected by France was not so easily to be taken out of the hands of Spain which held it fast by so many bonds of Authority and Power The stirs now in France quickly vanished and a Conference held at Soissons quiets all with the promise in appearance of the Regent to defer the consummation of the Marriages till the States of the Kingdom were called And for this the united Princes conceived great merit to themselves participating by the means of the said Seignor d'Vrfu the agreement to the Venetians and inviting them to cooperate that the accomplishment which would be troublesom to the Nation and formidable to all might be wholly disappointed The more secret conditions notwithstanding consisted in private advantages for to Conde was given the Castle of Amboise to Nevers St. Menehoud and to all in general great recompences fruits accustomed in France to be reaped from that which elsewhere was punished by the Hangman In Milan the suspicion of the Mediation of France disappearing and the Treaty re-assumed the Savoyards and Mantuans joyned issue for a meeting in the presence of the Governour to mediate the Peace of Italy Castiglione wearied himself with many Expedients and because Carlo as the recompence of his rights proposed that some part of Monferrat and namely the Canavese might be yielded to him he insinuates the Marriage of Margaret with Ferdinand and of his Sister Eleonora with the Prince Vittorio giving to the Savoyards certain Lands near unto Turin of about the value of 5000 Crowns yearly Revenue But all was turned topsie-turvy by the Governours insisting that Carlo should disarm intimating that without more ado he should perform it within six days On the other side Carlo undauntedly denies it and knowing himself in the necessity to provide himself of Friends fixed his eye upon the Venetians whose Correspondence always heretofore having been improved by him with all sorts of offices had had effects considerable and honourable for Italy but at present had been interrupted by his transport of anger for the assistances of the Republick to Ferdinand for which the Ambassadour Gussoni was discharged and although by means of Hippolito Cardinal Aldobrandin he had endeavoured to renew it again nevertheless in the Senate which always maintains the point of its dignity he had found a deaf ear to whatever he had proposed But now pricked forward by the urgency of more resolute reflections he sends to Venice Giovani Jacomo Piscina a Senator of much wit and voluble eloquence who was received by Dudly Carleton Ambassadour of England That King shewed himself beyond measure partial for the Duke by improving with such a friendship that rest of authority which he had a mind to assume in the Affairs of Italy and therefore the Ambassadour laboured exceedingly that he might be introduced remonstrating to the Senate that to the testimonies of ancient respect the Duke added at present one more apparent than possibly could be desired by sending an Ambassador express who should soon be followed with a Leiger to cast himself into the arms of the Republick and to open his heart to them hear their judgment and imbrace their counsels He interposed the intreaties of the King and passing to more serious apprehensions of the present Conjuncture he considered that the affections of Princes except in things belonging to Religion and Justice did adjust themselves according to Interest and Time the Punctilioes and Formalities rather befitting private men ought not to divert Princes from the substance of more weighty affairs He moved them to reflect that if the Italians disunite all would sink under the burden but joyned together would with impunity despise Foreign powers He pressed upon the Conjuncture and necessity of the times whereupon at last after some difficulty Piscina was admitted into the Colledge to open to them all that had passed betwixt the Duke and the Spaniards He insisted much upon the violences which they presumed to offer him deplored the condition of the Italian Princes added the consequences of the example no less than the motives of the common Interest despaired through the pride of the Governour of Milan Castiglione being weary of proposing Expedients and Ferdinand having called back his Deputies to Mantua of a good end of any Treaty He therefore stirs up the Senate to reflections and remedies how to uphold the Dignity of Italy which if it reverenced that Assembly as the Tutelar Deity of its Liberty Carlo as eldest Son of the Republick desired to have it for his Director and Father The Venetians consoled the Duke and assured him of their affection and good offices and exhorting him to an agreement with Ferdinand and to Peace that neither of them should omit any thing to render that respect to Spain which in the disproportion of their Forces might be compatible with the Dignity of a Free Prince They at the same time earnestly pursue in all the Courts their sense and desire of Peace moving some to be Mediators intreating others to facilitate the rejoyning of the Treaties in Spain particularly and in Milan not missing to represent the dangers of the War and the calamities But Inoiosa shews himself rather provoked than satisfied with Piscina's journey to Venice whereupon the Republick grounding their own jealousies upon those of his the aspect of affairs continued to look more and more troubled And she in consequence to arm her self substituting Antonio Lando Procurator di St. Marco into the Generalat to Priuli committed the Levy of 2000 Foot to the Prince Lewis d'Este newly entred into their Service Of the Switzers she procured as hath been said passage and Levies but neither being to be obtained without a League the Ambassadour Barbarigo applies himself to the management of it remaining some time for that purpose among the Grisons a people no less gross by nature as they are rough by situation but with them he found no disposition to renew that which being
famous station of Liberty and Greatness I dare assure you that in all Ages the Generosity of the Bohemians shall be memorable that having flung tyrannical Government out of the windows hath caused the glory to spring out which from this Kingdom will easily diffuse it self to the Empire and though some appearance of violence hath been in it necessity and piety will excuse the fact There is no more place for repentance or pardon counsel or discourse avails no more but only concord and constancy The Lot is drawn Liberty or the Hangman if Conquerours we shall be just free and Princes if overcome perfidious perjured and Rebels A little served to stir mens minds incensed of themselves to thoughts of Novelty for if that flourishing Kingdom in its soil rise as it were into War with fertile and almost continued Hills the people are no less accustomed to float amidst perpetual provocations of Religion and Liberty It was then decreed to shake off the yoke by the consent of all and if there were any that in their minds were against it yet knowing they were not able to resist that universal violence not to make themselves suspect they made a shew to adhere to it with greater vehemence To carry on the Government a Magistracy of Thirty with title of Directors was chosen But what had happened at Prague was no sooner divulged through the Kingdom but all was in revolt drawing also the importance of Lusatia and Silesia Provinces annexed The advice being brought at the Emperours Court there was a great division of opinions and counsels Matthias by plausible means letters and perswasions together with something besides of concession desired to reduce the Bohemians to their obedience and Gleselius strengthened him in that thought out of the consideration that coming to Arms the War was to be directed by Ferdinand in which if the authority of the one might be rendred suspicious to the Emperour the practices of the other would be no less troublesom against which from the time when in his younger years he was carried to the Government of the rebel Provinces of Flanders he had retained a certain aversion in his mind Nor was the Cardinal in his judgment a jot deceived for Ferdinand that inclined more than to pleasures to the management of Arms abetted by the counsels and favours of the Archduke Maximilian and of the Ambassadour of Spain no sooner saw the Emperour levy some few Souldiers for necessity but he asked the Command of them Matthias troubled to deny him resolves to grant it but with such restriction that forming a Council of War of his Confidents of which notwithstanding the King should be chief and limiting the Authority he left him no more than the shadow All this was attributed to Gleselius to whom was imputed besides venality in affairs little propension to the concord of the family and greatness of the Austrians a connivence and superabundant facility towards the Hereticks accusations which proceeded principally from the hatred conceived against him by the Ministers of Spain because to his utmost keeping the King and Archduke from the knowledge of the foreign affairs he excluded them also from those of the Empire and in the affairs of Italy his inclination to Peace had carried him to oppose their designs Amongst the means studiously thought on to take him out of the way that appeared too sacrilegious to stain the Purple of a Cardinal with blood and in the City of Vienna to kill as it were upon the Altar Bishop thereof It was then resolved to arrest him Prisoner not regarding the affection and authority of Matthias which were his only refuge not without hope and design after the thing done either to pacifie the Emperour by flatteries or curb him with apprehensions So being one day called to a Council in the Archdukes Quarter where the King was with Ognate he was seized as he came in by D'Ampiere and Prainer and put into a close Coach with a hundred Horse for a Guard hurried apace toward Inspruch Although the Princes themselves went to communicate it to Matthias with many pretexts of Religion of connivence advantage to the house and of his own service it is not to be said how much he was moved at it because touched in the apple of the eye of his authority and affection it drove him to the extremity of passion nor could he withhold himself both when awake and in his dreams from crying out with a loud voice that Gleselius should be brought back to him again There was an opinion that he had some thoughts to cast himself into the arms of the mutined Bohemians for revenge But the Cardinal Dietrichstein a person of very great credit did in some manner pacifie him bringing into his Chamber the King and the Archduke to ask pardon for the transport with protestations not to intrude themselves into his Authority or Government The Emperour required that promise in writing but it was agreed that he should be contented with the word only and the little while he lived he passed in continual apprehensions and melancholy not without calling to mind Divine Judgments which to him from his Cousin retributed the spoil of that Authority which he but a few years before had with great violence extorted from his Brother Rudolphus And it in truth seems that the imprisonment of Gleselius had set wide open the Sepulchres of the Austrians for Anna the Empress and Maximilian dyed presently after and were soon followed by others The Prisoner was found to have neither money nor goods and that absolved him from the common report of corruption and avarice he being discovered to be poor who under the benign influence of the favour of the Prince it was believed had enjoyed Mines and Treasures He was at last put into the Popes hands who exclaimed that the Dignity and Priviledge of the Church was violated to the end that he might judge him for the faults committed being mixt of Religion and State But after a year or two being restored to his liberty he lived quietly as he had been known to be innocent During these present domestick contentions of the Austrians the Bohemians had made great advantage of that time in furnishing themselves with arms money and friends Amongst the first that ingaged in this troubled affair was Ernest Count of Mansfelt natural Son of Peter Ernest as famous for the mischiefs done with small Forces and the height of courage for the space of many years to the Austrians as the Father had been remarkable in the Government of the Low-Countries and several other imployments for his fidelity to Spain He being of an ambitious spirit desiring by notable actions to make good to the World his spurious birth after having passed through many Charges amongst the Austrians renouncing the Romish Religion made it his ambition to close with Fortune in the greatest dangers He was at that time in Piedmont in service of the Duke who placing the principal security of his own
pleased to do Wherefore from that very time it was judged that neither the one would be contented to remain a private man nor the other as a Prince would be long able to suffer him He applying himself in Moravia to raise an Army easily compleated it Souldiers flocking from all parts to his reputation and pay Nor did Saxony give him the least disturbance intent only upon Conquests in Bohemia and Silesia and perhaps desirous also that some stop might be put to the boundless progresses of the King Gustavus The Emperour demanded of the Catholick Princes speedy assistance for that purpose sending into Italy the Baron de Rabata and taking it for a common cause of Religion in which it belonged to the Pope by his example to exceed all others sends to him the Cardinal Pasman Ambassador extraordinary Vrban was very unwilling to be thus pressed because such instances were not to be disjoined from reproofs and protests wherefore avoiding to admit such an Ambassador he alledged that a Cardinal honoured with the Purple and a holy Character could not be employed in the service of secular Princes Pasman a man of profound learning and most discreet in all his actions replying that the interest of Religion obliged every one and in particular the Ecclesiasticks to take care of it and procure its defence declares that if the dignity or habit hindred him from the exercise of that Ministry he renounced and laid down every thing being ready also to speak in his shirt so the imminent necessities of the Church Catholick might be provided for At last Vrban seeing that the excluding the instances would be more complained of than the not hearing of them admitted him and heard succours demanded with a powerful eloquence as of a Pope and of a Father in the dangers of Religion and the urgent necessities of his Sons His first answers were made up of excuses that his Treasury was empty and that he wanted power which chiefly arose from the German Armies having in these last years unseasonably disturbed Italy and obliged the Church it self together with offensive jealousies to excessive charges Whereupon offending mens minds rather than satisfying the demands the Austrian Ministers resolved to assemble the Cardinals subjects and the friends they had in Court to compel the Pope with shame and pressing of him yet more home For which purpose Cardinal Borgia in the Consistory with others who had a mind to shew inclination to the Austrians admonished the Pope and presented to him a protest in writing laying in a manner to his charge that he neglected in so important a necessity the duty of his Pastoral Office Vrban to justifie himself to the Catholick world publishes instead of a Croisada which had been required of him a Jubilé by which he invites Christendom with publick prayers to pacifie the divine wrath of God and laying a certain imposition upon Ecclesiastical Goods in Italy raises some money for the supply of the Emperours necessities But of those Cardinals who had been so bold to present the protest he tormented some with his long and great displeasure forced others to retire out of Rome as Borgia for one by a rigorous Bull which obliged Bishops to their residence As for Rabata he brought nothing back from the Princes but excuses and the Duke of Mantua in particular shewed him the horrid spectacle of his wounds yet bleeding He desired succours of the Venetians and offered an alliance producing certain Articles which he affirmed would be assented to by the Spaniards and the Elector of Bavaria for the defence of the Catholick Religion in the dangers of the Empire It was generally believed that not so much the hopes to obtain succours as the desire to make France jealous suggested the design it being observed that at the same time there arrived in the name of the Governour of Milan at Venice the Senator Picinardi to attest the just intention of the Catholick King for Peace the desire for that purpose to unite himself with the Princes of Italy in a strict alliance and in particular that the Republick would contribute counsel example and endeavours He concealed not the jealousies that the Governour had for the bringing in of nine hundred French with Thoiras into Casal and presaged troubles and stirs about it The Senate answered to all with officious expressions of a neutrality which it had resolved to observe declaring its earnest endeavours applied to Peace and considering the State of Italy scarce recovered out of its great evils exhorted that employing that zeal which all have to quiet the appearances and jealousies of relapsing into troubles might be removed The like endeavours were used with France which seemed equally pressing offering alliances and Treaties But the Senate holding their interest and Arms ingaged for the security of Mantua refused in effect every thing that might hasten new troubles in Italy which though quiet yet under fear apprehended stranger and greater accidents Nor amongst the least was reckoned the suspicion that the Spaniards designed the surprise of Mantua to oppose it to Pignerol and Casal where the Duke overcome by the perswasions of the French Ministers and of the jealousies which they represented to him to be of imminent danger had as hath been before said admitted their Garrison It was commonly spoken that the Spaniards were to intrude themselves into Sabioneda by marrying the Princess of Stigliana to Giovanni Carolo Brother of the Great Duke and upon the report thereof the Marquess de Fomar offered himself to attempt the surprise and to deliver the place to the Prince of Buzzolo to whom he said it did belong if France and the Republick would send their assistance The Venetians did not believe that it was fit to promote those mischiefs which they feared but too near if the Duke of Mantua dying and the young Princess coming to marry that State should be exposed to new contingencies and the rights of the Family be divided For that purpose there was sollicited in Rome a dispensation of marriage betwixt the Duke and his Daughter-in-Law but the Pope denyed it it seeming an unfit thing that on the Hearse of the Son should be made the Nuptial Bed of the Father To all this to augment suspicions was added the great preparations the Spaniards made in Italy particularly in the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily where money was provided men were raised Ships were making ready with other provisions shewing thoughts of War and designs of some undertaking But at last every thing being imbarqued six thousand Foot and one thousand Horse were seen to pass into Spain to foment the commotions of France Orleans dismissed out of Lorrain by virtue of the Agreement repairs to his Mother at Brussels giving hopes to the Spaniards to raise in the Kingdom a great party in his favour to which there was no doubt but the Foreigners would join In France there still continued against Richelieu hatred and envy the wonted shadow of great favours and
the evening hindred them and the darkness of the night after ten hours separated this cruel fight Ten with the title of Generals were killed in both the Armies Wallestain was rather threatned than hurt with the shot of a Musket which favourably passed betwixt the seat and the buttock though at the blow not without a mark of excessive fear he let the bridle fall out of his hand and his Horse ran away with him The Imperialists by night retired towards Leipzich leaving their Cannon in the field because in the confusion of the Battel the Draught-horses were run away But in the Triumph of the Swedes the General was wanting which filling the Army that infinitely loved him with sorrow and lamentation some deplored the flower of his age others the vigour of his mind and all together the quality of a great Prince and no less Souldier He was found amongst the dead bodies mangled with wounds bruised with the trampling of Horses stript totally that not so much as his shirt remained as a Trophy of so many Conquests and so great an Empire A King certainly saving the errour of his Religion endowed with those qualities which have rendred the Conquerours of the World famous Possessing in an equal degree courage and prudence and if in conquering he seemed fierce and violent he was as wise and circumspect in preserving His vertues being solid and all of a piece it could not be discerned to which in his knowledge of the Military or Civil Affairs the prize was to be given Yet all his life having been in a continual exercise of Arms it seemed that he himself gave it the preference And indeed Fortune in these so far favoured him that having fought many Battels and always conquered in this very instant of death he dyed victorious after death and a long course of prosperity hath crowned in such sort his Sepulchre that his very ashes may be called Triumphant This was the issue of the Battel of Lutzen both Parties judged fatal the one having lost the field and the other their King but if these got the Victory the others saved themselves Wallestain staying but a few moments at Leipzich retires afterwards into Bohemia and the Swedes conducting the Body to Weissenfelt solemnized his Funeral with Revenge and Arms. Leipzich was rendred to Saxony to Weimar Chemnits to Kniphausen Pleiffenberg and Zuiccan to Horn and to the Rhingrave after the defeat of the Imperial Cavalry in Alsace Rheinfelt Colmar Haghenau and other places Frederick Prince Palatine under the countenance of this the Swedes Fortune regains Frankendale but taking the death of Gustavus to heart An. Dom. 1633 dyes himself within a while after Baudissen having taken Andernach troubled the Elector of Colen and the Dukedom of Berg. In this year also were in mourning through unhappy Fate almost all the Royal Families of Europe for in Spain whilst King Philip kept his Court in Catalogna dyes Charles his Brother in the flower of his Age a Prince of a haughty mind and impatient of being idle to such a degree that being designed to temper with more quiet imployments the heat of his nature to the Government of Portugal while the Infante Cardinal his other Brother was going to that of Flanders he raging with anger within a while dyes either from the weariness of his condition or by disorders having in a manner dissolved his mind in idleness and wasted his natural strength in pleasures Fame nevertheless accused the Conde Duke as if fearing the opposition of his hot spirit against his Authority he should have procured his death by poyson But it is not becoming without more certain proofs to give credit to so hainous a wickedness In Germany Leopold Archduke of Inspruch weary of the blows of Fortune prejudicial to his House and Country dyes leaving little Sons under the Tutelage of Claudia de Medici his Wife In Poland King Sigismond departs this life and in the Diet of the Kingdom was substituted Vladislaus his Eldest Son The Republick to congratulate his coming to the Crown made choice of Giovanni Pisari Cavalier for Ambassadour Extraordinary who afterwards appointed elsewhere leaves Giorgio Giorgio Cavalier to perform it and it was answered in the Name of the King by the Duke of Ossolinschi after he had been to present obedience to the Pope ANNO M.DC.XXXIII By the death of Gustavus all the World believed notwithstanding the posthumous Victory and the advantages of Arms that as great and weighty bodies when they fall are split into small pieces so Fortune would be shaken and such a breach made into that Power that the Armies should disband Princes disunite Conquests be lost and after a short flash there would remain of this great Thunder-stroke no more but the memory and the ashes But quite contrary for after having setled in Swede the Succession of the Crown in Christina the only Daughter of the King deceased and placed the Tutelage of her that was not above seven years old in the hands of the principal Ministers the Chiefs of the Army calling a Council in Germany resolved to continue the War so much the more earnestly by how much they hoped that Honour and Booty will in future accrue to their advantage To Axel Oxenstern great Chancellor a man of a notable Talent they yielded the direction of the ordinary Counsels and to Weimar they committed the chief management of the Armies not without distasting the Elector of Saxony who by reason of his dignity thought it due to him So the War under divers Chiefs and with several Armies was presently spread into many Provinces to the so much ruine of places and people that if it ordinarily be nourished with cruelty and blood at present it seemed that the alone desolating of Germany was the aim of the Armies Amongst infinite successes which changing felicity and fortune hapned in several places it shall suffice to make choice of the most signal that serve most for the reflection of Princes and the alteration of States Whilst the Swedish Chiefs were dividing designs and charges Fridtland not only goes far from Leipzich but out of the Countries of the Elector of Saxony though with the fright of his Arms he might easily have perswaded him to an agreement and leaving but a few Troops in Bohemia goes into Silesia under pretext to oppose the Saxons who indeed made less disturbance there than elsewhere The Austrians joyful for the death of the King Gustavus stormed nevertheless against their own General accusing him that neglecting so great a conjuncture to end the War with advantage he had not made use of the arts proper to a Conquerour nor his wonted ones of a great Captain Wherefore the confidence Ferdinand had in him did henceforward degenerate into suspicion that he was pleased with War and the Command whereupon to satiate his ambition or rather to found his intention a great sum of money in the name of the Spaniards was offered him that by his reputation and conduct an
their strength also which for so many years hath vexed Italy who can repair it Vnprovided of Forces confounded in the Government assailed from so many parts beyond all succours and if you will possibility of escape I know the Spanish Ministers will not fail to allure you but believe me that their flatteries are not for nought They proceed from the guiltiness of their present weakness from the remorse of past injuries So the Serpent benummed in Winter hath its venom dulled but not extinguished when the rays of the Sun touch it again in the Spring it turns and windes it self and at last breathes forth death And what will the Spaniards do else if propitious Fortune should breath again but vent the revenges the resentments and the offences which during adversity they keep concealed in the heart Do not believe that pretended injuries are forgotten nor that oblivion or moderation can be in minds accustomed to insolence and sole arbitrement My King will think to have done enough and to have satisfied what is due to Glory and Himself whilst this will serve Him and Italy for the last tryal whether she do know and be willing patiently to suffer servitude The French Ambassadors were no sooner gone from their Audience but the Count de la Rocoa in a contrary sense discoursed to this purpose I speak to a Prince who upon just grounds hath always exercised hostilities and embraced War That is enough to perswade me that the most pious institutions of your generous Ancestors living in you it may be superfluous that I here exhort you to that which by a common concert grave prudence and a religious conscience perswades you to I see the French Ministers wandring through Italy I perceive they are in this City but if elsewhere they meet with equally to their desires ambition the avarice of Princes nay and ingratitude it self for benefits conferred upon many by my King they will find here prudence justice and moderation united Let it be the glory of your Republick to make War for Peace and having found it to preserve it as it will be the eternal blame of the Crown of France to disturb and confound it It cannot be denied but that the genius of that Nation resembles the violence of fire which if it reacheth not to something else burns and consumes it self What I pray provokes to this present War The Affairs possibly of Trier a thing rather alledged than true as though whilst the Peace was treating in Ratisbone the Treaties with the King of Sweden would not have been assented to and when the execution was concerted in Chievasco and that the Austrians with the just saith of Princes rendred Countries Towns and Posts the French had not designed surprises treacheries and injuries God the Judge of Kings and who called upon in just witness of Agreements is a severe revenger of deceit doth now condemn and punish them Religion and the piety of the Austrians triumphs in Germany In Flanders the Heavens the Elements Nature it self fight for us We see Armies overcome without fighting we hear of places taken without a Siege What else can be expected in Italy where the cause is so much the more unjust as the pretexts are farther fetched To what tend the offers and propositions of the Ministers of France but to render this happy Country a deplorable Theatre of eternal War This O Fathers is the thing they would be at to overcome you with your own very blood and with a fallacious friendship that by subduing all they might see you all Enemies amongst your selves I will not argue the point whether as they imagine it it be so easie to drive the Spanish potency out of Italy It being founded upon lawful titles confirmed by time use and its own strength is like a great Oak which stands firm upon its own weight and strength the winds may shake and toss it to and fro but they spend their breath in the contest before that is weary of resisting and if it do fall it crushes at the same time whoever attempts to violate the roots But let us examine their specious propositions of advantages Conquests and Spoils which I would rather see authorised by examples than amplified with partial discourses Which way soever I turn my self either to the noble acts of old or the memorials of later times I find nothing but sad accidents of Princes oppressed of places taken and Provinces usurped and if what hath hapned in Lorrain Trier and Germany sute not fitly as foreign to Italy enquire of Savoy and satisfie your selves out of your own Annals that the French being Neighbours must either be Masters or Enemies Will you then O Fathers give your assistance to them who in the War having license for their end and ambition for their motive will turn against you those Forces to which your power and friendship shall have given vigour and success I know very well what they have given others to understand that perhaps which they go about to make you believe that they will make the Conquests and leave you the advantages of the Victories But if they take the rise of the War from the breach of faith do you believe that Victory which uses to make all men insolent will metamorphise them into Religion and Modesty If they think the Italian Princes unable to manage a War without their aid and assistance it must be their Armies then that must besiege places and garrison them when taken and having once God preserve Italy from that unhappy destiny excluded my King who shall be the Judge who shall decide causes who regulate the Confines and who require again what is deposited I will not vainly boast what the power of Spain hath contributed to the honour security and quiet of Italy As to us your Confines have always remained unviolable within our own have we confined our thoughts and Armies sollicitous only for our own and the common Peace My King hath always been desirous to confederate Empire with reason and establish his greatness in tranquillity But the present commotions which every where shake Europe do confound divine Worship propagate Heresie oppress Countries and serve for an argument and proof what will be the progress if such be the first steps of the French Armies I know that the artifices of our Enemies have in times past scattered jealousies introduced disgusts depainted shadows and every thing being suspected which remained a secret have caused disadvantages and discords but the end hath been the judge of the intentions and the work Great Princes have great wrong done them when they want the true knowledge of their Counsels believe all upon same and suspect every thing Of that I shall say no more because it is now at last time that we lay aside suspicions wrath and enmities which have hitherto so often reciprocally deceived us I cannot give this great and wise Republick a more safe pledge of the Kings friendship than offering it an union with him
where they were received with great applause of that Government which to the prejudice of their Trade receiving very unwillingly Law from the Venetians upon the Sea gladly heard this novelty of Ossuna's and incouraging it with publick services permitted that upon these Ships many of their Subjects should take imployment But Belegno following with seven Ships four great Gallies thirteen Lighters and fifteen armed Vessels Riviera doubting to be assaulted with disadvantage in that place setting sail with a fair wind crossed the Sea and came to Brindisi The Venetians followed him and not being able to fight them in that Port which was well defended with several Forts the Admiral which was Lorenzo Veniero letting fall his Sails defied him four hours long with Cannonades but the other not willing to come out to an ingagement he ransacks all the Coast of Puglia This motion of the Spaniards had not only disturbed the Venetians but greatly alarmed the Turks who taking jealousie came down in great numbers to the guard and preservation of their marine Coast and because Ossuna to the end he might ingage with him the Gallies of the Pope of Malta and of Florence published that he would attempt upon the Ottoman State The Ministers of the Venetians caused the contrary to sound aloud in all the Courts it appearing that he had sent to the Grand Visier Slaves and Peasants to gain him and with all sorts of offices incite him to make War against the Republick For this cause the said Princes did not only abstain from giving their Gallies to Ossuna but used all effectual means to divert him from sending abroad such rumours knowing that they tended to nought else but to provoke the Turk and draw him into the Adriatick to the disturbance of the Kingdom of Naples and the Ecclesiastical State also But Ossuna stopping at nothing so that he might gain at present from the boldness of the attempt fruit equal to the rashness of the counsel despising the conscience of the fact had brought into Naples as in triumph certain Merchandize as if it had been taken at Sea by his Ships though in truth it was the lading of the sequestred Ship of Rossi and meaning by this applause to spread his designs he sends Pietro Leiva with nineteen Gallies to joyn with Riviera They passed altogether to Santa Croce which belongs likewise to those of Ragusa and found at Lesina the Venetians inferiour in strength the Gallies of Candia being not yet joyned nor those ten others with some Ships which with all speed were making ready at Venice The Commanders then themselves not only crossed by the wind but counselled chiefly by the disparity of force applied to nothing but their defence placing on the Land certain pieces of Artillery in convenient places So the Fleets cannoned a whole day at random with more shots than blows and night coming on the Spaniards stood away before the wind taking a Ship of Sali There fell into their power also a Vessel of Holland which sailing with some Souldiers of those Levies was like to be taken by the Ships of Ossuna and thought to find in the Port of Ragusa a safe retreat but that Government permitting the Souldiery to pass by Land to Cattaro put the Vessel into the Spaniards hands who causing the Captain to be hanged turned their course towards Brindisi From such passages as these the Venetians more and more understood what weight lay upon them of Arms Jealousies and Negotiations resolving therefore to maintain themselves in liberty and safety they deliberate greatly to re-inforce their Fleet without weakening or distracting their Forces by Land Conferring the Title with the Authority of Captain General upon Giovanni Giacomo Zane they caused besides other provisions ten Gallies to be armed in Candia which with a 1000 Souldiers raised in that Island arrive at last in the Gulph to joyn with the Fleet after some retardment caused partly for fear of falling amongst the Spanish Ships which they knew were laid for them and partly for some regard had of the Turks Fleet which with two great Hulks and seven and thirty Gallies plyed to and again in the white Sea not so much to be taken notice of for their force or the courage of the Turkish Officers as for the Negotiations of Ossuna who commanding a nimble Frigat to the Captain Bassa had sent him for a Present a Kinsman of his till then kept Prisoner with the Spaniards and giving liberty to a hundred other Slaves invited him with such flatteries and with express Offices to infest the State of the Venetians and particularly to command their Fleet to fall upon Candia But the Turks themselves abhorring such wicked counsels set themselves rather to make a course longst the Coast of Calabria but without doing hurt that was of the least importance The Port being indeed throughly moved threatned the Ragusians for the reception given to Ossuna's Ships and invited the Republick to joyn Forces with them to suppress as they called those Magistrates the common Enemies But the Senate though provoked by the example of the vice-Vice-King and invited by so grievous injuries not willing to confound the interest of State with Religion placed their defence in the justice of their cause and their own Arms not omitting every where and in all Courts the diligence offices and forces to resist so great a power The Spanish Ministers to terrifie with the fame of vast preparations gave out that the Fleet of Gallions accustomed only to the imployments of the Ocean coming within the straights of Gibraltar should advance into the Adriatick and that there was a new Armature of many Ships in Sicily rumours in a good measure believed from the proceedings of the Viceroy of Naples who strengthened the Squadron of Leiva with certain Gallies commanded by Octavio d'Arragona and gave liberty to the Vscocchi to rove every where and rejoyced already in the conceit that with their Barks they would brave it within the sight of the Ports of the Capital City taking Prises and doing mischief This obliged the Senate to dispose of certain Gallies for the guard of the Chioggia and to pick out in Venice a number of people fit to bear Arms who being new and therefore more apt to be discoursed of than they that were wont to be seen in War kept the people in no small unquiet During these apprehensions a false and short joy was the fore-runner of greater trouble The Mariners of a Packet-boat bringing Letters with information of what had happened about Lesina scattered a report every where as they passed either from their own invention or a willing credulity of others that the Venetians had obtained a great Victory of which some bringing the first notice the people greedy of the news and desirous of good success without giving time for greater certainty overflowed with such an excess of satisfaction that running up and down with crys of applause and making Bonfires in all the streets they were very near
to be given so vigorous that the effect was to see himself lodged upon the breach The place then capitulates agreeing under honourable conditions to deliver the Town and Cittadel The Siege lasted two months during which were discharged 67000 shot of Artillery The Enemy lost 6000 Souldiers and 67 Captains besides some persons of Quality Giovanni Bravo with a strong Garrison enters into it as Governour The Marquess of Caluso who came out of it notwithstanding the Fathers favour was forced for a while to forbear the Dukes angry presence but being guilty of nothing but ill fortune was quickly restored to his former favour The Duke with this loss felt himself touched to the quick and apprehended consequences yet worse fearing lest Toledo should besiege Asti whereupon to divert that thought and to shew courage in his ill fortune finding his Army strong 18000 Foot and 3000 Horse and not a little heartned with Dediguieres presence who by the Kings consent being newly come again into Italy had brought with him some men under the Dukes pay and some Troops that carried the Colours he resolves to enter into the Milanese Leaving Annona la Rocca and Rocchetta behind him he invests Felisano where the French forcing the Barricadoes and entring the Trenches fifteen hundred Germans together with the Inhabitants were cut to pieces the Officers made Prisoners and nine Colours taken Going thence to Quattordici an open place where were lodged 300 men leaving their Arms they were obliged to ingage not to serve any more against Carlo Out of Renfracore which rendred it self 200 Switzers were permitted to march out with their Arms and Colours in respect to the Nation with whom the Duke was in alliance Toledo who in the Siege of Vercelli had harrassed and diminished his Forces had now separated them into several Quarters to refresh but moved with the Dukes bold attempt assembles his Army at Soleri Nevertheless suffers Annona to be taken in his sight a weak place but garrisoned with 2000 men who after a short battery of six Pieces marched out life and Arms saved La Rocca d' Arasso also and la Rocchetta with the spoil of 500 Souldiers yielded These successes contributed to the heightning of Carlo's reputation who always appeared above all misfortunes but in effect the advantage was much less than the noise because they did not recompense the loss of Vercelli whereof not only the Duke but the Venetians were very sensible Nevertheless to uphold a gravity in the Negotiation equal to the constancy of their minds the Senate with the consent of the Duke after the Invasions of Ossuna the taking of the Gallies and the rendring of Vercelli recals the powers give their Ambassadour Gritti to treat a Peace in Spain For the dispatch to Madrid of necessary powers concerning this Negotiation the Archduke was carried to the Court of the Emperour Matthias and there had pretended that the Ambassadour of the Republick should not appear in the Churches or on any other occasion when he was present But the Emperour not willing to pass beyond the Mediation to a partiality remained resolute to oppose it The Archduke had other greater concerns pressing upon his mind for all the Line of Maximilian the Second though numerous coming to fail without posterity the Fortune of the Empire was to devolve into his House And for that cause he was tyed to the Spaniards in the bonds of greater confidence and they expresly promoted it with certain hopes to cast the Empire according to their arbitrement when it should fall upon Ferdinand The Archdukes Albert and Maximilian Brothers to the Emperour wanting issue easily yielded their pretensions and hopes but it was a hard matter to bring Matthias to it who heard not willingly the discourse of celebrating in his life time the Funerals of his Authority and Government He nevertheless insinuates to him the cession of the Title only of King of Bohemia for prevention of those accidents which to Religion and the Family in case of his death might in the Interregnum be feared because it being not certain whether it be Elective or Hereditary the minds of the people sufficiently prepared for it might be moved and if it should fall into other hands or to a Protestant Prince the Election it self of the Emperour would run a great hazard in the parity of six other Electors equally divided into Catholicks and Hereticks themselves Upon such effectual motives the Emperour at last lets himself be perswaded but the Spaniards although with all earnest they inclined to the advancement of Ferdinand yet would not quit their advantages in view and therefore the consent of King Philip the Son of Anna Daughter of Maximilian the Second seeming necessary they required a vast compensation for it Upon this score it was divulged that the Towns of Istria should be yielded to them with the County of Goritia and with all that more which the Archduke possessed in Italy but that tended only to give jealousie to the Venetians although in truth all the Country was moved at the report doubting to be bound up both by Sea and by Land with such Fetters as were not to be shaken off An agreement was afterwards privately stipulated betwixt the Archduke and the Count d'Ognate which contained Philips cession of his Rights to the hereditary Provinces in Germany in favour of Ferdinand and his Brothers and of their descendants masculine but that failing they to return to the House of Spain of which the Females were to be preferred before those born in Germany In recompence it was promised to give up Alsatia to the Spaniards and to maintain them in the possession they bound themselves to grant reciprocal Levies and that the one should not confer benefits or favours on the Vassals of the other but by the approbation of his own Prince or his Ministers That part nevertheless which concerned Alsatia was never executed for fear of making too great a commotion amongst the Princes of the Empire and indeed of all Europe The design notwithstanding of uniting the two Houses and extending their limits coming to be known such was the jealousie of many Princes that that Treaty may justly be called the foundation-stone of the calamities of Germany and the Original of the great accidents that ensued But for the Treaty with the Republick the Count d'Ognate having protested to Ferdinand that the management thereof would not be suffered to pass through other hands than those of Philip himself the Count Francisco Chefniller was dispatched into Spain as Ambassadour Extraordinary from Matthias and the Archduke who shall henceforth be called King of Bohemia and he carried the resolute intentions of Matthias and Gleselio his chief Minister that by all means a Peace was to be made But at Madrid blocks in the way were not wanting for the Spanish Ministers pretended that the Venetians should first restore what they had taken and then Ferdinand should fulfil the agreement but without burning the Barks or banishing
is the highest part of Germany so it hath always been the most eminent Theatre of Rebellion and of Heresie and their minds almost in all times have been divided into various Sects That of the Communion under both Species exceeded any other having risen to that growth amidst the past dissentions of the Emperours Rudolphus and Matthias who to gain that sort of people had to strives inlarged the liberty of Coâ—science and consented to such Priviledges that the Protestants making use of the facility of the Concessions were by degrees through urgent importunities arrived to a parity with the Catholicks saving in the Crown and the Majesty of the Government These Indulgences were commonly called Letters of the Royal Authority so much the more tenaciously kept by the people by how much less pleasing to the Princes who by an ambitious necessity had granted them For this cause if any doubt arose they procured a restraint of them by judgments in favour of the Catholicks and Matthias being no sooner gone to hold a Diet in Hungary but there came forth a certain Decree in favour of the Archbishop of Prague and the Abbot of Bruno who had opposed the building of two Temples for the Hereticks upon ground belonging to them The Bohemians free from the bridle which the presence of Princes carries with it assembled about this in Prague and requiring a general Diet of the Kingdom to bring their grievances thither and to promote their advantages whilst Matthias so counselled by his chief Ministers denied and deferred it they parted in a Rout from the Colledge Carolino the 23. of May in the morning and coming to the Castle and going into the quarter of the Chancery and asking for the Authors of such a refusal finding the Counts Martinitz and Slavata with Philip Fabritius the Secretary esteemed the most zealous for the Catholick Religion they flung them out of the Windows The miracle of the success is convinced from the situation the view whereof gives the lye to the imprudence of those who with false inventions have gone about to blemish it because to the place from whence they fell there joyning a Precipice of a dreadful height before you come to the earth and being continued with a steep declining to the foot of the Wall forming a most craggy Ditch for the Castle all three of them falling right down and certain shots of muskets made after them were taken up without hurt only Slavata lightly scratched by the resistance he made nevertheless he was able to save himself in a house adjoyning Martinitz disguised went out of the City that very day and the Secretary hasted immediately to Vienna to be the first should bring the News The Mutineers bethought themselves that together with the chief Ministers they had precipitated peace hopes and pardon And therefore easily possessing and fortifying the Castle the ordinary Residence of the King they set themselves to maintain by a proportionable force what they had begun with so great violence The head of this commotion appeared to be Henry Count de la Tour who to his private emulation to Martinitz to whom had been granted the Government of Carlestein the place where the Crown of the Kingdom is kept taken away by Matthias from la Tour expresly from the suspicion of his haughty mind conjoyned the publick concerns of his Religion rather than his own interests for he by occasion of the same having been driven by Ferdinand out of his Countries with the loss of his Goods expected when he should come to the Crown of Bohemia to be used in the same kind The people therefore being moved with crys of liberty a name dear above all others when it is not as it often happens from ambition and interest abused and calling together the chief of them to a particular Conference he thus spake I call you not hither to yield me your obedience or your oaths neither do I aspire to the Crown or Scepter of this unhappy Kingdom but ready to run equal hazards with you I invite you to be Companions in your own liberty I see by your silence amazement united to the assent and not without reason because this unexpected light which Heaven here opens amidst the calamities to which we are accustomed comforts together and dazles Let us now begin to enjoy life and liberty the Soul it self Where are the most worthy Priviledges of the Kingdom of Bohemia Where is the reverent Authority of this unconquered People Where is the exercise of Religion so many times sworn to God forbid that Conscience that rare gift from Heaven should depend upon the will and promises of Princes This usurped Crown passes from head to head as the Revenue and Inheritance of one House and to establish an everlasting Tyranny being ravished before its time from Successors in spite of death is never suffered to be vacant Is not Dominion without peradventure the peoples Patrimony and the Dowry of the Common wealth and yet the Austrians without our consent have arrogated it to themselves What have we not hitherto suffered The use of life comes now to be denied us and the usufruit of the soul contested but all our past miseries will not be able to call to your remembrance but some imperfect representative of the Calamities to come In sum Rudolphus lived amongst us Matthias hath reaped us as the first fruit of his ambitious desires but what may we expect from Ferdinand unknown to us and in himself rigorous directed by the Counsels of Spain and governed by that sort of Religious Priests and people who detest with an equal aversion our Liberty and our Belief He hath been born and bred up in the abhorrency of us Protestants and why should we be forward to make tryal of it if the persons banished the Families displanted the Goods violently taken away demonstrate too cruelly to us that he would abolish our very being if he could as easily command Nature as he uses force Wo to you Bohemians to your Children to your Estates to your Consciences if you suffer Ferdinand to keep his footing in the Throne And when will you attempt to shake off the yoke if you have not courage to do it at a time when without power without guard the Kingdom is in your own power and that you have two Kings to oppose you one whereof is fallen and the other totters Assuredly you shall not be alone but as many Companions as you have in your Religion so many friends shall you have in Arms. All Europe will be moved and you shall see in your favour in some rise up the provocations of piety and in others undistinguished considerations of Religion and State Such commotions are like the great Rivers which rising from very small Springs increased by many as they run carry into the Sea the name of one and the waters of many Look upon those happy people of Holland who with more zeal than fear undertaking their deliverance from Captivity enjoy at present the
for to strengthen the declared one of all Christendom The Bailo of the Venetians by express Order of the Senate abstained from having any thing to do with those Negotiations But at Venice it appeared as if the Republick had been the Refuge of every one that desired succours The Palatine demanded an hundred thousand Ducats at least Gabor assistance And for the Catholick Ligue of Germany Zaccaria Trattembach and Giulio Cesare Crivelli returning from Rome were earnest for aid and free passage for Ammunition and Souldiers and that the Concessions of the Pope of certain Tenths upon the Clergy of Italy might be extended also into their Country But the Senate not yielding to their importunities nor diverting their thoughts from the affairs of Italy excused to all with many reasons their refusal Neither could France now taken up in domestick confusions be assistant to the affairs of the Empire but with good offices and counsels and therefore had made choice of the Duke d' Angoulesme with Monsieur de Bethune and the Abbot of Preo for Ambassadours Extraordinary into Germany for various ends not liking on the one side that the House of Palatine should be advantaged by that protection which they had always given to the Hugenots and desiring on the other under the title of Mediation to introduce themselves into the business to foment the disorders or end them according to their own mind That Kingdom was surely in a very tottering condition for the Queen-mother had made so considerable a Party that to resist it the Kings Authority seemed not sufficient nor Luines his favour Nevertheless the Council being corrupted the Bishop of Lusson who presided being gained by the Court with great promises it quickly fell to the ground The King followed by very few Troops having quieted Normandy and seized the Castle Caen comes near to the Pont de Cé where the Duke de Rhetz who with a greater strength was there to defend it abandons it either terrified by a needless fear or prepossessed by the Cardinal his Uncle who followed the Kings interest From this success was derived the confusion of all the Party because their Forces were divided in several Provinces and the Queen in Angiers was exposed to dangers whereupon an agreement was on the sudden concluded with a general pardon The Bishop of Lusson got for himself of the King the Nomination to a Cardinals Cap and laid by this Treaty the foundation of that greatness which did afterwards render him one of the most notable and most powerful Ministers of Europe The King resolving to go on in restoring the Catholick Worship and the Ecclesiastical goods in Bern a Country in the Pirenean Mountains the chief Shop of Heresie and where the name without the presence of the King was not known but in a way of mocquery or for some pretext goes thither notwithstanding the cold and inconvenience of the season and the delays and arts which the people laid in his way but at last having suppressed some setled Religion and trusted the places of strength to the most faithful he departs leaving nevertheless seed sown in the disgusts of many of a War near at hand But in Germany the Ambassadours of France were come to Vlm where were assembled the Deputies of the Catholick and of the Protestant Parties and there through their mediation was firmly established That they should not offend one anothers Countries Bohemia notwithstanding to be excluded where without breach of the agreement Hostility might be used It seems that by such a Negotiation the ruine of Frederick was concluded because the Austrians being secured from France not regarding the bare Offices of England and little fearing the Princes of the Union which drove vain and uncertain interests enjoyed the advantage of the Arms of the Catholick League Bavaria being now gained with the hopes to have the spoils and the Vote of the House Palatine his Kinsman but Envyer In Milhausen the Electors held yet another meeting from which they send exhortations and intreaties to Frederick that he would lay down that Crown which now shook upon his head but he knew not how to resolve to withdraw himself from Fortune though she threatned to forsake him He was then by the Imperial Ban proscribed by Ferdinand who committed the execution of it to the Archduke Albert to Bavaria and Saxony All three near about the same time marched with powerful Armies towards the month of August The most powerful attempt was from that which came from Flanders because the Archduke in his own name but with the Forces of Spain sent Ambrogio Marquess Spinola with twenty five thousand men towards the Rhine Louys de Velasco being left with considerable Forces to defend the Frontiers towards the United Provinces with which the Truce being expired they remained without provocations but also in great distrusts Giovacchino Marquess of Anspach General of the Union lay incamped with his Army at Oppenheim and had laid a Bridge over the Rhine when Spinola having obtained passage of the Archbishop of Mentz and of some Princes and Cities for fear of the Army and the Imperial Ban approaches towards him and made himself Master of Creutzenach without much opposition He then makes as if he would advance towards Worms and Anspach moved for its succours but the other changing his march falls suddenly upon Oppenheim and with a resolute assault carries it finding within it all the provisions which were made for the Protestant Army He therefore plants his place of Arms there repairing the Bridge which had been taken up and carrying into the Lower Palatine governed by the Duke of Deux Ponts great fear The weaker places yielded without dispute and some of the Princes of the Union separated from it Many taxed Anspach of want of experience but he excused himself upon the Orders given him by the English Ambassadours to stand upon his defensive without provoking the Spaniards To speak truth that King made bitter complaints at Brussels and at Madrid to have been amused and deluded with the hopes of Peace nevertheless not enlarging his hand in assisting he continued by the luke-warmness of his mediation to foment the proceedings of Spain The United Provinces shewed themselves more earnest who liked not at all that the Arms of the Catholick King should advance to the Rhine Maurice therefore Prince of Orange passing it with 8000 Foot and 3000 Horse sends Frederick Henricks his Brother to joyn Anspach with a good Body of men but he losing the time unprofitably the Hollanders returned some few English only under Horatio Veer remaining in the Protestant Army If the Palatinate groaned under oppressions Lusatia experienced a scourge yet more cruel for the strongest motives of Religion not having been able to over-ballance the most powerful ones of interest and remove the Elector of Saxe from adhering to the Austrians he enters into that Province and taking Budissen the Capital City laid in ashes for the most part by the Bombes flung into it all
it self no farther than by Treaty and name proposing that the Republick should charge upon it self the burden and the War for which purpose Desdiguieres in quality of a private Captain offered under their pay to raise in an instant ten thousand Foot and a thousand Horse and to pass them through Helvetia into the Grisons but the Venetians excusing themselves upon the season so far advanced which made the passage difficult did not embrace the proposal insisting that they would not be alone but that in the Cause which was common the Crown also should concur and the Switzers assembled then at Badan upon these occurrences Nothing therefore was concluded in Piedmont but in France Priuli being arrived at Court and found the King rid of the disagreements with his Mother and the Voyage of Bearn Declares the intensions of the Republick to be that Religion should be secured and the Country restored to preserve to God and the Princes that which divine and humane right had imparted to them He offers the consideration that Italy despoiled in a manner of the ornaments of its liberty of its strength and of its beauty did apprehend destruction being invironed with a formidable power watching on occasions ready to take advantages greedy of conquests and tenacious in keeping them That in the support of that Crown alone was placed the hopes of the Grisons a people it may be said protected from their very beginning and by the constancy in their friendship ready to fall under the Yoak True it was that the Republick was concerned in the neerness but nevertheless glory ought to stir up the King who was bound to render an account to publick fame of the distress of his most faithful friends That Europe had hopes now in his youth of fruits equal to justice and power the one being due to the oppressed and the other required by his own and common interest That in his Kingdom he had by both triumphed over two of the fiercest Monsters Heresie and discord That now Heaven reserved for him the honour of conquering the ambition of Strangers and overthrowing the slavery of Italy That nothing was so much expected in that afflicted Country as the happiness of his conduct and authority to add new examples to the old that in its straits it was delivered by the Arms of France An. Dom. 1621 That Rhetia at present did implore him and the Republick readily offered it self to second his royal intentions with their endeavours and they not being sufficient with Arms mindful of the ancient friendship and so long correspondence by which Italy hath always received honour and relief That the Valteline and Rhetia did expect it alone from this Vnion equalising by a just Treaty the present advantages of the power of France with the benefits of the vicinity of the Venetians France truly acknowledged the great mischiefs received in the fears of the minority and the civil discords for having neglected foreign occurences and Monsieur de Villeroy being dead an old man and trusty Minister but most averse to the affairs of the Grisons and of Italy a great obstacle was removed Monsieur de Pisieux then Secretary of State in the name of the King answers to Priuli with full encomiums of the vigilance and prudence of the Republick that by sudden and seasonable assistance to the Swizzers and Grisons had endeavoured to remedy the present evils and prevent the future That the King would not suffer the wrongs of Rhetia nor the oppressions of his other Friends That he was sending to the Court of his Brother-in-Law the Marshal of Bassompiere Ambassador extraordinary that he might endeavour the quieting of the present divisions by removing violence and restoring all things to their first estate In case that should not avail that he declared himself fully resolved to take Arms in conjunction with the Republick and Carlo both keepers of the liberty and security of Italy All this was communicated to the Pope who being far advanced in years and desirous to repose his ashes and adorn his Sepulchre with the memorials of Peace was greatly disturbed hearing it in danger and tossed up and down among the greater Powers Of such resolutions which howsoever came to nothing in regard Treaty separated from Force served not but to confirm the Spaniards in the possession of the Valley and of their minds the Austrians believed the Venetians to be Authors A War therefore of hatred rather than Arms breaking forth the Spaniards recal upon the score of their private interests their Ambassador from Venice and attempted in other Courts to introduce disparity betwixt their Ministers and those of the Republick contrary to the practice and use of the other Crowns which treated them as belonging to a Prince that for Soveraignty Power and Titles was numbred amongst the Kings so that all correspondence by Treaty and Offices was wholly interrupted whilst in such formalities the present Age believes that if not the Essence the Covering and Vail of Principality consists ANNO M.DC.XXI The Spaniards judging it their great advantage that the business of the Valteline should pass for a matter of Religion to the end that amidst applauses excuses and pretexts some Princes might be restrained and others proceed with greater caution applied all care well to impress the Pope with that opinion to their offices of duty joining other means and in particular to gain his Kindred having for that purpose created the Prince of Sulmona his Nephew Grande of Spain Paul nevertheless having had the teaching of a long experience preferred Peace before all flattery nor did believe it fit that confounding together the interests of Religion and State the Popes ought to expose themselves to the enmity of great Princes or put themselves to have need of the assistance of the more powerful He applied therefore to a neutrality as a course more prudent than what the Princes shewed themselves pleased with But in the beginning of the year having in a certain ecclesiastical function superfluously wearied and inflamed himself he passes to Heaven to render an account of the World over which for the direction of Souls he had been for sixteen years placed in the Popedom Ever since to the Ecclesiastical Dignity a worldly Power hath been superadded and that the corruption of the Age hath with the veneration of holy things confounded also humane respects Princes have very often in the election of Popes caused to be profaned with their interests that which the Church possesses of most pure and most to be regarded But God that hath espoused it with the Ring of his true Faith protects it from violence confounds the counsels punisheth the attempts and preserving it by his holy Spirit makes it clearly evident that though the Conclaves are not exempt from factions and affections nevertheless the counsels of man seldom succeeding the lot falls where Divine Providence directs it For the present by how much the suspence of the Affairs of the Valteline was more embroiled with
so much the more diligence did the Princes effectually labour to prevail with their partisans to cause the Pontificate to fall upon him that either by his own inclination adhered to their wills or in regard of the Family and Kindred was like to be more easily gained The will of the Spaniards and of the Nephew of the dead Pope inclined to Cardinal Campori of Cremona subject not only by birth but by affection partially addicted to Spain and by consequence for the same respects abhorred by France and it appeared as though the election was not to be hindred so strong was that party although together with his private enviers the Marquess de Coure Ambassador of France did openly oppose him But the minds of the Conclave unexpectedly altering contrary to the opinion of themselves all concurred unanimous in Alexander Cardinal Lodovisio Boltognese by birth who took the name of Gregory the Fifteenth He almost seventy years old giving himself to quiet more than business leaves quickly the direction of Affairs to his Nephew now a Cardinal who governed them through the whole course of this Pontificate with great ability and an authority supreme The Princes studiously contended to possess the Pope in their favour in the business of the Valteline Favin sollicites those People to send Deputies to the Court of Rome that they might fill all with clamours and complaints so to stir up compassion towards those that made a shew to breathe nothing but Religion and Liberty motives so powerful that the one with reason possesses the chief place in things sacred and the other in civil He sends also Giovanni Vives a known Minister of the advantages of the Monarchy and of the disturbances of Italy and joyns to him the President Acerbi who during his private Fortune had been familiar with the Pope that so in publick Audiences and private Discourses he might continually have his ears beaten with the incitements of zeal and piety The Ambassadour of the Venetians on the other side endeavoured to represent that affair in a contrary shape and separate from Religion Because that If the Republick kept it with so much care unviolated in its own Dominions it could no less suffer it to be defiled amongst their Neighbours But it was not to be endured that under a pretext of Piety Interest should intrude it self to the possessing of a Country to which the Spaniards had no other title but that of their own profit and convenience and the oppression of others The Pope was greatly perplexed at these beginnings and desired a composure of the business and thereupon with his own hand wrote into Spain to the King and the Cardinal Lodovisio to his Confessor and principal Ministers representing That to Italy nay rather to all Christendom there could not be an appearance of a greater calamity by War in which amidst the zeal of Religion military Licence would slip in with the contempt of Laws both divine and humane it being impossible for impiety it self and injustice to carrry on a War by honest rules and innocent means There arrived at this time in Rome an Embassy from the Venetians which according to the pious custom of Catholick Princes is called of obedience and consisted of four chief Senators that is to say Girolamo Justiniano Procurator Anthonio Grimani Francesco Contarini Cavalier Procurator and Girolamo Soranzo Cavalier the which besides the accustomed offices had order to insist much upon the business of the Valteline But Gregory by a diversion from that chief point required with great earnest that the Republick would re-admit into their State again those religious people of the Society of Jesus which for important causes in the time of his Predecessor had been banished which being repugnant to many Laws and Formality the indissoluble bonds of Government he could not obtain Nevertheless the Marquess de Coevre in quality of Ambassadour Extraordinary passing from Rome to Venice with the business better laid presses it home in the Name of King Lewis and at the same time the Bishop of Monte Fiascone Nuntio Apostolico with a Brief from the Pope and Letters from the Cardinal Lodovisio did earnestly second the importunity But the Senate did not depart from their first conception remonstrating to the foresaid Ministers their Decrees and grave Considerations by reason whereof Princes in amity with them ought not to press them to that which was neither permitted to them to grant nor could they deny without doing displeasure to themselves Some took upon them to judge that this demand had its rise from a higher account and more secret ends it having perhaps been the aim of some to render the Venetians who it was supposed would not have given their consent either distrusted by the new Pope or little acceptable to France at a time when it was needful to gain the good disposition of the one for the affairs in agitation and to manage confederations and adjustments with the other In the mean time the hinge of the business of the Valteline being fixed in Rome with various turnings passing also to other Courts Feria manages his business more happily planting Forts at Morbegno Sondrio and Tirano to establish himself in possession Sowing in Rhetia incessant divisions the effect was that he at last gained la Lega Grisa by Rams of gold which equally over-turn Mountains and the hearts of those people perswading them to send six Ambassadours to Milan The Government being in this manner divided he could not have safer Hostages of their Venality and of the ruine of that unhappy Country To give it the last blow with four of the Ambassadours the other two dissenting he concludes a Treaty by which the Custody of the Forts was yielded to the Spaniards the Passes were to be open to them they with a shew of words reserving to themselves in appearance the ancient Alliance with France and Feria promising assistance if the other two dissenting Leagues should not confirm the Treaty This Monster of Ambition and Interest was without form begotten by an illegitimate Authority but which nevertheless served for an advantage to Feria's designs to put the Grisons into confusion to remain in the Valley and discompose whatsoever might be resolved elsewhere Gheffier attempted to oppose himself but in vain the name of the French being either detested by the party most oppressed or despised by that already sold to the Spaniards Scaramuccia Visconti going hereupon into Rhetia in the name of the Governour of Milan with money and promises some of the Commons of the Grisa failed not to adhere to the foresaid accord induced thereto besides from the fear of some Colours of the Catholick Switzers who at the instance of Feria being entred into that Country oppressed it with Quarters And the Canton of Zurich in opposition to them kept Souldiers in the other two Leagues but esteeming no mischief greater than charge these would have been long before disbanded if the Venetians with ten thousand Florins a month had not
and Baldirone makes himself master of the Valley of Partentz Poschiavo and many other Towns and places of the Agnedina and of the Ten Directorships Rhetia by these redoubled invasions was full of confusion and slaughter nevertheless a Pittach was held in Coira which if it proved always tumultuous was at present void of all order and form every one pretending to give counsel to other and no man knowing what was fit to resolve There was a great contest about sending new Ambassadors to Milan many approved it and the Ten Directorships opposed it when Leopolds Army coming to Coira resolves the doubt and the meeting for the people in a fright went out to meet them and renders them the Town saving their Priviledges Government and Liberty of Conscience Certain it was that the Arch Duke desired to have it and pressed the Bishop to renounce the Church to him to which are annexed many temporal jurisdictions and the dominion of one part of the Town it self In the mean time to hinder the Switzers from succouring Rhetia he causes a good Fort to be laid towards Regatz slighting the jealousies of the Cantons and their displeasure whilst not being able to resolve any thing but by an unanimous consent they were obliged first to call a Diet for it And because Feria apprehended some motion from the Venetians to keep the chief strength of their Forces in Lombardy he sends a great number of men to their Borders But there appeared a kind of breathing to Affairs from whence it was least expected for Mansfelt who sought War every where and his profit from every accident being scarcely dis-intangled from the losses of Bohemia with a speedy march comes into Alsatia with so great a diversion and such success that he not only obliges Leopold to hasten thither with all his Forces but Feria to send thither having the convenience of the passes and of the new Conquests four thousand Foot and five hundred Horse lessening the Garrisons and the jealousies towards the Venetians and in particular taking some Companies out of Soncino the which in respect to the Pass of the Steccato went round about the Territory of Crema THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLICK OF VENICE An. Dom. 1621 THE FIFTH BOOK CErtainly the Valteline and Rhetia were not taken to be of little consequence as not to deserve the care of the Princes both as to the seizing and defending of them such being their situation that being possessed by Strangers a snare might be said to be closed upon the relief and liberty of Italy The Venetians therefore to whom it more nearly belonged became more earnest upon all occasions in their offices and invitations with the French But that Kingdom involved in new intestine discords still languished from its first distemper and the remonstrances or threats of the King were little feared by the Austrians For Luines having formed a great design to take from the Hugenots the places which former Kings under the title of security had for a time accorded to them took pretext from a certain Assembly which they held in Rochel that since the successes in Bern they complotted with over-much licence things prejudicial to the Kings service and declaring it suspect and unlawful followed the Edicts with an Army That Party was weakened enough already through dis-union for the Court had gained some of the chief ones who preferred their Interest before Religion and amongst those Dediguieres so that there remained no more Chiefs of Authority amongst them but Rohan Soubize Chastiglione and la Force of several inclinations and divers ends amongst themselves Many of the people desired peaceable rather than turbulent counsels others adhered to the Chiefs or followed the obstinate zeal for their false belief The Court designed to suppress them all and the sooner to end the War began it with great force and with several Armies dispersed in several Provinces With one the Duke of Espernon curbs Rochel and with another the Duke of Maine in his Government of Guyenne either confirms the Towns in obedience or forces the disobedient Conde longst the Loire takes Sancere and the King with the most considerable part of his Forces besieges S. Jean d' Angeli The Hugenots were not wanting to themselves some serving in person others contributing money notwithstanding all help from without failed them Germany being too much imbroiled England not minding Foreign affairs and Holland ready to come to blows with the Spanish Army had more need of French succours than were inclined to assist the Rebels of that Crown They were therefore in many places obliged to submit and St. Jean d' Angeli though defended by Soubize to the utmost was forced at its surrender to accept of any conditions and to have the Walls razed Such a resistance of such a place was of marvellous use to the Hugenots to blunt the first fury of the Kings Army which having rather done honour to some obscure places than overcome them sate down at last before Montauban a good deal weakened and not so fierce This was a very memorable Siege because the place wanted neither Fortifications Commanders Provisions and Garrison nor the Aggressors Force Discipline and Courage All Arts and Force of War were there practised there were to be seen diversions attempted ambushes laid succours brought in and sometimes repulsed thundering batteries assaults with more rashness than bravery undertaken and repulsed with the shedding of noble blood in such sort that the Ditches of Montauban were the burying place of the most worthy and valiant Souldiers But at last some being weary others disbanded most dead the Army was much weakened and the season so far advanced that the King was forced to raise the Siege and withdrawing to Winter-quarters in Guiena expect the taking in of some small places where Luines by favour assumed into the honourable Charge of Constable surprised with a dangerous sickness ends his days worthy in this of great praise that he at least rough-hewed the great design of uniting all France unto it self which was afterwards more happily perfected by others These Ingagements of France contributed much to advantage the Spaniards designs who with various Arts laboured to continue them longer intangled in the same whereupon making shew of friendship and zeal of Religion they offer succours to subdue the Huguenots and particularly a Fleet to conquer Rochel And indeed not only the Valteline but in all parts else the Arms of the House of Austria went prosperously on scarce finding opposition for in Bohemia there remaining but Tabor and Pilsen which held for Frederick the first was by Tilli who corrupted the Commanders won with gold and the other by Marradas after a very long Siege Silesia was quickly brought under by the Elector of Saxe and Hungary Gabor having in vain sought succours from the Turks and the Venetians was forced to receive a Peace and Laws Bethlem having laid down the Title of King and restored the Crown with the recompence of seven Counties in Hungary
the custom of the Ottoman Emperours perserved him for the Empire But the Barbarians making Destiny guilty and Author of their villanies Mustapha excuses himself saying that he knew he had oftentimes decreed his death but that God would not permit it Left then in prey to the Janissaries and conducted to the seven Towers amidst the concourse and execrations of the people who having during his Reign endured all kinds of calamity Hunger Pestilence and War detested him as the fatal occasion of their evils his Head was cut off Delivert grand Visir in this interim fled but taken at Scutari and brought back to Constantinople he was killed with his blood and a few others of the chief Ministers and the pillaging of some house the Tumult ceasing Nevertheless Mustapha destinated to frequent passages from a Prison to a Throne remains not long upon the Stage An. Dom. 1623 for his incapacity by new experience being confirmed he was anew deposed and Amurath Brother of Osman being very young was assumed to the Crown He sends to Venice Mustapha Chiaus with wonted respects of friendship and peace and the Republick corresponded as usual by sending Simeon Contarini Cavalier and Procurator Ambassador Extraordinary to his Court. ANNO M.DC.XXIII Bohemia being not alone but the Imperial Crown the object and reward of the War which inflamed Germany the Austrians rejoyced so much the more in the Victories they had gotten by how much with the spoils of the Palatine having taken away a Vote from the Protestant the Empire seemed to be confirmed in their Family and the Catholick Party The Pope with motives of Religion pressed that the Electorate might be disposed of and recommended Bavaria not only a Kinsman in blood to the proscribed Palatine but worthily deserving it for his piety promising also great assistances if it should be necessary to maintain the disposal and decree by Arms. Nor was Ferdinand against it but rather found himself ingaged in his word and interest for Maximilian and he by the almost entire possession of both the Palatinates by his own Forces and those of the Catholick Ligue made himself so much considered and almost feared that it was not easie to dispose of it to another The Emperour was very earnest to get out of his hands by this change the Upper Austria which Bavaria held engaged for thirteen millions of Florins which in subduing the Rebels he affirmed to have spent but great difficulties crossed his desires The Protestants were inraged and in particular Saxony vexed besides at the Reformation of Religion which was practised in Bohemia many had compassion of the calamities of the Palatine and the innocence of his Children and not a few pretended to be sharers in his ruine But the most considerable opposition rose from the Spaniards who irritated that Bavaria had by Arms possessed himself of a part of the Lower Palatinate openly opposed Ferdinands intentions and that with a pretext that it was not fit so publickly to offend the King of England and with reasons besides that it was not convenient to set him up so high who might one day dispute the Empire with the Austrians but that resolving to maintain the Investiture by Arms it was better to come to extremities and bestowing it upon some of their own Kindred to advance the greatness of the Family with an Electoral Vote But the Emperour aiming to recover his own and to amuse those of both Religions in the Empire sends to Saxe the Archduke Carlo his Brother to perswade and appease him and into Spain some Religious persons to represent motives by which he was induced and in a manner forced to resolve There happened at this time the sudden Voyage of Charles Prince of England to the Court of Spain which put into admiration all Europe doubtful which was greatest the artifice on the one side in solliciting it or the happiness on the other in performing it In Madrid Digby resided Ambassadour for King James so much enamoured with such a Negotiation that proposing to himself great rewards according to his desires and proper interest he continually represented facility and safety The project consisted on the one side of promises to restore the Palatine into his Country and Vote and on the other of a connivence or rather assistance to oppress the United Provinces of Holland There resided then in London for the Catholick King the Count of Gondomar who with a stupendious acuteness of wit so confounded pleasant things with serious that it was not easie to be discerned when he spoke of business and when he rallied He had marvellously possessed the mind of the King and the inclination of the Prince and so insinuating himself into the hopes and inclination of both with mysterious speeches and facetious discourses he perswades him in earnest to resolve that Charles himself incognito should surprise them at Madrid to conclude the Marriage and bring back the Bride to London The Prince then parting in great silence passes disguised by Post through France accompanied by few others but the Duke of Buckingham Director of the whole Affair and who with an unusual example enjoyed no less favour from the King in being than from the Prince his Successor Not many resolutions haply are to be found which made a noise equal to this Of a Prince that was foreseeing to a wonder who was over-shadowed with jealousie the people made it their discourse and the English more than any murmured at it the only Son of the King the Heir of the Kingdom hazard himself in such a long Voyage carry himself as an Hostage rather than a Spouse to a Court of contrary Maxims of Religion and State humbly to supplicate for a Wife Most men would not be perswaded but the business was concluded so that many discourses were made of secret Alliances and the Protestants feared it nay some of the Catholicks themselves no less suspiciously apprehended it Bavaria in particular doubting lest the Country and Dignity in favour of the Marriage should be restored to Frederick and France was jealous lest if Great Brittany should adhere to the Austrians their Power in Europe would be without a ballance In England the Hereticks were afraid lest the King inclined to change Religion to effect it with greater security had a mind to support himself by the Forces and Countenance of great Princes and the Catholicks rejoyced hoping by such a Marriage for Liberty of Conscience and security for their lives In Ratisbone where the Diet was assembled the Spanish Ambassadour pretended that without disposing of the Electorate the Emperour should at least stay to see the issue of this Voyage and of so great an Emergency But those of the Popes party and the Bavarians with unusual and incessant instances pressed him to declare himself and end the business Notwithstanding then that the major part of the Empire were of opinion that the Authority did not belong to the Emperour alone in a matter of so great importance to deprive
readiness to march not without the Spaniards apprehending that to this League might adhere other Princes made jealous or provoked by them and particularly the Italians the most disgusted although the most patient They therefore apply with greater earnest to protect their interest with the Banner of Religion imploying all art chiefly to gain the Pope under whose Skirt they did not only hope to preserve the Valteline from War and induce the Confederates to reason but setling themselves in the present advantages by this means obtain yet greater To interest then Gregory in this cause they offer to deposite the Forts of the Valteline in his hands magnifying their intentions to quiet and considering That postposing their own conveniencies and the possession so much the more just by how much it proceeded from invitation and a voluntary resignation of the people it appeared that not the desire of dominion not the ambition of the Country nor the designs to oppress Italy but the sole consideration of Religion had induced them to protect it That they resigned it to the common Father of Princes to the Guardian of Religion it self to the end that the jealousies of the Catholicks being quieted the fierceness of the Hereticks restrained he might prescribe rules to holy Worship and to Italy convenient security whilst the King would not depend but upon his Arbitrement and with wonted zeal to his judgment and the good of the Church imploy the power of all his Dominions where no other but the true Religion raigned In Rome the opinions and counsels upon an offer of such importance were wavering for some penetrating into the Mysteries of Policy did not approve that either the power of the Church or the Authority of the Pope should be so far ingaged that the professed Neutrality and Mediation should run a hazard They well knew that if the trust were accepted Peace was not to be hoped for because if betwixt the Crowns there should happen any agreement of restoring all things to their former estate no man could see with what decency the Valteline could pass through the hand of the Pope back to the Hereticks its first Masters it being not fit that he should subscribe with the Protestants to reciprocal limitations cautions and conditions On the other side if with the fast band of Religion he should be willing to continue in the possession how could he ever hope for the consent of the Confederates who pretended to right themselves by Arms. Will they said they be terrified with an empty name and Authority without force and at the sight of the Popes Standard which upon the first Invasion must implore assistance from Feria and under the shadow of the power of the Spaniards repair themselves of their losses and wrong Will Gregory then in the utmost of his life cut off Peace betwixt his Children making himself a Party and leave to his Successor a lamentable Inheritance of War and Troubles And take it for granted that the Confederates would suffer it the Protestants yet were not like to endure it but at the name alone of the Ensigns of the Church would come down in Troops to oppose them That Helvetia was near the Princes of the Empire not yet suppressed Mansfelt had his Arms in his hands all greedy and longing to over-run Italy and mischief the most sacred Seat of Religion and the Apostolate The offices of the Confederates joyned their assistance to these apprehensions and in particular the Venetians who sending Girolamo Soranzo Cavalier Ambassadour Extraordinary to Rome disswaded the Pope from lending his Name and Authority to the Interests of Spain But he environed by his Nephews and they gained by Spain with Benefices Pensions and the Marriage of the Princess of Venosa Vassal of the Monarchy believed that the Princes made such a noise only to fright him and that at the appearing of his Colours all their Arms out of veneration would fall out of their hands there remaining to him as an ornament to his Name and a Crown upon his Sepulchre the glorious Memorial of Peace preserved and Religion protected The trust then was accepted by him upon condition that a Treaty of Agreement betwixt the two Kings should be pursued and when without the Spaniards being in fault it should not be concluded that the Forts should then be restored to them again This being treated in Rome Feria perswades the Grisons under pretext of moderating the Articles heretofore concluded to send to him new Ambassadours to bind so much the faster the knots of servitude and dependance Leopold raises at Steich a very good Fort and there was published an Investiture of the Emperour which granted to the House of Trivultia according to a certain pretension they had the Valley of Musoccho The French shewed themselves much moved that before a Resolution taken upon the Deposition Gregory had not expected the sense of that Crown upon it But in the counsel opinions were divided according to affections some voting to break off all Treaty and with a sudden march of Troops hinder the Popes meddling and the execution of the Trust it self Others were of opinion that the Deposition should be approved with certain limitations and reserves and those counsels taking place which squared with the favour for Pisieux was Author of them in whose inclinations both in Rome and Spain were grounded their greatest hopes it passed so It was then by the French declared That the Deposition should remain until the end of July it was now the month of May within which time the Forts being demolished and all restraints upon the Grisons and Armies removed which did oppress them affairs should be restored to their former state which not being performed the League should supplicate the Pope to joyn himself to their Arms thereby to obtain the effect Before such opinions were represented to the Pope the Spaniards getting notice of them proceeded to hasten the Deposition with so much precipitation that notwithstanding the indisposition into which Gregory was at that time desperately fallen the Cardinal Lodovisio orders that the Duke de Fiano the Popes own Brother with fifteen hundred Foot and five hundred Horse should march towards Milan He being a person of most sottish parts with the assistance nevertheless of some of better abilities served only to make surer the engagement and to conciliate some respect to those Troops But being arrived in the Valley he found that the people fearing to fall under another Dominion than that of Spain to the number of two thousand took Arms and resolved to oppose him but all obstacles being removed by the authority of the Governor of Milan he enters into the Forts Feria himself furnishing Ammunition and Victuals and keeping besides with his own Garrisons those of Chiavena Riva and Bormio Fiano nevertheless returns presently to Rome leaving in the Valley for the command of the Troops Niccolo one of the Marquesses of Bagni and at Milan Monsieur Scappi to reside with the Governour In the mean
also perswaded Bethlem Gabor to be quiet for he proposing to himself either to make a short War or Peace having obtained the Turks consent by the means of the Count de la Tour who went to the Port for that purpose had invaded Hungary and Moravia But it being divulged that Tilly having the fame of so many Victories his fore-runners was coming to their relief he retired into his own Country and applies himself to new agreements He had also in this year sent Stephano Attuani his Minister of most trust to Venice to demand a League and assistance but without effect because the Senate purposed to be attentive observers of but not be intangled in foreign occurrences so far distant from them An. Dom. 1624 ANNO M.DC.XXIV But was so much the more watchful upon the Valteline experiencing now from the usurpation of the passages there the mischiefs foreseen whilst for recruiting their Army and increasing their strength in order to the fulfilling of the League and guard themselves against the jealousies which molested them on all sides they had no means to bring any Souldiers but by Sea with much length of time and charge The Pope to gain time proposed divers expedients and above all expressed that without re-imbursement of the charges he would not part with the trust but the Confederates offering that with all readiness provided he would put the Valley into their hands to be rendred when the Forts were razed and Religion restored to the first Owner he remained fearful to offend Spain and proposed that of the Valley should be formed a soveraign body to be united either to the Catholick Cantons of Helvetia or as a fourth League to the three of the Grisons But the Confederates proposing to themselves the end of restoring things to their former state judged they should be wanting to the protection promised to the Grisons and nevertheless feared lest the Valteline not being able to subsist of it self as a body apart should uphold it self by the Spaniards by which means taking away the cover of the name they should still enjoy predominancy over their minds the convenience and liberty of the passage to the exclusion of all others Nor could this chief interest be longer concealed because it being at last proposed in the name of the Pope that passage through the Valley should remain free for the Souldiery of the King of Spain it gave the Confederates occasion to conclude thereupon that the subtle pretext of Religion being now removed the Interest seemed discovered to tend to the subjecting no less of Italy than of Germany by the uniting of Countries and opening a door to over-run the one and the other at their pleasure The Pope nevertheless persisted in what had been proposed moderating the particular of passage by confining it to the Valteline excluding the Country of the Grisons and Chiavena and that to take away jealousie from Italy it should be understood only of passage from the Milanese for Germany and Flanders and not from them back thither and insisted upon it with so much urgency that taking upon him the part of an Arbitrator he pretended to a power to decree it by vertue of the consent the Princes had given that he should prescribe needful securities for the Catholick Religion affirming withal that to bridle the Protestants and Hollanders a sudden march of Spanish Troops was made necessary for the defence of the Low Countries and relief of the Empire but the others considered that a door once opened to the Spaniards limits and ways could no more be prescribed and that under the pretext of passage the Milanese being made a perpetual place of Arms jealousies troubles and apprehensions would be eternized in Italy Nevertheless the Ambassadour Sillery with the assistance of Gheffier who was at that time at Rome although he could not but know France more prejudiced than any others both by the blow which its Confederates would feel within and without Italy and the breach which would be made into that most ancient League with the Grisons by vertue whereof the absolute disposition of the Passes was ascribed to them readily consents to it to the so much dissatisfaction of the other Princes united that attributing all to Pisieux from whose Judgment and Pen by reason of the favour and his charge the business depended they resolved to discover the Plot to the King himself giving him to understand the alterations with which they had proceeded at Rome from what had been concerted at Paris setting at naught the Princes who were their friends neglecting the Interests of the Crown it self and having by a most destructive consent conducted the business to that very end which the Spanish Ministers directed Concerning Pisieux besides the hatred and envy which are the wonted followers of favour a common opinion was currant that he was not more powerful in the Kings favour than venal in his Ministry making use of his Authority rather for profit than honour Being therefore not at all acceptable besides to the great men of the Kingdom it proved no hard matter for the Ministers of the Princes and in particular Giovanni Pesari Ambassadour of the Venetians by their Offices and wonted Arts to help forward the secret Intrigues of Court which discovering themselves of a sudden his Fortune split in a moment the King intimating to him that he and the Chancellor his Father should presently leave the Court The Marquess de la Vieuville Superintendant of the Finances took quickly possession of the favour and in the little time he subsisted by the Marriage with England and other means laid the foundations of those contrivances perfected afterwards by his Successor with great felicity But the affections of the King towards Favourites having hitherto proved but short and unhappy he continued but a few months Some ascribed his fall to covetousness by which he provoked the hatred of the great ones accustomed to satisfie their private interests out of the publick Treasury Others judged that one ingratitude being commonly the punishment of another as he had lent his hand to the expulsion of Pisieux the Raiser of his Fortune so the Cardinal Richelieu introduced by him into business quickly excluded him This Cardinal is the person called elsewhere the Bishop of Lusson and there is no doubt that as for the most part in the choice of great Ministers the judgment of the Princes agree with those of their Subjects though soon after they differ in the maintaining of them he was not ordained for that place from applause or common consent but was brought into it chiefly by the savour of the Queen-Mother with whom he had been long exercised in all sorts of observance The King surely had no inclinations to him either for having in former Negotiations discovered the sagacity of his nature or because there is a certain natural secret aversion to those who with an ascendant of wit exceed Sure it is that the Cardinal possessed rather the power of the favour
than the favour it self nevertheless he had the great Art how to fix the mutable and suspicious Genius of the King and the inconstant nature of the people governing as with a supreme Dictatorship the one and the other even to his death But as to the Affairs of Italy by the disgrace of Pisieux the Minister being changed there was a change also at Rome in the proceeding of the Treaty and Sillery being recalled all that was disavowed which he had negotiated and consented to Monsieur de Bethune a Minister formerly well known in Italy being come to Rome in his place assures the Pope that all that which his Predecessor had approved concerning the Passes was wholly against the Kings mâ—nd and in the name of the Confederates expressing to the holy See unalterable duty and ready consent to that which might secure Religion in the Valley as to the rest refuses any expedient which did not deliver the Grisons from the present oppression restore them to their Country and Soveraignty and did not exclude the Spaniards from the Passes They published this change of Ministers to be a shift but the Pope who had made them deliver to him Riva also and Chiavena endeavoured to gain time perceiving that to which soever of the Parties he should give the possession of the Forts it would serve but for a pretext to kindle a most dangerous War which flaming out betwixt the two Crowns by Auxiliary Forces would quickly extend it self throughout all Europe Nor did the Spaniards now fail as they had succeeded in the gaining of the Cardinal Lodovisio with Rewards and Marriages to try every way to insnare the Barberins also giving hopes to Vrbans Nephews of the Princess Stigliana who being an Inheritrix of vast Territories in the Kingdom of Naples brought also in Dowry the Soveraignty of the strong Fortress of Sabioneda Some also suggested to the Pope and to his House hopes that amidst the jealousies and dissensions of the Princes he might have the hap to get himself glory by uniting the Valley to the Church or obtain advantages by investing his Kindred in it But the one and the other equally displeased the Confederates because no less suspicious was the temporal greatness of the Popes who protected by the Cloak of Religion cannot make War themselves without danger nor overcome without blame then the inclination of the Nephews doubtful it being not possible for him that possesses the Valley but to depend upon the protection and assistance of the Governour of Milan Nothing then remained but the closing in a War France before ingaging out of the Kingdom strengthens it self with two great and important Treaties The first with the Provinces of Holland to whom were promised three millions and two hundred thousand Livres Tournois to be paid in three years upon condition not to make Peace or Truce with Spain without their knowledge and if it should so fall out that France it self should have need of assistance they were to retribute it either by restoring the half of the foresaid sum or by furnishing Ships in proportion The other was the Marriage of Henrietta Sister of King Lewis with Charles Prince of Wales from which was derived a report that the English would break into a War with Spain and the Palatine be restored into his Country by Arms. Charles to say truth from his Voyage into Spain had brought back discontent hatred and desire of revenge against that Crown for though he were received at Madrid with all possible honours he nevertheless penetrated the intention not to restore his Country to Frederick nor conclude the Marriage for which the King the Princess her self Olivares and all the Kingdoms had in their hearts a particular aversion Being for some months amused with several proportions and a difficulty which they feigned came to them from the Court of Rome though to remove it he was induced to write himself to the Pope and tempted at last if he would have a Wife to change his Religion he parted in great haste returning to London by Sea It is not possible to express what disdain vexed the heart of that young Prince and King James with no less vehemency published his revenge having a mind in his old age to adorn his Sepulchre with those resentments which in the course of his Reign having been blunted by idleness seemed to have blemished the glory of his life For this purpose he calls a Parliament in which Buckingham having justified with a zeal to common good and a desire of Peace the Kings intentions concerning the Marriage with Spain and rendred an account of the Princes Voyage it was resolved that the Kings Son-in-law should be restored into his Country by Arms and that the Son should marry with a Princess of the Blood Royal of France But it being usual in England that Parliaments have an equal suspicion of their Kings when they are armed as Kings have of Parliaments when they are united it was presently desolved many jealousies being spread abroad which were believed fomented at least if not raised by the Ambassadour of Spain as if the Parliament adhering to the youthful age of Charles and with applause flattering that Generosity which he shewed to revenge himself would condemn the cooler proceedings and past actions of the King in whose life time they were disposing the spoils and Funerals of his Authority and Command But withal the means were not ripened nor the contributions consented which might raise and keep on foot an Army So that as the Marriage with Henrietta was easily concluded with a dispence from the Pope and many Articles of favour to the consciences of the Catholicks so the moving of Arms quickly vanished It is notwithstanding true that Mansfelt beaten in Germany and in Holland not willingly suffered by Orange through emulation of military glory and the applause of the people was called into England by the King where being received with great honour making him his General for the recovery of the Palatinate he ordains him an Army of ten thousand Foot and three thousand Horse with six pieces of Cannon if France would concur with a Force proportionable Sending him with this Proposition to King Lewis who professed himself disgusted with the Count because he had taken the Title of the Kings General without his knowledge and therefore when he went to London had forbid him coming into France he obtains to be admitted to treat with his Ministers denying him his own presence He was supplied with some money by the French with promises of more though in effect they had little fervency in the interest of the Palatine But for Italy having secured all behind him by the friendship of the English and the flank by the War of Flanders they applied themselves with more warmth to the Affairs of the Valteline The Venetians imployed all care with the Princes of Italy to unite them in the common Interest But succeeded no further but to induce the Dukes of Savoy and
resolved to apply themselves to the same Arts which the Enemy practised by endeavouring to overcome famine with famine and by hindering Victuals from the Camp to reduce Spinola to the fortune of the besieged But he with the prudence of an excellent Captain foreseeing the necessity had also provided for it by a flying body causing the Convoys to be so strongly conducted that the Hollanders either durst not attacque them or attempting it could not break them It happened that for the securing of one the Garrison of the Castle of Antwerp was much weakned Maurice whom Fortune seldom reproached for neglecting of occasions attempts to surprise it and having chosen a dark night with Bridges made for that purpose passes the Ditch though very broad and raising the Ladders which at the head of them were so fastened that with Ropes they were easily set up he was now upon the Rampart when one of the Ladders falling back upon its bridge made such a noise that the Sentinels heeding it and they with some shot advertizing the Guards the Alarm was given in the Castle The Hollanders taking fright retired leaving some of their Engines behind and now Force not being sufficient nor Art succeeding the hope of preserving the place was reduced to succours which with great earnestness the States sollicited from the Crowns of England and France Which last besides the money promised in their Treaty would not meddle further in that cause having obtained their purpose to keep a great part of the Spanish Power ingaged in that Country It maintained over and above the War in Italy nor were unquietnesses wanting within the Kingdom whilst Soubize either foreseeing from far the Siege of Rochel or moved to it by those that desired to divert the Crown from foreign occurrences had endeavoured to possess himself of some of the Ships Royal in the Port of Blavet and although the design succeeded not nevertheless to the Kings great resentment he possessed the Islands near to Rochel and infested the Sea with Piracy and the Land with disbarkings To oppose and suppress Rohan who in Languedoc and other parts was contriving Commotions the Kings Fleet assembles under Command of the Duke of Monmorency and Souldiers were sent into several places to no small disturbance of the Wars in Italy and the necessities of Flanders But England had its Forces at liberty and minds inflamed for James in the month of March of this year being dead it looked as if the spirit of quiet would have extinguished with him whilst his Successor Charles as vigorous in his age as in the desire of Glory and hatred against the Spaniards was believed that with his Fathers Crown he would have assumed differing thoughts He ingages himself presently to a great arming by Sea with which he publishes to attempt upon Spain it self the Head and Seat of its great Power and at the same time raises an Army to put under Mansfelts Command for the restoring the out-lawed Palatine into his Countries for which purpose making a League with the King of Denmark he disburses money to him to the end that making War with the same design in the Empire he should not make Peace with Ferdinand without the Kings knowledge and the restoring the Palatine But Breda that had been many months besieged could not expect concerts so remote King Charles therefore to preserve it applies means more ready it serving also his ends to keep the Spanish Forces imployed in the Low Countries lest sending them into the Empire they might hinder the principal design which was the restoring of Frederick Hoping then that France would concur in the same intention he resolves that Mansfelt with a good number of English Foot should pass the Sea and landing at Calais should first joyn Halverstat with two thousand Horse and afterwards altogether the Prince of Orange to relieve the Town But betwixt England and France it was found that after the Marriage the interest of State or rather the passion of Favourites converted the bonds of affection into causes of hatred Europe in those times reckoned amidst its unhappy destiny that the Government of it depended upon three young Kings yet in the flower of their age Princes of great power desirous of glory and in interest contrary but in this alone by Genius agreeing that they committed the burden of their affairs to the will of their Ministers for with an equal independency France was governed by Richelieu and Spain by Olivares and Great Britany by Buckingham confounding affections with interest as well publick as private Betwixt the Cardinal and Buckingham open animosities discovered themselves for causes so much the more unadvised as they were more hard to be known Buckingham being in France to carry back Charles his Bride it seemed that in the free conversations of that Court he had taken the boldness to discover something of his inclination to the Queen whilst the Cardinal was inflamed with the same passions or rather feigned to be so with aversion in her who with vertue equal to the nobleness of blood equally despised the vanity of the one and abhorred the artifices of the other Whereupon the Factions arising amongst the Ladies of the Court were not so secret but that the King was obliged to make a noise and banish some But the contention betwixt the two Favourites was for power and Richelieu by reason of the favour of the King in his own Kingdom prevailing in Authority procured to Buckingham many mortifications and disgusts The other was no sooner arrived at London with the Bride but to make shew of a power not inferiour by ill using her thought to revenge himself The Catholick Religion served for a pretext whilst the Family brought out of France according to the Contract of Marriage practised it whence distasts brake forth to such a degree that the minds of the Spouses being alienated and affections betwixt the Crowns themselves disturbed it looked as if discord had been the Bride-maid at that Wedding All this passed to the prejudice of the Interests of the Palatine and of Holland For Mansfelt at the instant that he had imbarked the English Army France denying him the Port of Calais and entry into the Kingdom was forced to land in Holland after having negotiated several days betwixt the two Kings But the Souldiers remaining on board the Ships wasted time and almost themselves and in their passage weather-beaten by a great storm troubled with rains and many inconveniences they arrived so diminished and languishing that the succours was found to be less than was needful and fame had made them Nevertheless at the noise of their landing the Spanish Ministers being moved and Spinola resolved not to stir from the place now reduced to extremity assembled in an instant with the pomp of their great power another Army of thirty thousand Foot and eight thousand Horse of the Trained-bands of the Country intermixed with some old Souldiers drawn out of Garrisons with which and the succours together
Army advances thence to the Weser to hinder passage and prepossesses the Banks on that side expecting till Albert of Wallestain under whom Ferdinand had raised almost in a moment a new Army of twenty thousand men should come and joyn with him But he as he passed by having beaten the Duke of Luneburg who at certain narrow passages had endeavoured to stop him carried his Army with great success into the Bishopricks of Halberstat Magdeburg and Hall heretofore possessed by the Protestants In the heat of this Tilly also who had besieged Sighenburg in vain gave battel near Hanover to a great body of the Protestants and obtained a signal Victory there remaining dead of them upon the place the Duke of Saxony the Count of Altemberg and Obentraut who served to the King of Denmark for General of the Horse Ferdinand elevated by so great prosperities aspired to great things and having caused his eldest Son Ferdinand Ernest to be proclaimed King in Hungary reformed Religion in his Hereditary Countries without the least contest being become formidable to all and in particular dreadful by reason of vicinity to the Venetians to whom as an addition of apprehensions was joyned the Peace confirmed by the Emperour by the means of the Bassa of Buda for ten years more with the Ottoman Port which although at the suggestion of Gabor the chief Ministers made a shew at Constantinople that they would not approve it because the old Treaty concluded at a time when that Empire was involved in the Wars of Asia contained things prejudicial and unbecoming nevertheless being accustomed in the weightiest businesses cheapning gain rather than glory to raise difficulties that they may be overcome by interest they quickly ratified it At the same time but with Fortune differing John Baptista Montalbano and a Priest being sent to Constantinople by the Vice-King of Naples they proposed a Truce to be concluded betwixt the Spaniards and the Turks obliging themselves to restrain the Piracies of the Cossacks in the Black Sea promoted in great part for the easing of the King of Poland with the money of Spain and to interpose themselves for a Peace betwixt the Port and the Persians But the Caimecan who at that time had the direction of affairs knowing how odious such a Proposition would be to the very Subjects of that Empire rejected it discharging those that had proposed it The design by this Treaty to make the Republick jealous and raise a diffidence betwixt them and the Port had not probably the last place in the Spaniards intentions But the Turks on the other side plunged into the War of Persia thought it not fit for them to alienate it by unseasonable suspicions They therefore caused the Bassa of Buda to send a Sangiacco to Venice who under colour to communicate the Peace confirmed in Hungary offered in token of Friendship twenty thousand men which the Bassa of Buda with their Commanders at their charge would cause to be conducted to the Confines where being entertained should yield their due obedience to whom the Venetians should appoint But even gifts themselves being from Barbarians treacherous the Republick receiving the offer as a Complement did not accept it making use only of some rules by which the Turkish Ministers on the Confines might give way to the levy of some Albanese They there and in other ultramarine Provinces made numerous Levies but the greatest beyond the Mountains by the facility which the passages of Rhetia and the possession of the Valteline yielded Their Army amounted to more than twenty thousand Foot and three thousand Horse all of stranger Nations which for the most part by supplying the Garrisons with the Country Militia might be drawn out into the field Therefore wearied with jealousies and preferring revenge before suspicion they desired by some great enterprise to make advantage of this defence and put an end to their vexations and the War Reviving then in France their instances and endeavours they represented that by making War in the Milanese mischiefs might be prevented much to the common quiet and glory of the Confederates considering That by one sole blow the Grisons would be established for ever the Valteline secured Italy delivered the jealousies expences molestations of so many years taken away The honour of the King the Decorum of the French Nation did not consist in oppressing the image of liberty which was yet remaining amongst the Genouese but in confirming it to Italy by abating the Rival power and doing himself reason on a State upon which he hath a pretence and which more than once by the united Forces of the Republick hath been possessed by his generous Ancestors To what else will amount the undertaking of Genoua but to superadd reproaches upon mischiefs whilst the Spaniards secure in the Milanese means will be left there to send Forces into the Valteline by treading yet harder on the neck of the Genouese to make the yoke more heavy to Italy and to make their own advantage of their money of their Souldiers and Fleets But nothing was of force to divert the French and Savoyards from what they had concerted although dissembling it they attempted to ingage the Venetians alone to break with Spain for by promoting a diversion in the Milanese they hoped that their Forces being imployed there they would not remain so strong and so at liberty as to be forward to go to the assistance of the Genouese Whereupon Carlo and the French Ministers in Turin feigning to adhere to the judgment of the Republick dealt with it to invade the Milanese faithfully promising that upon advice of the breach the Duke himself with his and Desdiguieres with the Forces of the Crown would give countenance and assistance But diving into the subtilty of the artifice the Senate with an equal wariness deluding their intentions offers to enter into the Milanese so soon as the Confederates should let him know that their Armies were passed beyond the Borders But whilst the Confederates amongst themselves contended about opinions and cunning the season for the motion of Armies drawing on the Treaty of Susa could no longer be concealed and at last Buglione in Turin communicates it to Priuli with great hopes that the Genouese being quickly subdued by Force and Intelligence there would be a fit time to invade the Milanese with greater advantages The Senate refuses again to approve the design and to the end to take no part in it no not so much as in appearance or name they order the said Priuli not to enter into the Genouese with the Duke but to stay upon the Borders In the midst of so difficult affairs Francesco Contarini Duke who with many and signal vertues had sustained the Principality though but for a very short time yields to the burden of his years and cares and Giovanni Cornaro Procurator of St. Marco succeeds him arriving at the highest dignity of the Country without having made any suit for it and considerable not so much for
assault defended by the Albanian Foot would have sent succours but Coevre thought it not fit that the Army should be ingaged for so small a matter but rather retired to the Bridge of Ganda abandoning the Country and several places upon the Mountain together with the Towns of Trahona Cepsono San Giovanni and others even to Morbegno The Germans entred into all but the Venetians not well suffering the indignity of this success and apprehending the danger of all the rest sent into the Valteline with all speed the Duke of Candales Son of the Duke of Espernon lately come into the Service of the Republick with his Regiment of French and an hundred Horse at the arrival whereof Giorgio taking courage and after many difficulties drawing the Marquess to his opinion they drew out into the Plain and having sent Melander by the way of the Mountain attacqued the Posts Papenhaim not to let himself be taken in the middle betwixt them lightly skirmishing abandons them retiring out of the Valley The Rock of Corbeio did now divide the Confines and the Armies and the Winter no less than the weakness of their Forces put a stop to their proceedings though the Regiment of Fecquieres as a seasonable relief was arrived out of France During this season improper for the management of Arms the Confederates apply themselves to confirm what they had got placing two Forts one in the Center of the Valley at Tirano and another near to the entrance at Trahona the first garrisoned by the French and the second by the Venetians Nor was there the least doubt of the continuance of the War the year following because the Negotiation of Peace by the Cardinal Barberin in the Court of France was come to nothing he by reason of his Purple his Ministry and nearness to the Pope having had an exquisite reception but found the business as much intricate and difficult His offices consisted in complaints for the Invasion in demands for the consignment of the Forts in scruples of restoring the Valley to the Grisons in propositions to withdraw it from their Dominion as the only means to secure Religion and the Consciences of the people But the Cardinal Richelieu the Mareshal of Schomberg and the Secretary of State Herbault deputed by the King to confer with the Legate insisted That the Treaty of Madrid should be executed adding that Chiavena by the French and la Riva by the Spaniards should by way of respect be delivered to the Pope to be presently demolished and afterwards the other Forts successively the demolishing of the one always preceding the delivery of another That in this condition they should afterwards be restored to the Grisons with a Covenant express that the Catholick Worship alone should be there practised the Magistrates and Inhabitants of a contrary belief excepted The Legate shewing himself not contented herewith proposed at least a general suspension of Arms in Italy but was rejected by the French the Ambassadours of Venice and Savoy mainly opposing it who believed that the Confederates intricated in the vain hopes of Peace would imploy themselves more slackly to the provision for War and so would be of no other use but to confirm the Spaniards In their predominancy to enfeeble the French and to consume the Italians betwixt Jealousies and Charges The Legate then seeing his longer stay unprofitable to the Treaty and prejudicial to good Manners departs without expecting the issue of an Assembly of some chief persons which Richelieu called because he foresaw that the aim of the Favourite being but to interest the most accredited of the Kingdom in his own judgment their opinions as it happened would not be differing from his counsels The Kingdom enjoyed now within a certain appearing quiet since Soubize being driven out of the Island and his Ships dispersed certain Articles were agreed with the Huguenots which Rochel also at last received under the caution of the King of England that they should be observed by France and it looked as if the King were now to imploy himself more powerfully to the Affairs of the Valteline to promote which the Venetians had sent besides to that Court Simeon Contarini Cavalier Procurator as Ambassadour Extraordinary But the Pope ill digesting after the disparaging his Troops the repulse also in the Treaty declared that in the Spring to come he would return into the Valley with six thousand Foot and five hundred Horse under the Command of Torquato Conti. To give ground and reputation to this undertaking he sollicited Leopoldus who by devotion of the holy year was then at Rome to invade it on his side He sends to Milan the Prior Aldobrandino who concerted that the Governour was to provide Victuals furnish necessaries and Cannon and supply also a number of Souldiers which should waste in the occasions of War at the charge of the King though under the Popes own Colours The Confederates strucken with this so sudden resolution shewed themselves greatly moved that Vrban renouncing to the intentions of a professed Neutrality would make himself a Party in this War in which amidst so many considerations the most holy one of Religion served henceforth but for a shadow The Cardinal Magalotti therefore having communicated to their Ministers in Rome that the noise of those Arms tended against the Grisons only they let him know That the interest of that people being indistinct from the common concern of the League as much as the Princes venerated the sacred name of the High Priest so much they were resolved not to abandon the Cause of their Friends and the universal good of Italy Surely whoever considered the appearance only and noise of this undertaking divulged by the Pope would easily be perswaded that his mind being overcome with the hopes of the Marriage of Stigliana with his Nephew and the private interests of the Family he had given himself up in prey to the will of the Austrians and would draw stronger arguments from his having destined the Cardinal Barberine immediately upon his return to Rome Legate into Spain under the title to hold at the Sacred Font a Daughter born about that time to the King but he ruminating in his mind upon more absconded ends governed himself by motives more secret for having discovered the secret Negotiations which passed betwixt the two Crowns and knowing that the Peace betwixt them was near being concluded to the deluding of the rest he had a mind by this ostentation of vigour and Arms to uphold to the World the reputation and opinion which he thought prejudiced by the suffering of so great an affront Nevertheless in affairs of a like nature the cause being not to be dived into before the effects every one believed that by interessing the Name and Authority of the Pope the War would be exasperated Preparations were made on all sides of Arms and of minds and the French feigning to be equally pressed demanded by Monsieur de Bassompiere a great Levy of Switzers and that passage
her passions as much more famous as her life and death equally unhappy She began then to inveigh against Richelieu that to play the Merchant at his pleasure with the Royal Authority he became prodigal of the Kings health keeping him as having him in a manner a Prisoner far from his Wife and Mother amongst Armies and the Marshes of Rochel exposed to dangers and in an unwholesom Air. She besides this dissented openly to have any thing to do with the Affairs of Italy towards which she discovered the Cardinal inclined and aggravated that he for his vain passions having stirred up a War with the English now to satiate his revenge would break also with Savoy and with Spain persecuting every where the Princesses of the Royal Family and exposing the Kingdom in prey to the sword and fire to the end that he alone with his Friends and Kindred might triumph over the publick Calamities and advance his ambition and avarice upon the common Ruine By effectual Letters she disswades the King from him and publickly exclaims against him in Paris seconded by many with whispers and discourses in the Court and in the Country for hatred and envy advanced as much against Richelieu as his own merit increased and the favour of the King appeared more and more partial to him The Cardinal Berule and Monsieur de Marilliac were the chief that in the Council sided with her opinions and to dishearten the Ministers of the Pope and of the Republick who with frequent endeavours moved the King to serious reflections and seasonable resolutions they divulged freely and gave the Ministers themselves openly to understand that France by Religion and Interest being strictly obliged to its own occasions could not be diverted elsewhere nor attend to what happened beyond the Mountains But Richelieu who with a profound judgment fathomed aims and designs as well domestick as foreign entertaining them with better hopes to repair that opinion which after the Peace of Monzon he knew cooled in his old friends and the Princes of Italy comforted them with ample promises that the King would not be wanting in protection and assistance to the House of Mantua and exhorted principally the Venetians so much interessed and so nearly joyned to support the Duke with powerful Aids till the Ingagement before Rochel being at an end and the differences with England in some measure composed the Crown might turn all its Authority and Forces towards Italy The Senate wisely weighing past events and the dangers imminent remained constant in the setled Maxims not to declare themselves but conjoyntly with the Crown of France and therefore sollicited with earnest prayers the happy success of the enterprise of Rochel and with urgent mediation promoted the Peace with England which seemed much facilitated by various accidents for another Fleet being sailed out of those parts formidable for number and quality of Ships manned with choice Souldiers and furnished with all sorts of Provisions having scarce shewed it self to the besieged and attempted the relief in vain was returned to the Coast of England and Buckingham the Incendiary of the discord stabbed with a Knife in his Chamber by one Felton for private causes was dead In the mean time Cordua finding no resistance in the field advances towards Casale hoping according to the concerts agreed with Spadino de Novara Serjeant Major in the Town that a Port should presently have been delivered to him But the Marquess of Canossa a Veronese Governour of Monferrat and Rivara a Monferrin who commanded the Citadel discovering the Plot as it was almost ready to be put in execution gave out Orders presently for the defence by preventing the Treachery and resisting the Force Spadino saving himself from punishment by flight meets the Governour of Milan with the Army near to Casale who though touched to the quick that his best and speedy hope was vanished nevertheless putting it to a venture and ingaging his honour upon the relations of the Traitor that the Garrison though consisting of about four thousand Foot and four hundred Horse yet all for the most part of the Country and having want of many things would together with the Inhabitants be little inclined to suffer for a Prince they knew not ruine and extremities resolves to undertake the Siege To flatter the Citizens he made as if he would respite the Country round about keeping for some days the Militia in such Discipline that it almost looked as if he would rather preserve than force the place And the effect though contrary to his intent proved to be so for the provisions spared by the Spaniards in the Country were in the interim brought into the Town At the first appearance of the Enemy the Garrison made a round Sally but being easily beat back Cordua orders Trenches to be opened and Batteries to be raised but with as many failings and errours as they made steps in the attempt Casale is situate upon the right side of the Po where a little Hillock begins to decline and enlarge it self into a Plain in which the Town is placed being of a large circuit but of an irregular inclosure inhabited by many noble Families and a numerous well-accommodated Commonalty A Castle with Walls and Towers served formerly for its defence but the old Duke Vincenzo placed there for state and defence a Citadel of a great compass with six well ordered Bastions which with two ranks of Walls were joyned to the City Against one of these directly towards the Po which at that time had its course a little distant but afterwards changing its Chanel came nearer to the Wall Gonzales directs his attacques and batteries but weak and slow so that the besieged were able to cover with Half-moons and Batteries the Wall the Mills and the Flank of the Town the most exposed on that side He could not by reason he had so few men begirt the place and for the same defect deferred for divers days to take in the Castles on the Hill by means whereof Provisions in abundance were frequently brought into the Town and even when he went about it Frederico Enriquez sent with a few Souldiers to make his way into Rossignano by a Petard being partly deceived by his Spies who brought him thither when it was broad day light and partly repulsed by the cragginess of the situation for it stood upon a Rock received there a great blow The Savoyards proceeded with greater success The Duke was no sooner in the field but he possessed in a breath Alba St. Damiano with all that which belonged to him by the Treaty and although Trino resisted some days yet upon the loss of a Half-moon it was forced to surrender Being thus dis-ingaged it gave great jealousie to the Governour of Milan lest having obtained his own design he should neglect or rather hinder the success of the Spaniards And knowing him fixed in this that short Wars frequent Treaties and continual change of Parties was that which pleased him he was greatly
all agree in the Election of Ferdinand And now taking the Ecclesiasticks into the Council he made it be believed that Wallestain being dispossessed and their advice asked to whom the chief Command of those Troops which were to remain on foot should be given that they should insinuate and propose the King of Hungary By such allurements the Emperour was perswaded to disband fifteen thousand Horse at a blow and the rest afterwards by pieces retaining but few in pay besides those which were in Italy and a Body which under the command of Torquato Conti was kept in the Provinces towards the Baltique Sea Wallestein not being able to bear this did his utmost to demonstrate to the Emperour the prejudice which he saw would result from it whilst Germany brought under by Arms could not but by the terrour of the same be kept in obedience He presaged revolutions of great importance the alienations of Princes and States because by reason of division in Religion many being offended and all disgusted if the yoak of Iron were removed that of obedience would easily be shaken off He was wont to say that it was impossible for the Emperour to entertain ten thousand Souldiers but very easie to maintain a hundred thousand because the great Provinces of Germany abounding not only with store of people but they also a warlike Nation with small Armies might dispute not only passages but Victuals and Quarters whereas those of greater power making themselves way overcame every thing and what with fear and what with force by getting themselves reputation and exacting Contributions might feed themselves and withall gain honour and respect to the Prince His counsel was that shewing rigour and a Whip Ratisbone should be environed from far with a part of the Army and with the rest the Countries of the most reluctant threatned and particularly of Bavaria to bring him to the Election by force But the Emperour either perswaded that he should peaceably attain to his purpose or not believing to be able without greater confusions so highly to violate the Constitutions of the Empire preferred the mild before the more violent counsels But it troubled not his thoughts a little how to take away the command from Fridtland which he exercised with an absolute power and with so much the more applause of the Souldiery as it was with hatred to the people Wherefore he deputes to perswade him the Counts of Verdemberg and Questemberg his intimate friends who were received at Memminghen and forbidden at first to speak of business but after having entertained them with divers divertisements he hearkned to them with a mind free from trouble and ascribing all to his Enemies amongst which besides Bavaria he reckoned the Spaniards and Jesuites foretold the evil event which would arise from it declaring with biting taunts and jestings more than with reasons his obedience to the Decree but not his approbation of the Council And refusing every of those satisfactions which the Emperour largely offered him except the exemption from rendring account of his past administration he lays down his Command and retires to his own estate leaving it doubtful whether he appeared greater in the exercise than in the quitting of it But the Electors having obtained their design shewed themselves so much the more averse to elect a King of the Romans as they thought themselves less capable to be constrained to it Now did they consent to confer on the King of Hungary the direction of the Forces but the Ecclesiasticks being required by Ferdinand to give their opinion proposed Bavaria for the Generalat to the Emperours great apprehension lest that Elector aspired by adding this command to the other which he already had of the Catholick League to make himself Arbiter of the Empire and in a condition to give Law to the Austrians Nevertheless dissembling his displeasure and rather feigning to applaud the proposition he proposes such conditions to Maximilian for the exercise of the Charge that he dissenting from them was the cause that amidst the difficulties and delays the project vanished In this state of things and minds Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden invited as hath been said by some and desired by others enters into Germany sending certain Letters as his fore-runners to Ratisbone in which he complains that the Emperour should have prohibited him Levies in the Empire given assistance to the Polacks intercepted his Dispatches taken his Ships upon the Sea hindred his Kingdoms of their Commerce An. Dom. 1631 endeavoured with Ships of War in the Baltick to prejudice and offend him and in conclusion that his Ambassadors at the meeting at Lubeck where was treated the Peace with Denmark had not been admitted The Emperour had given little heed to such complaints and to the Letters themselves the Diet answered but slowly in general terms and scanty Titles Whereupon assuming the specious pretexts of Religion and Liberty to protect the Protestants of the Empire and deliver the oppressed from the domination of the Austrians he advances towards Pomerania dis-imbarquing in the Island of Rughen where driving the imperial Garrison out of a Fort he fixes the seat of the War the other Islands which are a little separate from the Continent yield themselves to him without dispute This breaking forth of a sudden greatly moved the minds of the Imperialists but it being quickly known that the King had not then more than six thousand Souldiers so slender a beginning and such a little spark was despised till many of the Troops disbanded by Ferdinand joining themselves to him which being accustomed to the license of Armies could not live without such an occupation he was seen with a very powerful Army leaving a Garrison in Stralsond to pass into Pomerania Bolislao Duke of that Province formerly oppressed and molested by Fridtland refuses the Emperours Garrisons pretending that he would defend himself But concluding a League with the Swedes receiving their Troops into some of his Towns and giving contribution declares himself under the protection of Gustavus The King now having a secure retreat advances into Mechelburg to remove the Ministers and Garrisons of Wallestein and by restoring the ancient owners to procure applause to the cause of Religion and the publick liberty which he pretended to rescue To these proceedings opposed themselves the Duke Savelli and Torquato Conti with weak Forces and uncertain counsels because environed by the Protestants they had every thing suspect while Tilli whom the Emperour had been constrained to make with limited powers Generalissimo of his Forces assembled his Army in the Country of Mansfeldt But now together with hopes minds every where raising themselves amongst the first the Citizens of Magdenburg brought in again Christian Administrator of that Bishoprick formerly as guilty of Treason excluded by Ferdinand and proscribed ANNO MDCXXXI From such disturbances in Germany was Italy now again obliged to acknowledge her quiet though for some months it was tossed to and fro without Peace and without War whilst