[A briefe collection or epitomie of all the notable and material things contained in the hystorie of Guicchiardine being verie necessarie for Parliament, councell, treatises, and negotiations.]

A briefe collection or Epitomie of all the notable and material things contained in the hyſtorie of Guicchiardine: being verie neceſſarie for Parliament, councell, treatiſes, and negotiations.

LOdouike Sforce, tutor and vncle to Iohn Galeas, duke of Millaine, fearing leaſt Ferdinand king of Naples ſhould make war vpon him, departed from the league lately made betweene him, the king, & the Florentines againſt the Venetians: and cloſely procureth Charles the viii. king of France to come to Italie to conquer the kingdome of Naples, as due to the houſe of Aniow: for that Pope Vrbin the fourth, gaue Naples and Cicill, being the olde fee of the Church, vnto Charles Earle of Prouince, and Aniow, brother vnto Saint Lewis.

Ferdinand was verie ſecure, as commonly men are in their woorſt deſtinie, knowing his ſtrength both by ſea and land, and knowing withall that there was no great matter in his enemie: but he remembred not the weakeneſſe and parcialities in Italie, and that France was not ſince Charlemans time ſo great in circuite, nor flouriſhing in ſouldiers. Howbeit he treated with Lodouike for amitie (who ſecretly promiſed him) meaning nothing leſſe, and with Alexander the ſixt (lately choſen Pope by open ſymonie, and by the meanes of Cardinall Aſcanio Sforce, in deſpite of the Cardinall of Saint Peters ad Vincula) who before was ſecretly confederated with Lodouike, and yet promiſed Ferdinand that he would defend Naples, and Ferdinand ſhould defend the Church.

Ferdinand further made peace with Maximilian king of Romans, lately choſen Emperour: Lodouike on the other ſide, to winne the Emperour from him, gaue in mariage to the Emperour Marie Blanche ſiſter of Iohn Galeas, with promiſe of foure hundred thouſand ducats, whereupon the Emperour more eſteeming the mony, then his new brother in law, gaue the inueſtiture of ye duchie of Millain vnto Lodouike: pretending that ſince the death of Philip Viſcont Mary there had bene no lawfull duke thereof.

The French king hereupon ſent Peron de la Baſcha, embaſſadour to the Pope, the Florentines, and the Venetians: where albeit he receiued onely comforts in generalitie, (for that the warres were put off till the next yeare) yet Ferdinand ſeeing all things now like to come to naught, fel into penſiueneſſe, and ſo into an Apoplexie, & died, whoſe ſonne Alfonſo ſucceeded, and entred league with Pope Alexander, as his father did. But diſcouering the trecheries of Lodouike, he ſent away his ambaſſadour, he ſequeſtred the reuenues of the duchie of Barrie, and by all meanes endeuoured alſo to alienate from him the citie of Geane: yea (that which the deuil himſelf would ſcarcely haue done) he ſent to the Turke Baiazet Ottoman, aſſuring him that Charles the French king after the conqueſt of Italie, had a meaning to ſet vppon Greece, and therefore he ſhould helpe in this common caſe. He ſent his nephew forthwith to ſurpriſe Geane: but Lois duke of Orleance preuented him.

Now began Italie to thinke of her weakenes, & the Pope commanded the king not to enter: Peter de Medices and ye Florentines (who were euer French heretofore) declared them ſelues againſt the king: the Venecians were content to ſtande neuter. Lodouike vpon better aduice, began to feare that the conquering Naples, would alſo ſwallow vp Millaine, and therefore began now to caſt how to make an accord as ſoone as ye king were paſt the Alpes: hoping to make Alphonſo tributarie to France, and thereby to aſſure his owne eſtate. Now began prodigious ſights to be ſeene: as in Puglia, three Sunnes enuironed with cloudes, and horrible thundering. In Arezzo armies of men and horſes, in the aire, with drummes and trumpets, and diuerſe Images ſweating.

The Colonoys ioine with the French, Lodouike accompanieth them, Peter de Medices becommeth his friend, and the Piſans, the Pope, the Venecians, and Lodouike in greater feare then euer tofore: for that Charles paſſed like a thunder through Italie, with great ſucceſſe. Charles entereth Rome, kiſſeth the Popes feete, and ioyneth with him in league defenſiue: the Cardinall of Valence, ſonne to the Pope, is appointed three monethes to followe the king toward Naples.

The Neapolitans ſhew that they neither loued Ferdinand the father, nor Alfonſo the ſonne, which brought him in great perplexitie, and ſo much the more, for that the ſpirite of Ferdinand (as it was thought) appeared to his chiefe ſurgeon, willing him to tell Alfonſo, that it was in vain for him to reſiſt the French king, it was determined their race ſhould faile in reſpect of diuerſe their great ſinnes, and eſpecially for the thing that they reſolued in Saint Leonards Church in Chiaie, which was to put a number of the novilitie to death. Hereupon Alfonſo tormented in conſcience, priuily ſtole away into Sicilia, with foure gallies, whereby the French king with great eaſe got this noble kingdome: as the Romane who ſaid, Veni, vidi, vici. Howbeit, Ferdinand ſonne of Alfonſo tooke on him the title of the king, and defence of the kingdome. But within ſhort ſpace hee was driuen to flie into Iskia.

At this time the noble captaine Iean Iaques de Trinulce of Capua. gaue himſelfe to the king, and offered to bring Ferdinand to ſome good compoſition: whereof the king willingly accepted: ſo that hee woulde forgo Naples, in reſpect whereof, he offered to giue him other eſtates in Fraunce. This was the fruite of diſcorde and ambition in the manie little eſtates of Italie, whereof none was able to defende it ſelfe ſeuerally, and ioyntly might haue done greater things.

The ſecond Booke.

THe Piſans deſire to caſt off the yoke of the Florentines, and ſubmit themſelues to the French: the Florentines prepare to warre vpon them, and in the meane time fall at difference among them ſelues for the forme of their owne gouernement: touching the which Soderin and Veſpucci made two excellent Orations, one for Democratie, the other for Ariſtocratie, the which had preuailed, had not the authoritie of Frier Sauinorola carried it away, who like a Prophet in the middeſt of their quietneſſe foretolde them all the miſeries of Italie by ſtrangers to come.

The Pope is ſuſpected to haue poiſoned Gemin Ottoman, being corrupted thereunto by the Turke, for feare hee ſhoulde aide the French king againſt him, after his conqueſt of Italie, Lodouike Sforce and the Venetians, ſeeing the incredible ſucceſſe of king Charles, feared now bondage to themſelues, and began to league together, bringing thereunto the Pope, the king of Romanes, and the king of Spaine. The Florentines were alſo dealt withall, but what for feare, and what for lothneſſe to leeſe the traffike of Fraunce they helde backe.

Notwithſtanding yt the king heard of this league, yet he cauſed himſelfe to be crowned before hee woulde depart from Naples, and treated verie earneſt amitie with the Pope, who made to him faire ſemblant and promiſe, and yet he ſo little truſted the king, that at his returne from Naples by Rome, the Pope forſooke Rome, and went ſecretly to Orbieta, and from thence to Perugia, and ſo to Ancona, to haue commoditie of the ſea, if neede ſhoulde require. The king in the mean time paſſed by Siena, and Piſa, and the confederates had a meaning to ſtop his paſſage into France: but their hearts fayled them at the firſt. After aſſembling an armie neere the riuer Taro, vnder the conduct of the marques of Mantua, they fought a long battell, where the baſtard of Burbon was ſlaine, and the king almoſt taken priſoner, had he not bene well horſed: and yet in the ende the Frenchmen had the honour of the field, at which time it was noted that the ſouldiers of Lodouike would not fight, as though he had bene in as much danger of the Venetians, as of the Frenchmens victorie.

The inſolent gouernement of the Frenchmen (who can better win then keepe) became odious, and conſequently Ferdinand in hope to recouer Naples. But at the firſt incounter, his horſe was ſlaine vnder him, and himſelf had beene vndoubtedly ſlaine, had not an olde page of his, brother to the duke of Termini, horſed him vpon his owne horſe, and ſuffred himſelfe to be ſlaine for him, a rare example in our time. Within a while after the Neapolitans of themſelues receyued Ferdinand, and the Frenchmen retyre to the Caſtell.

Nouaria and other places are beſieged by the king, and the Bailie of Diuion, who being willed by the king to ſend for ten thouſand Switchers, there came twentie thouſand at the compoſition of Nouaria: and a peace beginginneth to be treated betweene the king and Lodouike: touching the which, Monſieur de la Tremouille, and the prince of Orange, made two contrarie Orations, and the duke of Orleance gaineſayd the peace ſo earneſtly, that he gaue the prince of Orange the lie. Howbeit the king and the greater part being inclined to peace, and deſirous to returne into France, the king departed ſuddenly to Thurin, for that the Swiſſers murmured, threatning to take him priſoner for lacke of pay: for that Lewis the eleuenth, was woont euer to pay them for three moneths: wherevnto the king was faine to yeelde, though he were eſcaped himſelfe out of their daungers, for that they had taken priſoners the Bailie of Diuion, and other Captaines. At the time that the Frenchmen helde Naples, the horrible diſeaſe of the pockes, a thing then vncurable, began in moſt pitifull vlcers and cankers.

The third Booke.

THis vnwiſe and ſudden returne of king Charles, put all Italie in hope to be at reſt from any more ſuch plagues, and among the reſt Lodouike thinking that he had ſo farre offended the king, as it was but follie to keepe that peace, which he neuer meant further then for the holding of Nouaria, and for his own ſafetie, ſearched forthwith ſome honeſt colour to ſlippe from the king, and to ſet ſome other ſtates at oddes with him, which hee did with ſuch ſucceſſe, that he termed himſelfe, The ſonne of Fortune. And yet within a while after, hearing of the kings full reſolution to returne againe into Italie, he was marueilouſly perplexed, inſomuch that once againe he practiſed capitulations with the king: wherein he would haue accorded euery article, ſauing that they could neuer truſt one another by reaſon of the great iniuries ſecretly paſſed and yet certainly knowne.

Ferdinand in the meane time with all diligence beſtirreth himſelfe, taketh Nuceria, treateth with the Venetians, who accept of his friendſhip (and take Piſa into protection) ioyneth with the Marques of Mantua, and fought with Mont Penſier, and his Switchers at Nuceria, and by reaſon of the ſlacknes of king Charles, who neither kept appointment in comming himſelfe, nor ſending ſuccours, preuayled greatly in the kingdome of Naples. But alas ſo deſtinie would, he died in the middeſt of his hope and glorie without children (according to the viſion) being the firſt king of that Realme, within three yeeres: whom his vncle Don Fredericke ſucceeded.

Lodouike ſeeing the French kings returne into Italy begin to wax cold, he became verie iollie, and thinking to ſerue his turne with the king of Romanes, as he had done by the king of France, that is to ſay, to terrifie the great eſtates, and in the meane time to gaine the ſmaller, he perſwaded with ſixe hundred thouſand ducats Maximilian to come into Italie. Maximilian on the other ſide meant as ſubtilly, as he ſecretly, purpoſing to win the kingdome of Naples for Iohn heire to the king of Spaine, his ſonne in law: which Lodouike perceyuing, was ſore aſtoniſhed, and yet in the end wan him to Fredericke.

The Venetians became now iealous of Maximilian, and Lodouike, and therefore ſent Hannibal Bentiuole to Piſa, and ſo much the rather, for that they being troubled by Peter of Medices, and otherwiſe, and forſaken in their need by the Frenchmen, were dealt withall by Lodouike, to ſubmit themſelues to Maximilian.

The Pope thinking himſelfe now to haue opportunitie to occupie the eſtates of the Vrſins, the chiefe of them being detained at Naples, declared Virginio, and the reſt rebels, for taking ſolde of the French, and ſo ioyning with the Colonoys, aſſayled them on all ſides, to the diſpleaſure of the Venetians, who meant to gaine that familie: but that in theſe daungerous times, opportunitie ſerued not to fall out with the Pope. Lodouike albeit that he profeſſed himſelfe altogether to the Venetians, extolling Iohn Galeas, the firſt duke of Millaine, who made them executors of his teſtament, and acknowledging that to their great charge thei had defended his eſtate: yet his teeth ſo watred at Piſa, which they had gotten, yt he cauſed the Pope & the Emperor to perſwade, that it was neceſſarie to reſtore Piſa, to Florence, for feare of giuing cauſe of the French kings returne: thinking vpon the reſtitution to get it himſelfe: but the Venetian ambaſſador impugned it with greater reaſons.

At this time Aluiano aſſiſted by the Guelphes, ſacked the houſes of the Gibellins, and ſlue Liii. of the chiefe in the Popes territorie, who nothing helped the matter: but ſee the plague of God, his yonger ſonne the Cardinal of Valence ſlue his elder brother duke of Candie, as he rode alone one night in the citie of Rome, for that he thought him to haue greater fauour of their ſiſter Lucrece than himſelfe: in whom as it is thought, the father had as good part as either of them both.

The French king made peace with Spain & ye Switchers, & ment to return into Italy: but pleaſures, and the Cardinall of S. Malo detained him. In the meane time he dieth, and Lewis the xii. duke of Orleans ſucceedeth. At the ſame time Sauinorola was by the Pope put to death.

The fourth Booke.

LEwes the twelfth entituled himſelfe king of Hieruſalem, Naples, and Sicill, and duke of Millaine, entending to conquer the dukedome. Lodouike Sforce being yet more iealous of the Venetians, then of him, aydeth the Florentines to recouer Piſa: the Pope on the other ſide ſecretly bent to fauour the French king, thinking thereby vnawares of the reſt to gaine many things, and in the end the kingdome of Naples, practiſing in the meane time with Fredericke, to marry his daughter to his ſonne the Cardinall of Valence, wherein Lodouike alſo played a part, ſhewing him what a ſtrengthening it ſhould be to him, and what a weakning to the French king: but Fredericke truſting neither of both, vtterly refuſed, which bredde much trouble and practiſe.

The Florentines offer accord to the Venetians, but it will not be receyued: For ſtill they defend Piſa. The Cardinall of Valence before the Pope and his Cardinals, renounceth his Cardinals hat: and prepareth to go into France, where he was from Cardinal of Valence made duke of Valence, a citie in Daulphinoys by the French king, for that the Pope had promiſed him to diuorce the French Queene for ſterilitie, which he performed. Hauing this new ſouldier, the king made peace with all his neighbours, and bendeth towards Italie, and requireth Piſa to be left in his hands. The Venetians are in great doubt, whether they may ioyne with the king, or no. Grimanni and Treuiſan make excellent orations to that purpoſe: in the ende they ioyne, and that in ſuch a ſecrete and ſtraight league, as Lodouike could not ſounde in a great while after: but when hee vnderſtood it, he was greatly aſtoniſhed at it, and to draw the Venetians againe from the French, he practiſed a reconcilement betwene the Florētines & them. In the end neither they nor the Pope, nor the Swiſſers, nor Maximiliā, (who he thought would neuer haue ioined league without comprehending him) would ſuccour him: but all fayled him in the middeſt of his comming. Then hee bent himſelfe to the fortifying of his owne, but putting ſuch gouernours in truſt, as had more fauour then vertue (a common fault in princes) he loſt one towne after another, and was driuen to forſake Millaine himſelfe, and to fortifie the caſtell: but the Towne within yeelded to the French, which newes being brought to the king at Lyons, himſelfe paſſed the mounts in perſon, and came to Millaine, where he compounded with al the ſtates of Italie, except Fredericke. In this meane ſpace the newe duke Valentinois, who troubled Romagna, and the vicars thereof, ioyned with the French. And Baiazet Ottoman aſſayled ſuch places as the Venetians held in Greece, and with ſixe hundred horſe pilled the countrey of Friuly. And after him the duke Valentinoys tooke the Countrey, and a moſt valiant ladie of the place priſoner, and fearing her valew, ſent her priſoner to Rome. The French king after the taking of the Duchie of Millaine, and that he had made truce with the king of Romanes, he returned into France, leauing ſufficient force in Italie, making the cardinal of Amboyſe his lieutenant, and Monſieur Tremouille, Captaine. Lodouike immediately recouered Como, and the Gibellins thereupon in Millaine reuolted from the French (and Trinulcio and the Frenchmen ſecretely ſtole away) hee tooke alſo Vigenene and Nouaria, but there was he betraid by the Swiſſers: & yet were they contented that he and his brothers Galeas de S. Seuerin la fracaſe, & Antonie Maria ſhould ſteale away in the habite of Swiſſers: but they were all diſcried, and hee caried away into France, and the cardinal Aſcagnio who ſcaped, was deliuered to the king by the Venetians, contrarie to the olde dignitie of that ſtate. Lodouike was brought to Lyons, whom the king would not vouchſafe to fee, notwithſtanding his late greatneſſe and excellent wit: but was committed there to cloſe priſon, where after ten yeares hee miſerably ended his life. The Cardinall Aſcagnio was impriſoned in the great tower at Burdeaux, where the king himſelfe that ſent him thither, was himſelfe priſoner two yeares.

The fift Booke.

THis conqueſt of Millaine by the French, made Maximilian bethinke himſelfe what a ſhame it was to him to leeſe ſuch a fee of the Empire, and to ſuffer Lodouike thus to be caried away, who had put himſelfe into his protection, whereuppon hee declared himſelfe againſt the French king, and the Venetians, perſwading the electours and ſtates of Germanie in time to reſiſt their ambition and violence.

The French king proceedeth further to ſuccour the Florentines againſt Piſa, taketh Bolognia into his protection, and putteth garriſon into Pietre Sancte: but findeth ſuch euill ſucceſſe in his forces againſt Piſa, that he greatly ſtormeth at it, and offereth further power, which the Florentines in diſpaire refuſe: finally, though he were angrie with the Pope, in that he fayled him at Millaine: yet by the working of the duke Valentinois, Caeſar Borgeas, he now accordeth with him.

The duke in the meane time taketh Peſara and Rimini, and beſiegeth Fauentia: but was ſo mightily reſiſted by the inhabitants, not inured to warre, that conſidering his forces and excellent captaines, he was almoſt mad, and ſware the next ſpring, either to winne, or to die.

The French king by meanes of the Archduke (for whoſe young ſonne Charles being then but three yeres old, he offered his daughter Claude of the ſame age) made a truce with Maximilian, who moſt diſhonourably made no mention of the king of Naples: notwithſtanding that he had receiued fortie thouſand ducats, and a bond for a penſion to that end.

The French king thus being ſure of the Germains, and making no doubt to obtaine the inueſtiture of Millaine, by the helpe of the Archduke, turned all his thoughtes vnto Naples, and fearing leaſt the kings of Spaine ſhould oppoſe themſelues, and that the Pope and the Venetians ſhould be iealous of his greatneſſe, he now began to think it the ſureſt way to deuide it with Ferdinand king of Spaine, who alſo pretended a certaine right to it: ſo that the one not to be hindered in the whole, the other to haue part of that hee had long deſired, they reſolued at one time to ſet vppon it. The French king hauing Naples, Terra de lauaro, and Abruzzo, the Spaniſh king Puglia, and Calabria, but this ſhould be kept ſecret vntill ſuch time as the French armie were come to Rome.

The duke Valentinoys beſiegeth againe Fauentia, & ſo forceth it that they yeeld vpon condition that their young duke Aſtor, a faire prince of xviii. yeres, might inioy his libertie and reuenue: but this incarnate deuill ſent him to Rome, where after he had bene abuſed by a worſe deuill then himſelfe, in ſuch ſort as may not be expreſſed, he and a baſtard brother of his were ſecretely murthered. The duke paſſeth on and plagueth Florence, and from thence to Bolognia: but there the French king commaundeth him to ſtay, for that hee had taken the Bentiuols & that ſtate into his protection. He then returneth to Florēce, & there falleth to capitulation, after ſurpriſing certaine places of the lord of Plombin, he returneth to Rome, and ioyneth with the French king.

Frederick being thus aſſailed by theſe two mighty kings, being more inwardly angrie with the king of Spaine his friend, then with the French king his enemie capitulated with ye French, and went himſelfe into France, where he had the dukedome of Aniow, and thirtie thouſand ducats penſion. At the ſame time Gonſaluo for the Spaniſh king tooke Calabria, and Ferdinands eldeſt ſonne by compoſition: and contrarie to his oath ſent him into Spain.

The French king finding his proſperitie to be enuied of the Venetians, deſired to keepe league with Maximilian, and to warre vpon them: but the diſagreeing of the French and Spaniſh captaines in the kingdome of Naples, (for that the borders were not well abutted in the diuiſion) diuerted the French king to the Spaniſh wars: where finding himſelfe the ſtronger, he proteſted warre againſt Gonſaluo, if forthwith he gaue not vp his Captainſhip, and to that end ſent two thouſand Switzers, and entertained the princes of Salern, and Biſignan.

The duke Valentinois taketh Vrbin and after Camerin, and repaireth to the king, who was come to Vrbin, and ſo to Aſt, where finding great grace, he put all the ſtates of Italie in great feare, inſomuch that ſecretly diuerſe of them were driuen to confederate agaynſt him. In the which meane ſpace Gindobaldo duke of Vrbin, by a ſecrete traine of the inhabitants recouered his eſtate, and yet within a while after is driuen to flie to Venice.

The Pope and his ſonne plagued the familie of the Vrſins, the Pope poyſoned the Cardinall Vrſin, his ſon ſtrangled Paule Vrſin.

The French proſperity began now to decline in Naples, aſwell by their negligence and inſolencie, as by the warre: wherein Mōſieur de la Paliſſe, and diuerſe others were taken priſoners. At the length certaine bragges in words falling out on both ſides, it was agreed that there ſhould be a combat of thirteene Italians againſt thirteene Frenchmen, in which fight Albemount an Italian being firſt ouerthrowne, and after him Miale, with their ſwordes they killed the horſes of the Frenchmen, and ſo tooke them all priſoners ſauing one: who was ſlaine after he had ouerthrowne Albemount.

After this the Frenchmens hearts fayled, and peace grewe to bee treated: which not withſtanding Gonſaluo made ſtill warre, taking no knowledge thereof, and tooke priſoner Monſieur de Aubigny in the ſame place, wherewith in fewe yeares before, he diſcomfited Gonſaluo, and the forces of Ferdinand, being a moſt excellent captain, after that at Cirignole he gaue the French an other ouerthrow, where Monſieur de Nemours was ſlaine: finally he paſſed through Melfe, and tooke Naples.

The ſixt Booke.

LEwis the French king hearing of the loſſe of Naples, of his armies and captains, when hee leaſt thought of warre: complained himſelfe highly to the Archduke, thinking that whiles he treated peace with his father in law ye king of Spaine, to be reuenged: the king & Queene of Spaine on the other ſide drewe the treatiſe long, both to appoynt themſelues, and to diſappoint the French king: in the ende being ſore preſſed by the Archduke, they beganne to quarrell with the Archduke himſelfe, ſaying that hee paſſed both his inſtructions and commiſſion, in making ſuch a diſhonourable peace as they neuer meant to make, and much leſſe to keepe: whereupon the French king prepareth to aſſaile Naples both by ſea and land. But in the meane time Gonſaluo taketh the caſtell of Naples, and beſiegeth Caiette.

Euen as fortune began to faile the Frenchmen, ſo did the Pope & his ſon, gathering by his dealings with them of Bolognia & Tuſcan, that there was no farther good to be done by him. And therefore being required to declare themſelues for him, they anſwered in dark ambiguities like Apollos oracles, for the father neuer did as he ſaid, nor ye ſonne neuer ſaid that which he did. In the end vpon much treatie, the Pope was content the French armie ſhould paſſe through the territories of the Church, and that he would not meddle with the Florentines, Sienois, nor Bolognians, during the warres, which the French king nothing beleeued, if fortune frowned. But ſee the end of this Pope, as he went to ſuppe in a certaine Vineyard neare the Vatican, with Adrian, Cardinall of Cornetta, he was ſuddenly brought forth dead, being all blacke blowne, and hideous to looke on: his ſonne alſo was brought foorth for dead, who hauing brought two flagons of impoiſoned wine, to poyſon the poore cardinal, by gods iudgement poiſoned his father, & himſelfe, & yet vſing foorthwith counterpoiſons, knowing the baite, he ſaued his life: but lay long ſicke, which quayled all his deuiſes, eſpecially in chooſing the Pope, which was Pius 3. too good a man to liue long in that place: ſo that he dying within a few moneths, Iulius the ſeconde was choſen.

In the meane time the duke Valentinois is courſed by the Vrſins, driuen to reconcile himſelfe to the Colonois, conſtrained to flie into the caſtle ſaint Angelo. Ceſena and other places reuolt from him to the Church againe: the Venetians are alſo in hope hereby to get Romagna, and ſoone after they take Fauentia, wherof the Pope much complaineth. And in the meane time areſteth the duke Valentinois, and impriſoneth him in the Vatican. Thus his power that ſuddenly grewe great by crueltie, deceyt, and the Church, came as ſuddenly to nothing againe.

The French king maketh warres toward Spain with ſmall profit, whervpon for thoſe parts a truce is taken, & all the bent is to Naples. Aluiano and diuerſe Vrſins ioyne with Gonſaluo, which greatly encourageth him. The Frenchmen are repulſed at Garillani, in ſome diſorder, & returne to Caiette, which after Gonſaluo taketh partly by force, partly by compoſition, and after is called by no other name, but the great captaine.

At this time was there a peace made betweene the Venetians, and Baiazet Ottoman, who vnlike to his father, was giuen to ſtudie and learning. At this time alſo the Portingales did make their maruaylous nauigation of Eaſt Indies, paſſing the equinoctiall, leaſing the vſe of the Northwind and Loadſrone, bringing great ſpiceries and other riches: but the nauigation of Spaniards vnder Chriſtophoro Colombo a Geneuois, was farre more maruaylous, who ſayling thirtie dayes weſtwarde, diſcouered certaine Iſles neuer knowne before: and after both hee and Veſpuccius paſſing further, found firme lande, and diuerſe ciuill nations, not hauing the vſe of armes, but much golde and ſiluer. &c.

The duke Valentinoys about this time eſcaped out of priſon to Naples, where Gonſaluo taketh him, and ſendeth him captiue into Spaine, and a truce is taken betweene the kings of Fraunce and Spaine. Fredericke being out of hope of recouering his kingdome of Naples, died, and after him Queene Elizabeth of Spaine: wherevpon ſome differences were like to ariſe betweene the Archduke and the Spaniſh king, for the gouernement of Caſtilia.

About this time it may not be forgotten, that Cardinall Hippolite of Eſca, being in loue with a yong damoſel his kinſwoman (who made more account of his baſtard brother) aſked her what was ye cauſe why ſhe ſo greatly loued a baſtard, and ſhe anſwered his ſweete and amiable eyes: whereupon one day as he rid on hunting, he cauſed his brother to diſmount, and commaunded his footmen in his preſence to plucke out his eyes, ſaying he liked no ſuch companions in loue.

The ſeuenth Booke.

PHillip the archduke began to entitle himſelfe king of Caſtile, not being content that his father in law ſhould gouerne, hauing no better intereſt then the appointment of his wife when ſhe lay in extremitie. And the king of Romanes being hartned with the greatnes of his ſonne, purpoſeth to enter into Italie. The French king hauing them al in ielouſy (though he were verie angry with the Pope, for vſurping vpon the ſpiritual liuings in Millaine) yet leaſt he ſhould ſtand alone, he treateth with the Pope, making quarrell to Venice, for that he knew it a thing acceptable to him.

Phillip prepareth by ſea to inuade Spaine, and is by ſtorme driuen into England, where he is honorably receiued by Henrie the ſeuenth, and newly furniſhed for his voyage, vpon condition that he ſhould deliuer the duke of Suffolke whom he had priſoner in the caſtell of Namures. Phillip yeeldeth, and requireth that he might not be put to death, though he pretended right to the crowne, whereunto king Henry the ſeuenth condiſcended, but Henrie the eight afterwarde ſtrake off his heade. Phillip goeth forward, and by capitulation obtaineth the kingdome of Caſtile, but dieth within a while after.

The French king is deſirous to bee reuenged vpon Venice: but firſt marrieth his daughter Madame Claude vnto Francis of Angoleſme afterward king. The Emperour treateth with the Venetians to paſſe through their territories to be crowned at Rome. The Pope enterpriſed the recouerie of Bolognia vnder the conduct of ye Marques of Mantua, the Bolognians require ayde of the French king, according to their protection: but in fine the poore Bentiuoles in ſtead of a protection had a faire ſafe conduct of Monſieur Chaumont, for which they payed dearly, and loſt the ſtate to the Church.

The Geneuoys rebell againſt the French king, and fell alſo at ciuil diſcord, the Gibelines fauouring the Adornes, and the Guelphes the Fregoſes, euery man deſiring to bring the gouernment to his friendes, Monſieur de Chaumont ſetteth vpon them, and maketh them yeeld the towne to the diſcretion of the king, who there entered in perſon, and pardoned all, ſauing threeſcore.

Ferdinand king of Aragon, and the French king, appoynted a meeting at Sauona, and there they put themſelues one in anothers power, as though there neuer had beene enmitie betweene them. Where ſupping together, none but the two kings and the Queene, the French king would needes haue Gonſaluo make the fourth, being in admiration of his fame, his perſon, his maieſtie in geſture and ſpeech. After this tyme this great Captaine had neuer great occaſion to exerciſe his vertue. The ende of their great conference was, that they two and the Emperour ſhoulde ioyne agaynſt the Venetians.

The Emperour on the other ſide held a decree at Conſtance, for the encountering of the French king in Italie, and to that end treated with the Pope, profeſſing himſelfe a protector of the Church, and an enemie of the French vſurpation in Italie, who meaned (quoth he) to make the Cardinall of Amboyſe Pope, and himſelfe Emperour.

This troubled the king, who was ſure neither of the Pope, nor of the Venetians: and the Venetians were much perplexed, whether they ſhoulde ioyne with the king, or the Emperour: to which poyntes Foskarin and Gritti made excellent orations. In fine they anſwered the Ambaſſadour of the Emperour who demaunded paſſage, that if he came armed, he ſhoulde haue no paſſage: if otherwiſe they ſhoulde doe him all honour poſſible. He marcheth on notwithſtanding, and gaineth ſomething: but for want of good reſolution looſeth againe.

The eight Booke.

NOw do the Emperour and the Venetians fall to treatiſe of league, which maketh all Italie more afraid then euer before, which had beene alreadie greatly tormented by the ambition of princes: and ſpecially by the Venetians, who made their profite of euery peace, and euery warre, and euen in this league with Caeſar, they demeaned themſelues ſo cunningly, that they nowe gaue cauſe both to the Emperour and the French king, to ioyne together againſt them, whereupon the Pope fayled not to encourage them, inſomuch that for the Emperour Madame Marguiret his daughter, gouerneſſe of Flanders, for the French king, the Cardinall of Amboyſe, and for Spaine. The Ambaſſador ſware this league at Cambray. The Venetians miſtruſting falſe meaſure, had their ambaſſadour there alſo to awaite what was done, but the Cardinall ſware ſo many othes, that the French king his maiſter woulde keepe his league with Venice, and that his meeting was to make peace betweene the Archduke, and the duke of Guelders, that hee made him and the Venetians verie ſecure.

This league was helde verie ſecrete, but the Pope taking the aduauntage thereof, demaunded of them Rimini, and Fauentia, which they had taken from the Church, vttering that whereas the greateſt princes in Chriſtendome were ioyned agaynſt them, he would alſo ioyne, if they denied him his demaund. The Senate was deepely amazed, and diuided in opinion touching the reſtitution, and in fine were reſolued to reſtore, had not Treuiſan, a man of high eſtate next the duke, moſt earneſtly diſſwaded them, which they repented: for the Pope ratified the treatiſe of Cambray, and ſo all Chriſtendome in effect armed againſt them. And beſides that they had theſe euill ſignes and preſages, a ſhippe of theirs was drowned with tenne thouſande ducats. The Caſtell of Breſſe was ſtriken with thunder, their tower of records ſuddenly fell downe, their Arſenall was burnt, twelue gallies, their ſalt peter, powder, and munition was conſumed.

The French king accompanied with the duke of Loraine and nobilitie of Fraunce paſſed the Alpes, and ſent Monſieur de Chaumont afore to ſet vpon them. The Pope publiſhed a bull againſt them.

The French armie ouerthroweth their battaile at Gniaradadde, taketh priſoner their chiefe Captaine Bartholomeo Aluiano, who was wounded in the eye, as for the other Captaine, the Countie Petylian, he ſtirred not, nor would aduenture all vpon one day, the which if hee had done, it is thought hee had ouercome: and yet his not venturing was not miſliked.

Theſe newes aſtoniſhed almoſt vnto deſperation the Venetians: and yet that noble and graue ſtate, neyther fell to diſſention among themſelues, nor ſpake ſo much as a worde of reproch one to another, touching their counſayles, that cauſed this ſucceſſe: which was ſomuch the more lamentable, for that all the Countreys ſubiect vnto them, in this their miſerie beganne to ſorſake them, in ſhort, they thought it the onely way to trie by ſubmiſſion and intreatie, to diuide either the Pope or the Emperour from the French king, of whom they diſpaired. The Pope gaue ſmall comfort, and the Emperour leſſe, without the French kings conſent.

Thus the one of them gained on the one ſide, and the other on the other ſide, and the Venetians are driuen to vtter extremitie: now the ſtates of Italy, and eſpecially the Pope, ſeeing ye imminent daungers ouer their owne heades, began nowe to thinke what a faire threed they had ſpoonne, if the fall and ruine of Venice did bring into Italie two ſuch mightie princes on their necks: wherefore hee giueth audience to their ſixe Ambaſſadours that moſt heauily and wofully demaunded pardon: giuing the Ambaſſadours of the confederates to vnderſtand, that the Church ought not to ſhut her boſome to ſuch as returne. Now began Treuiſan to ſtand to them, and ſhortly after they recouer Padua from the Emperour, they take the Marques of Mantua priſoner.

Shortly after the French king making a league defenſiue with the Pope, returneth into Fraunce. The Emperour bendeth all his forces to recouer Padua: the Venetians for the defence thereof, ſend all the yong noble and gentlemens ſonnes: with which policie the people tooke ſuch comfort, that beyond expectation they ſo defend them ſelues, that the ſiege is rayſed, and the Emperor returneth into Allemaigne, with little profite.

The Cardinall of Amboyſe hoping thereby in time to be Pope, reconcileth the Emperour and the catholike king, wherein he did his maiſter ſmall ſeruice. The Countie Petilian dieth: the Pope abſolueth the Venetians.

The ninth Booke.

The Pope not onely abſolueth the Venetians, but doth as it were take them into protection, intending to reconcile them to the Emperour, and to ſet him againſt the French king, and finally to driue the Frenchmen out of Italie: but the Emperour woulde not heare of it without Verona were yeelded vnto him, whereuppon the Pope practiſeth with the Swiſſers by the meanes of the Biſhop of Sion, who now were verie proude, for that they were ſo deſired of all nations, perſwading themſelues that all the victories of king Charles and king Lewis came by them, and therefore picked quarrels with the king touching their penſions. The Pope in like ſort picked quarrell to the duke of Ferrara for his dependancie on the French, being ſo much benefited and honoured by him. The Emperour & the French king on the other ſide ſmelling his drift, to touch as well the intereſt of the one, as the other of them, knitte themſelues againe faſt againſt Venice. And Monſieur de Chaumont for the king, and the prince of Henault for the Emperour ioyning together, draue backe the Venetian armie, and approching to Vincentia, the Vincentines being deſtitute of helpe, ſent an Ambaſſadour to them, who made a verie pitifull oration, the which the prince of Henault anſwered with great vigor like a barbarous Dutchman. In fine they yeelded at their diſcretion, and Monſieur Chaumont treated for them, telling the prince of Henault that hee ought to haue more regard to the greatneſſe and glorie of Caeſar, then to the fault of the poore miſerable men, who depended on others, greater then themſelues.

After this were taken Legnague, Montſilice and other places, & Monſieur de Chaumont was commanded to returne to Millain, for certaine broiles there kindled cloſely by the Pope, at which time dieth the Cardinall of Amboyſe, which greatly hindred ye french: for that ye king being apter to be directed, then to direct, neuer had the like confidence in any man. After his death, the Pope flatly requireth the king to giue ouer his protection of Ferrara, the king anſwereth yt he cannot do it with his honor, and ſo ſtomacke groweth betweene them. The Pope in the meane time eggeth on the Swiſſers, who being angry that the king would not increaſe their penſions, were ready enough and diſcended toward Millain. The Venetians in ye mean time, while Mōſieur de Chaumont was there occupied, recouered moſt part of their towns, & beſieged Verona: the marques of Mātua ſcaped out of priſon at Venice by the ſecrete meanes of Baiazet the great Turke, who had before ſhewed many friendly parts to the Marques.

The Pope purpoſeth to ſet vpon Geane, and many other things that tooke no effect: the king on the other ſide, to anger him, meaneth to defende the duke of Ferrara, and ſtill to continue friendſhip with the Emperour, ſo that the Pope was driuen to leaue his thoughts of getting other mens, and to thinke vpon defending his owne: for within a while after he was beſieged by Monſieur de Chaumont in Bolognia: but after a while he was content vpon great occaſions to leaue the ſiege, which done, the Pope complained himſelfe to all princes Chriſtian of the French king.

The Pope ceaſeth not thus, but falleth to warres ſtill, beſiegeth Mirandola, is there preſent in perſon, no leſſe buſie in bodie then in minde, riding and going to and fro like a captaine, and in the end winneth it: wherat the French king is ſo angrie, that he ſendeth inſtructions to Monſieur de Chaumont, not onely to defend Ferrara: but alſo by all meanes to plague the territories of the Church: the Pope in the meane time is content that Modena ſhould be yeelded to the Emperiall, for feare it ſhould fal into the hands of the French. And the noble captaine Monſieur de Chaumont dieth, and Trinulce is made a Marſhall of Fraunce, and Caeſar contrarie to his treatiſe with the French king, is content to hearken to peace.

After the death of Monſieur de Chaumont, Gaſton de Foix, a valiant yong Gentleman, and the kings ſiſters ſonne began to haue charge.

The Pope partly to gaine the fauor of princes, partly to be the ſtronger in the councell that was threatned, made eight Cardinals at a clap, and among the reſt, the Archbiſhop of Yorke, thereby to gaine the king of England, and the Biſhop of Sion, by him to gaine the Swiſſers.

Now began a generall peace to be treated at Venice by the Biſhop of Gurce: but the Pope brake it off, wherupon the French king commanded Trinulcio to march on, who tooke Concordia, and after Caſtelfranco and drew towards Bolognia, they falling in great feare, the cardinall of Pauia runneth away. The Bentiuoles return, the popes army flieth, the Pope fretteth, the Cardinal of Pauia draweth toward Rauenna to the Pope, and the duke of Vrbin hating him deadly, by the way drew his dagger, and in the middeſt of his gard ſlue him. After this the Emperour and the French king do publiſh a councell to be holden at Piſa: the lucke whereof the Pope liked not, for that Popes had bene there depoſed at councels holden in former times.

The tenth Booke.

ALl Chriſtendome, and eſpecially al Italie ſtood at the gaze, to ſee what the French king would do after theſe victories: for now it lay in his power (as it ſeemed) to take Rome, and all the ſtates of the Church: but he mooued either with deuotion or feare to bring all princes in his necke, commaunded Trinulcio to leaue Bolognia to the Bentiuoles, and to reſtore the reſt to the Church, and ſo to retire to Millaine.

The Pope nowe to breake the necke of the Piſan Councell, ſummoned by the Emperour and the French king, ſpake his Cardinals fayre, for that fiue of them had giuen conſent to Piſa, and winning backe ſome of them by fayre promiſes, publiſhed an vniuerſall Councell to bee holden at Rome, and beganne to encline to a peace with the French king: but the Emperour dealt with the French king on the other ſide, to helpe him agaynſt the Pope, and the Venetians: but what for his pouertie and inconſtancie, the French king had no great deuotion therunto: the emperor notwithſtanding aduentureth, and is foyled with his French ſuccors by the Venetians: and yet after he taketh Friuly, and within ſhort ſpace looſeth it againe. The pope being newly recouered of a deadly ſickneſſe, beginneth to thinke againe of the chaſing the French out of Italie: the French king on the other ſide begins to be wearie of fighting agaynſt the Church: the Pope leagueth himſelfe with the Venetians, and the Catholique king, to deliuer Italy of ſtraungers, as he pretended.

The time of the Councell of Piſa drawing on, and many French Cardinals and captaines being there, by chance there fell out ſuch a fray among the ſouldiours and ſeruants, in parting whereof, Monſieur de Chaſtillian, and Monſieur de Lautrech were wounded, that the Councell was adiourned to Millaine, where they found more difficulties: for all the Cleargie abſtained from diuine ſeruice, as though profane and execrable perſons, and not Cardinals had entred. This made ye French king ſuſpect the Emperour, and crie out of the Catholique king, who did all contrarie to the league at Cambray: and therefore meaning to deale as falſely as the beſt, he now reſolued to ſet vpon Romagna, but in great doubt of the Swiſſers, who ſent defiance by a trumpetter vnto Gaſton de Foix his lieutenant in Millaine, the king ſendeth great ayde out of Fraunce, and demaundeth helpe of Florence, which is not anſwered to his expectation, by reaſon of diuerſitie of opinions. And that which was worſe, knoweth they had herein diſpleaſed the king, they ſent Guicchiardine the writer of this hiſtorie Ambaſſadour to the king of Arragon, who ſhortly after ioyned with the Pope agaynſt Bolognia, but Monſieur de Foix came with ſuccours, and cauſed the armie to retire, and after that he wanne Breſcia from the Venetians, and ſacked it.

In the midſt of this good lucke, the French king ſuddenly was appalled: for that he heard that the king of England ment to warre vpon him, receyuing ſome ſhips out of Spaine to that purpoſe. Neuertheleſſe Monſieur de Foix goeth on valiantly to Rauenna, to fight with the confederates where was fought the longeſt and nobleſt battell of all others, the Spaniards and Italians ſtriuing againſt the Frenchmen and Almaines for the glory of their nation. And albeit in opinion the French ſeemed to haue the better: yet monſieur de Foix not abiding that the Spaniſh footmen ſhould retire in good order, ſet on them in great furie, and was ſlaine in the height of his glorie. Peter of Nauarre taken priſoner, Monſieur de Viuarets ſlaine before the eyes of his father, Monſieur Allegre, and the father not long after the ſonne. The armie notwithſtanding entereth and ſacketh Rauenna: the Pope is afrayde of the newes, his Cardinals perſwade him to peace, but the king of Aragon to continue, the warres. Iulio de Medici a knight of the Rhodes, afterwarde Pope, recomforteth him alſo in ſuch ſort, that he reſolueth rather to forſake Rome, then to make peace, and ſo much the rather, for that monſieur de la Paliſsie was departed out of Romagna.

The Swiſſers in the meane time paſſe the Alpes by Trent, with leaue of the Emperour towardes Millaine, and there ioyneth with the Venetian armie, Cremona yeeldeth vnto them, and Bergamo, and approching to Millaine, Triuulcio hauing no hope to defend it for want of ſuccor, ſecretly ſtole away into Piemont. Parma, Placentia, Bolognia, and almoſt all Romagna, returne to the Pope, and Geane reuolteth from the French, making Fregoſe the Captaine of the Venetian armie their duke, which dignitie his father once had before him.

The eleuenth Booke.

THe duke of Ferrara finding himſelfe nowe euery way ſo weake and hard beſet (vpon aſſurance of ſafe conduct by the means of the ambaſſadour of Arragon, and Fabricio Colonna) came to Rome, and humbled himſelfe to the Pope, as to remaine Fendatarie of the Church, the Pope would haue the dukedome it ſelfe, or nothing: the conditions being ſo hard, the duke craued pardon, and the benefite of his ſafe conduct to returne home: the Pope denied, and forged other by matters to retaine him priſoner: but the Arragon Ambaſſadour, and Fabricio, for that it ſtood them vpon in honor, came ſuddenly well accompanied the next morning to the gate of Latran, and deliuered him in deſpite of the Popes garde.

The French king was driuen to let the Swiſſers for a time take their pleaſure of Millaine: for that he was aduertiſed that the king of Englande according to a treatiſe before holden, had ſent ſix thouſand footmen to Fowntaraby, ioyntly there to aſſayle the duchie of Gwien, and to ioyne with the Emperour, he had no hope, for that the Biſhop of Marſeilles his Ambaſſadour aſſured him it was in vaine. After this quayling of the French affaires, the Pope, the Emperour, the king of Arragon, the Venetians and Swiſſers, though they were confedered, had euerie one their die vpon Millaine, but the Pope and the Swiſſers fearing the great princes, dealt earneſtly that it might be allotted to Mazimilian the yong ſonne of Lodouike Sforce to bring it from the French.

The viceroy of Naples is ſent with an armie againſt Florence, the Florentines receiue againe the Medici, Prato is taken by the Spaniars. The caſtell of Geane is taken by the Geneuoys, the lanterne of Geane ſtill remaineth French: Breſsia yeeldeth to the Viceroy. Cremonia to the Venetians. The Biſhop of Gurce at Rome, treateth for a common peace.

The feare of the Engliſhmen at Fowntaraby, and the negligence of the French king in not ſuccouring, cauſed the king of Nauarre, to forſake Nauarre and flie to Bearn, among the mount Pyrenes, & without any charge or trauaile gat the kingdome of Nauarre to the king of Aragon, except certaine fortreſſes: the King of Aragon for want of title, pretending that the right thereof was giuen him by the Pope, when he curſed the French King and his adherents. But the French King endeuoureth to reconcile himſelfe both to the King of England and the Swiſſers: at the leaſt he hopeth to winne the Venetians from the league, and ſo with newe forces to recouer Millaine. A better hope then all this was, that Pope Iulius the ſecond nowe died in the middeſt of his proſperitie, and Iean Cardinall de Medici was choſen, named Leo the tenth: by which good accident he did the eaſilier make peace with the Catholique King, and prepared for his purpoſe: for albeit he could not well compaſſe a peace with the King of Englande: yet for that the Engliſh were not well prouided of readie horſed, although their value chiefly conſiſted in footemen (yet nowe by long peace and lacke of vſe being driuen to hyre Almaines) hee thought manie things might be done before that warre came forwarde: wherefore he ſent power to Triuulcio, who ioyning with Aluiano, Captaine of his newe confederates the Venetians, he ſetteth vpon the duchie of Millaine, and recouereth Geane: and after beſiegeth Nouara, where being reſiſted by the Swiſſers, they retired ſeuen miles of: but the Swiſſers to the ende that no ſuccours or Nation might take the glorie from them, like moſt valiaunt ſouldiours hauing neither horſemen nor artillarie, followed Triuulcio, and Monſieur de la Tremouille, and fought a moſt braue battaile with them, gayned their artillarie, ſlue their men with it, and put their gendarmerie to flight, who beaſtlie demeaned themſelues that day: notwithſtanding it may not bee forgotten, that Robert de la March hauing his two ſonnes moſt daungerouſly beſet with Swiſſers, ruſhed like a Tiger into the midſt of them, and fought ſo terribly, that he amazed them, and deliuered his ſons. Aluiano perceiuing the diſcomfiture of the French, retired to Verona and beſieged it, but preuayled not. Padua is beſieged by the Viceroy, and the yong duke of Millaine taketh Pontuica, by the helpe of Antonie de Leua: and the Viceroy finding that he could not take Padua, ſpoyleth the Countrey euen almoſt vnto Venice, & within two miles of Vincentia, the Viceroy Proſper Celonna, & the Marques of Peskara gaue a great ouerthrow to the Venetians, and Aluiano by the cowardiſe of their footmen of Romaigna. At the length Caeſar and the Venetians compromitted their differences to the Pope: and the French king had now nothing left in Italie but the Lanterne of Geane, which alſo was battered by ſea, and defended with ſacks of wooll.

The twelfth Booke.

THe king of England was nowe readie both by ſea and lande to war vpon the French king, & had alſo hyred the Emperor Maximilian with ſixe ſcore thouſand ducats to enter al at one time into Burgundy, hoping alſo that his father in law the Catholique king woulde ioyne with him. The French king beſtirred him to reſiſt theſe great daungers, and ſome what to appall the courage of the Engliſh king, he allured into Fraunce the duke of Suffolke as a competitor of the crowne, but he being nothing diſmaied therewith, in deſpite ſtrake off the dukes brothers head, whom he held before in priſon by the king of Caſtiles means, as you haue heard. The French king farther to trouble him, ſet Iames King of Scots the old enemie of England & confederate of France to warre on that ſide the ſeas vppon him. The Engliſh King was long in preparing his ſubiects being out of vſe, the maner of fight being chaunged, the vſe of their bowes being almoſt gone. Neuertheleſſe in Iuly being greatly furniſhed, his armie camped neare Bullen, and from thence beſieged Terwin: where at the firſt they anſwered not the renowne of their hardineſſe, in that they gaue no hardie aſſault: but within a while after, they ouerthrew three hundred men of armes. The Marques of Rotelin, called duke of Longuile, Captaine Bayard, & Fayette were taken priſoners, and monſieur de la Paliſſe eſcaped hardly, wherewith the French king and all France were ſo amazed, that if the Engliſh King had followed this good fortune, it is thought the gappe was nowe open to take all Fraunce. Terwin was rayſed by the aduiſe of the Emperour, for that the Archduke Charles pretended right vnto it, and the Emperour departed the campe for that hee thought the Engliſhmen to be raſh, and without diſcipline. King Henrie neuertheleſſe paſſed towards Tornay, and tooke it, whereof the French were full glad, fearing his comming farther into Fraunce with his terrible armie of foureſcore thouſand, which perhaps hee had done, if he had had experience, or had beene truly aduertiſed of the diſpoſition of France: but he returned into England, aſſuring the French that he would returne the next ſommer. At this time by chaunce of fire, the richeſt part of all Venice was burnt, and the Pope endeth the differences betweene Caeſar and them.

The league was renued betweene the Spaniſh king and the French king, which greatly diſpleaſed the king of England, who ſayde that this was the third time that his father in lawe had broken promiſe with him.

The French king practiſed with the Pope, and the Pope with the Cardinal of Yorke to reconcile the French and Engliſh King, which tooke place, and the French king marieth ye lady Mary, the king of Englands ſiſter. This was vnpleaſant both to the Emperour and the Spaniſh King, and not pleaſant to the Pope who was the procurer of it, who albeit he loued with ſuch cunning to gaine princes: yet he liked not that this league ſhoulde helpe the French King againe to Millaine.

At this time King Emanuel of Portingale preſented the Pope with two monſtrous Elephants out of India, and Lewis the xii. dieth, and Francis the firſt duke of Angoleſme ſucceedeth, taking the title of the duke of Millaine, & making peace with the King of England and the Archduke: he meaneth to recouer the dukedome. The Emperor, the King of Aragon, the duke of Millaine, the Swiſſers doe league againſt him: the King of England ſendeth him word to Lyons, not to paſſe into Italie to trouble Chriſtendome: the Swiſſers gard the foote & ſtraights of the Alpes againſt him. But he like an induſtrious prince, by the counſaile of Triuulcio, leaueth the two ordinarie wayes of Mountſenis, & Mount Genewre, and paſſeth by extreame toyle of Pioners nearer the ſea by the Cortian Alpes, by the Marquiſate of Saluzzo: and being paſſed before any man thought of him, Monſieur de la Paliſſe tooke Colonna a noble Captaine priſoner at Villefrance as he ſat at dinner, which greatly aſtoniſhed all Italie, inſomuch that the Pope vſed the duke of Sauoy, to excuſe him to the King forthwith.

The King taketh the Countreys of Alexandria and Tortona. The Swiſſers are in diuerſitie of opinions, whether they ſhall hearken to any league with the French, or farther withſtand them. At length the Biſhop of Sion with a very perſwaſiue oration encouraged them to ioyne in one opinion agaynſt the French, and to fight with them neare vnto Marignian, where the firſt day both they and the King fought ſo long, as they could holde weapon in hand, and departed on both ſides, as it were by agreement without ſounde of trumpet.

The next day they raſhly and furiouſly ſet on the French, who kept them ſelues in good order, and cauſed Aluiano with his light horſemen to ſet on their backes, which greatly annoyed them. They fought notwithſtanding moſt valiantly: but yet diſpairing of victorie, for that the Venetian armie approched, they ſounded the retraite: and albeit the artillarie beate them on the backes, yet did they keepe their array towards Millaine, to the wonder of the French, and all that looked on: eſpecially the King, who often eſcaped death and daunger, and Triuulcio, who ſayde they were Giantes and not men, for that he neuer ſawe the like battell.

After this victorie all the duchie of Millaine returned to the King, except the Caſtels of Cremona and Millaine, and the duke and the King fall to compoſition, and Aluiano dieth, and the Pope and the King in louing ſort talke together at Bolognia, and there renuing a league with the Swiſſers, he returned into Fraunce.

Ferdinand king of Aragon, and king of Caſtile, in the right of his wife, the winner of Granado, conquerour of Naples and Nauarre, died without heire male, and the great Captaine Gonſaluo died one moneth before, abſent from the Court, in diſgrace and malcontent.

The death of the king made the French king in hope to get Naples, thinking that the young Archduke Charles ſhoulde bee too much buſied to keepe al his eſtates, but he was diſtourned from that thought by the comming of the Emperour into Lombardie agaynſt him and the Venetians, who ſummoned Millaine, but was faine to recule, for that by delay he loſt all oportunitie.

The Venetians recouer Breſcia, the Pope maketh his nephew Laurence de Medici duke of Vrbin. The King of France and Spaine make a peace at Noyan. The Venetians recouer Verona.

The xiii. Booke.

BEſides ye peace of Noyon, the Kings of Spaine and Fraunce, and the Emperor treat a peace at Cambray, and now great quietneſſe was hoped in all Italie, ſauing that Franceſco Maria de la Rouere being folowed of many Spaniards, went about to recouer ſuch his ſtates as the Pope had taken from him, as Vrbin Fane, and others: driuing the Pope to complaine to the French and Spaniſh Kings, & enter league with ye French, for ayd agaynſt all ſubiects and fendataries of the Church.

The chiefe Captaines of the Spaniards, that folowed Franceſco Maria, namely Maldonat, and Swares, conſpired after certaine victories to betray Franceſco Maria, and to deliuer him vp aliue to his enemie Laurence de Medices, which treaſon Franceſco Maria diſcouering, made ſuch an excellent oration to the Spaniards, that they iudged their owne Captaines worthie to paſſe the pikes, and ſo with their owne hands ſlue them.

At this time Alfonſo Cardinall of Siena, being the Popes creature, moſt vngratefully notwithſtanding conſpired againſt him: and the Cardinals of Cornette, and Volaterra, confeſſed on their knees that he had imparted it to them. Alfonſo the night following was ſecretly ſtrangled in priſon.

The Pope finding himſelfe no more gracious among his colledge of Cardinals, created thirtie new Cardinals at a clappe, ſome for learning, ſome for friendſhip, and ſome for money, which nowe went low with him: and after a few conflicts with the duke of Vrbin at Ancona and Anguiare, he falleth to compoſition by meanes of Don Hugues de Moncada the Viceroy, to his great charge, which the poore Florentines were driuen to defray.

Italy now being at quiet, the Pope began to treat with Chriſten princes againſt Selim the Turke: who ſeeing his father Baiazat to be olde, partly by Ianiſſaries, and partly by poyſon diſpatched his elder brother Achomat, and after his yonger brother Corcut, and all their race, & as the world ſuppoſed, had a meaning to do the like to his own ſon, the better to ſtrengthen his owne dominion for his time, which by his deſperat hardnes was growne great, hauing ouerthrowne the mountains Aduliens, & ye Sophy of Perſia, winning from him his chiefe citie Taurus: and then turned his warres vpon the Sowdan of Soria and Egypt, a moſt mightie prince of country, & by reaſon of the warlike diſcipline of the Mamelukes, & yet neuer ouerthrown but by this Selim, who highly diſdaining that his victories ſhould not be aboue Caeſar, & Alexander, nowe ment to bend toward Chriſtendom, and firſt againſt Rhodes, & Hungary, being verie weake, for that the king was a child, & as ſome thought toward Italy, but this conſult tooke ſo ſmall effect, yt if God had not ſoone after taken away Selim, who left Soliman very yong: all chriſtendome no doubt had ſmarted for this vngodly negligence. Now was peace awhile on euery ſide, and the French & the Engliſh ſo farre leagued togither, that the only daughter of Henrie is promiſed vpon condition to the Dolphin of France. This peace which is an enemie to great warriers, maketh Triuulcio now in his olde age to be in iealouſie with the French king for the Gwelphian faction, Monſieur de Lautreck and other purſue him throughly, the king denieth him his countenance: & he dieth for ſorrow in diſgrace, according as moſt great captaines do.

The emperor Maximilian being now aged, treated with the electors & Pope, to chooſe the king of Romans, Charles of Auſtrich, king of Spain: the French king thinking him to be too great alredie, treated earneſtly to the contrarie, & Maximilian dieth before any thing is done, ſo that the French and Spaniſh kings are nowe moſt earneſt competitours and counterſutours for it. The French King ſpareth neither ſpeach, Ambaſſadors, perſwaſions, nor mony, and is abuſed with hope by ſome of the electours: but in fine Charles of Auſtrich is choſen, the which killeth the heart of the French king and his adherents in Italy, and now the kingdome of Naples, the reſtitution of Nauarre vnto Iohn, and the money accorded at Nayon, begin for deſpite to come in queſtion, and into demaund.

At this time the Pope abuſing all the world with his indulgences, and by the Biſhop of Arembald making a terrible exaction in diuerſe parts of Germanie, to the vſe of his ſiſter Magdalen, gaue occaſion to Martin Luther to preach againſt him, and to renue the doctrine of Iohn Hus, and Ierome of Prage. The which was verie welcom to the wounded mindes of all ſuch as had felt the Popes abuſes, and ſo much the rather, as that the Pope tooke no good courſe to reſiſt it: but perſeuered ſtill in his enormities.

This yeare did Charles the Empeperor ariue in England, not as his father Phillip did by neceſſitie, but of friendſhip, and ſo paſſed into Flanders, and to Aix, and there was crowned: in the meane time ſome broiles aroſe in Spaine, which were appeaſed by his officers.

The xiiii. Booke.

ITalie had at this time a little repoſe, but it could not long continue, by reaſon of the emulation of theſe two great princes, Charles and Frauncis, who could not endure the greatneſſe the one of the other, and eſpecially for that pope Leo was horne madde to want Parma and Placentia, gotten by his predeceſſor pope Iuly, and to ſee that Ferrara ſhould ſo long holde out againſt him, maugre his head: in reſpect whereof he treated amitie with the French King, and hyred ſixe thouſand Swiſſers, and in ſecret they concluded to diuide the kingdome of Naples. In the meane time the French king taking the oportunitie of ſturres in Spaine, ſent Monſieur Aſperrot with a power, & eaſily without reſiſtance recouered ye kingdom of Nauarre. And the Swiſſers refuſing the amitie of Caeſar, ioyned with the French.

The Pope notwithſtanding his league, contracted with ye French king, ioineth alſo in league with the Emperor to defend Florence & the Medici, & to recouer Millaine to Sforce, and Parma and Placentia to the Church. At that very inſtant on S. Peters day at Millaine, there fell fire out of the ayre, which tooke certaine barrels of powder, which ouerthrew a fayre Marble tower, and ſo ſhooke the caſtell and city of Millaine, as a greater portent neuer chaunced vnto them.

The Pope had in ſolde the Marques of Mantua, and Proſpero Colonna, and the king ſent Monſieur Lautreck to defend Millaine by the helpe of the Venetians, whoſe Captaines were Theodore Triuulcio, & Andrew Gritti: who after they had ſkirmiſhed to and fro with the other ſide, about the riuer of Paw: in the ende the Swiſſers hired by the Pope, ſayd that they were content to defend the ſtates of the Church, for which cauſe they were purpoſely hyred: but agaynſt the French King they would not march. On the other ſide, the Swiſſers that were with the French king departed without any bidding farewell, or any worde ſpeaking. The popes army & the Emperors marcheth on towards Millaine: and at the firſt aſſault, the Marques of Peſcara Captain of the Spaniards maketh the Venetians to forſake the walles, and Triuulcio is taken and al Millaine, & al Pauia and Lody, & diuerſe other places yeeld, crying out vpon the French, and reioycing to become imperiall.

Now died pope Leo the tenth (which no doubt much weakned the Emperor, for that his money beganne and entertayned the warre) in whoſe place was choſen Adrian the ſixt a Flemming, by the fauour of Caeſar agaynſt all their minds, for that they thought a ſtranger of that Countrie and education, not verie fit for Italie.

The duke of Vrbin recouereth his eſtate, and with the helpe of Baillous aſiegeth Siena. And ten thouſand Swiſſers of Lucerne contrarie to the minds of Surick & Suith, come ouer the mount Godard and Bernard into Lombardie, to helpe the French king to recouer Millaine: Proſpero Colonna is as buſie on the other ſide to defend it, and Antonio de Leua to defend Pauia. Mōſieur de Lautreck beſiegeth it, which he hopeth in time to get by famine: but their induſtrie within deceyueth his hope. Wherupon Lautreck retireth towards Fraunce, and three thouſand of his Swiſſers were ſlain at Bicoque by the emperiall armie. Lody alſo and Gene were taken by them.

At Lucques at this time Poggio, and Totty, two men of noble familie, vnder colour of priuate enmitie, in the open palace ſlue the Gonfalonier of that citie: but afterward were chaſed by the citizens. Saguſanac Malateſte vſurpeth vpon Rimini.

The xv. Booke.

THe French King being euerie where at peace, his returne into Italy is ſuſpected, and therfore Florence, Geane, Siena, and Luca, are taxed with great ſummes for the maintenance of a continuall armie to defend Naples and Millaine, and Don Charles de Lanoy is made Viceroy of Naples. The Pope taketh his iourney towards Rome, and Charles the Emperour into Spaine, and talketh with king Henrie of England by the way, & they two ioyntly ſent Ambaſſadours to Venice, to perſwade them to leaue the amitie of the French king, and to ioine with the Emperour. The king of England moreouer ſent an Herault to the French king, to proteſt warre againſt him, in caſe he would not make truce with the Emperour for three yeares, the which woulde not be granted: but the league betweene the Emperour and the Venetians ſucceded, and touching the ſame, two excellent orations were made by Andrew Gritti, and George Cornare. While chriſtian princes were thus vndermining and vexing one another, Soliman Ottoman the Turke in perſon with infinite power beſieged the Rhodes: the which though it were to the vttermoſt defended by the grand maiſter and the knights thereof, yet by the negligence of the pope & chriſtian princes, they were faine to yeeld, and on Chriſtmaſſe day the Turke in triumph entered, and dedicated all the Churches to Mahomet.

The French kings armie being now paſſing the Alpes, and himſelfe readie in perſon to follow, he diſcouered that the diſcontented duke of Burbon, Conſtable of Fraunce, was conſpired with the Emperor & the King of England, and ſhould marrie with Elenor the emperours ſiſter, widow of Emanuel late king of Portingale, and that aſſoone as he was ouer the Alpes, the duke of Burbon, and the King of England ſhould ſet vpon Fraunce, and the duke ſhould be King of Prouence, and the King of England ſhould haue the reſt.

Theſe newes, though they appalled and ſtayed the Kings perſon, yet did it breake the attempt, and cauſed the duke to flie in a ſtraunge weede, firſt into la Franche Conte, and after to Millaine. In the meane time, Pope Adrian dieth, and the Cardinal de Medices is choſen, calling himſelfe Clement the ſeuenth.

The French armie being now paſſed the Alpes, Monſieur de Boniuet a French Captain taketh Loda, the reſt of the French power being vnder the conduct of the Admirall before Millaine, were not in great hope to take it, but making diuerſe ſkirmiſhes, ſtill came by the worſt. And ſhortly after retyred from thence, in which meane ſpace the noble Captain Proſpero Colonna died.

The Pope refuſed to be of either ſide, whereof the French King is glad, & the Emperour verie angrie: for that he helped him to that dignitie. The Emperials paſſe the riuer of Theſin, and foyle the French in diuers places, inſomuch that they begin to abandon the duchie of Millaine, but in warlike aray. The Marques of Peſcara followeth with light horſes, and Chabanes is ſlain, and captaine Bayard is taken priſoner, who died of his wounds: and the Admirall returneth into Fraunce. After which time the duke of Burbon counſailed the Emperour to turne the warres into Fraunce, alledging that the deſire the Engliſh king had to conquer that realme, would much helpe him. The King of England alſo much encouraged the Emperour thereunto: but ſeeing the difficulties and charge for himſelfe, and being diſſwaded by the ambitious cardinall of Yorke (who was ſecretly French) he moued little.

The Emperor vpon this confidence maketh warre in Prouance: the duke of Burbon and Marques Peſcara being Captaines. The duke would haue paſſed on into ye bowels of France: but the Marques & other captaines would by no meanes from the ſeas, but lay in ſiege before Marſiles fortie daies without profite. And for that before their comming they hoped that the king of England would ſo haue fired ye French king on his ſide, yt all his forces ſhould haue bent that way, & that they ſhould haue receiued money out of Englande, (which both they failed of) they thought it folly to go any farther, or to abide til the king with his whole power, and ſix thouſand Swiſſers ſhould come vpon them, and therefore with ſpeede returned into Italy: wherewith the king being in heart, followed as faſt, & al in one day the king came to Verceil, and the Marques of Peſcara: albeit forthwith it was agreed by the Viceroy, and the reſt, that Antonio de Leua, ſhould defend Pauia, and the other Millaine, which was ſore infected with ye plague, that they durſt ſcarcely furniſh it, inſomuch that the maine armie of Fraunce being at hand, ere they could well prouide, the captaine Alarcon was faine to leaue it: and the King tooke it, vſing al clemencie, notwithſtanding he knewe the French to be there hated. From thence he beſiegeth Pauia, but could not take it: and ſendeth Stuart duke of Albany in Scotlant with a power to Naples. The pope perſwadeth them to peace.

The duke of Ferrara being come into the French kings protection, helpeth him againſt Pauia, but it is ſuccored by the Emperials. The pope & the French captaines perſwade the king to deſiſt, but he ſayth he will either win or die. At the length on S. Mathias day, on which ye Emperor was borne, the Viceroy and the Marques of Peſcara in well ordered battell ioyned with the King, who fought nobly, being hurt in the face, and in the hand, vntill his horſe was ſlain vnder him, and after was taken by fiue common ſouldiours, that knew him not, but in the end he diſcouered himſelfe to the Viceroy, who receyued him as priſoner to the Emperour. Antonie de Leua in the meane time throwing downe ſo much of the wall of Pauia, as an hundreth horſes abreſt might come through, iſſued out, and ſet on their backe, ſpoiling and putting to flight all, ſauing the rereward of the duke of Alanſon, taking priſoner the king of Nauarre, the baſtard of Sauoy, Montmorancie, and others, and manie of the Nobles and beſt captaines were there ſlaine.

The xvi. Booke.

ALl the Potentates of Italie were nowe greatly diſmaied with this taking of ye king priſoner, fearing the greatnes of the Emperour, ſepecially the Pope: and next him the Venetians, who treated a league with the Pope, offering to ioyne in theſe common dangers, & to leuy ten thouſand Swiſſers, and a ſufficient band of Italians, not doubting the forwardneſſe of my Ladie Regent of France, to ſend ye duke of Albany with ſufficient ſuccors, and making ſure account of ye duke of Ferrara. The viceroy on the other ſide was carefull to conuey the kings perſon into ſome place of ſuretie, & to make all ſure, to ioyne in amitie with the pope. The Pope bit at the baite immediatly & was full glad, and treated to bring in the Venetians alſo, but that would hardly be: for that they would not drop ſo much money as the Viceroy demaunded.

The Pope ſendeth the Biſhop of Piſtoia to viſite & comfort the French king. The Emperour being in Spaine receyueth the newes of this victorie, & his confeſſour the Biſhop of Oiſme maketh an eloquent oration, perſwading him franckly and freely to deliuer the French king, and that to be the moſt profitable, honourable, and ſure way: Fredericke duke of Alba ſpake to the contrarie with great vehemencie, ſaying, that to let him go were dangerous, and to let him go moſt honorably, were nothing to the Frenchmen, who were inſolent and light, and made no regard of honour: and therefore to make profite of him were the beſt way. In fine, the Emperour ſent vnto him his great chamberlaine Monſieur de Beaucain to Piſqueton to comfort him, & to tell him that theſe were his conditions: hee ſhould depart with the ſoueraigntie of the dukedome of Burgundie to him: he ſhould depart with Prouance to the duke of Burbon, with many other great things, both for him, and for the king of England. The French king anſwered conſtantly, that he would die in priſon before he would diminiſh the crowne of Fraunce, for all other things, he would ſatiſfie the Emperour with reaſon.

In the meane time the Ladie Regent of Fraunce employed all meanes poſſible, and eſpecially the Cardinall of Yorke, to winne the king of England, where all the feare was.

The Emperour on the other ſide ſollicited the King of Englande to ioyne with him to conquer Fraunce: but the King demaunded the whole kingdome in effect, if it were conquered, & ſome other ſuch conditions, as gaue them cauſe to breake off.

The Imperials become inſolent in Italie, the French king is conueyed into Spaine, & impriſoned at Madril, & the duke of Burbon is ſent for (without whom the Emperor will make no agreement) and being placed in the houſe of a great barron at the Emperors requeſt, he anſwered that he would obey, for that he and all was at his commaundement. But ſo ſoone as the duke were gone, he would ſet it on fire with his owne hands, leaſt it ſhould ſmell of the infection of a traitor.

There is now a conſpiracie againſt the Emperour in Italy, wherein the Marques of Peſcara plaid a part at the firſt, and after accuſed the reſt diſhonourably, and ſhortly after died. In the meane time the French king falleth extreamly ſicke at Madril, inſomuch that the Emperor in perſon would haue viſited him, but his Chauncelor would not ſuffer him. Within a while after the Emperour eſpouſeth the infant of Portingale: the French king recouereth health, the Pope treateth for his deliuerance, touching the which the great Chancellor and the Viceroy make two excellent orations.

After this ſhortly enſueth the treatiſe of Madril for the kings deliueraunce, wherin was yeelded Burgūdie, Charelois, and ſo many other Countreys, as they that heard it, did thinke it would neuer be kept: for aſſurance hereof the king was affianced to the Emperours ſiſter Elconor: and the Dolphin of Fraunce and the duke of Orleans, were brought in a boat to the midſt of the riuer that deuideth Spaine & Fraunce, and the king in another boate, and at one inſtant they chaunged boates, and the king haſted to land, and had a Turkiſh horſe readie, with whom he rid in poſt to Bayon, and there met with a meſſenger from the king of England, which greatly comforted him, vnto whom he confeſſed, that he acknowledged the greateſt cauſe of his deliuery to proceed from him, and therfore he was for euer the Engliſh kings.

The xvii. Booke.

ALthough both the Emperour and the King, had ſworne to the conditions ſet downe betweene them for his deliuerie, and that the king farther ſware to ratifie them, ſo ſoone as he came into a place of libertie, Neuertheleſſe as ſoone as hee came to Bayon, he anſwered the meſſenger that attended the ratification, that he durſt not performe ſuch things as were preiudiciall to the crowne of France, vntill he had wonne the minds of his ſubiects vnto it. After that hee highly complained himſelfe to all princes and eſtates of the Emperours ſeueritie, as well touching the hard conditions, as that hee would not once vouchſafe to ſee him during his impriſonment: that his ambition grewe ſo great, that he now meant to ruine the Pope, the Church, all Italy, and to bring all Chriſtian princes into ſubiection. With theſe perſwaſions he hoped to bring al Italy and other princes to ioyne with him, and conſequently to bring the Emperour to ſuch daungerous warre, as he ſhould of neceſſitie be driuen to releaſe Burgundie, and other hard conditions for money.

The Emperiall armie on the other ſide waxing euery day in Italy more and more inſolent, & being extreamely chargeable to the Millanois, and Antonio de Leua himſelfe, hauing euerie day thirtie ducats, the people in tumultuous ſort tooke weapon in hand, and had driuen away both captaines and ſouldiours, had not the cunning of the captaine, and their owne diſorder compounded the matter.

The Emperour ſent the Viceroy of Naples into Fraunce, to accept the perfourmance of the conditions: where he was greatly welcomed, but nothing was performed. The Emperour was neare madde for anger, and ſo much the more, as that almoſt againſt all mens opinion, and contrarie to the intelligence of ye Ladie Margueret Regent of Flaunders, he would needs inſert the article of Burgundie, which they aſſured him would neuer be performed: but happily breed further broyle.

In the meane time at Coignac there is treated a league betweene the pope, the French King, the Venetians, and the duke of Millaine, to be forthwith intimated to the Emperor, who had libertie to enter into it within three moneths: ſo that he deliuered the French kings children at a reaſonable ranſome to be rated by the King of Englande. After this treatie the Pope ſurpriſeth ye letters of Antonio de Leua, touching the hard eſtate of the duke of Millaine, and the duke of Vrbin, generall of the Venetians armie, taketh Loda, and ſo paſſeth to Millaine: where after long batterie, they were faine to retire with ſome altercation betwene the duke and the lieutenant.

The Spaniards in the meane time ſo plagued the Millanois, that one of them made a very lamentable oration to the duke of Burbon (who was there ariued) and yet finding no remedie, but a curteous anſwere: ſome hanged themſelues, ſome threw themſelues out at their windowes, and ended their miſeries with other deaths. The armie of the confederates once againe approcheth towards Millaine, but not onely doth any good, but alſo the Caſtell it ſelfe by the duke is vpon conference with the duke of Burbon, yeelded to the Imperials.

While chriſten princes were thus tearing out the bowels one of another, Soliman Ottoman Turke, entreth into Hungarie, and putteth the whole Countrey, and conſequently all Chriſtendome in daunger, ouerthrowing Lewis the young King, and getteth a great part of that buckler of Chriſtendome.

The Pope, notwithſtanding encourageth his confederates to ſet vppon Naples, and Peter of Nauarre is made generall: and all the confederates offer the Emperour to enter into the league, perfourming the conditions: he anſwered, he could not with his honour, being a league made againſt him eſpecially, and yet for a common quietneſſe, he would do it preſently, if the meſſengers had ſufficient commiſſion: meaning in deed nothing leſſe, but onely to keepe the king of England from entering into it.

Rome is ſurpriſed by the Colonois, and the Pope driuen to leaue the Emperour, and to deale with them: and the confederates by ſea fight with the Emperials.

The xviii. Booke.

THe French King and the Venetians had the Pope in great iealouſie, that hee woulde forſake their league, in that he made manie treatiſes with the Viceroy: and euer cried out of the charges of the warre, and yet would not make money by creating of Cardinals, nor otherwayes, as other Popes did: but to break ye treatiſe (if there were any ſuch) they vrged him, and bent themſelues with him by ſea againſt Naples. The popes Lieutenant was Monſieur Vaudemont, who pretended right thereto by ancient title of king Rene: where after certaine exploites of no great waight, the Pope ſeeing no greater ſucceſſe, and that the duke of Burbon by the perſwaſion of the duke of Ferrara, drew towards Rome, and that the French promiſes were but winde, he fell to agree a truce for eight moneths with the Viceroy. The duke of Burbon neuertheleſſe would not accept of it, but marched on. The Viceroy himſelfe in perſon went from Rome, to make him ſurceaſe, but all in vaine: for the dukes caſe being now ſomewhat deſperate, he draweth to Rome, and either meaneth to get that noble bootie or to die: and therefore moſt valiantly giueth the aſſault himſelfe before all men, and was ſlaine with a harquebuze. His death enflameth the ſouldiours, and eſpecially the Lanceknights, who before were verie cold: inſomuch that within fewe houres they take the towne and ſacke it, where they had infinite treaſure.

The palaces of the Cardinals were rifled, and the Cardinal of Siena, who himſelfe & all his anceſtors were Imperiall, was yet driuen to compound with the Spaniards: & yet after (as in all ſuch broyles no man is ſure) he was taken priſoner by the Launceknights, and caried bareheaded with many buffets to Borgo, where he paied a newe raunſome of fiue thouſand ducats. In like maner were vſed all the Spaniſh and Dutch prelats: notwithſtanding the hope of their Countrey-mens fauour.

The Pope driuen to keepe himſelfe in the caſtell, vntill the plague wearied his enemies, and compoſition made with the Imperials. The Emperour being certified of the Popes diſtreſſe, and that the plague was entred into his caſtell of S. Angelo, made outward ſhew of diſlike, but inwardly was very glad, and indeed he had cauſed him to be caried into Spain, had it not beene for feare of the king of England: as for the French king, he cared not if the Pope had bene hanged, and all Italie fiered, ſo that he had againe his children.

The Cardinal of Yorke is now ſent into France, to make a league with the French king more ſure, and to offer the mariage of the Lady Marie either to the king, if he went not on with the emperours ſiſter, or otherwiſe to the duke of Orleans. And for that the Cardinal was honourably accompanied with xii. hundred horſes, & had three C. thouſand crownes to lend the king towards his warres with the Emperour. The Cardinall of Loraine was firſt ſent to receiue him, and after the king himſelf receiued him at Amiens. In fine, the king and he ſent Gambare to the Pope, to make the Cardinall of Yorke his Vicar generall in Fraunce, England and Germanie, during his impriſonment: but ſecretly the French king withſtood it by all meanes poſſible.

In this meane ſpace, the French armie vnder the conduct of Monſieur de Lautreck take Boſco, and Genes by compoſition, after the Countrey of Alexandria, and then Pauia, where the ſouldiours ſacked and pilled, and vſed crueltie eight dayes in memorie of the battell of Pauia, where the king was taken. The duke of Ferrara entereth into the league with him, in reſpect wherof, Madame Rence, daughter of king Lewis the xii. is promiſed to his ſonne Hercules, and after the Marques of Mantua entred into the ſame league.

The treatiſe of peace ſeemed vaine betweene the Emperour and the king: for the Emperor ſayd he could not truſt the king that had once deceiued him. The Kings ambaſſadors replied, yt for aſmuch as he tooke himſelfe to be deceyued, the King might the leſſe truſt him. In the ende the ambaſſadours of Fraunce and England denounced war agaynſt him: and many hot ſpeeches breeding hot choler, the Emperor chalenging the combat of the French king ſaid, he was a falſe forſworn king. The French king on the other ſide gaue him the lie.

The king of England embraceth the religion of Luther, and by the perſwaſion of the Cardinall of Yorke, deuorceth his wife Katherin of Arragon. Monſieur de Lautrech entreth the kingdome of Naples, and Andro Dore being at the ſould of the king with his gallies, returneth to Geane, diuerſe places yeeld vnto Lautreck, and by him Naples it ſelfe is beſieged.

The xix. Booke.

MOnſieur de Lautreck finding the value of the defendants of Naples, to be great, purpoſed to continue the ſiege, hoping that though vertue fayled not, yet want of money and victuall would make vertue yeeld to neceſſitie. In the meane time Phillippin Dore with his gallies and Geneuois, who were not able ſea-men, did ſinke diuerſe ſhippes Imperiall vpon the ſea, ſleaing ye viceroy Don Hugues di Moncada, & Fieramoſque, with diuers other, to the number of a thouſand, & taking priſoners ye Marques of Guaſt, & Aſcagnio Colōna, the prince of Salerne, and diues others.

This conqueſt of the ſea would not make Naples yeeld, for Phillippin Dore tooke ſuch direction of Andro Dore to retire to Pozzouolo, that Naples was oft vittailed, & the Venetian fleet, after they had gotten Ottranto ſtaied in hope to win the caſtell of Brunduſium, ſo that ye defendants were encouraged, and the aſſailants for lacke of water and other neceſſaries fainted, and in the meane time Antonio de Leua perceyuing that Pauia was negligentlie kept, aſſaulted it by night, and tooke it, and had the Captains priſoners before the ſouldiers were awares.

The Pope continued his newtrality betweene the two princes, and ſo was neither truſted of the French king, nor of the Emperour, who the more ſuſpected him, for that he had ſent Cardinall Campeius into England to diuorce his kinſwoman Queene Katherin, daughter of Aragon.

Now doth Andro Dore leaue ye ſould of the king, and entreth ſould with the emperor, vpon conditions: & the french army before Naples is full of diſeaſes, Monſieur de Vaudemont almoſt dead, Monſieur de Lautreck very ſicke, and ſhortly after dieth: ſo that the Marques of Saluzzo is driuen to capitulate with the prince of Orange, who is now viceroy. Monſieur de S. Poll gained certaine townes in Lombardy for the French, & in ye meane time Andro Dore taketh Geane for ye emperials, through the groſſe negligence of ye French king.

Monſieur de S. Poll marcheth on ſtil through Lombardy, & comming within xii. miles of Pauia: Antonio de Leua, who had beene long ſicke, cauſeth himſelfe to be caryed in a chayre, and all his men to put on white ſhirtes, and ſtealeth without noyſe one night towardes the French, within two miles of Ladriane, & vnawares ſetteth on Monſieur de S. Poll, who albeit he fought valiantly, truſting to his Lance-knights, yet they ranne away, and he remained priſoner with Caſtillon, Claude Rangin, and diuerſe others, to Antonio de Leua.

Now beginneth the Pope to treate a peace at Barcelone with the Emperour, greatly to the Popes aduauntage, both for that he ſhould forget iniuries paſt, & be no hinderance to the Emperour, who ment perſonally to make a voyage into Italy. The like was treated betweene the French King and the Emperour at Cambray, a place deſtinied to ſuch great treatiſes, being there preſent the two ladie Regents, for the two princes, the Ambaſſadours of the confederates, and the duke of Suffolke, and the Biſhop of London for the King of England. The French King being ſomewhat aſhamed of this act, for certaine dayes kept himſelfe cloſe, and would not be ſeene of the ambaſſadours of his confederates: in the ende he gaue them ſweet wordes, comforts, and promiſes, excuſing himſelfe, that otherwiſe hee could not haue his children.

The Emperour after this, commandeth the prince of Orange to aſſaile the Florentines, and himſelfe in royal perſon commeth to Geane, where the princes of Italy do ſalute him by their Ambaſſadours.

The King and the Pope talked togither at Bolognia, the pope entring firſt, as the greater princes vſe. The Turke left off beſieging Vienna: the Emperour is inclined to capitulate with the Venetians, and Francis Sforce, to whom he reſtored the dukedome of Millaine, and the Venetians to the Church that they held in Romagnia, and to the Emperor that which they held in Puglia.

The xx. Booke.

THeſe late leagues ſeemed nowe to eſtabliſh peace each where, ſauing only to the poore Florentines, who often had helped others to make their peace, and now the peace of others drew them to a daungerous warre with the Emperour, who now ſent againſt them foure thouſand Lanceknights, and three thouſande Spaniards and Italians vnder the prince of Orange: which maketh Piſcara and Prato yeeld of themſelues to the Pope, and the ſouldiours of France being well payd, defended themſelues valiantly.

In the meane time the Pope cauſeth the French king to ſend Monſieur de Cleremont to Florence, to excuſe himſelfe, for not comprehending them in the league vpon neceſſitie of recouering his children, wiſhing them to take ſuch conditions as they could get in ſo hard a caſe, wherein himſelfe would be a dealer for them.

The Emperour meaning to go to Rome to be crowned, being letted with certaine importunate affaires of Germanie, and chiefly to elect his brother Ferdinand, king of Romanes, was faine to be crowned at Bolognia, Anno 1530, on his birth day of S. Matthias, which was his fortunate day, and there the Pope and the duke of Ferrara compromitted all their differences vnto him.

The Florentines being often ſkirmiſhed withall, and often battered, though they valiantly defended (after the death of the prince of Orange, and departure af the Marques of Guaſt) were yet for verie hunger and diuerſitie of opinions, driuen to offer to Gonſague the Captaine of the Imperials, that Caeſar himſelfe and the Pope ſhoulde determine their conditions and gouernment, their life and libertie ſaued.

Ferdinand is now choſen King of Romanes at a decree in Auſbourge, and there is treatiſe agaynſt the Lutherians, of whom the great princes beganne to be afrayde: and at the inſtant requeſt of the Germaines, the Emperour ſummoned the Pope to call a Councell: the Pope vtterly miſliked it, as preiudiciall to his Court, and abuſes, and yet diſſembled it cunningly.

The French would neuer bee long quiet, but the King turneth to his olde emulation of the greatneſſe of the Emperour, and perſwadeth with the Pope and ſtates of Italie to take heed of it. To the ſtates of Germanie, he affirmeth that the Emperour ment to make it a Monarchie. The King of England he pricketh forwarde, in recounting vnto him how angrie the Emperour was for the diuorce of his mothers ſiſter: and laſt of all, that which euill beſeemed the moſt Chriſtian King, he ſtirreth vp the Turke, who indeede was alreadie iealous of his greatneſſe, and hated him alſo in reſpect of his brother, with whom he was at oddes for Hungarie.

The Emperour ſtill calleth vpon the Councell, he deſireth now to renue the league of Bolognia, and to comprehende in it all Italie, making contribution for their common defence agaynſt the French. The Pope lyked not to be of any ſide, remembring the daungers paſt ſo often as the ſides were ouerthrowne, but being of that calling, he liked neutralitie better, as the ſureſt way.

The Emperour returneth into Spaine, and the Pope and the French king talke at Marſeilles of great matters, vnder pretence of dealing againſt the Turke, and the King of Englands diuorce. To ratifie their matters, Katherin of Medices the Popes neece, was married to Henry the ſecond ſonne of Fraunce, whome nowe the Pope woulde faine make duke of Millaine forthwith: for he foreknewe (as it ſeemed) that he ſhould ſhortly die, in that he made his Ring, and all other habiliaments, and indeed died, in whoſe place was choſen Alexander Farneſe, called Paule the third.

The duke of Wittemberg, by ayde of the Lantgraue of Heſſe, and the French Kings money, recouered the dukedome from Ferdinand, and great troubles were toward: but the matter was compounded without the French kings conſent, who in the meane time hoped to get Millaine.

At this time alſo Barbaroſſa Baſcha generall by ſea to Soliman, paſſing to the conqueſt of Thunis, ſcoured the riuers of Calabria, and paſſed Caiette, and put all Italie in ſuch a feare, as he might eaſily haue taken Rome, if he had come forward.

FINIS.